HOSE-REELING APPARATUS

Abstract

A hose-used hose-reeling apparatus includes a base, a reel, a conduit assembly and a communication element. The reel is supported on the base. The conduit assembly includes a conduit and a shackle. The conduit extends in the base and includes a horizontal tube and a vertical tube. The horizontal tube includes an insertion section and an abutment section. The insertion section includes at least one hook inserted in a slot in the base. The abutment section includes an end for abutment against a supporting element. The vertical tube extends in a peripheral aperture of the base from the insertion section. The shackle is movable between a releasing position disengaged from the insertion section and a locking position engaged with the insertion section. The communication element extends in the reel and covers a peripheral aperture in the insertion section as the reel is supported on the base.

Claims

1. A hose-reeling apparatus comprising: a base (10) comprising: a plate (12) comprising a peripheral aperture (1242); and an axle (14) extending from the plate (12) and comprising an end disc (144), at least one slot (146) in the end disc (144), and a central aperture (148) in the end disc (144); a reel assembly (20) supported on the axle (14); a conduit assembly (30) comprising: a conduit (32) inserted in the base (10) and comprising: a horizontal tube (322) comprising: an insertion section (3221) extending throughout the central aperture (148) of the axle (14) and comprising at least one peripheral aperture (3223) and at least one hook (3225) inserted in the slot (146) of the end disc (144); and an abutment section (3222) comprising a contact plate (38) at an end for abutment against a supporting element (50) other than the base (10); and a vertical tube (324) extending from the insertion section (3221) throughout the peripheral aperture (1242) of the plate (12), wherein the horizontal and vertical tubes (322, 324) are formed in one piece; and a shackle (36) movable on the reel assembly (20) between a releasing position disengaged from the insertion section (3221) and a locking position engaged with the insertion section (3221); and a communication element (40) extending in the reel assembly (20) and covering the peripheral aperture (3223) of the insertion section (3221) as the reel assembly (20) is supported on the axle (14).

2. (canceled)

3. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plate (12) comprises a dovetail recess (124) in communication with the peripheral aperture (1242), and the vertical tube (324) comprises a dovetail (3242) inserted in the dovetail recess (124).

4. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conduit assembly (30) comprises a reinforcing element (34) formed between the horizontal tube (322) and the vertical tube (324).

5. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reel assembly (20) comprises a reel (22) comprising: a tubular body (221) for supporting a hose (81); an axial passageway (222) for receiving the axle (14); an end disc (223) at an end of the axial passageway (222); a central aperture (226) in the end disc (223) to receive the insertion section (3221); and two annular flanges (228) formed on the tubular body (221) to keep the hose (81) on the tubular body (221).

6. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reel (22) comprises a peripheral bore (229) in the tubular body (221) and in communication with the axial passageway (222), and the communication element (40) comprises a collar (42) located on and around the insertion section (3221) and a tube (44) intersecting the collar (42) and inserted in the peripheral bore (229) of the reel (22).

7. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reel (22) comprises at least one slot (225) in the end disc (223), and the communication element (40) comprises at least one hook (46) inserted in the slot (225) of the reel (22) to lock the communication element (40) to the reel (22).

8. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reel assembly (20) comprises a decorative cover (224) connected to the reel (22) to cover the end disc (223) of the reel (22).

9. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the reel (22) comprises peripheral apertures (227) in the end disc (223), and the decorative cover (24) comprises buckles (242) inserted in the peripheral apertures (227) of the reel (22) to lock the decorative cover (24) to the end disc (23) of the reel (22).

10. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion section (3221) comprises an annular groove (3224) in an external face, and the shackle (36) comprises a portion for insertion in the annular groove (3224) of the insertion section (3221) to lock the conduit (32) to the axle (14).

11. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the shackle (36) comprises an aperture (3642) with an edge for insertion in the annular groove (3224) of the insertion section (3221) to lock the conduit (32) to the axle (14).

12. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the aperture (3642) of the shackle (36) comprises a wider portion through which the insertion section (3221) is inserted and a narrower portion with an edge for insertion in the annular groove (3224) of the insertion section (3221) to lock the conduit (32) to the axle (14).

13. The hose-reeling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axle (14) comprises cantilevers (142) formed between the plate (12) and the end disc (144).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment versus the prior art referring to the drawings wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hose-reeling apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the hose-reeling apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hose-reeling apparatus of FIG. 1 without a cover;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of the hose-reeling apparatus of FIG. 2;

[0015] FIG. 5 is another exploded view of the hose-reeling apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the hose-reeling apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the hose-reeling apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional hose-reeling apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, a hose-reeling apparatus includes a base 10, a reel assembly 20, a conduit assembly 30 and a communication element 40 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The base 10 includes a plate 12 formed at an end of an axle 14.

[0021] The plate 12 includes a rear face 122, a dovetail recess 124 in the rear face 122, a peripheral aperture 1242 in communication with the dovetail recess 124, and an opening 126 extending axially throughout the plate 12. The plate 12 is made of proper thickness for strength.

[0022] The axle 14 includes several cantilevers 142 extending from an end disc 144 at an end and extending from a front face of the plate 12 at an opposite end. The cantilevers 142 are evenly located around the opening 126. The end disc 144 includes two slots 146 and a central aperture 148. The central aperture 148 is located between the slots 146.

[0023] The reel assembly 20 can be rotationally supported on the axle 14. The reel assembly 20 includes a reel 22 and a decorative cover 24.

[0024] The reel 22 includes a tubular body 221 formed between two annular flanges 228. The tubular body 221 includes an axial passageway 222 and a peripheral bore 229 (FIG. 4). The axial passageway 222 extends throughout the tubular body 221. The axial passageway 222 is in communication with the interior of the tubular body 221 by the peripheral bore 229.

[0025] The reel 22 is further formed with an end disc 223 at an end of the axial passageway 222. The end disc 223 includes several slots 225, a central aperture 226 and several peripheral apertures 227. The slots 225 are arranged in two rows. The central aperture 226 is located between the rows of the slots 225. The slots 225 and the central aperture 226 are located in a region defined by the peripheral apertures 227. An operation chamber 224 is made by an annular end portion of the tubular body 221 and the end disc 223.

[0026] The reel 22 further includes a handle 2282 extending from one of the annular flanges 228. The handle 2282 is operable to rotate the entire reel 22 to wound a hose 81 on the tubular body 221.

[0027] The decorative cover 24 is used to close the operation chamber 224. To this end, the decorative cover 24 includes several buckles 242 corresponding to the peripheral apertures 227. The buckles 242 can be inserted in the peripheral apertures 227 to attach the decorative cover 24 to the end disc 223 so that the decorative cover 24 thinly closes the operation chamber 224. The decorative cover 24 further includes a window 244. The operation chamber 224 is observable through the window 244.

[0028] The conduit assembly 30 is inserted in the base 10 in use. The conduit assembly 30 includes a conduit 32, a reinforcing element 34 (FIG. 6) and a shackle 36.

[0029] The conduit 32 includes a horizontal tube 322 and a vertical tube 324. The horizontal tube 322 and the vertical tube 324 are made in one piece.

[0030] The horizontal tube 322 extends throughout the opening 126 of the plate 12 and the central aperture 148 of the end disc 144 of the axle 14 in use. The horizontal tube 322 is formed with an insertion section 3221 and an abutment section 3222 at two ends. The insertion section 3221 includes at least one peripheral aperture 3223 via which the interior of the horizontal tube 322 is in communication with the exterior of the horizontal tube 322. An annular groove 3224 is made in an external face of the insertion section 3221. The insertion section 3221 further includes hooks 3224 corresponding to the slots 146 of the end disc 144. The hooks 3224 are inserted in the slots 146 to connect the insertion section 3221 to the end disc 144 in use.

[0031] Preferably, the conduit 32 includes a contact plate 38 formed at end of the abutment section 3222. The contact plate 38 is formed with a rear face (not numbered) substantially in flush with the rear face 122 of the plate 12 in use. The contact plate 38 is used to reinforce the abutment section 3222 and increase an area of contact of the abutment section 3222 with a supporting element 50 such as a wall (FIG. 7) in use.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the vertical tube 324 is formed with a dovetail 3242. The dovetail 3242 is inserted in the dovetail recess 124 so that a section of the vertical tube 324 is inserted in the peripheral aperture 1242 of the plate 12. Now, the insertion section 3221 is inserted in the central aperture 148 (FIG. 7).

[0033] An end of the reinforcing element 34 is connected to the horizontal tube 322. Another end of the reinforcing element 34 is connected to the vertical tube 324. Preferably, the reinforcing element 34 is made in one piece with the horizontal tube 322 and the vertical tube 324.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, the shackle 36 includes a maneuver portion 362 and locking portion 364. The maneuver portion 362 and the locking portion 364 are made in one piece and extend perpendicular to each other. The maneuver portion 362 extends throughout the window 244 of the decorative cover 24 in use. The locking portion 364 includes an aperture 3642. The insertion section 3221 of the conduit 32 extends throughout the aperture 3642 in use (FIG. 7). The aperture 3642 includes a wide portion and a narrow portion. A diameter of the wide portion of the aperture 3642 is larger than a diameter of the insertion section 3221. The maneuver portion 362 is maneuverable to move the locking portion 364 between a releasing position and a locking position in use. In the releasing position, the shackle 36 allows a free end of the insertion section 3221 of the conduit 32 to extend throughout the wide portion of the aperture 3642. In the locking position, an arched edge of the narrow portion of the aperture 3642 is inserted in the annular groove 3224 of the insertion section 3221 to keep the insertion section 3221 in position.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, the communication element 40 is formed with a collar 42, a tube 44 and four hooks 46 for example. The collar 42, the tube 44 and the hooks 46 are made in one piece. The collar 42 and the tube 44 intersect each other. Two fins (not numbered) extend from two opposite sides of the tube 44. Two of the hooks 46 extend from one of the fins at the right angle. The other hooks 46 extend from the other fin at the right angle.

[0036] In use, the collar 42 is located on and around the insertion section 3221 and inserted in the tubular body 221. The collar 42 is co-central with the central aperture 148 of the disc 144 of the base 10 and the central aperture 226 of the reel 22 of the reel assembly 20.

[0037] The tube 44 extends to the exterior of the tubular body 221 from the interior of the tubular body 221 through the peripheral bore 229. Then, the tube 44 is connected to the hose 81, which is wound on and around the tubular body 221.

[0038] The hooks 46 are inserted in the slots 225, thereby keeping the communication element 40 in position relative to the reel 22.

[0039] Advantageously, the base 10 and the conduit assembly 30, which is inserted in the base 10, are both connected to the supporting element 50 for example. Thus, both the rear face 122 of the base 10 and the abutment section 3222 of the conduit assembly 30 are abutted against the supporting element 50, and the conduit 32 of the conduit assembly 30 is connected to a source pipe 82 through the vertical tube 324.

[0040] In use, the axle 14 is inserted in the axial passageway 222 of the reel 22 of the reel assembly 20. Then, the reel 22 is moved toward the plate 12 of the base 10. As the axle 14 matches the axial passageway 222, the collar 42 of the communication element 40, which is inserted in the reel 22, can be located on and around the of the insertion section 3221 of the conduit 32. Advantageously, the conduit 32 is directly abutted against the supporting element 50. Hence, a force exerted on the reel 22 to move the reel 22 onto the axle 14 is transferred to the supporting element 50 via the conduit 32, without any risk of disengaging the conduit 32 from the axle 14.

[0041] The present invention has been described via the illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.