Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PORTABLE HOSE REEL CART HAVING A FOLDING HANDLE
This application is a divisional of Canadian
Patent Application Serial No. 2,281,865 filed
September 9, 1999.
Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to carts for the storage
of hoses, such as common garden hoses. More particularly,
the invention pertains to portable, storable, hose reel
carts that include wheels for easy transport and folding or
fold-away handles for storage.
Background of the Invention
Portable hose reel carts have become quite popular
and are commonly recognized household items for lawn and
garden care. Such carts permit conveniently storing and
handling lengths of flexible hose. Typically, hose reel
carts are constructed from molded plastic components and
include a central spool that rotates to pick-up and pay-out
the flexible hose.
While the construction of such hose carts is quite
varied, in a typical application, the spool is supported on
either side by a frame that permits rotation of the spool.
Many carts include a pair of wheels so that the cart can be
tilted for readily transported from one location to another.
Typically, the cart includes a handle that extends upward,
above the spool, generally above the wheels, to facilitate
moving the cart.
Hose reel carts can be constructed of many
materials. However, it has been found that molded plastic
or polymeric materials best meet requirements for light-
weight, durability, strength and corrosion resistance.
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Carts made of such materials must also be designed taking
into consideration the abuse that such a cart may be
subjected to over its lifetime. For example, those living
in northern climates recognize that carts may often be
stored outdoors for the winter months. To this end, carts
must be constructed of materials that withstand cold
temperatures without becoming brittle or warping, and
without metal parts corroding. Likewise, those living in
southern climates recognize the
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need for the cart to be able to withstand higher temperatures and exposure to
direct sunlight, also without becoming brittle or warping.
i
An additional factor that must be taken into consideration in the
design of such hose reel carts, is the ability to store the cart with hoses
stored on
the spool. That is, space and storage requirements are a concern for most, if
not
all, homeowners. To this end, cart designs include provisions for rotating or
folding-away the cart handle so as to reduce the storage space necessary to
store
the hose-laden cart. In known designs, however, the handle lock/release
mechanism, which is subjected to constant use and wear, is typically exposed
and can become clogged with dirt or other debris or can break due to use.
In order to assure proper functioning of the cart when the handle
is extended into the transport or in-use position, the mechanism by which the
handle is released and locked into the use position must be configured to
prevent
debris and foreign objects from becoming lodged therein. Moreover, such
locking mechanisms crust be conf gored for ready access by the user, and for
maximum isolation from the environment.
As discussed above, typically such carts also include wheels for
moving the cart from one location to another. In a typical arrangement, the
wheels are connected to one another by a steel axle that extends through the
side
2 0 f runes. Because of the environments to which a hose reel cart may be
subjected; e.g., varying temperatures, wet and/or dirt laden areas, and the
stresses to which they are subjected in use, common steel axles have been
observed to corrode, bend or break and thus fail.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a hose reel cart that provides
2 5 ready portability for use of the hoses stored thereon. Desirably, such a
cart
includes a fold-away handle that includes a locking/release mechanism that is
readily accessible by a user, and is isolated from the environments to which
the
cart may be subjected. Such a cart includes wheels that are mounted thereto,
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independent of one another, without the use of a steel, or like corrosion
susceptible axle.
Summary of the Invention
A portable hose reel cart includes a folding handle pivotable
between an in-use position and a storage position. The cart includes a pair of
spaced apart side frames members, each frame member having a base portion. A
rotatable spool is positioned between the side frames and is operably
connected
thereto for rotation of the spool about an axis of rotation.
The folding handle assembly has a pair of spaced apart mounting
arms and a gripping portion extending between the mounting arms. Each of the
mounting arms is associated with a respective one of the side frame members.
The
spool is positioned intermediate the mounting anus. The handle assembly is
pivotable relative to the side frame members between a storage position
wherein the
handle is rotated so that the gripping portion lies adjacent the base portions
and an
in-use position wherein the gripping portion is rotated away from the base
portions
and is spaced therefrom.
A lock assembly is positioned in each of the handle assembly
mounting arms. Each lock assembly includes a latch received in the mounting
arm.
2 0 Each latch includes a locking projection that is moveable between an
engaged
position wherein the projections engage their respective side frames and a
disengaged position wherein the projections are disengaged from their
respective
side frames. Preferably, the projections engaged their respective side frames
to
lock the handle into the in-use position. Most preferably, the latches each
include a
biasing element formed integral therewith to bias the projections into the
engaged
position.
In a preferred embodiment, the side frames include inwardly
extending slobs and the mounting arms include open collar portion for
receiving the
stubs s<> that the laandly assembly pivots relative to the side f~r~lllles.
'I~iIC latchc:; arc:
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positioned within the mounting arms so that the locking
projections extend through the mounting arms and into the
side frames to lock the handle assembly into the in-use
position. Preferably, the latches each include a release
button that extends through an opening in an outer wall of
its respective mounting arm to release the latch from the
locked position and to permit rotation of the handle to the
storage position.
The cart includes wheels mounted thereto at the
base portion, generally vertically below the handle gripping
portion when the handle assembly is in the in-use position.
Preferably the side frames each include an outwardly
extending hub that is adapted to receive a wheel. The
wheels are secured to the cart by a wheel locking member.
The locking member has a plate and a stub extending from the
plate. The stub is received in the hub so that the plate
abuts the wheel to secure the wheel to the side frame.
The invention may be summarised as a portable hose
reel cart having a folding handle pivotable between an
in-use position and a storage position comprising: a pair
of spaced apart side frames members, the frame members
having a base portion; a rotatable spool positioned between
the side frames and operably connected thereto for rotation
of the spool about an axis of rotation; a folding handle
assembly having a pair of spaced apart mounting arms and a
gripping portion extending between the mounting arms, each
of the mounting arms associated with a respective one of the
side frame members, the spool being positioned intermediate
the mounting arms, the handle assembly being pivotable
relative to the side frame members between a storage
position wherein the handle is rotated so that the gripping
portion lies adjacent the base portions and an in-use
position wherein the gripping portion is rotated away from
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the base portions and is spaced therefrom; a pair of wheels
mounted to the cart at the base portion, the wheels being
mounted to the cart independently of one another and
generally vertically below the handle gripping portion when
the handle assembly is in the in-use position, wherein each
side frame includes an outwardly extending hub adapted to
receive one of the wheels and a wheel locking member having
a plate and a stub extending therefrom adapted for receipt
in the hub so that when the wheel is positioned intermediate
the plate and the side frame, the plate abuts the wheel to
secure the wheel to the side frame; and a rear lateral
support extending between and connecting the side frames at
about the base portions thereof, wherein the stubs insert
through at least a portion of the rear lateral support.
Other features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings and the appended
claims.
Brief Description of the Figures
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portable
hose reel cart having a folding handle embodying the
principles of the present invention, the cart being
illustrated with an optional handle-mounted storage bin;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the cart of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cart of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the cart of FIG. 1, as
seen from the left hand side thereof;
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
cart of FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;
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FIG. 6 is a view of one of the A-shaped side
frames of the cart, as seen from the center of the cart
viewed outward;
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FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rear lateral support beam;
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a wheel and wheel
support assembly;
FIG. 9 is a view of the handle mounting arm, as viewed looking
into the cart;
FIG. 10 is a view of the rear side of the mounting arm of FIG. 9,
illustrating the handle lock assembly in the locked position;
FIGS. 10A and I OB are partial, enlarged views of the handle lock
assembly illustrating the lock assembly in the locked position in FIG. 10A and
in the unlocked position in FIG. 10B;
FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cart illustrating a
spool flange, crank, handle mounting arm and side frame;
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the lock assembly latch;
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the latch of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 illustrates two carts stacked and nested with one another,
with the cart handles in the folded position;
FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the cart;
FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of still another alternate
2 0 embodiment of the cart;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the cart of FIG. 16 as viewed from the
right hand side thereof;
FIG. 18 is a top view of the cart of FIG. 16;
FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the cart of F'IG. 16; and
2 5 FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of a compression
coupling for the cart of FIG. 16 for securing tubular members to the cart side
~t~ames.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various
forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a
presently
preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to
be
considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit
the
invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to the figures, and generally to FIGS. 1-5, there is
shown one embodiment of a hose reel cart 10 embodying the principles of the
present invention. The hose reel cart 10 provides a storage apparatus for
storing
flexible hose, while at the same time, permitting ready transport of the hose.
The
cart fiuOher provides a "base-station" when coupled to a water outlet; e.g.,
an
outside faucet or water spigot, so that an operator can pay-out as much hose
as
needed while one end of the hose remains coupled in fluid communication with
the
water supply.
The cart includes a pair of side frames 12. that have a generally "A"
or triangular shape. The side frames 12 support a spool assembly 14 at about
the
top or apex 16 of the frame 12. The spool 14 is rotatable and provides for
pick-up,
storage and pay-out of the hose. The cart 10 includes wheels 18 at the bottom
20 of
the one of the legs 22 of the A-shaped frame 12 and a foot or rest 24 at the
bottom
2 0 26 of at least one of the other of the frame legs 28.
The spool 14 includes a central hub 30 and a pair of radially
extending flanges 32 that are configured to accommodate a length of flexible
hose
wrapped around the hub 30 between the flanges 32. In a typical arrangement,
the
cart 10 can store about 200 to 300 feet of common 5/8 inch garden hose. Those
2 5 skillet! in the art will recognize that the cart 10 includes a water inlet
purl or in-lobe
34 and an outlet port or out-tube 36. Typically the in-tube 34 is mounted to
the
frame 12 at the about the axis of rotation A of the spool 14. ~fhe in-tube 34
is
connected to the out-tube 36 by a sliding seal arrangement (not shown) so that
the
in-tube 34 remains fixed to the frame 12, while the out-tube 36 rotates with
flat
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spool 14, and the in-tube 34 and out-tube 36 remain in fluid
CO111mlllllCatlOtl Wlth
one another. This arrangement permits rotation of the spool 14 without
twisting or
i
torquing internal components, while maintaining sealed fluid communication
between the water supply and the hose. Typically, a crank 38 is connected to
the
spool 14 to facilitate pick-up of the hose.
A folding handle assembly 40 extends from the cart 10 and includes
a pair of arms 42 that are pivotally mounted to the cart 10 intermediate the
spool
flanges 32 and their respective frame 12 connections. In this manner, the cart
handle 40 pivots essentially co-axially with the spool 14. That is, the cart
handle
40 pivots about the axis of rotation A of the spool 14. The handle 40 is
pivotal
between a storage position, as illustrated in FIG. 14, and an in-use position
as
shown in FIG. I. Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the cart 10 can include a
guide assembly 44 to guide the hose as it is picked-up onto the spool 14 to
distribute the hose evenly across the spool 14. In one embodiment, the guide
assembly 44 includes a pair of guide support arms 46 integral with the handle
assembly 40 that extend generally transverse to the handle assembly arms 42. A
pair of guide rails 48 extend between the sul5port arms 46. A guide 50 is
slidably
movable along the falls 48 to facilitate even dl5trlblltloll Oh the hose onto
the spoc>1
14.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the handle assembly 40 includes a
gripping portion 52 that extends between the arms 42. The gripping portion 52
defines an opening 54 and an upper portion or grip 56 for grasping the handle
assembly 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle assembly 40 includes a
lower l)Ort10I1 58 that is configured to accommodate, for example, a storage
bin 60.
2 5 The storage bin 60 can be used to store various hose attachments, such as,
spray
heads, nozzles and the like. Consumers will recognize the advantage to having
the
handy storage bin 60 mounted to the cart 10, so That hose attachments can be
readily stored with the hose and easily accessed, rather than stored in
another
location and possibly misplaced or lost.
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In order to provide additional rigidity to the cart 10, a front Lateral
support beam 62 extends between and connects the bottom front frame legs 28 at
i
about the foot 24. The front beam 62 can be integral with the side frames 12,
or can
be connected thereto by methods that will be recognized by those skilled in
the art.
The front beam 62 increases the structural integrity of the cart 10 overall by
preventing the side frames 12 from bowing or bending, inwardly or outwardly,
relative to one another and thus, adversely affecting the operation of the
landle
assembly 40 or the rotation of the spool 14.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6-7, the illustrated embodiment of the
cart 10 includes a rear lateral support beam 64 that extends between and
connects
the side frames 12 at about the wheels I8. T'he rear beam 64 is positioned
rearward
and off center of the axis of rotation of the wheels 18. In this manner, the
rear
support beam 64 provides a foot rest, essentially independent of any wheel I 8
rotation device or mechanism, for securing the cart 10 while pulling rearward
on
the handle 40 to tilt the cart 10 for movement.
In a preferred arrangement, the rear support beam 64 includes a
locking projection 66, similar to a tenon, at each end of the beam 64, and the
side
frames I2 each include a channel 68, similar to a mortise, configured to
receive a
respective locking projection 66. The channels 68 each are defined by an outer
2 0 wall 7U, a partial inner wall 72, and upper and lower wails 74, 76. The
outer wall 70
is formed as part of the outer side watt of the side frame 12 and the inner
wall 72 is
partially formed to that the rear beam 64 is recessed into the frame 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, there is shown the wheel support
assembly 78, which is defined in part, by the channel inner and outer walls
72, 70,
2 5 and the locking projection 66. Each wheel support assembly 78 secures a
wheel 18
to the cart 10. 'fhe side ti~ames 12 each include an outwardly extending
tubular-line
projection or hi.~b 80, that is configured for receipt in a central opening 82
formed in
the wheel 18. In this manner, support for each wheel 18 is independent of
support
for the other wheel 18, and is provided by the side frames 12, rather than an
axle
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that extends across or traverses the rear portion of the cart. The hub 80 can
include
gussets 84 extending between the hub 80 and the outer wall of the side frame
12 to
i
provide additional structural rigidity to the wheel support assembly 78.
The wheel support assembly 78 includes a locking plate 86 having a
wheel plate 88 and a stub 90 extending from the plate 88. The stub 90 is
configured for insertion through the central opening 82 of the wheel 18. The
plate
88 abuts the wheel 18 as the stub 90 extends through the wheel opening 82 and
hub
80, through the outer and inner walls 70, 72 of the frame channel 68, and
through
the locking projection 66 (e.g.; through the "mortise and tenon"). In this
manner,
the stub 80 essentially locks the rear support beam 64 and the wheels 18 to
the side
frames 12. Detent or snap-type fasteners, such as those illustrated at 92, can
be
used to secure the stub 80 to the inner wall 72. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the snap-type fasteners 92 can be used throughout the cart 10
to
mount or secure components to one another, and to facilitate ready assembly of
the
cart 10 if it is provided in an unassembled manner.
It will be apparent from the figures that this arrangement provides
exceptional structural support for mounting the wheels 18 to the cart 10, and
provides a secure arrangement that independently locks each wheel 18 to the
cart
10. In addition, as is apparent from the drawings, the elimination of a
transversely
2 0 extending axle reduces the opportunity for a consumer to use to the axle
for
leverage, such as using the axle as a foot rest, for tilting the cart back
onto the
wheels for transport. Consumers that have used such wheeled devices will
recognize that one common failure point of known carts is the axle, and that
the
wheels will often separate from the device or the axle will break or bend,
thus
2 5 rendering the device inoperable or unusable. The present arrangement
overcomes
these problems of known cants by providing a positive wheel-lock arrangement
that
has independent wheel support structures 78 that are not connected by a common
axle.
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Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 11, the crank 38 is operably
connected to the spool 14 so that rotation of the crank 38 in turn rotates the
spoof
i
14 to pick-up the hose for storage on the spool 14. 'fhe crank 38 extends
through
the side frame 12 and the handle assembly 40, and mounts to a stub portion 94
extending from one of the spool flanges 32. At the opposing side of the cart
10 is
the in-tube 34 (see FIG. 4) which provides a fluid connection for the 10 cart
from
the water source.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-1 l, the handle assembly 40 includes an
open circular collar portion 96 that def nes the pivot for the assembly 40. A
short
connecting stub 98 extends from each side frame 12 and inserts into the collar
96 to
provide a pivot about which the handle 40 assembly rotates. A pivot stop 100
extends outwardly from the handle assembly 40 into an arcuate channel 102
formed
in the side frame 12 (see FIG. 6). The channel 102 defines the travel path and
the
length of travel or rotation of the handle assembly 40 as it pivots between
the in-use
and storage positions.
In the storage position, the pivot slop 100 engages a first inner wail
104 of the channel 102 to prevent over rotation of the handle assembly 40
beyond
the storage position. In the storage position, the handle assembly 40 rotates
downwardly so that the hand grip 56 folds against the~front beam 62 of the
cart 10,
2 0 and is essentially contained within the outline or profile of the side
frame 12. In the
in-use position, the stop 100 engages a second inner wall 106 of the channel
102 to
prevent over rotation ofthe handle 40 beyond the in-use position. When the
handle
assembly-40 is rotated upward into the in-use position, it extends upwardly to
a
generally vertical position, above the rear support beam 64.
2 5 As best seen in FIGS. 10-13, a lock assembly 1 U8 is positioned
within each of the handle assembly side arms 42 to lock the handle assembly 40
into the in-use pOSttloll. The lock assembly 108 includes a latch 110 that is
f ited
into a latch rceciving region 1 12 in each o('the arms 42. The latch 1 10
includes a
generally "L-shaped" body I 14 hamng a latch release button 1 16 at one end of
the
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body 114. The release button 116 extends through an opening 118 in the handle
aI'lll 42 for ready user access. Advantageously, the button I 16 is located so
that
i
when the handle 40 is in the in-use position, the release button 116 is
oriented
downwardly and rearwardly toward the user so that the button I 16 can be
readily
accessed, is minimally subjected to the environs, and is "out-of the-way" to
reduce
the opportunity for being inadvertently struck.
The latch 110 includes a stop element 120 positioned at about the
heel 122 of the L-shaped body 114. The stop element 120 prevent over-insertion
of
the release button 116, and thus prevents over-travel of the latch 110, when
the
button 1 I 6 is depressed to release the handle 40 from the in-use position.
Spaced from the button 116, and positioned on an opposing leg 124
of the body 114 near the heel 122, the latch 110 includes a finger-like
locking
projection 126. The finger 126 extends through an opening 128 in the collar 96
and
a eomplementazy, opening 130 in the side frame connecting stub 98. The
openings
I 28, 130 are aligned with one another when the handle 40 is in the in-use
position.
In this manner, when the handle 40 is in this position, the locking finger 126
extends through the openings 128, 130 to lock the handle 4U and side frame 12
relative to one another.
A biasing leg 132 extends from the latch body 114, adjacent to the
locking finger 126 in opposing relation to the release button 118. The biasing
leg
132 biases the locking finger 126 into the locked position, or that position
in which
the locking finger I26 projects through the openings 128, 130. In this manner,
when the handle 40 is rotated to the in-use position, the finger 126 is biased
into the
openings 128, 130, by the biasing leg 132, to provide a positive lock of the
handle
2 5 40 into the in-use position. Advantageously, in this arrangement, a
positive user
action is necessary (that is, depression of the release button 118 inward of
the arm
42) to release the handle 40 for rotation into the storage position.
'fhe latch receiving region 1 12 is fully Formed in the handle side aroz
42 to provide a substantially isolated enclosure for the latch 1 1 (). As will
be
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appreciated by those skilled in the art, although the release button .118 is
user-
accessible, the other latch 1 IO portions are maintained generally isolated
from the
environs. 'l his arrangement greatly reduces the opportunity for, or prevents
debris
and the like from obstructing movement of the latch 110, and preventing proper
operation of the Dandle lock assembly 108. The latch receiving region I 12
includes
guides 134 to maintain proper aligtunent of the latch 110 within the region
112, and
includes a wall 136 for engagement by the latch biasing leg 132.
To release the handle 40 for rotation into the storage position, the
release button 116 is depressed, which in turn urges the locking finger 126
out of
engagement with the collar and projection openings 128, 130. With the locking
finger 126 removed from the openings 128, 130, the handle 40 can be pivoted or
rotated from the in-use position to the storage position. As discussed
previously,
when the handle 40 is in the storage position, it essentially resides within
the profile
of the side frame 12. In this manner, the cart 10 can be stacked with other
like
Z 5 carts, nesting in the manner as illustrated in FIG. 14. This provides
advantages for
shipping, StOt'ttlg and merchandising a plurality of carts which will be
appreciated
by those skilled in the art. A nesting guide 140 facilitates neat and orderly
nesting
atld stacking of the carts 10 with one another.
One alternate embodiment of the cart 210 is illustrated in FIG. 15.
2 0 This "smaller" embodiment of the cart 210 does not utilize a hose guide.
Rather,
the hose is manually distributed along the length of the spool 212 during pick-
up.
This embodiment of the cart 210 includes the handle lock assembly and the
wheel
securing arrangement of the embodiment of the cart 10 illustrated in FIG. 1.
Still another alternate embodiment of the hose reel cart 310 is
2 5 illustrated in FIGS. I6-19. In this embodiment, the front portion 312 of
the side
frames 314 each include a front steel support member 316 extending from about
the
apex 318 of the frame 314 to the front of the base 320. The steel member 316
W111Ch 1S LlSed in this embodiment in lieu of a fully molded side frame, is
preferably
(i~rmed as a tubular steel member 322 having a plastic coating 324 (se;c l~lO.
20).
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The plastic coating 324 reduces the opportunity for corrosion of the steel
member
322 and provides structural rigidity to the cart 310.
The alternate embodiment of the cart 310 further includes a steel U-
shaped rear lateral beam 326. The rear beam 326 extends between and connects
the
side frame members 314 rearward of the axis of rotation of the wheels 328.
Both
the front steel support members 316 and the rear lateral beam 326 can be
secured to
the side frames 314 by a threaded compression fitting 330, an example of which
is
illustrated in FIG. 20. The compression fitting 330 includes a threaded sleeve
332
that extends from the molded portion of the frame 314 and is adapted to
receive the
respective steel members 316, 326. The sleeve 332 includes slots 334 that
permit
radial compression of the sleeve 332. A threaded collar or ring 336 having an
inwardly inclined surface 338 threadedly engages the sleeve 332. As the collar
336
is threaded onto the sleeve 332, the inclined surface 338 compresses the
sleeve 332
around and onto the steel member 316, 326 to secure the member 316, 326 within
the fitting 330.
Optionally, this embodiment of the cart 310 can include a rear-
mounted receptacle such as the illustrated bin 340, mounted to the cart 310 at
the
rear lateral beam 326. The rear-mounted bin 340 provides additional storage
space
for hose attachments and the like. Advantageously, the rear-mounted bin 340
can
2 0 be used for permanent storage of such accessories.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from a study of the
figures and the above description, the carts 10, 210, 310 are formed primarily
from
molded components. In a present form, the carts 10, 210, 310 are formed
primarily
from high density polyethylene (HDPE) using an injection molding process.
'Those
skilled in the art will recognize that there are various other materials that
can be
used to form the cart 10, 210, 310 components and various other processes by
which the components can be made, which other materials and process are within
the scope of the present invention.
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From the foregoing, it will be observed that that numerous
modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the
true
i
spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be
understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments
illustrated is
intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the
appended
claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
