Holder and cleaning implement using the holder

ES 2 355 720 T3

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELDS

The present invention relates to a holding device for a disposable or reusable cleaning cloth according to the preamble of claim 1 and a cleaning instrument constructed with the holding device and the cleaning cloth.

Such a device is known from US 612 491.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 9-154791 and 9-38009 describe cleaning instruments for holding a cleaning cloth comprising non-woven fabric and the like, in which a head is provided for supporting the cleaning cloth on a front end of a short handle or axially extendable handle that can be grasped with one hand.

However, since the head described in the aforementioned Patent Publications is fixed in place so as not to move at the front of the handle, the handle held by hand for cleaning a surface to be cleaned with the cleaning cloth attached to the head has to be rotated in various directions depending on the shape of the surface to be cleaned. Therefore, it is not suitable for cleaning a surface with various orientations to be cleaned, such as the surface of furniture.

On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 51-85273 and 2002-17640 describe cleaning instruments in which a brush-like cleaning device is attached to the front end of a handle so as to be adjustable in its position. position.

More specifically, the brush-like cleaning device used for these cleaning instruments is pivotally attached to the front end of the handle. In this pivot connection, a plurality of recesses are formed in an outer periphery of a rotatable part that rotates together with the cleaning device, while a locking member is provided in the handle for adjustment in the recesses, so that the position of the brush-like cleaning device can be changed and fixed by adjusting the locking member in the recesses.

In the cleaning instrument described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 51-85273, however, the fit of the locking member in the recess is stabilized after placement of the cleaning device with a rotating ring, which is attached threaded to an external thread formed around the handle, tightened along the external thread. Therefore, every time the position of the cleaning device is to be changed, the extremely laborious operation that the rotating ring is first turned in the thread loosening direction will be necessary to change the position of the cleaning device. and then the rotating ring is turned in the direction of thread tightening. Furthermore, the front end of the handle becomes not only thicker, but also heavier due to the arrangement of the rotating ring.

In the cleaning instrument described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-17640, on the other hand, after the position of the brush-like cleaning device is changed by pivoting, an operating part arranged on the handle must be pushed by hand towards the front of the handle in order to fit in the recess a locking part arranged in the operative part. Thus, the operating part has to be strongly pushed towards the front of the handle with the finger to set the cleaning device in position, so that the operation to set the cleaning device in position becomes laborious.

In the cleaning instruments described in the two patent publications, furthermore, the locking member cannot enter the recess if the rotating ring is rotated or the operating part is pushed forward by hand before the locking member is exactly confronted with the recess, so that the locking member sometimes fails to fit in the recess. Accordingly, the operation of the rotating ring or the operating part must be done after the locking member is confronted with the recess, so that it tends to take a long time to securely fix the cleaning device in position.

In the cleaning instruments described in the two patent publications, on the other hand, although the position of the brush-like cleaning device can be changed within a predetermined angular range, the cleaning device cannot be folded back to cover the handle. That is, the cleaning instruments described in the two patent publications are not intended to support a disposable cleaning cloth, but rather the brush-like cleaning device for long-term use is attached to the handle. Therefore, the holding device is intended to be left attached even when not in use, not assuming use where the cleaning instrument is folded back for storage with a cloth removed from it, unlike a cleaning instrument. cleaning to which a disposable cloth is intended to be attached.

In view of the drawbacks of the prior art discussed above, the present invention has been elaborated. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device, in which the position of a supporting member to which a cleaning cloth is to be attached can be changed with a simple operation and the supporting member can be stabilized in predetermined positions without causing an unexpected turn, and a cleaning instrument with the cleaning device.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the holding device according to claim 1 and the cleaning instrument according to claim 5. The dependent claims specify preferred but optional features.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a holding device for a cleaning cloth comprising:

a handle; and a support member pivotally connected at a forward end of the handle to support a cleaning cloth, the support member has a pivot axis oriented in a direction that crosses a shaft axis of the handle, wherein the support member has sliding surfaces that are formed at a normal predetermined distance from the pivot axis and recesses that are formed towards the pivot axis from the sliding surfaces, the sliding surfaces and the recesses alternate with each other around the pivot axis the handle has a locking member having a locking boss formed at one end capable of engaging the recesses, the locking member is movable along the shaft shaft inside the handle, the locking member is provided together with a biasing member for applying a biasing force to the locking member towards the recesses and an operating member at the forward end of the handle to move the locking member in a direction opposite to the force of predisposing member of predisposing, The operating member is a pushbutton that is exposed to the outside at an outer periphery of the handle and is movable in a direction that crosses the shaft axis and the locking member has an inclined sliding surface inclined at the same time in a direction in which the pushbutton is going to be pushed and a direction in which the locking member is movable, wherein a sliding force component acting on the inclined sliding surface as the pushbutton is pushed allows the locking member to move against the biasing force of the biasing member and one of the recesses is a recess of fold lock and when the lock member engages in the fold lock recess, the support member folds back to substantially cover the handle.

In the clamping device, the locking member can be released from the recesses by separating the locking member from the recesses against the biasing force of the biasing member, allowing the support member to rotate. Thereafter, when the operating force on the locking member is removed, the locking member moves along the axis of the handle due to the biasing force, whereby the locking member fits into a recess of so that the support member goes to a fixed and engaged state (a locked state).

In this case, even if the locking member does not confront the recess at the time the operating force on the locking member is removed, the locking member subjected to the biasing force comes into contact with the sliding surface. , and therefore, when the support member is rotated a little in that state, the locking member can be adjusted automatically in the recess due to the biasing force so that the support member goes to the engaged and fixed state. That is, when the position of the support member is to be changed, the support member can automatically go into the engaged and fixed state so that the locking member is moved away from the recess by the operation of the operating member, the operating member it is let go during one turn of the support member, and then the support member is turned only a little more. Thus, the operation for changing the position of the supporting member is very simple.

In the clamping device, furthermore, since the locking member is disposed axially movable inside the handle so as to fit into the recess of the support member, the locking member can be made thick, as well as the support member can be made wide in its part that has the recesses. Consequently, the locking force can be increased when the locking member fits into the recess. Furthermore, the handle can be made thin when the locking member is disposed axially movable.

Furthermore, since the locking member provided on the handle together with the operating member is independent of the pivot connection, the pivot connection between the handle and the support member can be of simple construction and the radius from the pivot axis to the sliding surfaces can be made large to increase the clamping force when the locking member engages and locks into the recess. Consequently, when the support member goes to the attached and fixed state, the position of the support member can be stabilized so as not to cause an unexpected change.

The present invention can be constructed such that the sliding surfaces are formed into an imaginary cylindrical surface centered on the pivot axis.

If the sliding surfaces are part of the cylindrical surface, when the support member is rotated with the locking member in contact with the sliding surface, the locking member can slide smoothly on the sliding surface to fit in the recess. In the present invention, however, the sliding surfaces between adjacent recesses can be planar surfaces that extend tangentially to an imaginary circle centered on the pivot axis.

The present invention can be constructed such that the support member has a cleaning support surface for pressing a cleaning cloth attached thereto against a surface to be cleaned, wherein the

ES 2 355 720 T3 selective engagement of the locking member in the recesses allows a gradual change of the angle between the shaft axis and the cleaning support surface.

By gradually changing the angle of the cleaning support surface to press the cleaning cloth against a surface to be cleaned, the handle can always be held by hand in positions suitable for cleaning operation, so that it can be easily cleaned an object such as furniture that has surfaces with different orientations to be cleaned, the ceiling, and the like.

As the locking recess is provided, when the clamping device is not in use, the support member can be folded back to substantially cover the handle with the cleaning cloth removed from the support member, for example, so that it is not necessary large storage space.

In the present invention, since the locking member is provided to be axially movable relative to the handle, the handle can be made thin, as indicated above. In this construction, since the pushbutton is provided to be movable in a direction that crosses the shaft axis of the handle, the operation for releasing the coupling and fixing (locking) between the locking member and the locking member can be performed quite easily. the recess.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning instrument comprising the above clamping device and a cleaning cloth to be attached to the support member, wherein:

The cleaning cloth is a disposable cloth comprising non-woven fabric, paper, or a combination of non-woven fabric and a bundle of fibers, and the cleaning cloth is supported by the support member with the support member inserted into the spaces of grip formed on the cleaning cloth.

In this construction, since the cleaning cloth can be soft, it can be attached to the support member or easily replaced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken as limiting the invention, but only as an explanation and for your understanding. In the drawings:

Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C are general side views showing a clamping device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a support member is in different positions;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the holding member of the clamping device and a cleaning cloth;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a pivot connection and a locking mechanism in the clamping device;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the clamping device taken along an XY plane of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5A and 5B are sectional views of the clamping device taken along a YZ plane of Fig.

3, in which a support member is in different positions;

Figs. 6A and 6B are sectional views of the clamping device taken along a YZ plane of Fig.

3, in which a support member is in different positions; Y

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a locking mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with regard to preferred embodiments according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In another example, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary ambiguity of the present invention.

Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C are general views showing a clamping device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 1A shows a state in which a cleaning support surface of a support member is oriented in parallel with a shaft of a handle, Figure 1B shows a state in which the cleaning support surface is oriented perpendicular to the shaft axis of the handle and Figure 1C shows a state in which the support member is folded back to substantially cover the handle.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a structure of the support member and a cleaning cloth to be attached to the support member; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a pivot connection between the handle and the support member and a locking mechanism; Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along an XY plane, showing the pivot connection and the locking mechanism; and Figures 5A and 5B and Figures 6A and 6B are sectional views taken along a YZ plane, showing the support member in different positions.

ES 2 355 720 T3

As shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, a holding device 1 has a handle 2 and a receiving handle 3. In Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, the handle 2 is illustrated projecting forward from the receiving handle 3, but the handle 2 can be retracted into the housing handle 3 in order to decrease the length of the handle 2 and housing handle 3 assembly. It should be noted that the housing handle 3 can be a telescopic handle in order to increase the length of the handle 2 and housing handle 3 assembly.

As shown in figure 3 and the following figures, the handle 2 is a cylinder with a hollow circular section. The receiving handle 3 is also a cylinder with a hollow circular section. Referring to Figure 1A, the shaft axis of the handle 2 and the housing handle 3 is indicated by Os.

A support member 4 is pivotally connected to the forward end of the handle 2 via a pivot connection 5. The pivot axis of the support member 4 at the pivot connection 5 is indicated by Or. In the current embodiment, the pivot axis Or is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the axis of intersection of the shaft axis Os of the handle 2. The support member 4 pivots about the pivot axis Or, and after the support member 4 is rotated to respective positions, the support member 4 can be engaged and fixed (locked) by a locking mechanism 6 arranged inside handle 2.

Referring to Fig. 1A, the lower surface of the support member 4 is a cleaning support surface 4a for pressing a cleaning cloth 8 attached to the support member 4 against a surface to be cleaned. In the current embodiment, the support member 4 can be attached and fixed in five different positions.

Figure 1A shows a first cleaning position (i), in which the cleaning support surface 4a of the support member 4 is practically parallel with the shaft axis Os of the handle 2, a second cleaning position (ii), wherein the cleaning support surface 4a is rotated Θ1 downward from the first cleaning position (i), and a third cleaning position (iii), wherein the cleaning support surface 4a is rotated Θ1 upward from the first cleaning position (i).

Figure 1B shows a fourth cleaning position (iv), in which the cleaning support surface 4a is further rotated Θ1 upward from the third cleaning position (iii), and at this time, the cleaning support surface 4a becomes practically perpendicular to the axis Os of the tree. When the support member 4 is turned further clockwise Θ2 from the fourth cleaning position (iv) of Figure 1B, the support member 4 folded back in this way covers the handle 2 to take a folded position (v), in which the cleaning support surface 4a faces upward and becomes substantially parallel to the axis Os of the shaft.

The pivot angles Θ1 of the support member 4 between the adjacent cleaning positions are equal, while the pivot angle Θ2 of the support member 4 from the fourth cleaning position (iv) to the folded position (v) is set greater than pivot angles Θ1 between adjacent cleaning positions. For example, Θ1 is 45 degrees and Θ2 is 90 degrees.

At the front of the handle 2, a push button 70 is provided as an operative member for coupling release and fixation (locked) by the locking mechanism 6, wherein the push button 70 protrudes outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the handle. 2. In order that the pushbutton 70 can be actuated even when the support member 4 is folded back against the handle 2 in the folded position (v), the pushbutton 70 is positioned so that it does not interfere with the operation of the support member 4 in the folded position (v).

The individual components that constitute the handle 2, the housing handle 3, the support member 4, the pivot connection 5 and the locking mechanism 6 are all made of synthetic resin, such as ABS, vinyl chloride, PE (polyethylene ), PP (polypropylene) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate), except for a coil spring.

As shown in Figure 2, the support body 4 has an arm 14 that extends forward from the pivot connection 5, and the arm 14 branches to provide support strips 11, 11 in the form of parallel flat plates. Along an outer edge of the individual support strips 11, two deformable thin projections 12, 12 are integrally formed. At the point of bifurcation between the support strips 11, 11, a clip 13 is integrally formed extending forward between the support strips 11, 11. In this case, the lower surfaces of the support strips 11, 11 are considered as the cleaning support surface 4a.

The cleaning cloth 8 of Figure 2 is a disposable soft cloth, of which a main body 21 comprises a non-woven fabric, a stack of non-woven fabrics, a stack of papers, a foam resin material, a stack of a fabric nonwoven and a bundle of fibers known as tow, or the like. On the main body 21, a holding sheet 22 is placed, which comprises a non-woven fabric or the like. The main body 21 and the fastening sheet 22 are joined together in a pair of longitudinally extending lateral adhesion lines 23, 23 and a central adhesion line 24 that extends parallel to and between the two lateral adhesion lines 23, 23 .

Between the main body 21 and the clamping sheet 22, individually defined clamping spaces 25, 25 are formed between a side line of adhesion 23 and the center line of adhesion 24. The individual clamping spaces 25 have openings 25a, 25a in the opposite longitudinal sides of the main body 21. When the support strips 11, 11 of the support member 4 are inserted into the holding spaces 25, 25 through the openings 25a, 25b on each side, the upper surface of the holding sheet 22 is pressed by the clip 13 , whereby the cleaning cloth 8 attached to the supporting member 4 can be prevented from being easily detached therefrom.

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With the cleaning cloth 8 thus attached to the support member 4, the main body 21 of the cleaning cloth 8 below the cleaning support surface 4a (i.e., the lower surfaces of the support strips 11, 11) can be pressed against a surface to be cleaned, such as floors and furniture.

It should be noted that a washable (reusable) cleaning cloth may be attached to the support member 4, instead of the disposable cloth.

As shown in Figure 3, the support member 4 has a rotatable portion 31 formed integrally, at its rear end of the arm 14, generally disk-shaped, and a shaft hole 32 is formed to pass through the rotatable part 31 in the X direction. The handle 2 is integrally formed with a pair of support parts, at its front end, in the shape of a disk 33, 33 to have a support space 34 between the support parts 33, 33. Support holes 35, 35 are formed to pass through support portions 33, 33 in the X direction.

The thickness of the rotatable part 31 formed in the support member 4 is substantially equal to the width of the support space 34, so that the rotatable part 31 can be inserted into the support space 34 with practically no play. As shown in Figure 4, a first support shaft 36a is inserted into the support hole 35 from outside a support portion 33, while a second support shaft 36b is inserted into the support hole 35 from outside. the other support part 33. The first and second support shafts 36a, 36b are then inserted into the shaft hole 32 of the rotatable part 31 to fit each other in the shaft hole 32, wherein the first and second support shafts 36a, 36b, they can be adhered and fixed together, if desired.

As a result, the rotatable part 31, being integral with the support member 4, becomes rotatable around the first and second support shafts 36a, 36b. The shaft axis of the first and second support shafts 36a, 36b is the pivot axis Or. In the current embodiment, as described above, the pivot axis Or is oriented in a direction that intersects perpendicular to the shaft axis Os of the handle 2.

As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 5A, the rotating part 31, being integral with the support member 4, has first, second, third and fourth recesses 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d formed with circumferential spacing towards the axis. pivot Or. As shown in Figure 3, the individual recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, and 38d are formed linearly along the X direction (direction parallel to the pivot axis Or) with a constant width. Here, the adjacent recesses (i.e., the first and second recesses 38a and 38b, the first and third recesses 38a and 38c, and the third and fourth recesses 38c and 38d) are spaced from each other by Θ1 circumferentially about the axis of pivot Or, as shown in Figure 5A. The Θ1 is 45 degrees, for example.

In addition, a fold lock recess 38e is provided at a position spaced counterclockwise from the fourth recess 38d by Θ2. The Θ2 is 90 degrees, for example.

Therefore, a first sliding surface 39a is provided between the first and second recesses 38a and 38b, a second sliding surface 39b is provided between the first and third recesses 38a and 38c, and a third sliding surface 39c is provided between the third and fourth recesses 38c and 38d. Between the fourth recess 38d and the folding lock recess 38e, furthermore, a folding sliding surface 39d is provided. The individual sliding surfaces 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d are formed into an imaginary cylindrical surface with radius R and center on the pivot axis Or.

In the present embodiment, since the rotating part 31 of the support member 4 is clamped between the support parts 33 and 33 arranged at the front end of the handle 2, not only the width but also the radius R of the shaft can be made relatively large. rotating part 31, so that the coupling and fixing force (locking force) can be increased at the time when a locking projection 53 (which will be described later in detail) fits into the recess.

Next, the structure of the locking mechanism 6 will be described.

As shown in Figure 3, the handle 2 is a cylinder having a mechanism housing space 2a within it. In the handle 2, a partition 41 is integrally formed to separate the mechanism housing space 2a, at its front side next to the support parts 33, from the support space 34, and a rectangular window 42 is formed to pass into through the partition 41 in the axial direction of the handle 2 (ie along the axis Os of the shaft).

At a location very closely spaced from the support parts 33 towards the rear (towards the receiving handle 3), the handle 2 has an operating hole 43 that passes through the cylinder wall of the handle 2 in the X direction At a location spaced from the operating hole 43 towards the rear, a small diameter fitting hole 44 is also formed which passes through the cylinder wall in the X direction. On the inner periphery of handle 2, a pair of slide grooves 2b and 2c are formed which extend axially of handle 2 from the inner surface of partition 41. Slide grooves 2b and 2c are in vertically opposite positions (in the Z direction).

In the mechanism housing space 2a of the handle 2, a locking member 50 is inserted. The locking member 50 has a sliding body 51, the upper and lower surfaces of which 51a and 51b are curved surfaces having the same curvature as the inner periphery of the handle 2 that defines the mechanism housing space 2a, so that when the locking member 50 is inserted into the mechanism housing space 2a, the upper and lower surfaces 51a and 51b can slide on the inner periphery defining the mechanism housing space 2a.

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The slide body 51 also has a rib 51c that extends along the Y direction on the upper surface 51a and a rib 51d that extends along the Y direction on the lower surface 51b. Since ribs 51c and 51d can be slidably fit in slide grooves 2b and 2c, locking member 50 can move axially relative to handle 2 without rotating within mechanism housing space 2a.

In the locking member 50, a slide shaft 52 of axial rectangular cross-section is provided to the handle 2 to extend forward from the slide body 51. The slide shaft 52 is inserted into the window 42 formed in the partition 41. At the forward end of the displacement shaft 52, the locking projection 53 of a rectangular cross-section is integrally formed and allowed to protrude into the support space 34.

At its front, the slide body 51 has inclined slide surfaces 51e and 51f which are in opposite positions across the slide shaft 52 vertically (in the Z direction). The inclined sliding surfaces 51e and 51f are inclined both in the Y direction along which the axis of the handle 2 extends and in the X direction in which the push button 70 is to be pushed.

In the locking member 50, a guide shaft 54 ​​of circular cross-section is integrally formed to extend rearwardly from the slide body 51 in the axial direction of the handle 2. Around the guide shaft 54, a helical spring of compression 55 as a biasing member.

In the mechanism housing space 2a, a stop 60 is located at a position spaced from the partition 41 towards the rear. The stopper 60, as it is prepared separately from the handle 2, has a disk-shaped stopper wall 61 which faces the partition 41, and a circular guide hole 62 is formed in the center of the stopper wall 61 to pass through it axially to handle 2. The stopper 60 has a pair of flexible arms 63 and 64 that extend rearwardly from the wall 610 of the stopper. As shown in Figure 4, one flexible arm 63 is formed integral with an adjustment claw 63a for fitting in a slot formed in the inner periphery of the handle 2, while the other flexible arm 64 is formed integral with a protrusion of fit 65 for fit into fit hole 44 to appear on the outer periphery of handle 2.

After the locking member 50 and the compression coil spring 55 are inserted into the mechanism housing space 2a and the slide shaft 52 is inserted into the window 42, the stopper 60 is assembled into the mechanism housing space 2a. mechanism such that the adjusting claw 63a of the flexible arm 63 fits into the slot formed in the inner periphery of the handle 2, while the adjusting projection 65 fits into the adjusting hole 44, thereby securing the stopper 60 so that it does not slip.

Then, the guide shaft 54 ​​of the locking member 50 is inserted into the guide hole 62 of the wall 61 of the stop, so that the helical compression spring 55 is disposed between the partition 41 and the wall 61 of the stop at a compressed state. Due to a biasing force of the compression coil spring 55, the locking member 50 always biases toward the support space 34.

It should be noted that the locking member 50 can be removed out of the mechanism housing space 2a by pushing the adjusting boss 65 with a finger to release the adjusting boss 65 inward from the adjusting hole 44.

In the operating hole 43 formed in the handle 2, the pushbutton 70 is provided as an operating member. The pushbutton 70 is integrally formed with a pair of operating arms 71 and 72 facing each other vertically (in the Z direction); the operating arm 71 has an outwardly projecting engagement claw 71a; operating arm 72 has a coupling claw (not shown) that also protrudes outwardly. The pusher 70 is inserted into the mechanism housing space 2a of the handle 2 to protrude outwardly through the operating hole 43. The pushbutton 70 assembled in this way is allowed to protrude outward a predetermined distance, but is prevented from sliding out of the operating hole 43 by contact of the engagement claw 71a of the operating arm 71 and the engagement claw (not shown) of operating arm 72 with a stop (not shown) disposed in the mechanism housing space 2a. The pushbutton 70 is movable in the X direction.

The operating arms 71 and 72 of the pushbutton 70 have contact parts 71b and 72b to face the sliding body 51 of the locking member 50. The contact parts 71b and 72b slope in the same direction as the inclined sliding surfaces 51e and 51f of the sliding body 51, so that the contact parts 71b and 72b are in sliding contact with the inclined sliding surfaces 51e and 51f.

Next, how to use the clamping device 1 will be described.

In the first cleaning position (i) when the cleaning support surface 4a of the support member 4 is practically parallel with the shaft axis Os of the handle 2, as shown in Figure 1A, the pivot connection 5 and the locking mechanism 6 are in the state of FIG. 5A.

In FIG. 5A, as the locking member 50 biases toward the support space 34 due to the biasing force of the helical compression spring 55, the locking boss 53 integrally formed on the locking member 50 fits into the first recess 38a of the rotatable part 31, arranged at the rear end of the support member 4. Consequently, the support member 4 is engaged and fixed (locked) in the first cleaning position (i) of figure 1A.

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Here, as the contact portions 71b and 72b of the pushbutton 70 are pressed towards the partition 41 with the inclined sliding surfaces 51e and 51f of the locking member 50, the pushbutton 70 protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the handle 2 due to a sliding force component of inclined sliding surfaces 51e and 51f, as shown in Figure 4. The pushbutton 70 which thus protrudes can be actuated from outside the outer periphery by pushing.

In order to change the position of the support member 4, the pushbutton 70 is first pushed along the direction X of Fig. 3. When the pushbutton 70 is pushed, the inclined sliding surfaces 51e and 51f are pushed by the contact parts 71b and 72b and their force component causes the locking member 50 to move away from the support space 34 against the spring force of the compression helical spring 55. As a result, the locking projection 53 of the locking member 50 comes out of the first recess 38a to release the engagement and fixation of the support member 4.

After the engagement and fixation of the support member 4 is released, the support member 4 is rotated while the pushbutton 70 is kept depressed, and then the pressing force against the pushbutton 70 is removed at the time when the locking boss 53 confronts any of the recesses 38b, 38c, 38d and 38e. Here, the locking member 50 is moved forward due to the biasing force of the helical compression spring 55 so that the locking projection 53 fits into the confronted recess for engagement and fixation of the support member 4 in a selected position. When the locked protrusion 53 fits into the recess 38b, the support member 4 is in the second cleaning position (ii); when the locking projection 53 fits into the recess 38c, the support member 4 is in the third cleaning position (ii); when the locking projection 53 fits into the recess 38d, the support member 4 is in the fourth cleaning position (ii); and when the locking projection 53 fits into the folding locking recess 38e, the support member 4 is in the folding position (v);

Here, it should be noted that, although the pressing force against the pushbutton 70 is removed before the locking projection 53 confronts one of the recesses during the change of position of the support member 4, the locking projection 53 can certainly fit into one of the recesses that is closest to the locking projection 53 in the direction of rotation of the support member 4. That is, it is not necessary to maintain the application of the pressing force against the pusher 70 until the locking projection 53 is aligned with the recess.

For example, after the locking boss 53 is released from the first recess 38a by pushing the button 70 to cause the locking member 50 to move to the right from the engaged and fixed position of Figure 5A in which the locking boss The latch 53 fits into the first recess 38a, the support member 4 is rotated somewhat clockwise, and the pressing force against the pusher 70 is removed. Next, the locking member 50 is moved forward due to the biasing force of the helical compression spring 55 to press the end tip of the locking boss 53 against the second sliding surface 39b next to the first recess 38a, as shown. in Figure 5B. If the support member 4 in this position is turned a little more clockwise without pressing the pushbutton 70, the end tip of the locking projection 53 subjected to the biasing force of the helical compression spring 55 slides along the second sliding surface 39b and then moves into the third recess 38c automatically, thereby engaging and fixing the support member 4 in the third cleaning position (iii).

The locking projection 53 can also be fitted into the second and fourth recesses 38b and 38d and the folding locking recess 38e. Figure 6A shows a state in which the locking projection 53 fits into the fourth recess 38d to engage and fix the support member 4 in the fourth cleaning position (iv). Here, if the locking boss 53 is released from the fourth recess 38d by pushing the button 70 and then the pressing force against the button 70 is immediately removed, the end tip of the locking boss 53 is pressed against the folding sliding surface 39d. . Consequently, as the support member 4 is rotated to the position of Figure 6B, the end tip of the locking boss 53 slides along the fold slide surface 39d and then snaps into place. the folding locking recess 38e, thereby engaging and fixing the support member 4 in the folded position (v).

In this way, the support member 4 can be engaged and fixed in the respective positions with a simple operation consisting of quickly pushing and releasing the push button 70. The backward folding of the support member 4 against the handle 2 in the folded position ( v) and keeping the support member 4 in the folded position (v) can also be performed only by pushing the pushbutton 70 once and subsequently rotating the support member 4.

It should be noted that the operation of the button 70 is quite simple since the button 70 can be actuated only by pushing in a direction that cuts perpendicular to the axis Os of the shaft of the handle 2. Furthermore, as the button 70 is thus positioned so that does not overlap with the support member 4 in the folded position (v) of Fig. 1C, the pushbutton 70 can be easily pushed even in the folded position (v).

According to the current realization, The cleaning instrument in which the cleaning cloth 8 is attached to the support member 4 can be used to clean the upper surfaces of furniture and the like with the cleaning support surface 4a of the support member 4 engaged and fixed in the first cleaning position (i) of Figure 1A or the second cleaning position (ii) and for cleaning floor surfaces and the like with the cleaning support surface 4a engaged and fixed in the third position of cleaning (iii) or the fourth cleaning position (iv) of figure 1B. Furthermore, the support member 4 can be rotated from the fourth cleaning position (iv) to the folded position (v) of Figure 1C. In the folded position (v), the clamping device 1 can be stored securely

ES 2 355 720 T3 compact with the cleaning cloth 8 removed from the support member 4. The clamping device 1 in the folded position (v) can be made more compact with the handle 2 retracted into the receiving handle 3 to decrease the full length of the handle for storage in a narrow space.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of a clamping device 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The clamping device 101 has a locking mechanism 106 whose construction is different from that of the locking mechanism 6 of the first embodiment, but a locking member 150 arranged in the locking mechanism 106 with a different support structure works in the same way. than the locking member 50 of the locking mechanism 6. Here, the support member 4 and the pivot connection 5 have the same construction as those of the clamping device 1 according to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the pivoting operation of the support member 4 and the operation to engage and fix the support member 4 in the individual positions can be performed in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 1A, 1B, 1C , 4, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B. In the following, only the parts of the clamping device 101 that have different constructions from those of the clamping device 1 are described.

Figure 7 shows a handle 102 which is cylindrical in shape and is formed, at its front end, with support parts 33, 33 for the constitution of the pivot connection 5 and the support space 34 between the support parts 33, 33.

Inside the handle 102, a ring-shaped stopper 141 is formed integral to protrude inwardly from the inner periphery, and a mating hole 141a is formed in the center of stopper 141 to pass axially with the handle. 102. Forward from stop 141, a mechanism housing space 102b is provided within handle 102. In mechanism housing space 102b, upper and lower wall surfaces 102d and 102e facing each other in the Z direction are part of the inner periphery of the cylinder, while lateral wall surfaces 102f and 102g extending in the Z direction are plane surfaces parallel to the YZ plane.

In the mechanism housing space 102b, a predetermined width of the coupling rib 102h is formed on the upper wall surface 102d to extend forward from the front stop 141, while a coupling rib 102i is also formed on the lower surface. 102e of wall to extend forward from stop 141. At the front end of the mechanism housing space 102b, an opening 142 is formed to communicate with the support space 34. The opening shape of the opening 142 is such that the upper and lower edges 142a and 142b are so arcuate as to continue with the top and bottom wall surfaces 102d and 102e, respectively, and two side edges 142c and 142d are so linear as to continue the two side wall surfaces 102f and 102g, respectively.

At a location between the stopper 141 and the opening 142 the handle 102 has an operating hole 143 that passes through the cylinder wall of the handle 102 in the X direction.

In the mechanism housing space 102b of the handle 102, a guide member 160 is housed. In guide member 160, upper and lower surfaces 161a and 161b are curved surfaces that mate with upper and lower wall surfaces 102d and 102e defining mechanism housing space 102b, while side surfaces 161c and 161d are flat surfaces mating with the two side wall surfaces 102f and 102g defining the mechanism housing space 102b.

Guide member 160 is integrally formed with coupling arms 162, 162 extending rearwardly from vertically opposite positions of a rear end surface 161e, and individual coupling arms 162, 162 are formed, at their ends, with claw claws. Integral outward facing coupling 162a, 162a. At the base ends of the coupling arms 162, 162, projections 163, 163 are formed between the rear end surface 161e and the upper surface 161a and between the rear end surface 161e and the bottom surface 161b.

Here, a slide space 164 is formed to pass through guide member 160 in the X direction which cuts perpendicular to the axial direction (the Y direction) of handle 102. At the forward end of slide space 164, there is provides a wall 165 for closing the opening 142 of handle 102, and a rectangular sliding hole 166 is formed in wall 165. On the rear end surface 161e, on the other hand, a circular guide hole 167 is formed to communicate with the sliding space 164. On the upper and lower wall surfaces opposite each other in the Z direction to define the sliding space therebetween. 164, engaging projections 168, 168 are formed to protrude into sliding space 164 to prevent pushbutton 70 from sliding outward.

The locking member 150 is housed in the slide space 164. The locking member 150 functions in the same way as the locking member 50 of the first embodiment, and is integrally formed, at its front end facing the support space. 34, with a locking projection 151 of rectangular cross section. Stops 152 and 153 are formed at the rear end of locking boss 151 to protrude in the X direction, where inclined sliding surfaces 154a and 154b are formed on stop 153 at opposite positions vertically across the boss of the lock. locked 151. The inclined sliding surfaces 154a and 154b are formed at the same angle as the inclined sliding surfaces 51e and 51f formed on the locking member 50 of the first embodiment.

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In the locking member 150, a guide shaft 155 is formed to extend rearward. Around guide shaft 155, a compression coil spring 55 is provided as a biasing member.

In the locking mechanism 106, the pushbutton 70 identical to that used in the first embodiment is used as the operating member.

Next, the locking mechanism assembly 106 will be described.

First, the compression coil spring 55 is arranged around the guide shaft 155 of the locking member 150 and then the locking boss 151 and the guide shaft 155 are inserted into the sliding hole 166 and the guide hole. 167. This assembly is made in such a way that one of the locking boss 151 and the guide shaft 155 is inserted into the hole 166 or 167 and then deflected in the Y direction so that the other enters the hole. When locking member 150 is assembled to guide member 160, helical compression spring 55 is located between stops 152 and 153 and the inner wall surface of the rear end surface.

Next, the guide member 160 on which the locking member 150 and the helical compression spring 55 are assembled is inserted into the mechanism housing space 102b through the opening 142 of the handle 102. When inserted in this way the bosses 163 and 163 at the rear end of the guide member 160 abut against the front end surfaces of the coupling ribs 102h and 102i, while the coupling arms 162 and 162 enter the bore hole. coupling 141a such that coupling claws 162a and 162a of coupling arms 162 and 162 engage a coupling surface 141b on the rear side of stopper 141. In this way, the guide member 160 can be accommodated in the mechanism housing space 102b, while preventing it from moving axially of the handle 102 and rotating about the shaft axis Os. It should be noted that the opening 142 of the handle 102 is closed by the wall 165 of the guide member 160.

Thereafter, the pivot connection 5 is assembled. At this time, the locking boss 151 of the locking member 150 fits into any of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d and 38e of the rotating portion 31 of the member. of support 4 or abuts against any of the sliding surfaces 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d.

Finally, the push button 70 is inserted into the operating hole 143 from outside the handle 102. At this time, the operating arms 71 and 72 of the pushbutton 70 are elastically deformed to decrease the opposing interval between so that the engagement claw 71a of the operating arm 71 and the engagement claw (not shown) of the operating arm 72 slide through. along the upper and lower wall surfaces of guide member 160 defining the sliding space 164 therebetween. As the pushbutton 70 is pushed further, the engagement claw 71a of the operating arm 71 and the engagement claw (not shown) of the operating arm 72 engage the engagement lugs 168 and 168 that protrude into the travel space 164, so that the pusher 70 is retained so as not to slide out of the guide member 160. As a result, the contact portions 71b and 72b of the operating arms 71 and 72 come into sliding contact with the inclined sliding surfaces 154a and 154b of the locking member 150.

The locking mechanism 106 assembled in this way can function in the same way as the locking mechanism 6 of the first embodiment as shown in Figure 4. That is, the locking projection 151 subjected to the biasing force of the helical spring compression 55 can be adjusted in any of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d and 38e of the rotating part 31. When pushbutton 70 is pushed, then, locking member 150 moves away from support space 34 due to sliding between contact portions 71b and 72b and inclined slide surfaces 154a and 154b, thereby releasing the protrusion adjustment from Locked 151 in the recess.

When the locking member 150 and the compression coil spring 55 are assembled to the guide member 160 and then the assembly is housed in the mechanism housing space 102b of the handle 102, as indicated above, the assembly is quite simple, so that the assembly can be done efficiently.

In the above embodiments, the engagement and attachment of the locking projection to one of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, and 38e can be released by the operation of the button and subsequently the sliding locking projection on one of the surfaces. slide 39a, 39b, 39c and 39d automatically adjusts in the adjacent recess. Therefore, the position of the support member 4 can be easily changed, and the support member 4 can always be stabilized in one of the positions (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) by allowing the locking boss to fit into one of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, and 38e.

In the above embodiments, since the locking mechanism is housed in the mechanism housing space of the handle such that only the pushbutton protrudes beyond the outer periphery of the handle, the locking mechanism does not appear on the outer periphery of the handle to provide a compact appearance. Furthermore, since the locking member is axially movably disposed on the handle, the locking mechanism can be housed in a thin handle. Since the operating member is the pushbutton 70 which will be pushed in a direction that cuts perpendicular to the shaft axis Os as shown in Figures 3 and 7, it can be easily actuated.

Since the locking member is axially movable on the handle, furthermore, the locking projection of the locking member can be made thicker within the inside diameter of the handle. Furthermore, since the recesses 38a38e of the rotating part 31 can be of a greater width in the X direction, the engagement and clamping force can be increased when the locking projection fits into one of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d. and 38e.

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Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific embodiments, but various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. as defined by the claims.

For example, although in the previous embodiments the shaft axis Os of the handle and the pivot axis Or of the support member have been described as cutting perpendicular, the axes Os and Or do not have to intersect each other exactly perpendicular, as well as that a plane that includes the Os axis and a plane that includes the Or axis do not have to be the same.

The width of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d and 38e formed in the rotating part 31 can be constant in a direction normal to the pivot axis Or or can be increased radially in the normal direction. The locking projection of the locking member can be of any shape, as long as it can enter the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d and 38e to stabilize the support member 4. However, it is preferred that the width of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d, and 38e be increased radially by the foregoing and that the locking projection be in the shape of a square bar, since the locking projection subjected to the force The spring of the helical compression spring 55 can certainly be brought into contact with the ramps of the recesses 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d and 38e, so that the support member 4 can certainly be engaged and fixed through the locking boss.

In the above embodiment, the angle between the first recess 38a and the second recess 38b, the angle between the first recess 38a and the third recess 38c, and the angle between the third recess 38c and the fourth recess 38d are all Θ1 (45 degrees) , but these angles between the recesses do not have to be equal, and the angle Θ1 does not have to be 45 degrees.

At least some of the components that make up the handle 2, 102, the housing handle 3, the pivot connection 5 and the locking mechanism 6, 106 can be made of metal such as aluminum or alloys such as aluminum alloy, in instead of synthetic resin.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, as described above, the position of the support member to which a cleaning cloth is to be attached can be changed with a simple operation. In addition, the support member can be stabilized at predetermined positions without causing an unexpected twist.