Abstract:
An electrical hose swivel connector may be used to connect a vacuum hose to a hair clipping device. The hair clipping device may need power, which may be delivered from a power source and through a power cord. The power cord may be in electrical communication with this electrical hose swivel connector to deliver power to the hair clipping device. This electrical hose swivel connector can allow for easier use of the hair clipping device, which may be used with the vacuum hose without causing tangling, twisting, or knotting in the power cord.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/848,977 filed Oct. 3, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to hair clipping devices having vacuum hoses and, more particularly, to a swivel connector for connecting a vacuum hose between a vacuum device and a hair clipper. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Prior art hair clipping devices are commonly connected to a vacuum hose in addition to a required power source. Such prior art hair clipping devices are characterized by having a separate vacuum hose and a separate power cord which connects the clipper to the electrical power source. The usage of such hair clippers, particularly when being used to groom pets, requires constant motion and direction changes. As such, it is not uncommon in such systems for the vacuum hose and the power cord to frequently and undesirably twist and knot together making use of the clippers difficult and inefficient. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0004]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention, where: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention encompassing a non-twist linear contacts adapter; and 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention encompassing a non-twist flat plates adapter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a non-twist linear contacts electrical hose swivel connector  100  is shown. The connector  100  generally comprises a first power transfer coupling  1 , a connector body  3 , and a second power transfer coupling  5 . The first power transfer coupling  1  preferably comprises a body which encompasses a first metallic ring  2   a  and a second metallic ring  2   b . Each ring  2   a ,  2   b  may be rigidly secured within the body of the first coupling  1  by way of a snap-fit between the ring and a corresponding groove within the body of the coupling  1 , an adhesive, or any suitable means as known in the art. Also, the first power transfer coupling  1  preferably includes an electrical connector  9  for providing electrical communication between the rings  2   a ,  2   b  and the clipper  16 . The second power transfer coupling  5  preferably comprises a body which encompasses a first metallic ring  2   c  and a second metallic ring  2   d . Each ring  2   c ,  2   d  may be rigidly secured within the body of the second coupling  5  by way of a snap-fit between the ring and a corresponding groove within the body of the coupling  5 , an adhesive, or any suitable means known in the art. Also, the second power transfer coupling  5  preferably includes an electrical connector  7  for providing electrical communication between a corresponding electrical connector  8  of a vacuum hose and the rings  2   c ,  2   d . The bodies of each power transfer coupling  1 ,  5  are preferably comprised of a resilient, electrical insulating material, such as PVC, neoprene, or the like. 
         [0008]    The connector body  3  preferably includes a first metallic tube  4   a  electrically insulated from a second metallic tube  4   b  by an insulating body  3   a . The insulating body  3   a  is preferably comprised of a resilient, electrical insulating material, such as PVC, neoprene, Styrofoam®, or the like. A first set of tabs  12   a  and  12   b  may extend from within a first end of the second metallic tube  4   b  and a second set of tabs  13   a  and  13   b  may extend from within a second end of the second metallic tube  4   b . The first set of tabs  12   a  and  12   b  may be configured to engage at least a portion of the interior of the first power transfer coupling  1  such that the first power transfer coupling  1  and connector body  3  are rigidly secured to one another. Likewise, the second set of tabs  13   a  and  13   b  may be configured to engage at least a portion of the interior of the second power transfer coupling  5  such that the second power transfer coupling  5  and connector body  3  are rigidly secured to one another. The tabs  12   a,b  and  13   a,b  and corresponding power transfer couplings  1 ,  5  may be rigidly secured to one another via a friction fit, a snap-fit between tabs and corresponding slots, an adhesive, or the like. Additionally, the first set of tabs  12   a  and  12   b  may be configured to releasably engage a molded nipple  15  of a clipper  16 . Also, the second set of tabs  13   a  and  13   b  may be configured to releasably engage a vacuum hose or an adapter  6  therebetween. 
         [0009]    The first power transfer coupling  1  is placed about a first end of the connector body  3  such that the first set of tabs  12   a  and  12   b  engage the interior of the first power transfer coupling  1  and such that the first metallic tube  4   a  is in electrical communication with the first ring  2   a  and the second metallic tube  4   b  is in electrical communication with the second ring  2   b . Similarly, the second power transfer coupling  5  is placed about a second end of the connector body  3  such that the second set of tabs  13   a  and  12  b engage the interior of the second power transfer coupling  5  and such that the first metallic tube  4   a  is in electrical communication with the first ring  2   c  and the second metallic tube  4   b  is in electrical communication with the second ring  2   d . Preferably, the rings  2   a - d  and metallic tubes  4   a ,  4   b  are arranged such that each ring  2   a - d  is free to rotate about the surface of a corresponding metallic tube  4   a ,  4   b.    
         [0010]    The vacuum hose  6  is preferably connected to the second power transfer coupling  5  via a hose coupler  6   a . Alternatively, the second set of tabs  13   a,b  may be configured to engage the vacuum hose directly such that the second power transfer coupling  5  and vacuum hose are rigidly secured to one another; for example, the coupler  6   a  may be an integral part of the tabs  13   a,b . The clipper  16  is secured to the first power transfer coupling  1  by engaging the first set of tabs  12   a,b  with the nipple  15  of the clipper  16  such that the first coupling  1  rotates along with rotation of the clipper  16  while the second power transfer coupling  5  remains stationary relative to rotation of the first coupling  1  and clipper  16 . Also, a loose fitting snap collar  10  may be used to further rotatably secure the first and second power transfer couplings  1 , 5  together. The electrical connector  9  of the first coupling  1  is electrically connected to the clipper and the electrical connector  7  of the second coupling  2  is electrically connected to electrical connector  8  of the vacuum hose such that power may be transferred from a power source through the electrical connector  8  of the vacuum hose and adapter  100  to the clipper. It should be apparent that this configuration advantageously allows for clipper use without entanglement and kinking of a hose and electrical cord as is associated with prior art devices. 
         [0011]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown encompassing a non-twist flat plates electrical hose swivel connector  200 . The adapter  200  generally comprises two interlocking cups  21 ,  22 . Each cup  21 ,  22  preferably includes a central opening therethrough. In addition, the cups  21 ,  22  are configured to lockingly engage one another such that the central openings are aligned and such that each cup  21 ,  22  is free to rotate relative to the other cup  21 ,  22 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the diameter of the first cup  21  may be smaller than the diameter of the second cup  22  such that the first cup  21  rests within the second cup  22 . The cups  21 ,  22  are preferably comprised of a resilient, electrical insulating material, such as PVC, neoprene, or the like. 
         [0012]    Also, the first cup  21  preferably includes an electrical connector  29  for providing electrical communication between one or more metallic disks  25  and the clipper  36 . One or more additional metallic disks  26  may be provided and the second cup  22  preferably includes an electrical connector  30  for providing electrical communication between the disks  26  and a corresponding electrical connector of a vacuum hose  40 . 
         [0013]    A plurality of metallic ball bearings  27  are held between disks  25 ,  26  serve as transfer contacts between the metallic disks  25 ,  26  such that power may be transferred from a power source through the electrical connector of the vacuum hose and adapter  200  to the clipper. 
         [0014]    A nipple  32  of a clipper slidingly engages the central opening of the first cup  21  and a vacuum hose  33  slidingly engages the central opening of the second cup  22  such that the nipple  32  of the clipper and the vacuum hose  33  may be releasably secured to one another as is known in the art and such that the second cup  22  rotates along with rotation of the hose  33  while the first cup  21  remains stationary relative to rotation of the second cup  22  and hose  33 . 
         [0015]    While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such detail. 
         [0016]    Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art.