Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Combined
Reissue Patent
2000-05-17
2001-10-23
Warden, Sr., Robert J. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Combined
C015S118000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037415
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to mops and more specifically to mops of the roller type in which spaced apart roller members are connected to a frame and a deformable floor cleaning member may be drawn through the rollers to squeeze dirt and water out of the floor cleaning member. Mops and particularly roller sponge mops are well known and have achieved a wide level of consumer acceptance. However, known roller sponge mops require some substantial force to draw the cleaning element between the rollers. Some persons, particularly small females and elderly persons, have difficulty performing this action due to limited hand and arm strength. Examples of such roller mops are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,381,579, 5,665,248, and Des. Pat. No. 334,263. Additionally, roller mops are available which feature replaceable cleaning elements; but such replacements tend to be cumbersome. An example of such a mop is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,727.
Past attempts to connect abrasive scrubber attachments to roller sponge mops have been by securing such attachments to the rollers themselves, as seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,491,998 and 4,654,920. These arrangements are awkward and the sponge portion of the mop often interferes with the scrubber. The use of the scrubbers on these mops is even more difficult when the sponge portion of the mop must be held in a withdrawn position in order to use the scrubber.
Therefore, while roller sponge mops have achieved relatively wide commercial acceptance, there are aspects to the operation of roller mops which require improvement of the roller mop as a floor cleaning tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to overcome the limitations and disadvantages of prior roller sponge mops and mop attachments.
It is another object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop which easily and manually operates to draw the sponge of the mop through the space between the rollers to squeeze the sponge therebetween, in order to remove water and dirt carried in the sponge.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop with a hand operated camming system pivotally connected to the handle to allow simple and easy movement of the sponge through the rollers, squeezing the sponge to remove water and direct carried therein.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop with a cam actuated sleeve slidable over the mop handle which allows simple and easy movement of the sponge through the rollers, squeezing the sponge to remove water and dirt carried therein and which is spring biased to allow the sleeve to return to biased position over the handle.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop with a sponge mop attachment with an abrasive cleaning surface, which attachment can readily and easily be removed from the head of the roller sponge mop.
It is another object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop with an attachment with an abrasive cleaning surface, which attachment is designed and formed to be readily used with existing roller sponge mops and be interchangeable between different roller sponge mops.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop with a cam actuated sleeve slidable over the mop handle which comprises tabs which lockably maintain the rollers in retracted position, to allow easy and unencumbered use of the abrasive surface of the mop attachment.
It is another object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop which allows for simple and easy replacement of the sponge member element by providing a self-aligning system comprising a sponge member channel and handle attachment piece.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop with a roller supporting frame reinforced by strengthening inserts.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a roller sponge mop comprising a cam operated roller controlled system and a mop attachment with an abrasive cleaning surface, resulting in a sponge mop which is compact, lightweight, easy and flexible to use.
The present invention contemplates a roller sponge mop which is used for routine floor or similar surface cleaning and moisture absorbing mopping and an integral mop attachment with an outer abrasive surface, designed and formed to be positioned within a wall surface of the lower frame of the mop, to be used for cleaning more difficult and ingrained soiled surfaces. The attachment is removable and interchangeable for use on similarly configured roller mops. The sponge mop roller squeeze feature is actuated by a cammed lever which is rotatably connected to the mop's handle and is positioned adjacent to a sleeve slidable mounted on the handle. At its lower end, the sleeve comprises the frame which carries the mop attachment and connects to the mop's rollers. The bias action of a spring at the lower end of the handle maintains the sponge element of the mop in the cleaning position. As the lever is moved against the sleeve and toward the rollers, the handle is caused to move away from the rollers, drawing the sponge element between the rollers, squeezing dirt and water out of the sponge member. Releasing the lever causes the spring to return the handle and the sponge member to the cleaning position.
Tabs on the sleeve and camming lever interact to lock the sleeve and handle to hold and maintain the sponge element between the rollers independent of the use of manually exertion. In this manner, the abrasive surface can be used without interference from the extended sponge element.
The invention also discloses the use of a handle attachment piece which at one end is secured to the handle and at the other end comprises bottom walls. The bottom walls are self-aligning with corresponding ridged openings on the channel member which holds the sponge element. This alignment system allows for simply and easy replacement of the sponge element of the mop.
Reinforcing metal inserts are provided for strengthening the mop frame which connects the rollers and the mop attachment. The frame is preferably mold plastic, so the inserts provide a measure of rigidity to the frame.
Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
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patent: 5655248 (1997-08-01), Kieson
Goldstein Stuart M.
Quickie Manufacturing Corp.
Snider Theresa T.
Warden, Sr. Robert J.
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