EP4176977A1 - Painting tool with articulation unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A painter's tool (1) with a base body which has a handle section (3) and a tool section (5) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, with a joint unit (7) being designed for the articulated connection between the handle section and the tool section, the one Movement of the tool section relative to the handle section between the zero position and at least one angular position deviating from the zero position is permitted, with the articulated unit having a magnetic brake (13).

Description

The present invention relates to a painter's tool with a base body, which has a handle section and a tool section, which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, with a joint unit being formed for the articulated connection between the handle section and the tool section, which allows a relative movement of the tool section in relation to a work surface to the grip section between a zero position and at least one angular position deviating from the zero position.

Such a painter's tool is widely known from the prior art. The painting tools of the prior art can be divided into two groups.

A first group includes painting tools in which the tool section is pivoted into at least one angular position and fixed in this position. These include, for example, the DE 20 2004 005 775 U1 , DE 20 2013 010 684 U1 , DE 20 2011 107 714 U1 , US 5,860,902A , US 2003/0009840 A1 , US 3,273,192 A , US 6,012,865 A , US 6,702,727A , US 8,060,975A , U.S. 2003/0224121 A1 , U.S. 2006/0123578 A1 , U.S. 2014/021935 A1 , WO 2016/041003 A1 , and US 3,408,676A known paint rollers, the tool section of which is connected to a handle section via a lockable swivel joint.

A second group comprises painting tools in which the tool section can be pivoted into angular positions without it being intended to be fixed in at least one of these angular positions. The angle adjustability is used in these painting tools to steer a paint roller. This second group includes, for example, those from DE 20 2013 004 789 U1 , US 3,866,257A , US 8,273,002A and U.S. 2007/000083 A1 known paint rollers, the tool section of which is not connected to a handle section via a lockable swivel joint.

With the rotary joints known from the first group, it is not possible to provide the painting tool with a steering function. The respective tool section can only be fixed in predetermined or optionally determinable angular positions in relation to the handle section. It is not possible to work with the swivel joint loosened because the screws connected to the swivel joints Sections then can not be controlled by the user in their position to each other, ie, are no longer controllable. The components are thus either loosely or firmly connected and cannot be used in the loosely connected state.

With the swivel joints known from the second group, it is possible to control the painting tool (also) with a loose swivel joint. These painting tools have a steering function. Out of DE 2013 004 789 U1 and US 3,866,257A paint rollers are known in each case, the tool section of which can pivot freely about an axis of rotation which is oriented obliquely in relation to a handle section. Although the freely rotatable arrangement of the tool section theoretically allows steering, in practice the controllability of the tool section is considerably restricted by its free rotation. The user has to meter his forces very precisely in order to control a steering process with some degree of accuracy. This is particularly difficult when the handle portion is very long or is extended by an extension rod to z. B. to paint a ceiling or high wall sections.

Out of US 8,273,002A a paint roller is known in which the grip portion is also freely pivotable about an axis of rotation perpendicular to a grip portion. The free rotation around the vertical axis of rotation should be limited by frictional forces to the extent that controllability is ensured. The controllability requires a very precise and reproducible form-fitting production of the corresponding joint parts during manufacture. In addition, this form fit loses its original frictional force during operation, since the materials wear out or expand over time.

Out of U.S. 2007/000083 A1 a paint roller is known, the swivel joint of which is also freely pivotable about an axis of rotation that is oblique in relation to a handle section and protrudes laterally from the handle section. Associated with this is the additional disadvantage that the rotary joint protrudes into the grip area of a user and severely impedes the user during use. In addition, there is also a risk of injury for the user, since the handle section forms a kind of barb with the swivel joint protruding at an angle.

The object of the present invention is therefore to further develop a painting tool of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the use and handling of a painting tool with a pivotable tool section is significantly improved for the user.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the joint unit has a magnetic brake.

With the painting tool of the present invention, it is possible to connect the tool section to the handle section flexibly or loosely and still rotate the tool section in a controlled manner relative to the handle section, so that the tool section can be steered in the desired direction by the user. The swivel joint of the present invention can also be manipulated with only one hand. The free hand does not have to be used for this.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the tool section is elastically pretensioned in the at least one angular position. This supports the return of the tool section from the at least one angular position to the zero position. In the following, "zero position" means the position that would correspond to an orientation of the handle section in relation to the tool section if a swivel joint were not present in the painting tool. For a paint roller, the zero position is when the tool portion is oriented so that a paint roller is oriented at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion. In the following, "angular position" means a position in which the tool section is pivoted through an angle from the zero position.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the joint unit comprises a tool holder which is pivotally mounted in the joint unit. Since tool sections can be designed very differently, the tool holder creates an adapter that enables a large number of tool sections adapted to different tools to be pivotably and, in particular, steerably mounted in the identical joint unit.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the handle section has a fork-shaped handle end, into which the tool holder engages. By the With the fork-shaped end of the joint, the tool holder is securely held from two sides, so that on the one hand good power transmission to the tool holder and on the other hand precise guidance of the tool holder in the joint unit is ensured.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the magnetic brake has a first pair of magnets with a first magnet and a second magnet that attract each other. The respective magnetic fields of the first pair of magnets generate a resistance in the movement path of the tool section, which brakes the movement of the tool section into the at least one angular position. As a result, a smooth but damped by the resistance steering movement in the direction of at least one angular position is possible.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the magnetic brake has a second pair of magnets with a mutually attractive third magnet and fourth magnet. Due to the respective magnetic fields of the second pair of magnets, a resistance is generated in the movement path of the tool section brakes the movement of the tool section in a second angular position. As a result, a smooth but dampened by the resistance steering movement in the second angular position is possible. In the present embodiment, the first angular position lies on a counter-clockwise movement path in relation to a processing surface, and the second angular position lies on a clockwise movement path.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the first magnet and possibly the third magnet are each built into the tool holder and the second and possibly fourth magnet are each built into the fork-shaped end of the handle, so that the first and second magnet or the third and fourth magnet are opposite and each form a magnetic brake in the one direction of movement clockwise or counterclockwise. The painter's tool according to the invention can therefore be designed with a magnetic brake with an effect in one direction, starting from a zero position, or in two or more directions, starting from the zero position. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnetic brake is provided on both sides of a zero position, so that the painting tool from the Zero position in its trajectories determined by the swivel joint, so can be braked in both directions of rotation.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the tool section has a bracket, the free end of which is designed and aligned as a carrier for an inking roller. By this measure, the painting tool of the present invention is optimally adapted for a steerable paint roller.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the joint unit comprises a spring device which pretensions the tool holder in the at least one angular position and thereby supports a return to the zero position. Such a spring device can be a tension spring or else a buckling spring or a torsion spring.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the joint unit comprises a locking device, the locking device releasably locking the tool section in the zero position when a steering function is not desired.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the free end of the shackle is oriented at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the handle portion in the zero position. This establishes the normal operating position of a paint roller at the zero position.

Further advantages of the present invention result from the further features of the dependent claims.

• Fig. 1a eine schematische Vorderansicht eines Malerwerkzeugs gemäß vorliegender Erfindung;
• Fig. 1b eine schematische Rückansicht des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 1a, ohne eine Schutzhaube;
• Fig. 1c eine schematische Rückansicht des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 1b, ohne Deckel und ohne Schutzhaube;
• Fig. 1d eine schematische Vorderansicht des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 1c;
• Fig. 2a eine schematische, perspektivische Ansicht des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 1c ohne Magnetfeldbremse;
• Fig. 2b eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung des Griffabschnitts des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 2a ohne Werkzeugabschnitt;
• Fig. 3 eine schematische Darstellung des Werkzeugabschnitts des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 2a mit Feder;
• Fig. 4 eine schematische Explosionsdarstellung des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 1a; und
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Vorderansicht des Malerwerkzeugs aus Fig. 1a mit Farbwalze.

An embodiment of the present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

• Fig. 1a a schematic front view of a painting tool according to the present invention;
• Fig. 1b shows a schematic rear view of the painting tool Fig. 1a , without a protective hood;
• 1c shows a schematic rear view of the painting tool Fig. 1b , without cover and without protective cover;
• Fig. 1d a schematic front view of the painting tool 1c ;
• Figure 2a a schematic, perspective view of the painting tool 1c without magnetic brake;
• Figure 2b Figure 12 shows a schematic perspective view of the handle portion of the painting tool Figure 2a without tool section;
• 3 Figure 12 shows a schematic representation of the tool section of the painting tool Figure 2a with feather;
• 4 shows a schematic exploded view of the painting tool Fig. 1a ; and
• figure 5 a schematic front view of the painting tool Fig. 1a with paint roller.

In Fig. 1a a front view of a painting tool 1 is shown schematically. In the illustrated embodiment, the painting tool 1 is a paint roller that can be fitted with a paint roller in order to paint surfaces. In other embodiments, the painting tool 1 can also take on other functions or have other properties. The present invention is not necessarily limited to a painter's tool 1 configured as a paint roller, but should expressly include all painter's tools for which a steering function is desired.

The Painter's Tool 1 in Fig. 1a comprises a tool section 3 and a handle section 5. The handle section 5 in turn comprises a handle 5.1 with a free handle end 5.2, in the vicinity of which two opposite recesses 5.3 are formed in the present embodiment, into which an extension rod (not shown) with a cone (not shown) can engage. The connection between a short handle section 5 and an extension rod can be chosen at will, e.g. B. can also be provided with corresponding threaded sections. In other embodiments, the handle section 5 can also be made very long, ie as long as it would be in the illustrated embodiment with an extension rod. In such embodiments, there is no need for the opposite recesses 5.3, since an extension rod is no longer required.

In the present embodiment, two opposing through-holes 5.5 are formed on a hinge-side grip end 5.4 opposite the free grip end 5.2, in which a retaining bolt of a spring device designed as a tension spring, which is described further below, can be inserted.

The handle section 5 is connected in one piece to a joint unit 7 as an extension of its joint-side handle end 5.4 opposite the free handle end 5.2. The joint unit 7 is in Fig. 1a hidden behind a cover structure 9. The cover structure 9 comprises a front cover 9.1 and a rear cover 9.2 ( Fig. 1b ), which are connected to each other or to the joint unit 7 via a snap-in connection and protect the joint unit 7. A tool-side area of the joint unit 7 is closed with a protective hood 11 in the illustrated embodiment. The protective hood 11 is an optional component that is also beneficial for protecting the joint unit 7, but is not necessary. The cover structure 9 and the protective hood 11 are optional additions, so that they can also be omitted in other embodiments.

In Fig. 1b Fig. 12 schematically shows a rear side of the painting tool Fig. 1a shown with the protective hood 11 omitted.

In 1c is schematic of the back side Fig. 1b shown, but without the cover structure 9. In 1c so the joint unit 7 is partially visible. The joint unit 7 comprises a tool holder 7.1, which is rotatably mounted in the joint unit 7. The rotatable mounting can be done in different ways. In the embodiment shown, the joint unit 7 has a joint axis 7.3, which extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the handle section 5. The tool holder 7.1 pivots about the joint axis 7.3.

In the embodiment shown, the joint unit 7 has an essentially round contour, which merges smoothly into the handle of the handle section 5 . In the present embodiment, the joint unit 7 extends in a radius around the joint axis 7.3, and a range of movement of the tool section 3 between the zero position and at least one angular position thus corresponds to a circular arc section of the joint unit 7.

In other embodiments, however, other contours can also be favorable for the implementation of the present invention, for example contours that are polygonal. The joint unit 7 also comprises at least one Magnetic brake 13, which is described in more detail below.

In Fig. 1d the paint tool is off 1c shown with its front. In the area of the joint unit 7, a recess 7.6 can be seen, which is provided as a sliding and guide groove for a locking device 15. The locking device 15 is also described in more detail below.

In Figure 2a the painting tool 1 is off 1c shown in perspective and without a magnetic brake 13, which will be described below. In Figure 2a is in connection with Figure 2b It can be seen that the handle section 5 is formed in the shape of a fork in the area of the joint unit 7 . The handle section 5 forks into a front, plate-shaped area 7.7 and a rear, plate-shaped area 7.8 of the joint unit 7. Between the two plate-shaped areas 7.7, 7.8 there is a receptacle for the tool holder 7.1, whose path of movement corresponds to a circular section that is caused by a rotation around the joint axis and is delimited by a fork opening between the plate-shaped areas 7.7 and 7.8.

In 3 the tool section 3 with the tool holder 7.1 is shown schematically. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool section 3 comprises a bracket 3.1, which can accommodate an inking roller at a free bracket end 3.2. The design of the tool section 3 can be arbitrary, but in any case includes non-cage-shaped brackets, as shown, and basket-shaped brackets for so-called cage rollers. A bracket end 3.3 articulated to the free bracket end 3.2 is fastened in the tool holder 7.1. In 3 the back of the painting tool 1 or the back of the tool holder 7.1 is shown.

Two magnet recesses 7.9 and 7.11 can be seen in the back of the tool holder 7.1, into which a first magnet 13.1 and a third magnet 13.3 of the magnetic brake 13 can be inserted. The first magnet 13.1 and the third magnet 13.3 have the same polarity and repel each other. In Figures 2a and 2b two magnet recesses 7.10 and 7.12 can also be seen in the rear plate-shaped area 7.8 of the joint unit 7, into which a second magnet 13.2 and a fourth magnet 13.4 can be inserted (see FIG. 4). Also the second magnet 13.2 and the fourth magnet 13.4 have the same polarity and repel each other when the tool holder 7.1 is inserted into the joint unit 7. In the assembled operating state, the first magnet 13.1 and the second magnet 13.2 face one another in a zero position with different polarity, so that they attract one another. Likewise, in the assembled state, the third magnet 13.3 and the fourth magnet 13.4 are opposite with different polarity, so that they attract each other. A movement of the tool section 3 or the tool holder 7.1 is dampened or braked by the respective force of attraction between the opposing magnets, such that the user can carry out a controlled steering operation of the tool section 3 by moving the handle section 5.

In other embodiments, the magnetic brake 13 can also comprise only one pair of magnets, which either brakes a movement in only one steering direction or is arranged in such a way that it extends over a range of movement that allows a steering movement in two opposite directions. In the latter case, individual pairs of magnets are then not provided for braking a steering movement in one steering direction, but only a "continuous" pair of magnets. The parts of the pairs of magnets of the illustrated embodiment lying on one joint side are then formed "in one piece". The magnets 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 involved in the magnetic brake 13 are permanent magnets in the preferred embodiment, but can also be designed as electromagnets in other embodiments, the magnetic field of which is generated by a rechargeable battery integrated into the painting tool and whose strength can be adjusted.

In Fig. 4 is a schematic exploded view of the painting tool 1 to see in the embodiment of a paint roller. The tool section 3 is pivotally connected to the handle section 5 via the joint unit 7 . The tool section 3 has a bracket 3.1, which is bent three times at essentially right angles and carries an inking roller 19 as a tool on the free end of the bracket 3.2. The design of the free end 3.2 of the bracket can be adapted to a type of paint roller to be used, so that with a corresponding basket-shaped design, cage rollers can also be used. A joint-side bracket end 3.3 of the bracket 3.1 sits in the tool holder 7.1 Joint unit 7. In the present embodiment, the protective hood 11 extends over the connection point at which the joint-side bracket end 3.3 is connected to the tool holder 7.1. This is not absolutely necessary in other embodiments, but protects the connection area from paint or other contaminants.

The joint unit 7 comprises a round, disc-shaped tool holder 7.1, through the center of which runs the joint axis 7.3. In the orientation of the tool holder 7.1 shown in FIG. 4, the first and third magnet recesses 7.9, 7.11 are located to the left and right of the joint axis 7.3. The first magnet 13.1 is inserted in the first magnet recess 7.9 and the third magnet 13.3 is inserted in the third magnet recess 7.11. The tool holder 7.1 sits between the front plate-shaped area 7.7 and the rear plate-shaped area 7.8 of the joint unit 7, which extend from the joint-side handle end 5.4 of the handle section 5 in the shape of a fork.

The second magnet recess 7.10 and the fourth are in the rear plate-shaped area 7.8 Magnet recess formed 7.12. In the second magnet recess 7.10 the second magnet 13.2 sits opposite the first magnet 13.1 and in the fourth magnet recess 7.12 the fourth magnet 13.4 sits opposite the third magnet 13.3. The first and second magnet 13.1, 13.2 and the third and fourth magnet 13.3, 13.4 each form a magnet pair of the magnetic brake 13 in this way. The locking device 15 is arranged on the front plate-shaped area 7.7. This includes a slide 15.1, which is attached to the front plate-shaped area in a guide groove 15.2. The slide 15.1 carries a projection 15.3 on its upper side, which can be gripped by a user's thumb in order to move the slide 15.1 back and forth in the guide groove 15.2 between a release position and a locking position. The slide 15.1 has a locking groove (not shown) on its underside, into which a locking pin 15.5 engages in the locking position and blocks rotation of the joint unit 7. The tool section 3 can then not move away from the zero position in the blocked state of the joint unit 7 .

In other embodiments, the locking device 15 is not absolutely necessary for use, since the tool holder can only move out of the zero position if the handle unit receives a steering impulse from the user.

The spring device 17 is provided in the joint unit 7 . In the present embodiment, the spring device 17 is a tension spring. This is attached to the tool holder 7.1 with an upper end 17.1. With an opposite lower end 17.2, the spring device 17 is fastened to a retaining bolt 17.3, which is fastened in the through holes 5.5.

In this embodiment, the entire joint structure, including the locking device 15, is fixed to one another by a screw connection. For this purpose, the joint axis 7.3 is designed as a joint sleeve, through which a screw 7.13 is passed, including the locking device 15, which engages in a threaded nut 7.14 on the opposite side.

The front panel-shaped area 7.7 is covered by the front cover 9.1 and the rear panel-shaped area 7.8 by the rear cover 9.2. In this embodiment, the front cover 9.1 and the rear cover 9.2 are detachably attached to the respective plate-shaped area.

In figure 5 the painting tool 1 is shown from the front and with a paint roller 19 mounted.

In some embodiments of the painting tool 1, e.g. B. as a brush or spatula, it may be beneficial to provide a universal joint (not shown).

Reference List

1

painting tool

3

tool section

3.1

hanger

3.2

free temple end

3.3

articulated temple end

5

handle section

5.1

handle

5.2

free handle end

5.3

recesses

5.4

articulated handle end

5.5

through holes

7

joint unit

7.1

tool holder

7.2

rotating body

7.3

joint axis

7.6

recess

7.7

front panel area

7.8

rear plate area

7.9

first magnet recess

7.10

second magnet recess

7.11

third magnet recess

7.12

fourth magnet recess

7.13

screw

7.14

threaded nut

9

lid structure

9.1

front cover

9.2

back cover

11

protective hood

13

magnetic brake

13.1

first magnet

13.2

second magnet

13.3

third magnet

13.4

fourth magnet

15

locking device

15.1

slider

15.2

guide groove

15.3

head Start

15.5

locking pin

17

spring device

17.1

top end

17.2

lower end

17.3

retaining bolts

19

paint roller

Claims (16)

Painting tool (1) with a base body which has a handle section (5) and a tool section (3) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner, with a joint unit (7) for the articulated connection between the handle section (5) and the tool section (3). is designed which, in relation to a work surface, allows a relative movement of the tool section (3) to the handle section (5) between the zero position and at least one angular position deviating from the zero position,
characterized,
that the joint unit (7) has a magnetic brake (13). Painting tool according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the tool section (3) is elastically pretensioned in the at least one angular position. Painting tool according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the joint unit (7) comprises a tool holder (7.1) which is pivotably mounted in the joint unit (7). Painting tool according to claim 2,
characterized,
that the handle section (5) has a handle end (5.4) which is connected to the joint unit (7). Painting tool according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized,
that the magnetic brake (13) has a first pair of magnets with a mutually attractive first and second magnet (13.1; 13.2). Painting tool according to claim 5,
characterized,
that the magnetic brake (13) has a second pair of magnets with a mutually attractive third and fourth magnet (13.2; 13.4). Painting tool according to claim 5,
characterized,
that the first magnet (13.1) is installed in the tool holder (7.1) and the second magnet (13.2) in a front or rear plate-shaped area (7.7; 7.8) of the handle section (5). Painting tool according to claim 7,
characterized,
that the third magnet (13.3) is installed in the tool holder (7.1) and the fourth magnet (13.4) in the front or rear plate-shaped area (7.7; 7.8) of the handle section (5). Painting tool according to claim 8,
characterized,
that the first and second magnets (13.1; 13.2) form the magnetic brake (13) in a counterclockwise direction in the movement path of the tool section (3) and the third and fourth magnets (13.3; 13.4) in a clockwise direction in the movement path of the tool section (3) form the magnetic brake (13). Painting tool according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the tool section (3) has a bracket (3.1) whose free bracket end (3.2) is designed and aligned as a carrier for an inking roller (19). Painting tool according to one of Claims 2 to 10, characterized in that
that the joint unit (7) comprises a spring device (17) which pretensions the tool holder (7.1) in the at least one angular position. Painting tool according to one of Claims 2 to 11, characterized in that
that the joint unit (7) comprises a locking device (15), the locking device (15) releasably locking the tool section (3) in the zero position. Painting tool according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that
that the free end (3.2) of the bracket (3.1) in the zero position is aligned at a right angle to a longitudinal axis of the handle section (5). Painting tool according to one of claims 13,
characterized,
that the joint unit (7) comprises a joint axis (7.3) which extends perpendicularly to the free end (3.2) of the bracket (3.1). Painting tool according to claim 14,
characterized,
that the joint unit (7) extends in a radius around the joint axis (7.3) and a range of movement of the tool section (3) between the zero position and at least one angular position corresponds to a circular arc section of the joint unit (7). Painting tool according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the joint unit (7) comprises a cover structure (9).

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