Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HANDLE HAVING CONTROLS AND/OR DISPLAY FOR A DEVICE,
SUCH AS A FLOOR CARE APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to handles and grips, and more particularly to
handles and grips including controls for operating devices such as floor care
apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many tasks involve the repetitive movement of a device or apparatus by
a user or operator. For example, the cleaning, caring, preparation and/or
maintenance of
a floor, carpet or similar surface may require daily or weekly upkeep. Such
upkeep
typically requires an operator to pass a floor care apparatus completely over
the entire
surface area of the floor. Floor care apparatus may include a vacuum cleaner,
a carpet
sweeper, a floor machine, and an extractor.
These tasks are typically mundane and boring, and the operator desires a
distraction or entertaimnent. While the operator may employ a stationary radio
or
television for entertaimnent, the operation of the apparatus often interferes
with the
operator's enjoyment of the entertaimnent. For example, the operator may have
to
move about one or more rooms, eventually moving out of the range of the
entertainment
source, or requiring the operator to constantly return the source to adjust
the volume.
Often, the noise generated by the apparatus will overwhelm the audio output
from the
entertainment source. While the operator may rely on a personal entertainment
device,
for example, a portable cassette or CD-ROM player, such devices typically
present a
number of problems. For instance, such devices often employ batteries that are
expensive and time consuming to replace, and that present an environmental
hazard
when not disposed of properly. The batteries may discharge while the operator
is
performing the task, interfering with performance of the job when the operator
leaves or
stops to replace the spent batteries. Additionally, the controls on the
entertainment
device are located separately from the controls of the apparatus, and may
interfere with
proper operation of the apparatus due to the inconvenient location. Further,
personal
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entertainment devices present easy targets for thieves and are often stolen.
This
presents a substantial problem for maintenance services and other commercial
equipment users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Under one aspect of the invention, a floor care apparatus includes a
body, a floor care head, a handle, an audio source and audio output, and at
least one
control on the handle for controlling the audio source. The floor care
apparatus may
take the form of a vacuurr~, sweeper, shampooer or steamer, buffer or waxen
The audio
source may take the form of a radio receiver, compact disk player, cassette
tape player,
or disk drive. The audio output may take the form of a speaker, or an
electrical
connector such as an audio or headphone jack. The audio control may take the
form of
an ON/OFF switch, a volume control, a tuning control, or a fast forward or
rewind
control. The floor care apparatus may further include an internal power source
such as a
battery. The internal power source may be rechargeable from an external power
source,
for example by way of an AC electrical cord, a rectifier and a transformer.
In another aspect of the invention, a handle that may be couplable to an
apparatus, includes a housing configured to be gripped, at least one audio
control and at
least one apparatus control, each of the user operable controls being mounted
to the
exterior of the housing, and an audio output that may be couplable to an audio
source.
The handle may further include a coupler sized and dimensioned to physically
couple
the handle to a desired apparatus such as a floor care machine. The handle may
further
include an electrical connector configured to couple with a complementary
electrical
connector on the apparatus to provide power therebetween. The electrical
connector
may further couple the audio and apparatus controls to an audio source and the
apparatus, respectively.
In a further aspect of the invention, an audio device for attachment to an
apparatus includes a handle-shaped housing, at least one user operable audio
control and
one user operable apparatus control carried by the housing, an audio output,
and a
coupler configured to couple the audio device to the apparatus. Electrical
power may be
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-,
provided from a power cord carried by the audio device, or a power cord
carried by the
apparatus, or by a battery.
In yet a further aspect, the handle may provide indications of the
operating condition of the device to which it is attached, for example by way
of LED or
LCD readouts. The handle may also employ LED or LCD readouts to provide a
visual
alert of an event that would otherwise not be detectable. For example. an
alert can be
provided when a telephone rings, which would otherwise be drown out by the
noise
generated by the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an upright vacuum cleaner
according to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a floor care head of the upright vacuum
cleaner of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of a canister vacuum cleaner
according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of a carpet sweeper according to
another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a floor machine in the form of a
buffer according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of a floor care head of the buffer of
Figure 5 including two buffing pads.
Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the floor care head of the buffer of
Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of an alternative floor care head of the
buffer of Figure 5 including a single buffing pad.
Figure 9 is a front plan view of the floor care head of the buffer of
Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a isometric view of a floor care machine in the form of an
extractor according to another exemplary embodiment.
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Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a floor care head of the extractor
of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a left side elevational view of a handle according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Figure 13 is a right side elevational view of the handle of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the handle of Figures 12 and 13.
Figure 15 is a broken section view of selected control switches on the
handle of Figures 12 and 13.
Figure 16 is an alternative embodiment of the handle of Figure 12,
including a speaker and a battery in a battery compartment with a cover.
Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the handle of Figure 16.
Figure 18 is a second alternative embodiment of the handle.
Figure 19 is a third alternative embodiment of the handle.
Figure 20 is a functional block diagram of an audio source, audio output
and audio controls.
Figure 21 is a top plan view of a pad carrying control switches and an
LCD display.
Figure 22 is a top plan view of a pad carrying control switches and an
LED display.
Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a device to detect an incoming
telephone call and provide a visual alert on the handle of Figure 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order
to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention.
However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be
practiced
without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated
with floor
care apparatus, audio devices and controls, and connectors and couplers have
not been
shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of
the
embodiments of the invention.
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Figures 1 and 2 show a floor care apparatus in the form of an upright
vacuum cleaner 10 having a handle 12, a body 14 and a floor care head 16.
Typically,
the body 14 is pivotably moveable with respect to the head 16 about at least
one degree
of freedom, as indicated by arrow 18. The vacuum cleaner 10 includes a motor
(not
5 shown) for creating a ''vacuum" or suction, and a bag or container for
collecting debris.
The bag or container is typically mounted on or in the body 14. A power cord
20
extending from the handle 12 provides power to the vacuum cleaner 10 from a
source
such as a conventional wall outlet (not shown). The power cord 20 can
alternatively
extend from the body 14 or floor care head 16. The motor and/or the bag may be
mounted in either the body 14 or the floor care head 16.
With particular reference to Figure 2, a passive or driven roller 22
including brushes 24 is rotatably mounted in the floor care head 16 to
dislodge particles
from a surface, such as a carpet. A slot 26 receives the roller 22 and serves
as the start
or entrance of a vacuum path extending through the vacuum cleaner 10 to the
debris
bag. The floor care head 16 further includes wheels 28 to ease the movement of
the
vacuum cleaner 10 over the surface to be cleaned.
Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the floor care apparatus in
the form of a canister vacuum cleaner 10. This alternative embodiment, and
those
described herein, are substantially similar to previously described
embodiments, and
common steps and structures are identified by the same reference numbers. Only
significant differences in operation or structure are described in detail.
The canister vacuum cleaner 10 includes a hose 15 extending between
the body 14 and the floor care head 16. The canister vacuum cleaner 10 further
includes
a U-shaped handle 12, and a power cord 20 extending from the body 14. The
canister
vacuum cleaner 10 works in a similar fashion to the upright vacuum cleaner
(Figures 1-
2), having a motor, a debris container or bag and a vacuum path extending
between the
floor care head and the debris bag (not shown). Such structure is generally
known in
the art and will therefor not be described in further detail.
Figure 4 shows a carpet sweeper 10 including a handle 12 and a floor
care head 16 which carries a roller 22 having brushes 24. The roller 22
rotates as the
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carpet sweeper is pushed across the surface to be cleaned, the brushes 24
dislodging and
picking up debris, and depositing the debris in a receptacle (not shown) in
the floor care
head 16. Since the carpet sweeper 10 does not employ a motor, no power cord is
included. The handle 12 can include a compartment 17 for receiving batteries
or other
power sources for low power devices.
Figures 5-9 show an alternative embodiment of the floor care apparatus
in the form of a floor machine of the type having one or more rotating
elements, such
as, a waxer or buffer 10. The buffer 10 includes a pair of buffing pads 30 for
buffing
a surface, such as a hardwood floor. When used on a wax floor, the buffer is
typically
referred to as a waxen Each of the buffing pads 30 are driven by a motor,
typically
mounted in the floor care head 16 of the buffer 10. In this embodiment, the
electrical
cord 20 extends from the floor care head 16, rather than from the handle 12 or
the body
14 of the vacuum cleaners 10 shown in Figures 1 and 3.
With particular reference to Figures 8 and 9, an alternative embodiment
of the floor machine buffer 10 employs a single buffing pad 30. The buffing
pad 30 can
carry grit to form a sander. Alternatively the floor machine 10 can include a
grit
carrying drum (not shown) to form the sander.
Figures 10 and 11 show a floor care apparatus in the form of an extractor
10. In this embodiment, the head 16 includes a first slot or nozzle 32 for
dispensing a
soap or cleaning solution. The nozzle 32 is positioned within a second slot 34
in the
head 16 that serves as the entrance of the vacuum path through the extractor
10. The
floor care head 16 can also include brushes 24. In this embodiment, the
electrical power
cord 20 extends from the body 14. A hot water or steam source is commonly
provided
and the hot water or steam is directed from the source through the nozzle 32.
Since
2~ floor care apparatus 10 are generally known in the art, they will not be
described in
further detail.
Figures 12-15 show one exemplary embodiment of the handle 12 for use
with apparatus or machines, such as the floor care apparatus 10 generally
described
above. The handle 12 includes a housing 36 having at least a portion 38
configured to
be held or gripped by a human hand, and may include ribs 40 or other texture
on the
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surface of the housing 36 for enhancing the grip. With particular reference to
Figure 1 ~.
the handle 12 includes a control such as ON/OFF switch 42 for operating the
floor care
apparatus 10. The ON/OFF switch 42 may be configured to also operate an audio
device 60 (Figure 20) associated with the floor care apparatus 10, for example
automatically turning the audio device 60 ON and OFF along with the floor care
apparatus 10. Alternatively, the handle 12 may include a separate audio
control to
operate the audio device 60 (Figure 20), such as a separate ON/OFF switch 33
(Figures
21, 22), permitting the audio device 60 to be operated independently of the
floor care
apparatus 10. An ON/OFF indicator may be provided, such as a light emitting
diode
("LED") 47, that is lit when the floor care apparatus 10 and/or the audio
device 60 is in
the ON state.
The handle 12 may include additional audio controls, for example, a
volume control 46 for adjusting the volume of the audio device 60. The handle
12 may
also include tuning controls for selecting radio frequencies, such as a
forward scan
control 43, operable to successively scan a frequency band for radio signals,
and a
return control 45 to return the forward scan function to the start of the
frequency band.
Additionally, the handle 12 may include one or more audio outputs, for example
an
electrical connector such as a headphone jack 50.
While the ON/OFF switch 42, audio controls 43, 45, 46. LED 47 and
headphone jack 50 may be located anywhere on the floor care apparatus 10,
certain
advantages are realized by positioning the these on the handle 12 for easy
manipulation
and observation by the user. The ON/OFF switches 42, audio controls 43, 45,
46. LED
47 and headphone jack 50 are shown positioned above the grip portion 38 of the
handle
12 and at an angle thereto for easy manipulation by the thumb of the user
while the
handle 12 is gripped. The position also places the ON/OFF switch 42, audio
controls
43, 45, 46, LED 47 and headphone jack in the line-of sight of the user while
the floor
care apparatus 10 is being operated in the normal manner, and may position the
audio
controls 43, 45, 46, LED 47 and headphone jack closer to the user's head. This
may
provide the user with a better view of the audio controls 43, 45, 46 and LED
47. and
may permit the use of a shorter headphone cord, reducing the possibility of
tangling or
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snagging the cord. Mounting the audio controls 43, 45, 46 and LED 47 on the
handle
12 may provide superior protection for these elements over mounting on the
body 14,
since the handle is less likely to accidentally struck against furniture,
walls and other
obstructions.
The display device 47 can be mounted separately from the controls, for
example on the top of the body 14 (Figure 1) or on the back of the floor care
head 16.
The display should be positioned to provide a clear line-of sight for the user
during
operation so that the user can easily monitor the operational parameters
during use.
During operation, the user will typically be looking approximately at the
floor care head
16 as the user guides the floor care head 16 over the surface and around
obstructions.
The ON/OFF switch 42, audio controls 43, 45. 46, headphone jack ~0
and LED 47 provide input and output functions for the floor care apparatus.
The floor
care apparatus 10 may employ additional readouts. such as a liquid crystal
display
("LCD") 37 (Figure 21) or additional LEDs 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81 (Figure 22)
to provide
the user with other information such as the current apparatus operating
conditions of the
floor care apparatus 10. For example, readouts for the following operating
conditions
may be provided: a bag full condition 71, blocked inlet condition 73, broken
or slow
roller brush/belt condition 75, motor overload condition 77. motor brush
replacement
condition 79, and/or dirt sensing condition 81. Additionally, a readout such
as the LED
83 (Figure 22) can alert the user of a situation unrelated to the operation of
the floor
care apparatus 10, for example an incoming telephone call. This is
particularly
advantageous where the floor care apparatus generates noise of sufficient
volume as to
overwhelm the ringing of the telephone, or where the operator is deaf or has
difficulty
hearing. Some or all of these input and output devices may be grouped on a pad
53.
Grouping the input and output devices on the pad 53 provides numerous benefits
such
as allowing simple redesign of the handle's functions without requiring
retooling of the
entire handle 12, reduced manufacturing costs, and simplified repair.
The handle 12 may include an L-shaped catch 54 for coiling and
retaining the electrical power cord 20 for storage. The handle 12 may further
include a
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notch 49 sized and dimensioned to support a headband 51 of a headphone (a
portion of
the headband is shown in Figure 13).
The handle 12 may include a connector or coupler such as the elongated
slide fit member 56 to physically attach the handle 12 to the body 14. In the
embodiment of Figures 12-15, the slide fit member 56 comprises a metal
channel,
although the handle 12 may employ other conventional slide fit members.
Alternatively, the handle 12 may employ other connectors and/or couplers, such
as
screw mounts, bayonet mounts, sockets, detents, and fasteners. The handle 12
may also
include an electrical connector or coupler 57. The electrical coupler 57 may
be a male
or female member configured to mate with a complementary electrical coupler
(not
shown) on the body 14. The electrical coupler ~7 may serve as a conduit for
power
and/or control of the apparatus 10 and/or control of the audio device 60. For
example,
where the electrical power cord 20 extends from the handle 12 (Figure 1), the
electrical
coupler 57 may serve as a conduit for power to a motor (not shown) in the body
14 or
head 16. Similarly, the electrical coupler 57 may serve as a conduit for the
audio
controls 44-48 and/or for the audio outputs 50, 52 where the audio device 60
(Figure 20) is located away from the handle 12, for example in the body 14 or
head 16.
Figure 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the handle 12, including
the battery compartment 17 formed in the housing 36 for holding a battery 68.
The
handle 12 includes a removable cover 61 for accessing the battery compartment
17.
The handle 12 may include an additional or alternative audio output, such as
the speaker
52. The audio device may include circuitry for directing the audio signal to
the speaker
~2 when a headphone plug is not plugged into the headphone jack 50.
Figure 17 shows the audio device 60 and the audio controls 45. 46. 47
and headphone jack 50 mounted to a circuit board 63. The circuit board 63
containing
the various electrical components and controls can be press fit into the
housing 36. The
housing 36 can be formed as two complimentary halves to simplify the
construction and
mounting. Thus. the same handle 12 may be employed with various configurations
of
audio controls and components by simply incorporating a different circuit
board. The
electrical components on the circuit board 63 receive power from the battery
68 via
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electrical leads 67 (only one lead is shown), although power could be supplied
from an
external source with appropriate conditioning. Electrical leads 69 (only one
lead is
shown) may connect the ON/OFF switch 42 to the motor (not shown).
Figure 18 shows an alternative embodiment of the handle 12, integrally
5 formed with the floor care apparatus 10. The handle of Figure 18 is
generally
elongated, not forming any particular opening or closed surface.
Figure 19 shows another alternative embodiment of the handle 12,
including fasteners 58 to couple the handle 12 to the floor care apparatus 10.
While the
fasteners 58 shown are screws. the handle 12 may employ other conventional
fasteners.
10 While the Figures show only four embodiments of the handle 12 (including
the U-
shaped embodiment of Figure 3), numerous other embodiments of handles sized
and
dimensioned for being held or gripped may be successfully employed.
Figure 20 shows an exemplary embodiment of the audio device 60. The
handle 12, body 14 or head 16 may carry portions, or all, of the audio device
60. The
audio device 60 may be carried by a printed circuit board 62, and include a
radio
receiver 64 in the form of an integrated circuit and/or discrete analog
circuit
components. The audio device 60 may also include an antenna, such as the
dipole
antenna 66 coupled to the radio receiver 64. The volume and tuning controls
46, 48 and
the ON/OFF switch 42 are electrically coupled to the radio receiver 64 for
controlling
the operation of the radio receiver 64. An internal power source such as the
battery 68
may power the radio receiver 64. The battery 68 can be received in a
compartment 17
in the handle 12 (Figure 16). A cover 61 (Figure 16) may provide access to the
compartment and the battery 68. In one embodiment, the battery 68 provides a
DC
power source for the radio receiver 64. AC power from the electrical power
cord 20
may recharge the battery 68 after proper conditioning by a transformer 70 and
rectifier
72. Rechargeable batteries and recharging circuits are generally known in the
art and
will not be described in further detail.
Figure 23 shows a transmitter 85 inserted into a standard telephone line
87 between a wall jack 89 and a telephone 91. The transmitter 85 is configured
to emit
a signal, such as an RF signal 93 or infrared optical signal when an incoming
call is
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received. The signal is detectable by a receiver 95 and an antenna, such as
the dipole
antenna 97 mounted in the handle 12. Upon receipt of the signal 93, the
receiver 95
activates the LED 83, thus alerting the user to the incoming telephone call.
The
transmitter could be used with other devices, for example a doorbell, or an e-
mail
system of a personal computer.
Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are
described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications
can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be
recognized by
those skilled in the relevant art. The teachings provided herein of the
invention can be
applied to other devices employing a handle, not necessarily the exemplary
floor care
apparatus generally described above. The audio device may comprise a compact
disk
player, a cassette tape player, a disk drive or other conventional audio
sources, not
necessarily the radio receiver generally described above.
These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the
above detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms
used should
not be construed to limit the invention to specific embodiments disclosed in
the
specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all apparatus
that
operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not
limited by the
disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the
following claims.
