Cleaning implement

Abstract

The present invention provides a cleaning implement for cleaning a hard surface. The cleaning implement has a handle which is connected to a mop head via a universal joint. The cleaning implement also has a cleaning tool which is removably connected to the mop head. The cleaning implement has a locking mechanism for temporarily preventing the rotation of the mop head relative to the handle.

1 . A cleaning implement for cleaning a hard surface comprising: 
 a handle;    a mop head, wherein said mop head is connected to said handle; and    a cleaning tool, wherein said cleaning tool comprises a grip portion, a head portion connected to said grip portion and a scrubbing portion having a inner and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface is connected to said head portion and wherein said cleaning tool is removably connected to said mop head.    
   
   
       2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said mop head has a substantially rectangular shape having a front edge, a back edge, a first and a second side edge and wherein said cleaning tool is removably connected to said mop head such that said scrubbing portion is adjacent to one of said front edge, said back edge, said first or said second side edges.  
   
   
       3 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2  wherein said cleaning tool is removably connected to said mop head such that said scrubbing portion is adjacent to either one of first or second side edges.  
   
   
       4 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein the angle between a hard surface and said outer surface of said scrubbing portion is between about 10 and about 80 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 4  wherein said angle is between about 25 and about 65 degrees.  
   
   
       6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein the angle between said hard surface and said outer surface of said scrubbing portion is between about 100 and about 170 degrees.  
   
   
       7 . The cleaning implement of  claim 6  wherein said angle is between about 115 and about 155 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said scrubbing portion comprises and abrasive material.  
   
   
       9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said scrubbing portion comprises a plurality of bristles.  
   
   
       10 . A cleaning implement for cleaning a hard surface comprising: 
 a handle;    a mop head having a top and a bottom surface, a plurality of edges, wherein said mop head is pivotably connected to said handle via a universal joint having a first and a second rotational axis;    a cleaning tool, wherein said cleaning tool is adjacent to one of said edges of said mop head; and    a locking mechanism for releasably preventing the rotation of said mop head relative to at least one of said first and second rotational axis.    
   
   
       11 . The cleaning implement of  claim 10  wherein said cleaning tool faces away said handle when said mop head is locked relative to said handle.  
   
   
       12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 10  wherein said locking mechanism comprises a locking member wherein said locking member is located on the top surface of said mop head and wherein the rotation of said mop head relative to at least one of said first and second rotational axis is temporarily prevented when said locking member engages said handle.  
   
   
       13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 10  wherein said locking mechanism comprises a first locking member located on the top surface of said mop head and a second locking member located on said handle wherein the rotation of said mop head relative to at least one of said first and second rotational axis is temporarily prevented when said first locking member engages said second locking member.  
   
   
       14 . The cleaning implement of  claim 10  wherein said locking mechanism is incorporated within said universal joint.  
   
   
       15 . The cleaning implement of  claim 14  wherein said universal joint comprises an upper member connected to said handle and a lower member, wherein said upper member is rotatably connected to said lower member about said first rotational axis and wherein said lower member is rotatably connected to said mop head about said second rotational axis.  
   
   
       16 . The cleaning implement of  claim 15  wherein said locking mechanism comprises a first lip located on said lower member for engaging a corresponding second lip located on said upper member.  
   
   
       17 . The cleaning implement of  claim 16  wherein the rotation of said upper member and said lower member about said first rotational axis is temporarily prevented when said first lip of said lower member extend beyond said second lip of said upper member.  
   
   
       18 . The cleaning implement of  claim 15  wherein said upper member comprises a recess portion and a pin partially extending within said recess portion and defining a first recess portion and a second recess portion, and wherein said lower member comprises a projection located at least partially within said recess.  
   
   
       19 . The cleaning implement of  claim 18  wherein the rotation of said upper member and said lower member about said first rotational axis is temporarily prevented when said projection of said lower member is located within said second recess portion.  
   
   
       20 . A cleaning tool comprising: 
 a grip portion;    a head portion having an outer surface, wherein said head portion is connected to said grip portion; and    a scrubbing portion connected to said head portion,    wherein said grip portion comprises a securing member for releasably securing said cleaning tool to the mop head of a cleaning implement.    
   
   
       21 . The cleaning tool of  claim 20  wherein said securing member comprises a male portion for releasably engaging a female portion located on said mop head.  
   
   
       22 . The cleaning tool of  claim 21  wherein said male portion comprises a first leg member connected to said grip portion and a second leg member connected to said first leg member.  
   
   
       23 . The cleaning tool of  claim 22  wherein said second leg member is generally perpendicular to said first leg member.  
   
   
       24 . The cleaning implement of  claim 20  wherein the angle between said grip portion and said outer surface of said head portion is between about 10 and about 80 degrees.  
   
   
       25 . The cleaning implement of  claim 20  wherein the angle between said grip portion and said outer surface of said head portion is between about 100 and about 170 degrees.  
   
   
       26 . The cleaning tool of  claim 20  further comprising a scrubbing portion.  
   
   
       27 . The cleaning tool of  claim 26  wherein said scrubbing portion is releasably attached to said head portion.  
   
   
       28 . A method of scrubbing a hard surface comprising: 
 providing a cleaning implement comprising:    a handle;    a mop head having a top and a bottom surface, wherein said mop head is pivotably connected to said handle via a universal joint having a first and a second rotational axis;    a scrubbing portion connected to said mop head, wherein said scrubbing portion has an outer abrasive surface and wherein the angle between the hard surface and said outer abrasive surface is between about 10 and about 80 degrees during the normal cleaning operation of the hard surface;    a locking mechanism for releasably preventing the rotation of said mop head relative to at least one of said first and second rotational axis;    locking said mop head relative to said handle, such that the rotation of said mop head relative to at least one of said first and second rotational axis is prevented; and    contacting the hard surface with said outer abrasive surface.    
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein said top surface of said mop head faces substantially upwards when said outer abrasive surface contacts the hard surface.  
   
   
       30 . A method of scrubbing a hard surface comprising: 
 providing a cleaning implement comprising: 
 a handle having a longitudinal axis;  
 a mop head having a top and a bottom surface, wherein said mop head is pivotably connected to said handle via a universal joint having a first and a second rotational axis;  
 a scrubbing portion connected to said mop head, wherein said scrubbing portion has an outer abrasive surface and wherein the angle between the hard surface and said outer abrasive surface is between about 100 and about 170 degrees during the normal cleaning operation of the hard surface;  
 a locking mechanism for releasably preventing the rotation of said mop head relative to at least one of said first and second rotational axis;  
   locking said mop head relative to said handle, such that the rotation of said mop head relative to at least one of said first and second rotational axis is prevented;    rotating said handle about its longitudinal axis; and    contacting the hard surface with said outer abrasive surface.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein said top surface of said mop head faces substantially downwards when said outer abrasive surface contacts the hard surface.