Mopping system with rotating mop head

Abstract

A rotary mop and bucket system that assists in dehydrating a mop is disclosed. The rotary mop may have a handle assembly slidably connected to a spiral member, and a mop head attached to the spiral member. As the handle assembly moves along the spiral member, the spiral member rotates, causing the mop head to rotate. The mop head may be hinged relative to the handle assembly and may be pivotally connected to the spiral member and also pivotally connected to a swivel member located between the spiral member and the base of the mop head. The mop head may be housed in a wringer basket of the bucket assembly so that when the mop head rotates, the wringer basket rotates to drain any excess fluid from the mop head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects described herein generally relate to a mop having a rotatable mop head and, more particularly, to a mop system having a mop with a rotatable head that engages a rotatable wringer basket on a bucket to dehydrate the mop. Background Art

[0002] Mops are used to clean all types of surfaces. However, once a mop has been used to clean a surface, the mop head may become dirty and require cleaning before the mop is applied to the surface. The mop head may be cleaned by placing the dirty mop in liquid or water in a bucket and then removing any excess liquid or water from the mop before applying the mop to the surface. A simple means of dehydrating the mop head is needed. Summary of the invention

[0003] In light of the foregoing background, a simplified overview of the present disclosure is presented below to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. This overview is not an extensive review of the embodiments described herein. It is not intended to identify key or important elements, or to describe the scope of the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The following overview only presents some concepts of the embodiments of the present disclosure in a simplified form, as a preface to the more detailed description provided below.

[0004] Aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a mop system that utilizes a mop having a rotating or pivoting mop head that engages a wringer basket on a bucket assembly to provide an easy process for dehydrating the mop.

[0005] Additional aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a rotating mop structure, the rotating mop structure comprising a handle assembly having a handle grip and a handle tube slidably engaged with a spiral member; the handle assembly defines a handle longitudinal axis, wherein the spiral member has a first end with an engagement member, a second end opposite to the first end, and a central spiral portion having a spiral surface positioned between the first end and the second end. The mop structure may also include a swivel member pivotally attached to the engagement member of the spiral member along a first swivel axis; and a mop base configured to releasably fix a mop head, wherein the mop base is pivotally attached to the swivel member along a second swivel axis. The first swivel axis and the second swivel axis may not be aligned. Movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member may cause the mop head to rotate. The engagement member may have a first boss and a second boss opposite to the first boss, wherein the first boss may be accommodated in a first opening of the swivel member, and the second boss may be accommodated in a second opening of the swivel member. The first boss and the second boss may be arranged along the first swivel axis. The swivel member may have a central hole for accommodating the engagement member. The swivel member may have a first swivel boss and a second swivel boss, wherein the first swivel boss may be accommodated in a first opening of the mop base, and the second swivel boss may be accommodated in a second opening of the mop base, wherein the first swivel boss and the second swivel boss may be arranged along a second swivel axis. The swivel member may include a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the peripheral surface of the swivel member may have a convex shape between the top surface and the bottom surface. The swivel member may include a generally elliptical shape. The first swivel axis may be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0006] Still other aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a rotating mop system, the rotating mop system comprising: (a) a bucket assembly, comprising: (1) a bucket comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, an axle member connected to the bottom wall, and a shelf positioned below the top wall; the axle member defining an axle axis; (2) a wringer basket rotatably engaged with the bucket along the axle axis, the wringer basket comprising a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall, a recess in the bottom wall to accommodate the axle member, and a plurality of wringer basket tabs extending inwardly from the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall and the bottom wall have the plurality of openings that allow liquid to pass through the plurality of openings; and (3) a cover secured to the shelf, wherein the cover The invention relates to a mop assembly comprising a top surface, a central opening above a wringer basket, and a splash guard extending downwardly from the top surface; and (b) a rotating mop structure comprising: (1) a handle assembly having a handle grip and a handle tube slidably engaged with a spiral member; the handle assembly defines a handle longitudinal axis, wherein the spiral member has a first end with an engagement member, a second end opposite the first end, and a central spiral portion having a spiral surface between the first end and the second end; and (3) a mop base configured to releasably secure a mop head, wherein the mop base is connected to the spiral member, the mop base including a lower outwardly facing surface that contacts one of a plurality of wringer basket tabs. When the mop base is received in the wringer basket of the bucket assembly, movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member can cause the mop head to rotate and can also cause the wringer basket to rotate about the axle axis. The splash guard of the cover may extend downwardly more than 50% of the height of the bucket assembly, wherein the height of the bucket assembly is defined as the distance from the bottom surface of the bottom wall to the top surface of the top wall. The rotating mop structure may also include a swivel member pivotally attached to the engagement member of the spiral member along a first swivel axis. The mop base may be pivotally attached to the swivel member along a second swivel axis, wherein the first swivel axis and the second swivel axis may be substantially perpendicular to each other. When the handle assembly is pivotally rotated about the first swivel axis from the axle axis to a first angle within a first angular range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees and the handle assembly is also pivotally rotated about the second swivel axis to a second angle within a second angular range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees, the movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member causes the wringer basket to rotate. The mop base may include a recess in the top surface to accommodate the swivel member, wherein the recess has a curved concave surface. The bucket may have an elongated shape including a length greater than a width, wherein the length extends from a first side to a second side opposite the first side, and the width extends from a third side to a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the wringer basket is closer to the first side than the second side. The bucket may include a pour spout positioned within the sidewall closer to the second side than the first side. The splash shield of the lid may be asymmetric relative to a plane extending through the axle axis, and a centerline of the bucket may extend in a direction from a center of the first side to a center of the second side.The splash guard may include a central region having a curved shape coaxial with the axle axis, a first end region extending from the central region toward a second side of the barrel, and a second end region extending from the central region toward a second side opposite to the first end region, wherein the first end region extends closer to the second side than the second end region.

[0007] Still other aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a rotating mop system, the rotating mop system comprising: (a) a bucket assembly comprising: (1) a bucket comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and side walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, an axle member connected to the bottom wall, and a shelf positioned below the top wall; the axle member defining an axle axis, wherein the bucket has an elongated shape comprising a length greater than a width, wherein the length extends from a first side to a second side opposite the first side, and the width extends from a third side to a fourth side opposite the third side, (2) a wringer basket rotatably engaged with the bucket along the axle axis, the wringer basket comprising a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall, a recess in the bottom wall to accommodate the axle member, and a plurality of wringer basket tabs extending inwardly from the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall and the bottom wall have the plurality of openings to allow liquid to pass through the plurality of openings; wherein the wringer basket is larger than the second side closer to the first side; and (3) a cover secured to the shelf, wherein the cover includes a top surface, a central opening located above the wringer basket, and a splash guard extending downwardly from the top surface; and (b) a rotating mop structure, comprising: (1) a handle assembly having a handle grip and a handle tube slidably engaged with a spiral member; the handle assembly defining a handle longitudinal axis, wherein the spiral member has a first end with an engagement member, a second end opposite the first end, and a central spiral portion having a spiral surface between the first end and the second end; (2) a swivel member pivotally attached to the engagement member of the spiral member along a first swivel axis; and (3) a mop base configured to releasably secure a mop head, wherein the mop base is pivotally attached to the swivel member along a second swivel axis, and wherein the first swivel axis and the second swivel axis are substantially perpendicular to each other. When the mop base is contained in the wringer basket of the bucket assembly, the movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member can cause the mop head to rotate and can also cause the wringer basket to rotate about the wheel axle axis. The splash guard can include a central area having a curved shape coaxial with the wheel axle axis, a first end area extending from the central area toward the second side of the bucket, and a second end area extending from the central area toward the second side opposite to the first end area, wherein the first end area extends closer to the second side than the second end area. The engaging member can have a first boss and a second boss opposite to the first boss. The first boss can be contained in the first opening of the swivel member, and the second boss can be contained in the second opening of the swivel member. The first boss and the second boss are arranged along the first swivel axis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements, and in which:

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a top front perspective view of a mop system according to various aspects described herein;

[0010] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2B The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a mop system of , wherein the mop assembly is engaged with the wringer basket of the bucket;

[0011] Figure 3 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 A bottom front perspective view of a mop assembly of a mop system;

[0012] Figure 4 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 3 A partial top view perspective view of a mop;

[0013] Figure 5 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of a portion of a mop;

[0014] Figure 6 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of a portion of a mop;

[0015] Figure 7 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 3 A partial perspective view of a portion of a mop with some parts removed for clarity;

[0016] Figure 8 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 3 A partial perspective view of a spiral member of a mop;

[0017] Fig. 9 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 3 A perspective view of a swivel member of a mop;

[0018] Fig.10 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Figure 1 A front top perspective view of a bucket assembly of a mop system;

[0019] Fig.11 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Fig.10 A rear top perspective view of the barrel assembly;

[0020] Fig.12The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Fig.10 A top view of a barrel assembly;

[0021] Fig.13 Illustrated is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention according to various aspects described herein. Fig.12 a side cross-sectional view of the barrel assembly as shown along line 13-13;

[0022] Fig.14 Illustrated is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention according to various aspects described herein. Fig.12 A perspective cross-sectional view of the barrel assembly as shown along line 14-14;

[0023] Fig.15 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Fig.14 an enlarged view of the barrel assembly;

[0024] Fig.16 Illustrated is a diagram of an embodiment of the present invention according to various aspects described herein. Fig.13 a top cross-sectional view of the barrel assembly along line 16-16; and

[0025] Fig.17 The present invention illustrates various aspects of the present invention. Fig.10 A perspective view of the barrel of the barrel assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In the following description of various illustrative arrangements, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this document and in which various arrangements in which various aspects of the present disclosure may be practiced are illustrated. It should be understood that other arrangements may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the drawings may not be drawn to scale. It should be noted that various connections between elements are discussed in the following description. It should be noted that these connections are general and, unless otherwise specified, may be direct or indirect, and this specification is not intended to limit this aspect.

[0027] The following terms are used in this specification and, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, have the meanings provided below.

[0028] As used herein, "plurality" refers to any number greater than one, either separately or in combination as desired, up to an infinite number.

[0029] "Substantially perpendicular" means that a first line, line segment, plane, edge, surface, etc. is approximately (in this case, within 5%) orthogonal to another line, plane, edge, surface, etc. over at least 50% of the length of the first line, line segment, plane, edge, surface, etc.

[0030] By "substantially flat" it is meant that a surface is level and aligned with another surface such that the two surfaces form a substantially flat single surface (within a tolerance of + / - 0.05 inches).

[0031] In general, the present disclosure relates to a mop system that includes a rotating mop and a bucket assembly, wherein the rotating mop engages the bucket assembly to help dehydrate the mop. In short, when the mop head engages the wringer basket of the bucket assembly, the rotation of the mop head can cause the wringer basket to rotate with it, which causes excess water to be forced out of the yarn of the mop head. Thus, the mop head is dehydrated and ready for use. The mop head can be configured to pivot along two different axes to allow the handle assembly to move, thereby driving the wringer basket to rotate, even when the handle assembly is arranged at different angles relative to the mop head.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the mop system 100 may include a rotating mop assembly 110 and a bucket assembly 200, wherein the rotating mop 110 engages a wringer basket 280 of the bucket assembly 200 to dehydrate the mop head 115. The rotating mop 110 may include a mop base 120 that releasably engages the mop head 115, the mop head 115 including yarn or other cleaning surface. The rotating mop 110 may have a drive mechanism to rotate the mop base 120 and the attached mop head 115 relative to the handle assembly 180 of the mop 110. The handle assembly 180 may define a handle longitudinal axis 183. The drive mechanism may include a spiral member 140 that is slidably engaged with the handle assembly 180 and pivotally engaged with the swivel member 160. The swivel member 160 may be pivotally engaged with the spiral member 140 and may be positioned between the spiral member 140 and the mop base 120. The barrel assembly 200 may include a barrel 220 that holds a cleaning solution, a barrel handle 296 , a wringer basket 280 rotatably engaged with an axle member 230 of the barrel 220 , and a lid 250 secured to the barrel 220 and helping to retain the wringer basket 280 to the barrel assembly 200 .

[0033] After the mop head 115 has been submerged in the cleaning solution contained in the bucket 220, the rotary mop 110 can be received in and engaged with the wringer basket 280 to help dehydrate the mop head 115, thereby ensuring that the mop head 115 has the desired moisture content for the intended cleaning task. The mop head 115 can be placed in the wringer basket 280, wherein the mop base 120 can engage the wringer basket 280. Once the mop base 120 is received in the wringer basket 280, the control lever 190 can be moved (i.e., rotated or lifted) to a release position to release a brake bushing that allows the handle tube 182 of the handle assembly 180 to slidably move along the spiral member 140. The moving bushing within the handle assembly 180 can move along the spiral member 140, causing the spiral member 140 to rotate. The moving bushing may engage the spiral member 140 when the moving bushing moves downwardly toward the mop head 115, and may disengage when moving upwardly away from the mop head 115, so that the rotation of the mop head 115 is maintained in one direction. As the spiral member 140 rotates, the spiral member 140 causes the swivel member 160 to rotate, which in turn causes the mop base 120 and the mop head 115 to rotate. The rotation of the mop base 120 and the mop head 115 then causes the wringer basket 280 to rotate in the same direction as the rotation of the mop base 120, thereby generating a centrifugal force to cause any excess cleaning solution or liquid to be forced out of the yarn of the mop head 115. Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the handle assembly 180 can be positioned at various angles with respect to the axle axis 232 of the axle member 230 of the mop base 120 and the bucket 220, and still be able to drive the mop head 115 to rotate from multiple angles. For example, the handle assembly 180 can be pivotally rotated about the first swivel axis 170 from the axle axis 232 to a first angle within a range of 0 to 90 degrees, and can also be pivotally rotated about the second swivel axis 176 to a second angle within a second angle range of 0 to 61 degrees, while still being able to slide along the spiral member 140 to rotate the mop base 120 and subsequently rotate the wringer basket 280. In some examples, the handle assembly 180 can be primarily operated when the handle assembly is pivotally rotated about the first swivel axis to a first angle range of 0 to 45 degrees, and wherein the handle assembly 180 can also be simultaneously pivoted about the second swivel axis 176 to a second angle range between 0 to 45 degrees. In some examples, the second angle range can be between 1 degree and 45 degrees.

[0034] The mop assembly 110 may include a first end 112 and a second end 114 opposite the first end 112, wherein a mop head 115 for cleaning a surface is located at the first end 112, and a hook tip 196 is disposed at the second end 114. The mop head 115 may be releasably connected to the mop base 120 via a frame 130. For example, the frame 130 may have a plurality of receiving portions 132 disposed along a bottom surface 134 of the frame 130, and the plurality of receiving portions 132 may be releasably connected to corresponding members of the mop head 115 to secure the mop head 115 to the mop base 120. These receiving portions 132 may include a slide-in fit connection to allow the mop head 115 to be removed from the mop base 120 after use so that the mop head 115 may be cleaned or replaced with another mop head 115. Once the mop head 115 has the desired amount of moisture, the handle assembly 180 may be lowered over the spiral member 140 and then locked in place by moving the lever 190 to the locked position.

[0035] The mop assembly 110 may include a drive mechanism that allows the handle assembly 180 to move relative to the spiral member 140 to cause the mop base 120 to rotate relative to the handle assembly 180. The spiral member 140 may include an engagement member 144 at a first end 142, a second end 146 opposite the first end 142, and a central spiral portion 150 extending between the first end 142 and the second end 146. The spiral portion 150 may have a spiral surface that extends a majority of the length of the central spiral portion 150. The handle assembly 180 may include a handle tube 182, a handle grip 184 near the lower end of the handle tube 182, and a control rod 190 attached to the handle grip 184. The lever 190 can engage a brake bushing within the handle tube 182, wherein the lever 190 has a locked position that prevents the handle assembly 180 from moving relative to the spiral member 140, and an unlocked position that releases the brake bushing and a sliding bushing (also located within the handle tube 182), which allows the brake bushing and the sliding bushing to slide downwardly on the spiral member 140 along with the handle assembly 180. The lever 190 can engage the brake bushing by compressing the flexible fingers on the brake bushing to prevent the handle tube 182 from moving relative to the spiral member 140. As these components move along the spiral surface of the spiral member 140, the spiral member 140 rotates, thereby causing the mop base 120 to rotate.

[0036] To dehydrate the mop head 115, the mop base 120 can engage the wringer basket 280 of the bucket assembly 200 to transmit the rotation of the mop base 120, thereby causing the rotation of the wringer basket 280. As described above, the mop base 120 can be accommodated by the wringer basket 280. The wringer basket 280 can have a plurality of tabs 288 extending upward and / or inward from the peripheral wall 284 of the wringer basket 280, which contact the outer peripheral surface 124 and / or the chamfered lower outer surface 126 of the mop base 120. Such contact between the outer peripheral surface 124 and / or the chamfered lower outer surface 126 can help the mop base 120. Each tab 288 can have a tapered portion 289 extending near or from the upper edge of the wringer basket 280. The tapered portion 289 of each tab 288 can help guide the mop base 120 onto the shelf portion 290 of each tab, which extends generally perpendicular to the axle axis 232. The plurality of shelf portions 290 of the plurality of tabs 288 can combine to form a generally flat surface to support and engage the mop base 120 when the mop base 120 is received in the wringer basket 280. Such engagement can also help the mop base 120 transfer rotational forces to the wringer basket 280. The plurality of tabs 288 can be evenly spaced around the circumference of the basket 280. The plurality of tabs 288 can be an even number of tabs 288 (such as 8 tabs spaced approximately 45 degrees from each other in the illustrated example), or can have an odd number of tabs 288 (such as 3 tabs spaced approximately 120 degrees apart). Alternatively, the wringer basket 280 may have any number of tabs 288, and the tabs may not be evenly spaced.

[0037] Figures 4 to 6 A portion of a mop 110 is illustrated that is centered on an articulated joint of a mop base 120 relative to a spiral member 140. The mop base 120 can be articulated about two different axes while still allowing the handle assembly 180 to drive the mop base 120 to rotate. The spiral member 140 includes an engagement member 144, wherein the engagement member can have a body member 148 that is wider than the spiral portion 150 of the spiral member 140, which can act as a stop for the handle assembly 180 when the handle assembly 180 is moved toward the mop base 120. The body member can include bosses 152 extending from opposite ends of the body member 148. The body member 148 of the engagement member 144 can be received in a central hole 162 of a swivel member 160, wherein each boss 152 can be inserted into a corresponding opening 164 arranged opposite to each other on a peripheral surface 166 of the swivel member 160. As shown in FIG. Figure 5As shown, when the engagement member 144 is connected to the swivel member 160, the boss 152 can be aligned with the first swivel axis 170. As such, the engagement member 144 can be pivotally connected to the swivel member 160 to rotate about the first swivel axis 170 defined by the opening 164. Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9 As shown, the swivel member 160 can be generally oval, having a top surface 161, a bottom surface 163, and a convex peripheral surface 166 extending between the top surface 161 and the bottom surface 163. A pair of swivel bosses 168 can be arranged on opposite ends of the peripheral surface 166. The bosses 168 can define a second swivel axis 176, which can extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the first swivel axis 170. In some examples, the second swivel axis 176 can be arranged at an angle that is not generally perpendicular to the first swivel axis 170 but is different. Each boss 168 can be inserted into a corresponding opening 128 of the mop base 120 to pivotally connect the swivel member 160 to the mop base 120 about the second swivel axis 176. In addition, the mop base 120 can have a recess 122 having a generally curved concave surface to allow the swivel member 160 to move within the recess 122. The handle assembly 180 can be slidably connected to the spiral member 140 and arranged in a co-linear manner with the spiral member 140. The handle assembly 180 can slide over the spiral member 140 so that the spiral member is within the handle assembly 180. The two pivotally connected members 140, 160 allow the handle assembly 180 to rotate along two axes 170, 176 simultaneously while still allowing the handle assembly 180 to move along the spiral member 140 to drive the mop base 120 to rotate about the axle axis 232.

[0038] As described above, movement of the handle assembly 180 along the spiral member 140 causes the mop base 120 to rotate, which in turn causes the mop head and the wringer basket 280 to rotate in the same direction as the mop base 120. As the wet mop head rotates within the wringer basket 280, water is forced from the wet mop head 115 into the bucket assembly 200. As the water is thrown out of the wet mop head 115, the water contacts the rear surface of the splash guard 260 of the cover 250 and then falls into the bucket 220. As will be discussed in more detail below, the splash guard 260 of the cover 250 may be uniquely shaped to prevent water from splashing out of the bucket assembly 200.

[0039] like Figures 10 to 17As shown, the barrel assembly 200 can be partitioned into a wringer area 202 and a storage portion 204, and can include a barrel 220, a lid 250, a wringer basket 280, and a handle 296. The barrel 220 can have an elongated shape, which includes a top wall 222, a bottom wall 224 opposite to the top wall 222, and a side wall 226 extending between the top wall 222 and the bottom wall 224. The side wall 226 and the bottom wall 224 can form a cavity 228 for holding a substance (i.e., a cleaning solution or other liquid material). In some examples, the elongated shape of the barrel can include a length greater than a width, wherein the length extends from a first side 234 to a second side 236 opposite to the first side 234, and the width extends from a third side 238 to a fourth side 240 opposite to the third side 238. The wringer area 202 may include a wringer basket 280 and a lid 250 disposed closer to the first side 234, while the storage portion 204 configured to hold a majority of the liquid is closer to the second side 236. A handle 296 may be rotatably connected to the top wall 222 at the first side 234 and the second side 236 to provide a user with an easy means of carrying the bucket assembly 200.

[0040] In the wringer area 202, the wringer basket 280 can be rotationally engaged with the axle member 230 of the barrel 220 so that the wringer basket 280 is free to rotate on the axle member 230 of the barrel 220. The axle member 230 can extend from the bottom wall 224 and define an axle axis 232. In some examples, the axle axis 232 can be vertically oriented or generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 224. The wringer basket 280 can have a bottom wall 282, a peripheral wall 284 extending upward from the bottom wall 282, and a plurality of tabs 288 extending from the peripheral wall 284. The walls 282, 284 can have a plurality of openings 286 extending through the walls 282, 284, which allow water to pass through the openings 286. The openings 286 can be elongated, having a height greater than a width.

[0041] The wringer basket 280 may include a receiving portion 294 on the bottom wall 282 that rotatably engages the hub member 230 to allow the wringer basket 280 to freely rotate about the hub axis 232. The wringer basket 280 may be secured to the barrel assembly 200 by a cover 250 that is mounted to a shelf 242 that extends along a first side 234, a portion of a third side 238, and a portion of a fourth side 240 of the barrel assembly 200. The shelf 242 may be positioned below the top wall 222 and have a plurality of locking features 244 (i.e., slot pockets and raised protrusions) that engage corresponding locking features on the underside of the cover 250 to secure the cover 250 to the barrel 220. The cover 250 may have a central opening 252 with a flange 254 extending downwardly from a top surface 256 of the cover 250. The flange 254 may overlap the outer edge 292 of the wringer basket 280 such that the width of the central opening 252 is less than the width of the outer edge 292 of the wringer basket 280 .

[0042] The cover 250 may also include a splash shield 260 that extends downward from the top surface 256 toward the bottom wall 224 and may be used as a partition between the wringer area 202 and the storage portion 204. The splash shield may help form a collection area 268 around the wringer basket 280 to prevent liquid from overflowing the barrel assembly 200 when the wringer basket 280 rotates. The top surface 256 of the cover 250 may extend above the collection area 268 to help prevent liquid from overflowing. The splash shield 260 may have an asymmetric shape relative to a plane 270 defined by the intersection of the axle axis 232 and the center line of the barrel base (i.e., a longitudinal axis extending from the center of the first side 234 and the center of the second side 236). The splash shield 260 may have a central area 262 having a curved shape that may be coaxial with the axle axis 232. The curved shape of the central area 262 may be a convex shape. The splash guard 260 may also have a first end region 264 and a second end region 266 extending from the central region 262 opposite the first end region 264, wherein each end region 264, 266 extends toward the second side 236 of the bucket 220 and also extends outward from the central convex region 262 to the sidewall 226 on the third side 238 and the fourth side 240, respectively. The first end region 264 may have a different shape than the second end region 266. Fig.17As shown, the first end region 264 can have a radius 272 in the corner when it transitions from the central convex region 262 that is smaller than the radius 274 in the corner of the transition between the central convex region 262 and the second end region 266. In addition, the first end region 264 can have an extension wall 265 that forms a narrow cavity 276 extending toward the second side 236 of the bucket assembly 200 within the collection area 268 to improve the retention of the discharged liquid by the splash guard. The upper side edge 267 of the extension wall 265 can contact the inner surface of the side wall 226 to prevent liquid from overflowing, while the lower edge 269 of the extension wall 265 can deviate from the inner surface of the side wall 226 to allow the liquid to fall into the storage portion 204 of the bucket assembly 200. The first end region 264 can extend further toward the second side 236 than the second end region 266 (i.e., the extension wall 265 has an end point that is farther away from the wheel axle axis 232 than the end point of the second end region 266). The splash guard 260 may extend at least 50% of the height of the tub 220 , wherein the height of the tub assembly may be defined as the distance from the bottom surface of the bottom wall to the top surface of the top wall.

[0043] The unique shape of the splash guard 260 can be arranged to block any water droplets discharged from the wringer basket 280 that may be pushed toward the storage portion 204. For example, in the illustrated example, the wringer basket 280 can rotate in a clockwise direction (eg, Fig.12 As the wringer basket 280 rotates, the expelled water is directed toward quadrants of the bucket near both the second side 236 and the third side 238 of the bucket assembly 200. The first end region 264 with its extended wall 265 can help capture any liquid expelled from the mop head 115 and allow it to drip along the splash guard 260 and into the storage portion 204.

[0044] As another feature of the bucket 220, the sidewall 226 can have a pouring spout 246 disposed at the second side 236 of the bucket 220. The pouring spout 246 can be located below the top wall 222 of the bucket base and allow a user to easily tilt the bucket assembly 200 to pour out any cleaning solution (or water) from the bucket assembly 200. The sidewall 226 can have a tapered shape to act as a funnel to help water flow through the pouring spout 246.

[0045] Various components of the mop system 100, such as the mop base 120, spiral member 140, swivel member 160, components of the handle assembly 180, bucket 220, lid 250, wringer basket 280, and handle 296, may be formed from non-metallic materials, such as polymeric materials, using molding, forming, cutting, or other processes known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively or alternatively, any or all of these components may be formed from metallic materials.

[0046] Various aspects of the present disclosure have been described in terms of their illustrative examples. Numerous other examples, modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art from a review of the present disclosure. For example, one or more of the steps depicted in the illustrative figures may be performed in an order other than the order stated, and one or more of the depicted steps may be optional according to various aspects of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotating mop structure, comprising: a handle assembly having a handle grip and a handle tube slidably engaged with the spiral member; the handle assembly defining a handle longitudinal axis; The helical member has a first end with an engagement member, a second end opposite the first end, and a central helical portion between the first end and the second end having a helical surface; a swivel member pivotally attached to the engagement member of the spiral member along a first swivel axis; as well as a mop base configured to releasably secure a mop head, wherein the mop base is pivotally attached to the swivel member along a second swivel axis, wherein the first swivel axis and the second swivel axis are perpendicular to each other, and wherein the swivel member is received in a recess in a top surface of the mop base such that the swivel member is movable within the recess; and wherein movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member causes the mop head to rotate.

2. The rotating mop structure according to claim 1, wherein the engaging member has a first boss and a second boss opposite to the first boss, wherein the first boss is received in the first opening of the rotating member and the second boss is received in the second opening of the rotating member, and The first boss and the second boss are arranged along the first rotating body axis.

3. The rotating mop structure according to claim 1, wherein the swivel member has a central hole for receiving the engagement member.

4. The rotating mop structure according to claim 1, wherein the swivel member has a first swivel boss and a second swivel boss, wherein the first swivel boss is received in a first opening of the mop base, and the second swivel boss is received in a second opening of the mop base, wherein the first swivel boss and the second swivel boss are arranged along the second swivel axis.

5. The rotating mop structure of claim 1, wherein the swivel member comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface.

6. The rotating mop structure according to claim 5, wherein the peripheral surface of the swivel member has a convex shape between the top surface and the bottom surface.

7. The rotating mop structure of claim 6, wherein the swivel member comprises a generally oval shape.

8. The rotating mop structure of claim 1, wherein the first rotation axis is substantially perpendicular to the handle longitudinal axis.

9. A rotating mop system, comprising: A barrel assembly, the barrel assembly comprising: a tub comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, an axle member connected to the bottom wall, and a shelf positioned below the top wall; the axle member defining an axle axis; a wringer basket rotatably engaged with the barrel along the hub axis, the wringer basket comprising a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a recess in the bottom wall to receive the hub member, and a plurality of wringer basket tabs extending inwardly from the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall and the bottom wall have the plurality of openings to allow liquid to pass through the plurality of openings; a cover secured to the shelf, wherein the cover includes a top surface, a central opening located above the wringer basket, and a splash guard extending downwardly from the top surface; wherein the barrel has an elongated shape including a length greater than a width, wherein the length extends from a first side to a second side opposite the first side, and the width extends from a third side to a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the wringer basket is closer to the first side than the second side; and wherein the splash shield of the cover is asymmetrical relative to a plane extending through the axle axis and a centerline of the tub, the centerline extending in a direction from a center of the first side to a center of the second side; and The rotating mop structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8; wherein the mop base includes a lower outwardly facing surface that contacts one of the plurality of wringer basket tabs, and Wherein when the mop base is received in the wringer basket of the bucket assembly, movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member causes the mop head to rotate, which causes the wringer basket to rotate about the axle axis.

10. The rotating mop system of claim 9, wherein the splash guard of the cover extends downwardly more than 50% of the height of the bucket assembly, wherein the height of the bucket assembly is defined as the distance from the bottom surface of the bottom wall to the top surface of the top wall.

11. The rotary mop system of claim 9, wherein the movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member causes the wringer basket to rotate when the handle assembly is pivotally rotated about the first swivel axis by a first angle within a first angular range of 0 to 45 degrees from the axle axis and the handle assembly is also pivotally rotated about the second swivel axis by a second angle within a second angular range of 0 to 45 degrees.

12. The rotating mop system of claim 9, wherein the recess has a curved concave surface.

13. The rotating mop system of claim 9, wherein the bucket includes a pouring spout positioned within the sidewall closer to the second side than the first side.

14. The rotating mop system of claim 9, wherein the splash shield includes a central region having a curved shape coaxial with the wheel axle axis, a first end region extending from the central region toward the second side of the bucket, and a second end region extending from the central region toward the second side opposite the first end region, wherein the first end region extends closer to the second side than the second end region.

15. A rotary mop system, comprising: A barrel assembly, the barrel assembly comprising: A bucket comprising a top wall, a bottom wall, and a side wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, an axle member connected to the bottom wall, and a shelf positioned below the top wall; the axle member defines an axle axis, wherein the barrel has an elongated shape including a length greater than a width, wherein the length extends from a first side to a second side opposite the first side, and the width extends from a third side to a fourth side opposite the third side, a wringer basket rotatably engaged with the barrel along the axle axis, the wringer basket comprising a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, a recess in the bottom wall to receive the axle member, and a plurality of wringer basket tabs extending inwardly from the peripheral wall, wherein the peripheral wall and the bottom wall have the plurality of openings to allow liquid to pass through the plurality of openings; wherein the wringer basket is closer to the first side than the second side; a cover secured to the shelf, wherein the cover includes a top surface, a central opening located above the wringer basket, and a splash guard extending downwardly from the top surface; wherein the splash shield of the cover is asymmetrical relative to a plane extending through the axle axis and a centerline of the tub, the centerline extending in a direction from a center of the first side to a center of the second side; and The rotating mop structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8; and Wherein when the mop base is received in the wringer basket of the bucket assembly, movement of the handle assembly sliding along the spiral member causes the mop head to rotate, which causes the wringer basket to rotate about the axle axis.

16. The rotating mop system of claim 15, wherein the splash guard includes a central region having a curved shape coaxial with the wheel axle axis, a first end region extending from the central region toward the second side of the bucket, and a second end region extending from the central region toward the second side opposite the first end region, wherein the first end region extends closer to the second side than the second end region.

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