U.S. patent application number 09/772619 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-05 for mop bucket with mop wringer attachment.
Invention is credited to Alt, Steven J..
Application Number | 20020120997 09/772619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25095668 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020120997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alt, Steven J. |
September 5, 2002 |
Mop bucket with mop wringer attachment
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a mop bucket and mop
wringer assembly for wringing liquid from a mop wherein the bucket
and wringer are readily separable. Also, the mop bucket is designed
to collect the dirty washing liquid from an associated mop and
allows particulate contaminates to collect in a portion of the
bottom wall which is stepped lower than the main bottom wall. The
mechanism for operating the wringer includes a rack and pinion
which is normally urged into a mop receiving position by an
elastomeric spring.
Inventors: |
Alt, Steven J.; (Perrysburg,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACMILLAN SOBANSKI & TODD, LLC
ONE MARITIME PLAZA FOURTH FLOOR
720 WATER STREET
TOLEDO
OH
43604-1619
US
|
Family ID: |
25095668 |
Appl. No.: |
09/772619 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/261 ;
15/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/59 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/261 ;
15/264 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/59 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mop bucket and wringer apparatus for wringing liquid from a
mop comprising a mop bucket having an open interior terminating in
an upwardly facing opening defined by a marginal rim; and a mop
wringer including means for selective attachment to the marginal
rim of said bucket; said wringer including an upwardly opening for
receiving a mop and defined by front, rear, side, and bottom walls
at least some of which are provided with passageways to allow
liquids to pass therethrough; a pair of pressure jaws; a rack
mounting the pressure jaws in a spaced apart horizontal disposition
whereby vertical movement of the rack causes relative movement of
the pressure jaws toward and away from one another; a pinion
affixed to a side wall of said wringer for effecting movement of
the rack and the associated pressure jaws; and a spring means
normally urging the pinion in a position to cause the pressure jaws
to be moved away from one another.
2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said
jaws is provided with apertures extending therethrough.
3. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said spring means
includes an elongate elastomeric member.
4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said spring means is
attached to at least one of the walls and to the pinion.
5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein said spring means
includes an elongate elastomeric member.
6. The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said spring means is
attached to at least one of the walls and the pinion.
7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein the pinion includes a
laterally extending support for the spring means.
8. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the
side walls is provided with slots for vertical guiding the
rack.
9. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said bucket is provided
with slots for guiding vertical movement of said wringer in respect
of said mop bucket.
10. The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said wringer includes
downwardly extending extensions received within the slots.
11. The invention defined in claim 1 includes a rear wall having a
handle formed therein.
12. The invention defined in claim 1 includes a front wall having a
curved portion forming a pouring spout.
13. The invention defined in claim 1 includes a hook for attaching
said bucket to a toilet or sink basin.
14. The invention defined in claim 1 includes a stepped bottom
wall.
15. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said bucket includes
side walls with corners, thereby allowing thinner wall sections and
retaining strength.
16. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein a seal is formed by
said bucket and said wringer, said seal preventing liquid from
exiting therebetween.
17. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said wringer sits on
three sides of said bucket.
18. A mop bucket and wringer apparatus for wringing liquid from a
mop comprising: a mop bucket having an open interior terminating in
an upwardly facing opening defined by a marginal rim; and a mop
wringer including means for selective attachment to the marginal
rim of said bucket; said wringer including: an upwardly opening for
receiving a mop and defined by front, rear, side, and bottom walls
at least some of which are provided with passageways to allow
liquids to pass therethrough; at least one pressure plate; a
linkage means mounting the pressure plate in a substantially
vertical disposition whereby horizontal movement of the linkage
means causes relative movement of the pressure plate toward the
front wall of said wringer; and a spring means normally urging the
pressure plate in a substantially vertical position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a mop bucket with an
associated mop wringer and more particularly to a mop bucket and
separable mop wringer effective to wringer at a variety of mop
shapes and sizes.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Mop bucket and wringer attachment are known in the art of
the type which are positionable on the edge of a bucket, pail or
the like, and which through the movement of an arm activate a
pressure plate to squeeze water out of the mop and into the bucket.
In many instances the connection between the arm and the pressure
plate is quite complex, costly to manufacture, difficult to
assemble, and fails to provide a uniform force on the plate to
efficiently remove water from the mop.
[0005] Typically, the pressure plate traps the mop against and
squeezes it against a surface which has apertures therein and which
is positioned above the confines of the bucket so that the water
from the mop passes through the apertures and into the bucket.
During this action, it is important to direct the water downwardly
into the bucket, otherwise, if it were permitted to pass straight
through the apertures, the water could miss the bucket and land on
the surface being cleaned. Prior art efforts to direct the water
downwardly into the bucket have generally resulted in a decrease of
the open space in the apertured surface thereby causing a decrease
in throughput efficiency.
[0006] Moreover, such prior art mop wringers have deficiencies
which significantly increase the cost. Many mop wringers require
that some sort of water dam device be positioned behind the
pressure plate so that if some water being squeezed out of the mop
travels around the pressure plate, the water dam will prevent it
from splashing outside the confines of the bucket. Such are often
extravagant, complex, separate parts which significantly add to the
ultimate cost of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to produce a mop
wringer attachment which may be economically manufactured having a
minimum amount of material for the strength needed to uniformly
wring water out of mops.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to produce a
mop wringer attachment which has a minimum number of operating
parts.
[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to produce a
mop wringer attachment with a rack and pinion assembly connecting
the operating handle to the pressure jaws to provide a uniform mop
wringing force across the entire width of the pressure plate.
[0010] It is an additional object of the present invention to
produce a mop wringer attachment in which the mop is squeezed
against surfaces having apertures therein which direct the water
downwardly into the bucket without adversely effecting the
throughput efficiency.
[0011] The above objects of the invention may be readily achieved
by a mop bucket and wringer apparatus for wringing fluid from a mop
comprising a mop bucket having an open interior terminating in an
upwardly facing opening defined by a marginal rim; a mop wringer
including means for selective attachment to the marginal rim of the
bucket, an upwardly opening wall for receiving a mop and defined by
front, rear, side, and bottom walls at least some of which are
provided with passageways to allow fluids to pass therethrough, a
pair of pressure jaws, a rack mounting the pressure jaws in a
spaced apart horizontal disposition whereby vertical movement of
the rack causes relative movement of the pressure jaws toward and
away from one another, a pinion affixed to a side wall of the
wringer for effecting movement of the rack and the associated
pressure jaws, and a spring means normally urging the pinion in a
position to cause the pressure jaws to be moved away from one
another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above, as well as other, objects and advantages of the
invention will become manifest to one skilled in the art from
reading the following detailed description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the
accompanying drawings, a wheel:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mop bucket with a mop
wringer attachment;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the mop wringer
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the mop wringer
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the mop wringer
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the mop wringer
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the previously described
figures;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the mop wringer drive
mechanism illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the mop wringer
illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 showing the operating lever and
associated mop wringer apparatus in a fully closed and mop wringing
position;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the mop bucket
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the mop bucket
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the mop bucket
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the mop bucket illustrated in
FIG. 9 taken along line 12-12 thereof;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a mop bucket with a mop
wringer attachment similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1,
incorporating an embodiment of the mop wringer having a side impact
wringer attachment;
[0026] FIG. 14 is an exploded partial perspective view of the
apparatus illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the mop wringer
illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the mop wringer drive
mechanism illustrated in FIG. 15;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the mop wringer
illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16 showing the operating lever and
associated mop wringer apparatus in a fully closed and mop wringing
position; and
[0030] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a mop bucket with a mop
wringer attachment similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 13,
incorporating an embodiment of the mop wringer having a front
impact wringer attachment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a mop bucket 10 with an associated
mop wringer 12 selectively attachable thereto. The wringer 12 is
shown in an open position and is ready to receive a mop. In the
preferred embodiment, the wringer 12 includes first and second
perforated pressure jaws 14 and 16 which are received within the
interior of the wringer 12. The interior of the wringer 12 is
defined by a perforated front wall 18, a perforated rear wall 20, a
perforated bottom wall 22, and spaced apart side walls 24, 26.
[0032] The side walls 24, 26 are provided respective outwardly
extending rims 28,30 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6.
Suitably shaped covers 32, 34 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 6 are
provided to enclose the space generally defined by the outer
surfaces of the side walls 24, 26 and the respective rims 28, 30.
The covers 32, 34 are secured in place in a conventional manner by
suitable threaded fasteners, not shown. The covers 32, 34 are
provided with laterally outwardly extending rims 36, 38,
respectively which are dimensioned to fit snugly within the inner
surfaces of the rims 28, 30, respectively.
[0033] It will be noted from an examination of FIGS. 7 and 8, the
pressure jaws 14 and 16 are provided with outwardly extending
extensions 14' and 16', respectively. The extensions 14' and 16'
are adjusted to extend through slots 40, 42 formed in the
respective side walls 24, 26. As clearly illustrated in FIGS. 7 and
8, the slots 40 and 42 generally extend vertically and terminate in
upper oppositely extending slot extensions. As will be discussed in
greater detail hereinafter, the normal starting positions of the
pressure jaws 14 and 16 are shown in FIG. 7, while the completed
wringing position of the jaws 14 and 16 is shown in FIG. 8.
[0034] The mechanism for driving the pressure jaws 14 and 16
includes a pair of pinions 44 and 46 mounted on stub axles 48 and
50, respectively on opposite side walls 24 and 26. The stub axles
48 and 50 extend in opposite directions from a main pinion arm 52
which includes an upwardly extending operating lever 54.
[0035] The pressure jaws 14 and 16 are coupled to the pinions 44
and 46 through inverted T-shaped racks 56 and 58, respectively. The
vertically aligned teeth of the racks 56 and 58 are engageable with
the teeth of the respective pinions 44 and 46. As is clearly
apparent in FIGS. 7 and 8, the side wall 24 is provided with spaced
apart ribs 60 and 62 which effectively receive and guide the up and
down movement of the leg section of the inverted T-shaped racks 56.
Similar spaced apart ribs are formed to extend outwardly from the
opposite side wall 26.
[0036] Elastic cords 64, 66 such as, for example, bungee cords, are
employed to constantly urge the pinions 44 and 46 respectively and
the associated operating lever 54 in the normal vertical position,
as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7 inclusive. One end of each of the
cords 64, 66 is connected in any suitable manner to the respective
side wall 24, 26. The other end of each of the cords 64, 66 is
attached to the respective pinion 44, 46. To assist in guiding the
cords 64, 66 during the rotation of the respective pinions, the
pinions 44, 46 are provided with outwardly extending rim walls 68,
70, respectively, It will be appreciated that substantially all of
the operating mechanism of the mop wringer assembly thus far
discussed may be formed of a material which will not oxidize or
rust lending to enhanced life duty cycle of the equipment, as well
as render the equipment properties tending to maintain a
cleanliness in fact and in appearance.
[0037] The mop wringer 12 is further provided with an outwardly
extending forward flange 72 having several spaced apart notches 74
adapted to receive and assist in holding a mop handle in an upward
position within an associated mop bucket as will become readily
apparent hereinafter.
[0038] It will be noted that the mop wringer 12 is designed to rest
upon the mop bucket 10. To facilitate such relationship, the
distance between the lower portions of the outermost surfaces of
the scale walls 24 and 26 is slightly less than the receiving
portion of the mop bucket 10. As will be apparent from viewing
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, front and rear terminal ends of the rims
28 and 30 are notched inwardly so that the lowermost extending rims
36 and 38 may rest upon the uppermost marginal edge of the mop
bucket 10. Further, the rear wall 20 of the mop wringer 12 is
provided with downwardly extending spaced apart legs 76 which are
guided into slots 78 during the downward movement of the mop
wringer 12 during the assemblage thereof on the mop bucket 10.
[0039] The mop bucket 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 9 through
12, has opposed spaced apart side walls 80, 82 which tend to
converge at the rear to meet with a rear wall 84. A front wall 86
is integral with the front edges of the side walls 80, 82. The
front wall 86 is provided with an outwardly curved portion 88
shaped to form a pouring spout 91 to facilitate the discharge of
dirty water therefrom as will be explained hereinafter. The side
walls 80, 82, the rear wall 84, and the front wall 86 cooperate
with a stepped bottom wall 90 to define a space for containing
washing liquid and for receiving the mop wringer 12. A handle 92
and wheels 94 are provided for conveniently carrying and moving the
mop bucket 10.
[0040] The uppermost marginal edges of the side walls 80, 82, the
rear wall 84, and the front wall 86 are turned outwardly and
downwardly to form an upper edge 96. Slots 98 are formed in the
upper edge 96 at the convergence of the side walls 80, 82. The
slots 98 are effective to receive and store the blades of scraping
tools used in the cleaning procedures in the mop bucket 10 and mop
wringer 12 of the invention.
[0041] As is apparent from an examination of FIG. 13, the bottom
wall 90 is typically stepped as at 100 to create a slightly deeper
bottom at the rear of the mop bucket 10 to collect particulate
contaminants and militate against the commingling of such
contaminants with the cleaner liquid in the forward portion of the
mop bucket 10 during use of the assembly.
[0042] A handle 102 is formed in a recess in the outer surface of
the rear wall 84. The handle 102 is useful in dumping the contents
of the mop bucket 10. The dumping may be achieved by lifting the
mop bucket 10 and placing the outwardly extending edge 96 over the
rim of a toilet, for example, and then lifting the rear of the mop
bucket 10 by the handle 102, thus effectively pouring the contents
of the mop bucket 10 into the toilet until the contents are
completely discharged therefrom.
[0043] It will be understood that the major components of the
structure described in the description may be manufactured from an
elastic material such as preferred resin, for example
polypropylene. A mop bucket and mop wringer assembly in which the
components may be readily formed of a plastic material results in a
finished commercial product which may be readily cleaned, will
remain clean for extended periods, and will eliminate the
occurrence of rusty parts which would be present through the use of
metal parts capable of oxidation.
[0044] A typical cleaning operation utilizing the present mop
bucket and mop wringer apparatus includes the following steps: 1)
filling the mop bucket 10 with the desired quantity of washing
liquid which is typically water having a detergent dissolve
therein; 2) placing the mop wringer 12 on the edge 96 of the mop
bucket 10 such that the legs 76 of the wringer 12 are suitably
received within the slots 78; 3) permitting the wringer 12 to be
lowered into the interior space of the mop bucket 10 until resting
contact is made with the rear portion of the upper edge 96 of the
mop bucket 10. At this stage, the lower edge of the covers 32 and
34 are disposed adjacent the upper edge 96 of the mop bucket 10.
The side, rear, and front walls of the mop wringer 12 containing
any perforations or slots are now below the upper edge of the mop
bucket. Thus, any liquid squeezed from the mop during the wringing
operation will remain in the mop bucket and not be spilled onto the
adjacent floor surface; 4) a mop is dipped into the clean washing
liquid contained into the mop bucket 10; 5) the liquid containing
mop is removed from the mop bucket 10 and moved over the surface of
the floor to be cleaned; 6) insert the dirty mop into the mop
wringer 12 between the pressure jaws 14 and 16; 7) manually move
the operating lever 54 from the position illustrated in FIG. 7 to
the position illustrated in FIG. 8 causing the pressure jaws to
move downwardly and inwardly toward one another to expel the dirty
water from the mop and direct the dirty water to enter the bucket
10 through the apertures of the wringer 12; and 8) repeat steps 1
through 7 inclusive.
[0045] Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
14 to 18 inclusive, wherein the mop wringer attachment is a side
force mop wringer. The side impact mop wringer 108 includes a
pressure plate 110 received on the interior of the wringer 108. The
interior of the wringer 108 is defined by a perforated front wall
112, and spaced apart side walls 114, 116. The front wall 112 is
integral with the front edges of the side walls 114, 116.
[0046] The lower end of the pressure plate 110 is adapted to
receive a pivot pin 118. The pivot pin 118 is adjusted to extend
through apertures 120 and 122 formed in the side walls 114,
116.
[0047] The side walls 114, 116 are provided respective outwardly
extending rims 124, 126, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16. It will be
noted from an examination of FIGS. 16 to 18, the pressure plate 110
is provided with flanges 128, 130 extending outwardly from the
pressure plate 110. Further, the side walls 114, 116 are provided
with downwardly extending spaced apart legs 131 which are guided
into slots 78 during the downward movement of the mop wringer 108
during the assemblage thereof on the mop bucket 10.
[0048] As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the
normal starting position of the pressure plate 110 is shown in
FIGS. 13 to 17 inclusive, while the completed wringing position of
the plate 110 is shown in FIG. 17.
[0049] The mechanism for driving the pressure plate 110 includes a
pivot arm 132 adapted to be received in apertures 134, 136 formed
in side walls 114, 116. The pivot arm 132 includes an upwardly
extending operating lever 138, and upwardly extending, spaced apart
links 140, 142, suitably attached to the pivot arm 132.
[0050] The upper ends of the links 140, 142 are pivotally coupled
to spaced apart connecting links 144, 146 by a pivot pin 148. The
connecting links 144, 146 are pivotally coupled to the pressure
plate 110 by a pressure plate pivot pin 150.
[0051] Suitable elastic cords 152, 154 such as, for example, rubber
bands, are employed to urge the pressure plate 110 and the
associated operating lever 138 in the normal vertical position, as
illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17 inclusive. One end of each of the
cords 152, 154 is connected in any suitable manner to the plate
110. The other end of each of the cords 152, 154 is attached to a
stationary rod 156 extending between the side walls 114, 116 and
suitably attached thereto. In all other respects, the mop wringer
108 is the same as that illustrated and described in respect of
FIG. 1.
[0052] A typical cleaning operation utilizing the present mop
bucket and side force mop wringer embodiment includes the following
steps: 1) filling the mop bucket 10 with the desired quantity of
washing liquid which is typically water having a detergent dissolve
therein; 2) placing the mop wringer 108 on the edge 96 of the mop
bucket 10 such that the legs 131 of the wringer 108 are suitably
received within the slots 78; 3) permitting the wringer 108 to be
lowered into the interior space of the mop bucket 10 until resting
contact is made with the rear portion of the upper edge 96 of the
mop bucket 10. At this stage, the lower edge of the rims 124, 126
of the side walls 114, 116 are disposed adjacent the upper edge 96
of the mop bucket 10. The side and front walls of the mop wringer
108 containing any perforations are now below the upper edge of the
mop bucket. Thus, any liquid squeezed from the mop during the
wringing operation will remain in the mop bucket and not be spilled
onto the adjacent floor surface; 4) a mop is dipped into the clean
washing liquid contained into the mop bucket 10; 5) the liquid
containing mop is removed from the mop bucket 10 and moved over the
surface of the floor to be cleaned; 6) insert the dirty mop into
the mop wringer 108 between the pressure plate 110 and the front
wall 112; 7) manually move the operating lever 138 from the
position illustrated in FIG. 16 to the position illustrated in FIG.
17 causing the pressure plate to move forwardly toward the front
wall 112 to expel the dirty water form the mop and direct the dirty
water to enter the bucket 10 through the apertures of the wringer
108; and 8) repeat steps 1 through 7 inclusive.
[0053] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the present invention has been described in what is considered to
represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be
understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as
specifically illustrated and described without departing from its
spirit or scope.
* * * * *