Remote control for valve and hose reel system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a hose reel, the method comprising:
- providing a hose reel comprising;
a rotatable element;
a hose configured to be spooled around the rotatable element;
a motor configured to rotate the rotatable element, the hose having a distal end having an axially slidable collar;
a hose configured to be spooled around the rotatable element;
a motor controller configured to activate the motor, thereby rotating the rotatable element and spooling the hose around the rotatable element;
a flow controller in fluid communication with the hose;
a programmable electronics unit in electrical communication with the motor controller and the flow controller; and
a programming device in communication with the electronics unit, wherein the programming device comprises;
a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with the hose; and
a remote control integrated directly with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals to the electronics unit;
wherein the proximal end of the handheld element is configured to be removably fluidly attached to the distal end of the hose by sliding the hose'"'"'s collar proximally, inserting the proximal end of the handheld element into the distal end of the hose, and sliding the collar distally after said inserting;
using the programming device to program the electronics unit to automatically cause the flow controller to start a flow of a fluid through the hose for a first duration;
using the programming device to program the electronics unit to automatically cause the flow controller to stop the flow of the fluid after the first duration;
using the programming device to program the electronics unit to automatically cause the motor controller to activate the motor to rotate the rotatable element after the first duration; and
executing a program stored in a memory of the electronics unit, the program produced by said programming steps.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus includes a handheld element and a remote control. The handheld element has a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit. The internal flow conduit extends between the proximal and distal ends. The internal flow conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with a hose. The remote control is integrated with the handheld element. The remote control is configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose. The device may include a reel, a valve system, a valve unit, and/or a plurality of valves.
154 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of operating a hose reel, the method comprising:
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providing a hose reel comprising; a rotatable element; a hose configured to be spooled around the rotatable element; a motor configured to rotate the rotatable element, the hose having a distal end having an axially slidable collar; a hose configured to be spooled around the rotatable element; a motor controller configured to activate the motor, thereby rotating the rotatable element and spooling the hose around the rotatable element; a flow controller in fluid communication with the hose; a programmable electronics unit in electrical communication with the motor controller and the flow controller; and a programming device in communication with the electronics unit, wherein the programming device comprises; a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with the hose; and a remote control integrated directly with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals to the electronics unit; wherein the proximal end of the handheld element is configured to be removably fluidly attached to the distal end of the hose by sliding the hose'"'"'s collar proximally, inserting the proximal end of the handheld element into the distal end of the hose, and sliding the collar distally after said inserting; using the programming device to program the electronics unit to automatically cause the flow controller to start a flow of a fluid through the hose for a first duration; using the programming device to program the electronics unit to automatically cause the flow controller to stop the flow of the fluid after the first duration; using the programming device to program the electronics unit to automatically cause the motor controller to activate the motor to rotate the rotatable element after the first duration; and executing a program stored in a memory of the electronics unit, the program produced by said programming steps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hose reel comprising:
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a hose; a rotatable element having a hose attachment fitting adapted to attach to an end of the hose in a manner allowing the hose to be spooled onto the rotatable element, the hose having a proximal end configured to be removably fluidly attached to the hose attachment fitting, and a distal end having an axially slidable collar; a motor configured to rotate the rotatable element; a motor controller configured to activate the motor, thereby rotating the rotatable element; a flow controller configured to start and stop a flow of a fluid through the hose attachment fitting; a programmable electronics unit in communication with the motor controller and the flow controller, the electronics unit including a memory and being programmable to store instructions in the memory for causing the flow controller to allow fluid to flow through the hose attachment fitting, the electronics unit further programmable to store instructions in the memory for causing the motor controller to activate the motor to rotate the rotatable element; and a programming device in communication with the electronics unit, wherein the programming device is configured to input in the memory a first duration in which the flow controller automatically allows the fluid to flow through the hose attachment fitting, and a second duration in which the flow controller automatically prevents the fluid from flowing through the hose attachment fitting, and wherein the programming device is configured to input in the memory an activation period in which the motor controller automatically activates the motor and rotates the rotatable element, wherein the programming device comprises; a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with a hose coupled to the handheld element; and a remote control integrated directly with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling the motor controller and the flow controller; wherein the proximal end of the handheld element is configured to be removably fluidly attached to the distal end of the hose by sliding the hose'"'"'s collar proximally, inserting the proximal end of the handheld element into the distal end of the hose, and sliding the collar distally after said inserting. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A hose reel comprising:
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a rotatable element having a hose attachment fitting; a hose adapted to be spooled onto the rotatable element, the hose having a distal end having an axially slidable collar that is biased distally, the hose attachment fitting adapted to attach to a proximal end of the hose in a manner allowing the hose to be spooled onto the rotatable element; a motor configured to rotate the rotatable element; a motor controller configured to activate the motor, thereby rotating the rotatable element; a flow controller in fluid communication with the hose; and a programmable electronics unit in electrical communication with the motor controller and the flow controller, the programmable electronics unit including a memory and being programmable to store instructions in the memory for causing the flow controller to control a flow of a fluid through the hose, the programmable electronics unit programmable to store instructions in the memory for causing the motor controller to activate the motor to rotate the rotatable element; and a programming device, comprising; a handheld element having a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit extending between the proximal and distal ends, the internal flow conduit configured to be in fluid communication with the hose; and a remote control integrated directly with the handheld element, the remote control configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling the motor controller and the flow controller; wherein the proximal end of the handheld element is configured to be removably fluidly attached to the distal end of the hose by sliding the hose'"'"'s collar proximally, inserting the proximal end of the handheld element into the distal end of the hose, and sliding the collar distally after said inserting, wherein the programming device is configured to input in the memory a first duration in which the flow controller automatically allows the fluid to flow through the hose attachment fitting, and a second duration in which the flow controller automatically prevents the fluid from flowing through the hose attachment fitting, and wherein the programming device is configured to input in the memory an activation period in which the motor controller automatically activates the motor and rotates the rotatable element. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A hose reel comprising:
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a hose; a rotatable element having a hose attachment fitting adapted to attach to an end of the hose in a manner allowing the hose to be spooled onto the rotatable element; a motor configured to rotate the rotatable element; a motor controller configured to activate the motor, thereby rotating the rotatable element; a flow controller configured to start and stop a flow of a fluid through the hose attachment fitting; a programmable electronics unit in communication with the motor controller and the flow controller, the electronics unit including a memory and being programmable to store instructions in the memory for causing the flow controller to automatically allow fluid to flow through the hose attachment fitting and to automatically prevent fluid from flowing through the hose attachment fitting, wherein the electronics unit is further programmable to store instructions in the memory for automatically causing the motor controller to activate the motor to rotate the rotatable element; and a programming device in communication with the electronics unit, wherein the programming device is configured to input in the memory a first duration in which the flow controller automatically allows the fluid to flow through the hose attachment fitting, and a second duration in which the flow controller automatically prevents the fluid from flowing through the hose attachment fitting. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification