Patent Publication Number: US-10307027-B2

Title: Vacuum cleaning systems and methods with integral vacuum assisted hose storage system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/467,898 filed Mar. 23, 2017 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/734,624 filed Jun. 9, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,609,988, which issued on Oct. 15, 2015. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/734,624 is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/842,714 filed Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,049,971 which issued on Jun. 9, 2016. 
     The contents of all related applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to vacuum cleaning systems and methods and, more specifically, to vacuum cleaning systems having a vacuum assisted hose storage system for a detachable vacuum hose. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Residential vacuum cleaning systems are manufactured in two basic types: portable and stationary. In the context of the present application, the term “stationary” will be used to refer to a vacuum cleaning system that does not have wheels and/or normally intended to be moved around during and between uses. That being said, many stationary vacuum cleaning system may be rendered portable by, for example, placing an ordinarily stationary vacuum cleaning system on a wheeled cart. 
     The present invention is of most significance when applied to stationary vacuum cleaning systems in which a hose is attached to the vacuum system during use and detached from the vacuum system and stored between uses. However, the principles of the present invention may be applied to stationary or mobile vacuum cleaning systems that require storage of a hose between uses. 
     The length of the vacuum hose determines the cleaning area that may be serviced by a stationary vacuum cleaning system. Other factors being equal, an increase in the length of the vacuum hose (hereinafter also “the hose”) increases the size of the cleaning area. Accordingly, stationary vacuum cleaning systems are typically provided with relatively long hose. 
     The use of relatively long hose creates the need to store the hose when not in use. One method of storing vacuum hoses is to retract the hose into an elongate storage chamber of sufficient length to store the entire length of the hose when the hose is not in use. To facilitate the insertion of the hose into the elongate chamber, a vacuum or motorized mechanical drive system may be applied to the hose itself such that a retraction force is applied to the hose that causes the hose to retract into the elongate chamber. 
     The need exists for vacuum cleaning system having improved hose storage systems and methods for storing the hose when not in use. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention may be embodied as a vacuum system comprising a storage tray, a vacuum assembly, and a hose. The storage tray defines a storage chamber comprising an inlet portion defining a storage chamber inlet, an outlet portion defining a storage chamber outlet, a first portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion, a second portion in fluid communication with the outlet portion, and an intermediate portion in fluid communication with the first and second portions. The intermediate portion is configured such that the first and second portions are adjacent to each other. The vacuum assembly is operatively connected to the storage chamber outlet. When the hose is in a stored position, at least a portion of the hose is arranged within the first portion, the intermediate portion, and the second portion of the storage chamber. When the vacuum system is in use, at least a portion of the hose is arranged outside of the storage chamber. 
     The present invention may also be embodied as a vacuum cleaning system comprising a vacuum system, a hose assembly, and a storage tray. The vacuum system comprises a vacuum assembly, an inlet structure defining a vacuum inlet port and a common chamber, and a debris chamber structure defining a debris chamber. Operation of the vacuum assembly draws air through the vacuum inlet port, the common chamber, and the debris chamber. The hose assembly is adapted to be detachably attached to the vacuum inlet port. The storage tray defines a storage chamber comprising an inlet portion defining a storage chamber inlet, an outlet portion defining a storage chamber outlet, a first portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion, a second portion in fluid communication with the outlet portion, and an intermediate portion in fluid communication with the first and second portions. The intermediate portion is configured such that the first and second portions are adjacent to each other. The storage chamber outlet is operatively connected to the common chamber. When the hose is in a stored position, at least a portion of the hose is arranged within the first portion, the intermediate portion, and the second portion of the storage chamber. When the vacuum system is in use, at least a portion of the hose is arranged outside of the storage chamber. 
     The present invention may also be embodied as a method of storing a hose for a vacuum system comprising the following steps. A storage tray defining a storage chamber is provided. The storage chamber defines an inlet portion defining a storage chamber inlet, an outlet portion defining a storage chamber outlet, a first portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion, a second portion in fluid communication with the outlet portion, and an intermediate portion in fluid communication with the first and second portions. The intermediate portion is configured such that the first and second portions are adjacent to each other. The hose is configured such that at least part of the hose lies in each of the first and second portions of the storage chamber when the hose is in a stored position. At least a portion of the hose is arranged outside of the storage chamber when the vacuum system is in use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a first example vacuum cleaning system of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-D  are highly schematic views of the operation of a vacuum assisted hose storage system of the first example cleaning system; 
         FIG. 3  is front elevation view of the first example vacuum cleaning system of the present invention as stored in a cabinet with doors closed; 
         FIG. 4  is front elevation view of the first example vacuum cleaning system of the present invention as stored in a cabinet with doors open; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevation view of the first example vacuum cleaning system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the first example vacuum cleaning system of the present invention with a top cover removed; 
         FIG. 7  is a section view taken along lines  7 - 7  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of an example hose end receptacle; 
         FIG. 9A  is a section view illustrating a first example hose end carrier of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a section view illustrating a second example hose end carrier of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9C  is a section view illustrating a third example hose end carrier of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial section view illustrating navigation of a proximal hose end supported by the first example hose end carrier through a first example storage chamber; 
         FIG. 11  is a section view taken along lines  11 - 11  in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a section view taken along lines  12 - 12  in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a section view taken along lines  13 - 13  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a section view taken along lines  14 - 14  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 15, 16, and 17  are partial section views similar to  FIG. 11  depicting the operation of a door latch assembly of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a side elevation section view illustrating the operation of the first example vacuum cleaning system in a cleaning mode. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4  of the drawing, depicted therein is a first example vacuum cleaning system  20  constructed in accordance with, and embodying, the principles of the present invention. The example vacuum cleaning system  20  comprises a vacuum system  22 , a vacuum hose assembly  24 , and a hose storage system  26 . As will be apparent from the following discussion, the first example vacuum cleaning system  20  is highly schematically depicted in  FIG. 1  to provide an overview of the operation thereof.  FIGS. 3 and 4  depict one example installation of the example hose cleaning system  20  as installed within a cabinet assembly  28 . 
     The example vacuum system  22  comprises a vacuum assembly  30 , an inlet structure  32 , a debris chamber structure  34 , a chamber filter  36 , and an outlet filter  38 . The inlet structure  32  defines a vacuum inlet port  40  and a common chamber  42 , and the debris chamber structure  34  defines a debris chamber  44 . An inlet port door  46  allows the vacuum inlet port  40  to be selectively opened or closed. The vacuum inlet port  40  is in fluid communication with the debris chamber  44  through the common chamber  42 . 
     The example hose assembly  24  comprises a hose member  50  and a hose end carrier  52 . The hose member  50  defines a proximal hose end  54  and a distal hose end  56 . The hose end carrier  52  is secured to the hose member adjacent to the proximal hose end  54 . A hose plug  58  is provided to selectively close the distal hose end  56  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The example hose storage system  26  comprises a hose storage structure  60  defining a storage chamber  62  having a storage chamber inlet port  64  and a storage chamber outlet  66 . The hose storage system  26  further comprises a door system  68  arranged adjacent to the storage chamber inlet port  64  as will be described in further detail below. The example storage chamber  62  comprises an inlet portion  70 , a first serpentine portion  72 , an intermediate portion  74 , a second serpentine portion  76 , and outlet portion  78 . The inlet portion  70  defines the storage chamber inlet port  64 , and the outlet portion  78  defines the storage chamber outlet  66 . 
     In the example vacuum system  22 , a bridge structure  80  defining a bridge chamber  82  extends between the inlet housing  32  and the storage housing  60 . The common chamber  42  is in fluid communication with the storage chamber outlet  66  through the bridge chamber  82 . First, second, and third access ports  84 ,  86  and  88  are formed in the bridge structure  80  to allow access to the bridge chamber  82 . The access ports allow the vacuum cleaning system  20  to be connected to a separate central vacuum cleaning system and/or to allow the example vacuum cleaning system  20  to be connected to other external ports such as example vacuum inlet port  40  or to a vac pan assembly (not shown) mounted in the kickspace of a cabinet. The access ports  84 ,  86 , and  88  are provided as a convenience, and a vacuum system of the present invention may be made with more or fewer access ports or even without any access ports. 
     The example vacuum system  20  operates in one of two modes. In a first, operating, mode, the proximal end  54  of the hose assembly  24  is connected to the vacuum system  22  as shown by broken lines in  FIG. 1 . In this first mode, the door system  68  is configured to prevent fluid flow through the storage chamber inlet port  64 . Operating the vacuum system  22  causes air to be drawn along a vacuum path  90  extending through the hose member  50 , the vacuum inlet port  40 , the common chamber  42 , the chamber filter  36 , through the vacuum assembly  30 , and out through outlet filter  38 . Debris is entrained by the air flowing along the vacuum path  90 . Much of the debris entrained by the air flowing along the vacuum path  90  is deposited in the debris chamber  44 . The remaining debris entrained by air flowing along the vacuum path is removed by the chamber filter  36  or the outlet filter  38 . 
     In a second, retraction, mode, hose assembly  24  is retracted into the hose storage chamber  62 . The second mode is best understood with reference to both  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 2A-2D . Initially, the proximal end  54  of the hose assembly  24  is disconnected from the vacuum system  22 , and the inlet port door  46  is configured to close the vacuum inlet port  40 . Next, the hose plug  58  is secured to the distal end  56  of the house member  50  to prevent passage of air there through as shown in  FIG. 2A . The proximal end  54  of the hose member  50  and the hose end carrier  52  attached thereto are then inserted through the storage chamber inlet port  64  such that the end of the hose member  50  and/or the hose end carrier  52  cause the door system  68  to open as shown in  FIG. 2B . The opening of the door system  68  causes the vacuum assembly  30  to operate as shown by arrows in  FIGS. 2B and 2C . 
     When the vacuum assembly  30  operates, the hose end carrier  52  and the plug  58  prevent flow of air through the storage chamber  62 , and a vacuum is established within the storage chamber  62 . The vacuum within the storage chamber  62  exerts a retraction force on the vacuum hose assembly  24  such that the vacuum hose assembly  24  is drawn into the storage chamber  62  along a storage path  92  as generally shown in  FIG. 2C . More specifically, the storage path  92  extends through the inlet portion  70 , first serpentine portion  72 , intermediate portion  74 , second serpentine portion  76 , and outlet portion  78  of the storage chamber  62  as described with reference to  FIG. 1 . When the vacuum hose assembly  24  is completely withdrawn or retracted into the storage chamber  62  as shown in  FIG. 2D , the vacuum assembly  30  is turned off. 
     To remove the vacuum hose assembly  24  from the storage chamber  62 , the distal end  56  of the vacuum hose assembly  24  is pulled to extract the vacuum hose assembly  24  from the storage chamber  62 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-7  of the drawing, an example installation of the first example cleaning system  20  will now be described in further detail.  FIG. 5  illustrates that the first example cleaning system  20  comprises a main housing assembly  120  and a tray assembly  122 . The main housing assembly  120  comprises a main housing  130  including a vacuum inlet conduit  132  that defines the inlet structure  32  and the debris chamber structure  34 . The main housing  130  contains or otherwise supports the vacuum system assembly  30 , the chamber filter  36 , and the outlet filter  38 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-7 , and also to  FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the main housing assembly  120  further defines a storage inlet conduit  134  and a bridge conduit  136 . The example main housing assembly  120  further comprises first, second, and third access plates  140 ,  142 , and  144  for selectively covering the first, second, and third access ports  84 ,  86 , and  88 , respectively (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ). The storage inlet conduit  134  defines the inlet portion  70  of the storage chamber  62 . The bridge conduit  136  forms the bridge structure  80  defining the bridge chamber  82 . The access plates  140 ,  142 , and  144  are detachably attached to the main housing assembly  120  to allow selective access to the access ports  84 ,  86 , and  88 , respectively. 
     The tray assembly  122  defines the first serpentine portion  72 , intermediate portion  74 , the second serpentine portion  76 , and the outlet portion  78  of the storage chamber  62 . The storage inlet conduit  134  is operatively connected to the tray assembly  122  such the inlet portion  70  and first serpentine portion  72  of the storage chamber  62  are fluid communication with each other. The bridge housing  136  is connected to inlet structure  32  defined by the main housing assembly  120  such that the bridge chamber  82  is in fluid communication with the common chamber  42 . The bridge housing  136  is also connected to the tray assembly  122  such that the bridge chamber  82  is in fluid communication with the outlet portion  78  of the storage chamber  62 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  further show that the example cabinet assembly  28  defines a cabinet chamber  150  and a kick space chamber  152 . In the example installation depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a bottom wall  154  of the cabinet assembly  28  is at least partly removed to define a tray opening  156 . The cabinet assembly  28  is sitting on a floor  158 . The tray assembly  122  sits on the floor  158  and occupies much of the kick space chamber  152  and extends through the tray opening  156  to occupy at least a portion of the cabinet chamber  150 . As will described in further detail below, the tray assembly  122  is designed such that the dimensions thereof are as compact as possible such that the tray assembly  122  occupies as little of the cabinet chamber  150  as possible. 
       FIGS. 5-7, 9-12, and 15  perhaps best show that the example tray assembly  122  comprises a top tray member  160 , a middle tray member  162 , and a bottom tray member  164  joined together to define the first serpentine portion  72 , intermediate portion  74 , the second serpentine portion  76 , and the outlet portion  78  of the storage chamber  62  as generally described above. It should be noted that, in at least some of the drawing figures (e.g.,  FIG. 7 ), the tray members  160 ,  162 , and  164  are depicted with shading suggesting that these tray members  160 ,  162 ,  164  are solid, generally rectangular parts. In fact, the tray members  160 ,  162 , and  164  need not be made of rectangular and/or solid parts. To the contrary, these tray members  160 ,  162 , and  164  can, in fact, be made of any combination of shapes, materials, and/or construction techniques that allow the portions  72 ,  74 ,  76 , and  78  of the storage chamber  62  to be defined as described in further detail below. 
       FIGS. 5 and 7  show that the top tray member  160  defines a plurality of top mating surface portions  170  and a plurality of top cavity surface portions  172 . These figures further show that the middle tray member  162  defines a plurality of first middle mating surface portions  180 , a plurality of first middle cavity surface portions  182 , a plurality of second middle mating surface portions  184 , and a plurality of second middle cavity surface portions  186 . In addition, the bottom tray member  164  defines a plurality of bottom mating surface portions  190  and a plurality of bottom cavity surface portions  192 . 
     When the top tray member  160  is connected to the middle tray member  162 , the plurality of top mating surface portions  170  engage the plurality of first middle mating surface portions  180  to form a fluid tight seal where these surfaces  170  and  180  interface. So connected together, the plurality of top cavity surface portions  172  and the plurality of first middle cavity surface portions  182  define at least the first serpentine portion  72  of the storage chamber  62 . 
     With the top tray member  160  connected to the middle tray member  162 , the bottom tray member  164  is also connected to the middle tray member  162  such that the plurality of bottom mating surface portions  190  engage the plurality of second middle mating surface portions  184  to form a fluid tight seal where these surfaces  190  and  184  interface. So connected together, the plurality of bottom cavity surface portions  192  and the plurality of second middle cavity surface portions  186  define at least the second serpentine portion  76  of the storage chamber  62 . 
     When combined as described above,  FIGS. 5 and 7  show that the example tray members  160 ,  162 , and  164  form the first and second serpentine portions  72  and  76  such that these portions  72  and  76  define first and second reference planes P 1  and P 2  and such that these reference planes P 1  and P 2  are substantially parallel. Although the reference planes defined by the serpentine portions  72  and  76  need not be parallel, a tray assembly  122  defining parallel reference planes can be made more compact. 
     Further,  FIGS. 5 and 7  indicate that at least some of the plurality of first middle cavity surface portions  182  are arranged directly above at least some of the plurality of second middle cavity surface portions  186 . Alternatively, the first and second middle cavity surface portions  182  and  186  may be offset from each other to allow the distance between the reference planes P 1  and P 2  to be reduced, again to minimize a volume occupied by the example tray assembly  122 . 
     Further, as shown for example in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , at least portions of some of the cavity surface portions  172 ,  182 ,  186 , and  192  may be formed such that they extend at angles with respect to the reference planes P 1  and P 2 . As an example, the intermediate portion  74  of the storage chamber  62  is formed by angled portions of the cavity surface portions  172 ,  182 ,  186 , and  192  to allow the first serpentine portion  72  to be connected to the second serpentine portion  76 .  FIG. 10  further shows that the cavity surface portions  172 ,  182 ,  186 , and  192  are formed to define a portion of the bridge chamber  82  and that the cavity surface portions  172 ,  182 ,  186 , and  192  forming this portion of the bridge chamber  82  extend at substantially right angles to the reference planes P 1  and P 2 . 
     In the following discussion, the term “reference dimension” as used herein with respect to the hose member  50  and the hose end carrier  52  refers to a largest lateral dimension of these members  50  and  52  from a vertical reference plane extending through a center point of the volume defined by the members  50  and  52 . The term “reference dimension” as used herein with respect to the storage chamber  62  refers to a largest lateral dimension of the storage chamber  50  from a vertical reference plane extending through a center point of the volume defined by the storage chamber  50 . The terms “lateral” and “vertical” are used to refer to those dimensions of various components of the vacuum cleaning system  20  when the vacuum cleaning system  20  in a normal, upright configuration. 
       FIGS. 5 and 7  perhaps best illustrate that a cross-sectional area of the storage chamber  62  may be described as egg-shaped. Similarly,  FIG. 9A  illustrates that a cross-sectional area of the hose end carrier  52  is similarly egg-shaped, but is slightly smaller than, the cross-sectional area of the storage chamber  62  such that hose end carrier  52  fits snugly within the storage chamber  62 . 
       FIG. 9A  further illustrates that of the reference dimension associated with an outer surface  50   a  of the hose member  50  is substantially smaller than the reference dimension associated with the hose end carrier  52 . In the example hose storage system  26 , the reference dimension associated with the hose end carrier  52  is approximately 25% larger than that defined by the outer surface  50   a  of the hose member  50 . The reference dimension associated with the hose end carrier  52  should be within a first range of between 15% and 40% larger than the reference dimension associated with the outer surface  50   a  of the hose member  50  or within a second range of between 15% and 150% larger than reference dimension associated with the outer surface  50   a  of the hose member  50 . 
     The exact determination of the relative reference dimensions of the hose member  50  and hose end carrier  52  will also be determined at least in part based on a length of the hose member  50  that extends beyond the hose end carrier  52  as perhaps best shown in  FIG. 10 . Keeping the length of the hose member  50  that extends beyond the hose end carrier  52  to a minimum allows the reference dimension of the hose carrier  52  to be minimized. 
     Further, the length of the reference dimension of the base carrier  52  to should, in general, be kept to a minimum to reduce the cross-sectional area of the hose chamber  62  and thus the size of the tray assembly  122 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the oversizing of the cross-sectional area of the hose end carrier  52  with respect to the cross-sectional area of the outer surface  50   a  of the hose member  50  allows the proximal hose end  54  to pivot when rounding corners. This pivoting action caused by the hose end carrier  52  allows the proximal hose end  54  to navigate relatively tighter corners than could be navigated by the proximal hose end  54  without the hose end carrier  52 . The ability of the proximal hose end  54  to navigate tighter corners allow more linear feet of storage chamber  62  to be formed by the cavity surface portions  172 ,  182 ,  186 , and  192  defined by the tray members  160 ,  162 , and  164 . 
     Referring for a moment to  FIG. 8  of the drawing, depicted therein is an industry standard receptacle assembly  200  that may form the vacuum inlet port  40 .  FIG. 8  shows that the receptacle assembly  200  comprises a vacuum opening  202  and a socket assembly  204 . Referring back to  FIG. 9A  of the drawing, it can be seen that a plug assembly  206  is formed on the example hose end carrier  52 . The hose end carrier  52  is sized and dimensioned such that the socket assembly  204  receives the plug assembly  206  when the vacuum opening  202  receives the proximal hose end  54  as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     The socket assembly  204  is adapted to receive the plug assembly  206  such that electric power available at the socket assembly  204  may be transmitted to the plug assembly  206 . The plug assembly  206  may in turn be electrically connected by wires (not shown) extending along the hose member  50  to an electrical device (e.g., power head, light, not shown) located at, for example, the distal end  56  of the hose assembly  24 . 
       FIG. 9B  of the drawing depicts a second example hose end carrier  210  that may be used in place of the example hose end carrier  52 . The second example hose end carrier  210  is circular in cross-section and does not have a plug assembly such as the plug assembly  206 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates that the second example hose end carrier  210  is adapted to work with a second example storage cavity  212  having a similar circular cross-sectional area and sized and dimensioned to snugly receive the second example hose end carrier  210 . The cross-sectional area of the second example hose end carrier  210  is larger than a cross-sectional area of an outer surface  50   a  of the hose member  50  to allow pivoting of the proximal hose end  54  as described above with reference to the first hose end carrier  52 . 
       FIG. 9C  of the drawing depicts a third example hose end carrier  214  that may be used in place of the example hose end carrier  52 . The second example hose end carrier  214  is oval in cross-section and also does not have a plug assembly such as the plug assembly  206 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates that the third example hose end carrier  214  is adapted to work with a third example storage cavity  216  having a similar circular cross-sectional area and sized and dimensioned to snugly receive the second example hose end carrier  214 . Again, the cross-sectional area of the second example hose end carrier  214  is larger than a cross-sectional area of an outer surface  50   a  of the hose member  50  to allow pivoting of the proximal hose end  54  as described above with reference to the first hose end carrier  52 . 
     Although neither the second nor the third example hose end carriers  210  and  214  employ a plug assembly, appropriate sizing of the hose end carriers  210  and  214  may allow a plug assembly to be formed thereon. 
     A major consideration of a vacuum cleaning system  20  as described herein is that the vacuum cleaning system  20  be as compact as possible. The use of the hose end carriers  52 ,  210 , and  214  described herein allows the turn radii formed by at least the serpentine portions  72  and  76  of the storage chamber  62  to be kept very small. In addition, the formation of the storage chamber with a tray assembly  122  comprising the three tray members  160 ,  162 , and  164  allows very tight vertical stacking of the serpentine portions  72  and  76 . 
     The tight turn radii allowed by the cross-sectional areas of the hose end carriers  52 ,  210 , and  214  and the storage chamber  62  and the tight vertical stacking of the serpentine portions  72  and  76  significantly increase a density of the linear length of the storage chamber  62  per volume of the hose storage structure  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-D ,  11 , and  15 - 17  of the drawing, the operation of the hose storage system  26  will now be described in further detail. As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D , the example hose storage system  26  comprises a control system  220 . The example control system  220  comprises a controller  222  and first and second sensors  224  and  226 . The first sensor  224  is arranged to detect a status of the door latch assembly  68 . The second sensor  226  is arranged to detect when the proximal hose end  54  is near the outlet portion  78  of the storage chamber  62 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 15-17 , the example door system  68  will now be described in further detail. The example door system  68  comprises a latch door assembly  230 , a latch assembly  232 , and a release assembly  234 . 
     The latch door assembly  230  comprises a latch door  240  and a door biasing member  242  such as a torsion spring. The latch door  240  pivots between closed ( FIGS. 11 and 17 ) and open ( FIGS. 15 and 16 ) positions about a pivot axis A 1 . The latch door  240  defines first and second latch surfaces  240   a  and  240   b , and a latch cavity  244  is formed in the second latch surface  240   b . When in the closed position, the latch door  240  substantially prevents air from flowing into the storage chamber  62  through the storage chamber inlet port  64 . When in the open position, the latch door  240  is displaced to allow access to the storage chamber  62  through the storage chamber inlet port  64 . The latch door  240  is biased into the closed position by the door biasing member  242 . 
     The example latch assembly  232  comprises a latch member  250  and a latch biasing member  252  such as a compression spring. The latch member  250  is supported for movement between an unlatched position ( FIGS. 11 and 17 ) and a latched position ( FIGS. 15 and 16 ). The latch biasing member  252  biases the latch member  250  towards the unlatched position. 
     The example release assembly  234  comprises a release member  260 , a link member  262 , and a release biasing member  264  such as a compression spring. The release member  260  is supported for movement between a protruding position ( FIGS. 11, 15, and 16 ) and a depressed position ( FIG. 17 ). The release biasing member  264  biases the release member towards the protruding position. Further, the link member  262  connects the release member  260  to the latch member  250  such that movement of the release member  260  from the protruding position to the depressed position displaces the latch member  250  from the latched position to the unlatched position. 
     When the vacuum cleaning system  20  is in the operating or vacuum mode, the door biasing member  242  biases the latch door  240  into its closed position to prevent vacuum from being lost through the storage chamber inlet port  64 . 
     When the vacuum cleaner system  20  is to be operated in its hose retraction mode, the proximal hose end  54  is inserted through the door chamber inlet port  64  as shown in  FIG. 15 . The proximal hose end  54  and/or the hose end carrier  52  engage the first door surface  240   a  to move the latch door  240  from its closed position to its open position. As the latch door  240  moves from the closed position to the open position, the latch member  250  rides along the second latch surface  240   b , and the latch member  250  is held in the unlatched configuration. After the latch door  240  reaches the open position, the latch biasing member  252  forces latch member  250  into the latched position, at which point the latch member  250  enters the latch cavity  244 . With the latch member  250  in the latch cavity  244 , the latch door  240  is prevented from being moved out of its open configuration. 
     Additionally, the first sensor  224  is configured to detect when the latch member  250  latches the latch door  240  in the open configuration. When this condition is detected, the controller  222  turns on the vacuum assembly  30  such that a suction is applied to the vacuum hose assembly  24  to retract the vacuum hose assembly  24  into the storage chamber  62  of the hose storage system  26 . The principles of the present invention also apply to a mechanical drive system that employs a motor configured to displace the vacuum hose assembly  24  relative to the storage chamber  62 . The controller  222  keeps the vacuum assembly  30  or mechanical drive system on until the second sensor  226  detects the presence of the proximal hose end  54  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 16 ). 
     When use of the hose assembly  24  is required, the distal hose end  56  is pulled to extract the hose assembly  24  from the storage chamber  62 . As the hose end carrier  52  exits the storage container inlet port  64 , the hose end carrier  52  acts on the release member  260 , displacing the release member  260  from its protruding position to its depressed position. Through the link member  262 , the release member  260  moves the latch member  250  from its latched position to its unlatched position. With the latch member  250  in its unlatched position, the door biasing member  246  returns the door member  240  to its closed configuration. The example vacuum cleaning system  20  may then be used in its cleaning or operating mode. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 5, 12, 13, and 14 , the example storage chamber  62  will now be described in further detail.  FIGS. 5 and 12  illustrate that the first serpentine portion  72  is arranged above the second serpentine portion  76 .  FIG. 13  illustrates that the first serpentine portion  72  comprises six straight segments  320   a ,  320   b ,  320   c ,  320   d ,  320   e , and  320   f  connected by turn return segments  322   a ,  322   b ,  322   c ,  322   e , and  322   e . An end segment  324  connects the first serpentine portion  72  to the storage chamber inlet portion  70 . A transition segment  326  connects the first serpentine portion  72  to the second serpentine portion  76 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates that the second serpentine portion  76  comprises seven straight segments  330   a ,  330   b ,  330   c ,  330   d ,  330   e ,  330   f ,  330   g  connected by seven turn segments  332   a ,  332   b ,  332   c ,  332   e ,  332   e ,  330   f , and  330   g . An end segment  334  connects the second serpentine portion  76  to the bridge chamber  82 . 
     Referring now more specifically to the debris chamber structure  32 , that structure  32  may take the form of a tray  340  that is inserted into and removed from the main housing assembly  120  to facilitate removal of debris that collects in the debris chamber  44 .