U.S. patent application number 11/390780 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for hose protection device.
Invention is credited to Robert M. Ward.
Application Number | 20060237511 11/390780 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37185813 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060237511 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ward; Robert M. |
October 26, 2006 |
Hose protection device
Abstract
A device is provided that is adapted for selective
interconnection to a conduit, thereby providing protection to
cleaning hoses. More specifically, a mechanism that employs a
plurality of rollers, and roller support arms, which act as
stand-offs on which the hose may freely travel while being
protected from damage potentially imparted by the lip of the
conduit is provided.
Inventors: |
Ward; Robert M.; (Silt,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY
SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Family ID: |
37185813 |
Appl. No.: |
11/390780 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60673684 |
Apr 20, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
226/196.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 20/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
226/196.1 |
International
Class: |
B65H 23/04 20060101
B65H023/04 |
Claims
1. A hose protection device, comprising: a clamping mechanism that
is adapted for selective interconnection to an end of a conduit,
the clamp including an upper portion, which is adapted to be
positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the conduit, and a lower
portion, which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to an inner
surface of the conduit; a first upper support arm interconnected to
the upper portion of said clamp; a second upper support arm
interconnected to the upper portion generally parallel to said
first upper support arm; a first lower support arm interconnected
to the lower portion; a second lower support arm interconnected to
the lower portion generally parallel to said first lower support
arm; an upper roller rotatably interconnected to said first upper
support arm and to said second upper support arm; a lower roller
rotatably interconnected to said first lower support arm and to
said second lower support arm; and wherein said upper roller and
said lower roller are adapted to receive and support a hose a
predetermined distance from the opening of the conduit thereby
substantially preventing damage to the hose when it is moved into
and extracted from the conduit.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a first middle
support arm interconnected to a portion of said clamp that
interconnects the upper portion to the lower portion; a second
middle support arm interconnected of said clamp that interconnects
the upper portion to the lower portion generally parallel to said
first middle support arm; and a middle roller rotatably
interconnected to said first middle support arm and to said second
middle support arm.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein said first upper support arm and
said second upper support arm each include an outer edge that are
interconnected by a member to define a passage for a hose and
prevent the hose from being moved away from said device in a radial
direction relative thereto.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein said upper roller and said lower
roller include a compliant material positioned around at least a
portion thereof.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein said first upper support member
and said second upper support member defines an upper support pair
and said first lower support member and said second lower support
member define a lower support pair, said upper support pair and
said lower support pair being positioned at an angle relative to
each other.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein said angle is less than 180
degrees.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism
integrated into said upper portion of said clamp, said securing
mechanism being adapted to engage the outside surface of the
conduit.
8. The device of claim 7, wherein said securing mechanism is a
threaded bolt.
9. A hose protection device, comprising: a clamping mechanism that
is adapted for selective interconnection proximate to an opening of
a conduit; at least one support arm comprising a first end and a
second end, wherein said first end is interconnected to said
clamping mechanism at a predetermined location and said second end
extend beyond the opening of the conduit; and an offset member
interconnected to said t least one support arm between said first
end and said second end that is adapted to receive and support the
hose at a predetermined distance from the opening of the
conduit.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one support arm
comprises a first support arm and second support arm that each
include an outer edges that are interconnected by a member thereby
defining a passage that is adapted to receive the hose and prevent
the hose from being moved away from said device in a radial
direction related thereto.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the offset member is a roller
rotatably interconnected to said at least one support arm.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein the offset member includes a
compliant material.
13. The device of claim 9, wherein said at least one support member
includes a first upper support arm interconnected to the upper
portion; a second upper support arm interconnected to the upper
portion generally parallel to said first upper support arm; a first
lower support arm interconnected to the lower portion; a second
lower support arm interconnected to the lower portion generally
parallel to said first lower support arm; and wherein said first
upper support arm and said second upper support arm define an upper
support member pair and said first lower support member and said
second lower support member define a lower member support pair,
said upper support member pair and said lower support member pair
being positioned at an angle relative to each other.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein said angle is less than 180
degrees.
15. The device of claim 9, further comprising a securing mechanism
integrated into said clamping mechanism, said securing mechanism
being adapted to interface with an outside surface of the
conduit.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said securing mechanism is a
screw.
17. The device of claim 9, wherein said offset member is a friction
reducing means operably interconnected to said at least one support
arm that is spaced at predetermined locations thereon, wherein said
friction reducing means are adapted for engagement with a hose
positioned within the conduit, and wherein the hose is adapted to
travel on said plurality of friction reducing means and is
substantially prevented from engaging an opening lip of the
conduit.
18. A hose protection device adapted to orient a position of
flexible hose during removal from a conduit, comprising: a clamping
means adapted for selective interconnection to an opening of the
conduit; at least one guide means having a first end and a second
end, said first end interconnected to said clamping means while
said second end extends beyond the opening of the conduit; a hose
engagement means operably interconnected to said at least one guide
means that is adapted to receive and support the flexible hose a
predetermined distance from the opening of the conduit.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein said clamping means includes:
an upper portion, which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to an
outer surface of the conduit, and a lower portion, which is adapted
to be positioned adjacent to an inner surface of the conduit.
20. The device of claim 18, wherein said at least one guide means
is a first upper support arm interconnected to an upper portion of
the clamping means; a second upper support arm interconnected to
the upper portion of the clamping means generally parallel to said
first upper support arm; a first lower support arm interconnected
to a lower portion of the clamping means; and a second lower
support arm interconnected to the lower portion of the clamping
means generally parallel to said first lower support arm.
21. The device of claim 18, wherein said hose engagement means is a
roller.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein said roller includes a
compliant material.
23. The system of claim 18, wherein said clamping means further
comprises a securing means that is adapted for engagement with the
outside of the conduit.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/673,684, filed Apr. 22, 2005, which
is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a hose protection
device. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention
is adapted for interconnection with a conduit, such as a storm
drain culvert, in order to protect expensive hoses that are
employed within the conduit for cleaning or other maintenance
operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a device and a method for
protecting hoses employed to clean conduits, such as culverts.
Conduits, especially those with small internal diameters, tend to
become obstructed by debris thereby reducing, or eliminating their
flow capacity. For example, debris such as tree limbs, mud, gravel,
moss, trash, etc. often find their way into storm sewers after a
heavy rain, wherein the conduit becomes completely clogged, or
severely restricted, thereby potentially exacerbating flooding. In
addition, often local ordinances or standard maintenance procedures
dictate that conduits be cleaned at predetermined intervals to
remove any buildup of trash and debris, and hence help maintain a
desirable flow rate through the conduit.
[0004] Currently, the cleaning of conduits, such as concrete
culverts, is generally accomplished with a high-pressure nozzle
that is interconnected to a hose. Typical nozzles of the art are
often able to discharge pressures up to 2000 psi, and are designed
to blast the inner wall of a conduit to remove debris. Further,
some nozzles emit high pressure fluid in a plurality of directions,
and many nozzles use a rearward-directed high pressure stream to
propel itself through the conduit while it is performing its
cleaning operation.
[0005] Cleaning operations are typically performed by a one or two
man crew that arrive at a conduit opening, deploy the nozzle and
fluid supply hose from a delivery vehicle, feed the nozzle and hose
into the conduit, and initiate cleaning by directing fluid through
the nozzle. After cleaning, the hose is rewound and stored in the
delivery vehicle. A similar process may also be used to treat the
inner surface of a conduit, such as adding a sealant thereto.
[0006] The major downfall of this process is the previously
described hose removal. More specifically, the hoses used are very
expensive due to their ability to carry extremely high pressures.
In addition, hoses are also often difficult and time consuming to
construct and handle. The hoses are usually constructed of rubber,
plastic, braided flexible metal hose, or a combination thereof.
When the hose is removed from the conduit it is dragged across the
edge, or lip, of the conduit opening, thereby potentially damaging
the hose. Frictional damage alone is generally enough to impart
localized thinning of the hose. Once the hose thickness is reduced,
it may be un-reparable and/or impractical to use because of the
risk that the hose may fail under extreme pressures.
[0007] Thus, there is a long felt need in the field of conduit
maintenance, for a device adapted to selectively engage with the
hose used in the cleaning or treatment operations that provides
protection to the hose during removal from the conduit. The
following disclosure describes a device that is adapted to
interconnect to conduits of various diameters, and which provides
protection to hoses used during maintenance processes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a hose
protection device that is adapted for selective interconnection
with various sizes of fluid conduits. Often, the same nozzle and
hose combination will be utilized in many locations to treat a
variety of conduits of various dimensions. One embodiment of the
present invention provides a device that quickly and easily
interconnects to an opening of most conduits. In one embodiment,
the present invention includes a clamp that is adapted for
interconnection to a conduit opening, and be secured thereto via
threaded bolts. Other embodiments of the present invention may be
easily scaled to fit specific pipe lines, or a range of similar
conduits or openings with a variety of different geometric
configurations.
[0009] It is a related aspect of the present invention that the
hose protection device is easy to install. One embodiment of the
present invention is equipped with a hand actuated clamp securement
mechanisms, for example set screws. To install, a user slides the
clamp onto the lip of the conduit opening. The securement devices
are then used to hold the device in place. One skilled in the art
will appreciate that other securement means maybe used to achieve
the objectives of the present invention, such as shimming, or
hingedly interconnecting the clamp portion halves. The user then
selectively engages the hose onto the hose protection device by
placing the hose on rollers positioned about the clamp. The rollers
provide a stand-off from the lip of the conduit and a reduced
friction path on which the hose is adapted to travel when inserted
and retracted to and from the conduit.
[0010] As briefly mentioned above, it is yet another aspect of the
present invention to provide rollers that are adapted to support
and protect the hose. Preferably, one embodiment of the invention
includes a plurality of support arms that are interconnected to the
clamp at predetermined locations. Rolling members, such as a
cylindrical shafts, are operably connected to the support arms to
provide supporting locations for the hose. During insertion and
removal of the hose from the conduit, the rollers are adapted to
rotate thereby preventing damage to the hose. The rollers may be
constructed from a tubular member with a rod or screw positioned
therethrough that is interconnected to the support arms.
Alternatively, linear bearings may be employed that are
interconnected to the roller support arms to allow rotation of the
rollers. Another related embodiment of the present invention
employs rollers that are at least partially constructed from a
compliant material, for example foam rubber, to reduce bearing
loads imparted on the hose by the rollers.
[0011] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a
hose protection device that is easy to manufacture. The present
invention may be constructed from a plurality of materials, such as
stainless steel, carbon steel, iron, Inconel, aluminum, plastic,
carbon fiber composite, etc. Preferably, in one embodiment of the
present invention, steel or aluminum is used, because of their
weldability and their resistance to corrosion. Corrosion resistance
is important due to the high moisture content working environment
in which the present invention is used, thus the present invention
may also be painted, or otherwise treated, to ensure at least some
resistance to corrosion. However, one may alternatively forgo
corrosion resistance and choose to replace the device when it
becomes apparent that material failure may occur.
[0012] Thus, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a
hose protection device comprising:
[0013] a clamping means adapted for selective interconnection to an
opening of the conduit;
[0014] at least one guide means having a first end and a second
end, said first end interconnected to said clamping means while
said second end extends beyond the opening of the conduit;
[0015] a hose engagement means operably interconnected to said at
least one guide means that is adapted to receive and support the
flexible hose a predetermined distance from the opening of the
conduit.
[0016] The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should
it be construed as being representative of the full extent and
scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth
in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well
as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the
Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present
invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of
elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the general Summary of the
Invention given above and the Detailed Description of the drawings
given below, serve to explain the principles of these
embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 2 is a partial front cross sectional view of the
present invention shown interconnected to a lip of a conduit such
as a pipe.
[0020] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not
necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render
other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It
should be understood, of course, that the invention is not
necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated
herein.
[0021] To assist in the understanding of the present invention the
following list of components and associated numbering found in the
drawings is provided herein: [0022] # Component [0023] 2 Hose
protection device [0024] 4 Clamp [0025] 8 Conduit opening [0026] 12
Conduit [0027] 14 Securing mechanism [0028] 16 Roller [0029] 18
Roller support arm [0030] 20 Hose [0031] 22 Shaft [0032] 24
Fluidjet [0033] 26 Nozzle [0034] 28 Stops [0035] 30 Ground
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of a hose
protection device 2 that is adapted for interconnection to a
conduit 12. The hose protection device 2 is generally constructed
of a clamp 4 and a plurality of rollers 16 that ensure the hose is
sufficiently offset from the lip of a conduit opening 8. Upon
engagement of the clamp 8 to the conduit opening 8, one or more
clamp securement mechanisms 14 are employed, to secure the hose
protection device 2 to the conduit 12. The rollers 16 of the device
are operably interconnected to a plurality of roller support arms
18, and are adapted to receive and support a hose 20, thereby
allowing the hose 20 to bend freely while reducing friction and
wear on the hose 20 when it is inserted and removed from the
conduit 12.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present
invention is shown. The present invention generally includes the
clamp 4, the plurality of roller support arms 18, and the plurality
of rollers 16. More specifically, one embodiment of the present
invention is adapted for interconnection to the lip of a conduit
and secure thereto. The plurality of rollers 16 are supported by a
plurality of roller support arms 18 and adapted to receive and hold
a hose away from the lip of the conduit 8, and thus provide a
reduced friction path for travel when the hose is moved within and
out of the conduit 12. One embodiment of the present invention
employs generally planar roller support arms 18, that are
interconnected in pairs to opposite sides of the clamp 4, and are
adapted to secure the rollers 16 a predetermined distance from the
conduit opening 8. Preferably, the roller support arms 18 are
adapted to receive a shaft 22, such as a bolt that is threaded
through the roller 16. Alternatively, linear bearings that allow
for smooth rotation of the rollers 16 may be employed. As will be
appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be
scaled, or otherwise altered, to accommodate various sizes and
types of conduits. For example, the support arms 18 and placement
of the rollers 16 thereon may be altered to produce varying
offsets. The angles between support arm pairs may also be altered
to accommodate different sized hoses. For example, larger diameter
hoses will require a larger offset to yield a large bend radius to
prevent hose kinking.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, the present invention as employed
on a conduit opening 8 is shown. More specifically, a fluid nozzle
26 and hose 20, which is adapted selectively engage the rollers 16
of the present invention, are shown in operation inside the culvert
12. Within the culvert, a plurality of jets 24 are used to perform
high pressure treatment or cleaning of the culvert 12. The high
pressure fluid 24 is created by a nozzle 26, wherein the fluid is
supplied from a truck, or other fluid supply source, via the hose
20. The rearward force of some of the jets 24 propels the nozzle 26
further into the culvert 12 and directs waste out of the conduit 8,
thereby cleaning the selected portion of the conduit 12. Once
complete, a spool on the truck is activated, thereby rewinding the
hose 20 and removing the hose 20 and nozzle 26 from the culvert
12.
[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, a user
selectively secures the clamp 4 to the conduit opening 8. The
nozzle 26 and hose 20 are then placed onto the rollers 16. During
deployment, the high pressure fluid 24 will tend to straighten out
the hose 20. Thus, a plurality of stops 28 are also incorporated on
the roller support arms 18 to prevent disengagement of the hose 20
from the present invention 2. The rollers 16 also allow the hose 20
to bend as designed, yet offset it from the opening 8 of the
conduit 12. Upon completion of the task, the spool on the truck is
activated, thereby removing the nozzle 26 and hose 20 from the
conduit 12. The rollers 16 of the present invention are designed to
maintain the hose a predetermined distance from the lip 8 of the
culvert 12, while providing a smooth travel path, and thus
substantially reducing frictional damage to the hose 20.
[0040] While various embodiment of the present invention have been
described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and
adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the
art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such
modifications and adaptations are within the scope and spirit of
the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *