Latch for a folding handle

Abstract

A latch assembly for a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The latch assembly includes a housing and a handle pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an operational position and an storage position. The latch assembly further includes an arcuate surface defined in the handle near a pivot axis of the handle and a notched engagement surface defined in the handle proximate to the arcuate surface. The latch assembly yet further includes a latch pivotally mounted to the housing and offset from an axis of rotation of the handle and movable between a locked position and release position. The arcuate surface of the handle slides along the latch when the latch is in the release position allowing the handle to move between the operational position and the storage position. The notched engagement surface of handle engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position thereby preventing rotation of the handle relative to the housing and placing the handle in the operational position. An upright vacuum cleaner is also disclosed.

1 . A latch assembly for a vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a housing;   a handle pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between an operational position and an storage position;   an arcuate surface defined in the handle near a pivot axis of the handle;   a notched engagement surface defined in the handle proximate to the arcuate surface; and   a latch pivotally mounted to the housing and offset from an axis of rotation of the handle and movable between (i) a locked position and (ii) a release position, wherein:   the arcuate surface of the handle slides along the latch when the latch is in the release position allowing the handle to move between the operational position and the storage position; and   the notched engagement surface of handle engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position thereby preventing rotation of the handle relative to the housing and placing the handle in the operational position.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a spring interposed between the latch and the housing, wherein the spring biases the latch toward the locked position.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an actuator attached to the latch and extending through an outer surface of the housing, wherein:   the actuator moves the latch between the locked and release position.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator extends through and upper surface of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a textured surface on the actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the latch engages the engagement surface over substantially the entire width of the handle. 
     
     
         7 . An uprising vacuum cleaner, comprising:
 a carpet engaging nozzle base;   an upper housing pivotally connected to the nozzle base;   a dirt cup removably secured to the upper housing;   a handle pivotally mounted to the housing and movable between and operational position and a storage position;   an arcuate surface defined in the handle near a pivot axis of the handle;   a notched engagement surface defined in the handle proximate to the arcuate surface; and   a latch pivotally mounted to the housing and offset from an axis of rotation of the handle and movable between (i) a locked position and (ii) a release position, wherein:   the arcuate surface of the handle slides along the latch when the latch is in the release position allowing the handle to move between the operational position and storage position; and   the notched engagement surface of handle engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position thereby preventing rotation of the handle relative to the housing and placing the handle in the operational position.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a spring interposed between the latch and the housing, wherein the spring biases the latch toward the lock position.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an actuator attached to the latch and extending through an outer surface of the housing, wherein:   the actuator moves the latch between the locked and release position.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator extends through and upper surface of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a textured surface on the actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the latch engages the engagement surface over substantially the entire width of the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising a filter assembly positioned within the dirt cup.