WO1999032027A1

WO1999032027A1 - Multi-purpose plate for surface cleaning

Info

Publication number: WO1999032027A1
Application number: PCT/FR1998/002761
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Brison
Original assignee: La Brosse Et Dupont
Priority date: 1997-12-19
Filing date: 1998-12-17
Publication date: 1999-07-01
Also published as: FR2772586A1; EP1039829A1; DE69808334D1; AU1765299A; PT1039829E; ES2184348T3; FR2772586B1; HK1034885A1; CN1283971A; CN1146352C; EP1039829B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a plate consisting of a board (1) generally rectangular in shape and provided with several means for fixing several types of textile pieces, the means being located on the bottom sole plate (6) of the planar parts for self-clipping strips (8) and on the upper surface (3) clamping mechanisms formed by a shaped edge (11) co-operating with a central window (9) and lateral cells (10).

Description

Multifunction plate for surface cleaner

The invention relates to a multifunctional plate for surface cleaning. This plate serves as a support for example to a woven or nonwoven textile cover which is used to clean and rub the surfaces, and the plate is mounted at the end of a sleeve or of a handle, advantageously using a ball joint. This flexible textile piece must be fixed to this support in a removable manner to be easily replaced and wrung out and it must be held securely there.

A solution is known which consists in making a cover formed of a rectangular base, the two short sides of which are folded back to form fixing pockets intended to cover the ends of the support, which support is produced in two half parts articulated around a axis to allow the introduction of the support into the textile pocket, or its extraction out of the pocket. Other systems for holding a textile on a support are provided by flexible pieces, for example of the towel-hook type, arranged above the plate, and the textile which is folded down on the four sides is thus maintained by wrapping its support. There are also devices with a support plate capable of receiving elastic covers, but for their positioning, the plate is usually of trapezoidal shape.

Finally, more simply, it is known that it is possible to fix a textile strip on the sole of a support to which a self-gripping textile plate can be attached.

Each of these fixing methods therefore requires a support of a particular type which is suitable for it, and these different systems are not always very easy to handle.

The invention provides a new solution to these difficulties thanks to a universal plate, suitable for receiving all types of surface cleaner, their replacement and their attachment is also easier for the user.

The subject of the invention is therefore a multifunction plate for surface cleaner which consists of a plate of generally rectangular shape equipped firstly with gripping and handling means which are interchangeable and secondly with a plurality means for fixing various types of textile pieces, said means being:

- on the bottom sole of the plate, flat parts for hook-and-loop strips. - on the upper face of the plate at least clamping mechanisms for holding all types of parts with folded edges and holes adapted to press button systems for fastening clips.

According to a first main characteristic of the invention, the interchangeable gripping and handling means comprise, between the broom handle or the holding handle, and a central rod linked to the plate, a pivoting articulation on the rod which is equipped with two flexible blades to separate the handle or the handle from the plate.

According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the clamping mechanism consists of a profiled blade cooperating with at least one central window and two lateral cells provided on the upper face of the plate, the blade being profiled in the shape of an arch, the ends of the side wings are placed in the cells and a system for clipping the blade in the central window is provided in the center of the blade.

Other particular characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings which represent: FIGS. 1 and 2 perspective views of the upper face and of the lower face respectively. of the multifunction plate, Figure 3 a perspective view of a clamping blade. - Figures 4 and 5 views respectively in cross section and from the front of a system for clipping a handle (left part) or a handle (right part).

- Figure 5b a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the joint.

- Figures 6, 7 and 8 views respectively in cross section and in perspective of an alternative embodiment of a profiled axis and a joint.

- Figure 9 a schematic sectional view of a sponge support.

- Figures 10a and 11, views respectively in section and from above of an alternative embodiment of the clamping blade. Figure 10b, a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a clamping clamping system.

The plate shown in the figures is presented as a plate 1 of generally rectangular shape pierced in its center with a through opening 2. On either side of the latter, on the upper face 3 of the plate, there are two profiled heels 4 between which extends a rod 5 for hooking a handle not shown. The lower sole 6 (FIG. 2) of the plate is hollowed out with recesses 7 in line with the heels 4. On the sides of the sole, two flat longitudinal parts frame the recesses and serve to receive hook-and-loop strips 8.

The plate 1 is crossed at each end of an oval hole 16. Between the hole and the neighboring heel 4, the upper face 3 of the plate is hollowed out with a central window 9 and two lateral cells 10 which, in the case shown, have a rectangular profile.

The window and the cells which thus equip the upper face of the plate, on either side of the heels 4, are used for positioning a tightening mechanism consisting of a blade 11 shown in FIG. 3. This blade advantageously made made of plastic is profiled in the shape of an arch, and its lateral wings 12 are provided at the ends on their underside, with bosses 13 intended to be housed in the cells 10. Perpendicular to the central part of the blade, on the side of its concavity, two elastic bars 14 develop ending in lugs 15. By pinching the bars, we can easily introduce them into the central window 9. Thanks to the pins 15, there is clipping of the clamping blade on the upper face of the plate 1. Due to the elasticity of the blade, the bosses of end 13 exert a certain pressure on the plate which makes it possible to easily maintain the flaps of a textile cover of any type, the rectangular plate thus making it possible to receive surface cleaners having any cutout.

The handling of the clamping blade is extremely simple, each of which can also be mounted in any direction on either end of the plate.

In addition, the central rod 5, between the two heels 4, allows rapid disassembly of a conventional ball joint for a broom handle, or even a simple manipulation handle when it is desired to use the plate without its handle.

Figures 4 and 5a precisely show a simple clipping system of a broom handle 17 (left part) or a holding handle 18 (right part), on said central rod 5. The clipping system uses, between the handle or the handle and the rod a hinge 19 pivotally mounted on the rod 5, which is equipped in its center with two flexible blades 20 capable of being brought together by pinching at the base 21 of the blades to separate the handle or the handle from the joint. In their central part, the blades 20 carry lugs 22 which can slide in positioning guides 23 which are part of a support sleeve 24 of the broom handle 17 or of the handle 18. We understand by referring to. 4 that the pinching of the blades at their base 21 makes the pins 22 escape from the guides 23, which allows rapid interchangeability between the two holding devices.

In Figure 5b is shown a variant of the hinge 19 whose outer edge is provided with small clipping lugs 35 for locking the handle or the handle in the storage position. Advantageously, a hole 36 is provided at the right of each lug, provided in the wall of the joint, which increases the flexibility of the latter and makes it easier to collect the snap on the lug. According to yet another simplified and not shown variant of the means for gripping and manipulating the plate, there is provided a threaded sleeve permanently snapped onto the joint, sleeve on which is screwed either the handle or the handle. One can also have a handle which forms the sleeve itself and which is snapped on, and which can receive the handle by screwing.

Similarly, one can provide a handle (or handle) connection fixed relative to the plate for its use in the manner of a trowel or a connection with a possible rotation around the axis or two possible rotations around the axis and joint.

According to another alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 6,7 and 8, the fixed central rod 5 is replaced by a profiled axis 29 movable longitudinally relative to the plate 1, between the two heels 4, the axis being returned by a spring 25. Note in Figure 8 that the axis is provided with flats 26 oriented vertically with respect to the upper face of the plate. A joint 27 visible in FIG. 7 is profiled at its lower part and provided with notches 28 spaced apart like the flats 26. For the introduction of the plate on the axis 29, it suffices to move the latter 1 in between. the force of the spring 25 so that the flats are opposite the notches, then once the joint in place, the axis is released and moves with the spring to lock the plate. The articulation 27, as in the previous case serves as a support for a broom handle or a holding handle. In variant not shown, one could use a clip axis instead of the profile axis.

Even more simply, one can envisage a fixed handle which would be directly clipable on the central rod 5 of the plate.

It can thus be seen that the multifunctionality of the plate applies not only to the fixing of the textile parts, but also to that of its gripping and handling means. As regards the parts intended for cleaning proper, attached to the multifunction plate, apart from the tightening system described above with reference to FIG. 3, one can also take advantage of the hook-and-loop strips 8 to fix directly to the plate a usual rectangular cleaning pad.

Finally the two oval holes 16 can receive a conventional press button for a cover fitted with corresponding fixing clips. The oval profile of the holes allows easier insertion of the snap button, and the long axis of the oval hole is advantageously oriented in the longitudinal direction of the plate. As a variant, the holes could also have a square, hexagonal shape or any shape that is not perfectly circular, as is a press stud. To facilitate the introduction of the press button, provision may be made to create on one side or one of two easily deformable walls, in a preferred direction, so as to reduce the effort required by the user to clip the pressure into the or unclip it. The flexibility of the structure thus obtained also makes the product life more reliable. In the idle state, the dimension of the hole in the longitudinal axis of the plate is greater than the diameter of the metal pressure, the perpendicular dimension being less than this same diameter.

During assembly, the walls are deformed until the dimension of the hole is equal to the diameter of the pressure, then these walls tighten while exerting a stress on the pressure to secure the maintenance of the textile cover during use.

The approach remains valid for a polygonal hole. These holes which completely pass through the plate 1 can also be used for clipping, under the lower sole 6 of the plate, of a sponge support 30 as shown in FIG. 9.

Finally Figures 10a and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the clamping blade 11 shown in Figure 3. In this variant the blade 11 is hollowed out with a central notch 31 framed by two flexible longitudinal edges 32. Two rigid levers 33 develop in the notch from the ends of the blade, near the bosses 13. Under each lever, substantially in the middle, is provided a small rib 34 which projects slightly under the plane formed by the edges 32. Finally there is under each edge 32, two small elastic bars 14 which are intended to penetrate into two neighboring central windows 9 (instead of the single window shown in FIG. 1) of the plate 1, for locking the clamping blade. When the latter is in place on the plate to hold a textile piece, the ribs 34 are supported on the upper face 3 of the plate. To unlock said blade, it is easy to press the levers 33, and thanks to the pivot points formed by the ribs 34, the ends of the blade 11 are easily released from the side cells 10 of the plate 1 (Figure 1). According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10b, the tightening mechanism is provided by two rigid L-shaped levers 33 mounted on blades 11. On the right side of the figure it can be seen that the hollow of the lever is in abutment a bridge 37 secured to the plate. When it is tilted in the direction of the arrow around point X, the end boss 13 frees up the space under the trigger guard, allowing the textile to be put in place. In left part, the boss 13 of the lever 33 clamps the fabric against the trigger guard.

According to yet another variant, not shown, the clamping blade 11 could be produced as a "blistering" blade which can be actuated quickly in its center in order to release the bosses from their cells.

Claims

1.- Multifunction plate for surface cleaner characterized in that it consists of a plate (1) of generally rectangular shape equipped on the one hand with gripping and handling means (5,19,27,29) which are interchangeable and on the other hand a plurality of means for fixing various types of textile pieces, said means being at least:

- on the lower sole (6) of the plate, flat parts for hook-and-loop strips (8).

- on the upper face (3) of the plate, at least clamping mechanisms (9, 10, 11) for holding all types of pieces with folded edges and holes (16) suitable for press-button systems for fixing clips.

2 - Multifunction plate according to claim 1 characterized in that the interchangeable gripping and handling means comprise, between the broom handle (17) or the holding handle (18), and a central rod (5) linked to the plate (1), a hinge (19) pivoting on the rod which is equipped with two flexible blades (20) to separate the handle or the handle from the plate.

3 - Multifunction plate according to claim 2 characterized in that the blades (20) carry lugs which can slide in positioning guides (23) which are part of a sleeve, support (24) of the handle (17) or of the handle (18).

4 - Multifunction plate according to claim 2 characterized in that the outer edge of the joint (19) is provided with clipping lugs (35) and, in line with the lugs, holes provided in the wall to increase the flexibility of the latter.

5 - Multifunction plate according to claim 1 characterized in that the interchangeable gripping and handling means comprise between the broom handle (17) or the holding handle (18) and the plate (1), an articulation (27) which pivots on a profiled axis (29) movable longitudinally with respect to the plate.

6 - Multifunction plate according to claim 5 characterized in that the articulation - (27) is provided with notches (28) spaced like flats (26) carried by the profiled axis (29).

7 - Multifunction plate according to claim 1 characterized in that the interchangeable gripping and handling means consist of a hinge (19) pivoting on a central rod (5) connected to the plate (1), and a socket threaded permanently snapped onto said articulation, and onto which the handle (17) or the handle (18) is screwed.

8 - Multifunction plate according to claim 7 characterized in that the handle (18) forms the socket itself, which can receive the handle (17) by screwing.

9. Multifunction plate according to claim 1 characterized in that the lower sole (6) is hollowed out with recesses (7) framed by flat longitudinal parts serving to receive the hook-and-loop strips (8).

10. Multifunction plate according to claim 1 characterized in that the clamping mechanism consists of a profiled blade (11) cooperating with at least one central window (9) and two lateral cells (10) provided on the upper face ( 3) of the plate (1).

11 - Multifunctional plate according to claims 1 and 10 characterized in that the blade (11) is profiled in the shape of a vault whose ends of the lateral wings (12) are placed in the cells (10) and in that a clipping system (14,15) of the blade in the central window (9) is provided in the center of the blade.

12. Multifunction plate according to claim 11 characterized in that the clipping system consists of elastic bars (14) terminated by lugs which develop under the central part of the blade (11).

13 - Multifunction plate according to claim 10 characterized in that two rigid levers (33) are develop in a notch (31) of the blade (11) and bear by a rib (34) on the upper face of the plate.

14. - Multifunction plate according to claim 10 characterized in that two rigid levers (33) are L-shaped and mounted on blades (11) and come to bear against a trigger guard (37) integral with the plate.

15 - Multifunction plate according to claim 13 characterized in that the blade clipping system (11) consists of two elastic bars (14) under each of the edges (32) of the blade, which penetrate into two neighboring central windows ( 9) provided in the plate

(D •

16.- Multifunction plate according to claim 10 characterized in that the clamping blade (11) is made like a blistering blade which is actuated in its center for the quick release of its end bosses (13) out of the cells (10 ).

17.- Multifunction board according to claim 1 characterized in that the press-button system is located in holes (16) provided at the ends of the plate (1).

18 - Multifunction plate according to claim 17 characterized in that the holes have an oval profile oriented in the longitudinal direction of the plate (1).

19. Multifunction plate according to claim 17 characterized in that _, the walls of the holes (16) on at least one side are easily deformable to facilitate the clipping of the press button.

20.- Multifunction plate according to claim 17 characterized in that a sponge support (30) is clipped into the holes (16) under the bottom sole (6) of the plate.