Abstract:
A hand held cleaning device that has a self wringing mechanism for extracting liquids from a sponge mounted at the end of an elongated handle. A sleeve is mounted on the handle and slides from a first position to a second position. When moved to the second position, it operates a wringing assembly mounted on a lever mechanism. There is a second cleaning element mounted on a moveable frame member that pivots and wrings the liquid from the sponge and moves the second cleaning element over the first cleaning element. In this second position, the moveable frame is positioned between the sponge and the second cleaning element with the second cleaning element contacting the surface to be cleaned.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to floor cleaning devices and more particularly, to a hand held mop utilizing a first cleaning element being a sponge or similar compressible absorbent cleaning element and a second cleaning element being a scrubbing cleaning element. 
     Numerous floor-cleaning devices have been utilized over the years. Generally they all provided a labor saving device in that they allowed the user to stand upright while placing the cleaning element in contact with the floor surface. Broadly classified, there are string mops, sponge mops and brooms. The sponge mop uses a sponge or similar compressible absorbent cleaning element for absorbing fluids and for cleaning the floor surface. There is a squeezing mechanism to remove water or other absorbed fluids from the sponge. Most of these devices have one cleaning implement, namely the sponge, contacting the floor. An improvement to these devices was the introduction of a scrubbing strip along one side of the sponge element. However the scrubbing strip was relatively narrow. The scrubber pad surface was much smaller than the surface area of the sponge. 
     For example, one type of wringer mop is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,744 issued to Vaughn on Jan. 17, 1956. This design provides for the sponge element to be folded upon itself and compressed to permit the extraction of water. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,947,014 issued to O&#39;Connor et al. on Aug. 2, 1960, a compressible folding sponge element is also illustrated. As can be seen, neither of these devices utilized an abrasive scrubbing strip. A problem with folding the sponge is that it results in failure of the sponge along the fold area. 
     One mop which does utilize either a sponge element or an abrasive element is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,008,163 to Bommer on Nov. 20, 1959. In Bommer, two mop elements are separated by a flexible partition which allows the mop elements to move or flex from one orientation to another. The sponge element is drawn up between a pair of rollers in order to have absorbed liquid removed. Even though the Bommer device illustrates two different cleaning elements on the cleaning head, the flexible support between the two cleaning elements will not allow a person to apply substantial force onto the cleaning head without the cleaning elements bending. Furthermore, it is likely that one of the wringing rollers will rub or contact the floor during the cleaning operation if sufficient force is applied downwardly by the user against the cleaning element. This is due to the fact that the cleaning elements will easily flex, causing the roller to strike the floor. Another shortcoming is that a portion of the cleaning element is always in compression between the rollers. This minimizes the usable surface of the mop head. The wringing mechanism is also complex, extending outwardly from the handle, and, thus, can catch or strike objects while mopping. All of these complexities add to the cost and possible failure of the mop and its wringing mechanism. 
     Another mop which provides for drawing the sponge between a pair of rollers is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,488, to Barry which issued on Dec. 11, 1978. However, Barry does not illustrate or use an abrasive cleaning strip nor can one easily be positioned on the sponge element. 
     A sponge mop with a wringing mechanism is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,727 to Specht which issued on Aug. 8, 1995 and is entitled Wringable Flat-Surface Sponge. This device illustrates a sponge mop having a replaceable sponge at one end. There is a manually operable wringing assembly that is operated by a lever mechanism. The lever mechanism is pivotally connected to the handle. When the lever mechanism is actuated, a roller unit rolls over the sponge to squeeze absorbed fluids from the sponge. When the lever mechanism is released, it returns to its original position, out of the way of the sponge cleaning element. This device works relatively well but it has several shortcomings just as all of the other prior described devices. 
     None of the devices provide a sponge mop that has a second full surface cleaning mechanism attached to the head so that either of the cleaning elements can be selectively place in contact with the floor. None of these devices use a second cleaning element such as a scrubber pad or brush that can be oriented over the sponge so that either cleaning element can be selectively placed in contact with the floor. Furthermore none of the devices provide for positioning the cleaning elements with respect to each other so that they do not interfere with the other during use. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hand held cleaning device having a base frame that supports a first compressible and absorbent cleaning element that has a wringing assembly attached to the handle. It is a related object to provide a sponge mop having a unique wringing mechanism. 
     Another object is to provide a cleaning device having the first cleaning element mounted on the base frame and a second cleaning element that can be oriented between the first cleaning element and the surface to be cleaned. A related object is to provide a unique pivoting mechanism that moves the second cleaning element from its non-cleaning position into its cleaning position at the same time that it squeezes absorbed fluids from the sponge. 
     Yet another object is to provide a cleaning device that has a second cleaning element that pivots into its cleaning position while maintaining the handle at a comfortable position for the user to perform the cleaning operation. 
     It is still another object to provide a cleaning device that easily allows the extraction of fluids from the sponge element without the user&#39;s hands contacting the sponge element. It is a related object to dispose the second cleaning element in the cleaning position without the user touching the second cleaning element. 
     Still another object is to provide a cleaning device that has a sponge cleaning element and a second scrubbing element, both having substantially the same surface area contacting the surface to be cleaned. A related object is to provide a second cleaning element that has a scrubber pad, a brush or a combination of both. 
     Yet another object is to provide a cleaning device that can orient either the first or second cleaning element into its cleaning position in contact with the surface to be cleaned by merely operating the wringer mechanism. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a hand held cleaning device for cleaning floors and other flat surfaces. The user grasps an elongated handle at a top end. There is a first cleaning element that is a compressible and absorbent cleaning element such as a sponge. It is releasably mounted on a frame member that has a side for receiving and supporting the sponge. The other side of the frame member is attached to a bottom end of the elongated handle. A lever mechanism has one end pivotally connected towards the bottom end of the handle. The other end of the lever mechanism is attached to a moveable frame member. The lever mechanism is connected to a slidable sleeve or other actuating mechanism that is on the elongated handle. There is a roller unit on the moveable frame such that when the lever mechanism is actuated, the moveable frame and the roller unit move over the sponge. The roller compresses the sponge against the frame, squeezing it and removing absorbed fluids from the sponge. 
     A second cleaning element is attached to the moveable frame. When the lever mechanism is actuated to wring out the sponge, the moveable frame moves into a second position between the floor and the first cleaning element orienting the second cleaning element adjacent to the floor so that the second cleaning element can perform its cleaning operation. In this manner either the first or second cleaning element can be oriented in position for cleaning by moving slidable sleeve which in turn operates the lever mechanism. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following Brief Description of the Drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the inventive hand held cleaning device showing the first cleaning element or sponge and wringing assembly. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the bottom end of the elongated handle more clearly illustrating the wringing assembly and the first and second cleaning elements. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the inventive hand held cleaning device as the wringing mechanism is initially activated and as it begins wringing fluid from the sponge. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of the inventive hand held cleaning device with the wringing mechanism in the fully actuated position with t he sponge completely wrung and the second cleaning element in its cleaning position. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 2 of the first and second cleaning elements and the lever mechanism to operate the wringing mechanism. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 4 showing the wringing mechanism in phantom in its first position and in a second position after the sponge is completely wrung, with the second cleaning element in its cleaning position. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view with portions removed of an alternative actuating mechanism to operate the wringing mechanism. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning first to FIG. 1, a self wringing mop  10  of the present invention is illustrated. There is an elongated handle  12  having a top end  14  and a bottom end  16 . The elongated handle  12  has a longitudinal axis extending along the entire length of the handle  12 . The overall length of the handle  12  is approximately four to five feet. Attached to the bottom end  16  is a frame or support assembly  18  that has a top surface  20  and a bottom surface  22 . The frame  18  is disposed at a convenient angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle  12  for the convenience and comfort of the user. 
     Mounted to the bottom surface  22  is a sponge or other compressible absorbent cleaning element  24 . There is also a wringing assembly  26  attached near the bottom end  16 . The wringing assembly is shown in a first non-wringing position in FIG.  1 . In this position the wringing assembly does not interfere with the sponge  24  engaging and cleaning a flat surface  25 . There is also a hand grip  28  mounted for limited slidable movement along the longitudinal axis of the handle  12 . The hand grip may be covered with a foam cover or the like for easy grasping. The hand grip  28  is connected to the wringing assembly  26  by means of an actuating bar  30 , which will be more fully described later. 
     As seen in FIG. 2, the wringing assembly  26  is in the first position wherein it is not engaging the sponge  24 . In fact the wringing assembly  26  is disposed above and behind the sponge  26  so that it will not engage the surface  25  when the sponge is used in normal use to absorb liquids from the surface  25 . 
     The wringing assembly  26  is more clearly shown in FIG. 5, which is an enlarged side view. The bottom end  16  of the handle  12  is firmly connected to or molded into the frame  18 . The sponge  24  is mounted to the bottom surface  22  of the frame  18  by releasable attachment means so that the sponge  24  can be replace if worn. The attachment means can be clips, Velcro® or other conventional means. The sponge  24  has a substantially flat bottom which when in its scrubbing position as shown in FIG. 5, will engage the normally flat surface  25 . It also has a tapered rear end  32 , which forms an obtuse angle “A” with the surface  25 . This obtuse angle “A” improves the wringing operation. 
     Also adjacent to the bottom end  16  is a collar  34  mounted to the handle  12 . A bracket  36  is securely fastened to the collar  34  by means of fasteners  38 . The fasteners can be screws, rivets or any other conventional fastener. A pivot arm  40  has a first end  41  attached to the bracket  36  by means of a collar shaft  42 . This attachment allows the pivot arm  40  to rotate or pivot with respect to the bracket  36 . The arm  40  has a second end  44  opposite the first end  41 . The second end  44  is attached to the actuating bar  30  by means of an actuating bar shaft  46 . The actuating bar  30  is thus allowed to pivot with respect to the second end  44  of the pivot arm  40 . 
     A moveable base frame  48  is securely connected to the second end  44  of the pivot arm  40 . Rivets or other fasteners  50  are used for this attachment. In another embodiment, removable fasteners  50  may attach the moveable base frame  48 , so that the moveable base frame  48  may be replaced if necessary. 
     The moveable base frame has an upper surface  52  and a lower surface  54  and a leading edge  56  and a trailing edge  58 . Attached to the leading edge  56  is a roller unit  60  that is comprised of three individual compression rollers  62 ,  64  and  66 . The exact number of rollers is not significant, only that the roller unit  60  extends across the entire length of the sponge  24 . The roller unit  60  is mounted on a shaft  68  that is attached to the leading edge  58  of the moveable base frame  48 . 
     The moveable base frame  48  also has a second cleaning element  70  mounted to its lower surface  54 . The second cleaning element  70 , as illustrated is comprised of a plurality of brushes  72  having one end fastened to the lower surface  54  and an opposite end adapted for contacting the surface  25  to be cleaned. The type of bushes selected depends on the make-up and other characteristics of the surface  25  to be cleaned. There is also a first scrubber pad  74  and a second scrubber pad  76 . The scrubber pads are also attached to the lower surface  54  by means of first and second scrubber pad supports  78 ,  80  respectively. These can be L-shaped brackets or similar supporting brackets that have one end attached to the moveable frame  48  and have the scrubber pad attached to the surface of the other end. The length of the L-shaped bracket should be substantially the same as the length of the sponge  24  so that a maximum amount of scrubbing material can contact the surface  25  for the cleaning operation. 
     The second cleaning element  70  can be made of other materials or combinations thereof to provide a second cleaning element specifically designed for unique and specific applications. For example, the second cleaning element can be a scrubber type element as previously described or can be soft polishing cloths, tacky dust removing cloths, or extremely abrasive scrubbers. The particular make up is dependent on the surface  25 . 
     The mop  10  is initially in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The sponge  24  contacts the surface  25  and the moveable base frame  48  and second cleaning element  70  are raised up above the surface  25  and out of the way of the sponge  24 . During mopping, the sponge  24  becomes saturated with water. The user lifts the mop  10  from the surface  25  and positions the sponge  24  over a bucket or other suitable means to dispose of the absorbed fluid. This is illustrated in FIG.  3 . The hand grip  28  is pushed toward the bottom end  16  to move the actuating bar  30  laterally along the elongated handle  12 . The actuating bar  30  applies a force to the actuating bar shaft  46 , which transfers the force to the second end  44  of the pivot arm  40 . This causes the pivot arm  40  to pivot about the collar shaft  42 . As the pivot arm  40  rotates toward the surface  25 , the roller unit  60  engages the tapered rear end  32  of the sponge  24 . This is illustrated in FIG.  3  and in phantom in FIG.  6 . The user continues to apply a downward force to the hand grip  28  which causes the pivot arm  40  to continue to rotate about collar shaft  42 . 
     The roller unit  60  progressively compresses the sponge  24  as it moves forward toward the front of the sponge. At the end of travel of the hand grip  28 , the roller unit  60  reaches the front end of the sponge  24 . This is shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The moveable frame  48  is now in its second position with the lower surface  54  of the moveable frame  48  substantially parallel to the surface  25 . The first and second scrubber pads  74  and  76  and the brushes  72  are all engaging the surface  25  for continuing the cleaning operation. In this second position the moveable base frame  48  is disposed between the sponge  24  and the surface  25 . The user did not have to re-orient the mop by turning it over or any other re-orientation to place the second cleaning element in position for cleaning. All that the user had to do was to push the hand grip  28  downward and go through the wringing operation. The second cleaning element is automatically disposed in the proper position for scrubbing. The mop maintains the same orientation and angle for eased of operation. 
     When the user want to again use the sponge cleaning element, the user merely grasps the hand grip  28  and pulls up on it in a direction opposite to the initial force. The hand grip  28  pulls up on the actuating bar  30  which pulls upward the pivot arm  40  and base frame  48 . The second cleaning element  70  rotates upward and out of contact with the sponge  24  until the moveable base frame  48  assumes its original position illustrated in FIG.  5 . Detent means may be placed between the hand grip  28  and the handle  12  to assist in positioning and retaining the hand grip  28  in either the first or second cleaning positions. An example of a detent means is a protrusion on the handle that engages a recess on the hand grip  28 . When the force applied by the user overcomes the detent force, the hand grip slides along the handle  12 . 
     In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the hand grip  28  is replaced with a lever mechanism or pivoting handle  29 . The pivoting handle  29  has one end  31  pivotally connected to the elongated handle  12 . A central portion  33  is connected by a pivot connection  35  to the actuating bar  30 . To wring the sponge  24 , the user rotates the pivoting handle  29  in the direction of the arrow “B” to operate the actuating bar  30  in same manner as the when the user operated the hand grip  28 . The pivoting handle  29  thus operates the wringer mechanism in the same manner as previously described. When the pivoting handle  29  is returned to its initial position, the actuating bar  30  is pulled back, thus withdrawing the moveable base frame from its second position back to its first position. 
     Conventional materials can be used to manufacture the mop components such as plastics and metals. The sponge  24  can be fastened to the support assembly by directly mounting the sponge to the support assembly or using a mounting plate disposed between the sponge and the support assembly. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.