Mopping Device

Abstract

A mopping device comprising a substantially wedge-shaped support body (1) and a mopping cloth (2) which is connected to the support body (1) in a detachable manner, wherein the support body (1) comprises two contact-pressure plates (3, 4) for pressing the mopping cloth (2) against a surface which is to be cleaned. wherein the two contact-pressure plates (3, 4) each have a clamping edge (5, 6) and are arranged in relation to one another in the manner of a V for the purpose of fixing the mopping cloth (2) between the clamping edges (5, 6) by means of at least one spring (7, 8) in a closed position (9), and can be moved against the spring force of the spring (7, 8) to an open position (10) for the purpose of receiving or removing the mopping cloth (2) from the support body (1).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is the national phase of PCT/EP2012/000028, filed Jan. 4, 2012, which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2011 012 365.2, filed Feb. 24, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention concerns a wiping device comprising a carrying body and a wiping cloth, which is connected in a detachable manner with the carrying body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A wiping device such as described above is disclosed in EP 2 204 116 A2. In this reference, the carrying body has only one pressure plate to press a wiping cloth on a surface to be cleaned and a rocker-shaped clamping strip. The clamping strip is located so it can be swiveled into a closed position or an open position, on the upper side of the pressure plate. The rocker-shaped clamping strip includes two legs, which are in a magnetic operative connection with the pressure plate such that one leg magnetically clamps the wiping cloth in the closed position on the upper side of the pressure plate or such that the other leg is magnetically held on the pressure plate, in order to be able to replace the wiping cloth without any problems. When clamped on the carrying body, the wiping cloth has only one functional surface, namely, the side of the wiping cloth that is turned away from the carrying body in the work position of the wiping device. The utilization of the wiping cloth is therefore less than 50%; the wiping cloth can be used on only one side with a single clamping. If the back side of this functional surface is to be used as another functional surface after the soiling of the original functional surface, the wiping cloth would have to be loosened by actuation of the clamping strip from the carrying body, turned around, and subsequently, once again clamped in. This re-clamping is cumbersome and time-consuming and therefore the handling is not very satisfactory. Furthermore, the magnetic clamping device is work-intensive and expensive in its production.

[0004] Another wiping device is disclosed in WO 95/32661. In this reference, the carrying body is formed by two pressure plates, which are connected with one another via a hinge on one of the longitudinal sides of the pressure plates. The pressure plates can be manually swiveled around the hinge, so as to be able to hold the wiping cloth between the pressure plates. The wiping cloth is inserted with both hands. The handle must be set aside. After taking up the wiping cloth between the pressure plates, the pressure plates are subsequently locked with one another for the locking of the wiping cloth. The locking and the loosening of the wiping cloth take place manually as needed. This makes the handling of the wiping device difficult and the hands of the user come into contact with the soiled and/or wet carrying body/wiping cloth. That is unpleasant for the user.

[0005] Viewed in cross-section, the carrying body is configured in the shape of a drop. Further, in the area of its back longitudinal side, which is limited by the hinge, the carrying body has a lower shape than in the area of its front longitudinal side, along which the wiping cloth is clamped in. Due to the relatively greater height of the front longitudinal side, the wiping device does not clean very well if, for example, the cleaning is to be carried out in corners or along baseboards. In such cases, the high front longitudinal side cannot get close enough to the corners or the baseboards that are to be cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a wiping device in which the utilization of the wiping cloth is maximized in a single clamping of the wiping cloth on the carrying body. Another object is to be able to produce the wiping cloth in a simple and low-cost manner. A further object is to provide a wiping device that cleans well and is simple to use. A further object is to be able to change the wiping cloth to a large extent without having to touch it with your hand.

[0007] A wiping device is provided including an essentially wedge-shaped carrying body and a wiping cloth, which is connected in a detachable manner with the carrying body. The carrying body includes two pressure plates for pressing the wiping cloth on a surface to be cleaned. The two pressure plates have a clamping edge. The clamping edges are arranged V-shaped relative to one another for fastening of the wiping cloth between the clamping edges by at least one spring in a closed position. For holding the wiping cloth on or removing it from the carrying body, the clamping edges can be brought to an open position against the force of the spring.

[0008] It is advantageous that with its V-shaped carrying body in the closed position, the wiping device can be effective with the two pressure plates alternatively on the two functional surfaces of the wiping cloth (front side and back side of the wiping cloth), without the wiping cloth having to be re-clamped on the carrying body. Each of the functional surfaces forms the back side of the other functional surface. Only one edge of the wiping cloth is clamped between the clamping edges of the pressure plates of the carrying body, so that the rest of the wiping cloth hangs free downward in the direction of the surface to be cleaned, with the wiping device lifted from the floor.

[0009] Furthermore, since the front longitudinal side can be pushed directly under the cloth due to that side's low height and the clamping mechanism can be actuated with one's foot, a cloth spread flat on the floor can be held without being touched by anyone's hands.

[0010] With regard to functioning, the following can be stated:

[0011] For wiping a surface to be cleaned, the wiping cloth is placed with its first functional surface on the surface to be cleaned. The first pressure plate is placed on the second functional surface, so as to be able to exert contact pressure on the first functional surface. After a cleaning operation with the first functional surface, when the first functional surface is, for example, soiled, the wiping device can be lifted from the surface to be cleaned. When this happens, the second functional surface is automatically loosened from the first pressure plate, and the wiping cloth hangs free downward in the direction of the surface to be cleaned. Then, the second functional surface can be placed on the surface to be cleaned. The second pressure plate is then laid on the previously used first functional surface, so as to be able to exert contact pressure on the second functional surface. Since the wiping cloth has two functional surfaces, this arrangement allows for particularly full utilization of the wiping cloth. Only a narrow edge of the wiping cloth, which is clamped between the clamping edges of the pressure plates, cannot be used for cleaning.

[0012] The wiping cloth lying on the surface to be wiped can be taken up from the wedge-shaped carrying body without one's hands touching it.

[0013] The two functional surfaces of the wiping cloth can be configured the same or differently.

[0014] With functional surfaces that are designed the same, the wiping device can be used for a particularly long time with the same usage characteristics. First, the cleaning is carried out with the first functional surface until it is, for example, soiled to an undesirable degree. Then, without having to re-clamp the wiping cloth on the carrying body, the second functional surface can be used.

[0015] In contrast, if the wiping cloth has two functional surfaces that are configured differently, cleaning can be carried out, for example, in two stages with a single clamping of the wiping cloth on the carrying body. First, the first functional surface can be used, which, for example, can be configured to loosen greater degrees of soiling from the surface to be cleaned. Subsequently, the second functional surface that is configured differently can be used. The second functional surface can be configured, for example, so as to be able to absorb the loosened soilings and/or the cleaning liquid from the cleaned surface in a particularly effective manner.

[0016] Even if the cleaning is not carried out in two stages, it may be advantageous for the functional surfaces to be configured differently. For example, each functional surface can correspond with a special type of soiling and/or with a special surface of the surface to be cleaned.

[0017] The wiping device in accordance with the invention can be used in this way in a particularly individual and versatile manner while still being easy for a user to handle.

[0018] The pressure plates can have, at least in part, a surface profile (e.g., knobs) on their respective surfaces facing the wiping cloth to allow an increased contact force to be exerted on the wiping cloth and thus on the surface to be cleaned in the area of the surface profile.

[0019] The carrying body and the wiping cloth can be connected with only one edge of the wiping cloth clamped between the clamping edges. The clamping edge area of the wiping cloth can, for example, be included in the shape of a bulge, so that it has a greater thickness than the functional surfaces. Alternatively or additionally, the clamping edge area can be configured in such a way that the clamping force with which the wiping cloth is held between the clamping edges is increased. For example, the clamping edge area of the wiping cloth can be structured in a stronger manner and/or have, for example, a friction-enhancing surface.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the clamping edges of the pressure plates can have a friction-enhancing surface on the side facing the edge of the wiping cloth, for example, a greater surface profiling and/or a rubber lining, so as to be able to hold the edge of the wiping cloth securely even when used for a long period of time. The clamping edges of pressure plates could also be configured to penetrate the wiping cloth with fine points in a form-locking manner, and in this way hold it securely in its position on the carrying body.

[0021] Because the wiping cloth has two functional surfaces and only the edge of the wiping cloth that is clamped between the clamping edges does not act as a cleaning functional surface, a more than 50%, preferably more than 90%, utilization of the cleaning cloth can be achieved. As a result of the high utilization, large areas can be cleaned in a short time using only a few wiping cloths.

[0022] Every pressure plate is correlated so as to be engageable with a functional surface to press the other functional surface on the surface to be cleaned. With the pressure plates, the back side of the functional surface found in use for the cleaning is closely contacted during proper operation of the wiping device. The user of the wiping device applies pressure on the wiping cloth by means of the pertinent pressure plate.

[0023] The pressure plates can be connected with one another by a hinge, which extends parallel to the clamping edges. A swiveling connection of the pressure plates relative to one another with a hinge can be produced simply and at low cost. The components of the hinge are preferably configured in one piece with and made of the same material as the individual pressure plates.

[0024] With respect to the transverse direction or extent of the carrying body, the hinge can be located in the middle of the carrying body. Such an arrangement is advantageous in order to attain a V-shaped form of the carrying body in a closed position. To switch the carrying body to the open position to clamp the wiping cloth between the two clamping edges or to remove the wiping cloth from the carrying body, the carrying body can be actuated by the user's foot. To switch the carrying body to the open position, the user steps on one of the pressure plates on the longitudinal side facing away from the clamping edges. In this way, the pressure plates and the hinge are swiveled relative to one another, so that the clamping edges move away from one another and the carrying body is switched to the open position. The wiping cloth can then be connected to the carrying body or removed from it.

[0025] The hinge can comprise an axis extending parallel to the clamping edge, so as to situate the pressure plates so they can swivel relative to one another.

[0026] With regard to simple handling of the wiping device, especially simple installation of the wiping cloth on the carrying body, the spring may be a leg spring. The leg spring preferably may enclose the axis of the hinge. The legs of the leg spring may be located on the side of the hinge facing away from the clamping edges. The leg spring enables the carrying body, after the placement of the wiping cloth between the two clamping edges, to move automatically into the closed position, so that the wiping cloth is clamped between the clamping edges and thus assumes its V-shaped form.

[0027] The term "leg spring" refers to a screw spring that is under torsional stress around its axis. The lever-like legs are located on the side of the hinge facing away from the clamping edges, are supported on the insides of the two pressure plates, and hold the carrying body impinged on by the spring force in its closed position.

[0028] The carrying body and a wiper shaft are preferably connected by an articulating joint. Such an arrangement can simplify the handling of the wiping device in that the two pressure plates can be placed flat on the back side of the individual functional surface without any problems and in a simple manner.

[0029] Considered in the longitudinal direction of the carrying body, the wiper shaft and the articulating joint can be located in the middle of the carrying body. The length of the carrying body and the wiping cloth, which is connected with the carrying body, is equally large on each side of the articulating joint considered in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the wiping device is to a large extent in equilibrium when it is used properly.

[0030] The articulating joint can enclose the axis of the hinge. The side of the hinge facing away from the clamping edges, the pressure plates can have an opening through which the articulating joint can be swiveled. The handling of the wiping device is improved in that the wiper shaft can be moved flat over the bottom, so as to, for example, be able to clean under furniture.

[0031] The swivel angle can be at least 180.degree.. Preferably, the swivel angle is at least 225.degree.. The swivel angle enables the wiping device to be lifted from the surface to be cleaned after the cleaning operation with the wiping cloth automatically hanging free downward. Subsequently, the wiping cloth can be laid down again with the other functional surface on the surface to be cleaned. A large swivel angle enables a user to handle the wiping device well, so as to achieve the best possible cleaning. In this way, independent of which pressure plates is in use, the wiper shaft can be preferably swiveled 45.degree. from the perpendicular in the direction of the clamping edges. With the large swivel angle, the handling of the wiping shaft is improved.

[0032] The articulation joint can be formed by a cardan joint. In this way, the wiper shaft cannot be swiveled only around the axis of the hinge. In addition, the wiping device can be provided with a horizontal spring in order to attain a good cleaning result in this way. The wiper shaft can also be swiveled parallel to the axis of the hinge, so that the wiping device can be moved parallel to the hinge axis over the surface to be cleaned, so as to be able to better remove, for example, dirt in narrow niches.

[0033] The pressure plates are preferably made of a polymeric material. Pressure plates made of such a material are resistant to corrosion and are resistant to most cleaning fluids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary wiping device according to the invention with the wiping device lifted from the surface to be cleaned showing the first functional surface and how the carrying body and the wiping cloth automatically hang vertically downward as an extension of the wiper shaft.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the wiping device of FIG. 1 showing the second functional surface of the wiping cloth.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the wiping device of FIG. 1 showing the wiping cloth clamped into the clamping edges of the wiping device.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the wiping device of FIG. 1 showing the hinge and two leg springs which hold the two pressure plates and the articulating joint enclosing the axis so it can swivel.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the wiping device of FIG. 1 showing the wiping cloth clamped between the clamping edges of the pressure plates and the first pressure plate lying on the second functional surface, so as to be able to exert contact pressure on the first functional surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] An exemplary embodiment of a wiping device is shown in FIGS. 1-5. The wiping device includes a wiping cloth 2 having two functional surfaces 11, 12, which are configured differently from one another. The wiping cloth 2 is connected in a detachable manner with a wedge-shaped carrying body 1. The carrying body 1 includes two pressure plates 3, 4, which are connected with one another by a hinge 14. The hinge 14 extends parallel to the clamping edges 5, 6. Each of the pressure plates 3, 4 has a clamping edge 5, 6. The clamping edges 5, 6 are pressed against one another by means of two springs 7, 8. The springs 7, 8 are identically designed leg springs 17, 18 and enclose the axis 16 of the hinge 14. The legs of the leg springs 17, 18 are located on the side of the hinge facing away from the clamping edges 5, 6 such that the spring force holds the carrying body in its closed position 9. In this closed position 9, the two pressure plates 3, 4 are arranged relative to each other so as to define a V-shape.

[0040] For replacing the wiping cloth 2, that is, to loosen the wiping cloth 2 from the carrying body 1 and to connect a new wiping cloth 2 with the carrying body 1, the pressure plates 3, 4 can be moved into the open position 10 against the spring force of the springs 7, 8.

[0041] Each of the functional surfaces 11, 12 of the wiping cloth 2 forms the back side of the other functional surface 12, 11. For wiping, the wiping cloth 2 with its first functional surface 11 is laid on the surface 25 to be wiped (FIG. 5), and the first pressure plate 3 is laid on the second functional surface 12 in order to be able to exert contact pressure on the first functional surface 11. If subsequently the second functional surface 12 is to be used, the wiping device is lifted from the surface to be wiped 25; the wiping cloth 2 hangs, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, freely and vertically downward, and can be laid with its second functional surface 12 on the surface 25 to be wiped. The second pressure plate 4 is then laid on the first functional surface 11 so as to enable contact pressure to be exerted on the second functional surface 12. Since both sides of the wiping cloth 2 can be used, without the need to re-clamp the wiping cloth 2 on the carrying body 1, the utilization of the wiping cloth is more than 90% in the illustrated embodiment. Only the edge 13 of the wiping cloth 2 clamped between the clamping edges 5, 6 cannot be used as a cleaning surface.

[0042] In FIGS. 1 and 2, one can see that the wiping cloth 2 has two functional surfaces 11, 12, which are differently configured. Furthermore, viewed in the transverse direction 15 of the carrying body 1, the hinge 14 is located in the middle of the carrying body 1. Viewed in the longitudinal direction 21 of the carrying body 1, the wiper shaft 19 and the articulating joint 20 are located in the middle of the carrying body 1. The articulating joint 20 is designed as a cardan joint for better mobility of the wiper shaft 19 and to attain a better handling of the wiping device.

[0043] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the different sides of the wiping device are shown with a wiping cloth 2 hanging freely and vertically downward. Each of the pressure plates 3, 4 has an opening 22, 23 on the side of the hinge 14, which is facing away from the clamping edges 5, 6, through which the articulating joint 20 can swivel. In the illustrated embodiment, the swivel angle 24 is 225.degree..

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0044] 1 Carrying body [0045] 2 Wiping cloth [0046] 3 First pressure plate [0047] 4 Second pressure plate [0048] 5 First clamping edge [0049] 6 Second clamping edge [0050] 7 Spring [0051] 8 Spring [0052] 9 Closed position [0053] 10 Open position [0054] 11 First functional surface [0055] 12 Second functional surface [0056] 13 Edge of the wiping cloth [0057] 14 Hinge [0058] 15 Transverse direction of the carrying body [0059] 16 Axis [0060] 17 First leg spring [0061] 18 Second leg spring [0062] 19 Wiper shaft [0063] 20 Articulating joint [0064] 21 Longitudinal direction of the carrying body [0065] 22 First opening [0066] 23 Second opening [0067] 24 Swivel angle [0068] 25 Surface to be cleaned

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A wiping device comprising: a substantially wedge-shaped carrying body and a wiping cloth that is detachably connected with the carrying body, the carrying body including two pressure plates for pressing the wiping cloth against a surface to be cleaned, each of the two pressure plates having a respective clamping edge, the pressure plates being movable to a closed position by a spring for fastening the wiping cloth between the clamping edges and being movable against the force of the spring to an open position for inserting the wiping cloth into or removing the wiping cloth from the carrying body, wherein. the pressure plates are arranged in a V-shaped configuration relative to each other.

23. The wiping device according to claim 22, wherein the carrying body is configured so as to be lockable in the open position.

24. The wiping device according to claim 22, wherein the ping cloth has two functional surfaces.

25. The wiping device according to claim 24, wherein the functional surfaces are configured differently.

26. The wiping device according to claim 22, wherein the respective clamping edges of the pressure plates have respective sides facing the wiping plate that have, at least in part, a surface profile that engage with the wiping cloth.

27. The wiping device according to claim 22, wherein the carrying body and the wiping cloth are connected with one another by only one edge of the wiping cloth clamped between the clamping edges.

28. The wiping device according to claim 24, wherein the wiping cloth and the carrying body are configured such that at least 50% of the functional surfaces of the wiping cloth are utilizable for wiping.

29. The wiping device according to claim 24, wherein the wiping cloth and the carrying body are configured such that at least 90% of the functional surfaces of the wiping cloth are utilizable for wiping.

30. The wiping device according to claim 24, wherein each pressure plate is engageable with a corresponding functional surface for pressing of the opposing, functional surface against the surface to be cleaned.

31. The wiping device according to claim 22, wherein the pressure plates are connected with one another by a hinge, which extends parallel to the clamping edges.

32. The wiping device according to claim 31, wherein, in a transverse direction of the carrying body, the hinge is arranged in a middle of the carrying body.

33. The wiping device according to claim 31, wherein the hinge comprises an axis extending parallel to the clamping edges around which the pressure plates are arranged such that they can pivot relative to one another.

34. The wiping device according to claim 22, wherein the spring is configured as a leg spring.

35. The wiping device according to claim 34, wherein the leg spring encloses an axis of the hinge and wherein the leg spring includes legs that are on a side of the hinge facing away from the clamping edges.

36. The wiping device according to claim 22, further including a wiping shaft and wherein the carrying body and the wiping shaft are connected by an articulating joint.

37. The wiping device according to claim 36, wherein, in a longitudinal direction of the carrying body, the wiper shaft and the articulating joint are located in the middle of the carrying body.

38. The wiping device according to claim 36, wherein the pressure plates are connected with one another by a hinge that extends parallel to the clamping edges and wherein the articulating joint encloses an axis of the hinge, and in that the pressure plates have an opening on a side of the hinge facing away from the clamping edges through which the articulating joint is pivotable.

39. The wiping device according to claim 38, wherein a swivel angle of the wiper shaft relative to the carrying body is at least 180.degree..

40. The wiping device according to claim. 38, wherein a swivel angle of the wiper shaft relative to the carrying body is at least 225.degree..

41. The wiping device according to claim 36, wherein the articulating joint is formed by a card an joint.

42. The wiping device according to one of claim 22, wherein the pressure plates are made of a polymer material.