HOSE ADAPTER

Abstract

An adapter having a body, wherein the body includes a first portion having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second portion having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first portion of the body is adapted for releasable connection with an input of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, a shop-vac, and/or a dust extractor, and wherein the second portion of the body is adapted for releasable connection with a plurality of hoses.

Claims

1. An adapter, comprising: a body, wherein the body includes a first portion having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second portion having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first portion of the body is adapted for releasable connection with an input of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, a shop-vac, and/or a dust extractor, and wherein the second portion of the body is adapted for releasable connection with a plurality of hoses.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the first portion of the body is generally annular.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the first portion of the body is generally annular.

4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the first portion of the body decreases in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end.

5. The adapter according to claim 4, wherein the outer surface of the proximal end of the first portion of the body includes a first stop flange.

6. The adapter according to claim 5, wherein the outer surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a second stop flange.

7. The adapter according to claim 6, wherein the inner surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a third stop flange.

8. The adapter according to claim 7, wherein the inner surface of the proximal end of the second portion of the body includes a fourth stop flange.

9. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the outer surface of the second portion of the body is generally annular.

10. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the second portion of the body is generally annular.

11. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein a top side of the second portion of the body further comprises a fastener housing for releasably securing a threaded fastener.

12. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein a bottom side of the second portion of the body further comprises a hose securement bracket.

13. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the body of the adapter is fabricated from a metal, a metal alloy, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, wood, and/or combinations thereof.

14. An adapter, comprising a body, wherein the body includes a first portion having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and a second portion having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first portion of the body is adapted for releasable connection with an input of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, a shop-vac, and/or a dust extractor, and wherein the second portion of the body is adapted for releasable connection with a plurality of hoses; wherein the diameter of the first portion of the body decreases in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end; wherein the outer surface of the proximal end of the first portion of the body includes a first stop flange; wherein the outer surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a second stop flange; wherein the inner surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a third stop flange; wherein the inner surface of the proximal end of the second portion of the body includes a fourth stop flange; wherein a top side of the second portion of the body comprises a fastener housing for releasably securing a threaded fastener; wherein a bottom side of the second portion of the body comprises a hose securement bracket; and a fastener positioned within the fastener housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted.

[0031] It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0032] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0033] FIG. 1 of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of an adapter associated with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, and a hose;

[0034] FIG. 2 of the drawings is a front perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

[0035] FIG. 3 of the drawings is a rear perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

[0036] FIG. 4 of the drawings is a front view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 5 of the drawings is a rear view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

[0038] FIG. 6 of the drawings is a side view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

[0039] FIG. 7 of the drawings is a top view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 8 of the drawings is a bottom view of the adapter of FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter taken along line IX of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter of the present invention showing the first portion secured to a suction source and the second portion secured to a hose;

[0043] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter of the present invention showing the first portion secured to a suction source;

[0044] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter of the present invention showing the first portion secured to a suction source and the second portion secured to a hose; and

[0045] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter of the present invention showing the first portion secured to a plumbing hard line/suction source and the second portion secured to a hose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0047] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0048] Referring now to the collective drawings, and to FIGS. 1-9 in particular, adapter 10, is shown for use in association with, for example, wet-dry vac or hard line/plumbing 12 (e.g., 1½″ PVC pipe, etcetera) and hose 14. Adapter 10 enables a user to quickly and easily releasably connect a plurality of different sized hoses 14 to wet-dry vac or suction source 12 (e.g., wet-dry vacs, shop-vacs, dust extractors, hard line or plumbing for a central or remote vac, etcetera).

[0049] As is best shown in FIG. 6, adapter 10 includes body 16 having first portion 18 and second portion 20.

[0050] Referring once again to FIGS. 1-9, first portion 18 includes proximal end 22, distal end 24, inner surface 26, and outer surface 28. First portion 18 is adapted for releasable connection with an input of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, a shop-vac, and/or a dust extractor—just to name a few.

[0051] Second portion 20 includes proximal end 30, distal end 32, inner surface 34, and outer surface 36. Second portion 20 is adapted for releasable connection with a plurality of different sized hoses.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, inner and outer surfaces 26 and 28, respectively, of first portion 18 of body 16 are generally annular.

[0053] Preferably, the diameter of first portion 18 decreases in diameter from proximal end 22 to distal end 24.

[0054] In accordance with the present invention, adapter 10 includes a plurality of stop members (e.g., wall, flanges, protrusions, rim, step, etcetera) to facilitate securement of the first portion to a suction source, and the second portion to, for example, a hose or other conduit. In particular, outer surface 28 of proximal end 22 of first portion 18 of body 16 includes first stop flange 38, outer surface 28 near distal end 24 of first portion 18 of body 16 includes second stop flange 40, inner surface 26 near distal end 24 of first portion 18 of body 16 includes third stop flange 42, and inner surface 34 of proximal end 30 of second portion 20 of body 16 includes fourth stop flange 44. It will be understood that adapter 10 can include any combination of first, second, third, and/or fourth stop flanges. Moreover, outer surface 28 of first portion 18 of body 16 preferably includes a plurality of ribs 46 that enhance frictional securement to a suction source.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, inner and outer surfaces 34 and 36, respectively, of second portion 20 of body 16 are generally annular.

[0056] Preferably, the top side of second portion 20 of body 16 includes fastener housing 48 for releasably securing threaded fastener 50 therein with, for example, square nut 49. Threaded fastener 50 enables fast and easy securement of a plurality of different sized hoses by clamping down the collar of the hose against the inner wall of the second portion of the adapter.

[0057] The bottom side of second portion 20 of body 16 preferably includes hose securement bracket 52. Hose securement bracket 52 matingly engages a male clip positioned on the collar of the hose.

[0058] Adapter 10 is preferably fabricated from a metal, a metal alloy, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, wood, and/or combinations thereof.

[0059] In operation, a user first connects (e.g., friction fits with or without adhesive) first portion 18 of adapter 10 to, for example, the input of wet/dry vac or hard line/plumbing 12. Next, a user connects (e.g., friction fits with or without adhesive) second portion 20 of adapter 10 to, for example, collar 54 of hose 14. Lastly, optional threaded fastener 50 may be used to further secure the hose—depending on the diameter of the hose (See FIG. 10).

[0060] Additional securement configurations and stop positions for adapter 10 are shown in FIGS. 11-13. Notably, as is best shown in FIG. 13, adapter 10 is compatible with hard line/plumbing applications (e.g., 1½″ PVC pipe etcetera).

[0061] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0062] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

[0063] The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of” excludes any element not specified.

[0064] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0065] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[0066] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

[0067] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

[0068] Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.