Patent ID: 6178584
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A47L,B25G,Y10T

Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus comprising:a paddle having first and second opposed surfaces;a handle having first and second opposed ends, an aperture formed in the second end of the handle;hinge means, cooperatively formed on the first surface of the paddle and the second end of the handle, for pivotally connecting the paddle to the handle, the hinge means including:first and second pivot pins extending coaxially from opposite sides of the aperture in the second end of the handle;first and second receivers mounted on the first surface of the paddle, each of the first and second receivers being capable of receiving one of the first and second pivot pins; andbiasing means retractably biasing one of the first and second pivot pins outward from the handle and into one of the first and second receivers, the biasing means including:a slider carrying one of the first and second pivot pins;a spring engagable with the slider for normally biasing the slider to a position in which the one of the first and second pins extends outward from the handle;a projection extending from the slider outward from the handle to facilitate movement of the slider within the handle in a direction to disengage the one of the first and second pins from one receiver;a recess formed adjacent an end of the slider carrying the one of the first and second pivot pins; anda resilient arm extending from the end of the slider carrying the one of the first and second pivot pins and normally extending outward from the recess the projection formed on a free end of the arm; anda cleaning element removably mountable over the paddle.