US2012195674A1PendingUtilityA1

Cleaning implement

46
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Jan 30, 2011Filed: Jan 27, 2012Published: Aug 2, 2012
Est. expiryJan 30, 2031(~4.5 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:James S. MandleDavid Philip BirnbaumJace WeaverDavid R. SchiffMathieu Turpault
A46B 2200/302A47L 13/12A46B 11/002A47L 13/22
46
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

A multipurpose cleaning implement that permits a user to remove at least one of loose matter, stains and stuck-on debris from floor surfaces. The device includes an elongate handle the lower end of which is connected to a cleaning head that carries cleaning material. In an embodiment, the cleaning head is selectively positionable between a broom/scrubbing position and a mop position. In various embodiments, the implement possesses characteristics of a broom, a scrubbing brush and/or a mop.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A cleaning implement comprising:
 a handle having an upper end and a lower end;   a cleaning head connected to said lower end, wherein said cleaning head comprises a mop portion and a bristle portion; and   means for selectively disposing said cleaning head into a mop position and a bristle position.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said means for selectively disposing comprise means for pivotally connecting said cleaning head to said lower end. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2  wherein said means for selectively disposing further comprise means for releasably retaining said cleaning head in said bristle position. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning implement of  claim 3  wherein said means for releasably retaining comprise cooperating means carried by said cleaning head and said handle 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 3  wherein said means for releasably retaining comprise asymmetrical weighting of said cleaning head toward said bristle portion whereby said bristle portion swings downwardly when said handle is lifted upwardly. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning head comprises a block having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge and a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning implement of  claim 6  wherein said means for selectively disposing comprise means for pivotally connecting said cleaning head to said lower end. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning implement of  claim 7  wherein said means for selectively disposing further comprise means for releasably retaining said cleaning head in said bristle position. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8  wherein said means for releasably retaining comprise cooperating means carried by said cleaning head and said handle 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8  wherein said means for releasably retaining comprise asymmetrical weighting of said cleaning head toward said first longitudinal edge whereby said bristle portion swings downwardly when said handle is lifted upwardly. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning implement of  claim 7  wherein said means for pivotally connecting comprise a first pivot shaft extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  wherein said means for pivotally connecting comprise a second pivot shaft extending substantially transverse to said first pivot shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 6  wherein said mop portion comprises mop cleaning material covering said lower surface, and wherein said bristle portion comprises bristle cleaning material projecting substantially from at least one of said first longitudinal and said second longitudinal edges. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning implement of  claim 13  wherein said bristle cleaning material has an exposed length of from between about 0.125 inch to 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning implement of  claim 13  wherein said bristle cleaning material comprises first bristles having a first stiffness. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning implement of  claim 15  wherein said bristle cleaning material comprises second bristles having a second stiffness. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning implement of  claim 16  wherein said second stiffness is different from said first stiffness. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning implement of  claim 17  wherein said second stiffness is greater than said first stiffness. 
     
     
         19 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning head comprises a block and wherein said bristle portion comprises at least one movable segment and at least one immovable segment. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning implement of  claim 19  further comprising means for rotatably connecting said at least one movable segment to said block. 
     
     
         21 . The cleaning implement of  claim 19  further comprising means for selectively retaining said at least one movable segment in a first position and at least one second position. 
     
     
         22 . The cleaning implement of  claim 21  wherein, when disposed in said first position, bristles of said at least one movable segment are in substantial collinear alignment with bristles of said at least one immovable segment. 
     
     
         23 . The cleaning implement of  claim 21  wherein said at least one second position is inclined at an angle greater than 0° and less than 180° with respect to said first position. 
     
     
         24 . The cleaning implement of  claim 21  further comprising means for displacing said at least one movable segment outwardly with respect to said block upon movement of said at least one movable segment from said first position to said at least one second position, whereby distal ends of bristles of said at least one movable segment protrude with respect to distal ends of bristles of said at least one immovable segment when said at least one movable segment is in said at least one second position. 
     
     
         25 . The cleaning implement of  claim 13  wherein said mop cleaning material comprises substantially non-absorbent cleaning material. 
     
     
         26 . The cleaning implement of  claim 25  wherein said substantially non-absorbent cleaning material is selected from a cleaning sheet and a pad. 
     
     
         27 . The cleaning implement of  claim 26  further comprising means for releasably attaching said cleaning sheet or pad to said block. 
     
     
         28 . The cleaning implement of  claim 27  wherein said substantially non-absorbent cleaning material is infused with at least one cleaning enhancement additive selected from oils, waxes, tackifiers, disinfectants and perfumes. 
     
     
         29 . The cleaning implement of  claim 13  wherein said mop cleaning material comprises substantially absorbent cleaning material. 
     
     
         30 . The cleaning implement of  claim 29  wherein said substantially absorbent cleaning material is a cleaning pad. 
     
     
         31 . The cleaning implement of  claim 30  further comprising means for releasably attaching said cleaning pad to said block. 
     
     
         32 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid reservoir carried by said handle and means for dispensing fluid from said reservoir onto a floor surface. 
     
     
         33 . The cleaning implement of  claim 29  further comprising a fluid reservoir carried by said handle and means for dispensing fluid from said reservoir onto a floor surface. 
     
     
         34 . A cleaning implement comprising:
 a handle having an upper end and a lower end; and   a cleaning head connected to said lower end, said cleaning head comprising a block having a bristle portion, said bristle portion comprising at least one movable segment and at least one immovable segment.   
     
     
         35 . The cleaning implement of  claim 34  further comprising means for rotatably connecting said at least one movable segment to said block. 
     
     
         36 . The cleaning implement of  claim 34  further comprising means for selectively retaining said at least one movable segment in a first position and at least one second position. 
     
     
         37 . The cleaning implement of  claim 36  wherein, when disposed in said first position, bristles of said at least one movable segment are in substantial collinear alignment with bristles of said at least one immovable segment. 
     
     
         38 . The cleaning implement of  claim 36  wherein said at least one second position is inclined at an angle greater than 0° and less than 180° with respect to said first position. 
     
     
         39 . The cleaning implement of  claim 36  further comprising means for displacing said at least one movable segment outwardly with respect to said block upon movement of said at least one movable segment from said first position to said at least one second position, whereby distal ends of bristles of said at least one movable segment protrude with respect to distal ends of bristles of said at least one immovable segment when said at least one movable segment is in said at least one second position.

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