U.S. patent application number 11/810845 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for hose reel system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Puck Custom Enterprises, Inc.. Invention is credited to Benny D. Puck.
Application Number | 20080302902 11/810845 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094958 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Puck; Benny D. |
December 11, 2008 |
Hose reel system
Abstract
A hose reel system for winding a liquid manure hose. The hose
reel includes a spool pivoted in alignment with the wheels and
axles of the system to allow for even winding of the hose on a
spool. The spool is provided with curved domes on either, end and a
protective bar to prevent the hose from winding beyond the ends of
the spool. Pivoting the spool in alignment with the axle allows for
a more even winding and unwinding of the hose, thereby reducing
torsion, kinks and other damage to the hose during the rolling and
unrolling processes.
Inventors: |
Puck; Benny D.; (Manning,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRETT J. TROUT, PC
516 WALNUT
DES MOINES
IA
50309
US
|
Assignee: |
Puck Custom Enterprises,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40094958 |
Appl. No.: |
11/810845 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/390 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 75/4402 20130101;
B65H 75/425 20130101; A01C 23/008 20130101; B65H 2701/33 20130101;
B65H 75/4489 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/390 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/48 20060101
B65H075/48 |
Claims
1. A hose reel system comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a spool
journaled to said frame, said spool comprising: (i) a first end;
(ii) a second end; and (iii) an axle coupled between said first end
and said second end; (c) a wheel coupled to said frame (d) a hose
wound at least partially around said spool; and (e) means coupled
to said frame for preventing said hose from moving off of said
spool.
2. The hose reel system of claim 1, wherein said preventing means
is an arch guard.
3. The hose reel system of claim 1, wherein said preventing means
is a guide provided sufficiently close to said first end of said
spool to prevent said hose from moving off of said spool between
said first end of said spool and said guide.
4. The hose reel system of claim 1, wherein said preventing means
comprises a bar extending from over said first end of said spool to
over said second end of said spool.
5. A hose reel system comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a spool
journaled to said frame, said spool comprising: (i) a first end;
(ii) a second end; and (iii) an axle coupled between said first end
and said second end; (c) a wheel coupled to said frame (d) a hose
wound at least partially around said spool; and (e) a guide
provided sufficiently close to said first end of said spool to
prevent said hose from moving off of said spool between said first
end of said spool and said guide.
6. The hose reel system of claim 5, wherein said guide is a bar
coupled to said frame.
7. The hose reel system of claim 5, wherein said guide is also
provided sufficiently close to said second end of said spool to
prevent said hose from moving off of said spool between said first
end of said spool and said guide.
8. A hose reel system comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a spool
journaled to said frame, said spool comprising: (i) a first end;
(ii) a second end; and (iii) an axle coupled between said first end
and said second end; (c) a wheel coupled to said frame (d) a hose
wound at least partially around said spool; and (e) a guide coupled
to a first portion of said frame, extending around said first end
of said spool, around said second end of said spool, and coupled to
a second portion of said frame.
9. The hose reel system of claim 8, wherein said guide is provided
sufficiently close to said first end of said spool and said second
end of said spool to prevent said hose from moving off of said
spool between said first end of said spool and said guide, and from
moving off of said spool between said second end of said spool and
said guide.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates in general to a hose reel
system and, more particularly to a hose reel system for winding and
unwinding a liquid manure hose on an agricultural field.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known in the art of agricultural liquid manure
application to lay out a hose along the path of the manure
application. A liquid manure supply and pump are connected to one
end of the hose, and the manure applicator is connected to the
other end. The manure applicator travels across the field
delivering manure to the field for use as fertilizer. As it is
desirable to quickly lay out and remove a hose from a field, it is
known in the art to use hose reel systems which are pulled by a
tractor or similar vehicle. Prior art hose reels typically include
a large mechanically driven spool coupled to a wheeled frame. To
lay out the hose, the hose is coupled at one end to a pump or
similar stationary object. The vehicle then pulls the hose reel as
the hose unwinds from the spool, and lays out along the
agricultural field. When it is desirable to remove the hose from
the field, the hose is coupled to the hose reel and a motor on the
hose reel is used to drive the spool and wind the hose onto the
reel.
[0005] One drawback associated with the prior art is the tendency
for the hose to wind on the spool in a single spot. This causes
overlapping and tangling of the hose, which can lead to twists,
kinks and other malfunctions associated with the hose. It can also
lead to the hose tying up on itself as it winds on the spool. When
it is desired to unwind the hose from the spool, the hose may catch
against itself and may cause tearing or ripping of the hose.
[0006] It is also known in the art to provide a means for pivoting
the hose reel as the hose is being wound around the spool. By
pivoting the hose reel, the hose winds along the spool more evenly.
One drawback associated with prior art pivoting hose reels is that
they simply turn back and forth. While the back and forth motion
tends to wind the hose somewhat more evenly along the spool, the
turning is difficult to control and does not maximize the
efficiency of the winding of the hose along the spool.
[0007] Another drawback associated with the prior art is the
difficulty associated with winding the spool most efficiently at
the ends of the spool. As the ends of the spool are typically flat,
it is difficult to obtain accurate winding at the end of the spool.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a hose reel which
allows for efficient winding of the spool at the end of the
spool.
[0008] Still another drawback associated with the prior art is the
tendency of the hose to extend beyond the edges of the spool during
winding. If this occurs, the hose can become entangled in the drive
mechanism, causing damage to both the hose and the drive mechanism
itself. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a mechanism
for preventing the hose from winding beyond the edges of the
spool.
[0009] Given the limitations of the prior art, it would be
desirable to provide a hose reel which allows for more efficient
pivoting of the hose reel during winding, more efficient winding of
the spool near the ends of the spool, and means for preventing the
hose from extending beyond the ends of the spool. The difficulties
encountered in the prior art discussed hereinabove are
substantially eliminated by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In an advantage provided by this invention, a hose reel
system is provided which allows for pivoting of the hose reel to
more efficiently wind the hose on a spool.
[0011] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which is
of a lightweight, low cost manufacture.
[0012] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which is
long lasting and easy to maintain.
[0013] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which
allows for more efficient winding of the hose at the ends of the
spool.
[0014] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which
prevents the hose from winding beyond the ends of the spool.
[0015] Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment of this
invention, a hose reel is provided which includes spool journaled
to a frame along a first axis. A tongue is provided, pivotally
coupled to a frame. A spool is journaled to the frame. An axle is
coupled to the frame, and wheels are coupled to the axle. Means are
provided for pivoting the tongue relative to the frame. In the
preferred embodiment, the spool is provided with domed ends to more
efficiently wind a hose near the ends of the spool, and an arch
guard is provided to prevent the hose from winding beyond the ends
of the spool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the hose reel
system of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the pivotal
connection of the tongue to the cross member of the hose reel;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the hose reel
of the present invention laying hose onto an agricultural field;
and
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of a pair of
hose reels coupled in tandem and winding a hose from an
agricultural field.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] A hose reel according to the present invention is shown
generally as (10) in FIG. 1. The hose reel (10) includes a frame
(12). Journaled to the frame (12) is an axle (14) coupled to a pair
of wheels (16). The axle (14) is coupled to the frame (12) by leaf
springs (18), such as those known in the art.
[0022] Provided on the frame are a pair of support bars (20),
supporting a shoulder (22). Coupled between the shoulder (22) and
an arch guard (24) are a first angled support arm (26) and a second
angled support arm (28). Provided on the angled support arms (26)
and (28) are support brackets (30). Journaled between the support
brackets (30) is an axle (32) around which is journaled a spool
(34). The spool (34) includes a first curved dome (36) and a second
curved dome (38), coupled to one another by a sleeve (40). Secured
to the spool (34) is a large gear (42). The large gear (42) is
coupled by a chain (44) to a small gear (46). As shown in FIG. 1,
the small gear is driven by a hydraulic motor (48) secured to the
support bracket (30) on the first angled support arm (26). The
hydraulic motor (48) is coupled by hydraulic lines (50) to the
hydraulic system of a pulling vehicle, such as a tractor (52).
[0023] Coupled to the frame (12) is a cross brace (54) supporting a
pivot box (56), constructed of steel or similar rigid material.
(FIG. 2). A towing tongue (58) is coupled to the pivot box (56) by
a pin (60) to allow the tongue (58) to pivot relative to the frame
(12) of the hose reel (10). A linear actuator such as a hydraulic
piston (62) is coupled between the cross brace (54) and the pin
(60). The hydraulic piston (62) is driven by hydraulic lines (64)
which extend from the hydraulic piston (62) through a hole (66) in
the towing tongue (58) to the tractor (52). (FIGS. 1-2). A lattice
fence (68) is provided across the bottom of the frame (12) to
prevent material from moving upward from the field into contact
with a hose (70) provided around the spool (34), and to prevent the
hose (70) from dropping downward through the frame (12) to be run
over by the hose reel (10). The hose reel (10) is preferably
constructed of steel, but parts thereof may be constructed of PVC
or other similarly strong, weather resistant material. As shown in
FIG. 4, a second hose reel (72) may be coupled to the first hose
reel (10) by a hitch (74) coupled to the frame (12) of the hose
reel (10).
[0024] When it is desired to operate the hose reel (10), the hose
(70) is provided through a hole (76) in the sleeve (40) of the
spool (34). The hydraulic motor (48) is then actuated to drive the
small gear (46), chain (44) and large gear (42) to rotate the spool
(34) to wind the hose (70) around the spool (34). (FIGS. 1 and 3).
The size of the hydraulic motor (48), small gear (46), chain (44)
and large gear (42) may be adjusted as desired to wind the hose
(70) at the desired speed. When the hose (70) is being wound around
the spool (34) while the hose reel (10) is stationary, it is
desirable to feed the hose (70) back and forth across the spool
(34) to insure an even winding around the spool (34).
[0025] Once the hose (70) has been provided around the spool (34),
the hose reel (10) can be transported to a field (78) where it is
desired to lay the hose (70) to supply a liquid manure distribution
implement (not shown) from a liquid manure pump (not shown). The
hose (70) is partially unwound from the spool (34) and secured in
some manner, such as via connection to a liquid manure pump. The
tractor (52) is then used to pull the hose reel (10) across an
agricultural field (78). As the hose reel (10) is being pulled, the
operator disengages the hydraulic motor (58) so the spool (34)
feeds freely. If desired, the hydraulic motor (58) may be
maintained in engagement to supply a slight resistance to the spool
(34) to prevent the spool (34) from freewheeling and causing the
hose (70) to tangle.
[0026] As the tractor (52) pulls the hose reel (10), the operator
actuates the hydraulic piston (62) to cause the towing tongue (58)
to pivot relative to the frame (12) of the hose reel (10). The
operator preferably actuates the hydraulic piston (62) in alternate
directions to cause the spool (34) to feed the hose (70) more
evenly. The operator positions the side of the spool (34) currently
feeding the hose (70) forward of the other side of the spool (34).
This rotation allows the hose (70) to feed out more linearly behind
the hose reel (10), reducing torque and kinking of the hose
(70).
[0027] When it is desired to collect the hose (70), the end of the
hose (70) is positioned through the hole (76) in the sleeve (40) of
the spool (34), and the hydraulic motor (48) is actuated to rotate
the spool (34). The tractor (52) and hose reel (10) are then driven
over the hose (70) laying in the field (78). The operator actuates
the hydraulic piston (62) back and forth to position the side of
the spool (34), around which it is desired to be wound, more
forward of the opposite end of the spool (34). The operator
actuates the hydraulic piston (62) to pivot the spool (34) back and
forth to evenly wind the hose (70) around the spool (34).
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the domes (36) and (38) of the spool
(34) are preferably curved to facilitate an even winding of the
hose (70) around the spool (34). The domes (36) and (38) may be
provided with any desired curvature, or may directly tapered toward
the sleeve (40) of the spool (34). Although the pivot box (56) may
be located in any desired positioned, in the preferred embodiment,
it is preferably that the pivot box (56) be located at the axle
(32) to allow the pivot point of the hose reel (10) to be at the
axle (14). It is also desirable to locate the sleeve (40) in
alignment with the axle (14) to allow efficient winding of the hose
(70) around the spool (34).
[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the guide bar (24) is preferably sized
to guide the hose (70) onto the spool (34). The guide bar (24)
prevents the hose (70) from extending beyond either dome (36) or
(38), or from back lashing by allowing excess hose (70) to extend
over the spool (34) and cause a back lash and tangle.
[0030] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and
illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto,
except insofar as the claims are so limited, as those skilled in
the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make
modifications and variations therein without departing from the
scope of the invention.
* * * * *