WO2005082222A1

WO2005082222A1 - Apparatus for controlling the length and articles using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2005082222A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000494
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong-Mok Ha
Original assignee: EUNSUNG ELECTRONICS Co Ltd
Current assignee: EUNSUNG ELECTRONICS Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-02-26
Filing date: 2005-02-24
Publication date: 2005-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2006-08-26

Abstract

The present invention discloses an apparatus for controlling length comprising an inner member having a plurality of engaging grooves on a surface thereof; an outer member into which the inner member is inserted and engaged in a sliding manner; a guide shell, combined fixedly with the outer member, being provided with a stopper member having a stopper at one body portion thereof and a spring clamp receptacle at another body portion thereof; a spring clamp being fixedly and resiliently engaged in the spring clamp receptacle by a pair of springs; and a control knob, being inserted in and engaged with an outer surface of the guide shell, having a press member corresponding to an upper portion of the stopper and a pair of engaging protrusions guiding the guide shell in its inner surface, wherein a relative length between the inner member and the outer member can be adjustable by exerting force to the control knob in one direction while exerting force to the inner member in a direction opposite to the one direction in a condition that a lower portion of the stopper is positioned in the engaging grooves and the press member presses a top portion of the stopper.

Description

APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE LENGTH AND ARTICLES USING THE SAME

Technical Field The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling length and articles using the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling length in which a length of an article is easily controlled, and articles using the same.

Background Art Generally, an apparatus for extending and shortening the length of a suction conduit or pipes at the user's disposal (hereinafter referred to "apparatus for controlling length") is provided for a vacuum cleaner, a steam cleaner, or a standing advertisement plate. In this apparatus for controlling length, an outer pipe having a control knob at one end thereof is inserted into an outer surface of an inner pipe which is connected to a main body, and the length of the suction conduit or the pipes is controlled by moving in and out the inner pipe and the outer pipe relatively to each other in a sliding manner. More specific example relating to an apparatus for controlling length of a suction conduit for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed in registered Korean Utility Model Nos. 0209745 and 0213136, both filed and registered by the present applicant. In the prior art relating to an apparatus for controlling length, the length of an article is controlled by engaging a stopper incorporated with a guide shell into and disengaging it from engaging grooves formed in the inner pipe. More specifically, in the prior art relating to an apparatus for controlling length, the stopper controls the length of the suction conduit when it engages and disengages with the engaging grooves of the inner pipe upon the movement of a control knob. The control knob is assembled with two caps at both sides thereof. The stopper engages and disengages with the engaging grooves of the inner pipe through a guide hole formed on the guide shell. However, an apparatus for controlling length in the prior art requires a lot of components such as a control knob, two side caps, a stopper, and a guide shell, etc., which resultingly leads to multiple processes for assembling the components and causes higher costs and lower productivity. Particularly, in the prior art relating to an apparatus for controlling length, two side caps are required to be combined with the control knob at their sides in order to install springs resiliently to operate the control knob. However, using the caps has disadvantages in that they require additional assembling processes and the assembling processes themselves connecting the caps to the control knob at their both sides and fixing them thereto are not easy due to the repulsive force by the springs.

Disclosure of Invention The object of the present invention is to solve the prior art problems by providing an apparatus for controlling length and applied articles using the same in which the required components to be used are reduced and therefore the assembling processes are simplified so that the costs are reduced and productivity is enhanced, and the assembling processes become easily. To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for controlling length comprises an inner member having a plurality of engaging grooves on a surface thereof; an outer member into which the inner member is inserted and engaged in a sliding manner; a guide shell, combined fixedly with the outer member, being provided with a stopper member having a stopper at one body portion thereof and a spring clamp receptacle at another body portion thereof; a spring clamp being fixedly and resiliently engaged in the spring clamp receptacle by a pair of springs; and a control knob, being inserted in and engaged with an outer surface of the guide shell, having a press member corresponding to an upper portion of the stopper and a pair of engaging protrusions guiding the guide shell in its inner surface, wherein a relative length between the inner member and the outer member can be adjustable by exerting force to the control knob in one direction while exerting force to the inner member in a direction opposite to the one direction in a condition that a lower portion of the stopper is positioned in the engaging grooves and

^■ the press member presses a top portion of the stopper. According to another aspect of the present invention, an article having the apparatus for controlling length of the present invention is provided. The present invention has many advantages over the prior art in that it is used for adjusting the height of a height-adjustable standing advertisement plate, as well as for adjusting a length easily by attaching it to any article or product needed to adjust the length thereof, e.g., a vacuum cleaner or a steam cleaner. However, it is understood by a skilled person in the art that the present invention may be used for other various articles or products, in addition to the above listed articles or products. Further, because a secure engagement between a stopper and engaging grooves can be made in an apparatus for controlling length in accordance with the present invention, additional advantages are accomplished in that security and endurance of the apparatus for controlling length are remarkably improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing one embodiment of an apparatus for controlling length in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of the apparatus for controlling length in accordance with the present invention shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a guide shell in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a guide shell in a 180 degree-rotated state compared with the guide shell of the present invention shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a spring clamp in accordance with the present invention which is supposed to be combined with a guide shell. Figs. 6 to 8 are general cross-sectional view in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus for controlling length of the present invention. Figs. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional view in accordance with another embodiment of an apparatus for controlling length of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a guide shell being used for the apparatus for controlling ^■ length of the present invention shown in Figs. 9 to 11. Fig. 13 is a modified embodiment of the stoppers in accordance with the present invention being used in Fig. 9. Fig. 14 is another modified embodiment of the stoppers in accordance with the present invention shown in Fig. 13.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail by reference to the embodiments thereof. Fig. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing one embodiment of an apparatus for controlling length in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1 , an apparatus of controlling length 100 of the present invention comprises an inner member 130, an outer member 120, and a control knob 110. The apparatus of controlling length 100 of the present invention is provided with a side cap 140, wherein the side cap 140 is rotatably engaged with and disengaged from one end of the control knob 110 in order to conceal one side of a guide shell 250 (See Fig. 2). However, the side cap 140 is optional and thus may or may not be used, on a necessity basis. Fig. 2 is a disassembled perspective view of the apparatus for controlling length in accordance with the present invention shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, an apparatus for controlling length 200 of the present invention comprises an inner member 230, an outer member 220, a guide shell 250 with a stopper member 260, a control knob 210, being inserted in and engaged with an outer surface of the guide shell 250, having a press member (not shown) in its inner surface, and a spring clamp 280 being engaged in the guide shell 250 and providing the control knob 210 with resilient restoring force by a pair of springs 290, 292. Preferably, the inner member 230 is an inner pipe or an inner suction conduit, and the outer member 220 is an outer pipe or an outer suction conduit. A plurality of engaging grooves 232 is provided on one side surface of the inner member 230, wherein the engaging grooves 232 engage with a stopper 262 formed at the end of the stopper member 260 of the guide shell

250. Also, a guide member receptacle 234 is formed on the opposite side surface having the engaging grooves 232, wherein the guide member receptacle 234 engages with a guide member 252 formed in the guide shell 250. When the apparatus for controlling length 200 of the present invention is assembled as shown in Fig. 1 , the outer member 220 is inserted into the guide shell 250 from one side thereof by way of using a cut-off 222 and then is engaged with the guide shell 250 at a certain position of the inner surface thereof. At the certain position of the inner surface of the guide shell 250, a step (not shown) is formed around the cylindrical surface of the guide shell 250 and the outer member 220 is fixedly engaged with the guide shell 250 therein by the step. Then, when inserting the guide member receptacle 234 of the inner member 230 along with the guide member 252 of the guide shell 230 in a sliding manner, the inner member 230 is guided into the outer member 220 through the inside of the guide shell 250. Then, assembling the apparatus for controlling length 200 of the present invention is completed by combining the spring clamp 280 with a spring clamp receptacle (not shown) of the guide shell 250, inserting the guide shell 250 into the control knob 210, and combining one side of the control knob 210 with the side cap 240 in a rotatable manner. Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a guide shell in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, a stopper member 360 in accordance with the present invention is formed on a surface of a guide shell 350. A stopper 362, which is engaged with the guide member receptacle 234 of the inner member 230 as shown in Fig. 2, is formed at one end of the stopper member 360. Preferably, the materials for the guide shell 350 and the stopper member 360 may be comprised of either plastics or ceramics, both of which have a resilient property. However, it is understood by a skilled person in the art that the stopper member of the present invention may be comprised of any material having a resilient property. Also, a pair of grooves 354,354 is formed at an outer surface of the guide shell 350. A pair of engaging protrusions 212 (one of which is not shown in Fig. 2) formed on an inside of the control knob 210 in Fig. 2 is respectively combined with the grooves 354,354 in a sliding manner. Fig. 4 is a detailed view of a guide shell in a 180 degree-rotated

■ state compared with the guide shell 350 of the present invention shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a spring clamp 380 in accordance with the present invention which is supposed to be combined with a guide shell 350 shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a spring clamp receptacle 370 for receiving the spring clamp 380 is provided with on a surface opposite to the surface where the stopper member 360 of the guide shell 350 is formed on. The spring clamp receptacle 370 comprises a central protrusion receptacle 376 which receives a central protrusion 386 of the spring clamp 380 in a longitudinal direction and two pairs of engaging lever receptacles 372 which receive a pair of engaging levers 382,382 in a longitudinal direction. The spring clamp 380 is received into the central protrusion receptacle 376 in a resilient manner in a condition that a pair of springs 390,392 is engaged with a pair of spring receptacles 388,388. When the spring clamp 380 is combined with the guide shell 350 as described above, the guide shell 350 is then inserted into the control knob 210 shown in Fig. 2. By this time, the engaging protrusions 212 formed on the inner surface of the control knob 210 is moved through the groove 354,354 of the guide shell 350 and engaged, in a snapping manner, between a pair of protrusion members 384,384 formed at each end of the left and right engaging levers 382,382 of the spring clamp 380. With this manner, a firm engagement is made between the control knob 210 and the guide shell 350. Figs. 6 to 8 are general cross-sectional views in accordance with one embodiment of an apparatus for controlling length 400 of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 6, an apparatus for controlling length 400 in accordance with the present invention is shown where no force is exerted to a control knob 410. In this condition, a pressure member 414 formed on an inner surface of the control knob 410 presses a stopper 462 formed at one end of a stopper member 460. Thus, the stopper 462 of the stopper member 460 is positioned where the stopper 462 is engaged within a certain engaging groove 432 of an inner member 430 and therefore the length of the apparatus for controlling length 400 is remained fixed. At this time, a spring clamp 480 received in a spring clamp receptacle 470 of a guide shell 450 is placed at its center, that is, at a neutral position. Referring to Fig. 7, if force is exerted to the control knob 410 downward, the pressure member 414 of the control knob 410 also moves downward from the position where the pressure member 414 presses the stopper 462 of the stopper member 460. Accordingly, the stopper 462 of the stopper member 460 is moved along its vertical direction by self-resilient force and the engagement of the stopper 462 with the engaging groove 432 of the inner member 430 is released. Under this condition, if force is exerted to the inner member 430 upward, the stopper 462 of the stopper member 460 is not received in the engaging groove 432 of the inner member 430 and thus the inner member 430 can move freely in an outer member 420. If the exerted force to the control knob 410 is removed after moving the inner member 430 by a preferred distance, the control knob 410 is returned to its original position by restoring force of a spring 492 connected to the spring clamp 480, which is under a compressed condition. Accordingly, the pressure member 414 of the control knob 410 pushes the stopper 462 into the nearest engaging groove 432. Once the stopper 462 is received into the nearest engaging groove 432, the pressure member 414 of the control knob 410 is positioned on top of the stopper 462, which makes the stopper 462 to be maintained in an engaged condition with the engaging groove 432. Under this condition, even if relative force is exerted to the inner member 430 and the outer member 420 in a longitudinal direction, a relative movement between the inner member 430 and the outer member 420 are prevented. In this manner, the length of the apparatus for controlling length 400 of the present invention can be adjusted. Referring to Fig. 8, it is easily understood by a skilled person in the art that Fig. 8 is exactly the same as Fig. 7, except that the direction of force to be exerted is opposite. Accordingly, the length of the apparatus for controlling length 400 of the present invention can be adjusted in both directions. Figs. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional views in accordance with another embodiment of an apparatus for controlling length of the present invention. First, referring to Fig. 9, a guide shell 550 of an apparatus for controlling length 500 in accordance with the present invention comprises a stopper member 560 having a pair of stoppers 562,564. The stopper member 560 is connected to the guide shell 550 by connection members 566,568 which are extended to outward directions in view of narrow width at the center of the stopper member 560, as illustrated in Fig. 12. The stoppers

562,564 of the stopper member 560 are engaged with engaging grooves 532,532. Pressure members 512,514 which press the stoppers 562,564 respectively are formed on an inner surface of a control knob 510. The isolation distances between the stoppers 562,564 and between the pressure members 512,514 are identical with the isolation distance between the engaging grooves 532,532. Now referring to Figs. 10 and 11 , relative force is exerted to the control knob 510 and the inner member 530 along a longitudinal direction of the apparatus for controlling length 500 in accordance with the present invention illustrated in Fig. 9, in a manner that one hand of a user grasps the control knob 510, while the other hand grasps the inner member 530 of the apparatus for controlling length 500 illustrated in Fig. 9. Once the relative force is exerted, the spring clamp 580 received in the guide shell 550 moves to a direction along which force is applied to the control knob 510, and thus one of the two springs 590, 592 is compressed and the other one thereof is relaxed. In the meantime, while the spring clamp 580 moves to one direction as described above, pressure members 512,514 of the control knob 510 moves simultaneously to a direction along which force is applied to at a position where the pressure members 512,514 press the stoppers 562,564 which are placed in the engaging grooves 532,532. Then, the stoppers 562,564 are moved to a vertical direction by self-resilient force and therefore are released from an engaged condition with the engaging grooves 532,532 of the inner member 530. At this point, because the stoppers 562,564 are in a condition of being released from their engagement with the engaging grooves 532,532, the inner member 530 being forced to a direction opposite to the moving direction of the spring clamp 580 may be freely moved in relation to a relative length between the inner member 530 and the outer member 520 and therefore the relative length therebewteen may be adjustable by a certain distance that a user desires to move. That is, the stoppers 562,564 do not engage with the engaging grooves 532,532 even though they move across the engaging grooves 532,532, while the inner member 530 moves to its forced direction. Therefore, the moving of the inner member 530 can be continuously made and the length of the apparatus for controlling length 500 may be adjusted. After that, when the stoppers 562,564 reach a desired distance, the force exerted to the control knob 510 by a user is released. Then, the control knob 510 is forced to be returned to its original position, due to restoring force from either one of the springs 590,592 of the spring clamp 580. Then, the pressure members 512,514 push the stoppers 562,564 into the nearest engaging grooves 532,532. When the stoppers 562,564 are received into the engaging grooves 532,532, the pressure members 512,514 of the control knob 510 are positioned on top of the stoppers 562,564 so as to maintain the engagement of the stoppers 562,564 with the engaging grooves 532,532.

Then, the inner member 530 cannot move due to the engagement between the stoppers 562,564 and the engaging grooves 532,532 and thus the length of the apparatus for controlling length 500 is remained fixed. Fig. 13 is a modified embodiment of the stoppers 662,664 in accordance with the present invention illustrated in Fig. 9. As illustrated in Fig. 13, inner sides 662a,664a of the two opposite stoppers 662,664 are vertically formed, while outer sides 662b, 664b thereof are formed with a slant. With this condition, if the pressure members 612,614 move upward upon exerting force to the control knob 610, the stopper member 660 moves to its vertical direction due to self-resilient force and thus the pressure members 612,614 hook up the stoppers 662,664, respectively. The movement of the pressure member 612 is made smoothly because the hooking area of the pressure member 612 abuts that of the stopper 662 having a slant side. However, the slant side of the pressure member 614 hooks up the vertical side of the stopper 664, which ensures a secure hooking between the control knob 610 and the guide shell 650. Once the length of the apparatus for controlling length 600 reaches a desired distance, the force exerted to the control knob 610 is released. At this point, the control knob 610 is forced to be returned to its original position, due to restoring force from either one of the springs 690,692 of the spring clamp 680. Then, the stoppers 662,664 are pushed into the nearest engaging grooves 632,632. Thereafter, the pressure members 612,614 move on top of the stoppers 662,664. In an embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in Fig. 13, since both sides of the pressure members 612,614 have a slant, the movement of the pressure members 612,614 due to restoring force can be made smoothly. Fig. 14 is another modified embodiment of the stoppers 662,664 in accordance with the present invention shown in Fig. 13. The stoppers

662,664 illustrated in Fig. 14 are the same as those illustrated in Fig. 13 in shape, except that the inner sides 662a, 664a are slanted, while the outer sides 662b, 664b are vertically formed. Accordingly, it is easily understood by a skilled person in the art that the function and effect of the stoppers illustrated in Fig. 14 are substantially the same as those of the stoppers illustrated in Fig. 13.

Industrial Applicability The apparatus for controlling length in accordance with the present invention has many advantages, when it is applied or attached to a height- adjustable standing advertisement plate for adjusting its height in use, and a vacuum cleaner or a steam cleaner, etc. as well in which adjustment of length is required. As various modifications could be made in the constructions and method herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for controlling length comprising: an inner member having a plurality of engaging grooves on a surface thereof; an outer member into which the inner member is inserted and engaged in a sliding manner; a guide shell, combined fixedly with the outer member, being provided with a stopper member having a stopper at one body portion thereof and a spring clamp receptacle at another body portion thereof; a spring clamp being fixedly and resiliently engaged in the spring clamp receptacle by a pair of springs; and a control knob, being inserted in and engaged with an outer surface , of the guide shell, having a press member corresponding to an upper portion of the stopper and a pair of engaging protrusions guiding the guide shell in its inner surface, wherein a relative length between the inner member and the outer member can be adjustable by exerting force to the control knob in one direction while exerting force to the inner member in a direction opposite to the one direction in a condition that a lower portion of the stopper is positioned in the engaging grooves and the press member presses a top portion of the stopper. 2. The apparatus for controlling length of claim 1 , wherein the stopper is provided only at one end of the stopper member. 3. The apparatus for controlling length of claim 1 , wherein the stopper is provided at both ends of the stopper member. 4. The apparatus for controlling length of claim 3, wherein both sides of each upper portion of the two stoppers are shaped that opposite inner sides thereof are vertically formed, while outer sides thereof are formed with a slant in a manner that the bottom side is wider than the upper side in the upper portion of the two stoppers, and wherein both sides of the press members have respectively a slant corresponding to the slant of the respective stopper. 5. The apparatus for controlling length of claim 3, wherein both sides of each upper portion of the two stoppers are shaped that opposite inner sides thereof are formed with a slant in a manner that the bottom side

' is wider than the upper side in the upper portion of the two stoppers, while outer sides thereof are vertically formed, and wherein both sides of the press members have respectively a slant corresponding to the slant of the respective stopper. 6. The apparatus for controlling length of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stopper member may be comprised of any material having a resilient property 7. The apparatus for controlling length of claim 6, wherein the material is plastics or ceramics. 8. The apparatus for controlling length of any one of claims 1 to

, 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises a side cap being rotatably engaged with and disengaged from one end of the control knob. 9. An article having the apparatus for controlling length according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 10. The article of claim 9, wherein the article is any one of a height-adjustable standing advertisement plate, a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner.