Abstract:
A hose guide for guiding a hose over the edge of a roof or similar structure. The hose guide includes a base. A pivot mount is attached to the base. A pulley assembly is pivotally attached to the pivot mount. The pulley assembly includes a freely rotating pulley, which is bounded on at least three sides by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a gate. The gate may be selectively opened to allow a mid point of a hose to be placed on the pulley. The gate is then closed to capture the hose in the pulley housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates to the field of construction equipment. More specifically, the invention comprises a cord or hose guide which safely feeds cords or hoses over the edge of a structure. 
         [0006]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0007]    Modern construction employs a wide variety. Of power tools. Most of these tools receive energy from an air hose or an electrical cord. The present invention is equally applicable to hoses or cords. However, a hose is used consistently in the examples provided. In the field of roofing, for example, nails are most commonly driven through shingles and into the decking using pneumatic nail guns driven by an air hose. The air hose runs from a compressor residing on the ground up to one or more nail guns being operated on the roof. 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a common scenario. Nail gun  16  is being used on roof  10 . Compressor  20  is resting on the ground hear the structure. Air hose  18  must be passed around eave  12  and over edge  14  in order to reach the roof. The free-hanging portion of the air hose imposes a significant load on edge  14 . The edge itself is typically formed by a slightly overhanging piece of the lowest shingle. The shingle is not designed to withstand this load and may fold or break. 
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the same scenario. The reader will of course realize that the nail gun does not remain in one position on the roof. The roofer moves laterally as he affixes a row of shingles. Thus, air hose  18  is dragged back and forth along edge  14  as indicated by the double-ended arrow. The motion of the hose along the edge tends to damage the shingles. As most shingles are highly abrasive, the dragging of the hose along the edge may also damage the hose. 
         [0010]    The prior art approach introduces other problems as well. When the user needs more air hose—such as, when he needs to move further up the roof—the use must pull hard enough on the hose to overcome the friction of the hose scraping over the shingle edge. This action further damages the shingles and worsens the abrasion damage to the air hose itself. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is desirable to produce a hose or cord handling system which prevents the destructive interaction with the edge of the roof. The present invention provides such a solution. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention comprises a hose guide for guiding a hose over the edge of a roof or similar structure. The hose guide includes a base. A pivot mount is attached to the base. A pulley assembly is pivotally attached to the pivot mount. The pulley assembly includes a freely rotating pulley, which is bounded on at least three sides by a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall, and a gate. The gate may be selectively opened to allow a mid-point of a hose to be placed on the pulley. The gate is then closed to capture the hose in the pulley housing. 
         [0013]    The pulley divides the hose into a free hanging portion and a roof portion. The pulley assembly is positioned so that the free hanging portion of the hose hangs clear of the edge and does not contact the edge. When the user pulls on the hose the pulley rotates to minimize friction as more hose transitions over the edge and onto the roof. As the user moves laterally the pulley assembly pivots. In this way the user may move about the roof in a much less impeded fashion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view, showing an air hose leading from a compressor on the ground to a nail gun on a roof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, showing the movement of an air hose along an edge of a roof. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, showing a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view, showing the first embodiment from a different vantage point. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view, showing an air hose being loaded into the first embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view, showing the first embodiment in operation. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view, showing the first embodiment in operation. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a detail view, showing one type of base used in the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view, showing an alternate type of base. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment designed to be placed on the peak of a roof. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view, showing an embodiment similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 10  in operation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment for the gate. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view, showing an extendable mount for the pulley. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is an elevation view, showing some representative hardware that is used in the invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment that is configured to attach, directly to existing shingles. 
       
    
    
       [0029]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 roof 
                 12 
                 eave 
               
               
                 14 
                 edge 
                 16 
                 nail gun 
               
               
                 18 
                 air hose 
                 20 
                 compressor 
               
               
                 22 
                 hose guide 
                 24 
                 base 
               
               
                 26 
                 pulley assembly 
                 28 
                 upright 
               
               
                 30 
                 gusset 
                 32 
                 pivot mount 
               
               
                 34 
                 bracket 
                 36 
                 pulley 
               
               
                 38 
                 axle 
                 40 
                 pin 
               
               
                 42 
                 clip 
                 44 
                 pivot joint 
               
               
                 46 
                 pin receiver 
                 48 
                 first lateral wall 
               
               
                 50 
                 second lateral wall 
                 52 
                 free hanging portion 
               
               
                 54 
                 roof portion 
                 56 
                 lanyard 
               
               
                 58 
                 slot 
                 60 
                 nail retainer 
               
               
                 62 
                 alternate base 
                 64 
                 outdoor carpet 
               
               
                 66 
                 nail hole 
                 68 
                 extension 
               
               
                 70 
                 apex base 
                 72 
                 first panel 
               
               
                 74 
                 second panel 
                 76 
                 opening 
               
               
                 78 
                 hinge 
                 80 
                 gate 
               
               
                 82 
                 latch 
                 84 
                 tab 
               
               
                 86 
                 adjustable upright 
                 88 
                 clip 
               
               
                 90 
                 hinge 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a preferred embodiment of hose guide  22 . The hose guide is designed to handle any long and flexible object which is suitably sized to fit through the device. It can, for example, accommodate air hoses, water hoses, and electrical cords. In the context of this disclosure, all these items will be referred to as “hoses.” 
         [0031]    The two main components of hose guide  22  are base  24  and pulley assembly  26 . Base  24  is configured to be attached to a roof, generally proximate the edge of the roof. Pivot mount  32  is attached to base  24 . In the embodiment shown, it is separated from base  24  by upright  28 . One or more gussets  30  are provided to reinforce the device. 
         [0032]    Pulley assembly  26  is pivotally connected to pivot mount  32 . It is free to pivot in the directions indicated by the double-headed arrow. Pulley  36  is mounted via axle  38 . Axle  38  is attached to bracket  34 —which includes a pair of lateral walls (one on each side of the pulley). 
         [0033]    The upper portion of bracket  34  is open. The hose may be placed onto the pulley through this opening. However, in order to capture the hose within the hose, guide once it is installed, the opening may be selectively closed by sliding pin  40  into position. Pin  40  may include a spring-loaded clip  42 . This clip retains the pin in position. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows hose guide  22  from another vantage point. Pivot joint  44  provides the pivoting connection between the pulley assembly and pivot mount  32 . Any suitable hardware may be used for the pivot joint. As one example, a threaded stud and nut sandwiching two nylon washers may be used. As another example, a ball bearing may be pressed into position and retained by a nut. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  also shows pin  40  being removed to open the top of bracket  34 . The reader will observe how bracket  34  includes pin receiver  46  passing therethrough. When the pin is pressed into the pin receiver, clip  42  may be flipped over the top of the pulley to retain the pin in place. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate the process of installing a hose in the hose handler. In  FIG. 5 , the hose handler has been secured to the roof by passing two roofing nails through slots provided in the base. The hose handler, is positioned so that at least a portion of pulley  36  hangs out over edge  14 . Pin  40  is removed, to expose the top opening in bracket  34 . Pin  40  is preferably attached to some other portion of the hose handler by lanyard  56 . If the pin is dropped the lanyard will not allow it to roll away. 
         [0037]    The user places a portion of air hose  18  over pulley  36  by passing it through opening  76 . The pulley preferably includes a semi-circular groove which seats the hose near the pulley&#39;s centerline. The user then closes opening  76  by pressing pin  40  back through pin receiver  46  in first lateral wall  48  and second lateral wall  50 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows the hose in position and retained by pin  40 . If a user on the roof pulls on the hose, it will pass easily over pulley  36  and will not bear against the edge of the roof. Further, if a user on the roof moves laterally, the pulley assembly will pivot with respect to the base to accommodate this movement. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  shows an elevation view with air hose  18  locked into pulley assembly  26  (The portion of the hose passing through pulley assembly would not actually be visible. It is shown as solid lines in the view to aid visualization). The pulley divides the hose into two sections—free hanging portion  52  and roof portion  54 . The suspended weight of the freer hanging portion provides a retraction function for the user. As the user moves closer to the pulley, the weight of the free hanging portion pulls some of the roof portion back through the pulley. As the user moves away from the pulley additional hose must be pulled up onto the roof. Thus, the hose handler naturally tends to minimize roof portion  54  and keep the hose in an organized state. 
         [0040]    The placement of the hose handler is often significant to its operation. The reader will observe in  FIG. 7  that the base has been installed to that pulley assembly  26  is well clear of edge  14 . This goal is generally desirable. 
         [0041]    The base configurations used to attach the hose handler to the roof will now be discussed.  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of base  24  which is configured to be attached using roofing nails. This configuration is well known for the attachment of roofing devices. A pair of angled slots  58  are provided. Each of these includes a nail retainer as part of its closed end. The user places the hose handler in a desired position, then drives a nail through each nail retainer  60 . The head of each roofing nail bears against the upper surface of base  24  and holds it in position. In order to subsequently remove the device, the user slides the base laterally so that the shafts of the two roofing nails pass through slots  58  (The user may have to pry the nails out slightly). 
         [0042]    Other base configurations will be more suitable for other applications.  FIG. 9  shows an alternate embodiment. Alternate base  62  is a large planar surface. Its downward-facing surface is covered in outdoor carpet  64 . As is known to those skilled in the art, outdoor carpet sticks to asphalt shingles in a manner similar to hook-and-loop fasteners. Alternate base  62  may therefore maintain its position without the need for any fasteners. The use of outdoor carpet is only one example, as many other coverings may be used to grip asphalt shingles. 
         [0043]    A different base may well be needed for a different type of roof. In the case of a metal roof, it is desirable to provide a base that includes one or more strong magnets. The magnet will stick the base to a metal roof. As shown in  FIG. 9 , it is possible to make the base and the pulley assembly as two separate components which may be selectively linked. In the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , the link is made by providing a sliding pocket in the base. This receives a corresponding portion that is attached to the pulley assembly. In this fashion, a single pulley assembly may be provided with multiple bases for use in differing roofing environments. 
         [0044]    The length of extension  68  may be varied to separate upright  28  sufficiently beyond the edge of the roof. Nail holes  66  may be provided in the base in case the user wishes to add one or more nails through the base for additional security. 
         [0045]    Special bases may be used for locating pulley assemblies near other particular roof structures.  FIG. 10  shows apex base  70 , which is configured to rest on the peak of a roof. It includes first panel  72  and second panel  74 . The angle between these two panels may be made adjustable in order to account for different roof pitches. They may even be joined by hinge  90  so that the angle is variable. 
         [0046]    In the particular embodiment of  FIG. 10 , two pulley assemblies  26  are shown. Roofing crews often have two or more nail gun operators working simultaneously. It may therefore be advantageous to provide safe routing for two or more air hoses. The pulley assemblies are separated from the base as desired—such as by using uprights  28 . The embodiment of  FIG. 10  uses two pulley assemblies to accommodate two air hoses. Alternatively, multiple parallel pulleys could be provided in a single pulley assembly. 
         [0047]      FIG. 11  shows an altered version of apex base  70  in position on the peak of a roof. In this version, each apex base mounts a pair of pulley assemblies  26  pivoting on a common pivot. The reader should appreciate that numerous specialized hose handlers could be placed around a large roof to handle the required air hoses. 
         [0048]      FIG. 12  shows an alternate embodiment of the gate. While the removable pin shown for the prior embodiments works satisfactorily, it may be difficult to operate with one hand. Gate  80  is easier to operate with one hand. Gate  80  has a first end which is pivotally connected to first lateral wall  48  by hinge  78 . The second end of gate  80  is selectively latched to second lateral wall  50  by latch  82 . In the embodiment shown, latch  82  is simply a magnet. Gate  80  is made of ferromagnetic material and it is held by the magnet in the closed position. Tab  84  is provided to assist the user in pulling gate  80  away from the magnet. 
         [0049]      FIG. 13  shows an embodiment in which the separation between the pulley assembly  26  and base  24  is made adjustable. Adjustable upright  86  features a female receiver with a telescoping male component. A cross pin or other suitable device is used to set the desired length of extension. 
         [0050]      FIG. 14  shows an elevation view of an embodiment similar to the one shown in  FIG. 3 . The reader will observe how pulley  36  rotates about axle  38 . The reader will also observe how pivot joint  44  is perpendicular to axle  38 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 15  shows still another embodiment for the base. The frictional engagement between outdoor carpet  64  and the asphalt shingles of the roof provides a reasonable level of security for the device. However, this may be insufficient to prevent unwanted motion. Clip  88  provides additional security. Clip  88  is preferably a spring-loaded clip such as found at the top of a conventional clip-board. The user attaches clip  88  to the exposed edge of one or more roofing shingles. This further secures the invention in place. 
         [0052]    Some of the terms used in this specification have explicitly been given definitions which may be broader than those customarily used. As mentioned previously, the term “hose” is defined to include electrical cords and other long and flexible items. Likewise, the term “roof” is defined to mean any surface on which construction work might typically be performed—provided that the surface has an edge over which a hose needs to be passed. 
         [0053]    Some roofs are flat. The hose handler is advantageous in these cases as well as for pitched-roof construction. Using the definition provided, a “roof” also encompasses the second floor of a building under construction. Hoses must be passed from the ground over the edge of a second floor as well, and the hose handler is equally advantageous for these situations. 
         [0054]    The preceding description contains significant detail regarding the novel aspects of the present invention. It is should not be construed, however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providing illustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the claims presented, rather than by the examples given.