Patent Publication Number: US-6216307-B1

Title: Hand held cleaning device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to floor cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a hand held mop, broom or scrubber device having two cleaning elements. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Numerous floor cleaning devices have been invented over the years. Generally, they all provided a labor saving device in that they allowed the user to stand upright while cleaning the floor surface. Broadly classified, there are string mops, and sponge mops and brooms. The sponge mop uses a sponge for absorbing fluids and for cleaning the floor and a squeezing mechanism in order to remove water absorbed into the sponge. Most of these devices have one cleaning implement, namely, the sponge, contacting the floor. An improvement to these devices was the introduction of a scrubbing strip along one side of the sponge element. However, none of the prior devices employed a rigidly supported scrubber pad having a surface area substantially the same as the surface area of the sponge. At best, small scrubber pad strips have been employed along an edge of the sponge. 
     For example, one type of wringer mop is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,744 issued to Vaughn on Jan. 17, 1956. This design provides for the sponge element to be folded upon itself and compressed to permit the extraction of water. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,947,014 issued to O&#39;Connor et al. on Aug. 2, 1960, a compressible folding sponge element is also illustrated. As can be seen, neither of these devices utilized an abrasive scrubbing strip. A problem with folding the sponge is that it results in failure of the sponge along the fold area. 
     One mop which does utilize either a sponge element or an abrasive element is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,008,163 to Bommer on Nov. 20, 1959. In Bommer, two mop elements are separated by a flexible partition which allows the mop elements to move or flex from one orientation to another. The sponge element is drawn up between a pair of rollers in order to have absorbed liquid removed. Even though the Bommer device illustrates two different cleaning elements on the cleaning head, the flexible support between the two cleaning elements will not allow a person to apply substantial force onto the cleaning head without the cleaning elements bending. Furthermore, it is likely that one of the wringing rollers will rub or contact the floor during the cleaning operation if sufficient force is applied downwardly by the user against the cleaning element. This is due to the fact that the cleaning elements will easily flex, causing the roller to strike the floor. Another shortcoming is that a portion of the cleaning element is always in compression between the rollers. This minimizes the usable surface of the mop head. The wringing mechanism is also complex, extending outwardly from the handle, and, thus, can catch or strike objects while mopping. All of these complexities add to the cost and possible failure of the mop and its wringing mechanism. 
     Another mop which provides for drawing the sponge between a pair of rollers is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,488 to Barry which issued on Dec. 11, 1978. However, Barry does not illustrate or use an abrasive cleaning strip nor can one easily be positioned on the sponge element. Barry also does not use a pivotal base plate to position either a sponge or abrasive cleaning strip in proper position for floor cleaning. 
     Various types of string mops and brooms have also been invented. Most of the brooms have only one side of the broom head with a brush or bristles. Those with two sided cleaning elements may have had a brush on one side and a rubber strip on the other side. None provided a pivotal head to position either cleaning element at a convenient angle for the user to stand upright, regardless of which element was contacting the floor. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hand held cleaning device having a rigid base frame assembly which supports the cleaning head and cleaning elements during the cleaning operation. It is a related object to provide a mop having a sponge element mounted on one side of the frame assembly and a scrubbing element mounted on the other side. Another related object is to provide a cleaning device having one cleaning element mounted on one side of the frame assembly and a second cleaning element on the other side. 
     It is a related object to provide a cleaning device that presents either the first element or the second element to the surface to be cleaned by merely pivoting the cleaning head and turning the mop shaft 180°. It is a related object to provide a cleaning device which has a pivotal base frame assembly to allow the first cleaning element or the second cleaning element to be applied to the floor while maintaining the handle at a comfortable position for the user to perform the cleaning operation. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a self-wringing mop that easily allows for the extraction of water from the sponge element without the user&#39;s hands contacting the sponge element. It is a related object to provide a self-wringing mop which provides for a slidable sleeve element which slides along the axis of the handle to activate the self-wringing mechanism. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a self-wringing mop assembly that provides for a compression roller to roll over the sponge element to compress and wring absorbed fluids from the sponge. 
     Still another object is to provide a self-wringing mop assembly having a pivotal frame which pivots between two extreme positions, one position orienting the sponge element in proper relation to the floor and the second position orienting the scrubber to the floor. A related object is the object of providing a mop with an intermediary wringing position in which the base frame assembly is drawn past a roller which compresses the sponge element between the roller and the base frame assembly for extracting liquids from the sponge. 
     Still another object is the object of providing a self-wringing mop assembly having a sponge on one side of a base frame assembly and a scrubber element having approximately the same dimensions as the sponge on the other side of the base frame. 
     It is still another object to provide a self-wringing mop wherein the wringing mechanism does not strike or scratch the surface being mopped when the mop is in its cleaning position. 
     Another object is to provide a cleaning device having two brush-like cleaning elements, one on each side of the base frame which can be oriented to clean the floor by rotating the handle and pivoting the base frame assembly. 
     These and other objects and advantages will be apparent upon reading the brief description of the drawings and the description of the preferred embodiment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a hand held cleaning device for cleaning floors and other flat surfaces. In one embodiment, there is an elongated handle having a longitudinal axis with a base frame assembly attached to the bottom end of the handle. The base frame assembly is a substantially rigid planar surface which has a sponge element on one of the surfaces and a scrubbing element on the opposite surface. The base frame is pivotally connected to the bottom end of the elongated handle such that the base frame can pivot between two cleaning positions. In the first position, the sponge is substantially parallel with the floor and the handle extends at an acute angle to the floor for ease by the operator in mopping. In the other position, the base frame is pivoted to the second position and the handle is rotated 180° about its axis such that the scrubbing element is parallel with the floor and the handle is maintained at a comfortable working angle with respect to the floor surface. There is a sleeve mounted toward the lower half of the elongated handle with a roller mechanism mounted at the bottom of the sleeve. When the sponge element is saturated, the user slides the sleeve toward the bottom of the elongated handle. The base frame assembly pivots to an intermediary position between the two cleaning positions, and the sponge element is drawn past the roller mechanism, wringing absorbed fluids from the sponge element. After the liquid is wrung from the sponge, the sleeve is drawn back into its initial position and the base frame assembly is pivoted by the user into a position with the sponge or scrubbing element oriented parallel to the cleaning surface and the handle resuming a convenient angle with respect to the floor for ease in operation. 
     In another embodiment, there is a frame assembly attached by pivot means to the bottom of the handle. The frame has two cleaning elements, one mounted on either side of the frame. The cleaning elements can be brushes, scrubber pads or sponges. The frame can be pivoted to either of two positions to orient either of the cleaning elements into a parallel relationship with the floor. A toe piece protruding from the leading edge of the frame assists in pivoting the frame from one cleaning position to the other. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with portions removed, of the inventive mop assembly showing the bottom of the sponge and back of the roller assembly used to wring liquid from the sponge. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view with portions removed and partially in cross-section showing the manually operable wringing assembly with the mop in its first cleaning position with the sponge oriented to absorb fluid from a flat surface. 
     FIG. 2A is a side elevation view with portions removed and partially in cross section showing the mop in its second cleaning position with the scrubber pad oriented to scrub a float surface. 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the mop assembly with the sleeve assembly retracted and the base plate in a central position between the two cleaning positions. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 except with the sleeve assembly pushed all the way to its lowest position on the elongated handle with the wringing assembly in its completed wringing position. 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view with portions removed of the mop of FIG. 2 showing the scrubber pad and mechanism used to pivot the base plate into the wringing position shown in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5 showing the detent on the base frame used to retain the base frame in one of its cleaning positions. 
     FIG. 7 is an alternate embodiment of the detent assembly of FIG. 6 in which a ball and spring are utilized to retain the base frame in one of its cleaning positions. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view with portions removed of an alternate embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view, partially in cross section of the device shown in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the frame assembly of the alternate embodiment. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the pivoting member which connects the handle to the base frame in the alternate embodiment. 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of the pivoting member shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a second alternate embodiment of a cleaning element head having two scrubber elements. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning first to FIG. 1, a self-wringing mop  10  of the present invention is illustrated. There is an elongated handle  12  having a top end (not shown) and a bottom end  14 . The elongated handle  12  has a longitudinal axis extending along the entire length of the handle  12 . The overall length of the handle  12  is approximately 4 to 5 feet in length. Attached to the bottom end  14  is a U-shaped bracket  18 , which has two upstanding legs  20 . A base frame assembly  22  is pivotally connected to the bottom end  14  by means of a pivot pin  24  passing through the two legs  20  and bushings  26  formed on an inner edge  27  of the base frame  22 . When pivotally connected to the base frame  22 , the legs  20  extend into respective grooves  29  formed in the edge  27  of the base frame between the bushings  26  wherein the legs  20  can pivot in the grooves  29 . As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base frame  22  is wedge shaped with the greater height of the wedge at the inner edge  27  being disposed adjacent to the bottom end  14  with the height tapering to an outer edge  31 . The base frame  22  also has top and bottom planar surfaces  28 ,  30  that are slightly non-parallel due to the wedge shape of the base frame  22 . 
     As seen in FIG. 2, the base frame  22  is oriented at a ergonomic angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle  12  so that it is comfortable for an upstanding user to use the mop with either the surface  28  or surface  30  of the base frame  22  being substantially parallel with the floor surface to be mopped. 
     There is a sponge member or element  32  mounted to the bottom planar surface  30  and two sections of a scrubber pad  34  are mounted to respective sections of the top planar surface  28 . The sponge element  32  may be first affixed to an intermediary plate which is releasably attached to the bottom planar surface  30  and the scrubber pad  34  may similarly be mounted to an intermediary plate to be releasably attached to the top planar surface  28 . In another embodiment, the sponge and scrubber pad may be made in a single continuous circular piece which is slid over the base frame  22  and can be slid off for easy replacement. Although the base frame  22  is shown pivotally connected to the bottom end  14  by means of a pivot pin  24 , other pivot or hinge arrangements could likewise be used with satisfactory results. The particular type of hinge or pivot connection is not critical, only that the connection allows the base frame  22  to rotate with respect to the bottom end  14  between pre-determined positions. 
     Surrounding approximately the lower half of the elongated handle  12  is an actuator  36  for a wringing assembly. The actuator  36  is movable along the longitudinal axis of the handle and includes at one end a roller  46  on one side of the handle  12  and spaced therefrom and a force opposing member  68  on the opposite side of the handle. The actuator  36  may be formed as a a slidable sleeve  36 . The top portion of the sleeve  36  includes a grasping portion  16  that may include a foam cover or the like for easy gripping. The actuating sleeve  36  surrounds the lower half of the handle  12  and is allowed to freely slide laterally along the handle  12  between pre-determined fixed points. At the bottom of the actuating sleeve  36  is a bracket  38  which is mounted to the actuating sleeve by means of a collar  40 . The bracket  38  is further comprised of an arm  42  which extends parallel to the long axis of the handle  12 . As can be seen in FIG. 2, the arm  42  is displaced from the handle  12  but substantially parallel thereto. The arm  42  terminates in a yoke  44  which is adjacent to but displaced from the bottom end  14  of the handle  12 . The roller  46  is segmented into three compression rollers  46 ′,  46 ″, and  46 ′″ that are mounted on a shaft  48  which extends through the yoke  44 . Although three rollers  46  are illustrated, the specific number of rollers is not critical, only that a roller surface be available to compress the sponge  32  as will be more fully disclosed later. As can be seen in FIG. 2, a gap  50  is formed between the circumference of the roller  46  and the outer wall of the elongated handle  12 . 
     As seen in FIG. 2, the sponge  32  is somewhat trapezoidal in its configuration. There is a leading or outer edge  52  which extends forward of the front edge of the base frame  22 . In this way, the sponge will contact a wall or upstanding article of furniture before the base frame  22  strikes it. The sponge  32  has a trailing edge  54  which forms an obtuse angle with respect to the long axis of the handle  12 . The trailing edge of the sponge  54  results in the sponge forming an obtuse angle “A”. The bottom of the sponge  56  is substantially flat to contact the normally flat surface which will be mopped. The scrubber pad  34  also has a substantially flat surface  58  which, when in its operable scrubbing position as shown in FIG. 2A, will engage the normally flat surface which it will be scrubbing. 
     The base frame  22 , as shown in FIG. 2, is oriented such that the sponge  32  is in its operable mopping position with the sponge  32  contacting the floor. If it is desired to have the scrubber pad  34  contacting the floor, the handle  12  is rotated 180° about its longitudinal axis so that an outer edge  52  of the sponge member  32  and/or an outer edge  59  of the scrubber pad  34  contacts the surface to be cleaned with the scrubber pad  34  facing the user. A force is applied to the handle that is generally downward and/or towards the user. This causes the base frame to pivot into the position shown in FIG.  2 A. The base frame  22  rotates about the pivot pin  24  through an approximately 70° angle between the frame&#39;s first position, as shown in FIG. 2, with the sponge contacting the surface to be cleaned, and the frame&#39;s second position, as shown in FIG. 2A, with the scrubbing member in contact with the surface to be cleaned. The base frame  22  is thus pivoted between the first and second positions to change the cleaning member, i.e. sponge or scrubber pad, that is to contact the floor without the user touching the base frame or cleaning member. As seen in FIG. 6, there is a protrusion  60  on the base frame  22  which engages a detent or notch  62  in the U-bracket  18 . The protrusion may be integrally formed with the frame  22 . As seen in FIG. 7, in an alternate method of retaining the base frame  22  in the detent or notch  62 , the protrusion  60  is formed as a ball  64  that is urged into the detent or notch  62  by means of a spring  66  mounted in a cavity of the base frame  22 . A protrusion may be formed in the base  67  of each of the grooves  27  formed in the inner edge of the base frame  22 . Further, at least two notches, one associated with the sponge cleaning position, as shown in FIG. 2, and one associated with the scrubber cleaning position, as shown in FIG. 2A, may be formed on the outer surface of each of the legs  20 . 
     Thus, as illustrated, the base frame  22  is positioned in either of two extreme orientations. The first is illustrated in FIG. 2 with the sponge contacting the floor, and the second with the base frame pivoted to its second extreme position and the scrubber pad  34  contacting the floor. The protrusion  60  engaging the detent  62  retains the base frame  22  in a proper cleaning position depending upon which cleaning element is desired. 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the force opposing member  68  is elongated, forming a tongue extending from the sleeve of the actuator  36  in a channel  69  formed in the handle  12 . The operable length of the tongue is approximately the same as a width “W” of the scrubber pad  34 . Also as seen in FIG. 5, the base frame  22  has a groove  70  extending centrally across the width of the scrubber pad  34 . The width of the groove is slightly greater than the width of the tongue  68 . The groove  70  is adapted to receive the tongue  68  in sliding engagement during the wringing of the sponge. 
     During mopping, the sponge  32  becomes saturated with water. The user lifts the mop  10  from the wet surface and positions the sponge  32  over a bucket or other suitable disposal means to dispose of the absorbed fluid. The grasping portion  16  is pushed toward the bottom end  14  to move the actuator  36  laterally along the elongated handle  12 . The force opposing member  68  slides forward and engages a rear entrance  72  to the groove  70 . The tongue  68  forces the base frame  22  to pivot the mopping position illustrated in FIG. 2 to an intermediate position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this position, an axis of the base frame extending along the width “W” thereof is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the handle  12 . The rollers  46  engage the trailing edge  54  of the sponge  32  and compress the sponge between the roller  46  and the base frame  22 . This is assisted by the angle A formed between the trailing edge  54  with respect to the bottom edge  56 . The distance separating the circumference of the rollers  46  and the base frame  22  is approximately the same as the gap  50 . The grasping portion  16  and sleeve  36  continue their lateral movement toward the bottom end  14  until the bracket  18  strikes the collar  40 . At this point, the rollers  46  reach the leading edge  52  of the sponge  32  as seen in FIG.  4 . In this manner, the sponge  32  is progressively wrung and entrapped liquid is removed as the rollers move from the trailing edge  54  to the leading edge  52 . The grasping portion  16  and sleeve  36  are then drawn back along the elongated handle  12  to their initial position. As the actuating sleeve  36  is withdrawn, the roller  46  compresses the sponge on its return and, in essence, squeezes the sponge on its reverse stroke, removing additional liquid. A detent may be formed on the legs  20  in association with the intermediate position to hold the base frame  22  in that position. However, this extra detent is not necessary. 
     If desired, a spring  74  (FIG. 1) may be disposed around the pivot pin  24  and engages the U-shaped bracket  18 , causing the base frame  22  to rotate back into the position illustrated in FIG.  2 . The base frame  22  is oriented with the sponge  32  ready to mop. In another embodiment, the spring  74  is not used and the base frame is free to pivot to the mopping position, the scrubbing position, or an intermediary position for squeezing liquid out of the sponge. When no spring is used, the user merely pivots the by exerting force on the handle  12  so that the desired sponge or scrubber pad is presented to the floor. The detent  60  or ball  64  seats in the notch  62  to releaseably hold the base frame in the chosen position. When the other position is desired, the user applies a pivotal force to the base frame  22  causing it to rotate to the other position. 
     Another hand held cleaning device is illustrated in FIG.  8 . This alternate embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that it utilizes the unique pivoting head assembly. As seen in FIG. 8, there is a cleaning device  80  with a handle  12 ′ having a longitudinal axis similar to the first embodiment. There is a base frame assembly  22 ′ comprised of an upper base plate  82  and a lower base plate  84 . The base plates  82  and  84  are identical and have substantially flat upper and lower surfaces  86  and  88 . The upper surface  86  of the lower base plate  84  is fastened to the lower surface  88  of the upper base plate  82 . A flexible bumper  90 , preferably made of a soft flexible rubber tubing, extends around and protrudes out from the base frame  22 . The bumper  90  has a flange  91  which is held between the fastened upper and lower base plates  82 ,  84  retain the bumper  90  in place. Extending forward from a leading edge  92  of the base frame assembly  22 ′ is a toe  94 . The tow  94  assists in pivoting the base frame  22 ′ between its two cleaning positions as will be described more fully later. 
     As seen in FIG. 10, there is a pivoting member  94  which connects the handle  12 ′ to the base frame  22 ′. The pivoting member  94  has a tubular portion  96  having internal threads  98 . Handle  12 ′ has a bottom end  14 ′ which is also threaded to be received within the tubular portion  96 . Pivoting member  94  has a block portion  100  which terminates in a curved front surface  102  at an opposite end from the tubular portion  96 . 
     The block portion  100  has a top surface  104 , a bottom surface  106  and opposite sides  108  and  110 . There are a pair of detents or notches  112 ,  114  at the juncture of the top or bottom surface  104 ,  106  and the curved front surface  102 . Extending outward from the sides  108 ,  110  are a pair of pivot pins or dowels  116 ,  118  respectively. 
     The upper and lower base plates  82 ,  84  have a recessed portion  120  cut in one side opposite the toe  94 . The width of the recessed portion  120  is slightly greater than the width of the block  100 . The recessed portion terminates at a curved surface  122  which has a curvature substantially the same as the curved front surface  102 . A pair of semi-circular slots  124  extend in opposite directions from the recessed portion  120  into the lower surface  88 . The slots  124  receive pivot pins  116 ,  118 . There is a groove  126  cut into the top surface  88  extending from the curved surface  122 . The groove  126  receives a ball  128  and spring  130 . The upper base plate  82  and lower base plate  84  are mirror images of each other so that an identical recessed portion  120 , slots  124  and groove  126  are similarly positioned in a face to face relationship when the upper and lower base plates  82 ,  84  are fastened to each other as illustrated in FIG.  9 . 
     When assembling the base plates  82 ,  84 , the pivoting member  94  is positioned with the pins  116 ,  118  in the slots  124 . The spring  130  and ball  128  are placed in groove  126 . The bumper  90  is positioned with the flange  91  lying on the upper surface  86 . The upper base plate  82  is positioned over the lower base plate  84  and the recessed portions  120  and slots  124  are aligned. The pivot pins  110  and  116  are captured in the slots  124  with the slots defining a tubular passageway in which the pins  16 ,  118  can rotate. The spring  130  urges the ball  128  into either of the detents  112 ,  114 . 
     As seen in FIG. 8, attached to the upper surface of the upper base plate  82  is a first cleaning element  132  depicted as a scrubber pad. Attached to the lower surface  88  of the lower base plate  84  is a second cleaning element  134  depicted as a brush. As seen in FIG. 9, the first and second cleaning elements are both shown as brushes. The brushes can be of differing material and stiffness for varying cleaning operations. As seen in FIG. 13, the two cleaning elements  132 ,  134  are illustrated as scrubber pads, which again may be of different texture and material for differing cleaning functions. 
     The base frame  22 ′ can be positioned in either of two cleaning positions. The first is illustrated most clearly in FIG. 9 with the second cleaning element  134 , which is shown as a brush, oriented downward to contact the floor or surface to be cleaned. The second position, although not illustrated, will be similar to FIG. 9 except the base frame  22 ′ is pivoted 90° and the first cleaning element  132  is oriented downward to contact the floor or surface to be cleaned. The ball  128  engages the detent  112  or  114  to retain the base frame  22 ′ in the proper cleaning position depending upon which cleaning element is desired. 
     As seen in FIG. 9, the second cleaning element  134  is in its operable cleaning position. If it is desired to have the first cleaning element  132  contact the floor, the handle  12 ′ is rotated 180° about its longitudinal axis so that the rubber bumper  90  surrounding the toe  94  contacts the surface to be cleaned. When the handle  12 ′ is rotated approximately 180°, base frame  22 ′ is standing relatively upright on the toe  94 . A force is applied to the handle  12 ′ that is generally downward and/or toward the user causing the base frame  22 ′ to pivot through an approximately 90° angle about the pivot pins  116 ,  118  and orient the first cleaning element  132  into its operable cleaning position. The ball  128  is released from detent  112  and re-engages detent  114 . The top surface  104  or bottom surface  106  of the block  100  engages the upper or lower base plate  82 ,  84  and acts as a stop to keep the handle  12 ′ from pivoting too far. 
     The toe  94  and bumper  90  frictionally engage the floor or surface to be cleaned to assist in pivoting the base frame  22 ′ from one cleaning position to the other. The bumper provides the dual purpose of providing the frictional force and also protects any surface that the base frame  22 ′ contacts. The overall operation of orienting either the first or second cleaning elements is similar to the first embodiment of the sponge mop, except the bumper  90  and toe  94  are additional members to assist in pivoting operation. The toe  94  and bumper  90  could likewise be added to the first embodiment, although it is not essential for the device illustrated in the first embodiment to have these elements in order to operate properly. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the sprit and scope of the appended Claims.