ADJUSTABLE CLEANING HEAD FOR A CLEANING TOOL

• US 20110167583A1
• Filed: 01/10/2011
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Quickie Manufacturing Corp. (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Schiavo, Michael A., Sheckels, Ryan, Weaver, Jace A., Monahan, Sean E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,640,296 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/12 Implements with several different treating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/256 for mops made of cloth

Abstract

A cleaning tool is provided and includes a cleaning head moveable between a plurality of configurations. The cleaning head may include a main panel, a handle coupled to the main panel via a universal joint, a first side panel pivotally coupled to a first edge of the main panel, and a second side panel pivotally coupled to a second edge of the main panel opposite the first edge. The cleaning tool may also include two biasing members for biasing the first and second panels toward a flat position and at least one ramp member engageable with a surface to pivot at least one of the first and second side panels upward out of its flat position toward an upward pivoted position. The cleaning tool may further include an actuator for pivoting one or more of the side panels between flat and upward pivoted positions, and a selectively deployable scrubber.

Claims

1. A cleaning head for a cleaning tool comprising:

a main panel; and

at least one side panel pivotally coupled to said main panel.

2. The cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising a cleaning implement carried by at least one of said main panel and said at least one side panel.

3. The cleaning head of claim 2 further comprising means for releasably securing said cleaning implement to at least one of said main panel and said at least one side panel.

4. The cleaning head of claim 3 wherein said cleaning implement is a cleaning sheet.

5. The cleaning head of claim 4 wherein said cleaning sheet is disposable.

6. The cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising means for facilitating movement of said at least one side panel relative to said main panel upon engagement of said at least one side panel with a non-horizontal surface.

7. The cleaning head of claim 6 wherein said means for facilitating movement comprises at least one ramp member.

8. The cleaning head of claim 7 wherein said at least one ramp member is located at an outer corner of said at least one side panel.

9. The cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising means for biasing said at least one side panel toward a flat position in response to upward force exerted on said at least one side panel.

10. The cleaning head of claim 9 wherein said at least one side panel is substantially coplanar with said main panel when in said flat position.

11. The cleaning head of claim 9 wherein said means for biasing comprise at least one elastic member.

12. The cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising means for releasably securing said at least one side panel in an upwardly pivoted position relative to said main panel.

13. The cleaning head of claim 12 wherein said means for releasably securing comprises at least one magnet carried by one of said main panel and said at least one side panel and a metallic member carried by the other of said main panel and said at least one side panel.

14. The cleaning head of claim 12 wherein said means for releasably securing comprises a first set of spaced projections carried by said at least one side panel and a second set of spaced projections carried by said main panel, said first set of spaced projections being offset with respect to said second set of spaced projections whereby said first and second sets of projections interlace and provide an interference fit with each other when said at least one side panel is pivoted upwardly.

15. The cleaning head of claim 14 further comprising means for uncoupling said at least one side panel from an upwardly pivoted position relative to said main panel.

16. The cleaning head of claim 15 wherein said uncoupling means comprise uncoupling finger means for contacting said at least one side panel and overcoming said interference fit between said first and second sets of projections.

17. The cleaning head of claim 16 wherein said uncoupling means further comprise a first ramped surface and said uncoupling finger means includes a second ramped surface complementary to and aligned with said first ramped surface, whereby force applied by said first ramped surface against said second ramped surface causes said finger means to contact said at least one side panel and overcome said interference fit between said first and second sets of projections.

18. A cleaning tool comprising a cleaning head according to claim 17.

19. The cleaning tool of claim 18 further comprising a handle connected to said cleaning head, whereby depression of said handle causes said finger means to contact said at least one side panel and overcome said interference fit between said first and second sets of projections.

20. The cleaning tool of claim 19 further comprising a universal joint connecting said handle to said cleaning head.

21. The cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising means for pivoting said at least one side panel relative to said main panel.

22. The cleaning head of claim 21 wherein said means for pivoting comprises a moveable actuator carried by said main panel.

23. The cleaning head of claim 22 wherein said means for pivoting further comprises at least one side panel operating member connected to said actuator and pivotally connected to said at least one side panel.

24. The cleaning head of claim 23 wherein said means for pivoting further comprises a slot carried by one of said actuator and said at least one side panel operating member and a projection carried by the other of said actuator and said at least one side panel operating member, said projection being receivable and moveable in said slot.

25. The cleaning head of claim 24 wherein said slot includes a first projection capture portion for releasably retaining said at least one side panel in an upward pivoted position.

26. The cleaning head of claim 25 wherein said slot includes a second projection capture portion for releasably retaining said at least one side panel in a flat position.

27. The cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising a flexible pad connected to bottom surfaces of said main panel and said at least one side panel, said flexible panel defining at least one living hinge for permitting pivoting of said at least one side panel.

28. The cleaning head of claim 27 wherein said pad is non-absorbent.

29. The cleaning head of claim 27 further comprising a cleaning implement carried by said pad.

30. The cleaning head of claim 29 further comprising means for releasably securing said cleaning implement to said pad.

31. The cleaning head of claim 30 wherein said cleaning implement is a cleaning sheet.

32. The cleaning head of claim 31 wherein said cleaning sheet is disposable.

33. The cleaning head of claim 1 further comprising a scrubber.

34. The cleaning head of claim 33 wherein said scrubber is retractable.

35. The cleaning head of claim 34 further comprising means for biasing said scrubber into a retracted position.

36. A cleaning tool comprising a cleaning head according to claim 35.

37. The cleaning tool of claim 36 further comprising a handle connected to said cleaning head, whereby depression of said handle overcomes said biasing means such that said scrubber projects from a lower surface of said cleaning head.

38. The cleaning tool of claim 37 further comprising a universal joint connecting said handle to said cleaning head.