Wrench sleeve attachment for garden hose

• US 5,316,348 A
• Filed: 11/27/1990
• Issued: 05/31/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William F. Franklin
• Original Assignee: William F. Franklin
• Inventors: Franklin, H. Joe
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHACKELFORD, HEATHER CHUN
• Application Number:
  US07/618,485
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 285/39, 285/114, 285/115, 285/116, 138/110, 81/55, 81/56
• US Class Current: 285/39
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 35/00 Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices

Abstract

A sleeve is configured to fit slidably around a water hose. One end of the sleeve is oriented towards an end coupling, and is configured as a wrench to register with the external surface of the coupling.

Claims

1. A device with a water hose which carries a threaded coupling at one end adapted to couple with corresponding threads carried by a water tap fixture, the exterior of said coupling being structured for engagement by a wrench, said device comprising:

a sleeve portion with a hollow interior configured to slidably pass said hose so that the sleeve can be selectively positioned exterior said hose in the vicinity of a kink-prone portion of said hose, thereby to prevent the development of a kink in said hose at said position; and

a wrench end portion carried by said sleeve portion oriented and adapted to register with the exterior of said coupling, thereby providing means for applying torque by rotation of said sleeve to said coupling.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said sleeve portion is of sufficient length to maintain said hose in an unkinked condition.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the cross section of said sleeve is sized and configured to enable its ready movement along the longitudinal axis of said hose when said hose is in an approximately straightened condition.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the cross sectional configuration of said sleeve is non-circular.

5. In combination, a water hose with a female threaded coupling fixture at a terminal supply end, said fixture including an exterior surface structured for engagement by a wrench and an external reinforcing sleeve slidably carried by said hose so that it is movable along the length of said hose and including a wrench end adapted to register with said external surface of said fixture, said sleeve constituting means for applying torque to said fixture through said wrench end.

6. A combination according to claim 5 wherein said fixture includes external flat surfaces and said wrench end includes corresponding internal flat surfaces.

7. In combination, a water hose with first and second threaded fixtures at opposite terminal ends and first and second reinforcing sleeves slidably carried and selectively positionable along the length of said hose, each said sleeve including a wrench end adapted to register with respective said first and second fixtures, said sleeves constituting means for applying torque to the exterior of said fixtures through said wrench ends.

8. A reinforcement sleeve for a water hose including a body portion slidably mounted over the sidewall of a said hose so that it is movable and selectively positionable along the length of said hose, said body portion being integral with a wrench portion oriented towards a terminal end of said hose, said terminal end carrying a coupling fixture having an exterior configured for engagement by said wrench portion of said sleeve, whereby said sleeve may be turned to apply torque to the exterior of said coupling fixture.

9. A reinforcement sleeve according to claim 8 in combination with a hose carrying a female-threaded coupling fixture at a supply end, said wrench portion being adapted to register with said coupling.

10. A combination according to claim 9 wherein the cross-sectional configuration of the external surface of said sleeve is polygonal.