Self-wringing ratchet mop

[0002] The present invention relates generally to mops and, more particularly, to the field of self-wringing ratchet mops.

[0003] Self-wringing mops are well known and have been the subject of numerous improvements over the years. These mops generally are used to clean the floor surfaces in households, businesses, institutions, etc. Each mop typically includes a handle for supporting a mop head at one end thereof and a means for removing liquid therefrom.

[0004] One known disadvantage of early self-wringing mops was the lack of a mechanism to prevent the mop head from unwinding under the increasing tension during the wringing operation. If the mop handle or sleeve of the mop either accidentally slipped or was released from the user's hands before the mop head was wrung sufficiently dry, tension on the mop head tended to cause movement of the sleeve or mop handle relative to each other thereby returning the mop head to its unwound condition.

[0005] Attempts have been made to improve the utility of wringable mops by incorporating a ratchet mechanism to hold the mop head in place as the user increases the tension on the mop head during the wringing operation and to allow the user the ability to release the tension after the mop head has been wrung.

[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,163 to Morad discloses a self-wringing mop comprising an outer tubular sleeve which is movable longitudinally and rotatably over an inner shaft and further includes a one-way spring-and-ratchet mechanism. The spring and ratchet mechanism comprises a spring-biased pawl located on the outer tubular sleeve. The pawl is engageable with longitudinal ribs provided on the inner shaft to permit rotation of the outer sleeve in only one direction to wring the mop head. To allow counter rotation of the outer sleeve, the pawl is urged radially outward against the spring until it is disengaged from the ribs, permitting the outer sleeve to rotate freely about an inner shaft so that the mop head can be returned to its initial position. Notably, the mop in Morad requires the use of costly additional parts, such as a separate spring and pawl.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a continuing need to provide an improved means for wringing a mop head that is simple in construction, inexpensive and durable. There is also a continuing need to provide a self-wringing ratchet mop which is capable of efficiently manipulating a mop head during wringing operation to dispense liquid therefrom.

[0008] The present invention provides a self-wringing ratchet mop comprising an elongated handle including first and second ends and defining a longitudinal axis. The handle further includes a first ratchet portion having first and second ends and teeth positioned circumferentially around the longitudinal axis. The first end of the first ratchet portion may comprise an enlarged area extending circumferentially around the first ratchet portion and having a top and bottom surface, and a raised portion situated in close proximity to the bottom surface of the enlarged area.

[0009] A sleeve is provided defining opposing first and second ends and comprising a tubular shell having an inner diameter wherein the sleeve is positioned over the handle in sliding engagement between the first end of the first ratchet portion and the second end of the handle. The sleeve further includes at least one aperture, preferably a pair of diametrically opposed apertures, located intermediate the first and second ends of the sleeve. The apertures may be situated in a recessed area extending circumferentially around the sleeve.

[0010] The mop further comprises a mop head having a plurality of mop strands defining a mop body wherein the mop body is attached to and extends between the second end of the handle and the second end of the sleeve.

[0011] A resilient ring is supported around the sleeve and includes at least one pawl member defining a second ratchet portion for receipt within a corresponding aperture and for engagement with the teeth of the first ratchet portion.

[0012] The engagement of the first and second ratchet portions allows rotation of the sleeve relative to the handle in a first direction to wring the mop head, and prevent rotation of the sleeve in a second, opposite direction. The resilient ring then can be deformed by a mop user by pressing disengagement areas on the ring such that the second ratchet portion moves radially outwardly from engagement with the teeth to allow the sleeve to rotate in the second direction to unwring the mop head.

[0013] In one embodiment, the resilient ring is supported on the sleeve and held in place by a retaining element. The ring includes a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas located in spaced relation, preferably 90 degrees, to a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members received within corresponding apertures in the sleeve. After the sleeve has been positioned over the teeth of the first ratchet portion and ratcheted around to wring the mop strands, application of a force to the disengagement area causes the ring to deform to move the pawl member out of engagement with the teeth to unwring the mop.

[0014] In another embodiment, the mop further includes a disengagement mechanism comprising a pair of diametrically opposed levers extending radially outwardly from the sleeve wherein application of a force to the lever causes application of a force to corresponding disengagement areas of the resilient ring causing the ring to deform inwardly to move a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members out of engagement with the teeth.

[0015] In yet another embodiment, the ring is retained in a recessed area around the sleeve and includes a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas located adjacent to a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members. A disengagement mechanism including a pair of diametrically opposed levers extends radially outwardly from the ring and cooperates with the disengagement areas wherein application of a force to the levers causes application of a force to the corresponding disengagement areas causing the ring to deform outwardly to move the pawl members out of engagement with the teeth to unwring a wrung mop head.

[0016] The invention will be further described in conjunction with the appended drawings and following detailed description.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a mop of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sleeve and resilient ring of the mop in FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the mop in FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4—4 of FIG. 3 showing a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas located in spaced relation to a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members engaging the teeth of the first ratchet portion;

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a view similar to FIG. 4 wherein the pawl members have been disengaged outwardly from the teeth of the first ratchet;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the mop showing a resilient ring retained in a recessed area around a sleeve positioned over the first ratchet portion;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7—7 of FIG. 6 showing a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas located in spaced relation to a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members engaging the teeth of the first ratchet portion;

[0024] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the mop showing a pair of diametrically opposed levers cooperating with a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of yet another embodiment of the mop showing a pair of diametrically opposed levers cooperating with a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas; and

[0026] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10—10 of FIG. 9 showing a pair of diametrically opposed levers cooperating with a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas located adjacent to a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members engaging the teeth of the first ratchet portion.

[0027] FIGS. 1-10 show the present invention which concerns an improvement over a mop of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,163 to Morad hereby incorporated by reference, which discloses a spring-and-ratchet mechanism for wringing out mops.

[0028] As best shown in FIG. 1, the self-wringing ratchet mop 10 has an elongated handle 12 with first and second ends 14 and 16 and defines a longitudinal axis 18. A padded hand grip 20 may be provided along the handle 12 intermediate the first and second ends 14, 16. The handle 12 further includes a first ratchet portion 22 having first and second ends 24 and 26 and teeth 28 positioned circumferentially around the longitudinal axis 18. The first ratchet portion 22 is located intermediate the first and second ends 14, 16 of the handle 12 and below the hand grip 20.

[0029] The first end 24 of the first ratchet portion 22 includes an enlarged area 30 extending circumferentially around the first ratchet portion 22 and having a top and bottom surface 32 and 34 and an outer diameter 36 (FIG. 3) includes a raised portion 38 extending circumferentially around the first ratchet portion 22 and having an outer diameter 40 (FIG. 3). The raised portion 38 is situated in close proximity to the bottom surface 32 of the enlarged area 30.

[0030] Referring further to FIG. 2, the mop 10 includes a sleeve 42 having a grip portion 44 and defining opposing first and second ends 46 and 48 and including inner and outer surfaces 50 and 52 extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis 18 to form a tubular shell 54. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the sleeve 42 is supported for longitudinal movement along the handle 12 between the first end 24 of the first ratchet portion 22 and the second end 16 of the handle 12. As best seen in FIG. 2, the sleeve 42 has an inner diameter 56 and further includes a pair of diametrically opposed apertures 58 and 60 located intermediate the first and second ends 46, 48 of the sleeve 42. At least a portion of the inner diameter 56 of the sleeve 42 defines a diameter smaller than the outer diameter 40 of the raised portion 38 so that the sleeve 42 can be retained in a friction fit when the first end 46 of the sleeve 42 is positioned over the raised portion 38.

[0031] As best seen in FIG. 3, the longitudinal movement of the sleeve 42 is controlled by a mop user 62 (shown in partial), however, longitudinal movement in a direction towards the first end 14 of the handle 12 may be limited by the enlarged area 30 which has an outer diameter 36 larger than the inner diameter 56 (FIG. 2) of the sleeve 42.

[0032] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the mop 10 further includes a mop head 64 comprising a plurality of mop strands 66 defining a mop body 68. The mop head 64 may be formed of any strand material known in the art, including strips of absorbent and durable material, such as woven or non-woven natural or synthetic materials, or may consist of a yarn material or any other material capable of providing a strand-like mop body. The mop body 68 extends between the second end 16 of the handle 12 and the second end 48 of the sleeve 42.

[0033] As further shown in FIG. 2, a resilient ring 70 is supported on the sleeve 42 over the apertures 58, 60 and is further held from circumferential or rotational movement by a pair of diametrically opposed retaining elements 72 and 74 (FIG. 3). As can be seen in FIG. 3, each retaining element 72, 74 includes a pair of spaced apart parallel flanges 76 and 78 extending outwardly away from the sleeve 42 and aligned with the longitudinal axis 18 while the ring 70 includes a pair of opposed securing flanges 82 and 84 extending downwardly from the ring 70 in a direction towards the second end 16 of the handle 12 such that each securing flange 82, 84 is received within the space 86 (FIG. 2) between the parallel flanges 76, 78 of the retaining elements 72, 74 to restrict rotational movement around the sleeve 42 once assembled thereto. Accordingly, the artisan will appreciate that one or more retaining elements 72, 74 may be used with one or more corresponding securing flanges 82, 84 and that various types of retaining elements may be used which cooperate with the ring 70 for restricting rotational movement of the ring 70 around the sleeve 42.

[0034] The resilient ring 70 preferably comprises a resilient, sturdy material such as a plastic and, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members 88 and 90 integrally formed therewith to define a second ratchet portion 92 (FIG. 4).

[0035] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pawl members 88, 90 extend radially inwardly from the ring 70 and through the apertures 58, 60 in the sleeve 42 for engagement with the teeth 28 when the sleeve 42 is located in a longitudinal position over the first ratchet portion 22. Further, the ring 70 has a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas 94 and 96 located in spaced relation, preferably 90 degrees relation, to the pawl members 88, 90, in a circumferential direction. The pawl members 88, 90 of the second ratchet portion 92 cooperate with the teeth 28 of the first ratchet portion 22 to define a ratchet mechanism permitting the mop user to rotate the sleeve 42 relative to the handle 12 in a first direction, as indicated by arrows, to wring the mop head 64, and preventing rotation of the sleeve 42 in a second, opposite direction.

[0036] After the sleeve 42 has been positioned over the teeth 28 of the first ratchet portion 22 and ratcheted around to wring the mop head 64, FIG. 5 illustrates that application of a force F (by a user) to the disengagement areas 94, 96 deforms the ring 70 inwardly moving the pawl members 88, 90 out of engagement with the teeth 28 allowing the sleeve 42 to rotate in a second direction, indicated by arrows, to unwring the mop head 64. Accordingly, the artisan will appreciate that the ring 70 can be provided with one or more disengagement areas 94, 96 located in spaced relation to one or more corresponding pawl members 88, 90. Further, it should be noted that the hand grip 20 (FIG. 1) on the handle 12 and the grip portion 44 (FIG. 3) on the sleeve 42 provide convenient locations for a mop user (FIG. 3) to grip and rotate the sleeve 42 relative to the handle 12.

[0037] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the ring 70 has a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas 94, 96 located in spaced relation, preferably 90 degrees relation, to a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members 88, 90, in a circumferential direction. Each pawl member 88, 90 is received through a corresponding aperture 58, 60 in a recessed area 98 located adjacent the second end 48 of the sleeve. Accordingly, application of a force F to the disengagement areas 94, 96 deforms the ring 70 inwardly moving the pawl members 88, 90 out of engagement with the teeth 28 allowing the sleeve 42 to rotate in a second direction to unwring a wrung mop head 64. The disengagement areas 94, 96 can be indicated by indicia or marker 100 such as a raised area on the ring 70.

[0038] In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 8, the mop 10 (FIG. 1) further includes a disengagement mechanism 102 comprising a pair of diametrically opposed levers 104 and 106 extending radially outwardly from the sleeve 42 and cooperating with corresponding disengagement areas 94, 96 located on the ring 70 and in spaced relation, preferably 90 degrees, to a pair of diametrically opposed pawl members 88, 90 (only one shown) received within corresponding apertures 58, 60 (not shown) in the sleeve 42. Similar to FIGS. 4 and 5, after the sleeve 42 is rotated around the first ratchet portion 22 to wring the mop head 64, application of a force to the levers 104, 106 causes application of a force F to the disengagement areas 94, 96 to cause the ring 70 to deform inwardly moving the pawl members 88, 90 out of engagement with the teeth 28 and allowing the sleeve 42 to rotate in a second direction to unwring the mop head 64. Accordingly, the artisan will appreciate that one or more levers 104, 106 can be provided cooperating with one or more disengagement areas 94, 96 located in spaced relation to one or more pawl members 88, 90.

[0039] In yet another embodiment, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a resilient ring 70 including a pair of diametrically opposed disengagement areas 94, 96 located on the ring 70 adjacent to a pair of opposing pawl members 88, 90, in a circumferential direction. As best seen in FIG. 10, the pawl members 88, 90 are received through corresponding apertures 58, 60 in the sleeve 42. The mop 10 further includes a disengagement mechanism 102 comprising a pair of diametrically opposed levers 104, 106 formed with and extending radially outwardly from the ring 70. Each lever 104, 106 cooperates with a corresponding disengagement area 94, 96 and further includes a fulcrum point 108 extending outwardly from the bottom surface 110 of each lever 104, 106 substantially adjacent the ring 70 and in close relation to the sleeve 42.

[0040] After the sleeve 42 is rotated around the first ratchet portion 22 to wring the mop head 64 (FIG. 1), application of force to the levers 104, 106 causes the levers 104, 106 to flex inwardly toward the sleeve 42 so that the fulcrum point 108 presses thereagainst allowing each lever 104, 106 to create application of a force to the disengagement areas 94, 96 to cause the ring 70 to deform outwardly and move the pawl members 88, 90 out of engagement with the teeth 28. Again, the artisan will appreciate that one or more levers 102, 104 can be provided cooperating with one or more disengagement areas 94, 96.

[0041] While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.