The invention relates to a foldable mop plate having a first plate wing that is articulatedly connected directly or indirectly to a second plate wing, the first and the second plate wing carrying at least one mopping cover, for example a sponge, that can be squeezed out by folding the two plate wings toward one another.
EP 1 208 788 A1 discloses a wet mop for planar surfaces having two mopping plates connected with interposition of a double joint and pressable toward one another. The wet mop comprises a swingable handle mounted on the double joint. A displaceable sleeve, arranged on the handle and having two pressure arms, is provided for pressing the mopping plates toward one another.
It is the object of the present invention to describe a foldable mop plate which enables easier squeezing out of the mopping cover, and with which a better squeezing-out result is achievable.
The object is achieved by a foldable mop plate which is characterized in that the spacing of the plate wings in the region of the articulated connection is enlargeable upon folding of the two plate wings toward one another.
What has been recognized according to the present invention is that in the context of the foldable mop plates known from the existing art, folding of the plate wings toward one another is inhibited or made more difficult by the material buildup of the mopping cover that is increasingly creased as the folding position increases. In terms of the squeezing-out result, in the known foldable mop plates the consequence of this phenomenon is that the parts of the mopping cover arranged [?at] the ends of the mop plate are not sufficiently squeezed out and thus not sufficiently dried. In contrast thereto, the foldable mop plate according to the present invention is embodied in such a way that during the operation of folding the plate wings toward one another, additional space is created in the region of the articulated connection, i.e. in the region where the mopping cover is creased. This advantageously facilitates folding of the mop plates toward one another. In addition, this also makes it possible for the parts of the mopping cover arranged at the ends of the mop plate to be sufficiently well squeezed out and dried. The foldable mop plate according to the present invention has the enormous advantage that a substantially better drying result is achieved, thus enabling even liquid-sensitive floors such as, for example, parquet, to be cared for.
In a particular embodiment of the mop plate according to the present invention, the first plate wing and/or the second plate wing are arranged displaceably relative to one another. Provision can be made for this purpose, for example, that the first plate wing and/or the second plate wing, or parts of the first plate wing or parts of the second plate wing, are respectively arranged displaceably in a linear guide.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the plate wings are pushable apart from one another in the region of the articulated connection, at least upon folding of the two plate wings toward one another. Advantageously, the foldable mop plate can be embodied in such a way that the mopping cover pushes the plate wings apart from one another—in particular as a result of the material buildup occurring upon creasing together—in the region of the articulated connection upon folding of the two plate wings toward one another.
In a very particularly advantageous embodiment, the first plate wing is arranged rotatably and/or swingably about a first pivot, the first pivot being arranged displaceably relative to the second plate wing. Provision can be made, in particular, that the second plate wing is rotatable and/or swingable about a second pivot different from the first pivot.
In an embodiment that enables a particular good squeezing-out result, at least the first pivot is arranged displaceably relative to the second pivot. Provision can be made, for example, that both the first pivot and the second pivot are arranged displaceably, for example relative to a common retaining element. Preferably the first and/or the second pivot are arranged displaceably perpendicularly to their lengthwise extension.
In an advantageous embodiment, a spring apparatus is provided. Provision can further be made, advantageously, that the first plate wing and/or the second plate wing and/or the first pivot and/or the second pivot are displaceable against a spring force of the spring apparatus. This embodiment has the advantage that in the mopping position in which the first plate wing is arranged in one plane with the second plate wing, the spring apparatus pulls the plate wings or the pivots toward one another and thus ensures, after the squeezing-out operation, the position of the plate wings with respect to one another, or of the plate wings with respect to a retaining element, that is necessary for mopping.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the spring apparatus or a further spring apparatus pushes and/or pulls the first and the second plate wing into a position folded apart from one another (mopping position). Provision can be made here that the first plate wing and the second plate wing are foldable toward one another against the spring force of the spring apparatus or of the further spring apparatus.
In a particular embodiment, the first plate wing and the second plate wing are each arranged rotatably and/or swingably on a common retaining element. This can be implemented, for example, by the fact that the first pivot and the second pivot are arranged on the common retaining element. A linear guide, in particular in [sic] an oblong-hole guide, is preferably provided. The linear guide can be provided, for example, on the common retaining element. In a particular embodiment, the first pivot is guided in a linear guide, in particular in an oblong hole. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, both the first pivot and the second pivot are each guided in a linear guide.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the foldable mop plate is configured in such a way that the first plate wing and the second plate wing, while squeezing out the mopping cover, are foldable toward one another beyond a parallel position. This embodiment enables a particularly good drying result.
The foldable mop plate according to the present invention can be used on mopping devices of all kinds, for example floor mopping devices, window mopping devices, motor vehicle mopping devices, or furniture mopping devices, to name only a few examples.
In an advantageous embodiment, the mopping device has a squeezing fork for folding the first and the second plate wing toward one another. Advantageously, provision can be made that the spacing of the fork tines of the squeezing fork with respect to one another becomes smaller toward the ends of the fork tines. This embodiment allows the first plate wing and the second plate wing to be foldable toward one another beyond a parallel position.
In an advantageous embodiment, the squeezing fork is displaceable over the plate wings, preferably in guided fashion, for example guided on a handle.
Provision can advantageously be made that the handle is connected to the mop plate in articulated fashion, for example in the fashion of a gimbal or a universal joint.
As an alternative to a squeezing fork provision can also be made, for example, to use for folding the first and second plate wings toward one another a preferably funnel-shaped or V-shaped squeezing sieve [?into] which the foldable mop plate is introduced.
The subject matter of the invention is schematically depicted in the drawings and will be described below with reference to the Figures, identically functioning elements being labeled with the same reference characters. In the Figures:
The invention has been described with reference to a particular exemplifying embodiment. It is self-evident, however, that changes and modifications can be made without thereby leaving the range of protection of the claims below.
This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2007/002983, filed Apr. 3, 2007, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No DE 10 2006 016 472.5, filed Apr. 7, 2006. The International Application was published in German on Oct. 18, 2007 as WO 2007/115741 under PCT Article 21 (2).
The present invention relates to a foldable mop plate having a first plate wing that is articulatedly connected directly or indirectly to a second plate wing, the first and the second plate wing carrying at least one mopping cover, for example a sponge, that can be squeezed out by folding the two plate wings toward one another.
EP 1 208 788 A1 describes a wet mop for planar surfaces having two mopping plates connected with interposition of a double joint and pressable toward one another. The wet mop includes a swingable handle mounted on the double joint. A displaceable sleeve, arranged on the handle and having two pressure arms, is provided for pressing the mopping plates toward one another.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a foldable mop plate which enables easier squeezing out of the mopping cover, and with which a better squeezing-out result is achievable.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a foldable mop plate. The mop plate includes a first plate wing coupled to a second plate wing by an articulated coupling and at least one mopping cover. The at least one mopping cover is disposed on the first and second plate wings and configured to be squeezed out through a folding of the first and second plate wings toward one another. Further, a spacing between the first and second plate wings in a region of the articulated coupling is enlargeable upon a folding of the first and second plate wings toward one another.
The subject matter of the present invention is schematically depicted in the drawings and will be described below with reference to the Figures, identically functioning elements being labeled with the same reference characters. In the Figures:
In an embodiment the present invention provides a foldable mop plate which is characterized in that the spacing of the plate wings in the region of the articulated connection is enlargeable upon folding of the two plate wings toward one another.
What has been recognized according to the present invention is that in the context of the foldable mop plates, folding of the plate wings toward one another is inhibited or made more difficult by the material buildup of the mopping cover that is increasingly creased as the folding position increases. In terms of the squeezing-out result, in the known foldable mop plates the consequence of this phenomenon is that the parts of the mopping cover arranged at the ends of the mop plate are not sufficiently squeezed out and thus not sufficiently dried. In contrast thereto, the foldable mop plate according to the present invention is embodied in such a way that during the operation of folding the plate wings toward one another, additional space is created in the region of the articulated connection, i.e. in the region where the mopping cover is creased. This advantageously facilitates folding of the mop plates toward one another. In addition, this also makes it possible for the parts of the mopping cover arranged at the ends of the mop plate to be sufficiently well squeezed out and dried. The foldable mop plate according to the present invention has the advantage that a substantially better drying result is achieved, thus enabling even liquid-sensitive floors such as, for example, parquet, to be cared for.
In an embodiment of the mop plate according to the present invention, the first plate wing and/or the second plate wing are arranged displaceably relative to one another. Provision can be made for this purpose, for example, that the first plate wing and/or the second plate wing, or parts of the first plate wing or parts of the second plate wing, are respectively arranged displaceably in a linear guide.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the plate wings are pushable apart from one another in the region of the articulated connection, at least upon folding of the two plate wings toward one another. Advantageously, the foldable mop plate can be embodied in such a way that the mopping cover pushes the plate wings apart from one another—in particular as a result of the material buildup occurring upon creasing together—in the region of the articulated connection upon folding of the two plate wings toward one another.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the first plate wing is arranged rotatably and/or swingably about a first pivot, the first pivot being arranged displaceably relative to the second plate wing. Provision can be made, in particular, that the second plate wing is rotatable and/or swingable about a second pivot different from the first pivot.
In an embodiment according to the present invention that enables a particular good squeezing-out result, at least the first pivot is arranged displaceably relative to the second pivot. Provision can be made, for example, that both the first pivot and the second pivot are arranged displaceably, for example relative to a common retaining element. Preferably the first and/or the second pivot are arranged displaceably perpendicularly to their lengthwise extension.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, a spring apparatus is provided. Provision can further be made, advantageously, that the first plate wing and/or the second plate wing and/or the first pivot and/or the second pivot are displaceable against a spring force of the spring apparatus. This embodiment has the advantage that in the mopping position in which the first plate wing is arranged in one plane with the second plate wing, the spring apparatus pulls the plate wings or the pivots toward one another and thus ensures, after the squeezing-out operation, the position of the plate wings with respect to one another, or of the plate wings with respect to a retaining element, that is necessary for mopping.
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the spring apparatus or a further spring apparatus pushes and/or pulls the first and the second plate wing into a position folded apart from one another (mopping position). Provision can be made here that the first plate wing and the second plate wing are foldable toward one another against the spring force of the spring apparatus or of the further spring apparatus.
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the first plate wing and the second plate wing are each arranged rotatably and/or swingably on a common retaining element. This can be implemented, for example, by the fact that the first pivot and the second pivot are arranged on the common retaining element. A linear guide, in particular in an oblong-hole guide, is preferably provided. The linear guide can be provided, for example, on the common retaining element. In a particular embodiment, the first pivot is guided in a linear guide, in particular in an oblong hole. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, both the first pivot and the second pivot are each guided in a linear guide.
In a further embodiment according to the present invention, the foldable mop plate is configured in such a way that the first plate wing and the second plate wing, while squeezing out the mopping cover, are foldable toward one another beyond a parallel position. This embodiment enables a good drying result.
The foldable mop plate according to the present invention can be used on mopping devices of all kinds, for example floor mopping devices, window mopping devices, motor vehicle mopping devices, or furniture mopping devices, to name only a few examples.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the mopping device has a squeezing fork for folding the first and the second plate wing toward one another. Advantageously, provision can be made that the spacing of the fork tines of the squeezing fork with respect to one another becomes smaller toward the ends of the fork tines. This embodiment allows the first plate wing and the second plate wing to be foldable toward one another beyond a parallel position.
In another embodiment according to the present invention, the squeezing fork is displaceable over the plate wings, preferably in guided fashion, for example guided on a handle.
Provision can advantageously be made that the handle is connected to the mop plate in articulated fashion, for example in the fashion of a gimbal or a universal joint.
As an alternative to a squeezing fork provision can also be made, for example, to use for folding the first and second plate wings toward one another a preferably funnel-shaped or V-shaped squeezing sieve which the foldable mop plate is introduced.
The invention has been described with reference to a particular exemplifying embodiment. It is self-evident, however, that changes and modifications can be made without thereby leaving the range of protection of the claims below. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and reference should be had to the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2006 016 472.5 | Apr 2006 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2007/002983 | 4/3/2007 | WO | 00 | 9/26/2008 |