U.S. patent application number 10/490061 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for vacuum cleaner apparatus and hose thereof.
Invention is credited to Battle, Philip Peter, Gibson, Diane.
Application Number | 20040231096 10/490061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26246562 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040231096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Battle, Philip Peter ; et
al. |
November 25, 2004 |
Vacuum cleaner apparatus and hose thereof
Abstract
A vaccum cleaner has a hose (10, 30, 30') that is retractable in
length by the application of reduced pressure from the vacuum
cleaner. After use, the free end (14, 21, 33) of the hose is
occluded so that pressure falls within the hose and it is retracted
in length. The hose is restrained in its shortened length before
suction is turned off. The hose in its retracted state may be
stored on or off the vacuum cleaner.
Inventors: |
Battle, Philip Peter;
(Glasgow, GB) ; Gibson, Diane; (Clydebank,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ LLP
SUITE 800
1990 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-3425
US
|
Family ID: |
26246562 |
Appl. No.: |
10/490061 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
September 13, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/04200 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/414 ;
15/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/362 20130101;
A47L 9/244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/414 ;
015/323 |
International
Class: |
A47L 005/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2001 |
GB |
0122545.7 |
Mar 21, 2002 |
GB |
0206630.6 |
Claims
1. Vacuum cleaner apparatus including a housing (1) having a
suction inlet (3) and a hose (10) connected with the inlet, the
hose (10) having a first length during normal use and a second
length shorter than the first length when the end (14, 21) of the
hose remote from the inlet (3) is occluded so that pressure falls
within the hose, characterised in that the housing (1) includes a
formation (4) for restraining the hose shorter length.
2. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in
that apart at least of the length of the hose (10) has a natural
extended length.
3. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in
that a part at least of the length of the hose has a natural
retracted length.
4. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in
that the hose includes a valve (16) towards the end remote from the
inlet (3) for occluding the hose.
5. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in
that the hose has a helical support member (11') and a sleeve (12')
attached thereto, and that the sleeve (12') is arranged to fold
outwardly between turns of the helical support member (11') when
the hose is retracted in length.
6. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in
that the apparatus is portable.
7. A hose (10) for vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim
1.
8. A hose according to claim 7, characterised in that the hose (10)
has an occluder (16) towards the end of the hose remote from the
vacuum cleaner apparatus for occluding passage of air through the
hose (10) so that suction applied by the vacuum cleaner apparatus
creates a reduced pressure within the hose sufficient to shorten
the hose to its retracted length.
9. A hose according to claim 7, characterised in that the hose (10)
includes an inner resilient helical support member (11, 11') having
a natural extended length and an outer sleeve (12, 12D of a
flexible material attached with the support member.
10. A hose according to claim 9, characterised in that the outer
sleeve (12') folds outwardly between the turns of the helical
support member when the hose is retracted.
11. A method of operating vacuum cleaner apparatus including the
steps of applying suction to one end of a flexible hose (10), using
a cleaning head (15) at the opposite end of the hose to clean,
occluding flow of air through the hose at the opposite end (14),
allowing pressure in the hose to reduce sufficiently to retract the
hose in length, maintaining the end of the hose (10) on a housing
(1) of the apparatus to retain it in its retracted length, and
turning off suction power.
12. Vacuum cleaner apparatus including a suction inlet (3) and a
hose (10) connected with the inlet, the hose (10) having a first
length during normal use and a second length shorter than the first
length when the end (14, 21) of the hose remote from the inlet (3)
is occluded so that pressure falls in the hose, characterised in
that the hose (10) has a helical support member (11') and a sleeve
(12') attached thereto, and that the sleeve (12') is arranged to
fold outwardly between turns of the support member (11') when the
hose is retracted in length.
13. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 12, characterised
in that a part at least of the length of the hose (10) has a
natural extended length.
14. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 12, characterised
in that a part at least of the length of the hose has a natural
retracted length.
15. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 12, characterised
in that the hose includes a valve (16) towards the end remote from
the inlet (3) for occluding the hose.
16. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 12, characterised
in that the apparatus includes a restrainer (4, 34, 35, 34', 35',
42, 49) for restraining the hose in its shorter length.
17. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 16, characterised
in that the restrainer (4) is fixed with a housing (1) of the
apparatus.
18. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 16, characterised
in that the restrainer includes a sleeve within which the hose is
retracted.
19. Vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 12, characterised
in that the apparatus is portable.
20. A hose for vacuum cleaner apparatus according to claim 12.
21. A hose according to claim 20, characterised in that the hose
(10, 30, 30') has an occluder (16) towards the end of the hose
remote from the vacuum cleaner apparatus for occluding passage of
air through the hose so that suction applied by the vacuum cleaner
apparatus creates a reduced pressure within the hose sufficient to
shorten the hose to its retracted length.
22. A hose according to claim 20, characterised in that the hose
(30, 30') includes a retainer (34, 35, 34', 35', 42, 49) arranged
to retain the hose in its retracted length such that the hose and
retainer can be removed from the vacuum cleaner and stored
separately in a retracted state.
23. A hose according to claim 20, characterised in that the
retainer includes an outer sleeve (34, 35, 34', 35', 42) within
which the hose is retracted.
24. A method of operating vacuum cleaner apparatus including the
steps of applying suction to one end of a flexible hose (10, 30,
30') having a helical support member (11') and a sleeve (12') of a
flexible material attached with the support member, using a
cleaning head (15) at the opposite end of the hose to clean,
occluding flow of air through the hose at the opposite end (14),
allowing pressure in the hose to reduce sufficiently to retract the
hose in length and to fold the sleeve (12') outwardly between turns
of the support member (11') without substantially reducing the bore
through the hose, restraining the hose in its retracted state, and
discontinuing the suction power.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to vacuum cleaner apparatus of the
kind including a suction inlet and a hose connected with the
inlet.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Vacuum cleaners may be of the upright kind where cleaning
suction is applied by means of a pump having an inlet directly
below the machine. Cylinder vacuum cleaners, by contrast, have an
inlet to which one end of a hose is connected, the other end being
connected to a suction head. Upright cleaners also usually have
provision by which a hose can be connected to the inlet so that a
hand-held suction head can be used to clean regions that would
otherwise be inaccessible to the machine. The hoses used with
vacuum cleaners tend to be bulky so that they have to be stored
separately from the cleaner. An alternative hose available on some
vacuum cleaners as sold by the major manufacturers has stretch
characteristics with a natural, retracted length (when not in use)
that is less than its extended length (when in use). The extended
length may be about five times the retracted length. Although this
hose has the advantage of being much easier to store than
conventional hoses, its resilience may make it more difficult to
use in some situations, especially with cylinder vacuum cleaners,
which are lighter than upright cleaners.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
alternative hose and vacuum cleaner apparatus including such a
hose.
[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided vacuum cleaner apparatus of the above-specified kind,
characterised in that the hose has a first length during normal use
and a second length shorter than the first length when the end of
the hose remote from the inlet is occluded so that pressure falls
within the hose.
[0005] A part at least of the length of the hose may have a natural
extended length. A part at least of the hose may have a natural
retracted length. The hose may include a valve towards the end
remote from the inlet for occluding the hose. The apparatus
preferably includes a restrainer for restraining the hose in its
shorter length. The restrainer may be fixed with a housing of the
apparatus and may include a sleeve within which the hose is
retracted. The apparatus may be portable.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided a hose for a vacuum cleaner according to any one of the
preceding claims.
[0007] The hose may have a natural extended length and be
retractable in length by the application of reduced pressure within
the hose. The hose preferably has an occluder towards the end of
the hose remote from the vacuum cleaner apparatus for occluding
passage of air through the hose so that suction applied by the
vacuum cleaner apparatus creates a reduced pressure within the hose
sufficient to shorten the hose to its retracted length. The hose
may include a retainer arranged to retain the hose in its retracted
length such that the hose and retainer can be removed from the
vacuum cleaner and stored separately in a retracted state. The hose
preferably includes an inner resilient helical support member
having a natural extended length and an outer sleeve of a flexible
material attached with the support member.
[0008] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of operating vacuum cleaner apparatus
including the steps of applying suction to one end of a flexible
hose, using a cleaning head at the opposite end of the hose to
clean, occluding flow of air through the hose at the opposite end,
allowing pressure in the hose to reduce sufficiently to retract the
hose in length, restraining the hose in its retracted length and
turning off suction power.
[0009] The method may include the step of removing the hose from
the vacuum cleaner apparatus in its retracted state.
[0010] Vacuum cleaner apparatus including a hose according to the
present invention, will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a vacuum cleaner and
hose;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cleaner and hose of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaner without the
hose;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged, simplified sectional elevation view
of a part of the hose;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a part of an alternative
hose having alternative means for blocking the hose;
[0016] FIGS. 6 to 8 are side elevation views of three alternative
forms of retainer for the hose;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative
retainer; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is an enlarged simplified elevation view of a part
of an alternative hose;
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0019] With reference first to FIGS. 1 to 4, the vacuum cleaner is
of the portable cylinder type having a housing 1 with wheels 2 on
its lower surface and a suction inlet 3 at one end. The cleaner
includes a conventional pump and dust collection bag or other
container (not shown). On one side of the housing 1 there is a hose
restraint and mount in the form of a bracket 4 with a U-shape
flange 5, the purpose of which will become apparent later.
[0020] The cleaner also includes a hose 10. The hose 10 is of a
flexible, corrugated construction including a resilient, helical
reinforcement member in the form of a spring metal wire 11
internally supporting an outer highly flexible plastics sleeve 12.
The reinforcement helix could be of a resilient plastics material.
The reinforcement wire 11 is formed so that it has a naturally
extended state but can be compressed axially against its resilience
by an applied external force. The sleeve 12 is sufficiently
flexible that the hose itself naturally takes up the extended
length of the reinforcement wire helix 11, as shown in broken
outline in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 12 of the
hose, in its extended state, has inwardly-extending shallow valleys
between each turn of the reinforcement. This allows the sleeve to
fold up internally between the turns of the turns of the
reinforcement so that the hose can retract freely when a
compressive force is applied. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10,
the sleeve 12' may have shallow hills extending outwardly between
turns of the reinforcement element 11'. This allows the sleeve 12'
to fold outwardly when the hose is retracted. This arrangement may
have advantages in that the bore of the hose is not reduced during
retraction so that the suction pressure along the length of the
hose is maintained.
[0021] The stiffness of the hose construction can be tailored to
give the desired rate of retraction.
[0022] At one end, the hose 10 has a conventional coupling 13 by
which the hose is connected to the suction inlet 3 of the cleaner,
this may include a swivel connection. At its opposite end, the hose
10 has a second coupling 14 by which the hose is attached to a
cleaner head 15.
[0023] The coupling 14 includes within it means by which air flow
through the hose 10 can be occluded. As shown in FIG. 4, this takes
the form of a flap 16 pivotally mounted at one end 17 within the
coupling 14 and urged to an open, longitudinally-extending position
by a spring 18. One end of a button 19 is exposed externally of the
coupling 14, its other end being positioned above the flap within
the coupling. By pushing down on the button 19, the free end of the
flap 16 is also pushed down against the resilience of the spring
18. Once depressed a certain distance, air flow along the hose 10
causes the flap 16 to be pulled down to a vertical position where
it abuts an annular seat 20 within the coupling and occludes the
passage along the hose. The flap 16 remains in this closed position
until suction is removed, when the spring 18 swings it back to its
original position. The rear end of the coupling 14 locates on one
side of the mounting flange 5 to retain the free end of the hose 10
in position against the side of the cleaner housing 1, when not in
use. The cleaner head 15 may be stored in a compartment within the
housing 1.
[0024] To use the cleaner, the coupling 14 at the free end of the
hose 10 is pulled out of the restraining bracket 4. This allows the
hose 10 to adopt its natural extended state, which may typically be
about 2 m in length. The cleaner head 15 is then fitted on the
coupling 14 and power to the cleaner is turned on so that it
applies suction to the hose 10 and cleaner head. This is used in
the conventional way, to suck dust and the like into the cleaner
for subsequent disposal.
[0025] When the user has finished with the cleaner, before turning
off power supply, he presses the button 19 at the free end of the
hose 10, so as to close the valve 16 and prevent air flow into the
hose. The pressure in the hose 10 between the valve 16 and the
cleaner now drops rapidly. This applies an axial, compressive force
to the hose 10, which is sufficient to retract it against the
resilience of the reinforcement wire 11. The construction of the
hose 10 is such that it retracts to a length substantially less
than its natural length, typically about half its natural length,
that is, about 1 m long. The construction of the hose is selected
such that the reduced pressure within the hose during normal
cleaning operations is not sufficient to cause any appreciable
retraction of the hose length. The user removes the cleaner head 15
and fits the coupling 14 into the restraint 4. Once the coupling 14
is fitted in the restraint 4, the power to the cleaner can be
turned off. As soon as power is turned off, pressure will start to
rise in the hose 10 because the vacuum cleaner is not air-tight,
allowing air to enter and re-pressurize the hose. The retractive,
compressive force on the hose will, therefore, fall and the hose
will tend to resume its natural, extended length. However, because
the free end of the hose 10 is restrained by the restraint 4, the
hose will not be able to extend until released from the restraint.
The hose restraint may include a shaped housing within which a
major part of the length of the retracted hose is located. The hose
10 could be retained within a curved channel in the housing beneath
a hinged lid of the housing so that it is completely enclosed.
[0026] The present invention enables a vacuum cleaner hose to be
stored compactly without the need for the user to apply a force to
extend the hose. This, therefore, enables the hose to be used with
lightweight cleaners, which might be pulled over or pulled along by
pulling on a conventional stretch hose.
[0027] The hose need not have a natural extended length. The
invention could also be useful where the hose has a natural
retracted length. The resilience of the hose tending to retract it
can be made weaker than in a conventional stretch hose because the
reduced pressure created when the free end of the hose is occluded
would help retract it. In this way, the problems associated with
conventional stretch hoses on portable vacuum cleaners can be
reduced or avoided because less force has to be applied to extend
it. The hose could have a combination of the naturally-retracted
and naturally-extended kinds and or alternatively, could have a
section that is neither retractable or extensible.
[0028] It will be appreciated that the present invention is not
confined to cylinder cleaners but could be used with, for example,
upright cleaners.
[0029] The hose described above is constructed so that an increase
in suction pressure causes a corresponding directly related
reduction in hose length between the fully extended and fully
retracted states. Alternatively, the hose could be constructed so
that there is no significant reduction in length up to a certain
suction pressure and, once a threshold is exceeded, the hose snaps
to its fully retracted length. Such a hose can be provided by
making the configuration of the corrugations asymmetrical.
[0030] The valve for preventing air flow along the hose can have
many different constructions. The valve could be provided by some
form of plug, such as shown in FIG. 5 where a ball 20 is attached
with the coupling 21 by a flexible elastic tether 22, so that the
user simply holds the ball up to the end of the coupling to block
flow. The valve need not totally block air flow but may be
constructed to allow a reduced flow of air. This may be useful so
as to reduce the speed at which the hose retracts. The valve could
be adjustable to allow different rates of air flow. Instead of
using a valve, the hose could be blocked simply by the user
pressing his hand over the end of the coupling. The valve could be
arranged so that it is automatically closed when the cleaner head
is removed. The valve could have an electric operation so that it
can be operated remotely, such as by a switch on the cleaner
housing. This might be arranged such that the OFF button on the
cleaner automatically closes the valve before suction is turned
off.
[0031] The hose need not be retained in its retracted state by the
housing of the vacuum cleaner. Instead, some form of retaining
means separate from the vacuum cleaner body could be provided, such
as, for example shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a retractable hose 30 of the kind described
above having a coupling 31 at one end connected with a vacuum
cleaner housing 32 and a coupling 33 at its opposite end for
connection to a cleaning tool (not shown). Attached with both
couplings 31 and 33 is a cylindrical sleeve 34 and 35. One end of
each sleeve 34 and 35 is attached with respective couplings 31 and
33, the other, free ends 36 and 37 of the sleeves extending towards
one another. The free end 36 and 37 of each sleeve 34 and 35 is
provided with some form of engaging means 38 and 39 adapted to
engage one another and retain the sleeves together. The engaging
means 38 and 39 may be of many different kinds, such as, for
example, having an engaging lip and channel, catches that engage a
surface formation, cooperating tapered fittings, engaging screw or
bayonet fittings, magnetic members, engaging hook-and-loop fabric
or the like. The sleeves 34 and 35 are preferably bendable so that
they do not impede flexing of the hose. Because the sleeves 34 and
35 reduce flexing of the hose 30 at the couplings 31 and 33, they
have the benefit of reducing cracking of the hose at the locations
where damage is most usually caused. The length of the sleeves 34
and 35 is selected such that their combined length is equal to that
of the retracted hose. When the end of the hose 30 is blocked so
that it retracts, the two free ends 36 and 37 of the sleeves 34 and
35 come together so that the user can engage them with one another.
The vacuum cleaner can then be turned off since the engaged sleeves
34 and 35 will retain the hose 30 in its retracted length. The
retracted hose 30 can be stored on the vacuum cleaner body or it
can be uncoupled at the coupling 31 and stored separately, such as
by means of a hanging loop 40.
[0033] Instead of smooth sleeves, as shown in FIG. 6, the sleeves
34' and 35' could be corrugated as shown in FIG. 7, with a natural
retracted length so that they cover less of the hose 30' when the
cleaner is in use. To fasten the sleeves 34' and 35' together, the
user simply pulls their free ends 36' and 37' together to stretch
out the sleeves to their full length so that the engaging means 38'
and 39' can be fastened together.
[0034] It is not essential to have two sleeves at opposite ends
since a single longer sleeve 42 could serve the same function, as
shown in FIG. 8.
[0035] The sleeve or sleeves need not be solid but could, for
example, instead be provided by webbing material or by a series of
straps disposed around the hose.
[0036] There are many alternative forms of retainer means that
could be used to hold the hose in its retracted length. The
retainer means could be in the form of a bag that is closed about
the retracted hose. Such a bag could also have provision for
storing the cleaning wands and accessories after detachment from
the hose.
[0037] The retainer need not be permanently attached to the hose
itself but could be a separate component that is only attached with
the hose when the hose is retracted.
[0038] FIG. 9 shows a separate retainer in the form of a rigid
casing having two shells 50 and 51 joined together along their
sides by a flexible hinge 52 and having semicylindrical recesses 53
on one surface. Semicircular ribs 54 and 55 at opposite ends of
each shell are shaped to engage either the couplings at opposite
ends of the hose or opposite ends of the flexible hose itself. The
two shells 50 and 51 are folded together about the retracted hose
and are fastened together by means of engaging catches 56. The
casing preferably has flanges 57 at opposite ends shaped with
recesses 58 into which the rigid cleaning wands or other
accessories can be clipped, so that the hose and accessories can be
stored together.
[0039] The retainer could extend internally within the hose and
could, for example, be provided by a rigid vacuum cleaner wand and
suitable couplings.
* * * * *