Vacuum cleaner apparatus with a retractable hoses

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner hose has a rigid cleaning wand ( 21 ) with a valve ( 26 ) and a flexible hose ( 30 ) that can be retracted by suction pressure when the valve ( 26 ) is closed. The hose ( 30 ) extends within the wand ( 21 ) and is secured at its forward end ( 31 ) adjacent the forward end of the wand. A flexible sleeve ( 40 ) is joined at one end with the vacuum cleaner ( 1 ) and extends along the rear part of the hose ( 30 ) so that it can be attached to the rear end of the wand ( 21 ) when the hose is retracted, to retain it in a retracted state.

1 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus including a vacuum cleaner with a suction inlet, a substantially rigid tubular cleaning wand and a flexible hose that can be extended and retracted in length, the hose being connected at one end with the suction inlet, and the other end of the hose being secured with the wand and extending substantially to the forward end of the wand when stowed, wherein a flexible outer member extends externally along a part of the length of the hose and is adapted to be secured between the rear end of the wand and the vacuum cleaner so as to retain the hose in a retracted state within the wand and the outer member.  
   
   
       2 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the hose is retractable by suction pressure, and that the wand includes an occluder for occluding air flow into the hose.  
   
   
       3 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, the flexible outer member is a sleeve.  
   
   
       4 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the forward end of the hose is secured adjacent to the forward end of the wand.  
   
   
       5 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the wand is telescopic, having at least two sections slidable one within the other.  
   
   
       6 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer flexible member is secured at one end with the vacuum cleaner and has a coupling at another end that can be coupled with the rear end of the wand.  
   
   
       7 . A hose assembly comprising a hose wand and outer flexible member for use in a vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 1   
   
   
       8 . A method of operating vacuum cleaner apparatus the method comprising: 
 applying suction to one end of a flexible hose;    using a cleaning head attached to a substantially rigid wand at another end of the hose opposite the one end to clean;    subsequently retracting a forward part of the length of the hose relative to the wand and a rear part of the length of the hose relative to a flexible outer member; and    securing the flexible outer member between the rear end of the wand and the vacuum cleaner so that the hose is retained in a retracted length.    
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8 , comprising occluding passage of air into the forward end of the hose while the vacuum cleaner is operating so that suction is created within the hose sufficient to retract the hose in length.  
   
   
       10 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible outer member is a sleeve.  
   
   
       11 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the forward end of the hose is secured adjacent to the forward end of the wand.  
   
   
       12 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the forward end of the hose is secured adjacent to the forward end of the wand.  
   
   
       13 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the wand is telescopic having at least two sections slidable one within the other.  
   
   
       14 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the wand is telescopic having at least two sections slidable one within the other.  
   
   
       15 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the wand is telescopic, having at least two sections slidable one within the other.  
   
   
       16 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the outer flexible member is secured at one end with the vacuum cleaner and has a coupling at another end that can be coupled with the rear end of the wand.  
   
   
       17 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer flexible member is secured at one end with the vacuum cleaner and has a coupling at another end that can be coupled with the rear end of the wand.  
   
   
       18 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the outer flexible member is secured at one end with the vacuum cleaner and has a coupling at another end that can be coupled with the rear end of the wand.  
   
   
       19 . A vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the outer flexible member is secured at one end with the vacuum cleaner and has a coupling at another end that can be coupled with the rear end of the wand.  
   
   
       20 . A hose assembly comprising a hose, wand and outer flexible member for use in a vacuum cleaner apparatus according to  claim 2.