US2667653A

US2667653A - Combined mop and wringer

Info

Publication number: US2667653A
Application number: US69713A
Authority: US
Inventors: Febvre Alfred L Le
Original assignee: Fuller Brush Co Inc
Current assignee: Fuller Brush Co Inc
Priority date: 1949-01-07
Filing date: 1949-01-07
Publication date: 1954-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-02

Description

1954 A. 1.. LE FEBVRE COMBINED MOP AND WRINGER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 7, 1949 INVENTOR ALFRED L. LE FEBVRE ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1954 A. L. LE FEBVRE COMBINED MOP AND WRINGER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, 1949 INVENTOR ALFRED L. LEFEBVRE ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1954 A. LE FEBVRE 2,667,653

COMBINED MOP AND WRINGER Filed Jan. 7, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ALFRED L. LEFEBVRE BY 4/. gu 7346 TTORNEV Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

The Fuller Brush Company,

Hartford, Conn;-

a corporation of Connecticut Application J anuary'7, 1949, .Serial No. 69,713

16 Claims.

The inventionv relates. to arcombined mop and wringer. ofv the type. comprising. a. mop. unit including, a mass of. absorbentv compressible, ma.- terial commonly referred to. as a sponge block and engageable. with the. floor or other surfacev device or compressorplate .-.atv the. front ofthey mop unit, butthishasbeen wringing device or compressorplate, when pcsi-- tioned atthefront, .tends to scratch .onmar furniture, base boards. and. the :like. when the wringing device or compressor plate is pivoted at the front,

which is objectionable. During ordinary mopping, action the major portion of the dirtthatis picked.

uplby the sponge block is at.the-front..thereof,.

and .a wringing ,or. compressingw action from frontto..rear tends. to flush the .dirtat vthefronttoward the rear and. intothe body ofthe-sponge.

One of the objects. of the. .inventionis toprovide a combined .mop andiwringercwhichis inexpensive andis simpleinconstruction andoperation and which has its wringing. device. or.

compressor. plate at the rear of the mopunit; so asto reduce to a minimumthe.p ossiblascratching. or marring, of objectswhichmay. be. con-r tacted at the frontandso. astocausethe wringinglor compressingactionto fihshthedirt atthe front of thespongeblock directly forwardly and outof the saidIbl'ock; In accordance withthe invention, the wringing, device. or compressor.

platehas an ,upper.rear-inoperative.position.adj a-.-- centand below thehandle, and it isv pivotally. movable-from the last said position downwardly and forwardly andupwardly, toengage and compressthe sponge. block... When. the. wringing device. or compressorplatais. so located and is so operatedl'itlfirst.engagestlie sponge blockat'the the normal. cleaning. action of the. spongeblock butalso during the. use of thewring- 5 ing. device or compressor: plate; It has. been. common practiceto locatethe movable wringing.

objectionable, as .the-

Furthermore.

the wringing or compressing. action onthe sponge. bloclrisfram frontto rear.

lower rear edge or OOIIIBI'Z'th'GIB'Of' andthen pro gressivelyjcompresses .the said block from rear 'to front so that the major portion'of-the contained Water is forced. forwardly and is expelledi at the front.

Another. object. of the inventionistoprovideya combined mop and wringerwherein' the mop unit,, the handle and the wringing "device" constitute three separate entities adaptedto be-manufactured, distributed and soldyseparatelyrfrom"eachother and adapted" to be 'assembledby the customer or user according' to requirements; Inac= cordance with the invention, a common means'is. provided for detachably. connecting both the" handle and the wringingdevice"to'tliemopunit. Preferably, the construction is suchithat' the same" connecting means can;serve option'allyieither to connect only the handle to" the mop-unit or to connect both the handle. and the wringing device to the mop unit. This construction makes it possible for the user'to, purchase anduse only the mop unit andxthe' handle, and to later 'add the wringer. device if and when desired, and it also makes it possible'for'the user to'temporarily discard the compressor'plate when reduction in weight is desirable. The construction also makes it possible for the mopunit, whether-'or notcombined with the. wringingde'vicepto' be'conveni ently removed and'replaced after wear.

Still another objectof the inventionis to pro-- vide a combined. mopand-wringer of the-type defined, wherein the wringing device or compressor platemay be assembled-and disassembled by relative manipulationof parts and wherein assembly and disassembly are-prevented except under, certain conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a subassemblyof parts comprising. a compressor plate and an attaching plate therefor, this sub-- assembly being adapted for usewith a mop handle and with a mop unit located below the handle;

With, the above and other objects inview *the invention consists in a" mopand wringer-construction embodying the novel 'andimproved tea-'- tures, constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in theclaims; the advantages of whicli= will be readily understood and appreciated by 'those skilled in-the art.

The invention will :be" clearly" understood fronr the accompanying drawings: illustrating a construction embodying the: several features of the invention in their preferred "form's and' the-foblowing, detailed description; of the construction therein shown:

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the mop and wringer with certain parts shown in section and with the compression device in retracted or inoperative position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mop and wringer.

Fig. 3 Ba view in side elevation illustrating, in disassembled relation, the mop unit, compression device, handle and the means for securing these elements together.

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation with the compression device in operative or compressing position with relation to the mass of compressible material embodied in the mop unit.

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the mop unit and handle with the compression device omitted.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. l.

Fig. '7 is a plan view illustrating the attaching plate through which the compression device is mounted on the mop unit .and a portion of said device, with the parts in positions ready to be assembled.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7 parts partly assembled.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8 illustrating the parts completely assembled.

, Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation illustrating the mop unit and certain parts adjacent the said unit with the parts of the compression device in their limiting retracted positions determined by the engagement of said device with the mop handle.

illustrating the Fig. ll is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line I l-l l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line l2-|2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line l3--! 3 of Fig. 9.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings of this application, the mop and wringer comprises a mop unit indicated generally at iii, a handle indicated at 2 attached to said mop unit and a compression or wringer device indicated at I4.

. The mop unit includes a backing plate It and a mass 58 of absorbent compressible material secured to said backing plate at the bottom thereof. The backing plate 55 extends transversely of the directions of normal mopping movement and has upper and lower faces and front and rear edges. The absorbent material is preferably consists of a rectangular prismatic block of cellulose sponge mounted in a shallow channel or trough in the backing plate it formed by the narrow flanges 2 0 and 22 on the plate bent at right angles to the body of the plate. The block of sponge is securely attached to the backing plate by a suitable cement and it extends from end to end of the said plate.

The handle of the mop comprises a body portion or shaft 24 which may be made of wood, and a hollow socket 26 preferably made of sheet metal in which the lower end of the shaft 24 is secured.

The handle is attached to the mop unit to extend upwardly and rearwardly therefrom at an angle of about 45 to the upper face of the backing plate, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The handle is attached to the mop unit by securing the lower end of the socket 25 (Fig. l) of the handle detachably to the said backing plate E6.

The compression device comprises a pressure or wringer member shiftably connected with the backing plate and arranged to be moved from an inoperative position relatively remote from the mass 18 of compressible material into engagement with said mass thereby cause the discharge of water or other liquid therefrom. This pressure member, in the preferred form of the invention illustrated in this case, includes a compressor plate 28 of rectangular form corresponding with the form of the lower face of the block is of compressible material and made of sheet metal. The plate is shown as provided with a series of holes 30 through which some of the liquid squeezed from the mass :8 may be discharged. The plate is mounted in a frame 32 consisting of a cylindrical metallic rod bent in rectangular form corresponding in dimensions to the dimensions of the plate 28. The plate is shown as connected with the bent rod frame by marginal extensions as on the ends and one side of the plate bent about the corresponding parts of said frame.

The pressure or wringer member is hingedly or pivotally connected to the backing plate so that it may be swung from the inoperative position shown in Fig. l to operative or compressing po-- sition with relation to the mass l8. To this end, the rod which forms the frame 32 of said member is provided with offset

arms

36 and 38 extending obliquely away from the edge of the main portion of the compressor plate nearer the backing plate and also downwardly (Fig. l) in a direction oblique to the plane of said compressor plate, and with inwardly bent axially aligned end pintles Gil and d2 substantially parallel with the portion of said frame more remote from the mop unit, each pintle all and 42 forming one element of a hinge. These pintles are constructed and arranged to engage respectively in corresponding tubular hinge elements or members 114 and 46 formed on a second or attaching plate 48 preferably made of sheet metal and fixed to the backing plate 16. This second or attaching plate has the form or outline shown inFigs. 2 and 7 and the hinge elements 44 and 4B are produced by bending into tubular form portions of the projections 49 extending from said plate.

The rod which forms the bent rod frame for the pressure plate 28 is provided with an extension 50 forming a loop having substantially parallel sides extending, in general, at right angles to the portions of the rectangular frame of the compressor plate more remote from the mop unit and the hinge axis. This extension constitutes a handle for the compressor plate by which the same may an upper rear inoperative position adjacent and below the handle as shown in Fig. 1 to an operative position in compressing engagement with the compressible mass l8 as shown in Fig. 4 and from the said operative position back to the said inoperative position.

In moving from the said inoperative position to the said operative position, the compressor plate moves downwardly and forwardly and upwardly, and it first engages the sponge block 18 at the lower rear edge or corner thereof and it then progressively compresses the said block from rear to front so that the major portion of the water or other liquid is forced forwardly and is expelled at the front. By means of the offset

arms

36 and 38 the said compressor plate, when in its final compressing position as shown in Fig. 4, is offset downwardly from the second plate M3 by a distance substantially less than the initial vertical thickness of the sponge block i8. This offset enables the compressor plate to press the to compress the same and be readily shifted from sp nee.-blockl-,.tol the. requiitediesteat-buir tendstto.

pret rit excessiv lcomnr sien thereof.

Inlthepresent con truction thetmop unit, com:

pr si n r. w inser. -.device; and; handle, are, se-

ured to ether. in a; novel. and. improved manner to enam mhe. compression. derice. to be. readilr detached.-, so.- that, the, men unit with handle at..-

tached, may. be; used, wi h.out...said;com ressionv device; The; construction..alsoenahlesthe com.- pression device to be quigklx andgeasily restored; to theas emblp andsecuredin. operative position...

shown. the; I second, onattachin .ate, 4a:

upontwhich; he mpr s rvplate is. in ed and.

the-socket 2630f. the moplhandl'e. arebothdetach:

ably; secured ,to, therbackingi late [610i ,themon.

uniaby.amattachingmeans which. is..constri1cted: to.-. secure: both the. attaching; plate. and; socket. 25, to, the, backing.- plate; or... to. securethe. socket; to the backing plate while the attaching plate is detached.

The-second or attaching, plate, 48 preferably,-

has. the form show-n.-

pl n- Fi s. Land] and;

in side;elevationin Fig.-,1 0, andtheprojections .49,

upon which are formed-thehinge elements. 441 and. w nt at. substantially ish tan les .to.

the body of the plates. The. lttaching plate is applied in faceetog-face contact with thelbacking.

plate IBFin the, position shoWnJnFigs. 1 and. 2j. with, the. proi ection .491. engagin the .outer. .faQe

oi; the flange. 22-. on the-backinaplata, To assist.

furt e i c tin and holding...the...second;. or. attaching plate in -the pro er. position with. re-

lation. to-the thanking: plate; I 6, the. said. .bacl ing plate ;is .formed. with longitudinal; ribs. 52 havin an. inverted veshapa. in. cross. section. which .engage; inthe channels. orte fpaveson the. inside .of'

corresponding ribs, 54 .formed; in... the attaching. plate, theSeribs; preferably having. an. arcuate.

ro i ns Thus-.the. second, plate has a downwardly opening recess within one. .or, both.

of the; ribs 54, for receivingand. approximately fittinga portionof the-backing plate, that is,

one or both of the ribs 52 thereon. Theengagement of the said portion or. portions. within the saidrecess or, recesses serveato prevent. forward.

orrearward movement, of the backing... plate. relatively to the second plate.

The... means for securing the:v attaching, plate to thebackingplate comprises a threaded .mem

her-extending throu h ene erturein the se nd.

plate. an ens-a ed: with; the-hackin plate of. h mopun ta Asshown thersaid threaded-mem er.

isa-stud-Sfi -havingg =its:loweh end. (Fig... 1.) securely fixed in: the baekina,p at end arran e -tapas: hro h, .r1.:.0 n. ns,.60 nt at achmsplat -v relation to said plate,

walls of the socket member, Qtthe lo.wer..end .of,

saidmember, are formed. with. .recesses .6211and projections M -which. interiitwith. the ribs. 54 on. the attachingplatemand. thespacesl-between said; ribs; and .at. the outer; sides ofsthe .ribato-ldcate. the socket member properly.with relationto. the. attaching plate and. to prevents relative turning movementof themopnitendlhandle. a out the. axis f the stud 5. when.thep r.ts arefastened together; The. so ket m mber. s, eld. s curelyn; 1 mping eneaee nt .w th.-the attachinaplete by means of a wing nut 66 threaded'onthe stud? 5 said nut engaeine the...v central part. Btoftth 7.5.

lower end. pcrtionlofithet.sacket.,.member..whichl bridges the ribs 54" on therattaching.lplater. The. pressure. of this-nut,fixeslthesockeh member .securely; to. thev backina platel I Land. clamps the...

I. attaching. plate between ,saidsooket member. and.

are .allsecurely heldassembled relationhy thesecuring means 56, 66'. The said attaching plate, fifllconstitutesla head? t0.-.Which,.the:-.said mop unit. andthe said. compressor: plate and, ,the. said. handle arev normally attached.

The attaching. plate. and the, compressor. plate. with its, handle collectively,constitutesa come pressor unit. whichmay, .bQMGlX. readily detached whenv it is esired .to,.-.usethe mop without. the last. said unit.. In. detaching. the, compression. unit,. the wingnut .66.. is .unscrewedtfrom. the. stud. 55. and the socket wand. attaching. plate.4.8}..ar.e removed from=therstudn The socket member, isvs then placed. backover, thestud and. engaged with, the backing. plate as. shown. inEig h 5,,and. the .nut 66 threaded .back onthetstud, 5i -.to...clamp the socket member to H the. backing plate the; lower end. of. the socket. member .interfitting with. the ribs. on the backingplate andthe spaces between, and at. the outer sides. of. said...ribs,.asshown in. said figure. The removal ofthecompressionunit... lightens substantially; the T mop and. enables the same to be. manipulated .withgreat facility,

The present; constructioncomprises improved means for. holding. the compressor plate .orvcompression device in inoperative. position. The loop 56 constituting the .-handle..o thecompression device, as stated above, isip rovided .withsubstantially parallel sides and these side e-pontionsof. the loop are: formed. with: \L-shaned bonds. or. humps 511% (see .Fig. .3); spaced somewhatlessthan the diameter of the shaft 24 of the handleofthe; mop. When. the compressionldevice is.= moved from. operative position. toits limitingjnoperative or out-of-the-way; positionshown. iii-Fig. 1, the bends 50 in the side elements of theloop 50 engage the shaft. 24-before:thecompression .device reaches its 5 final. positioniandlare, forced: apart and when the handleof theicomnression.,devicereaches its limiting position, with ther outer end of the loopaeng-aging the shaftl lt-as-illustrated in Figs, 1 and.6,. the bendsffillfi" embrace-@the. shaft 24 as; shown in the latter; figure; and 1 are held yieldingly; thereagainst: bspthaspringpressure of thes bends ainst; the-.ashaftmproducedl by they spring of. themetall. Thezspressure of the, bends; against. the shaft. and;,thezcons.equent."frictional.

resistance to movementsof thesloopaor:handleila holds the. compression:devicevin; as reliable manher. from. being. displaced during the use of the mop; When it is-desired.towwringsthe'liquid from: the absorbent compressible-material of; themop; the handle 50 may be quickly and easily disen gaged' manually from the-shaft= -'242 The attaching plate and*thecompression device are shown as; so constructedand arranged" that they maybe assembled inoperative -relationby a simple easily performed :relative manipulation: .oizthe-same: Means:;is;also:proyided'forrlockmgg:

game;

these parts in assembled relation when the mopis completely assembled.

In assembling the attaching plate 48 and the compression device, these parts are placed in the relative positions shown in Fig. 7 with the

hinge elements

40 and 42 on the compression device respectively in axial alignment with the

hinge elements

44 and 46 on the attaching plate and with the hinge elements and the parts adjacent the hinge elements on the compression device and theattaching plate respectively in the relative angular positions shown in Fig. 13 and the attaching plate and compression device are relatively manipulated to shift the compression device with relation to the attaching plate axially of the hinge elements in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7.

To enable the hinge element 42 to telescope within the tubular hinge element 46 during this relative movement of the parts, the portion 38 of the bent rod frame at or adjacent the hinge element 42 is formed with a crease or groove 16 (see Fig. 13) to receive the margin 12 of the hinge element 46. Thus, with the parts in the angular positions shown in Fig. 13, during the relative movement of the compression device and the attaching plate to shift the said device in the direction of the arrow, Fig. '7, with relation to said plate, the groove 10 allows the hinge member 42 to be engaged in the tubular hinge member 46, the margin 12 of the latter member passing through said groove during the said relative movement of the compression device and the attaching plate. Fig. 8 shows the attaching plate and the compression device after having been moved relatively axially of the hinge elements from the position shown in Fig. 7 part way to final assembled relation, the margin 12 of the hinge member 46 then engaging in the groove I6 in the portion 38 of the bent rod frame. Fig. 9 shows the attaching plate and compression device after having been moved to their final relative axial positions by the continued relative movement axially of these parts to shift the compression device'with relation to the attaching plate in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7, from the position shown in Fig. 8.

Thus the attaching plate and compression device may be quickly and easily assembled by a simple readily executed relative manipulation of these parts.

The present construction comprises means for preventing the compression device and attaching plate from being moved relatively to locate the hinge members. 42 and 46 in the relative angular positions shown in Fig. 13 when the head, compression device and handle of the mop are assembled and secured together in operative relations.

As indicated above, when the compression device is swung into fully retracted position as shown in Fig. 1, its movement is limited by the engagement of the outer portion of the handle 56 of said device with the shaft 24 of the mop handle as shown in Figs. 1 and 6. With the compression device in this position the hinge members s2 and 46 and the parts of the bent rod frame and attaching plate adjacent said hinge members are located in the relative angular positions shown in Fig. 11. When the compression device occupies this position, said device is prevented from being shifted axially in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, Fig. 7, with relation to the attaching plate, to disassemble the compression device and attaching plate, by the engagement of the marginal portion 12 of the hinge member 46 with the arm 38 of the bent rod frame. The mop handle therefore locks the compression device from being swung into a position in which it may be disassembled from the attaching plate.

If it is desired to disassemble the compression device from the attaching plate for the purpose of repair or the substitution of parts, the mop handle is detached from the mop and the compression device then may be swung into position to locate the

hinge members

42 and 46 and the parts of the attaching plate and the compression device adjacent said hinge members in the relative positions shown in Fig. relative positions shown in this figure, the compression device may be detached from the attaching plate by relatively manipulating the compression device and plate to shift the compression device in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, Fig. 7.

When the compression device is swung from the retracted position shown in Fig. 1 toward or into operative position the arm 38 of the bent rod frame assumes positions such as those indicated in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 11. When the compression device occupies one of these positions, said device is prevented from being shifted axially in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow, Fig. 7, with relation to the attaching plate by the engagement of the arm 38 of the bent rod frame with the adjacent edge of the hinge member 46. When the compression device is in any angular position with relation to the attaching plate, relative movement of the compression device and the attaching plate to.

shift the compression device in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7, is prevented by the engagement of the arm 36 of the bent rod frame with the adjacent edge of the hinge member 44.

Having explained the nature and object of the invention and having specifically described a construction embodying the several features of the invention in their preferred form, what is claimed is:

1. In a mop including a handle and a head secured to said handle and presenting a front edge forward of said handle in relation to direction of mop advance under normal mopping action, and a rear edge at the opposite side of said handle, a compressible sponge block releasably secured to said head and presenting at the front of said head a dirt accumulating face of substantial depth and at the rear of said head a rear face, and having a bottom working face presenting at the rear an edge displaced below said head, a presser element pivoted adjacent the rear edge of said head to swing about an axis fixed relative to said head and above said bottom working face and at right angles to said handle, said presser element having a pivot connecting portion and a sponge pressing portion in angular relation to said pivot connecting portion and spaced thereby from said axis a distance less than the thickness of said sponge at the rear face, and an operating handle for said presser element to swing said element against the undersurface of said sponge to compress said sponge against said head with said sponge pressing portion first contacting said sponge at said rearward edge below said head and displacing said latter edge forwardly and progressively compressing said sponge from rear to front while leaving the front face of said sponge substantially unobstructed to, flush dirt accumulations out said front face.

2. In a mop including 13. With said parts in the a handle and a head secured to said handle and presenting a front portion forward of said handle in relation-to direction of mop advanceunder normal mopping action, and a rear'portion at the opposite side of said handle, a compressible sponge block releasably secured to 'said'head and 'presentingat'the front of said head a front dirt accumulating face and at the rear of said head arear facepand having abottom working face presenting at the rear'an edge displaced below said head, apresser element pivoted at the rear of said head adjacent the edge *thereofto swing initially-rearwardly'of said handle about an axis fixed relative to said head and above said bottom working face and at right angles to said'hand'le against the rear face whereby upon swinging said presser element :rearwardly said sponge .is engaged initially at the rear lower edge below said head and compressed progressively from back to front to force water stored in reservoir insaid sponge iout'said substantially unobstructedforward face.

.3. A mop including a handle and ahead secured to said handle and presenting .a front portion forward of said handle in relation to direc- 'tion of mop advance under normal mopping action and a rear portion at the opposite side of said handle, a sponge block at the underside of the head and extending continuously from end to end thereof which block has a front and rear in respect to said head and a bottom Working face presenting at the rear an edge displaced below said head, means for releasably holding the sponge block in normally fixed relationship with the head which means .is constructed and arranged to enable the sponge block in itsentirety to be separated from the head by a single movement in .one direction, a presser plate having a pivotal connection at the rear of said head to swing about a single axis which is in fixed relationship to said 'plate and to saidhead and which is above said bottom working face and Substantially at right angles ,tosaid handle, a second handle for swinging the presser plate about the said fixedaxis which'handleis directly andrigidfly connected with the plate atthe edge thereof remote from the said axis, andmeans to maintain said presser plate in a mopping position above and in angular relation to said block and to maintain the second handle adjacent andbelow the first said handle, the relative disposition of .said pivotal connectionrand presserplate positioning saidiplate upon swinging movement from mopping position to firstengage'.only'the rearward lower block edge "below said head andto thereafter compress said block in a direction 'forwardly and against the underside of said head progressively from rear to front of said head "to flush said'blook towardsthe'front.

4. Amop and wringercomprising in combination, a mop :unit. including a backing plateextending transversely, ofthe directions ofnormal mopping movemenuand having front and .rear ryedges which. mop imitalso includes ,a mass. .of absorbent: compressibleematerialexten ding continuously from end to end of the backing plate and permanently secured thereto at the bottom thereof a second plateimmed-iately above the 'ment about a transverse horizontaI axis adjacent the rear edge hereof which axis is in fixed relation to each of the last said plates, thesaid compressor plate being movable from an upper rear position adjacent and below the handle downwardly and forwardly and -upwardl-yto =a final position in which it engages and compresses the said mass" of compressible material and the said compressor plate having a main portion which in the last said position is offset down- 'wardly from the second plate by a distance substantially less than the initial thickness of the said mass of compressible material, means for yieldably holding the compressor plate in its said upper rear position, and a second handle fixedly connected directly with the compressor plate for pivotally moving it as aforesaid which-second handle is connected with the'compressor 'pl'ateat the edge thereof which is at therear when the plate is in its said upper rear position and which handle is so vrelated to the plate that it is-adjacent'and at least partly below the mop handle when the plate is in its last said position.

5. A mop and wringer comprising in combination, a mop unit including a backing plate extending transversely of the directions of normal "mopping movement and having front and-rear edges which mop unit also includes 'a mass of absorbent compressible material extending -continuously from end to end of the backing plate and permanently secured thereto at the bottom thereof, a second plate immediately above the backing plate, amop handle including a socket engaging the second plate which "handle extends upwardly and rearwardly from the second 1 plate in normally fixed relation thereto, manually operablemeans for releasably holding the mop unit in normally fixed relationship with the second plate which means is constructed and arranged to enable'the mop unit to be separatedin*-its entirety from the secondplate by a-single movement in one direction, a compressor plate connected with the second plate-for pivotalmovement about a transverse horizontal axis-adjacent the rear edgethereof which axis is in fixedrelationto each of the last saidplates'the said compressor plate having an upper rear position adjacent and below the'handle and-being movable plate that it-is-adjacentand at least partly belowthe noon handle when; the plate is in its last said j position, and means f r ;f rictional ly connecting the compressor releasably holding the said plate andthe second ;platewith the mob fha nd-le ifor "handle in their upperrearposition.

. ship therewith forming 6. A mo the second plate in normally fixed relation thereto, stud and nut means for releasably holding the mop unit in fixed relationship with the second plate which means enables the mop unit to be separated from the second plate by movement in the downward direction, the stud of the said means being secured to the backing plate and projecting upwardly therefrom through an aperture in the second plate and the nut of the said means detachably engaging the stud above the second plate, a compressor plate pivotally connected with the second plate for movement about a transverse horizontal axi adjacent the rear edge thereof which axis is in fixed relation to each of the last said plates, the said compressor plate having an upper rear position adjacent the handle and being movable downwardly and forwardly and upwardly to engage and compress the said mass of compressible material, means for yieldably holding the compressor plate in its said upper rear position, and a second handle connected with the compressor plate for pivotally moving it as aforesaid, which second handle is connected with the plate at the edge thereof which is at the rear when the plate is in its said upper rear position and which handle is so related to the plate that it is adjacent and at least partly below the mop handle when the plate is in its last said position.

'7. A mop and wringer comprising in combination, a mop unit including a backing plate extending transversely of the directions of normal mopping movement and having front and rear edges which mop unit also includes a sponge block permanently secured to the backing plate at the bottom thereof, a second plate immediately above the backing plate, means for releasably holding the mop unit in normally fixed relationship with the second plate, a mop handle connected with the second plate and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in normally fixed relation thereto, means near the rear edge of the second plate and in fixed relationtwo transversely spaced hinge elements having aligned apertures for the reception of pintles, a single wire bent near its ends to constitute two oppositely extending transversely aligned pintles entered in the said hinge elements on the second plate, the said wire having a portion bent to constitute a frame for a compressor plate which frame is movable to an upper position adjacent and below'the mop handle and the said wire having an additional portion bent at the edge of the frame portion remote from the pintles to constitute a compressor plate handle which compressor plate handle is movable to an upper position adjacent and at least partly below the mop handle, and a compressor plate secured tothe frame portion of the wire which compressor plate is movable by the compressor plate handle from an upper position adjacent and below the mop handle downwardly and forwardly and upwardly to a final position sponge block.

8. A mop and wringer comprising in com-- bination, a mop unit including a backing plate extending transversely of the directions of normal mopping movement and having front and rear edges which mop unit also includes a sponge block permanently secured to the backing plate at the bottom thereof, a second plate immediately above the backing plate, means for releasably holding the mop unit in normally fixed relationship with the second plate, a mop handle connected with the second plate and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in normally fixed relation thereto, means near the rear edge of the second plate and in fixed relationship therewith forming two transversely spaced hinge elements having aligned apertures for the reception of pintles, a single wire bent near its ends to constitute two oppositely extending transversely aligned pintles entered in the said hinge elements on the second plate, the said wire having a portion bent to constitute a frame for a compressor plate and the said wire having an additional portion bent to constitute a compressor plate handle extending from the said frame portion at the edge thereof remote from the pintles which compressor plate handle is movable to an upper position adjacent and partly below the mop handle and which compressor plate handle portion is further bent to provide two upwardly extending and oppositely disposed humps for embracing and frictionally engaging the mop handle when the compressor plate handle is in its said upper position, and a compressor plate secured to the frame portion of the wire which compressor plate is movable by the compressor plate handle from an upper position adjacent and below the mop handle downwardly and forwardly and. upwardly to a final position in which it engages and compresses the said sponge block.

9. A mop and wringer comprising in combination, a mop unit including a backing plate extending transversely of the directions of normal mopping movement and having front and rear edges which mop unit also includes a sponge block permanently secured to the backing plate at the bottom thereof, a second plate immediately above the backing plate, means for releasably holding the mop unit in normally fixed relationship with the second plate, a mop handle connected with the second plate and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom in normally fixed relation thereto, means near the rear edge of the second plate and in fixed relationship therewith forming two transversely spaced hinge elements having aligned apertures for the reception of pintles which hinge elements are spaced substantially downwardly from the said second plate, a single wire bent near its ends to constitute two oppositely extending transversely aligned pintles entered in the said hinge elements on the second plate, the said wire having a porsubstantially upwardly from the axis of the pintles and the said wire having an additional portion bent at the edge of the frame portion remote from the pintles to constitute a compressor plate handle which compressor plate handle is movable to an upper position adjacent and at least partly below the mop handle, and a emot ons 13 compressor plate secured to the frame portion of the wire which compressor plate is movable by the compressor plate handle from an upper position adjacent and below the mop handle downwardly and forwardly and upwardly to a final position in which it engages and compresses the said sponge block.

10. A compressor plate and attaching plate assembly, for optional use with a mop handle and with a mop .unit located below the handle and including a sponge block and an elongated upper backing plate adapted to be connected to said handle, the said assembly comprising: elongated attaching plate having an upperface for detachably engaging the bottom of the handle and having a lower face for detachably engaging the top of the backing plate and also having means for use in optionally attaching the same to said mop unit and handle, means along one of the longer edges of the said elongated attaohing plate and at the opposite ends thereof and in fixed relationship therewith constituting; two spaced hinge elements having aligned apertures for the reception of pintles, an elongated compressor plate having aligned pintles near one of the longer edges thereof and in fixed relationship therewith and entered in the same hinge elements on the elongated attaching plate so that the elongated compressor plate is rotatably movable relatively to the elongated attaching plate about the axis of the pintles, and a handle rigidly connected with the elongated compressor plate at the side thereof remote from the pintles for rotatably moving the elongated compressor plate relatively to the elongated attaching plate.

11. A compressor plate and attaching plate assembly for use with a mop, comprising: a normally horizontal transverse attaching plate adapted for the attachment thereto at the bot tom thereof of a mop unit including a sponge block, means along one transverse edge of the said plate near the ends thereof and in fixed relationship therewith constituting two transversely spaced hinge elements having aligned apertures for the reception of pintles, a single wire bent near its ends to constitute two oppositely extending transversely aligned pintles entered in the said hinge elements on the plate, the said wire having a portion bent to constitute a generally rectangular frame for a compressor plate and having an additional portion bent at the edge of the frame portion remote from the pintles and extending longitudinally from the last said edge to constitute a compressor plate handle, and the compressor plate handle portion of the wire being further bent to provide two upwardly extending and oppositely disposed humps for embracing and irictionally engaging a mop handle and a generally rectangular compressor plate secured to the frame portion of the wire which compressor plate is movable by the compressor plate handle about the axis of the said pintles to a position in which it is engageable with the sponge block of a mop unit attached to the attaching plate.

12. A mop and wringer comprising in combination, a mop unit including a backing plate extending transversely of the directions of normal mopping movement and also including a sponge block permanently secured to the backing plate at the bottom thereof, an attaching plate detachably engageable with the backing plate at the top thereof and in predetermined normally fixed relationship therewith, a compressor plate for the sponge block pivotally connected'with 'th'e attachihg iplateal'ong "one edge of'the said attaching plate and at the opposite ends thereof for rotation about a single transverse vaxis which is in. fixed relationship with the attaching plate and with the compressor plate and which is adjacenttheyrear edge of the backing plate when. the attaching plate is in the said predeterminedfixed relationship, a handle including a socket detachably engageable with the attaching plate at the top thereof in a predeterminedfixed relationship with the said attaching. plate and with the said backing plate, and a device connected with the backing plate and engageable'wi'th the handle. socketfor detachably holding the handle and the attaching plate in their saidl'predeterminecl fixed relationships with the backing plate.

13. A mop and wringer comprising in combination, a mop unit including a backing plate extending transversely of the'directions of normal mopping movement and also including a sponge block permanently secured to the backing plate at the bottom thereof, an attaching plate detachably engageable with the backing plate at the top thereof and in predetermined normally fixed relationship therewith, a com- ,pressor plate for the sponge block pivotally connected. with the attaching platealong one edge of saidattaching plate and at the opposite ends thereof for rotation about a single transverse axis which is in fixed relationship with the attaching plate and with the compressor plate and which is adjacent the rear edge of the backing plate when the attaching plate is in the said predetermined fixed relationship, a handle including a socket detachably engageable with the attaching plate at the top thereof in a predetermined fixed relationship with the said attaching plate and with the said backing plate, the said socket being also directly engageable with the backing plate in approximately the same relationship therewith, and a device connected with the backing plate and engageable with the handle socket for detachably holding the handle and the attaching plate in their said predetermined fixed relationships with the backing plate, the last said device being constructed and arranged to hold the socket in direct engagement with the backing plate independently of the attaching plate when the attaching plate and the compressor plate are detached.

14. A mop having a handle, a mop unit attached to said handle and comprising a mass of absorbent compressible material, a wringing device shiftably mounted on said mop unit, interfitting supporting structures respectively attached to the wringing device and the mop unit and constructed and arranged to be assembled and connected together by relative manipulation of said structures to assemble the wringing device in operative shiftable relation with the mop unit, and means on the mop handle for preventing said supporting structures from being disassembled by said reverse relative manipulation of said structures when the mop handle is attached to the mop unit.

15. A mop having a handle, a mop unit attached to said handle and comprising a mass of compressible material, a wringing device pivoted to said mop unit, interfitting hinge members respectively attached to the mop unit and said device and constructed to be assembled to assemble the wringing device in operative shiftable relation to the mop unit by sliding relatively the hinge members axially into operative relation when said members are in a predetermined angular relation about the axis thereof, means for preventing the hinge members from being moved axially relatively in the opposite direction to disassemble the mop unit and wringing device when the hinge members are in any other angular relation, and means for preventing the hinge members from being moved into said angular relation after the mop has been assembled.

16. A mop having a handle, a mop unit attached to said handle and comprising a mass of compressible material, a wringing device pivoted to said mop unit, interfitting hinge members respectively attached to the mop unit and said device and constructed to be assembled to assemble the wringing device in operative shiftable relation to the mop unit by sliding relatively the hinge members axially into operative rela tion when said members are in a predetermined angular relation about the axis thereof, means for preventing the hinge members from being moved axially relatively in the opposite direction to disassemble the mop unit and wringing device when the hinge members are in any other angular relation, and means on the mop handle for preventing the hinge members from being moved into said angular relation when the handle has been attached to the mop unit.

ALFRED L. LE1 FEBVRE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 5 592,718 883,432 1,502,148 1,761,180 1,789,328

Number Name Date Thompson et a1. Oct. 26, 1897 Traeger Mar. 31, 1908 Magaton July 22, 1924 Cave et al. June 3, 1930 Welling Jan. 20, 1931 Benedict Feb. 28, 1933 Jelenfy June 16, 1936 Sendler Sept. 14, 1937 Vaughn Apr. 11, 1939 Vaughn July 11, 1939 Rader Apr. 9, 1940 Lux Nov. 19, 1940 Reynolds July 7, 1942 Greenleaf et a1. July 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 26, 1915 Great Britain Mar. 17, 1902 Austria Sept. 16, 1934 Germany Mar. 30, 1935