SELF-WRINGING FOAM COTTON MOP WITH LABOR-SAVING WRINGING OPERATION

Abstract

A self-wringing foam cotton mop includes a mop rod and a foam cotton head connected to a bottom end of the mop rod. A wringing frame is disposed on the mop rod. During mopping, the foam cotton head is separated from the wringing frame. A squeezing mechanism capable is disposed on the wringing frame. The position of the squeezing mechanism when the foam cotton head is moved up relative to the wringing frame is different from the position of the squeezing mechanism when the foam cotton head is moved down relative to the wringing frame, and a first amount of deformation generated by the foam cotton head during an upward movement of the foam cotton head relative to the wringing frame is greater than the second amount of deformation generated by the foam cotton head during a downward movement of the foam cotton head relative to the wringing frame.

Claims

1. A self-wringing foam cotton mop with a labor-saving wringing operation, the self-wringing foam cotton mop comprising a mop rod and a foam cotton head, wherein: the foam cotton head is rotatably connected to a bottom end of the mop rod; a wringing frame is disposed on the mop rod; during mopping, the foam cotton head is separated from the wringing frame; a squeezing mechanism capable of squeezing the foam cotton head entering the wringing frame is disposed on the wringing frame; a position of the squeezing mechanism is changeable, so that the position of the squeezing mechanism when the foam cotton head is moved upward relative to the wringing frame is different from the position of the squeezing mechanism when the foam cotton head is moved downward relative to the wringing frame; and a first amount of deformation generated by the foam cotton head during an upward movement of the foam cotton head relative to the wringing frame is greater than the second amount of deformation generated by the foam cotton head during a downward movement of the foam cotton head relative to the wringing frame.

2. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 1, the squeezing mechanism is adapted for squeezing a bottom surface of the foam cotton head to realize the wringing operation; when the foam cotton head is moved up relative to the wringing frame, the squeezing mechanism enables the foam cotton head to generate the first amount of deformation in a thickness direction; and when the foam cotton head is moved down relative to the wringing frame, the squeezing mechanism enables the foam cotton head to generate the second amount of deformation in the thickness direction.

3. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 2, wherein the wringing frame comprises a through hole for allowing an end surface of the foam cotton head to pass therethrough, and the squeezing mechanism is disposed within the through hole and is able to swing relative to the wringing frame; during a wringing process, the foam cotton head (2) is rotated to allow the end surface (M) to be aligned with the through hole (X); in the process that the foam cotton head enters the through hole and moves up, the squeezing mechanism that does not swing enables the foam cotton head to generate the first amount of deformation; and in the process that the foam cotton head enters the through hole and moves down, the swung squeezing mechanism enables the foam cotton head to generate the second amount of deformation.

4. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 3, wherein the squeezing mechanism comprises a squeezing plate and a connecting plate; the squeezing plate is adapted to be in contact with the bottom surface of the foam cotton head, and the squeezing plate is rotatably constrained on the wringing frame and is movable up and down within a certain range in an axial direction of the wringing frame; one end of the connecting plate is rotatably connected to the wringing frame, while the other end of the connecting plate is hinged to an upper end of the squeezing plate; and an elastic member for allowing a lower end of the connecting plate to keep in a trend of deflecting close to the bottom surface of the foam cotton head and a limiting structure for limiting an upward movement of the connecting plate are disposed on the wringing frame.

5. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 4, wherein the limiting structure comprises arc-shaped guide grooves formed on left and right inner sidewalls of the through hole; guide columns inserted into the guide grooves are disposed in a middle portion of left and right sides of the squeezing plate; and by limiting the guide columns through upper inner sidewalls of the guide grooves, during the upward movement of the foam cotton head relative to the through hole, the squeezing plate is always kept at a position where it is gradually inclined towards the bottom surface of the foam cotton head from the bottom up.

6. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 3, wherein the squeezing mechanism comprises a squeezing plate, and a wringing roller adapted to be in contact with the bottom surface of the foam cotton head is disposed on the squeezing plate; one end of the squeezing plate is hinged to the wringing frame; an elastic member for allowing an upper end of the squeezing plate to keep in a trend of deflecting close to the bottom surface of the foam cotton head is disposed on the wringing frame, and a limiting portion for limiting the rotation position of the squeezing plate is disposed on the wringing frame; and under a combined action of the elastic member and the limiting portion, the squeezing plate is always kept in a state of gradually inclined toward the bottom surface of the foam cotton head from the bottom up.

7. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 3, wherein the squeezing mechanism comprises a squeezing plate for being contact with the bottom surface of the foam cotton head; one end of the squeezing plate (5) is hinged to the wringing frame; a limiting portion for limiting a rotation position of the squeezing plate is disposed on the wringing frame; and the squeezing plate is locked on the wringing frame by a locking structure that can be unlocked, and the squeezing plate is kept at a position where it is gradually inclined towards the bottom surface of the foam cotton head from the bottom up when an upper end of the squeezing plate is locked by the locking structure.

8. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 1, wherein the squeezing mechanism is adapted for squeezing side surfaces of front and rear sides of the foam cotton head; when the foam cotton head is moved up relative to the wringing frame (3), the squeezing mechanism enables the foam cotton head to generate the first amount of deformation in a width direction; and when the foam cotton head is moved down relative to the wringing frame, the squeezing mechanism enables the foam cotton head to generate the second amount of deformation in the width direction.

9. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 8, wherein the wringing frame comprises a through hole for allowing an end surface of the foam cotton head to pass therethrough; two squeezing mechanisms are respectively arranged on front and rear sides inside the through hole and can swing relative to the wringing frame; during a wringing process, the foam cotton head is rotated to allow the end surface (M) to be aligned with the through hole; in the process that the foam cotton head enters the through hole and moves up, the two squeezing mechanisms that do not swing enable the foam cotton head to generate the first amount of deformation; and in the process that the foam cotton head enters the through hole and moves down, the two swung squeezing mechanisms enable the foam cotton head to generate the second amount of deformation.

10. The self-wringing foam cotton mop of claim 9, wherein at least one of the squeezing mechanisms comprises a squeezing plate and a connecting plate; a wringing roller for being contact with the side surfaces of the foam cotton head is disposed on the squeezing plate, and the squeezing plate is rotatably constrained on the wringing frame and is movable up and down within a certain range in an axial direction of the wringing frame; one end of the connecting plate is rotatably connected to the wringing frame, while the other end of the connecting plate is hinged to an upper end of the squeezing plate; and an elastic member for keeping a lower end of the connecting plate in a trend of deflecting close to the side surface of the foam cotton head and a limiting structure for limiting an upward movement of the connecting plate are disposed on the wringing frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to a first embodiment of the present invention (in a normal mopping state);

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view the first embodiment (in a wringing and moving-down state);

[0022] FIG. 3 is a partially sectional view of the first embodiment (in a state where a foam cotton head is moved up);

[0023] FIG. 4 is a partially sectional view of the first embodiment (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved down);

[0024] FIG. 5 is a comparison view of two amounts of deformation of the foam cotton head in the first embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a squeezing mechanism in the first embodiment (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved up);

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the squeezing mechanism in the first embodiment (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved down);

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wringing frame in the first embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wringing frame equipped with a wringing component according to a second embodiment of the present invention (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved up);

[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component in the second embodiment (when a squeezing plate is deflected for evasion);

[0030] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component according to a third embodiment of the present invention (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved up);

[0031] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component in the third embodiment;

[0032] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component in a fourth embodiment (when the squeezing plate is inclined);

[0033] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of FIG. 14 in a direction A-A;

[0035] FIG. 16 is a perspective view the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention (in a mopping state);

[0036] FIG. 17 is a first perspective view the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component in the fifth embodiment (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved up);

[0037] FIG. 18 is a second perspective view the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component in the fifth embodiment (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved up);

[0038] FIG. 19 is a second perspective view the wringing frame equipped with the wringing component in the fifth embodiment (in a state where the foam cotton head is moved down);

[0039] FIG. 20 is a perspective view according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention (in a normal mapping state);

[0040] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the sixth embodiment (in the wringing and moving-down state);

[0041] FIG. 22 is a partially perspective view of the sixth embodiment (in the state where the foam cotton head is moved up); and

[0042] FIG. 23 is a partially perspective view of the sixth embodiment (in the state where the foam cotton head is moved down).

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0043] To enable a further understanding of the present invention content of the invention herein, refer to the detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings below:

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0045] A self-wringing foam cotton mop with a labor-saving wringing operation is provided, including a mop rod 1 and a foam cotton head 2. The foam cotton head 2 is rotatably connected to a bottom end of the mop rod 1. A wringing frame 3 capable of sliding along the mop rod 1 is provided on the mop rod 1, and the wringing frame 3 has a through hole X for allowing an end face M of the foam cotton head 2 to pass therethrough. The end face M refers to surfaces of two sides of the foam cotton head 2 in a lengthwise direction L. A squeezing mechanism capable of moving (e.g., swinging) relative to the wringing frame 3 is provided on an inner front side of the through hole X, so that a position of the squeezing mechanism during an upward movement of the foam cotton head 2 relative to the wringing frame 3 is different from the position of the squeezing mechanism during a downward movement of the foam cotton head 2 relative to the wringing frame 3. During the wringing process, the foam cotton head 2 is rotated to allow the end face M to be aligned with the through hole X, the foam cotton head 2 enters and passes through the through hole X to squeeze a bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 via the squeezing mechanism so as to realize the wringing operation. During the mopping process, the foam cotton head 2 is completely separated from the through hole X. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X and moves up, the squeezing mechanism that does not swing enables the foam cotton head 2 to generate a first amount of deformation h1 in a thickness direction. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X and moves down, the swung squeezing mechanism enables the foam cotton head 2 to generate a second amount of deformation h2 in the thickness direction H, where the first amount of deformation h1 is greater than the second amount of deformation h2. In this embodiment, it should be understood that the amount of deformation is a difference between a thickness of the foam cotton state 2 under normal conditions and the thickness of the foam cotton head 2 after being squeezed and deformed.

[0046] In the process that the foam cotton head 2 entering the through hole X to move up, the squeezing mechanism is always kept in a state of gradually inclining towards the bottom surface of the foam cotton head 2 from the bottom up. In the process of the foam cotton head 2 entering the through hole X to move down, the squeezing mechanism will deflect or displace to allow an upper end of the squeezing mechanism to move away from the bottom surface of the foam cotton head 2.

[0047] In this embodiment, the squeezing mechanism comprises a squeezing plate 5 and a connecting plate 6. A wringing roller 4 for coming into contact with the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 is provided on the squeezing plate 5, and the squeezing plate 5 is rotatably constrained within the through hole X and movable up and down within a certain range in an axial direction of the through hole X. One end of the connecting plate 6 is rotatably connected to the wringing frame 3, while the other end of the connecting plate 6 is hinged to an upper end of the squeezing plate 5. An elastic member 7 for allowing a lower end of the connecting plate 6 keep in a trend of deflecting close to the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 is provided within the through hole X. The elastic member 7 is a torsion spring. A limiting structure for limiting an upward movement of the connecting plate 6 is provided within the through hole X.

[0048] In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X to move up, under the action of the elastic member 7 and the connecting plate 6, the squeezing plate 5 is always kept in a state of gradually inclining towards the bottom surface of the foam cotton head 2 from the bottom up. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X to move down, the foam cotton head 2 can trigger the connecting plate 6 to overcome an elastic force of the elastic member 7 to deflect, and the connecting plate 6 drives the upper end of the squeezing plate 5 to move away from the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2. The limiting structure includes arc-shaped guide grooves 8 formed on left and right inner sidewalls of the through hole X, and guide columns 51 inserted into the guide grooves 8 are provided in a middle portion of left and right sides of the squeezing plate 5. By limiting the guide columns 51 through upper inner sidewalls of the guide grooves 8, during the upward movement of the foam cotton head 2 relative to the through hole X, the squeezing plate 5 is always kept at a position where it is gradually inclined towards the bottom surface of the foam cotton head 2 from the bottom up.

[0049] The wringing frame 3 consists of a wringing handle 31, a connecting rod 32 and a wringing tip 33. The wringing handle 31 is sheathed on the mop rod 1 and is able to slide in the axial direction, the wringing handle 31 is connected to the wringing tip 33 through the connecting rod 32, and the through hole X is formed on the wringing tip 33. When the wringing tip 33 is located at a lower position, a lower end of the foam cotton head 2 runs into the through hole X, and the wringing tip 33 transversely extends to form the ground. Therefore, when the wringing tip 33 is located at a lower position, the wringing tip 33 can act as a pedestal, so that the lower end of the foam cotton head 2 parallel to the mop rod 1 is inserted into the through hole X and the mop can be placed vertically.

[0050] In this embodiment, an up-down direction refers to the lengthwise direction of the mop rod 1. A front-rear direction refers to the width direction D of the foam cotton head 2. A left-right direction is perpendicular to the front-rear direction, i.e., the lengthwise direction L of the foam cotton head 2 in a mopping state, and the rear direction refers to a direction basically perpendicular to the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2.

[0051] The operating principle and process in this embodiment are described below.

[0052] Wringing operation: the foam bottom head 2 is rotated to be basically parallel to the mop rod 1 and directly face the through hole X. The wringing handle 31 is held by one hand, the mop rod 1 is held by the other hand, and the wringing handle 31 is pushed to slide up and down relative to the mop rod 1, so that the foam cotton head 2 enters and passes through the through hole X to squeeze the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 so as to realize the wringing operation. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X to move up, due to the action of the elastic member 7 and the connecting plate 6, the squeezing plate 5 is always kept in a state of gradually inclining towards the bottom surface of the foam cotton head 2 from the bottom up, so that the squeezing passage is a passage with a larger bottom and a smaller top, and it is advantageous for allowing the foam cotton head 2 to enter the through hole X. Moreover, the squeezing force gradually increases, the foam cotton head can be better dewatered, and the wringing operation is labor-saving. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X to move down, the foam cotton head 2 can trigger the connecting plate 6 to overcome the elastic force of the elastic member 7 to deflect, and the connecting plate 6 drives the upper end of the squeezing plate 5 to move away from the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2. Thus, it is advantageous for the foam cotton head 2 to downward passing through the squeezing passage.

[0053] Particularly in the case where the foam cotton head 2 is dry, the foam cotton head 2 will become hard, and in combination with the swingable squeezing mechanism structure of the mop, it is advantageous for the dry and hard foam cotton head 2 to pass through the through hole X.

[0054] Mopping operation: the wringing handle 3 is held by one hand, the mop rod 1 is held by the other hand, and the wringing handle 31 is pulled up to move up to a higher position relative to the mop rod 1 until the foam cotton head 2 is completely separated from the wringing tip 33. At this time, since the wringing handle 31 is located at a higher position, the foam cotton head 2 is completely separated from the wringing tip 33 during the mopping proves. Therefore, the foam cotton head 2 is movably connected to the lower end of the mop rod 1, the foam cotton head 2 can be deflected at will during the mopping process, and the operation is more comfortable and reasonable.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0056] Differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are as follows. The squeezing mechanism includes a squeezing plate 5. A wringing roller 4 adapted to be in contact with the bottom surface of the foam cotton head 2 is provided on the squeezing plate 5, and a lower end of the squeezing plate 5 is hinged within the through hole X. An elastic member 7 for keeping an upper end of the squeezing plate 5 in a trend of deflecting close to the bottom surface of the foam cotton head 2 is provided within the through hole X, and the elastic member 7 is a torsion spring. A limiting portion 9 for limiting a rotation position of the squeezing plate 5 is further provided within the through hole X. Under the combined action of the elastic member 7 and the limiting portion 9, the squeezing plate 5 is always kept in a state of gradually inclining towards the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 from the bottom up. The upper end of the squeezing plate 5 has a guide surface that extends outward from the through hole and looks like a slope.

[0057] The limiting portion 9 is a stop column for limiting two sides of the bottom surface of the squeezing plate 5 for purpose of avoiding excessive turnover of an upper end of the squeezing plate 5. In this embodiment, the elastic member 7 applies a large force to the squeezing plate 5. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X to move down, if the foam cotton head becomes very hard, the forced applied to the squeezing plate 5 by the foam cotton head is larger than the force applied to the squeezing plate 5 by the elastic member 7, so the opening becomes larger and it is advantageous for the foam cotton head to run downward.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0059] Differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are as follows. The squeezing mechanism includes a squeezing plate 5. A wringing roller 4 for coming into contact with the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 is provided on the squeezing plate 5, and a lower end of the squeezing plate 5 is hinged within the through hole X. A limiting portion 9 for limiting a rotation position of the squeezing plate 5 is provided within the through hole X, and an upper end of the squeezing plate 5 is locked within the through hole X by a locking structure that can be unlocked. In a state where an upper end of the squeezing plate 5 is locked by the locking structure, the squeezing plate 5 is kept at a position where it is gradually inclined towards the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 from the bottom up.

[0060] The locking structure includes a first lock bar 9a and a second lock bar 9b which are arranged left and right within the squeezing plate 5 at interval and can slide left and right. A first lock hole 10a and a second lock hole 10b are formed on left and right sidewalls of the through hole X. A support spring 91 is provided between the first lock bar 9a and the second lock bar 9b. The support spring 91 keeps the first lock bar 9a and the second lock bar 9b in a trend of extending outward and being separately inserted into the first lock 10a and the second lock hole 10b, and the first lock bar 9a and the second lock bar 9b are exposed from an outer surface of the squeezing plate 5 for allowing them to be driven by a user.

[0061] The limiting portion 9 is a stop column for limiting two sides of the bottom surface of the squeezing plate 5 for purpose of avoiding excessive turnover of the upper end of the squeezing plate 5. In the process of the foam cotton head 2 entering the through hole X to move down, the squeezing plate 5 is unlocked first. In this way, the squeezing plate 5 can freely swing back and forth, and the foam cotton head 2 can trigger the squeezing plate 5 and drive the upper end of the squeezing plate 5 to move away from the foam cotton head 2, so that it is advantageous for the foam cotton head 2 to downward passing through the squeezing passage.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 13-15, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0063] Differences between this embodiment and the third embodiment are as follows. An elastic member 7 for keeping the upper end of the squeezing plate 5 in a trend of deflecting close to the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 is provided within the through hole X.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 16-19, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0065] Differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are as follows. The squeezing mechanism includes a squeezing plate 5. A wringing roller 4 for coming into contact with the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 is provided on the squeezing plate 5, and an upper end of the squeezing plate 5 is hinged within the through hole X and enables the lower end of the squeezing plate 5 to swing. An elastic member 7 for keeping the lower end of the squeezing plate 5 in a trend of blocking the main through hole X and a limiting portion 9 for limiting a rotation position of the squeezing plate 5 are provided within the through hole X. In a state where the lower end of the squeezing plate 5 is overturned to resist against the limiting portion 9, the squeezing plate 5 is kept at a position where it is gradually inclined towards the bottom surface S of the foam cotton head 2 from the bottom up.

[0066] The limiting portion 9 is a stop column for limiting two sides of the bottom surface of the squeezing plate 5 for purpose of avoiding excessive turnover of the upper end of the squeezing plate 5. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X to move down, the foam cotton head 2 can trigger the squeezing plate 5 and drive the lower end of the squeezing plate 5 to overturn to the outside of the squeezing tip 33 so as to realize evasion.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 20-23, a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0068] Differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are as follows. The squeezing mechanisms are adapted for squeezing side faces P of front and rear sides of the foam cotton head 2. During the upward movement of the foam cotton head 2 relative to the wringing frame 3, the squeezing mechanisms enable the foam cotton head 2 to generate the first amount of deformation h1 in a width direction D. During the downward movement of the foam cotton head 2 relative to the wringing frame 3, the squeezing mechanisms enable the foam cotton head 2 to generate the second amount of deformation h2 in the width direction D. The wringing frame 3 has a through hole X for allowing an end face M of the foam cotton head 2 to pass therethrough. There are two squeezing mechanisms which are respectively arranged on front and rear inside the through hole 31 and can swing relative to the wringing frame 3. During a wringing frame, the foam cotton head 2 is rotated to allow the end face M to be aligned with the through hole X. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X and moves up, the two squeezing mechanisms that do not swing enable the foam cotton head 2 to generate the first amount of deformation h1. In the process that the foam cotton head 2 enters the through hole X and moves down, the two swung squeezing mechanisms enable the foam cotton head 2 to generate the second amount of deformation h2.

[0069] In this embodiment, each of the squeezing mechanisms includes a squeezing plate 5 and a connecting plate 6. A wringing roller 4 for being contact with the side surfaces P of the foam cotton head 2 is provided on the squeezing plate 5, and the squeezing plate 5 is rotatably constrained within the through hole X and is movable up and down within a certain range in the axial direction of the through hole X. One end of the connecting plate 6 is rotatably connected within the through hole X, while the other end of the connecting plate 6 is hinged to the upper end of the squeezing plate 5. An elastic member 7 for keeping a lower end of the connecting plate 6 in a trend of deflecting close to the side faces P of the foam cotton head 2 is provided within the through hole X, and a limiting structure for limiting an upward movement of the connecting plate 6 is further provided within the through hole X. The limiting structure can refer to Embodiment 1.

[0070] Of course, it is also possible that one of the squeezing mechanisms employs the above structure and the other one of the squeezing mechanisms employs a fixed-type inclined squeezing plate structure.