Mesh sponge assembly with hinged handle

Abstract

A sponge assembly includes an elongated handle having a first end and an opposing second end. A mesh sponge is secured at the first end of the handle. Disposed between the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle is a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly enables moving of the handle between a folded position and an unfolded position. Formed on a joint of the hinge assembly is a notch. A latch is slidably mounted on the handle. At least a portion of the latch is configured to be slidably received within the notch on the hinge joint when the handle is in the unfolded position so as to lock the handle in the unfolded position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sponge assembly comprising: 
 an elongated handle having a first end and an opposing second end;    a sponge secured at the first end of the handle;    a hinge disposed between the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle so as to enable moving of the handle between a folded position and an unfolded position; and    means for selectively locking the hinge when the handle is in the unfolded position.    
     
     
         2 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for selectively locking comprises: 
 a notch formed on the hinge; and    a latch slidably mounted on the handle, at least a portion of the latch being configured to be received within the notch on the hinge so as to prevent moving of the handle between the folded position and the unfolded position.    
     
     
         3 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the latch is slidably disposed within a slot formed on the handle.  
     
     
         4 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the latch at least partially encircles a portion of the handle.  
     
     
         5 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the latch is configured to slidably pass over the hinge so as to lock the hinge.  
     
     
         6 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the handle has a first portion disposed on one side of the hinge and an opposing second portion disposed on the opposing side of the hinge, the means for selectively locking comprising: 
 an arm having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the arm being secured to the first portion of the handle; and    a catch formed on the second end of the arm, the catch being configured to selectively engage the second portion of the handle.    
     
     
         7 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sponge comprises a mesh sponge.  
     
     
         8 . A sponge assembly comprising: 
 an elongated handle having a first end and an opposing second end;    a mesh sponge secured at the first end of the handle;    a hinge assembly disposed between the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle so as to enable moving of the handle between a folded position and an unfolded position, the hinge having a notch formed thereon; and    a latch slidably mounted on the handle, at least a portion of the latch being configured to be selectively received within the notch on the hinge when the hinge in the unfolded position so as to lock the handle in the unfolded position.    
     
     
         9 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the mesh sponge is comprised of a plurality of discrete tubes of mesh material.  
     
     
         10 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the latch is slidably disposed within an elongated slot extending through a portion of the handle.  
     
     
         11 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the latch comprises: 
 a body; and    a pair of flexible fingers projecting from the body, the flexible fingers securing the body to the handle.    
     
     
         12 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a substantially L-shaped nose projecting from the body, a portion of the nose being configured to be received within the notch.  
     
     
         13 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the notch has a substantially V-shaped transverse cross section.  
     
     
         14 . A sponge assembly as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the handle has a front face and an opposing back face, the hinge assembly projecting from below the front face outwardly past the back face.  
     
     
         15 . An assembly comprising: 
 a first structural member;    a first hinge joint secured to the first structural member, the first hinge joint having opposing end faces with a side face each extending therebetween, a notch being recessed on the side face of the first hinge joint;    a second structural member;    a second hinge joint secured to the second structural member;    a pin rotatably securing the first hinge joint to the second hinge joint; and    a latch slidably mounted on the second structural member, a portion of the latch being configured to be selectively received within the notch on the first hinge joint so as to prevent rotation between the first hinge joint and the second hinge joint.    
     
     
         16 . An assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first structural member and the first hinge joint are integrally molded together from a plastic.  
     
     
         17 . An assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first structural member has a front face and an opposing back face, the first hinge joint projecting from below the front face outwardly past the back face.  
     
     
         18 . An assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the latch is slidably disposed within an elongated slot extending through a portion of the handle.  
     
     
         19 . A method for packaging comprising: 
 obtaining a sponge assembly comprising: 
 an elongated handle having a first end and an opposing second end;  
 a sponge secured at the first end of the handle; and  
 a hinge assembly disposed between the first end of the handle and the second end of the handle so as to enable moving of the handle between a folded position and an unfolded position;  
   folding the handle into the folded position;    inserting the folded handle into a select hole formed on a box, the box comprising: 
 a floor;  
 a perimeter wall upstanding from the floor and bounding a compartment; and  
 a support shelf at least partially disposed within the compartment at a spaced apart location above the floor, a plurality of holes extending through the support shelf, the select hole being chosen from the plurality of holes.  
   
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the act of providing a sponge assembly comprises a mesh sponge being secured at the first end of the handle.