Apparatus and method for a mop

Abstract

A mop apparatus is described that includes an elongate handle, a mop head and a wringing device. The mop head includes a bracket connected to a distal end portion of the elongate handle. The bracket has a pair of distally extending arms that connect to the mop. The mop has a distally directed cleaning surface and opposed rear surface that connects to the bracket. A backing plate is connected to the rear surface of the mop. The wringing device is actuated by a movable handle that displaces and rotates portions of the plate to compress and wring out the water from the mop.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mops and more particularly to hand held mops with water wringing mechanisms.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mops that include wringing apparatuses provide an advantage by enabling the mops to be quickly wrung without the need for any additional equipment. The wringing apparatuses typically remove the water from the mops by running the cleaning portions through restrictive structures such as a pair of elongate cylindrical rollers. This wringing process eliminates much of the water, but the effectiveness of this wringing process is limited by the distance between the rollers and size of the cleaning portion of the mop. Far too often the wringing process does not wring a sufficient amount of the water from the cleaning portion and the mop undesirably retains an excessive amount of water for cleaning or drying.

A wringing apparatus for a mop is needed that can advantageously wring the water from a variety of sizes and types of cleaning portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mop apparatus is disclosed that comprises an elongate handle and a mop head. The mop head includes a bracket and a plate, the bracket connected to a distal end portion of the handle, the plate has a center section and two rotatingly connected and laterally positioned wings, each lateral wing rotatingly connected to a distal end portion of the bracket. The mop apparatus includes a mop that has a cleaning element that has a distally directed cleaning surface and an opposed rear surface that is connected to the plate. The mop apparatus also has a wringing device that includes a movable handle and a rod, the movable handle is connected to a proximal end portion of the rod and is rotatingly connected to the elongate handle. A distal end portion of the rod is connected to the center section of the plate. At least two pivotal connections couple a distal end portion of the bracket to the wings. Each pivotal connection includes a first pivotal joint that couples the bracket to a proximal end portion of a pivotal element and a second pivotal joint that couples the distal end portion of the pivotal element to one of the wings.

The wringing device of the mop apparatus has a first position in which the wings and the center section are aligned and the cleaning element of the mop is distally directed for mopping. A second position of the wringing device includes the repositioning of the movable handle to wring water from the mop. The repositioning of the movable handle moves the rod and moves the center section proximally. The proximal movement of the center section rotates the wings and mop such that the portions of the mop connected to the wings are compressed together.

The bracket preferably includes two laterally positioned and distally extending arms. Each arm extends distally and a distal end portion of each of the arms is in proximity to and is connected with one of the wings.

The wringing device in the second position compresses the cleaning surfaces of the mop together. The mop is preferably connected to the plate using T-elements. Alternatively, the mop can include magnets and the plate can include magnets that connect the mop and plate together.

The movable handle is in a distal position in the first position of the wringing device and is repositioned proximally to displace the connecting rod and center section proximally in the second position of the wringing device.

The handle is at least partially tubular and the connecting rod extends from within the handle and through a slot to connect with the movable handle. The handle and bracket rotate in a plane approximately perpendicular to and independent of the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a mop apparatus constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is a bottom perspective view of a mop head of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3b is a top perspective view of a cleaning element of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 when detached from the mop head;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a wringing device of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 in a first position;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the wringing device of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 in the first position;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the wringing device of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 in a second position;

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the wringing device of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 in the second position;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the mop head of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 having a backing plate with magnetic pads;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the iron plates positioned on a rear surface of the cleaning element of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom front perspective view of the wringing device of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 in the first position; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom front perspective view of the wringing device of the mop apparatus of FIG. 1 in the second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, one preferred embodiment of a mop apparatus 10 is shown that includes a handle 12, a mop head 14 and a wringing device 16. Handle 12 is an elongate cylindrical member with a distal end portion. Wringing device 16 is movable between a first position and a second position for the wringing of water from head 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, handle 12 preferably has a tubular construction. A slot 50 is defined in handle 12. Handle 12 defines a first axis and can be fabricated from a broad range of materials that includes polymers, metals, cellulose or composites.

The mop head 14 of apparatus 10 includes a bracket 20 that provides a structure for mop 24 during cleaning and for the wringing of water from a mop 24. In this preferred embodiment, bracket 20 connects to a distal end portion of handle 12 and has a pair of opposed arms 22 that extend distally in approximately the shape of an inverted “Y” or “U”. The distal ends of arms 22 connect to mop 24.

Attached to the proximal end portion of the handle 12 is a loop 70 which facilitates the hanging of mop apparatus 10 by a hook. A first grip 72 is positioned on the proximal end portion and a center grip 74 is positioned on a central portion of the elongated handle 12. Grips 72 and 74 provide for the easy manipulation and handling of apparatus 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, mop or cleaning element 24 has a distally directed cleaning surface 26 and an opposed rear surface 28. The mop further includes a front side 30, an opposed back side 32 and two opposed lateral sides 34. The cleaning surface 26 is preferably made of a material such as MICRO-FIBER, fiber or sponge. Mop 24 absorbs liquids when immersed, dispenses excessive amounts of those liquids during wringing and then retains a select amount of liquids for moping.

As shown in FIG. 4, mop 24 is coupled to a backing plate 36. The plate 36 has a center section 38 and two wings 40 that are positioned adjacent to the center section 38. Each arm 22 connects to one of wings 40. The length of center section 38 is proportioned to the thickness of mop 24 and is preferably less than the length of each wing 40. Arms 22 define a first plane.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, wringing device 16 of mop apparatus 10 is in the first position. Wringing device 16 includes a movable handle 44, a rod 46 and a pair of pivotal elements 48. Handle 44 is rotatingly connected to the elongated handle 12 in proximity to slot 50 for the movement of wringing device 16 between the first position and the second position. In the first position of apparatus 10 wringing device 16 is positioned for uses such as cleaning and storing.

The handle 44 of the wringing device 16 includes a pair of arms 54, a grip 56 and a bar 58. In this preferred embodiment, each arm 54 has a first end portion that is connected to handle 12 for pivotal rotation and an opposed second end portion that is connected to grip 56. Grip 56 is a readily accessible and easily grasped handle. Bar 58 is connected to at least one of arms 54.

Connecting rod 46 is an elongate member that extends at least partially within handle 12 between bar 58 and center section 38. Rod 46 has a proximal end portion 52 that extends through slot 50 of handle 12 to connect to bar 58. Rod 46 and bar 58 are connected by an attachment mechanism 60 that accommodates the rotational movement between bar 58 and attachment mechanism 60 as handle 44 is rotated. A distal end portion 62 of rod 46 is coupled with the center section 38 of the plate 36 by a connector such as a pair of brackets 64. In one preferred embodiment, the connection of center section 38 with rod 46 accommodates the rotation of rod 46 in a plane approximately perpendicular to plate 36. Connecting rod 46 is an elongate member that is preferably made of steel.

A first pivotal joint 66 connects arm 22 and a first end of a pivotal element 48 and a second pivotal joint 68 connects a second end of pivotal element 48 and plate 36. Pivotal joints 66, pivotal elements 48 and second pivotal joints 68 extend approximately distally in the first position and provide sufficient rigidity for the transfer of a distally directed cleaning force from handle 12 to mop 24. The first pivotal joints 66 provide for the angular rotation of the pivotal elements 48 in the first plane about the distal end of the bracket arms 22. The second pivotal joints 68 provide the angular rotation of the wings 40 about the center section 38 in plane-X. In one preferred embodiment, the connection between joints 68 and plate 36 accommodate the angular rotation of bracket 20 and handle 12 in a plane approximately perpendicular to plate 36.

The distal facing portions of the wings 40 have a plurality of T-projections 42. The T-projections 42 penetrate into and connect with rear surface 28. The added compression of the downward or distally directed pressure for cleaning strengthens the connection between plate 36 and mop 24. The T-projections can also extend across portions of the center section 38.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, handle 44 actuates the movement of wringing device 16 between the first position and second position. The proximal rotational movement of handle 44 simultaneously displaces connecting rod 46 and center section 38 of the plate 36 in the proximal direction. The proximal movement of center section 38 results in the rotation of pivotal elements 48 about joints 66 to a position approximately perpendicular to an axis-X defined by handle 12. Wings 40 are also repositioned and/or rotated about joints 66 and their respective joints with center section 38 to a position approximately parallel with first axis. The pivotal rotation of wings 40 can further include, as required, rotation about second pivotal joints 68.

In the preferred embodiment, the rotation of wings 40 about joint 66 places the portions of mop 24 that are adjacent wings 40 in direct contact and under a predetermined amount of pressure to wring water from mop 24. The relatively small portion of mop 24 connected to center section 38 is similarly compressed by wings 40 into itself for the wringing of water from that portion of mop 24.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in another embodiment of mop head 14, plate 36 and mop 24 are connected together magnetically. Thin magnetic pads 76 instead of T-shaped projections are positioned on center section 38 and wings 40 with a first magnetic polarization. The rear surface 28 of mop 24 is provided with thin and flexible magnetic plates 78 with a magnetic polarization that is opposite that of pads 76.

In operation as shown in FIG. 10, in the first position of apparatus 10, the wings 40 and center section 38 of the plate 36 are approximately coplanar for moping. Rod 46 is extended distally and handle 44 is preferably positioned in the distal direction. The first pivotal joints 66, the pivotal elements 48 and second pivotal joints 68 extend distally and are approximately aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by handle 12. Handle 12 and bracket 20 can rotate in a plane approximately perpendicular to plate 36 for ease of use during moping.

The movement of handle 44 between the distal and proximal positions is transferred to rod 46 to reposition plate 36 between the first position for use as a mop and the second position for wringing.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, mop head 14 is preferably dipped or submerged into water before commencing the cleaning operation. The excess water is wrung out of mop 24 by moving handle 44 proximally from the first position of wringing device 16 to the second position of wringing device 16. The proximal repositioning of movable handle 44 repositions rod 46 and center portion 38 proximally from being aligned with wings 40. As center portion 38 is displaced proximally, wings 40 simultaneously rotate about their respective connections with section 38 and about first joints 66 in an inward direction. Wings 40 rotate from being approximately aligned in the first position of wring device 16 to being approximately perpendicular to center section 38 in the second position of wringing device 16. Similarly, pivotal elements 48 rotate from extending distally in the first position of wringing device 16 to being approximately parallel with the alignment of center section 38 in the second position of wringing device 16. The proximal rotation of movable handle 44 places the opposing sides of mop 24 in the compression and results in the displacement or wringing of the water from mop 24.

Wringing apparatus 16 of mop apparatus 10 in the second position is returned to the first position by the displacement of handle 44 distally. Connecting rod 46 and center section 38 are displaced distally. Wings 40 simultaneously rotate outwardly and into alignment with center section 38 in the first position of wringing device 16. Mop 24 in the first position after being wrung in the second position has retained sufficient water for cleaning and is ready for cleaning.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment above, numerous modifications and/or additions to the above described preferred embodiments would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope of present invention extends to all such modifications and/or additions and that the scope of present invention is limited by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A mop apparatus that comprises:

an elongate handle;

a mop head that includes a bracket and a plate, the bracket connected to a distal end portion of the handle, the plate has a center section and two rotatingly connected and laterally positioned wings, each lateral wing rotatingly connected to a distal end portion of the bracket;

a mop that includes a cleaning element that has a distally directed cleaning surface and an opposed rear surface that is connected to the plate;

a wringing device that includes a movable handle and a rod, the movable handle connected to a proximal end portion of the rod and rotatingly connected to the elongate handle, a distal end portion of the rod connected to the center section of the plate;

at least two pivotal connections that couple a distal end portion of the bracket to the wings, each pivotal connection includes a first pivotal joint that couples the bracket to a proximal end portion of a pivotal element and a second pivotal joint that couples the distal end portion of the pivotal element to one of the wings;

a first position of the wringing device in which the cleaning element of the mop is distally directed for mopping; and

a second position of the wringing device in which the movable handle is repositioned to wring water from the mop by moving the rod and moving the center section proximally, the proximal movement of the center section rotating the wings and mop such that the portions of the mop connected to the wings are compressed together.

2. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes two laterally positioned and distally extending arms.

3. The mop apparatus of claim 2, wherein each arm extends distally in proximity to and is connected with one of the wings.

4. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wringing device in the second position compresses the cleaning surfaces of the mop together.

5. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mop is connected to the plate using T-elements.

6. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mop is connected to the plate using magnets.

7. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movable handle is in a distal position in the first position of the wringing device and is repositioned proximally to displace the connecting rod and center section proximally in the second position of the wringing device.

8. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is at least partially tubular and the connecting rod extends from within the handle and through a slot to connect with the movable handle.

9. The mop apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle and bracket rotate in a plane approximately perpendicular to and independent of the plate.