Hose reinforcement device

• US 5,036,890 A
• Filed: 10/16/1990
• Issued: 08/06/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ultimate Tool Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Whaley H. Dean
• Inventors: Whaley, H. Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Bryant, III, James E.
• Application Number:
  US07/598,744
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 138/103, 138/109, 138/110, 138/131, 138/172, 138/178, 138/DIG. 8, 285/114, 285/115, 285/116
• US Class Current: 138/109
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/10 with reinforcements not embedded in the wall F16L11/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 35/00 Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices

Abstract

A device which may be inserted into the hydrant end of a conventional garden or water hose for the purpose of reinforcing that portion of the hose which is apt to be kinked or broken due to short bending of the hose at the hydrant end by tension imposed on the hose during use. The reinforcement device comprises a length of coiled resilient material having a resilient gasket mounted on one end thereof which may be inserted or removed from a hose at will.

Claims

1. In combination, a garden hose and a garden hose reinforcement device removably mounted on said garden hose;

said garden hose comprising an elongated flexible tube having an inner periphery and an outer periphery and having a flanged coupler rotatably secured to one end of the hose in a non-sealing manner for detachable attachment of the garden hose to a hose bib or faucet; and

said hose reinforcement device including an elongated resilient coiled spring having an elongated body extending into the garden hose and having an upper end and a lower end, said spring being resistant to collapsibility in a transverse dimension, and providing a hollow interior through which a liquid may pass unobstructed, said spring having a transverse dimension less than the inner diameter of the hose, with at least one enlarged coil at said upper end of said spring having a transverse dimension larger than that of the remaining coils of the spring and the diameter of the inner periphery of said hose whereby all the coils of said spring except said one enlarged coil lie snugly within the interior of said garden hose in the portion thereof next adjacent said flanged coupler;

said hose reinforcement device further including;

a flat resilient annular washer snugly and removably seated completely in said flanged hose coupler and attached to the upper enlarged end coil of said spring, and including a resilient, flat, thin, annular body having inner and outer peripheries, said outer periphery being sufficiently large to engage and snugly seat removably in the interior of the flanged coupler of said hose to provide a water-tight seal between the interior of the hose and a hose bib when said coupler is attached to said hose bib, and cooperating with said at least one enlarged coil to support said spring within the interior of said hose in the portion thereof next adjacent said flanged coupler, and said inner periphery of the washer includes a recessed groove for receiving and securing said at least one enlarged coil at the upper end of said spring, said washer being sized to provide a water-tight seal between the interior of the hose and a water hose bib, whereby upon placement of said spring in the hose and seating of said washer in the flanged rotatable coupler thereof said spring extends downwardly into said hose to prevent collapse of the hose in the portion thereof containing the spring, and the washer is sealingly interposed between the hose and a water hose bib to which the rotatable coupler is connected to prevent water leakage therebetween when water under pressure is applied to said hose.

2. A garden hose reinforcement and sealing device adapted for removable insertion into the interior of the hose bib end of a garden hose having a flanged coupler rotatably mounted on the hose in a non-sealing manner for detachable attachment of the garden hose to a hose bib or faucet to provide a water-tight seal between the hose and hose bib and to reinforce the adjacent end portion of the hose against stresses tending to cause collapse of the hose, comprising:

a) an elongated resilient coiled spring having an upper end and a lower end, being resistant to collapsibility in a transverse dimension, and providing a hollow interior through which a liquid may pass unobstructed, said spring having a transverse dimension less that the interior diameter of the hose, with at least one enlarged coil at said upper end of said spring which has a transverse dimension larger than that of the interior diameter of the hose and the remaining coils of the spring whereby said remaining coil of the spring selectively slip snugly into or out of the interior of said garden hose; and

b) a flat resilient annular washer sized for insertion into the flanged hose coupler and attached to said at least one enlarged coil at said upper end of said spring, said washer comprising a resilient, flat, thin, annular body having inner and outer peripheries, said outer periphery being sufficiently large to engage and seat snugly in the interior of the flanged coupler of said hose to provide a seal between said hose and said hose bib when said coupler is attached to a hose bib, said washer cooperating with said at least one enlarged coil to support said spring within said hose adjacent said coupler on the hose, and said inner periphery of the washer including a recessed groove for receiving and securing said at least one enlarged coil at the upper end of said spring, said washer being sized to provide a water-tight seal between the rotatable flanged coupler-equipped hose and a water hose bib, whereby placement of said spring into the interior of the coupler end of the hose and seating of said washer in the flanged rotatable coupler prevents collapse and consequent breaking of the hose in the region occupied by the spring, and the washer will be sealingly interposed between the hose and a water hose bib to prevent leakage of water therebetween when said rotatable hose coupler is detachably attached to a hose bib and water pressure is applied to said hose.