Patent US5778939A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5778939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible plastics vacuum cleaner core
Assignee: Dual Voltage Co Ltd
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Filing: 1996-02-20
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Granted: 1998-07-14
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Expires: 2016-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A flexible self-supporting plastic core 10 has an outer protective hose 12. The core is made up of a number of back-to-back male members 13 and back-to-back female members 14 and has two end connectors 15 and 16. The members 13 and 14 fit end to end to form fluid-tight ball and socket universally rotatable joints therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Timmy Sin Hok-Yin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:35
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L9/00; A47L9/24; F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/14; F16L11/18; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4459; G02B6/4461
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner core comprising: a plurality of first and second members resiliently inter-engaged alternatively end to end along a length of the core to form universally rotatable fluid tight joints between adjacent members, the first members each including a uniform cross-sectioned central cylindrical tubular member having first and second ends, each of the first and second ends being integrally formed with a first connection member having a part spherical male outer surface, the central cylindrical tubular member having a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the part spherical outer member, and the second members each including a uniform cross-sectioned central cylindrical tubular member having a constant wall thickness and first and second ends, each of the first and second ends being integrally formed with a second connection member having a part spherical female inner surface, the central cylindrical tubular member having a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the part spherical outer member, the first and second members being snap-fit together with the first connection members engaged inside respective second connection members to form the fluid tight joints.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner core comprising: a plurality of first and second members resiliently inter-engaged alternatively end to end along a length of the core to form universally rotatable fluid tight joints between adjacent members, the first members each including a uniform cross-sectioned central cylindrical tubular member having first and second ends, each of the first and second ends being integrally formed with a first connection member having a part spherical male outer surface, the central cylindrical tubular member having a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the part spherical outer member, and the second members each including a uniform cross-sectioned central cylindrical tubular member having a constant wall thickness and first and second ends, each of the first and second ends being integrally formed with a second connection member having a part spherical female inner surface, the central cylindrical tubular member having a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the part spherical outer member, the first and second members being snap-fit together with the first connection members engaged inside respective second connection members to form the fluid tight joints.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner core of claim 1 wherein a minimum internal diameter of the tubular members of the first and second members are substantially the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum core of claim 2, including a passage having a minimum internal diameter that is at least greater than 50% of a maximum external diameter of the passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner of claim 1, including a flexible hose surrounding and extending along the length of the core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner core of claim 1 having a connector including a uniform cylindrical tube integrally formed at one end of the core with a female member, the female member being snap-fit to a male member of one of the first members to form a fluid tight joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner core of claim 5, wherein a diameter of the uniform cylindrical tube is tapered adjacent a remote end away from the female member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner core of claim 5, in which the connector includes a male member disposed on the other end of the core, the male member being arranged to fit in a female connector provided on a vacuum cleaner.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner core of claim 5, in which the connector includes a female member disposed on the other end of the core, the female member being arranged to fit with a male connector provided on a vacuum cleaner.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flexible self-supporting plastic vacuum cleaner of claim 5, having a male connector at one end and female connector at the other end.
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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) | 2001-07-13 | 2002-01-12 | 2002-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-13 | 2006-01-12 | 2006-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-13 | 2010-01-12 | 2010-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |