DE102010030102A1 - Protective element for a vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

Protective element (10) with an air chamber (13) for absorbing forces, which can be mounted on a vacuum cleaner element (40), at least one spacing means (15) being integrally formed in a first region (17) of the protective element (10) Forms air chamber (13) with at least one open side, the air chamber being able to be arranged between the protective element (10) and the vacuum cleaner element (40) when the protective element (10) is assembled. The present invention enables simple, constructive and inexpensive means to provide a protective element through which forces, e.g. B. shocks can be absorbed. In particular, the invention makes it possible to achieve a protective element that is simple to manufacture and inexpensive.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a protective element with an air chamber for absorption of forces, which is mountable to a vacuum cleaner element.

Background of the invention

For example, from the US script US 2,241,862 A a vacuum cleaner with a cover known, which is attached to a housing part of the vacuum cleaner. The cover consists of two parts and is molded from a soft material.

Further, the Scripture reveals US 4,831,682 A a protective cover for a vacuum cleaner. The protective cover is designed as a strip with a longitudinal extension, which is attached via Velcro fasteners on a vacuum cleaner head. In another embodiment of the cover covers this all surfaces of the vacuum cleaner head to the area where a control knob is mounted.

From the Scriptures US 4,876,762 A. is a cover for a vacuum cleaner is known, which is equipped with shock absorbers. These shock absorbing means are formed of single or multiple foam layers.

Furthermore, the document discloses JP 11047047 A an elastic shock absorber attached to an outer peripheral edge of a vacuum cleaner nozzle housing. The shock absorber has a tab and a thickening part. By the thickening member, the tab which almost touches the ground surface can be pivoted due to elastic deformation.

Next is from the European patent application EP 0700656 A1 a vacuum cleaner with a protective bandage for shock absorption and protection of objects known. The protective bandage consists of a support body, which is formed of elastically compressible material. The support body is provided with a cover which is formed of a flexible material.

Finally, the German Offenlegungsschrift discloses DE 10 2007 036 223 A1 a bumper device for a mobile device. This bumper device includes a plurality of attenuators, each of which consists of a hermetically sealed pillow-like hollow body. The fluid-filled hollow bodies are arranged around the circumference of the illustrated mobile device.

The problem underlying the invention

The invention has for its object to provide a comparison with the prior art improved protective element. In particular, a protective element should be able to be provided by which forces can be well absorbed. Furthermore, an easily producible and cost-effective protective element should be able to be provided.

Inventive solution

The reference numbers in all claims have no limiting effect, but are only intended to improve their readability.

The solution of the problem is achieved by a protective element with the features of claim 1.

The protective element according to the invention, when it is mounted on the vacuum cleaner element, thereby absorb forces that deform or the spacer or one or more other parts of the protective element upon application of force to the protective element.

By the invention, a simple to produce and inexpensive protection element for absorbing forces can be made possible. Because the spacer according to the invention, which forms an air chamber and thus allows a force absorption, is integrally formed on the protective element, so that the protective element can be advantageously prepared with the spacer means in a manufacturing step, and the spacer means not mounted in a second manufacturing step on the protective element must become. Since the air chamber is formed by the spacer means, the air chamber is created by the production of the protective member, and does not need to be generated by another manufacturing step. In addition, the protective element and the integrally formed on the protective spacer means are made of a uniform material and form a common component, so are in one piece, so that low material costs can be achieved. The protective element according to the invention can advantageously be used in common processes, for. B. be produced by injection molding or extrusion process, whereby the manufacturing cost can be further reduced. Advantageously, the protective element can be produced particularly easily by an injection molding process, because it can be particularly easily demolded due to the open side.

It is an achievable advantage of the air chamber according to the invention, that the protective element protects the vacuum cleaner element by the absorption of forces from shocks, including the protective element is mounted according to the invention on the vacuum cleaner element. For the air chamber formed by the at least one spacer means can advantageously provide sufficient volume for the protective element and / or the spacer means to deform when a force is applied, thereby absorbing the force. If the vacuum cleaner element, z. As may be a nozzle housing or a vacuum cleaner housing, during operation of an object, the impact force acting through this impact can be absorbed, so that both the vacuum cleaner element and the impacted object can be protected from damage. Advantageously, can be achieved by the air chamber according to the invention that point loads are absorbed particularly well, because the air chamber can be designed particularly soft. Furthermore, a good absorption of a surface load can be achieved by the air chamber, since the air chamber can be sufficiently flexible to absorb the surface load even with the surface load.

Furthermore, an improvement in the feel of the protective element can be achieved by the air chamber, which can contribute to a user-friendly handling of the vacuum cleaner element. Namely, the user may find it pleasing to not grasp a hard vacuum cleaner element when gripping the vacuum cleaner element to which the protective element is mounted, but first to yield the protective element mounted on the vacuum cleaner element because of the force with which the user grips it. absorbed. Thus, the protective element z. B. be mounted on a handle to allow a comfortable gripping the handle.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

Advantageous embodiments and developments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spacer means is bendable when a force acting on the protective element in the assembled state. The spacer is then bent when a bending moment acts on the spacer and thereby deforms it. Thus, the spacer means according to the invention is also bent when it is bent. Of course, the protective element can be bendable under a force. Due to the bendable spacer means and / or the bendable protective element, a force acting on the protective element can be converted particularly well into deformation energy and thereby absorbed. While the spacer and / or the protective element bend when a force is applied, the distance between the protective element and the vacuum cleaner element as determined by the air chamber can decrease. A bendable spacer can z. Example, a rib, a web, a wall, a pin, a truncated cone or a lamella. Particularly preferably, the spacer means and the protective element are formed from a soft, easily deformable plastic.

It is another achievable advantage of the bendable spacer means that the damping properties of the protective element in the first region can be determined by the dimensioning, that is, by the geometric design of the spacer. For example, the material thickness of the spacer can be increased for this purpose in order to absorb larger forces. Also, by changing the extension of the spacer in one direction, the absorption effect can be varied. If a plurality of spacer means are integrally formed in the first region of the protective element, the spacer means can also have different, mutually different geometric shapes, whereby sections of the first region can be created in which forces are absorbed differently.

Particularly preferably, the spacer means has an extension in at least one direction, which is greater than its material thickness and which is particularly preferably oriented in a thrust direction. This means that at least two directions exist with different extension of the spacer. A spacer, in which the extent in at least one direction is greater than the material thickness can also be referred to as narrow. Such a spacer may be z. B. characterized by an improved bending property. The spacer is then oriented in the impact direction when it extends at least partially in this direction. By the orientation in the direction of impact, a shock can be intercepted more effectively, as this allows a bending away of the spacer means away from the impact direction and thus the impact force can be intercepted.

In a further preferred embodiment, the spacer means is in the assembled state of the protective element without the action of external forces on the vacuum cleaner element. As a result, an immediate absorption effect can be achieved with a force, since the spacer can deform or bend immediately. In addition, a reliable damping effect of the mounted protective element can be achieved. Because of the applied spacer means advantageously a secure positional fixation can be achieved, so that the optimal position of spacer can be ensured to vacuum cleaner element. So z. B. prevents the protective element accidentally slipped and thus no longer correctly rests on the vacuum cleaner element.

The preferred protective element can be arranged on the vacuum cleaner element such that the or at least one of the open side (s) faces the vacuum cleaner element. As a result, the spacer means can advantageously be supported directly on the vacuum cleaner element. It can also be advantageously achieved that the / the spacer means in the assembled state of the protective element from the outside is not visible / are.

The invention further development is preferably provided that the first region extends in the assembled state of the protective element at least over a thrust side of the vacuum cleaner element. The impact side is to be understood as the side of the vacuum cleaner element which may be subject to an impact force when the vacuum cleaner element abuts objects during normal operation when moving in a direction of movement. The shock side may be the outermost point, z. B. the outermost point to be in the direction of movement of the vacuum cleaner element. In a particularly preferred protective element, the first region extends in the mounted state of the protective element at least over a front side of the vacuum cleaner element. Such a protective element may advantageously intercept or absorb, in the assembled state, shocks acting on the vacuum cleaner element when the vacuum cleaner element abuts objects during a forward movement. This can allow a particularly effective protection of the vacuum cleaner element and the impacted objects, since an impact with forward movement usually occurs most often. An abutment in forward motion can z. Example, then take place when the user moves away from a equipped with the protective element vacuum cleaner nozzle too far away from itself and thereby abuts an object. A vacuum cleaner on which the protective element is mounted, z. B. be moved forward by pulling on the suction hose and thereby abut against objects in forward movement. If the protective element is provided for a vacuum cleaner element by means of which a vacuum cleaner or a nozzle is movable by a user, the first area, which extends over a front side of the handle, allows the user to conveniently pull back the vacuum cleaner or the nozzle be achieved. For, after a forward movement representing a movement away from the user, some of the force that the user pulls back may be absorbed, which he may find pleasurable.

In one embodiment of the invention, the protective element lies in a second region of the protective element in its mounted state flat on the vacuum cleaner element. In this case, in the second region of the protective element, in which the mounted protective element rests flatly on the vacuum cleaner element, no spacer means formed and thus no air chamber formed, which means that the protective element in this area forces can not or only minimally absorb. This means that the protective element has different damping areas, namely the first and the second area. Advantageously, by the overlying in the second region of the protective element, a surface of the vacuum cleaner element from damage, for. B. be protected from scratches. By the second area is advantageously a direct contact of the user can be reached to the vacuum cleaner element, whereby a secure handling of the vacuum cleaner element can be achieved. Because the vacuum cleaner element provided with the protective element is advantageously not or only insignificantly in the handling, so that the user can take the vacuum cleaner element safely. Also, the user can exert pressure on the vacuum cleaner element to z. B. to prevent evasion during handling of the vacuum cleaner element. In the case of a surface-mounted protective element, adhesion forces can act between the protective element and the vacuum cleaner element, as a result of which a securely mounted protective element can be reached. For this purpose, self-adhesive properties of the protective element can be exploited. Particularly preferably, in the assembled state of the protective element, the second region extends over at least part of an upper side of the vacuum cleaner element. This can be z. B. prove in a vacuum cleaner as an advantage, since the user can thereby exert pressure on the vacuum cleaner nozzle to z. B. to be able to clean a surface more intense.

According to the invention it is preferably provided that the protective element in its assembled state surrounds the vacuum cleaner element of at least three sides. As a result, the protective element can advantageously be mounted on the vacuum cleaner element without additional fastening means. Furthermore, this allows protection in the main directions of movement. When vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner nozzle, it is most likely to hit objects forward in a direction of movement, and objects to move right and left. These three directions can be considered as main directions of movement of a vacuum cleaner element. A protective element, which surrounds the vacuum cleaner element of at least three sides, can also be referred to as a cover, which clasps the vacuum cleaner element. Particularly preferably, the protective element surrounds the vacuum cleaner element on other sides, whereby an improvement of the position fixation and / or additional protection in the other direction is achievable. Such a protective element can also be referred to as a cover which everts the vacuum cleaner element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the protective element has at least one fixing element in order to fix the protective element to the vacuum cleaner element in a form-fitting manner. Such a fixing element can be designed as an undercut element, which is particularly preferably integrally formed on the protective element. The fixing can also be designed as a screw or plug. The invention also includes embodiments in which the protective element by the fixing frictionally, for. B. is fixed by a clamp on the vacuum cleaner element.

The present invention makes it possible with simple, constructive and inexpensive means to provide a protective element, by the forces, for. B. shocks can be absorbed. In particular, an easily producible and cost-effective protective element can be achieved by the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantageous embodiments are described below with reference to two embodiments illustrated in the drawings, to which the invention is not limited, described in more detail.

They show schematically:

1 a protection element mounted on a vacuum cleaner element in a perspective section;

2 the protection element mounted on the vacuum cleaner element in a sectional view;

3 the protective element in a perspective section; and finally

4 another protective element in a perspective section.

Detailed description based on two embodiments

In the following description of two preferred embodiments of the present invention, like reference characters designate like or similar components.

The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG 1 to 3 explained. In 1 is a on a vacuum cleaner element 40 mounted protective element 10 shown in a perspective section. 2 shows that on the vacuum cleaner element 40 mounted protection element 10 in a sectional view. 3 is a perspective section of the protective element 10 ,

In a first area of the protective element 10 are distance means 15 in a first area 17 integral with the protective element 10 formed in the in 1 and 2 shown assembled state of the protective element 10 between the protective element 10 and the vacuum cleaner nozzle formed as a vacuum cleaner nozzle housing 40 are arranged and thereby an air chamber 13 thereby also in the assembled state of the protective element 10 between the protective element 10 and the vacuum cleaner element 40 is arranged. The distance means 15 are formed as conical pins and are perpendicular to an inner surface 21 of the protective element 10 , The length of the pin-shaped spacer 15 is greater than its diameter, so that the distance means 15 extend in a direction that is greater than the material thickness. The distance means 15 thus extend from the protective element 10 away and thereby create in the first area 17 a distance between the protective element 10 and the vacuum cleaner element 40 , By the arrangement of the spacer elements 15 is the air chamber 13 open in the direction leading to the vacuum cleaner element 40 oriented. Such a direction can z. B. a possible impact direction 53 correspond to how they z. In 2 is shown. The air chamber 13 So has an open side, which is the vacuum cleaner element 40 facing in the assembled state.

The on the protective element 10 integrally formed spacer 15 and the protective element 10 together form a one-piece component, which is made of a soft elastic material. This material is easily deformable and has a transparent to opaque appearance, which in conjunction with the spacers 15 an increased depth effect is achieved and a visible technical design is shown. The protective element 10 with the distance means 15 is manufactured by an injection molding process in a manufacturing step, through which also the air chamber 13 is created. Because the distance means 15 perpendicular to the inner surface 21 of the protective element 10 and thus an open side of the air chamber 13 arises, which is the vacuum cleaner element 40 in mounted of the protective element 10 facing, the protective element 10 be easily demolded during manufacture by injection molding. The of the distance means 15 formed air chamber 13 can in the assembled state of the protective element 10 Absorb forces on the first area 17 of the protective element 10 act. Through the open air chamber 13 that is, there is sufficient volume available for this purpose the protective element 10 and the distance means 15 bend at a force so can deform. At a force on the first area 17 become the pin-shaped spacer 15 Because of their good bending property so bent that the angle between the distance means 15 and the thrust direction 53 the force is increased. The distance means are thus of the impact direction 53 bent. In addition, the distance becomes 55 between the protective element 10 and the vacuum cleaner element 40 When force is reduced, whereby air from the open air chamber 13 escapes.

The first area 17 of the protective element 10 , ie the area of the protective element 10 where the distance means 15 are molded, is in the assembled state of the protective element 10 in a front area 47 of the vacuum cleaner element 40 arranged and extends over the front 41 of the vacuum cleaner element 40 , As a result, impact forces can be absorbed on the vacuum cleaner element 40 acting when doing so in a forward direction 51 to abut objects. This allows effective protection of the vacuum cleaner element 40 and the impacted article, since impact forces in the forward direction 51 can occur frequently during a cleaning process. An abutment in forward motion can z. B. always be done when the user designed as a vacuum cleaner vacuum cleaner element 40 moves too far away from itself and thereby hits an object. The first area 17 thus extends over a butt side of the vacuum cleaner element 40 , which can impact on objects during normal operation when moving in one direction of movement.

Like from the 1 and 2 can be seen, are the distance means 15 in the assembled state of the protective element 10 without the action of external forces on the vacuum cleaner element 40 at. This will be the protective element 10 securely fixed in place and can not accidentally slip. In addition, the protective element has 10 two as fixing elements 23 executed undercut elements, which are integral to the protective element 10 are formed. The fixing elements 23 are each so on the protective element 10 arranged that they are the vacuum cleaner element 40 on the front side 41 and at the back 43 engage, and thereby the protective element 10 on the vacuum cleaner element 40 fix positively.

As in 2 can be seen, lies the protective element 10 in a rear area 49 of the vacuum cleaner element 40 on a part of the top 45 and the back 43 of the vacuum cleaner element 40 on this surface up. On its right and left side, the protective element 10 side walls 25 on, which also flat on the vacuum cleaner element 40 rest. The protective element 10 thus has a second area 19 on, in which no distance means 15 molded and thus no air chamber 13 between the protective element 10 and the vacuum cleaner element 40 is formed and in which it in the assembled state flat on the vacuum cleaner element 40 rests. The second area 19 extends over the back 43 , a part of the top 45 , the right and left sides of the vacuum cleaner element 40 , Forces on the second area 19 act, are not or only minimally absorbed, so that the protective element 10 differently damped areas, namely the first 17 and the second area 19 having. About the second area 19 the user can put pressure on the vacuum cleaner element 40 exercise without the force exerted to exert the pressure is absorbed. As a result, he can z. B. prevent that designed as a nozzle housing vacuum cleaner element 40 evades while he connects to this a suction tube. About such a suction tube, he can the vacuum cleaner element 40 lead over a surface to clean it. For this purpose he can z. B. the vacuum cleaner element 40 move forwards, left and right in main directions of movement. He can also put pressure on the vacuum cleaner element 40 exercise the cleaning action of the vacuum cleaner element 40 to improve.

In its assembled state, the protective element surrounds 10 the vacuum cleaner element 40 with the first 17 and the second area 19 from five sides, namely from the front 41 , the top 45 , the back 43 as well as from the right and left side. The vacuum cleaner element 40 So is the protection element 10 evert.

In a second embodiment, shown in FIG 4 which otherwise does not differ from the first embodiment are the spacers 15 designed as vertically extending ribs. These are made more stable due to their geometry and are therefore particularly suitable for the absorption of larger forces.

The present invention makes it possible with simple, constructive and inexpensive means to provide a protective element, by the forces, for. B. shocks can be absorbed. In particular, an easily producible and cost-effective protective element can be achieved by the invention.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

protection element

13

air chamber

15

spacer means

17

first area

19

second area

21

palm

23

fixing

25

Side wall

40

Vacuum cleaner element

41

front

43

back

45

top

47

front area

49

the backstage area

51

forward direction

53

Shock device

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2241862 A [0002]
• US 4831682 A [0003]
• US 4876762 A [0004]
• JP 11047047 A [0005]
• EP 0700656 A1 [0006]
• DE 102007036223 A1 [0007]

Claims (8)

Protective element ( 10 ) with an air chamber ( 13 ) for absorption of forces applied to a vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ), characterized in that in a first area ( 17 ) of the protective element ( 10 ) at least one spacer ( 15 ) is integrally formed, the air chamber ( 13 ) with at least one open side, wherein the air chamber ( 13 ) in the assembled state of the protective element ( 10 ) between the protective element ( 10 ) and the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ) can be arranged, that at least one of the open sides of the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ) is facing. Protective element ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer means ( 15 ) with a force acting on the protective element ( 10 ) is bendable in the assembled state. Protective element ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spacer means ( 15 ) in the assembled state of the protective element ( 10 ) without the action of external forces on the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ) is present. Protective element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective element ( 10 ) so on the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ) can be arranged that the or at least one of the open sides facing the vacuum cleaner element. Protective element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first area ( 17 ) in the assembled state of the protective element ( 10 ) at least via a thrust side ( 50 ) of the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ). Protective element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective element ( 10 ) in a second area ( 19 ) of the protective element ( 10 ) in its mounted state flat on the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ) rests. Protective element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective element ( 10 ) in its assembled state, the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ) encompasses at least three sides. Protective element ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective element ( 10 ) at least one fixing element ( 30 ) to the protective element ( 10 ) on the vacuum cleaner element ( 40 ) to fix positively

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