Attachment mechanism for vacuum cleaner accessories

An attachment mechanism for connecting a first vacuum cleaner accessory to a second vacuum cleaner accessory, the attachment mechanism comprising:

• a plurality of teeth arranged axially along an outer surface of an outer attachment tube of the first vacuum cleaner accessory;
• and
• a locking tab positioned on an outer surface of an inner attachment tube of the second vacuum cleaner accessory, the outer attachment tube sized and shaped to receive the inner attachment tube therein, the locking tab comprising:
• a pivot extension extending radially outward from the outer surface of the second vacuum cleaner accessory;
• a latch pivotably connected to the pivot extension, the latch including a finger engagement portion and a latching portion located on opposite sides of the pivot extension, the latching portion including a latch tooth that extends from a bottom surface of the latching portion, wherein the latch tooth is positioned to engage at least one of the plurality of teeth upon insertion of the inner attachment tube into the outer attachment tube to secure the first vacuum cleaner accessory to the second vacuum cleaner accessory;
• and
• an S-shaped spring attached to the outer surface of the inner attachment tube and a bottom surface of the finger engagement portion, wherein the S-shaped spring biases the locking tab towards a latched position in which the latch tooth engages the teeth.

A method of connecting a first vacuum cleaner accessory including an outer attachment tube to a second vacuum cleaner accessory including an inner attachment tube, the first vacuum cleaner accessory including a plurality of teeth arranged axially along an outer surface of the outer attachment tube, the second vacuum cleaner accessory including a locking tab positioned on an outer surface of the inner attachment tube, the locking tab including a pivot extension extending from the outer surface of the second vacuum cleaner accessory, a latch pivotably connected to the pivot extension, and an S-shaped spring attached to the outer surface of the second vacuum cleaner accessory and a bottom surface of the latch, the latch including a finger engagement portion and a latching portion located on opposite sides of the pivot extension, the latching portion including a latch tooth that extends from a bottom surface of the latching portion, the method comprising:

• aligning the outer attachment tube of the first vacuum cleaner accessory with the inner attachment tube of the second vacuum cleaner accessory;
• inserting the inner attachment tube into the outer attachment tube to a sufficient depth such that the inner attachment tube sealingly engages the outer attachment tube, and
• biasing the locking tab towards a latched position in which the latch tooth engages the teeth using the S-shaped spring;
• and
• engaging at least one of the plurality of teeth with the latch tooth to secure the first and second vacuum accessories together in a sealed connection.