Apparatus, method, and systems for securing an accessory to a vacuum appliance

• US 10,426,308 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2017
• Issued: 10/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Stanek, Terrence L., Tomasiak, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Dung Van
• Application Number:
  US15/789,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20180235420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/365 of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0027 specially adapted for holding the suction cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/242 Hose or pipe couplings

Abstract

Described are methods, apparatuses, and systems for securing a vacuum appliance to a vacuum device including a first locking adapter that includes a tab and a second locking adapter that includes a receiving slot. The first and second adapters form an airtight seal when the tab is received by the slot by rotating one adapter relative to the other. The receiving slot can include a slot terminus to restrict rotational movement of the first adapter relative to the second. The apparatus can further include a securing slot that can secure the tab within a slot terminus such that a portion of the second locking adapter adjacent to the receiving slot is adapted to flex. Through the described rotation, the first and second adapters tighten and become rigid thus minimizing both the slippage between these two elements and the leakage between the vacuum device and any attached appliances.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a vacuum appliance to a vacuum device, the apparatus comprising:

a first locking adapter, wherein the first locking adapter comprises a tab; and

a second locking adapter, wherein the second locking adapter comprises a receiving slot and an adjacent securing slot, with a flexible wall therebetween;

wherein the first and second locking adapters form an airtight seal when the tab is received by the receiving slot.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the second adapter is adapted to resiliently flex or deform, thereby locking the tab in the receiving slot.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving slot comprises a slot terminus, wherein the terminus is adapted to restrict rotational movement of the first locking adapter relative to the second locking adapter.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second locking adapters are rotated at least thirty (30) degrees relative to one another to form the airtight seal.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving slot comprises a slot terminus adjacent the wall, such that the wall of the second adapter is adapted to resiliently deform, thereby locking the tab to the slot terminus.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the receiving slot is ramped such that the second locking adapter is drawn into the first locking adapter as the tab approaches the slot terminus.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the wall includes a cam that protrudes into the receiving slot, thereby locking the tab to the slot terminus.

8. A method for securing a vacuum appliance to a vacuum device, the method comprising:

providing a first locking adapter, wherein the first locking adapter comprises a tab;

providing a second locking adapter, wherein the second locking adapter comprises a receiving slot and an adjacent securing slot, with a flexible wall therebetween; and

forming an airtight seal between the first and second adapters when the tab is received by the receiving slot.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the step of forming an airtight seal comprises rotating one of the first and second locking adapters relative to the other, such that the tab moves along the receiving slot and deforms the wall, thereby locking the tab within the receiving slot.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the receiving slot comprises a slot terminus adjacent the wall, such that the wall of the second adapter is adapted to resiliently deform, thereby locking the tab to the slot terminus.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the receiving slot is ramped such that the second locking adapter is drawn into the first locking adapter as the tab approaches the slot terminus.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the wall includes a cam that protrudes into the receiving slot, thereby locking the tab to the slot terminus.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the first and second locking adapters are rotated at least thirty (30) degrees relative to one another to form the airtight seal.

14. A system for securing a vacuum appliance, the system comprising:

a vacuum device; and

an apparatus for securing the vacuum appliance, the apparatus comprising;

a first locking adapter, wherein the first locking adapter comprises a tab; and

a second locking adapter, wherein the second locking adapter comprises a receiving slot and an adjacent securing slot, with a flexible wall therebetween;

wherein the first and second locking adapters form an airtight seal when the tab is received by the receiving slot.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the wall of the second adapter is adapted to resiliently flex or deform, thereby locking the tab in the receiving slot.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the receiving slot comprises a slot terminus, wherein the terminus is adapted to restrict rotational movement of the first locking adapter relative to the second locking adapter.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein the first and second locking adapters are rotated at least thirty (30) degrees relative to one another to form the airtight seal.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein the receiving slot comprises a slot terminus adjacent the wall, such that the wall of the second adapter is adapted to resiliently deform, thereby locking the tab to the slot terminus.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the receiving slot is ramped such that the second locking adapter is drawn into the first locking adapter as the tab approaches the slot terminus.

20. The system according to claim 18, wherein the wall includes a cam that protrudes into the receiving slot, thereby locking the tab to the slot terminus.