HOSE REEL SPRING ADJUSTMENT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/256,224, filed Oct. 29, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Spring loaded hose reels for retractably storing air and fluid hoses are of course well known. Prior art designs require maintaining torque on the hub with a wrench while removing and replacing the required fasteners.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An enclosed hose reel consists of a spool and two enclosure halves comprising the frame. The power spring is contained in the spool. Tension on the power spring is transmitted to the frame via a shaft with a spring loaded ratchet. The ratchet mechanism engages the frame via protrusions that fit into cutouts within the enclosure. The protrusions and cutouts are designed so that a clockwise rotation is allowed to increase the tension of the power spring. The ratchet is spring loaded to allow for axial movement of the ratchet to step to the next clockwise position of the ratchet. The ratchet has an externally exposed hex shape and an internal square drive socket. To increase the spring tension the user simply turns the ratchet in the clockwise direction using a wrench or a socket wrench. To decrease the spring tension the user must apply torque to the wrench or socket wrench, push the ratchet in and then turn the ratchet counterclockwise while allowing the ratchet to move outward to engage the next counterclockwise position.

This invention enables one handed hose reel spring adjustment and allows for a safer method of hose reel spring adjustment.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a hose reel utilizing the instant invention.

FIG. 2 shows a partial exploded view of a hose reel utilizing the instant invention with the ratchet flipped 180 degrees for clarity.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An enclosed hose reel 10 consists of a spool 12 and two enclosure halves 14 comprising the frame 16. The power spring 18 is contained in the spool 12. Tension on the power spring 18 is transmitted to the frame 16 via a shaft 20 with a spring 30 loaded ratchet 22. The ratchet mechanism 24 engages the frame 16 via protrusions 26 that fit into cutouts 28 within the enclosure 14 . The protrusions 26 and cutouts 28 are designed so that a clockwise rotation is allowed to increase the tension of the power spring 18. The ratchet 22 is spring 30 loaded to allow for axial movement of the ratchet 22 to step to the next clockwise position of the ratchet 22. The ratchet 22 has an externally exposed hex shape 32 and an internal square drive socket 34.

To increase the spring tension the user simply turns the ratchet 22 in the clockwise direction using a wrench or a socket wrench. To decrease the spring tension the user must apply torque to the wrench or socket wrench, push the ratchet 22 in and then turn the ratchet 22 counterclockwise while allowing the ratchet 22 to move outward to engage the next counterclockwise position.

It is contemplated that various changes and modifications may be made to the hose reel without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.