Patent ID: 8381346

Claim:
A mop, comprising: a hollow handle having a proximal end for gripping the handle and a pad support assembly coupled at a distal end, including a proximal sleeve portion coaxially slideable about the handle and a distal flanged portion; a cleaning pad having an absorbent portion removably attached to the pad support assembly; a wringing frame fixed to the handle at the distal end thereof and received substantially within the distal flanged portion of the pad support assembly, the wringing frame having an opening therein; an actuator lever coupled to the handle, including a hollow on one side thereof; and a linkage, including an elongated piston located substantially internal to the handle, said piston being coupled at one end to the sleeve portion of the pad support assembly via a coupling member extending through a distal slot in the handle, and further including a rod having a proximal portion, a flattened S-shaped middle portion, and a straight distal portion, said rod extending from within the hollow of the handle to the actuator level, through a proximal slot in the handle, and pivotally attaching to an opposing end of the piston to the actuator lever, wherein when the actuator lever is in a first position, the cleaning pad is in an uncompressed cleaning position, and when the actuator lever is moved to a second position, the linkage draws the cleaning pad into a wringing position, wherein the absorbent portion is at least partially withdrawn into the wringing frame opening and is at least partially compressed, and wherein the proximal portion of the rod is received within the hollow of the lever when the lever is in the first position.