HOSE WINDING DEVICE

Abstract: A hose winding device comprises a planar rectangular support (1) lying on the ground. A turntable (19) and three guide rollers (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) are rotatably mounted in the upper surface of the support. The hose (shown by a dotted line (20)) passes between the first and second guide rollers (3a, 3b, 5a, 5b) which are sufficiently close to wring the hose (20) as it passes therethrough and to break the momentum of the male hose coupling as the hose is wound in. The female hose coupling (21) is held firmly in a coupling socket (22, 23) and extends upwardly from the turntable (19) to allow the hose (20) to be wound therearound.

Description: Hose Winding Device The present invention relates to a device for coiling a length of flexible material, particularly hoses such as fire hoses. In fire fighting, it is necessary for there to be sufficient hose length to stretch from the nearest water source to the fire which can involve a large number of coupled lengths of hoses, especially when the fire is in more rural areas. To then repack these lengths of hose ready for use again, it is necessary to drag them back to a central winding point (usually the fire station) where they can be recoiled on an often labour intensive and heavy winding device, such as shown in Fig. 1. In this device, the hose is snaked round the guide rollers 3 and through the horns 17 on the turntable 19. The female hose coupling is then held outwardly from the turntable 19 by the hose coupling slot 23 and as the turntable 19 is rotated the horns 17 drive the hose into a coil around the horns 17 and female hose coupling. The male coupling end of the hose, however, because the hose is wound in quickly can often fly up towards the winding device, thereby presenting a very real danger to the operators. Furthermore the female hose coupling can move laterally in the slot which means that the hose will often not be evenly and compactly coiled, and subsequently makes uncoiled it again difficult. Moreover it can be difficult to prise the coiled hose from the turntable 19. The inventor has obviated or mitigated many of the aforementioned problems by the present invention which provides a sequence of rollers in which two are sufficiently close to jam the hose coupling; by providing a coupling socket for receiving the female hose coupling; by providing hand spaces at the periphery of the turntable so that the coiled hose can be prised clear thereof; by providing a device which can easily be wheeled via one or more guide rollers; and which can lie flat to enable good anchorage of the device and easy winding of the hose. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hose winding device comprising a support, a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, hose coupling means mounted on the turntable, for receiving the female hose coupling, and first and second guide means also mounted on the support for guiding the hose onto the turntable, said guide means being spaced apart to receive the hose but to jam the free male hose coupling. The hose coupling means is intended to hold one end of the hose which includes a coupling member outwardly from the support while the hose is coiled around the coupling means. The guide means are preferably rollers freely rotatable on the support, and can also involve a number of sequences of guide means to give effective wringing of the hose at well as compact and easily coiling thereof. Therefore said first and second guide means are preferably sufficiently close for pinching or squeezing the hose as it passes therebetween to remove water from the hose. The second guide means could then advantageously be a smaller nip roller. Preferably there is further provided a third guide means from which the hose is fed directly onto the turntable, the centres of the third guide means and turntable and the centre of the first or second guide means forming a triangle, and the centre of the third guide means being at least about the same spacing from the vertical plane in which the centre of the turntable lies as that of the outer portion of the turntable. Preferably also, the first and second guide means are also similarly spaced from said vertical centre plane of the turntable. In a preferred embodiment at least one of the guide means is a rotatably mounted roller which extends beyond the periphery of the support to also serve as a road wheel. Preferably also, the hose coupling means includes a coupling socket in the turntable into which the female hose coupling is received to hold the female hose coupling clear of the support and so that it extends from the turntable, and at least one drive member extending from the turntable and adjacent the coupling socket. It should be appreciated that the coupling socket includes an aperture which is sized to hold the female hose coupling substantially stationary with respect to the turntable and so that it extends upwardly or outwardly from the turntable. Advantageously the drive member is an upwardly extending detachable handle, or wherein two drive members are provided in a horn arrangement and are detachably engagable with a handle to form a fork end drive arrangement, a pin and tube drive arrangement, or a pillar and socket drive arrangement. Preferably also, the support is substantially planar and in use a first face engages a supporting surface; the turntable, hose coupling means, and guide means all being mounted on a second face. The hose winding device can be, for example, laid on the ground or mounted upright such as against a fire engine. If it is laid on the ground the surface engaging the ground is the lower surface and that mounting the turntable is the upper surface. Furthermore in this position the female hose coupling and drive members will then extend upwardly with respect to the turntable. If, however, the device is mounted upright, then the terms lower, upper and upwardly should be construed accordingly, such as rear, front and outwardly respectively. To aid release of the coiled hose, the turntable preferably has hand spaces at its periphery to allow the operator to easily grip behind the coiled hose. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a hose winding device comprising a support, a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, first and second guide means also mounted on the support, and hose coupling means mounted on the turntable; the hose coupling means including a coupling socket for receiving the female hose coupling and holding same clear of the support, and in a position extending from the turntable, and at least one drive member extending fro the turntable and adjacent the coupling socket. In yet another aspect of the invention, the device includes a planar support adapted to lie flat and so can be easily anchored by the operator's weight. Accordingly in a third aspect of the invention there is provided hose winding device comprising a substantially planar support and in use its lower or rear face engages the ground or other supporting surface, a turntable rotatably mounted on the upper or front face thereof and having a hose coupling means, and a sequence of guide means mounted on the upper or front face of the support and adjacent the turntable for feeding the hose thereto. It will be appreciated that the features of the aforementioned second and third aspects are advantageously present in one or more combinations in of the same winding device, without necessarily having the limitations of the first aspect of the invention. The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which:- Fig. l - is a front perspective view of a prior art winding device; Fig. 2 - is a side view of a hose winding device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 3 - is a front view of the device shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 - is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 2 ; Fig. 5 - is an exploded side view of the device shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 6 - is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the turntable and coupling means; Fig. 7 - is a view of Fig. 6 look from arrow VII on Fig. 6; Fig. 8 - is a plan view of the handle for engagement with the drive members of Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 9 - is a front view of yet another embodiment of the turntable and coupling means; and Fig. 10- is another alternative embodiment of the handle and drive members. Referring to Figs. 2 to 5, the winding device comprises a base 1 (acting as a support) on which the operator stands or kneels on a rubber pad la. On the base 1 a guide block 2, and first, second and third guide means are provided in the form of respectively a first guide rollers 3a, 3b second guide/ nip rollers 5, and a third guide rollers 4a, 4b. All rollers 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b which are solid and made from rubber or plastics are formed from two separate rollers (upper and lower) mounted on the same, pivot pins 6, 7 and 8 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 6). As will be seen hereinafter, the lower roller 3a, 4a, 5a rotates faster when the hose in wound in, thereby creating a differential effect and a more compact and uniform hose reel. As shown best in Fig. 4 the first guide roller 3a, 3b is approximately double the diameter of the second guide roller 4a, 4b, which in turn is approximately double the diameter of the second guide/nip rollers 5a, 5b. The first and third guide rollers are respectively at or adjacent the front corners of the base, and the periphery thereof overhang the front edge of the base to thereby double as wheels when the device is held upright. The nip/second guide roller 5a, 5b lies at one side of the guide block 2, adjacent the first guide roller 3, and is spaced therefrom by less than the diameter of the male coupling of the hose (not shown) so that it will jam therebetween as the hose is being wound in, and is sufficiently spaced from the first guide roller 3 to pinch or squeeze the hose as it passes therethrough and wring any retained water therefrom. The second guide/nip rollers 5a, 5b are movably mounted on a cam or lever arrangement (not shown) to allow the spacing between the nip 5a, 5b and first EET guide rollers 3a, 3b to be adjusted in determination of the thickness of hose covering. As best seen in Fig. 3 the centres of the first and third guide rollers lie substantially on the same vertical plane, and these two centres along with the centre of a turntable 19 (see later) form substantially a equilateral triangle. The distance between each of said centres (or sides of the triangle) is about the diameter of the turntable, but could be varied so that the distance between any centres could be, for examples, about the following multiples of the diameter:- 0.75 dia, 1 dia, 1.25 dia, 1.5 dia, 1.75 dia or 2 dia. The peripheral edges of the third guide roller 4a, 4b are about co-incident with the peripheral edge of the turntable 19. The rollers 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b are mounted rotatably by steel pivot pins respectively 6, 7 and 8 which are journaled through the guide block 2 and locked to the base 1 by lock nuts respectively 9, 10 and 11 recessed in the bottom of the base (Figs. 2, 3 and 5). The three pivot pins 6, 7 and 8 extend up from the guide block 2 top surface enough to allow free rotational mounting of the guide rollers 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, and are threaded at their upper ends to allow lock nuts 12, 13 and 14 to be fitted. To improve the coiling of the hose 20. These nuts 12, 13 and 14 can be used to introduce a drag element to any or all of the rollers, depending on the hose material used. Also mounted on the base 1 at about one third of the length and on the centre line, is a pivot shaft 15 (Fig. 4) having a first horizontal flange 16 at its bottom end, and a spindle 17 axially mounted on the pivot shaft 15 to revolve on bearings and having a second horizontal flange 18 which rests on the pivot shaft flange 16. The pivot shaft 15 and spindle 17 are bolted to, and extend vertically from the base 1, while a turntable 19 is bolted to the spindle flange 18 and is rotatable therewith. The upper surface of the turntable 19 and that of the guide block 2 are substantially lever. The spindle flange 18 is spaced from the base 1 to allow female coupling 21 of the hose 20 (see Fig. 1) to clear the base 1 as it revolves on the turntable 19 to which it is fixed by means of a coupling socket composed of a threaded coupling sleeve 22 and lock ring 23. One lug of the female hose coupling is received in the coupling sleeve 22, the other lug extends upright from the turntable. The two lugs therefore extend from either end of the coiled hose and provide convient grips when unwinding the hose. As shown in Fig. 3, the peripheral edge of the turntable 19 is scalloped to provide hand grips or spaces for removing the coiled hose 20. A removable crank handle 24 fits into the top end of the spindle 17 and drives by means of a slot 25 and drive pin 26 or blade. The handle 24 is detachable for removal of the coiled hose 20 from the turntable. The handle 24 also allows considerable force to be generated when it is used to turn the turntable 19 in either the right or left hand directions. Although it is intended to use a right hand rotation, a left hand rotation is also possible with simple modifications. To use, the base 1 is placed on the ground and the operator stands or kneels on the pad la to anchor the winding device. The crank handle 24 is then located in place at the top of the spindle 17 and the female coupling end of the hose 21 fed along the marked path (dotted line in Fig. 3) on the guide block 2. After fitting one of the quick release lugs of the female hose coupling 21 into the coupling 21 into the coupling drive 23 and 24 of the turntable 19, the crank handle 24 is turned clockwise which drives the spindle 17 against the anchored, female coupling causing the hose to coil eccentrically around it and the female hose coupling (Fig. 3) , while maintaining the hose unkinked through the rollers 3a, 3b to 5a, 5b and onto the turntable. As the hose passes through the first guide and second guide/nip rollers 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b, it is squeezed flat ensuring the removal of any water. The path of the hose 20 between the first guide 3a, 3b and second guide/nip rollers 5a, 5b and round the front of the second guide rollers 4a, 4b helps to keep the hose 20 more taught and wring more retained water from the hose. Furthermore, whereas previously the male coupling end of the hose could often fly up while passing through the winding device and injure the operator, the present invention mitigates this difficulty, and also ensures a neat coil on the turntable 19. After the length of hose 20 has been drawn in, the male coupling thereof will jam between the first guide and second guide/nip rollers 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b which breaks its momentum. Preferably a bridging member (not shown) spans between the top of, the first guide and nip roller 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b to prevent the hose coupling riding over the top thereof, since in this position the male hose coupling is held firmly, further rotation of the crank handle will tension the hose and tighten the hose coil. On then rotating the crank handle 19 a half turn to the left, the male hose coupling is released and can be wound onto the compact hose coil. On further rotation of the crank handle, the male hose coupling will jam between the nip roller 5 and the outer edge of the hose coil. A further part turn in this position will tension the last section of the hose maintaining a compact coil ready to lift off the apparatus. To remove the hose coil, the crank handle 24 is firstly removed from the spindle 17 and then the turntable 19 rotated until the coupling drive 23 and 24 is adjacent the operator. This positions the scalloped spaces 19a in the turntable allowing the operator to grip the bottom of the hose coil and easily lift it off the turntable 19. The aforementioned operations can be carried out quickly, with very little training, and the winding device is ready for reuse simply by refitting the crank handle 19. The base 1 is also provided with first and second slots 27 and 28 at the rear corners of the base and third and fourth slots 30 and 31 adjacent the turntable 19. A hinge 32 along the centre of the base 1 allows it to be folded and conveniently carried via the slots 27 to 31 or stored. A slotted bracket 33 fixed to the base adjacent the rear of the turntable 19 is used to store the detached crank handle 24 (Fig. 3) . The slots 28 and 31 can also be used as rope holes, allowing the device to be hoisted onto roof areas. The device is, however, designed to be easily wheeled. Since the periphery of the first and second guide rollers 3 and 4 extend past the edge of the base 2, they act as wheels, when the device is held upright and gripped via the first and second slots 27 and 28. This feature is of considerable advantage, in that the device can now easily be transported along several lengths of coupled hose, winding in each length in turn. In a similar fashion, a hose could also be uncoiled ready for use by wheeling the device. Due to its small bulk and light weight the winding device is intended to be a carry on unit for any fire tender, and its simple operation and quick turn round should enable the fire tender to be re-hosed and ready for service quickly. The coupling drive built into the turntable ensures a smooth lift off the finished coil and a smooth run out when the hose is required in service. It will be appreciated that the winding device could also be used in an upright position (allowing for free rotation of the rollers 3 to 5) with the base halves bent at the hinge 32 to form a free standing roof structure. The base can also be made from a framework of narrow bore pipes to lighten the device. Modified embodiments of the turntable assembly are shown in Figs. 6 to 10. Referring to Figs. 6, 7 and 9, the larger pivot shafts 15 and spindle 17 of Fig. 4 have been shortened to first and second hubs 15 and 17. First hub 15 is held to hub 17 by locking screw 26 (see Figs. 7 and 9) . A horn arrangement consisting of two pins 34 extending vertically from the second horizontal flange 18 and extends through the turntable 19. Screws 35 fix the turntable 19 to the second flange 18 of second hub 17 which is rotatable on first hub 15. Handle 35 has two notches 36 and 37 (Fig. 8) which is detachably engagable with corresponding notches 38 and 39 on the pins 34 to form a fork end drive arrangement for rotating the turntable 19 and winding the hose. In Fig. 9 the pins 34 have rounded tops and the handle 35 includes a boss 40 with two sockets 41 which are detachably engagable over the pillar like pins 34 to form a pillar and socket drive arrangement. In Fig. 10, upright tubes 24, into which handle pins 42, extending from the handle 35 engage to form a pin and tube drive arrangement. Second hub 17 as shown in Fig. 10 is in the form of a ball raise and includes ball bearings 43.

Claims: Claims 1. A hose winding device, comprising a support, a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, a hose coupling means mounted on the turntable for receiving the female hose coupling and first and second guide means also mounted on the support for guiding the hose onto the turntable, said guide means being spaced apart to receive the hose but to jam the free male hose coupling. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is further provided a third guide means from which the hose is fed directly onto the turntable, the centres of the third guide means and turntable and the centre of the first or second guide means forming a triangle, and the centre of the third guide means being at least about the same spacing from the vertical plane in which the centre of the turntable lies as that of the outer portion of the turntable. 3. A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein the guide means are upright mounted rollers, the second guide means being a smaller nip roller. 4. A device as claimed in claims 2 or 3 wherein at least one of the guide rollers extends beyond the periphery of the support to also serve as a road wheel. 5. A device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein each of the guide rollers include an upper and lower roller. 6. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the hose coupling means includes a coupling socket in the turntable into which the female hose coupling is received for holding the female hose coupling clear of the support and in a position extending from the turntable, and at least one drive member extending from the turntable and adjacent the coupling socket. 7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the drive member is an upwardly extending handle which is detachable for release of the coiled hose, or wherein two drive members are provided in a horn arrangement and are detachably engagable with a handle to form a fork end drive arrangement, a pin and tube drive arrangement, or a pillar and socket drive arrangement. 8. A device as claimed in claims 6 or 7 wherein the coupling socket includes a sleeve in which the female hose coupling is neatly received. 9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the turntable has hand spaces at its periphery for easier removal of the coiled hose. 10. A device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the peripheral edge of the turntable is scalloped to provide hand spaces for removing the coiled hose. 11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support is substantially planar and a first face engages a supporting surface; the turntable, hose coupling means, and guide means all being mounted on a second face of the turntable. 12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the support is substantially rectangular and is hinged breadthwise along its centre line, the turntable and guide means being mounted on one half of the support to allow the hinged support to form a free standing roof structure 13. A hose winding device comprising a support, a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, first and second guide means also mounted on the support, and hose coupling means mounted on the turntable; the hose coupling means including a coupling socket for receiving the female hose coupling and holding the female hose coupling clear of the support and in a position extending from the turntable, and at least one drive member extending from the turntable and adjacent the coupling sockets. SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Inventors: COWIE DAVID, COWIE, DAVID
Applicants: COWIE DAVID, COWIE, DAVID
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B65H54
IPC codes: A62C33, B65H54