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Title:
RETROFIT CLOTH HOLDER FOR FLOOR SQUEEGEE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/009429
Kind Code:
A2
Abstract:
A floor cleaning accessory adapted to be coupled to a floor cleaning apparatus having a cleaning head and a handle, the accessory including: a coupling mechanism adapted to operationally couple the accessory to the handle of the floor cleaning apparatus; a longitudinal member adapted to be disposed parallel to the cleaning head when the coupling mechanism is operationally coupled to the handle, the longitudinal member operationally coupled to the coupling mechanism; and at least two protrusions extending transversely from the longitudinal member, the protrusions extending in a direction in which the handle extends away from the cleaning head.

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Inventors:
GLASSMAN SHALOM (IL)
Application Number:
PCT/IL2015/050725
Publication Date:
January 21, 2016
Filing Date:
July 14, 2015
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
GLASSMAN SHALOM (IL)
International Classes:
A47L13/11
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
FRIEDMAN, Mark et al. (Moshe Aviv Tower 54th Floor, 7 Jabotinsky St. 07 Ramat-Gan, IL)
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Claims:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. A floor cleaning accessory adapted to be coupled to a floor cleaning apparatus having a cleaning head and a handle, the accessory comprising:

a coupling mechanism adapted to operationally couple the accessory to the handle of the floor cleaning apparatus;

a longitudinal member adapted to be disposed parallel to the cleaning head when said coupling mechanism is operationally coupled to the handle, said longitudinal member operationally coupled to said coupling mechanism; and

at least two protrusions extending transversely from said longitudinal member, said protrusions extending in a direction in which the handle extends away from the cleaning head.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal member is adapted to extend over at least a portion of the cleaning head.

3. The accessory of claim !, wherein said coupling member includes a first clasping fin and a second clasping fin defining therebetween an enclosure adapted to receive the handle.

4. The accessory of claim 3, further comprising:

a fastening arrangement adapted to secure the handle in said enclosure.

5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein said fastening arrangement includes a fastening member and a locking member, said fastening member having a first end attached to said first fin and a second end adapted to interlock with said locking member, said locking member operationally coupled to said second fin.

6. The accessory of claim 1. wherein said longitudinal member further includes a pointed member, said pointed member protruding into an enclosure defined by a first clasping fin. a second clasping fin disposed opposite to said first clasping fin, and said longitudinal member, said pointed member adapted to pierce the handle when the handle is operationally coupled to said coupling member.

7. The accessory of claim 3. wherein said first fin further includes a protrusion extending from an inner, concave surface thereof.

8. The accessory of claim 7, wherein said second fin further includes a protrusion extending from an inner, concave surface thereof.

Description:
APPLICATION FOR PATENT

RETROFIT CLOTH HOLDER FOR FLOOR SQUEEGEE

This patent application claims priority from, and the benefit of, U. S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/023,974, filed July 14, 2014, which is incorporated in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to floor cleaning equipment and, more particularly, to a retrofit cloth holder for a floor squeegee cleaning arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns the prevalent floor-washing technique, using a washcloth associated with a wiper, attached to the end of a broomstick, commonly referred to as a floor squeegee. This combination of implements is widespread due to its low cost and simplicity, whereby the same tools are used for washing, rinsing, wiping and drying the floor. At different stages of the job the floor-cloth is removed, rinsed, wrung and hung back over the wiper-head attached to the stick.

It has long been felt that the method of draping the rag over the wiper is clumsy and requires multiple readjustments, and even frequent removal and re- draping of the rag in the course of mopping up. The constant slipping-off of the cleaning cloth, and its uneven spread is the source of much discomfort and frustration. Homemakers have long demanded a simple, inexpensive contraption to hold the cloth in place and at the same time enable quick and effortless release and reappiication of the cloth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a floor cleaning accessory adapted to be coupled to a floor cleaning apparatus having a cleaning head and a handle, the accessory including:

a coupling mechanism adapted to operationally couple the accessory to the handle of the floor cleaning apparatus;

a longitudinal member adapted to be disposed parallel to the cleaning head when the coupling mechanism is operationally coupled to the handle, the longitudinal member operationally coupled to the coupling mechanism; and

at least two protrusions extending transversely from the longitudinal member, the protrusions extending in a direction in which the handle extends away from the cleaning head.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below the longitudinal member is adapted to extend over at least a portion of the cleaning head .

According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the coupling member includes a first clasping fin and a second clasping fin defining therebetween an enclosure adapted to receive the handle.

According to still further features the accessory further includes a fastening arrangement adapted to secure the handle in the enclosure.

According to still further features the fastening arrangement includes a fastening member and a locking member, the fastening member having a first end attached to the first fin and a second end adapted to interlock with the locking member, the locking member operationally coupled to the second fin.

According to still further features the longitudinal member further includes a pointed member, the pointed member protruding into an enclosure defined by a first clasping fin, a second clasping fin disposed opposite to the first clasping fin, and the longitudinal member, the pointed member adapted to pierce the handle when the handle is operationally coupled to the coupling member.

According to still further features the first fin further includes a protrusion extending from an inner, concave surface thereof.

According to still further features the second fin further includes a protrusion extending from an inner, concave surface thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a prior art diagram of a floor squeegee assembly which includes a squeegee head and broomstick handle;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the squeegee head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric front view of the retrofit cloth holding device of the immediate invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the innovative device;

FIG . 5 is an isometric back view of the device;

FIG. 6 is a second back view of the innovative device from a different angle to that of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of device;

FIG. 8 is a complex diagram of the holder device in place over an (exemplary squeegee assembly;

FIG. 9 is an isometric front view of second embodiment of the retrofit cloth holder including a fastening member.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A squeegee is also known as a squilgee or sometimes squimjim, is a tool with a flat, smooth rubber blade, used to remove or control the flow of liquid on a flat surface. This type of squeegee is commonly used for cleaning smooth surfaces by hand, like windows. The rubber blade is used to sluice of the water from the window during cleaning. Another type of squeegee, commonly used for floor cleaning, includes a folded piece of rubber held by a stiff piece of plastic or metal.

The principles and operation of a cloth holder coupled to a squeegee stick according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a prior art floor squeegee assembly 10 which includes a squeegee head 20 and broomstick handle 30.

A third variation of the squeegee is shown in prior art Figure 3. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the squeegee head of FIG. I. The squeegee head 20 is comprised of two rectangular, elongated pieces of resilient foam 24 which are held together by a stiff piece of plastic 22. The head also includes a connector section 26 with an internally threaded area 26a for receiving broom handle 30. Correspondingly, broom handle 30 terminates in an externally threaded section (not shown) which screws into the internally threaded area. There is a great deal of wear and tear with these cleaning materials. In some instances the long handle 30 snaps or becomes otherwise unusable. In other instances it is the squeegee / wiper head 20 that breaks or becomes otherwise unfit. Many times it is necessary to replace only the head or handle but not both. The immediate invention is not integrally formed with either the head or the handle but can be coupled with, or detached from the head and handle arrangement without any intervening actions.

The invention is a retrofit, removable, reusable apparatus .for holding a floorcloth in place when draped over a wiper/floor squeegee attached at the end of a broomstick, In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a clip portion for attaching the apparatus onto broomstick handle. The present apparatus is used in a floor cleaning arrangement. As different practices are prevalent in different regions, an exemplary description of a floor-cleaning process is provided.

In houses with tile flooring (i.e. not carpeted or parquet flooring) can be cleaned in a multistage process. In a first stage the soapy water is poured and spread over the cleaning area. The squeegee is then used to remove the excess water from the cleaning area. The flooring is still wet or damp in places. A floor cloth is then draped length-wise over the front side of the squeegee head. The floor cloth is usually rectangular in shape and approximately half of the width of the cloth is draped over the squeegee head and the end part of the stick, while the other half is pinned under the blades by the user. The squeegee apparatus is held at approximately between a 45°-65° angle and thrust back and forth over the damp floor. The cloth soaks up much of the residual water and evenly spreads the remaining liquid over the surface which quickly dries by evaporation. Many variations of this process are known in the ait.

In the example detailed above, it is a common occurrence for the cloth to be dislodged from the apparatus during cleaning. Also, the user may elect to remove the cloth from the apparatus for various reasons such as: squeezing out absorbed liquid, rinsing the cloth from gather dirt, saturating the cloth with soapy water (e.g. to clean or re-clean a given area etc.) and the like.

Figure 3 is an isometric front view of the retrofit cloth holding device 100 of the immediate invention. Figure 4 is a front view of the innovative device 100. The depicted device is preferably formed as a single piece of plastic elastic material. One example of a preferred material is a hardened ' polymer such as plastic. Stiff plastic can be elastically deformed in order to clip holder 100 onto the broom handle or when the holder is removed there-from, There are three discernible sections to holder 100: a central column A, a face-plate B and teeth protrusions C.

Figure 5 is an isometric back view of the device 100 of the immediate invention- Figure 6 is a second back view of the innovative device 100. from a different angle to that of FIG. 5. Figure 7 is a bottom view of device 100. Figure 8 illustrates the holder device .1.00 in place over an exemplary squeegee assembly. The upper half of the central column C is cl ipped or clasped onto the broom handle while the faceplate section is fitted over one side of the squeegee assembly.

The face-plate section B includes two identical longitudinal elements / faceplates 120 that He perpendicular to the central column section C. Both the column and the face plate are slightly rounded, giving the device a better fit on the handle and squeegee bead. Protrusions 110 extend perpendicular to the faceplates, in the direction that the handle extends away from the cleaning head. The protrusions terminate in pointed edges or teeth 112. When the cleaning cloth is draped over the squeegee head the cloth hooks onto the teeth 112. The cloth snags on the teeth and remains secured on the cleaning apparatus until lifted off by the user. The holder 100 has no moving parts. Once the holder is clasped onto the squeegee assembly 10. no changes are made to the device. Rather, the weight of the cloth, the type of material and the force exerted by the squeegee head on the cloth pinned under the head cause the cloth to snag taut on the teeth and remain in place. Conversely, when the user wishes to remove the cloth from the holder, the cloth merely needs to be lifted off the teeth and removed. There is no need to unlock or disengage any clasping or locking mechanism in order to remove the cloth.

The hack of column C includes rounded protrusions, or can alternatively be described as having rounded fins 130. The rounded tins can best be seen in FIG. 7. The rounded fins form an open-sided enclosure 132 that has the circumferential dimensions similar to those of a standard size broom handle. A wooden, plastic or metal broom handle, similar to handle 30 of FIG, 1, fits snugly in the enclosure. The rounded fins 130 elastieaily deform to admit the handle into enclosure 132 when the holder 100 is pushed onto the broom handle (or the handle is pushed into the holder). The faceplate (longitudinal member) is fitted over one side of the squeegee head to prevent the holder from turning about the axis of the handle. As mentioned above, the faceplates 120 are slightly rounded having a convex front face and a concave back face. The curvature of the plate forms- a concave indent visible in the back views of Figures 5 and 6. For additional support, a screw (not shown) can be screwed through an aperture 124 (best seen in FIG. 4) formed in the center of column C. The screw is screwed into the wooden, plastic or metal handle and securely couples the holder to the squeegee assembly. Another possible configuration of the retrofit, removable, reusable cloth holding apparatus is shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 illustrates an isometric front view of second embodiment 200 of the invention including a fastening member 240. A [flat] member 220 is adapted to be disposed parallel to the horizontal plane of the wiper and coupled to a clasping member 230. Clasping member 230 includes two elastically deiormahie fins that bend away from each other when a broom handle is forced between them. The fins and part of the flat member 220 define between them a open- sided enclosure 232 which is adapted to receive therein a broom handle, as mentioned.

In one embodiment, the fastening member 240 is a flexible elongated piece of material (e.g. plastic) in the form of a band which is secured to one of the fins and extends in an arc beyond the second fin. On the second fin there is an interlocking piece 242 for coupling with the flexible band. In one exemplary arrangement, the band has ridged protrusions on the inner face of the band. One of the ridged, protrusions can be secured to the interlocking piece. One function of the fastening member is to prevent the device from detaching from the broom handle. Another function of the fastening member is to prevent the retrofit apparatus from revolving about the broomstick handle, which would render the apparatus ineffective.

In some embodiments, a nail or other sharp protrusion extends from the midpoint of the flat member 220 into enclosure 232. When attaching the clip segment / clasping member 230 to the broomstick, the nail becomes embedded in the handle and prevents rotation of the device about the stick / handle.

In some embodiments, sharp protruding members (not shown) such as nails, studs, tacks, pegs and the like, can protrude from the concave, inner surface(s) of one or both clasping fins of the clip segment. The function of the protruding members is likewise to prevent rotation of the apparatus about the axis of the broomstick.

Two relatively sharp spikes or teeth 212 protrude vertically from the [flat] member 220, one on each side of the holding device 200. The flat member is depicted in the Figure a separate piece coupled together with the clip member. In another embodiment, the entire apparatus is a single, molded piece of material such as metal or plastic. Many other configurations will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and are thus included within the scope of the immediate disclosure.

As with the previous configuration, die spike protrusions are adapted to snag the floor-cloth when draped over the wiper blade. The protrusions/teeth prevent the cloth from coming off during use. For sake of brevity, the detailed description is not repeated here.

In an alternative embodiment, there may be four or more spike protrusions. The spikes may alternatively be less pronounced, i.e. less raised from the flat member. Further alternatively, the spikes can be part of the wiper blade itself and not a retrofit s removable, reusable member, In the latter alternative embodiment, the horizontal wiper piece is usually of a rubber or resilient loam material attached to a plastic holding piece which is screwed onto the threaded end of a broomstick. The spiked protrusions rise vertically from the [usually] plastic holding piece in the direction of the handle.

In another alternative embodiment, the retrofit, removable, reusable cloth holding apparatus is adapted to disengage-ably engage the squeegee head, as opposed to the clasping onto the broomstick handle as disclosed in the aforementioned configurations. For example, a two clasping members are adapted to latch onto plastic member 22 of the squeegee head 20. The clasping members are coupled to a faceplate extending longitudinally, transverse to the handle 30. Spikes, extensions, teeth or other protrusions extend perpendicular to the faceplate. The cleaning cloth is draped on the protrusions, as discussed in detail above.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. Therefore, the claimed invention as recited in the claims that follow is not limited to the embodiments described herein.