Telescopic drain hose

• US 5,244,003 A
• Filed: 04/16/1992
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tennant Company
• Original Assignee: Tennant Company
• Inventors: Boomgaarden, Steven L.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US07/870,094
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 15/320, 15/353, 137/355.12, 137/355.16, 137/590, 137/577, 137/577.5, 137/899, 137/1
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/00 Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/00 Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6855 Vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6918 With hose storage or retrieval means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86348 Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit

Abstract

This is a drain hose for a tank such as on a floor scrubbing machine and a means for attaching it to the tank. When not in use the hose is stored inside the tank, where it is protected from damage such as may occur to externally stored hoses. When it is to be used the hose is pulled from the tank and extended to a suitable site such as a floor drain and the contents of the tank are emptied through it. After use the hose may be pushed back into the tank again. The means for attaching the hose to the tank may include a cover over an opening in the tank which is amply large to permit cleaning out the tank.

Claims

1. A method of storing and using a flexible drain hose for a liquid containing tank on a floor scrubber whereby the hose when not in use is stored within the tank, and when in use the hose may be withdrawn from the tank and may be bent as needed to direct it to a suitable drain site into which the contents of the tank may be emptied, the hose being continuously connected to the tank during storage, withdrawal and use in a manner which permits liquid from the tank within the hose while preventing the escape of liquid from the tank around the outside of the hose.

2. The method of claim 1 for storage and use of a drain hose for a liquid containing tank in which a closure is provided for one end of the hose, said closure being a cap.

3. The method of claim 1 for storage and use of a drain hose for a liquid containing tank in which the drain outlet of the tank where the drain hose is connected is at or near the bottom of a side wall of the tank.

4. The method of claim 1 for storage and use of a drain hose for a liquid containing tank in which the means of connecting the hose to the tank also provides an opening into the tank, said opening being of adequate size to permit cleaning out the tank.

5. The method of claim 1 for storage and use of a drain hose for a liquid containing tank in which a closure is provided for one end of the hose, said closure being a valve.

6. A floor scrubbing machine having at least one tank to contain liquid scrubbing solution, a flexible drain hose for each tank, each tank and its related hose being so constructed that the hose when not in use is stored within the tank, and when in use the hose may be withdrawn from the tank and may be bent as needed to direct it to a suitable drain site into which the contents of the tank may be emptied, the hose being continuously connected to the tank during storage, withdrawal and use in a manner which permits liquid from the tank within the hose while preventing the escape of liquid from the tank around the outside of the hose.

7. In a drain arrangement for a tank on a floor scrubber constructed and arranged to hold a liquid, an opening at the bottom of the tank, a flexible drain hose in the opening constructed and arranged for axial movement between an inner stored position in which it is substantially completely within the tank and an extended drain position in which its outer end extends a substantial distance from the tank, and a cap on the outer end of the drain hose adapted to be removed so that the liquid content of the tank may be drained out through the hose when the cap is removed.

8. The structure of claim 7 further characterized by and including a manually operable valve on the outer end of the drain hose to control the flow of liquid through the drain hose.

9. The structure of claim 7 further characterized by and including a manually operable holder for the outer end of the hose constructed and arranged to releasably hold the hose in its inner position and, upon release, to allow the hose to be manually withdrawn to its extended position.

10. The floor scrubber drain arrangement of claim 7 further characterized by and including a stop member on the innermost end of said hose, and means associated with said opening cooperating with said stop member to prevent complete removal of said hose from said tank.

11. The floor scrubber drain arrangement of claim 10 further characterized in that said means associated with said opening is removably attached to said opening to provide for the removal thereof and the complete removal of said hose from said tank.