Abstract:
A floor wipe is provided in a symmetrical shape wherein a human foot may easily fit with toes of the foot at a desired end of the floor wipe and the heel of the foot at the opposing end. Floor wipe has a floor contact side and a foot contact side where a user would place their foot on the foot contact side of the device and manipulate the device about the floor to clean an area of the floor. The device has a first cleaning area, having a first characteristic, such as absorbency, at one end of the device and a second cleaning area, having a second characteristic, such as scouring, which is unique from the characteristic of the first cleaning area, at an opposing end of the device. The foot contact side has structural configuration elements which resist the foot of the user from slipping there along during usage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12/229,578 filed Aug. 25, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,945,983, entitled “Floor Wipe for use with Foot”, currently pending. The original application is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Generally, the invention relates to devices and methods to wipe the surface of a floor. More specifically, the invention relates to such devices and methods where the device is placed on the floor and manipulated by placing a foot thereon and moving the device about to wipe, or otherwise clean, the surface of the floor. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous devices have been proposed to assist a person in the cleaning of a surface of a floor. It is conventionally known to provide ‘floor mops’ having a pad, or other cleaning arrangement, attached to an elongated handle where the person standing generally upright holds the handle and manipulates the floor contact portion for movement about the surface of the floor. It is known in the art to provide for two opposing cleaning surfaces, having unique cleaning characteristics, on the cleaning arrangement portion. This arrangement provides for the user to select which cleaning surface to utilize during a cleaning procedure. One example of this is a sponge pad having an abrasive, or at least stiffer material, attached to the forward edge. In use, when a loosening or removal of debris or dirt is desired where the sponge pad is insufficient for the task the user would rotate the assembly one hundred and eighty degrees and utilize the scouring pad portion to remove the dirt desired then rotate the assembly another one hundred and eighty degrees (in either direction) and continue the cleaning procedure with the sponge portion. 
     The problem with such handled ‘mops’ is that they are large and long, due to the handle, and typically will be stored in a storage location where it must be removed from and returned to during each use. This makes such devices less desirable due to the extra time required to get them from their respective storage location, use them, clean them subsequent to usage and then return them to their respective storage location. The cleaning process for the handled ‘mop’ can also be awkward, due to the protruding handle, when the user merely wishes to rinse the floor contact portion off in a sink, such as in a kitchen or bathroom. When the user merely wishes to clean up a spill on the floor the user will often bypass the conventional handled ‘mop’ and merely bend over and clean up the affected area with a towel, either of cloth or of the paper variety. This procedure has been known to result in injury while the user is bending over and manipulating the towel using a hand of the user. Back injuries are relatively common from these procedures. Often the user will merely drop the towel on the floor and then attempt to manipulate the towel with the foot, whether bare or having a shoe thereon. This arrangement often results in the towel not being flat while on the floor but rather be bunched up or folded at irregular positions. Often the user will end up getting the material that they are attempting to clean up from the floor on their feet or on their shoes due to nonuniform orientation of the towel relative to the foot or shoe. 
     Many patents have been issued for devices which permit the user to manipulate a cleaning surface utilizing a foot of the user. Typically, such devices are in the form of a shoe or booty which is placed on the foot while the foot is elevated above the floor. These devices provide excellent cleaning qualities, such as being maintained in a proper orientation relative to the foot during the cleaning procedure. Unfortunately, such devices are awkward to place on the foot and awkward to remove, especially when soiled or damp from the cleaning procedure performed on the floor. Typically, such devices have extraordinary structures to ensure retention on the foot during the transfer from the installation position elevated above the floor, to the floor where the cleaning procedure occurs and back to an elevated position above the floor where removal occurs. Various enhancements have been proposed for devices in this class including removable scrubbing pads and simpler retention arrangements. 
     As detailed above, various devices, and associated methods, have been proposed to provide for cleaning of small spills, or other messes, from the surface of floors. These attempts have been less efficient than desired. As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a simple cleaning assembly which may be placed on the floor, manipulated by a forward extent of a foot of the user with confidence of retention of placement orientation relative to the foot, and which has a first cleaning surface at one end of the cleaning assembly and a second cleaning surface, unique from the first cleaning surface, at the opposing end of the cleaning assembly and where the cleaning assembly may be readily rinsed by hand in a sink and merely hung to dry. The present invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices for wiping spills from floors, your applicant has devised a floor wipe for use with a foot to provide for easy clean up of small areas of a floor during a cleaning procedure. The floor wipe has a foot contact side, a floor contact side, a first end cleaning area and a second end cleaning area. The foot contact side provides for contact with the foot during the cleaning procedure. The floor contact side provides for contact with the floor during the cleaning procedure. The floor contact side is positioned on the floor wipe opposing the foot contact side. The first end cleaning area is positioned on the floor contact side of the floor wipe and has a first cleaning characteristic during the cleaning procedure. The second end cleaning area is positioned on the floor contact side of the floor wipe and having a second cleaning characteristic. The first cleaning characteristic is unique from the second cleaning characteristic where the floor wipe is versatile enough to handle many small floor cleaning operations. The floor wipe has a symmetrical shape where the foot fits on the floor wipe when the foot is placed on the floor wipe with the toe area of the foot above the first end cleaning area and the heel area of the foot above the second end cleaning area and when the foot is placed on the floor wipe with the toe area of the foot above the second end cleaning area and the heel area of the foot above the first end cleaning area. 
     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combinations of them herein disclosed and it is distinguished from the prior art in these particular combinations of these structures for the useful functions specified. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide for a simple device which may be merely dropped on a floor having a spill or other small area in need of cleaning and manipulated by a user by placement of their foot thereon utilizing simple movement of the foot relative to the area to be cleaned while the user remains in a standing position. 
     Other objects include; 
     a) to provide for the device to have clearly defined and identifiable cleaning and foot contact surfaces where the user may be confident during usage of proper usage. 
     b) to provide for a first cleaning surface proximate the first end of the device and a second cleaning surface, having unique characteristics from the first cleaning surface, proximate the opposing end of the device. 
     c) to provide for the first cleaning surface proximate the first end of the device to be for wiping and absorbing spills from the floor to be cleaned. 
     d) to provide for the second cleaning surface proximate the second end of the device to be for scouring areas of the floor to be cleaned to loosen dirt and debris therefrom. 
     e) to provide for the foot contact surface to have a structural configuration which prevents slippage between the device and the foot of the user during movement by the user about the floor to be cleaned. 
     f) to provide for the structural configuration associated with the foot contact surface to include embroidery at least about the first end to provide for non slip contact with the foot of the user. 
     g) to provide for the embroidery about the first end of the foot contact surface to be in the shape of human toes. 
     h) to provide for the first end of the device to have a thicker composition of material than the central portion of the device adjacent to and behind the first end of the device. 
     i) to provide for the second end of the device to have a thicker composition of material than the central portion of the device adjacent to and in front of the second end of the device. 
     j) to provide for the first end of the device to have a semi-rigid material positioned therein which provide a surrounding barrier to retain the device relative to a portion of the foot behind the toes of the foot. 
     k) to provide for the device to have an arrangement to permit the device to be hung, especially for drying. 
     l) to provide for the arrangement to permit the device to be hung to take the form of an aperture through the device at the second end of the device. 
     m) to provide for the device to be attractive enough to be displayed in kitchen and bathroom areas of homes of even the most discriminating persons. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein; 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portion of a kitchen. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a floor wipe. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the floor wipe. 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a semi-rigid insert. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of an upper piece. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a lower piece. 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a first pad. 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of a second pad. 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of scouring material. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Many different devices having features of the present invention are possible. The following description describes the preferred embodiment of select features of those devices and various combinations thereof. These features may be deployed in various combinations to arrive at various desired working configurations of devices. 
     Reference is hereafter made to the drawings where like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views. 
     A floor wipe  20  is depicted for use with a foot, conventionally known and not depicted in any of the various views and having a toe area and a heel area, to provide for easy clean up of small areas of a floor  22 , see  FIG. 1 , during a cleaning procedure. Floor wipe  20  has a symmetrical shape  24  generally corresponding to the shape of a human foot print where floor wipe  20  can be used with either foot, the right or the left, and when floor wipe  20  is positioned for placement of the foot at either end of floor wipe  20 . Floor wipe  20  has a foot contact side  26 , see  FIG. 2 , to provide for contact with the foot during the cleaning procedure. Floor wipe  20  has a floor contact side  28 , see FIG.  3 , to provide for contact with floor  22  during the cleaning procedure. Floor contact side  28  is positioned opposing foot contact side  26  on floor wipe  20 . Floor wipe  20  has a first end cleaning area  30  positioned on floor contact side  28  of floor wipe  20 . First end cleaning area  30  has a first cleaning characteristic  32  for use during the cleaning procedure. Preferably first cleaning characteristic  32  is generally associated with a wiping and absorbent portion of the cleaning procedure. Floor wipe  20  has a second end cleaning area  34  positioned on floor contact side  28  of floor wipe  20 . Second end cleaning area  34  has a second cleaning characteristic  36  for use during the cleaning procedure. Preferably second cleaning characteristic  36  is generally associated with a scouring portion of the cleaning procedure. In any event, first cleaning characteristic  32  preferably will be unique relative to second cleaning characteristic  36 . 
     The floor wipe may have some visual orientation guide, such as words positioned at the opposing ends, which allow the user to quickly identify what cleaning characteristics are associated with a respective end. This can be provided for by some graphic representation of the floor wipe or by mere words such as ‘spill’ and ‘scrub’ or any other suitable wording. 
     Floor wipe  20  has symmetrical shape  24  wherein the foot fits on floor wipe  20  when the foot is placed on floor wipe  20  with the toe area of the foot above first end cleaning area  30  and the heel area of the foot above second end cleaning area  34  and when the foot is placed on floor wipe  20  with the toe area of the foot above second end cleaning area  34  and the heel area of the foot above first end cleaning area  30 . 
     A circular sewing pattern  38  is positioned on floor contact side  28  and is generally centered on first end cleaning area  30 . Preferably floor contact side  28  of floor wipe  20  at first end cleaning area  30  is formed of a Terri cloth material  40 . Ideally Terri cloth material  40  extends the entire length of floor contact side  28  of floor wipe  20  including under a cleaning material  42  associated with second end cleaning area  34 . Preferably a similar circular sewing pattern will be also be positioned on floor contact side  28  and generally centered on second end cleaning area  34 , and under any deployed cleaning material positioned thereat. 
     An embroidered border  44  extends around floor wipe  20  and extends onto a perimeter  46  of foot contact side  26 , see  FIG. 2 , and onto a perimeter  48  of floor contact side  28 , see  FIG. 3 . Embroidered border  44  ensures aesthetic appeal of floor wipe  20  while enhancing structural integrity of floor wipe  20 . An embroidered pattern  50  is positioned on foot contact side  26 , see  FIG. 2 , opposing first end cleaning area  30  of floor contact side  28 . Preferably, embroidered pattern  50  has a shape  52  generally associated with toes and nails of the foot. While a stitching type embroidery is depicted, a printed or adhesive method may readily provide this feature. 
     A semi-rigid insert  54 , see  FIG. 4 , is positioned between foot contact side  26  and floor contact side  28 . Preferably a first semi-rigid insert and a second semi-rigid insert are deployed at opposing end of floor wipe  20 . One semi-rigid insert  54  is generally aligned with first end cleaning area  30  while another semi-rigid insert  54  is generally aligned with second end cleaning area  34 . Semi-rigid insert  54  has a perimeter wall  56  extending at least partially around a containment area  58 . Containment area  58  of semi-rigid insert  54  acts to assist in retention of the foot in proper orientation on floor wipe  20  during the cleaning procedure. Preferably attachment of semi-rigid insert  54  to floor wipe  20  occurs utilizing stitching, associated with sewing, which penetrates semi-rigid insert  54 . While it is preferred that two (2) semi-rigid inserts  54  are utilized where floor wipe  20  may bend and be flexible between the opposing ends of floor wipe  20 , it is possible to have a single member have the features of semi-rigid inserts positioned at opposing ends of the single member and still perform all of the desired features and functions of the floor wipe. 
     Hanging means, in the preferred form of an aperture  62 , see  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , provides for a hanging storage retention  64 , see  FIG. 1 , of floor wipe  20  in a generally vertical orientation  66  while not being used for the cleaning procedure. Aperture  62  penetrates floor wipe  20  from foot contact side  26  to floor contact side  28  and at a rearward extent  68  of floor wipe  20  behind second end cleaning area  34  of floor contact side  28 . An embroidered border  70  is positioned around aperture  62  to ensure aesthetic appeal of floor wipe  20  generally, and aperture  62  specifically, while enhancing structural integrity of floor wipe  20  generally, and aperture  62  specifically. Many other structural configurations may be provided to provide the desired hanging feature. 
     Floor wipe  20  is preferably constructed of the following pieces assembled using the following assembly steps. Wide variations are possible of course in selection of pieces and in selection of assembly steps. An upper piece  72 , see  FIG. 5 , preferably of a long lasting durable fabric material. A lower piece  74 , see  FIG. 6 , preferably of an absorbent material such as Terri cloth material  40 . Semi-rigid insert  54 , see  FIG. 4 , preferably of a non absorbent material such as a plastic. A first pad  76 , see  FIG. 7 , preferably of Terri cloth material  40 , forms an extra layer of absorbent material between floor contact side  28  and foot contact side  26  and generally aligned with first end cleaning area  30  of floor contact side  28 . A second pad  80 , see  FIG. 8 , preferably of Terri cloth material  40 , forms an extra layer of material between floor contact side  28  and foot contact side  26  and generally aligned with second end cleaning area  34  of floor contact side  28 . A scouring material  86 , see  FIG. 9 , is provided which is suitable for mild abrasive contact with stubborn deposits on floor  22  during the cleaning procedure. During assembly the various pieces are formed of the respective materials. 
     Lower piece  74  and first pad  76  are attached together by any suitable method conventionally known in the art. Preferably this attachment utilizes a circular sewing pattern  38 . If desired, two (2) first pads  76  may be utilized at this point instead of a single first pad  76 . Lower piece  74  and second pad  80  are attached together by any suitable method conventionally known in the art. Preferably this attachment utilizes a circular sewing pattern, not shown but similar to circular sewing pattern  38 . If desired, two (2) second pads  80  may be utilized at this point instead of a single second pad  80 . Scouring material  86  is then attached utilizing any suitable method conventionally known in the art. A stitching may be utilized where scouring material  86  is attached to lower piece  74  corresponding to placement of second pad  80 . Upper piece  72  has embroidered pattern  50  positioned thereon. Upper piece  72  and lower piece  74  are then connected utilizing any conventionally known securement method. A stitching around the edges and spaced slightly in from the edges readily performs such securement. Then embroidered border  70  is installed to completely penetrate from upper piece  72  through lower piece  74  and generally aligned with the eventual location of aperture  62 . Subsequent to installation of embroidered border  70 , aperture  62  is formed through from upper piece  72  through lower piece  74 . At this point floor wipe  20  is generally compete. 
     An absorbent material  84  may be permanently attached to floor wipe  20 , such as by stitching, or may be removably attached utilizing some suitable attachment method, such as one portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to floor wipe  20  and the opposing portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to absorbent material  84 . This arrangement provides for removal and replacement of absorbent material  84  when desired or required. Scouring material  86  may be permanently attached to floor wipe  20 , as depicted by stitching  60 , see  FIG. 3 , or may be removably attached utilizing some suitable attachment method, such as one portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to floor wipe  20  while the opposing portion of the hook and loop fastener is attached to scouring material  86 . This arrangement provides for removal and replacement of scouring material  86  when desired or required. 
     Preferably the cleaning area being utilized will be oriented where the toes of the foot are above such cleaning area. When unique cleaning characteristics are deployed at opposing ends of the floor wipe, such as adsorbent at one end and scouring at the opposing end, the heel of the foot may be above the cleaning area being utilized. This arrangement provides for ready and simple application of greater force by the user. Additionally it provides for a ready utilization of both ends without requiring repositioning the foot on the floor wipe. An example of this use would be applying pressure to a scouring cleaning member utilizing pressure from the heel area of the foot then simply moving the foot to displace the floor wipe where the adsorbent cleaning member may be used with pressure from the toe area of the foot. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.