U.S. patent application number 15/372549 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-08 for hybrid roller mop.
The applicant listed for this patent is Quickie Manufacturing Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael A. Schiavo, Ryan Sheckels, Jace Weaver.
Application Number | 20170156562 15/372549 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58800446 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170156562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schiavo; Michael A. ; et
al. |
June 8, 2017 |
HYBRID ROLLER MOP
Abstract
The present invention relates to a hybrid roller mop having a
handle, a mop head with a slot defined therein, a cleaning member
and a lever mechanism. The mop head can be connected to the handle
at one end and have rollers connected at the other end and spaced
by the slot defined in the mop head. The cleaning member and lever
mechanism can be connected together by a linkage disposed in the
mop handle. The lever mechanism can be configured for raising and
lowering the cleaning member between the rollers and into the slot
of the mop head in order to wring out excess liquid from the mop.
The cleaning member can have a generally inverted "V" shape that
can lie flat against a floor or similar surface and can be folded
into a compressed position when pulled between the rollers and into
the slot of the mop head.
Inventors: |
Schiavo; Michael A.; (Mt.
Ephraim, NJ) ; Weaver; Jace; (Gilbertsville, PA)
; Sheckels; Ryan; (Marlton, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Quickie Manufacturing Corporation |
Cinnaminson |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58800446 |
Appl. No.: |
15/372549 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62264846 |
Dec 8, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 13/257 20130101;
A47L 13/144 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/144 20060101
A47L013/144; A47L 13/257 20060101 A47L013/257 |
Claims
1. A hybrid roller mop comprising: an elongated handle; a mop head
connected to said elongated handle and having a receiving slot
defined therethrough; a retractable cleaning member positioned
adjacent to said mop head; and a lever mechanism comprising a lever
handle pivotably connected to said elongated handle and a linkage
rod connecting said lever handle to said retractable cleaning
member; wherein said lever mechanism is configured for selectively
raising said retractable cleaning member into said receiving slot
of said mop head by raising said lever handle.
2. The hybrid roller mop of claim 1, wherein said retractable
cleaning member comprises a first member region, a second member
region, and a center folding region extending longitudinally
through said retractable cleaning member and separating said first
and said second member regions, wherein said center folding region
causes said retractable cleaning member to fold about said center
folding region when raised into said mop head.
3. The hybrid roller mop of claim 2, wherein said retractable
cleaning member further comprises a raised portion positioned above
said center folding region and has a backing member attached
thereto, wherein said backing member is attached to said linkage
rod of said lever mechanism.
4. The hybrid roller mop of claim 3 wherein said raised portion
urges said retractable cleaning member to fold about said center
folding region when raised into said mop head.
5. The hybrid roller mop of claim 2, wherein said retractable
cleaning member further comprises a substantially flattened
rectangular bottom side extending across said first member region,
said center folding region and said second member region when said
retractable cleaning member is positioned on a floor surface and
not retracted into said mop head.
6. The hybrid roller mop of claim 5, wherein said retractable
cleaning member further comprises a plurality of sides extending
upward from said bottom side, said plurality of sides being
substantially perpendicular to said bottom side.
7. The hybrid roller mop of claim 6, wherein at least one side of
said plurality of sides has a scrubbing pad attached thereto.
8. The hybrid roller mop of claim 7, wherein said scrubbing pad has
a downward facing orientation when said retractable cleaning member
is retracted into said mop head.
9. The hybrid roller mop of claim 1 further comprising at least two
spaced apart rollers connected to said mop head directly below said
receiving slot and on each side of said receiving slot.
10. The hybrid roller mop of claim 1 further comprising: a channel
defined into said elongated handle adjacent to said lever handle;
and a linkage connecter extending through said channel and
connecting said lever handle and said linkage rod contained within
said elongated handle; wherein said channel has an elongated shape
configured to allow said lever handle to be selectively moved
between a lowered position and a fully raised position; wherein
said lever handle raises said linkage rod within said elongated
channel when said lever handle is moved between said lowered and
fully raised positions.
11. The hybrid roller mop of claim 10, wherein when said lever
handle is in said lowered position, said linkage rod positions said
retractable cleaning member into a use position where said
retractable cleaning member is positioned below said mop head, and
wherein when said lever handle is in said fully raised position
said retractable cleaning member is in a fully retracted position
wherein said retractable cleaning member is positioned within said
mop head in a folded configuration.
12. The hybrid roller mop of claim 11, wherein said lever mechanism
further comprises a rotatable component positioned around said
elongated handle and extending at least partially over said
channel, wherein said rotatable component includes a notch defined
therethrough and is configured for selective rotation around said
elongated handle for positioning said notch over said channel.
13. The hybrid roller mop of claim 12, wherein said notch is
configured to receive said linkage connector when said rotatable
component is rotated over said channel to maintain said lever
handle in a partially raised position intermediate said lowered
position and said fully raised position, wherein said linkage rod
positions said retractable cleaning member in a partially retracted
scrubbing position when said lever handle is in said partially
raised position, wherein said retractable cleaning member is
partially within said mop head when in said partially retracted
scrubbing position.
14. The hybrid roller mop of claim 13, wherein said retractable
cleaning member includes front and rear sides, and wherein said
front and rear sides remain positioned below said mop head when
said and face away from said mop head when said retractable
cleaning member is in said partially retracted scrubbing
position.
15. The hybrid roller mop of claim 14, wherein at least one of said
front and said rear sides have a scrubbing pad attached
thereto.
16. A hybrid roller mop comprising: an elongated handle having a
mop head connected to one end thereof; a slot defined partially
through said mop head, said slot extending upward from a lower end
of said mop head and at least partially along a height of said mop
head; a pair of spaced apart rollers positioned on each side of
said slot and directly below said mop head; a retractable cleaning
member configured for being selectively positioned between a raised
position within said slot and a lowered position below said mop
head; and a lever mechanism configured for raising and lowering
said retractable cleaning member between said raised and lowered
positions, said lever mechanism comprising: a lever handle
connected to said elongated handle; a linkage rod extending through
said elongated handle and mop head and connecting said elongated
handle to said retractable cleaning member; wherein said
retractable cleaning member includes a center folding region
extending longitudinally through said retractable cleaning member,
said center folding region configured for urging said retractable
cleaning member to fold in a longitudinal direction when entering
said slot of said mop head.
17. The hybrid roller mop of claim 16, wherein said retractable
cleaning member has a rectangular shape and comprises a generally
flat bottom side, front and rear sidewalls, and first and second
member portions, said first and second member portions separated by
said center folding region.
18. The hybrid roller mop of claim 17, wherein said front and rear
sidewalls include a scrubbing pad.
19. The hybrid roller mop of claim 18, wherein said lever mechanism
is configured to selectively retain said lever handle in an
intermediate position where said retractable cleaning member is
folded about said center folding region and partially received
within said mop head, wherein said front and rear sidewalls remain
below said mop head and spaced rollers when said lever handle is
placed into said intermediate position.
20. The hybrid roller mop of claim 19, wherein said lever mechanism
includes a rotatable handle component positioned around said
elongated handle and containing a notch for securing said lever
handle in said intermediate position when said rotatable handle is
rotated about said elongated handle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/264,846, filed Dec. 8, 2015 titled HYBRID
ROLLER MOP, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a floor mop, and, more
particularly, to a sponge roller mop having a wringer
mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Standard floor mops commonly include a flattened rectangular
sponge attached to the mop base. The flattened rectangular shape of
the sponge provides an increased contact surface area with the
floor and allows the user of the mop to easily move the mop head
both a forward direction and a backward direction. However,
standard floor mops of this type can be difficult to use because
they generally do not incorporate an efficient way to wring out the
sponge to remove excess liquid. One solution to this problem is the
wringer roller mop. Wringer roller mops commonly include a sponge
component that is retractable between a pair of space-apart rollers
allowing the sponge to be compressed and wrung out, removing excess
liquid, dirt, etc. In order for the sponge to be retracted between
the rollers, it has a rounded shape with curved sides that allow
the sponge to move easily between the rollers. However, the rounded
shape and curved sides cause the sponge to bunch up against the
direction of movement when the mop is in use, making the mop less
efficient at moving forwards and backwards. Further, the rounded
profile of the sponge causes less contact surface area during
use.
[0004] Thus, a need exists for a sponge mop having both the
advantages of a standard floor mop and a wringer roller mop.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a hybrid roller mop having
a foldable and retractable cleaning member. The roller mop may
include an elongated handle, a mop head, a cleaning member and a
lever mechanism for selectively moving the cleaning member between
different positions relative to the mop head. The elongated handle
may be constructed as a conventional rod or shaft and may have a
hollowed interior. The mop head may be connected to one end of the
elongated handle and may be constructed as a frame or housing
having a receiving slot defined at least partially through the mop
head. The mop head may additionally include a plurality of spaced
apart rollers positioned below the receiving slot.
[0006] The cleaning member may be a sponge or other suitable type
of mop cleaning member structure and may be configured with a
rectangular shape according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The cleaning member may include a bottom surface or side
and may have a plurality of sidewalls extending upward therefrom.
The cleaning member may additionally include a folding region
extending longitudinally through the cleaning member and creating
first and second member regions on each side of the folding region.
The folding region may be specifically configured to allow the
cleaning member to fold about the folding region so as to press the
first and second member regions together. The cleaning member may
further include a raised portion above the folding region which may
be adapted to be attached to a backing portion. The backing portion
may facilitate connection of the cleaning member to the rest of the
mop.
[0007] The cleaning member may be connected to the remainder of the
mop by a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism may include a linkage
component in the form of a wire or rod that is connected at one end
to the backing portion of the cleaning member. The linkage
component may extend through the mop head and into the hollow
interior of the elongated handle. Intermediately positioned along
the elongated handle may be a lever handle which may be connected
to the second end of the linkage component via a linkage
connector.
[0008] The lever mechanism may be configured to lift and lower the
cleaning member relative to the mop head by raising and lowering
the lever handle. When a user raises the lever handle, this may
cause the linkage component to pull up on the cleaning member,
which is attached to the linkage component via the backing portion.
Upon lifting the lever handle, the cleaning member may begin to
fold along the longitudinal folding region and enter into the
receiving slot of the mop head. The size and shape of the receiving
slot may cause the cleaning member to become compressed in order to
"wring out" or otherwise remove liquid from the cleaning
member.
[0009] The mop can be configured for placement in different
positions by raising and lowering the lever handle of the lever
mechanism. When the lever handle is in a fully lowered position,
the cleaning member may be configured to be placed below the spaced
apart rollers and the mop head in a flattened or use position. When
resting against a surface or floor in this position, the cleaning
member may have a flattened shape where its bottom surface rests
substantially on the floor.
[0010] When the lever handle is raised into an intermediate
position, the cleaning member may fold about the folding region,
which may be facilitated by the positioning of the spaced apart
rollers, and enter the receiving slot of the mop head. When the
lever handle is in the intermediate position, the cleaning member
may be in a partially retracted scrubbing position where a majority
of the cleaning member is received within the slot, but the sides
of the cleaning member may remain below the spaced apart rollers.
This allows the mop to efficiently be used to scrub more difficult
debris on a floor surface. To increase the scrubbing capabilities
of the mop in this position, the sides of the cleaning member may
have scrubbing pads attached thereto. In order to allow the lever
handle to be retained in its intermediate position, a rotatable
component having a notched defined therethrough may be attached to
the elongated handle. The notch may then be rotated below the lever
handle so that it cannot be moved from its intermediate
position.
[0011] When the lever handle is lifted further upward from the
intermediate position, it may be placed into a fully retracted
position where the cleaning member is substantially positioned
within the receiving slot and above the lower end of the mop head.
This allows the cleaning member to be fully "wrung out" in order to
remove liquid from the cleaning member. The lever handle may then
be moved to the lowered position to continue use of the mop with
the cleaning member in the lowered use position.
[0012] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hybrid roller mop
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1
illustrating a mop head and sponge;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a hybrid roller mop
according to another embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating a mop head and sponge;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the mop in a use configuration;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the mop in a use configuration;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the position of a lever mechanism when the mop is in a
use configuration;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the mop in a scrubbing configuration;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the mop head and sponge when the mop is in a scrubbing
configuration;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side view of the mop of FIG. 1, illustrating the
mop head and sponge when the mop is in a scrubbing
configuration;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the position of a lever mechanism when the mop is in a
scrubbing configuration;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the position of the lever mechanism when the mop is in
a scrubbing configuration;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the mop head and sponge when the mop is in a fully
retracted configuration;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the position of the lever mechanism when the mop is in
a fully retracted position; and
[0026] FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the mop of FIG. 1,
illustrating the position of a lever mechanism when the mop is in a
fully retracted position.
[0027] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by
way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and
detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the
disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents,
and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like
parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in illustrating the
characteristics of the present invention, proportional
relationships of the elements have not necessarily been maintained
in the drawing figures.
[0029] Referring to the drawings particularly by reference numbers
wherein like numerals refer to like parts, FIG. 1 illustrates a
hybrid roller mop 10 comprising an elongated handle 12, a mop head
14, a cleaning member 16, and a lever mechanism 18 for moving
cleaning member 16 at least partially in and out of mop head 14 as
described in greater detail below. Handle 12 can comprise an
elongated rod or shaft constructed from any suitable material
commonly used for construction of mop or broom handles. Handle 12
can also comprise a hollow core for housing a linkage component 56
(shown in at least FIG. 4) for connecting cleaning member 16 and
lever mechanism 18 as described in greater detail below. As shown
in FIG. 2, handle 12 can also be connected to mop head 14 at its
first end 26 via a threaded connection or any other suitable
construction.
[0030] Mop head 14 can comprise a frame or housing that enables
cleaning member 16 to move vertically within mod head 14. As best
shown in FIG. 2, at least two spaced apart rollers 22 can be
connected to a second end 28 of mop head 14. Rollers 22 can be
either fixedly attached to mop head 14 or rotatably attached to mop
head 14 depending on the particular embodiment of the present
invention. Defined in mop head 14 and between rollers 22 can be a
housing or receiving slot 24 that can extend from second or bottom
end 28 and through each lateral end of mop head 14. Receiving slot
24 can be configured for receiving cleaning member 16 after
cleaning member 16 has moved vertically past rollers 22 as
described in greater detail below.
[0031] Cleaning member 16 can comprise a generally rectangular
shape (such as a rectangular prism or hyperrectangle) as shown in
FIG. 2. It will be understood that a conventional cleaning member
shape, with a more rounded shape and curved sides that allow the
cleaning member 16 to move easily between rollers, may also be
used. Cleaning member 16 can further be constructed from any number
of suitable materials, such as a sponge-type material. As also
shown in FIG. 2, cleaning member 16 can include a backing 30
connected to a raised portion 32 of cleaning member 16. Backing 30
can comprise an elongated channel or plate molded or formed to
raised portion 32 of cleaning member 16 and extending at least part
of the length of cleaning member 16. Backing 30 can also enable
cleaning member 16 to be permanently or removably connected to
lever mechanism 18 via the linkage component 56. An adhesive or
other suitable securing means can be used to connect backing 30 to
the top of raised portion 32. Preferably, backing 30, which can
comprise a more rigid material than the remainder of cleaning
member 16, can have a width less than that of receiving slot 24 in
order to allow backing 30 to slide up and down within mop head 14.
The body of cleaning member 16 can comprise a folding region 34
beneath backing 30, and first and second member regions 36 and 38,
respectively, on each side of folding region 34. As illustrated in
the figures, folding region 34 can extend longitudinally through
cleaning member 16. Both first and second member regions 36 and 38
can include a top side 40, bottom side 42 and a front or rear
longitudinal side 44, as best shown in FIG. 3. Longitudinal sides
44 can optionally include scrubber pads 46, as shown in FIG. 4,
depending on the particular embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, cleaning member 16 can have a
generally flattened rectangular shape when resting on a floor or
similar surface. However, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, cleaning
member 16 can actually have more of an inverted "V" shape when not
resting on a surface, due to the positioning of backing 30 and the
configuration of folding region 34 between first and second member
regions 36 and 38. In such an embodiment, folding region 34 can be
designed with reduced rigidity and increased pliability in order to
facilitate sponge 16 folding along an axis extending through
backing 30 and folding region 34.
[0033] Lever mechanism 18 (including linkage component 56) can be
configured for raising and lowering cleaning member 16 within
receiving slot 24 of mop head 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-14.
According to one embodiment, as illustrated in the various figures,
lever mechanism 18 includes a lever handle 20 which is connected to
linkage component 56 via linkage connector 52 in order to allow a
user to activate lever mechanism 18 by raising and lowering lever
handle 20. The linkage component 56 can comprise a wire or rod that
extends from lever handle 20 located at an intermediate position on
elongated handle 12, through the interior of handle 12, into mop
head 14, and to cleaning member 16. The linkage component 56 can
further be connected to lever handle 20 via a linkage connector 52
at one end and connected to backing 30 of cleaning member 16 at the
other end. Lever mechanism 18 can be configured for causing the
linkage component 56 to raise and lower cleaning member 16 within
receiving slot 24 of mop head 14.
[0034] When lever handle 20 is lifted upwards, it can cause the
linkage 56 to pull cleaning member 16 upward and into receiving
slot 24 as shown in FIG. 7. As further shown in FIG. 8, when
cleaning member 16 is lifted into receiving slot 24, it folds along
a longitudinal axis defined by folding region 34 due to cleaning
member's 16 position relative to slot receiving slot 24 and the
plurality of spaced-apart rollers 22 restricting the movement of
sponge 16. As a result of the spacing between the rollers 22, when
cleaning member 16 moves upward, it is folded along folding region
34 and first and second regions 36 and 38 compress against one
another and against the rollers 22. According to one embodiment of
the present invention, the width between rollers 22 (and the width
of receiving slot 24) is less than the thickness of the folded
cleaning member 16 in order to cause the first and second member
regions 36 and 38 to be effectively compressed together when
located within slot 24 and between rollers 22.
[0035] FIGS. 1-6 show mop 10 in a first or use configuration. As
shown in FIG. 4 and as noted above, cleaning member 16 can have a
generally inverted "V" shape that can be caused by the folding
region 34 and the spacing of rollers 22. When in the first
configuration, cleaning member 16 can be in a use position and
cleaning member backing 30 and cleaning member raised portion 32
can be positioned between the spaced apart rollers 22 while the
remainder of cleaning member 16 is positioned below rollers 22.
This can allow first and second member regions 36 and 38 of
cleaning member 16 to flatten out when cleaning member 16 as placed
into contact with the floor or other surface as shown in FIG. 3.
The positioning of the rollers 22 above cleaning member 16 can also
assist cleaning member 16 in resting generally flat against the
floor or other surface. As shown in FIG. 6, lever mechanism 18 (and
lever handle 20) can be in a lowered position when mop 10 is in its
first configuration and cleaning member 16 is in the use position.
This can cause the linkage component 56 to extend into receiving
slot 24 of mop frame 14 to prevent cleaning member 16 moving above
rollers 22 and entering slot 24.
[0036] FIGS. 7-11 show mop 10 in a second or scrubbing
configuration. As best shown in FIG. 8, when mop 10 is in the
second configuration, cleaning member 16 is in a partially
retracted scrubbing position and is positioned partially within
receiving slot 24 of mop head 14. As a result of the spacing
between rollers 22, cleaning member 16 can be forced to fold along
folding region 34 so that first and second member regions 36 and 38
are positioned next to one another with their bottom sides 42 in
contact. Because of the folding of cleaning member 16, front and
rear longitudinal sides 44 of first and second member regions 36
and 38 can face in a general downward direction. As further shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9, longitudinal sides 44, and scrubbing pads 46
connected thereto, can extend below rollers 22 because cleaning
member 16 is only partially positioned within receiving slot 24. As
a result, scrubbing pads 46 can engage the floor or other surface
and can be used to remove more difficult stains, debris, etc. from
the floor or other surface. When mop 10 is in the second
configuration, lever handle 20 can be in a partially raised
position.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, lever handle 20 can be raised
from its lowered position to an intermediate position to place mop
10 in the second (scrubbing) configuration. As best shown in FIG.
11, a channel 48 can be defined in handle 12 at lever mechanism 18
in order to allow linkage connector 52 to raise and lower the
linkage 56 via lever handle 20. As further shown in FIG. 11, lever
mechanism 18 can further comprise a rotatable component 54 having a
first notch 50 defined thereon that can restrict lever mechanism 18
from moving past the intermediate position. Rotatable component 54
can be rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around
handle 12 in order to cause notch 50 to prevent upward movement of
linkage connector 52, thereby preventing lever mechanism 18 from
raising sponge 16 past rollers 22 and fully into receiving slot 24.
Rotatable component 54 can then be further rotated in order to move
notch 50 away from linkage connector 52 and allow further movement
of lever mechanism 18.
[0038] FIGS. 12-14 show mop 10 in a third or wringing
configuration. As best shown in FIG. 12, when mop 10 is in the
third configuration, cleaning member 16 can be in a fully retracted
position and can be positioned completely or almost completely
within receiving slot 24. As a result, cleaning member backing 30
is raised almost to the top of receiving slot 30 and longitudinal
sides 44 are positioned equal with or above rollers 22. Cleaning
member 16 can remain folded about folding region 34 so that first
and second member regions 36 and 38 remain partially compressed
together by receiving slot 24 after moving above rollers 22. When
in the third configuration, lever handle 20 can be placed in a
fully raised position. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, lever mechanism
18 can be raised from its intermediate position (via lever handle
20) to a fully raised position to place mop 10 in the third
configuration. Rotatable component 54 can be rotated in order to
allow linkage connector 52 to travel along channel 48 until lever
mechanism 18 is in its fully raised position.
[0039] When mop 10 is transitioned from its first configuration to
its second and then third configurations, cleaning member 16 can be
transitioned from its generally flatten shape (as shown in FIG. 3)
or inverted "V" shape (as shown in FIG. 4) to a compressed folded
shape (as shown in FIG. 12). During this process, first and second
member regions 36 and 38 of cleaning member 16 are compressed
together against one another and rollers 22 in order to "wring out"
cleaning member 16 and excess liquid can be removed from cleaning
member 16. As cleaning member 16 continues to rise past rollers 22
and into slot 24, it can continue to be wrung out until it becomes
fully wrung out upon mop 10 reaching the third configuration. Mop
10 can then be returned back to its first configuration for further
use.
[0040] Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments
of a novel hybrid roller mop. As is evident from the foregoing
description, certain aspects of the present invention are not
limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated
herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications
and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those
skilled in the art. The terms "having" and "including" and similar
terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense
of "optional" or "may include" and not as "required". Many changes,
modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the
present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled
in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying
drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other
uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope
of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is
limited only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *