Abstract: A vacuum inlet valve assembly has a housing configured to be mounted exterior to a preexisting wall in a structure such that the housing is connected with a conduit and the conduit is exterior to the wall and retains a hose therein, and the hose is adapted to be pulled out from a stored position within the conduit external from the wall to an extracted position, and when in the extracted position, an end cap or hose plug on the hose is releasably connected with a connection assembly in the housing. A portion of the conduit is clear or translucent or transparent so an operator can watch the end cap or hose plug approach the connection assembly.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve mounted at various locations in a structure connected to the inlet end of a vacuum conduit. A section of hose is slidably mounted within the conduit and extends from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. A pair of seals within the inlet valve retains a nozzle handle mounted on the end of the hose in a stored position when the hose is in a retracted position and provides an air seal between the handle and vacuum supply conduit. A locking mechanism mounted on one embodiment of the inlet valves automatically locks the hose in a selected extended position when manually pulled from the inlet valve. A mounting bracket enables the inlet valve to be mounted at various locations in the structure and a pair of seals enables the inlet valve to be open to the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes a locking collar mounted at various locations in a structure or RV and connected to the inlet end of a vacuum conduit. A section of hose is slidably mounted within the conduit and extends therefrom for cleaning an adjacent area. A pair of O-rings within the collar frictionally retains a handle mounted on the end of the hose in a stored position when the hose is in a retracted position and provides an air seal between the handle and vacuum supply conduit. A locking mechanism mounted on the collar automatically locks the hose in a selected extended position when manually pulled from the collar by a locking finger engaging an adjacent section of the hose. An electric switch on the collar enables a user to actuate the vacuum supply source. A mounting bracket enables the collar to be mounted at various locations in the structure and a ring formed on the collar enables the collar to be rotated to a desired position on the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A vacuum hose storage system includes a housing which is mounted in a storage area of a dwelling and connected to a vacuum source. A length of flexible, expandable hose is mounted in a looped fashion about a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted within the housing. A handle is attached to one end of the hose and is seated in a cradle formed in the housing when the hose is in a fully retracted position within the housing. A vacuum source ON/OFF switch is located in the cradle and is actuated when the handle is placed in or removed from the cradle. A control valve on the cradle enables the strength of the vacuum source to be manually controlled by a user.

Abstract: A vacuum hose storage system includes a housing which is mounted in a storage area of a dwelling or vehicle and connected to a vacuum source. A length of flexible, expandable cleaning hose is mounted in a looped fashion about a plurality of spaced rollers rotatably mounted within the housing. A handle is attached to one end of the hose and is seated in a cradle formed in the housing when the hose is in a fully retracted position within the housing. The cradle is mounted in the housing and receives the open end of the hose when not in use and enables other vacuum tubes in the structure to be operational without shutting off the vacuum to the stored hose. An ON/OFF switch is located in the cradle for controlling the vacuum source and is actuated when the handle is placed in or removed from the cradle. The hose has an internal helical spring which biases the hose toward a retracted position about the spaced rollers within the housing.

Abstract: An air-powered vacuum cleaning nozzle has an agitator brush rotated by an air turbine powered by a source of suction air. A plurality of air inlet openings are formed adjacent the agitator brush. A generally flat friction drive belt extends from a bearing shaft of the air turbine to the midpoint of the agitator brush for rotating the brush. The bearing shaft is mounted in a pair of spaced rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. The nozzle includes a housing formed by one-piece top and bottom housing members removably joined together securing the air turbine therebetween. A cover plate removably secured to the outside surface of the bottom housing member forms a protective passage for the drive belt and a suction passage between an air inlet adjacent the agitator brush and the air turbine chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum hose storage system includes a housing which is mounted in a storage area of a dwelling or vehicle and connected to a vacuum source. A length of flexible, expandable cleaning hose is mounted in a looped fashion about a plurality of spaced rollers rotatably mounted within the housing. A handle is attached to one end of the hose and is seated in a cradle formed in the housing when the hose is in a fully retracted position within the housing. The cradle is mounted in the housing and receives the open end of the hose when not in use and enables other vacuum tubes in the structure to be operational without shutting off the vacuum to the stored hose. An ON/OFF switch is located in the cradle for controlling the vacuum source and is actuated when the handle is placed in or removed from the cradle. The hose has an internal helical spring which biases the hose toward a retracted position about the spaced rollers within the housing.

Abstract: A vacuum hose storage system includes a housing which is mounted in a storage area of a dwelling or vehicle and connected to a vacuum source. A length of flexible, expandable cleaning hose is mounted in a looped fashion about a plurality of spaced rollers rotatably mounted within the housing. A handle is attached to one end of the hose and is seated in a cradle formed in the housing when the hose is in a fully retracted position within the housing. The cradle is mounted in the housing and receives the open end of the hose when not in use and enables other vacuum tubes in the structure to be operational without shutting off the vacuum to the stored hose. An ON/OFF switch is located in the cradle for controlling the vacuum source and is actuated when the handle is placed in or removed from the cradle. The hose has an internal helical spring which biases the hose toward a retracted position about the spaced rollers within the housing.

Abstract: A canister of a vacuum cleaning system has first and second motor support plates mounted within the canister forming an intervening chamber and an upper motor cooling chamber. An auxiliary plate is attached to the second motor plate and has a dimension sized to enable the auxiliary plate to be removed from the canister interior past auxiliary components mounted on the side wall of the canister avoiding removal of the auxiliary components. A first motor is removably mounted on the first support plate and extends through an opening formed in the second support plate and is fastened to the auxiliary plate by a plurality of fasteners. The first motor is removable from the canister interior with the auxiliary plate after unfastening the auxiliary plate from the second motor support plate. A second motor is removably seated in a retainer ring attached to the second motor support plate.

Abstract: An air-powered vacuum cleaning nozzle has an agitator brush rotated by an air turbine powered by a source of suction air. A plurality of air inlet openings are formed adjacent the agitator brush. A generally flat friction drive belt extends from a bearing shaft of the air turbine to the midpoint of the agitator brush for rotating the brush. The bearing shaft is mounted in a pair of spaced rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. The nozzle includes a housing formed by one-piece top and bottom housing members removably joined together securing the air turbine therebetween. A cover plate removably secured to the outside surface of the bottom housing member forms a protective passage for the drive belt and a suction passage between an air inlet adjacent the agitator brush and the air turbine chamber.

Abstract: An air-powered vacuum cleaning nozzle has an agitator brush rotated by an air turbine powered by a source of suction air. A plurality of air inlet openings are formed adjacent the agitator brush. A generally flat friction drive belt extends from a bearing shaft of the air turbine to the midpoint of the agitator brush for rotating the brush. The bearing shaft is mounted in a pair of spaced rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. The nozzle includes a housing formed by one-piece top and bottom housing members removably joined together securing the air turbine therebetween. A cover plate removably secured to the outside surface of the bottom housing member forms a protective passage for the drive belt and a suction passage between an air inlet adjacent the agitator brush and the air turbine chamber.

Abstract: A canister of a vacuum cleaning system has first and second motor support plates mounted within the canister forming an intervening chamber and an upper motor cooling chamber. An auxiliary plate is attached to the second motor plate and has a dimension sized to enable the auxiliary plate to be removed from the canister interior past auxiliary components mounted on the side wall of the canister avoiding removal of the auxiliary components. A first motor is removably mounted on the first support plate and extends through an opening formed in the second support plate and is fastened to the auxiliary plate by a plurality of fasteners. The first motor is removable from the canister interior with the auxiliary plate after unfastening the auxiliary plate from the second motor support plate. A second motor is removably seated in a retainer ring attached to the second motor support plate.

Abstract: A vacuum hose storage system includes a housing which is mounted in a storage area of a dwelling or vehicle and connected to a vacuum source. A length of flexible, expandable cleaning hose is mounted in a looped fashion about a plurality of spaced rollers rotatably mounted within the housing. A handle is attached to one end of the hose and is seated in a cradle formed in the housing when the hose is in a fully retracted position within the housing. The cradle is mounted in the housing and receives the open end of the hose when not in use and enables other vacuum tubes in the structure to be operational without shutting off the vacuum to the stored hose. An ON/OFF switch is located in the cradle for controlling the vacuum source and is actuated when the handle is placed in or removed from the cradle. The hose has an internal helical spring which biases the hose toward a retracted position about the spaced rollers within the housing.

Abstract: A power unit for an in-wall vacuum cleaning system has a first compartment which contains a motor for producing a vacuum at remote wand receptacles and a second compartment for separating and collecting the debris. An improved sound reducer is mounted in the motor compartment for reducing the sound level emitted by the motor and providing good cooling airflow for the motor. The sound reducer includes a disc-shaped base having a central opening for receiving a portion of the motor and a pair of partitions mounted on the base and forming a plurality of irregularly-shaped sound passages for breaking up the sound waves traveling therethrough. The base and partitions are formed of an acoustic foam which assist in absorbing the sound waves.

Abstract: A storage cabinet for mounting between a pair of wall studs in a structure having a central vacuum cleaning system is adapted to store a length of flexible cleaning hose, a cleaning wand and other cleaning attachments. A hose valve is located in the cabinet and is connected to one of a plurality of vacuum supply tubes in the structure. A first end of the hose is connectable to the hose valve and a second end is connectable to the cleaning wand. A closure device is provided in the cabinet for sealing an open end of the hose when not in use enabling the other vacuum tubes in the structure to be operational without shutting off the vacuum to the cabinet hose valve.

Abstract: An air-powered vacuum cleaning nozzle has an agitator brush rotated by an air turbine powered by a source of suction air. A plurality of air inlet openings are formed adjacent the agitator brush. A generally flat friction drive belt extends from a bearing shaft of the air turbine to the midpoint of the agitator brush for rotating the brush. The bearing shaft is mounted in a pair of spaced rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. The nozzle includes a housing formed by one-piece top and bottom housing members removably joined together securing the air turbine therebetween. A cover plate removably secured to the outside surface of the bottom housing member forms a protective passage for the drive belt and a suction passage between an air inlet adjacent the agitator brush and the air turbine chamber.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for use in association with a vacuum canister for a central vacuum system is disclosed. The mounting bracket is received within the housing of the vacuum canister and thereby divides the canister into clean and dirt collection chambers. Dirt collection chamber is adapted to receive dirt-laden air from the central vacuum system while clean chamber is adapted to re-circulate cleaned air back into the building. Mounting bracket is preferably a molded structure having a central bore. A plurality of stepped grooves are provided for receiving one of a variety of sizes of motor therein. A plurality of circuit board brackets are formed on mounting bracket, said circuit board brackets range in size so as to accommodate a range of sizes of circuit boards therein. Mounting bracket further includes a filter support formed therein. The filter support includes a quick attachment/release mechanism for installing filters thereon.

Abstract: A vacuum canister for use with a central vacuum system is disclosed. The vacuum canister includes a hollow, tubular housing that has openings at either end. A cover covers the upper opening and a dust collection bin is disposed beneath the lower opening. The housing is divided into clean and dirt collection chambers by a wall. The clean chamber is a dust-free area and the vacuum pump assembly is mounted therein. The dirt collection chamber is the area in the canister where the dirt-laden vacuumed air is drawn into the device. The vacuum canister is provided with an auxiliary vacuum intake assembly that enters the housing in the clean, dust-free chamber. The intake assembly includes a receptacle for receiving the end fitting of a portable vacuum hose and the receptacle is operatively connected to the dirt collection chamber of the housing by way of a conduit that extends from the receptacle through an aperture in the wall and into the dirt collection chamber.

Abstract: A power unit for an in-wall vacuum cleaning system has a first compartment which contains a motor for producing a vacuum at remote wand receptacles and a second compartment for separating and collecting the debris. An improved sound reducer is mounted in the motor compartment for reducing the sound level emitted by the motor and providing good cooling airflow for the motor. The sound reducer includes a disc-shaped base having a central opening for receiving a portion of the motor and a pair of partitions mounted on the base and forming a plurality of irregularly-shaped sound passages for breaking up the sound waves traveling therethrough. The base and partitions are formed of an acoustic foam which assist in absorbing the sound waves.