Removable hose and tool caddy

• US 7,039,985 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Healthy Gain Investments Limited
• Original Assignee: Hoover Company (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Inventors: Barker, Douglas C., Matusz, Glenn J., Hisrich, Timothy B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US10/165,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226231A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 153/23, 153/20
• US Class Current: 15/323
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/32 with means for connecting a hose hose couplings for suction cleaners A47L9/24
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0018 integrated in or removably mounted upon the suction cleaner for storing parts of said suction cleaner
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 9/0036 specially adapted for holding the suction hose

Abstract

A floor cleaning unit having a housing and a removable caddy which may be mounted on and removed from the housing for storing accessories. The caddy includes a body which removably mounts to the housing. A connector assembly is included on the body for removably mounting the body on the housing. The connector assembly includes a slot for receiving a hook member attached to the housing. An accessory retainer is formed on the body for storing the floor cleaning unit accessories, whereby the caddy and the floor cleaning unit accessories stored thereon may be slidably removed from the floor cleaning unit by merely applying a force to the body.

Claims

1. In combination, a floor cleaning unit having a housing and a removable caddy which may be mounted on and removed from the housing for storing accessories on the floor cleaning unit, said removable caddy including:

a) a body which removably mounts to the housing;

b) a connector assembly on the body for removably mounting the body on the housing;

c) an accessory retainer formed on the body for storing the accessories, said accessory retainer has a projection extending outwardly from said body for receiving an upholstery hand tool, said projection includes a tongue member and a fin portion attached to said tongue member; and

d) whereby the caddy and the accessories stored thereon may be removed from the floor cleaning unit by merely applying a force to said body.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said body includes at least one hook for hanging said caddy.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said accessory retainer includes a clip secured to said body and integrally formed with said at least one hook.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said accessory retainer includes a support wall attached to said body and extending outwardly from said body for supporting an accessory hose, said clip extending at least partially over said support wall for releasably retaining said accessory hose to said caddy.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said connector assembly includes one of a slot and a hook member for engaging said other one of said hook member and said slot provided on said housing, a nub formed on one of said body and housing, said hook member including a notch for receiving said nub upon said body being mounted to said housing.

6. In combination, a floor cleaning unit having a housing and a removable caddy which may be mounted on and removed from the housing for storing accessories on the floor cleaning unit, said removable caddy including:

a) a body which removably mounts to the housing;

b) a connector assembly on the body for removably mounting the body on the housing, said connector assembly includes a slot for receiving a hook member attached to said housing, wherein said hook member passes through said slot when said body is mounted on said housing;

c) an accessory retainer formed on the body for storing accessories; and

d) whereby the caddy and the floor cleaning unit accessories stored thereon may be slidably removed from the by merely applying a force to said body.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said housing includes a tubular receptacle, said connector assembly further including at least one post for slidably engaging said tubular receptacle.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said body includes at least one hook for hanging said caddy.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said accessory retainer includes a clip secured to said body and integrally formed with said at least one hook.

10. The combination of claim 8 wherein said accessory retainer includes a support wall attached to said body and extending outwardly from said body for supporting an accessory hose, said clip extending at least partially over said support wall for releasably retaining said accessory hose to said caddy.

11. The combination of claim 6 including a nub formed on one of said body and housing, said hook member including a notch for receiving said nub upon said body being mounted to said housing.

12. The combination of claim 6 wherein said accessory retainer includes a holder for receiving a crevice tool.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein said crevice tool has a working end, said holder having a channel for slidably receiving said working end.

14. The combination of claim 6 wherein said accessory retainer has a projection extending outwardly from said body for receiving an upholstery hand tool.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said projection includes a tongue member and a fin portion attached to said tongue member.

16. The combination of claim 6 including at least one spacer secured to one of said body and said housing.

17. In combination, a floor cleaning unit having a housing and a removable caddy which may be mounted on and removed from the housing for storing accessories on the floor cleaning unit, said removable caddy including:

a) a body which removably mounts to the housing, said body includes at least one hook for hanging said caddy for storage;

b) a connector assembly on the body for removably mounting the body on the housing;

c) an accessory retainer formed on the body for storing the accessories, said accessory retainer includes a clip secured to said body and integrally formed with said hook; and

d) whereby the caddy and the accessories stored thereon may be removed from the floor cleaning unit by merely applying a force to said body.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein said accessory retainer includes a clip secured to said body and integrally formed with said hook.

19. The combination of claim 17 wherein said connector assembly includes one of a slot and a hook member for engaging said other one of said hook member and said slot provided on said housing, a nub formed on one of said body and housing, said hook member including a notch for receiving said nub upon said body being mounted to said housing.

20. The combination of claim 17 wherein said accessory retainer includes a holder for receiving a crevice tool.