Head for a cleaning device and cleaning device usable therewith

Abstract

A head for a cleaning device. The head has a cleaning surface which has multiple sections. The sections are movable relative to each other in response to force applied by the user. The sections can be moved from a first configuration having noncoplanar sections to a second configuration where the sections are coplanar. The noncoplanar configuration may provide cavities for the collection of debris from a surface to be cleaned, such as a floor. The coplanar configuration may provide for improved stress distribution across the cleaning surface.

1 . A head for a cleaning device usable for cleaning a surface and having a cleaning surface thereon, said head comprising:
 three trisections, a central trisection interposed between two outboard trisections said outboard trisections being movable with respect to said central trisection, whereby compressive force applied to said head causes said trisections to become substantially coplanar;   a return mechanism, said return mechanism returning said trisections to a non-coplanar configuration upon removal of the compressive force without intercepting said cleaning surface; and   an attachment for receiving a handle, the handle being connectable to one of said trisections through said attachment.   
   
   
       2 . A head according to  claim 1  wherein said attachment is disposed on said central trisection. 
   
   
       3 . A head according to  claim 2  having a longitudinal axis and a periphery, and wherein each of said outboard trisections have an inner edge oriented towards said longitudinal axis and an outer edge oriented towards said periphery, said outboard trisections being articulably joined to said central trisections at said inner edge. 
   
   
       4 . A head according to  claim 3  wherein said central trisection has a greater length taken in the longitudinal direction than said outboard trisection. 
   
   
       5 . A head according to  claim 4  wherein said attachment comprises a universal joint. 
   
   
       6 . A head according to  claim 4  wherein said return mechanism comprises a spring. 
   
   
       7 . A head according to  claim 6  wherein said spring comprises a coil spring having an axis disposed generally orthogonal said longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       8 . A head according to  claim 1  wherein said head becomes substantially coplanar upon application of a compressive force between 0.4 kg and 8.0 kg thereto. 
   
   
       9 . A head according to  claim 8  wherein said head becomes substantially coplanar upon application of a compressive force between 0.5 kg and 0.8 kg thereto. 
   
   
       10 . A head according to  claim 8  wherein said head becomes substantially coplanar upon application of a compressive force between 0.8 kg and 8.0 kg thereto. 
   
   
       11 . A head for a cleaning device usable for removing debris from a surface, said head comprising:
 two sections, a first section and a second section at least one of said sections being movable relative to the other, whereby compressive force applied to said head causes said sections to form a substantially coplanar cleaning surface; and   a return mechanism, said return mechanism being disposed without intercepting said cleaning surface and returning said sections to a non-coplanar configuration upon removal of the compressive force.   
   
   
       12 . A head according to  claim 12  wherein said head is generally rectangularly shaped having four sides and said second section is disposed along one said side of said head. 
   
   
       13 . A head according to  claim 12  wherein said head has a total width, and said first section has a first section width and said section has a second section width, said second section width ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent of said total head width. 
   
   
       14 . A head according to  claim 11  wherein said head second section is movable relative to said first section when said first section is disposed on a target surface. 
   
   
       15 . A head according to  claim 11  further comprising an attachment for receiving a handle, the handle being connectable to one of said sections through said attachment, and further comprising an elongate handle joined to said attachment.