Патент USA US2043303

Patented June 9, 1936
2,043,303
uNiTso STATES PATENT OFFICE
2,043,303
MOP
Clarence J. Ostdiek, Minneapolis, Minn.
Application November 17, 1933, Serial No. 698,411
12 Claims. (Cl. 15--147)
My invention relates to mops and particularly novel combination and arrangement of parts and
to the type of mop known as a dust mop which
comprises a swab holder constructed of a coil
spring arranged in the form of a loop and secured
to the handle.
An object of the invention resides in providing
a mop by means of which the ends of the coil
spring may be quickly and easily attached to
the handle and detached when the occasion arises.
Another object of the invention resides in
providing a support for the swab holder and
in the details of construction hereinafter illus
trated and/0r described.
In the drawings:
-
»
Fig. 1 is a plan View of a dust mop with the swab
removed and illustrating an embodiment of my
invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the structure
shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view of the support for
the swab and a portion of the handle and swab
in further providing means whereby the ends of holder taken on line 3_3 of Fig. 2 and drawn to
the coil spring forming the swab holder can be a larger scale.
snapped into position upon the support.
' Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view taken
A still further object of the invention resides on line 4_4 of Fig. 3.
in providing an arm movable laterally with re
spect to the coil spring and having a catch there
on for engagement with the convolutions of the
coil spring.
20
Another object of the invention resides in con
structing the support with a tubular 4socket for
the reception of the coil spring, said catch and
arm serving to retain the end of the coil spring
within said socket.
A feature of the invention resides in construct
ing the arm with a finger piece extending through
the support and by means of which the arm may
be manipulated to disengage the catch thereon
from the coil spring.
Another object of the invention resides in con
structing the support for the swab holder with
a member providing a socket for the reception of
theV end of the handle and in further providing a
swinging member carried by the handle having a
catch thereon for engagement with a shoulder
formed on the support to detachably mount the
swab holder on the handle.
An object of the invention resides in providing
a U-shaped spring having two arms, each pro
40 vided with a catch for engagement with portions
of the coil spring or swab holder support.
An object of the invention resides in arranging
the arms to extend into the interior of the coil
spring and to engage the convolutions from the
interior thereof.
A still further object of the invention resides
in arranging the arms so that the catches engage
the convoiutions upon the exterior thereof.
A feature of the invention resides in utilizing
the said arms for supporting the swab holder
instead of employing a separate support for such
purpose.
Another object of the invention resides in using
the arms for guiding the coil spring in place.
Other objects of the invention reside in the
Fig. 5 is an elevational sectional View taken on
line 5_5 o-f Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line
6_6 of Fig. 3.
Fig. '7 is a cross sectional View taken on line 20
1_1 of Fig. 3.
Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of another form
of the invention.
Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of a modification
of the invention shown in Fig. 8.
25
Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing still
another form of the invention.
Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on
line l i_ll of Fig. 10.
In the use of dust mops it becomes highly de 30
sirable to be able to quickly and easily assemble
the parts whenever desired or to detach the same
from one another. The present invention forms
a device'in which the swab holder may be snapped
into attached position with respect to the support
therefor and the support likewise snapped into
attached position with respect to the handle of
the mop> and the said` parts equally as easily de
tached.
For the' purpose of illustrating the application
of the invention, I have shown in Fig. 1 a handle
l0 which may be constructed of wood or any other
suitable material. The said handle is preferably
round and is formed with a tapered end l l to
which the swab of the mop proper is attached.
The mop proper consists vof a mop head I2
which includes a mop holding member I3 con
structed from spring wire coiled to provide a num
ber of convolutions l5 which form a coil spring.
This coil spring is adapted to be bent into a loop 50
as shown in Fig. 1 and is attached to the handle
I0 as will be presently described in detail. The
swab, not shown in the drawings, is constructed
with a hem or similar construction through which
the said coil spring is inserted and by means of
2
'2,043,303
which the swab is attached to the holder. Inas
much as the swab does not form any particular
feature of the invention, the same has not been
shown in the drawings, though it can readily be
comprehended that any construction such as now
in common use and such as is disclosed in Patent
No. 1,849,150 may be used for the purpose. The
swab holding member I3 being constructed as a
coil spring is flexible and permits of bending of
10 the swab to cause the same to follow the con
tour of the surface on which it is applied and
permits of readily manipulating the mop in
crowded corners and in localities where a rigid
holder could not be effectively used.
The swab holder further includes a supporting
15
structure referred to by the reference character
I4. The supporting structure I4 is constructed
in the form of a Y having three branches 20,
39 and 49 and is made of sheet metal consisting
20 of two halves IB and I1. These halves are pro
vided with interlocking marginal parts I8 and
I9 by means of which the two halves are secured
together. The halves are pressed as shown in
Fig. 5 so that the branches 20, 30 and 4D are
25 formed with sockets 2l, 22 and 23. The ends 24
and 25 of the coil spring are received within the
two sockets 2I and 22 which are arranged in
proper angular relation to cause the swab hold
ing member to assume a loop form, as illustrated
in Fig. 1. The socket 23 is conical and is adapted
to ñt over the tapered end II of handle I0 by
means of which the mop head is attached to the
said handle.
For the purpose of holding the end 24 of the
coil spring I3 in socket 2I, a construction is em
played which is shown in detail in Fig. 4. With
1n this socket is provided a U-shaped spring 23
constructed with two longitudinally extending
arms 21 and 28 connected together at their outer
40 ends through a connecting portion 29. The
spring 26 is relatively ñat and ñts within the con
volutions I5 of the coil spring I3 and extends
within the socket 2l up to a short distance of
the juncture of the said socket and the sockets
22 and 23. The arms 21 and 28 are provided with
catches 3l and 32 which are formed by striking
out portions of the metal of the arms 21 and 28
in such a manner that the same incline toward
the inner end of the socket. These catches are
50 adapted to engage the convolutions I5 of the coil
spring I3 and when in engagement therewith,
function to restrain movement of the coil spring
out of the socket. To facilitate the engagement
of the said catches with the convolutions of the
coil spring, said convolutions are preferably
spread as designated at 33 in Fig. 3 to receive
said catches.
The two arms 31 and 28 are formed
with offset portions 34 and 35 which are adapted
to extend through openings 36 and 31 in the two
halves I6 and I1 of the support I4. These offset
portions serve as finger pieces by means of which
the two arms may be swung toward each other
and by means of which the two catches 3| and 32
may be disengaged from the convolutions I5 of
the spring I3. The arms 21 and 28 of the spring
26 are guided for movement within the socket 2I
and are anchored therein through two rivets 38
and 39 which pass freely through said arms and
which are riveted over the two halves I6 and I1
70 of the support I4. These rivets are disposed one
on each side of the finger pieces 34 and 35 and
serve to center the same with respect to the open
75
ings 36 and 31.
For the purpose of securing the end 25 of the
coil spring to the supporting structure I4, the
two halves I6 and I1 are formed with threads 4I
upon the interior of the branch 30. These
threads are adapted to receive the convolutions
I5 of the coil spring I3 permitting the same to
be screwed into the socket 22 and so held in posi
tion. If desired, the threads 4I may be dis
pensed with and an attaching device such as
shown in conjunction with the end 24 of the coil
spring and illustrated in Fig. 3 used instead 10
thereof.
The supporting structure I4 is attached to the
handle I0 through a U-shaped spring 42. This
spring is formed with two arms 43 and 44 con
nected together through a connecting portion 45.
The two arms 43 and 44 are received in recesses
46 and 41 cut in the tapered portion II of the
handle I0. The connecting portion 45 of spring
42 is attached to the end of the mop handle IIJ
through a wood screw 48. The two arms 43 and 20
44 are constructed with projections 49 and 5I
which are adapted to extend through openings
52 and 53 in the halves I6 and I1 of the support
ing structure I4 forming the branch 40. The
projections 49 and 5I are provided with offsets
54 and 55 which engage the ends of the said open
ings and hold the supporting structure I4 at
tached to the handle. The portions 49 and 5I
serve as finger pieces by means of which the arms
43 and 44 may be manipulated so that the sup
porting structure I4 may be removed from the
handle by disengaging the shoulders 54 and 55
from engagement with the ends of the openings
52 and 53.
In the use of the invention the coil spring I3
is normally straight and is threaded into the
threads 4I in socket 22. The swab which is con
structed with a hem or pocket for the reception
of the coil spring I3 is next threaded over the
spring and the other end 24 of the spring in
serted into the socket 2l. When the said coil
spring enters the socket the U-shaped spring 26
is received within the convolutions of the coil
spring. As the two catches 3l and 32 engage the
convolutions of the coil spring the spring is com 45
pressed and said catches successively slipped by
the respective convolutions. When the spring
strikes the rivet 38 the two catches 3| and 32
become lodged in the space 33 previously referred
to and operate to engage the adjoining convolu
tions and to hold the end 24 of the spring firmly
within the socket 2l. The supporting structure
I4 is next applied to the end II of handle I 0.
This is accomplished by merely inserting the
tapered end II into the socket 23. When the
said member is inserted the portions 49 and 5I
of the spring 42 engage the walls of the socket 23
and are forced together.
After the handle is
inserted fully into the said socket, the saine is
rotated until the portions 49 and 5I enter the
two openings 52 and 53.
These portions spring
outwardly and the shoulders 54 and 55 engage
the openings 52 and 53 and hold the structure
locked in position. When it is desired to remove
either the end 24 of the coil spring I3 from socket
2l or the mounting structure I4 from the handle
it is merely necessary to press together iinger
pieces 34 and 35 or the finger pieces 49 and 5I,
as the case may be, whereupon the parts are re
leased and can be pulled apart.
In Fig. 6 I have shown a modification of the
invention. In this form of the invention the swab
holding member is identical with that shown in
Fig. 1. The supporting structure here illustrated
2,043,303
'consists of a bar of metal 56 which is bent to
form two angularly extending Shanks 51 and 58
connected together through a connecting por
tion 59. A strap 6I is riveted to the connecting
portion 59 of said bar through a rivet 62. This
strap extends on opposite sides of the tapered
portion I I of handle I0 and is secured thereto
through rivets 63. 'I‘he attaching means for the
ends of the coil spring I 3 is carried by the Shanks
56 and 51 and the same being identical in con
struction only that associated with the shank 56
will be described in detail. This attaching struc
ture comprises two leaf springs 64 and 65 which
are riveted to` the outer end of the shank 51 by
"15 means of a rivet 66. 'I‘he two leaf springs 64 and
65 flare outwardly and engage the inner surfaces
of the convolutions I5 ofthe coil spring I3. At
such portions of the springs 64 and 65 are
formed catches 61 and 68 which are struck out
20 of the metal of the said springs and are similar
to the catches 3| and 32 formed on the other
form of the invention. These catches are adapt
ed to engage the convolutions of the spring and
operate to hold the spring in proper position.
v25 Two linger pieces 69 and 1I are formed on the
ends of the springs 64 and 65 outwardly beyond
the coil spring I3 where the same are accessible
and may be squeezed together to release the two
catches 61 and 68.
30
In applying the coil spring to the device the
same is merely slipped over the end of the at
taching device and as the two catches 61 and 68
engage the convolutions the two springs 64 and
65 are forced together. When the coil spring
35 reaches the finger pieces 69 and 1I further move
ment of the same is arrested through shoulders
12 and 13 formed in said springs which cause the
two catches 61 and 68 to remain lodged between
the proper convolutions. In removing the device
the two finger pieces 69 and 1I are pressed to
gether which disengages the catches 61 and 68
from the convolutions of the coil spring permit
ting of withdrawing the coil spring from the sup
porting structure.
45
l
The construction shown in Fig. 6 may be some
what simpliñed as shown in Fig. 7, by construct
ing the support 14 from spring material to pro
vide two angularly disposed shanks 15 and 16
similar to the shanks 51 and 56 and by bending
arms 11 from the ends of the same which extend
along the Shanks 15 and 16. These arms are pro
vided with catches 18 and linger pieces 19 similar
to that of the other form of the invention.
Shoulders 8| between the arms 11 and finger
55 piece 19 serve the same `purpose as the shoulders
12 and 13. In this form of the invention but a
single catch is used. In applying the device the
procedure is the same as previously described. In
disengaging the device it is merely necessary to
60 press the finger piece 19 toward the shank 15
which releases the coil spring.
'In Fig. 8 a form of the invention is shown in
which engaging means are employed upon the
exterior of the convolutions of the coil spring I3.
65 The swab holding member in this form of inven
tion is identical with that shown in Fig. 1 and the
handle identical withthat shown in Fig. 6. The
supporting structure comprises a rod 82 which is
bent to provide two angularly disposed shanks 83
70 and 84 and a` connecting portion I 0I. A ferrule
|02 is attached to the tapered end I I of handle I0
and is provided with portions |83 which are
riveted to the connecting portion IIJI of rod 82.
'I‘hese Shanks are reduced in diameter at their
75. ends as indicated at 85. These portions of the
3
Shanks have mounted on them heads 86 which
are turned at 88 to ñt withinthe interior of the
spring I3. These heads are constructed with en
larged portions 81 which form shoulders 88 limit
ing the movement of the said springs along said s' 5
heads. Upon the exterior of the heads 86 are
provided two clamping members 9| and 92 which
are curved to ñt about the enlarged portions 81
ci said heads and the ends of the coil springs
attached to the device. These clamping members. 10
are constructed with ears 89 which overlie one
another and are pivoted to the head 86 through
a rivet 93 which passes jointly through the ears
of both of said clamping members, through the
enlarged portion 81 of head 86 and through the ‘.15
reduced portion 85 of shank 83. The two clamp
ing members 9I and 92 are provided at their ends
with arcuate catches 94 and 95 which are adapt
ed to engage the convolutions I 5 of the coil spring
I3. The other ends of the clamping memberstzo
which are indicated at 96 and 91 serve as ringer
pieces by means of which the two clamping mem
bers may be forced together to cause the two
catches 94 and 95 to move outwardly and become
disengaged from the spring I3. To hold said 25
catches in engagement with the convolutions of
the coil spring a compression spring 98 is ern
ployed which passes through a hole 99 in the
shank 83 and engages the two linger pieces 96
and 91.
-30
The use of the invention shown in Fig. 8 is
similar to that previously explained. The two
finger pieces 96 and 91 are first squeezed together
causing the catches 94 and 95 to be spread apart.
Spring I3 is next applied to the head 86 and 35
moved along said head until the end of the spring
engages the shoulder 88. The ñnger pieces are
then released and the catches 94 and 95 are
forced into engagement with the convolutions of
the spring through the action of the compression
spring 98. In removing the swab holder the re
verse procedure is adopted.
With my invention the swab holder and swab
can be quickly and easily applied to and detached
from the support therefor. Similarly, the sup- ¿45
port can be likewise easily applied to and de
tached from the handle on which the same is
mounted. With my invention it is merely neces
sary to force the parts together when the same
become automatically locked, thereby requiring .50
no particular eiîort in securing the parts together.
In releasing the` parts it is merely necessary to
press together the two finger pieces controlling
the catches, whereupon the parts are readily dis
engaged.
My invention can be constructed at a `55
nominal cost and is positive in action.
Changes in the specific form of my invention,
as herein disclosed, may be made within the
scope of what is claimed without departing from
the spirit of my invention.
160
Having described my invention, what I claim
as new and desire to protect by Letters Pat
ent is:
l. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder compris
ing a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop,-` 65
a support attached to the handle, said support
being formed with a socket for the reception of
one end of the coil spring, a catch carried by the
support and movable into and out of engagement
with the convolutions of said coil spring, means'îo
for holding said catch in engagement with said
spring, said catch serving to hold the end of the
coil spring within said socket, and means carried
by the support for supporting the other end oi
said coil spring.
575
2,043,303
4
2. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder com
prising a coil spring arranged in the form of
a loop, a support attached to the handle, said
support being formed with a socket for the recep
tion of one end of the coil spring, a movable arm
mounted on said support and extending into said
coil spring, said arm having a catch movable
into and out of engagement with the convolu
tions of the coil spring, means for holding said,
10 catch in engagement with said spring and means
carried by the support for supporting the other
end of said coil spring.
3. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder com
prising a coil spring arranged in the form of a
15 loop, a support attached to the handle, said sup
port being formed with a socket for the recep
tion of one end of the coil spring, a movable arm
mounted on said support and extending into
said coil spring, said arm having a catch movable
20 into and out of engagement with the convolu
tions of the coil spring, a linger piece formed
on said arm for moving the same to disengage
said catch from engagement with the convolu
tions of said coil spring, means for holding said
25 catch in engagement with said spring and means
carried by the support for supporting the other
end of said coil spring.
4. In a mop, a, handle, a swab holder compris
ing a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop,
30 a support attached to the handle, said support
being formed with a socket for the reception of
one end of the coil spring, a U-shaped spring
disposed within said socket and extending into
said coil spring, said spring being formed with
35 Vtwo arms extending in the same direction,
catches formed on said arms for engagement
with the convolutions of the coil spring, means
for anchoring said spring to said support and
means carried by the support for supporting the
40 other end of the coil spring.
5. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder com
prising a coil spring arranged in the form of
a loop, a support attached to the handle, said
support being formed with a socket for the re
ception of one end of the coil spring, a U-shaped
spring disposed within said socket and extend
ing into said coil spring, said spring being formed
with two arms extending in the same direction,
catches formed on said arms for engagement with
50 the convolutions of the coil spring, a pin ex
tending through said support and
slidably
through the ends of said arms for anchoring said
U-shaped spring within the socket, and means
carried by the support for supporting the other
5.5 end of said coil spring.
6. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder compris
ing a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop,
a support attached to the handle, said support
being formed with a socket for the reception
60 of one end of the coil spring, a U-shaped spring
disposed within said socket and extending into
said coil spring, said spring being formed with
two arms extending in the same direction, catches
>formed on said arms for engagement with the
65 convolutions of the coil spring, a pin extending
through said support and slidably through the
ends of said arms for anchoring. said U-shaped
spring within the socket, said support having
openings therein and finger pieces on said arms
70 and extending through said openings by means
of which the arms may be brought together to
simultaneously disengage said catches from the
convolutions of the spring, and means carried
by the support for supporting the other end of
75 the coil spring.
"1. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder com
prising a coil spring arranged in the fonn of a
loop, a support attached to said handle, said
support comprising a U-shaped spring adapted
to enter into one end of said coil spring, said
U-shaped spring being formed with two arms,
means for securing one of said arms to the han
dle, a catch on the other of said arms for en
gagement with the convolutions of the coil spring,
said last named arm having portions extending 10
outwardly beyond the coil spring and serving as
a finger piece for disengaging said catch from
the convolutions of the coil spring, and means
carried by the support for supporting the other
15
end of the coil spring.
8. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder compris
ing a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop,
a support secured lto said handle and adapted to
extend into one end of said coil spring, a pair
of leaf springs secured to said support on either 20
side thereof, and normally ilexed away from one
another, catches formed on said leaf springs for
engagement with the convolutions of the coil
spring, said leaf springs extending outwardly be
yond the ends of the coil spring and providing 25
finger pieces whereby said leaf springs may be
moved toward said support to disengage the same
from said coil spring, and means carried by the
support for supporting the other end of the coil
spring.
30
9. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder compris
ing a coil spring arranged in the form of a loop,
a support attached to the handle, said support
having an elongated part adapted to receive one
end of the coil spring and to guide it for longi 35
tudinal movement therealong, a catch movable
into- and out of engagement with the convolu
tions of said coil spring, means carried by said
support and supporting the catch, said means
yieldingly holding the catch into engagement 40
with the coil spring, means for moving the catch
out of engagement therewith, and means carried
by the support for supporting the other end of
the coil spring.
10. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder com 45
prising a coil spring arranged in the form of a
loop, a support attached to said handle, said
support being formed with a socket for the re
ception of one end of the coil spring, a movable
arm disposed within said socket and extending 50
into said coil spring, said arm having a catch
movable into and out of engagement with the
convolutions of the coil spring, means for hold
ing said catch in engagement with said coil
spring, said support having a hole therethrough
communicating with said socket, a linger piece
on said arm, said ñnger piece extending through
said hole and being engageable from without said
support to disengage the catch from the coil
spring and means carried by the support for sup
porting the other end of the coil spring.
11. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder com
prising a coil spring arranged in the form of a
loop, a support attached to said handle, said sup
port being formed with a socket for the reception
of one end of the coil spring, a movable arm dis
posed within said socket and extending into said
coil spring, said arm being constructed of spring
material and engaging said support, said arm
having a catch movable into and out of engage 70
ment with the convolutions of the coil spring,
said arm serving through the resiliency thereof
to hold the catch in engagement with the con
volutions of said coil spring, said support hav
ing a hole therethrough communicating with 75
2,043,303
said socket, said arm having an offset portion
adapted to extend through said hole and serving
as a finger piece for moving the catch out of
engagement with the- convo-lutions of said coil
spring and means carried by the support for sup
porting the other end of the coil spring.
12. In a mop, a handle, a swab holder compris
ing a coil spring arranged ih the form of a loop, a
support attached to the handle, said support be
10 ing constructed with a shank adapted to be re
ceived Within the convolutions of the coil spring,
a movable arm attached to said shank at the for
5
Ward end thereof and extending into the coil
spring, said arm having a catch movable into and
out of engagement with the convolutions of the
coil spring in proximity to the end thereof,
means for urging said catch into engagement 5
with the convolutions of the coil spring, and a
portion of said arm extending outwardly beyond
the end of the coil spring and serving as a linger
piece for manipulating said arm and means car
ried by the support for supporting the other end 10
of the coil spring.
CLARENCE J. OSTDIEK.