Patent Application
20240115106
This invention relates generally to mops, and, more particularly, to a mop assembly with a sliding, rotatable, clamping wringer sleeve.
As is well known, a mop (i.e., a wet floor mop) is cleaning device with, in its simplest form, an absorbent mass or bundle of coarse strings or yarn, etc., or a piece of cloth, sponge, or other absorbent material, attached to an end of a pole or stick. The absorbent mass soaks up liquid, for cleaning floors and other surfaces, and liquid waste and entrained dirt from a floor or other surface. A user must repeatedly wring out a mop during use. Such wringing expels dirty liquid from the absorbent mass. Gripping the mass by hand to wring the mop is unpleasant, as the user must contact the dirty liquid. Often the user's hands are not only soiled but fetid from the expelled liquid.
To avoid contact during wringing, mop wringers have been devised. Mop wringers comprising large clamping or pressing mechanisms over mop buckets are bulky and generally impractical for home use.
A mop with an attached, lightweight, easy to use, reliable wringer is needed. The wringer should prevent soiling of a user's hands during wringing. The wringer should facilitate expelling liquid from the mop head. Preferably, the mop should also include a replaceable mop head and a scrubber.
The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and solving one or more of the needs as set forth above.
To solve one or more of the problems set forth above, in an exemplary implementation, a mop assembly according to principles of the invention includes a pole with a first end and a second end opposite the first end. A mop head is attached to the second end of the pole. A base is fixed to the pole between the first end the second end. The pole extends through the base. A sleeve assembly is releasably coupled to the base and movable linearly along the pole from the base to the second end. The sleeve assembly is also rotatable about the pole. The sleeve assembly includes a side wall defining an interior compartment. The sleeve assembly also includes a clamping mechanism in the interior compartment and an actuator extending from the clamping mechanism through the side wall. The interior compartment is sized to receive the mop head at the second end of the pole. The clamping mechanism is configured to clamp the mop head in the sleeve assembly upon actuating the actuator.
The clamping mechanism may be a cantilevered arm having an end fixed to the side wall, a free end opposite the end fixed to the side wall and a middle between the free end and the end fixed to the side wall. The free end of cantilevered arm is deflectable from an undeflected position against the sidewall to a deflected position away from the sidewall. The actuator may be a button extending from the cantilevered arm through the sidewall. The button may extend from between the middle of the cantilevered arm and the end of the cantilevered arm.
The cantilevered arm may include a first side facing the sidewall and a second side opposite the first side. A first fin may extend from the second side of the cantilevered arm. A second fin may extend from the sidewall opposite the first fin, with the second fin extending towards the first fin.
The sleeve assembly includes an open end sized and shaped to receive a mop head. The open end may have a height of 2.5 to 5 inches and/or a width of 2.0 to 4 inches.
The base may include a bottom end defining a socket. The sleeve assembly may include a top end defining a plug configured to mate with the socket of the base. The socket may include a plurality of spaced apart parallel annular ridges. The plug may include a cantilever beam with a hooked end for engaging the annular ridges. Alternatively, the socket may include internal threads and the sleeve assembly may including a external threads configured to mate with the internal threads of the socket of the base.
A mop head jaw assembly is provided to attach a mop head. The jaw assembly includes a core and a jaw. The core is coupled to the second end of the pole. The jaw is releasably attached to the core. A first plurality of teeth extend from the base towards the jaw. A second plurality of teeth extend from the jaw towards the base. A portion of the mop head is disposed between the first plurality of teeth and the second plurality of teeth.
The jaw is releasably attached to the base with a plurality of snap fit couplings. A minimum distance between the first plurality of teeth and the second plurality of teeth being 0.4 to 0.7 inches. A height of each tooth of the first plurality of teeth and the second plurality of teeth is no greater than the minimum distance between the first plurality of teeth and the second plurality of teeth.
First spaces are provided between teeth of the first plurality of teeth. Second spaces are provided between teeth of the second plurality of teeth. Teeth of the second plurality of teeth are aligned with first spaces between teeth of the first plurality of teeth. Teeth of the first plurality of teeth are aligned with second spaces between teeth of the second plurality of teeth. The jaw may also include a plurality of ribs, including a rib aligned with each tooth of the second plurality of teeth.
The mop head jaw assembly may include a bushing with an open end into which the second end of the pole is received. The bushing may be releasably attached to the core. For example, a locking pin may extend from the bushing. The core may include a slot with an opening. The locking pin may be configured to pass through the opening of the slot and into the slot to releasably secure the bushing to the core.
The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the FIGS. are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the FIGS. intended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the FIGS. or the specific components, configurations, shapes, relative sizes, ornamental aspects or proportions as shown in the FIGS.
An exemplary mop according to principles of the invention includes a pole with a top end and an opposite bottom end, to which a mop head is attached. A base assembly is fixed to the pole between the top and bottom ends. A sleeve assembly is releasably attached to the base. The pole extends through a central channel of the sleeve assembly. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve body and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a manual actuator that extends through a port in the sleeve body. The actuator is attached to a free end of a cantilevered arm. The free end of the cantilevered arm also includes a fin, opposite the actuator. Pressing the actuator towards the sleeve body deflects the cantilevered arm and fin towards the opposite side of the body. Another fin is fixed on the opposite side of the body, opposite to and extending towards the fin on the cantilevered arm. The sleeve assembly may be detached from the base assembly. When detached, the sleeve assembly may be slid towards the bottom end of the mop. The sleeve assembly is configured to receive the entirety or a substantial portion of a mop head mounted at the bottom. When the mop head is received in the sleeve assembly and the actuator is pressed, the mop head is clamped in the sleeve assembly. With the mop head clamped, the sleeve assembly may be rotated relative to the pole to wring the mop head. After wringing, the actuator may be released to cease clamping and the sleeve assembly may be slid to couple with the base. A mop head jaw assembly assembly is removably attached to the bottom of the pole. The mop head jaw assembly assembly may be removed to facilitate replacing a mop head. The mop head jaw assembly assembly includes a pair of jaws, each of which includes protruding teeth. Opposed teeth are arranged in an interdigitating pattern, with one set of teeth extending towards spaces between opposed teeth. A portion of a mop head comprising coarse strings, tarns or ribbons is securely gripped between the jaws. The jaws are releasably secured together with a snap-fit coupling and/or mechanical fasteners.
An end cover 105 provides an eyelet 106 (
A handgrip 110 surrounds a portion of the pole 10 near (adjacent to) the top end of the pole 10. The handgrip 110 may be a cushioning material, a structure with finger grooves, or a rigid cover that provides a greater outer diameter than that of the pole 10 to facilitate gripping.
A base 120 surrounds a portion of the pole 10 near (adjacent to or at) the middle of the pole 10. The base 120 is fixed to the pole 10. The base 120 provides a structure to which the sleeve assembly 130 releasably attaches.
A sleeve assembly 130 releasably attaches to the base 120. When separated from the base 120, the base assembly may be moved linearly between the bottom end of the pole 10 and the base 120 and rotated about the pole 10. The sleeve assembly 130 includes a clamping mechanism. When slid to the bottom of the pole 10, the sleeve assembly may receive (engulf) the entirety or a substantial portion of a mop head 170. When the sleeve assembly 130 receives a mop head 170, the actuator 140 may be pressed to clamp the mop head 170. Rotation of the sleeve assembly 130 while a mop head 170 is clamped, wrings the mop head 170.
The sleeve assembly 130 is releasably attached to the base 120 in
The bottom end 126 of the base 120 and the top end 131 of the sleeve assembly 130 form a releasable coupling. The bottom end 126 of the base 120 releasably mates with the top end (plug portion) 131 of the sleeve assembly 130. Thus, the base 120 provides a structure to which the plug portion 131 of the sleeve assembly 130 attaches, when the sleeve assembly 130 is not in use to wring a mop head 170. Thus the base 120 serves as an anchor. By way of example and not limitation, the inner walls of the bottom end 126 may have threads. In which case, the outer wall of the plug portion 131 may have mating threads, allowing the sleeve assembly 130 to threadedly engage the base 120. Alternatively, as shown in
The sleeve assembly 130 is configured (i.e., sized and shaped) to undergo linear translation (i.e., undergo sliding motion) along the pole 10 when disengaged from the base 120. The sleeve assembly 130 is also configured (i.e., sized and shaped) to undergo rotational motion about the pole 10 (i.e., rotation around an axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pole 10) when the sleeve disengaged from the base 120. Both motions, i.e., linear translation and rotation, may be performed simultaneously or independently.
To engage the pole 10, the top end (plug portion) 131 of the sleeve assembly 130 is sized to engage the pole 10. The engagement is loose enough to allow linear translation and rotation movement, but not so loose as to allow appreciable wobbling or binding. By way of example and not limitation the inner diameter of the top end (plug portion) 131 is at least equal to the outer diameter of the pole 10, and preferably only slightly greater than (e.g., greater than by no more than five percent (5%)) the outer diameter of the pole 10. An inner diameters of 1 to 1.05, and preferably 1.01 to 1.05, times the pole diameter is workable.
The bottom end opening 148 of the sleeve assembly 130 is wide enough to receive a mop head 170. The bottom end opening 148 of the sleeve assembly 130 is appreciably greater than the inner diameter of the top end (plug portion) 131. By way of example and not limitation, the height, h, may be from about 2.5 to 5 inches, and more preferably from about 3.0 to 4.5 inches. The width, w, may be from about 2 to 4.5 inches, and more preferably from about 2.5 to 4.0 inches. In a particular preferred embodiment, the opening is non-circular, and one dimension (e.g., the width or the height) is less than the other dimension. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the width, w, is less than the height, h. This configuration facilitates manual gripping of the sleeve assembly 130 for sliding and rotational motion and gripping of the mop head and wringing via rotation. In an alternative embodiment, the width may be greater than the height, with the height, h, being about 2 to 4.5 inches, and more preferably about 2.5 to 4.0 inches, and the width, w, being about 2.5 to 5 inches, and more preferably about 3.0 to 4.5 inches. In yet another embodiment, although a less preferred embodiment, the bottom end opening 148 of the sleeve assembly 130 may be circular and have a diameter about 2 to 4.5 inches, and more preferably about 2.5 to 4.0 inches.
The length, l, of the sleeve assembly is sufficient to receive the entirety or a substantial portion (e.g., at least 80%, preferably at least 90%) of a mop head 170. If any portion of the mop head 170 extends from the sleeve assembly, when the sleeve assembly has been moved to the bottom end of the pole 10, only a relatively small portion (less than 20%, preferably less than 10%) of the mop head 170 extends from the sleeve assembly 130. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the length, l, is about 8 to 16 inches, more preferably 10 to 14 inches, and even more preferably 10.5 to 13 inches. Such a length is sufficient for engulfing most commercially available mop heads comprised of strands of strings, yarns or ribbons.
The sleeve assembly 130 includes a cantilever arm 143 against an interior surface of a wall 135. The arm 143 acts as a clamping device, to squeeze and grip portions of a mop head 170. The arm 143 is plastic. A fixed end 141 of the arm is secured to the interior surface of the wall 135. The end 141 may be fixed by welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding), bonding, or mechanical fastening. The arm 143 is flexible and undergoes elastic deflection when the cantilevered end (i.e., the free end) is urged away from the wall 135 by a force. The deflection is elastic, meaning that upon removal of the deflecting force, the arm 143 returns to an initial position (e.g., un-deflected position) against the wall 135. A button 140 extends through a window 134 in the sleeve assembly 130. The button 140 extends from the arm 143, near the free end of the arm 143. Pressing the button 140 into the window 134 causes elastic deflection of the arm 143. The arm 143 experiences elastic deflection throughout the full range of motion of the button 140. When the arm 143 is deflected, portions of a mop head 170 disposed between the arm and the opposite wall 137 of the sleeve assembly are compressed, gripped and/or clamped. This clamping action wrings liquid and debris suspended in the liquid from the mop head. Such clamping also facilitates wringing via rotation.
The sleeve assembly includes a plurality of fins, such as fins 144 and 146. The fins resist rotation of contained strings, yarns or ribbons of the mop head contained in the sleeve assembly 130. In the exemplary embodiment, one fin 146 is fixed, i.e., attached to wall 137. The other fin 144 extends from the underside of the arm 143, opposite the fixed fin 146. Thus, fin 144 moves towards fin 146 when the button 140 is depressed. The height of each fin is about 10% to 25% of the distance between walls 135 and 137 near the open bottom end 148 of the sleeve assembly 130. The length of each fin is about 20% to 40% of the length of the sleeve assembly 130. By impeding rotation of clamped mop head strings, yarns or ribbons when the sleeve assembly 130 is rotated, the fins 144, 146 facilitate wringing.
Optionally, seals, gaskets, washers or drip guards (collectively “seals”) 136 may be provided around the window 134 in the sleeve assembly 130 through which the button 140 extends. Alternatively, such seals may be attached to the button. An exemplary seal is a resilient border (e.g., a grommet) that occupies space between edges of the window 134 and the button. Such seals prevent or reduce liquid from dripping from the mop head 170 through the window 134 onto a user's hands. Such seals are optional, and seals other than grommets may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
A jaw 162 is removably attached to the core 156 of the mop head jaw assembly 150. The core 156 and jaw 162 comprise a pair of opposed jaws. The core 156 includes a plurality of teeth 158. Likewise, the jaw 162 includes a plurality of teeth 164. The teeth 164 of the jaw 162 extend towards spaces between the teeth 158 of the core 156, when the jaw 162 is attached to the core 156. Opposed teeth are arranged in an interdigitating pattern, with one set of teeth extending towards spaces between opposed teeth. Optionally, the jaw 162 includes ribs 165 aligned with each tooth for lateral tooth support and additional frictional engagement of mop head strands. The exemplary ribs 165 are humps or half cylinder protrusions. Other shaped protrusions, such as cubic structures and thin walls may be used in lieu of or in addition to humps
The jaw 162 is mechanically attached to the core 156. Mechanical attachments such as snap fit couplings, fasteners (e.g., screws) and the like may be utilized to removably secure the jaw 162 to the core 156. Removal of the jaw 162 from the core 156 is required to conveniently remove and install a new mop head 170.
In the illustrated example, snap fit couplings are provided to secure the jaw 162 to the core 156. The snap fit couplings include a pair of cantilever snap fit pins 166, 167, each having a tapered hook at the tip. The hook engages an aligned shelf in a mating port 168, 169 of the core 156. A slight deflection of the pin 166, 167 using a screwdriver is sufficient to separate the hook from the shelf and release the pin 166, 167 from the port 168, 169. To reinstall (re-attach) the jaw 162, the jaw 162 is urged towards the core 156, with the pins 166, 167 aligned with the ports 168, 169, until the hooks engage the shelves. The taper of the hooks at the ends of the pins 166, 167 urges the hooks around the shelves during installation.
When the jaw 162 is installed (i.e., attached to the core 156), a gap remains between the opposed teeth 158, 164. The gap is required to accommodate the engaged central portion (often a band-like seam) of a mop head. The distance between the longest opposed teeth (i.e., the minimum distance between opposed teeth) is about no greater than 1 inch, preferably no greater than 0.75 inches, and more preferably about 0.4 to 0.7 inches. The height of each tooth is preferably no greater than such distance, and more preferably less than such distance. In the illustrated embodiment, teeth near the center are longer than teeth on each side of the center. This arrangement provides greater space to accommodate a bunched-up mop seam.
Any dimensions are provided as approximate dimensions for an embodiment. Dimensions may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Varied dimensions that do not substantially impair utility of the invention come within the spirit and scope of the invention. Subject to the foregoing, unless otherwise specified herein, any claimed dimensions may be varied by at least ±5% without departing from the scope of the invention.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the components and steps of the invention, including variations in order, form, content, function and manner of operation, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The above description and drawings are illustrative of modifications that can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.
This application is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/378,682 filed Oct. 7, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein and made a part hereof by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63378682 | Oct 2022 | US |
