The invention relates to a handle for a cleaning device, comprising a handle base with at least two axially adjacent handle sections.
Handles for cleaning devices frequently include a handle base of solid plastic and are cylindrical in shape. The ability to cover a large surface area and easy handling of the cleaning device are particularly required in cleaning work in the professional sector. At the same time, particularly in the case of firmly adhering dirt, reliable force transmission to the cleaning device is necessary to achieve the necessary dislodging effect.
A handle for tools, particularly screwdrivers, is known from EP 0 208 942 A2. The handle is made from two materials of different hardness divided into handle areas, wherein one handle area made of a harder material is arranged between two handle areas made of a softer material.
The invention is based on the problem of improving the ergonomics of the handle.
This problem is solved by the characteristics of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments.
To solve the problem, the first handle section is convex in design, and the second handle section is concave in design; and the first handle section presents a higher coefficient of static friction than the second handle section.
The first handle section has a particularly ergonomic form due to its convex shape and is advantageously well suited to allow the hand to surround it. The first handle section presents a higher coefficient of static friction, ensuring a reliable force transmission, and the capability of applying a sufficiently strong force to the cleaning device in the case of firmly adhering dirt. The second handle section, as a result of the concave design, is a sliding section. The waist provided in the second handle section particularly ensures the sliding of the handle section through the depression between the index finger and thumb. To improve the sliding behavior, the second handle section presents a smaller coefficient of static friction than the first handle section. Because the convex handle section and the concave handle section are arranged adjacent to each other, they do not have to be enclosed by the hand during rapid handling operations.
The first handle section can present a larger diameter than the second handle section. Here, the diameter is here determined at the widest place of the convex shape and at the narrowest place of the concave shape. It is particularly advantageous and ergonomic here to design the curvatures of the two handle sections so that they result in continuous transitions between the handle sections.
The first handle section can present a greater surface roughness than the second handle section. Different surface roughnesses can be manufactured in a simple and cost advantageous manner. The handle section with rough design here presents a higher coefficient of static friction than the handle section with a smooth design. Here, the two handle sections can be made of the same material.
The first handle section can be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer and the second handle section from a thermoplastic. The second handle section here can be made from polypropylene. Polypropylene is cost-effective and is easily processed by the injection molding method. The thermoplastic elastomer used for the first handle section is also easily processed and presents a comfortable handle. The thermoplastic elastomer here presents a higher coefficient of static friction than polypropylene. It is advantageous here that the cleaning device can be leaned against a wall, and the high coefficient of static friction prevents the cleaning device from sliding.
The material of the first handle section can present a lower Shore hardness than the material of the second handle section. As a result, the first handle section presents a particularly convenient handle, which is gentle on the hands, as well as a high coefficient of static friction.
The free end of the handle can present a spherical segment-like third handle section, which is made of the same material as the second handle section. The third handle section is designed, like the second handle section, as a sliding element. The third handle section allows the cleaning device to slide against the inner surface of the hand, which makes it possible to rotate the cleaning device rapidly.
At least one additional handle base, which presents additional handle sections with convex and concave design, can be associated with the middle section on the handle. The additional handle sections present an additional ergonomic support area for cleaning personnel. As a result, the handle presents handle sections for both hands.
The additional handle sections can be made of the same material. As a result, the additional handle sections can be manufactured in a simple and cost effective way. In other embodiments, the additional handle sections can also present sections having different coefficients of static friction and can be made from different materials.
A color-coded ring can be associated with the handle. The color coding makes it possible to assign certain colors to certain properties of the cleaning device, for example, abrasiveness, absorption capacity, or effectiveness against certain types of dirt. The colors make it easy to distinguish the different cleaning devices. Using color coding, it is also possible to assign certain colors to certain cleaning tasks.
The ring can present an axially running slit, where the slit, on the side of the internal periphery, presents a positive-fit profile, which can be introduced into a handle base, whose shape presents a corresponding counter-profile. The ring is held here by a frictional connection to the handling element. The connection, while providing a solid hold, can be undone in a simple and nondestructive way, so that the rings can be simply exchanged.
Several embodiment examples of the handle according to the invention are explained in greater detail below with reference to the figures. In the drawing, the figures show schematically:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2005 013 084.4 | Mar 2005 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2006/001595 | 2/22/2006 | WO | 00 | 9/13/2007 |