Patent Publication Number: US-8984703-B1

Title: Foot deployed mop

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a mop and more particularly to a mop that readily converts between a compact non-use configuration for storage and other purposes and a use configuration wherein the mop is employed to mop a floor. These changes in configuration may be accomplished hands-free by employing a user&#39;s foot. Furthermore, a user&#39;s foot is employed when using the mop for mopping a floor. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional mops usually include a handle which is engaged by the user&#39;s hands to manipulate the mop. Such arrangements are relatively large and users typically have to store the mop in closets or in other out of the way spaces. 
     As compared with these conventional mops, the mop of this invention is deployed and operated by a user&#39;s foot and has a compact storage configuration. Prior art floor cleaning tools operated by a user&#39;s foot are known. The following references are believed to be representative of the prior art of this type: U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,300, issued Sep. 10, 2002, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. US 2011/0265277, published Nov. 3, 2011, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. US 2006/0200927, published Sep. 14, 2006, U.S. Design Pat. No. D425,680, issued May 23, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 3,699,672, issued Oct. 24, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,364, issued Apr. 18, 2006. 
     The above-identified references do not suggest or disclose the unique structural elements and cooperative relationships therebetween of the foot deployed mop disclosed and claimed herein. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     The foot deployed mop of this invention includes a first panel member having spaced edges. 
     The mop also includes a second panel member having spaced edges. 
     The first and second panel members are hingedly connected together between adjacent edges thereof enabling relative pivotal movement between the first and second panel members between a first configuration wherein the first and second panel members are disposed substantially vertically and in opposition to one another and a second configuration wherein the first and second panel members are disposed side by side and substantially co-planar. 
     A pad or other floor engagement structure is attached to the first and second panel members. The floor engagement structure is positioned between the first and second panel members when the first and second panel members are in the first configuration and positioned under the first and second panel members to engage a floor to mop the floor when the first and second panel members are in the second configuration. 
     Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a frontal, perspective view of a first embodiment of foot deployed mop constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and illustrating the relative positions assumed by the panels of the foot deployed mop when the panels are in a non-use or storage configuration; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the panel members in a second configuration wherein they are positioned when mopping a floor; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective, exploded view illustrating the panel members inverted and in the configuration shown in  FIG. 2  and a cleaning pad prior to releasable attachment to the panel members by synthetic hook and loop material applied to the pad and panels; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged, side, elevational view of the panel members of the foot deployed mop when in the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side, elevational view of the panel members in the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2  without the cleaning pad; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , but illustrating a second embodiment employing a spring in association with the panel members for biasing the panel members and attached pad from the solid line storage configuration shown, phantom lines depicting the panel members and pad in the process of moving toward the use configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 5 , but illustrating a third embodiment of the foot deployed mop wherein the panel members are spaced separately from one another, a cleaning pad providing hinged interconnection of the panel members; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the first embodiment in storage position against a vertical surface and supported by the floor; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a user&#39;s foot applied to the first mop embodiment and retrieving the mop by moving a panel member thereof outwardly, initiating deployment of the mop in use configuration; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a user&#39;s foot moving the fully deployed first mop embodiment relative to the floor to mop up a liquid, the mop being in its use configuration; and 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a user&#39;s foot being used to apply force to the first mop embodiment to again return it to the storage configuration shown in  FIG. 5  and against a vertical surface. 
     
    
    
     MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-5  and  8 - 12 , a foot deployed mop constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes a panel member  10  having spaced edges  12 ,  14  and a panel member  16  having spaced edges  18 ,  20 . 
     Disposed between edges  14  and  18  of panel members  10 ,  16 , respectively, is a third panel member  24 . Panel member  24  is hingedly connected to the panel members  10 ,  16  to form a hinged connection between adjacent edges  14 ,  18 . More particularly, the hinged connection is provided by live hinges  26 ,  28 . Thus, in this embodiment the panel members  10 ,  16 ,  24  and the live hinges interconnecting the panel members are of single-piece, molded plastic construction. 
     The foot deployed mop panel members form a non-use, storage configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , for example, wherein the panel members  10 ,  16  are disposed substantially vertically and in opposition to one another. 
       FIGS. 2 and 5 , for example, illustrate a second configuration, the use configuration, wherein the panel members  10 ,  16  are disposed side-by-side and substantially co-planar. In this embodiment of the invention the centrally disposed panel member  24  is also substantially co-planar with the panel members  10 ,  16 . 
     The foot deployed mop also includes floor engagement structure, which in this instance is a cleaning pad  34  of any suitable material. The cleaning pad is releasably connected to the side of the panel members which normally faces downwardly when the mop is in use. Any suitable means may be utilized to provide this releasable attachment between the cleaning pad and the panel members, however, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5  and  8 - 12  releasable attachment is accomplished by utilizing synthetic hook and loop attachment material of a well known type. In  FIG. 3  the material is designated by reference numeral  36  on the pad and reference numeral  38  in the form of strips applied to the panel members. 
       FIG. 10  shows the cleaning pad  34  in operative position in engagement with a floor  40 . A user&#39;s foot applied to the upper surface of the panel members  10 ,  16 ,  24  can be used to maneuver the mop in a hands free manner, employing only foot power. In  FIG. 10  the cleaning pad  34  is being used to mop up a spill  42 . Unlike conventional mops, the user can apply pressure to a specific area of the mop, not just where a handle attaches. In the arrangement illustrated, the panel members have ribbed foot contact areas  44  which prevent slippage between the mop and a user&#39;s foot. 
     It will be appreciated that various types of floor engagement structures other than an absorbent pad, for example, scrubbing pads or polishing pads, may be utilized. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the mop, including panel members and pad  34 , in the non-use configuration and positioned against a vertical surface or wall  50 , the pad  34  being folded and located in the space between the panel members  10 ,  16 . The foot deployed mop presents a pleasing appearance and has a compact configuration wherein the floor engaging surface of the cleaning pad is raised and not in engagement with the floor. The live hinges  26 ,  28  may be so constructed as to exert a biasing force on the panel members  10 ,  16  urging them toward formation of either a use or non-use configuration. 
     In the alternative embodiment of the foot deployed mop illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the hinge connection between panel members  10 ,  16  is accomplished by utilizing one or more springs  54  to provide the desired bias. 
     The foot deployed mop includes a foot engagement structure attached to and extending outwardly from panel member  12 . The foot engagement member is in the form of a tab  60  which is fixedly attached to edge  20  of panel member  16 , being integral with and projecting laterally outwardly from the panel member  16 . The tab is elongated and extends along the panel member  16 , the tab forming a curved floor engagement surface  62  which slidably engages a floor, facilitating movement of panel member  16  when the first and second panel members move between the use and non-use configurations. The tab includes a straight tab wall  64  with a distal end  66  and a straight tab wall surface  68  which extends from the curved floor engagement surface  62  to the distal end. The straight tab wall surface  68  engages the floor when the panel members  10 ,  16  are in their storage or non-use configuration. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a user&#39;s foot engaging the tab  60  and pulling the tab and panel member  16  in the direction of the arrow to cause the panel members to move from the storage configuration to the use configuration shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     After the mop has been used, the user&#39;s foot may be utilized to return the foot deployed mop to its storage configuration.  FIG. 11  illustrates the toe of a user&#39;s foot exerting a downward force on the distal end of tab  60 . This causes the panels  10 ,  16  to move in the directions indicated by the arrows associated therewith in  FIG. 11 . Substantially simultaneously, the user&#39;s foot can apply a force indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 12  to urge the mop against vertical surface  50  until the mop is stored in place as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a third embodiment of the invention wherein the cleaning pad  34  itself provides the hinged connection between the separated panel members  10 ,  16 ,  24 , no live hinges or other type of mechanical hinge being utilized in this particular embodiment.