Abstract: A hose-to-wall fitting for attachment to one end of a current-carrying flexible hose to enable such hose to be connected through a wall-mounted current-carrying inlet valve to both (1) a source of vacuum and (2) dual sources of electrical power, e.g., a high-voltage source for powering a motor or the like, and a low-voltage source for powering a control circuit or the like through a switch built into the handle/wand fitting attached to the other end of the hose. The high-voltage male contacts of the hose-to-wall fitting can be reversed to enable use with the types of inlet valves which incorporate only the connections to the source of vacuum and to the low voltage source, or only the connection to the source of vacuum, the high-voltage connection being made in either case through a short electrical cord to a conventional electrical outlet.

Abstract: A current-carrying flexible hose having at least two parallel helical support wires, inner and outer plastic strips wrapped helically about the support wires, and at least one pair of helical electrical conductors disposed on opposite sides of one of the support wires and slidably positioned between the inner and outer plastic strips. Each of the helical electrical conductors comprises a conductive element and a plastic dielectric coating disposed around the conductive element. The plastic dielectric coatings are not bonded to the inner and outer plastic strips so that they may slide therebetween.

Abstract: The hose assembly, preferably for use as a flexible hose for a vacuum cleaner or the like, includes a pair of side by side electrical conductors helically wound integrally within the hose. Each conductor is doubly insulated. A tubular coupling cuff is screwed onto one end of the hose for coupling the hose to other equipment. The cuff is molded with a recessed area on the inner diameter thereof. Wire connectors between conductors in the hose and wires in an electrical wiring harness are mounted in a strain relief molded onto the harness and mounted in the recess so that when the harness is pulled, the wires thereof will not become disconnected from the conductors of the current carrying hose.

Abstract: A machine for and a method of forming a continuous tubing of flexible material, said tubing being wound in helical fashion and having interlocking edge portions. The machine includes a pair of spaced askew related rollers about which a strip of flexible material is wound, one of the rollers having a plurality of annular fins spaced apart the width of the strip of flexible material to partially receive the strip between portions of adjacent fins. The other of said rollers may have a single annular fin. Guide means contact external surfaces of edge interlocking portions of the wound strip. Both of said rollers are driven at the same speed. In the method of forming such a flexible continuous tube the improvement comprises positively engaging internal surfaces of turns of the strip being wound for advancing the strip in one direction and positively engaging external surfaces of a portion of at least one turn of the strip being wound for guiding the strip on the pair of rollers.