All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
1. Field
The present invention relates generally to a garden tool, and, in particular, to a garden tool for supporting at least a portion of a garden hose in order to keep a user's hands and clothes clean during handling of the garden hose.
2. Background
Using a garden hose can be a dirty process. A garden hose is generally dragged along the ground to a designated watering or storage location. As the hose is dragged along the ground, the surface of the hose can become dirty with mud, dirt, grass or other yard debris. Furthermore, the dirt on the outside of a hose is compounded and becomes muddy with water dripping down the exterior of the hose. As a result, a user's hands often become dirty when handling (i.e. controlling, moving, extending, or retracting) a hose. Additionally, a hose that is coiled for storage has the tendency to “flip over” and inadvertently come into contact with a user's clothing, thereby increasing the chance that the user is exposed to dirt, mud or debris from the hose.
Accordingly a need exists for a garden tool capable of controlling, moving, extending, or retracting a hose in an easy manner and in such a way as to eliminate the mess associated with direct handling. This and other needs are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.
The present invention includes a hose support apparatus. Broadly defined, the present invention according to a first aspect includes a hose support apparatus that includes a spine member, a handle attached along the spine member and first and second arcuate supports extending downwardly and inwardly from opposite sides of the spine member. The first arcuate support extends from the spine member at a first end thereof and the second arcuate support extends from the spine member at a second end thereof such that the arcuate supports are adapted to support at least a portion of a hose engaged therewith.
In features of this aspect, each arcuate support may be tapered toward an exposed edge; each arcuate support may include an aperture therein; each arcuate support may include a rim to reduce splatter; the hose support apparatus may be composed of a rigid material; the hose support apparatus may be composed of a plastic material; outer longitudinal edges of each arcuate support may include a ramp to facilitate hose engagement; the handle may be integral with the spine member; the handle may include at least one hook to facilitate storage; and/or the at least one hook may be a pair of hooks.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to a second aspect includes a hose support apparatus substantially as shown and described.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to a third aspect includes a hose support apparatus for keeping a user's hands and clothes clean when handling a hose, substantially as shown and described.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to a fourth aspect includes a method of keeping a user's hands and clothes clean when using a hose. The method includes providing a garden tool having a handle attached along a spine member with first and second arcuate supports extending downwardly and inwardly from the spine member at opposite sides thereof, the first arcuate support extending from the spine member at a first end of the spine member and the second arcuate support extending from the spine member at a second end thereof. The method further includes positioning a portion of a hose at a gap between the first and second arcuate supports and arranging the garden tool such that the first and second arcuate supports engage with and support the portion of the hose.
In features of this aspect, the method may further include re-positioning the garden tool relative to the hose by moving the garden tool along the hose; the method may further include tilting the garden tool so that an edge of the garden tool pinches or bevels the hose; the handle of the garden tool may include at least one hook; the at least one hook may be an inwardly facing hook; the at least one hook may be a pair of hooks; and/or the method may further include disengaging the hose from the garden tool by rotating the garden tool.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to a fifth aspect includes a method of keeping a user's hands and clothes clean when using a hose, substantially as shown and described.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to a sixth aspect includes a hose support apparatus that includes a spine member defining an axis, a handle attached along the spine member, and first and second arcuate supports extending downwardly and inwardly from opposite sides of the spine member. The first arcuate support extends from the spine member at a first end thereof and the second arcuate support extends from the spine member at a second end thereof such that the arcuate supports are adapted to support a section of a hose co-axially aligned with the spine member.
In features of this aspect, each arcuate support may be tapered toward an exposed edge; each arcuate support may curve downwardly and inwardly from the spine member; and/or each arcuate support may define a substantially circular shape in the longitudinal direction.
In further features of this aspect, a longitudinal gap may exist between the first and second arcuate supports, the longitudinal gap sized to accommodate a hose diameter; at least one of the arcuate supports may include an aperture therein; at least one of the arcuate supports may include a rim to reduce splatter; at least one of the spine member, the handle and the first and second arcuate supports may be composed of a rigid material; at least one of the spine member, the handle and the first and second arcuate supports may be composed of a plastic material; and/or outer longitudinal edges of each arcuate support may include a ramp to facilitate hose engagement.
In still further features of this aspect, the handle may be integral with the spine member; the handle may include at least one hook to facilitate storage; and/or the at least one hook may be a pair of hooks.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to a seventh aspect includes a method of keeping a user's hands and clothes clean when using a hose. The method includes providing a garden tool having a handle attached along a spine member, defining an axis, with first and second arcuate supports extending downwardly and inwardly from the spine member at opposite sides thereof, the first arcuate support extending from the spine member at a first end of the spine member and the second arcuate support extending from the spine member at a second end thereof. The method further includes positioning the diameter of a hose at a gap between the first and second arcuate supports and arranging the garden tool to be co-axially aligned with the hose, thereby permitting a section of the hose to be supported by the first and second arcuate supports.
In feature of this aspect, the method may further include re-positioning the garden tool relative to the hose by moving the garden tool along the hose; and/or the method may further include tilting the garden tool so that an edge of the garden tool pinches or bevels the hose.
In further features of this aspect, the handle of the garden tool may include at least one hook; and/or the at least one hook may be an inwardly facing hook.
In still further features of this aspect, each arcuate support may include a rim to reduce splatter; and/or the method may further include disengaging the hose from the garden tool by rotating the garden tool.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein:
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”
When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers,” “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese,” and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components throughout the several views, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
The hose engagement portion 14 includes opposing arcuate hose supports 16,17 generally at longitudinal ends thereof. The arcuate hose supports 16,17 are curved in such a way as to be capable of engaging and supporting a section of a garden hose. Each hose support 16,17 curves downwardly away from the spine member 15 with each forming a generally circular shape in the longitudinal direction (as perhaps best seen in
The hose support apparatus 10 is formed of a generally rigid material that is capable of withstanding the wear and tear of repeated outdoor use. While a range of different materials could be used to form the hose support apparatus 10, a plastic or polymeric material is used in contemplated embodiments. The plastic or polymeric material should be of a sufficient strength, thickness and durability as to be able to support and maintain control of a hose, even when the hose is in use with a stream of water running through the hose. In particular, it is contemplated that a 20% glass-filled polypropylene material may be used as the plastic or polymeric material. One such material is Multibase Multi-Pro® 2012 RC 20% Glass Filled Polypropylene, manufactured by Multibase Inc., based in Copland, Ohio. In another contemplated embodiment, the hose support apparatus 10 is formed of a lightweight, metallic material.
Though the length and dimensions of the hose support apparatus 10 may vary, one contemplated embodiment of the hose support apparatus 10 has a length sufficient to accommodate a handle portion 12 that can be comfortably gripped by a user. Furthermore, it is contemplated that each of the arcuate hose supports 16,17 has a diameter sufficient to engage a conventional garden hose. In one contemplated embodiment, the hose support apparatus 10 has a length of approximately 6½ inches, a height of approximately 4 inches and an internal diameter of approximately 2 inches.
As can further be seen in
In one contemplated method of using the hose support apparatus 10, a user can co-axially align the hose support apparatus 10 with a section of the hose nearest to a conventional hose retractor. With one hand, the user can support the section of the hose, and with the other hand, the user can manipulate the hose retractor to reel in the hose for storage. As the hose retractor winds the hose onto the reel, the hose is moved through the hose support apparatus 10, and the user is able to guide the hose onto the hose retractor without ever having to use his or her hands to touch the hose. In like manner, the hose support apparatus 10 can be used to guide a hose as it is unwound from the hose retractor.
In other contemplated embodiments, the hose support apparatus 10 can be used to support different locations along the hose either by sliding the hose support apparatus along the hose or disengaging and reengaging the hose support apparatus 10 to a different location along the hose. In this manner, a user is able to reposition the hose, during use, without touching the hose. The need to reposition a hose that is in use can arise when the hose is being used to water various areas of a yard or a flower bed. By using the hose support apparatus 10 to reposition the hose, the hose can be relocated for further watering purposes without ever having to be touched by the user.
Though it is contemplated that the hose support apparatus 10 is used to engage an uncoiled hose, it should also be noted that the hose support apparatus 10 can be used to engage a coiled hose. Furthermore, the hose support apparatus 10 can be used to engage a hose, irrespective of whether the hose is elevated above the ground or positioned directly on the ground. Advantageously, the hose support apparatus 10 is adapted to engage the hose 50 at any desired location along the length of the hose. As a result, it is not necessary to thread or feed one of the ends of the hose 50 through the hose support apparatus 10. The hose support apparatus 10 is capable of engaging the hose 50 at either end or at any location in between the hose ends. The hose support apparatus 10 is thus configured to enable a user to control, move, extend or retract a hose without ever having to touch the hose.
Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
The present application is a U.S. non-provisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/767,205, filed Feb. 20, 2013, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61767205 | Feb 2013 | US |