DE102021126759A1 - Hand-held device and method for applying a liquid to an elongate member - Google Patents

Abstract

Hand-held device (10) for applying a liquid to a cable (K) or to another elongate element, having a housing (12) and an applicator (32) accommodated therein, preferably in an exchangeable manner, which has a longitudinal slit and/or a through-opening (34) for receiving the elongate element. The housing (12) is elastic, so that by squeezing the housing (12) together with one hand, the applicator (32) can be pressed with variable force against the elongate element (K) accommodated therein. The housing (12) has a first end wall (16) with a first opening (20) for the elongate element (K) to pass through.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a hand-held device and a method for applying a liquid to an elongate element. For example, the elongate element may be an electrical cable and the liquid may be a lubricating liquid to be applied to the cable to facilitate pushing the cable through a conduit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In technology, the task of applying a liquid to elongated elements arises in various contexts. The elongate elements can be, for example, ropes, chains, hoses, data transmission cables or electrical power supply cables. An element is considered to be elongate in the present context if its length is at least 20 times its maximum cross-sectional dimension. Especially when such elements are flexible, they can be very long (possibly up to several 100 m). However, the elongate elements can also be rigid, as is the case with straight or curved tubes or rods.

The liquids to be applied can in particular be lubricating, cleaning or protective liquids. Not only low- or high-viscosity liquids are regarded as liquids, but also pastes, i.e. solid-liquid mixtures that are no longer flowable.

A typical task in this context is the application of a lubricating liquid to a cable that is to be inserted into a conduit. Such a lubricating liquid is occasionally applied in order to reduce the friction of the cable on the surrounding conduit and thereby facilitate insertion. Another example of such an application process is oiling or cleaning a bicycle chain.

A large number of different devices and methods are known in the prior art for applying a liquid to an elongate element. In the present context, however, only such devices are considered that a user can actuate by hand. Stationary lubricating devices, such as are used in particular for ropes, cables or chains with very large diameters and correspondingly high weight, are not the subject of the present invention.

A simple device for applying a highly viscous liquid to cables in the shipping field is from US 3,823,797A known. In one embodiment, the device comprises an apertured hollow ring from which bristles extend radially inward. The ring is connected to a liquid container via a supply line and is provided with openings from which the supplied liquid can emerge in order to wet the bristles.

From the US 5,107,961A a device is known in which an applicator made of a compressible soft material is accommodated in a housing. The applicator has a basic cylindrical shape and can be soaked with a lubricating liquid via a feed. The applicator has a through-opening and a longitudinal slot through which a cable can be inserted laterally into the through-opening. The housing is rigid and made up of several parts. A housing part can be pressed against the applicator with the help of a clamping screw in order to enable a flat contact with cables with different diameters.

At the from the U.S. 2,531,095 known device for lubricating a brake cable guided in a sleeve, the applicator consists of felt. The applicator has a cylindrical shape, a through hole to receive the cable and a longitudinal slot that goes down to the bore. The applicator is encased in an elastic sleeve, which also has a longitudinal slit. The end faces of the sleeve are open. During operation, the applicator is pressed against the sleeve that encloses the brake cable with the help of a spring mechanism.

The WO 86/05153 discloses a cleaning device for chains of bicycles or motorcycles. Brushes directed radially inwards extend from a short cylindrical housing which has a wide longitudinal slot. Oil or another lubricating fluid is fed to the brushes under pressure.

Other devices for applying a liquid to an elongate member are from CH 165 767 A and the GB 739,989A known.

The known devices are disadvantageous for various reasons. Some of them are structurally complex and therefore expensive to manufacture. Other devices do not make it possible to adjust the amount of liquid to be applied with different diameters of the elongate th elements in a simple, variable way. Still other known devices have disadvantages in terms of handling, since liquid can leak out unhindered and cause contamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to specify a hand-held device for applying a liquid to an elongate element which does not have the disadvantages of the known devices of this type explained above.

This invention is achieved by a device for applying a liquid to a cable or other elongate element, which device has a housing and an applicator accommodated therein, preferably in an exchangeable manner. The applicator has a longitudinal slit and/or a through opening for receiving the elongate element. The housing is resilient so that by squeezing the housing with one hand, the applicator can be pressed with variable force against the elongate member received therein. The housing has a first end wall with a first opening for passage of the elongate member.

The device according to the invention has a very simple structure and can be dimensioned in such a way that it can be held and operated with one hand. Due to the resilience of the housing, the force with which the applicator is pressed against the elongate element received therein can be easily varied by squeezing the housing. With large diameter elongate elements, the elongate element displaces the surrounding applicator more, so that the housing needs little or no compression. In the case of very thin elongated elements, on the other hand, the housing will have to be compressed more strongly. The amount of pressure that is manually applied to the housing also determines the amount of liquid that is applied to the surface of the elongated element by the applicator.

The first end wall provided on the housing prevents liquid picked up by the applicator from running out over its end face and dripping down when the device is held with the end wall pointing downwards. However, the housing preferably has a second end wall opposite the first end wall with a second opening for the passage of the elongate element. Leaking of liquid is then prevented regardless of the orientation in space.

The applicator can be, for example, a sponge, a brush with bristles, lamellae or hair, or a piece of textile. During use, the applicator is first soaked or sprinkled with the liquid. The applicator itself can have elastic properties, as is usually the case with a sponge or brushes. Since the pressure on the elongate element is at least also applied manually via the housing, textiles or foam materials that do not inherently have elastic properties can also be used as applicators.

The housing is understood to be elastic if it can be compressed in the radial direction by overcoming a restoring force and then at least approximately resumes its original shape due to the restoring forces.

In an advantageous embodiment, the housing has a cylindrical basic shape. As a result, the housing can be easily gripped with one hand, regardless of its angular position. However, chronic or cuboid basic shapes or shapes that are specially adapted to the shape of a closed hand also come into consideration. The dimensions of a cuboid housing can be chosen so that the housing can accommodate two normal household cleaning sponges as applicators.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, a sleeve surrounding the elongate element can be clamped in the first opening or releasably fastened in some other way for the purpose of axial fixing. Such a sleeve can be, for example, an empty tube that is provided for accommodating an electrical cable, or the sheath of a Bowden cable. The clamping force required for clamping can be applied either by the user's hand or by additional clamping elements such as screw clamps.

However, it is particularly preferred if the clamping effect is applied by resilient elements which are formed on the first end wall. For this purpose, the first end wall can have a plurality of spring tongues which fix the first opening and produce a clamping effect by deflection. If the housing has a cylindrical basic shape, these spring tongues can be arranged with multiple symmetry and at least essentially have the shape of circular sectors.

If the applicator has a through-bore that is closed all around, it has to be long stretched element are passed through the opening (EN) in the end wall or walls of the housing and through the applicator. However, it is usually simpler if both the applicator and the housing have a longitudinal slot that extends longitudinally over the entire housing, so that the elongated element can be inserted laterally into the applicator. This is particularly advantageous when the liquid is to be applied to the elongate element only in the region of a section which is arranged far away from one end of the elongate element. The housing is preferably so elastic that it can be folded open to replace the applicator. The longitudinal slot in the housing is then used not only to insert the elongated element, but also to wet the applicator with the liquid and/or to replace the applicator, which can be constructed in one or more parts.

The housing can have an inlet for the liquid, which can be connected to a bottle or spray can. The inlet can be provided with a thread or another connection means.

In one embodiment, the first end wall has a radially extending first radial slot that extends from the longitudinal slot to the first opening. Such a radial slit is required in order to be able to insert the elongate element laterally into the device and, if necessary, to be able to open the housing to exchange the applicator. If the device has a second end wall with a second opening, this should also have a radially extending second side radial slot which extends from the longitudinal slot to the second opening.

In one embodiment, the housing has a cylindrical basic shape. The radius of the housing increases from a first longitudinal slot edge running in the longitudinal direction of the housing to a second longitudinal slot edge running in the longitudinal direction of the housing such that the first longitudinal slot edge can be pushed under the second longitudinal slot edge when the housing is pushed together. In this way, the housing can be compressed to a large extent, since the housing can reduce its cross-sectional area not only because of an elastic material property, but also because of its geometric design.

In order for this effect to be achieved up to the opposite axial ends, the first radial slot should be delimited by a first radial slot edge and a second radial slot edge, with the first end wall being designed in such a way that the first radial slot edge can be pushed under the second radial slot edge when the housing is pressed together . In this way, the first end wall can also reduce its diameter structurally and geometrically without the elastic material properties being important.

In one embodiment, the at least one end wall is not fixed, but can be swung open, unscrewed, pulled out, or otherwise removed. This makes the interior of the housing accessible, which is particularly advantageous when the housing does not have a longitudinal slot but has two end walls. The applicator, for example, can be exchanged via the open end face.

1. a) Bereitstellen einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
2. b) Aufbringen der Flüssigkeit auf den Applikator und Einlegen des langgestreckten Elements in den Längsschlitz des Applikators bzw. Durchführen des langgestreckten Elements in die Durchgangsöffnung;
3. c) Zusammendrücken des Gehäuses, um den Applikator gegen das darin aufgenommene langgestreckte Element zu pressen;
4. d) Ziehen des langgestreckten Elements durch den Applikator.

The invention also relates to a method of applying a liquid to a cable or other elongate element. The procedure includes the following steps:

1. a) providing a device according to the invention;
2. b) applying the liquid to the applicator and inserting the elongate element into the longitudinal slit of the applicator or guiding the elongate element through the passage opening;
3. c) squeezing the housing to press the applicator against the elongate member received therein;
4. d) drawing the elongate element through the applicator.

It is particularly preferred if the elongate element is a cable and if an empty tube for receiving the cable is detachably attached to the device, in particular by clamping.

character list

• 1 Eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, bei dem sich die Vorrichtung an einem Leerrohr für ein Kabel verklemmt;
• 2 die in der 1 gezeigte Vorrichtung von der gegenüberliegenden Seite aus gesehen;
• 3 einen Querschnitt durch die in den 1 und 2 gezeigte Vorrichtung;
• 4 einen Querschnitt durch ein Gehäuse einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;
• 5 eine Seitenansicht auf das in der 2 gezeigte Gehäuse.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In these show:

• 1 A perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the device is clamped to an empty tube for a cable;
• 2 the one in the 1 device shown seen from the opposite side;
• 3 a cross-section through the in the 1 and 2 device shown;
• 4 a cross section through a housing of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• 5 a side view of the in the 2 housing shown.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The 1 until 3 show a device according to the invention according to a first embodiment in a perspective view from the front, from behind and in a longitudinal section.

The device, generally designated 10, has a housing 12, which is preferably formed in one piece and consists of an elastic material. The housing is preferably made of a soft plastic or silicone. However, the housing can also be constructed in several parts and can comprise different materials.

As in the 1 until 3 As can be seen, the housing 12 consists essentially of a central, hollow-cylindrical sleeve section 14, the end faces of which are at least partially covered by a first end wall 16 and on the opposite side by a second end wall 18. The two end walls 16, 18 are each provided with a central opening 20 and 22, through which a cable K extends during operation of the device 10, on the outer surface of which oil or another lubricating liquid is to be applied in the illustrated embodiment.

The sleeve portion 14 of the housing 12 is provided with a longitudinal slot 24 in the 3 coincides with the cutting plane. The longitudinal slot 24 continues on the end walls 16, 18 in a first radial slot 26 and a second radial slot 28, which extends to the respective opening 20 and 22, respectively. The longitudinal slot 24 and the two radial slots 26, 28 thereby form an interface at which the housing 12 can be opened. As a result, an interior 30 of the housing 12 is accessible, in which a spongy and only in cross section 3 recognizable applicator 32 is arranged. The applicator 32 also has a longitudinal slot which is at the same angular position as the longitudinal slot 24 of the housing 12 .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the applicator 32 has the shape of a cylinder which is provided with a central through-opening 34 . The through opening 34 can also be formed by an axially continuous cross or star cut. The applicator 32 rests on the inside of the sleeve section 14 and on the rear end wall 18 of the housing 12 . Additional holding means, not shown in the figures, can be provided in order to fix the applicator 32 in the desired angular position. For this purpose, peg-like projections can extend radially inwards, for example in the sleeve section 14 , which engage in corresponding recesses in the applicator 32 .

The device 10 according to the exemplary embodiment shown can be fastened by clamping to an empty pipe L, through which the cable K is to be guided after the lubricating fluid has been applied. For this purpose, the first end wall 16 of the housing 12 has a plurality of slots 36 which extend radially outwards from the first opening 20 and which fix spring tongues 38 between them. Due to the elastic material, the spring tongues 38 can be bent inwards or outwards and thereby get stuck on the profiled outer structure of the empty tube L, as is the case 3 shows schematically. The spring tongues 38 can be deflected over a wide range, so that the device 10 can be attached to conduits with different diameters. The clamping forces acting here are large enough so that the device 10 does not detach from the empty pipe L solely due to gravity or when the cable K is pulled in. On the other hand, the clamping forces are small enough to be able to strip the device 10 manually from the empty pipe L with a short jerk.

• Vor der Benutzung der Vorrichtung 10 wird der Applikator 32 mithilfe einer Flasche oder einer Sprühdose mit der Schmierflüssigkeit benetzt, nachdem das Gehäuse 12 und der Applikator 32 aufgeklappt wurden. Falls der Applikator 32 abgenutzt ist, wird er gegen einen neuen Applikator ausgetauscht. Hierzu kann das Gehäuse 12 entlang dem Längsschlitz 24 so stark aufgebogen werden, dass der Applikator 32 herausgenommen und durch einen neuen Applikator ersetzt werden kann.

The device 10 is used as follows:

• Before using the device 10, the applicator 32 is wetted with the lubricating liquid using a bottle or an aerosol after the housing 12 and the applicator 32 have been flipped open. If the applicator 32 is worn out, it is exchanged for a new applicator. For this purpose, the housing 12 can be bent open so much along the longitudinal slot 24 that the applicator 32 can be removed and replaced with a new applicator.

The housing 12 and the applicator 32 received therein are now spread open along the longitudinal slots, so that the cable K can be pushed laterally into the passage opening 34 of the applicator 32 . In a next step, the device 10 is pushed onto the empty pipe L with the first end wall 16 in front. Since the diameter of the empty pipe L is larger than the first opening 20 released by the filter tongues 38, the spring tongues 38 are deflected inwards, as is the case 3 shows. The bending moments of the spring tongues generate the clamping forces for fixing the empty pipe L.

The user now grasps the housing 12 of the device 10 and exerts pressure on the housing 12, which pressure is transmitted to the applicator 32 due to the elasticity of the housing 12. This allows the applicator 32 to be reliably engaged with the cable K within wide limits regardless of the diameter of the cable K. By varying the pressure exerted on the housing, the amount of lubricating fluid applied to the cable K can be varied . The clamping forces exerted by the spring tongues 38 on the empty tube L also depend on the pressure that the user exerts on the housing 12 .

With the other hand, the user pushes the cable K through the device 10 and into the empty pipe L. If the clamping forces exerted by the spring tongues 38 are not sufficient, the user can hold the housing 12 in such a way that he can additionally fix the empty tube L with his thumb and forefinger.

Since the housing 12 is closed all around, apart from the narrow slits, the lubricating fluid cannot escape from the housing 12, or only in very small quantities. If the diameter of the cable K is very small compared to the diameter of the second opening 22 in the second end wall 18, an additional rubber sleeve can be inserted into the second opening 22 (not shown). It is also possible to use an applicator whose end faces are coated in a liquid-tight manner, so that no lubricating liquid can escape from the openings 20, 22 when the housing 12 is pressed together.

The 4 and 5 show the housing 12 in a cross section or a side view according to a second embodiment. The housing 12 is more compressible than in the case of the 1 until 3 illustrated first embodiment is the case. The likewise hollow-cylindrical sleeve section 14 also has a longitudinal slot 24 in this exemplary embodiment, which is delimited by two longitudinal slot edges 40 , 42 . The longitudinal slot edges 40, 42 extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 12.

If the housing 12 is manually pressed together from the outside, the first longitudinal slot edge 40 slides under the second longitudinal slot edge 42. This is made possible by the fact that the radius of the sleeve section 14 is not constant, but is similar from the first longitudinal slot edge 40 to the second longitudinal slot edge 32 increases continuously in an Archimedean spiral.

So that the end walls 16, 18 do not impede this movement, the radial slots 26, 28 are formed in a manner similar to the longitudinal slot 24. When moving together, a first radial slot edge 44 can therefore slide under a second radial slot edge 46, as is the enlarged section of FIG 5 illustrated. The end walls 16, 18 are therefore not completely flat, but rather form a so-called Catalan surface.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• US3823797A [0006]
• US5107961A [0007]
• US2531095 [0008]
• WO 8605153 [0009]
• CH 165767 A [0010]
• GB739989A[0010]

Claims (14)

Hand-held device (10) for applying a liquid to a cable (K) or to another elongate element, having a housing (12) and an applicator (32) accommodated therein, preferably in an exchangeable manner, which has a longitudinal slit and/or a through-opening (34) for receiving the elongate member, wherein the housing (12) is resilient such that by squeezing the housing (12) with one hand, the applicator (32) is compressible with variable force against the elongate member (K) received therein, and wherein the housing (12) has a first end wall (16) with a first opening (20) for passage of the elongate element (K). device after claim 1 , characterized in that the housing (12) has a second end wall (18) opposite the first end wall (16) with a second opening (22) for the passage of the elongate element (K). device after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the applicator (32) comprises a sponge, a brush or a textile. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (12) has a cylindrical basic shape. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first opening (20) a sleeve (L) surrounding the elongate element (K) can be clamped or detachably fastened in some other way for the purpose of axial fixing. device after claim 5 , characterized in that the first end wall (16) has a plurality of spring tongues (38) which define the first opening (20) and produce a clamping effect by deflection. device after claim 6 , characterized in that the housing (12) has a cylindrical basic shape, and that the spring tongues (38) are arranged with multiple symmetry and at least essentially have the shape of circular sectors. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both the applicator (32) and the housing (12) have a longitudinal slot (24) extending longitudinally over the entire housing (12), so that the elongate element (K ) can be inserted laterally into the applicator (32). device after claim 8 , characterized in that the housing (12) is so elastic that it can be opened to replace the applicator (32). device after claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the first end wall (16) has a radially extending first radial slot (26) which extends from the longitudinal slot (24) to the first opening (20). Device according to one of Claims 8 until 10 , characterized in that the housing (12) has a cylindrical basic shape, the radius of the housing (12) running from a first longitudinal slot edge (40) running in the longitudinal direction of the housing (12) to a second longitudinal slot edge running in the longitudinal direction of the housing (12). (42) increases in such a way that the first longitudinal slot edge (40) can be pushed under the second longitudinal slot edge (42) when the housing (12) is pressed together. device after claim 11 when referring back to the claim 10 , characterized in that the first radial slot (26) is delimited by a first radial slot edge (44) and a second radial slot edge (46), and in that the first end wall (16) is designed in such a way that the first radial slot edge (44) when the Housing (12) under the second radial slot edge (46) can be pushed. A method of applying a liquid to a cable (K) or other elongate element, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims; b) applying the liquid to the applicator (32) and inserting the elongate element (K) into the longitudinal slit of the applicator or guiding the elongate element through the through-opening (34); c) squeezing the housing (12) to press the applicator (32) against the elongate member (K) received therein; d) drawing the elongate element (K) through the applicator (32). procedure after claim 12 , characterized in that the elongate element is a cable (K) and that an empty tube (L) for receiving the cable (K) is detachably attached to the device, in particular by clamping.

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