Devices for attachment to mop buckets

Abstract

A bracket for attachment to a mop bucket having at least four wheels is provided. According to some embodiments, the bracket has a back web defined by a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a lower edge. Some embodiments further include at least one rib parallel to the first and second vertical edges of the back web. Embodiments are provided with a bottom web adjacent to the lower edge of the back web and extending generally perpendicular from the back web, wherein the bottom web defines at least two collars that attach to the wheels of the mop bucket. Other embodiments include a first arm adjacent to the first vertical edge of the back web and extending generally perpendicular from the back web, and a second arm adjacent to the second vertical edge of the back web and extending generally perpendicular from the back web. In some embodiments, when the bracket is attached to the mop bucket, mop bucket and the bracket define a pocket inside which to store items, such as a sign or a mop.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to provisional patent application entitled “DEVICES FOR ATTACHMENT TO MOP BUCKETS,” filed in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on Jan. 30, 2007, and assigned Ser. No. 60/898,430.

The invention relates generally to devices to assist when cleaning and more particularly to devices that can be attached to a mop bucket and used to store and transport objects, or to prevent damage if a mop bucket impacts a structure.

BACKGROUND

Mopping of floors typically requires several different tools or accessories, including at least a bucket and a mop. When mopping large areas, several more accessories might be required, including at least a mop wringer, cleaning solution, paper towels, or a sign to warn people of wet floors caused by mopping. Such warning signs can be required by safety regulations and are good practice to avoid unnecessary accidents. When mopping a large area, one portion of the floor might become dry while another portion is still wet. Accordingly, it is sometimes required to move the warning sign between portions of the area being mopped. Transporting the warning sign and any other mopping accessories can present a safety hazard for the user. It is often dangerous to walk over wet floors, especially when carrying a large quantity of items such as accessories for mopping. Moreover, sometimes the signs are large and heavy, and might be difficult to carry.

Another problem that can arise is how to store the accessories used in mopping. Sometimes storage rooms, such as closets, where the mop and accessories are stored are very small. There might not be shelving or other storage space to store the accessories for mopping. Some accessories, such as a warning sign, might be large and consume the limited storage space.

Yet another problem associated with mopping includes accessing the accessories used in mopping. The user might need to quickly access the cleaning solution, warning sign, paper towels, or whatever other accessories are required. The user's hands might be occupied and it might not be easy to rearrange and access the needed accessory. In particular, it might be difficult to access the warning sign, which might be large and difficult to handle.

Another problem encountered in mopping is damaging walls or other structures with the mop bucket. Traditional mop buckets have a generally rectangular tank to store mopping fluid and four wheels that mount on casters. Traditional mop buckets are made of hard material, such as plastic or some type of metal. When a user is mopping a floor, the user might inadvertently cause the mop bucket to strike a wall or other structure. The impact of the hard mop bucket with the wall might cause damage to either the wall or the mop bucket.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention provide devices for storing and transporting accessories for mopping, including a warning sign. Certain embodiments have a bracket that is removeably attachable to a mop bucket. The mop bucket can be a traditional mop bucket as is known in the art, comprising a generally rectangular tank to store mopping fluid and four wheels that mount on casters. According to some embodiments a bracket comprising a backing web and at least one collar may be attached to the mop bucket. The backing web may preferably be a bar or sheet of material that holds an accessory for mopping, such as a warning sign, in one place. The backing web may have an upper portion and a lower portion. In certain embodiments the collar is an opening defined by the lower portion of the backing web, and in other embodiments the collar is defined by rings that protrude from the lower portion of the backing web. If desired, the collar may removeably attach to the casters on a traditional mop bucket. Certain embodiments provide at least one arm that protrudes from an edge of the backing web. The at least one arm prohibits the accessory for mopping, such as a warning sign, from exceeding the edge of the backing web. A mop bucket assembly may thus include a bracket attached to a mop bucket for conveniently holding a warning sign.

Embodiments of the invention also include devices to provide protection against impact between the mop bucket and a structure such as a wall. In certain embodiments, said device includes a bumper guard that removeably attaches to the wheels of a traditional mop bucket. If desired, the bumper guard may be a ring made of a soft material such as rubber. A mop bucket assembly according to certain embodiments may include at least one bumper guard attached to the wheels of the mop bucket.

It is accordingly an aspect of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a bracket for storing and transporting accessories for mopping, including a warning sign.

It is another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a bracket for storing and transporting accessories for mopping that can be removeably secured to a mop bucket.

It is another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a bracket for storing and transporting a various warning signs of different sizes.

It is another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a bracket for storing and transporting a warning sign that does not interfere with the activity of mopping.

It is another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention to provide an assembly including a mop bucket and a bracket.

It is another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention to provide a bumper bar for protecting against damage cause by impact between the mop bucket and a structure, such as a wall.

It is another aspect of certain embodiments of the invention to provide an assembly including a mop bucket and at least one bumper bar.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent with respect to the remainder of this document.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, where the assembly includes a mop bucket, a bracket, and at least one bumper bar.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a bracket according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing several views of the bracket in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a bracket according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing several views of the bracket in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a bracket according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing several views of the bracket in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows an isometric view of a bracket according to yet another embodiment of the invention with a hook for accessories.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, certain embodiments provide an assembly 10 comprising a mop bucket 12, a wringer 20, a bracket 22 and a bumper guard 38. Traditional mop buckets are described in U.S. Design Pat. No. D489,852 to Perelli, U.S. Design Pat. No. D429,396 to Houry et al., or U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,892 to Clark, Jr. Typically these mop buckets 12 include a generally rectangular tank 14 for holding cleaning fluid, four wheels 16 mounted on casters 18, and an integrally formed or separate wringer 20. Mop buckets 12 are typically made of hard plastic, but might be made of steel or another suitable material. Wringers 20 are used to wring the cleaning fluid out of a mop. Typically the back section of the wringer 20 will protrude some distance from the back wall of the tank 14. Mop buckets typically have four wheels 16, each wheel 16 mounted on a caster 18. The wheels 16 and casters 18 provide for easy transportation of the mop bucket 12 by allowing the mop bucket to roll along the ground.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a bracket 22 that can attach to the mop bucket 12. FIGS. 2-7 illustrate various embodiments of a bracket 22. In certain embodiments, the bracket 22 includes a backing web 24. The backing web 24 may include an upper portion 26 that may contact an upper area of the sign 40. In some embodiments the upper portion 26 is a sheet of material, and in other embodiments the upper portion 26 is a bar 42, or a combination of a sheet and a bar 42. For example, the embodiment in FIGS. 2-3 has an upper portion 26 comprising both a sheet of material and a bar 42. The backing web 24 may be made from plastic, steel, aluminum or any other suitable material. In addition, the backing web 24 may be made from a flexible material, such as fabric, elastic, or other fibrous material. In some embodiments, the upper portion 26 is generally parallel to the back wall of the tank 14. In other embodiments, the upper portion 26 is at a slight angle to the back wall of the tank 14. The upper portion 26 may be either angled towards or away from the back wall of the tank 14.

According to certain embodiments, the backing web 24 may include at least one rib 46 that provides the backing web 24 with additional strength to prevent bending or breaking of the bracket 22. Embodiments of the ribs 46 in the figures are generally parallel with an edge 36 of the backing web 24. In other embodiments, however, the ribs 46 are at an angle to the edge 36. Embodiments can have any number of ribs 46. If there is more than one rib 46, the ribs 46 may be spaced apart at any suitable interval. In some embodiments, as in FIGS. 4-7, the ribs 46 can cover both the upper and lower portion 26, 28 of the backing web 24. In other embodiments, the ribs 46 cover only one of the upper and lower portions 26, 28. The ribs 46 may be formed integrally with, or may be a separate element attached to, the backing web 24. For example, FIGS. 4-7 show an embodiment of ribs 46 that are folded into the sheet of material of the upper portion 26. Other embodiments of ribs 46 include generally rectangular strips of material or cylindrical rods of material attached to the backing web 24. If formed separately, the ribs 46 may be formed from plastic, steel, aluminum, or any other suitable material.

Certain embodiments provide a lower portion 28 of the backing web 24 that contacts the bottom of the sign 40 or other accessory for mopping. In some embodiments the lower portion 28 is a sheet of material, and in others the lower portion 28 is a bar 44. For example, the embodiments in FIGS. 2-3 have a lower portion 28 comprising two bars 44, while the embodiment in FIGS. 4-7 has a lower portion 28 comprising a sheet of material. The lower portion 28 may be formed integrally with, or may be a separate element attached to, the upper portion 26. In some embodiments, the lower portion 28 is generally perpendicular to the upper portion 26 but in others, the lower portion 28 is at an angle to the upper portion 26. The intersection of the lower and upper portions 28, 26 may be curved as in FIGS. 4-5, or the intersection may be an angle as in FIGS. 2-3 and 6-7.

A collar 30 may removeably secure the bracket 22 to the mop bucket 12. Certain collars 30 attach to casters 18 on the mop bucket 12. For example, a collar 30 may be an opening through which the caster 18 may be inserted. In FIGS. 2-3 the opening is defined by rings 32 extending from the lower portion 28 of the backing web 24. In the embodiments in FIGS. 4-7, the opening is defined by the lower portion 28 of the backing web 24. In other embodiments the collar 30 attaches to portions of the mop bucket 12 other than the casters 18. For example, certain embodiments have a collar 30 in the form of a hook to secure over an edge of the mop bucket 12. One skilled in the art should understand that the collar 30 can have any number of shapes, including but not limited to circular or rectangular.

Certain embodiments may have at least one arm 34 that protrudes from an edge 36 of the backing web and prohibits the sign 40 or other accessory from exceeding the edge 36. In the embodiment in FIGS. 2-3 there are two arms 34 and each arm comprises a bar 42. In the embodiment in FIGS. 4-7 there are two arms 34 and each arm comprises a sheet of material. All of the figures show an arm 34 that is generally perpendicular to the backing web 24, but in other embodiments the arm 34 is at an angle to the backing web 24. The arm 34 may be formed integrally with, or as a separate element attached to, the backing web 24. In the embodiment in the figures, the arm 34 is located near the upper portion 26 of the backing web 24, but in other embodiments the arm 34 is located near the lower portion 28. The length of the arm 34 may be smaller than or approximately equal to the length of the backing web 24.

It may be desirable to provide brackets 22 of various shapes and sizes. For example, certain embodiments have brackets 22 with a relatively longer lower portion 28 to provide a wider gap between the upper portion 26 and the mop bucket 12. Other embodiments have a brackets 22 with a relatively larger angle between the lower portion 28 and the upper portion 26. Such a larger angle or a wider gap might be desired if the user wanted to transport multiple warning signs 40, mopping accessories of various shapes and sizes, or if the wringer 20 protruded over the back wall of the tank 14.

In addition, some embodiments may have hanging members to accommodate the storage of mopping accessories of various shapes and sizes. For example, the embodiment in FIG. 8 shows a hook 50 and a protrusion 52 on which a user may hang a set of keys, or hang bottles of cleaning solution. The hanging members are not limited to the hook 50 and protrusion 52 shown in FIG. 8. Other examples of hanging members could be a ring or a loop on which to hang or tie accessories to.

Some embodiments of the invention may have a bumper guard 38. The bumper guard 38 may protect structures such as a wall from damage if the mop bucket 12 impacts the structure. In certain embodiments, the bumper guard 38 is a circular ring that secures to the casters 18. Other embodiments of the bumper guard 38 may include a horseshoe shape that can attach to the casters 18, or a generally rectangular piece of material with a collar to attach to the casters 18. Embodiments of the invention may have bumper guards 38 made of rubber, soft plastic, or any other suitable material. For example, certain embodiments have tubular bumper guards 38 filled with air or another fluid. The bumper guards 38 can attach to any of the casters 18 on the mop bucket 12.

Some embodiments of the invention have assemblies 10 that may include. combinations of the mop bucket 12, a bracket 22 and a bumper guard 38. In the assembly 10 in FIG. 1, there is mop bucket 12, a bracket 22 and a bumper guard 38. Other assemblies 10 could include only a mop bucket 12 and a bracket 22. Still other assemblies could include a mop bucket 12 and two bumper guards 38, or any other number of bumper guards 38.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustration and disclosure of embodiments of the invention. Changes, deletions, additions, and modifications may be made to the structures disclosed above without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1) An assembly for mop buckets, the assembly comprising:

(a) a mop bucket comprising a tank with at least four wheels;

(b) a bracket comprising a web with an upper portion extending generally parallel to a wall of the tank and a lower portion extending generally perpendicular to the upper portion, at least one arm extending generally perpendicular from an edge of the upper portion of the web, and at least one collar defined by the lower portion of the web to removeably secure the bracket to the mop bucket; and

(c) at least one bumper guard attached to at least one wheel of the mop bucket to protect objects from collisions with the mop bucket.

2) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the wall of the tank, the at least one arm, and the upper and lower portion of the web define an empty space to store items.

3) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the web comprises at least one of a sheet of material, a bar, or a combination of a sheet and bar.

4) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the web is made from at least one of plastic, steel, aluminum, fabric, elastic, or fibrous material.

5) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the web is generally angled away from the wall of the tank.

6) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the web comprises at least one rib parallel to a vertical edge of the web.

7) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the at least one collar comprises at least one of a ring that extends from the lower portion of the web, an opening defined by the lower portion of the web, or a hook that extends from the web.

8) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the at least one collar is an opening defined by the web and the collar mounts to at least one wheel of the mop bucket.

9) The assembly as in claim 1, further comprising two arms made of at least one of a sheet of material, a bar, or a combination of a sheet and bar.

10) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the at least one arm is either formed integrally with the web, or is a separate element that is attached to the web.

11) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bumper guard comprises at least one of a circular ring, a horseshoe shaped piece of material, or a generally rectangular piece of material.

12) The assembly as in claim 1, wherein the bumper guard comprises at least one of rubber, soft plastic, or a tubular member filled with air or another fluid.

13) A bracket for attachment to a mop bucket having at least four wheels, comprising:

(a) a back web defined by a first vertical edge, a second vertical edge, and a lower edge, and comprising at least one rib parallel to the first and second vertical edges of the back web;

(b) a bottom web adjacent to the lower edge of the back web and extending generally perpendicular from the back web, wherein the bottom web defines at least two collars that attach to the wheels of the mop bucket;

(b) a first arm adjacent to the first vertical edge of the back web and extending generally perpendicular from the back web;

(c) a second arm adjacent to the second vertical edge of the back web and extending generally perpendicular from the back web; and

(d) wherein the mop bucket and the bracket define a pocket when the bracket is attached to the mop bucket.

14) The bracket as in claim 13, wherein the back web comprises at least one of a sheet of material, a bar, or a combination of a sheet and bar.

15) The bracket as in claim 13, wherein the back web is made from at least one of plastic, steel, aluminum, fabric, elastic, or fibrous material.

16) The bracket as in claim 13, wherein the bottom web extends at an angle away from the back web.

17) The bracket as in claim 13, wherein the collar comprises at least one of rings that extend from the bottom web, an opening defined by the bottom web, or a hook that extends from the bottom web.

18) The bracket as in claim 13, wherein the first and second arms are made of at least one of a sheet of material, a bar, or a combination of a sheet and bar.

19) A bracket for attachment to a mop bucket, comprising:

(a) a web with a first portion defined by two vertical edges and a lower edge, and a second portion adjacent to the lower edge of the first portion and extending generally perpendicular to the first portion;

(b) one arm that extends generally perpendicularly from one vertical edge of the first portion of the web, and another arm that extends generally perpendicularly from the other vertical edge of the first portion of the web;

(c) wherein when the bracket is attached to a mop bucket, the mop bucket, the arms, and the first and second portions of the web define a pocket; and

(d) a collar defined by the second portion of the web to removeably secure the bracket to the mop bucket.

20) The bracket as in claim 19, wherein the web comprises at least one of a sheet of material, a bar, or a combination of a sheet and bar.

21) The bracket as in claim 18, wherein the web is made from at least one of plastic, steel, aluminum, fabric, elastic, or fibrous material.

22) The bracket as in claim 19, wherein the second portion of the web extends at an angle away from the first portion of the web.

23) The bracket as in claim 19, wherein the first portion of the web comprises at least one rib parallel to the vertical edges of the first portion.

24) The bracket as in claim 19, wherein the collar comprises at least one of rings that extend from the second portion of the web, an opening defined by the second portion of the web, or a hook that extends from the web.

25) The bracket as in claim 19, wherein the arms are made of at least one of a sheet of material, a bar, or a combination of a sheet and bar.