U.S. patent application number 12/247437 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for cleaning device handle.
Invention is credited to Dan Blom.
Application Number | 20100086342 12/247437 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42075932 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100086342 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blom; Dan |
April 8, 2010 |
Cleaning Device Handle
Abstract
Provided is a cleaning device handle that includes two chambers
or hollow elements, in which fluid is transferred from one to the
other before being sprayed out. In one specific device, one of the
two chambers or hollow elements is slidable into the other, and
each includes a one-way valve. In another, all or substantially all
of the apparatus is enclosed within a tubular outer housing to
result in a look and feel that is nearly identical to a
conventional non-spraying mop/cleaner handle.
Inventors: |
Blom; Dan; (Paramount,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARC E. HANKIN, ESQ.
11414 THURSTON CIRCLE
LOS ANGELES
CA
90049
US
|
Family ID: |
42075932 |
Appl. No.: |
12/247437 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/139 ;
401/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/139 ;
401/137 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/26 20060101
A47L013/26 |
Claims
1. A cleaning device handle, comprising: a hollow upper member
having a top end, a bottom end, and a first one-way valve; a hollow
lower member having a top end, a bottom end, and a second one-way
valve; and an outlet disposed beneath said second one-way valve;
wherein said hollow lower member has an inner dimension that is
just large enough to accommodate said bottom end of said hollow
upper member; and wherein said bottom end of said hollow upper
member is slidably disposed within said hollow lower member.
2. A cleaning device handle according to claim 1, wherein said
first one-way valve is spring-biased closed, blocking a first
upward flow, and permitting a downward flow only when sufficient
downward pressure exists to overcome said spring bias; wherein even
when said hollow upper member is filled with a fluid, said weight
of said fluid alone is not sufficient to overcome said spring bias
of said first one-way valve; and wherein pulling said hollow upper
member upwardly with respect to said hollow lower member creates a
vacuum within said hollow lower member that is sufficient to
overcome said spring bias of said first one-way valve, causing said
fluid from said hollow upper member to flow downwardly into said
hollow lower member.
3. A cleaning device handle according to claim 2, wherein said
second one-way valve is spring-biased closed, blocking a second
upward flow, and permitting a downward flow only when sufficient
downward pressure exists to overcome said spring bias.
4. A cleaning device handle according to claim 3, wherein even when
said hollow lower member is filled with said fluid, said weight of
said fluid alone is not sufficient to overcome said spring bias of
said second one-way valve; and wherein when said hollow lower
member is filled with said fluid and said hollow upper member is
pressed downwardly with sufficient force relative to said hollow
lower member, said first one-way valve blocks said fluid in said
hollow lower member from entering said hollow upper member, and
said resulting pressure opens said second one-way valve, allowing
said fluid to escape through said outlet.
5. A cleaning device handle according to claim 4, further
comprising: a cleaning element attached beneath said outlet.
6. A cleaning device handle according to claim 5, wherein said
fluid that is pumped out of said outlet does not pass through said
cleaning element, but rather is directed in front of or behind said
cleaning element.
7. A cleaning device handle according to claim 6, further
comprising: a hollow outer member that encloses at least a portion
of said hollow upper member and said hollow lower member; wherein
said hollow lower member is fixedly attached to said hollow outer
member; wherein said hollow upper member extends above said top of
said hollow outer member; and wherein said hollow upper member is
freely slidable relative to said hollow outer member and said
hollow upper member.
8. A cleaning device handle according to claim 1, further
comprising: a hollow outer member that encloses at least a portion
of said hollow upper member and said hollow lower member; wherein
said hollow lower member is fixedly attached to said hollow outer
member; wherein said hollow upper member extends above said top of
said hollow outer member; and wherein said hollow upper member is
slidable relative to said hollow outer member and said hollow upper
member.
9. A cleaning device handle according to claim 8, wherein said top
end of said hollow upper member is provided with a detachable cap,
whereby said hollow upper member may be filled with a fluid when
said detachable cap is detached, and wherein said detachable cap is
not a plunger that is slidably disposed into said hollow upper
member.
10. A cleaning device handle according to claim 9, wherein said
first one-way valve controls an only midway passage between said
upper member and said lower member.
11. A cleaning device handle according to claim 10, wherein said
second one-way valve controls an only lower passage between said
lower member and said outlet.
12. A cleaning device handle according to claim 11, wherein said
first one-way valve is spring-biased closed, blocking a first
upward flow, and permitting a downward flow only when sufficient
downward pressure exists to overcome said spring bias; wherein even
when said hollow upper member is filled with said fluid, said
weight of said fluid alone is not sufficient to overcome said
spring bias of said first one-way valve; and wherein pulling said
hollow upper member upwardly with respect to said hollow lower
member creates a vacuum within said hollow lower member that is
sufficient to overcome said spring bias of said first one-way
valve, causing said fluid from said hollow upper member to flow
downwardly into said hollow lower member.
13. A cleaning device handle according to claim 12, wherein said
second one-way valve is spring-biased closed, blocking a second
upward flow, and permitting a downward flow only when sufficient
downward pressure exists to overcome said spring bias.
14. A cleaning device handle according to claim 13, wherein even
when said hollow lower member is filled with said fluid, said
weight of said fluid alone is not sufficient to overcome said
spring bias of said second one-way valve; and wherein when said
hollow lower member is filled with said fluid and said hollow upper
member is pressed downwardly with sufficient force relative to said
hollow lower member, said first one-way valve blocks said fluid in
said hollow lower member from entering said hollow upper member,
and said resulting pressure opens said second one-way valve,
allowing said fluid to escape through said outlet.
15. A cleaning device handle according to claim 14, further
comprising a cleaning element attached beneath said outlet.
16. A cleaning device handle according to claim 15, wherein said
fluid that is pumped out of said outlet does not pass through said
cleaning element, but rather is directed in front of or behind said
cleaning element.
17. A cleaning device handle, comprising: a hollow upper member
having a top end, a bottom end and a first one-way valve; a hollow
lower member having a top end, a bottom end, and a second one-way
valve; an outlet disposed beneath said second one-way valve; a
hollow outer member that encloses at least a portion of said hollow
upper member and said hollow lower member; and a cleaning element
attached beneath said outlet; wherein said hollow lower member has
an inner dimension that is just large enough to accommodate said
bottom end of said hollow upper member; wherein said bottom end of
said hollow upper member is slidably disposed within said hollow
lower member; wherein said first one-way valve controls an only
midway passage between said upper member and said lower member;
wherein said second one-way valve controls said only lower passage
between said lower member and said outlet; wherein said top end of
said hollow upper member is provided with a detachable cap, whereby
said hollow upper member may be filled with a fluid when said
detachable cap is detached; wherein said detachable cap is not a
plunger that is slidably disposed into said hollow upper member;
wherein said hollow lower member is fixedly attached to said hollow
outer member; wherein said hollow upper member extends above said
top of said hollow outer member; wherein said hollow upper member
is slidable relative to said hollow outer member and said hollow
upper member; wherein said first one-way valve is spring-biased
closed, blocking a first upward flow, and permitting a downward
flow only when sufficient downward pressure exists to overcome said
spring bias; wherein even when said hollow upper member is filled
with said fluid, said weight of said fluid alone is not sufficient
to overcome said spring bias of said first one-way valve; wherein
pulling said hollow upper member upwardly with respect to said
hollow lower member creates a vacuum within said hollow lower
member that is sufficient to overcome said spring bias of said
first one-way valve, causing said fluid from said hollow upper
member to flow downwardly into said hollow lower member; wherein
said second one-way valve is spring-biased closed, blocking a
second upward flow, and permitting a downward flow only when
sufficient downward pressure exists to overcome said spring bias;
wherein even when said hollow lower member is filled with said
fluid, said weight of said fluid alone is not sufficient to
overcome said spring bias of said second one-way valve; wherein
when said hollow lower member is filled with said fluid and said
hollow upper member is pressed downwardly with sufficient force
relative to said hollow lower member, said first one-way valve
blocks said fluid in said hollow lower member from entering said
hollow upper member, and said resulting pressure opens said second
one-way valve, allowing said fluid to escape through said outlet;
and wherein said fluid that is pumped out of said outlet does not
pass through said cleaning element, but rather is directed in front
of or behind said cleaning element.
18. A cleaning device handle, comprising: an upper compartment for
storing a fluid; a lower compartment; and an outlet in
communication with said lower compartment; wherein said upper
compartment and said lower compartment are divided by a one way
valve; wherein said fluid cannot pass from said lower compartment
to said upper compartment; wherein a portion of said fluid in said
upper compartment is transferred to said lower compartment; wherein
said portion of said fluid is pumped from said lower compartment
out of said cleaning device handle through said outlet; and wherein
said fluid is prevented from entering said lower compartment
through said outlet.
19. A cleaning device handle according to claim 18, further
comprising: a hollow outer member that encloses at least a portion
of both said upper compartment and said lower compartment; wherein
said hollow outer member is fixedly attached to said lower
compartment; wherein said upper compartment and said lower
compartment are configured in a telescoping arrangement; wherein
said hollow outer member allows said upper compartment to
telescopically slide freely within said lower compartment; wherein
said upper compartment acts as a plunger to create a vacuum in said
lower compartment which causes said portion of said fluid to
transfer to said lower compartment; and wherein said upper
compartment acts as a plunger to pump said portion of said fluid
from said lower compartment out of said cleaning device handle
through said outlet.
20. A cleaning device handle according to claim 19, further
comprising: a cleaning element beneath said outlet; wherein said
portion of said fluid that is pumped out of said outlet does not
pass through said cleaning element, but rather is directed in front
of or behind said cleaning element.
Description
[0001] Priority is claimed to U.S. Non-Provisional patent
application Ser. No. 11/139,085, filed on May 27, 2005, titled
"Mop/Cleaning Handle." This U.S. Non-Provisional patent application
in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/574,913, filed on May 27, 2004, and titled "Cleaning
Implement Liquid Dispensing Mechanism." Both of these priority
applications are incorporated by reference herein as though set
forth herein in full.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to a handle for a cleaning
device, such as a mop, and is particularly applicable to a handle
that is capable of storing and spraying water and/or cleaning
fluid.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A variety of conventional mop handles exist. Some of such
handles include apparatuses for storing and/or releasing water or
cleaning fluid. However, each of such conventional mop handles has
significant disadvantages.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,744 to Fodrocy, et al. (the
'744 patent) describes a mop handle having a storage compartment
within the mop handle itself. Fluid is released from within the
compartment using a valve that is manually operated by pulling a
trigger or other component. A mechanical linkage connects the
trigger (or other manually operated component) with the dispensing
outlet valve at a lower portion of the mop apparatus. Upon
triggering the valve, fluid simply drains out of the
compartment.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,866 to Morad et al. is similar to the
'744 patent, except that: (i) rather than using a mechanical
linkage to open the outlet valve, the '866 patent uses an air
pressure system to open the release valve; and (ii) in the '866
patent, an external fluid compartment is attached to the mop
handle. In any event, as with the '744 patent, after the valve is
opened, it appears that the fluid simply drains out of the
compartment. That is, in both of these patents, apparently the only
force acting on the fluid itself is gravity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides an improved
mop/cleaner handle that includes two chambers or hollow elements,
with one of the two being slidable into the other, and with each
having a check valve (or one-way valve). Such a configuration often
can allow high-pressure spraying of water or cleaning fluid using a
very natural back-and-forth motion that is consistent with the
normal manipulation of the mop or other cleaning device.
[0007] Moreover, in the preferred embodiments of the invention, a
rigid tube-shaped outer housing encloses nearly the entire length
of both chambers or hollow elements (at least upon completion of
the downward stroke), resulting in a look and feel that is nearly
identical to a conventional non-spraying mop/cleaner handle. This
is significantly different than most conventional spray mops that
require an external container and therefore result in a
vacuum-cleaner-like appearance and/or an awkward unbalanced
feel.
[0008] The foregoing summary is intended merely to provide a brief
description of the general nature of the invention. A more complete
understanding of the invention can be obtained by referring to the
claims and the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mop/cleaner apparatus
according to a first representative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the mop/cleaner
apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an elevational sectional view similar to the view
of FIG. 2, showing components in different positions of
operation.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper ball
portion of the mop/cleaner apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a valve portion of
the mop/cleaner apparatus of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a lower portion of
the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the mop/cleaner
apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0016] FIG. 8 is an elevational sectional view of a mop/cleaner
apparatus handle according to a second representative embodiment of
the present invention, with its upper section in the "down"
position.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an elevational sectional view of the handle shown
in FIG. 8, but with its upper section in the "up" position.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the handle shown in FIG.
8.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a conceptual drawing of a mop/cleaner handle
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the
upper chamber initially in the "down" position.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a conceptual drawing of the mop/cleaner handle
shown in FIG. 11, with the upper chamber having been raised to the
"up" position.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a conceptual drawing of the mop/cleaner handle
shown in FIG. 11, with the upper chamber having been pressed once
again to the "down" position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
First Representative Embodiment
[0022] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall
apparatus 10 of the first representative embodiment of the
invention. The lower portion 46 of the apparatus 10, comprising a
pivotal floor-engaging portion, is conventional.
[0023] Preferably, lower portion 46 includes a cleaning element 47
(or at least an attachment device 48 for detachably attaching a
cleaning element 47) at its distal end. In different embodiments of
the invention, cleaning element 47 is: any type of mop head,
cleaning pad, sponge or other cleaning element, but in the
preferred embodiment of the invention cleaning element 47 comprises
a microfiber pad. Attachment device 48 preferably uses any
combination of screws, clips, pins, flexible resilient locking
tabs, clamps, guides or any other known means for attaching a
cleaning element 47. In the particular environment shown in FIG. 7,
attachment device 48 comprises a pin that passes through two holes
in the lower portion of the mop handle to secure the cleaning
element 47 to the mop handle.
[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing the components of
a preferred embodiment before and after actuation of the apparatus
10, respectively, to spray water or other liquid out from openings
32 in its lower portion.
[0025] The mop apparatus 10 comprises an upper ball or spherical
portion 12 having upper portion 14 threadedly connected with lower
portion 16.
[0026] The ball member 12 is connected by the tubular members 18,
20, 22 and 24 connected together longitudinally of the device. A
valve 26 is mounted in the lower end portion of the tubular member
or plunger 24, and the plunger 24 is slidable in an outer sleeve
member 28. Mounted within a lower housing member 30 having therein
outlet spray openings 32, is a valve 34 mounted in a lower wall
member 38, as shown.
[0027] The mop assembly is filled with water by pouring from a
container 11, as shown in FIG. 1, into the lower ball portion 16
which serves as a funnel. The water then passes downwardly into the
mop assembly.
[0028] Water or liquid is retained in the interior of the mop
assembly. The operator pushes downwardly on the ball 12 from its
position of FIG. 3 to its lower position of FIG. 2.
[0029] The tubular interior of the mop transmits pressure from the
ball downwardly to the valve 34 in the lower portion of the
apparatus.
[0030] The lowermost tubular member, plastic sleeve 28, does not
move relative to the assembly.
[0031] With the ball moved toward the upward position, atmospheric
air is admitted to the ball chamber, thus breaking the partial
vacuum therein and allowing water to flow downwardly.
[0032] The low pressure that is developed in chamber 44 overcomes
the spring force of the valve 26, which is mounted on tubular
member 24, and the partial vacuum is eliminated as the chamber 44
fills with water.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 2, the downward pushing of the ball
12 effects removal of water from the chamber 44, and the water is
urged past bottom valve 34 and outwardly of the mop housing via the
spray openings 32.
[0034] The apparatus according to this embodiment of the invention
essentially functions by utilizing three valves, an air inlet 35
and corresponding inlet valve 36 in the upper ball portion 12 to
eliminate a partial vacuum in the ball member 12, and two lower
valves which in effect serve as check valves
Second Representative Embodiment
[0035] A mop/cleaner handle assembly 100 according to a second
representative embodiment of the invention is now described with
reference to FIGS. 8-10. Handle assembly 100 basically consists of
four main components: an upper section 120, a lower section 150, an
outer housing 180 and a bottom portion 190. The upper section 120
slides or telescopes into the lower section 150, and the outer
housing 180 encloses nearly all of the upper section 120
(particularly when the upper section is in the "down" position
shown in FIG. 8), as well as all, or nearly all, of the lower
section 150. The bottom portion 190 is fixedly attached to the
lower section 150 (using a threaded connection 152 in the current
embodiment), and the outer housing 180 is fixedly attached to the
lower section 150 (by crimping outer housing 180 at position 153 in
the present embodiment).
[0036] Beginning from the top, upper section 120 includes a ball
portion 122 (e.g., having a diameter of 11/2-2 inches) that
consists of a top hemisphere 124 and a bottom hemisphere 126, with
top hemisphere 124 being removable (e.g., by unscrewing it in the
present embodiment) and thereby functioning as a cap. Built into
top hemisphere 124 is a spring-biased normally closed one-way valve
125 that permits downward flows of air through top opening 123 into
the remainder of upper section 120, but generally blocks upward
flows. As in the previous embodiment, with top hemisphere 124
detached, bottom hemisphere 126 functions as a funnel for pouring
water or other liquid into handle assembly 100. The use of
spherical element 122 is preferred because it provides both a fluid
inlet and a convenient means for grasping upper section 120.
However, in other embodiments of the invention various other types
of inlets for allowing a user to fill handle assembly 100 with
fluid and/or grips are provided.
[0037] Lower hemisphere 126 opens into a short hollow tube-shaped
section 129 (e.g., of approximately 3 inches in length). A slightly
larger diameter ring-shaped shoulder 130 is fixedly attached to
section 129. Immediately above shoulder 130 is a cylindrically
shaped collar 132 having an upper diameter that it is just slightly
larger than the diameter of section 129, but smaller than the
diameter of shoulder 130, so that collar 132 can freely slide
relative to section 129, from a position where its top surface
contacts the bottom of lower hemisphere 126 (as shown in FIG. 8) to
a position where its top surface just rests on the top of shoulder
130 (as shown in FIG. 9). The diameter of the lower end of collar
132 is just large enough to tightly fit over the out of diameter of
outer housing 180, and collar 132 is in fact attached to outer
housing 180 in this manner. Accordingly, when handle assembly 100
has been fully constructed collar 132 remains stationary (relative
to outer housing 180) while ball 124 and section 129 can be moved
up and down, with collar 132 constraining the amount of such
movement as indicated above.
[0038] An elongated tube 136 (e.g., of approximately 31/2-4 feet in
length and 3/4 inch in diameter) is attached to the bottom of
section 129 (preferably using a frictional fit), with a tightly
fitting sleeve 138 securely attaching the distal end of tube 136 to
a spring-biased normally closed one-way valve 140 that permits
downward flows, but generally blocks upward flows. Valve 140, in
turn, is fixedly attached to hollow plunger 142 (e.g., of
approximately 4-6 inches in length and 3/4 inch in diameter), which
has a resilient deformable (e.g., rubber or synthetic rubber)
component 143 (e.g., 1/2 inch long) at its distal end that includes
a small bottom opening 144 (e.g., having a 1/8 inch diameter).
[0039] It is noted that each of the components of upper section 120
discussed above preferably is hollow, with the only potential
complete obstruction from lower hemisphere 126 to bottom opening
144 being valve 140.
[0040] Lower section 150 preferably is formed as a hollow hard
plastic tube (e.g., approximately 5 inches in length and 3/4-1 inch
in diameter) having a partially closed bottom surface 154. Surface
154 has only a small opening 155 (e.g., approximately 1/8 inch in
diameter), through which flows are regulated by spring-biased
normally closed one-way valve 156 that permits downward flows
through opening 155, but generally blocks upward flows. As noted
above, threaded portion 152 allows lower section 150 to attach to a
mating threaded portion 191 in bottom portion 190. A rubber (or
synthetic rubber) o-ring 157 helps to provide the seal between
lower section 150 and bottom portion 190. Preferably, indented
portions 159 are provided just above threaded section 152. By
crimping the bottom portion of outer housing 180 at such indented
portions 159, a very secure attachment often can be created.
[0041] The upper end of lower section 150 preferably has an inner
diameter that is just large enough to accommodate deformable
component 143. As shown in the drawings, component 143 preferably
has a series of outwardly extending ridges which deform slightly
when upper section 120 is inserted into lower section 150, creating
a tight seal that prevents fluid from entering the space between
upper section 120 and outer housing 180.
[0042] As noted above, bottom portion 190 preferably has a threaded
section 191 for accepting the threaded section 152 of lower section
150. The upper part of bottom portion 190 preferably is formed as a
hollow cylinder having an open top and a closed bottom, with the
only outlet being through nozzle 192, which functions as the outlet
for assembly 100. In the preferred embodiments of the invention,
nozzle 192 is configured so as to produce a fine mist when
pressurized water (or other fluid of similar viscosity) is applied.
The bottom part of portion 190 preferably it is not part of the
spraying mechanism, but rather is provided with a means (e.g.,
means 48) for attaching a mop head or other cleaning element 47. In
the present embodiment, the attachment means 48 comprises a pair of
holes 196 through an otherwise hollow tapered cylindrical bottom
part, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, through which a pin or similar
device attached to cleaning element 47 may be inserted.
[0043] Outer housing 180 preferably is formed as a single elongated
aluminum tube. Optionally, a section of gripping material (e.g., a
tube-shaped section of foam rubber; not shown) may be installed on
the outer surface, e.g., near the top of housing 180, e.g., both
for comfort and to allow a user to maintain a good grip on outer
housing 180. As noted above, housing 180 preferably encloses all,
nearly all or a substantial portion of both upper section 128 and
lower section 150. In such preferred embodiments, the main goal is
to provide a mop/cleaner handle that looks and feels as much as
possible like a conventional non-spraying handle. Accordingly, in
these embodiments some portion of either or both sections may
extend outside of the enclosure of housing 180, provided that such
extensions are not so significant as to defeat this goal. In fact,
in the preferred embodiments discussed above some portion of the
upper section 120 (preferably no more than 2-3 inches) extends
above the top of housing 180 when it is in the "up" position.
[0044] Toward this end, outer housing 180 preferably is sized
similarly to conventional mop/cleaner handles. For example, when
used for a mop outer housing 180 preferably is approximately 4-5
feet long and approximately 11/2 inches in diameter. More
preferably, the diameter preferably is just under an inch, with a
foam-rubber grip section of approximately 16 inches in length of
that widens housing 180 at the interval from approximately 1 inch
to approximately 11/2 inches.
[0045] Thus, in the present embodiment upper section 120 includes a
number of different sections and components (e.g., ball portion
122, short hollow tube-shaped section 129, ring-shaped shoulder
130, collar 132, elongated tube 136, tightly fitting sleeve 138,
valve 140, plunger 142, deformable component 143 and bottom opening
144), but generally is configured as a hollow tube-shaped chamber
with a single one-wave valve 140 for allowing flows into lower
section 150 but blocking reverse flows. Lower section 150 can be
formed from early as a single unitary cylindrically shaped piece
with a threaded outer lower portion 152 and a bottom surface 154
with opening 155, but also including valve 156, o-ring 157 and
indented portions 159. Finally, bottom portion 190 also can be
formed as a unitary piece having a mating threaded portion 191, a
nozzle 192 and holes 196 (or other means for attaching a cleaning
element).
[0046] Conceptual Discussion
[0047] This section discusses the concepts underlying the specific
embodiments discussed above. FIGS. 11-13 provide simplified,
conceptual views to illustrate the operation of a mop/cleaner
handle assembly 200, e.g., according to the first and second
embodiments discussed above.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 11-13, handle assembly 200 preferably
primarily includes an upper chamber (or hollow member) 210 and a
lower chamber (or hollow member) 220. Each of elements 210 and 220
is configured primarily as a hollow cylinder in the preferred
embodiments of the invention.
[0049] In the preferred embodiments, upper chamber 210 slides (or
telescopes) into and out of lower chamber 220, with the inner
diameter of lower chamber 220 just accommodating the outer diameter
of upper chamber 210 (i.e. so that no significant gap exists
between the two elements), and a seal is provided at the bottom of
upper chamber 220.
[0050] Upper chamber 210 preferably has a spring-biased check valve
(or one-way valve) 214 at its distal end, allowing flows downwardly
if a sufficient amount of pressure is applied, but blocking flows
upwardly (other than any leakage). Examples of valve 214 are valves
26 and 140 discussed above. In the preferred embodiments, valve 214
preferably functions as the only passage between upper chamber 210
and lower chamber 220. Lower chamber 220 preferably has a
spring-biased check valve (or one-way valve) 224 at its distal end,
also allowing flows downwardly if a sufficient amount of pressure
is applied, but blocking flows upwardly. Examples of valve 224 are
valves 34 and 156 discussed above. In the preferred embodiments,
valve 224 preferably functions as the only opening out of lower
chamber 220, and valve 214 functions as the only opening into lower
chamber 220. Each of the valves 214 and 224 preferably is
sufficiently spring-biased so that the mere weight of water within
upper chamber 210 or lower chamber 220, respectively, is not alone
sufficient to open the corresponding valve 214 or 224.
[0051] In operation, upper chamber 210 initially is filled with
fluid and lower chamber 220 initially is empty. If upper chamber
210 initially is in the "up" position (e.g., as generally shown in
FIG. 12), then the user may press downwardly on upper chamber 210.
In this case, upper chamber 210 acts as a piston, pushing any air
within lower chamber 220 out through valve 224. It is noted that,
due to its one-way nature, valve 214 generally prevents any such
air from entering upper chamber 210. At the end of this "downward
stroke", the apparatus 200 is in the position shown in FIG. 11.
[0052] Once in the lower position, a user may pull upwardly on
sphere 212. In this case, a vacuum will tend to be created in lower
chamber 220 as its volume increases. It is noted that, due to its
one-way nature, valve 224 generally prevents air from reentering
chamber 220 from its distal end. However, the resulting
differential in pressure between upper chamber 210 and lower
chamber 220 causes valve 214 to open, allowing fluid to enter lower
chamber 220 from upper chamber 210. As this occurs, the fluid level
in upper chamber 210 drops, creating a partial vacuum above the
fluid level in upper chamber 210.
[0053] Consequently, air is drawn into upper chamber 210. In the
present embodiment, air is drawn in through spring-biased normally
closed one-way valve 212 that permits downward flows of air through
a top opening into the remainder of upper section 120, but
generally blocks upward flows. In alternate embodiments (where such
an opening and valve 212 are omitted), air may be drawn in through
the imperfect seal in the cover for the fluid inlet or through any
other opening in upper chamber 210. In any event, at the end of
this "upward stroke", the apparatus 200 is in the position
illustrated in FIG. 12.
[0054] The effect of a further downward stroke at this point is the
same as set forth above. However, in this case, rather than pushing
out air, the fluid in the lower chamber 220 is pushed out through
valve 224 and then through nozzle 226, which functions as the only
outlet for apparatus 200. Because of the pressure that is applied
via the downward stroke, and depending upon the configuration of
nozzle 226, in the preferred embodiments of the invention the fluid
is sprayed out as a fine mist that is appropriate for use when
cleaning with a microfiber pad.
[0055] The foregoing process then may be repeated any number of
times, alternately filling chamber 220 with fluid from chamber 210
(with an upstroke) and then pushing the fluid out of chamber 220
(with a downstroke) through nozzle 226, until the fluid level
within upper chamber 210 is beneath the level of the input port of
valve 214 (i.e., too low to allow any additional fluid to be drawn
into chamber 220).
[0056] It is noted that in the illustrated embodiments of the
invention the upward stroke generally may only be performed with
the apparatus 200 in an essentially upright position (i.e., one in
which is the fluid is at the distal end of upper chamber 210).
However, once lower chamber 220 has been filled with fluid the
apparatus 200 may be maneuvered into an "upside down" position in
which the fluid within upper chamber 210 collects at its proximal
end. Even from this upside down position, the downward stroke can
be performed, causing the fluid within lower chamber 222 to spray
out through the nozzle 226. The reason for this is that in the
preferred embodiments of the invention the spraying action depends
primarily upon pressure generated from the downward stroke, rather
than from gravity. As a result, a mop or other cleaning device
according to the present invention can be utilized to clean
ceilings or other high places. This is a distinct advantage over
conventional gravity-based spraying devices, such as those
described above.
[0057] As indicated above, some form of opening generally should be
provided in the upper chamber 210 in order to allow entry of air
during the upward stroke. At the same time, the existence of such
an opening can lead to fluid leakage when the apparatus 200 is
maneuvered into an upside down orientation. There are at least two
possible approaches to solving this problem. One (as shown in FIGS.
11-13) is to use a check valve 212 in upper chamber 210 that
permits inward flows (of air) but generally blocks outward flows
(e.g., fluid leakage). Another is to use very small openings in
upper chamber 210 that allow air to enter but that limit the amount
of fluid leakage. Finally, any combination of these two approaches
may be utilized.
[0058] The above description emphasizes the function of an
apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
As will be readily apparent, variations are possible. For instance,
the simple conceptual drawings in FIGS. 11-13 show check valve 214
as being at the very bottom of upper chamber 210, while in the
first and second embodiments discussed above the corresponding
check valve is disposed above the plunger portion of the upper
chamber.
[0059] As discussed in connection with the first and second
embodiments above, lower chamber 220 preferably is fixedly attached
to the outer housing, and upper chamber 210 extends somewhat above
the top of outer housing. As a result, one generally need only
grasp the outer housing with one hand and the top sphere 211 (or
similar gripping element) with the other in order to move upper
chamber 210 up and down, sliding it into and out of lower chamber
220 (although the outer housing generally will obscure the
relationship between upper chamber 210 and lower chamber 220). In
certain embodiments, a sphere 211 or similar element prevents upper
chamber 210 from extending too far into lower chamber 220. In
others, upper chamber 210 can be inserted into lower chamber 220
until the bottom surface of upper chamber 210 contacts the bottom
inner surface of lower chamber 220 (essentially permitting lower
chamber 220 to be completely evacuated). A mechanical stop (e.g., a
combination of elements 130 and 132) preferably prevents upper
chamber 210 from being fully removed from lower chamber 220.
[0060] Additional Considerations
[0061] It should be noted that in the discussion above terms such
as "up" and "down" are used. These terms generally are intended to
refer to relative positions when the mop/cleaner handle is oriented
such that the cleaning element is resting on the floor.
[0062] Also, several different embodiments of the present invention
are described above, with each such embodiment described as
including certain features. However, it is intended that the
features described in connection with the discussion of any single
embodiment are not limited to that embodiment but may be included
and/or arranged in various combinations in any of the other
embodiments as well, as will be understood by those skilled in the
art.
[0063] Similarly, in the discussion above, functionality sometimes
is ascribed to a particular module or component. However,
functionality generally may be redistributed as desired among any
different modules or components, in some cases completely obviating
the need for a particular component or module and/or requiring the
addition of new components or modules. The precise distribution of
functionality preferably is made according to known engineering
tradeoffs, with reference to the specific embodiment of the
invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0064] Thus, although the present invention has been described in
detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments thereof and
accompanying drawings, it should be apparent to those skilled in
the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present
invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and
the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not
limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings and
described above. Rather, it is intended that all such variations
not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as
within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended
hereto.
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