Low profile cleaning device with pivoting handle

Abstract

The present invention provides a cleaning device such as a vacuum, hand sweeper, mop, broom, or the like, with a pivoting joint on the arm and having a wheel rotatably secured to the joint. The pivoting joint and overall low profile design allows the cleaning device to clean surfaces under low objects which would otherwise require repositioning of the object. There is also provided a wheel on the pivoting joint which both assists in using the cleaning device, and protects the integrity of the pivoting joint and the floor. A telescoping arm may be provided to assist the user in cleaning when the cleaning device is configured for cleaning under low objects.

1 . A cleaning device comprising:
 a head assembly having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a bracket, and the lower surface having a cleaning attachment secured thereto;   an elongated lower arm having a first end and a second end;   a pivotable head connector for pivotably connecting the lower arm to the head assembly, the pivotable head connector having a head portion and an arm portion, the head portion being rotatably secured to the head assembly along a first axis, the head portion being rotatably secured to the arm portion along a second axis, and the arm portion being secured to the first end of the lower arm;   an elongated upper arm having a first end and a second end; and   a pivotable joint having a male connector and a female connector which are rotatably secured to each other, the female connector having a pair of spaced apart parallel tabs, the male connector being disposed between the pair of tabs, the male connector and female connector being dimensioned for close interfitment with each other, the male connector being secured to the second end of the lower arm, and the female connector being secured to the first end of the upper arm.   
   
   
       2 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  comprising:
 at least one wheel rotatably secured to the pivotable joint.   
   
   
       3 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the male connector has a pair of opposed planar circular faces, each of the faces having a concentrically-located center joint detent and an offset joint detent, each of the tabs from the pair of tabs on the female connector having a planar face facing each other, each planar face having a “J”-shaped recessed track, and center joint detent and offset joint detent from each face being disposed in a respective one of the recessed tracks. 
   
   
       4 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the lower arm and upper arm comprise an elongated tube. 
   
   
       5 . The cleaning device of  claim 4  comprising a telescoping arm slidably retained within the upper arm. 
   
   
       6 . The cleaning device of  claim 5  wherein the telescoping arm is secured in an extended position by a snap connection. 
   
   
       7 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning attachment is a textile cloth. 
   
   
       8 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning attachment is a vacuum. 
   
   
       9 . The cleaning device of  claim 1  wherein the head assembly, the lower arm, the upper arm, the pivotable joint, and the pivotable head connector are formed from a polymer.