112; United States Patent
`Zahnranec et al.
`
`VACUUM CLEANER WITH REMOVABLE
`HANDLE
`
`lnventm-s: Terry L. Zahuranec, North Olmsted.
`OH (US); David Scott Smith, Avon
`L€li{C.
`Daniel L. Steele,
`Concord, OH (US); Diane L. Dodson,
`Sagamore Hills, OH (US)
`
`_
`.
`Notice.
`
`Assignee: The Scott Fetzer Company. Wcstlake.
`OH (US)
`-
`.
`-
`.
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U-5-C 154(blbY 0 d3YS-
`.
`~
`_
`_
`_
`T1113 patent IS S'l.1bjBCt to :1 lernnnal d1s-
`c]3in]g1-_
`
`1 21591212
`
`||||l||||||l||||||||l|||l||||||| ||||||||1l|||||||||| \||||||||||l|||||||||||
`US007854038B2
`
`(—~--”""-—*”“-__j:
`\Us 7,854,038 B2
`(10) Patent N0.:
`\
`(45) Date of Patent: \
`*Dec. 21, 201
`
`l51'329,
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`l5f331, 334. 338, 339, 351. 410; A471. 9/I0
`See application file for Complete search history.
`_
`References clted
`US. PATENT DOCUTVIENTS
`
`(55)
`
`1-421353
`4.851.019
`
`7/1933 K1113)’
`7/1989 Ahlfet a.l.
`
`3”990 -W10‘
`4~905v343
`SII994 Meyer et :11.
`5.335.740
`611998 Bumb et al.
`5,766,283
`ll/1999 Jacobs et al.
`5,983,444
`7‘5S7'786 B2 4‘ W2009 Zflhumflec es all
`2004110049879 A1
`3,2004 Park el.nl_
`200410261213 A1
`1212004 Park etal.
`200610130268 A1
`61'2006 Pa.r](
`I
`_
`* Cl[Cd by exannner
`
`Pfimary Exm.-1ir:1er—DaVid A Redding
`(74) .«tttorne_11, Agent. or Fr'rm—Jones Day
`
`15829
`
`Jul. 22, 2009
`P '
`P blication Data
`“or
`u
`Us 2009/0232543 A1
`
`N0V- 19. 2009
`_
`_
`Relatcd U-S- APPh°3t1°“ Data
`Commuamm of application NO_ 111266 400‘ filed on
`N0“ 37 2005‘ new Pat_ NO_ 7 587‘785_
`'
`i
`'
`
`Int CL
`A47L 9/10
`U.S. Cl.
`
`(20()5_()1)
`15/334; 15/338', 15.839;
`15/351; 15/410
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`,
`_
`,
`A clerunug apparatus includes a base. A bracket IS attached to
`the base. Wheels are rotatably attached to the base forwl1eel-
`ing the base across a floor. A cleaning attachment is config-
`tired to be attached to tl1e base and moved against the llnortu
`clean the Floor asthe baseis wheeled across the Floor. The base
`is manually pushed by a handlc to wheel the base across the
`floor. The handle is configured to be rcnmvably attached to
`the base by being hooked onto the bracket and then pivoted
`relative to the bracket into an installed position.
`
`8 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 ofll
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`US 7,854,038 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 M11
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`Us 7,854,038 B2
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`

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`Dec. 21, 2010
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`Sheet 3 of 11
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`US 7,854,038 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 21, 2010
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`Sheet 4 ofll
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`US 7,854,038 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`0102132C.eD
`
`Sheet 5 ofll
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`US 7,854,038 B2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`0102.,12CeD
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`Sheet 6 of 11
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`US 7,354,038 B2
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`

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`Dec. 21, 2010
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`Sheet 7 of 11
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`US 7,854,038 B2
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`Fig. 7
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Dec. 21, 2010
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`Sheet 3 ofll
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`US 7,854,038 B2
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`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 2010
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
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`US 7,854,038 B2
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`86
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`04
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`2
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`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 2010
`
`Sheet 10 ofll
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`Us 7,854,038 B2
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`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 21, 2010
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
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`US 7,854,038 B2
`
`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 12
`
`

`
`US 7,854,038 B2
`
`1
`VACUUM CLEANER VVITH REMOVABLE
`HANDLE
`
`CROSS RIEFIERIENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`11/266,400. filed Nov. 3, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,587,786
`hereby incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNTCAL FIELD
`
`This application relates to vacuum cleaners.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`A vacutun cleaner includes a base and different cleaning
`attaclnnents and handles that are removably attachable to the
`base. The cleaning attachments include a vacuuming head for
`vacuuming a carpet, a shampooing head for shampooing the
`czu'pet, and an accessory hose for cleaning above-the—lloor
`household surfaces. The handles include an upright handle
`for pushing the base over the carpet and a portable handie for
`lifting the base to reach above-the-floor surfaces.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A cleaning apparatus includes a base.A bracket is attached
`to the base. Wheels are rotatably attached to the base for
`wheeling the base across a floor. A cleaning attachment is
`configured to be attached to the base and moved against the
`lloor to clean the floor as the base is wheeled across the floor.
`The base is manually pushed by a handle to wheel the base
`across the floor. The handle is configured to be removably
`attached to tl1e base by being hooked onto the bracket and
`then pivoted relative to the bracket into an installed position.
`Preferabiy, the handle, in its installed position, is fixedly
`attached to the bracket, and the bracket is pivotably attached
`to the base to enable the handle to pivot relative to the base. A
`dirt receptacle is attached to the handle and configured to be
`pivoted with the handle relative to the component. The base is
`configured to operatively sense whether the handle is attached
`to the base and control mi operating condition ofthe apparatus
`based on whether the handle is attached. A differently-com
`figured handle is configured to be rentovably attached to the
`base by being hooked onto the component and pivoted reia-
`tive to the component into an installed position.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE. DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa vacuum cleaner base and
`different cleaning attachments and handle assemblies that can
`be removably attached to the base;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the base, showing its exter-
`nal parts;
`FIG. 3 is aperspectivc view ofthe base, showingits internal
`parts;
`FIGS. 4 and 5 are exploded views of an upright handle
`assembly shown in FJG. 1, taken from two different view-
`points;
`FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a procedure for
`attaching the upright handle assembly to the base;
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the upright handle
`assembly attached to the base to form an upright vacuum
`cleaner;
`FlG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating operation of the
`upright vacuum cleaner;
`
`L2:
`
`15
`
`2!]
`
`LJtJ:
`
`3|)
`
`35
`
`40
`
`U: U:
`
`60
`
`G5
`
`2
`FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a blower hose attached
`to the upright handle assembly;
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view ofparts ofa handle portion of
`a portable handle assembly shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating a procedure for
`attaching the portable handle assembly to the base; and
`FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the portable handle
`assembly attached to the base.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`Overview
`
`The apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has parts that are
`examples of the elements recited in the claims. The apparatus
`thus includes examples ofhow a person ofordinary skill in the
`art can make and use the claimed invention. It is described
`here to meet the requirements of enablement and best mode
`without imposing limitations that are 11ot recited in the claims.
`The apparatus 1 is a cleaning system used for cieauing
`household surfaces, such as a carpeted floor 6. The system 1
`includes a base 10 and different cleaning attaclnnents and
`handle assemblies that can be removably attached to the base
`10. The cleaning attachments include a vacuuming head 12, a
`power head assembly 14, an accessory hose 16 and a sham-
`pooing head 18. The handle assemblies include an upright
`handle assembly 20 and a portable handle assembly 22. Any
`of the attachments 12, 14, 16 and 18 can be installed on the
`base 10 with any of the handle assemblies 20 and 22.
`Base
`
`As shown in FIG. 2, the base 10 has a housing 30 located on
`a horizontal longitudinal axis 31. The housing 30 has a front
`face 40 with upper and lower inlet ports 46 and 48. Two front
`wheels SI] and two rear wheels 52 are rotatable connected to
`the housing 30 for wheeling the base 10 over the floor 6. The
`rearwheels 52 are fixed to a common axle 56. The base 10 has
`two perch pins 60 and a bear claw latch 64 with a release
`button 6 6 for securing the cleaning attachrneuts to thcbase 10.
`It also has four electrical contacts 71, 72, 73 and 74—respec-
`tiveiy designated grotuid, 5 VDC-out, 24 VDC-out and resis-
`tance-sense. An attachment sensor '76 on the housing 30, in
`this example a pushbutton switch, senses whether the upper
`inlet port 46 is covered by a cleaning attachment.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 30 encases a fan 80 that
`has an inlet 82 and an outlet 84 and is driven by a motor 88.
`The motor 88 also drives a drive pulley 90 through a drive
`train that includes shafis 93, belts 94, pulleys 95, a bevel gear
`96 and an electrically actuated clutch 98. A drive assist motor
`99 rotates the rear wheels 52 to propel the base 10.
`A handle mounting bracket 100 is pivotally attached to the
`housing 30 by two prongs 102. The bracket 100 has a flat top
`surface 104 with an outlet port 105. The port 105 is connected
`to the fan outlet 84 by a flexible tube 106 that extends down-
`ward froma gasket 108 surrounding the port 105. Two spacers
`110 at the top surface 104 prevent over-compression of the
`gasket 108. The bracket 100 has two pins 112 in respective
`notches 114 and a wedge surface 116, for securing the handle
`assemblies to the bracket lllll.
`
`An electronic position sensor 120 senses whether the
`bracket 100, and thus the upright handle assembly 20, is in an
`upright or inclined position. In this example, the sensor is a
`contact switch that is attached to the base 10 and contacts the
`bracket 100 when the bracket 100 is upright. A multi-Contact
`electrical base terminal 124 is located at the top surface 104 of
`the handle bracket ]t)0.
`
`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 13
`
`

`
`US 7,854,038 B2
`
`3
`A controller circuit 130 is electrically connected to the
`electrical Components 71-74, 76, 88, 98, 99, 120 and 124
`(FIGS. 2 a11d 3) ofthe base 10 to monitor and control opera-
`tion of the base 10. The circuit 130 receives wall current
`through a power cord .132. It generates a 5 VDC and 24 VDC
`supply that is output through the 5 VDC-out and 24 VDC-out
`contacts 72 and 73. It senses electrical resistance applied
`across tl1e sense contact 73 md ground contact 71 by which-
`ever attachment is installed on the base 1 0. Since each attach-
`ment applies a unique resistance, the controller 130 can deter-
`mine which attachment, if any. is installed.
`
`Cleaning Attachments
`The four cleaning attachments 12, 14, 16 and 18 are shown
`in FIG. I. They are descrihed individually as follows.
`The vacuuming head 12 has a brushroll 202. When the head
`1 2 is attached to the base 1 0, the bntshroll 202 is driven by the
`drive pulley 90 of the base 10 to rotate against the lloor 6 to
`dislodge dirt from the floor 6. The fan 80 generates an air flow
`that draws the dirt from the floor 6 through the head 12. A
`headlight 210 is powered by electricity supplied by the base
`10 through the ground a11d 5 VDC-out contacts 71 and 72
`(FIG. 2).
`The power head assembly 14 has a power head 300 with a
`brushroll 302 driven by a motor 304. The assembly 14 further
`has a tttbe structure comprising a rigid tube 374, a Flexible
`tube 376 and a comiector 378. The connector 378 can be
`removably attached to the base 10. In operation, the user
`grasps the rigid tube 374 by its handgrip 380 to push a11d pull
`the power head 300 over the floor 6. The flexible tube 376
`enables tl1e power head 300 to move independently of the
`base 10. The brushroll 302 rotates against the floor 6 to
`dislodge dirt. The fan 80 generates an air flow that carries the
`dirt from the floor 6, throughthe power head 300 and die tubes
`374 and 376 into the upper inlet port 46 of the base 10. A
`headlamp 390 on the power head 300 illuminates tl1e iioor 6
`in front of the power head 300. The headlamp 390 and the
`motor 304 are respectively powered by 5 VDC and 24 VDC
`supplied by the base 10 through the electrical contacts 71-73
`(FIG. 2).
`The accessory hose 16 includes a flexible tube 400 extend-
`ing from a connector 410 that is attachable to the base 10. In
`operation, the fan 80 draws air through the flexible tube 400
`and the upper inlet port 46 ofthe base 10.
`The shampooing head 18 has front a.nd rear brushrolls 50]
`a11d 502, both driven by the drive pulley 90 of the base 10.
`Shampoo is deposited onto the carpet 6 by a shampoo-dis-
`pensing device 504 ofthc head 18 and brushed into the carpet
`6 by the brushrolls 501 and 502 to entrain dirt from the carpet
`6. The shampoo is lifted from the carpet 6 by the rear brushroil
`502 and collected in a take-up tray 506 in the head 18. The
`head 18 biocks air from entering the inlet ports 46 and 48.
`
`Upright Handle Assembly
`The uprit-Eht handle assembly 20 shown in FIGS. 4-5
`includes an upright handle 602 and a dirt receptacle 604. It
`enables the base 10 and the vacuuming head 12 to be used
`together as an upright vacuum cleaner. This type ofcleaner is
`configured for the user to stand upright while manually push-
`ing the cleaner by its handle 602 over the [loot 6 to clean the
`floor 6.
`
`The handle 602 has a handgrip 6]_U configured to be
`grasped by a user. A force sensor 612 in the handgrip 602
`senses the direction and niagnitude ofthe force applied by the
`userto push and pull the cleaner. The handle 602 further has
`a tlat bottom 620 with an inlet port 622../kn exhaust tube 624
`extends upward from the inlet port 622. At the handle bottom
`620, a multi-contact electrical terminal 630 mates with the
`
`an
`
`10
`
`I5
`
`20
`
`30
`
`40
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`tenninal 124 on the base 10 to enable the controller 130 to
`
`cornmnnicate with electrical components of the handle 602.
`Two hooks 634 and a lever 638 with a wedge 639 are for
`attaching the handle 602 to the base 10.
`The handle 602 has a user interface panel 640. The panel
`640 l1as user interfaces 642 comprising controls and displays
`with which the user conununicates with the controller 130.
`The controls are for tnannally selecting operating conditions
`ofthe eieaner. They include membrane switches for powering
`the Fan motor 88 (FIG. 3), selecting motor speed, engaging
`the clutch 98, and activating the drive-assist motor 99. In
`contrast, the displays are for displaying operating conditions
`of the cleaner. They include lights for i.ndicati.ng fan motor
`speed, whether the brushroll is rotating, whether the drive-
`assist feature 99 is activated, and whether the dirt receptacle
`602 is full. The base i0 is free ofany operating controls and
`displays, because they are all on the handle 602. The panel
`640 also outputs a signal to the Controller 130 indicating what
`type of handle it is—in this case identifying itself as an
`upright handle. The panel 640 is sufl"iciently close to the
`handgrip 610 to enable a finger ofa user’s hand to press the
`controls while the hand is grasping the handgrip 610.
`The dirt receptacle 604 includes a permanent outer filter
`bag 650. The bag 650 is suspended from a mounting tab 652
`that snaps into a clip 654 on the handle 602. A rigid connector
`656 at the bottom ofthe bag 650 has a hole 657 configured to
`receive the handlc’s exhaust tube 624. Bayonet slots 658
`around the hole 657 receive bayonet lugs 659 on the exhaust
`tube 624. A fill tube 660 extends upward from the i11let port
`657 into the outer bag 650. A disposable inner filter bag 670
`is inserted into the outer bag 650 through a Zippered opening
`672 and press-fitted over the [ill tube 660.
`The handle 602 ca.t1 be attached to the base 10 as shown in
`FIG. 6. First, the hooks 634 ofthe handle 602 are hooked onto
`the pins 112 ofthe base bracket 100. Next, the handle 602 is
`pivoted (arrow 673) forward and downward into its installed
`position shown i11 FIG. 7. Then, the lever 638 is pivoted
`(arrow 674) and wedged under the wedge surface 116 to lock
`the handle 602 in place.
`In the installation procedure illustrated in FIG. 6, the piv-
`oting movement (arrow 673) of the handle 602 toward and
`into its installed position moves its bottom surface 620 toward
`and into sealing engagement with the gasket 103 and also
`toward and into engagement with the spacers 100, and also
`moves the handle terminal 630 toward and into engagement
`with the base terminal 124. As the handle 602 pivots forward
`(arrow 673), proper alignment of the handle’s inlet port 624
`with the bases outlet port 105 is ensured by each hook 634
`being closely captured by and between the respective pin 1 12
`a11d walls 675 (FIG. 3} ofthe respective notch 114.
`The sequence of steps of l) installing the inner bag 670 in
`the outer bag 650, 2) installing the outer bag 650 on the handle
`602, and 3) installing the handle 602 on the base 10 can be
`performed in any order.
`The handle 602 in FIG. 7 can be removed from the base 10
`by first pivoting the lever 638 out of engagement with the
`wedge surface 116 and then pivoting the handle 602 rearward
`about the pivot pins 112. The hooks 634 can then removed
`from the pivot pins.
`As shown in FIG. 8. a user can grasp the handgrip 610 to
`pivot (arrow 677) the handle 602 rearward and push/pull the
`base 10 over the floor 6. When the user presses the power
`switch ofthe control panel 640, the controller 130 powers the
`motor 88 to drive the fan 80. The fan 80 generates an air flow
`(arrows 678) that carries dirt from the tloor 6 through the
`vacuuming head 12, the lower inlet ports 48, the fan 80. the
`outlet port 105 and the [ill tube 660 into the ituter bag 670.
`
`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 14
`
`

`
`US 7,854,038 B2
`
`5
`The controller 130 inputs operating parameters of the
`cleaner from various sensors and switches of the cleaner.
`
`Specifically, from the force sensor 612 in the handgrip 610,
`the controller 130 inputs the direction and magnitude offorce
`manually applied to the handle 602. Front the position sensor
`120 in the base 10, the controller 130 determines whether the
`handle 602 is in the upright or inclined position. Through the
`control panel 640, the controller 130 determines which switch
`the user presses and the type ofhandle installed, and displays
`information to the user. No signal being received through the
`base terminal 124 indicates that no handle 602 is installed.
`From the attachment sense switch 76 (FIG. 2), the controller
`130 determines whether the upper inlet port 46 is covered by
`a cleaning attachment. By sensing the electrical resistance
`across the ground and resistance-sense contacts 71 and 74, the
`controller 130 determines ifa cleaning attaclunent, and which
`cleaning attachment, is installed.
`The controller 130 controls operation of the cleaner based
`on the partuneters input from the sensors and switches. For
`example, the controller 130 applies a hiyier default motor
`speed when the accessory hose 16 (FIG. 1) is attached than
`when the vacuuming head 12 is attached. The controller 130
`engages the clutch 98 (FIG. 3), and thus engages the motor 88
`to the drive pulley 90, only when, concurrently, a handle is
`installed and either the vacuuming hear 12 or shampooing
`head 18 is installed. The controller 130 will not power the
`motor 88 ifno handle is installed or no cleaning attaclunent is
`installed. The controller 130 powers the drive assist motor 99
`(FIG. 3) to rotate the rear wheels 52 in a direction and at a
`speed that correspond respectively to the direction and mag-
`nitude of the force manually applied to the handle 602. The
`drive assist motor 99 thus assists the user in propelling the
`base 10 over the floor 6. The controller 130 activates the
`drive-assist motor 99 (FIG. 3) only when, concurrently, either
`the vacuuming or shanrpooing head 12 or 18 is installed, the
`upright handle 602 is installed and inclined, and a “drive-
`assist" switch on the control panel 640 has been pressed.
`As shown in FIG. 9, i11 place ofthe dirt receptacle 604 (FIG.
`8), a blower hose 680 can be friction-fitted over the exhaust
`tube 624 of the handle 602 for use in blowing debris or
`inflating things.
`
`Portable Handle Assembly
`A portable handle assembly 22 shown in FIG. 1 includes a
`portable handle 702 and a dirt receptacle 704. It enables the
`base 10 and the vacuuming head to be used together as a
`portable vacuum cleaner. This type of cleaner is configured
`for the user to manually lift and move the cleaner by the
`handle 702 to clean vertical or above—the-fioor household
`surfaces.
`
`As shown in FIG. 10, the portable handle 702 has several
`parts that have the same functions as corresponding parts of
`the upright handle 602. These include a handgrip 710, a Hat
`bottom 720 with an inlet port 722, an exhaust tube 724
`extending upward from the port 722, an electrical terminal
`730, two hooks 734, and a loelcing lever 738 with a wedge
`739.
`
`As shown in FIG. 11, the dirt receptacle 704 has a perma-
`nent outer filter bag 750. A rigid connector 756 at the bottom
`ofthe bag 750 is similar to the connector 656 of the upright
`handle assembly 20. The connector 756 has an inlet port 757
`and bayonet slots 758 secured to bayonet lugs 759 of the
`liandle’s exliatlst lL1be 724. A lill tube 760 extends lirorn the
`inlet port 757 into the outer bug 750. A disposable inner filter
`hag 770 is inserted into the outer bag 750 tlirougli a zippered
`opening in the outer bag 750 and press-fitted overthe fill tube
`760.
`
`10
`
`:1:
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4t
`
`45
`
`50
`
`G0
`
`(15
`
`6
`The portable handle 702 can be installed in a manner simi-
`lar to that of the upright handle 602. First, as shown in FIG.
`11, the books 734 are hooked onto the pins 112 (FIG. 3) ofthe
`base bracket 100. Then, the handle 702 is pivoted (arrow 775)
`into the installed position shown in FIG. 12, and the lever 638
`is pivoted to wedge the wedge 739 against the wedge surface
`116 of the bracket 100.
`
`The sequence of steps of 1) installing the inner bag 770 in
`the outer bag 750, 2) installing the outer bag 750 on the handle
`702, and 3) installing the handle 702 on the base 10 can be
`performed in any order. In place of the bag assembly 704, the
`blower hose 680 (FIG. 9) can be friction-litted over the
`exhaust tube 724 of the handle 702 for use in blowing debris
`or inflating things.
`The portable handle 702 is different than the upright handle
`602 in several ways. As shown in FIG. 1 2, the portable handle
`702 projects Forward over the base 10 instead of rearward
`away from the base 1.0. This is to orient its handmp 710
`directly above the center of gravity of the cleaner. I11 place of
`the upright handle‘s control panel 640 (FIG. 4), the portable
`handle 702 has a single rocker-type power switch 776 for
`powering the fan motor 88, and no displays. Unlike the
`upright handle 602, the portable handle 702 lacks a switch for
`activating the drive-assist,
`lacks a display for indicating
`whether the drive-assist is activated, and lacks the force sen-
`sor used for the drive-assist feature. Also unlike the upright
`handle 602, the portable handle 702 has a pivot-preventing
`projection 780 (FIG. 10) configured to be closely received in
`a groove (not shown) in the base 10 to prevent the handle 702
`from pivoting.
`This written description uses examples to disclose the
`invention, including the best mode. and also to enable any
`person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The
`patentable scope ofthc invention is defined by the claims, and
`may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the
`art. Such other examples we intended to be within the scope
`of the claims if they have elements that do not differ from the
`literal li rguage of the claims, or if they include equivalent
`structural elements with insubstantial differences from the
`literal language of the claims.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
`a base;
`a bracket attached to the base;
`wheels rotatably attached to the base for wheeling the base
`across a floor;
`a cleaning attaclunent configured to be attached to the base
`and moved against the floor to clean the llooras the base
`is wheeled across the floor;
`a handle for manually pushing the base by the handle to
`wheel the base across the floor, and configured to be
`removably attached to the base by a procedure that
`includes booking the handle onto the bracket and then
`pivoting the handle relative to the bracket
`into an
`installed position;
`a dirt receptacle attached to the handle and configured to be
`pivoted with the handle relative to the base; and
`an outlet port through which the base exhausts dirt laden
`air, and an inlet port through which the dirt-laden air
`enters the dirt receptacle, the outlet port being fixed to
`the bracket and the inlet port being fixed to the handle,
`such that the inlet port is moved toward and into con-
`nection with the oullet port by pivotal movement ofthe
`handle toward and into its installed position.
`2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the base is a vacuum
`cleaner base that includes a lhn, and the cleaning attachment
`is a vacuuming nozzle.
`
`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 15
`
`

`
`US 7,854,038 B2
`
`7
`3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the handle is config-
`ured to be removably attached to the base by being hooked
`onto the bracket and then pivoted relative to the bracket into
`an installed position and secured in the installed position.
`4. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
`a base;
`a bracket attached to the base;
`wheels rotatably attached to tile base for wheeling the base
`across a floor;
`a cleaning attachment configured to be attached to the base
`and moved against the floor to clean the Floor as the base
`is wheeled across the floor; and
`a handle for ntanually pushing the base by the handle to
`wheel the base across the floor, and configured to be
`reanovably attached to the base by being hooked onto the
`bracket and then pivoted relative to the bracket into an
`installed position and secured in the installed position;
`wherein the handle,
`in its installed position.
`is fixedly
`attached to the bracket, and the bracket is pivotably
`attached to the base to enable the handle to pivot relative
`to the base.
`
`5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an outlet
`port through wh.icl1 the base exhausts dirt-laden air, the outlet
`port being fixed to the bracket.
`6. A clean_ing apparatus comprising:
`a base;
`a bracket attached to the base;
`wheels rotatably attached to the base for wheeling the base
`across a floor;
`a cleaning attachrnent configured to be attached to the base
`and moved against the Hour to clean the floor as the base
`is wheeled across the floor; and
`
`8
`a handle for manually pushing the base by the handle to
`wheel the base across the floor, and configured to be
`rentovably attached to the base by being hooked onto the
`bracket and then pivoted relative to the bracket into an
`installed position and secured in the installed position;
`wherein the base is configured to operatively sense whether
`the handle is attached to the base and control an operat-
`ing condition of the apparatus based on whether the
`handle is attached.
`7. A cleaning apparatus comprising:
`a base;
`a bracket attached to the base;
`wheels rota tably attached to the base for wheeling the base
`across a floor;
`a cleaning attachment configured to be attached to the base
`and moved against the floor to clean the Floor as the base
`is wheeled across the floor;
`a handle for manually pushing the base by the handle to
`wheel the base across the floor, and configured to be
`rentovably attached to the base by being hooked onto the
`bracket and then pivoted relative to the bracket into an
`installed position and secured in the installed position;
`and
`
`10
`
`2(I
`
`25
`
`a ditTerently-configured handle configured to be remov-
`ably attached to the base by being hooked onto the
`bracket and then pivoted relative to the bracket into an
`installed position.
`8. The apparatus ofclaitn 7 wherein the base is configured
`to sense which of the handles is attached and control an
`30 operating condition of the base based on which ofthe handles
`is attached.
`
`Douglas Dynamics
`|PR2015-01247
`
`Exhibit 2004
`Page 16