Abstract:
A steam appliance with a universal connector for connecting a steam frame to a fluid source in the appliance housing is provided. The universal connector includes an upper connection piece with a proximal end for connection to the housing and a distal end with a pair of pivot arms. A lower connection piece having a pair of pivot plates for connecting to the pivot arms provides for a pivotal connection with the of upper connection piece for side to side pivot. A fluid conduit passes through the upper and lower connection pieces for connecting the fluid source to the frame for distribution of steam within the frame. The frame includes a central steam passageway for distribution of steam between baffles within the frame. The lower connection piece may be a distributor with a pair of opposed elongated hollow arms for coupling to the frame with a fluid conduit passing through an upper nipple portion for distribution of steam into the frame through the hollow distributor arms. The end of the distributor arms maybe adapted to slip into a key slot in the mop frame and provide an axis to pivot the joint in an up and down direction. Fabric mop towel envelopes with an cut-out to permit rotation of the mop frame about the distributor are also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to a fluid mop, and more particularly to a universal connector for connecting a mop steam frame to a fluid source in the mop housing. 
         [0002]    Wet and dry mops have been widely used for cleaning floors. A type of wet mop is a steam mop, which works as a steaming device. 
         [0003]    Steaming devices used to apply steam to household objects are well known. The uses of the devices vary widely, and may include the application of steam to drapes or other fabrics to ease wrinkles, and the application of steam to objects to assist in cleaning the objects. 
         [0004]    Typical steam devices have a reservoir for storing water that is connected to an electrical water pump with an on/off switch. The exit from the electric water pump is connected to a steam boiler with a heating element to heat the water. The heated water generates steam, which may be directed towards its intended destination through a nozzle which controls the application of the steam. Variation of the shape and size of the nozzle allows for preferred distribution of generated steam to an object to be cleaned. The nozzles may be disconnectable from the steam generator to allow different nozzles to be utilized, based on the object to be steamed. The nozzle may be either closely coupled to the steam generator, or located at a distance from the steam generator, requiring tubing or other steam transfer structures to be interconnected between the steam generator and the discharge nozzle. Typically, these connections provide suitable limited steering capabilities. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a universal connector for connecting the mop frame to a fluid source for changing the angle between the housing and frame, to provide a full range of steering and that easily disconnects from the mop frame. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, steam appliance and a universal connector for connecting an appliance frame to a fluid source in a appliance housing and having improved steering features is provided. The universal connector includes an upper connection piece connected to the appliance housing at one end and having a pair of parallel pivot plates at the other end. A lower connector piece has pivot plates pivotally connected to the pivot plates and that includes two side arms that are engaged by the frame and free to pivot up and down. A flexible steam hose passes through the upper and lower connection pieces and feeds steam into a control manifold running from the back to the front of the steam frame. Steam openings are provided along the manifold between baffles that cross the manifold at right angles and then extend to the sides and back edges of the steam frame. 
         [0007]    The lower connection piece may be a fluid distributor having a complimentary pair of pivot arms for pivotally connecting to the pivot plates of the upper connection piece. The distributor has a pair of opposed elongated hollow arms for coupling to a mop frame and a hollow nipple portion for connecting to the fluid source. The end of the distributor arms are adapted to engage the mop frame and provide an axis to pivot the connector in an up and down direction. A flexible fluid conduit passes through the upper connector piece and is connected to the nipple portion of the fluid distributor for distribution of fluid to the mop frame through the hollow distributor arms. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved steam appliance. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide an improved universal connector that easily connects and disconnects a mop frame to a fluid source. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the invention is to provide a connector for a mop that allows for turning over a mop frame for improved cleaning. 
         [0011]    Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a universal connector that provides a full range of steering for mop frames. 
         [0012]    Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification. 
         [0013]    The invention accordingly comprises a product possessing the features, properties, and the relation of components which will be exemplified in the product hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing(s), in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a steam appliance with a steam frame with fabric towel installed on the frame and a universal connector constructed and arranged in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the universal connector in the appliance of  FIG. 1  installed on a steam frame in accordance with the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an upper connector piece of the universal connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are rear elevational views of the universal connector showing how the connector pivots to the right and left, respectively; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a lower connector piece with fluid distributor of the universal connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view in partial section of the fluid distributor of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are partial sectional views of a distributor engaged in the frame; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the distributor as it is removed or installed from the frame; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the universal connected to a rectangular frame and appliance housing in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an appliance with universal connector and a fabric steam towel having a pivot slit installed on a steam frame in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of fabric steam towel of  FIG. 10  having a tab in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a steam mop having a universal connector and steam frame with a central steam manifold constructed and arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a front view of the mop housing in section showing a reservoir, a pump and a boiler of the mop of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of the mop housing of  FIG. 12  in section showing connections for reservoir, boiler and steam mop frame; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the steam mop frame and universal connector of  FIG. 14  in accordance with the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the universal connector shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is rear perspective view of the steam frame shown in  FIGS. 12 and 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective new of a steam appliance  10  having a housing  11  including a water tank  21  and a steam generator or boiler  17  with a fabric covered steam pocket  12  attached thereto. Steam pocket  12  includes a substantially rigid steam frame  14  with a fabric steam towel  13  installed thereon. The specifics of fabric steam pocket  12  will be described below. Steam frame  14  is connected to housing  11  by a universal connector  16  constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention for distribution of steam generated by a boiler  17 . Steam is fed through a steam hose  18  into steam frame  14  through connector  16 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of universal connector  16  shown connected to steam frame  14  to allow housing  11  and steam frame  14  to pivot up and down and left to right and allow steam to be fed to frame  14 . Universal connector  16  includes an upper connection piece  22  having a housing or pipe end  22   a  that connects to housing  11  and a pair of inner pivot plates  23  and  23   b  shown in  FIG. 3  with pivot buttons  24  at an other end  22   b  for pivotal connection to a lower connection piece  25  with a fluid distributor  26  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Fluid distributor  26  includes a hollow nipple portion  27  and a pair of pivot arms  28  that engage frame  14  as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0034]    Frame  14  as shown in  FIG. 2  is substantially rectangular in shape and includes two steam chambers  29 , one on each side of connector  16  with a plurality of baffles  31  that are separated by a partition  32  and connector  16 . Steam frame  14  has a pair of receiving slots  32  with a key hole  33  for receiving for engaging fluid distributor side arms  28  as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In this embodiment steam is distributed into steam chambers  29  through distributor  26 . Mop steam frame  14  may be any convenient shape, such as oval or triangular so long as it has appropriate receiving slots  32  for receiving distributor  26 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , lower connection piece with fluid distributor  26  is shown with two upwardly extending distributor arms  27   a  and  27   b  with holes  28   a  and  28   b  for aligning with pivot buttons  24  for connecting to upper connection pivot plates  22   a  and  22   b , respectively. This provides the right and left pivot connection between upper connection piece  22  and fluid distributor  26 . 
         [0036]    As shown by arrow A connector  16  pivots right or left as shown by arrow B around pivot buttons  24  as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . As shown in  FIG. 6 , fluid distributor  26  includes hollow nipple portion  27  with a passageway  27   a  for connecting to hose  18  from the fluid source. Pivot arms  28  that fit into receiving slots  32  of mop steam frame  14  for connecting universal connector  16  to mop frame  14  for pivoting up and down are hollow with a fluid passageway  28   a  through there. Distributor arms  28  may have two opposed flat surfaces  28   b  and  28   c  at their respective ends for coupling to mop frame  14 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  shows mop steam frame  14  with connector openings with a slot and a key hole  33  opening on each side for receiving distributor arms  28 . This provides for easy insertion and engagement of distributor arms  28  and universal connector  16 . When engaged in key hole opening  33 , distributor pivot arms  18  are free to pivot up and down. Fluid enters hollow nipple portion  27  and is fed through opening  28   a  to steam chambers  29  of mop steam frame  14 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows how universal connector  16  with distributor  26  is withdrawn from key hole slot  32  of mop steam frame  14 . Here, when flat surfaces  28   b  and  28   c  of pivot arms  28  are aligned with slots  32 , a user can easily reconnect or disconnect universal connector  16  from mop frame  14 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 9  illustrates another steam appliance  110  having a housing  11  connected to a steam frame  114  by a universal connector  116  at a connection section  115 . Housing  111  includes a water tank  119  and a boiler or steam generator  117 . Water tank  119  has a water outlet  121  connected to an inlet  123  of steam generator  117  via a pump. At the other end of water tank  119  is a water inlet  122  for adding water thereto. When the water in steam generator  117  is heated and converted to steam, steam exits steam generator  117  through steam outlet  124  via a steam hose  126 . Steam hose  126  is connected to an upper connector piece  120  of universal connector  116 . Steam frame  114  is shown as a rectangular form with baffles running from back to front, but may be any convenient shape such as a triangle or oval so long as there is a receiving section  115  along one wall thereof. Baffles may also be differently shaped. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , fabric steam towel  13  is configured to slip over frame  14 . Towel  13  is formed of a first layer of fabric  13   a  on the upper surface of frame  14  and an opposed second layer of fabric  13   b  on the lower surface, each having a substantially rectangular shape with two opposed long edges  13   c  and  13   d  and two opposed short sides  13   e  and  13   f . Long edge  13   c  and two opposed short sides  13   e  and  13   f  are stitched to form an envelope for forming steam pocket  12 . Accordingly, fabric steam towel  13  is open on long edge  13   d . The fabric along the opening on long edge  13   d  may be optionally closed with a hook and loop fastener, buttons or snaps. Here, steam towel  13  is cut along a line  15  to form a slot  15   a  around the width of universal connector  16  on the first layer  13   a  and opposed second layer  13   b  of fabric towel  13 . Slot  15   a  has a length  15   b  from rear edge  13   d  to the front of arms  28  of fluid distributor  16 . This allows for vertical rotation and pivoting of housing  11  without bending the fabric of fabric towel  13  and use both sides of steam  13  for cleaning without having to remove and re-install steam towel  13  on frame  14 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows another steam pocket  212  connected to a steam appliance housing  211  by a universal connector  216  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Here, fabric steam towel  213  is configured to slip over frame  214  and is formed of a first layer of fabric  213   a  and an opposed second layer of fabric  213   b . Each layer  213   a  and  213   b  has a rectangular shape with two opposed long edges  213   c  and  213   d  and two opposed short sides  213   e  and  213   f . Long edge  213   c  and two opposed short sides  213   e  and  213   f  are stitched together to form steam towel  213  into an envelope  213 . Accordingly, fabric steam pocket  213  is open on long edge  213   d . The fabric along open edge  213   d  may be optionally closed after installation with a hook and loop fastener, buttons or snaps as discussed above. 
         [0042]    In order to accommodate the width of universal connector  216  steam pocket towel  213  has a pivot slit  215  on first layer  213   a  and opposed second layer  213   b . Slit  215  has a length  215   a  from rear wall  213   b  to the pair of arms of fluid distributor to allow for vertical pivoting without being restricted by steam pocket fabric  213 . Slit  215  remains closed on the side of steam pocket facing the floor when in use. This allows a user full use of both sides of steam pocket  212  for cleaning. 
         [0043]      FIG. 11  shows steam towel  213  with a pull tab  219  stitched to long edge  213   c  opposed to slit  215  on long edge  213   d . Pull tab  219  may be sewn onto the fabric of steam towel  213  by stitches  219   a . Pull tab  219  allows a user to remove steam pocket towel  213  from frame  214  merely by pulling on it. Tab  219  also may be added to steam pocket towel  13  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 12-17  illustrate a steam mop  310  constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention. Mop  310  includes an elongated housing  311  with a water reservoir  321  and a boiler  323 . A pole  312  having an upper tube section  312   a  and a lower tube section  312   b  connected to one end of housing  311 . A handle  313  is attached to the end of upper tube  312   a . A steam frame  314  is operatively connected to the other end of housing  311  by a universal connector  316  constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, connector  316  and frame  314  may be removed from housing  11  by pressing a release button  317  at the base of housing  311 . Water is introduced into reservoir  321  at a water inlet or opening  318   a . The level of water present in a reservoir  321  in housing  311  can be viewed through a sighting window  319 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 13  is a front plan view in section showing the location of elements in housing  311 . Water container  321  is positioned adjacent and surrounds boiler  323  to generate steam fed to frame  314  through steam hose  318 . A one-way pump  322  pumps water from reservoir  321  to boiler  323  in response to the push-pull movement of mop  310 . This movement of handle  313  causes operation of one way valve  337  as will be described in detail below. Here, water container  321  wraps around the back of housing  311 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  is a detailed front view showing the hoses connecting water container  321  to one-way pump  322  and boiler  323 . Water pump  322  includes a pump body  333  having a pump cavity  333   a . A pump piston  334  is connected to a push rod  336  which in turn is connected to pole  312  or handle  313 . As mop handle  313  is pulled by a user piston  334  creates a negative pressure in cavity  333   a . This draws water from reservoir  321  into a water supply hose  321   a  that feeds into pump water inlet  327  through a one-way inlet valve  337  to fill cavity  333   a . As handle  313  is pushed during use, piston  334  moves downward and water in cavity  333   a  is expelled through a one-way outlet valve  338  into pump outlet hose  328 . This water is then introduced into a boiler inlet  323   a  in boiler  323 . Water in boiler  323  is heated by a heating element  339  in a boiler cavity  341 . Heating element  339  is connected to electrical connectors  339   a  and  339   b . Steam generated in boiler cavity  341  is fed through a steam valve  342  into a steam chamber  343 . Steam is then expelled through a steam outlet  344  to a steam hose  346  for connector to universal connection  316 . 
         [0047]    One-way inlet valve  337  and one-way outlet valve  338  are duck-bill valves formed of a flexible elastomeric material, such a rubber. The valves are conical in shape so that when handle  313  is pulled, water is drawn through inlet valve  337  while outlet valve  338  remains closed. Similarly, when handle  313  is pushed, water is forced out through outlet valve  338  and inlet valve  337  remains closed and water is fed into boiler  323 . In another embodiment, a mechanical bellow pump that may be used in steam mop housing  311  to pump water from water container  321  to boiler  323 . Alternatively, the pump can be a two-way piston pump that pumps water when its piston is displaced both in the forward direction and also in the return backwards motion. This type of pump is shown in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/842,478, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0048]    While a mechanical pump has been described it is within the scope of the invention to utilize an electrical pump. Such an electrical pump can be actuated by a micro-switch or a motor switch. In the illustrated embodiments, steam pocket towels  13  and  213  are a cloth or towel. They may be formed of any suitable fabric such as cotton or a synthetic fabric, such as polyester or polyolefin fiber. Preferably, the fabric of pocket  12  and  212  is a microfiber. Most preferably, the microfiber is a synthetic polyester microfiber. 
         [0049]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the details of construction of a universal connector  416  and a steam frame  414  of the type used in  FIG. 12 . Frame  414  is substantially rectangular in shape, open at the top and bottom with a plurality of baffles  431 . 
         [0050]    Universal connector  416  includes an upper connector piece  422  similar in construction to upper connector piece  22  in  FIG. 3  that allows a frame  414  and a housing  411  to pivot side to side and up and down with respect to each other. Upper connection piece  422  is pivotally connected to a lower connection piece  426  having a different construction. Here, lower connection piece includes two pivot arms  428   a  and  428   b  with a central opening  428   c  for passage of a flexible steam hose  430  to feed steam to frame  414 . Frame  414  includes a connector receiving slot  414   a  for receiving arms  428   a  and  428   b  pivotally secured to there by cylindrical cavities  432  below two mounting plates  432   a  and  432   b  to allow for rotation of arms  428   a  and  428   b.    
         [0051]    In this embodiment frame  414  includes a central steam passageway or manifold  433  that runs from the rear of frame  414  at receiving slot  414   a  to a front border  414   b . A plurality of steam release openings  434  are formed on both sides of manifold  433  along the top and bottom thereof. These release openings  434  are positioned between each baffle  431 . Baffles  431  are substantially orthogonal to manifold  433  in the center of frame  414  and extend sideways and curve rearward to the side edges and rear wall of frame  414 . 
         [0052]    Steam frame  414  includes a rear wall  414   a  with a connector receiving opening  415  in the center of rear wall  414   a , a front wall  414   b  and a right side wall  414   c  and a left side wall  414   d . Steam hose  430  is connected to manifold  433  by a hose plate  431  mounted at the entrance to manifold  433 . Short fins  435  extend from the sides of manifold  433  and edges  414   c  and  414   d  approximately at the mid-height of manifold  433  and side walls  414   c  and  414   d  to assist in distribution of steam to the upper and lower surfaces of a steam towel installed on frame  414  when in use. 
         [0053]    Universal connector  16 ,  116 ,  216  and  416  provides many advantages for ease of use because they easily connect and disconnect to a mop handle and a mop frame while providing a user with universal pivoting and steering capability. The user has more control of the appliance and frame by the universal connection to clean whatever areas that need to be clean and allows use of both sides of steam frame  1 ,  114 ,  214  and  414  for cleaning. In addition, the mop frame may be rotated for easy steering and allows a user to use both sides of the mop steam frame to clean. In addition, the universal connector may attached to any variety of differently shaped mop frames. 
         [0054]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above product without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
         [0055]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
         [0056]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.