EP3127465A1

EP3127465A1 - Cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: EP3127465A1
Application number: EP14836992.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masami MIWA
Original assignee: Nitoms Inc
Current assignee: Nitoms Inc
Priority date: 2014-04-04
Filing date: 2014-04-04
Publication date: 2017-02-08
Also published as: WO2015151295A1; KR20160140335A; EP3127465A4; CN105283113A; CN105283113B; JPWO2015151295A1

Abstract

In a cleaner, a first end portion of a core member is supported by a first end support portion of a body member such that the core member is movable relative to the body member with the first end portion serving as an operating point. A recessed portion is provided in one of a second end portion of the core member and a second end support portion of the body member, and a protruding portion that fits into the recessed portion is provided on the other portion. The motion of the core member is restricted by protrusion/recess fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion and is allowed in a state in which the protrusion/recess fit is released. At least one of the core member and the body member includes a converting portion that converts, when the core member is moved against the restriction to release the protrusion/recess fit, at least part of a force that produces the motion into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that at least the one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion separates from the other to release the protrusion/recess fit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaner designed to be used with an adhesive tape roll attached thereto, the adhesive tape roll formed of a tape-shaped base having at least one adhesive surface and wound around a center line in a tubular form.

BACKGROUND ART

There is a known cleaner of this type in related art including a core shaft that is inserted into a cylindrical hole of an adhesive roller (adhesive tape roll) and a roller support that supports end portions of the core shaft on both sides (Patent Literature 1, for example).
To attach the adhesive roller to the cleaner, a user detaches the end portions of the core shaft from the roller support, inserts the core shaft into the adhesive roller to attach the adhesive roller to the core shaft, and then attaches the end portions of the core shaft to the roller support. On the other hand, to detach the adhesive roller attached to the cleaner, the user detaches the end portions of the core shaft from the roller support, detaches the adhesive roller from the core shaft, and attaches the end portions of the core shaft to the roller support.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2003-190066 A

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

The cleaner of related art described above, however, has a problem of complicated operation of attaching and detaching the adhesive roller because the attachment and detachment of the adhesive roller requires a series of actions of temporarily detaching the end portions of the core shaft from the roller support, detaching the adhesive roller from the core shaft, and then attaching the end portions of the core shaft to the roller support again as described above.
The present invention has been made in view of the problem described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner that allows a user to readily attach and detach an adhesive tape roll.

Solution to Problem

A cleaner according to the present invention has been made to achieve the object described above and includes a rod-shaped core member that is inserted into a cylindrical hole of an adhesive tape roll formed of a tape-shaped base having at least one adhesive surface and wound around a center line in a tubular form and a body member having a first end support portion and a second end support portion for supporting a first end portion and a second end portion in an axial direction of the core member. The first end portion of the core member is supported by the first end support portion of the body member such that the core member is movable relative to the body member with the first end portion serving as an operating point. A recessed portion is provided in one of the second end portion of the core member and the second end support portion of the body member, and a protruding portion that fits into the recessed portion is provided on the other of the second end portion and the second end support portion. The motion of the core member is restricted by protrusion/recess fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion and is allowed in a state in which the protrusion/recess fit is released. At least one of the core member and the body member includes a converting portion that converts, when the core member is moved against the restriction to release the protrusion/recess fit, at least part of a force that produces the motion into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that at least the one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion separates from the other portion to release the protrusion/recess fit.
According to the thus configured cleaner, when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member imposed by the fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion, the converting portion converts at least part of the force that produces the motion into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that at least the one of them separates from the other portion to release the protrusion/recess fit. Therefore, to attach or detach the adhesive tape roll to or from the cleaner, the converting portion described above releases the fit between the recessed portion in the second end portion of the core member and the protruding portion on the second end support portion of the body member, and the core member is moved relative to the body member with the first end portion serving as an operating point to a desired position to sufficiently separate the second end portion of the core member and the second end support portion of the body member from each other, whereby the adhesive tape roll can be readily attached to or detached from the core member by using the cylindrical hole of the adhesive tape roll in the direction from the second end portion toward the first end portion or in the opposite direction.
In the thus configured cleaner, the motion of the core member with the first end portion serving as an operating point is restricted in the state in which the protruding portion is fit into the recessed portion. Therefore, to use the adhesive tape roll, the second end portion of the core member to which the adhesive tape roll is attached can be locked by the second end support portion of the body member via the protrusion/recess fit to readily restrict the motion of the core member, whereby the adhesive tape roll attached to the core member can be appropriately rotated when used.
Furthermore, in the cleaner according to the present invention, the second end portion and the second end support portion described above may include contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the core member is moved to release the fit. The converting portion may be configured to include at least one of the contact surfaces. The contact surface that forms the converting portion may be configured to include a surface that is inclined to an insertion direction and to convert the force that produces the motion of the core member into a force that moves the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that they separate from each other.
According to the thus configured cleaner, the contact surface that forms the converting portion includes a surface that is inclined to the insertion direction and converts the force that produces the motion of the core member into a force that moves the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that they separate from each other. Therefore, when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member imposed by the fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion, the inclined surface described above converts the force that produces the motion of the core member into a force that moves the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that they separate from each other to readily release the protrusion/recess fit.
Furthermore, in the cleaner according to the present invention, the converting portion described above may be configured to include at least one of the first end support portion and the second end support portion of the body member, and at least one of the first end support portion and the second end support portion that form the converting portion may be configured to have flexibility that allows the first end support portion and/or the second end support portion to elastically deflect in such a way that the recessed portion and the protruding portion separate from each other when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member described above to release the protrusion/recess fit.
According to the thus configured cleaner, at least one of the first end support portion and the second end support portion that form the converting portion has flexibility that allows the first end support portion and/or the second end support portion to elastically deflect in such a way that the recessed portion and the protruding portion separate from each other when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member described above to release the protrusion/recess fit. Therefore, when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member imposed by the fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion, the converting portion, which has the flexibility described above, elastically deflects in such a way that the recessed portion and the protruding portion separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.
Furthermore, in the cleaner according to the present invention, the converting portion described above may be configured to include the second end support portion, and the second end support portion may be configured to have the flexibility described above.
According to the thus configured cleaner, the second end support portion, which is the converting portion, has the flexibility described above. Therefore, when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member imposed by the fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion, the second end support portion, which has the flexibility described above, elastically deflects in such a way that the recessed portion and the protruding portion separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, in the cleaner according to the present invention, when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member imposed by the fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion, the converting portion converts at least part of the force that produces the motion into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that at least the one of them separates from the other to release the protrusion/recess fit. Therefore, to attach or detach the adhesive tape roll to or from the cleaner, the converting portion described above releases the fit between the recessed portion in the second end portion of the core member and the protruding portion on the second end support portion of the body member, and the core member is moved relative to the body member with the first end portion serving as an operating point to a desired position to sufficiently separate the second end portion of the core member and the second end support portion of the body member from each other, whereby the adhesive tape roll can desirably be readily attached to or detached from the core member by using the cylindrical hole of the adhesive tape roll in the direction from the second end portion toward the first end portion or in the opposite direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body member that supports a core member in a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the core member;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the body member;
FIG. 3B is a plan view of the body member;
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3B;
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3B;
FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 3B;
FIG. 5A is a front view of the body member that supports the core member;
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D in FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6A is a plan view of the body member that supports the core member;
FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7 is a view of a state in which the core member supported by the body member is moved with the first end portion serving as an operating point;
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a state in which the body member is fit into a case and the core member is accommodated in the case; and
FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 8A.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of a cleaner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following description will be made in the following order: [1. Overall configuration], [2. Core member], [2-1. First end portion of core member], [2-2. Second end portion of core member (portion to be locked)], [3. Body member], [3-1. Shaft receiving portion], [3-2. Locking portion], [4. Converting portion], [5. Case], [6. Schematic operation of cleaner], [6-1. Locking operation], [6-2. Lock releasing operation], [7. Configuration and advantageous effects of embodiment (summary)], and [8. Variations of embodiment].

[1. Overall configuration]

The cleaner is designed to be used with an adhesive tape roll for cleaning purposes attached thereto, and the adhesive tape roll is formed of a tape-shaped (band-shaped) base having at least one adhesive surface and wound around a center line in a tubular form. The adhesive tape roll is produced by winding the tape-shaped base around the center line with the one adhesive surface facing outward and a shaft hole created along the center line. The cross-sectional shape of the shaft hole is not limited to a specific shape and can be a circle or a polygon. The thus configured adhesive tape roll is rolled (that is, rotationally moved) over a surface to be cleaned (floor surface, clothing surface, and screen of mobile phone, for example) to clean the surface to be cleaned.
The cleaner according to the present embodiment includes a core member 1, which is inserted into a shaft hole (cylindrical hole) of an adhesive tape roll (not shown), and a body member 2, which supports the core member 1, as shown in FIG. 1. In the following sections, a right and left direction and a front and rear direction are defined with reference to FIG. 1 and an up and down direction is defined as a direction that intersects the right and left direction and the front and rear direction for ease of description.

[2. Core member]

The core member 1 is shaped such that it can be inserted into the shaft hole of the adhesive tape roll. Specifically, the core member 1 has a rod-like shape and can, for example, be configured to have a tubular shape or a columnar shape (having, for example, a circular or polygonal cross-sectional shape). The core member 1 in the present embodiment includes a core member body 1 a, which has a columnar shape elongated in the right and left direction. The core member body 1 a includes a pair of rectangular-plate-shaped body wall portions 1 b, which are set apart from each other in the front and rear direction and elongated in the right and left direction, right and left rectangular-plate-shaped wall portions 1 c, which are provided on the pair of body wall portions 1 b in an intermediate position in the up and down direction (at the center in the up and down direction, for example) and extending along the right and left direction, and semicircular-plate-shaped reinforcing wall portions 1d, which are provided on the pair of body wall portions 1 b in an intermediate position in the right and left direction (at the center in the right and left direction, for example) and extending along the up and down direction.
The thus configured core member body 1 a has first end portion 10, which is provided at first-end-side (right end side) in the right and left direction (longitudinal direction or insertion direction in which core member body 1 a is inserted into shaft hole of adhesive tape roll), and a second end portion 11, which is provided at ansecond-end-side (left end side) in the right and left direction (see FIG. 2).

[2-1. First end portion of core member]

The first end portion 10 is a portion supported by first end support portion 20 of the body member 2, which will be described later. Specifically, the first end portion 10 is a portion rotatably supported by the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 such that the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point.
The first end portion 10, which does not necessarily have a specific shape, is formed of a connection portion 12 including a plate-shaped base portion 12a, which extends in the up and down direction (direction that intersects the front and rear direction and the right and left direction (insertion direction)), which is the direction radially outward from the core member 1, and a pair of shaft portions 12b (circular columns), which are provided at an upper end portion (end portion in a direction in which base portion extends) of the base portion 12a and protrude outward in the front and rear direction, in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. The upper end portion of the base portion 12a and the pair of shaft portions 12b of the thus configured connection portion 12 protrude in the direction radially outward from the core member body 1 a and are located outside a projected width of the core member body 1 a projected along the axial direction of the core member body 1 a (right and left direction in FIG. 1). In another configuration, the connection portion 12 (upper end portion of base portion 12a and pair of shaft portions 12b) is located outside a projected width of the shaft hole of the adhesive tape roll, with the core member body 1 a inserted therein, projected in the axial direction of the shaft hole (right and left direction in FIG. 1). That is, when the core member 1 (core member body 1 a) is inserted into the adhesive tape roll (shaft hole) in the direction from the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 toward the first end portion 10 thereof, the base portion 12a of the connection portion 12 (first end portion 10) restricts motion of the adhesive tape roll in the insertion direction at the first end portion 10.
The present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the connection portion 12 extends off the projected width of the core member body 1 a projected along the right and left direction, but the connection portion 12 is not necessarily configured in this way and may be configured such that the connection portion 12 falls within the projected width of the core member body 1 a projected along the right and left direction.

[2-2. Second end portion (portion to be locked) of core member]

The second end portion 11 is a portion supported by a second end support portion 21 of the body member 2, which will be described later. Specifically, the second end portion 11 is a portion detachably locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2. In more detail, one of the second end portion 11 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 is provided with a recessed portion, and the other portion is provided with a protruding portion fit into the recessed portion described above. In a state in which the protruding portion is fit into the recessed portion, the second end portion 11 is locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 such that the motion of the core member 1 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point is restricted. In a state in which the fit described above is released, the second end portion 11 is a free end released from the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 so that the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point.
The second end portion 11, which does not necessarily have a specific shape, includes a portion to be locked 13, which has a base portion 13a extending leftward from the core member body 1 a, in the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 2. The portion to be locked 13 further has a recessed portion 13b, which is recessed in a left surface 13d (specifically, substantially central portion of left surface 13d) of the circular-plate-shaped base portion 13a, and a pair of rail portions 13c, which protrude from the front and rear ends of the recessed portion 13b and extend in parallel to each other in the up and down direction to an upper edge of the left surface 13d of the base portion 13a. Part of an upper end portion of the base portion 13a, specifically, a portion 13e between the pair of rail portions 13c has a tapered shape. Specifically, the left surface 13d of the base portion 13a between the pair of rail portions 13c is inclined rightward (rightward and upward) from a position set apart from the upper edge of the left surface 13d toward the center thereof to the upper edge. The thus configured portion to be locked 13 falls within the projected width of the core member body 1 a projected in the axial direction thereof. In another configuration, the portion to be locked 13 falls within the projected width of the shaft hole of the adhesive tape roll with the core member body 1 a inserted therein, projected in the axial direction of the shaft hole. That is, when the core member 1 is inserted into the adhesive tape roll (shaft hole) in the direction from the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 toward the first end portion 10 thereof, the portion to be locked 13 (second end portion 11) does not prevent the motion of the adhesive tape roll in the insertion direction on the second end portion 11 side of the core member 1, whereby the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 can be smoothly inserted into the adhesive tape roll (shaft hole).

[3. Body member]

The body member 2 is configured to be capable of supporting the first end portion 10 and the second end portion 11 of the core member 1. The body member 2, which does not necessarily have a specific shape, includes a body support portion 2a (top wall portion), which is a rectangular-plate-shaped wall portion elongated in the right and left direction, and side wall portions 2b and 2c, which extend from circumferential edges of the lower surface of the body support portion 2a (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). In other words, the body member 2 includes the body support portion 2a (top wall portion), which is disposed such that it faces the core member 1 but is set apart therefrom in the radial direction thereof, a pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c, which extend from the body support portion 2a toward the core member 1 and face each other in the radial direction, and a pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b (pair of reinforcing wall portions), which connect the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c to each other along the direction in which they face each other.
The body support portion 2a has a length in the right and left direction that corresponds to the length of the core member body 1 a in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) thereof and a length in the front and rear direction that corresponds to the length of the core member body 1 a in the radial direction thereof. In the present embodiment, the length of the body support portion 2a in the right and left direction is longer than the longitudinal length of the core member body 1 a, and the length of the body support portion 2a in the front and rear direction is longer than the radial length of the core member body 1 a.
The sidewall portions 2b and 2c form a rectangular frame-like shape. Specifically, the sidewall portions 2b and 2c are formed of the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b, which extend downward from the right and left ends of the lower surface of the body support portion 2a, and the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c, which extend downward from the front and rear ends of the lower surface of the body support portion 2a, in which the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b connect the right and left ends of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c to each other along the front and rear direction. The pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b are each provided at the right and left ends of the body support portion 2a over the total length thereof in the front and rear direction, has a rectangular-plate-like shape along the up and down direction and the front and rear direction, and stands on the lower surface of the body support portion 2a. The pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c are each provided at the front and rear ends of the body support portion 2a over the total length thereof in the right and left direction, have a rectangular-plate-like shape along the up and down direction and the right and left direction, and stand on the lower surface of the body support portion 2a. The standing state described above is, for example, a state in which one surface (lower surface of the body support portion 2a, for example) and another surface (rectangular-plate-shaped surfaces of the pair of right and left sidewall portions 2b, for example) intersect each other, preferably a state in which the one surface and the other surface interest with each other at an angle ranging from an acute angle to an obtuse angle, more preferably, a state in which the one surface and the other surface intersect each other at right angle or at substantially right angle. Among the thus configured sidewall portions 2b and 2c, the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c are provided with shaft receiving portions 22 capable of supporting (rotatably receiving or supporting) the first end portion 10 (specifically, pair of shaft portions 12b of connection portion 12) of the core member 1, and the left sidewall portion 2b is provided with a locking portion 23 capable of locking the second end portion 11 (specifically, recessed portion 13b of the portion to be locked 13) of the core member 1.
The body member 2 includes the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 for supporting the first end portion 10 and the second end portion 11, which are the right and left end portions of the core member 1, as shown in FIG. 4A. The first end support portion 20 is a portion on one side (right end side) of the body member 2. Specifically, the first end support portion 20 includes the following portions of the body member 2: first-end-side (right-end-side) portions of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c; a first-end-side wall portion of the body support portion 2a (first-end-side (right-end-side) portion of body support portion 2a) that is interposed between the first-end-side portions of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c; the right sidewall portion 2b; and the shaft receiving portions 22 provided on the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c. The second end support portion 21 is a portion on the second-end-side (left end side) of the body member 2. Specifically, the second end support portion 21 includes the following portions of the body member 2: second-end-side (left-end-side) portions of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c; an second-end-side wall portion of the body support portion 2a (second-end-side (left-end-side) portion of body support portion 2a) that is interposed between the second-end-side portions of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c; the left sidewall portion 2b; and the locking portion 23 provided on the left sidewall portion 2b.

[3-1. Shaft receiving portion]

The shaft receiving portions 22 are configured so that the pair of shaft portions 12b of the connection portion 12 are detachably fit into the shaft receiving portions 22 and can be configured so that each of the shaft receiving portions 22 has a recess or a through hole. The shaft receiving portions 22 in the present embodiment have base portions 22a, which protrude from the inner surfaces (opposing surfaces) of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c on the first end side (right end side) in the right and left direction and have a certain thickness in the front and rear direction, recessed portions 22b, which are recessed in the base portions 22a, and shaft guide portions 22c, which are recessed in the base portions 22a to a depth shallower than the depth of the recessed portions 22b and formed from the lower ends of the base portions 22a to the recessed portions 22b, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4C. That is, when the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 is attached to the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2, the pair of shaft portions 12b of the core member 1 (connection portion 12) are smoothly guided by the shaft guide portions 22c of the body member 2 (shaft receiving portions 22) from the lower ends of the base portions 22a to the recessed portions 22b and fit into the recessed portions 22b. In the state in which the pair of shaft portions 12b are fit into the recessed portions 22b as described above, the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 is connected to and supported (rotatably supported) by the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 such that the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 (pair of shaft portions 12b) serving as an operating point (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, and 7). That is, the pair of shaft portions 12b serve as movable shafts of the core member 1 and allow the core member 1 to be movable relative to the body member 2 with the movable shafts serving as an operating point. In the thus configured shaft support structure, the first end support portion 20 rotatably supports the pair of shaft portions 12b between the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c in an area surrounded by the body support portion 2a (top wall portion) and the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c, whereby the shaft support structure that supports the pair of shaft portions 12b can have increased rigidity and improved strength, and hence breakage of the shaft support structure can be prevented. Furthermore, the first end support portion 20 rotatably supports the pair of shaft portions 12b between the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c in an area surrounded by the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c and the right sidewall portion 2b, whereby the shaft support structure that supports the pair of shaft portions 12b can have further increased rigidity and improved strength, and hence breakage of the shaft support structure can be prevented.

[3-2. Locking portion]

The locking portion 23 is configured to detachably lock (specifically, detachably fit into) the portion to be locked 13 (recessed portion 13b). The locking portion 23, which does not necessarily have a specific shape, includes a base portion 23a, which protrudes from a lower-end-side inner surface (right surface) of the left sidewall portion 2b, in the present embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The base portion 23a is configured to have flexibility. Specifically, the base portion 23a is formed of a plate-shaped upper portion 23b, which extends rightward and downward from the inner surface of the left sidewall portion 2b described above, and a lower portion 23c, which extends downward from the lower end of the upper portion 23b. The thus configured base portion 23a can elastically deflect leftward. A right surface 23d of the lower portion 23c is an inclined surface inclined leftward by an increasing amount with distance toward the lower end (that is, inclined surface inclined leftward and downward). The inclination angle of the right surface 23d of the lower portion 23c is not limited to a specific value as long as the right surface 23d is inclined leftward with respect to the vertical plane along the up and down direction. The right surface 23d can, for example, be inclined leftward and downward by an angle ranging from 0.1° to 3°, preferably about 1° with respect to the vertical plane along the up and down direction. The right surface 23d of the lower portion 23c has a protruding portion 23e, which can fit into the recessed portion 13b of the portion to be locked 13, and a pair of grooves 23f, into which the pair of rail portions 13c of the portion to be locked 13 can fit. Specifically, the right surface 23d of the lower portion 23c includes the protruding portion 23e, which protrudes from a lower central portion of the right surface 23d, and the pair of grooves 23f, which are recessed in the right surface 23d and extend in parallel to each other from the front and rear ends of the protruding portion 23e to an upper portion of the right surface 23d along the up and down direction, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The upper surface of the protruding portion 23e forms an inclined surface 231 e inclined rightward and downward, as shown in FIG. 4A. The width of the protruding portion 23e in the front and rear direction is substantially equal to or smaller than the separation width between the pair of grooves 23f (or pair of rail portions 13c), as shown in FIG. 4B. An end portion 23g of the lower portion 23c in the front and rear direction and the downward direction is tapered. Specifically, the right surface 23d of the lower portion 23c is inclined leftward from a position set apart from front, rear, and the lower edges of the right surface 23d toward the center thereof to the other edges.
The present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the protruding portion 23e is provided on the second end support portion 21 (locking portion 23) of the body member 2, the recessed portion 13b is provided in the second end portion 11 (portion to be locked 13) of the core member 1, and the protruding portion 23e can fit into the recessed portion 13b, but the configuration described above is not necessarily employed. Instead, a recessed portion (or a hole) can be provided in the second end support portion 21 (locking portion 23) of the body member 2, a protruding portion can be provided on the second end portion 11 (portion to be locked 13) of the core member 1, and the protruding portion can fit into the recessed portion.

[4. Converting portion]

To release the state in which the locking portion 23 (protruding portion 23e) locks the portion to be locked 13 (recessed portion 13b) (specifically, protruding portion 23e fits into recessed portion 13b) (protrusion/recess fit), the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction (circumferential direction with first end portion 10 serving as pivot) against the restriction of the motion (movable action) of the core member 1 imposed by the protrusion/recess fit between the protruding portion 23e and the recessed portion 13b. At least one of the core member 1 and the body member 2 includes a converting portion that converts at least part of the force that produces the motion (movable action) into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other to release the protrusion/recess fit. For example, the second end portion 11 and the second end support portion 21 have contact surfaces that come into contact with each other (left surface 13d and right surface 23d, inclined surface 231 e and inner surface of recessed portion 13b) when the core member 1 is moved to release the fit. The converting portion described above is formed of at least one of the contact surfaces described above, and the contact surface that forms the converting portion described above can be configured to include a surface that is inclined to the insertion direction (right and left direction) and converts the force that moves the core member 1 into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other. The converting portion described above is instead formed of at least one of the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2, and at least one of the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 that forms the converting portion can be configured to have flexibility that allows the first end support portion 20 and/or the second end support portion 21 to elastically deflect in such a way that the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e separate from each other when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 described above to release the protrusion/recess fit. The converting portion is still instead formed of the second end support portion 21, and the second end support portion 21 can be configured to have the flexibility.
In the present embodiment, the body member 2 includes the converting portion, and the converting portion is formed of the leftwardly and downwardly inclined right surface 23d of the locking portion 23, the inclined surface 231 e, which is the upper surface of the protruding portion 23e of the locking portion 23, and the second end support portion 21 (base portion 23a), which has flexibility that allows the second end support portion 21 to elastically deflect leftward.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the converting portion described above has a shaft receiving structure in which the core member 1 and the body member 2 are operated in association with each other, and the shaft receiving structure is a structure in which the shaft receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 rotatably receive the shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core member 1. In the thus configured shaft receiving structure, the shaft receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 are configured to rotatably receive the shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 in a position (shaft receiving position) above the position where the protruding portion 23e fits into the recessed portion 13b (on the side opposite to the side toward which the core member 1 in the fit state is movable or on the side toward the body support portion 2a) in the up and down direction (direction that intersects the axial direction of the core member 1) (see FIG. 6B). The shaft receiving position in the present embodiment is specifically a position that is outside the projected width of the core member body 1 a projected along the axial direction thereof (right and left direction) and shifted toward the body support portion 2a.
The converting portion does not necessarily employ the configuration described above and can be configured such that the first end support portion 20 has flexibility (flexibility that allows the first end support portion 20 to elastically deflect rightward). Instead, the converting portion can be configured to have the left surface 13d (contact surface that comes into contact with the right surface 23d of the locking portion 23) and/or the inner surface of the recessed portion 13b (contact surface that comes into contact with upper surface of the protruding portion 23e of the locking portion 23) of the portion to be locked 13 (base portion 13a). In this case, the left surface 13d is configured to include a surface inclined to the right and left direction (for example, surface inclined rightward and downward and set apart rightward from the right surface 23d by increased amount with distance from above), and part of the inner surface of the recessed portion 13b, specifically, the surface that comes into contact with the upper surface of the protruding portion 23e of the locking portion 23 can be configured to include a surface inclined to the right and left direction (for example, surface inclined rightward and downward and set apart rightward from right surface 23d by increased amount with distance from above).
Instead, the converting portion can be configured to include a protruding portion provided on one of the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 (specifically, protruding portion that fits into a recessed portion provided in the other of the second end portion 11 and the second end support portion 21), and the protruding portion can be configured such that the amount of protrusion (volume) of the protruding portion from a surface where the protruding portion is formed decreases so that the protruding portion separates from the recessed portion when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the core member 1 to release the protrusion/recess fit. For example, the protruding portion described above can be configured to include a protrusion that protrudes from the contact surface of the second end portion 11 or the second end support portion 21 described above and a support (elastic support, for example) that supports the protrusion in such a way that the protrusion can protrude from or retract into the contact surface described above, specifically, in such a way that when the protrusion is pressed at a certain pressure (based on elasticity, for example), the protrusion retracts into the contact surface described above so that the amount of protrusion decreases, whereas when the pressing force described above is removed, the protrusion returns to a position where the amount of protrusion is its initial value. For example, the support is buried in the contact surface described above. It is noted that to move the core member 1 to release the protrusion/recess fit, the protrusion described above can be pressed via the inner surface of the recessed portion, and that the pressing at or more than the certain pressure is performed by a force that can move the core member 1 in the movable direction against the restriction of the core member 1 to release the protrusion/recess fit.

[5. Case]

The cleaner according to the present embodiment is configured to include a case 3, into which the body member 2 is detachably fit to accommodate the core member 1, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The case 3 has a body portion 3A, which has an enclosure-like shape that can accommodate the core member 1 and has an opening on one side (specifically, opening on upper side). Protruding legs 3a (specifically, a pair of protruding ridges parallel to each other along the front and rear direction) are formed on the right and left end portions of the lower surface of the case 3 to allow the case 3 (body portion 3A) to rest in a stable manner. Furthermore, fitting pieces 2d of the body member 2 (specifically, base portions extending downward from the right and left end portions of lower ends of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c and having fitting-purpose recessed portions (see FIG. 1)) can fit into portions to be fit 3b (specifically, recessed portions into which the base portions of the fitting pieces 2d described above fit and which have fitting-purpose protruding portions that fit into the fitting-purpose recessed portions of the fitting pieces 2d described above), and the portions to be fit 3b are recessed in the right and left end portions of the upper-end-side inner surface of the case 3 (body portion 3A). The configuration that allows the body member 2 to fit into the case 3 described above is not limited to a specific configuration. A fitting-purpose protruding portion only needs to be provided on one of the body member 2 and the case 3, and a fitting-purpose recessed portion only needs to be provided in the other. Furthermore, the cleaner according to the present embodiment includes the case 3 but does not necessarily include the case 3. The cleaner can instead be configured to include the core member 1 and the body member 2 but no case 3.

[6. Schematic operation of cleaner]

In the thus configured cleaner, the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 is connected to and supported by the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2, and the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point (see FIGS. 5A, 6B, and 7). Specifically, the pair of shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 are rotatably received (rotatably supported) by the shaft receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 and are rotatable around the central axis of the pair of shaft portions 12b fit into the recessed portions 22b (movable axis along the front and rear direction). That is, the core member 1 pivotally moves relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 (pair of shaft portions 12b) serving as an operating point (see FIGS. 5A and 7). Furthermore, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 is detachably locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2.

[6-1. Locking operation]

A description will be made for operation of the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 that locks the second end portion 11 of the core member 1. The core member 1 is caused to pivotally move with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point to allow the second end portion 11 and the second end support portion 21 to approach each other so that the outer surface side of the portion to be locked 13 (left surface 13d) on the second end portion 11 come into contact with the inner surface side of the second end support portion 21 (right surface 23d). In this process, when the recessed portion 13b in the portion to be locked 13 of the second end portion 11 is allowed to approach the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion 21 or the protruding portion 23e is allowed to approach the recessed portion 13b, the protruding portion 23e is moved (or caused to slide) so that the protruding portion 23e follows part of an upper end portion of the portion to be locked 13 (base portion 13a), specifically, the tapered portion 13e between the pair of rail portions 13c, and the protruding portion 23e is guided between the pair of rail portions 13c along the pair of rail portions 13c to the recessed portion 13b. When the protruding portion 23e is caused to follow the tapered portion 13e described above, the base portion 23a of the locking portion 23 elastically deflects leftward due to its flexibility. Therefore, after the protruding portion 23e comes into contact with the tapered portion 13e, the protruding portion 23e follows the inclined surface of the tapered portion 13e and smoothly slides along the left surface 13d while causing the base portion 23a to elastically deflect as appropriate.
When the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion 21 (locking portion 23) is fit into the recessed portion 13b of the second end portion 11 (portion to be locked 13) and the pair of rail portions 13c are fit into the pair of grooves 23f, the left surface 13d of the portion to be locked 13 comes into contact with the right surface 23d of the locking portion 23 (see FIGS. 5A and 6B). At this point, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 is locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2. As described above, in the state in which the second end portion 11 is locked by the second end support portion 21, the second end portion 11 is supported as a supported end by the second end support portion 21 and the pivotal motion of the core member 1 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point is restricted (see FIG. 5A). In this state, when the body support portion 2a and the core member body 1 a are set apart from each other in the up and down direction, face each other, and are parallel to each other in the right and left direction (see FIG. 5A), and the core member 1 (core member body 1 a) is inserted into and attached to an adhesive tape roll, the adhesive tape roll described above can be used appropriately.

[6-2. Lock releasing operation]

A description will subsequently be made for operation of releasing the locked state described above of the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 (protrusion/recess fit) (operation of releasing restriction of pivotal motion of the core member 1). The core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the pivotal motion of the core member 1 in the direction in which the core member 1 is movable and the recessed portion 13b of the second end portion 11 separates from the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion 21 or the protruding portion 23e separates from the recessed portion 13b to move the portion to be locked 13 and the locking portion 23 (or cause them to slide) relative to each other in such a way that they separate from each other. The motion of the core member 1 described above releases the fit between the protruding portion 23e and the recessed portion 13b and the fit between the pair of rail portions 13c and the pair of grooves 23f.
The rightwardly and downwardly inclined surface 231 e of the protruding portion 23e slides along part of the inner surface of the recessed portion 13b, specifically, the upper surface thereof. The inclined surface 231e moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other along the inclined surface 231 e. Specifically, when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of the motion (movable action) of the core member 1 described above, the inclined surface 231 e converts the force that moves the core member 1 into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other to readily release the protrusion/recess fit. More specifically, when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of the motion (movable action) of the core member 1 described above, part of the force in the movable direction (force along the radial direction of the core member 1) is changed by the inclined surface 231 e such that the part of the force is directed in the axial direction of the core member 1 toward the first end portion thereof, and hence acts on the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b). As a reaction of the action, the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b) exerts a force outward in the axial direction of the core member 1 on the second end support portion 21 (protruding portion 23e). The action and reaction forces that the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b) and the second end support portion 21 (protruding portion 23e) exert on each other readily release the protrusion/recess fit.
Furthermore, the leftwardly and downwardly inclined right surface 23d of the locking portion 23 slides along the left surface 13d of the portion to be locked 13. The right surface 23d moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other along the right surface 23d. Specifically, when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of the core member 1 described above, the right surface 23d causes the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b) and the second end support portion 21 (protruding portion 23e) to exert the action and reaction forces described above on each other to convert part of the force that moves the core member 1 in the movable direction into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.
Furthermore, since the base portion 23a of the locking portion 23 has flexibility that allows the base portion 23a to elastically deflect leftward, elastic deflection resulting from the flexibility moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other. Specifically, when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of the core member 1 described above, the base portion 23a elastically deflects leftward (outward in the axial direction of the core member 1) to convert part of the force that moves the core member 1 in the movable direction into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.
Furthermore, in the shaft receiving structure in which the shaft receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 rotatably receive the shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core member 1, since the shaft receiving portions 22 of the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 rotatably receive the shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 at a shaft receiving position above the fit position where the protruding portion 23e fits into the recessed portion 13b in the up and down direction, the path (specifically, arcuate pivotal path) of the second end portion 11 that the second end portion 11 follows when the core member 1 is caused to pivotally move with the first end portion 10 of the core member 1 serving as an operating point against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 to release the protrusion/recess fit is shifted rightward (specifically, rightward and downward) as compared with a shaft receiving structure in which the fit position and the shaft receiving position substantially coincide with each other in the up and down direction (for example, a shaft receiving structure in which along the axial line (right and left direction) of the core member 1 or within the projected width of the core member 1 projected along the axial direction thereof, the fit position is located along the axial line or within the projected width in a position shifted toward the second end portion 11 and the shaft receiving position is located along the axial line or within the projected width in a position shifted toward the first end portion 10). That is, the shaft receiving structure described above, which has the shaft receiving position shifted upward from the fit position in the up and down direction toward the body support portion 2a, moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other with the pivotal path of the second end portion 11 shifted rightward. Specifically, when the core member 1 is moved in the movable direction against the restriction of the core member 1 described above, the shaft receiving structure described above causes the second end portion 11 (recessed portion 13b) and the second end support portion 21 (protruding portion 23e) to exert the action and reaction forces described above to each other with the pivotal path of the second end portion 11 shifted rightward and downward. As a result, part of the force that moves the core member 1 in the movable direction is converted into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.
As described above, when the fit between the recessed portion 13b of the second end portion 11 and the protruding portion 23e of the second end support portion 21 is released, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 is released. In the state in which the locked second end portion 11 described above is released, the second end portion 11 released and unsupported by the second end support portion 21 is separated as a free end from the second end support portion 21, and the core member 1 pivotally moves relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point. When the core member 1 pivotally moves relative to the body member 2 as described above, the core member 1 can be moved relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point to a desired position, whereby the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 can be separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 7. In this state, when no adhesive tape roll is attached to the core member 1, the core member 1 can be inserted into an adhesive tape roll in the direction from the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 to the first end portion 10 thereof, or when a used adhesive tape roll is attached to the core member 1, the adhesive tape roll can be readily detached from the core member 1 via the second end portion 11.
After the cleaner is used (after the adhesive tape roll attached to the core member 1 cleans a surface to be cleaned), the body member 2 can be fit into the case 3 with the body member 2 serving as an upper lid of the case 3, and the core member 1 (or adhesive tape roll) can be accommodated in the case 3 for appropriate storage. Specifically, the pair of fitting pieces 2d of the body member 2 are fit into the pair of the portions to be fit 3b of the case 3 to close the upper opening of the case 3 with the body member 2.

[7. Configuration and advantageous effects of embodiment (summary)]

As a summary of the present embodiment described above, the cleaner includes the rod-shaped core member 1, which is inserted into the cylindrical hole of the adhesive tape roll formed of a tape-shaped base having at least one adhesive surface and wound around a center line in a tubular form, and the body member 2, which has the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 for supporting the first end portion 10 and the second end portion 11 in the axial direction of the core member 1. The first end portion 10 of the core member 1 is supported by the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 such that the core member 1 is movable relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point. The recessed portion 13b is provided in one of the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2, and the protruding portion 23e, which fits into the recessed portion 13b, is provided on the other of the second end portion 11 and the second end support portion 21. The motion of the core member 1 described above is restricted by the protrusion/recess fit between the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e, and the motion of the core member 1 is allowed in the state in which the protrusion/recess fit described above is released. At least one of the core member 1 and the body member 2 includes the converting portions 23c, 23d, 231 e, which convert, when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction described above to release the protrusion/recess fit described above, at least part of the force that produces the motion into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that at least one of them separates from the other to release the protrusion/recess fit described above.
According to the thus configured cleaner, when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 imposed by the fit between the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e, the converting portion converts at least part of the force that produces the motion into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that at least one of them separates from the other portion to release the protrusion/recess fit. Therefore, to attach or detach the adhesive tape roll to or from the cleaner, the converting portion described above releases the fit between the recessed portion 13b in the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 and the protruding portion 23e on the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2, and the core member 1 is moved relative to the body member 2 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point to a desired position to sufficiently separate the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 from each other, whereby the adhesive tape roll can be readily attached to or detached from the core member 1 by using the cylindrical hole of the adhesive tape roll in the direction from the second end portion 11 toward the first end portion 10 or in the opposite direction.
In the thus configured cleaner, the motion of the core member 1 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point is restricted in the state in which the protruding portion 23e is fit into the recessed portion 13b. Therefore, to use the adhesive tape roll, the second end portion 11 of the core member 1 to which the adhesive tape roll is attached can be locked by the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2 via the protrusion/recess fit to readily restrict the motion of the core member 1 with the first end portion 10 serving as an operating point, whereby the adhesive tape roll attached to the core member 1 can be appropriately rotated when used.
Furthermore, in the cleaner according to the present embodiment, the second end portion 11 and the second end support portion 21 include the contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the core member 1 is moved to release the fit. The converting portion described above is configured to include at least one of the contact surfaces described above. Each of the contact surfaces 23d and 231 e that form the converting portion described above is configured to include a surface that is inclined to the insertion direction (right and left direction) and converts the force that produces the motion of the core member 1 into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other.
According to the thus configured cleaner, each of the contact surfaces 23d and 231 e that form the converting portion includes a surface that is inclined to the insertion direction and converts the force that moves the core member 1 into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other. Therefore, when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 imposed by the fit between the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e, the inclined surface described above converts the force that produces the motion of the core member 1 into a force that moves the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e in such a way that they separate from each other to readily release the protrusion/recess fit.
Furthermore, in the cleaner according to the present embodiment, the converting portion described above is configured to include at least one of the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 of the body member 2, and at least one of the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 that form the converting portion is configured to have flexibility that allows the first end support portion 20 and/or the second end support portion 21 to elastically deflect in such a way that the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e separate from each other when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 described above to release the protrusion/recess fit.
According to the thus configured cleaner, at least one of the first end support portion 20 and the second end support portion 21 that form the converting portion has flexibility that allows the first end support portion 20 and/or the second end support portion 21 to elastically deflect in such a way that the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e separate from each other when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 described above to release the protrusion/recess fit. Therefore, when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 imposed by the fit between the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e, the converting portion, which has the flexibility described above, elastically deflects in such a way that the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.
Furthermore, in the cleaner according to the present embodiment, the converting portion described above is configured to include the second end support portion 21, and the second end support portion 21 is configured to have the flexibility described above.
According to the thus configured cleaner, the second end support portion 21, which is the converting portion, has the flexibility described above. Therefore, when the core member 1 is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member 1 imposed by the fit between the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e, the second end support portion 21, which has the flexibility described above, elastically deflects in such a way that the recessed portion 13b and the protruding portion 23e separate from each other, whereby the protrusion/recess fit can be readily released.

[8. Variations of embodiment]

The cleaner according to the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described above, and a variety of changes can be made thereto to the extent that the changes do not depart from the scope of the present invention.
For example, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the adhesive tape roll having the configuration in which the tape-shaped base is wound around the center line with one adhesive surface facing outward in such a way that a shaft hole is formed along the center line, but the adhesive tape roll is not necessarily configured in this way. The adhesive tape roll may have a configuration in which the tape-shaped base is wound around the center line with one adhesive surface facing inward in such a way that a shaft hole is formed along the center line or a configuration in which each of one surface and the other surface of the tape-shape base is an adhesive surface.
Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the connection portion 12 of the core member 1 is formed of the base portion 12a and the pair of shaft portions 12b, but the connection portion 12 is not necessarily configured in this way. The connection portion 12 may be formed of the base portion 12a and a single rod-shaped shaft portion provided on the upper end side of the base portion 12a.
Instead, the connection portion 12 may be configured such that the connection portion 12 is connected to the first end support portion 20 of the body member 2 integrally with each other or as separate members via a hinge and the core member 1 is pivotally movable relative to the body member 2 with the hinge serving as an operating point. Furthermore, the connection portion 12 may be connected to the first end support portion 20 in such a way that the connection portion 12 is pivotally movable around a plurality of axes (two axes or three axes, for example) with the connection portion 12 serving as an operating point or may be connected to the first end support portion 20 via a ball joint.
In addition, the connection portion 12 is not necessarily connected to the first end support portion 20 in a pivotally movable manner, and the connection portion 12 may be connected to the first end support portion 20 in a linearly movable manner. For example, one of the connection portion 12 and the first end support portion 20 may have a rail portion, and the other portion may have a slide portion that engages with the rail portion and slides therealong, so that the connection portion 12 linearly moves (or is linearly movable) relative to the first end support portion 20.
Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the first end support portion 20 is formed of the first-end-side portion of the body support portion 2a, the right sidewall portion 2b, the first-end-side portions of the pair of front and rear sidewalls 2c, and the shaft receiving portions 22 provided on the pair of front and rear sidewalls 2c, but the first end support portion 20 is not necessarily configured in this way. The first end support portion 20 may be configured to include a base portion extending downward from the body support portion 2a and a shaft receiving portion provided on the base portion and capable of rotatably supporting the pair of shaft portions 12b of the first end portion 10 of the core member 1. In this case, the body member 2 may not include the sidewall portions 2b or 2c.
Furthermore, the present embodiment has been described with reference to the case where the second end support portion 21 is formed of the second-end-side portion of the body support portion 2a, the left sidewall portion 2b, the second-end-side portions of the pair of front and rear sidewall portions 2c, and the locking portion 23, but the second end support portion 21 is not necessarily configured in this way. The second end support portion 21 may be configured such that the locking portion 23 extends downward from the body support portion 2a. Instead, the second end support portion 21 may be configured to include the left-side wall portion 2b and the locking portion 23.
Furthermore, the body member 2 may be configured to include a knob that a user can grasp. The knob can be configured to have a rod-like shape. For example, the knob can be configured to protrude from the body member 2 in at least one of the up and down direction, the right and left direction, and the front and rear direction.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1:: Core member
1a:: Core member body
2:: Body member
2a:: Body support portion
3:: Case
10:: First end portion
11:: Second end portion
12:: Connection portion
13:: Portion to be locked
13b:: Recessed portion
13d:: Left surface
20:: First end support portion
21:: Second end support portion
22:: Shaft receiving portion
23:: Locking portion
23a:: Base portion
23d:: Right surface
23e:: Protruding portion
231e:: Inclined surface

Claims

A cleaner comprising:
a rod-shaped core member that is inserted into a cylindrical hole of an adhesive tape roll formed of a tape-shaped base having at least one adhesive surface and wound around a center line in a tubular form; and

a body member having a first end support portion and a second end support portion for supporting a first end portion and a second end portion in an axial direction of the core member,
wherein the first end portion of the core member is supported by the first end support portion of the body member such that the core member is movable relative to the body member with the first end portion serving as an operating point,
a recessed portion is provided in one of the second end portion of the core member and the second end support portion of the body member and a protruding portion that fits into the recessed portion is provided on the other of the second end portion and the second end support portion, and the motion of the core member is restricted by protrusion/recess fit between the recessed portion and the protruding portion and is allowed in a state in which the protrusion/recess fit is released, and
at least one of the core member and the body member includes a converting portion that converts, when the core member is moved against the restriction to release the protrusion/recess fit, at least part of a force that produces the motion into a force that moves at least one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that at least one of the recessed portion and the protruding portion separates from the other portion to release the protrusion/recess fit.
The cleaner according to claim 1,
wherein the second end portion and the second end support portion have contact surfaces that come into contact with each other when the core member is moved to release the fit,
the converting portion is configured to include at least one of the contact surfaces, and
the contact surface that forms the converting portion includes a surface that is inclined to the insertion direction and converts the force that produces the motion of the core member into a force that moves the recessed portion and the protruding portion in such a way that the recessed portion and the protruding portion separate from the other.
The cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the converting portion is configured to include at least one of the first end support portion and the second end support portion of the body member, and at least one of the first end support portion and the second end support portion that forms the converting portion has flexibility that allows the first end support portion and/or the second end support portion to elastically deflect in such a way that the recessed portion and the protruding portion separate from each other when the core member is moved against the restriction of the motion of the core member to release the protrusion/recess fit.
The cleaner according to claim 3, wherein the converting portion is configured to include the second end support portion, and the second end support portion has the flexibility.