EP3569132B1

EP3569132B1 - Head part for hand-held cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: EP3569132B1
Application number: EP18172329.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Janne Tuomivirta; Reima Tuomivirta
Original assignee: Reax Innovations Oy
Current assignee: Reax Innovations Oy
Priority date: 2018-05-15
Filing date: 2018-05-15
Publication date: 2022-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-15
Also published as: EP3569132A1

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a head part for a hand-held cleaning tool in accordance with claim 1.

Background of the invention

Hand-held cleaning tools, to which a cleaning cloth is attached, are commonly used for different kinds of cleaning. Such cleaning tools can be used for example for cleaning floors and windows. What is characteristic to the use of cleaning cloths attached to hand-held cleaning tools is that the cloths need to be replaced with clean cleaning cloths relatively often. Therefore, quick attachment and release of the cleaning cloths is very important. The attachment also needs to be reliable.
Various solutions for attaching cleaning cloths to hand-held cleaning tools, such as mops, are known. For instance, different clips or hook-and-loop fasteners, such as Velcro strips, can be used. However, clips are often difficult to use. Hook-and-loop fasteners tend to accumulate hair and dust, which reduces the effectiveness of the fasteners. In addition, during washing the fasteners may become attached to other pieces of cloths in a washing machine.
In patent application publication EP1790267A2 is disclosed a cleaner comprising a body configured as a cleaner head, an electric magnet provided adjacent to one side of a bottom of the body to generate a magnetic field during application of an electrical signal and a floor cloth having a conductive body provided at a position opposing the electric magnet.
In patent application publication DE102014002830A1 is disclosed a wiping device for cleaning surfaces, in which a textile fabric envelops a wiper device plate provided with upright fastening hooks.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved head part for a hand-held cleaning tool. The characterizing features of the head part according to the invention are given in claim 1.
The head part according to the invention comprises an elongated body and attachment means for attaching a cleaning cloth to the head part, the attachment means comprising a first engagement element for engagement with a first engagement point of a cleaning cloth, and a second engagement element for engagement with a second engagement point of the cleaning cloth. At least the first engagement element is movable in the longitudinal direction of the body between a first position, which is at a first distance from the second engagement element, and a second position, which is at a second distance from the second engagement element, the second distance being shorter than the first distance, and the head part further comprises a spring device, which is arranged to resist movement of the first engagement element from the first position towards the second position.
The head part according to the invention allows quick attachment and removing of a cleaning cloth. The spring device also keeps the cleaning cloth stretched in the longitudinal direction of the head part. Because of the easy attachment and removal of the cleaning cloth, the cleaning tool is convenient to use as a multi-purpose cleaning tool with or without a cleaning cloth or with different cleaning cloths.
According to an embodiment of the invention, also the second engagement element is movable in the longitudinal direction of the body and the head part comprises a spring device, which is arranged to resist movement of the second engagement element towards the first engagement element. With two movable engagement elements, the cleaning cloth can be kept centered in respect of the head-part and the moving distance of the engagement elements can be shorter.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the spring device is a helical spring. Helical springs are reliable and inexpensive components and allow a simple construction.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the spring device is arranged to be compressed when the engagement element is moved towards the other engagement element. This makes the construction of the head part simple.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the spring device is arranged within the body. By arranging the spring device within the body, the spring device is protected from dirt and the cleaning cloth is prevented from being tangled in the spring device.
According to the invention, the head part has a first side, which is configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a second side facing an opposite direction relative to the first side, and the first engagement element and the second engagement element are arranged on the second side of the head part. For example when wiping a floor, the engagement elements are thus on the upper surface of the head part and easy to actuate.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the engagement elements are pins or hooks. A cleaning cloth is thus easy to attach and remove.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the engagement elements are pins, which are inclined outwards in the longitudinal direction of the body. This helps to keep a cleaning cloth reliably attached to the head part.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first engagement element is arranged to be in its first position close to a first end of the body of the head part and the second engagement element is arranged to be in its first position close to a second end of the body of the head part. By arranging the engagement elements close to the ends of the head part, the cleaning cloth is kept straight in the longitudinal direction of the head part.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the distance between the first end of the body of the head part and the first engagement element is at most one eighth of the length of the body, and the distance between the second end of the body of the head part and the second engagement element is at most one eighth of the length of the body.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the head part comprises a squeegee. The head part can thus be part of a multi-purpose cleaning tool, which can be used for both wiping a surface with a cleaning cloth and for wiping away water.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the engagement elements are arranged on a side facing opposite direction relative to the tip of the squeegee.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the body comprises a longitudinal groove and the engagement element is connected to a slide, which is engaged with the groove of the body. The groove and the slide guide the movement of the engagement element.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the slide is provided with a plate portion covering the groove. The plate portion helps to keep the groove clean and to ensure smooth movement of the slide.
A cleaning tool according to the invention comprises a head part defined above and a cleaning cloth engaged with the head part.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention are described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a head part according to an embodiment of the invention,
Fig. 2 shows an end view of the head part of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 shows an end view of the body of the head part of Fig. 1,
Fig. 4 shows a front view of a slide of the head part of Fig. 1,
Fig. 5 shows an end view of the slide of Fig. 4,
Fig. 6 shows a top view of the head part of Fig. 1,
Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 6,
Fig. 8 shows a view similar to Fig. 7, but the slides of the head part in different positions, and
Fig. 9 shows an example of a cleaning cloth suitable for use with the head part of Fig. 1.

Description of embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 shows a front view of a head part 1 of a hand-held cleaning tool according to an embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of the figures, the cleaning tool is a squeegee, which comprises a body 2 and a squeegee 8 attached to the body 2. In addition to the use as a squeegee, the cleaning tool can also be used with a detachable cleaning cloth. The cleaning tool can thus be used for instance for wiping floors or other surfaces with a wet cloth, and also for wiping the surface dry after the wiping with the wet cloth. The head part 1 can be attached to a handle (not shown). In the embodiment of the figures, an attachment part 14 is connected to the body 2 for attaching the handle to the head part 1. Alternatively, the cleaning tool could be provided with an integral handle. The head part 1 according to the invention could also be a mop head without a squeegee.
The head part comprises a body 2. The body 2 is an elongated part, which has a first end 20 and a second end 21. The direction between the first end 20 and the second end 21 is the longitudinal direction of the body 2 and the whole head part 1. The body 2 can be made, for instance, of a plastic. The body 2 could also be made of aluminum or other suitable material. The body 2 can be made, for example, by molding or by extruding. The body 2 can be either a single-piece part or assembled from two or more parts.
The head part 1 shown in the figures comprises a squeegee 8. The squeegee 8 is made of an elastic material, such as plastic. In the embodiment of the figures, the squeegee 8 is provided with two tips 8a, 8b. However, the squeegee 8 could also comprise a single tip or it could be provided with three or more tips. The squeegee 8 is attached to the body 2 of the head part 1. In the embodiment of the figures, the body 2 is provided with a first flange 22 and a second flange 23, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the body 2 and the squeegee 8 is clamped between the flanges 22, 23. Instead of or in addition to the flanges 22, 23, the squeegee 8 could be attached to the body 2 for example by means of clips or by gluing. In the embodiment of the figures, the squeegee 8 extends in the longitudinal direction outside the body 2, which ensures that the body 2 does not scrape walls when wiping floors near the walls.
The head part 1 is provided with attachment means 3a, 3b for attaching a cleaning cloth to the head part 1. An example of a cleaning cloth 10 suitable for use with the head part 1 is shown in figure 9. The cleaning cloth 10 could also be called as a rag. The cleaning cloth 10 comprises two holes 11a, 11b, which can be engaged with the attachment means 3a, 3b of the head part 1. The holes 11a, 11b thus function as a first and a second engagement point of the cleaning cloth 10. For the sake of clarity, it is mentioned in this connection that the scale of the different figures is not the same, and the cleaning cloth 10 therefore appears smaller than the head part 1. However, the distance between the holes 11a, 11b should be chosen in accordance with the proportions of the head part 1. In the embodiment of figure 9, each hole 11a, 11b is provided with a grommet 13. The grommets 13 are rings surrounding the holes 11a, 11b and thus preventing tearing of the cleaning cloth 10. However, depending on the type of the cleaning cloth 10, the grommets 13 may not be needed. The cleaning cloth 10 could also be reinforced around the holes 11a, 11b for instance by stiches or a by a reinforcing cloth. Many kinds of cleaning cloths 10 can be used with the head part 1 according to the invention. For instance, the cleaning cloth 10 could comprise areas with different textures and/or materials. The cleaning cloth 10 could also be provided with fringes or strips, which could be used for instance for absorbing excess water when wiping a surface with a wet cloth. Different areas of the cleaning cloth 10 could be used for different cleaning purposes.
As can be seen in figures 1 and 6-8, the attachment means comprise a first engagement element 3a and a second engagement element 3b. The first engagement element 3a is arranged close to the first end 20 of the body 2 and the second engagement element 3b is arranged close to the second end 21 of the body 2. The first engagement point 11a of a cleaning cloth 10 can be engaged with the first engagement element 3a of the head part 1 and the second engagement point 11b of the cleaning cloth 10 can be engaged with the second engagement element 3b of the head part 1.
At least the first engagement element 3a is movable in the longitudinal direction of the body 2 between a first position, which is at a first distance from the second engagement element 3b, and a second position, which is at a second distance from the second engagement element 3b, the second distance being shorter than the first distance. The head part 1 further comprises a spring device 4a, which can be seen in the cross-sectional views of figures 7 and 8. The spring device 4a is arranged to resist movement of the first engagement element 3a from the first position towards the second position. The spring device 4a can be pretensioned to keep the first engagement element 3a firmly in the first position. In figure 7, the first engagement element 3a is in the first position and in figure 8 in the second position. Because of the moving engagement element 3a and the spring device 4a, the cleaning cloth 10 is firmly hold by the engagement elements 3a, 3b. The cleaning cloth 10 is easy to both attach to the head part 1 and to remove and replace with a clean cloth. Also shrinkage and manufacturing tolerances of the cleaning cloth 10 are allowed, because the engagement elements 3a, 3b adapt to different sizes of cleaning cloths 10. When the first engagement element 3a is in its outermost position, the distance between the first end 20 of the body 2 and the first engagement element 3a is at most one eight of the length of the body 2. Similarly, when the second engagement element 3b is in its outermost position, the distance between the second end 21 of the body 2 and the second engagement element 3b is at most one eight of the length of the body 2. The distance means here the distance from the respective end 20, 21 of the body 2 to that portion of the engagement element 3a, 3b that supports the engagement point 11a, 11b of the cleaning cloth 10 in the longitudinal direction of the head part 1.
The distance between the first engagement element 3a and the second engagement element 3b is chosen so that when the distance between the engagement elements 3a, 3b is at its greatest, the distance is greater than the distance between the engagement points 11a, 11b of the cleaning cloth 10. For attaching a cleaning cloth 10 to the head part 1, at least one of the engagement elements 3a, 3b thus needs to be moved against a spring force. A cleaning cloth 10 attached to the head part 1 is thus kept tight in the longitudinal direction of the head part 1 because of the spring force.
When the distance between the engagement elements 3a, 3b is at its shortest, the distance is shorter than the distance between the engagement points 11a, 11b of the cleaning cloth 10 and even shorter than the distance between the engagement points 11a, 11b in a shrunk cleaning cloth 10.
As described above, it is sufficient that one of the engagement elements 3a, 3b is movable. However, in the embodiment of the figures, also the second engagement element 3b is movable. Also the second engagement element 3b can thus be moved in the longitudinal direction of the body 2 between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the second engagement element 3b is closer to the first engagement element 3a than in the first position. The head part 1 comprises a spring device 4b, which is arranged to resist movement of the second engagement element 3b from the first position to the second position, i.e. towards the first engagement element 3a. By having two movable engagement elements 3a, 3b, the cleaning cloth 10 is centered in respect of the head part 1. Also, the moving distance of the engagement elements 3a, 3b can be shorter.
In the embodiment of the figures, the spring devices 4a, 4b are helical springs. However, the spring devices could also be for example gas springs, such as air springs, or torsion springs. The construction with helical springs is easy and inexpensive to implement. In the embodiment of the figures, the springs 4a, 4b are arranged so that when the engagement elements 3a, 3b are moved towards each other, the springs 4a, 4b are compressed. However, the springs 4a, 4b could also be arranged so that they are stretched when the engagement elements 3a, 3b are moved towards each other. The construction with compressing springs 4a, 4b is simpler to implement and it is also easier to locate the engagement elements close to the ends 20, 21 of the body 2 of the head part 1. When the engagement elements 3a, 3b are in their first positions, the springs 4a, 4b are pretensioned, i.e. slightly compressed.
In the embodiment of the figures, the engagement elements 3a, 3b are pins. However, instead of pins, for instance hooks could be used as the engagement elements. It is not necessary that the engagement elements 3a, 3b are identical with each other. For instance, in case only one of the engagement elements 3a, 3b is movable, the fixed and movable engagement elements could be different. For example, the fixed engagement element could be a hook and the movable engagement element could be a pin. In the embodiment of the figures, the pins 3a, 3b are inclined outwards in the longitudinal direction of the head part 1. This prevents the cleaning cloth 10 from disengaging from the pins 3a, 3b.
The head part 1 has a first side 6, which is configured to face the surface to be cleaned. In the figures, the first side 6 is the bottom side, but it can naturally face another direction, if the cleaning tools is used for cleaning other surfaces than floors. The engagement elements 3a, 3b are arranged on a second side 7, which faces a direction that is opposite to the direction of the first side 6. The second side 7 is thus an upper side when the cleaning tool is used for cleaning a floor.
In the embodiment of the figures, each of the engagement elements 3a, 3b is connected to a slide 9a, 9b. Figure 4 shows a front view of a slide 9a, 9b and figure 5 shows an end view of a slide 9a, 9b. Each slide 9a, 9b is arranged to slide in a groove 12 that is arranged in the body 2 of the head part 1. A cross-sectional profile of a groove 12 according to an embodiment of the invention can be seen in figure 3, which shows an end view of the body 2. The groove 12 comprises a first portion 12a, which opens onto the second side 7 of the head part 1. The groove 12 further comprises a second portion 12b, which is broader than the first portion 12a. In the orientation shown in figure 3, the second portion 12b is below the first portion 12a. In the embodiment of the figures, the groove 12 is T-shaped. However, also other groove shapes could be used, such as a dovetail shape.
A cross-sectional profile of the slide 9a, 9b can be seen in figure 5. The slide 9a, 9b comprises a coupling portion 16, which is configured to cooperate with the groove 12 of the body 2 for allowing movement of the slide 9a, 9b in the groove 12. The slide 9a, 9b further comprises a plate portion 15, which is configured to cover the groove 12. As shown in figures 7 and 8, the plate portion 15 is preferably dimensioned so that the groove 12 remains covered irrespective of the position of the slide 9a, 9b. This prevents dirt from entering the groove 12 and helps ensuring smooth operation of the slides 9a, 9b. However, the plate portion is not an essential part of the slide 9a, 9b. At the end of the groove 12, there is a hole 17, which is configured to receive one end of the spring 4a, 4b. This helps keeping the spring 4a, 4b in a correct orientation. Also the slides 9a, 9b could be provided with holes for receiving the springs 4a, 4b. Each spring 4a, 4b is arranged to push the respective slide 9a, 9b outwards in the longitudinal direction of the head part 1. The other end of the groove 12, i.e. the outer end in the longitudinal direction of the body 2, is covered with a plug 18, which prevents the slide 9a, 9b from falling from the groove 12. The plugs 18 can be configured so that when the engagement elements 3a, 3b are in their first positions, the springs 4a, 4b are pretensioned.
The body 2 and the grooves 12 could also be constructed in many other ways. For instance, the slides 9a, 9b could be inserted into the grooves from below the body 2. The outer ends of the grooves could thus be closed. The plate portion 15 could be a separate part attached to the coupling portion 16 after inserting the coupling portion 16 into the groove.
In the embodiment of the figures, the springs 4a, 4b are arranged within the body 2 of the head part 1. This prevents the springs 4a, 4b from getting dirty and the cleaning cloth 10 from getting tangled in the springs 4a, 4b. However, the springs 4a, 4b could also be arranged outside the body 2.
It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but may vary within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A head part (1) for a hand-held cleaning tool, the head part (1) comprising an elongated body (2) and attachment means for attaching a cleaning cloth (10) to the head part (1), the attachment means comprising
- a first engagement element (3a) for engagement with a first engagement point (11a) of a cleaning cloth (10), and

- a second engagement element (3b) for engagement with a second engagement point (11b) of the cleaning cloth (10),
and in which at least the first engagement element (3a) is movable in the longitudinal direction of the body (2) between a first position, which is at a first distance from the second engagement element (3b), and a second position, which is at a second distance from the second engagement element (3b), the second distance being shorter than the first distance, and the head part (1) further comprises a spring device (4a), which is arranged to resist movement of the first engagement element (3a) from the first position towards the second position, characterized in that the head part (1) has a first side (6), which is configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and a second side (7) facing an opposite direction relative to the first side (6), and the first engagement element (3a) and the second engagement element (3b) are arranged on the second side (7) of the head part (1).
A head part (1) according to claim 1, wherein also the second engagement element (3b) is movable in the longitudinal direction of the body (2) and the head part (1) comprises a spring device (4b), which is arranged to resist movement of the second engagement element (3b) towards the first engagement element (3a).
A head part (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring device is a helical spring (4a, 4b).
A head part (1) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the spring device (4a, 4b) is arranged to be compressed when the engagement element (3a, 3b) is moved towards the other engagement element (3a, 3b).
A head part (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the spring device (4a, 4b) is arranged within the body (2).
A head part (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement elements (3a, 3b) are pins or hooks.
A head part (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement elements are pins (3a, 3b), which are inclined outwards in the longitudinal direction of the body (2).
A head part (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first engagement element (3a) is arranged to be in its first position close to a first end (20) of the body (2) of the head part (1) and the second engagement element (3b) is arranged to be in its first position close to a second end (21) of the body (2) of the head part (1).
A head part (1) according to claim 8, wherein the distance between the first end (20) of the body (2) of the head part (1) and the first engagement element (3a) is at most one eighth of the length of the body (2), and the distance between the second end (21) of the body (2) of the head part (1) and the second engagement element (3b) is at most one eighth of the length of the body (2).
A head part (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the head part (1) comprises a squeegee (8).
A head part (1) according to claim 10, wherein the engagement elements (3a, 3b) are arranged on a side (7) facing opposite direction relative to the tip (8a, 8b) of the squeegee (8).
A head part (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the body (2) comprises a longitudinal groove (12) and the engagement element (3a, 3b) is connected to a slide (9a, 9b), which is engaged with the groove (12) of the body (2).
A head part (1) according to claim 12, wherein the slide (9a, 9b) is provided with a plate portion (15) covering the groove (12).
A cleaning tool comprising a head part (1) according to any of the preceding claims and a cleaning cloth (10) engaged with the head part (1).