Automatic self-wringing microfiber cleaning sponge on an extendable handle

A cleaning device may include an extendable ergonomic handle having a fixed handle member and a telescoping handle member. The fixed handle member may be secured at its lower distal end to a mounting plate. The mounting plate may include two plate members connected by a hinge. A sponge may be removably connected to the mounting plate. The cleaning device may include a close and release mechanism housed within the handle members operatively connected to the hinged plate members. The close and release mechanism may be actuated to squeeze and wring out the sponge and thereafter return it to a cleaning configuration.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices, more particularly to cleaning devices having an extendable handle and a push button self-wringing actuator.

Cleaning devices, such as sponge mops, are known in the art. One type of sponge mop is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,646 which discloses a butterfly style mop having a wringing mechanism that wrings water from a sponge by folding it in half. The butterfly style mop includes a lever attached to the handle which is pulled upward to facilitate the wringing action. The lever is connected by a rod linkage to a pad support assembly. A hinged cleaning pad and sponge attached thereto is supported by the pad support assembly. Manipulation of the lever pulls the cleaning pad and sponge through a wringing frame member so that the sponge is folded and squeezed as it passes through the wringing frame member.

SUMMARY

There are a few hand-held cleaning devices with compressible sponges for floors and other surfaces. However, most require the use of two hands to wring and the designs are complex. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,369 to Johnson describes a “hand-held utensil for floor cleaning and other surface treatment purposes comprising a pad. Designed for users who prefer utensils that require them to bend down and exert effort directly at the point of cleaning rather than use of a mop from waist level. The handles on the holder parts further enable the user to exert effort for wringing the pad directly by using both hands to squeeze the handles rather than the wringing mechanism found in conventional floor mops. Similar devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,741,787 is a hand sponge cleaner and wringer that is used for cleaning dishes and other surfaces. The invention requires both hands to wring the sponge and the handle grasped in one hand and the other hand is used to pull the wringing chamber. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,140 permits the user to wring the device with one hand but the design may limit the maneuverability and usage capability. It is designed with a rigid handle mounted to multiple brackets, rails, springs with a movable retraction bar and flat platens that compress the sponge.

A cleaning device may include an extendable ergonomic handle having a fixed handle member and a telescoping handle member. The fixed handle member may be secured at its lower distal end to a mounting plate. The mounting plate may include two plate members connected by a hinge. A sponge may be removably connected to the mounting plate. The cleaning device may include a close and release mechanism housed within the handle members operatively connected to the hinged plate members. The close and release mechanism may be actuated to squeeze and wring out the sponge and thereafter return it to a cleaning configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first toFIG. 1, a cleaning device is generally identified by reference numeral100. The cleaning device100may include an extendable ergonomic handle102having a fixed handle member110and a telescoping handle member112. A hand grip114may be attached to a distal end of the handle member112. The hand grip114may be a separate component attached to the handle member112or integrally formed with the handle member112. The hand grip114may include a hole115for convenient storage of the cleaning device110.

The ergonomic handle102may preferably, but without limitation, extend from 5 to 30 inches in length with 3 to 5 inches spacing intervals so that the user may select a desired handle length. Preferably, a lever and a locking mechanism on the handle that the user may pull out or push in may be provided to adjust the length of the extendable ergonomic handle102.

The handle member110may be secured to a mounting plate116. The mounting plate116may include two plate members117,119connected by a hinge120, such as but without limitation, a spring back hinge. A sponge122may be removably connected to the mounting plate116. The sponge122may, for example but without limitation, be a self-wringing microfiber sponge, microfiber cleaning sponge (preferably machine washable), microfiber antibacterial/antimicrobial technology cleaning sponge (preferably machine washable), non-abrasive/non-scratch scrub and scouring sponge, cellulose all-purpose cleaning sponge, cellulose antibacterial sponge and the like.

The cleaning device100may include a push button operation mode. A push button130may be operatively connected to a close and release mechanism housed in the handle members110,112, which in turn is operatively connected to the spring back hinge120. The functionality of the cleaning device100is similar to a push button umbrella. Depression of the push button130actuates the close and release mechanism to rotate the plate members117,119toward each other about the spring back hinge120to squeeze and wring out the sponge122and thereafter returning to its cleaning configuration.

Referring now toFIGS. 3A-3E, collectively, maneuverability of the handle102of the cleaning device100is illustrated. The lower distal end of the handle102may include a flexible neck or ball connection at the spring back hinge120permitting the handle102to be oriented at various angles relative to the mounting plate116to conveniently clean hard to reach areas.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A-4D, the cleaning device100may include a threaded rod or bolt140housed in the handle member110. The plate members117,118may be actuated toward each other by twisting the handle member112, as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 4C, to squeeze and wring out the sponge122. The spring back hinge120returns the sponge122to its unsqueezed position upon rotating the handle member112back to its original position.FIG. 4D, illustrates that downward movement of the handle member112may force the plate members117,118to squeeze and wring out the sponge122.

The cleaning device100may include a retaining channel to provide a simple, economical and highly effective method for securing the sponge to the mounting plate116. There are several ways to technically attach the self-wringing sponge to the extendable handle. In a first example but without limitation, two plastic clips may removably secure the sponge122to the mounting plate116. In a second example, a plastic bar design securely locked into the extendable handle102at the hinge120may removably secure the sponge122. In a third example, a 1 to 2-inch plate attached to the extendable handle102may removably secure various sponge types. A snap on with a socket (female part) and stud (male part) connection may also be provided. While removably attached, the sponge122may be firmly secured to the mounting plate insuring that the sponge does not shift undesirably during use. Thus, standard size sponges with different hooking or attachment mechanism may be conveniently attached and replaced as needed.

An optional dispensing chamber may be included for dispensing a user's preferred cleaning solutions. Many options are available, such as but without limitation, a chamber built into the extendable handle or a separate attachment such as a tube or container to house the preferred cleaning product.

The cleaning device100may be used in a conventional manner by pushing the cleaning pad140across a surface requiring cleaning. After a few passes the cleaning pad140may require wringing which a user may accomplished by pressing the push button170which retracts the push pin to release the slide member152. The stretched spring164returns to the compressed position shown inFIG. 3B, thereby providing the force required to pull the pad support assembly upward. As the links146travel upward in parallel, the cleaning pad140may be twisted about the pivot shaft154, illustrated inFIG. 4B, to wring and release fluid from the cleaning pad140Manually sliding the collar166downward until the push pin of the push button170again extends into the hole172of the slide member152resets the cleaning device100from the wringing mode to the cleaning mode.

Referring now toFIGS. 5A and 5B, an alternate embodiment of a cleaning device is generally identified by the reference numeral200. The cleaning device200is similar to the cleaning device100as evidenced by the use of common reference numerals, with the exception that the cleaning device200is manually operable. A push pin170of the cleaning device200may extend through a collar266slidably mounted about the handle member210to lock the cleaning device200in the cleaning mode. The cleaning pad240may be fixed to a plate216mounted on the lower distal end of the handle member210in a transverse orientation. Prongs222may extend downward from the collar266. Wringing members268, such as but without limitation, rods and the like, may be fixed to the lower ends of the prongs222. Manually sliding the collar266downward forces the cleaning pad240to be folded and squeezed between the wringing members268. The wringing members268may be provided with ribs or ridges270to enhance the wringing action of the cleaning device200.

In summary, the cleaning device disclosed and claimed herein offers an automatic push button on an extendable ergonomic handle to wring out a sponge. There is preferably a button on the handle that a user may pushes once or holds down to wring out the sponge. In the automatic push button embodiment, the closing and release mechanism is preferably operatively connected to the spring back hinge. In another exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device may capture stored energy to assist with springing the sponge back to its original cleaning position after the water is squeezed out. The functionality may be similar to a push button on an umbrella. Instead of the button being used to open the umbrella, it may be designed to squeeze the sponge. After the sponge is squeezed, it returns back to its original cleaning position and the user may continue to perform their normal cleaning functions.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.