U.S. patent application number 11/620861 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for mop assembly and cart.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to John J. Dyer, Joseph J. Fodrocy, David A. Maurer, Raymond N. Maurer, Gary L. Olson.
Application Number | 20070140774 11/620861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33489652 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070140774 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dyer; John J. ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
MOP ASSEMBLY AND CART
Abstract
A method of mopping a floor is disclosed.
Inventors: |
Dyer; John J.; (Shoreview,
MN) ; Olson; Gary L.; (Shoreview, MN) ;
Maurer; David A.; (Muskegon, MI) ; Maurer; Raymond
N.; (Seminoie, FL) ; Fodrocy; Joseph J.;
(Muskegon, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
33489652 |
Appl. No.: |
11/620861 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11058704 |
Feb 15, 2005 |
7160044 |
|
|
11620861 |
Jan 8, 2007 |
|
|
|
10454051 |
Jun 4, 2003 |
6854912 |
|
|
11058704 |
Feb 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/139 ;
401/137; 401/138 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/30 20130101;
B62B 2202/50 20130101; B62B 1/26 20130101; A47L 13/22 20130101;
A47L 13/51 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/139 ;
401/138; 401/137 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/30 20060101
A47L013/30; A47L 13/00 20060101 A47L013/00; A47L 1/08 20060101
A47L001/08 |
Claims
1. A method of mopping a floor comprising: providing a mop assembly
for applying liquid to a surface, said assembly comprising: a mop
head; an elongate handle having a first end pivotally attached to
said mop head, an opposite second end, and a portion adjacent said
second end adapted to be manually engaged to move the mop head
along the surface; a container for a supply of the liquid separate
from the handle and adapted to be supported above the mop head,
said container having an opening closed by a closure mechanism
through which the container can be refilled; a valve assembly
mounted on said handle adjacent said first end, having an inlet
opening and an outlet opening, and having first and second members
relatively movable between a closed position to stop the flow of
liquid through said valve between said inlet and outlet openings,
and an open position allowing the flow of liquid between said inlet
and outlet openings; a flexible hose extending and being connected
between said container and said inlet opening of said valve
assembly for conveying liquid from said container to said valve
assembly; wherein said valve assembly comprises a length of
resiliently flexible tubing having an inlet end providing said
inlet opening, an outlet end providing said outlet opening, and a
portion of said length of tubing between said inlet and outlet ends
extending between said first and second members of said valve
assembly, said first and second members being positioned to press
together opposite sides of said length of tubing in said closed
position to stop flow of liquid through said length of tubing, and
being spaced apart in said open position to afford separation of
the opposite sides of said length of tubing and flow of liquid
through the length of tubing; engaging the valve assembly to
release liquid onto the floor; and moving the mop head to spread
the liquid over the floor.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/058,704, filed on Feb. 15, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/454,051, filed on Jun. 4, 2003, issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,912, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference in their entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to mop assemblies of the type
used for applying liquids (e.g., floor coatings, floor cleaners,
floor sealers, floor finishes, disinfectants, etc.) to a surface
such as the surface of a floor, which mop assemblies include a mop
head, a handle pivotally attached to the mop head by which the mop
head can be manually moved along the surface; a valve assembly
mounted on the handle adjacent the mop head connected by a hose to
a supply of liquid supported above the mop head, which valve is
normally closed to stop the flow of liquid through the valve but
can be manually opened to allow liquid from the container to flow
through the valve and be deposited on the surface at a position
close to the mop head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Mop assemblies of the type used for applying liquids (e.g.,
floor wax, polyurethane, or other floor finishing or floor sealing
materials, disinfectants, etc.) to a surface such as the surface of
a floor are known which include a mop head, a handle pivotally
attached to the mop head by which the mop head can be manually
moved along the surface; a valve assembly mounted on the handle
adjacent the mop head connected by a hose to a supply of liquid
supported above the mop head (e.g., in a back pack worn by the
person using the mop), which valve is normally closed to stop the
flow of liquid through the valve but can be manually opened to
allow liquid from the container to flow through the valve and be
deposited on the surface at a position close to the mop head from
which the liquid can be spread over the surface by the mop head.
Such mop assemblies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,119,386,
4,152,084, and 6,227,744, and in U.S. Patent Application
Publication US2003/0197027 A1.
[0004] While such mop assemblies can be used effectively if they
are thoroughly cleaned between each use, a significant problem can
occur if certain liquids such as floor waxes or the like are
allowed to remain in the valve assembly between uses. Such liquids
can thicken and/or solidify when exposed to the atmosphere through
the outlet opening of the valve, causing the valve to become sticky
or even plugged because of the thickened or solidified material,
and presenting a difficult clean up situation before the liquid
delivery system on the mop will again operate properly.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a mop assembly for applying
liquids (e.g., floor coatings, floor cleaners, floor sealers, floor
finishes, disinfectants, etc.) that is generally of the type
described above, but in which the structure of the valve assembly
restricts the valve assembly from becoming sticky when it is not
cleaned between uses, and, should the valve assembly become
disabled by thickened or solidified liquids, allows the only part
of the valve assembly in which such thickened or solidified
material can occur to be quickly and easily changed by a person
using the mop assembly.
[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a mop
assembly for applying liquid to a surface such as the surface of a
floor. The mop assembly comprises a mop head; an elongate handle
having a first end pivotally attached to the mop head, and a
portion adjacent a second end adapted to be manually engaged to
move the mop head along the surface; a valve assembly mounted on
the handle adjacent its first end, which valve assembly includes
first and second members relatively movable between a closed
position to stop the flow of liquid through the valve between inlet
and outlet openings of the valve, and an open position allowing the
flow of liquid between those openings, and a flexible hose for
conveying liquid from a liquid container that is elevated above the
mop head (e.g., in a back pack worn by the person using the mop)
and the inlet opening of the valve assembly. The valve assembly in
the present invention comprises a length of resiliently flexible
elastic tubing having opposite ends providing the inlet and outlet
openings for the valve, with the outlet opening positioned to
deposit liquid passing through the valve on the surface at a
position close to the mop head from which the liquid can be spread
over the surface by manipulation of the mop head. A portion of the
length of tubing between its inlet and outlet ends extends between
the first and second members of the valve assembly, and the first
and second members in their closed position press together opposite
sides of the length of tubing to stop flow of liquid through the
length of tubing, and in their open position are spaced apart to
afford separation of the opposite sides of the length of tubing and
flow of liquid through the length of tubing.
[0007] The length of tubing can be withdrawn from or inserted
between the first and second members of the valve assembly in the
open position of the valve assembly and the mop assembly includes a
connector between the hose and the inlet end of the length of
tubing affording manual removal and attachment of the length of
tubing to facilitate replacement of the length of tubing in the mop
assembly.
[0008] Thus, any thickening or solidification of liquid being
dispensed due to improper cleaning of the valve assembly will occur
in the length of tubing, and in the event that movement of liquid
through the length of tubing becomes restricted or stopped because
of such thickened or solidified material in the length of tubing,
the length of tubing can either be stretched and squeezed to help
pass the thickened or solidified material, or can easily and
quickly be replaced by a person using the mop assembly.
[0009] In an embodiment of the mop assembly described herein the
handle has a central passageway, the second member of the valve
assembly is fixed with respect to the handle and forms an end to
the passageway, and the first member of the valve assembly
comprises a first part within and moveable longitudinally along
that passageway. The portion of the length of tubing between its
inlet and outlet ends extends transverse of the handle and the
passageway between the first and second members of the valve
assembly, and the valve assembly includes a spring biasing those
members to their closed position. A manually engageable trigger
member is pivotally mounted on the handle at its end opposite the
mop head, and is connected by a connecting member within the
passageway to the first member of the valve assembly so that manual
pivoting of the trigger can move the first member to the open
position of the valve members and thereby allow liquid to be
dispensed on the surface.
[0010] The present invention also provides a storage cart for a mop
assembly that may be the mop assembly described above or a similar
mop assembly without its novel valve assembly. That storage cart
includes an elongate main portion having longitudinally spaced top
and bottom ends, and walls defining a second surface extending
between its top and bottom ends; and an elongate tray portion
having longitudinally spaced first and second ends, a bottom wall
extending between its first and second ends and side walls
projecting from the bottom wall, which side and bottom walls
provide a receptacle for the mop head which will hold liquid when
the bottom wall is lowermost and supported on a horizontal surface.
The first end of the tray portion is mounted on the bottom end of
the main portion for relative movement of the portions between (1)
a closed position with distal edges of the side walls along the
second surface of the main portion to afford retention of the mop
head in the receptacle by the second surface of the main portion,
and (2) an open position with the main and tray portions disposed
at about a right angle with respect to each other so that the mop
head can be inserted into or removed from the receptacle in the
tray portion, and so that with the top end of the main portion
projecting vertically upwardly from a horizontal surface such as
the surface of a floor the bottom wall can be disposed along that
surface with the side walls of the receptacle projecting vertically
upwardly above the surface so that the mop head can be moved into
or out of the receptacle. Latch members are provided on the main
and tray portions for releasably retaining the main and tray
portions in their closed position. Also, wheels are provided on the
bottom end of the first portion that allow the storage cart to be
rolled along a horizontal surface.
[0011] The tray portion can include a retaining wall on the distal
ends of the side walls adjacent the first end of the tray portion
to provide a liquid tight container at the first end of the tray
portion for receiving and containing liquid from the receptacle
(and from the mop head when it is in the receptacle) when the main
and tray portions are in their closed position and top end of the
main portion is projecting generally vertically upwardly.
[0012] One of the side walls adjacent the second end of the tray
portion can have a passageway through which can extend the handle
of the mop assembly when the head of the mop assembly is in the
receptacle and the main and tray portions are in their closed
position. A portion of the handle then projecting from the cart
(parts of the handle can telescope together to reduce the length of
that projecting portion) can be manually engaged to move the mop
and cart along the horizontal surface. The main portion can also
have a handle at its top end which can be manually engaged to move
the cart along the surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] The present invention will be further described with
reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference
numerals refer to like parts in the several views, and wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mop assembly according to
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective fragmentary view of a mop
head and valve assembly included in the mop assembly of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken
approximately along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken
approximately along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken
approximately along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken
approximately along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cart assembly according to
the present invention that can be used with the mop assembly of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cart assembly of FIG. 7
in which a tray portion of the cart assembly has been moved to an
open position from a closed position shown in FIG. 7 and in which
the mop assembly of FIG. 1 is shown in a receptacle in the tray
portion; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side view of the cart assembly of FIG. 5
enclosing the mop assembly of FIG. 1 with the tray portion of the
cart assembly in its closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawing there is
illustrated a mop assembly 10 according to the present invention
that can be used for applying liquid (e.g., floor coatings, floor
cleaners, floor sealers, floor finishes, disinfectants, etc.) to a
surface such as the surface of a floor.
[0024] The mop assembly 10 comprises a mop head 12, an elongate
handle 14 having a first end 15 pivotally attached to the mop head
12, and a portion adjacent an opposite second end 16 that is
adapted to be manually engaged to move the mop head 12 along the
surface. A valve assembly 18 mounted on the handle 14 adjacent its
first end 15 has inlet and outlet openings at and provided by
opposite ends 20 and 21 of a length 19 of resiliently flexible
elastic tubing (e.g., 5/16 O. D. latex tubing) included in the
valve assembly 18 that has a portion extending transversely through
the handle 14. The valve assembly also includes first and second
members 22 and 23 in the handle 14 on opposite sides of the length
19 of tubing that are relatively movable between a closed position
at which the first and second members 22 and 23 press or pinch
together opposite sides of that portion of the length 19 of tubing
to stop the flow of liquid through the length 19 of tubing, and an
open position at which the first and second members 22 and 23 are
spaced apart to afford resilient separation of the opposite sides
of the length 19 of tubing and flow of liquid through the length 19
of tubing. A length 24 of flexible hose has one end connected to a
liquid container 26 that is elevated above the mop head 12 (e.g.,
positioned in a back pack 28 shown in FIG. 8 that can be worn by
the person using the mop assembly 10) The length 24 of hose has an
opposite end connected to the end 20 of the length 19 of tubing
that provides the inlet opening 20 of the valve assembly by a
connector 32 so that the length 24 of hose can conveying liquid
from the container 26 to the valve assembly 18. The connector 32
has projecting hose barbs disposed at a right angle to each other
that engage within the length 24 of shoe and the length 19 of
tubing.
[0025] The liquid container 26 can be the polymeric bag described
as a one gallon, two ply poly nylon bag that is commercially
available from Scholle Corporation, North Lake, Ill. The container
26 can optionally have an opening closed by a screw cap, plug, or
other suitable closure mechanism 29 through which opening the
container 26 can be refilled.
[0026] Optionally, an outlet nozzle (not shown) in the form of a
generally T or Y shaped piece of polymeric tubing or a manifold
with more than two outlets can have an inlet portion inserted into
the end 21 of the length 19 of tubing and can separate the liquid
passing through the length 19 of tubing into two or more streams to
thereby dispense the liquid in two or more pools beside the pad 48
which can facilitate even distribution of liquids by the pad 48 of
the mop assembly 10.
[0027] Should liquid in the length 19 of tubing become thickened or
solidify so that it restricts or blocks flow of liquid through the
length 19 of tubing, the length 19 of tubing can either be
stretched and squeezed to help pass the thickened or solidified
material, or the connector 32 can be removed from the length 19 of
tubing and the length 19 of tubing can be withdrawn from between
the first and second members 22 and 23 of the valve assembly 18 in
their open position, and then replaced by a new length 19 of
tubing.
[0028] The length 24 of flexible hose is attached to the handle 14
by spaced clips, the uppermost clip 31 comprising a flexible tube
formed from a helical length of polymeric material through which
the length 24 of flexible hose extends, which tube can bend with
the length 24 of hose and will restrict crimping of the length 24
of hose adjacent the clip 31.
[0029] The handle 14 of the mop assembly 10 has a central
passageway 34. The second member 23 of the valve assembly 18 is
part of the handle 14 and forms an end of the passageway 34. The
first member 22 of the valve assembly 18 includes a first part 35
within the passageway 34 that is moveable longitudinally along the
passageway 34, and the valve assembly 18 includes a spring 36
biasing the members 22 and 23 to their closed position at which the
first and second members 22 and 23 press or pinch together opposite
sides of the length 19 of tubing to stop the flow of liquid through
the length 19 of tubing. An L-shaped trigger member 37 is pivotally
mounted by a pin 38 on a trigger support casting 39 that has a
cylindrical portion engaged in a tubular portion of the handle 14
at its second end 16. A connecting assembly 41 within the
passageway 34 has a first end attached to the first member 22 of
the valve assembly 18 and an opposite second end attached to a
first end portion 40 of the trigger member 39. A cover 33 attached
to the casting 39 covers all of the trigger member 37 except for a
second end portion 42 that projects from beneath the trigger
housing 39 and extends along the outer surface of the handle 14.
Pivotal movement of the trigger member 39 by manually engaging that
projecting second end portion 42 moves the first member 22 to the
open position of the valve members 22 and 23 against the bias of
the spring 37.
[0030] The first member 22 of the valve assembly 18 further
includes a second part 43 extending through a longitudinally
extending slot in the handle 14 and projecting from the side of the
handle 14. That second part 43 can be manually engaged to move the
valve members 22 and 23 to their open position which can be useful,
for example, to change the length 19 of tubing.
[0031] The outer end of the second part 43 is cylindrical and sized
so that the end 21 of the length 19 of tubing can be pressed over
it when the mop assembly 10 is not in use to restrict entrance of
air into the length 19 of tubing and thereby restrict thickening or
solidification of liquid within the length 19 of tubing.
[0032] The mop head 12 includes an elongate channel 45 (e.g., of
aluminum) having a bottom surface 46 on which are adhered several
(e.g., two as illustrated) longitudinally extending spaced fastener
strips 47 (e.g., strips of the hook portion of a hook and loop
fastener). Those fastener strips 47 releasably attach to the bottom
surface of a soft absorbable pad 48 that can be moved along the
surface. A suitable pads 48 include the pad commercially available
under the trade designation "Micro fiber Flat Mop Pad" from Clean
Systems US, Middle Valley, Calif. and the pad commercially
available under the trade designation "Micro Fiber Mop 030213F,
AFI-Pile-TF" from Daego Co. Ltd., Kwanynag-Dong, Dongan-Ku, Anyang,
Republic of Korea. On the top side of the length 45 of channel
opposite its bottom surface 46 are projecting opposed spaced
generally L-shaped lips 49 between which, centrally of the channel
45, extend spaced brackets 50 having a plurality of (e.g., 3) pairs
of axially aligned sockets 51. Any one of those pairs of sockets 51
can receive cylindrical pins 58 and 59 projecting from an
attachment device 53 on the first end 15 of the handle 14 so that
the mop head 12 can pivot with respect to the handle 14 around a
first axis parallel to the length of the mop head 12. The
attachment device 53 extends along the bottom edge of a plate 55. A
portion of the plate 55 opposite the attachment device 53 is
attached to a first end 15 of the handle 14 by a bolt 57 for
pivotal movement of the handle around a second axis at a right
angle to the first axis. One of the projecting pins 58 on the
attachment device 53 is fixed with respect to the plate 55. The
other pin 59 is longitudinally movable with respect to the plate 55
between a retracted position within the plate 55 and a projecting
position to which it is biased by a spring 60 and at which
projecting position the pin 59 will engage one of the sockets 51
opposite and aligned with the socket 51 in which the fixed pin 58
is engaged. A projection 54 from the side of the moveable pin 59
can be manually engaged to move the pin 59 to its retracted
position against the bias of the spring 60 so that the plate 55 can
be engaged with or removed from engagement with an aligned pair of
the sockets 51.
[0033] The handle 14 includes first and second telescoping
cylindrically tubular handle portions 61 and 62 with a portion of
the first tubular portion 61 within the tubular portion 62 and
axially slideable therein between an extended use position (FIGS. 1
and 8) and a retracted storage position (FIG. 9) at which the first
and second ends 15 and 16 of the handle 14 are more closely spaced
than in the extended position. A latch assembly 63 is provided for
releasably retaining the two tubular portions 61 and 62 in either
of those positions. The latch assembly (see FIG. 6) comprises a
semi cylindrical resiliently flexible member 64 within the first
tubular portion 61 along one edge of which is a projection 66
projecting radially of the handle 14 and through an opening in the
first tubular portion 61. The second tubular portion 62 has axially
spaced openings 67 and 68, either of which can be aligned to
receive the projection 66, the opening 67 being positioned to
receive the projection 66 to lock the handle portions 61 and 62 in
their extended position, and the opening 68 being positioned to
receive the projection 66 to lock the handle portions 61 and 62 in
their retracted position. Indicia can be provided on the handle
portions to indicate proper alignment of the handle portions 61 and
62 so that the projection 66 can enter the openings 67 and 68. The
connecting assembly 41 can comprise a flexible metal cable having
its opposite ends attached to the first end portion 40 of the
trigger member 37 and to the first member 22 of the valve assembly
18, which cable extends directly between those members 22 and 37
when the handle portions 61 and 62 are in their extended position,
and coils within the passageway 34 when the handle portions 61 and
62 are in their retraced position. Alternatively, the connecting
assembly 41 can include a first part that can be a stiff wire
connected at one end to and projecting from the first member 22 of
the valve assembly 18 that has a loop at its second end opposite
the first member 22, and a second part that can be a stiff or a
flexible wire connected at one end to and projecting from the first
end portion 40 of the trigger member 37, which second part extends
through the loop at the end of the first part and has a lug at its
distal end that can not move through that loop. The first and
second parts of that connecting assembly extend between the members
22 and 37 with the lug at the loop when the handle portions 61 and
62 are in their retracted position, and telescope together while
remaining generally straight when the handle portions 61 and 62
move to their retracted position.
[0034] FIGS. 7 through 9 illustrate a storage cart 70 according to
the present invention that can be used in conjunction with a mop
assembly such as the mop assembly 10 described above. That storage
cart includes an elongate main portion 72 having longitudinally
spaced top and bottom ends 73 and 74, and walls (which can be
molded of a stiff polymeric material such as polypropylene) having
a continuous rectangular side surface 75 extending between its top
and bottom ends 73 and 74. The walls of the main portion 72 also
form a plurality of receptacles 76 (three as illustrated) opening
on the side of the main portion 72 opposite its side surface 75
which can be used for storing items used with the mop assembly 10
such as pads 48, liquid containers 26, tools, rags, or tape. The
uppermost receptacle 76 is particularly adapted to store the
backpack 28 adapted to support the liquid container 26 filled with
a supply of liquid by having a central opening 77 through which the
length of hose 24 attached to that container 26 can extend.
[0035] The storage cart 70 also includes an elongate tray portion
78 having longitudinally spaced first and second ends 79 and 80, a
continuous bottom wall 82 extending between its first and second
ends 79 and 80, and side walls 84 projecting from the bottom wall
82 that have distal ends in a common plane. The side and bottom
walls 82 and 84 provide a receptacle 86 adapted to receive the mop
head 12, which receptacle 86 contains liquid when the bottom wall
84 is lowermost and supported on a horizontal surface. The first
end 79 of the tray portion 78 is mounted on the bottom end 73 of
the main portion 72 by pivot pins 87 for relative movement of the
tray portion 78 with respect to the main portion 72 between a
closed position (FIGS. 5 and 7) with the distal edges of the side
walls 84 along the side surface 75 of the main portion 72 and the
side walls 84 between spaced projecting walls 88 on the main
portion 72 to cover the open side of the receptacle 86 and thereby
afford retention of the mop head 12 in the receptacle 86 as shown
in FIG. 7; and an open position (FIG. 6) with the tray portion 78
disposed at about a right angle with respect to the main portion 72
so that the mop head 12 can be inserted into or removed from the
receptacle 86 in the tray portion 78, and so that, with the top end
73 of the main portion 72 projecting vertically upwardly from a
horizontal surface such as a floor surface, the bottom wall 82 can
be supported along that horizontal or floor surface with the side
walls 84 of the receptacle projecting vertically upwardly. In that
position the receptacle 86 will retain liquid and the mop head 12
can be positioned in the receptacle for various purposes such to
store the mop assembly 10 with its mop head 12 off of a floor
surface between uses of the mop assembly 10.
[0036] Optionally the pivot pins 87 by which the first end 79 of
the tray portion 78 is mounted on the bottom end 73 of the main
portion 72 can be received in journals from which they can be
manually removed, such as resiliently flexible generally C shaped
journals, so that the tray portion 78 can be manually removed from
the main portion 72 should that be desired by a user of the cart
70. Alternatively, such resiliently flexible generally C shaped
journals could be provided on the bottom end 73 of the main portion
in the place of the pivot pins 87 and those generally C shaped
journals could be releasably engaged over a cylindrical axle shaft
89 on which wheels 98 for the cart are mounted to provide both
relative movement of the tray portion 78 with respect to the main
portion 72 between its closed position and open positions and
manual removal of the tray portion 78 from the main portion 72.
[0037] The bottom wall 82 has a through opening in which is
normally positioned a plug 96 that can be removed to drain liquid
from the receptacle 86.
[0038] Latch members are provided on the main and tray portions 72
and 78 for releasably retaining them in the closed position. Those
latch members include generally rectangular lugs 90 at the distal
ends of resiliently flexible elongate projections on opposite sides
of the tray portion 72 close to its second end 80 and parts of the
projecting walls 88 of the main portion 72 that have through
openings 91 in which the lugs 90 can be received to retain the main
and tray portions 72 and 78 in their closed position. The lugs 90
have cam surfaces adapted to resiliently deflect the projections
carrying the lugs 90 inwardly so that they slide along the inner
surfaces of the walls 88 and into the openings 91 when the tray
portion 78 is moved from its open position to its closed position.
When the tray portion 78 is in its closed position the lugs 90 can
be manually pressed toward each other and then away from the side
surface 75 to cause movement of the tray portion 72 from its closed
position toward its open position.
[0039] The tray portion 78 includes a retaining wall 93 on the
distal ends of the side walls 84 adjacent the first end 79 of the
tray portion 78 to provide with parts of the bottom wall 82 and
side walls 84 a liquid tight container 94 at the first end 79 of
the tray portion 78. The container 94 will receive and contain
liquid from within the receptacle 86 (and/or from the mop head 12
if it is in the receptacle 86) when the tray portion 78 is in its
closed position with the top end 73 of the main portion 72
projecting generally vertically upwardly.
[0040] The co-axial wheels 98 are mounted for rotation by the axle
shaft 89 on the main portion 72 at its bottom end 74 adjacent its
side surface 75 to affording rolling movement of the storage cart
70 along a horizontal surface. Cylindrical polymeric feet 99 on the
bottom end 74 of the main portion 72 together with the wheels 98
can support the main portion 72 with its top end 73 projecting
upwardly.
[0041] One of the side walls 84 at the second end 80 of the tray
portion 78 has a passageway 100 adapted to receive a part of the
handle 14 of the mop assembly 10 when its mop head 12 is in the
receptacle 86 and the tray portion 78 is in its closed position. A
portion of the handle 14 adjacent its second end 16 (preferably
with the parts of the handle in their retracted position) then
projects from the cart 70 and can be manually engaged to move the
mop assembly 10 and the storage cart 70 along a horizontal
surface.
[0042] The main portion 72 of the cart 70 has a handle 102 at its
top end 73 that can be manually engaged to move the storage cart 70
along a horizontal surface.
[0043] An L-shaped lip 104 extending across the second end 80 of
the tray portion 78 provides support for the second end 80 of the
tray portion 78 when it is in its open position. The lip 104 can
also be used to hang the cart 70 on a hanger in a closet or
elsewhere, should that be desired. Alternatively, the cart 70 could
also be hug by the handle 102.
[0044] The storage cart 70 can be made with of a bright colored
polymeric material, can be painted with a bright colored paint,
and/or can have bright colored appliques applied to it so that it
can be used to designate locations where maintenance work is being
done and/or where persons should not enter.
[0045] The present invention has now been described with reference
to one embodiment and several possible variations, modifications,
and uses thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that many changes can be made in the embodiment described without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the scope
of the present invention should not be limited to the structures
and methods described in this application, but only by the
structures and methods described by the language of the claims and
the equivalents thereof.
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