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 includes a plurality of loops arranged about a helical axis and is formed of a rigid material. The helical strip is provided on the helical frame to seal the flexible duct and is formed of pliable material and. At least one loop of the helical frame has one or more projections that extend towards an adjacent loop. The projections limit the flexing of the flexible duct in a direction normal to the helical axis.

1 . A vacuum cleaner tool comprising a flexible duct, the flexible duct comprising:
 a helical frame comprising a plurality of loops arranged about a helical axis and being formed of a rigid material; and   a helical strip provided on the loops to seal the frame and being formed of pliable material;   wherein at least one loop has one or more projections that extend towards an adjacent loop so as to limit flexing of the flexible duct in a direction normal to the helical axis.   
     
     
         2 . 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. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 2 , wherein the projections located on the loop are provided along at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the loop to limit movement of the flexible duct in at least one of an up and a down direction only. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 3 , wherein the projections located on the loop are provided on both the top surface and the bottom surface of the loop. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 2 , wherein the helical strip has indents provided on the side surfaces of the flexible duct. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 1 , wherein each loop comprises 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 at least one of an exterior and an interior surface of the central band. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool is a telescopic tool comprising a first conduit and a second conduit;
 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 comprising a plurality of loops arranged about a helical axis and being formed of a rigid material; and   a helical strip provided on the loops to seal the frame and being formed of pliable material;   wherein at least one loop has one or more projections that extend towards an adjacent loop so as to limit flexing of the duct in a direction normal to the helical axis.   
     
     
         9 . 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. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 9 , wherein the projections located on the loop are provided along at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the loop to limit movement of the duct in at least one of an up and a down direction only. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 10 , wherein the projections located on the loop are provided on both the top surface and the bottom surface of the loop. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum cleaner duct of  claim 8 , wherein the helical strip has indents provided on the side surfaces of the duct. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum cleaner tool of  claim 8 , wherein each loop comprises a central band with at least one wing, the helical strip is provided over the at least one wing such that the exterior surface of the helical strip is flush with at least one of an exterior and an interior surface of the central band.