Modular cleaning tool and related systems and methods

Abstract

A modular cleaning tool multiple cleaning tool sections to be interchangeably attached to the same handle section via a releasable fastener having the same tool portion on each of the tool sections that is complementary with a handle portion on the handle section. Different, interchangeable handle sections can also be provided. A caddy system is used to simultaneously hold a plurality of different tool sections and handle sections for storage and transport.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular cleaning tool comprising:
 a handle section extending between first and second handle section ends;   a tool section extending between first and second tool section ends, a cleaning tool being located at the second tool section end;   a fastener releasably connecting the first handle and tool section ends along a connection axis, the fastener including a handle portion and a tool portion meeting at respective abutment surfaces,
 a protrusion extending axially away from one of the respective abutment surfaces, a recess complementary to the protrusion extending axially into another one of the respective abutment surfaces, the protrusion being seated in the recess, 
 one of the handle and tool portions having first locking collar segments extending circumferentially along sides of its respective abutment surface separated by first circumferential gaps, another one of the handle and tool portions having a knob mounted rotatably about its first handle or tool section end, the knob having first and second knob ends, the second knob end being oriented toward the second handle or tool section end corresponding to the other one of the handle and tool portions, the first knob end extending axially past the first locking collar segments toward the second handle or tool section end corresponding to the one of the handle and tool portions, second locking collar segments extending circumferentially around the first knob end separated by second circumferential gaps and engaging the first locking collar segments in a locked state of the fastener; 
   wherein rotation of the knob places the fastener in an unlocked state by disengaging the first and second locking collar segments such that the handle section and the tool section are disconnectable along the connection axis.   
     
     
         2 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein a grip is located at the second handle section end. 
     
     
         3 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion extends axially away from the respective abutment surface of the handle portion and the recess extends axially into the respective abutment surface of the tool portion. 
     
     
         4 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion and recess are non-circular about the connection axis. 
     
     
         5 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first locking collar segments and first circumferential gaps are located on the tool portion and the knob with the second locking collar segment and second circumferential gaps is located on the handle portion. 
     
     
         6 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 5 , wherein the handle section includes a shaft extending between the first and second handle section ends and the knob is slidably and rotatably mounted on the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 6 , a grip is located at the second handle section end having radial dimensions greater than radial dimensions of a central channel defined in the knob through which the shaft extends. 
     
     
         8 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 1 , wherein a central channel is defined extending through the knob extending from the second knob end and a central cavity having larger radial dimensions than the channel is defined between the central channel and the first knob end, the respective abutment surfaces being located within the central cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 8 , wherein the second locking collar segments are extend radially inward from the first knob end and the first locking collar segments are extend radially outward. 
     
     
         10 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 9 , wherein the second locking collar segments engage the first locking collar segments in clearances formed axially therebelow. 
     
     
         11 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 10 , wherein each of the clearances has a stop at a circumferential end thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 10 , wherein radial protrusions extend from one of the clearances and the second locking collar segments and radial recesses are located in another one of the clearances and the second locking collar segments, the radial protrusions engaging the radial recesses to inhibit rotation of the knob and maintain the fastener in the locked state. 
     
     
         13 . The modular cleaning tool of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional tool section extending between first and second additional tool section ends, a different cleaning tool being located at the additional second tool section end and an additional tool portion identical to the tool portion located at the additional first tool section end, such that the additional tool section is interchangeably connectable to the handle section in place of the tool section. 
     
     
         14 . A caddy system comprising:
 the modular cleaning tool of  claim 1 ;   a plurality of additional tool sections each extending between first and second additional tool section ends, a different cleaning tool being located at each second additional tool section end and an additional tool portion identical to the tool portion located at each first additional tool section end, such that each additional tool section is interchangeably connectable to the handle section in place of the tool section; and   an accessory holder holding the modular cleaning tool and the plurality of additional tool sections.   
     
     
         15 . The caddy system of  claim 14 , wherein the accessory holder also has an additional tool portion identical to the tool portion, such that the accessory holder is interchangeable connectable to the handle section in place of the tool section. 
     
     
         16 . The caddy system of  claim 15 , further comprising an additional handle section extending between first and second additional handle section ends, an additional handle portion being located at the additional handle section first end, such that the additional handle section is interchangeable connectable to the tool section and the plurality of additional tool sections in place of the handle section. 
     
     
         17 . The caddy system of  claim 16 , wherein the additional handle portion of the additional handle section is connected to the additional tool portion of the accessory holder. 
     
     
         18 . The caddy system of  claim 17 , wherein the accessory holder is connected to a wheeled bucket. 
     
     
         19 . A caddy system comprising:
 a bucket assembly including:
 a bucket; and 
 an accessory holder covering the bucket, the accessory holder defining a plurality of receptacles, a fastener tool portion being formed on the accessory holder; 
   a handle section extending between first and second handle section ends, a fastener handle portion being formed on the first handle section end, the fastener handle portion being releasably connected to the fastener tool portion on the accessory holder; and   a plurality of tool sections respectively stored in the plurality of receptacles, each of the plurality of tool sections extending between first and second tool section ends, a different cleaning tool being located at each second tool section end and a fastener tool portion identical to the fastener tool portion of the accessory holder located at each first tool section end, such that each tool section is interchangeably connectable to the handle section in place of the accessory holder.   
     
     
         20 . The caddy system of  claim 19 , wherein the bucket is a wheeled bucket. 
     
     
         21 . The caddy system of  claim 19 , further comprising a wringer basket releasably connected to the accessory holder;
 wherein the cleaning tool of one of the plurality of tool sections is a mop.   
     
     
         22 . The caddy system of  claim 21 , wherein the accessory holder is removable from the bucket and replaceable with the wringer basket. 
     
     
         23 . The caddy system of  claim 19 , wherein the handle section includes a shaft extending between the first and second handle section ends. 
     
     
         24 . The caddy system of  claim 23 , further comprising a dustpan having a lip seated in a groove defined in the accessory holder and a handle releasably snapped onto the shaft of the handle section. 
     
     
         25 . The caddy system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a hanger releasably snapped onto the shaft, the hanger including a hook; and   an accessory hanging from the hook.   
     
     
         26 . The caddy system of  claim 25 , wherein the accessory is a dust mitt. 
     
     
         27 . The caddy system of  claim 25 , further comprising an additional handle section extending between first and second additional handle section ends, an additional fastener handle portion being located at the additional handle section first end, such that the additional handle section is interchangeable connectable to the fastener tool portion of each of the plurality of tool sections, the additional handle section second end being supported by the hook along with the accessory. 
     
     
         28 . The caddy system of  claim 27 , wherein a shaft of the additional handle section is shorter than the shaft of the handle section releasably connected to the accessory holder.