Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WRINGER WITH FOOT PEDAL MECHANISM
FOR FLAT MOP PADS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Nos.
60/567,794
(filed May 5, 2004), 60/637,440 (filed December 21, 2004), and 60/646,986
(filed January
27, 2005), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Flat mop pads can be used in a variety of applications. Some of those
applications
require the flat mop pads to be soaked in liquid, and excess liquid must then
be removed by
some means. Conventional wringer mechanisms may be suitable for string mops,
but they
are not desirable for flat mop pads (particularly a pad mounted on a rigid
frame). Users often
find it necessary to wring out flat mop pads by hand. Also, conventional
string mop wringers
can be less then desirable from an ergonomic standpoint, as the user often is
required to bend
over and press down on the wringer. Additionally, the conventional wringers do
not provide
a desired ability to remove dirt and debris that can accumulate on a flat mop
pad.
SUMMARY
[0003] An aspect of the present invention relates to a wringer for a
substantially flat mop pad.
The wringer includes a frame configured to hold a bucket at a bucket location
and providing
first and fourth pivot locations. An imaginary straight line is formed between
the first and
fourth pivot locations. The wringer also includes a foot pedal member that is
configured to
be actuated by a user's foot. The foot pedal member is connected to pivot
about the first
pivot location on the frame, and extends to a second pivot location. The foot
pedal member
has a foot engaging region located on a first side of the imaginary line. The
second pivot
location is located on a second side of the imaginary line. The wringer also
includes a presser
member configured to press a flat mop pad, the presser member being connected
to pivot
about the fourth pivot location on the frame. The presser member includes a
presser pad
configured to press liquid from a flat mop pad and being located on the first
side of the
imaginary line. The wringer also includes an intermediate member connected to
the foot
pedal member at a second pivot location and connected to the presser member at
a third pivot
location, which is located on the second side of the imaginary line. The
second pivot location
moves toward the imaginary straight line upon actuation of the foot pedal
member by a user.
[0004] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following
detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended
to provide an
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overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the
invention as it is
claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the
invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification. The drawings
illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the
description serve to
explain the principles and operation of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a wringer
according to
the present invention;
[0006] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the wringer of Figure 1;
[0007] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a first embodiment of a mop
bucket according to
the present invention;
[0008] Figure 4 is a rear, cross-sectional, perspective view of the mop bucket
of Figure 3;
[0009] Figure 5 is a side view of the wringer of Figure 1 and mop bucket of
Figure 3; and
[0010] Figure 6 is a side view of the wringer of Figure 1 with certain
features removed for
clarity and a cross-sectional view of the mop bucket of Figure 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the
drawings. An
effort has been made to use the same or like reference numbers throughout the
drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0012] A first embodiment of a wringer 10 and a mop bucket 70 for a
substantially flat mop
pad according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1-6. The wringer 10
includes a
frame 20, a foot pedal member 40, a presser member 50, and an intermediate
member 60.
[0013] The frame 20 is configured to hold the mop bucket 70. Preferably, the
frame 20
includes a base 21 and uprights 22. The base 21 can be made, for example, of
plastic. The
uprights 22 can be made, for example, of metal. The frame 20 preferably
includes a bucket
location 23 that is defined by a depression in the base 21. As shown in Figure
5, the bucket
70 fits into the bucket location 23 for use. In this preferred embodiment, the
bucket 70 is
detachable and is merely temporarily held at the bucket location 23. The
bucket 70 could,
however, be fixed to the frame 20 or even integral with the frame 20.
[0014] The uprights 22 of the frame 20 include crossbar members 24, 25 that
can be, for
example, steel bars connected to the uprights 22 by conventional means. The
crossbar
members 24, 25 provide a first pivot location 26 for the foot pedal member 40
and a fourth
pivot location 27 for the presser member 50. Preferably, the first and fourth
pivot locations
26, 27 are fixed in position relative to the frame 20 behind the bucket
location 23 (see Figures
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and 6). An imaginary straight line 28 (see Figure 6) is defined by and extends
between the
first and fourth pivot locations 26, 27. The significance of this line 28 will
be explained
below.
[0015] The frame 20 can be made mobile by providing rolling members 29. The
rolling
members 29 can be, for example, conventional swiveling casters. The preferred
embodiment
can be moved by the user placing the mop in the bucket 70 on the wringer 10
and pushing the
mop and wringer 10. If desired, however, a waist high handle could be mounted
on the frame
20, such as on the uprights 22, to facilitate moving the wringer 10.
[0016] The foot pedal member 40 is configured to be actuated by a user's foot.
The foot
pedal member 40 is connected to the frame 20 so as to pivot about the first
pivot location 26
when actuated by the user. More particularly, the user can step down onto the
foot pedal
member 40 to move it from the location shown in Figure 5 to the location shown
in Figure 6.
A torsion spring 48 can be provided in a conventional manner to automatically
return the foot
pedal member 40 from the location shown in Figure 6 to the location shown in
Figure 5.
Other mechanisms could be used instead of the torsion spring 48, such as an
extension spring,
a compression spring, a flat spring, or a counterweight (all not shown).
[0017] The foot pedal member 40 has a foot engaging region 41. The foot
engaging region
41 preferably is located on a first side of the imaginary line 28 and, more
preferably, in front
of the bucket location 23. The foot engaging region 41 can be, for example, a
plastic
member.
[0018] The foot pedal member 40 preferably also includes a first extending
portion 42 that is
configured to extend under the bucket location 23 (see Figure 5). The foot
pedal member 40
can also include a second extending portion 43 that extends upwards to the
first pivot location
26. The angle between the first extending portion 42 and the second extending
portion 43
can be, for example, approximately 90 degrees. At the first pivot location 26,
the crossbar
member 24 extends through a hole (not shown) in the foot pedal member 40, to
allow the foot
pedal member 40 to pivot relative to the frame 20. The foot pedal member 40
can also
include a third extending portion 44 that extends backwards and upwards to a
second pivot
location 45 (see Figure 6). The second pivot location 45 is located on a
second side of the
imaginary line 28. The angle between the second extending portion 43 and the
third
extending portion 44 can be, for example, approximately 158 degrees. The
material of the
first, second, and third extending portions 42, 43, 44 are preferably steel
stampings providing
with ribbing to increase their strength.
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[0019] The presser member 50 is configured to press liquid from a flat mop pad
80 (see
Figure 6). The presser member 50 can include a presser pad 51 that is
configured to press
against the flat mop pad 80. The presser pad 51 can be located on the first
side of the
imaginary line 28 (see Figure 6). The presser member 50 also can include a
first extending
portion 53 that extends in a substantially straight line from the presser pad
50 to a third pivot
location 54 on the second side of the imaginary line 28. The first extending
portion 53 is
pivotally connected to the frame 20 at the fourth pivot location 27. For
example, at the fourth
pivot location 27, the crossbar member 25 extends through a hole (not shown)
in the presser
member 50, to allow the presser member 50 to pivot relative to the frame 20.
The first
extending portion 53 can be a member made of steel with ribbing for increased
strength.
[0020] The presser pad 51 preferably has a substantially flat surface for
engaging the mop
pad 80. The presser pad 51 can be configured to pivot relative to the pressure
member 50
about a fifth pivot location 55. For example, the presser pad 51 can include a
crossbar
member 56 that extends through a hole (not shown) in the first extending
portion 53 to allow
the presser pad 51 to pivot relative to the first extending portion 53. This
pivoting action can
provide efficient wringing even if using mop pads 80 of different sizes,
because it allows the
substantially flat surface of the presser pad 51 to fully engage the mop pad
80. As shown in
Figure 1, for example, the presser pad 51 can include a gap 52 in its middle
to accommodate
connecting hardware on a mop (not shown).
[0021] The intermediate member 60 is connected to the foot pedal member 40 at
a second
pivot location 45 and is connected to the presser member 50 at a third pivot
location 54. The
connections can be conventional connections that allow the components to pivot
relative to
one another. The intermediate member 60 can be an member made of steel that
extends in a
substantially straight line and having ribbing to increase strength. The
wringer 10 can be
constructed such that the second and third pivot locations 45, 54 are on the
second side of the
imaginary straight line 28 (see Figure 6).
[0022] In this preferred embodiment, the wringer 10 includes sets of two of
each of the first
extending portion 42, second extending portion 43, third extending portion 44,
torsion spring
48, intermediate member 60, and first extending portion 53. This configuration
provides a
preferred degree of robustness and stability. These sets of members each could
be connected
by cross linking devices (not shown) to further enhance their robustness and
stability. The
wringer 10 could, however, be configured with only one of each of those
members.
[0023] The mop bucket 70 is configured to be retained in the bucket location
23 of the frame
20. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mop bucket preferable includes a wringer
member 71
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with a plurality of holes 72. Preferably, the wringer member 71 is angled
downward from a
rear wall 73 at an angle of approximately 60 degrees relative to vertical to
provide additional
clearance at the front of the mop bucket 70 (see Figure 4). If the wringer
member 71
extended in only the horizontal direction, it would occupy additional space in
the horizontal
direction. By providing the downward angle, additional space is made available
in the
horizontal direction for inserting, removing, and scrubbing the mop pad 80 in
the bucket 70.
[0024] The mop bucket can also include a scrub board 74 having a series of
ribs 75. The
scrub board 74 allows a user to scrub debris off of the mop pad 80 while
rinsing the mop pad
80 in the liquid in the mop bucket 70. The surface of the scrub board 74
angles downward
from a front wall 76 at an angle of approximately 32 degrees relative to
vertical. The user
can rub the mop pad 80 up and down along the ribs 75 (preferably while the mop
pad is
mounted on the mop pad support) to remove dirt and debris from the mop pad 80.
The ribs
75 facilitate the scrubbing. Some of the ribs 75 can be wider than others to
serve as volume
level indicators for the liquid in the mop bucket 70. The mop bucket 70 can
be, for example,
made of plastic.
[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the wringer 10 of the present invention is
advantageous
because, for example, it can be configured to provide a clearance between the
presser pad 51
and the mop bucket 70 (see Figure 5). When a user removes force from the foot
pedal
member 40, the torsion spring 48 returns the foot pedal member 40 to its upper
position
(Figure 5), which raises the presser pad 51 above the rim of the bucket 70. It
is important
that the presser pad 51 clear the rim of the bucket 70 to allow easy insertion
of the mop pad
80 and to allow easy removal of the bucket 70 from the frame 20 for emptying
and cleaning.
[0026] As another example, the wringer 10 of the present invention is
advantageous because
it can be configured to provide a desired amount of wringing pressure on the
mop pad 80 in
response to a particular amount of actuation force by a user on the foot pedal
member 40. It
has been determined through experimentation that, with a configuration like
the embodiment
shown in the drawings, a pressure of approximately 2 lbs. per square inch from
the presser
pad 51 onto a typical mop pad 80 on the wringer member 71 is needed to remove
a desired
quantity of liquid. Beyond 2 lbs. per square inch of pressure, the amount of
liquid removal is
less significant. A typical mop pad 80 has a plan area of about 125 square
inches. The force
(FMoP) at the pressure pad 51 therefore is most preferably at least FMoP = P
(pressure) x A
(area) = 250 lbs. As the present invention could be used in less optimal
configurations, FMoP
could be at least 175 lbs. or, more preferably, at least 200 lbs.
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[00271 With regard to the force (FPEDAL) applied by the user to the foot pedal
member 40, it
also has been determined that a user who has to exert more than 75% of their
body weight
may find it difficult to actuate the foot pedal member 40. As some users may
be upwards of
140 lbs., preferably FPEDAL < 100 lbs. As some users may only be upwards of
120 lbs., it is
more preferable that FPEpA, < 90 lbs. As some users may only be upwards of 112
lbs., it is
even more preferable that FPEDAL < 84 lbs.
[0028] The wringer 10 of the present invention can be configured to provide
the desired force
at the presser pad 51 in response to the available force on the foot pedal
member 40. In
particular, movement of at least the second pivot location 45 toward the
imaginary straight
line 28 upon actuation of the foot pedal member 40 by a user causes an
increase in force
applied by the presser pad 51. More specifically, the wringer 10 preferably
satisfies the
following equation when the foot pedal member 40 is fully actuated:
FMoP = FPEDAL * L1 * L3 / (L2 * L4 * TAN(180-(3))
where
FMoP: a force applied by the presser pad to the flat mop pad, and preferably
FMoP > 175 lbs., more preferably 200 lbs., and even more preferably
250 lbs.;
FPEDAL:a force applied by a user to the foot engaging region, and preferably
FPED,u < 100 lbs., more preferably 90 lbs., and even more preferably
84 lbs.;
L1: a length of the foot pedal member 40 from the foot engaging region to
the first pivot location, and in the preferred embodiment L1 = 16.66
inches;
L2: a length of the foot pedal member 40 from the first pivot location to the
second pivot location, and in the preferred embodiment L2 = 7.30
inches;
L3: a length of the presser member 50 from the third pivot location to the
fourth pivot location, and in the preferred embodiment L3 = 1.06
inches;
L4: a length of the presser member 50 from the fourth pivot location to the
presser pad 51 (preferably a mid region of the presser pad 51), and in
the preferred embodiment L4 = 5.83 inches; and
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(3: an angle between the foot pedal member 40 (preferably the third
extending portion 44) and the intermediate member 60 after the foot
pedal member 40 has been actuated
100291 As the second pivot location 45 moves toward the imaginary straight
line 28 upon
actuation of the foot pedal member 40 by a user, the angle (3 increases. The
amount of force
exerted by the pressure pad 51 on the flat mop pad 80 increases as the angle
(3 increases, as
shown in the table below, which is based on the preferred embodiment of the
present
invention:
(3 (degrees) FPEDAL (lbs.) FMoP (lbs.)
168 84 164
168.73 84 175
169 84 179
170 84 198
170.11 84 200
171 84 220
172 84 248
172.06 84 250
173 84 284
174 84 332
175 84 398
176 84 498
177 84 665
178 84 998
179 84 1997
[0030] The clearance between the presser pad 51 and mop pad 80 decreases as
angle (3 nears
180 degrees. For this reason, the preferable value for (3 is the minimum value
that results in a
desirable force FMoP. While not detrimentally affecting the clearance of the
presser pad 51
relative to the mop pad 80 in the non-actuated position. Thus, angle [3 is
preferably within
the range of 168 <[3 < 179, more preferably angle [i is within the range of
170 <[3 < 175, and
even more preferably (3 = 172.06.
[0031] A wringer in accordance with the present invention thus can be
configured to be foot
operated, which relieves the stress and pain of having to wring out a mop
bending over by
hand. Additionally, the wringer can be configured to provide the desired force
on the mop
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pad in response to a desired amount of force applied by the user's foot. The
scrub board in
the mop bucket also provides the ability to remove dirt and debris that
accumulates on the flat
mop.
[0032] The wringer 10 of the present invention can be used with many flat mop
pads and flat
mop pad supports. Preferably, it is used with a flat mop pad disclosed in a
patent application
to be concurrently filed by Judy Cline entitled "Color Coded Mop Pads and
Method of Color
Coding Same" (Serial No. ; Attorney Docket Number 086554-1178), the
entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Preferably, the
wringer 10 is
used with the flat mop pad support disclosed in a patent application to be
concurrently filed
by the present inventor entitled "Mop Having Ergonomic Handle and Joint"
(Serial No.
; Attorney Docket Number 086554-1179), the entire contents of which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations
can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and
scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the
modifications and
variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the
appended claims and
their equivalents.
