Mop bucket with mop wringer attachment

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a mop bucket and mop wringer assembly for wringing liquid from a mop wherein the bucket and wringer are readily separable. Also, the mop bucket is designed to collect the dirty washing liquid from an associated mop and allows particulate contaminates to collect in a portion of the bottom wall which is stepped lower than the main bottom wall. The mechanism for operating the wringer includes a rack and pinion which is normally urged into a mop receiving position by an elastomeric spring.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mop bucket and wringer apparatus for wringing liquid from a mop comprising 
 a mop bucket having an open interior terminating in an upwardly facing opening defined by a marginal rim; and    a mop wringer including means for selective attachment to the marginal rim of said bucket; said wringer including 
 an upwardly opening for receiving a mop and defined by front, rear, side, and bottom walls at least some of which are provided with passageways to allow liquids to pass therethrough;  
 a pair of pressure jaws;  
 a rack mounting the pressure jaws in a spaced apart horizontal disposition whereby vertical movement of the rack causes relative movement of the pressure jaws toward and away from one another;  
 a pinion affixed to a side wall of said wringer for effecting movement of the rack and the associated pressure jaws; and  
 a spring means normally urging the pinion in a position to cause the pressure jaws to be moved away from one another.  
   
     
     
         2 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said jaws is provided with apertures extending therethrough.  
     
     
         3 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein said spring means includes an elongate elastomeric member.  
     
     
         4 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein said spring means is attached to at least one of the walls and to the pinion.  
     
     
         5 . The invention defined in  claim 4  wherein said spring means includes an elongate elastomeric member.  
     
     
         6 . The invention defined in  claim 5  wherein said spring means is attached to at least one of the walls and the pinion.  
     
     
         7 . The invention defined in  claim 6  wherein the pinion includes a laterally extending support for the spring means.  
     
     
         8 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the side walls is provided with slots for vertical guiding the rack.  
     
     
         9 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein said bucket is provided with slots for guiding vertical movement of said wringer in respect of said mop bucket.  
     
     
         10 . The invention defined in  claim 9  wherein said wringer includes downwardly extending extensions received within the slots.  
     
     
         11 . The invention defined in  claim 1  includes a rear wall having a handle formed therein.  
     
     
         12 . The invention defined in  claim 1  includes a front wall having a curved portion forming a pouring spout.  
     
     
         13 . The invention defined in  claim 1  includes a hook for attaching said bucket to a toilet or sink basin.  
     
     
         14 . The invention defined in  claim 1  includes a stepped bottom wall.  
     
     
         15 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein said bucket includes side walls with corners, thereby allowing thinner wall sections and retaining strength.  
     
     
         16 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein a seal is formed by said bucket and said wringer, said seal preventing liquid from exiting therebetween.  
     
     
         17 . The invention defined in  claim 1  wherein said wringer sits on three sides of said bucket.  
     
     
         18 . A mop bucket and wringer apparatus for wringing liquid from a mop comprising: 
 a mop bucket having an open interior terminating in an upwardly facing opening defined by a marginal rim; and    a mop wringer including means for selective attachment to the marginal rim of said bucket; said wringer including: 
 an upwardly opening for receiving a mop and defined by front, rear, side, and bottom walls at least some of which are provided with passageways to allow liquids to pass therethrough;  
 at least one pressure plate;  
 a linkage means mounting the pressure plate in a substantially vertical disposition whereby horizontal movement of the linkage means causes relative movement of the pressure plate toward the front wall of said wringer; and  
 a spring means normally urging the pressure plate in a substantially vertical position.