Patent Publication Number: US-7216403-B2

Title: Ergonomic appliance handle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to handles and similar attachments for various devices, and more particularly to an ergonomic appliance handle that provides an ergonomic improvement to a vertically oriented canister style vacuum cleaner or other floor appliance. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Vertical canister type vacuum cleaners are widespread in use in homes, commercial settings, and many other places. Vertical canister type vacuum cleaners (canister vacuums) generally have a cylindrical main housing disposed vertically on a plurality of wheels, some or all of the wheels being pivoting or caster type wheels. The housing contains a motor and vacuum mechanism, as well as a collection receptacle such as a filter bag, or a bag-less drum or water reservoir. An intake opening and an exhaust opening in the housing are connected to the vacuum mechanism, whereby air, along with dirt, particulate matter, and other objects are drawn into the collection receptacle, the air being discharged through the exhaust opening. 
     In use, a proximal end of a flexible hose is attached to the intake opening. The distal end of the hose is used, generally along with a cleaning attachment, accessory, or power nozzle, attached to the distal end for cleaning tasks. 
     Canister vacuums are advantageous over traditional upright vacuum cleaners. Because cleaning accessories, including power nozzles such as for vacuuming, shampooing, or steam cleaning carpets, are essentially separate from the main housing, they are of relatively light weight. Thus, a person operating the canister vacuum may maneuver the cleaning accessory at the end of the flexible hose during cleaning tasks, within the range of freedom of the hose, without the need to maneuver the main housing. In contrast, operating an upright machine requires a user to maneuver the machine&#39;s entire weight. Thus, because a canister vacuum requires only movement of the relatively lightweight hose and cleaning accessory during much of a cleaning task, the canister vacuum presents a lighter workload and less mechanical strain on a user&#39;s body, and in particular on a user&#39;s back. A user may remain in an upright posture, expending minimal strength to perform cleaning tasks, presenting an ergonomic and body-mechanical advantage. 
     Of course, during the course of operating a canister vacuum, it will become necessary from time to time to move the main housing itself, as the hose and cleaning accessory reach their maximum extent from the main housing. Generally, the main housing is simply pulled along by the hose to a new position wherein the hose and cleaning accessory are again operable unencumbered by the main housing. 
     During the course of moving a canister vacuum, some situations are encountered that compromise the ergonomic advantage of the canister vacuum. As a canister vacuum is pulled from place to place by its hose, the canister vacuum trails the user by the length of the hose. To draw the canister vacuum closer, the user may need to bend, twist, or stoop to reach along the hose to pull the canister vacuum closer, contorting a normal and comfortable posture. Such actions place a strain on the user&#39;s body and in particular the lumbar-sacral area of the user&#39;s lower back. 
     Additionally, as a canister vacuum is pulled from room to room, or area to area, the canister vacuum&#39;s wheels are likely to encounter obstacles such as carpet edges, door thresholds, and the like that prevent further rolling movement of the canister vacuum. Simply pulling harder on the hose risks pulling the hose free from the main housing, or tipping over the canister vacuum entirely. Either case requires a corrective intervention by the user to either re-attach the hose, or to upright the canister vacuum, both operations requiring bending and/or twisting by the user that present the potential for back strain and other bodily injury. The alternative to pulling harder on the hose to overcome the obstruction is to lift the canister vacuum over the obstruction, again risking back strain or other injury. In addition to the obstacles of carpet edges, door thresholds, and the like, additional obstacles, such as furniture, require the user to stop and bend, stoop, or twist to guide the canister vacuum around the obstacles. Also, on certain flooring surfaces the caster wheels may tend to guide the canister vacuum in an erratic path as it is pulled, requiring the user to intervene to prevent the canister vacuum from bumping walls, furniture, and such. 
     An additional drawback to moving a canister vacuum by simply pulling the canister vacuum along by its hose is that, because the hose is flexible, the canister vacuum cannot be pushed, or maneuvered backwards, by the hose. Again, user intervention is required that requires the user to bend, stoop, twist, or stretch in a manner that may cause injury. 
     Various handle configurations have been employed to provide an ergonomic advantage for vacuum cleaners and other types of floor appliances. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,222, issued on Jun. 1, 2004 to T. Furr-Britt et al., discloses a dual handle attachment for an upright floor appliance. A single central bracket attaches to the conventional single handlebar of an appliance, such as an upright vacuum cleaner, with a left and a right handgrip adjustably extending from the central bracket. The dual handle attachment allows a user to maneuver the appliance using generally symmetric upper body, arm, wrist, and hand forces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,607, issued on Aug. 5, 1975 to R. Schaffer et al., discloses a readily removable implement handle for a vacuum cleaner, tool, floor scrubber, sweeper, or other device. Insertion means disposed on the handle releasably engage with receiving means affixed to the device, the handle including a locking means in the form of a spring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,071, issued on Apr. 16, 1996 to R. Berfield, discloses a U-shaped handle that is attachable to a motor housing of a vacuum apparatus to carry or lift the appliance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,364, issued on Oct. 13, 1998 to J. Sham, discloses a detachable handle accessory for a handheld portable steam vacuum cleaner. The handle accessory includes a support base for mounting the portable steam vacuum cleaner, a handle portion extending upwardly from the support base, and a wheel assembly affixed to the support base. The handle converts the handheld portable steam vacuum cleaner into an upright steam vacuum cleaner. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0124347, published on Sep. 12, 2002 and applied for by J. Roney et al., discloses a telescoping handle built into an upright vacuum cleaner. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0124345, published on Sep. 12, 2002 and applied for by S. Holsten et al., discloses a vacuum appliance having push and pull handles. The vacuum cleaning appliance is generally of the canister vacuum configuration. A first handle is disposed on a first side of the vacuum appliance, a second handle being disposed on a second side of the vacuum appliance generally opposite the first side. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0101534, published on Jun. 5, 2003 and applied for by M. Noreen et al., discloses a canister-type vacuum cleaner having a collapsible handle attached to the housing that is adjustable to the height of a user and positioned so that the user can use the handle to move and guide the vacuum cleaner housing. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0229964, published on Dec. 18, 2003 and applied for by S. Thompson et al., discloses a handled cart that receives a wet/dry vacuum and converts the vacuum into an upright walk behind cleaning device. The cart provides a handle attached to a mobile base. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,026, issued on May 5, 1987 to W. Sumerau et al., discloses a convertible vacuum cleaner handle that is convertible between a first position suitable for floor standing operation and a second position suitable for hand carried operation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,667, issued on Dec. 22, 1998 to J. Orsini, discloses an extension handle for a portable vacuum that includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and a bracket for attaching the shaft to the handle portion of a portable vacuum. The distal end of the shaft is pivotally retained in the bracket such that an on/off switch on the portable vacuum may be operated by the pivoting of the shaft to activate and deactivate the vacuum. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus an ergonomic appliance handle solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The ergonomic appliance handle is an extension handle that is attachable to a carrying or transport handle on a vertically oriented canister style vacuum cleaner or similar floor appliance. The ergonomic appliance handle provides an elongated handle shaft that attaches at a proximate end of the handle shaft to the canister vacuum&#39;s handle by means of a mounting assembly. The handle shaft extends angled upward and away from the vacuum, placing a handgrip at the distal end of the handle shaft at an ergonomically comfortable height and position for a user to easily and conveniently operate the vacuum in a comfortable posture without subjecting the user to unnecessary bending, stooping, or twisting. 
     The ergonomic appliance handle allows a user to maneuver the canister vacuum in an ergonomically correct and safe manner by providing the user the ability to both push and pull the vacuum, to maneuver the vacuum around obstacles and obstructions, to more easily move the vacuum over obstructions in the floor surface such as transitions from one floor surface to another, and to more easily control the movement of the vacuum over an uneven flooring surface, thus eliminating situations that require the user to bend, stoop, or twist. 
     The ergonomic appliance handle provides enhanced ergonomic comfort and convenience for a user, thus complementing the advantages, and overcoming the disadvantages, of the canister style vacuum. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of an ergonomic appliance handle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the ergonomic appliance handle shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view showing an alternative coupling fixture for the ergonomic appliance handle of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment of an ergonomic appliance handle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the ergonomic appliance handle shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded plan view of a telescoping handle shaft for an ergonomic appliance handle. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a handle shaft for an ergonomic appliance handle including clips for retaining a vacuum hose. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an ergonomic appliance handle according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a mounting bracket and handle coupling fixture for the ergonomic appliance handle illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is an ergonomic appliance handle. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of an ergonomic appliance handle  10  is shown attached to a carry handle  98  of a typical canister vacuum  90 . The canister vacuum  90  illustrated is typical of a variety of vacuum cleaning appliances generally comprising a cylindrical housing  92  disposed vertically on a plurality of wheels  94 , some or all of the wheels  94  being pivoting or caster type wheels. The housing  92  contains a motor and vacuum mechanism, and a collection receptacle. A proximal end of a flexible hose  96  is attached to an intake opening defined in the housing  92 . At a distal end of the flexible hose  96 , a cleaning attachment, accessory, or power nozzle, may be attached. A carry handle  98  is generally disposed atop the housing  92 , the carry handle  98  lying generally horizontally as the canister vacuum  90  sits on a horizontal surface, such as a floor. 
     The ergonomic appliance handle  10  comprises an elongated shaft  20  having a proximal end  22  that is attached to the carry handle  98  of the canister vacuum  90  by means of a mounting assembly  40 . The elongated shaft  20  extends angled upward and away from the canister vacuum  90 , placing the distal end  26  of the elongated shaft  20  at an ergonomically comfortable height and position for a user to easily and conveniently operate the canister vacuum  90  in a comfortable posture without subjecting the user to unnecessary bending, stooping, or twisting. The distal end  26  of the elongated shaft  20  may be straight, or may have a bend  30 , the bend forming a handle portion  31 , placing the handle portion  31  in a more comfortable gripping position. A handgrip  32  is disposed on the distal end  26  of the elongated shaft  20 . 
     The elongated shaft  20  lies generally within a vertical plane containing the carry handle  98 . The angle of the elongated shaft  20 , relative to the floor, is generally between about twenty-five degrees (25°) and about forty degrees (40°) for optimal ergonomic use by most users, although angles outside this range may accommodate users with unique or specific needs. The elongated shaft  20  may be pivotally attached to the mounting assembly  40  so that the angle of the elongated shaft  20  may be adjusted. Alternatively, the elongated shaft  20  may be attached in a fixed position. A fixed-position angle between about thirty (30°) to thirty-five degrees (35°) provides a good ergonomic fit for a broad range of users. Again, of course, angles outside this range may used to accommodate users with unique or specific needs. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the mounting assembly  40  of the first embodiment is shown in greater detail. A crossbar  42  is attached horizontally above the carry handle  98 . The crossbar  42  is a flat, elongated member having a length, width, and thickness. Near each end of the crossbar  42 , at least one notched aperture  44  is defined, comprising an aperture formed through the crossbar  42  adjoining a notch extending to a lower edge of the crossbar  42 . 
     At each end of the crossbar  42 , a pair of brackets  50  are joined to the crossbar  42  at one of the notched apertures  44 . Each of the brackets  50  has a flat top portion  52 , and a bottom portion  54  that is bent into a “C” shape defining a channel  56 . A pair of apertures, an upper aperture  58  and a lower aperture  60 , are defined in the flat top portion  52  of each of the brackets  50 , each of the apertures  58 ,  60  being adapted to receive a fastener, such as a bolt, to join a pair of the brackets  50  cooperatively together. Each of a pair of the brackets  50  are placed facing one another on opposite sides of the crossbar  50  and fastened together, with an upper fastener  62 , such as a bolt or rivet or the like, passed through the brackets&#39;  50  upper apertures  58  and through one of the notched apertures  44  to clamp the brackets  50  to the crossbar  42 . 
     The channels  56  of the brackets  50  face one another on opposite sides of the carry handle  98 . A lower fastener  64 , such as a bolt, is passed through the brackets&#39;  50  lower apertures  60 , to clamp the brackets  50  about the carry handle  98 , the carry handle  98  being held within the channels  56  of the cooperating brackets  50 . 
     It can be recognized that the notched apertures  44  allow the crossbar  42  to be removed and replaced from between the bracket pairs by loosening, but not fully removing, the upper fasteners  62  and lifting the crossbar  42  to disengage the notched apertures  44  from the fastener  62 . It can also be recognized that, with a plurality of notched apertures  44  defined near each end of the crossbar  42 , the bracket  50  pairs may be placed at varied distances from one another to accommodate fastening the mounting assembly  40  to canister vacuums having carry handles  98  of various lengths. 
     A coupling fixture  70  joins the proximal end  22  of the elongated shaft  20  to the crossbar  42 . The coupling fixture is a short, cylindrical member having a socket end  72  and a slotted end  74 . A cylindrical recess  76  is defined axially within the socket end  72 , the cylindrical recess  76  being adapted to receive the proximal end  22  of the elongated shaft  20 . The proximal end  22  of the elongated shaft  20  is secured within the cylindrical recess  76  by a bolt or rivet, or other suitable means (not shown). A slot  78  is defined in the slotted end  74  of the coupling fixture  70 , whereby the coupling fixture  70  is adapted to fit over the crossbar  42 , with the crossbar  42  being received at least partially within the slot  78 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the coupling fixture  70  is shown having the slot  78  angled so that the elongated shaft  20  lies angled in a plane perpendicular to, rather than within, the vertical plane containing the carry handle  98 . This arrangement is useful for certain types of canister vacuum  90  having fixed wheels, rather than caster wheels, in order to prevent movement of the canister vacuum in a given direction. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a second embodiment of an ergonomic appliance handle  100  is shown attached to a carry handle  198  of a canister vacuum, the horizontal extent of the carry handle  198  being shorter than the carry handle  98  seen in  FIG. 1 . The ergonomic appliance handle  100  employs a mounting assembly  140  that is better suited to the shorter carry handle  198 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the mounting assembly  140  of the second embodiment is shown in greater detail. A single pair of brackets  150  straddles the carry handle  198  and holds a coupling fixture  170  attached to the elongated shaft  20 . Each of the brackets  150  has a flat upper portion  152  having an arcuate top edge  153 . A bottom portion  154  of each bracket  150  is bent into a “C” shape defining a channel  156 . An upper aperture  158 , and at least one lower aperture  160  (two are shown) are defined in the upper portion  152  of each of the brackets  150 . Each at least one lower aperture  160  receives a lower fastener  164  joining and clamping the two brackets  150  together about the carry handle  198 . The brackets  150  are placed facing one another on opposite sides of the carry handle  198 , the carry handle  198  engaged between and within the brackets&#39; 150 channels  156 . An upper fastener  162  passing through the upper apertures  158  retains the coupling fixture  170  to the brackets  150 . 
     The coupling fixture  170  joins the proximal end  22  of the elongated shaft  20  to the brackets  150 . The coupling fixture  170  is a short, cylindrical member having a socket end  172  and a tongue end  174 . A cylindrical recess  176  is defined axially within the socket end  172 , the cylindrical recess  176  being adapted to receive the proximal end  22  of the elongated shaft  20 . A tongue  178  extends from the tongue end  174  of the coupling fixture  170 , the tongue  178  being flat and rectangular. An aperture  179  is defined through the tongue  178 . The coupling fixture  170  is attached between the upper portions  152  of the brackets  150  by passing upper fastener  162  through the upper apertures  158  and through the aperture  179  of the tongue  178 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , an elongated shaft  220  is shown comprised of a proximal shaft section  222  telescopically engaged with a distal shaft section  228 . A spring-loaded locking pin  234  is disposed on the proximal shaft section  222 , the locking pin  234  adapted to engage with one of a plurality of cooperating apertures  236  defined lengthwise along the distal shaft section  228  to secure the proximal shaft section  222  and the distal shaft section  228  together in position. Alternate means of securing the shaft sections  222 , 228  together may be used, such as a removable pin or the like (not shown) engaged through apertures formed in both shaft sections  222 , 228 , or a locking or clamping collar or fixture (not shown) disposed at the mating end of one of the shaft sections  222 , 228 . Additional, intermediate, telescoping sections (not shown) may be included between the proximal shaft section  222  and the distal shaft section  228 , allowing increased extension of the elongated shaft  220 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the elongated shaft  20  is shown with at least one hose clip  338  disposed along the elongated shaft  20  to retain the flexible hose  96  of the canister vacuum  90 . Each hose clip  338  has a band portion  340  to fasten around the elongated shaft  20  and a clip portion  342  for releasably retaining the flexible hose  96 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a third embodiment of an ergonomic appliance handle  400  is shown. The ergonomic appliance handle  400  employs a mounting assembly  440  that allows the angle of the elongated shaft  20  to be varied. The mounting assembly  440  illustrated employs brackets  50  to attach the mounting assembly  440  to the carry handle  98  of a canister vacuum. The brackets  50  support a crossbar  442 , the crossbar  442  being similar to the crossbar  42  described above but somewhat wider. A coupling fixture  470  is supported on the crossbar  442 . 
     The coupling fixture  470  is comprised of two members pivotally joined to one another. A base member  486 , mounted to or formed as a unitary part of the crossbar  442 , is pivotally joined to a socket member  472  that retains the elongated shaft  20 . The socket member  472  has a socket end  474  wherein a cylindrical recess  476  is defined and adapted to receive the proximal end  22  of the elongated shaft  20 . A mating portion  478  of the socket member  472  has a generally circular, inside face  480 , the inside face  480  having an aperture  484  defined in the center of the mating portion  478 . A plurality of teeth  482  are formed on the inside face  480 , the teeth  482  formed about, and extending radially from, the aperture  484 . 
     The base member  486  has a mating portion  490  adapted to mate with the mating portion  478  of the socket member  472 , there being an aperture  496  defined in the center of the mating portion  490  such that the mating portion  478  and the mating portion  490  may be joined by a pin or bolt  498  passing through both of apertures  484  and  496 . As illustrated, the mating portion  490  of the base member  486  extends from a mounting flange  488  that is adapted for mounting onto the cross bar  442 . Alternatively, the base member  486  may be formed as a unitary part of the crossbar  442 . An inside face  492  (not seen) of the mating portion  490  has a plurality of teeth  494  similar to teeth  482 . A nut or internally threaded thumb-turn  499 , engaged with a threaded end of the pin or bolt  498 , is used to clamp the mating portions  478  and  490  together with teeth  482  and  494  engaged or meshing in order to prevent the socket member  472  from pivoting relative to the base member  486 . It can be recognized that loosening the nut or internally threaded thumb-turn  499  allows the socket portion and base portion to be separated to disengage teeth  482  and  494 , allowing the socket member  472  to be repositioned. 
     It can be recognized that the coupling fixture  470  allows the elongated shaft  20  to be varied in position to accommodate users of varied heights and physical needs. Additionally, the coupling fixture  470  allows the elongated shaft  20  to be positioned, for example in a vertical position, or removed entirely for storage. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.