US2684271A

US2684271A - Handle connection for suction cleaners

Info

Publication number: US2684271A
Application number: US103511A
Authority: US
Inventors: George A Brace
Original assignee: Hoover Co
Current assignee: Hoover Co
Priority date: 1949-07-07
Filing date: 1949-07-07
Publication date: 1954-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 1971-07-20
Also published as: GB673158A

Description

July 20, 1954 e. A. BRACE HANDLE CONNECTION FOR SUCTION CLEANERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 7, 1949 m mr M m m x 3 N 8 IA J5 July 20, 1954 BRACE 2,684,271

HANDLE CONNECTION FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed July 7, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NIH mill W,

' INVENTOR. 600/91 4, Brace ATTOHNE Y.

Patented July 20, 1954 HANDLE CONNECTION FOR SUCTION CLEANERS George A. Brace, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application July 7, 1949, Serial No. 103,511

17 Claims.

This invention relates to suction cleaners and similar appliances having pivoted handles and more particularly to a novel control for such a handle.

In a suction cleaner, as in various other tools and appliances, it is essential to provide a control mechanism for the operating handle which permits free pivotal movement through certain ranges, which resists movement past certain points, which positively locks the handle against pivoting in at least one position and yet which can be unlocked easily from the handle grip. However, controls previously provided to meet these requirements are objectional as unnecessarily complex, costly to manufacture and maintain and as failing to satisfy all requirements satisfactorily.

The present invention provides a handle and control mechanism which is exceedingly simple both as respects its construction and operation and which makes full provision for all operating needs in an unusually facile and direct manner.

,Thus, the handle automatically and positively locks the handle in a preselected position merely upon movement to that position. Release from its locked condition is effected simply by moving it slightly beyond its locking position and then back towards its normal operating position. A counterbalance spring may be provided to support substantially the entire weight of the handle when it is in an operating position while separate means support the slight unbalanced weight in a convenient position of rest when the handle is not being used. This latter means also acts, when the handle is locked, to hold it against unlocking unintentionally. Another and separate function of this same means is to permit the handle to be moved into another operating position below the inclined rest position when so desired by the operator without however ofiering any resistance to return to the normal operating range when so desired. All of the foregoing is accomplished by the use of a single moving part in contradistinction to the complex control mechanisms heretofore proposed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel handle control construction for a suction cleaner or the like.

' Another object is the provision of a simple control which automatically and positively locks the handle in a predetermined position and which is released by moving the handle forwardly of its normal operating range.

A still further object is the provision of a positive handle locking. and unlocking control involving a single moving part.

A further object is the provision of a common means operable to hold the handle in an inclined position of rest at one time and to prevent unintentional release of the handle from its locked position at another.

These and other objects will become apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings attached hereto and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the invention as applied to a suction cleaner;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side view partially in section of the handle control and showing the position of parts when the handle is in its locked position;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the contour of the stationary raceway and detent for the pivoted latch;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modified embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the control taken on line 55 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the latch raceway of the modified embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that a suction cleaner ID of any conventional construction is generally indicated in Figure 1. The rear of the motor hood is broken away to show one of a pair of handle pivot brackets II which are secured in any suitable manner to the topside of the main body I2 of the cleaner. A cleaner propelling handle l3 having a grip I4 is pivotally mounted in bracket I I. The usual filter I5 has its lower end suitably secured to the main casting while its upper end is connected by a tension spring to the underside of the cleaner handle.

Reference will next be had to Figure 2 showing the details of the handle pivot and control construction. The lower end of handle I3 includes a handle socket It having a generally cylindrical periphery and spaced apart parallel sides. Socket I6 is journaled between brackets I I by a through bolt II. Mounted within the handle socket is a strong spiral counterbalance spring I8 one end of which overlies a pin I9a carried by one of the brackets II and extending into the interior of socket I6 through an arcuate slot I 9b in a side wall of the socket. The opposite end of spring I8 bears against an inwardly extending tab I9 struck from the handle socket to urge the handle upwardly towards its vertical position as indicated in Figure l. Counterbalance spring I8 is sufficiently strong substantially to counterbalance the handle weight and its attached appurtenances such as the service cord and filter bag.

A cross pin 20 extends between the sides of the handle socket at a point below handle it. The cross pin pivotally carries one end of latch 2!. The other end of the latch extends through a slot 22 in the forward periphery of the handle socket. The hooked end 23 of the latch member normally rides along the bottom of a grove or raceway Z formed in the upper side of a bracket member 25 rigidly secured to the top of the cleaner body i2. As will be readily appreciated, the raceway may be formed as a part of bracket i, in a portion of the cleaner motor normally positioned forwardly of the handle socket, or in any other portion of the cleaner rigid with the main body. Latch ii is biased clockwise by a light spring 26 carried by pin 26. However, the spring is not essential since gravity will normally sufiice to maintain the hook end 23 in raceway 24 or in a position to fall into the raceway if it becomes displaced for any reason, as when the handle is being used in a horizontal position. It should also be noted at this point that the lower end of slot 22 in the front wall of the handle socket is preferably narrower than the upper end of the slot for the purpose of guiding the latch into the guideway 24 if it should become displaced while the handle is being used in its lowermost horizontal position. The upper end of slot 22, however, is wide enough to permit free lateral movement of the latch when the handle is in its vertical position for a reason that will become apparent below.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be seen that raceway 24 extends parallel to the plane of the handle movement and in the path of hooked end 23 of the latch memben Raceway 2:3 comprises several parts the two major ones of which comprise a locking guideway 21 and a return guideway 28 parallel thereto and spaced slightly to one side of guide-way 2'5. At the forward end of the latching guideway is a latching detent 29. Forwardly of this, and communicating with the forward end of return guideway 28 is an arcuate, upwardly cammed guideway 32! the forward end of which enters the side of return guideway 28 at a point slightly above its bottom. The rear end of guideway 28 also is provided with an arcuate return guideway 3! which enters the side of the latching groove 21 at a point above its bottom. A low wall 32 separates guideways 27 and 28 at their adjacent sides and serves to prevent the accidental return of the latch into groove 2? as it is i being returned thereto along groove 28.

Returning now to Figure 2, the means for preventing unintentional unlocking of the handle and of holding it in inclined position will be described.

Secured to the cleaner casing between brackets 5! below handle socket i5 is a leaf spring 35. Its free, humped end 36 projects into a slot 3-? on the underside of the handle socket. As shown in Figure 2-, the forward end of the spring abuts the lower end of slot 3? so as to resist forward pivotal movement of the handle from it vertical latched position. A tab 38 struck inwardly at the upper end of slot (it provides a cammed shoulder which abuts the opposite side of hump 36 in spring 35 when the handle is lowered to an inclined, rest position at the lower end of the normal handle operating range of movement. If it is desired to lower the handle below this position, as when cleaning below low furniture, it is merely necessary to apply slight additional force to the handle grip to over-ride end 35 of the spring. Upon return of the handle above its inclined rest position, end 36 is again positioned within slot 31 as will be readily apparent.

Spring 35 may also be utilized to provide a stop against excessive forward pivoting of the handle from its vertical storage position when unlocking the handle control. For this purpose the fixed end of the spring may be upturned at 39 to form a stop closely adjacent the underside of the socket. A tab Mi struck from the forward periphery of the handle socket will abut stop 39 to prevent forward movement of the handle beyond that necessary to effectuate unlatching of latch member 2 I.

Operation Let us assume that the handle is in its vertical storage position as indicated in Figures 1 and 2. The hooked end 23 of latch 2! will then be latched behind detent 29 in member 25. Counterbalance spring i8 will urge the handle upwardly in a clockwise direction to its vertical position, while spring 35 will bear against the forward edge of slot 31 "and resistingly urge the handle toward its vertical position in a counterclockwise direction. Under these circumstances the handle is positively locked in its vertical position and cannot be lowered. Accordingly, the cleaner may be readily picked up by its handle grip and transported from place to place without the likelihood that the cleaner will pivot downwardly to dislodge dirt from the filter into the cleaner or onto the floor or to injure the user.

However, if the user desires to unlock the handle it is merely necessary to pivot the handle forwardly through a small angle as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2. This will cause the forward end of latch 23 to ride forwardly and laterally as guided by arcuate, cammed groove 3|] until it falls into the forward end or" return guideway 23. Excessive forward movement of the handle is prevented by tabs 39 and ifl and is resisted by spring 35. After end 23 of latch 21 has fallen into groove 23, the handle may be moved backwardly freely and without effort into its normal operating range. As it does so, the latch follows along guideway 28 and is shifted back into raceway ill by reason of the contour of cammed surface 35. Since the floor of this cam is above the floor of groove 21 the latch cannot return to groove 28 while the cleaner is being used in normal operation. Further assurance against this is provided by the action of spring 26 which maintains the latch on the floor of the groove.

After a period of use, the user may wish to release her grip on the handle. As she does so, the handle will fall downward slightly until shoulder 38 on the under side of the handle socket abuts end 35 of spring 35 where it will remain in a convenient position for the operator when she again desires to use the cleaner. If it is desired to lower the handle into its lower range of movement, it is merely depressed until shoulder 38 overrides end 36 of spring 35.

If the operator raises the handle to its vertical position the latch 2! will ride along the bottom of groove 21 until it latches over detent 29 to positively look the handle in its vertical position. As will be readily perceived, this action takes place automatically and without any effort on the part of the operator other than that required to raise the unbalanced weight of the handle to its vertical position.

Second embodiment A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6. It is generally similar to that just described above and many component elements are identical or substantially so. Accordingly, the same or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals distinguished by a prime. In view of the close similarity of the two forms, detailed description of the second form is thought unnecessary other than to describe those features which are different.

The major difference in the two modifications resides in the means for shifting latch member 2| from raceway 21' to raceway 28" and back again during the unlocking operation. In the preferred form the means relied upon for shifting the latch resides in the special cam surfaces formed in the raceway. In the modified arrangement, this function may be accomplished in part or entirely by the shape of latch slot 50 formed in the forward face of handle socket it. As is better shown in Figure 5, slot 58 comprises an upper slot and a lower slot 52 offset laterally from one another and intercommunicating at their adjacent overlapping portions. Cam surfaces 53 and 54 formed in opposed. faces of the slots serve to shift the latch laterally as the handle is rotated forwardly slightly and then backwardly into its operating range. Normally, latch 2| will lie in slot 52 and its lower hooked end '23 will move through guideway 21'.

Operation Let us assume that the handle is in its vertical position and that end 23' of the latch is latched behind detent 29'. Cam surface 53 is then located immediately above latch -2 i. If the handle is now rotated slightly forwardly to shift book 23' forwardly, cam surface 53 will bear against latch 2 l and shift the latch laterally into return guideway 28'. As the handle is rotated backwardly, the latch will pass along guideway 28' until cam surface 54 in the handle socket shifts it laterally back into raceway 21.

Attention should also be called to another variation in the second modification. This consists of a tab 56 struck inwardly from bracket H at a point immediately below the handle socket and in the path of a tab 51 struck downwardly from the bottom of the handle socket. These two tabs cooperate to form a forward limit stop for the handle when it is being operated to unlatch the positive locking means. It will therefore be clear that tab 56 takes the place of tab 39 struck upwardly from spring 35 as described in the first embodiment.

While only two embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be apparent that numerous other structures than those described may be utilized' to carry out the purposes and functions of the invention without departing from the spirit or principle of the invention.

It is to be understood that the protection herein applied for is not confined to the particular combinations of features or elements set out in the following claims. Protection is herein applied for for any one or more of the features or elements referred to in the following claims, or described in the foregoing specification or shown in the accompanying drawings, either independently or in combination.

I claim:

1. In combination with an ambulatory body having an operating handle pivoted thereto, said handle having an operating range of movement and a relatively short non-operating range of movement, control means for locking said handle against return to said operating range when it is moved to a position intermediate said operat ing and said non operating ranges of movement, said control means comprising a movable latch member and a cooperating. stationary detent member, one of said members being carried by said handle and the other by said body, and stationary cam means for automatically shifting said latch laterally to one side of said detent as said handle is moved a predetermined distance into said non-operating range and for maintain ing the latch to one side of said detent until after the handle has been moved back into said operating range whereby said handle is unlocked for use in its operating range of movement.

2. In combination with an ambulatory body having an operating handle pivoted thereto, said handle having an operating range of movement and a non-operating range of movement, control means for positively locking said handle against return to said operating range when it is moved to a position intermediate said ranges of movement, said means comprising a movable member and a stationary member, one of said members being movable with said handle and the other being mounted on said body, said members being arranged to interlock to prevent return of the handle to said operating range, and means fixed with respect to the element supporting one of said members and operable to shift one of the members of said control means out of interlocking position when said handle is moved into said non-operating range whereby the handle is free to be moved into said operating range.

3. In combination with an ambulatory body element having an operating handle element pivoted thereto, said handle having an operating range of movement and a non-operating range of movement, control means for positively looking said handle against return to said operating range when it is moved to a position intermediate said two ranges and for unlocking said handle when it is moved into said non-operating range, said means comprising a single movable locking member and a stationary detent member one of which members is carried by said handle element and the other by said body element, said control means including means fixed with respect to one of said elements and operable when said handle is moved into said non-operating range to shift one of said members out of locking relation to the other of said members whereby said handle may be unlocked and returned to said operating range.

4. The combination recited in claim 3 including common means for resisting movement of the handle into said non-operating range and for holding the handle in an inclined position of rest when it is released by the operator while in said operating range.

5. In combination with a suction cleaner having a main body element and a propelling handle element pivoted thereto, said handle having a rearwardly extending operating range, a forwardly extending non-operating range and a storage position intermediate said ranges, control means for said handle operable to lock the handle in said storage position including a pivoted latching member and a stationary detent member, and stationary means operable to maintain said latch in alignment with said detent when the handle is moved toward said storage position and for moving said latch laterally to one side of said detent when said handle is moved into said nonoperating range whereby said handle control can be unlocked for return to" the operating range merely by moving the same into the non-operating range and then back into the operating range.

6. In combination with a suction cleaner having a propelling handle pivoted thereto, a latch member pivoted to said handle above the handle pivot for movement normally through a vertical plane and extending forwardly of said handle, a detent carried by said cleaner and engageable with said latch when said handle is elevated to a handle parking position, and stationary cam means for shifting said latch member in other than a vertical plane to one side of said detent when said handle is moved forwardly from its parked position whereby said handle i unlocked for return to an operating position rearwardly of said parked position.

7. In combination with a suction cleaner having a propelling handle pivoted thereto, a latch member pivoted to said handle for movement normally in the same plane as said handle, a stationary detent on said cleaner in alignment with said latch and engageable therewith when said handle is elevated to a parked position, and cam means rigid with said handle operable to shift said latch laterally of said normal plane of movement out of alignment with said detent when said handle is moved forwardly of said parked position and for returning said latch into alignment with the detent after the handle has been unlocked.

8. The combination recited in claim 7 includ ing means for biasing said handle toward said parked position from opposite directions.

9. The combination recited in claim 8 in which said handle is provided with a stop for supporting the same in an inclined position of rest and being cooperable with said biasing means to support said handle in said inclined position when the operator releases the same while it is in a rearwardly inclined position.

10. In combination with a suction cleaner having a handle pivoted thereto at a point above a rear supporting wheel, a movable latch member normally constrained for movement in a vertical plane, a detent member, one of said members being carried by said cleaner and one by said handle and being engageable to lock said handle against return to a cleaner propelling position when said handle is elevated to a parked position, and means forming a raceway for said latch operable to shift said latch horizontally out of J.-

latching engagement with said detent when said handle is moved forwardly of said parked position.

11. The combination of a suction cleaner having a propelling handle pivoted thereto rearwardly of it center of gravity, said handle being pivotable through an inclined cleaner propelling range to a non-propelling parking position and through a small angle forwardly of said parking position, cooperating latch and detent members for locking said handle against return to said propelling range when the same is raised to said parking position, one of said members being carried by the lower end of said handle and the other by said suction cleaner, counter-balance means for said handle normally urging the same to the parking position thereof, resilient means carried by said cleaner having a portion thereof positioned in the path of spaced stops on said handle and cooperative therewith to resist forward movement of said handle from said parking position in one position of said handle and to provide a resilient stop for said handle in an inclined position thereof, and means for automatically disengaging said latch and detent members when said handle is pivoted forwardly of said parking position in opposition to said resilient means and fOr holding said members disengaged until said handle has been pivoted rearwardly beyond said parking position.

12. In combination with an ambulatory body having an operating handle pivoted thereto, said handle having an operating range of movement and a relatively short non-operating range of movement adjacent one end of but outside said operating range of movement, control means for locking said handle against return to said operating range when it is moved to a position intermediate said operating and non-operating ranges of movement, said control means comprising a pivotal latch member and a stationary detent member, one of said members being carried by said handle and the other by said ambulatory body, said detent member having a pair of guideways interconnected with one another to form a continuous circuit for one end of said latch member, said stationary detent member being associated with one of said guideways so as to engage said latch member when said handle is moved to said position intermediate said operating and non-operating ranges of movement and to lock the handle against return to said operating range While leaving said handle free for movement into said non-operating range, and means for causing said latch to move through the other of said guideways when said handle is moved into said non-operating range whereby said handle is moved into said non-operating range whereby said handle is free for return to said operating range of movement.

13. In combination with an ambulatory body having an operating handle pivoted thereto, said handle having an operating range of movement and a relatively short non-operating range of movement adjacent one end of but outside said operating range of movement, control means for locking said handle against return to said operating range when it is moved to a position intermediate said operating and non-operating ranges of movement, said control means comprising a pivotable latch member and a stationary detent member, one of said members being carried by said handle and the other by said am bulatory body, said detent member having a guideway with a plurality of interconnected passages through which said latch member is constrained to move as said handle is pivoted through said operating and non-operating ranges of movement and including means for causing said latch member to move from one to the other of said passages in one direction only, one of said passages having a latching detent positioned to engage said latch member when said handle is moved to said position intermediate said operating and non-operating ranges and to lock the handle against return to said operating range until it is moved into said non-operating range 01 movement.

14. A handle control mechanism for use on a suction cleaner of the type havin a wheel supported body, means thereon for pivotally supporting a cleaner propelling handle, a propelling handle mounted in said supporting means pivotable through a cleaner operating range of movement to a handle storage position at the upper end thereof, said handle also being pivotable through a relatively short non-operating range of movement distinct from said operating range and located contiguous to the upper end of said operating range, releasable control means for positively locking said handle against return to said operating range when said handle is raised to said storage position comprising a one-piece movable latch element and a detent element, one of said elements being carried by said handle and the other being carried by said cleaner body, said detent element having a detent positioned to be engaged by said latch element when said handle is moved upwardly to the storage position thereof so as to lock said handle against return to its operating range, means having a cammed guideway in which said latch element is constrained to move, said guideway being shaped and positioned to cause said element to move through a path containing said detent so long as said handle is within said operatin range and being operable to cause said latch to move through another path to one side of said detent when said handle is moved into said non-operating range whereby said handle is unlocked and released for return to the operating range of movement.

15. In combination with a suction cleaner having a main body, a propelling handle having its lower end pivotally connected to said body and being movable through an operating range between a substantially horizontal position and an upright storage position, said handle also being movable through a relatively short non-operating range forwardly of said operating range and distinct therefrom to operate a control means for said handle, a control means for automatically locking said handle in said storage position when it is pivoted thereto from said operating range, and for unlocking the handle when the same is moved forwardly into said non-operating range, said control means comprising a latching ele ment and a detent element, one of said elements being movable with said handle and the other bein mounted on said cleaner body, said latch element having a mounting therefor permitting said latch to move in more than one plane, said detent element including a detent engageable with said latch to lock the handle in said storage position when said handle is moved to the upper end of said operating range, means constraining said latch to move through one plane so long as said handle is moving within said operating range, and means responsive to movement of said handle within said non-operating range for moving said latch in a different plane to bypass said detent and release said handle for return to said operating range.

16. In combination with a suction cleaner having a main body, a propelling handle therefor having its lower end pivotally connected to said body and being movable through a vertical plane, said handle having an operating range of movement between a substantially horizonta1 position and an upright storage position and a relatively short non-operating range of movement on the Opposite side of said storage position from said operating range, control means for lockin said handle against return to said operatin range when the same is raised to the upright position from said operating range and for unlocking said handle upon movement into said non-operating range, said control means comprising a latching element and a detent element positioned to interengage with one another when the handle is raised to said storage position, one of said elemerits being movable with said handle and the other being on said cleaner body, said latching element having means pivotally supporting one end thereof on said cleaner so that said latch can pivot through limited arcs in two planes at an angle to one another, one of said planes including said detent element, cam means for normally guiding latching element for movement within said one plane While said handle is moving in said operating range and for guiding said latching element for movement through the other of said planes when said handle is moved into said non-operating range and then returningthe latching element to said one plane as the handle is moved back into said operating range.

17. In combination with a suction cleaner having a main body, a propelling handle therefor having its lower end pivotally connected to said body and being movable through a vertical plane, said handle having an operating range of movement between a substantially horizontal position and an upright storage position and a relatively short non-operating range of movement on the opposite side of said storage position from said operatin range, control means for locking said handle against return to said operating range when the same is raised to the upright position from said operating range and for unlocking said handle upon movement into said non-operating range, said control means comprising a latch member pivotally mounted on the lower end of said handle having a hooked end, means providing a guideway on said cleaner for the hooked end of said latch as said handle is pivoted through said ranges of movements, said guideway having a detent therein positioned to engage the hooked end of said latch and lock the handle against return to said operating range when the handle is raised therefrom into said upright storage position, said guideway having a return passage for said latch around said detent which is operative to unlock said latch and shift the same laterally of said vertical plane of movement of said handle and then return the latch to its unlocked position behind said detent as said handle is pivoted into said non-operating range and then moved back into its operating range of movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,231,445 Stecker June 26, 1917 1,477,243 Coates Dec. 11, 1923 1,575,023 Bates Mar, 2, 1926 1,791,423 Meier Feb. 3, 1931 2,131,842 Martinet Oct. 4, 1938 2,200,738 Dow May 14, 1940 2,221,746 Kirby Nov. 12, 1940 2,243,812 Carlson May 27, 1941