Self-wringing flat mop

Abstract

Disclosed is a self-wringing flat mop. The mop includes a shaft having an operator end and a cleaning end, a plate disposed at a cleaning end of the shaft and being pivotally connected thereto, and a wringing mechanism. A liquid absorbent member is disposed on the plate. The wringing mechanism includes a wringing handle that is disposed on a shaft and that is axially moveable with respect thereto, and a wringer connected to the wringing handle. When wringing the mop, the wringing handle is moved relative to the axis of the shaft to thereby move the wringer into a position wherein the wringer exerts a force on the plate compressing the liquid absorbent member between the plate and the wringer. The mop includes a retainer connected to the shaft for releasably retaining the plate in the wringing position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cleaning implement comprising: 
 a shaft having an operating end and a cleaning end;    a plate having a shaft side and a cleaning side and being pivotally connected to said shaft at said cleaning end and movable over a range of travel between a plate wringing position and non-wringing positions;    a liquid absorbent member disposed on the cleaning side of said plate;    a wringing mechanism including a wringing handle disposed on said shaft and being moveable with respect thereto and including a wringer connected to said wringing handle and movable to wringing positions, said wringer in said wringing positions compressing said liquid absorbent member between said wringer and said cleaning side of said plate; and    a retainer connected to said shaft for releasably retaining said plate in said plate wringing position.    
     
     
         2 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1 , said plate being connected to said shaft via a universal joint which allows pivotal movement of said plate relative to said shaft in two directions perpendicular to the axis of said shaft.  
     
     
         3 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1 , wherein said wringer is a roller.  
     
     
         4 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 3 , said wringing mechanism including at least one tension rod connecting said wringing handle to said roller.  
     
     
         5 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 1 , said retainer being disposed on said shaft and being movable with respect thereto, said retainer being movable over a range of travel between a plate retaining position and non-retaining positions.  
     
     
         6 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 5 , said retainer comprising a dock releasably retaining said wringer with respect to said dock when said wringer is in a fully retracted position.  
     
     
         7 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 6 , said dock traveling with said retainer with respect to said shaft over a portion of the range of travel of said wringer with respect to said shaft, whereby said dock may be moved into and out of said plate retaining position by moving said wringer with respect to said shaft.  
     
     
         8 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 7 , said dock including a shaft retainer, a portion of said shaft retainer engaging said shaft and enabling releasable retention of said dock with respect to said shaft.  
     
     
         9 . A cleaning implement according to  claim 8 , said shaft retainer comprising a treadle spring, said treadle spring engaging said wringer over a portion of range of travel of said wringer with respect to said shaft.