Abstract:
A hand operated butterfly sponge mop or regular sponge mop with a unique disposable sponge assembly where the sponge is retained by ratchet teeth respectively engaging a notch on a pair of notched collars molded onto the sponge. The sponge is retained in a closed position against the lower surface of the main body by ratchet teeth engaged in notches of a respective notched collar to overcome a force of downward force compression springs. When the respective button attached to a respective tooth is pressed down to overcome a biasing spring force which caused the teeth to be engaged with the notches, the downward spring force of the force compression springs cause the sponge to move away from the main body so that the dirty sponge falls away into a trash receptacle without requiring a user to handle the dirty sponge.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of hand operated sponge squeeze mops which retain a sponge. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In general, various types of hand operated regular sponge mops or squeeze sponge mops are known in the prior art. 
     The hand operated regular sponge mop or squeeze sponge mop includes a generally rectangular-shaped main body having an upper or top surface which includes a handle receiving section which receives an elongated handle which is grasped by a user when operating the sponge mop and to which a sponge is retained on an underside of the main body. A rotatable squeeze section is hingeably attached to the main body and is pressed against the sponge to wring the sponged dry after it has been dipped in water with cleaning solution and used to clean or scrub a surface such as a dirty floor. 
     As described above, the main body also has a flat lower or bottom surface with a disposable cleaning sponge retained by a pair of spaced apart plastic bases molded into a top surface of the sponge, each plastic base retaining a threaded shaft which threaded shafts 
     respectively extend through respective aligned openings in the main body and then each respective shaft is retained by respective mating fasteners such as a nut with a mating threaded interior opening by which the sponge is retained onto the main body. 
     One common problem with all prior art hand operated regular sponge mops and squeeze sponge mops is that when the sponge is very dirty after cleaning operations, the user must use at least one of his/her hands to grasp the dirty sponge after the retaining nuts are removed from their respective threaded shafts and remove the sponge from the regular sponge mop or squeeze sponge mop. Therefore, the user is exposed to the filth and dirt on the disposable sponge. There is a significant need for an improved apparatus which eliminates the requirement for a user to grasp the dirty sponge by hand when removing it from the regular sponge mop or squeezes sponge mop and replacing it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a hand operated squeeze sponge mop with a unique disposable sponge assembly where the sponge has a pair of collars retained on a surface molded onto the sponge. Each collar has a notch. Each collar is respectively retained in a housing on the main body of the squeeze mop which housings each respectively support a spring biased trigger mechanism which has an arm ending in a tooth which respectively engages a notch in a collar. Adjacent each collar are a pair of posts which respectively retain a compression force spring which is affixed at a spring top to a lower post on the underside of the main body. Each compression force spring exerts a downward force against the sponge. The sponge is retained in a closed position against the lower surface of the main body by a respective tooth of each respective trigger mechanism engaged in a respective notch of a respective notched collar to overcome the downward force of the force compression springs. When the respective trigger is pressed down to overcome a biasing spring force which caused the teeth to be engaged with the notches, the downward spring force of the force compression springs cause the sponge to move away from the main body so that the dirty sponge falls away into a trash receptacle without requiring a user to handle the dirty sponge. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism on a hand operated sponge mop including a standard sponge mop and a squeeze sponge mop which retains a sponge in a manner which enables the sponge after it has been used and become dirty to be released and fall into a trash receptacle without a user&#39;s hand touching the dirty cleaning sponge. 
     It is also an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism for a hand operated sponge mop which includes a spring force to push downwardly on the sponge to enable the dirty sponge to be separated from the engagement members which retain the cleaning sponge onto the main body of the sponge mop so that the connection is released, enabling the sponge to be released without requiring a human hand to touch a dirty sponge. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide ratchet teeth retaining members to prevent the force compression springs from causing the sponge to move downwardly to be discarded until the ratchet teeth retaining members are manually released. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the present invention main body of a hand operated squeeze sponge mop illustrating the retainer for a hand retaining assembly which retains a collar into which an elongated handle is retained, and a pair of housings for retaining the operational mechanisms of the present invention including a top perspective view of each trigger mechanism respectively retained on the top of a housing, also illustrating the hingeably attached squeeze member; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the present invention main body of a hand operated squeeze sponge mop illustrating the retainer for a hand retaining assembly which retains a collar into which an elongated handle is retained, and a pair of housings for retaining the operational mechanisms of the present invention including a top perspective view of each trigger mechanism respectively retained on the top of a housing, also illustrating the hingeably attached squeeze member; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear top perspective view of a cleaning sponge with a surface attached onto the top surface of the sponge, the surface retaining a pair of oppositely disposed notched collars, each notched collar having pair of spring retaining posts on opposite sides of each notched collar; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view including a top perspective view of the present invention main body of a hand operated squeeze sponge mop illustrating the retainer for a hand retaining assembly which retains a collar into which an elongated handle is retained, and a pair of housings for retaining the operational mechanisms of the present invention including a top perspective view of each trigger mechanism respectively retained on the top of a housing, also illustrating the hingeably attached squeeze member and a front top perspective view of a cleaning sponge with a surface attached onto the top surface of the sponge, the surface retaining a pair of oppositely disposed notched collars with the notches on the opposite sides of the collars as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , each notched collar having pair of spring retaining posts on opposite sides of each notched collar, with the sponge assembly removed from the main body; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the present invention main body of a hand operated squeeze sponge mop illustrating the retainer for a hand retaining assembly which retains a collar into which an elongated handle is retained, and a pair of housings for retaining the operational mechanisms of the present invention including a top perspective view of each trigger mechanism respectively retained on the top of a housing, also illustrating the hingeably attached squeeze member with sponge retained onto the main body; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 A- 6 A of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is cross-sectional view taken along line  6 B- 6 B of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear cutaway view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 , with the view rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise to more clearly illustrate the trigger and tooth mechanism; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5  showing the sponge in the retained condition in housing  10 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 A- 8 A of  FIG. 5  showing the sponge in the retained condition in housing  10 A; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 8  but showing the trigger mechanism released so that the sponge retaining plate pins and collar are moving away from the underside of the plate and are released to be disposed of in the trash; and 
         FIG. 9A  is a partial cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 8A  but showing the trigger mechanism released so that the sponge retaining plate pins and collar are moving away from the underside of the plate and are released to be disposed of in the trash. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , there is respectively illustrated a top perspective view and a top plan view of the present invention incorporated into a portion of the main body  100  of a hand operated squeeze sponge mop  110  illustrating a pair of housings  10  and  10 A which respectively retain the operating mechanism of the present invention, also illustrating the top of a trigger mechanism  70  and  70 A respectively retained on the top of each housing  10  and  10 A and which trigger mechanism retains a notched collar as will be described. Illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a handle retaining member  120  affixed to the main body  100 , the handle retaining member including a collar  130  into which an elongated handle (not shown) is retained. Also illustrated is a squeeze member  150  having a handle  160  and a multiplicity of openings  170 , the squeeze member  150  rotatably attached by hinges  180  to a rear edge  102  of the main body  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a rear top perspective view of a cleaning sponge  200  with a surface member  60  attached onto the top surface  210  of the sponge  200 . The surface member  60  retains a pair of oppositely disposed notched collars  20  and  20 A. Each notched collar  20  and  20 A includes an exterior surface  22  and  22 A which respectively contain a notch or tooth receiving member  24  and  24 A. Each notched collar  20  and  20 A has a pair of spring retaining pins  30  and  32  on opposite sides of notched collar  30  and  30 A and  32 A on opposite sides of notched collar  20 A. The spring retaining pins  30 ,  32 ,  30 A and  32 A are also retained in surface member  60 . 
     Notched collar  20  and spring retaining pins  30  and  32  extend perpendicularly to the top surface  62  of surface member  60 . Notched collar  20 A and spring retaining pins  30 A And  32 A extend perpendicularly to the top surface  62  of surface member  60 . The centerline  26  of notched collar  20  and the centerline  26 A of notched collar  20 A are separated by a given distance “DI” The underside  64  of surface member  60  is fused by high heat or otherwise permanently attached to the top surface  210  of sponge  200 . 
     While surface member  60  is illustrated as one piece, it is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention for the surface member to be formed into two pieces, one piece retaining notched collar  20  and spring retaining pins  30  and  32  and a separate piece retaining notched collar  20 A and spring retaining pins  30 A and  32 A. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated an exploded view including a top perspective view of the main body  100  of the hand operated squeeze sponge mop  110  and the squeeze member  150  hingeably attached to the main body  100  as previously described.  FIG. 4  illustrates a front view notched collar  20  and spring retaining pins  30  and  32  aligned with housing  10  and notched collar  20 A and spring retaining pins  30 A and  32 A aligned with housing  10 A. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated a front perspective view of the present invention main body  100  of the hand operated squeeze sponge mop  110  illustrating the retainer for a hand retaining assembly which retains a collar into which an elongated handle is retained, and a pair of housings  10  and  10 A for retaining the operational mechanisms of the present invention including a top perspective view of each trigger mechanism  70  and  70 A respectively retained on the tops  12  and  12 A of housings  10 — and  10 A, also illustrating the hingeably attached squeeze member with sponge retained onto the main body in the engaged or retained condition. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5  to illustrate a portion of the operating mechanism of the present invention. Trigger mechanism  70  includes a press button  72  having a top surface  74  and a bottom surface  76 , an arcuate bent arm  78  extending from the press button  72  and terminating in a tooth  80  at the distal end  79  of arm  78 . The bent arm  78  also includes a pivot collar  82  with an opening  84  extending through the entire thickness of the pivot collar  82 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 6A , housing  10  has a top surface  12  to which is affixed a pair of parallel posts  14  and  18  which extends perpendicularly to the top  12  of housing  10 , each post  14  and  18  has a respective transverse openings  16  and  20  extending from a respective interior surface  13  and  17  of respective posts  14  and  18 , the openings  16  and  20  are aligned. The trigger mechanism  70  is rotatably affixed to the housing  10  by a pivot pin  86  which extends through opening  84  in pivot collar  82  and extends into respective openings  16  and  20  in posts  14  and  18 . A biasing spring  87  is affixed at one end to the bottom surface  76  of press button  72  and affixed at its opposite end to the top surface  12  of housing  10 . The housing also has an opening  8  in wall  6 . 
     Notched collar  20  extends into an interior opening  4  in housing  10 . The tooth  80  of trigger mechanism  70  extends through opening  8 . The upward force of the biasing spring to be discussed causes tooth  80  to engage notch  24  in collar  20 . In this engaged condition the collar  20  and plate member  60  which is affixed to the sponge is retained against the bottom surface  102  of main body  100  and overcomes the downward force of force springs  90  and  92 . 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 7 and 6B , the housing  10 A retains notched collar  20 A by the identical trigger mechanism affixed to posts  14 A and  18 A.  FIG. 7  is a cut away perspective-section taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 . Trigger mechanism  70 A includes a press button  72 A having a top surface  74 A and a bottom surface  76 A, an arcuate bent a in  78 A extending from the press button  72 A and terminating in a tooth  80 A at the distal end  79 A of arm  78 A. The bent arm  78 A also includes a pivot collar  82 A with an opening  84 A extending through the entire thickness of the pivot collar  82 A. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , housing  10 A has a top surface  12 A to which is affixed a pair of parallel posts  14 A and  18 A which extend perpendicularly to the top  12 A of housing  10 A, each post  14 A and  18 A has a respective transverse opening  16 A and  20 A extending from a respective interior surfaced  13 A and  17 A of respective posts  14 A and  18 A, the openings  16 A and  20 A are aligned. The trigger mechanism  70 A is rotatably affixed to the housing  10 A by a pivot pin  86 A which extends through opening  84 A in pivot collar  82 A and extends into respective openings  16 A and  20 A in posts  14 A and  18 A. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a biasing spring  87 A is affixed at one end to the bottom surface  76 A of press button  72 A and affixed at its opposite end to the top surface  12 A of housing  10 A. The housing also has an opening  8 A in wall  6 A. 
     Notched collar  20 A extends into an interior opening  4 A in housing  10 A. The tooth  80 A of trigger mechanism  70 A extends through opening  8 A. The upward force of the biasing spring  87 A causes tooth  80 A to engage notch  24 A in collar  20 A. In this engaged condition the collar  20 A and plate member  60  which is affixed to sponge  200  are retained against the bottom surface  102  of main body  100 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 5  with tooth  80  of a spring biased trigger mechanism  70  engaging a notch  24  in a notched collar  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Force compression spring  90  is retained on pin  30  and retained within opening  4  of collar  10  by upper post  2 . Force compression spring  92  is retained on pin  32  and retained within opening  4  of collar  10  by upper post  3 . With the trigger mechanism  70  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the downward force of the compression springs  90  and  92  is overcome by the biasing spring  86  causing tooth  80  to engage notch  24  in notched collar  10 . As illustrated, the sponge  200  is retained against the underside  106  of main body  100 .  FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view taken along Line  8 A- 8 A from  FIG. 5  with the tooth  80 A of a spring biased trigger mechanism  70 A engaging the notch  24 A in the notched collar  10 A as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Force compression spring  90 A is retained on pin  30 A and retained within opening  4  of collar  10  by upper post  2 A. Force compression spring  92 A is retained on pin  32 A and retained within opening  4  of collar  10 A by upper post  3 A. With the trigger mechanism  70 A as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8A , the downward force of the compression springs  90 A and  92 A is overcome by the biasing spring  86 A causing tooth  80 A to engage notch  24 A in notched collar  10 A. 
     Cleaning is then performed until the sponge is wet and dirty and water is wrung out of the sponge  200  by squeeze member rotated to press sponge  200  against the underside  106  of main body  100  with water flowing through openings. The sponge  200  is once against dipped in cleaning water and the cleaning operation continues. When the sponge  200  becomes so dirty that the dirty sponge  202  has to be replaced, the present invention is further utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , when a downward force such as from a finger is exerted on top surface  74  of press button  72  to overcome the force of biasing spring  86 , the trigger mechanism  70  rotates about pivot collar  82  and tooth  80  is disengaged from notch  24  of notched collar  20 . Similarly, referring to  FIG. 9A , when a downward force is exerted on top surface  74 A of press button  72 A to overcome the force of biasing spring  86 A, the trigger mechanism  70 A rotates about pivot collar  82 A and tooth  80 A is disengaged from notch  24 A of notched collar  20 A. 
     Therefore, referring to  FIGS. 9 and 9A , as a result of the downward force of the compression springs now being free to act, the downward force from compression springs  90  and  90 A exert a downward force on press plate  60  and dirty sponge  202  and therefore, collar  20 , pins  30  and  32 , plate  60  and dirty sponge  202  are pushed away from the underside  106  of main body  100  and in addition, the force of compression springs  90 A and  92 A exert a downward force on plate  60  and sponge  202  and therefore, pins  30 A and  32 A and collar  10 A, plate  60  and dirty sponge  202  are also pushed away from the underside  106  of main body  100  and therefore, the sponge and the attachments are discarded, leaving only the main body and force compression springs  30 ,  32 ,  30 A and  32 A retained on respective posts  2 ,  3 ,  2 A and  3 A within the main body  10  and  10 A respectively. As a result, a hand does not have to touch the sponge in order for the sponge to be released and discarded into a trash receptacle, with a new sponge assembly consisting of a new sponge, new plate, new notched collars and new pins to retain the springs is reinserted and affixed as previously discussed. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.