Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
- !.
3~
B~CKGROUND OF_T~;~ INVENTtON
It i5 generally recognized that in many instances it
is desirable to provide a means Eor storing a hose, such
llas a garden hose. It may not be necessary to use a hose at
ja considerable distance from a water source. In many
, application, it is only necessary to use a hose a short
distance from the water source and then in another instance,
use the hose a difEerent c1istance from the water source.
ccordingly, it is desirable to provide a means for storinq
l¦the hose with a free end wllich may have a nozzle attached
thereto or may be adapted to be connected to another piece
!l of equipment, such as a lawn sprinkler. The inlet to the
~hose should be connected to a source of fluid, such as,
!¦water, so that a selected length of hose may be removed
¦,from the storage device and the hose may be utilized.
¦¦device which i8 well-known for providing a means for storing
~a hose and being capable of connectin~ the hose to a source
jof water is a garden hose reel shown in U.S. I,etters Patent
I,No. 2,6~2,312, issued June 16, 1953, to Thomas Shine. The
!Shine Patent teaches a hose reel wherein the inlet end of
the hose may be secured to a source of water on the reel
and the hose then may be wound onto the reel. This arranqement
i8 perfectly advantageous for those arrangements wherein the
hose may remain at a fixed location. However, when it is
Idesirable to move the llose from one location to another, the
¦Shine device does not lencl itself to easy movement.
I -2-
.,
I
I
3~
Furthermore, it is to be noted that in tho Shine device the
weight of the hose and water is supported by the pipe which
delivers the water.
1 An apparatus which provides a means for not only
storing the hose, but also provides a means for transport-
ing the hose is disclosed in U.i7. Letters Patent No. 3,587,625
to ~7illiam E. Cowley, which patent issued on June 2B, 1971,
and i3 entitled "Transportable Hose Reel." The Cowley patent
Idisclo8e~ a reel for storing hose which reel also provides
la support for the entire device. The reel is mounted in
a handle whlch may be positioned on a supporting surface
in a manner which allows the reel to rotate on the handle.
The reel is connected to a water supply through a hose section
jwhich delivers water to the reel and then to the hose mounted
on the reel.
U.S. Letters Patent No. ~,137,939 to Ho Chow, issued
February 6, 1979, entitled "Hose Reel Cart", teaches a
construction for a hose reel cart wherein a handle also
~provides a frame for supporting a hose reel. The hose
~reel receives a hose, and the frame has a pair of wheels for
movably supporting the cart durinq transfer from one location
to another. Hoth the Chow and Cowley devices have their
supports provide a double function in that the support Eor
,the reel also provides a conduit Eor the water. It has been
Z5 found in practice that when a reel is supported by a conduit,
¦Igasket material in the reel tends to wear quickly and thereby
li
j!
-3-
1.
!
,
;
jallow leaks to develop. It has also been found that the
heretofore known reels are made of metal which has a tendency
to rust when a protective surface becomes damaged or is w~rn
~away through usage. The reel tends to become rusty and
¦Inot rotate freely. Also, other parts tend to become inoperative
due to rusting.
It is also to be noted that in many instance, it is
desirable to store the entire apparatus with the hose on
lt in a minlmum of space. The Shine device is adapted
0 llto be mounted on a pipe. Thuse, the Shine device must be
removed for r;torage. As to the Cowley and Chow devices, the
devices may be conveniently moved to a storage location.
j,llowever, the upwardly extending handles tend to take up space
¦,needlessly .
1l SUM~ARY Ol:' TIIE PRESENT IN~lEN'l'ION
The present invention relates to an improved hose
storage apparatus which is particularly adapted or windably
storing an elongated flexible hose and transporting the
lentire apparatus. The apparatus includes a frame being
jformed of a molded plastic material. A generally U-shaped
molded plastic handls is pivotally attached to the frame and
¦is positionable from an upright position to a lowered position
wherein a portion of the handle is adjacent to ths rame
for storage o the apparatus. A lock releasably secures
the handle to the frame in a selected position.
33~
The apparatus includes a reel for windably receiving a hose.
The r~el includes a pair of molded plastic reel halves which
jare fixed to each other and rotatably mounted in the; frame.
!,Each reel half is identical to the other reel half. Eacn
llreel half includes a side having a hub rotatably mounted in
¦¦the frame. A plurality of pylons is formed integral with
each reel side, and the pvlons of one reel side are secured
jto the pylons of the other reel side to secure the ha~ves
i together. The pylons form a hose support surface. A hose
0 Iconnector is mounted on one of the reel sides The hose
connector includes a molded plastic inlet tube rotatably
mounted in the hub of the reel side and a molded plastic
outlet tube fixed to the hub and being connected to the inlet
Itube for receiving a fluid delivered to the inlet tube.
~ RlEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF Ti~E DR~WINGS
¦' Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hose storaye apparatus
¦;embodying the herein disclosed invention:
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the hose storage
!lapparatus of Figure 1 showing a handle locked in a raised
¦lor upright position and the same handle shown in dotteù form
¦¦in a lowered position;
¦¦ Figuro 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view
¦taken on llne 3--3 of Figure 1 showing a portion of the
¦¦handle and a portion of the frame and a lock securinq the
¦ hi~ndle to the frame;
Figure 4 is simili~lr to Figure 3 but showing the lock
in n roleasecl attitude with the handle in a partinlly pivoted
position;
_5_
li ,.
3~
¦I Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on
line 5--5 of Figure 3 showing the lock:
¦ Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a
l,reel taken on line 6--6 of Figure 2;
I Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational vie~, of
the exterior side of a hub of a reel side taken on line 7--7
of Figure 6;
, Figure a is an enlarged fragmentary view of the interior
side of the hub of Figure 7 on line 8--8 of Figure 6;
¦I Figure 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a
portion of the reel and a hose connector secured to the
hub;
Figure lO is a side elevational view of an outlet tube
!which is one of the elements of the hose connector;
¦I Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectionai
riew taken on line 11-ll of Figure 2 showing the attachl~ellt
of a crank to a portion of the reel
Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a wheel of the
subject apparatus:
i Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken on line
l3--13 of Figure 12
Figure 14 is a frag~ented side elevation;,l vie~ of an
interior of a side frame of the instant a~paratus; and
¦ Figure 15 is a cross sectional view taken on line 15--15 of
~Figure l~i.
~1 -6-
I!
Il
33
Il
DESCRIPTION OF TilE PR~:FERREI) P.~1130DI~1ENT
,
Referring now to the drawings and especially to Figure
1, a hose storage apparatuE. embodying the present lnvention,
Il generally indicated by numeral 20, i9 shown therein. The
I hose storaye apparatus includes a frame 22 with a handle 24
plvotally mounted on the frame. 1~ reel 26 is rotatablv
I mounted in the frame. A hose connector 23 is mounted on
reel 26. 1\ crank 30 is fixed to tha reel for rotatincJ the
~7~, !j reel in the frame to wind a hose onto the reel.
10 I The frame generally consists of a pair o~ molded
I polyethylene frame sides 32 and 34 which are connected by a
¦¦ polyethleno front c~oss bar 36 and a oolvethylene rear cross
j bar 38. The frame sides 32 and 34 are identical in their
Il construction, except for positioning of a wheel ear. Lookinq
15 ~! now to Figure 14 which shows an intorior side elevational
¦ view of a frame side, the frame side shown in Figure l I is
frams side 34 which has a wheel ear 4U formed thereon and
, shown in .solid form. A whael ear 42 is shown in dotted
I` form: and lf uheel eelr 40 were removed, and wheel ear 42
20 ¦I were included, then the frame side would be frame :;ide 32.
From the foregoing, it may be seen that the frame sides are
¦ identical~ except for She wheel ears, and a descrlution Ot
ona will su~fice as a descrLption o the other. Like n~ erals
l will be used for the same parts on both the frame sicles.
25 1~ The frame side is generally tranezoldal and inclucl~s a
base 114. l'he base has a slopillq u?riatlt sido column 46,
¦ formed integral with one end and a slo~ing uprlah~ slde
column 43, formed inte~ral with the onposite cnc~
--7--
Ii
head 50 .is fon~ed lnte~ral with the uprigllt side columns 46
' and 48. The head includes a lower beam 52 and an uoner beam
54. A reel journal bearing 56 is forrned in ths head. As may
1, be more clearly seen in Figure 9, the reel journal bearing
5 l~ 56 has a bearing surface 5B which is particularlv adar~ted
ij for receiving a reel journal, as will be describecl in detail
hereinafter. A handle ear 60 is forrmed inteqral with too
beam 54. The ear includes a hnadle shaft al~erture 62. The
wheel ears 40 and 42 include wheel axle al~etures 64 and 66
I! to receive a wheel axle. As may be best seen in ~igure 1, a
¦ step 68, is formed integral with base 44 and extends outwardly
jji from the frame to provide a convsnient means for holdincl and
steadving the ar~paratus.
j, ~ whsel axls 70 is mounted in ar~ertures 64 and 66 oE
¦1 ears 40 and 42, respectively. A ~air of identlcal molded
I oolyethylene wheels 72 is mounted on the axls. 7\s mav be
1~ seen in Figures 12 and 13, each of the ~hesls 72 includes a
! wheel hub 74 which is rotatably mounted on the wheel axle.
The wheel hub has a wheel flanqe 76 formed integral therewitil.
11 A whesl tire 78 is formsd integral with ths Elange to coml~lete
j the wheel.
ilandle 24 is a generally U-sha~ed handle wilich is a
single molded polyethylsne Part. rhe handls includes a Pair
l of latsral bars 80 and B2, each oE which contains a slot 84
1 to receive a handle ear 60. A oivot ~in 8Ç is mounted in
` the lateral bar and pivots in enr 60. A ,nnir oE uoriqhts 88
and 90 is formed integral with lateral bars 80 and 82,
respectively. Side bars 92 and 94 are formed integral with
upriqhts sa and 90, respectively. A handle har !)6 has its
-8-
I`
33~
opposite ends formed integral with side bars 92 and 94 to
complete the handle.
A pair of identical locks 98, releasably secures the
handle to tht~ frame in an ul~right position. Each o~ the
, lateral bars 80 and 82 contains a lock rod 100, which is
engaged by one of the locks 98. S;nce the locks arc identical,
only one of the locks is described in detail and shown in
Figuros 3, 4, and 5. Each lock 98 includes a lock base ln2
, which is secured to its respective portion of the frame bv a
~10 II lock screw 10~. A point lOS i s formed integral with the
lock base to provent the lock base from rotating. The lock
bass has a resilient section 106 formed integral therewith.
A push plate 108 ls also formed inteqral with the rosilient
I section. A head 110 is secured to the push olate which head
ll has a hook 112. Each hook engages and passes over the
!¦ resFected rod 100 to secure each side of the handle to the
i, frame.
Reel 26 is made up of two identical molded Dolyethylene
~- reel halves 114 and 116 which reel halves are secured to
i each other by conventional screws 118. Inasmuch as the
reel halves are identical in construction, the samo numbers
are used for each of the individual ~arts o the reel halves.
Each reel half includes a reol sido 120 ~hich includes
a hub 122. A flat side wall 124 is formed inteqral with the
1 hub and a plurality of identical spokes 126 is formed inteqral
¦~ with the flat side wall. A rim 128 ~ormed inte~lral with the
¦ spokes forms the outor periphery of tha reel half. The hub
contains a journal 130 with a flan~e recoss 132 Eonned
~¦ therein. Four axial screw apertures 134 aro formecl on the
1l outer end of the ~ournal. rhc journal includes a journal
_9_
ll
~Z~33~
~¦ apeture 13~ adapted to receive a portlon oE the hose connector.
'! The huh also includes an outlet mount 1~0. The outlet mount
includes an axially extending stud 1~2 with an axial a~erture
1~4, which has its axis aliqned with aperture 138.` A ~ealing
groove l46 is formed around the stud. Four identical
¦ equiangularly spaced fastner pads 1~8 are formed integral
with and around the stud. Fach of the pads includes a screw
aperture lS0.
Six identical pylons 152 are formed integral with ~ide
,I wall 12~ and extend inwardly of the side wall. ~ach pylon
¦¦ includes an outer wall 15~ with a pair of side walls 156 and
158 formed integral with the outer wall. A connector plate
160 is formed integral with the free ends o~ the outer wall
and the side walls. ~ pylon lug 162 is formed integral with
1 each connector plate. Each connector plate cnntains a luq
! apert~re 164 for positioning the resPeCtive nvlons relative
to each other by receiving a pylon lug from an opnosed
pylon.
As was mentioned above, the pylons are riveted to each
other. The screws are driven through connector Plates 160
to secure the reel halves together. 'J'he outer walls oE the
pylons provided an outer surface for receiving a hose on the
11l reel. The pylons also provide a means for connecting the
'¦ reel sides to each other.
il l~ose connector 28 may be best seen in Figure 9. The
hose connector includes a molded polyetlly-elle inlet tube
166, and a molded polyethylene outlet tube 168. Inlet tube
~¦ 16fi includes a horizontal tube 170 whicll is rnourlted ln the
journal apeture. Tube 170 has a pair of 0-rincl grooves
--10--
~,
i'
., .
3~
172 and 174 which have o-rings 176 ard 178, resPectivelv,
mounted thereln, for enqaqement with the interior of the
journal to form a seal between tube 170 and the journal. ~
I' flanqe 1~0 is formed integral with the hori20ntal tube, and
1l the flanqe is positloned in the flange recess. An outer
!i tube 182 is formed integral with horizontal tube 170. The
outer tube contains a reduced portion 184 to receive an
inlet hose on the outer tube. A lock plate 186 contains a
tube plate apeture and rotatably receives horizontal tube
0 l¦ 170. A plurality oE screws 188 secures the plate to tile
¦I journal and thereby holds the inlet tube in the journal.
The outlet tube includes a mountinq chimney 190 which
jl is ~ositioned in the sealing qroove 146 and receives stud
~ 2. ~n O-ring 192 i9 positioned on the end of the chimnev
l¦ to form a seal between the end of the chimney and the outlet
mount. ~ radial tube 194 is formed integral with chimney
!l lgo and extends radially outward from the outlet mount. A
, surfaco tube 196 is formed integral with the radial tube and
1, has a male hose fitting 198 on the end of the surface tuhe.
j As may be seen in Fiqure 9, the surface tube extend.~ bevond
the surface of the hoso surface formed by the outer walls of
the pylons Outlet tube 168 includes four identical mounting
ears 200 with a screw aperture 202 formed ln each ear 200.
i The mounting ears are equiangularly st?aced and match with
¦ the fastener pads 148 so that the ears mav be secured to the
fastener pads by conventional screws. It mav be seen in
Figure 9 how a fluid, such as, water, enterinq the inlet
tube flows along the inlet tube through the hub and ir.to the
outlet tube to he delivercd to a hose whiCh i.Y conllected to
1,
' -11-
. ~ _.......... . . . . . . .
`I ~LZ~ 3~
;, the male Eitting.
Crank 30, which is molded polyethylene, may be best
jl seen in Figure 11. Crank 30 includes a mounting plate 204
which has a crank stud 206 formed therein which stud 206
fits into the journal~ The mourtinq plate has a crank arm
!1 210 fcrmed integral therewith, and a crank handle 212 is
formed integral with the arm 210.
The instant device may be economically manufactured in
I view of the fact that the reel is made of two identical
molded polyethylene reel halves which are held together hy
screws. Since the reel is made of polyethylene, it does not
,I corrode when exposed to water and air. The construction is
such that the reel includes journals wllich eit into the
Il Erame. It i5 important to note that the weiclht o'c the hcse,
water and reel rests on che journals. The source o~ water
i; to a hose which is mounted on the reel is through a conventional
¦ connoator, or inlet hose 214 which is connected to the inlet
tube. The water flows through the inlet tube throuah the
j hub and into outlet tube 162. lt is to he noted that there
l is no load on the inlet tube. Thus, there is no undue wear
of 0-rings 176 and 178 which Eorm the seals between the
inlet tube and the journal.
¦ It is also to be noted that handle 24 may be conveniently
Il lowcred to ~rovide a low storaqe pro~ile for the apparatus
i! aftcr a hose has heen placed on the reel. The end of the
stored hose is connected to the outlet tube. Cran~ 30 is
used to wlnd the hose onto the reel. During tile windincJ
operation, tlle operator may place his foot on step 68 in
Il order to steady the apparatus. ~fter the hose has been
1l wound onto the reel, the hose may be transportcd simply by
I!
Il -12-
~-~z~
pulling down on the handle to Lilt the frame, and ~heeling
the apparatus on wheels 72.
! In order to store the apoaratus in a limited space, the
;handle may be folded down. The handle is released from the
frame simply by pressing on the press pl~tes lO~ to release
! the hooks from the rods. The handle then may be fold~d down
i to the attitude shown in dotted farm in Figure 2, wherein
lateral bars 82 and 84 rest on the respective upner beams
and uprights 88 and 90 lie along respective slopinq upriqht
of the frame. Thus, tho apparatus provides a low profile
,f~ 1l for storage in a limited space. ~1hen it is necessary to
llutilize the ~andle again, it is a gimple matter to pivot the
¦.handle about the ears until the rodg engage the res~ective
jjhandle locka thereby sccur-ny Lhe handle in its upriqht
¦1 attitude with the lower side of each of the lateral ~ars in
engagement with the respective upper beams.
From the foregoing, it may be seen that substantlally
all o the parts are of a durabla piastic material which
does not rust when exposed to water and air. Therefore, the
1idevice has a long life and also is lightweight so that it
, may be handled easily and conveniently.
¦l Although a specific embodiment of the herein disclosure
¦¦ invention has been shown and described in detail, it is to
¦¦be expressly understood that the instant invention is limited
¦¦ only by the appended claims.
I'
1 -13-
' ' ,
