Adapter plate

Abstract

An adapter device for arranging a container (4, 6) on the upper face (5) of a cleaning device (9), said adapter device consisting of an adapter plate (1, 2) with a support surface (13, 15) and at least one locking element for locking the container in place on the (4, 6) adapter plate. The adapter plate (1, 2) is divided into at least two parts and consists of a front adapter plate (1) and a rear adapter plate (2) which can be separately mounted on the upper face (5) of the cleaning device (9).

Claims

1. An adapter device for arranging a container on the upper face of a cleaning device, said adapter device being composed of a first adapter plate and a separate second adapter plate configured to be connected to the upper surface of the cleaning device, each of the first and second adapter plates having a support surface opposite to a surface of the respective first or second adapter plate which faces the upper surface of the cleaning device and at least one locking element configured to lock the container in place on the support surface of the respective first or second adapter plate, wherein the first adapter plate and the second adapter plate are configured to be separately mounted on the upper face of the cleaning device, and wherein the first and second adapter plates are spaced apart from one another on the upper surface with no connecting pieces and such that the upper surface and a transport handle disposed on the upper surface are both freely accessible and exposed between the first and second adapter plates.

2. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the transport handle of the cleaning device is disposed and freely accessible in the space between the first and second adapter plates.

3. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the container is configured to be fixed to the support surface by connection elements.

4. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the support surface has at least two differently sized receiving areas, for receiving containers in different sizes.

5. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element of the first adapter plate has an arcuate part, in which a locking groove for locking with the container is disposed.

6. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one locking element of the second adapter plate has an arcuate part, in which a locking groove for locking with the container is disposed.

7. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second adapter plates are configured to be screwed to an upper face of the cleaning device by screw connections.

8. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first adapter plate or the second adapter plate has a receptacle for housing a tube or a cable.

9. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the second adapter plate has an inclined surface, which facilitates gripping of the transport handle.

10. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first adapter plate or the second adapter plate has a recess for housing objects.

11. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first adapter plate or the second adapter plate comprise an electrically driven auxiliary apparatus.

12. The adapter device according to claim 11, wherein the electric auxiliary apparatus is supplied with electric current through a socket which is disposed on the cleaning device.

13. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein the transport handle extends from the upper face of the cleaning device and is configured to be freely accessed in the space between the first and second adapter plates.

14. A cleaning device comprising an upper surface, a transport handle extending from the upper surface, and an adapter device comprising a first adapter plate and a separate second adapter plate configured to be connected to the upper surface of a cleaning device, each of the first and second adapter plates having a support surface and at least one locking element for locking the container in place on the support surface of the respective first or second adapter plate, wherein the first adapter plate and the second adapter plate are configured to be separately mounted on the upper face of the cleaning device, and wherein the first and second adapter plates are connected to the upper surface at a defined space apart from one another such that the upper surface and a transport handle disposed on the upper surface are both freely accessible and exposed in the defined space between the first and second adapter plates.

Description

(1) The invention is described in further detail, in the following, by means of drawings depicting only one way of putting it into practice. The drawings and the corresponding description provide further inventive characteristics and advantages of the invention.

(2) In particular:

(3) FIG. 1 shows an adapter plate according to the state of the art

(4) FIG. 2 shows a small mountable container

(5) FIG. 3 shows a large mountable container

(6) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a split adapter plate

(7) FIG. 5 shows a side view of a cleaning device with a mounted split adapter plate and a small container

(8) FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a split adapter plate

(9) FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of a front adapter plate

(10) FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of a rear adapter plate

(11) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a rear adapter plate

(12) FIG. 10 shows a view from above of the receiving regions

(13) FIGS. 11a to 11c show connection elements

(14) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a split adapter plate

(15) FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a cleaning device with a further embodiment of a mounted split adapter plate.

(16) FIG. 1 shows an integral adapter plate 1, 2 according to the known art. This adapter plate is mounted on a cleaning device, for example, a vacuum cleaner 9, and has a receiving region 7, 8 for receiving containers. These containers are fixed on the adapter plate 1, 2 by means of connection elements 14.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a smaller mountable container, which may be provided for housing electrical appliances, for example.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a larger container, which may also be used for housing electrical appliances. These may be electrical appliances, for example, which cooperate with the vacuum cleaner. A grinding machine may for instance be provided, wherein the grinding dust is sucked by the vacuum cleaner through a corresponding tube connection.

(19) FIG. 4 shows an inventive split adapter plate, which is mounted on a v9. The v9 may roll on the ground by means of wheels 17. On the upper face 11 of the device housing 12 a front adapter plate 1 and a rear adapter plate 2 are positioned. The adapter plate 1 is set at a distance 18 from the adapter plate 2. In this way a region of the upper face 11 of the cleaning device 9 covering the distance 18 between the adapter plates 1, 2 is freely visible and accessible. In this region a transport handle 19 is placed, wherein a gripping recess 20 is provided under this transport handle 19. This gripping recess 20 facilitates the gripping of the transport handle 19. The front adapter plate 1 has a support surface 13 and the rear adapter plate 2 has a support surface 15 on respective upper face for supporting a container 4, 6. The adapter plate 1 and the adapter plate 2 are mounted, through a screwed connection 10, on the upper face 11 of vacuum cleaner. Mounting of the adapter plates 1, 2 is also possible in the direction of the longitudinal axis so that, as shown in FIG. 12, these are parallel to transport handle 19. The adapter plates are placed here at a distance 18 from each other, in order to provide direct access to the transport handle 19 of the cleaning device 9.

(20) The view of FIG. 5 shows how a small container 4 may be mounted on the split adapter plates 1, 2. The container 4 abuts against abutments 16 and is therefore held in place.

(21) FIG. 6 shows how the front adapter plate has an arcuate part 28 in the front region, in which a locking groove 25 is positioned. Also the rear adapter plate 2 has an arcuate part 28, in which a locking groove 25 is also positioned. The invention should not be limited to the fact that in both adapter plates a locking groove is provided, optionally a locking groove 25 may be provided in only one adapter plate. This locking groove 25 allows locking a container, wherein the container has a corresponding locking protrusion, which, in case of positioning on the adapter plates, engages the corresponding locking groove and therefore fixes the container on the upper face 11 of the vacuum cleaner. The transport handle 19 is freely accessible, and is positioned between the adapter plates 1 and 2. The rear adapter plate 2 has an inclined surface 24, which allows an easier access to the handle 19. The front adapter plate 2 has a recess 23, which may be used for housing tools, for example. The front adapter plate 1 and the rear adapter plate 2 have also connection elements 14, which are used for fixing the containers.

(22) In the configuration of FIG. 6, two different container sizes may be accommodated by the adapter plate 1, 2. A smaller container 4 may be received in the receiving points 3, wherein the receiving points 3 have connection elements 14 for fixing the container 4. It is also possible to receive larger containers 6, which because of their length contact the arcuate parts 28 and engage the locking grooves 25 through locking protrusions provided on the containers. Optionally, these containers may also be fixed through the connection elements 14. The rear adapter plate 2, which is shown in FIG. 8, also has receptacles 22, which may house a cable, for example. On the left side of the adapter plate 2 a connection element 14 is also provided, as well as a further connection element 14 on the front face, which are offset from each other by an angle of 90 degrees. The invention is not limited to this case. It is also possible to position at least two connection elements facing each other or at least two connection elements along a line of the respective adapter plate, in order to fix a container positioned on the adapter plate.

(23) It is preferred if the respective connection elements 14 of one adapter plate 1 are diametrically opposed to the connection elements 14 of the opposing adapter plate 2. This ensures a secure fixing of the container mounted on the same.

(24) In FIG. 7 the connection elements 14 are also positioned at an angle of 90 degrees. The adapter plate 1 also has a recess 23 for housing tools and small parts. The handle 19 is freely accessible on one side of the adapter plate 1. FIGS. 7 and 9 show the respective arcuate part 28 of the front adapter plate 1 and rear adapter plate 2. The arcuate part 28 has a locking groove 25 in which a corresponding locking protrusion of a container may engage. FIG. 9 shows the inclined surface 24 directed towards the central part of the vacuum cleaner. Therefore there are less edges, which hinder a manual handling of the transport handle.

(25) FIG. 10 shows the small receiving region 7 as well as the larger receiving region 8, wherein the receiving region 7 is for housing a small container 4 and the receiving region 8 for a larger container 6. The receiving region 8, which is split in two, like the region 7, and which is defined by the front 1 and the rear adapter plate 2, has on its outer area a respective arcuate part 28. The arcuate part 28 allows, with its locking groove 25, the receiving of a large container 6, which is provided with corresponding locking protrusions, which engage the locking grooves 25, thereby fixing and connecting the container to the adapter plate 1, 2.

(26) The receiving region 7 has on its front and width side a respective connection element 14, which in the example of FIG. 10 is diametrically opposed, so that the respective connection elements 7 are aligned to and facing the respective adapter plates 1, 2 in the lower area of the figure, and are positioned along a line in the upper part. The invention is not limited to this case. It may also be envisaged that the respective connection elements are mutually offset and opposed on both adapter plates 1, 2 in order to ensure a secure fixing of the respective container. In the front area of the cleaning device 9 a control panel 26 is provided, which, due to the inventive small size of the front adapter plate 1 is easily accessible without being covered by the same.

(27) FIGS. 11A to 11C show an embodiment of the connection elements 14, which are rotatably supported by a rotation axis 21. The connection element is therefore supported in a tiltable way on the adapter plate 1, 2 between a locked and a free position. The connection elements are provided by locking hooks and engage in the locking protrusion 27 in a corresponding recess of containers 4, 6.

(28) FIG. 13 shows another form of a split adapter plate according to the invention, with a front adapter plate 1 and a rear adapter plate 2, which are mounted on a cleaning device, a vacuum cleaner 9, for example. The vacuum cleaner 9 is movable on wheels 17 on the ground. On the upper face 11 of the apparatus housing 12 a front adapter plate 1 and a rear adapter plate 2 are disposed. The area of the upper face 11 of the cleaning device 9 between both adapter plates 1, 2 is freely viewable and accessible. In this area a transport handle 19 is positioned, wherein underneath the handle 19 a grip recess 20 is provided. The front adapter plate 1 has a support surface 13 and the rear adapter plate 2 has a support surface 15 for placing a container (FIGS. 2 and 3) on the same. The adapter plate 1 and the adapter plate 2 are screwed to the upper face 11 of the vacuum cleaner, for example.

(29) The rear adapter plate 2 may be provided with one or more recesses 23, in which objects like screws, coins, accessories, etc., may be stored.

(30) The front adapter plate 1 may be provided, for example, with an external or integral cable receptacle, which houses the electric cable of the cleaning device 9 or the electric cable of an electric auxiliary apparatus.

(31) The front adapter plate 1 may also contain an electric auxiliary apparatus 30, for example, an air compressor for generating compressed air with an inlet 31 and an outlet 32 for air, or a high pressure pump for generating a high pressure cleaning beam with an inlet 31 and an outlet 32 for water. The electric auxiliary apparatus 30 positioned in the adapter plate 1 has an electric cable 33, which may be inserted in an electric socket 29, which is provided on the control panel 26 of the cleaning device 9. In this way, the electric auxiliary apparatus 30 is electrically powered in the adapter plate 1 by the cleaning device 9. It may also be envisaged that the socket 29 is electrified once the cleaning device is connected to the electric grid. It may also be envisaged that the socket 29 is supplied with power once the cleaning device 9 is switched on. In the same way, a separate on/off switch may be provided for on/off switching of the socket 29.

(32) Obviously, various other electric appliances may be connected to the electric socket 29.

(33) It is therefore important, in the present invention, that an easy control and handling of the vacuum cleaner is ensured, due to the fact that the adapter plate is at least split in two parts so that the vacuum cleaner may be better controlled and, while keeping the same adapter plate size, at least two different receiving areas, according to container size, are available.

LIST OF REFERENCES

(34) 1 front adapter plate 2 rear adapter plate 3 attachment points for 4 4 container small 5 attachment points for 6 6 container large 7 receiving area 8 receiving area 9 cleaning device/vacuum cleaner 10 screw connection 11 upper face 12 device housing 13 support surface front 14 connection element 15 support surface rear 16 abutment 17 wheel 18 distance 19 transport handle 20 handle recess 21 rotation axis 22 receptacle 23 recess 24 inclined surface 25 locking groove 26 control panel 27 locking protrusion 28 arcuate part 29 electric socket 30 electric auxiliary apparatus 31 inlet 32 outlet 33 electric cable