Universal connector for a fluid mop

Abstract

A steam appliance with a universal connector for connecting a steam frame to a fluid source in the appliance housing is provided. The universal connector includes an upper connection piece with a proximal end for connection to the housing and a distal end with a pair of pivot arms. A lower connection piece having a pair of pivot plates for connecting to the pivot arms provides for a pivotal connection with the of upper connection piece for side to side pivot. A fluid conduit passes through the upper and lower connection pieces for connecting the fluid source to the frame for distribution of steam within the frame. The frame includes a central steam passageway for distribution of steam between baffles within the frame. The lower connection piece may be a distributor with a pair of opposed elongated hollow arms for coupling to the frame with a fluid conduit passing through an upper nipple portion for distribution of steam into the frame through the hollow distributor arms. The end of the distributor arms maybe adapted to slip into a key slot in the mop frame and provide an axis to pivot the joint in an up and down direction. Fabric mop towel envelopes with an cut-out to permit rotation of the mop frame about the distributor are also disclosed.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The steam appliance of  claim 21 , wherein the steam frame is substantially triangular in shape. 
     
     
         7 . The steam appliance of  claim 22 , wherein the connector opening comprises a notch extending inwardly from the rear edge of the steam frame. 
     
     
         8 . The steam appliance of  claim 22 , further comprising a steam manifold extending in a direction from the connector opening toward a front edge of the steam frame, wherein the steam frame includes a plurality of baffles that intersect the steam passageway at substantially right angles. 
     
     
         9 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A steam appliance comprising:
 a housing including a steam generator;   a steam frame adapted to support a steam pocket;   a connector configured to connect the steam frame to the housing; and   a flexible conduit which passes through the connector, the flexible conduit being configured to deliver steam to the steam frame when steam is generated; wherein   the steam frame includes first and second opposed sides configured to release steam to the steam pocket when steam is generated and the steam pocket is mounted to the steam frame; and   the connector is configured such that the steam frame and the housing are allowed to pivot side-to-side and up and down with respect to each other.   
     
     
         22 . The steam appliance of  claim 21 , wherein the steam frame includes a connector opening extending inwardly from a rear edge of the steam frame such that the connector allows side-to-side and up and down pivoting of the steam frame and the housing relative to each other both when the first side of the steam frame is used for cleaning and when the steam frame is turned over and the second side of the steam frame is used for cleaning. 
     
     
         23 . The steam appliance of  claim 22 , further comprising the steam pocket, wherein the steam pocket has first and second fabric layers, each fabric layer having an opening extending from an edge, the openings being configured to permit pivoting of the steam frame and housing relative to each other when the steam pocket is mounted to the steam frame. 
     
     
         24 . The steam appliance of  claim 21 , wherein the connector is selectively releasable from the housing. 
     
     
         25 . The steam appliance of  claim 24 , wherein the connector is selectively releasable from the housing by pressing a release button. 
     
     
         26 . The steam appliance of  claim 21 , wherein the connector comprises a universal connector. 
     
     
         27 . The steam appliance of  claim 21 , wherein the steam frame has a perimeter, and the connector is connected to the steam frame inside the perimeter of the steam frame. 
     
     
         28 . The steam appliance of  claim 21 , wherein the steam frame has a rear wall, a front wall and two side walls, and the rear wall is longer than the two side walls. 
     
     
         29 . The steam appliance of  claim 7 , further comprising a steam passageway extending in a direction from the notch toward a front of the frame, the steam passageway including steam openings configured to distribute steam into a steam chamber of the steam frame. 
     
     
         30 . A steam frame assembly comprising:
 a steam frame having a plurality of perimeter walls;   a plurality of baffles defining a plurality of steam chambers which are open at a top and a bottom of the steam frame;   a steam manifold including steam openings configured to distribute steam to the steam chambers;   a first perimeter wall of the plurality of perimeter walls having a connector receiving notch extending into the steam frame from the first perimeter wall.   
     
     
         31 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 30 , further comprising a universal connector having an upper connection piece and a lower connection piece, the lower connection piece being connected to the steam frame to allow up and down pivoting of the connector relative to the steam frame, and the upper connection piece being releasably connectable to a steam appliance housing, the upper connection piece allowing side to side pivoting of the upper connection piece relative to the lower connection piece. 
     
     
         32 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the connector is connected to the steam frame inside the perimeter of the steam frame. 
     
     
         33 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the lower connection piece is connected to the steam frame inwardly from the first perimeter wall. 
     
     
         34 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 31 , further comprising a flexible steam conduit which passes through the upper connection piece and the lower connection piece, the flexible steam conduit being in communication with the steam manifold. 
     
     
         35 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the steam manifold comprises a steam conduit extending in a direction from the notch toward an opposed perimeter wall of the steam frame. 
     
     
         36 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the steam conduit comprises a plurality of steam openings configured to release steam to the steam chambers. 
     
     
         37 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the baffles intersect the steam conduit at substantially right angles and curve toward the first perimeter wall of the steam frame. 
     
     
         38 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 31 , further comprising a steam pocket configured to be supported by the steam frame, the steam pocket having a first fabric layer and an opposed second fabric layer, the first and second layers being secured to each other along edges of the layers, and being selectively closeable along an unsecured edge. 
     
     
         39 . The steam frame assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the steam frame is substantially triangular in shape.