Cleaning implement

Abstract

The present invention provides a cleaning implement for cleaning a hard surface. The cleaning implement has a handle which is connected to a mop head via a universal joint. The cleaning implement also has a cleaning tool which is removably connected to the mop head. The cleaning implement has a locking mechanism for temporarily preventing the rotation of the mop head relative to the handle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 453,610, filed Mar. 11, 2003.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to cleaning implements suitable for cleaning hard surfaces. [0003] The present invention also relates to tools, which can be removably attached to a cleaning implement for facilitating the cleaning of a hard surface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] The literature is replete with products capable of cleaning hard surfaces such as ceramic tile floors, hardwood floors, counter tops and the like. In the context of cleaning floors with a cleaning solution, numerous mopping devices and other cleaning implements are described which comprise a handle connected to a mop head. The mop head of conventional cleaning implements include a sponge, a cloth or strings of absorbent material, which can be immersed in a bucket containing the cleaning solution in order to simultaneously spread the cl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical

Problems solved by technology

However, these conventional implements are not ideal from a hygiene point of view since the user keeps dipping the mop head into the same bucket, which rapidly becomes saturated with the soiled solution.

In addition, users have a tendency to overdose the amount of concentrated detersive solution needed for effective cleaning.

With either conventional or modern cleaning implements, it has been observed that some stains, such as dried food or grease, can be particularly difficult to remove from the floor surface and can require additional friction or abrasive force.

Consequently, these implements are not as handy as modern implements having a mop head pivotably connected to a handle which allows the mop head to swivel around objects and reach underneath furnitures.

Moreover, the scrubbing member of these two “conventional” cleaning implements become soiled after only a few uses.

In addition, these implements do not allow the user to use the scrubbing member independently from the implement without having to touch the bristles of the brush.

This implement does not allow the user to use the scrubbing member independently from the implement without having to touch the soiled scrubbing member.

In addition, since the mop head is pivotably, rather than fixedly, connected to the mop head, the mop head can swivel or tilt back and forth during the scrubbing operation and, as a result, can lead to a poor scrubbing performance.

While the prior art addresses the problem associated with the ability to remove tough stains from hard surfaces by providing cleaning implements with additional scrubbing strip or other brushes, the scrubbing tools which are disclosed are not optimal both from an hygiene point of view as well as a convenience.

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