Abstract:
A mop includes an elongated handle portion, a movable member slidably mounted on the handle portion, a rotary motor disposed in at least one of the elongated handle portion and the movable member, a controller in electrical communication with the motor and an associated power source, and a mop head. The controller regulates power to the motor as a function of a number of rotations of the motor. The mop head is detachably connected to at least one of the elongated handle portion and the movable member. The mop head is selectively connected to the motor.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/554,122, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Mops are used to clean floors as well as other surfaces. When mopping a floor, the head of the mop can become very dirty. Both rinsing and wringing of the mop head are required during the mopping of the floor or surface. It is desirable to provide a mop that has a head that can be wrung out without requiring the user of the mop to touch the dirty mop head.  
         [0003]     Power wringer mops are known. Once such mop includes a reversible motor that rotates a socket shaft. The socket shaft includes a receptor or opening at its bottom. A first end of a mop head is received in the opening of the socket shaft and a second end of the mop head is sandwiched between a clamp and the base of the handle. To wring the mop, the motor rotates the motor shaft which rotates the socket shaft and the first end of the mop rotates.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     A mop includes an elongated handle portion, a movable member slidably mounted on the handle portion, a rotary motor disposed in at least one of the elongated handle portion and the movable member, a controller in electrical communication with the motor and an associated power source, and a mop head. The controller regulates power to the motor as a function of a number of rotations of the motor. The mop head is detachably connected to at least one of the elongated handle portion and the movable member. The mop head is selectively connected to the motor.  
         [0005]     A self-wringing mop includes an elongated handle, a movable member slidably connected to the handle, an electric reversible motor disposed in at least one of the handle and the movable member, a mop head attached to the elongated handle and the movable member, and a switch element in electrical communication with the motor and an associated power source. The mop head is operably connected to the motor. The mop head is movable between a use position and a wringing position by sliding movement of the movable member. The switch element comprises a first switch for delivering current to the motor in a first direction and a second switch for delivering current to the motor in a second, opposite, direction.  
         [0006]     A self-wringing mop includes a handle, a slidable member slidably connected to the handle, a rotating member connected to the handle, a mop head connected to the slidable member and the rotating member, a motor operably connected to the rotating member, a power source compartment disposed in at least one of the handle portion and the slidable member, and a limit switch in electrical communication with the motor and the power source compartment. The mop head is connected to the rotating member and includes an absorbent material. The motor drives the rotating member which moves the absorbent material between a wrung and an unwrung position. The limit switch opens in response to the position of the absorbent material. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0007]     A mop will take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a partially exploded view of a motorized mop showing a strand mop head and a sponge mop head removed from a handle portion.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the motorized mop of  FIG. 1  having a strand mop head mounted thereto where the mop head is in a first or mopping ready position.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the motorized mop of  FIG. 1  having a strand mop head mounted thereto where the mop head is in a second or wringing ready position.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4   a  is a side view of the mop of  FIG. 2  in a third or wrung position with strands of the mop head wound around a front tube of the mop.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4   b  is a side view of the mop of  FIG. 2  in the second position.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the mop of  FIG. 1  having a sponge mop head attached thereto, where the sponge mop head is in a first or mopping ready, position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the mop of  FIG. 1  having a sponge mop head attached thereto, where the sponge mop head is in a second or wrung position.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7   a  is a partial sectional view of the mop of  FIG. 2  with strands removed and shown in the first position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7   b  is a partial sectional view of the mop of  FIG. 2  with strands removed and shown in the second position.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a section of an outer housing of the mop of  FIG. 1  to show internal components of the mop.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a power unit housing of the mop of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the components inside the power unit housing shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a cross section of a gear box inside the power unit housing shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a transmission shown in  FIG. 11 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 13   a  is a side view in partial cross section of the mop of  FIG. 2  with the strands removed.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13   b  is a close-up view of a circled portion of the mop of  FIG. 13   a.    
         [0024]      FIG. 13   c  is a cross section of the mop of  FIG. 13   b.    
         [0025]      FIG. 14   a  is a side view in partial cross section of the mop of  FIG. 2  with the strands removed.  
         [0026]      FIG. 14   b  is a close-up view of the circled portion of the mop of  FIG. 14   a.    
         [0027]      FIG. 15   a  is a side cross sectional view of the sponge mop head of  FIG. 1  connected to the outer housing where the sponge mop head is in a first or mopping position.  
         [0028]      FIG. 15   b  is a side cross sectional view of the sponge mop head of  FIG. 1  connected to the outer housing where the sponge mop head is in a second or wrung position.  
         [0029]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view, in partial cross section, of a second embodiment of a sponge mop connected to the handle portion of the mop of  FIG. 1 , where the sponge mop head is in a first or mopping position.  
         [0030]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view, in partial cross section of the mop of  FIG. 16  with the mop head shown in a second or wrung position.  
         [0031]      FIG. 18   a  is an enlarged perspective view of a switch compartment and battery compartment of the mop of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 18   b  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the battery compartment removed from the switch compartment of the mop of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the switch compartment and battery compartment of the mop of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is a schematic view of the circuitry of the mop of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  is a schematic view of a charger housing and a portion of the mop of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the mop of  FIG. 2  showing manual wringing of the strand mop head.  
         [0037]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the mop of  FIG. 5  showing manual wringing of the sponge mop head. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0038]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of a mop only and not for purposes of limiting the invention to only the described embodiments,  FIG. 1  shows a motorized mop  10  that includes a mop head, which can include a string mop head  12  and/or a sponge mop head  14 , attached to a handle portion  16 . The handle portion  16  includes a first or front tube  18  received in an outer housing  22 . The first tube  18  is slidably mounted in the outer housing  22  so that it can reciprocate in the housing. A second or rear tube  24  is also received in and can slide along the length of the outer housing  22 . The first tube  18  and the second tube  24  connect with one another, as will be described in more detail below. A battery compartment  26 , which houses the power source, attaches to a switch compartment  28  that is attached to an end of the second tube  24 .  
         [0039]     The string mop head  12  selectively attaches to the handle portion  16 . The string mop head  12  includes a hollow cylindrical portion  32 . A resilient tab  34  having a small protrusion  36  formed at the end of the tab is formed in the hollow cylindrical portion  32 . The cylindrical portion  32  extends from an attachment ring  38  to which a plurality of mop strands  42  are secured at one end of each mop strand. The mop strands  42  are secured at an opposite end to a flared end  44  that extends from a shaft  46 . A biased button  48  extends from a side wall of the shaft  46 .  
         [0040]     The shaft  46  selectively attaches to the front tube  18 . More specifically, the shaft  46  is received in the front tube  18  and the button  48  pops out into an opening  52  near a distal end of the front tube. Accordingly, by pushing the button  48  inwardly (towards a longitudinal axis of the shaft  46 ) the shaft  46  can be selectively attached to or removed from the front tube  18 . For the shaft  46  to be received by the first tube  18 , the attachment ring  38  and the hollow cylindrical portion  32  have an opening through which both the first tube  18  and the shaft  46  can protrude. It should be appreciated, however, that the shaft  46  can attach to the front tube  18  in other known ways, including being threaded onto or into the front tube  18 .  
         [0041]     The hollow cylindrical portion  32  selectively attaches to the outer housing  22 . An opening  54  is located adjacent an end of the outer housing  22 . The protrusion  36  at the end of the resilient tab  34  on the cylindrical portion  32  fits into the opening  54  to attach the string mop head  12  to the outer housing  22 . However, the cylindrical portion  32  can be attached to the outer housing  22  in other known ways, for example a threaded connection, using fasteners, and the like.  
         [0042]     As mentioned above, the front tube  18  and the rear tube  24  are slidable within the outer housing  22 , as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 2 . For use, the front tube  18  is slid into the outer housing  22  and the mop head  12  is positioned to mop the floor. With reference now to  FIG. 3 , the front tube  18  is extended out of the outer housing  22  when the mop head  12  is positioned to wring. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the front tube  18  extends from the outer housing  22  the rear tube  24  retracts into the outer housing  22 . Likewise, when the front tube  18  retracts into the outer housing  22 , the rear tube  24  extends from the outer housing.  
         [0043]     For wringing, and with reference to  FIG. 4   a , the strands  42  of the mop head  12  wind around the front tube  18 . The front tube  18  rotates about its longitudinal axis while the attachment ring  38  and the outer housing  22  remains stationary. Therefore, the end of the strands  42  attached to the flared end  44  rotate and the end of the strands  42  attached to the attachment ring  38  do not rotate so that the strands  42  wind around the front tube  18 .  FIG. 4   b  shows the strands  42  in an unwound, or unwrung, condition.  
         [0044]     With reference to  FIG. 7   a , the connection between the front tube  18  and the rear tube  24  is shown. The front tube  18  connects to a power unit housing  56  at an end opposite the mop head  12  or  14  (not shown in  FIG. 7   a ). The rear tube  24  connects to the power unit housing  56  at an end opposite the switch compartment  28 . As seen in  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , the power unit housing  56  slides within the outer housing  22 .  
         [0045]     With reference to  FIG. 8 , a pair of wings  58 , which can be spaced 180 degrees apart from one another, protrude from the power unit housing  56 . The wings  58  are received in channels  60  formed on the inside of the outer housing  22 . Accordingly, the power unit housing  56  slides parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer housing  22 , and the wings  58  remain in the channels  60  to preclude rotation of the power unit housing  56  about the longitudinal axis. While a pair of wings is illustrated, it should be appreciated that one, three or more wings could also be employed. Moreover, other known means of preventing the rotation of the power unit housing about the longitudinal axis of the mop can also be used.  
         [0046]     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , the power unit housing  56  can include a first section  62  that attaches to a second section  64  to enclose a plurality of internal components. The front of the power unit housing  56 , the portion adjacent the front tube  18 , includes a plurality of openings  66  that correspond with a plurality of openings  68  in the second section  64 . Fasteners (not shown) extend through the openings  66  and  68  to attach the first section  62  to the second section  64 . Other known means for attaching the housing sections, such as adhesives, clips, rivets and the like could also be used to attach the sections.  
         [0047]     Likewise, the rear of the power unit housing  56 , the portion adjacent the rear tube  24 , includes a pair of openings  70  in the first section  62  that align with openings  72  in the second section  64 . Fasteners  74  extend through the openings  70  and  72  to engage nuts  76  to attach the rear portion of the first section  62  to the rear portion of the second section  64  of the power unit housing  56 . The rear tube  24  includes a pair of openings  78  that align with the openings  70  and  72  so that fasteners  74  can protrude through the openings  78  in the rear tube  24  to affix the rear tube  24  to the power unit housing  56 . Connection of the rear tube  24  to the power unit housing  56  precludes the rotation of the rear tube  24  with respect to the power unit housing. Connection of the rear tube  24  to the power unit housing  56  secures together these parts for reciprocating movement inside the outer housing. The rear tube  24  and the power unit housing  56  can also be secured together via other conventional means.  
         [0048]     Disposed in the power unit housing  56 , is a motor  84  that, via a transmission, which is disposed in a gear box  86  and will be described in more detail below, drives the rotational movement of the front tube  18 . The motor  84  in a preferred embodiment is an electric reversible motor. If desired, the transmission can be a planetary gear transmission. It should be appreciated that other conventional drive mechanisms can also be used to power the front tube  18 . An output shaft  88 , which is connected to the transmission disposed in the gear box  86 , attaches to the front tube  18 . The output shaft  88  includes an opening  92  that aligns with a pair of aligned openings  94  (only one shown) in the front tube  18 . A connecting pin  96  extends through the openings  92  and  94  to connect the front tube  18  to the output shaft  88 .  
         [0049]     With continued reference to  FIG. 10 , the first section  62  also includes a pair of aligned notches  80  that are dimensioned to receive the wings  58  of the gear box  86 . Likewise, the second section  64  includes a pair of aligned notches  82  that align with the notches  80  of the first section  62 . Accordingly, with the wings  58  received in the notches  80  and  82  of the power unit housing  56 , the gear box  86  does not rotate with respect to the power unit housing. Also, with the wings  58  received in the channels  60  of the outer housing  22 , the gear box  86  and the power unit housing  56  do not rotate with respect to the outer housing  22  but can be slid up and down inside the outer housing  22 . Even though the wings  58  have been described as attached or integral with the gear box  86 , the wings  58  can also attach to the power unit housing  56  to preclude its rotation. In such an embodiment, the gear box  86  would be fixed in the power unit housing  56  so that it could not rotate with respect to the power unit housing.  
         [0050]     A worm gear  98  attaches to or is received on the output shaft  88 . The worm gear  98  engages a limit gear  102  that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the worm gear. The limit gear  102  is attached to and coaxial with a cam  104 . As the output shaft  88  rotates, the worm gear  98  also rotates driving the limit gear  102  to rotate the cam  104 . The cam  104  engages a limit switch  106 , which is electrically connected to the motor  84  and a power source, which will be described in more detail below. The cam  104  and the gears  98  and  102  are designed such that after a predetermined number rotations of the output shaft  88  and thus the motor  84 , the cam  104  engages the switch  106  to stop the delivery of power to the motor  84 . Even though a mechanical limit switch has been described, other conventional limit switches, or controllers including electronic limit switches, reed sensors and the like, can also be used to control the delivery of power to the motor  84 .  
         [0051]     With reference to  FIG. 11 , the motor  84  drives the output shaft  88  through a planetary transmission  112 . Even though a planetary transmission  112  is disclosed, other conventional transmissions, including other gear reduction mechanisms, can be used with the motor  84 . With reference to  FIG. 12 , the motor  84  drives a drive shaft  114  having a pinion  116  mounted thereto. The pinion  84  drives a plurality of first planetary gears  118  mounted to a first carrier plate  122 . A first carrier pinion  124  attaches to a side of the first carrier plate  122  opposite the side to which the first planetary gears  118  mount. In this embodiment, the first carrier pinion  124  mounts to the carrier plate  122  axially aligned with the drive shaft  114  and the output shaft  88 .  
         [0052]     The first carrier plate pinion  124  can engage a plurality of second planetary gears  126  mounted to a second carrier plate  128 . A second carrier pinion  132  attaches to a side of the second carrier plate  128  opposite the side to which the second planetary gears  126  mount. The second carrier pinion  132  also axially aligns with the drive shaft  114  and the output shaft  88 .  
         [0053]     The second carrier pinion  132  can engage a third plurality of planetary gears  134  which are mounted to a third carrier plate  136 . It is apparent that the output shaft  88  protrudes from the third carrier plate  136 . The motor  84  drives the drive shaft  114  rotating the pinion  116 . The pinion  116  engages the planetary gears  118  which engage an inside surface  138  of the gear box  86 . Since the gear box  86  does not rotate because the wings  56  are retained by the power unit housing  56  and the channels  60  of the outer housing  22 , the first carrier plate  122  rotates about an axis defined by the drive shaft  114  and the output shaft  88 . The rotation of the first carrier plate  122  results in the rotation of the first carrier pinion  124  which drives the second set of planetary gears  126 . The second set of planetary gears  126  also engage the inside surface  138  of the gear box  56  resulting in rotation of the second carrier plate  128 . Rotation of the second carrier plate  128  results in rotation of the second carrier pinion  132  which engages the third plurality of planetary gears  134 . The third plurality of planetary gears  134  engages the inside surface  138  of the gear box  86  resulting in the rotation of the third carrier plate  136  which results in the rotation of the output shaft  88 .  
         [0054]     As mentioned above, the front tube  18  rotates to wring the string mop head  12 . With reference to  FIG. 13   b , the cam  104  contacts the limit switch  106  in an off position so that power is no longer delivered to the motor  84  to stop the rotation of the front tube  18 . With reference to  FIG. 14   b , when the cam  104  no longer contacts the switch  106 , the switch is in the on position and power is being delivered to the motor  84 .  
         [0055]     With continued reference to  FIG. 14 , a second limit switch  142  can prevent operation of the motor  84  when the front tube  18  is retracted into the outer housing  22 . The switch  142 , which is optional, is located on power unit housing  56  near the connection to the rear tube  24  and is aligned with one of the tracks  60  in the outer housing  22 . When the switch  142  is located outside of the track  60 , an arm  144  of the switch  142  is depressed and the switch prevents power from being delivered to the motor. The switch  142  is located outside of the track when the front tube  18  is retracted into the outer housing  22  and the rear tube  24  is extended from the outer housing, i.e., the mopping position. When the switch  142  is located in the track  60 , the arm  144  is extended and the switch allows power to be delivered to the motor  84 . The switch is located in the track  60  when the front tube  18  is extended from the outer housing  22  and the rear tube  24  is retracted in the outer housing, i.e., the wringing position. Even though a limit switch  142  has been described, other controllers can be used to regulate power to the motor, including sensors, e.g. optical sensors, magnetic sensors and the like.  
         [0056]     With reference to  FIG. 18   a , the battery compartment  26  selectively attaches to the switch compartment  28 . While one means of providing power to the motor  84  is the battery compartment  26 , it should be appreciated that the motor could also be powered from a wall outlet via a conventional electric cord and a transformer (not illustrated). The benefit of employing battery power for this purpose is to enable the user to move the mop as need without being tied to an electrical outlet. Referring to  FIG. 18   b , the switch compartment  28  includes a male threaded end  146  that is received in a female threaded end  148  of the battery compartment  26 . With reference to  FIG. 19 , the battery compartment holds a plurality of batteries  152 , which is this embodiment can be C batteries. Alternatively, the one or more batteries in the battery compartment can be rechargeable cells. A pair of contacts  154  are located in the female end  148  of the battery compartment  26  that contact a pair of contacts  156  located on the male end  146  of the switch compartment  28  when the battery compartment  26  attaches to the switch compartment  28 .  
         [0057]     With reference again to  FIG. 18   a , the user of the mop  10  depresses a button  162  to actuate the wringing of the mop head  12 . The button  162  controls a main switch  164 , which is electrically connected to the batteries  152  and the motor  84 . With reference to  FIG. 20 , the main switch  164  includes internal switches A and B. When the button  162  ( FIG. 18 ) is depressed, switch A opens and switch B closes so that the motor turns in a first, wringing, direction. When the button  162  is released, switch B opens and switch A closes so that the motor turns in a second, unwinding, direction, which is opposite the first direction. As mentioned, the limit switch  106  controls the delivery of power to the motor  84  when button  162  is released.  
         [0058]     While the switch  106  controls the power to the motor  84 , the position of the cam  104  controls the operation of the switch. In this manner, the switch  106  can be referred to as self-positioning because power will be delivered to the motor  84  until the cam  104  returns to a predetermined position whereby the switch  106  is returned to the off position and power is no longer delivered to the motor  84 .  
         [0059]     As also seen in  FIG. 20 , the second limit switch  142  can also control the delivery of power to the motor  84 . The second limit switch can be referred to as a safety switch since it precludes the delivery of power to the motor  84  when the front tube  18  is retracted in the outer housing  22 .  
         [0060]     The circuitry for the mop  10  can also include an overload switch  166 . The overload switch  166  can be a bi-metal switch that cuts out or shorts when the current being delivered to the motor  84  is too high over a predetermined time. The overload switch can prevent motor burnout and save batteries. A current at which the overload switch  166  cuts out can be dependent upon the type of electric motor  84  and power source. The overload switch  166  cuts out power when the motor  84  stalls, such as when the string mop head  12  is fully twisted and continues to try to twist.  
         [0061]     In addition to, or in lieu of, using conventional batteries to power the mop  10 , the mop can include a rechargeable power source. With reference to  FIG. 21 , the rear tube  24  can include a mounting opening  172  and a plug inlet  174 . The rear tube  24  is received in a recess  176  formed in a charger/hanger housing  178 . A mounting hook  182  and an electric plug  184  are positioned in the recess  176 . The mounting hook  182  is received in the mounting opening  172  to retain the rear tube  24 . The plug  184  is received in the plug inlet  174  to deliver power to the rechargeable power source.  
         [0062]     The charger/hanger housing  178  electrically connects to a conventional wall outlet (not shown). The housing  178  can include a plug inlet  186  that is electrically connected to the plug  184 . The plug inlet  186  receives a plug  188  which is electrically connected to a wall transformer  192  that plugs into the conventional wall outlet. The wall transformer  192  is generally known in the art and can include a class 2 power supply. The housing  178  can include a fastener  194  so that the housing  178  can mount to a wall so that the entire unit can be hung and recharged at the same time.  
         [0063]     In the event of a power failure, or when desirable, a user of the mop  10  can also manually wring the mop head  12 . To wring manually, the attachment ring  38  is rotated when the front tube  18  is extended from the outer housing  22 . To rotate the attachment ring  38 , the attachment ring  38  is removed from the outer housing  22  by removing the protrusion  36  from the opening  54  in the outer housing  22 . The attachment ring  38  can then be rotated.  
         [0064]     With reference back to  FIG. 1 , the sponge mop head  14  can also selectively attach to the handle portion  16 . The sponge mop head  14  includes a hollow cylindrical portion  202  received in the outer housing  22 . A resilient tab  204  having a protrusion  206  is formed in the hollow cylindrical portion  202 , similar to the string mop head  12 . The protrusion  206  extends into the opening  54  in the outer housing  22  to attach the sponge mop head  14  to the outer housing. As seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the sponge mop head  14  can also be automatically wrung.  
         [0065]     With reference to  FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b , the cylindrical portion  202  of the sponge mop head  14  projects from a head frame  208  having a U-shaped end  212 . A pair of rollers  214  attach at each end of the U-shaped end  212 . A sponge  216  is retractable into an interior space defined by the U-shaped end. In one means of attachment, the sponge  216  attaches to a lead screw  218 , which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the front tube  18  when the head  14  is attached to the outer housing  22 , through a clamp  222  and bar  224 . The sponge  216  is selectively removable from the clamp  222  by loosening wing nuts  230  located on the bar  224 .  
         [0066]     A lead screw nut  226  is threadably received on the lead screw  218 . Included is an attachment member  228  to attach the lead screw nut  226  to the front tube  18 . The lead screw nut  226  is retained by an internal wall  232  of the head frame  208 . Accordingly, as the front tube  18  is rotated by the motor  84 , the front tube turns the lead screw nut  226 . Since the lead screw nut  226  can not move axially along the lead screw  218  because of the internal wall  232 , the lead screw  218  is drawn axially into the front tube  18  as the lead screw nut  226  is tightened. The limit switches  106 ,  142  and  166  discussed above can control the movement of the lead screw  218 .  
         [0067]     An opening  234  is also provided in the head frame  208  to provide access to the attachment member  228 . The opening  234  allows the user of the mop  10  to reach in and disconnect the front tube  18  from the lead screw nut  226  so that the sponge mop head  14  can be removed from the handle portion  16 .  
         [0068]     With reference to  FIG. 16 , a flat sponge  242  can also be selectively attached to the handle portion  16 . The flat sponge  242  attaches to a first plate  244  and a second plate  246 . The first plate  246  pivotally mounts to a hinge  252  and the second plate  246  also pivotally mounts to the hinge  252 . In this embodiment, the hinge attaches to the lead screw  218 , described above. The lead screw  218  cooperates with the lead screw nut  226  and the front tube  18  in a similar manner to the mop head  14  described above. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the space defined by the U-shaped portion of the frame can be larger to accommodate the flat sponge  242  and the plates  244  and  246 .  
         [0069]     With reference to  FIG. 23 , the user of the mop  10  with the sponge mop head  14  can also manually wring the sponge mop head when so desired. To manually wring the sponge mop head  14 , the front tube  18  is retracted into the outer housing  22  and the rear tube  24  is pulled from the outer housing. With reference back to  FIGS. 15   a  and  15   b , this action pulls the lead screw nut  226  away from the internal wall  232 , which pulls the lead screw  218  toward the rear of the handle portion. This pulls the sponge  216  back into the space defined by the U-shaped end  212  so that the sponge is forced between the rollers  214 .  
         [0070]     The mop has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading the preceding description. All such modifications that come within the appended claims, or the equivalents thereof, are intended to be covered.