Multiple purpose wringer

Abstract

An adjustable wringer can wring a variety of different types and sizes of mops, wipes, sponges and other wringable items for use in cleaning clean rooms. The wringer has two side plates situated in a spaced relationship relative to one another, each of the side plates having a slot. The wringer has a lever which has a handle and a rod. The handle has side posts, with the lower end of each side post being rotatably mounted to a respective side plate, and a handle bar extending across and connecting the upper ends of the first and second side posts. The rod is attached at each end to a handle side post, with each end of the rod passing through a respective slot in the side plates. The wringer also has a crank which has a crank handle and a rotatable crank shaft that extends from one side plate to the other. A substantially lint-free, flexible web is attached at one end to the rod and at the other end to the crank shaft. Once a wringable item has been placed in the wringer, the rod may be moved adjacent to the crankshaft. The crank handle may then be rotated to tighten the flexible web about the wringable item, thereby wringing the item. The wringer may additionally include low-friction bushings to replace the lubricating oils and greases typically found in wringers, thereby making the wringer suitable for sterilization in an autoclave.