VACUUM AND HOSE RETRACTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention provides unique portable or stationary hose retraction systems in a single compact unit having an elongated hose, a chamber or plenum for storing the hose, a primary vacuum source for creating suction in the hose, and a secondary vacuum source for retracting the hose into the chamber. Embodiments may include one or more switches located at a distal end of the hose for controlling the primary and secondary vacuum sources. Other embodiments include a movable robotic unit with a proximity generating signal at the distal end of the hose, whereby the robotic unit may withdraw the hose as needed during use, and the secondary vacuum source may retract slack in the hose during use, or may retract the entire hose and the robotic unit after use.

Claims

1. A vacuum unit comprising: a. a housing; b. a first chamber in said housing having a first suction source attached thereto for removing air from said first chamber; c. a second chamber in said housing separated from said first chamber, said second chamber having a second suction source attached thereto for removing air from said second chamber; d. a third chamber in said housing adjacent to and separated from said first and second chambers; e. a port in said third chamber for communication between an interior and exterior of said third chamber; f. an elongated vacuum hose provided in said third chamber wherein a first end of said hose is sealingly attached to said first chamber such that suction from said first chamber is transmitted through said hose, said hose being movably extendable through said port; g. an opening between said third chamber and said second chamber such that suction from said second chamber is transmitted into said third chamber for retracting said hose into said third chamber; and h. at least one switch at an opposite end of said hose for electronically controlling said first and second suction sources.

2. The vacuum unit of claim 1 wherein said second suction source comprises at least one vacuum motor controlled independently of said first suction source.

3. The vacuum unit of claim 2 wherein said at least one vacuum motor is operable to create negative air pressure in said third chamber of at least 150 mm.

4. The vacuum unit of claim 2 wherein said at least one vacuum motor is operable to create negative air pressure in said third chamber of between about 1000 mm and about 4000 mm.

5. The vacuum unit of claim 2 wherein said at least one vacuum motor is operable to create negative air pressure in said third chamber of at least 3000 mm.

6. The vacuum unit of claim 2 wherein said hose comprises a length having a range of between about 40 feet and about 60 feet, and wherein said at least one vacuum motor is operable to create suction force at said port sufficient to draw said hose into said hose chamber.

7. The vacuum unit of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of wheels and a retractable power cord.

8. The vacuum unit of claim 1 further comprising at least one electronic attachment at said opposite end of said hose selected from the group of a motorized brush, a light source, and combinations thereof.

9. The vacuum unit of claim 1 wherein said switch comprises at least one setting selected from the group of a vacuum setting, a retraction setting, an “off” setting, and combinations thereof.

10. The vacuum unit of claim 1 wherein said port comprises a collar, the collar being operable to adjust an inner dimension of the hose outlet port

11. An automatic vacuum and hose retraction apparatus comprising: a housing having an external slot for receiving a movable robotic unit; a hose chamber inside said housing for storing a hose, said hose chamber comprising a hose outlet port at said external slot and a hose connector; a hose traversing said hose outlet port, said hose having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being connected to said hose connector and said distal end being connected to said movable robotic unit; a primary vacuum source in fluid communication with said hose connector for creating a partial vacuum inside said hose; a secondary vacuum source in fluid communication with the interior of said hose chamber for creating a partial vacuum therein, a proximity signal generator on said robotic unit; a control on said housing including a proximity sensor in communication with said proximity signal generator for detecting the position of said robotic unit; and programming in said control for operating said secondary vacuum source to retract at least some of said hose based on a detected position of said robotic unit.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said secondary vacuum source is capable of creating negative air pressure in said hose chamber of between about 1000 mm and about 4000 mm.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said secondary vacuum source is capable of creating negative air pressure in said hose chamber of at least 3000 mm.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said hose comprises a length having a range of between about 40 feet and about 60 feet, and wherein said secondary vacuum source is capable of creating suction force at said outlet port sufficient to draw said hose into said hose chamber and to draw said robotic unit into said slot.

15. The hose retraction apparatus of claim 11 wherein said hose outlet port comprises a collar, the collar being operable to adjust an inner dimension of the hose outlet port.

16. A method of using a hose retraction apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a hose retraction apparatus comprising: a hose chamber for storing a hose, said hose chamber comprising a hose outlet port; a hose traversing said hose outlet port, said hose having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end comprising a switch operable to control a primary vacuum source and a secondary vacuum source; said primary vacuum source being in fluid communication with said proximal end of said hose for creating a partial vacuum in said hose; and said secondary vacuum source being in fluid communication with said hose chamber for creating a partial vacuum therein, wherein said hose may be drawn into said hose chamber by engaging said secondary vacuum source to create a suction force inside said hose chamber; engaging said primary vacuum source via said switch to perform a vacuuming session; and engaging said secondary vacuum source via said switch to create said partial vacuum in said hose chamber and draw said hose into said hose chamber.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said switch is in electronic communication with said primary vacuum source and said secondary vacuum source, and comprises a plurality of settings, said plurality of settings comprising one of the group of a vacuum setting, a retraction setting, an “off” setting, and combinations thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 1A is another perspective cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a side perspective cut-away view of an alternative mobile embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 3A is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a hose handle of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 3B is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a hose handle of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 4 is an environmental view showing a possible location of an embodiment of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an exemplary circuit for an electronic control of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a disconnected view showing how an embodiment of a hose of the present invention may be engaged.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a perspective cut-away view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 8A is a perspective exterior view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 8B is a perspective exterior view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 8C is a perspective exterior view of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.

[0057] Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, it is seen that the present invention includes various embodiments having a hose in communication with a first vacuum source for providing suction to the interior of the hose, a chamber for storing the hose, and a second vacuum source in communication with the chamber for retracting the hose. In most embodiments, the first vacuum source is provided in a first separate chamber and the second vacuum source is provided in a second separate chamber, such that the vacuum or discharge produced by either of the vacuum sources does not enter or affect the chamber of the other vacuum source.

[0058] Referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 1A, it is seen that this embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention includes a housing 10 having a large hose storage chamber 12 in which a hose 21 is deployed. A port 29 is provided on housing 10 allowing for fluid communication between the interior and exterior of storage chamber 12. Hose 21 is movably deployed through port 29 allowing hose 21 to be pulled out of chamber 12 to the exterior, or retracted back through port 29 to the interior of chamber 12.

[0059] A first vacuum chamber 14 is provided adjacent to hose chamber 12. Chamber 14 contains a first vacuum source 15 which may be in the form of a vacuum motor. A debris collection chamber 16 is provided adjacent to chamber 14, in fluid communication with the first vacuum source 15 through opening 27. A filter 30 may be provided over opening 27 between chamber 16 and vacuum source 15. A hose coupling 13 is provided between the debris collection chamber 16 and the hose chamber 12. A proximal end 24 of hose 21 is connected through coupling 13 to debris collection chamber 16, and may extend into a breathable trash collection container or filter 17. It is to be appreciated that in this illustrated configuration, operation of vacuum source 15 causes air to be withdrawn through opening 27 from debris collection chamber 16 through hose 21 providing suction at the distal end 28 of the hose, such that debris may be collected at the distal end 28 and drawn into the trash collection container 17. An air relief valve 26 may be provided in chamber 16 in case hose 21 becomes clogged, so that vacuum 15 has an alternative source for air.

[0060] A second vacuum chamber 18 is provided adjacent to the hose chamber 12. Chamber 18 is separate from chamber 14 and from chamber 16, and contains a second vacuum source 19, which may also be in the form of a vacuum motor. An intake opening 23 is provided between the second vacuum chamber 18 and the hose chamber 12 allowing for fluid communication these two chambers. A filter 22 may be provided over opening 23 between hose chamber 12 and vacuum source 19. It is to be appreciated that in this illustrated configuration, operation of the second vacuum source 19 causes air to be withdrawn from hose chamber 12. This creates suction at port 29 causing hose 21 to be retracted into hose chamber 12. A deflector 25 may be provided to help guide hose 21 into chamber 12 during retraction.

[0061] Each vacuum chamber 16 and 18 should require an exhaust. In the illustrated embodiment, both chambers 16 and 18 use the same exhaust filter 20 because the chambers are adjacent to each other. It is to be appreciated that in different embodiments where chambers 16 and 18 are not adjacent to each other, each should have its own exhaust filter 20.

[0062] Hose 21 should be flexible, and may be of any suitable length or diameter, depending on the size of hose chamber 12 and the diameter of port 29. For example, and without limitation, chamber 12 may be large, allowing hose 21 to have a length of between thirty and sixty feet (30′-60′). In another example, and without limitation, chamber 12 may be smaller, limiting hose 21 to a length of between ten and twenty-five feet (10′-25′). It is to be appreciated that many different sizes of hose chambers 12 and many different lengths of hoses 21 are contemplated within the scope of the invention. Typical embodiments include hoses having a length in a range of about ten to about one hundred feet (10′-100′) in length.

[0063] The strength of retraction vacuum 19 may be varied depending on the length of hose 21 and the size of chamber 12 so as to provide sufficient suction to retract hose 21 when suction is activated. For example and without limitation, a hose having a length of fifty feet (50′) may be efficiently retracted using a vacuum 19 having a power of 3000 mm. In different embodiments of the present invention, the retraction vacuum may have a strength ranging from 1000 mm to 4000 mm.

[0064] The outside diameter of hose 21 should be smaller than, but close to the inside diameter of port 29. In this way, when suction is applied to hose chamber 12 by the second vacuum source 19, the majority of the suction operates to retract the hose 21 and does not escape between the outside edge of hose 21 and the inside edge of port 29. Hoses with different diameters may be used and may vary depending on the length of the hose, the power of the suction applied to the hose and the suction needed to retract the hose, as well as other factors such as the size of debris that is expected to be drawn through the hose. A hose in a typical floor vacuum cleaner application may have a diameter of between about 1.25 inches and about 1.375 inches; in non-vacuum cleaning applications, the hose diameter may be anywhere from about ¼ inch to about six inches, depending on the application.

[0065] In some embodiments, the hose 21 may have peripheral external ribs or ridges having diameters which correspond very closely to (and which may frictionally engage) the inside diameter of the port 29. In these embodiments, the tight-fitting ribs help with retraction by causing the suction to be concentrated on the hose. In other embodiments, one or more grommets, clamps or other devices may be employed at port 29 to change its diameter. The diameter of port 29 may be increased to allow the hose 21 to more easily be pulled from the chamber 12, although these embodiments will either retract the hose more slowly, or require more suction to retract the hose more quickly. The diameter of port 29 may be decreased to allow the hose 21 to be more quickly retracted into chamber 12 using less suction.

[0066] The exemplary embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2 is mobile, being provided with wheels 51. In these embodiments, the unit is self-contained needing only external power to operate the electronic parts. A retractable electrical cord 55 is provided to allow the unit to be plugged into a wall outlet, and moved from place to place without losing power. It is to be appreciated that although the chamber 12 illustrated in FIG. 3 is relatively small, in other embodiments this chamber 12 may be much larger, in some cases large enough to hold a hose having a length of forty to sixty feet (40′-50′), with a correspondingly stronger second vacuum 19.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a handle 31 may be provided at the distal end 28 of hose 21. Handle 31 may include a hand grip 33 and one or more switches 35 in communication with an electronic control 39. Switches 35 may be used to cause control 39 to operate the first vacuum source and/or the second vacuum source. Additional switches may be provided on handle 31 to control other aspects of the invention, including without limitation accessories such as, without limitation, a rotating brush or a light that may be attached to handle 31. In some embodiments, the switch(es) 35 on handle 31 may be used to operate a valve for alternating a single suction source from inside the hose (for cleaning) to inside chamber 12 (for retraction) shown in FIG. 7.

[0068] The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is somewhat portable in that it is not built into a wall, but may be retrofit into an existing space such as the illustrated gap between a washer and dryer. Other suitable locations may be under a bed, in a closet, in an attic space, or in a garage. This unit may then be plugged into a wall outlet to provide power to the vacuums and other electronic components. It is to be appreciated that by providing a stronger second vacuum motor, a large chamber may be provided allowing for the use of a lengthy hose (up to 100′) for such applications.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary schematic of an electronic control 39. In these embodiments, one or more switches 35 may be provided at the handle 31 or grip 33 for easy access by a user. In this illustrated embodiment, most of the control circuitry is provided at a central location 39 on housing 10, which may receive power through cord 40 that may be plugged into a local power source. Switch(es) 35 may be used to operate the first vacuum motor 15 (to provide suction to the inside of the hose) or the second vacuum motor 19 (to retract the hose). In other embodiments not illustrated here, one or more additional switches may be provided to operate such things as, without limitation, one or more rotating brushes, one or more lights, or other desirable electronic attachments. It is to be appreciated that other non-electronic attachments may also be provided, such as, without limitation, a narrow suction knife, a smaller vacuum opening, non-rotating brushes, and the like.

[0070] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a connection between an exemplary proximal end 24 of a hose 21 and an exemplary coupling 13. In this illustrated embodiment, the proximal end 24 of hose 21 is provided with a sleeve or coupling 61 which provides one or more electrical connections. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more first connections may be provided on sleeve 61 in the form of conductive prongs 66 that engage with complementary conductive receptors 67 on coupling 13. In some embodiments, high voltage may be transmitted through these first conductors, although they may also be used for low voltage. In this illustrated embodiment, one or more second connections may be provided on sleeve 61 in the form of one or more conductive surfaces 63 which make contact with one or more complementary conductive contacts 64 positioned in opening 65 of coupling 13. In some embodiments, low voltage may be transmitted through these second conductors, although they may also be used for high voltage.

[0071] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment having only one vacuum source, and a valve that is used to switch the vacuum source from either providing suction to the hose, or retracting the hose. As shown in FIG. 7, these embodiments include a single vacuum source 56 provided in a chamber 54. A controllable valve unit 59 is provided at the intake of vacuum source 56. Valve 59 may be activated to operate in one position so as to draw fluid into chamber 16, through collection container 17, and through hose 21 for cleaning purposes. Valve 59 may alternatively be activated to operate in another position so as to draw fluid through pipe 58 which extends into chamber 12 for retracting hose 21 into chamber 12. Valve 59 may be operated by one or more switches 35 at the distal end 28 of hose 21.

[0072] Other embodiments may include a proximity sensor on housing 10 that receives a signal generated by a transmitter at the distal end 28 of the hose. Electronic circuitry and programming associated with the proximity sensor is capable of determining where the distal end 28 of the hose is located (position) in relation to the housing, as well as the amount of hose that has been withdrawn from the housing. With this information, the programming and circuitry is capable of determining how much hose is needed, and may periodically operate a retraction vacuum motor 19 (or adjust valve 59 for retraction) to briefly draw in unneeded or extra lengths hose. It is to be appreciated that some hose slack may be allowed in these embodiments to provide freedom of movement at the distal end of the hose.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, some embodiments having proximity sensors may be used in conjunction with a robotic cleaning unit 72 at the distal end 28 of the hose. A signal generator 75 is provided on the robotic unit 72 which transmits location information about the unit when in use. As the robotic unit traverses an area for cleaning, the hose is allowed to extend, or is retracted, with the retraction occurring automatically according to the position of the robotic unit 72 at the end of the hose. In particular, when the programming and circuitry detects that too much hose has been withdrawn in relation to the position of the robotic unit, the retraction motor is automatically activated in order to pull in some of the extra hose. In these embodiments, when the robotic unit is finished cleaning, it may send a signal that retracts the entire hose as well as the robotic unit back to the housing, as shown in FIG. 8C.

[0074] It is to be understood that other sealing and hose arresting devices are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] It should also be understood that the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.