Floor maintenance tool and method

US8241427B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Diversey, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Charles A. Crawford · Racine, US
• Andrew M. Bober · Racine, US
• Craig P. Conner · Madison, US
• Mark W. Cors · Menomonee Falls, US
• Nicholas Reback · Monona, US
• Daniel John Lee · Brentwood, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 29, 2008
• Grant date: Aug 14, 2012
• Expiry date: May 29, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16K7/065
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A floor tool is provided, and includes a handle with first and second opposite ends through which a longitudinal axis of the handle extends, and a mop head coupled to the second end of the handle. In some embodiments, a fluid container is coupled to and carried by the handle at a location between the first and second ends of the handle. The fluid container can have a center of mass offset from the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, a portion of the handle is located between the fluid container and the first end of the handle, and is offset from the longitudinal axis more than center of mass of the fluid reservoir. The floor tool can also have a valve coupled to the handle and having a gap into which a length of conduit extending from the fluid container can be laterally inserted. A valve-actuating trigger can be coupled to the handle for rotation, such that the trigger pivot point is closer to the second end of the handle than the terminal end of the trigger squeezed by a user.