U.S. patent application number 09/809238 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-16 for mop, mop element and mop element assembly.
Invention is credited to Specht, Paul B..
Application Number | 20010013150 09/809238 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24335298 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010013150 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Specht, Paul B. |
August 16, 2001 |
Mop, mop element and mop element assembly
Abstract
Disclosed is a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop element, and
an operating member that is axially movable along a portion of the
shaft between a range of mopping positions and a latch position.
One end portion of the mop element is retained in a fixed position
at one end of the shaft, the other end portion of the mop element
is retained at one end of the operating member with an intermediate
mopping portion formed into a bight. In accordance with the
invention, the mop includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining
the operating member in the latch position. The latch mechanism
includes a detent portion and a shoulder portion. One portion is
fixedly mounted to the shaft and the other is mounted on the
operating member. Preferably, the mop is a twist mop wherein the
operating member is relatively rotatable with respect to the shaft.
More preferably, the mop includes a ratchet mechanism for
releasably restricting relative rotation of the operating member
and shaft to one direction of rotation.
Inventors: |
Specht, Paul B.; (Wilmette,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEYDIG VOIT & MAYER, LTD
TWO PRUDENTIAL PLAZA, SUITE 4900
180 NORTH STETSON AVENUE
CHICAGO
IL
60601-6780
US
|
Family ID: |
24335298 |
Appl. No.: |
09/809238 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09809238 |
Mar 15, 2001 |
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09610043 |
Jul 5, 2000 |
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6240589 |
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09610043 |
Jul 5, 2000 |
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09112624 |
Jul 9, 1998 |
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6112358 |
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09112624 |
Jul 9, 1998 |
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PCT/US97/00472 |
Jan 10, 1997 |
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PCT/US97/00472 |
Jan 10, 1997 |
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08583952 |
Jan 11, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/120.2 ;
15/120.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25G 1/04 20130101; A47L
13/142 20130101; B25G 3/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/120.2 ;
15/120.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/142 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mop comprising: (a) an elongate shaft having an operator end
and a mop element end; (b) an operating member mounted in an
axially movable relationship to said shaft between a latch position
and a range of mopping positions; (c) a mop element of absorbent
mop material supported by said operating member and the mop element
end of said shaft and extending therebetween; and (d) a latch
mechanism including a shoulder portion and a detent portion, one of
said mechanism portions being supported on said shaft between said
ends and the other being supported on said operating member; (e)
said operating member being restrained in said latch position when
said shoulder and said detent are in an operative relationship.
2. The mop of claim 1 wherein said operating member is tubular,
said shaft is coaxially movable within said operating member, and
said operating member is retracted over a portion of said shaft
when in the latch position.
3. The mop of claim 2 wherein said shaft is round and said
operating member is tubular and is relatively rotatable with
respect to said shaft.
4. The mop of claim 3 wherein said shoulder portion is supported on
said operating member and said detent portion is supported on said
shaft.
5. The mop of claim 3 including a ratchet device having a ratchet
wheel portion and a pawl portion to releasably restrict relative
rotation of said shaft and said operating member, one of said
device portions being supported on said shaft between said ends and
the other of said portions being supported on said operating
member.
6. The mop of claim 3 including a ratchet device having a ratchet
wheel portion supported on said operating member and a pawl portion
being supported on said shaft, said ratchet device releasably
restricting relative rotation of said shaft and said operating
member to one direction.
7. The mop of claim 3 including a ratchet device having a ratchet
wheel portion and a pawl portion to releasably restrict relative
rotation of said shaft and said supporting member, each of said
device portions being operatively connected to one of said latch
mechanism portions.
8. The mop of claim 3 including a ratchet device having a ratchet
wheel portion and a pawl portion, said ratchet wheel portion being
operatively connected and moving with said shoulder portion and
said pawl portion being operatively connected to and moving with
said detent portion.
9. The mop of claim 8 including a housing secured to said shaft,
said pawl portion and said detent portion supported in said housing
and movable to and from the operative relationship with said
ratchet wheel portion and said shoulder portion, respectively.
10. The mop of claim 9 including a resilient member yieldably
urging said pawl portion and said detent portion toward the
operative relationship.
11. The mop of claim 1 wherein said mop element is elongate, has a
first end supported by said operating member, a second end
supported by said shaft, and an elongate intermediate portion made
up of a plurality of ropes.
12. The mop of claim 11 wherein said mop element is a part of a mop
element assembly having an operating member connector secured to
said first end and releasably supported by said operating member
and a shaft connector secured to said second end and releasably
supported by said shaft.
13. The mop of claim 11 wherein said intermediate portion includes
a plurality of ropes of sufficient length to extend from said first
end and define a bight portion and a reentrant portion terminating
at said second end, the bight portion comprising the mopping
portion when said operating member is in a mopping position.
14. The mop of claim 12 wherein said operating member connector is
releasably retained in said operating member by a resilient button
extending outwardly through an aperture in said operating member
and said shaft connector is releasably retained in said shaft by a
resilient button extending through an aperture in said shaft, said
connectors being axially removable upon depressing said
buttons.
15. A connector for removably supporting a moisture absorbing mop
element to a hollow mop shaft, said connector comprising: a unitary
elongate body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and
a flexible elongate bight portion; means for retaining said first
end portion and said second end portion in a side-by-side assembled
relationship with said bight portion forming a strap and said end
portions forming said body; whereby a portion of moisture absorbing
mop element may extend through said strap when said first and
second end portions are assembled in side-by-side relationship; and
means for releasably retaining said assembled unitary body to a mop
shaft.
16. The connector in accordance with claim 15, wherein said means
for retaining said first end portion and said second end portion in
side-by-side relationship comprises a pin extending from said first
end portion and a hole disposed in said second end portion for
receiving said pin and retaining said first end portion and said
second end portion in side-by-side relationship.
17. The connector in accordance with claim 15, wherein said
assembled body is slideably receivable within an open end of a
hollow mop shaft, and wherein said means for retaining comprises a
button for removably extending into an aperture in a wall of said
hollow mop shaft.
18. A mop element assembly comprising: a mop element; and the
connector of claim 15, wherein said first end portion and said
second end portion are assembled in side-by-side relationship,
wherein a portion of said mop element extends through said
strap.
19. The mop element assembly of claim 18, further including a
binder wrapped around a portion of said mop element to form a tuft
in said mop element.
20. A connector for removable supporting a mop element to a hollow
operating member of a mop, the mop having a shaft, the operating
member being disposed on said shaft and axially movable with
respect thereto, the connector comprising: a tubular body having an
interior portion suitably dimensioned to fit within said operating
member and an exterior portion disposed externally of said
operating member when said interior portion is disposed within said
operating member; means for supporting a mop element; and means for
removably retaining said connector to said operating member.
21. The connector of claim 20, further including means for
preventing rotation of the mop element with respect to said outer
tubular member.
22. The connector of claim 21, wherein said means for preventing
rotation comprises a tie frictionally engaging said connector.
23. The connector of claim 21, wherein said means for preventing
rotation comprises a plurality of notches extending radially away
from said connector, said notches engaging said mop element.
24. The connector of claim 20, wherein said means for retaining
comprises a flexible button for removably extending into an
aperture in a wall of said operating member.
25. A mop element assembly comprising; the connector of claim 20;
and a mop element of absorbent mop material supported thereon.
26. A mop element assembly for a mop having a hollow mop shaft
comprising: a first connector having a unitary body and an elongate
bight portion, said first connector including means for removably
retaining said body within such hollow mop shaft; a second
connector having a tubular portion for fitting around such mop
shaft and including means for removably retaining said second
connector in an axially movable relationship on said shaft; and a
moisture absorbent mop material supported by said bight portion of
said first connector and said second connector and extending
therebetween.
27. The mop of claim 10 wherein said detent portion comprises two
arcuate detents in opposed relationship whereby said shoulder is
received therebetween and said detents are urged together by said
resilient member.
28. The mop of claim 27 including squeezable finger grips
operatively connected to said detents whereby said detents are
movable out of said latch position by overcoming the force of said
resilient member.
29. A mop comprising: (a) an elongate hollow shaft having an
operator end and a mop element end; (b) a tubular operating member
mounted coaxially over said shaft for relative rotation and axial
movement between a latch position and a range of mopping positions;
(c) a mop element of absorbent mop material supported by said
operating member and the mop element end of said shaft and
extending therebetween; (d) a latch mechanism including a shoulder
portion on said operating member and a detent portion supported on
said shaft between said ends; (e) said operating member being
restrained in said latch position when said shoulder and said
detent are in an operative relationship; (f) a ratchet device
having a ratchet wheel portion supported on said operating member
and a pawl portion supported on said shaft to releasably restrict
relative rotation of said shaft and said operating member to one
direction; (g) a housing secured to said shaft, said pawl portion
and said detent portion supported in said housing and movable to
and from the operative relationship with said ratchet wheel portion
and said shoulder portion, respectively; (h) a resilient member
yieldably urging said pawl portion and said detent portion toward
the operative relationship, and (i) squeezable finger grip means
operatively connected to said detent portion whereby said detent
portion is movable out of said latch position by overcoming the
force of said resilient member.
30. A mop comprising: (a) an elongate shaft having an operator end
and a mop element and; (b) an operating member mounted in an
axially movable relationship to said shaft between a latch position
and a range of mopping positions; (c) an elongate mop element of
absorbent mop material having a first end supported by said
operating member, a second end supported by said shaft, and an
elongate intermediate portion made up of a plurality of ropes of
sufficient length to extend from said first end and define a bight
portion and a reentrant portion terminating at said second end, the
bight portion comprising the mopping portion when said operating
member is in a mopping position, said mop element comprising a part
of a mop element assembly having an operating member connector
secured to said first end and releasably supported by said
operating member and a shaft connector secured to said second end
and releasably supported by said shaft; (d) a latch mechanism
including a shoulder portion and a detent portion, one of said
mechanism portions being supported on said shaft between said ends
and the other being supported on said operating member; (e) said
operating member being restrained in said latch position when said
shoulder and said detent are in an operative relationship.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/532,952, filed Jan. 11, 1996.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates in general to mops. More particularly,
the invention pertains to mops having a shaft, a mop element, and
an operating member that supports a portion of the mop element and
that is movable with respect to the shaft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional mops include an elongate shaft having a mop
element at one end of the shaft and an operator gripping portion at
the other end of the shaft. In some commercially available mops,
the mop element may be twisted around the shaft to thereby wring
from the mop element the liquid which has been absorbed during use
of the mop. Such mops are known in the art as "twist mops."
[0004] One problem associated with prior art twist mops is that a
considerable amount of strength is required to hold the mop parts
in a wringing position and to apply the force necessary to expel
the absorbed liquid from the mop element. This is particularly true
when the mop element must be twisted through a large overall angle
of rotation. The prior art has addressed this problem by utilizing
a mop element having relatively short liquid-absorbing ropes in an
effort to reduce the overall angle of rotation. However, the use of
such relatively short strands results in the mop element having a
relatively small surface area. This is undesirable, inasmuch as the
area of contact between the mop element and the surface to be
mopped is thereby reduced.
[0005] It is a general object of the invention to provide a mop
that overcomes the shortfalls inherent in prior art mops. Another
object of the invention is to provide a twist mop having an
operating member that may be advanced for wringing in small angular
increments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides a mop having an elongate shaft, a mop
element, and an operating member that is axially movable along a
portion of the shaft over a range of travel between and a latch
position and a range of mopping positions. One portion of the mop
element is retained in a fixed position at one end of the shaft,
and another portion of the mop element is retained at one end of
the operating member. In accordance with the invention, the mop
includes a latch mechanism for axially retaining the operating
member in the latch position. The latch mechanism includes a detent
portion and a shoulder portion, one of which portions is fixedly
mounted to the shaft and the other of which is mounted on the
operating member. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of
the invention, the detent portion of the latch mechanism comprises
a pair of opposing jaws, which are fixed with respect to the shaft.
In this embodiment, the shoulder portion is mounted at one end of
the operating member. The operating member is retained in the latch
position when the shoulder and detent are in an operative
relationship.
[0007] Preferably, the operating member is relatively rotatable
with respect to the shaft. The portion of the mop element that is
retained at the operating member will be carried with the operating
member, and thus will rotate with respect to the shaft when the
operating member is rotated. Thus, upon twisting of the operating
member, the mop element will twist with respect to the shaft, and
wringing of the mop element will be effected thereby. Most
preferably, the mop includes a ratchet device to releasably
restrict relative rotation of the shaft and operating member to one
direction of rotation. In accordance with one embodiment of the
invention, a ratchet wheel is disposed at the shoulder of the
operating member and the detent has two jaws. At least one of the
jaws of the detent portion includes a multitoothed pawl for
engaging a portion of the ratchet wheel to thereby permit only
unidirectional rotation of the operating member relative to the mop
shaft. In this embodiment, advancement of the operating member in
limited angular increments relative to the shaft is thereby
permitted.
[0008] In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, a mop
element assembly including the mop element and one or more button
operable connectors is provided. For example, one end of the mop
element may be supported by a button operable shaft connector that
is releasably connectable to and supported by the shaft. Another
end of the mop element may be supported by a button operable
operating member connector that is releasably connectable to and
supported by the operating member. When it is desired to clean or
replace the mop element, the button operable connectors may be
quickly released to thereby allow disassembly of the mop element
from the shaft and from the operating member. The button operable
connectors also allow the mop to be quickly reassembled after
cleaning or replacement of the mop element assembly. A mop, a mop
element assembly each being new and unobvious and methods of
forming and operating mop apparatus, fall within the scope of the
present specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a twist mop in accordance
with one embodiment of the invention, illustrating the tubular
operating member in a fully extended mopping position.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the twist mop shown in FIG.
1, illustrating the tubular operating member in the latch
position.
[0011] FIG. 2A is an elevational, partially cut away view of the
twist mop shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the ropes spread to show the
mechanism with clarity.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an elevational, partially cut away view of the
housing of the detent portion of the latch mechanism of the mop
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side elevational, partially cut away view of the
detent portion of the latch mechanism of the mop shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a partially plan, partially cross-sectional view
taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2, illustrating the latch mechanism of
the mop shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0015] FIG. 5A is like FIG. 5, but shows the latch mechanism in the
unlatched position.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the latch mechanism
shown in FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the operating member,
including the operating member connector, of the mop shown in FIGS.
1 and 2.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the mop shown in FIGS.
1 and 2 taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft connector
illustrated in the mop shown in FIG. 8, shown prior to the assembly
of the connector with the mop element and the shaft of the mop.
[0020] FIG. 10 is an elevational, partially cut away view of the
mop as shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 11 is elevational view of the mop as shown in FIG. 2,
illustrating the mop element in a twisted condition.
[0022] FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the operating
member connector and the mop element.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the operating member
connector taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the mop element assembly of
the invention with the shaft connector 14 shown in broken
lines.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] The preferred embodiment of the invention is a twist mop.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the twist mop 10 includes an
elongate shaft 11 having an operator end 12 and a mop element end
14. A hand grip 15 is disposed near the operating end 12 of the
shaft, and a hanging loop 16 is disposed at the operator end 12.
The twist mop 10 further includes a mop element 17, a portion of
which is attached to the mop element end 14 of the shaft 11. (See
FIG. 14).
[0026] In accordance with the invention, another portion of the mop
element 17 is connected to an operating member 20, which is axially
movable with respect to the shaft 11. Preferably, the operating
member 20 is axially movable between a range of mopping positions,
one of which is illustrated in FIG. 1, and a latch position, as
illustrated in FIG. 2. The operating member 20 has a hand grip
surface 21 to permit a user to adjust the axial position of the
operating member 20.
[0027] In accordance with the invention, the twist mop 10 includes
a latch mechanism for retaining the operating member 20 in the
latch position. Preferably, the latch mechanism comprises a
shoulder portion, or shoulder 24 and a detent portion 25 within
housing 28 (See FIGS. 3-6). With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, the
shoulder 24 is disposed on the operator end 23 of the operating
member 20. The shoulder 24 preferably is integral with the
operating member 20, and includes a central bore through which
passes the shaft 11.
[0028] As best shown in FIG. 5, the detent portion 25 comprises
portions of a pair of opposing caliper jaws 26, 27 which are
pivotally connected to one another and to a housing 28 and 4 by a
pivot rod 30. (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) Preferably, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the jaws 26, 27 include a detent 31, 32 respectively
for engaging the shoulder 24 when the operating member 20 is in the
latch position. As shown in FIG. 5A respective end portions of the
jaws 26, 27 form tabs 34, 35, which are adapted to be manually
squeezed together to release the shoulder 24 from engagement within
the detent portion 25. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pivot rod 30
is secured to the housing 28 between mating housing elements 36, 37
with portions of the rod 30 extending into blind holes 38, 40
formed in the housing elements 36, 37. The jaws are spring-loaded
into the retaining position shown in FIG. 5 by a resilient coil
spring 42 which is compressed between the ends of a pair of
opposing blind holes 44, 45 in the jaws 26, 32.
[0029] The housing preferably is affixed to the shaft 11 between
the ends of the shaft 11. As best shown in FIG. 3, the housing
elements 36, 37 include aligned, centrally located holes 46, 47
therein to receive a fastening rivet (not shown in FIG. 3), which
extends through the holes and through a corresponding bore in the
shaft 11. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the housing elements preferably
further include aligned openings 49, 50 for receiving a pair of
fastening rivets 51, 52 to connect the housing elements to one
another.
[0030] The shoulder 24 terminates at a frustoconical ramp surface
55. As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal surfaces of the detents 31, 32
are tapered inwardly to provide ramp surfaces 56, 58. When the
operating member 20 is brought to bear against the detents 31, 32
the frustoconical ramp surface 55 engages the ramp surfaces 56, 58
to thereby spread the jaws 26, 27 as shown in FIG. 5A and to admit
the shoulder 24. After the shoulder 24 has passed beyond the
detents 31, 32 the spring-biased jaws 26, 27 return to the
retaining position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, the operating
member 20 will be retained axially in the latch position by the
latch mechanism. To release the operating member 20, the twist mop
10 is held with the operator end above the mop element end, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tabs 34, 35 may then be squeezed
together to thereby release the latch mechanism. The operating
member 20 and associated portion of the mop element 17 will be
permitted to drop to a mopping position under the force of gravity
or with operator assistance.
[0031] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the shaft has a circular cross-section, and the operating member is
tubular and rotatable with respect to the shaft. More preferably,
the twist mop includes a ratchet device for releasably restricting
relative rotation of the shaft and operating member. The ratchet
device comprises a ratchet wheel and a pawl, one of which is
disposed on the operating member and one of which is disposed on
the shaft. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the ratchet device of the
preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a ratchet wheel and
a pawl, one of which is disposed on the shaft 11 and one of which
is disposed on the operating member 20. Preferably, the ratchet
wheel 60 is disposed on a portion of the shoulder 24 of the
operating member 20, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6.
The ratchet includes a plurality of ratchet teeth 61. As shown in
FIG. 5, a multitoothed pawl 62 is provided on at least one of the
jaws 26 of the detent portion 25 of the latch mechanism.
Preferably, the inner surface 64 of the other jaw is smooth. In
this embodiment of the invention, the ratchet wheel 60 engages the
pawl 62 of the jaw 26 when the operating member 20 is in the latch
position, as shown in FIG. 5. The operating member 20 may then be
rotated only in one direction of rotation, and will not be
susceptible to torsional forces generated within the mop element
that would urge rotation in the opposite direction. The operating
member 20 thus may be rotated in small angular increments and
released between increments, thereby allowing facile wringing of
the mop element.
[0032] The mop element may comprise any wringable liquid absorbing
material. For example, the mop element may comprise a plurality of
liquid absorbent fiber ropes (sometimes referred to as "strings"),
or may comprise a plurality of absorbent material strips. In
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, as
illustrated in FIG. 2A, the mop element 17 has a first end 66
supported by the operating member 20, a second end 67 supported by
the shaft 11, and an elongate intermediate portion 68. The
intermediate portion 68 includes a plurality of ropes 70 of
sufficient length to define a bight 71 that extends from the first
end 66 and terminates in a reentrant portion at the second end 67.
When the twist mop 10 is in a mopping position, such as, for
example, the position shown in FIG. 1, the bight 71 comprises a
mopping portion.
[0033] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 14, a mop element assembly 72
comprises the mop element 17 and one or both of an operating member
connector 73 and a shaft connector 74 (shown in phantom lines in
FIG. 14). Preferably, the first end 66 of the mop element 17 is
secured to the operating member connector 73, and the second end 67
is secured to the shaft connector 74. The operating member
connector 73 is releasably connectable to the operating member (not
shown in FIG. 14), and the shaft connector 74 is releasably
connectable to the shaft 11 (not shown in FIG. 14).
[0034] Most preferably, the mop element 17 comprises an
interconnected plurality of flexible ropes 70, each of which
comprises an interwoven set of spun fibrous liquid absorbent
strands. As shown in FIG. 12, a rope 76 comprises two pairs of
strands 77, 78, each of which extends from a first end 80 of the
rope 76, through an intermediate portion 81 of the rope 76 and to a
loop 83 at a second end 84 of the rope 76. One pair of strands 77,
78 pass around a tie 85 to form the loop and then become the second
of the pair of strands 77, 78. Returning from the loop, the strands
77, 78 further extend back through the intermediate portion 81 and
to the first end 80 of the rope 76. The tie 85 secures the loop 83
to a portion of the mop 10, for example, a connector (shown in the
illustrated embodiment as the operating member connector 73) at the
second end of the rope. The strands then continue to form the other
ropes of the mop element (not shown in FIG. 12). Further details
about the mop element may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,717,616;
4,790,603; and 4,790,604 (Harmon et al.). Preferably, the first end
80 of the rope is disposed at and supported by the shaft connector
74 (not shown in FIG. 12), and the second end 84 having the loop 83
is disposed at and supported by the operating member connector 73;
however, the ends may be interchanged if desired.
[0035] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the shaft connector 74. The shaft
connector 74 comprises a unitary elongate body 88 having a flexible
bight portion 90. As shown in FIG. 9, the body comprises a first
end portion 91, a second end portion 92, and means for retaining
the first and second end portions 91, 92 in a side-by-side
relationship. When the end portions 91, 92 are so retained, the
bight portion 90 forms a strap 94 for retaining a portion of the
mop element 17, as shown in FIG. 10. Any suitable means for
retaining the end positions 91, 92 in a side-by-side relationship
may be employed. For example, the first end portion 91 may include
a hole 94 for receiving and retaining a pin 95 extending from the
second end portion. Preferably, the second end portion 92 also
includes a hole 97 for receiving a second pin 99 extending from the
first end portion 91. Most preferably, the second end portion 92
includes a flexible surface 98 having a button 100 disposed
thereon. Flexibility may be enhanced by providing slots 99 in the
end portion 98. As shown in FIG. 2A, the button 100 is received by
an aperture 101 in the shaft 11 of the mop, whereby the shaft
connector 74 is retained preventing axial or rotational movement
within the shaft 11. To release the shaft connector 74 from the
shaft 11, a user depresses the button 100 and separates the shaft
connector 74 from the shaft 11. The shaft connector 74 preferably
includes a flange portion 103 that prevents the operating member 20
from passing beyond the mop element end 14 of the mop 10.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 10, the twist mop 10 preferably
includes a binder 102 retaining together portions 104, 105 of the
mop element 17, thus forming a tuft 107 at the mop element end 14
of the twist mop 10. The tuft 107 may be employed, for example,
when the operating member is in the latch position in cleaning a
narrow space or a high surface. In addition, the tuft 107 impedes
the shaft connector 74 from contacting, and thus possibly
scratching or damaging, a mopped surface.
[0037] With reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 10, and 13, the operating
member connector 73 comprises a unitary body having an interior
cylindrical portion 109 sized to fit within the operating member 20
and an exterior bell portion 110 that extends beyond the operating
member 20 when the connector 73 is assembled with the operating
member 20. The operating member connector 73 further includes means
for securing the mop element 17 to the bell portion 110, which
means preferably comprises the tie 85. (See FIG. 12). The mop
element end 111 of the operating member connector 73 is flared to
retain the tie 85.
[0038] Friction between the tie 85 and operating member connector
73 will impede relative rotation of the mop element 17 and
connector 73. Preferably, the operating member connector 73 further
includes additional means for restraining relative rotation of the
mop element with respect to the operating member. For example, as
illustrated in FIG. 13, the operating member connector may include
a plurality of notches 112 that are disposed on the exterior
portion 110 and that extend radially away from the shaft 11 of the
mop 10. At least some of the ropes are retained by the notches 112,
whereby the ropes, and hence the mop element 17, are restricted
from rotating with respect to the operating member.
[0039] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
a surface 114 of the operating member connector 73 is flexible, and
includes a button 115. The operating member 20 includes an aperture
116 (best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) for receiving the button 115 when
the connector 73 is assembled with the operating member 20, and for
retaining the connector 73 from axial or rotational movement within
the operating member 20. To release the operating member from the
connector, a user depresses the button 115 and separates the
operating member connector 73 from the operating member 20. The
shaft connector should first be removed from the shaft, and the
operating member then moved far enough towards the mop element end
14 of the shaft 11 such that clearance of the shaft 11 beneath the
button 115 is provided.
[0040] In use, the operating member 20 may be placed in a mopping
position, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. When it is desired to
wring liquid from the mop element 17, the operating member is moved
to the latch position, where it is retained by the latch mechanism.
The operating member 20 is then rotated with respect to the shaft
11. A twist will thereby be imparted to the mop element 17, as
shown in FIG. 11, thus causing liquid to be expelled from the mop
element and may be advanced in increments. The operating member 20
need not be advanced through a large angle of rotation to effect
wringing of the mop element. After wringing, the latch mechanism is
released by squeezing together the tabs 34, 35. Torsional forces
generated within the mop element will cause the mop element to
return to an untwisted position with respect to the shaft, and the
operating member will return to a mopping position. Either
untwisting or return to a mopping position may be assisted
manually.
[0041] Alternatively, the mop 10 may be used when the operating
member 20 is in the latch position, as shown in FIG. 2. For
example, when in this position, the mop 10 may be used for mopping
or dusting in narrow or high places. The tuft 107 prevents any
portion of the twist mop 10 other than the mop element 17 from
contacting the mopped surface. Preferably, the twist mop 10 is
stored when the operating member 20 is in the latch position.
[0042] Thus, it is seen that the foregoing general object has been
satisfied. A twist mop prepared in accordance with the invention
may be easily wrung by an operator, and need not be rotated through
a large angle of rotation. Moreover, the rotation of the operating
member may be advanced in small angular increments, and the ratchet
device and latch will prevent the operating member from rotating in
a direction opposite the desired direction of rotation or in
slipping to an operating position and relieve the wringing forces.
Thus, the exertion of a great amount of strength is not required to
wring the mop. In addition, the ropes of the mop element may be
prepared in sufficient length to provide a satisfactory mop element
area.
[0043] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
shown, it will of course be understood that the invention is not
limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in
the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. It is,
therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such
modifications as incorporate those features which constitute the
essential features of these improvements within the true spirit and
scope of the invention. All references and previous applications
cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
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