Abstract:
A twist-style mop and method, having a locking wringing grip and a lockable, adjustable, second grip. The lockable, adjustable second grip allows the size adjustment of the twist-type mop to fit a particular user.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates generally to household cleaning apparatuses and, more specifically, to a twist-type mop having an adjustable grip and method therefor. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Twist-style mops are well known. Generally, they comprise a handle, a mop head located at one end of the handle, a wringing grip slidably mounted on the handle and coupled to the head, and a fixed or second grip located near the other end of the handle. Generally, in use, a person places one hand on the fixed/second grip, a second hand on the wringing grip, and wets the mop head. Once the mop head is wet, the user rotates the wringing grip so as to wring out the mop head and remove excess moisture, and then applies the mop head to the floor. All during wringing, the user retains one hand on the wringing grip and the second hand on the fixed/second grip. 
     In recent years, some attention has been given to improving the wringing grip. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,551 to Cann discloses a twist-type mop wherein the wringing grip has a “compressible region” thereon, so that a user may more effectively wring out excess moisture from the mop head. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,163 to Morad discloses a twist-type mop wherein the wringing grip has a spring and ratchet mechanism to enable more efficient wringing out of the mop head. 
     However, these and other efforts to improve the efficiency of the twist-type mop have ignored the fixed/second grip portion of the mop apparatus. Thus, the current twist-type mop is essentially one-size-fits all. The wringing grip and the fixed/second grip are maintained (except during actual operation of the wringing grip) at a constant distance from each other. That placement may be comfortable and efficient for one user, but uncomfortable and inefficient for another. A user having relatively shorter arms and one having relatively longer arms will, in the most optimal scenario, have different configuration requirements when it comes to the spacing of the mop grips. And yet the prior art twist-type mops do not take this into account. 
     Therefore, a need existed to provide a twist-type mop in which the wringing grip and the second grip can be adjusted in position relative to one another. The twist-type mop should have an efficient, locking type wringing grip for efficient wringing action, and a second grip that can be selectively locked and unlocked in a plurality of positions along the mop handle relative to the wringing grip. The twist-type mop should also incorporate gripping aids on both the wringing grip and the second grip so as to further increase efficiency and ease of use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a twist-type mop in which the wringing grip and the second grip can be adjusted in position relative to one another. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a twist-type mop having a second grip that can be selectively locked and unlocked in a plurality of positions along the mop handle relative to the wringing grip. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a twist-type mop having a locking type wringing grip and incorporating gripping aids on both the wringing grip and the second grip so as to further increase efficiency and ease of use. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a twist-type mop is disclosed. The twist-type mop comprises, in combination: a handle having a first end and a second end; a mop head located proximate the first end of the handle; a first grip slidably and rotatably mounted on the handle proximate the mop head and coupled to the mop head; and a second grip slidably mounted on the handle proximate the second end; wherein the second grip further comprises a first locking member capable of selectively locking the second grip in one of at least two different positions along t he handle between the first grip and the second end. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing a twist-type mop is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing a handle having a first end and a second end; providing a mop head located proximate the first end of the handle; providing a first grip slidably and rotatably mounted on the handle proximate the mop head and coupled to the mop head; and providing a second grip slidably mounted on the handle proximate the second end; wherein the second grip further comprises a first locking member capable of selectively locking the second grip in one of at least two different positions along the handle between the first grip and the second end. 
    
    
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the twist-type mop of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the wringing grip portion of the twist-type mop of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the segment of the wringing grip most proximate the mop head, taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the segment of the non-recessed portion of the wringing grip wherein the locking member is position ed, taken a long line  4 — 4  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the segment of the recessed portion of the wringing grip, taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of a segment of the handle of the twist-type mop of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the wringing grip locking member. 
     FIG. 8 is an end view of the wringing grip locking member of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is an end, cross-sectional view of the second grip locking member, taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 10 is a side, cross-sectional view of the second grip locking member, taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the second grip, including the locking member. 
     FIG. 12 is a partial side view of the wringing grip, including the locking member. 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the wringing grip of FIG. 12, taken along lines X—X thereof, illustrating another embodiment of the wringing grip locking member. 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the wringing grip of FIG,  12 , taken along lines X—X thereof, illustrating another embodiment of the wringing grip locking member. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, reference number  10  refers generally to the twist-type mop of the present invention. The twist-type mop  10  preferably comprises a wringing grip  12 , a second grip  14 , and a mop head  16 . The wringing grip  12  and second grip  14 , as shown in FIG. 1, are mounted upon a handle  18 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, particular attention is made to the wringing grip  12 . Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the first portion  20  of the wringing grip  12  is that most proximate the mop head  16 . The first portion  20  comprises a plurality of ribs  22 , which are used to secure the straps of the mop head  16 . (The first portion  20  is shown in cross-section in FIG. 3.) Still referring to FIG. 2, the second portion  24  of the wringing grip  12  comprises that portion of the wringing grip  12  from the first portion  20  to that portion of the wringing grip  12  that is recessed. The second portion  24  preferably includes a plurality of raised gripping ridges  26  to make it easier to grip the wringing grip  12 , and also to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the twist-type mop  10 . The second portion  24  includes a portion of the wringing grip locking member  28 . (The second portion  24  is shown in cross-section in FIG. 3.) 
     Still referring to FIG. 2, the third portion  30  of the wringing grip  12  abuts the second portion  24  and comprises the portion of the wringing grip  12  that includes recessed areas  32 . These recessed areas  32 , like the raised gripping ridges  26 , help a user of the twist-type mop  10  grip the wringing grip  12  more efficiently. (The third portion  30 , including the recessed areas  32 , is shown in cross-section in FIG. 5.) 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, a preferred embodiment of the wringing grip locking member  28  is shown. Referring first to FIG. 6, the locking member  28  is shown as received within the wringing grip  12 . Preferably, the locking member  28  is comprised of a plastic or rubber-based material, although any suitable material allowing at least a measure of flexibility and the requisite durability could be used. The upper portion  34  of the locking member  28  is preferably dimensioned to have four concave sections to receive the four non-thumb fingers of a user&#39;s hand (not shown). Referring now to FIG. 8, as seen in end view, the locking member  28  is substantially T-shaped, with the upper portion  34  forming the top of the T and the main body  36  forming the lower portion of the T. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, the main body  36  has notches  38  extending on each of the two sides thereof. Proximate one of the notches  38  is an opening  40 . The combination of the notches  38  and the opening  40  allow the locking member  28  to be snapped into place within the wringing grip  12 , with the opening  40  closing as the proximate notch  38  is pressed against it, reducing momentarily the length of the main body  36  and allowing it to pass through the opening in the wringing grip  12 . 
     Still referring to FIG. 6, the bottom surface  42  of the locking member  28 , which is proximate the handle  18 , is concave in shape. When a user desires to activate the locking mechanism  28 , he or she presses it in a downward direction toward the handle  18 , causing the bottom surface  42  to deform until substantially flush with the surface of the handle  18 . When the bottom surface  42  is substantially flush with the surface of the handle  18 , the wringing grip  12  will be substantially locked into position relative to the handle  18 . When the locking mechanism  28  is released by the user, the bottom surface  42  will resume its concave shape as shown in FIG.  6  and again the wringing grip  12  will be able to rotate and slide relative to the handle  18 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, two other embodiments of a locking mechanism for the wringing grip  12  is shown. Referring first to FIGS. 12-13, a locking member  28   a  is shown. In this embodiment, the bottom surface  42   a  of the locking member  28   a  is concave, and is configured to conform to the shape of the handle  18  in the manner shown in FIG.  13 . Still referring to FIG. 13, the locking member  28   a  is retained in position relative to the wringing grip  12  with a pair of springs  44 . (In place of springs  44 , any suitable elastic/springy material may be used.) The springs  44  retain the locking member  28   a  in an open position—with the bottom surface  42   a  apart from the handle  18 —until the locking member  28   a  is forced downward by a user in the manner described above. Referring now to FIG. 14, a locking member  28   b  is shown, in which the handle  18  and bottom surface  42   b  have mating, ribbed surfaces, to increase the gripping effect when the locking member  28   b  is engaged. The locking member  28   b  may be retained in position using the springs  44  as shown in FIG. 13, or as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-10, the locking mechanism  46  for the second grip  14  is shown. As shown in FIG. 10, the locking mechanism  46  comprises a gripping surface  48  that extends out from the second grip  14 . The locking mechanism is retained within the second grip  14  with opposing extensions  50  that extend below the surface of the second grip  14 . On at least one interior side of the second grip  14  proximate the opening through which extends the gripping surface  48 , is a projection  52 . The locking mechanism  46  is locked into position by the movement of that mechanism in the direction of the projection  52 , which movement causes the extension  50  proximate the projection  52  to become lodged between the projection  52  and the handle  18 , substantially locking the second grip  14  into position relative to the handle  18 . The release of the locking mechanism  46  is accomplished by retracting the extension  50  from the space between the projection  52  and the handle  18 , allowing the second grip  14  to again slide along the handle  18 . As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom portion  54  of the locking mechanism  46  is preferably concave in shape, so as to conform to the shape of the handle  18  and thus to increase the efficiency of the locking action. 
     A user desiring to adjust the position of the second grip  14  relative to the wringing grip  12  will release the locking mechanism by placing a finger on the gripping mechanism  48 , retracting the extension  50  from the space between the projection  52  and the handle  18 , slide the second grip  14  toward or away from the wringing grip  12  as desired, and then return the extension  50  to the space between the projection  52  and the handle  18  once the second grip  14  is in the desired position on the handle  18  relative to the wringing grip  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, a side view of the second grip  14  is shown, with the gripping surface  48  of the locking mechanism visible. The exterior surface of the second grip  14  has located thereon a plurality of raised gripping ridges  56 . Like the raised gripping ridges  26  located on the wringing grip  12 , the raised gripping ridges  56  make it easier to grip the second grip  14 , and also to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the twist-type mop  10 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.