DE202017103614U1 - Aid for non-contact operation of controls - Google Patents

Abstract

Tubular functional body (1) for actuating different operating elements with an outer handling surface (18) and an inner active surface (19), wherein the outer handling surface (18) is designed as an interface for manual handling of the functional body (1) by a user, the inner Active surface (19) is designed for coupling with an operating element such that the operation of the operating element without direct contact thereof by the user is feasible, and on the functional body (1) a plurality of interfaces (9, 11, 15, 16) are formed, the non-contact operation of other controls are available.

Description

The present invention relates to an aid for the contactless actuation of operating elements, in particular to a tubular functional body for actuating different operating elements.

The greatest danger in the transmission of infectious diseases comes from unclean hands, which come in everyday life with different contaminated and contaminated surfaces in contact. In particular, controls such as window handles, door handles, door handles, elevator buttons, toilet flushes, door locks, keyboards, faucets, doorbell buttons and light switches, which have a high bacterial load, a large risk of infection or contamination from, as they are in the public space of many people with uncleaned Hands are touched and pressed. To avoid contamination, it is possible to wear gloves or to clean the surfaces or hands before and after each contact with suitable infectious agents. However, this is often not practical in everyday life or very complex and tedious. The use of disposable gloves, as used for example in the handling of food, is hardly feasible in everyday life.

So there is the task of providing a practical tool with which the non-contact operation of different controls is possible or with which a hygienic operation is facilitated.

This object is achieved by the subject of the protection claim 1.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a tubular functional body for actuating different operating elements with an outer and an inner active surface. In this case, the outer handling surface as interface for the manual handling of the functional body by a user and the inner active surface as an interface for the coupling an operating element designed such that the operation of the operating element without direct contact, that is, without manual contact can be performed. For this purpose, a plurality of interfaces are formed on the functional body, which can be used for non-contact operation of other controls.

The outer handling surface can be gripped with one hand. About the inner active surface, which can be brought into contact with the operating element via a corresponding hand and thus functional body movement, then an operating force or an operating torque can be exerted on the operating element. Thus, the transmission of germs from the operating element to the skin of a user of the auxiliary can be prevented or at least reduced. The user can thus apply over the functional body operating forces and / or moments, such as pawls and handles. For this purpose, he exerts the necessary operating force and / or the necessary operating torque over the outer handling surface on the functional body. The functional body wraps around with its inner active surface the control element positively or otherwise in operative contact with the control element, and thus transmits the necessary operating force and / or the necessary operating torque to the operating element.

Another aspect of the invention provides that one of both end portions (a first end) of the tubular functional body is closed and the other end portion (second end) of the tubular functional body is made open. The second end essentially serves to receive the operating element and thus access to the inner active surface. The closed, first end closes the functional body and can also be used as an actuating element or interface.

There are embodiments in which at the second end (open end) an edge profile is formed, which comprises a first actuating interface, which is formed by two first recesses extending coaxially to a first transverse axis, and a second actuating interface, which by two coaxial with a second Transverse axis extending second recesses is formed, wherein the second transverse axis is transverse to the first transverse axis. The two oppositely arranged recesses in pairs form a kind of tooth structure in the edge of the tubular functional body, which are suitable to receive in their profile corresponding controls that can be operated so contactless. The depth of the profile and the contour shape is chosen so that the actuation force can not only take place in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the operating element but also transversely thereto, since the depressions form a positive contact with a corresponding operating element. In this way, actuating directions can be realized transversely to the longitudinal axis of the functional body.

There are embodiments in which the wall thickness of the tubular body is 0.5 to 4 mm, in particular 1.5 to 3 mm, in order to achieve a desired dimensional stability.

There are embodiments, wherein the recesses each follow a curved first and second contour, wherein the radius of curvature of the first contour is greater than that of the second contour. There are different designs Actuation interfaces are available that are suitable for differently designed and dimensioned controls. For example, the first actuation interface having the larger radius of curvature may be provided for relatively large sized actuators such as door handles or window handles, while the second actuators having the small radius of curvature may be suitable for relatively narrow door knob or the like.

There are embodiments in which the tubular functional body has a recess which is designed as a third actuating interface for receiving and for actuating a further operating element. Such a recess or opening can receive the end of a corresponding actuating element, which then projects through this recess into the interior of the functional body and can thus be handled (for example, the end of a multiply curved door handle).

There are embodiments in which the opening is formed as a closed contour and the contour has one of the following shapes: angular, round, oval, oblong hole-like. The contour is chosen so that the corresponding controls are inserted into the contour. If the contour is, for example, angular, oval or slot-like, torques can also be transmitted to such an end via the contour (wrench function).

There are embodiments in which the first (closed) end has an actuating nose for actuating key-like operating elements. Such a nose can be provided for targeted operation of small buttons (keyboards, doorbells, light switches, elevator sensors) or, if appropriate, also for the operation of touch screens.

For this purpose, there are embodiments in which such an actuating lug is then formed, for example, from an elastomer or else from a conductive material which, for example, allows the screens of smartphones to be operated.

There are embodiments in which the functional body has a holding device, in particular a fastening clip, which serves for fixing the functional body to a garment. Thus, the functional body can be easily accessible and available attached to the clothing, eg. B. similar to a ballpoint pen. But as a holding device can also serve button-like structures or Velcro structures.

There are embodiments in which the cross section of the tubular functional body has one of the following shapes: round, oval, polygonal. By way of example, this shape can be used to ensure that the functional body can be produced easily (in the case of a round cross-section), but also, in the case of an oval, polygonal or otherwise profiled cross-section, can fulfill additional torque functions. An oval cross-section also makes it easier to ensure a non-rotatable handling on the outer surface (compared to a circular cross-section).

There are embodiments in which the functional body with its interfaces, the operating lug and the holding device is made in one piece in an injection molding of plastic. This allows a simple and inexpensive production. It is also possible to realize a material mix (eg a special material for the actuating tip and / or molded-on elastomers for the actuating / grip regions).

There are also embodiments in which the tubular functional body is at least partially made of metal (eg aluminum alloy, stainless steel).

Further aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the accompanying drawings and the following description of preferred embodiments.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Funktionkörpers;
• 2 eine Ansicht von vorne des in 1 dargestellten Funktionskörpers;
• 3 eine Seitenansicht des in 1 und 2 dargestellten Funktionskörpers; und
• 4 eine Ansicht von unten des in den in den 1 bis 3 dargestellten Funktionskörpers.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a functional body according to the invention;
• 2 a front view of the in 1 illustrated functional body;
• 3 a side view of the in 1 and 2 illustrated functional body; and
• 4 a view from below of the in the 1 to 3 shown functional body.

The embodiment shown in the figures shows a functional body 1 , which is a tubular body 2 having its first end 3 (upper end) is closed and its second end 4 (lower end) is open. The tubular, stretched body 2 runs along a longitudinal axis 5 ,

The following terms for top, bottom, right and left refer to the representation in the 1 and 2 , They do not say anything about the actual orientation of the body 1 in the room during its use.

The functional body 1 has at the bottom of an oval opening cross-section, in which the large diameter D to the small diameter d in a ratio of 1: 0.85. The diameter d is about 20 mm and the diameter D about 25 mm. The tubular body 2 gradually tapers upwards and ends in the closed upper end 3 which is dome-shaped. On the dome is a clasp 6 trained, which in its vertex an actuating nose 7 wearing.

At the lower second end 4 is an edge profile 8th formed, which is a first actuation interface 9 comprising, by two coaxial with a first transverse axis extending first recesses 9a and 9b is formed. These two recesses are coaxial with a first transverse axis 10 , The width B the recesses is about 20 mm and the depth T1 about 5 mm.

Transverse to this first actuation interface 9 is a second actuation interface 11 carried out in a similar way from coaxial to a second transverse axis 12 extending second wells 11a and 11b is formed. The second transverse axis runs here 12 perpendicular to the first transverse axis 10 and both transverse axes 10 and 12 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 5 , The width B2 the second actuation interface 11 is about 10 mm and the depth T2 about 7 mm. There are two different actuating interfaces 9 . 11 available, which serve to handle different controls.

The curvature of the actuation interfaces 9 . 11 is elliptical here.

The relevant radius of curvature R1 the first actuation interface 9 is about 20 mm and the relevant radius of curvature R2 the second actuation interface 11 is about 3.6 mm in the wide front of the functional body 1 is in the tubular body 2 in the lower area a recess 13 formed, which is designed here as a circular opening and having a diameter D ₃ of about 25 mm. It forms a third actuation interface, which on the one hand can accommodate operating elements in the opening (eg the end of a door handle). At the same time the round recess forms 13 in conjunction with the curved front surface 14 with its opening contour 15 another handling recess 16 (please refer 3 ), which is also suitable for positive engagement with a control element.

For attachment to the clothing is the functional body 1 with a retaining clip 17 provided, with which the functional body 1 for example, can be attached to a garment.

The illustrated embodiment shows a functional body 1 in which all elements: tubular body 2 , Retaining clip 17 , Clasp 6 and actuating nose 7 are integrally formed in an injection molding of plastic.

In other embodiments, for example, the actuating lug 7 and / or the clasp 8th made of a different material (eg an elastomer), in order to protect actuated surfaces or to increase the operating contact.

It is also possible to use the functional body 1 with a surface structure or surface elements made of other materials (eg elastomers) to improve handling.

Next, the functional body 1 be provided with a germ-inhibiting coating.

The function of the functional body 1 is that this on the outside surface 18 can be grasped and then over the different actuating interfaces 9 . 11 . 16 or the pipe inner surface 19 can be brought into engagement with different controls without touching the controls themselves directly. This prevents on the one hand that a user contaminates the surfaces of the controls themselves and at the same time that the user does not need to touch any contaminated surfaces of the controls directly and is thus protected from contamination and contamination.

Other versions and variants of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the scope of the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

function body

2

tubular body

3

first (upper) end

4

second (lower) end

5

longitudinal axis

6

clasp

7

actuating nose

8th

edge profile

9

first actuation interface

9a, 9b

wells

10

first transverse axis

11

second actuation interface

11a, 11b

wells

12

second transverse axis

13

Recess (circular)

14

curved front surface

15

opening contour

16

Handhabungsausnehmung

17

clip

18

outer surface

19

palm

Claims (10)

Tubular functional body (1) for actuating different operating elements with an outer handling surface (18) and an inner active surface (19), wherein the outer handling surface (18) is designed as an interface for manual handling of the functional body (1) by a user, the inner Active surface (19) is designed for coupling with an operating element such that the operation of the operating element without direct contact thereof by the user is feasible, and on the functional body (1) a plurality of interfaces (9, 11, 15, 16) are formed, the non-contact operation of other controls are available. Functional body (1) after Claim 1 , wherein a first end (3) of the functional body (1) closed and a second end (4) of the functional body (1) is open. Functional body (1) after Claim 2 in that at the second end (4) an edge profile (8) is formed, which comprises a first actuating interface (9) which is formed by two first recesses (9a, 9b) extending coaxially to a first transverse axis (10), and a second one An actuating interface (11) formed by two coaxial with a second transverse axis (12) extending second recesses (11a, 11b), wherein the second transverse axis (12) transverse to the first transverse axis (10). Functional body (1) after Claim 3 wherein the first and second recesses (9a, 9b; 11a, 11b) each follow a curved first and a curved second contour, wherein the radius of curvature of the first contour is greater than that of the second contour. Functional body (1) according to one of Claims 1 . 2 . 3 or 4 , wherein the functional body (1) has a recess (13), which is designed as a third actuating interface for receiving and actuating a further operating element. Functional body (1) after Claim 5 wherein the recess (13) is designed as an opening with a closed contour (15) and the contour has one of the following shapes: angular, round, oval, slot-like. Functional body (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein the first end (3) has an actuating nose (7) for actuating key-like operating elements. Functional body (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , wherein the functional body (1) has a holding device (17), in particular a fastening clip, which serves for fixing the functional body (1) to a garment. Functional body (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , wherein a cross section of the functional body (1) has one of the following shapes: round, oval, polygonal. Functional body (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 , wherein the functional body (1) with its interfaces (9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 19), the actuating nose (7) and the holding device (17) is made in one piece by an injection molding process.

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