Title: Collar to be used with a deck mop to retain yarn and connect to the handle
Abstract: A novel, new and improved attachment collar for a deck mop, by which mop yarn can be quickly and efficiently attached together and by which the collar can be quickly and efficiently attached to a handle.
Patent Number: 6,941,608 Issued on 09/13/2005 to Morad, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Morad; Fred I. (Toluca Lake, CA);
Horian; James G. (Newport Beach, CA)
|
| Assignee:
|
Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc. (Commerce, CA);
Metro Bay Products, Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
366989 |
| Filed:
|
February 13, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
15/228; 15/145; 15/229.1; 15/229.2 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A47L 013/24 |
| Field of Search: |
15/145,147.1,229.1,228,228.02,118,119.1,115
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kim; John
Assistant Examiner: Bahta; Abraham
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rozsa; Thomas I., Chen; Tony D.
Claims
1. A collar to retain mop yarn and attach to a mop handle having exterior threads
adjacent one end comprising:
a. a first section comprising a first half hemisphere having a first lower wall,
a first interior face, a first interior side, a top having a first half sleeve
with a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal threads, the first half sleeve
having a first interior wall containing male teeth and a second interior wall containing
female receiving members;
b. a second section comprising a second half hemisphere having a second lower
wall, a second interior face, a second interior side, a top having a second half
sleeve with a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal threads, the second
half sleeve having a first interior wall containing female receiving members and
a second interior wall containing male teeth;
c. a flexible strap member interconnecting the first section and the second section
and extending from the interior face of the first half hemisphere to the interior
face of the second half hemisphere; and
d. the first section and the second section being movable toward each other by
rotation of the two sections together as the flexible strap is bent in a direction
away from the interior faces of the half hemisphere such that when the first and
second interior sides of the half hemisphere touch a full hemisphere is formed
from the first half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere and a full sleeve
is formed from the first half sleeve and the second half sleeve, which full sleeve
forms a cylindrical interior wall having mating threaded sections from each half
sleeve to form full threads on the interior cylindrical wall, the male teeth on
the first interior wall of the first half sleeve aligned with the female receiving
members on the first interior wall of the second half sleeve and the male teeth
on the second interior wall of the second half sleeve aligned with the female receiving
members on the second interior wall of the first half sleeve;
e. whereby mop yarn is laid over the flexible strap between the first and second
half hemispheres, and when the first and second sections are brought together,
the central portion of the mop yarn at the location of the flexible strap is trapped
within the fully formed hemisphere while the male teeth and female receiving members
serve to retain the first and second sections together to form a full collar, the
mop yarn hangs down below the full hemisphere, and the fully formed threads on
the interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve receive the threads of the mop handle.
2. The collar as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a. a first set of fastener pins on the first interior face of the first half
hemisphere, the fastener pins extending away from the first interior face; and
b. a second set of fastener pins on the second interior face of the second half
hemisphere, the fastener pins extend away from the second interior face;
c. whereby, when the collar is formed, the first and second set of fastener pins
are embedded into the mop yarn.
3. The collar as defined in claim 2, wherein the first set of fastener pins are
offset from the second set of fastener pins.
4. The collar as defined in claim 1, further comprising:
a. a set of fastener pins on said flexible strap, the fastener pins extending
toward the first and second interior faces of the first and second half hemispheres
when the full hemisphere is formed;
b. whereby, when the collar is formed, the fastener pins are embedded into the
mop yarn.
5. The collar as defined in claim 1, wherein after the collar is formed, the
first half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere are attached together by sonic
welding at the location of the first interior side and the second interior side.
6. The collar as defined in claim 1, wherein as the collar is formed, the first
half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere are attached together by attachment
means at the location of the first interior side and the second interior side.
7. The collar as defined in claim 6, wherein the attachment means comprises adhesive
attached to at least one of the two interior sides.
8. The collar and mop handle as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
a. a nipple formed into the upper interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve at
a location above the uppermost thread; and
b. a ratchet section having exterior ratchet teeth surrounding the mop handle
at a location adjacent the exterior threads farthest from the end of the mop handle;
c. whereby, when the exterior threads of the mop handle are threaded into the
threads on the interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve, the nipple interlocks with
the ratchet teeth to thereby prevent the mop handle from being removed from the collar.
9. A collar to retain mop yarn and attach to a mop handle having exterior threads
adjacent one end comprising:
a. a first section comprising a first half hemisphere having a first lower wall,
a first interior face, a first interior side, a top having a first half sleeve
with a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal threads, the first half sleeve
having internal threads, the first half sleeve having interior walls having fastener means;
b. a second section comprising a second half hemisphere having a second lower
wall, a second interior face, a second interior side, a top having a second half
sleeve with a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal threads, the second
half sleeve having fastener means;
c. a flexible strap member interconnecting the first section and the second section
at a location adjacent the first lower wall of the first half hemisphere and the
second lower wall of the second half hemisphere; and
d. the first section and the second section being movable toward each other by
rotation of the two sections together as the flexible strap is bent in a direction
away from the interior faces of the half hemisphere such that when the first and
second interior sides of the half hemisphere touch a full hemisphere is formed
from the first half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere and a full sleeve
is formed from the first half sleeve and the second half sleeve, which full sleeve
forms a cylindrical interior wall having mating threaded sections from each half
sleeve to form full threads on the interior cylindrical wall and the fastener means
on the first half sleeve and the second half sleeve retain the first and second
sections together;
e. whereby mop yarn is laid over the flexible strap between the first and second
half hemispheres, and when the first and second sections are brought together,
the central portion of the mop yarn at the location of the flexible strap is trapped
within the fully formed hemisphere while the fastener means retain the first and
second half sections together to form the collar, the mop yarn hangs down below
the formed hemisphere, and the fully formed threads on the interior cylindrical
wall of the sleeve receive the threads of the mop handle.
10. The collar as defined in claim 9, wherein said fastener means comprises mating
male teeth and female receiving members located on the interior walls of the first
half sleeve and the second half sleeve.
11. The collar as defined in claim 9, wherein said fastener means comprises adhesive
located on at least one interior wall of one of the half sleeves.
12. The collar as defined in claim 9, wherein as the collar is formed, the first
half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere are attached together by attachment
means at the location of the first interior side and the second interior side.
13. The collar as defined in claim 12, wherein the attachment means comprises
adhesive attached to at least one of the two interior sides.
14. The collar as defined in claim 9, wherein after the collar is formed, the
first half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere are attached together by sonic
welding at the location of the first interior side and the second interior side.
15. The collar as defined in claim 9, further comprising:
a. a first set of fastener pins on the first interior face of the first half
hemisphere, the fastener pins extending away from the first interior face; and
b. a second set of fastener pins on the second interior face of the second half
hemisphere, the fastener pins extending away from the second interior face;
c. whereby when the collar is formed, the first and second set of fastener pins
are embedded into the mop yarn.
16. The collar as defined in claim 15, wherein the first set of fastener pins
are offset from the second set of fastener pins.
17. The collar as defined in claim 9, further comprising:
a. A set of fastener pins on at least one of the interior faces of the first
or second half hemisphere, the fastener pins extending away from the interior face
on which the fastener pins are located;
b. whereby when the collar is formed, the set of fastener pins are embedded into
the mop yarn.
18. The collar as defined in claim 9, further comprising:
a. a set of fastener pins on said flexible strap, the fastener pins extending
toward the first and second interior faces of the first and second half hemispheres
when the full hemisphere is formed;
b. whereby, when the collar is formed, the fastener pins are embedded into the
mop yarn.
19. The collar and mop handle as defined in claim 9, further comprising:
a. a nipple formed into the upper interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve at
a location above the uppermost thread; and
b. a ratchet section having exterior ratchet teeth surrounding the mop handle
at a location adjacent the interior threads furthest from the end of the mop handle;
c. whereby, when the exterior threads of the mop handle are threaded into the
threads on the interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve, the nipple interlocks with
the ratchet teeth to thereby prevent the mop handle from being removed from the collar.
20. A collar to retain mop yarn and attach to a mop handling having exterior
threads adjacent one end, comprising:
a. a first section comprising a first half hemisphere including a top having
a first half sleeve with an interior wall having threads;
b. a second section comprising a mating second half hemisphere including a top
having a mating second half sleeve with an interior wall having threads;
c. a flexible strap member interconnecting the first section and the second section
at the location of the first and second half hemispheres;
d. means to retain the first section and the second section together; and
e. the first section and the second section being movable toward each other by
rotation of the two sections together as the flexible strap is bent in a direction
away from the half hemispheres such that a full hemisphere and a full sleeve is
formed from the two sections when they are retained together, and full interior
threads are formed in the full sleeve;
f. whereby mop yarn is laid over the flexible strap between the first and second
half hemispheres, and when the first and second sections are brought together,
the central portion of the mop yarn at the location of the flexible strap is trapped
within the fully formed hemisphere, the mop yarn hangs down below the full hemisphere,
and the fully formed threads in the sleeve receive the threads of the mop handle.
21. The collar as defined in claim 20, wherein said means to retain the first
section and the second section together include mating male teeth and female receiving
members located on opposing interior walls of the first and second half sleeves.
22. The collar as defined in claim 20 wherein said means to retain the first
section and the second section together include adhesive located on at least one
opposing interior wall of the first and second half sleeves.
23. The collar as defined in claim 20, wherein as the collar is formed, the first
half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere are held together by fastening means.
24. The collar as defined in claim 23, wherein said fastening means is adhesive
located on at least one of said half hemispheres at the location where the two
half hemispheres are joined.
25. The collar as defined in claim 23, wherein said fastening means is sonic
welding at the location where the two half hemispheres are joined.
26. The collar as defined in claim 20, further comprising:
a. said first half hemisphere having a first interior face and a first set of
fastener pins on its first interior face, the fastener pins extending away from
the first interior face; and
b. said second half hemisphere having a second interior face and a second set
of fastener pins on its second interior face, the fastener pins extending away
from the second interior face;
c. whereby when the collar is formed, the first and second set of fastener pins
are embedded in the mop yarn.
27. The collar as defined in claim 26, wherein the first set of fastener pins
are offset from the second set of fastener pins.
28. The collar as defined in claim 20, further comprising:
a. said first half hemisphere and said second half hemisphere each having an
interior face, and a set of fastener pins on at least one interior face, the fastener
pins extending away from the interior face on which the fastener pins are located;
b. whereby when the collar is formed, the set of fastener pins are embedded into
the mop yarn.
29. The collar as defined in claim 20, further comprising:
a. a set of fastener pins on said flexible strap, the fastener pins extending
toward the hemisphere when the hemisphere is formed;
b. whereby when the collar is formed, the fastener pins are embedded into the
mop yarn.
30. The collar and mop handle as defined in claim 20, further comprising:
a. a nipple formed in said sleeve at a location above the uppermost internal
thread; and
b. a ratchet section having exterior ratchet teeth surrounding the mop handle
at a location adjacent the exterior threads furthest from the end of the mop handle;
c. whereby when the exterior threads of the mop handle are threaded into the
threads in the sleeve, the nipple interlocks with the ratchet teeth to thereby
prevent the mop handle from being removed from the collar.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of mops and more particularly, to
the field of deck mops. More particularly, the present invention relates to the
field of manufacturing and assembly of deck mops.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, deck mops are well known in the prior art. One major component of
a deck mop is the mop yarn which is attached to a mechanism through which the mop
yarn is attached to a handle.
In general, the mop yarn is sewn together and thereafter is fastened to a handle
by means of having a wire wrapped around the upper portion of the yarn so that
it is fastened to the handle which is in simple terms a cylindrical stick made
of wood or plastic. Alternatively, the mop yarn is sewn together and then retained
by a plastic cup by which the yarn is attached to the handle.
The various apparatus for retaining the mop yarn together and attaching the mop
yarn to the handle as known in the prior art involves a time consuming, labor intensive,
inefficient manufacturing and assembly process. There is a significant need for
a new and improved apparatus for assembling yarn for a deck mop and connecting
the yarn to the handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a novel, new and improved attachment collar for a deck
mop, by which mop yarn can be quickly and efficiently attached together and by
which the collar can be quickly and efficiently attached to a handle.
It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that if a collar
is
molded out of two separate half hemisphere sections connected by a strap, then
mop yarn can be laid across the strap section and the half hemispheres brought
together and sealed so that the upper middle portion of the yarn is entrapped within
the fully formed hemisphere. Thereafter, the hemisphere serves as a collar to retain
the mop yarn in fully operational condition.
It has further been discovered, according to the present invention, that if a
half sleeve is molded into the top portion of each half hemisphere, with threads
molded into the semi-cylindrical interior of each half sleeve, then when the half
hemispheres are brought together to retain the mop yarn, the half sleeves are also
brought together to form an integrated fully formed sleeve with a cylindrical interior
and internal threads through which a handle is attached to the collar.
It has also been discovered, according to the present invention, that if mating
fastener means are formed into the half sleeves, then upon being brought together,
the half sleeves serve to retain the collar together.
It has additionally been discovered, according to the present invention, that
after the half sleeves are brought together and retain the half hemispheres into
a fully formed hemisphere, the half hemispheres can also be permanently affixed
together to the full hemisphere by means such as sonic welding.
It has additionally been discovered, according to the present invention, that
if fastener pins are molded into the interior of the collar such as within the
half hemispheres and/or along the connecting strap, then upon formation of the
fully formed hemisphere, the fastener pins further serve to securely retain the
mop yarn within the fully formed collar and further interlock to retain the fully
formed collar in a more secured formed position.
It has further been discovered, according to the present invention, that if a
nipple is molded into the interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve and molded into
the location of the interior cylindrical wall above the internal threads, then
when the threaded end of the handle is screwed into the threads of the sleeve,
and if a ratchet section with ratchet teeth are molded into the end of the handle
at the location immediately above the threads, then the ratchet teeth will interlock
with the molded nipple in the cylindrical wall of the sleeve so that the handle
remains in the cylindrical wall of the sleeve of the collar and will not unscrew
during use of the mop.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a new and improved
collar wherein mop yarn which is located on a spool can be quickly unwound from
the spool and cut to the appropriate length and laid within the collar and by which
the collar can be quickly assembled together to retain the mop yarn therein in
a quick and efficient manner.
It is a further object of the present invention to create a new and improved
collar
which has molded into it a sleeve with a cylindrical interior and having internal
threads and a nipple member which can accommodate a threaded end of a mop handle
and retain the handle in a manner so that it will not become unscrewed when the
mop is in use.
It is a further object of the present invention to create means by which the
halves
of the collar which entrap the mop yarn can be quickly attached together and fastened
together in a quick assembly process.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide further means within
the collar by which the mop yarn of the mop can be secured and by which the collar
can be further interlocked by the means which serve to secure the mop yarn.
Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims,
taken in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration
only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fully assembled deck mop of the present
invention, with the mop yarn retained by the new and improved collar of the present
invention, which collar in turn is attached to the mop handle;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a strand of mop yarn inserted into one embodiment
of the collar of the present invention with the collar in the open condition before
assembly, with the lower portion of the handle shown before insertion into the collar;
FIG. 3 is an open perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention
collar, illustrating a first closure means;
FIG. 4 is an open perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention
collar with the addition of mop yarn fastener pins in the collar half hemispheres;
FIG. 5 is an open perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention
collar with the addition of mop yarn fastener pins on the attachment strap which
connects the collar half hemispheres;
FIG. 6 is an open perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention collar;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled collar without retaining mop yarn
and before insertion of the mop handle; and
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional top plan view of the collar as illustrated
in FIG. 7, with a portion of the handle inserted into the collar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are
by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many
possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles
of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled
in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the
spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in
the appended claims.
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the present invention comprises a one-piece
collar
10, preferably molded from a single piece of plastic. The collar
is formed of a first half hemisphere
20 and a second half hemisphere
30
which are connected together by an attachment strap
40 which connects the
lower portion of the half hemispheres and extends from the open bottom of the fully
formed hemisphere when the two half hemispheres
20 and
30 are brought
together. Molded into the top of first half hemisphere
20 is a first half
sleeve
22 having a semi-cylindrical interior wall
23 having internal
threads
24. Molded into the top of second half hemisphere
30 is a
second half sleeve
32 having a semi-cylindrical interior wall
29
having internal threads
34.
When the halves of the collar are brought together to form a full hemisphere,
a full sleeve is also formed from the two halves
22 and
32 and full
internal cylinder having full internal threads are formed from the two semi-cylindrical
walls
23 and
29 and two half thread sections
24 and
34.
Fastener means are used to retain the half sections of the sleeve together. By
way of example, male teeth
26 can be molded into one-half of the interior
wall
25 of first half sleeve
22 and female receiving members
28
can be molded into the opposite interior wall
27 of first half sleeve
22.
Similarly, male teeth
36 can be molded into one-half of the interior wall
35 of second half sleeve
22 and female receiving members
38
can be molded into the opposite interior wall
37 of second half sleeve
32.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the male teeth and female receiving members are aligned
so that they interlock and hold the collar together when the two halves are brought
together. The two half-hemispheres
20 and
30 can be sonic welded
at the location of their joining interior sidewalls
21 and
31.
Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, adhesive
80 can be
applied to the interior walls
35 and
37 and also to interior walls
25 and
27 if desired to seal the two half sleeves
22 and
23
together. Adhesive can also be applied to the interior sidewalls
21 and
31 of the half hemispheres if desired.
In one alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, a first set of fastener
pins
52 can be molded into interior face
50 of first half hemisphere
20
and a second set of fastener pins
62 can be molded into interior face
60
of second half hemisphere
30. Fastener pins
52 and
62 extend
away from their respective interior faces
50 and
60 and are offset
from each other so that the fastener pins
52 and
62 extend toward
the center of the fully formed hemisphere when the two half hemispheres
20
and
30 are brought together.
In another alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a third series of fastener
pins
72 can be molded into the interior face
70 of attachment strap
section
40 and extend along the entire length of attachment strap
40
including the portions that extend into the half hemispheres. The pins
72
are aligned so that they extend toward the center of the fully formed hemisphere
when the two half hemispheres are brought together.
The strands of mop yarn are wound on a large spool and therefore, during the
assembly process, the mop yarn
90 is unwound from a spool and cut to the
desired length. The open collar
10 is positioned to be aligned with the
spool of mop yarn so that the appropriately cut length of mop yarn is laid over
the interior face
70 of attachment strap
40 as illustrated in FIG.
2. The length of mop yarn
90 is positioned to be centered on the attachment
strap
40 so that an equal length of mop yarn extends on either side of the
attachment strap
40, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
After the mop yarn
90 is laid across the attachment strap
40,
the two half hemispheres
20 and
30 and the two half cylindrical sleeves
22 and
32 are brought together and attached together in the manner
previously described so that the center portion
92 of the mop yarn
90
is trapped within the fully formed hemisphere
16 created by the two half
hemispheres
20 and
30. The center
92 of the strand of mop
yarn
90 then lies over the attachment strap
40 and the mop yarn
90
evenly hangs down from the hemisphere
16 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
If fastener pins
52 and
62 are used, the fastener pins
52
and
62 are embedded into the strands of mop yarn
90 to trap the mop
yarn within the fully formed hemisphere
16 and to further secure the mop
yarn
90 into the hemisphere
16. If fastener pins
72 are used,
the fastener pins
72 are embedded into the strands of mop yarn
90
to trap the mop yarn within the fully formed hemisphere
16 and to further
secure the mop yarn
90 into the hemisphere
16.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, after the two halves are brought together to form the
fully formed collar
10, first half sleeve
22 and second half sleeve
32 form a full sleeve
82 and internal half threads
24 and
34 form a full set of interior threads
84.
An additional innovation is the molding of a nipple
86 into the upper
interior
wall
88 of the fully formed sleeve
82 above the location of the fully
formed threads
84. The mop handle
120 has a lower portion
110
having exterior threads
100 which are designed to be accommodated by and
threaded into the fully formed threads
84 of fully formed sleeve
82.
Immediately above threads
100 is a ratchet section
130 having ratchet
teeth
140, which ratchet section and teeth surround the mop handle
120.
After the mop handle threads
100 are fully threaded into the sleeve teeth
84, the handle
120 is further rotated until the nipple
86
interlocks with the ratchet teeth
140 as illustrated in FIG. 8. Once interlocked,
the mop handle
120 cannot be unthreaded from the collar
10. This
is a significant improvement because it has frequently been encountered in use
with prior art mops that as the handle is rotated during mopping, the handle unthreads
from the section of the mop into which it has been threaded. With the interlock
nipple and ratchet teeth, the handle will not unlock from the collar regardless
of how vigorous the mopping action is.
The entire collar assembly including all of the components mentioned above as
part of the collar can be molded in one single operation and can be molded out
of plastic, or any conventional synthetic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene
etc. Although not preferred, it is also possible to make the collar out of metal.
Defined in detail, the present invention is a collar to retain mop yarn and
attach to a mop handle having exterior threads adjacent one end comprising: (a)
a first section comprising a first half hemisphere having a first lower wall, a
first interior face, a first interior side, a top having a first half sleeve with
a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal threads, the first half sleeve
having a first interior wall containing male teeth and a second interior wall containing
female receiving members; (b) a second section comprising a second half hemisphere
having a second lower wall, a second interior face, a second interior side, a top
having a second half sleeve with a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal
threads, the second half sleeve having a first interior wall containing female
receiving members and a second interior wall containing male teeth; (c) a flexible
strap member interconnecting the first section and the second section and extending
from the interior face of the first half hemisphere to the interior face of the
second half hemisphere; and (d) the first section and the second section being
movable toward each other by rotation of the two sections together as the flexible
strap is bent in a direction away from the interior faces of the half hemisphere
such that when the first and second interior sides of the half hemisphere touch
a full hemisphere is formed from the first half hemisphere and the second half
hemisphere and a full sleeve is formed from the first half sleeve and the second
half sleeve, which full sleeve forms a cylindrical interior wall having mating
threaded sections from each half sleeve to form full threads on the interior cylindrical
wall, the male teeth on the first interior wall of the first half sleeve aligned
with the female receiving members on the first interior wall of the second half
sleeve and the male teeth on the second interior wall of the second half sleeve
aligned with the female receiving members on the second interior wall of the first
half sleeve; (e) whereby mop yarn is laid over the flexible strap between the first
and second half hemispheres, and when the first and second sections are brought
together, the central portion of the mop yarn at the location of the flexible strap
is trapped within the fully formed hemisphere while the male teeth and female receiving
members serve to retain the first and second sections together to form a full collar,
the mop yarn hangs down below the formal hemisphere, and the fully formed threads
on the interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve receive the threads of the mop handle.
Defined broadly, the present invention is a collar to retain mop yarn and
attach to a mop handle having exterior threads adjacent one end comprising: (a)
a first section comprising a first half hemisphere having a first lower wall, a
first interior face, a first interior side, a top having a first half sleeve with
a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal threads, the first half sleeve
having internal threads, the first half sleeve having interior walls having fastener
means; (b) a second section comprising a second half hemisphere having a second
lower wall, a second interior face, a second interior side, a top having a second
half sleeve with a semi-cylindrical interior wall having internal threads, the
second half sleeve having fastener means; (c) a flexible strap member interconnecting
the first section and the second section at a location adjacent the first lower
wall of the first half hemisphere and the second lower wall of the second half
hemisphere; and (d) the first section and the second section being movable toward
each other by rotation of the two sections together as the flexible strap is bent
in a direction away from the interior faces of the half hemisphere such that when
the first and second interior sides of the half hemisphere touch a full hemisphere
is formed from the first half hemisphere and the second half hemisphere and a full
sleeve is formed from the first half sleeve and the second half sleeve, which full
sleeve forms a cylindrical interior wall having mating threaded sections from each
half sleeve to form full threads on the interior cylindrical wall and the fastener
means on the first half sleeve and the second half sleeve retain the first and
second sections together; (e) whereby mop yarn is laid over the flexible strap
between the first and second half hemispheres, and when the first and second sections
are brought together, the central portion of the mop yarn at the location of the
flexible strap is trapped within the fully formed hemisphere while the fastener
means retain the first and second half sections together to form the collar, the
mop yarn hangs down below the formed hemisphere, and the fully formed threads on
the interior cylindrical wall of the sleeve receive the threads of the mop handle.
Defined more broadly, the present invention is a collar to retain mop yarn
and attach to a mop handling having exterior threads adjacent one end, comprising:
(a) a first section comprising a first half hemisphere including a top having a
first half sleeve with an interior wall having threads; (b) a second section comprising
a mating second half hemisphere including a top having a mating second half sleeve
with an interior wall having threads; (c) a flexible strap member interconnecting
the first section and the second section at the location of the first and second
half hemispheres; (d) means to retain the first section and the second section
together; and (e) the first section and the second section being movable toward
each other by rotation of the two sections together as the flexible strap is bent
in a direction away from the half hemispheres such that a full hemisphere and a
full sleeve is formed from the two sections when they are retained together, and
full interior threads are formed in the full sleeve; (f) whereby mop yarn is laid
over the flexible strap between the first and second half hemispheres, and when
the first and second sections are brought together, the central portion of the
mop yarn at the location of the flexible strap is trapped within the fully formed
hemisphere, the mop yarn hangs down below the formal hemisphere, and the fully
formed threads in the sleeve receive the threads of the mop handle.
Defined alternatively, the present invention is an apparatus to prevent a
mop handle from disengaging from a collar retaining mop yarn comprising: (a) a
mop handle having exterior threads adjacent one end and a ratchet section having
exterior ratchet teeth surrounding the mop handle at a location adjacent the exterior
threads farthest from the end of the mop handle; and (b) the collar having means
to retain the mop yarn and having a sleeve comprising an internal wall having threads
to receive the exterior threads of the mop handle, a nipple formed in the internal
wall of the sleeve at a location above the uppermost internal thread; (c) whereby
when the exterior threads of the mop handle are threaded into the threads on the
sleeve, the nipple interlocks with the ratchet teeth to thereby prevent the mop
handle from being removed from the collar.
Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular
form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed
herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and
described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration
and for disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various
forms or modifications in which the present invention might be embodied or operated.
The present invention has been described in considerable detail in order to comply
with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of at least one of its
forms. However, such detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the
broad features or principles of the present invention, or the scope of the patent
to be granted. Therefore, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the
appended claims.
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