US 11,839,347 B2
Flexible hose with compact storage configuration and a cleaning apparatus using the same
Jason B. Thorne, Dover, MA (US); Andre D. Brown, Natick, MA (US); Daniel Innes, West Roxbury, MA (US); Lee M. Cottrell, Newton, MA (US); Adam Udy, Sutton (GB); Daniel Tonderys, Needham, MA (US); David Clare, London (GB); and Kai Xu, Suzhou (CN)
Assigned to SharkNinja Operating LLC, Needham, MA (US)
Filed by SharkNinja Operating, LLC, Needham, MA (US)
Filed on Apr. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/240,494.
Application 17/240,494 is a continuation of application No. 16/053,260, filed on Aug. 2, 2018, granted, now 10,986,970.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/540,381, filed on Aug. 2, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2021/0244248 A1, Aug. 12, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47L 9/24 (2006.01); A47L 5/28 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 9/248 (2013.01) [A47L 5/28 (2013.01); A47L 9/244 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hose for use with a surface cleaning apparatus, the hose comprising:
a helical support structure defining a passageway of the hose for receiving dirty air, the helical support structure comprising a spring at least partially surrounded by a layer of a cover material, wherein the spring extends from a first end of the hose to a second end of the hose;
wherein the support structure is compressible to transition the hose into a storage configuration to shorten the overall length of the hose, and an in-use configuration to increase the overall length of the hose; and
a plurality of retainers disposed along the length of the hose for releasably locking the hose into the storage configuration.