Floor cleaner with stowable handle

[0001] The invention relates to surface cleaning. In one aspect, the invention relates to a floor cleaning machine with a retractable handle. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a handle for a vertical floor cleaning machine that is configured to selectively hide and protrude along its axis. In yet another of its aspects, the invention relates to a floor cleaning machine having a fluid distribution system in which the liquid is dispensed with a manually operated plunger for applying cleaning liquid to a floor surface, such as a bare floor or rug, the handle being selectively folded for dispatching and / or hide. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a floor cleaning machine that has a fluid distribution system and a retractable handle, which can be locked in the extended and retracted position. In another of its aspects, the invention relates to a machine with a retractable steam cleaning handle. In still another of its aspects, the invention relates to an extraction cleaning machine with a retractable handle. In still another of its aspects, the invention relates to a wet mop with a retractable handle.

[0002] Document US6658692 discloses an extraction cleaning machine comprising a fluid supply system with a reservoir supplying cleaning fluid to hold a cleaning fluid attached to a vertical handle housing, a liquid dispenser for applying cleaning fluid to the surface to be cleaned, and a fluid supply line to fluid supply to the fluid distributor from the supply tank. The flow regulating valve is mounted in the fluid supply line and is controlled by pushers that are mounted for axial displacement in the handle's vertical housing and the trigger on the handle. Other extractive extraction machines with similar mechanical control systems for gravity flow are disclosed in document US5500977.

[0003] Document US2010 / 0287716 discloses a device for cleaning a bare floor, which includes a vertical handle assembly pivotally attached to the base by tipping and includes a handle housing. The water tank is attached to the handle housing and is adapted to store a certain amount of water. The fluid distribution system is located between the water reservoir and the fluid distributor for distributing fluid from the water reservoir to the surface to be cleaned. In addition, the fluid distribution system includes a heating element for heating water from the water reservoir to generate steam, the steam being distributed to the surface to be cleaned. The upper part of the handle has a handle, a trigger, a handpiece tube and a pusher in the handle tube which activates the microswitch, which selectively feeds the solenoid valve in the fluid distribution system to regulate the flow of water to the steam generator for applying to the surface of the bare floor to be cleaned. Another device for cleaning a pair of bare floors with similar fluid distribution control systems is disclosed in WO2011019814.

[0004] A wet mop with a similar fluid distribution control system is disclosed in document US7048458. [0005] In all of these floor cleaning devices, the handpiece tube with the hand grip at the upper end extends from the top end of the handle housing and the push rods are axially displaced in the handle tube. In connection with the internal push rods, the handpiece tube can not be folded into the handle housing for shipping or storing.

[0006] A surface cleaning device according to the general part of claim 1 is disclosed in document US 2009/038109 A1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to the invention, a surface cleaning device includes a base that is adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned; a vertical handle assembly pivotally attached to the base and comprising a vertical housing in its lower part, a handpiece tube extending upward from the upper end of the vertical housing and a pusher that is axially slidable in the handle tube; wherein the handpiece tube is mounted for axial displacement in a vertical housing between an extended position in which at least a portion of the handpiece tube extends outside the vertical housing and a retracted position in which a portion of the handpiece tube is accommodated in a vertical housing; and a fluid supply system including a liquid supply reservoir for maintaining power to the cleaning fluid,

[0008] As used herein, the term "pivotably attached" with respect to the connection to the base and the vertical handle assembly means the attachment of the vertical holder to the base for rotation about one axis or a plurality of axes. One fixture is typically used in an extractor cleaning machine and multi-axis attachments, for example, universal joints or swivel joints, are typically used in steam mops and in wet mops.

[0009] In one embodiment the upright grip assembly further comprises a connector that is mounted for selectively moving between a connected position in which the plunger and the fluid flow regulator are connected to selectively adjust the fluid flow regulator and the disconnected position in which the plunger and the fluid flow regulator is disconnected. The connector may be in a connected position when the handpiece tube is in the extended position, and can be disengaged when the handpiece tube is in a retracted position. The connector may be a lever that is pivotably mounted to move between an aligned position in which it is aligned with the pusher and a misaligned engagement in which it is not aligned with the pusher.

In another embodiment the upright grip assembly may have a grip handle attached to the upper end of the grip tube and a manual actuator that is connected to the plunger for selectively axially moving the plunger when the grip tube is in an extended position to regulate fluid flow. between the fluid supply tank and the distributor.

[0011] In one embodiment, the fluid flow controller is a valve. In addition, the valve may be a mechanically controlled valve that is opened by axial displacement of the pusher when the coupler is in the connected position. Alternatively, the valve may be an electrically controlled valve that is opened by axial displacement of the pusher when the coupler is in the connected position.

[0012] In another embodiment, the upright housing may include a collar that is attached to its upper end for rotational movement and that can accommodate the handpiece tube in its central opening. In addition, the cover can be pivotally attached to the flange, at least partially surrounding the pusher, and wedged in the flange so as to rotate with it. The cover may include a cam rib that is configured to work contact and move the lever between an aligned position and a non-aligned position. In addition, the lever can be pivoted to the aligned position.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fluid distributor may comprise a steam generator in the fluid conduit and the fluid distributor may be configured to deliver steam to the surface to be cleaned.

[0014] In another embodiment, the surface cleaning device may include a fluid recovery system for recovering contaminated cleaning fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

[0015] Typically, the fluid supply tank can be attached to the vertical handle assembly. In another embodiment, the upright housing may include a locking mechanism to selectively lock the handpiece tube in at least one of the extended and retracted positions. The locking mechanism may include a locking collar which is pivotably mounted to a vertical housing and which houses the handpiece tube in the central opening of the collar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] In the drawings:

1 shows a front perspective view of the vertical extractor according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a partial perspective view of the unfolded handpiece assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a partial front view of the handle assembly of FIG. 1 with the front housing removed and the extended handle assembly locked and locked in a vertical position.

4 shows a partial front view of the handle assembly of FIG. 1 with the front casings removed and the handle assembly not locked and prepared for retraction.

FIG.5 shows a partial front view of the handle assembly of FIG. 1 with the front casings and the handle assembly removed in a retracted position.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3 taken along line 6-6.

FIG.7 shows a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIG. 4 taken along lines 7-7 and presenting transitional positions of the enclosure and the actuating lever when the locking collar is rotated to prepare the handle for storage from a vertical position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIG. 5 taken along line 8-8 and showing the positions of the enclosure and the actuating lever after the locking collar has been rotated to the uncoupled position to retract the handle in the vertical housing.

FIG.9A-9E show partial perspective views of a part of the connection between the pusher, the guard and the actuating lever in successive positions of the cover, the actuating lever and the hand tube between the locked extended position and the locked concealed position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0017] The drawings will now be described with reference to an extraction cleaning machine in which a fluid flow controller is mounted in a fluid supply line and is adjustable with pushers which are mounted for axial movement in the handle's vertical housing and trigger on the handle as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 6658692 and 5500977 to disclose an embodiment of the invention. However, it is evident that the invention is not limited to an extraction cleaning machine, but may equally well be used in floor cleaning machines of a type such as disclosed, for example, in WO201101984 and US2010 / 0287716. Additionally,

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1-2, an embodiment of the invention is illustrated as comprising an extraction cleaning machine 10 of the type disclosed in US Patent No. 6,658,869 to Lenkiewicz et al. And comprising a base module 12, equipped with wheels 14 for rolling over the surface to be cleaned, and a vertical handle assembly 16, pivotably mounted on the back of the base module 12. The vertical handle assembly 16 further comprises a handle housing 18 and a selectively retractable and locked upper handle assembly 20 mounted slidably thereon. The base module 12 is generally known and is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 6,658,922 to Lenkiewicz and others. These known features and operations will not be described in detail here unless,

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the base module 12 includes a base member 22 of substantially rectangular shape that is adapted to lift and mount several components. The suction nozzle 24 is detachably mounted along the front portion of the base module 12, with an inlet 26 aligned with the cleaning surface. The suction nozzle 24 is fluidly connected to a working air line 28 that is fluidly connected to the recovery tank 30 via an indirect suction source, such as a conventional motor / blower assembly (not shown). Alternatively, it is contemplated that a "clean air" system such as an engine / impeller assembly is located downstream of the recovery tank. The agitator assembly 32 is rotatably mounted downstream of the suction nozzle 24.

Referring to figures 2-3, the vertical handle assembly 16 includes a handle housing 16 further comprising a lower front housing 36 and a lower back housing 38 as well as an upper front housing 40 and upper back housing 42 attached to each other to form between themselves. a cavity 44. Individual casings 36, 38, 40, 42 may further include a variety of ribs, projections for mounting and guiding internal components in the cavity 44. A mounting platform 46, with a recess, at the rear at the bottom rear housing 38 is adapted to selectively accommodate a liquid supply tank 34 therein.

[0021] The fluid supply system includes a fluid supply reservoir 34 for maintaining a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid distributor for distributing cleaning fluid from a fluid supply tank to a surface to be cleaned and a fluid conduit 35a including a fluid flow regulator 53 between the supply reservoir 34 fluid and a fluid distributor. The fluid supply tank 34 includes an exhaust valve 48 that is configured to selectively open when the exhaust valve 48 is mounted on the reservoir receiver 50 that is mounted in the handle housing 18, accessible through the top of the assembly platform 46 with the cavity. The tank receiver 50 includes a cylindrical cup 52 that is adapted to seal the outlet valve 48.

[0022] As best shown in FIG. 3, the bottom pusher 58 includes an elongated member with a flat upper end 60 and a lower end 62. The pusher 58 is slidably mounted between a pair of guide ribs 64 within the lower rear housing 38 via a bracket 66 that is attached The guide ribs 64 and bracket 66 are configured to provide some clearance around the bottom pusher 58 to allow the bottom pusher 58 to move vertically relative to the plunger valve 56. The plunger valve 56 is typically biased in the closed position and it further comprises a plunger piston 68 which is normally pushed upwards by the valve spring 70 when the plunger valve 56 is closed

The lower end 62 of the pusher with the plunger eye 68.

Lower 58 is leveled

Correspondingly, the bottom pusher 58 is normally pushed upwardly by a spring-biased plunger 68 when the plunger valve 56 is closed.

The intermediate pusher 72 is slidably mounted to the upper rear housing 42. The intermediate pusher 72 includes a substantially longitudinal member with a flat lower end 74, a cylindrical stepped upper end 76, and a cross-shaped rib profile in between. The longitudinal slots 78 are formed near the opposite ends of the intermediate pusher 72 and are mounted for sliding axially displacing two corresponding guide protrusions 80 that project inwardly from the back wall of the upper rear case 42. Longitudinal slots 78 guide the intermediate pusher 72 with a vertically movable movement with respect to the guide protrusions 80. The intermediate pusher 72 is attached transverse to the upper rear housing 42 by means of a mounting washer 82, which is attached to the upper guide protrusion 80 by means of a conventional fastener. The diameter of the mounting washer 82 is larger than the width of the longitudinal slot 78 and thus slidably fastens the intermediate pusher 72 to the lower rear housing 38. The lower end 74 of the intermediate pusher 72 is aligned with the upper end 60 of the lower pusher 58.

The spring-biased tappet coupling lever 84 is pivotally mounted on the cylindrical stepped upper end 76 of the intermediate pusher 72. The coupling lever 84 includes a vertically oriented cylindrical body portion 86 including internally stepped walls that correspond to the stepped upper end 76 of the intermediate pusher 72. Arcuate the lever arm 88 protrudes outwardly from the upper portion of the cylindrical body portion 86 in the horizontal plane and terminates at the cantilever end 90. The inner wall of the arcuate lever arm 88 forms a pusher 92 which is adapted to selectively engage a corresponding cam rib 94 at the lower end of the rotary enclosure. 96, which will be described below. The support end 90 further includes a cylindrical insert 98 with a vertically oriented axis "A". A torsion spring (not shown) is mounted between the stepped upper end 76 of the intermediate pusher 72 and the cylindrical body portion 86 and usually presses the arcuate lever arm 88 and the cylindrical washer 98 forward toward the front face of the front housing 40 and aligned with the upper pusher. 148. The coupling lever 84 is pivotably mounted on the cylindrical stepped upper end 76 of the intermediate pusher 72 by means of a conventional flange-type bolt connection member (not shown). Thus, the lower pusher 58, the intermediate pusher 72 and the coupling lever form, as described above, a connector 91 between the upper pusher 148 and the fluid flow regulator 53, which is mounted to selectively move between the connected position,

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3-8, the upper handle assembly 20 is described below. The rotatable shell 96 includes a cylindrical body 102, a wedged lower support ring 104, and a wedged upper end 106 with a resilient retaining tab 108. The cylindrical body 102 further includes an elongated vertical guide track 110 formed by the cylindrical side wall and extending from the wedge-shaped lower support ring 104 to the retaining pawl tab 108. The top of the vertical guide track 110 abuts the horizontal guide track 112 that extends partially around the circumference of the cylindrical body 102 and terminates on the stop 114. The sheath further comprises a pair of horizontally oriented round fins 116 (Figs. .2) near the top of the cover, which are configured, that they are held pivotably by the neck 118 (Fig. 1, 2), which is formed by opposing housing walls when the upper front housing 40 and upper rear housing 42 are attached to each other, thereby enclosing a shield 96. First and second limiting overlap 120 , Shields protrude outwardly from the top of the cylindrical body 102 and are spaced about 90 degrees apart around the circumference. The first and second limiting overlaps 120, 122 alternatively engage with the corresponding limiting ribs 123 (FIG. 6) projecting inwardly from the upper front housing 40 when the cover 96 is rotated to its limiting positions in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. clockwise. The cam rib 94 extends downwardly from the wedged lower support ring 104 and includes a partially cylindrical rib with a vertical contact edge 124 and a bottom edge 126 that lies along a substantially horizontal plane. The cam rib 94 is adapted to selectively resist the plunger 92 on the inner wall of the arcuate lever arm 88 and moves it from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position shown in Fig. 8.

[0026] The sheathing 96 is dimensioned so that it houses the retractable tube 128 of the bead inwardly. For example, the tube 128 can be made of welded rolled steel, aluminum, or it can be molded from plastic. The handpiece pipe 128 further comprises a fixed locking pin that projects outwardly from the lower front portion of the handle tube 128.

[0027] To mount the cover 96 to the handle tube 128, the wedged upper end 106 of the shield 96 is aligned with the locking pin 130 on the handle tube 128. The handpiece tube 128 is then pushed down into the housing 96 until the locking pin 130 moves past the resilient retaining tab 108, which deflects the retaining tab 108 temporarily outwardly until the locking pin 130 abuts the latching tab 108 and does not come in a vertical guide track 110. The resilient retaining tab 108 then resumes elastically to its original position, which locks the locking pin 130 and prevents unintentional separation of the handpiece tube 128 from the sheath 96.

[0028] The locking collar 132 is permanently attached to the top of the housing 96 by ultrasonic welding or another suitable manufacturing process, such as, for example, gluing or mechanical fastening. Accordingly, when the user rotates the locking collar 132, the cover 96 rotates in accordance with. The locking flange 132 further includes a hole in the top wall to accommodate the handle tube 128 and a plurality of recesses 133 formed in the outer surface to improve the user grip that grips the locking collar 132. Alternatively, the collar 132 may include elastomeric elements that are overmoulded or otherwise attached to its outer surface to provide a comfortable and easy to grip surface for the user.

[0029] The handle grip 134 and handle cover 136 are attached to each other to form a grip assembly 137 that includes the upper grip portion 128. The protrusions 138 formed in the handle and the handle cover are accommodated in openings 140 in the upper tube portion 128 of the handle. The trigger 142 is rotatably mounted on mounting projections (not shown) formed between the handle 134 and the handle lid 136. The proximal end 144 of the trigger 142 is aligned with and adapted to be selectively supported on the upper flat end 152 of the upper plunger 148, which is mounted slidably in the handle tube and adapted to move vertically along the pusher axis "B". The upper pusher 148 is an elongated member that extends along the length of the handle tube 128 and into the handle assembly 137. The upper plunger 148 includes a flat top end 152 and a flat bottom end 154 connected by a body 156 that further includes a pair of longitudinal slots 158. Longitudinal slots 158 fit into guide protrusions 138 within the handle 134 that limit the top and bottom positions of upper plunger 148. Spring The screw 162 is mounted on the top of the upper follower 148 and typically presses the rod 148 in the upward position. Thus, the flat top end 152 of the upper plunger 148 forces the proximal end 144 of the trigger 142 to face upward. The coil spring 162 is mounted on the upper portion of the upper plunger 148 and typically presses the rod 148 in the upward position. Thus, the flat top end 152 of the upper plunger 148 forces the proximal end 144 of the trigger 142 to face upward. The coil spring 162 is mounted on the upper portion of the upper plunger 148 and typically presses the rod 148 in the upward position. Thus, the flat top end 152 of the upper plunger 148 forces the proximal end 144 of the trigger 142 to face upward.

[0030] During operation, the user prepares the extractor cleaning machine 10 by filling the liquid supply tank 34 with fluid and mounting the liquid supply tank 34 on the reservoir receiver 50, which opens the outlet valve 48 and supplies the fluid to a fluid supply system upstream of the plunger valve 56. the handle is locked in the extended position and the coupling lever is in the position illustrated in Figs. 3, 6 and 9A. After connecting the machine to the power supply and feeding it, the suction source generates the working air flow through the recovery system as described previously. The user may push and pull the extraction cleaning machine 10 with the forward and backward movement on the surface to be cleaned, during the selective application and extraction of cleaning liquid and impurities from it. To apply the liquid to the surface to be cleaned, the user presses the trigger 142, which forces the proximal end 144 downward toward the upper upper end 152 of the upper plunger 148 thereby squeezing the helical spring 162, which usually presses the upper plunger up. Top pusher 148 moves down and the flat bottom end 154 pushes down the cylindrical washer 98 on the arcuate lever arm 88 of the coupling lever 84. The coupling lever 84 in turn transmits downward movement to the intermediate pusher 72. The longitudinal slots 78 slide down around the projections guiding the 80 and its flat lower end 74 presses the lower pusher 58. The lower pusher 58 slides down between the guide ribs 64 and the bracket 66. Its lower end 62 pushes the plunger 68 that opens the plunger valve 56 and allows the cleaning fluid to flow from the fluid supply tank through the fluid conduit (not shown), through the valve 56 and beyond the fluid distributor (not shown) to the surface to be cleaned . Optionally, the agitator 32 can be selectively fed continuously or intermittently during the cleaning cycle to improve the cleaning process.

[0031] After the cleaning process is finished, for example, the user may hide the upper handle assembly 20 as illustrated in FIG. 5 and 8. When the upper handle 20 is in a locked, extended position, the user first turns the locking collar 132 counterclockwise, which turns the turn according to the associated pivotable cover 96. The cover 96 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. with respect to the handle tube 128, until the second limiting sheath 122 of the sheath contacts the limiting rib 123 on the upper front housing 40 as illustrated in Fig. 9B. Levels of the guide track 112 moves in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to the locking pin as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, to rotate the stop 114 of the horizontal guide track 110 from the locking pin 130 until the locking pin 130 is aligned with the vertical guide track 110. Furthermore, when the cover 96 rotates, the contact edge 124 of the cam rib 94 contacts the plunger 92 on the coupling lever 84 and moves cam follower 92 toward the rear as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, rotating the cylindrical body portion 86 around the cylindrical stepped upper end 76 of the intermediate pusher 72 and compressing the torsion spring (not shown) mounted therein. When the sheath 96 continues to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Figs. 7 and 8,

[0032] With a locking pin 130 aligned in the vertical guide track 110 and a coupling lever 84 pushed backwardly by the cam rib 94, the user can push the handle assembly 137 and the associated handpiece tube 128 downward in the handpiece housing 18. The handpiece tube 128 moves vertically within the sheath 96 and the lock pin 130 moves downward in the vertical guide track 110 until it passes through the wedged bottom carrier ring 104 as illustrated in Fig. 9D. The locking pin 130 continues to move down past the bottom edge 126 of the rib 94, until the bottom portion of the handle assembly 137 is in contact with the locking collar 132 (FIG.5).

[0033] Next, the user can lock the handle's upper assembly 20 in the stowed position by turning the locking collar 132 clockwise until the first limiting sheath 120 engages against the restriction rib 123 in the upper front housing 40. Including the position of the top of the locking pin 130 is held by the bottom edge 126 of the cam rib 94 so that the upper handle assembly 20 can not be extended without first rotating the locking collar in a counter-clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 9E.

[0034] In order to slide the upper buckling unit out, the user turns the locking collar 132 counterclockwise as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 until the second guard boundary mark 122 of the sheath contacts the corresponding limiting rib 123. In this position, the locking pin 130 exits the bottom edge 126 of the rib 94 and is aligned with the wedged bottom support ring 104 and the vertical guide track 110 (see FIG.5). Accordingly, the user may pull the handle assembly 137 upward, which pulls up the associated gripping tube 128 in the housing 96. The locking pin 130 moves through the wedged lower support ring 104 and along the vertical guide track 110 until it contacts the retaining tuck tab 108 . In this vertical position, the locking pin 130 is aligned with the vertical guide track 112. Accordingly, to lock the upper handle assembly 20 in the extended position, the user turns the locking collar 132 in the clockwise direction. The horizontal guide track 112 moves in the clockwise direction with respect to the locking pin 130 until the locking pin 130 contacts the stop 114 at the end of the horizontal guide track 112. With the locking pin 130 mounted at the end of the horizontal guide path 112, the handpiece tube 128 it is kept in a fixed extended position. In addition, when the locking collar is turned in a clockwise direction, the cover 96 and the associated cam rib 94 also rotate in unison.

The invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments regarding the upper handle assembly that can be moved from the use position to the storage position, while engaging with and disengaging from the pusher system, which is adapted to selectively actuate the flow control valve for distributing fluid through the fluid delivery system. However, alternative configurations are considered that achieve the desired effect in various ways.

[0036] For example, in one alternative embodiment, the spring-biased locking pin may be pivotally attached to the upper back housing and configured to selectively engage the handle tube, both with the top and bottom receiving apertures formed around the periphery of the handpiece tube. The lower part of the handpiece tube includes a cam rib, similar to that disclosed previously. The cam rib selectively engages a coupling lever that is operatively connected to the intermediate pusher as described previously. During operation, the user presses the spring-loaded locking pin to release the retractable tube of the handle. The user then turns the pipe and during this operation the cam-shaped cam pushes the coupling lever from the pusher path, which is mounted slidably inside the handle tube. In connection with the above, the pusher and valve actuation system are disengaged and the handpiece tube can be hidden in the handle housing. The spring-loaded locking pin engages the upper hole in the handle tube when the tube is seated in its lowest retracted position.

[0037] In another alternative embodiment, the spring-biased locking pin may be pivotably attached to the upper front housing to selectively engage a corresponding hole at the bottom of the housing tube. The lower part of the housing pipe is slidably mounted in the housing neck at the top of the handle housing. The neck forms an integral sleeve around the grip tube. The neck is pivotably attached to the upper front part of the handle housing. The rotatably mounted neck portion is adapted to selectively pivot forward together with the entire upper assembly of the handle mounted thereto, thereby disengaging the plunger and actuation system of the valve and simultaneously assembling the handle assembly. Accordingly, the upper handle assembly may be bent in the forward direction of the handle housing until it rests on it. During use, to retract or bend the upper handle assembly down, the user presses the spring-loaded locking pin to disengage the locking pin from the hole in the handle tube. Then, the user moves the handpiece tube up a short distance in a sleeve that is integral with the rotatable neck portion. Finally, the user bends the upper handle and the neck portion forward until the upper handle rests on the front surface of the handle housing.

[0038] Finally, in a third alternative embodiment, the rotatable disc is pivotably attached to the upper front housing and pivotable between either the "extended handle" or the "hidden handle" position. The vertical tube of the handle moves through a corresponding longitudinal channel on the disc body which protrudes inside the handle housing. The L-shaped coupling lever is attached to the lower part of the disc body and is adapted to be selectively rotated in the path and out of the path of the handle tube and the associated upper follower. In use, when the disk is rotated clockwise to the "handle extended" position and the handpiece tube is extended to its most upper position, the coupling lever is rotated to the path of the handle tube and top pusher. In addition, the pusher is aligned with the upper side of the coupling lever. Furthermore, the bottom side of the coupling lever is also aligned with the rotating member in the handle housing which is configured to selectively transmit the displacement of the upper pusher to the intermediate pusher and the valve actuation system. When the user rotates the disc anti-clockwise to the "handle retracted" position, the disc body rotates counterclockwise and moves the coupling lever away from the handle and pusher tube, thus disengaging the upper pusher and the rotating member and related intermediate pusher and valve actuation system. In connection with the above, the rotary disk and the related coupling lever act to selectively extend or retract the grip tube,

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