Floor cleaning device having a sole plate to removably receive a cleaning sheet thereon

• US 9,974,423 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2014
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Policicchio, Nicola John, Bradbury, Glenn Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): JENNINGS, MICHAEL DEANGILO
• Application Number:
  US14/250,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20140250619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 15403, 15 521, 15 98
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/33 having means for storing dirt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4041 Roll shaped surface treating tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4069 Driving or transmission means for the cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4072 Arrangement of castors or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/12 Implements with several different treating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/16 Cloths; Pads; Sponges metal scraping sponges A47L13/07
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/20 Mops
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 23/05 with applicators for shoe polish

Abstract

An implement for a cleaning system. The system has a floor cleaning device, which can accept a cleaning sheet removably attachable to the device. The device has a foot which comprises a housing and a panel movable in relationship to each other. The sheet is removably attachable to the panel, without requiring attachment to the housing. This arrangement provides ergonomic benefit and ease of sheet replacement. The cleaning system may be used to clean hard surfaces, such as a floor.

Claims

1. A foot for a cleaning device, the foot configured to receive a handle pivotally attached thereto, said foot having a longitudinal centerline, a front, a rear longitudinally opposed thereto, and two opposed sides connecting said front and said rear, and being movable on a surface, said foot comprising:

a housing, and

a sole plate removably joined to said housing, said sole plate being able to removably receive a disposable cleaning sheet thereon without attachment of the cleaning sheet to said housing, said sole plate being movable about a pivot axis between an open position for servicing of the cleaning sheet and a closed position for cleaning tasks,

said sole plate comprising a forward portion on one side of said pivot axis and a rearward portion oppositely on the other side of said pivot axis, each of said forward portion and said rearward portion having at least one respective gripper thereon to removably receive a respective portion of the cleaning sheet.

2. A foot according to claim 1 wherein said forward portion and said rearward portion each have an upwardly facing surface, and said grippers are disposed on said upwardly facing surface of said forward portion and said upwardly facing surface of said rearward portion.

3. A foot according to claim 1 further comprising a rotatable beater bar disposed on said foot.

4. A foot according to claim 3 wherein said beater bar is juxtaposed with said forward portion of said sole plate.

5. A foot according to claim 4 wherein said sole plate pivots about an axis juxtaposed with said rear of said housing.

6. A foot according to claim 5 wherein said axis is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline.

7. A foot according to claim 6 wherein said rearward portion has a top with at least one gripper thereon and said axis is disposed below said top.

8. A foot according to claim 7 wherein said forward portion is rigidly joined to said rearward portion.

9. A device for cleaning a floor, said device having a front, a rear longitudinally opposed thereto, and two opposed sides connecting said front and said rear, and being movable on a floor, said device comprising:

an elongate handle,

a foot, said foot being pivotally connected to said handle, said foot being movable on a floor, said foot having a housing and a sole plate for removably receiving a disposable floor sheet, said sole plate and said housing being articulably joined together,

said sole plate comprising a head and a panel joined thereto, whereby said head protrudes from said panel, each of said head and said panel articulating in synchronous relationship with respect to said housing, each of said head and said panel having at least one gripper thereon to removably receive a portion of a cleaning sheet in said gripper.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein said head has a top and comprises at least one gripper disposed on said top of said head.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein said head has a head width and a head length, and said sole plate has a sole plate width and a sole plate length, said head width being substantially equal to said sole plate width.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein said head is disposed at the rear of said foot.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein said pivot axis is disposed between said at least one gripper on said head and said at least one said gripper on said panel.

14. A foot for cleaning a floor, said foot being movable on a floor, said foot having a front, a rear longitudinally opposed thereto, and two opposed sides connecting said front and said rear, said foot comprising:

a housing,

a sole plate articulably joined to said housing and pivotable about an axis extending through said housing, said sole plate comprising a head and a panel joined thereto, whereby said head protrudes from said panel, each of said head and said panel rotating in synchronous relationship with respect to said housing from a closed position to an open position, said head having a top and a rear, at least one of said top and/or said rear of said head having at least one gripper thereon, said panel having an interior face and exterior face opposed thereto and further comprising at least one gripper being disposed on said interior face of said panel, to removably receive a cleaning sheet in said gripper for mounting to said sole plate without attaching said sheet to said housing.

15. A foot according to claim 14 having a longitudinal centerline, wherein said sole plate pivots about an axis generally perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline.

16. A foot according to claim 15 wherein said sole plate has an outwardly facing surface, said outwardly facing surface being generally planar.

17. A foot according to claim 16 wherein said sole plate has an upwardly facing surface, said upwardly facing surface being generally planar.

18. A foot according to claim 14 further comprising a sheet attached to said sole plate by said grippers, said sheet wrapping an edge of said head and wrapping an edge of said panel, when attached to said sole plate and not being attached to said housing.