Patent ID: 7496985
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
1. A multipurpose cleaning apparatus, comprising: a. a first base portion having a first side and a second side, a transverse exterior edge and a transverse interior edge, and a second base portion having a first side and a second side, a transverse exterior edge and a transverse interior edge, the first and second base portions hingeably connected at the location of their respective interior transverse edges so that they can be locked together to form an elongated structure and can be unlocked to be rotated at an angle relative to each other, and when locked together, their respective first sides form a first elongated ridge and their second sides form a parallel oppositely disposed second elongated ridge; b. the first base portion having a top surface and bottom surface and the second base portion having a top surface and bottom surface, a handle retaining means rotatably affixed to one of the top surfaces, one interior transverse edge of one of the base portions having an interior tongue and the top surface of the other base portion having an engaging clasp to lock onto the tongue to lock the two base portions at their opposite transverse interior edges and rotatable to unlock the two base portions; c. a reusable cleaning swifter having a lower cleaning surface and an upper surface with a first receiving pocket at a first end and a second receiving pocket at its oppositely disposed second end, the two base portions rotatable to be at an angle relative to each other so that the first transverse exterior edge of the first base portion is inserted into the first receiving pocket and the second transverse exterior edge of the second base portion is inserted into the second receiving pocket and the two base portions are thereafter rotated to be locked into its elongated position to thereby retain the reusable swifter thereon with the lower cleaning surface of the swifter positioned in an operational condition to clean a surface; d. the top surface of the first base portion having a well which receives a rotatable locking clasp which rotatably opens so that an open end of the rotatable locking clasp faces the transverse exterior end of the first base portion and the top surface of the second base portion having a well which receives a rotatable locking clasp which rotatably opens so that an open end of the rotatable locking clasp faces the transverse exterior end of the second base portion, the first pocket of the reusable swifter being of sufficient length to extend into the well of the first base portion and the locking clasp rotatable to the closed position to grip the top of the first pocket and the second pocket of the reusable swifter being of sufficient length to extend into the well of the second base portion and the locking clasp rotatable to the closed position to grip the top of the second pocket; e. a disposable cloth having a body including a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, the disposable cleaning cloth is retained about the first and second base portions after they are in the elongated locked condition, and the first end and a portion of each sides of the disposable cleaning cloth is placed into the well of the first base portion and retained therein by the locking clasp and the second end and a portion of the first and second sides are inserted into the well of the second base portion and retained therein by the locking clasp so that the disposable cleaning cloth is oriented in a cleaning position; f. a first elongated side bar having an elongated receiving channel and a bottom wall supporting gripping means and a second elongated side bar having an elongated receiving channel and a bottom wall supporting gripping means, and after the disposable cleaning cloth is removed from the first and second base portions and the base portions are in their locked elongated condition, the first elongated side bar is placed onto the first elongated ridge through its elongated channel and gripped thereon and the second elongated side bar is placed onto the second elongated ridge through its elongated channel and gripped thereon so that the respective gripping means are adjacent the bottom surfaces of the base portions; g. a brush member having a body with a top surface having gripping means thereon and a multiplicity of brushes extending from the body, the gripping means on the body attached to the gripping means on the first and second elongated side bars so that the brushes extend from the first and second base portions in a cleaning orientation; and h. a scrubbing pad having fibrous surfaces, and after the brush member is removed from the base portions, the scrubbing pad is retained on the two base portions by the two gripping means on the elongated side bars.