US3162887A

US3162887A - Floor cleaning device, mop and mop holder

Info

Publication number: US3162887A
Application number: US308948A
Authority: US
Inventors: Zolly Carleton Van Schwartz
Original assignee: Majestic Wax Co
Current assignee: Majestic Wax Co
Priority date: 1963-09-16
Filing date: 1963-09-16
Publication date: 1964-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-29

Description

Dec. 29, 1964 z. c. VAN SCHWARTZ 3,162,387

FLOOR CLEANING DEVICE, MOP AND MOP HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 16, 1963 INVENTOR.

ZOLLY C. VAN SCHWARTZ 5% A Km ATTORNEYS 1964 2. c. VAN SCHWARTZ 3,162,837

FLOOR CLEANING DEVICE, MOP AND MOP HOLDER Filed Sept. 16, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ZOLLY C. VAN SCHWARTZ JMW w, 6

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,162,887 FLQQR CLEANING DEVl'CE, MG? AND M0? HULDER Zolly Carleton Van Schwartz, Denver, Colo, assignor to Majestic Wax Company, Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Fii-ed Sept. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 308,94S 3 (Ilaims. ((31. 15 -561) This invention relates to a dust mop, particularly a floor mop and holding device, and especially such a dust mop and holder wherein the holder is adapted for the application of liquid from the body of the holder to the mop fabric for application to the floor.

The mop head construction has a direct bearing upon the appearance, performance, efliciency and maneuverability of the mop. Most mops are readily directed for smooth operation in straight lines in an axial direction, or in a radial direction, so long as the user continues to direct the mop in a given direction without change. When, however, the user seeks to change the direction of the mop, excessive effort is required, because of the use of inefiicient control mechanisms in the mop head, and the mop frequently takes an undersidable angular position or exhibits an annoying yawing or fish-tail movement. Furthermore, prior art floor cleaning devices frequently are made of corrodible materials which soon look cheap and have a short service life. In addition, the means employed in such devices for gripping the mop fabric often are inadequate for their intended purpose, and the mop fabric, much to the annoyance of the user of the device, slides and shifts between the gripping members in the head of the device.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide a floor cleaning device constructed to be highly maneuverable, attractive in appearance and efiicient in performance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mop holder characterized by a long service life, durability and highly satisfactory performance.

A further object of this invention is to provide a floor mop of eflicient, inexpensive constluction designed for convenient manipulation and positive securement of the mop fabric.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is given primarily for purposes of illustration, and not limitation.

Stated in general terms, the objects of the invention are attained by providing a floor cleaning device which includes an elongate body member and a correspondingly elongate holding member. Both the body member and the holding member have top portions and generally diverging downwardiy extending side portions arranged so that the holding member fits snugly under the body memher, and generally conforms therewith. A cleaning element or mop fabric is tightly gripped and clamped between the body member and the hold-ing member under pressure of resilient hook means fixed to one end of the holding member for engagement with one end of the body mem-- her, and resilient clamp means fixed to the other end of the holding member for engagement with the other end of the body member. The top portion of the holding member, or the top portion of the body member, is provided with dimples to insure gripping and securely fixing the cleaning element in the head of the cleaning device.

A more detailed description of a specific embodiment of the floor cleaning device and holder of the invention is given below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing an assembled dust mop of the invention;

FIG. 1(a.) is a plane view of the mophandle in its socket;

FIG. 2 is a partial front elevational view showing the holder or head of the dust mop attached to a handle;

*FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, but in vertical section, showing the holding piece clamped to the body or block.

FIG. 4 is a cross-'sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 but with the mop fabric added thereto;

FIG. 5 is a similar view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, showing the connection between the mop head and handle; and

:FIG. 6 is a partial detail plan view of the body or block taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 showing attachment means formed thereon.

The body or block 10 includes a horizontal top portion 11,

integral side portions

12 and 13 converging toward the top portion 11,

horizontal bottom portions

14 and 15 and

vertical flange portions

16 and 17 forming enclosures around

bottom portions

14 and 15, respectively. The block 10, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, has a generally trapezoid vertical cross-sectional configuration With respect to top portion 11,

side portions

12 and 13 and

bottom portions

14 and 15. Spaced holes 18 and 19 (FIG. 4) are formed through

bottom portions

14 and 15, respectively for transmitting liquid treatment materials, such as cleaning fluids or liquid waxing compositions, when poured by the user into the

channels

26 and 21, onto the mop fabric 22 for application to the floor being cleaned or waxed. Body or block 10 preferably is made of high strength plastic material, but can be made of suitable metals.

A trunnion 25 composed of

bearings

26 and 27 iS mounted on top of horizontal top portion 1-1 of block 10. Bearing 26 is provided with a downwardly extending anchor pin 28. Pin 28 is provided with an annular end groove 29 fitted with a snap ring 30 to attach bearing 26 to the top of block 10. Pin 28 also is provided with a transversely extending key 31. Pin 28, including key 31, are dimensioned to fit snugly in a hole 32 in block 10, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. Key 31 fixes pin 28 in block 10 against horizontal rotation in hole 32. Bearing 27 is similarly attached against vertical movement or horizontal rotation in block 10 by pin 35', end groove 36, snap ring 37 and key 38 in hole 39. Trunnion 25 also can be made of suitable high strength plastic material or suitable metals.

A journal member 4 1 is provided with aligned axle portions 42 and 4-3 rotatably mounted in

bearings

26 and 27, respectively, of trunnion 25. Journal member 41 also is provided with a hole or hearing 44. The central axis 45 of bearing hole 44 is perpendicular to axis 46 of aligned axle portions 4-2 and a3, and axis 45 is spaced vertically from axis 46. Journal member 41 is mounted to rotate in a vertical plane which passes through central axis 45. Journal member 4 1 is made of a suitable plastic material or a suitable metal.

A socket member 4'? is provided with a tapered portion 48 converging downwardly and connected to a transversely projecting journal 49. Journal 49 is rotatably fitted in bearing hole 44 and is retained therein by retaining ring 50 and a pin 51 passed through ring 50 and the end of journal 4?. Socket member 47 also is provided with a support socket portion 52 adapted to tightly receive therein the lower end of a mop handle 53. Thus socket member 47 is adapted to rotate both in a vertical plane and in radial planes passing through trunnion 25. Socket member 47 can be made of suitable plastic material or metals. Support socket portion 52 is suitably shaped to receive straight, tapered, threaded, or other types of handle ends.

pin for securing the the socket; other means may be used for attaching the,

handle in the socket.

The mop fabric holding member or holding piece 55 is made to firmly hold or grip the mop fabric 22; between the holding piece and body or block Ill in the mop head.

Holding piece 55 is of trapezoid vertical cross-sectional configuration which conforms with that of block illl and includes a horizontal top portion as and

integral side portions

57 and 58 converging toward the top portion 56. Horizontal top portion 56 of the holding piece is provided with longitudinally spaced upwardly projecting dimples 59 which tightly grip mop fabric 22 and fix it in position in the mop head so that it will not slide or shift between block 10 and holding piece 55. Holding piece 55 is provided at one end with a spring hook so and at the other end with a spring clamp 61. Spring clamp 61 is attached to the holding piece 55 by having one end 61a of the spring clarnp passing through an opening 55a, which is formed in the holding piece 5d adjacent one end thereof, crimped or bent to form a loop sufficiently closed to permit inadvertent separation of the spring clamp 61 to pivot about the end of said holding piece 55. Mop fabric 22 is clamped between block and holding piece 55 by hooking spring hook of? around one end of block 16 until spring hook 60 is seated within the notch 69, see FIG. 3, formed in one end of the horizontal top portion 11 and clamping the other end of the block with spring clamp 61 until corresponding portions of the spring clamp 61 are seated within notch 79 and recess 71 formed in the opposite end of the horizontal top portion ll, as shown. By simply reversing this simple operation, mop fabric 22 is readily removed from the mop holder or head without the use of auxiliary tools, fasteners or other hardware. No eyelets are used in mop fabric 22 through which fasteners are used in some mops. Holding piece 55 can be made of strong plastic material but preferably is made of suitable metals. If steel is used, it should be suitably plated for long service life and rich appearance.

In operation, the user, while grasping mop handle 53, directs the motion of the mop with a minimum of effort in any direction in either straight line motion or curved motion. In straight line motion journal member 41 easily rotates in a vertical plane which passes through central axis 45 of hole 44 while axle portions 42 and 43 rotate or oscillate back and forth in

bearings

26 and 27, respectively, of trunnion 25 with minimum friction. When the mop is directed into curved path motion, journal d9 of socket member 47 easily and smoothly turns in hole 44 of journal member 41 to accommodate the degree of curved motion of the mop. As a result, the mop shows not the slightest tendency to yaw or fish-tail during straight line or curved motion.

When it is desired to apply cleaning fluid or a liquid wax composition to the floor, the fluid or liquid is poured in limited quantity into channels and 21 just before the mop is put into motion. As pointed out hereinabove, mop fabric 22 is readily detached and replaced largely because no eyelets are used in the fabric. Thus no fasteners need be aligned with such eyelets in fastening mop fabric 22 in the mop head and no such fasteners need be released when the mop fabric is removed from the mop head. The attachment and detachment means simply consist of easily and rapidly hand-manipulated spring hook 69 and spring clamp 61 together with dimples 59.

It will be understood that the trapezoidal cross-section of block 10 and holding piece 55 can be varied. That is, other cross-sectional configurations can be used. The trunnion and journal member 41 can be attached to block 10 by the use of any suitable means, including making

bearings

26 and 27 integral with the block. Similarly, the structure or construction of socket member 47 can be modified or varied to a considerable extent. Dimples 59 could be formed on the top portion 11 of block it) instead of, or in addition to the top portion 56 of holding piece 55. Many other modifications and variations of the floor cleaning device, mop and mop holder of the present invention are possible in the light of the teachings given hereinabove. It is, therefore, to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the

invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A floor cleaning device comprising an elongate body member having a top portion and generally diverging downwardly extending side portions, an elongate holding member having a top portion and generally diverging downwardly extending side portions generally conforming with the corresponding portions of the body member, a cleaning element disposed beneath the body member and extending outwardly of said body and holding memher, a resilienthook means fixed to one end of the holding member for engagement with one end of the body member, a resilient clamp means fixed to the other end of the holding member for engagement with the other end of the body member, and dimple means formed on the top portion of the holding member for gripping and clamp ing the cleaning element under pressure of the resilient hook and clamp means between the body and holding members.

2. A floor mop comprising an elongate body member having a top portion and generally diverging downwardly extending side portions producing a generally trapezoid cross-sectional configuration, an elongate holding member having a top portion and generally diverging downwardly extending side portions producing a generally trapezoid cross-sectional configuration generally conforming with the corresponding configuration of the body member, a mop fabric element disposed beneath the body member and extending outwardly of said body and holding member, a resilient hook means fixed to one end of the holding member for engagement with one end of the body member, a resilient clamp means fixed to the other end of the holding member for engagement with the other end of the body member, dimple means formed on the top portion of the holding member for gripping and clamping the mop fabric element under pressure of the resilient hook and clamp means between the body and holding members, trunnion means mounted on the top portion of the body member, and mop handle socket means cooperatively connected to the trunnion means for establishing rotary motion of the socket means both in a vertical plane and in radial planespassing through the axis of the trunnion means.

3. A floor mop comprising-an elongate body member having a top portion and generally diverging downwardly extending side portions producing a generally trapezoid cross-sectional configuration, elongate horizontal bottom portions forming extensions of said side portions of the body member provided with spaced holes, vertical flange portions formed around said bottom portions forming enclosures therearound for the introduction of liquid compositions for flow through said spaced holes, an elongate holding member having a top portion and generally diverging downwardly extending side portions producing a generally trapezoid cross-sectional configuration generally conforming with the corresponding configuration of the body member, a mop fabric element disposed beneath the body member and extending outwardly of said body and holding member, a resilient hook means fixed to one end of the holding member for engagement with one end of the body member, a resilient clamp means fixed to the other end of the holding member for engagement with the other end of the body member, dimple means formed on the top portion of the holding member for gripping and clamping the mop fabric element under pressure of the resilient hook and clamp means between the body and holding members, trunnion means mounted on the top portion of the body member, axle means mounted in bearing elements of the trunnion means for rotation therein in a vertical plane, bearing hole means connected With the axle means, journal means mounted in the bearing hole means, and mop handle socket means connected to the journal means for rotation both in a vertical plane References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Duncan 15-151 Froberg 15-150 Gauch.

Hillyard 15-2291 Warden 15-153 X and in radial planes passing through the axis of the axle 10 CHARLES WILLMUTH Primary Examiner means.

Claims

3. A FLOOR MOP COMPRISING AN ELONGATE BODY MEMBER HAVING A TOP PORTION AND GENERALLY DIVERGING DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE PORTIONS PRODUCING A GENERALLY TRAPEZOID CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION, ELONGATE HORIZONTAL BOTTOM PORTIONS FORMING EXTENSIONS OF SAID SIDE PORTIONS OF THE BODY MEMBER PROVIDED WITH SPACED HOLES, VERTICAL FLANGE PORTIONS FORMED AROUND SAID BOTTOM PORTIONS FORMING ENCLOSURES THEREAROUND FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF LIQUID COMPOSITIONS FOR FLOW THROUGH SAID SPACED HOLES, AN ELONGATE HOLDING MEMBER HAVING A TOP PORTION AND GENERALLY DIVERGING DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE PORTIONS PRODUCING A GENERALLY TRAPEZOID CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION GENERALLY CONFORMING WITH THE CORRESPONDING CONFIGURATION OF THE BODY MEMBER, A MOP FABRIC ELEMENT DISPOSED BENEATH THE BODY MEMBER AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID BODY AND HOLDING MEMBER, A RESILIENT HOOK MEANS FIXED TO ONE END OF THE HOLDING MEMBER FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE END OF THE BODY MEMBER, A RESILIENT CLAMP MEANS FIXED TO THE OTHER END OF THE HOLDING MEMBER FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER END OF THE BODY MEMBER, DIMPLE MEANS FORMED ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE HOLDING MEMBER FOR GRIPPING AND CLAMPING THE MOP FABRIC ELEMENT UNDER PRESSURE OF THE RESILIENT HOOK AND CLAMP MEANS BETWEEN THE BODY AND HOLDING MEMBERS, TRUNNION MEANS MOUNTED ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE BODY MEMBER, AXLE MEANS MOUNTED IN BEARING ELEMENTS OF THE TRUNNION MEANS FOR ROTATION THEREIN IN A VERTICAL PLANE, BEARING HOLE MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE AXLE MEANS, JOURNAL MEANS MOUNTED IN THE BEARING HOLE MEANS, AND MOP HANDLE SOCKET MEANS CONNECTED TO THE JOURNAL MEANS FOR ROTATION BOTH IN A VERTICAL PLANE AND IN RADIAL PLANES PASSING THROUGH THE AXIS OF THE AXLE MEANS.