Abstract:
A wringer, for example for mops, includes one or more positioning elements to position a mop at least in one dimension in the wringer, for example to a desired depth in the wringer, to wring the mop. The positioning elements far other than a bottom surface of the wringer. A wringer is also disclosed in which a wringing surface is moved toward another wringing or a base surface in a drawing or pulling motion. A wringer is also disclosed where the wringing operation can be activated by a pivoting or other mechanism that can be operated from at least two positions, a plurality of spaced apart locations, from handles, or by way of structures positioned outside of a wringing envelope defined by wringing plates or other components contacting a mop element. The structures can be used to operate the wringer even if a handle of a mop element extends outward of the wringing envelope.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
       [0001]    A wringer can be used for flat mops and string mops, and other mops and other articles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    A wringer for mops can be used with flat mops, string mops, other mops and loose or miscellaneous materials such as wipes, and the like. In one configuration, the wringer can accept and reliably wring a flat mop. Flat mops typically have a relatively consistent thickness laterally and forward and backward from a mop handle attachment area, and may be more difficult to wring uniformly across the mop head. In one example of a wringer, positioning elements, posts, bosses or other locating devices can be used to position a flat mop at least in one dimension in the wringer, for example to a desired depth in the wringer, to wring the mop. The positioning elements are other than at the bottom of the wringer. For lateral positioning, the positioning elements are other than the lateral extremes of the interior of the wringer. This may be desirable, for example, in press wringers, including, for example, wringers in which one or several plates or wringing surfaces move toward another surface in an arcuate motion to press the mop head. 
         [0003]    In another example of a wringer, for example a press wringer, a wringer can accommodate flat mops, as well as string mops and other nonuniform mop geometries and accomplish the desired wringing with flat wringing surfaces, and sufficient spacing between wringer surfaces to receive and wring non-uniform geometries such as string mops, miscellaneous materials, and the like. The spacing between wringer surfaces and a depth of a cavity between wringing surfaces may be selected so as to accommodate both flat mops and string mops. 
         [0004]    In another example of a wringer, a press wringer can be configured to move a wringing surface toward another wringing or base surface in a drawing or pulling motion. A drawing or pulling motion for a wringing surface allows for stability and reliable pressing action in a wringer assembly. Additionally, wringing action can be activated or actuated by an external mechanism outside an envelope or active wringing area of a wringer. In a further example, a wringing mechanism can be actuated or activated by a pivoting, or other mechanism that can be operated from at least two positions. In one example, the wringing action can be activated or actuated at a plurality of spaced apart locations, for example at opposite ends of an axis, or shaft. In another example, a wringing action can be actuated or activated by one or more of a plurality of handles. In a further example, a wringing mechanism is activated or actuated by handles positioned at opposite end portions of an actuating mechanism for a wringer. 
         [0005]    In another example of utility equipment, for example a wringer for mops, the equipment can have a plurality of handles having grasping portions accessible to a user, for example handles spaced upward and away from a wringer. Handle portions can be spaced apart from each other, and independently grasped by the user. Handle portions can be separated but linked in such a way that manipulation of one, of the other or of both handle portions will actuate the device, such as a wringer. 
         [0006]    In another example of a utility device, for example a wringer, the utility device may include one or more handles for operating the device, wherein one or more of the handles have a plurality of configurations. In one configuration, for example, the handle or handles can be used to operate the utility device, and in another configuration, the handle or handles can be used to move the device from one location to another. In a further configuration, a handle can have a locked configuration for transport and/or storage. 
         [0007]    In another configuration, handles on a mop wringer can be configured to actuate a wringer action by moving in a direction across a normal or operating zone or area of accessibility for a mop, without affecting the operation of the wringer or accessibility for the mop into the wringer area. For example, handles can be positioned on different sides of an operating zone or effective area for the wringer, and be split in such a way that operation of the handles still allows access to the operating zone or area for wringing. 
         [0008]    These and similar configurations can also be used for wringing a mop and providing access to the contents of a bucket to which the wringer is mounted or supported without having to move or adjust the position of the wringer. 
         [0009]    These and other examples are set forth more fully below in conjunction with drawings, a brief description of which follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an upper isometric view of a wringer assembly supported by a double bucket system in accordance with one example of the present configurations. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an upper right isometric view of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a lower left isometric view of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a right side elevation view of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a left side elevation view of the wringer assembly of 1. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a detail and right side elevation view of a portion of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a right sagittal section of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a detail of a portion of the wringer assembly of  FIG. 1  and a mop taken at “11” of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is an upper right isometric view of a base plate of the wringer of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a front elevation view of the base plate of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a right side elevation view of the faceplate of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a front left isometric view of a press plate of the wringer of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a front elevation view of the press plate of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  is a left side elevation view of the press plate of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    This specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth examples of apparatus and methods incorporating one or more aspects of the present inventions in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make and use the inventions. The examples provide the best modes contemplated for carrying out the inventions, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present inventions. 
         [0028]    Examples of wringers and of methods of making and using the wringers are described. Depending on what feature or features are incorporated in a given structure or a given method, benefits can be achieved in the structure or the method. For example, wringers drawing pressure plates together may provide for a more stable construction. Wringers having adjustable handle configurations provide more flexibility and/or stability in use. Additionally, wringers having a plurality of handles may also provide flexibility in use. Wringers having a spaced apart or separated handle configurations may also more easily accommodate devices such as mops having extended handles, while still permitting easy access to the wringer and/or a bucket system on which the wringer is supported. 
         [0029]    These and other benefits will become more apparent with consideration of the description of the examples herein. However, it should be understood that not all of the benefits or features discussed with respect to a particular example must be incorporated into a wringer, component or method in order to achieve one or more benefits contemplated by these examples. Additionally, it should be understood that features of the examples can be incorporated into a wringer, component or method to achieve some measure of a given benefit even though the benefit may not be optimal compared to other possible configurations. For example, one or more benefits may not be optimized for a given configuration in order to achieve cost reductions, efficiencies or for other reasons known to the person settling on a particular product configuration or method. 
         [0030]    Examples of a number of wringer configurations and of methods of making and using the wringers are described herein, and some have particular benefits in being used together. However, even though these apparatus and methods are considered together at this point, there is no requirement that they be combined, used together, or that one component or method be used with any other component or method, or combination. Additionally, it will be understood that a given component or method could be combined with other structures or methods not expressly discussed herein while still achieving desirable results. 
         [0031]    Flat mop wringers are used as examples of a wringer that can incorporate one or more of the features and derive some of the benefits described herein. However, other mops such as string mops and other cleaning materials can also be used with the wringers described herein. 
         [0032]    It should be understood that terminology used for orientation, such as front, rear, side, left and right, upper and lower, and the like, are used herein merely for ease of understanding and reference, and are not used as exclusive terms for the structures being described and illustrated. 
         [0033]    In one example, a wringer assembly  100  can be used to wring a flat mop, a string mop, loose cleaning materials or other products. In the present example described herein, the wringer  100  will be described with respect to a flat mop  102  having a mop base  104  supported by and controlled with an extended handle  106 . Other mop configurations and materials can be easily accommodated in the wringer described herein, and one or more alternative configurations of the wringer can easily accommodate a flat mop such as that shown in  FIGS. 1-11 . 
         [0034]    The wringer assembly  100  can be supported by one or more conventional buckets  108  and  110 . In the present example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the wringer is supported by a double bucket arrangement, with or without a cart, with the wringer supported over and extending into a portion of the interior of the bucket  108 . In this configuration, the flat mop  102  as well as other mops can be wrung with the wringer assembly  100  and saturated or wetted with fluid contained in the bucket  108 . 
         [0035]    In the configuration of the wringer assembly  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , the wringer assembly is actuated by pulling handles (described more fully below) in the direction of the opposite side of the bucket  108  and away from the bucket  110 . In this configuration, the double bucket system and any cart or platform on which the assembly is supported better supports the wringer assembly during the wringing operation, reducing the possibility of the assembly tipping. Additionally, the wringer assembly can be positioned to one side of the bucket while leaving the opposite side open for access for the user, for example to insert into and withdraw a mop from the interior of the bucket. 
         [0036]    The configuration of the wringer assembly and the mop in the position shown in  FIG. 1  also allows the handles to be positioned or mounted on a portion of the wringer behind or outside the wringing or working area of the wringer accessible to the mop, and still allow the handles to actuate the wringer in a way that the actuation assembly with the handles does not interfere with the positioning of the mop or the mop handle. In one configuration, split or separated handles on the wringer allows the mop handle  106  to remain in a desired position during the wringing operation. Additionally, a multiple handle wringer configuration can allow either one or both handles to actuate the wringing mechanism, and split or separated handles allow the flexible wringing operation without interfering with the mop. 
         [0037]    In one example of the wringer assembly  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , the wringer assembly may include various arrangements for mounting the wringer assembly to a support structure, for example the buckets  108  or  110 . In the present example, the wringer assembly includes a mounting bracket  112 . The mounting bracket  112  is mounted to a rear outer surface of a pressure plate, in the present example a base pressure plate  202 , described more fully below. The mounting bracket includes an angled or arcuate support structure  114 . The support structure helps to position the wringer on the support surface such as the upper rim of a bucket, and laterally position the wringer relative to the bucket rim. The arcuate support structure  114  extends almost the entire width of the wringer. 
         [0038]    The mounting bracket  112  is integral with or monolithic with a backplate  116 . The backplate  116  is mounted to the base pressure plate  202  over a substantial vertical and horizontal distance of the base pressure plate  202 . In the present example, the backplate  116  is mounted to the base pressure plate through a plurality of standoffs  118 . The standoffs provide spacing between the backplate  116  and the perforated base pressure plate  202 . The backplate  116  is a solid structure, without any perforations, and serves as a backsplash and channel wall to channel excess fluid down the backplate  116  and into the underlying bucket. 
         [0039]    The wringer assembly  100  includes a wringing assembly  200  and an actuation or activation assembly  300 . The wringing assembly  200  forms a cavity, depression or groove between the base pressure plate  202  and a pressing plate  204 . In the present example, the base pressure plate  202  is stationary and the pressing plate  204  is movable. However, in other configurations, both can be movable. The wringing assembly also includes side supports  206  and  208 . The side supports define the lateral boundaries of the wringing enclosure. The side supports are supported on the base plate  202 , and may be mounted to, formed integral with or otherwise fixed to the base pressure plate  202 . 
         [0040]    In the present example, the base pressure plate  202 , pressing plate  204  and the side supports  206  and  208  help to form a “structural wringing envelope”. The “structural wringing envelope” in the present configuration shown in  FIGS. 1-11  is a geometric volume defined by the uppermost edges of the pressure plate  202 , the pressing plate  204  and of the side supports  206  and  208 , and the bottoms of those structures, within which volume wringing can occur. Not all points within the structural wringing volume may be effective in wringing function, and for example a cut out in a wall of the structural wringing envelope for receiving a component of a mop may result in a portion of the structural wringing envelope being ineffective for functional wringing. In contrast to the structural wringing envelope, a “functional wringing envelope” is the functional interior surface areas that can produce a wringing function when a mop element is placed at a point within the volume of the structural wringing envelope. Therefore, there may be instances in which the volume of a structural wringing envelope is greater than the effective or functional wringing envelope volume. 
         [0041]    The base pressure plate  202  is a substantially planar perforated plate. A mop structure is pressed against the plate, and the perforations  210  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) help to wring the mop when the mop and the plate are pressed against each other. A plurality of openings  212  allow the base pressure plate  202  to be mounted through the standoffs to the base plate  116 . A substantially central opening  214  provides a gap, space or cavity for receiving a portion of the hardware of the mop structure, for example a nut or other protrusion on the mop assembly, thereby allowing more reliable contact between the mop and the base pressure plate  202  without substantial interference from protruding or obstructing components. 
         [0042]    The base pressure plate  202  may include a flange plate  216  ( FIGS. 11-13 ). The flange plate  216  helps to guide the mop into the wringing cavity and reduce splashing outside the bucket  108 . A support flange  218  helps to support the wringer assembly against an interior wall of the bucket  108 . 
         [0043]    The press plate  204  in the present example is a substantially unperforated plate ( FIGS. 1, 2-8 and 15-17 ). In the illustrated example, the press plate  204  includes a laterally extending channel  220  recessed below the working surface  222  of the press plate. The channel  220  receives a mounting bar  224  ( FIGS. 1 and 10 ) that supports the press plate in the wringing assembly. The channel  220  also provides a recess for accommodating any hardware, such as mop hardware, that might reduce the effectiveness of the wringing action. The press plate  204  in the present example also includes side mounting plates  226  at each lateral side of the press plate to help mount and support the press plate in the wringing assembly. The mounting bar  224  passes through openings in the side mounting plates so that movement of the mounting bar will move the press plate  204 . The side mounting plates and therefore the press plate are mounted pivotally to the respective side plates  206  and  208  through fasteners  228 . The upper portion of the press plate is supported in grooves  230  in the side plates  206  and  208  through the rod  224  extending in the recess  226  through the plates  226  and through the grooves  230  and fastened in place and secured for arcuate movement in the grooves  230  by fasteners  232 . 
         [0044]    In one configuration of the press plate  204 , the press plate can include one or more openings  234 . In the present example, the press plate includes two openings having an oval shape. The openings receive a respective number of positioning elements, in the present example press blocks  236  mounted on, secured to or formed in the base pressure plate  202 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , a flat mop placed against the base pressure plate  202 , for example resting on the press blocks  236 , will be pressed against the pressure plate  202  by the press plate  204  after the press blocks  236  have passed through the openings  234 . In a typical operation, the flat mop is positioned against the base plate and on the press blocks  236  in the orientation shown in  FIG. 11 . The handle or other support structure of the mop assembly would fit through the opening  238  in the top surface of the press plate  204 , thereby allowing the press plate to make contact with the back surface of the flat mop head. Typically, positioning elements would be mounted within the structural wringing envelope, but it is possible a positioning element can be located outside the structural wringing envelope and used in such a way as to position, suspend or otherwise locate a mop element at a desired location in the functional wringing envelope. 
         [0045]    In an alternative configuration, if the mop assembly were reversed relative to the pressure plate and press plate, the working surface of the flat mop is placed against the interior surface of the press plate  204 . As there is no stop surface on the press plate  204  limiting the downward movement of the flat mop along the surface of the press plate  204 , the flat mop may extend further downward into the cavity between the pressure plate  202  and the press plate  204  than the position shown in  FIG. 11 . To wring the flat mop, the press plate is closed toward the pressure plate  202 , and the press blocks  236  bear against the backside of the flat mop head, thereby pressing the opposite surfaces of the flat mop and the press plate against each other, thereby wringing the flat mop. Alternatively, if the flat mop is positioned in the cavity between the pressure plate  202  and the press plate  204  higher than the press blocks  236 , the press blocks will fit into the openings  234 , and the press plate  204  will continue closing against the flat mop to press the flat mop and the press plate against each other. The press plate  204  moves toward and away from the pressure plate  202  through action of the actuation assembly  300 . Fluid wrung from the mop assembly flows through the perforations in the pressure plate  202  and also out through the bottom of the wringing cavity through a gap between the pressure plate  202  and the press plate  204 . 
         [0046]    The relative positions of the pressure plate and the press plate, and the spacing at the bottoms of those two plates also permit string mops and other mop and wiping materials to be wrung in the wringer. 
         [0047]    The actuation assembly  300  in the present example includes at least one handle, and in the present example first and second laterally spaced apart handles  302  and  304 . In the present example, a pair of handles is included so that the wringing assembly can be actuated through either handle, from either side of the wringing assembly. Also in the present example, the actuation assembly is positioned relative to the wringing assembly outside the wringing area, and behind the wringing assembly relative to the opening in the bucket. This positioning allows greater stability during the wringing action, and positioning of the handles further from the perimeter areas of the bucket assembly. In a double bucket assembly, the handles can be positioned in a center area of the assembly, and the handles pulled across one of the buckets to actuate the wringing of a mop. In the present example, horizontally extending handle portions extend in different directions, non-parallel to each other. A gap  306  can be included between the handles to provide clearance for the extended mop handle  106 . The gap  306  in one configuration is at least the handle diameter or maximum width of the mop used with the wringer, and can be at least one half inch or 1 inch and as high as 4-6 inches or more. The gap  306  is considered to be the spacing when the handle ends are at their closest, and can be selected to be sufficiently small as to allow the handle ends to pass one another, and a mop handle can pass between the ends when the handles are offset from each other, for example due to tolerances and mechanical looseness in the parts. As a result, the handles can be moved to wring the mop even while the extended handle of the mop is extending upward. 
         [0048]    The actuation assembly  300  is mounted for pivoting action to the side plates  206  and  208  by a pivoting shaft  308  ( FIGS. 10-11 ). The shaft  308  is pivotably mounted through the side plates  206  and  208  through side plate openings  310  and  312  ( FIG. 12 ). The handles  302  and  304  pivot around the pivoting shaft  308  to carry out the wringing action. The handles are mounted to the pivoting shaft through respective lever plates or lever linkages  310  and  312 . In the present configuration, the lever plates are U-shaped channels having side plates extending in two directions, upwardly (in the views shown in the Figures) to receive and secure the handles, and laterally to receive and secure press linkages to the press plate  204 . The upward and lateral directions provide a moment arm for moving the press linkage upon the movement of the handles  302  and/or  304 . 
         [0049]    The lever linkages  310  and  312  pivotably couple respective press linkages  314  and  316  ( FIGS. 2, 6 and 9 ). The respective press linkages  314  and  316  are pivotably coupled to lever linkages  310  and  312  through respective fasteners  318  and to the rod  224  through respective fasteners  320 . Actuation of the handles  302  and  304 , for example in the view shown in  FIG. 9  counterclockwise and over the wringer and across and past the press plate  204 , pivots the linkages  310  about the pivoting shaft  308 . The linkages through fasteners  318  pivot counterclockwise, to the right in the view shown in  FIG. 9 , and draw the linkages  314  and  316  to the right (as viewed in  FIG. 9 ). The rod  224  draws the press plate  204  toward the pressure plate  202  as the rod translates through the arcuate grooves  230 . Releasing the handles or moving the handles back toward their upright positions shown in  FIG. 1  reverses the travel of the apparatus. 
         [0050]    The press linkages  314  may include multiple openings  322  for positioning the press plate in a desired resting position by way of positioning the rod  224 . In a more closed position or configuration, the wringer assembly can be configured to wring only flat mops. In a more open position or configuration, the wringing assembly can be configured to wring not only flat mops but also other mop configurations. 
         [0051]    A detent, a lock or latch mechanism can be incorporated into the actuation assembly to lock the handles in a desired position or positions. For example, the handles can be locked in a down or downward position relative to that shown in  FIG. 1 , for example for pushing the assembly from one location to another. Other configurations may be incorporated in the apparatus. 
         [0052]    Having thus described several exemplary implementations, it will be apparent that various alterations and modifications can be made without departing from the concepts discussed herein. Such alterations and modifications, though not expressly described above, are nonetheless intended and implied to be within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only.