Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-02
2001-04-10
Warden, Sr., Robert J. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Combined
C015S120100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212728
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to wringable mops, and more particularly to self-wringing ratchet mops.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Self-wringing mops are well known and have been the subject of numerous improvements over the years. A typical self-wringing mop generally comprises an elongate handle having upper and lower ends, a sleeve coaxially disposed on the handle and both slidable and rotatable with respect thereto, and a mop swab attached to both the lower end of the handle and the lower end of the sleeve such that, by sliding the sleeve relative to the handle, the mop swab may be selectively placed in a generally flattened condition for mopping, or extended for drying. In its extended condition, the sleeve is rotated about the handle to twist and therefore wring the mop swab. The mop of Heinonen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,278 is exemplary.
One known disadvantage of early self-wringing mops was the lack of a mechanism to prevent the mop swab from unwinding under the increasing tension of the mop swab during the wringing operation. If the mop handle or sleeve either accidentally slipped or was released from the user's hands before the mop swab was wrung sufficiently dry, tension on the swab tended to cause movement of the sleeve or mop handle relative to each other, thereby returning the swab to its unwound condition.
A number of issued patents have attempted to overcome this disadvantage, and the solutions are varied. U.S. Pat. No. 2,495,846, issued to Johnson, discloses a combined mop and wringer head having, according to one embodiment, a pawl and ratchet-wheel mechanism provided in a box-like head at the lower end of the mop handle. The ratchet wheel is slidably associated with a plunger rod provided internal of the handle; movement of the plunger rod relative to the handle resulting in wringing of the mop swab. The ratchet wheel is shown revolving in a clockwise direction with the handle during the wringing operation, the pawl engaging the ratchet wheel to prevent counter-rotation, and thereby maintaining the mop in a twisted condition. Johnson discloses that the pawl is provided on a plate pivotally attached to the box-like head, which plate must be swung out of contact with the ratchet wheel at the conclusion of the wringing operation in order to allow turning of the handle in a counter-clockwise direction so as to return the mop swab to its unwrung, useable condition. As is apparent from the foregoing description, the mechanism of the Johnson patent is unfortunately complex, requiring numerous parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,838, issued to Jouban, discloses a wringer mop comprising a tubular body slidingly disposed on the mop handle and an externally screw-threaded nut fixed in place along the length of the mop handle. To wring the mop swab, the tubular body is pulled along the mop handle towards the nut, thereby stretching the mop swab lengthwise. As the tubular body and nut are brought into threading engagement, the mop swab is twisted about the mop handle and wrung dry. To return the mop swab to its unwound, useable condition, the tubular body and nut must be threadingly disengaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,163, issued to Morad, discloses a self-wringing mop comprising an outer tubular sleeve which is movable longitudinally and rotatably over an inner shaft, a mop head, a locking body, a handle, and a one-way spring- and-ratchet mechanism. The spring and ratchet mechanism comprises a spring-biased pawl located on the outer tubular sleeve, the pawl being engageable with longitudinal ribs provided on the inner shaft to permit rotation of the outer sleeve in only one direction in order to wring the mop head. To allow counter-rotation of the outer sleeve, the pawl is urged radially outward against the spring until it is disengaged from the longitudinal ribs, permitting the outer sleeve to rotate freely about the inner shaft so that the mop head can be returned to its initial position. Like Johnson, the mop of the Morad patent also requires the use of additional parts, such as a separate spring and pawl. This adds to the complexity of the Morad mop. Moreover, the spring-biased pawl of the Morad mop is prone to breaking, particularly when the pawl is urged against the longitudinal ribs against the intended direction of rotation of the outer sleeve.
Additionally, Jumonville, U.S. Pat. No. 1,514,051, teaches a mop of the self-wringing variety having a handle, a slidable and rotatable sleeve, and a plurality of mop strands associated with both the sleeve and the handle. A metallic sleeve is provided over a portion of the handle and includes a plurality of ratchets cooperating with a radially movable ratchet button provided on the slidable and rotatable sleeve. To wring the Jumonville mop, it is taught that the sleeve is pulled upwardly along the handle so that the ratchets are engaged by the ratchet button as the mop strands are extended. The sleeve is then turned about the handle and inward pressure is applied to the ratchet button, thus twisting the mop strands. When, by means of such twisting, the mop strands are brought under sufficient wringing tension, Jumonville teaches that cooperation between the ratchet button and ratchets serves to hold the sleeve against rotation about the handle. As with other prior art devices, however, the Jumonville device is complex in construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved self-wringing ratchet mop with a pawl designed as an integral component of a movable tubular grip sleeve in order to minimize the number of component parts of the mop.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a self-wringing ratchet mop which is simple in construction, inexpensive, and durable.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished through the provision of a self-wringing ratchet mop comprising an elongate handle having at least one channel provided along a discrete length thereof, a tubular member slidably and rotatably disposed on the handle, the tubular member having a wall formed to include at least one pawl, and a mop swab connected to the handle and the tubular member. The wall of the tubular member is cut to define a living hinge on which the at least one pawl is flexibly radially moveable.
The at least one pawl is positionable over the discrete length of the handle so as to be engageable with the at least one channel to resist rotation of the tubular member in a first direction about the handle. The at least one pawl is further radially moveable out of engagement with the at least one channel when the tubular member is rotated in a second direction about the handle.
In operation, the mop swab is wrung by sliding the tubular member along the handle to engage the at least one pawl with the at least one longitudinal channel. With the pawl thus engaged, the tubular member is rotatable in only one direction, so that if the user releases his hold on the tubular member, the mop swab does not completely unwind. To unwind the mop swab, the tubular member is slid along the handle until the at least one pawl is disengaged from the at least one longitudinal channel, the tubular member subsequently being freely rotatable about the mop handle so that the mop swab may be brought back to its original, unwound condition.
According to one feature of this invention, a ratchet sleeve is provided defining an opening therethrough for receiving the handle. The sleeve includes radially opposed interior and exterior surfaces, the exterior surface including the at least one longitudinal channel thereon. The sleeve is dimensioned to be receivable within the tubular member.
According to a further feature of this invention, the at least one pawl may comprise a plurality of pawls, while the at least one channel may comprise a plurality of channels.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to both the specification and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 15274 (1922-01-01), Kenner
pat
Facca Andrew G.
LaBelle James
Wilen Joseph M.
Multi-Reach, Inc.
Olsen Kaj K.
Warden, Sr. Robert J.
Young & Basile P.C.
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