Richard L Wallace

US Patent:

20040093683, May 20, 2004

Filed:

Nov 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/295147

Inventors:

Richard Wallace - Thornton CO, US

International Classification:

A47L007/00

US Classification:

015/321000

Abstract:

A device is disclosed for controlling the operation of a vacuum cleaning assembly, which assembly includes a vacuum-creating source, a vacuum hose attachable to the vacuum-creating source, a vacuum cleaning head, and a suction wand operatively connecting the vacuum hose to the cleaning head. The device includes a wand connection member having a housing with a first end attachable to the vacuum hose and a second end attachable to the suction wand. A valve element is disposed in the housing. The valve element is movable between a closed position to block the vacuum between the vacuum-creating source and the cleaning head, and an open position to provide full vacuum between the vacuum-creating source and the cleaning head. A transfer mechanism is secured to the housing for controlling the movement of the valve element between its closed and open positions. A control handle engages the transfer mechanism and is adapted to move between first and second operating positions while imparting this movement to the transfer mechanism. The control handle first operating position corresponds to the valve element closed position, while the second operating position corresponds to the valve element open position. A bias mechanism is provided for urging the control handle toward its first operating position. Finally, the control handle is sized and shaped to permit an operator of the device to maintain the handle in its second operating position with one hand while operating the suction wand and cleaning head.