Connectors

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) for connecting a handle to a working element, the connector (1) being formed by folding a base formed by a metal sheet, the connector (1) comprising a handle support (10), the base comprising a sheet portion for forming the handle support (10), the sheet portion comprising a first sheet surface, a second sheet surface opposite to the first sheet surface and one or more sheet edges (3a, 3b, 3c), the sheet portion comprising one or more cutouts, the one or more cutouts dividing the sheet portion into a base portion (4) and one or more reinforcing portions folded in the connector (1) relative to the base portion (4), the base being folded so that at the base portion (4) the second sheet surface is at least partially oriented inwardly and forms an inner face (6), and the one or more reinforcing portions (5) extend mainly against the inner face (6) and thereby locally reinforce the base portion (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a connector for connecting a handle to a working element, the connector being formed by folding a base body formed by a metal sheet, the connector comprising a handle support, the handle support comprising a receiving space into which the handle can be introduced along a substantially first direction, the base body comprising a sheet portion for forming the handle support, the sheet portion comprising a first sheet surface, a second sheet surface opposite to the first sheet surface and one or more sheet edges.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for producing such a connecting element. Background Art

[0003] The handle here refers to a handle that has at least partially the shape of a rod or a strip. Tools such as mops, brushes, spades, scrapers, etc. include working elements that allow the tool function to be performed. The working element may, for example, include a rubber scraper belt, bristles, a shovel, etc. These tools are provided with a connector that is connected to the working element for connecting the handle to the working element so that the tool can be easily operated. To this end, the connector includes a handle support into which the end of the handle can be introduced. Connectors such as those described above are therefore used, for example, to connect the handle (of a brush) to the working element, and thereby form a mop, a brush, a broom, a spade, a scraper, etc. The connector and the working element may be made in the form of two separate pieces. For example, this is the case for a brush or a mop, where the working element is not or is not entirely made of metal. The connector and the working element may also be made in one piece. For example, this is the case for a shovel, where the shovel is also made of metal.

[0004] In order to manufacture a connector formed of sheet metal, it is usually started from a base in the form of a sheet metal, which base comprises a rectangular sheet portion. The rectangular sheet portion then comprises, in sequence, a first sheet edge, a second sheet edge and a third sheet edge, the first and third edges extending in a first direction, the second sheet edge extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Here, the handle support is formed by folding the sheet portion so that the handle support extends along the cylindrical shell of a column extending in the first direction, the first and third sheet edges being placed substantially against each other, thereby forming a cylindrical accommodation space, into which the handle can be introduced approximately in the first direction. Usually, the handle is further fixed to the handle support by introducing a nail through the handle support into the handle. A disadvantage is that due to frequent use of the tool comprising the connector, the connector is deformed and due to the first edge and the third edge moving away from each other, they move away from each other. After a certain time, the fastening of the handle in the handle support loosens and the handle may even detach from it. Several solutions have been designed to solve this problem. It is therefore possible to weld the first sheet edge and the third sheet edge to each other. However, this means additional operations. Another solution is to provide the first and third sheet edges with corresponding connections, such as the dovetail assembly shown in document FR 2 717 729. However, in this case, the mentioned sheet edges will also move away from each other after a certain time. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to produce a connection for connecting a handle to a working element, which connection is formed by folding a base formed by a metal sheet, which connection does not deform or at least is not prone to deformation during use, so that the connection ensures a good connection between handle and working element for a long time.

[0006] This object is achieved by a connection piece for connecting a handle to a working element, the connection piece being formed by folding a base body formed by a metal sheet, the connection piece comprising a handle support, the handle support comprising a receiving space into which the handle can be introduced in a substantially first direction, the base body comprising a sheet portion for forming the handle support, the sheet portion comprising a first sheet surface, a second sheet surface opposite to the first sheet surface, one or more sheet edges and one or more cutouts, the one or more cutouts extending through the two sheet surfaces and at a distance from the one or more sheet edges, such that they divide the sheet portion into a base portion and one or more reinforcing portions, the one or more reinforcing portions being folded in the connection piece relative to the base portion at two extreme folded edges of the reinforcing portion extending opposite to each other, the two extreme folded edges extending substantially according to the first direction and being attached to the base portion, the base body being folded such that at the base portion the second sheet surface is at least partially oriented towards the interior and forms an inner face mainly surrounding a space, and such that the one or more reinforcing portions extend mainly against the above-mentioned inner face, thereby locally reinforcing the base portion and forming the receiving space together with the inner face.

[0007] The substrate in the form of a metal sheet can be, for example, a cut metal sheet plate, or the shape, cutouts, etc. of the substrate can be obtained by laser. The connector is used to connect the handle to the working element and form a tool such as a brush, a mop, a spade, etc. The handle can be, for example, a wooden handle, a plastic handle or a metal handle, which is elongated. Preferably, when forming the tool, the first direction mentioned corresponds substantially to the length direction of the handle. One end of the handle can then be accommodated in the accommodation space in the length direction, and during the use of the tool, this end of the handle always extends in the accommodation space. The handle can, for example, have a circular cross section, and at least a part of the accommodation space preferably extends along the cylinder. However, the handle can also have a cross section in the form of a polygon, such as a quadrilateral.

[0008] The one or more reinforcing portions extend mainly against the above-mentioned inner face of the base portion, thereby locally reinforcing / solidifying the base portion. As a result, the handle support is significantly less sensitive to deformation during use of the connector. This means that even after prolonged use, a handle that is still correctly placed in the accommodation space of the handle support can always be well accommodated in the handle support. When the sheet portion comprises, for example, a plurality of sheet edges, the base portion may comprise at least two of the plurality of sheet edges, and the at least two sheet edges may be placed opposite each other in the connector, the one or more reinforcing portions then partially covering the transition portion between the at least two sheet edges. Thus, it is avoided that the at least two sheet edges move away from each other during use of the connector.

[0009] Another advantage is that the cutouts can form sharp edge portions. These sharp edge portions, due to being cut into the handle support, help to fix the handle in the handle support. This is particularly useful when the connector is provided to connect a wooden handle to a working element. Once the end of the wooden handle is introduced into the receiving space, the sharp edge portion engages in the wooden handle, so that the end of the handle cannot easily come out of the receiving space. In this case, in principle, it is not necessary to fix the end of the handle to the connector by additional nails or screws.

[0010] A single cutout may be formed in the base portion to form only one of the reinforcement portions. The reinforcement portion then comprises a portion of the one or more sheet edges. Two cutouts may also be formed on the base portion to form only one of the reinforcement portions, such that the reinforcement portion does not comprise the sheet edges mentioned above. The two cutouts are then formed such that the reinforcement portion comprises the two extreme folded edges extending facing each other, the two extreme folded edges extending substantially in the first direction.

[0011] The mentioned cuts may extend along a straight line. However, the mentioned cuts may also have other patterns.

[0012] Preferably, the receiving space is elongated and extends substantially in the first direction. The mentioned space preferably also extends substantially in the first direction. It can be provided that the length of the end of the handle extending in the receiving space is sufficient so that the handle can be well connected to the working element. The connecting piece and the working element can be separate pieces that are formed separately. This is usually the case, for example, when the tool is a brush or a mop. The working element and the connecting piece can also be made in one piece. This is the case, for example, when the tool is a shovel. The shovel and the connecting piece can then be formed from the same sheet metal base body.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the second sheet surface is mainly oriented inward at the base portion, the second sheet surface forms the above-mentioned inner face at the base portion, and the first sheet surface is mainly oriented outward at the base portion, the first sheet surface mainly forms the outer contour of the handle support at the base portion. The base portion forms the outermost part of the handle support here, and the one or more reinforcement portions are located in the above-mentioned space around the base portion here. The handle support of the connector is made compact and can perform its function well here. Preferably, when viewed in the first direction, the edges of the base portion are placed substantially against each other. When the connector is used to connect a handle with a circular cross-section to a working element, the base portion in the connector is preferably folded so that, at the base portion, the first sheet surface is oriented outward and extends mostly along the first cylindrical shell, the second sheet surface is oriented inward and extends mostly along the second cylindrical shell, and the diameter of the second cylindrical shell is smaller than the diameter of the first cylindrical shell. These cylindrical shells are then preferably substantially extended in the first direction.

[0014] Preferably, the sheet portion comprises in sequence the one or more sheet edges of the first, second and third groups, the base portion comprises the first and third groups, the first and third groups extend substantially in the first direction, and the reinforcing portion partially covers the first and third groups. Preferably, the first and third groups are placed substantially against each other. Except at the one or more reinforcing portions, the base portion then forms a substantially closed assembly around the space. At the base, when the base has not yet been folded into a connector, the first and third groups extend facing each other.

[0015] In addition, preferably, the first and third groups are essentially placed opposite each other and extend adjacent to each other when viewed in the first direction, and more preferably, the first and third groups only comprise one of the mentioned sheet edges. The mentioned sheet edges then extend, for example, essentially along a line extending in the first direction. The connector can be formed very simply here, because the base body has a simple shape and does not include too many sheet edges. The one or more reinforcing parts are placed here against the above-mentioned inner face and also at the last-mentioned sheet edge, so that the one or more reinforcing parts can well resist the displacement of the last-mentioned sheet edge and so that the risk of deformation of the connector during normal use of the connector is low here.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the first group and the third group each comprise only one of the sheet edges, the one sheet edge comprising one or more notches, the other sheet edge comprising one or more protrusions corresponding to the one or more notches, the first group and the third group being placed substantially opposite each other and thus extending adjacent to each other when viewed in the first direction, so that the one or more protrusions engage into the one or more notches. The protrusions engaging into the notches provide additional strength to the connector, so that the connector is able to further better maintain its shape and the last-mentioned sheet edges do not move away from each other during use of the connector.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sheet portion has a substantially rectangular shape, which comprises in sequence a first, a second and a third sheet edge, the first and the third sheet edge extending substantially in a first direction, the second sheet edge extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the base is folded such that the base portion extends along the outer shell of a column extending in the first direction, the first and the third sheet edges being folded towards each other, thus facing each other, preferably lying substantially against each other. The second sheet edge here connects the first sheet edge to the third sheet edge. The base portion here always comprises the first and the third sheet edge. Preferably, the base portion also comprises the entire second sheet edge. However, the one or more cutouts can also be made such that the reinforcement portion also comprises a part of the second sheet edge. In the connector, the first and the third sheet edges lie substantially against each other and extend side by side when viewed in the first direction. Here, the base portion is preferably folded into a tubular shape. The base portion can also slightly deviate from a rectangular shape. This is, for example, because the first and the third sheet edge comprise the one or more notches and the one or more protrusions.

[0018] Furthermore, preferably, the one or more cutouts extend substantially perpendicularly to the first direction. Thus, one or more reinforcement portions are formed which can be easily folded against the inner face of the base portion, and this by means of a folding edge extending substantially in the first direction. When the base body has not been folded, the reinforcement portion here then has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0019] More preferably, the length of the one or more cutouts corresponds substantially to half the length of the second sheet edge, and even more preferably, the one or more cutouts extend on both sides to substantially the same distance as the first and third sheet edges. Formation of the connector is very simple here, since the one or more reinforcing portions can be folded very simply against the inner face so that the one or more reinforcing portions lie substantially completely against the inner face. The connector is therefore insensitive to deformations during use.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving space is elongated and extends substantially in the first direction. Here, the receiving space has sufficient length so that the length of the end portion of the handle that can be introduced into the receiving space is relatively large. In this way, the handle can be correctly and securely connected to the connecting piece.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the handle support comprises two reinforcement portions, which extend at a distance from each other when viewed in a first direction. At least two reinforcement portions reinforce the base portion at at least two positions extending at a distance from each other. Since the handle can be introduced into the accommodating space along the first direction and the reinforcement portions extend at a distance from each other along the first direction, the risk of deformation of the handle support of the connector is very small. In the case of the base, when the sheet portion has not yet been folded into the handle support, the above-mentioned reinforcement portion may include a part of the sheet edge, and thus form an end portion of the sheet portion. However, preferably, the base portion surrounds the one or more reinforcement portions, and the base portion includes all the above-mentioned sheet edges. This improves the strength of the handle support. The size of each reinforcement portion observed in the first direction is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 times the corresponding maximum size of the handle support. Therefore, the base portion of the handle support is still strong enough.

[0022] In addition, preferably, the sheet portion comprises four cutouts forming the two mentioned reinforcement portions, and the base portion comprises all of the mentioned one or more sheet edges. This increases the strength of the handle support.

[0023] In a specific embodiment, the base part comprises a plurality of locking elements which are connected to the rest of the base part via one side and which are folded towards the inside to lock the handle after it has been introduced into the accommodation space. In this way, when using a tool comprising the connection piece, the handle will not be easily separated from the handle support. These locking elements are preferably at a distance from the one or more reinforcement parts.

[0024] In another specific embodiment, the base part comprises a channel connecting the first sheet surface to the second sheet surface, through which channel a screw or a nail can be introduced. The handle introduced into the receiving space of the handle support can thus be further fixed to the connecting piece, and this is achieved by the screw or stator being introduced through the mentioned channel and entering into the handle.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece comprises a working element support to which the working element can be connected, and the base body comprises a second sheet portion connected to the sheet portion to form the working element support. In this way, the working element can be simply connected to the connecting piece.

[0026] The object is also achieved by a method for manufacturing a connection piece for connecting a handle to a working element, the connection piece comprising a handle support, the handle support comprising a receiving space into which the handle can be introduced substantially in a first direction, providing a metal sheet, the sheet comprising a sheet portion, the sheet portion comprising a first sheet surface, a second sheet surface opposite to the first sheet surface and one or more sheet edges, one or more cutouts being made in the metal sheet so that these cutouts extend through the two sheet surfaces and are at a certain distance from the one or more sheet edges, and the sheet portion is divided into a base portion and one or more reinforcing portions, the one or more reinforcing portions being folded relative to the base portion in the connection piece at two extreme folding edges of the reinforcing portion extending opposite to each other, the two extreme folding edges extending substantially according to the first direction and attached to the base portion, the base being folded so that at the base portion the second sheet surface is at least partially oriented toward the inside and forms an inner face mainly surrounding the space extending in the first direction, and the one or more reinforcing portions are folded against the above-mentioned inner face so that the one or more reinforcing portions locally reinforce the base portion and form the receiving space together with the inner face. The method makes it possible to simply form a connection piece as described above. The method is simple, since only a metal sheet needs to be processed here to form the above-mentioned base, which then needs to be folded into the desired connection piece. These are not separate pieces and need to be connected to each other. The connection piece is formed from a single metal sheet, which then forms a solid continuous component. By processing the metal sheet, in a particular embodiment, the mentioned channel and / or the mentioned locking element can also be realized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the following description, the connector according to the present invention will be described in detail. The only purpose of this detailed description is to indicate the mode of implementing the present invention and to illustrate the specific features of the present invention, and to further explain them if necessary. Therefore, this description cannot be considered as a limitation on the scope of protection of this patent. Based on the following description, the application field of the present invention is also not limited.

[0028] This description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of the connector shown in ;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a handle support of the connector shown in FIG.

[0032] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of the connector shown in ;

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the connector shown in ;

[0034] Figure 6 is a bottom view of another connecting member according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figures 1 to 5 A connection 1 for connecting a handle to a working element is shown. The working element may comprise a rubber scraper strip, so that by connecting the working element to the connection 1 and connecting the handle to the connection 1, a mop is obtained. However, the working element may also comprise bristles, so that by connecting the working element to the connection 1 and connecting the handle to the connection 1, a broom is obtained. The connection 1 comprises a handle support 10, which comprises a receiving space 2 extending in a first direction A and into which the handle can be introduced along the first direction A. Here, the handle is elongated and during the introduction of the handle into the receiving space 2, the longitudinal direction of the handle extends in the first direction A. The connection 1 also comprises a working element support 9 connectable to the working element. The connection 1 shown in the figure is obtained by folding a metal sheet substrate. The substrate comprises a first sheet portion and a second sheet portion attached to the first sheet portion. The handle support 10 is formed by the first sheet portion, while the working element support 9 is formed by the second sheet portion.

[0036] The first sheet portion includes a first sheet surface, a second sheet surface opposite to the first sheet surface, and first, second and third sheet edges 3a, 3b, 3c attached to each other in sequence. The first and third sheet edges 3a, 3c extend in parallel facing each other, and both extend in a first direction A in the connector 1. The second sheet edge 3b connects the first sheet edge 3a to the third sheet edge 3c and extends in a second direction, which extends perpendicularly relative to the first direction A. The first sheet portion has a rectangular shape.

[0037] Furthermore, the first sheet portion comprises four cuts, each of which extends through the second sheet surface in the second direction, at a distance from each other, and each at a distance from the one or more sheet edges 3a, 3b, 3c, and if viewed in the second direction, at the center of the first sheet portion. The length of each cut corresponds substantially to half the length of the second sheet edge 3b. Thus, here, these cuts divide the sheet portion into a base portion 4 and two reinforcement portions 5, which include the aforementioned sheet edges 3a, 3b, 3c, and which are folded into the connector 1 relative to the base portion 4 at two extreme folding edges of the reinforcement portion 5 extending opposite to each other, which extend substantially in the first direction A and are attached to the base portion 4. The base is folded so that at the base portion 4, the second sheet surface is oriented toward the inside and forms an inner face 6 that mainly surrounds the cylindrical space. The two reinforcement portions 5 extend mainly against the aforementioned inner face 6, thereby locally reinforcing the base portion 4 and forming the accommodation space 2 together with the aforementioned inner face 6. The first sheet surface forms the extreme contour of the handle support 10 at the base portion 4. The first and third sheet edges 3a, 3c are folded towards each other so that in the connecting element 1 they extend substantially opposite each other and in the first direction A. The reinforcement portion 5 here partially covers the transition between the first and third sheet edges 3a, 3c and helps prevent the first and third sheet edges 3a, 3c from moving away from each other during use of the connecting element 1.

[0038] The base part 4 comprises a plurality of locking elements 7 which are connected via one side to the rest of the base part 4 and which are folded towards the inside in order to lock the handle after it has been introduced into the receiving space 2. The base part 4 also comprises two channels 8, each connecting the first sheet surface to the second sheet surface, through which screws or nails can be inserted in order to additionally secure the handle to the connection piece 1.

[0039] Figure 6 Another connecting member 1 shown with Figures 1 to 5 The most important difference between the illustrated connecting elements 1 is the production of the first and third sheet edges 3a, 3c. Figure 6 In the illustrated connection piece 1 , the first and third sheet edges 3a , 3c comprise corresponding recesses and protrusions which engage with each other so that during use of the connection piece 1 there is even less risk that the first and third sheet edges 3a , 3c move away from each other.

Claims

1. A connector (1) for connecting a handle to a working element, the connector (1) being formed by folding a base body formed by a metal sheet, the connector (1) comprising a handle support (10), the handle support comprising a receiving space (2), into which the handle can be introduced along a substantially first direction (A), the base body comprising a sheet portion for forming the handle support (10), the sheet portion comprising a first sheet surface, a second sheet surface opposite to the first sheet surface and one or more sheet edges (3a, 3b, 3c), characterized in that The sheet portion comprises one or more cuts extending through the two sheet surfaces and at a distance from the one or more sheet edges (3a, 3b, 3c), so that the one or more cuts divide the sheet portion into a base portion (4) and one or more reinforcing portions (5), the one or more reinforcing portions being folded relative to the base portion (4) in the connector (1) at two extreme folding edges of the reinforcing portion (5) extending opposite to each other, the two extreme folding edges extending substantially according to the first direction (A) and attached to the base portion (4), the base being folded so that at the base portion (4), the second sheet surface is at least partially oriented inwardly and forms an inner surface (6) mainly surrounding a space, and so that the one or more reinforcing portions (5) extend mainly against the inner surface (6), thereby locally reinforcing the base portion (4) and forming the accommodating space (2) together with the inner surface (6).

2. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The second sheet material surface is oriented mainly inwardly at the base portion (4) and forms the inner face (6), and the first sheet material surface is oriented mainly outwardly at the base portion (4) and mainly forms the outer contour of the handle support (10).

3. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sheet portion comprises at least one first sheet edge (3a), at least one second sheet edge (3b) and at least one third sheet edge (3c), wherein the first sheet edge (3a) and the third sheet edge (3c) extend substantially along the first direction (A), and the reinforcing portion (5) partially covers the first sheet edge (3a) and the third sheet edge (3c).

4. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The sheet portion includes a first sheet edge (3a) and a third sheet edge (3c), one of the first sheet edge and the third sheet edge includes one or more recesses, the other of the first sheet edge and the third sheet edge includes one or more protrusions corresponding to the one or more recesses, the first sheet edge and the third sheet edge are substantially positioned opposite to each other and therefore extend side by side with each other when viewed in the first direction (A) so that the one or more protrusions engage into the one or more recesses.

5. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sheet portion has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises, in sequence, a first sheet edge, a second sheet edge and a third sheet edge (3a, 3b, 3c), the first sheet edge and the third sheet edge (3a, 3c) extending substantially along the first direction (A), the second sheet edge (3b) extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (A), and the base is folded so that the base portion (4) extends along the outer shell of a column extending along the first direction (A), the first sheet edge and the third sheet edge (3a, 3c) being folded towards each other and facing each other.

6. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The one or more cutouts extend substantially perpendicularly to the first direction (A).

7. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The handle support (10) comprises two reinforcement portions (5) which extend at a distance from each other when viewed in the first direction (A).

8. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The base part (4) comprises one or more locking elements (7) which are connected to the rest of the base part (4) via one side and are folded towards the inside to lock the handle after it has been introduced into the receiving space (2).

9. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The connection comprises a working element support (9) which allows the connection of a working element and in that the base body forms a second sheet portion which is connected to the sheet portion to form the working element support (9).

10. The connecting piece (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The first sheet edge and the third sheet edge (3a, 3c) are placed against each other.

11. A method for manufacturing a connection (1) for connecting a handle to a working element, the connection (1) comprising a handle support (10), the handle support comprising a receiving space (2), the handle being able to be introduced into the receiving space substantially along a first direction (A), providing a base body formed by a metal sheet, the sheet comprising a sheet portion, the sheet portion comprising a first sheet surface, a second sheet surface opposite to the first sheet surface and one or more sheet edges (3a, 3b, 3c), characterized in that One or more cuts are made in the sheet portion so that they extend through the two sheet surfaces and are at a certain distance from the one or more sheet edges (3a, 3b, 3c), and divide the sheet portion into a base portion (4) and one or more reinforcing portions (5), the one or more reinforcing portions being capable of being folded relative to the base portion (4) at two extreme folding edges of the reinforcing portion (5) extending opposite to each other, the two extreme folding edges extending substantially according to a first direction (A) and attached to the base portion (4), and in that the base is folded so that at the base portion (4), the second sheet surface is at least partially oriented inwardly and forms an inner surface (6), the inner surface mainly surrounding a space extending along the first direction (A), and the one or more reinforcing portions (5) are folded to abut against the inner surface (6), so that the one or more reinforcing portions (5) locally reinforce the base portion (4) and form the accommodating space (2) together with the inner surface (6).

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