Mop wringer and handle stabilizer

Abstract

A mop wringer and handle stabilizer for a mop bucket fitted with a mop wringer and a bucket handle, which stabilizer includes a bracket mounted on or shaped in the mop wringer and having a lip for receiving and tensioning the bucket handle and stabilizing the mop wringer on the mop bucket. A handle bend is optionally provided in the bucket handle for receiving the mop handle of a mop located in the mop bucket and stabilizing the mop in the mop bucket and a wringer handle adaptor is attached to the mop wringer compression handle and is configured and located to optionally receive and stabilize the mop handle when the mop is located in the mop wringer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference prior filed copending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/663,672, Filed Mar. 22, 2005.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mop wringer and handle stabilizer which includes, in a preferred embodiment, a bracket mounted on or shaped in the front wall or rim of a mop wringer assembly which is removably seated on a mop bucket. The bracket includes a forwardly-projecting lip for removably receiving and tensioning the handle of the mop bucket, thus removably stabilizing the mop wringer assembly on the mop bucket. In another preferred embodiment a handle loop or bend is provided in the bucket handle for removably receiving the mop handle of a mop while the mop is positioned in the mop bucket to stabilize the mop and mop handle in place during relocation of the mop bucket and mop wringer assembly. In still another preferred embodiment of the invention the bracket is constructed of metal or plastic and is characterized by a bracket base having a pair of base bends, one of which bends defines a base leg attached to the wringer assembly rim and the other defining a pair of downwardly-extending base flanges which are secured to the wringer assembly wall beneath the rim. The outwardly-projecting base lip is typically located above the base flanges and extends over the mop bucket reservoir, in the path of a normally curved and pivotally-mounted bucket handle. Tension is applied to the bucket handle when the bucket handle is rotated or pivoted upwardly over the base lip, to stabilize the mop wringer assembly on the mop bucket. In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention the conventional wringer mop compression handle is fitted with a wringer handle adaptor which is shaped and located to optionally receive the handle of a mop located in the mop wringer reservoir and stabilize the mop and mop handle in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mop wringer and handle stabilizer of this invention in functional configuration on a conventional mop bucket and wringer assembly;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the conventional mop bucket and wringer assembly which receives the mop wringer and handle stabilizer illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mop wringer and handle stabilizer illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings the mop wringer and handle stabilizer of this invention is generally illustrated in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 1. The mop wringer and handle stabilizer 1 is typically used in connection with a conventional mop bucket 12 and a companion mop wringer assembly 16, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In a first preferred embodiment a bracket 2 is mounted on the frontal portion of the wringer rim 18 of the conventional mop wringer assembly 16, which is removably fitted in conventional fashion to the bucket rim 12a of a mop bucket 12. In a typical application the mop wringer assembly 16 is designed to seat on the rear portion of the bucket rim 12a of the mop bucket 12 and receive a mop 21, fitted with a mop handle 22, for wringing the water out of the strands 21a of the mop 21 by operation of a conventional mop compression handle 19, provided in the mop wringer assembly 16. Accordingly, the mop receptacle 17 of the mop wringer assembly 16 is sized to receive the mop 21 and facilitate compression of the strands 21a by manipulation of the mop compression handle 19 in conventional fashion. The mop bucket 12 is typically fitted with a reservoir 13 for containing water and a detergent (not illustrated) and receiving the mop 21 and wetting the strands 21a, pursuant to the mopping of a floor. The mop bucket 12 is typically fitted with conventional rollers 14 for easy transportation and relocation of the mop bucket 12, mop wringer assembly 16 and mop 21 into any desired location for mopping of the floor.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the bracket 2 is typically shaped to define a bracket base 3 which fits over the top frontal portion of the wringer rim 18 of the mop wringer assembly 16 and includes a pair of bracket base bends 4, from one of which typically extends a base leg 5 rearwardly and downwardly into the mop wringer assembly 16. The base leg 5 is typically provided with spaced-apart leg openings (not illustrated) for receiving corresponding leg mount bolts 5b and securing the base leg 5 to the wringer rim 18 or the rear wall of the mop wringer assembly 16, by means of a corresponding pair of nuts (not illustrated). A base lip 6 projects forwardly from the bracket base 3, beneath the opposite one of the bracket base bends 4 of the bracket 2 and typically extends over the reservoir 13 of the mop bucket 12. A pair of spaced-apart base flanges 7, having flange openings 7a that receive flange mount bolts 7b, fitted with corresponding nuts (not illustrated), typically extend downwardly from the front one of the base bends 4 in the bracket base 3. The flange mount bolts 7b secure the base flanges 7 to the front wall of the mop wringer assembly 16, immediately below the front portion of the wringer rim 18, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The base lip 6 extends outwardly of the bracket base 3 over the reservoir 13 of the mop bucket 12 and is designed to receive in a friction-fit, the fixed or upwardly-pivoting top portion of the bail or bucket handle 9. The bucket handle 9 is typically pivotally attached by means of the mount bend ends 9a and mount openings 11a, to the corresponding handle mounts 11 of the mop bucket 12 in conventional fashion, as further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. The base lip 6 is sized and positioned on the wringer rim 18 to exert tension on the bucket handle 9 and removably retain the mop wringer assembly 16 on the mop bucket 12 when the bucket handle 9 is pivoted into position over the base lip 6, as further illustrated in FIG. 1.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention a handle bend 10 is provided in the bucket handle 9, between the top central portion thereof and one of the mount bends 9a of the bucket handle 9. Accordingly, the tension in the base lip 6 of the bracket 2 results in a downward force on the mop wringer assembly 16 to secure the mop wringer assembly 16 on the mop bucket 12. Furthermore, the mop handle 22 of the mop 21 can be inserted or rested in the handle bend 10 of the bucket handle 9 to stabilize the mop 21 and the mop handle 22 in place while the mop 21 is located in the reservoir 13 of the mop bucket 12 and the mop bucket 12 and mop wringer assembly are relocated in concert by operation of the rollers 14, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention a wringer handle adaptor 20 is mounted on the extending end of the conventional mop compression handle 19 provided in the mop wringer assembly 16. The wringer handle adaptor 20 includes a typically tubular adaptor base 20a, which typically fits over the top end of the mop compression handle 19 and is secured in place by one or more fasteners, such as the adaptor bolt 20d. The adaptor bolt 20d typically extends through the aligned bolt opening 20e and compression handle opening 19a and is secured in place by the nut 36, as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. An adaptor offset 20b typically extends from the adaptor base 20a rearwardly to an adaptor grip 20c, which projects substantially parallel to the rear portion of the wringer rim 18. This arrangement facilitates optionally resting the mop handle 22 against the adaptor grip 20c when the mop 21 is in the mop receptacle 17 of the mop wringer assembly 16, as an alternative to placement of the mop handle 22 in the handle bend 10 of the bucket handle 9 when the mop is in the reservoir 13, as further illustrated in FIG. 1.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bracket 2 may be installed on the mop wringer assembly 16 using the leg mount bolts 5b and flange mount bolts 7b as described above, or in any similar manner, and used to stabilize the mop wringer assembly 16 on the mop bucket 12 without the implementation of a handle bend 10 in the bucket handle 9. However, in a most preferred embodiment of the invention a handle bend 10 is provided in the bucket handle 9 to further stabilize and seat the mop handle 22 of the mop 21 in position such that the mop bucket 12, with the mop wringer assembly 16 in place, can be quickly and easily maneuvered and transported by means of the rollers 14 across open spaces and through doorways and narrow openings without risking unpredictable, erratic and even dangerous displacement of the mop handle 22 and the mop 21. Alternatively, the mop handle 22 can be rested against the adaptor grip 20c of the wringer handle insert 20, more typically under circumstances where the mop bucket 12 remains in one place.

It will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bracket 2 can be shaped in substantially any desired configuration to fit on the frontal wall or portion of the wringer rim 18 or an alternative structure of a mop wringer assembly 16 of any design and configuration, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Alternatively, the bracket 2 or base lip 6 can be molded in one piece with the mop wringer assembly 16, as a part of the frontal wall or wringer rim 18 or the alternative structure. Furthermore, the bracket 2 can be configured of metal, plastic or other material such as fiberglass, in non-exclusive particular, which is sufficiently rigid and stiff to receive the top portion of the bucket handle 9 in engaged configuration, tension the bucket handle 9 and removably stabilize the mop wringer assembly 16 on the mop bucket 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring again to FIG. 3 of the drawings it will be further appreciated by those skilled in the art that the leg mount bolts 5b and flange mount bolts 7b which typically secure the base leg 5 and the base flanges 7, respectively, to the mop wringer assembly 16, may be characterized by screws, brads, rivets or other fasteners known to those skilled in the art and used for the purpose of securing the bracket 2 to the wringer rim 18 or alternative structure of the mop wringer assembly 16. Under circumstances where the leg mount bolts 5b and flange mount bolts 7b are used in this capacity, they each typically extend through corresponding base leg openings (not illustrated) and the flange openings 7a, in the base leg 5 and the base flanges 7, respectively, of the bracket 2 and through corresponding aligned openings (not illustrated) provided in the wall of the mop wringer assembly 16, where they are secured in place by corresponding nuts, not illustrated.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings it will also be understood that the handle bend 10 can be configured in the bucket handle 9 in a sufficient size and shape to accommodate any sized mop handle 22, carrying a mop 21 on one end thereof, in a slip-fit or a friction-fit, as desired, regardless of the design of the mop 21.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications may be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A stabilizer for stabilizing a mop wringer on a mop bucket having a bucket handle and a bucket reservoir for receiving a mop having a mop handle, said stabilizer comprising an engaging member provided on the mop wringer for receiving the bucket handle and exerting tension on the bucket handle.

2. The stabilizer of claim 1 comprising a handle bend provided in the bucket handle for receiving the mop handle and stabilizing the mop in the bucket reservoir of the mop bucket.

3. The stabilizer of claim 1 wherein said engaging member comprises a lip provided on the mop wringer for receiving the bucket handle.

4. The stabilizer of claim 3 comprising a handle bend provided in the bucket handle for receiving the mop handle and stabilizing the mop in the bucket reservoir of the mop bucket.

5. The stabilizer of claim 1 comprising a handle adaptor provided on the mop wringer for maneuvering the mop bucket and the mop wringer in concert and receiving and resting the mop handle when the mop is located in the mop wringer.

6. The stabilizer of claim 5 comprising a handle bend provided in the bucket handle for selectively receiving the mop handle and stabilizing the mop in the bucket reservoir of the mop bucket.

7. The stabilizer of claim 5 wherein said engaging member comprises a lip provided on the mop wringer for receiving the bucket handle.

8. The stabilizer of claim 5 comprising a handle bend provided in the bucket handle for selectively receiving the mop handle and stabilizing the mop in the bucket reservoir of the mop bucket and wherein said engaging member comprises a bracket carried by the mop wringer and a lip projecting from said bracket for receiving the bucket handle.

9. A device for stabilizing a mop having a mop handle in a mop bucket provided with a mop wringer and having a bucket handle, said device comprising a bracket provided on the mop wringer and a lip provided on said bracket for receiving and tensioning the bucket handle on the lip.

10. The device of claim 9 comprising a handle bend provided in the bucket handle for receiving the mop handle and stabilizing the mop in the mop bucket.

11. The device of claim 9 comprising a handle adaptor provided on the mop wringer for maneuvering the mop bucket and the mop wringer in concert and receiving and resting the mop handle when the mop is located in the mop wringer.

12. The stabilizer of claim 9 comprising:

(a) a handle bend provided in the bucket handle for selectively receiving the mop handle and stabilizing the mop in the mop bucket; and

(b) a handle adaptor provided on the mop wringer for maneuvering the mop bucket and the mop wringer in concert and selectively receiving and resting the mop handle when the mop is located in the mop wringer.

13. A stabilizing member for stabilizing a mop wringer assembly having a wringer handle and a wringer reservoir on a mop bucket having a pivoting bucket handle and a bucket reservoir configured to receive a mop having a mop handle, said stabilizing member comprising a bracket provided on the mop wringer assembly and a lip extending from said bracket over the bucket reservoir of the mop bucket for selectively receiving and tensioning the bucket handle on the lip; a handle bend provided in the bucket handle for selectively receiving the mop handle and stabilizing the mop in the bucket reservoir; and a handle adaptor provided on the wringer handle of the mop wringer assembly for maneuvering the mop bucket and the mop wringer assembly in concert and selectively receiving and resting the mop handle when the mop is located in the wringer reservoir of the mop bucket.

14. The stabilizing member of claim 13 wherein said handle adaptor comprises an adaptor base carried by the wringer handle, an adaptor offset extending from said adaptor base and an adaptor grip projecting from said adaptor offset for said selectively receiving and resting the mop handle.

15. A method for stabilizing a mop wringer on a mop bucket having a bucket handle and a bucket reservoir for receiving a mop having a mop handle, comprising the steps of providing an engaging member on the mop wringer for receiving and tensioning the bucket handle.

16. The method according to claim 15 comprising the step of providing a bend in the bucket handle of the mop bucket for receiving the mop handle when the mop is located in the bucket reservoir of the mop bucket.

17. The method according to claim 15 comprising the step of providing a handle adaptor on the mop wringer for maneuvering the mop bucket and the mop wringer in concert and receiving and resting the mop handle when the mop is located in the mop wringer.

18. The method according to claim 15 comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a bend in the bucket handle of the mop bucket for selectively receiving the mop handle when the mop is located in the bucket reservoir of the mop bucket; and

(b) providing a handle adaptor on the mop wringer for maneuvering the mop bucket and the mop wringer in concert and selectively receiving and resting the mop handle when the mop is located in the mop wringer.

19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the engaging member is shaped in the mop wringer.

20. The method according to claim 15 wherein the engaging member comprises a bracket attached to the mop wringer and a lip extending from the bracket for said receiving and tensioning the bucket handle.