Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
HOSE LOCK WITH INTEGRAL SEAL AND RETROFIT ADAPTER
This is a divisional application of Canadian Patent Application Serial No.
2,323,402 filed October 17, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to hose locks, and more particularly
to
hose locks for wet/dry vacuum cleaners requiring a sealed connection to
prevent leakage.
It should be understood that the expression "the invention" and the like
1o encompasses the subject matter of both the parent and the divisional
application.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Vacuum appliances capable of picking up both wet and dry material, commonly
referred to as wet/dry vacuums or wet/dry vacs, are often used in workshops
and other
environments were both wet and dry debris can accumulate. Wet/dry vacs
conventionally consist of a collection tank or canister, sometimes mounted on
wheels or
casters, and a powerhead within which a motor and impeller assembly is
mounted. The
motor and impeller assembly creates suction within the canister, such that
debris and/or
liquid is drawn in to the canister through an air inlet to which a flexible
hose can be
attached. A filter within the canister prevents incoming debris from escaping
from the
2o canister while allowing filtered air to escape. Any liquid drawn into the
canister is
diffused and accumulates on the bottom of the canister.
With known wet/dry vacs, the hose is typically attached to the air inlet via a
friction fit. Ordinarily, the connection end of the hose is tapered, and the
tapered erid is
1
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
simply inserted into the air inlet until the two parts mate. The friction
between the hose
and the air inlet is relied upon to hold the hose in place. It is important to
have a sealed
connection between the hose and the air inlet, because any air leaks
thereabout reduce the
suction through the hose, degrading performance. Unfortunately, Wet/dry vacs
s employing a hose connection using a purely friction fit often have problems
with the hose
connection leaking, or inadvertently disconnecting.
One common attempted remedy for this problem is to insert the end of the hose
into the air inlet forcefully, such that the hose end is mated very tightly
with the air inlet.
However, this type of connection is often unsatisfactory for users, since it
is difficult to
io discern whether the connection is tight enough to prevent leaks and
disconnections.
Further, if the hose end is mated with the air inlet tightly enough to provide
a sealed
connection and prevent inadvertent discormections, the hose often becomes
difficult to
remove.
Another attempted solution uses a locking member to positively couple the hose
is to the air inlet. This is also not without problems. With purely friction
fit, manufacturing
tolerances for the tapered hose end are typically relaxed, since the tapered
end is inserted
until it mates with the air inlet. However, if a locking member is added to
lock the hose
to the air inlet, manufacturing tolerances become significantly more critical.
If placement
of the locking member is off in one direction, the tapered end of the hose may
not mate
Zo with the air inlet when the lock is engaged. On the other hand, if
placement of the
locking member is off in the opposite direction, friction between the tapered
end of the
hose and the air inlet may prevent inserting the hose end far enough to allow
the locking
H 3.;G523(77nvb2~ UOC)
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
member to engage. Tightening tolerances such that the tapered hose end mates
with the
air inlet in a sealed manner, while allowing the locking member to positively
lock the
hose in place can significantly increase design and manufacturing costs.
Thus, there remains a need for a hose lock that is quick and easy to lock and
s ~ unlock with a secure connection that prevents leakage. The present
invention provides
for a hose lock that addresses shortcomings associated with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, device for connecting a hose to a
wetldry
vacuum includes a first member having first and second ends, with the first
end adapted
io to be coupled to the hose. A receptacle has first and second ends. The
first end of the
receptacle is adapted to be mounted to the article, and the second end is
adapted to be
connected to the second end of the first member. A locking member is mounted
on one
of the first member or the receptacle for securing the first member to the
receptacle, and
at least one sealing member is situated about one of the second end of the
first member or
~ s the second end of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the sealing member is
integrally
formed with the first member and is adapted to seal against an external
surface of the
receptacle. In another embodiment, the sealing member comprises a sealing ring
removably mounted on the first member or the receptacle.
An alternative embodiment of this invention is an adapter for adapting a
friction-
Zo based vacuum connection receptacle, as disclosed in the prior art, such
that that it can be
used with the hose-locking mechanism of this invention. The adapter has first
and second
!l. 336523(77nv0?! pOC)
3
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
ends. A first end is constructed such that the adapter can be affixed to the
friction-based
connecting receptacle of a vacuum. A second end of the adapter is constructed
so as to be
able to connect to a first member, (such as on the end of a hose) having a
locking
member, as described above.
s In another aspect of the present invention a wetldry vac includes a
collection tub,
a lid coupled to the collection tub and a powerhead assembly operable to
create suction
within the collection tub. An inlet port is disposed in one of the lid or the
collection tub
and a receptacle is coupled to the input port. A connection member has first
and second
ends, with the first end adapted to be coupled to the hose;. At least one
sealing member is
io mounted on at ~ieast one of the receptacle and the first end of the
connection member.
The sealing member may t>e integrally formed with the receptacle or the
connection
member, or the sealing member may comprise a sealing; ring that is removably
mounted
to the connection member oz' the receptacle. A locking member is provided for
securing
the connection member to the receptacle member. ',ln one embodiment, the
sealing
is member seals with an external surface of the receptacle. In another
embodiment, the
sealing member seals with an internal surface of the receptacle in addition
to, or in place
of, the external seal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAV4~INGS
The features and advantages of the present invention will be best appreciated
upon
Zo reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fi- 33G523fT7nv02!.D()(')
4
C,A 02447500 2003-11-24
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner connected to a
hose
utilizing an embodiment of a hose lock in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2. shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a hose connector in
accordance with the invention.
s FIG. 3. shows a plan view of another embodiment of a hose connector in
accordance with the invention.
FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional view of the hose connector of FIG. 3 coupled
to a
receptacle.
FIG. S shows a side elevation view of a lockimg handle for use with the hose
to connector of FIG. 2 and FIG 3.
FIG. 6 shows a top view of the receiving piece far the hose connector of FIG.
2.
FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the hose connector of FIG. 2 having a
hose
attached to it.
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
t s invention.
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8 in the
connected and locked position.
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the
present invention.
fi- 33452)/77nv02~ D()C')
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
FIG. 11 shows a close-up, cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment
of
FIG. I0.
FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an adapter utilizing an embodiment of a
hose
lock in accordance with the invention.
s FIG. 13 shows a side view of an adapter utilizing an embodiment of a hose
lock in
accordance with the invention.
FIG. 14 shows a partial top view of a wet/dry vacuum utilizing an embodiment
of
a hose lock in accordance with the invention.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
forms,
io specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the
drawings and
are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the
description
herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the
particular
forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications,
equivalents, arid alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined
~ s by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest
of
clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this
specification. It
will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual
embodiment,
Zo numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the
developers'
tf33U523(77nv02!.DOC)
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related
constraints,
which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be
appreciated
that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would
nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the ark
having the
s benefit of this disclosure.
Turning to the figures, FIG. I shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a
hose lock according to the present invention employed on a wet/dry vac 1. As
will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art with the benefit of this' disclosure,
the hose lock can
be utilized on any application requiring a leak-free seal and a quick
connect/disconnect
~o mechanism. As shown in FIG. 1, the wet/dry vac 1 comprises a collection tub
2 having a
lid 3 and a powerhead assembly 4. The collection tub 2 and the lid 3 are
preferably made
of injection-molded plastic, such as polypropylene or the like, in accordance
with
conventional practice.
In accordance with conventional designs, an air inlet part 5 is defined in the
lid 3
~s or, alternatively, may be defined in a side wall of the collection tub 2.
The powerhead
assembly 4 houses a motor and impeller assembly, and has defined therein an
air exhaust
or outlet port 6. A hale connection member 10 is locked onto a receptacle 154
that is
mounted on the inlet port 5 of the wet/dry vac 1 to attach a hose 202 to the
wet/dry vac 1.
A locking handle 100 positively locks the connection member 10 to the wet/dry
vac 1.
2o The connecting receptacle 150 can be removably mounted to the wetldry vac
1, or can be
an integral part of it. The powerhead assembly 4 is operable to create a
suction within the
collection tub 2, such that debris and/or liquid is dxawn in to the collection
tub 2 through
Fl. 336527(77nv112~ U()(')
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
the hose 202, which is attached to the inlet port 5 via the connecting
receptacle 150 and
connection member 10.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the hose connection
member 10 in accordance with the present invention. The hose connection member
10,
s may be made of plastic. The hose connection member 10 has a hose end 40, a
main body
80, and a vac end 50. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the
vac end 50
has a larger outside diameter than the main body 80, and is adapted to have
one or more
sealing members removably mounted thereto. The inside diameter of the vac end
50 and
the main body 80 is roughly uniform. The vac end 50 of the hose connection
member 10
~o defines a groove 30, which is adapted to have seated therein the sealing
member, which,
in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises an O-ring 20.
To allow the insertion of the vac end SO of the hose connection member 10 into
the receptacle 150 (not shown in FIG. 2) to achieve a sealed connection, the
diameter of
the receptacle 150 should exceed that of the vac end 50, and the O-ring 20
should extend
is above the surface of the vac end S0, so that the O-ring 20 seals against an
internal surface
of the receptacle 150. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the hose end
40 has a
smaller circumference than the main body 80 of the hose connection member 10.
The
hose end 40 has a ridge 60 extending over and around the surface of the hose
connection
rriember 1'0 as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 shows how the ridge 60 permits
rotating and
ao swiveling a hose 202 situated over the hose end 40 and maintains the hose
202 attached
to the hose connection member 10. The hose end 40 also has a hose stopper 70
to prevent
tl~ 336523(77ov021 U()C)
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
the hose 202 from sliding further over the hose connection member 10 as shown
in FIG.
7.
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, O-ring 20 may be replaced
by
a seal member integrally formed in the vac end S0. such an integrally formed
seal
s member would have a diameter generally greater than the diameter of the vac
end 50 so
as to form a friction seal with an internal surface of the receptacle 150 when
the vac end
50 is inserted therein. Moreover, the seal member may have a diameter greater
than the
inside diameter of the receptacle 150 and be formed in a manner to allow the
seal member
to deflect when the vac end 50 is inserted into the receptacle 1 S0.
io An embodiment of the hose connection member 10 having an alternative
configuration of the vac end 50 is illustrated in FIG. 3, in a plan view. In
the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3, the vac end 50 defines a plurality of grooves 31
therein, and a
sealing ring 21 extends around the vac end 50. FIG. 4 is a partial section
view. of the vac
end SO of the hose connection member 40 inserted into the receptacle 150. The
sealing
1s ring 21 defines a sealing surface 22 that is generally perpendicular to the
axis of the
connection member 10. The sealing ring 21 is formed such that, when the vac
end 50 is
inserted into the receptacle 1 S0, the sealing surface 22 abuts an external
surface of the
receptacle 1 S0. When the wetldry vac 1 is operated such that the power head
assembly 4
creates a suction within the tub 2, the hose connection member 10 is sucked
against the
Zo receptacle 150, causing the sealing surface 22 of the sealing ring 21 to
seal against the
external surface of the receptacle 1 S0. This "self seal" prevents air from
entering the tub
2 other than through the hose and hose connection member 10.
a ~3~,s"~,7"~oz~ noc> 9
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
In alternative embodiments, one or mare O-rings 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2,
may
be seated in one or more of the grooves 31 to provide an internal, friction
seal in addition
to the external seal formed by the sealing surface 22 of the sealing ring 21.
The hose connection member 10 defines a U-shaped channel 90 as shown in FIG.
s 2 and FIG. 3. FIG. 5 shows a side view of the locking handle 100 made to fit
the U-
shaped channel 90 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The locking handle may be
suitably
made of hard sturdy material, such as plastic. The locking handle 100 has a
pivot 110
that fits within two spring chambers 92 on the U-shaped channel 90. The
locking handle
100 is pivotally attached to the connection member 10 by the spring chambers
92 holding
io the pivot 110. 'The locking handle 100 has a single tootl:~ I40 to lock
onto a connecting
receptacle on the vac end 50 of the hose connection member I0. The locking
handle 100
also has a pressing surface 120 having grip indentations 130 to prevent
slippage when the
pressing surface I20 is pushed, and a spring lever I 15 extends below the
pressing surface
I20. When the locking handle 115 is pivotally attached to the connection
member I0, the
is spring lever 115 presses against the connection member 10 to bias the tooth
140 down
against the connection member 10.
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of one end of the connecting receptacle
150 that is adapted to have the vac end SO of the connection member 10
inserted therein.
The receptacle 150 has a U-shaped casing 160 to receive the locking handle 100
on the
zo vac end SO of the hose connection member I0. The U-shaped casing 160 has a
single
post 1?0 traversing it. The tooth 140 on the locking handle 100 is made to
interlock with
the post 170. Alternatively, a groove or indentation may be used to interlock
with the
!t. 3365?3<JJnvU2~.D(X:) 1
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
tooth 140 on the locking handle 100. As will be appreciated by one skilled in
the art
having the benefit of this disclosure an alternative embodiment can have the
locking
handle 100 attached to the connecting receptacle 150, and the U-shaped casing
160 and
post 170 located on the hose connection member 10.
s FIG. 4 illustrates the manner by which the locking lever 100 couples the
hose
connection member 50 to the receptacle 150. To reach the illustrated position,
the vac
end 50 of the hose connection member 10 is inserted inside the connecting
receptacle
1 S0. As the vac end 50 is inserted in the connecting receptacle 150, the
pressing surface
120 on the locking handle 100 is pressed to lift the single tooth 140 and
permit insertion
~o of the locking handle 100 end into the U-shaped casing 160. Once the vac
end 50 is
inserted in the connecting receptacle 150, the pressing surface 120 is
released, and the
spring lever 11 S pushes the tooth 140 down, allowing the single tooth 140 to
lock onto
the post 170 traversing the U-shaped casing 160 as shown in FIG. 4_ This
action forms a
positive lock between the hose connection member 10 and the connecting
receptacle I50,
i s preventing unwanted disconnections.
The embodiments of the vac end 50 disclosed herein allow for manufacturing
variation in the placement of the various parts (the locking handle 100, the
post 170, the
tooth I40, etc.) involved ira locking and sealing the connection member 10 to
the
receptacle 150. The locking handle 100 keeps the connection together and
prevents
Zo accidental disconnection, while the sealing ring 21 self seals against the
outer surface of
the receptacle 1 SO when the wet/dry vac is operated to prevent leakage. Thus,
it is not
fl)36523(77nv(1?~ f>()<~) 1 1
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
necessary for the vac end 50 to mate with the inside of the receptacle 150 to
form a
friction or interference seal.
In embodiments employing one or more O-rings 20 (as illustrated in FIG. 2),
the
O-ring 20 would interact with the inner surface of the receptacle 150 to
provide a sealed
s connection, rather than relying on a direct friction seal between the vac
end 50 and the
inside of the receptacle 150. Further, the O-ring 20 is not required to
interact with any
particular location along the inside surface of the receptacle 1 S0.
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure, the sealing ring 20 shown in FIG. 2 may be positioned in
alternative locations.
~o For example, the O-ring 20 may be mounted within the inner wall of the vac
end 50 of
the connection member I0. In this case, the connecting receptacle 150 will be
of a
smaller diameter than the vac end 50 of the connection member 10.
Alternatively, the O-
ring 20 rnay be mounted on the connecting receptacle 150 rather than on the
connection
member 10.
is As shown in FIG. 7, according to one embodiment of the invention, the hose
end
40 of the hose connection member IO is inserted inside a hose 202. The hose
202 is
generally flexible and composed of sequential rings 204 with alternating
diameters at the
connecting end. The ridge 60 on the hose end 40 of the hose connection member
I0
locks onto one of the sequential rings 204 on the hose 202 to prevent the hose
connection
Zo member 10 from slipping out of the hose 202. The hose connection member 10
is
FI' .i36523(77nv02LD()C,) -
12
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
prevented from further entering into the hose 202 by a decrease in hose 202
diameter as
shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present
invention. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 differs from the embodiment
disclosed
s in conjunction with FIGS. 2-6 with respect to the locking mechanism.
According to the
embodiment of FIG. 8, a connecting handle I 80, having a circular orifice 190,
a grooved
press base 200, and a cusp 210, is placed inside the main body 80 of the hose
connection
member 10. The main body 80 of the hose connection member 10 has an aperture
220
from where the grooved press base 200 can protrude and extend above the
surface of the
io main body 80 of the hose connection member I0. The connecting handle 180 is
attached
to the main body 80 of the connection member 10 by inserting a pin 230 through
a
perforation 240 on the main body 80 and through the circular orifice 190 on
the
connecting handle 180. The connecting handle 180 should be long enough for the
cusp
210 to extend past the end of the seal side SO of the hose connection member
I0.
~s According to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the connecting receptacle 150 has an
elevated housing 250 adapted to receive the cusp 210 on the connecting handle
I 80. The
elevated housing 250 also defines a recess 260 to interlock with the cusp 210.
on the
connecting handle 180. The hose end 40 is essentially lthe same in both
embodiments
described. The sealing ring 20 is seated over the groove 30 on the vac end 50
as in the
zo embodiment.
tl~. 336523(77nv02n f)OC)
13
- CA 02447500 2003-11-24
FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a hose connection member 10 connected to
the connecting receptacle 150 according to the embodiment of FIG. 8. When the
hose
connection member 10 is connected to the connecting receptacle 150 as shown in
FIG. 9,
the seal ring 20 seated on the groove 30 on the hose connection member 10,
makes an
s interference fit with the inner walls of the connecting receptacle 150. To
lock the
connection the grooved press base 200 on the connecting handle 180 is pressed
as the seal
end 50 of the hose connection member 10 is slipped into the connecting
receptacle 150.
The cusp 210 should be aligned with the elevated housing 250. Once the cusp
210 is
below the recess 260 in the elevated housing 250, and the pressure is released
from the
io grooved press base 200, the cusp 210 interlocks with the recess 260.
FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the
present invention. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 dii~ers from the
embodiment
disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 2-9 with respect to the sealing member.
According
to the embodiment of FIG. 10, a connection member IO is shown having a first
end 300
is and second end 310. First end 300 has depression 320 around its outer
surface, and a
thin, annular rib 330 integrally formed around connection member 10 inside of
depression 320. Rib 330 protrudes outward from depression 320 such that it
extends
slightly beyond the surface of connection member 10. A magnified view of this
is shown
in FIG. 11.
zo According to this embodiment, connection member 10 is inserted into
receptacle
I SO while creating a proper seal, without the need for a separate sealing
member such as
an O-ring. When connection member 10 is inserted into receptacle 1 S0, rib 330
is bent
ti ;3~>szu77~~oz~ ooc> 14
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
backward by its contact with the inner surface of receptacle 1 SO such that a
proper seal is
formed. Depression 320, in which rib 330 is set, provides clearance for rib
330 to flex
when inserted into receptacle 150. Thus, rib 330 is deformed by the inner
surface of
receptacle 1 S0, forming a self energizing seal when a vacuum is created
inside of the
s vacuum cleaner. The configuration can also be reversed, with rib 330 being
integrally
formed into the inner surface of receptacle 150 and a seal created when
connection
member 10 is inserted into receptacle 150.
Rib 330 is preferably constructed from a polypropylene material, although
other
materials can be used which have a suitable flexural modulus to allow a proper
seal to be
~o maintained, and which allow rib 330 to return to its original shape when
disengaged from
receptacle 1 ~0. This embodiment of the connecting member, having an
integrated sealing
member, has several benefits. First, this embodiment provides a one-piece
construction
of a connection member, which is easier to handle and work with than a mufti-
piece
assembly. Secondly, cost savings can be realized by integrating the function
of separate
r s parts into a single molded part.
FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention,
adapter 400, which can be used to permanently convert a wet/dry vacuum having
a
friction-based hose connecting receptacle 490 (as used in the prior art, and
shown in FIG.
14) to a vacuum able to receive a hose having a locking attachment, as
disclosed herein.
2o Adapter 400 has two ends, a connecting end 410 and an adapting end 420.
Connecting
end 410 has a U-shaped casing 430 to receive the locking handle 100 on the
vacuum end
SO of connection member 10 (not shown). The U-shaped casing 430 has a single
post
n ssc>sz,c»~~ov noc~ 15
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
470 traversing it. The tooth 140 on the locking handle 100 of connection
member 10 is
made to interlock with the post 470. Alternatively, a groove or indentation
may be used
to interlock with the tooth 140 on the locking handle 100. As will be
appreciated by one
skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, an alternative
embodiment of
s adapter 400 can have the locking handle 100 attached to the connecting end
410 of the
adapter 400, with the U-shaped casing 160 and post 1'70 located on the
connection
member 10. Also, the locking mechanisms need not be of the particular
configuration
disclosed herein.
Adapting end 420 of adapter 400, also shown in 1~1G. 1~, is configured so as
to
io permanently lock adapter 100 into place onto a friction-based vacuum
connecting
receptacle 490. Flaps 440 at the end of adapting side 420 operate to latch
adapter 400
onto the end of a friction-based vacuum connecting receptacle 490 when
adapting side
420 of adapter 400 is inserted into the connecting receptacle. This thus gives
a consumer
the advantage of upgrading an older, friction-fit wet/dry vacuum without the
expense of
is purchasing a new unit having a hose lock feature as disclosed herein.
Adapter 400 may be made of plastic, and may be designed to fit all embodiments
of receptacle 150. One skilled in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure will
appreciate that an alternative embodiment of adapter 400 can be configured to
attach to
the vacuum end of a friction based hose connection member such that a friction-
based
Zo hose can be adapted for use with a wetldry vacuum having a locking
attachment as
disclosed herein.
Ii~ 13G521(77nvt>Z~ t)()(')
I6 _
CA 02447500 2003-11-24
Thus, the present invention provides a hose lock, and adapter, that quickly
and
simply Iocks a hose to a receptacle mounted on an article such as a wet/dry
vac to prevent
inadvertent disconnections, while providing a seal to prevent air leaks. The
above
description of exemplary embodiments of the invention are made by way of
example and
s not for purposes of limitation. Many variations may be made to the
embodiments and
methods disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present
invention.
II','fI6523(77nv0?~i)OC)
