FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a coupling arrangement.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a coupling arrangement for use with cleaning devices such as brooms and mops.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

Cleaning devices, such as brooms and mops, all basically include a cleaning member or head supporting bristles and having a stick or rod or other handle to operate the cleaning device by wiping or brushing a floor or other surface. Unfortunately, due to the way persons use these cleaning devices and the way how the stick rod or handle is connected or coupled to the head, they often break or damage connection of the stick, rod or handle to the cleaning head.

Cleaning devices, such as brooms and mops, and other devices incorporating two interlocated tubular members, are often connected by locating one within the other and then locking them in position by means of a coupling device. The current known devices for coupling the tubular members in position generally consist of plastics material, which unfortunately easily breaks and dislodges over time.

Cleaning devices, such as brooms and mops, and other devices incorporating two inter-located tubular members are often connected by locating one within the other and then locking them in position by means of a coupling arrangement. Such a locking device generally passes through holes of inter-located tubes and are subject to wear resulting in loosening.

It is an object of the invention to suggest a coupling arrangement, which will assist in overcoming these problems. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the invention, a coupling arrangement, includes (a) a first tubular member adapted to be connected to a cleaning head and which protrudes the cleaning head; and

(b) a second tubular member adapted to be fitted onto the first tubular member and being removably coupled thereto, the second tubular member being adapted to fixedly support an elongated member, such as a handle.

The first tubular member may be locatable within a hole or recess in the cleaning head.

The first tubular member is adapted to be fixed in position to the cleaning head by means of a pin, adhesive or a tight fit.

The pin may be made of steel, or other strong material. The second tubular member may be adapted to receive an elongated member, such as a handle.

The elongated member may be a broom stick or handle.

The elongated member may be made of aluminium, metal, wood and/or suitable plastics material. The elongated member may be a pipe and/or a rod.

The internal diameter of the elongated member may be marginally larger than the external diameter of the second tubular member or is marginally smaller than the internal diameter of the second tubular member.

The first tubular member and/or second tubular member may be made of aluminium, metal and/or suitable plastics material.

The first tubular member and/or second tubular member may be a pipe or rod.

The internal diameter of the second tubular member may be marginally larger than the external diameter of the first tubular member.

The third tubular member may be connected non-removably to the second tubular member by means of rivets. The third tubular member may be removably connected to the second tubular member by means of removable connecting means.

The second tubular member may be removably connected to the first tubular member by removable connecting means, such as pins. The removable connecting means may be made of a polyethylene or other suitable plastics material stopper or a steel wire adapted to keep the stopper in a locked position.

The cleaning head may be adapted to support bristles.

The cleaning head may be made of wood, plastics material, and/or aluminium or steel. Additional supporting means may be provided to support the first tubular and/or second tubular member to the cleaning head.

Also according to the invention, a coupling arrangement for coupling interlocated tubular members relative to each other, includes a stud member adapted to pass through a first opening in a first tubular member at least partially located inside a second tubular member and simultaneously to pass through a second opening in a second tubular member located adjacent to the first opening;

a flange member connected to the stud member and being adapted to abut against the interior wall of the first tubular member; and

a non-straight rigid wire having a first end and a second end and being connected to the stud member by way of its first end and its second end adapted to be tensioned and abut against the interior wall at the opposite side of the first tubular member or protruding from the first tubular member through a further opening in the first tubular member, or located in a recess in the first tubular member.

The rigid wire may be made of resilient material, such as spring loaded steel, or a suitable relatively strong plastics material, or aluminium or any other suitable metal. The stud member and the flange member may consist of plastics material, such as polyethylene or other suitably strong plastics material.

The stud member and the flange member may be integrally formed.

The stud member and the flange member may be injection moulded, or aluminium cast or cast of any other suitable metal.

The stud member and the flange member may be removably connected by means of the rigid wire.

The rigid wire may be a stiff metallic or plastics wire.

The tubular members may consist of any suitable metal, such as aluminium, or of any suitable plastics material.

The tubular members may be pipes, and are of any suitable cross-section, such as round, rectangular or square tubing.

Also according to the invention, a method of coupling two interlocated tubular members relative to each other, include the steps (a) of providing a coupling arrangement having a stud member within a first tubular member, the stud member having a flange member, and having a non-straight rigid wire having a first end and a second end and being connected to the stud member by way of its first end;

(b) of locating a second tubular member located around the first tubular member;

(c) of passing the stud member through a first opening in the first tubular member and simultaneously passing it through an adjacent second opening in a second tubular member;

(d) of abutting the flange member against the interior wall of the first tubular member; and

(e) of tensioning and abutting the second end of the rigid wire against the interior wall at the opposite side of the first tubular member or of protruding the second end of the rigid wire through a further opening in the first tubular member or locating it in a recess in the first tubular member.

Also according to the invention, a coupling arrangement for coupling inter-located tubular members relative to each other, includes

(a) a tubular member having an end opening on at least one end and being adapted to receive and support a longitudinal member through this end opening;

(b) at least one stud opening in the tubular member;

(c) a tensioned stud member adapted to pass through the stud openings;

(d) a flange member connected to the stud member and being adapted to abut against the interior wall of the tubular member.

The coupling arrangement may include at least two stud openings in the tubular member, and in which the tensioned stud member is adapted to pass through any one of the stud openings.

The longitudinal member may be a wooden, plastic or steel rod.

The stud openings may be circumferentially arranged in the tubular member.

The arrangement may be adapted to be partially located inside a second tubular member and the stud member simultaneously passes through a stud opening in the second tubular member located adjacent to the first opening.

The arrangement may include a non-straight rigid wire having a first end and a second end and being connected to the stud member by way of its first end and its second end adapted to be tensioned and abut against the interior wall at the opposite side of the tubular member or protruding from the tubular member through a further opening in the tubular member, or located in a recess in the tubular member.

The rigid wire may be made of resilient material, such as spring loaded steel, or a suitable relatively strong plastics material, or aluminium or any other suitable metal.

The stud member and the flange member may consist of plastics material, such as polyethylene or other suitably strong plastics material. The stud member and the flange member may be integrally formed.

The stud member and the flange member may be injection moulded, or aluminium cast or cast of any other suitable metal.

The stud member and the flange member may be removably connected by means of the rigid wire.

The rigid wire may be a stiff metallic or plastics wire.

The tubular members may consist of any suitable metal, such as aluminium, or of any suitable plastics material.

The tubular members may be pipes, and are of any suitable cross-section, such as round, rectangular or square tubing.

Also according to the invention, a method of coupling two inter-located tubular members relative to each other, includes the steps

(a) of providing a tubular member having an end opening on at least one end and being adapted to receive and support a longitudinal member through this end opening;

(b) of locating a longitudinal member through the end opening;

(c) of providing at least two stud openings in the tubular member;

(d) a flange member connected to the stud member and being adapted to abut against the interior wall of the tubular member;

(e) of locating a second tubular member around the tubular member; and

(f) of passing the tensioned stud member through at least one stud opening in the tubular member and simultaneously passing through an adjacent second stud opening in the second tubular member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawings there is shown in: Figure 1 : A perspective side view of a coupling arrangement according to the invention;

Figure 2: A sectional side view of the coupling arrangement as seen along arrows ll-ll in Figure 1 ; Figure 3: a sectional side view of a coupling arrangement locating two interlocated tubular members according to the invention;

Figure 4: a front view of the coupling arrangement as seen along arrow IV in Figure

3;

Figure 5: a sectional side view of a further coupling arrangement according to the invention; and

Figure 6: a front view of the arrangement as seen along arrow VI in Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Basically the coupling arrangements in accordance with the invention have as object to provide a rigid connection between a handle and a cleaning head (with bristles). The various drawings show coupling arrangements in accordance with the invention.

These arrangements involve coupling a tubular member (e.g. a handle) to a cleaning head (e.g. a holder with bristles) by way of an intermediate member.

In Figure 1 coupling arrangement 10 includes first tubular member 12, which fits into a second tubular member or tube 14. In Figure 2 coupling arrangement 16 has a first tubular member 18, which fits over the second tubular member or tube 20.

The tubular member 14 fits into a recess or hole 22 in the cleaning head 24 carrying bristles (not shown).

In Figure 2 the tubular member 18 and second tubular member or tube 20 fit into the recess or hole 26 in the cleaning head 24. The first tubular member 12 is fixed in position to the cleaning head 24 by means of a pin 28 (shown in Fig. 1 ). The tubular members 12, 14 are connected by way of a pin 30. The pin 28, 30 is made of steel, or other strong material.

Alternatively, the tubes 14, 20 may be fixed by adhesive or a friction fit to the cleaning head 24.

The coupling arrangements in accordance with the invention thus show a rigid fixing of the tubular member 12 or 18 to the bristle bar 24 without requiring stays connecting the tubular members 12, 18 to the bristle bar 24.

In Figure 2 the member 18 is removably attached to the member 20 by means of a pin 32 passing through aligned holes in the member 18 and the member 20.

The tubular members 12, 18 are adapted to receive removably elongated rods, such as broom sticks or handles.

The rods or broom sticks can be made of aluminium, metal, wood and/or suitable plastics material, and can be a pipe. The external diameter of the rod or broom stick is marginally smaller than the internal diameter of the tubular members 12, 18.

The tubular members 12, 18 can be made of aluminium, metal and/or suitable plastics material, and can be a pipe.

The members or pipes 14, 20 can be made of aluminium, metal and/or suitable plastics material, and can be a pipe.

A rod or broom stick is connected to the tubular member 12, 18 by means of rivets (not shown) and hence is not removable.

The pin 32 may be a polyethylene or other suitable plastics material stopper or a steel wire adapted to keep the stopper in a locked position. The cleaning head 24 is adapted so to support sufficient bristles to form a broom head. The cleaning head 24 can be made of wood, plastics material, and/or aluminium or steel.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a coupling arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 34, in accordance with the invention. The coupling arrangement 34 includes an angularly formed member 36 having two legs 37, 38. The member 36 is shown to be located inside two partially interlocated tubes 40, 42, which are locked together by means of the member 36 as explained below.

These tubes 40, 42 are equivalent to the tubes 12, 13 of Figures 1 and 2. The coupling arrangement 34 further includes a stud 44 having a barrel 46 and a disc shaped flange head 48, in which a blind hole 50 extends from the head 48 into the barrel 46.

The stud 44 can be made of pressed aluminium or any other suitable metal, or of a suitable plastics material. The barrel 46 fits through a hole 51 in the tube 40 and then through an adjacently located hole 52 in the tube 42.

The leg 37 of the member 36 has a bent-away end part 54 passing through a hole 55 in the head 48 and then through the hole 51 in the tube 40 into the blind hole 50.

The leg 38 has a bent-away end part 56 extending from the end 57 of the leg 38. The end part 56 passes through a hole 58 in the tube 40. Alternatively, the wire 38 may have no bent-away end part so that the end 57 merely abuts against the inner wall of the tube 40.

Due to its stiffness and strength the member 36 is capable of resisting robust handling without breaking. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown a coupling arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 60, in accordance with the invention. The arrangement 60 for coupling inter-located tubular members, is equivalent to members 12, 14 and 18, 20 of Figures 1 and 2 relative to each other. The arrangement includes

(a) a tube 62 having an end opening 64 and being adapted to receive and support a longitudinal member or handle 66 through this end opening 64;

(b) at least four stud openings 68, 70, 72, 74, etc. arranged circumferentially in the tube 62;

(c) a stud member 76 adapted to pass through any one of the stud openings 68, 70, 72, 74, etc.;

(d) a flange head 78 connected to the stud member 76 and being adapted to abut against the interior wall of the tube 62.

The longitudinal member 66 can be a wooden, plastic or steel rod.

The stud openings 68, 70, 72, 74, etc. may be circumferentially arranged.

The pipe 62 is partially located inside a second tube member 80 and the stud member 76 simultaneously passes through a stud opening 82 in the tube 62 located adjacent to the stud opening (either 68, 70, 72, 74, etc.) through which the stud member 76 also passes.

If a stud opening (e.g. 68, 70, 72, 74, etc.) becomes worn out and the connection between the tube 62 and the second tube 80 becomes loose, the stud member 76 is pressed in, and moved to another stud opening (e.g. 68, 70, 72, 74, etc.), which is unworn. Thus a stiff connection between the tubes 62 and 80 is re-established. This procedure is followed as required with the various stud openings (e.g. 68, 70, 72, 74, etc.).

The arrangement 60 includes a non-straight rigid wire 84 having a first end 86 and a second end 88 and being connected to the stud member 76 by way of its first end 86 and its second end 88 being adapted to be tensioned and abut against the interior wall at the opposite side of the tube 62 or protruding from the tube 62 through a further opening in the tube 62, or located in a recess in the tube 62. The rigid wire 84 is made of resilient material, such as spring loaded steel, or a suitable relatively strong plastics material, or aluminium or any other suitable metal.

The stud member 76 and the flange head 78 consist of plastics material, such as polyethylene or other suitably strong plastics material, or a stiff metallic or plastics wire. The stud member 76 and the flange head 78 are integrally formed.

The stud member 76 and the flange head 78 can be injection moulded, or aluminium cast or cast of any other suitable metal.

The stud member 76 and the flange head 78 are removably connected to the rigid wire 84. The tubes 62 and 80 can consist of any suitable metal, such as aluminium, or of any suitable plastics material.

The tubes 62 and 80 can be pipes, and may be of any suitable cross-section, such as round, rectangular or square tubing.

Hence the coupling arrangement 60 according to the invention provides for a method of locking two inter-located tubular members (tubes) relative to each other, including the steps

(a) of providing a tubular member having an end opening on at least one end and being adapted to receive and support a longitudinal member through this end opening;

(b) of locating a longitudinal member through the end opening;

(c) of providing at least two stud openings in the tubular member;

(d) a flange member connected to the stud member and being adapted to abut against the interior wall of the tubular member;

(e) of locating a second tubular member around the tubular member; and (f) of passing the tensioned stud member through at least one stud opening in the tubular member and simultaneously passing through an adjacent second stud opening in the second tubular member Also according to the invention, a coupling arrangement for locking inter-located tubular members relative to each other, includes a tubular member having an end opening on at least one end and being adapted to receive and support a longitudinal member (e.g. handle) through this end opening; at least one stud openings in the tubular member; a tensioned stud member adapted to pass through the stud openings; a flange member connected to the stud member and being adapted to abut against the interior wall of the tubular member. The longitudinal member may be a wooden, plastic or steel rod.