Patents Assigned to Vining Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5615442
    Abstract: A wringer mop including a handle and a head portion having a plurality of mop strands, and an improved connector for connecting the mop strands to the handle. The connector includes a connector body having a collar portion and a hollow shank portion. A strand clip is provided for engaging with the mop strands and includes a pair of legs for extending into engagement with the shank portion whereby the strand clip is attached to the connector body. The mop is assembled by first engaging the mop strands with the strand clip and then connecting the strand clip to the connector body. Subsequently, the assembled connector body and strand clip may be attached to the bottom of the handle by inserting the shank portion into the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold J. Schroeck, Paul R. Burger
  • Patent number: 5590437
    Abstract: A wound broom including an elongated tubular handle formed of metal and a plastic cover extending over an exterior surface of the handle. A plurality of elongated ribs are provided extending along the length of the handle, the ribs being defined by alternating lands and grooves. The lands include sharp edges and are spaced from each other a predetermined distance to provide a desired tactile feel for the handle and to facilitate gripping of the handle in a winding operation for the broom. In addition, a plastic plug and insert is provided in an end of the handle. The plug is provided with an aperture for receiving the leading end of a winding wire for facilitating initiation of a winding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. McMillin
  • Patent number: 5573115
    Abstract: A merchandising and shipping box for implements, such as mops and brooms. The box may be used for shipping the implements as well as for supporting the implements on display. The box includes opposing side panels, front and rear panels, a bottom panel and a top panel. The top panel is provided with a plurality of apertures arranged in two spaced rows, and an elongated slot extending between the two rows of apertures. The apertures are adapted to support handle portions of the implement with head portions thereof oriented upwardly, and the elongated slot is connected to an enlarged transverse slot for receiving head portions of the implements therethrough whereby the implements may be positioned within the elongated slot with the head portion oriented downwardly. The different orientations of the implements within the box facilitates viewing of the implements as well as provides a stable support for the implements while on display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 5566820
    Abstract: A mop package for use with a mop including a mop head and a handle pivotally connected to the mop head. The package includes a body portion for receiving the mop head and a biasing portion connected to the body portion. The biasing portion includes an aperture for receiving the handle of the mop and is formed with a triangular configuration which facilitates biasing the mop head to an orientation where it is substantially parallel to the handle of the mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy E. Deaton
  • Patent number: 5502858
    Abstract: A sponge mop head including a support plate for supporting a sponge and a wringer plate pivotally attached to a front edge of the support plate. A planar extension plate portion is provided extending rearwardly from the support plate such that a sponge will be substantially fully compressed between the wringer plate and the support plate and extension plate portion during a wringing operation. In addition, a handle mounting socket is provided located rearwardly of the support plate for facilitating use of the mop in low overhang areas, and to accommodate a wringer plate large enough to fully cover a compressed sponge during a wringing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary M. Hoagland, Diana W. Juratovac
  • Patent number: 5406667
    Abstract: A sponge mop head is provided which protects a scrub strip during wringing operations by the use of a composite curved wringer plate assembly which envelops the scrub strip while allowing the mopping solution to be expelled from the sponge. In addition, a turn lock system is provided on the sponge mop head for conveniently removing and replacing a sponge mop refill cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer B. Teufel, Paul R. Burger, Mary R. Holt, Diana W. Juratovac, Thomas J. Ward
  • Patent number: 5406670
    Abstract: A dust mop having a frame handle and mop yarn attached to at least one side of the frame. The frame having an integral handle socket attached to the frame by the tongue. The tongue is sufficiently flexible to flex under user pressure to keep the mop yarn in contact with the surface to be dusted and to remain substantially in a horizontal position when raised above the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana W. Juratovac, Rainer B. Teufel, Thomas J. Ward, Mary R. Holt
  • Patent number: D357587
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary M. Hoagland
  • Patent number: D358034
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mary M. Hoagland
  • Patent number: D358244
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer B. Teufel, Paul R. Burger, Diana W. Juratovac, Thomas J. Ward
  • Patent number: D358491
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary M. Hoagland
  • Patent number: D359625
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary M. Hoagland
  • Patent number: D359854
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary M. Hoagland
  • Patent number: D360986
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary M. Hoagland
  • Patent number: D361894
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mary M. Hoagland
  • Patent number: D367136
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary M. Hoagland, Diana W. Juratovac
  • Patent number: D367175
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer B. Teufel, Diana W. Juratovac
  • Patent number: D368164
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Reeder
  • Patent number: D370101
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana W. Juratovac, Paul A. Burger
  • Patent number: D384458
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Vining Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold J. Schroeck, Paul R. Burger