Sponge mop attachment

Abstract

A butterfly sponge mop which is used for routine surface cleaning and moisture absorbing mopping and an integral unitary mop scrubber attachment with an outer abrasive surface which is to be used on the head of the sponge mop for cleaning more difficult and ingrained soiled surfaces. The mop attachment consists of two detent tabs which are to be inserted into the existing cutouts located in the sponge support member of the mop. The attachment also has side holes for placement over the existing holes of the mop's support member, through which the ends of the mop's squeeze arms are inserted. The mop attachment is readily and easily removable from the sponge mop and is interchangeably designed to be used with existing or new butterfly sponge mops. In another embodiment the mop attachment and the mop's sponge support member is formed with the scrubber component as a single, molded plastic component.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A butterfly sponge mop comprising: (a) a sponge support member with two side surfaces, each side having a hole therethrough;   (b) dual squeeze arms each arm having an end, one end to be inserted into one side hole of the sponge support member and the other end to be inserted into the other side hole of the sponge support member;   (c) a mop attachment for use on the sponge mop, said mop attachment comprising: (1) an integral unitary body;   (2) an outer abrasive surface attached to the body;   (3) detent tab means extending from the body for insertion into the sponge support member of the mop;   (4) dual hole means in the body for placement over the holes on the side surfaces of the sponge support member of the mop and for insertion of the ends of the dual squeeze arms.     
     
     
       2. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 1 in which said mop attachment body has a front section and a rear section extending from the front section. 
     
     
       3. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 2 in which the detent tab means extend from the front section of the body. 
     
     
       4. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 2 in which the dual hole means are located in the rear section of the body. 
     
     
       5. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 1 in which the outer abrasive surface is removable from and reattachable to the mop attachment body. 
     
     
       6. A removable mop attachment for use on a butterfly sponge mop having dual squeeze arms with ends which are inserted into holes on the sides of a sponge support member mounted on the mop, said mop attachment comprising: (a) an integral unitary body;   (b) .[.An.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend.outer abrasive surface attached to the body;   (c) detent tab means extending from the body for insertion into the sponge support member of the mop;   (d) dual hole means in the body for placement over the holes on the sides of the sponge support member of the mop and for insertion of the ends of the dual squeeze arms.   
     
     
       7. A removable mop attachment as described in claim 6 in which said unitary body has a front section and a rear section extending from the front section. 
     
     
       8. A removable mop attachment as described in claim 7 in which the detent tab means extend from the front section of the body. 
     
     
       9. A removable mop attachment as described in claim 7 in which the dual hole means are located in the rear section of the body. 
     
     
       10. A removable mop attachment as described in claim 6 in which the outer abrasive surface is removable from and reattachable to the body. 
     
     
       11. A butterfly sponge mop with a sponge, a sponge supporting base plate, and a handle, said mop further comprising: a. a single piece cleaning implement support member of unitary construction comprising: (i) a forward section and a rearward section;   (ii) said forward section extending outward from the rearward section and above the sponge supporting base plate, said forward section further having surface attachment means for attaching an independently removable separate outer abrasive surface;   (iii) said rearward section having two side surfaces, each side surface having a hole therethrough, said rearward section further comprising means to connect the cleaning implement support member to the sponge supporting base plate; and     b. dual squeeze arm means which contact and pivot the sponge supporting base plate, each arm of the dual squeeze arm means having an end, one end to be inserted into the hole through one side surface of the rearward section of the cleaning implement support member and the other end means to be inserted into the hole through the second side surface of the rearward section of the cleaning implement support member.   
     
     
       12. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 11 further comprising handle attachment means integral with and upstanding from the cleaning implement support member, for joinder with the sponge handle. 
     
     
       13. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 11 in which the outer abrasive surface is reattachable to the cleaning implement support member after it is removed. 
     
     
       14. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 11 in which the cleaning implement support member is a molded plastic piece. 
     
     
       15. A single piece cleaning implement support member of unitary construction for use on a butterfly sponge mop having a sponge, a handle, and dual squeeze arms which contact and pivot a sponge supporting base plate, said cleaning implement support member comprising: a. a forward section and a rearward section;   b. said forward section extending outward from the rearward section and above the sponge supporting base plate, said forward section further having surface attachment means for attaching an independently removable separate outer abrasive surface;   c. said rearward section having two side surfaces, each side surface having hole means therethrough, one hole means for the insertion of one of the dual squeeze arms and the other hole means for the insertion of the other of the dual squeeze arms; and   d. said rearward section also having means to connect the cleaning implement support member to the sponge supporting base plate.   
     
     
       16. A unitary cleaning implement support member as described in claim 15 further comprising handle attachment means integral with and upstanding from the rearward section of the cleaning implement support member. 
     
     
       17. A unitary cleaning implement support member as described in claim 15 in which the outer abrasive surface is reattachable to the cleaning implement support member after it is removed. 
     
     
       18. A unitary cleaning implement support member as described in claim 15 which is a molded plastic piece. 
     
     
       19. A butterfly sponge mop with a sponge and sponge supporting base plate, said mop further comprising: a. cleaning implement support means comprising: (i) a forward section and a rearward section;   (ii) said forward section extending outward from the rearward section and above the sponge supporting base plate, said forward section further having surface attachment.[.s.]. means for attaching an independently removable separate outer abrasive surface;   (iii) said rearward section having two side surfaces, each side surface having a hole therethrough, said rearward section further comprising means to connect the cleaning implement support .[.member.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.to the sponge supporting base plate; and     b. dual squeeze arm means which contact and pivot the sponge supporting base plate, each arm of the dual squeeze arm means having an end, one end to be inserted into the hole through one side surface of the rearward section of the cleaning implement support .[.member.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.and the other end to be inserted into the hole through the second side surface of the rearward section of the cleaning implement support .[.member.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend..   
     
     
       20. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 19 in which the outer abrasive surface is reattachable to the cleaning implement support .[.member.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.after it is removed. 
     
     
       21. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 19 further comprising a handle and handle attachment means integral with and upstanding from the cleaning implement support .[.member.]. .Iadd.means.Iaddend., for joinder with the sponge handle. 
     
     
       22. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 19 in which the cleaning implement support means is a single piece member of unitary construction. 
     
     
       23. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 22 in which the cleaning implement support .[.member.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is a molded plastic piece. 
     
     
       24. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 19 in which the forward section is a removable independent mop attachment comprising means to unite with the rearward section. 
     
     
       25. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 24 in which the mop attachment is an integral unitary body and the means to unite comprises detent tab means extending from the mop attachment for insertion into the rearward section and dual hole means in the mop attachment for placement over the holes on the side surfaces of the rearward section and for insertion of the ends of the dual squeeze arm means. 
     
     
       26. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 19 in which the cleaning implement support .[.member.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.is a single molded plastic piece. .Iadd.27. A butterfly sponge mop comprising: (a) a sponge support member with two side surfaces, each side surface having a side opening therethrough;   (b) dual squeeze arms having ends to be inserted into the openings in the respective side surfaces of the sponge support member;   (c) a mop attachment for use on the sponge mop, said mop attachment comprising: (1) an integral unitary body with at least two planar side means in nestled contact with the side surfaces of the sponge support member;   (2) an outer abrasive surface attached to the body;   (3) detent means extending from the body for insertion into the sponge support member;   (4) opening means in the body positioned in alignment with the side surface openings of the sponge support member of the mop for allowing passage of the ends of the dual squeeze arms, each arm extending passed one of said     
     
     
        planar side means..Iaddend..Iadd.28.  A removable attachment for use on a butterfly sponge mop having dual squeeze arms with ends which are inserted into side surface openings of a sponge support member mounted on the mop, said attachment comprising; (a) an integral unitary body without least two planar side means in nestled contact with side surfaces of the sponge support member;   (b) an outer abrasive surface attached to the body;   (c) detent means extending from the body for insertion into the sponge support member;   (d) opening means in the body positioned in alignment with the side surface openings of the sponge support member for allowing passage of the ends of the dual squeeze arms and for allowing each arm to extend passed one of   
     
     
        said planar side means..Iaddend..Iadd.29.  A butterfly sponge mop with a sponge, a sponge supporting base plate, and a handle, said mop further comprising: (a) a cleaning implement support member of compact unitary, single piece construction comprising: (1) a forward section and a rearward section;   (2) said forward section extending outward from the rearward section and forward and above the sponge supporting base plate, said forward section comprising a rear surface integrally merged into the rearward section, a forwardmost facing surface being shorter in length than the length of the base plate, and side surfaces integral with and extending from the forwardmost facing surface towards the rearward section;   (3) said rearward section having at least two planar surfaces;     (b) means to connect the cleaning implement support member to the sponge supporting base plate;   (c) an abrasive surface means mounted on the forwardmost facing surface; and   (d) dual squeeze arm means which contact and pivot the sponge supporting base plate, one arm of the dual squeeze arm means to be inserted passed one planar surface of the rearward section of the cleaning implement support member and the other arm to be inserted passed the second planar surface of the rearward section of the cleaning implement support member..Iaddend..Iadd.30. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 29 in which the cleaning implement support member is a single molded plastic piece..Iaddend..Iadd.31. A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 29 further comprising handle attachment means integral with and upstanding from the rearward section of the cleaning implement support   
     
     
        member..Iaddend..Iadd.32.  A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 31 in which the cleaning implement support member is a single molded plastic piece..Iaddend..Iadd.33. A single piece cleaning implement support member for use on a butterfly sponge mop having a sponge, a handle, and dual squeeze arms which contact and pivot a sponge supporting base plate, said cleaning implement support member being of compact unitary, single piece construction and comprising; (a) a forward section and a rearward section;   (b) said forward section extending outward from the rearward section and forward and above the sponge supporting base plate, said forward section comprising a rear surface integrally merged into the rearward section, a forwardmost facing surface being shorter in length than the length of the base plate, and side surfaces integral with and extending from the forwardmost facing surface towards the rearward section;   (c) said rearward section having two planar surfaces, one arm of the dual squeeze arms to be inserted passed one planar surface of the rearward section and the other arm to be inserted passed the second planar surface;   (d) said rearward section also having means to connect the cleaning implement support member to the sponge supporting base plate; and   (e) an abrasive surface means mounted on the forwardmost facing surface..Iaddend..Iadd.34. A single piece cleaning implement support member as described in claim 33 in which the member is a single molded plastic piece..Iaddend..Iadd.35. A single piece cleaning implement support member as described in claim 33 further comprising handle attachment means integral with and upstanding from the rearward section of the cleaning   
     
     
        implement support member..Iaddend..Iadd.36.  A single piece cleaning implement support member as described in claim 35 in which the member is a 
     
     
        single molded plastic piece..Iaddend..Iadd.37.  A butterfly sponge mop with a sponge, a sponge support member with two side surfaces, and a sponge supporting base plate, said mop further comprising: (a) cleaning implement support means comprising: (1) a forward section and a rearward section;   (2) said forward section extending outward from the rearward section and above the sponge supporting base plate, said forward section further having a forward facing surface and abrasive surface means mounted on the forward facing surface;   (3) the rearward section having at least two planar surfaces positioned in nestled contact with the side surfaces of the sponge support member;   (4) means to connect the cleaning implement support means to the sponge support member; and     (b) dual squeeze arm means which contact and pivot the sponge supporting base plate, each arm of the dual squeeze arm means extending passed one of said planar surfaces of said cleaning implement support means..Iaddend..Iadd.38. A butterfly sponge mop comprising:   (a) an axially elongated handle;   (b) a mop head of compact unitary, single piece construction comprising: (1) a forward and a rearward section;   (2) said forward section extending outward from the rearward section and comprising a rear surface integrally merged into the rearward section and a forward facing surface;     (c) a sponge;   (d) a pair of sponge support plates having said sponge mounted thereon, pivotally connected to said head at mutually proximate edges thereof for converging pivotal movement from co-planar disposition towards one another, the forward facing surface being shorter in length than the combined lengths of the support plates and being located above the support plates and at least as forward as the forward-most surface of the support plates;   (e) means connected to said head for biasing said plates towards said position of co-planar disposition;   (f) means movable along a central position of said handle for urging said plates to converge pivotally towards one another with increasing force as said movable means is moved along said handle towards said head;   (g) an abrasive surface means mounted on the forward facing surface of said head, whereby when the sponge support plates are pivoted, the abrasive surface means remains stationary in relation to the support plates and above and forward of the support plates..Iaddend..Iadd.39. A butterfly sponge mop with a sponge, a sponge support member with side surfaces and a forwardmost surface, and a sponge supporting base plate, said mop further comprising:   (a) cleaning implement support means comprising an integral unitary body, said body comprising: (i) a forward facing surface located above and at least as forward as the forwardmost surface of the sponge support member;   (ii) a rearward section positioned in nestled contact with the side surfaces of the sponge support member;   (iii) an abrasive surface means mounted on the forward facing surface and above the sponge supporting base plate; and   (iv) means to connect the cleaning implement support means to the sponge support member;     (b) dual squeeze arm means which contact and pivot the sponge supporting base plate, each arm of the dual squeeze arm means being positioned at least in part within the cleaning implement support means, whereby when the dual squeeze arm means pivot the sponge supporting base plate, the abrasive surface means remains stationary in relation to the sponge supporting base plate and above and forward of the sponge supporting base   
     
     
        plate..Iaddend..Iadd.40.  A butterfly sponge mop as described in claim 39 in which the cleaning implement support means further comprises at least two planar surfaces and each arm of the dual squeeze arm means has an end, whereby one arm is positioned at least in part within the cleaning implement support means with its end extending passed one planar surface and the other arm is positioned at least in part within the cleaning implement support means with its end extending passed the second planar surface..Iaddend.