GB2428183A

GB2428183A - Mop sponge with spring clips and lock mechanism to engage to mop head

Info

Publication number: GB2428183A
Application number: GB0514143A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Cuneen; Dirk Pohlmann
Original assignee: Addis Group Ltd
Current assignee: Addis Group Ltd
Priority date: 2005-07-09
Filing date: 2005-07-09
Publication date: 2007-01-24
Also published as: GB0514143D0

Abstract

A mop sponge 110 and head 130 assembly, comprises spring clips with locks 22 permitting engagement of the sponge 110 to the head 133, such as in a unitary snap and lock action.

Description

Sponge Plate Assembly The present invention relates generally to mops for

cleaning floors and the like, and more particularly to a removable sponge and plate assembly that can be readily attached to and removed from a mop head quickly and easily.

Sponge and sponge plate assemblies capable of being removed from a mop head are well known in the art, facilitating the ability to remove and replace the sponge when its useful life expires.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, a prior art mop arrangement 100 is partially displayed illustrating the means by which a generally rectangular sponge 110 and sponge plate 120 assembly is attached to a mop head 130, 140. This arrangement is viewed cross-sectionally, from an imaginary centre line bisecting its width.

The sponge 110 is mounted on a sponge plate comprising two ribs 120 that run parallel to one other along a top face of the sponge plate 110. They, in turn, run approximately parallel to the length-edge of the sponge 110 and are arranged such that they are symmetrical with respect to a lengthorientated centerline. The ribs 120 define respective channels 1 20a and an aperture 120b is provided close to each end of each rib 120, wherein a neck portion 121a extends upwardly from each aperture 120b such that a shoulder portion 121b is defined between the channel 1 20a and the neck portion 121 a.

The mop head 130, 140 itself comprises two main parts, a front section 130 to which the lower end of the mop stem 170 is fixed, and a rear section 140 that is mechanically fixed to a wringing mechanism. The two sections 130, 140 are pivotally connected along their adjacent faces. Both the front section 130 and the rear section 140 have two apertures 150 each through the top face, said apertures 150 are aligned with neck portions 121a on the ribs 120. The boundary dimensions of the apertures 150 are substantially the same as the outer circumference of the neck portions 121a on the ribs 120, such that the neck portions 121a on the ribs 120 are accepted by the apertures 150 in use. Similarly, the outer dimensions of the sponge plate 110 are very similar to that of the inner dimensions of the mop head 130, 140 in its entirety such that the sponge 110 and sponge plate 120 assembly fits comfortably inside the under recess of the mop head 130, 140, in which configuration all four of said neck portions 121a on the ribs 120 of the sponge plate 110 are disposed within respective apertures 150.

A button 160, comprises a head 1 60a within a stem 1 60b extending therefrom, is provided in respect of each aperture 150 neck portion 121 a. The stem 1 60b of each button 160 is provided, at the lower end thereof, within a pair of diametrically appo sing wings 1 60c extending outwardly therefrom. In order to secure the sponge plate 110 to the mop head 130,130, the stem of a button 160 is inserted, via a respective aperture 150, into a neck portion 121a such that the wings 160c are located below the neck portion 121a within the channel 120a of the rib 120, adjacent the respective shoulder portion 121b. The button 160 is then turned such that the wings 1 60c engage within the shoulder portion 121 b, and the button locks in place. Following the same process for the remaining three buttons 160 secures the sponge plate 110 to the mop head 130, 140 ready for use.

However, the four rotatably-fixing buttons 160 that are utilised to fix the sponge plate 110 to the mop head 130,140 are often misplaced. Furthermore, the assembly of the sponge plate and mop head is quite arduous, with four separate fixing operations being required to be carried out.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sponge plate for a mop that is readily attached to, and removed from, a mop head by means of a single operation, wherein no separate fixing mechanism is required.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided, a mounting mechanism for a mop comprising a mop head having at least on aperture, said mechanism being arranged and configured to be attached to, or otherwise moulded on, an absorbent cleaning member, said mounting mechanism comprising a spring clip mechanism having a resiliently flexible support member and a locking means, wherein movement of said support member causes corresponding movement of said locking means relative to a respective aperture in said mop head so as to selectively attach said absorbent member to, or remove it from, said mop head.

Thus, the above mentioned object is achieved by providing a mounting mechanism for enabling a sponge plate to be fixed to a mop head without the need for any separate components, and at the same time making fixing and removal quicker and easier by enabling these actions to be performed by means of a single operation.

The present invention extends to a sponge plate assembly comprising an absorbent cleaning member on which is mounted, or otherwise provided, at least one mounting mechanism as defined above, and to a mop head having at least one aperture arranged and dimensioned so as to receive a respective spring clip mechanism of a mounting mechanism as defined above.

The present invention extends still further to a mop comprising an elongate stem connected to a mop head on which is mounted a sponge plate as defined above.

In one exemplary embodiment, the support member comprises a resiliently flexible lever on which is provided a stop member, which may be substantially wedge-shaped, wherein, in use, selective movement of said lever causes corresponding movement of said stop member relative to an edge of a respective aperture in said mop head.

Preferably, said spring clip mechanism is mounted on or, more preferably formed integrally with, a base member. The base member may comprise, for example, an elongate rib on which is provided at least one and, more preferably, at least two of said spring clip mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment, the base member and at least one spring clip mechanism are formed of moulded plastic material.

The sponge plate according to the invention preferably comprises an absorbent cleaning member on which is mounted at least one and, more preferably two, elongate ribs, preferably substantially parallel to each other, the or each rib having at least one and, more preferably, at least two of said spring clip mechanisms provided thereon.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiment described herein.

An embodiment of the present will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a mop head and sponge plate assembly

according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the ribs of a sponge plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a sponge plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the sponge plate of figure 3 when fixed to a mop head; and Figure 5a is a plan view of the assembly of figure 4, Figure 5b is a front view of the assembly of figure 4 and Figure 5c is a side view of the assembly of figure 4.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, a sponge plate 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a generally rectangular sponge 110, on the upper surface of which is provided a pair of rigid, elongate ribs 10 arranged in parallel to each other.

Each rib 10 comprises a pair of integral parallel rails 14 extending upwardly from a base 12 to define an elongate channel. An integral, lateral connecting rib 16 extends upwardly from the base between the rails 14 at each end of one channel. A spring clip arrangement 26 is provided inwardly of each connecting rib 16 between the rails 14.

Referring in particular to Figure 3 of the drawings, the ribs 10 are of a length approximately nine tenths relative to the length of the sponge 110 on which they are mounted, and positioned such that their longest side is parallel to the longest side of the sponge 110. Each ribs 10 is positioned inwardly on respective sides of the sponge, by distances 30, 32. The ribs 10 may be bonded to the sponge 110 by adhesive, or mechanically fixed from the underside of the sponge by means of rivet, staple or the like. The exact position of said fixing means 10 is determined by the requirement for alignment with the four apertures 150 in the mop head 130, (see Figure 4) Each spring clip arrangement 26 comprises a resiliently flexible, angled support member 18 extending upwardly from the base 12 and terminating in a substantially horizontal lever 20.

A protruding locking member 22, in the form of a wedge-like clip, is provided on the angled support member 18 and the lever 20. A generally Ushaped guide member 24 extends upwardly from each connecting rib 16, distal end of the respective lever 20 being disposed within the U-shaped guide member 24, which guide member 24 serves to control any lateral movement of the cover 20, in use. The spring clip arrangement is preferably moulded integrally with the ribs 10.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, in use, the sponge plate is located relative to the mop head 130, 140 so that each spring clip arrangement 26 is aligned with a respective aperture 150 in the mop head 130, 140. As the sponge plate is pushed toward the mop head 130, 140, the edge of each aperture 150 bears against the respective locking member 22 and causes the respective resiliently flexible support member 18 to flex in a direction away from the edge of the aperture 150, thereby allowing the passage of each spring clip arrangement 26 through the respective aperture 150. As the protruding edge of a locking member 22 passes the edge of the respective aperture 150, the respective support member 18 is released and springs back to its original configuration, such that each wedge-like clip member 22 is locked against the rim of the respective aperture 150, and the sponge plate is secured to the mop head 130, 140 by means of a single (pushing) operation.

In order to release the sponge plate from the mop head 130, 140, a user depresses each lever 20, which action causes each respective resiliently flexible support member 18 to flex in a direction away from the edge of the respective aperture 150, thereby withdrawing the clip member 22 from the rim of the aperture 150 and allowing the respective spring clip arrangement 26 to pass back through the aperture 150. fl

It should be noted that the above mentioned embodiment illustrate rather than limit the invention, and those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and viceversa. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A mounting mechanism for a mop comprising a mop head having at

least one aperture, said mechanism being arranged and configured to be attached to, or otherwise mounted on, an absorbent cleaning member, said mounting mechanism comprising a spring clip mechanism having a resiliently flexible support member and a locking means, wherein movement of said support member causes corresponding movement of said locking means relative to a respective aperture in said mop head so as to selectively attach said absorbent member to, or remove it from, said mop head.
2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said the support member comprises a resiliently flexible lever on which is provided a stop member wherein, in use, selective movement of said lever causes corresponding movement of said stop member relative to an edge of a respective aperture in said mop head.
3. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said stop member is substantially wedge- shaped.
4. A mechanism according to any of claims 1 to3, wherein with a base member.
5. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said base member comprises an elongate rib on which is provided at least on spring clip mechanism.
6. A mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said base member and said at least one spring clip mechanism are integrally moulded of plastic material.
7. A sponge plate assembly comprising an absorbent cleaning member on which is mounted, or otherwise provided, at least one mounting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. A sponge plate according to claim 7, comprising an absorbent cleaning member on which is mounted at least on elongate rib having at least one spring clip mechanism provided thereon.
9. A sponge plate according to claim 8, comprising an absorbent cleaning member on which is mounted at least two elongate ribs, substantially parallel to each other, each rib having at least two spring clip mechanisms provided thereon.
10. A mop head having at least one aperture arranged and dimensioned so as to receive a respective spring clip mechanism of a mounting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
11. A mop comprising an elongate stem connected to a mop head according to claim 10, on which is mounted a sponge plate according to any one of claims 7 to 9.
12. A mounting mechanism substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A sponge plate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
14. A mop substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.