Cleaning device including a pivot joint

A cleaning device including a cleaning member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a ball member and the second member includes a socket. The ball member being disposed in the socket to couple the first member and the second member and enable the second member to pivot with respect to the first member.

BACKGROUND

There are many different types of cleaning devices and tools which are used to clean counters, walls, floors and other surfaces. Some cleaning devices are handheld devices, such as scrub brushes and the like which are held in a user's hand and moved across a surface to remove and clean the surface. Other cleaning devices include handles which enable the user to extend the cleaning device to places spaced from the user. Such handles also enable a user to be able to stand while cleaning, such as the handles on most brooms, dust sweepers and mops.

In particular, brooms, dust sweepers and mops have elongated handles. These handles are typically made out of wood, steel or some other durable material which enables the user to hold the cleaning device and maneuver it along the floor, wall or other similar surface to clean those surfaces. Such handles, however, make cleaning under items such as couches and coffee tables, difficult, because the user has to bend down or significantly lower the handle of the cleaning device to be able to extend the cleaning end of the device under the item. This makes cleaning floors and other surfaces that underlie these items difficult. Additionally, a user typically has to bend his or her body, crouch down closer to the floor, or both, to be able to maneuver the end of the cleaning device under such items. This adds stress to the user's body as well as making such work burdensome, difficult and tiring.

It is known to provide handles with sections which can pivot relative to each other, but typically such handles can pivot about one axis or use as a pivot joint, a coil spring which lacks rigidity and impairs control.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved handle for a cleaning device that overcomes the above problems.

SUMMARY

One embodiment provides a cleaning device including a cleaning member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a ball member and the second member includes a socket. The ball member is disposed in the socket to couple the first member and the second member and enable the second member to pivot with respect to the first member.

In an embodiment, the socket includes a plurality of fingers.

In an embodiment, the fingers are made of at least one of: a flexible material and a rigid material.

In an embodiment, the socket includes a slot having a ball-shaped upper portion and a elongated lower portion.

In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a first connector including the socket and a second connector including the ball member. The first connector is removably connected to the first member and the second connector is removably connected to the second member.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second members includes a cavity, where at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes ridges which frictionally engage an inside surface of the cavity.

In an embodiment, the first member includes a grip.

In an embodiment, the cleaning member is at least one of: a brush, a dust mop and a mop.

Another embodiment provides a cleaning device including a cleaning member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a ball member and the second member includes a socket. The ball member is disposed in the socket to couple the first member and the second member and enable the second member to pivot with respect to the first member. The cleaning device also includes a sleeve slidably connected to the handle and movable between a first position, which allows the second member to pivot, and a second position, which does not allow the second member to pivot.

In an embodiment, the second member includes a prong-shaped collar and the sleeve defines a prong-shaped end, where the prong-shaped end of the sleeve engages the prong-shaped collar when the sleeve is in the second position.

In an embodiment, the sleeve includes an actuator, which when activated, releases the sleeve from one of the first and second positions.

In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a first connector that includes the socket and a second connector that includes the ball member. The first connector is removably connected to the first member and the second connector is removably connected to the second member.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second members includes a cavity, where at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes ridges which frictionally engage an inside surface of the cavity.

In an embodiment, the cleaning member is at least one of: a brush, a dust mop and a mop.

A further embodiment provides a cleaning device including a cleaning member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes a first member and a second member. The first member defines a socket and the second member defines an opening. The cleaning device also includes a pivot member including a first end having a ball member and an opposing second end. The second end is disposed in the opening and secured to the second member. The ball member is disposed in the socket to couple the first member and the second member and enable the second member to pivot with respect to the first member.

In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a sleeve that is slidably connected to the handle and movable between a first position, which allows the second member to pivot, and a second position which at least partially covers the pivot assembly and which does not allow the second member to pivot.

In an embodiment, the second member includes a prong-shaped collar and the sleeve defines a prong-shaped end, where the prong-shaped end of the sleeve engages the prong-shaped collar when the sleeve is in the second position.

In an embodiment, the sleeve includes an actuator, which when activated, releases the sleeve from one of the first and second positions.

In an embodiment, the cleaning device includes a first connector including the socket and a second connector connected to the pivot member, where the first connector is removably connected to the first member and the second connector is removably connected to the second member.

In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second members includes a cavity, where at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes ridges which frictionally engage an inside surface of the cavity.

In an embodiment, the cleaning member is at least one of: a brush, a dust mop and a mop.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a cleaning device which enables a user to easily clean hard to reach places.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device including a handle having a pivot joint which enables a user to easily clean floors and other surfaces.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device including a handle having a pivot joint which minimizes the stress on a user's body during cleaning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a cleaner, such as floor cleaner, for a home, office, or other area. Referring toFIG. 1, the cleaning device or cleaner100includes an elongated handle102and a cleaning member116connected to the handle. A user grasps the handle102and moves the cleaning member across a surface such as a floor to clean that surface. The handle102may be any suitable size or length. Additionally, the cleaning member116can be any suitable cleaning member such as a broom or brush, sweeper, dust mop, mop and the like. In an embodiment, the cleaning member116is removably connected to the handle102so that the cleaning member can be replaced as needed or interchangeable with other cleaning members, such as those described above.

The handle102includes first and second members104and106joined by a pivot joint or pivot assembly108. The pivot assembly108enables the first and second members104and106to pivot relative to each other about a point intermediate the ends of the handle so that the cleaner100can be maneuvered to clean under items such as couches and tables as shown inFIG. 3. The pivot assembly108of the handle102allows the handle to be bent, angled or pivoted to clean in hard to reach places of a floor or other surface without causing the user to have to bend down, squat down, or perform some other function which stresses their body.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 4, the pivot assembly108includes a first connector110and a second connector112, which are coupled together by a pivot member or pivot post130. The first connector110includes a connecting portion132and a pivot portion136. The connecting portion132includes friction ridges134which are elongated, protruding portions of the connecting portion132that frictionally engage an inside surface or inside wall of a cavity or opening115in the first member104as the connecting portion132of the first connector110is inserted into the opening115defined by the first member104. The friction fit between the connecting portion132of first connector110and the inside surface of the first member104securely holds the first connector110and the first member104together. The pivot portion136of the first connector includes a plurality of fingers138. The fingers138are generally triangularly shaped as shown inFIG. 4. It should be appreciated that the fingers138may be any suitable size or shape. The fingers may be made of a durable, flexible material. In another embodiment, the fingers may be made of a rigid material. It should be appreciated that the fingers may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot portion136, and more specifically, the fingers138define a receptacle or socket139for receiving pivot post130as described below.

second connector112has a rounded portion146and a connecting portion150which are integrally formed. It should be appreciated that the rounded portion146and the connecting portion150may be separate components that are connected together. The connecting portion150includes a plurality of friction ridges152similar to the ridges of the first connector110. The friction ridges152engage an inside surface of an opening or cavity117in the second member106to frictionally secure the second connector112to the second member106. The rounded portion146includes a plurality of protruding guides148which are generally oval-shaped. It should be appreciated that the guides148may be any suitable size or shape. Specifically, the guides148are designed to fit in between the fingers138of the first connector.

The first member104and the second member106are coupled together by the pivot assembly108. The pivot post130includes a shaft140, a ball-shaped head or ball142and a threaded end144. The threaded end144is disposed in or inserted in an opening145defined by the rounded portion146and is threadingly engaged in that opening to securely hold the pivot post in engagement with the second connector112.

To connect the pivot post to the first member, the ball142is pushed against the ends of the fingers138until the fingers flex outwardly to allow the ball142to move into the receptacle or socket139defined by the fingers138. The receptacle or socket139is formed in such a way that the ball142and, more specifically, the second member106of the handle102can pivot in many different directions. Alternatively, it should be appreciated that the second member can have the fingers138forming socket139and the pivot member or pivot post130can be integrally formed with or secured to the first member.

Referring toFIG. 9, in an alternative embodiment, the first member104includes a “keyhole” like opening141instead of the fingers138. The opening141includes a generally circular top opening143and an elongated slot opening145that extends from the top opening143. The rounded top opening143has a size and shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the ball member142. The width of slot opening145corresponds to the size or width of shaft140. To couple the top and bottom members together, the ball member142is disposed in the rounded top opening143. The second member106is moved downwardly so that the shaft140moves downward through the slot opening145until the ball member143is in socket139.

In another alternative embodiment, the pivot member or pivot post130is moved downwardly through an opening extending the length of the first member until the ball member142is in the socket139and the shaft140extends from the socket. The threaded end of the pivot post130is then secured in an opening145defined by the top of second member as described above.

A sleeve114is slidably connected to at least one of the first and second members of104and106. Referring toFIGS. 1,3,5, and6, the sleeve114is slidably connected to the first member and slides or moves between a first, open or pivoting position, and a second, closed or non-pivoting position. In the first or open position, shown inFIGS. 1 and 5, sleeve114is moved along the first member104and away from the pivot joint or pivot assembly108, so that the first connector can pivot with respect to the second connector. In the first or open position, the first and second members104and106are able to pivot with respect to each other and enable the user to clean hard to reach places on a floor and other surfaces. During pivoting the post140moves into a slot between adjacent fingers138. There are plural slots providing plural pivot axes, the number of which is determined by the number of fingers.

Alternatively, if a user wants the handle102to be straight and non-pivoting, the user grasps the sleeve114and slides it toward the cleaning member116until the sleeve114at least partially covers the first and second connectors110and112. As shown inFIG. 6, in an embodiment, the sleeve114completely surrounds or covers the pivot assembly108and prevents the first and second members104and106from pivoting with respect to each other. The sleeve114, therefore, is moved between the first or open position where the first and second members104and106can pivot with respect to each other and the closed or non-pivoting position which prevents the handle102from pivoting at the pivot joint or pivot assembly.

The cleaner100, and more specifically, the handle102, also includes a grip126, made of an elastomeric material or other suitable material, that defines an opening128. The opening enables a user to be able to insert a hook or other device though the opening to hang the cleaner for storage. It should be appreciated that the grip126may include one or more openings.

Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, and alternative embodiment of the pivot assembly is shown wherein a handle200includes a first member202and a second member204which are coupled together to pivot with respect to each other. The first member202includes a friction post206and has an annular flange208. The friction post206is insertable into an end of a hollow first handle230. The first member202defines an elongated slot210, and a movable sleeve212that includes a clip213which engages the slot and is secured to the sleeve to hold the sleeve in place and guide the sleeve along the slot210to prevent relative rotational movement. The first member202includes a first connector211which includes fingers214and defines a receptacle as described above. The connector211may be generally tubular and frictionally fit over a reduced-diameter portion222of the first member202.

The second member204includes a round dome-shaped portion216and raised ridges218. The ridges218may be any suitable size and shape and engage the corresponding shapes of the internal pattern215, as shown inFIG. 7. In an embodiment, the sleeve212may include an actuator or button217which engages or releases the clip213with the slot210so that the sleeve212may be moved or stopped with respect to the first connector202. In another embodiment, the sleeve212does not include actuator217. In this embodiment, the sleeve212is slidably connected to at least one of the first and second members as described above.

A pivot post220couples the first member202to the second member204. The pivot post220includes a ball shaped end or ball224and a threaded end226. The threaded end226is inserted into an opening228defined by the dome-shaped portion of the second member202that is threadingly engaged inside the opening to hold it securely to the second member. The pivot post220enables the first and second members202and204to pivot with respect to each other to allow a user to pivot or bend the handle about the pivot point to be able to easily reach difficult-to-clean areas under a countertop, table, bed or any low standing area, in the manner described above. It should be appreciated that the pivot post can be integrally formed with the first or second member or be a separate component that can be secured to the first or second member.

In an embodiment, a first handle tube230is sized to slide over friction post206of the first member. A second handle tube232is connected to the second member204in a suitable manner.

In the above embodiments, it should be appreciated that the cleaning member116may be any suitable cleaning member such as a broom head, brush, sweeper, dust mop, mop or other suitable cleaning member. Also in the above embodiments, the cleaner100and200are made of a combination of plastics and steel, such as stainless steel. It should be appreciated that the cleaner100and200may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials.

While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.