Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct – Handle with ergonomic structure enhancements such as...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-05
2004-06-01
Hartmann, Gary S. (Department: 3671)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Handle, handle component, or handle adjunct
Handle with ergonomic structure enhancements such as...
C016S438000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06742222
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to handles and similar attachments and extensions for various devices, and more particularly to a dual handle attachment for various types of powered and manually operated floor appliances. The present invention comprises a pair of generally symmetrically disposed handgrips which extend from a central fixture or attachment, which is in turn removably or permanently attached to the appliance. The present dual handle attachment is particularly well suited for use with vacuum cleaners, but may be fitted to a number of other floor appliances as well, such as push brooms, mops, buffers, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
Even relatively light physical labor can be difficult for some persons afflicted with various illnesses and diseases. While everyone suffers from some temporary infirmity (common cold or the flu, a muscle sprain, etc.) which may make it difficult or impossible to perform physical labor for some relatively short period of time, our aging population tends to suffer from more chronic ailments which affect their ability to perform physical tasks.
Chronic arthritis, carpal tunnel problems in the wrist(s), cardiac problems, etc. have taken their toll on a large number of people, particularly those in their later years. Many such persons would nevertheless be capable of independent living, if it were not for the need to perform certain physical tasks which would otherwise be of no great consequence. However, persons suffering from various physical disabilities, such as those noted above, are often greatly restricted when it comes to otherwise routine tasks, such as housecleaning, vacuuming, and the like.
One of the major reasons that persons may have difficulty with such tasks, is that the typical floor appliance (vacuum cleaner, etc.) has only a single centrally positioned handle at the upper end of a column or shaft. (This same general configuration holds true for manually operated appliances such as push brooms, mops, floor squeegees, and similar devices as well.) Such appliances are typically operated by manipulating the appliance using one hand on the single handgrip at the upper end of the handle, particularly in the case of vacuum cleaners and other powered appliances. For a person with limited upper body physical strength or mobility, this need for asymmetric manipulation of the appliance can be difficult or impossible, depending upon the physical limitations of the appliance user and the manipulation required. For example, many persons with recent heart surgery are encouraged to engage in mild exercise, but the asymmetric stress of pushing a vacuum cleaner using only one arm, can stress the stitches remaining after surgery and possibly reinjure the surgical site.
Persons with chronic arthritis, muscular weakening, etc. are also limited in their abilities to use single handled appliances. While they may otherwise be capable of caring for themselves and maintaining a household, certain otherwise routine chores require them to seek outside assistance. Many, if not most, such persons are in their later years, and are living on a fixed retirement income. This can make it financially difficult for such persons to obtain outside help for such otherwise routine chores, and yet these persons are quite capable of living independently, if they could only have some limited assistance with certain occasional chores, particularly such household tasks as would otherwise require mild exertion and asymmetric manipulation and orientation of the body, using only one hand and arm.
The present invention provides a solution to the above problem by means of a dual handle attachment for vacuum cleaners and other types of powered and manually operated floor appliances (heavy push brooms, mops, squeegees, etc.). The present invention comprises different embodiments providing for either removable attachment, or permanent attachment to an appliance. The removable device includes a clamp which removably attaches to the single shaft or column of the appliance, with a pair of generally symmetrically disposed (but arcuately adjustable) handles extending from the clamp. In another embodiment, the handle attachment is permanently affixed to the central shaft of the appliance. Both embodiments preferably provide for the adjustment and interchangeabilty of the two handles.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventors are aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,014,776 issued on Jan. 16, 1912 to Simon L. Rubel, titled “Vacuum Cleaner,” describes a manually actuated device in which vacuum is created by manipulating a telescoping pump. A single, axially centered handle is used for manipulating the pump, with a second handle extending radially from the column of the device. The user holds the single radial handle with one hand, and pumps the central axial handle with the other to manipulate the pump. The Rubel device clearly teaches away from the present invention, as Rubel requires that one hand grip the axial pump handle. Thus, only one other hand may be used to grip the radially offset handle to hold and guide the apparatus itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,267,329 issued on May 21, 1918 to Jerry J. Merithew, titled “Vacuum Sweeper,” describes a hand powered vacuum cleaner, with vacuum provided by a laterally disposed hand crank. As in the case of the Rubel manually powered vacuum cleaner described immediately above, the Merithew device cannot be maneuvered and guided using both hands and arms in a generally symmetrical posture, due to the single handle for operating the vacuum mechanism and the other single handle for maneuvering the device. The Merithew device requires that the operator use one hand to provide the vacuum power, i.e., turn a crank, with only one hand remaining free to maneuver and guide the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,692,137 issued on Nov. 20, 1928 to William V. Orr, titled “Suction Cleaning Device,” describes an electrically powered vacuum cleaner of generally conventional configuration, having a single, centrally disposed handle or shaft upon which the vacuum bag is held or suspended. The upper end of the handle or shaft includes a single handgrip thereon. Orr makes no suggestion or teaching of any form of bifurcated, dual handle attachment for maneuvering and manipulating his vacuum cleaner, either in a removably or permanently attached embodiment.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,936,366 issued on Nov. 21, 1933 to Frederick Riebel, Jr. et al., titled “Vacuum Cleaner Handle Attaching Means,” describes an attachment for a tubular handle and duct for a vacuum cleaner. The single elongate handle acts as an air nozzle for the vacuum cleaner, as well as serving as the handle for the device. No dual handle attachment is disclosed by Riebel, Jr. et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,819,485 issued on Jan. 14, 1958 to Charles H. Sparklin, titled “Movable Vacuum Cleaner Structure,” describes a relatively large and bulky assembly having an inverted, generally U-shaped handle structure. Two telescoping elements are provided, which telescope into mating lower tubes. However, they are joined by a single handgrip across their center juncture. This is essentially opposite the present handle structure, with its single central shaft and two handgrips branching therefrom. Sparklin does not provide laterally opposed handgrips for the simultaneous use of both hands, as does the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,097,890 issued on Jul. 16, 1963 to Patrick E. Doyle, titled “Adjustable Handle For Floor Machines,” describes a handle assembly for a floor buffer or the like. The handle is angularly affixed to the lower portion of the machine by an adjustment mechanism, comprising a series of teeth which engage mating teeth on the base structure. A lever is used to disengage the teeth for adjustment, with the teeth locking the handle at the new angle as desired. The Doyle apparatus has no relationship to the present invention, other than the disclosure of a floor buffe
Britt, Jr. Grover A.
Furr-Britt Tonja L.
Hartmann Gary S.
Litman Richard C.
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