Abstract:
A hose reel includes various improvements including features to enable improved stacking of hose reels, an improved locking mechanism to allow the hose reel to be selectively locked in open and/or closed positions, an improved handle to facilitate winding of the hose on the hose reel and prevent tangling, and an improved water supply.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/608,314, which was filed on Sep. 9, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to an improved garden hose reel that will be described with reference to the drawings that are attached.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Portable hose carts for convenient handling and storage of garden hoses have been commercially available for many years. The earlier versions embodied a metal tubular frame structure movably supported on a pair of wheels rotatable on an axle mounted on the frame structure and a hose reel rotatably mounted on the frame structure. Examples of portable hose reels of the metal tubular frame type are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 2,488,425, 2,512,756, 2,590,963, and 4,137,939.  
         [0004]     In recent years, frames and components made of molded plastic have been utilized to replace the metal frames and components of the earlier portable hose carts. Many such plastic frames are packaged unassembled and sent to retailers. Thus, the responsibility for assembly falls on either the retailer or the consumer. Examples of portable hose carts constructed of molded plastic are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,381,981, 5,056,553, and 5,007,598.  
         [0005]     It is also known in the prior art to construct stackable portable hose carts that can be shipped and merchandised fully assembled. The sale of fully assembled portable hose cart obviates some problems associated with unassembled hose carts. For example, stackable hose carts reduce the inventory space occupied by an assembled hose cart. Also, consumers do not have to assemble a hose cart that is merchandised fully assembled.  
         [0006]     Current portable hose carts include a number of drawbacks. For example, current fully assembled portable hose carts are often bulky and consume significant space, notwithstanding the fact that they may be stacked on one another for storage or shipping purposes. This is due in large part to the fact that the frames of such carts tend to be large and are not provided with the ability to fold and/or collapse. In addition, in many current portable hose carts, the hose tends to tangle easily when wound and/or tends to jump off of the basket assembly around which it is being wound. Thus, there is room for improvement in the field of portable hose carts.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     One aspect of the invention relates to a stackable hose reel that includes a pair of outer legs connected to a pair of inner legs, wherein the inner legs are structured to move between a first, open position and a second, closed position. A first connecting member is coupled to and extends between the outer legs. The first connecting member has a first outer surface having a first shape, such as a arcuate shape. A second connecting member is coupled to and extends between the inner legs. The second connecting member has a second outer surface having a second shape, such an arcuate shape, that is complementary to the first shape. When the inner legs are in the closed position, the second outer surface is structured to engage and rest at least partially within an additional first outer surface of an additional stackable hose reel. The additional first outer surface is substantially identical to the first outer surface such that the stackable hose reel may be stacked on top of the additional stackable hose reel.  
         [0008]     The stackable hose reel may also include a basket assembly extending between the inner legs and structured to support a hose. The basket assembly has a first protrusion and a first depression. When the stackable hose reel is stacked on top of an additional stackable hose reel, the first protrusion of the stackable hose reel is structured to be received in the first depression of the basket assembly of the additional stackable hose reel and the first protrusion of the basket assembly of the additional stackable hose reel is structured to be received in the first depression of the stackable hose reel. Additional similar protrusions and depressions may be provided on the basket assembly to facilitate the stacking.  
         [0009]     According to a further aspect of the invention, a stackable hose reel is provided that includes a main frame, a basket assembly supported by the main frame and structured to support a hose, and a handle extending from the main frame. The handle extends in a first direction and has a top portion having a first surface in a first plane and a second surface in second plane. The first and second planes are substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The top portion also has a hole extending from the first surface to the second surface for receiving the hose therethrough to facilitate the winding of the hose on the basket assembly and prevent tangling of the hose during winding. Preferably, the basket assembly is rotatable about a first axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.  
         [0010]     The main frame in this aspect may have a pair of first legs and a pair of second legs connected to the first legs, wherein the handle extends from the first legs. In one particular embodiment, the first legs are outer legs and the second legs are inner legs, and the inner legs are structured to move between a first, open position and second, closed position.  
         [0011]     A still further aspect of the invention relates to a hose reel that includes a pair of outer legs and a pair of inner legs that are rotatably connected to the outer legs and structured to move between a first, open position and a second, closed position. The hose reel further includes a basket assembly coupled to the inner legs that structured to support a hose. A locking mechanism is provided for selectively preventing the inner legs from being moved from the open position to the closed position.  
         [0012]     In one particular embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a selectively displaceable tooth and the second portion has a locking ring with an open position opening. When the inner legs are in the open position, the tooth is received in the open position opening and prevents the inner legs from being moved from the open position to the closed position. In order to move the inner legs to the closed position, the tooth must be displaced from the open position opening. The locking mechanism may also selectively prevent the inner legs from being moved from the closed position to the open position. In such a case, the locking ring includes a closed position opening. When the inner legs are in the closed position, the tooth is received in the closed position opening, wherein the tooth must be displaced from the closed position opening to move the inner legs to the open position.  
         [0013]     In still a further aspect of the invention, a hose reel is provided that includes a main frame, a basket assembly supported by the main frame and structured to support a hose, and a water supply assembly supported by the basket assembly. The water supply assembly includes a first portion, such as a water inlet portion, having a groove and a second portion, such as a water outlet portion, having one or more radial openings. The first portion is inserted within the second portion such that the one or more radial openings are aligned with the groove. A clip is inserted at least partially through the one or more radial openings. The clip is received in and engages the groove. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an improved hose reel according to the present invention in a first, open, ready to use position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the hose reel of  FIG. 1  in a second, closed position;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are isometric views showing a number of nested hose reels according to an aspect of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is an alternative isometric view of the hose reel of  FIG. 1  in a second, closed position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view showing the back brace of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view showing the bottom portion including a tray of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an oblong flange of the basket assembly of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged view of a portion of the oblong flange of  FIG. 8  showing a protrusion and depression used for nesting purposes;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are isometric views of a push button portion of a locking mechanism of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of a connection point between and inner and outer leg of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  and  14  are front elevation and isometric views, respectively, of an outer leg of the hose reel of  FIG. 1  including the locking mechanism;  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of a portion of the locking mechanism of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0027]      FIGS. 16, 19 ,  20 , and  21  are enlarged views and  FIG. 16A  is a front elevational view of portions of the basket assembly of the hose reel of  FIG. 1  showing a portion of the water supply;  
         [0028]      FIGS. 17 and 18  are front elevational and isometric views, respectively, of the rotatable portion of the water supply of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIGS. 22 and 23  are side elevational and isometric views, respectively, of the non-rotatable portion of the water supply of the hose reel of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 24  is an enlarged view of a portion of an outer leg of the hose reel of  FIG. 1  that receives the non-rotatable portion of the water supply;  
         [0031]      FIGS. 25 and 26  are enlarged views of portions of an outer leg of the hose reel of  FIG. 1  having the non-rotatable portion of the water supply inserted therein;  
         [0032]      FIG. 27  is a cross sectional view showing the point where the outer and inner leg of the hose reel of  FIG. 1  that include the water supply connect to one another;  
         [0033]      FIGS. 28, 29 , and  30  are side elevational, isometric and bottom plan views, respectively, of an alternative water supply;  
         [0034]      FIG. 31  is an isometric view of an alternative rotatable portion of the water supply; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 32  is an isometric view of an alternative non-rotatable portion of the water supply. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]      FIG. 1  shows the improved hose reel  10  in a first, open, ready to use position (minus the garden hose). The hose reel  10  includes a basket assembly  12  for holding the garden hose (not shown). The basket assembly  12  includes opposed oblong flange members  14 ,  16  which allow for a “low profile” when the hose reel  10  is closed (see  FIG. 2 ). The basket assembly  12  includes a hub  18  for winding thereon the garden hose. A crank assembly  20  is provided including a crank body  22  having a crank slot  24  and a pivotable crank handle  26 . It will be appreciated that the crank handle  26  can be pivoted into the crank slot  24  (see  FIG. 2 ) in order to further minimize the profile of the hose reel  10  when it is being shipped or moved about. A unique water supply  30  ( FIG. 16 ) is also provided. The water supply will be described more fully below. A unique locking mechanism  200  ( FIG. 14 ) is also provided. The unique locking mechanism will also be described below.  
         [0037]     The main frame of the hose reel  10  consists of an outer leg (crank side)  50 , outer leg (water supply)  52 , a pivotably mounted inner leg (crank side)  54  and a pivotably mounted inner leg (water side)  56 . Each outer leg includes a respective wheel  60 ,  62  and wheel hub  64 ,  66  ( FIG. 4 ). These items are all preferably made of plastic. Mounted between the inner legs  54 ,  56  is a tray  70  and a footrest  72 .  
         [0038]     Another unique aspect of the hose reel  10  is its ability to be efficiently nested with other like hose reels for shipping. Features embedded in the basket assembly  12  allow for easy nesting. The nesting features will be discussed below.  
         [0039]     One aspect of the invention is to provide a combination handle/hose guide  90 . The handle/hose guide defines an area  92  through which the garden hose is directed so that the hose is resisted from “jumping” over the oblong flanges  14 ,  16  and getting tangled.  
         [0040]     It will be appreciated that the design of the invention provides a fairly wide “footprint” when in the open position as is shown in  FIG. 1 . This will prevent unwanted tipping of the hose reel  10  as well as providing a stable base when winding and unwinding the hose.  
         [0041]      FIG. 2  shows the hose reel  10  in a second, closed position. As can be seen, the inner legs  54 ,  56  are pivoted inwardly allowing the closed hose reel  10  to lie flat. The oblong flanges  14 ,  16  are oriented so that their longitudinal axes are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the closed hose reel  10 . The crank handle  26  is pivoted into the crank slot  24 .  
         [0042]     It will be appreciated that once the hose reel  10  is in the closed position, it can be easily wheeled from place to place by merely pulling it by the combination handle/hose guide  90 . As opposed to prior art collapsible hose reels where the handle was collapsed, the handle does not need to be forced down to pivot the weight of the hose over the wheels in order to transport the hose reel  10  from place to place.  
         [0043]     A still further advantage of the collapsed low-profile hose reel is that it can be easily stored when not in use. The hose reel  10  can also be hung on the wall of a user&#39;s garage or shed when being stored. In one embodiment, the hose reel  10  does not utilize any independent fasteners, such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, or threaded rods. Put another way, the components of the hose reel  10  are coupled together by integral fastening structures, such as, but not limited to, snap-fit structures. In another embodiment, screws may be used to ensure rigidity in the structure. For example, two screws may be used to connect the handle/hose guide  90  to the outer legs  50  and  52  and two screws may be used to connect the back brace  74  to the outer legs  50  and  52 .  
         [0044]     Another advantage of the unique “low profile” of the hose reel  10  is in shipping. This, along with the nesting feature, allows more units to be shipped in less space, thus saving shipping costs.  FIGS. 3 and 4  show how several hose reels can be nested on one pallet  96  and then subsequently tightly packed and shipped in one box  98 , with several (in this case six) boxes being fit on a standard size pallet  96 .  
         [0045]     The nesting feature generally described above and generally shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  will now be discussed in detail. Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7 , it will be seen that the hose reel  10  includes a back brace  76  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that is mounted transversely between legs  50  and  52 . The back brace  76  has an arcuate outer surface  104  that includes a ledge portion  106  and a scalloped portion  110 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the tray  70  includes an arcuate outer surface  120  that cooperates with the scalloped portion  110  and is co-extensive therewith so that when stacked, the arcuate outer surface  120  rests partially in the scalloped portion  110 .  
         [0046]     Another nesting feature involves the oblong flanges  14  and  16 . Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , flange  14  is shown. It will be appreciated that flange  16  (not shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) has a similar structure. Referring now particularly to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , flange  14  includes a pair of nesting means  140 ,  142 , one of which is disposed on one longitudinal portion of the flange  14  and the other on an opposed longitudinal portion. Each nesting means  140 ,  142  includes respective depressions  150 ,  160  and respective protrusions  152 ,  162 . The nesting means  140 ,  142  of each flange is arranged such that when two or more hose reels  10  are stacked together, the respective flanges nest in each other to not only hold the stack together and to resist having separate hose reels  10  move laterally relative to each other.  
         [0047]     Referring particularly to  FIG. 9 , it will be seen that depression  150  includes an interior ledge  170 . It will be appreciated that this interior ledge  170 , in cooperation with the interior ledge in protrusion  152 , as well as the interior ledges for depressions in flange  16 , will resist side-to-side movement of the hose reels when stacked. Of course, it will be appreciated that front-to-back movement of the stacked and nested hose reels will be resisted by the structure and arrangement of the nesting means  140 ,  142  themselves.  
         [0048]     The unique locking mechanism  200  of the invention will now be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 10-15 . Because a collapsible hose reel  10  of the design of the invention has not been proposed in the art, a unique locking mechanism  200  had to be developed which allows for easy opening and folding of the collapsible hose reel  10 .  
         [0049]     The locking mechanism  200  includes a button portion  202  which extends outwardly from outer leg  50  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In general, when the consumer desires to move the collapsible hose reel  10  from the open position, shown in  FIG. 1 , to the folded and closed position, shown in  FIG. 2 , all the user needs to do is push inwardly button  202  which, as will be discussed in detail below, unlocks the outer leg  50  from inner leg  54 , thus allowing inner leg  54  to rotate into the folded position. It will be appreciated that legs  52  and  56  are not locked to each other, but are freely rotatable so that when legs  50  and  54  are unlocked, legs  52  and  56  can rotate with them either into the folded position.  
         [0050]     Referring now particularly to FIGS.  10  to  15 , the details of the locking mechanism will be discussed. The locking mechanism  200  itself is shown in two views in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The locking mechanism  200  is generally circular and includes a push button portion  210  including push button  202  which is exposed to the consumer and two shoulder portions  212 ,  214 . The two shoulder portions  212 ,  214  are structured to provide stiffness to the push button portion  210  so that the push button portion  210  flexes at tabs  240 ,  242  (described below). The locking mechanism  200  includes an outer circular portion  218  and an inner circular portion  220  ( FIG. 10 ) joined by a flat perpendicular surface  222  ( FIG. 11 ). A trapezoidal portion  228 , structured to act as a tooth to interact with a locking ring, is formed in the inner circular portion  220 . This portion  228  includes a first short sidewall  230 , a pilot surface sidewall  232  and a second long sidewall  234 . The locking mechanism  200  also includes tab members  240  and  242  which are diametrically opposed and which extend generally radially from the outer circular portion  218 . Finally, guide pins  244 ,  246  and  248  are provided extending from flat perpendicular surface  222 . These guide pins facilitate placement of the locking mechanism  200  into the outer leg  50  as will be explained below.  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 15 , a close-up view of the inner leg  54  and outer leg  50  in the open position (see  FIG. 1 ) is shown with views partially cutaway to show the locking mechanism  200  and its positioning. It will be appreciated that the push button  202  extends through an opening  250  in the outer leg  50  and tabs  240  and  242  rest in openings  260  and  262  in the outer legs  50 . The trapezoidal portion  228 , when the hose reel  10  is an open position, is disposed in slot  266  in a locking ring portion  268  of the inner leg  54  that seats in a groove  270  in the outer leg ( FIG. 14 ). The locking ring portion  268  also includes a closed position slot  276 , whose purpose will be discussed below.  
         [0052]     Referring particularly to  FIG. 14 , when the hose reel  10  is in its open position ( FIG. 1 ) the inner leg  54  is locked into the outer leg  50  by means of the trapezoidal portion  228 , which is mounted into the outer leg  50 , engaging into slot  266  of the locking ring portion  268 . In order to unlock the inner leg  54  from the outer leg  50  and thus be able to rotate the inner leg  54  relative to the outer leg  50 , a user merely presses down on button  202  in the direction of arrow P. This forces tabs  240  and  242  to bend in a spring-like manner (tabs  240  and  242  are resilient) and also further causes trapezoidal portion  228  to become disengaged from slot  266  which allows rotation of inner leg  54  relative to outer leg  50 . Specifically, second long sidewall  234  upon slight rotation of the inner leg  54 , clears sidewall  278  of slot  266  which now allows rotation of the inner leg  54  relative to outer leg  50 .  
         [0053]     The push button is then released, and the pilot surface sidewall  232  trapezoidal portion  228  bears against sidewall  278 , which, because of its sloped surface, permits rotation of the inner leg  54  relative to outer leg  50 . It will be appreciated that the push button  202  will be in a semi-engaged position while the leading edge  280  of the trapezoidal portion  228  bears against the outer surface  284  of inner leg portion  268 .  
         [0054]     The inner leg  54  can continue rotating until the trapezoidal portion  228  engages into the folded portion slot  276 . At this point the locking mechanism  200  and the push button  202  will move from its semi-engaged position to its fully extended position (see  FIG. 14 ). It will be appreciated that slot  276  is not necessary, but is preferred in that when the hose reel  10  is in its closed position, pressure and tension is then taken off of the tabs  240 ,  242 , keeping them more resilient and less subject to bending fatigue, as they will not be bent when engaged in openings  260  and  262 . The button  202  does not have to be pushed when moving the inner legs from the second, closed position to the first, open position. That is, the trapezoidal portion  228  is structured to act similar to a pawl tooth in that the pilot surface sidewall  232  does not provide an edge for the closed position slot  276  to engage. Thus, the trapezoidal portion  228  does not need to be displaced relative to the locking ring portion  268 .  
         [0055]     With reference to FIGS.  16  to  28 , the unique water supply  30  of the invention will now be discussed. Prior art water supply systems for hose reels included a reel mounted portion that was disposed at an acute angle and which extended above the surface of the reel. This prior art arrangement had several shortcomings. First, because of the awkward acute angle of the reel mounted portion, users, when connecting the garden hose to the portion, would often cross-thread the threaded reel mounted portion. This cross-threading would lead to leaks at the connection point. Another shortcoming of the prior art water supply was that because of the acute angle, when winding the hose, it was not initially against the reel, thus causing a space between the hose and the reel which lessened capacity and which also made for awkward winding.  
         [0056]     Referring particularly to  FIG. 16 , it will be seen that the exposed threaded end  300  of the rotatable portion of the water supply  302  is arranged so that a garden hose can be easily and efficiently screwed onto the threaded end  300 , thus resisting the possibility of cross-threading, as was prevalent with prior art systems. Screwing on of the garden hose is facilitated by providing an indented portion  304  in the reel hub half portion  306 . It will be further appreciated that this positioning of the threaded end allows the garden hose to start resting against the surface  308  of the reel hub half portion  306  almost immediately, so as to facilitate easy, even and efficient winding of the garden hose without kinking.  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIG. 16A , it can be seen that the rotatable portion  302  is sandwiched between reel hub half portion  306  and reel hub half portion  307 . Reel hub half portion  307  includes an arcuate tunnel portion which allows for mounting of the rotatable portion  302 .  
         [0058]      FIGS. 17 and 18  show the rotatable portion  302  by itself. The rotatable portion  302  includes the aforementioned threaded end  300 , as well as an elbow portion  310 , a vertical portion  312 , a horizontal portion  314  and a sealing portion  316 , including a sealing cap  318 . Disposed on the horizontal portion are two offset tabs  320 ,  322 . Wings  326  and  328  are also provided which join the horizontal portion  314  to the vertical portion  312 . The tabs  320  and  322  each have a pair of gusset ribs, such as ribs  334  and  336 .  
         [0059]     Referring to  FIG. 19 , the rotatable portion  302  is shown in its mounted position. It will be appreciated that when the other reel hub half portion  307  (see  FIG. 16 ) is snapped onto the flange  14  and reel hub half portion  306 , that the rotatable portion  302  will be securely attached to the hose reel  10 . As can be seen in  FIG. 20 , the wings  326 ,  328  engage into a slot  332  in order to stabilize the rotatable portion  302 .  
         [0060]     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , the method of inserting the rotatable portion  302  into flange  14  without the use of fasteners will be described. Before attaching reel hub half portions  306  and  307  to the rotatable portion  302 , the horizontal portion  314  is inserted into a hole (not seen in  FIG. 21 , but partially observable in  FIG. 8 ) by means of aligning the tabs  320  and  322  with tab openings  340  and  342 , and then rotating the rotatable portion  302  ninety degrees to the position shown in  FIG. 21  so that the tabs  320 ,  322  (only tab  320  shown in  FIG. 21 ) bear against the outer surface  344  of flange  14 .  
         [0061]     Thus, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 19-21 , the rotatable portion  302  is securely and advantageously positioned on the hub  18 .  
         [0062]     As is known, a non-rotatable portion must be connected to the rotatable portion  302  in order to deliver water thereto. Referring to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the non-rotatable portion  360  of the invention is shown by itself. Non-rotatable portion  360  includes a hollow cylindrical section  362  including two O-ring grooves  364 ,  366 . Connected to the hollow cylindrical section  362  is a generally circular retaining flange  370  that includes oppositely disposed retaining snaps  372  and  374  whose function will be discussed below. Finally, the non-rotatable portion  360  has a threaded end  376  for use in attaching a garden hose thereto.  
         [0063]     In a preferred embodiment of the water supply  30  shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the rotatable portion  302 A and the non-rotatable portion  360 A are secured to each other with a hairpin clip  303 A As shown in  FIG. 31 , generally, the alternative rotatable portion  302 A includes the same elements described above, including the aforementioned threaded end  300 A, an elbow portion  310 A, a vertical portion  312 A, a horizontal portion  314 A and a sealing portion  316  which is structured to engage a sealing cap(not shown). Disposed on the horizontal portion are two offset tabs  320 A,  322 A. Wings  326 A,  328 A ( FIG. 30 ) are also provided which join the horizontal portion  314 A to the vertical portion  312 A. The tabs  320  and  322  each have a pair of gusset ribs, such as ribs  334 A and  336 A. The alternative rotatable portion  302 A further includes a pair of opposed radial openings  321 A,  323 A that extend substantially, but not entirely, about the horizontal portion  314 A.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIG. 32 , the non-rotatable portion  360 A of the invention is shown by itself. Non-rotatable portion  360 A includes a hollow cylindrical section  362 A including two O-ring grooves  364 A,  366 A. Connected to the hollow cylindrical section  362 A is a generally circular retaining flange  370 A that includes oppositely disposed retaining snaps  372 A and  374 A whose function will be discussed below. The non-rotatable portion  360 A has a threaded end  376 A for use in attaching a garden hose thereto. The alternative non-rotatable portion  360 A further includes a hairpin clip groove  365 A disposed between the two O-ring grooves  364 A,  366 A. As is shown in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the hairpin clip groove  365 A is structured to engage the hairpin clip  303 A when the non-rotatable portion  360 A is inserted into the rotatable portion  302 A and a hairpin clip  303 A is installed at the radial openings  321 A,  323 A.  
         [0065]     Referring to FIGS.  24  to  28 , the horizontal cylindrical section is inserted through an opening  380  in outer leg  52 . Pre-existing snaps  381 ,  382 ,  383 ,  384  are used to snap together the outer leg  52  and the inner leg  56  (not shown). In order to form these snaps  381 - 384  during the injection molding process, respective draft slots  385 ,  386 ,  387  and  388  must be provided. This invention makes use of, and takes advantage of these draft holes as can be seen in  FIG. 25 . More particularly, snaps  372  and  374  of the non-rotatable portion  360  are sized and arranged to be inserted through the draft holes  385  and  387 , and then snapped onto integral and oppositely disposed ledges  390  and  392  as can be seen in  FIG. 25 .  
         [0066]     As can be seen in  FIGS. 25, 26  and  27 , the outer surface  394  of leg  52  includes an indented portion  395 , and ledges  390 ,  392  also include an indented portion  396 ,  397 . This allows a user to place a screwdriver, or the like through the ledges  390 ,  392  to obtain access to the snaps  372 ,  374  in order to release them and remove the non-rotatable portion  360  from the rotatable portion  302  in order to replace the non-rotatable portion  360  with a new one, or to service the O-rings (see  FIG. 28 ).  
         [0067]      FIG. 28  shows how the cylindrical section  362  is interference fit into the horizontal portion  314  of the rotatable portion  302 .  
         [0068]     While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.