DE20114744U1 - Carrier device for cleaning covers - Google Patents

Description

BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT

LAW FIRM

Boehmnt & Bcehmcn · Mcinekestraßd 26 ■ D-IU719 Berlin

German Patent and Trademark Office
Zweibrückenstr. 12

80297 Munich

DR.-1NG. KARL BOEHMERT, PA (1899-1973) DIPL.-ING. ALBERTBOEHMERT.PA(19(0-1953) WILHELM J. H. STAHLBERG, Attorney-at-Law, Bremen DR-ING. WALTERHOORMANN, PA·. Bremen DIPL-PHYS. DR. HEIN2 GODDAR, PA·. MOnthen DR-ING. ROLAND UESEGANG.PA·,Mondien WOLF-DETER KUNTZE Attorney at Law Bremen, Alicante DIPL.-PHVS. ROBERTMONZHUBER, Pa (&iacgr;&kgr;&agr;-&igr;&kgr;&agr;) DR. LUDWIG KOUKER, LAWYER, Bremen DR. (CHEM.) ANDREAS WMOER, PA·, Bremen MICHAELA HUTH-DIERIG, RA, Moon». DlPL.-PHyS. DR. MARION TONHARDT, PA·, Dooeldorf DR. ANDREAS EBERT-WEIDENFELLER, LAWYER, Bremen DIPL-ING. EVAUESEGANG,PA·,Mondial DR. AXEL NORDEMANN, RA. Berti» DIPL-PHYS. DR. DOROTHEE WEBER-BRULS.PA·.FnmkBin DIPL.-PHYS. DR. STEFAN SCHOHE, PA·, Mönchen DR.-ING. MATTHIAS PHILIPP, PA\ Bielefeld DR. MARTIN WIRTZ, RA, DtaddorT DR. DETMAR SCHAFEK Attorney at Law Bremen DR. JAN BERND NORDEMANN, LLM.,

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• · European Patent Attorney

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PrarmiiNiil RcnrewnWioa tf the Ccnunwuiy TrolenwA Orilce, Allaau PROF. DR. WILHELM NORDEMANN, RA, BRB' DIPL.-PHYS. EDUARD BAUMANN, PA·. Hall churches DR.-ING. GERALD KLOPSCH, PA·, Moeldarf DrPL-ING. HANS W. GROENrNG, PA·. Moneten DIPL.-ING. SIEGFRIED SCKIRMER, PA·. BkIeTeU DIPL.-PHYS. LORENZ HANEWINKEL, PA·. PWertora DIPL-ING. DR. JAN TUNNIES, PA. RA, Kiel DIPL.-PHYS. CHRISTIAN BIEHL, PA·. Kiel DIPL.-PHYS. DR.-ING. UWE MANASSE, PA·. Bnanen DR. CHRISTIAN CZYCHOWSKI, RA, Bedta DR. CARL-RICHARD HAARMANN, RA. Munich DIPL.-PHYS. DR. THOMAS L. BITTNER, PA·. Berlin DR. VOLKER SCHMITZ, RA. Mönchen DIPL-PHYS. CHRISTIAN W. APPELT, PA·, Mönchengladbach DR. ANKE NORDEMANN-SCHIFFEL, RA°, Poudun KERSTIN MAUCH, LL.M, RA. PoBlinn DIPL-BIOL. DR. JANB. KRAUSS, PA,Manchen JÖRGEN ALBRECHT, RA. Mönchengladbach ANKE SIEBOLO, KA . Bremen DR. KLAUS TIM BROCKER, RA. Berlin OR. ANDREAS DUSTMANN, LL.M.. RA, Paudom D1PL.-ING. NILS TF SCHMID, PA. Some

In cooperation with DIPL.-CHEM. DR. HANS ULRICH MAY. PA-. Munich

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New registration (utility model)

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C60030

Berlin,

06 September 2001

Henry Czech

Mahlower Street 23-25

15806 Dabendorf

Carrier device for cleaning covers

The invention relates to a carrier device for cleaning covers, in particular mop covers, with a base body, wherein a lateral section of the base body is arranged on a central section of the base body in such a way that a width of the base body can be reversibly shortened by means of a displacement of the lateral section in the direction of the central section.

-35.618-

MUNICH - BREMEN - BERLIN

FRAli$fVRTs BTELECSLD - 5<JT,SDAJd - BRANDENBURG -JCIEL - PADERBORN - HÖHENKIRCHEN - ALICANTE http://www.boehmert.de e-mail: postmaster@boehmert.de

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Such carrier devices are used to stretch a cleaning cover, in particular a mop cover, while cleaning a floor surface with a mop-like cleaning device. The previously moistened cleaning cover is pulled over the carrier device, which is usually attached to the lower end of a handle. In known carrier devices, a base body is provided. A lateral section is elastically spring-mounted on the middle section of the base body. With the help of a spring force, the lateral section is held at a distance from the middle section and the lateral section is pre-tensioned against displacement in the direction of the base body. The lateral section is moved by the user against the spring force in the direction of the middle section in order to reduce the width of the base body when pulling on the cleaning cover. After the cleaning cover has been pulled over the base body, the lateral section moves back to the starting position as a result of the spring force exerted on the lateral section. In this way, the cleaning cover pulled over the base body is tensioned.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved carrier device for cleaning covers, which makes it easier for the user to pull the cleaning cover onto the base body.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a carrier device of the type mentioned at the outset in that an actuating element is arranged on the base body, which is connected to the lateral section, so that with the aid of a displacement of the actuating element the lateral section can be moved in the direction of the central section.

A significant advantage achieved by the invention over the prior art is that the user of a mop-like cleaning device, which has the carrier device according to the invention, can adjust the width of the base body in a simple manner and with little effort by actuating the actuating element.

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wall, particularly with little effort, so that the base body can be easily pushed into the cleaning cover to be pulled on. The user only has to move the actuating element in order to move the side section towards the middle section. This ensures user-friendly handling of the mop-like cleaning device with the carrier device.

In comparison to known carrier devices, the carrier device created does not require the user to first insert the base body into the cleaning cover on one side and then to reduce the width of the base body by pressing the base body against the cleaning cover so that the base body can be completely inserted into the cleaning cover. This is complex because the cleaning covers often do not have a sufficient holding device that is necessary to adequately hold the cleaning cover against the pressure of the base body. With the carrier device created, the user only has to move the actuating element without the need for counter-holding using the cleaning cover. This significantly reduces the amount of force required by the user. This is particularly important for cleaning staff who have to change cleaning covers very frequently, for example when commercial cleaning staff clean public or industrial buildings.

An expedient development of the invention provides a spring device for generating a spring force against the displacement of the lateral section in the direction of the central section. This creates a possibility for reversible displacement of the lateral section with the aid of simple mechanical means, even with frequent use.

In order to keep the amount of force required by the user to move the actuating element to a minimum, an advantageous embodiment of the invention can provide for the actuating element to be arranged displaceably on the base body.

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To further improve ease of handling, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that a handle holder is formed on the base body and that the actuating element is arranged at a gripping distance from the handle holder, so that the actuating element and a section of the handle holder can be gripped with one hand. In this way, the user can move the actuating element by gripping the handle holder and the actuating element with the thumb and another finger, preferably the index finger of one hand.

In order to be able to adequately clean floors even in the corner areas of rooms, the lateral section in a front corner area is expediently bevelled in a further development of the invention.

In order to expand the range in which the width of the base body can be changed, an advantageous development of the invention provides that a lateral section opposite the lateral section is arranged on the middle section in such a way that the width of the base body can be reversibly shortened by moving the opposite lateral section in the direction of the middle section. This enables the base body to be easily inserted into cleaning covers that have pockets on two sides.

The advantageous further developments in connection with the opposite lateral section have the advantages mentioned in connection with the advantageous feature designs of the lateral section.

In order to enable simple actuation of the actuating element and the further actuating element independently of the handle holder on the base body, an expedient embodiment of the invention provides that the actuating element and the further actuating element are arranged at a distance from one another on the base body, so that the actuating element can be gripped with one hand.

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The invention is explained in more detail in the following appendix of embodiments with reference to a drawing. Here:

Figure 1 shows a base body of a support device with a lateral section which is elastically spring-mounted to a central section;

Figure 2 shows another basic body of a carrier device with two lateral sections, each of which is elastically spring-mounted on a central section;

Figure 3 shows another base body of a carrier device, wherein a lateral section is doubly and elastically attached to a central section; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the base body of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a base body 1 of a carrier device for cleaning covers. A holder 2 for attaching a handle is provided on the base body 1. With the help of the base body 1 and the handle (not shown) to be arranged in the holder 2, a cleaning device is formed, which is also referred to as a mop, mop or hand mop.

A lateral section 4 is attached to a central section 3 of the base body 1. The lateral section 4 has a projection 6 on a side 5 facing the central section 3, which partially projects into a recess 7 in the central section 3. A spring 9 is arranged in a rear region 8 of the recess 7. In a basic position shown in Figure 1, an end face 10 of the projection 6 abuts against the spring 9.

In order to pull a cleaning cover, in particular a mop, over the base body 1, the lateral section 4 is moved in the direction of the middle section 3. In this case, the front surface 10 of the projection 6 presses against the spring 9. In this way, the lateral section 4 is prestressed against a movement in the direction of the middle section 3. To move the lateral section 4 in the direction of the middle section 4,

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the user against an actuating element 11. The actuating element 11 is operatively connected to the lateral section 4, so that a displacement of the actuating element 11 results in a displacement of the lateral section 4. In one possible embodiment, the actuating element 11 is attached to the projection 6, for example the projection 6 and the actuating element 11 can be manufactured as a one-piece injection-molded part made of plastic.

When moving, in particular when shifting, the lateral section 4, the lateral section 4 is guided in the recess 7 with the aid of the movement of the projection 6. After the cleaning cover has been pulled over the base body 1, the user lets go of the actuating element 11 and the spring 9 presses against the front surface 10 of the projection 6, so that the lateral section 4 is pushed away from the middle section 3 and finally returns to its basic position shown in Figure 1.

A distance between the holder 2 and the actuating element 11 is preferably selected such that the user can grip the holder 2 and the actuating element 11 with the fingers of one hand, for example with the thumb and index finger. In this way, the user can pull the cleaning cover over the base body 1 with the other hand.

The base body is bevelled in corner areas 12, 13. In this way, with the help of the support device, simple and thorough cleaning in the corners of the rooms to be cleaned is possible.

In Figure 2, another base body 20 is shown, in which two lateral sections 21, 22 are each arranged elastically spring-loaded on a central section 23. The mounting of the lateral sections 21, 22 on the central section 23 corresponds essentially to the fastening of the lateral section 4 on the central section 3 in Figure 1. An actuating element 26, 27 is arranged on a respective projection 24, 25, which actuates the

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user grasps when the side sections 21, 22 are to be pressed in the direction of the middle section 23. In this case, it is expedient if the distance between the actuating elements 26, 27 is selected such that both actuating elements 26, 27 can be grasped with the fingers of one hand. This design also ensures that the two actuating elements 26, 27 are positioned at a gripping distance from a receptacle 28.

According to Figure 3, in a further base body 30, a lateral section 31 can be attached to a central section 36 by means of two projections 32, 33, which partially engage in a respective recess 34, 35. In this way, improved guidance of the lateral section 31 is ensured when moving in the direction of the central section 36.

As shown in Figure 3, the projections 32, 33 are each connected to a common actuating element 37. In order to move the lateral section 31 in the direction of the central section 36 when putting on a cleaning cover or when removing the cleaning cover, the user presses against the common actuating element 37. In this case, a preload is generated with the help of springs 38, 39 against the movement of the lateral section 31 in the direction of the central section 36.

Of course, in the embodiment according to Figure 3, elastically displaceable lateral sections can also be provided on both sides of the base body 30 (not shown), as was shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of a section of the base body 1 according to Figure 1 in side view. According to Figure 4, the actuating element 11 is arranged directly on the projection 6.

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In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 4, the lateral sections 4, 21, 22 and 31 were guided during displacement in the direction of the central section 3, 28 and 36, respectively, with the aid of projections 6, 24, 25, 32 and 36, respectively. However, other fastening options for the lateral sections to the central section are also possible if guidance of the lateral sections during displacement in the direction of the central section is ensured. An example here is the guidance of a lateral section 50 in a central section 51 of a base body 52, shown schematically in Figure 5. The central section has a guide slot 53 in which an actuating element 54 is guided. The actuating element 54 is connected to the lateral section 50. A force for generating a preload against the displacement of the lateral section 50 in the direction of the central section 51 can be generated in various ways. For example, the actuating element 54 could press against a spring when moved. However, it would also be possible for a spring to press directly against the lateral section 50 (not shown).

The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings can be important both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims (12)

1. A carrier device for cleaning covers, in particular mop covers, with a base body ( 1 ; 20 ), wherein a lateral section ( 4 ; 21 ) of the base body ( 1 ; 20 ) is arranged on a middle section ( 3 ; 23 ) of the base body ( 1 ; 20 ) such that a width of the base body ( 1 ; 20 ) can be reversibly shortened by means of a displacement of the lateral section ( 4 ; 21 ) in the direction of the middle section ( 3 ; 23 ), characterized in that an actuating element ( 11 ; 26 ) is arranged on the base body ( 1 ; 20 ), which is connected to the lateral section ( 4 ; 21 ), so that with the aid of a displacement of the actuating element ( 11 ; 26 ) the lateral section ( 4 ; 21 ) can be displaced towards the middle section ( 3 ; 23 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by a spring device ( 9 ) for generating a spring force against the displacement of the lateral portion ( 4 ; 21 ) in the direction of the central portion ( 3 ; 23 ). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating element ( 11 ; 26 ) is arranged displaceably on the base body ( 1 ; 20 ). 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a handle holder ( 2 ; 28 ) is formed on the base body ( 1 ; 20 ) and that the actuating element ( 11 ; 26 ) is arranged at a gripping distance from the handle holder ( 2 ; 28 ), so that gripping of the actuating element ( 11 ; 26 ) and a portion of the handle holder ( 2 ; 28 ) is possible with one hand. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral section ( 4 ; 21 ) is bevelled in a corner region ( 12 ). 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lateral section ( 22 ) opposite to the lateral section ( 21 ) is arranged on the central section ( 23 ) in such a way that the width of the base body ( 20 ) can be reversibly shortened by means of a displacement of the opposite lateral section ( 22 ) in the direction of the central section ( 23 ). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized by a further spring device for generating a spring force against the displacement of the opposite lateral portion ( 22 ) in the direction of the central portion ( 23 ). 8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a further actuating element ( 27 ) is arranged on the base body ( 20 ), which is connected to the opposite lateral section ( 22 ), so that with the aid of a displacement of the further actuating element ( 27 ) the opposite lateral section ( 22 ) can be displaced in the direction of the central section ( 23 ). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the further actuating element ( 27 ) is arranged displaceably on the base body ( 23 ). 10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the further actuating element ( 27 ) is arranged at a gripping distance from the handle holder ( 28 ), so that gripping of the further actuating element ( 27 ) and a portion of the handle holder ( 28 ) is possible with one hand. 11. Device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the opposite lateral section ( 22 ) is bevelled in a corner region. 12. Device according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the actuating element ( 26 ) and the further actuating element ( 27 ) are arranged at a gripping distance from one another on the base body ( 20 ), so that gripping of the actuating element ( 26 ) and the further actuating element ( 27 ) is possible with one hand.