EXHAUST SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER

Abstract

An exhaust system includes a pipe tube for discharging an exhaust air ejected from an exhaust port of an electric vacuum cleaner to a predetermined exterior location, the pipe tube including a tube main body made of a pliable and less-stretchable material, and a cord inserted into the tube main body, the cord being made of a pliable and highly-stretchable material. The cord, when not stretched, has a length close to an actual extension length which permits connection between the exhaust port of the indoor electric vacuum cleaner and the predetermined exterior location. The tube main body is equal in length to the cord when being stretched. In this state, the ventilation function of the tube main body has a maximum value.

Claims

1. An exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner, comprising: a pipe tube for discharging an exhaust air ejected from an exhaust port of the electric vacuum cleaner to a predetermined exterior location, the pipe tube having one end connected to the exhaust port of the electric vacuum cleaner, and the other end fixed at the predetermined exterior location, the pipe tube comprising a tube main body made of a pliable and less-stretchable material, and a cord inserted into the tube main body, the cord being made of a pliable and highly-stretchable material, the cord, when not stretched, having a length close to an actual extension length which permits connection between the exhaust port of the electric vacuum cleaner for indoor use and the predetermined exterior location, and the tube main body being equal in length to the cord when being stretched.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more explicit from the following detailed description taken with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a view showing the basic structure of an exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a view showing extension pipes 21 to 23 and rings 24 and 25 for pipe extension;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing pipe tube 2 connected to an electric vacuum cleaner main body 1 and a weight 8, with a stretchable cord 3 received in a tube main body and swivel hooks 5 and 6 mounted one at each end of the stretchable cord; and

[0026] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the advantageous effects of the exhaust system according to this embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a view showing the basic structure of an exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In an electric vacuum cleaner in operation, the installed exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner according to this embodiment discharges an exhaust air passing through filtering means of the electric vacuum cleaner to a predetermined exterior location via a pipe tube 2 by bypassing the interior of a room. The electric vacuum cleaner equipped with the pipe tube 2 is easy to, for example, operate and carry around, and, any number of auxiliary extension pipes may be used when necessary for cleaning of one room. Even when bent across the boundary of a window or corridor in the room and the exterior thereof, the sufficiently long pipe tube 2 stays with its ventilation path remains unobstructed, which ventilation path extends from one end of the pipe tube to a distal end thereof connected to a swivel hook 6 via a stretchable cord 3. Following the completion of cleaning of each room, the pipe tube extending between an exhaust port of the electric vacuum cleaner and the predetermined exterior location for discharge of an exhaust air is straightened or folded, and the stretchable cord 3 is pulled to the same length as the pipe tube 2. Under this condition, the tube main body carries out ventilation to the full, thereby raising the level of the ventilation capability of the pipe tube 2.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a view showing a state where several pipe tubes 2 are attached to the exhaust port of a household electric vacuum cleaner. This construction forms a system that delivers an exhaust air from the electric vacuum cleaner directly to a predetermined exterior location via the pipe tube 2 which receives therein the stretchable cord 3 without releasing the exhaust air into a room. A nonwoven mask 7 is wrapped around the distal end of the pipe tube for the filtering of an exhaust air, and, the swivel hook 6 attached to the stretchable cord 3 is fixedly engaged to a weight 8 placed in a predetermined exterior location. This electric vacuum cleaner is very convenient for domestic use on account of its portability and high cleaning capability.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a view showing extension tubes 21 to 23 and rings 24 and 25 that are used when it is desired to lengthen the pipe tube 2. The extension pipes 21 to 23, being made of a pliable material such as nylon or vinylon, are collapsible as members of indefinite shape in their normal state. Any number of extension pipes may be used. In this case, the extension pipes are connected to each other via an adhesive tape or hose band. As shown in FIG. 2(b), when using the ring 24 made of plastic for the connection of the extension pipes 21 to 23, the extension pipe is engaged at its end to the shoulder of the ring. Moreover, the connector ring 25 may be screw-threaded. The pipe tube 2 is a consumable product whose service life is shorter than that of an electric vacuum cleaner main body 1.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing the pipe tube 2 connected to the electric vacuum cleaner main body 1 and the weight 8, with the stretchable cord 3 received in the tube main body and the swivel hooks 5 and 6 mounted one at each end of the stretchable cord 3. One end of the stretchable cord 3 is fixed to the electric vacuum cleaner via corresponding one of the swivel hooks 5 and 6, and the other thereof is fixed to the weight 8 placed in a predetermined exterior location via the other swivel hook. While each end of the tube main body is set in a similar position to the corresponding end of the stretchable cord 3, it is advisable to adjust the actual extension length of the tube main body to about 1 to 2 times the length of the stretchable cord 3 when not stretched.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the advantageous effects of the exhaust system according to this embodiment. The exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner employs the pipe tube 2 that can discharge an exhaust air from the exhaust port of an electric vacuum cleaner into a predetermined exterior location by bypassing the interior of a room without fail. In the drawing, the pipe tube 2 is illustrated as being laid so as to extend from within a room for creeping movement over wall corners 11, 12, 13, and 14 to the exterior location. In this exhaust system, even when the pipe tube 2 is bent, the ventilation path remains unobstructed to ensure exhaust air passage to a certain extent. Following the completion of cleaning work, the pipe tube 2 is straightened or folded, and the “tube main body” and the “stretchable cord” are adjusted to the same length. Under this condition, the tube main body effects ventilation to the full, so that the ventilation capability can reach a hundred-percent level. The nonwoven mask 7 is disposed at the distal end of the pipe tube 2 so as to cover the ring 24 attached to the distal end of the pipe tube 2 and the swivel hook 6 attached to the distal end of the stretchable cord 3 for the filtering of an exhaust air, and the pipe tube 2 can be engaged via the nonwoven mask 7 to the weight 8 placed in a predetermined exterior location. As an engagement tool, for example, a hook nail may be prepared.

[0033] In the thereby constructed exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner according to this embodiment, the tube main body of the pipe tube 2 is kept free of direct pulling tension during cleaning work, and thus ensures a certain level of ventilation capability without fear of damage. Moreover, the tube main body receives therein the stretchable cord which is shorter than the tube main body when not stretched. This makes it possible to prevent tension-caused load on the tube main body, as well as to ensure a certain level of ventilation capability even when the tube main body is bent, and thereby protect the tube main body against damage. Moreover, the pipe tube 2 can be securely held at both ends by one-touch simple engagement operation of the swivel hooks 5 and 6. This helps increase the convenience of the exhaust system. In addition, the pipe tube 2 is a replaceable consumable product which is in no need of reinforcement and protection, and is length-adjustable to permit a connection between any desired locations for cleaning work with adaptability to structural features of a housing. In the pipe tube 2, the ventilation capability of the pliable and less-stretchable tube main body and the leading capability of the pliable and highly-stretchable stretchable cord are correlatively complementary to each other, and, the correlation in length between the tube main body and the stretchable cord is conducive to the implementation of easy-to-use pipe tube 2 having adjustable bypassing capability. This makes it possible to provide an inexpensive exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner that allows home users to do cleaning work in a pleasant clean environment in a simple way.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0034] During cleaning work with an electric vacuum cleaner, both the capture of dust and exhaust from the vacuum cleaner are done together in one room. This has raised concern among many people about adverse effects on a clean indoor environment. In this regard, the exhaust system employing the pipe tube which is attached to an electric vacuum cleaner is capable of discharging an exhaust air passing through the filter of the electric vacuum cleaner directly into an exterior location by bypassing the interior of a room without fail. This exhaust system can be used without any alteration of user's housing, and is suitable for use as an inexpensive home-use exhaust system of an electric vacuum cleaner with portability for ease of cleaning of each individual room.

[0035] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0036] 1: Electric vacuum cleaner main body

[0037] 2: Exhaust pipe

[0038] 3: Stretchable cord

[0039] 4: Exhaust air receiving portion

[0040] 5: Swivel hook

[0041] 6: Swivel hook

[0042] 7: Nonwoven mask

[0043] 8: Weight

[0044] 11, 12, 13, 14: Corner of wall or the like