Floor care appliance handle with a button-operated piston and cylinder

Abstract

A floor care appliance handle is provided which is remotely located and includes an easily operated button that initiates action of a cylinder and piston to provide a pressure pulse which may be utilized to actuate a floor care appliance switch and initiate cleaner action or the like. The handle is formed from two major parts, with the actuating button captured between one of the parts and a wand to which it is attached.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a handle for use with a floor care appliance and, more specifically, relates to a handle having a button-operated piston and cylinder combination intimately associated therewith.

2. Description of the Prior Art

One common type of vacuum cleaner is a canister or tank-type cleaner. In such a unit, a housing, which normally rests on the floor, includes a motor, dirt-storing bag and fan system therein for creating a partial vacuum and filtering dirt-laden air drawn into it by reason of the vacuum. A hose extends from this housing, and is normally provided, at its opposite end, with some type of cleaning nozzle such as a crevice tool, furniture tool or floor nozzle.

Actuation of such a cleaner is generally occasioned by manipulation of a switch mounted on the cleaner housing by either the hand or foot of the user so as to provide suction at the tool end of the suction hose. Such an arrangement requires user effort in moving between the cleaner housing and the manipulative end of the suction hose when the cleaner is turned on and off. Thus, a remotely actuated cleaner, with the initiating button for cleaning action mounted proximate the tool end of the hose, would provide the advantage of greater user efficiency since initiation or termination of cleaner operation would not require user movement between the cleaner hose end and the cleaner, per se.

Such a cleaner is disclosed in application Ser. No. 397,151, filed concurrently herewith, invented by Charles C. Coons anad titled "A Fluid or Pneumatically Actuated Floor Care Appliance." In this cleaner, remote actation of it is dependent entirely upon the use of a pressure pulse created at the tool end of the suction hose. The pressure pulse created may be either pneumatic or fluidic but, in either case, some means must be provided for creating the pressure pulse, and this means ideally should be mounted adjacent to or with that portion of the wand which the user would normally grasp in performing a cleaning function.

Accordingly, no such structure now being present in the prior art, it would be advantageous to provide an easily usable handle arrangement and button-operated piston and cylinder configuration to enable easy user actuation of a pneumatically actuated floor care appliance with which it would be used.

It would be additionally advantageous to provide such a structure in which the various components of the handle and button-operated piston and cylinder configuration were easily assembled to the wand and hose extending from the cleaner.

It would be further advantageous to provide such a structure which permitted capture of the hose and wand and the button operating the piston and cylinder by the handle parts in a manner that was simplified and yet quite effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is provided in a canister cleaner, as exemplary of a floor care appliance, with the same including an electric switch mounted within the canister cleaner housing and including the provision for either manual actuation at the cleaner housing or remote, pneumatic pulsing actuation.

The pneumatic or fluidic pulse is led through a flexible conduit of relatively small diameter, mounted with the suction hose, proper, so that the pressure pulse may be communicated down the hose towards the cleaner housing and electric switch. Hose coupler parts are provided between the cleaner and the near (cleaner) end of the hose which include communication means for the pneumatic pulse so that the same may be communicated inwardly of the housing to the switching mechanism.

Creation of the required pressure pulse or impulse is had by a button-operated piston and cylinder arrangement, formed as an integral portion of a handle housing, situated at the far end of the suction hose. The handle housing is also attached to a wand which may be utilized for the mounting of cleaning tools that are suitable for a variety of cleaning functions, such as a crevice tool, a furniture brush and a floor nozzle.

The housing forming the handle portion for the cleaner comprises two main portions, both of generally tubular configuration, with the first of the portions fixedly attached to the wand member by a rivet or the like and with the second of the portions attached to the hose by means of a clamp ring that engages against the hose while telescoped within the second portion so that a compressive force maintains the hose clamping ring and second portion of the housing in assembled condition.

The second portion of the housing is received, generally, in telescopic relationship within the first portion of the housing, with diametrically extending pins on the hose clamp ring lodging in diametrically opposed bores in the first portion of the housing so that the total configuration is relatively fixed and rigid.

The piston and cylinder arrangement of the button-operated piston and cylinder is generally lodged in the first portion of the housing, with the same including, specifically, a fixed piston and a collapsible cylinder bounded by the piston face and a closure piece for the actuating button. The actuating cylinder is spring-urged to place the cylinder in expanded condition and, upon collapse of the cylinder by movement of the piston button, a pulse or impulse is forced outwardly of the cylinder, through a central bore located in the piston and into the conduit arrangement which carries the impulse to the cleaner, proper.

The button which creates the impulse is captured between the first housing portion and an expanded portion of the wand so that its outward, expansive movement is limited by engagement of a part of the button with the expanded portion of the wand. Inward movement, of course, is limited by the compressed spring and piston face.

It can be easily seen that the structure just described provides for ease in assembly. The first portion of the housing is placed over and attached to the wand cylinder by a rivet or the like so that the first portion of the housing captures the wand. The button and cylinder are placed in the first portion of the housing and the fixed piston mounted in the cylinder. The button means is thereby captured between the wand and first housing portion.

The suction hose is telescopically captured by the crimping ring within the second portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing is telescopically captured within the first portion of the housing by the diametrically opposed pins of the crimping ring engaging in the diametrically opposed bores of the first housing portion to provide a final, easily assembled structural configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings for a better understanding of the invention, both as to its organization and function, with the illustration being of a preferred exemplary embodiment only and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaner embodying the handle and integral button-operated cylinder and piston of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the handle and button-operated cylinder and piston; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts making up the handle and button-operated cylinder and piston.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 1 of the appended drawings, it can be seen that a canister cleaner 10 is provided having a housing 11 comprised of medial housing section 12, an upper housing section 14, a lower housing section 16 and a medallion section 18, with these sections cooperating to form the housing 11 for the canister cleaner 10. Conveniently disposed therein are a motor (not shown), a fan system (not shown), and a dirt-collecting bag (not shown), as is conventional, to provide the required suction flow of air for cleaning purposes.

A housing coupling fitting 28 communicates with the interior of the cleaner housing 11, with the same being mounted on the medial housing section 12 so that communication is afforded to the interior of the cleaner. Flow of cleaner air, then, is through the housing coupling fitting 28, the dirt-collecting bag (not shown) and thence to the motor (not shown) as motivated by the internal fan system (not shown). Air is then discharged through a slot 34 formed between the bottom of the medial housing setion 12 and the lower housing section 16.

Canister cleaner 10 also includes a handle 42 fixedly attached to the medial housing section 12 and providing a grasping means so that the cleaner 10 may be pulled along a floor or carried in a manner similar to a suitcase. Additionally, in order to provide for easy transportation of cleaner 10, a pair of large rollers 44, 44 (only one shown) are mounted on the cleaner at the rearward portion thereof and a single small caster wheel 46 is mounted in the front portion of the cleaner so that a three-point floor-engaging arrangement is utilized.

A push-push switch mechanism 60, located beneath the medallion section 18 of housing 11, is motivated by a pressure pulse or impulse that is carried by a first pressure pulse conduit 64 mounted to and carried by a suction hose 66 that engages with the suction coupling fitting 28 to provide a flow path for suction cleaning air outwardly of the cleaner.

Suction hose 66, conveniently has a handle, wand or hose tube 68 attached thereto at its outer end so that cleaning tools or the like may be mounted on the end of the handle, wand or hose tube for various cleaning operations by the user of the canister cleaner 10.

A second pressure pulse conduit 70 extends around and within the cleaner 10 and is connected to the push-push switch mechanism or means 60 so as to provide a pulse signal for energization of the same. The impulse or pressure pulse wave carried by the first and second pressure pulse conduits 64 and 70 is created by a handle and button-operated piston and cylinder means 72 that is the object of this Application and that is mounted on the wand 68 proximate to the suction base 66. Thus, creation of a pressure surge or pulse by the button-operated piston and cylinder means 72 provides a pressure wave flowing through the first pressure pulse conduit 64 and the second pressure pulse conduit 70 to the push-push switch mechanism or means 60 so that a user of the cleaner 10 may turn the same on and off at the remote, wand location, as desired.

At the same time, manual manipulation of a manual switch button 74, extending outwardly from the medallion housing section 18 and mounted with the push-push switch mechanism 60, will accomplish the same purpose, with this manual switch button operating in conjunction with push-push switch mechanism 60 to energize and de-energize the canister cleaner 10 manually.

The pneumatic or fluidic actuating system and components, above briefly described, is more specifically described in the Patent Application of Charles C. Coons, filed concurrently herewith, and titled "A Fluidic or Pneumatically Actuated Floor Care Appliance." Reference to that Application may now be had for a more thorough understanding of the pneumatic or fluidic actuating system and its components which operate in cooperation and conjunction with the handle and button-operated piston and cylinder means 72 of the instant invention.

Handle and button-operated piston and cylinder means 72 (FIGS. 2 and 3) include a handle portion 76 that provides a convenient grasping arrangement to facilitate use of the cleaner 10 and any cleaning tools (not shown) attached to the remote non-cleaner end of the hose tube 68.

Handle portion 76 is formed by a handle housing 78 mounted fixedly with respect to the hose tube 66 and comprising, generally, a hose tube housing part 80 and a hose connector part 82. The hose tube housing part 80 is roughly cylindrical and slightly downwardly bent (approximately 30.degree.) near its bottom tip, adjacent to the hose connector part 82. It includes an enlarged bulbous portion 84 that is integral and disposed in the upper half of the hose tube housing part 80. A rivet 85 fixedly connects the hose tube housing part 80 to the wand or hose tube 68 at the bottom of the hose tube housing part so that the hose tube housing part and wand 68 act as a single element during the cleaning function.

The upper side of the enlarged bulbous portion 84 of the hose tube housing part 80 terminates angularly at about a 45.degree. angle to provide an angularly disposed abutting surface 86 on each side of hose tube housing part 80, against which an oppositely angled and inclined abutting surface 88 on each side of hose connector part 82 engages. Hose tube housing part 80 also includes a pair of grooves 92, 92 on its internal bore that extend towards hose connector part 82 and open towards the hose connecting part at the angularly disposed abutting surface 86. These grooves are generally triangular in shape with a rounded apex 93, the purpose of which will soon become apparent.

Hose connector part 82 is also generally cylindrical with an upper half 95 thereof of substantially greater axial length than the remainder of the hose connector part 82. This lengthened extent provides sufficient bearing area between the hose 66, the hose tube housing part 80 and the hose connector part 82, when assembled, to insure proper interengagement and additionally, a slightly rigidifying effect to the end of the hose 66, occasioned by the elongation of an upper half 95 of the cylindrical shape of hose connector part 82.

Axially displaced from the inclined abutting surface 88 on hose connector part 82, a tab portion 90 of the hose connector part 82 extends inwardly into a bore (space) 97 formed in the hose tube housing part 80. The tab portion 90 is radially inwardly offset relative to a surface portion 99 of hose connector part 82 that extends between the inclined abutting surfaces 88, 88 and the forward termination of hose connector part 82. Thus, the tab portion 90 of hose connector part 82 telescopes within hose tube housing part 80 to align and interfit with the same with respect to the housing part, while the surface portion 99 serves as a continuation of the outside, graspable surface of handle portion 76. Axially extending tab-shaped ends 94 of tab portion 90 aid in the first of these functions.

Disposed on the end of the suction hose 66, proximate to the handle housing 78, is a hose connector collar 96 which takes the form of a hollow cylinder having a radially extending circular flange 98. The outer diameter of the cylinder is sligtly smaller than the internal diameter of the suction hose 66 for ease in insertion, while the outer diameter of the flange 98 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the suction hose 66 so that both may be easily assembled in the handle housing 78. A felt gasket 100, of slightly larger outside diameter, is captured between the flange 98 and the termination of the suction hose 66, with this gasket sealing the gap between flange 98 and the end of suction hose 66 and with the flange 98, in turn, abutting against a roughly annular facing surface 102 internally located in the hose connector part 82.

In order that the suction hose 66 remains in assembled condition relative to handle housing 78, a hose crimp ring 104 is provided. This ring is of split configuration and may include a living hinge (not shown) at its bottom for easy encompassing assembly around the suction hose 66. The hose crimp ring is less than a full circumference to provide a gap 106 at its top that accommodates a bulge occasioned by a part of the first pressure pulse conduit 64. It also includes an inner periphery 108 having a helix surface so as to conform to the outer helix surface of suction hose 66.

Inwardly of the end of hose 66, a flexible tubing 128 of first pressure pulse conduit 64 terminates. Attached to this tubing is a short, rigid, hollow tube 126 over which flexible tubing 128 is telescoped to provide a sealed configuration. Hollow tube 126 has a slight bend 129 therein which is situated proximate the exposed face of circular flange 98 so that hollow tube 128 extends out of the hose 66, proper, angularly relative to the normal axis of the hose to conform to the angular disposition of handle portion 76.

In order to conform to the projecting end of hollow tube 128, hose connector part 82 includes a substantially frustoconical bore 131, with a small end 133 of this bore slightly larger than the outside diameter of hollow tube 126 at the hollow tube receiving end of hose connector part 82.

Hose crimp ring 104 also includes a pair of integral, molded diametrically opposed pins 110 (only one shown) that extend radially outwardly from the outer periphery of crimp ring 104. These pins are received in corresponding shaped bores 112 (only one shown) formed in hose tube housing part 80.

In more detail, the suction hose 66 and handle housing 78 are assembled in the following manner. First, the hose connector collar 96 and felt gasket 100 are assembled to the end of the suction hose 66 and the short rigid tube is inserted into flexible tubing 128. The hose crimp ring 104 is disposed around the end of the suction hose 66 and it and the suction hose are inserted compressingly into the already assembled hose tube housing part 80 and against hose connector part 82 until the now-deformed pins 110 snap into the bores 112 in the hose tube housing part. The entire assembly of the handle housing 78 and suction hose 66 is then maintained in attached condition by the interengagement of the pins 110 in the bores 112 and also the outward expanding force of crimp ring 104 and suction hose 66 against the handle housing elements. The manual button 113, biasing spring 120 and stationary piston 118 are, of course, assembled in the hose tube housing part 80 prior to its assembly to hose connector part 82.

As set out previously, the motive force for controlling the on-off operation of the canister cleaner 10 is supplied by a button-operated piston and cylinder means 72 which is also mounted to and within the handle housing 78. Button-operated piston and cylinder means 72 includes a manual button 113 having a generally cylindrical portion 114 and a button portion 116 at and integral with its rear termination. The button portion, exteriorly, is shaped so as to make easy user manipulation thereof to either energize or de-energize the canister cleaner 10. The cylindrical portion 114 is, of course, closed at its front end and open at its rear to form a cylinder that cooperates with a stationary piston 118. A biasing spring 120 is disposed between the piston 118 and the closed front end of cylindrical portion 114 to constantly urge the cylindrical portion 114 and its integral button portion 116 forwardly (rightwardly) into the position shown in FIG. 2.

As was noted earlier in this description, the manual button 113 is captured by the hose tube housing part 80 and wand 68, similarly to the hose tube housing part 80 being captured by the wand 68, and, similarly to the hose 66 being captured by the hose connector part 82, this last capture being through the aegis of the bulge of the lower portion of crimp ring 104 beneath the semi-coverage of this crimp ring by the hose connector part 82 so that a pair of downwardly, diametrically opposed integral extending tabs 135, 135 on hose connector part 82 engage against the rearward face of hose crimp ring 104.

The manual button 113 is captured in the following manner: The wand or hose tube 68 includes an enlarged portion 127, joined to the major inserted portion thereof by a single taper-sided portion 123. The hose tube housing part 80, on its upper side, terminates short of the taper-sided portion 123 of wand 68 to provide an opening 125 in hose tube part 80. Manual button 113 is lodged within this opening, free to move leftwardly from its position in FIG. 2 against the bias of spring 120 and then to return rightwardly to the FIG. 2 position, but abutment of the bottom surface of manual button 113, with the enlarged portion 127 of wand 68, prevents additional travel rightwardly from the FIG. 2 position. Thus, assembly of the wand 68 to the hose tube housing part 80 provides a capture means for the manual button to prevent its escape outwardly through the opening 125 in hose tube housing part 80.

Operation of the handle and button-operated piston means 72 should now be evident. As can be easily seen, movement of cylindrical portion 114 of means 72 rearwardly from its FIG. 2 position, through user pressure on button portion 116, will tend to move the cylindrical portion into telescoping engagement over the stationary piston 118, thus providing a collapsing chamber 121 between the front end of the stationary piston 118 and the closed front end of cylindrical portion 114. The air compressed by such movement moves through a central bore 122 provided in stationary piston 118 and extending centrally, axially along its length. Central bore 122 receives, at its rear end, in generally sealing relationship, the short, rigid, hollow tube piece 126 that also extends rearwardly (leftwardly) from the stationary piston 118 and juts outwardly therefrom to connect to the first flexible, hollow tube 128 that is mounted with suction hose 66 and provides, along with short, hollow tube 126, a conduit means for the flow of pressure pulses, waves or impulses towards the canister cleaner 10.

The outer configuration of the handle and button-operated piston means 72 also provides a dual function since the downwardly angled portion 76 places tools inserted into wand 68 at a convenient angle and also permits easier and more compact storage of the connected hose 66, handle and button-operated piston and cylinder means 72 and wand 68.

It should be obvious that all the advantages set out for the invention in the beginning portion of the description have been satisfied by the structure related, and, further, it should be obvious that many modifications to the invention could be made which would still fall within the spirit and purview of the invention described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A handle arrangement for use with a floor care appliance including;

a. a hose extending from said floor care appliance,

b. a first handle part capturing the remote end of the hose,

c. a tubular member provided for the easy attachment of cleaning tools,

d. a second handle part capturing the end of said tubular member,

e. said first and second handle parts being telescoped together to provide an assemblage for easy operator manual manipulation,

f. said assemblage receiving nestingly therein a piston and cylinder means for providing a pressure pulse for said floor care appliance,

g. a button, integral with one of said piston and cylinder means, extending from said assemblage for easy manual manipulation, and

h. conduit means connected to said cylinder and piston means and extending within at least a part of said assemblage for conveying said pressure pulses generated by said piston and cylinder means towards a location outwardly of said assemblage.

2. The handle arrangement for use with a floor care appliance as set forth in claim 1 wherein;

a. one of said first and second handle parts includes an angled portion disposed at an angle relative to the remainder of said assemblage whereby user manipulation of said tubular member is facilitated.

3. The handle arrangement for use with a floor care appliance as set forth in claim 1 wherein;

a. said tubular member includes an enlarged portion disposed in the path of movement of said manually operated button to limit its movement in at least one direction of travel.

4. A handle arrangement for use with a floor care appliance having a hose extending therefrom including;

a. a grasping means provided for operator manual manipulation,

b. said grasping means including a first means for capturing an end of said hose,

c. a tubular member extending from said grasping means for providing a wand for said floor care appliance,

d. said grasping means including a second means for capturing an end of said tubular member,

e. a piston and cylinder means nestingly received within at least a portion of said handle arrangement for providing a pressure pulse for said floor care appliance,

f. a button connected with said piston and cylinder means and extending outwardly of the general confines of said grasping means for easy manual manipulation to thereby actuate said piston and cylinder means, and

g. conduit means connected with said piston and cylinder means and extending outwardly of said handle arrangement for conveying pressure pulses generated by said piston and cylinder means towards a location outwardly of said handle arrangement.

5. A handle arrangement for use with a floor care appliance including;

a. a suction hose extending from said floor care appliance,

b. a portion of said handle arrangement capturing an end of said suction hose,

c. said handle arrangement including a grasping means for operator manual manipulation,

d. a cylinder and piston means nestingly received in said handle arrangement and providing pressure pulses for said floor care appliance,

e. operator engageable means connected to said cylinder and piston means and extending outwardly from said handle arrangement for actuation of said cylinder and piston means, and

f. conduit means fluidically communicating with said cylinder and piston means and attached to and extending outwardly of said handle arrangement for conveying said pressure pulses away from said handle arrangement towards said floor care appliance.

6. A handle arrangement for use with a floor care appliance as set out in claim 4 wherein;

a. said button moves axially relative to said tubular member, and

b. said tubular member includes an enlarged portion disposed in the axial path of movement of said button to thereby limit its movement in at least one direction of travel, and

c. said button being limited in its other direction of movement by abutment means mounted with said grasping means.