| 摘要 |
<p>Handle and exhaust duct coupling assemblies for floor care machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exhaust duct coupling assembly includes a first duct having an outer surface with an external thread disposed thereon and a locking tab projecting outwardly therefrom. A second duct is slideably engaged into the first duct, and a flexible seal is disposed about the second duct proximate an end of the first duct. A collar having a hole therethrough is disposed about the second duct and threadedly engaged with the end of the first duct. The collar presses the seal into an approximately sealing engagement against the second duct and the end of the first duct. The collar includes a locking surface frictionally engaged with the locking tab and inhibiting a disengaging movement of the collar. Alternately, the locking surface of the duct coupling assembly may be an annular surface disposed on an inner surface of the collar, or may be disposed on an end surface of the collar. In yet another embodiment, a handle coupling assembly includes a receiving member having an outer surface with an external thread disposed thereon and a plurality of bendable members projecting outwardly therefrom and at least partially surrounding a receiving space. A handle tube is disposed within the receiving space. A collar is disposed about the handle tube and threadedly engaged with the external thread. The collar bends the plurality of bendable members into engagement against the handle tube, thereby securing the handle tube into position.</p> |
