U.S. patent application number 10/228361 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-24 for mop with disposable mopping element.
Invention is credited to Brinker, Jane.
Application Number | 20030074757 10/228361 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23289159 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030074757 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brinker, Jane |
April 24, 2003 |
Mop with disposable mopping element
Abstract
A light-weight mop having a mop head element with gripping means
for engaging a planar fibrous sheet obtained from a magazine which
maintains the sheet in moist condition until use. Sheets are singly
withdrawn from the magazine after disposal of a previously soiled
sheet by releasing the gripping means which engages a laterally
projecting portion of the sheet.
Inventors: |
Brinker, Jane; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles E. Temko, Esq.
22 Marion Road
Westport
CT
06880
US
|
Family ID: |
23289159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/228361 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60330302 |
Oct 19, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/228 ;
15/147.1; 15/150; 15/257.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/51 20130101;
A47L 13/20 20130101; B25G 3/20 20130101; A47L 13/24 20130101; B25G
3/38 20130101; B25G 3/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/228 ;
15/147.1; 15/150; 15/257.01 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/20; A47L
013/50 |
Claims
I claim:
1. mop construction comprising: an elongated shaft, a mop head on a
lower end of said shaft, said mop head having first and second
relatively movable clamp members forming a jaw; and means medially
located on said shaft for selectively opening and closing said
jaw:
2. Mop construction in accordance with claim 1, in which said jaw
extends in perpendicular orientation relative to said elongated
shaft.
3. Mop construction comprising in combination, an elongated shaft
having a lower end, a mop head on said lower end having first and
second clamping members forming a transversely-extending jaw, means
for manually opening and closing said jaw located on said shaft,
and a descardable mopping planar sheet selectively engaged by said
jaw.
4. The combination set forth in claim 3, further comprising an
elongated bead projecting laterally of said planar sheet for
engagement by said jaw.
5. The combination set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a
magazine element including a plurality of sheets in stacked
relation, said magazine element having a selectively openable cover
overlying said sheets forming an opening through which said mop
element is projected for engagement of an uppermost sheet.
6. The combination set forth in claim 5, said opening in said
magazine element including a radially inwardly directed peripheral
flange; and a cartridge element containing said plurality of sheets
having an upwardly facing opening and having a peripheral rim
surrounding said opening, said rim being selectively supported by
said inwardly directed flange to position said sheets for serial
engagement by said mop head.
7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, said magazine element
having a selectively openable cover for maintaining moisture
content in said sheets.
8. A disposable fibrous planar mopping sheet comprising: a first
flexible lamina having a continuous peripheral edge, and means
forming a bead inwardly disposed of said peripheral edge and
projecting laterally of the plane of said lamina for selective
engagement by a mop head.
9. A mopping sheet in accordance with claim 7, in which said means
includes a second lamina adhered to said first lamina forming said
bead.
10. A mopping sheet in accordance with claim 7, in which said last
mentioned means includes a molded member having sheet-engaging
means and forming said bead.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Reference is made to my copending provisional application,
Ser. No. 60/330,302, filed Oct. 19, 2001 under the title Mop With
Disposable Fibrous Element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of hand held
mops, and more particularly to types which include a mop head
element which supports a planar sheet of fibrous material for
cleaning and/or dusting purposes.
[0003] Wet mops traditionally include a fiber absorptive rope head
element which is used in wet wrung condition, and which are
periodically rinsed in a bucket of soapy water, and wrung to
semi-dry condition for re-application to a floor or other surface.
After completion of the operation, the bucket is emptied and the
mop head is allowed to dry for reuse.
[0004] This task is burdensome, and many attempts have been made in
the prior art to simplify it. It is known in the art to provide a
mop head construction carrying a planar fibrous replaceable sheet
used in either dry or wet form, the sheet being carried by the mop
head as a multiple sheet tablet in which the lowermost sheet is
torn off when soiled to expose the adjacent sheet for use. It is
also known to provide the sheets in separable wet form to be fed
over a resilient planar surface of the mop head for application to
a floor. The sheets are separable from the web at periodic
intervals.
[0005] It is known that such fibrous sheets are far more effective
in use when they are in moist condition, rather than completely
dry. However, when the mop is used for relatively brief periods of
time, between which the mop is stored, there arises the problem of
moistening the sheets, and maintaining them in condition ready for
immediate use. The sheets can be stored together in a magazine
having a source of moisture. The magazine should have means for
closure to avoid evaporation, and yet be readily openable, using
the mop head to permit extraction of the sheets in a serial manner,
without the necessity of manually contacting them. Further, if the
mop head is to be of relatively small dimensions compared to that
of the traditional rope mop, the fibrous sheets must be engageable
at a centrally disposed area thereof, so that the sheets are free
to flex at the peripheral edges to form pores or recesses for
engagement and retention of small particles, such as crumbs,
insects, and the like, and to permit use of the mop head in
cleaning corners of the room, the stairwells and the like.
Alternatively, if the mop is of larger dimension, corresponding to
that of the traditional mop, the engagement will extend over the
width of the sheet along a rectilinear line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly stated, the invention contemplates the provision of
improved hand mop construction in which the above described
objectives are obtained. To this end, the described embodiment
includes an elongated mop handle supporting a mop head having
gripping means for selectively engaging a planar fibrous sheet of
material disposed within a magazine containing such sheets in
stacked condition, the engagement means being operated by an
elongated manually-engageable sleeve, a lower end of which operates
the gripping means from contracting to expanded condition.
[0007] In a preferred form, a magazine element provides means for
supporting the mop when not in use. The mop includes a mop head
having clamping means for engaging individual disposable fibrous
sheets and supporting them at a centrally disposed area during a
mopping and dusting operation, and subsequent release of the sheet
for waste disposal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the
specification, similar reference characters have been employed to
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a second exploded perspective view thereof.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the operation of clamping
means forming a part of the embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the clamping means in
closed position.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the clamping
means.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clamp head assembly.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the clamp head
assembly.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternate form of the
embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a second sectional view of the alternate form
taken at right angles to that seen in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] In accordance with the invention, the device, generally
indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a mop
element 11 and a magazine element 12 enclosing plural disposable
fibrous sheets 13.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, the mop element includes an elongated
shaft 20. A lower end 23 supports a mop head 24 including an upper
shaft engaging collar 25, a sheet engaging clamp unit 26 and a
manually engageable means 27 which operates the unit 26. The clamp
unit 26 includes an upper wall 28 and first and second movable
clamp members 29, 30 forming a transversely extending jaw 31 for
selectively engaging a fibrous sheet 13.
[0020] The means 27 also includes a manually operated handle member
33 which serves the function of separating the clamp members
29-30.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, inclusive, there is illustrated the
means for opening the jaw 31. The handle 82 engages a slide collar
87 which operates a cable 83 connected to a clamp actuator 84. As
seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the handle is mounted on a pivot collar 87,
and when the handle is raised, the cable 83 raises the clamp
actuator 84 permitting the jaw to open. A spring retainer 89 limits
travel of a closing spring 90 disposed in an axially oriented
sleeve 91. FIG. 7 illustrates a clamp spring 92 carried by a pivot
93 which serves to open the jaws when the handle 82 is in raised
condition, so that the individual sheets 13 may be engaged as
described above.
[0022] The fibrous sheets 13 (FIG. 3) are formed from a non-woven
fibrous material having a slight inap on the exposed surfaces
thereof, various forms of which are known in the art. They may also
be formed of open cell foam material in sheet form. A main member
70 includes planar surfaces 71, and rectangular edges 72, wherein
the member 70 is of generally rectangular configuration. Fused to
one of the surfaces 71 is a generally rectangularly-shaped engaging
member 74 of foamed material to form two planar portions 76 and a
transversely-extending engagement bead 77 which is selectively
grasped between the clamp members 29 and 30, following which it can
be withdrawn from the magazine for use. Alternatively, the sheet
itself may be creased to form a similar bead without forming a
separate engaging member 74. It is noted that during use, the
member 70 is relatively flexible in the manner of a woven rag or
wash cloth, and thus may be used to pick up and retain particular
matter, such as crumbs, insects and the like, while that part of
the lower surface which is not folded or wrinkled performs a normal
dusting or mopping function.
[0023] Upon completion of the above procedure, the soiled sheet 13
is disengaged by upward movement of the slide collar which results
in opening the clamps 29-30, and releasing the soiled sheet. A
fresh sheet may be withdrawn from the magazine until the supply of
fibrous elements becomes exhausted, and a new cartridge 62 is
installed. Prior to installation of the cartridge, it is normally
sealed by a frangible or removal top wall (not shown) which
maintains a constant moisture content of the fibrous sheet.
[0024] The magazine element 12 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is adapted to be
supported upon a floor and includes a housing 32 preferably formed
as a molding of synthetic resinous materials. The housing 32 is
generally of rectangular configuration, and includes a front wall
40, side walls 41 and 42, a lower wall 43, and upper wall 44 and a
rear wall 45. The upper wall forms a mop head engaging recess 47 of
slightly tapering configuration and generally conforming to that of
the mop head. It will be noted that the mop head cannot be inserted
in the recess unless a previously soiled sheet 13 has been
released.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the upper wall 44 forms a generally
rectangular opening 50, including transverse edges 51 and 52, and
side edges 53 and 54. The edge 51 includes a recess 55 for hinge
members (not shown) of a rectangular lid 57 having latch meas (not
shown) released by a treadle 59 at the bottom of the front wall.
Coil sprig means (not shown) urges the lid 57 to open position once
released.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 7-11, inclusive, there is illustrated the
means for opening the jaw 31. The manually engageable sleeve 27
includes a slide collar 81, handle 82, connecting cable 83 to clamp
activator 84. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the handle 82 is mounted on
a pivot collar 87, and when the handle is raised, the cable 83
raised the clamp actuator 84 permitting the jaw 31 to open. A
spring retainer 89 limits travel of a closing spring 90 disposed in
an axially oriented bore 91. FIG. 7 illustrates a clamp spring 92
supported on a pivot member 93 which serves to move the jaw to an
open condition, so that the individual sheets 13 may be engaged as
described hereinabove.
[0027] The use of the device will be apparent from a consideration
of the drawings. When the device is in stored condition, the mop
head will be positioned within the recess 47 in the magazine
element after discarding the most recently used fibrous sheet. The
size of the recess will prevent such positioning if the soiled
fibrous element has not been removed from the mop head. The device
may then be stored in a closet.
[0028] When the mop head is placed in use, the magazine element is
opened as described above, and the upper-most fibrous sheet 13 is
then engaged by the mop head. It is noted that during use, the
member is relatively flexible in the manner of a woven rag or wash
cloth, and thus may be used to pick up and retain particulate
matter, such as crumbs, insects and the like, while that part of
the lower surface which is not folded or wrinkled performs a normal
dusting or mopping function.
[0029] Turning now to the alternate form of the embodiment (FIGS. 7
and 8) to avoid needless repetition, certain of the component parts
have been designated by similar reference characters with
additional prefix (1).
[0030] The alternate form of embodiment differs from the principal
form in the width of the mop element which is substantially wider,
and approximately of the same width as a conventional rope type
mop. The fibrous sheets 113 include a separate engaging bead member
127 which is positioned centrally of the sheet.
[0031] The bead 127 is preferably injection molded from synthetic
resinous materials, and includes a portion 127a which extends under
the fibrous sheet 113 to form a clamp therefor. If desired, the
periphery of this sheet may be provided oh one surface thereof with
a laminated stiffening strip (not shown), to maintain the sheet in
relatively planar condition during storage and use, while yet
allowing a degree of flexibility.
[0032] It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly
useful improvements in mop construction which facilitates
occasional dusting and mopping operations, not only of floor
surfaces, but of corners of a room, staircase, and other areas and
surfaces which are not readily available for cleaning using a
conventional mop. The mop head forms a releasable jaw operated
without the necessity of stooping by the user, and enabling serial
engagement of a plurality of disposable fibrous sheets from a
magazine, which magazine provides a place of storage for the mop
when not in use. The contents of the magazine may be replaced when
necessary using a replacement cartridge. The disposable fibrous
sheets include a flexible planar body, and a relatively stiff mop
engaging member having an elongated bead which projects from an
upper surface of the fibrous sheet. The magazine element includes
cover means overlying the fibrous sheets when in closed condition,
to maintain moisture content.
[0033] I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the
invention to be limited to the precise details of structure shown
and described in the specification, for obvious modifications will
occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention
pertains.
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