CN109152468B

CN109152468B - Joint for cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: CN109152468B
Application number: CN201780029774.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·唐迪; R·唐迪
Original assignee: NUOVA F LLI DONDI Srl
Current assignee: NUOVA F LLI DONDI Srl
Priority date: 2016-03-31
Filing date: 2017-03-30
Publication date: 2021-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-30
Also published as: CN109152468A; EP3435815A1; ITUA20162136A1; EP3435815B1; WO2017168356A1

Abstract

A joint (5) for a cleaning tool having: a broom handle (4) having a joint end (4A) and an opposite grip end (4B); a base body (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and having, on a first face (2A), a plurality of bristles (3) and, on an opposite face (2B), a stem (6; 60) with a peripheral wall, in which the joint end (4A) of the broom handle (4) is designed to engage; the joint includes: locking means (8, 9) for releasably locking said joint end (4A) in said stem (6; 60), comprising two flexible, facing half-portions (6A, 6B; 65) of said peripheral wall; a tank (7) separating the two half-portions (6A, 6B; 65); a pulling/releasing member (9) for pulling/releasing the two half-parts (6A, 6B; 65).

Description

Joint for cleaning tool

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a joint for a cleaning implement that is generally suitable for use in attaching a broom or scrubbing brush to a base having bristles.

Background

Known cleaning tools (typically brooms or scrubbing brushes) comprise a base part which is substantially constituted by a straight body, which is equipped with a large number of bristles on the side which is designed to face the floor or the surface to be cleaned.

Typically, the base portion includes tabs on opposite sides for stably securing a broom handle (which enables a user to operate a broom or scrubbing brush) thereto.

The prior art joint includes a raised stem that defines a hollow seat for receiving the end of the broom handle precisely mounted therein.

A securing system is provided between the end of the broom handle and the rod, which typically consists of a screw connection consisting of a male thread formed on the end of the broom handle and a mating female thread (which engages the male thread by a screw engagement) formed in the inner peripheral wall of the hollow base.

The end portion of the broom handle having the male thread also has a slightly frustoconical shape so that a more secure and stable connection is achieved when it is screwed into the female thread.

Another attachment arrangement between the end of the broom handle and the base portion of the broom or scrubbing brush includes a pair of holes extending transversely therethrough so that they are coaxial when the broom handle is mounted in the hollow base.

Thus, a bolt with a corresponding locking nut or plug is introduced transversely therein to lock the broom handle in the hollow base.

Another known connection between the end of the broom handle and the base portion of the broom or scrubbing brush includes a series of flexible petals that extend in overhanging, i.e., projecting from, the upper circumference of the shaft toward the broom handle.

The stem has an external thread for a threaded ring to be screwed thereon, the threaded ring having an internal frustoconical profile designed to be fitted onto the external surface of the petals as the ring is progressively screwed onto the stem so that they progressively converge in the centripetal direction of the stem.

Thus, when the ring is screwed onto the rod, the end of the broom handle is clamped between the petals and the broom handle is locked into the rod.

This prior art has certain disadvantages.

A first drawback is that for brooms or bristle brushes having a relatively long base portion (as is typical for industrial brooms or bristle brushes), the rod contacts mechanical bending stresses caused by the torque generated between the active and passive friction forces applied by the user through the broom handle (which are generated by the contact of the bristles with the surface to be cleaned during cleaning).

A second drawback is that, due to the length typically associated with the base portion of these brooms or bristle brushes, the stem of the joint is typically offset, i.e. close to the end of said base portion that is closer to the user during operation, i.e. the proximal end.

This offset position typically creates additional stress on the stem and the joint due to the overhanging weight of the base portion (which extends along the stem, i.e., outwardly from the joint of the broom handle).

These stresses often cause early fatigue of the joint, in which cracks and ruptures occur and result in (even when they only partially affect the joint) increased clearance being formed between the broom handle and the rod.

As such clearance increases, it may cause the broom handle to spontaneously slip off the rod or even cause the rod to break, which ultimately renders the broom or bristle brush unusable due to the impossibility of using the broom handle.

Another source of adverse stress includes impact against surrounding obstacles that often act on the base portion when the user is using the base portion.

Also, such stresses are transmitted to the joint of the broom handle, further increasing the likelihood of damage or breakage.

Another drawback is that, due to intensive use, the above mentioned gaps, and the impact of the base element on obstacles surrounding the surface to be cleaned, the broom handle may rotate with respect to the base element, preventing the user from restoring the locked state and the robustness of the joint.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to improve the prior art.

Another object is to provide a joint for a cleaning tool which has a very simple and therefore very cost-effective structure.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a joint for a cleaning tool as defined by the features of claim 1.

Further aspects of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention provides the following advantages:

-preserving the integrity of the joint over time even when the joint is subjected to mechanical stresses during use of the cleaning tool;

-selectively adjusting the position of the broom handle relative to the base member of the cleaning tool;

-avoiding unintentional accidental rotation between the broom handle and the base element of the cleaning tool during use.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a joint for a cleaning tool, illustrated as a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a small scale overall view of a cleaning implement, i.e., broom, for industrial use as well as for outdoor use;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view on a larger scale of a first embodiment of a joint for a cleaning tool of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the step of installing one end of the broom handle into a rod forming part of the joint of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of the rod of FIG. 13;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective top view of a second embodiment of the lever of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a second possible embodiment of a fitting for a cleaning tool of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an oversized scale view of the insertion area of the broom handle into the stem of the joint of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of a detail of the locking arrangement of the broom handle in the pole of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the joint of FIG. 6 during insertion of the broom handle;

FIG. 10 is a large scale view of the joint of FIG. 9, with the broom handle inserted into the stem of the joint of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of a component of the joint according to one possible alternative embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the fitting;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fitting of FIG. 5;

fig. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second possible embodiment of a joint for a cleaning tool of the present invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 designates as a whole a cleaning device, i.e. a broom, generally for industrial or road use, and hereafter referred to as broom 1.

The broom 1 comprises a base body 2, hereinafter referred to briefly as body 2, having a flat elongated shape and extending along a longitudinal axis "X". The body 2 has, on the side 2A facing the surface to be cleaned, a block 3 of bristles 3, i.e. such bristles are oriented in an oblique direction, forming an acute angle with the base body 2.

On the opposite side 2B, the body 2 forms a joint 5 for an operating broom handle 4 (usually formed as a length of cylindrical tube), said broom handle 4 having a joint end 4A and an opposite grip end 4B.

More specifically, the joint is shown to include a stem 6 projecting from the side 2B, and the joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 is designed to be inserted and locked (but removably) in the stem.

In the first embodiment, the stem 6 is formed as an integral part projecting from the side 2B, whereas in the second embodiment, the stem (indicated here as 60) is formed as a prismatic element 61, which prismatic element 61 is rotatably mounted in a specially designed seat 62 formed in the base body 2 and is adapted to be locked in a position selected from a series of available positions provided as a plurality of through holes 63 arranged in a circular arc on a pair of walls 64 placed on both sides of the element 61 and defining the seat 62.

Returning to the first embodiment, the stem 6 (which is formed in a position close to the proximal end 2C of the base body 2, i.e. closer to the user) is composed of two

semicircular walls

6A, 6B, said two

semicircular walls

6A, 6B being in a mutually facing relationship and being separated by a groove 7, said groove 7 extending along the longitudinal axis "X" on a section of the reinforcing rib 20 joining the stem 6 to the base body 2.

More specifically, the stem 6 is shown as being inclined with respect to the base body 2 and not perpendicular to the base body 2, forming an acute angle "α" with the base body 2 towards the proximal end 2C, and therefore an obtuse supplementary angle "β" towards the opposite distal end (referred to as 2D).

The preferred acute angle of inclination "α" of the bar 6 may be between 60 ° and 70 °, and is indicated as 67 °.

Two coaxial holes 8 are formed in the rod 6, i.e. one hole 8 in each of the two

walls

6A, 6B, which share a common axis "Y" perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "X", and which can receive the shaft of a bolt 9 which extends through the two

walls

6A, 6B and can be screwed onto the two

walls

6A, 6B.

In order to act on the two

walls

6A, 6B, the bolt 9 has a generally hexagonal head 9A, which hexagonal head 9A is restingly received at one of the holes 8 in a hollow hexagonal seat 11 formed outside one of the

walls

6A, 6B (e.g. wall 6B), and an opposite threaded end 9B projects away from the opposite wall 6A and extends through a seat 12, to which a nut, such as a wing nut 10, is screwed.

More specifically, with reference to fig. 8, it should be noted that the side 10A of the nut 10 facing the corresponding seat 11 and the facing surface 11A of the corresponding seat 11 define two arcuate mating profiles, the purpose of which is to automatically centre the position of the nut 10 when the bolt 9 is tightened.

The joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 also has two coaxial through holes 13, which two coaxial through holes 13 are substantially coaxially aligned with the two holes 8 formed in the

walls

6A, 6B when the broom handle 4 is received in its final position in the rod 6, so that when the bolt 9 is introduced therein, the bolt 9 also extends through the joint end 4A, locking it in the rod 6.

A rotation lock is provided between the joint end 4A and the rod 6 (i.e., the bottom 6C of the rod 6) to prevent the broom handle 4 from rotating itself after the broom handle 4 is inserted into the rod 6.

With reference to figures 3, 4 and 13, in a possible embodiment the rotation locking means comprise two grooves 14, preferably with a semicircular shape, said two grooves 14 being formed at the bottom of the joint end 4A in diametrically opposite positions and being designed to engage with corresponding teeth 15, said teeth 15 also being formed in diametrically opposite positions in a form projecting from the bottom 6C.

In order to obtain a more secure connection between the joint end 4A and the rod 6, the rod 6 may comprise a second cylindrical rod 16, which second cylindrical rod 16 extends coaxially within the rod 6 along a section of the rod 6 and has a smaller diameter, so that an annular gap 17 for the end 4A to be mounted therein is defined between the rod 6 and the second cylindrical rod 16.

The second rod 16 may have an internal diameter-enhancing spacer, identified as 16A and designed to fit into the end 4A with a slight press-fit, keeping it coaxially guided without clearance therebetween.

For easier introduction into the end 4A, the second rod 16 may have, if desired, a slightly conical profile.

Furthermore, the second rod 16 may also have a hole or groove 18 coaxial with the hole 8 in order to allow the passage of the bolt 9.

Referring now to figures 6 to 10 and 14, which show a second embodiment of the joint of the present invention, it is noted that the same components as the first embodiment described above are designated by the same numerals.

It should be understood that in this second embodiment, the rod 60 is formed as a prismatic element 61, which is made up of two portions 65 fixed to each other in symmetrical relationship.

As mentioned above, the prismatic element 61 is mounted so as to be able to rotate within the seat 62 about the transverse bolt 9, so that it can assume different angles with respect to the body 2.

Rotation of the prismatic element 61 can be selected by inserting a plug 66 into a selected one of the plurality of holes 63, said plug being inserted parallel to the bolt 9 and interfering, when inserted, with the bottom of the prismatic element 61, i.e. engaging the cavity of the teeth 67 formed therein, as shown in fig. 9 and 10.

The slots 7 are also provided between the two symmetrical portions 65 and enable them to bend slightly towards each other when stressed, as will be discussed more clearly below.

Also in this second embodiment, a second rod concentric with the rod 60 may be provided, identified as 68 in fig. 9.

More specifically, this second rod 68 (which has the same purpose as the second rod 16) is provided in the form of a body separate from the prismatic body 61 and contained within the two symmetrical portions 65.

For this purpose, the second rod 68 has a substantially flat base 69, which base 69 extends peripherally from the second rod 68 and is housed between respective parallel ribs 70 (see also fig. 14) provided in the form of projections from the inner walls of two symmetrical portions 65, which portions 65, when coupled, guide and clamp the base 69 therebetween, so as to coaxially fix the second rod 68 in the rod 60 in a predetermined position.

As shown in the figures, the second lever 68 is provided in the form of two

perpendicular ribs

71, 72 formed integrally with the base 69.

The second rod 68 also has a transverse channel 73 for the passage of the bolt 9 and two teeth 15 designed for engagement with the groove 14 of one joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 are provided at the junction area at the base 69 between the two

ribs

71 and 72.

Referring to fig. 14, one of the two symmetrical portions 65 has been removed to provide a view of the interior of the joint.

More specifically, it will be appreciated that the plug 66 is inserted into a selected one of the bores 63 and is received between one of the cavities of the teeth 67 in opposed parallel slots in a mating tooth 67B formed on the inner surface of the base 62.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, the second stem 68 may also be formed as a prismatic, for example frustoconical, projection extending from the bottom face of the seat 69 and designed for fitting precisely in a hollow seat 75 formed in the bottom 6C (see fig. 4), the shape of the hollow seat 75 being opposite to the prismatic shape of the projection 74.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the reverse arrangement of the projection 74 (to be provided in the form of a projection from the base 6c) and the hollow base 75 (to be formed at the base of the second stem 68) may be provided. Another feature common to both embodiments of the joint of the invention is the provision of a strong reinforcing rib 20, said reinforcing rib 20 connecting the

rods

6 and 60 to the opposite side 2B of the body 2, thus extending along the longitudinal axis "X" over a section of this side 2B.

The operation of the joint for a cleaning tool is explained below for two possible embodiments.

In the first embodiment, the bolt 9 (if any) is removed from the rod 6, and the joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 is inserted into the rod 6 to mount the second rod 16 therein.

In the latter case, the joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 is accommodated in the annular gap 17 with a precise fit.

In this insertion configuration of the broom handle 4, the two teeth 15 engage in their respective recesses 14, preventing the rotation of the broom handle 4 itself.

Furthermore, in order to lock the broom handle 4 safely and securely against axial sliding movements in the rod 6, to prevent accidental removal from the rod 6, the bolts 9 are inserted transversely into the two holes 8 and into the holes 13 of the broom handle 4 aligned with the two holes 8, so that the head 9A and the opposite end 9B are retained inside the rod 6, housed in their

respective seats

11 and 12.

Next, the nut 10 is screwed onto the opposite end 9B and, as it is screwed, the two

walls

6A, 6B bend towards each other and partially fill the gap of the slot 7, as shown by the dotted line in fig. 4.

In this way, the joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 is clamped within the rod 6 and mounted to the second rod 16, the second rod 16 penetrating the joint end 4A, reinforcing the joint end 4A and maintaining the joint end 4A in the guide position.

According to the second embodiment of the joint for a cleaning tool, the broom handle 4 is inserted in almost the same manner as the first embodiment except that the joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 is accommodated between the two symmetrical portions 65 forming the rod 60.

Also, the insertion is performed by first removing the bolt 9 so that the joint end 4A of the broom handle 4 is freely mounted onto the second bar 68, thereby allowing mutual engagement of the teeth 15 and the grooves 14.

In this engagement step, the plug 66 is also typically (but not necessarily) removed from the prismatic element 61, the prismatic element 61 thus being free to rotate within the seat 62 between the walls 64 of the two sides.

Once the broom handle 4 has been fully inserted into the rod 60, the bolt 9 is inserted laterally and extends through both apertures 8, both apertures 13 of the joint end 4A and the channel 73 (if any) to extend onto opposite sides of the prismatic element 61.

The nut 10 is screwed onto the projecting portion 9B of the bolt and gradually bends towards each other two symmetrical portions 65, said two symmetrical portions 65 partially filling the slot 7 and clamping the joint end 4A between them.

Once such engagement has been completed, the broom handle 4 is rotated relative to the main body 2 until it reaches an optimal position for ergonomic use of the broom 1.

When the optimal position has been reached, the plug 66 is fitted into the corresponding hole 63 and engages in one of the cavities of the tooth 67, locking the rotation of the prismatic element 61, and therefore of the broom handle 4, in the selected position.

It should be noted that the mating concave/convex conical coupling between the two profiles of the side 10A of the nut 10 and of the surface 11A of the seat 11 during screwing enables the nut 10 to be self-centred on the surface 11A, avoiding the generation of transverse stress components.

Thus, in both embodiments, the broom handle 4 cannot rotate on its own or accidentally slide off when it is mounted in the

rod

6 or 60.

The shape of the

rods

6 and 60 and the provision of the

second rods

16 and 68 prevent the formation of undesirable gaps between the broom handle 4 and the main body 2.

Furthermore, the provision of the reinforcing ribs 20 makes it possible to evacuate all the stresses generated on the joint of the invention during use of the broom 1 without any risk of damage.

The present invention has been found to meet the intended objectives.

The invention thus conceived can undergo modifications and variations within the inventive concept.

Moreover, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

In its actual implementation, any materials, shapes and sizes may be used as desired, without departing from the scope as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A joint for a cleaning tool, the cleaning tool comprising:

-a broom handle (4) having one joint end (4A) and an opposite grip end (4B);

-a base body (2) having a longitudinal axis (X) and having, on a first face (2A), a plurality of bristles (3) and, on an opposite face (2B), a stem (6; 60) having a peripheral wall and in which the joint end (4A) of the broom handle (4) is designed to engage; the joint includes:

-releasable locking means (8, 9) of said joint end (4A) in said rod (6; 60);

the releasable locking means comprises:

-two flexible, facing half-portions (6A, 6B; 65) of the peripheral wall of the stem (6; 60) of the base body (2);

-a separation groove (7) of said two half-portions (6A, 6B; 65);

-tensioning/releasing elements (9) of the two half-parts (6A, 6B; 65),

the rod (6; 60) comprises:

-a prismatic member (61) rotatably mounted with respect to the base body (2) and from which the two half-portions (6A, 6B; 65) are produced;

-a housing seat (62) obtained in the base body (2) and in which the prismatic member (61) is rotatably housed;

-blocking means (9, 63, 66, 67) of the prismatic member (61) with respect to the housing base (62), characterized in that they comprise selection means (63, 66, 67) interposed between the housing base (62) and the prismatic member (61), wherein said selection means comprise:

-a plurality of holes (63) in the housing base (62);

-cavities (67) of teeth formed in said prismatic members (61);

-a plug (66) inserted into a selected respective hole (63) and engaging a cavity (67) of a selected one of said teeth.

2. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that said separation groove (7) continues in said base body (2) along said longitudinal axis (X) from said stem (6; 60).

3. Joint as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said prismatic member (61) is rotatably retained in a plane containing said longitudinal axis (X).

4. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that said blocking means further comprise an interference pin (9) which is transversely inserted in a removable manner and in a selected position of a series of selectable positions.

5. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the anti-rotation means (14, 15) of the broom handle (4) with respect to the rod (6; 60) are interposed between the broom handle (4) and the rod (6; 60).

6. Joint according to claim 5, characterized in that said anti-rotation means comprise at least one tooth (15) projecting laterally from one of said peripheral walls, and a corresponding cavity (14) obtained in said joint end (4A) and engaging in said tooth (15) in an engagement position of said broom handle (4) in said stem (6; 60).

7. Joint according to claim 1, characterized in that a connecting and/or reinforcing element (20) is arranged between said rod (6; 60) and said opposite face (2B).

8. A cleaning implement (1), characterized in that it comprises a joint (5) according to any one of the preceding claims.