Abstract:
A handle for an electric floor polishing or burnishing machine comprising a centrally-mounted actuator with safety lock is disclosed. In one embodiment, the handle is generally T-shaped and has a centrally-mounted actuator, which offers an operator more control over the polisher or burnisher and allows for one-handed operation. In another embodiment, the handle also has a safety lock which prevents the accidental operation of the machine.

Description:
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/844,758 filed Apr. 26, 2001. The entire disclosure of the aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of floor polishers and burnishers, and, more particularly, to a T-shaped handle for a floor polisher or burnisher with a centrally mounted actuator bail and safety mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Floor polishers, and particularly those electrically operated, have been used for many years. Typically, a polisher unit has an operator&#39;s handle angularly extending upward (e.g., approximately 45 degrees) from a housing, which encloses the motor and supports a polishing head (e.g., a circular pad or brush among other components). The polishing head is typically round, moves in a circular motion and is in direct contact with the floor. Generally, a polisher rotates at a slow speed, such as 150-1000 rpms. Due to the slow rotational speed, the polisher cannot easily be moved in forward and reverse directions during operation. Instead, an operator typically moves the device in a left to right manner. Thus, while other shaped handles are available (e.g., an inverted U-shape found on most modern gasoline push-type lawnmowers), it is advantageous to use a T-shaped handle to better direct major left and right movements of the polisher. 
     A T-shaped handle typically consists of a left and a right arm with one corresponding actuator (e.g., a bail) on each arm. An operator can usually activate the unit by depressing the left bail with his left hand or depressing the right bail with his right hand. Units may require continuous depression of either the left or right bail to operate the machine or may employ a locking mechanism, which allows a bail to remain depressed until it is released. 
     A problem exists, however, for operators that use these types of polishers. It is not uncommon for the electrical cord of the polisher to get in the way of the polishing head during unit operation. Accordingly, an operator must be aware of the location of the cord at all times. Any contact between the cord and polishing hand could damage the cord&#39;s integrity and expose the polisher to risk of an electrical short, thereby jeopardizing operation of the machine and the safety of its operator. In order to combat this problem, an operator will typically use one hand to depress the bail and steer the direction of the machine while using the other hand to keep the cord out of harm&#39;s way. Unfortunately, this method of operating the unit is troublesome for the operator because it requires forearm and wrist strength to maintain the direction of the unit, using a single hand, due to the force generated from the unit&#39;s polishing head rotating over the floor. Since the left and right arms of the handle are not in line with the axis of the rotating head, if an equal amount of resistance is not applied to the handle to counteract this force, the unit will tend to drift to one side or the other. Such uncontrollable movement of the polisher can cause damage to the surrounding environment (e.g., furniture or walls in a room). Thus, the closer the operator can grip the unit to the center of the handle, the easier it will be for him or her to direct the polisher with one hand while keeping the cord out of harm&#39;s way with the other hand. There is a need for a T-shaped handle which an operator can more easily control and direct with one hand. 
     A polisher operator also faces the safety issue of having the polisher accidentally activated. Thus, there is a need for a safety mechanism to be incorporated into the T-shaped handle of a polisher. The safety mechanism must be readily accessible by the operator and easily deployed. It should prevent an individual from inadvertently depressing any one of the actuators, thereby eliminating any risk associated with accidentally engaging the polisher at an inopportune moment. On the other hand, the safety mechanism must allow the operator to intentionally disengage it so that the polisher can be used. Thus, there is a need for a safety mechanism, which is conveniently mounted on a T-shaped handle, is easily deployed by an operator, prevents the accidental operation of the polisher, and becomes disengaged when necessary in order to operate the unit. These same problems exist for burnisher operation. Consequently, the term polisher as used throughout this Patent is intended to include a polisher and/or a burnisher or like cleaning machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is designed to overcome the aforementioned problems and meet the aforementioned, and other, needs. It is thus one object of the present invention to provide a T-shaped handle for a polisher or a burnisher with three areas to grip the handle—a left arm, a right arm, and a central opening, each with its own actuator. This alignment gives the operator the greatest flexibility in directing the unit with one hand, leaving the other hand free to attend to other concerns, such as the electrical cord. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a T-shaped handle for a polisher or burnisher with an integrated safety mechanism, which is easily deployed with one hand and which prevents the accidental operation of the machine. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, a T-shaped handle for a floor polisher or burnisher having an electric motor, is provided, comprising: 
     (a) a means for controlling a supply of electricity to the motor; and 
     (b) a first means for actuating the means for controlling the supply of electricity to the motor, wherein the first actuating means is centrally mounted on the T-shaped handle. 
     The present invention offers an alternative to traditional T-shaped polisher or burnisher handles by incorporating a third, centrally located, actuator with a conveniently positioned and easily deployable safety lock. Now, an operator can more easily direct and operate a polisher or burnisher without the concern of accidental engagement or the other problems discussed above. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the handle; 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the handle as mounted on a floor polishing machine; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the front side of the rear housing of the handle with the left, right, and center actuators in first positions of use; 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the front side of the rear housing of the handle with the left, right, and center actuators in second positions of use; 
     FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the safety lock and interconnecting components; 
     FIG. 6 is a cut-away side perspective view of the front housing with the safety lock in its second position of use; 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the rear side of the front housing without any actuators in place, but with the safety lock; 
     FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the rear side of the rear housing without any actuators in place, but with a pigtail connector and a circuit breaker; 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an additional embodiment of the handle; 
     FIG. 10 is an isometric perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the front side of the rear housing of an additional embodiment of the handle. 
    
    
     The following components and numbers associated thereto are shown in the drawings and provided here for ease of reference: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                  2 
                 Handle 
               
               
                  4 
                 Housing 
               
               
                  6 
                 Front housing 
               
               
                  8 
                 Rear housing 
               
               
                  10 
                 Left arm of front housing 
               
               
                  12 
                 Right arm of rear housing 
               
               
                  14 
                 Right arm of front housing 
               
               
                  16 
                 Left arm of rear housing 
               
               
                  18 
                 Aperture in front housing 
               
               
                  20 
                 Aperture in rear housing 
               
               
                  22 
                 Center actuator 
               
               
                  24 
                 Pigtail connector 
               
               
                  26 
                 Front cover 
               
               
                  28 
                 Rear cover 
               
               
                  30 
                 Left actuator 
               
               
                  32 
                 Right actuator 
               
               
                  34 
                 First end of left actuator 
               
               
                  36 
                 Second end of left actuator 
               
               
                  38 
                 Second end of right actuator 
               
               
                  40 
                 Pivot stand 
               
               
                  42 
                 Pin 
               
               
                  44 
                 First end of right actuator 
               
               
                  46 
                 Trans-bail 
               
               
                  48 
                 Trans-bail pivot stand 
               
               
                  50 
                 First end of trans-bail 
               
               
                  52 
                 Second end of trans-bail 
               
               
                  54 
                 U-shaped trans-bail 
               
               
                  56 
                 Trans-bail stand 
               
               
                  58 
                 Spring 
               
               
                  60 
                 Spring receiver 
               
               
                  64 
                 Interconnection point of left and right actuators 
               
               
                  66 
                 Switch 
               
               
                  68 
                 Safety lock 
               
               
                  70 
                 Face plate 
               
               
                  72 
                 L-shaped protrusion of safety lock 
               
               
                  74 
                 Cylindrical receiving tube of safety lock 
               
               
                  76 
                 Spring 
               
               
                  78 
                 Front side of front housing 
               
               
                  80 
                 Safety lock depression 
               
               
                  82 
                 Rear side of front housing 
               
               
                  84 
                 Tube 
               
               
                  86 
                 Rear of safety lock depression 
               
               
                  88 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                  90 
                 Washer 
               
               
                  92 
                 Front side of rear housing 
               
               
                  94 
                 Solution dispensing lever 
               
               
                  95 
                 Pin 
               
               
                  96 
                 Height adjustment lever 
               
               
                  97 
                 Pin 
               
               
                  98 
                 Circuit breaker 
               
               
                 100 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 102 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 104 
                 Socket cover 
               
               
                 106 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 108 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 110 
                 Rear side of rear housing 
               
               
                 112 
                 Lock nut 
               
               
                 114 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 116 
                 Washer 
               
               
                 118 
                 Fastening apertures 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are, as shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention. The reader is to understand that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     The present invention recognizes that the limited nature of traditional T-shaped handles for floor polishers and burnishers and offers a solution to the difficulty of operating these units with one hand. The present invention also recognizes the risk of accidental engagement of the unit. Thus, the present invention presents an improvement to the traditional T-shaped floor polisher handle. 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the innovative floor polisher handle. FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the handle  2  as mounted on a floor polishing machine. As shown in FIG. 2, the handle  2  is generally comprised of housing  4 . Referring back to FIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, the housing  4  is comprised of a front housing  6  and a rear housing  8 , which are generally T-shaped. The front housing  6  and rear housing  8  are identical in their outlining shapes so that they can be fastened together. It is preferable that the front housing  6  and rear housing  8  each have a left arm and a right arm. The left arm of the front housing  10  is the mirror image of the right arm of the rear housing  12  so that they can be fastened together. Likewise, the right arm of the front housing  14  can be identical in shape to the left arm of the rear housing  16 . The front housing  6  has an aperture  18  centered beneath the left arm  10  and right arm  14 . Similarly, the rear housing  8  has a duplicate aperture  20  centered beneath its respective left arm  16  and right arm  12 . When the front housing  6  and rear housing  8  are fastened together, the respective apertures (i.e.,  18  and  20 ) are in alignment, which allows an operator to grip the handle through these apertures. A center actuator  22  is interposed between the front housing  6  and rear housing  8  and extends into both the front housing aperture  18  and rear housing aperture  20 . A means for controlling the supply of electricity to the motor, preferably a switch  66 , is also encased within the housing  4 . A means for supplying the flow of electricity to the switch  66 , such as a pigtail-type connector  24 , is mounted on the rear housing  8 . 
     The front housing  6  and rear housing  8  are preferably each a single piece construction of die cast metal. A front cover  26  encases the left arm  10  and right arm  14  of the front housing  6 . Similarly, the left arm  16  and right arm  12  of the rear housing  8  are encased by an identically-shaped rear cover  28 . The purpose of the front cover  26  and rear cover  28  is to provide an insulating shell over the handle  2  and related components in order to protect an operator from an electrical-related injury. In one embodiment, the front cover  26  and rear cover  28  are made out of rubber, although other insulating materials are within the spirit of the invention. Regardless of the insulating material, it is preferable to construct the front cover  26  and rear cover  28  with dimples protruding therefrom, which provide additional surface area for an operator to grip, thereby reducing the chance of slippage. 
     In one embodiment, the left arms and right arms of the front housing  6  and rear housing  8  are angled upward toward the operator (see FIG.  2 ). It is preferable for the angle to vary between zero and forty-five degrees, which gives an operator more leverage in directing the machine. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the handle  2  has three actuating means—a left actuator  30 , a right actuator  32 , and a center actuator  22 —which are interposed between the front housing  6  and rear housing  8  (see FIG. 1 for interconnection of actuators and housings). The left actuator  30  extends from the bottom of the left arm of the rear housing  16  and the right actuator  32  extends from the bottom of the right arm of the rear housing  12 . The left actuator  30 , right actuator  32 , and center actuator  22  each have a first position of use and a second position of use. In the first position of use, each actuator is biased toward the floor and has not been depressed by an operator; consequently, the floor machine is not in operation. In the second position of use, the actuator has been depressed by the operator, thereby causing the machine to operate. 
     The left actuator  30  is preferably made out of plastic, although other resilient materials are also within the spirit of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the left actuator  30  has a first end  34  and a second end  36 . The first end of the left actuator  34  is generally triangular in shape and is interposed between the left arm of the rear housing  16  and the right arm of the front housing  14 . The second end of the left actuator  36  is interconnected to the second end of the right actuator  38 . The left actuator  30  is mounted on a pivot stand  40  emanating from the rear housing  8  and secured to the pivot stand  40  with a pin  42  (shown in FIG.  1 ). 
     The right actuator  32  is also preferably made out of plastic, although other resilient materials are also within the spirit of the invention. Also shown in FIG. 3, the right actuator  32  has a first end  44  and second end  38 . The first end of the right actuator  44  is generally triangular in shape and is interposed between the right arm of the rear housing  12  and the left arm of the front housing  10 . The right actuator  32  is mounted on a pivot stand  40  emanating from the rear housing  8  and secured to the pivot stand  40  with a pin  42  (shown in FIG.  1 ). In one embodiment, the second end of the right actuator  38  is notched so it can receive a pointed second end of the left actuator  36 . 
     As further shown in FIG. 3, a center actuator  22  extends into the aperture, in the rear housing  20  and is centered beneath the left arm of the rear housing  16  and right arm of the rear housing  12 . The preferred embodiment of the center actuator  22  is a solid bail. In order to minimize cost, it is preferable to make the center actuator  22  out of plastic, but other resilient materials are also within the scope of the invention. In the first position of use, the center actuator  22  is seated upon two trans-bails  46 , which are each seated on a pivot stand  48  of the rear housing  8 . Each trans-bail  46  has a first end  50  and a second end  52 . The first end  50  of each trans-bail  46  is interconnected to a U-shaped trans-bail  54  and is seated on a corresponding trans-bail stand  56  protruding from the rear housing  8 . The second end  52  of each trans-bail  46  is interconnected to a spring  58 . Each spring  58  keeps the second end  52  of the respective trans-bails  46  in a biased position against the center actuator  22 . Each spring  58  is seated in a spring receiver  60 . Each spring receiver  60  is comprised of two parallel protrusions from the rear housing  8 , which together create a slot  62  (see FIG. 7) to accept each spring  58 . The U-shaped trans-bail  54  has a cylindrical protrusion emanating toward the floor from its middle, which is seated at the point  64  where the second end of the left actuator  36  and the second end of the right actuator  38  are interconnected. 
     FIG. 4 shows the center actuator  22  in its second position of use, whereby the floor polishing machine is operational. When depressed, the center actuator  22  pushes the second ends  52  of the two trans-bails  46 , which, in turn, each compress a respective spring  58 . Simultaneously, the first ends  50  of the two trans-bails  46  rotate about each pivot stand  48  and apply force to the U-shaped trans-bail  54 . The result is that the cylindrical protrusion on the U-shaped trans-bail  54  applies force to the second end of the right actuator  38 , which, in turn, depresses a switch  66  that activates the machine. 
     When the center actuator  22  is released, the compressed springs  58  recoil and apply force to the second ends  52  of the two trans-bails  46 , which push the center actuator  22  back to its first position of use. As a result, the first end of each trans-bail  50  rotates in the opposite direction from when the center actuator  22  was depressed and releases the force applied to the U-shaped trans-bail  54 . Thus, the U-shaped trans-bail  54  releases the force on the second end of the right actuator  38 , thereby releasing the switch  66 . The U-shape trans-bail  54 , and the left actuator  30  and right actuator  32  move away from the switch  66 , thereby shutting off the machine. 
     Since the left actuator  30  and right actuator  32  are interconnected and thus, move in unison, an operator need only depress one or both actuators to activate the machine. Consequently, when the left actuator  30  is depressed, it rotates in a clockwise manner about its pivot stand  40  and the right actuator  32  corresponding rotates in a counter-clockwise manner about its pivot stand  40 . As a result, the second end of the left actuator  36  depresses the second end of the right actuator  38 , thereby depressing the switch  66  and activating the machine. 
     For safety reasons, the center actuator  22  must be continuously held in a depressed position in order for the polisher to operate. This way, the machine cannot be rotating without the operator&#39;s knowledge. In order to ensure that the center actuator  22  is not inadvertently activated by the operator, a safety lock  68  is integrated into the front housing  6  (see FIG.  1 ). The safety lock  68  has a first position of use and a second position of use. In FIG. 2, the safety lock  68  is shown in the first position of use, which prohibits the operator from engaging the switch  66  with either the left actuator  30 , right actuator  32 , or center actuator  22 . In the second position of use, the operator can engage the switch  66  by depressing and holding the left actuator  30 , right actuator  32 , or center actuator  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the preferable embodiment of the safety lock  68  is a face plate  70 , which in one embodiment is rectangular although other polygons, such as a square or octagon would work as well. Attached to the face plate  70  are two parallely mounted inverted L-shaped protrusions  72  and two cylindrical receiving tubes  74 . A spring  76  is seated on each cylindrical receiving tube  74 . As shown in FIG. 1, the front side of the front housing  78  has a safety lock depression  80  for receiving the safety lock  68 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the safety lock  68  is inserted into the safety lock depression  80  whereby the springs  76  are positioned between face plate  70  of the safety lock  68  and the front side of the front housing  78 . In this configuration, the cylindrical receiving tubes  74  are accessible from the rear of the front housing  82 . From the rear side of the front housing  82 , a tube  84  is inserted into the rear of the safety lock depression  86 . The tube  84  aligns a bolt  88 , which is fastened to the cylindrical receiving tube  74  of the safety lock  68 . The bolt  88  is inserted through a washer  90  for stabilization and is inserted into each respective tube  84  and secured into each cylindrical receiving tube  74  of the safety lock  68 . 
     As previously noted, in the first position of use, the safety lock  68  prohibits the operator from engaging the switch  66 . The inverted L-shaped protrusions  72  of the safety lock  68  are positioned between the second end of the right actuator  38  and the switch  66 . Consequently, if an operator depresses the left actuator  30  or right actuator  32 , the second end of the right actuator  38  will make contact with the inverted L-shaped protrusions  72  of the safety lock  68 , thereby prohibiting any further movement. 
     When an operator desires to engage the switch  66 , he must first depress the safety lock  68  toward the front side of the front housing  78  into its second position of use. In this position, as shown in FIG. 6, the inverted L-shaped protrusions  72  move away from the rear side of the front housing  82  and no longer block the second end of the right actuator  38  from engaging the switch  66 . Thus, to operate the machine, a person must first depress the safety lock  68  and then continuously depress either the left actuator  30 , right actuator  32 , or center actuator  22  for the floor polisher to remain engaged. Once any of these actuators are released, the switch  66  becomes disengaged and the machine turns off. This arrangement assures that the floor polisher is not operated without the supervision of an operator. 
     Additional embodiments of the present invention have been considered by the inventor. For example, in one embodiment, the handle  2  is further comprised of a solution dispensing lever  94  (shown in FIG.  1 ), which is mounted on the front of the rear housing  92  by a pin  95  and encased by the housing  4 . The solution dispensing lever  94  rotates about the pin  42  and has been adapted for use with a solution dispensing mechanism. In another embodiment, the handle  2  has a height adjustment lever  96  (also shown in FIG.  1 ), which is mounted on the front of the rear housing  92  by a pin  97  and encased by the housing  4 . The height adjustment lever  96  allows the operator to vary the distance between the handle  2  and the floor, thereby accommodating operators of different heights. Both the height adjustment lever  96  and solution dispensing lever  94  are positioned in housing  4  so that the operator can easily access them by taking his hand off of the handle. 
     In order to protect the floor polishing machine and its operator from electricity surges, it is preferable for the handle  2  to have a circuit breaker  98  (see FIG.  8 ), which is mounted on the rear side of the rear housing  110 . The circuit breaker  98  has a first and second position of use and is interconnected to the switch  66 . In first position of use, electricity flows through the circuit breaker  98  to the switch  66 . When the overflow of electricity occurs, the circuit breaker  98  moves into a second position of use in which it prevents electricity from flowing to the switch  66 . In the second position of use, the circuit breaker  98  must be reset by the operator before electricity will flow to the switch  66  again. 
     While an effort has been made to describe some alternatives to the preferred embodiment, other alternatives will readily come to mind to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not intended to be limited to the details given herein.