U.S. patent application number 11/521696 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for swivel metal hose cart.
This patent application is currently assigned to Suncast Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert Stein.
Application Number | 20080066808 11/521696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39182031 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080066808 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stein; Robert |
March 20, 2008 |
Swivel metal hose cart
Abstract
A hose reel cart utilizes metal and coated metal component
construction for increased durability and stability while still
remaining lightweight for increased hose capacity and
maneuverability. Additionally the hose reel can pivot about an axis
which is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal rotary axis
of the hose reel thereby enabling the hose to be readily removed
from the hose reel irrespective of the location of the user without
the danger of the hose reel cart tipping over. This pivoting
ability of the hose reel also permits the hose to be wound onto the
hose reel evenly irrespective of the location of the hose without
the user having to constantly reposition the hose reel cart. This
pivoting ability also enables the use of a wider than normal hose
reel thereby increasing the capacity of the length of hose which
can be carried on the reel. Further, the hose is wound around the
reel by use of a crank which provides a direct rotational link
between the crank and the winding of the reel.
Inventors: |
Stein; Robert; (Aurora,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCHALE & SLAVIN, P.A.
2855 PGA BLVD
PALM BEACH GARDENS
FL
33410
US
|
Assignee: |
Suncast Corporation
|
Family ID: |
39182031 |
Appl. No.: |
11/521696 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/355.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/4463 20130101;
Y10T 137/6899 20150401; B65H 2701/33 20130101; B65H 75/403
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/355.12 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/34 20060101
B65H075/34 |
Claims
1. A portable hose reel cart for windably holding an elongated hose
member and for use in transporting said hose member between a
storage location and a use location, said hose reel cart
comprising: a spool positioned on a cradle and operatively
connected thereto for rotation of said spool about a first axis of
rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation
and a pair of flanges at opposite ends of said hub and
perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a crank assembly attachable
to said hub thereby providing direct coupling to said spool for
providing manual rotational movement of said spool in relation to
said cradle; a carriage assembly comprising a base portion, an end
portion secured to each end of said base portion, and a cradle
support member; said cradle being pivotally mounted on said
carriage assembly for rotation about a second axis of rotation,
said second axis of rotation being substantially perpendicular to
said first axis of rotation whereby said cradle can be pivoted to
facilitate the winding of a hose onto and paying of a hose off of
said spool.
2. The hose reel cart in accordance with claim 1 further including
a hose coupler, said hose coupler including a rotary seal
arrangement positioned along said first axis of rotation of said
spool and mounted on said cradle, said rotary seal arrangement
constructed and arranged for connection to a pressurized source of
fluid in a manner to allow rotation of said spool about said first
axis of rotation.
3. The hose reel cart in accordance with claim 1 further including
at least a pair of wheel support members secured along the lower
portion of each side of said base portion, at least on axle
securable to both sides of said bottom portion, a pneumatic tire
wheel assembly rotatably secured to said axle.
4. The hose cart in accordance with claim 1 further including at
least a pair of wheel support members secured along the lower
portion of each side of said base portion, wherein said wheel
support members on opposite sides of said base portion include an
aperture, at least one axle extendable through said apertures, a
pneumatic tire wheel assembly rotatably secured to said axle.
5. The hose cart in accordance with claim 4 wherein said axle is
substantially D shaped in cross section whereby said axle is
prevented from rotating when said axle is secured to said wheel
support members.
6. The hose cart in accordance with claim 4 wherein each said wheel
assembly includes an aperture through which said axle extends, said
aperture including a bearing portion through which said axle
extends to facilitate rotation of said pneumatic tire.
7. The hose cart in accordance with claim 6 wherein said bearing
portion includes a member selected from the group consisting
essentially of a bushing, a roller bearing, or a ball bearing.
8. The hose cart in accordance with claim 1 further including a
first support plate mounted on a lower portion of said cradle; a
second support plate mounted on said carriage assembly in alignment
with said first support plate; a bearing assembly connectable to
both said first and said second support plates thereby allowing
said first and said second support plates to rotate with respect to
each other, whereby said cradle is pivotable with respect to said
carriage assembly.
9. The hose cart in accordance with claim 8 wherein said first and
said second support plates are releasably connected to each other
whereby said spool and cradle can be removed from said carriage
assembly.
10. The hose cart in accordance with claim 9 wherein said
releasable connection comprises a vertical shaft portion mounted on
one of said first or second support plates, a noncircular end
member mounted on said vertical shaft end opposite the connection
to said support plate, a noncircular aperture in a central portion
of said other support plate, said noncircular aperture being
complementary to said end member, said noncircular aperture being
constructed and arranged to cooperate with said end member and said
vertical shaft to provide pivotal support for said cradle and to
permit separation of said support plates when said noncircular
aperture and said noncircular end member are aligned.
11. The hose reel cart in accordance with claim 8 wherein said
bearing assembly comprises a plurality of spherical members mounted
on one of said first and said second support plates and a
substantially circular groove mounted on the other of said first
and said second support plates, said spherical members constructed
and arranged to cooperate with said groove to allow said first and
said second rotary support plates to rotate with respect to each
other.
12. The hose cart in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said
end portions of said carriage assembly extends vertically upwardly,
said one end portion includes a handle assembly attached thereto
whereby a user can utilize said handle assembly to push or pull
said hose cart to a desired location.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to hose reel carts and in particular
hose reel carts having a reel assembly which can swivel or pivot
along an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
of the hose reel or spool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Portable hose reel carts for dispensing, retrieval and
storage of flexible elongate tubular objects such as garden hoses,
air hoses and the like, have become very popular, especially around
the house. Construction of hose reel carts has gradually evolved
over time. At first the hose reel carts were constructed entirely
of metal. Gradually plastic components replaced the metal
components such that now many hose reel carts are formed entirely
of plastic components. In general hose reel carts have a centrally
disposed rotatable spool and a crank handle for reeling of the
flexible hose, a frame for supporting the rotatable spool, two
wheels at one end of the base of the frame, and a handle on a top
portion of the frame to facilitate tilting the frame onto the two
wheels to enable the hose reel cart to be moved. The user must
carefully balance the hose reel cart on the two wheels when
transporting it. This is not always possible or easy when
traversing rough terrain or soft surfaces. The result is that the
hose reel cart tips over, sometimes injuring the user. The frame
handle and/or crank handle may or may not be foldable for purposes
of shipping and/or storage. U.S. Patent No. RE 32,510 is
illustrative of this type of hose reel cart and the disclosure of
this patent are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0003] Hose reel carts are often stored outside and thus subjected
to adverse weather conditions e.g. hot and cold temperatures, sun,
rain, snow, ice and dirt. Hose reel carts made exclusively from
molded plastic or polymeric materials are lightweight and resistant
to corrosion by the elements initially. However, the plastic or
polymeric carts are currently unable to withstand the weather
conditions for extended periods of time without becoming brittle or
warping. Hose reel carts made predominantly of metal have been
found to be robust and sturdy. However, the metal components of
these carts have a tendency to corrode when their protective
surfaces become damaged or worn away from usage.
[0004] Some users may drain fluid from the hose prior to rewinding
it onto the reel for storage while other users rewind the hose
without draining it. Each situation creates its own unique set of
problems. Lightweight polymeric or plastic hose reels are not able
to withstand the weight of large amounts of hose filled with water
and thus are limited in the size of the reel and/or hose capacity.
Further, many of these polymeric or plastic hose reels are unable
to withstand the peripheral forces transmitted to a hose reel when
an empty hose is communicated with a fluid source under pressure
while the hose is still wound around the reel. The repeated
application of these forces often results in the structural failure
of the hose reel spool.
[0005] Hose reel carts constructed predominantly of metal
components are robust and sturdy. They are able to accommodate the
repeated applications of the peripheral forces resulting from the
hose communicating with a source of fluid under pressure. However,
these hose reel carts tend to be exceptionally heavy, making them
less amenable to being pushed or pulled over rough surfaces by the
user. Long lengths of hose filled with water compound this problem
and also raise the center of gravity of the hose reel. The raised
center of gravity may make the hose reel cart easier to tip over
and present additional problems for the user.
[0006] Most hose reel carts, whether plastic or steel, have the
hose reel mounted on the cart in a fixed position, either parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the cart or perpendicular thereto. A
problem arises when the user removes the hose from the reel if it
does not remain substantially perpendicular to the reel. The hose
will exert side forces which may result in the hose reel cart
tipping over. Also, if the hose is not substantially perpendicular
to the reel when it is being wound onto the reel there will be a
tendency for the hose to pile up on one end of the reel and not be
distributed evenly along the length of the reel. This results in an
unbalanced reel load and the hose filling the reel at one end while
the other end remains relatively empty.
[0007] Additionally, most of the prior art hose reel carts utilize
injection molded hard plastic tires. While these tires are
lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture, they are often
susceptible to damage, especially when used on rough surfaces such
as gravel sand or rocks. Also, plastic tires do not respond well to
static or dynamic loads when used on soft surfaces. This is because
as the load increases and the width of the tread remains the same
the force per square inch of the tire on the surface increases
thereby allowing the tire to sink into the soft surface. In
contrast, floatation tire, such as rubber pneumatic tires, provide
compression. As the compressive load increases the tire becomes
wider thereby increasing the footprint of the tire on the surface.
This increased footprint allows the tire and cart to float over the
soft surfaces without sinking and reduces the force required to
move the cart.
[0008] What is needed in the art is a portable hose reel cart
capable of storing a large amount, e.g. more than 150 feet, of
empty or filled hose. The hose should be able to be wound onto and
unwound from the reel without placing undue strains on the reel and
evenly spacing the hose on the reel. The hose reel cart should be
capable of withstanding adverse conditions for extended periods of
time without warping or cracking. The hose reel cart should have a
supporting structure able to provide optimum strength while
maintaining minimal weight through the use of plastic and metal
components. The hose reel cart should be supported by at least four
wheels so that it does not have to be tilted and balanced on two
wheels to be moved.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,598 illustrates a typical hose reel cart
including a pair of molded plastic side frames and four blow molded
plastic members rigidly interconnected therebetween. A hose reel is
mounted between the side portions with each end of the hose reel
axis positioned in a bearing in each side frame. The reel can
rotate about the axis on which it is mounted but it cannot pivot
about a vertical axis. The user must place their foot behind a rear
bar and pull the handle rearwardly and downwardly such that the
cart can be tilted to such a degree as to allow the front feet of
the cart to be lifted off the ground and the weight of the cart
shifted onto the two rear wheels in order to transport the cart
from one location to another. It can be difficult for a user of
small stature to tip the cart backward. It is also dangerous should
the user tip the cart too far backward causing the cart to topple
over on top of them.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,360 illustrates a hose reel carrier
assembly with a tray for storage. The carrier also has two plastic
wheels which can be mounted on a common or separate axels. In order
to move this hose reel carrier, the user must lift the end of the
carrier opposite the wheels upwardly by a handle until the feet
underneath the wheels are clear of the ground. The user must then
push against the carrier, while holding an end off of the ground,
to move the carrier forward. This can be extremely difficult for
certain individuals especially on uneven or rough terrain. The hose
reel can rotate about the axis on which it is mounted but it cannot
pivot about a vertical axis.
[0011] Suncast metal hose reel model no. MHR300 illustrates a metal
frame hose reel capable of holding 300 feet of hose and mounted on
four pneumatic tires. The hose reel is fixedly mounted along the
longitudinal axis of the cart. The hose reel can rotate about the
axis on which it is mounted but it cannot pivot about a vertical
axis.
[0012] While the forgoing noted prior art devices have improved the
art and enjoyed some commercial success, there remains none the
less a need in the art for a corrosion resistant, lightweight hose
reel cart which uses a combination of polymeric and metal
components of stable construction so as to support long lengths of
filled or empty hose. The hose reel on the cart must be able to
pivot about a vertical axis such that the hose can readily be
removed from the reel irrespective of the location of the user
without repositioning the cart. Also, the hose can be evenly wound
onto the reel irrespective of the location of the hose with respect
to the position of the cart. Furthermore, this construction enables
the use of a longer hose reel thereby increasing the capacity of
the length of hose which can be carried on the reel. The longer
hose reel would normally extend beyond the width of the hose reel
cart. However, by pivoting the hose reel about a vertical axis the
axis of the hose reel can be aligned with the longitudinal axis of
the hose reel cart thereby enabling the hose reel to remain within
the over all boundaries of the hose reel cart. The hose cart must
be stable and easily navigated over rough and/or soft terrain
without having to tilt the cart.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The hose reel cart of the instant invention utilizes plastic
and metal component construction for increased durability and
stability while still remaining lightweight for increased hose
capacity and maneuverability. Additionally the hose reel can pivot
about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the
horizontal rotary axis of the hose reel thereby enabling the hose
to be readily removed from the hose reel irrespective of the
location of the user without the danger of the hose reel cart
tipping over. This pivoting ability of the hose reel also permits
the hose to be wound onto the hose reel evenly irrespective of the
location of the hose without the user having to constantly
reposition the hose reel cart. This pivoting ability also enables
the use of a wider than normal hose reel thereby increasing the
capacity of the length of hose which can be carried on the reel.
Further, the hose is wound around the reel by use of a crank which
provides a direct rotational link between the crank and the winding
of the reel.
[0014] Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to
provide a sturdy, portable hose reel cart wherein the hose reel is
rotated about a first axis to wind up and play out a hose from the
reel. The hose reel can also be pivoted about a second axis,
substantially perpendicular to the first axis to facilitate removal
of and replacement of the hose onto the reel.
[0015] It is a further objective of the instant invention to
provide a portable hose reel cart utilizing a combination of metal
and plastic covered metal components for improved corrosion
resistance, strength and rigidity.
[0016] It is yet another objective of the instant invention to
provide a portable hose reel cart having four flotation tires to
easily transport heavy and/or long lengths of hose across uneven,
rough and/or soft terrain without lifting or tilting the hose reel
cart.
[0017] It is a still further objective of the invention to provide
a pivotal connection between the hose reel and the hose reel cart
whereby the hose reel can also be readily separated from the hose
reel cart.
[0018] Other objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of
illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this
specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present
invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the hose reel cart of
the instant invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an underside rear perspective view of the hose
reel cart;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view illustrating
the construction of the hose reel assembly;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side view in elevation of the hose reel
cart;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a front view in elevation of the hose reel
cart;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a rear view in elevation of the hose reel
cart;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top view of the hose reel cart;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the hose reel cart and
[0027] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the mounting plates taken
along line 9-9 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] 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 5/8 inch common hose on
the spool 12.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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).
[0031] 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 "D" 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
* * * * *