WO2004100754A1

WO2004100754A1 - Arrangement for a floor mop provided with a handle

Info

Publication number: WO2004100754A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/000764
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stig Olsson; Lennart F. Olsson
Original assignee: Stig Olsson; Olsson Lennart F
Priority date: 2003-05-19
Filing date: 2004-05-18
Publication date: 2004-11-25
Also published as: SE0301453L; SE0301453D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement (16) for a floor mop (18) provided with a handle (17) which exhibits retaining means for a suction mop body (7). The suction mop body (7) in this case is made of a compressible and liquid-absorbing material and is securely held between jaws (1, 2) capable of movement relative to one another, in conjunction with which one jaw (2) is attached to a pressure arm (6) that is capable of actuation and the other jaw (1) is attached to the mop handle (17). The two jaws (1, 2) are so arranged as to be lockable to one another and retained at a distance from one another, and in that the suction mop body (7) exhibits a retaining recess (34-36) for the purpose of accommodating a wire securing clip (8) attachment to the aforementioned jaws.

Description

Arrangement for a floor mop provided with a handle.

The present invention relates to an arrangement for a floor mop provided with a handle, which exhibits retaining means for a suction mop body made of compressible and liquid-absorbing material which is capable of being accommodated and securely held between jaws capable of pivoting relative to one another, in conjunction with which one jaw is attached to a pressure arm that is capable of actuation and the other jaw is attached to the mop handle.

There is a large number of mops provided with a handle which are fitted with liquid-receiving suction mops. Reference can be made to US 5,655,248 A, for example, which consists of a holder with a suction sponge capable of being introduced therein. The aforementioned sponge can be acted upon by a press . in the form of two wheels, between which the sponge is drawn. The distance between the aforementioned wheels is large and permanent, so that squeezing-out of the sponge is effectively rendered difficult. The same problem is true of the mop in accordance with US 6,003,187 A consisting of a sponge attached to a drawing arrangement, with which water is forced out of the sponge. Other similar squeeze mops are previously disclosed in accordance with WO 38119, NO 173427 C, NO 300665 Bl, US 2,730,741 A and NO 80610.

Previously disclosed through US 3,031,705 A is a floor mop which comprises a sponge-like suction mop body, from which liquid can be forced out manually simply by using the mop itself and by causing a jaw to pivot by means of a pressure arm that is capable of actuation. Means for locking the aforementioned pressure arm securely to the handle of the mop are not provided, and the aforementioned suction mop body also has the function of holding together the pressure arm and the handle when the mop As being used for floor cleaning, for example.

It is also necessary to cause the aforementioned attachment devices to be glued to the suction mop body in order to permit the detachable retention of the aforementioned suction mop body on- jaws that are capable of displacement relative to one another. This means that the suction mop body cannot be washed easily after use and that the suction mop body, when it is disposed of, also includes costly attachment devices which must be thrown away at the same time.

The principal object of the present invention is thus to make available an arrangement which, among other things, solves the above-mentioned problems by simple and effective means and enables a mop to be made available with a range of additional applications and refinements.

The aforementioned object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that both jaws are so arranged as to be capable of being held locked at a distance from one another, and in that the suction mop body exhibits a securing recess for the accommodation of a wire attachment clip capable of attachment to the aforementioned jaws.

The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a mop in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the mop shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 2A shows a detailed view of the attachment of a mop sponge part; Fig. 2B shows a detailed 'view of the articulation between the jaws of the mop; Figs . 3 and^' 3A show the mop from the side respectively in a wiping position and in a squeezing position;

Fig. 4 shows a further side view of the mop sponge and connecting parts; Fig. 4A shows the attachment of the handle;

Figs. 5-5A show the mop viewed respectively from the rear and at an angle from the front;

Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the mop and its constituent parts; Figs. 7-7A show^' the jaws of the mop viewed respectively at an angle from above and at an angle from below;

Figs. 8-8B show a mop sponge -and the associated means of attachment; and

Figs. 9-9B show the mop in different positions, such as a water removal position, an exploded view position and a wiping position.

The present invention relates to a suction mop body, preferably in the form of a suction sponge, which is so arranged as to be used for sucking up water and other liquid on a base, for example a floor or a window, in conjunction with cleaning of the same.

In order to be able effectively to suck up all the liquid and to squeeze it from the sponge subsequently, a mop accessory is used in accordance with the present invention. Two jaws 1, 2 are cable of being hinged relative to one another about an articulation 3, which extends across the effective directions of wiping 4, 5 of the implement. The sponge 7 is effectively wrung out by pivoting the handle 6, which is attached to the one pivoting jaw 2. The sponge 7 can be squeezed out in this way, so that it becomes almost entirely dry. Attachment of the sponge 7 is effected by means of a clip 8, which encloses the sponge 7 and is hooked securely to grooves 9, 10 between the jaws 1, 2 with the help of lifting rings 11, 12. Rubber squeegees 13, 14 can be used in any direction 4,

5 at all when the squeegee is caused to move over the base 15.

Wringing-out takes place simply with the help of the simple handle β, as illustrated in Fig. 1, for example. More specifically, the invention relates to an arrangement 16 for a floor mop 18 provided with a handle 17, which exhibits retaining means for a suction mop body 7. In accordance with the invention, a suction mop body 1 , which consists of a compressible and liquid-absorbent material, is securely held between two jaws 1, 2 capable of moving relative to one another. One of the jaws is attached to a manually actuated pressure arm 6, while the other jaw 1 is attached to the mop handle 17, and the two jaws 1, 2 are so arranged as to be lockable to one another and retained at a certain distance A from one another with the help of a locking arrangement 20. In this case the moving jaw 2 is pivotally attached to the so- called fixed jaw 1, i.e. the jaw 1 that is attached to the mop handle 17, with which the cleaning aid is normally held when cleaning the intended base 15, for example a wall, floor, ceiling, etc. The aforementioned connection between the pivotally mounted jaws 1, 2, along each of their long edge parts 1A, 2A, is formed by a number of articulations 3, for example of the hook-and-slot type 3A, 3B or the hook-and-shaft type 103A, 103B, as illustrated in Figs. 2B and 7 respectively.

The connection between the pressure arm 6 and the associated jaw 2 on the one hand, and between the mop handle 17 and the fixed jaw 1 on the other, is formed appropriately by its own connection sleeve 21, 22, in which the ends 6A, 17A of the pressure arm 6 and the handle 17 are capable of being accommodated, in conjunction with which the connection sleeve 22 for the mop handle 17 is oriented so that it extends essentially perpendicularly upwards from the outward-facing upper surface IB of the aforementioned jaw and can be provided with one or more spring tongues 23 and stops 24, which are so arranged as to interact in such a way that the stop 24 comes into engagement with an opening 25 in the handle 17 and permits easy connection to and detachment from one another simply by being pushed in against the sleeve 22 and pulled out after pressing down the stop 24.

The pressure arm 6 is in turn connected to the moving jaw 2 on its one long edge part 2A via a connection 21, which extends essentially parallel with the outward-facing upper surface 2B of the aforementioned moving jaw 2, preferably at the centre of the jaw.

The pressure arm 6 is preferably bent so that a part 6B of it lies close to the mop handle 17 and extends along the same in close association with, and, when in the securely locked position, detachably locked to, the mop handle 17.

The locking arrangement 20 can preferably be in the form of a clip mounted in such a way as to be capable of displacement along the handle 17 and capable of being accommodated by it, into and from which clip the pressure arm 6 can respectively be^ pushed in by overcoming spring pressure and pulled out against the effect of sprung jaws 20A, 20B. The aforementioned locking arrangement 20 can be lockable to the handle 17 with the help of a locking screw 26. The handle 17 can be in the form of a telescopic tube, which is locked in the desired position in a previously disclosed fashion with the help of a locking screw 27.

Arranged along the free long edge part 1C, 2C of the respective jaw 1, 2 is a rubber squeegee strip 13, 14, with which it is possible to scrape away water 29, for example, from a floor 15, and along the top side IB, 2B of the respective jaw 1, 2 Velcro® fixing means 28, 30 are arranged to permit the detachable securing of wiping and/or cleaning cloths, for example a scouring cloth 31 or a nylon scouring strip 32 intended to extend fully across the space 33 that is formed between the jaws 1, 2 or only along the long top surface IB, 2B of one or both of the jaws and with Velcro® fixing means 19 of the other kind.

Retention of the suction mop 7 is effected by means of a bent U-shaped wire clip 8, which is capable of being accommodated in matching groove-shaped recesses 34, 35, 36 which extend along the side edges 7A, 7B and the wiping side 7C of the suction mop. By means of the lifting rings 11, 12 on the upper part of the wire clip, the wire clip 8 is locked with the suction mop 7 securely held in the matching grooves 9, 10 in the jaws 1, 2. The aforementioned suction mop 7 preferably exhibits triangular cross-sectional form and a convex wiping side 7C matching, the space 33 between the jaws 1, 2.

The function of the arrangement should emerge clearly from the drawings and from the foregoing description, and the advantages associated therewith include the following:

Through its execution and construction, the arrangement can be used both as a rubber squeegee and as a suction mop. In one position it is a rubber squeegee and in the other position, by rotating the mop head through half a turn, it is a combined rubber squeegee and suction mop, which sucks up liquid from a floor, etc.

The rubber blades 13, 14 run outside the mop head, which means that it is possible to scrape out water from inner corners and other inaccessible places.

It is very easy to wring the water 29 out of the sponge 7 with the pressure arm 6, and the use of minimal force is required for this purpose.

The sponge 7 is very easy to remove for cleaning or replacement thanks to the simple attachment, which means that it can be readily unhooked, unlike other previously disclosed suction mops, which require the sponge to be unscrewed with a tool or are equipped with wing nuts or similar.

The outward-facing surface of the jaws 1,2 exhibits a Velcro® attachment, which can be used to attach a nylon scouring cloth 32. It is then possible simply to turn over the mop in order to remove any marks, etc., by rubbing. When this operation is finished, the mop can be turned over to suck up the dirt.

The presence of a Velcro® attachment on the rear part, too, enables a scouring cloth 31 to be attached easily around the sponge 7, for example a icrocloth or similar.

The attachment is designed so that it will fit the standard handles that are commercially available, which means that there is no need to buy a new handle on every occasion, and the snap locking 23-25 is an integral part of the connection part for the handle 17.

The invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiment described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, in particular in respect of the nature of the different parts, or by the application of comparable technologies, but without for that reason departing from the area of protection indicated in the Patent Claims.

Claims

P a t e n t C l a i m s

1. Arrangement (16) for a floor mop (18) provided with a handle (17) , which exhibits retaining means for a suction mop body (7) made of compressible and liquid-absorbing material which is capable of being accommodated securely held between jaws (1, 2) capable of pivoting relative to one another, in conjunction with which one jaw (2) is attached to a pressure arm (6) that is capable of actuation and the other jaw (1) is attached to the mop handle (17), characterized in that the two jaws (1, 2) are so arranged as to be lockable to one another and retained at a certain distance from one another, and in that the suction mop body (7) exhibits a retaining recess (34-36) for the purpose of accommodating a wire securing clip (8) capable of attachment to the aforementioned jaws.

2. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the moving jaw (2) is pivotally mounted.

3. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 2, characterized in that the mop handle (17) is attached to a fixed jaw (1) extending essentially perpendicularly from the outward- facing surface (IB) of the aforementioned jaw (1) .

4. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 2-3, characterized in that the pressure arm (6) is connected to the moving jaw (2) on its one long edge part (2A) and extends essentially parallel with the outward-facing upper surface (2B) of the aforementioned moving jaw (2) .

5. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 4, characterized in that the pressure arm (6) is bent so that a part (6B) of it lies close to the mop. handle (17) and extends

. along the same in close association in the securely locked position and is locked to the mop handle (17) .

6. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of Patent Claims 4-5, characterized in that the pressure arm (6) and the mop handle (17) are each capable of being accommodated and attached to its own connection sleeve (21, 22) on the respective jaw (2, 1) .

7. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent 'Claims, characterized in that the jaws (1, 2) are attached to one another along each of their long edge parts (1A, 2A) via a number of articulations (3) .

8. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that retention of the suction mop body (7) is effected by means of a bent U-shaped wire clip (8), which is capable of being accommodated in matching groove-shaped recesses (34, 35, 36) which extend along the side edges (7A, 7B) and the wiping side (7C) of the suction mop body, and in that the wire clip (8) is locked by means of • lifting rings (11, 12) on the upper part of the wire clip, with the suction mop body (7) securely held in matching grooves (9, 10) in the jaws (1, 2) . ■

9. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that the suction mop body (7) exhibits triangular cross-sectional form and a convex wiping side (7C) matching a space (33) between the jaws (1, 2).

10. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that the pressure arm (6) is bent so that a part (6B) of it lies close to the mop handle (17) and extends along the same in close association with, and, when in the securely locked position, detachably locked to, the mop handle (17) .

11. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the foregoing Patent Claims, characterized in that the locking arrangement (20) is in the form of a clip mounted in such a way as to be capable of displacement along the handle (17) and capable of being accommodated by it, into and from which clip the pressure arm (6) can respectively be pushed in by overcoming spring pressure and pulled out against the effect of sprung jaws (20A, 20B) .

12. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 11, characterized in that the aforementioned locking arrangement (20) can be lockable to the handle (17) with the help of a locking screw (26) .