Multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances

Abstract

The multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances comprises a tubular body forming a spear-shaped mouth at a distal end and a cylindrical mouth at the opposite, proximal end capable of being coupled by pressure-fitting to the head of the said external suction tube, at least one pair of parallel guides formed in diametrically opposite positions on the external surface of the said tubular body, at least one cleaning accessory comprising an active end and, opposite to the latter, a tubular base provided with means for twist-and-slide coupling to the said parallel guide for longitudinal sliding therein between the said proximal end and distal end, and vice versa, of the said tubular body and the rotation of the said accessory at the distal end for the coaxial fitting of the said base on the said distal end of the said tubular body, and means for retaining the said cleaning accessory in the substantially proximal position of non-use of the said guides.

I claim:  
     
         1 . Multifunctional terminal for external suction tubes of vacuum-operated electrical domestic appliances, comprising a tubular body forming a spear-shaped mouth at a distal end and a cylindrical mouth at the opposite, proximal end capable of being coupled by pressure-fitting to the head of the said external suction tube, at least one pair of parallel guides formed in diametrically opposite positions on the external surface of the said tubular body, at least one cleaning accessory comprising an active end and, opposite to the latter, a tubular base provided with means for twist-and-slide coupling to the said parallel guides for longitudinal sliding therein between the said proximal end and distal end, and vice versa, of the said tubular body and the rotation of the said accessory at the distal end of the said guides for the coaxial fitting of the said base on the said distal end of the said tubular body, and means for retaining the said cleaning accessory in the substantially proximal position of non-use of the said guides.  
     
     
         2 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 1 , in which the said guides are formed by respective parallel projecting ribs diametrically opposite to the external surface of the said tubular body, joined at the ends by respective curved closure sections and forming, together with the said outer surface, blind holes.  
     
     
         3 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 1 , in which the said means for the twist-and-slide coupling of the said base of the said cleaning accessory comprise a pair of parallel and mutually spaced brackets projecting from the said base and susceptible of encompassing the said diametrically opposed guides, a pair of respective cylindrical buttons projecting transversely and orthogonally from the said brackets and facing one another coaxially for clamping engagement in the said guides.  
     
     
         4 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 3 , in which the said brackets exhibit, in plan view, substantially the shape of a scalene triangle with uniform vertices coinciding with the respective ends opposite to the said base and from within which the said cylindrical buttons project.  
     
     
         5 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 4 , in which the said vertices and cylindrical buttons are disposed eccentrically relative to a theoretical perpendicular plan of symmetry of the said base of the said cleaning accessory.  
     
     
         6 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 1 , in which the said retention means for retaining the said accessory in the proximal position of non-use comprise at least one pawl solidly fixed to and projecting from the external surface of the said tubular body in proximity of the said proximal end, a hollow seating for accommodating the said pawl made in at least one of the said brackets and forming an entry provided with a flared guide and a spring-latched hook-over retaining tooth.  
     
     
         7 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 1 , in which the said pairs of guides are two in number and the said cleaning accessories are two in number, each being mounted to slide along a respective pair of the said guides.  
     
     
         8 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 7 , in which the said cleaning accessories have, in the position of use where they are fitted onto the said distal end of the said tubular body, their respective active ends uniformly folded back relative to the respective tubular bases at an obtuse angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the said tubular body.  
     
     
         9 . Multifunctional terminal according to  claim 1 , in which the cross section of the said tubular body is, apart from the said proximal end for pressure-fitting engagement with the head of the said external suction tube, of ellipsoidal form having at least two sections diametrically opposite and perpendicular to the minor diameter which are rectilinear and mutually parallel and on which the said parallel guides are made.