IP Library › Granted Patent US 12685423
Granted Patent B2
US 12685423 · App. 18/426,519 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Cleaning machine ergonomic handle

Inventors: Jason Bateham (Savannah, GA); Fady Rafla (Pooler, GA); Kyle Thomas (Monroe, OH); Rex Michael Tyler (Ft. Thomas, KY)
Assignee: Cintas Corporate Services, Inc.
A47L11/4075
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12685423
App. No.
18/426,519
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An ergonomically designed handle for cleaning machines and other applications may be provided as original equipment or as a retrofit item to minimize physical effort and discomfort while maximizing efficiency during the operation and transport of cleaning machines. The handle of this invention may be conveniently mounted and assembled onto the existing handle structure of the cleaning machine and once installed, provides an ergonomic grip for a variety of user profiles to reduce strain and discomfort when operating and transporting the cleaning machine. The handle has two mounting plates each with a handlebar mounted thereto.

Claims (48)

1 . A handle for use on a cleaning machine, the handle comprising:

a first and a second mounting plate each being spaced from one another when mounted on the cleaning machine;

a first and a second aperture in the first and second mounting plate, respectively, the first and second aperture each having a portion of the cleaning machine projecting therethrough;

a plate spacer extending between the first and second mounting plates to maintain their spaced relationship relative to one another; and

a handle member extending upwardly from at least one of the first and second mounting plates and being accessible for a user of the cleaning machine to grasp and manipulate the cleaning machine; and

a third and a fourth aperture in the first and second mounting plates, respectively;

wherein a first and a second stubshaft on the cleaning machine projects through the third and fourth apertures, respectively, when the handle is mounted on the cleaning machine.

2 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the handle member further comprises:

a first and a second handle member spaced from one another and extending upwardly from the first and second mounting plates, respectively.

3 . The handle of claim 2 further comprising:

a first and a second handle member spacer extending between the first handle member and the first mounting plate and the second handle member and the second mounting plate, respectively, to position the first handle member and the second handle member outboard of the associated first mounting plate and the second mounting plate, respectively.

4 . The handle of claim 2 wherein the first and second handle members each extend generally vertically upward from the first and second mounting plate, respectively.

5 . The handle of claim 1 further comprising:

a grip on the handle member.

6 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the handle is selectively mountable and removable from the cleaning machine.

7 . The handle of claim 1 wherein a first and a second cleaning machine handle project through the first and second apertures, respectively.

8 . The handle of claim 7 wherein the handle member is vertically higher than both the first and second cleaning machine handles when the handle is mounted to the cleaning machine.

9 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the first and second apertures are of a configuration different from the third and fourth apertures.

10 . A handle for use on a cleaning machine, the handle comprising:

a first and a second mounting plate each being spaced from one another when mounted on the cleaning machine;

a first and a second aperture in the first and second mounting plate, respectively, the first and second aperture each having a portion of the cleaning machine projecting therethrough;

wherein a first and a second cleaning machine handle project through the first and second apertures, respectively, when the handle is mounted to the cleaning machine;

a plate spacer extending between the first and second mounting plates to maintain their spaced relationship relative to one another; and

a first and a second handle member spaced from one another and extending generally vertically upward from the first and second mounting plates, respectively, and being accessible for a user of the cleaning machine to grasp and manipulate the cleaning machine;

a first and a second handle member spacer extending between the first handle member and the first mounting plate and the second handle member and the second mounting plate, respectively, to position the first handle member and the second handle member outboard of the associated first mounting plate and the second mounting plate, respectively;

wherein the handle is selectively mountable and removable from the cleaning machine and the first and second handle members are vertically higher than both the first and second cleaning machine handles when the handle is mounted to the cleaning machine; and

a third and a fourth aperture in the first and second mounting plates, respectively, wherein a first and a second stubshaft on the cleaning machine projects through the third and fourth apertures, respectively, when the handle is mounted on the cleaning machine, wherein the first and second apertures are of a configuration different from the third and fourth apertures.

11 . A combination comprising:

a handle;

a mobile cleaning machine;

wherein the handle is selectively mountable and removable from the cleaning machine;

the handle further comprising

(a) a first and a second mounting plate each being spaced from one another when mounted on the cleaning machine;

(b) a first and a second aperture in the first and second mounting plate, respectively, the first and second aperture each having a portion of the cleaning machine projecting therethrough;

(c) a plate spacer extending between the first and second mounting plates to maintain their spaced relationship relative to one another;

(d) a handle member extending upwardly from at least one of the first and second mounting plates and being accessible for a user of the cleaning machine to grasp and manipulate the cleaning machine; and

(e) a third and a fourth aperture in the first and second mounting plates, respectively;

wherein a first and a second stubshaft on the cleaning machine projects through the third and fourth apertures, respectively, when the handle is mounted on the cleaning machine.

12 . The combination of claim 11 wherein the handle member further comprises:

a first and a second handle member spaced from one another and extending upwardly from the first and second mounting plates, respectively.

13 . The combination of claim 12 further comprising:

a first and a second handle member spacer extending between the first handle member and the first mounting plate and the second handle member and the second mounting plate, respectively, to position the first handle member and the second handle member outboard of the associated first mounting plate and the second mounting plate, respectively.

14 . The combination of claim 12 wherein the first and second handle members each extend generally vertically upward from the first and second mounting plate, respectively.

15 . The combination of claim 11 further comprising:

a grip on the handle member.

16 . The combination of claim 11 wherein a first and a second cleaning machine handle project through the first and second apertures, respectively.

17 . The combination of claim 16 wherein the handle member is vertically higher than both the first and second cleaning machine handles when the handle is mounted to the cleaning machine.

18 . The combination of claim 11 wherein the first and second apertures are of a configuration different from the third and fourth apertures.