Cord reel adapting device and method

An adaptor for converting a hose reel to a cord reel includes a waterproof electrical box having a rotating contact therein, a linking electrical cord, wherein the linking cord enters the box and terminates in the rotating contact; and an outlet electrical cord. The outlet electrical cord is connected to the adaptor and terminates in the electrical box with a stationary contact assembly. A set of wires in the outlet electrical cord are connected to the stationary contact assembly with a machine screw. A set of electrical contacts are connected to the stationary contact assembly, and the contacts engage the rotating contact to supply power to the linking cord while allowing rotation of the linking cord around the spool of the hose reel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The device and method of the present invention relates to a cord reel, and more particularly, relates to a hose reel adapted to use as a cord reel.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

As the use of electrical devices becomes more and more prevalent in and about the home, the use of extension cords to supply power to those devices likewise increases. While many hand-held electrical devices have begun employ cordless features, these require re-charging and suffer from a variety of problems such as requiring additional bulk and weight and developing an inability to hold a charge. In addition, larger electrical devices that require a great deal of electrical power to run are not well suited to cordless operation. These larger devices can be gasoline powered, but many users find gas powered devices messy and inconvenient to refill, store, and care for. Thus, although alternatives exist, the use of electrical extension cords is still preferred by many and the use of such cords has not diminished.

However, a drawback to using an electrical extension cord about the home, yard, garage, or shop is the unmanageability of the unraveled cord. Unless restrained in some fashion, the cord tends to become tangled and dirty, may present a tripping hazard to those walking in the vicinity of the cord, and is difficult to re-coil for storage. An unrestrained cord, especially of a longer length or heavy-duty gauge, can also be difficult to transport from its storage location to the location in which it will be used.

A variety of electrical cord managers are available, including winding reels and take-up reels in various configurations. Most of these products are expensive, perhaps making them appropriate for a professional worker who deals with power tools on a daily basis, but not appropriate for a homeowner who uses power tools on a more attenuated basis. In addition, many of the dedicated power cord managers on the market are not sturdy enough for use by either a professional or a homeowner, both of whom require durability in a product designed to manage an electrical extension cord.

A device to manage electrical cords that is both durable and inexpensive is therefore needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a hose reel that is adapted to serve as a cord reel. The invention also contemplates a method for creating an adaptor and adapting a hose reel to serve as a cord reel.

One aspect of the present invention includes an adaptor for converting a hose reel to a cord reel. The adaptor includes a waterproof electrical box having a rotating contact therein, a linking electrical cord, wherein the linking cord enters the box and terminates in the rotating contact; and an outlet electrical cord. The outlet electrical cord is connected to the adaptor and terminates in the electrical box with a stationary contact assembly. A set of wires in the outlet electrical cord are connected to the stationary contact assembly with a machine screw. A set of electrical contacts are connected to the stationary contact assembly, and the contacts engage the rotating contact to supply power to the linking cord while allowing rotation of the linking cord around the spool of the hose reel.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a conversion system for converting a hose reel for use as a cord reel. The system includes a hose reel having a frame including a pair of opposing side panels wherein the frame holds a rotating spool therebetween, a hose attachment module including a threaded portion wherein the hose attachment module is attached to one of the side panels of the hose reel, an adaptor attached to the one of the side panels of the hose reel, wherein the adaptor includes an outlet electrical cord and a linking electrical cord, a threaded connection portion attached at a first end to the adaptor and attached at a second end opposite the first end to the hose attachment module, wherein the threaded connection portion matingly engages the threaded portion of the hose attachment module. The linking electrical cord extends from the threaded connection portion through the hose attachment module and is trained through an opening in the rotating spool.

Yet another aspect of the present invention includes an apparatus for converting a hose reel having a frame with a pair of opposing side panels holding a rotating spool therebetween for use as a cord reel including a hose attachment module attached to one of the side panels of the hose reel, an adaptor attached to the one of the side panels of the hose reel, wherein the adaptor includes an outlet electrical cord and a linking electrical cord, and a connection portion attached at a first end to the adaptor and attached at a second end opposite the first end to the hose attachment module, wherein the connection portion forms a waterproof connection with the hose attachment module. The linking electrical cord extends from the connection portion through the hose attachment module and is trained through an opening in the rotating spool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises a standard hose reel50, as seen inFIG. 1, having a frame52that may include a pair of legs54and a pair of side panels56. The frame52of the hose reel50holds a spool60having end portions62that can be manually rotated with a crank handle64(not shown) attached to the exterior of frame52.

In conventional hose reels, a relatively short hose portion (not shown) is connected from an exterior portion of a hose attachment module to a water source (not shown). The interior portion of the hose attachment module is then connected with an end of the relatively long main hose (not shown) that is inserted through an opening in the spool60.

The interior portion can also be attached to an interim hose portion (not shown) that extends to the surface or exterior of the spool60for easier connection of the main hose. In either configuration, the main hose can then be wound about the spool60by cranking the handle, can be unwound by pulling the unconnected end of the hose, and can be carried from place to place by disconnecting the short hose portion from the water source and employing a carrying handle.

The present invention utilizes an adaptor72to convert the hose reel50to use as a cord reel. As illustrated inFIGS. 2–4, adaptor72has an adaptive connection portion74that connects with a hose attachment module75. Connection portion74is shown as a threaded piece capable of being screwed into a threaded portion of hose attachment module75to form a waterproof connection. However, connection portion74need not be threaded but could be made to be push-inserted and could be provided with a seal for waterproof connection. Likewise, many other suitable manners of attaching the adaptor72to the module75could be devised and, though a waterproof connection is preferred, it is not required.

In the present embodiment, adaptor72is additionally attached to side panel56(on which hose attachment module75is located) by way of brackets76(FIG. 3). Brackets76are screwed or otherwise connected to panel56to more sturdily secure adapter72to side panel56, since the size and weight of adaptor72requires more support than the connection portion74alone can provide, especially since adaptor72is not flush with the surface of side panel56when connected. However, it should be noted that other embodiments of the invention are envisioned in which the adaptor72is lighter and/or more compact and/or situated closer to panel56such that adapter72need not be secured with brackets76. Rather, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, a smaller, lighter adaptor72could be supplied so that extra support would not be required, or that the support needed could be supplied in a less obtrusive manner. Support structures could include a strap, a pair of smaller brackets, a single bracket, a set of snaps or Velcro attachments, or any variety of suitable attachment means.

Adaptor72of the present embodiment further comprises a linking cord78that extends from the connection74through hose attachment module75. Depending on the configuration of hose reel50, linking cord78is trained through an opening in spool60so that it hangs over spool60, as seen inFIG. 1. Turning now toFIG. 1, in the present embodiment, linking cord78is provided with a separate plug portion80that is attached to the free end of cord78after cord78is trained through module75and spool60. Adaptor72further includes an outlet connecting cord82. Cord82extends from adaptor72and can be plugged into a standard three-prong electric outlet for connecting the main extension cord to a power source (FIG. 1).

Adaptor72is further made up of a variety of interior electrical components. Turning now toFIGS. 2–6, the main portion of adaptor72is a single gang weatherproof electrical box84with a blank cover86. Linking cord78enters box84through connection portion74and terminates in a rotating contact88. Rotating contact88is constructed of a ½-inch CPVC pipe90, a coupling92, a ½-inch PVC electrical male adaptor94, a ¾-inch PVC electrical male adaptor96, and a ¾ to ½-inch rigid conduit electrical reducer bushing98. Blank cover86holds rotating contact88in place via a ½-inch CPVC pipe cap100attached to its interior.

Cord82terminates within box84with stationary contact assembly104, and wires105from cord82are connected to assembly104by machine screws106. Electrical contacts108are also connected to assembly104by machine screws106and contacts108supply power from cord82to rotating contact88so that linking cord78is likewise powered and an extension cord (not shown) can be powered. The arrangement of the stationary contacts108and the rotating contacts88allows power to be fed to the linking cord78while still allowing for rotation of the cord78by way of a crank. Thus, the extension cord (not shown)—and the household tool or device being powered thereby—can be used even while the cord is being wound or unwound from the spool60. As the user moves farther from the reel50, this will be advantageous since the user will be able to continue performing his or her chores. And, when the user moves closer to reel50, he or she can take up excess cord, thus preventing injury and tangling, while continuing to use the electric tool or device.

The embodiment shown in the accompanying figures and described in detail herein is only one of many possible embodiments of the present invention. The invention is not limited to the use of the standard electrical connections described, but could be comprised of any number of variations of connections producing the same results. In addition, as discussed above, it is envisioned that a more lightweight adapter, perhaps with a slimmer profile, could be developed in accordance with the invention. Such an embodiment could be injection-molded or otherwise constructed of plastic or any other suitable material or combination of materials.

An embodiment that reduced the profile of the adaptor, making it more lightweight and simple to install is envisioned so that adapting a hose reel to an electrical reel could be accomplished in only two or three steps. Such an adapter could be sold in conjunction with a hose reel or could be purchased separately to modify an existing hose reel to use as an extension cord reel. Consumers simply desiring an inexpensive cord reel could purchase both the inventive adapter and the reel, either for home assembly or already assembled for use as a cord reel, while consumers seeking to convert an already purchased hose reel to a better or different use as a cord reel could purchase simply the adapter.