GB2418597A

GB2418597A - Manual cleaning apparatus handle, dividable into different lengths

Info

Publication number: GB2418597A
Application number: GB0513681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reinhard Schoeniger
Original assignee: Italia Stampi SRL
Current assignee: Italia Stampi SRL
Priority date: 2004-09-30
Filing date: 2005-07-05
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Also published as: DE102004048065A1; FR2875726A1; GB0513681D0

Abstract

A manual cleaning apparatus handle is dividable into at least three different lengths. The lengths may be manually assembled together to form a telescopically extended handle length. The different lengths may be attached to each other via a snap connection arrangements such as 9, 9a. In it's most shortened embodiment, the apparatus may present a cleaning pad on a short handle, for cleaning in small of difficult to access areas.

Description

1 2418597 Separable telescopic arm for cleaning apparatus The present

invention relates to a telescopic cleaning apparatus handle with two handle parts connected by being pushed together, a first part comprising a grip section and a functional element being attached to the other second handle part.

Telescopic arms for cleaning apparatus, wherein the cleaning apparatus handle consists of two handle parts connected by being pushed together, are well-known. A disadvantage with such cleaning apparatus is that the two handle parts are relatively long and thus often unsuitable in special instances. Such special instances occur for example if the person using the cleaning apparatus does not require the long handle and only wants to use the functional element by hand, for example in the form of a wiping pad with a wiping cloth attached thereto, just to clean inaccessible places or corners.

The object of the present invention is to develop a generic telescopic cleaning apparatus handle so that the functional element attached thereto can be used more handily.

This object is achieved according to the invention with a cleaning apparatus handle having the features of Claim 1.

Further advantageous embodiments result from the features of the subclaims.

Because the handle part is separable, the user of the cleaning apparatus acquires a relatively short handle, to which the functional element is advantageously attached by means of an articulated joint. The length of the separable . . . . e -a- - . . e - short handle part can therefore be selected to be so short that it only forms a grip, allowing a good hold of the now short and handy cleaning apparatus.

The separability of the handle part is achieved in this case by a detachable connection, which can be a snap-in or clamp joint for example. Advantageously an actuating member can be provided here, by means of which separation of the handle part can be assisted and/or carried out. In this case advantageously the separable connecting point is to be designed so that this holds the short handle part and the end handle part reliably and stably together, resulting in good transmission of force when the handle is not separated. If the telescopic handle is constructed so that one handle part can be inserted into the other, the connecting point is advantageously designed in such a manner that it can be pushed into the respective other handle part and/or can be slid over the other part. As a result the telescopic handle can be pushed together as far as possible. Furthermore the particular handle part that is not separable stabilizes the connecting point of the separable handle part.

In an advantageous embodiment the telescopic handle comprises a plurality of window-type openings, through which both the actuating member for the telescopic mechanism and the actuating member for separating and/or dividing the handle part with the functional element can be operated and/or manipulated. The window-type openings therefore can be arranged equidistant to one another, wherein advantageously they correspond as regards their outer contour at least to the contour of the actuating member for the telescopic mechanism.

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The two telescopic handle parts in principle can be arranged arbitrarily as a result of their cross-sectional shape. For better handling however advantageously they are to be designed as circular or rectangular as regards their cross section.

It is possible to provide means to attach additional functional devices, for example cleaning fluid containers and/or actuating members, on the cleaning apparatus handle.

As a result it is possible to optionally expand the functionality of the cleaning apparatus handle.

Various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below on the basis of drawings wherein: Fig. 1: shows a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus with telescopic cleaning apparatus handle according to the invention; Fig. 2: shows the cleaning apparatus in Fig. 1 with handle separated; Fig. 3: is an exploded view of the short handle part in Fig. 2; Fig. 4: is a perspective sectional drawing through the functional element and the adjacent part of the cleaning apparatus handle; Figs. 5- 7: are partly sectional illustrations of the operating mechanism for the telescopic function; e e e a . . . . . a a a a a ea. en- ace e Fig. 8: is a view of the wiping pad diagonally from below; Fig. 9: is a wiping pad with removable lip attached thereto; Fig. 10: is an illustration of the individual parts Fig. 9; Fig. 11: is a perspective view of the cleaning apparatus in Fig. 9 from below.

Fig. 1 shows a cleaning apparatus with the apparatus handle 1 according to the invention, comprising two handle parts 2 and 3 that can be pushed together and can be interlocked in certain positions. The outer first handle part 2 in this case comprises a grip section 2a as well as a plurality of window-type openings 2b, through which the inner second handle part 3 is visible and its actuating members 5 and 6 can be operated. The actuating member 5 in this case is assigned to the telescopic mechanism. The actuating member 6 serves to separate and/or divide the inner second handle part 3. By means of an articulated joint 7, 8 the wiping and/or base pad 4 is attached to the free end of the inner second handle part 3. When the actuating member 5 is operated this is pressed into the inner second handle part 3 and can be pushed with the inner handle part 3 underneath the window- type openings 2b. The exact mode of operation is explained by way of Figs. 5 to 7.

Fig. 2 shows the cleaning apparatus with separated handle 3. The handle 3 consists of the short handle part 3a and the end handle part 3b, which normally remains in the first e e ee e . .. e.

handle part 2. However it is also possible that the inner second handle part is first completely pulled out of the outer first handle part 2 and is only separated afterwards.

In Fig. 2 the inner handle part 3 with its end handle part 3b is only partly pushed out of the second handle part 2, the actuating member 6 when separating the second handle part 3 being located outside the first handle part 2. With regard to the dividing and/or separating mechanism of the inner second handle part 3 it is equally possible to arrange the associated actuating member 6 on the end handle 3b. The separating mechanism comprises at the free end two snap-in arms 9, which form a free space 9a between one another. These two snap-in arms 9 when the handle is joined together embrace a spike in the respective other handle part, wherein the snap-in catches of the snap-in arms 9 grip the spike from behind. As a result of exerting increased force the snap- in arms are bent outwards and the snap-in catches can slide past the spike, so that the handle parts (short handle part and end handle part) can be drawn apart. It is however possible to provide an actuating member 6 by means of which the spike can be moved. The spike here is arranged, in particular moulded, on the actuating member, and varies in diameter throughout its length. By depressing the actuating member 6, the spike is moved relative to the snap-in arms 9, so that due to the cooperation of the section with lesser diameter with the two snap-in arms 9, the latter are released and the handle parts can be detached from one another. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the short handle part 3a, the articulated joint 7 and the wiping pad 4. The articulated joint consists of a joint body 7, comprising on its one side a slat 7a arranged between two sides, which slat cooperates with the snap-in arms 11 of the short handle part 3a. On . : . : ..

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its other side the articulated joint 7 comprises a cylindrical recess 7b, in which a shaft 8, held between two supporting arms 8a, pivots on the wiping pad 4.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective sectional view of the wiping pad with handle attached. The inner second handle part 3, consisting of the short handle part 3a and the end handle part 3b lie completely or partly inside the outer second handle part 2. For assembly they are pushed through the front side opening 2c into the outer handle part 2. Window- type openings 2b are arranged equidistant on top of the outer handle part 2, through which the actuating members 5 and 6 can be operated.

Figs. 5 to 7 show the locking mechanism, which is substantially formed by the spring-tensioned actuating member 5 and the window-type openings 2b. The actuating member is arranged in the final section of the end handle part 3b, so that the inner handle part 3 can be pushed out of the outer handle part 2 as far as possible, wherein however the two handle parts 2 and 3 can be snapped together or interlocked, so that the inner handle part 3 is safely prevented from inadvertently falling out of the outer handle part 2. Fig. 5 shows the position of the actuating member 5, in which the actuating member is pressed upwards by the spring F and with its front ends reaches into the vicinity of the window-type opening 2b.

Because the actuating member 5 is connected to the inner handle part 3b by being pushed together only diagonally to the longitudinal direction of the handle, a positive fit is created to prevent relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning apparatus handle. Fig. 6 shows the position in which the actuating member 5 is manually . : : . . . . b. . . . . . . . c . . .. I. pressed into the cavity provided for this purpose in the end handle part 3b, whereby the actuating member 5 in this position can be pushed in the direction of the arrow underneath the outer wall of the outer handle part 2. The actuating member in Fig. 7 has an arm with snap-in catch 15 as well as two projections 14, by means of which it can be held captive in the recess 13 of the end handle part 3b.

The snap-in catch 15 grips the undercut 16 from behind in the assembled state. A spring-action tongue F. which presses the actuating member 5 upwards towards the window- type opening 2b with force, is moulded on the end handle part 3b.

Fig. 8 shows a view diagonally from below onto the base and/or wiping pad 4 of the cleaning apparatus. The pad 4 on its lower face comprises oblong recesses 4b, which are designed to optionally accept adhesive strips, which can have at their disposal Velcro hooks in particular on their side turned away from the pad, so that wiping cloths can be attached quickly and easily to the pad 4. Furthermore the pad 4 can have window-type openings 4c, which serve to attach further functional elements on the pad. Fig. 9 shows an example of this. From above a removable lip part is attached to the pad, wherein the attachment arms 19 of the lip part may be pushed through the openings 4c and snap into these. The lip part consists of two sections 17 and 18, which are separated by an articulated joint 20, for example a film hinge. As a result of the articulated joint the lip 21 can be moved into various positions on the pad 4. Figs. 10 and 11 show detailed views of the individual parts. Hooks 17c are arranged on the lower face of the section 17, which can be snapped in by means of the narrow front edge 4k of the pad 4, so that the lip 21 is r e i held on the pad 4 in a position, in which together with the pad and/or the wiping cloth attached thereto it glides over the surface to be cleaned and with a movement in the direction of the arrow the water or cleaning fluid brought by the wiping cloth to the surface is again removed immediately after application.

It is naturally also within the spirit of the invention if other functional elements are attached to the telescopic handle according to the invention. Likewise selection of the shape of the telescopic handle parts is optional.

However the solution illustrated in the drawings has been shown to be particularly advantageous.

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Claims

Claims 1. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle with a first handle part

and a second handle part, connected by being pushed together, wherein the first handle part comprises a grip section, and a functional element is attached to the second handle part, wherein the second handle part can be divided into a short handle part and an end handle part, the functional element being attached to the short handle part.
2. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the short handle part, in particular assigned to the functional element, has a grip section.
3. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the second handle part lies inside the first handle part after being pushed in lengthwise and can be interlocked in various positions.
4. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the short handle part can be pushed at least section-wise into the first handle part.
5. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the short handle part can be connected to the end handle part by means of a detachable connection.
6. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in claim 5 wherein the detachable connection is selected from the group consisting of a snapin, screw, magnetic or clamp connection.

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7. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 5, further comprising an actuating member arranged on the short handle part or on the end handle part whereby the connection is released and/or can be assisted.
8. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the first handle part has at least one window-type opening, through which the actuating member can be operated.
9. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, further comprising an actuating member arranged on the end handle part, which actuating member cooperates with window-type openings of the first handle part, so that the two handle parts can be locked in different positions relative to one another, wherein the actuating member can be operated through the window-type openings and in the interlocked state with its two front ends together with the corresponding boundary walls of the window-type openings holds the two handle parts in position relative to one another, the window-type openings being arranged equidistant from one another on one side of the first handle part.
10. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the centre distance of the actuating members corresponds to a multiple of the centre distance of two adjacent window-type openings of the second handle part.
11. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an articulated joint is e e e e e * e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e see e ëe see e arranged between the short handle part and the functional element.
12. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the articulated joint is a pivot or universal joint.
13. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second handle part can be separated while the first handle part and the end handle part are still connected.
14. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising on or in the vicinity of the grip section of the first handle part at least one attachment means for actuating members or functional units.
15. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in claim 19 wherein the at least one attachment means are in the form of window-type openings
16. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the functional element is a base pad or wiping pad with a wiping cloth attached thereto.
17. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the base pad and/or wiping pad has recesses on a lower face for inserting connection means.

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18. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the connection means is adhesive tape and/or Velcro (TM) ribbon or fabric.
19. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 16 or 17, wherein the base and/or wiping pad has an additional wiping lip.
20. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the wiping lip is pivotably arranged on the base pad by means of an articulated joint.
21. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 19 or 20, wherein the wiping lip can be removably attached to the base pad.
22. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the base pad has attachment means on its lower face to removably attach a cleaning element.
23. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the attachment means are in the form of openings.
24. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the cleaning element is a sponge.
25. A telescopic cleaning apparatus handle substantially as hereinbefore defined with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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