U.S. patent application number 12/314166 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for implement for manual washing of floors or flat surfaces in general.
This patent application is currently assigned to VDM S.r.l.. Invention is credited to Elio Pagani.
Application Number | 20090158544 12/314166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39367577 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090158544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pagani; Elio |
June 25, 2009 |
Implement for manual washing of floors or flat surfaces in
general
Abstract
An implement for manual washing of floors or flat surfaces in
general, comprising a frame composed of at least one first
plate-like element which defines with one of its faces, designed to
be directed toward the surface to be washed, a first application
region for a first cleaning fringe. The frame comprises a second
plate-like element which is laterally adjacent to the first
plate-like element and defines, with its face designed to be
directed toward the surface to be washed, a second application
region for a second cleaning fringe. The second plate-like element
can move with respect to the first plate-like element in order to
pass from an active position to an inactive position.
Inventors: |
Pagani; Elio; (Arese,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MODIANO & ASSOCIATI
Via Meravigli, 16
MILANO
20123
IT
|
Assignee: |
VDM S.r.l.
|
Family ID: |
39367577 |
Appl. No.: |
12/314166 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/258
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/228 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/10 20060101
A47L013/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2007 |
EP |
07425806 |
Claims
1. An implement for manual washing of floors or flat surfaces in
general, comprising a frame composed of at least one first
plate-like element which forms with one of its faces, designed to
be directed toward a surface to be washed, a first application
region for a first cleaning fringe, said frame being connected to a
connecting element which can be associated with a handle, wherein
said frame comprises a second plate-like element which is laterally
adjacent to said first plate-like element and forms, with its face
designed to be directed toward the surface to be washed, a second
application region for a second cleaning fringe; said second
plate-like element being movable with respect to said first
plate-like element in order to pass from an active position, in
which it is substantially coplanar and laterally adjacent to said
first plate-like element, to an inactive position, in which it is
spaced from the plane of arrangement of said first plate-like
element on the opposite side with respect to the face of said first
plate-like element that is designed to be directed toward the
surface to be washed, and vice versa.
2. The implement according to claim 1, wherein said first
plate-like element is pivoted to said connecting element about a
first pivoting axis which is substantially parallel to the plane of
arrangement of said first plate-like element.
3. The implement according to claim 2, wherein said second
plate-like element is hinged to said first plate-like element about
a second pivoting axis, which is substantially parallel to the
plane of arrangement of said second plate-like element and is
substantially perpendicular to the direction of side-by-side
arrangement of said two plate-like elements; said second plate-like
element being able to rotate about said second pivoting axis with
respect to said first plate-like element in order to pass from said
active position to said inactive position and vice versa.
4. The implement according to claim 3, wherein said second pivoting
axis is substantially parallel and spaced with respect to said
first pivoting axis.
5. The implement according to claim 3, wherein said first
plate-like element is connected to said second plate-like element
by means of a central element which is fixed to said second
plate-like element and is hinged to said first plate-like element
about said second pivoting axis; said connecting element being
hinged to said central element about said first pivoting axis which
is substantially parallel to said second pivoting axis, said
pivoting axes being oriented transversely to the direction along
which said two plate-like elements are dragged along the surface to
be washed.
6. The implement according to claim 5, further comprising means for
retaining said second plate-like element in said inactive
position.
7. The implement according to claim 6, wherein said retention means
are interposed between said central element and said connecting
element.
8. The implement according to claim 6, wherein said retention means
comprise engagement means which are associated with said central
element and can engage detachably said connecting element.
9. The implement according to claim 8, wherein said engagement
means comprise an elastically flexible wing, which is connected to
said central element and can engage by snap action an abutment
provided on said connecting element.
10. The implement according to claim 6, wherein said retention
means comprise friction means which are interposed between said
central element and said first plate-like element in order to
contrast by friction the rotation of said central element together
with said second plate-like element with respect to said first
plate-like element about said second pivoting axis.
11. The implement according to claim 5, wherein said central
element is inserted, with one of its portions, between a pair of
mutually parallel wings which are elastically flexible toward or
away from each other and are fixed to the face of said first
plate-like element that lies opposite the face intended to be
directed toward the surface to be washed; said central element
being hinged to said pair of wings about said second pivoting axis
and said friction means comprising means for fastening said pair of
wings against the portion of said central element that is inserted
therebetween.
12. The implement according to claim 11, wherein said fastening
means comprise a bolt, which provides the pivoting of said central
element to said pair of wings, and a pair of springs, which are
arranged around the screw of said bolt and are interposed
respectively between the outer side of one wing and the head of the
screw of said bolt and between the outer side of the other wing and
the nut of said bolt; the nut of said bolt being tightenable along
said screw in order to increase the elastic load of said
springs.
13. The implement according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second plate-like elements are provided with means for retaining
said cleaning fringes on the face of said first and second
plate-like elements which is meant to be directed toward the
surface to be washed.
14. The implement according to claim 13, wherein said retention
means of said cleaning fringes comprise hook-and-loop strips which
can engage complementary hook-and-loop strips provided on said
cleaning fringes.
15. The implement according to claim 3, wherein said connecting
element is composed of at least two parts which are mutually
pivoted about a third pivoting axis which is substantially
perpendicular to said first pivoting axis.
16. The implement according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second plate-like elements are substantially rectangular and are
mutually arranged side-by-side at one of their two longer
sides.
17. The implement according to claim 3, wherein said first pivoting
axis and said second pivoting axis are substantially parallel to
longer sides of said first and second plate-like elements.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an implement for manual
washing of floors or flat surfaces in general.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Implements for manually washing floors or surfaces in
general are known. Usually, in their simplest embodiment, such
implements are constituted generally by a frame composed of a
plate-like element, which usually has a substantially rectangular
plan shape and is adapted to support, on one of its faces designed
to be directed toward the surface to be washed, a cleaning fringe,
generally made of natural or synthetic textile material, and which
is articulated, by means of its opposite face, to a connecting
element which can be associated with a handle to be used in order
to drag the plate-like element, and therefore the cleaning fringe,
along the surface to be washed.
[0003] In normal washing operations, the cleaning fringe is wet
with water or with a detergent solution and is wrung adequately
before it is applied to the implement and used, so as to avoid the
use of excessive quantities of liquid and reduce the waiting time
before the surface being washed dries. During these washing
operations, the cleaning fringe is wet, wrung and reused several
times.
[0004] In particular washing operations, which require minimizing
the risk of transport and migration of polluting or pathogen
elements in the various regions of the environment being cleaned,
appropriate operating procedures are provided. This case occurs for
example in the cleaning of hospital environments or of particular
industries in the food sector and in the pharmaceutical sector.
[0005] In these cases, the cleaning procedure entails that the
cleaning fringe must be neither wrung nor reused; i.e., the
cleaning fringe, once the washing liquid with which it is
impregnated initially has been used up, must be removed from the
implement and set aside to be washed and sterilized.
[0006] In practice, in these particular washing operations, the
assigned operators are provided with a number of cleaning fringes,
which are impregnated beforehand with the washing liquid, and in
each instance a cleaning fringe is applied to the implement to be
passed over the surface to be washed. Once the washing liquid has
been used up, the cleaning fringe is removed from the implement and
replaced with another cleaning fringe impregnated beforehand. The
cleaning fringes that have already been used are stored in an
appropriately provided container to be then washed at high
temperature before they can be reused.
[0007] The lack of the possibility to wring the cleaning fringes in
these washing operations inevitably increases the time required to
achieve drying of the washed surface.
[0008] For this reason, when the environment being washed must be
accessible shortly, it is necessary to pass the wet surface with
one or more dry cleaning fringes, wasting time and using
personnel.
[0009] In order to solve this problem, particular implements have
been proposed which are provided with frames capable of mounting
cleaning fringes which are wet on one side and dry on the opposite
side, so as to avoid the need to replace the wet cleaning fringe
with a dry cleaning fringe. This refinement, however, does not
solve the problem of having to pass twice over the surface being
washed, with the corresponding time requirements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems
described above by providing an implement for manual washing of
floors or flat surfaces in general which, when required, allows to
reduce drying times significantly without forcing to pass over the
washed surface again.
[0011] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an
implement which is simple and easy to use.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an implement
which is structurally simple and can be manufactured at competitive
costs.
[0013] This aim and these and other objects, which will become
better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an implement for
manual washing of floors or flat surfaces in general, comprising a
frame composed of at least one first plate-like element which forms
with one of its faces, designed to be directed toward the surface
to be washed, a first application region for a first cleaning
fringe, said frame being connected to a connecting element which
can be associated with a handle, characterized in that said frame
comprises a second plate-like element which is laterally adjacent
to said first plate-like element and forms, with its face designed
to be directed toward the surface to be washed, a second
application region for a second cleaning fringe; said second
plate-like element being movable with respect to said first
plate-like element in order to pass from an active position, in
which it is substantially coplanar and laterally adjacent to said
first plate-like element, to an inactive position, in which it is
spaced from the plane of arrangement of said first plate-like
element on the opposite side with respect to the face of said first
plate-like element that is designed to be directed toward the
surface to be washed, and vice versa.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will
become better apparent from the description of two preferred but
not exclusive embodiments of the implement according to the
invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIGS. 1 to 5 are views of the implement according to the
invention in the first embodiment, and more particularly:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the implement, in an
operating condition in which the second plate-like element is in
the active position;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of a detail of
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the implement according
to the invention, in the operating condition shown in the preceding
figures;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the implement according to the
invention, in the operating condition shown in the preceding
figures;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the implement according
to the invention in another operating condition in which the second
plate-like element is in the inactive position;
[0021] FIGS. 6 to 8 are views of the implement according to the
invention in a second embodiment, and more particularly:
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the implement in an
intermediate operating condition;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an enlarged-scale perspective view of a detail of
the implement in an operating condition, in which the second
plate-like element is in the active position;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the implement in another
operating condition, in which the second plate-like element is in
the inactive position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] With reference to the figures, the implement according to
the invention, generally designated by the reference numerals 1, 1a
in the two embodiments, comprises a frame 2, 2a, which is connected
to a connecting element 9, 9a which can be associated with a handle
3, 3a and is composed of at least one first plate-like element 6,
6a which forms, with one of its faces designed to be directed
toward the surface to be washed, a first application region for a
first cleaning fringe 4, 4a.
[0026] According to the invention, the frame 2, 2a comprises a
second plate-like element 7, 7a, which is laterally adjacent to the
first plate-like element 6, 6a and forms, with its face designed to
be directed toward the surface to be washed, a second application
region for a second cleaning fringe 5, 5a. The second plate-like
element 7, 7a can move with respect to the first plate-like element
6, 6a in order to pass from an active position, in which it is
substantially coplanar and laterally adjacent to the first
plate-like element 6, 6a, to an inactive position, in which it is
spaced from the plane of arrangement of the first plate-like
element 6, 6a on the opposite side with respect to the face of the
first plate-like element 6, 6a that is designed to be directed
toward the surface to be washed, and vice versa.
[0027] In this manner it is possible to use simultaneously two
cleaning fringes 4, 4a, 5, 5a to perform two different operations,
or just one cleaning fringe 4, 4a, according to the requirements.
Thus, for example, it is possible to apply a first wet cleaning
fringe 4, 4a to the first plate-like element 6, 6a and a second dry
cleaning fringe 5, 5a to the second plate-like element 7, 7a, so as
to perform simultaneously, when the second plate-like element 7, 7a
is in the active position, both washing and at least partial drying
of the surface to be washed, or just washing when the second
plate-like element 7, 7a is in the inactive position, as will
become better apparent hereinafter.
[0028] More particularly, in both of the illustrated embodiments,
the two plate-like elements 6, 6a, 7, 7a have a substantially
rectangular plan shape. When the second plate-like element 7, 7a is
in the active position, the two plate-like elements 6, 6a, 7, 7a
are arranged side by side at one of their longer sides, and each
one forms, with its face designed to be directed toward the surface
to be washed, a substantially flat application region for the
corresponding cleaning fringe 4, 4a, 5, 5a.
[0029] The first plate-like element 6, 6a is hinged to the
connecting element 9, 9a about a first pivoting axis 10, 10a which
is parallel to the plane of arrangement of the first plate-like
element 6, 6a.
[0030] The second plate-like element 7, 7a is hinged to the first
plate-like element 6, 6a about a second pivoting axis 20, 20a,
which is substantially parallel to the plane of arrangement of the
second plate-like element 7, 7a and is substantially perpendicular
to the direction along which the two plate-like elements 6, 6a, 7,
7a are arranged side by side. The second pivoting axis 20, 20a is
substantially parallel and spaced with respect to the first
pivoting axis 10, 10a. It should be noted that the direction along
which the two plate-like elements 6, 6a, 7, 7a are arranged side by
side is preferably parallel to the direction in which the frame 2,
2a is dragged during use, which is indicated by the arrows 11
applied to the face of the plate-like elements 6, 6a, 7, 7a that
lies opposite with respect to the one to be directed toward the
surface to be washed in the first embodiment and by the arrow 11a,
shown in FIG. 6, in the second embodiment.
[0031] The second plate-like element 7, 7a can rotate about the
second pivoting axis 20, 20a with respect to the first plate-like
element 6, 6a in order to pass from the active position to the
inactive position and vice versa.
[0032] More particularly, the first plate-like element 6, 6a is
connected to the second plate-like element 7, 7a by means of a
central element 8, 8a, which is bridge-shaped and is fixed, with of
its ends, to the second plate-like element 7, 7a and is hinged, at
its opposite end, to the first plate-like element 6, 6a about the
second pivoting axis 20, 20a.
[0033] The connecting element 9, 9a is hinged to the central
element 8, 8a about the first pivoting axis 10, 10a and can be
fixed, in a per se known manner, to the handle 3, 3a.
[0034] Advantageously, the implement according to the invention, in
the two illustrated embodiments, is provided with means for
retaining the second plate-like element 7, 7a in the inactive
position.
[0035] In the first embodiment, the retention means comprise
friction means which are interposed between the central element 8
and the first plate-like element 6 so as to contrast by friction
the rotation of the central element 8, together with the second
plate-like element 7, with respect to the first plate-like element
6 about the second pivoting axis 20.
[0036] More particularly, the central element 8 is inserted, with
one of its portions, between a pair of mutually parallel wings 30,
31, which are arranged on planes which are perpendicular to the
second pivoting axis 20 and are fixed to the face of the first
plate-like element 6 that lies opposite the face of the first
plate-like element 6 that is designed to be directed toward the
surface to be washed. The wings 30, 31 are elastically flexible
toward and away from each other. The central element 8 is hinged to
the pair of wings 30, 31 about the second pivoting axis 20 and the
friction means comprise means for fastening the pair of wings 30,
31 against the portion of the central element 8 that is inserted
between them.
[0037] The fastening means comprise a bolt, which is composed of a
screw 32 and a nut 33, which passes through the wings 30 and 31 and
the portion of the central element 8 that is inserted between them,
providing the pivoting between these elements about the second
pivoting axis 20, which is formed by the axis of the screw 32. The
fastening means comprise a pair of springs 34, 35, which are
arranged around the screw 32 and are interposed respectively
between the outer side of the wing 30 and the head 32a of the screw
32 and between the outer side of the wing 31 and the nut 33. By
tightening or loosening the nut 33 along the screw 32, the loading
of the springs 34, 35 is changed and therefore the force that the
springs 34, 35 apply to the wings 30, 31 is changed, thus changing
the degree of fastening thereof on the portion of the central
element 8 that is inserted between them and therefore changing the
friction force that contrasts the rotation of the central element 8
with respect to the wings 30, 31 about the second pivoting axis
20.
[0038] If, as in the first embodiment shown, the portion of the
central element 8 that is inserted between the pair of wings 30, 31
also is constituted by a pair of wings 36, 37 which are parallel to
the wings 30, 31, around the screw 32, between the springs 34, 35,
it is possible to provide a spacer 38, which is positioned between
the wings 36, 37 of the central element 8, so as to contrast the
mutual approach of the wings 36, 37 of the central element 8 as a
consequence of the thrust applied by the springs 34, to the wings
30, 31.
[0039] In the second embodiment, the retention means are interposed
between the central element 8a and the connecting element 9a.
[0040] The retention means comprise engagement means which are
associated with the central element 8a and can engage detachably
the connecting element 9a.
[0041] More particularly, the engagement means comprise an
elastically flexible wing 21a, which is connected to the central
element 8a and is provided with a tooth 22a which can engage by
snap action, by utilizing the elastic flexibility of the wing 21a
and the rotation of the connecting element 9a about the first
pivoting axis 10a with respect to the second plate-like element 7a,
an abutment 23a provided on the connecting element 9a.
[0042] The wing 21a is further provided, proximate to the tooth
22a, with a pressing region 24a, on which it is possible to act
manually in order to produce the elastic flexing of the wing 21a so
as to disengage the tooth 22a from the abutment 23a.
[0043] In both of the illustrated embodiments, the plate-like
elements 6, 6a, 7, 7a are provided with means for gripping the
cleaning fringes 4, 4a, 5, 5a on their face designed to be directed
toward the surface to be washed. The grip means comprise
hook-and-loop strips 40, visible only in FIG. 1, which can engage
complementary hook-and-loop strips or a face which is entirely
provided as a complementary hook-and-loop strip of the cleaning
fringes 4, 4a, 5, 5a.
[0044] The hook-and-loop strips 40 are supported by slats 18, 18a
which are associated detachably with the plate-like elements 6, 6a,
7, 7a so as to allow their replacement in case of wear.
[0045] The connecting element 9, 9a, in both embodiments, is
composed of two parts 12, 12a, 13, 13a, which are mutually pivoted
about a third pivoting axis 15, 15a, which is substantially
perpendicular to the first pivoting axis 10, 10a.
[0046] As mentioned above, the plate-like elements 6, 6a, 7, 7a are
preferably arranged side by side with one of their longer sides and
the central element 8, 8a connects the two plate-like elements 6,
6a, 7, 7a in a central region so as to obtain a good balancing of
the implement. In this arrangement, the pivoting axes 10, 10a, 20,
20a are oriented parallel to the longer sides of the plate-like
elements 6, 6a, 7, 7a and therefore at right angles to the dragging
direction 11, 11a of the frame 2, 2a during its use.
[0047] The implement according to the invention can be used both as
a traditional implement for washing floors or surfaces in general
and as an implement which performs simultaneously washing and at
least partial drying of the treated surface.
[0048] When one wishes to simultaneously wash and at least
partially dry a surface, the second plate-like element 7, 7a is
moved to the active position, i.e., in a position in which it is
coplanar to the first plate-like element 6, 6a, as shown in FIGS.
1, 2, 3, 4 and 7. A first wet fringe 4, 4a is applied to the first
plate-like element 6, 6a and a second dry fringe 5, 5a is applied
to the second plate-like element 7, 7a. Dragging the implement in
the direction indicated by the arrows 11, 11a, the surface is
simultaneously washed by means of the action of the first fringe 4,
4a and partially dried by means of the action of the second fringe
5, 5a.
[0049] When one wishes to use the implement as a traditional
implement, the second plate-like element 7, 7a is moved, by
utilizing its ability to rotate about the second pivoting axis 20,
20a with respect to the first plate-like element 6, 6a, to the
inactive position and is retained in this position by the friction
between the wings 30, 31 and the portion of the central element 8,
8a that is inserted between them or by the engagement of the
abutment 23a by the tooth 22a. In this manner, the second
plate-like element 7, 7a is raised with respect to the first
plate-like element 6, 6a and can no longer act with the second
cleaning fringe 5, 5a, optionally applied thereto, on the surface
to be treated, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8.
[0050] In this operating condition, a first fringe 4, 4a can be
applied to the first plate-like element 6, 6a and can be wet or dry
according to the requirements.
[0051] Use of the second plate-like element 7, 7a and of the
corresponding cleaning fringe 5, 5a can be restored simply by
turning the second plate-like element 7, 7a with respect to the
first plate-like element 6, 6a about the second pivoting axis 20,
20a, overcoming the friction between the wings 30, 31 and the
portion of the central element 8 that is inserted between them, in
the first embodiment, or after manually disengaging the tooth 2a
from the abutment 23a, by acting on the pressing region 24a of the
wing 21a, in the second embodiment.
[0052] In practice it has been found that the implement according
to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since it allows
to perform simply washing or simultaneously washing and partial
drying of the surface being washed without requiring additional or
subsequent operations to reduce drying times.
[0053] The implement thus conceived is susceptible of numerous
modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of
the inventive concept; all the details may further be replaced with
other technically equivalent elements.
[0054] In the exemplary embodiments described above, individual
characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may
actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that
exist in other exemplary embodiments. Moreover, it is noted that
anything found to be already known during the patenting process is
understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a
disclaimer.
[0055] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions,
may be any according to requirements and to the state of the
art.
[0056] The disclosures in EPA no. 07425806, from which this
application claims priority, are incorporated herein by
reference.
* * * * *