Cleaning Device Having A Variable Size And Shape Head

• US 20140007367A1
• Filed: 07/08/2013
• Published: 01/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Soller, Douglas A., Zach, Steven A., Arevalo, Jose M., Forst, Matthew J., Crull, Jeffrey L., Sparks, Evan A., Marion, Aaron, Ross, Katlyn
• Granted Patent: US 9,980,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/231
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/258 of adjustable or foldable type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/46 Securing scouring or polishing cloths or sponges to the handles by gripping means, tongs, or the like

Abstract

A cleaning device includes a base having a first side and a second side. A first deployment element pivotally connects to the first side of the base and is pivotable from a stowed position to a deployed position. A second deployment element pivotally connects to the second side of the base and is pivotable from the stowed position to the deployed position. In the stowed position the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially rectangular perimeter. In the deployed position, the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially trapezoidal perimeter.

Claims

1. A cleaning device comprising:

a base having a first side and an opposed second side;

a first deployment element pivotally connected to the first side of the base and pivotable from a first stowed position to a first deployed position;

a second deployment element pivotally connected to the second side of the base and pivotable from a second stowed position to a second deployed position;

a first biasing device engaging the base and the first deployment element, the first biasing device biasing the first deployment element towards the first deployed position;

a second biasing device engaging the base and the second deployment element, the second biasing device biasing the second deployment element towards the second deployed position; and

a release mechanism supported by the base, the release mechanism engaging the first deployment element to hold the first deployment element in the first stowed position, the release mechanism engaging the second deployment element to hold the second deployment element in the second stowed position,

wherein the release mechanism is manually actuatable to disengage the first deployment element and disengage the second deployment element thereby permitting the first biasing device to move the first deployment element to the first deployed position and permitting the second biasing device to move the second deployment element to the second deployed position.

2. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising:

a foam layer positioned on the base.

6. The cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of attachment structures for retaining a cleaning sheet, the attachment structures being located on a top surface of the base.

7. The cleaning device of claim 6 wherein:

the attachment structures comprise a flexible material having slits defining pointed structures capable of engaging a cleaning sheet.

8. The cleaning device of claim 7 wherein:

the first deployment element includes a passageway for receiving one of the attachment structures when the first deployment element is in the first stowed position, and/or

the second deployment element includes a passageway for receiving one of the attachment structures when the second deployment element is in the second stowed position.

9. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein:

the first deployment element is flush with a top surface of the base when the first deployment element is in the first stowed position, and/or

the second deployment element is flush with the top surface of the base when the second deployment element is in the second stowed position.

10. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein:

the release mechanism comprises (i) a first arm for engaging the first deployment element to hold the first deployment element in the first stowed position, and (ii) a second arm for engaging the second deployment element to hold the second deployment element in the second stowed position.

11. The cleaning device of claim 10 wherein:

the release mechanism further comprises (iii) an actuator button attached to the first arm and the second arm, the button moving a first end of the first arm toward a second end of the second arm when the button is depressed.

12. The cleaning device of claim 11 wherein:

the first end of the first arm engages the first deployment element when the first deployment element is in the first stowed position, and

the second end of the second arm engages the second deployment element when the second deployment element is in the second stowed position.

13. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein:

the first deployment element has a substantially triangular perimeter, and

the second deployment element has a substantially triangular perimeter.

14. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein:

the first deployment element includes a fastener for attaching a cleaning sheet, and/or

the second deployment element includes a fastener for attaching a cleaning sheet.

15. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein:

wherein, when the first deployment element is in the first stowed position and the second deployment element is in the second stowed position, the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially rectangular perimeter, and

when the first deployment element is in the first deployed position and the second deployment element is in the second deployed position, the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially trapezoidal perimeter.

16. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein:

when the first deployment element is in the first deployed position and the second deployment element is in the second deployed position, the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a perimeter having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge having a greater length than the trailing edge.

3. The cleaning device of claim 3 wherein:

the foam layer includes surface protrusions.

4. The cleaning device of claim 3 wherein:

the surface protrusions are arranged in a plurality of lines.

5. The cleaning device of claim 4 wherein:

the surface protrusions have a larger surface area in a central line of the plurality of lines.

17. A cleaning device comprising:

a base having a first side and an opposed second side;

a first deployment element pivotally connected to the first side of the base and pivotable from a first stowed position to a first deployed position; and

a second deployment element pivotally connected to the second side of the base and pivotable from a second stowed position to a second deployed position;

wherein, when the first deployment element is in the first stowed position and the second deployment element is in the second stowed position, the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially rectangular perimeter, and

wherein, when the first deployment element is in the first deployed position and the second deployment element is in the second deployed position, the base, the first deployment element, and the second deployment element define a substantially trapezoidal perimeter.

18. The cleaning device of claim 17 further comprising:

a first biasing device engaging the base and the first deployment element, the first biasing device biasing the first deployment element towards the first deployed position; and

a second biasing device engaging the base and the second deployment element, the second biasing device biasing the second deployment element towards the second deployed position.

19. The cleaning device of claim 18 further comprising:

a release mechanism supported by the base, the release mechanism engaging the first deployment element to hold the first deployment element in the first stowed position, the release mechanism engaging the second deployment element to hold the second deployment element in the second stowed position,

wherein the release mechanism is manually actuatable to disengage the first deployment element and disengage the second deployment element thereby permitting the first biasing device to move the first deployment element to the first deployed position and permitting the second biasing device to move the second deployment element to the second deployed position.

20. The cleaning device of claim 19 wherein:

the release mechanism comprises (i) a first arm for engaging the first deployment element to hold the first deployment element in the first stowed position, and (ii) a second arm for engaging the second deployment element to hold the second deployment element in the second stowed position, and (iii) an actuator button attached to the first arm and the second arm, the button moving a first end of the first arm toward a second end of the second arm when the button is depressed.