Hand cleaning tool with removeable cleaning head

Abstract

A handheld cleaning tool has a tool body with an ergonomically designed handle and cleaning head, the cleaning head extending at an obtuse angle to the handle. The cleaning head has a flexibly rigid support member with outwardly extending locking tabs located at each side of the member. The cleaning head is configured to be inserted into a mitt-like cleaning pad which substantially encompasses the cleaning head when it is fully inserted into the pad. When the cleaning head is fully within the pad, the locking tabs are immovably positioned within pockets on opposite sides of the pad. This secures the pad on the cleaning head and to the handle of the cleaning tool. The outer surfaces of the cleaning pad can accommodate an abrasive surface, a sponge-like surface, or other equivalent, commonly used cleaning surfaces. Removal and replacement of the cleaning pad from the cleaning head is accomplished by separating and opening a slit within the cleaning pad, which permits removal of the cleaning head and allows replacement with a clean pad.

1 . A hand cleaning tool comprising:
 cleaning pad means for cleaning soiled surfaces, said cleaning pad means comprising an open interior, an outer perimeter which is mitt-like in shape, a single opening along one edge and rear corners; and   a cleaning tool body with a handle and a cleaning head, said cleaning head comprising a single, substantially planar support member having the same mitt-like shape as the cleaning pad means and being insertably positioned within the open interior of the cleaning pad means, whereby when the mitt-like shaped cleaning head is fully positioned within the mitt-like shape cleaning pad means, the cleaning head substantially fills the entire interior of the cleaning pad means, said cleaning head further comprising dual outwardly protruding tab means, “V” shaped in configuration, located at the backmost end, on opposite sides of the cleaning head and extending rearwardly of the cleaning head towards the handle for maintaining the cleaning head within the cleaning pad means upon insertion of the cleaning head into the opening, said cleaning pad means further comprising dual pocket means located in the rear corners of the cleaning pad means adjacent to the opening for receiving the dual tab means, the positioning of the dual tab means within the pocket means locking the cleaning head within the cleaning pad means.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 1  wherein the cleaning head is substantially encased within the pad means when the cleaning head is fully inserted into and locked within the pad means. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 1  further comprising means to allow removal of the pad means from the cleaning head. 
   
   
       7 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 6  wherein the means to allow removal comprises a slit extending from the opening. 
   
   
       8 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 1  wherein the pad means comprises a sponge surface on at least one side thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 8  wherein the pad means comprises an abrasive surface and a sponge surface. 
   
   
       10 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 1  wherein the pad means comprises an abrasive surface on at least one side thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 1  wherein the cleaning head extends outwardly at an obtuse angle from the handle. 
   
   
       12 . A hand cleaning tool comprising:
 cleaning tool body with a handle and a cleaning head, said cleaning head comprising a single, flexibly rigid substantially planar support member extending at an obtuse angle from the handle, said support member comprising dual locking tabs, “V” shaped in configuration, located at the backmost end, on opposite sides of the cleaning head and extending rearwardly of the cleaning head towards the handle; and   cleaning pad means for insertion onto the cleaning head for cleaning soiled surfaces, said cleaning pad means comprising an open interior, a single opening along one edge, rear corners, and internal dual locking pockets located in the rear corners adjacent to the opening, whereby upon full insertion of the cleaning head within the cleaning pad means, the cleaning head substantially fills the entire interior of the cleaning pad means and the locking tabs are received by and positioned within the pockets for locking the cleaning head within the cleaning pad means.   
   
   
       13 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 12  where in the pad means is mitt- like in configuration. 
   
   
       14 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 12  wherein the cleaning head is substantially encased within the pad means when the cleaning head is fully inserted into and locked within the pad means. 
   
   
       15 . The hand cleaning tool head as in  claim 14  wherein the pad means is mitt-like in configuration. 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 12  further comprising means to allow removal of the pad means from the cleaning head. 
   
   
       18 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 17  wherein the means to allow removal comprises a slit extending from the opening. 
   
   
       19 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 12  wherein the pad means comprises a sponge surface on at least one side thereof. 
   
   
       20 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 12  wherein the pad means comprises an abrasive surface and a sponge surface. 
   
   
       21 . The hand cleaning tool as in  claim 12  wherein the pad means comprises an abrasive surface on at least one side thereof.