Pipe joints or couplings – Vacuum cleaner type
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-25
2003-06-24
Nicholson, Eric K. (Department: 3679)
Pipe joints or couplings
Vacuum cleaner type
C285S184000, C285S012000, C285S278000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06581974
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention is related to vacuum cleaner attachments for removable attachment on the end of a vacuum hose and more specifically to vacuum cleaner connectors, which adapt multiple vacuum cleaner hose ends to a specific vacuum tool suction port size.
BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
In the vacuum industry, there are two basic styles of vacuum cleaners, (herein vacuums): upright and canister. For the upright design, the vacuum is given a handle, which allows a user to push a power head across the floor for cleaning. A rotary brush is often used to vibrate dirt and dust out of the carpets. Recently, upright vacuums have also been including a vacuum hose (suction hose) that comprises a flexible hose leading from the vacuum cleaner body to a hose end (or hose wand) for cleaning. Many vacuum tools exist for attachment to these hose ends for cleaning different types of surfaces (i.e. upholstery tool, crevice tool, dust brush, etc.). For canister style vacuums, the majority of the hardware is placed in a canister that rolls on the floor, is carried by hand, or by shoulder strap. A flexible vacuum hose leads from the canister to a hose end or wand. Often electrical power is provided to this hose end to operate power heads with rotary agitators similar to upright vacuums. For cleaning hard floors, and above floor surfaces, multiple vacuum tools exist that attach to the hose end (or wand) to be used for cleaning. Both styles of vacuum cleaners provide hose extensions that may be attached to the hose wand to extend the reach of vacuum tools. The disclosed pivot adaptor (vacuum cleaner connector) works with both canister and upright style vacuum cleaners and is designed to attach between the hose wand and a vacuum tool.
With today's world market, many foreign vacuums, and some domestic vacuums, do not use the standard 1.25 inch diameter hose conduit style wand that is used by approximately 85% of all vacuums sold. Throughout this application we will use the phrase “standard 1.25 inch hose end”, or similar phrase, to describe the vacuum industry standard hose conduit end. This standard 1.25 inch hose conduit (wand) is formed by a cylindrical tube with a 1.25 inch outside diameter that begins tapering (substantially linearly) one inch from the end of the hose to an outside diameter of 1.20 inches at the end of the hose end. Standard vacuum tools are designed to fit on these standard hose ends. For non-standard vacuums, the hose wand has a modified end that will not attach to the standard 1.25 inch vacuum nozzles. To solve this problem, manufactures have provided adaptors that attach to the non-standard hose end and modify the hose end to allow standard vacuum nozzles to be attached. These adaptors consist of a straight tubular piece of plastic or metal with one end designed to fit a multitude of vacuum cleaner hose ends and a second tool end designed to attach to a standard 1.25 inch vacuum tool. There are also other adaptors for specific brands of vacuums, which allow non-standard vacuum tools to be used. These straight adaptors where not found in the patent database and may simply be a public domain invention.
While many adaptors of simple straight tube style exist, there are no known vacuum hose adaptor attachments that include an off-axis pivot joint or swivel as shown in this application. Many pivotal hose wands were found, such as, U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,346 to Gray, U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,805 to Finley, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,744 to Kutnyak, where the hose wand has an axial pivot joint that allows the hose to rotate with respect to the wand end. However, these designs fail to use friction fit attachment ports and also fail to provided the off-axis pivot joint needed to produce the beneficial functions provided by the Applicants' Invention. They also show now means to adapt their pivot device to multiple vacuums with different vacuum hose and/or port sizes.
U.S. Pat. No. 981,705 to Spencer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,786,698 to Bard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,674 to Hendrickson, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,501 to Ortloff all show swivel joint piping that place their pivot axis at 90 degrees with respect to the connector ends. None are designed specifically for vacuum cleaners. Furthermore, their perpendicular orientation of the pivot axis with respect to the connector ends prevents these swivel joints from being able to be effectively used with an upholstery tool for use on a hard floor, and also would make other vacuum tools awkward to use.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,012,195 to English describes a multi-part device which uses a flexible middle section to allow pivoting of a suction cleaning end. However, the construction is very complex and requires two hands to operate. No pivot joint is shown and no means for attachment of multiple hose ends and/or vacuum tools is shown
U.S. Pat. No. 1,285,849 to Walling, U.S. Pat. No. 1,756,094 to McGuirk, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,581,047 to Salmond all show plumbing fittings with an off-axis swivel. These designs, because they are for a different field, are not designed to pivot while in operation, but are locked into a particular angle during installation. None of these patents suggest they could be used with vacuum cleaners.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,104,148 to Spencer shows a cleaning tool having a swivel joint axis that is parallel to the tool port and a curved handle that is off-axis to the swivel joint. The cleaning tool is not designed for adapting other vacuum tools and does not provide a friction fit to easily attach and remove from other hoses or other tools.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,838,481 to Gudka shows a cleaning and polishing apparatus with a substantially 90-degree off-axis pivot joint. The pivot joint is not removable, and is not designed to adapt to other tools. Also, even if it were modified to become an adaptor, the pivot joint is not workable for use with many. vacuum tools because the angle of the pivot joint is perpendicular to the attachment point and also because no friction is provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,464 to Wolf shows a swivel coupler that provides axial pivoting and removable attachment to two members. The pivot axis is aligned with the swivel coupler (aligned with longitudinal axis of swivel) and does not show an off axis swivel like the one shown by the Applicants. If Wolf's design were modified for attachment to a vacuum tool it would still only provide axial pivoting and not provide the angle changing properties of the Applicants' invention. The drawings in Wolfs patent seen to show the same function as the Applicants' design (thought in a much larger device) but actually the angle changing ability comes from use of three swivel couplers. The applicants' device requires only a single pivot joint to accomplish the same range of angles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,925 B1 to Edin shows a turn shaft for a vacuum cleaner with an off-axis connector for use specifically with vacuum tools having an axial pivot joint. The center off-axis connector does not pivot during use, but must be manually disengaged, rotated, and locked back together in one of two configurations. Edin's design includes additional angled hose sections in the shaft to provide the proper angled positions. The device is not designed as an adaptor for attachment to different vacuum cleaner hose wands and its length makes it difficult to use with above floor cleaning tools. Plus, the distance between the vacuum tool and the pivot joint is greater than 12 inches. This makes it impractical to use a standard upholstery tool to get under furniture (normal pivot operation of Edin's design is not workable with standard upholstery tools because it requires a axial pivot joint at the tool in order to work properly). The Applicants' device accomplishes better motion control, more functionality, and in a much more compact size while using only one joint instead of two.
No prior art was found that showed examples of an adaptor attachment designed for attachment to both male and female style hose wand ends. It should be noted that until one places a swivel joint on an ada
Ragner Gary Dean
Reed Mark Douglas
Nicholson Eric K.
Ragner Manufacturing, LLC
LandOfFree
Pivot adaptor attachment for vacuum cleaners does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pivot adaptor attachment for vacuum cleaners, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pivot adaptor attachment for vacuum cleaners will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3116595