Floor Cleaning Device and Method

Abstract

A floor cleaning device and method include mop head, including cleaning fibers, a corner brush coupled to an extendable member and extendable from a center of the mop head, and an inner handle including knob for engaging and disengaging a locking mechanism for locking corner brush in position. Floor cleaning device and method is useful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas of floors without the need for excessive bending or hand scrubbing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning means of existing art and more specifically relates to mops and heads.

Related Art

Cleaning is, at times a tedious, and tiresome chore that most people must attend to. When it comes to cleaning floors, the generally accepted equipment is most commonly a broom and mop. While a mop is ideal for cleaning large, hard surfaces such as tile floors, the mop heads are often bulky and difficult to get into tight spaces such as corners or around base boards in a home.

When cleaning the floors of an establishment it is not uncommon for a person to have to get down on the floor and clean corners and base boards manually with a rag or other, smaller cleaning device to effectively clean the area. Getting down onto a hard surface such as a tile floor can be a taxing and strenuous experience. Furthermore, such physical strain may be downright impossible for those suffering from disability and injury, as well as the elderly. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,427 to Andrea Chiapelli relates to a mop including a mop head having a scrub material. The described mop including a mop head having a scrub material includes a mop having a mop head supported on a handle and including a mop head base and a mop body. The mop body is defined by a plurality of mop strands supported on the base. A scrubber element is supported on the base, centrally within the mop body. The scrubber element further has opposing faces on a scrubber body located at laterally opposing sides to define abrasive scrubbing surfaces. A single attachment element provides a simple and cost-effective way to attach the scrubber element simultaneously with attachment of the mop strands. The scrubber element further is engaged with the mop head base to bias the scrubber element into a folded configuration folded so that the opposing faces are facing away from the mop handle thereby enabling a mop user to easily manipulate the scrubber element provided for removal of difficult stains, etc. by applying downward pressure to the handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known mops and heads art, the present disclosure provides a novel floor cleaning device and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an efficient and effective floor cleaning device and method.

A floor cleaning device is disclosed herein. The floor cleaning device includes a mop head including a plurality of cleaning fibers, a corner brush coupled to an extendable member and extendable from a center of the mop head, and a telescoping handle including a knob for engaging and disengaging a locking mechanism for locking the corner brush in position.

According to another embodiment, a method for effectively cleaning a floor is also disclosed herein. The method for effectively cleaning a floor includes mopping a floor with the mop head until a user encounters a corner, twisting the knob to disengage the locking mechanism, extending the inner-extendable handle to position the corner brush in the extended position, twisting the knob to engage the locking mechanism, and cleaning the corner using the corner brush.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a floor cleaning device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for effectively cleaning a floor using the present invention, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the joint between locking mechanism and outer handle of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts a close-up view of the joint between mop head and outer handle of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a top end of the inner handle of the floor cleaning device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to mops and heads and more particularly to a floor cleaning device as used to improve the effectively clean hard-to-reach areas of a floor and adjacent surfaces.

Generally, the floor cleaning device may include a swab mop, a corner brush, a brush extension and retraction mechanism and a handle. The corner brush may be configured to extend from and retract into the handle. The corner brush may further be configured to extend to an approximate length of twelve to eighteen inches. The brush extension and retraction mechanism may include a push-button for operation, and alternatively a knob.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a floor cleaning device 100.

FIG. 1 shows a floor cleaning device 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the floor cleaning device 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to clean hard to reach areas of a floor without having to get down on the floor and scrub them by hand. As illustrated, the floor cleaning device 100 may include a mop head 110 including a plurality of cleaning fibers 200. Furthermore, the floor cleaning device 100 may include a corner brush 120 coupled to an extendable member 300 and extendable from a center of the mop head 110. The floor cleaning device 100 may include a telescoping handle 130 including a knob 406 for engaging and disengaging a locking mechanism 404 for locking the corner brush 120 in position. Upon reading this specification it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other structural arrangements such as, for example, different types of cleaning fibers and materials, and extending/retracting/locking mechanisms, etc., may be sufficient.

According to one embodiment, the floor cleaning device 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the floor cleaning device 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the floor cleaning device 100 such that the floor cleaning device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing the floor cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the floor cleaning device 100 may include a mop head 110. Mop head 110 may include a plurality of cleaning fibers 200 arranged in a configuration to suit the overall construction of the mop head 110. The plurality of cleaning fibers 200 may further be constructed of a sufficiently absorbent material to facilitate absorption of cleaning products from a hard surface. Furthermore, the plurality of cleaning fibers 200 may be configured so that their overall length is shorter than the relative length of the extendable member 300. The mop head 110 may also include an aperture 202 positioned centrally in relation to the plurality of cleaning fibers 200 to allow passage of the length of the extendable member 300.

The corner brush 120 may include a plurality of cleaning fibers 200. The plurality of cleaning fibers 200 may be comprised of a sufficiently absorbent material to facilitate absorption of cleaning products from a hard surface. The corner brush 120 may further comprise a plurality of cleaning fibers 200 arranged in a triangular shape to facilitate reaching a corner of two abutting walls. Furthermore, the corner brush 120 may be coupled to the extendable member 300 so that it may be extended and retracted with the extendable member 300. The corner brush 120 may be mounted to the extendable member 300 at an angle relative to the telescoping handle 130 to facilitate comfortable use without the need for excessive bending.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the floor cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is shown in FIG. 3 that the corner brush 120 may be mounted to the extendable member 300 which may be affixed to the inner-extendable-handle 402. The extendable member 300 may be extended through the aperture 202 by means of the inner-extendable-handle 402. As the inner-extendable-handle 402 is extended, the extendable member 300 may be pushed through the aperture 202 centrally located on the mop head 110. As the extendable member 300 is extended, so then is the corner brush 120 coupled to the end of the extendable member 300. The extendable member 300 can be seen to be significantly longer that the plurality of cleaning fibers 200 to prevent them from interfering with the use of the corner brush 120.

Referring now to FIG. 4 showing a perspective view of the floor cleaning device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The telescoping handle 130 may include an outer stationary handle 400, an inner-extendable-handle 402, as well as a locking mechanism 404, and a knob 406 for engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism 404. The locking mechanism 404 may be positionable among a plurality of operative modes. The plurality of operative modes may include an extended mode, as well as a retracted mode. The telescoping handle 130 may contain the extendable member 300 when the extendable member 300 is in the retracted position. The locking mechanism 404 may furthermore be operable by method of twisting a knob 406. For the present embodiment of the locking mechanism 404 a knob 406 is used to engage and disengage the locking mechanism 404. It is important to note that other methods of engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism 404 may be used to suit the design, construction or needs of the floor cleaning device 100.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for effectively cleaning a floor 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for effectively cleaning a floor 500 may include one or more components or features of the floor cleaning device 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for effectively cleaning a floor 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, mopping a floor with the mop head until a user encounters a corner; step two 502, twisting the knob to disengage the locking mechanism; step three 503, extending the inner-extendable-handle to position the corner brush in the extended position; step four 504, twisting the knob to engage the locking mechanism; step five 505, cleaning a corner using the corner brush; step six 506, twisting the knob to disengage the locking mechanism; step seven 507, retracting the inner-extendable-handle to position the corner brush in the retracted position; step eight 508, twisting the knob to engage the locking mechanism.

It should be noted that steps 506, 507, and 508 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for effectively cleaning a floor are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning device comprising: an outer handle having an upper outer handle end and a lower outer handle end;an inner handle;a mop head including cleaning fibers connected to the outer handle;a corner brush that is extendable from the mop head coupled to the inner handle;a corner-brush locking mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the mechanism is disposed on the outer handle and around the inner handle;anda knob connected to the inner handle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner handle extends through the outer handle and an opening in the mop head.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism has a connection to the upper outer-handle end.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the mop head connects to the lower outer-handle end.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising a taper lock disposed within the locking mechanism.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the taper lock surrounds the inner handle.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein moving the upper outer-handle end toward the taper lock causes the locking mechanism to move from the unlocked position to the locked position.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the connection is threaded.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein rotation of the locking mechanism onto the outer handle moves the upper outer-handle end toward the taper lock.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the taper lock has a cylindrical lower region and a tapered upper region.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the taper lock has a uniform inner diameter.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism has a locking-mechanism tapered region adjacent to the tapered upper region.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein in the locked position, the upper outer-handle end pushes the taper lock between the inner handle and the locking-mechanism tapered region.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the inner handle has a fully extended position that extends the corner brush a first distance, an intermediate position that extends the corner brush a second distance less than the first distance, and a fully retracted position that retracts the corner brush.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the corner brush mounts angled to the inner handle.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the cleaning fibers are shorter than the first distance.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the corner brush comprises triangularly arranged cleaning bristles.

18. The device of claim 6, wherein moving the upper outer-handle end toward the taper lock causes the locking mechanism to move from the unlocked position to the locked position.

19. A method of cleaning a floor comprising the steps of: providing the device of claim 13;mopping a floor with the mop head;stopping at a corner between two walls;disengaging the locking mechanism;extending the inner handle to extend the corner brush;engaging the locking mechanism;andcleaning a corner with the corner brush.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: disengaging the locking mechanism;retracting the inner handle to retract the corner brush;andengaging the locking mechanism.