US3849866A

US3849866A - Method of installing a wall mounted vacuum cleaning unit

Info

Publication number: US3849866A
Application number: US00407806A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Mol
Original assignee: WAL VAC Inc
Current assignee: WAL VAC Inc
Priority date: 1972-01-14
Filing date: 1973-10-19
Publication date: 1974-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-26
Also published as: US3783472A

Abstract

A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit being substantially a four piece assembly and consisting of a main support frame with an integral lower rearwardly projecting cover shell having a front opening defining a receptacle compartment, upper front and rear cover shells in opposite and opposed relation releasably secured to the main support frame defining a power compartment and a front access door for the receptacle compartment front opening. The front cover shell of the power compartment is characterized by being outwardly protruding from the main support frame and having a downwardly oriented bottom surface within which there is provided a vacuum hose receptacle. Conduit means are provided to be communicant with the receptacle compartment and with the downwardly disposed hose receptacle. A mounting frame to which is mounted the main support frame, after the former is initially installed in an opening provided in the wall, is provided to be adjustably installed to compensate for wall thickness and insure flush engagement of the main support frame relative to the wall surface upon final installation.

Description

United 1 States Patent [1 1 M01 1 Nov. 26, 1974 METHOD or INSTALLING A wALL MOUNTED VACUUM CLEANING UNIT [75] Inventor: Jacob C. M01, Grand Rapids, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Wal Vac, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

[22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 407,806

Related US. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No, 217,890, Jan. 14, 1972, Pat No. 3,783,472, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 37,211, May 14, 1970, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 29/469, 29/526 [51] Int. Cl B23p 21/00 [58] Field of Search 29/469, 428, 526; 15/314, 15/301 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,213,480 10/1965 Miller 15/314 3,568,239 3/1971 Hamrick I 15/314 3,570,108 3/1971 Sarra 29/469 3,706,184 12/1972 Tucker i 15/314 X 3,751,791 8/1973 l-lorwitz 29/469 Primary Examiner-Charlie T. Moon Attorney, Agent, or FirmCarothers and Carothers [571 ABSTRACT A wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit being substantially a four piece assembly and consisting of a main support frame with an integral lower rearwardly projecting cover shell having a front opening defining a receptacle compartment, upper front and rear cover shells in opposite and opposed relation releasably secured to the main support frame defining a power compartment and a front access door for the receptacle compartment front opening. The front cover shell of the power compartment is characterized by being outwardly protruding from the main support frame and having a downwardly oriented bottom surface within which there is provided a vacuum hose receptacle. Conduit means are provided to be communicant with the receptacle compartment and with the downwardly disposed hose receptacle.

A mounting frame to which is mounted the main support frame, after the former is initially installed in an opening provided in the wall, is provided to be adjustably installed to compensate for wall thickness and insure flush engagement of the main support frame relative to the wall surface upon final installation.

2 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures mas m4 PATENTL SHEET Q- 0f 6 PATENTE 213v 2 619 74 SHEET S0? 6 CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS BACKGROUND oF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to apparatus designed for general cleaning purposes and more particularly to a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit having a flexible conduit connection between ambulant air draft applying means and relatively stationary air pump or supply which are generally referred to as central vacuum cleaning systems.

Central vacuum cleaning systems are by no means new in the art as evidenced by their disclosure in art in the early part of this century. These systems generally involved a single station vacuum supply and receptacle supply with a plurality of conduits supplied to various rooms of a building, each terminating in a hose receptacle. Thus, each room could be cleaned by insertion of a hose assembly into the hose receptacle in the room and activating the vacuum supply system. The hose assembly could be moved from room to room for use with requiring the'skills of special servicemen, and is convenient to maintain.

Such a wall recessed cleaning unit is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,482 where the unit is installed in' an open area of the wall so that a substantial portion of the unit is recessed in the wall and hidden from view. The unit comprises a power compartment housing a vacuum pump and drive motor and a receptacle compartment housing a receptacle bag; all of this together with conduit means having one end portion leading into the receptacle compartment and the other end portion leading to a hose receptacle on the front face of the unit.

One of the main problems encountered with these units is their aesthetic appearance, since the unit is to be installed in a. room of the building where its front portion is readily in viewto those in the room. Particularly in an office building or home, there is a need for the face of such units to be aesthetically attractive so as not to detractfrom the general appearance of the room. In view of the fact that the hose receptacle must naturally be positioned on the front face of the unit, it detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the unit, since the receptacle itself is not considered as attractive to the eye when appearing on a wall of the room or pomore attractive on thefront face of the unit. However, all these attempts actually fail to successfully accomplish this purpose because the hose receptacle still must remain and be positioned on the front face of the unit.

Another problem encountered with these units, and a more important consideration, is the fact that since these units are compact and installed in a single room, it is necessary to provide a long vacuum hose assembly for floor cleaning purposes so that the unit can be used to clean other rooms in the building, other than the room in which the unit is installed, such as illustrated in FIG. I of U.S. Pat. No. 3,442,482. The hose of such hose assemblies are as long as 30 feet, which is an added factor in that the user positioned at the cleaning nozzle must move and pull the hose along as he or she moves about the room or an adjacent room being cleaned. Obviously, this is not a factor encountered by users of portable vacuum cleaners.

Thus, any provisions that can bev made to aid one in the use and employment of such long hose assemblies when moving about the room for cleaning purposes and also to prevent as much as possible any wear and tear on the hose assembly when being so used and employed are considered and being sought so as to improve the overall utility of wall recessed vacuum cleaning systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present invention is the provision of awall mounted vacuum cleaner unit which is aesthetically attractive, eliminating the normal appearance of the hose receptacle on the front face of the unit, while at the same time positioning the hose receptacle such as to aid the user in the manipulation of the long hose assembly while reducing wear and tear on the hose assembly, particularly at the point of the hose assembly connection to the hose receptacle on the unit.

In particular, the unit comprising this invention is so constructed that a portion of the front face of the unit, particularly an upper portion thereof, is outwardly projected to provide for a downwardly orientedbottom surface that extends forwardly beyond'the plane or main exterior surface of the unit that is substantially flush with the wall upon installation of the unit. A hose receptacle is provided in this bottom surface and conduit means is provided to have one end portion extended into the receptacle compartment and its other I end portion disposed downwardly within the outwardly projecting portion of the unit to be communicant with the hose receptacle.

In this manner, upon connection of the hose connector of the hose assembly upwardly into the hose receptacle, the hose will be naturallydirected downwardly to the floor and not outwardly as in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,482. In this regard, two important advantages are recognized. First, when the hose assembly is being used in an extensive cleaning application, which is not uncommon, the constant tugging and jerking on the hose due to reciprocating motion of the vacuum .nozzle by the user will not bring about excessive bending and ultimate wear at the point where the hose assembly is connected to the hose receptacle. This is particularly true with respect to the point where the hose connector is secured to one end of the long hose. It can be readily understood that such hose stress is much reduced where the hose receptacle is positioned to direct the hose assembly initially to the floor area of the room as compared to the hose receptacle which directs the hose assembly initially horizontally out from the wall and thus, at some point, depending upon the length of the hose connector and strength of the hose, must curve downwardly to the floor area.

Also, less stress or pulling strain is placed upon the hose receptacle and associated conduit means where they are adapted to be in a downwardly disposed position and not in an outwardly disposed horizontal position like those of the prior art.

In regard to what has just been said, naturally in the case where the long hose assembly is connected to a downwardly disposed hose receptacle on the unit, more of the weight of the hose is placed on the floor and not at all on the hose receptacle.

Secondly, since the unit is installed in the wall several inches from the floor, such as l8 inches or more, the downwardly oriented hose receptacle is not normally visible to persons in the room where the unit has been installed, so that persons unfamiliar with the unit do not know the purpose of the unit, or for that matter are not conscious of its existence because of its improved aesthetic appearance. The unit, though partially exposed into the room, does not detract aesthetically from its surroundings, but rather blends with them. None of the actual functioning components are normally visible, particularly no vacuum inlets or exhaust outlets; but the hose assembly can be readily attached for cleaning purposes.

The compactness of the unit and its ability to be substantially recessed within a wall with an improved aesthetic appearance makes it particularly attractive for mobile homes, apartments and condominiums, as well as new and existing regular residential dwellings and commercial buildings because of its ease of installation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit being of a four piece assembly consisting of a main support frame having an integral lower rearwardly projecting cover shell defining a front opening forming a receptacle compartment, an outwardly protruding front cover shell, an outwardly protruding rear cover shell, these shells forming a power compartment and an access door for hermetically sealed engagement with the receptacle compartment opening. These components of the unit can be readily fabricated individually and rapidly interconnected for assembly during manufacture or even during the time of installation, if necessary, such as in the construction of a new building. The four pieces of the assembly are releasably connected together, making it readily simple to remove them for any necessary inspection or repair to housed components. The four piece assembly houses all components included in the unit, and yet provides the features set forth in the initial object of invention. Any suitable material may be used for the construction of the four piece assembly, but the strong, durable and practically unbreakable material known under the trademark LEXAN, a polycarbonate, is preferred.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a mounting frame to which the main support 6 gated slots to permit initial selective directional adjustment and orientation when mounting the mounting frame in a wall and also when securing the main support frame finally to the mounting frame. In this manner, a new and improved method of installing the unit in an opening or recess in the wall is provided to (a) permit adjustment of the mounting frame relative to the exterior surface of the wall to compensate for wall thickness and insure flush engagement of the main support frame relative to the wall surface upon final installation; and (b) permit adjustment of the main support frame relative to the mounting frame to obtain proper aligned relation as well as to insure adequate and complete coverage of the wall opening, if necessary.

Another object of the present invention is the provision ofa hose receptacle to include a spring biased flap pivotally secured so as to be adapted to cover the inlet of the receptacle but providing on its underside surface an outwardly extended projection adapted to engage under an annular ridge of the hose connector of the hose assembly upon insertion of the hose connector into the hose receptacle inlet. Since the hose connector is in a downwardly oriented position when connected, the combination of the spring biased flap with its projection maintained against the hose connector under the hose connector ridge eliminates accidental removal of the hose connector when in use. However, it should be understood that with sufficiently snug or tight engagement of the hose connector within the hose receptacle and associated conduit provided for by close tolerances of those parts, the biased projection on the flap is more than sufficient assurance against any accidental disconnection. Further, the employment of this type of simple assurance eliminates the need for common in terconnecting locking means, such as bayonet interlocking disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,484, for the hose receptacle and hose connector, which merely add to the costs of manufacture and frustrations in providing for simple, convenient and rapid hose connection.

Other objects and advantages appear in the following description and claims.

The accompanying drawings show, for the purpose of exemplification without limiting the invention or the claims thereto, certain practical embodiments illustrating the principles of this invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the exposed portion of the vacuum cleaner unit comprising this invention as it appears mounted in a wall.

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the unit in FIG. 1, shown with a suction hose assembly connected for use.

FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, detailing the area of the hose receptacle.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational, exploded view of the unit.

FIG. 5 is a front fragmentary elevational view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevational view of the main support member illustrated in the center of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the main support frame of the unit.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the power compartment rear cover shell of the unit.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7.

FIG. is an enlarged side elevational view of the conduit and hose conncctor of the unit as installed.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of one type of mounting means to which the unit is mounted for installation in a wall.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line XII- XII of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front perspective, exploded view of the unit and of a somewhat modified design as compared to the unit shown in the previous figures.

FIG. 14 is a back perspective, exploded view of the unit shown in FIG. 13 but also including an improved mounting frame for the unit.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the hose connector of the hose assembly engaged into the hose receptacle and associated conduit.

FIG. 16 shows the mounting frame shown in FIG. 14 initially installed in an opening or recess provided in a wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to the drawings. particularly FIGS. 1, 2, 13 and 14, wherein the vacuum cleaner unit 10 consists of the housing means 12 forming an upper power compartment 22 and a lower receptacle compartment 24. The unit is composed essentially of a four piece assembly including a main support frame14, a rear power cover shell 16, a front power cover shell 18, and a receptacle compartment access door 20. There is also a lower rearwardly projecting cover shell 14a enclosing the rear of the receptacle compartment 24, but this is an integral part of the main support frame 14. It should be noted that the front and

rear cover shells

16 and 18 form the vacuum power compartment 22.

Main support frame 14 includes a peripheral flange 14b which extends peripherally beyond all of the other components of the housing for flush engagement with the front surface of a room wall W when the unit is mounted as illustrated in FIG. 4.

All of the components of the vacuum cleaner unit 10 are attached to the main support frame 14, with this frame in turn being mounted to the wall structure by means of a mounting support usually between a pair of vertical studs in a wall. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the unit is mounted between conventional wall studs identified at S and S wherein the main support frame 14 is illustrated in phantom. Frame 14 is actually attached to a pair of elongated angle brackets 30 and 30', these brackets being attached to the studs S and S with suitable fasteners to provide a support therebetween for the vacuum unit 10. Suitable screws or other fasteners extend through a plurality of openings 34 in each of the opposite sides of main support frame 14 shown in FIG. 7 adjacent the peripheral flange 14b and are aligned with cooperative openings 36 provided in

brackets

30 and 30 shown in FIG. 11.

An electrical motor 38 is mounted in the power compartment 22 and is operably connected to a vacuum pump 40 immediately ther'ebelow in the same compartment. The motor and pump assembly are secured in position by a semicircular bracket 42 shown in FIGS. 5 and 13 to frame 14 by any suitable fasteners, with pump 40 resting inside the upwardly open cup shaped hollow portion 140 of frame 14 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 14. Pump 40, has an intake or inlet at its lower end of FIGS. 4 and 6 and surrounds the pump inlet to seal its periphery. Beneath this pump is a grill 14s, shown both in FIGS. 6 and 9, defining passages to enable the pump inlet to be communicant with the refuse bag receptacle chamber of the receptacle compartment 24. Immediately beneath this grill is a pair of slide tracks l4fto enable a supplemental or secondary filter 99, usually in the form of natural or synthetic batting, to slide into the tracks beneath the covering of the grill l4e. Such a filter 99 is shown installed in FIG. 13.

Motor 38 is of the conventional type, normally coupled to pump 40, and having an air flow connection with the pump such that the air drawn up by pump from receptacle chamber 24 passes through the pump and is exhausted up through the motor and out its upper end through the grid 16b of the rear cover shell 16 shown in FIGS. 8 and 14. Adjacent and surrounding this upper exhaust outlet of motor 38 is an annular gasket or seal 48 shown best in FIGS. 4 and I3. Gasket 48 seals against and is held in place by the upper inside surface of removable, connectable, hollow, rear cover shell 16. Shell 16 is open on the front and bottom, being closed on the back, top, and ends. However, openings may be provided in its back for purposes of ventilation of motor 38 as depicted at 100 in FIG. 14. Its open front enables it to fit over the motor and other. components in the power compartment 22. The end tabs 16a of the shell 16 on opposite sides thereof enable it to be connected to main support frame 14 as by screws or other suitable fasteners after the tabs 16a have been extended through vertical slots 50 of frame 14 shown in FIG. 7. Grid 16b, previously mentioned, in

thetop of shell 16 aligns with the exhaust outlet of motor 38 (not shown). Motor 38 is electrically powered through wiring 54 of conventional type as shown in FIGS. 5 and 13, using electrical on-off switch 56, the actuator 56' of which projects upwardly through an opening 57 provided in the front power compartment cover shell 18. Wiring 54 extends through a suitable opening 16c in shell 16 shown in FIGS. 8 and 14 for wiring into the building electrical circuit.

Receptacle compartment 24 receives an air permeable dirt receiving and collecting bag 102 of the conventional type shown in FIG. 13 and having an opening on its upper end for slidably fitting over the lower end 60' of a vertical conduit 60 generally in the power compartment portion of the apparatus and part of the conduit means to the hose receptacle 62, to be explained later. The receptacle bag 102 may be inserted into As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, door 20 has a pair of downwardly projecting tongues 20a on its lower edge 21 for insertion into a corresponding pair of spaced slots 14g on the lower edge 15 of element 14. The upper portion 33 of door 20 may be pivoted about the tongues 20a until the door projections 20b on the side edges 27 engage and fall into the frame slots 29 in the adjacent side portions 31 of flange 14b shown best in FIG. 13. No connectors or other equivalents need be employed to maintain the door in its closed position. Removal of the door can be achieved simply by prying the upper portion 33 loose from element 14 with the finger-tips inserted in the detent 35 thereby pivoting compartment 24 by temporary removal of access door the door out about tongues 20a and then lifting it up to remove tongues 20a from slots 14g.

With respect to the conduit means, conduit 60 extends vertically upwardly from its lower outlet or end portion 60 in receptacle compartment 24 through the opening l4j in the main support frame 14 and may have an upwardly projecting portion 60a, best shown in FIGS. 5 and 14, extending vertically out the top of rear shell 16 through opening 17 therein (FIG. 8) for connection to a remote vacuum conduit and auxiliary hose receptacle (not shown) placed at a desired location in another adjacent or upstairs room. If the upwardly projecting portion 60a is not used, a suitable cap 70 may be placed thereon to close and seal this conduit off. A portion of conduit 60 also extends forwardly and thence downwardly to a hose receptacle 62 shown in FIGS. 2, 10 and 15, located in the undersurface or bottom surface 18a of front cover shell 18. If conduit 60 includes upwardly projecting portion 600, a suitable tee-connector 60b as shown in FIG. 10, may be used to provide the forward orientation, with a suitable L- shaped inlet 60c extending from the tee-connector 60b and changing direction so that its outer end is oriented downwardly toward the floor and in engagement with hose receptacle 62. Since the entire unit 10 is normally mounted within a few feet from the floor, receptacle 62 is normally out of view to persons within the room. Consequently, the unit would be viewed substantially as shown in FIG. 1, to be aesthetically attractive and practically flush with the wall surface because the unit is recessed within the wall. Yet, use of the vacuum unit 10 is extremely simple since, as shown in FIG. 10, by pivoting the spring-biased closure flap 62a on inlet receiver 62d, using flange 62b, the resilient seal 620 will be pulled away from inlet receiver 62d of the hose receptacle so that the hose connector 80a of the hose assembly 80 shown in FIG. 1 will slidably fit into the female inlet receiver 62d.

Front power compartment cover shell 18 is removably connected over this hose receptacle and conduit means. Specifically as shown in FIGS. 4 and 14, front cover shell 18 has tabs 18b along its upper edge 19 which are inserted upwardly into corresponding spaced slots 14h shown in FIGS. 7 and 14 in the upper edge 13 of the support frame 14 while the lower end 11 of the cover shell 18 is positioned outwardly at an angle as depicted in FIG. 13. The lower end 11 is then arcuately pivoted toward frame 14, causing actuator 56 to project through its opening 57 in the cover shell 18, and with the downwardly facing undersurface or bottom surface 18a of the cover being temporarily deformed downwardly by finger pressure to enable it to project around hose receptacle 62. Receptacle 62 thereafter projects through hose receptacle opening 18c in the bottom surface 18a as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10. Suitable fasteners 82 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 13 may be employed to secure lower end 11 of cover shell 18 to bosses 14i of frame 14 shown in FIGS. 5 and 10.

Operation of the wall mounted vacuum cleaner comprising this invention will be readily apparent from the detailed description given above. Briefly, access door 20 is temporarily removed and a dirt receptacle bag 102 is inserted into chamber with the mouth of the bag being slipped up over the lower discharge end portion 60' of conduit 60. Then door 20 is replaced. Hose connector 80a of the hose assembly 80 of conventional type is inserted into hose receptacle 62, after pivoting flap 62a into its open position illustrated in FIG. 2. Switch actuator 56 is then shifted to initiate motor operation. Motor 38 powers vacuum pump 40 which, through its communication to chamber 25, draws air from the chamber through grill l4e through the pump, thence through motor 38, to the discharge of the motor and out upper grill 16b in rear cover shell 16. This, of course, causes a negative pressure at conduit outlet 60', to cause air to be drawn through hose 80, thence through hose connector a and receptacle 62, inlet 60c, tee-connector 60b, and conduit 60, thereby drawing dirt-laden air into the dirt receptacle bag 102 connected to end portion 60'.

Having made reference to the operation of the wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit comprising this invention, reference is now made particularly to the cleaner unit 10 and its manner of installation depicted in FIGS. 13 through 16. The unit 10 as shown in these figures is substantially similar to that of the previous figures, except there are various changes in design and contour. However, the principle of operation as well as associated parts are substantially identical with respect to their general form and function.

It should be noted that the access door 20 when placed in its closed position with the projections 20); within their corresponding slots 29, the door 20 must provide some hermetic sealing of the opening into chamber 25. This is accomplished by means of providing on the main support frame 14 the outwardly disposed flange which mates with a corresponding closed loop groove or U-shaped flange provided on the inside surface 91 of the access door 20 into which is received a resilient gasket member 92 to provide for hermetic sealing of the receptacle compartment 24 upon engagement of the flange 90 against the resilient gasket member 92. Obviously, the flange 90 could be placed along the inside surface 91 of the access door while the corresponding groove and resilient gasket member 92 would be placed around the perimeter of the opening into chamber 25 in order to accomplish the identical hermetic sealing effect.

Reference is now made to FIG. 15 where there is shown in cross section a detailed arrangement of hose connector 80a inserted within hose receptacle 62. It will be noted that there is a snug or tight fit engagement with regard to the downward depending hose connector 80a within the framework of the conduit inlet 60c which is also disposed in a downward position toward the floor. The close tolerance between these two pieces insures secure engagement of the hose connector 800 in the hose receptacle 62 as well as providing for, good sealing engagement.

As in the case of FIG. 10, the hose receptacle 62 shown here is provided with a spring biased flap 62a having a forward flange 62b for prying the flap open. The flap 62a is pivotally secured at 93 to the base plate 94 and a conventional spring is provided at the point of pivoting to cause the flap 62a to move in the direction of arrow 95 to its closed position covering the inlet receiver 62d.

As compared to the structure shown in FIG. 10, it should be noted that the flap 62 in FIG. 15 has on its under surface 96 the outwardly extended projection 97 to engage under the annular ridge 98 integral to the hose connector 80a. Thus, the biasing pressure of the flap 620 causes the projection 97 to engage the underside surface of the annular ridge 98 to help maintain and insure that the hose connector 80a will remain in its secured position within the conduit inlet 600.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 14 and 16 wherein there is shown the mounting frame 103 which comprises two identical frame sides 104, which as shown are angle irons. The frame sides 104 are secured in parallel relation by means of the identical end brackets 105 by any suitable means such as by fasteners in the form of a rivet indicated at 106. It should be noted that the frame sides 104 are provided with a plurality of identically spaced slots, one set of slots being provided in the front face 106 of each frame side 104 and another set of slots being provided in the side face 107 of each of the frame sides 104. The slots 108 in the front face 106 of each of the frame sides 104 are elongated slots, their longitudinal extent being in the vertical diperipheral flange 14b of the main support frame 14 rel ative to the wall surface upon final installation.

The mounting frame 103 can then be finally secured in position with the use of fasteners, such as screws or nails, as applied through the openings 111 in the side faces 107 of the frame sides 104. Also, any further adjustment of the mounting frame 103 relative to the main support frame 14 can be accomplished by adjustrection. On the other hand, the slots 110 in the side faces 107 of each of the frame sides 104 are elongated with their longitudinal extent in a horizontal direction. Also, final securement holes 111 are provided in each of the side faces 107, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

The manner of installing the wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit 10 is a relatively simple task because of the employment of the mounting frame 103 and particularly with the provision of the

elongated slots

108 and 110 in the front faces 106 and in the side faces 107, respectively, of the frame sides 104. In this connection, the unique manner and method of installing the unit 10 is accomplished as follows in an existing building structure.

As shown in FIG. 16, an opening 112 is prepared in the wall 113 of sufficientsize to receive the rearward portions of the unit 10 with the peripheral flange 14b "covering the entire opening 112. In order to insure complete coverage of the wall opening 112 as well as proper alignment of the mounting frame 103 relative to the unit 10, particularly the main support frame 14, the mounting frame 103 may be temporarily mounted to the main support frame 14 by means of employing fasteners through the openings 34 in the peripheral flange 14)), which fasteners extend through each of the elongated slots 108 wherein the fasteners are properly secured with corresponding fastening devices. Thus, the mountingframe 103 may be relatively adjusted upwardly or downwardly relative to the main support I frame peripheral flange 14b as indicated by the arrow 114 in FIG. 14 to insure proper opening coverage as well as proper alignment between the respective frames.

The mounting frame 103 is then by itself mounted within the opening 112 wherein one side frame 104 is plied through the openings 110 in the side faces 107.

However, these nails are not completely set into the studs their fullextent inorder to allow adjustment of the mounting frame within the wall opening 112 as indictated by arrow 118 in FIG. 6 to compensate for'wall thickness indicated by the arrow 119 in FIG. 16 and also insure flush engagement of the rear surfaces of the ing the securing fasteners along the length of the elongated slots 108 if necessary. I

After the unit is installed, the front cover shell 18 can be removed for purposes of connecting the wiring 54.

While other wall mounted vacuum cleaner units of the prior art may provide for an exhaust conduit relative to the exhaust from motor 38, unit 10 of the present invention merely provides for the motor exhaust to be expelled through the grid 16b into the inner chambers of the wall structure of the building. In this connection, one or more openings 120 can be provided in the floor plate 128 (or in the ceiling plate) of the wall chamber to permit the exhaust air to escape into other various wall chambers of the building structure or to escape into an attic, basement or other crawl space. In any event, if desirable, an exhaust conduit vent can be provided for connection at the point of the exhaust grid 16b.

From the foregoing, it can readily be seen that a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit is provided which is not only aesthetically attractive, but also minimizes to a greater extent the wear imposed on the hose assembly attached to the hose receptacle of such units while making it easier for the user to manipulate the hose assembly .by having the hose connector and the connected hose directed from the hose receptacle immediately to the floor so that there is no substantial weight or force either due to the weight of the hose or the force that is applied by the user in using the hose assembly during cleaning purposes as compared in the case where such receptacles are flush with the wall with the hose connector extending horizontally therefrom and out into the room and, thus, rendering it an obstruction. Also, it should be appreciated that the vacuum cleaner unit is not only compact but also is provided with a minimum of assembly involving largely only four pieces which are releasably connected to-.

gether in a quick and simple fashion to simplify manufacture and later inspection and repair.

The foregoing description, of course, sets forth the preferred embodiment of this invention, and in order to do so, specific terminology must be employed. In this connection, it should be noted that when using specific terminology in describing the preferred embodiment, it is intended only in the generic or descriptive sense and not for any purpose of limiting the scope of the invention as defined in the claims:

I claim:

1. Method of installing a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit having a housing means forming a receptacle compartment and a power compartment and including a main support frame for said compartments having a peripheral flange and a mounting frame for said main support frame comprising the steps of preparing an opening in an area of the wall into which the unit is to be installed, initially installing the mounting frame between a pair of studs within the wall opening in a manner permitting selective inward and outward adjustment of the mounting frame,

adjusting, by installing the main support frame on the initially installed mounting frame, the main support frame within the wall opening compensating for wall thickness and insuring flush engagement of the main support frame peripheral flange relative to the wall surface, and thereafter permanently securing said mounting frame to prevent said inward and outward adjusting of said mounting frame.

2. Method of installing a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit having a housing means forming a receptacle compartment and a power compartment and including a main support frame for said compartments having a peripheral flange and a mounting frame for said main support frame comprising the steps of preparing an opening in an area of the wall into which the unit is to be installed,

selectively adjusting the position and alignment of the mounting frame relative to the main support frame to insure complete coverage of the wall opening by temporarily mounting the mounting frame to the main support frame,

initially installing the mounting frame between a pair of studs within the wall opening in a manner permitting selective inward and outward adjustment of the mounting frame,

Claims

1. Method of installing a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit having a housing means forming a receptacle compartment and a power compartment and including a main support frame for said compartments having a peripheral flange and a mounting frame for said main support frame comprising the steps of preparing an opening in an area of the wall into which the unit is to be installed, initially installing the mounting frame between a pair of studs within the wall opening in a manner permitting selective inward and outward adjustment of the mounting frame, adjusting, by installing the main support frame on the initially installed mounting frame, the main support frame within the wall opening compensating for wall thickness and insuring flush engagement of the main support frame peripheral flange relative to the wall surface, and thereafter permanently securing said mounting frame to prevent said inward and outward adjusting of said mounting frame.

2. Method of installing a wall mounted vacuum cleaner unit having a housing means forming a receptacle compartment and a power compartment and including a main support frame for said compartments having a peripheral flange and a mounting frame for said main support frame comprising the steps of preparing an opening in an area of the wall into which the unit is to be installed, selectively adjusting the position and alignment of the mounting frame relative to the main support frame to insure complete coverage of the wall opening by temporarily mounting the mounting frame to the main support frame, initially installing the mounting frame between a pair of studs within the wall opening in a manner permitting selective inward and outward adjustment of the mounting frame, adjusting, by installing the main support frame on the initially installed mounting frame, the main support frame within the wall opening compensating for wall thickness and insuring flush engagement of the main support frame peripheral flange relative to the wall surface, and thereafter permanently securing said mounting frame to prevent said inward and outward adjusting of said mounting frame.