COLLAPSIBLE REEL CART

Abstract

A reel cart apparatus which comprises: a reel for winding a hose or the like, at least one support element adapted for rotatably mounting said reel thereon, a base, and a rotating means, characterized in that said base, said reel, and said rotating means are adapted for selectively alternating between collapsed and expanded configurations, thereby providing a storage position and an in-use position respectively, wherein the overall volume of said cart in said storage position is substantially smaller than that in the in-use position.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to reel carts for storing and handling hoses. In particular, the present invention relates to a reel cart which is collapsible, enabling reduction of space when not in use.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In order to avoid entanglement, as well as to save space, and furthermore, to assist in the handling of long flexible items such as hoses, cables, wires or the like, the above-mentioned items are often wound in a coil and stored on a reel cart. A typical reel cart that is used for this purpose comprises a reel, a frame upon which the reel is mounted and a rotating means such as a handle and/or a motor and/or other means, for rotating the reel about its axis. Pay out of the hose is achieved by rotation of the reel in one direction, and retraction of the hose is achieved by rotation of the reel in the opposite direction.

Generally, manufacturers of reel carts supply the consumer with carts in two alternative arrangements. Some carts are sold with their components preassembled and ready to use. Carts that are sold in this arrangement do not require the consumer to expend any time or effort in assembling his purchase; however, such an apparatus necessitates large and bulky packaging in order to transport it. Alternatively, there are those carts that are at least partially not preassembled by the manufacturer, and therefore require assembly by the consumer prior to use. Supplying reel carts in this latter arrangement may solve the drawback of bulky packaging, however, the consumer is then required to spend the time and effort assembling his purchase.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which overcomes the difficulties involved in supplying prior art reel carts to consumers, such as bulky packaging and time consuming assembly.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart that is at least partially assembled prior to being purchased by the consumer.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which may be packaged or stored in a volume less than that of the reel cart when in its in-use position.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which does not require any skill in order to operate.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which is simple and inexpensive to produce.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reel cart apparatus comprising a reel for winding a hose or the like, at least one support element adapted for rotatably mounting said reel thereon, a base and a rotating means, characterized in that said base, said reel and said rotating means are adapted for selectively alternating between collapsed and expanded configurations, thereby providing a storage position and an in-use position respectively, wherein the overall volume of said cart in said storage position is substantially smaller than that in the in-use position.

The reel cart further comprises a pair of laterally spaced side elements, wherein said side elements comprise at least one side wall and wherein said side wall may be essentially a disc-shaped member. The disc-shaped member has at least one pair of truncated opposite edges.

Alternatively, the laterally spaced elements comprise a plurality of finger elements at at least one lateral end.

The central portion of one side wall of the reel cart comprises an aperture and a connecter to which one end of a hose may be threaded or suitably connected.

The side elements of the reel cart are separated by a spool, wherein said spool comprises two corresponding halves. Each of said halves comprises preferably four corresponding flaps, two upper flaps and two lower flaps.

Each of said flaps is coupled to said respective side element at said flap's outer end, with slide rails that extend radially outward along the plane of said respective side element. Each of said flaps is pivotally coupled to said corresponding flap of said corresponding half at said flap's inner end.

Alternatively, the spool comprises telescopically collapsible members.

The reel cart further comprises two laterally spaced support elements, wherein each of said support elements may be comprised of a tri-flanged element, wherein said tri-flanged element comprises two lower flanges and an upper flange. The lower flanges extend arcuately downward thereby forming the outer corners of the base, and the upper flange extends arcuately upward toward the back side of the apparatus, thereby joining the ends of an upper handle.

The rotating means comprises any suitable rotating means such as a handle, a motor or a spring.

The handle comprises a central portion, an arm and a gripping member. The arm extends from said central portion coplanar thereto. The gripping member extends outward from the arm, orthogonal to its axis of rotation, when in its in-use position. The gripping member may be pivotally joined with said arm such said gripping member can alternately rotate between its fully retracted position, whereby said gripping member is lodged coaxially with the arm, and its in-use position whereby said gripping member is situated at a 90 degree angle to said arm. Optionally, the gripping member may be pivotally joined with said arm such that said gripping member may be rotatable about its own axis.

The base comprises at least one member whose ends are connected, thereby forming a frame, wherein said frame may form any geometric shape such as a rectangle or a circle.

The base may comprise two transverse and two longitudinal members whose ends are connected, wherein said longitudinal members comprise two corresponding member halves. Each of said member halves is interlocked at its inner end with the inner end of the corresponding member half, by interlocking teeth.

Alternatively, the frame may comprise telescopically collapsible members.

Wheels may be provided at one or more suitable locations at the base.

The upper handle comprises two bar halves, wherein the outer ends of each half of said upper handle are coupled to end elements by sliding links. Said end elements are joined to the ends of the upper flanges. The inner ends of each half of said upper handle are pivotally joined to each other.

Alternatively, the upper handle comprises at least one telescopically collapsible member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, in perspective view, the main elements of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in its in-use position.

FIG. 2a illustrates, in perspective view, the reel element of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2b illustrates an enlarged partially sectioned view showing the pivoting connections of the reel element components to each other and to the side walls.

FIG. 3a illustrates, in perspective view, the support and base elements as well as the rotating means of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3b illustrates, in an enlarged view, the pivoted and coupled connections of the inner and outer ends of the upper handle halves respectively.

FIGS. 4a-4d illustrate, in a back view, the process of the reel cart being collapsed from its in-use position to its completely collapsed position.

The present invention is defined by the claims, the contents of which are to be read as included within the disclosure of the specification, and will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The present invention relates to a reel cart of the type known in the art, the improvement thereto is characterized in that the cart may be fully or at least substantially collapsed when not in use, thereby minimizing its storage and/or transport volume. While the present invention is particularly suited for hose carts, the present invention is also directed to other types of reel carts including but not limited to those employed for laying flexible cables or for electrical wires or the like.

The term “spool” used herein include a cylinder or something similar to such a cylinder in shape or function, around which a hose or other flexible materials may be wound.

Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the reel cart is generally designated with the numeral (10), and comprises a pair of laterally spaced support elements (20), (30), an upper handle (28), a base frame (40), a reel (50) and a handle mechanism (80).

Referring in particular to FIG. 2a, the reel (50) comprises a pair of laterally spaced side walls (52), (54) separated by a spool (56) that is joined at its outer ends to the side walls (52), (54) respectively. Each side wall (52), (54) is essentially disc-shaped, wherein at least one pair of opposite edges are substantially truncated such that the overall volume of the cart (10) is minimized. At the central portion of one latitudinal end of a side element, preferably the side element from which the handle mechanism (80) does not extend, is an aperture and a connector (60) to which one end of a hose may be threaded or suitably connected. The spool (56) comprises at least two halves (56′), (56″), each half comprising preferably at least one and preferably at least a pair of corresponding flaps, more preferably between two to sixteen flaps, more preferably between two to eight flaps, more preferably four corresponding flaps, as well as a core element (70). With reference to (56′) only, but equally applicable to (56″), the four flaps consist of two upper (62), (64) and two lower (66), (68). FIG. 2b shows each flap coupled at its outer end with slide rails (57) situated along a cylindrical ring protruding inward from a respective side wall (52), (54), and coupled at its inner end (shown partially sectioned) by pivots (59).

The actual geometry of the reel (50) as well as the nature of the components may vary from that described above, according to the desire or need, as long as it provides a suitable winding and unwinding structure for the hose. For instance, only one side wall may be provided, the other being replaced by a plurality of finger elements, thereby providing means for preventing the hose from sliding off the spool (56) at the end that does not contain a side wall.

Referring to FIG. 3a, a pair of laterally spaced support elements (20), (30), according to a preferred embodiment, comprises two tri-flanged elements, each one consisting of two lower flanges (22), (24) and (32), (34), and an upper flange (26) and (36). Lower flanges (22), (24) and (32), (34) extend arcuately downward toward the outer corners of the base (40). Upper flanges (26) and (36) extend arcuately upward toward the back side of the apparatus (10) and join to the end elements (27) (29) of the upper handle (28).

According to another embodiment, the support element of the present invention may comprise only one tri-flanged element, such that the device may be secured at one end to a wall, or the support element may be configured in the front or back, or above or below the reel, according to configurations well known in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, handle mechanism (80) is affixed to the outer end of one of the laterally spaced support elements, and comprises a central portion (82) about which the handle (80) is rotated, an arm (84) extending therefrom and coplanar thereto, and a gripping member (86) extending from the arm orthogonal to its axis of rotation. The gripping member (86) is pivotally joined with the arm (84) such that the gripping member (86) can alternately be pivoted between its fully retracted position, whereby it is lodged within the frame of the arm (84), and its in-use position wherein it is situated at a 90 degree angle to the arm (84). The handle mechanism is associated with the reel (50) such that by rotating the gripping member (86) about the central portion (82), the reel (50) rotates concurrently. Gripping member (86) may be optionally further pivotally joined with the arm (84) such that the gripping member (84) may be separately rotatable about its own axis during rotation of the reel (50), thereby making the reel rotation more comfortable for the user. In an alternative embodiment, a motor or spring, or any other suitable means may be utilized either alone or in combination with one another in order to rotate the reel.

Still referring to FIG. 3a, the base frame (40) comprises two transverse (42), (44) and two longitudinal (46), (48) members that are joined at their ends, thereby forming a frame. The corners of the base frame (40) extend diagonally outward from corners of the frame, and rigidly join with connecting elements (38) that extend orthogonal to the plane of the base. The connecting elements (38) are pivotally joined to the ends of the lower flanges (22), (24) and (32), (34).

Longitudinal members (46), (48) are comprised of two member halves (46′), (46″) and (48′), (48″) respectively. Each member half (46′), (46″) and (48′), (48″), is interlocked at its inner end with the inner end of the corresponding member half, by interlocking teeth (90), (92).

It should be noted that the actual geometry of the base frame (40) may differ than that described above, mutatis mutandis, and that the transverse and longitudinal members shown in the figures are merely an illustrative example of the geometric construction of the base frame (40).

The reel cart (10) may be constructed as a stationary unit as is shown in the figures, or as a moveable unit by providing wheels at one or more suitable locations at the base (40), for example, at one or more corners of the base (40).

Upper handle (28) is comprised of two bar halves (28′), (28″). As seen in FIG. 3b, each bar half (28′), (28″) is pivotally joined at its inner end to the inner end of the corresponding half. Each half (28′), (28″) is coupled by sliding links at its outer end to end elements (27), (29) which are joined to the ends of the upper flanges (26) and (36). End element (29) and the inner end of bar half (28″) are partially sectioned, showing the coupled and pivoted connections.

In an alternative embodiment, longitudinal members (46), (48) and/or bar halves (28′) (28″) may be telescopically constructed members.

Referring to FIGS. 4a-d the reel cart (10) is shown in a back view in its locked, in-use position (FIG. 4a). When desiring to transport or store the reel cart without a hose being wound around it, the reel cart may be collapsed preferably according to the steps shown in FIGS. 4a-d. Referring to FIG. 4b, upper handle (28) is released from its locked position at its inner ends, and pivoted inward. Longitudinal members (only (46) is shown), are released from their locked positions, and pivoted inward thereby separating the interlocking teeth (only (90) is shown) at their inner ends. Support elements (20), (30) are pushed towards each other, thereby causing the inner and outer ends of the spool (56) to pivot appropriately, wherein the support elements (20), (30) to be further pushed together until the reel cart (10) is substantially collapsed. Finally, the grip (86) of the handle mechanism (80) is pivotally folded (FIG. 4c) such that it may be lodged coaxially within the frame of the arm (84).

It should be noted that the order of collapsing the reel cart according to the sequence as described herein above is only one of several different possibilities, and may be altered according to preference. In order to open the reel cart (10) to its in-use position, the order as described herein above may be reversed, or, alternatively, an entirely different order may be utilized.

While in the foregoing description describes in detail only a few specific embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto and that other variations in form and details may be possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention herein disclosed or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A reel cart apparatus comprising a reel for winding a hose or the like, at least one support element adapted for rotatably mounting said reel thereon, a base and a rotating means, characterized in that said base, said reel and said rotating means are adapted for selectively alternating between collapsed and expanded configurations, thereby providing a storage position and an in-use position respectively, wherein the overall volume of said cart in said storage position is substantially smaller than that in the in-use position.

2. The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein said reel comprises a pair of laterally spaced side elements.

3. The reel cart according to claim 2, wherein said side elements comprise at least one side wall.

4. The reel cart according to claim 3, wherein said side wall may be essentially a disc-shaped member.

5. The reel cart according to claim 4, wherein said disc-shaped member has at least one pair of truncated opposite edges.

6. The reel cart according to claim 2, wherein said laterally spaced elements comprise a plurality of finger elements at at least one lateral end.

7. The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein the central portion of one side wall comprises an aperture and a connecter to which one end of a hose may be threaded or suitably connected.

8. The reel cart according to claim 2, wherein said side elements are separated by a spool.

9. The reel cart according to claim 8, wherein said spool comprises two corresponding halves.

10. The reel cart according to claim 9, wherein each of said halves comprise at least one and preferably a pair of corresponding flaps.

11. The reel cart according to claim 10, wherein each of said halves comprises upper flaps and lower flaps.

12. The reel cart according to claim 11, wherein each of said flaps is coupled to said respective side element at said flap's outer end, with slide rails that extend radially outward along the plane of said respective side element.

13. The reel cart according to claim 12, wherein each of said flaps is pivotally coupled to said corresponding flap of said corresponding half at said flap's inner end.

14. The reel cart according to claim 8, wherein said spool comprises telescopically collapsible members.

15. The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein said cart comprises two laterally spaced support elements.

16. The reel cart according to claim 15, wherein each of said support elements may be comprised of a tri-flanged element.

17. The reel cart according to claim 16, wherein said tri-flanged element comprises two lower flanges and an upper flange.

18. The reel cart according to claim 17, wherein said lower flanges extend arcuately downward thereby forming the outer corners of the base.

19. The reel cart according to claim 17, wherein said upper flange extends arcuately upward toward the back side of the apparatus, thereby joining the ends of an upper handle.

20. The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein said rotating means comprises any suitable rotating means such as a handle, a motor or a spring.

21. The reel cart according to claim 20, wherein said handle comprises a central portion, an arm and a gripping member.

22. The reel cart according to claim 21, wherein said arm extends from said central portion coplanar thereto.

23. The reel cart according to claim 21, wherein said gripping member extends outward from the arm, orthogonal to its axis of rotation, when in its in-use position.

24. The reel cart according to claim 23, wherein said gripping member may be pivotally joined with said arm such said gripping member can alternately rotate between its fully retracted position, whereby said gripping member is lodged coaxially with the arm, and its in-use position whereby said gripping member is situated at a 90 degree angle to said arm.

25. The reel cart according to claim 23, wherein said gripping member may be pivotally joined with said arm such that said gripping member may be rotatable about its own axis.

26. The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein said base comprises at least one member whose ends are connected, thereby forming a frame.

27. The reel cart according to claim 26, wherein said frame may form any geometric shape such as a rectangle or a circle.

28. The reel cart according to claim 27, wherein said base comprises two transverse and two longitudinal members whose ends are connected.

29. The reel cart according to claim 28, wherein said longitudinal members comprise two corresponding member halves.

30. The reel cart according to claim 29, wherein each of said member halves is interlocked at its inner end with the inner end of the corresponding member half, by interlocking teeth.

31. The reel cart according to claim 26, wherein said frame may comprise telescopically collapsible members.

32. The reel cart according to claim 26, wherein wheels are provided at one or more suitable locations at the base.

33. The reel cart according to claim 19, wherein said upper handle comprises two bar halves.

34. The reel cart according to claim 33, wherein the outer ends of each half of said upper handle are coupled to end elements by sliding links.

35. The reel cart according to claim 34, wherein said end elements are joined to the ends of the upper flanges.

36. The reel cart according to claim 33, wherein the inner ends of each half of said upper handle are pivotally joined to each other.

37. The reel cart according to claim 33, wherein said upper handle comprises at least one telescopically collapsible member.