CLEANING DEVICE WITH DISPOSABLE PAD

A handle assembly for use with a fibrous cleaning pad. The handle assembly includes a generally rigid first member including a first insertable portion, and a handle portion with a first end of the handle portion fixed to a second end of the first insertable portion and a manually engageable part adjacent a second opposite end of the handle portion. The handle assembly also includes a second member including a second insertable portion, and an actuation portion having a first end fixed to a second end of the second insertable portion. A first end of the second insertable portion opposite the actuation portion is pivotally mounted on a first end of the first insertable portion opposite the handle portion for relative movement of the insertable portions by manual manipulation of the actuation portion between a diverging position with outer surfaces of the insertable portions diverging from their first ends, and an adjacent position with the outer surfaces of the insertable portions generally parallel. At least one of the insertable portions (and preferably both) has at least one barb projecting from its inner surface, and the other of the insertable portions has an opening aligned with that barb. The barb projects above the outer surface of the other of the insertable portions in the adjacent position of the insertable portions so that with the insertable portions in a slit in the cleaning pad the barb will engage the cleaning pad. The barb is essentially positioned between the outer surfaces of the insertable portions in their diverging position so that the insertable portions can move within the slit in the cleaning pad.