BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the hose reel cart of the instant invention;
FIG. 2 is an underside rear perspective view of the hose reel cart;
FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating the construction of the hose reel assembly;
FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation of the hose reel cart;
FIG. 5 is a front view in elevation of the hose reel cart;
FIG. 6 is a rear view in elevation of the hose reel cart;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the hose reel cart;
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the hose reel cart and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the mounting plates taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, wherein like elements are numbered consistently throughout, there is illustrated a portable hose reel cart generally indicated by reference numeral 10, embodying the principles of the present invention. The hose reel cart 10 is useful for holding, paying out, retrieving and transporting large amounts of hose between a storage location and a use location. The major components of the hose reel cart include a reel assembly 12, a cradle assembly 14, a carriage assembly 22 coupled to the cradle assembly, a handle assembly 16 and four wheel assemblies 20. In a typical arrangement, the hose reel cart is capable of storing upwards of 300 feet of a ā
inch common hose on the spool 12.
The hose reel cart 10 includes a carriage assembly 22. In a preferred embodiment, the carriage assembly includes a pair of horizontally disposed base support elements 24, 26. A front portion of the carriage assembly includes vertical carriage frame elements 28, 30 which are formed as vertical extensions of base support elements 24, 26. A transverse frame member 32 connects the upper portions of the vertical frame elements and secures the vertical frame members is spaced relation to each other. Transverse frame member 32 also provides a support to which a pair of longitudinal cradle support members 34, 36 are attached. At the rear portion of the carriage assembly rear vertical carriage frame elements 38, 40 are formed as vertical extensions of the base support elements 24, 26. A transverse frame member 48 is connected to the carriage frame elements 38, 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Transverse frame member 48 is positioned substantially level with transverse frame member 32. Longitudinal cradle support members 34, 36 are secured to both transverse frame members 48 and 32 thereby securing the cradle support members to the carriage assembly. In a preferred embodiment base support elements 24, 26, vertical carriage frame elements 28, 30, transverse frame member 32, and rear vertical frame elements 38, 40 are formed from a single member, e.g. a single piece of tubing, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In other embodiments these elements could be formed separately and assembled together by conventional fastening techniques, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Handle assembly 16 includes two rear vertical frame members 42, 44 and a transverse horizontal frame member 46 extending between the upper portions of rear vertical frame members 42, 44 and securing these members together. Transverse frame member 46 serves as a handle to facilitate movement of the hose reel cart. In a preferred embodiment vertical members 42, 44 and transverse frame member 46 are formed from a single member, e.g. tubing. In other embodiments these elements could be formed separately and assembled together by conventional fastening techniques. The free end portions of rear vertical frame members 42, 44 are constructed and arranged to mate with corresponding end portions of rear vertical frame elements 38, 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment they mate in a telescoping arrangement. A plate member 51 may be attached between the rear vertical frame members, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Plate 51 includes one or more vertical slots 52 (FIG. 2) for storing the free end of a hose when not in use to prevent the hose end from dragging along the ground when the hose reel cart is moving. The slots 52 can be used to hold other tools, e.g. hose nozzle or the like (not shown).
A pair of wheel support members 47 is secured to a lower portion of each base support elements 24, 26, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment an axle 50 is secured to the lower portion of both base support elements by the wheel support members. The axle 50 passes through the wheel support members 47. Wheel assemblies 53 are mounted on the ends of the axles 50. Pneumatic flotation tires 54 are mounted onto the wheel assemblies 53. Axles 50 have a flat portion along a top longitudinal portion thereof, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. This flat portion gives the axle a substantial āDā shaped cross section. This flat portion helps secure the axle in the wheel support elements 47 and prevents rotation of the axle. In another embodiment each wheel support member has a short axle mounted thereto. The wheel assemblies are mounted on these short axles and the pneumatic tires are in turn mounted on the wheel assemblies.
Reel assembly 12 includes a spool 52 which rotates about a first axis A-A (FIG. 4). A hose (not shown) is wound around the spool 52 for storage and transportation thereof. Once the hose reel cart is located in the desired location, the hose can be connected to a pressurized fluid source and played out or unwound from the spool. After the hose has been utilized for its intended purpose, it is wound onto the spool for storage or transportation to another location. At each end of the spool 52 retaining elements 55 are attached thereto. Each retaining element includes a circular member 56 and a plurality of spokes 58 which attach the circular member to the spool as illustrated in FIG. 3. The circular members 56 can also serve as a means to rotate the spool about the first axis. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, a crank handle assembly 60 is attached to one end of the spool. The crank handle assembly includes a shaft 62 attached to an end of the spool and extending along said first axis A-A. A plurality of off setting elements 64 position a handle axle 66 parallel to and offset from said first axis. A handle 67 is rotatably mounted on the handle axle 66. An operator turns the crank handle assembly in a rotary direction to wind a hose onto the spool or payout the hose from the spool for storage or use.
The shaft 62 of the crank handle assembly is mounted in a bearing 68 which in turn is mounted on the cradle assembly 14 utilizing a bracket. At the opposite end of the spool a fluid inlet includes a hose connector 70, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Hose connector 70 is fixedly attached to the cradle assembly by attachment member 76 and does not rotate with the spool and reel assembly. Hose connector 70 includes an out-tube coupler 72 and an in-tube coupler 74. The in-tube coupler 74 preferably contains female threads for attachment to a leader hose, not shown. The leader hose in turn is in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid, such as water or air (not shown). The in-tube coupler is positioned along the first axis and connected to the end of the spool at the end opposite that of the crank handle assembly. The in-tube coupler is fixedly mounted onto the cradle assembly by attachment member 76 and does not rotate with the spool and reel assembly. The in-tube coupler 74 surrounds the out-tube coupler 72. The out-tube coupler 72 includes a connector hose 78. The connector hose preferably contains male threads for attachment to a main hose. The out-tube coupler includes a plurality of O-rings for engagement with the interior of the in-tube coupler 74 by a sliding seal arrangement so that the in-tube coupler remains fixedly attached to the cradle assembly while the out-tube coupler can rotate with the spool and reel assembly such that the in-tube coupler 74 and out-tube coupler 72 remain in fluid communication with one another. This arrangement permits rotation of the reel assembly without twisting or torquing internal components between the fluid supply and the hose.
FIG. 3 illustrates the cradle assembly 14 which includes four generally U-shaped elements. Longitudinal cradle elements 80, 82 have elongate lower portions 84, 86 and shorter upstanding end portions 88, 90, 92 and 94 respectively. Each lower portion is connected to two of the upstanding end portions. The lower portions of the cradle elements extend substantially parallel to the first axis about which the spool rotates. Transverse cradle elements 96, 98 each have an upper portion which is connected to two downwardly extending end portions. The downwardly extending end portions of the transverse cradle elements are in telescoping engagement with the upstanding end portions of the longitudinal cradle elements. Each transverse cradle element is connected to an upstanding end portion of two longitudinal cradle elements so as to form a generally U-shaped cradle assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The upstanding end portions and downwardly extending end portions may be connected to each other in other conventional relationships such as abutting.
The bearing 68 of the crank handle assembly is mounted on one of the upper portions of the transverse cradle elements and the hose connector 70 is mounted on the other one of the upper portions of the transverse cradle elements. A plurality of transverse cradle support members 100, 102 are connected between longitudinal cradle elements 80, 82. These transverse cradle support elements 100, 102 serve as a mounting surface for a first rotary support plate 104. A second rotary support plate 106 is mounted to longitudinal cradle support members 34, 36 in alignment with the first rotary support plate. In a preferred embodiment a vertical shaft 108 extends upwardly from the center of the second rotary support plate. An opening 110 is located in the center of the first rotary support plate. The vertical shaft engages opening 110 in a manner to substantially align the rotary support plates and allow rotary motion of one of the support plated with respect to the other support plate. A noncircular end plate 112 is attached to the free end of the vertical shaft. One of the dimensions of the noncircular end plate is greater than the diameter of the vertical shaft. The opening in the center of the first rotary support plate corresponds to the shape of the noncircular end plate. In this manner, when the shape of the noncircular end plate and the opening are aligned and correspond to each other the first rotary support plate can be placed onto the vertical shaft of the second rotary plate and rotate thereabout. The nonalignment of the shape of the end plate and the opening in the first rotary support plate helps to retain the first and second rotary support plates in alignment and prevent the separation thereof.
FIG. 9 illustrates the operational relationship between the first and second rotary support plates. A plurality of spherical balls 114 are mounted in sockets in the second rotary plate 106. A circular groove 116 is located in first rotary plate 104. The circular groove is aligned with the spherical balls such that the balls travel in the circular groove thereby supporting the first rotary plate with respect to the second rotary plate and allowing rotary motion. This type of arrangement forms a bearing between the first and second rotary plates. A sufficient number of balls are employed so that the rotary plates are held in substantially parallel relation to each other. A lubricant may be placed between the balls and the circular groove so as to assist the rotary motion of the balls with respect to the groove and prevent premature wear of the balls and the groove. This arrangement allows the cradle assembly 14 and reel assembly 12 to be pivoted and rotated about a second axis B-B which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis A-A, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The pivoting of the reel assembly allows the hose to be played off the spool in any direction irregardless of the position of the hose reel cart 10. In other words the hose will always come off of the spool in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first axis of the spool and not place an undue strain on hose reel cart which could tip the cart over. In addition, when the hose is wound onto the reel the reel assembly will pivot to the location of the hose so that the hose may be evenly wound onto the reel.
In a preferred embodiment the reel assembly 12, cradle assembly 14, carriage assembly 22, handle assembly 16 and axles are made from metal components. They could optionally made from metal and include an impact resistant coating such as polyethylene or polypropylene, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,552, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. The plastic coating protects the metal components from water, liquid fertilizer, corrosive chemicals and other liquids to prevent corrosion of the metal, while providing rigidity to the hose reel cart.
All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
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.
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.
Patent Application
20080066808
