Cleaning implement and joint therefor

Abstract

A cleaning implement for removing debris from a surface comprises a handle, a mop head, and a joint connecting the handle and mop head; wherein the joint is adjustable and lockable. The joint allows the angle between the mop head and the handle to be adjusted appropriately and then locked into place. Another embodiment of the present cleaning implement comprises a handle and a mop head, wherein the mop heads comprises one or more gliders to facilitate the ability of the cleaning implement to glide smoothly across the surface being cleaned. Methods of removing debris comprise the step of contacting the surface with a cleaning implement of the present invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cleaning implement for removing debris from a surface, said cleaning implement comprising: 
 (a) a handle having an inner surface and an outer surface;    (b) a mop head;    (c) a joint connecting said handle and said mop head; wherein said joint is lockable; and    (d) a cleaning sheet attached to said mop head.    
     
     
         2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said joint can be unlocked by twisting said handle in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction so as to adjust the angle between said mop head and said handle; wherein said joint can be locked by twisting said handle in a direction opposite said counterclockwise or clockwise direction; thereby fixing said angle between said mop head and said handle.  
     
     
         3 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2  wherein said joint comprises a ball and a socket; wherein said joint is locked by tightening said ball against said socket, and wherein said socket has universal motion when handle is twisted to unlock said joint.  
     
     
         4 . The cleaning implement of  claim 2  wherein said joint comprises a turret and a locking nut, and wherein said joint is locked by tightening said nut against said turret, and wherein said joint can be moved in back or forth direction when said nut is loosened.  
     
     
         5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said cleaning sheet comprises a substrate having a plurality of protrusions affixed to said substate.  
     
     
         6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said joint comprises a slideable locking member for locking said handle at a fixed angle relative to said mop head.  
     
     
         7 . The cleaning implement of  claim 6  wherein said mop head comprises at least one of a recess or projection for being engaged or engaging said slideable locking member.  
     
     
         8 . The cleaning implement of  claim 6  wherein said joint comprises a universal joint having a first and a second rotational axis, and wherein said mop head is rotationally attached to said universal joint about said first rotational axis and wherein said handle is rotationally attached to said universal joint about said second rotational axis.  
     
     
         9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8  wherein said first and second rotational axis are located in substantially a same plane.  
     
     
         10 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8  wherein said first and second rotational axis are not located in a same plane.  
     
     
         11 . The cleaning implement of  claim 8  wherein said universal joint comprises an opening and wherein said slideable locking member is slideably movable within said opening.  
     
     
         12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 10  wherein said slideable locking member is slideably movable along the outer surface of said handle.  
     
     
         13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said joint comprises a female locking member and a male locking member for removably engaging said female locking member.  
     
     
         14 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said handle is flexibly attached to said mop head.  
     
     
         15 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein said joint is locked and wherein the angle between said handle and said mop head is comprised between about between about 0 and about 90 degrees.  
     
     
         16 . The cleaning implement of  claim 15  wherein said angle is comprised between about 20 and about 70 degrees.  
     
     
         17 . A locking device for locking the handle of a floor mop at a fixed angle, said floor mop comprising a mop head rotationally attached to a handle with a universal joint having a substantially cross shape, said locking device comprising: 
 a support plate;    a first locking plate attached to said support plate; and    a second and a third locking plate attached to said support plate.    
     
     
         18 . The locking device of  claim 17  wherein said first locking plate is attached to said support plate such that the angle between said first locking plate and said support plate is comprised between about 20 and 70 degrees.  
     
     
         19 . The locking device of  claim 18  wherein said second and said third locking plates are attached to said support plate such that the angle between said second and third locking plate and said support plate is comprised between about 20 and about 160 degrees.  
     
     
         20 . The locking device of  claim 11  wherein said first locking plate prevents rotation of said handle about a first rotational axis of said universal joint when said locking device is inserted within said universal joint.  
     
     
         21 . The locking device of  claim 17  wherein said second and third locking plate prevent rotation of said handle about a second rotational axis of said universal joint when said locking device is inserted within said universal joint.  
     
     
         22 . A locking device for locking the handle of a floor mop at a fixed angle, said floor mop comprising a mop head rotationally attached to a handle with a universal joint having a first and a second rotational axis, wherein said first and second rotational axis are located in different planes, said locking device comprising: 
 a support plate, said support plate comprising a notch substantially adjacent one of said support plate edges;    a first locking plate having a top and a bottom portion wherein said first locking plate is attached to said support plate; and    a second and a third locking plate having a top and a bottom portion, wherein said second and third locking plates are attached to said support plate such that said notch is located substantially between said second and third locking plates.    
     
     
         23 . The locking device of  claim 22  wherein the length of said second and third locking plates is greater than the length of said first locking plate such that when said bottom portion of said first, second and third locking plates are in contact with a substantially flat surface, the andle between said first, second and third plates and said substantially flat surface is compised between about about 20 and about 160 degrees.  
     
     
         24 . The locking device of  claim 23  wherein said first, second and third locking plates prevent rotation of said handle about said first rotational axis of said universal joint when said universal joint is located within said locking device.  
     
     
         25 . The locking device of  claim 23  wherein said first, support plate prevents rotation of said handle about said second rotational axis of said universal joint when said universal joint is located within said locking device.