US4099744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap-in swivel end fitting
Assignee: Flexible Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1977-01-24
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Granted: 1978-07-11
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Expires: 1997-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A flexible vacuum cleaner hose is provided with a simple and inexpensive end fitting for use with various vacuum cleaner accessories and attachments. The hose is a corrugated plastic, i.e., it has annular rings or corrugations formed therein. Each section of hose has a predetermined length with a suitable cuff on each end thereof. Each of the cuffs includes a snap lock. The end fitting is a one piece molded member having a locking seat and a tapered end section or a threaded end section. The tapered section is adapted to be forced into the cuff so as to spread the snap lock on the cuff. The snap lock rides over the end section and drops into the locking seat formed therebehind. This is effective to lock the end fitting on the hose while allowing it to remain free to rotate inside the cuff.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A. Kutnyak
- 👤 George T. Dunn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L33/00; F16L33/22; F16L33/227; A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/24; A47L9/242; F16L33/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S285/00; Y10S285/903; Y10S285/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
330 words
A hose comprising: an elongated flexible walled section terminating at one end thereof in a substantially rigid walled tubular cuff, said flexible walled section being integrally molded to said cuff, said cuff having an interior opening, said flexible walled section having an elongated interior chamber, said interior opening being contiguous with said elongated interior chamber, said cuff having a snap lock comprising an inwardly extending radial flange located at the free end of said cuff and an axially located sleeve attached to the free edge of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom; an end fitting adapted to be partially inserted within said interior opening of said cuff forming a substantially airtight connection therebetween, said end fitting includes a section having a tapered exterior surface and an interior cylindrical wall, said tapered section locatable within said interior opening, the leading edge of said tapered section having an outer diameter less than the inner diamger of said radial flange, the outer diameter of said tapered section increasing from said leading end to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said radial flange, an inwardly extending annular groove formed within said end fitting at the back end of said tapered section, said annular groove defined by two axially disposed radial faces which normally prevent axial movement of the end fitting in either axial direction, said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of said radial flange, whereby upon insertion of said tapered section within said cuff the said radial flange expands and rides over the outer surface of the said tapered section until the said sleeve rests within said annular groove thereby axially locking said hose in said end fitting while allowing the said end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose, with said sleeve located in said annular groove the said leading edge of said tapered section includes a hollow cylindrical axial extension which extends slightly past said cuff into the said hose.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
330 words
A hose comprising: an elongated flexible walled section terminating at one end thereof in a substantially rigid walled tubular cuff, said flexible walled section being integrally molded to said cuff, said cuff having an interior opening, said flexible walled section having an elongated interior chamber, said interior opening being contiguous with said elongated interior chamber, said cuff having a snap lock comprising an inwardly extending radial flange located at the free end of said cuff and an axially located sleeve attached to the free edge of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom; an end fitting adapted to be partially inserted within said interior opening of said cuff forming a substantially airtight connection therebetween, said end fitting includes a section having a tapered exterior surface and an interior cylindrical wall, said tapered section locatable within said interior opening, the leading edge of said tapered section having an outer diameter less than the inner diamger of said radial flange, the outer diameter of said tapered section increasing from said leading end to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said radial flange, an inwardly extending annular groove formed within said end fitting at the back end of said tapered section, said annular groove defined by two axially disposed radial faces which normally prevent axial movement of the end fitting in either axial direction, said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of said radial flange, whereby upon insertion of said tapered section within said cuff the said radial flange expands and rides over the outer surface of the said tapered section until the said sleeve rests within said annular groove thereby axially locking said hose in said end fitting while allowing the said end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose, with said sleeve located in said annular groove the said leading edge of said tapered section includes a hollow cylindrical axial extension which extends slightly past said cuff into the said hose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hose as defined in claim 1 wherein: said flexible section comprising a series of spaced apart corrugations, the interior diameter of said corrugations being substantially equal to the inside diameter of said radial flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The hose as defined in claim 1 wherein: with said end fitting inserted within said interior opening the major portion of said exterior surface being spaced from the wall surface of said interior opening of said cuff.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
235 words
A hose comprising: an elongated flexible walled section terminating at one end thereof in a substantially rigid walled tubular cuff, said flexible walled section being integrally molded to said cuff, said cuff having an interior opening, said flexible walled section having an elongated interior chamber, said interior opening being contiguous with said elongated interior chamber, said cuff having a snap lock comprising an inwardly extending radial flange located at the free end of said cuff and an axially located sleeve attached to the free edge of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom; an end fitting adapted to be partially inserted within said interior opening of said cuff forming a substantially airtight connection therebetween, said end fitting includes a section having a threaded exterior surface and an interior cylindrical wall, the said threaded exterior surface adapted to engage the said radial flange of the said cuff and to carry the said radial flange along the threaded surface until the said sleeve of the said radial flange engages and loosely rests within an annular groove, the said annular groove formed within said end fitting at the back end of said threaded section, said annular groove is defined by two axially disposed radial faces which normally prevents movement of the said end fitting in either axial direction, said said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of the said radial flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
235 words
A hose comprising: an elongated flexible walled section terminating at one end thereof in a substantially rigid walled tubular cuff, said flexible walled section being integrally molded to said cuff, said cuff having an interior opening, said flexible walled section having an elongated interior chamber, said interior opening being contiguous with said elongated interior chamber, said cuff having a snap lock comprising an inwardly extending radial flange located at the free end of said cuff and an axially located sleeve attached to the free edge of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom; an end fitting adapted to be partially inserted within said interior opening of said cuff forming a substantially airtight connection therebetween, said end fitting includes a section having a threaded exterior surface and an interior cylindrical wall, the said threaded exterior surface adapted to engage the said radial flange of the said cuff and to carry the said radial flange along the threaded surface until the said sleeve of the said radial flange engages and loosely rests within an annular groove, the said annular groove formed within said end fitting at the back end of said threaded section, said annular groove is defined by two axially disposed radial faces which normally prevents movement of the said end fitting in either axial direction, said said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of the said radial flange.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hose as defined in claim 4 including: an axial extension formed upon the leading edge of said threaded section, with said sleeve located within said annular groove the said axial extension extends slightly past said cuff into the said hose.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hose as defined in claim 4 wherein: said flexible section comprising a series of spaced apart corrugations, the interior diameter of said corrugations being substantially equal to the inside diameter of said radial flange.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
290 words
A hose comprising: an elongated flexible walled section terminating at one end thereof in a substantially rigid walled tubular cuff, said flexible walled section being integrally molded to said cuff, said cuff having an interior opening, said flexible walled section having an elongated interior chamber, said interior opening being contiguous with said elongated interior chamber, said cuff having a snap lock comprising an inwardly extending radial flange located at the free end of said cuff and an axially located sleeve attached to the free end of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom; an end fitting adapted to be partially inserted within said interior opening of said cuff forming a substantially airtight connection therebetween, said end fitting includes a section having a tapered exterior surface and an interior cylindrical wall, said tapered section locatable within said interior opening, the leading edge of said tapered section having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said radial flange, the outer diameter of said tapered section increasing from said leading end to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said radial flange, an inwardly extending annular groove formed within said end fitting at the back end of said tapered section, said annular groove normally preventing axial movement of the end fitting in either axial direction, said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of said radial flange, whereby upon insertion of said tapered section within said cuff the said radial flange expands and rides over the outer surface of the said tapered section until the said sleeve rests within said annular groove thereby axially locking said hose in said end fitting while allowing the said end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
290 words
A hose comprising: an elongated flexible walled section terminating at one end thereof in a substantially rigid walled tubular cuff, said flexible walled section being integrally molded to said cuff, said cuff having an interior opening, said flexible walled section having an elongated interior chamber, said interior opening being contiguous with said elongated interior chamber, said cuff having a snap lock comprising an inwardly extending radial flange located at the free end of said cuff and an axially located sleeve attached to the free end of said flange and extending outwardly therefrom; an end fitting adapted to be partially inserted within said interior opening of said cuff forming a substantially airtight connection therebetween, said end fitting includes a section having a tapered exterior surface and an interior cylindrical wall, said tapered section locatable within said interior opening, the leading edge of said tapered section having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of said radial flange, the outer diameter of said tapered section increasing from said leading end to a diameter greater than the inner diameter of said radial flange, an inwardly extending annular groove formed within said end fitting at the back end of said tapered section, said annular groove normally preventing axial movement of the end fitting in either axial direction, said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of said radial flange, whereby upon insertion of said tapered section within said cuff the said radial flange expands and rides over the outer surface of the said tapered section until the said sleeve rests within said annular groove thereby axially locking said hose in said end fitting while allowing the said end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The hose as defined in claim 7 wherein: said flexible section comprising a series of spaced apart corrugations, the interior diameter of said corrugations being substantially equal to the inside diameter of said radial flange.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The hose as defined in claim 7 wherein: with said sleeve located in said annular groove the said leading edge of said tapered section includes a hollow cylindrical axial extension which extends slightly past said cuff into the said hose.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
307 words
The combination of: a hose comprising a flexible section and a cuff at the end of the flexible section wherein said flexible section and cuff have been intricately molded to form a one-piece hose, said cuff having a cylindrical barrel section contiguous with the flexible section, and having an inwardly-directed, radial flange on the outer end of said cuff, said flange having axial edge; and, an end fitting connected to said hose and comprising an exterior annular groove and a means for inserting the end fitting into the cuff wherein said inserting means is a tapered hollow nose whose leading end has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the radial flange, and wherein said diameter slowly increases in a diameter greater than said flange diameter so that upon insertion, the radial flange expands and rides over the tapered surface of the nose until the axial edge of the radial flange drops into and loosely rests upon the annular groove, thereby axially locking the hose and end fitting together, by allowing the end fittings to freely rotate relative to said hose and wherein said inserting means includes a hollow cylindrical axial extension which is adapted to extend into the hose beyond the barrel section of the cuff which is adapted to engage the flexible section of the hose to thereby form an air-tight seal, and a cylindrical section having the exterior annular groove disposed behind said inserting means, said groove defined by two axially-disposed, radial faces which block axial movement of the end fitting in either direction, said annular groove having received the axial edge of said radial flange, and said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner-diameter of the radial flange thereby providing a loose engagement and allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to the hose.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
307 words
The combination of: a hose comprising a flexible section and a cuff at the end of the flexible section wherein said flexible section and cuff have been intricately molded to form a one-piece hose, said cuff having a cylindrical barrel section contiguous with the flexible section, and having an inwardly-directed, radial flange on the outer end of said cuff, said flange having axial edge; and, an end fitting connected to said hose and comprising an exterior annular groove and a means for inserting the end fitting into the cuff wherein said inserting means is a tapered hollow nose whose leading end has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the radial flange, and wherein said diameter slowly increases in a diameter greater than said flange diameter so that upon insertion, the radial flange expands and rides over the tapered surface of the nose until the axial edge of the radial flange drops into and loosely rests upon the annular groove, thereby axially locking the hose and end fitting together, by allowing the end fittings to freely rotate relative to said hose and wherein said inserting means includes a hollow cylindrical axial extension which is adapted to extend into the hose beyond the barrel section of the cuff which is adapted to engage the flexible section of the hose to thereby form an air-tight seal, and a cylindrical section having the exterior annular groove disposed behind said inserting means, said groove defined by two axially-disposed, radial faces which block axial movement of the end fitting in either direction, said annular groove having received the axial edge of said radial flange, and said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner-diameter of the radial flange thereby providing a loose engagement and allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to the hose.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
263 words
The combination of: a hose comprising a flexible section in a cuff at the end of the flexible section, said cuff having a cylindrical barrel section contiguous with the flexible section, and having an inwardly directed radial flange on the outer end of said cuff, said flange having an axial edge; and, an end fitting connected to said hose and comprising a means for inserting the end fitting into the cuff, and a cylindrical section having an exterior annular groove disposed behind said inserting means, said groove being defined by two axially-disposed, radial faces which block axial movement of the end fittings in either direction, said annular groove having received the axial edge of said radial flange, and said annular groove having a diameter equal to and somewhat less than the inner-diameter of the radial flange thereby providing a loose engagement and allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to the hose, wherein said inserting means is a hollow cylindrical section having a thread adapted to receive the radial flange of the cuff and to carry the radial flange along the hollow cylindrical section until the axial edge of the radial flange engages and loosely rests within the annular groove, thereby axially locking the hose and end fitting together, while allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose, said inserting means including a cylindrical axial extension which is adapted to extend into the hose beyond the barrel section of the cuff and which is adapted to engage the flexible section of the hose to thereby form an air-tight seal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
263 words
The combination of: a hose comprising a flexible section in a cuff at the end of the flexible section, said cuff having a cylindrical barrel section contiguous with the flexible section, and having an inwardly directed radial flange on the outer end of said cuff, said flange having an axial edge; and, an end fitting connected to said hose and comprising a means for inserting the end fitting into the cuff, and a cylindrical section having an exterior annular groove disposed behind said inserting means, said groove being defined by two axially-disposed, radial faces which block axial movement of the end fittings in either direction, said annular groove having received the axial edge of said radial flange, and said annular groove having a diameter equal to and somewhat less than the inner-diameter of the radial flange thereby providing a loose engagement and allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to the hose, wherein said inserting means is a hollow cylindrical section having a thread adapted to receive the radial flange of the cuff and to carry the radial flange along the hollow cylindrical section until the axial edge of the radial flange engages and loosely rests within the annular groove, thereby axially locking the hose and end fitting together, while allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose, said inserting means including a cylindrical axial extension which is adapted to extend into the hose beyond the barrel section of the cuff and which is adapted to engage the flexible section of the hose to thereby form an air-tight seal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
297 words
The combination of: a hose comprising a flexible section and a cuff at the end of the flexible section, said cuff having a cylindrical barrel section contiguous with the flexible section, and having an inwardly directed, radial flange on the outer end of said cuff, said flange having an axial edge; and, an end fitting connected to said hose and comprising an exterior annular groove and a means for inserting the end fitting into the cuff wherein said inserting means is a tapered hollow nose whose leading end has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the radial flange, and when said diameter slowly increases to a diameter greater than said radial flange diameter so that upon insertion, the radial flange expands and rides over the tapered surface of the nose until the axial edge of the radial flange drops into and loosely rests within the annular groove, thereby axially locking the hose and end fitting together while allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose and wherein said inserting means includes a hollow cylindrical axial extention which is adapted to extend into the hose beyond the barrel section of the cuff and which is adapted to engage the flexible section of the hose to thereby form an air-tight seal, and a cylindrical section having the exterior annular groove disposed behind said inserting means, said groove defined by two axially-disposed, radial faces which block axial movement of the end fitting in either direction, said annular groove having received the axial edge of said radial flange, and said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of the radial flange, thereby providing a loose engagement and allowing the end fitting to rotate freely relative to the hose.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
297 words
The combination of: a hose comprising a flexible section and a cuff at the end of the flexible section, said cuff having a cylindrical barrel section contiguous with the flexible section, and having an inwardly directed, radial flange on the outer end of said cuff, said flange having an axial edge; and, an end fitting connected to said hose and comprising an exterior annular groove and a means for inserting the end fitting into the cuff wherein said inserting means is a tapered hollow nose whose leading end has an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the radial flange, and when said diameter slowly increases to a diameter greater than said radial flange diameter so that upon insertion, the radial flange expands and rides over the tapered surface of the nose until the axial edge of the radial flange drops into and loosely rests within the annular groove, thereby axially locking the hose and end fitting together while allowing the end fitting to freely rotate relative to said hose and wherein said inserting means includes a hollow cylindrical axial extention which is adapted to extend into the hose beyond the barrel section of the cuff and which is adapted to engage the flexible section of the hose to thereby form an air-tight seal, and a cylindrical section having the exterior annular groove disposed behind said inserting means, said groove defined by two axially-disposed, radial faces which block axial movement of the end fitting in either direction, said annular groove having received the axial edge of said radial flange, and said annular groove having a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the inner diameter of the radial flange, thereby providing a loose engagement and allowing the end fitting to rotate freely relative to the hose.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |