Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02703657 2010-04-23
SQUEEZE MOP
Description
Technical field
The invention relates to a squeeze mop comprising a
carrying body which is formed by a double joint and two wing
plates which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of
the carrying body, on both sides of the double joint, and
are connected to the latter, and also comprising a handle,
wherein the carrying body, on the side which is directed
axially away from the handle, has a mop pad which
corresponds essentially to the size of the carrying body,
and wherein the wing plates can be pressed against one
another by means of a squeezing-out device, wherein the
squeezing-out device is designed in fork form and to be open
on the side which is directed axially away from the handle,
and it comprises two pressure-exerting arms which are
arranged essentially parallel to one another and can be
brought into engagement with the wing plates in order for
the wing plates to be folded around the double joint,
wherein the squeezing-out device is connected to the handle,
and wherein the handle is connected to the double joint such
that it can be pivoted at least about the longitudinal axis
of the carrying body.
Prior art
Such a squeeze mop is known from EP 1 208 788 Bl. The
previously known squeeze mop is provided for cleaning planar
surfaces, wherein the handle is fastened in a pivotable
manner on the double joint. A displacement sleeve is mounted
on the handle such that it can be moved axially in the
direction of the handle, wherein the previously known
squeeze mop has guide means on the wing plates and/or in the
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pressure-exerting arms in order for the wing plates to be
folded in a defined manner by means of the pressure-exerting
arms. The cardanic movement capability of the double joint
in relation to the handle allows good cleaning in the main
mopping direction even under low furniture.
The displacement sleeve is made up of a grip part, a
sliding region with a guide slot and the pressure-exerting
arms, which are formed on integrally in fork form. Upon
actuation of the displacement sleeve, however, it should be
noted that large forces have to be applied overall in order
for the wing plates to be pressed against one another and
thus for the mop pad to be squeezed out. The stiffer the
material of which the mop pad consists, the higher are the
forces which have to be applied. In particular when the grip
part of the displacement sleeve is wet, and thus slippery,
the handling of the aforementioned squeeze mop is
significantly more difficult and is no longer satisfactory.
DE-AS 1 293 983 discloses a cleaning appliance having a
cleaning tool, for example a sponge, fastened on a holder,
and having a means for squeezing out the cleaning tool. This
means comprises a fork-form roller holder, which is
connected to an appliance handle and has two parallel rows
of rollers, and an actuating rod, which can be displaced in
the direction of the appliance handle, by means of a
handgrip on the appliance handle, and, at its bottom end,
accommodates the roller holder. The actuating rod pulls the
cleaning tool through between the rollers during the
squeezing-out operation. The cleaning tool is formed, in
particular, by a sponge which has a circle-arc-form surface
of more than 180 . The appliance handle and the cleaning
tool are connected rigidly to one another, that is to say
such that they cannot be angled in relation to one another;
there is no provision made for the appliance handle to be
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angled relative to the cleaning tool. In particular for
cleaning tools which, rather than having a circle-arc-form
mopping surface, have a planar mopping surface, for example
a mop pad which is used in squeeze mops, such a rigid
assignment is not particularly satisfactory because optimum
cleaning of the planar surface which is to be cleaned is
only possible when the flat mop pad rests in a planar state
on the surface. The user is not in a position, during use of
a cleaning appliance, to ensure this optimum assignment with
a rigid assignment of the handle in relation to the cleaning
tool. In the case of such cleaning appliances, even small
changes in the position of the angle of the handle in
relation to the surface which is to be cleaned give rise to
disadvantageous use properties and poorer cleaning results.
Description of the invention
The object of the invention is to develop further a
squeeze mop of the type mentioned in the introduction such
that the squeezing-out device can be used more easily, that
is to say with a lower application of force, and that the
risk of injury for the user is reduced, even when he has wet
hands and/or the squeeze mop is wet and slippery.
In order to achieve the object, it is provided that the
squeezing-out device has an actuating rod which can be moved
axially in the direction of the handle and is connected, at
one end, to the double joint and, at the other end, to a
pivotable handgrip which is fastened at a fixed location on
the handle and is intended for actuating the squeezing-out
device. It is advantageous here if the actuation of the
squeezing-out device can take place particularly easily and
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reliably. In order for the wing plates, which either may be
covered with a common mop pad or may each be provided with a
mop pad, to be pressed against one another, the user holds
the handle in one hand and encloses the handgrip with his
other hand. The handgrip may be designed either in the form
of a knob or, preferably, in ring form. The handgrip is then
pivoted in the direction of the upper end of the handle, it
being highly advantageous for the handgrip to be fastened at
a relatively fixed location on the handle. This simplifies
the handling because it avoids undesired relative movements
in the axial direction between the handgrip and the handle.
Even when the handgrip and/or the user's hand(s) are/is wet
and slippery, the squeeze mop can be reliably squeezed out
without there being any risk of the user's hands slipping
off from the handgrip and the user possibly being injured in
the process.
There is no prior-art example of the combination, of a
handle which is connected to the double joint such that it
can be pivoted at least about the longitudinal axis of the
carrying body, in order for cleaning also to be readily
possible for example under low furniture and surfaces in the
form of a figure 8, and of a pivotable handgrip which is
fastened at a fixed location on the handle and is intended
for actuating the squeezing-out device; the handling of the
squeeze mop is easy and reliable and the cleaning result,
even in places which are difficult to access, is good.
It is preferably provided that the actuating rod runs
essentially in the handle. On the one hand, the actuating
rod is thus safeguarded against external influences, in
which case undesired deformation of the actuating rod, and
resulting impairment of the use properties of the squeezing-
out device, is ruled out. On the other hand, the handle thus
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!
does not have an unnecessarily large number of parts
projecting from it, on which the user could get caught and
possibly injure himself.
Further-improved use properties in respect of the
cleaning performance of the squeeze mop can be achieved in
that the handle is connected to the double joint in a
cardanically movable manner. The handling of the squeeze mop
for cleaning, for example, difficult-to-access places
beneath furniture is thus further simplified.
It is possible for the wing plates to be connected to
the double joint in each case by means of a spring and to be
capable of being pressed against one another, counter to the
force of the springs, upon actuation of the squeezing-out
device.
The springs may be designed in the form of hairpin
springs and be fastened on the double joint such that,
following the squeezing-out operation, the springs give rise
not just to a plane-parallel orientation of the wing plates,
which are previously pressed against one another, in
relation to the surface which is to be cleaned. Such spring-
force-assisted automatic plane-parallel orientation of the
wing plates in relation to the surface which is to be
cleaned is particularly advantageous in particular when use
is made of a mop pad which, following the squeezing-out
operation, has only a relatively low restoring force in the
direction of the planar position. Without the assistance of
the spring force, following the squeezing-out operation, the
wing plates would still be angled in relation to one another
and would rest in a plane-parallel state on the surface
which is to be cleaned only when the user places the squeeze
mop on the surface which is to be cleaned.
The springs may also give rise to the situation where
the wing plates, following the squeezing-out operation, are
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oriented in relation to the handle such that immediate
further mopping of the surface which is to be cleaned is
possible. For example, as a result of the spring force, the
wing plates can orient themselves automatically such that
they are tilted at an angle of 20 to 300, as seen in
relation to the perpendicular assignment to the handle.
It is also the case that the springs have an
advantageous effect on the use properties while the squeeze
mop is being used. The movement of the handle, in particular
about the longitudinal axis of the carrying body, is damped
by the springs. Mop pads with a high cross section, which
are thus less stable during use than mop pads with a low
cross section, and tend to tilt, would be difficult to
control without damping of the movement of the carrying body
relative to the handle. The cleaning result would thus be
impaired.
The squeezing-out device may be provided with a
coupling for accommodating an exchangeable scrubbing body.
The coupling and the scrubbing body, which is secured
on the coupling, can enclose an angle of essentially 90
with the mop pad.
The scrubbing body may consist of different materials.
It is thus possible, for example, for the scrubbing body to
comprise a sponge which has a more abrasive behavior than
the mop pad. According to another configuration, the
scrubbing body may comprise bristles which consist of a
polymer or elastomer material, wherein it may also be
expedient, depending on the respective application, to have
a combination of the aforementioned configurations/
materials. The combination of mop pad and scrubbing body is
advantageous, in particular, when the surfaces which are to
be cleaned have stubborn dirt which would be difficult to
remove using the mop pad alone. In such a case, the user, in
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the first instance, would use the scrubbing body to loosen
the stubborn dirt from the surface which is to be cleaned,
in order then to use the mop pad to pick up, and remove, the
loosened dirt. These two operations could be carried out
using one and the same squeeze mop.
It is possible for the pressure-exerting arms, on their
mutually facing sides, to have guide grooves which run
axially in the direction of the handle and, during the
squeezing-out operation, can be brought into engagement with
a respective guide protuberance of each wing plate. The
configuration and arrangement of guide grooves and guide
protuberances makes it possible for the mop pad to be
squeezed out without the parts which are guided one inside
the other tilting and jamming. Moreover, the wing plates and
the double joint, irrespective of the angle which they
previously assumed relative to the handle, orient themselves
essentially perpendicularly to the handle before the wing
plates are pulled between the pressure-exerting arms of the
squeezing-out device by means of the actuating rod, by
virtue of the handgrip being actuated; there is thus no need
for any orientation by hand prior to the squeezing-out
operation.
If the two wing plates fastened on the double joint are
long, it is advantageous to ensure an enhanced pressure-
exerting operation on the pressure-exerting arms in the
region of those ends of the wing plates which are directed
away from the double joint, in order that the mop pad is
squeezed out to good effect even in the region of the ends.
For this purpose it may be provided that each wing plate, on
its side which is directed away from the mop pad, has a ramp
which rises up outward from the double joint in the
Longitudinal direction of the carrying body and is intended
for increasing the pressure-exerting force in a stepless
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manner during the squeezing-out operation. Such a ramp
allows the user to decide on an individual basis whether the
mop pad should be squeezed out to a greater or lesser
extent. If required, the mop pad is also squeezed out to
good effect on the side which is directed away from the
double joint.
Brief description of the drawing
An exemplary embodiment of a squeeze mop according to
the invention will be explained in more detail hereinbelow
with reference to figures 1 to 13, in which, schematically
in each case:
figure 1 shows a perspective view of the squeeze mop
according to the invention,
figure 2 shows an enlarged illustration of the mop head
from figure 1,
figure 3 shows the mop head from figure 2 from behind,
figure 4 shows the mop head from figure 2 with the
scrubbing body removed,
figure 5 shows a view of the carrying body from
beneath, without a mop pad,
figure 6 shows the carrying body from figure 5 with the
squeezing-out device actuated as the squeezing-out operation
is being initiated,
figure 7 shows a section through the squeezing-out
device during intended use of the squeeze mop,
figure 8 shows a section corresponding to figure 7 with
a wing-plate guide protuberance which has moved upward in
the guide groove of the pressure-exerting arm during the
squeezing-out operation, and
figures 9 to 13 show the illustration of the squeezing-
out operation in chronological order.
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Implementation of the invention
An exemplary embodiment of the squeeze mop according to
the invention is shown in figure 1 and in figures 2 to 13.
The squeeze mop comprises a carrying body 1 which is made of
a polymer material and comprises a centrally arranged double
joint 2, wherein a respective wing plate 3, 4 follows in the
longitudinal direction 5 of the carrying body 1, on both
sides of the double joint 2. The double joint 2 and the two
wing plates 3, 4 are connected to one another such that,
upon actuation of the squeezing-out device 8, the two wing
plates 3, 4 can each swing downward, in relation to the
double joint 2. The carrying body 1, on the side which is
directed axially away from the handle 6, has a single-part
mop pad 7 which corresponds to the size of the carrying body
1 and is designed in the form of a sponge.
Instead of the single-part mop pad 7 which is
illustrated here, it is possible to use a multi-part mop
pad, for example a two-part mop pad, in which case each part
then corresponds, for example, to the size of a wing plate
3, 4.
A respective pressure-exerting arm 9, 10 of the
squeezing-out device 8 acts on each wing plate 3, 4, each
pressure-exerting arm being designed in fork form and being
open on the side which is directed away from the handle 6.
The squeezing-out device 8 is connected to the handle 6 at a
fixed location, wherein the handle 6 is connected to the
double joint 2 such that it can be pivoted about the
longitudinal axis 5 of the carrying body 1.
The connection between the handle 6, on which the
squeezing-out device 8 is arranged, and the carrying body 1
is achieved by an actuating rod 11 which can be moved
axially in the direction of the handle 6. The actuating rod
11 is connected, at one end, to the double joint 2 and, at
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the other end, to the handgrip 12, which is fastened at a
fixed location on the handle 6, albeit such that it can be
pivoted. The squeezing-out device 8 is actuated by the
handgrip 12. Such a design means that the squeezing-out
device 8 can easily be handled, without any problems
arising, even when the user's hands and/or the handgrip 12
are/is wet and/or slippery.
As can be seen in figures 1, 2, 4 to 6 and 9 to 13, the
actuating rod 11, with the exception of its ends in the
region of the double joint 2 and of the handgrip 12, runs in
the interior of the handle 6, in which case the actuating
rod is safeguarded against undesired external influences and
resulting damage.
It is possible for the wing plates 3, 4, on their side
which is directed away from the mop pad 7, to have a ramp
22, 23 which rises up outward from the double joint 2 in the
longitudinal direction 5 of the carrying body 1 and is
intended for increasing the pressure-exerting force in a
stepless manner during the squeezing-out operation.
Figure 2 shows an enlarged illustration of the mop head
from figure 1. A coupling 15 for accommodating an
=exchangeable scrubbing body 16 is provided on the squeezing-
out device 8, which consists of a polymer material, wherein
the coupling 15 and the scrubbing body 16 are connected to
one another in a force-fitting and/or form-fitting manner.
Use is preferably made of a form-fitting connection, for
example in the form of a dovetail. This makes it possible
for a used-up scrubbing body 16 to be released from the
coupling 15 if required with a low level of force being
applied, and to be replaced by a new scrubbing body 16.
In relation to the mop pad 7, the scrubbing body 16 is
arranged at an angle 17 of 90 . Combining a mop pad 7 and
scrubbing body 16 together in a squeeze mop is advantageous
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!
particularly when, in the first instance, the scrubbing body
16 is used to loosen stubborn dirt from the surface which is
to be cleaned and then the mop pad 7 is used to pick up, and
then remove, this loosened dirt.
In the example illustrated here, the scrubbing body 16
comprises a multiplicity of bristles.
Figure 3 shows the mop head from figure 2 from behind.
In the exemplary embodiment which is shown here, the mop pad
7 is fastened on the carrying body 1 by a touch-and-close
fastener 24, by means of which the mop pad 7 is connected to
the two wing plates 3, 4.
In comparison with the illustration from figure 2, the
handle 6 from figure 3 has been inclined in the rearward
direction about the longitudinal axis 5 of the carrying
body 1.
Figure 4 illustrates the mop head from figure 2 with
the scrubbing body 16 removed. The coupling 15 is designed
in the form of a dovetail.
Figures 5 and 6 each show a view of the carrying body 1
from beneath, without a mop pad 7. It can be seen that the
two wing plates 3, 4 are connected to the double joint 2 in
each case by means of a spring 13, 14 and can be pressed
against one another, counter to the force of the springs 13,
14, upon actuation of the squeezing-out device 8. The
springs 13, 14 are designed in the form of hairpin springs
and, moreover, the arrangement thereof results in "damping"
of the movement of the handle 6 about the longitudinal axis
of the carrying body 1. This significantly reduces
undesired and difficult-to-control tilting movements of the
carrying body 1 in relation to the handle 6, in which case
the handling of the squeeze mop is considerably improved
overall, in particular when the mop pad 7 has a high cross
section and thus, as a whole, is very compliant.
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Figures 7 and 8 show sections of the operating state
according to figures 5 and 6.
In figure 7, the guide protuberances 20, 21 of the wing
plates 3, 4 are positioned in the lower region of the guide
grooves 18, 19. The squeezing-out device 8, with its
pressure-exerting arms 9, 10, is inclined in relation to the
vertical and is in the position which the squeeze mop
usually assumes during the cleaning of planar surfaces.
Undesired displacement is ruled out by the flattened
portions 25, 26 of the guide protuberances 20, 21 and by the
respective, likewise flattened introduction slopes 27, 28 of
the guide grooves 18, 19.
In figure 8, the squeezing-out device 8, together with
its pressure-exerting arms 9, 10, is moved into the vertical
relative to the carrying body 1 in order for the mop pad 7
to be squeezed out. The guide protuberances 20, 21 are
displaced in the guide grooves 18, 19 during the squeezing-
out operation.
Figures 9 to 13 illustrate the squeezing-out operation
in chronological order, wherein, in order to aid
understanding, the mop pad 7 and the scrubbing body 16 have
been left out of the illustration.
Figure 9 shows the squeeze mop according to the
invention while being used as intended during the cleaning
of planar surfaces. The wing plates 3, 4 and the double
joint 2 are located in one plane.
In figure 10, the handgrip 12 (cf. figure 1) has been
pivoted upward about a joint which is connected to the
handle 6 at a fixed location. Upward pivoting of the
handgrip 12 is accompanied by movement, likewise in the
upward direction, of the actuating rod 11, which is
connected, axially at one end, to the handgrip 12 and,
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axially at the other end, to the double joint 2, the
actuating rod thus carrying the double joint 2 along with
it, wherein the wing plates 3, 4 are angled downward
relative thereto and the guide protuberances 20, 21 of the
wing plates 3, 4 make their way into the guide grooves 18,
19 of the pressure-exerting arms 9, 10 of the squeezing-out
device 8.
In figures 11 to 13, the handgrip 12 is swung upward at
an increasing distance away from its position which is
illustrated in figure 1, until it reaches that position of
the wing plates 3, 4, in relation to the squeezing-out
device 8, which is illustrated in figure 13. Where the wing
plates 3, 4 are provided with a mop pad 7, the latter would
now have been squeezed out.
The lever 12, which is illustrated in figure 1, is then
guided back into the position which is illustrated in figure
1, wherein the wing plates 3, 4 and the double joint 2 are
moved back out of the position according to figure 13, via
the positions according to figures 12 to 10, into the
position as is shown in figure 9.
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