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EP-4734810-A1 - FLOOR CLEANING DEVICE

EP4734810A1EP 4734810 A1EP4734810 A1EP 4734810A1EP-4734810-A1

Abstract

A floor cleaning device comprising a maneuvering handle, a base portion provided with a cleaning tool, and an articulated joint connecting the maneuvering handle to the base portion and configured to allow reciprocal angular movement. The joint includes an external body comprising an inner cavity and an inner surface delimiting said inner cavity, the inner surface comprising a contact articulation surface extending along a respective ideal spherical surface and a torque-transmitting surface. The coupling further comprises an inner body disposed in the inner cavity of the outer body, and wherein the inner body comprises an outer surface comprising a contact articulation surface, and a torque-transmitting surface contacting the torque-transmitting surface of the outer body to transmit a shunting torque between the inner body and the outer body.

Inventors

  • WILL, Dietmar
  • BAERTSCH, Andre

Assignees

  • Diversey, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240627

Claims (15)

  1. 1 . Floor cleaning device (100) including: - a maneuvering handle (10) configured to be grabbed by an operator to guide said floor cleaning device (100); - a base portion (20) provided with at least one floor cleaning tool (22) configured to perform floor cleaning operations; - an articulated joint (130) connecting the maneuvering handle (10) to the base portion (20), said articulated joint being configured, at least in an operating condition, to allow angular movement between the maneuvering handle (10) and the base portion (20), said articulated joint (130) comprising: o an external body (140) comprising an internal cavity (141 ) and an internal surface (142) bounding said internal cavity (141 ), the internal surface (142) comprising: ■ a contact articulation surface (143) extending along a respective ideal spherical surface (143a); ■ a torque-transmitting surface (144); o an internal body (150) arranged, at least partially, in the internal cavity (141 ) of the external body (140), the internal body (150) comprising an external surface (151 ) comprising: ■ a contact articulation surface (153) extending along a respective ideal spherical surface (153a), wherein the contact articulation surface (153) of the internal body (150) and the contact articulation surface (143) of the external body (140) are in contact with each other and are configured to allow, at least in said operating condition, angular articulation between the external body (140) and the internal body (150); ■ a torque-transmitting surface (154) contacting the torquetransmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) to transmit a maneuver torque between the internal body (150) and the external body (140).
  2. 2. Floor cleaning device according to the preceding claim, wherein the torquetransmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) faces outside of the internal body (150), and wherein the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) faces towards the internal cavity (141 ) of the external body (140).
  3. 3. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) is in contact with the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) along a contact line (90), said contact line (90) extending on an ideal straight line or ideal circumference, said ideal straight line or ideal circumference of the contact line (90) extending outward from the internal body (150), said ideal straight line or ideal circumference of the contact line (90) not intersecting the internal body (150).
  4. 4. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the internal body (150) comprises a first, second and third axis of rotation (X, Y, Z) orthogonal to each other, and wherein: the internal body (150) is movable by rotation about the first axis (X) relative to the external body (140); the internal body (150) is movable by rotation about the second axis (Y) relative to the external body (140); the first, second and third axes (X, Y, Z) being angularly movable with respect to the external body (140); and wherein a rotation of the internal body (150) about said third axis (Z) results in a corresponding rotation of the external body (140) about a respective axis of rotation (Z 1 ) of the external body (140), wherein the axis of rotation (Z 1 ) of the external body (140) is orthogonal to the floor during a working condition of the floor cleaning device (100).
  5. 5. Floor cleaning device according to the preceding claim, wherein the third axis (Z) of the internal body (150) intersects the axis of rotation (Z 1 ) of the external body (140) during any angular inclination between the internal body (150) and the external body (140), and wherein the ideal spherical surface (143a) of the contact articulation surface (143) of the external body (140) defines a center of the external body (140), and wherein the ideal spherical surface (153a) of the contact articulation surface (153) of the internal body (150) defines a center of the internal body (150), and wherein the center of the internal body (150) coincides with the center of the external body (140) defining a central point of articulation of the articulated joint (130), the internal body (150) and external body (140) being angularly movable with each other only around said central point of articulation.
  6. 6. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cross-section of the internal body (150), passing through both the contact articulation surface (153) and the torque-transmitting surface (154), defines a convex perimeter edge (159) of the internal body (150), and wherein a cross-section of the external body (140), passing through both the contact articulation surface (143) and the torque-transmitting surface (144), defines a convex perimeter edge (149) of the external body (140) bounding the internal cavity (141 ).
  7. 7. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) is contained within said respective ideal spherical surface (143a) of the contact articulation surface (143) of the external body (140), and wherein the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) is contained within said respective ideal spherical surface (153a) of the contact articulation surface (153) of the internal body (150).
  8. 8. Floor cleaning device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: - the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) is flat and lies on a torque transmission plane, and - the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) has a curved shape defining a portion of a cylindrical surface extending along a cylinder axis, said cylinder axis being parallel to said torque transmission plane during any angular articulation of the internal body (150) with respect to the external body (140); or wherein: - the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) is curved by defining a cylindrical surface extending along a cylinder axis and having a respective radius of curvature, and - the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) extends along a respective spherical surface, said spherical surface of the torquetransmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) having a radius of curvature greater than a radius of curvature of the spherical surface (153a) of the contact articulation surface (153) of the internal body (150), wherein the radius of curvature of the cylindrical surface of the torquetransmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) is equivalent to the radius of curvature of the spherical surface (154a) of the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150).
  9. 9. Floor cleaning device according to the preceding claim, wherein said cylindrical surface of the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the spherical surface (153a) of the contact articulation surface (153) of the internal body (150).
  10. 10. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims and in combination with claim 4, wherein the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) comprises a contact portion (157), and the torquetransmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) comprises a respective contact portion (147) contacting the contact portion (157) of the internal body (150), and wherein: - during a first angular movement between the internal body (150) and the external body (140): o the contact portion (157) of the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) changes its position on the torquetransmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150), and at the same time o the contact portion (147) of the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) keeps its position on the torquetransmitting surface (144) of the external body (140); and - during a second angular movement, orthogonal to the first angular movement, between the internal body (150) and the external body (140): o the contact portion (157) of the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) keeps its position on the torquetransmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150), and at the same time o the contact portion (147) of the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) changes its position on the torquetransmitting surface (144) of the external body (140), wherein said first angular movement is around said first axis (X) of the internal body (150), and the second angular movement is around said second axis (Y) of the internal body (150), wherein the first axis (X) is parallel to the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140), and wherein the second axis (Y) is orthogonal to the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140).
  11. 11 . Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140) comprises a first torque-transmitting surface (144') and a second torque-transmitting surface (144") separated from each other, the first torque-transmitting surface (144') and the second torquetransmitting surface (144") of the external body (140) being opposite to each other; and - the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150) comprises a first torque-transmitting surface (154') and a second torque-transmitting surface (154") separated from each other, the first torque-transmitting surface (154') and the second torquetransmitting surface (154") of the internal body (150) being opposite to each other, and wherein the first torque-transmitting surface (154') of the internal body (150) is in contact with the first torque-transmitting surface (144') of the external body (140), and wherein the second torque-transmitting surface (154") of the internal body (150) is in contact with the second torque-transmitting surface (144") of the external body (140).
  12. 12. Floor cleaning device according to the preceding claim, wherein: - a maximum distance between the first torque-transmitting surface (144') and the second torque-transmitting surface (144") of the external body (140) is less than a diameter of the spherical surface (143a) of the contact articulation surface (143) of the external body (140); and - a maximum distance between the first torque-transmitting surface (154') and the second torque-transmitting surface (154") of the internal body (150) is less than a diameter of the spherical surface (153a) of the contact articulation surface (153) of the internal body (150).
  13. 13. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the first torque-transmitting surface (144') and the second torque-transmitting surface (144") of the external body (140) have a flat shape, and wherein the first torque-transmitting surface (144') and the second torquetransmitting surface (144") of the external body (140) are parallel to each other.
  14. 14. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - a cross section of the internal body (150) passing through both the contact articulation surface (153) and the torque-transmitting surface (154) includes: o at least one curved line of the contact articulation surface (153) of the internal body (150); and o at least one straight line of the torque-transmitting surface (154) of the internal body (150); - a cross section of the external body (140) passing through both the contact articulation surface (143) and the torque-transmitting surface (144) includes: o at least one curved line of the contact articulation surface (143) of the external body (140); and o at least one straight line of the torque-transmitting surface (144) of the external body (140).
  15. 15. Floor cleaning device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the articulated joint (130) includes a locking mechanism (70) configured to define a locking condition wherein the internal body (150) is angularly locked in position relative to the external body (140), said locking mechanism (70) being positioned at least partially, optionally entirely, within the internal body (150) or within the external body (140), and wherein said locking mechanism (70) includes a locking socket (71 ) and a locking plug (72) that are active between the internal body (150) and the external body (140), said locking plug (72) being movable between an operating position and a locking position to define respectively: - the operating condition, in which the locking plug (72) is out of the locking socket (71 ) allowing angular articulation between the internal body (150) and external body (140); and - said locking condition, in which the locking plug (72) is inserted within said locking socket (71) to lock the internal body (150) to the external body (140); optionally wherein: - the locking socket (71 ) is formed on the internal surface (142) of the external body (140) and the locking plug (72) is carried by the internal body (150), optionally by the articulation portion (54) of the internal body (150), the locking plug (72) being movable within the internal body (150) between said operating position and said locking position, and wherein: o in the locking position, the locking plug (72) protrudes from the external surface (151 ) of the internal body (150) toward and within the locking socket (71 ) of the external body (140), o in the operating position, the locking plug (72) is out of the locking socket (71 ), the locking plug (72) being housed entirely or at least partially within the internal body (150), optionally without protruding externally from the external surface (151 ) of the internal body (150); or wherein: - the locking socket (71 ) is formed on the external surface (151 ) of the internal body (150) and the locking plug (72) is carried by the external body (140), the locking plug (72) being movable within the external body (140) between said operating position and said locking position, and wherein: o in the locking position, the locking plug (72) protrudes from the internal surface (142) of the external body (140) within the internal cavity (141 ) and within the locking socket (71 ) of the internal body (150), o in the operating position, the locking plug (72) is out of the locking socket (71 ), the locking plug (72) being housed entirely or at least partially within the external body (140) optionally without protruding externally into the internal cavity (141 ) of the external body (140).

Description

TITLE Floor cleaning device DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for cleaning walkable flat surfaces, such as floors. The floor cleaning device of the present invention includes an articulated joint forming a connection between a maneuvering handle and a base portion of the device to allow angular articulation between the handle and the base portion. STATE OF THE ART Floor cleaning devices comprising a base portion provided with a floor cleaning tool, a maneuvering handle configured to be gripped by an operator to guide the device, and an articulated joint connecting the base portion to the maneuvering handle are known in the state of the art. The joint is configured to connect the maneuvering handle to the base portion and, at the same time, allow angular articulation between the base portion and the maneuvering handle. However, the applicant points out that state-of-the-art joints have flaws and disadvantages that limit the use of the device. In more detail, state of the art articulated joints have excessive bulk, which consequently reduces the space available for other components of the device. Additionally, state-of-the-art articulated joints have angular freedom of articulation between the base portion and the maneuvering handle limited by the geometric characteristics of the joint itself: articulation along a greater angular travel would result in a substantial increase of causing structural damage to the articulated joint. In fact, state-of-the-art articulated joints suffer from long-term reliability problems, especially when the articulated joint is working in extreme angular positions. Floor cleaning devices comprising a locking mechanism designed to lock the handle in place relative to the base portion are also known in the state of the art. The state- of-the-art locking mechanisms are accessible by an operator and are exposed to the external environment. The applicant points out that state-of-the-art locking mechanisms have flaws and disadvantages that impair their use. First, the state-of-the-art locking mechanisms, being exposed, can generate risks to the operator's safety: there is in fact a risk that such locking mechanisms could injure the operator by, for example, crushing an operator's hand, finger, or foot. Further, the Applicant points out that such locking mechanisms, being exposed and easily accessible from the outside, may malfunction when a foreign body interposes itself in the mechanism. For example, foreign bodies such as dust, dirt, sand, and stones may insert themselves into the locking mechanism, impairing its proper functioning. PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one of the drawbacks and/or limitations of the previous solutions. A first goal is to provide a floor cleaning device that is structurally reliable over time. A further goal is to provide a floor cleaning device comprising a joint, between the base portion and the maneuvering handle, that allows wide angular movement while maintaining high structural reliability. A further goal is to provide a floor cleaning device comprising an articulated joint having compact dimensions. An additional goal is to provide a floor cleaning device that is easy and convenient for an operator to use. An additional goal is to provide a floor cleaning device including a locking mechanism, between the handle and the base portion, that is safe for the operator. An additional goal is to provide a floor cleaning device including a locking mechanism that presents reliable operation over time. An additional goal is to provide a floor cleaning device that meets the previous goals and, at the same time, has reasonable manufacturing costs. These goals and others, which will appear more from the following description, are substantially achieved by a floor cleaning device in accordance with one or more of the following claims and/or aspects. SUMMARY Aspects of the invention are described below. In a 1 st aspect there is provided a floor cleaning device (100) comprising: - a maneuvering handle (10) configured to be grabbed by an operator to guide said floor cleaning device (100); - a base portion (20) provided with at least one floor cleaning tool (22) configured to perform floor cleaning operations; - an articulated joint (30) connecting the maneuvering handle (10) to the base portion (20), said articulated joint (30) comprising: o an external body (40) comprising an inner cavity (41 ) and an inner surface (42) bounding said inner cavity (41 ); o an internal body (50) arranged, at least partially, in the inner cavity (41) of the external body (40), said internal body (50) comprising an external surface (51 ) having at least one recessed channel (53), the external body (40) and the internal body (50) being, at least in one operating condition, angularly movable relative to each other to allow angular articulation between the maneuve