Vacuum cleaner with collapsible handle
First Claim
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned;
an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base;
a vacuum source operatively associated with the vacuum cleaner and adapted to draw a working airflow into the inlet nozzle;
a dirt receptacle operatively associated with the vacuum cleaner and adapted to remove dirt from the working airflow;
a lower handle pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot;
an automatically-operated lower pivot lock including a locking member and a catch, the automatically-operated lower pivot lock having a first lower pivot lock position in which the lower pivot lock restricts relative rotation between the lower handle and the base, and a second lower pivot lock position in which the lower pivot lock does not restrict relative rotation between the lower handle and the base;
an upper handle pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot; and
a manually-operated upper pivot lock including a connecting member operably coupled with the lower pivot lock and a driving member operably coupled with the connecting member, the manually-operated upper pivot lock having a first upper pivot lock position in which the upper pivot lock restricts relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle, and a second upper pivot lock position in which the upper pivot lock does not restrict relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle;
whereby when the upper handle is manually rotated relative to the lower handle, the driving member moves the connecting member and the connecting member releases the locking member from the catch of the lower pivot lock, thereby automatically allowing rotation of the lower handle relative to the base.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner having a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned, an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base, a vacuum source, and a dirt receptacle. A lower handle is pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot, and an upper handle is pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot. In one aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an automatically-operated lower pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the lower handle and the base, and a manually-operated upper pivot lock that can restrict relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle. In another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes a telescoping upper handle with electrical controls attached to the upper telescopic section of the upper handle. In still another aspect, the vacuum cleaner includes an exhaust vent located on an upwardly-facing surface of the base.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned; an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base; a vacuum source operatively associated with the vacuum cleaner and adapted to draw a working airflow into the inlet nozzle; a dirt receptacle operatively associated with the vacuum cleaner and adapted to remove dirt from the working airflow; a lower handle pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot; an automatically-operated lower pivot lock including a locking member and a catch, the automatically-operated lower pivot lock having a first lower pivot lock position in which the lower pivot lock restricts relative rotation between the lower handle and the base, and a second lower pivot lock position in which the lower pivot lock does not restrict relative rotation between the lower handle and the base; an upper handle pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot; and a manually-operated upper pivot lock including a connecting member operably coupled with the lower pivot lock and a driving member operably coupled with the connecting member, the manually-operated upper pivot lock having a first upper pivot lock position in which the upper pivot lock restricts relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle, and a second upper pivot lock position in which the upper pivot lock does not restrict relative rotation between the upper handle and the lower handle; whereby when the upper handle is manually rotated relative to the lower handle, the driving member moves the connecting member and the connecting member releases the locking member from the catch of the lower pivot lock, thereby automatically allowing rotation of the lower handle relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned; an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base; a dirt receptacle mounted in the base and in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet; a vacuum source mounted in the base and adapted to generate a working flow of air into the vacuum inlet and through the dirt receptacle; a handle pivotally attached to the base, the handle comprising; a lower handle pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot; an upper handle pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot, the upper handle comprising a lower section, an upper section telescopically mated to the lower section, and an adjustment mechanism adapted to selectively allow and prevent telescopic movement between the upper section and the lower section; and at least one electrical control attached to the upper section of the upper handle, and adapted to control at least one electrical device in the base; wherein the lower pivot comprises an automatically-operated lower pivot lock including a locking member and a catch, the automatically-operated lower pivot lock having a locked position in which the lower pivot lock restricts at least a portion of the lower handle range of movement, and an unlocked position in which the lower pivot lock does not restrict the portion of the lower handle range of movement; wherein the upper pivot comprises a manually-operated pivot lock including a connecting member operably coupled with the lower pivot lock and a driving member operably coupled with the connecting member; and whereby when the upper handle is manually rotated relative to the lower handle, the driving member moves the connecting member and the connecting member releases the locking member from the catch of the lower pivot lock, thereby moving the lower pivot lock to the unlocked position, allowing rotation of the lower handle relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base adapted to be moved on a surface to be cleaned; an inlet nozzle disposed on a lower surface of the base; a dirt receptacle mounted in the base and in fluid communication with the vacuum inlet; a vacuum source mounted in the base and adapted to generate a working flow of air into the vacuum inlet and through the dirt receptacle; a handle pivotally attached to the base, the handle comprising; a lower handle pivotally attached to the base at a lower pivot, and an upper handle pivotally attached to the lower handle at an upper pivot; and an exhaust vent in fluid communication with and downstream of the dirt receptacle and the vacuum source, the exhaust vent being located on an upwardly-facing surface of the base; wherein the lower pivot comprises an automatically-operated lower pivot lock including a locking member and a catch, the automatically-operated lower pivot lock having a locked position in which the lower pivot lock restricts at least a portion of the lower handle range of movement, and an unlocked position in which the lower pivot lock does not restrict the portion of the lower handle range of movement; wherein the upper pivot comprises a manually-operated pivot lock including a connecting member operably coupled with the lower pivot lock and a driving member operably coupled with the connecting member; and whereby when the upper handle is manually rotated relative to the lower handle, the driving member moves the connecting member and the connecting member releases the locking member from the catch of the lower pivot lock, thereby moving the lower pivot lock to the unlocked position, allowing rotation of the lower handle relative to the base. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification