Patent Publication Number: US-2006000041-A1

Title: Cleaning implement and joint therefor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/172,619, filed Jun. 14, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/300,765, filed Jun. 25, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/370,871, filed Apr. 8, 2002. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The present invention relates to a cleaning implement optionally comprising a disposable cleaning sheet removably attached thereto for removing debris, such as human hair, pet hair, dirt, dust, and the like, from soft surfaces, such as carpeting, upholstery, and the like.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is often difficult to remove unwanted debris from surfaces, especially from soft surfaces. For example, it is difficult to remove pet hair from carpeting. Conventional vacuum cleaners often do not do a sufficient job in removing pet hair from carpeting. Even though vacuum cleaners are capable of removing some pet hair from carpeting, it can be inconvenient to repeatedly use a vacuum cleaner because of its weight and power requirements. In addition, pet hair can become entangled in the roller brush of the vacuum cleaner requiring either cleaning or repair of the vacuum.  
      A number of devices have been disclosed to address the problem of removing debris from soft surfaces. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,538 issued to Silverstrone discloses a cleaning tool suited for picking up dirt, lint, and the like from rugs, floors, upholstered furniture and other surfaces. The cleaning tool of Silverstrone consists of an elongated handle having a pair of legs extending outwardly to engage a cylindrically shaped cleaning element having an external surface made of Velcro. Discs are fitted between the ends of the cylinder and the legs of the handle to fixedly mount the cylinder to the legs of the handle. The cleaning tool can then be pushed over the surface to be cleaned to pick up dirt, lint, and the like. However, this cleaning tool is inconvenient in that the consumer must manually clean the cylinder cleaning element after the cleaning element accumulates dirt, lint, and the like. Since the cylinder is fixedly mounted to the legs of the handle, the cleaning tool must be manually cleaned every time debris accumulates in the Velcro. Furthermore, the cleaning tool of Silverstrone does not provide the consumer any ability to adjust the angle between the legs of the handle and the handle, to allow a consumer to reach hard-to-reach places. In addition, the cleaning tool of Silverstrone can be difficult to push and pull across some surfaces, such as carpet, because the cylinder with an exterior surface of Velcro will tend to catch on carpeted surfaces.  
      A tool for removing animal hair from carpeting is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,995 issued to Varon. The tool of Varon contains a field of smooth tapered polyethylene bristles extending down from a head attached to a broom handle. The density of the bristles at the trailing edge is greater than elsewhere and the bristles are arranged in a saw-tooth leading edge pattern. As the tool is pulled through carpeting, the bristles pick up animal hair. The bristles are permanently attached to the head of the broom handle. As with the cleaning tool of Silverstrone, the tool of Varon suffers from the problem of having to manually clean out the bristles of the tool every time the bristles accumulate debris. Also, Varon does not provide any ability to adjust the angle between the head of the broom handle and the broom handle.  
      It has thus been desired to create a cleaning implement that can be conveniently used with removably attachable cleaning sheets that can remove debris, such as pet hair, from surfaces, such as soft surfaces, which can be conveniently disposed by the consumer after use. As a result, the cleaning sheet does not have to be manually cleaned out after each use, but instead is easily disposed of after use. It is further desired to provide such a cleaning implement that can be adjusted to reach hard-to-reach places and that glides easily across difficult surfaces to clean, such as carpet.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a cleaning implement for removing debris from a surface, especially soft surfaces such as carpet, preferably being used with a removably attachable cleaning sheet. The cleaning implement of the present invention generally comprises a handle and a mop head, wherein the handle and mop head are connected via a joint. The joint herein is preferably a lockable joint that can be unlocked such that the angle between the mop head and the handle can be adjusted to the desired angle, and then locked into the desired position.  
      The present invention further relates to a cleaning implement comprising a mop head connected to a handle, wherein the mop head comprises one or more gliders to facilitate the movement of the cleaning implement across relatively high-friction surfaces, such as carpet.  
      The present invention further relates to methods of using the cleaning implements of the present invention.  
      All documents cited herein are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.  
      It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.  
      All parts, ratios, and percentages herein, in the Specification, Examples, and Claims, are by weight and all numerical limits are used with the normal degree of accuracy afforded by the art, unless otherwise specified. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the present invention comprising a lockable ratchet-type joint between a mop head and a handle of the cleaning implement.  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the mop head of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the mop head of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the present invention comprising a uni-directional, lockable joint between a mop head and a handle of the cleaning implement.  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the mop head of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the present invention comprising a lockable ball-and-socket joint between a mop head and a handle of the cleaning implement.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cleaning implement of the present invention comprising a uni-directional, lockable spring-loaded ball-bearing joint between a mop head and a handle of the cleaning implement.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cleaning implement of  FIG. 4  with a removable cleaning sheet attached thereto;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cleaning implement of the present invention comprising a female locking member attached thereto;  
       FIG. 10  is a cross section view along the A-A axis of  FIG. 12  of a female locking member;  
       FIG. 11  is a cross section view along the B-B axis of  FIG. 12  of a female locking member;  
       FIG. 12  is a top view of the female locking member of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a male locking member of the present invention;  
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a mop head and handle assembly where the handle is flexibly attached to the mop head;  
       FIG. 15  is an exploded view of a floor mop comprising a slideable locking member according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a floor mop of  FIG. 15  in an unlocked position;  
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a floor mop of  FIG. 15  in a locked position;  
       FIG. 18  is a side view of a floor mop of  FIG. 16 ;  
       FIG. 19  is a side view of a floor mop of  FIG. 17  being locked at a fixed angle;  
       FIG. 20  is a side view of a floor mop of  FIG. 17  being locked at a fixed angle;  
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising an extension being in an unlocked position;  
       FIG. 22  is a side view of a floor mop of  FIG. 22 ;  
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a slideable locking member in an unlocked position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the floor mop of  FIG. 23  comprising a slideable locking member in a locked position;  
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a slideable locking member in a locked position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view of a slideable collar member according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a slideable collar member according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the floor mop of  FIG. 27  being in a locked position.  
       FIG. 29  is a side view of the floor mop of  FIG. 27 ;  
       FIG. 30  is a side view of the floor mop of  FIG. 28 ;  
       FIG. 31  is a side view of the floor mop of  FIG. 28  being locked at a different angle;  
       FIG. 32  is a perspective view of a slideable collar member according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a slideable collar member according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the floor mop of  FIG. 33  being in a locked position;  
       FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a locking member according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 36  is a side view of a floor mop comprising the locking member of  FIG. 35  and being in a locked position;  
       FIG. 37  is a perspective view of a locking member according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 38  is a cross section side view of a floor mop comprising the locking member of  FIG. 37  and being in a locked position;  
       FIG. 39  is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding members in an upward position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 40  is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding members in a downward position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 41  is a perspective view of a mop head of  FIG. 40  comprising gliding members in an upward position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 42  is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding members in a downward position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 43  is a side view of a mop head comprising the gliding members of  FIG. 42  in an upward position;  
       FIG. 44  is a front view of a mop head comprising gliding members in a downward position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 45  is a front view of a mop head comprising the gliding members of  FIG. 44  in a downward position;  
       FIG. 46  is a perspective view of  FIG. 45  comprising the gliding members in a downward position;  
       FIG. 47  is a perspective view of a gliding member of  FIG. 44 ;  
       FIG. 48  is a front cross-section view of a mop head comprising retractable gliding members in a downward position according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 49  is a front cross-section view of  FIG. 48  comprising the gliding members in an upward position;  
       FIG. 50  is a top view of the retractable gliding members mechanism of  FIG. 48  where the mop head housing is not shown for clarity;  
       FIG. 51  is a left side view of the retractable gliding members mechanism of  FIG. 50 ;  
       FIG. 52  is a perspective view of a floor mop comprising a frame member and a cleaning sheet having protrusions according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 53  is a side view of the floor mop of  FIG. 52  where the handle is not being shown for clarity;  
       FIG. 54  is a side view of the floor mop according to the present invention where the frame member is in an upward position;  
       FIG. 55  is a perspective view of the mop head of  FIG. 52 ;  
       FIG. 56  is a perspective view of the mop head of  FIG. 54 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The cleaning implements of the present invention generally comprise a handle connected to a mop head via a joint. The cleaning implement can be used to hold a removably attachable cleaning sheet and the cleaning implement used to remove debris from surfaces.  
      I. Removable Cleaning Sheets  
      A variety of removable cleaning sheets can be attached to the cleaning implement herein to remove debris from surfaces. The removable cleaning sheets useful in with the present cleaning implements comprise a wide variety of different types of substrates. The substrates can be woven or nonwoven and can be made of synthetic, natural, or hybrid fibers. The substrates can also be a polymeric film. The substrates can be made from a variety of processes including, but not limited to, hydroentanged, spunbonded, meltblown, carded, and the like. Preferably the substrates are nonwoven and made of synthetic fibers from a hydroentangling or spunbonded process.  
      Suitable removable cleaning sheets for use with the cleaning implements of the present invention include those described in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/082,349 filed May 20, 1998; Ser. No. 09/082,396 filed May 20, 1998; and Ser. No. 09/729,626 filed Nov. 30, 2000. Other suitable cleaning sheets are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,525,397 and 6,143,393.  
      Preferred removable cleaning sheets for use with the cleaning implements of the present invention include disposable cleaning sheets comprising a substrate and a plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate. The protrusions can include, for example, hook-shaped protrusions, slanted fibers, bristles, and the like. Such cleaning sheets are particularly suitable for removing debris, such as hair, from soft surfaces, such as upholstery, fabric, carpet, and the like. These preferred cleaning sheets are described in detail in co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/300,700 filed Jun. 25, 2001 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8604P), U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/300,760 filed Jun. 25, 2001 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8605P), U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/370,712 filed Apr. 8, 2002 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8604P 2 ), and U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/370,715 filed Apr. 8, 2002 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8605P2).  
      II. Cleaning Implements  
      The cleaning implements of the present invention are preferably used to clean household surfaces, especially soft surface such as upholstery, fabric, carpet, and the like. It is often difficult, however, to remove debris from such soft surfaces with a cleaning implement, because the cleaning implement tends to “catch” or “snag” on the soft surface as it moves across the surface. This particularly can be a problem if one is attaching to the cleaning implement cleaning sheets comprising a substrate and a plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate, such as those incorporated by reference hereinbefore. This can actually result in a couple different problems. A first problem results if the mop head of the cleaning implement is pivotably connected to the handle of the cleaning implement via a pivotable joint, the mop head will become unstable as the cleaning implement moves across the surface and the mop head will twist undesirably, making it difficult to remove any debris from the surface. A second problem is that it is difficult for a consumer to move the cleaning implement across the surface, because of the relatively high-friction generated between the surface being cleaned and the cleaning implement.  
      To solve these problems, the cleaning implements of the present invention can incorporate two distinct aspects, each of which can be included in the cleaning implement by itself, or can be incorporated in combination with the other aspect.  
      A. Lockable Joint  
      A first preferred aspect of the present cleaning implements is an adjustable, lockable joint that connects the mop head to the handle of the cleaning implement. The joint is adjustable in the sense that the consumer can adjust the angle between the mop head and the handle of the cleaning implement to make it more convenient to reach hard-to-reach places or to bring the handle to a more comfortable position for mopping, in accordance with the height of the consumer. The joint is lockable in the sense that once the consumer adjusts the implement to the desired angle between the mop head and the handle, the consumer can then maintain the desired angle between the mop head and the handle by locking the joint connecting the mop head and handle.  
      A lockable joint can be important for a couple of reasons. First, a lockable joint will prevent the mop head from twisting or becoming unstable as the cleaning implement is moved across the surface being cleaned. Second, a lockable joint can provide the consumer with additional leverage when moving the cleaning implement across the surface being cleaned. This is particularly important when the cleaning implement is being used with disposable cleaning sheets comprising a substrate and a plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate, as incorporated by reference hereinbefore.  
      A variety of different joints can be incorporated in the present cleaning implements for connecting the mop head to the handle of the cleaning implement. Non-limiting examples of suitable joints for the present cleaning implements are illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 4 ,  6 - 38 .  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a suitable joint  10  for a cleaning implement  11  of the present invention. This joint  10  is both adjustable and lockable. The joint  10  is comprised of a handle portion  12  and a base portion  13 . The handle portion  12  is connected to a handle  18  of the cleaning implement  11 . The base portion  13  is connected to a mop head  14  of the cleaning implement  11 . The handle portion  12  and the base portion  13  each comprise a plurality of engaging teeth  15 . Both the handle portion  12  and the base portion  13  have holes therethrough to facilitate insertion of a bolt  16  and a nut  17  to join the handle portion  12  and the base portion  13  together to form the joint  10 . The plurality of engaging teeth  15  of the handle portion  12  and of the base portion  13  engage one another such that the joint  10  does not move when the nut  17  and bolt  16  are tightened. When the nut  17  and bolt  16  are tightened, the mop head  14  and the handle  18  of the cleaning implement  11  are at a fixed angle relative to one another. The joint  10  is therefore in a locked position. The nut  17  and bolt  16  can then be loosened, such that the engaging teeth  15  of the handle portion  12  and the base portion  13  no longer engage one another, which allows the joint  10  to rotate 180° about the bolt  16 . The user can thus adjust the angle between the mop head  14  and the handle  18 . Once the desired angle is obtained, the user can re-tighten the nut  17  and bolt  16 , causing the engaging teeth  15  of the handle portion  13  and the base portion  13  to engage each other, thereby locking the joint  10  into the desired position.  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate another suitable joint  40  for a cleaning implement  41  of the present invention. The joint  40  comprises a base portion  42  (which can be molded as part of an upper base  50  of a mop head  43 ), a stem  44 , and a threaded plug  45 . The stem  44  comprises a threaded portion  46 , a first articulating surface  47 , and a stem base  53 . The base portion  42  comprises a slot  48  through which the threaded portion  46  of the stem  44  can extend. The threaded portion  46  of the stem  44  engages the threaded plug  45 . The threaded plug  45  connects to a handle  49  of the cleaning implement  41  and comprises a second articulating surface  54 . The mop head  43  comprises an upper base  50  and a lower base  51 . The lower base  51  has a pair of ribs  52  within which the stem base  53  can rotate.  
      The joint  40  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  can be locked and unlocked by twisting the handle  49  in a counterclockwise  55  or clockwise  56  direction, depending on the threaded portion  46  of the stem  44 . As the handle  49  is being twisted so as to lock the joint  40 , the first articulating surface  47  and the second articulating surface  54  are drawn closer together. As they are drawn closer together, the first articulating surface  47  engages the interior surface of the base portion  42 , while the second articulating surface  54  engages the outer surface of the base portion  42 . The friction between the first and second articulating surfaces  47 ,  54  and the base portion  42  becomes great enough so as to effectively lock the joint  40  into a position. The angle between the handle  49  and the mop head  43  is thus locked into position. The joint  40  can then be unlocked by twisting the handle  49  in the opposite counterclockwise  55  or clockwise  56  direction, thereby moving the first and second articulating surfaces  47 ,  54  away from each other. The handle  49  is then free to move along the slot  48  of the base portion  42 . Once the user obtains the desired angle between the handle  49  and the mop head  43 , the user can lock the joint  40  again by twisting the handle  49 .  
      In another embodiment represented in  FIGS. 9-14 , the threaded plug  45  and the handle  49  can be removably attached by using a female member  145  attached to the threaded plug  45  and a male member  149  attached to the bottom portion of the handle  49 . The female member  145  comprises a body defined by a substantially cylindrical wall  1145  and is closed at one end by a bottom portion  2145  as represented in  FIG. 10-12 . This bottom portion  2145  can be attached to the threaded plug  45 . The female member  145  also comprises a keyed plate member  3145  having a substantially disc shape which is attached to the body of the female member  145 , preferably to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall  1145  such that a hollow space between the bottom portion  2145  and the keyed plate member  3145  is created. The keyed plate member  3145  has a top and a bottom surface and comprises an opening  4145  which can be a slit or cut out through the keyed plate member  3145 . This opening preferably starts from the top surface and ends at the bottom surface of the keyed plate member  3145 . The bottom surface of the keyed plate member  3145  can also comprise a groove or a notch  5145  which is at an angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the opening  4145 . In a preferred embodiment, the groove  5145  is substantially perpendicular to the opening  4145 . Optionally but preferably, the female member  145  comprises a spring member  6145 , preferably located within the cylindrical body of the female member  145 . As previously discussed, the male member  149  is preferably attached to the bottom portion of the handle  49  as represented in  FIG. 13 . The male member  149  comprises a shaft  1149  and a pin  2149  which can be perpendicularly attached to the shaft  1149 . The shaft  1149  and pin  2149  of the male member  149  can be inserted in the female member  145  through the opening  4145  and, as a result, compress the spring member  6145 . When the pin  2149  reaches the hollow space located between the bottom portion  2145  and the keyed plate member  3145 , the shaft  1149  can be rotated which results in the pin  2149  being also rotated within this hollow space. Once the pin  2149  reaches the groove  5145 , the biasing action of the spring member  6145  pushes the pin  2149  within the groove  5145  preventing further rotation of the shaft  1149  and pin  2149  within the female member  145 . When the pin  2149  is located within the groove  5145 , it is possible to lock and unlock the joint  40  simply by twisting the handle and thus, adjust the angle of the handle relative to the mop head  43 . In order to detach the male member  149  from the female member  145 , a user can first simply push on the handle  49  in order to remove the pin  2149  from the groove  5145 , and then rotate the handle  49  until the pin  2149  coincide with the opening  4145 . The shaft  1149  and pin  2149  can then be extracted from the female member  145 . One skilled in the art will understand that the female member  145  can be attached to the lower portion of the handle  49  and the male member  149  can be attached to the threaded plug  45  and still provide the same benefits. In addition, the spring member  6145  can be part of the male member  149  rather than the female member  145  and still provide the same benefits. The female and male members  145 ,  149  can be made of any suitable material capable of sustaining and transferring the force applied to the handle by the user without rupturing. Preferred examples of suitable materials for the female and male members can be metals, alloys, plastics, wood or any combination thereof.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the threaded plug  45  can be flexibly attached to the handle  49  with a portion of flexible material  56  as represented in  FIG. 14 . In one embodiment, this portion of flexible material  56  has a substantially cylindrical shape defined by a wall  156  forming an inner volume  256 . It might be beneficial that the portion of flexible material  56  have a bellow shape. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded plug  45  is flexibly attached to the handle  49  with the portion of flexible material  56  such that at least a portion of the female member  145  and a portion of the male member  149  are located within inner volume  256  of the portion of flexible material  56 . Among other benefits, the portion of flexible material allows the handle to be rotated a full 360° in the x-y plane allowing the mop head  43  to swivel due to the elastic properties of the flexible material and as such to be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad. Non-limiting examples of suitable cleaning sheets and/or cleaning pads can be SWIFFER® Cleaning sheet and SWIFFER WET® sold by the Procter and Gamble Company and described in detail in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/082,349 filed May 20, 1998 by Fereshthekhou et al and U.S. application Ser. No. 09/671,718 filed Sep, 27. 2000 by Sherry et al. One skilled in the art will understand that the described floor mops can be used with any other types of cleaning sheets or cleaning pads and still provide the same benefits. In addition, the flexibility and elasticity of the portion of flexible material  56  renders possible to insert the male member  149  into the female member  145  very easily.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, the female member  145  or the male member  149  can be attached to a mop head at a predetermined fixed angle without requiring an adjustable and lockable joint  40  such as the one which was previously described. In this embodiment, a user can preferably use the implement to clean a hard surface when the male member is not attached to the female member. In addition, a user can use this floor mop with a cleaning sheet comprising protrusions by attaching the male member  149  to the female member  145  in order to obtain a “locked” mop head/handle combination.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates another suitable joint  68  for a cleaning implement  69  of the present invention. The joint  68  is a ball-and-socket joint which can be adjusted 360° when in an unlocked position. The joint  68  comprises a handle portion  62  and a base portion  63 . The handle portion  62  is connected to a handle  64  and the base portion  63  is connected to a mop head  65  of the cleaning implement  69 . The handle portion  62  comprises a socket, through which is extended a threaded portion. The base portion  63  comprises a ball, which receives the threaded portion extending through the socket of the handle portion  62 . The joint  68  can be locked by twisting the handle  64  counterclockwise  66  or clockwise  67 , depending upon the configuration of the joint  68 . As the handle  64  is twisted, the threaded portion extending through the socket of the handle portion  62  engages the ball of the base portion  63 , thereby pulling the ball and socket closer together. By continuing to twist the handle  64 , the friction between the ball and socket becomes great enough to effectively lock the joint  68  into position. When in a locked position, the angle between the mop head  65  and handle  64  is fixed. The handle  64  can then be twisted in the opposite counterclockwise  66  or clockwise  67  direction to unlock the joint  68 , allowing the handle  64  to rotate 360° relative about the joint  68  relative to the mop head  65 . Once the desired angle between the mop head  65  and the handle  64  is obtained, the user can again twist the handle  64  in the appropriate counterclockwise  66  or clockwise  67  direction to lock the joint  68  into the desired position.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates another suitable joint  70  for a cleaning implement  71  of the present invention. The joint  70  comprises a handle portion  72  and a base portion  73 . The handle portion  72  is connected to a handle  74  of the cleaning implement  71 . The base portion  73  is connected to a mop head  75  of the cleaning implement  71 . The handle portion  72  and the base portion  73  have holes therethrough to facilitate a bolt  76  for holding together the handle portion  72  and the base portion  73 . The handle portion  72  comprises a spring-loaded ball and the base portion  73  comprises a plurality of recesses  77 . The spring-loaded ball of the handle portion  72  can engage a recess  77  of the base portion  73 , thereby locking the joint  70  into the desired position. The user can apply force to the handle  74  to dislodge the spring-loaded ball from the recess  77  and move the spring-loaded ball to the next adjacent recess  77  of the base portion  73 , thereby adjusting the angle between the mop head  75  and the handle  74  of the cleaning implement  71 .  
       FIG. 15  through  34  illustrate other types of suitable adjustable and lockable joints for a cleaning implement of the present invention.  
      In one embodiment, represented in  FIG. 15-22 , the floor mop comprises a mop head  114 , a handle portion  118  pivotally connected to the mop head  114  by a universal joint  130  and a slideable locking member  140  located within the handle portion  118 . The universal joint  130  of this embodiment has two rotational axis which can be located on the same plane. An example of a suitable universal joint can have a substantially cross shape. The slideable locking member  140  can be a longitudinal pole  141  having an arm member  142  perpendicularly attached to the longitudinal pole  141  as represented in  FIG. 15 . One skilled in the art will understand that the longitudinal pole  141  can have any geometrical shape or form such as circular, triangular or rectangular. It can be preferred to have the slideable locking member  140  made of a relatively stiff or rigid material such that the it does not deform or bend which would prevent it from being slideably movable through the universal joint  130 . Non-limiting examples of suitable material can be metals, alloys, plastics, wood or any combination thereof. A slit  1118  on the side of the handle portion  118  allows the slideable locking member  140  to be moved from a first position to a second position by pushing or pulling the arm member  142 . As previously discussed, it might be beneficial to adjust the angle of the handle portion  118  relative to the mop head  118  and lock it in place when the cleaning implement is used with a cleaning sheet having protrusions. In order to achieve this result, the mop head  114  comprises at least 1, preferably between 1 and 10, more preferably between 2 and 6 holes, recesses, notches or projections  1114  which can be engaged by the slideable locking member  140 . The slideable locking member can be pushed through a central opening  131  of the universal joint  130  in order to engage one of the hole or projection  1114  on the mop head  114 . When the slideable locking member is in a first position, as represented in  FIGS. 16, 18 ,  21 - 23 , the handle portion  118  can be rotated a full 360° in the x-y plane allowing the mop head  114  to swivel and as such can be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad. When the slideable locking member  140  is in the second position, i.e. is pushed through the central opening  131  of the universal joint  130  and engages a recess  1114  on the mop head  114  as represented in  FIGS. 17, 19 ,  20  and  24 , the universal joint is locked and the angle between the handle portion  118  and the mop head  114  is fixed. One skilled in the art will understand that the closer a hole or projection  1114  is located to the leading or trailing edge of the mop head  114 , the smaller is the angle α between the handle portion  118  and the mop head  114 , as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . It can be beneficial that the holes or recesses  1114  be located on the mop head such that the angle α is comprised between about 0 and about 90 degrees, preferably between about 20 and about 70 degrees, more preferably between about 35 and about 55 degrees. One skilled in the art will understand that the length of the longitudinal pole  141  can be substantially equal to or smaller than the length of the entire handle of the cleaning implement. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the pole member  141  and the slit  11   18  are such that the pole member can engage any of the holes or projections  1114  on the mop head. In one embodiment, these holes or projections  1114  can all be located on the same side of the mop head  114 . In another embodiment, these holes or projections  1114  can be located on both sides of the mop head  114  as represented in  FIG. 16-18 . Considering that the width of a existing mop head is typically comprised between about 100 mm and about 200 mm, one skilled in the art will understand that the angle α can be limited and will be greater than 0 degrees, i.e. the angle at which the handle portion can be parallel to the plane of the mop head  114 . In order to solve this problem, an extension  150 , comprising further holes or projections and which is schematically represented in  FIG. 21  and  22 , can be added to the mop head. With this extension  114 , it becomes possible adjust and lock the handle at an even smaller angle which can tend to 0 degrees. Optionally, in order to keep the slideable locking member in place in either the first or second position, at least one slit  2118  substantially perpendicular to the slit  1118  can be added to the handle portion  118  as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 . In another embodiment, the slideable locking mechanism can be spring loaded. In yet another embodiment, the hole  1114  on the mop head  114  can be slightly smaller than the longitudinal pole  141  such that the pole  141  can be forced fit into a recess or hole  1114 . The projections  1114  can engage and lock a hollow longitudinal pole member  1141 . The previously described adjustable and lockable joint can also be used with a universal joint comprising 2 rotational axis which are not in the same plane and the sliding member  140  can be a solid bar. This embodiment is represented in  FIGS. 23 and 24 .  
      In another embodiment represented in  FIG. 25 , the floor mop comprises a mop head  114  flexibly attached to a handle portion  118  and a slideable locking member  140  located within the handle portion  118  as previously described. The mop head  114  comprises at least 1, preferably between 1 and 10, more preferably between 2 and 6 projections or holes, recesses, notches  1114  which can engage or be engaged by the slideable locking member  140 . The mop head  114  can be flexibly attached to the lower portion of the handle  149  with a portion of flexible material  156  such that the portion of flexible material  156  covers at least partially the projections or holes  1114 . The slideable locking member can be moved within the handle portion  118  and the portion of flexible material  156  in order to engage a hole or be engaged by a projection  1114  on the mop head  114 . When the slideable locking member is in a first position, the handle  149  can be rotated a full 360° in the x-y plane allowing the mop head  114  to swivel and as such can be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad. When the slideable locking member  140  is in the second position, as represented in  FIG. 25 i .e. is pushed within the handle portion  118  and the portion of flexible material  156  and engages a hole or is engaged by a projection  1114  on the mop head  114 , the handle  149  is locked and the angle between the handle  149  and the mop head  114  is fixed which, in turn, allows the user to clean a soft surface with a cleaning sheet comprising protrusions. As previously discussed, the angle of the handle  149  relative to the mop head  114  can be adjusted depending on which hole or projection  1114  the slideable locking member  140  is temporarily attached. In a preferred embodiment, the slideable locking member can be forced fit in a hole or projection  1114  in order to maintain the handle  149  fixedly attached to the mop head  114  during the cleaning of a soft surface.  
       FIG. 26  through  34  illustrate another suitable adjustable and lockable joint for a cleaning implement of the present invention.  
      In one embodiment, represented in  FIG. 27 , the floor mop comprises a mop head  214 , a handle portion  218  pivotally connected to the mop head  214  by a universal joint  230  and a slideable locking member  240  which is slideably movable along the outer surface of the handle portion  218 . The universal joint  230  of this embodiment has two rotational axis  231  and  232  which can be located in two different planes and are substantially perpendicular. In this embodiment, the universal joint  230  is rotationally attached to the mop head  214  along a first rotational axis  231  and is attached to the handle portion  218  along a second rotational axis  232 . The slideable locking member  240  comprises a collar member  241  and a pole member  242 . The collar member  241  has a substantial cylindrical shape and has an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the handle portion  218  in order to allow the collar member  241  to be slideably movable along the handle portion  218 . One skilled in the art will understand that the collar member  241  can have any geometrical shape or form such as circular, triangular or rectangular but will preferably have substantially the same shape than the handle portion  218 . The pole member  242  can be attached to the collar member at any suitable location but preferably to the front lower portion of the collar member  241 . One skilled in the art will understand that the collar and pole members can be two separate pieces attached together or that they can be molded to form one single element and that they can be made of any type of material but preferably of a relatively stiff or rigid material as previously described. In this embodiment, the mop head  214  comprises holes, recesses, notches or projections as previously described. The slideable locking member  240  can be slided along the handle portion from a first position where the handle portion  218  can rotate a full 360° in the x-y plane allowing the mop head  214  to swivel, as represented in  FIGS. 27 and 29 , to a second position where the joint is locked at a fixed angle, as represented in  FIG. 28  and  30 - 31 . When the slideable locking member  240  is slideably moved to the second position, at least a portion of the collar member  241  covers at least one of the rotational axis of the universal joint  230 , preferably the second rotational axis  232  as to prevent rotation of the handle portion  218  about this axis. In addition, when the slideable locking member  240  is in the second position, the pole member  242  can engage a hole, recess or notch on the mop head therefore preventing rotation of the handle portion  218  about the first rotational axis  231  of the universal joint  230 . The slideable locking mechanism  240  can be locked in place with any of the mechanism previously described.  
      In another embodiment represented in  FIGS. 32-34 , the universal joint  230  comprises a U-shapped portion  231  rotationally attached to the mop head  214  along a first rotational axis  231  and rotationally attached to a handle portion  218  along a second rotational axis  232 . The first and second rotational axis are in different planes and are substantially perpendicular. In this embodiment, it can be beneficial that the collar member  241  comprises a pair of slits or notches  243  and  244  that allow the collar member  241  to cover at least partially the second rotational axis  232  of the universal joint  230 .  
      All the previously disclosed lockable and/or adjustable joints are “integrated” in a floor mop. As a result, consumers who already own a floor mop may have to purchase a new mop having an adjustable and/or lockable joint in order to optimize the use of a cleaning sheet comprising protrusions. In order to avoid the inconvenience of having to purchase a new mop, one aspect of the invention is directed to a separate locking element for locking the universal joint and the handle of a floor mop at a fixed angle.  
       FIGS. 35 through 38  illustrate a suitable locking member for locking the universal joint and the handle of a floor mop at a fixed angle.  
      In one embodiment represented in  FIGS. 35 and 36 , the locking member  80  can be used to lock at a fixed angle the universal joint of a floor mop  90 . The floor mop  90  comprises a mop head  190  rotationally attached to a handle  290  with a universal joint  390 . In one embodiment, the universal joint  390  can have a substantially cross shape. The universal joint  390  can have a first and a second rotational axis which can be on the same plane. In order to allow a full 360° rotation of the handle  290  in the x-y plane, it can be preferred that the two rotational axis of the universal joint  390  be perpendicular. The mop head  190  comprises two ear members  1190  and  2190  which are attached to the center portion of the top surface of the mop head  190  creating a space in between. The two ear members  1190 ,  2190  can be rotationally attached to the universal joint  290  along its first rotational axis. The handle  290  comprises a lower portion having two ear members  1290  and  2290  which can have a substantially U shape. The two ear members  1290 ,  2290  can be rotationally attached to the universal joint  290  along its second rotational axis. In one embodiment, the locking member  80  comprises a support plate  180  which can be substantially flat and has an inner side, an outer side, a top and a bottom edge. By inner side of the support plate  180 , it is meant the side which is facing the ear members  1190 ,  2190  and the universal joint  390  when the universal joint  390  is locked by the locking member  80 . By bottom edge, it is meant the edge of the support plate  180  which is the closest to the top surface of the mop head  190  when the universal joint  390  is locked by the locking member  80 . A first locking plate  280 , for preventing rotation of the handle  290  about the first rotational axis of the universal joint  390 , can be attached to the inner side of the support plate  180 . In one embodiment, the first locking plate  280  can be attached to the support plate  180  such that the angle between the first locking plate  280  and the support plate  280  is between about 0 and about 90 degrees, preferably between about 20 and about 70 degrees, more preferably between about 35 and about 55 degrees. The width of the first locking plate  280  is such that a user can insert the first locking plate  280  between the first and second ear members  1190  and  2190  of the mop head  190 . In a preferred embodiment, the width of the first locking plate  280  is slightly greater than the inner distance between the first and second ear members  1190 ,  2190  such that the first locking plate  280  can be force fit and/or kept in place between the first and second ear members  1190 ,  2190 . In addition, the first locking plate  280  can be attached to the support plate  180  such that a user can insert the first locking plate  280  underneath the universal joint  390 . In a preferred embodiment, the first locking plate  280  is attached to the support plate  180  such that it is substantially adjacent to the tip of the ear member  1290  of the lower portion of the handle  290  when a user inserts the first locking plate  280  between the ear members  1190  and  2190 . In this embodiment, the length of the first locking plate  280  can be such that the first locking plate  280  extends beyond the first rotational, axis of the universal joint  390  when a user inserts the first locking plate  280  between the ear members  1190  and  2190 . In a preferred embodiment, the length of the first locking plate  280  can be substantially equal to the outer distance between the first and second ear members  1290  and  2290  of the handle  290 . In an even preferred embodiment, the first locking plate  280  is attached to the support plate  180  such that the longitudinal axis of the handle  290  is substantially perpendicular to the first locking plate when the first locking plate is inserted between the first and second ear members  1190 ,  2190  of the mop head  190 . One skilled in the art will understand that when the first locking plate  280  is inserted as previously described, rotation of the handle  290  about the first rotational axis of the universal joint  390  is limited and preferably prevented since each ear members  1290 ,  2290  of the handle  290  might come in contact with the first locking plate  280 . As a result, the angle between the handle  290  and the mop head  190  is fixed and this angle is substantially equal to the angle between the first locking plate  280  and the support plate  180 .  
      In another embodiment, the locking member  80  can comprise a second and a third locking plate  380 ,  480  for preventing rotation of the handle  290  about the second rotational axis of the universal joint  390 . In this embodiment, the second and third locking plate can be attached to the support plate  180  defining a space in between, such that the handle  290  can be located between the second and third locking plate  380 ,  480  when the handle is locked by the locking member  80 . In one embodiment, it can be preferred to attach the second and third locking plate adjacent the top edge of the support plate  180 . The distance between the second and third locking plate  380 ,  480  can be substantially equal to, but preferably slightly smaller than, the width of the ear members  1290  and  2290  of the handle  290 . In another embodiment, the distance between the second and third locking plate  380 ,  480  can be substantially equal to, but preferably slightly smaller than, the width or diameter of the handle  290 . In one embodiment, the second and third locking plates  380 ,  480  are attached to the support plate  180  such that the angle between the locking plates  380 ,  480  and the support plate  180  is comprised between about 20 and about 160 degrees, preferably between about 50 and about 120 degrees and more preferably between a bout 75 and 105 degrees. When a user insert the first locking plate  280  between the ear members  1190 ,  2190  of the mop head and the first rotational axis of the universal joint  390  is locked, the handle  290  is “sandwiched” between the second and third locking plates  380 ,  480 . As a result, rotation of the handle  290  about the second rotational axis of the universal joint  390  is prevented.  
      In another embodiment of the invention represented in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , a floor mop can have a universal joint  395  which can have a first and a second rotational axis which are in different planes. As previously discussed, it might be preferred that the first and second rotational axis of the universal joint be perpendicular. In this embodiment, the universal joint  395  can have a substantially U or V shape. The U or V shape member has a first and a second leg member  1385 ,  2385  and a top  3385 . A mop head  195  can be rotationally attached to each leg  1385  and  2385  along a first rotational axis. A handle  295  can be rotationally attached to the top  3385  of the U or V shape universal joint  385  along a second rotational axis. A locking member  85  can be used to lock at a fixed angle the U or V shape universal joint. In one embodiment, the locking member  85  comprises a support plate  185  which can have a substantially rectangular shape and having a notch  1185  on one of its side. In one embodiment, the width of this notch can be substantially equal, but preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of the handle  295 . The locking member  85  also comprises a first and a second leg  285 ,  385  attached in a downward direction to one edge of the support plate  185 , preferably the edge which comprises the notch  1185  such that the first and second leg  285 ,  385  are located on each side of the notch  1185  of the support plate  185 . The locking member  85  also comprises at least a third leg  485  attached in a downward direction to the opposite edge such that it is facing the first and second legs  285  and  385  of the locking member  85 . In one embodiment, the first and second legs  285 ,  385  are substantially parallel to the third leg  485 . In a preferred embodiment, the length of the first and second legs  285 ,  385  is greater than the length of the third leg  485  such that when the bottom portion of the first, second and third legs are in contact with a top surface of the mop head  195 , the angle between any of the legs  285 ,  385  and/or  485  is between about 0 and about 90 degrees, preferably between about 20 and about 70 degrees, more preferably between about 35 and about 55 degrees. In order to lock the handle  295  at a fixed angle relative to the mop head  195 , a user can simply insert the handle  295  through the notch  1185  such that the handle is located within the support plate  185  and then slide the whole locking member  85  along the handle  195  until each leg  285 ,  385  and  485  is in contact with the top surface of the mop head, as shown in  FIG. 38 . When the locking member  85  is attached to the mop head as previously described, the first, second and third legs  285 ,  385  and  485  prevent rotation of the handle  295  about the first rotational axis of the universal joint  395  and the support plate  185  prevents rotation of the handle  295  about the second rotational axis of the universal joint  395   
      The previously described locking members  80  and  85  can be made of any suitable material. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials can be wood, metal, plastic or any combinations thereof.  
      A locking member  80  and/or  85  can be sold individually or as a kit comprising at least one locking member  80  or  85  and at least one cleaning sheet comprising a substrate having protrusions affixed to the substrate. Another kit could, in addition, comprise a cleaning implement having an universal joint such as any of the joints previously described. Another possible kit can comprise at least one locking member  80  and/or  85  and at least one, but preferably two gliders which can be removably attachable to the mop head of a floor mop. In another embodiment, at least one locking member  80  and/or  85  can be part of a kit comprising at least one cleaning sheet comprising a substrate having protrusion affixed to the substrate and at least one but preferably two gliders also affixed to the substrate.  
      It is envisioned that other types of joints can provide the adjustable and lockable features desired herein.  
      B. Gliders  
      A second preferred aspect of the present cleaning implements is the incorporation of gliders, preferably on the bottom surface of the mop head of the cleaning implement. Gliders are structures incorporated in the present cleaning implement that facilitate the movement of the cleaning implement across the surface being cleaned. Gliders can take any of a variety of forms, including tapes, coatings, molded pieces, and the like. Gliders in the form of tapes can be adhered directly to the bottom surface of a mop head of the present cleaning implement. Gliders can also be directly molded into the bottom surface of a mop head. Gliders can further encompass molded pieces that can be attached to the mop head.  
      Gliders are especially important when the cleaning implement is being used with a removable cleaning sheet comprising a substrate and a plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate, as incorporated by reference hereinbefore. The protrusions of the cleaning sheet, while effective in removing debris from a surface, can pose a problem with respect to the ability of the cleaning implement to smoothly glide across the surface being cleaned, especially soft surfaces such as carpet, upholstery, fabric, and the like. The gliders can significantly enhance the ability of the cleaning implement to smoothly glide across the surface being cleaned.  
      Gliders can be made of any number of materials, preferably materials having a relatively low coefficient of friction. Suitable materials for making gliders of the present invention include acetals (including polyacetals), polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, Teflon, and mixtures thereof. Preferred materials for making gliders include acetals and polyacetals. Acetals are derivatives of formaldehyde, and include homopolymers and co-polymers. Acetals are strong and rigid (but not brittle) and have good moisture, heat and chemical resistance. Acetals have a low surface friction in contrast with many other materials and their abrasion is low. The most outstanding properties of polyacetals are high tensile strength, stiffness, resilience, good recovery from deformation under load and toughness under repeated impact. Acetals are thus a preferred material for making gliders. Acetals are commericially available from DuPont under the trade name DELRIN® and from Celanese under the trade name CELCON®.  
      The present cleaning implement will preferably have at least one glider, but preferably at least two gliders, which are preferably positioned near each of the side edges of the bottom surface of the mop head of the present cleaning implement. In another embodiment, at least one but preferably two gliders can be positioned away from the side edges of the bottom surface of the mop head, preferably the distance between the gliders and the side edges is at least 5 mm, more preferably at least 10 mm and most preferably at least 15 mm. In this embodiment, the floor mop might be used with a cleaning sheet comprising a substrate with protrusions and a corresponding number of notches or cut out for allowing the gliders to extend through these. In this embodiment it might beneficial that the substrate of the cleaning sheet comprise protrusions in the portion of the substrate located between the side edge of the bottom surface of the mop head and the gliders. Among other benefits, such a cleaning sheet can be used for edge and/or corner cleaning of a soft surface.  
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the mop head  14  of the cleaning implement  11  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows that the mop head  14  has two gliders  20  attached thereto. The gliders  20  are positioned at near each of the side edges of the bottom surface of the mop head  14 . In this embodiment, the gliders  20  are strips of tape, preferably made of Teflon, adhered to the bottom surface of the mop head  14 .  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the mop head  14  of the cleaning implement  11  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  shows that the gliders  20  are relatively thin strips of tape, preferably made of Teflon, and have a slightly curved profile. When a removable cleaning sheet is attached to the cleaning implement  11 , the cleaning sheet is generally positioned between the pair of gliders  20 . The gliders thus provide some height between the bottom surface of the glider and the bottom surface of the mop head  14 , such that the cleaning sheet is not contacted to the surface with as great of force, if the gliders  20  were not present. This facilitates the cleaning implement  11  gliding smoothly across the surface being cleaned, while still allowing the cleaning sheet to remove debris from the surface. In one embodiment, the mop head can comprise a substantially compressible and/or conformable pad. During use of a floor mop having a compressible and/or conformable pad, the pad will tend to be compressed. As a result, the gliders come in contact with the soft surface. In this embodiment, the gliders can be attached to the mop head such that the height of the gliders relative to the bottom surface of the mop head is negative, i.e. the bottom surface of the gliders is further away from the soft surface than the bottom surface of the pad of the mop head. In one embodiment of the invention, the height of the gliders is comprised between about −10 mm and about 15 mm, preferably between about 3 and 9 mm and more preferably between about 5 to 7 mm. By height  120  of the gliders it is meant the distance between the bottom surface of the mop head and bottom surface of the gliders as shown in  FIG. 40 . In one embodiment, a cleaning implement comprising a pair of gliders attached to the bottom surface of the mop head is used with a disposable cleaning sheet comprising protrusions such as the one described in detail in co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/300,700 filed Jun. 25, 2001 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8604P), U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/300,760 filed Jun. 25, 2001 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8605P), U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/370,712 filed Apr. 8, 2002 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8604P2), and U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/370,715 filed Apr. 8, 2002 by Kacher et al. (P&amp;G Case 8605P2). In this embodiment, it has been observed that when such a cleaning sheet is attached to the mop head and it is moved across a soft surface, it might be beneficial that at least some of the protrusions of the cleaning sheet, engage or “penetrate” the soft surface. It can be preferred that the engagement ends of the protrusions penetrate into the surface from about 0 to about 4 mm, preferably from about 0 to about 3 mm, even more preferably more about 0.1 to about 2 mm.  
      Examples of gliders are further shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The cleaning implement  41  has a pair of gliders  57 . The gliders  57  can be adhered to the bottom surface of the mop head  43 , can be molded into the mop head  43 , can be free-floating with respect to the mop head  43 , or the like.  FIG. 5  shows spring-loaded gliders  57  that are free-floating with respect to the mop head  43 . The spring-loaded gliders  57  are mounted on glider bases  58  through which springs  59  are extended to the gliders  57 . The springs  59  extend through the lower base  51  to the upper base  50  of the mop head  43 . These gliders  57  are thus capable of rocking back-and-forth as the cleaning implement  41  is moved back-and-forth across the surface being cleaned. This rocking motion of the gliders  57  helps to facilitate the use of a cleaning sheet removably attached to the cleaning implement. Due to the spring-loaded gliders the height of the gliders can vary relative to the bottom surface of the mop head. This varying height can be viewed as a gap between the resting position of the glider and the bottom surface or pad of the mop head. In one embodiment, this gap is comprised between about −1.0 cm and about +2.0 cm, preferably between about 0 cm and about +1.0 cm.  
       FIG. 8  shows a cleaning implement  80  comprising gliders  81  having a removable cleaning sheet  82  affixed thereto. The cleaning sheet  82  is positioned between the pair of gliders  81 .  
       FIG. 39  through  56  illustrate another mop head comprising gliders for a cleaning implement of the present invention.  
      In one embodiment, represented in  FIGS. 39-41 , the floor mop comprises a mop head  314  having an top and a bottom surface, a left and a right side where a first and a second gliding member  360  and  365  are rotationaly attached. In one embodiment, the first and second gliding members are rotationally attached to respectively the left and right side of the mop head  314  along the rotational axis. In this embodiment, each gliding member comprises a body portion  1360  having an upper surface and a lower surface and at least one glider  2360  attached to the lower surface of the body portion  1360 . One skilled in the art will understand that alternatively, the glider(s) can be attached to the upper surface of the body portion  1360  and provide the same benefits. Each gliding member  360  and  365  can be rotationally moved from a first to a second position. When a gliding member  360  or  365  is in the first position, as represented in  FIG. 40 , the at least one glider  2360  is located adjacent the bottom surface of the mop head  314 . As a result, the cleaning implement can be used as previously described with a cleaning sheet having protrusions to clean soft surfaces. When a gliding member  360  or  365  is in the second position, as represented in  FIG. 39 , the at least one glider is located adjacent the top surface of the mop head  314  which allows the cleaning implement to be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad in order to clean hard surfaces. It can be preferred that when the gliding member  360  or  365  is in the second position, the upper surface of the body portion  1360 ,which is now facing the surface to be cleaned, has the same height and/or curvature than the bottom surface of the mop head  314  such that they coincide and the mop head has a substantially smooth and/or continuous bottom surface. In one embodiment, the gliding members  360  and  365  can be rotated or flipped from the first to the second position and vice versa, independently. A user can simply rotate these gliding members depending on the kind of cleaning sheet she wants to use and the kind of surface she wants to clean. It can be preferred to allow the user to rotate both gliding members  360  and  365  by simply actuating one of these gliding members. This can be done very simply by mechanically connecting each gliding members  360  and  365  with a pole  368  as represented in  FIG. 41 . This pole  368  assures that the rotation of one of the gliding member  360  or  365  will result in the rotation of the other gliding member. Optionally, the mop head  314  can comprise at least one but preferably two retaining members in order to retain the pole  368  in place when the cleaning implement is being used. In order to rotate the gliding members  360  and  365 , a user needs to overcome the “retaining force” which assures that the pole  368  and the gliding members are kept in place. These retaining members  1314  can be a notch, a groove, a clip or any equivalent known in the art. A retaining member  1314  can adjacent at least one of the edges of the mop head. In a preferred embodiment, the mop head  314  comprises one retaining member on its leading edge and one retaining member on its trailing edge. In one embodiment of the invention, the pole  368  is attached at both ends to the first and second gliding members  360  and  365  and is located substantially adjacent the rotational axis of the first and second gliding members as represented in  FIGS. 39-40 . In this embodiment, the pole  368  is located within the mop head  314 . Among other benefits, a pole  368  located within the mop head prevents a user to inadvertently damage the pole  368  but also prevents the user to have his hand or fingers pinched by the pole  368  during the rotation of the gliding members.  
      In another embodiment, the first and second gliding members  360 ,  365  can be removably attached to the mop head  314 , preferably to the left and right side of the mop head. In this embodiment, a user can very simply attach each gliding member to left and right side of the mop head such that the gliders  2360  and  2365  are located substantially adjacent the bottom surface of the mop head  314 . A user can then use the floor mop with a cleaning sheet comprising protrusions to clean a hard surface. If desired, a user can remove each gliding members  360 ,  365  from the mop head in order to rotate them and reattach each gliding members such that the gliders  2360  and  2365  are located adjacent the top surface of the mop head  314 . A user can then use the floor mop to clean a hard surface with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad. There might be multiple ways to removably attach each gliding member  360 ,  365  to the left and right side of the mop head. For example, the gliding members can be clipped to the mop head, forced fit on the mop head or removably attached using hooks and loops fasteners or any pressure sensitive adhesive.  
      In one embodiment, represented in  FIG. 42-43 , the floor mop comprises a mop head  414  having an top and a bottom surface, a left and a right side where a first and a second gliding member  460  and  465  are hingedly attached. In one embodiment, the first and second gliding member each comprise at least one glider  1460  or  1465  which are hingedly attached to respectively the left and right side of the mop head  414 . Each gliding member  460  and  465  can be hingedly moved, i.e. flipped, from a first to a second position. When a gliding member  460  or  465  is in the first position, as represented in  FIG. 42 , the at least one glider  1460  or  1465  is located adjacent the bottom surface of the mop head  414 . As a result, the cleaning implement can be used as previously described with a cleaning sheet having protrusions to clean soft surfaces. When a gliding member  460  or  465  is in the second position, as represented in  FIG. 43 , the at least one glider is flipped away from the bottom surface of the mop head  414  which, in turn, allows the cleaning implement to be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad in order to clean hard surfaces.  
      In one embodiment, represented in  FIG. 44-46 , the floor mop comprises a mop head  514  having an top and a bottom surface, a left and a right side where a first and a second gliding member  560  and  565  are slideably attached. In one embodiment, the first and second gliding members are slideably attached to respectively the left and right side of the mop head  514 . In this embodiment, each gliding member can comprise at least one glider  1560  having a bottom surface and at least one but preferably two projections  2560  and  3560  attached to opposite sides of the body portion  1560 . These projections engage and are slideably movable within corresponding grooves or guide members  2514  located within at least one but preferably a pair of “ears” members  3514  on each of the left and right side of the mop head  514 . These grooves or guide members can be made such that when a user pulls a gliding member  560  or  565  in a direction depicted by an arrow in  FIG. 44 , this gliding member comes to a first position. When a gliding member  560  or  565  is in this first position, as represented in  FIG. 44  and  46 , the at least one glider  1560  is extending from the bottom surface of the mop head  514 . As a result, the cleaning implement can be used as previously described with a cleaning sheet having protrusions to clean soft surfaces. As previously discussed, a user can attach a cleaning sheet having protrusions to the mop head such that at least a portion of the cleaning sheet is located between the gliding members  560  and  565 . One skilled in the art will then understand that when a user pushes a gliding member  560  or  565  in the direction depicted by an arrow in  FIG. 45 , this gliding member comes to a second position. When a gliding member  560  or  565  is in this second position, as represented in  FIG. 45 , the bottom surface of the at least one glider is substantially in the same plane than the bottom surface of the mop head  514  which allows the cleaning implement to be used with a cleaning sheet or a cleaning pad in order to clean hard surfaces. In another embodiment, the at least one but preferably two projections  2560  and  3560  can be attached to the at least one but preferably two “ear” members  3514  on each of the left and right side of the mop head  514 . These projections  2560  and  3560  can engage corresponding grooves or guide members  2514  located on the gliding members  560 ,  565 . As previously discussed, a user can simply pull or push the gliding member  560  and  565  depending on the kind of cleaning sheet she wishes to use and the kind of surface she wishes to clean. Optionally but preferably, at least a portion of grooves or guide members  2514  can be slightly narrower than the projections  2560  and  3560  such that a minimum force needs to be overcome in order to slideably move the gliding member from the first to the second position and vice versa.  
      In another embodiment schematically represented in  FIG. 48-51 , the mop head  514  can comprise a slideable rod member  570  having a top, bottom, front and back surface and a first and second end and which can be located within the mop head  514 . This slideable rod member  570  can be substantially longitudinal.  
      In one embodiment, the slideable rod member  570  comprises at least two grooves or guide members  1570 . Each groove or guide member can be respectively located adjacent the first and second end of the slideable rod member  570 . Preferably, each groove or guide member  1570  can be located on the front and/or back surface of the slideable rod member  570 . The slideable rod member  570  can be slideably moved along the longitudinal axis of the mop head  514  via an arm member  2570  which can be attached to the top surface of the slideable rod member  570  and which extends through a slit or cut out preferably located on the top surface of the mop head  514 . The mop head  514  comprises at least one but preferably two gliding members  560 ,  565  which can extend through corresponding cut outs made on the bottom surface of the mop head as represented in  FIG. 48 . In one embodiment, each gliding member has a substantially rectangular shape having top, bottom, right, left, front and bottom surfaces. Each gliding member also comprises at least one, but preferably two pin members  5560 ,  5565  for engaging the groove or guide member  1570  of the slideable rod member  570  as represented in  FIGS. 50-51 . The pin members can be attached to any of the sides of the gliding members  560 ,  565  but it can be preferred that the pin members be attached to the front and/or back side of the gliding members. In another embodiment, the gliding members have a substantially U shape as depicted in  FIG. 51 . In this embodiment, each gliding member comprises a bottom portion and a front and back portion defining an empty space in between. The pin member(s) can be attached to the gliding member(s) such that they extend towards this empty space. In this embodiment, the slideable rod member  570  can be located within this empty space such that the pin member(s)  5560  engages a corresponding groove  1570  of the slideable rod member  570 . Each groove or guide member  1570  is preferably oriented diagonally relative to the front and/or back surface of the slideable rod member  570  such that a longitudinal motion of the slideable rod member  570  results in an upward or downward motion of the gliding members  560 ,  565 . It might be preferred that the “slope” of the groove located adjacent the first end of the slideable rod member, be substantially equal to the slope of the groove located adjacent the second end of the slideable rod member. As previously discussed, one skilled in the art will understand that a motion of the slideable rod member  570  along the longitudinal axis of the mop head  514  will result in a motion of the gliding member  560  and  565  along the elevational axis of the mop head, i.e. upwards or downwards, as shown in  FIGS. 48 and 49 . One skill in the art will also understand that the pin members  5560  can be attached to the slideable rod member  570  and can engage a groove  1570  located on the gliding member  560  and still provide the same benefits. Optionally but preferably, the mop head can comprise a retaining member  4514  located within the mop head for preventing an upward or downward motion of the slideable rod member  570 . As previously described, the gliding members  560  and  565  can be adjusted from a first position to a second position and vice versa. A user can simply push or pull the arm member  2570  in order to extend or retract the gliding members  560  and  565  depending on the kind of cleaning sheet she wishes to use. Optionally, the slideable rod member can comprise a locking mechanism comprising a spring-loaded mechanism  5570  which can be attached to the slideable rod member  570 . This spring loaded mechanism is capable of releasably engaging one of a plurality of recesses located on the inner surface of the mop head along an axis which is substantially parallel to the slideable rod member  570 . In one embodiment, the height of gliding members  560 ,  565  can be adjusted to as many “levels” as the number of recesses which are engageable by the spring-loaded mechanism  5570 . In order to increase or decrease the height of the gliding members  560  and  565 , a user can push or pull the arm member  2570  but also needs to overcome the axial force of the spring-loaded mechanism.  
      In another embodiment, the mop head  514  comprises at least one but preferably two, spring-loaded gliding members  560 ,  565 . In one embodiment, each gliding member  560 ,  565 , can be in contact with at least one but preferably two spring members,  3560  which tend to pull or push each gliding member inwardly. The slideable rod member  570  can comprise at least one, but preferably two, notches or cut out  6570  having a “biased” portion. In a preferred embodiment, the slope of the “biased” portion of the first notch is substantially equal to the slope of the “biased” portion of the second notch. When the slideable rod member  570  is moved longitudinally within the mop head  514 , the “biased” portions of each notch come into contact with an edge of top surface of the gliding members  560 ,  565  and forces the gliding members to extend through the bottom surface of the mop head. When the slideable rod member  570  is moved to the opposite direction, the spring members  3560  pull or push each gliding member back within the mop head  514 . As previously discussed, a longitudinal motion of the slideable rod member  570  will result in an elevational motion of the gliding members  560 ,  565  either in an upward or downward direction.  
      In another embodiment of the invention, represented in  FIG. 52  through  56 , the floor mop comprises a mop head  614  having a top and a bottom surface, a left and a right side, and a frame member  660  which can be removably attached to the mop head  614 . The frame member  660  comprises at least one but preferably two longitudinal elements  1660  and  2660  which can be substantially parallel to each other. In a preferred embodiment, at least one but preferably both longitudinal elements  1660  and  2660  can be removably attached to the mop head  614 . The frame member  660  also comprises at least one, preferably between 1 and 25, more preferably between 2 and 10, most preferably between 3 and 6 gliders  3660  attached the longitudinal element  1660  and/or  2660 . In this embodiment, a user can use the cleaning implement having a mop head  614  with a dry cleaning sheet or an absorbent cleaning pad to clean a hard surface. The user can also attach a cleaning sheet comprising protrusions to the mop head and then attach the frame member  660  to the mop head such the portion of the sheet comprising the protrusions is located between the mop head  614  and the frame member  660 . In this configuration, represented in  FIG. 53  and  55 , at least some of the gliders  3660  allow the cleaning implement to smoothly glide across the surface being cleaned. One skilled in the art will understand that the frame member  660  might be sufficient to retain the cleaning sheet having protrusions  1  on the mop head. As a result, the grippers  619  become optional but might still be preferred. Once a user has finished cleaning a soft surface, she can simply remove the frame member  660  from the mop head  614  and then remove the cleaning sheet comprising protrusions from the mop head. In one embodiment at least some of the gliders  3660  are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal element  1660  and/or  2660 . In another embodiment, at least some of the gliders are attached to the longitudinal element  1660  and/or  2660  such that the angle between some of the gliders  3660  and the longitudinal element  1660  and/or  2660  is comprised between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees, preferably between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees and most preferably between about 70 and about 85 degrees. The glider(s) can have a width  3661  comprised between about 0.5 mm and 40 mm, preferably between about 1 mm and 30 mm, more preferably between about 2 mm and about 20 mm and even most preferably between about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The glider(s) can have any suitable geometric shape. Non-limiting examples of geometric shapes include rectangular, triangular, trapezoid, hyperbolic, parabolic, sinusoidal and any combinations thereof. In another embodiment, it might be preferred that the width of each glider vary along the length of the glider. In yet another embodiment, it might be preferred that the height of each glider vary along the length of the glider. In another embodiment, it might also be preferred that the width of each glider vary along the height of the glider. In one embodiment, the width of the portion of the glider(s) which is in contact with the soft surface can be greater than the width of the portion of the glider which is in contact with the cleaning sheet. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that such tapered glider(s) improve the cleaning efficiency of a cleaning sheet having protrusions by fitting in between the protrusions of the sheet. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that a good “glide” of the mop head with a cleaning sheet having protrusions on a soft surface, is related to both the “height” of the glider(s) as well as the gliding ratio between the total surface area of the glider(s) to the total surface of the bottom surface of the mop head. For example, a cleaning sheet with protrusions on a mop head  614  which is used without a frame member.  660 , would have a gliding ratio of zero. On the other hand, a cleaning sheet with protrusions attached to a mop head  614  that is used with a frame member  660  covering entirely the cleaning sheet (i.e. perfect glide of the mop head on the soft surface) would have a gliding ratio of 1. In one embodiment, the width of the glider(s) is such that the gliding ratio is comprised between about 0.01 and about 0.35, preferably between about 0.05 and about 0.25, most preferably between about 0.1 and about 0.15. In another embodiment of the invention, at least some of the gliders  3660  can have a different width. When the frame member  660  comprises 2 gliders  3660 , each glider  3660  can be attached to each ends of the longitudinal element  1660  and/or  2660 . When the frame member  660  comprises at least three gliders  3660 , it might be preferred that each glider  3660  be attached to the longitudinal member  1660  and/or  2660  such that the distance between two consecutive gliders is identical to the distance between two other consecutive gliders  3660 . In another embodiment, the distance between a series of consecutive gliders  3660  can be increasing or decreasing and still provide the same benefits. In one embodiment of the invention, a mop head  614  can have a “crown” bottom surface  1614 . It might be desirable to provide a curved profile having a substantially continuous radius of curvature, as shown in  FIG. 53-54 , such that a more pure circular arc is achieved. The radius of curvature can be determined for a substantially curved bottom surface by measuring the radius of a circle passing through the terminuses  5614  and  6614  of the bottom surface of the mop head and the tangency point of the contact surface of the bottom surface. The radius of curvature is preferably at least about 200 mm, and, more preferably, is at least about 1000 mm. Most preferably, the radius of curvature is between about 200 mm and about 1200 mm. This “crown” bottom surface can have a fixed radius of curvature or a variable radius of curvature. In one embodiment, it can be preferred that the glider(s)  3660  of the frame member  660  have the same concavity and radius of curvature than the “crown” bottom surface  1614  of the mop head  614 . In another embodiment, it might be preferred that the radius of curvature of the glider(s)  3660 , be different than the angle of curvature of the “crown” bottom surface  1614  of the mop head  614 . In one embodiment, the radius of curvature of the glider(s)  3660  is smaller than the radius of curvature of the “crown” bottom surface  1614  of the mop head  614 . Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that when the bottom surface of a mop head  614  is substantially flat, it might be beneficial to use this mop head with a frame member  660  comprising convex glider(s). In this embodiment, the convex glider(s) not only enhance the glide of the mop head on a soft surface, but in addition provide a “rocking” motion to the mop head which increases the “use efficiency” of a cleaning sheet with protrusions. As previously discussed, the frame member can be removably attached to the mop head  614 . In one embodiment, the frame member  660  is clipable to the mop head  614 . This can be simply done by having at least one clip or rib on at least one of the longitudinal members  1660  and/or  2660 . In another embodiment, the frame member  660  can be hingedly attached to the leading or trailing edge on the mop head  614  and can be clipable respectively to the trailing or leading edge. In another embodiment, a strip of hooks and loops fasteners such as Velcro® material can be attached to the longitudinal member  1660  and/or  2660  in order to allow a user to attach the frame member  660  to the mop head  614 . In one embodiment of the invention, the frame member  660  comprises at least one but preferably two strip of elastic material attached to both the longitudinal member  1660  and  2660 . In another embodiment of the invention represented in  FIG. 52 , The frame member  660  can comprise at least one, preferably two, more preferably four strips of a substantially flexible material  1662 ,  1664 ,  2662  and  2664  attached to the longitudinal member  1660  and/or  2660 . These strips of flexible material  1662 ,  1664 ,  2662  and  2664  comprise at least one recess or projection  1666  and  2666  for being engaged or engaging a corresponding projection or recess  2614  on the top surface of the mop head  614 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the strips of flexible material  1662 ,  1664 ,  2662  and  2664  comprise a plurality of recesses  1666  and  2666  and the mop head  614  comprises four projections  2614  which are  30  preferably symmetrically located on the top surface of the mop head  614 . One skilled in the art will understand that the projections  2614  can be in a different location, for example on the sides of the mop head  614 , and still provide the same benefits. Among other benefits, this embodiment allows the user to clean a hard or soft surface when the frame member  660  is removed from the mop head  614  with a dry cleaning sheet or absorbent cleaning pad. This embodiment also allows the user to clean a soft surface with a cleaning sheet comprising protrusions and a frame member  660  but also set the height of the glider(s)  3660  relative to the bottom surface of the mop head  614  depending on the kind of cleaning sheet which is used and/or soft surface to be cleaned. One skilled in the art will understand that depending on which recess  1666 ,  2666  is engaged by the projection(s)  2614 , the height of the glider(s)  3660  will adjusted. In an even preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the mop head  614  comprises at least one but preferably a plurality of grooves  3614  as represented in  FIG. 55 . Each groove  3614  can be “facing” at least one corresponding glider  3660 . The depth and the width of the grooves  3614  are such that a groove  3614  can enclose at least partially, but preferably entirely, at least one corresponding glider  3660 . When the glider(s)  3660  are at least partially but preferably entirely located within a groove  3614 , a user can use the cleaning implement with a dry cleaning sheet or absorbent pad without having to remove the frame member  660  entirely as represented in  FIG. 54 . Among other benefits, this embodiment allows a user to keep the frame member  660  attached to the mop head even when the glider(s)  3660  are not required. As a result, the frame member  660  is less likely to be lost or misplaced by a user. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of adjustable attachment mechanism for adjusting the height of the gliders  3660  can be used and provide the same benefits. Non-limiting examples of adjustable attachment mechanism can be hook and loop fasteners such as a strip of hook and loops fasterner such as Velcro® material attached to the longitudinal members  1660  and/or  2660 , strips of material attached at one end to the longitudinal members and having a hook member at the other end for engaging at least one notch or recess on the mop head  614  or strips of material comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive.  
      It is noted that other configurations of gliders are encompassed by the present invention so as to facilitate the ability of the cleaning implement to glider across the surface being cleaned.  
      C. Other Optional Features  
      The present cleaning implements can also incorporate other optional, but preferred features, including, but not limited to: (a) a mop head having a curved bottom surface; and/or (b) a conformable mop pad affixed to the bottom surface of the mop head.  
      An optional, but preferred, feature of the cleaning implements herein includes a mop head having a curved bottom surface. A curved bottom surface of the mop head helps to facilitate the cleaning sheet to remove debris from the surface being cleaned.  FIG. 3  shows a slightly curved bottom surface of the mop head  14 .  
      Preferred curved mop heads are described in detail in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/821,953 filed Mar. 30, 2001 by Kacher et-al.  
      The bottom surface of the mop head of the present cleaning implement also preferably comprises a mop pad affixed thereto. The mop pad is preferably made of a relatively soft, conformable material. This will further facilitate the ability of the cleaning sheet to remove debris from the surface being cleaned. Suitable materials for making the mop pad include, for example, PVC, polyurethane, polyethylene, EVA, and the like.  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a mop pad  60  affixed to the bottom surface of the mop head  43  of the cleaning implement  41 . If the cleaning implement comprises a pair of gliders  57 , as in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the mop pad  60  is preferably positioned in between the pair of gliders  57 .  
      The mop head of the present cleaning implement can optionally further comprise a bumper. A bumper generally surrounds the outside edges of the mop head. The bumper is typically made of a relatively soft material which helps to prevent damage to furniture and other potential items in the path of the cleaning implement when a surface is being cleaned. A suitable material for making a bumper is santaprene.  
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a mop head  43  comprising a bumper  61  which surrounds the outside edges of the mop head  43 .  
      The present cleaning implements can further comprise attachments for attaching a removable cleaning sheet to the cleaning implement. “Grippers” are preferred way to attach the present cleaning sheets to a cleaning implement, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Preferred grippers are described in detail in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/374,714 filed Aug. 13, 1999 by Kingry et al. Another way to attach the present cleaning sheets to a cleaning implement is via a hook-and-loop fastener system. If a hook-and-loop fastener system is used, the substrate of the cleaning sheet will have either hooks or loop material affixed to the surface of the substrate in contact with the mop head of the cleaning implement, which will have complementary loop or hook material affixed thereto to engage the hook or loop material of the cleaning sheet.  
      The cleaning implement  11  of  FIG. 1  has four grippers  19  which are located near each of the four corners of the mop head  14 . The grippers  19  are capable of engaging the corners of a removable cleaning sheet attached to the cleaning implement  11 .  
      III. Methods of Use  
      The present invention further relates to a method of using the cleaning implements herein. The present methods for removing debris from a surface generally comprise the step of contacting the surface with a cleaning implement according to the present invention. A removable cleaning sheet is preferably attached to the cleaning implement.  
      The present cleaning implements can be used to clean a variety of surfaces. The surface cleaned with the present cleaning implements is preferably a fibrous surface, comprising filaments, threads, or mixtures thereof. The filaments or threads can be made of wool, silk, cotton, nylon, polypropylene, polyester, or mixtures thereof A preferred surface herein is carpet, including woven, cut-and-loop pile, plush, saxony, loop, berber, oriental, braided, sculptured, textured, shag, and combinations thereof.  
      When the surface being cleaned is carpet, the present methods can comprise the steps of vacuuming the carpet and then contacting the carpet with a cleaning implement of the present invention. The present cleaning implements are particularly effective in removing debris that is typically difficult to remove with conventional vacuum cleaners, such as pet hair.  
      The present methods can also encompass removing allergens from a surface, or reducing allergens in the air, comprising the step of contacting the surface with a cleaning implement of the present invention.  
      While particular embodiments of the subject invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the subject invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, while the present invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of limitation and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims which should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.