GB2484367A

GB2484367A - A mop and bucket arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2484367A
Application number: GB201110525A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Kenneth John; Louise Margaret May John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-05
Filing date: 2011-06-22
Publication date: 2012-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2031-06-22
Also published as: GB201016703D0; GB201110525D0; GB2484367B; GB2484293A; GB201108309D0

Abstract

AÂ mop handle 9 is arranged to lift a mop bucket 18 and stabilise itself in a mop bucket 18. A mop handle 9 includes lifting means bracket 10 for attaching itself to a mop bucket 18 and for stabilising itself. The mop handle 9 and bracket 10 can be used for carrying, lifting, moving, and emptying of a mop bucket 18 when used in conjunction with a mop bucket attachment 13 affixed to a mop bucket 18. The bracket 10 can be fixed to a conventional mop handle 1 by means of sliding onto the mop handle and then being screwed, bolted, clamped, or welded to the mop handle 1. The bracket 10 can include a hook or projection 24 which in use, cooperates with the mop bucket attachment in the form of a rod or bar 13 fixed to the bucket 18. The bucket 18 can include a wringer 25

Description

A Mop and bucket arranginent

Field of the Jnvention.

The present invention relates to mop handles and mop buckets, more particularly to a mop and bucket combination that incorporates a structure for stabilising a mop handle and the lifting and transporting of a mop bucket.

Mops generally have a relatively long handle relative to the height of a mop bucket and when using a conventional mop and bucket many of the designs available presently have the mop handle located in a circular c shaped clip section which is fitted onto the wringer.

The disadvantage being that when the user attempts to insert the mop into the clip it tends to push the mop bucket away from he user.

The user then tends to avoid using the holder as it presents some degree of difficulty when carrying out this procedure and may unintentionally leave the mop handle leaning out from the mop bucket.

The inclination of a mop handle is likely sufficient to cause the mop to fall out of the bucket and/or cause the bucket to tip or spill its contents.

When users attempt to insert the mop into the holder the mop tends to push the bucket away from the user,even more so when the bucket is empty.

The user either then has to bend down and hold the bucket with the other hand or place a foot behind the bucket for support.

These actions can lead to stretching and back strain.

Despite the fact that this aspect of mop buckets is well known and great care is almost universally taken when leaving mops in buckets,in practise mops fall out of buckets often during use.

Indeed the use of conventional mops and buckets has many disadvantages.

Conventional mops do tend to lean out from a bucket causing a hazard to passers.

Mops that lean out from buckets when transported can swing against decorative walls and furnishings and scrape the surfaces leading to damage.

Furthermore a number of patents of the prior art have a mop holding device that is a part of the wringer attached to the bucket.

This wringer is attached to the bucket by snap fittings which snap onto the underside of top rim generally placed at the rear wall of the bucket.

The disadvantage with this method of construction is that any attempts to lift or transport the bucket with the mop handle creates an upward pressure that may cause the wringer to detach itself from the bucket.

This occurs due to the snap fittings having to be very flexible to snap fit onto the rim in the first instance.

As a result of the wringer coming off the bucket can be tipped over causing spillage.

Another disadvantage of many mop and buckets being that the bucket handle can get wet from overflow of water when mop is wrung in the wringer.

The overflow of water may over spill the circular drain area of wringer and splash over the handle.

If the water is contaminated with a harmful bacteria, this can lead to infection to the cleaner by transmitting from handle to users hands when reaching down and picking up the handle.

A further disadvantage being that when the user picks up the bucket by the handle the mop handle tends to fall out from the c shaped holder which is attached to the wringer.

The user then has to catch the falling mop handle with the other hand to prevent it falling out of the bucket,in doing this there is a risk of straining the back shoulders and neck.

Summary of the inventiop

In view of the foregoing problems and disadvantages inherent in the known types of mops and related buckets now present in many other designs the present invention provides a new improved mop and bucket combination and method that will enable the user to carry out their cleaning duties in a more ergonomic safe efficient manner.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new mop and bucket arrangement and method which has many of the advantages and novel features that result in a new mopping system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art mops and related buckets, either alone or in any combination thereof The proposed invention is a mop and bucket arrangement comprising of a mop handle attachment member and a mop bucket attachment member. Includes a mop handle attachment member which slides onto the mop and is secured thereto and does not interfere with the use of the mop in any fashion.

The bucket attachment member which is fitted to the two large upper inner side walls of the bucket.

The mop handle attachment and bucket attachment have means to engage one another to hold the mop securely in a centrally located upright position. The two attachments can be engaged and disengaged quickly. The device is constructed with no moving parts so that it is both easy and economical to produce.

In its preferred embodiment the device is comprised of a handle attachment member having a tubular sleeve member of a diameter to fit around the mop handle. The handle is retained therein by handle attachment means such as bolts, screws,compression washer,locking washer to the handle attachment member.

The mop handle attachment member is filled to the mop handle by sliding the attachment member down onto the handle into the required fixing position.

Such embodiments can be made of a material such as resilient plastic,resin, metal or even a combination of these.

The handle attachment member has a portion thereof which extends away from the said handle attachment member and forms a handle attachment projection. This projection is adapted to extend upward and parallel to the axis of the mop handle, the projection assists in easy engagement with the bucket attachment member.

The bucket attachment member is comprised of an elongated member which is affix-able to the inside upper 19 and 1 9a of the bucket.

The present invention can be adapted to work with buckets of different shapes and sizes however Fig 1. comprises a bucket with a generally rectangular configuration with a wringer.

As shown in Fig I the bucket has a rectangular bottom face and a peripheral side wall integrally coupled to a periphery of the bottom face and extending upwardly there from.

It should be noted that the peripheral side wall is defined by a pair of large side faces and a pair of small end faces.

As such, an interior space and an open top are defined.

An upper peripheral edge of the bucket preferably has a semicircular cross-section along a length thereof For carrying purposes, the bucket further includes an inverted U-shaped handle pivotally coupled to the side faces of the peripheral side wall at a central extent thereof A bucket attachment member is fitted inside the mop bucket and into apertures in the mop bucket inside upper 19 and 1 9a of bucket through into the semicircular portion of underside of upper rim.

The mop bucket attachment member is positioned horizontally in front of the free edge of the peripheral edge of the wringer.

It will be obvious to those experienced in the state of the art that the mop bucket attachment could be adjoined to the wringer housing either by snap fitting clips or even so that the mop bucket attachment be an integral part of the construction of the wringer, (not shown in Figures).

Referring now to Fig 2. the mop bucket attachment member has an outer rubber covering and two spacers which are situated approximately in the mid section of the member.

There is a space between the two spacers that permits the mop handle attachment member to engage the bucket attachment member.

These two spacers are of a larger diameter than the rubber covering and assist in holding the mop handle in a secure manner to prevent side movement.

The rubber casing of the said attachment member prevents rusting by water and enables the said member to grip firmly to the mop handle member projection member,however it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the said bucket attachment could also be made in plastic or an alloy and quite easily overcome the need for a rubber casing and by adjusting the shape or contour of the said attachment a further embodiment could be made,(not shown in Figures).

The mop bucket attachment member is oriented horizontally across mid section of the bucket and when mop handle member engages to underside of mop bucket member the mop handle is held firmly in an upright position and also enables lifting and transporting of the bucket.

A mop bucket handle for the lifting carrying and emptying is attached through apertures to the outer edge of rim of bucket.

Furthermore the embodiment above describes and includes a rectangular shaped bucket,the invention can be applied to buckets of different shapes.

As shown in Fig. 3 the mop handle attachment member is comprised of a tubular member with projection.

Said attachment adapted to be of a diameter to fit around a conventional mop handle.

The mop handle is retained within the handle attachment member by means such as nut and bolt and through mop handle and attachment member.

The mop handle attachment member preferably has a projection that extends away from said mop handle.

The top side of the projection has a recessed slot which can assist the engagement of the handle member to the underside of the bucket attachment member.

The peripheral edge of the projecting portion is perpendicular to the mop handle.

The projecting portion of mop handle member engages the underside of the mop bucket member and stabilises the mop handle in an upright position and further enables user to lift and transport the mop bucket without bending.

Next provided is a drain including a top face having a generally rectangular configuration. As shown in FIG. 1. the top face of the drain is equipped with a width equal to that of the bucket and a length equal to half that of the bucket.

The top face of the drain further includes a central opening with a surrounding upwardly extending annular protrusion.

A peripheral edge of the top face has an inverted U-shaped cross-section along three sides thereof By this structure, an annular well is defined between the annular protrusion and

S

peripheral edge.

In use, the peripheral edge is adapted to engage a half of the upper peripheral lip of the bucket. The drain further includes a plurality of radially extending linear slots formed along the annular protrusion and well.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised and carried out in various ways.

Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved mop and bucket combination which has novel features and results in a method not anticipated,rendered obvious suggested or even implied by any of the prior art aforementioned either alone or in any combination.

1. It is the principle object of the present invention to provide a new improved mop and bucket arrangement that will enable the user to pick up and transport the mop bucket with the mop handle in a very efficient and novel way without bending.

2.Another object of the present invention is to provide a mop and bucket system that minimises manual handling, and actual contact of the bucket handle, thereby minimising risk of infection from contaminated water to the user.

3.Another object is to provide an improved mop handle retention device to hold a mop within a mop bucket in an upright position, that is in a centrally positioned location and to prevent mop leaning or falling outside the bucket.

4. A more specific object of the invention is that the said invention will perform the same functions as a conventional bucket handle without having to bend down for the handle.

5.StilI another object is to provide a mop and bucket arrangement that is ergonomic and will "most importantly" enable users to attach the mop to the bucket easier and once the user gets used to the apparatus with just one hand and also carry out cleaning chores with minimal bending.

6Another object of the invention is to provide a simpler more reliable mop and bucket cleaning method that minimises spillage and mishaps when carrying out janitorial duties.

7.Another most important object of the invention is to reduce the bending movement necessary to pick the bucket up or put it down.

We carried out a study of the bending movements when picking the mop bucket up and moving it from e g position A TO B,or say from closet to kitchen: Our results showed that there are basically four bending motions involved when picking up a mop bucket and then putting it back down.

The first movement is to bend the back down to grab bucket handle at point A to pick it up.

The second is to raise the back up straight to lift the bucket up.

Third movement to put the bucket down at point B the user will bend the back again.

Fourth movement the user bends back up to the straight position.

Taking the above information we applied it to a real person employed as a cleaner and came up with the following results: Cleaner cleans 60 bathrooms and 8 cottages daily and works 5 days a week and places the mop bucket down and picks up once for each bathroom and cottage visited.

Therefore 60 +8 x5 = 340 occasions when mop bucket is placed down and picked up.

Now 340 multiplied by 4 bending movements = 1360 bending movements weekly.

The cleaner works 48 weeks per year therefore 49,840 bending movements.

This figure does not include the numerous times when the cleaner would change the water for clean wateit A large percentage of these bending movements would be eliminated when using our mop and bucket arrangement, as the user remains upright when picking the bucket up or moving it from A to B or when placing it down.

It is common knowledge that people should bend at the knees when picking up heavy items to prevent injury to the back.

Indeed Health and Safety recommend the above method to reduce injury in the Therefore provision of any tools or methods which aid in reducing back strain and injury can help to improve the tasks involved such as mopping floors.

With the introduction of our mop and bucket arrangement the person always remains in an upright position and helps to reduce bending when mopping floors.

Our conclusions are that it is always going to be easier for cleaners and other users to carry out mopping tasks with minimal bending.

The mop and bucket arrangement may help in reducing bending movements as stated above as the user remains upright when lifting and transporting the bucket.

Indeed the present invention has been ergonomically designed to aid in reducing back strain for the users in the home and workplace.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a method that can be adapted to a variety of mop handles and mop bucket shapes and sizes.

The mop and bucket combination according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.

The present invention provides an improved combination mop and bucket developed to overcome the disadvantages known in other buckets.

Still further advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the

following drawings and ensuing descriptions.

fljnpFigijres, Figure 1/8 shows a perspective view of mop handle and mop bucket engaged according to the invention.

Figure 2/8 is a close up perspective view of how mop handle and attachment member are engaged according to the present invention.

Figure 3/8 shows a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4/8shows a further embodiment in a perspective view according to the invention.

Fig 5/8 shows another embodiment of the invention.

Fig 6/8 shows another embodiment of the invention.

Fig 7/8 shows a further embodiment of the apparatus.

Fig 8/8 showing a further embodiment consisting of n attachment with 2 sections front and rear. 8.

Reference numerals in drawings: 9. Mop handle.

A mop handle attachment member tubular sleeve.

lOa mop handle attachment consisting of two separate sections which differs from the sleeve type in 10 above.

11 Bolt.

12 Nut 13 Mop bucket attachment member.

14 Outer rubber casing of bucket member.

End caps.

16 Apertures.

17 Mop head.

18 mop bucket.

19 and 19a inside upper section of bucket.

Lower base.

21 Upper peripheral edge.

22 Mop bucket handle.

23a 23b. Apertures.

24 Projection of mop handle attachment member.

Wringer.

26 Circular compression fitting 26a Another embodiment of mop handle attachment member 27 Rear face.

28. Front face.

29.Support block.

30. Recess slot.

31 Spacers.

33. Flanges.

34. Snap fittings.

Detailed Description-Figs 1-8

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Fig 1. embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention.

As shown in Fig 1. the bucket has a generally rectangular shape with bottom face 20, a peripheral side wall integrally coupled to a periphery of the bottom face and extending upwardly there from.

It should be noted that the peripheral side wall is defined by a pair of larger side faces 19 and 19a, a rear face 27, and front face 28.

As such, an interior space and an open top are defined.

An upper peripheral edge 21, of the bucket preferably has a semicircular cross-section along a length thereof For carrying purposes, the bucket fhrther includes an inverted U-shaped handle numbered 16 pivotally coupled to the side faces of the upper peripheral edge at a central extent thereof The mop and bucket arrangement has a detachable wringer which is affixed to mop bucket upper rim by use of clips such as snap fittings 34.

Furthermore the embodiment above describes and includes a rectangular shaped bucket.

However the invention can be applied to buckets of different shapes and sizes.

Mop bucket handle 22 is attached through apertures 23a 23b, to the outer upper peripheral edge 21 of bucket 18.

The bucket attachment member 13 is fitted into the mop bucket 1 8,by inserting into apertures 16 on upper inside portions 19, 19a of mop bucket, through into the semicircular portion of the underside of upper peripheral edge 21.

The advantages of arranging the components in this way are that no fixings or parts are seen on outer side of bucket as they are hidden under the outer rim of bucket.

The mop bucket attachment member is positioned horizontally in front of the free edge of the peripheral edge of the wringer 25.

However the bucket attachment member may be fitted at various heights into the upper inside faces 19 and 19a of bucket.

End caps are fitted onto the ends of the mop bucket attachment to secure the mop bucket attachment to the said bucket.

Referring now to Fig 2. comprising a mop bucket attachment member 13, is an elongated metal bar member of a predetermined shape and size.

However the member can also be made of a resilient plastic,resin or a combination of these materials.

The elongated bucket attachment member has an outer rubber covering 14.

The rubber covering 14 of the bucket member 13 enables the mop handle attachment member to firmly grip to the mop handle member 10, projection 24A of said member.

However the mop bucket attachment member can also be coated with a plastic,resin,nylon to prevent access of water to the metal.

In its preferred embodiment the mop handle attachment member is comprised of a cylindrical sleeve with projection.

The mop handle attachment member can be fitted onto the mop handle by sliding it onto the handle.

The mop handle attachment is adapted to be of a diameter to fit over a conventional mop handle no 9.

The said mop handle attachment can be constructed from plastic,resin,rubber metal or a combination of any of these.

Mop handle no.9 is retained therein by handle attachment means such as nut and bolt 11 and 12 through mop handle and attachment member 10.

The mop handle attachment member 10 preferably has a projection 24 that extends away from said mop handle 9.

The top side of the projection has a recessed slot 30 which can assist the gripping and engagement of the handle member to the underside of the bucket attachment member.

There is one projection showing in the drawing Fig 2, Fig 3,however in the Figures 4 and Fig 5. there are a plurality of projections extending outward from the mop handle attachment member.

The reason for the differing numbers of projections in the drawings is that mop heads are manufactured from various types of cotton and polyester materials.

The difference in the thickness of these materials effects the height and position that the mop head sits in the mop bucket when immersed in water.

Referring now to Fig 3 which shows another embodiment of mop handle attachment member this is numbered 26 A. As shown in the thawing is a longer version of the mop handle attachment member 10.

This embodiment rests upon the upper most edge of the screw end of mop head structure 17.

The mop handle is retained within the handle attachment member by means such as nut and bolt through mop handle and attachment member or adhesive.

Referring now to Fig 4 This embodiment showing a mop handle attachment member with projections at opposite sides of said handle attachment member.

As the mop will be positioned higher up in the bucket when empty, the bottom projection is used.

When bucket has liquid content mop head is positioned lower in the bucket,and then the upper projection is used.

Referring now to Fig 5.

This embodiment showing a bucket attachment member with spacers numbered 31 fitted to the bucket attachment member no 13.

One is placed on each side of the position where the mop handle attachment projection engages the bucket attachment member.

The spacers are of a larger diameter than the rest of the bucket attachment member to prevent the mop handle from sliding to either side and keeping the mop handle in a secure centrally located position.

There are flanges numbered 33 fitted at both ends of the bucket attachment member.

Fig 5. A further embodiment shows the mop handle attachment member has a plurality of projections. As described in Fig 4 it can be advantageous to have a plurality of projections due to the differing heights that the mop sits in the bucket when wet or dry.

Furthermore the materials content of the mop head can also effect the height that the mop sits in the bucket.

We have discovered that the introduction of a spring into the apparatus did give favourable results,to enable easy engaging of the mop bucket attachment and mop handle attachment (not shown in figures).

Referring now to Fig 6.

This being a drawing showing another embodiment of the present invention.

The mop handle attachment member has an inner sleeve which extends up into the inner side of member which is then slid down onto the supporting circular ring fitting 26.

The support ring can be made of plastic rubber or metal or a combination of any of these and affixed by welding, soldering adhesive or other suitable manner.

The advantage being that no nuts or bolts are required and time can be saved at the manufacturing stage.

Referring now to Fig 7.

This being a drawing showing another embodiment of the present invention.

Showing a support block 29, for holding and affixing the bucket attachment member 13 to.

The support block structure 29 is offered up under the outer upper rim of bucket into the semicircular section.

The support block 29 has an aperture for the holding of the bucket member 13 to be inserted into.

As the support block is of a dimension and profile similar to the shape of the underside of the semicircular upper peripheral edge,means to affix the support block by screws or a form of adhesive may be used for the holding of the said structure.

The support blocks 29 can be made of metal, plastic, rubber or a combination of any of them.

This embodiment of the invention is may be used for a bucket with a small size upper peripheral rim where the bucket attachment member would show on the outside of bucket,and also to a bucket where the wall thickness is thin and needs additional thickness in the embodiment.

A further embodiment is shown in Fig 8. being of two separate parts numbered 1 Oa, unlike the cylindrical sleeve attachment type in the other Figures herein described the two parts are fixed to opposing sides of the mop handle.

Again the attachment may be affixed to the mop handle by small nut and bolt or other suitable means.

Operatp. gf the invention.

For a clearer understanding of the cooperating elements of the invention and their relationship between the mop handle and mop bucket reference can be made to Fig 1.

Now we will describe the preferred embodiment of the apparatus.

As shown in Figi the mop handle attachment memberlO is shown engaged with the mop bucket attachment member 13.

To achieve this the mop handle 9 is pushed down into the mop bucket 18 and once bottom of bucket is reached, the mop handle 9 is pushed forward sliding the projection 24 of mop handle attachment member 10 under the bucket attachment member 13 and thereby engaging the handle attachment member to the bucket attachment member.

With reference to Figs 4 and Fig 5 the method of use is the same as in Fig 1.

The mop is pressed down into the bucket,mop handle is pushed forward to engage mop bucket attachment member.

As shown in Figs 4 and Fig 5. the mop handle attachment has a plurality of projections.

This is to enable easy connection between the two attachments.

As mop heads are made from many different types of cotton polyester and other materials the use of more than one projection aids in connecting the mop and bucket.

It is noticeable when placing a mop into water that a natural upward force is 1.3 exerted by the buoyant mop head out from the water and this increases the grip between the mop handle member and bucket member ensuring a tight fit.

This combination holds the mop handle securely in an upright position, in a central location of the mop bucket.

The two attachment members grip each other readily for lifting and transporting the bucket, and most importantly with one hand without bending down.

Mother advantage when the user employs the present mop handle and bucket arrangement is that the downward pressure exerted by the mop head holds the bucket firmly to the floor, preventing the bucket from sliding away from the user.

Furthermore as the elongated mop bucket member of the present invention may extend right across from one side wall across to the other side wall there is available a length of up to a foot to attach the mop handle member to with just one hand which saves time.

The proposed invention has many advantages over other mops and buckets as it enables the user to connect mop handle and mop bucket in a simple and efficient manner quite effortlessly.

Most importantly the above explains how the present invention will minimise bending in the home and workplace by using a method of cleaning that is more ergonomic and user friendly,saving time and energy for people using the product.

Thus the reader will see that the proposed invention will provide a highly reliable economical device which will be of use to many people.

Claims

Claims: claim 1. A mop and bucket arrangement for the stabilizing of a mop handle within a mop bucket and for the lifting and transporting of a mop bucket comprising; a. a mop handle attachment member adapted to fit a mop handle; b. means for affixing said mop handle attachment member securely to said mop handle; c. a bucket attachment member adapted to be affixed into the inside upper portion of said bucket; d. means to affix bucket attachment member into the inside upper position of mop bucket.
2.A mop and bucket arrangement according to claim 1 a mop handle attachment member with projections extending from said handle attachment means upward and parallel to said mop handle and having a recess defined on top of the said projection.
3.A mop handle and bucket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the mop bucket is made from polyethylene and has a detachable wringer.
4. A mop and bucket arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the mop bucket attachment member is positioned parallel to the free edge of the mop bucket wringer.
5.A mop and bucket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the bucket attachment member is adjoined through the inside upper portions of the larger sides of said mop bucket and extend across the full width of the said mop bucket.
6. A mop and bucket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the mop handle attachment member is of a cylindrical sleeve structure and affixed to the mop handle by sliding the mop handle attachment member onto the mop handle and affixing the said mop handle attachment to mop handle by means such as screw.
7. A mop handle and mop bucket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the lifting means is achieved by the use of mop handle attachment with a projection fitted to a mop handle that enables engaging of the said mop handle attachment with a mop bucket attachment.
8. A mop and bucket arrangement according to claim I wherein the mop bucket attachment member is adjoined to and an integral part of the mop bucket wringer.
9. A mop and bucket arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the mop handle attachment member comprised of two seperate portions being of front part and rear part and is affixed by placing said parts upon the mop handle one part opposing the other on the mop handle with means to attach the said member to the said mop handle such as nut and bolt.