FR3058300B1 - RETRACTABLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A BRUSH - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a retractable device comprising a brush 1, a lower ring 2 and an upper body 3, the brush 1 comprising a support 10 and pins 12 coming from the support 10, the support 10 comprising at least one lug 101, the ring lower 2 and the upper body 3 being intended to cooperate together so as to allow a rotational movement relative to each other about a main axis X, the upper body 3 being provided with a projecting element, said blocking element 31, designed to mechanically cooperate with the support 10 of the brush 1 and prevent a rotation of the brush 1 relative to the upper body 3 about the main axis X, the lower ring 2 being provided with a guide 21 intended to mechanically cooperate with the at least one lug 101 of the support 10, a rotation of the upper body 3 relative to the lower ring 2 about the main axis X causing a movement of the brush 1 along the axis of the ro X between a first position, said retracted position, and a second position, said position of use.

Description

The invention relates to the technical field of retractable brushes.

Retractable devices are known comprising a base and an upper body mounted in rotation relative to one another so as to delimit between them an internal space. These retractable devices include a brush comprising a support and pins coming from this support. The brush pins are rigid. They are designed to protrude through orifices arranged on the upper body of the retractable device.

The pins are designed to prevent the brush from rotating relative to the upper part and the brush support is further provided with pins which mechanically cooperate with helical grooves in the base of the retractable device. In this way, the rotation of the base relative to the upper body allows the brush to move. The brush pins then move through the holes in the upper body, making the brush usable.

These devices have the particular disadvantage of requiring rigid pins to prevent rotation of the brush relative to the upper body. One of the objectives of the invention is to overcome this constraint. To achieve this end, the invention provides a retractable device comprising a brush, a lower ring and an upper body, the brush comprising a support and pins from the support, the support comprising at least one lug, the lower ring and the upper body being intended to cooperate together so as to allow a rotational movement with respect to each other about an axis of rotation, called the main axis X, the upper body being provided with a projecting element, said locking element, designed to cooperate mechanically with the support of the brush and prevent rotation of the brush relative to the upper body about the main axis X, the lower ring being provided with a guide intended to cooperate mechanically with the minus a lug on the support, a rotation of the upper body relative to the lower ring around the main axis X causing the brush to move along the main axis X between a e first position, called retracted position, and a second position, called position of use.

Thanks to the locking element, the retractable device no longer depends on the stiffness of the pins to block the brush in rotation. The use of flexible pins thus becomes possible.

According to different aspects of the invention which can be taken together or separately: the upper body and the lower ring delimits an interior space of the retractable device, the pins are entirely arranged in the interior space when the brush is in the retracted position, the pins are at least partially arranged outside the interior space of the retractable device when the brush is in the position of use, the guide is a helical path arranged on an interior wall of the lower ring, the upper body comprises a wall provided a plurality of orifices, each spike is designed to move through one of the orifices, each orifice is intended to allow the passage of one of the pins, the brush is provided with at least one light intended for mechanically cooperate with the blocking element, the blocking element is a mechanical tongue, the blocking element is integral with the upper body laughing, the brush support is composed of a first base, called the lower plate, from which the at least one lug comes and a second base, called the upper plate, from which the pins, the upper plate and the lower plate are assembled to each other according to an embedding connection, the lower plate and the upper plate are designed in two materials separate from each other having in particular different rigidity characteristics, the upper plate and the plate lower of the brush are each provided with at least one orifice, the lower plate is assembled with the upper plate so that their orifices together form a lumen of the support serving as housing for the blocking element, the pins are distinct of the blocking element, the pins do not prevent the rotation of the brush relative to the upper body, the pins do not in themselves prevent the rotation of the brush relative to u upper body, the pins are made of a flexible and / or flexible material. The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which will follow, of at least one embodiment of the invention given in purely illustrative example, with reference to the appended figures among which:

Figure 1 is a slightly tilted isometric view, from above, of an exemplary embodiment of a retractable device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric side view of the retractable device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view from above, slightly inclined, of an exemplary embodiment of an upper body of the retractable device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view from below of the upper body illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isometric side view, slightly inclined, of an embodiment of a lower ring of the retractable device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view from below, slightly inclined, of an embodiment of a brush of the retractable device illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view from below, slightly inclined, of an embodiment of a lower plate of the brush illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view from below of an exemplary embodiment of an upper plate of the brush illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the upper plate of the brush illustrated in FIG. 6.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the invention relates to a retractable device comprising a brush 1, a lower ring 2 and an upper body 3. The lower ring 2 and the upper body 3 are assembled to each other according to a pivot link. In particular, the lower ring 2 and the upper body 3 are assembled to each other so as to allow rotation about an axis, called the main axis (X), of one relative to the other. As will be explained below, the retractable device is designed so that a rotation of the lower ring 2 relative to the upper body 3 around the main axis (X) causes the brush 1 to move in translation main axis (X).

As illustrated in particular in Figures 6 to 9, the brush 1 comprises a first base 19, called the lower plate, and a second base 18, called the upper plate. The lower plate 19 and the upper plate 18 are arranged one on the other. They are here united to each other. The lower 19 and upper 18 plates have a substantially planar circular shape. As will be developed later, it is noted that the lower plates 19 and upper plates 18 are here made from different materials.

The lower plate 19 is designed to cooperate directly and mechanically with the lower ring 2, in particular to allow the rotation of the lower ring 2 relative to the upper body 3. The lower plate 19 here acts as a support for the upper plate 18. More particularly , the lower plate 19 is designed to drive in translation along the main axis (X) the upper plate 18. It is noted that the lower plate 19 and the lower ring 2 are in helical connection along the main axis (X) .

The upper plate 18 comprises a first planar surface 183, called the upper surface, and a second planar surface 185, called the lower surface. The lower 185 and upper 183 surfaces are parallel to each other and opposite to each other. It will be noted that the lower surface 185 of the upper plate 18 is designed to face the lower plate 19.

The upper plate 18 is further provided with pins 12 coming from the upper surface 183 of the upper plate 18. In particular, the pins 12 here protrude from the upper surface 183 of the upper plate 18 and orthogonally to it. The pins 12 include a base and a free end 123. Here they extend longitudinally in a main direction of longitudinal extension from their base to their free end 123. The base of each pin 12 is coincident with the upper surface 183 of the plate higher 18.

Note that the retractable device is designed so that the directions of longitudinal extension of the pins 12 are all parallel to the main axis (X). Each of the pins 12 has here a cross section of circular shape, the cross section being orthogonal to the main direction of longitudinal extension of the pin 12. The pins 12 are here of tapered shape.

In other words, the largest transverse dimension of each of the pins 12, measured parallel to a cross section of the pin 12, decreases as we move from the base of the pin 12 to its free end 123.

The upper plate 18 is further provided with at least one latch or locking button 14, here thirteen locking buttons 14. The locking buttons 14 protrude from the lower surface 185 of the upper plate 18. They are designed to allow the fastening, for example according to an embedding connection, of the upper plate 18 with the lower plate 19. In particular, the locking buttons 14 are designed to cooperate mechanically with the lower plate 19. More particularly still, the locking buttons 14 are designed to fit into the lower plate 19.

The locking buttons 14 comprise a base 141 and a free end 142. They extend longitudinally in a main direction of longitudinal extension perpendicular to the lower surface 185 of the upper plate 18. The locking buttons 14 are here of substantially cylindrical shape . They have in particular a cross section of circular shape, the cross section being orthogonal to their main direction of longitudinal extension. More particularly, the locking buttons 14 include a shoulder at their free end 142. Once the upper plate 18 and the lower plate 19 are secured to one another, the lower plate 19 is designed to be arranged between the lower surface 185 of the upper plate 18 and the shoulders of the locking buttons 14.

The upper plate 18 is here made of a flexible material, in particular rubber or of a material comprising characteristics of flexibility and similar elasticity. The upper plate 18, the locking buttons 14 and the pins 12 are here made of material and form a single piece.

The lower plate 19 further comprises blocking holes 194, here thirteen blocking holes 194. The blocking holes 194 are intended to cooperate mechanically with the blocking buttons 14. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the buttons blocking 14 are designed to engage through the blocking orifices 194. More particularly, the blocking buttons 14 of the upper plate 18 allow an interlocking of the upper 18 and lower plates 19 via the orifices 194. In other words, the mechanical cooperation between the locking buttons 14 of the upper plate 18 and the orifices 194 of the lower plate 19 allows the lower plate 19 to be secured to the upper plate 18. It is noted that the locking buttons 14 engage through the orifices 194 by elastic deformation. On the other hand, the upper plate 18 further comprises passage openings 188, here four passage openings 188, the function of which will be developed later.

The lower plate 19 further comprises passage openings 198. The lower plate 19 comprises as many passage openings 198 as the upper plate 18 comprises passage openings 188. In particular here, the lower plate 19 comprises four openings passage 188.

As will be developed later, the passage orifices 198 are designed to cooperate mechanically with the upper body 3.

The passage holes 198 of the lower plate 19 have substantially the same shape as the passage holes 188 of the upper plate 18. Once the lower plates 19 and upper 18 fitted together, each of the passage holes 198 of the lower plate 19 is designed to be substantially superimposed on one of the passage orifices 188 of the upper plate 18.

Each of the passage orifices 198 of the upper plate 19 and the passage orifice 188 of the upper plate 18 with which it is superimposed are intended to form together the same orifice, called passage lumen 188, 198 of the brush 1. The brush 1 here includes four passage lights 188, 198.

As mentioned above, the brush 1 is designed to cooperate mechanically with the lower ring 2 of the retractable device. To this end, as illustrated in particular in Figure 7, the lower plate 19 is provided at its outer periphery with at least one lug 101, called peripheral lug. In particular here, the lower plate 19 is provided with four peripheral lugs 101 which are regularly spaced at the outer periphery of the lower plate 19. In other words, the peripheral lugs 101 of the lower plate 19 are separated from each other by the same angular deviation .

The peripheral lugs 101 here protrude from the lower plate 19 and in a radial direction thereof. Note that the peripheral lugs 101 have a cross section, the cross section being orthogonal to the radial direction, of substantially oval shape. As will be detailed later, the peripheral lugs 101 are intended to cooperate mechanically with the lower ring 2 of the retractable device.

As illustrated in particular in Figure 5, the lower ring 2 has a generally substantially cylindrical shape. It includes a base 22 and a side wall 24.

The base 22 of the lower ring 2 is here flat and circular. In other words, the base 22 has substantially the shape of a disc. The side wall 24 comes from an external periphery of the base 22. The side wall 24 here extends orthogonally to the base 22. The side wall 24 comprises an internal face 244 and an external face 246 opposite one to the other. 'other. The internal face 244 gives onto an interior space of the lower ring 2.

The lower ring 2 is provided on the internal surface 244 of the side wall 24 with at least one guide or guide path 2440, here four guide paths 2440. The guide paths 2440 are designed to cooperate mechanically with the peripheral lugs 101 of the lower plate 19 of the brush 1.

The guide tracks 2440 are here grooves which extend on the internal face 244 of the side wall 24 of the lower ring 2. In other words, the guide tracks 2440 take substantially the form of channels or channels dug in the side wall 24 of the lower ring 2 at its internal surface 244. The guide tracks 2440 here extend longitudinally and helically along the internal face 244 of the side wall 24 of the lower ring 2. It is noted that here the guide tracks 2440 extend over a major part of the height of the side wall 24, the height of the side wall 24 being measured in a direction orthogonal to the base 22 of the lower ring 2. It is also noted that the guide tracks 2440 have a cross section substantially rectangular in shape at least over a major part of their length.

Each of the peripheral lugs 101 of the lower plate 19 of the brush 1 is designed to mechanically engage inside one of the guide paths 2440 of the lower ring 2.

The upper body 3 is designed to cooperate mechanically with the lower ring 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper body 3 comprises a plate 32 and a side wall 34.

The plate 32 of the upper body 3 is here planar and circular. In other words, the plate 32 here has substantially a disc shape. The plate 32 of the upper body 3 is provided with a plurality of orifices 329. The orifices 329 are through orifices. They are designed to allow the pins 12 of the brush 1 to pass through the plate 32 of the upper body 3.

It is noted that the brush 1 is assembled with the rest of the retractable device so that the positions of the pins 12 correspond to those of the orifices 329 of the plate 32 of the upper body 3.

In other words, the retractable device is designed so that the pins 12 of the brush 1 and the orifices 329 of the upper body 32 are aligned in a direction parallel to the main axis (X).

In other words, the brush 1 is arranged in the interior space of the retractable device so that during the translation of the brush 1 along the main axis (X), each of the pins 12 passes through one of the orifices 329 upper body 3.

The side wall 34 of the upper body 3 is itself from an outer periphery of the plate 32. The side wall 34 and the plate 32 are made of material. The side wall 34 extends substantially orthogonally to the plate 32. It comprises an internal face 341 and an external face 342, the two faces being opposite one another. In particular here, the internal face 341 overlooks an interior space of the upper body 3 while the external face 342 opens onto an exterior space of the upper body 32.

The plate 32 has a first surface, called the upper surface 327, and a second surface 328, called the lower surface. The lower 328 and upper 327 surfaces are opposite one another and substantially parallel to each other. The lower surface 328 opens onto an interior space of the upper body 3 delimited by the side wall 34 of the latter.

The retractable device is further provided with at least one blocking element 31. Here, the retractable device comprises four blocking elements 31. The blocking elements 31 are designed to prevent rotation along the main axis (X) of the brush 1 relative to the upper body 3. Here, it is the upper body 3 which is provided with locking elements 31. The locking elements 31 are designed to cooperate mechanically with the brush 1.

The locking elements 31 are for example mechanical tabs designed for each to cooperate mechanically with one or the other of the four passage openings 188, 198 of the brush 1. The mechanical tabs 31 here protrude from the plate 32 of the body upper 3. In particular, the mechanical tongues 31 extend from the lower surface 328 of the upper body 3. They extend here orthogonally to the plate 32 of the upper body 3. The mechanical tongues 31 here comprise a base 318 and a free end 319 and extend from their base 318 to their free end 319. It is noted that the bases 318 of the mechanical tongues 31 are coincident with the lower surface 328 of the plate 32 of the upper body 3.

The passage holes 188 of the upper plate 18 of the brush 1 and the passage holes 198 of the lower plate 19 of the brush 1 are designed to allow the passage of the mechanical tabs 31 of the upper body 3 in a translational movement through the holes of passages 188, 198 of the brush 1 and along the main axis (X). In other words, the passageways of the brush 1 are designed to allow the passage through them of the mechanical tongues 31 according to a movement parallel to the main axis (X).

As mentioned above, the passage holes 188 of the upper plate 18 of the brush 1 and the passage holes 198 of the lower plate 19 of the brush 1 have substantially the same shape and the same dimensions. Here, the superposition of the passage orifices 188, 189 of the upper plate 18 and the orifices of the lower plate 19 allows the passage of the mechanical tongues 31 through the upper 18 and lower 19 plates of the brush 1 and therefore through the brush 1.

The mechanical tongues 31 of the upper body 3 are designed to cooperate by complementary shape with the passage openings of the brush 1. In particular, the cross sections of the mechanical tongues 31 and the passage openings of the brush 1 have a substantially identical shape , the passage lights 188, 198 drawing this hollow shape. The term “cross sections” is understood here to mean sections which extend orthogonally to the main axis (X).

As illustrated in particular in FIG. 6, the passage openings of the brush 1 have here substantially an H shape.

Here, it is noted that the mechanical tongues 31 are designed to cooperate mechanically with the passage orifices 198 of the lower plate 19 of the brush 1. In particular, the mechanical tongues 31 cooperate mechanically with the orifices 198 of the lower plate 19 of the brush 1 so as to prevent rotation along the main axis (X) of the lower plate 19 and therefore of the brush 1 relative to the upper body 3.

Note that the lower plate 19 of the brush 1 is designed in a rigid material, in particular more rigid than the material from which the upper plate 18 carrying the pins 12 originates. The rigidity of the lower plate 19 makes it possible in particular to block the rotation of the brush 1 around the main axis (X) and relative to the upper body 3.

The lower plate 19 of the brush 1 being on the one hand locked in rotation about the main axis (X) relative to the upper body 3 and on the other hand engaged via the peripheral lugs 101 in the guideways 2440 helical, the rotation along the main axis (X) of the lower ring 2 relative to the upper body 3 causes a displacement along the main axis (X) of the lower plate 19 and therefore of the brush 1.

It is noted here that the pins 12 do not participate in the blocking in rotation along the main axis (X) of the brush 1 relative to the upper body 3.

The mechanical tongues 31 here have a constant cross section over almost their entire length. In other words, the mechanical tongues 31 have a cross section, the cross section here being parallel to the lower and upper surfaces of the plate 32, constant from their base to their free end. The cross sections of the mechanical tongues 31 here have substantially an H shape.

When the lower ring 2 is assembled with the upper body 3, the side wall of the upper body 3 defines an interior space of the retractable device. In particular, when the lower ring 2 is assembled with the upper body 3, the side wall of the upper body 3 is designed to be arranged around the side wall of the lower ring 2.

In addition, when the different parts of the retractable device are assembled together, the brush 1 is designed to be arranged at least partially inside the interior space of the retractable device. In particular, the lower 19 and upper 18 plates of the brush 1 are designed to be arranged in the interior of the retractable device. In particular, the lower 19 and upper 18 plates of the brush 1 are designed to move in translation in the interior space of the retractable device between the plate 32 of the upper body 3 and the base 22 of the lower ring 2.

It is noted that the brush 1 is designed to be moved between a first position, called the retracted position, and a second position, called the high position, from one to the other. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the brush 1 is in the high position, the pins 12 protrude through the orifices 329 of the upper body 3. In other words, in the high position, the pins 12 protrude from the upper body 3. In the high position, the brush 1 is suitable for use, in particular by a user who wishes to brush with.

Conversely, when the brush 1 is in the retracted position, the pins 12 do not protrude through the upper plate 18. The pins 12 are then arranged in the interior space of the retractable device.

It is further noted that when the brush 1 is in the retracted position, the pins 12 are protected. In particular, it is avoided for example that the pins 12 are deformed or broken during transport of the retractable device. In addition, the retracted position of the brush makes it possible to limit the deposit of external elements, such as dust, on the brush 1 and in particular between the pins 12. It is also noted that the retractability of the brush 1 makes it possible not to have to necessarily use an additional part, in particular a protective cap, to protect the brush 1.

As mentioned above, the pins 12 pass through the passage orifices 188 when the brush 1 moves from the high position to the low position. The diameter of the passage openings 188 being substantially equal to the diameter, to within a clearance, of the pins 12, the passage of the pins 12 through the passage holes 188 of the upper plate 18 makes it possible to clear the brush 1, and in particular the pins 12, possible residues such as hair, body hair or other residues which have been deposited or attached to the pins 12 when the brush 1 is used. Thus, when the brush 1 is moved to its retracted position, the remainders remain to the external surface of the plate 32 of the upper body 3 which facilitates cleaning of the brush 1.

The guide tracks 2440 of the side wall 24 of the lower ring 2 are designed so as to offer resistance to the movement of the peripheral lugs 101 inside the guide tracks 2440 in particular when the brush 1 is subjected to a force according to the 'main axis (X). More specifically, the retractable device is designed so as to prevent the brush 1 from accidentally retracting during its use, regardless of its position between the retracted position and the high position. In this way, the retractable device allows a multitude of positions for using the brush 1 between the retracted position and the high position.

To do this, the guide tracks 2440 for example have a sufficiently small screw pitch to offer resistance to the movement of the peripheral lugs 101 along the guide tracks 2440 so as to allow the brush 1 to be held in position when it is subjected to a force along the main axis (X).

It is noted that, in particular when the pins come from a flexible material such as rubber, a change in position of the brush 1 relative to the rest of the retractable device makes it possible to modify the flexibility of the pins 12. Thus, when the brush 1 is close from its retracted position, the portion, known as the free portion, of each pin 12 protruding through the upper body 3 is relatively small. Consequently, the free portion bends little when using the brush 1. Conversely, when the brush 1 is close to the high position, the free portion of the pins 12 is larger and the pins bend more easily when the using the brush 1.

Claims (10)

1. Retractable device comprising a brush (1), a lower ring (2) and an upper body (3), the brush (1) comprising a support and pins (12) coming from the support, the support comprising at least one lug (101), the lower ring (2) and the upper body (3) being intended to cooperate together so as to allow a rotational movement relative to each other around a main axis (X), the upper body (3) being provided with a projecting element, said blocking element (31), designed to cooperate mechanically with the support of the brush (1) and prevent rotation of the brush (1) relative to the upper body ( 3) around the main axis (X), the lower ring (2) being provided with a guide (2440) intended to cooperate mechanically with the at least one lug (101) of the support, a rotation of the upper body ( 3) relative to the lower ring (2) around the main axis (X) causing displacement of the brush (1) according to the xe of the rotation (X) between a first position, called the retracted position, and a second position, called the position of use, the retractable device being designed so as to prevent the brush (1) from retracting accidentally during its use regardless of its position between the retracted position and the high position. 2. Retractable device according to the preceding claim, the upper body (3) and the lower ring (2) delimiting an interior space of the retractable device, the pins (12) being entirely arranged in the interior space when the brush (1) is in the retracted position. 3. Retractable device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, the upper body (3) and the lower ring (2) delimiting an interior space of the retractable device, the pins (12) being at least partially arranged outside the interior space of the retractable device when the brush (1) is in the position of use. 4. Retractable device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the guide (2440) is a helical path arranged on an inner wall of the lower ring (2). 5. Retractable device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper body (3) comprises a wall provided with a plurality of orifices (329), each pin (12) being designed to move through one orifices (329), each orifice (329) being intended to allow the passage of one of the pins (12). 6. Retractable device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the brush (1) is provided with at least one light intended to cooperate mechanically with the locking element (31). 7. A retractable device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the locking element (31) is a mechanical tongue. 8. Retractable device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the support for the brush (1) is composed of a first base, called the lower plate (19), from which the at least one lug (101) originates, and a second base, known as the upper plate (18), from which the pins (12) originate, the upper plate (18) and the lower plate (19) being assembled to each other according to an embedding connection. 9. Retractable device according to the preceding claim wherein the lower plate (19) and the upper plate (18) are designed in two separate materials one from the other having in particular different stiffness characteristics. 10. Retractable device according to the preceding claim wherein the upper plate (18) and the lower plate (19) of the brush (1) are each provided with at least one orifice (188,198), the lower plate (19) being assembled. with the upper plate (18) so that said orifices (188, 198) together form the at least one lumen of the support intended to serve as a housing for the locking element (31).