U.S. patent number 3,897,607 [Application Number 05/342,743] was granted by the patent office on 1975-08-05 for readily removable implement handle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Bison Company. Invention is credited to Joseph O. Brent, Richard H. Schaffer.
United States Patent |
3,897,607 |
Schaffer , et al. |
August 5, 1975 |
READILY REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT HANDLE
Abstract
A detachable handle for a vacuum cleaner, tool, floor scrubber,
sweeper or other device, which handle may be moved freely and
effectively when in its installed position, yet which can be
readily removed or thereafter re-installed merely by moving a
slidable member, without it being necessary to remove or install
screws or other fastening devices.
Inventors: |
Schaffer; Richard H. (Ocala,
FL), Brent; Joseph O. (Ocala, FL) |
Assignee: |
The Bison Company (Ocala,
FL)
|
Family
ID: |
23343092 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/342,743 |
Filed: |
March 19, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/422; 15/410;
280/47.371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
11/4075 (20130101); A47L 9/325 (20130101); A47L
9/322 (20130101); A47L 13/022 (20130101); Y10T
16/469 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
11/00 (20060101); A47L 11/40 (20060101); A47L
13/022 (20060101); A47L 13/02 (20060101); A47L
9/32 (20060101); A47g 027/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;16/114 ;294/64
;280/47.37 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gilliam; Paul R.
Assistant Examiner: Troutman; Doris L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Renfro; Julian C.
Claims
We claim:
1. An implement handle arrangement comprising a handle upon the
lower portion of which, insertion means is utilized, and a
receiving means having a recess therein of a size for receiving
said insertion means, a slidable member operatively disposed upon
and removably secured to said insertion means, with said slidable
member being movable between a first position and a second
position, said slidable member when disposed in the first position
allowing said insertion means to be inserted into said receiving
means as well as to be removed easily therefrom, whereas movement
of said slidable member to its second position during the time that
the insertion means is inside the recess of said receiving means,
causing a diminishment of the clearance in the recess, such that
said insertion means is locked to said receiving means.
2. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which
said slidable member is part of a spring, said spring having an
upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said
upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured
in the position corresponding to the handle locking position.
3. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 2 wherein
movement of said upstanding portion away from said retention means
enables said slidable member to be moved to its first position,
such that the handle can be removed from the implement.
4. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 1 in which
said insertion means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to
be received by receiving means in the form of a pair of similarly
spaced receiving members.
5. An implement handle arrangement comprising a handle upon the
lower portion of which insertion means is contained, and receiving
means having a recess therein for receiving said insertion means,
means for removably locking said insertion means in the recess of
said receiving means when the pair of means have been interfitted,
said insertion means being somewhat smaller than the recess
provided in said receiving means, but being retained in the locked
condition therein by a slidable member, said slidable member
normally being secured with respect to said insertion means in a
withdrawn position in which it does not reside upon an active
portion of said insertion means where it can contact said receiving
means, said slidable member thus not normally inhibiting the
removal of the insertion means from the receiving means, said
slidable member being movable such that a tip portion thereof
resides upon an active portion of said insertion means when it has
been inserted into said receiving means, with the interrelation of
the several components being such that said tip of said slidable
member when inside said receiving means, diminishing the clearance
of said recess and effectively preventing removal of said insertion
means until such time as the slidable member has been moved back to
the withdrawn position. pg,13
6. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 5 in which
retention means are provided for normally holding said slidable
member in the position in which it inhibits removal of the
handle.
7. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 5 in which
said insertion means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged to
be received by receiving means in the form of a pair of similarly
spaced receiving members.
8. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 7 in which
said slidable member is part of a spring of substantially U-shaped
configuration, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring having an
upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said
upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured
in the position corresponding to the handle locking position.
9. In a handle arrangement for a power unit or the like, means on
one end of said handle configured to be inserted into an
interfitting relationship with means on the unit to be equipped
with a handle, the first mentioned means being equipped with a
locking contour thereon, and the second mentioned means having a
contour-receiving portion, such that when said first and second
mentioned means have been interfitted, a locking together is
achieved, means for preventing a separation of said first mentioned
and said second mentioned means, said means for preventing
separation involving the use of a slidable member movably secured
with respect to said first mentioned means and arranged to reside
on occasion atop said first mentioned means, said slidable member,
when disposed atop said first mentioned means, substantially
decreasing the clearance otherwise existing between said first and
said second means when interfitted, thus locking said locking
contour in engagement with said contour-receiving portion.
10. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 9 in which retention
means are provided for normally retaining said slidable member in
the locking position in which it resides upon said first mentioned
means, which retention means can be overcome at such time as the
handle is to be removed.
11. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 9 in which said
first mentioned means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged
to be received by second mentioned means in the form of a pair of
similarly spaced receiving members.
12. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 11 in
which said slidable member is part of a spring of substantially
U-shaped configuration, a mid portion of said U-shaped spring
having an upstanding portion, and retention means for engaging said
upstanding portion such that said spring can be removably secured
in the handle locking position.
13. In a handle arrangement for a power unit or the like, means on
one end of said handle configured to be inserted into an
interfitting relationship with means on said unit, the first
mentioned means being equipped with a locking contour thereon, and
the second mentioned means having a contour-receiving portion, such
that when said first mentioned and second mentioned means have been
interfitted, a locking together can be achieved, a clearance
normally existing between said first mentioned and second means
when they have been interfitted, means for preventing a separation
of said first mentioned and said second mentioned means by
minimizing the clearance, thus to prevent relative movement, said
means for minimizing clearance involving a slidable member having a
tip portion arranged to reside on occasion upon said first
mentioned means, said tip portion, when residing upon said first
mentioned means, substantially decreasing the clearance otherwise
existing between said first mentioned and said second mentioned
means, thus forcing said locking contour to engage said
contour-receiving portion, said slidable member, upon being
withdrawn such that its tip portion does not reside upon the first
mentioned means, allowing sufficient clearance for said locking
contour to be moved from engagement with said contour-receiving
portion.
14. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 13 in which said
first mentioned means involves a pair of spaced members, arranged
to be received by second mentioned means in the form of a pair of
similarly spaced receiving members.
15. The handle arrangement as defined in claim 14 in which said
slidable member is a spring of substantially U-shaped
configuration, having a pair of tip portions arranged to reside on
occasion upon said spaced members, a mid portion of said U-shaped
spring having an upstanding portion, and retention means for
engaging said upstanding portion such that said spring can be
removably secured in the handle locking position.
16. An implement handle arrangement usable for removably providing
a handle upon an implement, said handle having an insertion member
at its lower end, and the implement having a receiving member
arranged to receive said insertion member, said receiving member
having a recess therein that is normally larger than said insertion
member, slidable means secured upon said insertion member and
movable with respect thereto on occasion in order to increase the
effective size of said insertion member, such that when the
receiving member and the insertion member have been interfitted,
the movement of said slidable means relative to said insertion
means locks the members together and prevents the undesired removal
of the handle from the implement.
17. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 16 in
which said insertion member is equipped with a slot having a
hooklike portion, and said receiving member is equipped with a pin
to be engaged by said hooklike portion when said members have been
interfitted, with said slidable means serving to prevent movement
of said hooklike portion away from said pin until such time as it
is desired to remove said handle.
18. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 17 in
which the handle is equipped with a spaced pair of insertion
members and the implement is equipped with a spaced pair of
receiving members for receiving said insertion members, said
slidable means being in the form of a generally U-shaped spring
whose tip portions are disposed along said insertion members, said
tip portions, when extended, serving to bring about the locking
relationship between the insertion and receiving members.
19. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 18 in
which retention means are provided adjacent said U-shaped spring,
such that said spring will normally be retained in a selected
position.
20. The implement handle arrangement as defined as claim 18 in
which said U-shaped spring is equipped with an upstanding portion
adapted to be contacted on occasion by the hand or foot of the user
in order that the spring can readily be moved toward or away from
the locking position.
21. The implement handle arrangement as defined in claim 20 in
which means defining an aperture are provided in which said
upstanding portion is slidable, said aperture having inner sides
along which said upstanding portion can travel as said tip portions
are moved to and from locking positions, said upstanding portion
being configured to fit tightly between said inner sides of said
aperture, said aperture having notches therein possessing
considerable slope, which notches serve to hold said upstanding
portion in whatever position corresponds to an effective locking
position of said tip portions with respect to said insertion and
receiving members.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTION
This invention bears some relationship to the Selley and Schaffer
U.S. Pat. No. 3,621,511 entitled "Detachable Handle Device," which
issued Nov. 23, 1971.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to a handle arrangement for a tool or other
device normally equipped with a handle, and more particularly to a
handle arrangement such that the user can readily insert or remove
the handle, yet be able to freely and effectively manipulate it
when in the installed position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of removable handle arrangements have been taught by the
prior art, but in all known instances these arrangements have been
sufficiently difficult and cumbersome to use as to discourage the
operator user from making frequent use of the opportunity to remove
the handle. It is well known that most vacuum cleaners or other
floor devices utilize handles which can in fact be removed from the
machine, but normally these are held in place by the use of screws,
bolts, or pins. Obviously, the average user does not want to go to
the trouble to locate the tools necessary to remove the handle, and
then possibly have to apply a considerable amount of strength, so
he or she will typically transport the machine to a remote
location, even involving carrying it in an automobile, without
bothering to remove the handle, even though to be able to do so
would at times be quite advantageous.
Some devices are equipped with fastening means in the nature of a
thumb bolt, but these arrangements become worn in use and in time
need to be tightened by the use of pliers or the like, which of
course brings back the original problem sought to be overcome.
SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION
This invention teaches an implement handle arrangement comprising a
handle upon the lower portion of which, insertion means is
utilized, and a receiving means having a recess therein of a size
for receiving said insertion means. A slidable member is
operatively disposed upon the insertion means, with the slidable
member being movable between a first position and a second
position. The slidable member, when disposed, in the first
position, allowing the insertion means to be inserted into the
receiving means as well as to be removed easily therefrom, whereas
movement of the slidable member to its second position during the
time that the insertion means is inside the recess of the receiving
means causes a diminishment of the clearance in the recess, such
that the insertion means is locked to the receiving means.
The slidable member is preferably part of a spring, with the spring
having an upstanding portion, and retention means are provided for
engaging the upstanding portion such that the spring can be
removably secured in the position corresponding to the handle
locking position. Movement of the upstanding portion away from the
retention means enables the slidable member to be moved to its
first position, such that the handle can be removed from the
implement.
The insertion means may involve a pair of spaced members, arranged
to be received by receiving means in the form of a pair of
similarly spaced receiving members.
It is therefore a principal object of our invention to provide a
handle arrangement involving a handle that can be rapidly removed
from an implement, but when installed, providing a strong, rigid
lock-up without the use of close tolerance, machined parts.
It is another object of this invention to provide a handle which
can be rapidly and readily installed upon a tool or machine, which
will not come loose in an undesirable manner, but yet which is
economical to manufacture, requiring only a single, inexpensive
movable part.
Another object of this invention is to provide a handle for a
machine or the like which can be moved freely and effectively,
which does not require any tools for its attachment, and which is
lightweight yet sturdy, and able to be manipulated in a fast, easy
operation.
These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention
will be more apparent from a study of the appended drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of our handle in its installed
position on a vacuum cleaner;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, yet with mating handle
components disposed in disassembled relation;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view revealing the movement of
the slidable spring member away from its locking position;
FIG. 3A reveals a typical receiving means;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the slidable member in
its locking position;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the slidable member
moved away from the locking position;
FIG. 5A is a fragmentary view showing how the insertion means can
be moved past a locking pin used in the respective receiving means;
and
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the slidable member
disposed in its locking position, with a detent means engaging the
slidable member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Turning now to FIG. 1 it will be noted that we have shown handle 14
in an operative position on the wheeled motor unit 11 of a vacuum
cleaner, although it must be borne in mind that we may utilize our
novel handle arrangement on a wide variety of devices. Visible in
this figure as well as in related FIG. 2 are the pivotably mounted
handle receiving members 69, as well as the slots 15 in the upper
portion of the wheeled motor unit 11 in which the members 69 are
movable when the handle is moved by the user to various operating
positions. A spring 76 is associated with each member 69, tending
to move it to a forward position. The reader will notice a
similarity of these illustrations and some of the reference
numerals to the apparatus shown in certain figures of the Selley
and Schaffer U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,333, which issued Sept. 28, 1971
to the assignee of the present invention.
The handle 14 has a broadened lower portion 18, upon which are
disposed several components in accordance with this invention. FIG.
2 illustrates the handle having been removed a distance away from
contact with the handle receiving members 69 of the wheeled motor
unit 11, thus to reveal the notched insertion means or members 68
on the portion 18 of the handle. These insertion means, also
referred to as first means, are of a spacing and configuration as
to be received in respective recesses in receiving members 69, also
referred to as second means, when the handle is again brought into
the immediate vicinity of the wheeled motor unit. It is to be noted
that while we use two members or means 68 and two members or means
69 in the preferred arrangement, which is a bifurcated type
construction, it is to be understood that it is within the scope of
our invention to utilize a handle arrangement in which a single
member 68 and a single member 69 are utilized. For a reason
described at length hereinafter, each member 68 fits comparatively
loosely in the recess in the respective member 69 until such time
as a locking arrangement in accordance with this invention is
utilized for securing respective members 68 and 69 in the
interfitted position.
Visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 on the rear side of lower portion 18 of
the handle is a locking means in the form of a spring 73. This
spring, also known as a slidable member, is slidably disposed in a
spring guide 74, and is provided with an upstanding portion 77
engagable by the user's foot or hand. By appropriate manipulation
of the spring 73, the handle 14 may be selectively locked to, or
released from, the wheeled motor unit 11, as will be discussed
hereinafter.
Turning now to FIG. 3, it will be seen from this enlarged view of
the rear side of the lower handle portion 18 that each insertion
means or member 68 is designed to have angled or sloped surfaces
68a and 68b, which configuration facilitates the insertion of each
of these members into the recess of its respective receiving means
or member 69. A slot 71 is provided on what may be regarded as the
forward side of each member 68, which slot is so placed as to
substantially coincide with the placement of a pin 72 that is
located in each member 69. FIG. 3A as well as related FIGS. 4 and 5
reveal the interior of each member 69 to be essentially hollow, and
into each of these members the respective insertion member 68 can
be inserted sufficiently far that the hooked portions 71a of the
slots 71 can engage the pins 72, and thus enable a person grasping
the handle 14 to lift the wheeled motor unit. As shown in FIGS. 3
thru 6, encircling bumper members 79 of neoprene or the like may be
employed on the members 68, adjacent the portion 18 of the handle,
to take up any axial slack possibly present between members 68 and
69.
As will be apparent from FIG. 5 in particular, the interior or
recess portion of each receiving member 69 must be sufficiently
large to allow the respective insertion member 68 to pass over or
by the pin 72 in the manner shown in FIG. 5A, and thereafter move
to engage same, so quite obviously means have to be provided for
preventing each insertion member 68 from moving away from the
pin-engaging position, except of course when disengagement of the
handle from the wheeled motor unit 11 is desired. Such means will
now be described.
FIGS. 3 through 6 reveal the use in accordance with this invention
of a slidable locking member in the form of a spring 73, which is
generally U-shaped. This spring member may be regarded as being
disposed on the lower rear portion 18 of handle 14, and is movable
by the user between the lowered or locked position shown in FIGS. 1
and 4, and the raised or unlocked position shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.
Somewhat correspondingly, FIG. 3 shows the spring 73 in the
unlocked position and FIG. 6 shows the spring in the locking
position. As perhaps best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the spring 73 may
be regarded as mounted or supported in the spring guide 74 secured
by screws 74a upon the broadened rear portion 18 of the handle 14.
This spring guide is provided with a pair of angled slots 75 in
which the base or mid portion of the spring 73 is movable.
The spring 73 is of a substantially U-shaped configuration, with
the upstanding portion 77 being at more or less right angles to the
rest of spring 73. This portion 77 is of course to be contacted by
the user's hand or foot when the handle is being locked or
unlocked, as previously mentioned. It is important to note that a
generally rectangular aperture 78 is provided in member 74, through
which the upstanding portion 77 extends. This aperture has inner
sides along which abutting portions of the upstanding spring
portion can travel when the spring 73 is being moved to and from
the locking position. We deliberately configure the sides of
aperture 78 contacting the portion 77 of the spring to be closer
together than the normal dimension of portion 77 of the spring,
which of course means that sufficient friction is present that the
spring 73 can be expected to remain in the position selected by the
user's foot, until such time as a deliberate effort is made to move
the spring to the opposite position. This is to say, the
interrelationships of these members is such that a retention means
is defined for holding the spring in the selected position, such as
in the handle-locking position.
Notches 81, perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, are engaged by the spring
portion 77 when the spring is in the locking position shown in FIG.
6, and notches 82, shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, are engaged by the
spring portion 77 when the spring is in the unlocked position shown
in FIG. 3, with these notches serving in the manner of a detent to
retain the spring portion 77 without dislodgment in the selected
position until a definite or deliberate effort is made by the user
to move the spring 73 to the opposite position.
As will be apparent from inspecting a number of the figures of
drawing, the tip or end portions 83 and 84 of the spring 73 reside
in slots or grooves 85 and 86, respectively, these slots being
located on the rear sides of the members 68, that is the sides
opposite the slots 71. Thus, when the upstanding portion 77 of the
spring 73 has been moved to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 3,
the tip portions of the spring are withdrawn from the outer
portions of the member 68, whereas when the upstanding portion 77
is moved to the locking position shown in FIG. 6, the tip portions
83 and 84 reside in the grooves 85 and 86 for their full extent,
and actually extend above the original contour of the member 68. In
other words, the slidable portions or members 83 and 84 serve to
increase the effective size of the insertion means or members, thus
to bring about a handle locking action. Retaining rivets 80 are
utilized in the handle portion 18 to prevent displacement of the
ends 83 and 84 of the spring from their intended path of
travel.
It is of consequence to note that the notches 81 slope for a
considerable extent, thus being of a configuration and dimension
such that the spring portion or detent 77 will be held firmly and
without dislodgment in whichever axial position the spring ends 83
and 84 in a given instance fill all of the space 87 otherwise
existing between a given interfitted pair of members 68 and 69.
This arrangement thus greatly simplifies manufacturing tolerances,
and makes it possible to avoid having to handcraft the position of
the notches in order that they will hold the handle in a locked
position in which there is no likelihood of radial motion or
rotation occuring between a given pair of interfitted members 68
and 69.
Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be seen that FIG. 4 reveals
the slidable member 73 moved to the locking position, in which the
tip portions of the spring move into contact with the interior of
the members 69, when the members 68 and 69 have been interfitted.
FIG. 5, representing the unlocked version of the arrangement,
reveals a space 87 existing between the members 68 and 69 when the
hooked portion 71a of the slot 71 is in engagement with the pin 72.
As previously explained, the space between these members is
necessary in order for the insertion members to be movable past the
pin 72 of the respective member 69 during the insertion and removal
procedures. FIG. 5A reveals the members or means 68 and 69 in their
insertion or removal attitudes, wherein the space 87 is of
particular consequence.
When on the other hand, the portion 77 of the spring 73 has been
moved to the other end of the aperture 78, to the locking position
illustrated in FIG. 4, the tip portion 83 (and 84) extend out into
the slots 85 and 86, and in doing so, close up the space 87
depicted in FIG. 5, thus bringing about the locked relationship of
components illustrated in FIG. 4. As will be noted, the presence of
the tip 83 at the location 88 indicated by the dashed line in FIG.
4 makes impossible a sufficient movement of the member 68 that
would allow the hooked portion 71a to move past the pin 72 and
permit removal of the members 68 from the members 69.
As should now be apparent, we have provided an implement handle
arrangement of simplified yet sturdy construction that makes it
possible to removably attach a handle upon a vacuum cleaner or the
like in a minimum length of time.
As pointed out, the receiving means are larger than the normal size
of the insertion means, which of course means that a space normally
exists in the receiving means after the insertion means have been
placed in position therein. However, slidable means associated with
the insertion means or members makes it possible for the user to
diminish if not entirely eliminate the aforementioned space, and
this of course has the effect of interlocking the receiving means
and the insertion means until such time as the handle is to be
removed. At that time, the slidable member or means is moved away
from the locking position, which enables the receiving members and
the insertion members to be immediately separated.
* * * * *