U.S. patent application number 10/075117 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-14 for dust mop handle method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Biggs, Blyth S..
Application Number | 20030150478 10/075117 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27660036 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030150478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Biggs, Blyth S. |
August 14, 2003 |
Dust mop handle method and apparatus
Abstract
This is a dust mop handle and method in which the handle has a
plurality of arcuate and straight segments including means to
attach a dust mop to one end; unique hand holding means providing
for bi-planar holding and movement of the dust mop handle in such
manner that the effective force being applied to the dust mop is
multiplied and enhanced and strain on the user is reduced.
Inventors: |
Biggs, Blyth S.;
(Gardnerville, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Herbert C. Schulze
2790 Wrondel Way, PMB36
Reno
NV
89502
US
|
Family ID: |
27660036 |
Appl. No.: |
10/075117 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/6 ; 15/143.1;
15/144.1; 15/144.4; 15/229.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25G 1/102 20130101;
B25G 1/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/6 ; 15/229.6;
15/143.1; 15/144.4; 15/144.1 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/20 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An improved dust mop handle comprising: a first hand grip area
adjacent a first end of said handle; multiple arcuate and straight
segments connected to said first hand grip area; a second hand grip
area intermediate said first hand grip area and a second end of
said handle; dust mop means attached to second end in such manner
that the first and second hand grip areas may be used to multiply
force exerted upon said dust mop means.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is at least one arcuate
segment and one angular segment between the first and second hand
grip areas.
3. A method for manipulating a dust mop comprising the steps of:
forming a dust mop handle which includes at least two hand grip
areas which are arranged so as to provide gripping by two hands in
a 90 degree planar relation to each other; and moving the mop
handle simultaneously in two planes which are at a 90 degree
relationship to each other.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application may be considered to be related to my
presently pending application for Utility Tool Handle, Ser. No.
______, filed Jan. 31, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] I. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is in the general field of dust mops and the
like;
[0004] The invention is more particularly in the field of handles
for, and methods of using, dust mops and the like which must be
manipulated at a distance from the user while at the same time
reducing strain and the like by the use of ergonomic principles
which maintain essentially in-line pressure with the user's hands,
arms, and shoulders and the like.
[0005] II. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] I am very familiar with this field and have made several
inventions and received patents on handles. Also, I have studied
literature in the field, patent files, and commercially available
items. While there have been many extension handles and the like
for various implements, I have recently filed an application for a
utility tool handle which employs ergonomic principles, referred to
above under the "Cross Reference to Related Patent Applications".
After filing the above mentioned application, I have discovered a
particular use for an improved handle requiring some of the
principles referred to in my co-pending application referred to
above. However, due to the unusual configuration of a dust mop--the
mop portion being generally quite large--there are certain
additional requirements beyond those addressed in my afore
referenced application. I have now studied this particular dust mop
problem and have now conceived and developed a new, unique, and
useful improved dust mop handle and method using ergonomic
principles applied directly to this field.
[0007] Therefore I have also made additional investigations into
the literature, available products, and patent files. I have been
unable to find a handle of the nature disclosed in this application
wherein the transfer of forces from the handle in an unusual and
ergonomically friendly manner can be accomplished in the manner as
set forth below and illustrated in the drawings which accompany
this application where the unusual characteristics of dust mops are
involved. Also, I have been unable to find any handle or method for
dust mops which anticipate nor suggest what is set forth in this
application.
[0008] Based upon my wide experience in this field and related
fields concerning janitorial and custodial services and the like,
and my recent searching I have concluded that there is no direct
prior art as to the handle herein disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] I have been involved in janitorial and custodial services
and the like for many years. I have also been engaged in the design
and manufacture of janitorial and custodial products and in the
development of ergonomically advantageous methods for performing
such services.
[0010] I have now designed a handle, and a method of use for dust
mops and the like. This handle is unique in that it employs curves
and the like at its extreme end such that any forces required
whether in a direct line or otherwise are directed in such manner
as to reduce force and strain against the hand, arm, and shoulder
of the user. This has been accomplished in a unique and useful
manner by offsets specifically directed to transferring forces from
an elongate dust mop or the like on an elongate handle so that the
unusual forces of a large dust mop are effectively maintained in
line with a user's shoulder, arm and hand even when unusual forces
result from the cumbersome nature of the dust mop.
[0011] I have provided a handle which allows the unusual, unique,
novel and useful combination for two hands to be used with the
arrangement aligning them in such a manner that the forces applied
by two hands, arms, and shoulders are effectively multiplied and
complimented by each other rather than being merely added which,
under some circumstances, even aggravates the problems
encountered.
[0012] What I have accomplished is provision for a unique and
useful dust mop handle with angular and arcuate portions so
arranged as to allow a user to manipulate a dust mop in a manner
which reduces strain and maximizes coverage with each sweep of the
dust mop.
[0013] It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and
useful dust mop handle;
[0014] Another object of this invention is to provide such a handle
which virtually eliminates strains associated with offset forces
normally encountered with ordinary straight extension handles and
the like;
[0015] Another object is to provide such a handle where the force
of a user's two hands, arms and shoulders is in essence multiplied
and complemented so as to reduce strain;
[0016] Another object is to provide such a handle and method by the
use of which a given surface area may be completely treated in a
minimum amount of time and with a minimum effort.
[0017] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading the description of a preferred embodiment, which follows,
in conjunction with a review of the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation of a preferred
embodiment of a dust mop handle incorporating the novel and useful
features of this invention and carrying a dust mop suitable to
practice at least one of the methods of this invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the device of FIG. 1; and
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device of FIGS. 1 and
2.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] An inventory of items in the drawings with reference
numerals is:
1 Numeral Item 10 handle generally 11 straight telescoping inner
segment 12 straight telescoping outer segment 13 adjustment holes
14 ball 15 curve 16 curve 17 grip sleeve 18 straight segment 19
curve 20 grip 21 connector sleeve 22 dust mop carrier 23 dust mop
yarns 24 rivet 25 mop hanger rod 26 straight segment 27 straight
segment 28 spring 29 hole 30 hole
[0022] A handle generally 10 made of any suitable material (I
prefer aluminum tubing, although any other material, including,
without limitation, wood or plastic which can be shaped as
described below and shown in the drawing may be used) is composed
of a straight segment 11 having two opposed holes 29 (only one is
visible). An essentially "V" shaped spring element 28 has two balls
or protrusions 14 and is inserted into the hollow segment 11 in
such manner that the balls or protrusions 14 protrude through the
two holes 29. When the inner telescoping segment 11 is inserted
into outer telescoping segment 12, the balls will be pressed
inwardly. When the handle is in the desired position the balls will
pop out through a pair of holes 13 and secure the telescoping
sections together as is known to those skilled in the art. Thus,
the handle length can be adjusted to accommodate the height of one
using the dust mop.
[0023] The upper (outer) telescoping handle portion is bent at 15
on a slight arc and the straight segment 27 continues at a twenty
degree angular relation to the axis of segment 11.
[0024] Another twenty degree curve or bend 16 blends into a
straight segment 18 which has an axis parallel to the axis of
segment 12. A relatively broad curve 19 then joins straight segment
26 the axis of which is at a 90 degree relation to the axis of
segment 12. A comfortable handle grip 20 as will be known to those
skilled in the art slips over the segment 26. A non-slip sleeve
(rubber or the like) 17 surrounds the segment 27 to allow for an
appropriately ergonomically engineered grip for a user's first hand
while the user's second hand will hold the grip 20. This unique
relationship has been found to greatly reduce the strain on a
user's hands, arms, back and shoulders. This is particularly
important because of the wide mop head on dust mops and the
resultant unbalanced strain when a obstacle is encountered on one
end of the wide mop head.
[0025] A customary connector sleeve or the like 21 is fastened to
the telescoping element 11 by a rivet or the like 24. A dust mop
carrier 22, mop yarns 23, mop hanger rod 25 make a proper
connection between the handle of my invention and the dust mop. All
of this will be known and understood by those skilled in the
art.
[0026] A user of the handle and dust mop of this invention may find
many advantages and ways to use the device. For example, a user may
pass one arm under handle/grip 26/20 and grip the angular segment
17/27 thus providing extra force and leverage.
[0027] While the embodiments shown and described are fully capable
of achieving the objects and advantages desired, it is to be
understood that such embodiments have been shown for purposes of
demonstration only and not for purposes of limitation.
[0028] In the claims which follow if I should fail to claim any
patentable feature such failure to claim will be inadvertent and is
not to be interpreted as an abandonment or dedication of such
feature. In such event, upon discovering the failure to claim I
shall immediately seek to correct it by any proper means.
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