Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of cleaning implements, and more particularly, to a cleaning implement having a handle, a cleaning head member and an angled ergonomic grip wherein the angled grip provides increased control of the head member with reduced effort by the user.

Background of the Invention

Conventional straight handled cleaning implements, such as mops, are known and typically comprise a handle attached to a substantially flat cleaning head member via a universal joint. These devices are generally controlled by applying a force to the handle which results in the cleaning head member moving in the direction of the force. However, these conventional devices provide essentially no rotational leverage on the mop ha- ndle and thus, provide poor maneuverability of the mop head. Instead, these devices are maneuvered by angling the user's wrists and/or body in an awkward and unnatural position.

Specifically, the ease of pivotal movement of the head member is determined by the moment arm of the handle, (i.e., the force required to rotate the head member about the axis of the handle Which is determined by the component of force applied about the axis and the distance that the force is applied perpendicular to the axis). A conventional straight handled mop has no perpendicular attachment relative to the mop handle's axis of rotation and thus, has virtually no moment arm beyond the minimal moment arm afforded by the radius of the shaft and the physical dimensions of the user's hand. Therefore, a straight handled mop is difficult to rotate, and subsequently, the universally jointed head is likewise difficult to maneuver.

In an attempt to overcome this limitation, both I nds can be placed on the conventional mop handle for more effective control of the head member, but this is inconvenient and cumbersome for the user. Another problem of a conventional straight handled mop is slipping which usually results in the user tightly gripping the handle with one or both hands.

Furthermore, when mopping with a conventional straight handled^mop, the user must rotate their wrist downward to grip the mop shaft. Since this extreme wrist position is less comfortable, users tend to lean forward to reduce the downward angle of the wrist and as a result, increase the downward angle of the torso. This

bending from the waist creates a stooped posture which can lead to back ache and fatigue. Additionally, since maneuvering the mop head with a straight shaft is difficult, especially with one hand, users will grasp the shaft even lower with a second hand, which also requires a stooped posture.

Therefore, what is needed is a cleaning implement having an ergonomic handle which is angled to provide increased control of the head member with reduced effort and reduced discomfort to the user.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cleaning implement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved ergonomic grip.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cleaning implement having a handle, a cleaning head member pivotally attached to the handle at a first end, and an angled grip attached to the handle at a second end for providing increased pivotal control of the head member using minimal effort.

Brief Description of the Drawing

FIG. 1 is a side view of the preferred cleaning implement according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred ergonomic grip according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to FIG. 1 , the preferred cleaning implement 1 comprises a handle 2, a cleaning head member 3 pivotally attached to the handle 2 at a first end by a universal joint 5 and an angled ergonomic grip 4 attached to the handle 2 at a second end for providing increased pivotal control of the head member 3 with rr.inimal effort and relatively unconstricted movement by the user. Furthermore, the preferred cleaning implement 1 includes a cleaning fabric 6 removably attached to a substantially flat surface 7 of the head member 3.

The ergonomic grip 4 is preferably shown on a cleaning implemenl 1 but may be used on a variety of devices without deviating from the intent of the invention. In addition, the handle 2 and the head member 3 are pivotally attached preferably by the universal joint 5 but may be pivotally attached in a variety of ways without deviating from the intent of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the grip 4 preferably comprises a barrel portion 1 1 which is attached to the handle 2 and a grip portion 1 1a which extends from the barrel portion 1 1. The preferred grip also has first and second hook portions 9 and 10, respectively, for comfortably retaining the user's hand. The user's thumb is preferably positioned adjacent first hook portion 9 in a contoured wrap-around first groove 12 and the fingers are positioned adjacent second hook portion 10 in a contoured second wrap-around groove 12a, thus enabling better control of the grip 4 by providing immediate visual and tactile feedback of the optimal hand position. Specifically, first hook portion 9 creates a mechanical lock and prevents slippage of the user's hand over the ergonomic grip 4 when the cleaning implement 1 is pushed away from the user in a forward direction. Similarly, second hook portion 10 also creates a mechanical lock with the user's hand and retains the grip 4 with relatively minimal gripping force when the cleaning implement 1 is pulled toward the user in a backward direction.

In addition, the central axis 13 of the barrel portion 1 1 is preferably positioned approximately 115 degrees from the central axis 14 of the grip portion 1 la at an angle 15. At the preferred angle 15, the central axis 14 of the grip portion 1 la is substantially perpendicular to the handle 2 during operation of the mop head 3 during operation. As a result, the grip 4 allows the cleaning implement 1 to be controlled without the user moving the hand or wrist in an unnatural position but instead allows the user to maintain the wrist and arm in a substantially straight line. Furthermore, the grip portion 1 la provides a moment arm for pivoting the handle 2 and subsequently the head member 3, thereby allowing additional control of the cleaning implement 1 with only one hand.

The first and second hook portions 9 and 10 provide immediate visual and tactile feedback of the correct hand position for optimum comfort. In addition, the ergonomic grip 4 is preferably contoured for v.arying hand sizes.

In operation, the user places their hand in the contours of the grip 4 such that the thumb is positioned in the first groove 12 adjacent the first hook portion 9 while the fingers are placed adjacent to the second hook portion 10 in the second groove 12a. The cleaning fabric 6 is attached to the substantially flat surface 7, which is placed on the area to be cleaned. The preferred cleaning implement 1 is then controlled by moving the angled grip 4 in the forward and backward directions by simply pushing or pulling the grip 4, respectively. In addition, the head member 3 may be pivoted along the moment-arm created by the grip portion 1 1 a of the grip 4 by rotating the grip portion 1 la in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction 8a and

8b (FIG. 1), respectively. The maximum moment arm is created by rota:ing the second hook portion 10 about the central axis of the handle 2.

The cleaning implement 1, specifically the head member 3, may be moved in the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction 8a and 8b, respectively. This clockwise and counter-clockwise 8a and 8b rotation is directly translated to the head member 3 and enables significantly improved control of cleaning implement 1 while maintaining the user's wrist 16 in an unconstricted position. In addition, the angled grip 4 significantly reduces slipping by providing direct translation of force for maneuvering the head member 3. Furthermore, with the angled grip 4, both the extreme wrist position and the requirement for a second hand are alleviated, and a more natural upright posture is possible.

In anatomical terms, the preferred implement 1 provides an improved grip, and subsequently improved control, through neutral carpal orientation. For example, when mopping with a straight-handled mop, the user must rotate their wrist downward to grip the mop shaft in a lateral adduction which constitutes the maximal ulnar deviation (30°) of the caipus. This constricts and compresses the carpal tunnel, thus diverting direct muscular attachments from the upper arm and producing a weaker grip. The ergonomic grip 4 allows the user to opeiate the cleaning implement 1 with a substantially "straight" wrist and essentially no radial or ulnar deviation, and a marginal wrist dorsiflexion which constitutes the most favorable functional position of the hand -and results in maximum gripping force.

The preferred angled ergonomic grip 4 also provides increased mop maneuverability and one-handed operation through increased rotational leverage. In contrast to a conventional straight handled mop which is difficult to rotate, particularly one with a universally jointed head, the angled grip 4 provides a significantly greater moment arm, on the order of seven times greater, which is determined by dividing the approximate, length of the grip portion 1 la (3.5 inches) by the approximate length of the radius of a straight-handled mop (0.5 inches). Therefore, rotation of the handle 2 can be achieved with approximately 7 times less force (14%) with the preferred grip 4 than with a conventional shaft, allowing for easy one-handed rotation of the head member 3. The grip 4 thus increases maneuverability and provides a head member 3 which can easily be "steered" one- handed by the user around various objects on the floor. The maneuverability of the head member 3 is further increased by simply pointing the central axis 13 of the barrel portion 1 1 in the desired direction of the head member 3. Thus, the*preferred grip 4 also provides increased directional control relative to a conventional c leaning implement.

While the embodiment of the invention shown and described is fully capable of achieving the results desired, it is to be understood that this embodiment has been shown and described for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation. Other variations in the form and details that occur to those skilled in the art and which are within the spirit and scope of the invention are not specifically addressed. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the appended claims.