Dust mop head

Abstract

A dust mop head which requires limited handling of a disposable cloth before, during and after use, is described. The mop head includes a base having upper and lower surfaces and lateral side edges, movable first and second lateral side members, and a first connector configured to move between an engaged or closed position and a disengaged or open position. The connector couples the movable first and second lateral side members to the base such that each of the movable first and second lateral side members abuts one of the lateral side edges of the base when the first connector is in the engaged position. Further, an actuatable release mechanism operatively coupled to the first connector permits movement to the disengaged/open position when the release mechanism is actuated. The unique mechanisms within the mop head allow a cloth to be acquired and released without the user having to handle the cloth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dust mop head comprising:
 a base having upper and lower surfaces and lateral side edges;   movable first and second lateral side members;   a first connector configured to move between a closed position and an open position and coupling the movable first and second lateral side members to the base such that each of the movable first and second lateral side members abuts one of the lateral side edges of the base when the first releasable connector is in the closed position; and   an actuatable release mechanism operatively coupled to the first connector to permit movement to the open position when the release mechanism is actuated.   
     
     
         2 . The dust mop head of  claim 1 , wherein the movable first and second lateral side members move laterally from abutting the lateral side edges when the connector is in a open position. 
     
     
         3 . The dust mop head of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second lateral side members comprises a plurality of inward facing teeth along at least a portion of an inner surface of each side member. 
     
     
         4 . The dust mop head of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second lateral side members comprise a toothed edge extending perpendicular to the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The dust mop head of  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the base comprises a texture to facilitate adherence of a cloth. 
     
     
         6 . The dust mop head of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of first spring-loaded struts which extend from the base through the lateral side edges and connect to the first and second lateral side members. 
     
     
         7 . The dust mop head of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle connected to the upper surface of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The dust mop head of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a first base portion and a second base portion coupled together by a second connector. 
     
     
         9 . The dust mop head of  claim 6 , wherein the base comprises a first base portion and a second base portion coupled together by a second connector. 
     
     
         10 . The dust mop head of  claim 8 , wherein the second connector is configured to move between a closed position and an open position and couples the first base portion to the second base portion such that the lower surface of the first base portion abuts the upper surface of the second base portion when the second releasable connector is in the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The dust mop head of  claim 8 , wherein the actuatable release mechanism is configured to permit the second connector to move to the disengaged position when the mechanism is actuated. 
     
     
         12 . The dust mop head of  claim 9 , wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of second spring-loaded struts extending from an upper surface of the first base portion and connected to the plurality of first spring-loaded struts. 
     
     
         13 . A dust mop head comprising:
 a base having a first base portion having upper and lower surfaces and a second base portion having upper and lower surfaces and lateral side edges;   movable first and second lateral side members;   a first connector configured to move between a closed position and an open position and coupling the movable first and second lateral side members to the second base portion such that each of the movable first and second lateral side members abuts one of the lateral side edges of the second base portion when the first connector is in the closed position;   a second connector configured to move between a closed position and an open position and coupling the first base portion to the second base portion such that the lower surface of the first base portion abuts the upper surface of the second base portion when the second connector is in the closed position; and   an actuatable release mechanism operatively coupled to the first connector and the second connector to permit movement of each simultaneously to the respective open positions when the release mechanism is actuated.   
     
     
         14 . The dust mop head of  claim 13 , wherein the movable first and second lateral side members move laterally from abutting the lateral side edges when the first connector is in an open position. 
     
     
         15 . The dust mop head of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second lateral side members comprises a plurality of inward facing teeth along at least a portion of an inner surface of each side member. 
     
     
         16 . The dust mop head of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second lateral side members comprise a toothed edge extending perpendicular to the lower surface of the base. 
     
     
         17 . The dust mop head of  claim 13 , wherein the lower surface of the base comprises a texture. 
     
     
         18 . The dust mop head of  claim 13 , wherein the first connector comprises a plurality of first spring-loaded struts which extend from the base through the lateral side edges and connect to the first and second lateral side members. 
     
     
         19 . The dust mop head of  claim 18 , wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of second spring-loaded struts extending from an upper surface of the first base portion and connect to the plurality of first spring-loaded struts. 
     
     
         20 . The dust mop head of  claim 13 , further comprising a handle connected to the upper surface of the base.