Vacuum cleaner having forwardly curved handle

• US 5,564,160 A
• Filed: 01/13/1995
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products Limited (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: White Consolidated Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Luebbering, Gregory W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chin, Randall E.
• Application Number:
  US08/372,361
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 15/350, 15/351, 15/354, 15/355, 15/356, 15/357, 15/358, 15/359, 15/360, 15/361, 15/410
• US Class Current: 15/351
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0009 Storing devices winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26; Supports, stands or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0045 specially adapted for holding the suction tube
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/325 for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle

Abstract

An upright vacuum cleaner having a handle pivotally connected to a rear portion of a surface cleaning brush housing. A lower portion of the handle is relatively straight and an upper portion of the handle curves forwardly therefrom so that the cleaner may be operated with greater ease and the housing may be operated under articles of furniture without undue stooping by the user. With the handle in an upright position, the cleaner occupies a smaller floor area as compared to conventional cleaners.

Claims

1. An upright vacuum cleaner comprising a wheeled, floor-engaging suction housing having a rear portion and a front edge and a handle having a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion being pivotally connected to said rear portion of said housing and defining a rigid chamber for receiving material from said suction housing, said housing having a relatively low vertical profile for ease of cleaning under articles of furniture, said lower portion of said handle being relatively straight and having a longitudinal axis, said upper portion of said handle having a front wall curving upwardly and forwardly from the rigid chamber and from the longitudinal axis of said lower portion in the direction of said front edge of said housing and further having an end with a hand grip portion thereon angularly related to said upper portion, said handle being pivotable between a fully upright position with said longitudinal axis in a substantially vertical position and a fully lowered position with said longitudinal axis in a substantially horizontal position, said hand grip portion being positioned substantially vertically above the front edge of said housing with said handle in said upright position and being at a level substantially above the vertical profile of said housing with said handle in said substantially horizontal position.

2. An upright vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a tool caddy is provided on said rigid chamber and defines a series of pockets for storage of on-board tools.