Flexible hose with compact storage configuration and a cleaning apparatus using the same
US11839347B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 26, 2021 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 12, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA47L9/244
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A flexible hose for use with surface cleaning devices is disclosed that includes a support structure that allows a user to collapse and lock the same into a storage configuration, and then easily unlock the same using a relatively minor amount of force, e.g., a user-applied pulling force or mechanical force. Thus, in a general sense, a hose consistent with the present disclosure may include two relatively stable/steady-state configurations, namely a storage configuration and an in-use configuration. Thus, the hose allows a user to collapse and lock the hose when not in use, and to transition the hose to an in-use configuration to target various types of surfaces to clean including, for instance, floors, walls and ceilings which may be many feet (e.g., up to 5 feet or more) from the surface cleaning apparatus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.