Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-08
2004-11-16
Snider, Theresa T. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S314000, C015S301000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06817058
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a vacuum system, especially to a vacuum system of the type used in homes. The invention particularly relates to a ceiling mounted vacuum housing for storing a vacuum hose when not in use including a mechanism for lowering the housing from the ceiling for providing access to maintainable parts, and a hose drive mechanism for deploying the hose from the housing.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Vacuum systems are comprised of a suction assembly that includes a motorized suction fan and a dust collector, and an elongated hose extending from the suction assembly. The hose, which is cylindrical and flexible, normally terminates in a handle at its distal end to which accessories may be attached. In certain embodiments, known as portable vacuum cleaners, the suction assembly is wheeled so that the operator can pull it from place to place. In order to avoid the difficulty and inconvenience of moving the suction assembly, central vacuum systems have been developed.
Generally, these central vacuum systems are comprised of a permanently located suction assembly, at least one vacuum hose outlet located near the cleaning area, and a conduit connecting the assembly to the outlet. A flexible hose having a connection end and a distal end is releasibly attached at its connection end to the outlet when the surrounding area is to be vacuumed. Electrical wiring normally extends from the suction assembly to the outlet and connects with other wiring extending through the hose to a control means in a handle at the distal end of the hose, completing an electrical circuit.
Central vacuum systems have gained wide popularity and acceptance, particularly in homes. However one continuing annoyance is the need to store the vacuum hose when the system is not being used. Often, the problem is addressed by simply stuffing the hose into an area such as a coat closet; such solutions are either inconvenient or unsightly.
Various means have been suggested by the prior art to address this problem. For example, the following patents describe central vacuum systems in which the hose is inserted into the conduit joining the suction assembly and the outlet when the hose is not in use:
3,353,996
Hamrick
3,464,859
Hamrick
3,520,725
Hamrick
3,568,240
Hamrick
5,430,978
Kohler
5,481,780
Daneshvar
6,143,996
Skanda
The following patents describe devices including a powered mechanism to store the hose:
4,246,675
Costanzo
5,119,843
Keerian
5,402,551
Workhoven et al
U.S. Pat. No. 2,641,790 to Coult discloses a vacuum hair removal system for barbershops in which a vacuum hose storage body is mounted to the ceiling of a barbershop. An access section forming a nozzle hangs down from the hose storage body. A spring returns the hose to the storage body whenever the hose is not in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,615 to Fletcher discloses a central vacuum system having a flexible hose extending from a vacuum unit into an attic space in a structure. The flexible hose passes into a living space of the structure through a ceiling orifice. A motorized retractor mechanism located near the ceiling orifice delivers the hose to the attic space for storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,297 to Hukuba et al describes a vacuum cleaner comprised of a cabinet having a suction assembly housed in a first compartment and a second compartment for housing a retractable hose. A motorized drive mechanism comprised of a pair of interlocked rollers on opposite sides of the hose is used to extend and retract the hose from the compartment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,037 to Miyake et al discloses a similar structure in which a vacuum hose along with a suction assembly is housed in a piece of furniture. The hose is withdrawn from and retracted into, the piece of furniture by a drive roll engaging the surface of the hose. The drive roll is covered by a cylindrically shaped elastic layer that is axially splined to provide a series of radially inwardly recessed grooves spaced at intervals equal to the spacing of adjacent convolutions on spiral ribs of the hose.
The inventor of the present invention has two patents pertaining to vacuum systems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,581 to Harrelson discloses a vacuum system mountable between adjacent studs of a wall inside a residential home for vacuum cleaning the living areas of the home. U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,582 to Harrelson discloses a vacuum hose storage system that includes a hose drive mechanism for retracting and extending a vacuum hose to and from a hose storage compartment.
While certain of the above systems provide some improvement over merely dumping the hose in a closet or other area when not in use, one problem still has not been addressed in an economical and practical manner. Certain areas within a home or building are not easily cleaned with prior art vacuum systems.
A good example of such an area is a residential garage. The typical garage is a very cluttered place. It usually shelters one or two cars along with lawnmowers and other yard tools such as rakes and shovels. Beyond this floor space clutter, there is usually clutter against the walls of the garage. For example, it is not unusual to find hot water heaters, storage cabinets, workbenches and other items stacked alongside the walls. Such clutter makes using a central vacuum cleaner or portable wheeled vacuum cleaner unwieldy and impractical. The problem lies in the fact that the prior art vacuum systems are designed to clean uncluttered living spaces and these systems either have relatively long vacuum hoses that would tend to snag on clutter or these systems have shorter hoses and are portable wheeled systems that are impractical to maneuver in a cluttered environment such as a garage. What is needed is a vacuum system that is easy to install, easy to access, easy to maintain and functional in a highly cluttered environment such as a garage. Unfortunately, the previous patented inventions belonging to the present inventor also fail to meet this need alone or in combination with the prior art for much the same reasons including the added difficulty of accessing a wall mounted system that would naturally become blocked by car bodies, and the other mentioned clutter. A self-contained vacuum system that overcomes the above problems would be of considerable advantage and convenience to the homeowner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a self-contained vacuum system that overcomes problems associated with vacuum cleaner operation in a cluttered environment by providing overhead access to the system. In particular, the vacuum system of the present invention includes a housing that can be mounted to the ceiling of a building, such as the ceiling of a residential garage, and a positioning means for lowering the housing of the vacuum system to within reach of the user. Also provided is a reversible drive mechanism for withdrawing a hose from, and returning a hose to the housing. The vacuum system includes a suction assembly, and a flexible vacuum hose. The suction assembly comprised of a motorized suction fan, a filter, and a dust collector, may be one of several types commercially available, and need not be described in detail. The hose is also of a commercially available construction, and is essentially a flexible tube that may be reinforced with a wire spiral about its outer surface. Electrical wiring may also extend through the hose from one end to the other, so that the vacuum system electrical circuitry can include an array of switches on the handle or nozzle at the distal end of the hose.
The housing of the present invention is an enclosure with an interior cavity. For example, the housing could be of cubical configuration, with spaced vertical sidewalls, a rear joining the sidewalls, a top wall, a bottom wall, rear wall and a front wall. Sections of the walls may be hinged to form one or more access doors into the housing.
The housing is preferably divided into a forward compartment and a rearward compartment by a divider wall extending across the inside of t
,MacCord Mason PLLC
Snider Theresa T.
Vacs America, Inc.
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