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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/074,504, entitled “HOSE ADAPTER FOR WET/DRY VACUUM CLEANERS,” filed Sep. 4, 2020—which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, including all references cited therein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to adapters and, more particularly, to universal adapters for use in association with, for example, wet-dry vacs, shop-vacs and/or dust extractors. The adapters of the present invention are compatible with a plurality of vacuum cleaners and facilitate quick and easy connection/disconnection between hoses and vacuum cleaner units themselves.

2. Background Art

Adapters and associated accessories for vacuum cleaners have been known in the art for years and are the subject of a plurality of patents and publications, including: U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,854 entitled “Quick-Connect Tube Coupling,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,533,905 entitled “Vacuum Accessory Tool,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,628 entitled “Quick Connect Hose Coupling,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,119 entitled “Detachable Plug-In Connection for Receiving a Tubular Plug-in-Part,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,209 entitled “Universal Adapter Sleeve for Central Vacuum Cleaning Systems,” United States Patent Application Publication Number 2017/0238775 entitled “Carpet Cleaning Assembly,” United States Patent Application Publication Number 2014/0053934 entitled “Direct Connect Adapter Device,” United States Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0213700 entitled “Wet/Dry Vac Accessory Securement Sleeve,” United States Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0170140 entitled “Vacuum Cleaner Adapter Set,” and Korean Patent Publication Number 10-0750710 entitled “Wand Assembly for a Vacuum Cleaner”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including all references cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,854 appears to disclose a flow regulated quick-connect fitting that has a polymeric first connector and a polymeric second connector, the first connector being either a male fitting or a female fitting, and the other of the male fitting or the female fitting being the second connector. The female fitting has a longitudinal cylindrical cavity therein, and the male fitting has a generally cylindrical body having an end opening. The cylindrical body of the male fitting is positionable within the cylindrical cavity of the female fitting forming the connection. A clip is pivotably connected to the second connector moving between a first position connecting the female fitting to the male fitting when the male fitting is positioned within the female fitting and a second position in which the male fitting is removable from the female fitting. A replaceable flow regulator in the male fitting end opening regulates flow through the quick-connect fitting.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,533,905 appears to disclose a vacuum accessory tool that comprises a housing that defines a suction nozzle and an agitator assembly located in the suction nozzle and driven by an air turbine. The agitator assembly comprises an agitating element having a plurality of resilient blades configured to reduce hair wrap around the agitator assembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,628 appears to disclose a hose and quick connect coupling assembly comprising a receiving hose, an insertion hose, a pair of quick connect coupling halves each coupling half being identical to the other, and a securing clasp. The securing clasp releasably secures the coupling halves around the receiving hose, thereby forming a releasable coupling as the insertion hose in inserted into the receiving hose. The insertion hose may be removed by depressing the coupling halves together, causing the top portions thereof to pivot away from the insertion hose. The securing clasp may also be removed from the hose coupling, thereby removing the coupling halves from the receiving hose.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,119 appears to disclose a detachable, quick connect connector having a retaining spring with jaws for engaging a locking ring of a tube. The connector includes a housing with a chamber for receiving the tube and the retaining spring. The retaining spring has a pair of inwardly directed jaws which are opened by pushing a plate connected by webs to the jaws. When opened, the jaws permit the locking ring to pass through and close to engage the ring when the tube has been fully inserted. A support member projects outwardly from each jaw and is received in a recess formed in the housing wall. The support members have arcuate surfaces to engage a contact surface along the recess to secure the retaining spring axially in the housing. The end faces are beveled outwardly from a radial plane by an angle between 15° and 60° to increase the retaining force of the support members.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,209 appears to disclose a one-piece hollow sleeve molded of an elastomeric vinyl that has a cylindrical rear end portion for attachment to a flexible hose of central vacuum cleaning system and has a front-end portion which is slidably frictionally engageable within the inlet opening of variety of inlet valves. The front-end portion is formed with a series of specifically sized and located tapered zones of varying lengths and angles of taper which enable the sleeve to be used with a variety of inlet valves having various internal diameters and lengths. A metal band is seated in a recess formed in the front-end portion between certain of the tapered zones and has a length and location enabling it to contact the various pairs of contact buttons of the various types and styles of inlet valves. This universal sleeve eliminates a different hose attachment sleeve being required for each of the most common inlet valves of the most popular central vacuum cleaning systems.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2017/0238775 appears to disclose a carpet cleaning assembly that includes a nozzle that may be fluidly coupled to a vacuum. The nozzle may be manipulated thereby facilitating the nozzle to engage a carpet. A plurality of tongs is provided and each of the tongs is coupled to the nozzle. Each of the tongs may penetrate the carpet. Each of the tongs may dislodge debris in the carpet thereby facilitating the debris to be vacuumed from the carpet.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2014/0053934 appears to disclose a vacuum attachment that comprises an enclosure housing upon which a direct connect central vacuum system inlet valve is attached to one side. On the opposite side of this housing is attached an attachment fixture which is similar to that of a hose that would naturally attach to a portable vacuum cleaner for which it is made. Inside this housing is a coupling that couples the direct connect inlet valve to the attachment fixture so that particulate flows from the hose plugged into the inlet valve through the housing coupling through the attachment fixture and into a portable vacuum cleaner. A 110 volt cord comes from inside to outside of the housing where it is connected to the 110 volt wires of the direct connect central vacuum inlet.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2010/0213700 appears to disclose an attachment assembly for a wet/dry vacuum comprising first and second tubular structures with a third tubular structure spanning a junction between the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may be resilient to conform to both the first and second tubular structures. In a first position, the third tubular structure may span the junction between the first and second tubular structures and, in a second position, the third tubular structure may be rolled back onto itself to engage only one of the first and second tubular structures. The third tubular structure may resist separation of the first tubular structure from the second tubular structure in the first position. The third tubular structure may also seal the junction between the first and second tubular structures.

United States Patent Application Publication Number 2002/0170140 appears to disclose a set of related vacuum cleaner adapters and accessories, designed for vacuum cleaning areas that are high clearance, low clearance, narrow clearance, or surfaces with special cleaning needs. The various embodiments disclosed may be fit onto the terminal end of a standard hose fitting of a vacuum cleaner, and used to clean heretofore inaccessible areas. There is also an associated flashlight assembly disclosed herein that may be affixed to the other adapters disclosed, or may be affixed to a vacuum cleaner hose or a portion of the hose fitting. The flashlight assembly may be used to provide illumination to the otherwise non-illuminated area being cleaned with an adapter, and may also be useful for vacuum cleaners that do not have lights incorporated therein such as the canister variety of vacuum cleaners. There are a number of embodiments, shapes, and configurations for these related adapters disclosed, including an article retrieval screen, and with a variety of specialized new and useful cleaning applications disclosed.

Korean Patent Publication Number 10-0750710 appears to disclose a vacuum cleaner that includes a flexible hose having a body, a dust collecting device, one end for coupling to the input of the dust collecting device and the other end terminated at the connecting portion, the body and a rigid pipe that is selectively connectable to the body to provide a handle for the cleaner when connected to and a wand when released from the body. The pipe has openings at the first and second ends and at the first end has a grip portion, on which the user can fold the pipe. The hose connection is connectable to an opening in either end of the pipe. Thus, the pipe can be used more conveniently during cleaning in the cylindrical mode.

While the above-identified patents and publications do appear to disclose various adapters and connectors, their configurations remain non-desirous and/or problematic inasmuch as, among other things, none of the above-identified adapters and/or connectors appear to be compatible with a plurality of vacuum cleaners and facilitate quick and easy connection/disconnection between hoses and vacuum cleaner units themselves.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an adapter, comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: 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, for example, 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.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner and outer surfaces of the first portion of the body are generally annular.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the first portion of the body decreases in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface of the proximal end of the first portion of the body includes a first stop flange.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the outer surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a second stop flange.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a third stop flange.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the proximal end of the second portion of the body includes a fourth stop flange.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the second portion of the body is generally annular.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the top side of the second portion of the body further comprises a fastener housing for releasably securing a threaded fastener therein.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom side of the second portion of the body further comprises a hose securement bracket.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, 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.

The present invention is also directed to an adapter, comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: (a) 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; (b) wherein the diameter of the first portion of the body decreases in diameter from the proximal end to the distal end; (c) wherein the outer surface of the proximal end of the first portion of the body includes a first stop flange; (d) wherein the outer surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a second stop flange; (e) wherein the inner surface near the distal end of the first portion of the body includes a third stop flange; (f) wherein the inner surface of the proximal end of the second portion of the body includes a fourth stop flange; (g) wherein the top side of the second portion of the body comprises a fastener housing for releasably securing a threaded fastener; (h) wherein the bottom side of the second portion of the body comprises a hose securement bracket; and (i) a fastener positioned within the fastener housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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;

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

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

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

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.

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.