Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Particular handle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-12
2001-05-29
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Particular handle
C015S228000, C015S229100, C015S229600, C015S229700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237182
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dust mopping, cleaning or a sweeping apparatus and in particular to mops or applications where debris is being removed by an apparatus. The present invention relates to a unitary flexible molded elastomer attachment that requires no assembly and allows for the floor dust mop to automatically rebound back after hitting obstacles. The new innovation allows for flexible floor dust mops to be less expensive to manufacture and to reduce an operator workload.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The standard floor dust mop has two primary components. The first component is the floor dust mop head that comprises a rectangular structure usually made of a metal tube that supports therein a cloth covered sewn bag with a multiplicity of dust-absorbing cotton yarn-like strands. The support structure has a lateral cross bar which is used to attach the mop handle that is comprised of an assembled clamp mechanism consisting of springs and pivot rivets. The second primary component of the floor dust mop is the handle which is usually a cylindrical pole that is attached to a costly floor dust mop handle connector mechanism that requires assembly in order for the attachment to pivot in the transverse axis and allow the floor dust mop to move in multiple directions. The floor dust mop handle connector is removable and is typically fitted with a clamp that engages onto the floor dust mop frame. The floor dust mop handle connector is affixed to the top of the metal frame structure that supports the cotton skirt cover. The combination of the two permits the floor dust mop to be pushed and pulled by the exertion of a force on the handle and flex when coming in contact with obstacles.
One significant problem with flexible floor dust mops is the costly pivoting mechanism that allows the floor dust mop to flex around obstacles. Secondly, when the floor dust mop moves around an obstacle, the operator must twist the floor dust mop to regain the original position of the floor dust mop. Thirdly, the flexible mechanisms are made from steel and after being in use for a while they start to corrode or the spring on the release mechanism wears out.
Prior art has been patented on mechanisms or attachments that allow for a flexible joint between the floor dust mop head and floor dust mop handle. However, to date all prior arts are quite costly to manufacture due to the expense of springs and their installation into the floor dust mop head, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 2,286,655 issued Jun. 16, 1942 to Frederick Supnick.
Therefore, a significant need exists to improve upon the previous patents that allows for a more cost effective flexible attachment to be made out of a single piece of elastomeric material, thereby eliminating costly mechanisms that require assembly and could corrode. It is also desirable to provide a flexible attachment that is economic to manufacture so that a floor dust mop that can flex back without operator movement when cleaning around comers, doorways and obstacles on the floor in order for it to be easily negotiated when it is necessary to sweep adjacent or around them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a mechanism that is affixed at a location between a floor dust mop handle and a head of the floor dust mop to provide a flexible member at the junction where the handle is attached to the floor dust mop head. Through use of the flexible elastomeric member, when the floor dust mop head comes in contact with a stationary object, the floor dust mop will flex beyond 90 degrees deflection around the longitudinal axis in relation to the floor dust mop handle.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus by which a conventional floor dust mop head can efficiently utilize a flexible elastomer floor dust mop handle attachment that can be economically manufactured.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an insert that can be adapted to existing floor dust mop heads to provide flexibility.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an attachment which can be attached to the forward end of the floor dust mop handle to thereby provide the option of selling a handle with insert attached which can be affixed to the top of the head of a floor dust mop head.
Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claim, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1524295 (1925-01-01), Erickson
patent: 2056934 (1936-10-01), Bohnenblust
patent: 2646588 (1953-07-01), Wagner
patent: 2828503 (1958-04-01), Goldstein
patent: 5657507 (1997-08-01), Wasak
patent: 5673452 (1997-10-01), Chang
patent: 6094768 (2000-08-01), Hugon
Chen Tony D.
Chin Randall E.
Fong Jerry
Rozsa Thomas I.
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