Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying a vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the cleaning apparatus including an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism being releasable to detach the cleaning head from the body.

Description

This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively, a surface cleaning apparatus, including a body and a cleaning head.

Surface cleaning apparatus such as mops are well known, and widely used to clean surfaces in households and large areas, such as hospitals or commercial premises. It is known to provide cleaning apparatus, for example mops, which have removable mopheads. Such mopheads are usually attached to a body and/or handle of the cleaning apparatus by a threaded connection. Unthreading the connection enables detachment of the mophead for cleaning or replacement.

It is also known to provide ‘flat mops’ having a cleaning head to which a pad or sheet of cleaning material is attachable and detachable. The cleaning head of such a flat mop may be detachable from the body and/or handle of the flat mop, typically by virtue of a threaded connection between the cleaning head and the body and/or handle. The mop material is typically attached to the cleaning head by one or more fasteners, for example hook and loop material fasteners, and/or by receiving formations in the cleaning head which receive and hold a part of the mop material during use.

Removal of a cleaning head or mop material from a cleaning apparatus for disposal, replacement or cleaning typically involving the use of an operator's hands, is unpleasant, unhygienic, and can be awkward.

It is also known to provide cleaning apparatus having a powered vibrating unit which causes vibratory motion of a cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus. A problem with such apparatus is that the cleaning head carries cleaning material which can become soiled very quickly. It is a time consuming, awkward, and unhygienic task to remove the cleaning material from the cleaning heads of such apparatus manually. Such cleaning apparatus is typically heavy, and removing the cleaning material requires lifting or tipping of the apparatus, to access the cleaning material, thus rendering such apparatus difficult and unappealing to use.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided, a cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying an vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the cleaning apparatus including an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism being releasable to detach the cleaning head from the body.

Preferably, said vibrating unit is oscillating such that the cleaning head is provided with vibratory motion.

The attachment mechanism may include at least one magnet.

The cleaning apparatus may include at least one locating formation to locate the cleaning head in the correct position relative to the body.

The at least one locating formation may include a protrusion on the body and a recess on the cleaning head.

The at least one locating formation may coincide with the attachment mechanism.

The at least one magnet may be provided in or on at least one of the recess and the protrusion.

The cleaning head may be at least semi-flexible or foldable.

The cleaning apparatus may include a hinge to enable the cleaning head to fold.

The cleaning head may carry cleaning material, which, when the cleaning head is folded, hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop.

The cleaning head may carry cleaning material which is permanently attached to a face of the cleaning head, over a substantial area of the face.

The cleaning material may be a microfibre material.

The attachment mechanism may include a retaining member for retaining a part of the body and an attachment member which is carried by the body, at least a part of the attachment member being retainable by the retaining member, to releasably attach the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning apparatus.

The attachment member may be a plate which inhibits folding of the cleaning head whilst the cleaning head is attached to the body.

The retaining mechanism may be a clip which is attached to and pivotable relative to the cleaning head, between a first, open position in which a part of the plate is engageable with a part of the clip, and a second, retaining position, in which the part of the plate is retained between the clip and a part of the cleaning head.

The retaining member may be biased towards the second, retaining, position.

The retaining mechanism may include a plurality of clips.

The cleaning head may include a handle, which is accessible at least when the cleaning head is detached from the body.

The handle of the cleaning head may be positioned adjacent the hinge of the cleaning head.

The handle of the cleaning head may be positioned towards an upper part of the cleaning head, and is pivotable between a first, in use position, and a second, stowed position, the stowed position inhibiting interference of the handle of the cleaning head with the body of the cleaning apparatus.

The cleaning material may be receivable in a cleaning material cleaning device, the or each retaining member providing an abutment member which inhibits insertion of at least part of the cleaning head into the cleaning material cleaning device.

The cleaning apparatus may be a surface cleaning apparatus.

The surface may be a floor.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operation of a cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying an vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the cleaning head being detachable from the body, the method including attaching the cleaning head to the body, manoeuvring the cleaning apparatus to clean at least a portion of a surface, and detaching the cleaning head from the body.

Preferably, said vibratory unit may cause an oscillatory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body.

The method may include cleaning the cleaning head, and cleaning material attached to the cleaning head and reattaching the cleaning head to the body.

The attachment mechanism which includes a retaining member for retaining a part of the body, may include an attachment mechanism to releasably detach the cleaning head from the body. The method may include attaching the cleaning head to the body by moving the retaining member to an open position to receive the part of the body, and moving the retaining member to a retaining position to retain the part of the body, manoeuvring the cleaning apparatus to clean at least a portion of a surface, and moving the retaining member to the open position, to release the part of the body, so as to detach the cleaning head from the body.

The cleaning apparatus may include a plurality of retaining members, and the method may include retaining respective parts of the body with each of the retaining members.

The method may include detaching the cleaning head from the body, to clean cleaning material carried by the cleaning head.

The method may include inserting at least the cleaning material into a cleaning material cleaning device, and at least one of rinsing, wringing and scrubbing the cleaning material.

The method may include inserting the backing and the cleaning material of the cleaning head into a cleaning material cleaning device.

The method may include folding the cleaning head, such that the cleaning material hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop.

The method may include manoeuvring the cleaning material cleaning device to clean the cleaning material in a location near to the surface being cleaned.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a part of a cleaning apparatus including a cleaning head;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the cleaning head of FIG. 1A detached from a body of the cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1A, wherein the cleaning head includes additional features;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of part of an alternative cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2A

FIG. 2C is a perspective view of a plate for attachment of a cleaning head of the apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B to the body of the apparatus;

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the cleaning head of the cleaning apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 2E is a perspective view of the plate of the cleaning apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B attached to the cleaning head of FIG. 2D; and

FIG. 2F is a perspective view of a cleaning head suitable for use with the cleaning apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning material cleaning device.

Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown a part of a cleaning apparatus 10, which is particularly suitable for cleaning surfaces, particularly hard surfaces, such as floors. The cleaning apparatus 10 includes a body 12, which includes a handle attachment part 14 to which a handle 13 is attachable, to enable the cleaning apparatus to be manoeuvred across a surface 16 to be cleaned. The body 12 also includes a powered vibrating unit 18, which is powered by a motor (not shown) carried by the body 12. The motor is preferably battery-powered, but may additionally or alternatively be mains-powered.

The cleaning apparatus 10 also includes a cleaning head 20, which, in the present example, is substantially rectangular, and has a pair of long edges 20a, 20b, and a pair of short edges 20c, 20d. The cleaning head includes a backing member including an upper face 20e, and a lower face 20f. The cleaning head 20 is substantially planar, and is preferably manufactured from a plastics material. The cleaning head 20 is substantially rigid.

Cleaning material 22 is attached to the lower face 20f of the backing of the cleaning head 20. The cleaning material 22 is preferably a microfibre mop material which is thermally or otherwise bonded to the cleaning head 20. The mop material 22 is integral with the cleaning head 20, in that it is permanently attached thereto. The cleaning material 22 is attached to a substantial area of the lower face 20f of the cleaning head 20f. The cleaning material may be attached to the whole of the lower face 20f of the cleaning head 20. It will be appreciated that other materials and other methods of attachment of the cleaning material 22 to the cleaning head 20 are possible.

The cleaning apparatus 10 includes a plate 26, which, in the present example, is a substantially square member. It will be appreciated that the plate 26 may be any appropriate shape, including rectangular or substantially circular or oval. The plate 26 includes an upper face, which is attached to the body 12 and a substantially planar lower face 26a which is attachable to the cleaning head 20.

The plate 26 is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the body 12. In the present example, the plate 26 is attached to the body 12 by a plurality of resilient mountings 20g, one of which is provided towards each corner of the plate 26.

Whilst the plate 26 may be detachable from the body 12, for example for maintenance purposes, the plate 26 is not intended to be detached from the body 12 of the cleaning apparatus 10 during normal use, i.e. by an operator of the cleaning apparatus 10 in the course of cleaning a surface 16. For the purposes of the present application is considered to be a part of the body 12.

The plate 26 is manufactured from aluminium, but it will be appreciated that it may be manufactured from any suitable material.

The plate 26 is part of the vibrating unit 18, carried by the body 12, but is also attachable to the cleaning head 20, such that vibratory movement of the vibrating unit is transferrable to the cleaning head 20.

The cleaning head 20 is attachable and detachable from the body 12 by means of an attachment mechanism 23. In embodiments of the invention, the attachment mechanism 23 includes one or more permanent magnets attached to at least one of the body 12 and the cleaning head 20, and corresponding magnetic elements and/or permanent magnets provided on the other one of the cleaning head 20 and the body 12.

The attachment mechanism 23 shown in FIG. 1B includes four magnets 24, provided towards respective corners of the lower face 26a of the plate 26, and four magnetic elements 25, provided in a corresponding formation on the upper face 20e of the cleaning head 20. The magnetic elements 25 need not be magnets themselves, but should be attracted to the magnets 24.

It will be understood that the attachment mechanism 23 may include any number of magnets 24 and/or magnetic elements 25, and that one or more magnets 24 may additionally or alternatively be provided on the cleaning head 20, with one or more corresponding magnetic elements 25 being provided on the plate 26. The magnets 24 and magnetic elements 25 may be provided in any appropriate formation.

The magnets 24 and the magnetic elements 25 are preferably embedded in the cleaning head 20 and the plate 26 or vice versa, but this is not essential.

The cleaning apparatus 10 optionally also includes at least one locating formation 28 to locate the cleaning head 20 in the correct position relative to the body 12, and depending upon its form, may also assist in retaining the cleaning head 20 in the correct position relative to the body 12 during use of the cleaning apparatus 10, for example to resist slipping of the cleaning head 20 out of the desired position relative to the body 12.

In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the cleaning head 20 includes four locating members 28, each in the form of a substantially L-shaped lip which extends from the upper surface 20e of the cleaning head 20. The position of each locating member coincides with the position of a corner of the plate 26, such that when the cleaning head 20 is offered up to the body 12, the plate 26 sits within the four locating members 28, and is held in location solely by the magnets 24, magnetic elements 25 and gravity.

In an alternative example the locating formations coincide with the attachment mechanism 23. The four magnets 24 on the plate 26 project outwardly of the lower face 26a of the plate 26. Each of the four magnetic elements 25 on the cleaning head 20 is recessed to receive a corresponding magnet 24 of the plate 26. These protrusions and recesses form a locating formation which enables the cleaning head 20 to be positively located relative to the body 12. It will be understood that the protrusions and recesses of the plate 26 and the cleaning head 20 may be provided separately from the magnets 24 and/or the magnetic elements 25, if desired, but in each case, location of the head 20 relative to the plate 26, is achieved by the interaction of the magnets 24 and magnetic elements 25.

It will be appreciated that alternative examples and alternative numbers of locating formations may be provided. The locating members may be dispensed with entirely, as appropriate, to provide substantially smooth mating surfaces of the body 12 and the cleaning head 20, for example where the magnetic attraction between the magnets 24 and the magnetic elements 25 is strong enough to provide adequate location of the head 20 relative to the plate 26.

The cleaning head 20 is preferably locatable relative to the body 12 of the cleaning apparatus 10, at least through 90° such that the cleaning head 20 may be used such that one of the long edges 20a, 20b leads and the other long edge 20a, 20b trails during substantially forward movement of the cleaning apparatus 10. Alternatively, one of the short edges 20c, 20d leads and the other short edge 20c, 20d trails when the cleaning apparatus 10 is moved in a substantially forward direction, so as to enable cleaning of narrower or otherwise difficult to access parts of the surface 16 to be cleaned. In order to achieve this, in one example, the plate 26 may be rotatable with the cleaning head 20, relative to the body 12. In another example, the head 20 may be located in one of four orientations relative to the body 12, the four positions being substantially orthogonal to one another. It will also be appreciated that two, rather than four, orientations may be possible. In order to facilitate rotation of the cleaning head 20 relative to the body 12, the plate 26 is preferably square, rather than rectangular. The cleaning head 20 is lockable one or more positions relative to the body 12.

To clean the surface 16, the cleaning head 20, including the integral cleaning material 22 is attached to the body 12, by placing the cleaning head 20 on the surface 16 with the upper face 20e facing upwards, and the cleaning material 22 adjacent the surface to be cleaned 16, and then offering the body 12 up to the cleaning head 20, so that the magnets 24 of the cleaning head 120 are approximately vertically aligned with the magnetic elements 25 of the cleaning head 20. The magnetic attraction between the magnets 24 and the magnetic elements 25 is sufficient to pull the cleaning head 20 into the correct position relative to the body 12 provided the cleaning head 20 is placed close to the correct position by a user. Where one or more locating members 28 are provided, the or each locating member 28 may assist in correctly positioning the cleaning head 20 relative to the body 12 and/or maintaining the correct position of the cleaning head 20 relative to the body 12. In any event, there is no need for any clips or other fastenings which would be required to be released in order to separate the head 20 and the plate 26.

To clean a relatively large surface 16, the cleaning head 20 is positioned relative to the body 12 such that the long edges 20a, 20b of the cleaning head 20 are substantially transverse to a direction of travel of the cleaning apparatus and the operator across the surface 16.

The operator then switches the cleaning apparatus 10 on, to begin vibratory/vibratory movement of the cleaning head 20. The operator then manoeuvres the cleaning apparatus 10 over the surface 16 to be cleaned, and the powered vibrating unit 18 causes the cleaning head 20 of the apparatus 10 to vibrate or oscillate. The vibratory or oscillating motion provided by the motor within the unit 18 is transferred to the cleaning head 20, via the plate 26.

After a period of use of the cleaning apparatus 10 to clean the surface 16, it will become necessary to clean or replace the cleaning material 22. To clean the cleaning material 22 it is advantageous to detach the cleaning head 20 from the body 12 of the cleaning apparatus 10. The cleaning apparatus 10 is preferably switched off, i.e. the motor driving the vibrating unit 18 is switched off, but this is not essential. A substantially downward force, i.e. in a direction towards the surface being cleaned 16, is applied to a part of the upper face 20e of the cleaning head 20. This force may be applied by the foot of the operator, and/or another object, for example a part of a cleaning material cleaning device 64, as described in more detail below. The operator then applies a substantially upward force to the handle 13 of the body 12, to overcome the magnetic attraction between the parts of the attachment mechanism 23 of the cleaning head 20 and the body 12. It is not necessary to lift the body 12 very far from the surface 16 to detach the cleaning head 20.

It is not necessary for any part of the cleaning apparatus 10, other than the handle 13, to be touched by the hands of the operator during attachment or detachment of the cleaning head 20 to/from the body 12. The attachment mechanism 23 and locating formations (where provided) provide a quick-release attachment mechanism between the body 12 and the cleaning head 20.

The cleaning material 22 of the cleaning head 20 can then be laundered or replaced as required. Since the cleaning head 20 is substantially rigid, and the cleaning material 22 is integral with, for example bonded to, the cleaning head 20, the whole cleaning head 20 is laundered, in a substantially flat configuration. The cleaning head is preferably laundered using a suitable mobile mop material cleaning device.

It will be understood that from time to time it may be advantageous to alter the orientation of the cleaning head 20 relative to the body 12, for example to enable cleaning of hard to reach areas of the surface to be cleaned 16. Since the plate 26 is substantially square or, more specifically, the formation of the magnets and corresponding magnetic elements 24, 25 on both the cleaning head 20 and the body 12 (specifically the plate 26) is substantially square, it is possible for the cleaning head 20 to be orientated in four discrete positions relative to the body 12. It will be understood that there are two possible orientations where the long edges 20a, 20b of the cleaning head 20 are substantially transverse to the general direction of travel during use of the cleaning apparatus 10, and two orientations where the short edges 20c, 20d are substantially transverse to the general direction of travel of the cleaning apparatus 10 and the user during use of the cleaning apparatus 10.

The cleaning head 20 has been described above as being substantially rigid. However, it may be advantageous for the cleaning head 20 to be flexible, or at least semi-flexible, for example for laundering purposes, such that when the cleaning head 20 is detached from the body 12, the cleaning head 20 is able to curve or bend, as may be required by a laundering machine, i.e. a material cleaning device.

Where the cleaning head 20 is required to be flexible, the material to which the cleaning material 22 is attached is thin, for example 2 mm-5 mm thick, and/or may include one or more scores or notches 19 which extend partially through the depth of the cleaning head 20, between the short edges 20c, 20d, as shown in FIG. 1C. Additionally or alternatively, flexibility may be an inherent property of the material from which the cleaning head 20 is manufactured.

An alternative cleaning apparatus 110 and components thereof are shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E. Features of the cleaning apparatus 110 which are similar to the features of the cleaning apparatus 10, described above, have the same reference numerals, prefixed with ‘1’.

The cleaning apparatus 110 includes a body 112, which includes a handle attachment part 114 to which a handle 113 is attachable, to enable the cleaning apparatus to be manoeuvred across a surface 116 to be cleaned. The body 112 includes a motor (not shown) which provides vibratory motion to the plate 126.

The motor is preferably battery-powered, but may additionally or alternatively be mains-powered.

The cleaning apparatus 110 also includes a cleaning head 120, which is attachable to the body 112 by means of an attachment mechanism 123. The attachment mechanism includes a pair of retaining members 155, each of which is operable to retain and release at least a part of the body 112. In the example shown, the retaining members 155 are operable to retain and release respective parts of an attachment member, in the form of a plate 126 which is carried by the body 112.

The plate 126 is a substantially rectangular member having a pair of long edges 126a, 126b, and a pair of short edges 126c, 126d. The plate 126 includes an upper face 126e, and a substantially planar lower face 126f. The short edge 126c includes a rebate 140, which forms a lip 142 which extends outwardly of the short edge 126c adjacent the lower face 126f of the plate 126. In the example shown, the rebate 140 and the lip 142 extend along the entire length of the short edge 126c, however, it will be understood that the rebate 140 and the lip 142 may be selected to be an alternative, suitable length. The short edge 126d also includes a rebate 140 and a lip 142 which extends outwardly of the short edge 126d. Each lip 142 is preferably a few millimetres wide, for example between 5 and 10 mm wide. The short edge 126d also includes a pair of protrusions 144. Each protrusion 144 is located at a respective end of the short edge 126d. Each protrusion 144 has a rounded or chamfered end. The protrusions aid in location of the plate 126 relative to the cleaning head 120, during attachment of the cleaning head 120 to the body 112, as will be explained below.

The plate 126 includes a number of openings, each of which aids in attachment of the plate 126 to the body 112 and/or to the cleaning head 120.

The plate 126 includes a boss 136, which is located substantially centrally between the two long sides 126a, 126b and the two short sides 126c, 126d. The boss 136 receives a bush for an eccentric spindle bearing of a motor carried by the body 112, to power the cleaning apparatus 110. The plate 126 includes a pair of elongate openings 138, each of which extends substantially parallel to the long sides 126a, 126b of the plate. Each end of each elongate opening 138 is rounded.

The plate 126 is attached to the body 112 by virtue of resilient fixings which are receivable through fixing apertures 132. The example shown includes four fixing apertures, one near each corner of the plate 126. Each fixing aperture 132 is surrounded by a bush 134. Each bush 134 assists in transmitting vibratory or oscillatory movement from the motor of the body 112 through the plate 126 and then to the cleaning head 120. It will be appreciated that other methods of attaching the plate 126 to the body 112 may be utilised. The plate 126 is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the body 112, and, for the purposes of the present application is a part of the body 112. The plate 126 is manufactured from aluminium, but it will be appreciated that it may be manufactured from any suitable material.

The cleaning head 120 is substantially rectangular, and has a pair of long edges 120a, 120b, and a pair of short edges 120c, 120d. The cleaning head 120 includes an upper face 120e, and a lower face 120f. The cleaning head 120 is provided in two parts 121a, 121b such that the cleaning head 120 is foldable, substantially in half, across the width of the cleaning head 120, as shown in

FIG. 3. The two parts 121a, 121b, of the cleaning head 120 are connected together via a connecting part 127. Each part 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 is pivotably attached to the connecting part 127, via a pin 129 or other, similar connection to enable the cleaning head 120 to be folded substantially in half. The connecting part 127 acts as a hinge between the two parts 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120.

The cleaning head 120 preferably includes a locating member 154. In the present example, the cleaning head 120 includes a pair of locating members 154, each of which is receivable in one of the elongate openings 138 of the plate 126. Each locating member 154 is provided in three parts, a first part 154a, which is carried by the first part 121a of the cleaning head 120, a second part 154b, which is carried by the second part 121b of the cleaning head 120, and a third, intermediate part 154c, which is carried by the connecting part 127 of the cleaning head 120. When the cleaning head 120 is in an unfolded condition, such that the lower face 120f of the cleaning head 120 is substantially planar, the three parts 154a-c of each of the locating members 154 abut one another, end to end. The ends of the parts 154a, 154b of each locating member which do not abut the intermediate part 154c are rounded. The three parts 154a-c of each locating member 154 may be separate, but directly adjacent one another, or may be connected together, for example by a pair of isthmuses, one between the first part 154a and the intermediate part 154c, and a second between the second part 154b and the intermediate part 154c. The isthmuses inhibit complete separation of the parts 154a-c of the locating member 154, but are thin enough to be repeatedly deformed to enable repeated folding and unfolding of the cleaning head 120.

The cleaning head 120 carries a pair of retaining members 155, in the form of clips. In the example shown, each part 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 carries one of the retaining members 155. It will be appreciated that any number of retaining members 155 may be provided, as appropriate, including a single retaining member 155 and that the plate 126 may be modified to include a corresponding number of parts which are retainable by the retaining members 155. Each retaining member 155 includes a fulcrum which is connected to the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120, at or adjacent a first end 155a of the clip 155. Each retaining member 155 also includes a free end 155b which is distal from the fulcrum. Each retaining member 155 is shaped so as to be pivotable relative to the cleaning head 120, about the fulcrum.

Each retaining member 155 includes an upper portion which is engageable by a moving member, for example a foot of an operator. To this end, the upper portion of each retaining member 155 includes a substantially planar surface. The upper surface of each retaining member 155 may include a surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction, to assist in engagement between the upper portion and a surface of a moving member, e.g. a sole of a shoe. Each retaining member 155 may include indications of a method of operation of the retaining member 155, e.g. symbols indicating method of movement, or direction of movement to enable engagement and/or disengagement of the cleaning head 120 to/from the body 112. Each retaining member 155 is moveable between a first, retaining position, and a second, open position. Each retaining member 155 is pivotable between the first and second positions, and is biased towards the first, retaining position by a biasing member. In the example shown, each retaining member is biased towards the first position by a respective spring 146.

Each retaining member 155 includes a retaining formation 148 for receiving and retaining a part of the body 112, in particular a part of the plate 126, in the present example. Each retaining member 155 of the present embodiment includes a pair of retaining formations 148, but it will be appreciated that any number of retaining formations 148 may be provided, as appropriate. Each retaining formation includes a recess 150, in which at least a part of one of the lips 142 of the plate 126 is receivable. Each retaining formation 148 also includes a catch 152 which is substantially triangular in cross-section.

The cleaning head 120 also includes one or more cleaning material attachment portions 156 for attaching a sheet or pad of cleaning material 122 to the cleaning head 120. The cleaning material 122 is preferably fabric and advantageously includes a microfibre material. In the example shown, the cleaning head 120 includes a pair of cleaning material attachment portions 156, one on each part 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120. Each cleaning material attachment portion 156 is positioned on the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120. Each cleaning material attachment portion 156 includes a fastener, for example one part of a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro®), which is attachable to a corresponding part of the fastener which is attached to the cleaning material 122. In the example shown, the cleaning material 122 includes a pair of fastening portions 160, one at each end of the material 122. Each of the fastening portions 160 includes a fastener which corresponds with a fastener which is provided on one of the cleaning material attachment portions 156 of the cleaning head 120. The fastening portions 160 of the cleaning material 122 are positioned on a reverse side of the cleaning material 122, on a side which, in use, does not contact a surface 116 to be cleaned.

The cleaning head 120 includes a handle 162 which is carried by the connecting part 127 of the cleaning head 120. The handle 162 is attached to the connecting part 127 by a pin or similar fixing, about which the handle 162 is able to pivot, relative to the connecting part 127, between a stowed position and a raised, in use position. The handle 162 is substantially U-shaped, and extends substantially between the long edges 120a, 120b of the cleaning head 120, approximately mid-way between the short edges 120c, 120d.

FIG. 2F shows the underside of a cleaning head 120 without the cleaning material attached thereto. The handle 162 is in its stowed position and comprises two arms 162a and 162b both of which contain a portion of hook and loop fastening material (e.g. Velcro®), which can adhere to the underside of the cleaning material once this is placed on the underside of the cleaning head 120. The handle portions 162a and 162b are designed to fit snugly into two similarly sized apertures 125a and 125b formed in the cleaning head 120. Advantageously the hook and loop fastening material located on 162a and 162b can provide an efficient fastening operation when the cleaning fabric is position on this underside with the handle 162 neatly stored within the cleaning head 120 when in use with the cleaning head 120. However when the handle 162 is lifted the hook and loop fastening material 162a and 162b attached thereto is also moved so it is not situated on the underside of the cleaning head 120.

To clean a surface 116, the cleaning material 122 is attached to the cleaning head 120, by aligning and fastening together each of the cleaning material attachment portions 156 with the corresponding fastening portions 160 of the cleaning material 122. The cleaning head 120 is placed in an unfolded condition, such that the lower face 120f of the cleaning head 120 is in a substantially planar configuration, with the cleaning material 122 covering the lower face 120b, and adjacent the surface 116 to be cleaned.

The cleaning head 120 is attached to the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110, by attaching the attachment member, i.e. the plate 126, to the cleaning head 120. The plate 126 is preferably attached to the body 112 when the body 112 is manufactured, and the operator would not ordinarily be required to attach the plate 126 to the body 112. The operator applies a force to one of the retaining members 155, for example the retaining member 155 on the first part 121a of the cleaning head 120, generally in the direction shown by arrows labelled A in FIG. 2B. This moves the retaining member 155 from its first, retaining position, to its second, open position. The retaining member 155 is tilted slightly upwardly relative to the cleaning head 120 when in the open position. The operator then introduces the corresponding part of the plate 126, i.e. the lip 142 into the recess 150 in the retaining member, and removes the force being applied to the upper portion of the retaining member 155. The biasing member, i.e. spring 146, moves the retaining member 155 to its first, retaining position, and the lip 142 of the plate 126 is held by the retaining member 155, between the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120 and the retaining member 155. The operator then applies a force in the general direction indicated by the arrows labelled A to the other retaining member 155, so as to move the other retaining member 155 into its open position. The operator then inserts the lip 142 on the short edge 126d of the plate 126 into the recess 150 of the retaining member 155. The force is then removed from the retaining member 155, and the biasing member 146 moves the retaining member 155 to its retaining position, such that the lip 142 is held between the retaining member 155 and the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120. The force required to be applied to each retaining member 155 to move each retaining member 155 to its open position is preferably applied by the operator's foot. The operator is able to hold the handle 113 which is attached to the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110, to manoeuvre the body 112 and the plate 126, into engagement with the cleaning head 120. The locating members 154 guide the cleaning head 120 into correct alignment with the body 112, as each is received in the corresponding elongate opening 138 in the plate 126. The rounded edges of the first and second parts 154a, 154b of each locating member 154 assist in reception of the locating members 154 in the corresponding elongate openings 138.

The cleaning head handle 162 lies substantially against the upper surface 120e of the cleaning head 120, as shown in FIG. 2D, for example, so that it does not interfere with attachment of the cleaning head 120 to the body 112.

The cleaning apparatus 110 may then be operated to clean the surface to be cleaned 116. The cleaning apparatus 110 is manoeuvred across the surface 116 by the operator, and the powered vibrating unit 118 causes the cleaning head 120 of the apparatus 110 to vibrate or vibrate. The vibratory or oscillatory motion of the vibrating unit 118 is transferred to the cleaning head 120, via an eccentric pin which extends through the boss 136 of the plate 126, and from the plate 126 to the cleaning head 120 via the bushes 134.

After a period of use of the cleaning apparatus 110 to clean a surface 116, it will become necessary to clean or replace the cleaning material 122. The length of this time period will vary, dependent upon the level of soiling of the surface to be cleaned 116. It is preferable, for practical, economic and ecological reasons, to clean the cleaning material 122, rather than to replace the cleaning material 122 each time it becomes soiled.

To clean the cleaning material 122 it is advantageous to detach the cleaning head 120 from the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110, thus removing the need to lift the cleaning apparatus 110 to a significant height, or tilt the cleaning apparatus 110 to access and/or remove the cleaning material 122 from the underside of the cleaning apparatus 110. The cleaning apparatus 110 is switched off, i.e. the motor driving the vibrating unit is switched off. The cleaning head 120 is detachable from the body 112 by reversing the steps taken to attach the cleaning head 110 to the plate 126 of the body 112, i.e. the operator applies a force to one of the retaining members 155 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction indicated by the arrows labelled A in FIG. 2B. This force moves the retaining member 155 into its open position, such that the body 112 and the plate 126 can be tilted slightly relative to the cleaning head 120, to enable the lip 142 of the plate 126 to be removed from the retaining member 155. The operator then removes the force, and the biasing member 146 returns the retaining member 155 to its first, closed position. It may then be possible for the operator to detach the other end of the plate 126 from the retaining member 155 simply by pulling the body 112 slightly upwardly and sideways, such that the lip 142 slides out of the retaining formation 48 of the retaining member 155. Alternatively, the operator repeats the process used in relation to the first retaining member 155, with the other retaining member 155, to remove the other lip 142 of the plate 126 from the other retaining member 155. The cleaning head 120 is thus detached from the body 112, and the body 112 may be placed to one side, whilst the cleaning head 120, or more specifically the cleaning material 122, is cleaned.

It is not necessary for any part of the cleaning apparatus 110, other than the handle 113, to be touched by the hands of the operator during attachment or detachment of the cleaning head 120 to/from the body 112. The retaining members 155 and the plate 126 provide a quick-release attachment mechanism 123 between the body 112 and the cleaning head 120. Furthermore, it is not necessary to tilt the body 112 or lift the body 112 more than a few millimetres, which is beneficial compared with the height to which the body of a conventional cleaning apparatus needs to be lifted, or the degree to which such an apparatus needs to be tilted in order to be able to remove and/or clean the cleaning material which is located on the bottom of the apparatus.

The handle 162 of the cleaning head 120 is used to carry the cleaning head 120 when the cleaning head 120 is detached from the body 112. The handle 162 is kept relatively clean and dry during use of the cleaning apparatus 110 to clean the surface 116, since the handle 162 is located between the upper surface 120e of the cleaning head, and the body 112, and is unlikely to contact dirt or debris removed from the surface 116 by the cleaning apparatus. Moving the handle 162 into a carrying or position, as shown in FIG. 3 and lifting the cleaning head 120 out of contact with the surface 116 causes the cleaning head 120 to fold, since the two parts 121a, 121b are permitted to pivot about the pins 129 of the connecting part 127. The parts 154a-c of the locating member 154 are no longer held in abutment with one another, and allow the parts 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 to fold, either by separation of the parts 154a-c, or by deformation of the isthmuses joining the parts 154a-c together.

The width of the cleaning head 120 in the folded condition is no greater than the width of the connecting part 127 which connects the two parts 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 together.

Enabling the cleaning head 120 to fold, enables the cleaning material 122, which is attached to the cleaning head 120 by its ends, to hang downwardly from the cleaning head 120, in a loop, with the side of the cleaning material 122 which has been in contact with the surface 116, i.e. the side of the cleaning material 122 which is most likely to be soiled, faces outwardly.

The operator is then able to clean the cleaning material 122, by inserting at least the cleaning material 122 into a material cleaning apparatus 164, as shown in FIG. 3. The material cleaning apparatus 164 may include rinsing, scrubbing, and/or wringing apparatus to clean the material 122. The material cleaning apparatus 164 may be carried by a receptacle such as a bucket 166, a part only of which is shown in FIG. 3. The material cleaning device 164 may be of known type, for example as described in the applicant's prior United Kingdom patent application, GB2480294, which includes a pair of rotating brushes 165 for cleaning the material, and a wringing apparatus 167 for wringing the material. The material cleaning apparatus 164 is mobile.

The cleaning material 122 need not be removed from the cleaning head 120 in order to be cleaned; therefore it is unnecessary for the operator to contact the cleaning material 122 directly with his or her hands. The operator may retain a grip on the handle 162 of the cleaning head 120 during cleaning, or may release the handle 162, as required by the operating requirements of the material cleaning device 164.

When the cleaning head 120 is in its folded configuration, the retaining formations 155 advantageously provide abutment members which abut a part of the cleaning material cleaning device 164, to inhibit insertion of the parts 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 into the material cleaning device 164. It may be desirable for only the cleaning material 122 to be receivable into the material cleaning device 164, for example to achieve optimum cleaning and/or wringing results. The foldable nature of the cleaning head 120 facilitates this, as it is possible for the cleaning material to hang down from the cleaning head 120. This is different from the substantially planar cleaning head 20 of the cleaning apparatus 10 as described above, wherein at least a portion, and preferably the whole of the backing to which the cleaning material 22 is attached is receivable in the material cleaning device 64. The width of the folded cleaning head parts 121a, 121b when in the folded configuration is likely to be greater than the width of the loop of cleaning material, and hence if the parts 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 were receivable between scrubbing or wringing apparatus of the material cleaning device 164, the effect of the scrubbing and/or wringing apparatus on the cleaning material 122 is likely to be diminished.

Once the cleaning material 122 has been cleaned, the operator removes the cleaning head 120 from the material cleaning device 164, and places the cleaning head 120 back on to a surface, for example the surface to be cleaned 116. The parts 121a, 121b of the cleaning head 120 are caused to pivot about the pins 129, relative to the connecting part 127, and the lower face 120f of the cleaning head 120 returns to its substantially planar condition, with the cleaning material 122 in contact with the lower face 120f, in a substantially flat configuration. The operator then releases the handle 162 such that it lies adjacent the upper face 120e of the cleaning head 120, and reattaches the cleaning head 120 to the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110, as described above. Again, the hands of the operator are only required to contact the handle 113 of the cleaning apparatus 110 to achieve attachment of the cleaning head 120 to the body 112. The cleaning apparatus 110 is then ready for operation to clean a further portion of the surface 116 to be cleaned, or an alternative surface. The attachment member, i.e. plate 126, maintains the cleaning head 120 substantially flat, and inhibits unintentional folding of the cleaning head parts 121a, 121b during cleaning of the surface 116.

Whilst the plate 126 may be detachable from the body 112, for example for maintenance purposes, the plate 126 is not intended to be detached from the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110 during normal use, i.e. by an operator of the cleaning apparatus 110 in the course of cleaning a surface 116.

Whilst each retaining member 155 has been described as being pivotable about a fulcrum, it will be appreciated that other methods of moving each retaining member 155 between a retaining position and an open position may be utilised. For example, a part of the or each retaining member 155 may be deformable, and/or may include an elastic portion. Such an embodiment may enable the or each respective biasing member, e.g. spring 146, to be dispensed with, as the material from which at least a part of the retaining member 155 is manufactured may naturally return the retaining member 155 to its closed state in the absence of external force acting on the retaining member 155 to hold the retaining member 155 in the open position. In such an embodiment, the deformable part of the retaining member 155 must be able to withstand a high number of deformations.

Whilst the method of operation has been described as requiring movement of each of the retaining members 155 into the respective open positions, to enable insertion of the respective part of the plate 126 therein, it will be appreciated that it may, additionally or alternatively, be possible for a first edge 126c, 126d of the plate 126 to be slid into the recess 150 of one of the retaining members 155, and then the other edge of the plate 126 to be received in the recess of the other retaining member 155, by moving the other retaining member 155 to its open position by the operator applying a force directly to the upper part of the retaining member 155, for example using his or her foot, or by applying a force to the catch 152 with the edge 126c, 126d of the plate 126 by applying a force to the handle 113 of the cleaning apparatus 110, such that the edge 126c, 126d slides along the catch, causing pivoting motion and/or deformation of the retaining member 155, until the edge 126c, 126d of the plate clips under the catch 152, and is received in the recess 150 of the retaining member 155.

The cleaning head 120 is preferably rotatable relative to the body 112 of the cleaning apparatus 110, at least through 90° such that the cleaning head 120 may be used such that one of the long edges 120a, 120b leads and the other long edge 120a, 120b trails during substantially forward movement of the cleaning apparatus 110. Alternatively, one of the short edges 120c, 120d leads and the other short edge 120c, 120d trails when moved in a substantially forward direction, so as to enable cleaning of narrower or otherwise difficult to access parts of the surface 116 to be cleaned. The cleaning head 120 is lockable one or more positions relative to the body 112. The plate 126 may be rotatable with the cleaning head 120, relative to the body 112, or may remain stationary relative to the body 112. In order to facilitate rotation of the cleaning head 120 relative to the body 12, the plate 126 is preferably square, rather than rectangular.

Claims

1. A cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying a vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the cleaning apparatus including an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism being releasable to detach the cleaning head from the body.

2. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism includes at least one magnet.

3. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 including at least one locating formation to locate the cleaning head in the correct position relative to the body.

4. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the at least one locating formation includes a protrusion on the body and a recess on the cleaning head.

5. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the at least one locating formation coincides with the attachment mechanism and wherein the at least one magnet is provided in or on at least one of the recess and the protrusion.

6. (canceled)

7. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning head is at least semi-flexible or foldable.

8. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 7 including a hinge to enable the cleaning head to fold.

9. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the cleaning head carries cleaning material, which, when the cleaning head is folded, hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop.

10. (canceled)

11. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the cleaning material is a microfibre material.

12. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism includes a retaining member for retaining a part of the body and an attachment member which is carried by the body, at least a part of the attachment member being retainable by the retaining member, to releasably attach the cleaning head to the body of the cleaning apparatus.

13. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the attachment member is a plate which inhibits folding of the cleaning head whilst the cleaning head is attached to the body.

14. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the retaining mechanism is a clip which is attached to and pivotable relative to the cleaning head, between a first, open position in which a part of the plate is engageable with a part of the clip, and a second, retaining position, in which the part of the plate is retained between the clip and a part of the cleaning head.

15. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the retaining member is biased towards the second, retaining, position.

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cleaning head includes a handle, which is accessible at least when the cleaning head is detached from the body, the handle of the cleaning head positioned adjacent the hinge of the cleaning head.

19. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the handle of the cleaning head is positioned towards an upper part of the cleaning head, and is pivotable between a first, in use position, and a second, stowed position, the stowed position inhibiting interference of the handle of the cleaning head with the body of the cleaning apparatus.

20. (canceled)

21. A cleaning apparatus according to claim 18 wherein hook and loop fastening material is attached to at least a portion thereof, and wherein the cleaning head comprises at least one aperture through which the hook and loop fabric is located when the handle is in its stowed position.

22. A cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 9, wherein at least the cleaning material is receivable in a cleaning material cleaning device, the or each retaining member providing an abutment member which inhibits insertion of at least part of the cleaning head into the cleaning material cleaning device.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. A method of operation of a cleaning apparatus having a body, and a cleaning head, the body carrying a vibrating unit to cause vibratory motion of the cleaning head relative to the body, the cleaning head being detachable from the body, the method including attaching the cleaning head to the body, manoeuvring the cleaning apparatus to clean at least a portion of a surface, and detaching the cleaning head from the body.

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. A method of operation of a cleaning apparatus according to claim 25, the cleaning apparatus including an attachment mechanism which includes a retaining member for retaining a part of the body, the attachment mechanism being releasable to detach the cleaning head from the body, the method including attaching the cleaning head to the body by moving the retaining member to an open position to receive the part of the body, and moving the retaining member to a retaining position to retain the part of the body, manoeuvring the cleaning apparatus to clean at least a portion of a surface, and moving the retaining member to the open position, to release the part of the body, so as to detach the cleaning head from the body, and wherein the cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of retaining members, and the method includes retaining respective parts of the body with each of the retaining members.

29-32. (canceled)

33. A method according to claim 28 including detaching the cleaning head from the body, to clean cleaning material carried by the cleaning head and folding the cleaning head, such that the cleaning material hangs from the cleaning head substantially in a loop.

34. (canceled)