Auxiliary vacuum device for a central vacuum cleaning system

Abstract

An auxiliary vacuum device for a central vacuum cleaning system is location specific and comprises housing mountable externally on an inlet of a mounting plate of the system, a dedicated flexible concertina hose is provided on the device and a cleaning tool mounting probe is registrable with a docking station. When the probe is removed from the docking station, a lever may be moved in first and second directions to selectively activate and deactivate the motor of the central vacuum cleaning system and the device. When the probe is parked in the docking station the probe moves the lever in one of the directions and holds the lever in a deactivated configuration, thus deactivating the motor and the device and preventing activation thereof.

1 . An auxiliary vacuum device for a central vacuum cleaning system for premises defining areas of occupancy, said system including an electrically powered vacuum generating unit, a system network of piping extending throughout the premises and terminating in at least one inlet formed in one of the walls defining at least some of the areas of occupancy, the device comprising a housing adapted for installation externally of the wall at a mounting plate of the system network, the mounting plate disposed on the wall with the inlet extending through the mounting plate, the housing being provided with a port for communication with said inlet, a connector exterior to the housing, a pipe extending within the housing from said port to said connector, a flexible hose connected to said port and extending externally from the housing, a cleaning tool mounting probe provided on the hose distal the connector, a docking station on housing for parking of the probe therein and extending proximally alongside a proximal side of housing, and a switch mechanism having a pivotally mounted lever extending within the housing and outside of the housing into the docking station, said lever being pivotable, when said probe is disengaged from said docking station, in a first direction into a activated position therefor to place said switch mechanism in an activated configuration in which the electrically powered vacuum generating unit is activated and generates a vacuum to enable vacuuming, and in a generally opposed second direction into a deactivated position therefor to place said switch mechanism in a deactivated configuration in which the electrically powered vacuum generating unit is deactivated, said probe moving said lever in said second direction to place said switch mechanism into said deactivated configuration when said probe is parked in said docking station and holding said switch mechanism in said deactivated configuration when parked in said docking station. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said lever is pivotally mounted in axial alignment with said docking station, said lever having an exterior lever arm extending on the outside of the housing into said docking station and a generally longitudinally opposed interior lever arm extending within the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the switch mechanism further comprises first and second electrical terminals connected by wires to an electrical power supply and to said electrically powered vacuum generating unit, said lever enabling electrical connection between said terminals and flow of electricity to electrically powered vacuum generating unit when said lever is in said activated position for said activated configuration and disabling said electrical connection when said lever is in said deactivated position for said deactivated configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising an electrically conductive torsion spring mounted in said housing, said torsion spring having first and second spring arms, said first spring arm connected to said first electrical terminal and said second spring arm connected to said lever at said interior lever arm, said second spring arm being resiliently movable in said first direction by pivoting of said exterior lever arm in said first direction to enable said electrical connection with said second terminal, the lever being placed thereby in said activated position and said switch mechanism in said activated configuration, and in said second direction by pivoting of said exterior lever arm to disable said electrical connection for said deactivated configuration, the lever being placed thereby in said deactivated position and said switch mechanism in said deactivated configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising an electrically conductive contact arm mounted in said housing and connected to said second terminal, said second spring arm being movable by pivoting of said exterior lever arm in said first direction into contact with said contact arm when said lever is placed in said activated position, thereby enabling said electrical connection for said activated configuration, and in said second direction to move said second spring arm away from said contact arm by pivoting of said exterior lever arm in said second direction when said lever in placed in said deactivated position, thereby disabling said electrical connection for said deactivated configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising spaced apart first and second metal bracket plates mounted in the housing, said first bracket plate mounted distal said contact arm and said second bracket plate mounted proximal said contact arm, and an arm magnet mounted on said interior lever arm between said plates, said arm magnet contacting said first bracket plate when said switch mechanism is in said deactivated configuration and maintaining by magnetic force said switch mechanism in said deactivated configuration with said lever in said deactivated position, and contacting said second bracket plate when said switch mechanism is in said activated configuration and maintaining by magnetic force said switch in said activated configuration with said lever in said activated position. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said docking station comprises a docking station wall extending alongside said proximal side, said exterior lever arm being moved generally clockwise away from said docking station wall when said lever is moved in said first direction and generally clockwise towards said docking station wall when said lever is moved in said second direction. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said exterior arm lever is generally in planar registration with said docking station wall when said lever is in said deactivated position. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said docking station comprises a receptacle for releasable and sealing insertion of a probe end of said probe therein when said probe is parked in said docking station, said receptacle being disposed within said housing with said docking station wall extending downwardly and in back of said receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said receptacle comprises a socket, a socket cap plug, a socket cap, and a resilient biasing element, said socket receiving said probe end and said resilient biasing element resiliently biasing said socket cap onto said probe end when inserted into said socket to provide sealing connection therewith when said probe is parked in said docking station. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said probe is sized and shaped to abut against said docking station wall when parked in said docking station, said probe pushing said exterior lever arm in said second direction into said deactivated position, thereby placing said switch mechanism into said deactivated configuration, when said probe is parked in said docking station and abutting against said exterior lever arm and holding said lever in said deactivated position, said probe thereby holding said switch mechanism in said deactivated configuration while parked in said docking station. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said probe has a probe flange extending at least partially therearound and said docking station wall has a ledge extending thereacross, said ledge and said probe flange being positioned for resting of the probe flange on said ledge when said probe is seated in said docking station with said probe end inserted in said receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said probe flange comprises a metal member and said docking station comprises a docking station magnet disposed adjacent said ledge, said docking station magnet being positioned generally across from said metal member when said probe flange rests on said ledge and thereby magnetically retaining said probe parked in said docking station with said probe flange resting on said ledge. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said plug is constructed of a resilient foam. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said resilient biasing element comprises a resilient plug spring. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said resilient biasing element comprises a resilient foam member. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said receptacle further comprises a receptacle cover rigidly connected to said socket, said resilient biasing element being disposed between said socket cap and said receptacle cover. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said socket is rigidly mounted in said housing by rigid connection to said front cover. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cleaning tool chamber formed in said housing for storage of at least one cleaning tool in said chamber, said cleaning tool being attachable to said probe.