REMOTE CONTROL FOR HOSE OPERATION

• US 20090301573A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Great Stuff, Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Michael J., Koebler, Martin, Harrington, Jeffrey M., Caamano, Ramon A., Kozar, Norbert
• Granted Patent: US 8,132,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/355.200
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/162 Sequential operation
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2551/13 Remote control devices, e.g. speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/33 Hollow or hose-like material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4484 Electronic arrangements or adaptations for controlling the winding or unwinding process, e.g. with sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/4486 Electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6918 With hose storage or retrieval means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6932 With retrieval means

Abstract

A hose control system comprising a receiver and a transmitter by which one can remotely control both the flow of water through a hose and the winding or unwinding of the hose onto a reel. The system preferably has power saving advantages, for example, by the use of a power control unit that reduces the power consumed by the electronics of the devices, but does not unreasonably disrupt the use of the devices. The receiver may be used with different aspects or all of the hose control system.

Claims

1-40. -40. (canceled)

41. A hose control system comprising:

one or more flow controllers configured to be positioned to regulate fluid flow through a hose, each of the flow controllers including an electrically actuated valve configured to adjust an amount of a fluid flowing through the hose;

a hose reel device comprising a rotatable member onto which the hose can be spooled, and an electrical motor connected to rotate the rotatable member; and

an electronic module comprising a first unit configured to control operations of the one or more flow controllers, and a second unit configured to control operations of the motor, the first and second units configured to control said operations at least partly in response to a signal including one or more commands;

wherein the electronic module is configured to turn on the first unit while turning or leaving off the second unit when the electronic module receives a signal that commands the operation of the one or more flow controllers; and

wherein the electronic module is configured to turn on the second unit while turning or leaving off the first unit when the electronic module receives a signal that commands the operation of the motor.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the signal is a wireless signal transmitted from a remote control.

43. The system of claim 42, further comprising the remote control.

44. The system of claim 43, further comprising the hose, the remote control being secured to an end of the hose.

45. The system of claim 41, further comprising the hose.