AU2007211913A1 - Mops - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (Associated with Provisional Application No. 2006904983) Standard Patent Applicant(s): THE DECOR CORPORATION PTY LTD Invention Title:

MOPS

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: 2

MOPS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to mops and relates particularly to mops of the type known as "twist-to-wring" ratchet mops.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART Hitherto "twist-to-wring" ratchet mops have been known. Generally, such mops comprise an elongate handle with a mop head attached at one end. The mop head is generally formed from suitable fibres or cords which, at one end are attached to an end of the handle of the mop, and at the other end are attached to a hollow collar that fits around the mop handle. The mop head can be wrung by twisting the hollow collar relative to the longitudinal central axis of the mop handle. This, in turn, twists the fibres/cords of the mop head and effects wringing. The forces of wringing can be maintained by ratchet engagement of at least one ratchet tooth within the hollow collar locating with a pawl that is attached relative to the mop handle. Thus, when wringing is to be effected, the pawl is located within the hollow collar by sliding the hollow collar up the handle so that the pawl locates therein.

The hollow collar is then twist rotated which, in turn, effects a ratchet engagement of one or more ratchet teeth within the hollow collar with the pawl. Usually, diametrically opposite pawls are provided so that the forces of wringing are not passed through a single pawl.

The pawl(s) of the known "twist-to-wring" ratchet mops are provided on the end of a collar that is fixed relative to the handle. This, in turn, provides protruding and sharp edges about the pawl(s) which present an operational N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005.AU1\Speci\MOPS P6200S.AUldoc.doc 22/08/07 3 hazard to a person using the mop. Such pawls often snag with an operator's hand or body during operation of the mop.

OBJECTS AND STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION There is a need for an alternative arrangement.

Therefore, according to a first broad aspect of the present invention there is provided a twist-to-wring ratchet mop, said mop having a handle, a mop head at a mop head end of the handle, a hollow collar slideably received on the mop handle for sliding movement therealong and for twisting rotational movement, said hollow collar having ratchet teeth on an inside surface thereof, one end of the mop head being fixedly attached relative to the handle at the mop head end, the other end of the mop head being fixedly attached to the hollow collar, a pawl fixed to the handle intermediate the mop head end of the handle and the other end of the handle, the pawl being for locating within the hollow collar and being for ratchet engagement and disengagement with ratchet teeth therein, and whereby wringing of the mop head can be effected by twist rotation of the hollow collar relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and wherein the forces of wringing can be maintained by ratchet engagement of at least one ratchet tooth with the pawl, and wherein when the forces of wringing are to be removed, the hollow collar can be slid along the mop handle towards the mop head end thereby slideably disengaging the pawl from ratchet engagement with the at least one ratchet tooth and allowing the mop head to unwring, said pawl being disposed on an elongate body N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU.1\Speci\MOPS P62005AU.ldocdoc 22/08/07 4 intermediate a mop head end and an opposite end thereof, and whereby said elongate body provides bulk in said elongate body around the pawl at both the mop head end and the opposite end of said elongate body leaving the free end of the pawl radially exposed such that if said bulk were not provided, could otherwise expose a greater portion of the pawl to free snagging with an operator's hand or body during operation of the mop.

Preferably the elongate body is a two part body, each part being half cylindrical and carrying registering locators for register locating each part relative to each other, so said elongate body can be obtained by fitting each part around the handle and registering the registering locators with each other.

Most preferably, the registering locators comprise snap lock engaging registering locators for snap locking the parts together when fitted around the handle.

Most preferably, each part has at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion, said protrusion being for locating within a respective aperture in said handle, said respective aperture positioned on said handle to longitudinally locate said body on the handle and to fix said elongate body against relative rotation with respect to the handle.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a twist-to-wring ratchet mop said mop having a handle, a mop head at a mop head end of the handle, a hollow collar slideably received on the mop handle for sliding movement therealong and for twisting rotational movement, said hollow collar having ratchet teeth on an inside surface thereof, N:\Mebourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU1\Specis\MOPS P62005AUldocdoc 22/08/07 5 one end of the mop head being fixedly attached relative to the handle at the mop head end, the other end of the mop head being fixedly attached to the hollow collar, a pawl fixed to the handle intermediate the mop head end of the handle and the other end of the handle, the pawl being for locating within the hollow collar and being for ratchet engagement and disengagement with ratchet teeth therein, and whereby wringing of the mop head can be effected by twist rotation of the hollow collar relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and wherein the forces of wringing can be maintained by ratchet engagement of at least one ratchet tooth with the pawl, and wherein when the forces of wringing are to be removed, the hollow collar can be slid along the mop handle towards the mop head end thereby slideably disengaging the pawl from ratchet engagement with the at least one ratchet tooth and allowing the mop head to unwring, said pawl being disposed on an elongate body and wherein said elongate body has a resilient retention part extending in a direction radially outwardly and being for resilient retention engagement with an inside surface of said hollow collar, to then hold said collar in a longitudinal position along said handle where said mop head is disposed extending over a length of the mop handle, for drying of the mop head in an untwisted condition.

Most preferably said resilient retention part comprises at least one retention rib that extends in a circumferential direction about said elongate body.

Most preferably said resilient retention part is situated between said pawl and said opposite end of said N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\6200-62999\P62005.AU.1\Specis\MOPS P62005.AU.ldoC.doc 22/08/07 6elongate body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained, an example of a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a twist-to-wring ratchet mop according to an embodiment of the invention, and taken from the handle end, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along section line 2-2 of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a close-up perspective view of the mop head, Figure 4 is a close-up cross sectional view of a collar to which the mop head is attached, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a pawl on an elongate body, Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view of the components of the pawl and elongate body showing an exploded fitting arrangement around the handle, Figure 7 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 6 but wherein the components of the pawl and elongate body are inter-fitted together, Figure 8 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along section line 8-8 of Figure 7, N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P6200SAU.1\Specis\MOPS P62005.AU.doc.doC 22/08/07 7 Figure 9 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along section line 9-9 of Figure 7, Figure 10 is a perspective close-up view showing the pawl and elongate body when fitted about a handle, Figure 11 is a perspective view taken from a handle end showing twisting of the mop head, Figure 12 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along section line 12-12 of Figure 11, Figure 13 is a perspective view taken from the mop head end showing a prior art pawl, Figure 14 is a close-up view of the head end of the mop showing the collar in cross section during twisting the mop head, Figure 15 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 14 but wherein the mop head is shown in a non- twisted condition and with the pawl and elongate body within the collar holding the collar in a longitudinal position along the handle, and Figure 16 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along section line 16-16 of Figure DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED ART Referring now to the example of the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it can be seen that the twist-to-wring ratchet mop 1 has a handle 3, typically of hollow metal tube such as steel which can be N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU1\Speci\MOPS P62005.AU.ldocdoc 22/08/07 8 surface coated to inhibit against corrosion. The mop 1 has a mop head 5 fitted at a mop head end of the handle 3.

The mop head 5 is typically of fibres or cords. A cotton, or polyethylene type cord or other similar material cord provides an entirely suitable mop head 5. In some cases, the mop head 5 may be made from non woven sheet like fabric. One end of the fibres or cords or fabric of the mop head 5 is attached to the handle 3. This is not clearly shown in the drawings, however, Figures 14 and show the mop head 5 attached at a floor scrubbing hemispherical dome 7 at the mop head end of the mop i.

The floor scrubbing dome 7 is, in turn, fitted to the handle 3 and prevents the ends of the fibres, or cords or material of the mop head 5 from rotating relative to the handle at that end. The other end of the fibres, or cords or material of the mop head 5 are attached to a hollow collar 9. The hollow collar 9 is, in turn, slidably received on the mop handle 3 for sliding movement therealong and for twisting rotational movement. Figure 4 shows this arrangement in transverse cross section. The hollow collar 9 has a bell like formation 11 at the mop head end and the material of the mop head 5 is fixed relative to the bell like formation 11 by a retaining clip ring 13 (see Figure The other end of the hollow collar 9 is formed with a bell like formation 15. The internal surface of the hollow collar 9 is provided with longitudinally extending ratchet teeth 17. These are spaced angularly equally around the circumference of the internal surfaces of the hollow collar 9. The bell like formation 15 provides a lead-in to the ratchet teeth 17 for a pawl 19 and elongate body 23 that is fitted to the handle 3. The pawl 19 will be referred to hereinafter.

The external surfaces of the hollow collar 9 are provided with a series of longitudinally extending flats 21 to provide for good user contact and gripping so that a N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU1\Speci\MPS P62005.AU.ldoc.doc 22/08/07 9 twisting wringing rotational movement can be imparted through the hollow collar 9 to the material of the mop head 5. The hollow collar 9 may be made from a suitable plastics material such as Polypropylene.

The pawl 19 is best shown in Figure 5 12. Here, the pawl 19 is formed on an elongate body 23. The elongate body 23 is, in turn, formed from a suitable plastics material such as Nylon. Preferably, there are two pawls 19 on the elongate body 23 and these are positioned diametrically opposite. This is best shown in Figure 8.

In this example, the elongate body 23 is formed in two halves 25 and 27. Figure 5 shows that each of the halves and 27 is generally half cylindrical in nature. Figure also clearly shows that each half 25, 27 has at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion 29. In the example shown, each half 25, 27 has two radially inwardly extending protrusions 29. The protrusions 29 are for locating within respective apertures 31 in the handle 3 which are provided aligned and at diametrically opposite positions across the handle 3. The apertures 31 receive the respective radially inwardly extending protrusions 29, to longitudinally locate the elongate body 23 on the handle 3 and to fix the elongate body 23 against relative rotation with respect to the handle 3.

It can also be seen from Figures 5 10 that the pawls 19 are on arms 33 that extend in the same general circumferential disposition as the external surfaces of the elongate body 23. In other words, the arms 33 form part of the external surface of the elongate body 23 and the arms 33 allow the pawl 19 to swing radially inwardly and outwardly relative to the central longitudinal axis of the handle 3. Figures 6, 7 and 8 clearly show that the pawls 19 extend proud of the general cylindrical body of the elongate body 23. The arms 33 and the pawls 19 are N:\Melborne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU1\Specls\MOPS P62005.AU.doc.doc 22/08/07 10 disposed intermediate the mop head end 35 of the elongate body 23 and an opposite end 37 thereof. This, in turn, provides bulk in the elongate body 23 around the pawls 19 and arms 33, at both the mop head end 35 and the opposite end 37. This then leaves the free end of the pawl 19 radially exposed relative to the outer surface of the elongate body 23 such that if the bulk were not provided, could otherwise expose a greater proportion of the pawls 19 and arms 33 to free snagging engaging with an operator's hand or body during operation of the mop i.

This will be explained further in due course.

Figures 5 10 also show that the elongate body 23 has each half 25 and 27 provided with registering locators 39. These are moulded integral with each of the halves and 27. The half 27 is provided with upstanding legs 41 as the registering locators 39, whilst the half 25 is provided with internal cavities 43 as the registering locators 39. Snap lock barbs and sockets are provided on the registering locators 39 so there can be mutual snap lock engagement of the two halves 25 and 27 when they are located about the handle 3 with the protrusions 29 located in the apertures 31.

The mop head end 35 of the elongate body 23 is curved radially inwardly to provide a lead-in so that the elongate body 23 can be received within the hollow collar 9. Thus, when the elongate body 23, providing the at least one pawl 19, is fitted to the handle 3, it is longitudinally located with respect to the handle 3 and also positioned against rotational twisting movement thereabout. When the collar is drawn up the handle 3, the elongate body 23 can be received within the hollow interior of the hollow collar 9, and the lead-in assists this insertion. The pawls 19 locate with corresponding ratchet teeth 17.

N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU1\Specis\MOPS P62005.AU.1docdoc 22/08/07 11 A plastics material collar hand grip 45 is fitted to the handle 3 at a position intermediate the pawl 19 and the elongate body 23, and the extreme handle end 47 of the handle 3. The hand grip 45 may have a similar external surface configuration as the hollow collar 9.

In use, an operator of the mop can grip the hollow collar hand grip 45 with one hand, and the hollow collar 9 with the other hand. The operator can then move the hollow collar 9 along the handle 3 by sliding so that the pawl 19 and elongate body 23 locate within the hollow interior of the hollow collar 9. The pawls 19 then locate with the ratchet teeth 17 within the hollow collar 9.

This is best shown in Figure 12. The bell shaped formation 15 assists such insertion. The hollow collar 9 can then be rotated relative to the handle 3 to wring the mop head 5. Because the at least one pawl 19 locates with a ratchet tooth 17, the forces of wringing can be maintained by ratchet engagement. As the hollow collar 9 is twist rotated there is incremental movement of the pawls 19 by swinging of their respective arms 33 as the pawls 19 traverse past the ratchet teeth 17. The arms 33, in effect, bias the pawls 19 to the ratchet engaged position with the ratchet teeth 17. When the forces of wringing are to be released, then the hollow collar 9 can be slid longitudinally along the handle 3 towards the mop head end thereby slidably disengaging the pawls 19 from the ratchet teeth 17. This allows the mop head 5 to unwring.

The extreme handle end 47 of the handle 3 may be provided with a handle end part 49 as shown to protect the user from any sharpness of the end of the handle 3.

It should be appreciated, that the bulk of the elongate body 23 is such that only the pawls 19 are N:\Meborne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU.1\Specis\MOPS P62OO.AU.1doc.doc 22/08/07 12 radially exposed relative to the outer circumferential surface of the elongate body 23. It should also be appreciated that the pawls 19 extend only marginally outwardly in a radial direction from the outer surface of the elongate body 23 and that there is bulk at the mop head end 35 of the elongate body 23 and at the opposite end 37 of the elongate body 23. This bulk protects an operator from snagging the hand or body during operation of the mop as has been said previously. This is to be contrasted with the prior art arrangement shown in Figure 13, where the pawls 19 are provided on a cylindrical body 51 which is pop riveted to the handle 3 by pop rivets 53.

The pawls 19 are provided on arms 55 which are moulded so that they extend exposed and in a radially outwardly extending direction from the cylindrical body 51. It is also noted that the arms 55 and the pawls 19 are at an extreme end of the body 51 and thus expose a greater portion of the pawls 19, including the arms 55, to free snagging with an operator's hand or body during operation of the mop. Accordingly, the example of preferred embodiment provides significant safety improvements to a twist-to-wring ratchet mop than in the previous known arrangements.

Referring now to Figures 14, 15 and 16 in particular, it can be seen that the elongate body 23 is also provided with a resilient retention part 57. In the present case, the resilient retention part 57 is provided by over moulding to the elongate body halves 25 and 27 with a suitable synthetic resilient material such as TPR rubbers.

The technique for over moulding is well known in the moulding arts and provides a unitary structure for the elongate body 23 which includes a resilient retention part 57. The resilient retention part 57 comprises at least one retention rib that extends in a circumferential N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU.1\SpeCiS\MOP P62005.AU.ldoC.doC 22/08/07 13 direction about the elongate body 23. In this example there are shown three retention ribs 59. These are positioned between the pawl 19 and the opposite end 37 of the elongate body 23. Figure 16 shows that the retention ribs 59 extend radially outwardly from the external surface of the elongate body 23 and are of a size that enables the retention ribs 59 to engage with the pointed edge surfaces of the ratchet teeth 17 within the hollow collar 9. Figure 15 also shows this arrangement. Here, the hollow collar 9 has been moved longitudinally along the handle 3 so that the resilient retention part 57 locates within the hollow interior. The resilient ribs 59 then engage with the internal surfaces of the hollow collar 9 (in this case the ratchet teeth 17) and act to hold the mop head 3 disposed extending over a length of the mop handle 3 for drying of the mop head 5 in an untwisted condition. In such condition, as shown in Figure 15, the mop can be hung on a hook via the handle end part 49 to enable the mop head 5 to dry without undue twisting. This minimises any unwanted or unpleasant smells that may otherwise generate within the mop head Modifications may be made to the example as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art of producing mops.

For example, instead of providing only at least one diametrically opposed pawl 19, there may be other numbers of pawls 19 provided on the elongate body 23. In addition, the resilient retention part 57 may be fitted on the elongate body at the mop head end 35 of the elongate body 23 rather than at the opposite end 37. In a variation, a resilient retention part 57 may be fitted at both the head end 35 and the opposite end 37 of the elongate body 23. In addition, the resilient retention part 57 may be a separate part to the pawl 19 such that it is not physically connected with the elongate body 23.

N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005.AU1\Specis\MOPS P62005.AU.ldoc.doc 22/08/07 14 Thus, for the purposes of this specification it should be understood that when reference is made to the elongate body 23 having a resilient retention part 59 extending in a direction radially outwardly, that the resilient retention part 57 does not need to be physically integral with the elongate body 23.

These and other modifications may be made without departing from the ambit of the invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P6200SAU.1\Specis\MOPS P62005.AU.ldocdoc 22/08/07

Claims (12)

1. A twist-to-wring ratchet mop, said mop having a handle, a mop head at a mop head end of the handle, a hollow collar slideably received on the mop handle for sliding movement therealong and for twisting rotational movement, said hollow collar having ratchet teeth on an inside surface thereof, one end of the mop head being fixedly attached relative to the handle at the mop head end, the other end of the mop head being fixedly attached to the hollow collar, a pawl fixed to the handle intermediate the mop head end of the handle and the other end of the handle, the pawl being for locating within the hollow collar and being for ratchet engagement and disengagement with ratchet teeth therein, and whereby wringing of the mop head can be effected by twist rotation of the hollow collar relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and wherein the forces of wringing can be maintained by ratchet engagement of at least one ratchet tooth with the pawl, and wherein when the forces of wringing are to be removed, the hollow collar can be slid along the mop handle towards the mop head end thereby slideably disengaging the pawl from ratchet engagement with the at least one ratchet tooth and allowing the mop head to unwring, said pawl being disposed on an elongate body intermediate a mop head end and an opposite end thereof, and whereby said elongate body provides bulk in said elongate body around the pawl at both the mop head end and the opposite end of said elongate body leaving the free end of the pawl radially exposed such that if said bulk were not provided, could otherwise expose a greater N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P62005AU.1\Specis\MOPS P62005.AU.Ildocdoc 22/08/07 16 portion of the pawl to free snagging with an operator's hand or body during operation of the mop.

2. A mop as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate body has two diametrically opposed pawls for engagement with ratchet teeth within said collar.

3. A mop as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said elongate body is a two part body, each part being half cylindrical and carrying registering locators for register locating each part relative to each other, so said elongate body can be obtained by fitting each part around the handle and registering the registering locators with each other.

4. A mop as claimed in claim 3, wherein said registering locators comprise snap lock engaging registering locators for snap locking the parts together when fitted around the handle.

A mop as claimed in claim 3, wherein each part has at least one radially inwardly extending protrusion, said protrusion being for locating within a respective aperture in said handle, said respective aperture positioned on said handle to longitudinally locate said body on the handle and to fix said elongate body against relative rotation with respect to the handle.

6. A mop as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate body has a resilient retention part extending in a direction radially outwardly and being for resilient retention engagement with an inside surface of said hollow collar, to then hold said collar in a longitudinal position along said handle where said mop head is disposed extending over a length of the mop handle, for drying of N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\6200-62999\P62005.AU.1\Specis\MOPS P62005.AUdoc.doc 22/08/07 17 the mop head in an untwisted condition.

7. A mop as claimed in claim 6, wherein said resilient retention part comprises at least one retention rib that extends in a circumferential direction about at least one of the half cylindrical parts.

8. A mop as claimed in claim 7, wherein each half cylindrical part has at least one retention rib, and wherein the at least one retention rib is situated between said pawl and the opposite end of said elongate body.

9. A twist-to-wring ratchet mop said mop having a handle, a mop head at a mop head end of the handle, a hollow collar slideably received on the mop handle for sliding movement therealong and for twisting rotational movement, said hollow collar having ratchet teeth on an inside surface thereof, one end of the mop head being fixedly attached relative to the handle at the mop head end, the other end of the mop head being fixedly attached to the hollow collar, a pawl fixed to the handle intermediate the mop head end of the handle and the other end of the handle, the pawl being for locating within the hollow collar and being for ratchet engagement and disengagement with ratchet teeth therein, and whereby wringing of the mop head can be effected by twist rotation of the hollow collar relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and wherein the forces of wringing can be maintained by ratchet engagement of at least one ratchet tooth with the pawl, and wherein when the forces of wringing are to be removed, the hollow collar can be slid along the mop handle towards the mop head end thereby slideably disengaging the pawl from N\Melburne\Case\Patent\62000-62999\P62005.AU1\Specis\MPS P62005.AU~ldocdoc 22/08/07 18 ratchet engagement with the at least one ratchet tooth and allowing the mop head to unwring, said pawl being disposed on an elongate body and wherein said elongate body has a resilient retention part extending in a direction radially outwardly and being for resilient retention engagement with an inside surface of said hollow collar, to then hold said collar in a longitudinal position along said handle where said mop head is disposed extending over a length of the mop handle, for drying of the mop head in an untwisted condition.

A mop as claimed in claim 9, wherein said resilient retention part comprises at least one retention rib that extends in a circumferential direction about said elongate body.

11. A mop as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein said resilient retention part is situated between said pawl and said opposite end of said elongate body.

12. A mop as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. N:\Melbourne\Cases\Patent\62000-62999\P6205.AU.1\Specis\MOPS P6200S.AU.ldoc.doc 22/08/07