Sponge mop construction

• US 7,555,803 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2005
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Libman Company
• Original Assignee: The Libman Company
• Inventors: Libman, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): KARLS, SHAY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US11/039,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20050166345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 151/192, 151/162, 151/191, 151/161, 151/18, 152/62
• US Class Current: 15/119.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/144 having squeezing rollers

Abstract

A squeeze mop head construction includes a squeeze housing with a separate and separable sponge assembly that includes catch members positioned in a manner which ensures retention of the sponge assembly by the squeeze housing, and which further ensures that lateral side-to-side movement of the sponge assembly is precluded.

Claims

1. A squeeze mop assembly, comprising:

a squeeze housing with a handle element projecting from a first end of the squeeze housing, four flange extensions projecting from the opposite end of the squeeze housing, said flange extensions configured in first and second generally parallel pairs and defining first and second spaced roller assembly mounts, each of said roller assembly mounts including a rod with squeeze rollers mounted thereon;

a separate and separable sponge assembly comprising a compressible sponge mounted in a retainer housing, said retainer housing having spaced generally parallel retainer housing sides that fit between the squeeze rollers of the first and second roller assembly mounts, the retainer housing including an opening configured to receive a hook from a drive wire to separably connect the sponge assembly to the squeeze mop assembly; and

a first and second catch members on at least one of said housing retainer sides and positioned intermediate of and adjacent to said flange extensions, said first and second catch members each having a shaped configuration that extends out from the side of the retainer housing for engagement with an interior surface of the flange extension to limit lateral movement of the sponge assembly mounted in the squeeze housing and for engagement with the squeeze rollers so as to aid in retaining the sponge assembly between the rollers, wherein, in operation, the first and second catch members extend from the retainer housing sufficiently to prevent the first and second catch members from moving laterally past the flange extensions.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a third and fourth catch member are on an opposite side the retainer housing and aligned with the first and second catch members, whereby the first and third catch members and the second and fourth catch members cooperate to prevent lateral movement of the catch members past said flange extensions.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second catch members are provide a gradually curved surface for engaging said flange extensions.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second catch members are formed by a partial loop-shaped band extending from the side of the retainer housing.

5. A squeeze mop assembly, comprising:

a squeeze housing with a handle element projecting from a first end of the squeeze housing, four flange extensions projecting from the opposite end of the squeeze housing, said flange extensions configured in first and second generally parallel pairs and defining first and second spaced roller assembly mounts, each of said roller assembly mounts including a rod with squeeze rollers mounted thereon;

a separate and separable sponge assembly comprising a compressible sponge mounted in a retainer housing, said retainer housing having spaced generally parallel retainer housing sides that fit between the squeeze rollers of the first and second roller assembly mounts, the retainer housing including an opening configured to receive a hook from a drive wire to separably connect the sponge assembly to the squeeze mop assembly; and

a first and second catch members on at least one of said housing retainer sides and positioned intermediate of and adjacent to said flange extensions, said first and second catch members each having a shaped configuration that extends out from the side of the retainer housing for engagement with an interior surface of the flange extension to limit lateral movement of the sponge assembly mounted in the squeeze housing and for engagement with the squeeze rollers so as to aid in retaining the sponge assembly between the rollers, wherein, in operation, the first and second catch members extend from the retainer housing sufficiently to prevent the first and second catch members from moving laterally past the flange extensions, wherein the first and second catch members are positioned abutting to the interior surface of the respective flange extensions.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a third and fourth catch member are on an opposite side the retainer housing and aligned with the first and second catch members, whereby the first and third catch members and the second and fourth catch members cooperate to prevent lateral movement of the catch members past said flange extensions.

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second catch members are provide a gradually curved surface for engaging said flange extensions.

8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second catch members are formed by a partial loop-shaped band extending from the side of the retainer housing.