WO2005013794A1

WO2005013794A1 - Flat wiper system made of wiper device and wiper textile

Info

Publication number: WO2005013794A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/007016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franz Kresse
Original assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
Priority date: 2003-08-07
Filing date: 2004-06-29
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: ATE487411T1; DK1651089T3; EP1651089B1; DE602004030014D1; DE10336168A1; EP1651089A1

Abstract

The object of the present invention is a flat wiper system comprising a wiper device (1) having a support (2), a joint (3) attached to the top of the support (2), and a handle (4) connected to the support (2) via the joint (3) and an oblong, flat wiper textile (6), which is attached to the support (2), having a bottom (7), which is active in cleaning, and a top (8). The wiper textile (6) has a support structure (9) on top (8), which is used for attachment to the support (2). A gripping structure (10) is provided on the bottom of the support (2) for engaging the support structure (9) on the wiper textile (6). The support structure (9) of the wiper textile (6) engaged by the gripping structure (10) may be released by manually operating the gripping structure (10) of the support (2). The support structure (9) on the wiper textile (6) is preferably implemented as a backbonelike strip made of textile material. Furthermore, the gripping structure (10) of the support (2) is preferably implemented as a gripping claw which may be manually opened or closed against a return force.

Description

FLAT WIPER SYSTEM MADE OF WIPER DEVICE AND WIPER TEXTILE

The present invention relates to a flat wiper system made of a wiper device and a wiper textile having the features of the preamble of Claim 1, a wiper device for such a flat wiper system having the features of the preamble of Claim 14, and a wiper textile for such a flat wiper system having the features of the preamble of Claim 16.

The known flat wiper system, upon which the present invention is based (DE 102 00 033 Al), has a cavity in the support, which may accommodate a substantial quantity of cleaning liquid. On the wiping side of the support, a receiving groove for a strip-like support structure implemented on the wiper textile, which is formed by folding over and sewing a strip, extends over the complete length of the support. The wiper textile is provided at the ends with strips made of textile having support knots at the ends, which may be connected to retaining clips on the support.

In the known flat wiper system, the attachment of the wiper textile to the support and the removal of the wiper textile from the support are cumbersome due to the manual handling necessary.

In other known flat wiper systems having a support implemented as a foldable wiper plate and a flat wiper cover having support insertion pockets sewn onto the top, the manufacturing cost for the wiper textile is relatively high (DE 29 14 230 Al). In addition, the necessary fitting precision of the wiper textile in relation to the support is not easy to maintain over the duration of use, since cotton wiper textiles in particular experience noticeable shrinkage.

The present teaching is therefore based on the problem of suggesting a flat wiper system which is more expediently usable in practice.

The flat wiper system according to the present invention, in which the object stated above is achieved, is described by the features of Claim 1. Preferred embodiments and refinements of the flat wiper system according to the present invention are the object of Claims 2 through 13.

The essential first idea of the flat wiper system according to the present invention is to place a gripping structure at the bottom of the support that is designed to grip the support structure on the top of the wiper textile. The wiper textile is attached to the support by engaging the support structure using the gripping structure, and the support structure of the wiper textile is again releasable by manual operation of the gripping structure.

By simply placing the support on the wiper textile and operating or simply releasing the gripping structure, the support structure on the wiper textile is gripped. The wiper textile fixed on the support in this way may then be guided over the surface to be cleaned. If one later wishes to remove the wiper textile from the support after the cleaning work has been performed, the gripping structure is operated manually. This may also consist of releasing a lock of the gripping structure. The support structure on the wiper textile is then released and the wiper textile detaches itself from the support.

The wiper textile of the flat wiper system according to the present invention is expedient and cost-effective, since, for example, it does not have support insertion pockets. The attachment of the wiper textile to the support is simple, since no retaining bands have to be attached to the support. Shrinkage of the wiper textile does not have an effect on the attachment of the wiper textile to the sup- port.

It is especially expedient if the wiper textile fixed on the support hangs downward loosely when the wiper device is raised. If the support structure is positioned approximately in the lengthwise middle of the wiper textile, the wiper textile hangs downward in two layers. This form is advantageous for squeezing out the wiper textile still located on the wiper device e.g. in a roller press. The pressing path is short, and the squeezing requires a short time only.

Further possibilities for the implementation of the support structure are specified in Claims 2, 3, and 4. It is especially expedient to implement the backbone-like strip forming the support structure on the top of the wiper textile by folding the wiper textile lengthwise and sewing it.

If the strip forms a lengthwise channel, then a stiffening rod having approxi- mately the length of the wiper textile may be inserted into the strip. Using such a design, it is then possible to implement the gripping structure of the support as an elastic gripping claw which is snapped downward onto the support structure of the wiper textile simply by pressure. To pull the gripping claw off of the wiper textile, one simply steps with a foot on the support structure of the wiper textile and holds it on the floor in this way, while one pulls on the handle and thus pulls off the gripping claw upward from the support structure.

Theoretically, it would also be possible to implement the gripping claw on the support as a non-elastic member. Then it would necessary to insert the stiffening rod into the lengthwise channel of the strip already within the gripping claw. However, the manual handling of the stiffening rod is rather impractical.

In a further alternative, it is possible for the gripping structure of the support to be implemented as a gripping claw which may be manually opened or closed against a return force. This may be specified in that the manual operation of the gripping structure is performed by a rotational movement of the handle and/or the handle socket in relation to the support. In order to implement this manual operation of the gripping structure, an eccentric may be positioned within the gripping structure of the support, and may be rotatable by rotation of the handle and/or the handle socket. The rotation of the eccentric causes opening of the gripping claw forming the gripping structure.

The handle and/or the handle socket of the wiper device provided with the handle has a double function. It is mounted on top of the support in a pivot mount- ing. The eccentric is positioned inside the gripping claw of the support. This eccentric presses apart the legs of the gripping claw when the handle is rotated about its longitudinal axis. A reverse rotation of the handle into the rest position allows the legs of the gripping claw to spring back into the closed position. However, for this purpose it is necessary for the gripping claw to be imple- mented as spring-loaded or elastic towards the closed position. An alternative with an inverted direction has a support made of two claw-like half shells, which are connected to one another via pivot joints. The half shells are pressed into the open position by spring force. A manually operable locking device is provided on the top of the support. The half shells are pivoted towards one another into the closed position when the locking device is operated. In this case, the locking device may be activated by pressing it down from the top, for example, and the gripping claw may thus be closed. It opens in the opposite direction under spring force when the locking device is inactivated.

The object of the present invention is also a wiper device per se for such a flat wiper system and a wiper textile per se for such a flat wiper system.

In the following, the present invention will now be described in greater detail on the basis of a drawing, which merely shows exemplary embodiments. In the drawing

Fig. 1 shows a flat wiper system according to the present invention comprising a wiper device and a wiper textile, with one corner folded over on the wiper textile in order to also see the bottom thereof,

Fig. 2 shows a wiper textile of a further exemplary embodiment of a flat wiper system,

Fig. 3 shows a wiper device for a flat wiper system which works with the wiper textile of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 shows the wiper device of Fig. 1 in a separate illustration,

Fig. 5 shows the wiper device of Fig. 4 in section, in the closed position,

Fig. 6 shows the wiper device of Fig. 4 in a sectional illustration similar to Fig. 5, now in the open position, and

Fig. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a wiper device, now having a locking device on top of the support. Fig. 1 first shows what is referred to as a flat wiper system according to the teaching of the present invention. This is a unit made of a wiper device and a wiper textile.

The wiper device 1 has a support 2, a joint 3 attached to the top of the support 2, in particular a universal or cardan-like joint, and a handle 4 connected via the joint 3 to the support 2. Here a handle socket 5 is additionally provided for receiving the handle 4. The attachment of the handle 4 to the joint 3 using a handle socket 5 positioned between them allows easy replacement of the handle 4.

The flat wiper system also includes an oblong, flat wiper textile 6, which is attachable to the support 2. The wiper textile 6 has a bottom 7, which forms the surface that is active in cleaning. As can be seen on the folded-over corner in Fig. 1 the wiper textile 6 may have a special trimming, made of polyester microfibers, for example. For this purpose, the related art offers multiple ideas.

In addition, the wiper textile 6 also has a top 8. This is used for attachment to the support 2. For this purpose, the wiper textile 6 has a support structure 9 on top which is used for this attachment. According to a preferred embodiment, this structure extends over the complete length of the wiper textile 6. However, it may also extend over only a part of the length of the wiper textile 6.

Corresponding to the support structure 9, a gripping structure 10 is located at the bottom of the support 2 for gripping the support structure 9 on the wiper textile. The support structure 9 of the wiper textile 6 engaged by the gripping structure 10 is releasable by manual operation of the gripping structure 10 on the support

2.

Both exemplary embodiments primarily share the feature that the support struc- ture 9 on the wiper textile 6 is implemented as a backbone-like strip made of textile material. In principle, it is possible to sew the strip made of textile material onto the top 8 of the wiper textile 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a more expedient variant is selected, specifically that the strip made of textile material is produced by folding a strip of the wiper textile 6 itself lengthwise and sewing it. It is also true in all exemplary embodiments that the support structure 9 on the wiper textile 6 is approximately in the middle of the top 8 of the wiper textile 6. This arrangement in the middle has the advantage that when the wiper textile 6 on the wiper device 1 is raised, it hangs downward in a double layer in the way described above, and may be squeezed out easily.

The exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2 and 3 is distinguished in regard to the wiper textile 6 by the feature that the strip forms a lengthwise channel 11, into which a stiffening rod 12, which stiffens the strip and has approximately the length of the wiper textile 6, is inserted and/or insertable. Due to the inserted stiffening rod 12, the strip, which is slack per se, forms a stiff backbone. In this way, it is possible for the gripping structure 10 of the support 2 to be implemented as an elastic gripping claw, which may be snapped onto the support structure 9 of the wiper textile 6 stiffened by the stiffening rod 12 and may also be pulled off of it.

The manual operation of the gripping structure 10 for releasing the support structure 9 in this case is pulling upward on the handle 4, which is connected to the gripping structure 10, while simultaneously holding the wiper textile 6 down on the surface to be cleaned by foot pressure. In this way, the gripping claw is pulled off the strip stiffened by the stiffening rod 12 while expanding elastically, and the wiper textile 6 remains lying on the surface.

The previously described embodiment of the flat wiper system shown in Fig. 2 and 3 is, however, sometimes not optimally suited for professional use having high stresses of the flat wiper system. Correspondingly, Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 to 6 show an embodiment which is distinguished in that the gripping structure 10 of the support 2 is implemented as a gripping claw which may be opened manually against a return force. A kinematically reversed construction would implement a gripping claw manually closable against a return force, this is an embodiment which will be explained later.

With this construction no stiffening rod is needed. This simplifies the manufacturing of the wiper textile 6 and allows simple washing of the wiper textile 6, because no stiffening rod 12 must be pulled out of the lengthwise channel 11 in the strip 12. In this case, the manual operation of the gripping structure 10 is performed by a rotational movement of the handle 4 and/or the handle socket 5 in relation to the support 2. Fig. 5 and 6 clearly show in this case that an eccentric 13, which is rotatable by rotating the handle 4 and/or the handle socket 5 and whose rotation causes opening of the gripping claw forming the gripping structure 10, is positioned within the gripping structure 10 of the support 2. Fig. 5 shows the rest position of the eccentric 13 within the gripping structure 10, Fig. 6 shows the operated position, the eccentric 13 rotated by rotational movement of the handle 4, so that the legs of the gripping claw forming the gripping structure 10 have been pushed apart so that the support structure 9 on the wiper textile 6 is released.

The preceding explanation makes it clear that in this exemplary embodiment the joint 3 is mounted in the support 2 using a pivot mounting 15, so that rotation of the handle 4 having handle socket 5 and joint 3 about the longitudinal axis of the handle 4 is possible at least up to a certain angle. The eccentric 13 is correspondingly rotated and this leads to spreading of the gripping claw forming the gripping structure 10.

A kinematically reversed construction is shown in Fig. 7. In this case, the support 2 is made of two claw-like half shells 2a, 2b, which are connected to one another via pivot joints 2c. The half shells 2a, 2b may be pressed into the open position by spring force. A manually operable locking device 14 is provided on the top of the support 2. The half shells 2a, 2b are pivoted towards one another into the closed position when the locking device 14 is operated. The locking device 14 is implemented here as a bracket which may be pressed down. If it is pressed down, the two half shells 2a, 2b are pivoted towards one another and the strip 9 on the top of the wiper textile 6 is clamped. The locking device 14 may be released again by pulling it out upward. The half shells 2a, 2b then spring back into their open position and the wiper textile 6 is released. Fig. 7 shows this position.

If one wishes to avoid additional spring elements or spring structures, it is suggested that the support 2 be made of a material having a certain intrinsic elasticity, in particular a plastic material. Various products may be considered as plas- tics, such as PE, PB, ABS, PVC, CPE, PVAC, PVAL, PVB, PBTB, PA, and PUR, also in fiber-reinforced form. Appropriately processed stainless-steel also has elastic properties.

Finally, the figures of the drawing show that in this case the support 2 does not extend over the complete length of the wiper textile 6, but is significantly shorter. This provides flat edge regions which are expedient for slightly elevated wiper surfaces and for wiping baseboards. Alternatively, of course, it is also possible and provides high stability for lengthwise wiping if the support 2 extends essentially over the complete length of the wiper textile 6.

The wiper textile 6 itself may be a textile material, preferably made of polyester. However, it may also be a wiper textile provided with separate absorbent inserts, which may also be implemented as multilayered. The typical loops/fringes etc. may also be attached to the wiper textile, and the use of a trimming made of microfibers, particularly polyester microfibers, is also possible. For this purpose, reference is made to the extensive related art.

As was already noted in the general part of the description, the object of the present invention is not only the flat wiper system as a whole, but rather also its parts, specifically a corresponding wiper device and a corresponding wiper textile.

The flat wiper system is especially used for cleaning floors, as already noted above.

Claims

1. A flat wiper system comprising a wiper device (1) having a support (2), a joint (3) attached to the top of the support (2), and a handle (4) or a handle socket (5) provided for receiving a handle (4) connected to the support (2) via the joint (3) and an oblong, flat wiper textile (6), which is attachable to the support (2), having a bottom (7), which is active in cleaning, and a top (8), characterized in that the wiper textile (6) has a support structure (9) on top (8), which is used for attachment to the support (2) and preferably extends over the complete length of the wiper textile (6), a gripping structure (10) is provided at the bottom of the support (2) for engaging the support structure (9) on the wiper textile (6), and the support structure (9) of the wiper textile (6) engaged by the gripping structure (10) may be released by manually operating the gripping structure (10) of the support (2).

2. The flat wiper system according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the support structure (9) on the wiper textile (6) is implemented as a backbone-like strip made of textile material.

3. The flat wiper system according to Claim 2, characterized in that the strip made of textile material is sewn onto the top (8) of the wiper textile (6).

4. The flat wiper system according to Claim 2, characterized in that the strip made of textile material is implemented by folding a strip of the wiper textile (6) lengthwise and sewing it.

5. The flat wiper system according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the strip forms a lengthwise channel (11) into which a stiffening rod (12), which stiffens the strips and has approximately the length of the wiper tex- tile (6), is inserted and/or insertable.

6. The flat wiper system according to Claim 5, characterized in that the gripping structure (10) of the support (2) is implemented as an elastic gripping claw, which may be snapped onto the support structure (9) of the wiper textile (6) stiffened by the stiffening rod (12) and may also be pulled off of it.

7. The flat wiper system according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the gripping structure (10) of the support (2) is implemented as a gripping claw which is manually openable or closable against a return force.

8. The flat wiper system according to Claim 7, characterized in that the manual operation of the gripping structure (10) is performed by a rota- tional movement of the handle (4) and/or the handle socket (5) in relation to the support (2).

9. The flat wiper system according to Claim 8, characterized in that an eccentric (13), which is rotatable by rotation of the handle (4) and/or the handle socket (5) and whose rotation causes opening of the gripping claw forming the gripping structure (10), is positioned within the gripping structure (10) of the support (2).

10. The flat wiper system according to Claim 7, characterized in that the support (2) is made of two claw-like half shells (2a, 2b), which are connected to one another via pivot joints (2c), the half shells (2a, 2b) may be pressed into the open position by spring force, a manually operable locking device (14) is provided on the top of the support (2), and the half shells (2a, 2b) are pivoted towards one another into the closed position when the locking device (14) is operated.

11. The flat wiper system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that - li ¬

the support structure (9) on the wiper textile (6) is approximately in the middle of the top (8) of the wiper textile (6).

12. The flat wiper system according to one of Claims 1 through 11, character- ized in that the support (2) extends essentially over the complete length of the wiper textile (6).

13. The flat wiper system according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the support (2) is made of a material having a certain intrinsic elasticity, in particular a plastic material.

14. A wiper device for a flat wiper system having a support (2), a joint (3) attached to the top of the support (2), and a handle (4) or a handle socket (5) provided for receiving a handle (4) connected to the support (2) via the joint (3), characterized in that a gripping structure (10) is provided at the bottom of the support (2) for engaging a support structure (9) on a wiper textile (6), and a support structure (9) of a wiper textile (6) engaged by the gripping structure (10) may be released by manually operating the gripping structure (10).

15. The wiper device according to Claim 14, characterized by the features of the characterizing part of one or more of Claims 6 to 10.

16. An oblong, flat wiper textile (6) having a bottom (7), which is active in cleaning, and a top (8), characterized in that a support structure (9), which is used for attachment to a support (2) and preferably extends over the complete length of the wiper textile (6), is provided on the top (8).

17. The wiper textile according to Claim 16, characterized by the features of one or more of Claims 2 to 5 and 11 to 13.

8. The use of a flat wiper system according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 for wiping floors.