Removable hose cover system

Abstract

A cleaning system has a suction source intaking air through an extractor hose with an opposite end at an intake vacuum head configured to remove material from a surface to be cleaned, so that the suction source draws air and the material in through it and through the hose. A hose cover around the extractor hose comprises an elongate piece of material with first and second lengthwise edges that each has a side of a zipper. The zipper sides co-act so as to releasably secure the edges together with the cover surrounding the extraction hose. The cover is of insulating material that protects a user from contact with the hose when hot and also prevents the hose from damaging nearby objects. multiple hose covers can be connected in sequence by male and female connecting ends to cover a lengthy hose.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning system comprising:
 a unit having a suction source intaking air;   an extractor hose having a first end connected to the suction source and a second opposite end;   a vacuum head configured to remove material from a surface to be cleaned, said vacuum head being connected with the second end of the extractor hose so that the suction source draws air and the material in therethrough, through the hose and to the suction source;   a hose cover surrounding the extractor hose, said hose cover comprising   an elongate piece extending lengthwise of the extractor hose over a length, and having first and second complementary edges extending lengthwise thereof, said edges each having a respective zipper side of a zipper extending lengthwise of the elongate piece; and   said zipper sides co-acting so as to releasably secure the edges together with the elongate piece of material surrounding the extraction hose over said length; and   said elongate piece of material being of insulating material that completely surrounds the hose over the length and that protects a user from contact with the hose.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises
 a fluid supply source supplying a liquid or vapor configured to clean a surface;   a supply hose connected with the fluid supply source and extending generally alongside the extractor hose, said supply hose receiving the fluid or vapor from the fluid supply source and carrying the fluid or vapor to a dispensing outlet structure in or adjacent the intake structure; and   wherein the hose cover surrounds the supply hose and the extraction hose together over the length thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The cleaning system according to  claim 2 , wherein the system further comprises a securement structure attached to an inside portion of the hose cover facing the hoses, said securing structure securing the extractor hose and the supply hose together. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the hose cover surrounds the extraction hose over a first lengthwise portion thereof, and the system further comprises
 a second hose cover comprising a second elongate piece of thermally insulating material covering a second lengthwise portion of the extractor hose, said second hose cover having first and second edges extending lengthwise of the extraction hose and each having a respective side of a second zipper that releasably secures the edges together with the second elongate piece of material surrounding the extraction hose in the second lengthwise portion thereof; and   wherein the hose covers have connecting structures securing the hose covers to each other in longitudinal sequence to each other along the extraction hose.   
     
     
         5 . The cleaning system of  claim 4 , wherein the connecting structures each has a respective part of a releasable connection structure on each of the hose covers, said releasable connection structure co-acting so as to releasably connect the hose covers to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning system of  claim 5 , wherein the connecting structures of the hose covers are male and female connectors, wherein the male connector is secured inside the female connector so as to resist forces that tend to draw the hose covers apart lengthwise of the extraction hose. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hose cover further comprises a longitudinally extending flap of thermally insulating material that overlies and covers the zipper when the hose cover is secured around said extraction hose. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning system of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid is heated. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the hose cover is an abrasion resistant material different from the material of an inner surface facing said extraction hose. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 9 , wherein the outer surface of the hose cover is of colorfast material that may be exposed to hot water or cleaning agents without releasing any coloring substance or dye, and is machine washable. 
     
     
         11 . A cover configured to be placed around a portion of an extraction hose of a cleaning system, said cover comprising:
 a rectangular piece of insulating material having a first inner side of heat resistant material capable of experiencing temperatures in excess of 200 degrees without damage, and an opposite side of different material having greater abrasion resistance than the material of the inner side;   said rectangular piece having two longitudinal ends and longitudinal edges extending therebetween, each of the edges having secured thereto a longitudinally extending row of zipper teeth configured to mesh with each other when closed by a slide supported on one of said rows so that the rectangular piece becomes a tubular cover;   the rectangular piece having a longitudinally extending flap of insulating material extending laterally past the zipper teeth on one of said edges so that the flap overlies the zipper when the zipper is closed;   a complementary pair of coacting releasable securement structures on the rectangular piece, one of said pair of securement structures being on an outward surface of one of the ends of the rectangular piece, and the other of said pair of securement structures being on an inward surface of the opposite end of the rectangular piece, such that the cover provides a female attachment structure at one end and a male attachment structure at the other end configured to attach the cover in longitudinal series to other similarly configured covers.   
     
     
         12 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the pair of complementary securement structures comprises a strip or pad of hook securement material and a strip or pad of loop securement material. 
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the heat resistant material is stitched with polyester batting in a generally quilted structure. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the flap has releasable securement structures that hold the flap in place over the zipper. 
     
     
         15 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the rectangular piece is at least 6 inches wide between the longitudinal edges thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the zipper slide engages with both rows of teeth to close the zipper, and the zipper slide completely releases one of the rows of teeth when completely opened so that the rows of teeth can be moved away from each other completely. 
     
     
         17 . The cover of  claim 11 , wherein the cover has therein a plurality of longitudinally spaced lashing structures on the inner side thereof, said lashing structures being configured to tie the cover to one or more hoses extending thereby. 
     
     
         18 . A cleaning system hose structure comprising:
 an extraction hose having a diameter of 2 inches or greater and configured to be attached to a suction source for drawing air through said extraction hose;   a cleaning fluid supply hose extending alongside the extraction hose and carrying heated fluid from a fluid source;   a cover system surrounding the hoses over at least part of an overall length thereof, said cover system comprising a plurality of substantially identical cover segments, each of the cover segments comprising   a respective rectangular piece of insulating material having an inward side of heat-resistant material capable of experiencing temperatures in excess of 200 degrees substantially without damage, and an outward side of different material having greater abrasion resistance than the heat-resistant material;   said rectangular piece having two longitudinal ends and longitudinal edges extending therebetween, each of the edges having secured thereto a longitudinally extending row of zipper teeth configured to mesh with each other when closed by a slide supported on one of said rows so that the rectangular piece becomes a tubular cover around the extraction hose and the fluid supply hose over a portion of the length thereof;   the rectangular piece having a flap of insulating material extending laterally past the zipper teeth on one of said edges so that the flap overlies the zipper when the zipper is closed;   a complementary pair of coacting releasable securement structures are secured on the rectangular piece, one of said pair of securement structures being on an outward surface of one of the ends of the rectangular piece, and the other of said pair of securement structures being on an inward surface of the opposite end of the rectangular piece;   wherein a first of the cover segments is secured in longitudinal sequence with a second of the cover segments by the end of the first cover segment having the associated securement structure on the outward surface thereof being secured in a tubular shaped structure formed by the end of the second cover segment having the securement structure on the inward side thereof, wherein the securement structures coact to secure the end of the first cover segment in the end of the second cover segment with the first and second cover segments in longitudinal series around the hoses.   
     
     
         19 . The cleaning system hose structure of  claim 18 , wherein a third of the cover segments is secured in longitudinal sequence with the second cover segment with the other end of the second cover segment having the associated securement structure on the outward surface thereof being secured in a tubular shaped structure formed by the end of the third cover segment having the securement structure on the inward side thereof, wherein said securement structures coact to secure the end of the second cover segment in the end of the third cover segment, with the first, second and third cover segments in longitudinal series around the hoses. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the unit is supported on motorized vehicle providing for movement of the system. 
     
     
         21 . The cleaning system of  claim 1 , wherein the unit is supported in a portable housing that can be moved by a user.