WO2005063410A1

WO2005063410A1 - Extension arm with movable handle

Info

Publication number: WO2005063410A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/013833
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Nespoli
Original assignee: Nespoli Engineering Kkft
Priority date: 2003-12-24
Filing date: 2004-12-06
Publication date: 2005-07-14
Also published as: ITMI20032600A1; DE112004002536T5

Abstract

For painting and in particular for whitewashing tools, an extension arm (1) provided with a handle composed of two parts, namely a fixed part (3), and a movable part (4) which can slide along the extension arm (1) and is shaped such that it can fit onto the fixed part when not in use.

Description

EXTENSION ARM WITH MOVABLE HANDLE The present invention relates to an extension arm for painting and in particular whitewashing tools, in accordance with the introduction to the main claim. Large surfaces are generally painted or whitewashed by rollers provided with a handle to which an arm of circular or polygonal cross-section can be fixed for use as an extension to enable the operator to comfortably reach ceilings and vertical walls of considerable height. The movement of the operator is systematic and particularly repetitive. The extension arm is gripped with two hands: one hand remains fixed, while the other hand slides along the extension arm to impress a reciprocating translational movement on the paint-soaked roller. Being gripped with two hands by the operator, the extension arm acts as a disadvantageous lever which determines a relatively high force on the hand sliding along the extension arm and hence considerable discomfort due to rubbing. These extension arms are normally constructed of metal, for example aluminium or steel, or of wood, but in some cases, to reduce the weight of the extension arm and its cost, they are of plastic or glass fibre construction, hence increasing the problem due to rubbing friction. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an extension arm for painting or whitewashing tools which enables the operator to eliminate the discomfort due to the repeated rubbing of the hand along the extension arm during the whitewashing operation. Said object is attained by an extension arm the inventive characteristics

of which are evident from the claims. The invention will be more apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof provided by way of non-limiting

example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an overall view of the extension arm of the invention, used as

an extension for a painting roller;

Figure 2 is a detailed view of the extension arm with a handle composed

of two parts, namely a fixed part and a movable part slidable along the

extension arm;

Figure 3 shows the extension arm with the two parts of the handle fitted

together in their rest position.

With reference to Figure 1 , the arm 1 of the present invention, used as

an extension for the handle of a whitewashing roller 2, is provided in its

preferred embodiment with a handle composed of two parts, namely a fixed

part 3 and a movable part 4 slidable along the extension arm 1.

With reference to Figure 2, this shows in detail the handle composed of

two parts, namely a fixed part 3 positioned at the end of the extension arm 1 ,

and a movable part 4 which can slide along the extension arm 1. With reference to Figure 3, it can be seen that both the fixed part 3 and

the movable part 4 comprise means to fit the one to the other, to prevent sliding

of the movable part 4 when not in use. In the embodiment shown in the

drawings, these means consist of a toothed profile 5 on that end of the movable part 4 of the handle which faces the fixed part 3, and a complementary toothed profile 6 provided on the fixed part 3. The operator grips the extension arm with two hands, one hand gripping the fixed part 3 of the handle and the other gripping the movable part 4 slidable along the extension arm 1. By sliding the movable part 4, the paint-soaked roller 2 at the other end of the extension arm 1 is made to undergo a reciprocating translational movement to achieve good painting, while the rubbing against the extension arm 1 , necessary to determine this movement, is undergone by the movable part 4 of the handle, so avoiding the unpleasant rubbing of the extension arm 1 against the operator's hand. As the movable part 4 and the fixed part 3 of the handle comprise means enabling them to fit together when not in use, the movable part 4 of the handle becomes removably coupled to the fixed part 3 and remains in that position, ready to be again gripped. In the illustrated embodiment, these means for coupling the fixed part 3 to the movable part 4 of the handle consist of two simple complementary toothed profiles 5 and 6 provided on the fixed part 3 and movable part 4 of the handle. Other embodiments could be provided enabling the movable part 4 of the handle to be coupled the fixed part 3, for example by hooks or by different engagement shapes. An advantageous characteristic of the invention is that by forming that surface of the movable part 4 in direct contact with the extension arm 1 of a material of low friction coefficient facilitating sliding between the two surfaces, the force required of the operator to determine roller movement is reduced. The outer surfaces both of the fixed part 3 and of the movable part 4 are preferably formed of non-slip material such as rubber or TPE.

Claims

1. For painting or whitewashing tools, an extension arm (1) provided with a handle, characterised in that said handle is formed of two parts, namely a fixed part (3) and a movable part (4) slidable along the extension arm (1).

2. An extension arm (1) as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that means are provided on the movable part (4) and on the fixed part (3) of the handle to removably fit the movable part (4) to the fixed part (3).

3. An extension arm (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterised in that said means comprise, on that end of the movable part (4) of the handle which faces the fixed part (3), a toothed profile (5) which fits into a complementary toothed profile (6) provided on the fixed part (3).

4. A extension arm (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the inner surface of the movable part (4) of the handle is formed of a material having a low friction coefficient.

5. A extension arm (1) as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the external surfaces of the fixed part (3) and of the movable part (4) of the handle are formed of a non-slip material.