Dust mop handle method and apparatus

Abstract

This is a dust mop handle and method in which the handle has a plurality of arcuate and straight segments including means to attach a dust mop to one end; unique hand holding means providing for bi-planar holding and movement of the dust mop handle in such manner that the effective force being applied to the dust mop is multiplied and enhanced and strain on the user is reduced.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application may be considered to be related to my presently pending application for Utility Tool Handle, Ser. No. ______, filed Jan. 31, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] I. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention is in the general field of dust mops and the like;

[0004] The invention is more particularly in the field of handles for, and methods of using, dust mops and the like which must be manipulated at a distance from the user while at the same time reducing strain and the like by the use of ergonomic principles which maintain essentially in-line pressure with the user's hands, arms, and shoulders and the like.

[0005] II. Description of the Prior Art

[0006] I am very familiar with this field and have made several inventions and received patents on handles. Also, I have studied literature in the field, patent files, and commercially available items. While there have been many extension handles and the like for various implements, I have recently filed an application for a utility tool handle which employs ergonomic principles, referred to above under the “Cross Reference to Related Patent Applications”. After filing the above mentioned application, I have discovered a particular use for an improved handle requiring some of the principles referred to in my co-pending application referred to above. However, due to the unusual configuration of a dust mop—the mop portion being generally quite large—there are certain additional requirements beyond those addressed in my afore referenced application. I have now studied this particular dust mop problem and have now conceived and developed a new, unique, and useful improved dust mop handle and method using ergonomic principles applied directly to this field.

[0007] Therefore I have also made additional investigations into the literature, available products, and patent files. I have been unable to find a handle of the nature disclosed in this application wherein the transfer of forces from the handle in an unusual and ergonomically friendly manner can be accomplished in the manner as set forth below and illustrated in the drawings which accompany this application where the unusual characteristics of dust mops are involved. Also, I have been unable to find any handle or method for dust mops which anticipate nor suggest what is set forth in this application.

[0008] Based upon my wide experience in this field and related fields concerning janitorial and custodial services and the like, and my recent searching I have concluded that there is no direct prior art as to the handle herein disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] I have been involved in janitorial and custodial services and the like for many years. I have also been engaged in the design and manufacture of janitorial and custodial products and in the development of ergonomically advantageous methods for performing such services.

[0010] I have now designed a handle, and a method of use for dust mops and the like. This handle is unique in that it employs curves and the like at its extreme end such that any forces required whether in a direct line or otherwise are directed in such manner as to reduce force and strain against the hand, arm, and shoulder of the user. This has been accomplished in a unique and useful manner by offsets specifically directed to transferring forces from an elongate dust mop or the like on an elongate handle so that the unusual forces of a large dust mop are effectively maintained in line with a user's shoulder, arm and hand even when unusual forces result from the cumbersome nature of the dust mop.

[0011] I have provided a handle which allows the unusual, unique, novel and useful combination for two hands to be used with the arrangement aligning them in such a manner that the forces applied by two hands, arms, and shoulders are effectively multiplied and complimented by each other rather than being merely added which, under some circumstances, even aggravates the problems encountered.

[0012] What I have accomplished is provision for a unique and useful dust mop handle with angular and arcuate portions so arranged as to allow a user to manipulate a dust mop in a manner which reduces strain and maximizes coverage with each sweep of the dust mop.

[0013] It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and useful dust mop handle;

[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide such a handle which virtually eliminates strains associated with offset forces normally encountered with ordinary straight extension handles and the like;

[0015] Another object is to provide such a handle where the force of a user's two hands, arms and shoulders is in essence multiplied and complemented so as to reduce strain;

[0016] Another object is to provide such a handle and method by the use of which a given surface area may be completely treated in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum effort.

[0017] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description of a preferred embodiment, which follows, in conjunction with a review of the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation of a preferred embodiment of a dust mop handle incorporating the novel and useful features of this invention and carrying a dust mop suitable to practice at least one of the methods of this invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 1; and

[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] An inventory of items in the drawings with reference numerals is: 1 Numeral Item 10 handle generally 11 straight telescoping inner segment 12 straight telescoping outer segment 13 adjustment holes 14 ball 15 curve 16 curve 17 grip sleeve 18 straight segment 19 curve 20 grip 21 connector sleeve 22 dust mop carrier 23 dust mop yarns 24 rivet 25 mop hanger rod 26 straight segment 27 straight segment 28 spring 29 hole 30 hole

[0022] A handle generally 10 made of any suitable material (I prefer aluminum tubing, although any other material, including, without limitation, wood or plastic which can be shaped as described below and shown in the drawing may be used) is composed of a straight segment 11 having two opposed holes 29 (only one is visible). An essentially “V” shaped spring element 28 has two balls or protrusions 14 and is inserted into the hollow segment 11 in such manner that the balls or protrusions 14 protrude through the two holes 29. When the inner telescoping segment 11 is inserted into outer telescoping segment 12, the balls will be pressed inwardly. When the handle is in the desired position the balls will pop out through a pair of holes 13 and secure the telescoping sections together as is known to those skilled in the art. Thus, the handle length can be adjusted to accommodate the height of one using the dust mop.

[0023] The upper (outer) telescoping handle portion is bent at 15 on a slight arc and the straight segment 27 continues at a twenty degree angular relation to the axis of segment 11.

[0024] Another twenty degree curve or bend 16 blends into a straight segment 18 which has an axis parallel to the axis of segment 12. A relatively broad curve 19 then joins straight segment 26 the axis of which is at a 90 degree relation to the axis of segment 12. A comfortable handle grip 20 as will be known to those skilled in the art slips over the segment 26. A non-slip sleeve (rubber or the like) 17 surrounds the segment 27 to allow for an appropriately ergonomically engineered grip for a user's first hand while the user's second hand will hold the grip 20. This unique relationship has been found to greatly reduce the strain on a user's hands, arms, back and shoulders. This is particularly important because of the wide mop head on dust mops and the resultant unbalanced strain when a obstacle is encountered on one end of the wide mop head.

[0025] A customary connector sleeve or the like 21 is fastened to the telescoping element 11 by a rivet or the like 24. A dust mop carrier 22, mop yarns 23, mop hanger rod 25 make a proper connection between the handle of my invention and the dust mop. All of this will be known and understood by those skilled in the art.

[0026] A user of the handle and dust mop of this invention may find many advantages and ways to use the device. For example, a user may pass one arm under handle/grip 26/20 and grip the angular segment 17/27 thus providing extra force and leverage.

[0027] While the embodiments shown and described are fully capable of achieving the objects and advantages desired, it is to be understood that such embodiments have been shown for purposes of demonstration only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0028] In the claims which follow if I should fail to claim any patentable feature such failure to claim will be inadvertent and is not to be interpreted as an abandonment or dedication of such feature. In such event, upon discovering the failure to claim I shall immediately seek to correct it by any proper means.

Claims

1. An improved dust mop handle comprising: a first hand grip area adjacent a first end of said handle; multiple arcuate and straight segments connected to said first hand grip area; a second hand grip area intermediate said first hand grip area and a second end of said handle; dust mop means attached to second end in such manner that the first and second hand grip areas may be used to multiply force exerted upon said dust mop means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is at least one arcuate segment and one angular segment between the first and second hand grip areas.

3. A method for manipulating a dust mop comprising the steps of: forming a dust mop handle which includes at least two hand grip areas which are arranged so as to provide gripping by two hands in a 90 degree planar relation to each other; and moving the mop handle simultaneously in two planes which are at a 90 degree relationship to each other.