Abstract:
A vacuum including a housing and a suction device disposed within the housing is provided with hose and power cord storage features. A pivotal inlet coupling facilitates storage of the hose. A separately formed inlet body facilitates easier formation of the inlet. A cord wrap feature allows easier storage and removal of the power cord.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/859,947 filed on Nov. 20, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/896,580 filed on Mar. 23, 2007. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to vacuums, and in particular, to a vacuum with inlet and storage features. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Many vacuum cleaners, especially shop vacuums, include a hose and a power cord that create storage issues with regard to providing neat methods of storing the power cord and hose on the vacuum. In addition, the vacuum can include accessories such as extensions to increase the reach of the vacuum, and a variety of nozzles and other attachments shaped to facilitate vacuuming on various surfaces and in tight spaces. 
         [0005]    Typically, vacuums do not include satisfactory storage means for idle accessories. These vacuums fail to securely retain accessories in a space efficient manner. Accessories often must be stored separately from the vacuum, which requires the user to interrupt vacuuming to retrieve the accessories as needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A vacuum includes a housing, a suction device disposed within the housing, a hose attached to the housing and in communication with the suction device, a plurality of wheels mounted to the housing and features for facilitating storage of the hose on the housing. 
         [0007]    According to further aspects of the present disclosure, the vacuum housing can include additional features for storing the power cord and additional accessories. 
         [0008]    According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the vacuum inlet is formed as a separate component that can be assembled to the vacuum canister. The inlet can be angled to direct debris away from the vacuum filter and to extend generally along a direct line to the user. The inlet can also provide a positive connection with the hose to facilitate the user moving the vacuum around by pulling on the hose. The inlet can also be made to pivot between a storage position to facilitate wrapping of the hose around the vacuum housing and a use position. The vacuum inlet can also facilitate connection of an optional filter bag. 
         [0009]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vacuum according to the principles of the present disclosure with the hose in a stored position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vacuum of  FIG. 1  with the hose in a use position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a vacuum canister according to the principles of the present disclosure with the hose inlet pivoted to a stored position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the vacuum canister of  FIG. 3  with the hose inlet pivoted to a use position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the inlet of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 3  with the hose inlet pivoted to a stored position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view similar to  FIG. 5  with the hose inlet pivoted to a use position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a vacuum according to the principles of the present disclosure with the hose inlet pivoted to a stored position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the vacuum of  FIG. 7  with the hose inlet pivoted to a use position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of a vacuum inlet disassembled from the vacuum canister according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a vacuum inlet of  FIG. 9  assembled to the vacuum canister according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum of  FIG. 9  illustrating an angled inlet according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a hose being connected to the hose inlet of the vacuum according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 12 , illustrating the hose connected to the hose inlet of the vacuum; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the vacuum of  FIG. 9  illustrating an optional filter bag connected to the hose inlet on an interior of the canister according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a vacuum according to the principles of the present disclosure with the hose in a stored position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the vacuum of  FIG. 15  with the hose in a use position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum of  FIG. 15  illustrating the channel for receiving the hose of the vacuum according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a vacuum according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a vacuum according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is a close-up perspective view of a vacuum according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection of the bungee cord of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a vacuum according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure including an accessory storage net; 
           [0034]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of a vacuum according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0035]      FIG. 25  is a front view of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 24  with a hose stored on the vacuum; 
           [0037]      FIG. 27  is a rear perspective view of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 24  illustrating power cord wrap features according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIG. 28  is a rear perspective view of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 24  illustrating a cord wrapped around a first cord wrap feature according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0039]      FIG. 29  is a rear perspective view of the vacuum shown in  FIG. 24  illustrating a cord wrapped around a second cord wrap feature according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIG. 30  is a close-up perspective view of the cord wrap features according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0041]      FIG. 31  is a close-up perspective view of the cord wrap feature shown in a release position according to the principles of the present disclosure; and 
           [0042]      FIGS. 32A-32C  illustrate operation of the cord warp feature. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         [0044]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vacuum  10  is shown including a canister  12  and a head  14  that closes the canister  12 . The canister  12  may include an inlet  16  that extends in generally perpendicular fashion from the canister  12 . For example, the center axis A 1  of the inlet  16  and the center axis A 2  of the canister  12  may intersect at a right angle. The inlet  16  may be connected to a hose  18 .  FIG. 1  depicts the hose  18  in a stored condition, in which the hose  18  may be wrapped around the canister  12 . The canister  12  includes a recessed groove  20  for receiving the hose  18  therein.  FIG. 2  depicts the hose  18  in a usable condition, in which the hose  18  is removed from the groove  20  and extends from the canister  12 . In both conditions, the connection between the hose  18  and the inlet  16  remain in a fixed orientation relative to the canister  12 , which may eventually lead to fatigue failures. 
         [0045]    To reduce stress and fatigue that may occur in the hose  18  and/or in the inlet  16 , example non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure may include a hose  18  mounted on a vacuum via a multi-position coupling  22 . By virtue of the multi-position coupling  22 , the orientation of the hose connection may be varied to facilitate hose storage and usage. With reference to  FIGS. 3-6 , an example coupling  22  that may be mounted on a canister  12  of a vacuum as shown. With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the canister  12  may include a recess  24  having a wall portion  26  defining an inlet  28 . The inlet  28  may include an opening leading into the interior of the canister  12 . By way of example only, a center axis A 3  of the inlet  28  and a center axis A 2  of the canister  12  may be perpendicular to each other and without intersecting each other. 
         [0046]    The multi-position coupling  22  may be a tubular member including a proximate end  32  connected to the inlet  28  and a distal end  34  for connecting to a hose. The multi-position coupling  22  may include a bend  36  so that the proximate end  32  and the distal end  34  lie in intersecting planes. In the example embodiment, the coupling  22  may include a longitudinal profile with a single bend  36 . The curvature of the bend may be varied. In alternative embodiments, the coupling  22  may include more than one bend. 
         [0047]    By way of example only, the coupling  22  may have a uniform, circular, cross-sectional shape. It will be readily apparent that a coupling  22  having an alternative geometric cross-sectional shape other than a circular cross-sectional shape (may be suitably implemented). Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the coupling may be varied along the length of the coupling  22 . 
         [0048]    The proximate end  32  of the coupling  22  may be mounted for rotation on the inlet  28  so that the coupling  22  may be rotated relative to the canister  12  between a hose storage position as shown in  FIG. 3  and a hose use position as shown in  FIG. 4 . Numerous and varied mounting structures may be suitably implemented to facility the desired relative rotation between the coupling  22  and the canister  12 . By way of example only, the proximate end  32  of the multi-position coupling  22  may have an inner surface with a groove that receives a flange projecting from the inlet  28 . Thus, as the coupling  22  rotates relative to the inlet  28 , the flange may slide through and be guided by the groove in the coupling  22 . The length of the groove may limit the rotational movement of the coupling  22 . 
         [0049]    In the hose storage position, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the coupling  22  may be oriented so that the bend  36  extends toward the canister  12 . In this configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the axis A 4  of the distal end  34  of the coupling  34  may be generally tangent to an imaginary circle centered on the axis A 2  of the canister  12 . In the hose use position, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the coupling  22  may be oriented so that the bend  36  extends away from the canister  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the axis A 4  of the distal end  34  of the coupling  22  and the center axis A 2  of the canister  12  may generally intersect at a right angle. 
         [0050]    The coupling  12  may be rotated between the hose storage position and the hose use position without having to remove the coupling  22  from the inlet  28 . For example, the coupling  22  may be rotated clockwise from the hose storage position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5  to the hose use position shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . During this rotational movement, the distal end  34  of the coupling  22  may travel along a semi-circular path unobstructed by the canister  12 . 
         [0051]    As noted above, the distal end  34  of the coupling  22  may be connected to a hose such as hose  18 . The connection between the distal end  34  and the hose  18  may be achieved via a conventional friction fit. The coupling  22  can be readily rotated to the hose storage position to facility wrapping of the hose around the canister  12 . A user may also rotate the coupling  22  to the hose use position to facilitate extending the hose from the canister  12 . 
         [0052]    A further example embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . With reference to  FIG. 7 , the vacuum  50  may include a canister  52 , a head  54 , and a multi-position coupling  56 . The canister  52  may include a recess  58 . A wall  60  of the recess  58  defines an inlet opening  62  leading into the interior of the canister  52 . 
         [0053]    The multi-position coupling  56  may be a tubular member including a proximate end  64  connected to the inlet  62  and a distal end  66  for connecting to a hose. The proximate end  64  of the multi-position coupling  56  may be mounted for rotation on the inlet  62  so that the coupling  56  may be rotated relative to the canister  52  between a hose storage position as shown in  FIG. 7  and a hose use position as shown in  FIG. 8 . In the hose storage position, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the coupling  56  may be oriented so that the distal end  66  faces upward and toward the head  54 . In the hose use position as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the coupling  56  may be oriented so that the distal end  66  faces forward and away from the canister  12 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the user may rotate the coupling  56  to the hose storage position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , to facilitate wrapping of the hose around the head  54  by way of example only, wrapping main valve placing the hose in channels  68 ,  70  between the central portion  72  of the head  54  and handles  74 ,  76  of the head  54 . A user may also rotate the coupling  56  to the hose use position as illustrated in  FIG. 8  to facilitate extending the hose from the canister  52 . In the example embodiments, the coupling may assume two positions, inclusive of the hose storage position and hose use position. In alternative embodiments, the coupling may assume more than two functional positions. For example, the coupling may also be used in combination with additional couplings, unions, and/or fittings to achieve additional hose connection orientations. 
         [0054]    In the example embodiments, the coupling may be of a unitary, one piece, construction. In alternative embodiments, the coupling may include separate and distinct parts assembled together. For example, a first coupling part may be mounted for rotation on the inlet, and a second coupling part may be mounted for rotation on the first coupling part. By virtue of the multi-position coupling, a vacuum may achieve more compact hose storage and/or improve the life of the hose and/or the inlet. 
         [0055]    With reference to  FIG. 9-14 , an alternative vacuum  80  having a hose inlet  82  assembled to the canister  84  will now be described. The hose inlet  82  can be a single piece assembled to the vacuum canister  84  in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The hose inlet  82  can include a body  85  having a perimeter flange  86  that is received by the canister  84  in an air-tight condition. The flange  86  can be adhered to, or otherwise removably affixed, to a corresponding receiving slot  88  of the canister  84 . The hose inlet body  85  supports a cylindrical inlet  90  extending through the body  85  so as to communicate between the exterior and interior sides of the canister  84 . The cylindrical inlet  90  can be provided with interior locking features  92  that can mate with corresponding exterior locking features  94  provided on a vacuum hose  96  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The locking features  92 ,  94  provide a positive connection for the vacuum hose to prevent the vacuum hose  96  from being inadvertently pulled out of the cylindrical inlet  90  when a user pulls on the vacuum hose  96 .  FIG. 13  shows the vacuum hose  96  positively connected to the hose inlet  82 . 
         [0056]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the cylindrical inlet  90  is canted in a downward direction so as to direct air and debris away from the filter  98  disposed within the vacuum  80 . The angled orientation of the inlet  90  also allows the hose to project upward from the exterior surface of the canister  84  toward a user who would otherwise normally pull upward on the hose in a use position and thereby create undesirable stresses and fatigue on the hose  96  and inlet  90 . With the angled orientation of the cylindrical inlet  90 , the hose naturally extends upward towards the user&#39;s use position thereby reducing the amount of strain and fatigue on the hose  96  and inlet  90 . 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIG. 14 , an additional feature of the hose inlet  82 , according to the principles of the present disclosure, is that the cylindrical inlet  90  extending into the interior of canister  84  provides a connection point for an optional vacuum collection bag  100  (i.e., filter bag) to be connected around the cylindrical inlet  90  that extends inward to the canister  84 . The filter bag  100  is provided as an additional option to facilitate easier removable of debris within the canister  84 . The filter bag  100  can be clamped to the cylindrical inlet portion  90  by a clamp or elastic band or other known method for providing a sealed connection with the inlet  82 . When the filter bag  100  becomes full, the bag can be easily removed and discarded without creating additional mess requiring clean-up. The inlet  82  can be removed from the canister  84  to facilitate changing of the filter bag  100 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 15-17  illustrate a vacuum  110  utilizing a storage groove  126  for receiving the hose  118  of the vacuum according to the principles of the present disclosure. The vacuum  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , includes a canister  112  and a head  114  mounted to the canister  112 . The head  114  can include a vacuum source as is known in the art for creating a suction force to be applied to an inlet  116  provided in the canister  112 . The hose  118  is connected to the inlet  116 . The canister  112  is received in a support base  120  having a plurality of wheels such as caster wheels  122  and wheels  124  supported by an axle (not shown). The base  120  defines a recessed groove  126  extending around the periphery of canister  112  and adapted to receive the hose  118  therein, as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0059]    The support base  120  can further be designed to support one or more accessories as illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . In particular, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , the vacuum includes a base structure  130  surrounding the canister  132  that may be provided with apertures  134  for receiving one or more accessories. The apertures  134  can be provided in addition to a recess groove  126  for receiving the hose. Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , a base structure  140  can be provided including recesses  142  extending longitudinally therein for longitudinally receiving various vacuum accessories, including extension tubes and various nozzles. 
         [0060]    With reference to  FIGS. 20-22 , a vacuum  150  including a canister  152  having a head  154  mounted thereto can include a support base  156  supporting the canister  152 . The support base  156  can include one or more retaining cords  158  and one or more retaining clips  160 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , the retaining clips  160  are disposed next to the retaining cords  158  wherein the vacuum hose or other accessories can be laid on top of the support base  156  and the retaining cord  158  can be stretched over top of the accessory or hose and engage with retaining clip  160  in order to secure the hose or accessory to the vacuum  150 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , the support structure  156  can be provided with a plurality of apertures  162  through which the cord  158  can be inserted. The cord  158  can be provided with knots  164  at opposite ends thereof, or additional retaining features to prevent the ends of the cords from being pulled through the openings  162 . 
         [0061]    With respect to each of the embodiments disclosed in  FIGS. 15-21 , it should be understood that the vacuum canister can be removably disposed within the support structure so that the vacuum canister can be removed therefrom. It should be understood with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 20-22 , that the bungee cords can be replaced with other types of fasteners such as buttons, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, separable fasteners, snaps, straps, ties, touch fasteners, zippers, or other devices that may facilitate retaining at least in part at least one accessory on the support base  156 . 
         [0062]    With reference to  FIG. 23 , a vacuum  170  is shown including a net  172  mounted to the housing  174  for securing a plurality of accessories  176  within the net. The accessories can include extension tubes and various nozzles and accessories. The net  172  can include a plurality of retaining straps  178  that can be hooked to hook features  180  provided on the housing  174  of the vacuum  170  for securing the net  172  in place. The net  172  can include a meshed net or can include a fabric enclosed pocket for receiving the accessories  176 . 
         [0063]    With reference to  FIGS. 24-32 , a further vacuum  200  will now be described. The vacuum  200  includes a canister  202  having an open upper end enclosed by a head  204 . The vacuum  200  can include an inlet  206  provided in the canister  202 . The inlet  206  can be of the type described in  FIGS. 9-14  and can further include a multi-position coupling as described with reference to  FIGS. 3-8 , herein. As illustrated in  FIGS. 24-26 , the head  204  of the vacuum  200  includes a central protruding portion  210  that generally houses the motor of the vacuum source and can include additional plug outlets and control switches therein for controlling operation of the vacuum  200 . The head  204  also includes a pair of upwardly protruding side handles  212 ,  214  disposed on opposite sides of the central portion  210  and defining a pair of channels  216 ,  218  between the handle portions  212 ,  214  and the central portion  210 . The channels  216 ,  218  define a space for receiving the hose  220  which can be wrapped around the central portion  210  in the channels  216 ,  218 , as illustrated in  FIG. 26 . The handle  212 ,  214  can be provided with tabs  222  extending laterally inward into the channels  216 ,  218 . The tabs  222  help to lock the hose  220  into the storage channels  216 ,  218 . It should be noted that additional tabs can be disposed on the center portion  210  of the head  204  to further facilitate engagement of the hose  220  into the storage channels  216 ,  218 . 
         [0064]    With reference to  FIGS. 27-29 , the vacuum  200  can be provided with a pair of cord wrap ears  230 ,  232  and a molded-in horn  234 . The horn  234  can be utilized as illustrated in  FIG. 28 , to receive a cord that is looped around the horn and suspended thereby. 
         [0065]    As illustrated in  FIG. 29 , a cord can also be tightly wrapped around the ears  230 ,  232  as illustrated. In order to provide a quick release of the cord  236  which is wrapped around the ears  230 ,  232 , the ears  230 ,  232  can be designed to be rotated 90 degrees to a release position as illustrated in  FIG. 31 . In the release position, as illustrated in  FIG. 31 , the cord  236  which is tightly wrapped around the ears  230 ,  232  can be disengaged from the ears without having to manually unwrap each of the wrappings of the cord  236  from the ears  230 ,  232 . 
         [0066]    With reference to  FIGS. 30-32 , the operation of the ears  230 ,  232  will be described in further detail. The ears  232  can include a bent wire-form component that can be made from rigid wire, or alternatively, can be molded from plastic or other metals. For brevity sake, the operation of only one of the ears  230 ,  232  will be described. In the present description, ear  232  will be described in further detail. The ear  232  includes a generally U-shaped loop portion  240  having a first end  242  supported by a bent arm  244  extending generally perpendicular to the loop portion  240 . The pivot arm  244  is received in an aperture  246  provided in the housing of the head  204 . The pivot arm  244  terminates in a 90 degree bent arm  248  which is received in a limit channel  250  disposed on the interior side of the housing of the head  204 . The U-shaped loop portion has a second end  252  including a bent arm  254  extending generally perpendicular to the end of the U-shaped loop portion  240 , the arm  254  is received against an elongated boss  256  extending from the housing of the head  204 . 
         [0067]    In the use position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 30 and 32A , the arm  248  is disposed against the upper surface of the limit channel  250  and the arm  254  is disposed against the boss  256  and the U-shaped loop portion  240  extends laterally outward in an opposite direction from the loop portion of ear  230 , in order to retain a power cord  236  thereon. The power cord  236  can be wrapped around the pivot arm  244  and against the boss  256  in the use position which isolates forces from being applied to the lower arm  254  of the ear  232 . In order to quickly release the cord from its wrapped position, the ear  232  can be pivoted to the position as illustrated in  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 32C  such that the loop portion  240  is moved toward ear  230  and extends downward from the pivot arm  244  and the cord can freely slide rearwardly off of the upper pivot arm  244  and the boss  256  to allow the power cord  236  to be easily removed. Removal of the power cord can be facilitated by one or both of the ears  230 ,  232  being mounted in the manner described herein. The use of a single pivoting ear  230  or  232  would also adequately allow removal of one end of the cord so that the second end can be easily removed. 
         [0068]    The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.