Cleaning system with scrubbing portion

Abstract

A cleaning system comprises a cleaning device having a handle portion, the handle portion having a proximal end and a distal end; a cleaning head portion, the cleaning head portion adapted for use with a removable cleaning pad; a cleaning pad; and a cleaning fluid reservoir fluidly coupled to the cleaning head portion such that cleaning fluid is controllably allowed to flow by gravity onto the surface to be cleaned adjacent the cleaning head portion. The cleaning tool further comprises a nozzle portion mounted to the head or handle portions. The head portion of the cleaning system is coupled to the handle portion. A scrubbing portion is operatively coupled to the head portion the scrubbing portion having a scrubbing surface having surface features for providing a scrubbing action to the surface to be cleaned.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cleaning system, comprising: 
 a handle portion with a proximal end and a distal end;    a cleaning head portion coupled to the distal end of the handle portion; and    a scrubbing portion operatively coupled to the head portion, the scrubbing portion having a scrubbing surface having surface features for providing a scrubbing action to the surface to be cleaned;    wherein the scrubbing portion is selectively positionable between a retracted position and an actuated position, the scrubbing portion engaging the surface to be cleaned when in the actuated position.    
     
     
         2 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the scrubbing portion having the scrubbing surface is replaceable.  
     
     
         3 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing surface has at least two dissimilar surface features.  
     
     
         4 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing portion is biased towards the retracted position.  
     
     
         5 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning pad detachably coupled to the head portion for cleaning a surface to be cleaned.  
     
     
         6 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the cleaning pad is an electrostatic pad.  
     
     
         7 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the cleaning pad is a multilayer pad having an absorbent layer and a surface contacting layer.  
     
     
         8 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid nozzle coupled to at least one of the handle portion towards the distal end of the handle portion and the cleaning head portion, and a cleaning fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to the nozzle.  
     
     
         9 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein pivoting the handle portion in a first direction urges the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         10 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein twisting the handle portion in a first direction urges the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         11 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a lever and wire assembly for selectively positioning the scrubbing portion between the actuated and retracted positions.  
     
     
         12 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a slide and wire assembly for selectively positioning the scrubbing portion between the actuated and retracted positions.  
     
     
         13 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a trigger and wire assembly for selectively positioning the scrubbing portion between the actuated and retracted positions.  
     
     
         14 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing surface extends through an aperture in the cleaning pad.  
     
     
         15 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing surface extends along an edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         16 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing surface extends along at least a portion of a periphery of the head portion.  
     
     
         17 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a flex arm operatively coupled to the handle portion and the scrubbing portion, wherein extension of the flex arm causes the flex arm to urge the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         18 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing portion includes an arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being operatively coupled to the handle portion, the distal end having the scrubbing surface thereon, wherein pivoting the handle portion in a first direction moves the distal end of the arm towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         19 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing portion includes a plunger.  
     
     
         20 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing portion includes a hinged member.  
     
     
         21 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing surface is coupled to the cleaning pad, wherein another part of the scrubbing portion engages the cleaning pad towards the scrubbing surface.  
     
     
         22 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing portion is selectively extendible from an end of the head portion.  
     
     
         23 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing portion is coupled to the cleaning pad.  
     
     
         24 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the handle portion is selectively positionable along the head portion for varying a pressure exerted on the scrubbing portion when pushing on the handle portion.  
     
     
         25 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing surface has a length of less than one half of a length of a nearest edge of the head portion thereto, the length of the scrubbing surface being measured parallel to the nearest edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         26 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the scrubbing surface has a length of more than one half of a length of a nearest edge of the head portion thereto, the length of the scrubbing surface being measured parallel to the nearest edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         27 . A cleaning system, comprising: 
 a handle portion with a proximal end and a distal end;    a cleaning head portion coupled to the distal end of the handle portion;    a cleaning pad detachably coupled to the head portion for cleaning a surface to be cleaned; and    a scrubbing portion operatively coupled to the head portion, the scrubbing portion having a scrubbing surface having surface features for providing a scrubbing action to the surface to be cleaned.    
     
     
         28 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein a portion of the scrubbing portion having the scrubbing surface is replaceable.  
     
     
         29 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing surface has at least two dissimilar surface features.  
     
     
         30 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing portion is selectively positionable between a retracted position and an actuated position, the scrubbing portion engaging the surface to be cleaned when in the actuated position.  
     
     
         31 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the scrubbing portion is biased towards the retracted position.  
     
     
         32 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein pivoting the handle portion in a first direction urges the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         33 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 32 , wherein pivoting the handle portion in a second direction also urges the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         34 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein twisting the handle portion in a first direction urges the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         35 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising a lever and wire assembly for selectively positioning the scrubbing portion between the actuated and retracted positions.  
     
     
         36 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising a slide and wire assembly for selectively positioning the scrubbing portion between the actuated and retracted positions.  
     
     
         37 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising a trigger and wire assembly for selectively positioning the scrubbing portion between the actuated and retracted positions.  
     
     
         38 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the scrubbing portion includes a spring arm coupled to the head portion.  
     
     
         39 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing surface extends through an aperture in the cleaning pad.  
     
     
         40 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing surface extends along an edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         41 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 40 , wherein a second scrubbing surface extends along another edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         42 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 40 , wherein the scrubbing surface extends along at least 85% of the edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         43 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing surface has a length of less than one half of a length of a nearest edge of the head portion thereto, the length of the scrubbing surface being measured parallel to the nearest edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         44 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing surface has a length of more than one half of a length of a nearest edge of the head portion thereto, the length of the scrubbing surface being measured parallel to the nearest edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         45 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the cleaning pad is an electrostatic pad.  
     
     
         46 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the cleaning pad is a multilayer pad having an absorbent layer and a surface contacting layer.  
     
     
         47 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing surface extends along at least a portion of a periphery of the head portion.  
     
     
         48 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 47 , further comprising a cleaning pad seat being normally biased towards a position protruding past a plane on which the scrubbing surface resides, the cleaning pad being coupled to the cleaning pad seat.  
     
     
         49 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 47 , further comprising a cleaning pad seat being selectively positionable between a cleaning position and a retracted position, the cleaning pad seat protruding past a plane on which the scrubbing surface resides when in the cleaning position, the cleaning pad being coupled to the cleaning pad seat.  
     
     
         50 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising a flex arm operatively coupled to the handle portion and the scrubbing portion, wherein extension of the flex arm causes the flex arm to urge the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         51 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the scrubbing surface of the scrubbing portion is angled upwardly from a cleaning pad seat of the head portion when in the retracted position.  
     
     
         52 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 50 , wherein pressing the handle portion towards the head portion causes the flex arm to urge the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         53 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising a mechanism for pulling the flex arm towards the head portion for causing the flex arm to urge the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         54 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the scrubbing portion includes an arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being operatively coupled to the handle portion, the distal end having the scrubbing surface thereon, wherein pivoting the handle portion in a first direction moves the distal end of the arm towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         55 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the distal end of the arm extends through an aperture in the cleaning pad.  
     
     
         56 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the distal end of the arm extends beyond an edge of the head portion.  
     
     
         57 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising an arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being operatively coupled to the handle portion, the distal end selectively engaging the scrubbing portion, wherein pivoting the handle portion in a first direction urges the scrubbing portion towards the actuated position.  
     
     
         58 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the scrubbing portion includes a plunger.  
     
     
         59 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the scrubbing portion includes a hinged member.  
     
     
         60 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the scrubbing surface is coupled to the cleaning pad, wherein another part of the scrubbing portion engages the cleaning pad towards the scrubbing surface.  
     
     
         61 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the scrubbing portion is selectively extendible from an end of the head portion.  
     
     
         62 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the scrubbing portion is coupled to the cleaning pad.  
     
     
         63 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the distal end of the handle portion is selectively positionable along the head portion for varying a pressure exerted on the scrubbing portion when pushing on the handle portion.  
     
     
         64 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising a fluid nozzle coupled to at least one of the handle portion towards the distal end of the handle portion and the cleaning head portion, and a cleaning fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to the nozzle.  
     
     
         65 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 64 , wherein the handle portion includes a housing adapted to receive the cleaning fluid reservoir.  
     
     
         66 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the cleaning head portion includes a mechanical securing device for retaining the removable cleaning pad.  
     
     
         67 . A cleaning system, comprising: 
 a handle portion with a proximal end and a distal end;    a cleaning head portion coupled to the distal end of the handle portion; and    a cleaning pad detachably coupled to the head portion for cleaning a surface to be cleaned;    a scrubbing portion operatively coupled to the head portion, the scrubbing portion having a scrubbing surface having surface features for providing a scrubbing action to the surface to be cleaned;    wherein the scrubbing portion is selectively positionable between a retracted position and an actuated position, the scrubbing portion engaging the surface to be cleaned when in the actuated position;    wherein the scrubbing portion is biased towards the retracted position.    
     
     
         68 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 67 , wherein a portion of the scrubbing portion having the scrubbing surface is replaceable.  
     
     
         69 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the scrubbing surface has at least two dissimilar surface features.  
     
     
         70 . A cleaning system as recited in  claim 67 , further comprising: 
 a fluid nozzle removably coupled to at least one of the handle portion towards the distal end of the handle portion and the cleaning head portion;    a cleaning fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to the nozzle.    
     
     
         71 . A kit comprising the cleaning system as recited in  claim 1 , and further including several interchangeable scrubbing surfaces, each of the surfaces having dissimilar sets of surface features.  
     
     
         72 . A kit comprising the cleaning system as recited in  claim 27 , and further including several interchangeable scrubbing surfaces, each of the surfaces having dissimilar sets of surface features.  
     
     
         73 . A kit comprising the cleaning system as recited in  claim 67 , and further including several interchangeable scrubbing surfaces, each of the surfaces having dissimilar sets of surface features.  
     
     
         74 . A method for cleaning a surface using a cleaning tool having a handle portion, a cleaning head portion, and a scrubbing portion positioned towards the cleaning head portion, the method comprising: 
 cleaning a surface using a cleaning head portion of a cleaning tool;    positioning a scrubbing portion of the cleaning tool in an actuated position, the scrubbing portion having greater scrubbing properties than the cleaning head portion;    scrubbing the surface with the scrubbing portion; and    positioning the scrubbing portion in a retracted position.    
     
     
         75 . A method as recited in  claim 74 , further comprising adding a cleaning pad to the cleaning head portion of the tool prior to cleaning the surface using the cleaning head portion.  
     
     
         76 . A method as recited in  claim 75 , further comprising discarding the cleaning pad after cleaning the surface using the cleaning head portion.  
     
     
         77 . A method as recited in  claim 74 , further comprising dispensing an initial volume of a cleaning fluid onto the surface being cleaned.  
     
     
         78 . A method as recited in  claim 74 , further comprising replacing a scrubbing surface of the scrubbing portion.  
     
     
         79 . A method as recited in  claim 74 , wherein the scrubbing portion is biased towards the retracted position.  
     
     
         80 . A method as recited in  claim 74 , wherein the surface being cleaned is carpet.