Apparatus and method for a mop

Abstract

A mop apparatus is described that includes an elongate handle, a mop head and a wringing device. The mop head includes a bracket connected to a distal end portion of the elongate handle. The bracket has a pair of distally extending arms that connect to the mop. The mop has a distally directed cleaning surface and opposed rear surface that connects to the bracket. A backing plate is connected to the rear surface of the mop. The wringing device is actuated by a movable handle that displaces and rotates portions of the plate to compress and wring out the water from the mop.

1 . A mop apparatus that comprises:
 an elongate handle;   a mop head that includes a bracket and a plate, the bracket connected to a distal end portion of the handle, the plate has a center section and two rotatingly connected and laterally positioned wings, each lateral wing rotatingly connected to a distal end portion of the bracket;   a mop that includes a cleaning element that has a distally directed cleaning surface and an opposed rear surface that is connected to the plate;   a wringing device that includes a movable handle and a rod, the movable handle connected to a proximal end portion of the rod and rotatingly connected to the elongate handle, a distal end portion of the rod connected to the center section of the plate;   at least two pivotal connections that couple a distal end portion of the bracket to the wings, each pivotal connection includes a first pivotal joint that couples the bracket to a proximal end portion of a pivotal element and a second pivotal joint that couples the distal end portion of the pivotal element to one of the wings;   a first position of the wringing device in which the cleaning element of the mop is distally directed for mopping; and   a second position of the wringing device in which the movable handle is repositioned to wring water from the mop by moving the rod and moving the center section proximally, the proximal movement of the center section rotating the wings and mop such that the portions of the mop connected to the wings are compressed together.   
   
   
       2 . The mop apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes two laterally positioned and distally extending arms. 
   
   
       3 . The mop apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each arm extends distally in proximity to and is connected with one of the wings. 
   
   
       4 . The mop apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wringing device in the second position compresses the cleaning surfaces of the mop together. 
   
   
       5 . The mop apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mop is connected to the plate using T-elements. 
   
   
       6 . The mop apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mop is connected to the plate using magnets. 
   
   
       7 . The mop apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the movable handle is in a distal position in the first position of the wringing device and is repositioned proximally to displace the connecting rod and center section proximally in the second position of the wringing device. 
   
   
       8 . The mop apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is at least partially tubular and the connecting rod extends from within the handle and through a slot to connect with the movable handle. 
   
   
       9 . The mop apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle and bracket rotate in a plane approximately perpendicular to and independent of the plate.