Patent Application
20100108158
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hose wagons and, more specifically to a hose wagon wherein the hose reel, about which a use hose is coiled, is free to rotate completely about a vertical axis.
2. Background Information
Hose wagons are structured to support and carry a length of hose, hereinafter the “use hose,” which is typically coiled about a hose reel. The hose wagon includes a frame assembly that rotatably supports the hose reel. The hose reel is, typically, structured to rotate about a horizontal axis, but may be structured to rotate about a vertical axis. A horizontal axis is preferred as winding the hose is more easily accomplished. The hose wagon is further coupled to a supply hose structured to supply water from a water supply. A hose wagon water supply assembly couples the supply hose and the use hose. The water supply assembly includes a rotatable interface disposed between the supply side and the use side. Typically, at least a portion of the water supply assembly, including the rotatable interface, is disposed along the rotational axis of the hose reel. In this configuration, the user may coil the use hose about the hose reel for transport, and then uncoil the use hose for use.
However, when a user is using the use hose, the use hose may be moved about the hose wagon into a location that causes the use hose to bind or become crimped. That is, typically, the use hose is uncoiled, or fed, from the front side of the hose wagon. When a user moves the use hose to a lateral side, or to the back side, of the hose wagon, the hose will bind or become crimped on the hose wagon. Accordingly, attempts have been made to provide a hose reel with two axes of rotation; a horizontal axis, for coiling/uncoiling the hose about the reel, and a vertical axis, that allows the use hose to be freely moved about the hose wagon. See e.g., U.S. Design Pat. No. D547,021.
These attempts while functional in the abstract, were not functional in operation. That is, such designs failed to account for effect of the either, or both, of the supply hose and use hose. For example, a hose wagon such as, but not limited to, the hose wagon disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. D547,021 has a vertically extending handle that extends above the bottom of the hose reel. Thus, if a user were to uncoil a length of use hose out of the lateral side of the hose wagon and then attempt to move behind the hose wagon to the other lateral side of the hose wagon, the use hose would bind against the handle. Thus, a hose wagon in this configuration actually has a limited range of vertical rotation.
Further, the range of vertical rotation of such hose wagons is also limited by the supply hose. When the supply hose is simply coupled to the use hose using a water supply assembly having a single rotational interface, e.g. as shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D547,021 an interface disposed along the hose reel axis of rotation, the hose reel may not rotate freely about the vertical axis. That is, without a water supply assembly having a vertical rotation interface, the supply hose will simply wrap around the hose reel and prevent the free rotation thereof.
The disclosed and claimed concept is for a hose wagon wherein the hose wagon frame assembly is structured to rotatably support a hose reel so that the hose reel may rotate freely about a generally vertical axis and a generally horizontal axis. This is accomplished by providing a water supply assembly having two rotational interfaces; one allowing rotation about a vertical axis, the other allowing rotation about a horizontal axis. Further, the hose wagon is free of frame members that extend vertically into the possible path of travel of a use hose. This further includes a handle member that is structured to move between an upper, first position, wherein the handle is disposed on the upper side of the hose wagon, and a second position, wherein the handle is disposed at a location lower than the path of travel of the hose coming off the hose reel.
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As used herein, “structured to rotate freely about” means that one element (or assembly) is rotatably coupled to another element (or assembly) and may move through 360 degrees without the elements, or any other elements structured to be coupled to/supported by either rotatably coupled elements, coming into contact with each other or without flexible elements twisting/binding. That is, an element “structured to rotate freely about” another element may be rotated, essentially, continuously in one direction about the axis of rotation without the need to reverse the direction of rotation due to interference or binding components.
As used herein, directional phrases are relative to the orientation of the hose wagon as shown in the figures and are not limiting in the claims.
As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs.
As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other.
As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.
As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.
As shown in
The frame assembly 12 includes a wagon frame assembly 30 and a hose reel frame assembly 70. The wagon frame assembly 30, preferably, includes a plurality of tubular frame members 32, but may include members of other shapes including, but not limited to, planar members (not shown). The wagon frame assembly 30 further includes at least one, and preferably two, wheels 34. The wagon frame assembly frame members 32 preferably define an “X” shape wherein there is a medial location 36. As discussed below, a swivel base assembly 100 created by elements on the wagon frame assembly 30 and the hose reel frame assembly 70, is disposed at the medial location 36. The frame members 32 defining the “X” shape are mostly disposed in a generally horizontal plane, however, the forward ends 38 and the rearward ends 40 of the wagon frame assembly frame members 32 extend downwardly. The frame member forward ends 38 are, preferably, caped by rounded spikes 42. The frame member rearward ends 40, preferably, define, or include, a bracket for an axle 44. The axle 44 is coupled to the frame member rearward ends 40 and extends laterally relative to the hose wagon 10 in a generally horizontal plane. The wheels 34 are disposed on each end of the axle 44. As is known, the axle 44 may be rotatably coupled to the wagon frame assembly 30 and/or the wheels 34 may be rotatably coupled to the axle 44.
The wagon frame assembly 30 further includes a movable handle 50. The handle 50 includes a vertical portion 52 and a lower horizontal portion 54. The handle horizontal portion 54 is structured to be disposed between the frame member rearward ends 40 and, preferably, is structured to be disposed about the axle 44. That is, the axle 44 is rotatably disposed and extends through the handle horizontal portion 54. Alternately, it may be said that the handle 50 is pivotally coupled to the axle 44. The handle vertical portion 52 includes an offset 56 which is a medial bend. The offset 56 allows for the handle 50 to be coupled to the hose reel frame assembly yoke 74, as discussed below. The upper end of the handle vertical portion 52 may include a grip 58 which, preferably, extends generally horizontally. As the handle is pivotally coupled to the axle 44, the handle 50 is structured to be moved between an upper, first position (
Generally, the handle 50 is placed in the upper position when the hose wagon 10 is being moved or stored, and placed in the lower position when the use hose 1 is being used. In this configuration, the handle is not disposed in the path of travel of the use hose 1 when the use hose 1 is in use. As shown in
The hose wagon 10 also includes a hose reel assembly 60 that includes a water supply assembly 90 (shown schematically in
Preferably, the hose reel frame assembly 70 also includes a plurality of tubular members 72. The hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72 define a yoke 74 structured to rotatably support the hose reel 14. That is, the hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72 that form the yoke 74 include a medial base member 76, a first arm 78 and a second arm 80. Preferably, the first arm 78 and the second arm 80 are defined by spaced hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72 coupled by a cross-member 82 at the distal tips, however, as the yoke 74 may be formed from a singular hose reel frame assembly tubular member 72 extending in opposite directions, the following description shall refer to the first arm 78 and the second arm 80 as singular elements.
The first arm 78 and the second arm 80 each have a base end 84 and a hose reel end 86. Both of the first arm and said second arm base ends 84 are coupled to the yoke base member 76. It is noted that in the embodiment shown, i.e. having spaced hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72, the yoke base member 76 extends, generally perpendicularly, between the spaced hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72. In an embodiment having single hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72 forming the yoke 74, the first arm and said second arm base ends 84 may be contiguous, generally horizontal portions (not shown). The first arm and second arm hose reel ends 86 are structured to be rotatably coupled to the hose reel axle 62. In the embodiment shown, the coupling is a U-shaped bracket 66 disposed on the yoke cross-member 82. In an embodiment having single hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72 forming the yoke 74, the first arm and said second arm hose reel ends 86 may include a circular opening or similar coupling (not shown) to support the hose reel axle 62. Thus, in this configuration, the first arm and said second arm base ends 84 are adjacent to each other and the first arm and said second arm hose reel ends 86 are spaced from each other, thus the first arm 78 and the second arm 80 define the yoke 74.
In this configuration, the hose reel 14 may be rotatably coupled to the hose reel frame assembly 70 and, more specifically, to the yoke 74. That is, the hose reel axle 62 extends, generally horizontally, between the yoke's first arm and second arm hose reel ends 86. Thus, the hose reel 14 is structured to rotate about a generally horizontal axis.
As noted above, and as shown in
As detailed below, the cup 110 and the vertical support stem 120 may define a passage 102 for the water supply assembly 90. That is, in one embodiment the cup 110 includes a central opening 111 on the cup bottom member 112. The vertical support stem 120 is hollow and also has a central, lower opening 121 on the lower surface 122 and a radial opening 123, preferably at a location above the top of the cup 110. As described below, water supply assembly conduit members 92 may pass through the cup 110 and the vertical support stem 120, entering and exiting the swivel base assembly 100 via the openings set forth above.
Alternatively, as shown in
It is noted that, when the handle 50 is in the lower, second position, there are no elements of the wagon frame assembly 30 that extend above the cup 110. As such, there are no structural elements of the hose wagon 10 that impede the free rotation of the hose reel 14 about either the vertical axis or the horizontal axis identified above. However, to provide for free rotation, as defined above, the elements coupled to/supported by the hose wagon 10 must also not prevent the rotation of the hose reel 14. That is, the use hose 1 and the supply hose 2 cannot impede the free rotation of the hose reel 14 about either the vertical axis or the horizontal axis either by being disposed in the path of travel of the hose wagon 10 or by binding/twisting when the hose reel 14 is rotated.
Thus, the free rotation of the hose reel 14 also relies upon the structure of the water supply assembly 90. The water supply assembly 90, preferably, includes a plurality of conduit members 92. Generally, each conduit member 92 has an upstream end and a downstream end. When directly coupled conduit members 92 are not required to rotate relative to each other, the conduit members 92 may included threaded ends, or other known coupling devices, that fix the conduit members 92 together and provide for fluid communication between the conduit members 92. When the conduit members 92 are required to rotate relative to each other, the conduit members 92 are, preferably, rigid and have the downstream end of the upstream conduit disposed within the upstream end of the downstream conduit. Further, as is known, one or more seals may be disposed between the directly coupled conduits to resist leakage. Hereinafter, the seals will not be specifically identified, but it is understood that such seals exist at each rotational coupling, and may exist at non-rotating couplings.
In the preferred embodiment, the conduit members 92 include an inlet conduit 150 and an outlet conduit 160. The water supply assembly inlet conduit 150 has an inlet end 152 and an outlet end 154. The water supply assembly outlet conduit 160 has an inlet end 162 and an outlet end 164. The water supply assembly inlet conduit inlet end 152 is structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the supply hose 2. The water supply assembly inlet conduit outlet end 154 is structured to be rotatably coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the water supply assembly outlet conduit inlet end 162. Further, the water supply assembly outlet conduit inlet end 162 is structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the water supply assembly inlet conduit outlet end 154. The water supply assembly outlet conduit outlet end 164 is structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the use hose. It is noted that a single outlet conduit 160 may extend from the swivel base assembly 100 and pass through the hose reel axle 62, typically following a path adjacent to a yoke arm, e.g. first arm 78 (not shown). However, for ease of assembly and manufacture, it is preferable that the conduit members 92 include the following additional conduit members 92: a flexible intermediate conduit 170 and a hose reel conduit 180. Each of the flexible intermediate conduit 170 and the hose reel conduit 180 have an inlet end 172, 182 and an outlet end 174, 184, respectively. The hose reel conduit 180 has a straight portion 186 that extends through, or may form a part of, the hose reel axle 62. Thus, the hose reel conduit 180 extends along the axis of the hose reel 14.
The preferred embodiment of the water supply assembly 90 is assembled as follows. The inlet conduit 150 is disposed along the swivel base assembly 100 vertical axis, extending through the cup bottom member central opening 111 and into the hollow vertical support stem 120 via the vertical support stem lower opening 121. The inlet conduit inlet end 152 is disposed below, and outside, of the cup 110. The inlet conduit outlet end 154 is disposed within the vertical support stem 120. The outlet conduit 160 includes a generally perpendicular bend and therefore has a vertical portion 161 at the outlet conduit inlet end 162, and a horizontal portion 163 at the outlet conduit outlet end 164. The outlet conduit inlet end 162, that is the outlet conduit vertical portion 161 is disposed within the hollow vertical support stem 120. The outlet conduit inlet end 162 is rotatably coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the inlet conduit outlet end 154. The outlet conduit outlet end 164 is disposed above the top of the cup 110.
The intermediate conduit inlet end 172 is coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the outlet conduit outlet end 164. The hose reel conduit 180 extends through, or may form a part of, the hose reel axle 62. The intermediate conduit outlet end 174 and the hose reel conduit inlet end 182 are rotatably coupled and in fluid communication. The hose reel conduit outlet end 184 is disposed adjacent to the hose reel 14 and may be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, the use hose 1.
Thus, the water supply assembly 90 includes two rotatable couplings, i.e. the outlet conduit inlet end 162/inlet conduit outlet end 154 and the intermediate conduit outlet end 174/hose reel conduit inlet end 182, disposed, respectively, upon the vertical axis of rotation and the horizontal axis of rotation for the frame assembly 12. By having the water supply assembly 90 rotatable couplings at these locations, the elements of the water supply assembly 90 will not become twisted or otherwise bound as the hose reel 14 rotates about either the vertical axis of rotation and/or the horizontal axis of rotation of the frame assembly 12. Further, because the use hose is uncoiled in a generally horizontal direction and because there are no elements of the wagon frame assembly 30 that extend above the cup 110 when the handle 50 is in the lower, second position, there are no elements of the wagon frame assembly 30 that will interfere with the use hose 1 as the hose reel frame assembly 70 rotates about the vertical axis 101 of the swivel base assembly 100. Thus, in this configuration, the hose reel 14 is rotatably coupled to the frame assembly 12 and structured to rotate freely about a generally vertical axis 101 and a generally horizontal axis 18.
As noted above, in an alternate embodiment (
It is further noted that, just as the structure of the swivel base assembly 100 may be used as part of the water supply assembly 90, the elements of the hose reel frame assembly 70 may also define the water supply assembly 90. That is, in an embodiment not shown, instead of having a vertical support stem radial opening 123 and an intermediate conduit 170, all, or selected, hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72 as well as the hose reel axle 62 may be hollow and define a passage from the vertical support stem 120 to a location adjacent the hose reel 14. It is noted that at least one rotatable coupling would be disposed at the interface of the hose reel axle 62 and the hose reel frame assembly 70. Such a rotatable coupling would include seals to resist water leakage. Further, the hose reel 14 may define a hollow tubular member having a radial hose coupling. Thus, water could be introduced by the supply hose 2 into the swivel base assembly 100. The water could then travel through the hose reel frame assembly tubular members 72 and hose reel axle 62 into the hollow hose reel 14. The use hose 1 could then be coupled directly to the hollow tubular hose reel.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
