Abstract: A motorized hose reel with a positive locking mechanism includes a spool that is rotatably supported by a support frame, a motor in driving communication with the spool and a locking pin. The locking pin is movable to any one of three positions. In the first position, a spring forces the locking pin to engage a corresponding aperture in the hose reel spool. As the locking pin is rotated, a shaft extending radially from the locking pin engages a track formed in the housing. This causes the locking pin to withdraw from the hose reel spool against the force of the spring. Further rotation of the locking pin causes the radially-extending shaft to engage a detent, which holds the locking pin away from the hose reel spool. Still further rotation of the locking pin causes the radially-extending shaft to close a switch, which completes an electrical circuit to the motor.

Abstract: A take-up reel for winding and storing an elongate hose or electrical cable comprises a reel that is rewound by a torsional spring. A viscous clutch is coupled to the reel by means of a unidirectional clutch, which engages the viscous clutch to the reel to rewind the reward speed, but disengages the viscous clutch from the reel when the hose or cable is being payed-out. This permits the hose or cable to be payed-out without resistance from the viscous clutch. The uni-directional viscous clutch assembly thus allows the hose to be payed-out at any speed while providing the substantial safety benefits of a viscous speed governor during rewind.

Abstract: A take-up reel for winding and storing an elongate hose or electrical cable comprises a reel supported by a stationary support shaft and urged in a first direction by a torsional spring. A viscous clutch assembly comprising multiple disks housed in a chamber filled with a viscous fluid is coupled to the reel to provide a retarding force that is proportional to velocity. The velocity proportional retarding force causes the rewind velocity of the reel to stabilize at a constant velocity. A unidirectional clutch is provided to decouple the viscous clutch from the reel when the hose or cable is being payed-out thereby permitting the hose or cable to be payed-out without resistance from the viscous clutch. By providing a unidirectional viscous clutch that acts to retard only the take-up velocity of the hose reel, it is possible to provide an apparatus that permits the hose to be payed-out at any speed while providing the substantial safety benefits of a viscous speed governor during take-up.

Abstract: A take-up reel for winding and storing an elongate hose or electrical cable comprises a reel supported by a stationary support shaft and urged in a first direction by a torsional spring. A viscous clutch assembly comprising multiple disks housed in a chamber filled with a viscous fluid is coupled to the reel to provide a retarding force that is proportional to velocity. The velocity proportional retarding force causes the rewind velocity of the reel to stabilize at a constant velocity. A one-way clutch is provided to decouple the viscous clutch from the reel when the hose or cable is being payed-out thereby permitting the hose or cable to be payed-out without resistance from the viscous clutch. By providing a unidirectional viscous clutch that acts to retard only the take-up velocity of the hose reel, it is possible to provide an apparatus that permits the hose to be payed-out at any speed while providing the substantial safety benefits of a viscous speed governor during take-up.