Patent ID: 7146676
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: A47K

Abstract:
1. A handle assembly for use with a cleaning pad having a slit opening through a side surface of the cleaning pad, said handle assembly comprising: a first member including a first insertable portion having opposite first and second ends and opposite inner and outer surfaces extending between said first and second ends, and a handle portion having opposite first and second ends, the first end of said handle portion being fixed to the second end of said first insertable portion and said handle portion having a manually engageable part adjacent the second end of said handle portion; a second member including a second insertable portion having opposite first and second ends and opposite inner and outer surfaces extending between said first and second ends, and an actuation portion having opposite first and second ends, the first end of said actuation portion being fixed to the second end of said second insertable portion; the first end of said second insertable portion being pivotally mounted on the first end of said first insertable portion with the inner surfaces of said insertable portions adjacent for relative movement of said insertable portions by manipulation of said actuation portion between a diverging position with said outer surfaces of said insertable portions diverging from said first ends of said insertable portions, and an adjacent position with said outer surfaces of said insertable portions generally parallel or closer to parallel than in said diverging position; at least one of said insertable portions having at least one barb projecting from the inner surface of said one insertable portion, and the other of said insertable portions having an opening aligned with said barb, said barb projecting above the outer surface of said other of said insertable portions in said adjacent position so that with the insertable portions in the slit in the cleaning pad the barb will engage the cleaning pad, and said barb being essentially positioned between the outer surfaces of said insertable portions in said diverging position so that the insertable portions can move in the slit relative to the cleaning pad.