Bucket with wringing device attached to the bucket

Abstract

The invention relates to a bucket (231) with a wringing device (201) that can be placed on the bucket (231), wherein a seat for receiving the wringing device is formed on the bucket (231). The bucket is characterized in that the seat for the wringing device is formed on two opposing side walls and within the bucket rim (241).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a wringing system with a bucket and a wringing device according to the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are various wringing attachments available on the market for the mop head of a flat mop. A characteristic of many wringing attachments is that they can be attached to a bucket. However, these often require complex installation, and the bucket itself isn't always sufficiently stable.

[0003] The Chinese utility model CN ​​200984163Y shows a container that can accommodate a cylindrical wringing device at its opening. The container has a handle for carrying the container. A device for receiving and attaching a mop is provided either on the container or on the wringing device to facilitate transport of the container and the mop. The wringing device is arranged on the two opposite wide sides and on one narrow side of the container. The container has a U-shaped indentation on each of the wide sides, extending from the bottom to the top edge.

[0004] US 5,333,353 A discloses a rollable container with a wringing device. The wringing device has a lever, the actuation of which performs the wringing process. The wringing device is arranged on the two wide sides of the container. Supports are provided for this purpose on the walls of the container. The supports are formed by recesses. The wringing device has two attachments on its lower edge, which are inserted into the recess when the wringing device is placed in the container. An abutment on the bottom surface of the recess, together with a corresponding counterpart on the wringing device, ensures that the wringing device is firmly held in the container.

[0005] EP 2 774 526 A2 shows another container with a wringing device. The container has a raised portion on the bottom, on which the wringing device is arranged. Both the raised portion and the wringing device are substantially cylindrical in shape. The wringing device has a support element that forms approximately half the circumference of the wringing device. The support element rests against the side wall of the container. It is possible for locking devices to be provided on the side wall for attaching the wringing device. TASK

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a bucket with a wringing device that are coordinated with each other and can be connected to each other in a few simple steps. Another goal is to propose a combination of bucket and wringing device that is lightweight yet very stable. A further goal is to propose a wringing system consisting of a bucket and wringing device that is stable, lightweight, and easy to use. DESCRIPTION

[0007] The invention relates to a wringing system comprising a bucket and a wringing device, wherein a seat for receiving the wringing device is formed on the bucket on two opposite side walls and within the bucket rim. The wringing device comprises a funnel with two opposite first walls forming the wide sides and two likewise opposite second walls forming the narrow sides.

[0008] The wringing system offers the advantage that the cloth of a mop can be pushed into the funnel of the wringing device and the bucket always ensures that the wringing device is held securely even when great force is applied during wringing.

[0009] The funnel of the wringing device preferably comprises a bottom, wherein the distance between the two first walls decreases from top to bottom, and passage openings are provided at least in the first walls.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the bucket has a carrying handle which is attached to two opposite side walls of the bucket.

[0011] Advantageously, U-shaped indentations narrowing from bottom to top are arranged on two opposite walls of the bucket.

[0012] The indentations on the upper edge preferably form inward-projecting ledges, which serve to accommodate the wringing device.

[0013] The shoulders preferably have recesses for engaging the locking elements of the wringing device.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the seat for the wringing device is arranged asymmetrically with respect to a central plane passing through the broad side, ie closer to one of the two narrow sides of the bucket.

[0015] A preferred embodiment of a bucket with a wringing device is described below, which is designed to accommodate the wringing device. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the subclaims.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention relates to a bucket with a wringing device that can be placed on the bucket, wherein a seat for receiving the wringing device is formed on the bucket. This has the advantage that the wringing device is permanently attached to the bucket. The seat for the wringing device is formed on two opposite side walls and within the bucket rim. This has the advantage that the wringing device does not protrude laterally beyond the bucket rim.

[0017] The seat for the wringer is formed by two inward-projecting ledges located on two opposite side walls of the bucket. This design has the advantage that the bucket can be thin-walled and lightweight, yet still be able to absorb high forces.

[0018] The inwardly projecting shoulders are created by U-shaped indentations on the two opposite sides of the bucket. These indentations provide significant stiffening for the bucket.

[0019] U-shaped indentations extend from the bottom to below the bucket rim. This allows the bucket to be approximately the same height as conventional buckets. The U-shaped indentations advantageously taper from bottom to top. This facilitates demolding of the bucket and also provides additional strength.

[0020] The seat for the wringer can be positioned asymmetrically with respect to a center plane running through the wide side, i.e., closer to one of the two narrow sides of the bucket. This has the advantage of providing more space on one side of the wringer to immerse the mop with the attached wiping cloth into the bucket.

[0021] Advantageously, locking means are provided between the seat for the wringing device and the wringing device itself to releasably connect the wringing device to the bucket. The locking means can be formed by recesses provided in the seat.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1A mop with a support part for attaching a mop cloth and a handle; Fig. 2A mop system consisting of a bucket with attached wringing device and a mop with the wings of the support part folded down; Fig. 3A mop cloth with two tabs for attachment to a support part of a mop; Fig. 4A perspective top view of a support part with closed holding device; Fig. 5The support part of Fig. 4 with the holding device open; Fig. 6A perspective view of the underside of the support part with the holding device closed; Fig. 7An exploded view of the support part with locking device for securing the support wings to a central part and the holding device; Fig. 8The locking device of Fig. 7on an enlarged scale; Fig. 9 A longitudinal section through the locking device in the closed position; Fig. 10 A longitudinal section through the locking device in the open position; Fig. 11 A perspective view of the holding device consisting of a built-in part and a sliding part and the intermediate piece of a support part wing, viewed obliquely from above; Fig. 12 A perspective bottom view of the intermediate piece and the holding device in the open position; Fig. 13 A bottom view (a), side view (b) and (c), front view (d), rear view (e) and top view (f) of the sliding part, the holding device; Fig. 14 A bottom view (a), side view (b) and (d), top view (c) and rear view (e) of the sliding part; Fig. 15 A bucket and a wringing device according to the invention; Fig. 16 How Fig. 15, but with the wringing device raised; Fig. 17, 18Side views of the bucket with the wringing device; Fig. 19A top view of the bucket with the wringing device; Fig. 20A section through the bucket with the wringing device raised; and Fig. 21A section through the bucket with the wringing device in the working position.

[0023] The figures show a floor wiping system 9 comprising a wiping device 11 and a bucket 13 with a wringing device 15. The floor wiping system 9 has various innovations compared to known systems, which on the one hand relate to the floor wiping system 9 as a whole and on the other hand to the wiping device 11 and the wringing device 15 as well as the bucket for receiving the wringing device 15.

[0024] The wiping device 11 comprises a plate-like support part 19 for a wiping textile and a handle 23, which is articulated to the central part 25 of the support part 19 in a known manner via a double joint to ensure mobility in all directions. Two support part wings 27 are articulated to the central part 25 and can be pivoted about a pivot axis 29. In the working position, the support part wings 27, hereinafter referred to simply as wings, rest on the central part 25, thus being located in a common plane, and in the release position, they hang in a vertical position on the central part 25 ( Fig. 2 ).

[0025] A locking device 31 ensures that the wings 27 can be releasably locked to the central part 25 ( Fig. 7 to 10). The locking device 31 can be configured identically or similarly to that disclosed in EP-A-1 352 604. The content of EP-A-1 352 604 is therefore hereby incorporated by reference into the present patent application.

[0026] The locking device 31 comprises an actuating member 33, which is received in a through-opening 35 provided in the central part 25. At the upper end of the actuating member 33, which protrudes from the central part 25, there is an actuating head 36, which can be actuated by a user of the mop with their foot. The actuating member 33 and the actuating head 36 are connected to one another by a screw 38 ( Figs. 9 and 10). At the lower end of the actuating member 33, a first guide surface 37 is provided on one side, which can interact with a second guide surface 39 of a displaceable latch 41. The latch 41 is displaceably mounted in the central part 25 and is preloaded into a locking position by a spring 43 supported on a side wall 44. Latching hooks 45 with undercuts 47 are provided on the wings 27, which can hook into a recess 49 of the latch 41 in the locking position. In the embodiment shown, the first and second guide surfaces 37, 39 are designed as inclined surfaces or ramps, which convert the vertical movement of the actuating member 33 into a horizontal movement of the latch 41.If a user stands with his foot on the actuating head 35, the actuating member 33 moves downwards and displaces the bolt 41 from left to right via the interacting first and second guide surfaces 37, 39 (Fig. Figs. 9 and 10 ). In the lower extreme position, the actuating member 33 is secured by another locking hook 50 engaging a projection 51 of the wing. Here, too, the locking hook 50 slides over an inclined surface 52 until it can engage the projection 51. In this position, the locking hooks 45 are exposed, and the wings 27 can move from their coplanar position when the central part 25 is raised. Once the central part 25 is raised far enough, the wings 27 hang in a vertical position on the central part 25 due to gravity.

[0027] In the embodiment shown, the wings 27 essentially comprise three parts, namely a connecting part 55, an intermediate part 57 and an end part 59 ( Fig. 11). The connecting part 55, the intermediate part 57 and the end part 59 are designed so that they can be plugged together and then fixed together by means of a fastening means.

[0028] The intermediate piece 57 consists of a plate 61 which, on the opposite longitudinal sides, merges into a U-shaped channel 63, the laterally outwardly directed, rounded base 65 of which forms an outer side wall 67 ( Fig. 8 ). The channel 63 is closed inwardly by a longitudinally extending, straight wall 69, which is perpendicular to the plate 61. Furthermore, the lower leg 71 of the U-shaped channel 63 projects beyond the wall 69 by a short distance, so that an undercut 74 is formed by the inwardly projecting web 73. This creates a guide contour 75 between the plate 61 and the web 73, into which the correspondingly shaped longitudinal sides of the connecting part 55 and the end part 59 can be inserted.

[0029] At the proximal rear end 75 of the plate 61, a U-shaped recess 79 is provided between the channels 63. The central part 25 is partially received in this recess 79 when the wings 27 are aligned.

[0030] The connecting part 55 comprises a rectangular base plate 81, which has a connecting block 85 on each side in the rear area 83. In this connecting block 85, a bore 84 extending in the transverse direction of the wing 27 is provided, which serves to receive an axle pin 86 ( Fig. 8 ). In the finished state, the axle pin 86 extends through the holes 84 of the two connection blocks 85 and corresponding axle pin receptacles 88 in the side walls 90 of the middle section 25.

[0031] In the front area 87, the base plate 81 has a circumferential wall 89 projecting upwards at a right angle. This wall is designed on the long sides so that its outer contour 92 fits into the guide contour 75. Between the lateral connection blocks 85, the above-mentioned locking hooks 45 are arranged next to one another on the base plate 81, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 91 of the wing 27. In the center between the locking hooks 45 there is a recess 91 in which the projection 49 with the inclined surface 52 is arranged, which can interact with the locking hook 45.

[0032] The connection blocks 85 each have a tapered fastening pin 95 on the front end face 93, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the support part and at a short distance from the front area 87 of the base plate 81. The fastening pin 95 is designed such that it can be inserted into the channel 63 with little play. Through a hole 97 in the channel 63, the fastening section can be fixed to the intermediate piece 57 with a screw 99 ( Fig. 6 ).

[0033] The outer contour of the connection blocks 85 corresponds to that of the U-shaped channel 63. This creates a flush transition between the plate 61 and the connection blocks 85 when the connection part 55 is inserted, which contributes to an attractive visual appearance. When the connection part 55 is arranged on the intermediate piece 57, the underside of the base plate is essentially flush with the leg 71 of the U-shaped channel.

[0034] The end part 59 is designed in two parts in the embodiment shown and comprises an installation part 101 and a sliding part 103, which is slidably received in the installation part 101 ( Fig. 7 and 11 and 13 ). The built-in part 101 has an end wall 105 in the width of the intermediate piece 57, to which, analogous to the connecting part 55, a fastening pin 107 is formed on each side, oriented towards the intermediate piece 57 ( Fig. 13 ). The outer contour of the fastening pins 107 is designed to match the inner contour of the channels 63, so that the fastening pins 107 can be accommodated in the channels 63 with as little play as possible. The fastening pins 107, like the fastening pins of the connecting part, can be screwed to the intermediate piece 57 by means of a screw 99 each through a hole 97 provided in the channel 63 ( Fig. 6 ).

[0035] Between the fastening pins 105 and at a distance from the central longitudinal axis, two locking elements 109 are provided on the end wall 105 on the intermediate piece side. The locking elements 109 extend in the longitudinal direction and each have a widened head 111, which defines a first and a second locking position with first and second undercuts 113, 115 of the sliding part 103 ( Figs. 13 and 14 ).

[0036] The sliding part 103 comprises an end piece 104, the width of the intermediate piece 57, and a rectangular base plate 117 formed thereon, which can be received in the intermediate piece 57. The base plate 117 has an upwardly projecting circumferential wall 119. The side walls 123 of the circumferential wall 119 have an outer contour 121 that mates positively with the guide contour 75 of the intermediate piece. The sliding part 103 is guided longitudinally in the guide contour 75 of the intermediate piece. A locking structure 125 with the above-mentioned undercuts 113, 115 extends parallel to and at a distance from the side walls 123 of the wall 119.The undercuts 113, 115 are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and, in cooperation with the heads 111, define a first locking position in which the sliding part 103 rests against the built-in part 101, and a second locking position in which the end piece 104 is spaced apart from the end wall 105 of the built-in part 101, so that a tab of a wiping textile can be guided through the intermediate space 125 then present between the built-in part 101 and the sliding part (. Fig. 12 ).

[0037] The built-in part 101 and the sliding part 103 are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, a U-shaped recess 127 is provided in the end wall 105 of the built-in part 101 at a distance from the side walls 123, into which the side walls can be accommodated with minimal play. If the built-in part 101 is firmly connected to the intermediate piece 57, the sliding part 103 can be moved between the two locking positions, but cannot be removed individually.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, a slot 129 for receiving a tab of a wiping textile is provided between the built-in part 101 and the sliding part 103 when the sliding part 103 rests against the built-in part 101, i.e., is in the first locking position. For this purpose, a U-shaped recess 131, the width of a tab, is provided on the side of the end piece 104 facing the intermediate piece 57. This recess 131 increases from top to bottom and defines a first inclined surface 133.

[0039] Opposite the first inclined surface 133, a wedge 135 with a second inclined surface 137 is formed on the mounting part 101, which corresponds to the first inclined surface 133 in such a way that in the longitudinal section an inwardly inclined slot 129 is formed ( Fig. 6 ).

[0040] In order to enable the sliding part 103 to be easily grasped by a user and moved from the first locking position to the second locking position and vice versa, a grip recess 139 is provided on the sliding part.

[0041] In order to prevent the sliding part 103 from accidentally coming loose from the first locking position when wringing out under the gravity of a wiping textile 17 saturated with water, a locking device is provided with which the sliding part 103 can be fixed in the first locking position ( Fig. 11). For this purpose, a round hole 143 with two opposing semicircular recesses 145 is provided in the intermediate piece 57. The round hole 143 with the two semicircular recesses 145 serves to accommodate a cylindrical locking pin 147. The locking pin 147 has a head 149 with a bar-shaped handle part 151. Two semicircular bulges 153 are provided opposite one another on the locking pin 147. The semicircular bulges 153 extend from the end of the locking pin in its longitudinal direction and end at a distance from the head 149 which corresponds to the thickness of the plate 61. This allows the locking pin 147 to be rotated when fully inserted into the round hole 143. If the semicircular bulges 153 are arranged transversely to the wings 27, they rest against the locking members 109 or spread them apart, thus preventing the locking members 109 from being able to free themselves from the first locking position.To secure the locking pin 147 in the position once it has been assumed, recesses 155 are provided on the locking members 109. Furthermore, a projection 157 with a transversely extending, elastically flexible arm 159 is formed on the end wall 105 of the built-in part 101 in the center between the locking members 109. A semicircular recess 161 is provided on the arm 159, in which the locking pin 147 can engage in the open position, ie, when the bulges 153 are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the wings 27.

[0042] A wiping textile 17 can be attached to the wiping device by means of two tabs 163 ( Fig. 3). The tabs 163 are sewn transversely on the upper side and at a distance from the front ends to the wiping textile 17. The free end of each tab 163 has a thickened portion 165, which ensures that a tab 163, once received in the slot 129, is securely fastened. The thickened portion is advantageously created by folding the tab two or three times and then sewing it.

[0043] A wringing device 201 is provided for wringing out the wiping textile. The wringing device comprises a funnel 203 with through-openings 205 for washing water and an insertion shaft 207 adjoining the top of the funnel 203, which consists of an insertion section 209 and an outer cylindrical collar 211, which is connected to the collar 211 via the upper edge 213.

[0044] Funnel 203 and insertion section 209 are formed by two converging first walls 215 and two second walls 217 connecting the first walls 215. The first walls 215 form the wide sides, and the second walls 217 form the narrow sides of the wringing device 201.

[0045] In the actual funnel 203, which makes up approximately one third of the height of the entire wringing device, the passage openings 205 are provided in the form of vertical slots through which squeezed-out dirty water can flow into a bucket below.

[0046] To prevent the folded wings 27 of the mop 11 from tilting in a first direction perpendicular to the walls 215 forming the broad sides, two spaced-apart guide ribs 221 are provided on the inner sides of the walls 215. These guide ribs 221 extend from the funnel 203 into the insertion shaft 207 and define a wide opening angle in an upper section 210 to facilitate the insertion of a wiping textile into the wringing funnel 203. The distance between the guide ribs 221 is smaller than the width of the wings 27. The wings 27 are thus held in a substantially vertical position between the opposing guide ribs 221 when inserted into the insertion section 209.

[0047] To prevent the wiping device from tilting in a second direction, which is orthogonal to the first direction, two U-shaped recesses 225 extending downwards from the upper edge 213 are provided in the opposing walls 215 of the insertion section 209 and the outer collar 211. The recesses 225 are a certain amount wider than the central part 25 of the support part 19, so that the latter can be easily inserted into the recesses 225. The recesses 225 serve to accommodate the central part 25 of the wiping device 11 when wringing out a wiping textile and prevent the wiping device 11 from tilting in the second direction ( Fig. 2 ).

[0048] The wringing device 201 can be placed on a bucket 231. The bucket 231 for receiving the wringing device 201 described above is rectangular in plan and consists of a base 233 and four side walls 235, 237, with two opposite side walls each being identical and therefore designated by the same reference numeral. The side walls 235 forming the broad sides each have U-shaped indentations 239, preferably symmetrical to a central plane, which extend from the base 233 to below the rim 241 of the bucket 231. The indentations 239 narrow from bottom to top and form inwardly projecting shoulders 243 at the upper end, which serve to accommodate the wringing device.

[0049] According to the preferred embodiment shown, the opposing base walls 245 of the indentations 239 merge into the bucket rim 241 in an S-shape, forming U-shaped depressions 246 extending in the longitudinal direction of the bucket. An elongated recess 247 is provided in the center of each recess. These recesses 247 each serve to receive locking lugs 249 provided on opposite sides of the collar 211. When the wringing device 201 is placed on the bucket 231, the locking lugs 249 can engage with the undercuts 244 in the recesses 245a, 245b ( Fig. 21 ).

[0050] A special feature of the described wringing device is its one-piece construction. It can be manufactured cost-effectively as an injection-molded part from a thermoplastic material, such as PE or PP. Legend:

[0051] 9Floor mopping system 11Mop device 13Bucket 15Wringing device 17Mop cloth 19Support part 23Handle 25Middle part 27(Support part) wing 29Pivot axis 31Locking device 33Actuator 35Through opening 36Actuator head 37First guide surface 39Second guide surface 41Latch 43Spring 44Side wall of the middle part 45Locking hook 47Undercuts 49Protrusion 50Locking hook 51Protrusion of the wing 52Inclined surface 55Connecting part 57Intermediate piece 59End part 61Plate 63U-shaped channel 65Base of the U-shaped channel 67Side wall of the U-shaped channel 69Straight wall of the U-shaped channel 71Lower Leg of the U-shaped channel 73Protrusion 74Undercut 75Guide contour 77Proximal end of plate 61 79U-shaped recess 81Rectangular base plate 83Rear area of ​​the base plate 84Hole 85Connection block 86Axle pin 87Front area 88Axle pin receptacles 89Wall 90Side walls of the middle section "Pipetboy II" 91Recess 92Outer contour of the wall 89 93Front side 95Fastening pin97Hole 99Screw 101Installation part 103Sliding part 104End piece 105End wall 107Fastening pin 109Locking elements 111Head 113First undercut 115Second undercut 117Base plate of the sliding part 119Wall 121Outer contour 123Side walls of the wall 119 125Gap 127U-shaped recess 129Slot 131U-shaped recess on the end piece 133First inclined surface 135Wedge 137Second inclined surface 139Recessed grip 141Locking device 143Round hole 145Semicircular recesses 147Locking pin 149Head 151Handle 153Semicircular bulges 155Recesses 157Protrusion on the end wall 159Arm 161Semicircular recess 163Tabs 165Thickening 201Wringing device 203Funnel 205Through openings 207Inlet shaft 209Inlet section 210Upper section of the guide ribs (wide opening angle) 211Collar 213Upper edge of the insert shaft 215First walls 217Second walls 219Slots 221Guide ribs 222Reinforcing ribs 223Bucket bottom 225U-shaped recesses 231Bucket233Bottom 235Wide side walls 237Narrow side walls 239U-shaped recesses 241Bucket rim 243Inner protruding ledges 244Undercuts 245Base walls 246U-shaped depressions 247Recess 249Locking lugs

Claims

1. A wringing system with a wringing device and a bucket (231), wherein a seat is formed on the bucket (231) for receiving the wringing device at two side walls lying opposite one another and within the edge (241) of the bucket, characterised in that the wringing device comprises a funnel with two first walls forming the wide sides lying opposite one another and two second walls forming the narrow sides also lying opposite one another.

2. The wringing system according to claim 1, characterised in that the funnel of the wringing device comprises a bottom, wherein the distance of the two first walls diminishes from top to bottom, and through-openings (205) are provided at least in the first walls.

3. The wringing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the bucket (231) comprises a handle, which is attached at to two opposite side walls of the bucket.

4. The wringing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that U-shaped recesses (243) narrowing from the bottom up are arranged at two opposite walls of the bucket.

5. The wringing system according to claim 4, characterised in that the recesses (243) form ledges projecting inwards at the upper edge, which serve to receive the wringing device.

6. The wringing system according to claim 5, characterised in that cutouts are introduced in the ledges in order to snap in snap-in elements of the wringing device.

7. The wringing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the seat for the wringing device (201) is arranged asymmetrically with respect to a central plane running through the wide side (235), i.e. closer to one of the two narrow sides (237) of the bucket (225).

8. The wringing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the seat on the bucket (231) for the wringing device is formed by two inwardly projecting ledges (243), which are provided at two opposite side walls of the bucket (231), and the inwardly projecting ledges (243) are brought about by the provision of U-shaped recesses (243) on the two mutually opposite wide sides (235) of the bucket (225).

9. The wringing system according to claim 8, characterised in that the U-shaped recesses (243) on the bucket (231) narrow in width from the bottom up.

10. The wringing system according to claim 9, characterised in that the U-shaped recesses (243) on the bucket (231) extend from the bottom (233) up to beneath the edge (241) of the bucket.

11. The wringing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the seat for the wringing device (201) is arranged on the bucket (231) asymmetrically with respect to a central plane running through the wide side (235), i.e. closer to one of the two narrow sides (237) of the bucket (225).

12. The wringing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that snap-in means (247, 249) are provided on the bucket (231) between the seat for the wringing device and the wringing device.

13. The wringing system according to claim 12, characterised in that the snap-in means are formed on the bucket by cutouts (247).

14. The wringing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the bucket (231) is rectangular in plan view, wherein the U-shaped recesses (243) extending from the bottom up are provided on the wide sides (235).

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