Cleaning implement

Abstract

A cleaning implement includes a joint for attaching the handle to a cleaning end and permitting two opposing sides of the cleaning end to be used to clean a surface. The joint is constructed in a manner that permits the desired movement of the cleaning end, but also utilizes few components and has a structure that permits quick and simple assembly. The cleaning end can include features that enhance its strength and stability. In addition, the cleaning end can include features that enhance the transfer of fluid from one side of the cleaning end to the opposing side of the cleaning end. Further, the cleaning end can include features that promote the drying of a cleaning material attached to the cleaning end after use.

1 . A cleaning implement for cleaning a surface comprising:
 a handle having a distal end;   a multidirectional joint connected to the handle near the distal end; and   a cleaning end connected to the multidirectional joint, the cleaning end having first and second opposing sides, at least one of the first and second sides having a web, the web including a plurality of wells, the multidirectional joint being moveable such that the first side can be used to clean the surface, and the multidirectional joint being moveable such that the second side can be used to clean the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein both the first side and the second side have a web. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning end has a plurality of apertures disposed in a pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning implement of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed in the plurality of wells. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning implement of  claim 3  wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed in a pattern extending across substantially the entire cleaning end. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein the web has a generally honeycomb shape. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein the web extends across substantially the entirety of the at least one of the first and second sides. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein the cleaning end includes an elongated slot forming a handhold. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning implement of  claim 1  wherein the multidirectional joint has a handle coupling portion and a cleaning end coupling portion, the handle coupling portion being connected to the cleaning end coupling portion, and the cleaning end being connected to the cleaning end coupling portion. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning implement of  claim 9  wherein the cleaning end coupling portion is removeably connected to at least one of the handle coupling portion and the cleaning end. 
     
     
         11 . A cleaning implement for cleaning a surface comprising:
 a handle having a distal end;   a multidirectional joint connected to the handle near the distal end; and   a cleaning end attached to the multidirectional joint, the cleaning end having first and second opposing sides, the cleaning end having a plurality of apertures disposed in a pattern extending across substantially the entire cleaning end, the multidirectional joint being moveable such that the first side can be used to clean the surface, and the multidirectional joint being moveable such that the second side can be used to clean the surface.   
     
     
         12 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  wherein both the first side and the second side have a web having a plurality of wells. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning implement of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed in the plurality of wells. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning implement of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the first side web and the second side web have a generally honeycomb shape. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning implement of  claim 12  wherein the first side web extends across substantially all of the first side, and the second side web extends across substantially all of the second side. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  wherein the cleaning end includes an elongated slot forming a handhold. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning implement of  claim 11  wherein the multidirectional joint has a handle coupling portion and a cleaning end coupling portion, the handle coupling portion being connected to the cleaning end coupling portion, and the cleaning end being connected to the cleaning end coupling portion. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning implement of  claim 17  wherein the cleaning end coupling portion is removeably connected to at least one of the handle coupling portion and the cleaning end. 
     
     
         19 . A cleaning implement for cleaning a surface comprising:
 a handle having a distal end;   a multidirectional joint, the multidirectional joint having a handle coupling portion and a cleaning end coupling portion, the handle coupling portion being connected to the cleaning end coupling portion, the handle coupling portion being connected to the handle near the distal end; and   a cleaning end connected to the cleaning end coupling portion, the cleaning end having first and second opposing sides, the cleaning end coupling portion being removeably connected to at least one of the handle coupling portion and the cleaning end, the multidirectional joint being moveable such that the first side can be used to clean the surface, and the multidirectional joint being moveable such that the second side can be used to clean the surface.   
     
     
         20 . The cleaning implement of  claim 19  wherein the cleaning end has a cylindrical bridge and the cleaning end coupling portion has a plurality of fingers for removeably engaging the bridge.