Hose reel assembly

• US 10,589,958 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2016
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
• Inventors: Tracey, James B. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivera, William A.
• Application Number:
  US15/136,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20160311643A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,425 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/33 Hollow or hose-like material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/403 Carriage with wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4407 positively driven, e.g. by a transmission between the drum and the traversing device
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4428 acting on the reel or on a reel blocking mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4471 Housing enclosing the reel
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4478 relating to handling of fluids

Abstract

A hose reel assembly can include a hose reel rotatable about a reel axis, and a first portion of linear material having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion, the first distal end portion configured to dispense a fluid. The hose reel assembly can include a second portion of linear material having a second proximal end portion connected to the hose reel and a second distal end portion. A connector can removably attach the second distal end portion of the second portion of linear material with the first proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material. A strain relief member can be configured to control an amount by which the second portion of linear material unspools from the hose reel.

Claims

1. A hose reel assembly comprising:

a hose reel rotatable about a reel axis;

a first portion of linear material having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion, the first distal end portion configured to dispense a fluid;

a second portion of linear material having a second proximal end portion connected to the hose reel and a second distal end portion, the second portion of linear material at least partially wound around a spool member of the hose reel;

a connector which removably attaches the second distal end portion of the second portion of linear material with the first proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material, the connector comprising a lumen configured to convey the fluid therethrough; and

a strain relief member configured to control an amount by which the second portion of linear material unspools from the hose reel, the strain relief member being movable between a first configuration in which unspooling of the linear material is restricted and a second configuration in which unspooling of the linear material is permitted.

2. The hose reel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first threaded portion at the first proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material and a second threaded portion at the connector, the connector coupled with the second distal end portion of the second portion of linear material.

3. The hose reel assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a clamp assembly which removably attaches the first proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material with the second distal end portion of the second portion of linear material.

4. The hose reel assembly of claim 1, wherein the first portion of linear material comprises an air hose.

5. The hose reel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing, the hose reel disposed in the housing, wherein the second portion of linear material has a length selected such that the second portion of linear material does not extend outside the housing from the hose reel during normal operation.

6. The hose reel assembly of claim 5, wherein the housing comprises an opening, the first portion of linear material extending through the opening.

7. The hose reel assembly of claim 6, further comprising a door removably connected to the housing, the opening disposed through the door, the connector accessible through the door.

8. The hose reel assembly of claim 1, wherein a length of the second portion of linear material is less than a length of the first portion of linear material.

9. The hose reel assembly of claim 8, wherein the length of the second portion of linear material is no more than three times a circumference of the hose reel.

10. The hose reel assembly of claim 9, wherein the length of the second portion of linear material is no more than 1.5 times the circumference of the hose reel.

11. The hose reel assembly of claim 1, wherein the strain relief member comprises a locking flange which controls unspooling of the second portion of linear material from the hose reel.

12. The hose reel assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking flange is movable relative to the hose reel such that the locking flange has a first configuration in which the second portion of linear material is secured to the hose reel such that unspooling is prevented or restricted, and a second configuration in which the second portion of linear material can at least partially unspool from the hose reel.

13. The hose reel assembly of claim 12, wherein the locking flange is slidable to move between the first configuration and the second configuration.

14. The hose reel assembly of claim 12, further comprising a support plate and a fastener which connects the support plate to the hose reel, the fastener operable to adjust the fit between the support plate and the hose reel to cause the locking flange to move between the first configuration and the second configuration.

15. A hose reel assembly comprising:

a housing;

a hose reel rotatable about a reel axis, the hose reel disposed in the housing;

a connecting portion of linear material fluidly connected to and at least partially disposed about a spool member of the hose reel, the connecting portion of linear material disposed entirely within the housing during normal operation of the hose reel assembly;

a connector configured to removably attach a distal end portion of the connecting portion of linear material with a proximal end portion of a working portion of linear material, the connector comprising a lumen configured to convey the fluid therethrough;

a strain relief member configured to control an amount by which the connecting portion of linear material unspools from the hose reel, the strain relief member being movable between a first configuration in which unspooling of the linear material is restricted and a second configuration in which unspooling of the linear material is permitted; and

a door connected to the housing, the connector accessible through the door.

16. The hose reel assembly of claim 15, further comprising the working portion of linear material.

17. The hose reel assembly of claim 15, wherein a length of the connecting portion of linear material is no more than three times a circumference of the hose reel.

18. The hose reel assembly of claim 17, wherein the length of the connecting portion of linear material is no more than 1.5 times the circumference of the hose reel.

19. A method for connecting a first portion of linear material to a hose reel, the method comprising:

accessing a second portion of linear material which is connected to the hose reel and at least partially disposed about a spool member of the hose reel without disassembling a housing in which the second portion of linear material is disposed;

adjusting a strain relief member from a first configuration in which unspooling of the linear material is restricted to a second configuration in which unspooling of the linear material is permitted to enable the second portion of linear material to at least partially unspool relative to the hose reel; and

connecting a proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material with a distal end portion of the second portion of linear material.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein adjusting the strain relief member comprises sliding a locking flange to uncover the second portion of linear material.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein connecting the proximal end portion comprises threading the proximal end portion of the first portion of linear material with the distal end portion of the second portion of linear material.