US2290336A - Handle construction - Google Patents

Description

July 21, 1942.

J. B. KIRBY HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Fil'ed May 3, 1940 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 21, 1942 U N TE STAT E 3 4 Claims.

This invention relates te handle constructions, and more particularly to a new and improved handle for electrically operated floor devices such as suction cleaners and the like.

The construction of operating handles heretofore used with electrical floor appliances, particularly suction cleaners, embodied many undesirable features from a user standpoint. For example, the handles were usually made of many separable parts which, when assembled, presented somewhat of an undesirable appearing disintegrated structure. Such handles were con structed with bracket stampings, riveted or otherwise secured to the intermediate portion of the handle which limited the distance between the cord brackets. "In use, the brackets had a tendency to become loosened and separated from the handle, thereby inconveniencing the operator of the device to which the handle was attached. Furthermore, the disintegrated constructions were not able to withstand the severe punishment such devices are occasionally subjected to in service.

By the present invention, there is provided a new and improved handle construction for use with suction cleaners and similar appliances which avoids the aforementioned undesirable features of present types of handles. The handle is economical to manufacture and sturdy of construction and relatively light in weight as compared with prior handles. The elimination of many of the parts without sacrificing any of the advantages of such parts tends toward unity of construction and greatly enhanced appearance.

Various objects of the invention, not at this time particularly enumerated, will become more apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the new and improved handle construction operatively connected to a suction cleaner illustrated in phantom,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the handle,

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear exploded view, partly in section of said embodiment,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, of the upper portion of the handle construction,

Figure 5 is a still further enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in section, of a portion of the construction shown in Figure Land,

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 5.

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawing, the numeral lfl designates the new and improved handle construction of the present invention, operatively connected to the suction cleaner H which includes the filter bag l2 and electric conductor cord !3. The handle construction generally comprises end sections 14 and I5 and an intermediate tubular member 16. The lower handle section I4 is .of generally hollow tubular construction, terminating in any suitable means, for pivotally attaching the handle to a floor operated device, which means in the illustrated embodiment takes the form of an integralyoke or bail IT. The tubular end of the handle section l4 telescopically receives one end of the tubular member I6 and the twoparts are secured together by any suitable means. As shown, the tubular end of the handle section Hi is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 18 so that it may be compressed or clamped about the end of the section It :by means of a screw l9 extending through ears 2i! formed on each side of the open end of the slot I3. Integrally formed with and extending parallel to the tubular portion of the handle section M is a bracket member 2| of hook-like configuration, with the open end thereof facing the yoke end of handle section M.

The handle section I5 is of generally hollow tubular construction and telescopically receives the other end of intermediate member it which is secured therein by any suitable means. As illustrated, the tubular end of the handle section [5 is slotted as at 22 so that the end may be compressed and clamped about the end of the member It :by means of a screw 24 extending through the apertured lugs 26 formed on each side of the open end of the slot.

Integrally formed with the handle section I5 is a bracket member 21 similar to bracket member 2|. The member 21 is aligned with and extends in an opposite direction to the bracket member 2| to form therewith a reel for retaining Ellie leblectric conductor cord l3 upon the han- On the free end of the handle section I5 is formed the hand-grip 28 which comprises an angulated extension 29 cast integrally with the handle section l5 and so formed as to constitute a part of the hand-grip, A separable member 33 complementary to the extension 29 forms therewith the shell of the hand grip. A rib 3| and a socket 33 on the extension 29 cooperating respectively with the slot 32 and pin 34 formed on the separable member 30 serve to maintain the complementary parts in proper registry during the assembly of the hand-grip. A flexible member is employed to encase the members 29 and 30 to complete the hand grip portion of the handle and hold the the parts thereof together.

In the present embodiment, the handle section l retains a switch member 31. That portion of the conductor cord extending from the switch to the ource of current supply mounted on the handle by means of brackets 2| and 21 when not in use. The other end of the cord l3 extending from the switch to the motor passes through the center of the handle and outwardly therefrom through a bushing 38 in the handle section I4 and thence to the motor of the suction cleaner.

As heretofore pointed out, the end handle sections [4 and I5 are supported relative to each other by the intermediate tubular member I6 and the bracket members 2| and 21 being formed integrally with the sections I4 and I5 are disposed apart a greater distance than heretofore wherein the brackets have been universally mounted on the intermediate section. The present invention enables the user to perform the looping operations with the conductor cord with less turns so that the bulk is substantially reduced and facilitating the use of relatively smaller bracket members holding th cord more closely to the handle, tending towards a neater and more presentable appearing construction.

invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A handle construction for an on-the-floor appliance comprising a pivotal section, a hand grip section and an intermediate tubular member, said hand grip section having a substantially hollow grip portion made of complementary members one of which is formed integrally therewith and an elastic sheath adapted to encase the said complementary members to secure them together and complete the hand grip section.

2. In an appliance handle, a handle section comprising a tubular portion and a hand-grip portion, said hand-grip portion being formed of complemental section one of which is formed integrally with said tubular portion, and an lastic sheath adapted to encase the said complemental sections for securing them together and completing said hand grip portion.

3. In an appliance handle, a handle section comprising a tubular portion and a hand-grip portion, said hand-grip portion being formed of complemental sections one of which is formed integrally with said tubular portion, inter-engaging members formed on said complemental sections for relatively positioning the sections, and an elastic sheath adapted to encase th said complemental sections for securing them together and completing said hand-grip portion.

4. In an appliance handle, a handle section comprising a tubular portion and a hand-grip portion, an electric switch mounted in said tubular portion, said hand-grip portion being formed of complemental sections one Of which is formed integrally with said tubular portion, interengaging members on said complemental sections for relatively positioning the sections, and an elastic sheath adapted to'encase the said complemental sections for securing them together and completing said hand-grip portion.

JAMES B. KIRBY.

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