US3187363A - Mop having pivotal clamp - Google Patents

Description

June 8, 1965 w R. AUWARTER MOP HAVING PIVOTAL CLAMP Filed May 27, 1963 2o '9 a 40 s 39 N4 H V 35 38 FIG. 4

'(Ii i i li United States Patent Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 233,350 3 Claims. (Cl. 15-229) This invention relates to a mop, and more particularly to an improved hood and locking arm.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved plastic connector or hood for use with mops, wherein in the present invention ,a locking arm for the mop head is arranged so that furniture and the like will not be scratched during use of the mop.

A furtherobject is to provide a mop which is constructedso that the user such as the housewife can easily and readily replace the mop head after the mop head has become worn out, and wherein the present invention utilizes a spring metal clip or locking arm which serves to lock the mop head in its proper location, and wherein the locking arm is completely enclosed within the outer edges of the plastic hood so as to prevent scratching or marring or damage to furniture, or the. like.

Still another object is to provide such a hood or conneotor device which is ruggedly constructed so that for example breakage or cracking thereof will be prevented when the mop is pulled through a wringer.

A further object is to provide a plastic mop hood which has a locking arm operatively connected thereto, and wherein the locking arm or clip serves to firmly lock the mop head in place, and wherein when desired the clip can be depressed as, for example, in order to permit a new mop head to 'be inserted in place of the old mop head, the hood including a pair of openings which are spaced inwardly from the ends thereof so that the adjacent portions of the locking arm will extend through these openings and this will prevent any projecting portions of the metal lockingarm from marring or scratching furniture or the like. h

The present invention "also includes an improved means for connecting the hood and mop handle together, the hood also being of improved esthetic construction and having a plurality of ribs therein which are arranged to provide certain important advantages, as for example the ribs have curved end portions which help prevent slipping of the mop head and help to hold the mop head firmly and securelyin place, and wherein the ribs in conjunction with the'hollow interior of the hood create an air space above the yarn mop head for accelerating the drying of the rnop after it has been used and for preventing the mop head from becoming mildewed, deteriorating or the like,

and wherein the plastic hood has an outer surface which is smooth and contoured and constructed to prevent water or dirt from becoming trapped in any crevices or cracks or indentations on the outer surface of the hood.

Still another object is to provide such a mop hood and locking arm that are economical to manufacture and eflicient in use and which are rugged in structure and foolproof in operation.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawing, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters, and wherein: 1

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the mop hood of the present invention, with parts of the mop broken away.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 1.

Patented June 8, 1965 FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the mop which includes a hood that is indicated generally by the numeral 11 in FIG. 1 for example, and the hood 11 is adapted to be made of a suitable plastic material of one-piece construction. The numeral 12 indicates a portion of the mop handle, and the hood 11 consists of a hollow body member 13. The numeral 14 indicates the mop head, and the numeral 15 indicates a locking arm for maintaining the head 14 connected to the hood 11.

As shown in the drawing, the hood 11 is shaped to include spaced parallel flat side surfaces 16, as well as generally arcuate end surfaces 17, and adjacent pairs of surfaces 17 meet at an edge or junction 18.

The hood 11 includes a handle receiving portion or socket portion 19 which has a generally cylindrical recess or opening 20 therein for receiving the end portion of the handle 12. As shown in FIG. 2 for example, the hood ll has a pair of spaced apart openings 21 therein, and these openings 21 are spaced inwardly from the ends 24of the hood. The numeral 22 indicates recesses or indentations in the hood adjacent the openings 21 for a purpose to be later described, and there is further provided flat surfaces 23 on the hood contiguous to the openings 21.

Arranged within the hollow hood or body member is a plurality of spaced parallel integral ribs such as the ribs 25, 26 and 27, and as shown in FIG. 2, .the ribs increase in length progressively from the outer end portion of the hood towards the center portion thereof. That is, the rib 26 is longer than the rib 25, and the rib 27 is longer than the adjacent rib 26. It is to be understood that the number of these ribs can be varied as desired or required. The lower ends or edges. of these ribs are shaped arcuately as at 28 for engaging the adjacent portion of the rnop head 14, FIG. 4.

The locking arm 15 is in the nature of a spring clip made of metal and is shown to comprise a first portion which is arranged contiguous to the upper surface of one of the flat portions 23 as shown in FIG. 2, and the locking arm 15 further includes a second portion 30' that is arranged at right angles; with respect to the portion 29, and the portion 30 extends through the adjacent opening 21. The locking arm 15 further includes a main straight portion or third portion 31 which is arranged at right angles with respect to the portion 30, and the numeral 32 indicates a fourth portion which is arranged at right angles with respect to the portion 31, and the fourth portion 32 is upstanding and projects-through the opposite opening 21, that is the portion30 extends through one opening 21, and the portion 32 extends through the other opening 21. The upstanding portion 32 terminates in a portion 42 which is arranged at right angles to the portion 32, and the portion 42 is arranged contiguous to the upper surface of one of the fiat portions 23- as shown in FIG. 2, and there is further provided an upwardly extended portion 33 which is arranged approximately at right angles with respect to theportion 42. The extended portion of the metal arm acts as a locking mechanism in conjunction with the flat surface 23 of the plastic hood. As shown in FIG. 2 for example, the portions 30 and 32 are-spacedinwardlyfrom the ends 24 of the hood so that these portions of the metal locking arm will not scratch or mar or otherwise damage furniture or the like when the mop is being used.

The numeral 35 designates each of a pair of diametrically opposed flanges which are arranged withinthe socket portion 19, and the flanges 35 are integrally joined to the hood at the upper portions thereof, but these parts are constructed so that there is a space 37 between portions of the flanges 35 and the walls of the hood in order to provide a certain degree of flexibility for the flanges. The flanges 35 have arcuate or rounded lug portions or fingers 36 on the lower ends thereof, and these fingers 36 are adapted to engage a pair of diametrically opposed grooves 34 that are formed in the lower end of the handle 12, FIG. 2.

The numeral 38 designates each of a pair of shoulders or enlarged portions which are interposed between the flanges or skirt portions 35, and the lower edges of the shoulders 38 terminate below the lower ends of the flanges 35. The shoulders 38 are partially separated from the flanges 35 by means of slots or recesses 40, and there is provided on the shoulders 38 diametrically opposed tapered or pointed projections 39 which are adapted to engage portions of the mop handle 12 as later described in this application.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided an improved mop hood or connecting device, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawing, it will be seen that the hood 11 is adapted to be made of a single piece of suitable material such as a suitable plastic material, and the hood 11 has a hollow interior and has the locking bar or clip 15 associated therewith whereby the mop head 14 can be properly and securely held in place. The hood 11 is adapted to be firmly connected to the handle or rod 12.

With the handle 12 properly positioned in the opening 20, it will be seen that the grooves or recesses 34 in the handle 12 will be engaged by the fingers or lugs 36 of the flanges 35, and in additon the pointed projections 39 of the shoulders 38 will dig into portions of the handle 12 slightly and this construction will serve to insure that the handle and hood will remain firmly connected together. The flanges are joined to the hood at the top portioins of the flanges only so that there is provided spaces 37 between the flanges 35 and the adjacent portions of the hood and this construction in conjunction with the slots or recesses serves to insure that the flanges 35 will have a slight amount of resiliency so that the handle 12 can be readily moved through the opening 20 in order to permit the fingers 36 to properly seat in or engage the grooves 34.

The clamping bar 15 is arranged as shown in FIG. 2 so that a portion 30 thereof extends through one of the openings 21, and the main straight portion 31 of the clamping bar 15 extends through a portion of the mop head 14, and the portion 32 of the clamping bar 15 extends up through the opening 21 and this arrangement provides a means for securely fastening the mop head to the hood. Due to the inherent resiliency of the spring metal clamping bar 15, the clamping bar 15 will exert the proper amount of holding action, to maintain the mop head 14 connected to the hood in the desired manner. When it is desired to change the head 14, as for example when the head 14 becomes worn out, it is only necessary to lightly press the extended portion 33 towards the hood outer wall surface 24 so that the portion 42 clears the portion 23, and then the portion 32 is depressed or moved downwardly through the opening 21 whereby the portion 30 can pivot or fulcrum through its opening 21 so that the clamping bar or locking bar 15 will be released from the mop head 14. Thus, the mop head 14 can be removed and a new mop head can be arranged in engagement with the portion 31 whereby the locking arm or bar 15 can be returned to its locked position as shown in FIG. 2 so that the mop can be used in the proper manner.

It is to be noted that the portions 30 and 32 extend through the openings 21, and the portions 30 and 32 are spaced inwardly from the ends 24 of the hood 11, and this construction is important since it serves to insure that there will be no projecting metal portions extending beyond the ends of the hood whereby furniture and the like will not be scarred or scratched by such metal portions.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

It will therefore be seen that there has been provided a new type plastic connector for use with mops which is an improvement overprior such devices. An important feature or aspect of the present invention is that the device is constructed so that furniture and the like will not be scratched, when the mop is being used. In other words, the spring or locking arm 15 is self enclosed and located in such a position so that furniture cannot be scratched.

Some of the important advantages or features of the plastic mop hood of the present invention are as follows. The present invention makes it possible for the housewife to easily replace the mop head after it has been worn out with a new mop head. Also, after the mop head has been assembled to the plastic hood, the spring metal clip or arm 15 which locks the mop head in place, is completely enclosed within the outer edges of the plastic hood and this prevents scratching of furniture. In other words the portions 30 and 32 are spaced inwardly from the ends 24 so that scratching or damage or marring of furniture will be prevented. Thus, if the metal locking device was made so that it Went completely around the outer edges of the hood on the outside of both ends of the hood, furniture would or could be scratched by such metal portions during use of the mop but this is not possible with the present invention.

In addition the hood of the present invention is structurally strong in order to prevent breaking or cracking when the mop is pulled through a wringer.

The anchor end of the spring metal clip or arm 15 is fitted through a hole or opening 21 on the inside portion of the outer edge of the hood in such a way that it will swivel Without falling out. The hood is constructed so that the removable end 32 of the spring metal clip or arm can easily be inserted through the opening 21 at the opposite end of the hood and this has a friction fit. When the metal clip 15 is inserted through the opening 21 as shown in FIG. 2, with the friction fit the mop head is firmly locked in place. Also, when the member 15 is depressed, that is when the portion 32 is depressed down through the opening 21 by overcoming the frictional fit of the portion 32 in the opening 21, the mop head 14 is released so that a new mop head can be used to replace the old mop head.

It is to be noted that the hood is constructed so that both the hole or opening 21 in the plastic hood for the anchor end of the spring metal clip mechanism, and also the opposite hole 21 at the opposite end of the hood for the removable end 32 of the spring metal clip mechanism which utilizes the friction fit, are arranged so that both holes 21 are inside of the outer edges of the hood. In other words, not only are the openings 21 spaced slightly inward from the end portions 24 of the hood, but in addition the openings 21 are spaced inwardly from the adjacent side surfaces 16 in order to insure that the metal spring mechanism is completely encased by the plastic hood at both the ends and the sides, and this prevents any possibility of marring furniture or the like. The portions of the hood in the vicinity of the openings 21 are countersunk and indented in order to properly encase the metal clip or arm mechanism.

The portions 36 are arranged so that they are discontinuous or separated from each other and this construction permits the mop handle 12 to be inserted into the opening 20 so that the grooves 34 will be engaged by the portions 36 in order to look the handle and hood together. The slot 40 and spaces 37 provide a certain degree of flexibility for the flanges 35 in order to permit the flanges 35 to flex slightly as for example when the handle is being initially inserted in the opening 20 so that the portions 36 can properly seat in or engage the grooves 34. Also, the

durability. The lower ends of the ribs are curved as at 28 and this curved edge construction 28 serves to force the mop strands of the mop head 14 outwardly. When actually mopping, this will result in the mop strands themselves being distributed between the floor and the leading edge of the plastic hood and this will prevent scratching of the floor.

It is to be noted that with further regard to the previously described ribs, the hollow effect created between the ribs and the outer wall surface of the hood creates an air space above the yarn mop head 14 which will help .speed up the drying of the mop after it has been used, and this will also prevent the mop head from mildewing and deteriorating. In addition the curved ends 28 of the ribs help prevent the mop head from slipping and help hold the mop head firmly and securely in place when in use. i

' Asshown in FIG. 1 for example, the outer surface of the plastic hood has a smooth, contoured, overall configuration or design and for example includes the flat side surfaces. as well as the arcuate surfaces 17 and the edge portions 18, and this construction prevents water or dirt from becoming trapped in any crevices or indentations or cracks on the outer surface of the hood.

The projections 39 are provided with sharp edges to engage a portion of the handle 12 in order to help maintain the hood and handle properly connected together.

The present invention consists of a minimum number of parts and wherein the device is constructed so that the metal clip or arm is encased whereby there will be no parts sticking out to scratch furniture during use of the mop.

The present invention is especially suitable as a household wet mop and includes the replaceable head feature with the snap through locking arm. The complete mop may be used or made available to be used with a mop head of rayon yarn for increased absorbent characteristics as well as for having longer lasting qualities and to save time, and also can be used with mops made of cotton yarns, blends and synthetic yarns of all types. Or, the mop head may be made of cellulose yarn, and the mop head can have a construction so that it is easy to clean and wherein tangling or snarling is prevented and wherein the mop head will hold its proper shape and dry quickly. The snap through locking arm 15 is adapted to,

be made of heavy gauge spring metal or rustproof material of one-piece formation, and wherein the member 15 is easy to operate and serves to hold the mop head firmly in place.

According to the present invention it will be seen that there has been provided a construction which possesses certain important advantages and for example there is an improved means for locking the stick or handle into the mop holder or hood. There is also provided a rectangular recess area for the mop head to provide more surface for the scrubbing area. There is shown in the drawing the member 1 5 of flat metal construction, and the member 15 is encased in recesses inside of the holder or hood. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 for example, the lower edges of the ribs do not extend down as far as the lower edge portions of the sides and ends 16 and 24 and this construction in conjunction with the curved edges 28 provide the recessed area in the hood for holding the rnop head.

The clip or arm 15 permits easy removal of the mop head due to the snap lock feature. The member 15 is adapted to be made of a single piece of flat steel and does not use wing nuts or the like to hold the same in place. The hood is constructed so that it has recessed 6 areas for both the mop head as well as the metal clip or locking arm #15.

Itwill'be noted that with further reference to the 'metal clip or arm 15, there is a right angular portion 42 where the sections 32 and '33 come together. In addition to a friction fit, this construction provides an actual positive locking mechanism. Also, an end portion such as the portion 63 is tapered slightly to insure that there will be a smooth operation thereof.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A mop comprising a handle, an elongated hood of one-piece plastic construction contiguous to said handle and said hood having a recessed area, a mop head arranged contiguous to said hood and said mop head having a portion thereof positioned within the recessed area of said hood, an encased releasable locking arm maintaining said head connected to said hood, said hood being hollow and having a plurality of spaced apart integral ribs therein, the lower edges of said ribs being shaped arcuately and engaging a portion of the mop head, said hood having a' pair of openings therein which are spaced inwardly from the ends and sides of the hood, said locking arm having portions thereof which extend through saidopenings and which are' spaced inwardly from the ends and sides of the hood, means for connecting the handle and hood firmly together, said last named means comprises a handle socket on said hood for receiving said handle, said handle having grooves therein, flanges in said socket having inwardly directed fingers on the lower portions thereof engaging said grooves, diametrically opposed shoulders in said socket, and said shoulders having sharp projections thereon for engaging portions of the handle, there being slots between the shoulders and flanges, and there being spaces between portions of the flanges and the adjacent portions of the hood.

2. A mop comprising a handle, an elongated hood of one-piece plastic construction contiguous to said handle and said hood having a recessed area, a mop head arranged contiguous to said hood and said mop head having a portion thereof positioned within the recessed area of said hood, an encased releasable locking arm maintaining said head connected to said hood, said hood being hollow and having a plurality of spaced apart integral ribs therein, the lower edges of said ribs being shaped arcuately and engaging a portion of the mop head, said hood having a pair of openings therein which are spaced inwardly from the ends and sides of the hood, said locking arm having portions thereof which extend through said openings and which are spaced inwardly from the ends and sides of the hood, and means for connecting the handle and hood firmly together, said last named means comprising a handle socket on saidhood for receivingv said handle, said handle having grooves therein, flanges in said socket having inwardly disposed fingers on the lower portions thereof for engaging said grooves, shoulders arranged within the socket and said shoulders having sharp projections thereon for engaging portions of the handle, there being slots between the shoulders and flanges, and there being spaces between portions of the flanges and the adjacent portions of the hood, there being indented flat surfaces on said hood contiguous to the openings therein, and one of said flat surfaces having a portion of the locking arm arranged in engagement therewith, and the other opening adapted to have a portion of the locking arm arranged in engagement therewith by means of a friction fit.

3. In a mop, an elongated hood made of a single piece of plastic and shaped to include spaced parallel flat side surfaces, arcuate end surfaces, arranged angularly with respect to said flat surfaces, and said end surfaces meet-ing at an edge junction, said hood further including spaced parallel end portions, and said side surfaces and end surfaces merging into an upstanding handle receiving socket portion, said hood having a pair of openings therein and said openings being spaced inwardly from the ends and sides of the hood, there being indentations in said hood adjacent said openings and said indentations providing flat surfaces in the hood, a plurality of spaced parallel ribs arranged within the hood, the lower edges of said ribs being shaped arcuately, the lower ends of said ribs terminating above the lower edge of the hood whereby there is defined a recessed area in the hood, a mop head having a portion thereof seated in said recessed area in the hood and engaging the lower edges of said ribs, a locking arm of spring metal comprising a first portion arranged contiguous to one of the fiat surfaces of an indentation, a second portion arranged at right angles with respect to said first portion and said second portion extending through a said opening in the hood, and a main straight third portion arranged at right angles with respect to said second portion and said third portion extending through a portion of the mop head, a fourth portion arranged at right angles to said third portion and said fourth portion extending through the other of said openings in the hood, and said fourth portion terminating in a flat portion which is arranged at right angles to said fourth portion, and said last named flat portion terminating in an upstanding portion, said handle receiving socket having a substantially cylindrical recess, a handle adapted to engage said last named recess, and said handle 8 having a pair of spaced apart grooves in the lower portion thereof, a pair of diametrically opposed flanges arranged within said socket portion and said flanges having enlarged arcuate fingers on the lower ends thereof for engaging the grooves in the handle, portions of said flanges being spaced from said hood, said socket portion further having a pair of diametrically opposed shoulders therein which are interposed between and spaced from the flanges, and a pair of diametrically opposed sharp projections extending inwardly from the shoulders for engaging portions of the handle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 675,449 6/01 Smith 15-120 1,207,028 12/16 Gruenhagen 15116 2,242,869 5/41 Phipps 15-147 2,825,084 3/58 Sanborn 15-229.1 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 186,812 9/56 Austria.

65,866 11/55 France.

OTHER REFERENCES Article in Modern Plastics, October 1954, pages 120 and 121 entitled Trouble Free Waxer.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. A MOP COMPRISING A HANDLE, AN ELONGATED HOOD OF ONE-PIECE PLASTIC CONSTRUCTION CONTIGUOUS TO SAID HANDLE AND SAID HOOD HAVING A RECESSED AREA, A MOP HEAD ARRANGED CONTIGUOUS TO SAID HOOD AND SAID MOP HEAD HAVING A PORTION THEREOF POSITIONED WITHIN THE RECESSED AREA OF SAID HOOD, AN ENCASED RELEASABLE LOCKING ARM MAINTAINING SAID HEAD CONNECTED TO SAID HOOD, SAID HOOD BEING HOLLOW AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART INTEGRAL RIBS THEREIN, THE LOWER EDGES OF SAID RIBS BEING SHAPED ARCUATELY AND ENGAGING A PORTION OF THE MOP HEAD, SAID HOOD HAVING A PAIR OF OPENINGS THEREIN WHICH ARE SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE ENDS AND SIDES OF THE HOOD, SAID LOCKING ARM HAVING PORTIONS THEREOF WHICH EXTEND THROUGH SAID OPENINGS AND WHICH IS SPACED INWARDLY FROM THE ENDS AND SIDES OF THE HOOD, MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE HANDLE AND HOOD FIRMLY TOGETHER, SAID LAST NAMED MEANS COMPRISES A HANDLE SOCKET ON SAID HOOD FOR RECEIVING SAID HANDLE, SAID HANDLE HAVING GROOVES THEREIN, FLANGES IN SAID SOCKET HAVING INWARDLY DIRECTED FINGERS ON THE LOWER PORTIONS THEREOF ENGAGING SAID GROOVES, DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED SHOULDERS IN SAID SOCKET, AND SAID SHOULDERS HAVING SHARP PROJECTIONS THEREON FOR ENGAGING PORTIONS OF THE HANDLE, THERE BEING SLOTS BETWEEN THE SHOULDERS AND FLANGES, AND THERE BEING SPACES BETWEEEN PORTIONS OF THE FLANGES AND THE ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE HOOD.

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