Steam mop

Abstract

A steam mop having a main body with a boiler, a water container, a mechanical water pump between the boiler and container and at least one side arm connecting the boiler steam outlet to a fabric steam pocket frame. The water pump is actuated by movement of the mop when cleaning to send water to the boiler. The steam pocket frame is substantially rectangular with a plurality of baffles to distribute steam disposed substantially perpendicular to a steam channel having openings to distribute steam between the baffles. A replaceable fabric pocket fits snugly over the frame to distribute cleaning steam to the surface to be cleaned.

1 . A steam mop, comprising:
 a main body having a boiler with a water inlet and a steam outlet positioned therein;   a pump having an inlet and an outlet with the pump outlet connected to the boiler inlet;   a water container for storing water connected to the pump inlet; and   a steam pocket frame connected to the steam outlet by at least one tubular side arm;   wherein activation of the pump pumps water from the water container to the boiler for generation of steam.   
   
   
       2 . The steam mop of  claim 1 , further including a handle coupled to the pump whereby movement of the handle activates the pump. 
   
   
       3 . The steam mop of  claim 1 , wherein the water container is an elongated cylinder. 
   
   
       4 . The steam mop of  claim 3 , wherein the water container has a filling spout at one end of the elongated cylinder. 
   
   
       5 . The steam mop of  claim 5 , wherein the filling spout is in the shape of cone. 
   
   
       6 . The steam mop of  claim 2 , wherein the water container is positioned between the pump inlet and the handle. 
   
   
       7 . The steam mop of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a mechanical bellows pump with a one-way inlet valve and a one-way outlet valve. 
   
   
       8 . The steam mop of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a mechanical piston pump with a one-way inlet valve and a one-way outlet valve. 
   
   
       9 . The steam mop of  claim 1 , wherein the steam pocket frame is substantially rectangular with a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall, and a left side wall with a central hollow steam channel running from one sidewall to the other side wall; and includes a plurality of baffles disposed perpendicular to the central steam channel between the front and rear walls, wherein the side arm is connected to the central steam channel on the at least one side wall. 
   
   
       10 . The steam mop of  claim 2 , wherein the handle is a telescopic handle. 
   
   
       11 . The steam mop of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom of the handle is a water container cover. 
   
   
       12 . The steam mop of  claim 1 , wherein there are two opposed side arms connecting the steam outlet of the main body to the steam pocket frame. 
   
   
       13 . A steam pocket frame for mounting a fabric steam pocket for use with a steam mop, wherein the frame is a substantially rectangular frame, the frame comprising:
 a front wall;   a rear wall; and   a right side wall; and   a left side wall;   a steam inlet on at least one side wall is connected to the outside of one side wall;   a plurality of baffles disposed perpendicular to the steam pocket frame between the front and rear walls; and   the frame is connected to the steam inlet for receiving steam from the mop and to distribute steam to a steam pocket mounted on the frame.   
   
   
       14 . The steam pocket frame of  claim 13 , wherein the steam pocket frame is adaptable to be rotatably mounted when attached to a steam inlet arm. 
   
   
       15 . The steam pocket frame of  claim 13 , wherein the steam pocket frame has a passageway that extends between the side walls perpendicular to the baffles. 
   
   
       16 . The steam pocket frame of  claim 15 , wherein the passageway has openings to direct steam into the space between the baffles.