US2757398A - Foldable mop with precompressed scrubbing element and method of assembly - Google Patents

Description

m g, 1956 w. H. RICHARDS ET AL 2,757,398 FOLDABLE MOP WITH PRECOMPRESSED SCRUBBING ELEMENT AND METHOD 0 F ASSEMBLY s sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 29, 1955 H. RICHARDS ETAL 2,757,398 FOLDABLE MOP WITH PRECOMPRESSED SCRUBBING Filed May 29, 1953 ELEMENT AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 22 INVENTORS ATTORNEY H. FOLDABLE MOP WI RICHARDS ETAL 2,757,398 TH FEE-COMPRESSED SCRUBBING ELEMENT AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY Filed May 29, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS B (am/40m ATTUF/VD.

United States Patent FOLDABLE MOI WITH PRECOWRESSED SCRUB BING ELEMENT AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY William H. Richards and William F. Richards, Rehoboth, Del.

Application May 29, 1953, Serial No. 358,302

6 Claims. (Cl. 15-4 19) Our invention relates to scrub mops.

The present invention is an improvement on the mop disclosed in our copending application Serial No. 282,367, filed April 15, 1952, now Patent No. 2,670,488, granted March 2, 1954, and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a foldable scrubbing mop having means to effect the folding of the compressible scrubbing element, in order to press or squeeze water from the same.

A further important object of the invention is to provide in a mop of the above-mentioned character a readily replaceable sponge scrubbing pad or refill assembly.

A further object is to provide in a mop of the abovementioned character a sponge scrubbing element or pad which is moistened and precompressed in assembly, in order to lessen the strain on the fibers of the sponge pad caused by subsequent shrinkage when the pad dries, the arrangement also aiding the sponge pad in remaining flat during the normal use of the mop, while the pad is wet.

A further object is to provide a scrub mop having a handle assembly which is readily adjustable so that the handle may extend longitudinally or transversely of the sponge scrubbing element, and be securely locked in. the selected adjusted position.

A still further object is to provide an extremely strong handle connection in a mop of the above-mentioned character, so that too much strain will not be placed upon the means for regulating the angular adjustment or inclination of the handle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a scrub mop of the above-mentioned character which is simplified in construction, sturdy and durable, and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure l is a perspective view of a scrub mop embodying our invention, part broken away,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the mop,

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mop,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the mop showing a wringer means in different adjusted positions relative to the mophead,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the mop in the fully folded or compressed position,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of the mop in the fully folded or compressed position,

Figure 8 is a perspective view, partly exploded, and

showing the mop handle adjusted to extend longitudinally of the mophead,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front elevation, partly diagrammatic, illustrating the relative distances between hinge knuckles of the mophead plate sections and adapter 70 plate before the sponge element or pad is precompres'sed longitudinally in assembly,

P ICC Figure 10 is a plan view of a scrub mop embodying a modification of the invention, parts broken away,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of the mop illustrated in Figure 10 when fully folded or compressed,

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical section on line 12-12 of Figure 10, parts omitted,

Figure 13 is a vertical section on line 13-13 of Figure 10, and,

Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a sponge refill assembly and associated elements.

In the drawings, Where for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of our invention, attention is directed first to Figures 1 to 9 inclusive, wherein the numeral designates separate headplate sections formed of sheet metal, or the like. The headplate sections 20 are generally flat and rectangular, as shown, and are rolled upwardly at their inner ends to form pairs of axially spaced hinge knuckles 21, integral therewith. The headplate sections 20 include short downturned extensions or flanges 22 at their longitudinal edges, and likewise formed integral with the headplate sections. The headplate sections 20 have their respective hinge knuckles 21 spaced apart longitudinally of the mophead, in assembly, as shown in Figure 2.

An intermediate adapter member or plate 23 is provided, and this adapter plate has a substantially flat central body portion 24, extending transversely of the mophead, in assembly, and located between the pairs of hinge knuckles 21, Figure 4. The central body portion 24 is formed or rolled at its marginal edges to provide a pair of spaced parallel depending hinge knuckles 25, which interfit with the pairs of hinge knuckles 21 in assembly. Hinge pins 26 engage slidably through the interfitting hinge knuckles 21 and 25, and serve to hingedly connect the headplate sections 29 with the intermediate adapter plate 23, the ends of the hinge pins 26 being peened over in assembly to secure them in place.

The intermediate adapter plate 23 further comprises end extensions 27 and 28, integral. with the central portion 24 and arranged at right angles thereto and extending laterally outwardly of the hinge knuckles 25. The extensions 27 and 28 extend longitudinally of the headplate sections 20 in assembly, and the width of the intermediate adapter plate 23 between the extensions 27 and 28 is preferably substantially equal to the widths of the headplate sections 20, as shown. The ends of the adapter plate extensions 27 and 28 are downturned to form substantially vertical feet or stop extensions 29 and 30, integral therewith. The stop extensions 30 converge toward the forward side of the mophead, as shown, for a purpose to be described. The stop extensions 29 and 30 are adapted to engage the tops of the headplate sections 20 substantial distances laterally outwardly of the interfitting hinge knuckles 21 and 25, to limit the upward swinging movement of the headplate sections 20, so that the headplate sections will never pass above the horizontal during the operation of the mop. The stop extensions 29 and 30 and the interfitting hinge knuckles maintain the body portion of the intermediate adapter plate 23 spaced above the headplate sections 20, as shown.

We provide an adjustable handle assembly including a generally fiat handle mounting plate 31 having a central opening 32 formed therein.

An upstanding vertical screw-threaded stud 33 is rigidly secured to the central portion 24 of the intermediate adapter plate 23, and pivota'lly engages through the opendepending locking extensions 36, integral therewith and being approximately of the same vertical length as the depending stop extensions 29 and 30. The distance from the opening 32 to the locking extensions 36 is such, that the depending locking extensions may engage either the rear edge of the intermediate adapter plate 23 or the outer sides of the depending stop extensions 29, to releasably lock the handle mounting plate 31 in positions, wherein the handle mounting plate extends longitudinally or transversely of the mophead. To effect this pivotal adjustment of the handle mounting plate 31, the wing nut 35 is loosened and elevated somewhat to permit the lower ends of the locking extensions 36 to pass above the top surface of the intermediate adapter plate 23, so that the locking extensions 36 may be shifted into engagement with either the rear edge of the intermediate adapter plate or the depending stop extensions 29.

"An elongated mop handle 37 is provided, and provided at its lower end with a handle attachment plate 38, rigidly anchored within the slot 39 in the lower end of the handle '37, by a screw 40 or the like. The lower end of the attachment plate 38 is formed to provide a pair of spaced aligned hinge knuckles 41, integral therewith, and adapted to interfit with a central upwardly offset hinge knuckle 42, formed upon the handle mounting plate 31, between the locking extensions 36, and spaced somewhat forwardly thereof.

A pivoted wringer handle or bail 43 of stiff wire or the like is provided, and this wringer handle comprises a pair of elongated straight upwardly converging arms or sides 43', preferably integrally connected at their lower ends by a transverse portion or shaft 44. The shaft 44 engages pivotal ly through the interfitting hinge knuckles 41 and 42, and serves to hingedly connect the mop handle 37 and the handle mounting plate 31, as shown. In practice, the hinge knuckles 41 and 42 are rolled or closed about the shaft 44, after the shaft is brought into engagement with the partially formed hinge knuckles 41 and 42. The arms 43' are formed at their upper ends to provide a substantially U-shaped spring loop or clip 45, adapted to snap over the forward side of the mop handle 37, for releasably securing the wringer handle 43 in the inoperative or stowed position shown in Figure l. A pair of conically tapered rollers 46 are freely journaled upon the arms 43' near their lower ends, and these rollers cannot move longitudinally of the arms 43', because the portions of the arms having the rollers 46 mounted thereon are arranged at slight angles to the portions of the arms directly above and below the rollers, as shown in the drawings.

Means are provided to facilitate raising and lowering the mop handle 37, relative to the mophead and releasably locking the same in selected. adjusted positions. This ward end of the handle mounting plate 31. The upper ends of the arms 47 are bent to form a pair of substantially closed eyes or loops 50, integral therewith and a relatively short transverse locking bar or detent 51, which extends transversely across the forward side of the mop handle, and is selectively engageable within locking notches 52 formed in the forward side of the mop handle 37 near its lower end. A retractile coil spring 53 surrounds the rear side of the mop handle 37 and has its ends secured at 54 to the loops 50. The spring 53 serves to resiliently hold the locking bar 51 within a selected one of the notches 52, as shown. When the locking bar 51 is in the lowermost notch 52, the mop handle 37 is substantially horizontal and close to the headplate sections 20, and when in the uppermost notch 52, the mop handle is in the generally vertical inclined position shown in Figure 1. Obviously, a greater number of the notches 52 may be provided, so that the mop handle 37 may be releasably held in other angularly adjusted positions between the true vertical and horizontal.

An elongated relatively thick rectangular scrubbing element or pad 55' of cellulosic sponge or like compressible material is provided. As best shown in Figure 9, the sponge pad 55 has its top face cemented to the lower faces of the headplate sections 29 by suitable waterproof cement 56. As shown in Figure 9, the cement 56 extends from the outer ends of the headplate sections 20 to points 57 near the longitudinal centers of the headplate sections, and the entire central portion of the sponge pad 55 between the points 57 is free from connection with the headplate sections 20. The length of the sponge pad 55 is such that with the headplate sections 20 cemented to it, in the manner shown, and prior to assembling the headplate sections to the intermediate adapter plate 23, the hinge knuckles 21 of the headplate sections are spaced apart a substantial distance further than the distance between the hinge knuckles 25 with which they are to interfit. When the mop is being assembled, the sponge pad 55, while in the free or untensioned position of Figure 9, is soaked in Water, and allowed to become soft and pliable. The headplate sections 20 are then shifted together longitudinally, until the hinge knuckles 21 become axially aligned with. the hinge knuckles 25, and then the hinge pins 26 are forced through the interfitting knuckles 21 and 25. This operation has the efiect of precompressing the central portion of the sponge pad 55 longitudinally, in the region between the points 57 and between the hinge knuckles 21. After the hinge pins 26 have been forced into place, and the mophead is assembled, the sponge pad 55 becomes dry, as indeed it will every time the mop is used wet and subsequently allowed to dry. The cellulosic sponge pad when drying is subject to substantial shrinkage, and becomes quite stiff and hard. Where this material is cemented or otherwise attached over its entire area to a mop headplate, or the like, it will frequently tear itself loose from the headplate, bend or distort the headplate, or even destroy itself to some extent, upon shrinking, by the ripping apart of its internal fibers. With our arrangement of precompressing the central portion of the sponge pad 55, these objectionable results due to shrinkage of the sponge pad 55 during drying are eliminated, and since the internal cells of the cellulosic sponge pad are precompressed or compacted, shrinkage can occur to the necessary extent without damaging the headplate sections 20 or the sponge pad 55. Another advantage of our arrangement is that when the sponge pad 55 is wet, during the normal use of the mop, it tends to expand, and this tendency is magnified in the central portion of the pad between the points 57, which is precompressed. When the expansion of the pad 55 thus occurs, the effect will be to force the hinged headplate sections 20 toward their open horizontal positions shown in Figures 1 and 9, and this is desirable during the operation of the mop, when it is desired to have the pad 55 remain flat and horizontal. As shown in the drawings, the depending flanges 22 of the headplates 20 extend downwardly for short distances over the longitudinal edges of the sponge pad 55, and if desired, these flanges may be cemented to the sides of the pad 55 between the points 57 and the outer ends of the flanges 22.

During the use of our mop, the mop handle 37 may be raised and lowered and releasably held in the selected adjusted position by means of the locking bail, including the locking bar 51, notches 52 and associated eletensions 36 engaging either the rear edge of the adapter plate 23 or its depending stop extensions 29, to releasably lock the mop handle in the selected pivotally adjusted position.

When it is desired to fold or squeeze the wet sponge pad 55 to expel water from the same, the pivoted handle 43 is disengaged from the mop handle 37 and swung forwardly about the axis of the shaft 44, as shown in Figure 5, until the tapered rollers 46 engage the tops of the headplate sections 20. The necessary clearance for the tapered rollers 46 in the position shown in Figure is afforded by the forward convergence of the stop extensions and the forwardly converging edges of the handle mounting plate 31, shown clearly in the drawings. Further forward and downward swinging of the handle 43 causes the tapered rollers 46 to beg-in closing or folding the headplate sections 20 together, for folding and compressing the sponge pad 55 between them. The

tapered rollers 46 sweep across the headplate sections 20 from their forward inner corners, Figure 5, to their rear outer corners, Figure .6. When the rollers 46 reach approximately their positions shown in Figure 6, the headplate sections 20 assume opposed substantially parallel positions, Figure 7, and the sponge pad 55 is tightly squeezed or compressed between them in the manner shown for expelling the water from the pad. The handle 43 is now swung back to the position shown in Figure 1, wherein the clip engages the mop handle 37, and the pad will tend to spring the headplate sections .20 back toward their extended horizontal positions shown in Figure 1.

Since the mop handle 37 and wringer handle 43 have a common pivot axis about the shaft 44, the above de scribed squeezing or wringing operation may be performed regardless of the degree of inclination of the handle 37, as controlled by the locking bar 51, it being only necessary that the handle 37 extend transversely of the mophead at the time.

An additional important feature of the invention which should be mentioned is the fact that the hinge knuckles 41 and 42 and shaft 44 in assembly are spaced somewhat forwardly of the rear side of the mophead, as shown clearly in Figures 3 and 6. With this arrangement, when the mop handle 37 is lowered to the horizontal position shown in Figure 6, the bottom of the handle engages directly upon the top of the intermediate adapter plate 23, which serves as a stop to limit the downward swinging movement of the mop handle. This arrangement relieves the locking bar 51 and associated elements of excessive strain, to which they would be subjected if the handle 37, in the horizontal position did not positively engage the top of the intermediate adapter plate 23.

In Figures 10 to 14 inclusive, we have shown a modification of the invention, wherein a replaceable sponge refill assembly 58 is provided. The sponge refill assembly 53 comprises a rectangular compressible pad 59 of cellulosic sponge, or the like, which may be identical with the pad 55. A pair of flat rectangular adapter plates are permanently cemented with waterproof cement to the top face of the sponge pad 59, and cover substantially the same areas of the sponge pad as the cement 56 in the first form of the invention, the central portion of the pad 59 between the plates 60 being free of cement. The adapter plates 60 are provided near their outer rear corners with upstanding screw-threaded studs 61, permanently rigidly secured thereto by welding, soldering or the like, and a pair of screw-threaded apertures 62 are formed in the adapter plates 60 near their inner rear corners and outer forward corners, as shown. Headplate sections 63 substantially identical with the headplate sections 20 are provided, and these have apertures 64 formed therein near their corners overlying the apertures 62 and studs 61, for registration therewith.

In assembly, the adapter plates 60 are first cemented to the sponge pad 59, and the headplate sections 63 are placed upon the adapter plates 60, the studs 61 engaging upwardly through the apertures 64 near the 6 rear outer corners of the headplate sections. Short downwardly directed screws 65 have screw-threaded engagement within the openings 62 of the adapter plates 60, and extend through the other openings 64 of the headplate sections 63, with their heads preferably arranged flush with the top faces of the headplate sections, as shown. The sponge pad 59 is now precompressed longitudinally, in the same manner previously described in connection with the first form of the invention, and illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 9, and the hinge pins 26 are driven into place for pivotally connecting the headplate sections 63 with the intermediate adapter plate 23. Washers 66 and wing nuts 67 engage the tops of the studs 61, above the headplate sections 63 as shown in the drawings, and these elements form stops for the tapered rollers 46, Figure 11, when the rollers are swung to their positions for completely folding the headplate sections 63 together and squeezing the sponge pad 59. With this arrangement, there is no danger of the rollers 64 rolling entirely off of the headplate sections 63, during the squeezing operation, and when the rollers 46 contact the wing nuts 67, the operator knows that the pad 59 is completely compressed or squeezed, and may return the handle 43 to the stowed position of Figure 1. All other parts of the mop are identical in construction and operation with the corresponding parts shown and described in connection with the first form of the invention.

When the sponge pad 59 becomes worn or otherwise damaged, it may be quickly replaced with a new pad, by merely removing the nuts 67 and screws 65, which permits removal of the pad 59 and adapter plates 60.

It is to be understood that the forms of our invention, herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of our invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. A mop device comprising a pair of headplate sections, an absorbent compressible pad secured to corresponding sides of the headplate sections and foldable between the headplate sections for having water squeezed out of the same, an adapter member hingedly connected with the headplate sections and permitting them to swing to opposed substantially parallel positions and engaging the headplate sections when the same extend in substantially the same plane and limiting their swinging movement in one direction, a handle mounting plate detachably connected with said adapter member and including a depending part engageable with sides of the adapter member for locking the handle mounting plate in selected adjusted positions relative to said adapter member, a mop handle, a movable mop squeezing device including a pair of arms, common hinge means connecting the mop handle and mop squeezing device with said handle mounting plate, and rollers journaled upon said arms of the mop squeezing device and engageable with corresponding sides of the headplate sections when the mop squeezing device is swung in one direction about said common hinge means.

2. A mop device comprising a pair of headplate sections, a compressible scrubbing pad secured to corresponding sides of the headplate sections and foldable therebetween for squeezing water from the same, an intermediate adapter plate hingedly connected with the headplate sections. and engaging the same substantial distances outwardly of their inner ends to limit swinging movement of the headplate sections in one direction, a handle mounting plate detachably mounted upon said adapter plate and including a depending part engageable with sides of the adapter plate for releasably locking the handle mounting plate in selected adjusted positions relative to the adapter plate, hinge forming means secured to the handle mount ing plate and spaced forwardly of its rear end and forwardly of the corresponding rear end of the intermediate adapter plate, an angularly adjustable mop handle secured to said hinge forming means and adapted to be raised and lowered by swinging the handle about thehingeforming means, means connected with the mop handle to releasably hold the same in selected angularly adjusted posiextend substantially longitudinally of the mop handle,

and a resilient clip device carried by the arms and engageable with the mop handle for releasably securing the mop squeezing device thereto in a stowed position, the mop handle being engageable with the rear portion of said intermediate adapter plate when in a lowered substantially horizontal position, the intermediate adapter plate then forming a positive stop for the mop handle.

3. A scrub mop comprising a pair of headplate sections, an absorbent compressible pad secured to corresponding faces of the headplate sections and adapted to be folded and compressed between the headplate sections for squeezing water from the pad, an adapted member provided with horizontal hinge means connecting the headplate sections so that they may swing to opposed generally parallel positions and may extend in substantially the same plane, a handle mounting member secured to said adapter memher, a mop handle, a movable mop squeezing device including a pair of arms, hinge means forming a common hinged connection between said mop handle, movable mop squeezing device and handle mounting member, means for securing the mop handle in various adjusted positions, rollers journaled upon said arms of the mop squeezing device and swingable forwardly of the mop handle into engagement with the tops of the headplate sections in all adjusted positions of the mop handle, and means forming a detachable connection between the mop handle and said arms of the mop squeezing device, so that the mop squeezing device may swing with the mop handle about said common hinged connection to all adjusted positions of the mop handle.

4. A method of assembling a mop comprising securing a pair of head plate sections having opposed hinge parts to an elongated section of cellulosic sponge while the sponge is dry so that the hinge parts are spaced apart a predetermined distance, wetting the section of cellulosic sponge so that it is rendered soft and pliable, compressing the sponge section longitudinally for shifting said hinge parts closer together and thereby aligning them with companion hinge parts of a member with which they are to be connected, and inserting hinge pins through the companion hinge parts of the head plate sections and said member for hingedly securing the head plate sections to the member while the section of sponge is compressed, whereby subsequent drying of the section of sponge and its resultantshrinkage will have no deleterious effect upon the mop.

5. A method of assembling a mop comprising applying adhesive between the outer ends only of a pair of head plate sections having opposed hinge parts and the ends of an elongated section of cellulose sponge while the sponge is dry, so that the hinge parts are spaced apart longitudinally a predetermined distance, wetting the section of cellulose sponge so that it is rendered soft and pliable, compressing the sponge section longitudinally for shifting said hinge parts closer together and thereby aligning them with companion hinge parts of a member with which they are to be connected, and inserting hinge pins through the companion hinge parts of the head plate sections and said member for hingedly securing the head plate sections to the member while the section of sponge is compressed, whereby subsequent drying of the sponge section and its resultant shrinkage will have no deleterious effect upon the mop.

6. A scrub mop comprising a pad of absorbent compressible material which is subject to substantial shrinkage when dry but soft and pliable when wet, a pair of separate head plate sections each having a portion secured to one side of the pad in spaced relation and provided at their inner ends with hinge parts, an adapter plate having hinge parts on its outer ends pivotally connected with the hinge parts of the head plate sections, the central portion of the pad between the secured portions of the head plate sections being longitudinally compressed, whereby wetting of the pad will create additional expansibility therein so as to aid in swinging the sections outwardly into alignment, a mop handle connected with the adapter plate, and movable mop-squeezing means associated with the mop handle and shiftable into engagement with the headplate sections for swinging the same into opposed relation with the pad folded therebetween.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,637,059 Vosbikian et al. May 5, 1953 2,643,407 Vosbikian et al June 30, 1953 2,706,303 Ours Apr. 19, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 504,132 Belgium Oct. 24, 1952

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