Cleaning device

Feb. 6, 1934. h. _w hunter 1,946,321

CLEANING DEVICE

Filed Aug. 9, 1933

<img file="US1946321A_D0001.tif" />

Patented Feb. 6, 1934

1,946,321

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,946,321 CLEANING DEVICE Hester W. Hunter, Geneva, HI. Application August 9, 1933. Serial No. 684,305

Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in cleaning devices and has for one purpose the provision of a cleaning element which shall be simple in operation, convenient in use and superior in e cleaning efficiency. Another object is the provision of such an element which shall have a plurality of successively exposable cleaning surfaces, the soiled cleaning surface portions being successively removed, as used, to display beneath a previously 10 covered cleaning surface. It will be understood that thereby the cleaning element is in effect continually clean, the effective cleaning surface being removed as soon as it has been soiled in use. This is in contrast to the usual method of cleaning 15 by means of an element which is dirty to begin with, as in the case of a broom, brush, mop or the like. Another object is to make unnecessary the usual shaking out or washing of at cleaning element, by providing one of such cheapness that 20 the soiled cleaning portion can be thrown away after use. Another object is the provision, for such a cleaning element or device, of a hoiriing device of such design that it will be easy and convenient for use interchangeably with elements 25 of several kinds of cleaning material for various sorts of surfaces or cleaning jobs. Another object is the provision, at the usual idle end of the handle, of convenient means for securing a cleaning element for use on the end of the handle opposite 30 to that to which the cleaning device or element proper is secured. This produces in effect a supplemental cleaning support, whereby a removable portion from the main cleaning element may be employed for cleaning corners, cracks and the 35 like. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing, wherein—

Figure 1 is a perspective view;

Figure 2 is a section along the line 2—2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section along the line 3—3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section along the line 4—4 of Figure 3 with the parts in different position;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of a variant form, with parts broken away;

Figure 6 is a section along the line 6—6 of Fig50 ure 5; and

Figure 7 is a section along the line 7—7 of Figure 6.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawing.

Whereas my cleaning device or element is the main feature of my invention it is important that the cleaning element proper, herein shown in the form of a roll, be efficiently mounted for use and for ready removal or exchange and for the ready ⁰⁰ removal of soiled portions, sheets or layers. I (CI. 15—228) therefore illustrate two variant forms of support of which the form of Figures 5, 6 and 7 is the preferred form, both, however, being practical.

Referring to the drawing, A generally indicates any suitable handle which may be screwthreaded at the lower end, as at A¹, or otherwise formed for demountable connection with the head portion A². While it is shown as demountable it will be understood, of course, that under some circumstances it may be more convenient to form the head portion A² .and the handle A integrally ⁷⁹and in the claims I have used the term handle as including the head portion A² and its associated parts, except where the language f the claims clearly indicate to the contrary. This portion A² »includes a stem A³, herein shown as curved in Fig- ⁷⁵ures 2 and 4 but which may, if desired, be made straight as in Figure 6 or may be inclined at any desired angle to the member A. The pin or stem A³ passes through a core member B which may, for example, be of wood or fiber or any suitable ⁸⁰material, and which is apertured to permit the passage therethrough of the stem A³.

As will appear in Figure 3, the stem A³ is shown as terminating flush with a flattened or cut away portion B¹ of the member B. This cut away por- ⁸⁵tion receives a leaf spring B², through which passes a securing screw B³ penetrating the lower end of the pin A³. A little pin B⁴ is shown as penetrating the stem A³ and normally fitting in a slot B⁵ in the core B. The slot and pin bear such ⁹⁰position in relation to the stem A³ that when they are engaged, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base B is in the proper position for use. The spring B² normally tends to draw down the stem A³ and to hold the pin B⁴ engaged in the slot B^s. ⁹⁵However, it is possible to press downwardly on the core or to pull upwardly on the handle A and thus disengage the pin B⁴ from the slot B⁵ and permit a rotation of the core B in relation to the members A and A². ¹⁰⁰

Surrounding the core B is a relatively soft or yielding coating C which may be of soft or fiber felt, padded cloth, sponge rubber or the like. Preferably the edge of this material extends beyond the end of the base B, so that the hard base will ¹⁰⁵not contact the furniture, walls or the like, which are being mopped. Surrounding the soft intermediate C, I illustrate the cleaning member or element proper, C¹, which is the primary element of my invention. It may for example be in the ¹¹⁹form of a roll of paper or a roll or bundle of any other suitable material. The roll C^l may easily be applied to or removed from the handle by merely removing the base B from the stem A³, . _lswhich can be done by detaching the screw B³. ¹¹⁰The stem A³ is then slipped out and the base B Is slipped into the refill c¹ and the parts reassembled. It will be noted that the roll or refill C¹ is slotted or apertured, at opposite side of its

1,Θ46 center, as at C², to permit the threading in of the stem A³ and'the securing of the parts together. If the roll C¹ is formed of soft or crinkly fiber or paper, as may frequently be the case, it may be difilcult to thread it over the layer C of fiber, sponge rubber or the like. Therefore, I may provide any suitable intermediate layer of smoother material, for application either to the exterior of the member C or to the interior of the roll C¹, 10 whereby the two may readily be given relative movement without undue frictional resistance. I illustrate for example, the layer or layers of smooth material C²°, which may be positioned within the roll C¹. If desired, they may be re15 moved after the roll is applied, but under ordinary circumstances this is not necessary. I illustrate in Figures 5 and 6 an interior smooth; layer G²⁰corresponding to the layer C²⁰ of Figure 3. ·

In order to hold the roll from unrolling, I pro20 vide a clamping member including the clamps proper D and the connecting yoke.D¹, which is apertured as at D² to permit the passage of the stem A³. D³ are any suitable finger or handle pieces. D⁴ is a spring compressed between the 25 saddle portion D¹ and the member A² whereby the clamps are normally thrust against the roll or refill C¹.

Referring to the form of Figures 5, 6 and 7, the stem A³ is illustrated as straight, and as screw30 threaded into a socket E on a relatively thin transverse body portion E^l. Mounted upon the member E¹ are cushions E² of felt, rubber or the like, the cushion portion being, if desired, of one piece or for convenience of application, in two 36 pieces.

G indicates the cleaning element proper, which may be mounted upon the member of members E². It will be understood that in order to thread the member G, it is necessary to unscrew the stem A³40 from the socket and remove it. I have illustrated the members E² and G as being noncircular in form but as having two faces which may alternately be applied to the floor, wall or the like which is being cleaned, by merely rotating the 46 handle A, and thus the mop member, through an arc of 180°. It is a form which makes it easj to penetrate corners, as will be clear from its section as shown in Figure 6. The rolling is prevented from unrolling, as in the forms of Figure 60 1 and following, by the clamp D. It will be noted also that whereas the stem A³ in the first form is shown as circular in cross section, in the form of Figures 5, 6 and 7, it is shown as squared or noncircular, conforming to a squared hole in the 56 stirrup D¹ whereby the clamps D are held against rotation in relation to the stem A³.

As shown in Figure 1 the handle A may be forked at the end as at A²⁰ to permit the insertion therein of a sheet of paper or the like which will 60 serve as a cleaning member or element when it is desired to clean along a crack or comer. The sheet or paper or fiber employed may readily be removed from the roll C¹ or G, although of course I do not wish to limit myself to such source for 65 the use of the paper. However, it will form a very convenient source. I illustrate in Figure 1, a paper sheet A²¹ in position ready for use.

It will be realized that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, 70 nevertheless many changes may be made in size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I, therefore, wish my drawing and description to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or dia75 grn.mma.tic· rather than as limiting me to my :,321 precise showing herein. It will be understood, in particular, that whereas I have shown practical means for supporting my cleaning element and for preventing unintended removal of its surface layer, while permitting ready removal 80 when intended, many variant forms of support might be employed.

It will be realized that I employ the term “roll” in a broad sense and do not wish it to be limited to any specific cross section. The roll 85 may be circular as in one of the forms shown herein, and as non-circular as in another of the forms. The roll may be continuous or discontinuous, that is to say, formed of a single roll sheet, or formed of a plurality of separate sheets. 90

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

My cleaning element or member, such as the roll C¹ or G, presents at all times a clean outer surface to the member, wall or the like to be 95 cleaned. Assume that the user starts with a new roll. She mounts it on whatever handle or base is employed and then begins to clean. Of course the outer surface is initially clean. In using the form of handle of Figures 5, 6 and 7, the user 100 may first employ one of the inclined faces of the member G. When that becomes soiled or when a fresh wall space is approached, the user can turn the handle around and employ the other face which is still clean. If working in a cor- 105 ner the more or less angular junction between the two faces may be employed. Or, if a still narrower or more restricted space must be penetrated, the end of the handle A may be employed with its slot A²⁰ or any other suitable holding 110 means, and the sheet A²¹. The user can very readily remove a clean sheet from the roll C¹ or G for use in the slot A²⁰.

When a sufficient area has been cleaned or a sufficiently dirty area has been cleaned to soil 115 the exterior of the roll C^l or G, and to soil all sides of it which have been employed, by rotation of either the handle or the base, then the operator can pull up on the members D³ thus lifting the clamp from the loose edge of the roll 120 C¹ or G. When the loose edge has been released the clamp has dropped back to its initial position, under pressure of the spring D⁴ and the operator removes the dirty section. The clamp then serves as a cutting element to guide the tear of the dirty 125 section and to keep the ensuing clean section from being torn off. The result is the exposure of a clean fresh surface, ready for more cleaning.

As the roll G or C¹ is backed by a soft or more or less yielding body, such as C or E², there is 130 no scratching of the roll on the wall or furniture. This is advantageous as preventing injury to the surface. It is also helpful in cleaning over surfaces having more or less irregularity of contour, as the yielding base C or E² permits the roll G 135 or C¹ more or less to flow into the hollows of the contour and to recede before the elevations.

In this use it will be clear that my cleaning element is vastly superior to the conventional cleaner or mop of cloth, rope, wool or the like, which 24c rapidly becomes soiled and which is not readily replaced.

Considering in detail the form of Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, and assuming that the operator has threaded on one of the cleaning members C¹ and 145 has begun to use it for cleaning, as the stem A³is at an angle to the handle A, a certain predetermined arc of the mop surface will tc presented to the surface to be cleaned. The roll C¹ does not actually roll or move on the base B, but the 150

1,946,321 surface exposed can be altered by merely rotating the whole body B, and the roll C¹ with it, in relation to the handle, thus exposing a different arc to the floor. Or the operator can rotate the handle A through an angle of 180° and thus expose still a different arc to the floor. The roll may be perforated, if necessary, but under ordinary circumstances, perforation of the roll along the line of tear may be dispensed with.

In the use of the device, it must be understood that different types of material may be employed for different purposes or that different lengths of roll may be employed. It is in the main useful that the inner hard core be surrounded by a softer layer of material and that the mop proper, consisting of a roll of paper or the like engage this soft material and also extend at the ends not only beyond the inner hard core but beyond the soft material whereby no part of the mop will cause any scouring or scratching of the surfaces cleaned. Also, only a removable mop surface should be used, with the inner softer layer at all times protected or covered.

As above referred to, if a given portion A²¹ of the roll element C¹ or G is detached, wadded up and thrust up into the notch or holder A²⁰, a convenient means is provided for a more thorough cleaning of such comparatively difficult parts as corners, edges of the floor where it meets the baseboard, curves in the baseboard itself, spaces around and under the legs of furniture, and de-, pressions in more or less intricate moldings on wall or ceiling. It will be realized that whereas I have shown simply a notch any other suitable securing means may be employed for using a sheet or wad of material at the outer end of the handle A.