Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CABLE AND HOSE STORAGE REEL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to the storage of cables and
hoses used in
connecting a recreational vehicle to sources of electrical power and water,
and
more particularly, relating to a cable and hose storage reel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Recreational vehicles require the use of power cables and water hoses to
connect
the recreational vehicle to a "hook-up" including a source of electrical power
generally in form of an electrical outlet and a source of water generally in
the
form of a water tap. Recreational vehicles are provided with limited storage
space. The storage space that is available can be difficult to access. Thus,
storage
of the power cables and water hoses when not being used presents a challenge.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide better storage of recreational vehicle
cables and hoses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] Embodiments of the present invention addresses this need by providing a
recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel that provides convenient
storage
of such cables and hoses with quick and easy access while preventing
entanglement and damage.
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[004] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a recreational vehicle
cable
and hose storage reel that is easily attached to a supporting structure of the
recreational vehicle.
[005] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a recreational vehicle
cable
and hose storage reel having bracket configurations that are easily attached
to
various supporting structure of the recreational vehicle.
[006] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a recreational vehicle
cable
and hose storage reel that can accommodate cables and hoses of various
lengths.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a recreational vehicle
cable
and hose storage reel of an improved and simplified construction.
[008] To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one aspect, a
cable and hose
storage reel is provided. The cable and hose storage reel includes a shaft
having
an axis and a support drum rotatably mounted on the shaft for rotation about
the
axis. The support drum includes a central cylindrical support housing through
which the shaft extends. A pair of end flanges is disposed at opposite ends of
the
central cylindrical support housing. One or more intermediate flanges are
disposed along the central cylindrical housing between the pair of end flanges
at
spaced intervals and defining two or more reel segments. One or more apertures
extend through the central cylindrical support housing along each reel segment
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that is configured to receive and retain an end of an elongated article to be
wound
about the reel segment. A bracket connects to the shaft and is configured to
mount the shaft to a support structure.
[009] In general, in another aspect, an embodiment of the cable and hose
storage reel
includes a plurality of apertures through one or more of the one or more
intermediate flanges at spaced intervals about a circumference of the
intermediate
flange. One or more tethers configured to secure an end of an elongated
article
wound about a reel segment to an intermediate flange through engagement with
one of the plurality of apertures.
[0010] In general, in another aspect, an embodiment of the cable and hose
storage reel
includes one of the intermediate flanges includes a slot extending from an
outer
edge thereof to the central cylindrical support housing, the slot adjoining
juxtaposed reel segments and having a width sufficient for the passing length
of
an elongated article from between the juxtaposed reel segments.
[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the
invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be
better
understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated.
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[0012] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
be
readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the
following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless
illustrative,
embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of
descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon which
this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing
of
other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of
the
present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as
including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0014] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages
and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the
accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred
embodiments of the invention.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to
provide
further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative
discussion of
the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural
details
of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental
understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making
apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention
may be
embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate
an
identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to
indicate a
similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:
[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the recreational
vehicle cable
and hose storage reel attached to a recreational vehicle;
[0017] Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the storage reel;
[0018] Figure 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the storage reel;
[00191 Figure 4 is a perspective view an embodiment of the storage reel and a
cable/hose
being wound onto the storage reel;
[00201 Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a lock of the
storage reel;
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[0021] Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the storage reel
and a
cable/hose tether;
[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket
configuration of the
storage reel;
[0023] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bracket
configuration
of the storage reel;
[0024] Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bracket
configuration
of the storage reel;
[0025] Figure 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bracket
configuration
of the storage reel;
[0026] Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bracket
configuration
of the storage reel;
[0027] Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bracket
configuration
of the storage reel;
[0028] Figure 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bracket
configuration
of the storage reel; and
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[0029] Figures 14 and 15 are perspective views of another embodiment including
spacers, wherein:
[0030] Figure 14 illustrates a spacer positioned above a mounting structure;
and
[0031] Figure 15 illustrates a spacer positioned below a mounting structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present cable and hose
storage reel 10
(hereinafter storage reel) is shown in perspective and secured to a tow hitch
12 of
a recreational vehicle 14. The storage reel 10 is particularly useful in the
storage
of power cables and water hoses that are routinely used in connecting a
recreational vehicle to a source of water and electrical power when parked.
The
storage reel 10 provides convenient storage of such power cables and water
hoses
with quick and easy access while preventing entanglement and damage. As
depicted in FIG. 1, the storage reel 10 has three separate power cables and/or
water hoses wound about an equal number of reel segments. As will be discussed
below and as illustrated in the drawings, the storage reel 10 may include
several
different reel segment configurations as desired. A protective cover 16 is
further
depicted in FIG. 1 exploded from the storage reel for clarity. Cover 16 is
placed
over the storage reel 10 to enclose and shield the power cables and/or water
hoses
when not being used, particularly during storage and transport of the
recreational
vehicle. Cover 16 may be comprised of a flexible fabric material and open at
one
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end for placement over the storage reel 10. The cover 16 may be fitted with a
drawstring or other fastening arrangement to cinch the open end around the
storage reel 10.
[00331 FIG. 2 shows a generally top view of an embodiment of the storage reel
10
secured a supporting structure 12 of a recreational vehicle, such as the tow
hitch
of FIG. 1. Here, the storage reel 10 is shown as having two power cables
and/or
water hoses 18a and 18b, each wound about two interconnected reel segments.
As will be further described below, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 can
accommodate up to four power cables and/or water hoses of 25-feet in length,
or
up to two power cables and/or water hoses of 50-feet, as shown. Storage reel
10
further comprises a shaft 20 which support drum 22 is rotatable. Shaft end 24
of
shaft 20 is attached to bracket 25 by one or more fasteners 26, such as
security
fasteners, bolts, or the like. Bracket 25 is secured to the supporting
structure 12 of
the recreational vehicle by one or more fasteners, such as bolt 106.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a generally front view of an embodiment of the storage
reel 10
secured to a supporting structure 12 of a recreational vehicle, such as the
tow
hitch of FIG. 1, by bracket 25. Storage reel 10 includes a support drum 22
including a central and cylindrical support housing 28. Shaft 20 extends
through
the support housing 28. The support drum 22 is rotatably mounted on shaft 20
by
bushings 30 and 32 disposed within collars 34 and 36 for rotation about axis
38 of
the shaft. Support drum 22 is secured to shaft 20 against removal therefrom by
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retaining washer 40 and retaining pin 42. A pair of end flanges 44 and 45 is
disposed at opposite ends of the support housing 28. Shaft end 24 projects
outward beyond end flange 44. Intermediate flanges 46a, 46b, 46c are disposed
along the central cylindrical housing 28 between end flanges 44 and 45 at
spaced
intervals.
[0035] Intermediate flanges 46a, 46b, 46c divide the length of the support
housing 28
into reel segments 48a, 48b, 48c and 48d. More or less intermediate flanges
may
be provided as desired. Intermediate flanges 46a and 46c each include a slot
50a
and 50b which radially extend from an outer edge the flange to the surface of
the
support housing, as best seen in FIG. 4. Slot 50a connects reel segments 48a
and
48b for the winding of a single power cable/water hose between reel segments
48a and 48b. Slot 50b connects reel segments 48c and 48d for the winding of a
single power cable/water hose between reel segments 48c and 48d. Slots 50a and
50b are of a sufficient width to permit the passage of a length of power
cable/water hose therethrough between the interconnected reel segments, as
best
seen in FIG. 2. To this end, a power cable/water hose may be wound about the
support housing 28 within a first reel segment 48a, 48c and as that reel
segment
becomes filled the power cable/water hose can be passed through the
interconnect
slot 50a, 50b and continued to be wound about a second reel segment 48b, 48d.
[0036] An embodiment of the storage reel 10 may include one or more apertures
52
through the support housing 28 along each reel segment that is configured to
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receive and retain an end 54 of power cable/water hose 56 to be wound about
the
reel segment, as best seen in FIG. 4. Aperture 52 can be configured for either
right-handed or left-handed operation. In other words, aperture 52 can be
configured to receive and retain an end 54 of the power cable/water hose 56 in
either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of support drum 22.
[00371 An embodiment of the storage reel 10 may include a lock 60 that is
operable to
engage the support drum 22 to prevent rotation of the support drum about the
shaft 20. As best seen in FIG. 5, lock 60 may include a knob 62 having a
threaded shaft 64 that is threadably received by a threaded bore 66 extending
through reinforcement strip 68 and circular disk 70. End flange 44 can include
an
aperture 72 that is positioned by rotation of support drum 22 to be in
alignment
with threaded bore 66, such that threading shaft 64 by turning knob 62
advances
the threaded shaft 64 into aperture 70. With threaded shaft 64 disposed within
aperture 72, the support drum 22 is prevented from rotating. Alternatively,
threaded shaft 64 may be caused to simply press against end flange 44 to
frictionally retain the support drum 22 from rotating.
[00381 An embodiment of the storage reel 10 may include an elastic tether 74
for
securing the free end of the wound power cable/water hose, as best seen in
FIG. 6.
On end of the tether 74 is secured the free end of power cable/water hose 56
and
the opposite end includes a hook 76 for insertion into one of the apertures 78
disposed around a circumference of an intermediate flange 46b (as shown). Any
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number of the intermediate flanges or end flanges may include similar
apertures
for securing a free end of a wound power cable/water hose.
[0039] In FIG. 7, a perspective view of bracket 25 and the end 24 of shaft 20
is shown.
Bracket 25 includes a vertical web 80 having a pair of vertically spaced tabs
82
and 84 extending from one side thereof, and a pair of vertically spaced tabs
86
and 88 extending from a side opposite of tabs 82 and 84. Tabs 86 and 88 could
be
replaced by a tubular section. Tabs 86 and 88 are swept or angled relative to
tabs
82 and 84 to position the support drum 22 generally parallel with a surface of
the
recreational vehicle. Tabs 82 and 84 include co-aligned apertures 90 and 92.
Tabs 86 and 88 include co-aligned apertures 94 and 96, and co-aligned slots 98
and 100. Tabs 86 and 88 are spaced to receive therebetween end 24 of shaft 20
with bores 102 and 104 cooperatively aligned with aperture pair 94, 96 and
slot
pair 98 and 100, respectively. Fasteners 26, such as security fasteners secure
shaft
end 24 to tabs 86 and 88. Slots 98 and 100 permit the pivoting of shaft 20
about
the bracket 25 to be better aligned with a surface of the recreational
vehicle.
[0040] Tabs 82 and 84 are spaced to receive therebetween supporting structure
12, as
best seen in FIG. 3. A bolt 106 is inserted through apertures 90 and 92 and
secured therein by nut 108, thereby securing the bracket 25 to the supporting
structure. Bolt 106 may have a provision, such as a transverse bore for
receiving
a paddle lock 110 to prevent removal of the bolt.
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[0041] Other bracket configurations are possible to secure the storage reel 10
to various
support structures of the recreational vehicle.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative bracket 120
configuration
particularly useful in securing the storage reel 10 to a bumper of a
recreational
vehicle. Bracket 120 includes a pair of opposed C-shaped channel sections 122,
124 that are clamped and secured about a bumper by bolts (not shown). A pair
of
tabs 126 and 128 extending from one section 124 and includes two pairs of
aligned apertures positioned for cooperative alignment with the bores of shaft
end
24. Alternatively, section 122 could be replaced by two U-bolts (not shown).
[0043] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative bracket 130
configuration
particularly useful in securing the storage reel 10 to a ladder rung 132 of a
ladder
134 attached to the recreational vehicle 14. Bracket 130 comprises a pair of
pipe-
clamps 136 and 138 attached to shaft end 24 for example by welding, which in
turn are secured to the ladder rung 132 in a conventional manner.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative bracket 140
configuration
particularly useful in securing the storage reel 10 to conventional hitch
receiver
142. Bracket 140 includes a hitch tube 144 having a plurality of spaced
through
holes 146 positioned to be aligned with holes 148 of hitch receiver 142 and to
receive hitch pin 150 to secure hitch tube 144 to hitch receiver 142. A pair
of tabs
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152 and 154 extending from one section hitch tube 144 and includes two pairs
of
aligned apertures positioned for cooperative alignment with the bores of shaft
end
24. Alternatively, shaft end 24 can be welded to tabs 152 and 154, as seen in
FIG.
11. Alternatively, shaft end 24 can be welded directly to hitch tube 144, as
seen
in FIG. 12. Here shaft end 24 may include a bend.
[0045] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of yet another bracket 160
configuration
particularly useful in securing the storage reel 10 to conventional mounting
support structure, such as the hitch frame 12 shown and discussed above.
Similarly to the bracket 120 configuration of FIG. 8, bracket 160 includes a
pair
of opposed C-shaped channel sections 162, 164 that are clamped and secured
about a hitch frame structure (not shown). A pair of tabs 166 and 168
extending
from one section 164 and includes two pairs of aligned apertures positioned
for
cooperative alignment with the bores of shaft end 24. Alternatively, section
162
could be replaced by two U-bolts (not shown).
[0046] With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, in an embodiment one or more block
shaped
spacers 170 may be provided to fit the bracket 25 to the supporting structure
by
positioning between tabs 82 and 84 to fill any space between the tabs and the
supporting structure 12. In FIG. 14, the spacer 170 is positioned above the
supporting structure 12 and between the supporting structure and tab 82. In
this
arrangement, the storage coil 10 is shifted vertically upward with respect to
the
supporting structure 12. In FIG. 15, the spacer 170 is positioned below the
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supporting structure 12 and between the supporting structure and tab 84. In
this
arrangement, the storage coil 10 is shifted vertically downward with respect
to the
supporting structure 12. Spacer 170 can include an extension tab 172 through
which bolt 106 may be passed to secure the spacer in position. Other
configurations of the spacer 170 are possible and the spacer may be configured
to
be used with any one of the above described bracket configurations.
[0047] A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described.
Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly,
other
embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
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