BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 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.
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] Moreover, the accidental breakage of a strip will cause a loop to increase in length,
thereby causing further frequent impacts on the delivery pipe.
[0010] 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide such a hose which can be
easily made from easily available materials.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a hose which is very
reliable in operation and has a long duration.
[0016] 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, characterized in that said hose comprises a suction pipe, at least a liquid
delivery pipe and a covering pipe holding therein said suction pipe and liquid delivery
pipe, which extends along the outer periphery of the suction pipe, said covering pipe
restraining the liquid delivery pipe to the section pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] 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
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
1. A hose, for washing-sucking machines for cleaning moquettes, carpets, floors or the
like, characterized in that said hose comprises a suction pipe, at least a liquid
delivery pipe and a covering pipe holding therein said suction pipe and liquid delivery
pipe, which extends along the outer periphery of the suction pipe, said covering pipe
restraining the liquid delivery pipe to the suction pipe.
2. A hose according to Claim 1, characterized in that said suction pipe, said liquid
delivery pipe and said covering pipe are resiliently flexible.
3. A hose according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said hose further comprises,
near at least one end portion thereof, a terminal body defining an inlet fitting,
or an outlet fitting, for said suction pipe, and which supports a head portion for
the fitting of the delivery pipe.
4. A hose according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said
terminal body comprises a molded sleeve which is rigidly connected to an end portion
of said suction pipe.
5. A hose according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said
covering pipe is bound to the outer surface of said suction pipe and delivery pipe.