WO2007015058A2 - Raccords et aspirateurs - Google Patents

Raccords et aspirateurs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007015058A2
WO2007015058A2 PCT/GB2006/002703 GB2006002703W WO2007015058A2 WO 2007015058 A2 WO2007015058 A2 WO 2007015058A2 GB 2006002703 W GB2006002703 W GB 2006002703W WO 2007015058 A2 WO2007015058 A2 WO 2007015058A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
connector
hose
hook member
hook
edge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/002703
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007015058A3 (fr
Inventor
Philip Peter Battle
Charles Lancaster
Original Assignee
Smiths Group Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Smiths Group Plc filed Critical Smiths Group Plc
Publication of WO2007015058A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007015058A2/fr
Publication of WO2007015058A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007015058A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
    • A47L9/24—Hoses or pipes; Hose or pipe couplings
    • A47L9/242—Hose or pipe couplings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L25/00—Constructive types of pipe joints not provided for in groups F16L13/00 - F16L23/00 ; Details of pipe joints not otherwise provided for, e.g. electrically conducting or insulating means
    • F16L25/0036—Joints for corrugated pipes
    • F16L25/0045—Joints for corrugated pipes of the quick-acting type
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
    • F16L37/08—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members
    • F16L37/084—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking
    • F16L37/098—Couplings of the quick-acting type in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members combined with automatic locking by means of flexible hooks

Definitions

  • This invention relates to connectors of the kind for fitting with a mount member, the connector being of generally tubular form.
  • the invention is more particularly, but not exclusively concerned with connectors for vacuum cleaners.
  • Vacuum cleaners may be of the upright kind where cleaning suction is applied by means of a pump having an inlet directly below the machine.
  • Cylinder vacuum cleaners by contrast, have an inlet connected to one end of a flexible hose, the other end of which connects to a suction cleaning head.
  • Upright cleaners also usually have provision by which an accessory hose can be connected to the inlet so that a hand-held suction head can be used to clean regions that would otherwise be inaccessible to the machine.
  • the hoses used with vacuum cleaners tend to be bulky so that they have to be stored separately from the cleaner.
  • An alternative hose available on some vacuum cleaners as sold by the major manufacturers has stretch characteristics with a natural, retracted length (when not in use) less than its extended length (when in use). The extended length may be about five times the retracted length.
  • WO03/024294 describes a vacuum cleaner hose that can be retracted in length by the application of a vacuum and that can- be retained in its retracted length on the vacuum cleaner or in a separate outer container.
  • Other retractable hoses are described in WO99/35954, EPlOl 1408 and US4050113.
  • a connector of the above-specified kind characterised in that the connector has at least one hook member extending from the forward end of the connector and adapted to engage an edge of the mount member, that the hook member is movable between an extended position where it extends beyond the edge of the mount member and a retracted, rear position where it engages the edge and retains the connector with the mount member, and that the connector includes a lock for retaining the hook member in the retracted position.
  • the connector may have a plurality of hook members spaced around the connector.
  • the or each hook member may include a strap having a plurality of ribs, the lock including a member arranged to engage against the ribs.
  • the or each hook member preferably has a hook formation at its forward end arranged to project beyond a forward end of the connector and has an opposite end arranged to project beyond a rear end of the connector.
  • the opposite end of the or each hook member is preferably severable so that it can be cut off when the hook member has been displaced to the retracted rear position.
  • the connector may include a compressible sealing ring at its forward end arranged to locate between the connector and the mount member.
  • the connector preferably includes a first, forward part including the lock and a second rear part rotatable relative to the first part.
  • the second part is preferably a snap- fit with the first part.
  • the rear end of the connector is preferably adapted to receive the forward end of a hose.
  • the rear end of the connector may have an internal thread adapted to engage the outside of the hose.
  • a vacuum cleaner with a suction inlet characterised in that the cleaner includes a connector according to the above one aspect of the invention fitted with the inlet and a hose connected with the connector.
  • a method of fitting a hose to a vacuum cleaner including the step of aligning a connector with a suction inlet of the cleaner, characterised in that the method includes the steps of inserting a hook member through the inlet, withdrawing the hook member such that it catches on a part of the vacuum cleaner within the inlet, and restraining the hook member with the connector, the connector providing an interconnection between the hose and the vacuum cleaner.
  • the hose is preferably fitted with the connector after the connector is fitted with the suction inlet.
  • a connector for use in a method according to the above further aspect of the invention.
  • a connector for coupling a hose with a mount member including a forward part of generally tubular form, characterised in that the forward part has at least one hook member extending from the forward end of the forward part and adapted to engage an edge of the mount member, that the hook member is movable between an extended position where it extends beyond the edge of the mount member and a retracted, rear position where it engages the edge and retains the connector with the mount member, that the connector includes a lock for retaining the hook member in the retracted position, that the connector includes a rear part attached with the hose, and that the rear part is connectible with the rear end of the forward part.
  • a rear part for use with a connector according to the above fifth aspect of the present invention characterised in that the rear part makes a snap-fit connection with the forward part.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the assembled connector
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the connector with its component parts separated from one another;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the connector
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the connector along a section different from that of Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rear end of the forward part of the connector
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the connector assembled with a hose
  • Figures 7 to 13 show successive steps in assembly of the connector on a vacuum cleaner
  • Figure 14 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an alternative connector.
  • the connector 1 is of generally tubular form and is arranged to be mounted at the inlet of a vacuum cleaner in order to receive and make connection with a flexible hose 2.
  • the connector 1 comprises a forward, locking component 10, a rear swivel component 11 that is, in use, mounted at the forward end of the hose 2, a compressible foam sealing ring 12 and three hook members 13 to 15 mounted with the forward component and used to secure the connector with the vacuum cleaner.
  • the forward component 10 is circular in section and is moulded from a hard, durable plastics material.
  • a narrow skirt 16 extends outwardly and slightly forwardly around its forward end 17 forming a shallow recess 16'.
  • the foam sealing ring 12 is secured to the recess 16' such as by means of an adhesive.
  • a circular bore 18 extends axially, centrally through the forward component 10.
  • Three slots 19 of rectangular section extend, longitudinally through the forward component 10 equally spaced from one another around it.
  • the inner wall of each slot 19 is separated along both sides from the main body of the component 10 along the rear part of the slot to form a resilient tongue 20 about half the length of the slot.
  • Each tongue 20 has a tooth 21 at its rear end projecting outwardly, that is, across the depth of the slot 19.
  • Each tooth 21 has an inclined forward edge.
  • the forward component 10 also has two snap-fit features 23 and 24 as shown most clearly in Figure 4.
  • the snap features 23 and 24 are provided by a rectangular, curved part of the wall of the forward component 10 separated from the component around three sides and attached only by a reduced thickness web along one longitudinal edge 25. This provides a longitudinal hinge line about which the snap features 23 and 24 can be deflected resiliently outwardly.
  • the rear end of each snap feature 23 and 24 is moulded with an inwardly- projecting tooth 26 extending along about half of the width of the snap feature remote from the hinge line 25.
  • the rear edge of each tooth 26 has an inclined ramp or taper 27.
  • the teeth 26 project into an enlarged part 28 of the bore 18 provided by an annular step 29 spaced a short distance forwardly of the rear end of the component 10.
  • the space above the step 29 is interrupted by six longitudinally-extending ribs 30 projecting radially inwardly from the outer wall and equally spaced around it. The thickness of the ribs 30 is only about one third that of the step
  • the rear, swivel component 11 is, similarly, a tubular plastics moulding of circular section.
  • the forward end of the component 11 is provided by a cylindrical nose portion 31 having an external diameter substantially the same as the bore 18 through the forward component 10, so that the nose portion is a snug, rotatable fit within the bore.
  • Surrounding the rear end of the nose portion 31 is an annular collar 32 of increased diameter having a radially-outwardly projecting lip 33.
  • the rear end 34 of the swivel component 11 is larger in diameter than the nose portion 31, the collar 32 and the lip 33 and is formed of two coaxial sleeves 35 and 36.
  • the outer sleeve 36 is circular in section with a smooth external surface 37; it is closed at its forward end 38 and is open at its rear end 39.
  • the outer sleeve 36 On its inner surface 40 the outer sleeve 36 has a screw thread provided by a one or more helical ribs 41.
  • the ribs 41 are arranged to engage the external surface of the hose 2, which is corrugated, with the ribs locating between the turns of a helical reinforcement wire 3, as shown in Figure 4.
  • the inner sleeve 35 is spaced from the outer sleeve 36 by an annular gap 42 sufficient to receive the forward end of the hose 2.
  • the outside surface 43 of the inner sleeve 35 is smooth, the inner surface 44 having a screw thread provided by one or more helical ribs 45. The.
  • this inner sleeve 35 is to secure one end of an inner, retractable hose of the kind described in WO03/024294, with the outer sleeve 36 securing a shorter outer corrugated sleeve within which the retractable hose is retracted and contained.
  • the connector 1 is used with a conventional stretch hose 2 having a single corrugated hose so only the outer sleeve 36 is used.
  • the rear swivel component could be modified in the manner shown in Figure 14 for use only with a conventional single hose, by omitting the inner sleeve 35.
  • the rear, swivel component 11 is a push, snap fit in the rear end of the forward, locking component 10.
  • the nose portion 31 of the rear component 11 slides into the bore 18 of the forward component 10 and the diameter of the lip 33 is such as to engage the ramps 27 on the teeth 26 and displace the snap features 23 and 24 outwardly so that the teeth ride outwardly over the edge of the lip and then snap inwardly behind the lip to prevent subsequent removal.
  • the ribs 30 on the forward component 10 contact the lip 33 to help centre and stabilize it.
  • the connector 1 is attached to a vacuum cleaner 3 by means of the three hook members 13 to 15 prior to attaching the swivel component 11 to the forward, locking component 10.
  • the hook members 13 to 15 are similar to conventional cable ties and are moulded from a strong, flexible but substantially inelastic plastics material.
  • Each hook member 13 to 15 is in the form of a strap having a short length at its forward end 50 bent back parallel with the main part of the strap to form a hook 51 on the outward-facing side of the member.
  • each hook is divided into a forward portion 52, which is smooth on both surfaces, and a longer rear portion 53, which is slightly wider than the forward portion and has a series of parallel, alternate ribs 54 and recesses 55 extending laterally of rear portion on the inward-facing surface 56 of the rear portion.
  • the outward- facing surface 57 of the rear portion is smooth and uninterrupted by ribs.
  • the dimensions of the rear portion 53 are such that it is a close sliding fit within a respective one of the slots 19 in the forward component 10.
  • the hook members 13 to 15 are sufficiently stiff to enable them to be pushed rearwardly into the slots 19 from the forward end of the forward component 10.
  • each hook member 13 to 15 As the rear end of each hook member 13 to 15 reaches the tooth 21 at the end of each tongue 20, it engages the inclined forward edge of the tooth and flexes the free end of the tongue outwardly of the slot 19 so that the tooth can ride over the ribs 54.
  • the connector 1 is normally supplied with the hook members 13 to 15 loaded in the slots 19 with their rear ends protruding a short distance beyond the forward component 10. The user assembles the connector 1 on the vacuum cleaner 3 in the manner shown in Figures 7 to 13.
  • the user opens the dust bag access door 60 of the vacuum cleaner 3, to disconnect the dust bag from the suction inlet opening 61, and aligns the forward end of the forward component 10 with the inlet opening and the short dust bag inlet pipe 62 projecting rearwardly from the door behind the inlet opening. He pushes the component 10 forwardly so that the hook members 13 to 15 thread through the inlet 61 and the dust bag pipe 62 until the sealing ring 12 abuts the external surface of the door 60 around the opening.
  • each hook member 13 to 15 He then grips the rear end of each hook member 13 to 15 one after the other and pulls them rearwardly, as shown in Figures 9 to 11 so that the hooks 51 at the forward end 50 of each member engage the inner end of the inlet pipe 62 and hook around its edge 63 so that the inlet pipe provides a mount member for the connector 1.
  • the three hook members 13 to 15 are pulled tight so that the seal ring 12 is compressed slightly between the recess 16' at the forward end of the component and the external surface of the door 60.
  • the tongues 20 and teeth 21 retain the hook members 13 to 15 in this retracted state against any force applied to extend them.
  • the hook members 13 to 15 are moulded of a severable plastics material so that their rear ends can be cut off using scissors 64 or the like, so that the hook members can be trimmed level with the rear end of the forward component 10, as shown in Figure 12.
  • the rear, swivel component 11, already attached to the forward end of the hose 2 is then attached to the forward component 10 in the manner shown in Figure 13, by simply pushing its forward end 31 into the rear of the forward component so that it snaps into place.
  • the vacuum cleaner 3 is now ready for use with the new hose 2.
  • the small parts 51 of the hook members 13 to 15 overlapping the outside of the dust bag inlet tube 62 do not impede connection to or sealing with the dust bag.
  • hook members being accessible at the rear end of the forward component they could be accessible at the outer side surface of the connector so that the connector could be attached to the vacuum cleaner with the hose already attached.
  • the connector is not confined to use with vacuum cleaners but could be used to make connection to other apparatus having a mount that can be engaged by a hook.
  • the connector could be formed in one part, without the swivel feature.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Vacuum Cleaner (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un raccord (1) permettant de raccorder un tuyau (2) à un aspirateur (3), lequel raccord présente une partie avant (10) pourvue de trois languettes à crochet (13 à 15) s'étendant de son extrémité avant. Des crochets (51) à l'extrémité avant des languettes (13 à 15) peuvent être accrochés autour de l'extrémité (63) d'un conduit d'admission (62) dans l'aspirateur (3). L'extrémité arrière (53) des languettes (13 à 15) présente des nervures (54) qui sont engagées par des dents flexibles (21) dans le raccord (1), de sorte que les languettes peuvent être tirées vers l'arrière par l'intermédiaire des dents flexibles et maintenues en place. Un accessoire arrière (11) est raccordé à l'extrémité du tuyau (2) au moyen d'un taraudage (41) and encliqueté dans l'extrémité arrière de la partie avant (10) une fois montée sur l'aspirateur (3).
PCT/GB2006/002703 2005-08-03 2006-07-20 Raccords et aspirateurs WO2007015058A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0515962A GB0515962D0 (en) 2005-08-03 2005-08-03 Connectors and vacuum cleaners
GB0515962.9 2005-08-03

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007015058A2 true WO2007015058A2 (fr) 2007-02-08
WO2007015058A3 WO2007015058A3 (fr) 2007-04-26

Family

ID=34984011

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2006/002703 WO2007015058A2 (fr) 2005-08-03 2006-07-20 Raccords et aspirateurs

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0515962D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007015058A2 (fr)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0340194A1 (fr) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-02 Diamant Boart Craelius Aktiebolag Raccord pour conduites flexibles ou tubes
EP0970653A1 (fr) * 1998-06-26 2000-01-12 Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. Raccord pour tuyaux flexibles
US6220636B1 (en) * 1999-02-01 2001-04-24 Polaris Pool Systems, Inc. Swivel coupling for a pool cleaner
DE10029366A1 (de) * 2000-06-15 2001-12-20 Behr Gmbh & Co Rohrkupplung, insbesondere für ein Anschlußrohr eines Wärmetauschers
EP1445528A1 (fr) * 2003-02-04 2004-08-11 Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd. Connecteur rapide
EP1517075A2 (fr) * 2000-04-19 2005-03-23 Adrian Roger Poulton Dispositif de connexion
GB2406264A (en) * 2003-09-02 2005-03-30 Smiths Group Plc Vacuum cleaner hose connection; replacing vacuum cleaner hoses
US20050156430A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-07-21 Alder Randall F. Coupling assembly

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0340194A1 (fr) * 1988-04-29 1989-11-02 Diamant Boart Craelius Aktiebolag Raccord pour conduites flexibles ou tubes
EP0970653A1 (fr) * 1998-06-26 2000-01-12 Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. Raccord pour tuyaux flexibles
US6220636B1 (en) * 1999-02-01 2001-04-24 Polaris Pool Systems, Inc. Swivel coupling for a pool cleaner
EP1517075A2 (fr) * 2000-04-19 2005-03-23 Adrian Roger Poulton Dispositif de connexion
DE10029366A1 (de) * 2000-06-15 2001-12-20 Behr Gmbh & Co Rohrkupplung, insbesondere für ein Anschlußrohr eines Wärmetauschers
EP1445528A1 (fr) * 2003-02-04 2004-08-11 Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd. Connecteur rapide
GB2406264A (en) * 2003-09-02 2005-03-30 Smiths Group Plc Vacuum cleaner hose connection; replacing vacuum cleaner hoses
US20050156430A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-07-21 Alder Randall F. Coupling assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2007015058A3 (fr) 2007-04-26
GB0515962D0 (en) 2005-09-07

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