Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve 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 from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. The hose includes a hose plug of cuff connected with a distal end of the hose. The hose plug includes an annular channel and a cam to move a pin or button on the valve. The hose plug or cuff may also include a first seal and a second seal.

Abstract: A vacuum hose has a switch that allows an operator to selectively send control signals to a transceiver to control the operation of a central vacuum unit. The switch may be located on a cuff or nozzle defining a distal end of the vacuum hose. The switch is not located on a head unit that couples to the cuff or nozzle and not located on a wall-mounted valve. The switch can be an energy harvesting switch that requires no batteries or no dedicated power source (i.e., not hardwired).

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve 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 from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. The hose includes a hose plug connected with a distal end of the hose. The hose plug includes an annular channel and an orthogonally aligned slot. The hose plug may also include a first seal and a second seal.

Abstract: A locking sleeve for connection with a valve box assembly of a central vacuum system includes, a first end adapted to couple to a wall of a valve box assembly, a second end opposite the first end, a central vertical axis between the first end and the second end, a first side adapted to be adjacent to a rear wall of a valve box assembly, a second side opposite the first side, a central horizontal axis between the first side and the second side, a slidable locking mechanism moveable in a sliding manner. The slidable locking mechanism is adapted to secure a vacuum hose assembly to the valve box assembly of the central vacuum system.

Abstract: A locking sleeve for connection with a valve box assembly of a central vacuum system includes, a first end adapted to couple to a wall of a valve box assembly, a second end opposite the first end, a central vertical axis between the first end and the second end, a first side adapted to be adjacent to a rear wall of a valve box assembly, a second side opposite the first side, a central horizontal axis between the first side and the second side, a slidable locking mechanism moveable in a sliding manner. The slidable locking mechanism is adapted to secure a vacuum hose assembly to the valve box assembly of the central vacuum system.

Abstract: A closure flap on a vacuum inlet valve assembly or housing pivots between an open first position and a closed second position. When the closure flap is in the open first position, it is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the vacuum inlet valve housing. When the closure flap is in the closed second position, it intersects the central longitudinal axis. The closure flap has a resilient and compressible protrusion that releasable locks the closure flap in each position.

Abstract: A closure flap on a vacuum inlet valve assembly or housing pivots between an open first position and a closed second position. When the closure flap is in the open first position, it is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the vacuum inlet valve housing. When the closure flap is in the closed second position, it intersects the central longitudinal axis. The closure flap has a resilient and compressible protrusion that releasable locks the closure flap in each position.

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 having a floor level debris pickup valve preferably mounted in the bottom of a cabinet and connected to a tubular conduit of a vacuum producing unit by a connection assembly. The connection assembly includes a flexible and expandable hose having a pair of end connectors. Each end connector preferably is a bayonet connector. The hose is connected at one end to the rigid tubular conduit of the central vacuum system and the other end connector is pulled through an opening formed in the cabinet by expanding the hose. The expandable hose enables the pickup valve to be attached easily to the other end of the hose, after which the hose is retracted back into a restricted space below the cabinet bottom wall and the pickup valve then attached to the cabinet.

Abstract: A vacuum hose has a switch that allows an operator to selectively send control signals to a transceiver to control the operation of a central vacuum unit. The switch may be located on a cuff or nozzle defining a distal end of the vacuum hose. The switch is not located on a head unit that couples to the cuff or nozzle and not located on a wall-mounted valve. The switch can be an energy harvesting switch that requires no batteries or no dedicated power source (i.e., not hardwired).

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve 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 from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. The hose includes a hose plug connected with a distal end of the hose. The hose plug includes an annular channel and an orthogonally aligned slot. The hose plug may also include a first seal and a second seal.

Abstract: A locking sleeve for connection with a valve box assembly of a central vacuum system includes, a first end adapted to couple to a wall of a valve box assembly, a second end opposite the first end, a central vertical axis between the first end and the second end, a first side adapted to be adjacent to a rear wall of a valve box assembly, a second side opposite the first side, a central horizontal axis between the first side and the second side, a slidable locking mechanism moveable in a sliding manner. The slidable locking mechanism is adapted to secure a vacuum hose assembly to the valve box assembly of the central vacuum system.

Abstract: A hose cuff on a vacuum hose for connection with at least one inlet valve of a central vacuum system includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, a first section adjacent to the first end, and a second section adjacent to the second end. The first section is adapted to connect to a first inlet valve and the second section is adapted to connect to a different second inlet valve. The first section includes a metal portion adapted to contact pins of the first inlet valve.

Abstract: A central vacuum system includes a primary valve box or inlet and a secondary inlet. The central vacuum system includes a hose with a hose plug at the end thereof. The hose is stored in the primary valve box and may be extracted and attached to the secondary inlet. The secondary inlet includes features that enable the hose plug to connect with the secondary inlet. The secondary inlet includes at least one flex member that is configured to connect, in a releasable manner, with a channel formed in the hose plug. The flex member on the secondary inlet includes a section or portion thereof that moves radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the secondary inlet. The portion that moves radially may include a curved profile. This enables the flex member to wrap around a circumferential portion of the hose plug.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve 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 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 an inlet valve 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 from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. The hose includes a hose plug connected with a distal end of the hose. The hose plug includes an annular channel and an orthogonally aligned slot. The hose plug may also include a first seal and a second seal.

Abstract: A central vacuum system includes a primary valve box or inlet and a secondary inlet. The central vacuum system includes a hose with a hose plug at the end thereof. The hose is stored in the primary valve box and may be extracted and attached to the secondary inlet. The secondary inlet includes features that enable the hose plug to connect with the secondary inlet. The secondary inlet includes at least one flex member that is configured to connect, in a releasable manner, with a channel formed in the hose plug. The flex member on the secondary inlet includes a section or portion thereof that moves radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the secondary inlet. The portion that moves radially may include a curved profile. This enables the flex member to wrap around a circumferential portion of the hose plug.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve 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 from the inlet valve for cleaning an adjacent area. The hose includes a hose plug connected with a distal end of the hose. The hose plug includes an annular channel and an orthogonally aligned slot. The hose plug may also include a first seal and a second seal.

Abstract: A central vacuum cleaning system includes an inlet valve 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 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 closure flap on a vacuum inlet valve assembly or housing pivots between an open first position and a closed second position. When the closure flap is in the open first position, it is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the vacuum inlet valve housing. When the closure flap is in the closed second position, it intersects the central longitudinal axis. The closure flap has a resilient and compressible protrusion that releasable locks the closure flap in each position.