EP1778065B1 - Coupling for joining a vacuum cleaner hose to a tube - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling (10), particularly for joining a vacuum cleaner hose to a tube or to a handle. In order to create a coupling, which can be coupled in a simple manner and which ensures a secure holding when in the coupled detent connection, the invention provides that a detent lug (22) is attached in a fixed manner to the second tubular coupling element (14), and a flank section (20) of the groove flank (18), said flank section being matched to the size of the detent lug (22), is designed so that it can be displaced by an actuating element (28) between a detent position, in which the detent lug (22) is prevented from coming out of the detent groove (16), and a release position, in which the detent groove (16) is released for removing the detent lug (22) from the detent groove (16). In the inventive solution, the coupling elements (12, 14) can be coupled, in particular, in any or at least in a multitude of mutual positions of rotation. A release of the coupled detent connection is preferably only possible in a specified or only in small number of mutual positions of rotation of both coupling elements (12, 14).

Description

The invention relates to a coupling, in particular for connecting a vacuum cleaner hose with a pipe, according to the preamble of claim 1 and a vacuum cleaner with a coupling according to the invention.

Upright vacuum cleaner essentially consist of a housing for receiving in particular mechanical and electrical components, connected to the housing or connectable hose, a coupled via a handle with the hose tube, the handle can be part of the tube, and one can be coupled to the vacuum cleaner tube Jet. When operating the vacuum cleaner, the user generally holds the pipe by its associated handle, which allows it to guide the vacuum cleaner nozzle over the surface to be cleaned, and pulls the housing, most of which is mounted on rollers, behind itself. In order to improve the ease of use and the variability of the vacuum cleaner and to reduce the pack size of a vacuum cleaner to be delivered or stowed, various requirements have to be met by the vacuum cleaner. These also affect the coupling between the vacuum cleaner tube and the hose. With regard to this coupling, it is useful if it allows the greatest possible freedom of movement, d. H. if it preferably allows a rotation between the vacuum cleaner tube and the vacuum cleaner hose 360 ° and beyond. Furthermore, with regard to the coupling, it is desirable that it be able to be separated by the user of the vacuum cleaner, but the clutch should nevertheless be so secure that no unintentional disconnection can take place. Furthermore, the assembly of the coupling should be so simple that the vacuum cleaner can be delivered with decoupled coupling, d. H. it should be reasonable for the user of the vacuum cleaner to assemble the clutch after opening the package easily independently.

An example of such a coupling is in DE 92 14 310.5 U1 shown. The hose sleeve carries a locking cam which is initially deflected by the connecting part against its spring force during insertion of the hose sleeve into a connecting part and then spring-back into a circumferential groove of the connecting part can be latched. The Hose sleeve protrudes in the connected state of the coupling elements out of the connecting part, so that by squeezing the hose sleeve this is removable in any relative state of hose sleeve and connector part from this.

The invention has for its object to provide a coupling in particular for connecting a vacuum cleaner hose with a pipe or a handle available, which can be coupled in a simple manner and ensures a secure fit in the coupled locking connection. In particular, unintentional release of the latching connection should be prevented as far as possible.

This object is achieved with the features of the independent claim. According to the invention, the coupling elements can be coupled in particular in any or at least a plurality of mutual rotational positions. A release of the coupled latching connection is in particular only possible in a certain or only in a small number of mutual rotational positions of the two coupling elements.

Preferably, the coupling is formed with a first tubular coupling element having a latching groove and a second tubular coupling element having at least one latching lug which abuts a groove flank of the latching groove in a latching connection of the two coupling elements such that the coupling elements in the axial direction against loosening held and axially against each other are rotatable and the locking connection between locking groove and locking lug by means of an actuator is releasable, wherein the groove flank has a flank portion which is prevented by the actuating member between a detent position in which a moving out of the detent from the detent groove and a release position is movable in which the latching groove is released for moving out of the latching nose out of the latching groove.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

Preferably, the flank portions of the groove flank of the locking groove can be adapted in its size of the latching lug. In this case, the flank section should preferably be slight be formed wider than the catch. The height of the flank section should preferably be slightly higher than the height of the latching lug.

The at least one locking lug can be fixedly mounted on the second tubular coupling element for cost-effective production and assembly. If the components are made of plastic, then the at least one latching lug can preferably be molded onto the coupling element in a plastic injection molding process.

The invention builds in a variant on the generic coupling in that the first coupling element has a circumferential at least partially along a circumferential groove, wherein a the coupling element to be addressed when coupling boundary of the groove has at least one portion due to elastic properties of the first coupling element is inwardly movable, and that the second coupling element has at least one extending into the inner region of the second coupling element latching lug, which cooperates in the locked state of the coupling with the boundary of the groove and thus allows a proper decoupling of the coupling only when the portion of Limit of the groove is moved inwards and when the portion of the boundary of the groove completely overlaps the locking lug in the circumferential direction. In this way, a simple assembly of the coupling elements is made possible by the fact that the coupling elements are plugged together in any relative rotational position. In the assembled state, the two coupling elements are then freely rotatable against each other, namely by the locking lug runs in the groove. However, a release of the two coupling elements requires that a limit of the groove is moved in such a way that no more abutment takes place at the boundary of the groove by the latch, which further requires that the two coupling elements are brought into such a rotational position relative to each other in that the removable limit of the groove completely overlaps the catch nose in the circumferential direction.

Usefully, it is provided that the first coupling element is a vacuum cleaner hose sleeve. However, the coupling according to the invention can also be used in the context of other areas.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the second coupling element is a handle of a vacuum cleaner. Also in this regard again applies that the present invention can also be used in other areas. In particular, it should also be mentioned that the first coupling element can be arranged on the handle, while the second coupling element is a vacuum cleaner hose sleeve, d. H. the roles of vacuum cleaner hose sleeve and handle are exchanged. Furthermore, the handle may be a separate component or be a part of the vacuum cleaner tube.

It is particularly preferred that the groove runs around the entire circumference of the first coupling element. This allows a rotational movement of the coupling elements relative to each other by 360 ° and beyond.

The invention is further developed in a particularly advantageous manner that the mobility of the portion of the boundary of the groove extends through a U-shaped interruption of the first coupling element, wherein the legs of the U-shaped interruption extend in a substantially axial direction, so that a elastic tongue results. Such a U-shaped interruption can be realized in a simple manner, and it reliably meets the requirements for the elastic deformability for the purpose of releasing the operative connection between Nutbegrenzung and locking lug.

Furthermore, it is useful that in the locked state of the clutch access to an end portion of the tongue is possible, so that by pressing the end portion, an elastic deformation of the tongue can be effected inwardly and the portion of the boundary of the groove can be moved inward. The user must bring the coupling elements thus in the correct relative rotational position to each other and then cause an unlocking of the clutch by pressing the tongue.

In particular, it is useful that the first coupling element has two diametrically opposed movable sections and that the second coupling element has two diametrically opposite latching lugs. In this way, the decoupling of the coupling in two positions is possible, which provides sufficient security against unintentional decoupling. The diametrically opposite arrangement of the tongues is also particularly easy to handle, since the tongues can be pressed with two fingers in the opposite direction.

Furthermore, it is particularly useful that a seal is provided on an end area of the first coupling element facing the first coupling element during coupling. Thus, not only does the coupling satisfy the purpose of mechanically coupling the two parts to be joined, it also prevents leakage of contaminants from the area of the coupling received by the vacuum cleaner.

The invention further relates to a vacuum cleaner with a coupling according to the invention.

The invention is based on the finding that a secure connection between two coupling elements is realized by the provision of a section-wise deformability of a boundary of a groove provided for the purpose of latching, whereby unintentional release can be prevented with great probability.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of particularly preferred embodiments.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Kupplung im entkoppelten Zustand;

Figur 2

einen Schnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Kupplung im gekoppelten Zustand entlang einer ersten Ebene; und

Figur 3

einen Schnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Kupplung im gekoppelten Zustand entlang einer zweiten Ebene.

Showing:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a coupling according to the invention in the decoupled state;

FIG. 2

a section through a coupling according to the invention in the coupled state along a first plane; and

FIG. 3

a section through a coupling according to the invention in the coupled state along a second plane.

The FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a coupling according to the invention in the decoupled state. The coupling 10 consists of a first coupling element 12 and a second coupling element 14. Both coupling elements 12, 14 are formed substantially sleeve-shaped.

The first coupling element 12 serves as a hose sleeve for a vacuum cleaner hose. The coupling element 14 is a handle of a vacuum cleaner. The coupling element 12 has a stepped outer contour, wherein in particular a circumferential groove 16 is provided. This latching groove 16 is assigned a groove flank 18 in the direction which is to be turned to the second coupling element 14 when the coupling elements 12, 14 are coupled. This groove flank 18 has two opposite sections 20, which are elastically movable inwardly due to U-shaped interruptions 24 and resulting tongues 26. To induce this movement, the tongues 26 have actuators 28 which can be accessed in both the decoupled and coupled states of the clutch.

The second coupling element 14 has two opposite latching lugs 22, which are arranged in the region of interruptions 32 of the second coupling element 14. In the coupled state of the coupling 10, these locking lugs 22 engage in the locking groove 16, and the groove flank 18 of the locking groove 16 prevents inadvertent decoupling of the coupling. These relationships are based on the following Figures 2 and 3 explained in detail.

The FIG. 2 shows a section through a coupling according to the invention in the coupled state along a first plane. The representation is symmetrical with respect to a central axis 30. Only the contours in the sectional plane are shown, wherein the sectional plane extends radially relative to the first coupling element 12 radially through the tongues 26 and with respect to the second coupling element 14 radially through the locking lugs 22. The coupled state of the clutch 10 shown here is produced by inserting the first clutch element 12 into the second clutch element 14. If this is done in a relative rotational position of the coupling elements 12, 14, as in FIG. 2 is shown, it is possible for the locking lug 22, the tongue 26 to move inward, so that a slight engagement is possible. However, it is also possible to join the two coupling elements 12, 14 in a different relative rotational position. This is achieved by the inclined surfaces 34, 36 on the groove flank 18 of the latching groove 16 and on the latching lugs 22. The distribution of forces provided thereby and the available elastic properties of the coupling elements 12, 14 are sufficient to permit assembly of the coupling elements 12, 14 in any relative rotational position. A decoupling of the coupling elements 12, 14 is only possible if the Tongues 26 and thus the boundaries 18 or in sections 20 of the groove flank 18 are moved inward. Otherwise, a decoupling is prevented by the substantially radially extending abutting surfaces 38, 40 of the first coupling element 12 and the second coupling element 14. In particular, a decoupling is prevented under all circumstances, when the relative rotational position of the first coupling element 12 and the second coupling element 14 is selected so that the locking lugs 22 do not completely overlap the inwardly movable portions 20 of the groove flank 18 of the locking groove 16. Because in this case, other sections than the sections 20 of the groove flank 18 with the locking lugs 22 together. Since these other sections are not movable inward or inward enough, decoupling can not occur. At the end region of the first coupling element 12, a seal is further provided, which cooperates with an inner wall of the second coupling element 14. As a result, an inadvertent leakage of particles from the region of the coupling is prevented.

The FIG. 3 shows a section through a coupling according to the invention in the coupled state along a second plane. Again, only the profiles in the region of the cutting plane are again shown, wherein now the cutting plane is selected based on the first coupling element 12 so that the tongues 26 are not cut, ie for example perpendicular to the for FIG. 2 selected cutting plane. Relative to the second coupling element, the cutting plane is selected so that the locking lugs 22 are not cut, that is, for example, perpendicular to the for FIG. 2 selected cutting plane. It can be seen that in the field of for FIG. 3 selected cutting plane no meshing of the coupling elements 12, 14 takes place or that no element engages in the locking groove 16. The coupling connection is thus made available alone in the region of the latching lugs 22 of the second coupling element, this area in FIG. 3 can not be seen. There is a free rotation of the coupling elements 12, 14 against each other, since the locking lugs 22 can slide in the locking groove 16, both in the region of the inwardly movable portions 20 of the locking groove 16 and in the remaining areas.

The preparation of the coupling according to the invention is simple. In particular, due to the limitation of the mechanical coupling connection to the region of the latching lugs 22, no circumferential undercut in the second coupling element 14 is required.

Nevertheless, an undercut using a decay core can be added to the coupling element 14. This solution is more complex than the one in the FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrated embodiment. However, can be dispensed with the openings 32 in the second coupling element 14, which may be desirable for optical reasons.

The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential to the realization of the invention both individually and in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

clutch

12

first coupling element (vacuum hose sleeve)

14

second coupling element (handle of a vacuum cleaner)

16

Locking means, locking groove

18

Flank, groove flank

20

inwardly movable sections

22

Counter latch, latch

24

U-shaped breaks

26

tongues

28

actuator

30

central axis

32

interruptions

34

sloping surface

36

sloping surface

38, 40

abutting surface

Claims (12)

1. Coupling (10) with a first tubular coupling element (12), which has a detent means (16), and a second tubular coupling element (14), which has at least one counter-detent means (22), which bears against a flank (18) of the detent means (16) in a detent connection of the two coupling elements (12, 14) in such a manner that the coupling elements (12, 14) are held in axial direction against loosening, but are axially rotatable relative to one another, and the detent connection between detent means (16) and counter-detent means (22) is releasable by means of an actuating element (28), characterised in that the flank (18) has a flank section (20) which is movable by the actuating element (28) between a detent position in which movement of the counter-detent means (22) out of the detent means (16) is prevented and a release position in which the detent means (16) is released for movement of the counter-detent means (22) out of the detent means (16).
2. Coupling (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the counter-detent means (22) is constructed as a detent lug and the detent means (16) as a detent groove, which has a groove flank (18).
3. Coupling (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the flank section (20) of the groove flank (18) is matched in its size to the detent lug (22).
4. Coupling (10) according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the detent groove (16) is constructed to encircle around the entire circumference of the first coupling element (12).
5. Coupling (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the at least one detent lug (22) is fixedly mounted at the second tubular coupling element (14).
6. Coupling (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second coupling element (14) has two diametrically opposite detent lugs (22).
7. Coupling (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first coupling element (12) has two diametrically opposite flank sections (20).
8. Coupling (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one detent lug (22) is arranged at an inner side of a wall of the second tubular coupling element (14) and the detent lug (16) is arranged at an outer side of a wall of the first tubular coupling element (12).
9. Coupling (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first coupling element (12) is introducible at least partly into the second coupling element (14) and in the introduced state of the first coupling element (12) in the second coupling element (14) a releasable detent connection between the coupling elements can be produced and that the first coupling element (12) has at least one detent groove (16) running around at least partly along a circumference, wherein a groove flank (18), which is to face towards the second coupling element (14) during coupling, of the detent groove (16) has at least one section (20) which by virtue of the resilient characteristics of the first coupling element (12) is movable inwardly and that the second coupling element (14) has at least one detent lug (22), which extends in the inner region of the second coupling element and which in the detented state of the coupling co-operates with the boundary (18) of the detent groove (16) and thus permits corrected decoupling of the coupling only when the section (20) of the groove flank (18) of the detent groove (16) is moved inwardly and when the section (20) of the groove flank (18) of the detent groove (16) fully overlaps the detent lug (22) in circumferential direction.
10. Coupling (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that the movability of the section (20) of the boundary (18) of the detent groove (16) extends through a U-shaped interruption (24) of the first coupling element (12), wherein the limbs of the U-shaped interruption (24) extend substantially in axial direction so that a resilient tongue (26) results.
11. Coupling (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that access to an end region (28) of the tongue (26) is possible in the detented state of the coupling so that through pressing in of the actuating element (28) a resilient deformation of the tongue (26) in inward direction can be produced and the section (20) of the groove flank (18) of the detent groove (16) can be moved inwardly.
12. Vacuum cleaner with a coupling (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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