US3405418A - Collapsible mop frame - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 15, 1968 Filed April 7, 1967 H. T. CARTER ETAL.

COLLAPS IBLE MOP FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Harry 7: Carfer Dona/d L7. Htks Oct. 15, 1968 CARTER L 3,405,418

COLLAPSIBLE MOP FRAME Filed April '7, 1967 2 Sheets-Shem Z INVENTOR Ha r/"y 7: (TO/"fer F 7 Dona/0 \T. M'c/rs United States Patent 3,405,418 COLLAPSIBLE MOP FRAME Harry T. Carter and Donald J. Hicks, both Fibrac, lnc., 219 W. 4th St., Chanute, Kans. 66720 Filed Apr. 7, 1967 Ser. No. 629,173 8 Claims. (Cl. 147) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible mop frame having two winged sections may be selectively locked to form an integrated mop support rigidly held in a common plane or unlocked and collapsed to pivot one wing section relative to the other, thereby facilitating th removal and/ or mounting of mop fabric thereon. A locking mechanism is mounted on one wing section and contains a frame engaging structure that is pivotally and selectively movable into and out of engagement with a reinforcing structure that is fixedly welded to the opposite wing section.

Brief summary of the invention The subject collapsible mop frame or support is constructed for use with pocketed mop fabrics of the type having opposed pockets on the upper surfaces thereof. The planar length of the mop frame is comprised of two wing sections which have rounded or semicircular tip portions extending from substantially parallel fore and aft support rods. One of the wing sections is weldedly connected to a cylindrical hinge-barrel which spans the inboard ends of its respective support rods. The inboard end of the second wing section is rotatively positioned within the barrel efifectively forming a hinged type connection. A rectangular reinforced structure which is usable as a handle mounting means, has approximately one-half of its lower surface weldedly contacting the inboard portion of the combination first wing section and barrel shaft. The remaining half portion of the reinforcing structure extends past the hinge barrel in a plane parallel to the planar length of the combined wing sections and over the hingedly connected second wing section. The hingedly connected second wing section has a pivotally mounted locking mechanism which is operable to contact the reinforcing structure and fixedly lock the second wing section in the same plane as the first wing section. This locking mechanism, in the preferred embodiment, may be either locked or unlocked by applying either hand or foot pressure to the appropriate lever acting upper surface of the mechanism.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a uniquely constructed mop frame that may be quickly and easily collapsed and reassembled to facilitate the removal and/ or mounting of conventional mop fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mop frame of the character described that includes a unique locking mechanism that fixedly holds two mop fabric engaging wing sections in a secure and common plane yet which may be conveniently released to permit the collapsibility of same. It is an important feature of the invention that the user may operate the locking mechanism with his foot or by hand depending solely on the expedience and preference of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mop frame of the character described having a reinforced center portion that cooperates with the other structural features of the invention, including the locking mechanism, to form a frame having a low center of gravity and with little or no tendency to roll during the using of same. Additionally, the unique character of the reinforced center eliminates structural weaknesses which are quite common in hinged connections as well as providing a very convenient surface for affixing the handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rugged, light weight, long lasting, low cost collapsible mop frame that is easy to manufacture and which may be assembled by a relatively simple arc welding process. An equally important feature attributable to the subject frame resides in its smooth finish and elimination of pins, rivets, springs and other projections that often result in premature wear and deterioration of the mop fabric during normal use thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible mop frame having a unique pivotally mounted locking mechanism which limits the pivotal movement of the mechanism in order to optimally locate a slot defined therein for reception of a rigid rod type structure as the wing sections of the frame are rotated to a common plane for locking purposes. This arrangement facilitates the quick and easy locking of the wing sections in their operative mop fabric supporting position.

Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.

Detailed description of the drawings In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, embodiments of the invention are shown and, in the various views, like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the center portion of the collapsible mop frame showing a portion of each wing section, the hinged connection, the reinforcing structure and the locking mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1, however th locking mechanism shown therein is released and the second wing section collapsed relative to the first;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the subject mop frame with the wing sections locked in a common plane and the mop fabric shown in broken lines;

FIGv 6 is a perspective view of the subject mop frame showing the wing sections collapsed;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment to the locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 16; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of FIG. 7 in the direction of the arrows.

Turning now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10 represents a conventional mop fabric which has spaced apart opposed pockets 10a and 10b on the upper side thereof. The collapsible mop frame, generally indicated by the numeral 11, is comprised of two wing sections 12 and 13 which are insertible within the respective pockets 10a and 10b and capable of forming a rigid support structurefor using same. The wings are constructed of rod lengths that are formed substantially in a U-shape having curved or semicircular outer tip portions and are interconnected at their inboard end portions. These outer tip portions may have other shapes such as being at a right angle, etc. Accordingly a structure is formed that breaks or may be collapsed in half. Therefore, the rod lengths that make up the wing sections may be thought to have, for illustrative purposes, fore and aft rod lengths extending from semicircular or curved tip portions and lockable in a substantially common plane.

The inboard end of wing section 12 has a cylindrical hinge type barrel 14 weldedly connected to the inwardly turned end portions of both the fore and aft rod members. Wing section 13 likewise has its inboard end portions bent at substantially right angles to the sides of U-member 13 and rotatably engaged within barrel 14. This arrangement effectively rotatively interconnects wing sections 12 and 13 and allows relative movement therebetween. The rigid nature of the rod structure effectively precludes unwanted disengagement of the wing sections.

A rectangularly shaped reinforcing structure, generally indicated by the numeral 15, has approximately one half of its lower surface weldedly connected to a portion of the inboard end of wing section 12 and barrel 14. The remaining half portion of the reinforcing structure extends past the hinged barrel in a plane parallel to the planar length of the combined wing sections when in the locked position, such as that shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5.

This reinforcing structure is comprised of the rectangular outer rod frame 15a and a pair of reinforcing struts 15b which weldedly interconnect between the longer sides of the rectangular structure and are spaced inwardly from the outer end portions thereof. One of the outer end portions, represented by numeral 15c, cooperates with the locking mechanism, as will be seen infra. Rod 15d is welded transversely to the central upper portions of the reinforcing struts 15b and provides a suitable surface for connection with a mop handle clip such as that disclosed in our Patent No. 3,363,948, issued January 16, 1968. The combined struts and over-all shape of the reinforcing structure cooperate to create a very strong and durable unit. This unitary structure also has a low center of gravity and is easily constructed and integrated into the overall frame so that its strength and durability qualities are optimally added thereto.

A wing section 13, which is effectively hingedly connected for rotative movement with wing section 12 about barrel 14, is free to move on this hinge connection in an are up to and away from the overlapping half of reinforcing structure 15. The extending or overlapping half of the reinforcing structure precludes movement of wing section 13 past its coplanar fixed or locked position and lends substantial support to the combined structures.

In order to facilitate the locking of wing section 13 in a common plane with wing section 12, at least one reinforcing strut 16 is weldedly interconnected between the fore and aft rods of wing section 13. A locking mechanism 17 is pivotally affixed to strut 16. The locking mechanism includes a vertical disk member 17a which when mounted on strut 16 is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the strut. The disk member 17a is apertured at 17b (FIG. 4) at its lower portion thereof. This aperture is generally circular in shape, however a nipple 17c projects interiorly of the generally circular aperture and is engaged within a slot or keyway 16a that is cut on the outer surface of strut 16. Accordingly, the pivotal movement of disk member 17a is restricted by the arcuate dimensions of the slot or keyway 16a and the mating nipple 170. The cooperating effect of the nipple and keyway positions the locking mechanism for efficient operation as will be seen infra, as well as keeping it from completely turning around to the underside of the frame.

A slot 17d is cut from the outer edge of disk member 17a above and inwardly of aperture 17b, as seen in FIG- 4. It should be noted that this slot angles upwardly from its entrance throat and that the upper edge 17e forms a restriction or deflecting point for similarly shaped members attempting to enter therein.

A foot or thumb pedal structure, having steel pads 18a and 18b is weldedly connected in a plane normal to the longitudinal plane of vertical disk 17a and provides a lever type unit for facilitating the pivotal movement of disk 17a and thusly the entire locking mechanism. These pads are spaced an equal distance from the apertured connection with strut 16 so that an effective lever action may be utilized when either of the pads has pressure applied to its upper surface.

In operation of the above embodiment, when the second wing section carrying locking mechanism 17 is rotated on its hinged connection into a common plane with the first wing section, locking mechanism 17 rigidly interconnects the two wing sections in the required planar length. With the second wing section rotated so that its upper inboard surface is adjacent the lower surface of the reinforcing structure 15, the outer side 15c will contact the lower forward lip portion of slot 17d. The immediate reaction of this contact will cause a slight clockwise rotation (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the disk member 17a on strut 16. As a result of this rotation, rod 15c is in an optimum position to be fixedly engaged within slot 17d, Further pressure on the upper surface of pad 18b will cause the deflecting edge 17a of the entrance throat to deflect the central portion of outer side 15c downwardly so that edge 17c may continue its clockwise pivotal movement on strut 15c. Once edge 17c has rotatively passed the center point of side 150 the deflected portion will resiliently return to its normal axial alignment and thrust itself upwardly within slot 17d. The resultant effect is to fixedly lock outer side 15c within slot 17d while utilizing the inner surface of deflecting edge 17e as a further locking or holding surface. Any forces that are exerted downwardly on the two wing sections and which would ordinarily tend to separate or move same out of their coplanar relationship will be transferred through the reinforcing structure to the upper inner portion of slot 17d. Thusly, conventional working stresses will not result in the rotative force needed to rotate locking mechanism 17 out of a fixed engagernent with the reinforcing structure 15, thereby insuring a rigid secure structure.

When it is desired to collapse the frame for removal of a soiled mop fabric and/or to replace it with a clean one, it is merely necessary to apply pressure on the upper surface of pad 18a. This may be conveniently done either by stepping on the upper surface of pad 18a or by applying thumb or finger pressure thereto. When a requisite amount of pressure has been thusly applied, the inner edge of deflecting edge 17!: again deflects outer side 15c downwardly and further rotative pressure on pad 18a allows side 150 to slip out of engagement with slot 17d so that the second wing section may be rotated downwardly out of contact with the reinforcing structure 15. When in this position, the two wing sections may easily be inserted within the pockets of conventional mop fabric or the mop fabric that presently adorns the structure easily removed therefrom.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose another locking machinism usable with the subject mop frame. As shown particularly in FIG. 7, the reinforcing structure 15 is slightly altered to form a loop notch 15c within outer side 150. The reinforcing structure is fixedly mounted to the first Wing section in the manner described above. The loop notch formed within side 15c facilitates the interconnection of a swivel mounted bolt and wing nut combination, generally indicated by the numeral 19.

As indicated above, the swivel mounted bolt and Wing nut combination will be swivelly mounted to the central portion of strut 16 by threading the eye portion f bolt 19a onto strut 16. Wing nut 1% may be moved up and down on the threaded outer end of bolt 19a so that when it is desired to lock the two wing sections in a common plane, bolt 19a may be rotated upwardly to extend within loop notch 15c of outer side 15c. Wing nut 1% may then be tightened down thereon to fixedly engage the second wing section to a reinforcing structure 15. When it is desired to collapse the mop frame, wing nut 19b is unscrewed and moved upwardly on threads of bolt 19a so that the nut and bolt combination 19 may be swivelly rotated out of engagement with the loop notch 15c thereby allowing relative movement between the two wing sections.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A collapsible m'op frame comprising opposed first and second wing sections, each wing section being generally U-shaped with the curved portions forming the outer ends thereof,

a hinge member connecting said wing sections at their inboard portions and allowing relative movement therebetween,

a reinforcing structure rigidly connected to the inboard portion of said first wing section and extending in a plane parallel to the planar length of the frame beyond said hinge member adjacent said second wing section,

a strut integrally mounted on said second wing section,

and

a locking mechanism pivotally mounted on said strut, said locking mechanism including a means for fixedly engaging said reinforcing structure, said locking member operable to lock said first and second Wing sections in a common plane when fixedly engaging said reinforcing structure, said reinforcing structure thereby occupying the central portion of said frame When said locking member locks said sections in said common plane, and

a means mounted on said reinforcing structure for facilitating the atachment of a mop handle.

2. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing structure it generally rectangular in shape and includes integrally formed fore and aft members with two end members interconnecting said fore and aft members, at least two struts spaced inwardly of said end members and fixedly connected between the fore and aft members, a cross bar capable of attachment with a mop handle clip fixedly connected between said struts at the central portions thereof, said reinforcing structure operable to strengthen the central portion of the frame around said hinge member during the conventional use of same.

3. The invention as in claim 1, said locking mechanism having a disk shaped first member pivotally engaging said strut on the second wing section, a pedal lever member fixedly attached at right angles to said disk member, a slot having a restricted entrance throat defined in said disk member, said pedal member operable to provide a lever type action to facilitate the engagement of one end member of said reinforcing structure within said slot.

4. The invention as in claim 3 wherein said frame includes a means to limit the pivotal movement of said disk member in an unlocked direction, said limiting means optimally locating said slot for reception of said end member of said reinforcing structure as the wing sections are rotated on said hinge member to said common plane position.

5. The invention as in claim 4 wherein said limiting means includes an aperture in said disk member having a projection from said disk member extending radially inwardly of the aperture, an arcuate keyway defined on the side of said strut, said strut extending through said aperture and positioned relative thereto to locate said projection within said slot.

6. The invention as in claim 3 wherein said hinge member includes a cylindrical barrel weldedly connected in a transverse manner to the inboard end portion of said first wing section, the inboard portions of said second wing section projecting within said barrel, thereby allowing relative movement between said wing sections.

7. The invention as in claim 3 wherein said pedal member has a first and second surface, said first surface extending toward the inboard portion of said second wing section and said second surface extending toward the outer tip of said second wing section, each of said surfaces extending beyond said strut in their respective directions and transversely thereto, thereby providing a locking and unlocking pressure surface, respectively.

8. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes a combination wing nut and eye bolt, said bolt pivotally mounted on said strut, on the second wing section, a loop notch formed in said reinforcing structure, said combination pivotally movable to allow said wing nut to fixedly secure a portion of said nut within said loop notch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,178,069 4/1916 Grant 15-228 1,187,609 6/1916 Channell 15229 1,256,989 2/1918 Duncan 15228 2,192,861 3/1940 Burchell 15147 3,005,220 10/1961 McPherson 15147 3,304,567 2/1967 Sturm 15-147 DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

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