U.S. patent application number 13/279262 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for sign device for a mop bucket.
Invention is credited to Terry Treacy.
Application Number | 20120096668 13/279262 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45971723 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120096668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Treacy; Terry |
April 26, 2012 |
Sign device for a mop bucket
Abstract
A mop bucket system may include a mop bucket to contain fluids,
a wringer unit including a wringer cone connected to the mop bucket
to remove the fluid from a mop, a sign device detachably connected
to the wringer unit to display a sign including indicia. The sign
device may include a first end section, and the sign device may
include a second end section. The sign device may include a first
inward curve section, and the sign device may include a second
inward curve section connected to the second end section. The sign
device may include a central section which connects the first
inward curve section and the second inward curve section, and the
sign device may include a platform section which connects the first
inward curve section and the second inward curve section. The
platform section may include an upward extending tab.
Inventors: |
Treacy; Terry; (Mansfield,
TX) |
Family ID: |
45971723 |
Appl. No.: |
13/279262 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61406015 |
Oct 22, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/59 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/260 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/58 20060101
A47L013/58 |
Claims
1) A mop bucket system, comprising: a mop bucket to contain fluids;
a wringer unit including a wringer cone connected to the mop bucket
to remove the fluid from a mop; a sign device detachably connected
to the wringer unit to display a sign including indicia.
2) A mop bucket system as in claim 1, wherein the sign device
includes a first end section.
3) A mop bucket system as in claim 2, wherein the sign device
includes a second end section.
4) A mop bucket system as in claim 1 wherein the sign device
includes a first inward curve section.
5) A mop bucket system as in claim 4, wherein the sign device
includes a second inward curve section connected to the second end
section.
6) A mop bucket system as in claim 5, wherein the sign device
includes a central section which connects the first inward curve
section and the second inward curve section.
7) A mop bucket system as in claim 6, wherein the sign device
includes a platform section which connects the first inward curve
section and the second inward curve section.
8) A mop bucket system as in claim 7, wherein the platform section
includes an upward extending tab.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] The present invention claims priority under 35 USC section
119 and based upon a provisional application with a Ser. No. of
61/406015 which was filed on Oct. 22, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a mop bucket system and
more particularly to a mop bucket system which includes a sign
device for supporting a sign.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Mop bucket systems are commonly used for cleaning purposes.
A mop bucket contains liquid used for cleaning. It is typically
used to facilitate the mopping of floors.
[0004] The use of a mop to clean floors is an age-old method still
practiced extensively because it is effective. A typical mop has an
elongated handle with a mop head attached to one end. The mop head
is formed of strands of moisture adsorbent material, which can be
natural or man-made. A mop is generally used with a bucket of water
to both wet and rinse the mop head after use. The normal method of
using a mop is to wet the mop head in the bucket of water, wring
out the mop head by hand and then push the mop head over the floor
surface to remove dirt or pick up excess moisture. Once the mop
head has been pushed over a certain area of floor, the mop head is
placed in the bucket of water to rinse out the dirt and soil
removed from the floor. The mop head is then wrung out to remove
excess moisture and the process is repeated until the water in the
bucket becomes too dirty and must be changed. However, there are
certain disadvantages inherent in a simple mop and bucket. Among
these are difficulties in wringing and cleaning the mop by hand to
remove liquid and dirt so that the mop is as clean as possible when
used on the floor. Another problem is what to do with the mop while
the water in the bucket is being changed. It is not advisable to
simply lay the mop on the floor. Dumping a large bucket of water
can also be a problem simply because of the weight.
[0005] While the mop and bucket system as described above only
discusses the use of water in the bucket, it is well known that
warm or hot water will clean better than simple cold water.
Likewise, it is common to add chemical solutions to assist in
cleaning or whatever the desired effect might be. For example, wax
stripper might be needed to clean wax build up, or a disinfectant
might be needed in a health care facility. Such chemical solutions
would usually be provided in individual containers and manually
mixed in the bucket.
[0006] There is a need for a sign hanger.
SUMMARY
[0007] A mop bucket system may include a mop bucket to contain
fluids, a wringer unit including a wringer cone connected to the
mop bucket to remove the fluid from a mop, a sign device detachably
connected to the wringer unit to display a sign including
indicia.
[0008] The sign device may include a first end section, and the
sign device may include a second end section.
[0009] The sign device may include a first inward curve section,
and the sign device may include a second inward curve section
connected to the second end section.
[0010] The sign device may include a central section which connects
the first inward curve section and the second inward curve section,
and the sign device may include a platform section which connects
the first inward curve section and the second inward curve
section.
[0011] The platform section may include an upward extending
tab.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention may be understood by reference to the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements,
and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a mop bucket with a sign
device.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the sign device to hold a sign in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of a mop bucket with a sign
device;
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a mop bucket with a sign
device;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the sign device of the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the sign device and sign
of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the mop bucket of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Mop buckets and wringers are a common and ubiquitous
cleaning product that is used in many public environments such as
restaurants, hotel lobbies, food stores, and airports. They are
commonly used in combination with mops and a cleaning solution. In
virtually all applications, a solution is contained inside the
bucket and a mop is used to spread solution. If the mop is used to
wet the floor in a public place, it is common practice to place a
warning sign on the floor in the area that is wet. The sign will
notify passersby of a potential slip and fall situation.
[0021] In many cases, the mop bucket & wringer combination is
positioned on a wheeled cart. The wheeled cart will be used to
transport the bucket which can be heavy due to the amount of liquid
it is carrying. It is advantageous to have storage for the
previously mentioned caution sign as part of the design of the
wheeled cart.
[0022] However, in many cases, the mop bucket and wringer
combination is not mounted onto a cart. The bucket is able to be
moved by caster wheels that are assembled to the underside of the
mop bucket. In this case, the sign that cautions passersby about
the slip and fall condition of the wet floor does not have a
storage facility. It will be advantageous to have a dedicated
storage condition that is a part of the isolated mop bucket &
wringer combination.
[0023] The design of this attachment to the wringer portion does
not inhibit or hinder the operation of the wringing operation of
the combination mop bucket and wringer. The attachment is mounted
to the rear portion of the wringer, so it is out of the way of the
normal operation of the mop wringer where the user will be
positioned to the side of the bucket for wringing the mop, and out
of the way of the front of the bucket where the user may place the
mop into the bucket.
[0024] There also is a open shape on the top portion of the sign
hangar which can facilitate the handling of the wringer. The
wringer is frequently removed and reassembled to the mop bucket
when the residual liquid remaining inside the mop bucket is
emptied.
[0025] The sign hangar is attached to the rear portion of the
wringer. There are two screws that hold the sign hangar to the
wringer.
[0026] A mop bucket and a wringer unit 110 is disclosed in which
the bucket 112 has a bottom surface 116, and a peripheral wall 118
which extends upwards from the bottom surface 116 and around the
periphery of the bottom surface 116. The wringer unit 110 may be
supportable on an upper edge 130 of the peripheral wall 118 of the
mop bucket 112, and being releasably engagable from the bucket 112.
There being releasable engaging device including a pivotable clip
174 on each of two opposing sides of the combination mop bucket and
wringer unit 110 and an engagable element 176 with which a
respective pivotable clip 174 can be snap-fit releasably engaged.
Each pivotable clip 174 may be formed independently of the mop
bucket 112. Alternatively, the wringer unit 110 may be rigidly
attached to the mop bucket 112.
[0027] The wringer unit 110 may include a wringer cone 115 to
cooperate with the bucket wall interior surface the top end of the
peripheral wall 118. The bucket 9 and wringer cone 115 are
preferably constructed of plastic or polymer sheet material and it
would be advantageous to produce them as one piece using
injection-molding technology.
[0028] The wringer cone 115 may be a downward facing or inverted
circumferential cone having a wringer cone wall 117 with a
plurality of wringing slots 119 and a wringer cone bottom hole 131.
The wringer cone 115 includes wringing slots 119, spaced at a
distance apart toward the wringer cone bottom hole 131. The movable
press elements 133 are elongate pieces or bars which extend across
the channel 135 and which, in use, then urge and squeeze the
absorbent mop material into the channel 135 as they move into the
channel 135.
[0029] The handle 137 may be pivotably mounted over the opening 139
of the wringer unit 110, so as substantially to centralize the
force imparted by the user and thus reduce undesirable twisting
moments being imparted to the unit.
[0030] Opposite side walls 151 of the wringer unit 110 project
upwardly from the channel 135, and the wringer unit 110 includes
side covers 153 which cover the geared press mechanism. The mop
bucket 112 may include pivotable wheels 155 in order to facilitate
movement of the mop bucket and wringer unit 110.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates a substantially rotated C-shaped sign
device 200 which may be detachably connected to the mop bucket and
wringer unit 110 in order to allow the user to guide the wringer
unit 110. The sign device 200 may include a first end section 201
and an opposing second end section 203 which may be an elongated
upward extending section and may be hollow or a solid and may
include a multi-dimensional cross section such as rectangular,
circular or other cross section. The first end section 201 may be
connected to a first inward curve section 205, and the second end
section 203 may be connected to an opposing second inward curve
section 207. The first inward curve section 205 and the second
inward curve section 207 may be hollow or solid and may include a
multidimensional cross section. The first inward curve section 205
and the second inward curve section 207 may be connected to a
central section 209 which may be arched in order to form a user
handle. Additionally, the first inward curve section 205 and the
second inward curve section 207 may be connected by a substantially
horizontal platform section 211 which may extend rear wards beyond
the plane defined by the first inward curve section 205 and the
second inward curve section 207 and the rear edge of the platform
section 211 may include a first and second upward extending tab 211
to detachably connect to a sign having a aperture or edge to
cooperate with the first and second upward extending tab 211 and
the rear top surface of the platform section 211.
[0032] The first inward curve section 205 and the second inward
curve section 207 may have respectively an opposing concave section
213, 215.
[0033] The first end section 201 and the second end section 203 may
include an engageable/releasable jaw section 231 which may be
pivotably connected to respectively the first end section 201 and a
second mirrored jaw section 231 which may be pivotably connected to
the second end section 203 by a shaft which may extend from the
first and second end section 201, 203. The jaw section 231 may
engageable/releasably be detachably connected to the side walls
151.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the sign device 200
positioned on the mop bucket and wringer unit 110, the peripheral
wall 118, the wheels 115, the bucket 112, the side walls 151 and
the covers 153.
[0035] FIG. 3 additionally illustrates the first end section 201,
the second end section 203, the first inward curve section 205, the
second inward curve section 207, the central section 209, the
platform section 212 and the upward extending tabs 211.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the sign device 200
positioned on the mop bucket and wringer unit 110, the peripheral
wall 118, the wheels 115, the bucket 112, the side walls 151 and
the covers 153.
[0037] FIG. 4 additionally illustrates the first end section 201,
the second end section 203, the first inward curve section 205, the
second inward curve section 207, the central section 209, the
platform section 212 and the upward extending tabs 211. FIG. 4
additionally illustrates the sign 401 which may be positioned on
platform 212 and held in position by tabs 211.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a substantially rotated
C-shaped sign device 200 which may be detachably connected to the
mop bucket and wringer unit 110 in order to allow the user to guide
the wringer unit 110. The sign device 200 may include a first end
section 201 and an opposing second end section 203 which may be an
elongated upward extending section and may be hollow or a solid and
may include a multi-dimensional cross section such as rectangular,
circular or other cross section. The first end section 201 may be
connected to a first inward curve section 205, and the second end
section 203 may be connected to an opposing second inward curve
section 207. The first inward curve section 205 and the second
inward curve section 207 may be hollow or solid and may include a
multidimensional cross section. The first inward curve section 205
and the second inward curve section 207 may be connected to a
central section 209 which may be arched in order to form a user
handle. Additionally, the first inward curve section 205 and the
second inward curve section 207 may be connected by a substantially
horizontal platform section 211 which may extend rear wards beyond
the plane defined by the first inward curve section 205 and the
second inward curve section 207 and the rear edge of the platform
section 211 may include a first and second upward extending tab 211
to detachably connect to a sign having a aperture or edge to
cooperate with the first and second upward extending tab 211 and
the rear top surface of the platform section 211.
[0039] The first inward curve section 205 and the second inward
curve section 207 may have respectively an opposing concave section
213, 215.
[0040] The first end section 201 and the second end section 203 may
include an engageable/releasable jaw section 231 which may be
pivotably connected to respectively the first end section 201 and a
second mirrored jaw section 231 which may be pivotably connected to
the second end section 203 by a shaft which may extend from the
first and second end section 201, 203. The jaw section 231 may
engageable/releasably be detachably connected to the side walls
151.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a substantially rotated
C-shaped sign device 200 which may be detachably connected to the
mop bucket and wringer unit 110 in order to allow the user to guide
the wringer unit 110. The sign device 200 may include a first end
section 201 and an opposing second end section 203 which may be an
elongated upward extending section and may be hollow or a solid and
may include a multi-dimensional cross section such as rectangular,
circular or other cross section. The first end section 201 may be
connected to a first inward curve section 205, and the second end
section 203 may be connected to an opposing second inward curve
section 207. The first inward curve section 205 and the second
inward curve section 207 may be hollow or solid and may include a
multidimensional cross section. The first inward curve section 205
and the second inward curve section 207 may be connected to a
central section 209 which may be arched in order to form a user
handle. Additionally, the first inward curve section 205 and the
second inward curve section 207 may be connected by a substantially
horizontal platform section 211 which may extend rear wards beyond
the plane defined by the first inward curve section 205 and the
second inward curve section 207 and the rear edge of the platform
section 211 may include a first and second upward extending tab 211
to detachably connect to a sign having a aperture or edge to
cooperate with the first and second upward extending tab 211 and
the rear top surface of the platform section 211.
[0042] The first inward curve section 205 and the second inward
curve section 207 may have respectively an opposing concave section
213, 215.
[0043] The first end section 201 and the second end section 203 may
include an engageable/releasable jaw section 231 which may be
pivotably connected to respectively the first end section 201 and a
second mirrored jaw section 231 which may be pivotably connected to
the second end section 203 by a shaft which may extend from the
first and second end section 201, 203. The jaw section 231 may
engageable/releasably be detachably connected to the side walls
151.
[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the sign device 200
positioned on the mop bucket and wringer unit 110, the peripheral
wall 118, the wheels 115, the bucket 112, the side walls 151 and
the covers 153.
[0045] FIG. 7 additionally illustrates the first end section 201,
the second end section 203, the first inward curve section 205, the
second inward curve section 207, the central section 209, the
platform section 212 and the upward extending tabs 211.
[0046] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown
by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the description
herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the
invention to the particular forms disclosed.
* * * * *