EP2872022B1 - Frame for mop covers - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a holder for covers of mops.

Technical task

In the cleaning of large flat surfaces, such as linoleum floors, but also tiled surfaces as they are available in sanitary facilities or other spaces in which high hygiene value is placed, mops are often used. A mop is a cleaning device that has a pivotally mounted bottom plate attached to a long handle.

At this bottom plate (holder), seen from the handle on the opposite side, a mop cover is provided, which can be moved over the ground. This is stretched by the bottom plate and thus lies substantially taut on this. As a result, the shape of the mop cover is predetermined by the bottom plate and this is substantially flat, and the mop cover has a substantially flat surface. This can be wiped over the surface to be cleaned, which makes it easy to clean large floor surfaces. This is particularly supported by the fact that the mop cover is often provided with fringes, which are normally up to about 10 cm long. The mop cover can also be soaked with water, which may also contain a cleaning agent, whereby the cleaning effect is enhanced.

However, as apparent from the above, there is a problem that the mop cover picks up dirt in use and thereby loses its cleaning effect after some time. Another problem is the wear of the Mop cover after prolonged use. However, since this applies to the mop cover alone, but not on the bottom plate, it would not make sense to replace the mop cover together with the bottom plate. Therefore, it is provided according to the prior art, to make the bottom plate and the mop cover so that the mop cover is interchangeable.

This is achieved according to the prior art by providing the bottom plate substantially in the form of an elongated rectangle, which can be folded with respect to its longitudinal direction. As a result, the longitudinal ends come close together. In such a condition, a suitably sized mop cover having pockets at its longitudinal ends may be slid over the longitudinal ends of the folded bottom panel. When this bottom plate is now transferred from the folded state to the flat state, the mop cover is pulled straight through the pockets and through the bottom plate and also held by them, d. H. he can not slip off the bottom plate. At the same time, however, by refolding the bottom plate, it is easy to remove the cover from it.

A problem, which occurs here, however, is that one wants to prevent the one hand, that the bottom plate of the mop is folded unintentionally, as a result, the mop cover could fall off in use. On the other hand, one also wants to have a mop in which the mop cover is easily replaceable if necessary and which, in particular in view of the high time pressure u.a. at cleaning companies, quickly changeable.

From the EP 1 764 024 A1 For example, a holder for holding mop mops is known, the wiper plate of which has plate wings which can be locked in a spread position. Here are the plate wings locked by an engagement of locking lugs, which engage with axes. This lock occurs automatically when the wiper plate is pressed against the floor. To release the lock an actuatable over the foot rocker is provided. If you push down the end of the rocker, a rocker arm is pushed up. This rocker arm presses against a retaining element and causes the first locking lug out of engagement with the associated axis. This allows the plate wing to move down.

From the DE 295 19 320 U1 is a mop wiper for mops with two hinged plates known which are pivotable about a bearing. By means of a lever arrangement of this wiper device can be locked in a position in which the two plates are spread. Here, a biasing device is provided which serves to automatically lock the wings when pressed against a flat surface.

The DE 295 19 320 U1 represents the closest prior art.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a holder for a mop which is designed so that the mop cover is easily replaceable.

A solution to this problem results from the holder for holding mop covers for detergent according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims 2 to 8.

According to claim 1, a holder for holding mop covers for cleaning means comprises a central part, two lockable folding wings, which are pivotally mounted on the central part, a locking device which can lock the two folding wings in a pivotal position relative to the central part, and means to the Detach lock the locked folding wings with respect to the central part, so that the folding wings can be pivoted. In other words, the bottom plate of the mop is divided into three parts. On the one hand, there is a middle section, which lies between the two folding wings. The folding wings can be pivoted about this central part, so that they can be pivoted between a first configuration in which the two folding wings and the central part together form a plane on its underside (planar configuration), and a second configuration in which the two folding wings together form a substantially U-shaped shape with the middle part. In the second configuration, a mop cover can be mounted on the holder. This mop cover is held by existing at its ends pockets in the first configuration by the holder and thus can no longer slip down from this unintentionally. The pivotable mounting of the folding wings with respect. Of the middle part can be done for example by an axle bearing, but it can also be done by the fact that the folding wings are connected to the middle part by means of a flexible connector.

The locking device ensures that the two folding wings can be kept in the first configuration, ie a position in which the holder is a flat Bottom plate forms and does not unintentionally "folds".

A feature of the present invention is that the locking device is biased to the state in which the two folding wings are locked. As a result, the holder locks when the lock is released when moving the two folding wings toward a state in which the lower surfaces of the two folding wings are substantially in a plane, the folding wings automatically by means of the locking device. In other words, this means that a user does not have to make a separate action for locking the folding wings if they want to transfer them from the U-shaped configuration to the planar configuration. It is sufficient to only pivot the folding wings, which can be done, for example, by pressing them against a floor to be cleaned. As a result, they spread outwards, which, as described in the claim, leads to an automatic lock. Since this does not require a separate locking step in addition to the spreading, this leads to the holder being easily provided with a new mop cover.

According to the invention, the locking device for at least one of the folding wings, preferably for both, a stop on the folding wing and a relative to the central part movably provided part of the plant, which has at least one partial investment stop. In this case, the stop on the folding wing and the plant sub-stop when locking the folding wing are engaged, while they disengage upon release of the lock by moving the system part. In other words, a system part is provided, to which the respective folding wing / the folding wings can abut when locking. These are securely locked and blocked by the resulting contact with the middle part, which is why the bottom plate of the pug does not deform or only slightly deformed during use.

Furthermore, the contact part is movable substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the folding leaf. In particular, it is preferred in this case that the contact part is movable only substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the folding wing, d. H. that you can not move this or only slightly in another direction. An advantage of this feature taken by itself is that it ensures a good and easy demolding of the plant part. In particular, it will be easier for a cleaning specialist to find it easier to remove a piece of equipment essentially parallel to the pivot axis of the folding wings after a relatively long work, for example, than would be possible along a direction of the handle.

This also has the advantage that unwanted disengagement of the attacks is prevented, which would be given in a mobility in other directions under certain circumstances. Thus, a mobility perpendicular to the pivot axes could cause the plant part is pressed when exerting pressure on the folding wings up or to the side. However, this could lead to the corresponding parts disengaged, which can lead to slipping and falling of the mop cover.

It has also been found to be advantageous that the means for releasing the locking of the folding wings with respect to the central part comprises a manually operable push-button. If one operates this leads, if sufficiently strong operation, to solve the lock. For this to be possible, the push button is coupled to the system part. The push button results in actuation to a movement of the system part, which in turn triggers the lock when displaced by a predetermined path. In other words, there is a push button on the holder, which allows a release of the lock, so to speak "by pressing a button". Since this is coupled to the plant part, this is a easy solution of the lock allows. Thus, you can easily and easily remove even after prolonged work on the mop the mop cover, since such a push button can be well operated even after prolonged work and appropriate exhaustion of the muscles.

In this context, it is advantageous that the system part and the push button is formed in one piece, d. H. that these consist of a single component. This allows a simple design of the mop, it is now no complicated coupling between the system part and push button needed.

In the previously described sub-investment stop, it has proved to be advantageous if this is directed downward, especially if this is directed obliquely downwards. Here, the direction "down" refers to the direction perpendicular to the holder extends from the side on which a plane is formed in the locked state by the central part and the two folding wings. In other words, it is that side which, in use, is opposite a stem and, if necessary, a handle connected to the holder. In this respect, it is the side of the holder, which rests on the surface to be cleaned in normal use. Further, the stop on the folding wing is preferably aligned such that it rests flat in the locked state of the folding leaf on the plant sub-stop.

In other words, this means that the abutment part stop at least partially downwards (even if it is preferably inclined). Due to the fact that the stop on the folding wing preferably lies flat against the abutment part stop in the locked state, there is good contact between these two stops. In this respect, a good lock is ensured. Due to the orientation of the system sub-stop down, preferably obliquely below an unwanted pivoting of the folding wings can be well and reliably prevented.

In addition, it is advantageous if the pivot axes of all folding wings are substantially parallel to each other. This allows you to easily fold the holder and thereby remove the mop cover.

In the aforementioned embodiments, it is also advantageous that there is a further device that limits the pivoting range of at least one or preferably all lockable folding wings in the unlocked state. As a result, the Verschwenkungsbereich is limited so that the folding wings must include a minimum angle with each other. This means that they include an angle of at least 10 °, preferably 20 °, more preferably 30 ° with the direction downwards in the unlocked state. This is an advantage in use. In other words, in use, it is particularly advantageous if the two folding wings enclose an angle of approximately 60 °, ie approximately 55 ° to 65 °, symmetrical to the direction downwards. This prevents the folding wings from completely falling down after releasing the lock. This would make it more difficult for the holder to be fitted with a mop cover. The fact that the folding wings are spread with the different angles to the outside you can easily convert them into the flat state of the bottom and at the same time span the mop cover by the holder, with the folding wings down, just against the surface to be cleaned, on which the mop cover is, presses. This brings, as can be seen from the above, advantages in terms of ease of use.

Said Verschwenkungsbereich-restricting means advantageously has a central part stop, which is provided stationary with respect to the central part. This means that there is a further stop at the central part, which can engage the associated folding wing, in particular preferably the already defined stop of the folding wing, in the unlocked state. As a result, the Verschwenkbereich is restricted in a simple manner, but at the same time reliable. The simple design of this device can reduce production costs.

In the said preferred embodiments, it is also advantageous that the automatic locking takes place in the state in which the lower surfaces of the two lockable folding wings lie substantially in one plane. This ensures the usability of the pug in the locked state.

Furthermore, it is preferred that a handle is provided on the central part, which is pivotable about two axes with respect to the central part and preferably in a rotational position about an axis. As a result, you can easily use the holder, for example, under furniture, especially if you attach a handle to the handle.

Brief description of the figures

FIG. 1

shows an exploded view of a holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 2

shows the assembled holder according to the invention in a locked state.

FIG. 3

shows a partial sectional view of a detail of the holder according to the present invention in the locked state.

FIG. 4

shows an overall view of the holder according to the present invention in the unlocked state in a partial sectional view.

FIG. 5

is a detail view of the holder according to the FIG. 4 ,

FIG. 6

shows a side view of the holder according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the figures

FIG. 1 FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the holder 10 according to the present invention. The assembled holder 10 is shown in FIG FIG. 2 to see.

This holder 10 has a handle 28 which is rotatably mounted on an intermediate part 34. This rotatable or pivotable mounting can be locked relative to a pivot axis by means of a locking device 30 in a pivoting position. At the intermediate part 34, the central part 12 is provided by means of a pivot axis 32. At this middle part 12 22 two folding wings 14 are mounted by means of two axes. At the middle part 12, a push button 20 is further provided movable, which is partially received in a groove 13 of the central part 12 on the side of the handle 28. The handle 28 opposite surfaces of the folding wings 14 and the central portion 12 form the surface which abuts when using the holder in a mop, together with the attached mop cover to the surface to be cleaned.

The push button 20 itself serves to actuate or to solve the locking device, which will be described in detail later. It is slidably received in the groove 13, but in addition it is received in a hollow cap 21 which is formed on the central part 12 on the side of the groove 13. As such, it is received along a circumferential direction of the central portion 12, wherein he however, protrudes from the central part 12. In this respect he is easily operated from the outside. The details will be described later.

The two folding wings 14 are flat, plate-like elements whose basic shape is substantially rectangular. On a narrow side of the rectangles, which lies outside when holding a mop cover, they have a substantially smooth edge. On the opposite side provided with through holes projections are provided which can be connected to the central part 12. In this case, the through holes are aligned so that in each of the projections, a through hole is provided which extends parallel to the narrow side of the flap and which has the same diameter for each projection. The through holes are aligned with each other, so that through these through holes a single pivot axis 22 can be passed. These holes are used to connect the respective flap 14 with the central part 12.

Among the mentioned projections of the folding wings 14, the projection 18a deserves special mention because it plays a role in the locking of the folding wings 14 with respect to the central part 12. This projection 18a is provided at such a position of the projected narrow side of the folding wing 14 that it can penetrate into a later-mentioned passage 19 of the central part. At its longitudinal end, it has a bevelled surface 18, which extends in an assembled holder 10 obliquely downwards.

The middle part 12 is a body that can be described essentially as a two-part. First, there is a flat, rectangular part, on the longitudinal sides of the narrow-side projections and recesses of the folding wings 14 matching recesses and Projections are provided. These projections are provided with through holes that fit to the through holes in the flaps 14, so that rod-like pivot axes 22 can be inserted through them, whereby the folding wings 14 are pivotally connected to the central part 12. On the central part 12, however, there is also a hollow cap 21, which is open towards a narrow side of the middle part 12, but is substantially closed at the other sides. This attachment 21 is formed integrally with the lower part and has substantially the shape of a cuboid with rounded corners.

On the side of the outlet 21, which is open, a groove 13 is formed in the flat, rectangular part of the middle part 12, which in cross section has a trapezoidal shape, which tapers downwards. This groove 13 extends along the longitudinal direction of the flat, rectangular portion of the central portion 12 of the cap 21 to the opening of the attachment 21 opposite end of the central portion 12th

Parallel to the narrow side, d. H. perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the central part 12, two bores 33 are further provided in the attachment 21, which extend parallel to the underside of the central part 12. These pass through the walls of the cavity defined by the attachment 21 in alignment.

In this cavity, the push button 20 is used in the assembled state. This push button 20 has the shape of a hollow body which is open on one side. One could also call this form a hollow cuboid, with one side open. The push button 20 is inserted with this open side opposite the closed side of the attachment 21 into the cavity of the attachment 21. The push button 20 also has on the two sides, which face the holes 33 after insertion into the attachment 21, each holes 37, which are aligned with the holes 33. However, these holes 37 are elongated. The longitudinal direction of these elongated holes 37 is, after insertion of the push button 20, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the central part 12. Thus, one can use through the holes 33 and 37, an axis 32, without preventing the push button 20, with respect to the attachment 21 along the longitudinal direction of the central portion 12 to be moved.

Between the push button 20 and the closed wall of the cap 21, a spring 36 is provided, which serves to bias the push button 20 toward the opening of the cap 21, d. H. this spring pushes the push button 20 to the outside. The spring is, e.g. by corresponding projections in the push button 20 and top 21, held so that they can not slip with respect to these two components. As will be apparent from the later description, the tension of the spring 36 is important in that it achieves the automatic locking previously described.

On the lower side of the push-button 20 when inserted into the attachment 21, there is a contact part 16, which has the shape of a trapezoid tapering downwards in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the middle part 12. This trapezoid fits into the groove 13 from the shape, ie you can use this projection in the groove 13 and move in this groove 13 along the longitudinal direction of the central part 12. Within the middle part 12, in the area in which the attachment 21 is located, there is a passage 19 into which a correspondingly dimensioned projection 18a of the folding wings is inserted in the assembled holder 10. This passage 19 is dimensioned so that the protrusion 18a can contact the contact part 16, in the case of a corresponding longitudinal position of the push-button 20. Ie. this passage 19 allows, in addition to the already mentioned opening of the Attachment 21, a further access to the interior of the article 21. The passage 19 also divides the flat rectangular portion of the central portion 12 in two parts, thereby extending substantially parallel to the narrow sides of the flat rectangular portion. These two parts are held together by the attachment 21.

At the top of essay 21, d. H. on the side opposite the bottom of the holder 10, an intermediate part 34 is placed. This intermediate part 34 has two arms 35, each having a bore. By means of this bore they can be connected to the attachment 21 and the push button 20. More specifically, the axle 32 is inserted through the bore of one of the arms 35 of the intermediate member 34. It then passes through the hole 33 of the cap 21 and through one of the holes 37 of the push button 20 therethrough. Then it passes through the other hole 37 of the push button 20 and through the associated hole 33 of the cap 21 therethrough, to finally penetrate into the other hole of the other arm 35 of the intermediate part 34. As a result, the intermediate part 34, the middle part 12 and the push button 20 are connected. In particular, this can be prevented that the push button 20 is pushed out of the article 21 by the force of the spring 36, since the boundary of the hole 37 abuts the axis 32 and thus prevents forcing out by the clamping force of the spring 36. In this respect, the axis 32 not only has the task of providing a pivotable connection between the handle 28 and the holder 10, but also serves to prevent slipping out of the push button 20.

In the intermediate part 34 is another hole 34 a, via which the handle 28 is mounted pivotably with respect to the intermediate part 34.

To better understand the locking mechanism, we will see below FIG. 3 to go into detail. In this Figurines are not all in anymore FIGS. 1 and 2 used reference numerals in order not to complicate an understanding.

In FIG. 3 will be one opposite the FIG. 2 enlarged partial sectional view of the holder 10 shown in the locked state. In the locked state, the lower sides of the folding wings 14 and the middle part 12 substantially form a plane. By the tension of the spring 36, the push button 20 is pushed as far as possible to the outside, ie until the opening of the attachment 21 opposite edges of its holes 37 abuts the axis 32 and thereby prevents further movement of the push button 20. In such a state, the abutment member 16 is located within the passage 19. Thus, an interaction with the projections 18a of the folding wings 14 is possible.

Concretely, this means that a surface (stop) 18 of the folding wing 14 with the side surfaces (abutment part stop) 17 of the abutment member 16 is engaged. In other words, the stops 18 of the folding wing 14 and the trapezoidal leg surfaces of the abutment part 16 lie flat against one another, so that a pivoting of the folding wings 14 downwards is prevented. In this state, however, it is possible to push the push button 20 by manual operation in the article 21. As a result, the contact part 17 is moved out of the passage 19. As a result, however, an engagement of the stops 18 and system part stops 17 is no longer possible. This has the consequence that the lock is released, whereby the folding wings 14 can be pivoted.

However, this pivoting is limited by the upper part of the passage 26, which forms the middle part stops 26. Against these are the surfaces 18, when the maximum pivoting of the folding wings 14 is achieved and thus prevent further pivoting.

In this respect, the system part stops 17 of the system part 16 together with the surfaces 18 of the projections 18a form the locking device. The surfaces 17 and 18a are, in the locked state, flat against each other. Since the surfaces 17 and, accordingly, the surfaces 18 in the locked state are directed obliquely downwards, the projections 18a can not be pivoted upwards. Furthermore, pivoting of the projections 18a downwards is prevented by a similar arrangement. This has the consequence that in the folding wings 14 of that part which extends from the pivot axes 22 to the outside, can not be moved down in the locked state. In this respect, a pivoting of the folding wings 14 is prevented in this state, the holder is thus, as regards the positioning of the folding wings 14 with respect to the central part 12, locked. Now, as is the case, ensuring that the lower surfaces of the folding wings 14 and the middle part 12 form a plane, the holder can thus be used well for holding mop covers and thus for cleaning surfaces without the holder 10 significantly deformed.

However, if you press the push button 20 sufficiently deep, you get to the in FIG. 4 illustrated state, which also in Figures 5 and 6 is shown. In this case, the push button 20 was pressed so hard that the contact part 16 was completely removed from the passage 19 and thus releases it. As a result of this no more contact between surfaces 18 and 17 is possible, there is now no more locking, ie, the projections 18 a can also be pivoted upwards. The lock is thus solved. In a typical use of the holder 10 in a mop, since the length of the folding wings 14 outside the pivoting axes 22 is significantly greater than the length between them, this will cause the folding wings 14 to fold down independently because of gravity, because of gravity now no longer be prevented by the lock. In this respect, fold the folding wings 14 together, and an existing mop cover can be easily removed, unless he already solved automatically from the holder.

At the same time pushing out of the push button 20 is prevented by the spring 36, since the projections 18 now abut against the opening of the attachment 21 opposite surface on a corresponding surface of the contact part 16 (see FIG. 5 ). This system blocks a pushing out of the push button 20 by the spring 36. In this respect, the push button 20 remains in its pressed state, which is also off FIG. 6 (especially compared to FIG. 2 ) becomes clear. However, if you return both folding wings 14 back into the locked state, the z. In FIG. 2 is shown, this procedure is solved. The spring 36 then urges the push button 20 due to their resilience and performs independently, ie without external action by a user, to a locking of the folding wings 14 with respect to the central part 12. A slight locking of the holder 10 is ensured.

Claims (8)

1. Holder (10) for holding wiping covers for cleaning means, in particular wiping covers for mops, having:

   - a central portion (12),

   - two lockable folding wings (14) which are mounted pivotably on the central portion (12),

   - a locking device (17, 18) for locking the two folding wings in a pivot position relative to the central portion (12), and

   - a device for releasing the lock of the locked folding wings relative to the central portion, so that the folding wings can be pivoted,

   wherein the locking device (17, 18) is biased towards the state in which the two folding wings are locked, so that when the lock is released upon movement of the two folding wings (14) towards a state in which the lower surfaces of the two folding wings (14) lie substantially in one plane, the holder (10) automatically locks the folding wings by means of the locking device (17, 18),
   wherein the locking device has for at least one folding wing (14), preferably for both, a stop (18) on the folding wing (14) and a contact portion (16) which is movable relative to the central portion (12) and which has at least one contact portion stop (17), and wherein the stop (18) on the folding wing (14) and the contact portion stop (17) are engaged with each other when the folding wing (14) is locked and they become disengaged upon release of the lock by movement of the contact portion (16),
   characterised in that the contact portion (16) is movable substantially parallel to the pivot shaft (22) of the folding wing (14).
2. Holder according to claim 1, wherein the device for releasing the lock of the folding wings (14) relative to the central portion (12) has a pushbutton (20) which can be actuated by hand and the actuation of which releases the lock, wherein the pushbutton (20) is coupled to the contact portion (16), and
   wherein the pushbutton (20) moves the contact portion (16) upon actuation and releases the lock upon actuation by a predetermined distance.
3. Holder (10) according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion (16) and the pushbutton (20) are constructed in one piece.
4. Holder according to either of claims 2 to 3,

   wherein the contact portion stop (17) is directed downwards, preferably obliquely downwards, and

   wherein the stop (18) on the folding wing (14) is preferably oriented in such a way that it abuts against the contact portion stop (17) in planar relationship when the folding wing (14) is in the locked state.
5. Holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot shafts (22) of all folding wings (14) are substantially parallel to each other.
6. Holder (10) according to any of the preceding claims, further having

   a device (26) which limits the pivot range of at least one, preferably all lockable folding wings (14) in the unlocked state, wherein this device is preferably designed in such a way that the lower surface of at least one, preferably all lockable folding wings (14) in the unlocked state forms an angle of at least 10°, preferably 20°, more preferably 30°, with the downward direction, measured in the projection along the respective associated pivot shaft (22).
7. Holder according to claim 6, wherein the device for limiting the pivot range has a central portion stop (26) which is stationary relative to the central portion (12) and which can be brought into engagement with the associated folding wing (14), preferably the stop (18) of the folding wing (14), and so limits the pivot range.
8. Holder according to any of the preceding claims, wherein automatic locking takes place in a state in which the lower surfaces of the two lockable folding wings (14) lie substantially in one plane.

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