Steering assembly for surface cleaning device

Abstract

A surface cleaning device having a steering assembly is provided. The surface cleaning device includes a foot, a handle assembly with a user manipulated handle, and a steering assembly coupling the handle assembly to the foot. The steering assembly includes a means for biasing the foot with respect to the handle assembly. Movement of the handle assembly stores energy within the biasing means so that the biasing means exerts a corresponding force on the foot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surface cleaning device operable to clean a surface, the surface cleaning device comprising:
 a foot;   a handle assembly pivotally coupled to the foot for movement between an upright position and an inclined position, the handle assembly having a longitudinal axis; and   a steering assembly coupled between the handle assembly and the foot, the steering assembly including a biasing member and defining an axis of rotation, the biasing member movable with the handle assembly relative to the foot as the handle assembly pivots between the upright position and the inclined position, the axis of rotation formed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly;   wherein rotation of the handle assembly relative to the foot about the axis of rotation stores energy within the biasing member such that the biasing member exerts a corresponding force on the foot to encourage turning of the foot.   
     
     
         2 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the axis of rotation extends through the biasing member. 
     
     
         3 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 2 , wherein the axis of rotation is a longitudinal axis of the biasing member. 
     
     
         4 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the acute angle is between 15 degrees and 75 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member includes a first end secured to the handle assembly to inhibit movement of the first end with respect to the handle assembly, and a second end secured to the foot to inhibit movement of the second end with respect to the handle assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 5 , wherein the biasing member includes a first knob located at the first end and a second knob located at the second end, wherein the first knob is received in a first recess of the handle assembly, and wherein the second knob is received in a second recess of the foot. 
     
     
         7 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member includes a resilient piece of molded rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the steering assembly includes a fastener that rotatably couples the handle assembly to the foot, and wherein the fastener extends through the biasing member. 
     
     
         9 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 8 , wherein the fastener extends along the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         10 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the foot includes a suction opening and wheels. 
     
     
         11 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein the handle assembly pivots relative to the foot between the upright position and the inclined position about an incline axis, and wherein the incline axis is generally parallel to an axle of the wheels. 
     
     
         12 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 10 , wherein the surface cleaning device is an upright vacuum cleaner including a dirt collection chamber and a motor housing supported by the handle assembly, and wherein the suction opening is fluidly coupled to the dirt collection chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A surface cleaning device operable to clean a surface, the surface cleaning device comprising:
 a foot;   a handle assembly pivotally coupled to the foot for movement between an upright position and an inclined position, the handle assembly having a longitudinal axis; and   a steering assembly coupled between the handle assembly and the foot, the steering assembly including a biasing member and defining an axis of rotation, the biasing member including a first end secured to the handle assembly to inhibit movement of the handle assembly relative to the first end of the biasing member, the axis of rotation formed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly;   wherein rotation of the handle assembly relative to the foot about the axis of rotation stores energy within the biasing member such that the biasing member exerts a corresponding force on the foot to encourage turning of the foot.   
     
     
         14 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 13 , wherein the acute angle between the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis remains constant as the handle assembly pivots between the upright position and the inclined position. 
     
     
         15 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 13 , wherein the biasing member also includes a second end secured to the foot to inhibit movement of the foot relative to the second end of the biasing member. 
     
     
         16 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the axis of rotation extends through the first end and the second end of the biasing member. 
     
     
         17 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the steering assembly includes a fastener that rotatably couples the handle assembly to the foot, and wherein the fastener extends through the first end and the second end of the biasing member. 
     
     
         18 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 13 , wherein the biasing member includes a resilient piece of molded rubber. 
     
     
         19 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 18 , wherein the resilient piece of molded rubber includes a knob located at the first end, and wherein the knob is received in a recess of the handle assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The surface cleaning device of  claim 13 , wherein the foot includes a suction opening and wheels, wherein the handle assembly pivots relative to the foot between the upright position and the inclined position about an incline axis, and wherein the incline axis is generally parallel to an axle of the wheels.