Self-wringing mop

• US 8,522,388 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2009
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Jiang, Weilai, Zeng, Feng, Peng, Jian Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Lee D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRANDALL, JOEL DILLON
• Application Number:
  US12/865,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20110047733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,679 Days
• Field of Search: 151/191, 151/192, 151/161, 151/162, 152/301.4
• US Class Current: 15/119.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/144 having squeezing rollers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/20 Mops

Abstract

A self-wringing mop is disclosed that comprises a handle, a mounting support forming an axis of rotation, wherein the mounting support is connected with the handle, a cleaning portion connected with the mounting support in such a manner that the cleaning portion is rotatable about the axis, and a pressing member connected with the handle, wherein the pressing member engages with the cleaning portion to inhibit rotation of the cleaning portion.

Claims

1. A mop comprising:

a handle;

a mounting support forming an axis of rotation, wherein the mounting support is connected with the handle;

a cleaning portion connected with the mounting support in such a manner that the cleaning portion is rotatable about the axis; and

a pressing member connected with the handle;

wherein the mop is configured to transition between;

a state of free rotation in which the cleaning portion is permitted to freely rotate, and

a state of inhibited rotation in which the pressing member engages with the cleaning portion to inhibit rotation of the cleaning portion,

wherein the pressing member comprises a first pressing member and a second pressing member with a predetermined space therebetween, the space having a width less than a width of the cleaning portion in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the cleaning portion, and

wherein the pressing member further includes a pressing member connecting part including a first pressing member connecting part and a second pressing member connecting part, the first and second pressing member connecting parts each having a first end connected to the handle and a second end connected with a respective one of the first and second pressing members, and further wherein a locking part is formed on a surface of at least one of the first pressing member connecting part and the second pressing member connecting part, the surface facing the first portion of the cleaning portion mounting support; and

a latching part is formed at a portion of the first portion of the cleaning portion mounting support corresponding to the locking part so as to lock the cleaning portion in the state of inhibited rotation.

2. The mop of claim 1, wherein the pressing member is movably connected with the handle for engaging the pressing member with the cleaning portion.

3. The mop of claim 1, wherein the mounting support is movably connected with the handle for engaging the pressing member with the cleaning portion.

4. The mop of claim 1, wherein the pressing member engages against the periphery of the cleaning portion.

5. The mop of claim 1, wherein the pressing member engages across the entire cleaning portion.

6. The mop according to claim 1, wherein each of the first pressing member and the second pressing member comprises a roller.

7. The mop according to claim 1 wherein the first ends of the first pressing member connecting part and the second pressing member connecting part respectively are mounted through a sleeve to the handle.

8. The mop according to claim 7, wherein:

a space is formed between the first pressing member connecting part and the second pressing member connecting part; and

the mounting support includes a first portion extending substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the cleaning portion and located between the first pressing member connecting part and the second pressing member connecting part, second portions respectively extending from two ends of the first portion toward a side of the cleaning portion, and a cleaning portion shaft coupled to ends of the second portions on which the cleaning portion is rotatably mounted.

9. The mop according to claim 1, wherein the latching part and the locking part are configured such upon engagement between the latching part and the locking part, the latching part and the locking part prevent:

movement of the cleaning portion and the pressing members toward one another; and

movement of the cleaning portion and the pressing members away from one another.

10. The mop according to claim 1, wherein the mop is configured to transition a relationship of the pressing member relative to the cleaning member between:

the state of free rotation in which an entirety of the cleaning portion is forward of the pressing member such that the cleaning portion freely rotates;

the state of inhibited rotation in which the axis of rotation is forward of the pressing member and the pressing member engages with the cleaning portion to inhibit rotation of the cleaning portion; and

a state of liquid removal in which the axis of rotation is rearward of the pressing member, wherein transition from the state of inhibited rotation to the state of liquid removal includes the pressing member pressing against the cleaning portion to remove liquid contained in the cleaning portion.

11. The mop according to claim 10, further comprising:

a lever rotatably coupled to the handle; and

a link extending between and connected to the lever and the mounting support;

wherein the link transfers movement of the lever to the mounting support in transitioning the mop between the states of free rotation, inhibited rotation, and liquid removal;

and further wherein an entirety of the link is located outside of the handle.

12. The mop according to claim 10, further comprising a lever rotatably coupled to the handle, wherein coupling of the lever permits rotation of the lever relative to the handle between:

a lower angular limit corresponding with the state of free rotation; and

an upper angular limit corresponding with the state of liquid removal;

wherein the cleaning portion remains connected with the mounting support, and the mounting support remains connected with the handle at the lower angular limit and the upper angular limit.

13. The mop according to claim 10, wherein the cleaning portion is a circular cylinder sponge.