Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WALL MOUNTABLE HOSE REEL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to storage of flexible garden hoses, and more
particularly to
a wall mountable hose reel that includes a spool arranged parallel to the wall
surface, and may
include a storage shelf and levelwind. The hose reel is pre-assembled and
shipped in a stacked
array.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The use of wall mountable hose reels for convenient handling and
storage of a
flexible garden hose has risen in popularity. A basic wall mounted hose reel
includes a semi-
circular shaped hook having a central axis that is positioned perpendicular
with respect to the
wall surface. The hose is typically coiled over the hook for storage. Use
requires the user to
take down the hose and uncoil it as needed. While the use of these devices is
common, the
requirement to manually coil the heavy hose for placement over the hook deters
many people
from using these devices.
[0003] Another type of wall mounted hose reel utilizes a plate mounted to
the wall
surface. An axle extends outwardly from the plate and perpendicular to the
wall. A spool is
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rotatably mounted for rotation about the axle. A hand grip or knob is provided
to rotate the
spool. However, this type of wall mounted hose reel typically requires the
hose to be pulled off
the reel in a direction that is perpendicular to the spool, making the device
unsuitable for most
users.
[0004] It has become common for products such as wall mounted hose reels to
be
shipped unassembled, as it facilitates more regularly shaped packaging and
cost savings for
larger pallet loads. For example, a wall mountable hose reel shipped in a
disassembled state can
easily fit into a box that allows the device to be shipped on a pallet
together with numerous other
similarly shaped boxes. Thus, it is not unusual to have twenty or more boxes
of unassembled
wall mountable hose reels placed on a pallet. In addition to requiring tools
for assembly, the
assembly process can be time consuming and frustrating for the consumer and
can lead to
damaged goods if the assembly is done improperly. Damage can occur when the
consumer fails
to either follow instructions, tries to force fit a component, or doesn't have
the proper tools for
assembly. The result is aggravation to the consumer, who may ask the store to
take the product
back and refund their money. Accepting the returns not only voids the sale,
but increase the cost
for the retailer who much complete consuming paperwork to request the
manufacturer take the
product back. As a result, cottage industries have developed solely for the
purpose of
assembling products that have been purchased in a disassembled state. Many
stores that carry
unassembled products have personnel on staff to assemble the product at a cost
to the consumer.
Thus, a pre-assembled product is preferred by the consumer for cost and
aggravation purposes.
[0005] By contrast, an assembled product usually becomes bulkier, thus
requiring larger
packaging and occupying more shipping space. The cost of shipping larger boxes
increases the
price of the product to the consumer. To combat the requirement of additional
space,
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manufacturers have constructed spools having modified end plates that include
flattened or
folding sides to facilitate stacking in a more compact arrangement. However,
the spools with
folding or cut away end plates create issues for users such as additional
fragile components that
become embrittled in the sun and break. Folding or cut away end plates also
create issues when
retracting the hose from an angle, causing the hose to wind around the axle
adjacent to the spool.
Thus, what is lacking in the art is a wall mount hose reel designed to be
shipped without bulky
packaging in a nested condition to reduce storage and shipping space following
pre-assembly at
the factory. The wall mountable hose reel should include spool end plates that
are full circles
when viewed from the end. The wall mountable hose reel should also include
options for
convenience features such as shelving for accessories and a levelwind to place
the hose upon the
spool in a controlled and space saving manner. The wall mountable hose reel
should be
relatively lightweight and should include built in keyhole type apertures to
facilitate mounting
upon a wall without requiring the person mounting the device to hold it in
place during fastener
insertion. The wall mountable hose reel should also include built in stop
points that provide for
shipment in a nested arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00061 The
present invention provides a wall mountable hose reel. More specifically, the
present invention provides a wall mountable hose reel that is provided in an
assembled condition
and may include convenience features such as shelving and levelwind
assemblies. The wall
mountable hose reel is shaped to facilitate stacking of multiple units in a
nested arrangement for
cost efficient shipping. The wall mountable hose reel employs a pre-assembled
frame for
support of a flexible garden hose to be wound into a coil of multiple layers.
The frame is defined
by a pair of opposing side frames having cross braces for added strength. A
hose spool suitable
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for containing a supply of flexible garden hose is rotatably disposed between
opposing side
frames. The spool includes a center portion which is generally cylindrical in
shape and includes
an endplate secured to each distal end thereof. The end plates are
substantially full circles when
viewed from the end to provide control over the hose even when being retracted
onto the spool
from an angle. An inlet swivel union fluid conduit is provided between one of
the side frames
and the rotatable spool. A first end of the inlet swivel fluid conduit is
adapted for attachment to a
water source and disposed on the outer surface of the side frame. The inlet
conduit is adapted for
coupling with an outlet conduit. The outlet conduit is sized to extend through
a central portion of
the hose reel spool and shaped for attachment to a garden hose without bending
or kinking of the
hose for attachment. The frame further supports a releasably insertable
storage shelf which
attaches to the back legs of opposing side frames, allowing for the improved
wall mountable
hose reel to be built with or without the storage shelf, while still not
interfering with the
stackable nesting of numerous wall mount hose reels. Lastly, a crank handle is
provided on the
frame and attached to the hose reel spool for winding of the hose onto the
spool. In at least one
embodiment, the crank handle includes a folding handle member which provides a
more compact
shipment arrangement. Such folding handles are disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
6,834,670,
entitled, "Hose Reel Cart with Folding Crank Handle", assigned to the assignee
of the present
application, the contents of which are incorporated herein.
[0007] Accordingly, it is a primary aspect of the present invention to
provide a wall
mountable hose reel having all components preassembled so as to eliminate the
need for
packaging and instruction manuals commonly used in the prior art.
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[0008] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a wall
mountable hose
reel that can be stacked on top of similar wall mountable hose reels in a
nesting fashion, enabling
the manufacturer to ship more units per cubic foot volume.
[0009,]- It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a
wall mountable
hose reel that includes full side plates on the spool and can be shipped in a
nested condition.
[0010] It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a
wall mountable
hose reel that includes an integrated storage shelf which includes
interchangeable support
members to allow the improved wall mountable hose reel to be built with or
without the storage
shelf and not interfere with the nesting arrangement.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wall
mountable hose
reel to accommodate common wall stud spacing for easier installation on a
vertical surface.
[0012] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a wall
mountable
hose reel that includes keyhole shaped mounting apertures to allow the
mounting fasteners to be
applied to the wall prior to lifting the hose reel assembly.
[0013] It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a
wall
mountable hose reel assembly that includes a levelwind assembly to facilitate
compact storage of
the elongate hose member.
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[0013A] In a broad aspect, the invention pertains to a wall mountable
hose reel comprising
a pair of opposing side frame members in a spaced apart arrangement for
supporting a
rotationally mounted spool assembly. The side frames generally have an A-shape
when viewed
from the side, including a pair of split legs and a strengthening cross
member. Each of the split
legs includes a keyhole shaped aperture for securing the side frames to a wall
surface, and a
contoured pocket positioned on a lower portion thereof for interlocking
engagement with a cross
brace. Each cross brace extends between the pair of side frame members, and an
upper portion of
the side frame includes a bearing journal for rotationally supporting the
spool assembly. Each
cross brace includes a center portion and a pair of distal ends, each distal
end including a shaped
boss. The shaped boss has a substantially conjugate shape to fit into the
contoured pocket for the
interlocking engagement therebetween. Each shaped boss includes a keyhole
aperture positioned
to align with the keyhole aperture in the side frame. The spool assembly is
positioned between
the bearing journals of each side frame and is comprised of two semi-circular
core halves forming
a core. A drive end plate is secured to one end of the core and a driven end
plate is secured to an
opposite end of the core, each of the end plates including a bearing sized to
cooperate with the
bearing journals to allow rotation of the spool assembly. An inlet/outlet is
constructed and
arranged to extend through a shaped aperture of the driven end plate for
attachment of a garden
hose to an inlet portion, while an outlet portion extends outward through the
spool core for
attachment to the garden hose to be stored. The inlet portion is rotationally
and sealably secured
to the outlet portion, and a crank assembly is operatively secured to the
drive end plate for manual
rotation thereof.
[0014] Other aspects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the
following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings
wherein are set
forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiment of this
invention. Any drawings
contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary
embodiments of the
present invention and illustrate various aspects and features thereof
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] Figure 1 is a top right perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention,
illustrated with a shelf and levelwind assembly;
[0016] Figure 2 is a top left perspective view of the embodiment
illustrated in Figure 1;
[0017] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure
1;
[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 1, showing the
nested shipping arrangement;
[0019] Figure 5 is a top right perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention,
illustrated with a shelf;
[0020] Figure 6 is a bottom left perspective view of the embodiment
illustrated in Figure 5;
[0021] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure
6;
[0022] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 5, showing the
nested shipping arrangement;
[0023] Figure 9 is a top right perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] Figure 10 is a top left perspective view of the embodiment
illustrated in Figure 9;
[0025] Figure 11 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 9; and
[0026] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in
Figure 9, showing
the nested shipping arrangement.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] 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, albeit not
limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to
be considered an
exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific
embodiments illustrated.
[0028] Now referring to Figures 1-12, various embodiments of the present
invention are
illustrated. Figures 1-4 illustrate a wall mountable hose reel 100 which is
provided with a
levelwind assembly 200 and a shelf assembly 300. Figures 5-8 illustrated an
embodiment of the
wall mountable hose reel assembly that includes a shelf assembly 300. Figures
9-12 illustrate the
basic wall mountable hose reel assembly. The wall mountable hose reel assembly
100 generally
includes opposing side frames 102, a spool assembly 104, an inlet/outlet fluid
swivel 124, a
crank assembly 112, and a pair of crossbars. The opposing side frames 102 are
structural
members having suitable strength to support the spool assembly when loaded
with hose that may
be full of water. The side frames are preferably tapered from the bottom to
the top so that the top
portion of one side frame fits into the bottom portion of a vertically stacked
side frame as
illustrated in Figure 12. The side frames 102 each include a vertical stop
member 116 that
functions as a strengthening member for the side frame as well as a stop
member for the nested
arrangement. In at least one embodiment, the bottom portion of the side frames
include a pair of
split legs and the stop member, a semi-circular geometric shape which allows
the nesting of
similarly shaped frames on top of each other as the top surface of each frame
has a similar semi-
circular geometric shape for mating of the top surface of one frame with the
bottom surface of
another frame. In this manner, the stacked arrangement has a predetermined
stop member to
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prevent one wall mountable hose reel from being forced over another hose reel
during transport
to prevent shipping damage. The side frames 102 are also constructed to
prevent lateral
movement of the nested arrangement by allowing a portion of the spool driven
end plate 110 to
cooperate with a vertically placed wall mountable hose reel assembly. In a
most preferred
embodiment, the outer surface of the lower nested hose reel cooperates with an
inner surface of
the next vertically stacked hose reel assembly. Each side frame 102 includes a
bearing journal
126 sized to cooperate with the driving and driven end plates 108, 110 of the
spool assembly
104. Each side frame 102 also includes a keyhole aperture 128 having an
enlarged center portion
130 sized to fit over the head portion of a fastener. The keyhole aperture 128
includes a pair of
oppositely extending slots 132 sized to cooperate with the shank portion of a
fastener. In this
manner, the fasteners may be pre-placed within a wall surface and the center
portion of the
keyhole aperture placed over the fasteners and slid downwardly to support the
wall mountable
hose reel on a vertical surface. The slots 132 extending outward from the
center portion 130 of
the keyhole aperture 128 allow the crank assembly to be mounted on the left or
the right side of
the assembly. Crossbars 120 extend between the side frames 102 at a lower
portion thereof. The
distal ends 122 of the crossbars 120 include shaped bosses 136 having a
conjugate shape to fit
into contoured pockets 134. In a most preferred embodiment the bosses include
a key member
138, the key member having a keyway 140 sized to cooperate with a key (not
shown) integrally
formed into the contoured pocket 134. In this manner, the crossbars 120 may be
snapped into an
interlocking position with respect to both side panels without the need for
additional fasteners.
In a most preferred embodiment, each shaped boss 136 includes the like shaped
keyhole aperture
128 to that of the side frame 102. The keyhole apertures of the crossbar are
positioned to align
with the keyhole apertures 128 of the side frames. This construction provides
additional rigidity
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to the assembly, especially when secured to a wall surface. This rigidity is
extremely important
to counteract the cantilever effect of the weight of a water filled hose
positioned on the spool
assembly 104. In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, the side frame 102
is constructed
from a moldable plastic material, such as polyethylene formed by the process
of injection
molding. In this manner, the side frame 102 can be formed as a substantially
hollow structure
having a plurality of strengthening ribs 118 formed integrally thereto. In a
most preferred
embodiment, the side frames are formed for use on either side of the spool
assembly to minimize
the part count required to assemble the wall mountable hose reel.
[0029] As shown
in Figures 1-12, the spool assembly 104 is positioned between the hub
bearing journals 126 of each side frame 102. The spool assembly 104 is
comprised of two
identically molded semi-circular core halves 106, a drive end plate 108 and a
driven end plate
110. The core halves are generally constructed and arranged to connect without
the need for
additional fasteners to form a hose spool core 107 for receipt of a flexible
hose. The driving end
plate 108 includes bearing 140 sized to cooperate with bearing journal 126 to
allow rotation of
the spool assembly 104. The outer surface of the bearing includes notches 141
which serve to
scrape away dirt and debris that may enter between the bearing and the bearing
journal. The
bearing 140 includes a central shaped aperture 142 which preferably includes a
plurality of key
surfaces 144. The key surfaces cooperate in an interlocking manner with keys
146 integrally
formed onto the crank assembly 112. The keys extend to flexible fingers 148
constructed and
arranged to flex inwardly as the crank assembly is inserted through the side
frame and into the
shaped aperture 142, whereby the fingers spring outwardly to catch against an
inner surface (not
shown). The crank assembly 112 includes a foldable handle 150 to provide a
compact storage
arrangement. The inlet/outlet assembly 124 is constructed and arranged to
extend through the
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shaped aperture of the driven end plate 110 for attachment of a garden hose to
the inlet portion;
while the outlet portion 154 extends outward through the spool core for
attachment to the garden
hose to be stored.
[0030]
Referring to Figures 5-8, an embodiment of the wall mountable hose reel with
shelf is illustrated. This embodiment is the same as the embodiment disclosed
above with
the addition of a shelf member 300. The shelf member is substituted for one of
the crossbars
120. In a preferred embodiment, the shelf member includes a shelf portion 302
having a
perimeter lip 304. The shelf portion may include perforations 306 constructed
and arranged
to allow water drainage. The edges of the shelf member include the shaped
bosses 136 having
a conjugate shape to fit into the contoured pockets 134. In a most preferred
embodiment the
bosses include a key member 138 which cooperates with a surface of the
contoured pocket 134.
Snap locks 310 are provided to cooperate with the side frames 102 for
attachment of the shelf or
crossbar to the side frame without additional fasteners. In this manner, the
crossbars 120 may be
snapped into an interlocking position with respect to both side panels without
the need for
additional fasteners. In a most preferred embodiment, each crossbar boss
portion 136 includes
the like shaped keyhole aperture 128 to that of the side frame 102. The
keyhole apertures of the
crossbar are positioned to align with the keyhole apertures 128 of the side
frames. This
construction provides additional rigidity to the assembly, especially when
secured to a wall
surface. This rigidity is extremely important to counteract the cantilever
effect of the weight of a
water filled hose positioned on the spool assembly 104. In addition, this
construction allows the
shelf to be directly coupled to the wall surface, instead of an indirect
connection through the
frame of the hose reel, as is seen in the prior art. In addition to the shaped
bosses 136, the shelf
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is provided with a pair of outwardly extending pin members 308 which cooperate
with the side
frame 102 to add additional stability to the shelf member.
[0031] Referring to Figures 1-4, an alternative embodiment of the wall
mountable
hose reel is illustrated including a levelwind assembly 200 positioned between
the spool
assembly 104 and the side frame members 102. The levelwind assembly includes
rotational
arms 202, parallel tracks 204 and a shuttle member 206. The rotational arm
members include
a bearing aperture 208 which cooperates with a second bearing journal 210
formed on the
inner surface of the side frame members 102 to allow rotation of the levelwind
between a
storage position, illustrated in Fig. 4, and a use position, illustrated in
Figs. 1-3. A spring
lock member 212 cooperates with catches 214 to permit a user to rotate the
levelwind
between the storage and use positions without compromising the ability to nest
the devices.
The rotational arms include pockets 216 sized to cooperate with the distal
ends of the parallel
tracks 204. Shuttle member 206 includes a pair of elongated apertures 218
sized for manual
traversal along the parallel tracks 204. The shuttle member is also provided
with a central
aperture 220 sized for traversal of an elongated hose member. In use, as the
crank assembly
112 is rotated, the user can traverse the shuttle member back and forth across
the spool
assembly to provide a compact hose storage arrangement.
[00321 It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is
illustrated, it is
not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and
shown. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without
departing from the
scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to
what is shown and
described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
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[0033] One
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well
adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages
mentioned, as well as
those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques
described herein
are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be
exemplary and are
not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will
occur to those
skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention
and are defined by the
scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in
connection with
specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as
claimed should not
be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications
of the described
modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the
art are intended to
be within the scope of the following claims.
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