CA2703657A1

CA2703657A1 - Squeeze mop

Info

Publication number: CA2703657A1
Application number: CA2703657A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Norbert Weis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Priority date: 2007-11-28
Filing date: 2008-11-06
Publication date: 2009-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2028-11-06
Also published as: USD593268S1; MX2010004944A; EP2211681A1; CN101835415B; CN101835415A; WO2009068160A1; DE102007057602A1; CA2703657C

Abstract

A squeeze mop, comprising a carrier body (1) that is formed by a double joint (2) and two wing plates (3, 4) that are arranged in the longitudinal direction (5) of the carrier body (1) on both sides of the double joint (2) and are connected to the double joint. The invention further comprises a handle (6), wherein the carrier body (1) on the side facing axially away from the handle (6) comprises a cleaning pad (7) that substantially corresponds to the size of the carrier body (1), and wherein the wing plates (3, 4) can be pressed against each other by means of a squeeze device (8), wherein the squeeze device (8) is designed in a fork shape and is open on the side facing axially away from the handle (6). The squeeze device comprises two pressure arms (9, 10) that are arranged substantially parallel to each other and can be engaged with the wing plates (3, 4) for folding the wing plates (3, 4) around the double joint (2). The squeeze device (8) is connected to the handle (6).
The handle (6) is connected to the double joint (2) at least pivotally about the longitudinal axis (5) of the carrier body (1), wherein the squeeze device (8) comprises an actuating rod (11) that is moveable in the axial direction of the handle (6) and that is connected both to the double joint (2) and to a pivotable hand grip (12) that is fixed in a stationary manner on the handle (6) for actuating the squeeze device (8).

Description

SQUEEZE MOP
Description Technical field The invention relates to a squeeze mop comprising a carrying body which is formed by a double joint and two wing plates which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the carrying body, on both sides of the double joint, and are connected to the latter, and also comprising a handle, wherein the carrying body, on the side which is directed axially away from the handle, has a mop pad which corresponds essentially to the size of the carrying body, and wherein the wing plates can be pressed against one another by means of a squeezing-out device, wherein the squeezing-out device is designed in fork form and to be open on the side which is directed axially away from the handle, and it comprises two pressure-exerting arms which are arranged essentially parallel to one another and can be brought into engagement with the wing plates in order for the wing plates to be folded around the double joint, wherein the squeezing-out device is connected to the handle, and wherein the handle is connected to the double joint such that it can be pivoted at least about the longitudinal axis of the carrying body.

Prior art Such a squeeze mop is known from EP 1 208 788 B1. The previously known squeeze mop is provided for cleaning planar surfaces, wherein the handle is fastened in a pivotable manner on the double joint. A displacement sleeve is mounted on the handle such that it can be moved axially in the direction of the handle, wherein the previously known squeeze mop has guide means on the wing plates and/or in the pressure-exerting arms in order for the wing plates to be folded in a defined manner by means of the pressure-exerting arms. The cardanic movement capability of the double joint in relation to the handle allows good cleaning in the main mopping direction even under low furniture.
The displacement sleeve is made up of a grip part, a sliding region with a guide slot and the pressure-exerting arms, which are formed on integrally in fork form. Upon actuation of the displacement sleeve, however, it should be noted that large forces have to be applied overall in order for the wing plates to be pressed against one another and thus for the mop pad to be squeezed out. The stiffer the material of which the mop pad consists, the higher are the forces which have to be applied. In particular when the grip part of the displacement sleeve is wet, and thus slippery, the handling of the aforementioned squeeze mop is significantly more difficult and is no longer satisfactory.
DE-AS 1 293 983 discloses a cleaning appliance having a cleaning tool, for example a sponge, fastened on a holder, and having a means for squeezing out the cleaning tool. This means comprises a fork-form roller holder, which is connected to an appliance handle and has two parallel rows of rollers, and an actuating rod, which can be displaced in the direction of the appliance handle, by means of a handgrip on the appliance handle, and, at its bottom end, accommodates the roller holder. The actuating rod pulls the cleaning tool through between the rollers during the squeezing-out operation. The cleaning tool is formed, in particular, by a sponge which has a circle-arc-form surface of more than 180 . The appliance handle and the cleaning tool are connected rigidly to one another, that is to say such that they cannot be angled in relation to one another;
there is no provision made for the appliance handle to be angled relative to the cleaning tool. In particular for cleaning tools which, rather than having a circle-arc-form mopping surface, have a planar mopping surface, for example a mop pad which is used in squeeze mops, such a rigid assignment is not particularly satisfactory because optimum cleaning of the planar surface which is to be cleaned is only possible when the flat mop pad rests in a planar state on the surface. The user is not in a position, during use of a cleaning appliance, to ensure this optimum assignment with a rigid assignment of the handle in relation to the cleaning tool. In the case of such cleaning appliances, even small changes in the position of the angle of the handle in relation to the surface which is to be cleaned give rise to disadvantageous use properties and poorer cleaning results.
Description of the invention The object of the invention is to develop further a squeeze mop of the type mentioned in the introduction such that the squeezing-out device can be used more easily, that is to say with a lower application of force, and that the risk of injury for the user is reduced, even when he has wet hands and/or the squeeze mop is wet and slippery.
This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims refer to advantageous configurations.
In order to achieve the object, it is provided that the squeezing-out device has an actuating rod which can be moved axially in the direction of the handle and is connected, at one end, to the double joint and, at the other end, to a pivotable handgrip which is fastened at a fixed location on the handle and is intended for actuating the squeezing-out device. It is advantageous here if the actuation of the squeezing-out device can take place particularly easily and reliably. In order for the wing plates, which either may be covered with a common mop pad or may each be provided with a mop pad, to be pressed against one another, the user holds the handle in one hand and encloses the handgrip with his other hand. The handgrip may be designed either in the form of a knob or, preferably, in ring form. The handgrip is then pivoted in the direction of the upper end of the handle, it being highly advantageous for the handgrip to be fastened at a relatively fixed location on the handle. This simplifies the handling because it avoids undesired relative movements in the axial direction between the handgrip and the handle.
Even when the handgrip and/or the user's hand(s) are/is wet and slippery, the squeeze mop can be reliably squeezed out without there being any risk of the user's hands slipping off from the handgrip and the user possibly being injured in the process.
There is no prior-art example of the combination, described in patent claim 1, of a handle which is connected to the double joint such that it can be pivoted at least about the longitudinal axis of the carrying body, in order for cleaning also to be readily possible for example under low furniture and surfaces in the form of a figure 8, and of a pivotable handgrip which is fastened at a fixed location on the handle and is intended for actuating the squeezing-out device; the handling of the squeeze mop is easy and reliable and the cleaning result, even in places which are difficult to access, is good.
It is preferably provided that the actuating rod runs essentially in the handle. On the one hand, the actuating rod is thus safeguarded against external influences, in which case undesired deformation of the actuating rod, and resulting impairment of the use properties of the squeezing-out device, is ruled out. On the other hand, the handle thus does not have an unnecessarily large number of parts projecting from it, on which the user could get caught and possibly injure himself.
Further-improved use properties in respect of the cleaning performance of the squeeze mop can be achieved in that the handle is connected to the double joint in a cardanically movable manner. The handling of the squeeze mop for cleaning, for example, difficult-to-access places beneath furniture is thus further simplified.
it is possible for the wing plates to be connected to the double joint in each case by means of a spring and to be capable of being pressed against one another, counter to the force of the springs, upon actuation of the squeezing-out device.
The springs may be designed in the form of hairpin springs and be fastened on the double joint such that, following the squeezing-out operation, the springs give rise not just to a plane-parallel orientation of the wing plates, which are previously pressed against one another, in relation to the surface which is to be cleaned. Such spring-force-assisted automatic plane-parallel orientation of the wing plates in relation to the surface which is to be cleaned is particularly advantageous in particular when use is made of a mop pad which, following the squeezing-out operation, has only a relatively low restoring force in the direction of the planar position. Without the assistance of the spring force, following the squeezing-out operation, the wing plates would still be angled in relation to one another and would rest in a plane-parallel state on the surface which is to be cleaned only when the user places the squeeze mop on the surface which is to be cleaned.
The springs may also give rise to the situation where the wing plates, following the squeezing-out operation, are oriented in relation to the handle such that immediate further mopping of the surface which is to be cleaned is possible. For example, as a result of the spring force, the wing plates can orient themselves automatically such that they are tilted at an angle of 20 to 300, as seen in relation to the perpendicular assignment to the handle.
It is also the case that the springs have an advantageous effect on the use properties while the squeeze mop is being used. The movement of the handle, in particular about the longitudinal axis of the carrying body, is damped by the springs. Mop pads with a high cross section, which are thus less stable during use than mop pads with a low cross section, and tend to tilt, would be difficult to control without damping of the movement of the carrying body relative to the handle. The cleaning result would thus be impaired.
The squeezing-out device may be provided with a coupling for accommodating an exchangeable scrubbing body.
The coupling and the scrubbing body, which is secured on the coupling, can enclose an angle of essentially 90 with the mop pad.
The scrubbing body may consist of different materials.
It is thus possible, for example, for the scrubbing body to comprise a sponge which has a more abrasive behavior than the mop pad. According to another configuration, the scrubbing body may comprise bristles which consist of a polymer or elastomer material, wherein it may also be expedient, depending on the respective application, to have a combination of the aforementioned configurations/
materials. The combination of mop pad and scrubbing body is advantageous, in particular, when the surfaces which are to be cleaned have stubborn dirt which would be difficult to remove using the mop pad alone. In such a case, the user, in the first instance, would use the scrubbing body to loosen the stubborn dirt from the surface which is to be cleaned, in order then to use the mop pad to pick up, and remove, the loosened dirt. These two operations could be carried out using one and the same squeeze mop.
It is possible for the pressure-exerting arms, on their mutually facing sides, to have guide grooves which run axially in the direction of the handle and, during the squeezing-out operation, can be brought into engagement with a respective guide protuberance of each wing plate. The configuration and arrangement of guide grooves and guide protuberances makes it possible for the mop pad to be squeezed out without the parts which are guided one inside the other tilting and jamming. Moreover, the wing plates and the double joint, irrespective of the angle which they previously assumed relative to the handle, orient themselves essentially perpendicularly to the handle before the wing plates are pulled between the pressure-exerting arms of the squeezing-out device by means of the actuating rod, by virtue of the handgrip being actuated; there is thus no need for any orientation by hand prior to the squeezing-out operation.
. If the two wing plates fastened on the double joint are long, it is advantageous to ensure an enhanced pressure-exerting operation on the pressure-exerting arms in the region of those ends of the wing plates which are directed away from the double joint, in order that the mop pad is squeezed out to good effect even in the region of the ends.
For this purpose it may be provided that each wing plate, on its side which is directed away from the mop pad, has a ramp which rises up outward from the double joint in the longitudinal direction of the carrying body and is intended for increasing the pressure-exerting force in a stepless manner during the squeezing-out operation. Such a ramp allows the user to decide on an individual basis whether the mop pad should be squeezed out to a greater or lesser extent. If required, the mop pad is also squeezed out to good effect on the side which is directed away from the double joint.

Brief description of the drawing An exemplary embodiment of a squeeze mop according to the invention will be explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to figures 1 to 13, in which, schematically in each case:
figure 1 shows a perspective view of the squeeze mop according to the invention, figure 2 shows an enlarged illustration of the mop head from figure 1, figure 3 shows the mop head from figure 2 from behind, figure 4 shows the mop head from figure 2 with the scrubbing body removed, figure 5 shows a view of the carrying body from beneath, without a mop pad, figure 6 shows the carrying body from figure 5 with the squeezing-out device actuated as the squeezing-out operation is being initiated, figure 7 shows a section through the squeezing-out device during intended use of the squeeze mop, figure 8 shows a section corresponding to figure 7 with a wing-plate guide protuberance which has moved upward in the guide groove of the pressure-exerting arm during the squeezing-out operation, and figures 9 to 13 show the illustration of the squeezing-out operation in chronological order.

Implementation of the invention An exemplary embodiment of the squeeze mop according to the invention is shown in figure 1 and in figures 2 to 13.
The squeeze mop comprises a carrying body 1 which is made of a polymer material and comprises a centrally arranged double joint 2, wherein a respective wing plate 3, 4 follows in the longitudinal direction 5 of the carrying body 1, on both sides of the double joint 2. The double joint 2 and the two wing plates 3, 4 are connected to one another such that, upon actuation of the squeezing-out device 8, the two wing plates 3, 4 can each swing downward, in relation to the double joint 2. The carrying body 1, on the side which is directed axially away from the handle 6, has a single-part mop pad 7 which corresponds to the size of the carrying body 1 and is designed in the form of a sponge.
Instead of the single-part mop pad 7 which is illustrated here, it is possible to use a multi-part mop pad, for example a two-part mop pad, in which case each part then corresponds, for example, to the size of a wing plate 3, 4.
A respective pressure-exerting arm 9, 10 of the squeezing-out device 8 acts on each wing plate 3, 4, each pressure-exerting arm being designed in fork form and being open on the side which is directed away from the handle 6.
The squeezing-out device 8 is connected to the handle 6 at a fixed location, wherein the handle 6 is connected to the double joint 2 such that it can be pivoted about the longitudinal axis 5 of the carrying body 1.
The connection between the handle 6, on which the squeezing-out device 8 is arranged, and the carrying body 1 is achieved by an actuating rod 11 which can be moved axially in the direction of the handle 6. The actuating rod 11 is connected, at one end, to the double joint 2 and, at the other end, to the handgrip 12, which is fastened at a fixed location on the handle 6, albeit such that it can be pivoted. The squeezing-out device 8 is actuated by the handgrip 12. Such a design means that the squeezing-out device 8 can easily be handled, without any problems arising, even when the user's hands and/or the handgrip 12 are/is wet and/or slippery.
As can be seen in figures 1, 2, 4 to 6 and 9 to 13, the actuating rod 11, with the exception of its ends in the region of the double joint 2 and of the handgrip 12, runs in the interior of the handle 6, in which case the actuating rod is safeguarded against undesired external influences and resulting damage.
It is possible for the wing plates 3, 4, on their side which is directed away from the mop pad 7, to have a ramp 22, 23 which rises up outward from the double joint 2 in the longitudinal direction 5 of the carrying body 1 and is intended for increasing the pressure-exerting force in a stepless manner during the squeezing-out operation.
Figure 2 shows an enlarged illustration of the mop head from figure 1. A coupling 15 for accommodating an .exchangeable scrubbing body 16 is provided on the squeezing-out device 8, which consists of a polymer material, wherein the coupling 15 and the scrubbing body 16 are connected to one another in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner.
Use is preferably made of a form-fitting connection, for example in the form of a dovetail. This makes it possible for a used-up scrubbing body 16 to be released from the coupling 15 if required with a low level of force being applied, and to be replaced by a new scrubbing body 16.
In relation to the mop pad 7, the scrubbing body 16 is arranged at an angle 17 of 90 . Combining a mop pad 7 and scrubbing body 16 together in a squeeze mop is advantageous -particularly when, in the first instance, the scrubbing body 16 is used to loosen stubborn dirt from the surface which is to be cleaned and then the mop pad 7 is used to pick up, and then remove, this loosened dirt.
In the example illustrated here, the scrubbing body 16 comprises a multiplicity of bristles.
Figure 3 shows the mop head from figure 2 from behind.
In the exemplary embodiment which is shown here, the mop pad 7 is fastened on the carrying body 1 by a touch-and-close fastener 24, by means of which the mop pad 7 is connected to the two wing plates 3, 4.
In comparison with the illustration from figure 2, the handle 6 from figure 3 has been inclined in the rearward direction about the longitudinal axis 5 of the carrying body 1.
Figure 4 illustrates the mop head from figure 2 with the scrubbing body 16 removed. The coupling 15 is designed in the form of a dovetail.
Figures 5 and 6 each show a view of the carrying body 1 from beneath, without a mop pad 7. It can be seen that the two wing plates 3, 4 are connected to the double joint 2 in each case by means of a spring 13, 14 and can be pressed against one another, counter to the force of the springs 13, 14, upon actuation of the squeezing-out device 8. The springs 13, 14 are designed in the form of hairpin springs and, moreover, the arrangement thereof results in "damping"
of the movement of the handle 6 about the longitudinal axis of the carrying body 1. This significantly reduces undesired and difficult-to-control tilting movements of the carrying body 1 in relation to the handle 6, in which case the handling of the squeeze mop is considerably improved overall, in particular when the mop pad 7 has a high cross section and thus, as a whole, is very compliant.

Figures 7 and 8 show sections of the operating state according to figures 5 and 6.
In figure 7, the guide protuberances 20, 21 of the wing plates 3, 4 are positioned in the lower region of the guide grooves 18, 19. The squeezing-out device 8, with its pressure-exerting arms 9, 10, is inclined in relation to the vertical and is in the position which the squeeze mop usually assumes during the cleaning of planar surfaces.
Undesired displacement is ruled out by the flattened portions 25, 26 of the guide protuberances 20, 21 and by the respective, likewise flattened introduction slopes 27, 28 of the guide grooves 18, 19.
In figure 8, the squeezing-out device 8, together with its pressure-exerting arms 9, 10, is moved into the vertical relative to the carrying body 1 in order for the mop pad 7 to be squeezed out. The guide protuberances 20, 21 are displaced in the guide grooves 18, 19 during the squeezing-out operation.
Figures 9 to 13 illustrate the squeezing-out operation in chronological order, wherein, in order to aid understanding, the mop pad 7 and the scrubbing body 16 have been left out of the illustration.
Figure 9 shows the squeeze mop according to the invention while being used as intended during the cleaning of planar surfaces. The wing plates 3, 4 and the double joint 2 are located in one plane.
In figure 10, the handgrip 12 (cf. figure 1) has been pivoted upward about a joint which is connected to the handle 6 at a fixed location. Upward pivoting of the handgrip 12 is accompanied by movement, likewise in the upward direction, of the actuating rod 11, which is connected, axially at one end, to the handgrip 12 and, axially at the other end, to the double joint 2, the actuating rod thus carrying the double joint 2 along with it, wherein the wing plates 3, 4 are angled downward relative thereto and the guide protuberances 20, 21 of the wing plates 3, 4 make their way into the guide grooves 18, 19 of the pressure-exerting arms 9, 10 of the squeezing-out device 8.
In figures 11 to 13, the handgrip 12 is swung upward at an increasing distance away from its position which is illustrated in figure 1, until it reaches that position of the wing plates 3, 4, in relation to the squeezing-out device 8, which is illustrated in figure 13. Where the wing plates 3, 4 are provided with a mop pad 7, the latter would now have been squeezed out.
The lever 12, which is illustrated in figure 1, is then guided back into the position which is illustrated in figure 1, wherein the wing plates 3, 4 and the double joint 2 are moved back out of the position according to figure 13, via the positions according to figures 12 to 10, into the position as is shown in figure 9.

Claims

1. A squeeze mop comprising a carrying body (1) which is formed by a double joint (2) and two wing plates (3, 4) which are arranged in the longitudinal direction (5) of the carrying body (1), on both sides of the double joint (2), and are connected to the latter, and also comprising a handle (6), wherein the carrying body (1), on the side which is directed axially away from the handle (6), has a mop pad (7) which corresponds essentially to the size of the carrying body (1), and wherein the wing plates (3, 4) can be pressed against one another by means of a squeezing-out device (8), wherein the squeezing-out device (8) is designed in fork form and to be open on the side which is directed axially away from the handle (6), and it comprises two pressure-exerting arms (9, 10) which are arranged essentially parallel to one another and can be brought into engagement with the wing plates (3, 4) in order for the wing plates (3, 4) to be folded around the double joint (2), wherein the squeezing-out device (8) is connected to the handle (6), and wherein the handle (6) is connected to the double joint (2) such that it can be pivoted at least about the longitudinal axis (5) of the carrying body (1), characterized in that the squeezing-out device (8) has an actuating rod (11) which can be moved axially in the direction of the handle (6) and is connected, at one end, to the double joint (2) and, at the other end, to a pivotable handgrip (12) which is fastened at a fixed location on the handle (6) and is intended for actuating the squeezing-out device (8).

2. The squeeze mop as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the actuating rod (11) runs essentially in the handle 6).

3. The squeeze mop as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the handle (6) is connected to the double joint (2) in a cardanically movable manner.

4. The squeeze mop as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wing plates (3, 4) are connected to the double joint (2) in each case by means of a spring (13, 14) and can be pressed against one another, counter to the force of the springs (13, 14), upon actuation of the squeezing-out device (8).

5. The squeeze mop as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the springs (13, 14) are designed in the form of hairpin springs.

6. The squeeze mop as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the squeezing-out device (8) is provided with a coupling (15) for accommodating an exchangeable scrubbing body (16).

7. The squeeze mop as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the coupling (15) and the scrubbing body (16), which can be secured on the coupling, enclose an angle (17) of essentially 90° with the mop pad (7).

8. The squeeze mop as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pressure-exerting arms (9, 10), on their mutually facing sides, each have a guide groove (18, 19) which runs axially in the direction of the handle (6) and, when the mop pad (7) is squeezed out, can be brought into engagement with a respective guide protuberance (20, 21) of each wing plate (3, 4).

9. The squeeze mop as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each wing plate (3, 4), on its side which is directed away from the mop pad (7), has a ramp (22, 23) which rises up outward from the double joint (2) in the longitudinal direction (5) of the carrying body (1) and is intended for increasing the pressure-exerting force in a stepless manner during the squeezing-out operation.