Self-propelled vacuum cleaner with a neutral return spring
First Claim
1. A self propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:
- a base having a suction inlet;
an upright housing pivotally mounted on said base;
a suction source disposed in one of said base and said upright housing to generate an airflow at said suction inlet;
a filter chamber mounted in one of said base and said upright housing and in communication with said suction inlet and said suction source;
a drive motor mounted to one of said base and said upright housing;
a driven wheel operatively connected to said drive motor to propel said base; and
a handle assembly mounted to said upright housing, wherein said handle assembly comprises;
an upper handle,a handle grip assembly slidably mounted on said upper handle,a neutral return spring fastened to one of said upper handle and said handle grip assembly and engaging another of said upper handle and said handle grip assembly to urge said handle grip assembly to a neutral position, anda handle position sensor assembly, comprising a Hall sensor electronically connected to said drive motor, wherein said handle position sensor assembly is configured to communicate with said drive motor to control delivery of proportionally varying amounts of power to said drive motor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-propelled vacuum cleaner includes a base having a suction inlet. An upright housing is pivotally mounted to the base. A suction source is disposed in one of the base and the upright housing to generate an airflow at the suction inlet. A dust collection chamber is mounted to one of the base and the upright housing and communicates with the suction inlet and the suction source. A drive motor is mounted to the base. A driven wheel is operatively connected to the drive motor. A handle assembly is mounted to the upright housing, wherein the handle assembly includes an upper handle, a handle grip assembly slidably mounted to the upper handle, and a neutral return spring fastened to the upper handle and engaging the handle grip assembly to urge the handle grip assembly to a neutral position.
88 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A self propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base having a suction inlet; an upright housing pivotally mounted on said base; a suction source disposed in one of said base and said upright housing to generate an airflow at said suction inlet; a filter chamber mounted in one of said base and said upright housing and in communication with said suction inlet and said suction source; a drive motor mounted to one of said base and said upright housing; a driven wheel operatively connected to said drive motor to propel said base; and a handle assembly mounted to said upright housing, wherein said handle assembly comprises; an upper handle, a handle grip assembly slidably mounted on said upper handle, a neutral return spring fastened to one of said upper handle and said handle grip assembly and engaging another of said upper handle and said handle grip assembly to urge said handle grip assembly to a neutral position, and a handle position sensor assembly, comprising a Hall sensor electronically connected to said drive motor, wherein said handle position sensor assembly is configured to communicate with said drive motor to control delivery of proportionally varying amounts of power to said drive motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A self propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base having a suction inlet; a handle pivotally mounted to said base; a suction source disposed in one of said base and said handle to generate an airflow at said suction inlet; a filter chamber mounted to one of said base and said handle and in communication with said suction inlet and said suction source; a drive motor mounted to one of said base and said handle; a driven wheel operatively connected to said drive motor; a handle grip mounted for reciprocation in relation to said handle between a first end position, a neutral position and a second, opposite, end position; a stem extending from said handle grip, said stem including a projection; a neutral return spring mounted to said handle and receiving at least a portion of said projection, said neutral return spring urging said handle grip to the neutral center position; and
a platemounted to said handle, wherein said neutral return spring is mounted adjacent said plate. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A self propelled vacuum cleaner comprising:
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a base having a suction inlet; a handle pivotally connected to said base; a suction source mounted to one of said base and said handle to generate an airflow at said suction inlet; a filter chamber mounted in one of said base and said handle and in communication with said suction inlet and said suction source; a drive motor mounted to one of said base and said handle; a driven wheel operatively connected to said drive motor; a handle grip slidably mounted on said handle; a handle stem connected to said handle grip and including a post, wherein at least a portion of said handle stem is received in said handle; a plate; a fastener for attaching said plate to said handle; and an elastomeric biasing member mounted to said plate and mounted to said handle, wherein said biasing member urges said handle grip toward a neutral position upon displacement of said handle grip in relation to said handle from the neutral position. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification