Mop With Interchangeable Heads

Abstract

A mop with interchangeable heads in which in the preferred form of the invention a mop head is provided which includes a generally flat plate having channels formed along the opposite side edges thereof. A cylindrical socket member is secured to the plate for receiving a generally L-shaped handle connector. A spring clamp engages in the channels and has a central portion for removably retaining the L-shaped handle member in the cylindrical socket. The spring member is movable to permit the handle member to be removed from the socket so it may be attached to a different mop head. The mop is secured to the mop head by means of a resilient bar having an elongate hook on one end for engaging over the end of the plate and a short snap hook on the other end for engaging over the other end of the plate. The L-shaped handle member has one end inserted in a recess in the handle and is retained therein by a slip ring.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to interchangeable mops.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to interchangeable heads and handles for mops in which the handle has a generally L-shaped handle member extending from the bottom end thereof for engaging in a cylindrical socket mounted on a plate with the plate constituting the mop head. Channels extend on opposite side edges of the plate to receive a spring clamp with the spring clamp serving to secure the L-shaped member in the cylindrical socket. In a modified form of the invention, the spring clamp has an upwardly offset portion to permit the L-shaped rod to be inserted without removing the spring clamp. In another modified form of the invention, the spring clamp is formed of flat material having a notch to secure the L-shaped member in a single pivoted position with respect to the plate. One of the mops used with the head has a relatively large body formed of flexible material as a flat tube and an expansion spring is inserted therein to stiffen the tube. The tube is clamped to the head by means of an elongate clamp rod or bar having an elongate hook on one end and a snap hook on the other.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a mop having readily interchangeable handles and heads.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in light of the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp spring removed from the head;

FIG. 5 is an exploded side elevation of the handle and handle member illustrating their attachment;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5, with the retaining ring in retaining position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mop retainer shown removed from the mop;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another modified form of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, with the handle attached;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the expansion spring;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 14--14 of FIG. 11, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of another modified form of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the clamp spring shown removed from the head;

FIG. 17 is a transverse cross-section taken along the line 17--17 of FIG. 15, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 15 with the clamping springs reversed.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral 20 indicates generally a mop constructed in accordance with the invention.

The mop 20 includes an elongate wooden handle 21 having a slot 22 opening through its lower end and intersecting a bore 23 at its inner end. A retainer ring 24 is slidably mounted on the handle 21. A handle member of generally L-shape, as viewed in FIG. 6, is illustrated generally at 25. The handle member 25 is formed of a rod and has a relatively straight upper portion 26 terminating in a right angular offset stub 27. The stub 27 is adapted to be received in the bore 23 and the upper portion 26 is adapted to be received in the groove 22 so that the retainer ring 24 can be slid thereover to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 to make the handle member 25 rigid with the handle 21. The upper portion 26 has an angularly extending lower portion 28 integrally formed on the lower end thereof and terminating in a shaft 29 extending right angularly to the lower portion 28.

A head generally indicated at 30 includes a generally rectangular flat plate 31 having an upturned arcuate longitudinal channel 32 formed along at its rear edge and a similar channel 33 formed along its front edge. A generally cylindrical socket member 34 is integrally formed on a flat plate 35 secured to the plate 31 by rivets 36. The socket member 34 is open at both ends and is adapted to have the shaft 29 received therein for pivotal movement about the axis of the shaft 29.

A spring retainer generally indicated at 37 includes a pair of elongate arms 38, 39 which are adapted to engage in the channels 32, 33, respectively. A spring coil 40 integrally extends from one end of the arms 38, 39 and is arranged perpendicularly thereto. The spring coil 40 is adapted to engage the lower portion 28 of the handle member 25 to releasably secure the shaft 29 in the socket member 34. The channel members 32, 33 are provided with a plurality of recesses 41 formed in the free edges thereof to maintain the spring retainer 37 in a position securing the handle member 25 in the socket member 34 or spaced therefrom in a released position.

A mop element 42 is positioned against the underside of the head 30 and is secured thereto by a resilient retainer indicated generally at 43. The resilient retainer 43 includes an elongate flat bar 44 having a reverted hook 45 pivotally formed on one end thereof. A flange 46 is threadedly formed on the opposite end of the bar 44 and has an inwardly extending detent 47 integrally formed thereon. The detent 47 is adapted to snap over the end of the flat plate 31 after the hook 45 has been engaged over the other end thereof to clamp the mop element 42 to the plate 31. The mop element 42 may be for any mopping purpose desired.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, a modified form of mop head is indicated generally at 30'. The mop head 30' includes a generally flat plate 31' having an arcuate upstanding channel 32' integrally formed along its rear longitudinal edge and a similar channel 33' formed along its forward longitudinal edge.

A generally cylindrical socket member 34' is integrally formed on a flat plate 35' which is secured to the plate 31' by rivets 36'. The spring retainer 37' has a pair of elongate arms 38', 39' which extend in generally parallel relation and are connected by an upstanding spring member 40'. The arm 38' has an inwardly extending partially reverted portion 41' rigidly secured to the end thereof opposite the spring member 40'.

The spring member 40' has one straight arm 42' and one dog leg arm 43' to permit the shaft 29 of the handle member 25 to be slipped thereunder when engaging it in the socket member 34', as illustrated in FIG. 9. The spring retainer member 40' will then engage the lower portion 28 as in the preferred form of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 through 14, a mop is indicated generally at 50. The mop 50 includes an elongate wooden handle 21 having a handle member indicated generally at 25 secured to the lower end thereof by a ring 24. The handle 21 and the handle member 25, illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 14, is identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7. A head 30, identical to the head 30 of FIGS. 1 through 4, has a socket 34 forming a part thereof.

A relatively large mop element 51 is secured to a generally rectangular flat tubular member 52 which is open at 53 at one end thereof. An expansion spring member, indicated generally at 54, has a pair of spaced apart arms 55, 56 connected by a spring coil 57. The arm 55 has a partially reverted offset portion 58 integrally secured to the end thereof opposite the coil 57. The spring member 54 has the arms 55, 56 drawn together to the position illustrated in FIG. 10 and is inserted into the opening 53 of the tubular element 52 to provide a degree of stiffness to the tubular member 52.

A pair of openings 59, 60 are formed downwardly through the tubular element 52 for reasons to be assigned.

A resilient retainer, generally indicated at 61, has an elongate cylindrical bar 62 reverted at one end to form a hook 63 and having an upstanding stub 64 integrally formed on the opposite end thereof. Teeth 65 are formed on the side of the stub 64 adjacent the hook 63. The spring retainer 61 is adapted to have the hook 63 engaged upwardly through the opening 59 in the tubular member 52 and then engaged over the end of the head 30. The stub 64 is engaged up through the opening 60 in the tubular member 52 and snaps over the opposite end of the head 30. The hooks 65, of which there are two, permit varying thicknesses of mops 51 to be used.

In FIGS. 15 and 16, a modified mop head is indicated generally at 130. The mop head 130 includes a generally flat elongate plate 131 having channels 132, 133 integrally formed on opposite longitudinal edges thereof. A socket member 134 is integrally mounted on a plate 135 secured to the plate 131 by rivets 136. An arched spring retainer is indicated generally at 137, is arcuate in form, and has flanges 138, 139 integrally formed on the opposite side edges thereof. A notch 140 is formed in the edge of the spring retainer 137 extending toward the socket member 134. The spring retainer 137 is adapted to engage and secure the handle member 125 in the socket 134. The handle member 125 engages in the notch 140 to prevent the handle member 125 from pivoting in the socket member 134.

Flange 138 has an upstanding finger 141 integrally formed therein and adapted to engage in a notch 142 formed in the channel 132, as can be seen in FIG. 18. The spring retainer 137 is adapted to be reversed on the plate 131 with the finger 141 then engaging in the notch 143 in the channel 133. In the reversed position of the retainer 137 the handle member 125 is retained in the socket 134 but is permitted to pivot therein. A mop 42 is secured to the head 130 by a resilient retainer indicated generally at 43 in the same manner as in the structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A mop comprising a handle, a handle member detachably secured to the lower end of said handle and including a right angularly extending shaft, a mop head, a pair of channel members secured to said head in opposed parallel relation, a socket member rigidly secured to said head for receiving said shaft, means engageable in said channels for releasably retaining said shaft in said socket member, a mop element, and resilient means for detachably securing said mop element to said head.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for retaining said shaft in said socket member is slidably mounted in said channels and a plurality of recesses along the edges of said channels releasably retain said means in adjusted position.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient means for detachably securing the mop element to the head includes an elongate member having a reverted hook on one end thereof and means on the other end thereof for resiliently detachably engaging the opposite end of said head.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said resilient retaining member is formed of a generally flat bar having a reverted hook on one end and an upstanding flange on the opposite end carrying an inturned detent on its upper edge.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said resilient retaining member is formed of a rod having a reverted hook on one end for engaging one end of said head and a plurality of teeth on an upstanding portion integrally formed on the opposite end for detachably and adjustably engaging the opposite end of said head.

6. In a mop head of the type described in claim 1, a tubular member secured to said mop element and forming a part thereof, an expanding spring member engageable in said tubular element to provide a degree of stiffness thereto, and the means securing said mop element to said head extends through a pair of apertures formed in said tubular element.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer engaged in said channel members for retaining said shaft in said socket member includes a notch positioned to engage said handle element to retain said handle element in said socket against pivotal motion therein.