Movable handle structure for control of self-propelled vacuum cleaner
First Claim
1. In a vacuum cleaner having a dirt pickup suction nozzle provided with carriage wheels, drive means for selectively forwardly and rearwardly driving said wheels, and a handle extending upwardly from the nozzle for use in manually guiding the nozzle in a suction cleaning operation, improved means for manipulating the vacuum cleaner comprising:
- means on said handle defining an elongate distal end;
a sleeve longitudinally movably carried on said handle distal end;
connecting means extending along said handle from said sleeve to said nozzle for controlling said drive means as a function of the disposition of said sleeve on said handle distal end;
cooperating locking means on said sleeve and handle distal end for selectively locking the sleeve in a preselected neutral disposition wherein said connecting means causes said drive means to be in a neutral disposition wherein the wheels are undriven;
first cooperating stop means on said sleeve and handle distal end for defining a first displaced disposition of the sleeve and connecting means disposed in a first longitudinal direction from said neutral disposition of the sleeve for causing operation of the drive means in a forward direction as a function of the displacement of said sleeve from said neutral disposition to said first displaced disposition; and
second cooperating stop means on said sleeve and handle distal end for defining a second displaced disposition of the sleeve and connecting means disposed in an opposite second, longitudinal direction from said neutral disposition of the sleeve for causing operation of the drive means in a rearward direction as a function of the displacement of said sleeve from said neutral disposition to said second displaced disposition, said manipulating means further defining speed control means for selectively varying the speed of the drive means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved movable control for a self-propelled upright vacuum cleaner. The control includes a sleeve longitudinally movably mounted on the distal end of the upright handle of the vacuum cleaner and includes locking structure for retaining the sleeve in a center neutral position, wherein the drive of the nozzle wheels is maintained in a neutral condition. The locking structure is readily manipulatible to release the sleeve from the neutral position when desired and permit it to be moved in opposite directions so as to effect corresponding forward or rearward operation of the drive. The sleeve is maintained relatively short while yet providing a long travel in providing facilitated user control of the drive operation. The sleeve is provided in two halves which are secured together by an improved securing arrangement. In one form, the locking structure is pivotable about an axis parallel to the handle end portion, and in another form, the locking means is pivotable about an axis transversely thereto.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a vacuum cleaner having a dirt pickup suction nozzle provided with carriage wheels, drive means for selectively forwardly and rearwardly driving said wheels, and a handle extending upwardly from the nozzle for use in manually guiding the nozzle in a suction cleaning operation, improved means for manipulating the vacuum cleaner comprising:
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means on said handle defining an elongate distal end; a sleeve longitudinally movably carried on said handle distal end; connecting means extending along said handle from said sleeve to said nozzle for controlling said drive means as a function of the disposition of said sleeve on said handle distal end; cooperating locking means on said sleeve and handle distal end for selectively locking the sleeve in a preselected neutral disposition wherein said connecting means causes said drive means to be in a neutral disposition wherein the wheels are undriven; first cooperating stop means on said sleeve and handle distal end for defining a first displaced disposition of the sleeve and connecting means disposed in a first longitudinal direction from said neutral disposition of the sleeve for causing operation of the drive means in a forward direction as a function of the displacement of said sleeve from said neutral disposition to said first displaced disposition; and second cooperating stop means on said sleeve and handle distal end for defining a second displaced disposition of the sleeve and connecting means disposed in an opposite second, longitudinal direction from said neutral disposition of the sleeve for causing operation of the drive means in a rearward direction as a function of the displacement of said sleeve from said neutral disposition to said second displaced disposition, said manipulating means further defining speed control means for selectively varying the speed of the drive means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a vacuum cleaner having a dirt pickup suction nozzle provided with carriage wheels, drive means for selectively forwardly and rearwardly driving said wheels, and a handle extending upwardly from the nozzle for use in manually guiding the nozzle in a suction cleaning operation, improved means for manipulating the vacuum cleaner comprising:
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means on said handle defining an elongate distal end; a pair of sleeve halves defining a sleeve longitudinally movably carried on said handle distal end; first securing means recessed within said sleeve for securing an end portion of the sleeve halves together about said handle distal end; second securing means externally of the opposite end portion of the sleeve halves for securing said opposite end portions together about said handle distal end in sleeve-forming relationship whereby said sleeve may be moved relative to said handle while having maintained structural integrity of said handle end within said second securing means; connecting means extending along said handle from said sleeve to said nozzle for controlling said drive means as a function of the disposition of said sleeve on said handle distal end; cooperating locking means on said sleeve and handle distal end for selectively locking the sleeve in a preselected neutral disposition wherein said connecting means causes said drive means to be in a neutral disposition wherein the wheels are undriven; and cooperating stop means on said sleeve and handle distal end for selectively defining opposite displaced dispositions of the sleeve and connecting means for causing operation of the drive means in a forward direction as a function of the displacement of said sleeve from said neutral disposition to a first displaced disposition and causing operation of the drive means in a rearward direction as a function of the displacement of said sleeve from said neutral disposition to a second, opposite displaced disposition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification