EP0558460B1

EP0558460B1 - Hose for washing-sucking machines for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors or the like

Info

Publication number: EP0558460B1
Application number: EP93830043A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ariberto Tamborini; Giancarlo Tamborini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-02-28
Filing date: 1993-02-05
Publication date: 1996-08-21
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-05
Also published as: EP0558460A1; ITMI920178U1; ES2090940T3; DE69304101T2; ITMI920178V0; ATE141475T1; DE69304101D1; IT226290Z2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible hose construction (1), particularly designed for washing-sucking machines, for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors or the like, characterized in that the hose comprises a suction pipe (2), at least a liquid delivery pipe (3) and a covering pipe (4) containing the suction pipe and delivery pipe, extending on the outer periphery along the suction pipe, the covering pipe joining the delivery pipe to the suction pipe. <IMAGE>

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flexible hose construction, particularly designed for application to washing-sucking machines, to be used for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors or the like.
As is known, the machines designed for cleaning and sucking liquids and to be used for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors and the like, usually comprise a flexible hose, which is connected, at one end thereof, to a suction device, arranged inside the machine casing and, at its opposite end, being connected to a fitting the configuration of which will depend on the type of application.
The above disclosed machines, moreover, are provided with a cleaning liquid tank which, through a pump, is connected with a delivery pipe leading to the fitting or mouth portion of the suction pipe.
The cleaning liquid delivery pipe has a cross-section having a diameter which is usually much smaller than that of the suction pipe, said liquid delivery pipe being conventionally restrained to said suction pipe by means of coupling strips which are spaced from one another along the length of the suction pipe.
This method for connecting the liquid delivery pipe to the suction pipe, usually adopted in prior washing-sucking cleaning machine, is affected by a lot of drawbacks.
In fact, during the use, the lengths of the delivery pipe included between the several strips connecting the delivery pipe to the suction pipe, form loops which move away from the suction pipe and contact in a disadvantageous way movable objects arranged on the surface to be cleaned.
This fact compels the user to put great care for dodging round obstacles and the user is frequently also compelled to stop the cleaning operation each time an obstacle is accidentally impacted.
The provision of the above mentioned connecting strips, moreover, originates discontinuity regions along the suction pipe, and the suction pipe can be damaged because of accidental impacts against movable objects.
Moreover, the accidental breakage of a strip will cause a loop to increase in length, thereby causing further frequent impacts on the delivery pipe.
A further drawback occurs as the washing machine is stored after use, since the delivery pipe can entangle against portions of the machine, with the power supply electric cables or other articles.
Document US-A-1 718 978 discloses a hose comprising two pipes in which said two pipes are keeped in a parallel position and in close engagement with each other by means of filler strips placed within the grooves formed by the adjacent portions of the pipe in combination with the braided cover which encloses the pipes and the strips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a flexible hose for washing-sucking machines for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors or the like, which can be handled in a very safe and impact or entanglement free way.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a hose which, while comprising at least a liquid delivery pipe, is not subjected to accidental entanglements.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a flexible hose construction which can be connected, in a very quick and easy way, to the washing-sucking machine and related suction fitting.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a hose which can be easily made from easily available materials.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a hose which is very reliable in operation and has a long duration.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a hose, for washing-sucking machines for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors or the like, as claimed in claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the flexible hose construction according to the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the figures of the accompanying drawing, where:

Figure 1 shows a length of the flexible hose according to the present invention, by a side elevation view;
Figure 2 is a side partially cross sectioned view illustrating a length of the flexible hose according to the present invention;
and
Figure 3 is a cross-section view of the flexible hose according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the flexible hose according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a suction pipe 2 and at least a liquid delivery pipe 3, said suction and delivery pipes extending adjoining one another and being mutually connected or restrained by means of a covering pipe 4 which encompasses said suction and delivery pipes along substantially the overall length thereof.
The suction pipe 2, in particular, can comprise a known type of pipe, for example a plastic material pipe including a spiral reinforcement arrangement 2a, so as to provide the required flexibility.
The liquid delivery pipe 3 can also be of a substantially knwon type, for example it can consist of a rubber or other material pipe, having a diameter smaller than that of the suction pipe 2.
If it is required, it is also possible to provide two or more delivery pipes 3, as two or more washing liquids must be used.
The covering pipe 4 encompasses the suction pipe 2 and liquid delivery pipe 3 and is can be bound to said suction and delivery pipes by means of any known binding method, for example a thermo-sealing method, or a vacuum forming method: in the latter method, air is removed from the gap between the pipes 2 and 3 and covering pipe 4, so as to cause the covering pipe 4 to adhere to said pipes 2 and 3 while firmly restraining them.
The material forming the covering pipe 4 must be such as to not excessively stiffen the pipes 2 and 3 and, accordingly, so as to provide the required flexibility to the assembly comprising the pipes 2, 3 and 4.
Preferably, the covering pipe 4 extends along the overall length of the suction pipe 2 and, accordingly, the liquid delivery pipe 3 does not project from the suction pipe 2.
Moreover, near the end portions of the suction pipe 2, there are provided terminal bodies 5, such as molded sleeves, adapted to define the inlet or outlet of the suction pipe, which bodies can be respectively connected to a known type of suction fitting or to the casing of the washing-sucking machine.
The terminal bodies 5, in particular, are rigidly connected to the suction pipe 2 and support, preferably, a head portion 6 of the delivery pipe, which can be engaged in a mating seat, formed on the casing of the machine or on the suction fitting, so that the connection of the suction pipe 2 on the machine and on the fitting will also provide the connection of the delivery pipe 3 to a delivery pump or to a delivery nozzle for delivering the washing liquid.
In this connection it should be apparent that the flexible hose 1, comprising the pipes 2, 3 and 4, will have an outer aspect like that of a single body pipe, without any projecting portions.
Owing to these characteristics, the subject hose, in addition to having a very good aesthetical aspect, will not be subjected to entanglements during the operation.
Moreover, owing to the continuity of its outer surface, the hose designed according to the present invention, can be introduced easily under furniture pieces or between articles arranged very near to one another.
A further advantage deriving from the continuity of the outer surface of the subject hose, is that it can not damage the user in consequence of accidental impacts against said pipe during its use.
From the above disclosure and the observation of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the great functionality and facility of use characterizing the flexible hose according to the invention will be self evident.

Claims

A hose (1), for washing-sucking machines for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors or the like, comprising a suction flexible pipe (2) and at least a liquid flexible delivery pipe (3) extending along and adjoining the outer periphery of the suction pipe, characterized in that said hose further comprises a covering pipe (4) encompassing said suction pipe (2) and delivery pipe (3) along substantially the overall length thereof, said covering pipe being bound to the outer surface of said suction and delivery pipes (2, 3) so as to adhere to said suction and delivery pipes (2, 3) and firmly restrain them, said covering pipe (4) being made of a substantially flexible material so as not to stiffen said suction and delivery pipes (2, 3).
A hose according to Claim 1, characterized in that said hose further comprises, near at least one end portion thereof, a terminal body (5) defining an inlet fitting, or an outlet fitting, for said suction pipe (2), and which supports a head portion (6) for the fitting of the delivery pipe (3).
A hose according to Claim 2, characterized in that said terminal body (5) comprises a molded sleeve which is rigidly connected to an end portion of said suction pipe (2).