Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus, such as a steam mop or fluid delivery mop, comprises an upright housing and a foot coupled to the upright housing. The cleaning apparatus comprises an illumination element for illuminating a fluid supply tank and the contents therein. A cleaning pad can be mounted to a lower surface of the foot and positioned to contact the surface to be cleaned. A movable agitator provided on the foot is configured for movement between a first use position in contact with the surface to be cleaned and a second non-use position out of contact with the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A hand operated squeeze sponge mop with a disposable sponge assembly where the sponge has a pair of spaced apart posts. Each post has a multiplicity of vertically ascending transverse notches on opposite sides of each post. A pair of spaced apart retention members is located on the main body, each retention member respectively having an aligned opening to receive a respective post and a pair of teeth to be received in a respective transverse notch of a post. Each tooth is formed as part of a tooth section having a transverse tooth and an upper squeeze handle. Each tooth section further includes an exterior flared section which functions as a spring. The spring force of the flared sections of a respective member forces a respective tooth into engagement with a transverse notch on a post.

Abstract: An enhanced sponge mop is presented for extracting cleaning solution from a mop head. The enhanced sponge mop may include a mop block structure, a hinged connector, and a sponge structure. Also, a rod may be threaded through a mop handle and attached to the hinged connector on one end and a pressure applying member on the other end. When the pressure applying member is moved from one position to another, swivels located on the mop block structure may allow a sponge attached to the sponge structure to be wrung. In addition, the mop block structure may include rails that mate with teeth located on the hinged connector to give additional stability to the enhanced sponge mop.

Abstract: A cleaning tool (10) includes a cleaning head (11) and a handle (12) and is to be used with a cleaning sheet attached to the cleaning head (11). The cleaning head (11) has a gradual-liquid-release mechanism (16) including a liquid reservoir (14) and a gradual-liquid-release portion (15) that, by the action of hydrostatic pressure from above, gradually releases a liquid agent supplied to the liquid reservoir (14) to a cleaning face (17a) provided by a cleaning cushion (17) of the cleaning head (11) while causing the liquid agent to pass through a multitude of fine flow paths. The gradual-liquid-release portion (15) is provided continuously across substantially the entire width in the length direction of the substantially rectangular cleaning head (11) as viewed along the short-side direction of the cleaning head (11), the portion (15) provided facing the cleaning face (17a) of the cleaning head (11).

Abstract: A cleaning implement (10) comprising a handle (12) a cleaning end (24) coupled to the handle, and a cleaning head (14). The cleaning head may be removably coupled to the cleaning end, and can include a pair of tabs (30) extending through an aperture (32) in the cleaning end. Each tab may have a finger grip (56), and the finger grips may be generally offset from one another. Each tab may have a ledge (50) for contacting an upper surface of the cleaning end near a perimeter of the aperture to retain the cleaning head to the cleaning end. The tabs may be movable such that the ledges are moved out of contact with the upper surface of the cleaning end when removing the cleaning head from the cleaning end.

Abstract: A self-wringing mop is disclosed that comprises a handle, a mounting support forming an axis of rotation, wherein the mounting support is connected with the handle, a cleaning portion connected with the mounting support in such a manner that the cleaning portion is rotatable about the axis, and a pressing member connected with the handle, wherein the pressing member engages with the cleaning portion to inhibit rotation of the cleaning portion.

Abstract: A mop with a handle includes a plurality of mop fibers coupled to the handle. The mop includes a grip mounted on the handle, and a collar that is slidably positioned on the handle. The collar can be secured to the grip when not in use. The collar may include one or more tabs with a ramp for engagement with a ridge located on the grip that, in operation, allows for detachably coupling of the collar to the grip. The ramp is configured so that it extends a sufficient distance from the tab so as to cause the tab to flex when the collar is attached to the grip. In operation, a user can uncouple the collar from the grip and slide the collar over the mop fibers and use the collar to wring the mop fibers.

Abstract: An enhanced sponge mop is presented for extracting cleaning solution from a mop head. The enhanced sponge mop may include a mop block structure, a hinged connector, and a sponge structure. Also, a rod may be threaded through a mop handle and attached to the hinged connector on one end and a pressure applying member on the other end. When the pressure applying member is moved from one position to another, swivels located on the mop block structure may allow a sponge attached to the sponge structure to be wrung. In addition, the mop block structure may include rails that mate with teeth located on the hinged connector to give additional stability to the enhanced sponge mop.

Abstract: A disposable liquid absorbing cleaning pad for a hand held cleaning implement having an elongated handle includes a layer of sponge material, a layer of flexible open cell foam material made from melamine resin fixedly attached to the layer of sponge material and attachment structure fixedly secured to the layer of sponge material for removably attaching the cleaning pad to the cleaning implement. In one embodiment of the invention the attachment structure includes a backing plate which is fixedly mounted onto the layer of sponge material and a pair of wing screw assemblies which are removably and slidably mounted on the backing plate for removably attaching the cleaning pad to the cleaning implement. In using the hand held cleaning implement the layer of flexible open cell foam material made from melamine resin is the layer that contacts the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: An improved deck mop to retain yarn comprising an elongated rod having an upper section and a lower section. An exterior rotatable sleeve threadedly surrounds the lower section which includes an interior movable piston which is further connected to a stationary spring. The lower section at its bottom end is connected to a first and second rotatable and removable clamp member comprising a respective bottom brush and bottom scrubber for cleaning. The mop through a respective clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the sleeve controls a respective closing and opening movement of two clamp members to thereby respectively hold or release a mop yarn, wherein the closing movement further results in contracting the spring so that the reduced spring stores a compression force having sufficient power to enable it to push the clamp members rotatably apart when the sleeve is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a cleaning implement such as a scrubber brush attachment which permanently holds the scrubber brush attachment in place on a metal butterfly sponge mop head and will not fall off during the vigorous scrubbing action because it is locked in place by means of a novel attaching mechanism. The present invention is comprised of a molded plastic attaching mechanism which has a body having a generally flat plate which at one end is molded to a brush head which receives the scrubbing bristles of the brush. The fixed metal housing of the metal butterfly mop head is modified so that the front and rear of the fixed metal housing of the mop head have mating openings which receive corresponding teeth formed into the plastic attaching mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement, preferably in the form of a roller mop, that includes a mop head, a shaft, and a wringer. The cleaning implement further includes a connecting link connected to the mop head and to the shaft or wringer. The mop head has a connecting side and a cleaning side thereby defining a mop axis, which axis is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. At least a portion of the connecting link is disposed with the shaft. The mop head can include a scrubber attachment. Also inventive is the disclosed mechanism by which the scrubber attachment connects to the head of the mop. Various embodiments of mop heads can be used with the invention. A cleaning cloth can be mounted to the mop head.

Abstract: The present invention is a cleaning implement such as a scrub brush attachment which removably holds the scrub brush attachment in place on a butterfly mop head and will not fall off during the vigorous scrubbing action because it is locked in place by means of a novel attaching mechanism. The present invention is comprised of a receiving channel molded into the mop head, the channel receiving the unique locking member of the present invention attachment mechanism. The attachment comprises an elongated base member which on one side permanently retains a scrub brush. On the opposite side, the base member comprises a transverse wall supporting the locking member which is an elongated snap wing extending in one direction so that when the snap wing is slid into the receiving channel, the snap wing is press fit into and retained within the receiving channel with the opposite lips of the snap wing abutting opposite elongated interior walls within the receiving channel to lock the base in place within the channel.

Abstract: A holding assembly for a sweeping and wringing apparatus comprises a fastening assembly, fastened to a lower end of a holding rod of the sweeping and wringing apparatus, having a chamber which is enclosed by a left wall and a right wall into which insertion holes are bored, an insertion assembly, inserted between the insertion holes and having two cross-shaped insertion heads separated by a spring, and a release assembly, shaped like the letter U and having two end sections with chamfered end faces which wedge-like respectively enter spaces between the left and right walls and the insertion heads when the release assembly is pressed on, with a spring exerting a counterforce, so that a cleaning head of the sweeping and wringing apparatus is easily replaced.

Abstract: A squeeze mop head construction includes a squeeze housing with a separate and separable sponge assembly that includes catch members positioned in a manner which ensures retention of the sponge assembly by the squeeze housing, and which further ensures that lateral side-to-side movement of the sponge assembly is precluded.

Abstract: A cleaning head for a sweeping and wringing apparatus is mounted on a lower end of a connecting rod thereof and comprises a cleaning element, having a sweeping part and a held part, a base plate, holding the held part of said cleaning element and having two fixing elements, which each have a fixing hole and a guiding surface.

Abstract: A mop has a shaft, a housing at a distal end of the shaft, a sponge movably coupled to the housing, and a pair of rollers. The pair of rollers are movably mounted to the housing spaced apart from each other and straddle at least a portion of the sponge. The mop also comprises an actuator configure to move the sponge between the rollers from a retracted position to a deployed position. At least one scrubbing element is disposed on at least one of the rollers, the scrubbing element configured to automatically move into a deployed position as the sponge is moved into the retracted position, the scrubbing element also configured to automatically move into a retracted position as the sponge is moved into the deployed position.

Abstract: A cleaning attachment which removably holds the cleaning implement such as a scrubber pad or a scrub brush in place on a wringer mop head and will not fall off during the vigorous scrubbing or brushing action because it is locked in place by means of a novel attaching mechanism. The present invention includes the use of an adapter which can be removably affixed to the upper metal surface of the mop head, the adapter having molded into it a receiving channel connected to the upper surface of the adapter, the channel receiving the unique locking members of the present invention attachment mechanism. The attachment comprises an elongated base member which on one side either permanently or removably retains a scrubber pad.

Abstract: Mops comprising one or more cleaning members. In select embodiments, the cleaning members are releasably secured to the mop and may be capable of compression. In these embodiments, the different cleaning members enable the mop to operate in a plurality of different modes, including a wringing mop mode, a damp mop mode and a dust mop mode. In other embodiments, a portion of the handle of the mop is adapted to hold and release a fluid, such as a cleaning solution. In these embodiments, the user may cause release of the fluid through one or more openings associated with the mop.

Abstract: A cleaning attachment which removably holds the cleaning implement such as a scrubber pad or a scrub brush in place on a wringer mop head and will not fall off during the vigorous scrubbing or brushing action because it is locked in place by means of a novel attaching mechanism. The present invention is comprised of a receiving channel affixed to the mop head, the channel receiving the unique locking members of the present invention attachment mechanism. The attachment comprises an elongated base member which on one side either permanently or removably retains a scrubber pad.

Abstract: A separate scrubber is securely attached to a mop that has a sponge mop element. The scrubber is attached to the mounting head with mounting stems. The mounting stems take the form of walls that are spaced at a distance apart. One or more of the walls has an outwardly facing ridge that extends from the wall by no more than half the distance between the walls. Each set of walls extends through an aperture on a mounting head, and the scrubber is held in place by the engagement of the ridges with a mounting face on the mounting head. The walls extend perpendicularly to the length of the body of the scrubber.

Abstract: A wet floor wiping device includes a mop made of absorbent material and a mop frame exhibiting a center carrier piece (4) attached to a handle (3). Mounted pivotably at each hinge edge (5) at the center carrier piece (4) are two mop carrier wings (6), the inner surfaces of which, carrying the mop, can be pressed one against another by means of a squeeze feature. At least one of the two side edges (8, 9) extending from the hinge edge (5) is angled in relationship to the opposite side edge (9). Each mop carrier wing (6) forms a trapezoid including a right angle, the longer base line of which is the hinge edge (5).

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a rod having a frame connected to an end thereof and a connection member is connected to two assist plates which movably extend through the frame and pivotably connected to a pull handle on the rod. Two boards are pivotably connected to two sides of the connection member and each board has a positioning member to which a cleaning member is secured.

Abstract: A scrubber with a triangular cross section is attached to a sponge mop so that the scrubber face is angled at an angle of about 60° in one direction with respect to the handle, and the sponge mop element is angled at an angle of about 60° in the opposite direction with respect to the handle. The scrubber is attached with a pair of mounting stems. The mounting stems take the form of walls that are spaced at a distance apart. There is an outwardly-facing ridge on each wall that extends from the wall by no more than half the distance between the walls. Each set of walls extends through an aperture on a mounting head, and the scrubber is held in place by the engagement of the ridges with a mounting face on the mounting head. The mounting stems are spaced at least about two inches apart, and the opposed walls extend perpendicularly to the length of the body of the scrubber. The sponge mop element covers the ridges, helping to prevent inadvertent disengagement.

Abstract: A sponge mop assembly includes a handle and a head mounted on a bottom end of the handle. The head has a mount clamping a sponge, two front and two rear coupling arms bilaterally extending downward from front and rear sides of the mount such that a space is defined between the mount and the front coupling arms, and two parallel front and two parallel rear squeezing members mounted side by side between the two front and rear coupling arms. A pull rod assembly is mounted on the handle and connected with the sponge for moving the sponge to be squeezed by the squeezing members so as to remove water from the sponge. A brushing member is mounted on a front side of the mount and located in the space. Therefore, the sponge mop assembly is provided with both functions of mopping and brushing the floor as well as being user-friendly.

Abstract: A scrubber with a triangular cross section is attached to a sponge mop so that the scrubber face is angled at an angle of about 60° in one direction with respect to the handle, and the sponge mop element is angled at an angle of about 60° in the opposite direction with respect to the handle. The scrubber is attached with a pair of mounting stems. The mounting stems take the form of walls that are spaced at a distance apart. There is an outwardly-facing ridge on each wall that extends from the wall by no more than half the distance between the walls. Each set of walls extends through an aperture on a mounting head, and the scrubber is held in place by the engagement of the ridges with a mounting face on the mounting head. The mounting stems are spaced at least about two inches apart, and the opposed walls extend perpendicularly to the length of the body of the scrubber. The sponge mop element covers the ridges, helping to prevent inadvertent disengagement.

Abstract: A separate scrubber is securely attached to a mop that has a sponge mop element. The scrubber is attached to the mounting head with mounting stems. The mounting stems take the form of walls that are spaced at a distance apart. One or more of the walls has an outwardly facing ridge that extends from the wall by no more than half the distance between the walls. Each set of walls extends through an aperture on a mounting head, and the scrubber is held in place by the engagement of the ridges with a mounting face on the mounting head. The walls extend perpendicularly to the length of the body of the scrubber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement, preferably in the form of a roller mop, that includes a mop head, a shaft, and a wringer. The cleaning implement further includes a connecting link connected to the mop head and to the shaft or wringer. The mop head has a connecting side and a cleaning side thereby defining a mop axis, which axis is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The connecting link is positioned with respect to the mop head to permit the mop head to travel along a path substantially coextensive with the mop axis over at least a portion of the range of travel of the mop head.

Abstract: A sponge mop assembly includes a handle and a head mounted on a bottom end of the handle. The head has a mount clamping a sponge, two front and two rear coupling arms bilaterally extending downward from front and rear sides of the mount such that a space is defined between the mount and the front coupling arms, and two parallel front and two parallel rear squeezing members mounted side by side between the two front and rear coupling arms. A pull rod assembly is mounted on the handle and connected with the sponge for moving the sponge to be squeezed by the squeezing members so as to remove water from the sponge. A brushing member is mounted on a front side of the mount and located in the space. Therefore, the sponge mop assembly is provided with both functions of mopping and brushing the floor as well as being user-friendly.

Abstract: A mop has an angled handle and a working end with a pair of opposed rollers. An actuator on the mop can be moved between a replacement position, a wringing position, and an intermediate use position. When in the replacement position, a mop head can be removably attached to the working end of the handle by sliding the mop head sideways so an arm on a connector passes between a shoulder and a bridge on the mop head. The connector has a loop at its upper end, and is connected to a slotted mounting stem on an actuator. The mop head is also provided with a threaded aperture and slots, allowing it to be used in other mops.

Abstract: A washing device has a housing; a sponge-like working element associated with the housing; means for squeezing the sponge-like working element after a washing step, the means including a hollow provided in the housing, and a displacing element which displaces the sponge-like working element between a working position in which the sponge-like working element is located outside the hollow of the housing for washing a surface and the like, and a squeezing and/or storage position in which the sponge-like working element is forcedly pulled into the hollow so as to be squeezed and therefore to expel liquid from the sponge-like working element.

Abstract: A sponge mop is fitted with a wringing device. The wringing device includes a sleeve that slidably surrounds the handle of the mop. A roller is attached to the sleeve and is spaced from the sleeve. A drive member is pivotally attached at one end to the mop head and at the other end to a small slide block that slides on a handle-mounted rail. The slide block bears against a portion of the sleeve housing with adequate pressure so that downward movement of the sleeve moves the slide block and thus the drive member, thus effecting the rotation of the mop head by, ultimately, 90 degrees such that the sponge is positioned with its cleaning face parallel to the axis of the handle. Further downward travel of the sleeve allows the roller on the device to expel water held by the sponge. A scrubber/scraper is attached to the mop head at the end which is remote from the handle when the mop head is generally aligned with the handle.

Abstract: A hand held cleaning device that has a self wringing mechanism for extracting liquids from a sponge mounted at the end of an elongated handle. A sleeve is mounted on the handle and slides from a first position to a second position. When moved to the second position, it operates a wringing assembly mounted on a lever mechanism. There is a second cleaning element mounted on a moveable frame member that pivots and wrings the liquid from the sponge and moves the second cleaning element over the first cleaning element. In this second position, the moveable frame is positioned between the sponge and the second cleaning element with the second cleaning element contacting the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A mop having a handle, mop elements at one end of the handle, and an actuator operatively connected to the mop elements. The actuator has a pivot engaged in a slot on the handle. A hand grip and a rod anchor are connected to the pivot. The pivot, hand grip, and anchor are all parts of a single piece of material. The rod anchor has a slotted mounting stem with an axis that is perpendicular to the handle, and a loop on a connector rod fits closely over the mounting stem. The actuator is mounted on a connecter on the handle by sliding the pivot up slots in the handle until it rests in pivot holes on the connector.

Abstract: A mop having a mop head with a first sponge member supported to a bottom side thereof and defining a first floor engaging surface. A second sponge member is supported on the mop head and defines a second floor engaging surface. The second sponge member retains a releasable cleaning substance for facilitating cleaning of a surface engaged by the mop. In addition, the second sponge member forms a replaceable auxiliary member which is detachably mounted to the mop head and includes hinged retention members for engaging within receptor passages defined in the mop head wherein the retention members facilitate engagement with and disengagement from the mop head.

Abstract: A hand held mop, broom or scrubber device in which the cleaning head has two cleaning elements. In one embodiment, a self-wringing mop having an elongated handle with a rigid base frame assembly is attached to the bottom end. The base frame has opposite planar surfaces with a sponge element on one of the surfaces and a scrubbing element on the opposite surface. The base frame is pivotally connected to the bottom of the elongated handle such that it pivots between two positions; a first position with the sponge oriented on the floor and a second position in which the scrubbing element is positioned on the floor. An actuator mounted on the lower half of the handle has a roller mechanism and a spaced force opposing member mounted on an end thereof. When the sponge element is saturated, the user slides the actuator towards the bottom of the elongated handle. This causes the base frame assembly to pivot to an intermediary sponge wringing position and the sponge element is drawn past the roller mechanism.

Abstract: A scrubber adapter for attachment to a butterfly mop presents a brush surface for performing scrubbing operations on the surface to be cleaned. The brush provides a familiar tool to the typical mop user and therefore is more likely to be used in the appropriate manner. Furthermore, the brush is less abrasive than other scrubber strip type materials and therefore is less likely to damage the surface. In an alternative embodiment, the brush is attached to a base to form a brush head which may be removed from the remainder of the adapter. As a result, the brush may be quickly and easily replaced without replacing the entire scrubber adapter.