US20190328192A1

US20190328192A1 - Lid for wet/dry vacuum cleaner with integrated hose retainer

Info

Publication number: US20190328192A1
Application number: US15/963,741
Authority: US
Inventors: Greg Wilsey
Original assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Current assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Priority date: 2018-04-26
Filing date: 2018-04-26
Publication date: 2019-10-31
Also published as: CA3037031A1; MX2019004878A

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner includes a canister, a vacuum hose, a motor, an impeller, and a one piece lid. The canister defines a debris chamber and has a top. The impeller is connected to the motor and is operable to generate air flow upon operation of the motor. The one piece lid includes a hose retainer and is mounted to the top of the canister. The hose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening. The retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards the retention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.

Description

FIELD

The field of the disclosure relates generally to vacuum cleaners and, more particularly, to vacuum cleaner lids including an integrated hose retainer.

BACKGROUND

Some vacuum appliances, in particular vacuum cleaners, include lid-mounted motors that facilitate the movement of air using a motor and an impeller connected to the motor. Some vacuum cleaners also include hoses to facilitate collection of debris or liquids and hose storage systems to facilitate storage of the hose. Typical hose storage systems include a retention device configured to retain the hose within the hose storage system. However, at least some known retention devices loosely retain the hose within the hose storage system because the retention device does not exert a positive retention force on the hose.
Additionally, some hose storage systems require assembly by the manufacturer or the customer. Typically, the manufacturer or the customer assembles the hose storage system by fastening the retention device to a portion of the vacuum. However, the fit of the hose within the retention device and/or the hose storage system can vary based on manufacturing tolerances of the components and in the assembly process. Also, some customer assembled hose storage systems require the customer to install the retention device with screws that fasten the retention device to the vacuum cleaner. If the customer installs incorrectly, the screws might puncture the vacuum cleaner. A more reliable and more cost effective hose storage system is needed.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a vacuum cleaner includes a canister, a vacuum hose, a motor, an impeller, and a one piece lid. The canister defines a debris chamber and has a top. The vacuum hose is fluidly connected to the debris chamber and has a vacuum hose diameter. The impeller is connected to the motor and is operable to generate air flow upon operation of the motor. The one piece lid includes a hose retainer and is mounted to the top of the canister. The hose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening. The retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards the retention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.
In another aspect, a hose storage system for storage of a vacuum hose for a vacuum cleaner includes a hose retainer attached to a portion of the vacuum cleaner. The hose retainer and the portion of the vacuum cleaner are a one piece portion of the vacuum cleaner. The hose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening. The retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards the retention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.
In yet another aspect, a lid for a vacuum cleaner includes attached to the lid. The hose retainer and the lid are a one piece lid. The hose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertion opening. The retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when a vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening. The retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards the retention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.
Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1, with a power head removed from the vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lid suitable for use with the vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid of shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the lid shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the lid shown in FIG. 3 showing a hose retainer.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a portion of the lid shown in FIG. 3 showing the hose retainer.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the hose retainer shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of the hose retainer shown in FIG. 7.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example vacuum cleaner 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a collection drum or canister 102 defining an inlet 104, caster feet and casters 106 mounted on a bottom end 108 of the canister 102, a lid 110 removably mounted to a top end 112 of the canister 102, and a power head 114 removably mounted to a top end 116 of the lid 110. The lid 110 is removably attached (e.g., via a hinge mechanism or latches 118 a and 118 b) to the canister 102 so that the lid 110 can be readily removed so as to empty debris or liquids contained within the canister 102.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of vacuum cleaner 100 with the power head 114 detached from the lid 110. The power head 114 includes a housing 120 and a motor and a fan or impeller (collectively referred to as an impeller assembly, not shown) located within the housing 120. The impeller assembly is operable to generate airflow through the canister 102 from the inlet 104 to an outlet (not shown) so as to draw solid debris, liquid, or both into a debris chamber (not shown) defined by the canister 102. In the example embodiment, the inlet 104 is defined by the canister 102, and the outlet is defined by the power head 114. In other embodiments, the inlet 104 and the outlet may be defined by any suitable portion of the vacuum cleaner 100 that enables the vacuum cleaner 100 to function as described herein. In some embodiments, for example, the inlet 104 may be defined by the power head 114.
In the illustrated embodiment, the power head 114 is detachable from the lid 110 and the vacuum cleaner 100 to facilitate use of the power head 114 apart from the vacuum cleaner 100. For example, the power head 114 may be detached from the vacuum cleaner 100 and used as a blower or other suction unit. In alternative embodiments, the power head 114 may not be detachable from the lid 110 or the vacuum cleaner 100. Rather, the power head 114 may be integrally formed with the lid 110 and/or the vacuum cleaner 100.
Although the vacuum cleaner 100 is shown and described with reference to a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner 100 and features thereof may be embodied in vacuum cleaners other than wet/dry vacuum cleaners including, for example and without limitation, canister vacuum cleaners, backpack vacuum cleaners, and upright vacuum cleaners.
The vacuum cleaner 100 includes a vacuum cleaner hose 122 and a plurality of vacuum cleaner accessories 124. As used herein, the term “vacuum cleaner hose” or “hose” refers to a component of a vacuum cleaner that is connected, directly or indirectly, to a vacuum cleaner inlet port or outlet port to direct airflow or suction generated by the vacuum cleaner. Examples of vacuum cleaner hoses and accessories may include, for example and without limitation, vacuum hoses, vacuum conduits, vacuum wands or tubes, and surface cleaning tools. In the illustrated embodiment, a proximal end 126 of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is extends from the inlet 104 and permits fluid communication between a surface to be cleaned and the vacuum cleaner 100. Additionally, one or more vacuum cleaner accessories 124 may extend from a distal end 128 of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 and permit fluid communication between the surface to be cleaned and the vacuum cleaner hose 122 and/or the vacuum cleaner 100. The vacuum cleaner hose 122 includes a hose diameter 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose diameter 130 is about 2.392 inches to about 2.408 inches. In alternative embodiments, the hose diameter 130 may be any length that enables the vacuum cleaner 100 to operate as described herein.
As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum cleaner 100 includes a hose storage system 131. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the lid 110 includes at least one hose retainer 132 to facilitate retention and storage of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the vacuum cleaner 100 is not in use. The hose retainer 132 is integrally formed with the lid 110 and is positioned on the lid 110 such that the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is wound around the power head 114 when in a stored configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose retainer 132 is positioned on an outer circumference 134 of the lid 110 such that the hose retainer 132 exerts an inward positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 that maintains the vacuum cleaner hose 122 in a stored configuration. In alternative embodiments, the hose storage system 131 and the hose retainer 132 may be positioned on other parts of the vacuum cleaner 100, including and without limitation, the canister 102 and/or the power head 114. The hose storage system 131 and the hose retainer 132 may be positioned on any part of the vacuum cleaner 100 that enables the vacuum cleaner 100 to store the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it is not in use. Additionally, the hose storage system 131 and the hose retainer 132 and features thereof may be embodied in vacuum cleaners other than wet/dry vacuum cleaners including, for example and without limitation, canister vacuum cleaners, backpack vacuum cleaners, and upright vacuum cleaners. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 110 and the hose storage system 131 include a single hose retainer 132. In alternative embodiments, the lid 110 and/or the hose storage system 131 include any number of hose retainers 132 that enable the vacuum cleaner 100 to operate as described herein, including and without limitation, two, three, four, or more hose retainers 132.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid 110. FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid 110. FIG. 5 is a side view of the lid 110. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the lid 110 has a substantially circular, disc shape with the hinge mechanisms or latches 118 a and 118 b positioned on opposite sides of the lid 110. The lid 110 also includes an integrally formed power head receiver 136 to facilitate receipt of the power head 114 onto the lid 110. The power head receiver 136 includes a power head retention device 138, a power head pin retainer 140, a power head chamber 142, a suction hole 144, and a power head platform 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the power head platform 146 is a generally circular or oval shaped platform configured to support the power head 114 when it is inserted into the power head receiver 136. The power head platform 146 circumscribes the power head chamber 142. The power head chamber 142 is configured to receive at least a portion of the power head 114 and defines the suction hole 144 in a bottom portion 148 of the power head chamber 142. The suction hole 144 permits fluid communication between the power head 114 and the canister 102 and the inlet 104. The power head chamber 142 and the power head platform 146 form a seal around the power head 114 such that the power head 114 generates a suction force within the canister 102, the inlet 104, and the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
The power head retention device 138 and the power head pin retainer 140 extend from the power head platform 146 and are positioned on opposite sides of the power head platform 146. In the illustrated embodiment, the power head retention device 138 includes a latch. In alternative embodiments, the power head retention device 138 includes any device that facilitates retaining the power head 114 on the lid 110. The power head pin retainer 140 includes two pin receiving holes 150 configured to receive and retain a plurality of pins (not shown) on the power head 114. The power head 114 includes a latching pin (not shown) with a shape complementary to the power head retention device 138. In order to insert the power head 114 onto the lid 110, the pins on the power head 114 are inserted into the pin receiving holes 150 and the power head 114 is rotated such that the latching pin on the power head 114 is inserted into the power head pin retainer 140. The power head pin retainer 140 is then latched onto the latching pin on the power head 114, securing the power head 114 to the lid 110.
An integrally formed lid disc 152 extends from the power head platform 146. The lid disc 152 includes an inner diameter 154 coupled to the power head platform 146 and an outer diameter 156. The hinge mechanisms or latches 118 a and 118 b and the hose retainer 132 are coupled to the outer diameter 156 and positioned around the outer diameter 156. A hose retention track 158 is a generally circular track circumscribing the power head platform 146 and configured to retain and store the vacuum cleaner hose 122. The hose retention track 158 includes an inner track diameter 160 and an outer track diameter 162. The inner track diameter 160 is defined by the power head platform 146, the power head retention device 138, and the power head pin retainer 140. The outer track diameter 162 is defined by the hinge mechanisms or latches 118 a and 118 b, the hose retainer 132, and the outer diameter 156 of the lid disc 152. The lid disc 152 supports the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it is stored in the hose retention track 158. As such, the hose storage system 131 includes the hose retainer 132, the power head pin retainer 140, the power head platform 146, the hinge mechanisms or latches 118 a and 118 b, and lid disc 152, all of which facilitate storage and retention of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it is stored in the hose storage system 131.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the hose retainer 132. FIG. 7 is a top view of the hose retainer 132. As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the hose retainer 132 and the power head pin retainer 140 define a hose retention area 164 configured to receive and retain the vacuum cleaner hose 122. Specifically, the power head pin retainer 140 extends from the power head platform 146 and the hose retainer 132 extends from the lid disc 152, spaced from a central portion 165 of the lid 110, to form the hose retention area 164. The hose retainer 132 includes at least one retaining tab support prong 166 and at least two retaining tabs 168. The retaining tabs 168 and the power head pin retainer 140 define an insertion opening 169 configured to receive the vacuum cleaner hose 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose retainer 132 includes three retaining tab support prongs 166 and two retaining tabs 168. In alternative embodiments, the hose retainer 132 may include any number of retaining tab support prongs 166 and retaining tabs 168 that enable the vacuum cleaner 100 to operate as described herein.
The retaining tabs 168 and the retain tab support prongs 166 are configured to exert a positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when it positioned within the hose retainer 132. Specifically, the retaining tabs 168 are configured to deflect away from a retention position to an open position upon insertion of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 through the insertion opening 169. The retention position is the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-9. The retaining tabs 168 are biased towards the retention position such that the retaining tabs 168 exert the positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when is positioned within the hose retainer 132. Specifically, the geometry of the hose retainer 132 relative to the vacuum cleaner hose 122 enable the hose retainer 132 to exert the positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining tab support prongs 166 extend from the lid disc 152 and the retaining tabs 168 extend from the retaining tab support prongs 166. The retaining tab support prongs 166 are spaced apart from each other and define two prong holes 170 therebetween. The prong holes 170 enable the retaining tabs 168 to be molded and integrally formed with the lid 110 during the manufacturing process. Specifically, the prong holes 170 are positioned relative to the retaining tabs 168 and the retaining tab support prongs 166 such that the retaining tabs 168 may be manufactured in an injection mold with a single direction of motion. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining tab support prongs 166 and the retaining tabs 168 have an arcuate or curved shape commentary to a cylindrical shape of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 such that an overall shape of the hose retainer 132 is complementary to the cylindrical shape of the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining tab support prongs 166 extend from the lid disc 152 in a direction 174 substantially parallel to a plane of the lid disc 152. The retaining tabs 168 extend from the retaining tab support prongs 166 in a direction 176 substantially perpendicular the plane of the lid disc 152. The retaining tabs 168 include a vertical portion 178 and a curved portion 180. The vertical portion 178 extends from the retaining tab support prongs 166 and the curved portion 180 extends from the vertical portion 178.
FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of hose retainer 132 taken along sectional line 8-8. The curved portion 180 is attached to the vertical portion 178 at a curved-vertical portion interface 182 and extends to a curved portion tip 184. The curved portion 180 defines a curved portion radius 186, an insertion angle 188, and a retaining angle 190. The curved portion radius 186 is defined by the curvature of the curved portion 180 with a center 192 positioned within the hose retention area 164. The retaining angle 190 is the angle between the curved portion radius 186 at the curved-vertical portion interface 182 and the curved portion radius 186 at the curved portion tip 184. The insertion angle 188 is the angle between the curved portion radius 186 at the curved portion tip 184 and a horizontal line 194 extending from the curved portion tip 184 toward the power head pin retainer 140 and parallel to the curved portion radius 186 at the curved-vertical portion interface 182. The hose retention area 164 defines an insertion width 196 between the curved portion tip 184 and a retention portion 198 of the power head pin retainer 140.
During operations, vacuum cleaner hose 122 is inserted into the hose retention area 164 for storage. The insertion angle 188 allows the retaining tabs 168 to flex outwards or in a direction 200 away from the retention position to the open position during the insertion process. The retaining tabs 168 are biased to the retention position and return to the retention position after the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is inserted into the hose retention area 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion angle 188 is about 185 degrees to about 195 degrees. More particularly, the insertion angle 188 is about 190 degrees. If the insertion angle 188 is greater than 195 degrees or less than 185 degrees, the retaining tabs 168 may collapse inwards during the insertion process.
In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion width 196 is about 78% to about 82% of the hose diameter 130. The insertion width 196 dictates how far the retaining tabs 168 will flex in the direction 200 during the insertion process. If the insertion width 196 is less than about 78% of the hose diameter 130, the retaining tabs 168 will be subjected to high stress that can cause the retaining tabs 168 to deform or break during the insertion process. If the insertion width 196 is greater than about 82% of the hose diameter 130, the retaining tabs 168 may not adequately retain the vacuum cleaner hose 122 within the hose retention area 164.
During operations, vacuum cleaner hose 122 is removed from the hose retention area 164 for insertion into the inlet 104 and use to clean a surface to be cleaned. The retaining angle 190 dictates the extraction force required to remove the vacuum cleaner hose 122 from the hose retention area 164. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining angle 190 is about 50 degrees to about 60 degrees. More particularly, the retaining angle 190 is about 55 degrees. If the retaining angle 190 is less than about 50 degrees, the retaining tabs 168 may not adequately retain the vacuum cleaner hose 122 within the hose retention area 164. If the retaining angle 190 is greater than about 60 degrees, the force necessary to extract the vacuum cleaner hose 122 from the hose retention area 164 may be too high such that the vacuum cleaner 100 would need to be held in place during the extraction process.
The curved portion radius 186 of this embodiment is a radius between about 90% to about 95% of a radius of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 (half of the hose diameter 130). The retaining tabs 168 exert a constant compression force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is stored in the hose retention area 164 because the curved portion radius 186 is smaller than the radius of the vacuum cleaner hose 122. Accordingly, the constant compression force enhances the retention capability of the hose retainer 132.
FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of the hose retainer 132 taken along sectional line 9-9. Each retaining tab 168 includes an outcrop 202 extending along the retaining tab 168. The outcrop 202 includes two ribs 204 and an outcrop connector 206 extending therebetween. The ribs 204 extend from the retaining tab 168 away from the power head pin retainer 140 such that a rib thickness 208 is double a thickness 210 of the retaining tab 168. The thicker ribs 204 add structural support to the retaining tab 168 and increases the retention force applied to the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
The hose retainers 132 described herein create a positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122. Specifically, the retaining angle 190 causes the retaining tabs 168 to extend over the hose retention area 164 creating a positive retention of the vacuum cleaner hose 122. Additionally, the curved portion radius 186 is smaller than the radius of the vacuum cleaner hose 122 exerting a constant compression force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122 when the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is stored in the hose retention area 164. As such, the vacuum cleaner hose 122 is retained in the hose retention area 164 by a combination of the constant compression force and the positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose 122. Additionally, the insertion angle 188 and the insertion width 196 are configured to allow the vacuum cleaner hose 122 to be inserted into the hose retention area 164 without excessive stress and strain to the retaining tabs 168. The ribs 204 provide structural support to the retaining tab 168 and increases the retention force applied to the vacuum cleaner hose 122.
Example embodiments of vacuum cleaning systems are described above in detail. The vacuum cleaning systems are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the vacuum cleaning systems may be used independently and separately from other components described herein. For example, the hose retainer described herein may be used with a variety of vacuum cleaning systems, including and without limitation, vehicular vacuum cleaning systems, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleaners, and backpack vacuum cleaners.
Embodiments disclosed enable enhanced vacuum cleaner performance without requiring significant or expensive modifications to other components of a vacuum cleaner. Thus, the disclosed hose retainer may be readily incorporated into existing vacuum cleaner designs. The hose retainers described herein create a positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose. Specifically, a retaining angle causes retaining tabs of the hose retainer to extend over a hose retention area creating a positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose. Additionally, a curved portion radius of a curved portion of the retaining tabs is smaller than a radius of the vacuum cleaner hose, exerting a constant compression force on the vacuum cleaner hose when the vacuum cleaner hose is stored in the hose retention area. As such, the vacuum cleaner hose is retained in the hose retention area by a combination of the constant compression force and the positive retention force on the vacuum cleaner hose. Additionally, an insertion angle and an insertion width are configured to allow the vacuum cleaner hose to be inserted into the hose retention area without excessive stress and strain to the retaining tabs. The ribs formed within the retaining tabs provide structural support and increase the retention force applied to the vacuum cleaner hose.
As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and “approximately” when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation.
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., “top”, “bottom”, “side”, etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

a canister defining a debris chamber and having a top;

a vacuum hose fluidly connected to the debris chamber, the vacuum hose has a vacuum hose diameter;

a motor;

an impeller connected to the motor, the impeller operable to generate air flow upon operation of the motor; and

a one piece lid including a hose retainer, the lid mounted to the top of the canister;

wherein the hose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertion opening, the retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when the vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening;

wherein the retaining tabs are biased in a second direction towards the retention position such that the retaining tabs exert a positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.

2. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the insertion opening has an insertion opening width, the insertion opening width is about 78% to about 82% of a diameter of the vacuum hose.

3. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein the retaining tabs each include a vertical portion and a curved portion extending from the vertical portion, the curved portion defines a curved portion radius.

4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the curved portion radius is about 90% to about 95% of a radius of the vacuum hose.

5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the curved portion extends from a curved-vertical portion interface to a curved portion tip, the curved portion tip extends over a hose retention area defined by the hose retainer and the central portion of the molded lid, the curved portion tip defining an insertion angle configured to exert the positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.

6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 5, wherein the insertion angle is about 185 degrees to about 195 degrees.

7. The vacuum cleaner of claim 3, wherein the curved portion extends from a curved-vertical portion interface to a curved portion tip, a retention angle is defined between the curved portion radius at the curved-vertical portion interface and the curved portion radius at the curved portion tip.

8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein the retention angle is about 50 degrees to about 60 degrees.

9. A hose storage system for storage of a vacuum hose for a vacuum cleaner, the hose storage system comprising:

a hose retainer attached to a portion of the vacuum cleaner, the hose retainer and the portion of the vacuum cleaner are a one piece portion of the vacuum cleaner;

10. The hose storage system of claim 9, wherein the insertion opening has an insertion opening width, the insertion opening width is about 78% to about 82% of a diameter of the vacuum hose.

11. The hose storage system of claim 9, wherein the retaining tabs each include a vertical portion and a curved portion extending from the vertical portion, the curved portion defines a curved portion radius.

12. The hose storage system of claim 11, wherein the curved portion radius is about 90% to about 95% of a radius of the vacuum hose.

13. The hose storage system of claim 11, wherein the curved portion extends from a curved-vertical portion interface to a curved portion tip, the curved portion tip extends over a hose retention area defined by the hose retainer and the portion of the vacuum cleaner, the curved portion tip defining an insertion angle configured to exert the positive retention force on the vacuum hose when positioned within the hose retainer.

14. The hose storage system of claim 13, wherein the insertion angle is about 185 degrees to about 195 degrees.

15. The hose storage system of claim 11, wherein the curved portion extends from a curved-vertical portion interface to a curved portion tip, a retention angle is defined between the curved portion radius at the curved-vertical portion interface and the curved portion radius at the curved portion tip.

16. The hose storage system of claim 15, wherein the retention angle is about 50 degrees to about 60 degrees.

17. A lid for a vacuum cleaner, the lid comprising:

a hose retainer attached to the lid, the hose retainer and the lid are a one piece lid;

wherein the hose retainer includes at least two retaining tabs spaced from a central portion of the lid to define an insertion opening, the retaining tabs deflect away from a retention position in a first direction to an open position when a vacuum hose is inserted through the insertion opening;

18. The lid of claim 17, wherein the insertion opening has an insertion opening width, the insertion opening width is about 78% to about 82% of a diameter of the vacuum hose.

19. The lid of claim 17, wherein the retaining tabs each include a vertical portion and a curved portion extending from the vertical portion, the curved portion defines a curved portion radius.

20. The lid of claim 19, wherein the curved portion radius is about 90% to about 95% of a radius of the vacuum hose.