Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of cleaning devices and more specifically relates to a modular cleaning system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A broom is a cleaning tool consisting of usually stiff fibers (often made of materials such as plastic, hair, or corn husks) attached to, and roughly parallel to, a cylindrical handle, the broomstick. It is commonly used in combination with a dustpan. A mop (such as a floor mop) is a mass or bundle of coarse strings or yarn, etc., or a piece of cloth, sponge, or other absorbent material, attached to a pole or stick. It is used to soak up liquid, for cleaning floors and other surfaces, to mop up dust, or for other cleaning purposes. 
         [0006]    Both a mops and brooms are found in most households. Mops and brooms are products that we use daily to clean homes and offices. They sweep the dirt from location A to B, but when there&#39;s something stuck on the floor they don&#39;t help much. People tend to use either a sponge or something else while they sweep or wash the floors. However, the problem is, a user must to bend down. Often times cleaning using this method can create back pains. This is not desirable. 
         [0007]    Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,584,518 to Fred I. Morad; U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,576 to James G. Horian; U.S. Pat. No. 3,157,901 to Hugh Murphy; U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,240 to Christopher J. Laux; U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,494 to Robert A. Cann; U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,942 to Harold Footer; U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,651 to George W. Jardine; U.S. Pat. No. 3,054,127 to Harold A. Petsch; U.S. Pat. No. 2,715,237 to Joseph H. Trindl; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,740,146 to Sidney P. Vaughn. This art is representative of cleaning devices. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0008]    Preferably, a cleaning device should provide users with a combination of a sponge and a broom for efficient household cleaning use and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable modular cleaning system to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known cleaning device art, the present invention provides a novel modular cleaning system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a device that combines broom and mop functions for efficient use. 
         [0010]    The present invention is a convenient way to combine a sponge to brooms and mops. The sponge may easily modularly attach and detach from one broom or mop to another. The modular cleaning system for brooms and mops will allow a user to lower a connected sponge when desired for cleaning. A handle allows a user to lower and lift the sponge. The handle is to be an add-on component and therefore not permanently connected to the stick, but rather can be connected and disconnected securely. The handle may comprise plastic or other such suitable material. 
         [0011]    A modular cleaning system is disclosed herein, in a preferred embodiment, comprising: a modular cleaning assembly having a rod with a proximate end, a distal end, an outer surface, a length and an inner volume, a telescopic member, a cleaning-assembly having a first-cleaning-member, and a second-cleaning-member, and a manipulating assembly. The modular cleaning system, as such, comprises the modular cleaning assembly. The modular cleaning assembly comprises the rod, the telescopic member, the cleaning-assembly, and the manipulating assembly in functional combination. 
         [0012]    The rod is defined by the proximate end, the distal end, the length, the outer surface, and the inner volume. The rod of the outer surface comprises a tubular profile. The rod is non-flexible such that the telescopic member is able to freely and reliably travel along a lower portion of the length within the inner volume. The distal end comprises an aperture for the telescopic member to extend outwardly therefrom when the manipulating assembly is adjusted in relation to the inner volume of the rod, the second-cleaning-member attached to the telescopic member, the second-cleaning-member not able to retract within the inner volume. 
         [0013]    The inner volume of the rod comprises a housing for substantially supporting the telescopic member in relation to the rod. The inner volume is formed as a periphery about the telescopic member, the outer surface surrounding and forming the inner volume. The cleaning-assembly comprises the first-cleaning-member and the second-cleaning-member in functional combination. The first-cleaning-member and the second-cleaning-member are not used simultaneously. The first-cleaning-member comprises a broom with bristles suitable for sweep cleaning surfaces. The second-cleaning-member comprises a sponge suitable for scrubbing while cleaning the surfaces. The sponge comprises pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them. The second-cleaning-member comprises abrasives for scrub-cleaning the surfaces. The second-cleaning-member comprises abrasives for scrub-cleaning of wet the surfaces. The bristles are structured and arranged for cleaning of dry the surfaces. 
         [0014]    The manipulating assembly further comprises a lever for allowing manipulation up and down during use of the first-cleaning-member and alternately the second-cleaning-member. The manipulating assembly comprises at least one spring. The spring is used to store mechanical energy. The lever is able to manipulate the spring between extended and retracted positions. The telescopic member is able to be moved by the manipulating assembly, the telescopic member able to traverse in relation to the inner volume of the rod between extended and retracted positions. The first-cleaning-member is able to be moved in relation to the second-cleaning-member via the manipulating assembly such that alternate use of the first-cleaning-member and the second-cleaning-member is enabled. The first-cleaning-member is fixed and occupies a position outside of the second-cleaning-member, the second-cleaning-member able to be moved into and out of the first-cleaning-member for use. The modular cleaning system is structured and arranged to provide a multi-functional means by which to clean the surfaces. Certain embodiments may comprise the second-cleaning-member being mounted external as a retro-fit to the first-cleaning-member as a side mount. 
         [0015]    A kit is also disclosed including: the modular cleaning assembly, the first-cleaning-member, the second-cleaning-member which is removably replaceable with another the second-cleaning-member, and a set of user-instructions. 
         [0016]    A method of using a modular cleaning system is described herein comprising the steps of: holding a rod of a modular cleaning assembly, and manipulating a lever of the modular cleaning assembly to operate a first-cleaning-member to sweep and alternatively a second-cleaning-member to scrub for cleaning at least one surface. The method further comprises the steps of: extending and retracting the second-cleaning-member while the first-cleaning-member is fixed in relation to the rod. 
         [0017]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a modular cleaning system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, modular cleaning system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a modular cleaning system during an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustrating the modular cleaning system comprising a telescopic member according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view illustrating the modular cleaning system according to another embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view illustrating modular cleaning system comprising a rod, the telescopic member, a lever and a sponge according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-2B . 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a kit for the modular cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the modular cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0025]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a cleaning device and more particularly to a modular cleaning system as used to improve the use of mops and brooms during cleaning. 
         [0027]    Generally speaking, the present invention is a convenient way to combine a sponge to brooms and mops. The sponge may easily attach and detach from one broom or mop to another. The modular cleaning system for broom and mops allow a user to lower a connected sponge when desired. A plastic handle allows a user to lower and lift the sponge. The plastic handle is to be an add-on component and therefore not permanently connected to the stick, but rather can be connected and disconnected securely. Modular cleaning system allows users to avoid carrying both a mop or broom and sponge. The modular cleaning system also eliminates the need for users to bend down and scrub the floor. The device is also able to work with a vacuum as an attachment on the front. The levered or telescopic device extends from the front of the vacuum in so-equipped embodiments. 
         [0028]    Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , modular cleaning system  100  comprising: modular cleaning assembly  110  comprising rod  114  having proximate end  116 , distal end  118 , outer surface  120 , and inner volume  122 , telescopic member  130 , and cleaning-assembly  154  having first-cleaning-member  156 , second-cleaning-member  160 , and manipulating assembly  170 . Modular cleaning system  100  comprises modular cleaning assembly  110 . Modular cleaning assembly  110  comprises rod  114 , telescopic member  130 , cleaning-assembly  154 , and manipulating assembly  170  in functional combination. 
         [0029]    Rod  114  is defined by proximate end  116 , distal end  118 , outer surface  120 , and inner volume  122 . Cleaning-assembly  154  comprises first-cleaning-member  156  and second-cleaning-member  160  in functional combination. Manipulating assembly  170  comprises lever  172  for allowing manipulation during use of first-cleaning-member  156  and alternately second-cleaning-member  160 . Telescopic member  130  is able to be moved by manipulating assembly  170 ; telescopic member  130  able to traverse in relation to inner volume  122  of rod  114  between extended and retracted positions. 
         [0030]    First-cleaning-member  156  is able to be moved in relation to second-cleaning-member  160  via manipulating assembly  170  such that alternate use of first-cleaning-member  156  and second-cleaning-member is enabled  160 . First-cleaning-member  156  is fixed and occupies a position outside of second-cleaning-member  160 . Second-cleaning-member  160  able to be moved into and out of first-cleaning-member  156  for desired use. Modular cleaning system  100  is structured and arranged to provide a multi-functional means by which to clean surfaces. First-cleaning-member  156  comprises a broom  158  with bristles suitable for sweep cleaning surfaces. Second-cleaning-member  160  comprises sponge  162  suitable for scrubbing while cleaning surfaces. 
         [0031]    Distal end  118  comprises an aperture for telescopic member  130  to extend outwardly when manipulating assembly  170  is adjusted in relation to inner volume  122  of rod  114 . Inner volume  122  of rod  114  comprises a housing for substantially supporting telescopic member  130  in relation to rod  114 . Manipulating assembly  170  preferably comprises at least one spring  174 . Spring  174  is used to store mechanical energy. Lever  172  is able to manipulate spring  174  between extended and retracted positions. First-cleaning-member  156  and second-cleaning-member  160  are not used simultaneously. Second-cleaning-member  160  comprises pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them. Second-cleaning-member  160  comprises abrasives for scrub-cleaning surfaces. Bristles are structured and arranged for cleaning of dry the surfaces. Rod  114  of outer surface  120  comprises a tubular profile. Inner volume  122  is formed as a periphery about telescopic member  130 ; outer surface  120  surrounding and forming inner volume. Rod is non-flexible such that the telescopic member is able to freely and reliably travel within the inner volume  122 . 
         [0032]    Modular cleaning system  100  may be sold as kit  440  comprising the following parts: at least one modular cleaning assembly  110  at least one first-cleaning-member  156 ; at least one second-cleaning-member  160 ; and at least one set of user instructions. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Modular cleaning system  100  may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different cleaning combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  showing flowchart  550  illustrating method of use  500  for modular cleaning system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . As shown, method of use  500  may comprise the steps of: step one  501 , holding rod  114  of modular cleaning assembly  110 ; step two  502 , manipulating lever  172  of modular cleaning assembly  110  to operate first-cleaning-member  156  to sweep and alternatively second-cleaning-member  160  to scrub for cleaning at least one surface; and step three  503 , extending and retracting the second-cleaning-member  160  while the first-cleaning-member is fixed in relation to rod  114 . 
         [0034]    It should be noted that step three  503 , is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶ 6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0036]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

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