WO2007016137A2

WO2007016137A2 - Multi-position cleaning device handgrip

Info

Publication number: WO2007016137A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/028953
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leonard Hampton
Original assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products North America
Priority date: 2005-07-28
Filing date: 2006-07-27
Publication date: 2007-02-08
Also published as: WO2007016137A3; US20070022562A1

Abstract

A handgrip for a floor cleaning device is provided. In a first aspect, the handgrip has a handle base, a yoke attached to the handle base, a carrier member pivotally mounted to the yoke, and a grip mounted to the carrier member. The grip has a grip axis oriented along the length of the grip, hi a second aspect, the handgrip has a handle base, a first member attached to the handle base and adapted to be pivotable about a first axis, and a second member attached to the first member and adapted to be pivotable about a second axis. The first axis is fixed with respect to the handle base, and the second axis is fixed with respect to the first member, hi other aspects, the handgrip is attached to a floor cleaning device having a vacuum inlet, a dirt collection device, an air flow path from the vacuum inlet to the dirt collection device, and a vacuum source adapted to generate a working air flow through the air flow path from the vacuum inlet to the dirt collection device.

Description

MULTI-POSITION CLEANING DEVICE HANDGRIP

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices, such as vacuum cleaners, wet extractors, brooms, and other floor cleaning devices, and more specifically to handle structures for vacuum cleaners and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electric vacuum cleaners and other floor cleaning devices are in almost universal use in homes, workplaces and other locations where quick and efficient floor cleaning is desired. Typical cleaning devices include a rigid grip structure that is adapted to fit into a user's hand in a generally comfortable and ergonomic manner. Examples of such hand grips are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,082,376; 6,311,366; and 6,484,352, which patents are incorporated herein by reference.

While the known rigid grip structures can be comfortable, not all users may find such rigid grips to fit their particular anatomy. Users may also find that such grips are initially comfortable, but become uncomfortable as a result of prolonged use and repeated movement. In some cases, such prolonged use may result in repetitive motion stress injuries.

Some efforts have been made to avoid discomfort or injury associated with prolonged use of vacuum cleaners. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,939,579; 6,101,672; and 6,742,222 disclose vacuum cleaners having a hand grip that can pivot about the axis of the device's handle post and be locked in any of a number of angular positions. U.S. Pat. No.5,996,175 discloses a somewhat different arrangement, in which the grip is attached to the handle post such that it can pivot about an axis perpendicular to the device's direction of travel. The foregoing patents are incorporated herein by reference.

- X - Despite these attempts to alleviate the discomfort of prolonged use of vacuum cleaner handles, there still exists a need for a handle grip structure that provides even greater user ergonomics, comfort and flexibility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a multi-axial pivoting handgrip for floor cleaning devices.

In one aspect, a handgrip of the invention comprises a handle base, a yoke attached to the handle base, a carrier member pivotally mounted to the yoke, and a grip mounted to the carrier member. The grip has a grip axis oriented along the length of the grip. In a variation of this aspect, the grip is pivotable about the grip axis. In another variation, the carrier member has a ring shape, with the grip mounted within the ring shape. In still another variation, the carrier member has an outer ring and an inner ring, with the inner ring adapted to co-planarly pivot within the outer ring, and the grip mounted to the inner ring. In the foregoing variation, the grip may be pivotable about the grip axis, and at least a portion of the inner ring may fit into a circumferential track on the outer ring. The outer ring may include first and second ring halves, each of which forms at least a portion of the circumferential track, and which capture the inner ring in place when they are attached to one another. In still another variation, the handle base has a handle axis extending generally parallel therewith, and the handle base and/ or the yoke is pivotable about the handle axis.

In another aspect, a handgrip of the invention has a handle base, a first member attached to the handle base and adapted to be pivotable about a first axis, and a second member attached to the first member and adapted to be pivotable about a second axis. In this aspect, the first axis is fixed with respect to the handle base, and the second axis is fixed with respect to the first member. In a first variation of this aspect, the first member comprises a first ring, and the second member may include a grip located within the first ring. In the foregoing variation, the second axis may be parallel with the length of the grip. In another variation, the first member comprises a first ring and the second member comprises an inner ring disposed within the first ring and adapted to rotate co-planarly therein. In still another variation_/ the handle base comprises a yoke and the first member is attached to the yoke to pivot about the first axis, hi still another variation, the handgrip also includes a grip, in addition to the first and second members, hi this variation, the grip may be pivotable about a grip axis oriented along the length of the grip, hi another variation, the handgrip has at least one locking member adapted to prevent the first member, the second member, and/ or the grip from pivoting about its respective axis. In still another variation, the first member, second member, and/ or grip is freely pivotable about its respective axis during operation of the floor cleaning device.

hi another aspect, a handgrip of the invention is attached to a floor cleaning device having a vacuum inlet, a dirt collection device, an air flow path from the vacuum inlet to the dirt collection device, and a vacuum source adapted to generate a working air flow through the air flow path from the vacuum inlet to the dirt collection device. In a variation of this aspect, the vacuum cleaning device comprises a nozzle base holding the vacuum inlet, and an upright housing pivotally attached thereto, and the handle base is attached to the upright housing, hi another variation of this aspect, the vacuum cleaning device comprises a nozzle base holding the vacuum inlet, a canister housing separate from the nozzle base and adapted to hold the dirt collection device, and a hose attaching the nozzle base to the canister housing, hi this variation, the hose forms at least a portion of the airflow path, and at least one flexible hose portion and at least one rigid hose portion. The handle base is attached to the rigid hose portion in the foregoing variation.

Other embodiments, features, aspects and variations of the invention are also included within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following Figures are provided to assist the reader with understanding the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the Figures.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a handgrip of the present invention shown installed on an upright vacuum cleaner.

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the handgrip of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view of the handgrip of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a handgrip of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of a handgrip of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of a handgrip of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a partially cut away view of another handgrip of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an improved cleaning device handgrip. A handgrip of the present invention can be used with any type of cleaning device, such as vacuum cleaners (for example, as a grip on an upright handle, or on a canister vacuum hose extension handle), liquid or powder extraction machines, and floor sweepers. Examples of such devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,794,297; 6,082,376; 6,311,366; 6,484,352; and 6,695,352, and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0111826, which are incorporated herein by reference. A handgrip of the present invention can also be used with other types of floor cleaning devices, such as brooms, mops or other cleaning devices. Figure ϊ illustrates a first embodiment of a handgrip 100 of the present invention mounted to a vacuum cleaner 102 by way of a telescoping or fixed handle base 104. The exemplary vacuum cleaner 102 in Figure 1 is an upright vacuum having a wheeled nozzle base 106 to which a rear housing 108 is pivotally attached. The rear housing 108 is shown in the upright storage position in Figure 1, but can be reclined and used to guide the nozzle base 106 over a surface to be cleaned, as known in the art. The nozzle base 106 may include, among other things, a downwardly-directed vacuum inlet nozzle, a brushroll located adjacent the inlet nozzle, and an electric motor to operate the brushroll. A vacuum fan and its associated drive motor are located in a lower chamber 110 of the rear housing 108. A dirt collection chamber 112, which may include one or more dust bags, dirt cups, cyclonic separators or any other type of dirt separation device, is separably or permanently mounted to the rear housing 108. Numerous variations to the foregoing construction are known in the art, and the invention is not limited to any particular cleaning device construction.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the embodiment of a handgrip 100 of the present invention shown in Figure 1 is explained in more detail. The handgrip 100 comprises a handle base 202 having a yoke 204 attached thereto. The yoke 204 and/ or handle base 202 may be adapted to rotate about the handle base's axis 206, which can be accomplished as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,939,579 or by any other suitable rotating attachment. A rotation lock may be provided to prevent the handle base 202 and yoke 204 from rotating relative to one another. Such a lock may be adapted to be engaged and disengaged during operation of the device to allow periodic position changes. An example of such a lock is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,939,579. It is also preferred, as an alternative arrangement, to make the handle base 202 and yoke 204 freely rotatable during operation of the device — that is, the handle base 202 and yoke 204 are prevented from locking together during operation of the device. To accomplish this objective, the handgrip 100 can simply be provided without a locking member, or the locking member can be disabled during operation of the device. The locking member can be disabled in this way by linking the locking member to the angular position of the rear housing 108, and allowing rotation between the yoke 204 and the handle base 202 only when the rear housing 108 is leaned back in the operating position.

A carrier member 208 is pivotally mounted to the yoke 204 on one or more pivots 210. The pivots 210 can comprise any type of pivoting joint, but preferably comprise two round posts 212 that protrude from the carrier member 208 and fit into corresponding round holes 214 on the yoke 204. One or more bushings or bearings (not shown) may be provided to ensure a smooth pivoting attachment between the carrier member 208 and the yoke 204, or the posts 212 and holes 214 may simply comprise materials that are selected and sized to move with relatively little friction and/ or wear relative to one another. For example, the yoke holes 214 and/ or the posts 212 may be stainless steel, acetal (also known as polyacetal, polyoxymethylene, or polyformaldehyde), or other engineering plastics, such as polycarbonate, glass- filled nylon, and so on. Suitable acetal materials include Delrin™, which is available from E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company, and Celcon™, which is available from Ticona, a division of Celanese Corporation. The holes 214 and/ or posts 212 may be formed of self lubricating materials, and may be lubricated with a dry or liquid lubricant. The posts 212 or holes 214 may also be provided with lubricants, seals, or other devices to help create a durable pivoting joint. The selection of materials and use of other parts to create pivoting joints is generally known in the art, and a person of ordinary skill in the art will be able to incorporate such features into the present invention without undue experimentation.

The carrier member 208 pivots relative to the handle base 202 and yoke 204 about a first axis 216. This first axis 216 is fixed with respect to the handle base 202 and the yoke 204 — that is to say, the first axis 216 remains in the same location and at the same orientation relative to the handle base 202 and the yoke 204 (which are fixed together in this embodiment), regardless of their position. In a preferred embodiment, the first axis 216 is parallel with the wheel axis 114 (Figure 1) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 116 (Figure 1) of the cleaning device 102 to which the handgrip 100 is attached, but other orientations may be used. While free rotation about the first axis is preferred, the carrier member 208 or the yoke 204 may also be provided with travel stops (not shown) that limit the angle through which the carrier member 208 can rotate about the first axis 216. These parts may also be provided with resilient members (not shown) that fit into corresponding detents (not shown) that resiliency hold the carrier member 208 in one or more angular positions about the first axis 216.

hi the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the carrier member 208 is assembled into the yoke 204 by elastically deforming the yoke 204 until the holes 214 are spaced far enough that the posts 212 can be inserted into them, then releasing the yoke 204 to capture the carrier member 208 in place. Of course, other accommodations can be made to pivotally attach the carrier member 208 to the yoke 204. For example, the posts 212 may be formed separately from the carrier member 208 and pressed or threaded into holes in the carrier member 208 when it is in the proper location between the yoke holes 214. Other arrangements will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

The carrier member 208 comprises an outer ring 218 and an inner ring 220. The outer ring 218 and inner ring 220 are attached to one another such that the inner ring 220 can rotate within the outer ring 218 in a co-planar fashion. As shown in Figure 2, the inner ring rotates about a second axis 222 that is perpendicular to the plane in which the outer ring 218 and inner ring 220 lie. It will be seen that the second axis 222 is fixed with respect to the carrier member 208, and as the carrier member 208 pivots about the first axis 216, so does the second axis 222.

The outer and inner rings 218, 220 may be constructed in any manner that allows the desired relative rotation, hi a preferred embodiment, the outer ring 218 comprises two semi-circular ring halves 224 that are joined by fasteners, such as screws 225, at each end of the halves 224. To this end, each ring half 224 has a threaded hole 226 at one end, and a corresponding hole 228 at the other end. The hole 228 is located within a recess 230, which allows the screw 225 to be installed below the outer surface of the ring half 224. Each ring half 224 has one of the posts 212^"atfached thereto by a suitable fastener, such as screw 213. In alternative embodiments, the ring halves 224 may be joined by snap fittings or other attachments that do not require additional fasteners, or may be permanently joined, such as by adhesive bonding or ultrasonic welding. Furthermore, the posts 212 may be integrally formed with the ring halves, rather than being made as separate subassemblies. In order to minimize production costs, the ring halves 224 are preferably symmetrical and interchangeable.

The ring halves 224 each form a portion of a circumferential track 232 into which a corresponding circumferential rail 234 on the inner ring 220 fits. When the two ring halves 224 are attached to one another with the inner ring 220 between them, the inner ring 220 is captured in place by the engagement between the rail 234 and the track 232. The track 232 and rail 234 are preferably formed of materials that slide across one another with relatively little friction or wear, such as hard plastics, metals, ceramics, composites, or combinations thereof. The track 232 and/ or rail may also be lubricated or provided with bearings to help provide a durable pivoting arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the outer and inner rings 218, 220 are formed of a self-lubricating acetal material, but may be formed of other materials and lubricated with conventional lubricants such as polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE"), such as Teflon™, molybdenum disulfide, and so on.

The foregoing construction allows the inner ring 220 to freely rotate within the outer ring 218 and about the second axis 222. If desired, one or more travel stops (not shown) may be provided to limit the angle through which the inner ring 220 can rotate. Also, a resilient member (not shown) may be provided on the outer or inner ring 218, 220 that fits into corresponding detents (not shown) in the other ring to resiliently hold the inner ring 220 at one or more particular positions about the second axis 222.

A grip 236 is preferably mounted in the inner ring 220. The grip 236 comprises a grippable, elongate structure having a profile that is selected and sized to fit within a typical user's hand. In a preferred embodiment, the grip 236 is approximately cylindrical. The grip 236 may also be coated with a pliable or grip- enhancing material to increase comfort, improve grip, and reduce vibrations. The grip 236 is preferably pivotally mounted to the inner ring 220 such that it is free to rotate about a grip axis 238, which is oriented along the length of the grip 236. The grip axis 238 is fixed with respect to the inner ring 22O₇ and as the inner ring 220 rotates within the outer ring 218, so does the grip axis 238.

The grip 236 is mounted to the inner ring 220 in any manner that allows it to pivot about the grip axis 238. hi a preferred embodiment, the grip 236 is attached by positioning it within the inner ring 220 and installing screws 237 through holes 240 in the inner ring 220. The screws are installed such that they hold the grip 236, but do not clamp against the inner ring 220, and thus allow the grip 236 to pivot about the grip axis 238. Other attachment methods, such as simple pins, may also be used. Bearings, bushings, wear-resistant materials, and lubricants may also be used to help provide a low friction and/ or wear resistant pivoting junction between the grip 236 and the inner ring 220, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure.

The foregoing embodiment of the invention provides a handgrip 100 for cleaning devices that can pivot about three axes to orient the grip in virtually any position to accommodate a user's needs. The first pivot axis 216, second pivot axis 222 and grip pivot axis 238 preferably intersect at a common point 242, which is aligned with the handle base's axis 206. This allows a user to center his or her hand on the grip 236 and apply direct forward and backwards driving forces to the handle base 202, regardless of the orientation of the grip 236, and without the driving forces causing the grip 236, inner ring 220, or carrier member 208 to rotate.

The multi-axial pivoting handgrip 100 of the embodiment of Figures 1-3 is expected to allow users of various heights and physiques to operate the cleaning device to which the handgrip 100 is attached, without experiencing the same amount of discomfort and fatigue that is experienced when using rigid floor cleaner handles. Furthermore, the handgrip 100 pivots dynamically as the user is operating the device, so there is no need for the user to stop operating the device to change his or her grip when it becomes uncomfortable. In fact, the constant pivoting of the handgrip 100 provides a perpetually-changing grip for the operator, which is expected to reduce fatigue.

While the 3-axis pivoting handgrip of Figures 1-3 is preferred, the present invention also provides handgrips having only two pivot axes. In one such embodiment, shown in Figure 4, the invention comprises a handgrip 400 with a carrier member 408 that is mounted in a non-pivotable manner relative to the handle base 402. In this embodiment, the carrier member 408 is oriented such that the grip 436 is located at a convenient and comfortable angle when the handle base 402 is tilted backwards to operate the cleaning device to which the handgrip 400 is attached. The carrier member 408 is provided with an outer ring 418 and an inner ring 420 that rotates, in co-planar fashion with the outer ring 418, about a first pivot axis 422. The first pivot axis is fixed relative to the outer ring 418, and moves therewith. The grip 436 is adapted to pivot about a second axis 438, which is generally parallel with the length of the grip 436. The second axis 438 is fixed with respect to the inner ring 420, and moves therewith.

In another embodiment, shown in Figure 5, the present invention provides a 2-axis pivoting handgrip 500 having a carrier member 508 that pivots on a yoke 504, and a pivoting grip 536. The carrier member 508 pivots about a first axis 516, which is fixed relative to the yoke 504, and moves therewith. Although the carrier member 508 is shown as a ring-shaped part, this is not required in this embodiment. A grip 536 is attached to the carrier member 508, and mounted such that it can pivot about a second axis 538 that is generally parallel with the length of the grip 536. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of Figures 1-3 in that the carrier member 508 is a solid member that does not have relatively-rotating outer and inner rings.

In yet another embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the present invention provides a 2-axis pivoting handgrip 600 having a carrier member 608 that pivots on a yoke 604, and an inner ring 620 that pivots within an outer ring 218 of the carrier member 608. The carrier member 608 pivots about a first axis 616, which is fixed with respect to the yoke 604, and moves therewith. The carrier member 608 also includes an outer ring 618 in which an inner ring 620 is disposed to pivot co-planarly therewith about a second pivot axis 622. The second pivot axis 622 is fixed relative to the outer ring 618, and moves therewith. A grip 636 is rigidly attached inside the inner ring 620 by forming it integrally with the inner ring 620 or by any other suitable rigid attachment method.

The embodiments of Figures 4-6 may be constructed and assembled as shown with reference to the relevant portions of Figures 1-3 or otherwise constructed to attain the desired pivoting relationships between the parts.

Referring now to Figure 7, a further variation on the embodiments of the invention is to provide pivot locking members that selectively prevent one or more of the handgrip parts from pivoting. The multi-axis handgrip 700 of Figure 7 is similar to the embodiment of Figures 1-3, and includes a yoke 704 to which a carrier member 708 is pivotally mounted by posts 712 that fit into holes 710 in the yoke 704. The posts 712 are integrally formed with the carrier member 708. The carrier member 708 comprises an outer ring 718 formed by two ring halves 724 that are held together by screws 725, and an inner ring 720 that fits within the outer ring 718. The ring halves 724 form a circumferential track 732 that surround a circumferential rail 734 on the inner ring 720 to capture the inner ring 720 in place. As with the embodiment of Figures 1-3, the inner ring 720 is pivotable within the outer ring 718 in a co-planar manner such that the inner ring rotates about an axis that is perpendicular with the plane of the outer ring 718. A grip 736 is mounted to the inner ring 720 by screws 737, which are installed with bushings 739 around them that prevent the screws 737 from clamping down on the inner ring 720. This allows the grip 736 to pivot about its longitudinal axis, and provides a smooth, low friction pivoting surface. The bushings 739 may comprise brass, plastic, steel, ceramic, or otitier suitable materials, and may be lubricated or comprise self-lubricating materials. Figure 7 also illustrates an embodiment of a pivoting attachment between the handle base 702 and the yoke 704. In this arrangement, the yoke 704 comprises a stub shaft 770 that protrudes into a bore 772 in the handle base 702. The stub shaft 770 and yoke 704 are retained in the bore 772 by a washer 774 that is attached to the end of the stub shaft 770 by a screw 776, or other suitable fastener. The washer 774 abuts a Hp 778 at the end of the bore 772, which prevents the yoke 704 from being withdrawn from the bore 772. The bore 772, stub shaft 770 and washer 774 are made of suitable material to promote low friction and/ or low wear pivoting contact between them, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The handgrip 700 has a first locking member 750 comprising a first thumbscrew 752. The first thumbscrew 752 is installed on the yoke 704 in a threaded hole 754 proximate one of the holes 710 in which the carrier member pivot posts 712 are inserted. When it is desired to prevent the carrier member 708 from pivoting relative to the yoke 704, the operator tightens the first thumbscrew 752 until it clamps the post 712 and holds the carrier member 708 in place. The post 712 may be provided with detents (not shown) into which the first thumbscrew 752 fits to provide a positive lock against rotation. Of course, other locking devices can be used in lieu of the first thumbscrew 752, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

The handgrip 700 also has a second locking member 760, which comprises a second thumbscrew 762. The second thumbscrew 762 is installed in a threaded hole 764 through the outer ring 718 of the carrier member 708. The end of the second thumbscrew 762 is adapted to press against the inner ring 720 when it is tightened, and thereby prevent the inner ring 720 from rotating relative to the outer ring 718. The inner ring 720 may also have detents into which the end of the second thumbscrew 762 fits to provide a positive lock against rotation. It will be appreciated that locking devices other than the second thumbscrew 752 may be used to lock the inner ring 720 in place. The first and second locking members 750, 760 may be used to selectively lock the carrier member 708 and the inner ring 720 in place. This feature may be useful if a user finds a particular orientation of either or both of these parts to be the most comfortable, or does not wish to allow these parts to pivot during use. The handgrip 700 may also be provided with just one of the first and second locking members 750, 760. Furthermore, additional locking members may be provided to selectively prevent the grip 736 and/ or yoke 704 from pivoting during use.

The embodiment of Figure 7 is an example of a preferred embodiment, but it will be appreciated that any other method of constructing the various parts of the multi-axis handgrip 700 may be used, and other locking devices may be substituted for the shown locking members 750, 760. Furthermore, while Figure 7 is based on a 3-axis pivoting handgrip, such as shown in Figures 1-3, the locking members described herein may also be used with 2-axis pivoting handgrips, such as the exemplary embodiments of Figures 4-6, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.

While the embodiments described herein are preferred, these are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, many additional variations on the embodiments herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure and with practice of the invention. For example, multiple handgrips may be used on a single cleaning device and arranged to be either next to one another at the end of the cleaning device handle, or disposed at different locations along the handle's length, such as at first and second locations along the length of a mop handle. These and other variations are within the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A handgrip for a floor cleaning device, the handgrip comprising: a handle base; a yoke attached to the handle base; a carrier member pivotally mounted to the yoke; and a grip mounted to the carrier member, the grip having a grip axis oriented along the length of the grip.

2. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein the grip is pivotable about the grip axis.

3. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein the carrier member has a ring shape, and the grip is mounted within the ring shape.

4. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein: the carrier member comprises an outer ring and an inner ring; tihe inner ring is adapted to co-planarly pivot within the outer ring; and the grip is mounted to the inner ring.

5. The handgrip of claim 4, wherein the grip is pivotable about the grip axis.

6. The handgrip of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the inner ring fits into a circumferential track on the outer ring.

7. The handgrip of claim 6, wherein: the outer ring comprises first and second ring halves, each of the first and second ring halves forming at least a portion of the circumferential track; and the first and second ring halves capture the inner ring in place when the first and second ring halves are attached to one another.

8. The handgrip of claim 1, wherein the handle base has a handle axis extending generally parallel therewith, and the handle base and/ or the yoke is pivotable about the handle axis.

9. A handgrip for a floor cleaning device, the handgrip comprising: a handle base; a first member attached to the handle base and adapted to be pivotable about a first axis, the first axis being fixed with respect to the handle base; and a second member attached to the first member and adapted to be pivotable about a second axis, the second axis being fixed with respect to the first member.

10. The handgrip of claim 9, wherein the first member comprises a ring.

11. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein the second member comprises a grip located within the ring.

12. The handgrip of claim 11, wherein the second axis is parallel with the length of the grip.

13. The handgrip of claim 10, wherein the second member comprises a second ring that is disposed concentrically within the first ring and adapted to rotate co- planarly therein.

14. The handgrip of claim 9, wherein the handle base comprises a yoke and the first member is attached to the yoke to pivot about the first axis.

15. The handgrip of claim 9, further comprising at least one locking member adapted to prevent the first member and/ or the second member from pivoting about its respective axis.

16. The handgrip of claim 9, wherein the first member and/ or the second member is freely pivotable about its respective axis during operation of the floor cleaning device.

17. The handgrip of claim 9, further comprising a grip having a grip axis oriented along the length of the grip, the grip being attached to the second member.

18. The handgrip of claim 17, wherein the grip is adapted to be pivotable about a grip axis, the grip axis being fixed with respect to the second member.

19. The handgrip of claim 18, further comprising at least one locking member adapted to prevent at least one of the first member, the second member, or the grip from pivoting about its respective axis.

20. The handgrip of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first member, the second member, or the grip is freely pivotable about its respective axis during operation of the floor cleaning device.

21. A floor cleaning device comprising: a vacuum inlet; a dirt collection device; an air flow path from the vacuum Met to the dirt collection device; a vacuum source adapted to generate a working air flow through the air flow path from the vacuum inlet to the dirt collection device; a handgrip attached to the floor cleaning device and operable to control the movement of the vacuum inlet, the handgrip comprising a handle base; a first member attached to the handle base and adapted to be pivotable about a first axis, the first axis being fixed with respect to the handle base; and a second member attached to the first member and adapted to be pivotable about a second axis, the second axis being fixed with respect to the first member.

22. The floor cleaning device of claim 21, wherein the first member comprises a ring.

23. The floor cleaning device of claim 22, wherein the second member comprises a grip located within the ring.

24. The floor cleaning device of claim 23, wherein the second axis is parallel with the length of the grip.

25. The floor cleaning device of claim 22, wherein the second member comprises a second ring that is disposed concentrically within the first ring and adapted to rotate co-planarly therein.

26. The floor cleaning device of claim 21, wherein the handle base comprises a yoke and the first member is attached to the yoke to pivot about the first axis.

27. The floor cleaning device of claim 21, further comprising a grip having a grip axis oriented along the length of the grip, the grip being attached to the second member.

28. The floor cleaning device of claim 27, wherein the grip is adapted to be pivotable about a grip axis, the grip axis being fixed with respect to the second member.

29. The floor cleaning device of claim 21, wherein: the floor cleaning device comprises a nozzle base holding the vacuum inlet, and an upright housing pivotally attached thereto; and the handle base is attached to the upright housing.

30. The floor cleaning device of claim 21, wherein: the floor cleaning device comprises: a nozzle base holding the vacuum inlet; a canister housing separate from the nozzle base and adapted to hold the dirt collection device; and a hose attaching the nozzle base to the canister housing and forming at least a portion of the airflow path, the hose comprising at least one flexible hose portion and at least one rigid hose portion; and the handle base is attached to the rigid hose portion.