Patent Publication Number: US-9420934-B1

Title: Detachable long-handled connector for cleaning implements

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/617,223, filed on Mar. 29, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein for all that it contains. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to long-handled cleaning implements and, more particularly, to such implements with detachable handles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a remotely-detachable elongate handle connector for cleaning implements. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Wet mops are widely used to clean the floors of homes and offices, as well foot-traffic surfaces on boats (decks) and similar surfaces found on trains, busses, and motorhomes. Certain commercial areas make frequent use of wet mops due to high foot traffic, such as hotels, shopping malls, airports, and train/bus stations. In those commercial areas where higher levels of cleanliness are of utmost importance, such as in restaurants and hospitals—as well as in bathrooms/restrooms, the use of wet mops is of vital importance. 
     Such mops typically consist of three components: a mop handle; a mop head; and a mop fixture that connects the handle to the mop head. The mop heads usually include a plurality of flexible strands (often termed “threads”) of such liquid-absorbing materials as cotton, polyester, rayon/viscose, acrylic, and the like. A holding device is also typically part of the mop head, having a mechanism that permits the releasable clamping of the mop threads as well as a structure used to connect the mop head to the handle. 
     The manner in which the mop handle engages the mop fixture has proved troublesome with various past designs. The heavy usage forces imposed upon industrial mops has caused the connectors to fail. One solution has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,314 to Young. The mop threads are shown held within a plastic holder. A cylindrical boss is attached to or formed in an upper surface of the holder, and is provided an internal, threaded socket. 
     A cylindrical socket adapted to receive an end of a handle has formed a connector at an opposite end consisting of a central hollow threaded spigot and an outer, surrounding shroud. When attachment to the mop fixture is desired the threaded spigot is received within and matingly-engages with the threaded cylindrical boss. When the two are tightly fastened, the mop is ready for use. Removal requires unscrewing the handle connector from within the mop fixture. 
     These previously known mop fixtures all necessitate manual adjustment by the user. In order to connect the mop fixture to the handle and to set and tightly hold the mop requires the user to make manual adjustments to both parts of these handle/fixture/mop connections. 
     A further disadvantage of many of these assemblies—they have been designed specifically for use with wet mops, and do not present a universal manner of attachment of other cleaning applications or of other types of long-handled tools and implements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention utilizes an extended cable connection between a mechanically-controlled engagement mechanism and a release/engagement lever located adjacent a hand grip portion of the connector. Activation of the release/engagement lever by a user enables the remote attachment or detachment of a mop head (or other janitorial tool or implement). A user is no longer required to grasp and manipulate the mop head to connect or disconnect the head from the handle. 
     An aspect of embodiments in accordance with the present invention is a connector comprising two engageable components for mounting of an elongate handle and an implement fixture respectively, one of said components having a pair of locking tabs and a remotely located lever in mechanical communication with said pair of locking tabs, said pair of locking tabs having a first outwardly extending position and a second inwardly retracted position in response to a first and a second position of said remotely located lever, said one component being mounted on said elongate handle, and the other component being mounted to said implement fixture, the other component comprising a receiving base formed in said implement fixture and adapted to receive an end of said elongate handle, said receiving base having a pair of apertures formed therein, said pair of apertures configured and positioned to receive said pair of locking tabs in a manner wherein said locking tabs selectively extend through said apertures and project from an outer surface of said receiving base, upon insertion of an end of said elongate handle into said receiving base. 
     Another aspect of embodiments in accordance with the present invention is a long-handled connector for cleaning implements comprising: an elongate handle having a first end and a second end; a pair of outwardly biased locking tabs projecting from an outer surface of said elongate handle adjacent said second end; a release/engagement lever projecting from an outer surface of said elongate handle at a lateral location along said elongate handle remote from said locking tabs; a cable extending within said elongate handle and mechanically connecting said release/engagement lever with said pair of locking tabs; and a receiving base having a pair of locking slots formed therein, said receiving base adapted to receive said second end of said elongate handle and said pair of locking slots positioned to releasably receive said pair of locking tabs upon insertion of said second end of said elongate handle into said receiving base, wherein said receiving base is formed in a fixture for said cleaning implements. 
     Another aspect of embodiments in accordance with the present invention is a mop head comprising: a mop head fixture; a plurality of flexible strands attached to said mop head fixture; an outer sleeve slidably attached to said mop head fixture in a manner defining a first lateral slidable position and a second lateral slidable position relative to said mop head fixture, wherein an edge of said outer sleeve lies adjacent a first upper band of said plurality of flexible strands at said first lateral slidable position of said outer sleeve and wherein said edge of said outer sleeve lies adjacent a second upper band of said plurality of flexible strands at said second lateral slidable position of said outer sleeve. 
     Another aspect of embodiments in accordance with the present invention is a connector comprising two engageable components for mounting of an elongate handle and an implement fixture respectively, one of said components comprising a strong magnet attached at a first end of said elongate handle; and the other component being mounted to said implement fixture, the other component comprising a receiving base formed in said implement fixture and adapted to receive said first end of said elongate handle, and further comprising a ferrous metal piece received within said receiving base and attached thereto at a surface positioned to engage said strong magnet when said first end of said elongate handle is received by said receiving base. 
     These and other objects, aspects, and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments in accordance with the present invention are described below in connection with the accompanying drawing sheets. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, partial perspective view, with portions shown in phantom, of a manner of attaching a handle to a mop head, the mop head shown is provided with a movable sleeve, all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a top plan view of the mop fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 1B  is a bottom plan view of the mop fixture shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section of the mop head taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a handle positioned for engagement with a janitorial tool or implement in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view, similar to  FIG. 3 , of a handle received by and engaged with a janitorial tool or implement in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view, similar to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , of a handle after being withdrawn from engagement with a janitorial tool or implement in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial top plan view of a cable-activated engagement/release mechanism in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial side elevation view of the cable-activated engagement/release mechanism of  FIG. 6  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded, partial perspective view of an alternative manner of attaching a handle to a mop head. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged, partial perspective view, with portions removed and portions shown in cross-section, of the alternative manner of attaching a handle to a mop head, similar to  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The detachable long-handled connector for cleaning implements is disclosed herein with respect to exemplary embodiments. The embodiments are disclosed for illustration of the detachable long-handled connector for cleaning implements and a manner of operation, and are not limiting except as defined in the appended claims. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like structures refer to like parts throughout. In  FIG. 1  a long-handled cleaning implement  10  consists of an elongate handle  14  and a mop head  18 . A grip  24  is attached to a first end  26  of the elongate handle  14 , with a second end  28  configured for attachment to suitably configured cleaning implements, such as the mop head  18 . A release/engagement lever  34  extends through a lever slot  36  formed in the elongate handle  14 , which is located in convenient proximity to the grip  24 . 
     Fore and aft movement of the release/engagement lever  34  results in a corresponding extension and retraction movement of a pair of locking tabs  42  located adjacent the second handle end  28  (only one shown in  FIG. 1 ). A circular receiving base  48  is formed in a fixture  54  of the mop head  18 . The receiving base  48  is configured to slidably receive the second handle end  28 . 
     When a user desires to connect the elongate handle  14  with the mop head  18  (or other implement), the second handle end  28  is positioned into axial alignment with the receiving base  48 , and then is slidably inserted therein. The pair of locking tabs  42  each have an angled leading edge, and when the second handle end  28  enters the circular receiving base  48  the pair of locking tabs  42  are inwardly forced into (within) the elongate handle  14 . 
     A pair of locking slots  58  are formed in the receiving base  48  at a location spaced from an opening of the receiving base. Upon insertion of the elongate handle  14  a sufficient distance into the receiving base  48  each of the pair of locking tabs  42  become laterally aligned with the pair of locking slots  58 . The pair of locking tabs  42  are outwardly biased when the release/engagement lever  34  is forwardly positioned (as in  FIG. 1 ), and upon reaching alignment with the pair of locking slots  58 , the pair of locking tabs  42  each outwardly extend into a separate one of the pair of locking slots  58 . 
     The rear face of each of the pair of locking tabs  42  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle  14 . Upon projecting out of the circular receiving base  48  through the respective ones of the pair of locking slots  58 , the locking tabs  42  prevent the elongate handle  14  from being withdrawn from the circular receiving base  48 , thus securing the handle/mop connection. 
     As is also shown in  FIG. 1 , the mop head  15  includes an outer sleeve  66  received by and extending about the mop head fixture  54 , with a plurality of flexible strands  72  extending outward from a base of the outer sleeve  66 . In an initial, raised position of the outer sleeve  66  the flexible strands  72  have an elongate length with a first upper band  76  located adjacent the lower edge of the outer sleeve  66 . 
     Proper mop use causes the greatest amount of flexible strand wear to occur at the location of the first upper band  76 . When such strands sustain damage upon the extended use of the mop, by lowering the outer sleeve  66  (shown partly in phantom) results in the establishment of a lowered, second upper band  78 . Although previously exposed to use, the strand lengths in the second upper band  78  are relatively undamaged in comparison to the strands in the first upper band  76 . This second upper band  78  may be used as a (relatively) fresh area of strands, extending the life of the mop as compared to those mops that do not establish such a replacement upper band of flexible mop strands. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate two pairs of retention apertures formed in the mop head fixture  54 . One of each pair is a retention aperture  86 , preferably the inner-most pair, both of which receive a metal staple strip  92  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The metal staple strip  92  is part of the mop headband, extending from each side for use in attachment of the flexible strands to the mop fixture  54 . The outer-most pair of apertures are provided as water drainage apertures  94 , enabling the drainage of such water as may be introduced within the outer sleeve  66  and above the mop fixture  54  during use and cleaning of the mop. Additional avenues for water drainage are provided in the outer sleeve  66 , with a plurality of drainage openings  96  formed along both lateral sides, as is depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the metal staple strips  92  extend through the inner pair of retention apertures  86 . The protruding ends of the metal staple strips  92  are outwardly bent to extend along and parallel to the top surface of the mop fixture  54 . 
     A staple strip groove  98  is preferably formed in the top surface of the mop fixture  54 , and extends to the location of the drainage apertures  94  (at the outer edge of the mop fixture  54 ). The staple strip groove  98  is sized to receive the metal staple strip  92 , further stabilizing and securing its position relative to the mop fixture  54  when the metal staple strip  92  is received within the pairs of retention apertures  86  and secured to the mop fixture  54 . 
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate a manner of engagement and disengagement of the handle  14  to a long-handled tool, such as the mop head  18 . In  FIG. 3  the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle  14  is moved into alignment with the longitudinal axis of the circular receiving base  48 , and is positioned for engagement with the tool. 
     The pair of locking tabs  42  are shown projecting from openings formed in the elongate handle  14  and located at a position spaced from the second or forward handle end  28 . The projecting pair of locking tabs  42  have an angled leading edge, which causes the locking tabs to be forced inward and into the elongate handle  14  as the handle  14  slides into engagement within the circular receiving base  48  formed in the mop (or other implement) fixture  54 , in the direction of Arrow A. 
     The pair of locking slots  58  formed in the receiving base  48  are of similar outer dimension as the side elevation geometry of the pair of locking tabs  42 . The continued insertion of the elongate handle  14  into the receiving base  48  results in the outwardly-biased locking tabs  42  reaching a point of alignment with the locking slots  58 , at which point the locking tabs  42  move outward, extending into the locking slots  58  (see  FIG. 4 ). The rear face of the locking tabs  42  is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate handle  14 , and upon extending out of the circular receiving base  48  through the locking slots  58 , the locking tabs  42  prevent the handle  14  from being withdrawn from the receiving base  48  of the mop head  18  (or other implement). 
     In  FIG. 5  the release/engagement lever  34  located adjacent the first handle end  26  has been moved aft, toward the user in a rearward direction from its previous forward, “locked” position. The rearward lever movement, in the direction of Arrow B, is communicated to the locking tabs  42  and results in the retraction of the locking tabs from their outwardly projecting, locked position within the locking slots  58  of the receiving base  48 . 
     With the locking tabs  42  no longer located within the locking slots  58 , the elongate handle  14  is no longer “locked” within the receiving base  48  and can be withdrawn in the direction of Arrow C. In this manner, removal of the elongate handle  14  from the mop fixture  54  may conveniently follow retraction of the release/engagement lever  34 . The user is not required to directly manipulate the locking tabs located within the mop fixture, and thus need not handle or get in close proximity to the wet mop head  18 . 
     A presently preferred locking tab actuation mechanism is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Each of the pair of locking tabs  42  is formed at a distal end of a locking tab arm  108 , with a first end of each of the locking tab arms  108  attached to a cable harness  114 . A spacer bar  118  located adjacent the cable harness  114  is pivotally attached to each of the locking tab arms  108 . Upon placement of a rearward, pulling force by the cable harness  114  on each of the ends of the locking tab arms  108 , the spacer bar  118  permits each of the locking tab arms  108  to inwardly pivot, resulting in the inward movement of each of the locking tabs  42 . 
     A u-shaped flat spring  124  extends between attachment points on inner surfaces of the opposing locking tab arms  108  and biases them in an outward direction. This outward force results in the outward movement of the locking tabs  42  unless overcome by the rearward pull of the cable harness  114  or the insertion of the locking tabs  42  within the circular receiving base  48 . In these latter instances, the flat spring  124  is compressed. 
     A cable  128  extends from the cable harness  114  to a locus of attachment on the release/engagement lever  34 . A rearward movement of the release/engagement lever  34  is communicated as a rearward force to the cable harness  114 . A forward movement of the release/engagement lever  34  is likewise communicated through the cable  128  and relaxes such rearward force. As discussed above, application of a rearward force on the cable harness  114  causes an inward movement of the locking tab arms  108  (and the locking tabs  42 ). Upon a relaxation of such rearward force, the u-shaped flat spring  124  forces the locking tab arms  108  and the locking tabs  42  apart. Such reciprocating movement of the release/engagement lever  34  is depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7  by Arrow D, and the resultant reciprocating movement of the locking tabs  42  in  FIG. 6  by Arrow E. 
     A lever housing  134  receives the release/engagement lever  34  with a base member  138  providing a pivot attachment  142  to the release/engagement lever  34  adjacent a lower extension thereof. As so attached, the release/engagement lever  34  is able to pivot relative to the lever housing  134 , enabling the fore and aft movement of the release/engagement lever  34  relative to the elongate handle  14 . 
     The manner in which the elongate handle  14  is connected and released from the mop head  18  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-7 . The flat spring  124  is compressed when the pair of locking tabs  42  are forced inwardly as the handle  14  is received within the outer walls of the circular receiving base  48 . When the pair of locking tabs  42  become juxtaposed and adjacent the pair of locking slots  58  formed in the receiving base  48 , the compressed flat spring  124  pushes the pair of locking tabs  42  out and into a “locked” position within, and projecting from, the locking slots  58  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     In  FIG. 5  the release/engagement lever  34  located adjacent an end of the handle  14  held by a user has been moved rearward from its forward, “locked” position, and toward the user. The rearward lever movement is communicated through the internally extending cable  128  to the cable harness  114 , and results in an inward movement or retraction of the locking tabs  42  from their outwardly projecting, locked position within the locking slots  58 . When the locking tabs  42  are no longer located within the locking slots  58  the elongate handle  14  is no longer “locked” within the circular receiving base  48  and can be withdrawn. In this manner removal of the handle  14  from the mop fixture  54  may conveniently follow retraction of the release/engagement lever  34  located at the user-end of the handle  14 . The user is not required to directly manipulate the locking tabs  42  located within the mop fixture  54 , and thus need not handle the wet mop head  18 . 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  the release/engagement lever  34  is placed in a forward position when the locking tabs  42  are in their outwardly biased position (the flat spring  124  is shown attached to both locking tab arms  108  resulting in this open, outward position of the locking tabs  42 ). When a user pulls the release/engagement lever  34  away from its forward position, the attached cable  128  is likewise pulled toward the rear, resulting in the application through the cable harness  114  of an inward force against the locking tabs  42 , causing both of the locking tabs  42  to move inward and toward one-another. Release of the rearward force applied to the release/engagement lever  34  enables the inner flat spring  124  to once again move both of the locking tabs  42  outward and away from one-another. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show a presently preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention where a strong magnet  154  is placed at the second handle end  28  of the elongate handle  14 . A mop fixture  54  (or other implement) includes a ferrous metal piece  158  that is located at the base of the circular receiving base  48 . As shown in the enlarged view ( FIG. 9 ), when the strong magnet  154  is brought into contact with the ferrous metal piece  158 , the elongate handle  14  becomes attached to the mop fixture  54 . Removal of the handle  14  requires the user to over-power the magnetic attractive force, which may be accomplished by the user pulling on the handle  14  while placing one or both feet upon the mop  18 . Fabricating the strong magnet  154  out of rare earth materials, such as neodymium, can result in sufficient magnetic forces to maintain the connection while the mop  18  or other implement is in use. 
     Although only the staple-attached mop head is shown in the Figures, other types of mop heads can be used with this invention, including the triangular mop holder head, the jaw clamp mop head, and a shroud-type mop head (shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,314) as well as such other mop heads as are presently commercially available and in use. 
     The present inventive connector enables the attachment and detachment of any janitorial item from an elongated handle without the user being required to bend down or physically touch the implement. The present connector may also be used with extended handles, where the implement lies too distant to permit physical access by the user. 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.