NL1021550C2 - Coupling for e.g. securing mop head to shaft, has sliding actuator for locking or releasing fingers used to connect parts of coupling attached to e.g. mop head and shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

The coupling (4) comprises a body (5) securable to a shaft (2) or holder, a coupling part (6) for securing to a tool or implement (3), at least one flexible finger (8) on the body for securing it to the coupling part, a sliding actuator part (10) on the body for locking or releasing the fingers and a locking device for preventing the coupling part from rotating relative to the body.

Description

TOOL COUPLING

The invention relates to a coupling for coupling a tool with a handle or holder, in particular of household tools.

Different tools 5 are used in the household, all of which are provided with a handle or holder. For example, brooms, mops, window cleaners, etc. are used in the household. It is therefore desirable to provide a coupling so that different tools can be coupled to a single handle or holder. This constitutes a saving in storage space.

Various tool couplings are already known. For example, there is a coupling that works with a catch protruding from the handle, which can be operated by means of a push button. The drawback of such a coupling is that two different operations have to be performed for both loosening and coupling. First of all, the push button must be operated, after which the tool can only be pushed onto the handle. In some cases, the tool must be rotated relative to the handle to find the correct position. This has the additional disadvantage that some play to facilitate finding the correct position damages the stability of the tool on the handle.

Another coupling is that in which a clamping coupling must be tightened on the handle after the tool has been moved on. Depending on the force with which the clamp coupling can be tightened, a firm connection is obtained. The problem, however, is that with moisture no it is difficult to tighten the KiemJcoppeung goea, while at the same time the moisture acts as a lubricant, as a result of which the total coupling cannot pass through tensile forces.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a coupling which provides a good coupling of tools and handle or holder and that the coupling and disconnection operations can be carried out in a simple manner.

This object is achieved according to the present invention in that the coupling comprises: - a coupling body attachable to the handle, - a coupling part attachable to the tool - at least one flexible coupling finger arranged on the coupling body for coupling the coupling part and the coupling body - an operating part slidable parallel to the coupling body for bringing the at least one coupling finger between a coupled and a disconnected position; and - blocking means for blocking a rotation of the coupling part relative to the coupling body.

Because the coupling body can be slid in parallel to the operating part, the tool can be removed from the shank in a single action by a simple pulling movement. Moreover, because the coupling body brings the flexible coupling finger to a disconnected position, the coupling part can be removed from the coupling body without any resistance. With some couplings according to the prior art, after operating a control part, a coupling finger or pawl must still be forced out by pulling out a coupling part. This increases the removal resistance. Moreover, the geometry of the coupling part and the locking catch must be such that it is possible to push it away.

3

In an embodiment of the coupling according to the invention, the coupling part comprises at least one recess and the coupling finger comprises at least one protrusion that can be inserted into the recess.

In a preferred embodiment of the coupling according to the invention, the at least one coupling finger comprises a ramp for agitation by the operating part. Via this ramp, the coupling finger can be moved from the coupled position to the uncoupled position by parallel displacement of the operating part. If the coupling finger is arranged resiliently, this spring force together with the run-on surface ensures that the operating part is also pushed back again. Another possibility or in addition to the above is that a spring is arranged between operating part and coupling body.

In another preferred embodiment of the coupling according to the invention, the blocking means are formed by the coupling part and the coupling body, wherein the coupling part can be inserted into the coupling part and the coupling part 20 has an unround cross-section. As a result, the rotation of coupling part relative to the coupling body is blocked in a simple manner, without additional parts.

Many couplings according to the prior art are based on a round handle and therefore additional components must be present to prevent rotation of the tool relative to the round handle.

In yet another embodiment of the coupling according to the invention, the coupling body comprises an elastic stop. With this elastic stop, against which the coupling part abuts, any play in the coupling is eliminated.

The invention further relates to a combination of a shank, a tool and a coupling according to the invention, wherein the shank is attached to the coupling body and the tool is attached to the coupling part.

These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a combination according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows in perspective view with exploded parts an embodiment of the coupling 10 according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows the coupling body of the coupling according to Figure 2 in perspective and in cross-section.

Figure 4 shows in perspective view and in cross-section the operating bush of the coupling according to figure 2.

Figure 5 shows the coupling in coupled condition in cross-section.

Figure 6 shows the coupling in the uncoupled state in cross-section.

Figure 1 shows a combination 1 according to the invention. This combination 1 has a handle 2, a tool 3, which is designed here as a mop, and a coupling 4.

Figure 2 shows the coupling 4 in further detail. The coupling 4 has a coupling body 5, into which the coupling part 6 can be inserted with a part of the tool 7 attached thereto.

Two coupling fingers 8 are provided on the coupling body 5. These coupling fingers are flexible and are designed as separate parts, so that a different material can be used for these coupling fingers 8 than for the coupling body 5. Thus, the material properties can be better matched to the requirements.

5

The coupling part 6 has a rectangular cross section and the opening 9 in the coupling body 5 has a corresponding shape. Due to this non-circular cross-section, rotation 5 is blocked between coupling body 5 and coupling part 6.

Furthermore, an operating sleeve 10 can be moved parallel to the coupling body 5 around the coupling body 5. On the control bus. 10, a cap 11 is further attached, which ensures that the operating bush 10 cannot be pushed off the coupling body. In addition, this cap 11 provides guidance on the stem.

Finally, an elastic pin 12 is provided in the coupling body 5, against which the end of the coupling part 6 can be pressed. Thus, in the coupled state, some play is eliminated by this elastic pin 12.

In Figure 5 the coupling 4 is shown in the coupled state. In this condition the protrusions 13 engage in the recesses 14 in the coupling part. The protrusions 13 have an obliquely rising end face, so that when the coupling part 6 is inserted 20 the coupling fingers 8 are possibly pressed away. The side surfaces of the projections 13 are straight and perpendicular to the insertion direction of the coupling part 6, so that a maximum surface area is obtained over which tensile forces can be absorbed.

The coupling fingers 8 furthermore each have a ramp 15 against which, in the coupled state, two protrusions 16 of the operating bush 10 abut. If now the control bushing 10 is shifted to the right in the drawing, the protrusions 16 will press against the run-on surfaces 15 of the coupling fingers 8, whereby the protrusions 13 are lifted out of the recesses 14 of the coupling part 6. The coupling part 6 is thus released and can be pulled out of the coupling body 5 without any resistance.

In this case, there is provided a piece of ecu ciaouiouic peu 12, which is slightly depressed when the coupling part 6 is inserted. With the spring force thus generated, some play between coupling body 5 and coupling part 6 is eliminated.

Claims (6)

1. Coupling for coupling a tool to a shank or holder, which coupling comprises: - a coupling body attachable to the shank or holder, 5. a coupling part attachable to the tool - at least one flexible coupling finger arranged on the coupling body for coupling of the coupling part and the coupling body - an operating part slidable parallel to the coupling body for bringing the at least one coupling finger between a coupled and a disconnected position, and - blocking means for blocking a rotation of the coupling part relative to the coupling body . 2. Coupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling part comprises at least one recess and the coupling finger comprises at least one protrusion that can be inserted into the recess. 3. Coupling as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one coupling finger comprises a ramp for agitation by the operating part. 4. Coupling as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the blocking means are formed by the coupling part and the coupling body, wherein the coupling part can be inserted into the coupling body and the coupling part has an unrounded cross-section. 5. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling body comprises an elastic stop. - · nr .: q 6. Combination of a shank or holder, a tool and a coupling according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shank or holder is attached to the coupling body and the tool is attached to the coupling part. 1 Π 2 '5;