EP1761156A1 - Mop holder for mounting a mop cover - Google Patents

Mop holder for mounting a mop cover

Info

Publication number
EP1761156A1
EP1761156A1 EP04740405A EP04740405A EP1761156A1 EP 1761156 A1 EP1761156 A1 EP 1761156A1 EP 04740405 A EP04740405 A EP 04740405A EP 04740405 A EP04740405 A EP 04740405A EP 1761156 A1 EP1761156 A1 EP 1761156A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wings
handle
swiveling
mop
detaching
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04740405A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1761156B1 (en
Inventor
Stefan Uhl
Sofie Scelde
Mads Jacobi
Jonas Westberg
Mahtias Lerche
Rene Sejer
Leif Jorgensen
Lars Lauridsen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ecolab Inc
Original Assignee
Ecolab Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ecolab Inc filed Critical Ecolab Inc
Publication of EP1761156A1 publication Critical patent/EP1761156A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1761156B1 publication Critical patent/EP1761156B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/20—Mops
    • A47L13/24—Frames for mops; Mop heads
    • A47L13/254—Plate frames
    • A47L13/258—Plate frames of adjustable or foldable type
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L13/00—Implements for cleaning floors, carpets, furniture, walls, or wall coverings
    • A47L13/10—Scrubbing; Scouring; Cleaning; Polishing
    • A47L13/42—Details

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a mop holder for mounting a mop cover comprising the features of the introductory part of claim 1.
  • Traditional mop holders for mounting a mop cover are comprising an elongated frame with two wings hinge-connected together either directly forming a single folding axis or indirectly through a hinge plate forming more than one folding axis and a handle holder hinge-connected to the wings and/or the hinge plate by means of a swiveling means.
  • the handle holder comprises a universal joint and forms a socket for mounting a handle (US 4,881,290 A).
  • USB 4,881,290 A USB 4,881,290 A
  • most common is a handle holder forming a socket for re ⁇ movably attaching a handle. This is the same for the invention, too.
  • the elongated frame is open and made from metal wire.
  • a plate member on the upper side of each frame-like wing provides a wiping surface for cooperation with the mop cover in an operative, i.e. extended or straight position of the wings.
  • Detachable connecting means are fixedly holding the wings in their operative, here extended position.
  • the connecting means here have the form of rollover lips cooperating with the elastically deformable frame parts of the wings. All in all the swiveling axes of the swiveling means here are oriented in the transversal di- rection of the mop holder so that insertion pockets on a corresponding mop cover are positioned on the transversal edges thereof. This is the traditional construc ⁇ tion and orientation (see also DE 34 11 858 C2).
  • additional detaching means for detaching the wings so that the wings are released into a foldaway release posi ⁇ tion.
  • Those detaching means are provided by inclined surfaces of projections and depressions interacting in such a way that manual pressure on the detaching means releases the wings.
  • the detachable connecting means are described as catch, clamping, Velcro (burr), or magnet means.
  • the present invention's object is to improve a mop holder for mounting a mop cover regarding convenient operation with the aim that touching the mop holder and mop cover for mounting or dismounting of the mop cover is no longer necessary.
  • a mop holder for mounting a mop cover comprising the features of the generic part of claim 1 and additionally compris ⁇ ing the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • the invention is directed to a specific design wherein the detaching means inter ⁇ acts with the wings in a way that abruptly twisting the handle held in the handle holder about the longitudinal axis of the handle detaches the detachable con ⁇ necting means due to the inertia of the wings.
  • the mop holder with the wings in the release position is positioned on top of the mop cover and the handle is pushed downwardly towards the mop cover so that the wings reach their operative position where the detachable connecting means then interacts to fixedly hold the wings in their operative position.
  • the operative position of the wings can be an extended or straight position as in US 4,881,290 A or a folded up position with two sides of the mop cover as in US 5,864,914 A.
  • the release position of the wings is preferably a position with a specific maxi ⁇ mum angle between the wings so that re-positioning on top of the mop cover will easily spread the wings again into their operative position or at least into an in ⁇ termediate position if an operative position as in US 5,864,914 A is provided.
  • the handle holder (or the handle) is attached to the swiveling means by means of a swivel head, which has a swiveling axis essentially perpendicular to the swiveling axis of the swiveling means.
  • the swiveling axis of the swivel head here in the upright position of the handle is more or less identical with the longitudinal axis of the handle holder or, in normal operation, the handle attached to the handle holder.
  • the wings are provided with preferably upwardly extending detaching sections, and the detaching means comprises at least one detaching element extending between the detaching sections of the wings in their operative position.
  • the detachable con ⁇ necting means is integrated into the detaching sections of the wings.
  • the magnet and metallic counter-plate may be easily located within the detaching sections of the wings.
  • an all-plastics construction or at least mainly plastics construction of the mop holder is preferable from a manufacturing standpoint.
  • the wings and the corresponding detaching sections are each made as a one-piece member from plastics.
  • the swiveling means is forming ex ⁇ actly one folding and swiveling axis for both wings and the handle holder. How ⁇ ever, the swiveling means may also be part of a hinge plate with a number of at least two or even more axes provided by the hinge plate.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention shows a mop holder where the folding axis or axes is/are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mop holder.
  • inventive concept of a particularly simple detaching means allowing for touch free use of a mop holder and mop cover is equally applicable where the axis or axes is/are oriented in the transversal direction of the mop holder.
  • inventive system with an inertia-based detaching means is particularly ad ⁇ vantageous in connection with a magnetic connecting means. The reason is that a magnetic connecting means can be detached by a detaching means in a particu ⁇ larly simple and predictable way.
  • the opening angle of the wings in their release position should be an an ⁇ gle that allows easy return of the wings to their operative position or at least an extended or straight position as an intermediate position before folding the wings into their final operative position.
  • Such kind of fixed angle position can be achieved by an abutment means on the wings.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a mop holder for mounting a mop cover which is just indicated in dashed lines below the mop holder, here wings of the mop holder are in their operative position,
  • Fig. 2 the mop holder of Fig. 1 with the wings being in their fold-away release position, a handle and handle holder in a detaching position,
  • Fig. 3 a second embodiment of a mop holder according to the invention in a partly sectional, enlarged and simplified view in the area of a lower section of the handle holder,
  • Fig. 4 a third embodiment of a mop holder according to the invention in a view similar to Fig. 2 with the wings being in their fold-away, re- lease position.
  • the mop holder 1 that can be seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings is intended for mounting a mop cover 2.
  • This mop cover 2 is indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings in dashed lines and below the mop holder 1.
  • the mop holder 1 has the form of an elongated frame and comprises here two wings 4, 4' hinge-connected together.
  • each wing 4, 4' is formed plate-like from plastics.
  • the two wings 4, 4' are hinge-connected together, forming a single folding axis 3.
  • Each wing 4, 4' includes an edge section on a longitudinal edge 6, 6' thereof. This corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2 where the folding axis 3 is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mop holder 1.
  • Fig. 3 instead shows a transversal orientation of the folding axis 3 and the edge sections (not shown hi Fig. 3) are on the transversal edges of the wings 4, 4'.
  • the wings 4, 4' form wiping surfaces for cooperation with the mop cover 2 in an operative position of the wings 4, 4'.
  • Fig. 1 the operative position of the wings
  • a handle holder 7 is hinge-connected to the wings 4, 4'.
  • the handle holder 7 is provided as a socket for a handle 8 indicated in Fig. 1 and 2.
  • the handle holder 7 provides a universal joint 9 between the handle 8 and the mop holder 1 so that the mop holder 1 can be moved about the surface to be cleaned in all directions.
  • a universal joint is not necessary for the in ⁇ vention, however the usual equipment of such mop holder 1.
  • a swiveling means 10 forms exactly one folding and swiveling axis 3 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mop holder 1. How ⁇ ever, as seen in Fig. 3, a similar system can be provided for a transversal orienta ⁇ tion as well.
  • a detachable connecting means 11 for fixedly holding the wings 4, 4' in their operative position shown in Fig. 1.
  • a de ⁇ taching means 12 to release the wings 4, 4' from their operative position into a foldaway release position shown in Fig. 2.
  • the handle holder 7 is attached to the swiveling means 10 so that the longitudinal axis 7' of the handle holder 7 with the handle 8 attached to it in an upright position thereof is oriented essentially perpendicular to the folding axis 3 of the wings 4, 4'.
  • the detaching means 12 is positioned on the handle holder 7 and interacts with the wings 4, 4' in a way that abruptly twisting the handle 8 about the longitudinal axis T thereof detaches the detach ⁇ able connecting means 11 due to the inertia of the wings 4, 4'. Comparison of Fig. 2 with Fig. 1 easily reveals this operation.
  • This operation allows removal of the mop cover 2 from the mop holder 1 touch free just by abruptly twisting the handle 8 so that the mop cover 2 falls down from the now released wings 4, 4'.
  • Re-attachment of the mop cover 2 to the frame 3 of the mop holder 1 is simply done by positioning the wings 4, 4' in their release position on top of the mop cover 2 and then pushing down the handle 8 so that the wings 4, 4' with their edge sections are inserted into the corresponding pockets on top of the mop cover 2 and are fixed in their operative position by the connecting means 11.
  • the handle holder 7 is attached to the swiv ⁇ eling means 10 by means of a swivel head 13.
  • This swivel head 13 is indicated in a dashed line in Fig. 1 and 2.
  • Fig. 3 which shows an enlarged, partly sectional view of a second embodiment, the swivel head 13 can be seen more distinctly.
  • the swivel head 13 provides a swiveling axis oriented essentially perpendicular to the swiveling axis provided by the swiveling means 10.
  • Fig. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the mop holder 1 where the swiveling means 10 forms exactly one axis 3 for both wings 4, 4' and the handle holder 7 alike. There is exactly one swiveling pin extending through the complete joint. However, there is still a hinge plate 14 as a basis for the swiveling means 10, here providing the swivel head 13 for the lower section of the handle holder 7. Here, the swiveling means 10 is part of the hinge plate 14. However, a hinge plate 14 is necessary only if a number of at least two folding axes are provided, because then the hinge plate 14 provides the connection between the folding axes and the swiveling axis (see the construction in US 5,864,914 A).
  • the construction of the mop holder is such that the wings 4, 4' are provided with upwardly extending detaching sections 15, 15'.
  • the detaching sections 15, 15' here additionally provide a basis for the connecting means 11.
  • one detaching section 15 has a magnet and the other de ⁇ taching section 15' has a metal plate as counter-plate for the magnet.
  • the detaching sections 15, 15' can provide mechanical snap-in elements or corre- sponding Velcro-elements.
  • a magnet is indicated in Fig. 2.
  • the detaching means 12 extends between the detaching sections 15, 15' of the wings 4, 4' in their operative position. So, one end of the detaching means 12 on the left side of the handle holder 7 in Fig. 1 turns the detaching section 15' of the rear wing 4' backwards, whereas the other one on the right side, which can be seen in Fig. 1 and 2, turns the detaching section 15 of the front wing 4. This provides the nec ⁇ essary opening force on the wings 4, 4', disconnecting the connecting means 11.
  • a magnetic detachable connecting means 11 is preferable in particular with the detaching sections 15, 15'.
  • the detaching sections 15, 15' will preferably be one-piece plastic parts unitarily formed with the wings 4, 4' from plastics.
  • Fig. 2 shows that, here, the wings 4, 4' in the release position are kept at a spe ⁇ cific angle, here, at an angle of about 90° between the wings 4, 4' by abutment means 17 integrated into the one-piece plastic material of the wings 4, 4' posi ⁇ tioned on the corresponding detaching sections 15, 15'.
  • Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mop holder 1 with transversal di ⁇ rection of the folding axis 3.
  • a swivel head 13 and a detaching means 12 are integrated into the system without a separate hinge plate.
  • Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the inventive mop holder 1.
  • the mop cover 2 is held between gripping sections of the wings 4, 4' as described in a co-pending application (PCT/EP 2004/ ; attorney's reference 03.1461).
  • the essential dif ⁇ ference is that here, the swiveling means 10 comprises one swiveling pin ori ⁇ ented essentially parallel to the folding axis 3 in the operative position of the wings.
  • This swiveling pin runs in corresponding bearings 16 at the wings 4, 4', however, the bearings 16 are closed only in the operative position of the wings 4, 4'.
  • This swiveling pin is simultaneously the detaching means 12 operative be ⁇ tween the wings 4, 4'.
  • Fig. 4 shows the release position. In this position, the swiveling pin, which si ⁇ multaneously forms the detaching means 12 is not held by the bearings 16 at both wings 4, 4', but can be moved relative to the wings 4, 4'. However, closing of the wings 4, 4' to their operative position is possible only with the swiveling pin/ detaching means 12 in position within the bearings 16.
  • the detach ⁇ ing sections 15, 15' are not necessarily related to the connecting means 11.
  • the connecting means 11 can be seen completely separate from the de ⁇ taching means 12, both acting on the wings 4, 4' directly.

Landscapes

  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a mop holder for mounting a mop cover, comprising at least two elongated wings (4, 4') hinge-connected together either directly form­ing a single folding axis (3) or indirectly forming more than one folding axis, wherein the wings (4, 4') form wiping surfaces for cooperation with a mop cover (2) in an operative position of the wings (4, 4'), a handle holder (7) and/or handle (8) hinge-connected to the wings (4, 4') by means of a swiveling means (10), de­ fining a swiveling axis (10% which extends essentially parallel to the folding axis (3) or folding axes of the wings (4, 4') at least in the operative position of the wings (4, 4'), a detachable connecting means (11) for fixedly holding the wings (4, 4') in their operative position, and a detaching means (12) for detaching wings (4, 4') to release them into a fold-away release position. It is improved in that the handle holder (7) or the handle (8) is attached to the swiveling means (10) so that the longitudinal axis (7´) of the handle holder (7) and/or the handle (8) in an upright position thereof is oriented essentially per­ pendicular to the folding axis (3) or folding axes of the wings (4, 4), the detach­ing means (12) is positioned on the handle holder (7) or the handle (8) and the detaching means (12) interacts with the wings (4, 4') in a way that abruptly twisting the handle holder (7) and/or the handle (8) about the longitudinal axis (T) thereof detaches the detachable connecting means (11) due to the inertia of the wings (4, 4') and releases the wings (4, 4').

Description

Mop Holder for mounting a Mop Cover
The invention relates to a mop holder for mounting a mop cover comprising the features of the introductory part of claim 1.
Traditional mop holders for mounting a mop cover are comprising an elongated frame with two wings hinge-connected together either directly forming a single folding axis or indirectly through a hinge plate forming more than one folding axis and a handle holder hinge-connected to the wings and/or the hinge plate by means of a swiveling means. The handle holder comprises a universal joint and forms a socket for mounting a handle (US 4,881,290 A). However, it is likewise possible to directly mount the handle to the mop holder without a separate handle holder. Nevertheless, most common is a handle holder forming a socket for re¬ movably attaching a handle. This is the same for the invention, too.
In above-mentioned general prior art, the elongated frame is open and made from metal wire. A plate member on the upper side of each frame-like wing provides a wiping surface for cooperation with the mop cover in an operative, i.e. extended or straight position of the wings.
Detachable connecting means are fixedly holding the wings in their operative, here extended position. The connecting means here have the form of rollover lips cooperating with the elastically deformable frame parts of the wings. All in all the swiveling axes of the swiveling means here are oriented in the transversal di- rection of the mop holder so that insertion pockets on a corresponding mop cover are positioned on the transversal edges thereof. This is the traditional construc¬ tion and orientation (see also DE 34 11 858 C2).
Another, more recently marketed mop holder (US 5,864,914 A) for mounting a mop cover comprises an elongated frame with two wings hinge-connected to¬ gether indirectly through a hinge plate with folding axes oriented in the longitu¬ dinal direction of the mop holder. Accordingly, the mop cover has insertion pockets provided on longitudinal edges thereof for introducing longitudinal edge sections of the wings of the mop holder. Here are additional detaching means for detaching the wings so that the wings are released into a foldaway release posi¬ tion. Those detaching means are provided by inclined surfaces of projections and depressions interacting in such a way that manual pressure on the detaching means releases the wings.
In the above referenced prior art, the detachable connecting means are described as catch, clamping, Velcro (burr), or magnet means.
Now, in view of the foregoing, the present invention's object is to improve a mop holder for mounting a mop cover regarding convenient operation with the aim that touching the mop holder and mop cover for mounting or dismounting of the mop cover is no longer necessary.
Above mentioned object is solved by a mop holder for mounting a mop cover comprising the features of the generic part of claim 1 and additionally compris¬ ing the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.
The invention is directed to a specific design wherein the detaching means inter¬ acts with the wings in a way that abruptly twisting the handle held in the handle holder about the longitudinal axis of the handle detaches the detachable con¬ necting means due to the inertia of the wings.
In fact, a short swift turning of the handle releases the wings to fall down into the release position. In this position the mop cover is simply falling down from the wings or, if attached to at least one wing by means of a Velcro connection, it can be released from this wing just by stepping on the partly released mop cover and pulling the mop holder from the mop cover.
In order to attach the mop cover or a new mop cover to the mop holder the mop holder with the wings in the release position is positioned on top of the mop cover and the handle is pushed downwardly towards the mop cover so that the wings reach their operative position where the detachable connecting means then interacts to fixedly hold the wings in their operative position.
The operative position of the wings can be an extended or straight position as in US 4,881,290 A or a folded up position with two sides of the mop cover as in US 5,864,914 A. The release position of the wings is preferably a position with a specific maxi¬ mum angle between the wings so that re-positioning on top of the mop cover will easily spread the wings again into their operative position or at least into an in¬ termediate position if an operative position as in US 5,864,914 A is provided.
In a particularly preferred version of the mop holder, the handle holder (or the handle) is attached to the swiveling means by means of a swivel head, which has a swiveling axis essentially perpendicular to the swiveling axis of the swiveling means. The swiveling axis of the swivel head here in the upright position of the handle is more or less identical with the longitudinal axis of the handle holder or, in normal operation, the handle attached to the handle holder.
In a particularly preferred embodiment the wings are provided with preferably upwardly extending detaching sections, and the detaching means comprises at least one detaching element extending between the detaching sections of the wings in their operative position. In a preferred embodiment, the detachable con¬ necting means is integrated into the detaching sections of the wings. In fact, the magnet and metallic counter-plate may be easily located within the detaching sections of the wings.
An all-plastics construction or at least mainly plastics construction of the mop holder is preferable from a manufacturing standpoint. Preferably the wings and the corresponding detaching sections are each made as a one-piece member from plastics.
It is particularly simple as a construction if the swiveling means is forming ex¬ actly one folding and swiveling axis for both wings and the handle holder. How¬ ever, the swiveling means may also be part of a hinge plate with a number of at least two or even more axes provided by the hinge plate.
A preferred embodiment of the invention shows a mop holder where the folding axis or axes is/are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mop holder. How¬ ever, the inventive concept of a particularly simple detaching means allowing for touch free use of a mop holder and mop cover is equally applicable where the axis or axes is/are oriented in the transversal direction of the mop holder. The inventive system with an inertia-based detaching means is particularly ad¬ vantageous in connection with a magnetic connecting means. The reason is that a magnetic connecting means can be detached by a detaching means in a particu¬ larly simple and predictable way.
Finally, the opening angle of the wings in their release position should be an an¬ gle that allows easy return of the wings to their operative position or at least an extended or straight position as an intermediate position before folding the wings into their final operative position. Such kind of fixed angle position can be achieved by an abutment means on the wings.
Now, further features, advantages and applications of the invention can be ob¬ tained from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a mop holder for mounting a mop cover which is just indicated in dashed lines below the mop holder, here wings of the mop holder are in their operative position,
Fig. 2 the mop holder of Fig. 1 with the wings being in their fold-away release position, a handle and handle holder in a detaching position,
Fig. 3 a second embodiment of a mop holder according to the invention in a partly sectional, enlarged and simplified view in the area of a lower section of the handle holder,
Fig. 4 a third embodiment of a mop holder according to the invention in a view similar to Fig. 2 with the wings being in their fold-away, re- lease position.
The mop holder 1 that can be seen in Fig. 1 of the drawings is intended for mounting a mop cover 2. This mop cover 2 is indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings in dashed lines and below the mop holder 1. The mop holder 1 has the form of an elongated frame and comprises here two wings 4, 4' hinge-connected together. In the present embodiment each wing 4, 4' is formed plate-like from plastics. How- ever, as indicated before, the prior art describes also frame-like wings with or without additional covering. In the present embodiment, the two wings 4, 4' are hinge-connected together, forming a single folding axis 3. However, it is equally possible and is well known from prior art to connect the wings 4, 4' forming more than one folding axis, namely by means of a separate hinge plate or the like.
Each wing 4, 4' includes an edge section on a longitudinal edge 6, 6' thereof. This corresponds to the embodiment of Fig. 1 and 2 where the folding axis 3 is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mop holder 1. Fig. 3 instead shows a transversal orientation of the folding axis 3 and the edge sections (not shown hi Fig. 3) are on the transversal edges of the wings 4, 4'.
The wings 4, 4' form wiping surfaces for cooperation with the mop cover 2 in an operative position of the wings 4, 4'. In Fig. 1 the operative position of the wings
4, 4' is shown. It is the extended, straight position so that the mop cover 2 has one large surface oriented towards the surface to be cleaned. This is the general system described e.g. in US 4,881,290 A. However, there are two-sided mop covers having two sides alternately presented to the surface to be cleaned. This is disclosed in US 5,864,914 A. The operative position of the wings 4, 4' is not the straight or extended position but a fold up position instead.
A handle holder 7 is hinge-connected to the wings 4, 4'. In the present embodi¬ ment the handle holder 7 is provided as a socket for a handle 8 indicated in Fig. 1 and 2. The handle holder 7 provides a universal joint 9 between the handle 8 and the mop holder 1 so that the mop holder 1 can be moved about the surface to be cleaned in all directions. A universal joint, however, is not necessary for the in¬ vention, however the usual equipment of such mop holder 1.
The connection of the handle holder 7 to the wings 4, 4' is done by means of a swiveling means 10. Here this swiveling means 10 forms exactly one folding and swiveling axis 3 oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mop holder 1. How¬ ever, as seen in Fig. 3, a similar system can be provided for a transversal orienta¬ tion as well. Now, there is provided a detachable connecting means 11 for fixedly holding the wings 4, 4' in their operative position shown in Fig. 1. Further provided is a de¬ taching means 12 to release the wings 4, 4' from their operative position into a foldaway release position shown in Fig. 2.
In the present embodiment, the handle holder 7 is attached to the swiveling means 10 so that the longitudinal axis 7' of the handle holder 7 with the handle 8 attached to it in an upright position thereof is oriented essentially perpendicular to the folding axis 3 of the wings 4, 4'. The detaching means 12 is positioned on the handle holder 7 and interacts with the wings 4, 4' in a way that abruptly twisting the handle 8 about the longitudinal axis T thereof detaches the detach¬ able connecting means 11 due to the inertia of the wings 4, 4'. Comparison of Fig. 2 with Fig. 1 easily reveals this operation.
This operation allows removal of the mop cover 2 from the mop holder 1 touch free just by abruptly twisting the handle 8 so that the mop cover 2 falls down from the now released wings 4, 4'. Re-attachment of the mop cover 2 to the frame 3 of the mop holder 1 is simply done by positioning the wings 4, 4' in their release position on top of the mop cover 2 and then pushing down the handle 8 so that the wings 4, 4' with their edge sections are inserted into the corresponding pockets on top of the mop cover 2 and are fixed in their operative position by the connecting means 11.
Instead of using insertion pockets on the upper side of the mop cover 2 prior art discloses, at least in connection with a specific design of the wings 4, 4' of the frame 3, that holding strips can be used as well (WO 03/020100 A).
In the first and second embodiment, the handle holder 7 is attached to the swiv¬ eling means 10 by means of a swivel head 13. This swivel head 13 is indicated in a dashed line in Fig. 1 and 2. In Fig. 3, which shows an enlarged, partly sectional view of a second embodiment, the swivel head 13 can be seen more distinctly. The swivel head 13 provides a swiveling axis oriented essentially perpendicular to the swiveling axis provided by the swiveling means 10.
Fig. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the mop holder 1 where the swiveling means 10 forms exactly one axis 3 for both wings 4, 4' and the handle holder 7 alike. There is exactly one swiveling pin extending through the complete joint. However, there is still a hinge plate 14 as a basis for the swiveling means 10, here providing the swivel head 13 for the lower section of the handle holder 7. Here, the swiveling means 10 is part of the hinge plate 14. However, a hinge plate 14 is necessary only if a number of at least two folding axes are provided, because then the hinge plate 14 provides the connection between the folding axes and the swiveling axis (see the construction in US 5,864,914 A).
In the present embodiment the construction of the mop holder is such that the wings 4, 4' are provided with upwardly extending detaching sections 15, 15'. The detaching sections 15, 15' here additionally provide a basis for the connecting means 11. For example, one detaching section 15 has a magnet and the other de¬ taching section 15' has a metal plate as counter-plate for the magnet. Equally, the detaching sections 15, 15' can provide mechanical snap-in elements or corre- sponding Velcro-elements. A magnet is indicated in Fig. 2.
In the present embodiment there are two sets of detaching sections 15, 15' on both sides of the handle holder 7. The construction is such that the detaching means 12 extends between the detaching sections 15, 15' of the wings 4, 4' in their operative position. So, one end of the detaching means 12 on the left side of the handle holder 7 in Fig. 1 turns the detaching section 15' of the rear wing 4' backwards, whereas the other one on the right side, which can be seen in Fig. 1 and 2, turns the detaching section 15 of the front wing 4. This provides the nec¬ essary opening force on the wings 4, 4', disconnecting the connecting means 11.
As explained before, a magnetic detachable connecting means 11 is preferable in particular with the detaching sections 15, 15'. Further, as explained before, the detaching sections 15, 15' will preferably be one-piece plastic parts unitarily formed with the wings 4, 4' from plastics.
Fig. 2 shows that, here, the wings 4, 4' in the release position are kept at a spe¬ cific angle, here, at an angle of about 90° between the wings 4, 4' by abutment means 17 integrated into the one-piece plastic material of the wings 4, 4' posi¬ tioned on the corresponding detaching sections 15, 15'. Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a mop holder 1 with transversal di¬ rection of the folding axis 3. Here a swivel head 13 and a detaching means 12 are integrated into the system without a separate hinge plate.
Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the inventive mop holder 1. The mop cover 2 is held between gripping sections of the wings 4, 4' as described in a co-pending application (PCT/EP 2004/ ; attorney's reference 03.1461). The essential dif¬ ference is that here, the swiveling means 10 comprises one swiveling pin ori¬ ented essentially parallel to the folding axis 3 in the operative position of the wings. This swiveling pin runs in corresponding bearings 16 at the wings 4, 4', however, the bearings 16 are closed only in the operative position of the wings 4, 4'. This swiveling pin is simultaneously the detaching means 12 operative be¬ tween the wings 4, 4'.
Fig. 4 shows the release position. In this position, the swiveling pin, which si¬ multaneously forms the detaching means 12 is not held by the bearings 16 at both wings 4, 4', but can be moved relative to the wings 4, 4'. However, closing of the wings 4, 4' to their operative position is possible only with the swiveling pin/ detaching means 12 in position within the bearings 16.
From the operative position of the mop holder 1, it is the same operation as ex¬ plained before that abruptly twisting the handle 8 about the longitudinal axis T thereof separates the two wings 4, 4' and detaches the detachable connecting means 11 due to the inertia of the wings 4, 4'.
From the above-explained third embodiment, it can be obtained that the detach¬ ing sections 15, 15' are not necessarily related to the connecting means 11. In Fig. 4, the connecting means 11 can be seen completely separate from the de¬ taching means 12, both acting on the wings 4, 4' directly.

Claims

Claims:
1. Mop holder for mounting a mop cover, comprising at least two elongated wings (4, 4') hinge-connected together either directly forming a single folding axis (3) or indirectly forming more than one fold¬ ing axis, wherein the wings (4, 4') form wiping surfaces for cooperation with a mop cover (2) in an operative position of the wings (4, 4'), a handle holder (7) and/or handle (8) hinge-connected to the wings (4, 4') by means of a swiveling means (10), defining a swiveling axis (101), which extends essentially parallel to the folding axis (3) or folding axes of the wings (4, 4') at least in the operative position of the wings (4, 4'), a detachable connecting means (11) for fixedly holding the wings (4, 4') in their operative position, and a detaching means (12) for detaching the wings (4, 4') to release them into a fold-away release position, characterized in that the handle holder (7) or the handle (8) is attached to the swiveling means (10) so that the longitudinal axis (7') of the handle holder (7) and/or the handle (8) in an upright position thereof is oriented essentially perpendicu- lar to the folding axis (3) or folding axes of the wings (4, 4'), the detaching means (12) is positioned on the handle holder (7) or the han¬ dle (8) and the detaching means (12) interacts with the wings (4, 4') in a way that abruptly twisting the handle holder (7) and/or the handle (8) about the lon- gitudinal axis (71) thereof detaches the detachable connecting means (11) due to the inertia of the wings (4, 4') and releases the wings (4, 4').
2. Mop holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle holder (7) or the handle (8) is attached to the swiveling means (10) by means of a swivel head (13), which has a swiveling axis essentially perpendicular to the swiveling axis (10') of the swiveling means (10).
3. Mop holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the wings (4, 4') are provided with preferably upwardly extending detach- ing sections (15, 15') and the detaching means (12) comprises at least one detaching element extend¬ ing between the detaching sections (15, 15') of the wings (4, 4') in their op¬ erative position.
4. Mop holder according to claim 3, characterized in that the detachable connecting means (11) is integrated into the detaching sec¬ tions (15, 15') of the wings (4, 4').
5. Mop holder according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the wings (4; 4') and the corresponding detaching sections (15; 15') are each made as a one piece member from plastics.
6. Mop holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swiveling means (10) forms exactly one folding and swiveling axis (3) for both wings (4, 4') and the handle holder (7) or handle (8).
7. Mop holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swiveling means (10) is part of a hinge plate (14).
8. Mop holder according to claim 1 , characterized in that the swiveling means (10) comprises at least one swiveling pin oriented es¬ sentially parallel to the folding axis (3) or folding axes in the operative po- sition of the wings (4, 4'), and corresponding bearings (16) at the wings (4,
4').
9. Mop holder according to claim 8, characterized in that the detaching means (12) is provided by the swiveling pin of the swiveling means (10).
10. Mop holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the folding axis (3) or axes is/are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the mop holder or is/are oriented in the transversal direction of the mop holder.
11. Mop holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detachable connecting means (11) are magnetic connecting means.
12. Mop holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wings (4, 4') in their release position are kept at a specific angle, pref¬ erably an angle of about 90°, between the wings (4, 4') by abutment means (17).
EP04740405A 2004-06-29 2004-06-29 Mop holder for mounting a mop cover Expired - Lifetime EP1761156B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2004/007008 WO2006002652A1 (en) 2004-06-29 2004-06-29 Mop holder for mounting a mop cover

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1761156A1 true EP1761156A1 (en) 2007-03-14
EP1761156B1 EP1761156B1 (en) 2007-10-10

Family

ID=34958016

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04740405A Expired - Lifetime EP1761156B1 (en) 2004-06-29 2004-06-29 Mop holder for mounting a mop cover

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1761156B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE375110T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004009481T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1761156T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2006002652A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112641408A (en) * 2021-01-04 2021-04-13 孙悦 Clean mop suitable for stair step

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10336173A1 (en) 2003-08-07 2005-03-10 Ecolab Inc Flat mop cover for a flat wiper device
US9009907B2 (en) * 2010-11-08 2015-04-21 Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Llc Flat mop frame
CN102008272B (en) * 2010-12-08 2012-04-18 梁伟彬 mop
WO2012100824A1 (en) * 2011-01-26 2012-08-02 Vermop Salmon Gmbh Hand-operated cleaning device and mop cover
US20140007365A1 (en) * 2011-01-26 2014-01-09 Vermop Salmon Gmbh Hand-operated cleaning device and mop cover
US9474429B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2016-10-25 Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Llc Clean water mopping system
DE102021124438B4 (en) 2021-09-21 2023-07-20 Hydroflex Group GmbH Flat mop pad, method of making a flat mop pad and use of a flat mop pad

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DE2551678C3 (en) * 1975-11-18 1978-12-07 Nwg Nord-West Gebaeudereinigung Gmbh & Co Kg, 4100 Duisburg Floor wiper
DE3411858A1 (en) * 1984-01-12 1985-08-01 Henkel KGaA, 4000 Düsseldorf FLOOR WIPER
GB2190833B (en) * 1986-05-28 1989-12-28 Scot Young Serv Syst Ltd Sweep mops
GB2229627A (en) * 1989-03-28 1990-10-03 Scot Young Serv Syst Ltd Mop pad holder

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112641408A (en) * 2021-01-04 2021-04-13 孙悦 Clean mop suitable for stair step

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006002652A1 (en) 2006-01-12
EP1761156B1 (en) 2007-10-10
DE602004009481T2 (en) 2008-07-24
DE602004009481D1 (en) 2007-11-22
ATE375110T1 (en) 2007-10-15
DK1761156T3 (en) 2007-12-17

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