Vacuum Having Assist Handles

• US 20090094787A1
• Filed: 10/11/2007
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sheddy, Gregg L., DiPasquale, Kathy E.
• Application Number:
  US11/870,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20090094787A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 15/410
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing

Abstract

A vacuum including a tank, a suction device in fluid communication with the tank, and at least one assist handle disposed on the tank. A lid may be removably mounted to the tank, and the at least one assist handle is adapted to facilitate lifting the tank to empty waste matter deposited in the tank via the suction device.

Claims

1. A vacuum comprising:

a housing including a tank portion; and

a suction device disposed within said housing;

wherein said tank portion is adapted to receive waste matter via said suction device, and said tank portion includes at least one assist handle adapted to facilitate gripping and lifting the vacuum to empty waste matter accumulated in said tank portion.

2. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said at least one assist handle is at least partially defined by a bottom face of said tank portion.

3. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said at least one assist handle is at least partially defined by one of a suspension cross-member, a rear face of said tank portion, or a side face of said tank portion.

4. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said at least one assist handle is ergonomically contoured.

5. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said at least one assist handle includes a tapered portion to facilitate gripping.

6. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said at least one assist handle includes a plurality of grooves.

7. The vacuum according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of assist handles disposed on different sides of said tank portion.

8. The vacuum according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of assist handles are at least partially defined by a bottom face of said tank portion.

9. The vacuum according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of assist handles are at least partially defined by at least one of a suspension cross-member, a rear face of said tank portion, and a side face of said tank portion.

10. The vacuum according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of assist handles are ergonomically contoured.

11. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said at least one assist handle is integrally formed with said tank portion.

12. The vacuum according to claim 1, wherein said at least one assist handle is mounted to said tank portion.

13. The vacuum according to claim 1, further comprising a lid portion removably mounted to said tank portion to facilitate waste matter disposal.

14. A vacuum comprising:

a tank;

a suction device in fluid communication with said tank; and

at least one assist handle disposed on said tank,

wherein said at least one assist handle is adapted to facilitate lifting said tank to empty waste matter deposited in said tank via said suction device.

15. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle is at least partially defined by a bottom face of said tank.

16. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle is defined by at least one of a side face of said tank, a rear face of said tank, or a suspension cross-member.

17. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle includes an ergonomic feature.

18. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle includes a plurality of grooves adapted to facilitate gripping.

19. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle includes a tapered portion to further facilitate gripping.

20. The vacuum according to claim 14, further comprising a lid disposed on said tank, wherein said lid includes at least one upper handle.

21. The vacuum according to claim 14, further comprising a lid disposed on said tank, wherein a pivotable handle is disposed on said lid.

22. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle is integrally formed with said tank.

23. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle is mounted to said tank via an interference fit.

24. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle is threadably fastened to said tank.

25. The vacuum according to claim 14, wherein said at least one assist handle is bonded to said tank.