U.S. patent application number 10/046012 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-18 for latch for sponge mop.
Invention is credited to Cann, Robert A..
Application Number | 20020092113 10/046012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26723461 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020092113 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cann, Robert A. |
July 18, 2002 |
Latch for sponge mop
Abstract
A latch to secure a detachable sponge to a sponge mop head
comprises a pair of opposed tabs separated by a void. The upper and
lower portions of each pair are spaced to fit closely within
corresponding apertures in the mop head, while the central portion
ramps outward such that the dimension between the opposed tab ramps
is larger than the aperture opening. Each tab is centrally locate
on a beam, the beam extending a short distance beyond either end of
the tab until it interconnects with a sponge backing plate. This
short section of beam beyond each end of each tab twists or rotates
torsionally when the tabs are squeezed together to secure or detach
the sponge to the mop head. A latch is located near each end of the
sponge.
Inventors: |
Cann, Robert A.; (Amherst,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT A. CANN
189 MILL LANE
AMHERST
MA
01002-2931
US
|
Family ID: |
26723461 |
Appl. No.: |
10/046012 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60261586 |
Jan 12, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/244.1 ;
15/119.2; 15/147.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/257
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/244.1 ;
15/147.2; 15/119.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/20 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A latch to secure a detachable sponge to a sponge mop head
comprising: a. a pair of opposed tabs separated by a void, the
upper and lower portions of each pair spaced to fit closely within
corresponding apertures in the mop head, b. the central portion
ramping outward such that the dimension between the opposed tab
ramps is larger than the aperture opening, c. Each tab being more
or less centrally located on a beam, the beam extending a short
distance beyond either end of the tab until it interconnects with a
sponge backing plate. d. this short section of beam beyond each end
of each tab twisting or rotating torsionally when the tabs are
squeezed together to secure or detach the sponge to the mop head.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to fasteners and latches, and more
particularly to an improvement in a type of quick release latch
used to secure detachable sponges to sponge mops.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sponge mops are well known in prior art, as are methods for
securing detachable sponges to them. It is common practice to glue
or similarly bond a rectangular sponge to a backing plate
structure, which in turn is detachably secured to a mop head at or
near each end of the sponge. The advantage of a detachable sponge
is that it permits replacement of a worn out sponge without
replacing the entire mop. A useful securing method for a detachable
sponge should be reliable, quick and easy to use, and inexpensive
to manufacture
[0003] Known securing methods include: (1) Round pins extending
outward from a sponge backing plate that are frictionally secured
in corresponding holes in a mop head. The sponge is detached by
applying a force on the pins that is sufficient to overcome the
friction fit. This method can be quick and inexpensive, but
friction fits require close control of manufacturing tolerances,
and thus may end up being too loose (the sponge falls off) or too
tight (the sponge is difficult to remove). (2) Externally threaded
pins extending outward from a sponge backing plate that pass
through holes in a mop head and are secured on the far side by
removable internally threaded nuts or caps. The sponge is detached
by unscrewing the nuts or caps. This method is secure, but separate
parts such as nuts or caps add cost, and are easy to lose. (3)
Headed pins extending outward from a sponge backing plate that are
secured in keyhole shaped apertures in a mop head. The sponge is
detached by sliding or forcing the headed pins out of their
keyholes. This method is secure and does not require extra parts
like caps or nuts, but the user may experience difficulty in
manipulating the headed pins in and out of their keyholes. (4)
Separate key-like fasteners passing through apertures in a mop head
into corresponding keyholes in a sponge backing plate. The sponge
is detached by turning or manipulating the key-like fasteners in
such a way that they release from their keyholes. As above,
separate parts are costly and can be lost. In addition, the
procedure for releasing the key-like fastener may not be apparent
to the user. (5) Latch tabs extending outward from a sponge backing
plate that snap into corresponding apertures in a mop head. The
sponge is detached by squeezing the tabs. Properly designed, this
method can be quick, reliable and easy to use, and is inexpensive
because no separate fasteners are required. My invention provides a
novel and useful improvement to a latch of this particular known
type.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a sponge mop of a design originated by Empire
Brush, Inc., Greenville, N.C. (since acquired by Rubbermaid, Inc.,
Wooster, Ohio). The sponge is shown detached to reveal its latch
mechanism, which is of the tab type (5) briefly described above. A
pair of tabs is located near each end of the sponge, and snap into
corresponding apertures in the mop head.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a pair of tabs near one end
of the sponge shown in FIG. 1. The tabs are opposed to each other
with a void in between. The upper and lower portions of each pair
are spaced to fit closely within the corresponding mop head
aperture, while the central portion ramps or slopes outward such
that the dimension between the opposed tab ramps is larger than the
aperture opening, thus creating an interference fit within the
aperture. The base or root of each tab connects to a planar backing
plate. The backing plate is glued or similarly bonded to the
sponge. As shown in FIG. 3, the central void between the tabs
continues outward for a short distance on both sides of each tab,
such that the void is generally H-shaped viewed from above. The
backing plate and tabs are integrally molded of a stiff
thermoplastic resin such as polystyrene or polypropylene. As shown
in FIG. 4, in cross-section the tabs are more or less a pair of
L-shaped structures, with the lower legs opposed to each other and
connecting to the planar backing plate.
[0006] To install the sponge onto the mop head the tab ends of each
latch are pressed into the mop head apertures far enough that the
ramped areas deflect, pass through the aperture, and spring back to
their original position, thus holding the sponge onto the mop head.
To remove the sponge, the user squeezes and pushes on the tab ends
protruding from each aperture.
[0007] Several problems occur when using this latch. When squeezed
together the tabs tend to bend down towards the sponge instead of
towards each other, thus requiring a larger movement to release
them from the aperture. This is because the tabs bend or rotate
around an axis offset outwardly and more or less in line with ends
of the void extensions (e.g., the outward ends of the H-shaped void
as viewed from above) rather than bending or rotating from their
root or base. Additionally, if squeezed with excessive force they
may break or fracture from a point propagating from the inside
corner where they rise from the planar backing plate (e.g., the
inside corner of the L-shaped cross sectional structure described
above), particularly if molded from a notch sensitive thermoplastic
resin such as polystyrene.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The upper portions of the tab shaped latches of my invention
are essentially identical to the prior art Empire latches described
above. The novel and useful improvement in my invention is the
manner in which the backing plates connect to each latch tab. The
Empire prior art backing plate connects to each tab via the lower
tip of a more or less L-shaped tab structure, whereas in my
invention the root or base of each tab is connected to a beam
structure running longitudinally more or less directly underneath
the tab.
[0009] Each tab is centrally locate on a beam, the beam extending a
short distance beyond either end of the tab until it interconnects
with the sponge backing plate. This short section of beam beyond
each end of each tab twists or rotates more or less torsionally
when the tabs are squeezed together. Torsion stress in this beam
member is more uniformly distributed than the bending stress
concentrated at the inside corners of the L-shaped tab structures
of the prior art Empire latch. Thus, the latch of my invention is
less prone to breakage than the prior art Empire latch because the
bending stress is more uniformly distributed over a larger area.
The beam sections of the backing plate of my invention may be glued
or bonded to the sponge, but the sponge is resilient and flexible
enough that it has little or no effect on the torsion beams.
[0010] Since these torsion beams of my invention are located
beneath the tabs, a squeezing action rotates or bends the tabs
substantially towards each other, rather than downward towards the
sponge as previously described. Thus, the latches of my invention
are easier to release than the prior art Empire latches because
they do not have to be squeezed as far out of the way to pass
through the mop head aperture. In addition, if the tabs do not have
to flex or rotate as far to release, the beam cross-section can be
increased, thus increasing the holding force of the latch by
increasing its resistance to bending or deflection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the prior art Empire sponge
mop described above.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1 showing
the Empire prior art latch.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the above prior art latch.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the above prior art
latch along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a Milla sponge mop with its
sponge detached to reveal my improved latch invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of my improved latch invention
shown in FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of my invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of my invention along lines
8-8 of FIG. 7.
REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DRAWINGS
[0019] 20 improved latch
[0020] 22 sponge mop
[0021] 24 tab
[0022] 26 sponge
[0023] 28 void between tabs
[0024] 30 upper portion of tab
[0025] 32 lower portion of tab
[0026] 34 mop head aperture
[0027] 36 ramp
[0028] 38 central portion of tab
[0029] 40 beam
[0030] 42 backing plate
[0031] 44 beam segment
[0032] 46 tab end
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Referring to FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, an improved latch 20 for
a sponge mop 22 according to my invention is comprised of a pair of
opposed tabs 24, 24 positioned more or less in line and centrally
located at each end of a sponge 26. The tabs 24, 24 are generally
parallel to each other with a void 28 in between. An upper portion
30 and lower portion 32 of each pair of tabs 24, 24 are spaced to
fit closely within a corresponding mop head aperture 34, while a
ramp 36 in a central portion 38 of the tab 24 slopes or angles
outward such that the dimension between the opposed tab ramps 36,
36 is larger than the opening in the mop head aperture 34, thus
creating an interference fit within the aperture 34.
[0034] Each tab 24 is centrally locate on a beam 40, the beam 40
extending a short distance beyond either end of the tab 24 until it
interconnects with a backing plate 42 that is formed from a grid of
interconnecting beams. A short beam segment 44 beyond an end 46 of
each tab 24 twists or rotates more or less torsionally when the
tabs 24, 24 are squeezed together.
[0035] To install the sponge 26 onto the mop 22 the upper tab end
portions 30 of each latch 20 are pressed into the mop head
apertures 34, 34 far enough that the ramps 36 deflect inward, pass
through the aperture 34, and spring back to their original
position, thus holding the sponge 26 onto the mop 22. To remove the
sponge 26, the user squeezes and pushes on the upper portion of the
tabs 30 that protrude from each mop head aperture 34.
[0036] The present invention has now been described in connection
with a number of specific embodiments thereof However,
modifications that are contemplated as falling within the scope of
the present invention should now be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
* * * * *