Pull handle with interlocking mounting mechanism for wet/dry vacuum appliance

• US 6,378,165 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Holsten, Stuart V., Beth, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, CHRISTOPHER K
• Application Number:
  US09/506,118
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 153/272, 154/10, 161/10.R
• US Class Current: 15/410
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/327 for suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing

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.

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.