Patent ID: 6459056
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A47L,H01H

Abstract:
An inlet and switching apparatus for a central vacuum system comprising:a base body section including a back wall having an inlet aperture adapted for connection to a central vacuum source; a front body section movably mounted on said base body section and extending over a forward side thereof, said front body section having a front wall, said base body section and said front body section together forming a central vacuum inlet structure capable of forming a vertically extending vacuum passageway leading to said inlet aperture, said inlet structure having a bottom portion adapted to form a dirt receiving opening through which dirt can enter said vacuum passageway, said inlet structure further providing a valve structure movable between a first position where a flow of air and debris through said vacuum passageway and said inlet aperture is prevented and a second position where the air and the debris can flow through said vacuum passageway and out said inlet aperture under a vacuum influence created by said central vacuum system when said inlet aperture is operatively connected to said central vacuum system; and an electrical switch mechanism responsive to the movement of said front body section for actuating said central vacuum source which is turned on and operating when said front body section is moved to an ON position. wherein a predetermined movement of said front body section between an OFF position and said ON position causes said valve structure to move between said first position and said second position.