U.S. patent application number 12/134808 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for organizing and storing devices, systems, and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC. Invention is credited to Daryll Scott Evans, A. Reneau Van Landingham, JR..
Application Number | 20080302739 12/134808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094884 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302739 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Landingham, JR.; A. Reneau ;
et al. |
December 11, 2008 |
ORGANIZING AND STORING DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
Abstract
The present invention is directed to devices, systems, and
methods for organizing and storing various components of a cleaning
system. The present invention provides an organizing-and-storing
system that may include a base having first and second sides. Pegs,
handle holders, and a hook may extend from the first side of the
base for storing and organizing the various components of the
cleaning system.
Inventors: |
Van Landingham, JR.; A. Reneau;
(Stephens City, VA) ; Evans; Daryll Scott;
(Winchester, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOORE & VAN ALLEN PLLC
P.O. BOX 13706
Research Triangle Park
NC
27709
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Commercial Products
LLC
Winchester
VA
|
Family ID: |
40094884 |
Appl. No.: |
12/134808 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60942530 |
Jun 7, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/13.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/51 20130101;
A47F 5/0807 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/13.1 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for organizing and storing a cleaning system, the
cleaning system having at least one handle and a plurality of
cleaning heads, each of the cleaning heads is configured to
releasably attach to the handle, the apparatus comprising: a base
having first and second sides; a plurality of pegs extending from
the first side of the base and configured to attach the cleaning
head to the base; and at least one handle holder connected to the
first side of the base and configured to attach the handle to the
base.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a connector having a
receptacle for receiving one of the pegs is provided on an end of
the cleaning head and the cleaning head is attached to the base
when the peg is inside of the receptacle.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the pegs is angled
upward to prevent the cleaning head from sliding off of the
peg.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle holder is a hook
and the handle hangs from the hook when the handle is attached to
the base.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle holder is a clasp
and a stem of the handle is releasably secured in the clasp when
the handle is attached to the base.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pegs are
repositionable.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: a pair of brackets
disposed on the base, each of the brackets having an extension that
overhangs the base; a channel formed between each of the extensions
and the base; at least a carriage secured between the brackets and
repositionable along the channel, wherein the each of the pegs is
disposed on a carriage and repositionable along the channel.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the channel extends to an end
of the base and the carriage and the peg disposed thereon can slide
off of the end of base.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the carriage and the peg
disposed thereon can slide onto the end of the base.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a hook outwardly
extending from a bottom end of the base and configured to be
attachable with the cleaning handle and the cleaning head.
11. A system for organizing and storing, the system comprising: a
cleaning handle; a cleaning head configured to releasably attach to
the cleaning handle; a base having first and second sides; a peg
extending from the first side of the base; and a handle holder
connected to the first side of the base, wherein the cleaning
handle is releasably attachable to the handle holder and the
cleaning head is releasably attachable to the peg.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein a connector having a receptacle
configured to receive the peg is provided on an end of the cleaning
head and the cleaning head is attached to the base when the peg is
inside of the receptacle.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pegs is angled upward to
prevent the cleaning head from sliding off of the peg.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the receptacle is configured to
receive a connecting end of cleaning handle.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein a resilient boss is located on
the connecting end of the cleaning handle and the resilient boss
snaps into a mating slot of the connector of the cleaning head to
releasably secure the cleaning head to the cleaning handle.
16. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a pair of brackets
disposed on the base, each of the brackets having an extension that
overhangs the base; a channel formed between each of the extensions
and the base; a carriage secured between the brackets, the carriage
is repositionable along the channel, wherein the peg is disposed on
the carriage such that the peg is repositionable along the
channel.
17. A method for organizing and storing a cleaning system, the
cleaning system having a cleaning head releasably attached to a
handle, the method comprising: detaching the cleaning head from the
handle; attaching the cleaning head to a peg extending from a first
side of a base; and attaching the handle to a handle holder
connected to the first side of the base.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of detaching the
cleaning head from the handle comprises: depressing a resilient
boss located an end of the handle; and pulling the end of the
handle out of a receptacle formed in a connector of the cleaning
head.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of attaching the
cleaning head to the peg comprises placing the receptacle of the
cleaning head around the peg.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of attaching the
cleaning head to the peg further comprises aligning a resilient
boss located on the peg with a mating slot formed in the connector
of the cleaning head such that the connector snaps onto the peg.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(e) to the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/942,530, as filed on Jun. 7, 2007, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to organizing and storing
devices, systems, and methods and more particularly to devices,
systems, and methods for organizing and storing cleaning-tool heads
and handles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Cleaning implements typically comprise a handle and a tool
head, such as a broom head or mop head. Some of these cleaning
implements have releasably attachable, and thus interchangeable,
tool heads. This enables an operator to use a single handle for
multiple cleaning operations. For example, when presented with a
particular cleaning task, the operator may select the tool head
that is most suitable for the task and connect the selected tool
head to the handle. And later, when presented with a new task, the
operator may remove the previously selected tool head and select a
different, more appropriate tool head for the new task. For
example, a cleaning implement may be converted from a broom to a
mop by removing a broom head from the handle and attaching a mop
head to the handle.
[0004] Because a single handle can be used to support multiple tool
heads, these cleaning implements enable operators to reduce
equipment costs by purchasing only one handle and multiple tool
heads, instead of purchasing traditional cleaning implements in
which the handle is permanently attached to the cleaning head.
However, these multiple tool heads may create clutter and/or
consume a large amount of storage space.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to an aspect the present invention, an apparatus
is provided for organizing and storing a cleaning system. The
cleaning system may include at least one handle and a plurality of
cleaning heads, where each of the cleaning heads is configured to
releasably attach to the handle. The apparatus may include a base
having first and second sides, a plurality of pegs extending from
the first side of the base and configured to attach the cleaning
head to the base, and at least one handle holder connected to the
first side of the base and configured to attach the handle to the
base.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
system is provided for organizing and storing. The system may
include a cleaning handle, a cleaning head configured to releasably
attach to the cleaning handle, a base having first and second
sides, a peg extending from the first side of the base, and a
handle holder connected to the first side of the base. The cleaning
handle may be releasably attachable to the handle holder and the
cleaning head may be releasably attachable to the peg.
[0007] According to yet another aspect of the present invention a
method is provided for storing and organizing a cleaning system.
The cleaning system may include a cleaning head releasably attached
to a handle. The method may include detaching the cleaning head
from the handle, attaching the cleaning head to a peg extending
from a first side of a base, and attaching the handle to a handle
holder connected to the first side of the base.
[0008] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent from the following description
thereof and appended claims in which references are made to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the
accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an
organizing-and-storing system for organizing and storing a cleaning
system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The
storage-and-organizing system of FIG. 1 is shown mounted to a wall,
and organizing and storing a cleaning-tool head and a cleaning
handle.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the organizing-and-storing system
of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of a cleaning system that can be
organized and stored in the organizing-and-storing system of FIG.
1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an
organizing-and-storing system mounted to a wall and having an
extension that provides additional pegs, according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an
organizing-and-storing system mounted to a wall and having
repositionable pegs, according to yet another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.
5, where the repositionable pegs are rotated ninety degrees.
DESCRIPTION
[0016] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and
is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example,
words such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "horizontal,"
"vertical," "upward," "transverse" and "downward" merely describe
the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may
be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should
be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified
otherwise.
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference
numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout,
various embodiments of an organizing-and-storing system according
to the present invention are shown and generally designated at 10.
The organizing-and-storing system 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2
organizes and stores various components of a cleaning system 12,
which is illustrated in FIG. 3. The organizing-and-storing system
10 includes a base 13 having first and second sides 14, 15. Pegs
16, handle holders 17, and a hook 18 extend from the first side 14
of the base 13 for organizing and storing the various components of
the cleaning system 12.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 3, the cleaning system 12, which can
be organized and stored by the system 10, includes cleaning handles
20a and 20b and cleaning-tool heads 22a through 22e that removably
attach to the cleaning handles 20a and 20b. In the illustrated
embodiment, the cleaning system 12 includes two exemplary cleaning
handles 20a and 20b: a fixed handle 20a and a telescoping handle
20b. The illustrated cleaning system 12 also includes five
exemplary cleaning-tool heads 22a through 22e: an angle broom 22a;
a cone mop 22b; a roller mop 22c; a dust mop 22d; and a bathroom
mop 22e. It should be appreciated that the cleaning handle 20a-b
may be any type of cleaning handle known to those having skill in
the art, and the cleaning-tool head 22a-e may be any type of
cleaning-tool head known to those having ordinary skill in the
art.
[0019] The cleaning-tool heads 22a-e are releasably attachable to
the cleaning handles 20a-b. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment, each cleaning handle 20a-b includes a hanging end 21
having a hanging slot or aperture 23 and a connecting end 24 having
a connector 30, such as resilient boss or a retractable member,
such as a spring loaded ball. Each cleaning-tool head 22a-e
includes a connector 26 having a receptacle 28 in the form of an
open-ended annular tube for receiving the connecting end 24 and a
mating slot or aperture 32 for receiving the resilient boss or
retractable member 30.
[0020] To connect the cleaning-tool head 22a-e to the cleaning
handle 20a-b, an operator inserts the connecting end 24 of the
handle into the receptacle 28 of the tool head. The resilient boss
or retractable member 30 retracts or deforms when inserted into the
receptacle 28. After inserting the connecting end 24 into the
receptacle 28, the operator aligns the resilient boss or
retractable member 30 and the mating slot 32, causing the resilient
boss or retractable member 30 to expand and extend through the
mating slot 32, and thereby secure the cleaning-tool head 22a-e to
the cleaning handle 20a-b. Accordingly, the cleaning-tool heads
22a-e "snap" onto the cleaning handles 20a-e.
[0021] To disconnect the cleaning-tool head 22a-e from the
cleaning-tool handle 20a-b, an operator depresses the resilient
boss or retractable member 30 and pulls the connecting end 24 of
the handle out of the receptacle 28 of the tool head. It should be
appreciated that any means known in the art for releasably
interconnecting the cleaning-tool heads 22a-e and the cleaning
handles 20a-b may be used.
[0022] The cleaning system 12 having releasably attachable, and
thus interchangeable, cleaning-tool heads 22a-e enables an operator
to use a single cleaning handle 20a-b for multiple cleaning
operations. For example, when presented with a particular cleaning
task, the operator may select the cleaning-tool head 22a-e that is
most suitable for the task and connect the selected cleaning-tool
head 22a-e to the cleaning handle 20a-b. When presented with a new
task, the operator may remove the previously selected cleaning-tool
head 22a-e and select a different, more appropriate cleaning-tool
head 22a-e for the new task.
[0023] Because a single handle 20a-b can be used to support
multiple cleaning-tool heads 22a-e, the cleaning system 12 requires
less storage space than traditional cleaning systems in which the
handle is permanently attached to the cleaning head. However,
despite requiring less storage space than traditional cleaning
systems, the cleaning handles 20a-b and cleaning-tool heads 22a-e
of the disclosed cleaning system 12 may be difficult to organize
and may clutter storage spaces.
[0024] An operator can use the organizing-and-storing system 10 to
organize and store the cleaning handles 20a-b and the cleaning-tool
heads 22a-e of the cleaning system 12. To do so, the operator can
mount the base 13 to a vertical surface, such as a wall of a garage
or closet or on the back of a door. This clears up floor and shelf
space that may have otherwise been used for storing the cleaning
system 12.
[0025] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to mount the base 13
to a wall 46, an operator inserts fasteners 38 through openings 40
and into the wall 46. The openings 40 are formed in upper and lower
portions 54, 56 of the base 13. For example, the base 13
illustrated in FIG. 1 includes two openings 40 formed in left and
right sides 50, 52 of the upper portion 54 of the base 13, and one
opening (not shown) formed in the bottom portion 56 of the base 13.
When mounted in this manner, the second side 15 of the base 13 is
flush against the wall 46. The fasteners 38 may be flathead screws
or any other suitable fastener know to those having ordinary skill
in the art. Other mounting devices may also be used. For example, a
mating bracket may be attached to the vertical surface and the base
secured to the bracket. The base may also be secured to the
vertical surface using adhesive such as releasable adhesive
tape.
[0026] After mounting the base 13 to a vertical surface, an
operator can organize and store the cleaning system 12 on the
organizing-and-storing system 10. For example, the cleaning handles
20a-b are organized and stored on the handle holders 17, and the
cleaning-tool heads 22a-e are organized and stored on the pegs 16.
Either a cleaning handle 20a-b or a cleaning-tool head 22a-e can be
organized and stored on the hook 18. The hooks 18 may also be used
to told other accessories.
[0027] To store a cleaning-tool head 22a-e on the
organizing-and-storing system 10, an operator connects the
connector 26 of the cleaning-tool head 22a-e to one of the pegs 16
by placing the receptacle 28 over the peg 16 such that the peg 16
is slidably inserted into receptacle 28. The pegs 16 are angled
upward to prevent the cleaning-tool head 22a-e from sliding off of
the peg 16.
[0028] To store a cleaning handle 20a-b, the operator interconnects
the hanging slot or aperture 23 of the cleaning handle 20a-b and
the handle holder 17 of the organizing-and-storing device 10 by
placing the hanging slot 23 over the handle holder 17, as shown in
FIG. 1, such that the handle holder 17 is inserted into the slot or
aperture 23. Accordingly, the cleaning handle 20a-b hangs from the
handle holder 17. A flange 48 is formed on the handle holder 17 to
prevent the cleaning handle 20a-b from sliding off of the handle
holder 17.
[0029] The hook 18 stores either the cleaning handles 20a-b or the
cleaning-tool heads 22a-e. The hook 18 connects to and stores a
cleaning handle 20a-b in a similar manner that the handle holder 17
connects to and stores a cleaning handle 20a-b. The hanging slot or
aperture 23 of the cleaning handle 20a-b is positioned over the
hook 18 such that the cleaning handle 20a-b hangs from the hook 18.
The cleaning-tool head 22a-e may be connected to the hook 18 by
positioning the mating slot 32 of the connector 26 over the hook 18
such that the hook 18 is inserted into the slot 32 and the
cleaning-tool head 22a-e hangs from the hook 18. It should also be
appreciated that the hook 18 may store the cleaning-tool head 20a-e
in a similar manner that the pegs 16 store the cleaning-tool head
20a-e. That is, the receptacle 28 of the connector 26 may be
positioned over the hook 18.
[0030] The exemplary organizing-and-storing system 10 illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes three pegs 16 for storing cleaning-tool
heads 22a-e, two handle holders 17 for storing cleaning handles
20a-b, and one hook 18 for storing either a cleaning-tool head
22a-e or a cleaning handle 20a-b. The arrangement of the pegs 16,
handle holders 17, and hook 18 organize the cleaning system 12 for
convenient storing. The cleaning handles 20a-b hang from the handle
holders 17, which are arranged on left and right sides 50, 52 of an
upper portion 54 of the base 13. The slightly angled pegs 16 are
vertically spaced apart from each other in a middle portion 58 of
the base 13, between the handle holders 17. As a result the
cleaning-tool heads 22a-e are arranged such that they extend upward
and outward from the middle portion 58 of the base 13 and the
cleaning handles 20a-b are arranged so as to hang on both sides of
the stored cleaning-tool heads 22a-e. The hook 18 is arranged on a
bottom portion 56 of the base 13, and, as a result, the
cleaning-tool head 22a-e or the cleaning handle 20a-b stored
thereon hangs downward from the base 13.
[0031] It should be appreciated that any number of pegs 16, handle
holders 17, and hooks 18 can be provided on the
organizing-and-storing system 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 4,
an extension 60 is connected to the base 13 for providing the
organizing-and-storing system 10 with additional pegs 16.
[0032] A top portion 62 of the extension 60 is secured to the
bottom portion 56 of the base 13. For example, an opening (not
shown) is formed in the top portion 62 of the extension 60, and, to
connect the extension 60 to the base 13, a fastener, such as a
screw, extends through the opening of the extension 60 and the
opening 40 of the bottom portion 56 of the base 13. The extension
60 may also be connected directly to the vertical surface using
fasteners that engage openings 40, as previously described. Any
number of extensions 60 may be added to the organizing-and-storing
system 10 to provide any number of pegs 16. Although not
illustrated in FIG. 4, it should be appreciated that a hook 18 may
be arranged on a bottom portion 64 of the extension 60.
[0033] According to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,
the handle holder 17 is a handle clasp 69 constructed from a
resilient material, such as plastic. The handle clasp 69 includes a
pair of curved fingers 72 in facing relationship for clasping a
stem 70 of the cleaning handle 20a-b. To connect the cleaning
handle 20a-b to the handle clasp 69, an operator pushes the stem 70
against the handle clasp 69. This forces apart the fingers 72. The
operator continues pushing to slide the stem 70 past outer edges 74
of the fingers 72 and into the clasp 69. The fingers 72 then
contract around the stem 70 to secure the cleaning handle 20a-b in
place. A fastener 76, such as a flathead screw, secures the handle
clasps 69 to the base 13. Alternatively, the handle clasps 69 may
be connected to the base 13 using adhesive, or snap-fit or
press-fit connected, on these components may be formed of a single
unitary piece.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment of the
organizing-and-storing system 10 is illustrated having a
peg-repositioning system 80. The peg-repositioning system 80
includes a pair of brackets 82 that extend substantially the entire
length of the middle portion 58 of the base 13. Each bracket 82 has
an extension 84 that overhangs the middle portion 58 of the base 13
so as to create a channel 86 between each of the overhanging
extensions 84 and the middle portion 58. The pegs 16 are mounted on
carriages 90 that slide in the channels 86, along the length of the
base 13 in directions indicated by arrows 94, 96. The channels 86
extend to the bottom end 56 of the base 13 so that the carriages
90, having the pegs 16 deposed thereon, can be slid off of or onto
the organizing-and-storing system 10.
[0035] The carriages 90 may be slightly arced such that the
carriages 90 snugly fit in channels 86. The slight arc spring loads
the carriages 90 and thereby ensures that the carriages 90 maintain
concurrent contact with the extensions 84 and the first side 14 of
the base 13. Friction forces resulting from this snug fit stabilize
the carriages 90 and prevent unwanted sliding when a cleaning-head
tool 22a-e is stored on a peg 16. However, when sliding is desired,
an operator may apply enough force to overcome the friction forces,
or the operator may push the carriages 90 inward, toward the first
side 14 of the base 13 so as to eliminate the arc.
[0036] The peg-repositioning system 80, among other things, enables
an operator to slide the pegs 16 in directions 94, 96. The pegs 16
slide independent of each other, and the pegs 16 slide independent
of the base 13. This sliding can, for example, be utilized to
adjust the distance between the pegs 16 for accommodating varying
sizes and shapes of cleaning-tool heads 22a-e. For example, a large
cleaning-tool head 22a-e, such as the cone mop 22b, may require
more space than other cleaning-tool heads 22a-e. Accordingly, the
peg 16 designated to store the cone mop 22b may be slid a distance
away from other pegs 16 so as to create space for the cone mop
22b.
[0037] Depending on the storage space in which the
organizing-and-storing system 10 is used, it may be desirable to
horizontally mount the base 13, as shown in FIG. 6. The
peg-repositioning system 80 enables an operator remove the pegs 16,
rotate the pegs 16 ninety degrees relative to the base 13, and
reinstall the pegs 16 so that the pegs 16 point up when the base 13
is horizontally mounted.
[0038] Although the present invention has been shown and described
in considerable detail with respect to only a few/particular
exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those
skilled in the art that it is not intended to limit the invention
to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and
additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the
invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
* * * * *