CA 02302039 2000-02-25
WO 99/09876 PCT/US98/00637
MOPS AND MOP COMPONENTS
RELATED APPLICATIOTT
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 60/057,088, filed August 27, 199?,
the disclosure of which is. hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
io
TECBrTICAL FIELD OF TBE . INVEZZTION
The present invention is directed toward mops, and
more specifically, is in the field of butterfly mops .
~ BACKGROOND OF T~ INVENTION
M~1s
~h~ v i
h
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aracter
A butterfly mop
zed in that it comprises
an elongate, foldable, compressible, liquid-absorbent.
member, such~as a sponge, which is disposed at one end of a
mop shaft, and which is used to absorb liquid, typically
2o water, from a surface. When it is desired to expel liquid
from the absorbent member, portions of the absorbent member
are folded over one another along a transverse axis of the
absorbent member and are compressed, using a folding
mechanism such as a roller or track. Butterfly mops are so
named because the folding and unfolding of the absorbent
member along its transverse axis is said to resemble the
6s'~~',q .
r motion ofv the .wings of a, butterfly.
One typical butterfly mop is shown in U.S. Patent
_ 2,892,201. As shown therein, the butterfly mop includes an
3o elongate liquid absorbent member, a plate connected to a
surface of each "wing" of the liquid absorbent member, and
an activating rod pivotally connected to a portion of each
of the plates adjacent the other. plate. The plates are
drawn along the dual arms of a yoke-like track to thereby
fold the liquid absorbent member over onto itself and to
a compress the liquid absorbent member within a compression
space disposed between and defined by the dual anus of the
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track. Numerous other butterfly mops are known in the
prior art.
A conenon problem with conventional butterfly mops is
the difficulty inherent in manually applying sufficient
s force to the actuating mechanism to fold the liquid
absorbent member over onto itself and to compress the
liquid absorbent member sufficiently to satisfactorily
expel liquid therefrom. Indeed, in typical butterfly mops,
substantial physical effort may be required to compress the
io absorbent member. Another drawback lies in the difficulty
of removing a spent liquid absorbent member and of
attaching a new liquid absorbent member. Known absorbent
. members-typically are sized to. be received by, and: supported
on only one type of mop. A liquid absorbent member from '
is one mop often will not fit on a second mop, and thus
retailers must stock many different sizes of mop elements.
It is a general object of the present invention to
provide a mop that overcomes these drawbacks of earlier
mops .
sY og ~ urvscrr=o~
The invention overcomes these, drawbacks by providing a
mop including a channel body comprising spaced-apart first
and second leg portions defining a channel therebetween.
2s The~channel body uniquely cooperates with an elongate mop
element comprising a foldable, compressible liquid.
absorbent n~aber. In accordance with the invention, the
channel body and mop element are disposed in a relatively
hinged relationship with respect to one another along a
3-o hinge line lying along a longitudinal axis of the mop
element. The mop element aad the channel body are
relatively movable over a range of travel between an open
mop element position and a closed position wherein the mop
element is folded about a central transverse portion and is
3s rotated to a position within the channel. A tension rod
2 '
CA 02302039 2000-02-25
WO 99109876 PGT/US98/00637
. connects a manually operable handle to the central portion
of the mop element remote from the channel hinge portion
for effecting relative hinged movement of the mop element
and the channel body. When tension'is applied to the rod,
the liquid absorbent member is drawn into the channel and
is compressed therewithin to thereby expel water therefrom,
the mop element folding about its transverse central
portion upon compression. The relatively hinged
relationship of the mop element and the channel body and
la the butterfly action of the absorbent member provides a
leveraged relationship that effectively multiplies the
force aQplied by an operator to fold and compress the mop
element. This leveraged relationship reduces the manual
force necessary to draw the absorbent member into the
i5 channel to thereby expel liquid therefrom. In accordance
with preferred embodiments of the invention, the actuating
handle is pivotally mounted to the. shaft about a pivot
axis, and comprises an elongate member tez<ainating in an
operator gripping portion, whereby a pivotal motion of the
2o gripping portion relative to the shaft creates tension in
the rod.
In accordance with particularly preferred embodiments
of the invention, the mop includes a mop element support
having a first wing, and a second wing, and a link portion
v"w'~ supported on the body and including a, liquid absorbent mop
2s ~
element mounted on the wings. In this embodiment, the
first leg portion of. the channel body includes a first
roller rotatably journalled thereto aad engaging the first
wing, and the second leg .portion includes a second roller
rotatably journalled thereto and engaging the second wing.
The rollers and wings serve to guide the liquid absorbent
mop element into the channel.
In accordance with a highly preferred embodiment of
the invention, the mop element includes a compressible
35 liquid absorbent outer layer and a flexible, relatively
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WO 99/09876- PGT/US98/00637
tough inner layer adapted to overlie the mop element
support. The wings of the support are provided with
apertures Which align respectively with apertures in the
inner layer of the mop element. Fasteners are used to
s maintain the inner layer against the support. Most
preferably, the fasteners comprise a rivet portion having ,
an apertured head and a longitudinally slotted outer
sleeve, and an inner pin portion having a headed end and
an operative end opposite thereof. By introducing the
io headed end of the pin portion into the slot of the rivet
portion, the pin engages and enlarges the outer sleeve to
removably retain the inner~layer and wing together. By
so attaching the mop element to the mop element support,
- the mop element may be quickly and easily removed when
i5 spent, and may be readily replaced with a fresh mop
element. The mop element may be provided with plural
apertures sized to fit a variety of mop element supports.
DESCRIFTIO~T OF TSE DRAWINGS
20 - Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially cut-away, of
the mop of the invention.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the operator
handle of the mop
shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the mop element end
2s of the mop shown
in Fig. 1, illustrating
the mop element in
'an upwardly facing
position.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view, partially cut-away,
of the mop element
end of the mop shown
in Fig. 1,
illustrating the mop
element in a downwardly
facing
3o position.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the mop element end
shown in Figs. 1-4 showing the mop element as it is being
drawn into the channel body.
Fig. 6 is as enlarged plan view of the mop element end .
35 shown in Figs. 1-5, showing the mop element fully withdrawn
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WO 99/09876 PCT/US98/00637
into the channel body.
Fig. 7 is a side representational view of .the mop of
Figs. 1-6, showing the mop element fully withdrawn into the
~ channel body as shown in Fig. 6.
s Fig. 8 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of
the mop element assembly of the mop of the invention,
illustrating the mop element and a portion of the mop
element support.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fastener useful in
to conjunction with the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention, showing the mop element~~secured to the mop
.element support with two of the fasteners shown in Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative
is embodiment of the mop of the present invention.
While the foregoing drawings are described with
reference to the "upwardly" and "downwardly" facing
positions, it should be. understood that these designations
refer to the floor engaging position and are for convenient
2o reference only. In practice, the mop of the invention has
no spatial orientation.
DESC&IPTIOTT OF TSE INVSNTIO~T
Referring now to Figs. 1-4, the butterfly mop 20
generally includes a mop shaft 21 having a mopping end 22
' r'~~.'~'j 2s
, the mopping end 22 is,a
and a gripping end 24.. Disposed at
mop element assembly. 25 including a mop elemeat 26 and,
a
mop element support 27.~ The, mop element 26 includes an
absorbent member of spongy material as shown
in Fig . 1 and
3o a flexible, relatively tough inner layer (not shown in Fig.
1) which is secured to the support 27 by fasteners 76, 77.
At the gripping end 24 of the mop shaft 21 is disposed a
hanger clip 29 for supporting the mop for storage.
With particular reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the mop
3s element 26 comprises a. flexible, compressible absorbent
5.
...,\
.
\
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WO 99/09876 PGT/US98/00637
member which absorbs liquid and from which liquid may be
expelled upon compression thereof. The mop element has a
longitudinal axis 31 and a central transverse axis 32
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 31. The
s central axis 32 divides the mop element generally into two
regions, a first region 34 and a second region 35. The mop
element is disposed on the mop element support 27, which
support comprises a first wing 37 and a second wing 38
generally coinciding with respective regions 34, 35 of the
io mop element 26.~ As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, the
support 27 includes a link 40 connected to the wings 37, 38
such that the wings are hingedly secured to first and
second link arms 42, 43, respectively. The support further
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ng t
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t
includes biasing mean
is respective mop element regions toward longitudinally
aligned positions. Preferably, the biasing means comprises
a dual coiled spring 45 having first and second legs 47, 48
(shown in phantom in Fig. 4) engaging the respective. wings
37, 38. Alternatively, the biasing means may comprise two
2o single coil springs (not shown) or another suitable spring
mechanism.
The mop further includes a channel body 50, as shown,
for example, in Figs. 1, 3, and 4. With reference to Fig.
4, the channel body 50 includes a first leg 51 and a second
25 leg 52 connected by a bight portion 54, and a channel.55
generally defined by a space between the first leg 51~ and
the second leg 52. First and second rollers 58, 59 are
rotatably journalled respectively on the first and second
legs 51, 52 and positioned continuously to engage
3o respectively the first and second wings 37, 38. The
' ' channel body 50 may be secured to the shaft by any suitable
means, such as by fastener 56 as shown in Fig. 4.
In accordance with the invention, the mop element 26
is disposed in a relatively hinged relationship with
3s respect to the channel body 50. In a preferred embodiment,
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WO 99/09876 PCTNS98/00637
the link 40 of the mop element support 27 is connected to
the channel body 50 at a trunnion 61, as illustrated in
Fig. 4. The hinged mounting of the link 40 in the trunnion
- 61 defines a hinge line 62 across the width of the link 40,
s which hinge line is generally perpendicular to the
transverse central axis 32 of the mop element 26. The
hinged relationship between the mop element 26 and the
channel body 50 and the wedging action as the wings 37, 38
are drawn between the rollers 58, 59 provides effective
io multiplication of the force applied to the mop element 26
as it is drawn into the channel body 50, thus easing the
wringing operation: . , Tabs disposed in the . wing may..
be
provided to inhibit translation of the mop element along
its longitudinal axis.
is An actuation mechanism 66 is provided for wringing the
mop, as shown in Fig. 1. The actuation mechanism 66
preferably comprises a tension rod 68 having an 'operator
end connected to a handle 69. As shown in Fig. 2, the
handle 69 is generally elongate and includes an operator
20 gripping portion 71, a pivotal connection 73 to the tension
rod 68 and a pivot 79 for connection to mop shaft (not
shown in Fig.. 2). The tension rod is operatively connected
to the mop element assembly 25, and preferably is connected
to the mop element 26 via the mop element,support 27. By
2s applying tension to the tension rod 68, the operator causes
the 'mop element 26 to move hingedly with respect to the
channel body 50 and to be drawn into and compressed within
the channel 55.
Operation of the mop is progressively illustrated in
3o the plan views of Figs. 4-6 and in the side view of Fig. 7.
The mop element is shown ~.n a mopping position in Fig. 4.
When it is desired to expel liquid from the mop element,
,,
tension is applied to the tension rod 68 (shown in Figs. 5
and 6) whereupon the mop element 26 begins to fold along
3s the central transverse axis 32 and to be drawn into the
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channel body 50. Fig. 5. illustrates the mop element when
partially drawn into the channel body, and Figs. 6 and 7
illustrate the mop element when fully withdrawn.into the
channel body. During operation, the wings 37, 38 travel in
a complex path including a generally arcuate path, as
illustrated by arrow 74 in Fig. 7. In the embodiment ,
illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the mop element is secured to
the mop element support with screw-type fasteners 76, 77
which pass through apertures in the wings 37 and 38 and
io which are secured in threaded apertures in the inner layer
of the mop element 2 6 .
The operator handle 69 is pivotally mounted to the
pivotal mounting 79 as shown, for example,
shaft 21 at the
. ..n~_e
.i.n Fig. 1. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the tension
is rod 68 has an eyelet 70 which extends around a shaped
intermediate portion 30 of link 40 between arms 42,and 43.
The rod 68 is also secured to the handle 69 at a pivotal
connection 73 disposed between the handle operator gripping
portion and the pivotal mounting of the handle on the shaft
2o as a second order lever.
Fig. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
mop 20~ of the invention utilizing a handle 69' having a
central pivot point 79'. The tension rod 68' is disposed
on the opposite end of the shaft 21' and is secured ~to the
2s handle 69' at pivot 73'. In this embodiment, the tension
rod extends through an aperture 80' in the connecting
'portion 54' of the channel body 50'. The pivotal mounting
79' of the handle 69' to the shaft 21' is disposed between
the operator gripping portion of the handle 69' and the
3o pivotal connection 73' of the handle 69' to the tension rod
68' as a first order lever. .
A preferred embodiment of the mop ~ element of the
invention is illustrated in Fig. 8~. In this embodiment,
the mop element 100 is a laminar structure, and comprises a
as compressible liquid absorbent member 101 having a support
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surface 102, which preferably is a generally planar
surface. Overlying at least a portion of the support
surface is a flexible, relatively tough inner layer 104,
which preferably is made of plastic, such as polypropylene.
s The inner layer 104 is adapted to overlie a mop element
. support 106 (partially shown in Fig. 8). The inner layer
106 may be continuous, but is preferably discontinuous
across the central transverse aXis 107 of the mop element
100, and preferably includes spacing ribs 109 on at least a
io portion thereof.
Many known mop elements designed for use with
butterfly mops include two upwardly and inwardly extending
threaded posts positioned for alignment with respective
~'~a;,
l
ement support. The mop element is
holes in the mop e
is secured to the support by inserting the posts into the
aligned apertures and securing the post with a threaded
cap. In accordance with the. present invention, the mop
element 100 instead has at least one aperture, and
preferably includes at least a pair of apertures 110, 111,
zo which are positioned for alignment with respective holes
112, 113 in the mop element support. To secure the mop
element to the support, a fastener, and preferably a pair
of fasteners, are provided. Each fastener is separate from
the mop element and includes a post portion for extending
('~.~~r through the aligned apertures in the ~ mop element and mop
2s
element support, the fastener engaging the mop element and
mop element support to thereby releasably secure the mop
element to the support.
In accordance With one preferred embodiment of the
3o invention, the fasteners comprise removable rivets, such as
those rivets sold under the trademark TUFLOK~ by ITW
Faster~. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the
removable rivet 120 comprises a rivet portion 121 and an
inner plug portion 123. The rivet portion has a headed end
3s 124 and a longitudinally slotted outer sleeve 126 with an
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. inward annular projection 125 adjacent the slotted portion
thereof. The inner plug has a head 128 and an operative
tapered pin 129 opposite the head 128. The operative pin
129 of the plug 123 is inserted into the sleeve when the
s headed portions 124, 128 of the respective rivet portion
121 and pin portion 123 are longitudinally spaced, and when
the pin portion 123 is longitudinally moved toward the
headed end 124 of the rivet portion 121. When the pin is
partially extended through the sleeve 126, the pin engages
io the inner annular projection 125 and enlarges the sleeve
126 to secure the rivet in place. Fig. 10 illustrates an
embodiment of the mop of the invention wherein the mop
element 100 is.secured to the mop element support 130 via
i ~''"~
i
h
i
.
nvent
on
e
s not
two removable rivets 131, 132. T
i5 limited to the foregoing types of fasteners, and indeed
other fasteners can be used in conjunction with the
invention. For example, it is contemplated that the
aperture, in the mop element may include screw threads, and
' the fastener may include a shank portion having threads or
20 ~ other projections for engaging the screw threads in the mop
element, thereby alloying the shank portion to be screwed
and/or pushed into the aperture and thereby secured.
In accordance with a highly preferred embodiment of
the invention, as shown in Fig. 8, the mop element 100 has
2s a central transverse axis 107 dividing the mop element into
two regions 133, 134, and includes inner layer portions 104
having plural apertures in each region 133, 134. For
example, the mop element 100 shown in Fig. 8 includes
apertures I35, 136, which define a second pair of apertures
3o positioned for aligrmaeat with respective apertures 'in a
second mopelement support (not shown). Thus, the mop
element may be secured to mop, element supports. of various
sizes. For example, in Fig. 8, apertures 110, 111 are
aligned with respective apertures 112, 113 in the mop
35 element supports. However, it is contemplated that the
CA 02302039 2000-02-25
WO 99/09876 PCT/US98/00637
pair of apertures 135, 136 could be used to secure the mop
element 100 to a support having differently spaced
apertures (not shown) which apertures align respectively
with apertures 135, 136. The mop element shown in Fig. 8
further includes a third pair of apertures 137, 138 for
. mounting to yet a third mop element support (not shown).
The mop element of the invention is not limited to the
configuration shown. For example, the apertures in the mop
element may be positioned in any location necessary for
io alignment with respective apertures in any number of mop
element supports. Similarly, while the fastener shown in
Fig. 9 is the preferred embodiment of the fastener useful
in conjunction with the invention,. it is contemplated that
:'CNy. _ .
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ld b
d
Th
e emp
oye
.
e mop
other forms of fasteners cou
I5 element and one or more fasteners may be provided in the
form of a kit, the kit being adapted for securing the mop
element to several differently sized mop element supports.
Thus, it is seen that the invention has overcome the
drawbacks inherent in the prior art, and has achieved the
2o foregoing general objects. The relatively hinged
relationships between the respective wings and between the
mop element and the channel body allow a user readily to
apply sufficient force to the actuating mechanism to fold
.. . the liquid absorbing mop element over onto itself and to
E-~;"-~~ compress the mop sufficiently to satisfactorily expel
zs
liquid therefrom. Moreover, the mop element and kit of the
invention are versatile, and allow a single mop element to
be supported on variously sized mop element supports.
Thus, a retailer need only carry one brand or type of mop
3o element, rather than different replacements for a variety
. of mops.
While particular embodiments of the invention have
been shown, it will be understood that the invention is not
limited thereto since modifications may be made by those
35 skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing
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teachings. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended
claims to cover any such modifications.as incorporate those
features which constitute the essential features of these
improvements within the true spirit and scope of the
s invention.
12
