Assisted By Modified Handle Patents (Class 15/120.2)
  • Patent number: 11053963
    Abstract: A holder for holding an article, including but not limited to an embroidery hoop, is disclosed herein. The holder comprises a first block and a second block adjacently mounted to said first block. The holder further comprises a groove formed between said first block and said second block when said second block is fitted to said first block. Additionally, the groove is configured to hold an article such as an embroidery hoop within said groove. Furthermore, the holder comprises at least one fastener for facilitating fitment of said first block and said second block. The first block and second blocks include a pair of apertures that align when the first and second blocks are fitted together for allowing fasteners to be received therewithin for facilitating secure fitment of the first block and second blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Cindy Silveira
  • Patent number: 10687681
    Abstract: A mop head includes a collar and a braided cord comprised of a plurality of strands defining a core. The collar is positioned at a top end of the mop head such that the collar is capable of securing to a portion of a mop pole. The braided cord is arranged around the collar and attached to itself such that the cord forms a plurality of apertures and a plurality of loops. The bottom of the plurality of loops defines the bottom of the mop head, wherein the bottom of the mop head is capable of attached to the mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: INGENIOUS DESIGNS LLC
    Inventors: Joy Mangano, Jeffrey J. Beyda, Gina Barnaba, Christie Miranne
  • Publication number: 20150135453
    Abstract: A spin mop includes a grip body casing. The grip body casing is an elongated member and hollow with an inside surface. The inside surface has a threaded panel assembly. The threaded panel assembly is formed in an elongated shape and has threaded panel threads alternating with threaded panel fillets. A clutch shaft extends into the grip body casing. The clutch shaft is telescopically mounted to the grip body casing. A clutch assembly is formed on the clutch shaft. The clutch assembly extends into the grip body casing. The clutch assembly further includes a first clutch member and a second clutch member. The first clutch member is rotably mounted to the clutch shaft. The second clutch member is fixed to the clutch shaft. A helical tooth is formed on an external surface of the first clutch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Cheng Kai Chen
  • Patent number: 8522387
    Abstract: A swiveling locking mechanism of a telescopic rod of a mop, including: an internal clamping sleeve, an external clamping cylinder, and a U-shaped locking arm. The external clamping cylinder is mounted on the internal clamping sleeve and the lower portion of the external clamping cylinder is constructed as a trumpet-shaped opening mounted from top to bottom on the conic body. The U-shaped locking arm includes an eccentric cam is provided with a mounting hole corresponding to the axle hole of the internal clamping sleeve. Thus, when moving downward the U-shaped locking arm, the external clamping cylinder rises, and the trumpet-shaped opening of the external clamping cylinder is brought in a loosened position. As a result, the indentation is loosened and the internal rod and the external rod are brought into the unlocked and telescopic state and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Tuo Shen International Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Yung-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 8407845
    Abstract: A mop including a spinning member, a spiral rod, an extendable rod, a mop head, and a pressing rod is provided. The spinning member includes a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a spiral hole axially configured through the spinning member from the first end to the second end of the spinning member. The spiral rod is further provided with a unilateral bearing sleeved over the spiral rod. The spiral rod is sleeved inside the pressing rod. In operation, the mop is put in a basket which is free for rotation and is axially then applied with a downward pressure, and the extendable rod is withdrawn inside the pressing rod. The extendable rod thus synchronously carries the extendable rod, the mop head and the basket to rotate, thus applying a centrifugal force to remove the water content contained in the mop away from the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Tsung-Mou Yu
  • Mop
    Patent number: 8336154
    Abstract: The mop has a handle, a holding assembly and a head assembly. The holding assembly is mounted on the handle and has a sleeve mounted rotatably around the handle. The head assembly is mounted pivotally on the handle and has fiber strips. A user can hold the sleeve when the mop is wrung by a dehydration device. The sleeve will not be driven by the fiber strips or the handle. Therefore, the mop is stably and safely held and the mop can be more efficient to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ching-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 8302245
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: The Libman Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Libman
  • Patent number: 8291538
    Abstract: A mop structure of converting vertical linear displacement into unidirectional rotation for dewatering a mop comprises: a lower pipe with the bottom coupled to a mop head and the internal side fixed to a spiral rod; a driving pipe, having an interconnecting hole engaged with the spiral rod for passing the spiral rod and disposed at the internal side of the lower pipe, and a circular upwardly facing ratchet disposed at the top of the driving pipe; a fixing pipe, having a penetrating hole formed at the middle of the fixing pipe for passing the spiral rod and disposed at the top of the driving pipe, a circular downwardly facing ratchet installed at the top inside the fixing pipe and corresponding to the circular upwardly facing ratchet of the driving pipe, such that after the spiral rod is passed out from the penetrating hole, a fixing mechanism is provided for limiting the fixing pipe and the driving pipe on the spiral rod; and an upper pipe, with the bottom fixed to the fixing pipe after the bottom of the uppe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mackay Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mei Ling Yang, Yang Bo Yi, Mike Chen
  • Patent number: 8214963
    Abstract: A mop includes a spinning device, a shank fixed to a first end of the spinning device, an operation rod having a first end connected to a second end of the spinning device, and a mop head connected to a second end of the operation rod. When a force is applied in a first direction making the operation rod and the spinning device move relatively in an axial direction, the mechanism in the spinning device drives the operation rod and the mop head to spin in the same direction simultaneously so as to generate a centrifugal force to remove the water from the mop head. When the force stops, the spring and the clutch structure in the spinning device make the operation rod back to the original position under a condition that the operation rod does not spin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Publication number: 20110239389
    Abstract: A rotary mop device comprises a mop tube, a push-to-rotation means, a thread strip and a mop frame body. The mop tube is consist of a first mop tube and a second mop tube, the push-to-rotation has a case body with a driving element and an engaging corresponding element being provided in the case body, the case body being provided on the inner surface of the second mop tube, the driving element has a plural bump engaging parts and the engaging corresponding element has a plural bump engaging parts, the thread strip is fixed on inner surface of the mop tube, the mop frame body is provided below the second mop tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: DIKAI International Enterprise Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ming Che Ting
  • Patent number: 8011055
    Abstract: A cleaning implement that includes a shaft, a mop disposed on one end of the shaft, a wringer, and a fixed grip. The wringer includes a wringing sleeve and a wringer handle. The wringer is movable over a range of travel between a mopping position and a range of wringing positions, in which wringing positions the wringing sleeve covers and compresses at least a portion of the mop to thereby expel liquid from the mop. The wringer is rotatable relative to the shaft through at least a portion of the axial range of travel. The wringer further comprises at least one volute wherein the volute defines a semi-enclosed area inside the wringer, the semi-enclosed area configured to receive a portion of the mop through a gap defined in the volute. The volute includes a first fin and a second fin that define the gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Paul M. Lesley
  • Patent number: 7640616
    Abstract: A mop head wringing mechanism comprises a first sleeve having a helical-shaped spline extending at least partially around an external face thereof and a second sleeve is slideably engaged over the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a spline engaging portion in constrained engagement with the helical-shaped spline of the first sleeve whereby translation of the second sleeve with respect to the first sleeve causes rotation of the second sleeve with respect to the first sleeve. A slip member is substantially constrained from lateral movement with respect to the second sleeve and is engaged with the second sleeve for enabling rotation of the second sleeve relative to the slip member. A control member is coupled to the slip member such that movement of the control member causes the second sleeve to translate from an at-rest position to a displaced position thereby rotating the second sleeve with respect to the first sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Brian Wesley Peterson
  • Publication number: 20090307855
    Abstract: A wringable mop includes a transmission unit mounted with a driven cap at the bottom side of an actuating sleeve that is rotatable and axially movable relative to the handle unit, a cleaning body connected between the handle unit and the driven cap, and a positioning unit controlling rotation and axial movement of the actuating sleeve relative to the handle unit. When the positioning unit controls one-way rotation of the actuating sleeve relative to the handle unit, the handle unit and the actuating sleeve are rotated relative to each other to cause rotation of the driven cap relative to the handle unit, and therefore the cleaning body is twisted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Ta-Chun Kao
  • Publication number: 20090165232
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: THE LIBMAN COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert J. Libman
  • Patent number: 7500281
    Abstract: A self-wringing mop includes a handle, an operating sleeve, a mop head, and at least one blocking element. The handle includes a first longitudinal section having a polygonal cross-section with a plurality of edges running in an axial direction. The operating sleeve is twistably disposed on the handle so as to be twistable relative to the handle in a wringing direction and in an opposite direction. The mop head is disposed at a lower end of the handle and includes cleaning elements configured to be wrung out by a twisting in the wringing direction. The at least one blocking element protrudes radially inward from the operating sleeve toward the handle so that a twisting of the sleeve in the wringing direction results in the blocking element moving past the plurality of edges against an elastic force, and a twisting in the opposite direction results in at least one of the plurality of edges pressing the blocking element against the operating sleeve so as to block a further twisting in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventor: Uwe Dingert
  • Patent number: 7260865
    Abstract: Disclosed is a twist mop having a shaft, an operating member a rotatable with respect to the shaft, a mop element, and a device for releasably restricting relative rotation of the shaft and the operating member to one direction during the wringing operation. The device comprises an indexing surface disposed on the shaft at least over a portion of the shaft and at least one indexing arm which projects radially inwardly from the operating member to engage the indexing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Paul M. Lesley, Uwe Dingert, Miroslav Vuckivic
  • Patent number: 7093315
    Abstract: A twist mop comprises a pole, fibers connected to the pole, and a movable collar connected to both the fibers and the pole, so that the collar is movable in an axial and radial direction about the pole, where radial movement of the collar pulls taut the fibers. The mop comprises an upper spline is connected to the pole, a pawl connected to the collar, to allow the collar to move in a radial direction clockwise or counterclockwise about the upper spline. The collar has a radial step to engage the pawl. The pawl is shaped to flex toward the radial step both when the collar axially traverses the pole and when the collar twists in a first direction, around the upper spline. The pawl being shaped to bias towards the upper spline while the collar turns in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, around the upper spline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Kaminstein Imports, Inc.
    Inventor: Flavio Cavalheiro
  • Patent number: 7089622
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wring mop with a lever handle. The handle adds leverage and torque to the wringing operation of the mop head. A more thorough wringing is achieved with more liquid removed from the mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Andre Sampaio
  • Patent number: 6732396
    Abstract: A self-wringing ratchet mop including an elongated handle, a mop head having mop strands supported on the handle, and a wringing mechanism for wringing the mop strands. The wringing mechanism includes a sleeve attached to the mop strands and supported for longitudinal and rotational movement relative to the handle. The handle includes a first ratchet portion formed by teeth and the sleeve includes a second ratchet portion formed by pawl members for engaging the first ratchet portion to permit the sleeve to rotate in a first direction and prevent rotation in a second, opposite direction. The pawl members are supported on a deformable resilient ring wherein deformation of the ring causes the pawl members to disengage from the first ratchet portion and permit rotation of the sleeve in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: O-Cedar Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Laux, David Hunt, Robert Roth
  • Publication number: 20030208867
    Abstract: A self-wringing ratchet mop including an elongated handle, a mop head having mop strands supported on the handle, and a wringing mechanism for wringing the mop strands. The wringing mechanism includes a sleeve attached to the mop strands and supported for longitudinal and rotational movement relative to the handle. The handle includes a first ratchet portion formed by teeth and the sleeve includes a second ratchet portion formed by pawl members for engaging the first ratchet portion to permit the sleeve to rotate in a first direction and prevent rotation in a second, opposite direction. The pawl members are supported on a deformable resilient ring wherein deformation of the ring causes the pawl members to disengage from the first ratchet portion and permit rotation of the sleeve in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: O-Cedar Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Laux, David Hunt, Robert Roth
  • Patent number: 6625838
    Abstract: A mop including a mop handle and a mop head located at one end of the handle and including a plurality of flexible strands defining a mop body. A sleeve is positioned on the mop handle and is supported for slidable movement in an axial direction parallel to the handle, and is further supported for rotatable movement relative to the handle. A lower end of the sleeve is provided with engagement portions defined by slots for engaging and gripping the strands of the mop body to facilitate twisting of the mop body by the sleeve. In addition, a ratchet and pawl mechanism is provided by cooperating portions of the mop body and sleeve to limit rotation of the sleeve to a single direction during a wringing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: O-Cedar Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Laux, David Hunt, Robert Roth
  • Patent number: 6615437
    Abstract: A gear-driven cleaning device having two gear components attached to the elongate handle. The first gear component providing torque for driving the second gear component which drives a wringing component. The cleaning device also having a pawl and ratchet arrangement for preventing the handle from rotating in a predetermined direction during the wringing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: May's Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sik Cheung Chow
  • Publication number: 20030084530
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop element, and an operating member that is axially movable along a portion of the shaft between a range of mopping positions and a latch position. One end portion of the mop element is retained in a fixed position at one end of the shaft, the other end portion of the mop element is retained at one end of the operating member with an intermediate mopping portion formed into a bight. In accordance with the invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining the operating member in the latch position. The latch mechanism includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion. One portion is fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other is mounted on the operating member. Preferably, the mop is a twist mop wherein the operating member is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably, the mop includes a ratchet mechanism for releasably restricting relative rotation of the operating member and shaft to one direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Freudenberg Household Products LP
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Patent number: 6526617
    Abstract: A wet mop with a handle and a mop head made of absorbent strands or the like. The mop head is releasably attached to the end of the handle at its bottom end, and to a handpiece that can be moved relative to the handle at its top end. The handle is provided with a helical groove in a top first partial region of the region covered by the mop head in its extended, stretched position. A guide element of the handpiece is guided in this groove. The handle has a lower second partial region below the first region. The second region releases the guide element and therefore also the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Uwe Dingert
  • Patent number: 6523211
    Abstract: A self-wringing mop is disclosed comprising a mop stick, an “H” shape frame having one side slidably but not rotatably attached to the mop stick and the other side connected to a short rotating offset that is spaced around five (5) inches apart from the mop stick. A mop head in the form of a bundle of threads has one end connected to the lower end of the mop stick and the other end connected to the lower end of the rotating offset. By turning the driving handle on the rotating offset even a large-size mop head that is more difficult to wring, can be wrung quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Xiaoping Wang
  • Publication number: 20030000036
    Abstract: A easy mop allows user to easily squeeze water out of it, meanwhile, saves user's power and keeps hands dry. The easy mop includes: a long handle with an extended arm of force either a bow portion or a handle, a mass of absorbent material, a sleeve with a twisting handle or a metal bar instead of the sleeve and twisting handle. While twisting the mop, one hand hole the twisting handle, another hand hold the bow or handle then turn around, the water being easily squeezed out of the mop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jianhua Fan
  • Publication number: 20020129457
    Abstract: A self-wringing mop is disclosed comprising a mop stick, an “H” shape frame having one side slidably but not rotatably attached to the mop stick and the other side connected to a short rotating offset that is spaced around five (5) inches apart from the mop stick. A mop head in the form of a bundle of threads has one end connected to the lower end of the mop stick and the other end connected to the lower end of the rotating offset. By turning the driving handle on the rotating offset even a large-size mop head that is more difficult to wring, can be wrung quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Xiaoping Wang
  • Publication number: 20020108197
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement in the form of a sleeve-type self-wringing mop. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleaning implement includes a shaft, a mop of a liquid absorbent material disposed at one end, and a wringer. The wringer includes a wringing sleeve that comprises a handle that is rotatably relative to the sleeve over at least a portion of the axial range of travel of the sleeve, and at least one volute. The volute has a generally helicoid surface that cooperates with a drive that is fixed with respect to the shaft, the volute and drive cooperating in the manner of a cam and cam follower. A user may advance the wringer upon grasping the handle and axially translating the handle relative to the shaft. The camming interaction between the volute and drive causes rotation of the wringing sleeve relative to the shaft to cause liquid to be expelled from the mop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: Fredenberg Household Products LP
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Publication number: 20020104179
    Abstract: A power wringer mop (14) which comprises a component for cleaning floor. A battery (1) is connected to a reversible electric motor (2). A socket shaft (3) is connected to the motor shaft (4). When a button (18) is press, power from the battery (1) will turn the electric motor (2), which will then turn the socket shaft (3). A receptor (or receptacle) (10) will be at one end of the socket shaft (3). A clamp (6) will be provided, with two wing nuts (5). One end of the mop (14) will slide into the receptor (10), while the other end (15) will be clamped (6) to the base of the mop handle (12). The socket shaft (3) with receptor (or receptacle) (10) will turn one end of the mop (14) (15) while the other end remains in one position, causing the mop (14) to wring out water or rinse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Harlo S. Mayne, Carl McLaren
  • Patent number: 6427280
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement in the form of a sleeve-type self-wringing mop. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cleaning implement includes a shaft, a mop of a liquid absorbent material disposed at one end, and a wringer. The wringer includes a wringing sleeve that comprises a handle that is rotatably relative to the sleeve over at least a portion of the axial range of travel of the sleeve, and at least one volute. The volute has a generally helicoid surface that cooperates with a drive that is fixed with respect to the shaft, the volute and drive cooperating in the manner of a cam and cam follower. A user may advance the wringer upon grasping the handle and axially translating the handle relative to the shaft. The camming interaction between the volute and drive causes rotation of the wringing sleeve relative to the shaft to cause liquid to be expelled from the mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Publication number: 20020092105
    Abstract: A mop including a mop handle and a mop head located at one end of the handle and including a plurality of flexible strands defining a mop body. A sleeve is positioned on the mop handle and is supported for slidable movement in an axial direction parallel to the handle, and is further supported for rotatable movement relative to the handle. A lower end of the sleeve is provided with engagement portions defined by slots for engaging and gripping the strands of the mop body to facilitate twisting of the mop body by the sleeve. In addition, a ratchet and pawl mechanism is provided by cooperating portions of the mop body and sleeve to limit rotation of the sleeve to a single direction during a wringing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher Laux, David Hunt, Robert Roth
  • Patent number: 6378156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop element, and an operating member that is axially movable along a portion of the shaft between a range of mopping positions and a latch position. One end portion of the mop element is retained in a fixed position at one end of the shaft, the other end portion of the mop element is retained at one end of the operating member with an intermediate mopping portion formed into a bight. In accordance with the invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining the operating member in the latch position. The latch mechanism includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion. One portion is fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other is mounted on the operating member. Preferably, the mop is a twist mop wherein the operating member is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably, the mop includes a ratchet mechanism for releasably restricting relative rotation of the operating member and shaft to one direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Publication number: 20010013150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop element, and an operating member that is axially movable along a portion of the shaft between a range of mopping positions and a latch position. One end portion of the mop element is retained in a fixed position at one end of the shaft, the other end portion of the mop element is retained at one end of the operating member with an intermediate mopping portion formed into a bight. In accordance with the invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining the operating member in the latch position. The latch mechanism includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion. One portion is fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other is mounted on the operating member. Preferably, the mop is a twist mop wherein the operating member is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably, the mop includes a ratchet mechanism for releasably restricting relative rotation of the operating member and shaft to one direction of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Patent number: 6240589
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop element, and an operating member that is axially movable along a portion of the shaft between a range of mopping positions and a latch position. One end portion of the mop element is retained in a fixed position at one end of the shaft, the other end portion of the mop element is retained at one end of the operating member with an intermediate mopping portion formed into a bight. In accordance with the invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining the operating member in the latch position. The latch mechanism includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion. One portion is fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other is mounted on the operating member. Preferably, the mop is a twist mop wherein the operating member is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably, the mop includes a ratchet mechanism for releasably restricting relative rotation of the operating member and shaft to one direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Freudenberg Household Products LP
    Inventor: Paul B. Specht
  • Patent number: 6233775
    Abstract: A floor mopping device has a columnar shaft with a front end; a barrel surrounding the shaft and rotatable about the shaft; a disengageable clutch system connecting the shaft with the barrel in the wringing mode which restricts the relative rotatability of the shaft and barrel to one sense of rotation and in which an abutment of barrel, extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, is in engagement with a deflectable counter-abutment of the shaft. A number of flexible absorbent strips join together the end of the shaft and the barrel. The clutch system cooperates with a disengageable member affixed to the shaft which underreach the barrel in the area of an annular surface of the barrel facing the end of the shaft. The abutment on the barrel has a base which runs transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Hans-Georg Franke
  • Patent number: 6212728
    Abstract: A self-wringing ratchet mop is disclosed to comprise an elongate handle including at least one channel provided along a discrete length thereof, a tubular member slidably and rotatably disposed on the handle, and a mop swab connected to the handle and the tubular member. The tubular member has a wall including at least one pawl formed therein. The at least one pawl is engageable with the at least one channel to resist rotation of the tubular member in a first direction about the handle, and the at least one pawl is further flexibly moveable out of engagement with the at least one channel when the tubular member is rotated in a second direction about the handle. And when the at least one pawl is positioned along a length of the mop handle other than the discrete length, the tubular member is freely rotatable in both the first and second directions about the mop handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Multi-Reach, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Facca, Joseph M. Wilen, James LaBelle
  • Patent number: 6212727
    Abstract: A twist-style mop and method, having a locking wringing grip and a lockable, adjustable, second grip. The lockable, adjustable second grip allows the size adjustment of the twist-type mop to fit a particular user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Yarron Bendor
  • Patent number: RE38380
    Abstract: A wringer mop has a conventional handle with mop fibers extending from a lower point on the handle to a collar that can be lifted to a raised axial position and twisted to wring the mop. The mop also has a pawl on a ring fixed to the handle. When the mop is wrung, the pawl automatically engages a set of raised internal ribs inside the collar to prevent the mop from unwinding. The mop can be returned to normal use by simply pushing the collar down, without the need to fuss with button or levers to disengage the pawl from the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Libman, Enzo Berti, Roberto Pellacini, Marco Bizzotto