Combined vacuum and fluid line hose

• US 4,998,317 A
• Filed: 07/13/1989
• Issued: 03/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Production Metal Forming Incorporated Route
• Original Assignee: Production Metal Forming Incorporated Route
• Inventors: Passien, Renold R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, Chris K.
• Application Number:
  US07/380,154
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 15/321, 15/345, 15/387, 285/7, 285/134, 285/136, 174/47
• US Class Current: 15/321
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/24 Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings hoses or hose joints in general F16L

Abstract

A vacuum hose/fluid line combination is provided for use with a vacuum cleaning system which includes a vacuum canister and heated fluid dispensing apparatus. The vacuum hose is devised with identical swivel cuffs at the ends thereof, each being formed with an opening in the cylindrical wall thereof and arranged to rotatably receive a flexible fluid dispensing line rotatably therethrough. The fluid line is retained within the hose and has its respective ends projecting outwardly through the openings for connection at one end to a hand tool, and at the other end to the fluid dispensing apparatus. Once connected, the vacuum hose is freely rotatable between the connection points.

Claims

1. A cleaning attachment, comprising:

a vacuum hose having a dispensing fluid line retained therein, with one end of said hose adapted for association with a vacuum cleaner/ heated fluid dispensing apparatus, and the other end of said hose adapted for association with a cleaning tool; and

a swivel coupling member rotatably retained at one end of said vacuum hose, and adapted to be detachably connected to one of a vacuum cleaner/heated fluid dispensing apparatus and a cleaning tool;

wherein said swivel coupling member has an opening formed in the wall thereof through which an end portion of the dispensing fluid line exits, and is rotatably received therein, whereby the vacuum hose and fluid line are prevented from twisting and coiling as the cleaning tool is manipulated during cleaning operations.

2. A cleaning attachment as in claim 1, further including a second swivel coupling member rotatably received on the other end of said vacuum hose, whereby said vacuum hose is independently rotatable between said swivel coupling members, said second swivel coupling member also having an opening for rotatable receipt of said fluid line therethrough.

3. A cleaning attachment as in claim 1, wherein said vacuum hose comprises a flexible plastic tube.

4. A cleaning attachment as in claim 1, wherein said vacuum hose one end has an annular flange thereabout and said swivel coupling member has a matching annular flange situated adjacent to said hose annular flange, and wherein said attachment further includes a cylindrical member commonly received about said annular flanges, and defining an inner circular groove for rotatable receipt of said flanges therein, whereby said hose and coupling member are freely rotatably joined relative one another.

5. A cleaning attachment as in claim 1, further including a tubular element integrally formed with said swivel coupling member and associated with said opening thereof, for receipt and support of said fluid line therein.

6. A fabric cleaning vacuum hose, having a dispensing fluid line retained therein, said hose being arranged for connection at one end to a combination vacuum/fluid cleaning apparatus, and to a cleaning tool at the other end thereof, and further having first and second swivel coupling members rotatably retained at the respective ends of said vacuum hose and adapted for connection to a source of vacuum and a cleaning tool, respectively, whereby said vacuum hose is freely rotatable relative said coupling members on either end thereof, to prevent twisting and coiling of said hose while the hand held tool is manipulated during a cleaning process, and further wherein said first and second swivel coupling members have openings formed in the walls thereof, through which respective end portions of said dispensing fluid line exit, such end portions being rotatably related to the respective swivel coupling members, whereby such end portions of said fluid line are free to rotate relative thereto during a cleaning process.

7. A hose as in claim 6, wherein each of said end portions of said fluid line terminates in a tube fitting adapted to be connected to a cleaning apparatus or a cleaning tool, respectively.

8. A fabric cleaning vacuum hose, having a dispensing fluid line retained therein, said hose being arranged for connection at one end to a combination vacuum/fluid cleaning apparatus, and to a cleaning tool at the other end thereof, and further having first and second swivel coupling members rotatably retained at the respective ends of said vacuum hose and adapted for connection to a source of vacuum and a cleaning tool, respectively, whereby said vacuum hose is freely rotatable relative said coupling members on either end thereof, to prevent twisting and coiling of said hose while the hand held tool is manipulated during a cleaning process, wherein said swivel coupling members each comprise a generally annular cuff with an annular flange about the outside diameter thereof, said annular flange being adapted for receipt and rotation in a circular receiving groove of a member supported on said hose, and further wherein said annular cuff includes an opening formed through the circumference thereof, and a stub tube integrally formed with said cuff, and in communication with said opening, said tube and opening being adapted for receipt and support of said fluid line, whereby such line communicates between the inside and outside of said vacuum hose.

9. Apparatus for use in the fluid extraction cleaning of fabric utilizing a dispensing fluid apparatus and a cleaning tool, said apparatus comprising:

a vacuum hose having a coupling cuff freely rotatably supported at each end thereof, each of said cuffs having an opening formed through the side walls thereof; and

a fluid dispensing fluid line generally received within said vacuum hose, said line having respective end portions projecting through and rotatably received in said cuff openings, and said end portions each terminating in a tube fitting;

wherein said coupling cuff members and said tube fittings are adapted to be connected interchangeably with either a dispensing fluid apparatus or a cleaning tool, whereby said vacuum hose is supported and interconnected freely rotatable therebetween.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said hose and coupling cuffs have respective, adjacent pairs of annular flanges at each end of said hose, and said apparatus further includes cylindrical members received about said flange pairs at each hose end, said cylindrical members defining an annular groove for common rotatable receipt of said flange pairs, whereby said cuffs are freely rotatably received on said hose ends.

11. Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said cuffs further includes relatively short guide tubes integrally formed within the interior thereof, and in communication with said cuff openings, said tubes receiving and further supporting said fluid line therein.

12. A cleaning attachment, comprising:

a vacuum hose having an air pressure line retained therein, with one end of said hose adapted for association with a vacuum cleaner, and the other end of said hose adapted for association with an air driven tool; and

a swivel coupling member rotatably retained at one end of said vacuum hose, and adapted to be detachably connected to one of a vacuum cleaner and an air driven tool;

wherein said swivel coupling member has an opening formed in the wall thereof through which an end portion of said air pressure line exits, and is rotatably received therein, whereby the vacuum hose and said air pressure line are prevented from twisting and coiling as the air driven tool is manipulated during cleaning operations.

13. A cleaning attachment as in claim 12, further including a second swivel coupling member rotatably received on the other end of said vacuum hose, whereby said vacuum hose is independently rotatable between said swivel coupling members, said second swivel coupling member also having an opening for rotatable receipt of said air pressure line therethrough.