U.S. patent application number 12/897067 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-05 for recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel.
Invention is credited to BRIAN FLANNERY.
Application Number | 20120080551 12/897067 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45888977 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120080551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FLANNERY; BRIAN |
April 5, 2012 |
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CABLE AND HOSE STORAGE REEL
Abstract
A recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel includes a
shaft having an axis and a support drum rotatably mounted on the
shaft for rotation about the axis. The support drum includes a
central cylindrical support housing through which the shaft
extends. A pair of end flanges are disposed at opposite ends of the
central cylindrical support housing. One or more intermediate
flanges are disposed along the central cylindrical housing between
the pair of end flanges at spaced intervals and defining two or
more reel segments. One or more apertures extend through the
central cylindrical support housing along each reel segment that is
configured to receive and retain an end of an elongated article to
be wound about the reel segment. A bracket connects to the shaft
and is configured to mount the shaft to a support structure. Other
embodiments are disclosed.
Inventors: |
FLANNERY; BRIAN; (MEDICINE
HAT, CA) |
Family ID: |
45888977 |
Appl. No.: |
12/897067 |
Filed: |
October 4, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/388.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/34 20130101;
B65H 75/446 20130101; B65H 75/285 20130101; B65H 75/425 20130101;
B65H 2701/33 20130101; B65H 75/4428 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/388.6 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/44 20060101
B65H075/44; B65H 75/42 20060101 B65H075/42; B65H 75/38 20060101
B65H075/38 |
Claims
1. A hose and cable storage reel comprising: a shaft having an
axis; a support drum rotatably mounted on said shaft for rotation
about said axis, said support drum including a central cylindrical
support housing through which said shaft extends; a pair of end
flanges disposed at opposite ends of said central cylindrical
support housing; one or more intermediate flanges disposed along
said central cylindrical housing between said pair of end flanges
at spaced intervals and defining two or more reel segments; one or
more apertures through said central cylindrical support housing
along each reel segment that is configured to receive and retain an
end of an elongated article to be wound about said reel segment;
and a bracket connected to said shaft and configured to mount said
shaft to a support structure.
2. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, further comprising:
a plurality of apertures through one or more of said one or more
intermediate flanges at spaced intervals about a circumference of
said intermediate flange; and one or more tethers configured to
secure an end of an elongated article wound about a reel segment to
an intermediate flange through engagement with one of said
plurality of apertures.
3. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, further comprising:
a lock configured to engage said support drum and prevent said
support drum from rotating about said axis.
4. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 3, wherein said lock
comprises: a support fixedly mounted to said shaft; a lock shaft
supported by said support for movement between first and second
positions; and one of said end flanges configured to receive shaft
lock shaft.
5. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, wherein: one of said
intermediate flanges includes a slot extending from an outer edge
thereof to said central cylindrical support housing, said slot
adjoining juxtaposed reel segments and having a width sufficient
for the passing length of an elongated article from between said
juxtaposed reel segments.
6. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, wherein: said
bracket is configured to mount said shaft to a ladder rung.
7. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, wherein: said
bracket is configured to mount said shaft to a hitch receiver.
8. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, wherein: said
bracket is configured to mount said shaft to a vehicle hitch or
trailer frame.
9. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, wherein: said
bracket is configured to mount said shaft to bumper of a
vehicle.
10. The hose and cable storage reel of claim 1, wherein: said
bracket is configured to permit adjustment of said shaft relative
to said support structure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the storage of
cables and hoses used in connecting a recreational vehicle to
sources of electrical power and water, and more particularly,
relating to a cable and hose storage reel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Recreational vehicles require the use of power cables and
water hoses to connect the recreational vehicle to a "hook-up"
including a source of electrical power generally in form of an
electrical outlet and a source of water generally in the form of a
water tap. Recreational vehicles are provided with limited storage
space. The storage space that is available can be difficult to
access. Thus, storage of the power cables and water hoses when not
being used presents a challenge. Accordingly, there is a need to
provide better storage of recreational vehicle cables and
hoses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention addresses this need by
providing a recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel that
provides convenient storage of such cables and hoses with quick and
easy access while preventing entanglement and damage.
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a
recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel that is easily
attached to a supporting structure of the recreational vehicle.
[0005] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a
recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel having bracket
configurations that are easily attached to various supporting
structure of the recreational vehicle.
[0006] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a
recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel that can
accommodate cables and hoses of various lengths.
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a
recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel of an improved and
simplified construction.
[0008] To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one
aspect, a cable and hose storage reel is provided. The cable and
hose storage reel includes a shaft having an axis and a support
drum rotatably mounted on the shaft for rotation about the axis.
The support drum includes a central cylindrical support housing
through which the shaft extends. A pair of end flanges are disposed
at opposite ends of the central cylindrical support housing. One or
more intermediate flanges are disposed along the central
cylindrical housing between the pair of end flanges at spaced
intervals and defining two or more reel segments. One or more
apertures extend through the central cylindrical support housing
along each reel segment that is configured to receive and retain an
end of an elongated article to be wound about the reel segment. A
bracket connects to the shaft and is configured to mount the shaft
to a support structure.
[0009] In general, in another aspect, an embodiment of the cable
and hose storage reel includes a plurality of apertures through one
or more of the one or more intermediate flanges at spaced intervals
about a circumference of the intermediate flange. One or more
tethers configured to secure an end of an elongated article wound
about a reel segment to an intermediate flange through engagement
with one of the plurality of apertures.
[0010] In general, in another aspect, an embodiment of the cable
and hose storage reel includes one of the intermediate flanges
includes a slot extending from an outer edge thereof to the central
cylindrical support housing, the slot adjoining juxtaposed reel
segments and having a width sufficient for the passing length of an
elongated article from between the juxtaposed reel segments.
[0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated.
[0012] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of
presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of
the present invention when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not
be regarded as limiting.
[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0014] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are
included to provide further understanding of the invention for the
purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the
invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the
embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental
understanding of the invention, the description taken with the
drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the
several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an
identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used
to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar
functionality. In the drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
recreational vehicle cable and hose storage reel attached to a
recreational vehicle;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment storage reel;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the storage
reel;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view an embodiment of the storage
reel and a cable/hose being wound onto the storage reel;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a lock
of the storage reel;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the
storage reel and a cable/hose tether;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bracket
configuration of the storage reel;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
bracket configuration of the storage reel;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
bracket configuration of the storage reel;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
bracket configuration of the storage reel;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
bracket configuration of the storage reel;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
bracket configuration of the storage reel;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
bracket configuration of the storage reel; and
[0029] FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views of another embodiment
including spacers, wherein:
[0030] FIG. 14 illustrates a spacer positioned above a mounting
structure; and
[0031] FIG. 15 illustrates a spacer positioned below a mounting
structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present cable and
hose storage reel 10 (hereinafter storage reel) is shown in
perspective and secured to a tow hitch 12 of a recreational vehicle
14. The storage reel 10 is particularly useful in the storage of
power cables and water hoses that are routinely used in connecting
a recreational vehicle to a source of water and electrical power
when parked. The storage reel 10 provides convenient storage of
such power cables and water hoses with quick and easy access while
preventing entanglement and damage. As depicted in FIG. 1, the
storage reel 10 has three separate power cables and/or water hoses
wound about an equal number of reel segments. As will be discussed
below and as illustrated in the drawings, the storage reel 10 may
include several different reel segment configurations as desired. A
protective cover 16 is further depicted in FIG. 1 exploded from the
storage reel for clarity. Cover 16 is placed over the storage reel
10 to enclose and shield the power cables and/or water hoses when
not being used, particularly during storage and transport of the
recreational vehicle. Cover 16 may be comprised of a flexible
fabric material and open at one end for placement over the storage
reel 10. The cover 16 may be fitted with a drawstring or other
fastening arrangement to cinch the open end around the storage reel
10.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows a generally top view of an embodiment of the
storage reel 10 secured a supporting structure 12 of a recreational
vehicle, such as the tow hitch of FIG. 1. Here, the storage reel 10
is shown as having two power cables and/or water hoses 18a and 18b,
each wound about two interconnected reel segments. As will be
further described below, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 can
accommodate up to four power cables and/or water hoses of 25-feet
in length, or up to two power cables and/or water hoses of 50-feet,
as shown. Storage reel 10 further comprises a shaft 20 which
support drum 22 is rotatable. Shaft end 24 of shaft 20 is attached
to bracket 25 by one or more fasteners 26, such as security
fasteners, bolts, or the like. Bracket 25 is secured to the
supporting structure 12 of the recreational vehicle by one or more
fasteners, such as bolt 106.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a generally front view of an embodiment of the
storage reel 10 secured to a supporting structure 12 of a
recreational vehicle, such as the tow hitch of FIG. 1, by bracket
25. Storage reel 10 includes a support drum 22 including a central
and cylindrical support housing 28. Shaft 20 extends through the
support housing 28. The support drum 22 is rotatably mounted on
shaft 20 by bushings 30 and 32 disposed within collars 34 and 36
for rotation about axis 38 of the shaft. Support drum 22 is secured
to shaft 20 against removal therefrom by retaining washer 40 and
retaining pin 42. A pair of end flanges 44 and 45 are disposed at
opposite ends of the support housing 28. Shaft end 24 projects
outward beyond end flange 44. Intermediate flanges 46a, 46b, 46c
are disposed along the central cylindrical housing 28 between end
flanges 44 and 45 at spaced intervals.
[0035] Intermediate flanges 46a, 46b, 46c divide the length of the
support housing 28 into reel segments 48a, 48b, 48c and 48d. More
or less intermediate flanges may be provided as desired.
Intermediate flanges 46a and 46c each include a slot 50a and 50b
which radially extend from an outer edge the flange to the surface
of the support housing, as best seen in FIG. 4. Slot 50a connects
reel segments 48a and 48b for the winding of a single power
cable/water hose between reel segments 48a and 48b. Slot 50b
connects reel segments 48c and 48d for the winding of a single
power cable/water hose between reel segments 48c and 48d. Slots 50a
and 50b are of a sufficient width to permit the passage of a length
of power cable/water hose therethrough between the interconnected
reel segments, as best seen in FIG. 2. To this end, a power
cable/water hose may be wound about the support housing 28 within a
first reel segment 48a, 48c and as that reel segment becomes filled
the power cable/water hose can be passed through the interconnect
slot 50a, 50b and continued to be wound about a second reel segment
48b, 48d.
[0036] An embodiment of the storage reel 10 may include one or more
apertures 52 through the support housing 28 along each reel segment
that is configured to receive and retain an end 54 of power
cable/water hose 56 to be wound about the reel segment, as best
seen in FIG. 4. Aperture 52 can be configured for either
right-handed or left-handed operation. In other words, aperture 52
can be configured to receive and retain an end 54 of the power
cable/water hose 56 in either clockwise or counter-clockwise
rotation of support drum 22.
[0037] An embodiment of the storage reel 10 may include a lock 60
that is operable to engage the support drum 22 to prevent rotation
of the support drum about the shaft 20. As best seen in FIG. 5,
lock 60 may include a knob 62 having a threaded shaft 64 that is
threadably received by a threaded bore 66 extending through
reinforcement strip 68 and circular disk 70. End flange 44 can
include an aperture 72 that is positioned by rotation of support
drum 22 to be in alignment with threaded bore 66, such that
threading shaft 64 by turning knob 62 advances the threaded shaft
64 into aperture 70. With threaded shaft 64 disposed within
aperture 72, the support drum 22 is prevented from rotating.
Alternatively, threaded shaft 64 may be caused to simply press
against end flange 44 to frictionally retain the support drum 22
from rotating.
[0038] An embodiment of the storage reel 10 may include an elastic
tether 74 for securing the free end of the wound power cable/water
hose, as best seen in FIG. 6. On end of the tether 74 is secured
the free end of power cable/water hose 56 and the opposite end
includes a hook 76 for insertion into one of the apertures 78
disposed around a circumference of an intermediate flange 46b (as
shown). Any number of the intermediate flanges or end flanges may
include similar apertures for securing a free end of a wound power
cable/water hose.
[0039] In FIG. 7, a perspective view of bracket 25 and the end 24
of shaft 20 is shown. Bracket 25 includes a vertical web 80 having
a pair of vertically spaced tabs 82 and 84 extending from one side
thereof, and a pair of vertically spaced tabs 86 and 88 extending
from a side opposite of tabs 82 and 84. Tabs 86 and 88 could be
replaced by a tubular section. Tabs 86 and 88 are swept or angled
relative to tabs 82 and 84 to position the support drum 22
generally parallel with a surface of the recreational vehicle. Tabs
82 and 84 include coaligned apertures 90 and 92. Tabs 86 and 88
include coaligned apertures 94 and 96, and coaligned slots 98 and
100. Tabs 86 and 88 are spaced to receive therebetween end 24 of
shaft 20 with bores 102 and 104 cooperatively aligned with aperture
pair 94, 96 and slot pair 98 and 100, respectively. Fasteners 26,
such as security fasteners secure shaft end 24 to tabs 86 and 88.
Slots 98 and 100 permit the pivoting of shaft 20 about the bracket
25 to be better aligned with a surface of the recreational
vehicle.
[0040] Tabs 82 and 84 are spaced to receive therebetween supporting
structure 12, as best seen in FIG. 3. A bolt 106 is inserted
through apertures 90 and 92 and secured therein by nut 108, thereby
securing the bracket 25 to the supporting structure. Bolt 106 may
have a provision, such as a transverse bore for receiving a paddle
lock 110 to prevent removal of the bolt.
[0041] Other bracket configuration are possible to secure the
storage reel 10 to various support structures of the recreational
vehicle.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative bracket 120
configuration particularly useful in securing the storage reel 10
to a bumper of a recreational vehicle. Bracket 120 includes a pair
of opposed C-shaped channel sections 122, 124 that are clamped and
secured about a bumper by bolts (not shown). A pair of tabs 126 and
128 extending from one section 124 and includes two pairs of
aligned apertures positioned for cooperative alignment with the
bores of shaft end 24. Alternatively, section 122 could be replaced
by two U-bolts (not shown).
[0043] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative bracket 130
configuration particularly useful in securing the storage reel 10
to a ladder rung 132 of a ladder 134 attached to the recreational
vehicle 14. Bracket 130 comprises a pair of pipe-clamps 136 and 138
attached to shaft end 24 for example by welding, which in turn are
secured to the ladder rung 132 in a conventional manner.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative bracket 140
configuration particularly useful in securing the storage reel 10
to conventional hitch receiver 142. Bracket 140 includes a hitch
tube 144 having a plurality of spaced through holes 146 positioned
to be aligned with holes 148 of hitch receiver 142 and to receive
hitch pin 150 to secure hitch tube 144 to hitch receiver 142. A
pair of tabs 152 and 154 extending from one section hitch tube 144
and includes two pairs of aligned apertures positioned for
cooperative alignment with the bores of shaft end 24.
Alternatively, shaft end 24 can be welded to tabs 152 and 154, as
seen in FIG. 11. Alternatively, shaft end 24 can be welded directly
to hitch tube 144, as seen in FIG. 12. Here shaft end 24 may
include a bend.
[0045] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of yet another
bracket 160 configuration particularly useful in securing the
storage reel 10 to conventional mounting support structure, such as
the hitch frame 12 shown and discussed above. Similarly to the
bracket 120 configuration of FIG. 8, bracket 160 includes a pair of
opposed C-shaped channel sections 162, 164 that are clamped and
secured about a hitch frame structure (not shown). A pair of tabs
166 and 168 extending from one section 164 and includes two pairs
of aligned apertures positioned for cooperative alignment with the
bores of shaft end 24. Alternatively, section 162 could be replaced
by two U-bolts (not shown).
[0046] With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, in an embodiment one or
more block shaped spacers 170 may be provided to fit the bracket 25
to the supporting structure by positioning between tabs 82 and 84
to fill any space between the tabs and the supporting structure 12.
In FIG. 14, the spacer 170 is positioned above the supporting
structure 12 and between the supporting structure and tab 82. In
this arrangement, the storage coil 10 is shifted vertically upward
with respect to the supporting structure 12. In FIG. 15, the spacer
170 is positioned below the supporting structure 12 and between the
supporting structure and tab 84. In this arrangement, the storage
coil 10 is shifted vertically downward with respect to the
supporting structure 12. Spacer 170 can include an extension tab
172 through which bolt 106 may be passed to secure the spacer in
position. Other configurations of the spacer 170 are possible and
the spacer may be configured to be used with any one of the above
described bracket configurations.
[0047] A number of embodiments of the present invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within
the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *