Movable hand grip with actuation

• US 4,845,803 A
• Filed: 12/22/1986
• Issued: 07/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: King, Douglass A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US06/944,514
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 15/410, 15/339, 180/19.3, 200/157, 200/330, 200/337
• US Class Current: 15/339
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/32 Handles

Abstract

A cleaner having a rectilinearly movable hand grip, movable along the axis of the cleaner handle, is provided with a switch actuator that can initiate action of a switch fixed relative to the handle and, therefore, not movable with the hand grip. The switch actuator includes a lost motion arrangement engageable over a switch button of the switch so that the switch actuator and switch remain in an engaged position independent of the axial location of the hand grip. The cleaner may be a power drive cleaner in which movement of the hand grip controls power driven movement of the cleaner. In this case, the hand grip and handle may have provision for placing the cleaner in a non-drive, neutral position.

Claims

1. In a power drive cleaner having a mounted, movable hand grip including;

(a) an electric switch fixedly mounted to said power drive cleaner,

(b) a means for initiating switch action mounted on said movable hand grip; and

(c) a means for providing lost motion between said electric switch and said means for initiating switch action whereby said means for initiating switch action is operative independent of hand grip mounted movement.

2. In a cleaner having a handle pivotally attached to a cleaner hood and including;

(a) a hand grip movably mounted to said handle,

(b) a switch mounted on said handle, and

(c) an operator contactable means for initiating switch actuation, mounted on said movable handgrip.

3. The cleaner as set out in claim 2 wherein;

(a) a means for providing lost motion is functionally interposed between said switch and said means for initiating switch actuation.

4. The cleaner having a movable hand grip of claim 3 wherein;

(a) said switch and said lost motion means includes an upstanding member disposed between two parallel ribs.

5. The cleaner as set out in claim 3 wherein;

(a) said means for providing lost mostion includes a pair of ribs attached to one of said switch and said means for initiating switch actuation.

6. The cleaner having a movable hand grip of claim 5 wherein;

(a) said ribs are disposed on opposite sides of a button for said switch.

7. The cleaner as set out in claim 3 wherein;

(a) said means for providing lost motion is movable relative to said movable hand grip.

8. In a power drive cleaner having a handle and a movable hand grip, mounted to it to move in an axial direction therealong, the combination including;

(a) a pin mounted on said movable hand grip and movable relative to it in a direction transverse to said axial direction,

(b) said pin extending into a means for centering said pin generally axially mounted and with said handle,

(c) said pin reciprocating in a sliding motion along said means for centering said pin to place said pin in a centered or uncentered position.

9. In the power drive cleaner having a handle and the movable hand grip of claim 8 wherein;

(a) an electric switch is mounted to said handle, and

(b) an operator contactable means for switch initiation is mounted to said movable hand grip.

10. The power drive cleaner as set out in claim 8 wherein;

(a) said means for centering said pin comprising a groove extending generally horizontally, transverse to said axial direction and being wider at one horizontal transverse end than the other horizontal transverse end.

11. The power drive cleaner as set out in claim 10 wherein;

(a) said ends are generally rectangular in plan view, and

(b) said groove is tapered therebetween to horizontally space said ends.