HOSE BOX ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A hose box assembly comprises a housing, a hose reel, and a cover. The cover is rotatable between an operational position and a storage position. In the storage position, the cover inhibits an access to an inside of the housing. In the operational position, the inside of the housing is accessible. The hose box assembly is characterized by a frame is movably mounted to the housing such that a hose guidance device is movable relative to the housing during a movement of the cover between the operational position and the storage position. The frame is coupled to the cover such that when the cover is in the operational position, a hose guide is positioned above an upper edge of the housing such that the hose guide is accessible. In the storage position and in the operational position, the hose reel is positioned in the inside of the housing.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A hose box assembly comprising: a housing, a hose reel removably mounted to the housing such that a hose is storable on the hose reel inside the housing, a cover hinged to the housing, a hose guidance device configured to guide the hose during winding or unwinding of the hose to the hose reel, wherein the hose guidance device comprises a hose guide and a frame, wherein the cover is configured to be rotatable between an operational position and a storage position, wherein in the storage position, the hose reel and the hose guidance device are positioned inside the housing, and the cover inhibits an access to an inside of the housing, wherein in the operational position, the inside of the housing is accessible, wherein the frame is movably mounted to the housing such that the hose guidance device is movable relative to the housing during a movement of the cover between the operational position and the storage position, wherein: the frame is coupled to the cover such that when the cover is in the operational position, the hose guide is positioned above an upper edge of the housing such that the hose guide is accessible, and wherein, in the storage position and in the operational position, the hose reel is positioned in the inside of the housing.

17. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the housing is an underground housing, and/or wherein the housing is configured to be positioned in an underground.

18. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the hose guidance device is configured to be linearly movable relative to the housing during a rotational movement of the cover between the operational position and the storage position.

19. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the frame comprises an upper end being positioned close to the cover and a lower end being positioned close to a bottom of the housing, and wherein the hose guide is mounted, in particular rotatably mounted, to the frame at the upper end of the frame.

20. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the housing comprises two opposing lateral sides, a front side, a rear side and a bottom, wherein each of the two opposing lateral sides comprises a guiding indentation, wherein the frame comprises two lateral sides, wherein at each of the two lateral sides of the frame a housing guide element, in particular a housing guide pin, more in particular a spring-loaded housing guide pin, is provided, wherein each of the housing guide elements is guidably movable in a respective one of the guiding indentations, wherein the guiding indentation is formed such that, in the operational position, the housing guide element is adjustable such that the hose guide is positioned above an upper edge of the housing, and wherein the guiding indentation is further formed such that, in the storage position, the housing guide element is positionable such that the hose guidance device, particularly the hose guide, is positioned inside the housing.

21. The hose box assembly according to claim 20, wherein the frame comprises an upper end positioned close to the cover and a lower end positioned close to a bottom of the housing, and wherein the housing guide elements are each mounted near the lower end of the lateral sides.

22. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the frame comprises an upper end positioned close to the cover, a lower end positioned close to the bottom of the housing, and two lateral sides, wherein the frame further comprises two cover guide elements, wherein each of the two cover guide elements is provided at the frame at one of the two lateral sides adjacent to the upper end, and wherein the cover comprises two guide grooves, particularly two linear guide grooves, which are configured such that each of the two cover guide elements is movable in one of the two guide grooves when the cover is rotationally moved between the operational position and the storage position such that the hose guidance device is linearly movable relative to the housing.

23. The hose box assembly according to claim 22, wherein the cover is removably hingeable to the housing by a hinge, wherein the hinge is formed at a rear side of the housing and at a rear edge of the cover, wherein the cover further comprises a front edge opposite to the rear edge, wherein each of the guide grooves extends from the front edge of the cover towards the rear edge of the cover, wherein each of the guide grooves comprises a front end positioned adjacent to the front edge of the cover, wherein the cover is further configured to be disassembled, particularly toollessly disassembled, from the housing, in a maintenance position, wherein the front end of the guide groove is formed such that, when the cover is rotated from the operational position towards the maintenance position, the cover guide element, particularly automatically, disengages from the guide groove, and/or wherein the front end of the guide groove is further formed such that, when the cover is rotated into the storage position, the cover guide element, particularly automatically, engages with the guide groove.

24. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein in the operational position, the cover and an opening of the housing form an angle of about 10 to 45, in particular 15to 30, more in particular substantially 18, therebetween.

25. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein in the storage position, the cover and an opening of the housing form an angle of about 5 to 0, in particular 3 to 0, more in particular substantially 0, therebetween.

26. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the hose reel comprises an axle, two side walls, particularly two substantially circular shaped side walls, and two mounting structures, wherein the two side walls are mounted to the axle such that the two side walls delimit a region of the hose reel where the hose is windable, wherein each of the two mounting structures is fixed to one of the two side walls, wherein the two mounting structures are configured to toollessly mount the hose reel to the housing such that a relative position between the hose reel and the housing is temporarily fixed, in particular wherein each of the two mounting structures comprises two ribs, particularly two parallel ribs, which are configured to allow the mounting of the hose reel to the housing in solely one predefined position and orientation.

27. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the cover is further configured to be rotatable in a maintenance position, wherein the cover is further configured to be disassembled, particularly toollessly disassembled, from the housing, in the maintenance position, and/or wherein, in the maintenance position, the cover and an opening of the housing form an angle of about 60 to 100, in particular 75 to 95, more in particular substantially 90, therebetween.

28. The hose box assembly according to claim 27, wherein the hose guidance device is further configured to be disassembled, particularly toollessly disassembled, from the housing in the maintenance position, in particular by a linear movement relative to the housing, and/or wherein the hose reel is configured to be disassembled, in particular toollessly disassembled, from the housing in the maintenance position, particularly by a linear movement relative to the housing.

29. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the hose guide comprises two vertically arranged rolls and one horizontally arranged roll, wherein the horizontally arranged roll is arranged between the two vertically arranged rolls, and wherein the two vertically arranged rolls and the horizontally arranged roll are configured to guide a hose during winding or unwinding of the hose from the hose reel.

30. The hose box assembly according to claim 16, wherein the hose guidance device is rotationally movable relative to the housing during a movement of the cover between the operational position and the storage position.

31. The hose box assembly according to claim 17, wherein the hose guidance device is rotationally movable relative to the housing during a movement of the cover between the operational position and the storage position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a hose box assembly with a cover in a storage position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly without the cover in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates the hose box assembly with the cover in an operational position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly with the cover in the operational position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the hose box assembly with the cover in the operational position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates another front perspective view of the hose box assembly with the cover in the operational position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cut away front perspective view of the hose box assembly with the cover in the operational position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of the hose box assembly with the cover in a maintenance position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of the hose box assembly with the cover disassembled from the housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly with the frame and the hose reel disassembled from the housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly with a rotationally mounted hose guidance device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 12 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly with the cover in the storage position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0048] FIG. 13 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly with the cover in operational position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0050] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, upper, lower, front, rear, side, longitudinal, lateral, transverse, upwards, downwards, forward, backward, sideward, left, right, horizontal, vertical, upward, inner, outer, inward, outward, top, bottom, higher, above, below, central, middle, intermediate, between, end, adjacent, proximate, near, distal, remote, radial, circumferential, or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates a hose box assembly 100. The hose box assembly 100 has a housing 102. The housing 102 encloses various internal components of the hose box assembly 100 which will be introduced in forthcoming description. The housing 102 is an underground housing. The housing 102 is configured to be positioned in an underground location. The housing 102 has a front side 104, a rear side 106, and a bottom 108. The housing 102 further includes two opposing lateral sides. The two opposing lateral sides include a first lateral side 110 and a second lateral side 112.

[0052] The hose box assembly 100 further includes a cover 114. The cover 114 is hinged to the housing 102. The cover 114 is rotatable between an operational position and a storage position. The cover 114 is shown in the storage position in FIG. 1. In the storage position as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 114 and an opening of the housing 102 form the angle A (shown in FIG. 3) therebetween. In the storage position which is illustrated in FIG. 1, the angle A is substantially 0.

[0053] The front side 104, the rear side 106, the bottom 108, the first lateral side 110, the second lateral side 112 and the cover 114 together define an inside 116 (shown in FIG. 2) of the housing 102. The inside 116 of the housing 102 is defined as a space enclosed by the housing 102 therein. In the storage position, the cover 114 inhibits an access to the inside 116 of the housing 102. The housing 102 further defines an upper edge 118. The housing 102 comprises a water inlet 120. The water inlet 120 may be connected to a water source to supply water to the hose box assembly 100. The water inlet 120 is illustrated to be connected to the rear side 106 of the housing 102.

[0054] Each of the two opposing lateral sides 110, 112 define a guiding indentation 122, 124. The first lateral side 110 defines a first guiding indentation 122, and the second lateral side 112 defines a second guiding indentation 124 (shown in FIG. 4).

[0055] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly 100 showing the inside contents of the hose box assembly 100 in the storage position. The first lateral side 110 and the cover 114 is not shown. The hose box assembly 100 includes a hose reel 126. The hose reel 126 is removably mounted to the housing 102 such that a hose 128 is storable on the hose reel 126 inside the housing 102. The hose reel 126 comprises an axle (not shown) and two side walls. More specifically, the hose reel 126 includes two substantially circular shaped side walls. The two side walls include a first side wall 132 and a second side wall (not visible). The first side wall 132 and the second side wall are mounted to the axle such that the two side walls delimit a region of the hose reel 126 where the hose 128 is windable.

[0056] The hose reel 126 further includes two mounting structures 136, 138. The two mounting structures include a first mounting structure 136 and a second mounting structure 138. Each of the two mounting structures 136, 138 is fixed to one of the two side walls. The first mounting structure 136 is fixed to the first side wall 132 and the second mounting structure 138 is fixed to the second side wall. The two mounting structures help to mount the hose reel 126 to the housing 102 without the need of any tools. The hose reel 126 is mounted to the housing 102 such that a relative position between the hose reel 126 and the housing 102 is temporarily fixed. Each of the two mounting structures 136, 138 comprises two ribs 140. The two ribs 140 are arranged parallel to each other. The two ribs 140 allow the mounting of the hose reel 126 to the housing 102 in solely one predefined position and orientation. The two ribs 140 of only the first side wall 132 are visible in FIG. 2.

[0057] The hose box assembly 100 further includes a hose guidance device 142. The hose guidance device 142 guides the hose 128 during winding or unwinding of the hose 128 to the hose reel 126. The hose guidance device 142 is linearly movable relative to the housing 102 during a rotational movement of the cover 114 between the operational position and the storage position. In the storage position, the hose reel 128 and the hose guidance device 142 are positioned inside the housing 102.

[0058] The hose guidance device 142 includes a hose guide 144 and a frame 146. The frame 146 has an upper end 148 and a lower end 150. The upper end 148 is positioned close to the cover 114, and the lower end 150 is positioned close to the bottom 108 of the housing 102, when the hose guidance device 142 is positioned in the housing 102. The hose guide 144 is mounted to the frame 146 at the upper end 148 of the frame 146. More specifically, the hose guide 144 is rotatably mounted to the frame 146 at the upper end 148 of the frame 146.

[0059] The frame 146 has two lateral sides 152, 154. The two lateral sides include a first lateral side 152 and a second lateral side 154. The first lateral side 152 has a lower end 156 and an upper end 158. Similarly, the second lateral side 154 has a lower end 160 and an upper end 162. At each of the two lateral sides 152, 154 of the frame 146, a housing guide element is mounted. A first housing guide element 164 is mounted on the first lateral side 152 of the frame 146. In an embodiment, the first housing guide element 164 is a spring-loaded housing guide pin 164. Further, a second housing guide element (not visible in FIG. 2) is mounted on the second lateral side 154 of the frame 146. In an embodiment, the second housing guide element is a spring-loaded housing guide pin. The first housing guide pin 164 is mounted near the lower end 156 of the first lateral side 152 of the frame 146. Further, the second housing guide pin is mounted near the lower end 160 of the second lateral side 154 of the frame 146.

[0060] Each of the two housing guide pins is guidably movable in a respective one of the guiding indentations. More specifically, the first housing guide pin 164 is guidably movable in the first guiding indentation 122 and the second housing guide pin is guidably movable in the second guiding indentation 124. Each of the guiding indentation is formed such that, in the storage position, the housing guide pin is positionable such that the hose guidance device 142 is positioned inside the housing 102. More specifically, the first guiding indentation 122 is formed such as the first housing guide pin 164 is positionable such that the hose guide 144 is positioned inside the housing 102 in the storage position. Further, the second guiding indentation 124 is formed such as the second housing guide pin is positionable such that the hose guide 144 is positioned inside the housing 102 in the storage position.

[0061] The frame 146 further comprises two cover guide elements 166, 168, wherein each of the two cover guide elements 166, 168 is fixed to the frame 146 at one of the two lateral sides 152, 154 adjacent to the upper end 148. Each of the two cover guide elements 166, 168 is formed as a cover spring pin 166, 168. The two cover spring elements 166, 168 include a first cover spring element 166 and a second cover spring element 168 (shown in FIG. 6). The first cover spring element 166 is fixed to the frame 146 at the first lateral side 152. The first cover spring pin 166 is fixed to the frame 146 at the first lateral side 152 adjacent to the upper end 158 of the first lateral side 152. Similarly, the second cover spring pin 168 is fixed to the frame 146 at the second lateral side 154. The second cover spring element 168 is fixed to the frame 146 at the second lateral side 154 adjacent to the upper end 162 of the second lateral side 154.

[0062] FIG. 3 illustrates the hose box assembly 100 with the cover 114 in the operational position. In the operational position, the inside 116 of the housing 102 is accessible. In the operational position, the cover 114 and the opening of the housing 102 form the angle A therebetween. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cover 114 and the opening of the housing 102 form an angle A of substantially 18 therebetween.

[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly 100 showing the inside contents of the hose box assembly 100 in the operational position. The frame 146 is movably mounted to the housing 102 such that the hose guidance device 142 is movable relative to the housing 102 during a movement of the cover 114 between the operational position and the storage position. The frame 146 is coupled to the cover 114 such that when the cover 114 is in the operational position, the hose guide 144 is positioned above the upper edge 118 of the housing 102 such that the hose guide 144 is accessible. In the operational position, the hose reel 126 is positioned in the inside 116 of the housing 102.

[0064] Each of the guiding indentation 122, 124 is formed such that, in the operational position, the respective housing guide element 164 respectively spring-loaded housing guide pin 164, is adjustable respectively lockable such that the hose guide 144 is positioned above the upper edge 118 of the housing. More specifically, the first guiding indentation 122 is formed such as the first housing guide element 164 is adjustable such that the hose guide 144 is positioned above the upper edge 118 of the housing 102 in the operational position. Further, the second guiding indentation 124 is formed such as the second housing guide element is adjustable such that the hose guide 144 is positioned above the upper edge 118 of the housing 102 in the operational position.

[0065] FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of the hose box assembly 100 with the cover 114 in the operational position. The hose guide 144 includes two vertically arranged rolls 170 and one horizontally arranged roll 172. The horizontally arranged roll 172 is arranged between the two vertically arranged rolls 170. The two vertically arranged rolls 170 and the horizontally arranged roll 172 guide the hose 128 during winding or unwinding of the hose 128 from the hose reel 126. The two vertically arranged rolls 170 and the horizontally arranged roll 172 define a gap 174 therein through which the hose 128 can be pulled and by which gap 174 the hose 128 is guided during winding or unwinding of the hose 128.

[0066] The cover 114 further comprises two guide grooves 176, 178, particularly two linear guide grooves 176, 178, which are configured such that each of the two cover guide elements 166, 168 is movable in a respective one of the two guide grooves 176, 178 when the cover 114 is rotationally moved between the operational position and the storage position such that the hose guidance device 142 is linearly movable relative to the housing 102. Two guide grooves 176, 178 include a first guide groove 176 and a second guide groove 178. Further, the two cover guide elements 166, 168 illustrated in FIG. 5 are formed as two cover guide spring pins 166, 168. The first cover guide element 166 is movable in the first guide groove 176 when the cover 114 is rotationally moved between the operational position and the storage position such that the hose guidance device 142 is linearly movable relative to the housing 102.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows another front perspective view of the hose box assembly 100 with the cover 114 in the operational position. The second cover guide element 168 is movable in the second guide groove 178 when the cover 114 is rotationally moved between the operational position and the storage position such that the hose guidance device 142 is linearly movable relative to the housing 102.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a partial cut away front perspective view of the hose box assembly 100 with the cover 114 in the operational position. The cover 114 defines a rear edge 180 and a front edge 182 opposite to the rear edge 180. Each of the guide grooves 176, 178 extends from the front edge 182 of the cover 114 towards the rear edge 180 of the cover 114. Each of the guide grooves 176, 178 comprises a front end positioned adjacent to the front edge 182 of the cover 114.

[0069] FIG. 8 shows the cover 114 in a maintenance position. The cover 114 is configured to rotate about a hinge 184 from the operational position to the maintenance position. In the maintenance position, the cover 114 and the opening of the housing 102 form the angle A of substantially 90 therebetween.

[0070] In the maintenance position, the cover 114 is further configured to be disassembled from the housing 102. More specifically, in the maintenance position, the cover 114 is configured to be toollessly disassembled from the housing 102.

[0071] The cover 114 is removably hingeable to the housing 102 by the hinge 184. The hinge 184 is formed at the rear side 106 of the housing 102 and at the rear edge 180 of the cover 114. The front end of the guide groove 176, 178 is formed such that, when the cover 114 is rotated from the operational position towards the maintenance position, the cover guide element 166, 168, particularly automatically, disengages from the guide groove 176, 178. Further, the front end of the guide groove 176, 178 is further formed such that, when the cover 114 is rotated into the storage position, the cover guide element 166, 168, particularly automatically, engages with the guide groove 176, 178.

[0072] FIG. 9 shows the cover 114 disassembled from the housing 102. After the cover 114 is disassembled from the housing 102, other parts of the hose box assembly 100 may also be taken out for cleaning and maintenance purposes. The hose guidance device 142 is further configured to be disassembled from the housing 102 in the maintenance position, in particular by a linear movement relative to the housing 102. More specifically, the hose guidance device 142 is toollessly disassembled from the housing 102 in the maintenance position by the linear movement relative to the housing 102.

[0073] Further, the hose reel 126 is configured to be disassembled from the housing 102 in the maintenance position, in particular by a linear movement relative to the housing 102. More specifically, the hose reel 126 is toollessly disassembled from the housing 102 in the maintenance position by the linear movement relative to the housing 102.

[0074] FIG. 10 shows the hose reel 126 and the hose guidance device 142 outside of the housing 102 in a disassembled state.

[0075] FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the hose box assembly 100. The hose guidance device 142 is rotationally movable relative to the housing 102 during a movement of the cover 114 between the operational position and the storage position. The hose guidance device 142 moves in a rotational motion and the user may retrieve the hose 128 accordingly.

[0076] FIG. 12 shows a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly 100 with the cover 114 in the storage position respectively in a closed position. The cover 114 comprises the first guide groove 176. The first cover guide element 166 is shown inside the first guide groove 176 when the cover 114 is in the storage position at its back end. The back end of the first guide groove 176 is shown on the right end of the first guide groove 176 in FIG: 12. The first guide groove 176 extends slightly angularly across the cover 114. In other words, an length extension of the first guide groove 176 is formed angled relative to a surface of the cover 114. The first guide groove 176 is configured such that the first cover guide element 166 is movable along the first guide groove 176 during a rotational movement of the cover 114 between the storage position and the operational position respectively between a closed position and an open position of the cover 114.

[0077] FIG. 13 shows a partial cut away view of the hose box assembly 100 with the cover 114 in the operational position. The cover 114 shows the first guide groove 176. The first cover guide element 166 is shown inside the first guide groove 176 when the cover 114 is in the operational position. As the cover 114 has been rotated into the operational position, the first cover guide element 166 has travelled along the first guide groove 176. Similarly, the second cover guide element 168 travels along the second guide groove 178.

[0078] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS

[0079] 100 Hose box assembly [0080] 102 Housing [0081] 104 Front side [0082] 106 Rear Side [0083] 108 Bottom [0084] 110 First lateral side [0085] 112 Second lateral side [0086] 114 Cover [0087] 116 Inside of the housing [0088] 118 Upper edge [0089] 120 Water inlet [0090] 122 First guiding indentation [0091] 124 Second guiding indentation [0092] 126 Hose reel [0093] 128 Hose [0094] 132 First side wall [0095] 136 First mounting structure [0096] 138 Second mounting structure [0097] 140 Ribs [0098] 142 Hose guidance device [0099] 144 Hose guide [0100] 146 Frame [0101] 148 Upper end [0102] 150 Lower end [0103] 152 First lateral side [0104] 154 Second lateral side [0105] 156 Lower end of the first lateral side [0106] 158 Upper end of the first lateral side [0107] 160 Lower end of the second lateral side [0108] 162 Upper end of the second lateral side [0109] 164 First housing guide element [0110] 166 First cover guide element [0111] 168 Second cover guide element [0112] 170 Vertically arranged rolls [0113] 172 Horizontally arranged roll [0114] 174 Gap [0115] 176 First guide groove [0116] 178 Second guide groove [0117] 180 Rear edge [0118] 182 Front edge [0119] 184 Hinge [0120] A Angle