# US 10,307,027 B2 · Vacuum cleaning systems and methods with integral vacuum assisted hose storage system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,027 B2 - Document ID: US10307027B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/467,898 - Filed: 2017-03-23 - Published: 2017-07-20 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Assignees: Tiger Tool International Incorporated - Applicants: Tiger Tool International Incorporated - Inventors: Michael Andrews - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307027B2 ## CPC - A47L 9/0036: {specially adapted for holding the suction hose} - A47L 5/38: Built-in suction cleaner installations, i.e. with fixed tube system to which, at different stations, hoses can be connected - A47L 9/0009: {Storing devices (winding devices for electric cables A47L9/26); Supports, stands or holders} - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A vacuum system comprising a storage tray, a vacuum assembly, and a hose. The storage tray defines a storage chamber comprising an inlet portion defining a storage chamber inlet, an outlet portion defining a storage chamber outlet, a first portion in communication with the inlet portion, a second portion in communication with the outlet portion, and an intermediate portion in communication with the first and second portions. The intermediate portion is configured such that the first and second portions are adjacent to each other. The vacuum assembly is operatively connected to the storage chamber outlet. When the hose is in a stored position, at least a portion of the hose is arranged within the first portion, the intermediate portion, and the second portion of the storage chamber. When the vacuum system is in use, at least a portion of the hose is arranged outside of the storage chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vacuum system comprising: a storage tray defining a storage chamber comprising an inlet portion defining a storage chamber inlet, an outlet portion defining a storage chamber outlet, a first portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion, a second portion in fluid communication with the outlet portion, and an intermediate portion in fluid communication with the first and second portions, where the intermediate portion is configured such that the first and second portions are adjacent to each other; a vacuum assembly operatively connected to the storage chamber outlet; and a hose; wherein when the hose is in a stored position, at least a portion of the hose is arranged within the first portion, the intermediate portion, and the second portion of the storage chamber; and when the vacuum system is in use, at least a portion of the hose is arranged outside of the storage chamber. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A vacuum system as recited in claim 1, in which: the first and second portions of the storage chambers define first and second reference planes, respectively; and the first and second reference planes are spaced from each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A vacuum system as recited in claim 2, in which the first and second reference planes are substantially parallel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A vacuum system as recited in claim 1, in which the first and second portions are serpentine. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A vacuum hose system as recited in claim 1, in which: the storage tray comprises a first tray, a middle tray, and a second tray; the first tray defines a plurality of first tray cavity surface portions; the middle tray defines a plurality of first middle cavity surface portions and a plurality of second middle cavity surface portions, and the second tray defines a plurality of second tray cavity surface portions; wherein the first tray cavity surface portions and the first middle cavity surface portions define the first portion of the storage chamber; and the second tray cavity surface portions and the second middle cavity surface portions define the second portion of the storage chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A vacuum system as recited in claim 1, in which the first portion of the storage chamber is vertically offset from the second portion of the storage chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A vacuum hose system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plug, in which, when the plug is arranged to prevent air flow through the hose and the vacuum assembly applies a vacuum to the storage chamber outlet, the at least a portion of the hose is drawn into the storage chamber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A vacuum hose system as recited in claim 6, further comprising: a hose end carrier supported by the hose; and a door configured to open when the hose end carrier enters the storage chamber; wherein movement of the door controls operation of the vacuum assembly. ### Claim 9 A vacuum cleaning system comprising: a vacuum system comprising a vacuum assembly, an inlet structure defining a vacuum inlet port and a common chamber, and a debris chamber structure defining a debris chamber, where operation of the vacuum assembly draws air through the vacuum inlet port, the common chamber, and the debris chamber; a hose assembly adapted to be detachably attached to the vacuum inlet port; and a storage tray defining a storage chamber comprising an inlet portion defining a storage chamber inlet, an outlet portion defining a storage chamber outlet, a first portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion, a second portion in fluid communication with the outlet portion, and an intermediate portion in fluid communication with the first and second portions, where the intermediate portion is configured such that the first and second portions are adjacent to each other; wherein the storage chamber outlet is operatively connected to the common chamber; when the hose is in a stored position, at least a portion of the hose is arranged within the first portion, the intermediate portion, and the second portion of the storage chamber; and when the vacuum system is in use, at least a portion of the hose is arranged outside of the storage chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A vacuum system as recited in claim 9, in which the first and second portions are serpentine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) A vacuum system as recited in claim 9, further comprising: a hose end carrier supported by the hose assembly; and a control system configured to control the vacuum assembly based on a location of the hose end carrier. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A vacuum system as recited in claim 11, further comprising a door configured to open when the hose end carrier enters the storage chamber, where the control system turns the vacuum assembly on when the door opens. ### Claim 13 A method of storing a hose for a vacuum system comprising the steps of: providing a storage tray defining a storage chamber comprising an inlet portion defining a storage chamber inlet, an outlet portion defining a storage chamber outlet, a first portion in fluid communication with the inlet portion, a second portion in fluid communication with the outlet portion, and an intermediate portion in fluid communication with the first and second portions, where the intermediate portion is configured such that the first and second portions are adjacent to each other; arranging the hose such that at least part of the hose lies in each of the first and second portions of the storage chamber when the hose is in a stored position; and at least a portion of the hose is arranged outside of the storage chamber when the vacuum system is in use. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, in which the first and second portions of the storage chamber define first and second reference planes, where the first and second reference planes are spaced from each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method as recited in claim 14, in which the first and second reference planes are substantially parallel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, in which the first and second portions are serpentine. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, in which the step of providing the storage tray comprises the steps of: providing a first tray defining a plurality of first tray cavity surface portions; providing a middle tray defining a plurality of first middle cavity surface portions and a plurality of second middle cavity surface portions; and providing a second tray defining a plurality of second tray cavity surface portions; assembling the first tray with the middle tray such that the first tray cavity surface portions and the first middle cavity surface portions define the first portion of the storage system; and assembling the second tray with the middle tray such that the second tray cavity surface portions and the second middle cavity surface portions define the second portion of the storage system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of arranging a transition segment to define a transition portion of the storage chamber such that the transition portion extends between the first and second portions of the storage chamber. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) A method as recited in claim 13, in which the storage chamber defines an inlet port and a storage chamber outlet, the method further comprising the steps of: arranging a plug to prevent air flow through the hose; feeding an end of the hose through the storage chamber inlet port; and applying a vacuum to the storage chamber outlet to draw the hose into the storage chamber. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of: arranging a door to open when a hose end carrier enters the storage chamber; and controlling application of the vacuum to the storage chamber outlet based on movement of the door.