Abstract
A hose reel device is provided with features for enhancing the functionality and ease of use of the device. The device comprises a drum provided with a frame member and at least one extension adapted for cleaning, winding, guiding, or elevating an elongate flexible hose that may be provided in combination with the device. The device also comprises various modular features such that the device may be modified for particular applications and based on the preferences of the end user.
Claims
1. A winding apparatus comprising: a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of the drum; a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame; a pair of rotatable arms extending from the frame; at least one elongate rail member extending between the pair of rotatable arms; a guide member provided on the at least one elongate rail member; the guide member being translatable with respect to the at least one elongate rail member, and the guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible elongate member; and wherein the pair of rotatable arms are rotatable about an axis generally corresponding to the axis of rotation of the drum such that the guide member may be provided in a plurality of radial positions with respect to the drum.
2. The winding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a pair of lower frame members and a pair of upper frame members, and wherein the apparatus is stackable with an additional apparatus of substantially the same construction.
3. The winding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide member comprises an elongate member cleaning device having a plurality of bristles adapted to contact an outer surface of the flexible elongate member and remove debris therefrom.
4. The winding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one elongate rail member comprises a self-reversing screw to provide a reciprocating motion to the guide member and to wind or coil the flexible elongate member about the drum.
5. The winding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the self-reversing screw comprises a left-handed helical groove and a right-handed helical groove that overlap each other, and the guide member includes a portion that is operatively interconnected to the helical grooves to provide the reciprocating motion of the guide member.
6. The winding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an extending guide provided on the frame, wherein an apertured member is positioned on a distal end of the extending guide and construed to receive the flexible elongate member.
7. The winding apparatus of claim 6, wherein the extending guide comprises a plurality of telescoping, concentric frame elements that allow the extending guide to selectively extend above the frame.
8. A hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation; a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame; a first bracket member having a portion that forms a recess with a first opening, the recess of the first bracket being configured to selectively receive a first portion of the frame; a second bracket member having a portion that forms a recess with a second opening, the recess of the second bracket being configured to selectively receive a second portion of the frame; at least one rail member extending between the first and second bracket members; and a hose guide member comprising an aperture for receiving a flexible hose and provided on the at least one rail member.
9. The hose winding apparatus of claim 8, wherein the portions of the first and second bracket members are deflectable to form interference fits with the frame.
10. The hose winding apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hose guide member comprises a handle portion for manually moving the hose guide member along the at least one rail member.
11. The hose winding apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hose guide member comprises a hose cleaning device having a plurality of bristles adapted to contact the outer surface of the flexible hose and to remove debris from the flexible hose.
12. The hose winding apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one rail member comprises a self-reversing screw to provide a reciprocating motion.
13. The hose winding apparatus of claim 12, wherein the self-reversing screw comprises a left-handed helical groove and a right-handed helical groove that overlap.
14. The hose winding apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: an extending hose guide provided on the frame and having an apertured member positioned on its distal end for receiving a flexible hose.
15. A hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation; a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame; a pair of rotatable arms extending from the frame, wherein the pair of rotatable arms are rotatable about an axis generally corresponding to the axis of rotation of the drum; at least one elongate rail member extending between the pair of rotatable arms; a first guide member provided on the at least one elongate rail member, the first guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible hose and positionable in a plurality of radial positions with respect to the drum; and an extending hose guide provided on the frame, wherein a second guide member is positioned on a distal end of the extending hose guide and includes an aperture for receiving the flexible hose.
16. The hose winding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the extending hose guide comprises a plurality of telescoping, concentric frame elements that allow the extending hose guide to selectively extend.
17. The hose winding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the frame is positioned on a platform of a wheeled cart.
18. The hose winding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first guide member comprises a hose cleaning device having a plurality of bristles adapted to contact an outer surface of the flexible hose.
19. The hose winding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one elongate rail member comprises a self-reversing screw to provide a reciprocating motion to the first guide member.
20. The hose winding apparatus of claim 19, wherein the self-reversing screw comprises a left-handed helical groove and a right-handed helical groove and the first guide member is operatively interconnected to the helical grooves to provide the reciprocating motion.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosed system and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed system.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of hose reel devices and a hose reel accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a component of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a component of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a component of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 9B is a side elevation view of hose reel devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 9C is a rear perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular system embodiments illustrated herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hose reel device 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the hose reel 2 comprises a frame member 4 with base member 6. The frame member 4 at least partially surrounds a drum 8, the drum 8 being rotatable with respect to at least the frame 4 and adapted to receive and store a hose (not shown). Although the present disclosure contemplates systems and features for storing hoses such as air and water hoses, it will be expressly recognized that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular hose. Indeed, it is contemplated that devices of the present disclosure are provided and adapted to receive and store various devices including hoses, cables, cords, ropes, and various other elongate objects suitable for winding and/or storing with devices of the disclosure.
[0032] As further shown in FIG. 1, the hose reel device 2 also comprises a crank 10 or other user-interface to rotate the drum 8 and effectuate winding or unwinding of a hose or similar device. The crank 10 is at least partially supported by a support member 12 (a second similar support member is located but not fully shown on the opposite side of the frame), which further support the drum 10 and comprises a portion of the frame 4. The hose reel 2 comprises fluid-connection interface 14 to connect a stored hose or similar device provided on the reel 2 to a water or air source, for example. The fluid-connection interface 14 provides for a device that renders a stored or wound hose to be usable while provided on the hose reel 2, such that the hose reel 2 is not simply a storage device. As further shown in FIG. 1, the frame 4 comprises horizontally extending members 16. Horizontally extending members 16 further support the frame 4, protect the drum 8, and support additional accessories as shown and described herein.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hose reel device 2 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The hose reel device 2 comprises substantially the same structure as the embodiment of FIG. 1, and further comprises a hose guide 17. The hose guide 17 comprises a body member 18 provided on elongate rails 22a, 22b, and an aperture 19 through which a hose or similar device is fed as it is wound around or extended from the drum 8. The hose guide body 18 and associated aperture 19 are translatable along elongate rails 22a, 22b in order to feed and coil a hose back and forth along at least a portion of a width of the drum 8. The hose guide 17 is secured to the frame 4 of the hose reel device 2 with first and second bracket members or arms 24a, 24b. Bracket members 24a, 24b are selectively securable to the frame 4 in a plurality of locations based on user preference, desired position or orientation of the hose reel 2, or other requirements.
[0034] Portions of the bracket members 24a, 24b form recesses that secure the bracket members 24a, 24b to the frame 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 4 is selectively received through openings of the recesses (further described with respect to FIG. 6) to secure the bracket members 24a, 24b, elongate rails 22a, 22b, and hose guide 17 to the frame 4. The portions of the bracket members 24a, 24b may be deflectable such that an interference fit is created between the bracket members 24a, 24b and the frame 4. In practice, a user may, for example, selectively interconnect the bracket members 24a, 24b to a front side of the frame in one instance, then remove and selectively interconnect the members 24a, 24b to a top side of the frame in another instance.
[0035] It will be appreciated that the bracket members 24a, 24b may be selectively interconnected to the frame 4 in a number of ways. For example, a clamp on each bracket member 24a, 24b allows for a user to selectively secure the bracket members 24a, 24b to the frame 4 in a plurality of locations on the frame 4. In another further example, the frame 4 comprises a curved segment having a constant radius of curvature, and the recesses of the bracket members 24a, 24b have the same radius of curvature. Thus, the bracket members 24a, 24b can selectively change positions along the curved segment of the frame 4. Deflectable portions and/or interference fits can secure the bracket members 24a, 24b in particular positions, but it will also be appreciated that other selective securing features such as deflectable pins, screws, latches, and other similar features can secure the bracket members 24a, 24b in particular positions on the frame 4.
[0036] Next, in certain embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2, the hose guide 17 comprises a handle portion 26 for manually moving the hose guide 17 which can be used to coil a hose around a drum in a desired fashion. However, in alternative embodiments, at least one of the rails 22a, 22b comprises a self-reversing screw or worm gear for auto guiding and winding of a hose. In one example, an elongate rail member 22a, 22b has a right-handed helical groove along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member 22a, 22b and a left-handed helical groove also running along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member 22a, 22b. A shoe (not shown) on the hose guide 17 tracks along one of the helical groves such that the hose guide 17 translates along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member 22a, 22b. Once the hose guide 17 reaches one end of the elongate rail member 22a, 22b, the shoe transitions between helical grooves, and the hose guide 17 begins translating in the opposite direction along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member 22a, 22b. This translating motions helps store a hose in the hose reel device 2 in an efficient and compact manner.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hose reel device 2 and hose guide accessories according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the device comprises a hose guide 17 as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2 (but positioned upon a different portion of the frame 4). The hose reel 2 of FIG. 3 further comprises an elevated hose guide 30 extending substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the drum 8 of the hose guide 2. The elevated hose guide 30 comprises first 34 and second 38 members. The members 34, 38 are telescoping with respect to each other, such that an overall length of the elevated hose guide 30 is adjustable. The elevated hose guide 30 is preferably removably secured or fixed to the frame 4 of the hose reel 2 by a clamp or similar feature. The elevated hose guide 30 provides a roller guide 40 at an elevated position and can enable elevation of a hose. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the hose guide 30 is rotatable with respect to the frame 4 of the hose reel 2 such that a user may easily move around a position of the hose reel 2 in a radial direction while utilizing a hose which is constrained by the roller guide 40.
[0038] The embodiment of FIG. 3 also comprises a horizontal hose guide 17 as shown and described with respect to FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, however, the horizontal hose guide 17 is provided on an upper portion of the frame member 4, such as may be desirable to accommodate a hose being fed through the roller guide 40 of the elevated hose guide 30. The arrangement of FIG. 3 may be particularly advantageous, for example, where one wishes to use a spray gun or wand associated with a hose provided on the hose reel 2 when the hose reel 2 is provided in the bed or a truck or similar position of storage. The elevated roller guide 40 of the elevate hose guide 30 creates a raised contact point for the hose and creates greater mobility and freedom of movement for a user of a device provided on a distal end of a hose. The elevated hose guide 30 comprises a locking pin 36 (or other device known in the art) to selectively adjust and secure a relative position of the first 34 and second 38 members and a total overall length of the elevated hose guide 30.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hose reel 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided on a cart 50. The cart 50 comprises an upper frame member 52, at least one wheel 54 (a second wheel would typically be opposite the shown wheel and also attached to eh cart frame 50), a lower frame member 58 with a foot or support 60, and a platform 56 for receiving at least a portion of a hose reel 2 as shown and described herein. As shown in FIG. 4, a bottom portion 6 of the frame member 4 may be provided on the platform 56, and movement of the hose reel 2 is enabled by manual operation and translation of the cart 50. The upper frame member 52 can be used as a handle to facilitate movement of the cart 50 and is adjustable in some embodiments.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cart 50 according to the embodiment of FIG. 4 and wherein the cart 50 is provided with a plurality of hose reels 2. As shown, the hose reels 2 comprise base member 6 and frame members 4 that allow for secure vertical stacking (in a manner known in the art) of the hose reels 2. A plurality of reels 2 may be stacked on a single cart 50 and moved to desired locations. It is also contemplated that hose reels 2 and associated features (e.g. spray guns) may be used while the hose reel(s) 2 are provided on the cart 50 as shown in FIGS. 4-5.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a horizontal hose guide 17 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the horizontal hose guide 17 comprises first and second bracket members 24a, 24b adapted to mount the guide 17 to a frame of a hose reel 2. A pair of rails 22a, 22b are provided and extend between the first and second bracket members 24a, 24b. The rails 22a, 22b are adapted to allow for substantially horizontal translation of a body member 18. The body member 18 comprises a central aperture 19 for receiving a hose or similar feature and wherein the hose travels through the central aperture during winding and unwinding of a drum of the hose reel 2. The body member 18 comprises a handle 26, and a user may grasp the handle 26 and guide or direct the coiling or uncoiling of the hose around the drum. These devices and features enable a user to provide a wound hose in a preferred orientation and wherein successive loops of a coil on the drum 8 are horizontally distributed in a desired position.
[0042] FIG. 6 also shows the bracket members 24a, 24b and the respective portions that form recesses. The portions may form recesses that have a partially cylindrical shape to conform to a frame that has tubular segments. The recesses also have openings through which the frame may pass through before being secured in the recesses. The openings of the bracket members 24a, 24b have a particular orientation so that the second bracket member 24b is selectively interconnected to the frame before the first bracket member 24a, or vice versa. The opening of the second bracket 24b is oriented in an outward direction, or alternatively, parallel with longitudinal axes of the rails 22a, 22b. Conversely, the opening of the first bracket 24a is oriented in a different direction. The first bracket 24a is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rails 22a, 22b. Thus, during operation, a user selectively interconnects the second bracket member 24b to the frame, then rotates the bracket members 24a, 24b and the rails 22a, 22b and selectively interconnects the first bracket member 24a to the frame. Accordingly, the user only has to selectively interconnect one bracket member 24a, 24b at a time instead of both bracket members 24a, 24b simultaneously.
[0043] It will be appreciated that the orientations of the bracket members 24a, 24b are not necessarily parallel and perpendicular. For instance, the second bracket member 24b can be in an orientation between parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rails 22a, 22b such that a user selectively interconnects the second bracket member 24b to the frame, then only has to rotate the bracket members 24a, 24b and the rails 22a, 22b a few degrees to selectively interconnect the first bracket member 24a to the frame. It will be further appreciated that while the opening of the second bracket member 24b is oriented outwardly in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the arms 22a, 22b are longer and the opening of the second bracket member 24b is oriented inwardly, yet still parallel with the longitudinal axes of the arms 22a, 22b.
[0044] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of an elevated hose guide member 30 comprising first 34 and second 38 members that are translatable relative to each other. A securing member 36, such as a pin, clevis, clamp, or similar device, may be provided to secure the first and second members 34, 38 in a desired position or length relative to one another. A mounting bracket 35 is provided to secure the member 30 to a hose reel 2, such as those shown and described herein. A first end of the second member 38 comprises a roller guide 40 for guiding and/or cleaning a hose. The roller guide of the depicted embodiment comprises an aperture for receiving a hose and a plurality of rollers to facilitate movement and reduce wear on the hose.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cart 50 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the cart 50 comprises upper frame portion 52 with a handle 53, and a lower frame portion 58 with a foot 60. The cart 50 comprises wheels 54 to enable translation of the cart 50 and associated devices. A platform 56 is provided and connected to the lower frame member 58. The length of the frame portion 52, and thus the operating position of the handle 53, can be adjusted in known fashion by use of members 57a and 57b.
[0046] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a hose reel 70 of another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the hose reel 70 comprises a frame member 72 and a drum 74. First and second rotatable arms or brackets 76a, 76b are provided on opposing lateral sides of the frame member 72. The arms 76a, 76b comprise laterally extending rails 78a, 78b extending between the rails. It will be appreciated that the frame 4 can, in some embodiments, serve to limit the range of positions of the arms 76a, 76b and the elongate rails 78a, 78b. When the arms 76a, 76b rotate forward, one of the elongate rails 78a, 78b contacts a portion of the frame 4 to prevent further rotation. Similarly, when the arms 76a, 76b rotate backward, one of the elongate rails 78a, 78b contacts a portion of the frame 4 to prevent further rotation. In other words, the elongate rails 78a, 78b are a predetermined distance away from the axis of rotation of the arms 76a, 76b, which in some embodiments can be described as the axis of rotation of the drum 8. Thus, one of the elongate rails 78a, 78b contact a portion of the frame 4 that is also the predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the arms 76a, 76b or the drum 8. It will be appreciated that the first arm 76a may have a different predetermined distance than the second arm 76b, and thus, the frame has two different portions with surfaces that are two different predetermined distances away from the axis of rotation of the arms 76a, 76b or the drum 8.
[0047] A hose guide 80 is provided on the rails 78a, 78b. The hose guide 80 comprises hose tensioning rollers 82 and a hose cleaning brush 84. The brush 84 comprises an aperture with inwardly extending bristles to clean and/or dry a hose as it travels through the hose guide 80. In preferred embodiments, at least one of the rails 78a, 78b comprises a self-reversing screw for enabling lateral translation of the guide 80 and winding a hose around the drum 74 in a preferred manner. Various self-reversing screw constructions are contemplated for use with embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the structures shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,421 to Berlier et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, may be provided in various embodiments to achieve a reciprocating lateral motion R of the hose guide 80 and enable a preferred winding and storage of a hose when a crank or handle member 85 is operated. Additionally, the arms 76a, 76b of the device 70 are rotatable, in a ratcheting, spring loaded locking pins, or other desired fashion, and capable of extending away from the frame member 72, through use of telescoping or other construction mean, at a variety of angles or orientations.
[0048] FIG. 9B is a side elevation view of a plurality of hose reels 70 according to the embodiment of FIG. 9A and wherein the hose reels 70 are stacked in a vertical arrangement. As shown, the frame members 72 of the hose reels 70 comprise upper 86 and lower 88 rails adapted for secure communication with one another and enabling stacking of the reels 70. Hose reels 70 of the present disclosure may be stacked for shipping or storage, or may be provided in a stacked arrangement on a truck and/or in various working arrangements.
[0049] FIG. 9C is a perspective view of a hose reel 70 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The hose reel 70 as shown in FIG. 9C comprises a vertically extending hose guide member 90. The hose reel 70 comprises various features as shown and described herein, including the frame member 72, arms 76a, 76b, and hose guide 80. The hose reel 70 is further provided with a height-adjustable vertically extending hose guide 90. A roller or guide member 92 is provided proximal an upper portion of the guide 90. In various embodiments, the guide 92 comprises a plurality of concentric frame elements that are telescoping with respect to one another. In the depicted embodiment, the guide 90 is provided as extending from a vertical member of the frame 72. In alternative embodiments, however, it is contemplated that the guide 90 is secured to a side of the frame or related structure. In preferred embodiments, the guide 90 comprises a selectively removable member secured to the frame 72 by one or more pin connections (or similar), and wherein the guide 90 is easily removable from the hose reel 70 when the device is to be moved or stored. The elevated hose guide 90 provides a structure for elevating a hose above a ground surface and various objects that may obstruct winding of the hose. The guide 90 thus promotes efficient unobstructed winding of a hose 100.
[0050] While various embodiments of the system have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of including, comprising, or having and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.
