DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING APPLIANCES OF EVERYDAY USE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for manufacturing the device for supporting and facilitating the use of everyday devices, in particular to a device that is attached to handles, tubes, or the like of everyday devices. A support element / pivoting element is unfolded to temporarily hold a support for the handle or tube of a device in a predetermined upright position. The device can be adjusted according to the specific needs of the user.

[0002] Such devices are known in the prior art from document DE195 40 862 C2. This document discloses a hinged holding device for the suction tube of vacuum cleaners and for household or garden tools that have a tube or handle. This hinged holding device essentially comprises a clamp to which two hinged arms are hinged. Their longitudinal axis forms an adjustable angle with the longitudinal axis of the handle of the device to which the clamp is attached, in order to hold the handle or tube in a certain inclined position.

[0003] In another published patent application DE 32 42 429 A1, a holding arrangement for a vacuum cleaner rod is also disclosed, in which two support rods are movably fastened by means of a clamp, wherein the angle of the spread of the support rods can be adjusted by means of a guide rail.

[0004] A disadvantage of this device is that the fastening means or the clamp with which the two pivoting support feet are attached to the handle or tube of the vacuum cleaner develop excessive mechanical stress at certain points, so that the surface of the object to be attached can easily be damaged. A further disadvantage is that the overall design of the device is technically relatively complex and thus also costly to manufacture. A device according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed, for example, in US-B-9302386.

[0005] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0006] This problem is solved by the characterising features of the main claims.

[0007] Based on the prior art set out above, the device according to the invention for supporting handles, tubes or the like for devices in everyday use, for example for brooms, vacuum cleaner tubes, shovels or the like, is characterized in that a one-piece support element / pivot element is movably arranged on a base element, wherein the one-piece pivot element has means which are suitable for imparting self-retaining stability to the device, such as a foot element which enlarges the contact surface of the support element.

[0008] An advantage is seen in the fact that the basic element is elongated and has at least one groove-like cross-sectional shape, for example round, curved, triangular or trapezoidal.

[0009] A further advantage is seen in the fact that at least one means, for example a joint, is arranged on the base element, which serves to movably link the support element to the base element.

[0010] Furthermore, it is advantageous that at least one bend is arranged along the longitudinal axis of the support element in the upper end region of the support element, which defines or limits the pivoting range of the support element. For this purpose, it is advantageous that a limiting element is arranged in the end region of the support element, which limits or defines the pivoting range of the support element.

[0011] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the at least one bend on the support element encloses a predetermined angle α to the center line of the elongate support element.

[0012] It is also advantageous that the support element is movably fastened to the base element by means of a hinge-like fastening element, wherein the hinge-like fastening element is arranged in the region of a bend in the support element.

[0013] A further advantage is seen in the fact that the one-piece support element is made of a relatively rigid material, for example steel, aluminum, plastic or wood.

[0014] A further advantage is seen in the fact that one end of the support element is enlarged in order to increase the stability during use of the mounted device.

[0015] Furthermore, it is advantageous that a holding element, for example a magnet or a locking element or the like, is arranged on the base element and / or on the support element in order to hold the support element easily detachably on the base element.

[0016] It is further considered advantageous that at least one fastening and / or protective element is arranged in the groove-like cross-sectional shape of the base element, which is designed, for example, as a hook-and-loop fastener or as a foam part or as an adhesive tape.

[0017] It is also advantageous that the base element is fastened to handles, pipes or the like of the devices to be supported in the household, yard and garden by means of an easily detachable fastening element, wherein the fastening element can be designed, for example, as a clamp or reusable plastic band.

[0018] The inventive method for producing a device for supporting poles, rods, pipes, or the like for equipment in private or commercial applications, for example, in the home, in the yard, in the workshop, on the street, or on construction sites, is characterized in that a one-piece support element / pivoting element is movably mounted on a shaped base element with at least one groove-shaped recess. It is advantageous for the pivoting range of the support element to be limited by suitable means, for example, with a bent limiting element arranged at one end of the support element.

[0019] It is also advantageous that at least the base element and / or the support element is manufactured by means of laser technology, for example by cutting out the support element and / or the base element from a flat sheet, wherein in a first process step the relevant element is cut out of the flat sheet and then the single part is subjected to deformation, wherein the deformation can be cold or hot forming.

[0020] Further advantageous properties and features of the invention can be found in the subclaims and the description.

[0021] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of the device (1) with a base element (2) and a support element / pivot element (3) that is movably arranged on the base element (2); Fig. 2 a schematic front view of the device (1) rotated by 90° compared to the side view of Figure 1 was swung; Fig. 3 a schematic side view of an embodiment of the device (1) according to the invention, in which a support element / pivot element (3) is movably attached to the base element (2) by means of an articulated means (6), for example a joint; Fig. 4 a schematic 90° from the side view Figure 3 pivoted front view of the device (1); Fig. 5 a schematic plan view of the device (1); Fig. 6 a schematic enlarged view of the upper part of the device (1) from Figure 3;

[0022] The Fig. 1shows a schematic side view of the device 1, which essentially illustrates the principle of the device according to the invention and shows the device 1 once in the folded state and once in the unfolded state, which is symbolized by the dashed lines. The device essentially consists of the base element 2, to which a support element 3 is arranged. The device 1 serves to support a handle or tube (not shown here) of a work tool in the home, yard, garden for private or commercial use during a work break and to hold it briefly in a predetermined position. The device 1 thus consists of two parts, the base element 2 and the support element 3. The base element 2 is a rod-like part which is shaped in its cross-sectional shape, whereby the cross-sectional shape can take on different shapes depending on the intended use, which depends on the respective application.The cross-section can be either curved, round, triangular, or polygonal. Due to the shape of the cross-section, the rod-like base element 2 has a longitudinal groove, which is described in more detail below.

[0023] A support element 3 is arranged on the base element 2, which in this illustration has a bend 4 in the upper part, so that the upper leg 5 of the support element 3 encloses a defined fixed angle α with the longitudinal axis of the support element 3 and thus defines a pivoting range of the support element 3. In the region of the bend 4 of the support element 3, a fastening element 6 is arranged, which movably fastens the base element 2 to the support element 3. The dashed lines 3', 5' symbolize the support element 3 in the unfolded state, i.e. in other words the position that the support element 3 assumes when the handle or the tube of the respective work tool in question is supported during a short work break.When the device 1 is folded, the lower leg of the support element 3 shown in this illustration lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base element 2 and is quickly and easily releasably secured in this position by means of a suitable retaining element 7. Due to the rigid bend 4 by the angle α, the lower leg 3' also assumes the angle α to the longitudinal axis of the base element 2 when the leg 5, i.e. the limiting element, lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base element 2.

[0024] The Figure 2 shows a schematic front view of the device 1, which is rotated 90° clockwise compared to the side view in Figure 1is pivoted. In this illustration, it can be seen that the total length of the support element 3 is slightly greater than the total length of the base element 2, of which only the upper edge is shown in this illustration. The movable fastening element 6 is arranged in the area of ​​the bend 4 of the support element 3, which in its simplest embodiment can be a rotary hinge. The embodiment of the foot 9 of the support element 3, which can take on various embodiments, is described in more detail below.

[0025] The Figure 3shows a schematic side view of a conceivable embodiment of the device 1, in which a support element 3 is arranged on the base element 2 in an articulated manner with a suitable fastening means 6, wherein the suitable fastening element 6 can be a joint, for example. As already mentioned above, the base element 2 has a groove-like shape in cross-section, which extends over the entire length of the base element 2. The cross-sectional shape can take on various shapes, such as round or polygonal, wherein the purpose of this groove-like shape is seen in the fact that the base element 2 can adapt to the outer shape of the object to be supported, for example a stem or a pipe, in order to offer the device 1 the greatest possible hold.At the upper and lower ends of the base element 2, a projection 10 can be seen which serves to give a fastening clamp (not shown here) a certain hold in order to secure the seat of the clamp or the fastening means. In the upper area in this illustration of the base element 2, the support element 3 is pivotally connected to the base element 2 by a joint 6. This allows the support element 3 to be pivoted within the angle α in the direction of arrow A. The upper leg 5 of the support element 3 serves as a means for limiting the pivoting range of the support element 3. The pivoting range thus lies within the angle α, which is to be set between 0° and 70°, preferably 45°. In principle, another limiting means for the pivoting range is also conceivable, for example a flexible element between the base element 2 and the support element 3, which has a certain length that defines the angle α.The support element 3 further has a further bend 4' in the lower area, from which the foot 9 of the support element 3 is formed and delimits the area of ​​the foot 9 of the support element 3 from the area of ​​the support element above. The angle at which the foot 9, or its formation 11 of the support element 3, is bent, is smaller than the angle α at which the limiting element 5 is angled. In this illustration, a releasable holding element 12, 12' is arranged at a suitable location, which holds the support element 3 in the folded state of the device 1. This holding element 12 can be a permanent magnet that attracts a ferromagnetic counterpart and holds it in an easily releasable manner, wherein the ferromagnetic counterpart can be part of the support element. The same function could also be fulfilled, for example, by a mechanical click lock in which a locking lug engages with a receiving element.

[0026] The Figure 4shows a schematic diagram, rotated 90° clockwise from the Figure 3Rotated front view of the device 1. This illustration shows that the support element 3 is designed as a ring-shaped, closed element 3, the lower part of which is widened in this illustration, thereby ensuring high stability of the device 1 when unfolded. The foot end in this exemplary embodiment is triangular, but this also means that the foot can take on any other shape, whereby it is important that the foot has at least two support points 13, 13' which rest on the floor during use. In the upper area of ​​this illustration, the support element 3 is curved, so that the support element 3 as a whole takes on a one-piece, ring-shaped, coherent shape, which is an advantageous design, particularly for the manufacturing process of the support element.Thus, the support element 3 can, for example, be made from a wire that only needs to be joined at one point. A comparably equivalent production of the support element 3 and also of the base element 2 is seen in that the two parts are cut out of a flat sheet using suitable laser technology, which in particular can significantly reduce the weight of the base element 2. As already mentioned, the projections 10 at the upper and lower ends of the base element 2 serve to secure a selected fastening element (not shown here) so that it does not slip over the edge of the base element 2. Just above the bend 4' of the foot element 11, at least one holding element 12, 12' is arranged to hold the support element 3 in a releasable rest position. In the upper region of the support element 3, near the bend 4, a fastening element 6, which is designed as a swivel joint, is arranged.

[0027] The Figure 5shows a schematic plan view of the device 1. The cross-section of the base element 2 in this embodiment is oval-like and curved, which roughly corresponds to the curve of a handle or tube of the device to be supported. This cross-section can of course also have other shapes, for example triangular or polygonal, so that the shape of the base element 2 is optimally adapted to the shape of the handle or tube to which the base element 2 is to be attached. Adhesive elements 14 can also serve this purpose; on the one hand, they treat the surface of the handle or tube (not shown here) gently and, on the other hand, can serve as a temporarily adhesive fastening means. The support element 3 is attached to the base element 2 with an articulated fastening means 6.It can also be seen from this illustration that the support element 3 in this embodiment is designed to be annularly closed, as already explained in more detail above.

[0028] The Figure 6 shows a schematic enlarged view of the upper area of ​​the device 1 from Figure 3, in particular the area of ​​a possible fastening element 6, with which the support element 3 is rotatably fastened to the base element 2. In the present exemplary embodiment, the movable element is designed as a rotary hinge, wherein a rotation axis 6' is enclosed by a ring element 15. The ring element 15 can have various embodiments, for example, in the simplest case, consist of a metal belt that surrounds the rotation axis 6' of the hinge. A further embodiment of the movable fastening element 6 can be seen in a flexible plastic part that is firmly connected to the base element 2 and the support element 3 in the area of ​​the support element's placement 4.

[0029] In summary, it can be stated that the present invention relates to a device 1 for supporting handles, poles, pipes or similar devices for use in private or commercial applications, for example, in the home, in the yard, in the workshop, on the street, or on a construction site. The device essentially consists of two easy-to-manufacture elements, namely a base element 2 and a support element 3, which are movably connected to one another. The device 1 is releasably or permanently attached to the handle or pipe to be supported by means of a suitable fastening means. When used to support the handle of a device, the support element 3 is pivoted out through a predetermined angle α so that the support element 3 rests with its base 9 on the ground at at least two points 13, 13'.

Claims

1. Device (1) for supporting poles, pipes or the like for household, yard and garden equipment, for example for brooms, rakes, shovels or the like, with a base element (2) to which a one-piece support element (3) is movably arranged, the one-piece support element (3) having means (11) which are suitable for giving the device (1) independent stability, characterized in that the base element (2) is arranged oblong and has at least one groove-like, triangular, trapezoidal or polygonal cross-sectional shape.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one means (6), for example a joint, is arranged on the base element (2), which serves for the movable articulation of the one-piece support element (3).

3. Device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one bend (4, 4') along the longitudinal axis of the support element (3), which is arranged in the end region of the support element (3).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one bend (4, 4') on the support element (3) encloses a predetermined angle α to the longitudinal axis of the pivot element (3).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (3) is movably attached to the base element (2) with a hinge-like fastening element (6), the hinge-like fastening element (6) being arranged in the region of a bend (4) of the support element (3).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one-piece support element (3) is made of a relatively rigid material, for example steel, aluminum, plastic or wood.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a limiting element (5) is arranged in the end region of the support element (3), which limits or defines the pivoting range of the support element (3).

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one end of the support element (3) is enlarged in order to increase the stability of the mounted device (1).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a holding element (), for example a magnet or a locking element or the like, is arranged on the base element (2) and / or on the support element (3) in order to hold the support element (3) easily detachably on the base element (2).

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one adhesive and / or protective element (14) is arranged in the groove-like cross-sectional shape of the base element (2), which is designed, for example, as a Velcro fastener or foam part or adhesive tape.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base element (2) is attached to handles, pipes or the like of the devices in the home, yard and garden using an easily detachable fastening means and is designed, for example, as a clamp or reusable plastic band.

12. Method for producing a device (1) for supporting poles, rods, pipes or the like for devices in private or commercial applications, for example in the house, in the yard, in the workshop or on the street or on construction sites, wherein in particular at least the support element (3) and / or the base element (2) is produced using laser technology, for example by cutting out the support element and / or the base element from a flat sheet, wherein in a first method step the one-piece element is cut out of the flat sheet and then the one-piece part is subjected to deformation, wherein the deformation can be cold or hot deformation.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the suitable means (5) are implemented, for example, with a bent limiting element (5) arranged at one end of the support element / pivoting element (3).