Abstract: A push broom head includes a body including an upper face, a lower face, a front face, a rear face, and left and right end faces. A plurality of sweeper bristles project outwardly from the lower face. A handle mounting block portion includes a socket adapted to receive an associated broom handle. The handle mounting block portion is located between left and right portions of the body. The body includes a plurality of open pockets defined in the upper face on both the left and right portions of the body. Each of the pockets opens through the upper face of the body and comprises a bottom wall. Each of the pockets defines a depth between the upper face of the body and the respective bottom wall.

Abstract: A handle for a push broom or other janitorial tool includes an elongated body with opposite first and second ends. The body includes a polymeric structure including a core that extends along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a plurality of arms that extend radially outward from the core. Each of the arms includes an inner end connected to the core and an outer end including an enlarged head with an outer surface for being gripped by a user. The outer surfaces of the arms together define a gripping surface. Each circumferentially successive pair of arms is circumferentially spaced-apart from each other by an open channel that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each of the open channels includes a space defined between the circumferentially successive pair of arms and includes a gap in communication with the space and that separates circumferentially successive enlarged heads from each other such that the gap interrupts said gripping surface.

Abstract: A push broom head includes a body including an upper face, a lower face, a front face, a rear face, and left and right end faces. A plurality of sweeper bristles project outwardly from the lower face. A handle mounting block portion includes a socket adapted to receive an associated broom handle. The handle mounting block portion is located between left and right portions of the body. The body includes a plurality of open pockets defined in the upper face on both the left and right portions of the body. Each of the pockets opens through the upper face of the body and comprises a bottom wall. Each of the pockets defines a depth between the upper face of the body and the respective bottom wall.

Abstract: A push broom head includes a body including an upper face, a lower face, a front face, a rear face, and left and right end faces. A plurality of sweeper bristles project outwardly from the lower face. A handle mounting block portion includes a socket adapted to receive an associated broom handle. The handle mounting block portion is located between left and right portions of the body. The body includes a plurality of open pockets defined in the upper face on both the left and right portions of the body. Each of the pockets opens through the upper face of the body and comprises a bottom wall. Each of the pockets defines a depth between the upper face of the body and the respective bottom wall.

Abstract: A damp mop includes a handle with a bore that defines a reservoir for a volume of cleaning liquid. The neck includes a socket with an outlet chamber and a liquid outlet orifice is defined in the neck in communication with the outlet chamber. A handle tip is engaged with the neck socket and includes a flow passage in fluid communication with both reservoir and the outlet chamber. A rod is located in the handle and includes an inner end with a piston. The rod and piston are selectively manually movable between: (i) a retracted position in which liquid can flow from the reservoir into the outlet chamber; and (ii) an extended position in which the piston blocks flow of liquid. The piston pressurizes the outlet chamber when it moves from the retracted position to the extended position to cause cleaning fluid to be ejected from the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A push broom head includes a body including an upper face, a lower face, a front face, a rear face, and left and right end faces. A plurality of sweeper bristles project outwardly from the lower face. A handle mounting block portion includes a socket adapted to receive an associated broom handle. The handle mounting block portion is located between left and right portions of the body. The body includes a plurality of open pockets defined in the upper face on both the left and right portions of the body. Each of the pockets opens through the upper face of the body and comprises a bottom wall. Each of the pockets defines a depth between the upper face of the body and the respective bottom wall.

Abstract: A damp mop includes a handle with a bore that defines a reservoir for a volume of cleaning liquid. The neck includes a socket with an outlet chamber and a liquid outlet orifice is defined in the neck in communication with the outlet chamber. A handle tip is engaged with the neck socket and includes a flow passage in fluid communication with both reservoir and the outlet chamber. A rod is located in the handle and includes an inner end with a piston. The rod and piston are selectively manually movable between: (i) a retracted position in which liquid can flow from the reservoir into the outlet chamber; and (ii) an extended position in which the piston blocks flow of liquid. The piston pressurizes the outlet chamber when it moves from the retracted position to the extended position to cause cleaning fluid to be ejected from the outlet orifice.

Abstract: A threaded connector includes a base and a threaded male portion projecting axially outward from the base. The threaded male portion is adapted to mate with an associated threaded female socket. The threaded male portion includes a helical thread comprising three sections: (i) a lead-in section; (ii) a transitional cam-locking section; and, (iii) a friction-locking section. The friction-locking section is located adjacent the base, the lead-in section is spaced from the base, and the transitional cam-locking section connects the lead-in section to the friction-locking section. The helical thread includes a tip and a root. The lead-in section is defined by a first major diameter at the tip of said thread and the friction-locking section is defined by a second major diameter at the tip of the thread. The second major diameter is greater than the first major diameter.

Abstract: In accordance with another aspect of the present development, an articulated link duster support frame includes a base and a working region connected to the base. The working region includes a plurality of links pivotally connected in series such that each link is pivotally connected to at least one adjacent link, with an inner one of said links pivotally connected to the base. Respective articulated joints pivotally connect the inner link to the base and pivotally connect each link to at least one adjacent link. Each joint includes a first side comprising at least two ears and a second side comprising at least one tab located between and slidably abutted with the at least two ears of said first side. Each joint further includes a fastener pivotally connecting the first and second joint sides. A fabric, feather, or other dusting member is connected to the working region.

Abstract: A threaded connector includes a base and a threaded male portion projecting axially outward from the base. The threaded male portion is adapted to mate with an associated threaded female socket. The threaded male portion includes a helical thread comprising three sections: (i) a lead-in section; (ii) a transitional cam-locking section; and, (iii) a friction-locking section. The friction-locking section is located adjacent the base, the lead-in section is spaced from the base, and the transitional cam-locking section connects the lead-in section to the friction-locking section. The helical thread includes a tip and a root. The lead-in section is defined by a first major diameter at the tip of said thread and the friction-locking section is defined by a second major diameter at the tip of the thread. The second major diameter is greater than the first major diameter.

Abstract: A threaded connector includes a base and a threaded male portion projecting axially outward from the base. The threaded male portion is adapted to mate with an associated threaded female socket. The threaded male portion includes a helical thread comprising three sections: (i) a lead-in section; (ii) a transitional cam-locking section; and, (iii) a friction-locking section. The friction-locking section is located adjacent the base, the lead-in section is spaced from the base, and the transitional cam-locking section connects the lead-in section to the friction-locking section. The helical thread includes a tip and a root. The lead-in section is defined by a first major diameter at the tip of said thread and the friction-locking section is defined by a second major diameter at the tip of the thread. The second major diameter is greater than the first major diameter.

Abstract: In accordance with another aspect of the present development, an articulated link duster support frame includes a base and a working region connected to the base. The working region includes a plurality of links pivotally connected in series such that each link is pivotally connected to at least one adjacent link, with an inner one of said links pivotally connected to the base. Respective articulated joints pivotally connect the inner link to the base and pivotally connect each link to at least one adjacent link. Each joint includes a first side comprising at least two ears and a second side comprising at least one tab located between and slidably abutted with the at least two ears of said first side. Each joint further includes a fastener pivotally connecting the first and second joint sides. A fabric, feather, or other dusting member is connected to the working region.

Abstract: A threaded connector includes a base and a threaded male portion projecting axially outward from the base. The threaded male portion is adapted to mate with an associated threaded female socket. The threaded male portion includes a helical thread comprising three sections: (i) a lead-in section; (ii) a transitional cam-locking section; and, (iii) a friction-locking section. The friction-locking section is located adjacent the base, the lead-in section is spaced from the base, and the transitional cam-locking section connects the lead-in section to the friction-locking section. The helical thread includes a tip and a root. The lead-in section is defined by a first major diameter at the tip of said thread and the friction-locking section is defined by a second major diameter at the tip of the thread. The second major diameter is greater than the first major diameter.

Abstract: A lock for securing first and second telescoped pole sections includes a base defining a through-bore for receipt of an end of a first pole section. A neck projects from the base and a collar is connected to the neck. The collar defines an opening aligned with the bore of the base. The collar receives a second pole section that is telescoped into the first pole section. A fastener is connected to the collar and a threaded end thereof projects from the collar. A lever control member is mated with the threaded end of the fastener and is movable to selectively radially constrict the collar. The fastener is rotatable relative to the collar but is frictionally engaged with the collar to prevent its unintended rotation. As necessary, the fastener is rotated relative to the collar to adjust the amount that the lever is advanced thereon.

Abstract: A lock for securing first and second telescoped pole sections includes a base defining a through-bore for receipt of an end of a first pole section. A neck projects from the base and a collar is connected to the neck. The collar defines an opening aligned with the bore of the base. The collar receives a second pole section that is telescoped into the first pole section. A fastener is connected to the collar and a threaded end thereof projects from the collar. A lever control member is mated with the threaded end of the fastener and is movable to selectively radially constrict the collar. The fastener is rotatable relative to the collar but is frictionally engaged with the collar to prevent its unintended rotation. As necessary, the fastener is rotated relative to the collar to adjust the amount that the lever is advanced thereon.

Abstract: A mop head securement device includes a shank adapted for receipt of a mop handle. An upper jaw projects outwardly from the shank and a lower jaw member is pivotally connected to the first end of the upper jaw member. An opposite end of the lower jaw defines a lower latch member. A lever arm has a first portion depending from the upper jaw member toward the lower jaw member, and a second portion extending upwardly away from the lower jaw member. The first portion of the lever arm defines an upper latch member adapted for selective engagement with the lower latch member of the lower jaw. The lever arm is manually movable between a latched position, where the upper latch member is positioned to engage the lower latch member, and an unlatched position. The lower jaw member is movable between: (i) a closed, mop head retaining position; and, (ii) an open position wherein the upper and lower latch members are disengaged and the lower jaw member is pivoted away from the upper jaw member.

Abstract: The wet mop holder of the invention comprises a mop holding head :having a substantially round forward end with a groove disposed therein. The mop holder includes a moveable tightening member disposed in a spaced relation to the mop holding head. The tightening member rides on a shaft connected to the mop holding head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mop frame holder comprising a housing having a slot for receiving a portion of a mop frame, a cover plate slidably engagable with the housing for selectively covering the slot so as to lock the frame portion within the slot, a releasable device for locking the cover plate to the housing when the slot is covered and means for connecting a mop handle to the housing.

Abstract: An improved broom assembly comprises a head member having an integrally threaded handle receiving opening with a handle threadedly connected therein and including a locking adaptor for preventing inadvertent unthreading of the handle from the head member. The locking adaptor comprises a generally cylindrical collet body member formed independently of the head member and the handle and having a central opening through which the handle slidably extends. The collet body member further includes resilient finger portions extending axially from the body member along the handle in a direction away from the head member. A nut member is threadedly received on the collet body member for movement axially thereof and includes a tapered surface engageable with the finger portions for driving the finger portions radially inward into gripping engagement with the handle. Engagement tabs extend axially between the collet body member and the head member for preventing relative rotation therebetween.