Abstract:
A device for connecting a hose to an article, such as a wet/dry vacuum, includes a first member having first and second ends, with the first end adapted 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 the second end of the receptacle. In one embodiment, the sealing member seals against an external surface of the receptacle, and in an alternative embodiment, the sealing member seals against an internal surface of the receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. 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. 
     2. 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 where 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 a 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 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 end is 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 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 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 disconnections, the hose often becomes difficult to remove. 
     Another attempted solution uses a locking member to positively couple the hose 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 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 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 increases design and manufacturing costs. 
     Thus, there remains a need for a hose lock that is quick and easy to lock and 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 wet/dry vacuum includes a first member having first and second ends, with the first end adapted 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 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. 
     In another aspect of the present invention a wet/dry vac includes a collection tub, a lid coupled to the collection tub and a powerhead assembly operable to create a 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 a the hose. At least one sealing member is mounted on at least one of the receptacle and the first end of the connection member. The sealing member may be 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 or the receptacle. A locking member is provided for securing the connection member to the receptacle member. In one embodiment, the sealing 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 DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the present invention will be best appreciated upon reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     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. 
     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. 5 shows a side elevation view of a locking handle for use with the hose connector of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 6 shows a top view of the receiving piece for 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 invention. 
     FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8 in the connected and locked position. 
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, 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, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined 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, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; 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 art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 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 s 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 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 injection-molded plastic, such as polypropylene or the like, in accordance with conventional practice. 
     In accordance with conventional designs, an air inlet port 5 is defined in the lid 3 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 hose connection member 10 is locked onto a receptacle 150 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. The connecting receptacle 150 can be removably mounted to the wet/dry 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 drawn in to the collection tub 2 through 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, 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 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 50 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 above the surface of the vac end 50, 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 member 10 as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 shows how the ridge 60 permits rotating and 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 the hose 202 from sliding further over the hose connection member 10 as shown in FIG. 7. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the O-ring 20 may be replaced by a seal member integrally formed in the vac end 50. Such an integrally formed seal 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 150. 
     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 50 of the hose connection member 40 inserted into the receptacle 150. The sealing 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 150, the sealing surface 22 abuts an external surface of the receptacle 150. When the wet/dry 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 receptacle 150, causing the sealing surface 22 of the sealing ring 21 to seal against the external surface of the receptacle 150. This &#34;self seal&#34; prevents air from entering the tub 2 other than through the hose and hose connection member 10. 
     In alternative embodiments, one or more 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. 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 the pivot 110. The locking handle 100 has a single tooth 140 to lock onto a connecting receptacle on the vac end 50 of the hose connection member 10. The locking handle 100 also has a pressing surface 120 having grip indentations 130 to prevent slippage when the pressing surface 120 is pushed, and a spring lever 115 extends below the pressing surface 120. When the locking handle 115 is pivotally attached to the connection member 10, the sping 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 50 of the connection member 10 inserted therein. The receptacle 150 has a U-shaped casing 160 to receive the locking handle 100 on the vac end 50 of the hose connection member 10. The U-shaped casing 160 has a single post 170 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 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. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the manner by which the locking lever 100 couples the hose vac end 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 150. 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 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 115 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 150, 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 140, etc.) involved in locking and sealing the connection member 10 to the receptacle 150. The locking handle 100 keeps the connection together and prevents accidental disconnection, while the sealing ring 21 self seals against the outer surface of the receptacle 150 when the wet/dry vac is operated to prevent leakage. Thus, it is not 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 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 150. 
     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. For example, the O-ring 20 may be mounted within the inner wall of the vac end 50 of the connection member 10. 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 may be mounted on the connecting receptacle 150 rather than on the connection member 10. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, according to one embodiment of the invention, the hose end 40 of the hose connection member 10 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 10 locks onto one of the sequential rings 204 on the hose 202 to prevent the hose connection member 10 from slipping out of the hose 202. The hose connection member 10 is 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 in conjunction with FIGS. 2-6 with respect to the locking mechanism. According to the embodiment of FIG. 8, a connecting handle 180, 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 main body 80 of the hose connection member 10. 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 50 of the hose connection member 10. 
     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 180. 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 the same in both embodiments described. The sealing ring 20 is seated over the groove 30 on the vac end 50 as in the embodiment. 
     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 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 grooved press base 200, the cusp 210 interlocks with the recess 260. 
     Thus, the present invention provides a hose lock that quickly and simply locks 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 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.