US20050155171A1 - Mop - Google Patents
Mop Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050155171A1 US20050155171A1 US10/760,590 US76059004A US2005155171A1 US 20050155171 A1 US20050155171 A1 US 20050155171A1 US 76059004 A US76059004 A US 76059004A US 2005155171 A1 US2005155171 A1 US 2005155171A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- mop
- pusher
- element support
- mop element
- cam
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/20—Mops
- A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
- A47L13/254—Plate frames
- A47L13/258—Plate frames of adjustable or foldable type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
- A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
- A47L13/14—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing combined with squeezing or wringing devices
- A47L13/146—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing combined with squeezing or wringing devices having pivoting squeezing plates
Definitions
- This invention pertains to mops and more specifically to a hinge mop.
- Mops are used to clean floors and pick up spills.
- One type of mop is a sponge mop.
- Sponge mops typically have some type of mechanism to squeeze the liquid from the mop element.
- One type of sponge mop is a roller mop which utilizes a series of rollers to squeeze the liquid from the mop element.
- An example of a roller mop is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,561.
- Another type of sponge mop is a butterfly mop in which the mop folds along a central axis.
- Another type of sponge mop is a hinge mop which utilizes a hinged portion of the mop element support to squeeze the fluid from the mop element.
- the difficulty in using such a hinge mop is that the user must bend down to squeeze the mop in order to assure that the liquid will be expelled adequately.
- the wringing operation can cause the user's hands to become wet and/or soiled.
- the invention provides a mop which includes a handle, a pusher, a front cam, a rear cam, a mop element support and a mop element.
- the pusher may include a front arm and a rear arm with cam-engaging surfaces.
- the mop element support has a center portion, a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is attached to the center portion by a front living hinge and the rear portion is attached to the center portion by a rear living hinge. The front portion folds along the front living hinge and the rear portion folds along the rear living hinge when the mop is in the closed position.
- the user When the user wishes to expel liquid from the mop, the user would grasp the handle with one hand and the pusher with the other hand. The user would then move the pusher along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. As the user moves the pusher relative to the shaft, the pusher would act upon the front cam and the rear cam. The front cam and the rear cams would begin to rotate and cause the rear portion of the mop element support to fold along the rear living hinge and the front portion of the mop element support to fold along the front living hinge. As the mop element support was being moved forward, liquid would then be squeezed from the mop element as the front and rear mop element supports came closer together.
- the user After the mop element has been squeezed, the user would then move the pusher in the opposite direction along the shaft.
- the pusher would engage the front and rear cams causing the front and rear portions of the mop element support to unfold along the living hinges.
- FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the mop.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mop.
- FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the mop.
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the mop.
- FIG. 5 is a front top perspective view of the mop.
- FIG. 6 is a rear view of the mop.
- FIG. 7 is a front view of the mop.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8 - 8 in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9 - 9 in FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the mop in a partially closed position.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the mop in the closed position.
- FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mop in the open position.
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 in the closed position.
- the mop 100 includes a handle 102 , a pusher 104 , a boss 106 , a front cam 108 , a rear cam 110 , a mop element support 112 and a mop element 114 .
- the mop is in the mopping position wherein the mop element 114 is in an open position.
- the mop is moved to the closed position wherein the mop element 114 is squeezed to eliminate the liquid from the mop element as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the handle 102 lies along a longitudinal axis 116 of the mop and the mop element support 112 lies along a transverse axis 118 of the mop.
- the handle 102 may include a tubular shaft 120 with a plastic cap 122 at one end of the shaft and a threaded end cap 124 at the other end of the shaft.
- the shaft 120 is made of tubular metal and the caps 122 , 124 are made of plastic.
- the shaft and caps may be unitary and may be made of other materials, such as plastic or wood.
- the pusher 104 may include a pusher grip 126 and a pusher yoke 128 .
- the pusher grip 126 is attached to the pusher yoke 128 .
- the pusher grip 126 includes two clips 130 which engage two slots 132 in the pusher yoke 128 .
- the pusher grip may be attached to the pusher yoke by other techniques, such as, a fastener, an adhesive, fusion, welding or friction.
- the pusher grip 104 may be unitary with the pusher yoke 128 .
- the pusher grip 126 may include an overmolding material 133 .
- the overmolding material 133 may improve the user's ability to grip the pusher grip and also provide cushioning for the user's hand.
- the handle 102 is inserted inside the pusher 104 .
- the handle 102 is then attached to the boss 106 .
- the threads 134 on the end cap 124 engage the threads 136 in the boss 106 as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the handle may be attached to the boss by other techniques, such as an adhesive, a fastener, welding or friction.
- the pusher 104 may include a front arm 140 and a rear arm 142 .
- the front arm 140 may include a cam-engaging surface 144 and the rear arm 142 may include a cam-engaging surface 146 .
- the pusher 104 may include cam openings 148 , 150 in the arms. The cam openings 148 , 150 permit the front cam 110 and the rear cam 112 to rotate as shown in FIG. 10 .
- the boss 106 may include an attachment portion to attach the boss 106 to the mop element support 112 .
- the attachment portion 160 includes two arms 162 , 164 and two clips 166 , 168 on the end of the arms. The clips 166 , 168 will engage the mop element support 114 .
- other attachment techniques may be used, such as, fasteners, adhesive, welding or friction.
- the boss 106 may include a stop portion 180 to limit the movement of the pusher 104 during the squeezing process and to maintain the assembly in a substantially planar condition by engaging the rear cam 112 .
- the stop portion 180 extends outward and is located on the rear of the boss 106 .
- the stop portion 180 will engage the stop portion 182 on the pusher to limit the movement of the pusher.
- the stop portion may have another configuration and may be located in a different position.
- the mop 100 may include the front cam 108 and the rear cam 110 which assist in opening and closing the mop.
- the front cam 108 has a central portion 190 , a distal portion 192 , and a stop portion 194 .
- the distal portion 192 is disposed at an angle of approximately 130° to the central portion 190 .
- the stop portion 194 is disposed at an angle of approximately 90° to the central portion 190 .
- the front cam 108 has a pusher engaging surface 196 which engages the pusher arm 140 .
- the rear cam 112 has a center portion 202 , a lower arm 204 , and an upper arm 206 .
- the lower arm 204 is disposed at an angle of approximately 90° to the center portion 202 and the upper arm 206 is disposed at an angle of approximately 90° to the center portion 202 .
- the rear cam 112 has a pusher engaging surface 208 which engages the pusher arm 142 .
- the front cam 108 and the rear cam 110 may be attached to the mop element support 112 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the cams 108 , 110 may include attachment portions.
- the attachment portion 220 for the front cam 108 includes a clip 222 which engages a slot 224 on the front portion of the mop element support 112 .
- the front cam 108 may also include a protrusion 226 which engages the front portion of the mop element support 112 .
- the attachment portion 230 for the rear cam 110 includes a clip 232 which engages a slot 234 on the rear portion of the mop element support 112 .
- the rear cam 110 may also include a protrusion 236 which engages the rear portion of the mop element support 112 .
- other attachment techniques may be used, such as fasteners, adhesive, welding or friction.
- the front cam and the rear cam may be unitary with the mop element support.
- the mop element support 112 has a center portion 240 , a front portion 242 and a rear portion 244 .
- the front portion 242 is attached to the center portion 240 by a front living hinge 246 .
- the rear portion 244 is attached to the center portion 240 by a rear living hinge 248 . Referring to FIG. 10 , the front portion 242 folds along the front living hinge 246 when the mop is in the closed position. Similarly, the rear portion 244 folds along the rear living hinge 248 when the mop is in the closed position.
- the mop element support 112 may include an attachment portion for the boss 108 .
- the attachment portion 252 includes two slots 254 , 256 in the center portion 240 of the mop element support.
- the two clips 166 , 168 on the boss will engage the two slots 254 , 256 .
- other attachment techniques may be used, such as, fasteners, adhesive, welding or friction.
- the mop element support 112 may include an attachment portion for the mop element 114 .
- the attachment portion 260 includes four attachment apertures 262 , 264 , 266 , 268 .
- the apertures 262 , 264 , 266 , 268 are located near the ends of the mop element support 112 .
- the attachment apertures may be located in other positions and may be more or less than four attachment apertures.
- the mop element support 112 may also include fluid openings to allow fluid to escape when the mop element is squeezed.
- two fluid openings 270 , 272 are located in the center portion 240 of the mop element support.
- the number of openings may be more or less than two and the openings may be located in other positions on the mop element support.
- the mop element support 112 may also include an attachment portion for a scrubbing device, such as a scrub brush.
- a scrubbing device such as a scrub brush.
- the mop element support 112 has an attachment portion 280 which includes two slots 282 , 284 .
- the slots 282 , 284 are located on the front portion 242 of the mop element support.
- the mop may include a scrub brush 286 .
- the scrub brush 286 may include protrusions to engage the slots 282 , 284 .
- the number of slots and protrusions may be more or less than two and the slots may be located in other positions on the mop element support.
- other embodiments may use other attachment systems for attaching the scrubbing device to the mop element support, such as, fasteners, adhesive, welding, or friction.
- the mop element 114 may include a sponge 290 , sponge holders 292 , 294 and a scrubber strip 296 .
- the sponge holders 292 , 294 are attached to the sponge 290 .
- the sponge holders may be attached to the sponge by fusing, welding or an adhesive.
- the sponge holder 292 may include an attachment portion 300 .
- the sponge holder 292 includes attachment clips 302 , 304 which are located at the ends of the sponge holder 292 .
- the sponge holder 294 may include attachment clips 306 , 308 .
- the attachment clips may be located in other positions.
- other embodiments may use other attachment systems for attaching the mop element to the mop support, such as, a bolt and wingnut, hook and loop elements, or post and fastener
- the user When the user wishes to expel liquid from the mop 100 , the user would grasp the shaft 120 with one hand and grasp the pusher grip 126 with the other hand. The mop would be in the open position shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 . The user would then move the pusher 104 along the longitudinal axis 116 of the shaft 120 toward the mop element 114 . As the user moves the pusher 104 relative to the shaft 102 , the pusher yoke 128 would act upon the front cam 108 and the rear cam 110 . Specifically, the cam-engaging surfaces 144 , 146 on the yoke would engage the pusher engaging surfaces 196 , 208 on the front and rear cams.
- the rear cam 110 would begin to rotate and cause the rear portion 244 of the mop element support to fold along the rear living hinge 248 .
- the cam-engaging surface 144 on the pusher yoke engages the front portion 192 of the front cam 108 as shown in FIG. 10 .
- the cam 108 begins to rotate and cause the front portion 242 of the mop element support to fold along the front living hinge 246 .
- the cams 108 , 110 further rotate causing the mop element support to fold along the living hinges 246 , 248 .
- liquid is squeezed from the mop element 114 as the front and rear portions 242 , 244 of the mop element support come closer together as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the forward movement of the pusher 104 towards the mop element support 112 is stopped when the boss stop 180 engages the pusher stop 182 as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the user would then move the pusher 104 in the opposite direction along the shaft 120 .
- the cam-engaging surfaces 144 , 146 on the pusher engage the pusher engaging surfaces on the front and rear cams 108 , 110 .
- the cams rotate causing the front and rear portions of the mop element support 114 to unfold along the living hinges 246 , 248 .
- the pusher 104 is moved further along the shaft 120 towards the opposite end of the handle, the movement of the pusher yoke is stopped when the engaging surface 144 on the front arm of the pusher engages the stop portion 194 on the front cam as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the user may remove the element by moving the clips 302 , 304 , 306 , 308 so that the clips pass through the slots 260 , 262 , 264 , 268 in the mop element support.
- the user may attach a new mop element to the mop element support by pushing the clips 302 , 304 , 306 , 308 into the slots 260 , 262 , 264 , 268 so that the clips engage the mop element support.
- FIGS. 12 and 13 Another embodiment of the mop is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 .
- This mop 1000 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11 .
- the boss 1106 includes two arms 1107 which engage the pusher yoke 1128 to limit the movement of the pusher yoke during the closing and opening of the mop 1000 .
- the arms 1107 engage a stop 1129 on the pusher yoke to prevent the forward movement of the shaft 1120 when the user is attempting to open the mop element after squeezing the mop element.
- the arms 1107 engage the stop 1131 on the pusher yoke 1128 when the mop is in the closed position in order to stop the movement of the pusher yoke relative to the mop element support 1112 .
- the pusher grip 1126 is integral with the pusher yoke 1128 .
- the pusher yoke and pusher grip are molded as one piece as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the pusher-engaging surfaces are pins 1133 , 1135
- the pins 1133 , 1135 are separately molded and attached to the pusher yoke 1128 as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the front and rear cams are made from a plastic material, preferably from an acetal resin, and even more preferably from Delrin® 100P acetal resin made by DuPont Engineering Polymers of Wilmington, Del.
- the boss is also preferably made from a plastic material, preferably from an acetal resin, and even more preferably from Delrin® 100P acetal resin made by DuPont Engineering Polymers of Wilmington, Del.
- the mop element is preferably made from polypropylene.
Abstract
Description
- This invention pertains to mops and more specifically to a hinge mop.
- Mops are used to clean floors and pick up spills. One type of mop is a sponge mop. Sponge mops typically have some type of mechanism to squeeze the liquid from the mop element. One type of sponge mop is a roller mop which utilizes a series of rollers to squeeze the liquid from the mop element. An example of a roller mop is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,561. Another type of sponge mop is a butterfly mop in which the mop folds along a central axis.
- Another type of sponge mop is a hinge mop which utilizes a hinged portion of the mop element support to squeeze the fluid from the mop element. The difficulty in using such a hinge mop is that the user must bend down to squeeze the mop in order to assure that the liquid will be expelled adequately. In addition, the wringing operation can cause the user's hands to become wet and/or soiled.
- There is a need for a flat mop which does not require the user to bend over to squeeze the liquid from the mop and get his hands wet. There is also a need for a flat mop which is easier and less expensive to manufacture and performs better than prior mops.
- These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
- The invention provides a mop which includes a handle, a pusher, a front cam, a rear cam, a mop element support and a mop element. The pusher may include a front arm and a rear arm with cam-engaging surfaces. The mop element support has a center portion, a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is attached to the center portion by a front living hinge and the rear portion is attached to the center portion by a rear living hinge. The front portion folds along the front living hinge and the rear portion folds along the rear living hinge when the mop is in the closed position.
- When the user wishes to expel liquid from the mop, the user would grasp the handle with one hand and the pusher with the other hand. The user would then move the pusher along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. As the user moves the pusher relative to the shaft, the pusher would act upon the front cam and the rear cam. The front cam and the rear cams would begin to rotate and cause the rear portion of the mop element support to fold along the rear living hinge and the front portion of the mop element support to fold along the front living hinge. As the mop element support was being moved forward, liquid would then be squeezed from the mop element as the front and rear mop element supports came closer together.
- After the mop element has been squeezed, the user would then move the pusher in the opposite direction along the shaft. The pusher would engage the front and rear cams causing the front and rear portions of the mop element support to unfold along the living hinges.
-
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the mop. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mop. -
FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the mop. -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the mop. -
FIG. 5 is a front top perspective view of the mop. -
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the mop. -
FIG. 7 is a front view of the mop. -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 inFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 8 showing the mop in a partially closed position. -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG. 8 showing the mop in the closed position. -
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mop in the open position. -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 11 in the closed position. - Referring to
FIGS. 1-3 , themop 100 includes ahandle 102, apusher 104, aboss 106, afront cam 108, arear cam 110, amop element support 112 and amop element 114. Referring toFIG. 1 , the mop is in the mopping position wherein themop element 114 is in an open position. When the user wishes to squeeze liquid from the mop, the mop is moved to the closed position wherein themop element 114 is squeezed to eliminate the liquid from the mop element as shown inFIG. 11 . Thehandle 102 lies along alongitudinal axis 116 of the mop and themop element support 112 lies along atransverse axis 118 of the mop. - The
handle 102 may include atubular shaft 120 with aplastic cap 122 at one end of the shaft and a threadedend cap 124 at the other end of the shaft. In this embodiment, theshaft 120 is made of tubular metal and thecaps - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3 , thepusher 104 may include apusher grip 126 and apusher yoke 128. Thepusher grip 126 is attached to thepusher yoke 128. In this embodiment, thepusher grip 126 includes twoclips 130 which engage twoslots 132 in thepusher yoke 128. In other embodiments, the pusher grip may be attached to the pusher yoke by other techniques, such as, a fastener, an adhesive, fusion, welding or friction. In other embodiments, thepusher grip 104 may be unitary with thepusher yoke 128. Thepusher grip 126 may include anovermolding material 133. Theovermolding material 133 may improve the user's ability to grip the pusher grip and also provide cushioning for the user's hand. - The
handle 102 is inserted inside thepusher 104. Thehandle 102 is then attached to theboss 106. In this embodiment, thethreads 134 on theend cap 124 engage thethreads 136 in theboss 106 as shown inFIG. 8 . In other embodiments, the handle may be attached to the boss by other techniques, such as an adhesive, a fastener, welding or friction. - Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 4 , thepusher 104 may include afront arm 140 and arear arm 142. Thefront arm 140 may include a cam-engaging surface 144 and therear arm 142 may include a cam-engaging surface 146. Thepusher 104 may includecam openings cam openings front cam 110 and therear cam 112 to rotate as shown inFIG. 10 . - The
boss 106 may include an attachment portion to attach theboss 106 to themop element support 112. Referring toFIG. 3 , in this embodiment, theattachment portion 160 includes twoarms clips clips mop element support 114. In other embodiments, other attachment techniques may be used, such as, fasteners, adhesive, welding or friction. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , theboss 106 may include astop portion 180 to limit the movement of thepusher 104 during the squeezing process and to maintain the assembly in a substantially planar condition by engaging therear cam 112. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 6 , in this embodiment, thestop portion 180 extends outward and is located on the rear of theboss 106. As shown inFIG. 11 , thestop portion 180 will engage thestop portion 182 on the pusher to limit the movement of the pusher. In other embodiments, the stop portion may have another configuration and may be located in a different position. - Referring to
FIGS. 3, 4 and 8, themop 100 may include thefront cam 108 and therear cam 110 which assist in opening and closing the mop. Thefront cam 108 has acentral portion 190, adistal portion 192, and astop portion 194. Thedistal portion 192 is disposed at an angle of approximately 130° to thecentral portion 190. Thestop portion 194 is disposed at an angle of approximately 90° to thecentral portion 190. Thefront cam 108 has apusher engaging surface 196 which engages thepusher arm 140. Referring toFIG. 8 , therear cam 112 has acenter portion 202, alower arm 204, and anupper arm 206. Thelower arm 204 is disposed at an angle of approximately 90° to thecenter portion 202 and theupper arm 206 is disposed at an angle of approximately 90° to thecenter portion 202. Therear cam 112 has apusher engaging surface 208 which engages thepusher arm 142. - The
front cam 108 and therear cam 110 may be attached to themop element support 112 as shown inFIG. 2 . In this embodiment as shown inFIG. 8 , thecams attachment portion 220 for thefront cam 108 includes aclip 222 which engages aslot 224 on the front portion of themop element support 112. Thefront cam 108 may also include aprotrusion 226 which engages the front portion of themop element support 112. Theattachment portion 230 for therear cam 110 includes aclip 232 which engages aslot 234 on the rear portion of themop element support 112. Therear cam 110 may also include aprotrusion 236 which engages the rear portion of themop element support 112. In other embodiments, other attachment techniques may be used, such as fasteners, adhesive, welding or friction. In yet other embodiments, the front cam and the rear cam may be unitary with the mop element support. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 4 , themop element support 112 has acenter portion 240, afront portion 242 and arear portion 244. Thefront portion 242 is attached to thecenter portion 240 by afront living hinge 246. Therear portion 244 is attached to thecenter portion 240 by arear living hinge 248. Referring toFIG. 10 , thefront portion 242 folds along thefront living hinge 246 when the mop is in the closed position. Similarly, therear portion 244 folds along therear living hinge 248 when the mop is in the closed position. - The
mop element support 112 may include an attachment portion for theboss 108. In this embodiment as shown inFIG. 3 , theattachment portion 252 includes twoslots center portion 240 of the mop element support. The twoclips slots - Referring to
FIG. 1 , themop element support 112 may include an attachment portion for themop element 114. In this embodiment, theattachment portion 260 includes fourattachment apertures apertures mop element support 112. In other embodiments, the attachment apertures may be located in other positions and may be more or less than four attachment apertures. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , themop element support 112 may also include fluid openings to allow fluid to escape when the mop element is squeezed. In this embodiment, twofluid openings center portion 240 of the mop element support. In other embodiments, the number of openings may be more or less than two and the openings may be located in other positions on the mop element support. - The
mop element support 112 may also include an attachment portion for a scrubbing device, such as a scrub brush. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1 , themop element support 112 has anattachment portion 280 which includes twoslots slots front portion 242 of the mop element support. As shown inFIG. 2 , the mop may include ascrub brush 286. Thescrub brush 286 may include protrusions to engage theslots - Referring to
FIG. 2 , themop element 114 may include asponge 290,sponge holders scrubber strip 296. Thesponge holders sponge 290. The sponge holders may be attached to the sponge by fusing, welding or an adhesive. Thesponge holder 292 may include anattachment portion 300. In this embodiment, thesponge holder 292 includes attachment clips 302, 304 which are located at the ends of thesponge holder 292. Similarly, thesponge holder 294 may include attachment clips 306, 308. In other embodiments, the attachment clips may be located in other positions. In addition, other embodiments may use other attachment systems for attaching the mop element to the mop support, such as, a bolt and wingnut, hook and loop elements, or post and fastener - When the user wishes to expel liquid from the
mop 100, the user would grasp theshaft 120 with one hand and grasp thepusher grip 126 with the other hand. The mop would be in the open position shown inFIGS. 1 and 8 . The user would then move thepusher 104 along thelongitudinal axis 116 of theshaft 120 toward themop element 114. As the user moves thepusher 104 relative to theshaft 102, thepusher yoke 128 would act upon thefront cam 108 and therear cam 110. Specifically, the cam-engagingsurfaces pusher engaging surfaces rear cam 110 would begin to rotate and cause therear portion 244 of the mop element support to fold along therear living hinge 248. As thepusher 104 is moved further along thelongitudinal axis 116 toward themop element support 112, the cam-engagingsurface 144 on the pusher yoke engages thefront portion 192 of thefront cam 108 as shown inFIG. 10 . Thecam 108 begins to rotate and cause thefront portion 242 of the mop element support to fold along thefront living hinge 246. - As the
pusher 104 is moved further towards the mop element support, thecams mop element 114 as the front andrear portions FIG. 11 . The forward movement of thepusher 104 towards themop element support 112 is stopped when theboss stop 180 engages the pusher stop 182 as shown inFIG. 11 . - After the mop element has been squeezed, the user would then move the
pusher 104 in the opposite direction along theshaft 120. The cam-engagingsurfaces rear cams mop element support 114 to unfold along the living hinges 246, 248. As thepusher 104 is moved further along theshaft 120 towards the opposite end of the handle, the movement of the pusher yoke is stopped when theengaging surface 144 on the front arm of the pusher engages thestop portion 194 on the front cam as shown inFIG. 8 . - Referring to
FIG. 2 , if the user needs to replace themop element 114, the user may remove the element by moving theclips slots clips slots - Another embodiment of the mop is shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13 . Thismop 1000 is similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-11 . However, in this embodiment, theboss 1106 includes twoarms 1107 which engage thepusher yoke 1128 to limit the movement of the pusher yoke during the closing and opening of themop 1000. Referring toFIG. 12 , thearms 1107 engage astop 1129 on the pusher yoke to prevent the forward movement of theshaft 1120 when the user is attempting to open the mop element after squeezing the mop element. As shown inFIG. 13 , thearms 1107 engage thestop 1131 on thepusher yoke 1128 when the mop is in the closed position in order to stop the movement of the pusher yoke relative to themop element support 1112. - Another difference between this embodiment of the
mop 1000 and the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-11 is that thepusher grip 1126 is integral with thepusher yoke 1128. Specifically, the pusher yoke and pusher grip are molded as one piece as shown inFIG. 11 . - Another difference between this embodiment of the
mop 1000 and the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-11 is that the pusher-engaging surfaces arepins pins pusher yoke 1128 as shown inFIG. 12 . - Preferably, the front and rear cams are made from a plastic material, preferably from an acetal resin, and even more preferably from Delrin® 100P acetal resin made by DuPont Engineering Polymers of Wilmington, Del. The boss is also preferably made from a plastic material, preferably from an acetal resin, and even more preferably from Delrin® 100P acetal resin made by DuPont Engineering Polymers of Wilmington, Del. The mop element is preferably made from polypropylene.
- All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
- The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
- Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Claims (27)
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/760,590 US20050155171A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-01-20 | Mop |
AU2004315461A AU2004315461A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-08-26 | Mop |
CA002552276A CA2552276A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-08-26 | Mop |
PCT/US2004/027767 WO2005074780A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-08-26 | Mop |
CNA2004800407239A CN1905829A (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-08-26 | Mop |
EP04782280A EP1713374A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-08-26 | Mop |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/760,590 US20050155171A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-01-20 | Mop |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050155171A1 true US20050155171A1 (en) | 2005-07-21 |
Family
ID=34750024
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/760,590 Abandoned US20050155171A1 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-01-20 | Mop |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050155171A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1713374A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1905829A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2004315461A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2552276A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005074780A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007097894A2 (en) * | 2006-02-17 | 2007-08-30 | Casabella Holdings, Llc | Duster with handle insert |
AU2008200163B2 (en) * | 2007-01-12 | 2010-09-30 | The Libman Company | Integrated mop system |
US20110209300A1 (en) * | 2009-09-17 | 2011-09-01 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Wiper |
US20110225754A1 (en) * | 2008-12-01 | 2011-09-22 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Cleaning implement |
US20160309978A1 (en) * | 2013-07-02 | 2016-10-27 | Sbd Superior Business Development Ag | Device for washing floors |
US20170156562A1 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2017-06-08 | Quickie Manufacturing Corporation | Hybrid roller mop |
CN107049170A (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2017-08-18 | 嘉兴杰创智能电器有限公司 | From Wringing mop |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2007216746B2 (en) * | 2006-09-26 | 2011-07-14 | The Decor Corporation Pty Ltd | Mops |
WO2014093138A1 (en) * | 2012-12-10 | 2014-06-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | A floor cleaning tool with a squeezing element |
Citations (11)
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US2730744A (en) * | 1951-10-12 | 1956-01-17 | Sidney P Vaugha | Wringer type mop device, cam operated |
US2916754A (en) * | 1957-09-18 | 1959-12-15 | Empire Brushes Inc | Mop with cam wringer |
US3484888A (en) * | 1968-04-22 | 1969-12-23 | Mack C Davis | Combined floor wiper and scourer apparatus |
US4893369A (en) * | 1988-05-20 | 1990-01-16 | Spontex Incorporated | Hand-held utensil for surface cleaning, mopping and the like |
US5097561A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1992-03-24 | M. B. Walton, Inc. | Wringer mop with auxiliary cleaning elements |
US5922140A (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 1999-07-13 | Thomas Joseph Neff | Self-wringing absorbent device operable with one hand |
US6003187A (en) * | 1997-04-22 | 1999-12-21 | Easy Day Manufacturing Company | Combination mop and wiper |
US20020056167A1 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2002-05-16 | Leifheit Ag | Damp mop |
US6418585B1 (en) * | 2000-09-08 | 2002-07-16 | Sam Viner | Powered mop adaptable for electro-mechanical operation |
US20020120994A1 (en) * | 2000-11-25 | 2002-09-05 | Hirse Gernot M. | Floor mop |
US20020124339A1 (en) * | 2001-01-10 | 2002-09-12 | Cann Robert A. | Butterfly sponge mop |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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FR2709056B3 (en) * | 1992-12-24 | 1996-01-12 | Malloul Lydie | Sponge mop for washing, scraping and polishing surfaces. |
CA2510032A1 (en) * | 2002-12-18 | 2004-07-01 | Celestino Niccolai | Domestic cleaning device with pivoting squeezing plates |
TW588639U (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2004-05-21 | Jia-Yi Sie | Mop and connectors |
-
2004
- 2004-01-20 US US10/760,590 patent/US20050155171A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-08-26 CN CNA2004800407239A patent/CN1905829A/en active Pending
- 2004-08-26 CA CA002552276A patent/CA2552276A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-08-26 WO PCT/US2004/027767 patent/WO2005074780A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2004-08-26 EP EP04782280A patent/EP1713374A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2004-08-26 AU AU2004315461A patent/AU2004315461A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2730744A (en) * | 1951-10-12 | 1956-01-17 | Sidney P Vaugha | Wringer type mop device, cam operated |
US2916754A (en) * | 1957-09-18 | 1959-12-15 | Empire Brushes Inc | Mop with cam wringer |
US3484888A (en) * | 1968-04-22 | 1969-12-23 | Mack C Davis | Combined floor wiper and scourer apparatus |
US5097561A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1992-03-24 | M. B. Walton, Inc. | Wringer mop with auxiliary cleaning elements |
US4893369A (en) * | 1988-05-20 | 1990-01-16 | Spontex Incorporated | Hand-held utensil for surface cleaning, mopping and the like |
US6003187A (en) * | 1997-04-22 | 1999-12-21 | Easy Day Manufacturing Company | Combination mop and wiper |
US5922140A (en) * | 1997-10-14 | 1999-07-13 | Thomas Joseph Neff | Self-wringing absorbent device operable with one hand |
US6418585B1 (en) * | 2000-09-08 | 2002-07-16 | Sam Viner | Powered mop adaptable for electro-mechanical operation |
US20020056167A1 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2002-05-16 | Leifheit Ag | Damp mop |
US20020120994A1 (en) * | 2000-11-25 | 2002-09-05 | Hirse Gernot M. | Floor mop |
US20020124339A1 (en) * | 2001-01-10 | 2002-09-12 | Cann Robert A. | Butterfly sponge mop |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007097894A2 (en) * | 2006-02-17 | 2007-08-30 | Casabella Holdings, Llc | Duster with handle insert |
WO2007097894A3 (en) * | 2006-02-17 | 2008-01-24 | Casabella Holdings Llc | Duster with handle insert |
AU2008200163B2 (en) * | 2007-01-12 | 2010-09-30 | The Libman Company | Integrated mop system |
US20110225754A1 (en) * | 2008-12-01 | 2011-09-22 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Cleaning implement |
US8561245B2 (en) | 2008-12-01 | 2013-10-22 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Cleaning implement |
US20110209300A1 (en) * | 2009-09-17 | 2011-09-01 | Carl Freudenberg Kg | Wiper |
US20160309978A1 (en) * | 2013-07-02 | 2016-10-27 | Sbd Superior Business Development Ag | Device for washing floors |
US10010232B2 (en) * | 2013-07-02 | 2018-07-03 | Sbd Superior Business Development Ag | Device for washing floors |
US20170156562A1 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2017-06-08 | Quickie Manufacturing Corporation | Hybrid roller mop |
CN107049170A (en) * | 2016-10-18 | 2017-08-18 | 嘉兴杰创智能电器有限公司 | From Wringing mop |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2004315461A1 (en) | 2005-08-18 |
CA2552276A1 (en) | 2005-08-18 |
CN1905829A (en) | 2007-01-31 |
WO2005074780A1 (en) | 2005-08-18 |
EP1713374A1 (en) | 2006-10-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: C & H PLASTICS, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ASHBY, TERRY A.;T. A. CONSULTANTS;REEL/FRAME:015313/0704 Effective date: 20040316 Owner name: FREUDENBERG HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS LP, ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:C & H PLASTICS;REEL/FRAME:015313/0658 Effective date: 20040322 Owner name: FREUDENBERG HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS LP, ILLINOIS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BOYER, CHRISTOPHER T.;REEL/FRAME:015313/0779 Effective date: 20040223 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |