US3490089A - Combination handle and switch actuator - Google Patents

Combination handle and switch actuator Download PDF

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Publication number
US3490089A
US3490089A US685532A US3490089DA US3490089A US 3490089 A US3490089 A US 3490089A US 685532 A US685532 A US 685532A US 3490089D A US3490089D A US 3490089DA US 3490089 A US3490089 A US 3490089A
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United States
Prior art keywords
handle
switch
casing
section
actuator
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US685532A
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert C Lagerstrom
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
White Consolidated Industries Inc
Original Assignee
National Union Electric Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by National Union Electric Corp filed Critical National Union Electric Corp
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
    • A47L9/2863—Control elements activated by pivoting movement of the upright vacuum cleaner handle
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
    • A47L9/2836—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means characterised by the parts which are controlled
    • A47L9/2842—Suction motors or blowers

Definitions

  • FIG. 1 illustrates a cleaner assembly having a combination handle and switch actuator in accordance with the present invention, the cleaner assembly being shown in an upright carrying position or orientation;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaner assembly of FIG. 1, the cleaner assembly being shown in operating position;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the cleaner assembly of FIG. 1, the combination handle and switch actuator being shown in a normal position;
  • FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the combination handle and switch actuator in an operated position pivoted downwardly from the normal position of FIG. 3 by a foot of an operator to actuate an on-oif or motor control switch;
  • FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view further illustrating the structure of the combination handle and switch actuator.
  • the combination handle and switch actuator 12 is manually grasped, as shown in FIG. 1, to carry the cleaner assembly in an upright orientation or position to areas which are to be cleaned.
  • the cleaner assembly 10 is placed on a support surface 14 in an operating position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the combination handle and switch actuator 12 projecting laterally outwardly or sidewardly in a generally parallel relationship to a support surface 14.
  • An operator then engages the combination handle and switch actuator 12 with his foot, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and pivots the combination handle and switch actuator downwardly to the operated position of FIG. 4.
  • This pivoting movement actuates an on-off or motor control switch 16 to start or energize a motor and fan assembly or suction unit 18.
  • the combination handle and switch actuator 12 can be manually pivoted to the operated position to actuate the switch 16.
  • the cleaner assembly 10 includes a generally circular housing or casing 20 which is provided for supporting and enclosing the suction unit 18.
  • the casing 20 (see FIG. 3) has a base section 22 on which the suction unit 18 is mounted, a base plate assembly 24 which is fixedly connected to the base section 22 and a cover section 26 which is pivotally connected to the base section 22.
  • a hose or conduit 28 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the casing 20 for conducting air, entrained dirt and other foreign particles into a filter bag 32 (see FIG. 3) when the suction unit 18 is energized to draw air through the conduit 28 in a well known manner.
  • the structure of the casing 20 and operation of the cleaner assembly is more fully described in application Ser. No. 683,435, filed on Nov. 13, 1967, by Harold W. Schaefer.
  • th cleaner casing 20 has a relatively squat or compact design in which the diameter of the circular casing is approximately twice as great as the axial height or thickness of the casing.
  • the combination handle and switch actuator 12 is mounted otf-center or to one side of a vertical or central plane through the center of the vertically disposed cleaner casing so that when the cleaner is in its usual horizontal operating position, as seen in FIG. 2, the handle and switch actuator 12 will be spaced a convenient distance above the surface 14 for easy engagement by an operators foot.
  • the combination handle and switch actuator 12 includes a handle section 36 which projects laterally or radially outwardly from the edge of the circular casing 20 and beyond the peripheral extremity of the casing to enable the handle section 36 to be readily grasped to carry the cleaner assembly in the generally upright position of FIG. 1.
  • This radially outwardly projecting relationship of the handle section 36 to the casing 20 enables the cleaner assembly 10 to be carried in the upright position with a major dimension or diameter of the casing 20 extending in a substantially vertical plane and a minor or axial dimension of the casing 20 extending laterally or sidewardly to minimize bumping or banging between the casing and a person carrying the cleaner assembly and to permit the cleaner to hang in a non-tiring position close to the body of the user.
  • the handle section 36 includes an elongated grip or center section 40 (see FIG. 5) which is integrally formed with and extends between side sections 42 and 44 in a generally -shaped configuration.
  • the section 40 functions as a foot pedal when the cleaner assembly is in the operating position of FIGS. 2 and 3, and as a handle in the upright position of FIG. 1.
  • An insert or pad 45 is provided in a channel 45a in the center section 40 to insure comfortable carrying of the cleaner assembly.
  • the side sections 42 and 44 are pivotally connected by pins 46 and 48 to the base 22 of the casing 20.
  • An actuator plate or lever 52 is integrally formed with and extends between the side sections 42 and 44 adjacent to the casing 20 in a substantially right-angular plane of the U-shaped relationship with the handle section 36.
  • center section 40, side sections 42 and 44 and actuator lever 52 form a unitary structure.
  • the handle section 36 and actuator lever 52 define a hand receiving aperture 54 into which a hand of a person carrying the cleaner assembly 10 is inserted to grasp the elongated grip section 40 (see FIG. 1).
  • the combination handle and switch actuator 12 is piv otal at the pins 46 and 48, which are disposed intermediate the angularly related handle section 36 and actuator lever 52, to move the actuator lever 52 into engagement with the switch 16 to actuate the switch.
  • the actuator lever 52 normally extends substantially parallel to a surface 55 of the base section 24 through which the switch 16 projects (FIG. 3). Actuation of the switch 16 completes a circuit to energize the suction unit 18 with electrical energy conducted through a cord 58 and leads 60 to the suction unit.
  • the switch 16 is of the well known push-push type and includes a reciprocable plunger 64 which is normally perpendicular to the actuator lever 52 and is engaged and pushed inwardly by a projection 65 at the inner face of the actuator lever 52 when the combination handle and switch actuator is pivoted for a first time from the normal position of FIG. 3 to the operated position of FIG. 4.
  • the angular relation of the actuating lever 52 with respect to the handle section 36 and the location of the pivot axis defined by the pins 46-48 are such that the projection 65 initially contacts the head or end of the plunger 64 at approximately the center thereof as the handle section or foot pedal 36 is depressed.
  • the maximum force on the plunger 64 is applied substantially axially even though at the end of the pivotal movement of the actuator lever 52 the projection 65 has moved to one side of the plunger head (FIG. 4).
  • This movement of the combination handle and switch actuator 12 operates or actuates the switch 16 to complete the circuit for energizing the suction unit 18.
  • the actuator lever 52 engages the plunger 64 to operate the switch 16 and interrupt the circuit for energizing the suction unit 18.
  • a return spring 66 presses outwardly against the actuator lever 52 to urge the actuator lever toward the normal position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in which the lever 52 is spaced from the outer end of the plunger 64.
  • the switch plunger 64 is provided with the usual internal return spring (not shown), it is desirable to provide the auxiliary spring 66 to assist the switch spring in returning the actuator lever 52 to its normal position.
  • a standard switch 16 can be used having an internal spring designed to permit easy actuation of the switch plunger 64 without excessive force, but the somewhat stronger auxiliary spring 66 insures a rapid positive return of the actuator lever 52.
  • the cleaner when carried by the off-center handle 12 it tends to swing freely about the handle pivots 46-48, but the normal spaced relation between the actuator lever 52 and the plunger 64 permits limited swinging movement without engagement of the plunger 64 by the lever 52, and the spring 66 resists the swinging movement sufiiciently to prevent undesired actuation of the switch plunger 64.
  • the side sections 42 and 44 of the handle section 36 have stop surfaces or shoulders 70 and 72 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) which engage the base section 22 to limit the pivoting movement of the combination handle and switch actuator 12 under the influence of the return spring 66.
  • the shoulders 70 and 72 insure that the combination handle and switch actuator 12 extends in a radial relationship with the casing 20 and is easily engaged by an operators foot when the cleaner assembly is in the operating position.
  • the cleaner assembly 10 will be used primarily in the operating position shown in FIG. 3 with the handle section 36 projecting outwardly generally parallel to the support surface 14 to enable the section 40 to function as a foot pedal and to be readily engaged by an operators foot.
  • the cleaner assembly is movably supported in the operating position by wheels or casters 74 which engage the support surface 14 in a known manner.
  • the cleaner assembly 10 is supported in the upright position of FIG. 1 by engagement of two legs or feet 76 (only one of which is shown) and a rim 78 of the cover section 26 with a support surface 80, the legs 76 being located diametrically opposite the combination handle and switch actuator 12.
  • a combination handle and switch actuator 12 which combines into a single integrally formed component the functions of a plurality of components of conventional cleaners.
  • the handle 36 extends laterally or radially outwardly from the casing 20 to enable the handle 36 to be readily engaged by an operators hand when carrying the cleaner assembly 10 and to enable the handle to be readily engaged by an operators foot to actuate the switch 16 when the cleaner assembly 10 is in the operating position of FIG. 3. Therefore, the combination handle and switch actuator 12 also facilitates using the cleaner assembly 10.
  • the combination handle and switch actuator 12 has been illustrated in association with a particular cleaner assembly, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the combination handle and switch actuator can be used with cleaner assemblies other than the specific one illustrated.
  • a suction cleaner comprising a casing containing a motor-operated suction unit, a switch for said unit having a reciprocable operating member projecting from the casing, and support means on said casing for supporting said cleaner in normal operating position on a support surface, the improvement which comprises:
  • a combination handle and switch actuator structure said structure including a generally U-shaped handle section and a switch actuating section extending rigidly in angular relationship with the plane of said U-shaped handle section;
  • pivot means on said structure intermediate said handle section and said switch actuating section, said pivot means being pivotally connected to a peripheral edge portion of said casing;
  • said handle section engageable with said casing for limiting outward pivotal movement of said structure so that when the cleaner is supported on said support surface by said support means and said structure is in said outwardly pivoted position, said handle section extends in laterally projecting relation beyond the peripheral extremity of said casing and generally parallel to said support surface for convenient manipulation by a users foot and said switch actuating section extends adjacent to but spaced from the outer end of said switch operating member.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)
US685532A 1967-11-24 1967-11-24 Combination handle and switch actuator Expired - Lifetime US3490089A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US68553267A 1967-11-24 1967-11-24

Publications (1)

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US3490089A true US3490089A (en) 1970-01-20

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US685532A Expired - Lifetime US3490089A (en) 1967-11-24 1967-11-24 Combination handle and switch actuator

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3490089A (2)
BE (1) BE718613A (2)
DE (1) DE1703799A1 (2)
DK (1) DK125361B (2)
FR (1) FR1574572A (2)
GB (1) GB1182737A (2)
NL (1) NL6810678A (2)
NO (1) NO125132B (2)
SE (1) SE340344B (2)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3766594A (en) * 1972-06-13 1973-10-23 Whirlpool Co Handle interlock for canister vacuum cleaner
USD378152S (en) * 1995-10-30 1997-02-18 Black & Decker Inc. Vacuum cleaner
USD384447S (en) * 1996-04-19 1997-09-30 Bissel Inc. Carpet cleaner
US6154921A (en) * 1998-02-12 2000-12-05 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Vacuum cleaner
US6536073B2 (en) * 2000-03-01 2003-03-25 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Electric vacuum cleaner
USD520197S1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2006-05-02 Wen-Chang Wang Vacuum cleaner
US20070119015A1 (en) * 2005-05-17 2007-05-31 Stuart Leslie Portable vacuum cleaner and method for storing a vacuum hose

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10007740A1 (de) * 2000-02-19 2001-08-30 Aeg Hausgeraete Gmbh Staubsauger
GB2538642A (en) * 2013-11-01 2016-11-23 Techtronic Floor Care Tech Ltd Surface cleaning apparatus

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2287474A (en) * 1938-12-08 1942-06-23 Electrolux Corp Vacuum cleaner
US2369519A (en) * 1940-08-07 1945-02-13 Montgomery Ward & Co Inc Switch actuating handle for vacuum cleaners
GB647455A (en) * 1948-11-17 1950-12-13 British Vacuum Cleaner & Engin Improvements in electric suction cleaning machines
US2871503A (en) * 1948-12-27 1959-02-03 Edgar P Senne Vacuum cleaner on-and-off switching devices
US2918692A (en) * 1957-07-16 1959-12-29 Health Mor Inc Suction cleaner tool holder construction
US3210916A (en) * 1962-01-02 1965-10-12 Sunbeam Corp Vacuum cleaner

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2287474A (en) * 1938-12-08 1942-06-23 Electrolux Corp Vacuum cleaner
US2369519A (en) * 1940-08-07 1945-02-13 Montgomery Ward & Co Inc Switch actuating handle for vacuum cleaners
GB647455A (en) * 1948-11-17 1950-12-13 British Vacuum Cleaner & Engin Improvements in electric suction cleaning machines
US2871503A (en) * 1948-12-27 1959-02-03 Edgar P Senne Vacuum cleaner on-and-off switching devices
US2918692A (en) * 1957-07-16 1959-12-29 Health Mor Inc Suction cleaner tool holder construction
US3210916A (en) * 1962-01-02 1965-10-12 Sunbeam Corp Vacuum cleaner

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3766594A (en) * 1972-06-13 1973-10-23 Whirlpool Co Handle interlock for canister vacuum cleaner
USD378152S (en) * 1995-10-30 1997-02-18 Black & Decker Inc. Vacuum cleaner
USD384447S (en) * 1996-04-19 1997-09-30 Bissel Inc. Carpet cleaner
US6154921A (en) * 1998-02-12 2000-12-05 Aktiebolaget Electrolux Vacuum cleaner
US6536073B2 (en) * 2000-03-01 2003-03-25 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Electric vacuum cleaner
USD520197S1 (en) * 2003-11-20 2006-05-02 Wen-Chang Wang Vacuum cleaner
US20070119015A1 (en) * 2005-05-17 2007-05-31 Stuart Leslie Portable vacuum cleaner and method for storing a vacuum hose

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1703799A1 (de) 1972-02-17
FR1574572A (2) 1969-07-11
NO125132B (2) 1972-07-24
DK125361B (da) 1973-02-12
BE718613A (2) 1969-01-27
SE340344B (2) 1971-11-15
NL6810678A (2) 1969-05-28
GB1182737A (en) 1970-03-04

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