US20020069477A1

US20020069477A1 - Hand wand with electrical wiring for vacuum cleaning

Info

Publication number: US20020069477A1
Application number: US09/736,508
Authority: US
Inventors: James Smith; Wesley Schroeder
Original assignee: H P Products Inc
Current assignee: H P Products Inc
Priority date: 2000-12-13
Filing date: 2000-12-13
Publication date: 2002-06-13

Abstract

A hand held wand for connecting an electrically powered cleaning device to a source of vacuum and electricity has inner and outer concentrically mounted tubular members which form an intervening passage therebetween. An electrical conductor extends through the passage and terminates in a pair of electrical connectors mounted on a pair of end connector sleeves. The inner and outer tubular members terminate in the end connector sleeves. One of the end connector sleeves is adapted to be connected to the cleaning device and the other connector sleeve is connected to a flexible hose which is connected to the source of vacuum. The electrical connectors are connected to complementary electrical connectors mounted on the cleaning device and on the flexible hose to provide electric power to the cleaning device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to cleaning systems and in particular to a hand held wand for connecting an electrically powered cleaning device to a source of electricity and vacuum. More particularly, the invention relates to a hand held wand formed by a pair of rigid inner and outer tubular members which form an annular passage through which an electrical conductor extends for connecting the electric powered cleaning device to the source of vacuum and to a source of electricity in a central vacuum cleaning system or portable type vacuum cleaner.

2. Background Information

Central vacuum cleaning systems are increasing in popularity in both domestic and commercial buildings wherein a plurality of inlet valves are mounted in either the baseboard area of a wall or in a floor adjacent to the wall, which in turn are connected by suitable tubing to a centrally installed vacuum producing apparatus such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,164. Many of these inlet valves are connected to a source of electricity such as at the central blower unit, and the flexible cleaning hose which is adapted to be inserted into the valve will have an electrical conductor extending therethrough for ultimate connection to an electric power cleaning device, such as a rotary brush. In these prior devices, the electrical conductor is usually embedded in and forms part of the flexible hose, but extends along the exterior of the rigid hand wand in order to be connected to the cleaning device at the distal end of the wand. This exposed electrical conductor is subject to snagging on furniture and possible abrasion and provides a less than attractive appearance to the cleaning unit. Therefore, the need exists for an improved simple hand held wand which enables the electrical conductor to be concealed therein for connecting an electrical power cleaning device to the flexible hose and to a source of electrical power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Objectives of the invention include providing a hand held wand for use with an inwall or portable type vacuum cleaning system which provides for a concealed electrical conductor extending throughout the length of the wand for easily connecting a power driven cleaning device to an electric power source.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide such a hand wand which is formed of two concentrically mounted rigid tubular members formed either of plastic, metal or a combination of both, which form an annular space therebetween through which an electrical conductor extends so that it is concealed and free from possible damage.

A further feature of the invention is providing a pair of electrical connectors, preferably one male and one female at opposite ends of the wand, for ease of connection to the electrical conductors in the flexible hose and to the electrical conductors of the cleaning unit.

Another feature of the invention is providing a pair of tubular sleeve connectors at both ends of the pair of tubular members which provide an interlocking sliding engagement with the power cleaning device and with the flexible hose for ease of connection and removal of the wand with respect to the hose and cleaning device.

The foregoing advantages, construction and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. [0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the wand of the present invention extending between a power driven rotary brush cleaning device and a flexible hose of an inwall vacuum cleaning system; [0010]
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hand wand of the subject invention; [0011]
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the hand wand and the two tubular end connectors mounted thereon with the flexible hose and power cleaning device connectors shown in dot dash lines; [0012]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line [0013] 4-4, FIG. 3; and
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1 showing the wand connected to a portable canister type vacuum cleaner. [0014]
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. [0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The hand wand of the present invention is indicated generally at [0016] 1, and is shown in FIG. 1 extending between an electrically power driven cleaning device 2 and a rigid handle 3 of a flexible hose 4. Hose 4 is connected to an inlet valve 5 of a usual inwall central vacuum cleaning system. Valve 5 will be of a usual construction and may have electrical contacts therein such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,076,068, which activate the central power unit when a hose coupler 7 is slidably inserted therein. This will also make an electrical connection to the electrical wires 8 (FIG. 3) which are embedded in and extend throughout flexible hose 4 to an electrical connector 9 shown in dot dash lines, FIG. 3. Power driven device 2 preferably contains a rotary driven brush (not shown) and will have a swivel connection tube 13 extending outwardly therefrom for connection with wand 1, as described further below. If desired, wand 1 can be used with a portable vacuum cleaner such as a canister type as shown in FIG. 5, and need not be connected to an inwall vacuum system without affecting the concept of the invention.
Referring particularly to FIGS. [0017] 2-4, wand 1 includes a rigid cylindrical outer hollow tubular member 15 and a smaller diameter hollow inner tubular member 16 mounted concentrically therein. This relationship forms an annular space or void 17 therebetween which, in accordance with the invention, provides a passage-way for an electrical conductor 18. However, if desired inner tube 16 can be mounted eccentrically within outer tube 15 without effecting the concept of the invention.
[0018] Tubular members 15 and 16 preferably will be formed of relatively thin wall, rigid plastic or metal materials and will extend between a pair of end connector sleeves, indicated generally at 20 and 21. Connector sleeves 20 and 21 can be formed of either metal and/or plastic in order to be compatible with tubular members 15 and 16 without affecting the concept of the invention.
[0019] End connector sleeve 20 is shown in FIG. 3 as a female connector having a stepped inner cylindrical surface 23 for slidably receiving tubular end 10 of hose handle 3 therein providing a sliding fit connection. A spring biased latch 26 also may be utilized to secure connector sleeve 20 to handle 3. Connector sleeve 20 further includes cylindrical body 22 having a reduced diameter cylindrically extending end 24 which extends between outer and inner sleeves 15 and 16 and is permanently secured therein by an adhesive or other type of fastening device. An electrical connector 25 is secured to the outer surface of cylindrical body 22 and has a female receptacle adapted to receive a pair of prongs 27 of flexible hose electrical connector 9 (FIG. 3).
[0020] End connector sleeve 21 includes a cylindrical inner end 30 which is slidably inserted between outer and inner tubular members 15 and 16 and permanently secured thereto by an adhesive or other fastening device. The opposite end of connector sleeve 21 will have a cylindrical end 32 which is adapted to be slidably inserted into the hollow cylindrical interior of connector tube 13 of cleaning device 2. End 32 can be secured in tube 13 either by a friction fit or by a flexible latch 39 which would extend into an annular groove 34 formed in end 32.
A male [0021] electrical connector 36 is mounted on an outer cylindrical portion 37 of end connector sleeve 21 and has a pair of electrical prongs 38 extending outwardly therefrom which are slidably received within a pair of sockets formed within a complementary shaped electrical connector 40 formed on connector tube 13. Conductor 18 will extend through a pair of small holes 41 and 42 formed in outer tubular member 15 adjacent connectors 25 and 36 with the majority of the conductor extending through annular passage 17 formed between outer and inner tubular members 15 and 16 as shown particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, improved [0022] wand 1 is easily connected to cleaning device 2 and to rigid handle 3 of flexible hose 4 by a pair of simple sliding friction fit connections. In addition to connecting the wand to hose 3 and device 2, these sliding connections will also simultaneously connect electrical conductor 8 contained within hose 3, to wand conductor 18 and to cleaning device conductor 42 (FIG. 3). The concealment of conductor 18 within wand 1 provides for a streamlined appearance to the wand and eliminates exposed conductors except for a very small portion extending from connectors 25 and 36 which, if desired, could be covered by a protective shroud or the like.
FIG. 5 [0023] shows wand 1 connected to a portable type of vacuum cleaner such as a canister 45.
Accordingly, the improved apparatus of the invention is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive, and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives, provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices, and solves problems and obtains new results in the art. [0024]
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. [0025]
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is by way of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. [0026]
Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the invention, the manner in which the hand wand is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, and combinations are set forth in the appended claims. [0027]

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A hand wand for connecting an electrically powered cleaning device to a source of electricity and to a source of vacuum comprising:

inner and outer tubular members extending between a pair of end connector sleeves, said tubular members forming a passage therebetween;

an electrical conductor extending through the passage between the tubular members; and

an electrical connector mounted adjacent each of the connector sleeves and electrically connected to the electrical conductor.

2. The wand defined in claim 1 wherein the passage is an annular space formed between the inner and outer tubular members.

3. The wand defined in claim 1 wherein the inner and outer tubular members are formed of metal or plastic.

4. The wand defined in claim 1 wherein one of the electrical connectors is a male connector and the other of said connectors is a female connector.

5. The wand defined in claim 1 wherein a flexible hose containing an electrical conductor for connecting the wand to the source of vacuum is connected to one of the end connector sleeves.

6. The wand defined in claim 5 wherein the cleaning device is connected to the other of the connector sleeves.

7. The wand defined in claim 6 wherein the hose and cleaning device are connected to the connector sleeves by a friction slide fit engagement.

8. The wand defined in claim 6 wherein the hose and cleaning device are connected by a latch.

9. In combination, a source of vacuum and electrical power, an electrically driven cleaning device and a wand for connecting said cleaning device to the source of vacuum and electrical power, said wand comprising:

10. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein a flexible hose extends between the wand and source of vacuum.

11. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein the passage is an annular space formed between the inner and outer tubular members.

12. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein the inner and outer tubular members are formed of metal or plastic.

13. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein a flexible hose containing an electrical conductor for connecting the wand to the source of vacuum is connected to one of the end connector sleeves.

14. The combination defined in claim 13 wherein the cleaning device is connected to the other of the connector sleeves.

15. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein the source of vacuum is a portable vacuum cleaner.