Connector assembly and methods of use

1. A connector assembly comprising

an elastomeric connector having an opening therethrough comprising a body portion and connector flange portion at a distal end thereof;

wherein the connector flange portion is approximately perpendicular to the body portion;

a rigid compression fitting having an opening aligned with the opening of the elastomeric connector;

wherein the rigid compression fitting comprises a female cap, a double sided male component, and an insert having dimensions to fit therebetween;

wherein the insert comprises a tube portion and an insert flange portion, wherein the insert flange portion is approximately perpendicular to the tube portion;

wherein the insert flange portion is proximate a first end of the insert and is about the same circumference as the connector flange portion; and

wherein the tube portion is proximate a second end of the insert and has a length that is shorter than a length of the elastomeric connector and has an outer circumference that is about the same as an inner circumference of the elastomeric connector.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1

wherein the female cap and the first end of the double sided male component are threaded.

3. A converter hose comprising

the connector assembly of claim 2 ; and

a hose that is more rigid than the elastomeric connector and less rigid than the compression fitting.

4. A method of using the connector assembly of claim 2 comprising

attaching the proximal end of the elastomeric connector to a fixture or the end of a vacuum cleaner hose.

5. The connector assembly of claim 1

wherein the double sided male component comprises a male cap end that is complementary to the female cap, and a male hose end that inserts into a hose when in use opposite the male cap end;

wherein the female cap comprises a rim that forms a first opening approximately the same dimension as the outer circumference of the elastomeric connector;

wherein a second opening in the female cap has a larger circumference than the insert flange portion;

wherein when assembled:

the tube portion is positioned inside the distal end of the elastomeric connector and the insert flange portion rests against the connector flange portion;

wherein most of the elastomeric connector and some of the tube portion extend through the first opening of the female cap;

wherein the connector flange portion rests against an inner surface of the rim; and

wherein the insert flange portion and the connector flange portion are compressed against the rim forming a seal.

6. The connector assembly of claim 5 further comprising

a transition plane between a larger opening of the male cap end and a smaller opening in the male hose end.

7. A converter hose comprising

the connector assembly of claim 6 ; and

a hose that is more rigid than the elastomeric connector and less rigid than the compression fitting.

8. A method of using the connector assembly of claim 6 comprising

attaching the proximal end of the elastomeric connector to a fixture or the end of a vacuum cleaner hose.

9. A converter hose comprising

the connector assembly of claim 5 ; and

a hose that is more rigid than the elastomeric connector and less rigid than the compression fitting.

10. A method of using the connector assembly of claim 5 comprising

attaching the proximal end of the elastomeric connector to a fixture or the end of a vacuum cleaner hose.

11. A converter hose comprising

the connector assembly of claim 1 ; and

a hose that is more rigid than the elastomeric connector and less rigid than the compression fitting.

12. A method of using the connector assembly of claim 1 comprising

attaching the proximal end of the elastomeric connector to a fixture or the end of a vacuum cleaner hose.

13. A converter hose comprising

an elastomeric connector having an opening therethrough comprising a body portion and connector flange portion at a distal end thereof;

wherein the connector flange portion is approximately perpendicular to the body portion;

a rigid compression fitting having an opening aligned with the opening of the elastomeric connector;

wherein the rigid compression fitting comprises a female cap, a double sided male component, and an insert having dimensions to fit therebetween;

wherein the insert comprises a tube portion and an insert flange portion, wherein the insert flange portion is approximately perpendicular to the tube portion; and

a hose that is more rigid than the elastomeric connector and less rigid than the compression fitting.

14. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein the elastomeric connector has a wall thickness of about 1/32″ to ½″.

15. The converter hose of claim 14

wherein the wall thickness is about 1/16″ to ¼″.

16. The converter hose of claim 15

wherein the properties and the dimensions provide a surface area about peripheries of various sized fixtures to counter a force of a flow rate through the various sized fixtures when in use.

17. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein the elastomeric connector has properties and dimensions wherein when in use a single elastomeric connector self seals about peripheries of a round fixture and a rectangular fixture.

18. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein the elastomeric connector comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a durometer hardness Shore Type A or Shore Type OO value of about 1-50.

19. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein the elastomeric connector comprises a thermoplastic elastomer having a durometer hardness Shore Type A value of about 1-30.

20. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein the thermoplastic elastomer connector comprises a thermoplastic elastomer that has a tear strength of about 1-35 kN/m.

21. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein the elastomeric connector has a length of about 3-10 inches.

22. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein the hose comprises silicon or polyvinyl chloride.

23. The converter hose of claim 13 further comprising

a nozzle attached to a second end of the hose.

24. The converter hose of claim 13

wherein a single elastomeric connector has properties and dimensions capable of self sealing about peripheries of fixtures comprising both a 3″ diameter shower head and a 2″ by 1.5″ rectangular tub spout when in use.

25. A method of using the converter hose of claim 14 comprising

attaching the proximal end of the elastomeric connector to a fixture or the end of a vacuum cleaner hose.