Vacuum cleaner hose assembly and apparatus and method used in making same

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner hose assembly and apparatus and method used in making same is provided wherein such hose assembly comprises a vacuum hose, and a plurality of electrical conductors extending along the vacuum hose with each conductor having its opposite ends arranged immediately adjacent the opposite ends of the vacuum hose; and, electrical connectors are fixed to opposite end portions of each conductor with each of the connectors comprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edges defining sides of a slot and each knife-like portion is arranged generally transverse the elongated dimension of the associated end portion of its conductor with the conductor end portion wedged between the opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection. A pair of hose connectors are fixed to the opposite ends of the vacuum hose and formed substantially as an integral part thereof and each of the hose connectors has associated electrical connectors embedded therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vacuum cleaners of the so-called tank or canister type often employ a vacuum hose assembly which is connected to the tank at one end and at its other end has a cleaning tool such as a rotatable cleaning brush, or the like, which is usually powered by an electric motor whereby it is necessary to provide necessary electrical conductors and connectors along the assembly hose. Because the vacuum cleaner hose industry is such a highly competitive one there is a constant effort being made by hose manufacturers to produce quality hose assemblies with the required electrical conductors and connectors yet at minimum cost.

SUMMARY

This invention provides a high quality vacuum cleaner hose assembly and apparatus and method used in making same wherein such hose assembly is particularily adapted for use with a tank or canister type vacuum cleaner and wherein such hose assembly is of simple, economical and safe construction. The hose assembly comprises, a vacuum hose, a plurality of electrical conductors extending along the vacuum hose with each conductor having its opposite ends arranged immediately adjacent the opposite ends of the vacuum hose, electrical connectors fixed to opposite end portions of each conductor with each of said connectors comprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edges defining sides of a slot and each knife-like portion is arranged generally transverse the elongated dimension of the associated end portion of its conductor with the conductor end portion wedged between said opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection; and a pair of hose connectors are fixed to said opposite ends of the vacuum hose and formed substantially as an integral part thereof with each of the hose connectors having associated electrical connectors embedded therein and providing the sole support therefor.

Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent from the exemplary embodiments thereof presented in the following specification, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show present exemplary embodiments of this invention, in which

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts in elevation, parts in cross section, and parts broken away illustrating a vacuum cleaning apparatus together with an exemplary vacuum hose assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a male hose connector and associated male electrical connectors provided at one end of the hose assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating a female hose connector and associated female electrical connectors provided at the opposite end of the hose assembly;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of one end of a vacuum hose showing the manner in which such hose is cut initially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the manner in which the vacuum hose and its integral electrical conductors are cut further to define the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a pair of female electrical connectors installed in position at the end of the vacuum hose after cutting thereof as shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken essentially on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6 and illustrating the shorter one of the pair of electrical connectors of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view taken essentially on the line 8--8 of FIG. 6 and illustrating the longer one of the pair of electrical connectors of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view taken essentially on the line 9--9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating a comparatively long male electrical connector;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating a male electrical connector which is shorter in axial length than the electrical connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view with parts in cross-section, parts in elevation, and parts broken away illustrating an exemplary semi-automatic machine and certain method steps which may be used in the making of the hose assembly of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a cutting apparatus and method steps which may comprise the machine of FIG. 12 to cut each end of the associated vacuum hose in the manner shown in FIG. 5 in one cutting step;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a connector installing apparatus which may comprise the machine of FIG. 12 and such apparatus is used to install a pair of female electrical connectors on associated electrical conductors in a single step; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a lower half of a mold apparatus which is used to form hose connectors with electrical connectors embedded therein at opposite ends of a vacuum hose as an integral part of such vacuum hose to define the hose construction of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawings which illustrates an exemplary vacuum cleaner or vacuum cleaning apparatus which is designated generally by the reference numeral 25 and which employs one embodiment of a vacuum cleaner hose assembly of this invention which is designated generally by the reference numeral 26. The apparatus 25 has a canister or tank 27 provided with a suitable vacuum tube 30 extending outwardly from the top portion thereof and the apparatus 25 uses electrical power to operate its vacuum unit and in a manner which is well known in the art.

The apparatus 25 has a female electrical receptacle 31 either mounted on or provided as an integral part of its tank 27 and the receptacle 31 is used to supply power through the hose assembly 26 of this invention to an electric motor 32 comprising the terminal end of a cleaning instrument 33 which is suitably operatively connected at 34 to the hose assembly 26 in accordance with techniques which are well known in the art. The apparatus 25 has an electrical cord assembly 35 provided with a male fitting 36 and a female fitting 37 and the connector 36 is installed within the electrical connector 31 while the connector 37 is suitably electrically connected to the hose assembly 26 to provide an electrical connection to the hose assembly 26. The apparatus 25 has another electrical cord assembly 40 which has a male connector 41 at one end electrically connected to the hose assembly 26 and the opposite end of the electrical assembly 40 is suitably electrically connected to the motor 32 of the cleaning instrument 33. The electrical connectors provided at opposite ends of the hose assembly 26 and used to connect the cord assemblies 35 and 40 to the hose assembly 26 will be described in detail subsequently.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, the hose assembly 26 is comprised of a flexible vacuum hose 42 which has a plurality of two wires 43 and 44 provided substantially as an integral part thereof and as is well known in the art the wires 43 and 44 are dual function wires which serve as reinforcing wires to assure that the vacuum hose 42 may be flexed or bent as required in normal use yet it retains its tubular configuration throughout without collapse; and, the wires also serve as electrical conductors. The wires or conductors 43 and 44 are insulated by tubular electrical insulating sleeves 45 and 46 respectively and in this example the wires with their sleeves extend in substantially helical patterns along the hose 42 whereby the hose 42 has helical convolutions along its length.

The hose assembly 26 has a pair of electrical connectors fixed to each of its opposite ends and in this example each wire 43 and 44 has a male connector designated by the reference numeral 47 fixed to one thereof and a female connector 48 fixed to its opposite end. The male connectors 47 are electrically connected to the female fitting 37 of the elctrical cord assembly 35 and the female connectors 48 are suitably electrically connected to the male connector 41 of the cord assembly 40 whereby once the apparatus 25 is suitably connected to an electrical source, power is provided to the female connector 31 and an electrical circuit is completed to the motor 32 through cord assembly 35, male connectors 47, conductors 43 and 44, female connectors 48, and cord assembly 40. It will be appreciated that, if desired, suitable controls including on-off switches, and the like, may be provided at any point in the abovementioned electrical circuit.

The electrical connectors 47 and 48 are of comparatively inexpensive construction and easy to install with minimum time and effort. The manner in which the electrical connectors 47 and 48 are fixed to associated end portions of their conductors 43 and 44 will be described in detail subsequently and unique apparatus and method steps provided for this purpose will be described in detail subsequently.

The hose assembly 26 has a pair of hose connectors 51 and 52 fixed to its opposite ends and each hose connector 51 and 52 is provided essentially as an integral part of the vacuum hose 42 in as much as each hose connector is preferably formed or made in position against an associated end portion of the vacuum hose 42. As shown in FIG. 15, for example, the opposed end portions of a vacuum hose 42 may have the hose connectors 51 and 52 suitably molded in position thereon using injection molding techniques by placing the associated end portions 53 and 54 respectively in respective mold cavities 55 and 56 in the lower half 57 of a mold apparatus 58. The end portions 53 and 54 have their electrical connectors 47 and 48 suitably fixed in position on their conductors 43 and 44 and in the showing of FIG. 15 the connectors are beneath their associated hose end portions and suitably supported and aligned by fixtures, as is well known in the art, whereupon the other half (not shown) of the mold apparatus 58 is installed in position and a suitable elastomeric or plastic material is injected through a channel 60 to define the hose connectors 51 and 52 in a simultaneous manner while simultaneously embedding the electrical connectors 47 and 48 in their respective hose connectors 51 and 52.

The plastic material of the hose connector 51 serves as a matrix for the male connectors 47 which are positioned so that their terminal outer ends are arranged in coplanar aligned relation, with the plane of the ends being parallel to a plane coinciding with the end of the hose connector 51. The pins 47 are embedded in a protected position as indicated at 62 in FIG. 2 while being readily accessible through an access opening 63. Similarly, the female connectors 48 are arranged in aligned parallel relation with their terminal ends in a plane which is substantially parallel with a plane coinciding with the end of the hose connector 52. The female connectors 48 are embedded so that the elastomeric material of connector 52 serves as a matrix for the connectors 48. The plastic material of the hose connectors 51 and 52 provides the sole support for the electrical connectors 47 and 48 respectively. Further, it will be seen that the end of connector 51 is adopted to be received within the vacuum tube 30 while the cleaning instrument 33 has an end 64 which is adopted to be received in connector 52.

Having described the vacuum cleaner hose assembly 26 and associated components the detailed description will now proceed with a description of the unique electrical connectors 47 and 48 provided at opposite ends of the vacuum cleaner hose assembly 26 and the female connectors will be described first making particular reference to FIGS. 6-9 of the drawings.

Each female electrical connector is designated by the reference numeral 48 although one connector, the connector of FIG. 7, has a shorter axial length than the connector of FIG. 8. Different length connectors 48 are required and as will be readily apparent from FIG. 6. In particular, the increased length of one female connector 48 is necessary to take into account the spacing between the helically wound conductors 43 and 44 and such spacing is indicated at 65 in FIG. 6. This length is taken into account by providing an added length in the central portion of the longer electrical female connector 48 of FIG. 8 whereby the detailed description will now proceed with the remaining portions of each female connector electrical which are substantially identical.

Each connector 48 is preferably made of a single-piece or sheet of electrically conductive material (see FIGS. 7-9) and so that it has a tubular end 66 which is adopted to receive an associated electrical pin therein, and an approximately U-shaped attaching portion 70 with the U-shaped portion 70 being defined by a bight 71 adjoined at its opposite ends by a pair of knife-like portions each designated by the same reference numeral 72.

Each knife-like portion 72 is a double-thickness portion provided with opposed double thickness edges 73 defining sides of a slot 74, and, as will be readily apparent from FIG. 6 each knife-like portion 72 is arranged generally transverse the elongated dimension of the associated end portion of its electrical conductor or wire 43 or 44 with an exposed part of the wire end portion being wedged between the opposed edges 73 to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection. The dimension of the lower portion of the slot 74 is such that once a connector 47 is installed in position its knife-like portions 72 serve to cut through the insulating sleeve, either 45 or 46 depending upon whether the conductor 43 or 44 is being cut, and provide metal-to-metal contact as shown at 75 in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The slot 74 in this example is in the form of a keyhole shaped slot having a substantially circular upper portion 76 and a lower portion provided with flared surface portions 77 each of which adjoins an associated double thickness edge portion 73 whereby either sleeve insulated conductor 43 or 44 may be easily positioned along a surface 77 which acts as cam surface or ramp toward edge portions 73. Once the wire or conductor is forcefully urged toward the large portion 76 the opposed edges 73 serve as knives cutting the insulating sleeve, either 45 or 46, exposing the associated wire to provide the firm mechanical and electrical connection. The conductor wire is then further pushed within the enlarged portion 76 of the slot, which is shown enlarged in an exaggerated manner in this example, whereby the wire is, in essence, trapped and held within portion 76.

Having described the female electrical connectors 48 the description will now proceed with a detailed description of the male electrical connectors illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. The connectors of FIGS. 10 and 11 are substantially identical to the female electrical connectors 48 with the exception that instead of each connector 47 having a tubular end for receiving a connector pin therewithin each connector 47 has an end 80 in the form of a pin with the pin 80 having a rounded end 81 which may have a central opening 82 therein which enables easier fabrication thereof. Each male electrical connector 47 also has a central transition portion 67 similar to the transition portion 67 of each female electrical connector 48 with the connectors 47 of FIGS. 10 and 11 having different lengths for similar reasons as the female connectors 48 of FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively. Each male connector 47 also has a U-shaped portion 70 with its bight 71 and double-thickness knife-like portions 72 provided with slots 74, edge portions 73, as well as the other component portions of the U-shaped portion 70.

It will also be appreciated that each electrical connector 47 or 48 instead of having a double thickness knife-like portion 72 may be provided with a single thickness portion, as desired. Indeed the edge portions 73 of such single thickness knife-like portions may be sharp knife edges to facilitate cutting into the electrical insulating sleeve as well as providing partial cutting into the solid electrical conductor therebeneath.

The vacuum hose 42 of the hose assembly 26 may be made utilizing any suitable technique known in the art and in this example the vacuum hose 42 is shown having a helical outer surface defined by outwardly convex helical convolutions having the supporting and conductor wires 43 and 44 therein. The vacuum hose 42 is then cut as will now be described to enable easy installation of the connectors 47 and 48.

In particular, opposed ends of a given desired length of hose are first cut so that each terminal end thereof has an edge 83 which lies in a plane which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 85 of such vacuum hose 42 and as shown in FIG. 4. The end of the vacuum hose after having been cut as shown in FIG. 4 is then cut as is illustrated in FIG. 5 so that its outside edge has a unique configuration as illustrated at 86 in FIG. 5 and includes a pair of cutouts 87 and 88. With the cut end of the hose 42 as shown in FIG. 5 an outermost wire 44 is arranged with its end further away from the longitudinal axis 85 while the end of an adjacent turn of the wire 43 is closer to the axis or center line 85. This arrangement is provided so that upon fixing the shorter female electrical connector 48 on wire 44 and the longer electrical connector 48 on the wire 43 as shown in FIG. 6 the terminal ends of the electrical connectors are in aligned relation.

The female electrical connectors are suitably installed in position by forcing or urging each connector 48 against its associated conductor wire while suitably backing up the wire so that the forcing action results in simultaneous cutting through the sleeve around the conductor wire while providing the firm mechanical and electrical contact defined by edge portions 73 engaging the diametrically opposed surfaces of conductor wire as explained earlier.

Thus, it is seen that this technique does not require soldering, twisting of wire end portions together, use of special connectors, or the like, yet provides a mechanical and electrical connection of high structural strength and optimum electrical conductivity. In addition, once the hose connectors 51 and 52 are suitably formed or molded into position against opposite end portions of the vacuum hose 42 the electrical connectors 47 and 48 are supported in a plastic matrix and the plastic surrounds while being in intimate contact with the connector parts which are to be supported thereby assuring that the electrical and mechanical connection is maintained throughout the entire life of the hose assembly 26.

The above detailed description has been made with particular reference to the installation of female electrical connectors 48 on the terminal ends of the electrical conductor wires 43 and 44. However, it will be appreciated that substantially the same procedure is used in installing the male electrical connectors 47 in position whereby the vacuum hose 42 would be cut in a similar manner as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and the male electrical connectors 47 then suitably installed in position and in a similar manner as shown in FIG. 6.

It will be appreciated that the installation of connectors 47 and 48 on conductors 43 and 44 is achieved by arranging each elongated connector 47 or 48 transverse the length of the conductor and pushing or forcing wire and connector together.

The cutting of the end as shown in FIG. 5 may be achieved manually in a plurality of steps and likewise installation of each electrical connector 47 or 48, as shown in FIG. 6 for connector 48, may be achieved manually or in a series of steps. Preferably, cutting and installation is achieved either automatically or semi-automatically. For example, FIG. 12 of the drawings illustrates an exemplary semi-automatic apparatus or machine 95 a part of which may be used to cut the opposite ends of a predetermined length of vacuum hose 42 as shown in FIG. 5 after having first cut such opposite ends square as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The cutting action may be achieved in a simultaneous manner by a guillotine type cutting device 96, as shown in FIG. 13, and which employs a central mandrel 97 and a pair of saddle-shaped cutters 98 (shown schematically) which are actuated by suitable actuating rods 99 and in one simultaneous stroke cut on end of the vacuum hose 42 to define the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5. The machine 95 has a pair of devices 96 provided therein on the left side thereof as shown at 100 whereby both ends of a length of hose 42 after having been cut as shown in FIG. 4 are slipped over mandrels 97 and cut simultaneously upon actuating a foot pedal (not shown) of the machine 95.

It will be appreciated that each mandrel 97 is preferably made of a suitable material, which is a hard plastic material, which may be repeatedly engaged a large number of times by the special configuration cutters 98 without damage to such cutters and minimum wear while providing the required back-up of the hose 42 to facilitate cutting to define the cut configuration shown in FIG. 5 in both ends of the hose 42.

With each end of the vacuum hose 42 cut as shown in FIG. 5 the electrical connectors 47 and 48 may then be suitably installed thereon with a pair of connectors 47, (i.e., a short and a long connector) at one end of the hose 42 and a pair of connectors 48 (again a short and a long connector 48) at the opposite end.

The machine 95 provides simultaneous installation of a long and short female connector 48 at one end of the vacuum hose 42 as shown at 102 and simultaneous installation of a long and short male connector 47 in the opposite end of the vacuum hose 42 as shown at 103.

The female connectors 48 are fed through a two compartment conduit 105 at the rear of the machine 95 in spaced parallel relation and in ribbon-like form with the short female connectors 48 being attached on one ribbon 106 and the long female connectors being attached on the opposite ribbon 107. Similarly, the male electrical connectors 47 are fed through a two compartment conduit 110 at the rear of the machine 95 in spaced parallel relation and in ribbon-like form with the short male connectors 47 being attached to one ribbon 111 and the long connectors attached on an associated ribbon 112.

The machine 95 operates to install the two female connectors 48 at one end of hose 42 and the two male connectors 47 at the opposite end of hose 42 in a substantially simultaneous manner using a pair of installing devices 113 as shown in FIG. 14.

Upon placing the opposed ends of the vacuum hose 42, cut as shown in FIG. 5, in position within the apparatus 95 as illustrated at 103 the devices 113 are simultaneously turned on. Accordingly, each device 113 has a hammer member 114 which is relatively urged toward a backup member 115, after the ribbons have positioned or interposed their associated connectors 47 or 48 between hammer 114 and anvil 115.

A device 113 is provided for installing a pair of female connectors 48 and a similar device is provided for installing a pair of male connectors 47 and it will be appreciated that either member 114 or 115 or both may be moved to provide the installing action of shoving the electrical connectors around their conductor wires.

After simultaneous installation of a plurality of four connectors (47 at one end of hose 42 and 48 at the opposite end) the opposed hose ends are positioned in accordance with techniques known in the art in the mold of FIG. 15, as explained earlier, to define hose connectors 51 and 52.

It will be appreciated that the machine 95 is provided with suitable electrical power and suitable means to operate its devices 96 and 113. Further, the machine 95 has suitable switches, controls, etc. as required to operate the machine 95.

The vacuum hose 42 comprising the hose assembly 26 of this invention is preferably made of any suitable material which may be in the form of a flexible plastic material. Further, while any suitable plastic material may be used to define the hose connectors 51 and 52 at opposite ends of the hose assembly 42 a thermoplastic material such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and the like, is preferably utilized. In addition, the thermoplastic material is preferably molded in position by injection molding to the hose connectors as well as embed the associated electrical connectors in position.

The thermoplastic material used to define the hose connectors 51 and 52 should be compatible with the flexible plastic material comprising the vacuum hose 42 to thereby assure that the hose connectors are formed at opposite ends of the vacuum hose essentially as an integral part thereof. It will also be appreciated that the electrical insulating sleeves 45 and 46 on the electrical conductors 43 and 44 are also made of a suitable plastic material which is compatible with the plastic material of both the vacuum hose 42 and connectors 51 and 52.

In this disclosure of the invention the hose assembly 26 is shown as having a male hose connector 51 at one end provided with male electrical connectors and a female hose connector 52 at its opposite end provided with female electrical connectors. However, it will be appreciated that the concept of this invention utilizing the unique electrical connectors 47 and 48 may be used to provide an improved vacuum cleaner hose assembly similar to the hose assembly 26, but which may have male hose connectors at both ends, female hose connectors at both ends, and the like, and the electrical connectors provided on each of these assemblies will be selected as required in accordance with standard safe practices in the industry.

In this disclosure each electrical connector 47 or 48 has a U-shaped portion 70 provided with a bight 71 and a pair of knife-like portions 72; however, it will be appreciated that each connector 47 or 48 may be modified so that only a single knife-like attaching portion 72 is provided and has a slot 74, edge portions, etc., as desired.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention and methods of practicing the same have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner hose assembly comprising, an elongated vacuum hose having opposite ends and a central longitudinal axis, a plurality of electrical conductors extending in a helical pattern along said vacuum hose with each conductor having opposite end portions each disposed in a helical path about said longitudinal axis and each said opposite end portion being arranged immediately adjacent the associated opposite end of said vacuum hose, a plurality of electrical connectors each fixed to an associated end portion of each conductor while being disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, each of said electrical connectors comprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edges defining sides of a slot, each knife-like portion being arranged generally transverse the helical path of the associated end portion of its conductor with the conductor end portion being wedged between said opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection, and a pair of hose connectors fixed to said opposite ends of said vacuum hose and formed substantially as an integral part thereof, each of said hose connectors having associated ones of said electrical connectors embedded therein and providing the sole support therefor.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said electrical connectors include a plurality of male electrical connectors each fixed to an associated electrical conductor and embedded in one of said pair of hose connectors and a plurality of female electrical connectors each fixed to an associated electrical conductor and embedded in the other of said hose connectors.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said plurality of electrical conductors comprise a pair of electrical conductors which also serve as reinforcing wires for said vacuum hose, said electrical connectors include a pair of male electrical connectors arranged in spaced parallel relation and each fixed to an associated electrical conductor and embedded in one of said pair of hose connectors and a pair of female electrical connectors arranged in spaced parallel relation and each fixed to an associated electrical conductor and embedded in the other of said hose connectors.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which said hose has integral convolutions therein which extend in a helical pattern between said hose connectors.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which each of said pair of integral hose connectors is made of a thermoplastic material which provides said sole support for associated electrical connectors as well as electrical insulation therefor.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 in which said vacuum hose is made of a thermoplastic material and said hose connectors are made by injection molding and of a thermoplastic material which is compatible with the material used to make said vacuum hose.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which each of said electrical conductors also serves as a reinforcing wire for said vacuum hose and has its own plastic electrical insulating sleeve therearound and said edges of said knife-like portion of each connector extend through said insulating sleeve and wedge an associated conductor therebetween.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said electrical connectors comprises another knife-like portion arranged parallel to the first knife-like portion of each connector, said other knife-like portion also being provided with opposed edges defining sides of a second slot which is arranged in aligned relation with said first-named slot, said other knife-like portion also being arranged generally transverse the helical path of the associated end portion, said knife-like portions cooperating to provide a double mechanical and electrical connection of each electrical connector on its associated conductor.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 in which the wedging of each conductor between opposed edges of an associated knife-like portion is the sole means holding an electrical connector and conductor together.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 in which each of said electrical connectors has a U-shaped portion defined by a bight and a pair of outwardly extending legs and said knife-like portions of each connector comprise the outwardly extending legs thereof.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 in which each of said slots in each knife-like portion is a keyhole shaped slot.

12. A method of making a vacuum cleaner hose assembly comprising the steps of providing an elongated vacuum hose having opposite ends and a central longitudinal axis, extending a plurality of electrical conductors in a helical pattern along said vacuum hose so that each conductor has opposite end portions each disposed in a helical path about said longitudinal axis and each said opposite end portion being arranged immediately adjacent the opposite ends of said vacuum hose, providing electrical connectors at opposite end portions of each conductor, each of said electrical connectors comprising a knife-like portion provided with opposed edges defining sides of a slot, arranging each knife-like portion generally transverse the helical path of the associated end portion of its conductor, relatively moving the conductor end portion and associated electrical connector together to wedge said conductor end portion between said opposed edges to provide a firm mechanical and electrical connection wherein each electrical connector is disposed substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, and forming a pair of hose connectors around said opposite ends of said vacuum hose as an integral part thereof to thereby simultaneously embed associated ones of said electrical connectors therein and thereby provide the sole support for the associated electrical connectors.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which said step of extending electrical conductors comprises extending a pair of electrical conductors, and said step of providing electrical connectors comprises providing a pair of male electrical connectors at one set of end portions of said pair of electrical conductors and a pair of female electrical connectors at the opposite set of end portions of said pair of electrical conductors.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 in which said step of extending a pair of electrical conductors comprises the step of extending a pair of electrical conductor wires having comparatively high strength in said helical pattern along the length of said vacuum hose whereby said electrical conductor wires also serve as reinforcing wires preventing collapse of said vacuum hose.

15. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which said step of providing a vacuum hose comprises providing a vacuum hose made of a thermoplastic material and said step of forming a pair of hose connectors around said opposite ends of said vacuum hose comprises forming said hose connectors of a thermoplastic material which is compatible with the thermoplastic material of the vacuum hose and by injection molding process.

16. A method as set forth in claim 12 in which said step of relatively moving the conductor end portion and associated electrical connector together comprises moving each electrical connector radially outwardly against its conductor end portion with a hammer member and against a backup member.