AU2020400248A1

AU2020400248A1 - Device for guiding a flexible line

Info

Publication number: AU2020400248A1
Application number: AU2020400248A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Thomas Fiack
Original assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2019-12-11
Filing date: 2020-10-26
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: WO2021115674A1; CN114761724A; EP4073413A1; JP2023505467A; DE102019133971A1; EP4073413C0; EP4073413B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device suitable for guiding a flexible line, in particular a hose (12). In order to develop the device (10) in such a manner that it permits an adjustable change in direction of the guidance of the flexible line, the device (10) has a joint arrangement (22) with a first joint part (24) and a second joint part (26) which are pivotable relative to each other about a joint axis (28) and form a guide channel for the flexible line, wherein the guide channel has an inlet section (34), an outlet section (44) and a variable-length connecting section (120) connecting the inlet section (34) to the outlet section (44), wherein the connecting section (120) is covered on its outer side facing away from the joint axis (28) by a deformable cover part (122) which is mounted movably at least on one of the two joint parts (24).

Description

APPARATUSFORGUIDING AFLEXIBLECONDUIT

The invention relates to an apparatus suited for guiding a flexible conduit, in particular a hose.

Apparatuses of that kind are suited for guiding a flexible conduit, for example an electrical line in the form of an electrical cable or a hose, in particular a suction hose or a high pressure hose suited for accommodating pressurized cleaning liquid, by the flexible conduit being guided through a guide channel of the L0 apparatus. Apparatuses are thus known, which comprise a guide tube through which a hose can be guided and which comprises a plurality of tube portions that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner. Such apparatuses are often referred to as telescoping spray lances. A spray lance of that kind is known, e.g., from EP 2 569 096 B1. The apparatuses form a L5 rectilinear guide for the flexible conduit, wherein the conduit can be displaced relative to the apparatus, but they do not allow for an adjustable change of direction of the guide of the flexible conduit.

GB 2 549 812 B discloses an apparatus in which a joint arrangement is used, having a first joint part and a second joint part that is pivotable relative to the first joint part about a pivot axis. The first joint part comprises an inlet to which an inlet hose can be connected in a fluid-tight manner, and the second joint part comprises an outlet to which an outlet hose can be connected in a fluid-tight manner. Between the inlet and the outlet, the joint arrangement forms a flow ?5 channel, such that a liquid fed via the inlet hose can flow through joint arrangement to the outlet hose. However, it is not possible to guide a flexible conduit through the joint arrangement.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to further develop an apparatus of the kind stated at the outset such that it enables an adjustable change in direction of the guide of a flexible conduit, in particular a hose.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

This object is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by an apparatus suited for guided a flexible conduit, in particular a hose, said apparatus having a joint arrangement that comprises a first joint part and a second joint part, wherein the two joint parts are pivotable relative to one another about a joint axis and form a guide channel for the flexible conduit, wherein the guide channel comprises an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a connecting portion that is variable in length connecting the inlet portion to the outlet portion, wherein the connecting portion is covered on its outside facing away from the joint axis by a L0 deformable cover part that is movably mounted at least on one of the two joint parts.

The apparatus in accordance with the invention comprises a joint arrangement with a guide channel through which a flexible conduit, in particular a hose, for L5 example a suction hose or a high pressure hose suited for accommodating pressurized cleaning liquid, can be guided. Provision may also be made, however, that the guide channel itself forms a conduit for a liquid or gaseous medium that is guided through the guide channel.

The joint arrangement comprises a first joint part and a second joint part, which are pivotable relative to one another about a joint axis. The two joint parts form the guide channel. The flexible conduit can be guided through the joint arrangement with little effort since it is freely displaceable in the guide channel.

?5 The guide channel comprises an inlet portion, and outlet portion, and a connecting portion that is variable in length. The inlet portion is connected to the outlet portion by way of the connecting portion. The guide direction for the flexible conduit can be adjusted by pivoting the joint parts. Because the connecting portion is covered on its outside facing away from the joint axis by a deformable cover part, which is movably mounted on at least one of the two joint parts, the guide channel is always closed on the outside, independently of

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU the pivot position of the two joint parts. The flexible conduit can therefore not slip out of the connecting portion when the guide direction is changed, instead the flexible conduit is reliably guided at all pivot angles and is protected from damage due to outside influences.

The cover part may be, e.g., of elasticallydeformable configuration. Provision may also be made that the cover part comprises a plurality of cover elements that are connected to one another in an articulated manner.

LO The connecting portion extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion, such that the length of the connecting portion depends on at what angle the outlet portion is oriented relative to the inlet portion. When the outlet portion adopts an acute angle to the inlet portion, the connecting portion then has a greater length than when the outlet portion adopts an obtuse angle to the inlet portion. To take L5 this change in length of the connecting portion into account, the cover part arranged on the outside of the connecting portion in relation to the joint axis is movably mounted at least on one of the two joint parts. The movable mounting allows the cover part to move into the corresponding joint part when the length of the connecting portion is reduced and to move out of the corresponding joint ?0 part when the length of the connecting part is increased.

The cover part may be movably mounted on both joint parts. Alternatively, provision may be made that the cover part is movably mounted only on one of the two joint parts and is fixedly mounted on the other of the two joint parts.

?5

The apparatus in accordance with the invention is suited, among other things, for cases in which a conduit portion of the flexible conduit projecting out of the outlet portion of the joint arrangement is to be varied in its length. If the length of this conduit portion is to be increased, a desired length of the flexible conduit can then be pulled out of the joint arrangement. If the length of this conduit portion is to be reduced, the flexible conduit can thus be slid into the joint

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU arrangement. Such a change in length of the conduit portion projecting out of the outlet portion can occur, e.g., when a guide tube that is variable in its length is connected to the outlet portion, through which the flexible conduit is guided. The guide tube that is variable in length may comprise a plurality of tube portions that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner in order to change the length of the guide tube. When the tube portions are extended out of one another, the length of the conduit portion projecting out of the outlet portion of the joint arrangement thus increases by the flexible conduit being pulled through the joint arrangement. When the tube portions are LO to be slid into one another, the length of the conduit portion projecting out of the outlet portion of the joint arrangement thus decreases by said conduit portion being slid into the joint arrangement.

The connecting portion is preferably of arcuate configuration in relation to the L5 joint axis. This enables an arcuate guidance of the flexible conduit about the joint axis. The joint axis is arranged outside the guide channel. The flexible conduit can be guided through the joint arrangement, the maintenance of a minimum bending radius of the flexible conduit being ensured independently of the pivot angle that the two joint parts adopt relative to one another. Damage to the ?0 flexible conduit when pivoting the two joint parts relative to one another can thereby be prevented.

As already mentioned, the flexible conduit can be displaced relative to the apparatus. In order to keep friction losses particularly low when displacing the ?5 flexible conduit, it is advantageous if the inlet portion and/or the outlet portion are aligned tangentially to the connecting portion in relation to the joint axis. An alignment of that kind is advantageous, in particular, when the connecting portion is of arcuate configuration.

In a preferred configuration of the invention, the two joint parts are lockable in a plurality of pivot positions. This makes it possible to fix the two joint parts in a

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU desired pivot position. It is favorable if the two joint parts are lockable in all pivot positions that they can adopt relative to one another.

The deformable cover part is preferably of strip-shaped configuration. For example, it may be made of an elastically deformable sheet metal strip or, e.g., of an elastically deformable and strip-shaped plastic part.

The cover part comprises a first end portion and a second end portion facing away from the first end portion. It is favorable if the first end portion is fixed to LO one of the two joint parts, for example to the first joint part, and if the second end portion is displaceably mounted in a cover receptacle of the other of the two joint parts, for example the second joint part. When the two joint parts are pivoted relative to one another in such a way that the outlet portion, starting at an acute angle, is aligned at an obtuse angle to the inlet portion, the second end L5 portion of the cover part can thus be increasingly accommodated by the cover receptacle in which the second end portion is displaceably mounted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first joint part comprises an inlet body and a connecting body, the inlet body forming the inlet portion and the ?0 connecting body forming the connecting portion.

The inlet body is favorably connected to the connecting body in one piece. In an embodiment of that kind, the inlet body and the connecting body together form a one-piece component. This component may consist, e.g., of a plastic material.

?5

It is advantageous if the connecting body is of annular configuration and is aligned concentrically to the joint axis. The connecting body may, in particular, extend circularly around the joint axis.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

The connecting body preferably comprises an annular channel, which is arranged on the outside of the connecting body facing away from the joint axis, wherein an arcuate channel region of the annular channel forms the connecting channel. The arcuate channel region connects the inlet portion to the outlet portion. The inlet portion opens - preferably in the tangential direction - into the channel region and the outlet portion adjoins - preferably in the tangential direction - the channel region.

The annular channel is preferably open on its side facing away from the joint LO axis.

The annular channel may be, e.g., of U-shaped configuration in cross section.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second joint part comprises an L5 outlet body and a housing body, the outlet body forming the outlet portion of the guide channel and the housing body forming a housing in which the connecting body is mounted to as to be pivotable about the joint axis.

It is advantageous if the housing body comprises a first housing part and a second housing part, which accommodate between them the connecting body.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a cost-effective production and assembly of the housing body is achieved by the two housing parts each forming a half-shell of the housing.

?5

The two housing parts are preferably of annular configuration. In particular, provision may be made that the two housing parts each extend annularly about the joint axis.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

It is advantageous if the two housing parts are aligned concentrically to the joint axis.

The two housing parts are favorably releasably connectable to one another, for example screwable to one another.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover part is arranged between the two housing parts.

L0 In particular, provision may be made that the two housing parts in combination with the connecting body form a guide for the cover part.

The cover part may be displaceably mounted in the guide formed by the two housing parts and the connecting body.

L5

As mentioned at the outset, the two joint parts can be releasably locked in a plurality of pivot positions relative to one another. Here, it is advantageous if the connecting body of the first joint part comprises first locking elements and if the housing body of the second joint part comprises second locking elements, wherein the connecting body is movable back and forth relative to the housing body between a locking position and a release position, wherein the first locking elements in the locking position of the connecting body are in engagement with the second locking elements, in particular form a positive engagement with the second locking elements, and if the first locking elements in the release position ?5 of the connecting body are at a distance from the second locking elements. The first locking elements in the locking position of the connecting body are in engagement with the second locking elements and preferably cooperate with the second locking elements in a positive-locking manner in order to lock the two joint parts in a desired pivot position. When the lock is to be released, the engagement of the first locking elements in the second locking elements can

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU then be released. For this purpose, the connecting body can be moved into the release position in which the first locking elements adopt a distance from the second locking elements.

The connecting body is preferably biased into its locking position by means of a spring element. A movement of the connecting body from the locking position into the release position takes place, in an embodiment of that kind, against a spring force exerted by the spring element.

LO The spring element may be fixed, for example, with a first spring end on the housing body and with a second spring end on the connecting body.

The spring element may be configured, e.g., in the form of a coil spring.

L5 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connecting body is movable back and forth in the axial direction with respect to the joint axis between the locking position and the release position.

A particularly simple handling of the apparatus is achieved in a preferred ?0 embodiment of the invention by the apparatus comprising a control part and the connecting body being movable in the axial direction by actuating the control part.

For example, provision may be made that an actuation of the control part in a ?5 first actuating direction results in the connecting body being moved commencing from its locking position into its release position and that an actuation of the control part in a second actuating direction results in the connecting body being moved out of its release position into its locking position.

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In order to facilitate the handling of the apparatus, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control part is rotatable about the joint axis relative to the housing body and is movable in the axial direction with respect to the joint axis.

The control part preferably comprises two annular control members aligned coaxially to the joint axis, which accommodate between them the connecting body and which comprise control elements on their sides facing away from the connecting body, wherein the control elements cooperate with control curves L0 arranged on the housing body for achieving a common axial movement of the control part and the connecting body. When rotating the control part relative to the hosing body about the joint axis, the control elements slide along the control curves of the housing body. The control curves preferably comprise control flanks, which comprise a directional component that is aligned axially with L5 respect to the joint axis, such that the control part, upon a rotational movement relative to the housing body, are also moved in the axial direction, the direction of the axial movement depending on the direction of rotation of the control part. The axial movement of the control part is transmitted to the connecting body, the two control members of the control part accommodating the latter between ?0 them.

The two control members are favorably connected to one another by way of a control lever that can be gripped by the user. To rotate the control part about the joint axis, the user can grip the control lever.

?5

A guide tube is preferably connected to the inlet portion of the joint arrangement, through which guide tube the flexible conduit can be guided and which comprises at least two tube portions that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner. This makes it possible to guide the flexible conduit, in particular a hose, for example for a high-pressure hose suited for accommodating pressurized cleaning liquid, outside the joint arrangement as

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU well in a simple manner. For this purpose, the flexible conduit can be guided through a guide tube that is variable in length, which is connected to the inlet portion of the joint arrangement and comprises two tube portions that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, arranged on the guide tube connected to the inlet portion is a gun holder for holding a spray gun to which an end of the flexible conduit is connectable. Spray guns of that kind are known per se to the person skilled in the art. They comprise a gun inlet, to which a supply L0 conduit can be connected, and a gun outlet. Arranged between the gun inlet and the gun outlet is a valve that can be actuated by the user, by means of which a flow connection between the gun inlet and the gun outlet can be selectively established and interrupted. An end of the flexible conduit, preferably configured as a hose, can be connected to the gun outlet, and the spay gun can be fixed to L5 the gun holder, which is arranged on the guide tube connected to the inlet portion of the joint arrangement. This makes it possible to guide the hose connected to the gun outlet of the spray gun via the apparatus in accordance with the invention, e.g., to a cleaning head, by means of which a surface, in particular a facade surface, can be cleaned.

A guide tube is preferably connected to the outlet portion of the joint arrangement, through which guide tube the flexible conduit can be guided and which comprises at least two tube portions that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner. This makes it possible to guide the ?5 flexible conduit, in particular a hose, for example for a high-pressure hose suited for accommodating pressurized cleaning liquid, in a region adjoining the outlet portion in a simple manner. For this purpose, the flexible conduit can be guided through a guide tube that is variable in length, which is connected to the outlet portion of the joint arrangement and comprises two tube portions that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

For example, a cleaning head for cleaning a surface, in particular a cleaning head for cleaning building facade, can be connected to the guide tube connected to the outlet portion, wherein pressurized cleaning liquid is suppliable to the cleaning head by way of a hose that is guided through the guide channel of the joint arrangement and the guide tube.

The subsequent description of an advantageous embodiment of the invention serves in conjunction with the drawing for further explanation. In the drawings:

LO Figure 1: shows a perspective depiction of an apparatus for guiding a flexible conduit with two joint parts to each of which a guide tube that is variable in length is connected, wherein the joint parts adopt a first pivot position and the guide tubes are slid into one another;

L5 Figure 2: shows a perspective depiction of the apparatus from Figure 1, wherein the joint parts adopt a second pivot position;

Figure 3: shows a perspective depiction of the apparatus from Figure 1, wherein the joint parts adopt a third pivot position and the two guide tubes are ?0 extended out ofone another;

Figure 4: shows a perspective depiction of a joint arrangement of the apparatus from Figure 1 in the direction of arrow X from Figure 1 in the form of an exploded view;

?5

Figure 5: shows a perspective depiction of the joint arrangement from Figure 1 in the direction of arrow Y from Figure 1 in the form of an exploded view;

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

Figure 6: shows a perspective depiction of the first joint part from Figure 1;

Figure 7: shows a perspective depiction of a control part of the apparatus from Figure 1;

Figure 8: shows a side view of the joint arrangement from Figure 5, wherein a second housing part of the joint arrangement is hidden;

Figure 9: shows a perspective partial depiction of the joint arrangement, wherein LO a cover of the first joint part and a second housing part of the second joint part are hidden and a connecting body adopts a locking position;

Figure 10: shows a perspective partial depiction corresponding to Figure 7, wherein the connecting body adopts a release position;

L5

Figure 11: shows a cut view of the joint arrangement along line 11-11 from Figure 8, wherein the connecting body adopts a locking position;

Figure 12: shows a cut view of the joint arrangement corresponding to Figure 11, wherein the connecting body adopts a release position.

Schematically depicted in the drawing is a preferred embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention for guiding a flexible conduit. The apparatus is denoted as a whole with the reference numeral 10. For example, a suction hose ?5 may be used as the flexible conduit, as is used, in particular, in suction cleaning appliances. In the depicted embodiment a hose 12 is used, by means of which pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied to the cleaning head 14 that is connected to the apparatus 10. The hose 12 extends from a gun outlet 16 of a spray gun 20 held on a gun holder 18 of the apparatus 10 through the apparatus

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

10 to the cleaning head 14. The cleaning head 14 and the spray gun 20 are not part ofthe apparatus 10.

However, the intended use of the apparatus 10 is not limited to the guidance of a hose, but rather a different flexible conduit could also be guided by means of the apparatus 10, for example an electrical line.

The apparatus 10 comprises a joint arrangement 22 having a first joint part 24 and a second joint part 26. The two joint parts 24, 26 can be pivoted relative to L0 one another about a joint axis 28 and be locked in a desired pivot position. For locking the two joint parts 24, 26, the joint arrangement 22 comprises a control part 30, which can be seen, in particular, in Figure 7, with a control lever 32 that the user can grab with their hand.

L5 The first joint part 24 comprises an inlet portion 34 to which a first guide tube 36 that is variable in length is connected. The aforementioned gun holder 18 is arranged on the free end of the first guide tube 36 facing away from the joint arrangement 22.

The first guide tube 36 comprises two tube portions 38, 40 that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner and that can be fixed to one another by means of a manually releasable locking device 42.

The second joint part 26 comprises an outlet portion 44 to which a second guide ?5 tube 46 that is variable in length is connected. The aforementioned cleaning head 14 is connected to the free end of the second guide tube 46 facing away from the joint arrangement 22.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

The second guide tube 46 comprises two tube portions 48, 50 that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner and that can be fixed to one another by means of a locking device 52.

Figures 1 and 2 show the two guide tubes 36, 46 with the tube portions 38, 40 and 48, 50 slid as far into one another as possible, and in Figure 3 the two guide tubes 36, 46 are depicted with the tube portions 38, 40 and 48, 50 extended out of one another to a maximum extent.

LO The first joint part 24 comprises an inlet body 54, which forms the inlet portion 34. In addition, the first joint part 24 comprises a connecting body 56, which in the depicted embodiment is connected to the inlet body 54 in one piece, such that the inlet body 54 and the connecting body 56 together form a one-piece component of the joint arrangement 22.

L5

As can be seen, in particular, in Figures 4 and 5, the connecting body 56 is of annular configuration and is aligned coaxially to the joint axis 28. On its outside 58 facing away from the joint axis 28, the connecting body 56 comprises an annular channel 60 that is U-shaped in cross section, into which the inlet portion 43 opens tangentially in relation to the joint axis 28. This is made clear in particular in Figure 6.

The control part 30 comprises, in addition to the control lever 32, two annular control members 62, 64, which are also aligned coaxially to the joint axis 28 and ?5 which accommodate between them in a positive-locking manner the annular connecting body 56 of the first joint part 24 and can be rotated relative to the connecting body 56 about the joint axis 28. However, the control members 62, 64 are not movable relative to the connecting body 56 in the axial direction with respect to the joint axis 28. Instead, the connecting body 56 is entrained by the control members 62, 64 upon an axial movement of the control members 62, 64,

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU such that the control members 62, 64 and the connecting body 56 perform a common axial movement.

The two control members 62, 64 are connected to the control lever 32 in one piece, such that together with the control lever 32 they form a one-piece component.

One their respective outsides 66 and 68, the control members 62, 64 comprise control elements 70, 72 in the form of axially aligned projections, the purpose of LO which is explained in more detail in the following.

The second joint part 26 comprises an outlet body 74, which forms the outlet portion 44. The second joint part 26 also comprises a housing body 76, which forms a housing 78. The housing 78 surrounds the connecting body 56 and the L5 two control members 62, 64.

The outlet body 74 is formed by a first outlet body half-shell 80 and a second outlet body half-shell 82 and the housing body 76 is formed by a first housing body half-shell 84 and a second housing body half-shell 86. The first outlet body half-shell 80 is connected to the first housing body half-shell 84 in one piece, such that the first outlet body half-shell 80 together with the first housing body half-shell 84 forms a one-piece component.

The second outlet body half-shell 82 is connected to the second housing body ?5 half-shell 86 in one piece, such that the second outlet body half-shell 82 together with the second housing body half-shell 86 forms a one-piece component.

The first housing body half-shell 84 forms a first annular housing part 88, and the second housing body half-shell 86 forms a second annular housing part 90. The two housing parts 88, 90 are aligned coaxially to the joint axis 28 and can 18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU be screwed to one another. The first outlet body half-shell 80 can be screwed to the second outlet body half-shell 82.

As can be seen, in particular, in Figures 5 and 11, the first housing part 88 comprises on its inside facing toward the second housing part 90 a first control curve 94 with a multitude of first control flanks 96, which each comprise an axially oriented directional component.

As can be seen, in particular, in Figures 4 and 12, the second housing part 90 L0 comprises on its inside facing toward the first housing part 88 a second control curve 100 with a multitude of second control flanks 102, which each comprise an axially oriented directional component.

The connecting body 56 comprises on its face side 104 facing toward the second L5 housing part 90 first locking elements 106, which form a first toothed ring 108.

The second housing part 90 comprises on its inside facing toward the connecting body 56 second locking elements 110, which form a second toothed ring 112.

?0 The first locking elements 106 can be brought into engagement with the second locking elements 110 and form a positive engagement. This makes it possible to fix the two joint parts 24, 26 in a desired pivot position. When the lock is to be released, to this end, the user can grip the control lever 32 and rotate the control part 30 relative to the housing body 76 in a first direction about the joint axis 28. ?5 This rotational movement results in the second control elements 72 of the second control member 64 sliding along the second control flanks 102 of the second control curve 100. As a result, the control part 30 and with it the first joint part 26 are moved in the axial direction with respect to the joint axis 28, such that the first locking elements 106 arranged on the face side 104 of the connecting body 56 adopt a distance from the second locking elements 110 arranged on the

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU inside of the second housing part 90. The locking of the two joint parts 24, 26 is thereby released and the joint parts 24, 26 can be pivoted about the joint axis 28 by the user.

When the user releases the control lever 32, the control part 30 rotates relative to the housing body 76 back into its original position under the action of a spring element 114. The rotational movement results in the first control elements 70 of the first control member 62 sliding along the first control flanks 96 of the first control curve 94. As a result, the control part 30 and with it the first joint part 26 L0 are moved back again in the axial direction with respect to the joint axis 28, such that the first locking elements 106 arranged on the face side 104 of the connecting body 56 enter back into engagement with the second locking elements 110 arranged on the inside of the second housing part 90 and form a positive engagement. The lock of the two joint parts 24, 26 is thereby active L5 again.

In the embodiment depicted, the spring element 114 is configured as a coil spring 116, which is fixed with a first spring end on the first housing part 88 and with a second spring end on the first control member 62 of the control part 30.

By rotating the control lever 32 relative to the housing body 76, the connecting body 56 can thus be moved in the axial direction with respect to the joint axis 28 back and forth between a latching position and a release position. In the latching position of the connecting body 56, the first locking elements 106 form a positive ?5 engagement with the second locking elements 110. This is made clear in particular in Figure 11. In the release position, the first locking elements 106 adopt a distance from the second locking elements 110. This is made clear in particular in Figure 12.

For guiding the hose 12, said hose 12 can be guided through the two guide tubes 36, 46 and the joint arrangement 22. In the region between the inlet portion 34

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU and the outlet portion 44, the hose is accommodated by a connecting portion 120, which is formed by a channel region of the annular channel 60 of the connecting body 56, the channel region extending arcuately from the inlet portion 34 to the outlet portion 44. The inlet portion 34 and the outlet portion 44 are aligned tangentially to the actuate connecting portion, i.e., the inlet portion 34 opens in the tangential direction into the connecting portion 120 and the outlet portion adjoins the connecting portion 120 in the tangential direction. The length of the actuate channel region, i.e., the length of the connecting portion 120, is dependent of which pivot position the outlet portion has relative to the L0 inlet portion. The smaller the pivot angle is, the greater the length of the connecting portion 120 is. In combination with the two guide tubes 36, 46, the inlet portion 34, the outlet portion 44, and the connecting portion 120 form a guide channel of the apparatus 10 through which the hose 12 can be guided, wherein the hose 12 can be displaced in the guide channel.

L5

On its outside facing away from the joint axis 28, the connecting portion 120 is covered by an elastically deformable cover part 122. This is made clear, in particular, in Figures 4, 5 and 8. The cover part 122 is of strip-shaped configuration and comprises a first end portion 124, which faces toward the inlet portion 34 of the first joint part 24. The cover part 122 also comprises a second end portion 126 facing away from the first end portion 124, which faces toward the outlet portion 44 of the second joint part 26.

In the embodiment depicted, the first end portion 124 is fixed to the first joint ?5 part 24. For this purpose, the first end portion 124 is of T-shaped configuration with a narrowed longitudinal piece 128 and a transverse piece 130 adjoining the longitudinal piece 128 in the direction to the first joint part 24. The longitudinal piece 128 and the transverse piece 130 are accommodated by a recess 132 of the first joint part 24, wherein the transverse piece 130 engages behind a rim 134 of the recess 132. The recess 132 is covered by a cover 136 of the first joint part 24, which can be removed for inserting the first end portion 124 into the recess 132.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

The second end portion 126 of the cover part 122 dips into a cover receptacle 138 of the second joint part 26, wherein it is freely movable in the longitudinal direction of the cover part 122.

Depending on the pivot position that the two joint parts 24, 26 adopt relative to one another, the cover part 122 can dip into the cover receptacle 138 to a greater or lesser extent, such that in each pivot position it is ensured that the connecting portion 120 is covered by the cover part 122 on its outside facing LO away from the joint axis 28.

The cover part 122 may be configured, e.g., in the form of a sheet metal strip or, for example, in the form of a plastic strip that is made of an elastically deformable plastic material.

L5

The hose 12 can be guided through the first guide tube 36, the inlet portion 34, the connecting portion 120, the outlet portion 44, and the second guide tube 46. Because the inlet portion 34 as well as the outlet portion 44 are aligned tangentially to the connecting portion 120 and the connecting portion 120 runs ?0 arcuately around the joint axis 28, the hose 12 is subjected only to very low frictional forces when the two joint parts 24, 26 are pivoted and when the first guide tube 36 and the second guide tube 46 are changed in length. The displaceable mounting of the hose 12 thus enables the user to guide the hose 12 arcuately in a simple manner by means of the apparatus 10, wherein the user is ?5 able to change the length of the guide tubes 36 and 46 as well as the alignment of the first joint part 24 relative to the second joint part 26 as required. The hose 12 is protected within the guide tubes 36 and 46 and within the joint arrangement 22 from outside influences that could lead to damage to the hose 12. The provision of the cover part 122 that covers the connecting portion 12 on its outside ensures that the hose 12 is protected from outside influences not only

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU in the region of the guide tubes 36, 46 as well as the inlet portion 34 and the outlet portion 44, but also in the region of the connecting portion 120.

The arcuate course of the connecting portion 120 around the joint axis 28 makes it possible to maintain the minimum bending radius of the hose 12, independently of the pivot position that the two joint parts 24, 26 adopt relative to one another.

A pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied to the cleaning head 14 by means L0 of the hose 12. For this purpose, the end of the hose 12 facing away from the cleaning head 14 can be connected to the gun outlet 16 of the spray gun 20. The pressurized cleaning liquid can be supplied to the spray gun 20 by way of a supply hose, which is known per se and therefore is not depicted in the drawing to achieve a better overview. By means of the spray gun 20, the user can control L5 the dispensing of the cleaning liquid in the usual manner.

The spray gun 20 is held on the gun holder 18. For this purpose, the gun holder 18 forms a gun receptacle 140, which is of substantially tray-shaped configuration and to which the spray gun 20 can be fixed by means of retaining straps 142, 144. This makes it possible to use the apparatus 10 together with a commercially available spray gun 20.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

Claims

1. Apparatus suited for guiding a flexible conduit, in particular a hose (12), with a joint arrangement (22), which comprises a first joint part (24) and a second joint part (26), wherein the two joint parts (24, 26) are pivotable relative to one another about a pivot axis (28) and form a guide channel for the flexible conduit, wherein the guide channel comprises an inlet portion (34), an outlet portion (44), and a connecting portion (120) that is variable in length connecting the inlet portion (34) to the outlet portion (44), LO wherein the connecting portion (120) is covered on its outside facing away from the joint axis (28) by a deformable cover part (122), wherein the cover part (122) is movably mounted on at least one of the two joint parts (24).

L5 2. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting portion (120) is of arcuate configuration with respect to the joint axis (28).

3. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inlet portion (34) and/or the outlet portion (44) are aligned tangentially to the ?0 connecting portion (120) with respect to the joint axis (28).

4. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that the two joint parts (24, 26) are releasably lockable in a plurality of pivot positions.

?5 5. Apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cover part (122) is of strip-shaped configuration.

6. Apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cover part (122) comprises a first end portion (124) and a second end portion (126) facing away from the first end portion 18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

(124), wherein the first end portion (124) is fixedly mounted on one of the two joint parts (24, 26) and the second end portion (126) is displaceably mounted in a cover receptacle (138) of the other of the two joint parts (26).

7. Apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the first joint part (24) comprises an inlet body (54) and a connecting body (56), the inlet body (54) forming the inlet portion (34) and the connecting body (56) forming the connecting portion (120).

L0 8. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 7, characterized in that the connecting body (56) is of annular configuration and is aligned concentrically to the joint axis (28).

9. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the L5 connecting body (56) comprises an annular channel (60), which is arranged on the outside of the connecting body (56) facing away from the joint axis (28), wherein a channel region of the annular channel (60) forms the connecting portion (120).

10. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that the annular channel (60) is open on its side facing away from the joint axis (28).

11. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 10, characterized in that the annular channel (60) is of U-shaped configuration in cross section.

?5

12. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the second joint part (26) comprises an outlet body (54) and a housing body (76), the outlet body (74) forming the outlet portion (44) and the housing body (76) forming a housing (78) in which the connecting body (56) is mounted so as to be pivotable about the joint axis (28). 18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

13. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 12, characterized in that the housing body (6) comprises a first housing part (88) and a second housing part (90), which accommodate the connecting body (56) between them.

14. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 13, characterized in that the two housing parts (88, 90) each form a half-shell of the housing (78).

15. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the two LO housing parts (88, 90) are of annular configuration.

16. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 13, 14, or 15, characterized in that the two housing parts (88, 90) are releasably connectable to one another.

L5 17. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the cover part (122) is arranged between the two housing parts (88, 90).

18. Apparatus in accordance with any one of Claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the connecting body (56) comprises first locking elements (106) and in that the housing body (76) comprises second locking elements (110), wherein the connecting body (56) is movable back and forth relative to the housing body (76) between a locking position and a release position, wherein the first locking elements (106) in the locking position are in ?5 engagement with the second locking elements (110) and in the release position are at a distance from the second locking elements (110).

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

19. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 18, characterized in that the connecting body (56) is biased into its locking position by means of a spring element (114).

20. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the connecting body (56) is movable back and forth (28) in the axial direction with respect to the joint axis (28) between the locking position and the release position.

LO

21. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 18, 19, or 20, characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises a control part (30) and the connecting body (56) is movable back and forth between the locking position and the release position by actuating the control part (30).

L5

22. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 21, characterized in that the control part (30) is rotatable about the joint axis (28) and movable in the axial direction relative to the housing body (76), wherein the control part (30) comprises two annular control members (62, 64) aligned coaxially to the joint axis (28), which accommodate the connecting body (56) between ?0 them and which comprise control elements (70, 72) on their sides (66, 68) facing away from the connecting body (56), wherein the control elements (70, 72) cooperate with control curves (94, 100) arranged on the housing body for achieving a common axial movement of the control part (30) and the connecting body (56).

?5

23. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 22, characterized in that the two control members (62, 64) are connected to one another by way of a control lever (32) that can be gripped by the user.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU

24. Apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that connected to the inlet portion (34) of the joint arrangement (22) is a guide tube (36) through which the flexible conduit is guidable and which comprises at least two tube portions (38, 40) that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner.

25. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 24, characterized in that arranged on the guide tube (36) connected to the inlet portion (34) is a gun holder (18) for holding a spray gun (20) to which an end of the flexible conduit is LO connectable.

26. Apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that connected to the outlet portion (44) of the joint arrangement (22) is a guide tube (46) through which the flexible conduit is L5 guidable and which comprises at least two tube portions (48, 50) that are slidable into and extendable out of one another in a telescoping manner.

27. Apparatus in accordance with Claim 26, characterized in that a cleaning head (14) for cleaning a surface is connectable to the guide tube (46) ?0 connected to the outlet portion (44), to which cleaning head (14) pressurized cleaning liquid is suppliable by way of the flexible conduit.

18754906_1 (GHMatters) P119052.AU