Hose retractor device

Abstract

A hose retractor device including a hose channel mounted on a truck or other vehicle and a pulley movably mounted within the hose channel. A pulley movement device, such as a winch, is connected to the pulley by a winch cable which pulls the pulley into the hose channel towards the winch. An engagement switch engages and disengages the hose retractor device to pull the pulley into the hose channel. The hose extends around the pulley and therefore is pulled into the hose channel for storage thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/010,052, filed on Jan. 4, 2008 which is hereby incorporated herein in is entirety, by reference.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to hose storage devices and, more particularly, to a hose retractor device which includes a hose channel mounted on the truck or other vehicle on which a hose is mounted, a pulley movably mounted within the hose channel, a pulley movement means such as a winch connected thereto by a winch cable which pulls the pulley into the hose channel towards the winch, and an engagement switch for engaging and disengaging the hose retraction device to pull the pulley into the hose channel thus pulling the hose extending around the pulley into the hose channel for storage thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hose retractor device of the present invention mounted on a pump-out truck for use in connection with the flushing and cleaning of portable toilets and the like;

[0004] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the hose retractor device of the present invention mounted on the truck;

[0005] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the hose pulley of FIG. 2 engaging the pump-out hose to pull the hose into the hose channel;

[0006] FIG. 4 is a detailed exploded perspective view of the hose pulley of FIG. 3;

[0007] FIG. 5 is a detailed top plan view of the hose pulley of FIG. 4 showing the hose, engaged by the hose pulley, and resting on the base wall within the hose channel (only one hose pulley plate shown) as it is being drawn therein via the hose pulley;

[0008] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the hose retractor device of the present invention mounted under the flat bed of a pump-out truck for use in connection with the flushing and cleaning of toilets and the like;

[0009] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the hose wheel and hose wheel sling of another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0010] FIG. 8 is a detailed perspective view of the hose wheel and hose wheel sling of FIG. 7 engaging the pump-out hose to pull the hose into the hose channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] The portable toilet industry generally requires a water and chemical recharging mixture to be used in the base of the portable toilet to control odor and prevent bacterial growth between servicing periods. There are many different types of chemicals which used in connection with portable chemical toilets, but generally the chemicals are selected from formaldehyde, methanol, glycol, or magnesium chloride-based solutions which are quite toxic and potentially hazardous, but which are necessary in order to provide the level of bacterial control and odor masking required by the portable chemical toilet industry.

[0012] Once the portable chemical toilet has reached a fill level mandating that the waste and chemicals be pumped out of the toilet, the waste/chemicals must be pumped out via a pump-out mechanism, such as a hose connected to a pump which in turn is connected to a tank, where the hose would be inserted into the base of the chemical toilet in order to remove the waste/chemical solution therefrom. However, as it is impractical to move the portable chemical toilet to a pumping location, it has become a common practice to provide a pump-out truck outfitted with the hose, pump, and tank which can travel to the location of the portable chemical toilet and pump-out the waste material therefrom.

[0013] However, one of the problems commonly encountered with the use of such pump-out trucks is that the pump-out hose which is used to access the base of the portable chemical toilet must be repeatedly spooled and un-spooled from the hose reel on which the hose is mounted. In the course of servicing dozens of portable chemical toilets during the course of a day's work, there are numerous opportunities for damage to be done to the pump-out hose which can render the hose inoperative for its intended purpose. Furthermore, the repeated spooling and un-spooling of the hose can be physically demanding for the operator of the pump-out truck, and in extreme circumstances can result in debilitating injuries which are reflected in worker's compensations claims which significantly decrease productivity. There is therefore a significant need for a hose retractor device which will automatically retract the hose onto and into the pump-out truck, yet will do so in a manner which will generally prevent damage to the pump-out hose and also will facilitate repeated use of the pump-out hose.

[0014] The hose retractor device 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 as being mounted on a pump-out truck 80 which is outfitted with a tank 82, a pump-out hose 84 which extends from the tank 82, and a pump 86 which draws solids and liquids into the pump-out hose 84, through the pump-out hose 84 and into the tank 82. Alternatively, one or both of the tank 82 and pump 86 may be mounted under a flat bed 60 portion of the pump-out truck 80. The hose retractor device 10 includes a hose channel 12 which may be generally L-shaped and generally extend along one side and optionally around the end of the pump-out truck 80, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The hose channel 12 may likewise be mounted under the flat bed 60 of the pump-out truck 80, as shown in FIG. 6. The hose channel 12 may be generally rectangular in cross-sectional shape with a generally flat base (lowest) wall and be constructed of a sturdy, weather and damage resistant material such as PVC plastic, metal, or another such construction material. Hose channel 12 includes an open end 14 and a winch end 16. Although alternative orientations may be desirable, the open end 14 may be adjacent the driver's side of the rear end of the pump-out truck 80 and the winch end 16 may be generally adjacent the forward end of tank 82 on the passenger side of pump-out truck 80.

[0015] Movably mounted within hose channel 12 is a pulley for retracting the pump-out hose 84. In a first embodiment, the pulley is a hose pulley 20. The hose pulley 20 includes upper and lower generally parallel hose pulley plates 22a and 22b which are connected to one another via spacer rods 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d. Rotatably mounted between the hose pulley plates 22a and 22b is hose wheel 26 which rotates about axle rod 28 which also extends between hose pulley plates 22a and 22b. In this embodiment, the hose pulley 20 slides on the hose pulley plates 22a and 22b within the hose channel 12 when the pump-out hose 84 is retracted or extended. Optionally, the orientation of the hose channel 12 may be rotated ninety degrees (90.degree.) to reduce the footprint of the hose channel 12, and in such a configuration, the pump-out hose 84 would lay under the force of gravity on the base wall of the hose channel 12. The hose pulley 20 could slide on one of hose pulley plates 22a or 22b (FIG. 3), or it could be oriented on its side with the adjacent edges of both hose pulley plates 22a and 22b in contact with the base wall, yet still function in the sliding manner described above.

[0016] In a second embodiment of the present invention, the pulley for retracting the pump-out hose 84 is a hose wheel 26 which is oriented to roll within the hose channel 12 (FIGS. 7 and 8). As such, the hose pulley plates 22a and 22b and the spacer rods 24a, 24b, 24c and 24d are not included in this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the hose wheel 26 of this embodiment rotates about axle rod 28. A hose wheel movement means wheel movement means, as a sling 62, is rotatably attached to the axle rod 28 on opposite sides of the hose wheel 26 as shown in FIG. 7. The hose wheel sling 62 is generally u-shaped and may be constructed of a sturdy, water and chemical resistant material, such as metal. Both arms of the u-shaped hose wheel sling 62 are rotatably connected to opposite end of the axle rod 28 on opposite sides of the hose wheel 26. Although the hose movement means has been described as a hose wheel sling 62, many other hose movement means may be used in connection with the present invention which attach to the cable for moving the hose wheel 26 within the hose channel 12.

[0017] The hose wheel 26 of either first and second embodiment may further include a wheel liner 30, mounted on the outer surface of hose wheel 26 and comprised of material such as rubber which serves to both increase the frictional contact of the hose wheel 26 with pump-out hose 84, as will be described later in the disclosure, while simultaneously reducing and cushioning any potentially damaging contact between the pump-out hose 84 and hose wheel 26 during extension and retraction of the pump-out hose 84. It should also be noted that the thickness of base hose pulley plate 22b may be greater than the thickness of top hose pulley plate 22a (FIG. 4) such as in the alternative where the hose pulley 20 is oriented so one of the hose pulley plates 22a and 22b slides on the base wall of hose channel 12, and this frictional contact between the base of hose channel 12 and the base hose pulley plate 22b may require the hose pulley plate 22b to be thicker to stand up to the expected wear and tear thereon. Alternatively, the hose pulley 20 maybe oriented on its side so it slides on the edge of both hose pulley plates 22a and 22b, and the hose channel 12 may be rotated 90% if desired, to accommodate this alternative, as further described above.

[0018] Mounted adjacent winch end 16 of hose channel 12 is a winch 40 which provides the retraction force for the hose retraction device 10 of the present invention. The winch 40 further includes a winch cable 42 which extends into the hose channel 12 and may be extended through the hose channel 12 to connect to the hose pulley 20 of the first embodiment, specifically to one of the spacer rods 24a-d which extend between the hose pulley plates 22a and 22b. In the second embodiment, the winch cable 42 connects to the hose wheel sling 62. The winch 40 may be relatively low-powered, likely having a pull strength of between fifty and one-hundred pounds, although in some situations it may be important to increase the pull strength of the winch 40 in order to properly retract the pump-out hose 84 into the hose channel 12. This will provide sufficient retracting power for retracting the pump-out hose 84 yet will protect against situations where the pump-out hose 84 becomes snagged or stuck during retraction. Although the hose retractor device 10 has been described as being powered by a winch 40, many other devices may be used in connection with the present invention which retract the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 into the hose channel 12, and substitution of such devices should be understood to be a part of this disclosure.

[0019] Mounted near the open end 14 of hose channel 12 is the control switch 50 which controls the winch 40. Of course, the control switch 50 may be located in any position on the hose channel 12 or pump-out truck 80, as per the desires of the user of the present invention. The control switch 50 may include three operating positions, for example, with the "up" position engaging the winch 40 to retract the winch cable 42 and therefore pull the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 into and through the hose channel 12. The control switch 50 may be "centered" to disengage the winch 40 yet keep the winch 40 in a locked position to prevent the winch cable 42 from being un-spooled therefrom. The control switch 50 may have a "down" position which releases the winch 40 such that the winch cable 42 may be unreeled and the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 may move through the hose channel 12 towards the open end 14 thereof. Of course, many different types of control switches 50 may be used with the present invention for controlling operation of winch 40, and such variations should be understood to be a part of this invention.

[0020] Initial setup of the hose retractor device 10 of the present invention would involve extending the forward end 85 of pump-out hose 84 to loop around the hose wheel 26 and, in the second embodiment, between the arms of the u-shaped hose wheel sling 62. In the first embodiment the pump-out hose 84 would further be fed into and through the hose pulley 20 between the hose wheel 26 and spacer rods 24b, 24c, and 24d (FIG. 5). In both embodiments, the pump-out hose 84 engages the hose wheel 26. This procedure is most easily done when the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 is moved outside of open end 14 of hose channel 12, and once the pump-out hose 84 is looped around the hose wheel 26, and fed through the hose pulley 20 if being utilized, after which the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 may be retracted back into hose channel 12 by engagement of winch 40 via control switch 50. It should be noted that the pump-out hose 84 generally has a length of approximately twenty to thirty feet, and the forward end 85 of pump-out hose 84 remains outside of the hose channel 12 even when the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 is retracted into the hose channel 12. This is so that the forward end 85 of pump-out hose 84 may be secured on the pump-out truck 80 in a hose end receptacle or the like (not shown in figures), as the forward end 85 of pump-out hose 84 becomes quite filthy during repeated uses of the pump-out hose 84. However, most of the remaining length of the pump-out hose 84 must be stored on the pump-out truck 80, and it is for this purpose that the hose retractor device 10 of the present invention is specifically designed.

[0021] Storage of pump-out hose 84 would be commenced by engaging control switch 50 to engage winch 40 to retract winch cable 42, thus pulling hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 into and through hose channel 12 towards the winch end 16, thereof. This causes the hose wheel 26 to engage the pump-out hose 84 and pull it into the hose channel 12. However, because the end of pump-out hose 84 attached to tank 82 does not move, this means that the length of pump-out hose 84 between hose wheel 26 and the forward end 85 of pump-out hose 84 is retracted into the hose channel 12 via the movement of hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 into and through hose channel 12. It is during this retraction of hose wheel 26 that a benefit of the hose retractor device 10 of the present invention is seen in that the pump-out hose 84 is slowly and steadily drawn via the rolling contact of hose wheel 26 with pump-out hose 84 into and deposited under the force of gravity on the base wall of hose channel 12. As such, the hose retractor device 10 generally prevents damage to the pump-out hose 84 and particularly prevents bending, kinking or tangling and prolongs the useful life of the pump-out hose 84 beyond what is commonly encountered with those hose reels currently used in the art.

[0022] It is preferred that the total retraction distance of hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 within hose channel 12 be determined by the length of pump-out hose 84 which is to be stored within hose channel 12. As such, the winch cable 42 may not end up fully retracting onto winch 40 when the position of hose wheel 26 within hose channel 12 reaches a preset position. The present position is controlled by a standard winch operation cut-off switch or the like, such as a limit switch 90 with trigger arm. As was discussed previously, this leaves the forward end 85 of pump-out hose 84 extending out of the open end 14 of hose channel 12, and the user of the present invention may thus place the forward end 85 within any appropriate storage sleeve or the like.

[0023] When the pump-out truck 80 reaches its next destination, the pump-out hose 84 may quickly and easily be removed from the hose channel 12 by switching the control switch 50 to release the winch 40 and un-spool winch cable 42, thus permitting the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 to move towards open end 14 of hose channel 12 as the pump-out hose 84 is pulled out of the hose channel 12. As the pump-out hose 84 is withdrawn from the hose channel 12, the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 moves towards open end 14 of hose channel 12 whatever distance is required in order for the pump-out hose 84 to be used to access and then service the portable chemical toilet being serviced by draining the toilet via activation of pump 86 which offloads the waste into the tank 82. The operator could repeat these steps as many times as he or she needs to in order to complete the servicing run of the portable chemical toilets being serviced. Finally, it should be noted that when the control switch 50 is centered, the winch 40 is locked, thus securing the pump-out hose 84 within hose channel 12 and more specifically securing the hose pulley 20 and/or hose wheel 26 at its desired location within the hose channel 12 until such time as the winch 40 is either engaged to retract winch cable 42 or unlocked to permit un-spooling of winch cable 42 therefrom. This assures that the pump-out hose 84 will not be accidentally released from the hose channel 12 while the pump-out truck 80 is moving between jobs.

[0024] It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the hose retractor device 10 of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the above description. For example, the size, shape and construction materials used in connection with the hose channel 12, hose wheel 26, hose pulley 20, winch 40, hose wheel sling 62 and other operative elements may be modified or changed so long as the intended functional features are neither significantly degraded nor destroyed. Also, it should be noted that although the hose channel 12 has been described as being generally L-shaped in shape, the precise shape is not particularly critical to the present invention so long as it can be mounted in some manner on the pump-out truck 80 and provides a sufficient length for retraction of the pump-out hose 84 therein.

[0025] There has therefore been shown and described a hose retractor device 10 which accomplishes at least all of its intended purposes. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A hose retractor device adapted for mounting on a vehicle, comprising: a pulley, a pulley movement means, a hose channel including an open end and pulley movement means end, a cable extending through the hose channel and connected to the pulley movement means at one cable end and removably attached to the pulley at the opposite cable end, and a control switch for the pulley movement means, wherein the pulley is movably mounted within the hose channel permitting retraction and extension of the pulley through the hose channel.

2. The hose retractor device of claim 1 further comprising: a pump-out vehicle to which the hose channel is mounted; a tank; a pump-out hose which connects to and extends from the tank to the pulley movement means end of the hose channel, through the hose channel and out of the open end of the hose channel; and a pump, wherein the pump draws solids and liquids into and through the pump-out hose and into the tank.

3. The hose retractor device of claim 1, wherein the hose channel is generally rectangular in cross section, comprising four sides and a relatively smooth interior base wall, wherein any one of the four sides of the hose channel may comprise the base wall depending on the orientation of the hose channel.

4. The hose retractor device of claim 1, wherein the pulley is a hose pulley comprising: upper and lower generally parallel hose pulley plates which are connected to one another by spacer rods, and a hose wheel which is rotatably mounted between the hose pulley plates and which rotates about an axel rod which also extends between the hose pulley plates, wherein the cable is removably attached to a spacer rod.

5. The hose retractor device of claim 4, wherein the hose pulley is oriented within the hose channel such that one of the hose pulley plates slides on the base wall of the hose channel when the hose pulley is retracted or extended through the hose channel.

6. The hose retractor device of claim 4, wherein the hose pulley is oriented within the hose channel such that the adjacent edges of both hose pulley plates slide on the base wall of the hose channel when the hose pulley is retracted or extended through the hose channel.

7. The hose retractor device of claim 4, wherein the hose wheel further comprises a wheel liner to increase friction and which is mounted on the outer surface of the hose wheel.

8. The hose retractor device of claim 1, wherein the pulley comprises a hose wheel which is oriented within the hose channel to permit the hose wheel to roll on the base wall of the hose channel, the hose wheel comprising an axel rod which extends through the hose wheel, the pulley further comprising a hose wheel movement means wherein the cable attaches to the hose wheel movement means.

9. The hose retractor device of claim 8, wherein the hose wheel movement means is a generally u-shaped hose wheel sling the arms of which are rotatably attached to the axel rod on opposite sides of the hose wheel, wherein the cable attaches to the hose wheel sling.

10. The hose retractor device of claim 8, wherein the hose wheel further comprises a wheel liner to increase friction and which is mounted on the outer surface of the hose wheel.

11. The hose retractor device of claim 1, wherein the pulley movement means is a winch and the cable is a winch cable permitting spooling and un-spooling of the winch cable on the winch.

12. The hose retractor device of claim 1, further comprising a limit switch near the pulley movement end of the hose channel to restrict the movement of the pulley within the hose channel.

13. (canceled)

14. The hose retractor device of claim 2, wherein the pump-out vehicle comprises a flat-bed with an upper and lower surface, further wherein the hose channel is mounted on the lower or upper surface of the flat-bed of the pump-out vehicle.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. The hose retractor device of claim 14, further wherein the tank is mounted on the lower or upper surface of the flat-bed.

18. A method performed with a hose retractor device, the hose retractor device comprising: a) a hose channel mounted on a pump-out vehicle, wherein the hose channel includes an open end and a pulley movement means end; b) a tank mounted on the vehicle; c) a pulley movably mounted within the hose channel; d) a pulley movement means; e) a cable extending through the hose channel and connected to the pulley movement means at one cable end and removably attached to the pulley at a second cable end; f) a control switch for the pulley movement means; and g) a pump-out hose including a forward end and an attached end, the attached end attached to the tank and the length of the pump-out hose between the forward end and the attached end is looped through or around the pulley within the hose channel wherein the forward end of the pump-out hose extends out of the open end of the hose channel, the method comprising: i) switching the control switch to release the pulley movement means; ii) pulling on the forward end of the pump-out hose, whereby the pulley engages the pump-out hose, the cable extends toward the open end of the hose channel and the pump-out hose is drawn through and out the open end of the hose channel; iii) activating the control switch to engage the pulley movement means, whereby the cable retracts and the pulley moves through the hose channel toward the pulley movement means end and engages the pump-out hose, whereby the length of the pump-out hose between the forward end and the attached end is drawn into and through the hose channel and is deposited onto the base wall of the hose channel; and iv) deactivating the control switch when only the forward end of the pump-out hose remains outside of the hose channel.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the hose channel is generally rectangular in cross section, comprising four sides and a relatively smooth interior base wall, wherein any one of the four sides of the hose channel may comprise the base wall depending on the orientation of the hose channel.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the pulley is a hose pulley comprising: upper and lower generally parallel hose pulley plates which are connected to one another by spacer rods, and a hose wheel which is rotatably mounted between the hose pulley plates and which rotates about an axel rod which also extends between the hose pulley plates, wherein the cable is removably attached to a spacer rod.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the hose pulley is oriented within the hose channel such that one of the hose pulley plates slides on the base wall of the hose channel when the hose pulley is retracted or extended through the hose channel.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the hose pulley is oriented within the hose channel such that the adjacent edges of both hose pulley plates slide on the base wall of the hose channel when the hose pulley is retracted or extended through the hose channel.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the pulley comprises a hose wheel which is oriented within the hose channel to permit the hose wheel to roll on the base wall of the hose channel, the hose wheel comprising an axel rod which extends through the hose wheel, the pulley further comprising a hose wheel movement means wherein the cable attaches to the hose wheel movement means.

24. The method of claim 18, further providing a limit switch near the pulley movement end of the hose channel to restrict the movement of the pulley within the hose channel.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the pump-out vehicle comprises a flat-bed with an upper and lower surface, further wherein the hose channel is mounted on the lower or upper surface of the flat-bed.

26. The method of claim 24, further wherein the tank is mounted on the lower or upper surface of the flat-bed.

27. A method performed with a hose retractor device, the hose retractor device comprising: a) a hose channel mounted on a vehicle, wherein the hose channel includes an open end and a pulley movement means end; b) a tank mounted on the vehicle; c) a pulley movably mounted within the hose channel; d) a pulley movement means; e) a cable extending through the hose channel and connected to the pulley movement means at one cable end and removably attached to the pulley at the other cable end; f) a control switch for the pulley movement means; and g) a pump-out hose including a forward end and an attached end, the attached end attached to the tank and the length of the pump-out hose between the forward end and the attached end is looped through or around the pulley within the hose channel, wherein the forward end of the pump-out hose extends out of the open end of the hose channel, the method comprising: i) attaching the attached end of the pump-out hose to the tank ii) feeding the forward end of the pump-out hose into and through the pulley or to loop around the pulley and thereby engage the pulley in or in close proximity to the open end of the hose channel; iii) activating the control switch to engage the pulley movement means, whereby the cable retracts and the pulley moves through the hose channel toward the pulley movement means end and engages the pump-out hose, whereby the length of the pump-out hose between the forward end and the attached end is drawn by contact with the pulley into and through the hose channel and deposited onto the base wall of the hose channel; and iv) deactivating the control switch when only the forward end of the pump-out hose remains outside of the hose channel.