WO2001003567A9

WO2001003567A9 - Sponge mop

Info

Publication number: WO2001003567A9
Application number: PCT/NZ2000/000124
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew James Malloy; Murray N Pilcher
Original assignee: James Products Ltd; Andrew James Malloy; Murray N Pilcher
Priority date: 1999-07-12
Filing date: 2000-07-12
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Also published as: WO2001003567A1; AU6324600A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved sponge mop head assembly (1) which includes a means (7, 9, 17, 19) for releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad (27) to the head assembly (1) where the means for releasable attachment is formed as an integral component or part of the sponge mop head assembly. The present invention also relates to and is associated with modifications or improvements made to refill sponge pads (27) adapted to be attached to a sponge mop head assembly (1) and also connector systems used to connect these components together.

Description

SPONGE MOP¹

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to sponge mops. More particularly, it relates to improved mop heads, sponge refill pads and sponge mop accessories enabling the easy assembly and effective operation of sponge mops for use in commercial and domestic cleaning applications.

BACKGROUND ART

Sponge mops are well known cleaning devices, commonly including rectangular pieces of cellular sponge product attached to a mop head and handle. Such sponge mops are, in comparison to larger cloth threaded mops (which need to be wrung out by wringer/roller attachments on specially designed buckets), simple and low cost to purchase, store, and use.

A problem with existing sponge mop designs is the common necessity to affix the sponge refills to the mop head by external fastening means. Commonly a backing plate provided on top of a sponge refill may include upwardly projecting screws or other protrusions which in use pass through apertures in a mop head, and a screw cap or similar device is then used to capture the screw or other protrusion extending out of the mop head, releasably fastening the sponge refill to the mop head.

A problem with this mop head design is that wear and tear and frequent insertion into dirty cleaning water either corrodes or otherwise damages or gums up such screw cap fittings. Thus when a user wishes to change a sponge mop refill it can be difficult to remove the screw cap easily and re-affix same to the screws or other protrusions from the replacement sponge refill. Commonly the screw cap thread is either damaged or the screw cap is otherwise occluded and unsuitable for use.

Furthermore a disadvantage is that it is fiddly, time consuming job which is difficult to undertake, especially for persons with limited eyesight or dexterity, such as elderly persons with arthritis and similar ailments. Furthermore, such sponges, sponge refill pads and mop heads which have been in use for some time may be generally soiled and considered unhygienic to handle and thus the process of fitting sponge refills may be considered an unsanitary or undesirable task due to the handling of the sponge refills and mop head required.

In addition, if perhaps a different brand of sponge mop refill has been purchased for use with a sponge mop already owned by the user the threads on the sponge refill screws may not fit the screw caps supplied with the sponge mop upon purchase. This may require the consumer to either locate the brand of sponge mop refill intended to be used with their existing sponge mop assembly or to regularly replace the entire sponge mop assembly which involves unnecessary expense.

Furthermore, existing sponge mops, while useful for mopping up liquids and other easily removable substances from generally flat surfaces, cope less well with more difficult cleaning tasks such as removing congealed or otherwise stubborn dirt and spillages, particularly from hard to reach locations. It would be desirable to provide an easily fitted sponge mop accessory able to complement the cleaning range and abilities of existing sponge mop designs without being difficult to fit or handle or otherwise impeding the cleaning action of the sponge mop surface. It would be desirable for the sponge refill to be attached to the sponge mop head by fastening means integral with and unitary to the mop head body.

Many types of connecting devices used for various purposes are also known. The connecting devices or substances may be intended to permanently connect articles together (eg glue, rivets, nails and so on) or alternatively may be intended to removably connect articles together. Examples of connecting means that firmly connect articles and yet permit their later release and separation include buttons, zips, Velcro strips, domes, and screws.

The present invention relates to releasable connecting means that may be used to connect household cleaning product accessories to the body on which they are typically mounted. Particular reference is made to attaching refill sponge pads to mop bodies but it will be appreciated that this example is not intended to be limiting and such connection means are capable of wide scale application.

It would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods enabling the releasable connection of varying kinds of sponge pad refills on a sponge mop assembly without having to purchase brands of a specific construction. Furthermore, an improved sponge mop which allowed for the releasable attachment of an additional cleaning attachment or surface which could remove congealed or otherwise stubborn dirt or spillages would be of advantage.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided there is provided a sponge mop head assembly including means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad without requiring external fastening means to effect said releasable attachment. The external fastening means as referred to herein may include fastening means not unitary to a mop head such as screw caps, bolts, washers, clips or any other external fastening means. It will be appreciated that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a sponge mop head assembly which includes a releasable attachment means adapted to releasably attach a refill sponge pad to the head assembly, said releasable attachment means being integrally formed within the sponge mop head assembly.

A mop head assembly as referred to herein preferably may include a conventional mop head design including a centre block having a recess for the receipt of a mop handle and at least two presser plates pivotably attached to the centre block.

Conventionally a wire yoke passes through or around such a centre block and, when actuated by driving means such as a slide handle connected with an elongate mop handle, drives the presser plates towards each other thereby compressing the sponge pad supported in use underneath the mop head assembly. The general construction and use of such a sponge mop assembly is well known in the art and will not be further described herein. All conventional shapes and configurations of sponge mops are hereby incorporated herein with respect to the applicability of the mop head assembly of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that the mop head as referred to herein, while preferably including a centre block and two presser plates pivotally attached thereto, is described by way of example only and the present invention is not limited to this conventional mop head design of centre block and two pivotally attached presser plates. However, in the mop head assembly as discussed herein the centre block and rearwardly extending recess for an elongate mop handle may be made in one piece and the presser plates and bridge connecting same may be made in a second piece and secured, for example by screws, in a position supported underneath said centre block.

Preferably when the mop head assembly of the present invention, which generally defines a rectangular mop head, has in its planar configuration (not squeezed together), it includes a channel formed between each side of said centre block and each presser plate.

Preferably said pair of channels may extend from the front leading edge of the generally rectangular mop head assembly rearwardly along the top surface of the generally rectangular mop head assembly. It will be appreciated that one function of said channels is to provide a receiving area for the above discussed driving means by a slide handle connected with the elongate mop handle to actuate movement towards each other of said presser plates to squeeze the sponge mop refill supported by the mop head assembly. However, it will be appreciated that any other means used to drive the presser plates together and any shape and/or configuration of same mop head to achieve or permit same is within the scope of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the present invention a releasable attachment means is formed so that by pressing the refill sponge pad and mop head assembly together these components may be releasably attached together.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sponge mop head assembly wherein said releasable attachment means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad may be located within in or on one or both of said presser plates associated with the sponge mop head assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sponge mop head assembly substantially as described above wherein a releasable attachment means employs male or female members associated with a refill sponge pad and male or female members associated with the sponge mop head assembly to releasably retain a refill sponge pad with respect to the mop head assembly.

In one alternative embodiment, the releasable attachment means may include locating lugs in, on or extending through a mop head presser plate which is able to releasably retain a sponge refill by entering into a corresponding receiving aperture in said sponge refill.

In such an embodiment a lug receiving aperture within a sponge refill may be an aperture on a backing plate on the top surface of the rectangular sponge refill pad.

However, in a preferred embodiment a releasable attachment means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad may include a receiving aperture on, in or through one or both of said presser plates able to receive a corresponding locating lug on said sponge refill.

Preferably said locating lug may be provided on the said sponge refill backing plate.

It will be appreciated that a mop head assembly according to the present invention including means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad may be of any shape and construction such that when the mop head assembly is placed above a sponge refill pad male and/or female members on said mop head assembly can releasably engage with corresponding male and/or female members provided within, or on a surface of said sponge pad refill in a manner such that the sponge pad is releasably attached to the mop head assembly. This configuration of the invention may enable normal use of the mop, and also allows the sponge pad to be detached from the mop head assembly without requiring the operation of external fastening means.

Although reference has been made to a releasable attachment means including, for example a lug able to enter an aperture and be releasably retained therein, any other fastening means connected with or unitary to the sponge mop head assembly is within the scope of the present invention. Preferably such alternative fastening means may be of simple operation to aid consumer convenience.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mop head assembly including means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad without requiring external fastening means wherein the mop head assembly is provided with at least one expulsion means adapted to expel a locating lug from an aperture of said releasable attachment means.

In such an embodiment the presser plates of the mop head may be provided expulsion means to expel a locating lug on the sponge refill from apertures within said presser plates.

Preferably an expulsion means may be provided through a presser button located in or proximally to an aperture within said presser plates used to form a releasable attachment means. For example, in one embodiment, pressure on a presser button may contact the locating lug and force said locating lug from the aperture, detaching said sponge refill from said mop head assembly.

It will be appreciated that any other means of detaching a sponge refill fitted to a mop head assembly of the present invention is within the scope of the present invention. For example, although a presser button may be provided in the mop head assembly to enable a user to press a presser button to detach a sponge refill from the mop head assembly, alternatively clips, sliding latches or any kind of actuating device capable of detaching a fitted sponge is within the scope of the present invention. Alternatively, simple force applied by the user may be used to detach a sponge from the releasable attachment means of the mop head assembly, such as by using strength of the user to detach the sponge pad from the mop head assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a mop head assembly including means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad without requiring external fastening means, and

a mop attachment for use on the mop head assembly, said mop attachment including a body said body having releasable retention means for the releasable retention of the attachment by the mop head assembly, and a cleaning surface associated with the attachment body,

wherein said mop attachment is adapted to move with respect to the mop head assembly from an in-use position to an out-of-use position.

The mop attachment shall hereinafter for convenience only be referred to as a mop brush. While the cleaning surface associated with the body of the mop brush may preferably be formed a plurality of bristles, any other non sponge cleaning surface such as a scouring pad, chamois leather, wire wool, rubber wiper blades or similar may be retained on the attachment head to supplement ordinary use of the sponge mop.

Preferably the brush body may be substantially the same length as the rectangular sponge mop head assembly.

Preferably the releasable retention means to releasably attach the brush to the mop head assembly may include at least one attachment lug extending from a brush surface proximal to the leading surface of the mop head assembly when in use. Preferably two such attachment lugs may be provided. Such an attachment lug may be adapted to fit within at least one channel provided within the mop head assembly.

Preferably the mop head assembly may releasably retain the brush by receiving the brush attachment lugs into channels between the centre block and the two presser plates, although any other means for releasably retaining said brush are within the scope of the present invention.

In one embodiment said attachment lugs may be attached to the brush in a fixed extended position such that simple manual insertion of same into said channels releasably retains the brush in connection with the mop head. To remove the brush, force may be used to simply detach the lugs from the channels.

The attachment lugs may be adapted by the provision of attachment-enhancing features, such as protrusions, ridges, clips and similar which aid retention of the lugs by the channels.

In some embodiments the attachment lugs may not be attached to the brush in a fixed extended position. For example, actuating means may be provided on or in association with the brush body to extend and/or lock said one or more attachment lugs into at least one channel provided in the sponge mop head assembly. Such an actuating means may include a switch device that may extend and/or retract the lugs to and/or from the brush body to connect or disconnect the mop attachment to and from the mop head assembly. In additional embodiments such a switch device may further lock the lugs in a certain orientation eg retained within or in connection with said mop head assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sponge mop head assembly substantially as described above wherein the mop attachment is moved between in use and out of use positions by sliding at least one attachment lug within a channel or channels provided between the mop head centre block and presser plates.

Preferably it is the channels that permit the movement of the brush from an in use position axially co-aligned with the mop head assembly such that when the brush is releasably retained by the mop head assembly with the bristles facing down the combined planar cleaning surface created by the sponge and aligned brush is able to effectively clean a substantially planar surface to be cleaned.

Preferably the mop head assembly permits the brush to be moved to an out of use position so as not to hinder cleaning with the sponge only.

Preferably the brush is moved to an out of use position by sliding the brush locating lugs within the channels between the centre block and two presser plates about substantially 90° to sit on top of the mop head assembly.

Preferably the mop head assembly may be adapted to enable the brush to be retained firmly in an in use and out of use position, for example by providing a depression at appropriate channel boundary areas corresponding to the in use and out of use positions of the brush.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a refill sponge pad which includes a layer of sponge, and one or more backing plates disposed on a surface of said layer of sponge, said backing plates having one or more integrally formed protrusions or recesses which are adapted to permit the releasable engagement of the refill sponge pad to a sponge mop head assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sponge refill including a layer of sponge having on an upper surface thereof one or more back plates, said back plates having one or more protrusions or recesses which are of a shape and configuration permitting the releasable engagement of said sponge refill to a sponge mop head assembly without requiring external fasteners to releasably engage said sponge refill.

It will be appreciated that when referred to herein external fasteners comprises conventional fastening devices presently known such as screw nuts or screw caps, wing nuts and so on.

Preferably said one or more protrusions on the sponge refill backing plates may be shaped as tapering attachment lugs.

Preferably said tapering attachment lugs may have a swelling at a distal or free end which is adapted to engage with an aperture of a releasable retention means incorporated into a mop head assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sponge refill wherein said sponge refill is adapted by provision of male and/or female members, (or a combination of same), to be capable of releasable engagement with a mop head assembly by a corresponding retention or engagement member on or in said mop head assembly.

It will also be appreciated that sponge refills according to the present invention are specifically adapted to be able to be used with numerous varying kinds of mop head assemblies and, in addition to being provided with releasable fastening means enabling its releasable attachment to a mop head of the present invention, may be adapted to receive appropriate protrusions from other mop head assemblies also available in the marketplace. A unitary generic sponge refill is accordingly provided. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of releasably connecting a piece of material to a support body using retention means, wherein said retention means do not comprise a threaded screw cap.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of releasably connecting a piece of material to a support body which includes a plurality of apertures including the steps of

(a) providing one or more male members extending from the piece of material,

(b) aligning the male members with apertures provided in the support body,

(c) passing the male members through the apertures in the support body, and

(d) retaining the projecting male members in position with at least one retention means,

wherein said at least one retention means is capable of gripping a male member with a variable shape and/or configuration.

In a preferred embodiment the piece of material desired to be releasably connected to a support body includes a refill sponge pad and the support body includes a mop head. These integers shall hereinafter be referred to as same although it will be appreciated that the present invention is of broad ranging application. For example the single refill sponge pad may alternatively be any other single or plurality of accessory supported on a support body. In addition, whilst reference is made herein to the piece of material bearing male members passing through apertures in the support body and being releasably retained by retention means of the present invention, alternatively the support body may bear male members or be otherwise adapted to enable the releasable retention of the piece of material to the support body without the use of screws. Preferably the male members are supported on a plate on the upper surface of the sponge refill pad. These male members may be located proximate to each short end of a rectangular sponge refill pad in a spaced apart relationship. However other positions or means of attachment of a pair or plurality of male members are within the scope of the present invention.

The outwardly projecting male member on the sponge refill pad may either be a threaded screw or a locating lug. Threaded screws are commonly used in presently available sponge mop assemblies to attach sponge refill pads to the mop head. However the present invention provides embodiments where the threaded screw may be replaced by any alternative connecting means that is capable of passing through apertures in the sponge mop body or of connecting by other means not requiring fastening with a threaded screw cap. The male member shall however be referred to hereinafter as a locating lug.

A locating lug(s) may be of any shape and/or configuration or location on the refill pad capable of releasable fastening to the mop head without the use of a screw cap. However, as exemplified herein the locating lug may include a contoured lug, said lug preferably having an annular depression proximate to the distal or free end of the lug, the distal end of the lug terminating in a swelling such that the overall effect is that a distinct channel represented by the annular depression is provided in the lug.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for the releasable attachment of a piece of material to a support body wherein the piece of material has one or more locating lugs capable of releasably retaining the piece of material in attachment to the support body when retained by retention means. Preferably the lug may be of approximately a height and width comparable to the threaded screws presently available on many brands of sponge refills. It will be appreciated that the measurements and dimensions of such sponge refill pads and threaded screws used for attaching the sponge refill pads to the mop bodies tend to be generic.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided retention means for releasably retaining a piece of material in connection with a support body, wherein the retention means does not comprise a screw cap.

Preferably the retention means capable of releasably retaining the lug includes a body having adaptable gripping means capable of gripping a male member such as a threaded screw or a lug of varying shape and or configuration

The body shall hereinafter be referred to as a clip. The clip may be adapted to be capable of receiving any kind of connecting means used to releasably secure the refill pad to a mop head body. For example, not only by virtue of its shape and configuration may it be capable of releasably gripping threaded screws presently provided on sponge refill pads, it may be capable of releasably attaching any kind of upwardly projecting male member(s) attached to sponge refill pads, such as the lugs of the present invention or other types of male members

As exemplified herein, the clip may be adapted to receive the locating lug on the sponge refill pad by being adapted to provide a clip body having an upper clip surface and a lower clip surface. As exemplified herein the lower clip surface may have extending downwardly therefrom a plurality of resilient gripping members having inwardly bearing projections on the lowest ends thereof. When the resilient gripping members are forced over the swelling on the uppermost surface of the locating lug, the inwardly bearing projections slide into the channel proximal to the upper end of the lug such that the clip and the locating lug releasably engage. The dimensions of the lug and clip may be such that the clip may be removed from the lug for example to permit replacement of a sponge refill pad onto a mop head body by exerting upward pressure on the clip such that the resilient downwardly projecting legs are forced over the head of the locating lug and the clip thereby removed.

It will be appreciated that any other kind (excepting screw caps) of releasable clip is within the scope of the present invention eg straps, latches, bulldog clips and so on.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for releasably connecting one or more pieces of material to a support body wherein the one or more pieces of material do not have threaded screws as connecting means.

It will be appreciated that an object of the present invention is to achieve the releasable attachment of a sponge pad to a mop head without requiring the use of screw caps. Alternatively, a clip able to releasably attach projections of varying shape and configuration is provided. Any releasable fastening means and apparatus capable of achieving the above object, of whatever arrangement, location and configuration, is within the scope of the present invention. For example it will be appreciated that similar locating lugs may be located on or about the support body rather than the refill pad, or may have a different mode of connection to the support body rather than passing thought apertures therein. All fastening means which are not screw caps and which are able to be used across a range of mop brands without requiring specific male members or retention members are hereby considered within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a mop head assembly according to one aspect of the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a backing plate design for fitting to the top of a sponge refill pad to enable the releasable attachment of same to a mop head assembly of the present invention; and

Figure 3a is a front view of a mop head assembly of the present invention having a sponge pad refill fitted thereto, and

Figure 3b is a rear perspective view of the mop head assembly of Figure 3 a

Figure 4 is a top view of a mop attachment for use on a mop head assembly with a mop head assembly of the present invention,

Figures 5a, b, c, d are rear, front, top and side views of the accessory shown in Figure 4

Figures 6a, b are sectional views of a mop attachment according to one aspect of the present invention in an out of use and planar in use position respectively

Figures 7a, b, c are side views of the mop attachment according to one aspect of the present invention in transit from an in use position to an out of use position Figure 8 is a sectional view of a male member in connection with a piece of material according to one aspect of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of a retention means in accordance with another aspect of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 releasably connected to each other,

Figures 11a, b, c are side, bottom and plan views respectively of a retention means according to a further aspect of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a sponge mop head assembly generally indicated by the arrow 1 including means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad (not shown) without requiring external fastening means to effect said releasable attachment. The mop head assembly in this Figure comprises a centre block 3 having a rearwardly extending recess 5 for the receipt of a mop handle (not shown in this Figure) and two presser plates 7,9 respectively in pivotal attachment in relation to centre block 3.

Also shown is wire yoke 11, the actuation of which by a driving means (not shown) pivots the presser plates 7,9 downwards to compress a sponge refill pad supported underneath mop head assembly 1 (sponge refill pad not shown).

Shown in this Figure is a channel 13 defined between centre plate 3 and edges of presser plate 7 and 9 proximal thereto.

The releasable attachment means for the releasable attachment of a refill sponge pad without requiring external fastening means are in this Figure located in presser plates 7 and 9 as exemplified by aperture 15. Aperture 15 is in this case a substantially tubular channel tapering at the upper end thereof.

Referring to Figure 2, a backing plate according to a further aspect of the present invention is generally indicated by arrow 17 and includes locating lug 19. Referring to presser plate 9, a backing plate is shown releasably attached such that locating lug 19 has penetrated aperture 15. hi this embodiment locating lug 19 is of a tapering configuration with a swelling at the distal end thereof which is able to be pressed past the neck 21 of the boundaries of aperture 15 thereby aiding the releasable retention of locating lug 19.

Also illustrated is means to expel said locating lug 19 to detach the sponge refill (not shown) comprising a presser button 23 on the upper surface of presser plates 7,9. It can be seen that downward pressure exerted on presser button 23 pushes the end of lug 19 through the neck 21 of the walls of aperture 15, thereby detaching the backing plate 17 and sponge attached thereto from the mop head assembly 1. In presser plate 7 the presser button 23 is shown in a depressed position.

Referring to backing plate 17, the backing plate 17 is adapted in this case to provide an aperture 25 capable of receiving protrusions on the lower surface of mop head assemblies generally available in the market. Backing plate 17 may be adapted as is required to enable the performance of the present invention and yet be transferable between presently available mop head assemblies.

Referring to Figure 3 there is illustrated a mop head assembly of the present invention having a refill sponge pad 27 attached thereto. Visible in this embodiment are the channels 13 between the central block 3 and presser plate 7 and 9. Also visible are depressions 26,28 aiding fitting of any sponge mop attachment 31 (not shown) desired to be attached. Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated a mop head assembly 1 with a sponge mop attachment 31 represented by brush body 30 aligned for fitting to mop head assembly 1. To achieve this the brush body 30 is in this embodiment fitted with attachment lugs 32 extending therefrom capable of engaging with mop head assembly 1. Lugs 32 are inserted into channels 13 between the centre plate 3 and side plates 7,9. It can be seen the lugs 32 are adapted by the provision of hooks at the end thereof aiding releasable retention in channels 13 one inserted therein. Although the sponge mop attachment 31 may be in connection with the mop head assembly 1 in any desired manner, as shown in this figure the brush body 30 is provided with means to aid releasable retention of brush body 30 in connection with the mop head assembly in the form of cam lever 34. Rotation of cam lever 34 from one position to another may extend and or move lugs 32 from an unlocked position to a locked position with the channels of mop head assembly 1. To detach lugs 32 from mop head assembly 1 the cam lever may be rotated in an opposite direction thereby unlocking the brush body from its releasable retention by the channels 13. It will be appreciated that this exemplified means of releasably attaching the brush attachment to the mop head assembly still permits upward and downward movement of the brush attachment 31 in relation to the mop head assembly 1 as is shown in the following Figures 6 and 7.

Referring to Figures 5a-d, brush body 30 is shown having bristles 36 on a lower surface thereof, outwardly extending attachment lugs 32 and cam lever 36 on a top surface thereof. The rearwardly sloping leading surface 38 thereof which facilitates bristle access against upright surfaces is also visible. It will be appreciated the brush body 30 and attachment method to the mop head 1 may be of any desired method shape or configuration.

In figures 6a and 6b a sectional view shows one particular method of construction of the brush attachment 31 including cam lever 34 and the positioning of the brush body at substantially 90 degrees to the mop head body 1 and in a planar axially aligned in use position.

Figures 7a to 7c show brush attachment 31 travelling from an in use position aligned with the sponge mop refill 27to provide a combined cleaning surface and then being pushed upward to an out of use position on top of the mop head assembly 1 by being simply pushed along the guides provided by channels 13.

Referring to Figure 8 there is illustrated a sectional view of an apparatus attached to a piece of material (not shown but for example comprising a sponge refill pad) comprising a locating lug 1 capable of releasably retaining the piece of material in attachment to a support body (not shown) when retained by retention means (not shown).

The locating lug 1 can be seen to comprise a contoured lug having an annular depression 3 proximate to the distal end of the locating lug 1, the distal end of the locating lug 1 terminating in a swelling 5.

Referring to Figure 9 there is illustrated a sectional view of a retention means represented by clip 7 adapted to receive a locating lug 1 (not shown in this Figure) by providing a clip body having an upper clip surface 9 and a lower clip surface 11. The lower clip surface is in this embodiment adapted to have extending downwardly therefrom a plurality of resilient gripping members 13 having inwardly bearing projections 15 on the lowest ends thereof. The resilient gripping members 13 define a channel 17 through the clip body 7 and resilient gripping members 13. Also shown in this Figure are members of a mop body 21 having an aperture 19 therethrough.

Referring to Figure 10 there is illustrated the locating lug 1 passing through the aperture in mop body 21, the resilient gripping members 13 gripping the distal or free end of locating lug 1, releasably retaining same, and thus the sponge refill (not shown) in connection with the mop head assembly.

Referring to Figures 11a, lib, lie one possible arrangement of the resilient gripping members 13 is shown, in this case having four resilient gripping members 13 shown, yet it will be appreciated that the retention means of the present invention may be of any shape and/or configuration capable of releasably gripping protrusions from a sponge pad refill.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1 A sponge mop head assembly which includes a releasable attachment means adapted to releasably attach a refill sponge pad to the head assembly, said releasable attachment means being integrally formed within the sponge mop head assembly.

2 A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in claim 1 which includes a centre block having a recess adapted to receive a mop handle, and at least two presser plates pivotably attached to the centre block.

3 A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the releasable attachment means allows a refill sponge pad to be attached by pressing the pad and mop head assemblies together.

4 A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3 wherein the releasable attachment means is located substantially within at least one of said presser plates of the sponge mop head assembly.

5 A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in any previous claim wherein the releasable attachment means employs male or female members associated with a refill sponge pad and male or female members associated with the sponge mop head assembly to releasably retain a refill sponge pad with respect to the mop head assembly.

6 A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the releasable attachment means includes an aperture located in at least one of said presser plates adapted to receive a locating lug associated with a sponge refill pad. A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in any previous claim which includes at least one expulsion means adapted to expel a locating lug from an aperture of said releasable attachment means.

A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein an expulsion means is provided by a presser button located in or in close proximity to a releasable attachment means aperture within a presser plate.

A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein an expulsion means when actuated, is adapted to contact a locating lug and force same from an aperture of the releasable attachment means.

A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in any previous claim which includes a mop attachment for use with the mop head assembly, said mop attachment including a body, the body including a releasable retention means adapted to releasably retain the attachment with respect to the mop head assembly, and

a cleaning surface associated with the attachment body,

wherein the mop head attachment is adapted to move with respect to the mop head assembly from an in use to an out of use position.

A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the mop head attachment includes a brush formed from a plurality of bristles.

A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in either claims 10 or 11 wherein the releasable retention means is formed from at least one attachment lug adapted to fit within at least one channel provided within the mop head assembly. A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in claim 12 which includes an actuation means adapted to extend and/or lock said one or more attachment lugs into at least one channel provided with the sponge mop head assembly.

A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the actuating means includes a switching device adapted to extend and/or retract the lugs to connect or disconnect the mop attachment to and from the mop head assembly.

A sponge mop head assembly as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the mop attachment is moved between in use and out of use positions by sliding at least one attachment lug within a channel or channels provided between the mop head centre block and presser plates.

A refill sponge pad which includes a layer of sponge, and one or more backing plates disposed on a surface of said layer of sponge, said backing plates having one or more integrally formed protrusions or recesses which are adapted to permit the releasable engagement of the refill sponge pad to a sponge mop head assembly.

A refill sponge pad as claimed in claim 16 wherein a protrusion formed on said backing plate is shaped as a tapering attachment lug.

A refill sponge pad as claimed in claim 17 wherein an attachment lug includes a swollen free end adapted to engage to with a releasable retention means of a mop head assembly.

A method of releasably connecting a piece of material to a support body which includes a plurality of apertures, including the steps of: A sponge mop head assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

A refill sponge pad substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

A method of manufacturing and using a sponge mop head assembly and refill sponge pad substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings and/or examples.