Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6378165
-
Patent Number
6,378,165
-
Date Filed
Thursday, February 17, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 30, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Howrey Simon Arnold & White, LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 015 3272
- 015 410
- 016 110 R
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
The present invention is a handle used for pulling a wet/dry vacuum appliance and a mechanism for securely mounting such a handle to the lid of the vacuum. The mounting mechanism is designed for ease of assembly and reduced fastener cost. The handle is attached at two of its four attachment points by inserting journals molded into the sides of the handle into open bearing pockets molded in handle receiving recesses on the lid of the vacuum. The handle is then rotated into place and secured at the remaining two attachment points with suitable fasteners, such as screws. In certain embodiments of this invention, when the handle is rotated into position for attachment a locking slot in the bottom surface of the handle engages a rib provided in the handle receiving recess of the lid. This rib guides the handle as it rotates, prevents the journals from sliding back out of the bearing pockets, and locks the handle into the proper position for insertion of the fasteners.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to wet/dry vacuum cleaning appliances, and more particularly, to a novel pull handle for such appliances.
2. Background Art
Wet/dry vacuum cleaners known in the art are generally provided with a wheeled base so that the unit may be moved as necessary. Such bases may be formed as an integral part of the vacuum cleaner canister or may constitute a separate component. For example, wheeled bases are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,528,794 and 5,598,605. Typically such bases include a small pair of steerable front wheels or casters and a larger pair rear wheels. However, such vacuums generally are not equipped with a handle in the front to facilitate movement of the unit, with the result that many users attempt to drag the vacuum by its hose attachment in order to move it. This method is inefficient because the hose attachment is ordinarily a separate component that is held in place on the vacuum only by a friction fit. As a result, it is easy to loosen the hose by dragging the vacuum unit in this manner. Other wet/dry vacuums are known that are provided with a handle suitable for pushing the vacuum in a desired direction. Moving the vacuum by pushing results in the application of a downward force on the rear of the vacuum, which makes it difficult for the front wheels to roll over obstacles such as door thresholds. In addition, this downward force can occasionally cause the vacuum to tip over. Accordingly, a need exists for a pull handle mounted toward the front of the vacuum so that the user may apply upward rather than downward force to the handle. This would make it much easier for the vacuum to roll over obstacles because of the reduced load on the front wheels. Such a pull handle would be preferably mounted high (on the lid of the vacuum) rather than low (e.g., on the canister) in order to prevent the user of average height from having to bend excessively to reach the handle.
Finally, it is desirable to make such a pull handle in a way that allows it to be mounted to the lid of the vacuum with a minimum number of fasteners in order to facilitate installation of the handle and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the vacuum. However, it is necessary to ensure that the attachment method still results in a handle that is firmly affixed to the lid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a handle used for pulling a wet/dry vacuum appliance and a mechanism for securely mounting such a handle to the lid of the vacuum is disclosed. The mounting mechanism is designed for ease of assembly and reduced fastener cost. The handle is attached at two of its four attachment points by inserting journals molded into the sides of the handle into open bearing pockets molded in handle receiving recesses on the lid of the vacuum. The handle is then rotated into place and secured at the remaining two attachment points with suitable fasteners, such as screws. In certain embodiments of this invention, when the handle is rotated into position for attachment a locking slot in the bottom surface of the handle engages a rib provided in the handle receiving recess of the lid. This rib guides the handle as it rotates, prevents the journals from sliding back out of the bearing pockets, and locks the handle into the proper position for insertion of the fasteners.
In another aspect, the invention includes a wet/dry vacuum cleaning appliance that has a pull handle attached to its lid by the mechanism described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other features and aspects of the invention will become further apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which
FIG. 1
is a side view of a wet-dry vacuum shown partially in section, with a pull handle according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2
is a back view of the pull handle shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a top view of the pull handle shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of a portion of the pull handle shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 5
a
is a side view, shown partially in section, of the pull handle shown in
FIG. 1
in a pre-rotated position.
FIG. 5
b
is a cross section of the journal according to the position in
FIG. 5
a.
FIG. 5
c
is a side view, shown partially in section, of the pull handle shown in
FIG. 1
in a partially-rotated position.
FIG. 5
d
is a cross section of the journal according to the position in
FIG. 5
c.
FIG. 5
e
is a side view, shown partially in section, of the pull handle shown in
FIG. 1
in a post rotation position.
FIG. 5
f
is a cross section of the journal according to the position in
FIG. 5
e.
FIG. 6
is a partial top view of the wet-dry vacuum lid without the pull handle attached.
FIG. 7
is a partial front view of the wet-dry vacuum lid without the pull handle attached.
FIG. 8
is a bottom view of the attachment portion of the pull handle shown in FIG.
1
.
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the wet dry vacuum in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, set in a tool caddy.
FIG. 10
a
is a side view, shown partially in section, of an alternative embodiment of the pull handle.
FIG. 10
b
is a perspective view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the pull handle.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers'specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, that will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Turning now to the Figures, and in particular,
FIG. 1
, one embodiment of the wet-dry vacuum cleaner pull handle with interlocking mount mechanism is disclosed.
FIG. 1
discloses a complete vacuum cleaner appliance including handle
2
, mounted to lid
14
. Lid
14
exhibits a depression
44
with an opening
46
that communicates with a vacuum cleaner drum
36
. Vacuum cleaner drum
36
comprises a bottom wall
38
, a sidewall
40
, and a rim
42
surrounding an open upper end. Lid
14
detachably mounts to rim
42
and extends across the open upper end of vacuum cleaner drum
36
. A filter element
48
is mounted below depression
44
and within vacuum cleaner drum
36
. Filter element
48
surrounds opening
46
in lid depression
44
. A motor powered blower
50
may be at least partially received within depression
44
. Blower
50
includes an intake port
52
for drawing air through filter element
48
and an exhaust port
54
(shown in
FIG. 9
) spaced from intake port
52
for exhausting air from vacuum cleaner drum
36
. Blower
50
also includes a first handle
56
attached to one side of the blower for pushing the unit in a direction of travel. A second handle, i.e. pull handle
2
, is mounted on lid
14
for pulling the vacuum cleaner appliance in the travel direction. The addition of pull handle
2
to the vacuum cleaner appliance allows the operator the convenience of pulling the vacuum from more than one direction.
Bottom wall
38
of drum
36
preferably rests on a tool caddy base as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 9
. Tool caddy base
70
is shown in
FIG. 9
with several spaced attachment recesses
62
for receiving vacuum attachments (not shown). It will be understood that the attachments recesses
62
shown in
FIG. 9
are not limited to size and shape shown the figure, attachment recesses
62
are representative of any number of convenient vacuum attachment recesses and may receive any convenient vacuum attachments for storage purposes.
Turning next to
FIGS. 2-4
, one embodiment of pull handle
2
is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, pull handle
2
is adapted to be mounted on lid
14
of the wet-dry vacuum cleaning appliance shown in
FIG. 1
to permit the appliance to be pulled in the direction of the handle. It will be understood that pull handle
2
may alternatively be mounted to any part of the vacuum, for instance, the drum
36
, and is not limited to the lid-mount shown in the figures. The pull handle may also be used as a push handle.
Pull handle
2
may include a grip portion
4
, and at least two side portions
6
each having an end attached to grip portion
4
for support of pull handle
2
. Pull handle
2
may include a plurality of journals
12
arranged adjacent second ends
10
the of the pull handle
2
along an axis
18
. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis
18
is generally horizontal and situated substantially perpendicular to the pull direction. Each journal
12
is adapted to slidably engage a bearing pocket
16
on lid
14
and to rotate about axis
18
. Bearing pocket
16
is shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7
and may be disposed within an attachment recess
34
of lid
14
. Pull handle
2
may also include an attachment portion, for example screw boss
20
extending from each of side portions
6
. Screw boss
20
has a bore
22
therethrough at one end at a point remote from axis
18
, such that when journals
12
are engaged in bearing pockets
16
, and pull handle
2
is rotated by a predetermined angle about axis
18
, bores
22
of screw boss
20
align with second bores
24
of a lid boss
25
. Bores
22
and
24
are adapted to receive a fastener
26
to secure handle
2
to lid
14
and prevent further rotation about axis
18
.
In an alternative embodiment, for example the embodiment shown in
FIG. 10
a,
pull handle
102
has the plurality of bearing pockets
116
arranged adjacent second ends
110
of pull handle
102
. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 10
a,
each of the pockets is positioned to slidably engage a journal
112
mounted on lid
114
and to allow pull handle
102
to rotate about the journal. This embodiment shows that the placement of journals may be on lid
114
with bearing pockets
116
on handle
102
, or vice versa.
In one preferred embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2-4
, pull handle
2
exhibits a bottom surface
28
in each of side portions
6
defining a locking slot
30
. Locking slot
30
may be located along axis
18
and is positioned to engage a locking rib
32
(shown in
FIGS. 5-7
) on lid
14
so as to secure journals
12
in bearing pockets
16
after handle
2
is rotated through a predetermined angle about axis
18
. In the illustrated embodiment, locking slot
30
is slightly offset from axis
18
.
Alternatively, each of side portions
106
may exhibit at least one locking rib
132
formed in bottom surface
128
as shown in FIG
10
b.
The locking rib may be located along axis
118
and is positioned to engage a locking slot (not shown) on lid
114
so as to secure journals in bearing pockets (not shown) after handle
102
is rotated through a predetermined angle about axis
118
. This alternative illustrates just the opposite of the locking mechanism described in the preceding paragraph.
In some embodiments, pull handle
2
is fabricated with grip portion
4
, side portions
6
, attachment portions such as screw boss
20
, and journals
12
fabricated as a single mold component. A webbing
60
as shown in
FIG. 8
may reinforce a single mold component in which sides
6
are substantially hollow with locking slot
30
and journal
12
disposed on opposite surfaces of the sides.
Lid
14
exhibits receiving recesses
34
shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7
to engage the attachment portions of pull handle
2
which include screw boss
20
, journals
12
, and locking slot
30
when handle
2
is rotated about axis
18
.
In some embodiments such as the embodiment shown in
FIG. 9
, motor powered blower
50
is detachably mounted to lid
14
for independent operation separate from drum
36
. This allows an operator to use the vacuum appliance as a blower. With motor powered blower
50
detached from drum
36
, exhaust port
54
may be aimed at the convenience of the operator to act as a blower. Similar features on wet-dry vacuums are known in the art, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,605, which reference is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIGS. 5
a
-
5
f
show the steps of attaching pull handle
2
to lid
14
. In
FIG. 5
a
journal
12
is inserted into bearing pocket
16
, while locking slot
30
begins to engage locking rib
32
.
FIG. 5
b
shows the details of the journal
12
within bearing pocket
16
. Bore
22
in pull handle
2
is not aligned with bore
24
in lid boss
25
at the initial insertion position. Following insertion as shown in
FIG. 5
a,
an operator may begin to rotate handle
2
about an axis normal to the page at point
19
, which corresponds to axis
18
shown in the other figures, into further engagement with locking rib
32
.
FIG. 5
c
shows the handle in a partially rotated position and
FIG. 5
d
shows the details of the journal
12
within bearing pocket
16
in the partially rotated position. Complete rotation through a predetermined angle results in the locked position shown in
FIG. 5
e.
The new arrangement of journals
12
within bearing pocket
16
is shown in
FIG. 5
f.
With the rotation of the handle through the predetermined angle, an edge
68
of locking slot
30
meets locking rib
32
and inhibits further rotation. Bore
22
in pull handle
2
meets coaxially with bore
24
in lid
14
following the rotation. A fastener
26
may then be inserted through bores
22
and
24
to secure pull handle
2
in place.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a particular illustrative embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those is skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The above-described embodiment is intended to be merely illustrative, and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention.
Claims
- 1. A pull handle for an appliance, said handle comprising:a grip portion; at least two side portions each having a first end attached to said grip portion, a second end, and a bottom surface defining a slot therein; a plurality of journals arranged adjacent said second ends along an axis, each of said journals positioned to engage a beating pocket on said appliance and to rotate within said bearing pocket about the axis; and each of said slots positioned to engage a rib on said appliance so as to secure each of said journals in said bearing pockets after the handle is rotated through a predetermined angle about the axis.
- 2. The pull handle of claim 1 further comprising an attachment portion extending from each of said side portions, each of said attachment portions having a first bore therethrough at a point remote from the axis, such that when said journals are engaged in said bearing pockets and the handle is rotated by a predetermined angle about the axis, said attachment portions contact said appliance and each of said first bores aligns with a corresponding second bore in said appliance, said first and second bores adapted to receive a fastener to secure the handle and prevent furher rotation about the axis.
- 3. The pull handle of claim 2, wherein said grip portion, side portions, attachment portions and journals are fabricated as a single molded component.
- 4. The pull handle of claim 1 wherein each of said locking slots is located along the axis.
- 5. A pull handle for an appliance, said handle comprising:a grip portion; at least two side portions each having a first end attached to said grip portion and a second end; a plurality of bearing pockets arranged adjacent said second ends along an axis, each of said pockets positioned to engage a journal mounted on said appliance and to rotate on said axis about said journal; and an attachment portion extending from each of said side portions, each of said attachment portions having a first bore therethrough at a point remote from said axis, such that when said journals are engaged in said bearing pockets and the handle is rotated by a predetermined angle about said axis, said attachment portions contact said appliance and each of said first bores aligns with a second bore in said appliance, said first and second bores adapted to receive a fastener to secure the handle and prevent further rotation about said axis.
- 6. A pull handle assembly for attachment to a wet-dry vacuum unit, comprising:a grip portion; means for supporting said grip portion; means fixed on said vacuum for receiving said supporting means to permit rotation of said supporting means on an axis passing through said means for receiving; means for preventing further rotation of said supporting means after a predetermined rotation of said supporting means about said axis and for securing said supporting means to said vacuum after said predetermined rotation.
- 7. A pull handle for an appliance, said handle comprising:a grip portion; at least two side portions each having a first end attached to said grip portion; an attachment portion extending from each of said side portions, each of said attachment portions having a first bore therethrough; wherein each of said side portions further comprises a bottom surface defining a slot therein, each of said slots positioned to engage a rib on said appliance so as to place said handle in a position of alignment between said first bores in said handle and corresponding second bores in said appliance after send handle is rotated through a predetermined angle about a handle axis.
- 8. A pull handle for an appliance, said handle comprising:a grip portion; at least two side portions each having a first end attached to said grip portion and a second end; a plurality of journals arranged adjacent said second ends along an axis, each of said journals positioned to engage a bearing pocket on said appliance and to rotate within said bearing pocket about the axis; and an attachment potion having a first bore therethrough at a point remote from the axis, such that when said journals are engaged in said bearing pockets and the handle is rotated by a predetermined angle about the axis, said attachment portions contact said appliance and each of said first bores aligns with a corresponding second bore in said appliance, said first and second bores adapted to receive as fastener to secure the handle and prevent further rotation about the axis.
- 9. The pull handle of claim 8, wherein said grip portion, side portions, attachment portions and journals are fabricated as a single molded component.
- 10. A pull handle for an appliance, said handle comprising:a grip portion; at least two side portions each having a first end attached to said grip portion, a second end, and a bottom surface; a plurality of journals arranged adjacent said second ends along an axis, each of said journals positioned to engage a bearing pocket on said appliance and to rotate within said bearing pocket about the axis; and and at least one rib formed in said bottom surface, said rib located along the axis and positioned to engage a slot on said appliance so as to secure said journals in said bearing pockets after the handle is rotated through a predetermined angle about the axis.
US Referenced Citations (8)