Mop wringing apparatus

Abstract

A mop wringing apparatus for wringing water from mop heads includes a main body, a first roller, and a second roller. The first roller and the second roller are rotatably mounted to the main body on rotational axes which are parallel to each other. The first and second rollers have gear teeth formed on exterior surfaces thereof. The first and second rollers are spaced from each other at a distance configured to accommodate a mop head therebetween and compress the mop head between the rollers. A drive mechanism is operatively coupled to the first roller and is operable to rotate the first roller with respect to the main body.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A mop wringing apparatus comprising:
 a main body;   a first roller and a second roller rotatably mounted to the main body, the first and second rollers having rotational axes which are parallel to each other, the first and second rollers having gear teeth formed on exterior surfaces thereof, the first and second rollers being spaced from each other at a distance configured to accommodate a mop head therebetween and compress the mop head; and   a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the first roller, the drive mechanism being operable to rotate the first roller with respect to the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body defines a channel which extends therethrough, the first and second rollers being positioned in the channel. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the channel extends through a top side of the main body and a bottom side of the main body. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the main body has a guide surface adjacent to the channel, the guide surface being shaped and configured to direct the mop head between the first and second rollers when moved along the guide surface toward the first and second rollers. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first roller drives the second roller via the gear teeth of the first and second rollers when rotated by the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rotational axes of the first and second rollers are offset from each other in a direction between a front side and a rear side of the main body. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the rotational axes of the first and second rollers are offset from each other in a direction between a top side and a bottom side of the main body. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the main body defines a slot in the bottom side, the slot being sized and configured to receive a rim of a bucket to seat the main body on the bucket. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongated member coupled to and extending away from the top side of the main body. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a power supply mounted to the main body and electrically coupled to the drive mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the power supply comprises a battery. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a charging port electrically coupled to the power supply. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a control input operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, the control input being operable to direct electricity from the power supply to the drive mechanism to rotate the first roller alternately in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a lever. 
     
     
         16 . A mop wringing apparatus comprising:
 a main body defining a channel which extends therethrough, the channel extending through a top side of the main body and a bottom side of the main body, the main body defining a slot in the bottom side, the slot being spaced from the channel, the slot being sized and configured to receive a rim of a bucket to seat the main body on the bucket;   a first roller and a second roller rotatably mounted in the channel of the main body, the first and second rollers having rotational axes which are parallel to each other, the first and second rollers having gear teeth formed on exterior surfaces thereof which mesh with each other, the rotational axes of the first and second rollers being offset from each other in a direction between a front side and a rear side of the main body, the rotational axes of the first and second rollers being offset from each other in a direction between the top side and the bottom side of the main body;   wherein the main body has a guide surface adjacent to the channel, the guide surface being shaped and configured to direct a mop head between the first and second rollers when moved along the guide surface toward the first and second rollers;   a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the first roller, the drive mechanism being operable to rotate the first roller with respect to the main body, the first roller driving the second roller via the gear teeth of the first and second rollers when rotated by the drive mechanism; and   an elongated member coupled to and extending away from the top side of the main body.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor, further comprising:
 a power supply mounted to the main body and electrically coupled to the drive mechanism, the power supply comprising a battery;   a charging port electrically coupled to the power supply; and   a control input operatively coupled to the drive mechanism, the control input being operable to direct electricity from the power supply to the drive mechanism to rotate the first roller alternately in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, the control input being mounted to a distal end of the elongated member with respect to the main body.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a lever.