Mop head with cleaning element securement system and method

An apparatus comprising:

• a mop head comprising a first securement member and a second securement member adapted for securing a cleaning element to the mop head, wherein the first securement member is pivotally connected to the second securement member at a pivot joint, the first securement member having a first distal end located distally from the pivot joint and the second securement member having a second distal end located distally from the pivot joint;
• wherein the first securement member and second securement member are moveable by pivoting about the pivot joint between a change position and a use position;
• wherein a first distal end of the first securement member is positioned at a first distance from the second distal end of the second securement member when the first and second securement members are in the change position so that the first and second securement members are adapted to allow installation and removal of the cleaning element in the change position, and the first distal end is positioned at a second distance from the second distal end when the securement members are in the use position so that the securement members are adapted to secure the cleaning element to the mop head in the use position;
• wherein the first distance is less than the second distance;
• wherein the cleaning element comprises a cleaning surface adapted to clean a soiled surface and a mating surface opposite the cleaning surface which is adapted to be secured to the securement members;
• a latch connected to the first securement member;
• a locking member connected to the second securement member;
• wherein the latch includes a locking member receiver defined in an engagement point of the latch and wherein the locking member includes a tab having a configuration complimentary with the locking member receiver;
• wherein the locking member receiver of the latch engages the tab of the locking member when the first securement member and second member are in the use position to resist pivoting of the first and second securement members and to lock the first and second securement members in the use position;
• and
• a handle coupler connected to the mop head and adapted for connecting a handle to the mop head.

A method of securing a cleaning element to a mop head comprising:

• positioning a first securement member and a second securement member of a mop head in a change position, wherein the first securement member is pivotally connected to the second securement member at a pivot joint, the first securement member having a first distal end located distally from the pivot joint and the second securement member having a second distal end located distally from the pivot joint, wherein the first securement member and second securement member are moveable to the change position by pivoting about the pivot joint so that the first distal end is positioned at a first distance from the second distal end to allow installation of the cleaning element;
• installing the cleaning element on the first and second securement members, wherein the cleaning element comprises a cleaning surface and a mating surface opposite the cleaning surface which is adapted to mate with to the first and second securement members;
• positioning the first and second securement members in a use position by pivoting the first and second securement members about the pivot joint so that the first distal end is positioned at a second distance from the second distal end;
• and
• securing the cleaning element to the mop head by locking the first and second securement members in the use position to resist pivoting of the first and second securement members;
• wherein the locking of the first and second securement members in the use position further comprises engaging a latch and a locking member, wherein the latch is connected to the first member and a locking member is connected to the second securement member, wherein the latch engages the locking member by receiving a tab of the locking member in a locking member receiver defined in the latch;
• wherein the latch is pivotally connected to the first securement member at a latch pivot joint, the latch having a load arm and an effort arm extending from opposite sides of the latch pivot joint to form a lever arrangement, wherein the load arm is in contact with the second securement member when the securement members are in the use position;
• and
• wherein the latch is adapted such that downward pressure applied to the effort arm disengages the latch from the locking member and causes the load arm to move the second securement member toward the change position.