Secure seal system (S3) for central vacuum

Abstract

A twist-lock latch is provided to facilitate a secure seal between a debris receptacle and a canister of a central vacuum system. By twisting the debris receptacle with an edge of the handle into the latch, the latch catches the receptacle and compresses the handle toward the canister, thereby providing a tight seal. A vertical seal is also provided to facilitate an increased surface sealing area between the debris receptacle and the canister.

1 . A locking mechanism for a central vacuum system comprising: 
 a twist-lock latch configured to receive a handle of a debris receptacle; and    a vertical gasket to facilitate an air-tight seal between the debris receptacle and a canister of the central vacuum system.    
   
   
       2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the twist-lock latch comprises a contoured ramp configured to guide the handle portion of the debris receptacle into place.  
   
   
       3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the twist-lock latch comprises a stop detent to fully engage the debris receptacle into a lock position.  
   
   
       4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the twist-lock latch does not include moving parts.  
   
   
       5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical gasket comprises a vertical sealing area.  
   
   
       6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical gasket includes a plurality of horizontal ribs to facilitate reduced friction and drag during engagement and disengagement of the locking mechanism.  
   
   
       7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of horizontal ribs are located around a periphery portion of the vertical gasket.  
   
   
       8 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical gasket includes a bead roll, the diameter of the bead roll corresponding with a groove formed in an exterior surface of the canister.  
   
   
       9 . A twist-lock latch for use in a locking mechanism of a central vacuum system, the twist-lock latch comprising: 
 a first shelf portion to provide a resting area for a debris receptacle when the debris receptacle is locked into place; and    a stop detent that facilitates proper engagement of the debris receptacle.    
   
   
       10 . The twist-lock latch of  claim 9 , further comprising a second shelf portion to provide a clearance area for a gasket.  
   
   
       11 . The twist-lock latch of  claim 9 , further comprising a contoured ramp configured to guide a handle of a debris receptacle into place.  
   
   
       12 . The twist-lock latch of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one aperture for coupling the twist-lock latch to a canister portion of the central vacuum system via a fastener.  
   
   
       13 . The twist-lock latch of  claim 9  having no moving parts.  
   
   
       14 . The twist-lock latch of  claim 9  configured to latch with a conventional debris receptacle having a handle with a notch formed in a center portion of the handle.  
   
   
       15 . A vertical gasket employed with a locking mechanism for a central vacuum system, the vertical gasket comprising: 
 a vertical sealing area; and    a bead roll formed in the gasket, the bead roll configured to correspond with a groove formed in a canister portion of the central vacuum system.    
   
   
       16 . The vertical gasket of  claim 15 , wherein the vertical sealing area includes a plurality of ribs located thereon to facilitate reduced friction and drag during engagement and disengagement of the locking mechanism.  
   
   
       17 . The vertical gasket of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of ribs are located around a periphery of the gasket.  
   
   
       18 . The vertical gasket of  claim 15 , wherein the bead roll is formed at an end portion of the gasket.  
   
   
       19 . A locking mechanism for a central vacuum system comprising: 
 at least one twist-lock latch coupled to a canister; and    a vertical gasket coupled to the canister.    
   
   
       20 . The locking mechanism of  claim 19 , wherein two twist-lock latches are coupled to the canister at opposing sides.  
   
   
       21 . A locking mechanism for a central vacuum system comprising: 
 latching means for securing a debris receptacle to a canister; and    sealing means for facilitating an air-tight seal between the debris receptacle and the canister.