U.S. patent application number 11/720550 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for suction hose for a vacuum cleaner.
This patent application is currently assigned to MIELE & CIE. KG. Invention is credited to Kai Buller, Dirk Wegener.
Application Number | 20080163451 11/720550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35954923 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080163451 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buller; Kai ; et
al. |
July 10, 2008 |
Suction Hose For a Vacuum Cleaner
Abstract
A suction hose for a vacuum cleaner includes a first hose part,
a second hose part, and a jacket part. The first hose part is
variable in length and includes a hose wall having a coil spring
integrated therein, the coil spring being configured to
automatically return the first hose part from an extended position
to a shortened position. The second hose part is operably connected
to the first hose part. The jacket part is configured to receive
the first hose part. The jacket part has a length at least equal to
a maximum extended length of the first hose part.
Inventors: |
Buller; Kai; (Glandorf,
DE) ; Wegener; Dirk; (Bielefeld, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P.O. BOX 770, Church Street Station
New York
NY
10008-0770
US
|
Assignee: |
MIELE & CIE. KG
Guetersloh
DE
|
Family ID: |
35954923 |
Appl. No.: |
11/720550 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
November 15, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/12256 |
371 Date: |
May 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/414 ;
15/246.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/248 20130101;
A47L 9/0036 20130101; A47L 9/244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/414 ;
15/246.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/02 20060101
A47L009/02; A47L 9/00 20060101 A47L009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 2, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 058 323.4 |
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7: A suction hose for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a first hose
part, the first hose part being variable in length and including a
hose wall having a coil spring integrated therein, the coil spring
being configured to automatically return the first hose part from
an extended position to a shortened position; a second hose part
operably connected to the first hose part; and a jacket part
configured to receive the first hose pail, the jacket part having a
length at least equal to a maximum extended length of the first
hose part.
8: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the length of the
jacket part is about one meter.
9: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the length of the
jacket part is equal to a sun of a minimum unextended length of the
first hose part and a length of the second hose part.
10: The suction hose as recited in claim 8 wherein the length of
the jacket part is equal to a sum of a minimum unextended length of
the first hose part and a length of the second hose part.
11: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the jacket part
includes a flexible jacket tube.
12: The suction hose as recited in claim 8 wherein the jacket part
includes a flexible jacket tube.
13: The suction hose as recited in claim 9 wherein the jacket part
includes a flexible jacket tube.
14: The suction hose as recited in claim 10 wherein the jacket part
includes a flexible jacket tube.
15: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the jacket part
includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end
including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part
in position.
16: The suction hose as recited in claim 8 wherein the jacket part
includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end
including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part
in position.
17: The suction hose as recited in claim 9 wherein the jacket part
includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end
including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part
in position.
18: The suction hose as recited in claim 10 wherein the Jacket part
includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end
including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part
in position.
19: The suction hose as recited in claim 11 wherein the jacket part
includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end
including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part
in position.
20: The suction hose as recited in claim 15 wherein the second hose
part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at
least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket
part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured
to engage the grooves.
21: The suction hose as recited in claim 16 wherein the second hose
part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at
least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket
part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured
to engage the grooves.
22: The suction hose as recited in claim 17 wherein the second hose
part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at
least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket
part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured
to engage the grooves.
23: The suction hose as recited in claim 18 wherein the second hose
part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at
least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket
part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured
to engage the grooves.
24: The suction hose as recited in claim 19 wherein the second hose
part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at
least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket
part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured
to engage the grooves.
25: The suction hose as recited in claim 15 wherein the second hose
part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at
least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket
part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured
to engage the grooves.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] This is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.371 of International Patent Application No.
PCT/EP2005/012256, filed Nov. 15, 2005, and claims benefit of
German Patent Application No. 10 2004 058 323.4, filed Dec. 2,
2004, which is incorporated by reference herein. The International
Application was published in German on Jun. 8, 2006 as WO
2006/058615 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).
[0002] The present invention relates to a suction hose for vacuum
cleaners, including a first hose part which is variable in length
and has integrated into its hose wall a coil spring which
automatically returns the first hose part from an extended position
to a shortened position, the suction hose further including a
second hose part which is only slightly variable in length, and
further including a jacket part for receiving the first hose
part.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Suction hoses having a thin hose wall into which is
integrated a tension spring that allows such hoses to be pulled
from a shortened position to an extended position are generally
known to be used in upright-type vacuum cleaners. In the case of
such vacuum cleaners, such suction hoses are offered as additional
vacuum attachments to allow cleaning of objects which are located
at a higher position. The suction hoses are also referred to as
"flex hoses".
[0004] British Patent Application GB 2 310 369 A describes an
embodiment of a vacuum cleaner, where a suction hose is located
between the handle of a suction wand and the end fitting. Said
suction hose is a combination of a flex hose and a conventional
suction hose that is only slightly variable in length. When in the
park position, the flex hose is received in the handle in the fully
contracted position. In this position, the lower portion of the
flex hose is exposed.
[0005] German Patent Applications DE 198 43 973 A1 and DE 197 38
329 A1 describe hose systems which use flex hoses with integrated
compression springs and which, therefore, move automatically from a
park position in a jacket part (hose or tube) to an extended
position.
[0006] The aforementioned systems have in common that the flex hose
is at least partially exposed when in an extended position. This
has the following disadvantage:
In order to obtain the desired flexibility, the hose wall of the
flex hoses must be made of a very thin plastic in order that it can
be pleated between the spirals of the coil spring when in a
contracted position. As a result, the hose is susceptible to damage
during use, especially when pulled around sharp corners.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to
provide a suction hose including a first hose part which is
variable in length, which, in spite of being extendable, is
protected from damage.
[0008] The present invention provides a suction hose for a vacuum
cleaner. The suction hose includes a first hose part, a second hose
part, and a jacket part. The first hose part is variable in length
and includes a hose wall having a coil spring integrated therein,
the coil spring being configured to automatically return the first
hose part from an extended position to a shortened position. The
second hose part is operably connected to the first hose part. The
jacket part is configured to receive the first hose part. The
jacket part has a length at least equal to a maximum extended
length of the first hose part.
[0009] Advantages made possible by the present invention include
that the flex hose is protected by the jacket part, even when
extended to maximum length.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in
the drawings in a schematic way and will be described in more
detail below. In the drawings,
[0011] FIG. 1 is a view of a suction hose designed in accordance
with the present invention, shown in an extended position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a view showing the suction hose of FIG. 1 in a
retracted position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a detail of FIG. 2 in the region of attachment to
the vacuum cleaner;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a detail of FIG. 2 in the region of the locking
means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Conveniently, the length of the jacket part is about one
meter. Advantageously, the length of the jacket part is equal to
the sum of the lengths of the first hose part in the shortest
possible position and of the second hose part. In this manner,
transition joints between different diameters are prevented, at
least when the flex hose is in a contracted position. Such
transition joints may get caught on corners.
[0016] In another advantageous embodiment, the jacket part is at
least partially in the form of a flexible jacket tube. Because of
this, the jacket part remains maneuverable, even if it is about one
meter or more in length.
[0017] It is advantageous if the jacket-part end that is associated
with the second hose part is provided with locking means for
securing the second hose part in position. This allows the first
hose part to be fixed and strain-relieved in an extended position.
Furthermore, the first hose part is prevented from automatically
contracting.
[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking means include at
least one spring-loaded lever arm which is located at the end of
the jacket part and has a latching hook to engage with grooves
located on the second hose part.
[0019] The suction hose, which is shown in FIG. 1 in an extended
position, includes a first hose part 1, a second hose part 2, and a
jacket part 3. First hose part 1 is formed of a highly elastic
plastic hose, such as a thin-walled PVC hose, having a coil spring
integrated into its hose wall. The coil spring is under tension
such that it is trying to automatically contract. Because of this,
the extended hose part 1 also automatically returns to a shortened
position, during which process the hose wall is pleated between the
spirals of the coil spring. The maximum achievable length of the
inner part is equal to the length of the hose wall in the unpleated
state, including a possible elongation component. In the shortened
position, the length of the inner part is about 30 cm. The length
and elasticity of the hose wall are designed to allow an increase
in length by a factor of about 3.
[0020] Second hose part 2 is in the form of a conventional hose
which is only slightly variable in length. The hose wall of the
second hose part has a helical or annular corrugation 4. The two
hose parts 1 and 2 are connected to each other by suitable means
(not shown). Second hose part 2 is about 70 cm in length and has
attached to its free end a coupler (not shown) for the handle 5 of
a suction hose 6 (see also FIG. 4).
[0021] In FIG. 2, the suction hose is shown with first hose part 1
in a retracted position. In this position, the two hose parts 1 and
2 are nearly completely enclosed by the jacket part 3, which is
preferably in the form of a flexible jacket tube. Jacket part 3 has
a length of about one meter, so that it holds both hose parts 1 and
2 when first hose part 1 is maximally retracted, and that, when
first hose part 1 is maximally extended, jacket part 3 covers and
protects at least this part 1 over the full length thereof. At the
lower end, jacket part 3 is connected to the first hose part in
such a way that the first hose part can freely rotate within the
jacket part in the connection region. Moreover, the jacket part is
there provided with a connector member 7 (see FIG. 3) for
attachment to a vacuum cleaner. At the upper end, jacket part 3
merges into a tubular member 8, which carries spring-loaded levers
9 on both sides. The upper ends of these levers 9 carry latching
hooks 10 which engage with the grooves of corrugation 4 of second
hose part 2, thereby securing first hose part 1 in the extended
position (FIG. 1).
* * * * *