US2671236A - Sponge mop with adjustable wringer plate - Google Patents

Description

March 1954 w. H. RICHARDS ET AL ,671, 36

SPONGE MOP WITH ADJUSTABLE WRINGER PLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1952 INVENTORS WH RlCHARDS #WJ". RICHARDS ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UN PATENT OFFICE 2,671,236 sPoNGE MOP WITH ADJUSTABLE WRINGER PLATE Richards and William F. Richard s Rel-mm, Del. Application April- 15, 1952; serial- No; 282,368 3 Claims; (01. -119) Our invention relates to a mop or scrubbing device. 7

A primary object of the invention is to; provide a scrubmop-having a novel and-improved'wringer plate for the absorbent compressible scrubbing element or pad of the mop.-

A further object of the invention is to provide in a scrub mop a wringing; attachment or plate which is self-adjusting during the wringing operation to more eliectively wring or squeeze the compressible scrubbing element of the mop and including novel means for preventing relative movement between the mophead and wringing plate while thelatter is inthe inoperative or nonwringing position. p

A further object is to provide a scrub mop; of the above-mentioned character having a handle which is angularly adjustable substantially- 90 degrees. W I 4 A still further object" (iftheinvention is to provide a scrubbing device of th above-mentioned character which is extremely st'urdyand durable inconstruction, inexpensive to man'ufacture and reliable and'efiicient in operation. 4 H

Other objects andadvantagesof the'invention will be apparent during.- the course of the followme description;

in the accompanyingdrawinga l forming a part of this application, and iii-which like numerals are-employed to designate like partsthroug'hout the same; V

Figure 1' isa planvie'wof a mop embodyingour invention with the handle thereof arrangeaih" a lowered substantially 'hoiitontalposition, part in section and part broken away,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a further side elvation of the ma with the wringer plate s'hiftedto the operative or wringing position,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of theinop as showriin Figure" 1'; with parts omittedand'partsbrokn away; g

Figure5' is a transverse"verticfalsection taken substantially on line fi-B errig'urezg I Figure 6' is a sideelevation-of'thamofiwiththe handle thereof shown in an" intermediate raised position, 4 z 7 Figure"? is a fragmentm rroat'e evaubfi of the mop in the 'adjustedposition of Figures,

Figure 8 is a' vertical cross" section taken" on line 8-8- ofFi'g'ureW; e I

Figure 9' isacentral vertical section taken on line 9-43 of Figure '7, H

Figure- 11 amemergea fregmefitary ver-near section through one of the adjustable connections between the'mop headplate and sponge scrubbing element shown in Figure 10.

In the drawings where for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of our invention, the numeral 15' designates a generally flat elongated rectangular head or mounting plate which is preferably substantially rigid-and formed of sheet metal; plastics material or the like. The headplate I5- is provided along its forward transverse edge with anupwardly rolled sleeve 01 hinge knuckle- 15, preferably integral therewith and extending continuously for the en'- tire width of the headplate l5. Similar sleeves or hinge knuckles H-aref integrally secured to the rear transverse edge of the headplate 1 Erin transversely spaced relation and the hinge knuckles I"! are arranged near theoppositesidesof the'head plate, as shown. The headplate' Hi is provided over a major portion of its area with spaced drainage apertures F8 for a purpose to be de scribed. V

We provide a readily removable self-adjusting sponge refill assembly l9; substantiallyidentical to the refill assembly disclosed and claimed: in

our copending application Serial No; 273.458; filed February 26, 1952, for Self-Adjusting Mop Head; The refill assembly l-9- comprises an elongated rectangular block or pad 20 of substantial" and uniform thickness,- preferably formed ofcellulosic sponge, or the like.- Permanently; secured tothe top side of the sponge block 2'0-in'transversely spaced relation by waterproof cement or the'like are central and endmost backing plates 21 and 22 of' substantially stiffsheet metal-orthe like. A central or intermediate backingplate 21 has a central opening receiving an" upwardly directed screw 23, extending through a register-rv ing central openingformed in-theheadplate I5: A'flat washer2 l and nut 25-are mounted upon-the screw 2-3 above-the headplate l5,-andserve; to fixedly clamp the intermediate backingaplate' 2! against the bottom of the headplate I52 "Ifhein termediate backing plate 21 is flat-and-prefem ably extends'for the entire'width of the elongated sponge'block 20.

The endmostbacking plates 22 likewiseextend entirely across the elongated sponge platejll as shown in Figure 6, but are spaced from the intermediate backing [plate 2l' as shown" inl fig ure 10; th'e' 'endrnost backingfvplates 22 areflatfla'rid slidably contact the bottomf of" the "head'plate ['5 to permit limited self adjusting or shr in agfbf the cellulosiaspongeiblockfi fif as vi/ill be farther screw 26 which also extends through a longitudinal guide slot 21 formed in the headplate I adjacent to the particular endmost backing plate 22. Each screw 26 has a smooth cylindrical shank portion 28 extending slidably through the slot 2? to be guided thereby and each shank portion 23 terminates a slight distance above the top of the headplate [5 for forming a shoulder or seat 29 for a flat washer 30 and wing nut 3|, carried by a reduced screw-threaded extension 32 of the screw 26, Figure 11. The arrangement is such that when the wing nut 31 and washer are in tight engagement with the shoulder 29, there is still a slight clearance between the washer 30 and headplate l5, and the screw 26 is freely adjustable longitudinally within the particular slot 2'! of the headplate l5. This arrangement permits free self-adjusting of the opposite end portions of the sponge block 25 due to shrinkage and expansion of the same, as described and claimed in our copending application previously referred to. When it is desired to remove or replace the sponge refill assembly IQ, it is merely necessary to remove the nuts 25 and 3!, and this permits the removal of the assembly 19 including the backing plates 2% and 22 and screws 23 and 25. A new refill assembly is may then be applied to the mop headplate 15. With this arrangement, the life of the mop can be prolonged indefinitely, as the sponge block 20 is the only element of the mop which is subject to any considerable wear.

The mop further comprises an angularly adjustable handle 33 of any desired length, having a substantially rigid plate or web 34 rigidly secured to its lower end by bolts 35 or the like, the web 34 being disposed within a slot formed in the lower end of the handle 33, and extending laterally beyond the opposite sides of the handle. The lower end of the web 34 carries a short right angle extension or flange 35, integral therewith, having its lower end bent to provide a sleeve or hinge knuckle 3'! which interfits with the hinge knuckles I! at the rear side of the headplate 15, the handle 33 being arranged at the transverse center of the headplate l5, as shown.

U-shaped hinge pins 38 have corresponding sides or arms thereof extending through the hinge knuckles l1 and 31, for hingedly connecting the angularly adjustable handle 33 and headplate I5. The other corresponding sides or arms of the U- shaped hinge pins 35 are received by sleeves or hinge knuckles 39, formed integrally upon the forward transverse edge of a wringer plate 45 to be further described, for hingedly securing such wringer plate to the headplate I 5. As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the inner ends of the U-shaped hinge pins 38 are spaced apart somewhat and terminate near the transverse center of the headplate l5. The hinge knuckles ll, 31 and 39 are quite long, and the long U-shaped hinge pins 38 engage the hinge knuckles for substantially their entire lengths to form a very sturdy connection between the headplate l5, adjustable handle and wringer plate 40.

The handle 33 is provided near its lower end and in its forward side with a plurality of longitudinally spaced grooves or notches M, for coaction with a transverse bar or locking element 42 of a stifi wire bail including downwardly diverging legs 43. The legs 43 are provided at their lower ends with short outwardly directed transverse extensions 44 which pass through openings or notches 45 formed in the hinge knuckle I 6 and engage within the bore of this hinge knuckle as shown in Figure 1. The legs 43 are integrally connected with the transverse bar 42 by loops or eyes 46, with which the opposite ends of a retractile coil spring 41 are connected, as shown. The spring 41 surrounds the rear side of the handle 33, and serves to resiliently urge the bar 42 against the forward side of the handle so that the bar 42 is releasably held in positive engagement with a selected one of the notches 4|.

The arrangement is such that when the bar 42 engages the uppermost notch 4! of the handle, the handle i releasably locked in a substantially vertical position with respect to the headplate l5, and when the bar 42 engages the lowermost notch 4|, the handle is in a substantially horizontal position as shown in Figure 2. The arrangement facilitates using the mop for a wide variety of purposes such as scrubbing floors and windows and scrubbing under extremely low objects such as radiators and certain types of furniture. The angular position of the handle 33 can be quickly and conveniently adjusted by merely raising the bar 42 and engaging the same within a different one of the notches 4|.

The wringer plate 40 is substantially flat, rectangular and elongated and has substantially the same area as the headplate l5 and sponge block 29 so that it will extend completely over the sponge block durin the wringing operation. At its rear end, the wringer plate 40 has a short upturned flange 48, integral therewith and extending for its entire width, and this flange adds considerably to the rigidity of the wringer plate which is also pr ferably formed of sheet metal, plastics material or the like. The wringer plate is provided over substantially its entire area with small drainage apertures 49, as shown.

The wringer plate 40 is equipped with a handle formed of stiff wire or the like and this handle includes forwardly diverging ections or sides 5| bent near the flange 48 to form parallel forwardly extending arms 52 which extend through openings 53 formed in the flange 48. The arms 52 are straight, and lie substantially fiat against the upper side of the wringer plate 40, and mate rially strengthen the same against bending.

The forward ends of the arms 52 are bent to provide hooks 54 which engage through slots or openings 55 formed in the knuckles 39. The hooks 54 are upwardly directed with respect to the wringer plate 40 and engage about the undersides of the rear arms or portions of the U- shaped hinge pins 38. This arrangement locks the handle 50 in place in assembly, so that the handle cannot be removed until the U-shaped hinge pins 38 are removed. When the hinge pins 38 are withdrawn from the hinge knuckles l1 and 39, their rear arms disengage the hooks 54, and the handle 50 is then readily separable from the wringer plate 46.

The hooks 54 have forward stop extensions 56, integral therewith, and substantially perpendicular to the arms 52. These stop extensions 56 extend upwardly between the sides of the U-shaped pins 38 and firmly engage the hinge knuckles I! when the wringer plate 40 is in the inoperative position and substantially parallel to the handle 33'. This arrangement locks the wringer plate 40 against swiveling movement in the downward direction, about the lower arms of the U-shaped hinge pins 38, Figure 9, relative to the head plate l5, which would otherwise be possible through the U-shaped pins 38.

However, when the wringer plate 40 is swung to the operative position shown in Figure 3 for compressing the sponge block 20 to expel the water from the samethe extensions. of; the books 54 disengag the knuckles H and permit free pivotal action of the U-s'haped hinge pins 38 within the knuckles 39, I1 and 31." In other words, the wringer plate 10 is now free to automatically adjust itself substantially parallel to the headplate 15 during the wringing operation, and the U-shaped hinge pins 38 are free to adjust themselves substantially atright anglesto the wringer plate 40 and headplate l5, as shown in Figure 3. This arrangement prevents the formation of an acute angle between the hinged ends of the head and wringer plates l and as would be the case if a single straight hinge pin were used between these plates. Such an arrangement would result in an eneven squeezing or wringing of the sponge pad 20, since the same would be tightly squeezed at the rear side of the headplate l5 and squeezed to a lesser extent near the forward side of the headplate as shown in Figure 3. By virtue of the free pivotal action of the U-shaped hinge pins 38, the headplate I5 and wringer plate 40 may adjust themselves in response to the resistance offered by the compressible pad 20 and .the plates :5 and 40 may assume the substantially parallel spaced relation shown in Figure wherein the rear ends of the plates l5 and 40 are spaced apart substantially the same amount as their forward ends, and the compressible sponge pad 20 is squeezed evenly and thoroughly over its entire area.

When the wringing operation is completed, and the wringer plate 40 is returned to the inoperative or stowed position shown in Figure 8, the extensions 56 again swing into engagement with the knuckles I! and lock the U-shaped hinge pins 38 against clockwise movement, Figures 8 and 9. This is desirable at this time, since the mop is now used for scrubbing, and a firm and rigid connection between the handle 33 and headplate I5 is desired, with no possibility of the headplate I5 shifting upwardly relative to the wringer plate 40, when a downward force is applied to the handle 3.3.

In order to releasably hold the wringer plate so in the inoperative position, we provide a spring clip 57, permanently secured at 58 to the wringer plate 40 near the upturned flange 48 and at the transverse center of the mop. The clip 51 extends above the fiange 48 as shown, and the arms of the spring clip receive the handle 33 and resiliently hold the wringer plate 40 and its handle 50 in the inoperative positions close to the lower side of the handle 33, as shown.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention we claim:

1. A mop comprising a headplate, a compressible pad secured to one side of the headplate, the headplate being provided along one longitudinal edge with spaced hinge knuckles, a handle for the mop provided near its lower end with a hinge knuckle interfitting with the hinge knuckles of the headplate, substantially U- shaped hinge pins having corresponding sides engaging within the interfitting knuckles of the headplate and handle and hingedly connecting the headplate and handle, adjustable means connecting the headplate and handle and permitting the handle to be raised and lowered about saidsides of: the U-shapedhinge-pins and release-- ably lockedv in the :selectedsadjustedf:position,1a wringer plate for compressing said padto expel water from the same and provided with a hinge knuckle receiving the mother. corresponding sides of the U.-shaped.hinge pins, thewringer .plate being adapted .to .assume an inoperative -position below the handle and substantially parallel thereto, and a separate handle for the wringer plate and including a pair of spaced arms extending across one-side of the wringer plate, the arms being provided with hookspass'ing under the sides of the "U-'shaped hinge pins which are received by the hinge knuckle of the wringer plate, the hooks being provided with stop extensions extending between the sides of the U-shaped hinge pins and engaging the knuckles of the headplate when the wringer plate is in the inoperative position, the stop extensions disengaging the knuckles of the headplate when the wringer plate is swung to the operative position so that the two sides of the U-shaped hinge pins may then swivel freely within the knuckles of the head and wringer plates.

2. A mop comprising a headplate, a compressible pad secured to one side of the headplate, the headplate being provided near one edge with spaced hinge knuckles, a handle for the mop provided near its lower end with a hinge knuckle interfitting with the hinge knuckles of the headplate, substantially U-shaped hinge pins having corresponding sides engaging the interfitting knuckles of the headplate and handle and hingedly connecting the headplate and handle, a wringer plate for compressing said pad and provided with a hinge knuckle engaging the other corresponding sides of the U-shaped hinge pins, means carried by the wringer plate and engaging the handle to hold the wringer plate in a stowed position adjacent one side of the handle, and hook elements carried by the wringer plate and projecting beyond one edge of the same and embracing the sides of the hinge pins which are received by the hinge knuckle of the wringer plate, corresponding sides of the hook elements extending between the sides of the U-shaped hinge pins and engaging the hinge knuckles of the headplate when the wringer plate is in the stowed position, the hook elements disengaging the hinge knuckles of the headplate when the wringer plate is swung to the operative position so that both sides of the U-shaped hinge pins may swivel freely within the hinge knuckles of the head and wringer plates.

3. In a mop device, a headplate provided near one edge with a hingle knuckle, a handle for the mop arranged bodily near said one edge of the headplate and provided near its lower end with a hinge knuckle interfitting with the hinge knuckle of the headplate, a substantially U- shaped hinge pin having one side engaging the interfitting knuckles of the headplate and handle, whereby the handle is bodily swingable about said one edge of the headplate, the other side of the U-shaped hinge pin being arranged near said one edge of the headplate and adapted to swing in an are about the same, a wringer plate disposed bodily near said one edge of the headplate and provided near one edge with a hinge knuckle receiving the other side of the U-shaped hinge pin, the wringer plate being swingable to a stowed position adjacent one side of the handle and beyond said one edge of the headplate, means connected with the wringer plate for releasably securing the same to the handle when the wringer WILLIAM H. RICHARDS. WILLIAM F. RICHARDS.

8 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Severns Apr. 6, 1915 Blackma-n June 22, 1920 Jelenfy June 16, 1936 Vaughn July 11, 1939 Lux Nov. 19, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Canada Jan. 10, 1950

Images