Vacuum cleaner hose cleaning brush

The subject invention pertains to a tool that may be used for cleaning hoses from vacuum cleaner machines. The tool comprises a brush or similar cleaning device attached to an end of a length a semi-rigid tube. In use, the cleaning tool is inserted into a vacuum cleaner hose after detachment of the hose from the vacuum cleaner; the inside surface of the hose is then cleaned of dust and other entrapped particles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Vacuum cleaners are widely used in industrial, commercial, residential, and 
other indoor environments to remove dust, dirt, debris, and other 
particles from floors and floor coverings, window treatments, furniture, 
sculptures and other decorative items, plants, and other articles. In some 
instances, vacuum cleaners are also used in outdoor applications. 
Most vacuum cleaners are machines that operate by creating an air suction 
force that is strong enough to lift dust, dirt, and other small particles 
from the articles to be cleaned. The particles are usually directed into 
the vacuum cleaner through a cleaning head that increases the cleaning 
contact area. Additionally, some machines have brushes that help sweep the 
particles into the vacuum cleaner. After being drawn through the cleaning 
head, the particles are directed into a collection bag or similar 
receptacle. The collection bag is periodically emptied or replaced. 
There are many different versions of vacuum cleaners. Common vacuum cleaner 
designs include hand-held, upright, and canister models. Hand-held and 
upright models often incorporate all the elements of the cleaner into a 
single unit. In contrast, canister models usually house a motor and 
collection bag in a rolling unit attached by a flexible hose to a cleaning 
head. Many upright models, in addition to having a floor-level cleaning 
head, also have a flexible hose that can be fitted with supplementary 
cleaning tools, thereby expanding the cleaning capabilities of the vacuum 
cleaner. Also, hand-held models frequently have a short tube through which 
dirt and dust are directed into a collection bag. 
The tube or flexible hose attached to many vacuum cleaners comes in a 
variety of lengths and configurations. For example, it may be rigid and 
fairly short, as in a hand-held vacuum. Or it may be flexible and 
relatively long, allowing the user to position the head into corners, 
behind furniture, along ceilings, and other difficult-to-reach locations. 
For optimal cleaning performance and vacuum cleaner longevity, the air 
suction supplied by the vacuum cleaner motor must not be blocked at any 
point along the path from the motor to the cleaning head of the vacuum 
cleaner, which contacts the surface to be cleaned. While vacuum cleaner 
users generally realize the importance of emptying or replacing the vacuum 
cleaners' dust collection bags regularly to maintain peak performance, 
many do not realize that another region of potential air flow blockage is 
often overlooked: the vacuum cleaner hose. Removing accumulated 
particulate matter from the inside surface of the hose allows the vacuum 
cleaner to sustain its suction force without placing additional stress on 
the motor. Thus, hose cleaning serves to maintain a vacuum cleaner's 
efficiency and prolong its life by reducing demands on its motor. 
In addition to the failure of most people to recognize the importance of a 
clean vacuum cleaner hose, the vacuum cleaner hose is very difficult to 
effectively clean even if one desired to do so. The subject invention 
provides a simple tool for effective vacuum cleaner hose cleaning. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The subject invention pertains to tools and methods useful for easily and 
efficiently cleaning vacuum cleaner hoses. The tools of the subject 
invention comprise a brush or other cleaning head attached to a length of 
semi-rigid elongate tube material. The elongate tube to which the cleaning 
device is attached must be sufficiently rigid to facilitate clearing away 
of dust and particles from the inside walls of the hose. The tube should 
also be sufficiently flexible to pass through a hose having one or more 
bends or curves. The bristles or other cleaning surface of the cleaning 
head should be sufficiently rigid to facilitate removal of dust and other 
debris impacted upon the inner surface of the vacuum cleaner hose. 
The tool of the subject invention may be inserted into a vacuum cleaner 
hose, preferably after detachment of such hose from the vacuum cleaner. 
The inside surface of the hose can then be brushed free of dust and other 
entrapped particles by simple manipulation of the cleaning device. When 
the cleaning is completed, the cleaning tool of the subject invention can 
be easily cleaned if necessary and stored in a convenient location. 
Use of the cleaning tool of the subject invention prolongs the life of the 
vacuum cleaner motor and results in much more efficient cleaning, which 
saves time and can increase carpet longevity due to increased removal of 
dirt and sand.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
The subject invention pertains to tools for cleaning the inside surface of 
vacuum cleaner hoses of dust, debris, and other particles. FIG. 1 
illustrates one specific embodiment of the subject invention. 
In a preferred embodiment, the tool of the subject invention comprises a 
cleaning head 1 that is attached to a sturdy, yet flexible (semi-rigid) 
elongate tube. The cleaning head typically will comprise stiff bristles 
having sufficient rigidity to remove caked-on dust, dirt, and grime from 
the inside of a vacuum cleaner hose. The brush may have, for example, 
stiff plastic bristles. Other appropriate materials, including, for 
example, rubber and metal, may be used to make the cleaning head. The 
cleaning head may be, for example, a cylindrical brush of about 2 inches 
in diameter and about 4 inches long. Alternatively, the cleaning head may 
be spherical or any other shape or size that will fit into a vacuum 
cleaner hose. In another embodiment, the cleaning head may be made to 
rotate about the longitudinal axis of the hose, powered by a battery or 
other energy source. 
The cleaning head of the tool of the subject invention is attached to a 
semi-rigid elongate longitudinal body (tube) 2. The body can be, for 
example, a semi-rigid length of hollow or solid tube which may have a 
circular or other-shaped cross section. The elongate body may be, for 
example, about 6 feet long, but may be made to any length to accommodate 
vacuum cleaner hoses of different lengths. The elongate body portion may 
be expandable so that, when not in use, the tool can be stored in a small 
space. If the elongate tube telescopes, it is necessary to have a locking 
mechanism to hold the tube in place when it is in use in its expanded 
form. 
The elongate body portion of the tool of the subject invention may be about 
1 inch in cross-sectional diameter, but may be larger or smaller, 
depending on the application. More rigid materials and larger 
cross-sectional areas allow the user to more easily apply pushing forces 
in order to direct the cleaning tool into a vacuum hose; more flexible 
materials and smaller cross-sectional areas allow the user to bend the 
tool into a compact configuration for storage ease. 
As used herein, reference to a "semi-rigid" tube or elongate body refers to 
a tube with sufficient rigidity to push a cleaning head through a dirty 
vacuum cleaner hose without excessive bending of the tube. Excessive 
bending is defined herein as bending which prevents or impedes the tube 
from further movement through the hose. The semi-rigid tube of the 
elongate body portion must also resist rotational torque so that the brush 
(or other cleaning head device) can be effectively rotated by rotating the 
opposite end of the elongate tube. If the tube is capable of rotational 
twisting, it will become difficult to rotate the cleaning head by simply 
rotating the opposite end of the elongate body portion. Thus, an important 
aspect of the subject invention is the provision of a brush (or other 
cleaning device) attached to a semi-rigid tube (or other elongate body) 
wherein the brush is sufficiently stiff to effectively clean impacted dirt 
from the inside of a vacuum cleaner hose, and the tube is sufficiently 
rigid to facilitate pushing the brush through the hose and twisting the 
brush within the hose, even when substantial dirt and debris are present. 
Suitable materials from which the body portion can be constructed include, 
but are not limited to, plastic, wood, rubber, and metals. A particularly 
preferred embodiment utilizes 1/2-inch diameter hollow conduit tube as the 
body portion. Another preferred embodiment is semi-rigid rubber hose such 
as automotive hoses. Semi-rigid woven cables can also be used. Preferably, 
the semi-rigid elongate body portion is non-conductive. The body may be 
manufactured in any combination of materials, lengths, and cross-sectional 
areas to impart the desired performance and physical characteristics, 
including weight, size, color, strength, and durability. Preferably, the 
elongate tube will be greater than 1/8" in diameter. 
The cleaning head 1 may be attached to the body 2 by adhesives, nails, 
staples, a combination thereof, or any other means of attachment known in 
the art. The cleaning head may be attached temporarily to the body using a 
snap-in, screw-on, or similar feature to facilitate easy removal of the 
cleaning head for replacement or cleaning. 
The tool of the subject invention may optionally comprise a handle portion 
3. The handle may be, for example, a simple cylinder. Alternatively, as 
shown in FIG. 2, the handle can be of any shape, preferably one that 
facilitates its storage on hooks or brackets, which are often found in 
tool storage areas. The handle may be made of any of a number of 
materials, including wood, plastic, rubber, and metal. A solid handle may 
also be covered with a spongy rubber or other material for comfort. 
The handle 3 may be attached to the body 2 by adhesives, nails, staples, a 
combination thereof, or any other means of attachment known in the art. 
Following are examples which illustrate procedures for practicing the 
invention. These examples should not be construed as limiting. 
EXAMPLE 1 
In one embodiment, a user employs the tool of the subject invention by 
first removing the hose from a vacuum cleaner. Although cleaning is most 
effective on a fully detached hose, if a hose is difficult to disengage 
complete, it may be cleaned through just one open end. For best results, 
cleaning should be done periodically on a regular basis. The tool of the 
subject invention can also be used to remove acute hose blockages which 
can result from, for example, vacuuming in an object which is too large to 
pass easily through the hose. 
Referring to FIG. 1, the user inserts the cleaning head 1 of the invention 
through an open end of the hose and feeds it through the length of the 
hose by pushing on the body 2 and/or the handle 3. The user can then clean 
the inside surface of the hose by pushing, pulling, and rotating the 
invention within the hose to dislodge dust, debris, and other particles. 
These motions should be continued along the length of the hose until the 
entire interior surface has been cleaned. After the cleaning tool is 
removed from the cleaned hose, the hose should be reattached to the vacuum 
machine; the machine should then be turned on so that residual particles 
are carried from the inside of the hose to the collection bag of the 
machine. The cleaning tool can then easily be shaken and/or rinsed off and 
then stored. 
It should be understood that the example and embodiments described herein 
are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or 
changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art 
and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application 
and the scope of the appended claims.