U.S. patent application number 11/446727 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for method for coupling a power cord.
This patent application is currently assigned to Oreck Holdings, LLC. Invention is credited to Steven Philip Irby, Charles Jeff Morgan, Paul A. Moshenrose, Christopher M. Paterson.
Application Number | 20060218745 11/446727 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33130703 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060218745 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morgan; Charles Jeff ; et
al. |
October 5, 2006 |
Method for coupling a power cord
Abstract
A cord management system operable to reduce or eliminate various
forces exerted on a vacuum cleaner power cord. The system includes
a swiveling strain relief incorporated into the vacuum handle and
collars, used to connect sections of dirty air conduit, having
exterior portions that enable the power cord to be retained in a
secure manner.
Inventors: |
Morgan; Charles Jeff; (Long
Beach, MS) ; Paterson; Christopher M.; (Biloxi,
MS) ; Irby; Steven Philip; (Gulfport, MS) ;
Moshenrose; Paul A.; (Ocean Springs, MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE OLLILA LAW GROUP LLC
2060 BROADWAY
SUITE 300
BOULDER
CO
80302
US
|
Assignee: |
Oreck Holdings, LLC
|
Family ID: |
33130703 |
Appl. No.: |
11/446727 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10410004 |
Apr 9, 2003 |
|
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11446727 |
Jun 5, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/410 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/2863 20130101;
A47L 9/325 20130101; A47L 9/2889 20130101; A47L 9/2857 20130101;
A47L 9/2842 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/410 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/32 20060101
A47L009/32 |
Claims
1. A floor care machine comprising: a power cord operatively
coupled to a floor engaging head; a handle assembly having a handle
housing; a switch having power terminals, said switch mounted in
said handle assembly.
2. The floor care machine of claim 1, further comprising a strain
relief coupled to the power cord and to said housing, the strain
relief being movable along one or more axes at the point where the
strain relief is coupled to said housing.
3. A method of coupling a power cord of a floor care machine, said
power cord operatively coupled to a floor engaging head, said
method comprising: providing a handle assembly having a handle
housing; providing a switch having power terminals, said switch
mounted in said handle assembly; and affixing said power cord to
said power terminals.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
providing a strain relief coupled to the power cord and to said
housing, the strain relief being movable along one or more axes at
the point where the strain relief is coupled to said housing.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional from co-pending application
No. 10/410,004 entitled, "VACUUM CLEANER CORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM"
filed Apr. 9, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to cleaning devices, and more
particularly, to vacuum cleaners having cord management
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many contemporary cleaning devices are electrically powered.
Such devices include vacuums, buffers, extractors, steam cleaners
and other similar devices. Electrical power is typically supplied
to the cleaning device through a power cord. The cord is routed
from the power supply to a switch provided in the handle of the
cleaning device for controlling the flow of electricity to a motor
in the cleaning device. For this purpose, a first power cord
adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet, is routed through the
handle to the switch, and a second power cord is extended from the
handle and into the head of the vacuum cleaner to power the vacuum
cleaner motor. Although the routing scheme described above has many
benefits, it does possess some inherent drawbacks that affect the
ease-of-use and reliability of the cleaning device.
[0004] One drawback to the prior art routing scheme is the
attachment between the first power cord and the handle of the
cleaning device. Typically, the power cord enters a void formed in
the handle and attaches to a power switch. In order to protect the
connection between the first power cord and the switch from being
pulled apart during use, the cord is tied down before a small
extension or loop formed in the first power cord. When strain is
placed on the power cord during use, the tie-down resists any
tugging or pulling that would separate the cord from the switch.
However, this design does little to protect the cord at the handle
interface. The forces exerted upon the cord during use can come
from various directions. For example, if the power cord is caught
under the foot of an operator the forces exerted on the cord are in
a downward direction thus resulting in the power cord being pulled
outward and downward from the handle. Over time, repetition of this
bending results in a sustained connection between the power cord
and the switch but a degradation in the outer jacket of the power
cord. Degradation of the power cord can result in breach of the
cord insulation and possible shorts resulting in lower product
life.
[0005] Another drawback to the prior art routing scheme is the
attachment between the second power cord and the handle. The prior
art scheme incorporates a plug in the handle that is used to supply
power from the switch to the second power cord. The second power
cord is inserted into the handle plug on one end and wired to the
vacuum motor on the other end. The drawback to this design is the
handle plug attachment. When in use, the second power cord is
subjected to various forces that can pull the second power cord
from the handle plug, resulting in power interruption.
[0006] Still another drawback with the second power cord is the
necessity to supply cord clips to keep the second power cord routed
close to the vacuum handle. The cord clips are metal or plastic
circular pieces that mount on the upper and lower sections of the
vacuum handle and secure the cord against pulling or tugging free
when the vacuum is in use. However these cord clips are easily
damaged and require additional maintenance and expense for the
user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for a cord
management system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a
swiveling strain relief incorporated into the vacuum handle for
protecting a power cord from the various forces exerted upon it.
The strain relief can be of a single axis (wheel-type) or
multi-axis (ball-type) design.
[0008] In another embodiment, the second power cord may be
hardwired into the handle. Hardwiring the second power cord
eliminates the possibility of the cord being pulled from its handle
connection and interrupting power to the vacuum motor.
[0009] In another embodiment, collars, used to connect sections of
a dirty air conduit, have exterior portions that enable the power
cord to be retained in a secure manner. The collar clip can be made
out of molded plastic allowing for a more robust part that is not
prone to failure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an upright vacuum cleaner.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the upper portion of
the upright vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle in FIGS. 1 and 2
according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a strain relief according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a strain relief according to
an additional embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a collar clip according to an
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 are views of an upright vacuum cleaner 100 in
accordance with the present invention. The vacuum cleaner 100
includes a head 102 that contains the vacuum motor and fan, a
rotary brush, and other such components (not shown) that are known
in the art. A handle 103 is pivotably attached to the head for
maneuvering and controlling the head.
[0017] The purpose of the head 102 and its components is to provide
suction at the level of the floor 104, which may be a wood floor,
or may be covered with carpet, throw rugs, tile, linoleum or other
floor coverings. As is well known, the air entrains particulates
such as dirt, sand, lint, crumbs and other food particles, and
other materials that may be found on a floor.
[0018] The particulate-laden air (dirty air) is exhausted from the
head 102 via an exhaust conduit 106, which is pivotably mounted to
the head to permit rotation through about 90 degrees from a
generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal
orientation as indicated by the arrow 108. The particulate-laden
air is transmitted upward along a dirty air conduit 110 to a dirty
air exhaust duct 112. The dirty air conduit 110 of the present
embodiment may be made of any of a variety of materials, such as
steel or aluminum tubing, but should be sufficiently stiff to serve
both as a conduit and as a portion of the handle 103 of the vacuum
cleaner 100.
[0019] A clamp 109 is mounted on the exhaust conduit 106 of the
vacuum cleaner 100 by known means such as screws or other
fasteners. A spring clip 111 is mounted on the clamp and is adapted
to clip into a slot in the bag clamp 113. The bag clamp 113 is
adapted to grip the bottom of a flexible bag case 136, when the two
halves thereof are assembled.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in which like elements have like
numbering, the dirty air conduit 110 is maintained in engagement
with the exhaust conduit 106 as follows. A slot 114 in the lower
end of the dirty air conduit 110 is adapted to receive and be
substantially filled by a tab (not shown) on the interior wall of
the exhaust conduit 106. The tab and slot prevent the exhaust
conduit 106 and dirty air conduit 110 from rotating relative to one
another.
[0021] An annular shoulder may be provided in the exhaust conduit
106 to receive the bottom end 116 of the dirty air conduit 110.
Such shoulder preferably has a width approximately equal to that of
the wall thickness of the dirty air conduit 110. The dirty air
conduit is held in place by a collar 118 and elastomeric ring 120.
The collar 118 and ring 120 are adapted to slide onto the dirty air
conduit 110 and the collar 118 is configured to receive the ring
120 therein.
[0022] The collar 118 threadedly engages the upper end of the
exhaust conduit 106 and screws down onto it. The elastomeric ring
120 is thereby compressed between a shoulder internal to the collar
118 and the upper end of the exhaust conduit 106. The compression
of the ring forces the ring 120 to expand into tight engagement
with the adjacent surface of the dirty air conduit 110, which
retains the dirty air conduit 110 against axial movement out of
engagement with the exhaust conduit 106 in normal use.
[0023] The lower end 122 of the exhaust duct 112 includes a
threaded region 124 and can be mounted to the dirty air conduit 110
in like manner to the mounting of the dirty air conduit 110 to the
exhaust conduit 106. A tab (not shown) on the interior of the
exhaust duct 112 is received in a slot 126 in the upper end of the
dirty air conduit 110, substantially filling the slot 126. A collar
128 and elastomeric ring 130 are slid over the upper end 132 of the
dirty air conduit 110, and the collar is screwed onto the lower end
122 of the exhaust duct 112, compressing the ring 130 and causing
it to frictionally engage the adjacent wall of the dirty air
conduit 110.
[0024] The vacuum cleaner 100 is provided with the bag case 136
into which the dirty air may be exhausted from the dirty air
exhaust duct 112. The bag case 136 is made of a flexible material
that is resistant to wearing and ripping, and that is either air
pervious or includes vents to allow the escape of air. The bag case
136 is adapted to be mounted over the mouth section 138 of the
dirty air duct 112.
[0025] The upper end 150 of the exhaust duct 112 includes a
threaded section 152. A plurality of vertical slots 154 extend to
the upper end of the exhaust duct 112. The threaded section 152 and
the slots 154 cooperate with a collar 156 to form a collet-like
connector for receiving and gripping an upper handle segment
158.
[0026] A two-piece handle (or grip) 160 for permitting a user to
grip the end of the handle 103 is mounted to the upper end of the
upper handle section 158 by fasteners such as screws. The two
halves of the handle 160 is made of a thermoplastic material, and
bonded together by known methods such as vibratory welding or use
of adhesives.
[0027] A switch 170 may be provided in the handle 160 for
controlling the flow of electricity to the motor in the head 102 of
the vacuum cleaner 100. For this purpose, a first power cord 162
adapted to be plugged into a wall outlet may be routed through the
handle 160 to switch 170, and a second power cord 164 may extend
from switch 170, through handle 160 and into head 102 of the vacuum
cleaner 100 to power the vacuum cleaner motor.
[0028] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle 160. Handle 160
comprises two mating halves, first power cord 162, switch 170,
second power cord 164 and strain relief 302. First power cord 162
is also connected to switch 170 via power terminals 308 and routed
along inlet channel 304 and through strain relief 302. Second power
cord 164 is routed along outlet channel 306 and connected to switch
170 via power terminals 308.
[0029] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a
swivel strain relief. Strain relief 400 is a single axis
(wheel-type) design comprised of halves 402 and 404. Power cord 462
is routed through the interior cavity 406. The interior cavity 406
is contoured to form a small passage in which a small portion 410
of power cord 462 resides, preventing strain from damaging power
cord 462.
[0030] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another preferred embodiment
of a swivel strain relief. Strain relief 500 is a multi axis
(ball-type) design comprised of halves 502 and 504. Power cord 562
is routed through the interior cavity 506. The interior cavity 506
is contoured to form a passage in which a small extension 510 of
power cord 562 resides, preventing strain from damaging power cord
562.
[0031] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the collar assembly of the
floor care apparatus 100 of FIG. 2. The collar 128 includes an
external surface 602 having at least one retaining member 604.
Retaining member 604 comprises legs 608 & 609. Legs 608 &
609 are located proximate one another such that gap 607 is formed.
Gap 607 is sized as to allow power cord 164 to be held in
place.
[0032] The detailed descriptions of the above embodiments are not
exhaustive descriptions of all embodiments contemplated by the
inventors to be within the scope of the invention. Indeed, persons
skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the
above-described embodiments may variously be combined or eliminated
to create further embodiments, and such further embodiments fall
within the scope and teachings of the invention. It will also be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the
above-described embodiments may be combined in whole or in part to
create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the
invention.
[0033] Thus, although specific embodiments of, and examples for,
the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes,
various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of
the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
The teachings provided herein can be applied to other handle and
exhaust duct coupling assemblies for floor care machines, and not
just to the embodiments described above and shown in the
accompanying figures. Accordingly, the scope of the invention
should be determined from the following claims.
* * * * *