Adjustable holder for cleaning implement

Abstract

A dusting device is disclosed. There is a telescoping handle, a shank mountable to the handle, and a supporting fork mounted to the shank for relative rotation with respect thereto. A cleaning sleeve is replaceably mountable on the fork for single use dusting purposes. The angle of the fork with respect to the telescoping handle can be releasably fixed by a catch mechanism. While the catch is sufficiently strong to resist angle adjustment during normal dusting, it permits the angle to be adjusted by firmly pressing the end of the fork (with or without the sleeve thereon) against a wall while holding the distal end of the telescoping handle. This converts the duster from a wall duster, to a duster capable of cleaning the tops of ceiling fan blades, without the need for a consumer to touch a portion of the device near the duster head. In another aspect the device has two such adjustable forks for holding two such sleeves which can be used simultaneously.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not applicable. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to cleaning devices such as hand dusters and dust mops. More particularly, it relates to devices of this type having a replaceable cleaning implement, preferably a telescoping handle, and an adjustable support head for mounting the cleaning implement relative to the handle at various angles. [0004] It is well known to clean dust and dirt from floors, furniture, or other room surfaces by rubbing a dust rag against the surface, such that the dust and dirt adhere to the cloth. Sometimes this cleaning is facilitated by wetting the rag with water, a polish or other liquid. Such cloths or strips thereof have on occasion also been mounted on a head of a cleaning implement, which in turn is affixed to an elongated handle, to thereby create a floor dust mop. See e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 2,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The connector and connection portions, when assembled in this fashion, constitute a threshold type holding system that essentially prevents rotation of the support head on the transverse axis when the support head is exposed to no torque, or a torque below a selected level of torque. However, it permits rotation of the support head on the transverse axis when the support head is exposed to above that selected level of torque. The term “essentially” is used in this context to recognize that the support head may have an inherent material flexibility such that lower levels of torque will cause the material to flex.

[0021] For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment the angular adjustment can be achieved while the consumer is only holding a portion of the telescoping handle very remote from the duster. A consumer can merely press the head end against a wall or floor without having to bring the head towards the consumer or re-orient the head using a complex locking mechanism adjacent or at the connector / connecting portions. Not only is this a quicker adjustment that is achieved with low cost parts, for consumers having allergies or asthma this will be perceived to be of importance. In any event, the consumer will be able to have a very wide variety of adjustment position settings, corresponding to the number of recesses in the wheel.

Problems solved by technology

Note that if the threshold is set above 1.4 Newton meters of torque some consumers may have difficulty adjusting the positions of the holder, and there may be some instances of material breakage as some consumers apply too much force when trying to cause the adjustment.

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