Vacuum hose reel
A reel having a relatively large, hollow, winding drum and end flanges large enough to provide adequate capacity for the intended hose is rotably mounted in a frame. There are no swivel joints in the vacuum conduit. The drum has a slot for receiving the hose near one end flange. The slot begins with a portion offset approximately 45 degrees from the drum axis, then curves to a lesser angle. The over all length of the slot is 2 to 4 hose diameters.
None
U.S. GOVERNMENT INTEREST IN THE INVENTIONNone
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
Reel assemblies for storage of hoses. In particular corrugated hoses such as used in household vacuum and pool cleaning systems.
2. Description of Related Art
Many reels for winding and storing hoses are to be found in the patent literature. Most have a swivel joint in an adapter for supplying fluid from an external attachment thence through the swivel and on to the end of the hose. This permits the hose to be used while partly wound on the reel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,834 by Vaughn Keenan shows a typical swivel connection (FIG. 3, Col. 3, lines 18-35) Mr, keenan's hose is not intended to be taken off the reel. Indeed, the hose has no appropriate fitting to plug it into a vacuum machine. That is done by adapter hose 12. Hose 12 appears to be unsecured and will flop around when the reel assembly is moved between its use station and storage locker. In the present invention, the hose has a cooperating fitting to connect to a wall vacuum outlet, and there is provision for storing the tare end while moving between use and storage stations. Most hose reels, regardless of the fluid types and pressures to be handled are of the permanently connected, swivel joint types of which Mr. Keenan's is typical.
A few hose reels are adapted to always remove the hose from the reel before using. U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,473 by Enrico Vitaletti and U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,307 by Jeffery Smith are of this type. Vitaletti shows a tapered plug that holds the end of the hose by friction so it can be wound onto the reel. Vitaletti FIG. 4 uses an existing nozzle from a swivel joint assembly in a stock hose reel to hold a friction fit plug. The swivel joint is not used for passing hose fluids. The Vitaletti reel is an open assembly and the holding plug is readily accessible. On the other hand, Smith's reel drum is not accessible, so he utilizes a rope or cord 96 (FIG. 7, Col 5, lines 31-40) connected between the drum and a “starter piece” 94 which attaches to the hose to pull the hose end into the cabinet and onto the drum during the winding operation.
The present invention uses a slot in the drum to grab the hose end. Moreover, because the hose end may be extended through the hollow reel drum and into a wall vacuum socket, the hose may be used either with the reel still attached (and often partly wound on the reel) or may easily be completely removed from the reel. No prior art was found that kept the end fitting on the hose while having some of the hose on the reel. No prior art was found where the hose may optionally be left partly on the reel or completely removed from the reel.
No prior art was found utilizing a slot, and especially a slot offset at an angle for grasping the starting end of a hose.
No prior art was found where the hose itself was extended through and beyond the reel for connecting to a vacuum or source of pressurized fluid.
Modern built-in vacuum cleaner systems use a hose with at least one pair of conductors, more often two pairs. One controls the on/off function of the vacuum machine and the other powers a rotary rug brush. Any swivel joint assembly would also have to include 2 to 4 slip rings to provide a swivel connection for the electrical circuits. The present invention avoids this complication.
3. Objects of the Invention
It is an object of the invention to provide a hose reel for storing the hose of a built-in vacuum cleaner system. Where the hose may be used while some of the hose is still on the reel, and to permit easy removal from the reel to use the hose independently of the reel.
It is another object of the invention to have the handle end of the hose be stored on the reel frame when not extended.
It is another object of the invention to accommodate the various sizes of hoses found in the built-in vacuum cleaner industry.
It is another object of the invention to accommodate hoses having internal wiring for powering a rug brush and/or handle mounted remote on/off control of the vacuum machine.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA reel having a relatively large, hollow, winding drum and end flanges large enough to provide adequate capacity for the intended hose, is rotably mounted in a frame. The drum has a slot for receiving the hose near one end flange. The slot begins with a portion offset approximately 45 degrees from the drum axis, then curves to a lesser angle. The over all length of the slot is 2 to 4 hose diameters. The slot edges are beveled or filleted to reduce the sharpness of bend where the hose turns to be wound on the reel. The beveling near the flange end of the slot is on the outer edges of the slot, while the beveling from mid-slot to the end is on the inside edges of the slot.
Handles are provided on the flanges for manually turning the reel assembly for winding the hose.
1. The Invention
2. The hose reel portion, ie, a bobbin or spool
3. The box style frame
4. The hollow winding drum
5. Left and right end flanges
6. Hose slot in the reel drum.
7. The hose
8. Hose end fitting to plug into a vacuum outlet
9. Reel winding handle, (on either or both ends)
10. Vacuum wall inlet
11. Hose end storage bin.
12. Frame with a rounded “trunk style” shape.
13. Motor and dustbin/filter assembly option.
14. Suction motor.
15. Dust bin and filter module.
16. Inlet
17. Exhaust outlet
18. Handle holes
19. Hose winding slot
20. Hose end storage exit slot
21. Hose exit opening in frame
22. Rolling ball
23. Bearing ring
24. Bearing pin
25. Latches for attaching the motor box to the reel box
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe vacuum hose reel system disclosed 1 has a frame 3, shown in
Hoses used for pool cleaning may be up to 3 inches OD. Pool hose reels may be considered a separate product from vacuum cleaner hose reels, therefore, vacuum cleaner hose reel slots may generally be approximately 2 inches wide.
0+3
The slot 6 should also be finished with rounded edges to facilitate the hose bending over the edge of the slot and onto the drum.
A single hose slot 6 is illustrated. The slot 6 as shown favors winding the hose in one direction. Two slots for optional winding in the other direction are permitted, also as is modifying the slot 6 by enlarging to accommodate reverse winding.
Obviously, the end flanges 5 and the drum length are adapted to provide room on the reel for winding the largest expected hose. In the case of vacuum cleaner hoses, the usual maximum length is approximately 30 feet. For pool reels, the capacity may be up to 50 feet of 3 inch hose.
The reel 2 and frame 3 may be constructed of a combination of metal, plastic, or wood products. Lightening holes and stiffening ribs may be incorporated to reduce the weight and amount of material used.
Referring to
Modern vacuum cleaner hoses usually have one or two pairs of conductors for providing power to a rug brush and/or for remotely operating the vacuum machine on\off function. Vacuum inlet 10 has receiving contacts for the hose conductors. The present invention does not break the hose for inserting a swivel joint, therefore, no slip rings are needed for the electrical wires.
Slot 19 in the box frame 3 and in the alternative rounded frame 12 are for the hose to enter the box and being level-wound on the reel. Slot 20 is a short opening for the tare end of the hose with the handle/nozzle assembly to be stowed in bin 11 at the end of the frame. A holster like means for holding the handle/nozzle assembly may be substituted for the holding bin 11.
The frames are fitted with an handle means for carrying the reel assembly about. One or two holes 18 in the top of the frame are adapted to be gripped are shown as adequate handle means. Loop and other forms of handles are also acceptable.
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS AND VARIATIONS OF THE INVENTIONThe top bar shown in
As much hose as needed (or all of it) is pulled from the reel. The exit end is plugged into a vacuum outlet, and cleaning proceeds as usual. When finished, the hose is unplugged from the outlet and tucked into the reel center tube and the crank turned to wind the hose onto the reel. Level winding is accomplished by manually guiding the hose onto the reel. When fully wound, the handle/nozzle end is stowed in the bin 11 or an appropriately adapted holster.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
It is recognized that one skilled in the art will perceive other embodiments and variants in the spirit and nature of the invention. It is intended that such embodiments and variants be included within the monopoly extended by patent.
Claims
1. An apparatus for securing a vacuum cleaner hose in a compact helical form for storage comprising in combination:
- a. a frame for rotably supporting a reel adapted to receive a hose, and
- b. said reel having a hollow tubular drum and radially extending flanges co-axially attached to the left and right ends of said drum, thereby creating a bobbin for receiving a hose wound thereupon, and
- c. said drum further having at least one aperture adjacent to one of said flanges for receiving a vacuum hose therethrough, and
- d. said reel having at least one handle for providing rotary motion to said reel, said handle being attached to one of said flanges and extending outwardly and adapted to be gripped by a hand and turned, thereby rotating the reel and winding a hose thereupon.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a debris collection means and a vacuum source cooperatively and removably connected to said hose, whereby debris is moved by vacuum induced air flow through the hose and deposited in said debris collection means.
3. A reel assembly for receiving and compacting a corrugated hose comprising in combination:
- a. a bobbin having a tubular, central winding drum and coaxial end flanges, the drum and flanges defining a space for receiving a hose to be wound thereon, and
- b. a frame for rotably supporting said bobbin, and
- c. a hose having one end a fitting for removably attaching to a vacuum source, and on the opposite end an adapter for receiving cleaning tools, said hose being adapted to be wound on said bobbin, and
- d. said winding drum further having at least one hose receiving slot originating near one flange and extending and around a portion of the circumference of said drum, and
- e. said frame having apertures on each end coaxially aligned with said tubular drum whereby said hose having been passed through said drum slot into the interior of said drum is extended outside the confines of said frame.
4. The reel assembly of claim 3 where the said hose receiving slot extends from near one flange inwardly and spirally around a portion of the circumference of said drum.
5. The reel assembly of claim 3 further comprising a holding means for the tool adapter end of said hose.
6. The reel assembly of claim 3 where the hose exiting the lumen of the drum tube is bent approximately 180 degrees and is received by the interior of said tubular drum, thereby providing storage for the vacuum connecting end of said hose.
7. The reel assembly of claim 3 further comprising at least one crank handle attached to a bobbin flange and extending outwardly from said reel assembly for providing rotary motion to the bobbin during winding and unwinding of the hose.
8. The reel assembly of claim 3 where said hose is continuous from end to end.
9. The reel assembly of claim 3 further comprising a debris collection means and a vacuum source cooperatively and removably connected to said hose, whereby debris is moved by vacuum induced air flow through the hose and deposited in said debris collection means.
Type: Application
Filed: May 16, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2008
Inventor: Evan Matsumoto (Seattle, WA)
Application Number: 11/803,740
International Classification: A47L 9/00 (20060101); B65H 75/34 (20060101);