Tool handles having stationary and rotational portions

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 11926032
  • Patent Number
    11,926,032
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, September 21, 2021
    2 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 12, 2024
    2 months ago
Abstract
A tool is provided. The tool includes a pole defining an axis and a handle. The handle includes a stationary and rotational portion, the stationary and rotational portions forming a unitary assembly with the stationary and rotational portions being adjacent one another along the axis. The stationary portion is secured to the pole in a manner that prevents it from rotating with respect to the pole and in a manner prevents the stationary portion from translational movement with respect to the pole along the axis. The rotational portion is secured to the stationary portion that allows the rotational portion to freely rotate with respect to the pole about the axis and with respect to the stationary portion and in a manner that prevents the rotational portion from translational movement with respect to the pole and the stationary portion along the axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is related to tool handles. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to tool handles that have stationary and rotational portions.


Various tools such as, but not limited to, cleaning tools (e.g., mops) are used in many commercial and/or residential settings together with poles. In some instances, the tool includes a handle or grip (hereinafter “handle”) on one or more locations of the pole where the user places their hand(s). The handle can provide improved comfort, improved grip, and other attributes.


Often, the use of the tool requires movement of the pole in a number of different directions. As a result of the above, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for handles that have both stationary and rotational portions in order to overcome, alleviate, and/or mitigate one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art handles.


Accordingly, while existing tools and tool handles are suitable for their intended purpose the need for improvement remains, particularly in providing a tool or a tool handle having the features described herein.


SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a tool is provided. The tool includes a pole defining an axis and a first handle. The first handle includes both a first stationary portion and a first rotational portion, the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion forming a unitary assembly with the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the axis. The first stationary portion is secured to the pole in a manner that prevents the first stationary portion from rotational movement with respect to the pole about the axis and in a manner prevents the first stationary portion from translational movement with respect to the pole along the axis. The first rotational portion is secured to the first stationary portion in a manner that allows the first rotational portion to freely rotate with respect to the pole about the axis and with respect to the first stationary portion and in a manner that prevents the first rotational portion from translational movement with respect to the pole and the first stationary portion along the axis.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle is positioned so that the first stationary portion is at a top of the pole.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle is positioned so that the first rotational portion is at a top of the pole.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle is at region other than the top of the pole.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, a second handle is provided having a second stationary portion and a second rotational portion. The second stationary portion and the second rotational portion forming a second unitary assembly with the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the axis. The second stationary portion is coupled to the pole at a region other than the top of the pole.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle further comprises an activation trigger.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the activation trigger is positioned on the first rotational portion.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, wherein the activation trigger is positioned on the first stationary portion.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle further comprises a rotational coupler, the rotational coupler securing the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion to one another.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first stationary portion has a length of between 2-4 inches.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first stationary portion has a length of about 2 inches.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first rotational portion has a length along the axis that is between 4-6 inches.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion have a common outer diameter.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the pole is a straight pole or a bent pole.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the pole is a fixed length pole or a telescoping pole.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the first handle further comprises one or more gripping regions positioned and/or configured to assist in gripping of the handle.


In accordance with another embodiment a method of moving a tool back-and-forth, is provided. The method includes positioning an upper hand on an upper handle of a pole so that a first portion of the upper hand grasps a stationary portion of the upper handle and a second portion of the upper hand grasps a rotational portion of the upper handle. A lower hand is positioned on a lower handle of the pole so that a first portion of the lower hand grasps a stationary portion of the lower handle and a second portion of the lower hand grasps a rotational portion of the lower handle. The user switches between grasping the stationary and/or rotational portions of the upper and/or lower handles by adjusting which of the first and second portions of the upper and/or lower hands applies pressure to the upper and/or lower handles, respectively.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises using only the first portion of the upper and lower hands to apply pressure to only the stationary portions of the upper and lower handles.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises using only the second portion of the upper and lower hands to apply pressure to only the rotational portions of the upper and lower handles.


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises: using only the first portion of the lower hand to apply pressure to only the stationary portion of the lower handle; and using only the second portion of the upper hand to apply pressure to only the rotational portion of the upper handle


In some embodiments either alone or together with any one or more of the aforementioned and/or after-mentioned embodiments, the switching step comprises using only the second portion of the lower hand to apply pressure to only the rotational portion of the lower handle; and using only the first portion of the upper hand to apply pressure to only the stationary portion of the upper handle.


The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.





DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool having a bent or offset pole in use with exemplary embodiments of top and middle handles according to the present disclosure;



FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tool having a straight pole in use with the top and middle handles of FIG. 1;



FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the top handle of FIGS. 1 and 2;



FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the middle handle of FIGS. 1 and 2;



FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the top handle of FIG. 3;



FIG. 6 is a perspective, partially exploded view of the top handle of FIG. 3;



FIG. 7 is a sectional, partially exploded view of the top handle of FIG. 3;



FIG. 8 is a perspective exploded view of the middle handle of FIG. 4; and



FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a back-and-forth cleaning path of the tool of FIG. 1.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-2, exemplary embodiments of handles according to the present disclosure are shown and are generally referred to by reference numeral 10. Advantageously, handles 10 have both a stationary portion 12 and a rotational portion 14, which have been found by the present disclosure to provide enhanced utility by allowing the user more gripping and use choices than previously possible.


Handles 10 are shown in use with a pole 16 having a tool 18. For ease of discussion, tool 18 is shown as cleaning implement as disclosed in Applicant's own U.S. application Ser. No. 15/238,262, which is incorporated herein by reference. Of course, it should be recognized that handles 10 are contemplated for use with any desired tool. Similarly, pole 16 is shown for ease of discussion as being either a bent/offset pole (FIG. 1) or a straight pole (FIG. 2). Of course, it should also be recognized that handles 10 are contemplated for use with any desired pole, including fixed length poles or telescoping poles. In this illustrative embodiment, the tool 18 includes a flat mop 100 configured to receive a cleaning cloth 102. The flat mop 100 attaches to the pole 16 by a universal joint 104 having a first pivot axis 106 and a second pivot axis 108. A rear facing agent dispensing device 110 is arranged to dispense a cleaning agent from a reservoir 112. Advantageously, the tool 18 is easily configurable to dispense the cleaning agent under the force of gravity from the reservoir 112. The universal joint 104 is, preferably, rotatable about the two axes 106, 108 to improve the ease of use of tool 18. In some embodiments, joint 22 is configured so that at least one of the two axes 106, 108 is lockable to improve the ease of use of tool 18. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for the universal joint 104 to have unrestrained movement and, thus, to lack any lock. The agent dispensing device 110 is illustrated as part of an agent dispensing system to dispense the cleaning agent from the reservoir 112 proximate a leading edge of the flat mop 100 in a pull direction.


Handles 10 are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 with two different variants, namely as a top handle 20, shown in more detail in FIG. 3 and a middle handle 22, shown in more detail in FIG. 4. Top handle 20 and middle handle 22 each include stationary portion 12 and rotational portion 14.


Additionally, top handle 20 includes an activation trigger 24 that can be operatively connected to one or more portions of tool 18. In the illustrated embodiment, trigger 24 is positioned on the rotational portion 14. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for trigger 24 to be positioned on the stationary portion 12. Alternately in another embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for top handle 20 to lack any trigger. Moreover and although not shown, in still further embodiments it is contemplated by the present disclosure for middle handle 22 to include a trigger positioned on either stationary or rotational portions 12, 14.


In some embodiments, handles 20, 22 can include one or more gripping regions 26. Gripping regions 26 can be formed of material that provides increased friction, provides softer materials than pole 16, provides raised or textured areas, provides a diameter large enough for comfortable gripping as pole 16 can of the be too small to easily hold, or any other attribute to assist in gripping. For example, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for handles 10 to be made of any desired material. For example, handles 20, 22 can be made of plastics such as, but not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and others, and can include one or more thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) gripping regions 26.


Top handle 20 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Top handle 20 includes stationary portion 12, rotational portion 14, and a rotational coupler 30. Rotational coupler 30 secures stationary and rotational portions 12, 14 to one another so as to allow the portions to freely rotate with respect to one another about a longitudinal axis (A), but prevents translational movement of the portions with respect to one another along the axis (A). Stationary portion 12 is secured to pole 16 in a manner that prevents rotation about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement along the axis (A).


As used herein, the terms “freely rotate” and “free rotation” shall mean rotate at a torque of less than about 15 kg-mm, with less than 10 kg-mm being desired, and less than 3 kg-mm being desired.


In one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, portions 12, 14 have a length (L1, L2) along the axis (A) that is sufficient to allow the user to grip the respective portion. In some embodiments, stationary portion 12 has a length (L1) of between 2 to 4 inches, while rotational portion 14 has a length (L2) of between 4 to 6 inches with between 4 to 5 inches being desired.


Here, the present application has found that—particularly in middle handle 22—that the length (L1) of stationary portion 12 need not be sufficient to receive the entire hand of the user. Rather, it has been determined that length (L2) of stationary portion 12 of middle handle 22 having enough length to receive one or two fingers (i.e., about 2 inches) provides sufficient area for the user to control tool 18 by preventing rotation when desired. For example, positioning of stationary and rotational portions 12, 14 into a unitary assembly immediately adjacent one another allows the user to have their hand bridge the two portions so that some fingers are on the stationary portion 12 and others are on the rotational portion 14. In this manner, the user can switch between grasping the stationary portion 12 and grasping the rotational portion 14 by merely adjusting which of their fingers is applying pressure to the handles 20, 22. In some embodiments, portions 12, 14 are configured with outer diameters that are common to allow easy transition between the two portions and/or to allow for grasping of both portions with different fingers of the same hand.


During assembly, rotational coupler 30 is inserted into a bore 32 of stationary portion 12. Coupler 30 is fixedly secured to rotational portion 14 so as to secure portions 12, 14 to one another in allow free rotation about axis (A), but prevent translational movement of the portions along axis (A). For example, coupler 30 can have screws 34 passed through the coupler and into nuts 36 held by rotational portion 14.


Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for portions 12, 14 to be secured to one another in any desired manner that is sufficient to allow free rotation of the portions with respect to one another about the axis (A), but to prevent translational movement of the portions with respect to one another along the axis (A).


Finally, stationary portion 12 is secured to pole 16. In the illustrated embodiment, stationary portion 12 includes a stationary coupler 38 that receives a rivet or other mechanical fastener (not shown) to secure the stationary portion to pole 16 in a manner that prevents rotation about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement along the axis (A). Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for stationary portion 12 to be secured to pole 16 in any desired manner that is sufficient to prevent rotation about the axis (A) and prevent translational movement along the axis (A) such as, but not limited to, a press fit, an adhesive connection, a welded connection, and any others.


Middle handle 22 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8. Middle handle 22 includes stationary portion 12, rotational portion 14, and a fixing coupler 40. Coupler 40 captures rotational portion 14 between the coupler and stationary portion 12 so as to allow the portions 12, 14 to freely rotate with respect to one another about axis (A), but to prevent translational movement of the portions 12, 14 along the axis (A).


Additionally, stationary portion 12 is secured to pole 16 in a manner that prevents rotation of the stationary portion about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement of the stationary portion along the axis (A). In the illustrated embodiment, stationary portion 12 includes a stationary coupler 38 that receives a rivet or other mechanical fastener (not shown) to secure stationary portion 12 to pole 16. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for stationary portion 12 to be secured to pole 16 in any desired manner that is sufficient to prevent rotation about the axis (A) and prevent translational movement along the axis (A) such as, but not limited to, a press fit, an adhesive connection, a welded connection, and any others.


Similarly, coupler 40 receives a rivet or other mechanical fastener (not shown) to secure the coupler 40 to pole 16 in a manner that prevents rotation about the axis (A) and prevents translational movement along the axis (A). Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for coupler 40 to be secured to pole 16 in any desired manner that is sufficient to prevent rotation about the axis (A) and prevent translational movement along the axis (A) such as, but not limited to, a press fit, an adhesive connection, a welded connection, and any others. In this manner, rotational portion 14 is freely rotatably between coupler 40 and stationary portion 12 in a desired position on pole 16.


During assembly, stationary portion 12 includes a region 42 that is inserted into a bore 44 of rotational portion 14. Coupler 40 and stationary portion 12 are fixedly secured to pole 16 so as to secure rotational portion 14 between the coupler and the stationary portion.


Advantageously, stationary portion 12 remains in the preset position on pole 16 without rotation about axis (A) or translation along axis (A), while rotational portion 14 remains in the preset position on pole 16 without translational movement along axis (A), but in a manner that allows free rotation about axis (A). Moreover, portions 12, 14 have lengths (L1, L2) that allow either portion to be grasped by the user. It has been determined by the present disclosure that handles 20, 22 allow the user to grip tool 18 in a plurality of combinations not previously possible.


Handles 10 of the present disclosure find use with pole 16 configured as the bent/offset pole and tool 18 that requires a back-and-forth cleaning path such as in FIG. 1. The back-and-forth cleaning path is shown in FIG. 9, where tool 18 is pulled along a surface being cleaned while the leading edge (Le) of the tool 18 is moved back-and-forth. The back-and-forth motion can be efficient for cleaning large areas. The ease of movement of tool 18, or lack thereof, can be magnified in instances where the total surface area of the surface being cleaned/conditioned is large—either by virtue of there being a single large surface or multiple smaller surfaces. Handles 10 of the present disclosure have been found to reduce fatigue by improving the efficiency of motion by increasing the use of larger muscle groups when cleaning is desired when cleaning/conditioning surfaces by providing more flexibility to meet each user's particular method of inducing the back-and-forth cleaning path.


Specifically, it has surprisingly been found by the present disclosure that different users induce the same back-and-forth cleaning path with such bent/offset poles 16 in very different manners—such that providing handles 20, 22 both with stationary and rotational portions 12, 14 has been found to particularly suited to maximize the gripping options for the users. For example, some users exclusively make use of rotational portion 14 of both handles 20, 22 to induce the back-and-forth cleaning path. Other users primarily make use of stationary portion 12 of middle handle 22 to induce the back-and-forth cleaning path while gripping rotational portion 14 of upper handle 20 so that the upper handle rotates freely. Still other users primarily make use of stationary portion 12 of top handle 20 to induce the back-and-forth cleaning path while gripping rotational portion 14 of middle handle 22 so that the middle handle rotates freely. Still other users make primary use of stationary portions 12 of both top and middle handles 20, 22.


Advantageously, handles 20, 22 allow the end user to determine which combination of stationary/rotational portions 12, 14 to use for each of the handles works best for them to create the desired back-and-forth motion. Further, handles 20, 22 allow the end user to easily adjust the stationary/rotational grip for each of the handles without having to significantly change hand position, which improved ergonomics and reduced fatigue.


Handles 20, 22 are further configured, due to the integration of both stationary and rotational portions 12, 14 into a unitary assembly immediately adjacent one another, so that the user can allow their hand to bridge stationary and rotational portions 12, 14 so that some fingers are on the stationary portion and others are on the rotational portion. In this manner, the user can switch between grasping the stationary portion 12 and the rotational portion 14 by merely adjusting which of their fingers is applying pressure to the handles 20, 22.


Moreover, it has been found by the present disclosure that use of only handles that freely rotate creates issues when utilizing tool 18 in cleaning tasks that do not require the back-and-forth motion—such as in tight spaces (e.g., around table legs, chairs, and the like) and/or during scrubbing tasks. As used herein, scrubbing tasks are intended to define tasks that require the user to apply an additional force along the axis (A) to increase the localized force between tool 18 and the surface being cleaned.


Here, use of stationary portion 12 of both handles 20, 22 provides the user increased control of tool 18, which can be particularly useful in tight spaces and scrubbing tasks. Again, the ease with which the user can switch between grasping stationary portion 12 and rotational portion 14 on each of handles 20, 22 provides increased ease than previously possible.


Although various attributes of assembly are described herein with respect to different embodiments, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for the assembly to include any of the attributes described herein in any desired combination.


It should also be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.


While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated.

Claims
  • 1. A tool comprising: a bent pole defining a first axis and a second axis wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis;a flat mop attached to the bent pole by a universal joint, the universal joint having two different rotational axes, the flat mop having a leading edge;an agent dispensing system having a reservoir and a rear facing agent dispensing device, the reservoir being configured to contain a cleaning agent, the rear facing agent dispensing device being arranged on the bent pole proximate the flat mop, wherein the reservoir connects to the rear facing agent dispensing device to dispense the cleaning agent;a first handle arranged at a top of the bent pole along the second axis, the first handle having a first stationary portion defining a bore and a first rotational portion, the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion forming a first assembly with the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the second axis;a second handle situated closer to the first handle than the flat mop, the second handle having a second stationary portion and a second rotational portion, the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion forming a second assembly with the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the first axis of the bent pole, wherein the second stationary portion is coupled to the bent pole at a region other than the top of the bent pole; anda rotational coupler arranged in the bore of the first stationary portion,wherein the first stationary portion includes a stationary coupler, wherein the stationary coupler is configured to be secured to the bent pole to prevent rotation of the first stationary portion about the second axis of the bent pole and configured to prevent translational movement of the first stationary portion along the second axis of the bent pole, andwherein the first rotational portion is secured to the first stationary portion by the rotational coupler, and wherein the first rotational portion and the rotational coupler are configured to freely rotate with respect to both of the bent pole about the second axis and the first stationary portion and the rotational coupler is configured to prevent the first rotational portion from translational movement with respect to the bent pole and the first stationary portion along the second axis,wherein, in use, the universal joint and the first handle are configured to cause the leading edge of the flat mop to be at a forward position in a direction of cleaning during a back-and-forth cleaning path and the rear facing agent dispensing device is configured to dispense the cleaning agent in front of the leading edge in the direction of cleaning.
  • 2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first handle is positioned so that the first stationary portion is at the top of the bent pole.
  • 3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the second handle includes a fixing coupler, wherein the fixing coupler is configured to allow the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion to freely rotate with respect to one another about the first axis and to prevent translational movement of the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion along the first axis.
  • 4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first handle further comprises an activation trigger.
  • 5. The tool of claim 4, wherein the activation trigger is positioned on the first rotational portion.
  • 6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first stationary portion has a length of between 2-4 inches.
  • 7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is attached to the pole.
  • 8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first rotational portion has a length along the second axis that is between 4-6 inches.
  • 9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion have a common outer diameter.
  • 10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the bent pole is a fixed length pole.
  • 11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first handle further comprises one or more gripping regions, wherein at least one of the one or more gripping regions is positioned and configured to assist in gripping of the first handle.
  • 12. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a cleaning cloth attached to the flat mop.
  • 13. A tool comprising: a bent pole defining a first axis and a second axis wherein the second axis is offset from the first axis;a flat mop attached to the bent pole by a universal joint, the universal joint having two different rotational axes, the flat mop having a leading edge;an agent dispensing system having a reservoir and a rear facing agent dispensing device, the reservoir being configured to contain a cleaning agent, the rear facing agent dispensing device being arranged on the bent pole proximate the flat mop, wherein the reservoir connects to the rear facing agent dispensing device to dispense the cleaning agent;a first handle arranged at a top of the bent pole along the second axis, the first handle having a first stationary portion and a first rotational portion, the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion forming an assembly with the first stationary portion and the first rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the second axis;a second handle situated closer to the first handle than the flat mop, the second handle having a second stationary portion and a second rotational portion, the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion forming a second assembly with the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion being immediately adjacent one another along the first axis of the bent pole, wherein the second stationary portion is coupled to the bent pole at a region other than the top of the bent pole; anda rotational coupler,wherein the first stationary portion includes a stationary coupler, wherein the stationary coupler is configured to be secured to the bent pole to prevent rotation of the first stationary portion about the second axis of the bent pole and configured to prevent translational movement of the first stationary portion along the second axis of the bent pole,wherein the first rotational portion is secured to the first stationary portion by the rotational coupler,wherein the rotational coupler is mechanically coupled to the first rotational portion such that the first rotational portion is configured to freely rotate with respect to the bent pole about the second axis and with respect to the first stationary portion, andwherein the rotational coupler is configured to prevent the first rotational portion from translational movement with respect to both of the bent pole and the first stationary portion along the second axis,wherein, in use, the universal joint and the first handle are configured to cause the leading edge of the flat mop to be at a forward position in a direction of cleaning during a back-and-forth cleaning path and the rear facing agent dispensing device is configured to dispense the cleaning agent in front of the leading edge in the direction of cleaning.
  • 14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the first handle comprises an activation trigger.
  • 15. The tool of claim 13, further comprising a cleaning cloth attached to the flat mop.
  • 16. The tool of claim 13, further comprising a screw that passes through the rotational coupler and engages with the first rotational portion.
  • 17. The tool of claim 13, wherein the second handle includes a fixing coupler, wherein the fixing coupler is configured to allow the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion to freely rotate with respect to one another about the first axis and to prevent translational movement of the second stationary portion and the second rotational portion along the first axis.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/124,809, filed on Sep. 7, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/556,605, filed on Sep. 11, 2017 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/238,262, filed on Aug. 16, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/298,155, filed on Feb. 22, 2016 and U.S. Provisional Application 62/206,072, filed on Aug. 17, 2015, and related to, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

US Referenced Citations (311)
Number Name Date Kind
359605 Harry Mar 1887 A
388934 Trapp Sep 1888 A
411673 Newman Sep 1889 A
D31801 Gardner Nov 1899 S
836115 Johnson Nov 1906 A
D43038 Gurski Sep 1912 S
1112906 Hewett Oct 1914 A
1315194 Yamamoto Sep 1919 A
1426440 Zieschang Aug 1922 A
2073170 Pieper Mar 1937 A
D114601 Hulsh May 1939 S
2187671 Suddarth Jan 1940 A
2228573 Lowe Jan 1941 A
2228574 Lowe Jan 1941 A
2237969 Olsen Apr 1941 A
2340530 Hefner Feb 1944 A
2426373 Ogawa et al. Aug 1947 A
2518984 William Aug 1950 A
2575124 Pollitt Nov 1951 A
2815522 Hexter Dec 1957 A
D186360 Lathrop et al. Oct 1959 S
2923018 Matthay Feb 1960 A
3039126 Kessler Jun 1962 A
3238822 Zuracki Mar 1966 A
3436772 Stebbins Apr 1969 A
3457016 Gotberg Jul 1969 A
3510028 Batistelli May 1970 A
4088252 Grunberger May 1978 A
D262936 Nishiyama Feb 1982 S
4324012 Cannaday Apr 1982 A
D268447 Sudduth Mar 1983 S
D274565 Smith et al. Jul 1984 S
4704758 Hoffman Nov 1987 A
4733812 Lewis et al. Mar 1988 A
4769869 Benitez Sep 1988 A
4809388 Dietrich Mar 1989 A
D300506 Pedone Apr 1989 S
4863299 Osberghaus Sep 1989 A
D306924 Shapton Mar 1990 S
D307657 Li May 1990 S
D311254 Clair Oct 1990 S
D317108 Cochran May 1991 S
D321422 Smith Nov 1991 S
5133101 Hauser et al. Jul 1992 A
D334694 McCoy Apr 1993 S
D339918 Chamberlain Oct 1993 S
D341234 Blessing Nov 1993 S
D341941 Stokes Dec 1993 S
D346543 Berti May 1994 S
5368549 McVicker Nov 1994 A
5375286 Harrah Dec 1994 A
5553759 McMaster Sep 1996 A
5581839 Ferrell, Jr. Dec 1996 A
5632429 Cantwell May 1997 A
5671872 Daniels, Jr. Sep 1997 A
D387208 Collett Dec 1997 S
5720071 Hall Feb 1998 A
5771535 Blessing Jun 1998 A
5791006 Anctil Aug 1998 A
5823414 Gal Oct 1998 A
D401703 Beechuk et al. Nov 1998 S
D403447 Parsons Dec 1998 S
D404282 Hsu Jan 1999 S
5888006 Ping Mar 1999 A
D411673 Biggs et al. Jun 1999 S
5920944 Biggs Jul 1999 A
5927058 Hsu Jul 1999 A
D412783 You Aug 1999 S
5954253 Swetish Sep 1999 A
5954420 Smith Sep 1999 A
D416389 Frazier Nov 1999 S
D420561 Kunkler Feb 2000 S
6023924 Babineau Feb 2000 A
6105194 Rudolph Aug 2000 A
6170112 Mayfield Jan 2001 B1
D438113 Wadsworth Feb 2001 S
6199245 Blessing Mar 2001 B1
D440837 Hart Apr 2001 S
6378922 Troudt Apr 2002 B1
D458427 Kunkler et al. Jun 2002 S
D458721 Clarke Jun 2002 S
6397427 Bryngelsson Jun 2002 B1
6449803 McConchie Sep 2002 B1
6487747 Cavalheiro Dec 2002 B2
6497525 Huang Dec 2002 B1
6540424 Hall Apr 2003 B1
6550998 Fernschild Apr 2003 B1
6551001 Aberegg Apr 2003 B2
6579023 Kunkler Jun 2003 B2
D480188 Blouse' Sep 2003 S
6612768 Zorzo Sep 2003 B2
D481290 Thompson Oct 2003 S
D482829 Vosbikian et al. Nov 2003 S
6651853 Higgins Nov 2003 B2
6655866 Morad Dec 2003 B1
6659670 Blouse Dec 2003 B1
6663306 Policicchio Dec 2003 B2
6669391 Policicchio Dec 2003 B2
D485954 Hall et al. Jan 2004 S
6695516 Defields Feb 2004 B2
6722806 Kunkler Apr 2004 B2
6726388 Monahan Apr 2004 B1
D490561 Angeletta May 2004 S
6799916 Fernschild Oct 2004 B2
6814466 Parsons et al. Nov 2004 B2
6854911 Policicchio Feb 2005 B2
6854912 Dyer Feb 2005 B2
D505762 Lalanne May 2005 S
6889917 Fahy May 2005 B2
6892915 Mares May 2005 B2
6893180 Hall May 2005 B2
6899485 Hall May 2005 B2
6951430 Fernschild Oct 2005 B2
6953299 Wang Oct 2005 B2
6955490 Chase Oct 2005 B2
6960042 Hsiao Nov 2005 B1
6964535 Bell Nov 2005 B2
D514267 Tsai Jan 2006 S
6981533 Zorzo Jan 2006 B2
6986618 Hall Jan 2006 B2
6986619 Hall Jan 2006 B2
7004658 Hall Feb 2006 B2
7040510 Hester May 2006 B1
7048458 Hall May 2006 B2
7048804 Kisela May 2006 B2
7056050 Sacks Jun 2006 B2
7120962 Petner Oct 2006 B2
7121598 Pourtier et al. Oct 2006 B2
7160044 Dyer Jan 2007 B2
7163349 Policicchio Jan 2007 B2
D536850 Sacks Feb 2007 S
7172099 Hofte Feb 2007 B2
7191486 Michelson Mar 2007 B1
D542492 Chang May 2007 S
D542493 Berti May 2007 S
D547508 Thomas Jul 2007 S
D547554 Ajluni et al. Jul 2007 S
D548909 Murray Aug 2007 S
D552314 Harper et al. Oct 2007 S
7341389 Chase Mar 2008 B2
D568567 Baumkirchner et al. May 2008 S
7373708 Stable et al. May 2008 B2
D574741 Gadsden Aug 2008 S
7431524 Sacks Oct 2008 B2
D583118 Snyder Dec 2008 S
D586514 Perelli Feb 2009 S
D590117 Crawford Apr 2009 S
D592819 Crawford May 2009 S
D597269 McNeil et al. Jul 2009 S
D602664 Crawford Oct 2009 S
D604610 Ames et al. Nov 2009 S
7618206 Sacks Nov 2009 B2
7621686 Fernschild Nov 2009 B2
D607165 Libman et al. Dec 2009 S
D608885 Sneddon et al. Jan 2010 S
7653958 Rosenzweig Feb 2010 B2
D611668 Wessel Mar 2010 S
7670073 Fernschild Mar 2010 B2
D614824 Heidel et al. Apr 2010 S
7699551 Suda Apr 2010 B2
7708485 Tanaka May 2010 B2
7722273 Tanaka May 2010 B2
D618411 Crawford Jun 2010 S
D623071 Driskell et al. Sep 2010 S
7794165 Balz Sep 2010 B2
D628352 Libman et al. Nov 2010 S
D629984 Carlson Dec 2010 S
7850384 Sacks Dec 2010 B2
D634497 Robertson et al. Mar 2011 S
D636262 Michitsuji et al. Apr 2011 S
D639661 Llerena Jun 2011 S
7992258 Stitser Aug 2011 B1
D648466 Hickman Nov 2011 S
8069520 Mattucci Dec 2011 B2
8079770 Widmer Dec 2011 B2
8162194 Gleason Apr 2012 B2
D660533 Hill May 2012 S
D660667 Miyazaki May 2012 S
D661036 Raven May 2012 S
8186898 Bradbury May 2012 B2
D661442 Kandasamy Jun 2012 S
8205293 Rosenzweig Jun 2012 B2
8241427 Crawford et al. Aug 2012 B1
8267607 Harris Sep 2012 B2
8375499 Marino Feb 2013 B1
D680701 Carlson Apr 2013 S
8425137 Sampaio Apr 2013 B1
8449212 Crawford May 2013 B2
D685968 Smith Jul 2013 S
D694483 Hines Nov 2013 S
8596896 Kimura Dec 2013 B2
D699412 Smith Feb 2014 S
8641309 Perry Feb 2014 B2
D700521 Finlay Mar 2014 S
8662778 Crawford Mar 2014 B2
8667637 Vrdoljak Mar 2014 B2
8672203 Staudecker Mar 2014 B2
8807858 Fitzpatrick Aug 2014 B2
8834053 Van Landingham, Jr. Sep 2014 B2
8844088 Garcia Castillo Sep 2014 B2
D718011 Lentine Nov 2014 S
8894315 Dingert Nov 2014 B2
8927480 Williams Jan 2015 B2
D722857 Huang Feb 2015 S
8973200 Mallett Mar 2015 B2
9004563 Buzby Apr 2015 B2
D731244 Kohl Jun 2015 S
D731321 Farrell et al. Jun 2015 S
9044132 Kaminer Jun 2015 B2
D739484 Kaye Sep 2015 S
9131824 Crawford Sep 2015 B2
D741655 Whelan et al. Oct 2015 S
D742609 Irwin Nov 2015 S
D746009 Berti Dec 2015 S
D747054 Seifts et al. Jan 2016 S
D758878 Hoeke et al. Jun 2016 S
D764129 Kindler Aug 2016 S
9420933 Kellis Aug 2016 B1
D770848 Wilson et al. Nov 2016 S
D775893 Buckley et al. Jan 2017 S
D784085 Langston Apr 2017 S
D790279 Izen Jun 2017 S
D790342 Farrell et al. Jun 2017 S
D792044 Harrington Jul 2017 S
D794890 Hoyle Aug 2017 S
D795694 Yefrernow Aug 2017 S
9743819 Davidshofer Aug 2017 B2
D796366 Talamo Sep 2017 S
9795268 Hoyle Oct 2017 B2
D806338 Metzel et al. Dec 2017 S
D835871 Breit et al. Dec 2018 S
D858020 Gooden Aug 2019 S
20020144369 Biggs Oct 2002 A1
20020174641 Biggs Nov 2002 A1
20030000036 Fan Jan 2003 A1
20030009839 Streutker et al. Jan 2003 A1
20030052204 Aberegg Mar 2003 A1
20030089383 Biggs May 2003 A1
20030103795 Hollars et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030126710 Policicchio Jul 2003 A1
20030150478 Biggs Aug 2003 A1
20030200631 Clarke Oct 2003 A1
20040046628 Hofte et al. Mar 2004 A1
20040047670 Martin Mar 2004 A1
20040055099 Greenberg Mar 2004 A1
20040071490 Vosbikian Apr 2004 A1
20040134016 Kisela Jul 2004 A1
20040134955 Williams Jul 2004 A1
20040141797 Garabedian Jul 2004 A1
20040141798 Garabedian et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040146333 Fu Jul 2004 A1
20040173656 Seong Sep 2004 A1
20040178224 Fahy et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040223803 Fahy Nov 2004 A1
20050050689 Biggs Mar 2005 A1
20050058500 Hall et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050089360 Garabedian, Jr. Apr 2005 A1
20050095053 Harris May 2005 A1
20050191116 Flanery Sep 2005 A1
20050205634 Han Sep 2005 A1
20050251943 Van Landingham Nov 2005 A1
20050274766 Cheng Dec 2005 A1
20060008317 Livingstone Jan 2006 A1
20060039743 Mensink Feb 2006 A1
20060110207 Augustinus Hofte et al. Mar 2006 A1
20060151558 Higgins Jul 2006 A1
20060200924 Hampton Sep 2006 A1
20060207042 Di Paolo Sep 2006 A1
20060213017 Bele Sep 2006 A1
20060222441 Tanaka Oct 2006 A1
20060245820 Kresse et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060280546 Dyer Dec 2006 A1
20070020040 Sacks Jan 2007 A1
20070140774 Dyer Jun 2007 A1
20070231046 Whiffen Oct 2007 A1
20070295758 Foster et al. Dec 2007 A1
20080038045 Hofte et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080107471 Fitzpatrick et al. May 2008 A1
20090176683 Choe et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090183591 Jesse Jul 2009 A1
20100116861 Burrowes May 2010 A1
20110064513 Landingham Mar 2011 A1
20110158740 Kandasamy Jun 2011 A1
20110247157 Caillou Oct 2011 A1
20110309124 Dubois Dec 2011 A1
20120133161 Mitchell May 2012 A1
20120227763 Hayes Sep 2012 A1
20120255138 Dingert Oct 2012 A1
20120304408 Crawford Dec 2012 A1
20130056467 Shepard et al. Mar 2013 A1
20130263398 Irwin et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130291893 Stokes Nov 2013 A1
20140317868 Fitzpatrick Oct 2014 A1
20150082570 Davidshofer Mar 2015 A1
20150101140 Pierce Apr 2015 A1
20150246440 Balestrieri Sep 2015 A1
20160001442 Buzby Jan 2016 A1
20160198925 Hoyle Jul 2016 A1
20160345793 Hansen Dec 2016 A1
20160374256 Chou Dec 2016 A1
20160374532 Patterson et al. Dec 2016 A1
20170014986 Chou Jan 2017 A1
20170049291 Harrington et al. Feb 2017 A1
20170049292 Harrington et al. Feb 2017 A1
20170157762 Monahan et al. Jun 2017 A1
20170296024 Zhu Oct 2017 A1
20180103819 Hoyle Apr 2018 A1
20190001480 Harrington et al. Jan 2019 A1
20190090715 Wildeman et al. Mar 2019 A1
20200009715 Moreau et al. Jan 2020 A1
20210228052 Harrington et al. Jul 2021 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (19)
Number Date Country
3544694 Jul 2006 CN
202060407 Dec 2011 CN
202960407 Jun 2013 CN
204158328 Feb 2015 CN
303214007 May 2015 CN
105266731 Jan 2016 CN
1761155 Mar 2007 EP
2381230 Apr 2003 GB
D1400629 Oct 2010 JP
D1524718 Apr 2015 JP
D1545354 Mar 2016 JP
3004899850000 May 2008 KR
3006913060000 May 2013 KR
WO199823385 Jun 1998 WO
2006002655 Jan 2006 WO
2008137414 Nov 2008 WO
D098967003 Dec 2017 WO
D098967005 Dec 2017 WO
D098967006 Dec 2017 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (10)
Entry
Amazon.com: Unger NCAN ErgoTec OptiLoc Tele-Pole Locking Cone, reviews 2016, https://www.amazon.com/Unger-NCAN-ErgoTec-OptiLoc-Tele-Pole/dp/B000FJH5SQ/ref . . . site visited Jun. 18, 2019.
AmazonSmile: Spray Mops for Floor Cleaning-New Leader, website 2017, https://smile.amazon.com/Cleaning-New-Leader-Professional-Degree-Hardwood/dp/B077N . . . site visted Jan. 5, 2018.
Bell® Pump™ 300 Blue BMX, website 2018, site visited Aug. 29, 2018, https://www.walmart.com..=nul&athznid=tic&athieid=v0&athstid=CS020&ATHGUID=4660015-F02e92b6-c338c201a4714605&athena=true.
Pole Part—Unger—TelepPlus, ABC Window Cleaning website2018, https://www.window-cleaning-supply.com/pole-part-unger-teleplus-plus 4-grip/, site visited Sep. 4, 2018.
Staples download, Excella Floor Cleaning Kit, 2018 article reference, https://www.quill.com/unger-excella-microfiber-floor-cleaning-kit-18-holder-efkt1/cbs/55135444.html, site visited Aug. 27, 2019.
Telescopic Pole—4-8′ H-1920—Uline, website 2019, https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-1920/Mops-Squeegees-and-Carts/Telescopic-Pole-4-8?keywords=telescopic+pole+-+4-8%27, sited visited Jun. 18, 2019.
Unger erGO! Clean Floor Cleaning Kit Flap Mop, Unger Germany website 2016, https://www.ungerglobal.com/en/ergo-clean-floor-cleaning-kit-flat-mop, site visited Aug. 27, 2019.
Unger erGO! clean floor cleaning kit, website 2016, https://www.ungerglobal.com/en/ergo-clean-floor-cleaning-kit-pocketmop, site visited Jan. 18, 2018.
Unger erGO! Clean Mopping Kit PRO-BCHS website 2019, https://www.bunzlchs.com/Janitorial/Flat-Mopping/Other-Flat-Mopping-Systems/Unger-erGO-Clean-Mopping-Kit-PRO-p-018404, site visited Aug. 27, 2019.
Unger mop video, video date Sep. 19, 2017, site visited Jan. 18, 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G42VJEfJTrs.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20220001528 A1 Jan 2022 US
Provisional Applications (3)
Number Date Country
62556605 Sep 2017 US
62298155 Feb 2016 US
62206072 Aug 2015 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 16124809 Sep 2018 US
Child 17480400 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 15238262 Aug 2016 US
Child 16124809 US