Cleaning apparatus with easily replaceable cleaning head

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus has two cleaning heads which are alternatively used for different cleaning, applications; in particular, a first cleaning head with a comparatively large surface for cleaning large areas and a second cleaning head with a sponge; The first and second cleaning heads are mounted on lower sides of two holding plates and easily replaced.

1 . A cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a main rod;   a fastening device, fastened to a lower end of said main rod and having a lower part with two side parts;   two holding plates, defining a horizontal plane and a longitudinal axis;   two connecting pieces, at upper ends thereof hingedly connected with said two side parts of said fastening device and at lower ends thereof hingedly connected with said holding plates, respectively, with hinge axes being oriented horizontally and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, so that said holding plates are respectively mounted on said two side parts of said fastening device;   a first cleaning head, mounted on said two holding plates, further comprising a held plate, to which, at an upper surface thereof, several fastening pieces are attached, each having a hook, for engaging with said holding plates in a mounted state, and a sweeping part, attached to lower sides of said held plate; and   a second cleaning head;   wherein said first cleaning head and said second are mounted alternatively on said holding plates for use at different cleaning applications.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said connecting pieces comprises an upper section, which is at an upper end thereof hingedly connected with one of said two side parts of said fastening device, and a lower section, which is at a lower end thereof hingedly connected with one of said holding plates, with hinge axes being oriented horizontally and perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, with said upper and lower sections being connected by a hinge with an axis oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each of said holding plates has a plurality of depressions where said hooks of said fastening pieces are placed in said mounted state of said first cleaning head. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein each of said holding plates has opposite peripheral surfaces along said longitudinal direction having widths, with which said hooks of said fastening pieces are engaged in said mounted state of said first cleaning head, with each of said hooks of said fastening pieces having a distance to said upper side of said held plate that is smaller that said width of said peripheral surfaces, so that said held plate is held firmly on said holding plates. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein each of said fastening pieces is made of flexible, elastic material and has a top side having an inclined surface, so that, when said fastening pieces respectively approach and contact lower edges of said peripheral surfaces, said fastening pieces are bent aside for easy engaging with said peripheral surfaces and, due to elasticity thereof, in said mounted state assume upright positions again. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said sweeping part of said first cleaning head is made of soft fiber or cloth and has an upper side, to which an insertion plate is attached, which is held at a lower side of said held plate. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said sweeping part of said first cleaning head is made of soft fiber or cloth and has an upper side, to which an insertion plate is attached, which is held at a lower side of said held plate. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said sweeping part of said first cleaning head is made of soft fiber or cloth and has an upper side, to which an insertion plate is attached, which is held at a lower side of said held plate. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said holding plates has a plurality of depressions where said hooks of said fastening pieces are placed in said mounted state of said first cleaning head. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each of said holding plates has opposite peripheral surfaces along said longitudinal direction having widths, with which said hooks of said fastening pieces are engaged in said mounted state of said first cleaning head, with each of said hooks of said fastening pieces having a distance to said upper side of said held plate that is smaller that said width of said peripheral surfaces, so that said held plate is held firmly on said holding plates. 
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of said fastening pieces is made of flexible, elastic material and has a top side having an inclined surface, so that, when said fastening pieces respectively approach and contact lower edges of said peripheral surfaces, said fastening pieces are bent aside for easy engaging with said peripheral surfaces and, due to elasticity thereof, in said mounted state assume upright positions again. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said sweeping part of said first cleaning head is made of soft fiber or cloth and has an upper side, to which an insertion plate is attached, which is held at a lower side of said held plate. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sweeping part of said first cleaning head is made of soft fiber or cloth and has an upper side, to which an insertion plate is attached, which is held at a lower side of said held plate. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said sweeping part of said first cleaning head is made of soft fiber or cloth and has an upper side, to which an insertion plate is attached, which is held at a lower side of said held plate. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second cleaning head comprises a held plate, a sweeping part, attached to a lower side of said held plate, and a plurality of fastening elements, attached to an upper side of said held plate, and wherein said holding plates each have a plurality of engaging positions, with which said fastening elements of said second cleaning head respectively engage for mounting said second cleaning head on said holding plates. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein each of said plurality of fastening elements of said second cleaning head is shaped like the letter L and each of said plurality of engaging positions of said holding plates is an opening, wherein, for mounting said second cleaning head on said holding plates, said plurality of fastening elements of said second cleaning head are respectively passed through said openings of said holding plates. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second cleaning head comprises a held plate, a sweeping part, attached to a lower side of said held plate, and two first adhesive plates, attached to an upper side of said held plate, and wherein said holding plates on lower sides thereof each have a second adhesive plates, with which said first adhesive plates of said second cleaning head respectively engage for mounting said second cleaning head on said holding plates.