Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-25
2001-04-17
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Combined
C015S106000, C015S115000, C015S118000, C015S116200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216307
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to floor cleaning devices and, more particularly, to a hand held mop, broom or scrubber device having two cleaning elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Numerous floor cleaning devices have been invented over the years. Generally, they all provided a labor saving device in that they allowed the user to stand upright while cleaning the floor surface. Broadly classified, there are string mops, and sponge mops and brooms. The sponge mop uses a sponge for absorbing fluids and for cleaning the floor and a squeezing mechanism in order to remove water absorbed into the sponge. Most of these devices have one cleaning implement, namely, the sponge, contacting the floor. An improvement to these devices was the introduction of a scrubbing strip along one side of the sponge element. However, none of the prior devices employed a rigidly supported scrubber pad having a surface area substantially the same as the surface area of the sponge. At best, small scrubber pad strips have been employed along an edge of the sponge.
For example, one type of wringer mop is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,730,744 issued to Vaughn on Jan. 17, 1956. This design provides for the sponge element to be folded upon itself and compressed to permit the extraction of water. Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,947,014 issued to O'Connor et al. on Aug. 2, 1960, a compressible folding sponge element is also illustrated. As can be seen, neither of these devices utilized an abrasive scrubbing strip. A problem with folding the sponge is that it results in failure of the sponge along the fold area.
One mop which does utilize either a sponge element or an abrasive element is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,008,163 to Bommer on Nov. 20, 1959. In Bommer, two mop elements are separated by a flexible partition which allows the mop elements to move or flex from one orientation to another. The sponge element is drawn up between a pair of rollers in order to have absorbed liquid removed. Even though the Bommer device illustrates two different cleaning elements on the cleaning head, the flexible support between the two cleaning elements will not allow a person to apply substantial force onto the cleaning head without the cleaning elements bending. Furthermore, it is likely that one of the wringing rollers will rub or contact the floor during the cleaning operation if sufficient force is applied downwardly by the user against the cleaning element. This is due to the fact that the cleaning elements will easily flex, causing the roller to strike the floor. Another shortcoming is that a portion of the cleaning element is always in compression between the rollers. This minimizes the usable surface of the mop head. The wringing mechanism is also complex, extending outwardly from the handle, and, thus, can catch or strike objects while mopping. All of these complexities add to the cost and possible failure of the mop and its wringing mechanism.
Another mop which provides for drawing the sponge between a pair of rollers is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,488 to Barry which issued on Dec. 11, 1978. However, Barry does not illustrate or use an abrasive cleaning strip nor can one easily be positioned on the sponge element. Barry also does not use a pivotal base plate to position either a sponge or abrasive cleaning strip in proper position for floor cleaning.
Various types of string mops and brooms have also been invented. Most of the brooms have only one side of the broom head with a brush or bristles. Those with two sided cleaning elements may have had a brush on one side and a rubber strip on the other side. None provided a pivotal head to position either cleaning element at a convenient angle for the user to stand upright, regardless of which element was contacting the floor.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved hand held cleaning device having a rigid base frame assembly which supports the cleaning head and cleaning elements during the cleaning operation. It is a related object to provide a mop having a sponge element mounted on one side of the frame assembly and a scrubbing element mounted on the other side. Another related object is to provide a cleaning device having one cleaning element mounted on one side of the frame assembly and a second cleaning element on the other side.
It is a related object to provide a cleaning device that presents either the first element or the second element to the surface to be cleaned by merely pivoting the cleaning head and turning the mop shaft 180°. It is a related object to provide a cleaning device which has a pivotal base frame assembly to allow the first cleaning element or the second cleaning element to be applied to the floor while maintaining the handle at a comfortable position for the user to perform the cleaning operation.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a self-wringing mop that easily allows for the extraction of water from the sponge element without the user's hands contacting the sponge element. It is a related object to provide a self-wringing mop which provides for a slidable sleeve element which slides along the axis of the handle to activate the self-wringing mechanism.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a self-wringing mop assembly that provides for a compression roller to roll over the sponge element to compress and wring absorbed fluids from the sponge.
Still another object is to provide a self-wringing mop assembly having a pivotal frame which pivots between two extreme positions, one position orienting the sponge element in proper relation to the floor and the second position orienting the scrubber to the floor. A related object is the object of providing a mop with an intermediary wringing position in which the base frame assembly is drawn past a roller which compresses the sponge element between the roller and the base frame assembly for extracting liquids from the sponge.
Still another object is the object of providing a self-wringing mop assembly having a sponge on one side of a base frame assembly and a scrubber element having approximately the same dimensions as the sponge on the other side of the base frame.
It is still another object to provide a self-wringing mop wherein the wringing mechanism does not strike or scratch the surface being mopped when the mop is in its cleaning position.
Another object is to provide a cleaning device having two brush-like cleaning elements, one on each side of the base frame which can be oriented to clean the floor by rotating the handle and pivoting the base frame assembly.
These and other objects and advantages will be apparent upon reading the brief description of the drawings and the description of the preferred embodiment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a hand held cleaning device for cleaning floors and other flat surfaces. In one embodiment, there is an elongated handle having a longitudinal axis with a base frame assembly attached to the bottom end of the handle. The base frame assembly is a substantially rigid planar surface which has a sponge element on one of the surfaces and a scrubbing element on the opposite surface. The base frame is pivotally connected to the bottom end of the elongated handle such that the base frame can pivot between two cleaning positions. In the first position, the sponge is substantially parallel with the floor and the handle extends at an acute angle to the floor for ease by the operator in mopping. In the other position, the base frame is pivoted to the second position and the handle is rotated 180° about its axis such that the scrubbing element is parallel with the floor and the handle is maintained at a comfortable working angle with respect to the floor surface. There is a sleeve mounted toward the lower half of the elongated handle with a roller mechanism mounted at the bottom of the sleeve. When the sponge element is saturated, the user slides the sleeve toward the bottom of the elongated handle. T
Kaleta Bryan
Kaleta Mark
Chin Randall E.
CMA Manufacturing Co.
Knechtel Demeur & Samlan
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