Vacuum hose storage system

Abstract

A vacuum hose storage system includes a housing which is mounted in a storage area of a dwelling and connected to a vacuum source. A length of flexible, expandable hose is mounted in a looped fashion about a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted within the housing. A handle is attached to one end of the hose and is seated in a cradle formed in the housing when the hose is in a fully retracted position within the housing. A vacuum source ON/OFF switch is located in the cradle and is actuated when the handle is placed in or removed from the cradle. A control valve on the cradle enables the strength of the vacuum source to be manually controlled by a user.

1 . A vacuum hose storage system comprising:
 a housing forming an internal storage compartment;   a length of hose extendable from a retracted position in the storage compartment to an extended position extending from said storage compartment, said hose having a first end adapted to be connected to a vacuum source and an open second end for collecting dirt from an area to be cleaned;   a handle on the second end of the hose;   a cradle on the housing for holding the handle when the hose is in the retracted position; and   a control valve on the cradle for regulating the strength of the vacuum source.   
     
     
         2 . The storage system defined in claim I wherein the cradle is pivotally mounted on the housing and has a tubular section which slidably receives the open end of the handle therein; and in which the open end of the handle has a tapered configuration to form a seal with the tubular section of the cradle when slidably received therein. 
     
     
         3 . The storage system defined in  claim 2  wherein a vacuum source connection tube is mounted-on the housing and is operatively connected to the hose, said connection tube having an air exhaust opening and an exhaust valve regulating the size of the exhaust opening. 
     
     
         4 . The storage system defined in  claim 3  wherein the control valve includes a collar moveably mounted with respect to the tubular section of the cradle; and in which a control device is operatively connected between the collar of the control valve and the exhaust opening valve for regulating the strength of the vacuum by regulating the size of the exhaust opening upon movement of the collar. 
     
     
         5 . The storage system defined in  claim 3  wherein the exhaust opening valve is a collar slidably mounted on the vacuum source connection tube; and in which the control device includes a cable extending between the cradle and exhaust valve collar. 
     
     
         6 . The storage system defined in  claim 5  including a coil spring biasing the exhaust valve collar toward an exhaust opening position. 
     
     
         7 . The storage system defined in  claim 5  wherein the exhaust valve opening is a plurality of holes formed in the vacuum connection tube selectively covered by the exhaust valve collar. 
     
     
         8 . The storage system defined in  claim 1  where the cradle includes a tubular section which slidably receives the open end of the handle therein; wherein the control valve includes a collar moveably mounted on the tubular section of the handle; and in which a control device is operatively connected to the collar for regulating the strength of the vacuum. 
     
     
         9 . The storage system defined in  claim 8  wherein the control valve collar is moveable both axially and rotationally for operating the control device; and in which the control valve collar has a plurality of teeth operatively engageable with mating teeth formed on the cradle for selectably setting the control valve at a desired position. 
     
     
         10 . The storage system defined in  claim 8  wherein the tubular section of the cradle is formed with a groove and a slide strip slidably mounted in the groove; and in which a boss on the slide strip extends into a slot formed in a collar axially and rotationally mounted on the tubular section. 
     
     
         11 . The storage system defined in  claim 10  wherein a plurality of teeth are formed on an end of the control valve collar and operatively engage mating teeth formed on the tubular section of the cradle. 
     
     
         12 . The storage system defined in  claim 10  including a cable operatively connected to the slide strip and an exhaust valve in fluid communication with the vacuum source. 
     
     
         13 . The storage system defined in  claim 1  including a plurality of guide rollers mounted within the storage compartment; and in which the hose extends in a looped fashion about the guide rollers when in the retracted and extended positions. 
     
     
         14 . The storage system defined in  claim 1  wherein the hose has an approximate 5 to 1 elongation factor between extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
         15 . The storage system defined in  claim 1  including a helical spring mounted within the hose providing a biasing force for retracting the hose toward the retracted position; in which a one-way latch is mounted on the housing and operatively engages the helical spring of the hose permitting the hose to move freely toward the extended position from the storage compartment while preventing movement of the hose toward the retracted position. 
     
     
         16 . The storage system defined in  claim 1  including a switch mounted on the housing for turning the vacuum source ON and OFF when the handle is placed in the cradle. 
     
     
         17 . The storage system defined in  claim 1  wherein the housing has at least a pair of side walls; wherein a plurality of opposed stub shafts are molded integrally on the side walls and are located within the storage compartment forming a plurality of shafts for rotatably mounting guide rollers thereon for supporting the hose within the storage compartment. 
     
     
         18 . The storage system defined in  claim 16  wherein the stub shafts have cylindrical configurations and are in opposed abutting relationship to form the plurality of shafts; and in which fasteners extend through at least one of each of the abutting stub shafts securing the opposed stub shafts together. 
     
     
         19 . The storage system defined in  claim 16  wherein the guide rollers have a concave outer circumference; and in which said guide rollers are formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         20 . The storage system defined in  claim 1  wherein the housing includes at least a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls; an opening formed in one of the end walls through which the hose extends from the storage compartment; and wherein the cradle is formed in the said one end wall.