Cleaning system having articulating winged mop head

Abstract

A mop system incorporating an arrangement of sliding pins which can be extended to blocking positions against surfaces of rotatable wings. When the pins are in the extended blocking state, they prevent distal wing portions from rotating downwardly. The pins may be normally biased to an inward withdrawn position such that an applied force is required to establish and maintain the blocking position. Actuating force may be applied by a wedge or other pushing structure to urge the pins outwardly such that removal of the wedge or other pushing structure causes the pins to move inwardly. The wedge or other pushing structure may be normally biased to the engagement position and may be displaced from that engagement position using a suitable transmission arrangement that can be activated by a user from the handle.

Description

CLEANING SYSTEM HAVING ARTICULATING WINGED MOP HEADTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to cleaning products, and more particularly to a cleaning system incorporating a selectively foldable mop frame (also referred to as a mop head) with articulating wings adapted to engage a flat replaceable mop cover such as a textile mop or the like.BACKGROUND

[0002] Mop systems incorporating folding mop frames adapted to engage flat textile mops are known. By way of example WO2023046738A1 discloses a mop system comprising a flat mop holder designed to hold a flat mop cover in a first state and to release the cover in a second state. The mop system includes actuating kinematics for triggering a change from the first state to the second state. A mop handle is connected or can be connected to the flat mop holder. According to the description, an actuation element is provided on the mop handle which is designed to activate the actuating kinematics. At least one cable is provided which is designed to transmit an activation force and / or an activation movement from the actuation element to the actuating kinematics.

[0003] As best understood, the system of WO2023046738A1 incorporates a linearly movable latch which engages in a recess on a flange section of one or more mop holding wings. Specifically, actuating kinematics urge a bolt out of the latching position when activated. When the bolt is moved out of the recess, the holding wings are disengaged and can move freely from the latching device. As a result of their own weight, the mop holding wings then fold downward into a second state facilitating removal of a flat mop cover of textile or the like. While the system described in WO2023046738A1 is functional, it relies onthe repeated alignment of a bolt with a corresponding recess to operate. Maintaining such alignment over time may be problematic as mop heads tend to experience relatively rigorous treatment during use. Thus, simplified arrangements to activate folding wing elements may be desirable.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure offers advantages and alternatives by providing a mop system incorporating an arrangement of sliding pins which can be extended to blocking positions against proximal surfaces of rotatable wings between a hinge line and axes of rotation of the wings. When the pins are in the extended blocking state, they prevent distal wing portions from rotating downwardly about the axes of rotation by blocking upper movement of the opposing proximal portions. The pins may be normally biased to an inward withdrawn position such that an applied force is required to establish and maintain the blocking position. Actuating force may be applied by a wedge or other pushing structure adapted to urge the pins outwardly such that removal of the wedge or other pushing structure causes the pins to move inwardly. The wedge or other pushing structure may be normally biased to the engagement position and may be displaced from that engagement position using a tension wire, a cable, a wired or wireless signal or other suitable transmission arrangement that can be activated by a user from the handle.

[0005] In accordance with one exemplary aspect, a mop system adapted for release of a surface cleaning material and including a mop head having articulating wings is provided. The mop system includes a mop head operatively connected to a pole wherein the mop head includes a first articulating wing having a first length and a second articulating wing having a second length. The first articulating wing and the second articulating wing extend away from opposing sides of a hinge line separating the articulating wings. The first articulating wing is foldable downwardly about a first axis disposed in adjacent spaced relation to the hinge lineand the second articulating wing is foldable downwardly about a second axis disposed in adjacent spaced relation to the hinge line. The first axis and the second axis are on opposite sides of the hinge line. The first articulating wing includes a pair of first proximal platform surfaces between the first axis and the hinge line and the second articulating wing includes a pair of second proximal platform surfaces between the second axis and the hinge line. The mop system further includes a first plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having distal ends normally disposed inboard from the first proximal platform surfaces in an unbiased state and at least a second plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having distal ends normally disposed inboard from the second proximal platform surfaces in an unbiased state. The pins are adapted to extend over corresponding platform surfaces when urged towards outer edges of the articulating wings. A biasing wedge element is adapted to engage rear ends of the first and second plurality of spring loaded pins. The biasing wedge element is moveable between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the biasing wedge element pushes distal forward ends of the spring loaded pins into a blocking position over the corresponding platform surfaces and such that in the second position, the plurality of spring loaded pins withdraw from the blocking position.

[0006] Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary constructions and procedures in accordance with the present disclosure and, together with the general description of the disclosure givenabove and the detailed description set forth below, explain the principles of the disclosure wherein:

[0008] FIG. l is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary mop system consistent with the present disclosure including a mop head with folding wings in attached relation to an elongate handle;

[0009] FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cut-away perspective view of a mop head with folding wings consistent with the present disclosure with a wedge urging blocking pins to an extended position preventing downward rotation of the wings;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a mop head with folding wings consistent with the present disclosure with wings rotated to a downward position; andBefore the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is in no way limited in its application or construction to the details and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of terms such as “including” and “comprising”, and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will now be described through reference to the drawings wherein like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the various views. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mop system 10 including a mop head 12 (also referred to as a mop frame) operatively connected to the distal end of an elongate pole 14 at a swivel connection 16 as will be well known to those of skill in the art. As will be readily understood, in this connected condition, pole 14 may move from side to side about an upper pivot 18 and forward and rearward about a lower pivot defined at raised ears 20 having a pair of opposing inwardly projecting hubs 22 (FIG. 2). Thus, mop head 12 and pole 14 may move in substantial ranges relative to one another during use such that pole 14 may be oriented substantially coplanar with mop head 12 (i.e. laid substantially flat) in either the width or length direction of mop head 12 as well as being fully perpendicular or adopting intermediate angles during use. As will be appreciated, this ability to move through substantially different angles during use facilitates the ability to maneuver mop head 12 to reach a wide range of surfaces during cleaning operations.

[0013] As noted, in the illustrated exemplary construction, mop head 12 includes a pair of opposing articulating wings 30 projecting away from swivel connection 16. In accordance with one feature of the illustrated exemplary construction, wings 30 may be selectively moved from a substantially flat condition as shown in FIG. 1 to a folded condition as shown in FIG. 4. In this regard, the substantially flat condition of FIG. 1 may be useful during a cleaning procedure, while a folded condition as shown in FIG. 4 may facilitate the engagement and disengagement of flat cleaning elements such as textile mop covers or other cleaning materials. By way of example only, and not limitation, selective downward folding may facilitate hands-free disengagement from mop covers having engagement pockets or the like across the underside as will be well known to those of skill in the art.

[0014] While folding mop heads are generally known, mop systems according to the present disclosure incorporate a highly effective and simplified mechanism for selectively manipulating a mop head 12 between a substantially flat operating condition as shown in FIG. 1 and a folded condition as shown in FIG. 4. This simplified mechanism eliminates various problematic features of current known systems thereby potentially enhancing durability.

[0015] Referring now jointly to FIGS. 2 and 3, features of an exemplary and potentially preferred mop head 12 in accordance with the present disclosure are illustrated. As shown, in the illustrated exemplary construction, each of the wings 30 may be rotatable about a dedicated axis 32 defined by a rod or the like running between opposing raised lobes 34 at lateral edges of wings 30. As shown, wings 30 each extend away from a separating hinge line 36 defining a boundary between wings 30. In the illustrated exemplary construction, hinge line 36 is substantially centrally located in bisecting relation to mop head 12. However, an offset position may likewise be used if wings of different lengths are desired.

[0016] As illustrated, raised lobes 34 are preferably spaced away from hinge line 36 with proximal platform surfaces 38 between the hinge line 36 and the raised lobes 34. As shown, platform surfaces 38 are at a depressed elevation relative to the top of raised lobes 34 and may be substantially coplanar with distal portions of wings 30 thereby forming a head and shoulders configuration. As shown, platform surfaces 38 may be substantially flat but may also be sloped if desired. Wings 30 may include raised boundary walls 40 along outboard perimeter edges of platform surfaces 38. In the illustrated exemplary construction, the raised boundary walls 40 include opposing noses 42 projecting into hinge line 36. As shown, the boundary walls 40 may be chamfered below the noses 42 to form an inverted “V” gap aligned with hinge line 36. As will be readily understood, such a construction permits wings 30 to rotate downward about axes 32 while blocking against upward folding beyond a point at which noses 42 make contact.

[0017] In accordance with the illustrated exemplary construction, downward rotation of wings 30 may be prevented during normal use by blocking upward movement of platform surfaces 38. That is, downward rotation of the distal portions of wings 30 about axes 32 requires upward rotation of the corresponding proximal platform surfaces 38. Thus, blocking such upward movement prevents folding. In the illustrated exemplary construction, such blocking action may be selectively applied by an arrangement of spring-loaded pins 50 oriented to project over platform surfaces 38 when blocking is desired. By way of example only, and not limitation, pins 50 may be disposed within a housing 52 (FIG. 3) with pin springs 54 and a collar 56 disposed about pins 50 such that extension of pins 50 through housing 52 causes pin springs 54 to be compressed. In such a construction, pins 50 which extend through housing 52 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 will be continuously urged to withdraw away from the illustrated blocking orientation to relieve the compression within the springs 54. That is, in the unbiased state, pins 50 will reside within housing 52 out of engagement with platform surfaces 38. In that unbiased condition, wings 30 may rotate downward freely without obstruction.

[0018] In accordance with the illustrated exemplary construction, pins 50 may be pushed into overlying blocking relation to platform surfaces 38 using a displaceable biasing element such as a wedge 60 configured to urge pins 50 outwardly and thereby compressing pin springs 54. By way of example only, wedge 60 may include undercut camming surfaces 62 extending at least partially between an upper surface and a reduced diameter base 64 such that downward movement of wedge 60 causes rear surfaces of pins 50 to travel outwardly away from the reduced diameter base as shown in FIG. 3. As wedge 60 is raised, compression in pin springs 54 urges pins 50 inwardly away from platform surfaces 38 thereby causing proximal rear surfaces of the pins 50 to travel downwardly along camming surfaces 62 to reside adjacent the reduced diameter base 64. As illustrated, pins 50 may incorporate substantially hemispherical proximal rear ends and substantially conical distal ends to facilitate smooth movement along the camming surfaces 62 and extension over the platform surfaces 38.

[0019] In accordance with the illustrated exemplary construction, the wedge 60 may be selectively raised and lowered using a spring biased lift assembly 70. As shown, lift assembly 70 may include an enlarged diameter lug 72 or another lifting base residing within a cavity extending away from the underside of wedge 60. As shown, the lug 72 may have a generally spheroidal configuration although a wide range of other shapes such as cylinders, discs and the like may also be used. In the illustrated exemplary construction, lug 72 may be connected to a cable 74 extending upwardly away from lug 72 through an opening in wedge 60. Lug 72 is configured to be blocked against upward removal from the cavity within wedge 60 such that shortening cable 74 causes lug 72 and wedge 60 to move upwardly together. By way of example only, and not limitation, cable 74 may be selectively pulled upwardly to a shortened condition by a release mechanism such as a simple hand lever 80 or the like mounted on pole 14 (FIG. 1). Of course, it is to be understood that other release mechanisms may be used if desired. By way of example only and not limitation, such alternatives may include a wired or wireless signal or other suitable transmission arrangement that can be activated by a user from the handle in place of a tensioning cable.

[0020] In the illustrated construction, wedge 60 may be urged continuously downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3 by use of a biasing spring 82 disposed in a cavity in surrounding relation to cable 74 above base structure 72. In such a construction, lifting wedge 60 places biasing spring 82 into a state of compression such that continued tension on cable 74 is required to hold wedge 60 in an elevated condition. Upon the removal of tension from cable 74, wedge 60 will be urged back to its downward position thereby urging pins 50 outwardly. In this regard, it will be understood that biasing spring 82 will preferably have a spring constant such that the recovery force applied against wedge 60 by biasing spring 82 is adequate to overcome the combined forces of pin springs 54. That is, the combined spring constants of pin springs 54 is preferably less than the spring constant of biasing spring 82.

[0021] By way of example only and not limitation, in a cleaning operation a user wishing to dispose of a soiled mop cover (not shown) may depress hand lever 80 thereby shortening cable 74 and raising wedge 60. As wedge 60 is raised, the rear ends of pins 50 will travel along camming surfaces 62 due to compressive forces in pin springs 54 thereby withdrawing distal ends of pins 50 from blocking engagement over platform surfaces 38. With pins 50 in the withdrawn position, wings 30 will rotate downwardly about axes 32 due to their own weight as shown in FIG. 4. With wings 30 in the downward position, the mop cover may fall away or be easily removed. As will be appreciated, in the exemplary construction, pins 50 will return to the extended position once tension on cable 74 is released and will typically be in that extended position after rotation of wings 30 has taken place. After a soiled mop cover has been removed, wings 30 may then be inserted into pockets of a clean mop cover and the wings can be rotated back the flattened condition shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, rounded surfaces below platform surfaces 38 may permit rotation past pins 50 to adopt the condition as shown in FIG. 2 even when pins 50 remain in the extended condition during flattening. Alternatively, a user may depress hand lever 80 thereby shortening cable 74 and withdrawing pins 50 as wings 30 are rotated back to the flattened condition thereby avoiding interaction with pins 50. Releasing tension on cable 50 then places pins 50 back into the illustrated blocking position for cleaning.

[0022] It is to be understood that preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. However, variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Skilled artisans may employ such variations as appropriate, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0023] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the disclosure (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A mop system adapted for release of a surface cleaning material and including a mop head having articulating wings, the mop system comprising: a mop head operatively connected to a pole, the mop head comprising a first articulating wing having a first length and a second articulating wing having a second length, the first articulating wing and the second articulating wing extending away from opposing sides of a hinge line, the first articulating wing being foldable downwardly about a first axis disposed in adjacent spaced relation to the hinge line, the second articulating wing being foldable downwardly about a second axis disposed in adjacent spaced relation to the hinge line, the first axis and the second axis being on opposite sides of the hinge line, the first articulating wing comprising a pair of first platform surfaces between the first axis and the hinge line, the second articulating wing comprising a pair of second platform surfaces between the second axis and the hinge line; a first plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having distal ends normally disposed inboard from the first platform surfaces in an unbiased state and adapted to extend over the first platform surfaces when urged towards an outer edge of the first articulating wing, and a second plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having distal ends normally disposed inboard from the second platform surfaces in an unbiased state and adapted to extend over the second platform surfaces when urged towards an outer edge of the second articulating wing; and a biasing wedge adapted to engage proximal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins and proximal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins, the biasing wedge being moveable between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the biasing wedge pushes distal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins over said first platform surfaces and pushes distal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins over said second platform surfaces and such that in the second position, said first plurality of spring loaded pins withdraw from overlying relation to said first platform surfaces and saidsecond plurality of spring loaded pins withdraw from overlying relation to said second platform surfaces.

2. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, wherein the surface cleaning material is a substantially flat textile mop.

3. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, wherein the mop head is operatively connected to an elongated pole by a swivel connection.

4. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, wherein the first length is substantially equal to the second length.

5. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said first axis extends through a first pair of raised lobes and said second axis extends through a second pair of raised lobes.

6. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, wherein the first platform surfaces comprise first extended noses projecting into the hinge line with first chamfered surfaces angled away from the hinge line below said first extended noses and wherein the second platform surfaces comprise second extended noses projecting into the hinge line with second chamfered surfaces angled away from the hinge line below said second extended noses, the first chamfered surfaces and the second chamfered surfaces cooperative forming an obtuse angle below the hinge line when the mop head is in an unfolded condition during use.

7. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, wherein the first plurality of spring loaded pins, and the second plurality of spring loaded pins comprise conical distal ends.

8. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, wherein said biasing wedge comprises undercut camming surfaces adapted to engage proximal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins and proximal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins.

9. The mop system as recited in Claim 8, wherein, said proximal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins are hemispherical and said and proximal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins are hemispherical.

10. The mop system as recited in Claim 1, further comprising a spring-biased lift assembly operatively engaging said biasing wedge and adapted to selectively lift said biasing wedge from said first position to said second position.

11. The mop system as recited in Claim 10, wherein a biasing spring continuously urges said biasing wedge downwardly to said first position.

12. The mop system as recited in Claim 10, wherein said lift assembly comprises a spheroidal lug disposed within a cavity in said biasing wedge operatively connected to a lift cable.

13. The mop system as recited in Claim 12, wherein the lift cable is controlled by a hand lever on said pole.

14. A mop system adapted for release of a surface cleaning material and including a mop head having articulating wings, the mop system comprising: a mop head operatively connected to a pole by a swivel connection, the mop head comprising a first articulating wing having a first length and a second articulating wing having a second length, wherein the first length is substantially equal to the second length, first articulating wing and the second articulating wing extending away from opposing sides of a hinge line, the first articulating wing being foldable downwardly about a first axis extending through a first pair of raised lobes disposed in spaced relation to the hinge line, the second articulating wing being foldable downwardly about a second axis extending through a second pair of raised lobes in spaced relation to the hinge line, the first axis and the secondaxis being on opposite sides of the hinge line, the first articulating wing comprising a pair of first platform surfaces between the first pair of raised lobes and the hinge line, the first platform surfaces comprising first extended noses projecting into the hinge line with first chamfered surfaces angled away from the hinge line below said first extended noses, the second articulating wing comprising a pair of second platform surfaces between the second pair of raised lobes and the hinge line, the pair of second platform surfaces comprising second extended noses projecting into the hinge line with second chamfered surfaces angled away from the hinge line below said second extended noses, the first chamfered surfaces and the second chamfered surfaces cooperative forming an obtuse angle below the hinge line when the mop head is in an unfolded condition during use; a first plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having conical distal ends normally disposed inboard from the first platform surfaces in an unbiased state and adapted to extend over the first platform surfaces when urged towards an outer edge of the first articulating wing, and a second plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having conical distal ends normally disposed inboard from the second platform surfaces in an unbiased state and adapted to extend over the second platform surfaces when urged towards an outer edge of the second articulating wing; and a biasing wedge comprising camming surfaces adapted to engage hemispherical proximal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins and hemispherical proximal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins, the biasing wedge being moveable between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the biasing wedge pushes distal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins over said first platform surfaces and pushes distal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins over said second platform surfaces and such that in the second position, said first plurality of spring loaded pins withdraw from overlying relation to said first platform surfaces and said second plurality of spring loaded pins withdraw from overlying relation to said second platform surfaces.

15. The mop system as recited in Claim 14, further comprising a spring-biased lift assembly operatively engaging said biasing wedge and adapted to selectively lift said biasing wedge from said first position to said second position.

16. The mop system as recited in Claim 15, wherein a biasing spring continuously urges said biasing wedge downwardly to said first position.

17. The mop system as recited in Claim 15, wherein said lift assembly comprises a spheroidal lug disposed within a cavity in said biasing wedge operatively connected to a lift cable.

18. The mop system as recited in Claim 17, wherein the lift cable is controlled by a hand lever on said pole.

19. A mop system adapted for release of a surface cleaning material and including a mop head having articulating wings, the mop system comprising: a mop head operatively connected to a pole by a swivel connection, the mop head comprising a first articulating wing having a first length and a second articulating wing having a second length, wherein the first length is substantially equal to the second length, first articulating wing and the second articulating wing extending away from opposing sides of a hinge line, the first articulating wing being foldable downwardly about a first axis extending through a first pair of raised lobes disposed in spaced relation to the hinge line, the second articulating wing being foldable downwardly about a second axis extending through a second pair of raised lobes in spaced relation to the hinge line, the first axis and the second axis being on opposite sides of the hinge line, the first articulating wing comprising a pair of first platform surfaces between the first pair of raised lobes and the hinge line, the first platform surfaces comprising first extended noses projecting into the hinge line with first chamfered surfaces angled away from the hinge line below said first extended noses, the second articulating wing comprising a pair of second platform surfaces between the secondpair of raised lobes and the hinge line, the pair of second platform surfaces comprising second extended noses projecting into the hinge line with second chamfered surfaces angled away from the hinge line below said second extended noses, the first chamfered surfaces and the second chamfered surfaces cooperative forming an obtuse angle below the hinge line when the mop head is in an unfolded condition during use; a first plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having conical distal ends normally disposed inboard from the first platform surfaces in an unbiased state and adapted to extend over the first platform surfaces when urged towards an outer edge of the first articulating wing, and a second plurality of spring loaded pins having length dimensions oriented substantially parallel to the hinge line and having conical distal ends normally disposed inboard from the second platform surfaces in an unbiased state and adapted to extend over the second platform surfaces when urged towards an outer edge of the second articulating wing; a biasing wedge comprising camming surfaces adapted to engage hemispherical proximal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins and hemispherical proximal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins, the biasing wedge being moveable between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the biasing wedge pushes distal ends of said first plurality of spring loaded pins over said first platform surfaces and pushes distal ends of said second plurality of spring loaded pins over said second platform surfaces and such that in the second position, said first plurality of spring loaded pins withdraw from overlying relation to said first platform surfaces and said second plurality of spring loaded pins withdraw from overlying relation to said second platform surfaces; a spring-biased lift assembly operatively engaging said biasing wedge and adapted to selectively lift said biasing wedge from said first position to said second position, said lift assembly comprising a lug disposed within a cavity in said biasing wedge operatively connected to a lift cable controlled by a hand lever; and a biasing spring continuously urging said biasing wedge downwardly to said first position.

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