Dual on/off switch actuation for a power head of an upright vacuum cleaner

A vacuum cleaner system comprising:

• a powerhead having an electric motor with a fan for generating a vacuum airflow and adapted to be used in either a handheld cleaning mode or an upright cleaning mode;
• a switch for turning on and off said electric motor;
• a first switch actuator component adapted to be engaged by a finger or thumb of a user, and operably coupled to said switch, to thereby allow said user to turn on and off said motor with said finger or thumb;
• a second switch actuator component disposed remotely from said first switch actuator component, and operably coupled to said switch, and adapted to be engaged by a foot of said user for turning on and off said electric motor.

A vacuum cleaner system comprising:

• powerhead having a housing;
• an electric motor with a fan disposed within said housing for generating a vacuum airflow, said powerhead being useable in either a handheld cleaning mode or an upright cleaning mode, said powerhead having a handle for enabling a user to manipulate said powerhead over a surface to be cleaned when said powerhead is used in said handheld cleaning mode;
• an electric switch for turning on and off said electric motor;
• a first switch actuator component adapted to be engaged by a finger or thumb of a user for actuating said electric switch, to thereby allow said user to turn on and off said electric motor;
• a second switch actuator component disposed remotely from said first electric switch actuator component, and at least partially protruding from said housing, and adapted to be engaged by a foot of said user while said vacuum cleaner system is being used in said upright cleaning mode;
• and
• a coupling member disposed within said housing and operably associated with said second switch actuator component for turning on and off said electric switch when said second switch actuator is engaged by said user.

A vacuum cleaner system comprising:

• a powerhead having a housing;
• an electric motor with a fan disposed within said housing for generating a vacuum airflow, said powerhead being useable in either a handheld cleaning mode or an upright cleaning mode, said powerhead having a handle for enabling a user to manipulate said powerhead over a surface to be cleaned when said powerhead is used in said handheld cleaning mode;
• an upright handle secured to said powerhead for assisting a user in using said powerhead in said upright cleaning mode;
• a switch for turning on and off said electric motor;
• a first switch actuator component protruding from said housing and adapted to be engaged by a finger or thumb of a user for actuating said switch, to thereby allow said user to turn on and off said electric motor;
• a second switch actuator component disposed remotely from said first switch actuator component, and adapted to be engaged by a foot of said user while said vacuum cleaner system is being used in said upright cleaning mode;
• a coupling member disposed within said housing and operably associated with said second switch actuator component for turning on and off said switch when said second switch actuator is engaged by said user;
• and
• an independent member freely moveable within said housing when said powerhead is turned upside down for interfering with movement of said second switch actuator component, to thereby prevent a user from inadvertently turning on said electric motor when said powerhead is being held in an upside down orientation.

A tool comprising:

• a housing having a graspable portion;
• an upright handle secured to said housing for movement relative to said housing;
• a switch disposed within said housing for turning on a motor of said tool;
• a first switch actuator component located on said housing and adapted to be engaged with a single hand of a user for controlling said switch;
• and
• a second switch actuator component located on said housing and adapted to be engaged with a foot of a user independently of said first switch actuator component for controlling said switch.

A tool comprising:

• a housing having a graspable portion;
• a motor disposed within said housing;
• a fan disposed within said housing and driven by said motor for generating a working airflow within said housing that can be used to perform a cleaning task;
• a switch disposed within said housing adjacent said motor for controlling the application of electrical current to said motor, to thereby control on and off operation of said motor;
• a first switch actuator component located on said housing adjacent said motor and adapted to be engaged with a single hand of a user, said first switch actuator component operating to control said switch;
• and
• a second switch actuator component located on said housing adjacent said motor and adapted to be controlled with only a foot of said user, to thereby control said switch.