EP1173087A1

EP1173087A1 - Handle having controls and/or display for a device, such as a floor care apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1173087A1
Application number: EP00921502A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David I. Oreck
Original assignee: Oreck Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Oreck Holdings LLC
Priority date: 1999-04-22
Filing date: 2000-03-29
Publication date: 2002-01-23
Also published as: CA2369948A1; WO2000064323A9; WO2000064323A8; AU4181100A; MXPA01010542A; WO2000064323A1

Abstract

An apparatus (10) includes a body (14), a head (16), a handle (12), an audio source and audio output, and at least one control (43, 45, 46) on the handle for controlling the audio source. The floor care apparatus (10) may be a vacuum cleaner, carpet sweeper, extractor, or floor machine. The audio source may be a radio receiver, compact disk player, cassette tape player, or disk drive. The audio output may be a speaker or an electrical connector such as an audio or headphone jack (50). The audio control may be an on/off switch (42), a volume control, a tuning control, or a fast forward or rewind control. The floor care apparatus may further include a rechargeable power source. The handle (12) is configured to be gripped. The handle (12) may include a coupler sized and dimensioned to couple the handle to a desired apparatus (10), such as a floor care apparatus. The handle (12) may further include an electrical connector configured to couple with a complementary electrical connector in the apparatus to provide power and control therebetween. Visual indications (71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83) of the operating condition of the device and other alerts can be provided by readouts carried by the handle.

Description

HANDLE HAVING CONTROLS AND/OR DISPLAY FOR A DEVICE, SUCH AS A FLOOR CARE APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to handles and grips, and more particularly to handles and grips including controls for operating devices such as floor care apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many tasks involve the repetitive movement of a device or apparatus by a user or operator. For example, the cleaning, caring, preparation and/or maintenance of a floor, carpet or similar surface may require daily or weekly upkeep. Such upkeep typically requires an operator to pass a floor care apparatus completely over the entire surface area of the floor. Floor care apparatus may include a vacuum cleaner, a carpet sweeper, a floor machine, and an extractor.

These tasks are typically mundane and boring, and the operator desires a distraction or entertainment. While the operator may employ a stationary radio or television for entertainment, the operation of the apparatus often interferes with the operator's enjoyment of the entertainment. For example, the operator may have to move about one or more rooms, eventually moving out of the range of the entertainment source, or requiring the operator to constantly return the source to adjust the volume. Often, the noise generated by the apparatus will overwhelm the audio output from the entertainment source. While the operator may rely on a personal entertainment device, for example, a portable cassette or CD-ROM player, such devices typically present a number of problems. For instance, such devices often employ batteries that are expensive and time consuming to replace, and that present an environmental hazard when not disposed of properly. The batteries may discharge while the operator is performing the task, interfering with performance of the job when the operator leaves or stops to replace the spent batteries. Additionally, the controls on the entertainment device are located separately from the controls of the apparatus, and may interfere with proper operation of the apparatus due to the inconvenient location. Further, personal entertainment devices present easy targets for thieves and are often stolen. This presents a substantial problem for maintenance services and other commercial equipment users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Under one aspect of the invention, a floor care apparatus includes a body, a floor care head, a handle, an audio source and audio output, and at least one control on the handle for controlling the audio source. The floor care apparatus may take the form of a vacuum, sweeper, shampooer or steamer, buffer or waxer. The audio source may take the form of a radio receiver, compact disk player, cassette tape player, or disk drive. The audio output may take the form of a speaker, or an electrical connector such as an audio or headphone jack. The audio control may take the form of an ON/OFF switch, a volume control, a tuning control, or a fast forward or rewind control. The floor care apparatus may further include an internal power source such as a battery. The internal power source may be rechargeable from an external power source, for example by way of an AC electrical cord, a rectifier and a transformer.

In another aspect of the invention, a handle that may be couplable to an apparatus, includes a housing configured to be gripped, at least one audio control and at least one apparatus control, each of the user operable controls being mounted to the exterior of the housing, and an audio output that may be couplable to an audio source. The handle may further include a coupler sized and dimensioned to physically couple the handle to a desired apparatus such as a floor care machine. The handle may further include an electrical connector configured to couple with a complementary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide power therebetween. The electrical connector may further couple the audio and apparatus controls to an audio source and the apparatus, respectively.

In a further aspect of the invention, an audio device for attachment to an apparatus includes a handle-shaped housing, at least one user operable audio control and one user operable apparatus control carried by the housing, an audio output, and a coupler configured to couple the audio device to the apparatus. Electrical power may be provided from a power cord carried by the audio device, or a power cord carried by the apparatus, or by a battery.

In yet a further aspect, the handle may provide indications of the operating condition of the device to which it is attached, for example by way of LED or LCD readouts. The handle may also employ LED or LCD readouts to provide a visual alert of an event that would otherwise not be detectable. For example, an alert can be provided when a telephone rings, which would otherwise be drown out by the noise generated by the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an upright vacuum cleaner according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a floor care head of the upright vacuum cleaner of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a canister vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a carpet sweeper according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a floor machine in the form of a buffer according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of a floor care head of the buffer of

Figure 5 including two buffing pads.

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the floor care head of the buffer of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of an alternative floor care head of the buffer of Figure 5 including a single buffing pad.

Figure 9 is a front plan view of the floor care head of the buffer of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a isometric view of a floor care machine in the form of an extractor according to another exemplary embodiment. Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a floor care head of the extractor of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a left side elevational view of a handle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 13 is a right side elevational view of the handle of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the handle of Figures 12 and 13. Figure 15 is a broken section view of selected control switches on the handle of Figures 12 and 13.

Figure 16 is an alternative embodiment of the handle of Figure 12, including a speaker and a battery in a battery compartment with a cover.

Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of Figure 16. Figure 18 is a second alternative embodiment of the handle. Figure 19 is a third alternative embodiment of the handle. Figure 20 is a functional block diagram of an audio source, audio output and audio controls.

Figure 21 is a top plan view of a pad carrying control switches and an LCD display.

Figure 22 is a top plan view of a pad carrying control switches and an LED display. Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a device to detect an incoming telephone call and provide a visual alert on the handle of Figure 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with floor care apparatus, audio devices and controls, and connectors and couplers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments of the invention. Figures 1 and 2 show a floor care apparatus in the form of an upright vacuum cleaner 10 having a handle 12, a body 14 and a floor care head 16. Typically, the body 14 is pivotably moveable with respect to the head 16 about at least one degree of freedom, as indicated by arrow 18. The vacuum cleaner 10 includes a motor (not shown) for creating a "vacuum" or suction, and a bag or container for collecting debris. The bag or container is typically mounted on or in the body 14. A power cord 20 extending from the handle 12 provides power to the vacuum cleaner 10 from a source such as a conventional wall outlet (not shown). The power cord 20 can alternatively extend from the body 14 or floor care head 16. The motor and/or the bag may be mounted in either the body 14 or the floor care head 16.

With particular reference to Figure 2, a passive or driven roller 22 including brushes 24 is rotatably mounted in the floor care head 16 to dislodge particles from a surface, such as a carpet. A slot 26 receives the roller 22 and serves as the start or entrance of a vacuum path extending through the vacuum cleaner 10 to the debris bag. The floor care head 16 further includes wheels 28 to ease the movement of the vacuum cleaner 10 over the surface to be cleaned.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the floor care apparatus in the form of a canister vacuum cleaner 10. This alternative embodiment, and those described herein, are substantially similar to previously described embodiments, and common steps and structures are identified by the same reference numbers. Only significant differences in operation or structure are described in detail.

The canister vacuum cleaner 10 includes a hose 15 extending between the body 14 and the floor care head 16. The canister vacuum cleaner 10 further includes a U-shaped handle 12, and a power cord 20 extending from the body 14. The canister vacuum cleaner 10 works in a similar fashion to the upright vacuum cleaner (Figures 1- 2), having a motor, a debris container or bag and a vacuum path extending between the floor care head and the debris bag (not shown). Such structure is generally known in the art and will therefor not be described in further detail.

Figure 4 shows a carpet sweeper 10 including a handle 12 and a floor care head 16 which carries a roller 22 having brushes 24. The roller 22 rotates as the carpet sweeper is pushed across the surface to be cleaned, the brushes 24 dislodging and picking up debris, and depositing the debris in a receptacle (not shown) in the floor care head 16. Since the carpet sweeper 10 does not employ a motor, no power cord is included. The handle 12 can include a compartment 17 for receiving batteries or other power sources for low power devices.

Figures 5-9 show an alternative embodiment of the floor care apparatus in the form of a floor machine of the type having one or more rotating elements, such as, a waxer or buffer 10. The buffer 10 includes a pair of buffing pads 30 for buffing a surface, such as a hardwood floor. When used on a wax floor, the buffer is typically referred to as a waxer. Each of the buffing pads 30 are driven by a motor, typically mounted in the floor care head 16 of the buffer 10. In this embodiment, the electrical cord 20 extends from the floor care head 16, rather than from the handle 12 or the body 14 of the vacuum cleaners 10 shown in Figures 1 and 3.

With particular reference to Figures 8 and 9, an alternative embodiment of the floor machine buffer 10 employs a single buffing pad 30. The buffing pad 30 can carry grit to form a sander. Alternatively the floor machine 10 can include a grit carrying drum (not shown) to form the sander.

Figures 10 and 11 show a floor care apparatus in the form of an extractor 10. In this embodiment, the head 16 includes a first slot or nozzle 32 for dispensing a soap or cleaning solution. The nozzle 32 is positioned within a second slot 34 in the head 16 that serves as the entrance of the vacuum path through the extractor 10. The floor care head 16 can also include brushes 24. In this embodiment, the electrical power cord 20 extends from the body 14. A hot water or steam source is commonly provided and the hot water or steam is directed from the source through the nozzle 32. Since floor care apparatus 10 are generally known in the art, they will not be described in further detail.

Figures 12-15 show one exemplary embodiment of the handle 12 for use with apparatus or machines, such as the floor care apparatus 10 generally described above. The handle 12 includes a housing 36 having at least a portion 38 configured to be held or gripped by a human hand, and may include ribs 40 or other texture on the surface of the housing 36 for enhancing the grip. With particular reference to Figure 15, the handle 12 includes a control such as ON/OFF switch 42 for operating the floor care apparatus 10. The ON/OFF switch 42 may be configured to also operate an audio device 60 (Figure 20) associated with the floor care apparatus 10, for example automatically turning the audio device 60 ON and OFF along with the floor care apparatus 10. Alternatively, the handle 12 may include a separate audio control to operate the audio device 60 (Figure 20), such as a separate ON/OFF switch 33 (Figures 21, 22), permitting the audio device 60 to be operated independently of the floor care apparatus 10. An ON/OFF indicator may be provided, such as a light emitting diode ("LED") 47, that is lit when the floor care apparatus 10 and/or the audio device 60 is in the ON state.

The handle 12 may include additional audio controls, for example, a volume control 46 for adjusting the volume of the audio device 60. The handle 12 may also include tuning controls for selecting radio frequencies, such as a forward scan control 43, operable to successively scan a frequency band for radio signals, and a return control 45 to return the forward scan function to the start of the frequency band. Additionally, the handle 12 may include one or more audio outputs, for example an electrical connector such as a headphone jack 50.

While the ON/OFF switch 42, audio controls 43, 45, 46. LED 47 and headphone jack 50 may be located anywhere on the floor care apparatus 10, certain advantages are realized by positioning the these on the handle 12 for easy manipulation and observation by the user. The ON/OFF switches 42, audio controls 43, 45, 46, LED

47 and headphone jack 50 are shown positioned above the grip portion 38 of the handle

12 and at an angle thereto for easy manipulation by the thumb of the user while the handle 12 is gripped. The position also places the ON/OFF switch 42, audio controls

43, 45. 46, LED 47 and headphone jack in the line-of-sight of the user while the floor care apparatus 10 is being operated in the normal manner, and may position the audio controls 43, 45, 46, LED 47 and headphone jack closer to the user's head. This may provide the user with a better view of the audio controls 43, 45, 46 and LED 47. and may permit the use of a shorter headphone cord, reducing the possibility of tangling or snagging the cord. Mounting the audio controls 43, 45, 46 and LED 47 on the handle 12 may provide superior protection for these elements over mounting on the body 14, since the handle is less likely to accidentally struck against furniture, walls and other obstructions. The display device 47 can be mounted separately from the controls, for example on the top of the body 14 (Figure 1) or on the back of the floor care head 16. The display should be positioned to provide a clear line-of-sight for the user during operation so that the user can easily monitor the operational parameters during use. During operation, the user will typically be looking approximately at the floor care head 16 as the user guides the floor care head 16 over the surface and around obstructions.

The ON/OFF switch 42, audio controls 43, 45. 46, headphone jack 50 and LED 47 provide input and output functions for the floor care apparatus. The floor care apparatus 10 may employ additional readouts, such as a liquid crystal display ("LCD") 37 (Figure 21) or additional LEDs 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81 (Figure 22) to provide the user with other information such as the current apparatus operating conditions of the floor care apparatus 10. For example, readouts for the following operating conditions may be provided: a bag full condition 71, blocked inlet condition 73, broken or slow roller brush/belt condition 75, motor overload condition 77. motor brush replacement condition 79. and/or dirt sensing condition 81. Additionally, a readout such as the LED 83 (Figure 22) can alert the user of a situation unrelated to the operation of the floor care apparatus 10, for example an incoming telephone call. This is particularly advantageous where the floor care apparatus generates noise of sufficient volume as to overwhelm the ringing of the telephone, or where the operator is deaf or has difficulty hearing. Some or all of these input and output devices may be grouped on a pad 53. Grouping the input and output devices on the pad 53 provides numerous benefits such as allowing simple redesign of the handle's functions without requiring retooling of the entire handle 12, reduced manufacturing costs, and simplified repair.

The handle 12 may include an L-shaped catch 54 for coiling and retaining the electrical power cord 20 for storage. The handle 12 may further include a notch 49 sized and dimensioned to support a headband 51 of a headphone (a portion of the headband is shown in Figure 13).

The handle 12 may include a connector or coupler such as the elongated slide fit member 56 to physically attach the handle 12 to the body 14. In the embodiment of Figures 12-15, the slide fit member 56 comprises a metal channel, although the handle 12 may employ other conventional slide fit members. Alternatively, the handle 12 may employ other connectors and/or couplers, such as screw mounts, bayonet mounts, sockets, detents, and fasteners. The handle 12 may also include an electrical connector or coupler 57. The electrical coupler 57 may be a male or female member configured to mate with a complementary electrical coupler (not shown) on the body 14. The electrical coupler 57 may serve as a conduit for power and/or control of the apparatus 10 and/or control of the audio device 60. For example, where the electrical power cord 20 extends from the handle 12 (Figure 1 ), the electrical coupler 57 may serve as a conduit for power to a motor (not shown) in the body 14 or head 16. Similarly, the electrical coupler 57 may serve as a conduit for the audio controls 44-48 and/or for the audio outputs 50, 52 where the audio device 60 (Figure 20) is located away from the handle 12, for example in the body 14 or head 16.

Figure 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the handle 12, including the battery compartment 17 formed in the housing 36 for holding a battery 68. The handle 12 includes a removable cover 61 for accessing the battery compartment 17. The handle 12 may include an additional or alternative audio output, such as the speaker 52. The audio device may include circuitry for directing the audio signal to the speaker 52 when a headphone plug is not plugged into the headphone jack 50.

Figure 17 shows the audio device 60 and the audio controls 45. 46. 47 and headphone jack 50 mounted to a circuit board 63. The circuit board 63 containing the various electrical components and controls can be press fit into the housing 36. The housing 36 can be formed as two complimentary halves to simplify the construction and mounting. Thus, the same handle 12 may be employed with various configurations of audio controls and components by simply incorporating a different circuit board. The electrical components on the circuit board 63 receive power from the battery 68 via electrical leads 67 (only one lead is shown), although power could be supplied from an external source with appropriate conditioning. Electrical leads 69 (only one lead is shown) may connect the ON/OFF switch 42 to the motor (not shown).

Figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the handle 12, integrally formed with the floor care apparatus 10. The handle of Figure 18 is generally elongated, not forming any particular opening or closed surface.

Figure 19 shows another alternative embodiment of the handle 12, including fasteners 58 to couple the handle 12 to the floor care apparatus 10. While the fasteners 58 shown are screws, the handle 12 may employ other conventional fasteners. While the Figures show only four embodiments of the handle 12 (including the U- shaped embodiment of Figure 3), numerous other embodiments of handles sized and dimensioned for being held or gripped may be successfully employed.

Figure 20 shows an exemplary embodiment of the audio device 60. The handle 12. body 14 or head 16 may carry portions, or all, of the audio device 60. The audio device 60 may be carried by a printed circuit board 62, and include a radio receiver 64 in the form of an integrated circuit and/or discrete analog circuit components. The audio device 60 may also include an antenna, such as the dipole antenna 66 coupled to the radio receiver 64. The volume and tuning controls 46, 48 and the ON/OFF switch 42 are electrically coupled to the radio receiver 64 for controlling the operation of the radio receiver 64. An internal power source such as the battery 68 may power the radio receiver 64. The battery 68 can be received in a compartment 17 in the handle 12 (Figure 16). A cover 61 (Figure 16) may provide access to the compartment and the battery 68. In one embodiment, the battery 68 provides a DC power source for the radio receiver 64. AC power from the electrical power cord 20 may recharge the battery 68 after proper conditioning by a transformer 70 and rectifier 72. Rechargeable batteries and recharging circuits are generally known in the art and will not be described in further detail.

Figure 23 shows a transmitter 85 inserted into a standard telephone line 87 between a wall jack 89 and a telephone 91. The transmitter 85 is configured to emit a signal, such as an RF signal 93 or infrared optical signal when an incoming call is received. The signal is detectable by a receiver 95 and an antenna, such as the dipole antenna 97 mounted in the handle 12. Upon receipt of the signal 93, the receiver 95 activates the LED 83, thus alerting the user to the incoming telephone call. The transmitter could be used with other devices, for example a doorbell, or an e-mail system of a personal computer.

Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the invention can be applied to other devices employing a handle, not necessarily the exemplary floor care apparatus generally described above. The audio device may comprise a compact disk player, a cassette tape player, a disk drive or other conventional audio sources, not necessarily the radio receiver generally described above.

These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all apparatus that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A floor care apparatus, comprising: a body, a floor care head coupled to the body; a handle couplable to the floor care head; an audio source; an audio output; and at least one audio control on the handle, the audio control couplable to the audio source to selectively operate the audio source to drive the audio output.

2. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the floor care head comprises a vacuum inlet in communication with a vacuum source.

3. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the floor care head comprises a buffer.

4. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the floor care head comprises an extractor .

5. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the floor care head comprises a sweeper.

6. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the floor care head comprises a steamer.

7. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the floor care head comprises a waxer.

8. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the handle in integrally formed with the body.

9. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the handle and the body each including couplings sized and dimensioned to couple the handle to the body.

10. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the audio source comprises a radio receiver.

11. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the audio output comprises a speaker.

12. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the audio output comprises an electrical connector.

13. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the audio output comprises an audio jack.

14. The floor care machine of claim 1 wherein the audio control comprises a volume control.

15. The floor care machine of claim 1 , further comprising: a rechargeable power source electrically couplable to the audio source to provide power thereto.

16. The floor care machine of claim 1, further comprising: a display to display at least one operating parameter of the floor care machine, the display positioned on the floor care machine such that the visual output is within a line- of-sight of a user when the user grips the handle and looks substantially at the floor care head.

17. The floor care machine of claim 1, further comprising: a display to display at least one operating parameter of the floor care machine, the display positioned on the handle of the floor care machine such that the visual output is within a line-of-sight of a user when the user grips the handle and looks substantially at the floor care head.

18. A handle couplable to an apparatus, comprising: a housing configured to be gripped; at least one user operable audio source control mounted on an exterior of the housing; at least one user operable apparatus control mounted on the exterior of the housing and operatively couplable to the apparatus to which the handle is couplable; and an audio output electrically couplable to an audio source.

19. The handle of claim 18, further comprising: an audio source received in the housing and coupled to the audio output and the audio source control.

20. The handle of claim 18, further comprising: an audio source received in the housing and coupled to the audio output and the audio source control wherein the audio source comprises a radio receiver.

21. The handle of claim 18, further comprising a coupler sized and dimensioned to couple the handle to the apparatus.

22. The handle of claim 18, further comprising a coupler sized and dimensioned to couple the handle to the apparatus, wherein the coupler comprises a male slip fit member.

23. The handle of claim 18, further comprising a coupler sized and dimensioned to couple the handle to the apparatus, wherein the coupler comprises a fastener.

24. The handle of claim 18, further comprising: an electrical connector configured to couple with a complimentary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide power therebetween.

25. The handle of claim 18, further comprising: a power cord; and an electrical connector configured to couple with a complimentary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide power from the power cord to the apparatus.

26. The handle of claim 18, further comprising: an electrical connector configured to couple with a complimentary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide power from the a power cord of the apparatus to an audio source received in the handle.

27. The handle of claim 18, further comprising: an electrical connector configured to couple with a complimentary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide audio source control signals between the audio source control on the handle and an audio source received in the apparatus.

28. An audio device for attachment to an apparatus, comprising: a handle shaped housing; at least one user operable audio control carried by the housing; at least one user operable apparatus control carried by the housing and electrically couplable to operate the apparatus to which the audio device is couplable; an audio output; and a coupler configured to couple the audio device to the apparatus.

29. The audio device of claim 28, further comprising: an audio source.

30. The audio device of claim 28, further comprising: an audio source in the form of a radio receiver.

31. The audio device of claim 28, further comprising: an audio output.

32. The audio device of claim 28 wherein the apparatus is a floor care machine.

33. The audio device of claim 28. further comprising: an electrical connector configured to couple with a complimentary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide power therebetween.

34. The audio device of claim 28, further comprising: an electrical connector configured to couple with a complimentary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide power from a power cord on the apparatus to an audio source received in the audio device.

35. The audio device of claim 28, further comprising: a power cord; and an electrical connector configured to couple with a complimentary electrical connector on the apparatus to provide power from the power cord to the apparatus.

36. An handle couplable to an apparatus, comprising: a housing configured to be gripped, the housing having an aperture formed therein; a pad mounted in the aperture of the housing; a visual output carried by the pad and couplable to the apparatus to display an operating parameter of the apparatus; and at least one control switch carried by the pad and couplable to the apparatus to control at least one function of the apparatus.

37. The handle of claim 36, further comprising: a second control switch carried by the pad, wherein the first control switch couplable to the apparatus for turning the apparatus ON and OFF and the second control switch couplable to an audio device to control a volume output of the audio device.

38. The handle of claim 36 wherein the control pad is positioned for activation by a thumb of a hand of a user having a number of fingers gripping a portion of the housing.

39. The handle of claim 36 wherein the visual output is positioned on the housing such that the visual output is not covered by a hand of a user when the user grips the housing.

40. The handle of claim 36 wherein the visual output is an light emitting diode.

41. The handle of claim 36 wherein the visual output is at least two light emitting diodes, each of the light emitting diodes corresponding to a respective apparatus operating parameter.

42. The handle of claim 36 wherein the visual output is a liquid crystal display.

43. The handle of claim 36 wherein the visual output is a liquid crystal display that displays at least two apparatus operating parameters.

44. The handle of claim 36 wherein the pad is selectively removable from the housing.

45. An handle couplable to an apparatus, comprising: a housing configured to be gripped; and a visual output carried by the housing and couplable to the apparatus to display an operating parameter of the apparatus.

46. The handle of claim 45 wherein the visual output is an light emitting diode.

47. The handle of claim 45 wherein the visual output is at least two light emitting diodes, each of the light emitting diodes corresponding to a respective apparatus operating parameter.

48. The handle of claim 45 wherein the visual output is a liquid crystal display.

49. The handle of claim 45 wherein the visual output is a liquid crystal display that displays at least two apparatus operating parameters.

50. The handle of claim 45 wherein the visual output is positioned on the housing such that the visual output is not covered by a hand of a user when the user grips the housing.

51. The handle of claim 45 wherein the visual output is positioned on the housing such that the visual output is within a line-of-sight of a user when the user grips the housing and looks substantially at a base of the apparatus.

52. The handle of claim 45, further comprising: a receiver configured to receive a signal from the transmitter and to provide a visual indication when the signal is received..