U.S. patent application number 11/122228 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for mop having ergonomic handle and joint.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC. Invention is credited to Van Landingham, Alfred Reneau JR..
Application Number | 20050251943 11/122228 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42646297 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050251943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Landingham, Alfred Reneau
JR. |
November 17, 2005 |
Mop having ergonomic handle and joint
Abstract
A mop pad support includes a frame configured to retain a mop
pad, a handle for controlling the frame, and a connecting mechanism
that connects the handle to the frame. The frame has a longitudinal
direction and a latitudinal direction. The frame is longer in the
longitudinal direction than in the latitudinal direction. The
handle has a shaft portion that extends in a substantially
longitudinal direction and a grip portion that extends at an angle
relative to the longitudinal direction. The grip portion is located
farther from the frame than the shaft portion and has ends proximal
and distal the shaft portion. The proximal end of the shaft portion
is disposed lower than the distal end, such that the grip portion
extends upward. The connecting mechanism is configured to permit
the handle to rotate about a first axis that is substantially
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame and to rotate
about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the
latitudinal direction of the frame.
Inventors: |
Van Landingham, Alfred Reneau
JR.; (Stephens City, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
LLC
|
Family ID: |
42646297 |
Appl. No.: |
11/122228 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60567794 |
May 5, 2004 |
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60637440 |
Dec 21, 2004 |
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60646986 |
Jan 27, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/228 ;
15/144.2; 15/244.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/12 20130101;
B25G 1/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/228 ;
015/144.2; 015/244.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 013/20 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mop pad support comprising: a frame configured to retain a mop
pad, the frame having a longitudinal direction and a latitudinal
direction, wherein the frame is longer in the longitudinal
direction than in the latitudinal direction; a handle for
controlling the frame, the handle having a shaft portion that
extends in a substantially longitudinal direction and a grip
portion that extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal
direction, the grip portion being located farther from the frame
than the shaft portion and having ends proximal and distal the
shaft portion, the proximal end being disposed lower than the
distal end, such that the grip portion extends upward; and a
connecting mechanism that connects the handle to the frame, wherein
the connecting mechanism is configured to permit the handle to
rotate about a first axis that is substantially parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the frame and to rotate about a second
axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
2. The mop pad support of claim 1, wherein the angle of the grip
portion relative to the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion
is at least 30 degrees.
3. The mop pad support of claim 1, wherein the grip portion extends
from an end of the shaft portion.
4. The mop pad support of claim 1, wherein rotation of the grip
portion about an axis that is substantially coincident with the
longitudinal direction of the handle causes a corresponding
rotation of the frame.
5. The mop pad support of claim 1, further comprising a squeegee
projecting from a forward edge of the frame, wherein the connecting
mechanism is configured to inhibit rotation of the handle about the
first axis.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Nos. 60/567,794 (filed May 5, 2004), 60/637,440 (filed
Dec. 21, 2004), and 60/646,986 (filed Jan. 27, 2005), which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Flat mops typically include a handle attached to a frame,
which is configured to hold a flat mop pad. The handle is used to
control the frame and mop pad. Like conventional string mops, the
handle of the flat mop can be used to control the movement of the
frame and mop pad in forward/backward and side-to-side motions.
Flat mops, however, impose an additional requirement that generally
does not exist with conventional string mops. Specifically, flat
mops often require that the handle be capable of controlling the
rotational movement of the frame and mop pad. This rotational
movement of the frame and mop pad occurs when a user moves the mop
in a figure eight motion while walking backwards--a mopping
technique that can be used with flat mops.
[0003] Often the handle of a flat mop is merely a straight member.
With such a handle it can be difficult to control rotational
movement of the frame and mop pad. Moreover, the ergonomics of such
a handle can be inconvenient for some users.
[0004] In effort to reduce the problems associated with a
straight-handled flat mop, PCT Application WO 98/12023 suggests
providing a downward angled ergonomic grip at the end of a straight
handle. This approach is less than desirable. This downward angled
grip is not efficient when mopping floors using the figure eight
technique. The downward angled grip positions the user's wrist at
an awkward angle and forces the user to shorten the length of the
handle, which reduces the effective width of coverage of the figure
eight motion.
SUMMARY
[0005] An aspect of the present invention relates to a mop pad
support comprising a frame configured to retain a mop pad, a handle
for controlling the frame, and a connecting mechanism that connects
the handle to the frame. The frame has a longitudinal direction and
a latitudinal direction. The frame is longer in the longitudinal
direction than in the latitudinal direction. The handle has a shaft
portion that extends in a substantially longitudinal direction
portion is located farther from the frame than the shaft portion
and has ends proximal and distal the shaft portion. The proximal
end of the shaft portion is disposed lower than the distal end,
such that the grip portion extends upward. The connecting mechanism
is configured to permit the handle to rotate about a first axis
that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the
frame and to rotate about a second axis that is substantially
parallel to the latitudinal direction of the frame.
[0006] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are merely
exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview
or framework for understanding the nature and character of the
invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included
to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are
incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The
drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and
together with the description serve to explain the principles and
operation of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a mop pad
support according to the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a front view of the mop pad support of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top view of a frame of the mop pad support of
FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a frame of the mop pad support of
FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a handle of the mop pad
support of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the mop pad support of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the mop pad support of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mop pad support of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the mop pad support of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIGS. 10 to 16 are side views of additional embodiments of a
handle for a mop pad support according to the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 17 is a top view of an embodiment of a frame of a mop
pad support with a squeegee according to the present invention;
and
[0018] FIG. 18 is a partial side view of the mop pad support of
FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are
illustrated in the drawings. An effort has been made to use the
same or like reference numbers throughout the drawings to
[0020] A first embodiment of a mop pad support 10 according to the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-9. The mop pad support 10
includes a frame 20, a handle 30, and a connecting mechanism
40.
[0021] The frame 20 is configured to retain a mop pad 50. The frame
20 can be a conventional frame 20 used in mop pad supports.
Preferably, it is formed of extruded aluminum 21 with plastic end
stops 22 (see FIG. 3). As shown in the top view of FIG. 3, the
frame 20 has a longitudinal direction 23 and a latitudinal
direction 24 (portions of the connecting mechanism 40 and handle 30
have been removed for clarity). Preferably the frame 20 is longer
in the longitudinal direction 23 than in the latitudinal direction
24. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the frame 20 with the mop pad 50
removed. As shown in FIG. 4, the frame 20 can include, for example,
VELCRO fastener strips 26 that connect to corresponding VELCRO
fastener material (not shown) on the mop pad 50 to hold the mop pad
50 in position on the frame 20.
[0022] The handle 30 is configured to control the frame 20. The
handle 30 has a shaft portion 31 and a grip portion 32. Though the
handle 30 can be a telescoping adjustable member, as is
conventional in the art, an integral member, or any other suitable
configuration.
[0023] The shaft portion 31 preferably extends in a substantially
longitudinal direction 33 (see FIG. 5). Though deviations from a
straight line are permissible, it is desirable that the shaft
portion 31 be substantially straight. Materials, such as plastic
grips (not shown), can be disposed on the shaft portion 31 to
provide a better grip for a user.
[0024] The grip portion 32 is configured to be gripped by the hand
of a user. As shown in FIG. 5, the grip portion 32 preferably
extends in a direction 34 that is at an angle .alpha. relative to
the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion 31. The angle
.alpha. preferably is at least 30 degrees. The grip portion 32 is
located farther from the frame 20 than the shaft portion 31.
Preferably, the grip portion 32 extends from the end 35 of the
shaft portion 31. The grip portion 32 can include a plastic member
38 that provides a better grip for a user.
[0025] The grip portion 32 has an end 36 proximal the shaft portion
31 and an end 37 distal the shaft portion 31. As shown in FIG. 5,
the proximal end 36 of the grip portion 32 is disposed lower than
the distal end 37, such that the grip portion 32 extends
upward.
[0026] The connecting mechanism 40 connects the handle 30 to the
frame 20. The connecting mechanism 40 can be a conventional
connecting mechanism used for flat mop supports. Preferably, the
connecting mechanism 40 includes a conventional quick
connect/disconnect mechanism that facilitates fast attachment and
removal of the handle 30
[0027] The connecting mechanism 40 is configured to permit the
handle 30 to rotate in a direction 41 (see FIG. 7) about a first
axis 42 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) that is substantially parallel to the
longitudinal direction 23 of the frame 20. The connecting mechanism
40 also is configured to permit the handle 30 to rotate in a
direction 43 (see FIG. 6) about a second axis 44 (see FIGS. 6 and
7) that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 42 (though
the axes do not necessarily intersect).
[0028] The configuration of connecting mechanism 40 permits the
grip portion 32 to rotate about an axis that is substantially
coincident with the longitudinal direction 33 of the handle 30 to
cause a corresponding rotation of the frame 20. As shown in FIG. 8,
rotation of the grip portion 32 in the direction of the arrow A
(about the axis substantially coincident with the longitudinal
direction 33) and rotation of the shaft portion 31 in the direction
of arrow B (about the axis 44) causes a corresponding rotation of
the frame 20 in the direction of arrows C. Conversely, as shown in
FIG. 9, rotation of the grip portion 32 in the direction of the
arrow A' (about the axis substantially coincident with the
longitudinal direction 33) and rotation of the shaft portion 31 in
the direction of arrow B' (about the axis 44) causes a
corresponding rotation of the frame 20 in the direction of arrows
C'.
[0029] The mop pad support of the present invention is an
improvement over flat mops having a straight handle because it
provides an ergonomic grip portion 32 that facilitates control over
the rotation of the frame 20 and mop pad 50. The mop pad support 10
of the present invention also is an improvement over a downward
angled grip at the end of a straight handle, because the upwardly
angled grip portion of the present invention can be configured to
allow the user to grip the handle in a comfortable position that
provides superior control and/or turning of the frame on the floor.
This makes execution of the figure eight mopping technique more
efficient because the user's grip on the handle can be lighter,
allowing him or her to mop longer without fatigue.
[0030] The mop pad support 10 of the present invention can be
configured in a variety of ways in addition to those already
described. For example, the handle 30 of the present invention can
be configured in a variety of embodiments, some of which are shown
in FIGS. 10-16.
[0031] As another example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the frame
can be modified to include a squeegee blade 60 made of, for
example, rubber. The squeegee blade 60 preferably extends from a
forward edge of the modified frame 120. In this configuration, the
connecting mechanism 40 preferably includes projections 70 that fit
into detents 72 to inhibit rotation by of rotation, the squeegee
blade 60 is kept in position and ready to be used. This squeegee
blade 60 can be used, for example, to squeegee wet spills and to
sweep dry dirt and debris. The user can execute the figure eight
technique described above in regard to mopping.
[0032] The mop pad support 10 of the present invention can be used
with many types of mop pads 50. Preferably, it is used with a mop
pad disclosed in a patent application that is to be concurrently
filed by Judy Cline entitled "Color Coded Mop Pads and Method of
Color Coding Same" (Ser. No. ______; Attorney Docket Number
086554-1178), the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
[0033] The mop pad support 10 also can be used with many types of
buckets. A preferred mop bucket is disclosed in a patent
application that is to be concurrently filed by the present
inventor and Craig Rogers entitled "Bucket With Foot Pedal Wringer
Mechanism and Scrub Board" (Ser. No. ______; Attorney Docket Number
086554-1173), the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated
by reference. Another preferred bucket, which is used for
disinfecting, is disclosed in a patent application that is to be
concurrently filed by the present inventor entitled "Disinfecting
Bucket" (Ser. No. ______; Attorney Docket Number 086554-1172), the
entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0034] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and
* * * * *