Wringer-type sponge mop and sponge clamp therefor

A wringer type sponge mop comprising:

• an elongate handle;
• a pair of opposing rollers carried at one end of said elongate handle;
• an operating rod having a lower end including a latch hook, said latch hook having a free end portion of a predetermined length defining a longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a cross-section taken orthogonally to said longitudinal axis;
• an elongate sponge clamp positioned between said rollers, said sponge clamp including an elongate upper wall, a pair of opposing side walls integrally formed with said upper wall and depending therefrom along opposite sides of the elongate upper wall, an arch integrally formed in said elongate upper wall so as to define a latch passageway extending longitudinally along said elongate upper wall to removably secure said sponge clamp to said operating rod, said latch passageway having a non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the free end portion of said latch hook for receiving the free end portion and preventing rotational movement of the sponge clamp about the latch hook;
• and
• a sponge secured to said sponge clamp;
• and
• an operating lever connected to an upper end of said operating rod, said operating lever being movable to squeeze said sponge between said opposing rollers and to move said sponge to a cleaning position.

A sponge clamp for use in a sponge mop of the type which includes a wringer comprising a pair of opposing rollers which are actuable by an operating rod, the operating rod including a latch hook at a lower end thereof for engaging the sponge clamp, the latch hook having a free end portion of a predetermined length defining a longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a cross-section taken orthogonally to said longitudinal axis, said sponge clamp comprising:

• an elongate upper wall;
• a pair of side walls integrally formed with said upper wall and depending therefrom along opposite sides of the elongate upper wall;
• a sponge secured between said pair of opposing side walls;
• an arch integrally formed in said upper wall and defining a latch passageway extending longitudinally along said elongate upper wall adapted for receiving the free end portion of the latch hook therein to removably secure said sponge clamp to the operating rod, said latch passageway having a non-circular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the non-circular cross-sectional shape of the free end portion of the latch hook for receiving said free end portion and for preventing rotational movement of the sponge clamp about the latch hook;
• and
• a recess formed in said upper wall adjacent said latch passageway and in longitudinal alignment therewith, said recess having a length at least as long as the predetermined length of the free end portion of the latch hook and defining a guide channel for receiving the free end portion of the latch hook and guiding same into said latch passageway.

A sponge clamp for use in a sponge mop of the type which includes a wringer comprising a pair of opposing rollers which are actuable by an operating rod, the operating rod including a latch hook at a lower end thereof for engaging the sponge clamp, the latch hook having a free end portion of a predetermined length defining a longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross-sectional shape in a cross-section taken orthogonally to said longitudinal axis, said sponge clamp comprising:

• an elongate upper wall;
• a pair of opposing side walls integrally formed with said elongate upper wall and depending therefrom along opposite sides of said elongate upper wall;
• a sponge secured between said pair of opposing side walls;
• and
• an arch integrally formed in said upper wall and defining a latch passageway extending longitudinally along said elongate upper wall for receiving the free end portion of the latch hook therein to removably secure said sponge clamp to the operating rod, said arch including an opening corresponding to a non-circular cross-sectional shape for preventing rotational movement of the sponge clamp about the latch hook.