U.S. patent application number 13/394937 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for hose reel spring adjustment.
Invention is credited to Mark L. Bauck, Lihui Gao, Thomas R. Larson, Jin Tian, Xueshui Wu, Zaixing You.
Application Number | 20120168549 13/394937 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43477763 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120168549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bauck; Mark L. ; et
al. |
July 5, 2012 |
HOSE REEL SPRING ADJUSTMENT
Abstract
An enclosed hose reel 10 consists of a spool and two enclosure
halves 14 comprising the frame 16. The power spring 18 is contained
in the spool 12. Tension on the power spring 18 is transmitted to
the frame 16 via a shaft 20 with a spring 30 loaded ratchet 22. The
ratchet mechanism 24 engages the frame 16 via protrusions 26 that
fit into cutouts 28 within the enclosure 14. The protrusions and
cutouts 28 are designed so that a clockwise rotation is allowed to
increase the tension of the power spring 18.
Inventors: |
Bauck; Mark L.; (Coon
Rapids, MN) ; You; Zaixing; (Phoenix City, CN)
; Gao; Lihui; (PingJiang District, CN) ; Wu;
Xueshui; (Phoenix City, CN) ; Tian; Jin; (Can
Lang Borough, CN) ; Larson; Thomas R.; (Elk River,
MN) |
Family ID: |
43477763 |
Appl. No.: |
13/394937 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 27, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US10/54331 |
371 Date: |
March 8, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61256224 |
Oct 29, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/382 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/33 20130101;
B65H 75/486 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/382 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/48 20060101
B65H075/48 |
Claims
1. A hose reel comprising: a spool; first and second enclosure
halves forming a frame; a power spring contained in said spool; a
shaft; and a spring loaded ratchet whereby tension on said power
spring is transmitted to said frame via said ratchet, said ratchet
comprising a plurality of protrusions and said enclosure comprising
a plurality of cutouts, said ratchet engaging said frame with said
protrusions that fit into said cutouts within said enclosure.
2. The hose reel of claim 1 wherein said ratchet is spring loaded
to allow for axial movement of said ratchet on said shaft.
3. The hose reel of claim 1 wherein said ratchet has an externally
exposed hex shape and an internal square drive socket.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser.
No. 61/256,224, filed Oct. 29, 2009, the contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Spring loaded hose reels for retractably storing air and
fluid hoses are of course well known. Prior art designs require
maintaining torque on the hub with a wrench while removing and
replacing the required fasteners.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An enclosed hose reel consists of a spool and two enclosure
halves comprising the frame. The power spring is contained in the
spool. Tension on the power spring is transmitted to the frame via
a shaft with a spring loaded ratchet. The ratchet mechanism engages
the frame via protrusions that fit into cutouts within the
enclosure. The protrusions and cutouts are designed so that a
clockwise rotation is allowed to increase the tension of the power
spring. The ratchet is spring loaded to allow for axial movement of
the ratchet to step to the next clockwise position of the ratchet.
The ratchet has an externally exposed hex shape and an internal
square drive socket. To increase the spring tension the user simply
turns the ratchet in the clockwise direction using a wrench or a
socket wrench. To decrease the spring tension the user must apply
torque to the wrench or socket wrench, push the ratchet in and then
turn the ratchet counterclockwise while allowing the ratchet to
move outward to engage the next counterclockwise position.
[0004] This invention enables one handed hose reel spring
adjustment and allows for a safer method of hose reel spring
adjustment.
[0005] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
appear more fully from the following description made in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference
characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the
several views.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a hose reel utilizing the
instant invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a partial exploded view of a hose reel
utilizing the instant invention with the ratchet flipped 180
degrees for clarity.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0008] An enclosed hose reel 10 consists of a spool 12 and two
enclosure halves 14 comprising the frame 16. The power spring 18 is
contained in the spool 12. Tension on the power spring 18 is
transmitted to the frame 16 via a shaft 20 with a spring 30 loaded
ratchet 22. The ratchet mechanism 24 engages the frame 16 via
protrusions 26 that fit into cutouts 28 within the enclosure 14 .
The protrusions 26 and cutouts 28 are designed so that a clockwise
rotation is allowed to increase the tension of the power spring 18.
The ratchet 22 is spring 30 loaded to allow for axial movement of
the ratchet 22 to step to the next clockwise position of the
ratchet 22. The ratchet 22 has an externally exposed hex shape 32
and an internal square drive socket 34.
[0009] To increase the spring tension the user simply turns the
ratchet 22 in the clockwise direction using a wrench or a socket
wrench. To decrease the spring tension the user must apply torque
to the wrench or socket wrench, push the ratchet 22 in and then
turn the ratchet 22 counterclockwise while allowing the ratchet 22
to move outward to engage the next counterclockwise position.
[0010] It is contemplated that various changes and modifications
may be made to the hose reel without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
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