HOSE REEL

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/668,604, filed on July 8, 2024. The entire contents and disclosure of this priority application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to hose reels. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hose reel that allows for the adjustment of the position of a guide arm or guide plate without disassembly of the hose reel.

BACKGROUND

Hose reels are a useful tool for efficiently storing hoses when not in use. Hose reels vary in their capacity, pressure ratings, and retracting mechanisms. In general, it is desirable to have a hose reel that may be mounted in a variety of different positions in order to adapt the hose reel to different applications (e.g., wall mount, ceiling mount, floor mount, vehicle mount, trailer mount, etc.). Known hose reels, however, are limited in their adaptability.

An exemplary known hose reel 100 is shown in FIG. 13and FIG. 14. The hose reel 100 includes a mounting base 105 that supports a drum assembly 110. The drum assembly 110 can be rotated relative to the mounting base 105 to allow a hose (not shown) to be unwound from the drum assembly 110 for use or wound onto the drum assembly 110 for storage. A guide arm 115 is connected to the mounting base 105. The guide arm 115 supports a guide plate 120 through which the hose extends. The guide plate 120 is configured to guide the hose as it unwinds from the drum assembly 110 and as it winds onto the drum assembly 110. Although not shown, as understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the mounting base 105, the guide arm 115, and the guide plate 120 may include apertures that receive fasteners to connect various parts of the hose reel 100 together.

Depending on how the hose reel 100 is mounted, it may be desirable to reposition the guide arm 115 relative to the mounting base 105 and to reposition the guide plate 120 relative to the guide arm 115. Doing so, however, requires disassembly of the hose reel 100, which can be inconvenient and inefficient. In particular, according to the known hose reel 100, it is not possible to reposition the guide arm 115 relative to the mounting base 105 or to reposition the guide plate 120 relative to the guide arm 120 without completely removing the fasteners from their respective apertures. In addition to being inconvenient and inefficient, this can also contribute to parts being lost during disassembly.

Thus, it is desired to provide a hose reel that is more easily adaptable to accommodate the hose reel to different applications and mounting arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a hose reel comprises a mounting base configured to attach the hose reel to an underlying surface. A drum assembly is supported by the mounting base. The drum assembly is rotatable relative to the mounting base in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The first direction corresponds to unwinding a hose from the drum assembly and the second direction corresponds to winding the hose onto the drum assembly. The hose feel further comprises a guide arm assembly comprising a guide arm extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the guide arm has at least one guide arm slot. The at least one guide arm slot receives a first fastener to connect the guide arm to the mounting base. A guide plate is mounted to the second end of the guide arm. The guide plate is configured to guide the hose as the hose unwinds from the drum assembly. A position of the guide arm is adjustable relative to the mounting base without removing the first fastener from the guide arm slot.

In another embodiment, a method of installing a hose reel comprises the steps of providing a hose reel comprising a drum assembly supported by a mounting base, the drum assembly being rotatable relative to the mounting base in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction, the first direction corresponding to unwinding a hose from the drum assembly, the second direction corresponding to winding the hose onto the drum assembly. The hose reel further comprises a guide arm assembly that includes a guide arm and a guide plate, the guide arm extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the guide arm having at least one guide arm slot, the at least one guide arm slot receiving a first fastener to connect the guide arm to the mounting base, the guide plate being connected to the second end of the guide arm and being configured to guide the hose as the hose unwinds from the drum assembly. The method further comprises the steps of loosening the first fastener and adjusting the position of the guide arm relative to the mounting base while the first fastener remains in the guide arm slot. The method further comprises tightening the first fastener to fix the position of the guide arm relative to the mounting base.

In yet another embodiment, a hose reel comprises a mounting base configured to attach the hose reel to an underlying surface. A drum assembly is supported by the mounting base. The drum assembly is rotatable relative to the base in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The first direction corresponds to unwinding a hose from the drum assembly. The second direction corresponds to winding the hose onto the drum assembly. The hose reel further comprises a guide arm assembly comprising a guide arm extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the guide arm is connected to the mounting base. A guide plate is configured to guide the hose as the hose unwinds from the drum assembly. The guide plate has a guide plate slot. The guide plate slot receives a first fastener to connect the guide plate to the second end of the guide arm. A position of the guide plate is adjustable relative to the guide arm without removing the first fastener from the guide plate slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and proportions of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of a hose reel;

FIG. 2 is a first isometric view of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a second isometric view of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a second side view of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a side view showing a first position of a guide plate relative to the guide arm of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a side view showing a second position of the guide plate relative to the guide arm of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6C is a side view showing a third position of the guide plate relative to the guide arm of the hose reel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a first isometric view of another embodiment of a hose reel;

FIG. 8 is a second isometric view of the hose reel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a first side view of the hose reel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a second side view of the hose reel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a first isometric view of a variation of the hose reel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a second isometric view of the hose reel of FIG. 11

FIG. 13 is a side view of a known prior art hose reel; and

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the hose reel of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a hose reel 1000. The hose reel 1000 includes a mounting base 1005 that supports a drum assembly 1010. The drum assembly 1010 can rotate relative to the mounting base 1005 in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. The first direction corresponds to unwinding hose from the drum assembly 1010 for use. The second direction corresponds to winding hose onto the drum assembly 1010 for storage.

The mounting base 1005 is substantially L-shaped and includes a mounting portion 1015 and a support portion 1020. The mounting portion 1015 includes keyhole apertures 1025 and circular apertures 1030 that are configured to receive fasteners (not shown) to attach the hose reel 1000 to an underlying surface. In alternative embodiments, the base may be any desired shape (e.g., U-shaped notches). In other alternative embodiments, the hose reel may be attached to a desired surface using any desired arrangement (e.g., adhesive). In still other alternative embodiments, there may be a fewer or greater number of apertures or notches or the apertures or notches may be omitted.

The drum assembly 1010 is mounted on the support portion 1020 of the mounting base 1005 and includes a drum 1035 and a rewind mechanism 1040. A first fastener 1042 secures the drum assembly 1010 to the mounting base 1005. In the illustrated embodiment, the first fastener 1042 is provided as a threaded axle and nut arrangement. A nonthreaded portion of the threaded axle rotatably supports the drum assembly 1010, and a threaded portion of the threaded axle extends through a first aperture 1044 on the support portion 1020 of the mounting base 1005. In alternative embodiments, any desired fastener may be used to secure the drum assembly to the mounting base such as, a rod that is welded to the mounting base.

The drum 1035 can rotate relative to the mounting base 1005 about a rotational axis 1045. The rewind mechanism 1040 biases the drum 1035 in a winding rotational direction R₁. The winding rotational direction R₁ refers to the direction the drum 1035 rotates to wind hose onto the drum assembly 1010 for storage. A user may pull a free end of the hose, thereby causing the drum 1035 to rotate against the force of the rewind mechanism 1040 in an unwinding rotational direction R₂ opposite the winding rotational direction R₁. This causes the hose to be unwound from the drum assembly 1010 for use. When the user releases the hose, the rewind mechanism 1040 causes the drum 1035 to rotate in the winding rotational direction R₁, thereby causing the hose to wind back about the drum assembly 1010. The drum assembly 1010 or the mounting base 1005 may be provided with a connection interface (not shown) that is configured to connect the hose to a medium supply (e.g., air supply, water supply).

In alternative embodiments, the drum assembly may include a locking feature that prevents the drum from rotating in the winding rotational direction until the locking feature is released. In such alternative embodiments, the locking feature may be configured to lock the position of the drum once a desired length of hose has been unwound. In other alternative embodiments, the rewind mechanism may be omitted and the drum may be manipulated to rotate the drum in a desired direction. In such alternative embodiments, the drum assembly may be provided with a handle or other features to facilitate rotation of the drum.

The hose reel 1000 includes a guide arm assembly 1050. The guide arm assembly 1050 includes a guide arm 1055 and a guide plate 1060. The guide arm 1055 extends between a first end 1065 and a second end 1070. The first end 1065 of the guide arm 1055 is mounted to the support portion 1020 of the mounting base 1005 and the guide plate 1060 is mounted to the second end 1070 of the guide arm 1055. The guide arm 1055 can pivot relative to the mounting base 1005 about a guide arm pivot point 1075. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide arm pivot point 1075 is located on the rotational axis 1045 of the drum 1035. In alternative embodiments, the guide arm pivot point may be offset from the rotational axis of the drum.

The first end 1065 of the guide arm 1055 includes three curved guide arm slots 1080. The three curved guide arm slots 1080 are arranged on a path of three circles that are concentric with one another and centered about the guide arm pivot point 1075. Each one of the guide arm slots 1080 is arcuate and sweeps 2250 between a first end portion 1085 and a second end portion 1090. The guide arm slots 1080 are rotationally offset from one another. In other words, moving radially outward from the guide arm pivot point 1075, the first end portion 1085 of any one of the guide arm slots 1080 is not aligned with the first end portion 1085 of any other one of the guide arm slots 1080, and the second end portion 1090 of any one of the guide arm slots 1080 is not aligned with the second end portion 1090 of any other one of the guide arm slots 1080. As a result of this arrangement, any line that extends radially outward from the guide arm pivot point 1075 intersects no more than two guide arm slots 1080. This increases the strength of the guide arm 1055 and provides for a more robust hose reel 1000.

In alternative embodiments, the guide arm may include a fewer or greater number of guide arm slots. In other alternative embodiments, one or more of the guide arm slots may have a larger or smaller sweep between the first and second end portions. In still other alternative embodiments, the guide arm slots may not be concentric with one another or may have any desired rotational offset or alignment (i.e., moving radially outward from the guide arm pivot point, the first end portion of any one of the guide arm slots may be aligned with the first end portion of any other one of the guide arm slots, or the second end portion of any one of the guide arm slots may be aligned with the second end portion of any other one of the guide arm slots). In still yet other alternative embodiments, one or more of the guide arm slots may be angular rather than arcuate or may be arranged on a path that is noncircular (e.g., ovoid).

Second fasteners 1095 secure the guide arm 1055 to the mounting base 1005. In the illustrated embodiment, the second fasteners 1095 are provided as a nut and bolt arrangement, with the bolts extending through the guide arm slots 1080 and into apertures 1100 provided on the support portion 1020 of the mounting base 1005. In alternative embodiments, any desired fastener may be used to secure the guide arm to the mounting base such as, for example, rivets.

The guide plate 1060 is configured to guide the hose as it is unwound from, or is wound onto, the drum assembly 1010. The guide plate 1060 is substantially L-shaped and includes an attachment portion 1105 and a roller support portion 1110. The attachment portion 1105 is mounted to the second end 1070 of the guide arm 1055. The guide plate 1060 can pivot relative to the guide arm 1055 about a guide plate pivot point 1115. In alternative embodiments, the guide plate may be any desired shape.

As best seen in FIGS. 6A-6C, the attachment portion 1105 of the guide plate 1060 includes an arcuate guide plate slot 1120 that is arranged on a path of a circle that is centered about a guide plate aperture 1125, which is aligned with the guide plate pivot point 1115. The guide plate slot 1120 sweeps 1800 between a first end portion 1125 and a second end portion 1130. Third fasteners 1135 secure the guide plate 1060 to the guide arm 1055, as shown in FIG. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the third fasteners 1135 are provided as a nut and bolt arrangement, with one bolt extending through the guide plate aperture 1125, the other bolt extending through the guide plate slot 1120, and both bolts extending through respective apertures 1140 provided on the second end 1070 of the guide arm 1055. In alternative embodiments, the guide plate may include a greater number of guide plate slots. In other alternative embodiments, the guide plate slot may have a larger or smaller sweep between the first and second end portions. In still other alternative embodiments, the guide plate slot may be angular rather than arcuate or may be arranged on a path that is noncircular (e.g., ovoid). In still yet other alternative embodiments, any desired fastener may be used to secure the guide plate to the guide arm such as, for example, rivets.

The roller support portion 1110 defines a hose guide opening 1145. The hose, when installed on the hose reel 1000, extends through the hose guide opening 1145. Four rollers 1150 are provided about the periphery of the hose guide opening 1145. The rollers 1150 are configured to facilitate guidance of the hose as it is unwound from the drum assembly 1010. In alternative embodiments, the guide plate may include a greater or fewer number of rollers. In other alternative embodiments, the rollers may be omitted.

The positions of the guide arm 1055 and the guide plate 1060 is adjustable to accommodate for different mounting locations of the hose reel 1000 or to guide the hose in a desired direction. To adjust the position of the guide arm 1055, the second fasteners 1095, which in the illustrated embodiment are nuts and bolts, are loosened, thereby allowing the guide arm 1055 to pivot relative to the mounting base 1005 about the guide arm pivot point 1075. The guide arm slots 1080 are configured and arranged to allow the guide arm 1055 to pivot up to 2250 relative to the mounting base 1005. In particular, the second fasteners 1095 interact with the first and second end portions 1085, 1090 of the guide arm slots 1080 to limit the pivotal movement of the guide arm 1055. Once the guide arm 1055 is in a desired position, the second fasteners 1095 are tightened, thereby fixing the position of the guide arm 1055 relative to the mounting base 1005. The second fasteners 1095 remain in a respective one of the guide arm slots 1080 during the entire guide arm 1055 positioning process.

To adjust the position of the guide plate 1060, the third fasteners 1135, which in the illustrated embodiment are nuts and bolts, are loosened, thereby allowing the guide plate 1060 to pivot relative to the guide arm 1055 about the guide plate pivot point 1115. The guide plate slot 1120 is configured and arranged to allow the guide plate 1060 to pivot up to 1800 relative to the guide arm 1055. In particular, one of the third fasteners 1135 interact between the first and second end portions 1125, 1130 of the guide plate slot 1120 to limit the pivotal movement of the guide plate 1060. Once the guide plate 1060 is in a desired position, the third fasteners 1135 are tightened, thereby fixing the position of the guide plate 1060 relative to the guide arm 1055. The third fasteners 1135 remain in a respective one guide plate slot 1120 and guide plate aperture 1125 during the entire guide plate 1060 positioning process.

FIGS. 7-10 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a hose reel 2000. The hose reel of FIGS. 7-10 is similar to the hose reel 1000 of FIGS. 1-6. Accordingly, the discussion of the hose reel 2000 will generally focus on the differences between the embodiments with like features being identified with like reference numerals increased by a factor of "1000."

The hose reel 2000 includes a mounting base 2005 that supports a drum assembly 2010. The drum assembly 2010 can rotate relative to the mounting base 2005 to allow a hose (not shown) to be unwound from the drum assembly 2010 for use or wound onto the drum assembly 2010 for storage.

The mounting base 2005 is substantially U-shaped and includes a mounting portion 2015, a first support portion 2020a, and a second support portion 2020b. The drum assembly 2010 is mounted on the first and second support portions 2020a, 2020b and includes a drum 2035 and a rewind mechanism (not shown). The drum 2035 can rotate relative to the mounting base 2005.

The hose reel 2000 includes a guide arm assembly 2050. The guide arm assembly 2050 includes a first guide arm 2055a, a second guide arm 2055b, and a guide plate 2060. A first end of each one of the guide arms 2055a, 2055b is mounted to a respective one of the first and second support portions 2020a, 2020b of the mounting base 2005 and the guide plate is mounted to a second end of each one of the guide arms 2055a, 2055b.

The first end of each one of the guide arms 2055a, 2055b includes three curved guide arm slots 2080a, 2080b. The three curved guide arm slots 2080a, 2080b are arranged on a path of three circles that are concentric with one another. Each one of the guide arm slots 2080a, 2080b sweeps 2250 between a first end portion and a second end portion. The guide arm slots 2080a, 2080b are rotationally offset from one another. As a result of this arrangement, any line that extends radially outward from a point central to the guide arm slots 2080a, 2080b intersects no more than two guide arm slots guide arm slots 2080a, 2080b. This increases the strength of the guide arms 2055a, 2055b and provides for a more robust hose reel 2000.

The guide plate 2060 is substantially U-shaped and includes a first attachment portion 2105a, a second attachment portion 2105b, and a roller support portion 2110. The first and second attachment portions 2105a, 2105b are mounted to the second end of a respective one of the guide arms 2055a, 2055b. The guide plate 2060 can pivot relative to the guide arms 2055a, 2055b.

The first and second attachment portions 2105a, 2105b of the guide plate 2060 each include a curved guide plate slot 2120a, 2120b. Each of the guide plate slots 2120a, 2120b sweeps 1800 between a first end portion and a second end portion.

The roller support portion 2110 defines a hose guide opening 2145. The hose, when installed on the hose reel 2000, extends through the hose guide opening 2145. Rollers (not shown) may be provided about the periphery of the hose guide opening 2145

The position of the first and second guide arms 2055a, 2055b and the guide plate 2060 is adjustable to accommodate for different mounting locations of the hose reel 2000 or to guide the hose in a desired direction. Such adjustment of the hose reel 2000 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 is substantially the same as the adjustment of the hose reel 1000 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6. In particular, the position of the guide arms 2055a, 2055b is adjusted by loosening the fasteners that attach the guide arms 2055a, 2055b to the mounting base 2005, thereby allowing the guide arms 2055a, 2055b to pivot up to 225° relative to the mounting base 2005. The position of the guide plate 2060 is adjusted by loosening the fasteners that attach the guide plate 2060 to the guide arms 2055a, 2055b, thereby allowing the guide plate 2060 to pivot up to 180° relative to the guide arms 2055a, 2055b.

The configuration of the guide arms for the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and for the embodiment of FIGS. 7-10 may be altered to adapt the hose reel for different applications. For example, in the embodiment of the hose reel of FIGS. 7-10, each one of the guide arms 2055a, 2055b has a substantially P-shaped profile. With attention directed to FIGS. 11 and 12, in a variation, a hose reel 3000 may include guide arms 3055a, 3055b with a linear profile. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, in alternative embodiments the guide arm or guide arms may have any desired profile. As will be further appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the profile of the guide arm or the guide arms may be selected to locate the guide plate any a desired location relative to the drum assembly or mounting base.

The hose reel disclosed herein enables a user to swiftly and securely reposition the guide arm at any desired position within the 225° sweep by merely loosening the associated fasteners, thereby promoting ease of use and adaptability to varying operational requirements. Similarly, a user can swiftly and securely reposition the guide plate at any desired position within the 180° sweep by merely loosening the associated fasteners, thereby further promoting ease of use and adaptability to varying operational requirements. This arrangement provides several advantages over known conventional hose reels designs, which requires the complete removal and disassembly of the arm for repositioning.

To the extent that the term "includes" or "including" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "or" is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean "A or B or both." When the applicants intend to indicate "only A or B but not both" then the term "only A or B but not both" will be employed. Thus, use of the term "or" herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2 d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms "in" or "into" are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean "on" or "onto." Furthermore, to the extent the term "connect" is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only "directly connected to," but also "indirectly connected to" such as connected through another component or components.

While the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the art, the profile of the guide arm or the guide arms may be selected to locate the guide plate any a desired location relative to the drum assembly or mounting base. intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.