Dust extraction system

Abstract

A dust extraction hose 200 comprises a hose body for conveying dust from a dust-generating power tool to a dust extractor 80. The hose body has a power tool end connectable to the power tool and an ex

Description

DUST EXTRACTION HOSE The present invention relates to a dust extraction hose for use with a dust extractor and a dust-generating power tool. Dust extractors are used to convey dust away from dust-generating power tools, such as sanders and saws. Dust extractors typically have one end of a hose fitted to the dust extractor and the other end of the hose fitted to the power tool. Some dust extractors also have an electrical socket for connecting a power tool directly thereto via a power cable. As the power tool is switched on by an operator, the dust extractor detects this and then powers up the dust extractor. The extractor uses its own separate power cable plugged in to a power source, such as a generator or mains power socket, and this provides power both to the extractor and the tool. A problem with this current solution is that the hose and various power leads can cause trip hazards, thus creating difficult and unsafe working conditions. In addition, having a hose and power leads with various lengths can restrict the work area. There is also a risk that the hose and power leads become twisted or tangled together. Moreover, additional time is required to swap the hose and power leads when switching between different power tools. Furthermore, as only the power lead needs connecting to the extractor in order to power the tool, a power tool might be operated without the hose necessarily being connected to the extractor. In these circumstances, the dust generated by the tool would inevitably be dispersed around the work area into the surrounding environment, thus contravening safe working standards in respect of air quality. It is desired to provide improvements relating to dust extraction hoses. Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a dust extraction hose for use with a dust extractor and a dust-generating power tool, the hose comprising: a hose body for conveying dust from a dust-generating power tool to a dust extractor, the hose body having a power tool end connectable to the power tool and an extractor end connectable to the dust extractor; and electrical conductors for powering the power tool from the dust extractor, wherein the electrical conductors extend within the hose body. As will be appreciated, the present invention provides a dust extraction hose comprising a hose body and electrical conductors combined together. Such one-piece hose advantageously functions as both a mechanical coupling and electrical coupling at the same time. As a result, the hose not only conveys dust and debris from a power tool to a dust extractor but also powers the tool from the dust extractor. The dust extraction hose of the present invention has several advantages over conventional dust extraction hoses, some of which are outlined below. For example, it can reduce trip hazards and create fewer tangles when using different power tools, thus improving working conditions. Having electrical conductors extending within the hose body allows the hose to be operable more safely and conveniently. It can also reduce time when switching between different power tools as it can be easier to disconnect the hose and connect the next required power tool. It can also create a safer working environment as a power tool can only be used when connected to the hose and to the extractor. In embodiments, the power tool end of the hose body may be removably connectable to the power tool. The power tool end of the hose body may comprise an adaptor for connecting two or more power tools thereto. The adapter may be removably connectable to a or each power tool. The adapter may be removably connectable to the power tool end of the hose body. The adaptor may be T or Y shaped, although other shapes may be used. The extractor end of the hose body may be removably connectable to the dust extractor. The power tool end of the hose body may have one or more contacts for electrically coupling the electrical conductors to the power tool. The one or more contacts may comprise one or more recessed contacts. This can, for example, help to prevent accidental shorting of the power source, thus providing improved safety. The extractor end of the hose body may have one or more pins for electrically coupling the electrical conductors to the dust extractor. The power tool end of the hose body may comprise a locking mechanism configured to prevent the hose body from becoming inadvertently detached from the power tool. The extractor end of the hose body may comprise a locking mechanism configured to prevent the hose body becoming inadvertently detached from the dust extractor. The or each locking mechanism may comprise a twist-lock mechanism. This can allow a quick and secure fit for the hose body to the power tool and / or dust extractor, whilst also allowing a fluid tight seal and secure power connection. The hose body may comprise an inner tube for conveying dust from the power tool to the dust extractor and an outer sleeve which surrounds (e.g. encloses) the inner tube, wherein the electrical conductors are provided between the inner tube and the outer sleeve. The inner tube can help to protect the electrical conductors from the conveyed dust within the hose body. The hose body may comprise a polymeric material, such as plastic or rubber. The hose body may be (e.g. repeatedly) extendable and / or retractable. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a dust extraction system comprising a dust extraction hose as described herein in any aspect or embodiment, the system further comprising a dust extractor connectable to the extractor end of the hose body and / or a dust-generating power tool connectable to the power tool end of the hose body. The dust extractor may be powered by an external power source, such as a generator or mains power. Alternatively, the dust extractor may incorporate one or more batteries to power the power tool and / or the dust extractor itself. This configuration can further improve safety by removing the need for a power cable to the dust extractor. The dust extraction system may comprise a tool connector for connecting the power tool to the power tool end of the hose body. The tool connector may be integrated with the power tool. The tool connector may comprise one or more pins electrically couplable to the power tool end of the hose body, e.g. via the one or more contacts of the power tool end of the hose body. The one or more pins may comprise one or more housed pins, e.g. which are protected from damage by an external hood. The dust extraction system may comprise an extractor connector for connecting the dust extractor to the extractor end of the hose body. The extractor connector may be integrated with the dust extractor. The extractor connector may comprise one or more contacts electrically couplable to the extractor end of the hose body, e.g. via the one or more pins of the extractor end of the hose body. The one or more contacts may comprise one or more recessed contacts. Again, this can help to prevent accidental shorting of the power source, thus providing improved safety. By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of an embodiment of the present invention: Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an enlarged front view of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an enlarged rear view of Figure 2; Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of features shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of features shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 shows a sectional side view of features shown in Figure 6. Figure 1 shows a dust extraction system 100 comprising a hose 200 and a dust extractor 80, the hose 200 being connected to the dust extractor 80. The Figures show a short hose to suitably fit to the page. However, the hose may have a different, and typically longer, length. The hose 200 may also or alternatively have a different diameter. The hose 200 comprises a hose body including an outer sleeve 20 and inner tube 30 enclosed therein (not visible in Figure 1). One end of the hose body is removably connected to the dust extractor 80 via an extractor connector 50 and the other end is removably connected to a power tool (not shown) via a tool connector 10. Figured 2-4 show exploded front and rear views of the extraction system 100 and the hose 200. The inner tube 30 is coaxially positioned in the outer sleeve 20 and electrical conductors 40 (only one shown) extend within the hose body between the inner tube 30 and the outer sleeve 20 so that the electrical conductors 40 are securely shielded from the dust and debris conveyed in the inner tube 30. In this embodiment, the extractor connector 50 is integrated with the dust extractor 80. However, in other embodiments the extractor connector 50 may be removably connectable to the dust extractor 80. The extractor connector 50 comprises wiring 45 that is connected by a plug 70 to a socket 75 integrated with the dust extractor 80. The tool connector 10 comprises pins 15 that are electrically couplable to the power tool end of the hose body. The pins 15 are housed within a hood of the tool connector to help to prevent accidental damage. As shown in Figure 3 the outer sleeve 20 has contacts 22 that are electrically couplable to the tool connector’s pins 15. The contacts 22 are recessed to help to prevent accidental shorting of the power source. In a similar way, the extractor connector 50 has recessed contacts 51 that are electrically couplable to the electrical conductors 40 via pins (not shown). The power tool end of the hose body comprises a twist-lock mechanism 21 received in slots 12 configured to prevent the hose body inadvertently disconnecting from the tool connector 10. Similarly, the extractor end of the hose body comprises a twist-lock mechanism 21 receive in slots 12 configured to prevent the hose body accidentally detaching from the extractor connector 50. One end of the inner tube 30 interfaces with an inner ring 16 defined in the tool connector 10 and the other end of the inner tube 30 interfaces with an inner surface 56 defined in the extractor connector 50 (see Figure 3), thus providing fluid-tight fit for the dust conveyed in the inner tube 30.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A dust extraction hose for use with a dust extractor and a dust-generating power tool, the hose comprising: a hose body for conveying dust from a dust-generating power tool to a dust extractor, the hose body having a power tool end connectable to the power tool and an extractor end connectable to the dust extractor; and electrical conductors for powering the power tool from the dust extractor, wherein the electrical conductors extend within the hose body.

2. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power tool end of the hose body is removably connectable to the power tool.

3. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the power tool end of the hose body comprises an adaptor for connecting two or more power tools thereto.

4. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adapter is removably connectable to the power tool end of the hose body.

3. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the adaptor is T or Y shaped.

6. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extractor end of the hose body is removably connectable to the extractor. fl. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power tool end of the hose body has one or more contacts for electrically coupling the electrical conductors to the power tool.

8. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more contacts comprises one or more recessed contacts.

9. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extractor end of the hose body has one or more pins for electrically coupling the electrical conductors to the dust extractor.

10. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power tool end of the hose body comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the hose body from becoming inadvertently detached from the power tool.

11. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extractor end of the hose body comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the hose body becoming inadvertently detached from the dust extractor.

12. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the or each locking mechanism comprises a twist-lock mechanism.

13. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose body comprises an inner tube for conveying dust from the power tool to the dust extractor and an outer sleeve which surrounds the inner tube, wherein the electrical conductors are provided between the inner tube and the outer sleeve.

14. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose body comprises a polymeric material.

15. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose body is extendable and retractable.

16. A dust extraction system comprising a dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the system further comprising a dust extractor connectable to the extractor end of the hose body and / or a dust-generating power tool connectable to the power tool end of the hose body.

17. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 16, comprising a tool connector for connecting the power tool to the power tool end of the hose body.

18. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tool connector is integrated with the power tool.

19. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the tool connector comprises one or more housed pins electrically couplable to the power tool end of the hose body.

20. A dust extraction system as claimed in any one of claims 16-19, comprising an extractor connector for connecting the dust extractor to the extractor end of the hose body.

21. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the extractor connector is integrated with the dust extractor.

22. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the extractor connector comprises one or more recessed contacts electrically couplable to the extractor end of the hose body. CLAIMS 1. A dust extraction hose for use with a dust extractor and a dust-generating power tool, the hose comprising: a hose body for conveying dust from a dust-generating power tool to a dust extractor, the hose body having a power tool end connectable to the power tool and an extractor end connectable to the dust extractor; and electrical conductors for powering the power tool from the dust extractor, wherein the electrical conductors extend within the hose body, wherein the hose body comprises an inner tube for conveying dust from the power tool to the dust extractor and an outer sleeve which surrounds the inner tube, wherein the electrical conductors are provided between the inner tube and the outer sleeve.

2. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power tool end of the hose body is removably connectable to the power tool.

3. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the power tool end of the hose body comprises an adaptor for connecting two or more power tools thereto.

4. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adapter is removably connectable to the power tool end of the hose body.

5. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the adaptor is TorY shaped.

6. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extractor end of the hose body is removably connectable to the extractor. fl. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power tool end of the hose body has one or more contacts for electrically coupling the electrical conductors to the power tool.

8. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more contacts comprises one or more recessed contacts.

9. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extractor end of the hose body has one or more pins for electrically coupling the electrical conductors to the dust extractor.

10. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power tool end of the hose body comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the hose body from becoming inadvertently detached from the power tool.

11. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the extractor end of the hose body comprises a locking mechanism configured to prevent the hose body becoming inadvertently detached from the dust extractor.

12. A dust extraction hose as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the or each locking mechanism comprises a twist-lock mechanism.

13. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose body comprises a polymeric material.

14. A dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hose body is extendable and retractable.

15. A dust extraction system comprising a dust extraction hose as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the system further comprising a dust extractor connectable to the extractor end of the hose body and / or a dust-generating power tool connectable to the power tool end of the hose body.

16. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 15, comprising a tool connector for connecting the power tool to the power tool end of the hose body.

17. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tool connector is integrated with the power tool.

18. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the tool connector comprises one or more housed pins electrically couplable to the power tool end of the hose body.

19. A dust extraction system as claimed in any one of claims 15-18, comprising an extractor connector for connecting the dust extractor to the extractor end of the hose body.

20. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the extractor connector is integrated with the dust extractor.

21. A dust extraction system as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the extractor connector comprises one or more recessed contacts electrically couplable to the extractor end of the hose body.

Images