STEAM MOP

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates generally to a fluid mop, and more particularly to a steam mop.

[0002] Wet and dry mops have been widely used for cleaning floors. A type of wet mop is a steam mop, which works as a steaming device. Steaming devices used to apply steam to household objects are well known. The uses of the devices vary widely, and may include the application of steam to drapes or other fabrics to remove wrinkles, and the application of steam to objects to assist in cleaning various objects.

[0003] Typical steam devices have a reservoir for storing water that is connected to an electrical water pump with an on/off switch. The electric water pump outlet is connected to a steam boiler with a heating element to heat the water. The heated water generates steam, which may be directed towards its intended destination through a nozzle which controls the application of the steam.

[0004] An indication to the user when the water supply has depleted in the reservoir of the steam device is preferred. For instance, there may be a safety device to sense if the water is below a minimum threshold which in turn either turns on an indication light or automatically turns off the boiler in the mop. Typically, this provides an indication to the user to replenish the water supply after the water supply in the reservoir has been depleted.

[0005] Variation of the shapes and sizes of nozzles allows for preferred distribution of generated steam to an object to be cleaned. The nozzles may be disconnectable from the steam generator to allow different nozzles to be utilized, based on the object to be steamed. The nozzle may be either closely coupled to the steam generator, or located at a distance from the steam generator, requiring tubing or other steam transfer structures to be

interconnected between the steam generator and the discharge nozzle. Thus, a universal type of opening in the steam device is needed to connect to the various types of mop frames, nozzles and or tubing.

[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved steam mop to improve ease of use, such as a water reservoir that shows a current indication of what the water supply a mop housing that easily disconnects from a steam frame and has an improved steam pocket and frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a steam mop having an improved mop housing containing a water tank with a water inlet having a funnel shaped entry to facilitate filing a reservoir in the mop housing is provided. The housing also includes at least one transparent window to the reservoir allowing a user to view the level of water in the reservoir. An LED in the tank provide improved visibility of the water lever in the tank. In a preferred embodiment the housing is easily disconnected from an adapter on the steam frame.

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved steam mop housing.

[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a housing that has a water tank that includes a funnel shaped water inlet opening for ease of filling.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a water tank that includes at least one window and a LED for an indication of the water level in the water container.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide improved steam frame for a steam mop.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a steam mop housing with a bottom opening that easily connects and disconnects to a steam frame to provide a fluid source in the mop housing.

[0013] Yet a further objection of the invention is to provide a steam frame readily removable from the housing.

[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a steam mop housing with an easily operable release button for easy removal of the steam frame from the mop housing.

[0015] Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

[0016] The invention accordingly comprises a product possessing the features, properties, and the relation of components which will be exemplified in the product hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing(s), in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam mop constructed and arranged in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIGS. 2 A and 2B are perspective side views of the mop housing in the steam mop of FIG. 1 showing the water inlet and funnel;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a front view of the mop housing in section showing a reservoir, a pump and a boiler of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the mop housing in section showing connections for reservoir, boiler and steam mop frame in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0022] FIG. 5 is an elevation view in section of the pump and boiler of FIG. 5;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a steam pocket frame for use with the steam mop of

FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a fabric steam pocket suitable for use with the steam frame of FIG. 6;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a mop handle suitable for use with the steam mop of

FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing how the steam mop frame assembly is installed on mop housing of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an upper connector piece of the connector in

FIG. 9;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fluid distributor of the connector of FIG. 10;

[0029] FIG. 12 is an elevational view in partial section of the fluid distributor of FIG. i i;

[0030] FIG. 13 is an exploded view in section showing how the connector attaches to the housing;

[0031] FIG 14 is a section view of the frame connector engages by the latch of the housing;

[0032] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the housing in section showing how the latch engages the notch of frame connector;

[0033] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of arm of release button that engages stem of connector;

[0034] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a steam mop having a universal connector and steam frame with a central steam manifold constructed and arranged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0035] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the steam mop frame and universal connector of FIG. 17 in accordance with the invention;

[0036] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the universal connecter shown in FIGS. 17 and 18; and

[0037] FIG. 20 is rear perspective view of the steam frame shown in FIGS. 17 and 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam mop 10 constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention. Mop 10 includes an elongated housing 11 with a water reservoir 21 and a boiler 23 and an upper tube 12a and a lower tube 12b connected to one end of housing 11. A handle 13 is attached to the end of upper tube 12a. A steam frame 14 with an installed steam pocket 15 is operatively connected to the other end of housing 11 by a connector 16. In this embodiment, connector 16 and frame 14 may be removed from housing 11 by pressing a release button 17 at the base of housing 11. Water is introduced into a reservoir 21 at a water inlet or opening 18a. The level of water present in a reservoir 21 in housing 11 shown in FIG. 3 can be viewed through a sighting window 19. The specifics of fabric steam pocket 15 will be described below.

[0039] FIGS. 2 A and 2B are perspective side views of housing 11. Water inlet 18a has a water cap 18b that is removed for filling to exposed opening 18a. The region around opening 18a is shaped like a funnel 20 allows a user to fill reservoir 21 without spilling. Housing 11 also includes at least one sighting window 19 that allows a user to observe the water level in water container 21.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a front plan view in section showing the location of elements in housing 11. Water container 21 is positioned adjacent and surrounds a boiler 23. A one-way pump 22 pumps water from reservoir 21 to boiler 23 in response to the push-pull movement of mop 10. This movement of handle 13 causes operation of one way valve 22 as will be described in detail below. Here, water container 21 wraps around the back of housing 11.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a detailed front view of showing how water container 21, showing the hoses connecting one-way pump 22 and boiler 23 as described in connection with FIG. 5. Water pump 22 includes a pump body 33 having a pump cavity 33a. A pump piston 34 is connected to a push rod 36 which in turn is connected to pole 12 or handle 13. As mop handle 13 is pulled by a user piston 34 creates a negative pressure in cavity 33a. This draws water from reservoir 21 into a water supply hose 21a that feeds into pump water inlet 27 through a one-way inlet valve 37 to fill cavity 33a. As handle 13 is pushed during use, piston 34 moves downward and water in cavity 33a is expelled through a one-way outlet valve 38 into pump outlet hose 28. This water is then introduced into a boiler inlet 23a in boiler 23. Water in boiler 23 is heated by a heating element 39 in a boiler cavity 41. Heating element 39 is connected to electrical connectors 39a and 39b. Steam generated in boiler cavity 41 is fed through a steam valve 42 into a steam chamber 43. Steam is then expelled through a steam outlet 44 to a steam hose 46 and to a steam outlet fitting 47.

[0042] One-way inlet valve 37 and one-way outlet valve 38 are duck-bill valves formed of a flexible elastomeric material, such a rubber. The valves are conical in shape so that when handle 13 is pulled, water is drawn through inlet valve 37 while outlet valve 38 remains closed. Similarly, when handle 13 is pushed, water is forced out through outlet

valve 38 and inlet valve 37 remains closed and water is fed into boiler 23. In another embodiment, a mechanical bellow pump that may be used in steam mop housing 11 to pump water from water container 21 to boiler 23. Alternatively, the pump can be a two-way piston pump that pumps water when its piston is displaced both in the forward direction and also in the return backwards motion. This type of pump is shown in co-pending application Serial No. 11/842,478. The contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 9, the details of steam pocket frame 14 are shown. Steam pocket frame 14 is substantially rectangular and includes a front wall 51, a rear wall 52, a right side wall 53, and a left side wall 54. Front wall 51 and rear wall 52 provides additional firm surface area to help dry the floor. A pair of steam chambers 57 and 57a with a plurality of baffles or structural ribs 56 that are separated by a partition 58 that extends from the top of steam frame 14 to the bottom. This forms two separate steam chambers 57 and 57a. Here, baffles 56 are planar slats and extends from front wall 51 to rear wall 52 within frame 14. Baffles 56 provide structure to frame 14 but do not extend from top to bottom. Slats 56 alternate position on the top and bottom forming an upper surface and a lower surface for supporting fabric steam pocket 15.

[0044] In another embodiment, baffles 56 may extend diagonally from front wall 51 to rear wall 52 within frame 14. Rear wall 52 of frame 14 has an opening 59 that is substantially about the middle of rear wall 52 for mounting connector 16 to connect to steam generated in boiler 23. Connector 16 includes an upper stem end 16a with a steam inlet 16b (as shown in FIG. 9) for connecting to steam outlet fitting 47 in housing 11. The lower section of connector 16 includes bottom end having a pair of steam nozzles 16c for connecting to steam frame 14. Steam nozzle 16c on the right side of connector 16 provides steam to steam chamber 57a on the right. Steam nozzle 16c on the left side of connector 16 provides steam to steam chamber 57 on the left.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, fabric steam pocket 15 is configured to slip over frame 14 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this respect, pocket 15 is formed of a first layer of fabric 15a and an opposed second layer of fabric 15b (not shown). Fabric layers 15a and 15b each have a substantially rectangular shape with two opposed long edges 15c and 15d and two opposed short sides 15e and 15f. Long edge 15c and two opposed short side 15e and 15f are stitched to form pocket 15. Accordingly, fabric steam pocket 15 is open on long edge 15d. The fabric along the opening on long edge 15d may be optionally closed with a hook and loop fastener, buttons or snaps. Here, steam pocket 15 is cut along a line 62 to form a slot 63 around the width of connector 16 on the first layer 15a and opposed second layer 15b to fit around connector body 16. Slot 63 has a length a distance 62a from rear edge 15d to about the pair of nozzles 16c shown in FIG. 7. This allows for vertical rotation of housing 11 without bending the fabric of fabric steam pocket 15 and use of both sides of steam pocket 15 for cleaning without having to remove and re-install steam pocket 15.

[0046] In this illustrated embodiment, steam pocket 15 is a cloth or towel. Steam pocket may be formed of any suitable fabric such as cotton or a synthetic fabric, such as polyester or poly olefin fiber. Preferably, the fabric of pocket 15 is a microfiber. Most preferably, the microfiber is a synthetic polyester microfiber.

[0047] FIG. 10 shows an upper connector piece 71 of a universal connector as shown in co-pending application Serial No. 12/118,015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Upper piece 71 has a stem 16a with a steam inlet 16b for connection to steam outlet fitting 47 in housing 11 connector 71 includes a pair of inner pivot plates 72 with pivot buttons 73 at the lower end for pivotal connection to a fluid distributor 74 as shown in FIG. 11. Fluid distributor 74 includes a hollow nipple portion 76 and a pair of arms 83 that engages frame 14 as will be discussed in more detail below. To use this type of connector, frame 14 has a pair of receiving slots as shown in the co-pending application with a key hole piece for receiving and for engaging fluid distributor 74.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 11, fluid distributor 74 includes two upwardly extending distributor plates 81 with holes 82 for aligning with pivot buttons 73 of upper connector inner pivot plates 72 to provide the right and left pivot connection between upper connector piece 71 and fluid distributor 74.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 12, fluid distributor 74 includes hollow nipple portion 76 for connecting to the fluid source. Hollow nipple portion 76 in turn connects to upper connector piece 71 and stem 16a is connected to the fluid source of housing 11. Pivot arms 83 that fit into receiving slots 78 of frame 14 for connecting connector 16 to mop frame 14 for pivoting up and down are also hollow. Each arm 83 includes a fluid opening 83 a. Distributor arms 83 have two opposed flat surfaces 83b and 83c at their respective ends for coupling to frame 14. Fluid enters hollow nipple portion 76 and is transported through opening 83a to frame 14.

[0050] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing how steam frame 14 is installed on or removed from housing 11, by movement in a direction indicated by arrow A. Release button 17 may have an indentation or a rubberized surface to prevent slippage when user presses release button 17 to detach steam frame 14 from housing 11. Release button 17 may be a spring loaded or hinge type button so that on depressing button 17, stem 16a is released.

[0051] FIGS. 14 and 15 show how stem 16a of connector 16 is engaged within opening 64 in housing 11. Here, stem 16a is tubular shaped and opening 64 is also tubular shaped to insure that connector 16 is properly aligned when frame 14 is connected to housing 11. Release button 17 has an arm 68 with a u-shaped opening 68a that surrounds flange 67 on stem 16a when button 17 is biased outwardly. At this time a latch 69 fits within notch 65 and secures stem 16a within housing 11. When button 17 is depressed, arm 68 urges latch 69 to and disconnect from to a notch 65 on connector 16 defined by flange 67. Connector 16 is installed on housing 11 by inserting stem 16a into opening 64 of housing 11. U-shaped opening 68a on arm 68 that was aligned with the axis of opening 64 is displayed and then

latch 69 engages notch 65 on connector 16. To detach connector 16 from housing 11, a user merely presses release button 17 so arm 68 moves u-shaped opening 68a to push latch 69 away from notch 65.

[0052] In another embodiment of the invention, stem 16a may be key shaped and opening 64 is also key shaped to insure that connector 16 is properly attached to housing 11.

[0053] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of arm 68 of release button 17 that shows how arm 68 controls latch 69 of connector 16.

[0054] FIG. 17 illustrates a steam mop 310 and a steam frame 314 constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention. Mop 310 includes an elongated housing 311 with a water reservoir 321 and a boiler 323. A pole 312 having an upper tube section 312a and a lower tube section 312b connected to one end of housing 311. A handle 313 is attached to the end of upper tube 312a. Steam frame 314 is operatively connected to the other end of housing 311 by a universal connector 316 constructed and arranged in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, connector 316 and frame 314 may be removed from housing 11 by pressing a release button 317 at the base of housing 311. Water is introduced into reservoir 321 at a water inlet or opening 318a. The level of water present in a reservoir 321 in housing 311 can be viewed through a sighting window 319.

[0055] The details and operation of the steam mop components in housing 311 are shown and described in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. While a mechanical pump has been described in connection with this embodiment it is within the scope of the invention to utilize an electrical pump. Such an electrical pump can be actuated by a micro-switch or a motor switch.

[0056] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the details of construction of a universal connector 416 and steam frame 414 of the type used in mop 310 of FIG. 17. Frame 414 is substantially rectangular in shape, open at the top and bottom with a plurality of baffles 431.

[0057] Universal connector 416 includes an upper connector piece 422 similar in construction to upper connector piece 22 in FIG. 10 that allows frame 414 and housing 411 to pivot side to side and up and down with respect to each other. Upper connection piece 422 is pivotally connected to a lower connection piece 426 having a different construction. Here, lower connection piece includes two pivot arms 428a and 428b with a central opening 428c for passage of a flexible steam hose 430 to feed steam to frame 414. Frame 414 includes a connector receiving slot 414a for receiving arms 428a and 428b pivotally secured to there by cylindrical cavities 432 below two mounting plates 432a and 432b to allow for rotation of arms 428a and 428b. This is shown in the rear perspective in FIG. 20.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 18, steam frame 414 includes a central steam passageway or manifold 433 that runs from the rear of frame 414 at receiving slot 414a to a front border 414b. A plurality of steam release openings 434 are formed on both sides of manifold 433 along the top and bottom thereof. These release openings 434 are positioned between each baffle 431. Baffles 431 are substantially orthogonal to manifold 433 in the center of frame

414 and extend sideways and curve rearward to the side edges and rear wall of frame 414.

[0059] Steam frame 414 includes a rear wall 414a with a connector receiving opening

415 in the center of rear wall 414a, a front wall 414b and a right side wall 414c and a left side wall 414d. Steam hose 430 is connected to manifold 433 by a hose plate 431 mounted at the entrance to manifold 433. Short fins 435 extend from the sides of manifold 433 and edges 414c and 414d approximately at the mid-height of manifold 433 and side walls 414c and 414d to assist in distribution of steam to the upper and lower surfaces of a steam towel installed on frame 414 when in use.

[0060] Universal connector 16, 216 and 416 provides many advantages for ease of use because they easily connect and disconnect to a mop handle and a mop frame while providing a user with universal pivoting and steering capability. The user has more control of the appliance and frame by the universal connection to clean whatever areas that need to be clean and allows use of both sides of steam frame 14, 114, 314 and 414 for cleaning. In

addition, the mop frame may be rotated for easy steering and allows a user to use both sides of the mop steam frame to clean. In addition, the universal connector may attached to any variety of differently shaped mop frames.

[0061] Steam mops 11 and 310 provide many advantages for ease of use because it eliminates the need for an electric water pump and an on/off switch to activate the electric water pump. Here, the user has more control over that amount of water needed to be discharged into the boiler and consequently, how much steam is needed by moving the mop forwards and backwards. In addition, steam mop is designed as a low pressure or non- pressurized system so it is safer for the user to use. Further, since the amount of water is routed to the boiler is controlled, the boiler can create steam is a short amount of time.

[0062] Steam mop also provides a water reservoir with windows and a LED light to show the water level of the reservoir. Steam housing easily connects and disconnects to a mop handle and a mop frame while providing a user with universal steering capability. The user has more control of the mop frame by the connection to the mop frame to clean whatever areas that need to be clean and allows use of both sides of steam frame for cleaning. In addition, the mop frame may be rotated so that the user may use both sides of the mop frame to clean. In addition, design of the steam frame may attached to any variety of differently shaped mop frames.

[0063] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above product without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0064] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention.