US2163638A

US2163638A - Cleaning device

Info

Publication number: US2163638A
Application number: US92899A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sidney P Vaughn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-07-27
Filing date: 1936-07-27
Publication date: 1939-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1956-06-27

Description

June 27, 1939. s. P. VAUGHN CLEANING DEVICE Filed July 27, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l June 27, 1939. s. P. VAUGHN CLEANING DEVICE Filed July 27, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ML: M04421;

June 27, 1939. s. P. VAUGHN CLEANING DEVICE Filed July 27, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 27, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLEANING DEVICE Sidney P. Vaughn, San Diego, Calif. Application July 2'7, 1936, Serial No. 92,899

(Granted under the act of March amended April 30, 1928; 370 0.

This invention more especially to mops, objects to provide a 13 Claims.

simple and inexpensive construction but which also has an attractive and sanitary appearance.

A further object the provision of a mop which may quickly operated and which is be capable of of a room or the dering walls.

of the invention resides in be easily and so designed as to thoroughly cleaning the corners like without injury to the bor- A further object of the invention consists in providing a mop consisting of merely a head and a block of compressible, cellular cured thereto.

material se- Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a mop having a self-wringing feature in that the mop may peditiously wrung by a handle.

be thoroughly and exmere manipulation of the A further object of the invent-ion consists in so designing the head cellular material as bending moments when wringing mere pressure on the handle.

Other objects and advantages of will be apparent from of the mop and block of to eliminate unnecessary the mop by the invention the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of the mop, with the handle broken away.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the mop.

Figure 3 is a perspective view modified form of mop.

of a slightly Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mop having a different type of head.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a still further modified form of mo D Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the construction shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing the shape of the block of mop material prior to being clamped into the mop head of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of a mop pail or scrub-bucket combined with a screen having a is especially adapted for disclosed herein.

is an edge view of a strip of sponge the blocks are cut.

another form 3, 1883, as G. 757) of mop in which the heel portion of the head is inclined downwardly.

Figure 13 is an end elevational view of the mop shown in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of a mop 5 differing slightly from that shown in Figures 12 and 13.

Figure 15 is an end elevational view of the mop of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a plan view of the screen and 0 wringer shown in Figure 10.

Figure 1''! is a plan view of a modified screen and wringer for use in a sink or the like, and,

Figures 18 and 19 are sectional views taken on lines 18-18 and l9-l9 of Figure 17.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and especially to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral i indicates a substantially oblong mop head formed of a block of wood or the like and provided with an upwardly inclined socket 2 for the 2 reception of the usual handle I.

The forward portion of the head I is provided with a toe or hook portion I which is adapted to cooperate with a lug or other abutment for wringing the mop, as will appear hereinafter. 26

The mop material 5 employed in the present structure is cellulose sponge and is cut into the shape of elongated blocks having a substantially vertical rear side and outwardly flared front side and ends as illustrated. This block of material 30 is secured to the under-side of the head I by cellulose water-proof cement and is so positioned that its upper surface extends somewhat beyond the front edge and ends of the head as indicated in Figure 1. The rear edge of the head I ex- 35 tends a substantial distance beyond the rear face of the sponge block 5 to provide what may be termed a heel 6.

To produce blocks of the sponge material without waste and yet provide the forwardly in- 40 ciined front edge and the vertical rear edge a stock strip of the material of the proper width may be cut in the manner shown in Figure 1i.

It will be noted that in this diagrammatic view alternate vertical and diagonal cuts are made in 4 the material as indicated by numerals 10 and ii. By this method of cutting the material each block is provided with one beveled side and an opposite straight side without any waste of material whatever. The alternate blocks 12 may be inverted and applied to the mop heads in the same manner as the blocks 13 as they are all duplicates. If beveled ends are desired on the individual blocks these may be provided by a second operation. 5

By reason of the outwardly flared front and end walls of the sponge block and because the front and ends of the head are set inwardly of the edges of the sponge material it is possible to readily use the mop in the corners of rooms and the like to thoroughly clean the parts without possibility of the mop head being brought into contact with the base-board or other parts of the walls, thereby avoiding damage to the walls as frequently happens in the use of conventional mo T h e purpose of the heel and toe construction of the head I is to provide a simple and expeditious method of wringing the mop as will be clear from an inspection of the illustration of Figure 10. The structure of the screen and wringer of this figure will be later described, and it will suffice to say here that the toe l of the mop head is engaged under a lug or other abutment adjacent a flat surface and the handle of the mop swung rearwardly. This operation, as is obvious, will cause a squeezing action on the cellulose sponge material between the mop head and the adjacent flat surface. Such portion of the sponge as is caused to move rearwardly by this action will be engaged by the heel I of the head so that a complete wringing of the sponge will be accomplished.

The construction shown in Figure 3 is identical with that shown in Figures 1 and 2 except that the toe 4 has been omitted. In this construction the head II is provided with a heel Ii and socket i2, and the block of cellulose sponge l3 has its front and ends extended slightly beyond the edges of the head and flared outwardly as heretofore described.-

A wringing action of the mop shown in Figure 3 may be produced by merely placing the mop on a flat surface, such as the floor, and applying a downward and forward force to the handle. This operation will squeeze the water from the cellulose sponge by compressing the material between the iloor and sponge head, and such portion of the spronge as is deflected rearwardly will be engaged by the heel portion II. It should also be noted that this type of wringing action can also be obtained in the mop shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the modified constructions hereinafter described, when it is not desired to employ the leverage action involving the toe 4 or its equivalent.

In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5 the block of cellulose sponge material is identical with that previously described and is secured to the wood block 2| in the same manner except that no heel is provided on the part II. In lieu of such construction, a metal plate 22 is provided which extends rearwardly from the rear half 23 of a clamp for the wood block, and which serves the same function as the heels 6 and II of Figures 1 and 3 respectively. The clamp comprises the two

sections

23 and 24 which engage grooves in the front and rear edges of the block 2i and are provided with complementary socket members and 2. The

members

25 and 26 are riveted together as indicated at 21, and the member 25 is provided with an upturned tongue 28 which serves the same function as the toe l of Figure l.

The modified construction shown in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 comprises two clamping members for gripping the cellulose sponge in lieu of the cementlng connection employed in the previous forms. The sponge material is preferably cut to the form indicated in Figures 8 and 9. that is, it is provided with the notched ends 3|, which,

when the material is doubled upon itself. provide the outwardly-flared ends II. The upper face of the sponge material is preferably provided with a channel or groove 83 which better adapts the material to the shape of the .clamp. The upper clamping member consists of a piece of sheet metal bent to provide an arched central portion 84 with a rearwardly extending plate or heel portion II. The forward edge of the arched portion It is turned upwardly to provide a toe or lug-engaging portion II. The other member of the clamp consists of a U-shaped rod ll provided with threads on its ends for engagement with similar threads on clamping nuts 88. In assembling this device the U-shaped rod I1 is engaged under the middle of the sponge material and the legs of the rod are passed through suitably spaced apertures in the top of the clamp I4, after which the nuts 88 are threaded to the legs and screwed down until the sponge material is drawn into position.

A socket member 80 is riveted or otherwise secured to the rear side of the clamp It to receive the handle 40, and it will be noted that the shape of the clamp is such that the forward face of the sponge material extends outwardly and downwardly as in the previous forms. This is due to the fact that the clamp compresses the upper portion of the folded material while the lower portion remains in its uncompressed state.

In Figures 12 to 15 inclusive are shown mops which are quite similar to the mop shown in Figure 3, but in which provision is made for a more thorough wringing of the mop material. The mop head of Figures 12 and 13 is indicated by the reference character I, while the socket portion for the handle 3' is designated by reference character 2'. The block of cellulose sponge I is identical with that heretofore described, but the rear under-surface of the head is inclined downwardly and rearwardly to provide an inclined heel portion I. When downward and forward pressure is applied to this form of mop a portion of the sponge material is deflected rearwardly just as in the other forms, but due to the downwardly inclined heel 6' the deflected portion is trapped and is more thoroughly squeezed than is possible for instance in the form shown in Figure 3. In other words, unnecessary bending moments are eliminated from the mop handle, thereby facilitating the wringing action.

This same advantageous result is accomplished in the construction shown in Figures 14 and 15. in which the head I is provided with a socket portion 2' for the reception of a handle 3. In this form of the invention the operative surface of the block of cellulose sponge is beveled oil as indicated by numeral 1, and the mop head I inclines downwardly and rearwardly as a whole when in use, thereby providing a heel portion I which is identical in function and eflectiveness with the heel 6' of the mop of Figures 12 and 13.

In Figures 10 and 16 is shown a mop pail and wringer specially designed for the type of mop disclosed herein. The poll is indicated by the numeral Iii and is illustrated as of substantially rectangular shape. A screen II is mounted on the bottom of the pail and while shown as formed of perforated sheet metal it will be understood that wire mesh fabric may be employed if desired. In the form shown, the main portion of the screen is spaced only a slight distance from the bottom of the pail by the feet 52 which consist of short tongues of metal bent downwardly from the screen itself. Another portion H of the screen is supported above the water level of the pail and is formed by bending the material upwardly as indicated .by numeral 51, then horizontally and then downwardly to provide the rear supporting flange 55.

A tongue or tongues 56 are struck-up from the material of the flange 55 and are bent over to provide lugs under which the toe of certain of the mops may be engaged when this type of wringing action is to be employed. The sponge material will of course be compressed against the platform 53 when the mop handle is moved rearwardly and downwardly as heretofore described. This screen therefore serves not only the purpose of preventing the mop from coming into contact with sediment in the pail but also provides a simple and conveniently located wringing device.

In Figures 1'? to 19, inclusive, is shown a .screen and wringer adapted for use in a kitchen sink or the like. This form of the invention comprises a perforated metal plate 60 provided with downturned flanges ii on two opposite ends and an upwardly curled lug 63 adapted to be engaged by the toe of a mop. The downturned flanges iii are preferably provided with rubber feet 84 to prevent damage to adjacent objects, and vacuum cups 65 are provided so as to secure the wringer against movement while in use.

The operation and advantages of the novel constructions of mops and wringers have been set forth in connection with the description of the structural details and need not be further referred to except to emphasize the fact that an extremely neat and .attractive mop is provided by merely connecting a unitary block of cellulose sponge to a mop head; that the sponge material is so designed and mounted as to prevent damage to surrounding objects by engagement with the mop head; that an economical method of cutting the sponge material is provided; that the mill may be wrung by merely pressing the same downwardly and forwardly against a flat surface, or by merely engaging the forward edge of the head under a lug and swinging the mop handle rearwardiy and downwardly; that a simplified construction of screen and wringer is provided; and that a modified type of wringer for sinks is also disclosed.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described what I now believe to be the preferred forms of construction, but inasmuch as various minor changes may be made in structural details without departing from the spirit of the invention it is intended that all such details be included within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What I claim is:

1. A cleaning device including a head portion, and a substantially rectangular block of cellular compressible material secured to the under-side of the head with its front edge spaced slightly forward of the front edge of the head and its rear edge spaced a substantial distance forward of the rear edge of the head.

2. A cleaning device including a head portion, and a block of cellular material secured to the under-side of the head forwardly of its rear edge so as to provide a rearwardly-extending heel portion, the under-surface of the heel portion being constructed and arranged to form an acute angle with the floor surface of the cellular block.

3. A cleaning device including a head portion, and a block of cellular material secured to the under-side of the head forwardly of its rear edge so as to provide a rearwardly-extending heel portion, the floor surface of the cellular block being bevelled-off so as to cause the under-surface of the heel to be downwardly and rearwardly inclined when the device is in use.

4. Acleaning device including a head portion. a substantially rectangular block of cellular material secured to the under-side of the head with its front edge spaced slightly forward of the front edge of the head and its rear edge spaced a substantial distance forward of the rear edge of the head, the front and side walls of said block of material being outwardly flared.

5. A cleaning device including a head portion, a block of cellular material secured to the underside of the head portion, a heelportion extending a substantial distance rearwardly from the head portion and having an unobstructed under-surface, and a hook portion at the front end of the head portion.

6. A cleaning device including a head formed of a block of material and a combined clamp and socket attached to said block, a rearwardly-extending flange formed on the clamp, and a block of cellular material secured to the under-side of the first-mentioned block with its rear edge spaced a substantial distance forward of the rear edge of the flange.

7. A cleaning device including a head formed of a block of material and a combined clamp and socket attached to said block, a rearwardlyextending flange formed on the rear edge of the clamp, a lug formed on the front edge of the clamp, and a block of cellular material secured to the under-side of the first-mentioned block with its rear edge spaced a substantial distance forward of the rear edge of the flange.

8. A cleaning device including a head portion and a block of cellular material secured to the under-side of the head portion forwardly of its rear edge, said block being thicker at its forward end.

9. A cleaning device including a head portion, a block of cellular material secured to the underside of the head forwardly of its rear edge with its bottom side or cleaning side forming an acute angle with the lower side of the head so that the forward portion of the cellular material will be substantially thicker than the rear portion.

10. A cleaning device including a head portion, a block of celluiar material secured to the under side of the head forwardly of its rear edge with its front edge spaced slightly forward of the front edge of the head and its bottom side or cleaning surface forming an acute angle with the lower side of the head so that the forward portion of the cellular material will be substantially thicker than the rear portion, and the lower forward edge or the block of cellular material will extend substantially forward of the upper forward edge of the block of cellular material when the device is in use.

11. A mop comprising a rectangular head portion of oblong shape having its longer dimension extending transversely of the normal line of movement of the mop, a rearwardly inclined handle secured to the top of the head portion, and a substantially oblong block of cellular compressible material secured to the under-side of the head portion with its rear edge spaced a substantial distance forward of the rear edge of the head portion.

12. A mop comprising a rectangular head portion or oblong shape having its longer dimension extending transversely oi the normal line of movement of the mop. a rearwardly inclined handle secured to the top of the head portion, a substantially oblong block oi cellular compressible material secured to the under-side oi the head portion with its rear edge spaced a substantial distance forward of the rear edge of the head portion, and means on the iorward edge oi the head portion for engaging under an abutment.

18. A mop comprising a rectangular head por- Patent No. 2,163,638

tion of oblong shape having its longer dimension extending transversely of the normal line of movement of the mop, a rearwardly inclined handle secured to the top oi the head portion, and a substantially oblong block of cellular compressible material secured to the under-side oi the head portion with its rear edge spaced a substantial distance forward of the rear edge of the head portion to provide a rearwardly extending heel portion, the heel portion having a downwardly m inclined under-surface.

SIDNEY P. VAUGHN.

Granted June 27, 1989 SIDNEY P. VAUGHN The above entitled patent was extended October 2, 1951, under the provisions of the Act of J une 30, 1950, for 7 years and 173 days from the expiration of the original term thereof.

Commissioner of Patents.

18. A mop comprising a rectangular head por- Patent No. 2,163,638

SIDNEY P. VAUGHN.

Commissioner of Patents.

Patent No. 2,163,638 Granted June 27, 1939 SIDNEY P. VAUGHN The above entitled patent was extended October 2, 1961, under the provisions of the Act of June 30, 1950, for 7 years and 173 days from the expiration of the original term thereof.

Omnz'asiomr of Patents.