Patent Description:
Additionally, the present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a first object, a second object, a guiding and a joint.

In various applications, objects are simultaneously moved along a plurality of guidings. For example, document <CIT> discloses a cleaning system comprising a first guiding configured to be coupled to a ship, a second guiding configured to be coupled to the ship such that the second guiding is arranged at a distance from the first guiding, a third guiding configured to be coupled to the ship such that the third guiding is arranged at a distance from the first guiding and the second guiding. A first part is movably coupled to the first guiding, a second part is movably coupled to the second guiding, a third part is coupled to the second part, and a fourth part is movably coupled to the third guiding. The second part and the third part are coupled to each other via a joint in the area of the second guiding. The first part is further movable relative to the second part and the third part is movable relative to the fourth part. Cleaning elements are coupled to each of the first part, the second part, the third part and the fourth part. The system further comprises a drive system configured to simultaneously move the first part, the second part, the third part and the fourth part along the first guiding, the second guiding and the third guiding. The parts of the cleaning system are e.g. configured to simultaneously move over a curved window surface along the plurality of guidings in order to clean the curved window surface. The cleaning system is further described in paragraphs [<NUM>] to [<NUM>] of <CIT>, which are herewith incorporated by reference.

In view of the foregoing, it would be beneficial to provide a joint for coupling a first object and a second object in the area of a guiding to each other. For example, it would be beneficial to provide a new joint for a cleaning system as disclosed above, i.e. a joint configured to couple a part of a cleaning system to another part of the cleaning system in the area of a guiding. However, the new joint should preferably not be limited for being utilized in only cleaning systems, but instead also be beneficial for other applications.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a joint for coupling a first object and a second object to each other, the joint comprising a sledge configured to be movably coupled to a guiding, a saddle coupled to the sledge, an elongated structure protruding from the saddle, a first connector extending from the elongated structure to a first coupler configured to be coupled to the first object, a second connector extending from the elongated structure to the first coupler, wherein the second connector is spaced apart from the first connector, a first joint structure connected to the first coupler, a second joint structure connected to the first coupler, a third joint structure connected to a second coupler configured to be coupled to the second object, a fourth joint structure connected to the second coupler, and wherein the first joint structure is hinged to the third joint structure and the second joint structure is hinged to the fourth joint structure.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an arrangement comprising a first object and a second object, a guiding, and a joint according to any one of claims <NUM>-<NUM>, and wherein the first object is coupled to the first coupler, the second object is coupled to the second coupler and the sledge is coupled to the guiding. According to an embodiment, the arrangement comprises a cleaning system capable of cleaning curved surfaces or a maintenance system.

Considerable advantages are obtained by means of certain embodiments of the present invention. A joint for coupling a first object and a second object to each other is provided, wherein the objects are simultaneously movable along a guiding. The joint is particularly useful for being utilized in connection with a cleaning system for cleaning of curved surfaces, for example for curved glass surfaces of a glass dome of a cruise ship. However, the joint may also be beneficial for other applications, for example for being utilized in connection with a maintenance device capable of installing and removing of glass panels of a glass dome of a cruise ship.

The joint provides sufficient stiffness between two objects hinged to each other by means of the joint. The sledge of the joint automatically finds its optimum position due to its capability of being able to pivot around the guiding. At least one of the first object coupled to a first coupler and the second object coupled to a second coupler can be secured or fixed to the joint by an attachment means in order to allow only a single translational movement of the respective object along the guiding.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the sledge of the joint <NUM> is movable around the guiding in relation to the remaining parts of the joint by an actuator for moving the wheels of the sledge of the joint into a desired position, for example in order to avoid a collision of the wheels with a support structure arranged to support the guiding.

In <FIG> illustrates a schematic view of a joint <NUM> in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The joint <NUM> for coupling a first object <NUM> and a second object <NUM> to each other comprises a sledge <NUM> configured to be movably coupled to a guiding <NUM>. The sledge <NUM> comprises a plurality of wheels <NUM> and serves as a movable platform for the remaining components of the joint <NUM>. A body of the sledge <NUM> is typically made of stainless steel or a metal alloy.

The joint <NUM> further comprises a saddle <NUM> coupled to the sledge <NUM>. In the embodiment of <FIG>, the saddle <NUM> is fixedly attached to the sledge <NUM>. For example, the saddle <NUM> may be arranged between two arch-shaped elements of the sledge <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates another embodiment with a saddle <NUM> movably attached to the sledge <NUM>. The saddle <NUM> is typically made of stainless steel or a metal alloy.

An elongated structure <NUM> protrudes from the saddle <NUM>. It can be seen that the elongated structure <NUM> extends radially away from the guiding <NUM>. The elongated structure <NUM> is fixedly attached to the saddle <NUM>. The elongated structure <NUM> may, for example, comprise a hollow cylinder <NUM>. The hollow cylinder <NUM> is typically made of stainless steel or a metal alloy.

A first connector <NUM> is fixedly attached to and extends from the elongated structure <NUM> to a first coupler <NUM>. The first connector <NUM> may be, for example, in the form of a plate. The first coupler <NUM> is configured to be coupled to the first object <NUM>, for example a part of a cleaning system for cleaning a curved surface. A second connector <NUM> is further fixedly attached to and extends from the elongated structure <NUM> to the first coupler <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> may be, for example, in the form of a plate. The second connector <NUM> is spaced apart from the first connector <NUM>. The second connector <NUM> may be, for example, arranged parallel to the first connector <NUM>. The first coupler <NUM> may be, for example, in the form of a hollow cylinder and can be engaged with a portion of the first object <NUM>. Each of the first connector <NUM>, the second connector <NUM> and the first coupler <NUM> is typically made of stainless steel or a metal alloy.

The joint <NUM> further comprises a first joint structure <NUM> connected to the first coupler <NUM> and a second joint structure <NUM> connected to the first coupler <NUM>. The first joint structure <NUM> and the second joint structure <NUM> may be, for example, each in the form of an arm, a plate or a similar structure. The first joint structure <NUM> extends to one side of the elongated structure <NUM> and the second joint structure <NUM> extends to the other side of the elongated structure <NUM>. Additionally, a third joint structure <NUM> is connected to a second coupler <NUM> configured to be coupled to the second object <NUM>, for example another part of a cleaning system for cleaning a curved surface. Furthermore, a fourth joint structure <NUM> is connected to the second coupler <NUM>. The third joint structure <NUM> and the fourth joint structure <NUM> may be, for example, also each in the form of an arm, a plate or a similar structure. The third joint structure <NUM> extends to one side of the elongated structure <NUM> and the fourth joint structure <NUM> extends to the other side of the elongated structure <NUM>. The first joint structure <NUM> is hinged to the third joint structure <NUM> and the second joint structure <NUM> is hinged to the fourth joint structure <NUM>. The joint <NUM> is configured such that a hinge axis formed through the two single hinges is arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the guiding <NUM>. The first joint structure <NUM>, the second joint structure <NUM>, the third joint structure <NUM>, the fourth joint structure <NUM> and the second coupler <NUM> are typically made of stainless steel or a metal alloy.

In <FIG> a schematic top view of a joint <NUM> in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The sledge <NUM> comprises a plurality of wheels <NUM> being in contact with the guiding <NUM> for moving the joint <NUM> along the guiding <NUM>. The sledge <NUM> of the shown joint <NUM> comprises six wheels <NUM> in total, wherein a first pair of wheels is arranged in a first plane, a second pair of wheels is arranged in a second plane and a third pair of wheels is arranged in a third plane. As a consequence, the joint <NUM> can only be moved along the guiding <NUM> and the wheels <NUM> hold the joint <NUM> in position in radial direction of the guiding <NUM>.

In <FIG> a schematic view of components of a joint <NUM> in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. <FIG> shows elements as described above in connection with <FIG>. Additionally, a braking system <NUM> is shown. The braking system <NUM> comprises a braking pad <NUM> configured to be pressed against the guiding <NUM>. The braking pad <NUM> is connected to a rod <NUM> which is movable along the elongated structure <NUM>. The movement may be, for example, caused by an actuator (not shown). The actuator is typically arranged on top of the elongated structure <NUM>. The lower surface of the saddle <NUM> is formed such that the braking pad <NUM> can be completely embedded or incorporated into the saddle <NUM> when braking is not required.

<FIG> further shows an attachment means <NUM>. The attachment means <NUM> may be, for example, a bolt or a screw. By means of the attachment means <NUM> arranged in boring <NUM> the first coupler <NUM> may be fixed to the first object <NUM> such that the first object <NUM> is not able to rotate relative to the joint <NUM> during movement along the guiding <NUM>. However, a plurality of borings may be provided in the coupling element of the first object <NUM> so that the first object <NUM> may be rotated by <NUM> degrees or <NUM> degrees and then temporarily fixed by the attachment means <NUM> during standstill, for example for maintenance purposes. For example, cleaning bristles may be replaced and then the first object <NUM> may be rotated back again into its original operation position and fixed by the attachment means <NUM>. Similarly, another attachment means (not shown) may be provided for additionally or alternatively fixing the second coupler <NUM> to the second object <NUM> such that the second object <NUM> is not able to rotate relative to the joint <NUM> during movement along the guiding <NUM>.

In <FIG> a schematic side view of an arrangement in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The arrangement comprises a cleaning system, for example for cleaning a glass dome of a ship, and at least one joint <NUM>, in the shown example two joints, in accordance with any one of claims <NUM>-<NUM>. Each of said two joints <NUM> in the centre of the cleaning system is movably coupled to a respective guiding <NUM> which is fixedly attached to an object or system, for example to the glass dome of the ship. As can be seen, the joints <NUM> are particularly beneficial for being used in connection with moving the cleaning system along curved surfaces.

In <FIG> a schematic view of a further joint <NUM> in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. <FIG> shows elements as described above in connection with the joint of any one of <FIG>. Additionally, the sledge <NUM> of the joint <NUM> comprises a rack in at least one of its upper arch-shaped surfaces. The saddle <NUM> of the joint <NUM> further comprises a plurality of pinions engaging with the rack, thus forming a rack and pinion mechanism <NUM>. Further, an actuator (not shown) is provided for moving the sledge <NUM> relative to the saddle <NUM> around the guiding <NUM> utilizing the rack and pinion mechanism <NUM>. As a consequence, the sledge <NUM> can be moved relative to the remaining parts of the joint <NUM> around the guiding <NUM> in both directions during movement of the joint <NUM> along the guiding <NUM>.

In <FIG> illustrates a schematic view of a further arrangement in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The arrangement comprises a cleaning system, for example for cleaning a glass dome of a ship, and at least one joint <NUM>, in the shown example two joints, as shown and described in connection with <FIG>. Each of said two joints <NUM> in the centre of the cleaning system is movably coupled to a respective guiding <NUM> which is fixedly attached to an object or system, for example to the glass dome of the ship.

The sledge <NUM> of each joint <NUM> comprises a rack in at least one of its upper curved surfaces and the saddle <NUM> of each joint <NUM> comprises a plurality of pinions engaging with the rack, thus forming a rack and pinion mechanism <NUM>. Further, an actuator (not shown) is provided for moving the sledge <NUM> relative to the saddle <NUM> around the guiding <NUM> utilizing the rack and pinion mechanism <NUM>. This is particularly beneficial for moving the wheels <NUM> of each joint <NUM> into a desired position, for example in order to avoid a collision of the wheels <NUM> with a support structure <NUM> arranged to support a respective guiding <NUM>.

In the description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention.

At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in cleaning systems or maintenance systems.

Claim 1:
A joint (<NUM>) for coupling a first object (<NUM>) and a second object (<NUM>) to each other, the joint (<NUM>) comprising:
- a sledge (<NUM>) configured to be movably coupled to a guiding (<NUM>),
- a saddle (<NUM>) coupled to the sledge (<NUM>),
- an elongated structure (<NUM>) protruding from the saddle (<NUM>),
- a first connector (<NUM>) extending from the elongated structure (<NUM>) to a first coupler (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to the first object (<NUM>),
- a second connector (<NUM>) extending from the elongated structure (<NUM>) to the first coupler (<NUM>), wherein the second connector (<NUM>) is spaced apart from the first connector (<NUM>),
- a first joint structure (<NUM>) connected to the first coupler (<NUM>),
- a second joint structure (<NUM>) connected to the first coupler (<NUM>),
- a third joint structure (<NUM>) connected to a second coupler (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to the second object (<NUM>),
- a fourth joint structure (<NUM>) connected to the second coupler (<NUM>),
- and wherein the first joint structure (<NUM>) is hinged to the third joint structure (<NUM>) and the second joint structure (<NUM>) is hinged to the fourth joint structure (<NUM>).