Handle Assembly for an Extraction Cleaner

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/638,895, filed 25 Apr. 2024, entitled HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR AN EXTRACTION CLEANER, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

The present disclosure generally relates to a handle assembly for an extraction cleaner, and more specifically, to a handle assembly with a grip portion that can telescope into and out of a housing portion and a trigger at the grip portion that can activate an electronic switch at the housing portion to an ON position without an electrical connection between the trigger and the electronic switch.

There are a variety of devices that can be utilized to clean a surface, such as that provided by a floor, a carpet, or upholstery, among others. As an example, extraction cleaners sometimes include an actuator that allows a user to selectively distribute cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned. An agitator of the extraction cleaner then agitates the surface and cleaning fluid, loosening debris from the surface. The extraction cleaner then extracts, such as via suction, the cleaning fluid with the debris.

The extraction cleaner sometimes includes a handle that helps the user position where the cleaning fluid is distributed and where the agitation will occur. In addition, the actuator is sometimes provided at the handle. Further, the handle is sometimes manipulable between a retracted position and an extracted position. A retractile cable (e.g., a coiled cable) is sometimes included with the handle to provide an electrical connection between the actuator and a control board that controls whether the cleaning fluid is distributed. As the handle is manipulated to the extracted position, the retractile cable extends within the handle and maintains the electrical connection. As the handle is manipulated to the retracted position, the retractile cable coils up to occupy the handle in an organized manner.

However, there is a problem in that providing the actuator at the handle and making the electrical connection via the retractile cable within the handle are suboptimally expensive. That is a problem because the expense raises the cost to manufacture, and thus the cost to purchase, the extraction cleaner.

The present disclosure addresses that problem with a handle assembly that does not include a retractable cable, or any other electrical cable, to form an electrical connection between the trigger and the electronic switch. Rather, the handle assembly includes a grip portion with the trigger, a linkage assembly, a cam, and a housing portion with the electronic switch. The grip portion is able to telescope relative to the housing portion. When the grip portion is telescoped out, manipulation of the trigger causes the linkage system to move and manipulate the cam, which pivots to manipulate the electronic switch to an ON position. The cam manipulates the electronic switch through a cam aperture through a first tube of the grip portion and a cam aperture through a support tube portion of the housing portion. The apertures are aligned to permit the cam to extend therethrough only when the grip portion is telescoped out of the housing portion.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a handle assembly for an extraction cleaner comprises: (a) a housing portion comprising an electronic switch manipulable to, from, and between (i) an ON position and (ii) an OFF position; and (b) a grip portion able to telescope into and out of the housing portion, the grip portion comprising (i) a trigger pivotable about a trigger pivot axis, (ii) a linkage system in communication with the trigger, and (iii) a cam in communication with the linkage system, the cam pivotable about a cam pivot axis, wherein, when the grip portion is telescoped out of the housing portion, pivoting of the trigger about the trigger pivot axis causes, via movement of the linkage system, the cam to pivot about the cam pivot axis and manipulate the electronic switch to the ON position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a handle assembly for an extraction cleaner comprises: (1) a housing portion comprising (a) a support tube portion comprising (i) a first end, (ii) a second end, and (iii) a cam aperture disposed between the first end and the second end, the support tube portion defining a tubular cavity; and (b) an electronic switch manipulable to, from, and between (i) an ON position and (ii) an OFF position to which the electronic switch is biased; and (2) a grip portion manipulable to, from, and between an extracted position and a retracted position further within the housing portion than in the extracted position, the grip portion comprising (a) a handle grip housing, the handle grip housing disposed closer to the housing portion in the retracted position than in the extracted position; (b) a trigger at least partially housed within the handle grip housing and partially exposed to an external environment outside of the handle grip housing, the trigger manipulable along a trigger pivot axis to, from, and between (i) an actuating position and (ii) a released position to which the trigger is biased; (c) a handle linkage disposed at least partially within the handle grip housing, the handle linkage comprising (i) a first end proximate the trigger and (ii) a second end; (d) a first tube comprising (i) a first end coupled to the handle grip housing and not disposed within the support tube portion of the housing portion, (ii) a second end disposed within the support tube portion of the housing portion, the second end disposed further within the housing portion when the grip portion is in the retracted position than when the grip portion is in the extended position, and (iii) a second cam aperture; (e) a tube linkage disposed at least primarily within the first tube, the tube linkage comprising (i) a first end coupled to the second end of the handle linkage and (ii) a second end; and (f) a cam disposed within the first tube closer to the second end than the first end, the cam pivotable about a cam pivot axis and comprising (i) a linkage contact surface proximate the second end of the tube linkage and (ii) a switch contact surface proximate the second cam aperture of the first tube, wherein, as a force manipulates the trigger to the actuating position, (i) the trigger imparts a force to the first end of the handle linkage, (ii) the second end of the handle linkage imparts a force to the first end of the tube linkage to push the tube linkage further toward the second end of the first tube, (iii) the second end of the tube linkage imparts a force on the linkage contact surface of the cam, (iv) the cam pivots, and (v) the switch contact surface extends through the second cam aperture of the first tube and the cam aperture of the support tube portion of the housing portion and forces the electronic switch to the ON position.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

The components in the Drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a handle assembly for an extraction cleaner. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the Drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached Drawings, and described in the following Detailed Description are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to, a handle assemblyfor an extraction cleaneris herein described. The handle assemblyincludes a housing portionand a grip portion. The grip portionis able to telescope into and out of the housing portion. The grip portionincludes a handle grip housingand a first tube. The grip portionis illustrated here in an extracted positionrelative to the housing portion.

Referring additionally to, the housing portionincludes an electronic switch. The grip portionfurther includes a trigger, a linkage systemin communication with the trigger, and a cam housing. The linkage systemincludes a tube linkage. The triggeris at least partially housed within the handle grip housingbut is additionally partially exposed to an external environmentoutside of the handle grip housing. The handle grip housingcan include a collar portion.

Referring additionally to, the housing portionof the handle assemblyfurther includes a rear coverand a front cover. The rear coverand the front coverare attached together, such as through the use of fasteners or snap-fit connections. The housing portionfurther includes a button. The buttonincludes a first endopen to the external environment. The buttoncan be manipulated by a user from the external environment. The handle grip housingfurther includes an exterior surface. The exterior surfaceat least partially defines a hand aperture. A hand of the user can enter the hand apertureto manipulate the trigger. The handle grip housingcan further include a collar portion. In embodiments, the housing portionfurther includes a pedal. The pedalincludes an actuating surfacethat extends into the external environment. The user can pivot the handle assemblyrelative to the extraction cleanervia manipulation of the actuating surfaceof the pedal.

Referring next to, a front view of the handle assemblyis provided, showing previously introduced features. For example, the front coverof the housing portionis illustrated.

Referring additionally to, as further discussed below, the pedalis pivotable about a pedal pivot axis.

Referring additionally to, the grip portionfurther includes a camin communication with the linkage system, in particular the tube linkagethereof. When the grip portionis telescoped out of the housing portion, manipulation of the triggercauses the linkage systemto move, which causes the camto move, which causes a change in status of the electronic switch. These aspects will be further elaborated upon below.

The housing portionfurther includes a support tube portion. The support tube portionincludes a first end, a second end, and a cam aperture. The cam apertureis disposed between the first endand the second end. The support tube portiondefines a tubular cavitythat is open at least at the first end. The cam apertureprovides access through the support tube portioninto the tubular cavity.

The first tubeincludes a second end. The second endis disposed within the tubular cavityof the support tube portionof the housing portion. The first tubeforms a tubular cavity.

The first tubefurther includes a cam aperture. The cam apertureprovides access into and out of the tubular cavity.

The tube linkageincludes a second end. The second endof the tube linkageincludes a cam contacting surface.

The camis disposed within the first tube. The camis disposed closer to the second endof the first tubethan the second endof the tube linkageis.

The camincludes a linkage contact surface, a body, and a switch contact surface. The linkage contact surfaceis disposed proximate the cam contacting surfaceof the tube linkage. The switch contact surfaceis disposed proximate the cam apertureof the first tube. The bodyextends between the linkage contact surfaceand the switch contact surface.

The camfurther includes a cantilevered projection. The cantilevered projectionextends from the bodycloser to the switch contact surfacethan the linkage contact surface. The cantilevered projectionextends in a curved manner away from the switch contact surface.

The grip portionfurther includes a cam housing. The cam housingis disposed within the first tubeof the grip portion. The cam housingfurther includes a cam aperture. The cam apertureis aligned with the cam apertureof the first tube. When the grip portionis in the extracted position(as illustrated in), the cam apertureis further aligned with the cam apertureof the support tube portionof the housing portion. With such alignment when in the extacted portion, the switch contact surfaceof the camcan extend through the cam apertureof the support tube portionof the housing portionto manipulate the electronic switch. The alignment of the cam apertureof the cam housingand the cam apertureof the first tubewith the cam apertureof the support tube portionof the housing portiononly occurs with the grip portionin the extracted positionrelative to the housing portion.

The electronic switchincludes an OFF position. The electronic switchcan include an actuating armand a body. The movement of the camsuch that the switch contact surfacecan manipulate the actuating armof the electronic switch, and thereby change the status of the electronic switch, is further discussed below. The rear covercan include a cantileveradjacent the electronic switch, the purpose of which will be further discussed below, as well.

Referring additionally to, the grip portionfurther includes a handle linkage. The handle linkageis disposed at least partially within the handle grip housing. The handle linkagecan be disposed entirely within the handle grip housing.

The tube linkageof the grip portionis disposed at least primarily within the first tube.

The triggeris shown here, in, in a released position. Manipulation of the triggeraway from the released position, and the consequences, are discussed further below.

The pedalis illustrated here again, along with a pin. The pinis housed between the front coverand the rear cover. The pincan provide the pedal pivot axis(from) and the pedalpivots about the pin. The actuating surfaceof the pedalextends into the external environmentthrough the pedal aperture.

Referring additionally to, the support tube portioncan be sandwiched between the rear coverand the front cover.

In addition, the support tube portionfurther includes a lock housingand a lock aperture. The lock housingprojects outward relative to the tubular cavity. The lock apertureis through the support tube portion. The lock housinghouses a lockand a spring. The lock apertureprovides access from the lock housing, through the support tube portion, and into the tubular cavity. The lockincludes an angled portionand a locking end. The locking endis disposed closer to the lock aperturethan the angled portion. The angled portionis disposed closer to the springthan the locking end. The lock apertureis aligned with the locking endof the lock. The lock housingincludes a button aperture. The button apertureprovides access through the lock housingto the angled portionof the lock.

Further, in embodiments, the rear coverincludes a button aperture. The button apertureis aligned with the button apertureof the lock housing. The buttonincludes a first end, a second end, and a flangetherebetween. The flangeis disposed between the button apertureof the rear coverand the button apertureof the lock housing. The flangeis sized so as to not fit through either the button apertureof the rear coveror the button apertureof the lock housing. The flangeof the buttonthus remains between the rear coverand the lock housing. The first endof the buttonextends through the button apertureof the rear coverand is open to an external environment. The second endof the buttonextends through the button apertureof the lock housing. The second endcan abut the angled portionof the lock.

The first tubeof the grip portionfurther includes a lock aperture. The lock apertureprovides access into and out of the tubular cavity. When the grip portionis in the extracted position, as here illustrated at, the lock apertureof the support tube portionaligns with the lock apertureof the first tube. The springis sufficiently energized to bias the locking endthrough the lock apertureof the lock housingand through the lock apertureof the first tube. The locking endthus prevents the first tubefrom moving relative to the support tube portion(of which the lock housingis a part) and thereby locks the grip portionin the extracted position.

The first tubecan further include a cam housing aperture. Further, the cam housingcan include a fastener receiverthat is aligned with the cam housing apertureof the first tube. A fastenerthus can be disposed in both the fastener receiverand the cam housing apertureof the first tubeto attach the cam housingand the first tubetogether.

Further, in this figure, we again see the cam apertureof the cam housingthrough which the switch contact surfaceof the camcan extend. The movement of the camis discussed further below.

Thetogether provide different views of features that have been explained above. For example, the button aperturethrough the rear cover, and the buttonare illustrated. Further, the tube linkageis within the tubular cavityof the first tube, with the cam contacting surfaceat the second endof the tube linkageresiding near the cam.

Referring additionally to, aspects of the support tube portionare shown in further detail. As already mentioned, the support tube portionincludes the first endand the second end, and defines the tubular cavity. In addition, the support tube portionincludes the lock housing, the lock aperture, the lock, and the springbiasing the lock. Not yet mentioned, the support tube portioncan include apertures, which support fastening of the support tube portionto the rear coveras further discussed.

Referring additionally to, the rear coverincludes apertures. The aperturesare aligned with the aperturesof the support tube portion, discussed immediately above. The alignment permits the attachment of the support tube portionto the rear cover. In addition, the rear coverincludes a pedal apertureand, as discussed, the button aperture.

Referring additionally to, different views of the front coverare provided.

Referring additionally to, the electronic switchis sandwiched between the rear coverand the front cover. The rear covercan include positioning columnsand a cantileverwith a snap-fit elementto support the electronic switch, as will be further discussed. Further, the alignment of the aperturesof the rear coverand the aperturesof the support tube portionis apparent.

Referring additionally to, the electronic switchincludes apertures. The apertures are aligned with the positioning columnsof the rear cover. When assembled, the positioning columnsextend through the aperturesof the electronic switch, and the snap-fit elementextends over the electronic switchto secure the electronic switchto the rear cover. In addition, the electronic switchis biased to the OFF position. The actuating armand the bodyare additionally shown in greater detail here.

Referring additionally to, a cross-section of part of the grip portionof the handle assemblyis shown in greater detail. The triggerincludes a user contact surface. The user contact surfaceis open to the external environment. The triggerextends into the hand apertureand presents the user contact surfacewithin the hand aperture. The triggerfurther includes a handle linkage contact surfaceand a cantilevered tab, both disposed within the handle grip housing. The handle grip housingfurther includes trigger aperture. The triggerextends through the trigger aperture.

In addition to the second end(see, e.g., back to), the first tubefurther includes a first end(back again to). The first endis coupled to the handle grip housing. For example, the handle grip housingcan include a collar portionwith an openingthereto. The first endof the first tubeis disposed within the collar portionthrough the opening. The first endof the first tubeand the collar portionof the handle grip housingcan include aligned apertures,to receive fasteners to fasten the first tubeand the handle grip housingtogether. The first endof the first tubeis not disposed within the support tube portionof the housing portion.

In embodiments, the handle linkageincludes a first end, a first straight segment, a curved segment, a second straight segment, and a second end. The first endof the handle linkageis disposed proximate the handle linkage contact surfaceof the trigger. The first straight segmentterminates in the first end. The second straight segmentterminates in the second end. The curved segmenttransitions between the first straight segmentand the second straight segment. The handle linkagecan include a recessat the second endand an apertureproviding access into the recess.

The tube linkagecan be disposed primarily within the tubular cavityof the first tube. In addition to the second end(see, e.g., back to), the tube linkagefurther includes a first end(returning to). The first endis disposed closer to the triggerthan the second end. The first endis coupled to the second endof the handle linkage. For example, the first endof the tube linkagecan be disposed within the recessof the handle linkageand have an aperturealigned with the apertureof the handle linkage. A fastener can then fasten the first endof the tube linkageand the second endof the handle linkagetogether.

Referring additionally to, the triggeris shown in isolation. As mentioned, the triggerincludes the user contact surfaceand the handle linkage contact surface. The triggerincludes projectionsthat extend outward. The triggeris manipulable along a trigger pivot axis. The trigger pivot axisextends through the projections. The cantilevered tabof the triggerextends away from the trigger pivot axis

Referring additionally to, the handle grip housingis shown in an exploded view, along with the triggerand the handle linkage. The handle grip housingcan be formed of a number of components, such as a first piece, a second piece, and a third piece. The first piece, the second piece, and the third piececan be assembled together to form the handle grip housing.