Tool for a vacuum cleaner

Abstract

A vacuum cleaner flexible duct. The flexible duct includes a helical frame and a helical strip. The helical frame is formed of a rigid material and includes a plurality of loops spaced about a helical axis. The helical strip is formed of pliable material and is provided between the loops of the helical frame to seal the frame. Each loop of the frame includes a central band with at least one wing. The helical strip is secured to the at least one wing such that the exterior surface of the helical strip is flush with the exterior surface of the central band.

1 . A vacuum cleaner tool comprising a flexible duct, the flexible duct comprising:
 a helical frame being formed of a rigid material and comprising a plurality of loops spaced about a helical axis; and   a helical strip being formed of pliable material and provided between the loops of the helical frame to seal the frame;   wherein each loop comprises a central band with at least one wing, and the helical strip is secured to the at least one wing such that an exterior surface of the helical strip is flush with an exterior surface of the central band.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wing extends all the way around the central band in a direction parallel with the helical axis, and a height of the at least one wing is less than a height of the central band in a direction normal to the helical axis. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wing has at least one anchor for securing the helical strip to the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the flexible duct is a rectangular shape, comprising two longer side surfaces connected by shorter top and bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 4 , wherein the helical strip has indents provided on a surface of the flexible duct. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 5 , wherein the indents are provided on a side surface of the flexible duct. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is a telescopic tool comprising a first conduit and a second conduit; and
 wherein the first conduit has a narrower profile than the second conduit, the second conduit surrounds the first conduit such that the first conduit slides in and out of the second conduit, allowing for extension of the tool, and the flexible duct forms part of the first conduit.   
     
     
         8 . A vacuum cleaner duct comprising:
 a helical frame being formed of a rigid material and comprising a plurality of loops spaced about a helical axis; and   a helical strip being formed of pliable material and provided between the loops of the helical frame to seal the frame;   wherein each loop comprises a central band with at least one wing, and the helical strip is secured to the at least one wing such that an exterior surface of the helical strip is flush with an exterior surface of the central band.   
     
     
         9 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one wing extends all the way around the central band in a direction parallel with the helical axis, and a height of the at least one wing is less than a height of the central band in a direction normal to the helical axis. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one wing has at least one anchor for securing the helical strip to the frame. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 8 , wherein a cross section of the flexible duct is a rectangular shape, comprising two longer side surfaces connected by shorter top and bottom surfaces. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 11 , wherein the helical strip has indents provided on a surface of the duct. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 12 , wherein the indents are provided on a side surface of the duct.