Cleaning utensil with flexible peripheral regions

Abstract

A cleaning head for a cleaning utensil, comprising a base member, a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle, and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member. The at least one flexible support member and the base member together define a common support surface for a cleaning cover.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This patent application relates generally to cleaning utensils, such as mops, dusters, sweepers, and the like, and more particularly, to cleaning utensils having a flexible cleaning head.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Cleaning utensils, such as mops, dusters, sweepers, and the like, are known in the art. These cleaning utensils are generally used to clean relatively flat surfaces, such as floors, walls, or the ceiling. Alternatively, these types of cleaning utensils can be used to clean relatively flat surfaces on appliances or other structures. Known cleaning utensils generally have a cleaning head that is substantially rigid throughout. As a result, the rigid cleaning head often bumps into obstacles located on the surface being cleaned. For example, the head of a mop may bump into the legs of a table, chair, or other piece of furniture, possibly damaging the furniture, and/or making it difficult to clean certain parts of the floor. In addition, the rigid cleaning head may prevent access to certain areas desired to be cleaned. For example, the rigid cleaning head on a conventional floor/wall duster may make it difficult to dust in corners, and/or to dust crown molding, baseboard, or other contoured surfaces. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for cleaning utensils that overcome the shortcomings of conventional solutions.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to an illustrative embodiment, this application relates to a cleaning head for a cleaning utensil, comprising: a base member; a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle; and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member, the at least one flexible support member and the base member together defining a common support surface for a cleaning cover.

[0006] According to another illustrative embodiment, this application relates to a cleaning utensil, comprising: a cleaning head comprising a base member, and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member, wherein the base member and the at least one flexible support member together define a common lower surface of the cleaning head; a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle; and a cleaning cover attached to the cleaning head by the at least one flexible support member, the cleaning cover extending over the common lower surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The foregoing and other features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of a cleaning utensil will be apparent from the following detailed description, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning utensil having a flexible cleaning head;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the cleaning utensil of FIG. 1, shown with the cleaning cover separated from the cleaning head;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective, partially-exploded view of the flexible cleaning head of FIG. 1; and

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of a portion of the flexible cleaning head of FIG. 1, shown with one of the flexible support members bent through an angle .beta. with respect to the base member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Embodiments of a cleaning utensil are discussed in detail below. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. While specific embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning utensil 10 is shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, cleaning utensil 10 is a mop, duster, or sweeper, which can be used, for example, when dry to dust or sweep debris from the floor, walls, ceiling, etc. Alternatively, cleaning utensil 10 can be used when wet, for example, to mop a floor. Cleaning utensil 10 is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 14, and can alternatively take the form of other types of cleaning utensils known in the art.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, cleaning utensil 10 can generally include a cleaning head 12 connected to a handle 14, and a cleaning cover 16 removably connected to the cleaning head 12, as will be described in more detail below. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning head 12 can include a base member 20, and one or more flexible support members 22 extending laterally outward from the base member 20. The base member 20 and the flexible support member(s) 22 can be formed integrally, or alternatively can be separate parts fastened together, as shown.

[0015] The cleaning head 12 can also include a connector 24 adapted to couple the base member 20 to the handle 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connector 24 includes first and second hinges 26, 28, which cooperate to allow the handle 14 to pivot both laterally and longitudinally with respect to the base member 20, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other types of connectors, both pivoting and fixed, can be substituted for connector 24.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, the base member 20 and the flexible support members 22 extending therefrom can define a common support surface (e.g., the lower surface in the view of FIG. 2) that provides a support for the cleaning cover 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible support members 22 can be located on substantially opposite sides of the base member 20. Although two flexible support members 22 are shown, alternative embodiments can have any number and arrangement of flexible support members. For example, according to one embodiment, four flexible support members 22 can originate from the base member 20 in a "four leafed clover" pattern.

[0017] The cleaning cover 16 can include a backing having first and second pockets 30, with each pocket being dimensioned to fit over one of the flexible support members 22, as shown in FIG. 1. The backing and pockets 30 can be constructed, for example, from nylon or another suitable fabric. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the pockets 30 can fit over the flexible support members 22, thereby securing the cleaning cover 16 over the common support surface. The cleaning cover 16 can be removed (e.g., to clean or replace the cleaning cover 16) by bending one or more of the flexible support members 22 out of the pockets 30. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that alternative structures can be implemented to secure the cleaning cover 16 to the cleaning head 20. For example, resilient snaps, Velcro fasteners, elastic bands, or other known structures in the art can be used.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning cover 16 can comprise a fabric material, such as chenille microfiber, cotton, fleece, etc. All or a portion of the cleaning cover 16 can be covered with fringe 50. Fringe 50 can comprise loops or strands of material, or other shapes known in the art. As shown in FIG. 2, the fringe 50 can extend around the perimeter 52 of the cleaning cover 16. Fringe 50 can also cover all or a portion of the bottom, cleaning surface of the cleaning cover 16. According to an exemplary embodiment, the perimeter 52 of the cleaning cover 16 can substantially match the common outer perimeter 54 defined by the base member 20, and the flexible support members 22.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the common support surface can be generally planar when the cleaning head 12 is in a static state in which little or no outside forces are being applied to it. However, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when an external force is applied to one of the flexible support members 22, for example, from a baseboard or other household obstacle, the support member 22 can resiliently bend with respect to the base member 20. By "elastically" it is meant, for example, that the flexible support member 22 will substantially return to its starting position (FIG. 2) after the external force is removed, preferably without any substantial damage or substantial degradation of the flexible support member

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the base member 20 can be formed from a substantially rigid material, such as a plastic, metal, composite, or other known material. The flexible support member(s) 22 can be formed from an elastic material, such as an open- or closed-cell foam, a polymer, or other known elastic material. As shown in FIG. 3, each flexible support member 22 can be substantially tubular in cross-section, and can attach to the base member 20 by fitting over lugs 32. Additionally or alternatively, the flexible support member(s) 22 can attach to the base member 20 using adhesives, fasteners, snaps, or other known attachment methods. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each flexible support member 22 can be attached to the base member 20 via a pair of the lugs 32, thereby forming a closed loop with respect to the base member 20, however, other shapes and configurations of the flexible support member(s) 22 are possible. According to an alternative embodiment, the base member 20 and the flexible support member(s) 22 can be one integral member, formed, for example, from a polymer.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, the flexible member(s) 22 can bend through an angle with respect to the base member 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the flexible member 22 can define a substantially planar surface 40 (extending out of the paper) and the base member 20 can define a substantially 20 planar surface 42 (extending out of the paper). Bending the flexible support member 22 can create an angle .beta. between the planar surface 40 and the planar surface 42. As a result, the cleaning cover 16, when mounted on the cleaning head 12, will have a bend corresponding to angle .beta., allowing cleaning cover 16 to clean in corners and other angled surfaces, such as the intersection between a floor and baseboard. According to one exemplary embodiment, the angle .beta. is at least about 30 degrees. According to another exemplary embodiment, the angle .beta. is at least about 60 degrees. According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the angle .beta. is at least about 90 degrees.

[0022] The embodiments illustrated and discussed in this specification are intended only to teach those skilled in the art the best way known to the inventors to make and use the invention. Nothing in this specification should be considered as limiting in scope. All examples presented are representative and non-limiting. The above-described embodiments may be modified or varied, as appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A cleaning head for a cleaning utensil, comprising: a base member; a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle; and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member, the at least one flexible support member and the base member together defining a common support surface for a cleaning cover.

2. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the base member is substantially rigid.

3. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the connector is attached to the base member and comprises at least one hinge.

4. The cleaning cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member comprises a foam.

5. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member comprises a polymer.

6. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member has a substantially tubular cross-section.

7. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member defines a closed loop with respect to the base member.

8. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member comprises first and second flexible support members located on substantially opposite sides of the base member.

9. The cleaning head of claim 8, wherein the first and second flexible support members cooperate to secure a cleaning cover to the cleaning head.

10. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the base member and the at least one flexible support member together define a substantially planar surface.

11. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the cleaning utensil is a mop, duster, or sweeper.

12. The cleaning head of claim 1, further comprising a handle attached to the connector.

13. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member is capable of elastically bending through an angle of at least about 30 degrees with respect to the base member.

14. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member is capable of elastically bending through an angle of at least about 60 degrees with respect to the base member.

15. The cleaning head of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible support member is capable of elastically bending through an angle of at least about 90 degrees with respect to the base member.

16. A cleaning utensil, comprising: a cleaning head comprising a base member, and at least one flexible support member extending from the base member, wherein the base member and the at least one flexible support member together define a common lower surface of the cleaning head; a connector associated with the base member for attachment to a handle; and a cleaning cover attached to the cleaning head by the at least one flexible support member, the cleaning cover extending over the common lower surface.

17. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the cleaning cover comprises a fabric material.

18. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the cleaning cover comprises a microfiber material.

19. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the cleaning cover comprises a pocket adapted to receive the at least one flexible support member.

20. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the cleaning cover defines a perimeter, and comprises fringe extending around at least a portion of the perimeter.

21. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible support member comprises first and second flexible support members located on substantially opposite sides of the base member, wherein the cleaning cover comprises first and second pockets adapted to receive the first and second flexible support members, respectively.

22. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the base member is substantially rigid.

23. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the connecter comprises at least one hinge.

24. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible support member comprises a foam.

25. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible support member comprises a polymer.

26. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible support member has a substantially tubular cross-section.

27. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the cleaning utensil is a mop, duster, or sweeper.

28. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, further comprising a handle attached to the connector.

29. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible support member is capable of elastically bending through an angle of at least about 30 degrees with respect to the base member.

30. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible support member is capable of elastically bending through an angle of at least about 60 degrees with respect to the base member.

31. The cleaning utensil of claim 16, wherein the at least one flexible support member is capable of elastically bending through an angle of at least about 90 degrees with respect to the base member.