阅读说明：本技术 清扫工具用的臂部 (Arm for cleaning tool ) 是由 须田朋和 釰持泰彦 真锅优佳 山道步香 于 2018-12-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开的目的在于提供具备能够顺利地卡合及脱离的伸长时锁定机构的臂部。本公开的臂部是清扫工具(1)用的臂部(5),所述臂部(5)至少具备第一筒体(201)和第二筒体(203),并构成为能够在轴线(AL<Sub>1</Sub>)的方向上伸缩,所述第一筒体具有中空部(202)且具备内表面(245),所述第二筒体被插入到中空部内,第一筒体在第一前端部(211)且内表面具备构成为能够向外方挠曲的第一卡合部(603、604),第二筒体具备卡合构件(227),所述卡合构件具备：连结部(301),其在第二基端部(213)与第二筒体连结；筒状部(303),其配置在中空部内,并具有外表面(304)；以及第二卡合部(329、330),其配置于外表面,且构成为与第一卡合部卡合。(An object of the present disclosure is to provide an arm portion having an extension lock mechanism that can be smoothly engaged with and disengaged from. The arm (5) is provided with at least a first cylinder (201) and a second cylinder (203), and is configured to be capable of rotating on an Axis (AL) 1 ) Has a hollow portion (202) and has an inner surface (245), the second cylinder is inserted into the hollow portion, and the first cylinder has a first front end portion (211) and an inner surface havingFirst engaging portions (603, 604) configured to be outwardly flexible, the second tubular body including an engaging member (227) including: a connecting part (301) which is connected to the second cylinder at a second base end part (213); a cylindrical portion (303) which is disposed within the hollow portion and has an outer surface (304); and second engaging portions (329, 330) which are arranged on the outer surface and are configured to engage with the first engaging portions.)

1. An arm portion for a cleaning tool, the arm portion for a cleaning tool including a cleaning body mounting portion having a bending direction,

the arm portion has an axis and a circumferential direction, and has a base end and a tip end,

the arm portion includes at least a first cylinder and a second cylinder, and is configured to be expandable and contractible in the direction of the axis, the first cylinder has a hollow portion and an inner surface, the second cylinder is inserted into the hollow portion,

the first cylinder has a first base end portion near the base end and a first tip end portion near the tip end,

the second cylinder has a second base end portion near the base end and a second tip end portion near the tip end,

the first tubular body has a first engaging portion at a first distal end portion and on the inner surface, the first engaging portion being configured to be outwardly flexible,

the second cylinder includes an engagement member, and the engagement member includes: a connecting portion connected to the second cylinder at a second base end portion; a cylindrical portion disposed within the hollow portion and having an outer surface; and a second engaging portion disposed on the outer surface, configured to be capable of flexing inward and engaging with the first engaging portion.

2. The arm according to claim 1,

the first engaging portion includes an engaging recessed portion recessed outward, and the second engaging portion includes an engaging projection projecting outward.

3. The arm according to claim 1 or 2,

the engaging projection includes a wall portion disposed on the proximal end side and/or the distal end side.

4. The arm according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the first cylinder further includes a bush member constituting the inner surface at the first distal end portion and inside the first cylinder, and the bush member includes a first engagement portion and a void portion disposed outside the first engagement portion.

5. The arm according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the inner surface of the first cylindrical body has a cross-sectional shape having a major axis extending in the bending direction and a minor axis extending in a direction intersecting the bending direction, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are a pair of first engaging portions and a pair of second engaging portions respectively disposed at both ends in the direction of the minor axis.

6. The arm according to claim 5,

in the direction of the short diameter, a distance between the pair of first engaging portions is shorter than a distance between the pair of second engaging portions.

7. The arm according to claim 5 or 6,

in the short diameter direction, a distance between the pair of second engaging portions is shorter than a distance between the facing inner surfaces.

8. The arm according to any one of claims 5 to 7,

the cylindrical portion includes a pair of low-deflection portions disposed at both end portions in the long-diameter direction and a pair of high-deflection portions disposed at both end portions in the short-diameter direction, and the pair of high-deflection portions includes second engaging portions, respectively.

9. The arm according to claim 8,

the cylindrical portion includes a slit portion extending in the direction of the axis between each of the pair of high-deflection portions and each of the pair of low-deflection portions.

10. The arm according to claim 8 or 9,

each of the pair of high-flexure portions includes a high-flexure portion circumferentially extending portion configured to extend in the circumferential direction and slide with the inner surface, and a high-flexure portion axially extending portion configured to extend in the axial direction and slide with the inner surface.

11. The arm according to any one of claims 8 to 10,

each of the pair of low-deflection portions includes a low-deflection portion circumferentially extending portion configured to extend in the circumferential direction and slide with the inner surface of the first cylinder, and a low-deflection portion axially extending portion configured to extend in the axial direction and slide with the inner surface.

12. The arm according to any one of claims 8 to 11,

the first cylinder further includes a locking member at a first base end portion, the locking member including a first locking portion disposed in the hollow portion and configured not to slide with the inner surface, and the engaging member further includes a second locking portion disposed in the cylindrical portion and locked with the first locking portion, the second locking portion being disposed in the hollow portion and configured not to slide with the inner surface.

13. The arm according to claim 12,

one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is a projection for fitting, and the other is a recess for fitting.

14. The arm according to claim 13,

the fitting protrusion portions are a pair of fitting protrusion portions each having a protruding portion extending in the direction of the axis and a convex portion protruding outward from a distal end of the protruding portion, and the fitting recess portions are a pair of fitting recess portions each having a concave portion recessed outward.

15. The arm according to claim 13 or 14,

the second locking portion is the fitting protrusion, and the fitting protrusion has one or both of the pair of low-deflection portions as a base point.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an arm for a cleaning tool.

Background

A cleaning tool is commercially available in which a disposable cleaning element is attached to a cleaning element attachment portion and dust or the like is wiped and cleaned. As the cleaning tool, for example, a cleaning tool including an arm portion having a grip portion and being capable of extending and contracting, and a cleaning element attachment portion is known.

For example, patent document 1 discloses a telescopic rod-like tool in which a plurality of tubular bodies are telescopically fitted, the telescopic rod-like tool being characterized in that a slider provided at a tip end portion of a small-diameter tubular body is slidably inserted into an inner diameter portion of a large-diameter tubular body, the slider includes a bottom portion fixedly connected to the small-diameter tubular body and a skirt portion extending in a short tubular shape from an outer edge of the bottom portion, rotation between the mutually telescopic tubular bodies can be locked by engaging a narrow-width groove provided along an axial direction of an outer peripheral portion of the bottom portion of the slider and a wide-width groove provided along an axial direction of the skirt portion with a guide rib extending in an axial direction of the inner diameter portion of the large-diameter tubular body, and by engaging a circumferential ridge portion provided on an outer periphery of the skirt portion of the slider with each of an extension-side lock groove and a contraction-side lock groove provided on the inner diameter portion near both ends of the large-diameter tubular body, thereby locking the telescopic length between the mutually telescopic cylindrical bodies.

In the telescopic rod-like tool described in patent document 1, a projected strip portion disposed on the outer periphery of a skirt portion of a slider is engaged with an extension-side lock groove and a contraction-side lock groove disposed on an inner diameter portion of a cylindrical body, and then the projected strip portion is further slid toward the inner diameter portion of the cylindrical body as shown in fig. 6 of patent document 1.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 10-235574

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the telescopic rod-like tool of patent document 1, the projected strip portion disposed on the outer periphery of the skirt portion of the slider is an essential component for any of the telescopic lock mechanism, the slide mechanism, and the extension lock mechanism defined in the specification of the present application. However, in the telescopic rod-like tool of patent document 1, in the projection portion and the extension-side lock groove which are necessary for operating the lock mechanism at the time of extension, although the projection portion can be flexed in accordance with the inward flexure of the skirt portion, the extension-side lock groove disposed in the inner diameter portion of the large-diameter cylindrical body cannot be flexed. Therefore, in the telescopic rod-like tool of patent document 1, it is difficult to smoothly engage the projecting portion and the extension-side lock groove and to smoothly disengage the engaged projecting portion and the extension-side lock groove.

In the telescopic rod-like tool of patent document 1, when the lock mechanism is not operated during extension, the skirt portion itself of the slider needs to be flexed inward and continuously deformed as shown in fig. 6 of patent document 1. Therefore, in the telescopic rod-like tool of patent document 1, the repulsive force of the skirt portion outward tends to be weak with use. As a result, the telescopic rod-like tool of patent document 1 tends to be difficult to exhibit the locking function at the time of extension due to use.

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an arm portion including an extension lock mechanism that can be smoothly engaged with and disengaged from.

Means for solving the problems

The inventors of the present disclosure have found an arm portion for a cleaning tool, the arm portion including a cleaning body mounting portion having a flexing direction, the arm portion including an axis and a circumferential direction and having a base end and a tip end, the arm portion including at least a first tubular body and a second tubular body, the arm portion being configured to be extendable and retractable in the direction of the axis, the first tubular body including a hollow portion and an inner surface, the second tubular body being inserted into the hollow portion, the first tubular body including a first base end portion closer to the base end and a first tip end portion closer to the tip end, the second tubular body including a second base end portion closer to the base end and a second tip end portion closer to the tip end, the first tubular body including a first engaging portion at the first tip end portion and at the inner surface, the first engaging portion being configured to be outwardly flexible, the second cylinder includes an engagement member, and the engagement member includes: a connecting portion connected to the second cylinder at a second base end portion; a cylindrical portion disposed in the hollow portion and having an outer surface; and a second engaging portion disposed on the outer surface, configured to be capable of flexing inward and engaging with the first engaging portion.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The arm portion of the present disclosure includes an extension lock mechanism that can be smoothly engaged and disengaged.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning mode of the cleaning tool 1 including the first arm portion 5 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a right side view of the cleaning tool 1 in the stored state.

Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the first arm portion 5 in the contracted state.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first arm portion 5 in the extended state.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the locking member 225.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the second engaging member 227.

Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the first bushing member 601.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between the second engaging member 227 and the first bushing member 601.

Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the third engagement member 229.

Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the second liner member 621.

Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the fourth engaging member 231.

Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining the third bushing member 641.

Detailed Description

[ description of terms ]

"contracted form" and "extended form"

In the present specification, "the contracted form" and "the extended form" relating to the members (for example, the first arm portion and the second arm portion) constituting the cleaning tool are terms used for the members that can be expanded and contracted.

Specifically, the "contracted form" refers to a state in which the expandable and contractible member is contracted most, and the "extended form" refers to a state in which the expandable and contractible member is extended most.

The contracted configuration is associated with a storage configuration of a cleaning tool described later, and the extended configuration is associated with a cleaning configuration of the cleaning tool described later.

"storage form" and "cleaning form" relating to the cleaning tool "

In the present specification, the "storage form" related to the cleaning tool refers to a form adopted when the cleaning tool is stored. In general, the cleaning tool in the stored state is in a state in which the entire extendable portion of the cleaning tool is retracted (stored state), and when the cleaning tool includes a rotating portion, the arm angle described below is minimized.

In the present specification, the "cleaning mode" relating to the cleaning tool refers to a mode adopted when the cleaning tool is used. In general, when the cleaning tool includes a rotating portion, the cleaning tool in the cleaning mode changes an arm angle described later according to a portion to be cleaned, and an extensible portion of the cleaning tool is extended according to the portion to be cleaned (the extensible member includes an extended state). Further, when cleaning a portion close to a user, the cleaning tool may not be used with the portion that can be extended.

"front", "side" and "back" in relation to the cleaning implement "

In this specification, in a state where a user holds the cleaning tool with the cleaning element attachment portion (cleaning element) facing the front of the user, a surface of the cleaning tool facing the user (a surface on the near side) is referred to as a front surface, and a surface of the cleaning tool opposite to the surface facing the user (a surface on the far side) is referred to as a back surface. The side surface refers to two surfaces between the front surface and the back surface.

In the case where the cleaning tool includes the rotating portion, the "front surface", "side surface", and "back surface" are preferably applied in a form in which the cleaning tool is arranged substantially linearly, and in a form in which the arm angle θ of the rotating portion is set to 180 degrees.

In the cleaning tool 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are orthogonal to each other, and the front side facing the X axis is the front surface of the cleaning tool 1, the back side facing the X axis is the back surface of the cleaning tool 1, the right side facing the Y axis is the right side surface of the cleaning tool 1, and the left side facing the Y axis is the left side surface of the cleaning tool 1.

"interior square" and "exterior square"

In the present specification, "inward" and "outward" refer to a direction toward an axis and a direction away from the axis, respectively, in an object having the axis. The inward direction and the outward direction may be directions orthogonal to the axis line and may be directions intersecting the axis line, respectively.

"deflection direction" in relation to cleaning body attachment "

In the present specification, the "bending direction" of the cleaning element attachment portion refers to a direction in which the cleaning element attachment portion is most easily bent.

When the surface to be cleaned is dirty, the cleaning element attachment portion may be pressed against the surface to be cleaned and used, and the cleaning element attachment portion may be configured to be bent to some extent in a direction orthogonal to the surface to be cleaned.

"deflection direction" mentioned in connection with the arm "

When the cleaning element mounting portion is flexed in the flexing direction, the arm portion is likely to shake in a predetermined direction orthogonal to the axis of the arm portion.

In the present specification, in the case where the cleaning tool does not include the rotating portion, the "bending direction" mentioned in association with the wobbling of the arm portion can be directly applied to the bending direction of the cleaning element mounting portion. This is because the predetermined direction in which the arm portion is likely to shake is the same as the flexing direction.

In the present specification, in the case where the cleaning tool includes the rotating portion between the arm portion including the grip portion and the cleaning element mounting portion, the "bending direction" referred to in association with the wobbling of the arm portion is the same as the bending direction of the cleaning element mounting portion in a state where the arm angle θ of the rotating portion is set to 180 degrees. Further, the arm angle of 180 degrees is used to specify the deflection direction mentioned in association with the arm portion, regardless of whether the rotating portion can actually adopt the arm angle θ of 180 degrees.

When the cleaning tool is used with the arm angle of the rotating portion being arbitrary, the cleaning element attachment portion (and the cleaning element) is pressed against the surface to be cleaned in the flexing direction, and the cleaning element attachment portion and the cleaning element receive a repulsive force in a direction opposite to the flexing direction from the surface to be cleaned. At this time, the arm portion including the grip portion receives an axial component force which is a component force of the repulsive force in the axial direction of the arm portion and an orthogonal component force which is a component force of the repulsive force in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the arm portion. The axial component force acts to extend and contract the arm portion, and the orthogonal component force acts to rock the arm portion. Since the orthogonal direction component force is the same as the bending direction of the cleaning element attachment portion in the state where the arm angle θ of the rotating portion is 180 degrees, the "bending direction" referred to in association with the arm portion in the case where the cleaning tool is provided with the rotating portion between the arm portion provided with the grip portion and the cleaning element attachment portion is defined as described above.

"sectional shape of outer surface" and "sectional shape of inner surface"

In the present specification, the term "cross-sectional shape of the outer surface" is used for an object having an axis and an external shape, and the "cross-sectional shape of the outer surface" refers to a shape of a portion where a plane orthogonal to the axis intersects the external shape of the object. The cross-sectional shape of the outer surface can also be used when the object is a void, for example, a hollow portion.

In the present specification, the term "cross-sectional shape of the inner surface" is used for an object having an axis and an internal shape (a void), and the "cross-sectional shape of the inner surface" refers to a shape of a portion where a plane orthogonal to the axis intersects with the internal shape of the object.

"sliding function", "locking function when contracting", and "locking function when expanding"

In the present specification, a function of sliding the adjacent tubular bodies of the arm portion, for example, the first tubular body and the second tubular body is referred to as a "sliding function". The function of locking the adjacent cylindrical bodies, for example, the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body, in the collapsed state is referred to as a "collapsed locking function", and the function of locking the adjacent cylindrical bodies, for example, the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body, in the extended state is referred to as an "extended locking function".

Further, the mechanisms that exhibit the "sliding function", the "locking function during contraction", and the "locking function during extension" are referred to as "sliding mechanism", a "locking mechanism during contraction", and a "locking mechanism during extension", respectively.

'ordinal word'

In the present specification, ordinal numbers of "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" may be given to members connected to the first arm portion, the second arm portion, the third arm portion, and the fourth arm portion, respectively. Therefore, there is a member (for example, an engagement member) that does not have the ordinal number of "first" among members that the first arm portion does not have but the second arm portion does.

The present disclosure relates to the following aspects.

[ scheme 1]

An arm portion for a cleaning tool, the arm portion for a cleaning tool including a cleaning body mounting portion having a bending direction,

the arm portion has an axis and a circumferential direction, and has a base end and a tip end,

the arm portion includes at least a first cylinder having a hollow portion and an inner surface and a second cylinder inserted into the hollow portion, and is configured to be expandable and contractible in the direction of the axis,

the first cylinder has a first base end portion near the base end and a first tip end portion near the tip end,

the second cylinder has a second base end portion near the base end and a second tip end portion near the tip end,

the first tubular body has a first engaging portion at a first distal end portion and on the inner surface, the first engaging portion being configured to be outwardly flexible,

the second cylinder includes an engagement member, and the engagement member includes: a connecting portion connected to the second cylinder at a second base end portion; a cylindrical portion disposed in the hollow portion and having an outer surface; and a second engaging portion disposed on the outer surface, configured to be capable of flexing inward and engaging with the first engaging portion.

In the arm portion, the first tubular body includes a first engaging portion that is outwardly flexible at the first distal end portion, and the second tubular body includes a second engaging portion that is inwardly flexible, so that the arm portion can exhibit an extension-time locking function. Specifically, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion can be smoothly engaged with each other, and the engaged first engaging portion and second engaging portion can be smoothly disengaged from each other.

[ scheme 2]

The arm portion according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging portion includes an engaging recessed portion recessed outward, and the second engaging portion includes an engaging protrusion protruding outward.

In the arm portion, since the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are respectively the engaging recess portion and the engaging projection, it is difficult to leave a contact mark due to the first engaging portion on the outer surface of the second cylindrical body.

[ scheme 3]

The arm portion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engaging projection includes a wall portion disposed on the proximal end side and/or the distal end side.

In the arm portion, since the engagement projection includes the predetermined wall portion, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion that are engaged with each other are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the arm portion. Therefore, when the cleaning tool including the arm portion is used in an extended state, the arm portion can be prevented from being inadvertently contracted by the cleaning body of the cleaning tool hitting against a wall or the like.

[ scheme 4]

The arm portion according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first tubular body further includes a bush member constituting the inner surface at the first distal end portion and inside the first tubular body, and the bush member includes a first engagement portion and a void portion disposed outside the first engagement portion.

In the arm portion, since the first cylinder includes the predetermined bush member, the first engaging portion can be flexed outward, and the first engaging portion is not exposed to the outer surface of the arm portion, so that the user hardly feels a foreign body sensation when holding the arm portion, and the arm portion is excellent in aesthetic property.

[ scheme 5]

The arm portion according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner surface of the first cylindrical body has a cross-sectional shape having a major diameter extending in the bending direction and a minor diameter extending in a direction intersecting the bending direction, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are a pair of first engaging portions and a pair of second engaging portions respectively disposed at both ends in the direction of the minor diameter.

In general, when the arm portion has a cross-sectional shape of an inner surface that is long in the bending direction of the cleaning element mounting portion, there are advantages such that the arm portion is difficult to rotate in the circumferential direction and the arm portion is easy to grip, and on the other hand, the arm portion tends to easily shake in the bending direction of the cleaning element mounting portion.

In the arm portion, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are a pair of first engaging portions and a pair of second engaging portions respectively disposed at both end portions in the direction of the short diameter of the first tubular body and the tubular portion, and therefore, even when the arm portion is flexed in the flexing direction of the cleaning element mounting portion, the locking function at the time of extension is easily exhibited.

[ scheme 6]

The arm portion according to claim 5, wherein a distance between the pair of first engaging portions is shorter than a distance between the pair of second engaging portions in the direction of the short diameter.

In the arm portion, since a distance between the pair of first engaging portions and a distance between the pair of second engaging portions are in a predetermined relationship, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that are engaged with each other are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the arm portion in the extended state. Therefore, when the cleaning tool including the arm portion is used in an extended state, the arm portion can be prevented from being inadvertently contracted by the cleaning body of the cleaning tool hitting against a wall or the like.

[ scheme 7]

The arm portion according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a distance between the pair of second engaging portions is shorter than a distance between the facing inner surfaces in the short-diameter direction.

In the arm portion, a distance between the pair of second engaging portions and a distance between the facing inner surfaces are in a predetermined relationship. Therefore, when the arm portion is in a form other than the extended form, for example, in the contracted form, each of the pair of second engagement portions does not need to be bent inward or weakly bent, and therefore, the flexibility of each of the pair of second engagement portions is less likely to decrease with time.

[ scheme 8]

The arm portion according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the cylindrical portion includes a pair of low-deflection portions disposed at both end portions in the long diameter direction and a pair of high-deflection portions disposed at both end portions in the short diameter direction, and the pair of high-deflection portions includes second engaging portions, respectively.

In the arm portion, the cylindrical portion of the engaging member includes a pair of high-deflection portions disposed at both end portions in the short-diameter direction (both side portions in the deflection direction) and a pair of low-deflection portions disposed at both end portions in the long-diameter direction (both end portions in the deflection direction). Therefore, in the cleaning element including the arm portion, even when a force in a bending direction is applied to the arm portion, the pair of low-bending portions can exhibit a play suppression function of suppressing the arm portion from being swung in the bending direction. In addition, when the cleaning element is used, the locking function at the time of extension can be exhibited not only when the force in the bending direction is not applied to the arm portion but also when the force in the bending direction is applied to the arm portion.

[ scheme 9]

The arm portion according to claim 8, wherein the cylindrical portion includes a slit portion extending in the direction of the axis between each of the pair of high-deflection portions and each of the pair of low-deflection portions.

In the arm portion, since the cylindrical portion includes the slit portion extending in the direction of the axis of the arm portion between each of the pair of high-deflection portions and each of the pair of low-deflection portions, each of the pair of high-deflection portions and each of the pair of low-deflection portions easily independently function.

Further, since the slit portion is present, the cylindrical portion easily changes the shape of the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the arm portion. Therefore, even when the shape of the inner surface of the first tubular body is changed between the proximal end side and the distal end side, for example, even when the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the first tubular body has a taper shape that becomes smaller from the proximal end side to the distal end side, the tubular portion and the engaging member can continuously exhibit the lock function at the time of extension and the rattling suppression function.

[ scheme 10]

The arm portion according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each of the pair of high-flexure portions includes a high-flexure portion circumferentially extending portion configured to extend in the circumferential direction and slide with the inner surface, and a high-flexure portion axially extending portion configured to extend in the axial direction and slide with the inner surface.

In the arm portion, since each of the pair of high-flexure portions includes the high-flexure portion circumferential protruding portion and the high-flexure portion axial protruding portion, the pair of high-flexure portions and the engaging member can exhibit a sliding function.

[ scheme 11]

The arm portion according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein each of the pair of low-deflection portions includes a low-deflection portion circumferentially extending portion configured to extend in the circumferential direction and slide on the inner surface of the first cylinder, and a low-deflection portion axially extending portion configured to extend in the axial direction and slide on the inner surface.

In the arm portion, since each of the pair of low-deflection portions includes the low-deflection-portion circumferential protruding portion and the low-deflection-portion axial protruding portion, the pair of low-deflection portions and the engaging member can exhibit a sliding function.

[ scheme 12]

The arm according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first cylinder further includes a locking member at a first base end portion, the locking member includes a first locking portion disposed in the hollow portion and configured not to slide with the inner surface, and the engaging member further includes a second locking portion disposed in the cylindrical portion and locked with the first locking portion and disposed in the hollow portion and configured not to slide with the inner surface.

In the arm portion, the first cylinder further includes a lock member including a first lock portion, and the engagement member further includes a second lock portion, so that the arm portion can perform a lock function when contracted.

[ solution 13]

The arm portion according to claim 12, wherein one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is a fitting protrusion, and the other is a fitting recess.

In the arm portion, one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is a projection for fitting and the other is a recess for fitting, so that the locking mechanism can be operated only by contracting the arm portion and the locking mechanism can be easily released only by extending the arm portion, and the contracted form of the arm portion can be easily fixed and released.

[ scheme 14]

The arm portion according to claim 13, wherein the fitting protrusion portions are a pair of fitting protrusion portions each having a protruding portion extending in the direction of the axis and a convex portion protruding outward from a tip of the protruding portion, and the fitting recessed portions are a pair of fitting recessed portions each having a concave portion recessed outward.

In the arm portion, the fitting protrusion and the fitting recess have a predetermined structure, and therefore, the contracting lock mechanism can be operated only by contracting the arm portion, and the contracting lock mechanism can be easily released only by extending the arm portion, and the contracted form of the arm portion can be easily fixed and released.

[ solution 15]

The arm portion according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the second locking portion is the fitting protrusion, and the fitting protrusion is based on one or both of the pair of low-deflection portions.

In the arm portion, since the second locking portion is a fitting projection portion and the fitting projection portion has one or both of the pair of low-deflection portions as a base point, the pair of low-deflection portions are difficult to deflect, and therefore, the position of the fitting projection portion, particularly the position in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the arm portion, is difficult to shift, and the locking mechanism is easily and reliably activated and deactivated during contraction.

Hereinafter, the arm portion for the cleaning tool of the present disclosure (hereinafter, may be simply referred to as "arm portion") will be described in detail together with the cleaning tool.

Fig. 1 to 12 are views for explaining a cleaning tool 1 including a first arm portion 5 as an arm portion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as a "first embodiment").

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool 1 in a cleaning mode in which the cleaning element 101 is attached. Fig. 2 is a right side view of the cleaning tool 1 in the stored state.

The cleaning tool 1 includes: a first arm portion 5, the first arm portion 5 having a grip portion 3; a second arm portion 9; a rotating section 7 that connects the first arm section 5 and the second arm section 9 and that is capable of adjusting the arm angle θ; and a cleaning element mounting part 11, wherein the cleaning element mounting part 11 is connected with the second arm part 9 for mounting the cleaning element 101. The first arm portion 5 has a base end 15 located at a position of the first arm portion 5 farthest from the rotating portion 7 and a tip end 13 located at a position of the first arm portion 5 closest to the rotating portion 7.

The arm angle θ is the first arm axis AL of the first arm 5₁And a second arm axis AL of the second arm 9₂The angle therebetween.

The cleaning element attachment portion 11 has a structure that is most easily bent in the bending direction FD, and even when the cleaning element attachment portion 11 is strongly pressed against a surface to be cleaned in order to clean the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning element attachment portion 11 is bent in the bending direction, so that damage to the surface to be cleaned can be suppressed, and damage to the cleaning element attachment portion 11 and the cleaning tool 1 can be suppressed.

Since the cleaning element attachment portion 11 has a known structure similar to that described in japanese patent application laid-open publication No. 2014-168646, the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the first arm portion 5 in the contracted state. Specifically, fig. 3(a) shows the first arm axis AL passing through the front surface of the first arm 5 in the contracted state₁Fig. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view of the left side surface of the first arm portion 5 in the contracted state through the first arm portion axis AL₁Cross-sectional view of (a).

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the first arm portion 5 in the extended state. Specifically, FIG. 4(a) shows the first arm in the extended stateThe front face of the portion 5 passing through the first arm axis AL₁Fig. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of the left side surface of the first arm portion 5 in the extended state, which passes through the first arm portion axis AL₁Cross-sectional view of (a).

The first arm 5 has a first arm axis AL₁And a first arm axis AL₁The circumferential direction PD of (2). The first arm portion 5 includes: a first cylinder 201, the first cylinder 201 having a first cylinder hollow portion 202; a second cylinder 203 having a second cylinder hollow portion 204 and inserted into the first cylinder hollow portion 202, the second cylinder 203 being inserted into the first cylinder hollow portion 202; a third cylinder 205, the third cylinder 205 being inserted into the second cylinder hollow portion 204 and having a third cylinder hollow portion 206; and a fourth cylinder 207, the fourth cylinder 207 being inserted into the third cylinder hollow 206. The fourth cylinder 207 has a fourth cylinder hollow portion 208.

The first cylinder 201, the first cylinder hollow portion 202, the second cylinder 203, the second cylinder hollow portion 204, the third cylinder 205, the third cylinder hollow portion 206, the fourth cylinder 207, and the fourth cylinder hollow portion 208 correspond to the first arm axis AL₁The cross-sectional shapes in the orthogonal directions are substantially similar to each other, that is, elliptical shapes having a major diameter extending in a direction parallel to the flexing direction FD and a minor diameter extending in a direction orthogonal to the flexing direction. In the first embodiment, the X-axis direction is a long diameter direction, and the Y-axis direction is a short diameter direction.

In addition, the first inner surface 245 of the first cylinder 201 (i.e., the outer shape of the first cylinder hollow portion 202), the second inner surface 257 of the second cylinder 203 (i.e., the outer shape of the second cylinder hollow portion 204), the third inner surface 269 of the third cylinder 205 (i.e., the outer shape of the third cylinder hollow portion 206), and the fourth inner surface 279 of the fourth cylinder 207 (i.e., the outer shape of the fourth cylinder hollow portion 208) each have a taper and have the following configuration: the cross-sectional shape of its inner surface is along the first arm axis AL₁Tapering from the base end 15 towards the leading end 13.

Further, the outer surface of the first cylinder 201, the outer surface of the second cylinder 203, the outer surface of the third cylinder 205, and the outer surface of the fourth cylinder 207 each have no taperAnd has the following structure: the cross-sectional shape of its outer surface being along the first arm axis AL₁Constant from the base end 15 towards the front end 13.

The first cylinder 201, the second cylinder 203, the third cylinder 205 and the fourth cylinder 207 are arranged along the first arm axis AL₁Can deform the first arm portion 5 from the contracted configuration shown in fig. 3 to the extended configuration shown in fig. 4.

The first cylinder 201 includes a first base end 209 near the base end 15 and a first tip end 211 near the tip end 13, the second cylinder 203 includes a second base end 213 near the base end 15 and a second tip end 215 near the tip end 13, the third cylinder 205 includes a third base end 217 near the base end 15 and a third tip end 219 near the tip end 13, and the fourth cylinder 207 includes a fourth base end 221 near the base end 15 and a fourth tip end 223 including the tip end 13.

The first cylinder 201 includes a first bush member 601 at the first inner surface 245 and the first distal end portion 211, and the second cylinder 203 includes a second bush member 621 at the second inner surface 257 and the second distal end portion 215. The third cylinder 205 is provided with a third bushing member 641 on the third inner surface 269 and the third distal end 219.

The first cylinder 201 includes a lock member 225 at a first base end 209, the second cylinder 203 includes a second engagement member 227 at a second base end 213, the second engagement member being an engagement member coupled to the second cylinder 203, the third cylinder 205 includes a third engagement member 229 at a third base end 217, the third engagement member being an engagement member coupled to the third cylinder 205, and the fourth cylinder 207 includes a fourth engagement member 231 at a fourth base end 221, the fourth engagement member being an engagement member coupled to the fourth cylinder 207.

The locking member 225 and the second engaging member 227 are configured to provide a contracting-time locking function to the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203, the second engaging member 227 and the third engaging member 229 are configured to provide a contracting-time locking function to the second cylinder 203 and the third cylinder 205, and the third engaging member 229 and the fourth engaging member 231 are configured to provide a contracting-time locking function to the third cylinder 205 and the fourth cylinder 207.

The first bush member 601 and the second engagement member 227 are configured to provide the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 with the extension-time lock function, the second bush member 621 and the third engagement member 229 are configured to provide the second cylinder 203 and the third cylinder 205 with the extension-time lock function, and the third bush member 641 and the fourth engagement member 231 are configured to provide the third cylinder 205 and the fourth cylinder 207 with the extension-time lock function.

The second cylindrical portion 303 of the second engaging member 227, which will be described later, is configured to provide a sliding function to the first cylindrical body 201 and the second cylindrical body 203, the third cylindrical portion 403 of the third engaging member 229, which will be described later, is configured to provide a sliding function to the second cylindrical body 203 and the third cylindrical body 205, and the fourth cylindrical portion 503 of the fourth engaging member 231, which will be described later, is configured to provide a sliding function to the third cylindrical body 205 and the fourth cylindrical body 207.

Since the second engaging member 227, the third engaging member 229, and the fourth engaging member 231 also participate in any of the functions of the lock function during expansion and contraction, the slide function, and the lock function during expansion, the description will be given in order of the functions that participate when the cleaning tool 1 is deformed from the contracted form to the expanded form, that is, in order of the lock function during expansion and contraction, the slide function, and the lock function during expansion.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the locking member 225. Specifically, fig. 5(a) is a left side view of the lock member 225, and fig. 5(b) is a view of the left side surface of the lock member 225 passing through the first arm axis AL₁Cross-sectional view of (a). In fig. 5(b), the first cylinder 201 is shown by a broken line for the sake of understanding.

The lock member 225 includes a hanging hole 233 for hanging and storing the cleaning tool 1, a pair of first recessed portions 235 for fitting and a first recessed portion 236 for fitting, and a screw hole 237 for fixing the lock member 225 to the first cylinder 201.

The pair of fitting first recessed portions 235 and the fitting first recessed portion 236 are provided with first arm portion axes AL away from each other in the outward direction₁Concave portions 241 and 242. The concave portions 241 and 242 are through holes, respectively.

The pair of fitting first recessed portions 235 and the fitting first recessed portions 236 serve as first locking portions, and constitute a contraction locking mechanism together with a pair of fitting second protruding portions 321 and a fitting second protruding portion 322 (second locking portion) of the second cylindrical portion 303 of the second engaging member 227 (described later).

The pair of fitting first recessed portions 235 and the fitting first recessed portions 236 are disposed in the first cylindrical hollow portion 202, respectively, and are configured not to slide on the first inner surface 245 of the first cylindrical body 201.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the lock member 225 is fixed to the first cylinder 201 by a screw 239 inserted into the screw hole 237.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the second engaging member 227. Specifically, fig. 6(a) is a front view of the second engaging member 227, fig. 6(b) is a left side view of the second engaging member 227, and fig. 6(c) is a perspective view of the second engaging member 227. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the first bushing member 601. Specifically, fig. 7(a) is a front view of the first bushing member 601, fig. 7(b) is a left side view of the first bushing member 601, and fig. 7(c) is a perspective view of the first bushing member 601.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between the second engaging member 227 and the first bushing member 601. FIG. 8 shows the second cylindrical portion axis AL passing through the front surfaces of the second engaging member 227 and the first bush member 601₃(first arm axis AL)₁) Cross-sectional view of (a). In fig. 8, the second engaging member 227, the first cylindrical body 201, the first bush member 601, and the second cylindrical body 203 are shown separately for the sake of explanation.

The second engaging member 227 includes a second coupling portion 301 as a coupling portion coupled to the second cylinder 203 at the second base end 213, a second cylindrical portion 303 as a cylindrical portion disposed in the first cylindrical hollow portion 202, and a pair of a second cylindrical portion second engaging portion 329 and a second cylindrical portion second engaging portion 330 disposed on the second cylindrical portion outer surface 304 of the second cylindrical portion 303.

The second coupling portion 301 has a cross-sectional shape along the outer surface of the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the second cylinder 203 (the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the second cylinder hollow portion 204), is inserted into the second cylinder hollow portion 204 of the second cylinder 203, and is fixed to the second cylinder 203.

The pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 and 330 is disposed on both sides of the flexing direction FD (both ends in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD). The pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 and 330 includes engagement protrusions 331 and 332 protruding outward, respectively. The pair of engaging projections 331 and the engaging projections 332 are configured to engage with a pair of first bushing member engaging recesses 605 and a first bushing member engaging recess 606 of the first bushing member 601, respectively, which will be described later.

The second cylindrical portion 303 is along the first arm axis AL₁Extends outward in the direction opposite to the second cylinder 203 from the second base end 213 of the second cylinder 203, and is configured to be slidable along the inner surface of the first cylinder 201 in accordance with the movement of the second cylinder 203. The second cylindrical portion 303 is disposed inside the first cylinder 201 (the first cylinder hollow portion 202) in both the contracted form and the expanded form of the first arm portion 5.

The second cylindrical portion 303 has a second cylindrical portion axis AL as an axis of the second cylindrical portion 303₃And as a second cylindrical part axis AL₃Second circumferential direction PD of the circumferential direction₁. In addition, the second cylindrical portion axis AL is formed in a state where the second engaging member 227 is assembled to the first arm portion 5₃Existing in contact with the first arm axis AL₁On the same straight line, and a second circumferential PD₁The same as the circumferential direction PD of the first arm portion 5. Therefore, in a state where the second engaging member 227 is assembled to the first arm portion 5, the second cylindrical portion axis AL can be individually set₃And a second circumferential direction PD₁Replaced by a first arm axis AL₁And a circumferential PD.

The second cylinder 203 includes a pair of second cylinder fitting holes (not shown) at the second base end 213. The second coupling portion 301 includes a pair of second fitting protrusions 305 and a second fitting protrusion 306 that are fitted into a pair of second cylinder fitting holes (not shown) of the second cylinder 203. The second engaging member 227 is fixed to the second cylindrical body 203 by fitting the second fitting projection 305 and the second fitting projection 306 into the second base end portion fitting hole 259 and a second base end portion fitting hole (not shown) disposed in the second base end portion 213 of the second cylindrical body 203, respectively.

The second base end 213 of the second cylinder 203 is also adjacent to the second engaging projection 315 formed in the second cylinder 303, and the rattling of the second cylinder 303 and the second engaging member 227 can be suppressed.

The second coupling portion 301 further includes a pair of fitting second recessed portions 327 and a fitting second recessed portion 328, and the pair of fitting second recessed portions 327 and the fitting second recessed portion 328 are used to actuate the contraction locking mechanism that holds the contracted form of the first arm portion 5 (specifically, the second cylindrical body 203 and the third cylindrical body 205).

The second cylindrical portion 303 includes a pair of second high- flexure portions 307 and 308 and a pair of second low- flexure portions 309 and 310. The pair of second high-flexing portions 307 and 308 are disposed on both side portions (both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD) in the flexing direction FD, and the pair of second low-flexing portions 309 and 310 are disposed on both end portions in the flexing direction FD.

The second cylindrical portion 303 includes a second engaging projection 315 at a boundary with the second coupling portion 301. The second engaging projection 315 extends along the second circumferential direction PD of the second cylindrical portion 303₁Arranged and directed towards the second cylindrical part axis AL₃The outer side of the body is protruded.

The inward direction, i.e., close to the second cylinder axis AL, of each of the pair of second low-flexing portions 309 and 310₃Is lower than each of the pair of second high-flexure portions 307 and second high-flexure portions 308.

The second cylindrical portion 303 is divided into a pair of second high-flexure 307 and second high-flexure 308 and a pair of second low-flexure 309 and second low-flexure 310. Each of the pair of second high-flexure 307 and second high-flexure 308 and each of the pair of second low-flexure 309 and second low-flexure 310 are at the second circumferential PD₁A pair of second low-bending portions 309 and 310 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the elliptical cross-sectional shape of the first cylinder 201The pair of second high-deflection portion 307 and second high-deflection portion 308 is disposed at both ends in the short-diameter direction (Y-axis direction) of the elliptical cross-sectional shape of the first cylinder 201.

Four second slit portions 313 in total having a predetermined width are arranged between each of the pair of second high- flexure portions 307 and 308 and each of the pair of second low- flexure portions 309 and 310. Thereby, each of the pair of second high-flexure portions 307 and second high-flexure portions 308 and each of the pair of second low-flexure portions 309 and second low-flexure portions 310 can be independently flexed (flexure degree adjusted).

The second high-flexure 307 includes a second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 317a and a pair of second high-flexure axial direction projecting portions 317b, and the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 317a is configured to extend in the second circumferential direction PD₁The pair of second high-flexure axial-direction protrusions 317b extending slidably with the first inner surface 245 along the second cylindrical portion axis AL₃Extend and slide with the first inner surface 245. The second high-deflection portion circumferential direction extending portion 317a and the pair of second high-deflection portion axial direction extending portions 317b extend toward the second cylindrical portion axial line AL, respectively₃The outer side of the body is protruded. The pair of second high-flexure axial direction extending portions 317b are arranged in the second circumferential direction PD of the second high-flexure 307₁Two ends of (a).

The second high-flexure 308 includes a second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 318a and a pair of second high-flexure axial projecting portions 318b, the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 318a being configured to extend in the second circumferential direction PD₁Extending slidably with the first inner surface 245, the pair of second high-flexure axial-direction protrusions 318b being configured to extend along the second cylindrical portion axis AL₃Extend and slide with the first inner surface 245. The second high-deflection portion circumferential extension 318a and the pair of second high-deflection portion axial extension 318b extend toward the second cylindrical portion axis AL, respectively₃The outer side of the body is protruded. The pair of second high-flexure axial direction extending portions 318b is arranged in the second circumferential direction PD of the second high-flexure 308₁Two ends of (a).

The rigidity of the second high-bending portion 307 and the second high-bending portion 308 is increased by the second high-bending portion circumferential extension portion 317a, the pair of second high-bending portion axial-direction extension portions 317b, the second high-bending portion circumferential extension portion 318a, and the pair of second high-bending portion axial-direction extension portions 318b, and the sliding function of the second cylindrical portion 303 can be assisted by the second high-bending portion 307 and the second high-bending portion 308 following changes in the shape (taper) of the inner surface of the first cylindrical body 201, changes in the angles of the first cylindrical body 201 and the second cylindrical body 203, and the like, even when the cleaning tool 1 is used for a long period of time.

The second low-flexure 309 includes a second low-flexure circumferential protruding portion 319a and a pair of second low-flexure axial protruding portions 319b, and the second low-flexure circumferential protruding portion 319a is configured to extend in the second circumferential direction PD₁The pair of second low-bending-portion axial-direction protruding portions 319b extending slidably with the first inner surface 245 along the second cylindrical portion axis AL₃Extend and slide with the first inner surface 245. The second low-deflection portion circumferential extension portion 319a and the pair of second low-deflection portion axial extension portions 319b extend toward the second cylindrical portion axis AL, respectively₃The outer side of the body is protruded. A pair of second low-flexure axial-direction protruding portions 319b in the second circumferential direction PD₁Are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other.

The second low-flexure 310 includes a second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 320a and a pair of second low-flexure axial projecting portions 320b, and the second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 320a is configured to extend in the second circumferential direction PD₁The pair of second low-deflection portion axial-direction protrusions 320b extending slidably with the first inner surface 245 along the second cylindrical portion axis AL₃Extend and slide with the first inner surface 245. The second low-deflection portion circumferential extension 320a and the pair of second low-deflection portion axial extension 320b extend toward the second cylindrical portion axis AL, respectively₃The outer side of the body is protruded. A pair of second low-flexure axial-direction protrusions 320b in the second circumferential direction PD₁Are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other.

The second low-deflection portion circumferential protruding portion 319a and the pair of second low-deflection portion axial protruding portions 319b and the second low-deflection portion circumferential protruding portion 320a and the pair of second low-deflection portion axial protruding portions 320b assist the sliding function of the second cylindrical portion 303, and suppress the second cylindrical body 203 from rattling with respect to the first cylindrical body 201.

Further, the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 317a and the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 318a and the second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 319a and the second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 320a sandwich the second slit portion 313 therebetween, forming a loop around the second circumferential direction PD₁A circumferential second circumferential extension 311.

In addition, since the second cylindrical portion 303 includes the second circumferential projecting portion 311 (the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 317a and the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 318a and the second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 319a and the second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 320a), the pair of second high-flexure axial direction projecting portions 317b and the pair of second high-flexure axial direction projecting portions 318b, and the pair of second low-flexure axial direction projecting portions 319b and the pair of second low-flexure axial direction projecting portions 320 b) in addition to the second engaging convex portion 315, when the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 are expanded from the contracted form to the expanded form, the second circumferential extending portion 311 and the like of the second cylinder 303 of the second engaging member 227 can slide on the first cylinder 201, and the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 can be fixed at any position between the contracted form and the expanded form.

In the first embodiment, the first arm 5, specifically, the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 are provided with a contraction locking mechanism that retains their contracted forms.

Specifically, the second engaging member 227 further includes, as the second locking portion, a pair of fitting second protrusions 321 and a fitting second protrusion 322 connected to the second cylindrical portion 303. The fitting second protrusion 321 includes a second cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 323 and a second convex portion 325, the second cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 323 and the second cylindrical portion axial line AL being with the second low-deflection portion 309 as a base point₃Extending in parallel, the second convex portion 325 is located apart from the second cylindrical portion axis AL from the distal end of the second cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 323 as a base point₃Extend in the direction of (a).

The pair of fitting second protrusions 321 and 322 are disposed in the first cylindrical hollow portion 202, respectively, and are configured not to slide on the first inner surface 245 of the first cylindrical body 201.

Similarly, the fitting second protrusion 322 includes a second cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 324 and a second convex portion 326, and the second cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 324 and the second cylindrical portion axial line AL with the second low-deflection portion 310 as a base point₃Extending in parallel, the second convex portion 326 is located outward, i.e., away from the second cylindrical portion axis AL from the distal end of the second cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 324 as a base point₃Extend in the direction of (a). Since the fitting second protrusion 321 and the fitting second protrusion 322 are projected from the second low-flexing portion 309 and the second low-flexing portion 310, respectively, the positions of the fitting second protrusion 321 and the fitting second protrusion 322 are less likely to shift, and particularly, are less likely to move closer to or farther from the second cylindrical portion axis AL due to the low flexibility of the second low-flexing portion 309 and the second low-flexing portion 310₃Easily and reliably exhibit the locking function at the time of contraction.

The pair of fitting second protrusions 321 and 322 and the pair of fitting first recesses 235 and 236 of the lock member 225 constitute a contraction locking mechanism. Specifically, the first cylindrical body 201 and the second cylindrical body 203 are relatively moved closer to each other, so that the distance between the pair of fitting second protrusions 321 and the pair of fitting second protrusions 322 and the pair of fitting first recesses 235 and the pair of fitting first recesses 236 are close to each other and locked, and the distance between the first cylindrical body 201 and the second cylindrical body 203 is relatively moved away from each other so that they are not locked. As a result, the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 are locked when contracted.

In the contracted state of the first cylindrical body 201 and the second cylindrical body 203, the locking member 225 and the second engaging member 227 lock the first cylindrical body 201 and the second cylindrical body 203 by fitting the fitting second protrusion 321 into the fitting first recess 235 and fitting the fitting second protrusion 322 into the fitting first recess 236.

On the other hand, when the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 are in the extended state, that is, when the lock member 225 and the second engagement member 227 are separated from each other, the fitting second protrusion 321 is disengaged from the fitting first recess 235 and the fitting second protrusion 322 is disengaged from the fitting first recess 236, so that the lock between the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 is released.

In the first embodiment, the first arm portion 5, specifically, the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 are provided with an extension locking mechanism for maintaining an extension form.

As shown in fig. 7, the first bushing member 601 includes a pair of first bushing member first engaging portions 603 and first bushing member first engaging portions 604 on both sides in the bending direction FD (both ends in the direction orthogonal to the bending direction FD).

The first bushing member first engaging portion 603 includes a first bushing member engaging recess 605 configured to engage with the second cylindrical portion second engaging portion 329 of the second cylindrical portion 303, and a first bushing member void portion 607 (see fig. 8) formed between the first bushing member first engaging portion 603 and the first cylinder 201 is arranged outside the first bushing member first engaging portion 603. Therefore, the first bushing member first engaging portion 603 is configured to be outwardly flexible. The first bush member engagement recess 605 is recessed outward. Specifically, the first bushing member engaging recessed portion 605 is a through hole that penetrates outward.

Similarly, the first bushing member first engaging portion 604 includes a first bushing member engaging recessed portion 606 configured to engage with the second cylindrical portion second engaging portion 330 of the second cylindrical portion 303, and a first bushing member gap portion 608 formed between the first bushing member first engaging portion 604 and the first cylinder 201 is disposed outside the first bushing member first engaging portion 604 (see fig. 8). Therefore, the first bushing member first engaging portion 604 is configured to be outwardly flexible. The first bushing member engaging recessed portion 606 is recessed outward. Specifically, the first bushing member engaging recess 606 is a through hole that penetrates outward.

The first bushing member 601 includes a pair of first bushing portion fitting protrusions 609 and first bushing portion fitting protrusions 610, which are fitted into a pair of first distal end portion fitting holes 247 and first distal end portion fitting holes 248 (see fig. 8) of the first cylinder 201 to be described later, respectively, and fixed to the first cylinder 201. The pair of first bush portion fitting protrusions 609 and first bush portion fitting protrusions 610 are arranged on both side portions in the flexing direction FD (both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD).

As shown in fig. 8, the first bush member 601 is fixed to the first cylinder 201 by fitting the pair of first bush portion fitting protrusions 609 and the first bush portion fitting protrusions 610 into the pair of first tip end portion fitting holes 247 and the first tip end portion fitting hole 248, respectively.

The first bushing member 601 is disposed at the first distal end portion 211 of the first cylinder 201 and inside the first cylinder 201, and constitutes the first inner surface 245 of the first cylinder 201.

As shown in fig. 8, when the first cylinder 201 and the second cylinder 203 are separated from each other, the pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 (engagement protrusions 331) and the second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 330 (engagement protrusions 332) of the second engagement member 227 are closer to the pair of first bushing member first engagement portions 603 (first bushing member engagement recesses 605) and first bushing member first engagement portions 604 (first bushing member engagement recesses 606) of the first bushing member 601, and finally the engagement protrusions 331 and the first bushing member engagement recesses 605 are engaged with each other and the engagement protrusions 332 and the first bushing member engagement recesses 606 are engaged with each other. Thereby, the first cylindrical body 201 and the second cylindrical body 203 are locked in the extended state.

Further, since the first bushing member gap 607 and the first bushing member gap 608 are respectively disposed between the first bushing member first engaging portion 603 and the first bushing member first engaging portion 604 and the first cylinder 201, the first bushing member first engaging portion 603 and the first bushing member first engaging portion 604 can be outwardly flexed. Therefore, in the other modes than the extended mode, since the first bush member first engagement portion 603 and the first bush member first engagement portion 604 do not need to be continuously flexed, the flexibility of the first bush member first engagement portion 603 and the first bush member first engagement portion 604 is less likely to be reduced with the passage of time, and the lock mechanism is less likely to be reduced with the passage of time during the extension.

The engaging protrusion 331 of the second cylindrical portion second engaging portion 329 includes a base end side wall 333 disposed on the base end 15 (first base end 209) side and a tip side wall 335 disposed on the tip 13 (first tip 211) side. The base end side wall part 333 and the tip end side wall part 335 are respectively aligned with the first arm axis AL₁(second cylindrical portion axis AL)₃) The direction of intersection, specifically, the direction substantially orthogonal to each other, stands up. Thus, the engaged second cylindrical portion second engagement portion 329 (engagement projection 331) and first bush member first engagement portion 603 (first bush member engagement recess 605) are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the first arm portion 5.

Similarly to the engaging protrusions 331, the engaging protrusions 332 of the second cylindrical portion second engaging portion 330 include a base end side wall portion (not shown) disposed on the base end 15 (first base end portion 209) side and a tip end side wall portion (not shown) disposed on the tip end 13 (first tip end portion 211) side. The base end side wall portion (not shown) and the tip end side wall portion (not shown) function similarly to the base end side wall portion 333 and the tip end side wall portion 335, respectively, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

A distance D between the pair of first bushing member first engaging portions 603 and the first bushing member first engaging portion 604 in the short diameter direction (Y-axis direction)₁(distance between the first inner surfaces 245) is longer than the distance D between the pair of second cylindrical portion second engaging portions 329 and the pair of second cylindrical portion second engaging portions 330₂(the distance between the second cylindrical portion outer surfaces 304) is short. Thus, in the first arm portion 5 in the extended state, the engaged first bush member engaging recess 605 and engaging projection 331 and the engaged first bush member engaging recess 606 and engaging projection 332 are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the first arm portion 5.

In addition, in the short-diameter direction (Y-axis direction), the pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 are second engaged with the second cylindrical portionDistance D between portions 330₂(distance between the second cylindrical portion outer surfaces 304) is larger than the distance D between the first inner surfaces 245 in the region where the first bushing member 601 does not exist₃Short. Thus, when the first arm portion 5 is in a form other than the extended form (for example, the contracted form), since each of the pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 and 330 does not need to be bent inward or bent weakly, the flexibility of each of the pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 and 330 is less likely to decrease with time.

Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the third engagement member 229. Specifically, fig. 9(a) is a front view of the third engagement member 229, fig. 9(b) is a left side view of the third engagement member 229, and fig. 9(c) is a perspective view of the third engagement member 229.

Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining the second liner member 621. Specifically, fig. 10(a) is a front view of the second hub member 621, fig. 10(b) is a left side view of the second hub member 621, and fig. 10(c) is a perspective view of the second hub member 621.

The third engagement member 229 includes a third connection portion 401 as a connection portion connected to the third cylinder 205 at the third base end 217, a third cylindrical portion 403 as a cylindrical portion disposed in the second cylinder hollow portion 204, and a pair of a third cylindrical portion second engagement portion 429 and a third cylindrical portion second engagement portion 430 disposed on the third cylindrical portion outer surface 404 of the third cylindrical portion 403.

The third coupling part 401 has a cross-sectional shape along the outer surface of the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the third cylinder 205 (the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the third cylinder hollow part 206), is inserted into the third cylinder hollow part 206 of the third cylinder 205, and is fixed to the third cylinder 205.

The pair of third cylindrical portion second engagement portions 429 and the third cylindrical portion second engagement portion 430 are disposed on both side portions in the flexing direction FD (both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD). The pair of third cylindrical portion second engagement portions 429 and the third cylindrical portion second engagement portion 430 include engagement protrusions 431 and 432 that protrude outward, respectively. The pair of engaging projections 431 and 432 are configured to engage with a pair of second hub member engaging recesses 625 and a second hub member engaging recess 626, respectively, of the second hub member 621, which will be described later.

The third cylindrical portion 403 is along the first arm axis AL₁Extends outward in the direction opposite to the third cylinder 205 from the third base end 217 of the third cylinder 205, and is configured to be slidable along the inner surface of the second cylinder 203 in accordance with the movement of the third cylinder 205. The third cylindrical portion 403 is disposed inside the second cylinder 203 (the second cylinder hollow portion 204) in both the contracted form and the expanded form of the first arm portion 5.

The third cylindrical portion 403 has a third cylindrical portion axis AL as an axis of the third cylindrical portion 403₄And as a third cylindrical part axis AL₄Third circumferential direction PD of the circumferential direction₂. Further, the third cylindrical portion axis AL is in a state where the third engagement member 229 is assembled to the first arm portion 5₄Existing in contact with the first arm axis AL₁On the same straight line, and a third circumferential PD₂The same as the circumferential direction PD of the first arm portion 5. Therefore, in a state where the third engagement member 229 is assembled to the first arm portion 5, the third cylindrical portion axis AL can be individually set₄And a third circumferential direction PD₂Replaced by a first arm axis AL₁And a circumferential PD.

The third cylinder 205 has a pair of third cylinder fitting holes (not shown) at the third base end 217. The third coupling portion 401 includes a pair of third fitting protrusions 405 and a third fitting protrusion 406 that are fitted into a pair of third cylinder fitting holes (not shown) of the third cylinder 205. The third engagement member 229 is fixed to the third cylindrical body 205 by fitting the third fitting projection 405 and the third fitting projection 406 into a third cylindrical body fitting hole (not shown) of the third cylindrical body 205, respectively.

The third base end 217 of the third cylinder 205 is also adjacent to the third engaging projection 415 of the third cylinder 403 disposed at the boundary with the third coupling portion 401, and can suppress rattling of the third cylinder 403 and the third engaging member 229.

The third coupling portion 401 further includes a pair of fitting third recessed portions 427 and fitting third recessed portions 428, and the pair of fitting third recessed portions 427 and fitting third recessed portions 428 are used to actuate the contraction locking mechanism that allows the first arm portion 5 (specifically, the third cylindrical body 205 and the fourth cylindrical body 207) to maintain their contracted forms.

The third cylindrical portion 403 includes a pair of third cylindrical portion second engagement portions 429 and a third cylindrical portion second engagement portion 430, and the pair of third cylindrical portion second engagement portions 429 and the third cylindrical portion second engagement portion 430 are engaged with a pair of second bush member engagement recessed portions 625 and a second bush member engagement recessed portion 626 of a second bush member 621, which will be described later, respectively. The pair of third cylindrical portion second engagement portions 429 and the third cylindrical portion second engagement portion 430 are disposed on both side portions in the flexing direction FD (both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD).

The third cylindrical portion 403 includes a pair of third high-flexing portions 407 and 408 and a pair of third low-flexing portions 409 and 410. The pair of third high-flexing portions 407 and 408 are disposed on both side portions (both end portions in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD) in the flexing direction FD, and the pair of third low-flexing portions 409 and 410 are disposed on both end portions in the flexing direction FD.

The third cylindrical portion 403 includes a third engaging projection 415 at a boundary with the third coupling portion 401. The third engaging projection 415 extends along the third circumferential direction PD of the third cylindrical portion 403₂Arranged and directed towards the third cylindrical part axis AL₄The outer side of the body is protruded. A third slit portion 413 is arranged between each of the pair of third high-flexure portions 407 and 408 and each of the pair of third low-flexure portions 409 and 410.

The third high flexing portion 407 and the third high flexing portion 408 are respectively provided with a third high flexing portion circumferential protruding portion 417a and a pair of third high flexing portion axial direction protruding portions 417b and a third high flexing portion circumferential protruding portion 418a and a pair of third high flexing portion axial direction protruding portions 418 b. The third high-deflection portion circumferential protruding portion 417a and the third high-deflection portion circumferential protruding portion 418a are respectively configured to extend in the third circumferential direction PD₂Extend and are connected with the second inner surfaceThe face 257 slides. The pair of third high-deflection-portion axial-direction extending portions 417b and the pair of third high-deflection-portion axial-direction extending portions 418b are respectively configured to extend along the third cylindrical portion axis AL₄Extends and slides with the second inner surface 257. The third high-deflection portion circumferential extension 417a and the pair of third high-deflection portion axial extension 417b, and the third high-deflection portion circumferential extension 418a and the pair of third high-deflection portion axial extension 418b are oriented toward the third cylindrical portion axis AL₄The outer side of the body is protruded. The pair of third high-flexure axial direction extending portions 417b are arranged in the third circumferential direction PD of the third high-flexure 407₂And the pair of third high-deflection-portion axial-direction protruding portions 418b are arranged in the third circumferential direction PD of the third high-deflection portion 408₂Two ends of (a).

The third low-flexure 409 and the third low-flexure 410 are respectively provided with a third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 419a and a pair of third low-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 419b, and a third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 420a and a pair of third low-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 420 b. The third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 419a and the third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 420a are respectively configured to extend in the third circumferential direction PD₂Extending and sliding with the second inner surface 257. The pair of third low-deflection portion axial-direction protrusions 419b and the pair of third low-deflection portion axial-direction protrusions 420b are respectively configured to extend along the third cylindrical portion axis AL₄Extends and slides with the second inner surface 257. The third low-deflection portion circumferential projecting portion 419a and the pair of third low-deflection portion axial projecting portions 419b and the third low-deflection portion circumferential projecting portion 420a and the pair of third low-deflection portion axial projecting portions 420b extend toward the third cylindrical portion axis AL₄The outer side of the body is protruded. A pair of third low-deflection portion axial-direction protrusions 419b in the third circumferential direction PD₂A pair of third low-deflection portion axial direction protrusions 420b arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the third circumferential direction PD₂Are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other.

Further, the third high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 417a and the third high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 418a, and the third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 419a and the third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 420a sandwich the third slit 413 therebetweenForm a PD around a third circumferential direction₂A third circumferential extension 411 of one revolution.

Since the third circumferential projecting portion 411, the third high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 417a, the pair of third high-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 417b, the third high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 418a, the pair of third high-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 418b, the third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 419a, the pair of third low-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 419b, the third low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 420a, and the pair of third low-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 420b have the same functions as the second circumferential projecting portion 311, the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 317a, the pair of second high-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 317b, the second high-flexure circumferential projecting portion 318a, the pair of second high-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 318b, the second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 319a, the pair of second low-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 319b, the second low-flexure circumferential projecting portion 320a, and the pair of second low-flexure axial-direction projecting portions 320b, so that the description is omitted.

In the first embodiment, the first arm portion 5, specifically, the second cylinder 203 and the third cylinder 205 are provided with a contraction locking mechanism that retains their contracted forms.

Specifically, the third engagement member 229 further includes, as the second lock portion, a pair of fitting third protrusions 421 and a fitting third protrusion 422 that are connected to the third cylindrical portion 403. The fitting third protrusion 421 includes a third cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 423 and a third convex portion 425, the third cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 423 being connected to the third cylindrical portion axial line AL with the third low-deflection portion 409 as a base point₄The third convex portion 425 extends in parallel to the third cylindrical portion axis AL with the distal end of the third cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 423 as a base point₄The outer side of the body is protruded.

Similarly, the fitting third protrusion 422 includes a third cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 424 and a third convex portion 426, the third cylindrical portion axial direction extending portion 424 and the third cylindrical portion axial line AL with the third low-deflection portion 410 as a base point₄A part of the third convex part 426 extending in the axial direction of the third cylindrical part424 toward the third cylindrical portion axis AL with the tip end thereof as a base point₄The outer side of the body is protruded.

The pair of fitting third protrusions 421 and 422 and the pair of fitting second recessed portions 327 and 328 of the second coupling portion 301 of the second engaging member 227 constitute a contraction locking mechanism. Specifically, the distance between the pair of fitting third protrusions 421 and 422 and the pair of fitting second recessed portions 327 and 328 is set to be close to each other and locked by relatively moving the second cylindrical body 203 and the third cylindrical body 205 close to each other, and the distance between the pair of fitting third protrusions 421 and 422 and the pair of fitting second recessed portions 327 and 328 is set to be away from each other and locked by relatively moving the second cylindrical body 203 and the third cylindrical body 205 away from each other. As a result, the second cylinder 203 and the third cylinder 205 are locked when contracted.

The third engaging member 229 has the same structure as the second engaging member 227 and the same operational effects as the second engaging member 227, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the first arm portion 5, specifically, the second cylinder 203 and the third cylinder 205 are provided with an extension locking mechanism for maintaining an extension form.

As shown in fig. 10, the second hub member 621 includes a pair of second hub member first engagement portions 623 and a second hub member first engagement portion 624 on both sides in the bending direction FD (both ends in the direction orthogonal to the bending direction FD).

The second bushing member first engaging portion 623 includes a second bushing member engaging recessed portion 625 configured to engage with the third cylindrical portion second engaging portion 429 of the third cylindrical portion 403, and a second bushing member void portion 627 formed between the second bushing member first engaging portion 623 and the second cylindrical body 203 is disposed outward of the second bushing member first engaging portion 623. Therefore, the second bushing member first engagement portion 623 is configured to be outwardly flexible. The second bushing member engaging recessed portion 625 is recessed outward. Specifically, the second bushing member engaging recessed portion 625 is a through hole that penetrates outward.

Similarly, the second bushing member first engaging portion 624 includes a second bushing member engaging recess 626 configured to engage with the third cylindrical portion second engaging portion 430 of the third cylindrical portion 403, and a second bushing member gap 628 formed between the second bushing member first engaging portion 624 and the second cylindrical body 203 is disposed outward of the second bushing member first engaging portion 624. Therefore, the second bushing member first engaging portion 624 is configured to be outwardly flexible. The second bush member engagement recess 626 is recessed outward. Specifically, the second bushing member engaging recessed portion 626 is a through hole that penetrates outward.

The second hub member 621 includes a pair of second hub portion fitting protrusions 629 and second hub portion fitting protrusions 630, as in the first hub member 601, and is fixed to the second cylindrical body 203 by fitting the pair of second hub portion fitting protrusions 629 and second hub portion fitting protrusions 630 into a pair of second distal end portion fitting holes (not shown) disposed in the second base end portion 213 of the second cylindrical body 203, respectively. The pair of second bushing portion fitting protrusions 629 and second bushing portion fitting protrusions 630 are disposed at both ends in the bending direction FD.

The second bush member 621 is disposed on the second distal end portion 215 of the second cylinder 203 and inside the second cylinder 203, and constitutes a second inner surface 257 of the second cylinder 203.

When the second cylinder 203 and the third cylinder 205 are relatively separated from each other, the pair of third cylindrical portion second engaging portions 429 (engaging protrusions 431) and the third cylindrical portion second engaging portions 430 (engaging protrusions 432) of the third engaging member 229 and the pair of second bushing member first engaging portions 623 (second bushing member engaging recessed portions 625) and the second bushing member first engaging portions 624 (second bushing member engaging recessed portions 626) of the second bushing member 621 are closer to each other, and finally the engaging protrusions 431 and the second bushing member engaging recessed portions 625 are engaged with each other and the engaging protrusions 432 and the second bushing member engaging recessed portions 626 are engaged with each other. Thereby, the second cylinder 203 and the third cylinder 205 are locked in the extended state.

The engaging projection 431 of the third cylindrical portion second engaging portion 429 includes a base end side wall portion 433 disposed on the base end 15 (second base end 213) side and a tip end side wall portion 435 disposed on the tip end 13 (second tip end 215) side. A base end side wall portion 433 and a tip end side wall portion 435Respectively at the first arm axis AL₁(third cylindrical part axis AL)₄) The direction of intersection, specifically, the direction substantially orthogonal to each other, stands up. Thus, the engaged third cylindrical portion second engaging portion 429 (engaging projection 431) and the second bush member first engaging portion 623 (second bush member engaging recess 625) are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the first arm portion 5.

Similarly to the engaging projection 431, the engaging projection 432 of the third cylindrical portion second engaging portion 430 includes a base end side wall portion (not shown) disposed on the base end 15 (second base end 213) side and a tip end side wall portion (not shown) disposed on the tip end 13 (second tip end 215) side. Since the base end side wall portion (not shown) and the tip end side wall portion (not shown) function in the same manner as the base end side wall portion 433 and the tip end side wall portion 435, respectively, the description thereof is omitted.

In the short-diameter direction (Y-axis direction), the distance between the pair of second bushing member first engagement portions 623 and the second bushing member first engagement portion 624, specifically, the distance D between the second bushing member engagement recess 625 and the second bushing member engagement recess 626₄(distance between the second inner surfaces 257) is longer than a distance between the pair of third cylindrical portion second engaging portions 429 and the third cylindrical portion second engaging portion 430, specifically, a distance D between the engaging protrusions 431 and 432₅(the distance between the third cylindrical portion outer surfaces 404) is short. Thus, in the first arm portion 5 in the extended state, the engaged second bush member engaging recessed portion 625 and engaging protrusion 431 and the engaged second bush member engaging recessed portion 626 and engaging protrusion 432 are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the first arm portion 5.

In the short-diameter direction (Y-axis direction), the distance between the pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 and 330, specifically, the distance D between the engagement protrusions 331 and 332₂(distance between the second cylindrical portion outer surfaces 304) is larger than the distance D between the first inner surfaces 245 in the region where the first bushing member 601 does not exist₃Short. Thereby, the first arm portion 5 is in a state other than the extended stateIn the case of (for example, the contracted form), since each of the pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 and 330 does not need to be continuously flexed inward, the flexibility of each of the pair of second cylindrical portion second engagement portions 329 and 330 is less likely to decrease with time.

Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the fourth engaging member 231. Specifically, fig. 11(a) is a front view of the fourth engaging member 231, fig. 11(b) is a left side view of the fourth engaging member 231, and fig. 11(c) is a perspective view of the fourth engaging member 231.

Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining the third bushing member 641. Specifically, fig. 12(a) is a front view of the third bushing member 641, fig. 12(b) is a left side view of the third bushing member 641, and fig. 12(c) is a perspective view of the third bushing member 641.

The fourth engaging member 231 includes a fourth coupling portion 501 as a coupling portion coupled to the fourth cylinder 207 at the fourth base end 221, a fourth cylindrical portion 503 as a cylindrical portion disposed in the third cylindrical hollow portion 206, and a pair of a fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 529 and a fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 530 disposed on a fourth cylindrical portion outer surface 504 of the fourth cylindrical portion 503.

The fourth coupling portion 501 has a cross-sectional shape along the outer surface of the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the fourth cylinder 207 (the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the fourth cylinder hollow portion 208), is inserted into the fourth cylinder hollow portion 208 of the fourth cylinder 207, and is fixed to the fourth cylinder 207.

The pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 530 are disposed on both sides of the flexing direction FD (both ends in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD). The pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 530 include engaging protrusions 531 and engaging protrusions 532, respectively, which protrude outward. The pair of engaging protrusions 531 and 532 are configured to engage with a pair of third hub member engaging recessed portions 645 and 646 of a third hub member 641, which will be described later, respectively.

The fourth cylindrical portion 503 includes a fourth cylindrical portion axis AL as an axis of the fourth cylindrical portion 503₅And as a fourth cylinder axis AL₅Fourth circumferential direction PD of the circumferential direction₃. Further, the fourth cylindrical portion axis AL is in a state where the fourth engagement member 231 is assembled to the first arm portion 5₅Existing in contact with the first arm axis AL₁On the same straight line, the fourth circumferential direction PD₃The same as the circumferential direction PD of the first arm portion 5. Therefore, in a state where the fourth engagement member 231 is assembled to the first arm portion 5, the fourth cylindrical portion axis AL can be individually set₅And fourth circumferential direction PD₃Replaced by a first arm axis AL₁And a circumferential PD.

The fourth coupling portion 501 includes a pair of fourth fitting protrusions 505 and a fourth fitting protrusion 506. The fourth coupling portion 501 has the same structure as the third coupling portion 401 except that it does not have the structure corresponding to the fitting third recessed portion 427 and the fitting third recessed portion 428, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

The fourth cylindrical portion 503 includes a pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portions 529 and a fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portion 530, and the pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portion 530 are engaged with a pair of third bush member engagement recessed portions 645 and a third bush member engagement recessed portion 646 of a third bush member 641, which will be described later, respectively. The pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portion 530 are disposed on both sides of the flexing direction FD (both ends in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD).

The fourth cylindrical portion 503 includes a pair of fourth high-deflection portion 507 and fourth high-deflection portion 508, a pair of fourth low-deflection portion 509 and fourth low-deflection portion 510, a fourth circumferential projecting portion 511, a fourth slit portion 513, a fourth engaging projecting portion 515, a fourth high-deflection portion circumferential projecting portion 517, a fourth high-deflection portion circumferential projecting portion 518, a fourth low-deflection portion circumferential projecting portion 519a, a fourth low-deflection portion axial projecting portion 519b, a fourth low-deflection portion circumferential projecting portion 520a, a fourth low-deflection portion axial projecting portion 520b, a fourth projecting portion 521 for fitting, a fourth projecting portion 522 for fitting, a fourth cylindrical portion axial projecting portion 523, a fourth cylindrical portion axial projecting portion 524, a fourth projecting portion 525 and a fourth projecting portion 526.

In the first embodiment, the first arm portion 5, specifically, the third cylinder 205 and the fourth cylinder 207 are provided with an extension locking mechanism for maintaining an extension form.

As shown in fig. 12, the third bushing member 641 includes a pair of third bushing member first engaging portions 643 and third bushing member first engaging portions 644 on both sides in the flexing direction FD (both ends in the direction orthogonal to the flexing direction FD).

The third bush member first engaging portion 643 includes a third bush member engaging recessed portion 645, the third bush member engaging recessed portion 645 is configured to engage with the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 529 of the fourth cylindrical portion 503, and a third bush member gap portion 647 formed between the third bush member first engaging portion 643 and the third cylindrical body 205 is arranged outside the third bush member first engaging portion 643. Therefore, the third bushing member first engagement portion 643 is configured to be outwardly flexible. The third bushing member engagement recess 645 is recessed outward. Specifically, the third bushing member engaging recessed portion 645 is a through hole that penetrates outward.

Similarly, the third bush member first engaging portion 644 includes a third bush member engaging recessed portion 646, the third bush member engaging recessed portion 646 is configured to engage with the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 530 of the fourth cylindrical portion 503, and a third bush member gap 648 formed between the third bush member first engaging portion 644 and the third cylindrical portion 205 is disposed outward. Therefore, the third bushing member first engaging portion 644 is configured to be outwardly flexible. The third bush member engagement recess 646 is recessed outward. Specifically, the third bushing member engaging recess 646 is a through hole that penetrates outward.

The third bush member 641 includes a pair of third bush portion fitting protrusions 649 and third bush portion fitting protrusions 650, as in the case of the first bush member 601, and is fixed to the third cylinder 205 by fitting the pair of third bush portion fitting protrusions 649 and third bush portion fitting protrusions 650 into a pair of third distal end portion fitting holes (not shown) disposed in the third base end portion 217 of the third cylinder 205, respectively. The pair of third bushing portion fitting protrusions 649 and third bushing portion fitting protrusions 650 are disposed at both ends in the flexing direction FD.

The third bushing member 641 is disposed on the third distal end portion 219 of the third cylindrical body 205 and inside the third cylindrical body 205, and constitutes a third inner surface 269 of the third cylindrical body 205.

When the third cylinder 205 and the fourth cylinder 207 are relatively separated from each other, the pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portions 529 (engaging protrusions 531) and the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portions 530 (engaging protrusions 532) of the fourth engaging member 231 and the pair of third hub member first engaging portions 643 (third hub member engaging recessed portions 645) and the third hub member first engaging portions 644 (third hub member engaging recessed portions 646) of the third hub member 641 are closer to each other, and the engaging protrusions 531 and the third hub member engaging recessed portions 645 are finally engaged with each other and the engaging protrusions 532 and the third hub member engaging recessed portions 646 are engaged with each other. Thereby, the third cylinder 205 and the fourth cylinder 207 are locked in the extended state.

The engaging protrusion 531 of the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 529 includes a base end side wall portion 533 disposed on the base end 15 (third base end portion 217) side and a tip end side wall portion 535 disposed on the tip end 13 (third tip end portion 219) side. The base-end side wall portion 533 and the tip-end side wall portion 535 are respectively located at the first arm axis AL₁(fourth cylindrical portion axis AL)₅) The direction of intersection, specifically, the direction substantially orthogonal to each other, stands up. Thus, the engaged fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 529 (engaging projection 531) and the third bush member first engaging portion 643 (third bush member engaging recess 645) are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the first arm portion 5.

Similarly to the engaging protrusions 531, the engaging protrusions 532 of the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 530 include a base end side wall portion (not shown) disposed on the base end 15 (third base end 217) side and a tip end side wall portion (not shown) disposed on the tip end 13 (third tip end 219) side. Since the base-end side wall portion (not shown) and the tip-end side wall portion (not shown) function in the same manner as the base-end side wall portion 533 and the tip-end side wall portion 535, respectively, the description thereof is omitted.

A distance D between the pair of third bushing member first engagement portions 643 and the third bushing member first engagement portions 644 in the short-diameter direction (Y-axis direction)₅The distance (between the third inner surfaces 269) is shorter than the distance between the pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engaging portion 530 (the distance between the fourth cylindrical portion outer surfaces 504, not shown). Thus, in the first arm portion 5 in the extended state, the engaged third bush member engaging recessed portion 645 and the engaging protrusion 531 are less likely to disengage from the engaged third bush member engaging recessed portion 646 and the engaging protrusion 532 due to a force or the like accidentally applied to the first arm portion 5.

In the short-diameter direction (Y-axis direction), the distance between the pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portion 530 (not shown, the distance between the fourth cylindrical portion outer surfaces 504) is shorter than the distance between the third inner surfaces 269 in the region where the third bushing member 641 is not present (not shown). Thus, when the first arm portion 5 is in a form other than the extended form (for example, the contracted form), since each of the pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portion 530 does not need to be flexed inwardly or weakly flexed, the flexibility of each of the pair of fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portions 529 and the fourth cylindrical portion second engagement portion 530 is less likely to decrease with time.

As described above, since the second engagement member 227, the third engagement member 229, and the fourth engagement member 231 are provided with (i) the contraction-time lock mechanism, (ii) the slide mechanism, and (iii) the extension-time lock mechanism, respectively, the first arm portion 5 as a whole has (i) the contraction-time lock function, (ii) the slide function, and (iii) the extension-time lock function. Therefore, the first arm portion 5 can be fixed at an arbitrary length from the contracted form to the extended form.

In the first embodiment, the first arm 5 includes four tubular bodies, but the arm of the present disclosure is not limited to a total number of the tubular bodies as long as the arm includes at least two tubular bodies (the first tubular body and the second tubular body) and the arm can be extended and contracted by housing the second tubular body in the first tubular body.

When using the character expression, the arm portion of the present disclosure may have n (n is an integer of 2 or more) telescopic cylinder bodies. The outermost cylinder of the n cylinders is referred to as a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and … … in this order. From the viewpoint of the arm portion for the cleaning tool, the upper limit of n is preferably 6, more preferably 5, and still more preferably 4.

The k-th cylinder among the n cylinders is referred to as a "k-th cylinder". The proximal end portion of the kth cylinder is referred to as a "kth proximal end portion", the engagement member disposed at the kth proximal end portion is referred to as a "kth engagement member", and the cylindrical portion of the kth engagement member is referred to as a "kth cylindrical portion".

In the case where the arm portion of the present disclosure includes two (n ═ 2) cylindrical bodies, it is preferable that a first cylindrical body as a first (k ═ 1) cylindrical body includes a lock member having a first lock portion at a first base end portion, and a second cylindrical body as a second (k ═ 2) cylindrical body includes a second lock portion at a second engagement member at a second base end portion, and the first lock portion and the second lock portion are locked to thereby exert the contracting-time lock function.

In the case where the arm portion of the present disclosure includes three or more (3 ≦ n) cylindrical bodies, it is preferable to include a pair of locking portions (k is an integer of 1 or more and (n-1) or less) that can lock a kth engaging member disposed at a kth base end portion of a kth cylindrical body, which is a kth cylindrical body, and a (k +1) th engaging member disposed at a (k +1) th base end portion of a (k +1) th cylindrical body, which is a (k +1) th cylindrical body, to each other. This is because the arm portion as a whole can exhibit the lock function at the time of contraction.

The kth engaging member may include both a locking portion that locks with the (k-1) th engaging member (or the first locking portion) and a locking portion that locks with the (k +1) th engaging member.

In the first embodiment, the pair of fitting first recessed portions 235 and the fitting first recessed portions 236 are shown as the first locking portions, and the pair of fitting second projecting portions 321 and the fitting second projecting portions 322 are shown as the second locking portions, but the structure of the first locking portion and the second locking portion in the arm portion of the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as the first locking portion and the second locking portion are provided with a contracting-time locking mechanism that performs locking by bringing the first locking portion and the second locking portion closer to each other and does not perform locking by bringing them apart from each other, and a structure known in the art can be employed. The same applies to the pair of locking portions.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, it is preferable that one of the first locking portion and the second locking portion is a fitting protrusion, and the other is a fitting recess. Preferably, the locking is performed by making the distance between the fitting protrusion and the fitting recess closer, and the locking is not performed by making the distance between them farther. This is from the viewpoint of: the contracting lock mechanism can be operated only by contracting the arm portion, and the contracting lock mechanism can be easily released only by extending the arm portion, and the contracted form of the arm portion can be easily fixed and released. Preferably, one of the pair of locking portions is a fitting protrusion portion, and the other is a fitting depression portion.

Preferably, the second locking portion is a fitting protrusion, and a base point of the fitting protrusion is a low-deflection portion. This is from the viewpoint of: the low flexibility of the low-flexibility portion makes it difficult for the position of the fitting projection to shift, particularly to shift in a direction toward or away from the axis of the cylindrical portion, and thus the locking function at the time of contraction is easily and reliably exhibited.

Preferably, the fitting protrusion is a pair of fitting protrusions, each of which includes an extension extending in the direction of the axis of the arm portion and a protrusion protruding outward from the tip of the extension, and the fitting recess is a pair of fitting recesses each of which includes a recess recessed outward. Preferably, the convex portion and the concave portion are configured to be locked by being close to each other in distance and to be unlocked by being away from each other in distance. This is because the contracted form of the arm portion is easily fixed and released.

The arm portion of the present disclosure may further include a sliding mechanism. This enables the arm portion of the present disclosure to be fixed at an arbitrary length. As the sliding mechanism, a mechanism known in the art can be used.

When the above-described character expression is used, in the case where the arm portion of the present disclosure includes two (n-2) cylindrical bodies, it is preferable that the second engagement member coupled to the second cylindrical body (k-2) is coupled to the second cylindrical body as the second (k-2) cylindrical body and configured to slide along the inner surface of the first cylindrical body as the first (k-1) cylindrical body, and a sliding function is provided to the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body.

In the case where the arm portion of the present disclosure includes three or more (3 ≦ n) cylindrical bodies, it is preferable that the (k +1) th cylindrical body includes a (k +1) th engaging member (k is an integer of 1 or more and (n-1) or less) that slides along the inner surface of the k-th cylindrical body. This is because the arm portion as a whole can exhibit a sliding function.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, the (k +1) -th engaging member is preferably a (k +1) -th cylindrical portion along an inner surface of the k-th cylindrical body, and has a structure having a (k +1) -th cylindrical portion axis and a (k +1) -th circumferential direction, and the (k +1) -th cylindrical portion preferably has a pair of (k +1) -th high-flexing portions that are likely to flex inward and a pair of (k +1) -th low-flexing portions that are less likely to flex inward than the pair of (k +1) -th high-flexing portions.

Preferably, the (k +1) th cylindrical portion includes four (k +1) th slit portions having a predetermined width in total between each of the pair of (k +1) th high-deflection portions and each of the pair of (k +1) th low-deflection portions. This is because each of the pair of (k +1) th high-deflection portions and each of the pair of (k +1) th low-deflection portions easily independently exert their functions. In addition, this is because the cylindrical portion can easily change the shape of the cross section in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the arm portion.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the (k +1) th cylindrical portion may include a portion where the thickness of the material constituting the (k +1) th cylindrical portion is small, rubber, or the like, between each of the pair of (k +1) th high-deflection portions and each of the pair of (k +1) th low-deflection portions, instead of the total of the four (k +1) th slit portions.

In addition, from the viewpoint of manufacturing, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface and/or the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the (k +1) th cylinder may change along the axial direction of the (k +1) th cylinder, and for example, in the first cylinder, the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface may gradually decrease (have a taper) from the first base end portion to the first tip end portion. Since the (k +1) th cylindrical portion of the (k +1) th engaging member includes the (k +1) th slit portion, the (k +1) th cylindrical portion can change the sectional shape in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the (k +1) th cylindrical portion, and therefore, the (k +1) th engaging member can exhibit the sliding function even when the (k +1) th cylindrical portion is tapered.

In addition, the direction in which the (k +1) th slit portion extends is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of changing the sectional shape in the direction orthogonal to the axis of the (k +1) th cylindrical portion, it is preferable that the (k +1) th cylindrical portion extends in the direction of the axis of the (k +1) th cylindrical portion.

Preferably, the pair of (k +1) -th high-flexing portions are disposed on both sides (both ends in a direction orthogonal to the flexing direction) of the cleaning body attachment portion in the flexing direction, and the pair of (k +1) -th low-flexing portions are disposed on both ends in the flexing direction of the cleaning body attachment portion.

The cross-sectional shape (the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface) of the (k +1) th cylinder in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the arm axis is arbitrary, and examples thereof include a circular shape, an elliptical shape having a major axis and a minor axis, and the like.

In the case where the cross-sectional shape of the (k +1) th cylinder is an ellipse, the (k +1) th high-flexure portion is preferably disposed at both ends in the direction of the short diameter of the (k +1) th cylinder, and the (k +1) th low-flexure portion is preferably disposed at both ends in the direction of the long diameter of the (k +1) th cylinder. This is because the (k +1) th cylinder is difficult to shake with respect to the k-th cylinder and difficult to rotate in the k-th circumferential direction. Further, this is because the (k +1) th high-flexure portion can be brought into contact with the inner surface of the (k +1) th cylindrical body in a state in which the (k +1) th high-flexure portion is closer to the plane than the (k +1) th low-flexure portion, and therefore, the (k +1) th high-flexure portion more easily exhibits the sliding function.

Preferably, the pair of (k +1) -th low-flexure portions each include one of a (k +1) -th low-flexure portion circumferentially extending portion configured to extend in the (k +1) -th circumferential direction and slide with the inner surface of the (k +1) -th cylindrical body and a (k +1) -th low-flexure portion axially extending portion configured to extend in the (k +1) -th cylindrical body axial direction and slide with the inner surface of the (k +1) -th cylindrical body, and more preferably, both of them. This is because the pair of (k +1) -th low-deflection portions and the engaging member can further exhibit the sliding function.

Preferably, the pair of (k +1) th high-flexure portions each include one of a (k +1) th high-flexure portion circumferentially extending portion configured to extend in the (k +1) th circumferential direction and slide with the inner surface of the k-th cylindrical body and a (k +1) th high-flexure portion axially extending portion configured to extend in the direction of the (k +1) th cylindrical body axis and slide with the inner surface of the k-th cylindrical body, and more preferably, both of them. This is because the pair of (k +1) -th high-deflection portions and the engaging member can further exhibit the sliding function.

The arm portion of the present disclosure includes an extension locking mechanism that maintains an extension state. When the cleaning tool is used in an extended state, the cleaning body of the cleaning tool can be prevented from being brought into contact with a wall or the like and the arm portion can be prevented from being inadvertently contracted.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, the first engaging portion provided in the first tubular body is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to be flexible outward, and for example, the first tubular body itself may be provided with the first engaging portion, for example, an engaging recessed portion recessed outward or an engaging protrusion protruding outward.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, the first tubular body may further include a bush member that constitutes an inner surface of the first tubular body at the first distal end portion and inside the first tubular body, and the bush member may include a first engagement portion and a void portion disposed outside the first engagement portion. Thus, the first engaging portion is not exposed to the outer surface of the arm portion, and the user does not feel a foreign body sensation when holding the arm portion, and the arm portion is excellent in appearance.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, the first tubular body may further include a bush member at the first distal end portion and outside the first tubular body, and the first tubular body itself may include the first engagement portion.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, the engaging member is not particularly limited as long as it includes the connecting portion, the cylindrical portion, and the second engaging portion.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, the first engaging portion provided in the first cylindrical body and the second engaging portion provided in the engaging member of the second cylindrical body are not particularly limited as long as the first engaging portion can be engaged with each other by flexing the first engaging portion outward. Examples of the combination of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion include a combination of an engaging recessed portion recessed outward and an engaging projection projecting outward, and a combination of an engaging projection projecting inward and an engaging recessed portion recessed inward. The engaging recess may be a recess having a bottom, or may be a through hole having no bottom.

Further, it is preferable that the second engagement portion provided in the engagement member of the second cylindrical body is capable of flexing inward. This is because, for example, when the second engaging portion is an engaging projection, the inner surface of the first cylinder is less likely to be damaged.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, it is preferable that the first engaging portion provided in the first cylindrical body and the second engaging portion provided in the engaging member of the second cylindrical body are an engaging recessed portion recessed outward and an engaging protrusion protruding outward, respectively. This makes it difficult to leave a contact trace on the outer surface of the second cylindrical body due to the first engaging portion.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure in which the arm portion includes the engaging projection, the engaging projection preferably includes a proximal end side wall portion disposed on a proximal end side. In the embodiment of the present disclosure in which the arm portion includes the engaging projection, the engaging projection preferably includes a distal-end-side wall portion disposed on a distal end side. Thus, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that are engaged with each other are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the arm portion.

The angle of the base-end side wall portion with respect to the axis of the arm portion, that is, the base-end side wall portion inclination angle (inclination angle formed by the engaging projection), is preferably 30 ° or more, more preferably 45 ° or more, still more preferably 60 ° or more, and still more preferably 70 ° or more. The inclination angle of the base end side wall portion is preferably 90 ° (perpendicular to the axis of the arm portion) or less. This is from the viewpoint of: when the cleaning tool is deformed from the storage form (the contracted form) to the cleaning form (the extended form), the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion can be smoothly engaged with each other, and the engaged first engaging portion and second engaging portion are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the arm portion.

The angle of the distal-side wall portion with respect to the axis of the arm portion, that is, the distal-side wall portion inclination angle (the inclination angle formed by the engaging projection) is preferably 30 ° or more, more preferably 45 ° or more, still more preferably 60 ° or more, and still more preferably 70 ° or more. The inclination angle of the distal-side wall portion is preferably 90 ° (perpendicular to the axis of the arm portion) or less. This is from the viewpoint of: the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that are engaged with each other are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the arm portion, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that are engaged with each other are more likely to be disengaged when the cleaning tool having the arm portion is finished being used and the cleaning tool is deformed to the storage form.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, it is preferable that the inner surface of the first cylindrical body has a cross-sectional shape having a major diameter extending in the bending direction and a minor diameter extending in a direction intersecting the bending direction, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are a pair of first engaging portions and a pair of second engaging portions disposed at both ends in the direction of the minor diameter, respectively. Thus, even when the arm portion is flexed in the flexing direction of the cleaning element mounting portion, the locking function at the time of extension is easily exhibited.

Preferably, a distance between the pair of first engaging portions is shorter than a distance between the pair of second engaging portions in the direction of the short diameter. Thus, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion that are engaged with each other are less likely to be disengaged by a force or the like accidentally applied to the arm portion.

Preferably, a distance between the pair of first engaging portions is a distance between inner surfaces of the first cylindrical body formed by the pair of first engaging portions. Preferably, the distance between the pair of second engagement portions is a distance between outer surfaces of the cylindrical portion of the engagement member on which the pair of second engagement portions are disposed. This is from the viewpoint of the effect of the present disclosure.

Preferably, the distance between the pair of first engaging portions and the distance between the pair of second engaging portions are distances obtained by removing the engaging protrusions. This is from the viewpoint of the effect of the present disclosure.

Preferably, a distance between the pair of second engaging portions is shorter than a distance between the facing inner surfaces of the first tubular body in the short-diameter direction. Accordingly, when the arm portion is in a form other than the extended form, for example, in the contracted form, each of the pair of second engagement portions does not need to be bent inward or weakly bent, and therefore, the flexibility of each of the pair of second engagement portions is less likely to decrease with time.

In the case where the pair of second engaging portions includes the engaging projection, the distance between the pair of second engaging portions may be a distance excluding the engaging projection, and is preferably a distance including the engaging projection. When the distance between the pair of second engaging portions is a distance excluding the engaging projection, the cleaning tool in the contracted state does not need to be bent inward or bent weakly, and when the distance between the pair of second engaging portions includes the engaging projection, the cleaning tool in the contracted state does not need to be bent inward.

In addition, when the first cylinder includes the bush member, it is preferable that a distance between the facing inner surfaces of the first cylinder be a distance between the facing inner surfaces of the first cylinder in a region other than the bush member. This is from the viewpoint of the effect of the present disclosure.

In the arm portion of the present disclosure, the material of the locking member is, for example, plastic, and for example, polyacetal resin, nylon resin, or the like can be used, and plastic is preferable. This is from the viewpoint of making the arm portion hard to wear.

In the cleaning tool of the present disclosure, the material of the arm portion is, for example, metal or plastic, and may be, for example, polyacetal resin, ABS resin, polyolefin resin (for example, polypropylene resin or polyethylene resin), polycarbonate resin, polyester resin (for example, polyethylene terephthalate resin or polybutylene terephthalate resin), acrylic resin (for example, polymethyl methacrylate resin or polystyrene resin), or any combination thereof.

The material of the arm portion may be the same as the material of the locking member, and may also be different.

In the first embodiment, the cleaning tool 1 includes the first arm portion 5 having the grip portion 3, the second arm portion 9, the rotating portion 7, and the cleaning body attachment portion 11, but the arm portion of the present disclosure can be used for a cleaning tool having any structure.

For example, the arm portion of the present disclosure can be used for a cleaning tool including the arm portion and the cleaning element attachment portion of the present disclosure. The arm portion of the present disclosure can be used for a cleaning tool in which the arm portion and the cleaning element attachment are coupled to each other with the rotating portion interposed therebetween.

When the arm portion of the present disclosure is used for a cleaning tool in which the arm portion, the rotating portion, the second arm portion, and the cleaning element attachment of the present disclosure are connected in this order, the second arm portion may be non-extendable or extendable. When the second arm portion is extendable and retractable, it is preferably extendable and retractable in the axial direction of the second arm portion. The structure of the second arm portion is not limited to the structure shown in the first embodiment, and a known telescopic structure can be employed.

When the arm portion of the present disclosure is used in a cleaning tool in which the arm portion, the rotation portion, a desired second arm portion, and the cleaning element attachment member of the present disclosure are connected in this order, the rotation portion is not limited to the structure shown in the first embodiment, and a known structure of the rotation portion, for example, the structures described in patent document 1, japanese patent application laid-open No. 2004-.

The cleaning element attachment portion is not particularly limited, and may have a known structure such as that described in the above-mentioned publication.

The cleaning element may be any known cleaning element such as a disposable cleaning element or a cleaning element that is repeatedly used by cleaning or the like.

Description of the reference numerals

1 cleaning tool

3 grip part

5 first arm part

7 rotating part

9 second arm part

11 cleaning body mounting part

13 front end

15 base end

101 cleaning body

225 locking member

227 second engaging member

229 third engaging member

231 fourth engaging member

329. 330 second cylindrical part and second engaging part

331. 332 projection for engaging

333 base end side wall part

335 front end side wall part

429. 430 third cylindrical part second clamping part

431. 432 engaging projection

433 proximal end side wall part

435 front end side wall part

529. 530 fourth cylindrical second engaging part

531. 532 projection for engaging

533 base end side wall portion

535 front end side wall part

601 first bushing member

603. 604 first bushing member first engaging portion

605. 606 first bushing member engaging recess

607. 608 first bushing member void

609. 610 first bush portion fitting projection

621 second liner member

623. 624 second bushing member first engaging portion

625. 626 second bush member engaging recess

627. 628 second bushing member void

629. 630 projection for fitting second bush portion

641 third bush member

643. 644 third bushing member first engaging part

645. 646 third bush member engaging recess

647. 648 third bushing member void

649. 650 projection for fitting third bush part

Angle of theta arm

Direction of FD deflection