Abstract: A hose reel for coiling a hose includes a frame and a reel assembly rotatably connected to the frame about an axis of rotation. The reel assembly includes a drum assembly having a drum surface configured to receive and support the hose as the drum assembly is rotated about the axis of rotation to coil the hose around the drum surface. The drum assembly includes a hose fitting defining a fluid outlet. The hose fitting is configured to be connected to one end of the hose to fluidly connect the hose to the fluid outlet. The drum assembly defines a recess in the drum surface in which the fluid outlet of the hose fitting is disposed such that at least a portion of the fluid outlet is disposed between the axis of rotation and the drum surface.

Abstract: A base assembly for a reel, such as a hose reel, including two cooperating base components joined to one another and supporting a spool assembly. The base components may be identical to one another, and each include a base portion and an upright portion disposed 90° with respect to one another and formed monolithically from a single piece of material such as steel. The base components further include rigidifying structures such as gussets, edge bends, and reinforcement ribs or channels to rigidify the base components against vibration and impact stresses. Each of the base portions includes a connection plate and an offset connection flange, wherein the connection flanges overlap and are secured to respective connection plates when the upright components are mated and secured to one another with one upright component disposed at an orientation rotated 180° with respect to the other.

Abstract: A reel assembly for storing a hose, an electrical cord, or other items. The reel assembly includes a base, a spool rotatably mounted to the base, and a guide arm adjustably mounted to the base for guiding the direction in which a hose, for example, is extended from the reel and for guiding the hose onto the reel as the hose is wound upon the reel. A spring is operably connected between the spool and the base to bias the spool in a rotational direction in which the hose is wound onto the spool, thereby automatically retracting the hose after use. A pawl mechanism is mounted to the guide arm, and cooperates with a pair of ratchet teeth sets on the spool to selectively lock the spool against rotation in a hose-winding direction, thereby maintaining the hose in a desired extended position for use. The relative orientation of the ratchet teeth sets and the pawl mechanism, which is mounted to the guide arm, prevents “latch-out” when the hose is disposed in its fully extended position.

Abstract: A reel assembly for carrying a flexible elongate member. The reel assembly includes a reel for connection to one end of the elongate member, a frame rotatably supporting the reel, an electric motor supported by the frame and rotatably driving the reel in a direction to retract the elongate member, and at least one sensor for sensing rotational movement of the reel. A control device interconnecting the sensor and the motor determines when the reel is rotated a first predetermined amount in a payout direction opposite the retraction direction, and, in response thereto, actuates the motor to drive the reel in the retraction direction through sufficient rotation to be capable of completely rewinding the elongate member.