Handle assemblies for floor care devices and methods of using same

A handle assembly for a floor care device having a handle support and a power cord, comprising:

• a main member partially surrounding a gripping space and including a base portion adapted to attach to the handle support and an outer surface adjacent the gripping space;
• a lower portion coupled to the base portion and having a forward section projecting forwardly and upwardly from the base portion;
• an upper portion coupled to the forward section of the lower portion and having a first section projecting upwardly and rearwardly from the forward section and a second section projecting downwardly from the first section;
• wherein the gripping space is at least partially disposed between the upper and lower portions;
• and
• a retaining member moveably attached to the main member and having a retaining surface adjustably positionable proximate the outer surface, the retaining member being movable between a first position in which the retaining surface cooperates with the outer surface to form a cord retaining space adapted to at least partially retain a plurality of loops of a power cord, and a second position in which the retaining surface cooperates with the outer surface to be adapted to release the plurality of power cord portions from the cord retaining space.

A floor care device having a floor engaging head, a power cord operatively coupled to the floor engaging head, a handle support attached to and projecting away from the floor engaging head, and a handle assembly, the handle assembly comprising:

• a main member partially surrounding a cord retaining space adapted to receive a plurality of portions of the power cord and including a base portion adapted to attach to the handle support and a main surface adjacent the cord retaining space;
• a lower portion coupled to the base portion and having a forward section projecting forwardly and upwardly from the base portion;
• an upper portion coupled to the forward section of the lower portion and having a first section projecting upwardly and rearwardly from the forward section and a second section projecting downwardly from the first section;
• and
• a retaining member moveably attached to the main member and having a retaining surface adjustably positionable proximate the cord retaining space, the retaining member being movable between a first position in which the retaining surface cooperates with the main surface to be adapted to at least partially retain the plurality of power cord portions within the cord retaining space and further the retaining surface being substantially continuous with the main surface when the retaining member is in the first position, and a second position in which the retaining surface cooperates with the main surface to be adapted to release the plurality of power cord portions from the cord retaining space.

A handle assembly for a floor care device having an elongated handle support and a cord, comprising:

• a main member having a grip portion adapted to be held by an operator of the floor care device, and a base portion attached to the grip portion, the base portion including,
• an attachment portion adapted to attach to a handle tube along a longitudinal handle axis of the handle tube,
• a first receiving portion proximate the attachment portion and adapted to attach to a first end of the cord along a longitudinal first axis, the first axis being approximately parallel to the handle axis, and
• a second receiving portion proximate the first receiving portion and adapted to attach to a second end of a second cord along a longitudinal second axis, the second axis being approximately parallel to the first axis.

A floor care device having a floor engaging head, a cord operatively coupled to the floor engaging head, an elongated handle support coupled to and projecting away from the floor engaging head, and a handle assembly, the handle assembly comprising:

• a main member having a grip portion adapted to be held by an operator of the floor care device, and a base portion attached to the grip portion, the base portion including,
• an attachment portion adapted to attach to a handle tube along a longitudinal handle axis of the handle tube,
• a first receiving portion proximate the attachment portion and adapted to attach to a first end of the cord along a longitudinal first axis, the first axis being approximately parallel to the handle axis, and
• a second receiving portion proximate the first receiving portion and adapted to attach to a second end of a second cord along a longitudinal second axis, the second axis being approximately parallel to the first axis.

A handle assembly for a floor care device having a handle support and a power cord, comprising:

• a main member adapted to attach to the handle support and including a main surface;
• a retaining member moveably attached to the main member and being movable between a first position in which the retaining member cooperates with the main surface to at least partially retain a plurality of portions of the power cord, and a second position in which the retaining member cooperates with the main surface to release the plurality of power cord portions;
• and
• wherein the power cord originates in the handle assembly.

A method of placing a power cord of a floor care device in a secure position, comprising:

• providing a handle assembly having a main member that partially surrounds a cord retaining space adapted to receive a plurality of portions of the power cord and that includes,
• a main surface proximate the cord retaining space,
• a base portion adapted to attach a handle support of the floor care device,
• a lower portion coupled to the base portion and having a forward section projecting forwardly and upwardly from the base portion, and
• an upper portion coupled to the forward section of the lower portion and having a first section projecting upwardly and rearwardly from the forward section and a second section projecting downwardly and rearwardly from the first section, the upper and lower portions partially surrounding a cord retaining space;
• providing a moveable retaining surface proximate the main surface, the retaining surface being movable between a retaining position in which the retaining surface more fully cooperates with the main surface to more fully retain the plurality of power cord portions within the cord space, and a releasing position in which the retaining surface less fully cooperates with the main surface to less fully confine the plurality of power cord portions within the cord retaining space;
• positioning the moveable retaining surface in the retaining position;
• and
• positioning at least some of the plurality of power cord portions within the cord retaining space.