WO2012130123A1

WO2012130123A1 - Steam mop with detachable sweeper head

Info

Publication number: WO2012130123A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/073045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wai Cheung Lee; Raymon Wai Man Wong
Original assignee: Kwonnie Electrical Products Limited
Priority date: 2011-03-25
Filing date: 2012-03-26
Publication date: 2012-10-04
Also published as: WO2012130123A9; CN202036163U

Abstract

A steam generator (12) provides steam to a mop head (11) with a base adapted to traverse a surface to be cleaned. A sweeper head (30) comprising a casing (31) enclosing a rotary broom (32) and a dust receptacle (304), is releasably or movably connected to the mop head (11) by couplers (41,102) such that the steam mop can be used as a combined steam mop and sweeper, or as a standalone steam mop with improved access to difficult-to-reach areas.

Description

STEAM MOP WITH DETACHABLE SWEEPER HEAD Technical field

The present invention relates to a steam mop, and in particular a steam mop including a sweeper. Background of the Invention

Typically cleaning a floor first involves removing loose dust and debris, before a cleaning solution is applied to the surface. One type of floor care appliance which has been found to be very useful for performing these operations is the steam mop incorporating a sweeper. The user can start by using the appliance to sweep up loose material before using the same appliance for steam mopping. However, it is found in practice that known steam mops possess some drawbacks. One drawback is that they do not allow a user to easily direct steam to hard to access surfaces. For instance, the ability to steam clean closed corners is restricted by the typical arrangement of the sweeper, where the broom extends across the front part of the cleaning head. Even for cleaning along the edges of walls, for instance, the user has to be aware of the placement of the broom and adapt their cleaning technique to compensate for the area bounding the broom where steam is not distributed. On the other hand, in models where the steam is distributed to parts of the cleaning head surrounding the broom, the cleaning broom and debris receptacle can become sources of contamination, and it is difficult to ensure that they are kept sufficiently clean. It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages or, more generally, to provide an improved steam mop. Disclosure of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a steam mop comprising: a mop head having a base adapted to traverse a surface to be cleaned; a steam generator for providing steam to the mop head; a handle mounted to the mop head; a sweeper head comprising a casing enclosing a rotary broom and a dust receptacle, and couplers by which the sweeper head is releasably or movably connected to the mop head, such that the steam mop can be used as a combined steam mop and sweeper, or as a standalone steam mop.

This invention provides a floor care appliance which is effective and efficient in operational use, which offers a modular construction and versatile operation. The device has an overall simple design which minimizes manufacturing costs and maximizes performance. By providing a releasable or movable sweeper head the flexibility of the steam mop is enhanced, allowing it to be used to remove loose material prior to steam mopping, while steam mopping performance is not compromised, particularly the ability to access internal corners or other difficult-to- access areas. The rotary broom may be adapted to rotate about an axis parallel to a floor- engaging surface of the sweeper head, or alternatively the rotary broom may rotate about an axis perpendicular or inclined to the floor-engaging surface. The rotary broom may be electrically driven, or mechanically driven as by a wheel engaging the floor. Preferably the couplers make the sweeper head releasably connected to the mop head, so that the sweeper head may be completely detached from the mop head. The sweeper head, when removed, may be used as a stand-alone sweeper. Alternatively, the couplers may comprise a mechanism, such as a hinge mechanism or a guideway, allowing the sweeper head to be moved relative to the mop head between a deployed position, in which the sweeper head is fixed relative to the mop head and positioned for sweeping, and a stored position where the sweeper head is stored when not required for use, as in a raised position raised above the mop head so as not to interfere with access of the mop head into internal corners etc while remaining connected to the mop head.

Preferably the couplers comprise complementary male and female couplers mutually engageable by movement along a coupling axis, and a latch for restricting relative movement between the male and female couplers along the coupling axis. By providing a single male and female coupler pair a simple coupling, with intuitive operation is provided.

Preferably the casing comprises a hand grip for holding the sweeper head, the hand grip being elongated substantially transverse to an axis of rotation of the rotary broom, and a push-button actuable to release the latch. Preferably the push-button is disposed proximate one end of the hand grip. In this manner an ergonomically efficient arrangement is provided for readily demounting the sweeper head.

Preferably the latch comprises a locking member moveable between an extended position for engaging a latching surface and a retracted position, and a resilient member for urging the locking member to its extended position Preferably the coupling axis is substantially upright in use, and the locking member is moveable transverse to the coupling axis between its extended and retracted positions, and the push-button and locking member have respective bevelled faces which are mutually engaged. Preferably the sweeper head further comprises an electric motor connected to the rotary broom by an endless belt, the rotary broom is disposed along an outermost side of the sweeper head, the rotary broom extending alongside the dust receptacle between the rotary broom and the mop head.

Preferably the rotary broom comprises bristles arrayed helically, and the sweeper head further comprises a hinged door that closes an opening on the underside of the dust receptacle.

Preferably a window is arranged on a top cover of the casing, allowing the rotation of the rotary broom and the contents of the dust receptacle to be observed.

Preferably a sealed electrical coupling is provided between the mop head and the sweeper head, whereby when the couplers mechanically connect the mop head and the sweeper head, the sealed electrical coupling electrically connects the electric motor to the mop head. Preferably the sealed electrical coupling comprises a pin enclosed by a flexible polymeric sleeve, which is received in a socket, the mouth of which is closed by a seal. Thus, mechanically disconnecting the sweeper head from the mop head also serves to electrically disconnect the sweeper, without separate switch operation to disconnect the power supply. Brief Description of the Drawings

Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the steam mop of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view of the steam mop of Fig. 1 ;

Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the steam mop of Fig. 1 showing the sweeper head removed and viewed from the front and rear of the mop head respectively;

Figure 5 is a section in an upright longitudinal plane showing the sweeper head disconnected from the mop head, and

Figure 6 is a section like Fig. 5 showing the sweeper head connected to the mop head.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings, a steam mop comprises a mop head 1 1 adapted to traverse a surface to be cleaned, such as a floor. A steam generator 12 provides steam to the mop head 1 1 and is disposed on an elongate handle assembly 20 is mounted to the mop head 1 1. A sweeper head 30 comprises a casing 31 enclosing a rotary broom 32 and a dust receptacle 304. Couplers 41 , 102 releasably connect the mop head 1 1 to the sweeper head 30 such that the steam mop can be used as a combined steam mop and sweeper, or as a standalone steam mop when the sweeper head has been removed.

As best seen in Figs 5 and 6, the couplers 41 , 102 comprise male coupler 41 and complementary female coupler 102 which are fixed to respective ones of the sweeper head 30 and mop head 1 1 and which are mutually engageable by movement along a coupling axis 70. A latch comprises a locking member 42 moveable between an extended position (Figs 5 and 6) for engaging a latching surface 101 and a retracted position (not shown), the locking member 42 thus restricting relative movement between the male and female couplers 41 , 102 along the coupling axis 70. A resilient member or spring 43 urges the locking member 42 to its extended position.

The casing 31 comprises a hand grip 314 for holding and carrying the sweeper head 30, the hand grip 314 being elongated substantially transverse to an axis of rotation of the rotary broom 32. A push-button 44 may be disposed in a recess 303 in the casing 31 proximate one end of the hand grip 314 such that the push-button 44 can move up and down in the recess 303. The push-button 44 and locking member 42 have respective bevelled faces 441 , 421 which are mutually engaged, such that pushing the push-button 44 moves the locking member 42 transverse to the coupling axis 70 to its retracted position (not shown) where it is disengaged from the latching surface 101 to release the latch. Referring to Fig. 1 , the sweeper head 30 further comprises an electric motor 322 connected to the rotary broom 32 by an endless belt 323. The rotary broom 32 is disposed along an outermost side of the sweeper head 30, with the rotary broom 32 extending alongside the dust receptacle 304, between the rotary broom 32 and the mop head 1 1. The rotary broom 32 may comprises bristles or radially-projecting arrayed helically, and the sweeper head 30 further comprises a hinged door 315 that closes an opening on the underside of the dust receptacle 304. A fastener 316 holds the door 315 closed.

Two windows 301 may be provided in the sweeper head 30 in a top cover of the casing 31 , each window 301 being covered by a lens 313, allowing the rotation of the rotary broom 32 and the contents of the dust receptacle 304 to be observed.

A sealed electrical coupling is provided between the mop head 1 1 and the sweeper head 30, whereby when the couplers 41 , 102 mechanically connect the mop head 1 1 and the sweeper head 30, the sealed electrical coupling may comprise a pin 33 extending from the casing 31 and electrically connected to a circuit for controlling the electric motor 322. The pin 33 is received in the socket 103 to electrically couple the sweeping apparatus 30 to the power supply provided on the mop head.

The steam mop body 10 includes a steam distribution assembly 1 1 coupled to the steam generator 12 from which it receives steam. The distribution assembly 1 1 includes a bottom plate 1 1 1 , a cover 1 12 and a mop pad 1 13 which may comprise a generally rectangular frame to which a cloth is fastened to cover the planar base of the mop head 1 1. A front side of the cover 1 12 generally abuts the sweeper head 30, while the handle 20 is connected to the opposing rear side of the mop head 1 1.

In normal use, connecting the sweeper head 30 to the mop head 1 1 only requires placing the sweeper head 30 alongside the mop head 1 1 and aligning the couplers 41 , 102 with the coupling axis 70, lowering the sweeper head 30 the female coupler 102 receives the male coupler 41 and when lowered home abutment surfaces of the sweeper head 30 may engage complementary surfaces of the mop head 1 1 whereupon the locking member 42 is in registration with the latching surface 101 , and the locking member 42 is urged outwardly by the spring to thereby restricting relative movement between the male and female couplers 41 , 102 along the axis 70. The appliance can then be used to sweep the floor before steam mopping of the floor. When it is desired to steam clean hard to access surfaces the sweeper head 30 is demounted. Firstly, the user grasps the hand grip 314 with the fingers, while pushing down the push-button 44 with the thumb to move the locking member 44 to its retracted position. Then, lifting up the sweeper head 30, the sweeper head 30 is separated from the steam mop head 1 1. Conveniently, the sweeper head 30 can be readily cleaned and dust emptied after it is detached. The mop head 1 1 can then be used separately to mop hard to access surfaces such as internal corners.

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.

Claims

1. A steam mop comprising: a mop head having a base adapted to traverse a surface to be cleaned; a steam generator for providing steam to the mop head; a handle mounted to the mop head; a sweeper head comprising a casing enclosing a rotary broom and a dust receptacle, and couplers by which the sweeper head is releasably or movably connected to the mop head, such that the steam mop can be used as a combined steam mop and sweeper, or as a standalone steam mop.

2. The steam mop of claim 1 wherein the couplers comprise complementary male and female couplers mutually engageable by movement along a coupling axis, and a latch for restricting relative movement between the male and female couplers along the coupling axis.

3. The steam mop of claim 2 wherein the casing comprises a hand grip for holding the sweeper head, the hand grip being elongated substantially transverse to an axis of rotation of the rotary broom , and a push-button actuable to release the latch.

The steam mop of claim 2 wherein the push-button is disposed proximate end of the hand grip.

5. The steam mop of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the latch comprises a locking member moveable between an extended position for engaging a latching surface and a retracted position, and a resilient member for urging the locking member to its extended position.

6. The steam mop of claim 5 wherein the coupling axis is substantially upright in use, and the locking member is moveable transverse to the coupling axis between its extended and retracted positions, and the push-button and locking member have respective bevelled faces which are mutually engaged.

7. The steam mop of claim 1 wherein the sweeper head further comprises an electric motor connected to the rotary broom by an endless belt, the rotary broom is disposed along an outermost side of the sweeper head, the rotary broom extending alongside the dust receptacle between the rotary broom and the mop head.

8. The steam mop of claim 7 wherein the sweeper head further comprises a hinged door that closes an opening on the underside of the dust receptacle.

9. The steam mop of claim 1 wherein a window is arranged on a top cover of the casing, allowing the rotation of the rotary broom and the contents of the dust receptacle to be observed.

10. The steam mop of claim 1 wherein a sealed electrical coupling is provided between the mop head and the sweeper head, whereby when the couplers mechanically connect the mop head and the sweeper head, the sealed electrical coupling electrically connects the electric motor to the mop head.

11. The steam mop of claim 10 wherein the sealed electrical coupling comprises a pin enclosed by a flexible polymeric sleeve, which is received in a socket, the mouth of which is closed by a seal.

12. The steam mob of any one of the preceding claims wherein the sweeper head, when removed, may be used as a stand-alone sweeper.