US2014488A - Mop - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 17, 1935. BATES 2,014,488

MOP

Filed March 1, 1934 INVENTOR Josep/ZD- Ba es Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED. ST TES PATENT, OFFICE MOP Joseph D. Bates, West Springfield, Mass. Application March 1, 1934, Serial No. 713,570 14 Claims. (01.15-119) The present invention relates to mops and, more particularly, to mops of the type having fluid-removing or squeezing means associated therewith. I It is a primary object of the present invention 1 to provide a mopping device which shall be pro;-

vided with devices, carried by or adjacent to that 3 part of the mop which supports themopping element, which will be movable into positions at opposite sides of the mopping element for squeezing the mopping element therebetween. It is also intended by the present invention that such squeezing devices shall be movable to an inoperative position in the rear of the mopping element where they may be fastened in such a position that they cannot interfere with manipulation of the mop. It is also an object of the invention to provide means carried by such squeezing members which, when the squeezing members are moved to inoperative position, may be grasped easily by the hand in order to employ the mop as a hand wiper or mop.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for latching and maintaining the squeezing members in a position to the rear of the mopping element. v o

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following description and the 30. annexed drawing, it being expressly understood, however, that the invention is in no way limited by such description and drawings, or otherwise than by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, in which similar reference numerals refer to like parts.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mop according to the present invention; 7 Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the mop device, show-,

55 which are so arranged that the sides 3, I converge.

slightly at their free longitudinal edges for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

A mo'p element 5 is also provided by the invention and is adapted to be attached to the body portion I of the mop device, and such element 5 comprises an elongated strip 6 of mopping or cleaning material and an elongated, U-shaped mop-retaining member 1 comprising the bottom portion 8 and the sides'9, I I), the same being preferablyintegrally formed, all as illustrated clearly 10 in Fig. 4. ,One oi the longitudinal sides of the mopping element 6, which may be formed from sponge rubber or other suitable material, is securely clamped between the sides 9, N3 of the mopretaining member I, and such sides may be in- 15 wardly deformed, as illustrated, in order to insure a secure clamping engagement. The mop-retaining member is preferably formed 'of sheet metal and has such outside dimensions that it may be slidably' but tightly received within the 20 body member I.

It will be apparent that the mop element 5 may be securely attached to the body portion I of the mop device by sliding the U-shaped mop-retaining member I longitudinally of and within the 'U- 7 shaped body portion I, the parts being so proportioned that a sliding but tight fit will be provided. It will also be seen that, due to the inward deformation of the sides 3, 4 of the body portion I, the sides of the mop-retaining member 30 I will be, resiliently and securely held be-- tween the sides, 3, 4, while the bottom portion 8 of member I will snugly fit against and within the bottom portion 2 of member I, whereby the mop element will be securely and rigidly, but de- 35 tachably secured to the mop body I. As is clearly illustrated, one end of the bottom'portion 8 of mop-retaining member I may be turned outwardly as at I I in order to provide a finger grip whereby the mop element 5 and mop-retaining member 40 I may be conveniently inserted in and pulled out of the body member I.

Means are provided by the present invention for squeezing water or other cleaning fluid out of the mop element 6 when desired, and such 5 means comprise the squeezing plates I2, I3 which, as clearly illustrated, comprise elongated, generally fiat members which may be formed of any suitable material such as sheet metal. Adjacent one edge of each of these squeezing members are formed a plurality of ears I, the same being turned over and passing through eyes I5 which are struck up from the sides 3, 4 of the body member I, thereby forming hinged connections between the sides 3, 4 and the plates I2, I3. The

in inoperative position rearwardly of'the body member I, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by\means of a latch device, the same comprising a portion H which is rigidly and permanently attached to the squeezing plate I2, and a portion I8 extending at approximately a right angle to portion I1 and terminating in a catch member I9 which is adapted to engage over the free edge of plate I3 when the two squeezing plates are in inoperative position, all as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1

and 2.. For the purpose of providing strength and a better squeezing actio'n, the plates I2, I3

' may be provided with the longitudinal ridges 20,

2| which are preferably struck up from the metal of the plates and which are so disposed that when the plates are in operative or squeezing position the ridges substantially oppose each other as illustrated'in Fig. 3. It will be apparent that, when the squeezing plates are operated to squeeze the mopping element therebetween, the ridges will extend into the mopping element and, by

reducing the volume included between the two plates, will provide an increased squeezing action. 1

Means are provided whereby the squeezing plates. may be manipulated by the hands, and such means comprise the handle members 22, 23. The ends of each of said handle members are rigidly attached to one of the plates I2, I3 by any suitable means, and betweensuch ends, the handle members are preferably semi-circular in shape in order that a convenient hand-grip may be afforded. It will be apparent that the handles '22, 23 may be employed for manipulating the squeezing plates or, if desired, for manipulating the mop in a cleaning operation when it is not desired to employ the usual long handle.

' The device according to the present invention is also provided with means whereby it may be operated in the usual manner by a handle. Such means comprise a split socket 24 of the usual type, which may be attached by rivets 25, or otherwise, to the bottom 2 of the body member I, and which projects ,rearwardly from the mop body as illustrated in Fig. 1. A handle 26 is adapted to be received in the socket 24 and to be held therein by means of the clamping means 21.

In the operation of the above described mop, it is first necessary to attach the mop element to the body or frame of the mop. This may be done by inserting the mop-retaining member I, in which the cleaning member 6 is securely clamped, into the U-shaped body member I of the mop. The mop element 5 and mop-retaining 7 member 'I will now be securely clamped to the body member I. The squeezing plates may .now be moved to inoperative position rearwardly of the mop assembly, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and may be held in such position by engaging the catch I9 over the free edge of plate I3, whereby the two plates will be securely held in inoperative position. If desired, a handle may be'secured in the socket 24, and the mop may now be used either dry, for wiping purposes or may be dampened for cleaning and scrubbing purposes.

If it is now desired to squeeze the water or other cleaning fluid out of the mop element 5, the latch I9 is first disengaged from the free edge of plate I3, and the squeezing plates I2, I3 are moved about their pivotal connections with the sides 3, 4 of body member I until they abut the opposite sides of the mop element 5. Further movement of the squeezing plates toward each .mopping element having a marginal edge P0rdescribed squeezing members I2, I 3 may be held other as illustrated in Fig. 3, will cause'the mop element to be eilectively and thoroughly squeezed between the plates. It will be apparent that the squeezing plates may be so proportioned that eachwill substantially cover one side 0! the mop 5 element, and that if such plates are operated by means of the handles 22, 23, considerable-pressure may be exerted on the mop element'whereby the same will be completely ireed of water or other cleaning fluid. 10

The squeezing plates may nowbe returned to inoperative position and maintained therein by means 01' latch member I9, in order that the wiping or mopping operation may be resumed.

While I have illustrated and described one em- 15 bodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that other modifications and constructions may be employed without departing in any way from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, the body member I may be so arranged 20 and constructed that the mop-retaining member I may be inserted therein through the longitudinal open side of such body member, in which case the sides 3, 4 of the body member may be formed of resilient material whereby the mem- 25 ber I will be clamped in position within the body member. 'Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art and reference must be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

It is also to be expressly understood that the term "mop as employed in the appended claims is intended to cover all mopping, cleaning or wiping devices, and is not to be restricted in meaning to any particular type or character of 5 device in any way. I

What is claimed is:

1. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a mopping element carried by said mop-holding member, a plurality of squeezing members pivotally mounted with respect to and adjacent the side members of said mopholding' member and movable from inoperative positions into positions at opposite sides of said mopping element to squeeze said mopping ele-" ment therebetween. I

2. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mop-v holding member, a mopping element having a portion thereof mounted within said channelshaped member, and plate members pivotally 5 mounted on opposite sides of said channel- V shaped mop-holding member and movable to squeeze said mopping elementtherebetween.

3. A mop comprising a handle, a channelshaped mop-holding member secured to said handle, a mopping element having a portion thereofmounted within said holding member, and a plurality of plate members pivotally mounted on said channel-shaped mop-holding member and movable into engagement with op- '60 posite sides of said moppingelement for squeezing the same therebetween.

4. A mop comprising in combination, a mopholding member having spaced side portions, a

65 tion disposed between and held by said side portions of the mop-holding member and a main body portion extending outwardly from the marginal edges of said side portions, and a pair or squeezing members hinged to said mop-holding member adjacent said side portions and arranged ior relative swinging movements between a squeezing position at opposite sides of the main body of the mopping element and extending forwardly of the said side portions and a non- -75 element between them when in said-squeezing position. v t

5. A map comprising in combination, a mop- I holding member having spaced side portions, 9.

mopping element having a marginal edge portion disposed between and held by said side portions of the mop-holding member and a main body portion extending outwardly from the marginal edges of said side portions, and a pair of squeezing members hinged to said side portions of the mop-holding member and arranged for relative swinging movements between a squeezing 6. A mop comprising in combination, a mopholding member having spaced side portions, a mopping element having-a marginal edge portion disposed between and held by said side portions of the mop-holding member and a main body portion extending outwardly from the marginal edges of said side portions, a pair of squeezing members hinged to said mop-holding member and arranged for relative swinging movements between a squeezing position at opposite sides of the main body of the mopping element and extending forwardly of the said side portions and a non-squeezing position away therefrom, and adapted to squeeze the main body portion of the mopping element therebetween when in said squeezing position, and means to releasably retain said squeezing members in non-squeezing position.

7. A mop comprising in combination, a mopholding member having spaced side portions, a

mopping element having a marginal edge portion disposed between and held by said side portions of the mop-holding member and a main body portion extending outwardly from the marginal edges of said side portions, a pair of squeezing members hinged to said side portions of the mopholding member and arranged for relative swinging movements between a squeezing position at opposite sides of the main body of the mopping element and extending forwardly of the said side portions and a non-squeezing position away therefrom, and adapted to squeeze the main body portion of the mopping element when in said squeezing position, andmeans to releasably retain said squeezing members in non-squeezing position.

8. A mop comprising a mop-holding member, a mopping element carried by said mop-holding member and having a portion extending therefrom, a plurality of squeezing plates pivotally mounted with respect to and adjacent said mopholding member and movable into engagement with opposite sides of said mopping element to squeeze the same therebetween, each of said plates being provided with a portion extending out of the plane thereof and engageable with and extending into said mopping element when the said plates are in squeezing position.

9. A mop comprising a mop-holding member,

a moppingelement carried by said mop-holding member and having a portion extending therefrom, a plurality of squeezing plates pivotally mounted on said mop-holding member and movable into engagement with opposite sides of said mopping element, each of said plates being provided with a ridge engageable with and extending into said mopping element when said plates are in squeezing position;

10. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a mopping element having a portion thereof mounted within said holding member, a plurality of plates pivotaliy mounted on the sides of said channel-shaped mop-holding member and movable from an inoperative position into engagement with said mopping element to squeeze the same therebetween, and latch means for releasably maintaining said plates in inoperative position behind said mopping element.

11. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a mopping element having a portion thereof mounted within said holding member, a plurality of squeezing devices pivotally mounted" on opposite sides of said holding member and movable from an inoperative position into positions at opposite sides of said mopping element, and means carried by one of said squeezing devices and engageable with another thereof for releasably maintaining said squeezing devices in inoperative position.

12. A mop comprising a mop-holding member,

a mopping element carried by said mop-holding member, a plurality of plates pivotally mounted on said mop holding member and movable from inoperative positions to positions at opposite sides of said mopping element to squeeze the same therebetween, and a latch member having a portion rigidly connected at substantially right angles to one of said plates and engageable with the free edge of another of said plates when said plates are in inoperative position.

13. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a mopping element having a portion attached within said channel-shaped member, a plurality of squeezing members pivotally connected to said mop-holding member and movable from inoperative position into positions at opposite sides of said mopping element for squeezing the same therebetween, means for latching said squeezing members in inoperative position, and handles connected to said squeezing members and so disposed with respect to said squeezing members that when said squeezing members are latched in inoperative position said handles are brought substantially together.

14. A mop comprising a mop-holding member,

a mopping element carried by said mop-holding member, a plurality of plates pivotally mounted on said mop-holding member and movable from inoperative positions into positionsat opposite sides of said mopping element to squeeze said mopping element therebetween, and an arcuate rod handle connected at each end thereof to each of the said plates adjacent the free edge thereof and disposed substantially in the plane of said plate.

JOSEPH D. BATES.

CERTIFICATEOF-CORRECTiONP mm n; 2.014388, I 1 S pt m 193 JOSEPH o. :BAITEVS- I It is herebycerti-fi'ed that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered "patent requiring correction as follows: Rage 1, first column, after line 27,- insert the following:

p A further-obj act is to provide a mopping devicehaving squeezing means mounted thereon, which squeezing means will include portions effective to provide an additional or further squeezing action when the squeezingfgmeans are operated to squeeze the mopping element.

A still further obj ect of the invention is to provide a mop, having a squeezing device associated therewith which will include only a minimum'number of parts and which may be easily and cheaply manufactured,

but which will be strong and rugged in construction.

And tha't the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. Signed and sealed this "7th dayof April, A..- D. 1936.

f 7 teens Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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