Abstract:
The structure of the present invention provides pivotable coupling of a head to a handle. The head may assume various pitch angles relative to the handle. Once place at a particular pitch angle the head is releasably fixed-in-place and opposes pitching of the head relative to the handle to assume a new pitch angle. With the application of sufficient force on the head, the head is released from the fixed-in-place pitch angle and a new pitch angle is achieved.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to cleaning implements. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cleaning implement head that releasable locks with a cleaning implement handle to maintain a fixed pivotal position of the cleaning implement head with respect to the cleaning implement handle during use of the cleaning implement. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Cleaning implements that include a cleaning handle and an attached cleaning head have been available for some time. For example, traditional wet mops consisted of a handle and mop head, where the mop head is moistened with cleaning composition and then used to scrub hard surfaces, such as wood floors. Carpet sweepers have equally been available for some time. Carpet sweepers generally consist of a handle and sweeper mop head that uses the sweeping action to brush carpet soils into the sweeper head for later collection and disposal. 
   Lately new cleaning implements have been developed that may be used for dry or wet cleaning or both on hard surfaces. These implements consist of a handle and a connected head generally in the form of a flat plate to which a cleaning sheet or pad is attached. The sheet or pad may be dry, wet or wettable depending on the system or the desired use. An example of such an implement, which is useful for wet or dry cleaning, is Readimop® produced by The Clorox Corporation. 
   The most recent trend has been for these wet or dry cleaning implements to be made available to the consumer unassembled in parts. For example, certain cleaning implements were provided with segmented handles that were designed to be assembled by the user to form the completed handle. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/850,213, filed May 19, 2004 by Mitchell et al. is an example of this type of segmented handle, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Further, the cleaning implement head was often provided unattached to the head end of the handle. The user attached the head to the handle before use of the cleaning implement. Providing the cleaning implement in this way permits the implement to be sold in a small store shelf sized box that may be more efficiently stocked than fully assembled cleaning implements. This provides two advantages, the first being relevant to the cost of packing and transporting the cleaning implements and the second being relevant to the convenience of the consumer in transporting the cleaning implement to their home. 
   One prior art method of assembling the head to the handle included screwing the head to a threaded end of the handle. Another prior art mechanism for assembling the cleaning head to the handle was to taper one end of handle at a certain draft angle. The tapered end of handle was then pushed in to a receiver hole or the interior of the hollow cylindrical portion or tube end of the head. The tube end of the head was not tapered or was tapered at a taper angle, sometimes referred to as a draft angle, greater than or equal to the draft angle of the head end of the handle. This provided for fitment of the handle into the aperture of the cleaning head. 
   Both of these mechanisms, however, result in a cleaning implement in which the cleaning head easily loosened or disassembled from the cleaning implement handle. For example, catching the cleaning head on a table leg and pulling often provide enough force to pull apart a tapered cleaning head to handle connection. Screw together mechanisms also easily loosened during use thereby weakening the head to handle connector. 
   Further, with prior art connectors, the head would often yaw, i.e., rotate about the central longitudinal axis of the handle, when the cleaning implement was in use. This yawing was especially disadvantageous in cleaning implements that had an ergonomic design, which relied on maintaining a fixed yawing rotational relationship of the cleaning head relative to the handle to provide efficient and effective gripping of the cleaning implement to avoid fatigue and strain during use. Cleaning heads that rotated about the handle did not maintain the specific ergonomic shape designed for the implement. For example, a handle may be designed to curve directly downward when the cleaning head is in contact with a horizontal surface. If the head rotates relative to the central axis of the handle, the curve of the handle skews left or right depending on the direction rotation of the head about the handle. 
   Still further, with threaded or tapered connectors, pivoting of the head about a handle lateral axis to pitch the head relative to the handle is not possible since the connects hold the head fixed laterally to the handle. To provide flexibility to pitch the head relative to the handle, a separate or integral pivot element, coupled to either the head or handle, was required. Further, pivot elements that allowed pitching of the cleaning head relative to the handle where often initially loose or became loose with wear. Thus, under these conditions, the head would often flop about back and forth and pitching up and down whenever the head has removed from a surface to which it was applied. The pitch of the head relative to the handle would change when the head was removed from the surface being cleaned. This made it more difficult to use the cleaning implement, and the pivot element and head to handle connector were stressed as the head pitched to readjust whenever the head was applied-removed-and-reapplied to the surface in a typical cleaning motion. 
   Thus, while there is a desire to provide cleaning implements that are convenient and adept at surface cleaning, there is a further need to provide these cleaning implement in a form that is both easy to ship and easy to assemble by a consumer. Still further, there is a desire to provide cleaning implements that facilitate proper assembly by a consumer and that are ergonomic and easy to use. Accordingly, there is currently a need for improved connector structures for coupling a cleaning implement head to a cleaning implement handle. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the principles of the present invention, provided is a cleaning implement having a cleaning head pivotably coupled to a cleaning implement handle. In one embodiment, the cleaning implement is supplied unassembled with the cleaning head and handle being supplied as separate components. At assembly, in one embodiment, the head may be coupled to the handle in only one yawing orientation i.e., at assembly, the head is rotated about the central longitudinal axis of the handle to only one specific position where coupling of the head to the handle is possible. The present invention may be used with an ergonomically designed cleaning implement having a handle designed for a specific yawing orientation of the cleaning head. 
   After assembly, however, the head may pitch up or down relative to the handle. Further, the head maintains its last pitch angle with the handle if no force is imposed on the head. In one embodiment, the cleaning head is flexible and is configured in the form of a flat clothes ironing head having a front point. 
   In one embodiment, the cleaning head includes a handle connector element, and the handle includes a head connector element configured to cooperate together to pivotably couple the cleaning head to the handle. The handle connector element of the head includes a left and right yoke arm, each configured generally as a broad based post, spaced apart laterally on the top surface of the cleaning head. Coupled adjacent the top of left yoke arm is a left boss configured generally as a tapered frusto-conical segment having an exterior surface. The left boss is directed toward the right yoke arm and along a course generally parallel to the top surface of the cleaning head. Coupled adjacent the top of the right yoke arm is a right arm boss configured generally as another tapered frusto-conical segment having an exterior surface. The right boss opposes the left boss and is directed toward the left boss along a course generally parallel to the top surface of the cleaning head. 
   The head connector element of the handle includes opposing left and right receivers at the left and right sides of the handle at a head end portion of the handle. At assembly, the head end portion of the handle receives the cleaning head. The head end portion of the handle is opposite a gripper end portion of the handle that is used for grasping the cleaning implement. 
   The left and right receivers are apertures in the head end portion of the handle that have tapered conically shaped interior surfaces. The left and right receivers are adapted to receive the left and right bosses, respectively, and to establish abutting contact between respective boss exterior surfaces and receiver interior surfaces. 
   After coupling the head to the handle, the bosses are rotatable within the respective receivers thereby allowing the cleaning head to pitch up and down with respect to the handle. 
   In one embodiment, the bosses each include a flat boss base surface. The boss base surfaces are adjacent the ends of the respective bosses that are coupled to boss arms. Further, the receivers each include a flat receiver bottoming surface adjacent to and circumscribing the respective receivers at the outside surface of the handle. The boss base surfaces and the receiver bottoming surfaces are all configured generally as rings. The boss base surfaces are adapted to abuttingly contact respective receiver bottoming surfaces when the cleaning head is coupled with the handle of the cleaning implement at assembly. 
   As noted, after coupling of the head to the handle, the bosses are rotatable within the respective receivers allowing the cleaning head to pitch up and down relative to the handle. However, the abutting contact between respective boss exterior surfaces and receiver interior surfaces creates frictional force that opposes the rotation of the bosses within the receivers. Further, the abutting contact between the boss base surfaces and respective receiver bottoming surfaces also creates frictional force that opposes the rotation of the bosses within the receivers. Thus, after coupling the cleaning head to the handle, rotation of the bosses within respective receivers is opposed. Accordingly, the pitch angle of the head relative to the handle remains fixed absent application of a force to the cleaning head sufficient to overcome the friction forces create by the various abutting contacts of the connector elements. 
   The relative, size, shape, and configuration of the components making up the head connector elements of the handle and the handle connector elements of the head may be altered to provide alternate embodiments and additional aspects to the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing aspects and others will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan from the following description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view, after assembly, of a cleaning implement, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, having a releasably fixed-in-place cleaning head pivotably coupled to one end of a handle; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded front view of one embodiment of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective partial view of the head of  FIG. 1  showing a left arm and a left boss; 
       FIG. 3B  is a perspective partial view of the cleaning head showing right arm and a right boss; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of cleaning head of the cleaning head taken along  4 ′_  4 ′ of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a partial view of the left side of the handle; 
       FIG. 5B  is a partial view of the right side of the handle; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the handle taken along  6 ′_  6 ′ of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 7  combines the cross sectional view of the cleaning head in  FIG. 4  with the cross-sectional view of the handle of  FIG. 6  showing the cooperation of a head connector element of the handle with a handle connector element of the cleaning head for pivotably coupling the cleaning head to the handle; 
       FIG. 8  is a close-up perspective view of the handle with the cleaning head positioned within a left slide and a right slide before coupling of the cleaning head with the handle; and 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show close-up right side views of the handle with the cleaning head at differing pitch angles. 
   

   Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In accordance with the principles of the present invention, provided is a cleaning implement having a cleaning implement head, sometimes referred to simply as a head, pivotably coupled to a cleaning implement handle, sometimes referred to simply as a handle. In one embodiment, the cleaning implement is supplied unassembled with the head and handle being supplied as separate components. At assembly, in one embodiment, the head may be coupled to the handle in only one yawing orientation i.e., after assembly, the head is not rotatable about the central longitudinal axis of the handle. The head may, however, pitch up or down relative to the handle. Further, the head maintains its last pitch angle if no force is imposed on the head. The present invention may be used with a tool such as an ergonomically designed cleaning implement having a handle designed for a specific orientation relative to the cleaning head. 
   More particularly,  FIG. 1  is a perspective view, after assembly, of a cleaning implement  10 , in accordance with the principles of the present invention, having a releasably locking (fixed in place) head  102  pivotably coupled to one end of a handle  100 . In one embodiment, handle  100  is configured in a tubular or pipe-like shape having a cylindrical handle outside surface  104 , a cylindrical handle inside surface  638  ( FIG. 6 ), and a longitudinal axis L running lengthwise along handle  100 . In other embodiments, handle  100  is solid and/or is configured in a shape other than cylindrical. 
   Handle  100  includes gripper end portion  108 , distal from head  102 , for manually grasping cleaning implement  10  by handle  100 . Gripper end portion  108  of handle  100 , is the part of handle outside surface  104  adjacent the upper end of handle  100  where cleaning implement  10  is grasped for use. 
   At the lower end of handle  100  opposite the upper end of handle  100  along central axis L, is a head end portion  110  of handle  100 . Head end portion  110  is the part of handle outside surface  104  adjacent the lower end of handle  100  where head  102  is coupled to handle  100  at assembly of cleaning implement  10 . 
   As described more fully below with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , head end portion  110  of handle  100  includes a head connector element  229  ( FIG. 2 ) that is adapted to cooperate with a handle connector element  227  ( FIG. 2 ) of head  102  to form a structure for coupling head  102  to handle  100 . At assembly, head  102  is pivotably coupled to handle  100  by head connector element  229  of handle  100  in cooperation with handle connector element  227  of head  102 . The pivotal coupling of head  102  with handle  100  allows head  102  to pitch up and down in relation to handle  100 . 
   The directional terms “lower” and “upper”, “left” and “right”, “up” and “down”, “pitch” and “yaw” and the like are used herein for ease of description in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are not meant to indicate that the structural components of the present invention must have a specific orientation except when specifically set forth below. 
   Also, more particularly in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , head  102  is flexible and is configured as flat rectangular plate curving and tapering to a head point  123  at the front of head  102  in the manner of a clothes iron head. Head  102  has a head upper surface  124  most proximal handle  100 , and a head lower surface  222  ( FIG. 2 ) opposite head upper surface  124 . In another embodiment, head  102  is generally round. Other configurations of cleaning head  102  are also possible without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
   A dry, wet, or wettable flexible cleaning pad  120  is releasably attached to head lower surface  222 . The shape of cleaning pad cleaning pad  120  is generally congruent with the shape of head  102  but may extend beyond the outer edges of cleaning pad cleaning pad  120  in certain embodiments. Cleaning pad  120  may be coupled to head  102  by any releasable means, such as, Velcro® attachments, hooks, snaps, releasable adhesives, and the like, well known to those of skill in the art. 
   In use of cleaning implement  10  of  FIG. 1 , head  102  is pivotably coupled to handle  100  and cleaning pad  120  is releasably attached to head lower surface  222  ( FIG. 2 ) of head  102 . Cleaning pad  120  is then placed in contact with a hard surface, such as a wood floor or a tile fixture or stall, to scrub and clean the surface. The flexible characteristics of head  102  allow head  102 , and, more particularly, cleaning pad  120 , to conform to a curved hard surface, such as a tub or shower stall, to provide abutting contact between the cleaning pad cleaning pad  120  and the curved hard surface. Further, head point  123  of head  102  provides for cleaning of tight corners, bends, or points by allowing cleaning pad  120  to abuttingly contact these surface features. 
   The connector elements  227  and  229  for pivotably coupling head  102  to head end portion  110  at handle outside surface  104  of handle  100  are next described.  FIG. 2  is an exploded front view of one embodiment of cleaning implement  10 . Head  102  includes a handle connector element  227  that includes a “U” shaped yoke  226  coupled at the bottom segment of the “U” shape of yoke  226  to head upper surface  124  of head  102 . The “U” shape yoke  226  is completed by a right arm  228 R projecting upwardly from head upper surface  124  of head  102  and a left arm  228 L, also projecting upwardly from head upper surface  124  and spaced apart a boss spacing distance XB ( FIG. 2 ) laterally from left arm  228 L. In one embodiment, left arm  228 L and right arm  228 R are each generally configured as a broad based posts making up the leg segments of the “U” shape of yoke  226 . 
   Handle connector element  227  further includes a left boss  230 L coupled adjacent the top of left arm  228 L.  FIG. 3A  is a perspective partial view of head  102  showing left arm  228 L and left boss  230 L.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of head  102  of cleaning implement  10  taken along  4 ′_  4 ′ of  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A and  4  together, left boss  230 L is configured as frusto-conically shaped, shaft-like, projection. Said another way, left boss  230 L is formed as a uniformly tapered cone segment. Left boss  230 L is directed along its frusto-conical axis (not shown) generally parallel to head upper surface  124  toward a right boss  230 R ( FIG. 2 ). 
   Left boss  230 L has a left boss outer diameter DLB 1  ( FIG. 3A ) at the cone segment end of left boss  230 L where left boss  230 L is coupled to left arm  228 L. Left boss  230 L further has a left boss inner diameter DLB 2  ( FIG. 3A ) at the uncoupled free end of left boss  230 L opposite the cone segment end of left boss coupled to left arm  228 L. As shown, left boss outer diameter DLB 1  is greater than left boss inner diameter DLB 2 . Thus, left boss  230 L defines a frusto-conical segment having a left boss exterior surface  231 L tapered at a left boss draft angle αLB ( FIG. 4 ). There is also a left boss length YLB, which measures the axial length of left boss  230 L, i.e., the distance between the coupled and free ends of left boss  230 L. 
   Handle connector element  227  further includes a left boss base surface  332 L adjacent to and circumscribing the cone segment end of left boss  230 L coupled to left arm  228 L. Left boss base surface  332 L ( FIG. 3A ) is formed as a planar surface, in the shape of a flat ring, facing inwardly toward right arm  228 R, and generally along the same course as the conical axis of left boss  230 L. 
   Handle connector element  227  of head  102  further includes a right boss  230 R coupled adjacent the top of right arm  228 R. Right boss  230 R is another frusto-conically shaped, uniformly tapered shaft-like projection similar to and opposing left boss  230 L. Right boss  230 R is also directed along its frusto-conical axis (not shown) generally parallel to head upper surface  124  toward left arm  228 L and aligned with the frusto-conical axis of left boss  230 L.  FIG. 3B  is a perspective partial view of head  102  showing right arm  228 R and right boss  230 R. Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 B and  4  together, right boss  230 R has a right boss outer diameter DRB 1  ( FIG. 3B ) at the cone segment end of right boss  230 R where right boss  230 R is coupled to right arm  228 R. Right boss  230 R further has a right boss inner diameter DRB 2  ( FIG. 3B ) at the uncoupled free cone segment end of right boss  230 R opposite the cone segment end of right boss  230 R coupled to right arm  228 R. As shown, right boss outer diameter DRB 1  is greater than right boss inner diameter DRB 2 . Thus, right boss  230 R also defines a frusto-conical segment having a right boss exterior surface right boss exterior surface  231 R tapered at a right boss draft angle αRB. There is also a right boss length YRB, which measures the axial length of right boss  230 R, i.e., the distance between the coupled and free ends of right boss  230 R. 
   Handle connector element  227  further includes a right boss base surface  332 R adjacent to and circumscribing the cone segment end of right boss  230 R that is coupled to right arm  228 R. Right boss base surface  332 R is also formed as a planar surface in the shape of a flat ring facing inwardly toward left arm  228 L, and generally along the same course as the conical axis of right boss  230 R. There is a boss spacing distance XB, which measures the distance between right boss base surface  332 R of right arm  228 R and left boss base surface  332 L of left arm  228 L. Further, as described more fully with respect to  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, right boss outer diameter DRB 1  of right boss  230 R is greater than left boss outer diameter DLB 1  of left boss  230 L and right boss inner diameter DRB 2  of right boss  230 R is greater than left boss inner diameter DLB 2  of left boss  230 L. 
     FIG. 5A  is a partial view of the left side of handle  100 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of handle  100  taken along  6 ′_  6 ′ of  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  5 A and  6  together, in one embodiment, head connector element  229  ( FIG. 2 ) of handle  100  includes a left receiver  540 L configured as aperture through handle  100  from handle inside surface  638  to handle outside surface  104 . Left receiver  540 L is adapted to receive left boss  230 L ( FIG. 3A and 6 ) of head  102  and to accommodate rotation of left boss  230 L within left receiver  540 L. In one embodiment left receiver  540 L is configure to reject right boss  230 R ( FIG. 3B and 6 ) of head  102 . 
   More particularly, the interior edge surface of left receiver  540 L defines a conically shaped, uniformly tapered left receiver interior surface  542 L. Left receiver interior surface  542 L defines a left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  at one opening of left receiver  540 L adjacent handle outside surface  104  of handle  100  and a left receiver inner diameter DLR 2  at the opposite opening of left receiver  540 L adjacent handle inside surface  638  of handle  100 . In one embodiment, left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  is greater than left receiver inner diameter DLR 2 . Thus, left receiver interior surface  542 L has a left receiver draft angle αLR with respect to its conical surface axis (not shown) and tapers inwardly from handle outside surface  104  to handle inside surface  638 . Further, left receiver interior surface  542 L is directed along its conical surfaced axis generally parallel to head upper surface  124 , when head  102  is pivotably attached to handle  100  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. There is also a left receiver depth YLR, which measures the axial depth of left receiver  540 L, i.e., the distance between the openings of left receiver  540 L. 
   Head connector element  229  further includes a left receiver bottoming surface  544 L adjacent to and circumscribing left receiver  540 L at handle outside surface  104  of head end portion  110  of handle  100 . Left receiver bottoming surface  544 L is formed as a planar surface, in the shape of a flat ring, facing outwardly away from handle outside surface  104 , and generally along the same course as the conical axis of left receiver interior surface  542 L. 
     FIG. 5B  is a partial view of the right side of handle  100 . In a similar manner, referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  5 B and  6  together, in one embodiment, head connector element  229  ( FIG. 2 ) of handle  100  includes a right receiver  540 R configured as aperture through handle  100  from handle inside surface  638  to handle outside surface  104 . Right receiver  540 R is adapted to receive right boss  230 R ( FIGS. 3B and 6 ) of head  102  and to accommodate rotation of left boss  230 L within left receiver  540 L. 
   More particularly, the interior edge surface of right receiver  540 R defines a conically shaped, uniformly tapered right receiver interior surface  542 R. Right receiver interior surface  542 R defines a right receiver outer diameter DRR 2  at one opening of right receiver  540 R adjacent handle outside surface  104  of handle  100  and a right receiver inner diameter DRR 2  at the opposite opening of right receiver  540 R adjacent handle inside surface  638  of handle  100 . In one embodiment, right receiver outer diameter DRR 2  is greater than right receiver inner diameter DRR 1 . Thus, right receiver interior surface  542 R has a right receiver draft angle αRR with respect to its conical surface axis (not shown) and tapers inwardly from handle outside surface  104  to handle inside surface  638 . Further, right receiver interior surface  542 R is directed along its conical surfaced axis generally parallel to head upper surface  124 , when head  102  is pivotably attached to handle  100  in accordance with the principles of the present invention. There is also a right receiver depth YRR, which measures the axial depth of right receiver  540 R, i.e., the distance between the openings of right receiver  540 R. 
   Head connector element  229  further includes a right receiver bottoming surface  544 R adjacent to and circumscribing right receiver  540 R at handle outside surface  104  of head end portion  110  of handle  100 . Left receiver bottoming surface  544 L is formed as a planar surface, in the shape of a flat ring, facing outwardly away from handle outside surface  104 , and generally along the same course as the conical axis of right receiver interior surface  542 R. There is a receiver spacing distance XR, which measures the distance between right receiver bottoming surface  544 R and left receiver bottoming surface  544 L of head connector element  229  of handle  100 . 
   The operation of the connector elements  227  and  229  for pivotably coupling head  102  to head end portion  110  at handle outside surface  104  of handle  100  and for releasably fixing the pitch of head  102  with respect to handle  100  is next described.  FIG. 7  combines the cross sectional view of handle  100  in  FIG. 4  with the cross-sectional view of head  102  of  FIG. 6  showing the cooperation of head connector element  229  of handle  100  with handle connector element  227  of head  102  for pivotably coupling head  102  to handle  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  6 , and  7  together. At assembly of cleaning implement  10 , head  102  is coupled to handle  100  by inserting left boss  230 L into left receiver  540 L and right boss  230 R into right receiver  540 R. 
   In one embodiment, insertion of left boss  230 L into left receiver  540 L is facilitated by a left slide  546 L ( FIG. 5A ; also shown from front in  FIG. 2 ) on handle outside surface  104  adjacent to and below left receiver  540 L. Left slide  546 L is a sloped surface that is directed downwardly from left receiver  540 L and inwardly toward L of handle  100  away from left receiver  540 L. Left slide  546 L is adapted to sliding contact with the free end of left boss  230 L. Likewise, insertion of right boss  230 R into right receiver  540 R is facilitated by a right slide  546 R ( FIG. 5B ; also shown from front in  FIG. 2 ) on handle outside surface  104  adjacent to and below right receiver  540 R. Right slide  546 R is a sloped surface that is directed downwardly from right receiver  540 R and inwardly toward L of handle  100  away from right receiver  540 R. Right slide  546 R is adapted to sliding contact with the free end of right boss  230 R. 
     FIG. 8  is a close-up perspective view of handle  100  with head  102  positioned within slides left slide  546 L and right slide  546 R before coupling of head  102  with handle  100 . A user couples head  102  to handle  100  by positioning handle  100  over head  102  such that the free end of left boss  230 L contacts left slide  546 L below left receiver  540 L and the free end of right boss  230 R contacts right slide  546 R below right receiver  540 R, as shown in  FIG. 8 . As noted, the surfaces of slides left slide  546 L and right slide  546 R slope inwardly moving down away from left receiver  540 L and right receiver  540 R respectively. Thus, the lateral distance (not shown) between the surfaces of slides  546 L and  546 R is the greatest from the point on the surface of left slide  546 L adjacent left receiver  540 L to the point on the surface of right slide  546 R adjacent right receiver  540 R. Lateral distances between the surfaces of left slide  546 L and right slide  546 R at all points below receivers  540 L and  540 R, respectively, are less since left slide  546 L and right slide  546 R slope inwardly toward L down from bosses  230 L and  230 R. 
   Accordingly, contact of the free ends of bosses  230 L and  230 R with slides  546 L and  546 R occurs when head  102  is positioned within slides  546 L and  546 R such that the distance between the free ends of bosses  230 L and  230 R equals the lateral distance between the surfaces of slides  546 L and  546 R. 
   After contact, a user next pushes handle  100  downward on head  102  forcing left boss  230 L and right boss  230 R to slide within left slide  546 L and right slide  546 R respectively. Since the distance between points along left slide  546 L and  546 R increases with proximity to left receiver  540 L and right receiver  540 R, respectively, with continued pushing of head  102  onto handle  100 , left boss  230 L and right boss  230 R slide along left slide  546 L and right slide  546 R, respectively, and both move outwardly away from L of handle  100 . The distance between the free ends of bosses  230 L and  230 R opens up causing boss spacing distance XB to increase and both left arm  228 L and right arm  228 R to flex away from L of handle  100 . The outward flexing of left arm  228 L and right arm  228 R induces elastic forces biasing left boss  230 L and right boss  230 R to move inwardly toward L of handle  100 . With further pushing and sliding contact, left boss  230 L and right boss  230 R reach left receiver  540 L and right receiver  540 R, respectively. 
   At this point, if left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  is selected such that its is greater than left boss inner diameter DLB 2 , left boss  230 L will snap into left receiver  540 L, left boss  230 L being motivated by the induced elastic force in left arm  228 L biasing left boss  230 L toward L of handle  100 . Likewise, at this point, if right receiver outer diameter DRR 1  is selected such that it is greater than right boss inner diameter DRB 2 , right boss  230 R will snap into right receiver  540 R, right boss  230 R being motivated by the induced elastic force in right arm  228 R biasing right boss  230 R toward L of handle  100 . 
   In one embodiment, right boss inner diameter DRB 2  of right boss  230 R is greater than left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  of left receiver  540 L. Thus, right boss  230 R is too large to fit into left receiver  540 L since the smallest end, i.e., the free end of right boss  230 R does not fit within the largest opening of left receiver  540 L adjacent handle outside surface  104 . Accordingly, head  102  may not be coupled to handle  100  backwards, i.e. with head point  123  ( FIG. 1 ) pointed in a yawing direction relative to handle  100  opposite the intended direction for cleaning implement  10 . 
   In one embodiment, left boss draft angle αLB equals left receiver draft angle αLR and right boss draft angle αRB equals right receiver draft angle αRR. Further, in this embodiment, left boss length YLB equals left receiver depth YLR and right boss length YRB equals right receiver depth YRR. Finally, in this embodiment, left boss outer diameter DLB 1  equals left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  and right boss outer diameter DRB 1  equals right receiver outer diameter DRR 1 . Thus, left boss exterior surface  231 L is congruent with left receiver interior surface  542 L, which allows left boss  230 L to be completely inserted within left receiver  540 L. When left boss  230 L is completely inserted within left receiver  540 L, left boss  230 L “seats” within left receiver  540 L. Said another way, when left boss  230 L is completely inserted within left receiver  540 L, abutting contacts between left boss exterior surface  231 L and left receiver interior surface  542 L, and between left boss base surface  332 L and left receiver bottoming surface  544 L, are established. A frictional force is thus created at the interface between left boss exterior surface  231 L and left receiver interior surface  542 L and at the interface between left boss base surface  332 L and left receiver bottoming surface  544 L. Likewise, in this embodiment, right boss exterior surface  231 R is congruent with right receiver interior surface  542 R allowing right boss  230 R to seat completely within right receiver  540 R. Further, abutting contacts are established to create frictional forces between left boss exterior surface  231 L and left receiver interior surface  542 L, and between right boss base surface  332 R and right receiver bottoming surface  544 R. 
   If boss spacing distance XB is selected greater then receiver spacing distance XR, after assembly of head  102  onto handle  100 , an induced elastic force in arms  228 L and  228 R remains as arms  228 L and  228 R are flexed outwardly from L of handle  100  to allow boss spacing distance XB to conform to receiver spacing distance XR. After assembly of head  102  onto handle  100 , inwardly biasing elastic force induced in left arm  228 L motivates left boss  230 L to remain seated in left receiver  540 L and to firmly establish abutting contacts between left boss exterior surface  231 L and left receiver interior surface  542 L, and between left boss base surface  332 L and left receiver bottoming surface  544 L. Likewise, inwardly biasing elastic force induced in right arm  228 R motivates right boss  230 R to remain seated in right receiver  540 R and to firmly establish abutting contacts between right boss exterior surface  231 R and right receiver interior surface  542 R, and between right boss base surface  332 R and right receiver bottoming surface  544 R. 
   The frictional forces created by the abutting contacts established between left boss exterior surface  231 L and left receiver interior surface  542 L, and between left boss base surface  332 L and left receiver bottoming surface  544 L, resists rotation of left boss  230 L within left receiver  540 L. The abutting contacts established between right boss exterior surface  231 R and right receiver interior surface  542 R, and between right boss base surface  332 R and right receiver bottoming surface  544 R, resists rotation of right boss  230 R within right receiver  540 R. Accordingly, a pitch angle Φ 1  ( FIG. 9A ) of head  102 , to which bosses  230 L and  230 R through respective arms  228 L and  228 R are coupled, tends to remain fixed relative to handle  100  absent sufficient force applied to head  102  to overcome the frictional forces created. 
   Accordingly, in use, head  102  may be made to avoid uncontrolled pitching up and down or flopping about front to back of head  102  when cleaning implement  10  is used in a typical cleaning motion. When a user applies cleaning implement  10  to a workpiece surface to be cleaned, by application of force on handle  100  directed toward the work piece surface, head  102  adjusts pitch angle Φ 1  ( FIG. 9A ) to conform to the angle formed by handle  100  and the workpiece surface. When, in a typical cleaning motion, a user removes head  102  from the workpiece surface, the pitch angle at removal remains fixed. As the user typically reapplies head  102  to the workpiece surface, the fixed pitch angle more nearly conforms to the angle between the workpiece surface and handle  100  at reapplication. Thus, the present invention limits stress in the head to handle connection caused by uncontrolled flopping an pitching of head  102 . 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B  show close-up right side views of handle  100  with head  102  at differing pitch angles. Pitch angle Φ 1  of head  102  relative to handle  100  in  FIG. 9A  remains fixed unless suffice force is applied to head  102 , while holding handle  100 , to overcome the frictional forces resisting the rotation of bosses  230 L and  230 R within each boss&#39; respective receiver  540 L and  540 R. The pitch relationship between head  102  and handle  100  is altered when a user applies sufficient force on head  102 , while holding handle  100 , to overcome the frictional resistance force created in handle connector elements  227  and  229  of the present invention. For example, in  FIG. 9B  head  102  has been pitched upwardly to a different pitch angle Φ 2  when compared to pitch angle Φ 1  of head  102  shown in  FIG. 9A . 
   Further, bosses  230 L and  230 R cooperate with respective receivers  540 L and  540 R to preclude either yawing or rolling rotation of head  102  about central axis L of handle, thereby assuring maintenance of any ergonomic features of cleaning implement  10  regarding the rotational relationship of head  102  to handle  100 . While, as described above, bosses  230 L and  230  R may rotate within respective receivers  540  L and  540 R to modify the pitch angle of head  102  to handle  100 , the abutting contacts between bosses and receiver precludes relative lateral movement of these components necessary to achieve yawing or rolling of head  102  about central axis L of handle  100 . 
   In other embodiments, while boss draft angles αLB and αRB remain equal to respective receiver draft angles αLR and αRR, boss lengths YLB and YRB, or receiver depths YLR and YRR are lengthened or shortened to alter the frictional forces created at the abutting contacts of bosses  230 L and  230 R with respective receivers  540 L and  540 R. In one embodiment, left receiver depth YRR is selected greater than left boss length YLB and right receiver depth YRR selected greater than right boss length YRB. In this embodiment, only the portion of receiver interior surfaces  542 L and  542 R that abuttingly contact respective boss exterior surfaces  23  IL and  23  IR of the shortened respective boss  230 L and  23  OR, contribute to the creation of frictional forces resisting the pitching of head  102  by the rotation of bosses  230 L and  230 R within respective receivers  540 L and  540 R. 
   In other embodiments, inner boss diameters DLB 2  and DRB 2  and outer diameters DLB 1  and DRB 1  of respective bosses  230 L and  230 R are increased or decreased, to adjust the area of abutting contacts of boss exterior surfaces  231 L and  231 R with respective receiver interior surfaces  231 L and  231 R to alter the frictional forces created by these structures. Further, the frictional forces resisting created at the abutting contact of left boss base surface  332 L with left receiver bottoming surface  544 L and of right boss base surface  332 R with right receiver bottoming surface  544 R may be altered by adjusting the surface area of these ring-like structures. 
   In one embodiment, left boss outer diameter DLB 1  of left boss  230 L is somewhat greater than left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  of left receiver  540 L and right boss outer diameter DRB 1  of right boss  230 R is somewhat greater than right receiver outer diameter DRR 1  of right receiver  540 R. In this embodiment, left boss  230 L does not fit complete within left receiver  540 L even if left boss draft angle αLB equals left receiver draft angle αLR and right boss draft angle αRB equals right receiver draft angle αRR left boss  230 L advances within left receiver  540 L only to the point where the diameter across left boss exterior surface  231 L equals left receiver outer diameter DLR 1 . Likewise, right boss  230 R fits within right receiver  540 R only to point where the diameter across right boss exterior surface  231 R equals right receiver outer diameter DRR 1 . In this embodiment, a gap remains between left boss base surface  332 L and left receiver bottoming surface  544 L and between right boss base surface  332 R and right receiver bottoming surface  544 R. When head  102  is initially coupled to handle  100  as described above, left boss base surface  332 L does not abuttingly contact left receiver bottoming surface  544 L and right boss base surface  332 R does not abuttingly contact right receiver bottoming surface  544 R. 
   As bosses  230 L and  230 R and receivers  540 L and  540 R wear, bosses  230 L and  230 R fit more deeply within respective receivers  540 L and  540 R since the span of left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  and right receiver outer diameter DRR 1  increase with wear. When wear causes left receiver outer diameter DLR 1  to equal left boss outer diameter DLB 1  and right receiver outer diameter DRR 1  to equal right boss outer diameter DRB 1 , left boss base surface  332 L abuttingly contacts left receiver bottoming surface  544 L and right boss base surface  332 R abuttingly contacts right receiver bottoming surface  544 R, respectively. Advantageously, additional frictional force resisting the pitching of head  102  with respect to handle  100  is created to compensate for the loss of frictional force through additional wear of bosses  230 L and  230 R and receivers  540 L and  540 R. 
   In one embodiment, this same compensating friction feature is accomplished by selecting left boss length YLB greater than left receiver depth and by selecting right boss length YRB greater than right receiver depth YRR. In this embodiment, left boss  230 L advances within left receiver  540 L only to the point where the diameter across left receiver  540 L equals left boss inner diameter DLB 2 . With wear of left receiver  540 L at and below the point where the diameter across left receiver  540 L equals left boss inner diameter DLB 2 , left boss  230 L advances further within left receiver  540 L to the point where left boss base surface  332 L abuttingly contacts left receiver bottoming surface  544 L as described. In this embodiment, right boss  230 R and right receiver  540 R operate similarly. 
   Those of skill in the art will recognize that other variation on the size, and shape of the components making up handle connector element  227  and head connector element  229  are possible. For example, the draft angles of the bosses and respective receivers need not be equal. In these embodiments, only partial abutting contact between the boss exterior surfaces and the receiver interior surface is achieved. Other embodiment provide for boss and receiver shapes that are not conical. For example, hemispherical, parabolic, hyperbolic, or spline curved shapes are possible. Further, the frictional characteristics of the connector elements of the present invention may be adjusted by the selection of a material of construction with different frictional coefficients. 
   The embodiments herein are illustrated in the context of a cleaning head and a cleaning implement handle for use with a cleaning implement. The skilled artisan will readily appreciate, however, that the structures disclosed have application in a number of other contexts where a head is pivotably coupled to a handle, or where maintenance of an ergonomic design is important. 
   Finally, this invention has been described herein in considerable detail to provide those skilled in the art with information relevant to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by different components, materials and devices, and that various modifications can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.