Patent ID: 7010829

Claim:
A retractable hose central vacuum cleaning system comprising: a retractable vacuum hose having a tool end adapted to removably receive a vacuum cleaning tool for vacuuming debris, and an opposing retracting end; a valve assembly having a receiving port for receiving the retracting end of the vacuum hose, wherein the vacuum hose is extendable through the receiving port and through the valve assembly; the valve assembly further comprising: a vacuum pipe connection port adapted to receive a system vacuum pipe that is in communication with a central vacuum source for creating a vacuum within the system vacuum pipe; a static valve seal disposed between the receiving port and the vacuum pipe connection port, the static valve seal being adapted for coupling the system vacuum pipe to the vacuum hose to create substantially air-tight sealed communication between the system vacuum pipe and the vacuum hose so that the vacuum generated by the central vacuum source can be communicated through the vacuum hose to the vacuum cleaning tool; and wherein the static valve seal is adjustable from a first unsealed configuration where the vacuum hose can move freely through the valve assembly and through the system vacuum pipe, responsive to the vacuum created by the central vacuum source, to a second sealed configuration where the vacuum hose is in sealed communication with the system vacuum pipe, and where the vacuum hose is substantially fixed in relative position to the valve assembly, wherein the movement from first unsealed configuration to the second sealed configuration enables a user to select and fix the vacuum hose length that extends outward from the receiving port of the valve assembly.