A squeegee or like cleaning appliance, particularly for cleaning window panes and floors having a holder-handle assembly into which can be removably inserted a replaceable cleaning element. The holder is provided with a pivotally mounted fastening apparatus which directly contacts a removably inserted cleaning element that is somewhat rectangular in shape. The fastening apparatus has an open position and a closed position. To remove or insert the cleaning element, the fastener is pivoted to the open position wherein the fastening means does not exert force on the cleaning element. Once the cleaning element has been inserted into the holder, the fastener is moved to the closed position, the fastening apparatus exerting pressure upon the cleaning element. The holder is designed so that the fastener fits snugly when in the closed position. This prevents the cleaning element from sliding in the holder while being used. The fastening apparatus can be opened and closed repeatedly without losing its effectiveness.

A squeegee including co-extensive stationary and moveable jaws joined medially by a fulcrum pin about which such moveable jaw is rocked by means of a lever arm handle.

A cleaning appliance has a head portion 1 with a rearwardly projecting handle section 5, and presents at the front end opposed jaw members 2 and 3 between which a squeegee blade assembly 4, or another device such as a scraper blade or duster attachment, can be releasably clamped. The clamping arrangement comprises an operating level 8 disposed at a front upper surface 1a of the head portion 1 and positioned for single-handed operation by an operator using the thumb or forefinger of the hand in which the handle section is held.

A squeegee, liquid applicator or similar device having a handle pivotally attached to a head whereby the head, containing a squeegee blade and/or wiping component, is pivotal relative to the handle in a plane inclined toward the top of the handle when the device is in use whereby motion of the head is readily controllable by rotation or twisting of the handle as the handle follows an "S" shaped path of motion.

A spring-biased pivoting squeegee 10 provides a head 12 pivotally attached to a handle 16. The head 12 is movable between a rest position, in which the head 12 is angularly displaced from the handle 16, and a biased position in which the head 12, handle 16, and wiping blade 14 are in linear relation. In the biased position, the wiping blade is maintained at an optimum angle for cleaning a glass surface even with the handle 16 held generally perpendicular to the glass. A spring 60 is fully contained in the head 12 and biases the head toward the rest position. A tension adjustment knob 80 in the head 12 permits adjustment of the spring 60 to a tension level according to the ergonomic requirements of a user. In a second embodiment of the invention an improved locking mechanism comprises a pivoting lock lever 260 held against the top wall 262 of a recess 264 in the head 202 of the squeegee by a retainer 278. The lock 260 is movable between locked and released positions. In the locked position stop surfaces 276 on the lock lever abut with upward facing ledges 256 of side plates 250 on the forward portion of the main handle body 208 to lock the head 202 in the biased position. Two springs 306 have forward projections 308 which rest in downwardly biased engagement on a spring pull nut 304. The spring pull nut 304 is adjustable by turning an adjustment knob 294 to modify the tension on the springs. Slip-resistant surfaces on the handle 208 and head 202 improved handling of the squeegee.