Abstract:
A hose retainer stand is described. The retainer stand supports and organizes collections of hoses or other flexible members. In many applications, the retainer stand elevates hoses above ground to thereby reduce potential for damage to the hoses. Also described are methods of retaining and supporting hoses by use of the retainer stands.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/355,405 filed on Jun. 28, 2016; and Ser. No. 62/381,085 filed on Aug. 30, 2016. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present subject matter relates to support systems for retaining and supporting hoses and other flexible members. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A wide array of stands and support systems for hoses or flexible members are known in the art. Many include trays or brackets upon which the hoses rest. Although satisfactory, such trays or brackets only support hoses collectively and do not individually segregate hoses, which can be important in identifying one hose in a collection of hoses. Furthermore, many such trays or brackets do not prevent lateral or horizontal movement of hoses. Moreover, many trays or brackets are mounted to stationary fixtures or walls and thus are not easily transportable. Accordingly, a need remains for a hose retainer stand that provides for individual segregation, improved restraint of hoses, and which is easily transportable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The difficulties and drawbacks associated with previous approaches are addressed in the present subject matter as follows. 
         [0005]    In one aspect, the present subject matter provides a hose retainer stand comprising a support panel defining at least one elongated slot extending through the support panel. The retainer stand also comprises a front panel defining a plurality of apertures extending through the front panel. Each aperture is sized to receive a hose to be supported. The front panel is secured to the support panel and extends transversely therefrom. In certain embodiments, the retainer stand additionally comprises a rear panel defining at least one elongated slot extending through the rear panel. The rear panel is secured to the support panel and extends transversely therefrom and in the same direction as the front panel. The rear panel is also spaced from the front panel. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, the present subject matter comprises a hose retainer stand comprising a planar support panel defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a top edge extending between the first and second ends, and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. The bottom edge extends between the first and second ends. The support panel further defines a first elongated slot and a second elongated slot. The first and second slots are oriented parallel with the first end and disposed proximate the first end of the support panel. The retainer stand also comprises a planar front panel affixed to and extending from the first end of the support panel. The front panel defines a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. The front panel further defines a plurality of circular apertures extending through the front panel, each aperture sized to receive a hose to be supported. The retainer stand additionally comprises a planar rear panel affixed to and extending from the second end of the support panel. The rear panel extends parallel with the front panel. The rear panel defines a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. The rear panel defines an elongated slot extending through the rear panel. The slot of the rear panel is disposed proximate the second end of the support panel. 
         [0007]    In still another aspect, the present subject matter provides a method for supporting and elevating at least one hose above ground. The method comprises providing a hose retainer stand including (i) a support panel having at least one elongated slot extending through the support panel, (ii) a front panel having a plurality of apertures, the front panel secured to the support panel and extending transversely therefrom, and (iii) a rear panel having at least one elongated slot, the rear panel secured to the support panel and extending transversely therefrom. The hose retainer stand defines a bottom edge. The method also comprises positioning the hose retainer stand near a hose to be supported and elevated such that the bottom edge of the hose retainer stand contacts the ground. The method additionally comprises inserting the hose through at least one of (i) the elongated slot of the support panel and the elongated slot of the rear panel, and (ii) an aperture of the plurality of apertures of the front panel. Upon such insertion, the hose is supported and elevated above ground. 
         [0008]    As will be realized, the subject matter described herein is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a hose retainer stand in accordance with the present subject matter. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of a front panel portion of the hose retainer stand depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a support panel portion of the hose retainer stand in accordance with the present subject matter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a front panel used in the hose retainer stand of the present subject matter. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the front panel shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the front panel shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the front panel depicted in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of a rear panel used in the hose retainer stand of the present subject matter. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the rear panel shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the rear panel depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the rear panel illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an elevational view of a support panel used in the hose retainer stand of the present subject matter. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the support panel shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the support panel depicted in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the support panel shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the support panel shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The present subject matter provides assemblies for retaining and/or supporting hoses and/or other flexible members. In many embodiments, the present subject matter provides retainer stands for supporting and elevating collections of hoses above ground. The retainer stands generally comprise a support stand, a front panel extending from the support stand, and a rear panel spaced from the front panel and which also extends from the support panel. The front panel includes one or more openings or apertures extending through the thickness of the front panel, through which one or more hoses are inserted for supporting and/or retaining. The support panel includes one or more openings, apertures, or elongated slots extending through its thickness, also for receiving one or more hoses. The rear panel also includes one or more openings, apertures, or elongated slots extending through its thickness, also for receiving one or more hoses. The panels are arranged and secured relative to one another such that the retainer stand is self supporting and stable. In many embodiments, the front panel extends transversely from the support panel, and the rear panel also extends transversely from the support panel. In particular embodiments, the front and rear panels extend from the support panel in the same direction and are generally parallel to each other. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an embodiment of a hose retainer stand  10  in accordance with the present subject matter. The retainer stand  10  generally comprises a planar support panel  20  defining first and second elongated slots or openings  22 ,  24  respectively, a top edge  26 , a first end  27 , a bottom edge  28 , and a second end  29 . The support panel  20  also includes a first mounting bracket  30  disposed proximate the bottom edge  28 , and a second mounting bracket  32  disposed proximate the top edge  26 . In particular versions, the width W 2  of the second slot  24  is less than the width W 1  of the first slot  22 . And in particular versions, the length L 2  of the second slot  24  is less than the length of the first slot  22 . It will be understood that the present subject matter hose retainer stands may include one or more slots featuring different characteristics. 
         [0027]    The hose retainer stand  10  also comprises a front planar panel  40  that defines one or more apertures  42 . In many versions, the apertures are circular and are sized to fittingly receive and engage hose(s) to be supported. The front panel  40  may define a number of apertures such as from 2 to about 20 or more. In certain versions, a total of nine (9) apertures are provided. The front panel defines a top edge  46  and a bottom edge  48 . 
         [0028]    The hose retainer stand  10  may additionally comprise a planar rear panel  60 . The rear panel  60  defines one or more elongated slots such as slot  62 . The rear panel defines a top edge  66  and a bottom edge  68 . 
         [0029]    Generally, the front panel  40  is secured to the support panel  20  and extends traversely therefrom. Similarly, the rear panel  60  is secured to the support panel  20  and extends transversely therefrom. In particular versions, the front and rear panels  40 ,  60  extend in the same direction, are spaced from one another, and/or are oriented parallel to one another. However, it will be understood that the present subject matter includes versions in which the front and rear panels extend in different directions, and/or are not parallel with one another. 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments, the hose retainer stand  10  may also comprise one or more support bracket(s) such as support brackets  80  shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . Typically, one or more support bracket(s) extend between the support panel  20  and the front panel  40 ; and/or the rear panel  60  and the support panel  20 . The support bracket(s)  80  can be separately formed or integrally formed with one or more other components of the stand. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1-2  additionally depict an optional support element  4  disposed in an aperture  42  of the front panel  40 . The support element  4  is sized and shaped to fittingly receive and/or engage a hose to be supported in the stand  10 . The support element  4  may be used to provide additional support and/or for engaging or affixing a hose to the stand  10 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of the hose retainer stand  10  in which the stand is free of the rear panel  60  shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . This version may be preferred for particular applications in which reduced cost is desired and/or a smaller “footprint” for the stand is desired. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4-7  illustrate additional details of the front panel  40  used in the hose retainer stands of the present subject matter. It will be noted that the apertures  42  are generally defined in the panel to be equidistant from one another. However, the present subject matter includes such panels having other arrangements of apertures including nonsymmetrical arrangements of apertures. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 8-11  illustrate additional features of the rear panel  60  used in the present subject matter hose retainer stands. In many versions, the slot  62  is located an equal distance from the top edge  66  and the bottom edge  68 . Upon affixment of the rear panel  60  to the support panel  20 , the slot  62  is typically disposed proximate the second end  29  of the support panel  20 . However, it will be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to these aspects and includes other arrangements. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 12-16  depict additional details of the support panel  20  used in the hose retainer stands of the present subject matter. The support panel includes slots  22  and  24  as previously noted. In many embodiments, the slots  22 ,  24  are oriented parallel with the first end  27  of the support panel  20 , and/or disposed proximate the first end  27  of the support panel  20 . 
         [0036]    In particular embodiments of the hose retainer stand  10 , the top edge  26  of the support panel  20 , the top edge  46  of the front panel  40 , and the top edge  66  of the rear panel  60  extend within a common plane. And, in certain embodiments, the bottom edge  28  of the support panel  20 , the bottom edge  48  of the front panel  40 , and the bottom edge  68  of the rear panel  60  extend within a common plane. 
         [0037]    As noted, the hose retainer stands may include one or more mounting brackets. In certain versions, an outer face of the mounting bracket extends within a common plane as a corresponding top edge or bottom edge of the adjoining panels. Thus, for example the first mounting bracket  30  defines an outer face which extends within a common plane as the bottom edge  28  of the support panel  20 . And, the second mounting bracket  32  defines an outer face which extends within a common plane as the top edge  26  of the support panel  20 . The mounting bracket(s) may be separately formed or integrally formed with one or more other components of the stand. 
         [0038]    The present subject matter includes versions in which the front and rear panels extend from the same face of the support panel, or the front and rear panels each extend from a different face of the support panel. The front and/or rear panels may be oriented at right angles to the support panel, or may be oriented at angles less than 90° or greater than 90° with respect to the support panel. The angles at which the front and rear panels are oriented with respect to the support panel may be the same or different. 
         [0039]    In certain embodiments of the stand, one or more of the components of the stand are configured to promote convenient assembly of the stand. One or more assembly slots are provided in each of the support panel  20 , the front panel  40 , and the rear panel  60 . The slots are sized and configured to slidingly receive an edge or portion of another panel and retain and/or engage the other panel within the slot. Specifically, referring to  FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 , the front panel  40  defines an assembly slot  41  extending from the bottom edge  48  of the front panel to an interior region of the front panel  40 . The assembly slot  41  in this embodiment extends parallel to a side or edge region of the panel  40 . The assembly slot  41  is sized to receive and engage a portion of the support panel  20  as described in greater detail herein. 
         [0040]    Similarly, referring to  FIGS. 8, 9, and 11 , the rear panel  60  defines an assembly slot  61  extending from the bottom edge  68  of the rear panel to an interior region of the rear panel  60 . The assembly slot  61  in this version extends parallel to a side or edge region of the panel  60 . The assembly slot  61  is sized to receive and engage a portion of the support panel  20  as described in greater detail herein. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 12, 13, 14, and 16 , the support panel  20  defines a first assembly slot  21  extending from the top edge  26  of the support panel to an interior region, and a second assembly slot  23  extending from the bottom edge  28 . The assembly slots are typically parallel to one another and to the side edges of the support panel  20  as best shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0042]    The assembly slots  21 ,  23 ,  41 , and  61  facilitate assembly of the stand. The front panel  40  can be readily engaged with the support panel  20  by aligning the entrance of assembly slot  41  at the bottom edge  48  of the front panel  40  with the entrance of assembly slot  21  at the top edge  26  of the support panel  20  and urging the front and support panels together toward their assembled state such as shown in  FIG. 1 . Similarly, the rear panel  60  can be readily engaged with the support panel  20  by aligning the entrance of assembly slot  61  at the bottom edge  68  of the rear panel  60  with the entrance of assembly slot  23  at the bottom edge  28  of the support panel  20  and urging the rear and support panels together toward one another to their assembled state such as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0043]    It will be understood that the present subject matter includes a wide variety of alternate configurations and orientations of the assembly slots. In no way should the present subject matter be limited to the particular embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-16 . 
         [0044]    The retainer stand and its components can be formed from a wide array of materials. Representative and non-limiting examples of such materials include metal, wood, plastics, composite materials, and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, each of the support panel, front panel, and rear panel is formed from a plastic such as polyethylene. 
         [0045]    The present subject matter also provides methods for supporting, organizing, and/or elevating one or more hoses above ground. The methods comprise providing a hose retainer stand as described herein, and positioning the stand near one or more hoses near hose(s) that are to be supported and/or elevated above ground. The stand is oriented such that a bottom edge of the stand is contacted with the ground. This orientation ensures that the slots of the support panel and the rear panel are spaced above the ground since all slots are disposed proximate the top edge of the stand. One or more hoses are then inserted through the elongated slot(s) defined in the support panel or the elongated slot defined in the rear panel. After insertion through a slot, the one or more hoses are then inserted through aperture(s) in the front panel. Typically, each hose is inserted through a different corresponding aperture. The sequence of insertions is not critical. Hoses can be inserted in the apertures first and then the slot(s); or vice versa. 
         [0046]    Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from future application and development of this technology. 
         [0047]    All patents, applications, standards, and articles noted herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0048]    The present subject matter includes all operable combinations of features and aspects described herein. Thus, for example if one feature is described in association with an embodiment and another feature is described in association with another embodiment, it will be understood that the present subject matter includes embodiments having a combination of these features. 
         [0049]    As described hereinabove, the present subject matter solves many problems associated with previous strategies, systems and/or devices. However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of components, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the claimed subject matter, as expressed in the appended claims.