US20100162507A1

US20100162507A1 - Mop

Info

Publication number: US20100162507A1
Application number: US12/542,089
Authority: US
Inventors: Pei-Yuan Lee
Original assignee: Rock Tone Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Rock Tone Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-26
Filing date: 2009-08-17
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: FR2940605B3; AU2009100843A4; JP3157542U; DE202009011590U1; GB0915303D0; TWM358618U; GB2466538A; KR200448894Y1; CA2679165A1; FR2940605A3; ITGO20090009U1; GB2466538B

Abstract

A mop includes a base (10), a cleaning unit (40) mounted on the base, a limit seat (20) mounted on the base and having an inner portion provided with a limit space (22) and a locking portion (243), a movable seat (30) movably mounted on the limit seat and having a locked portion (32) movable in the limit space and detachably engaging the locking portion (243), and a handle (35) mounted on the movable seat. Thus, when the locked portion of the movable seat is detached from the locking portion of the limit seat, the limit seat and the movable seat are rotatable relative to each other so that when the limit seat, the base and the cleaning unit are placed in and rotated by a dehydrator, the movable seat and the handle are not rotated by the dehydrator.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaning tool and, more particularly, to a mop.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional mop comprises a base, a cleaning unit mounted on the bottom of the base, and a handle mounted on the top of the base. The cleaning unit can be placed in and rotated by a dehydrator to remove the water from the cleaning unit so as to dry the cleaning unit. However, the handle is fixed on the base so that when the cleaning unit is rotated by the dehydrator, the base and the handle are also rotated in concert with the cleaning unit, thereby causing inconvenience to the user. In addition, the cleaning unit is fixed on the base so that the cleaning unit cannot be replaced individually.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mop, comprising a base, a cleaning unit mounted on a bottom of the base, a limit seat mounted on a top of the base and having an inner portion provided with a limit space and a locking portion, a movable seat movably mounted on the limit seat and having a locked portion movable in the limit space of the limit seat and detachably engaging the locking portion of the limit seat, and a handle mounted on the movable seat.
According to the primary objective of the present invention, when the locked portion of the movable seat is detached from the locking portion of the limit seat, the limit seat and the movable seat are rotatable relative to each other so that when the limit seat, the base and the cleaning unit are placed in and rotated by a dehydrator, the movable seat and the handle are not rotated by the dehydrator to facilitate a user holding the handle so as to enhance the working efficiency of the mop.
According to another objective of the present invention, the cleaning unit is detachably mounted on the base so that the cleaning unit can be detached from the base for replacement.
Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mop as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially perspective view of the mop as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the mop as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the mop as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partially front cross-sectional view of the mop as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the mop as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic operational view of the mop as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially perspective view of the mop as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a partially perspective view of the mop as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front cross-sectional assembly operational view of the mop as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional assembly operational view of the mop as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front cross-sectional assembly view of the mop as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a front cross-sectional assembly view of the mop as shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the mop as shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the mop as shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a front cross-sectional view of the mop as shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a mop in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-8, a mop in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base 10, a cleaning unit 40 mounted on a bottom of the base 10, a limit seat 20 mounted on a top of the base 10 and having an inner portion provided with a limit space 22 and a locking portion 243, a movable seat 30 movably mounted on the limit seat 20 and having a locked portion 32 movable in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20 and detachably engaging the locking portion 243 of the limit seat 20, and a handle 35 mounted on the movable seat 30.
The base 10 has a receiving recess 11 to receive the limit seat 20. The receiving recess 11 of the base 10 has a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of fixing grooves 12.
The limit seat 20 is removably mounted on the top of the base 10. The limit seat 20 consists of two housings 24 which are combined together. Each of the housings 24 of the limit seat 20 has a bottom edge 23 provided with a protrusion 231 and a cutout 232. The bottom edges 23 of the housings 24 abut each other. The protrusion 231 of one of the housings 24 is inserted into the cutout 232 of the other one of the housings 24 so that the housings 24 of the limit seat 20 are locked. The limit seat 20 has a resting face 21 secured in the receiving recess 11 of the base 10. The resting face 21 of the limit seat 20 has a plurality of fixing blocks 25 fixed in the fixing grooves 12 of the base 10. The limit seat 20 has a top wall 241 provided with a mounting hole 242 connected to the limit space 22. The mounting hole 242 of the limit seat 20 has a circular shape. The locking portion 243 of the limit seat 20 has an annular serrated shape. The locking portion 243 of the limit seat 20 is located at an upper position of the limit space 22.
The movable seat 30 has a lower end provided with a moving portion 31 movable in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20, a mediate portion provided with a mounting portion 33 movable in the mounting hole 242 of the limit seat 20 and an upper end provided with a pivot portion 34. The moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 has a thickness smaller than that of the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20 so that the moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 is movable in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20. The moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 has a disk shape and has a size greater than that of the mounting hole 242 of the limit seat 20 so that the moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 is limited in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20. The moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 has a peripheral wall provided with the locked portion 32. The locked portion 32 of the movable seat 30 has an annular serrated shape. The moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 is rotatable in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20 when the locked portion 32 of the movable seat 30 disengages the locking portion 243 of the limit seat 20 so that the movable seat 30 is rotatable relative to the limit seat 20. The mounting portion 33 of the movable seat 30 has a circular shape. The pivot portion 34 of the movable seat 30 has a substantially U-shaped profile and has two opposite sides each provided with a pivot hole 341. The pivot portion 34 of the movable seat 30 protrudes outwardly from the limit seat 20 and has a size greater than that of the mounting hole 242 of the limit seat 20.
The handle 35 is pivotally mounted on the movable seat 30 and has a lower end provided with a pivot shaft 351 pivotally mounted in the pivot holes 341 of the pivot portion 34.
In operation, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 with reference to FIGS. 1-6, when the movable seat 30 is pushed downward, the moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 is moved downward in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20 to disengage the locked portion 32 of the movable seat 30 from the locking portion 243 of the limit seat 20 as shown in FIG. 7 so that the limit seat 20 and the movable seat 30 are rotatable relative to each other. Thus, the limit seat 20 and the movable seat 30 are rotatable relative to each other so that when the limit seat 20, the base 10 and the cleaning unit 40 are placed in and rotated by a dehydrator, the movable seat 30 and the handle 35 are not rotated by the dehydrator.
On the contrary, when the movable seat 30 is pulled upward, the moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 is moved upward in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20 to engage the locked portion 32 of the movable seat 30 with the locking portion 243 of the limit seat 20 as shown in FIG. 8 so that the limit seat 20 and the movable seat 30 are combined together. Thus, the limit seat 20 and the movable seat 30 are combined together so that when the handle 35 is rotated by a user, the base 10 and the cleaning unit 40 are rotated by the handle 35.
Referring to FIGS. 9-13, the locked portion 32 a of the movable seat 30 a is a slot, and the locking portion 243 a of the limit seat 20 a is a protruding plug. The locking portion 243 a of the limit seat 20 a is located at an upper position of the limit space 22. Each of the housings 24 a of the limit seat 20 a has a bottom edge 23 a, and the bottom edges 23 a of the housings 24 a abut each other. The bottom edge 23 a of one of the housings 24 a has a depression 232 a, and the bottom edge 23 a of the other one of the housings 24 a has a protruding flat plate 231 a inserted into the depression 232 a so that the housings 24 a of the limit seat 20 a are combined together. One of the housings 24 a has two opposite sides each provided with a hook hole 202, and the other one of the housings 24 a has two opposite sides each provided with a hook 201 hooked in the respective hook hole 202 so that the housings 24 a of the limit seat 20 a are locked. The receiving recess 11 of the base 10 has two opposite sides each provided with a cavity 13 to receive the respective hook 201 of the limit seat 20 a.
In operation, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 with reference to FIGS. 9-11, when the movable seat 30 a is pushed downward, the moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 a is moved downward in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20 a to disengage the locked portion 32 a of the movable seat 30 a from the locking portion 243 a of the limit seat 20 a as shown in FIG. 12 so that the limit seat 20 a and the movable seat 30 a are rotatable relative to each other. Thus, the limit seat 20 a and the movable seat 30 a are rotatable relative to each other so that when the limit seat 20 a, the base 10 and the cleaning unit 40 are placed in and rotated by a dehydrator, the movable seat 30 a and the handle 35 are not rotated by the dehydrator.
On the contrary, when the movable seat 30 a is pulled upward, the moving portion 31 of the movable seat 30 a is moved upward in the limit space 22 of the limit seat 20 a to engage the locked portion 32 a of the movable seat 30 a with the locking portion 243 a of the limit seat 20 a as shown in FIG. 13 so that the limit seat 20 a and the movable seat 30 a are combined together. Thus, the limit seat 20 a and the movable seat 30 a are combined together so that when the handle 35 is rotated by a user, the base 10 and the cleaning unit 40 are rotated by the handle 35.
Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the cleaning unit 40 is detachably mounted on the bottom of the base 10 by a retaining ring 50. The bottom of the base 10 has a periphery provided with an annular retaining groove 14 which is formed by two downward extending stop walls 15. The base 10 has a surface provided with a plurality of locking holes 16. The cleaning unit 40 is partially received in the retaining groove 14 of the base 10 and located between the stop walls 15 of the retaining groove 14. The cleaning unit 40 includes a plurality of elongate strips 41 arranged in a radiating manner. Each of the strips 41 of the cleaning unit 40 is made of a cotton or cloth. The strips 41 of the cleaning unit 40 are connected by a connecting string 42. Each of the strips 41 of the cleaning unit 40 has a shorter side 410 and a longer side 412. The shorter sides 410 of the strips 41 are combined together, and the longer sides 412 of the strips 41 are spaced from each other. The retaining ring 50 is forced into the retaining groove 14 of the base 10 and has a pressing face 51 pressing a bottom of the cleaning unit 40. The retaining ring 50 has a top provided with a plurality of locking hooks 52 detachably locked in the locking holes 16 of the base 10.
Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the base 10 b has a surface provided with a plurality of downward extending threaded tubes 16 b. The retaining ring 50 b has a surface provided with a plurality of stepped through holes 52 b. The pressing face 51 of the retaining ring 50 b has a top provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped antiskid pieces 511 pressing the bottom of the cleaning unit 40. The retaining ring 50 b is locked onto the base 10 b by a plurality of fastening bolts 53 which extend through the through holes 52 b of the retaining ring 50 b and are screwed into the threaded tubes 16 b of the base 10 b. The fastening bolts 53 abut a bottom of the retaining ring 50 b.
Referring to FIG. 18, each of the strips 41 of the cleaning unit 40 consists of at least two cotton bundles 411 which are connected by a connecting line 412 which forms a plurality of connecting portions 4121 between the cotton bundles 411.
Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the cleaning unit 40c is detachably mounted on the bottom of the base 10 by a bag unit 60. The base 10 has a disk shape. The bag unit 60 includes a bag 62 detachably mounted on the base 10 and having a bottom 61 connected with the cleaning unit 40 c, a binding cord 63 mounted on an open top 621 of the bag 62 to bind the open top 621 of the bag 62 onto the base 10, and a tightening member 631 mounted on the binding cord 63 to tighten the binding cord 63. The bag 62 has a circular shape. The open top 621 of the bag 62 has a peripheral wall provided with an annular channel 622 to allow passage of the binding cord 63. Thus, when the base 10 is inserted into the bag 62, the binding cord 63 is pulled outwardly relative to the bag 62 to contract the open top 621 of the bag 62 so as to bind the bag 62 onto the base 10 and to attach the cleaning unit 40 c to the base 10.
Referring to FIG. 21, the cleaning unit 40 c is detachably mounted on the bottom of the base 10 by a bag unit 60 c. The bag unit 60 c includes a bag 62 detachably mounted on the base 10 and having a bottom 61 connected with the cleaning unit 40 c, and an elastic ring 64 mounted on an open top 621 of the bag 62 to bind the open top 621 of the bag 62 onto the base 10. The open top 621 of the bag 62 has a peripheral wall provided with an annular channel 622 to allow passage of the elastic ring 64. Thus, when the base 10 is inserted into the bag 62, the elastic ring 64 provides a restoring force to contract the open top 621 of the bag 62 so as to bind the bag 62 onto the base 10 and to attach the cleaning unit 40 c to the base 10.
Referring to FIGS. 22-24, the cleaning unit 40d is detachably mounted on the bottom of the base 10 d by a bag unit 60 d. The base 10 d has a periphery provided with an annular retaining groove 14 d. The bag unit 60 d includes a bag 62 d detachably mounted on the base 10 d and having a bottom 61 d connected with the cleaning unit 40 d, and an elastic ring 64 d mounted on an open top 621 d of the bag 62 d and secured in the retaining groove 14 d of the base 10 d to bind the open top 621 d of the bag 62 d onto the base 10 d. Thus, when the base 10 d is inserted into the bag 62 d, the elastic ring 64 d is inserted into the retaining groove 14 d of the base 10 d so as to bind the bag 62 d onto the base 10 d and to attach the cleaning unit 40 d to the base 10 d.
Referring to FIG. 25, the base 10 e has an elongate shape, and the bag 62 e of the bag unit 60 e has an elongate shape.
Accordingly, when the locked portion 32 of the movable seat 30 is detached from the locking portion 243 of the limit seat 20, the limit seat 20 and the movable seat 30 are rotatable relative to each other so that when the limit seat 20, the base 10 and the cleaning unit 40 are placed in and rotated by a dehydrator, the movable seat 30 and the handle 35 are not rotated by the dehydrator to facilitate a user holding the handle 35 so as to enhance the working efficiency of the mop. In addition, the cleaning unit 40 is detachably mounted on the base 10 so that the cleaning unit 40 can be detached from the base 10 for replacement.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A mop, comprising:

a base (10);

a cleaning unit (40) mounted on a bottom of the base;

a limit seat (20) mounted on a top of the base and having an inner portion provided with a limit space (22) and a locking portion (243);

a movable seat (30) movably mounted on the limit seat and having a locked portion (32) movable in the limit space of the limit seat and detachably engaging the locking portion (243) of the limit seat;

a handle (35) mounted on the movable seat.

2. The mop of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is detachably mounted on the bottom of the base by a retaining ring (50).

3. The mop of claim 2, wherein the retaining ring is locked onto the base by a plurality of fastening bolts (53).

4. The mop of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit includes a plurality of elongate strips (41) arranged in a radiating manner;

each of the strips of the cleaning unit is made of a cotton or cloth;

the strips of the cleaning unit are connected by a connecting string (42);

each of the strips of the cleaning unit has a shorter side (410) and a longer side (412);

the shorter sides of the strips are combined together;

the longer sides of the strips are spaced from each other.

each of the strips of the cleaning unit consists of at least two cotton bundles (411) which are connected by a connecting line (412) which forms a plurality of connecting portions (4121) between the cotton bundles.

5. The mop of claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is detachably mounted on the bottom of the base by a bag unit (60).

6. The mop of claim 5, wherein the bag unit includes:

a bag (62) detachably mounted on the base and having a bottom (61) connected with the cleaning unit;

a binding cord (63) mounted on an open top (621) of the bag to bind the open top of the bag onto the base;

a tightening member (631) mounted on the binding cord to tighten the binding cord;

the open top of the bag has a peripheral wall provided with an annular channel (622) to allow passage of the binding cord.

7. The mop of claim 5, wherein the bag unit includes:

a bag detachably mounted on the base and having a bottom connected with the cleaning unit;

an elastic ring (64) mounted on an open top of the bag to bind the open top of the bag onto the base;

the open top of the bag has a peripheral wall provided with an annular channel (622) to allow passage of the elastic ring.

8. The mop of claim 5, wherein

the base has a periphery provided with an annular retaining groove (14 d);

the bag unit includes:

an elastic ring (64 d) mounted on an open top of the bag and secured in the retaining groove of the base to bind the open top of the bag onto the base.

9. The mop of claim 1, wherein

the limit seat is removably mounted on the top of the base;

the base has a receiving recess to receive the limit seat;

the receiving recess of the base has a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of fixing grooves;

the limit seat has a resting face secured in the receiving recess of the base;

the resting face of the limit seat has a plurality of fixing blocks fixed in the fixing grooves of the base.

10. The mop of claim 1, wherein

the limit seat consists of two housings which are combined together;

each of the housings of the limit seat has a bottom edge provided with a protrusion and a cutout;

the bottom edges of the housings abut each other;

the protrusion of one of the housings is inserted into the cutout of the other one of the housings so that the housings of the limit seat are locked.

11. The mop of claim 1, wherein

the limit seat has a top wall provided with a mounting hole connected to the limit space;

the movable seat has a lower end provided with a moving portion movable in the limit space of the limit seat, a mediate portion provided with a mounting portion movable in the mounting hole of the limit seat and an upper end provided with a pivot portion;

the moving portion of the movable seat has a peripheral wall provided with the locked portion;

the pivot portion of the movable seat has a substantially U-shaped profile and has two opposite sides each provided with a pivot hole;

the handle is pivotally mounted on the movable seat and has a lower end provided with a pivot shaft pivotally mounted in the pivot holes of the pivot portion.

12. The mop of claim 1, wherein

the locking portion of the limit seat is located at an upper position of the limit space;

the locking portion of the limit seat has an annular serrated shape;

the locked portion of the movable seat has an annular serrated shape.

13. The mop of claim 1, wherein

the locked portion of the movable seat is a slot;

the locking portion of the limit seat is a protruding plug.

14. The mop of claim 1, wherein

the base has a receiving recess to receive the limit seat;

the limit seat consists of two housings which are combined together;

each of the housings of the limit seat has a bottom edge;

the bottom edges of the housings abut each other;

the bottom edge of one of the housings has a depression;

the bottom edge of the other one of the housings has a protruding flat plate inserted into the depression so that the housings of the limit seat are combined together;

one of the housings has two opposite sides each provided with a hook hole;

the other one of the housings has two opposite sides each provided with a hook hooked in the respective hook hole so that the housings of the limit seat are locked;

the receiving recess of the base has two opposite sides each provided with a cavity to receive the respective hook of the limit seat.

15. The mop of claim 2, wherein

the bottom of the base has a periphery provided with an annular retaining groove which is formed by two downward extending stop walls;

the base has a surface provided with a plurality of locking holes;

the cleaning unit is partially received in the retaining groove of the base and located between the stop walls of the retaining groove;

the retaining ring is forced into the retaining groove of the base and has a pressing face pressing a bottom of the cleaning unit;

the retaining ring has a top provided with a plurality of locking hooks detachably locked in the locking holes of the base.

16. The mop of claim 3, wherein

the base has a surface provided with a plurality of downward extending threaded tubes;

the retaining ring has a surface provided with a plurality of stepped through holes;

the pressing face of the retaining ring has a top provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped antiskid pieces pressing the bottom of the cleaning unit;

the fastening bolts extend through the through holes of the retaining ring and are screwed into the threaded tubes of the base;

the fastening bolts abut a bottom of the retaining ring.

17. The mop of claim 11, wherein

the mounting portion of the movable seat has a circular shape;

the mounting hole of the limit seat has a circular shape;

the moving portion of the movable seat has a thickness smaller than that of the limit space of the limit seat so that the moving portion of the movable seat is movable in the limit space of the limit seat;

the moving portion of the movable seat has a disk shape and has a size greater than that of the mounting hole of the limit seat so that the moving portion of the movable seat is limited in the limit space of the limit seat.

18. The mop of claim 11, wherein

the moving portion of the movable seat is rotatable in the limit space of the limit seat when the locked portion of the movable seat disengages the locking portion of the limit seat so that the movable seat is rotatable relative to the limit seat;

the pivot portion of the movable seat protrudes outwardly from the limit seat and has a size greater than that of the mounting hole of the limit seat.

19. The mop of claim 5, wherein

the base has a disk shape;

the bag has a circular shape.

20. The mop of claim 5, wherein

the base has an elongate shape;

the bag of the bag unit has an elongate shape.