EP1880653B1 - Connecting system for handle-operated tools - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a fastening lug (2) with two limbs (2`, 2``), which stand in spring connection with each other. A locking bolt unit (4) is arranged between the limbs, where alignment and dimensioning of the bolt unit defines a distance between the limbs. Ends of the limbs engage in openings (5`, 5``) of a broom body (1), and the bolt unit is firmly connected with a hand shaft (3). The lug has a U-shaped area (2```) for the spring connection of the limbs, which run in a contact area in the bolt unit.

Description

The invention relates to a connection system for stalk-guided handsets, especially for brooms, scrubbers and other cleaning equipment.

Such connection systems allow a detachable connection between a device head and a handle required for its leadership. Such a detachable connection is often sought in order to be able to make a quick replacement in the event of a defect or excessive wear on the device head, without having to discard the entire device. Furthermore, for example, a handle may be sufficient for several cleaning devices, if not all of them should be used simultaneously. To solve a specific cleaning task can be done in such cases, an adaptation of the device used in that each of the appropriate device head is connected to the handle.

Systems for releasably securing a head of a cleaning device to a handle have been established for various cleaning devices, which are based on the principle that two fork-shaped handle arms can be braced by means of a clamping device in correspondingly designed holes of the device head in extension of the stem. The closest prior art is document EP 0 121 768 A2 considered.

It is known to scoop initially parallel running arms above a bristle body, to lead above the bristle body far outward and to allow by an opposite crank engagement in holes in the bristle body ( DE 439643 . DE 7028080 . DE 7223614 ). For bracing the elements engaged with each other serve in these solutions, two leg springs, which extend to the horizontal Sections of the handle arms are mounted, are inserted with a leg in additional holes of the bristle body and engage with the other leg behind the parallel sections of the handle arms. Through these leg springs, whose legs behind the arms of the stile are optionally still connected like a bow, the ends of the stalk arms engaging in the holes of the bristle body are pressed against the hole reveal and thus fixed. Such solutions have some disadvantages. First, there are relatively many openings that must be made to fit with appropriate fasteners, which can sometimes lead to fine motor demanding challenging steps and can lead to delays in a desired quick replacement of a device head. A positive lock against accidental tearing off the device head from the handle is partially given only by the relatively weakly designed leg springs. The much more stable designed handle arms secure the bristle body, however, only against lateral slipping or twisting. The attachment of the handle on the bristle body requires due to the relatively complex arrangement, at least by untrained user some basic considerations before a successful making the connection, which is also associated with an unacceptable force. Finally, such exposed spring elements always entail a certain risk of entanglement in textile substrates, which represents a considerable disadvantage, at least for cleaning appliances, if the danger of damage to the user's clothing or even a risk of injury thereby arises.

It is further known to use two similarly trained handle arms and to direct a bracket on one of the two handle arms immediately above the device head, whose free end is formed according to the diameter of the other handle arm semi-cylindrical ( US 1692110 ). By Pivoting the bracket to its pivot point, wherein the handle arm to which the bracket is attached, forms the pivot axis, the semi-cylindrical end of the bracket can be snapped on the second arm in the manner of a spring clip, making this at the location of the bracket in a fixed Distance to the first arm is held. By appropriate dimensioning of the bracket, the two handle arms are spread outwards and can engage with bent ends in corresponding holes of the device head. The weak point of such a connection is undoubtedly acting as a spring clip pivoting bracket, as this is not able to absorb the stresses occurring in practice under certain circumstances. As a result, there is a risk of unwanted loosening of the device head from the stem, which at least unnecessarily causes attachment steps during use by itself.

A comparison with torsional and impact forces slightly less sensitive design is known in which a spread of two handle arms is made by a toggle element which is rotated or moved by a handle ( DE 2606400 ). As a result, the handle arms are firmly spread in corresponding holes of a device head. By a cranking of the ends of the arms of the stile a locking under grasping behind surfaces is possible, whereby a sufficient protection against accidental release is given. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the required for a backup relatively high spreading forces in the operation of the toggle element correspondingly high friction forces, which must be overcome manually by movement of the handle.

It is known to overcome this disadvantage in that a toggle element is brought into contact via contact surfaces with the stalk arms to be removed, which are rotatable on Toggle attached bearing parts are formed and roll accordingly upon actuation of the toggle element on the contact areas of the handle arms ( EP 0768938B1 ). As a result, significantly lower frictional forces occur. However, such a trained toggle element is a relatively complex component.

Both previous solutions also have in common that their intended operation three elements to be detected must be performed. These are a device head, a handle and the handle to be operated during the production of the connection, without which a spreading of the toggle element is not possible. Therefore, the said systems require either three hands or some improvisation in the selection of a suitable support when such a hand-held device is to be configured alone, which in part brings about an uncomfortable handling.

The object of the invention is to provide a connection system by means of which a quick and easy detachable attachment of a handset to a handle is possible. The system should be characterized by a high level of reliability and durability, largely rule out operating errors and, if possible, be adaptable to existing systems.

This object is achieved by a connection system for stalk-guided handsets with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of a system according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims 2 to 15.

The invention uses the function of a toggle element, which lies between two legs of a mounting bracket and expands the mounting bracket. In contrast to the prior art, the toggle element is fixed with a handle connected simultaneously serving the leadership of the handset in the ready state. To spread the mounting bracket thus no separate handle is required. Instead, it is sufficient to align the handle with respect to the mounting bracket so that it comes to the formation of the desired spreading and fastening action. The attachment effect on the device head is caused by a change in distance of movable ends of the mounting bracket, which is done by changing the orientation of the toggle element with respect to the mounting bracket. If this change in distance of the movable ends of the mounting bracket, while these ends are inserted into corresponding openings of the device head, limit the dimensions of the openings leading to the change in distance of the movable ends of the mounting bracket relative movement of the ends. This results in a firm pressing of the ends of the mounting bracket within the openings of the device head, whereby an at least positive connection between the mounting bracket and the device head is realized.

Core of the invention is a connection system for stalk-guided handsets, consisting of a device head, a mounting bracket with two resiliently connected legs, between the legs of a toggle element is arranged, the orientation and dimensioning determines the distance of the legs to each other, and a handle, wherein the device head has openings in which engage the ends of the legs of the mounting bracket, wherein the toggle element is firmly connected to the handle.

The invention can be used with advantage in hand-held devices whose head comprises the body of a broom, scrubber or other cleaning device. The connection system according to the invention is particularly good suitable to meet the loads occurring on such devices and to allow a quick and easy device configuration in typical cleaning situations.

It is advantageous if the mounting bracket has a nearly U-shaped area, which ensures the resilient connection of the two legs. In this way, a corresponding presetting of the desired elastic restoring forces by Wah1 the material thickness and the resilient length can be realized without much effort. This also results in the advantageous possibility that the legs of the mounting bracket at least partially parallel in the contact area to the toggle element. This results in the splayed leg to a pure compressive force on the toggle element. Accordingly, courses of the legs of the mounting bracket, which differ in a non-functional impairment of a parallel course, in particular in a concave curvature of the legs in the contact area to the toggle element, to be regarded as having the same effect in relation to the invention.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the legs of the mounting bracket run at least partially divergent between the contact area to the toggle element and the device head. In this way, a sufficiently large distance between the ends of the mounting bracket, which are to be brought into engagement with the corresponding openings of the device head realize. This is particularly useful for sufficient resistance of the connection to torsional and bending loads on the device head. The entire handle guided hand wins by a greater distance of the attachment points within the connection system according to the invention in strength, and the Führbarkcit the handset is significantly improved.

It is particularly advantageous if the ends of the legs of the mounting bracket are angled. Due to the elastic properties of the connecting bracket, force-locking portions of the compound according to the invention are primarily influenced. By a bend of the ends of the legs of the mounting bracket, a rear engagement provided surfaces is possible, resulting in a positive connection between the connection bracket and the device head and significantly increases the reliability of the connection. At the same time can be realized by an oblique guide the openings in the device head and or by a corresponding bend in the openings to be spread areas of the mounting bracket advantageous for certain applications oblique orientation of the device head with respect to the handle.

An advantageous interaction between the mounting bracket and the toggle element results when the toggle element has the shape of a firmly connected to the handle stem cam. The shape of a standing at at least two points with the mounting bracket lateral surface determines the sliding behavior during actuation of the connection system according to the invention and the dependent on the orientation of the toggle elastic deformation of the mounting bracket in the region of its legs.

It is particularly advantageous if the toggle element has the shape of a cam disc fixedly connected to the handle and is arranged between two forked ends of the handle. Then there is a particularly stable guidance of the mounting bracket, which can be partly swiveled or fixed between the forked ends of the handle, without any restrictions on the geometry of the sliding behavior during the operation of the connection system according to the invention determining lateral surface.

Advantageously, the toggle element has its greatest extension transversely to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Then, when inserted into the openings of the head of the device ends of the mounting bracket alignment of the handle is transverse to the head, as is common in many stalk guided hands anyway to achieve the maximum spreading and thus the maximum strength of the invention connection between the device head and handle.

A particularly comfortable handling of a hand-held device according to the invention results when the toggle element has flattenings at the furthest apart regions of the lateral surface. These flattenings will then come into contact with the mounting bracket when a maximum spreading effect of the toggle element is to be achieved, which is the case in the ready state. The flattenings ensure a stable position of the toggle element between the legs of the mounting bracket, which exert pressure on the toggle element by their elastic properties. In order to avoid accidental pivoting of the mounting bracket and an associated detachment of the device head from the handle, it is only necessary to make a securing fixation of the connecting bracket by suitable means.

It is particularly advantageous if the toggle element has an extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle, which prevents an elastic pressing of the ends of the mounting bracket against the walls of the openings in the device head when the handle is swiveled away. The associated loose guidance of the ends of the mounting bracket in the openings of the device head facilitates a quick Removing or placing a corresponding device head, which also increases the ease of use. At the same time allows for a correspondingly tightly matched design of the mounting bracket in this way that the mounting bracket is in each pivot phase of the connection system according to the invention in firm contact with the toggle element, which prevents rattle leading relative movements between the handle and the mounting bracket. This effect can be further supported by the fact that the contact surface to the mounting bracket rotates a groove, which contributes to an additional guidance of the mounting bracket.

The already mentioned fixation of the mounting bracket in the ready state of the handset can be realized, for example, if a sliding locking sleeve is included, which can be moved along the handle and is displaced into a position in which it partially surrounds the mounting bracket and pivotal movement between the handle and hand Mounting bracket prevents. A backlash-free fixation results when the inner diameter of the locking sleeve corresponds to the maximum extent of the mounting bracket in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle at a location outside the pivot axis of the toggle element.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if at least the area of the toggle element provided for the contact with the mounting bracket and / or the area of the fastening element provided for the contact with the toggle element carries a friction-reducing coating. As a result, the force required to actuate the connection system according to the invention is reduced. Although this effort in each case by the long lever, which are available through the fixed connection of the toggle element with the handle, manageable, this precaution carries To increase the ease of use and a reduction in the wear of the moving parts, which in turn increases the life of such handsets.

For the same reasons just described, it is advantageous if at least in the furthest away areas of the intended for contact with the mounting bracket surface of the toggle element rotatably mounted rollers are integrated, which can roll load-absorbing on the mounting bracket. In this way, at least during the occurrence of the greatest elastic restoring forces, the wear-intensive effects of sliding friction are replaced by substantially less damaging rolling friction-induced interactions.

Another advantage of the connection system according to the invention is that by an appropriate design of the connection bracket a problem-free adaptation to already common systems of cleaning equipment is possible, which are already introduced on the basis of separate spatially movable toggle elements when the ends of the legs of the mounting bracket for a recording be adapted by existing in common systems openings. An inventive handle with mounting bracket can thus find a use of existing device heads door use.

It is also advantageous if the legs of the mounting bracket are curved in the region of the toggle element so that the points of contact between the toggle element and the mounting bracket lie in a concave in the direction of the leg portion of the mounting bracket. As a result, the toggle element acts centering and prevents slippage of the mounting bracket when other fixatives do not take effect, for example, during the change of a Device head when the handle is in the pivoted position.

Fig. 1

einen mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungssystem ausgestatteten Besen mit wechselbereiter Stellung des Stiels;

Fig. 2

einen mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungssystem ausgestatteten Besen mit betriebsbereiter Stellung des Stiels;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungssystems ohne angesetzten Gerätekopf;

Fig. 4

eine zu den Figuren 1 und 2 alternative Form eines Knebelelementes für ein erfindungsgemäßes Verbindungssystem;

Fig. 5

eine weitere alternative Form eines Knebelelementes für ein erfindungsgemäßes Verbindungssystem;

Fig. 6

eine weitere alternative Form eines Knebelelementes für ein erfindungsgemäßes Verbindungssystem.

In one embodiment, the invention is explained in detail. The accompanying figures show:

Fig. 1

a broom equipped with a connection system according to the invention with a ready-to-change position of the handle;

Fig. 2

a broom equipped with a connection system according to the invention with ready-to-use position of the handle;

Fig. 3

a side view of a connection system according to the invention without attached device head;

Fig. 4

one to the FIGS. 1 and 2 alternative form of a toggle element for a connection system according to the invention;

Fig. 5

a further alternative form of a toggle element for a connection system according to the invention;

Fig. 6

a further alternative form of a toggle element for a connection system according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a broom equipped with a connection system according to the invention with change-ready position of the stem. The system comprises a device head 1 in the form of a broom (shown without bristles), a mounting bracket 2 with two resiliently connected legs 2 'and 2 "and a handle 3. Fixed with the handle 3 is a toggle element 4 made of zinc diecast, which The axis ratio of the ellipse deviates significantly from 1: 1, which can be read off from the oblong shape of the ellipse, so that the toggle element 4 assumes the function of an elliptical cam fixedly connected to the handle 3.

The toggle element 4 is located between two forked ends 3 ', 3''of the handle 3. The mounting bracket 2 is pivotable about the toggle element 4.

The mounting bracket 2 has a nearly U-shaped portion 2 "', which ensures the resilient connection of the two legs 2', 2". Through this resilient connection, the two legs 2 ', 2 "are always pressed against the toggle element 4, whereby the alignment and dimensioning of the toggle element 4 at the same time determines the distance of the legs 2', 2" to each other. The legs 2 ', 2 "of the mounting bracket 2 have in the vicinity of the toggle element 4 a curvature, which leads to an embedding of the toggle element 4 between the legs 2', 2". This is achieved in that the legs 2 ', 2 "of the mounting bracket 2 in the region of the toggle element 4 are curved so that the points of contact between the toggle element 4 and the mounting bracket 2 in a in the direction of the legs 2', 2" concave portion of Mounting bracket 2 are. In addition, the legs 2 ', 2 "of the stiffening bracket 2 in the contact area with the toggle element 4 are at least partially parallel, which in the present case is defined by the position of the tangent or tendons in the contact area. Thus, a stabilization of the position of the individual moving parts relative to each other can be achieved in a simple manner. At the same time the toggle element 4 acts centering and prevents slippage of the mounting bracket 2, if other fixatives do not come into effect, especially during the change of the broom body 1, when the handle 3 is in pivoted alternately ready position. To this end, the toggle element 4 has, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the handle 3, an extension which prevents an elastic pressing of the ends of the mounting bracket 2 against the walls of the openings 5 ', 5' in the broom body 1 with the handle 3 swiveled away. By means of this embodiment according to the invention, the change system can be conveniently operated by one person without the aid of additional requirements.

The broom body 1 has two openings 5 ', 5 ", in which the ends of the legs 2', 2" of the mounting bracket 2 engage. The openings 5 ', 5 "have a significantly greater distance than the legs 2', 2 '' of Befestigungsigunfsbügels 2 in the contact area to the toggle element 4. To still allow engagement of the ends of the legs 2 ', 2" of the mounting bracket 2, The legs 2 ', 2 "of the mounting bracket 2 extend partially divergent between the contact area to the toggle element 4 and the broom head 1. The areas of the legs 2', 2" of the mounting bracket 2 to be inserted into the openings b ', 5 "are opposite the divergent ones Angled so that a vertical insertion into the openings 5 ', 5' 'is possible., The ends of the legs 2', 2 "of the mounting bracket 2 are in turn angled at right angles, which allows the engaging behind an engageable surface. Such a graspable surface is presently provided by the broom body 1, but may also be formed inside a device head within the openings 5 ', 5 " can be moved along the handle 3 can be moved to a position in which it releases the U-shaped part of the mounting bracket 2 and does not prevent pivotal movement between handle 3 and mounting bracket 2.

FIG. 2 shows a structurally identical equipped with a connection system according to the invention bases with operational position of the stem.

The toggle element 1 has transversely to the longitudinal axis of the handle 3 its greatest extent. The large semiaxis of the cross-sectional ellipse runs in the present example at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the handle 3. This occurs when introduced into the openings 5 ', 5 "of the broom body 1 Ends of the mounting bracket 2 and an orientation of the handle 3 across the broom body 1, the maximum spreading and thus the maximum strength of the compound according to the invention between the broom 1 and handle 3. At the same time, the broom body 1 is engaged behind by the angled ends of the legs 2 ', 2 "of the mounting bracket 2. The openings 5', 5" are dimensioned and arranged such that, on the one hand, the angled ends of the legs 2 ', 2 "of the Mounting bracket 2 is possible and on the other hand in verstreiztem mounting bracket 2, a firm pressure on the wall of the openings 5 ', 5 "is achieved. To stabilize the orientation of the handle 3 with respect to the broom body 1, a slidable locking sleeve 6, which can be displaced along the handle 3, moved to a position in which it surrounds the U-shaped part of the mounting bracket 2 and a pivoting movement between the handle 3 and mounting bracket 2 prevented.

FIG. 3 In this view, it is clear that the toggle element 4 is located between two fork-shaped ends 3 ', 3 "of the handle 3. This fork structure allows the pivoting movement of the handle to be achieved 3 around the mounting bracket 2 in the central and symmetrical arrangement of the toggle element. 4

FIG. 4 shows one to the FIGS. 1 and 2 alternative form of a toggle element for a connection system according to the invention. The illustrated toggle element 4 'has a rosette shape, wherein in each case offset by 90 ° contact surface pairs 7', 7 "and 8 ', 8" provide for one of the recoverable by the elliptical toggle element 4 spreading effect comparable spreading. The rosette shape allows a material weakening in areas of the toggle element 4 ', which are not required for the setting of a defined spreading effect, which requires a saving of material and possibly lighter designs. The toggle element. 4 'carries in the region of the contact surfaces 8', 8 "a friction-reducing coating.

FIG. 5 shows a further alternative form of a toggle element 4 "for a connection system according to the invention The essential difference to the toggle element 4 'described above is that the toggle element 4" has flattenings 9', 9 "at the furthest apart regions of the lateral surface.

FIG. 6 shows a further alternative form of a toggle element 4 '''for a connection system according to the invention. The essential difference from the previously described toggle element 4 'is that in the toggle element 4 "' in the furthest away areas of the intended for contact with the mounting bracket surface of the toggle element rotatably mounted rollers 10 ', 10" are integrated, the lastaufnehmend on Can roll mounting bracket, which can be effectively reduce 3 occurring friction effects especially when swinging into the ready position of the handle.

reference numeral

1

Device head (eg broom)

2

Befestigunsbügel

2 '

leg

2 '

leg

2 ''

U-shaped area

3

hand scratch

3 '3 "

forked ends

4

Knebel element

4 '

Knebel element

4 '

Knebel element

4 ' "

Knebel element

5 '

opening

5 '

opening

6

locking sleeve

7 '

contact area

7 "

contact area

8th'

contact area

8th"

contact area

9 '

flattening

9 "

flattening

10 '

role

10 "

role

Claims (15)

1. Connecting system for stem-operated manual tools consisting of a tool head (1), a fixing bracket (2) with two shanks (2', 2'') in elastic connection with each other, wherein the shanks have a toggle element (4) arranged between them, the alignment and dimensioning of which determine the distance between the shanks (2', 2''), and a stem-like handle (3), wherein the tool head (1) comprises openings (5', 5") into which the ends of the shanks (2', 2") of the fixing bracket (2) engage, characterised in that the toggle element (4) is fixedly connected to the stem-like handle (3).
2. Connecting system according to claim 1, characterised in that the tool head (1) comprises the body of a broom, a scrubbing brush or other cleaning tool.
3. Connecting system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fixing bracket (2) comprises an approximately U-shaped region (2"') which provides for the elastic connection of the two shanks (2', 2'').
4. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the shanks (2', 2") of the fixing bracket (2) extend at least partly in parallel with the toggle element (4) in the contact region.
5. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the shanks (2', 2") of the fixing bracket (2) extend at least partly in a diverging fashion between the contact region with the toggle element (4) and the tool head (1).
6. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the ends of the shanks (2', 2") of the fixing bracket (2) are angled in order to be able to engage behind surfaces.
7. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the toggle element (4) is in the shape of a cam disk fixedly connected to the stem-like handle (3).
8. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the toggle element (4) is in the shape of a cam disk fixedly connected to the stem-like handle (3) and arranged between two ends (3', 3'') of the stem-like handle (3) which ends terminate in a forked fashion.
9. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the toggle element (4) has its largest extension transversely to the longitudinal axis of the stem-like handle (3).
10. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the toggle element (4) comprises flattenings (9', 9") in those surface regions which are most distant from one another.
11. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the toggle element (4) comprises a dimension in direction of the longitudinal axis of the stem-like handle (3), which prevents the ends of the fixing bracket (2) from elastically pressing against the walls of openings (5', 5") in the tool head when the steam-like handle (3) is pivoted away.
12. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a movable locking sleeve (6) is provided which can be moved along the stem-like handle (3) and pushed into a position in which it partially encompasses the fixing bracket (2) and prevents a pivotal movement between stem-like handle (3) and fixing bracket (2).
13. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that at least the surface of the toggle element (4) intended for contacting the fixing bracket (2) and/or the region of the fixing bracket (2) intended for contacting the toggle element (4) is provided with a friction-reducing coating.
14. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that rotatably mounted rollers (10', 10") are integrated at least in the regions most distant from one another of the surface of the toggle element (4) which is intended for contacting the fixing bracket (2), which rollers are able to roll off the fixing bracket (2) in a load-absorbing fashion.
15. Connecting system according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the shanks (2', 2") of the fixing bracket (2), in the region of the toggle element (4), are curved such that the contact points between the toggle element (4) and the fixing bracket (2) lie in that region of the fixing bracket (2) which is concave in direction of shanks (2', 2").

Images