Circular vacuum handle

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner having a base adapted for movement on a surface to be cleaned, a rear housing pivotally attached at a first end to the base, a vacuum source, a dirt collection container, and a handle attached to a second end of the rear housing. The handle has a grip structure having a substantially circular opening through it. The opening is adapted to receive a hand of a user for use in directing the vacuum cleaner.

1 . A vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a base adapted for movement on a surface to be cleaned;    a rear housing, pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the base;    a vacuum source;    a dirt collection container; and    a handle attached to a second end of the rear housing, wherein the handle comprises: 
 a grip structure having a substantially circular opening therethrough, the opening being adapted to receive a hand of a user for use in directing the vacuum cleaner.  
   
   
   
       2 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the handle further comprises a telescoping handle post joining the hear housing to the grip structure, the telescoping handle post being telescopically affixed to the rear housing and adapted to be adjustable between at least a collapsed position and an extended position.  
   
   
       3 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the grip structure comprises a grip surface disposed on at least a portion of an inner side of the grip structure.  
   
   
       4 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 4 , wherein the grip surface comprises overmolded rubber or synthetic material.  
   
   
       5 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the grip structure further comprises one or more controls for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner.  
   
   
       6 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the grip structure comprises a toroid.  
   
   
       7 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the grip structure has a substantially circular outer perimeter.  
   
   
       8 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the grip structure is pivotable about an axis generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the rear housing.  
   
   
       9 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the dirt collection chamber comprises a bag.  
   
   
       10 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 9 , wherein the handle further comprises a telescoping handle post joining the hear housing to the grip structure, the telescoping handle post being telescopically affixed to the rear housing and adapted to be adjustable between at least a collapsed position and an extended position.  
   
   
       11 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the dirt collection chamber comprises a removable canister.  
   
   
       12 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the handle further comprises a telescoping handle post joining the hear housing to the grip structure, the telescoping handle post being telescopically affixed to the rear housing and adapted to be adjustable between at least a collapsed position and an extended position.  
   
   
       13 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises one or more filters through which air moving through the vacuum cleaner passes to remove particles from the air.  
   
   
       14 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a wet extractor having a fluid delivery system associated therewith.  
   
   
       15 . A vacuum cleaner comprising: 
 a canister having a vacuum source and a dirt collection chamber;    a hose connected to the canister;    a wand connected to the hose;    a floor-engaging cleaning head attached to an end of the wand opposite the hose; and    a handle attached to the wand, wherein the handle comprises: 
 a grip structure having a substantially circular opening therethrough, the opening being adapted to receive a hand of a user for use in directing the floor-engaging cleaning head.  
   
   
   
       16 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein the grip structure comprises a grip surface disposed on at least a portion of an inner side of the grip structure.  
   
   
       17 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 16 , wherein the grip surface comprises overmolded rubber or synthetic material.  
   
   
       18 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein the grip structure further comprises one or more controls for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner.  
   
   
       19 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein the grip structure comprises a toroid.  
   
   
       20 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15  wherein the grip structure has a substantially circular outer perimeter.  
   
   
       21 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein the dirt collection chamber comprises a bag.  
   
   
       22 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein the dirt collection chamber comprises a removable canister.  
   
   
       23 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 22 , wherein the vacuum cleaner further comprises one or more filters through which air moving through the vacuum cleaner passes to remove particles therefrom.  
   
   
       24 . The vacuum cleaner of  claim 15 , wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a wet extractor having a fluid delivery system associated therewith.