Abstract:
A hose reel enclosure for use with a flexible hose includes a hose reel rotatably mounted within the enclosure. A hand crank is mounted on one of the side walls and secured to the reel. A water inlet is mounted on another side wall. The water inlet is secured to a water coupling which is rotatably mounted within the hose reel. A hose guide is mounted in an aperture in a front wall of the enclosure. The hose guide enables a hose to be played out and wound onto the reel within the enclosure. The top cover of the enclosure includes two sections. A first section is secured to the enclosure and remains stationary. A second section is pivotally secured to the side walls of the enclosure and permits access to the interior of the enclosure. The exterior of the enclosure is covered with an aesthetically pleasing design such as a wicker fabric.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to reels for use in the storage of flexible hoses, and more particularly to a hose reel storage enclosure which is aesthetically pleasing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Portable hose dispensers for handling and storage of flexible water hoses, such as garden and air hoses, have gained wide public acceptance. While, the construction of hose dispensers is quite varied, they are primarily constructed as a reel or spool rotatably mounted to a support. They are primarily constructed of molded plastic components having a centrally disposed rotatable spool or reel for reeling of the flexible hose, and a frame for supporting of the spool. Initially, hose dispensers were portable, wheeled carts. The hose was stored on a rotatable spool which enabled the hose to be easily removed from the spool and returned thereto. 
         [0003]    Although such carts have become widespread in use because of their neat and orderly storage capabilities, they do have their drawbacks. First, a hose stored on such a reel is open to the environs. Often hoses are made from rubber or similar materials that can become stiff or brittle and can break when subjected to low temperature extremes. This becomes more of a problem as the hoses age. In addition, ultra-violet radiation has been known to accelerate degradation of many of these materials. 
         [0004]    Moreover, hose reel carts may be considered by some to be unsightly. As such, some users may be inclined to constantly remove the hose reel cart from the location where it is in use. Particularly from the front of a house. This can be exaggerated when, for example, the cart becomes dirty, muddy and the like. Given that most hose reel carts are designed for use in and around garden and lawn areas, it can be expected for these carts to become dirty and unsightly. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a hose reel storage device that permits a hose to be taken up and dispensed readily and is aesthetically pleasing. That is, such a hose reel storage device can be used to “hide-away” the hoses stored therein when not in use and desirably provide a protective, outwardly aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,291 discloses an enclosed hose reel for use with an associated hose. The enclosure houses a spool which carries the hose thereon. A hinged top cover permits ready access to the hose within the enclosure. A handle positioned on one of the side walls of the enclosure is directly connected to the spool. The handle enables an individual to readily wind the hose onto the spool for storage within the enclosure. An aperture in a front wall of the enclosure enables the hose to be played out and retrieved without the cover being lifted. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,687 discloses a hose reel enclosure including a powered hose rewinding device. The hose reel is rotatable by either a direct current powered motor or a folding manual crank. Power from the electric motor is transferred to the reel via an infinitely adjustable torque transfer assembly. When the cover of the enclosure is in the open position, the direct current motor is operatively locked out and when the cover is in the closed position, the direct current motor is operable. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,360 discloses a portable hose reel carrier comprising a wheeled structure having spaced apart walls and a top wall covering a receptacle. A hose reel is rotatably mounted between side walls and is rotated by a hand crank operated outside one of the side walls. A reciprocating hose guide which guides the hose onto and from the hose reel is also operated by the hand crank. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,360,748, 7,581,705, and 7,658,358 disclose a rotatable base for use with a hose reel enclosure. The base comprises an upper and a lower portion. A bearing is located between the upper and lower portions and permits the portions to rotate with respect to each other. Clips are provided on the upper portion to permit a hose reel enclosure to be removably secured thereto. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    An enclosed hose reel for use with a flexible hose includes a hose reel rotatably mounted within the enclosure. The reel is secured between two of the side walls of the enclosure. A hand crank is mounted on one of the side walls and secured to the reel. A water inlet is mounted on another side wall. The water inlet is secured to a water coupling which is rotatably mounted within the hose reel. A hose guide is mounted in an aperture in a front wall of the enclosure. The hose guide enables a hose to be played out and wound onto the reel within the enclosure. The top cover of the enclosure includes two sections. A first section is secured to the enclosure and remains stationary. A second section is pivotally secured to the side walls of the enclosure and when raised permits access to the interior of the enclosure. The exterior of the enclosure is covered with an aesthetically pleasing design such as a wicker fabric. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a hose reel enclosure which is aesthetically pleasing and resistant to weathering. 
         [0012]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a hose reel enclosure which is made from components that are able to withstand continual exposure to the environment. 
         [0013]    It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a hose reel enclosure which is made from panels formed by injection molding which provide increased structural integrity to the enclosure. 
         [0014]    It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a hose reel enclosure which includes a cover assembly that provides structural support to the enclosure. 
         [0015]    Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of  FIG. 2  along line  3 - 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cut-away view along line A-A in  FIG. 3   
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of  FIG. 2  along line  6 - 6 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cut-away view along line B-B in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the present invention with the cover removed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a cut-away view along line C-C in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the present invention with the cover removed; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the present invention with the two cover members separated from the enclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the present invention with only the hinged portion of the cover installed; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of the present invention with the hinged portion of the cover in a raised position; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1-14 , which are now referenced, illustrate the present invention and the manner in which it is assembled. The hose reel enclosure  10  comprises a plurality of panels secured together and a cover assembly secured to the top portions of the panels. The panels include a front panel  12 , a right side panel  14 , a left side panel  16 , and a back panel  18 . A cover assembly  20  is secured to the top portions of the front, right, left, and back panels. The cover assembly comprises a stationary member  22  and a pivotal member  24 . The pivotal member  24  is pivotally secured to the right and left side panels as will be described hereinafter. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the front panel  12  includes a top edge  26 , a bottom edge  28 , a right side edge  30 , a left side edge  32 , a front surface  34 , and a back surface  36  ( FIG. 6 ). The right side panel  14  includes a top edge  38 , a bottom edge  40 , a right side edge  42 , a left side edge  44 , a front surface  46 , and a back surface  48  ( FIG. 3 ). The left side panel  16  includes a top edge  50 , a bottom edge  52 , a right side edge  54 , a left side edge  56 , a front surface  58  ( FIG. 2 ), and a back surface  60 . The back panel  18  includes a top edge  62 , a bottom edge  64 , a right side edge  66 , a left side edge  68 , a front surface  70  ( FIG. 8 ), and a back surface  72 . 
         [0032]    The right side panel  14  includes a recess  74  along a portion of the bottom edge  40 . This recess forms two feet  76  and  78 . The left side panel  16  includes a recess  80  along a portion of the bottom edge  52 . This recess forms two feet  82  and  84 . The back panel  18  includes a recess  86  ( FIG. 8 ) along a portion of the bottom edge  64 . This recess forms two feet  88  and  90  ( FIG. 8 ). Feet  76 ,  78 ,  82 ,  84 ,  88 , and  90  support enclosure  10  on a surface. Ribs  92  and gussets  94  ( FIG. 3 ) are integrally formed on the back surfaces of the right, left, front, and back panels. These ribs and gussets add structural rigidity and strength to these panels. 
         [0033]    The front and back panels include bosses  96  which are formed along both the right and left edges of these panels. In the preferred embodiment two bosses are formed along each edge. It is understood that as few as one boss and as many as can physically fit along an edge can be formed along each edge. The right and left panels include sockets  98  which are foil led along both the right and left edges of these panels. In the preferred embodiment two sockets are formed along each edge. It is understood that as few as one socket and as many as can physically fit along an edge can be formed along each edge. The only requirement is that for each boss there is a corresponding socket. The bosses  96  fit into and engage the sockets  98  so as to form an interlocking connection between the right, left, front, and back panels. Bosses  96  can be provided with spring lock fasteners  99 . These spring lock fasteners  99  engage a portion of the socket  98  thus locking the boss and socket together. The spring lock fasteners enable the panels of the enclosure to be assembled without the use of tools. While the bosses are illustrated as including spring lock fasteners, the bosses can function without the spring lock fasteners. 
         [0034]    A hose reel or spool  100  ( FIGS. 1 ,  8 , and  10 ) is rotatably mounted within enclosure  10 . The hose reel or spool  100  includes a hub  102  which is formed from two sections  104  and  106 . The two sections  104  and  106  are secured together to form the hub  102 . The two sections  104  and  106  can be held together by components which frictionally engage each other or by additional fasteners. Two side plates or ends  108  and  110  are secured to each end of the hub  102 . The side plates  108  and  110  guide and maintain a hose on the reel or spool  100 . The side plates can be secured to the hub  102  by friction fit or with the use of additional fasteners. Side plate  108  includes a sleeve or connector  112  which is located at the center of the side plate. The sleeve or connector  112  rotates in a bearing  114  on the right side panel  14 . A handle  116  includes a projection  118  at one end thereof. The projection is constructed and arranged to directly engage sleeve  112  so as to enable an individual to rotate the reel  100 . 
         [0035]    A water tube  120  is secured to side plate  110  and between sections  104  and  106  of hub  102 . The water tube  120  rotates with the reel or spool  100 . The water tube  120  passes through bearing  122  in the left side panel  16 . A water fitting  124  is secured to the water tube  120  and holds the water tube onto left side panel  16  so as to enable the water tube  120  and reel  100  to rotate within the enclosure. The water fitting and the water tube snap together and can be assembled without the use of tools. A hose is connected to the water fitting  124  and provides water to a hose within the enclosure through the water tube  120 . The water tube  120  and fitting  124  enable the reel or spool  100  to be rotated without having to disconnect the supply of water to the hose in the enclosure. 
         [0036]    A cover assembly  20  is secured to the top portions of the right, left, front, and back panels. The cover assembly includes a stationary member  22  and a pivotal member  24 . The pivotal member  24  includes a top surface  154 , an underside surface  156 , a right edge  158 , a left edge  160 , a front edge  162  and a back edge  164  ( FIGS. 11-13 ). The stationary member includes a top surface  166 , an underside surface (not shown), a right edge  168 , a left edge  170 , a front edge  172  and a back edge  174  ( FIG. 11 ). The pivotal member  24  is pivotally secured to the right and left side panels. The left, right, and back panels include bosses  126  located along the top edges of these panels ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The stationary member  22  of the cover assembly includes sockets  128  located along the outer perimeter edges. These sockets  128  are located so as to engage corresponding bosses  126 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The bosses  126  can be provided with spring catches  130  ( FIG. 4 ). The spring catches  130  releasably engage apertures  132  in sockets  128  ( FIG. 4 ). The spring catches  130  enable the stationary member  22  to be installed onto the enclosure without the use of tools. Ribs  131  and gussets  133  ( FIG. 13 ) are integrally foil led on the back surfaces of the stationary member  22  and pivotal member  24 . These ribs and gussets add structural rigidity and strength to these members. 
         [0037]    The pivotal member  24  of the cover assembly includes a plurality of pins or hinge members  134  formed on a rear portion of the pivotal member ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). In the preferred embodiment there are two pins or pivot members  134 . Each of the pins  134  is located adjacent a rear corner portion of the pivotal member  24 . The pins  134  are set into or rest on a saddle member  136 . There is a saddle member  136  foamed along a top edge of each of the right side panel and the left side panel, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 . The pins  134  allow the pivotal member of the cover to readily move between a closed position, illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 12  and an open position, illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The open position of the pivotal member  24  permits access to the interior of the hose enclosure. This enables an individual to connect and disconnect a hose from the water tube  120 . It also enables an individual to make adjustments to a hose on the hose reel, should adjustments become necessary. For example, if the hose bunches up at one end of the reel rather than being evenly spread along the reel. 
         [0038]    The top edge of the right side panel includes a boss  138  and the top edge of the left side panel includes a boss  140  ( FIG. 8 ). These bosses engage corresponding sockets  142  and  144  located on the underside edges of the pivotal member  24  ( FIG. 13 ). The interaction between the bosses  138 ,  140  and the sockets  142 ,  144  provides structural support to the enclosure by securing the cover member to the side panels. 
         [0039]    A hose guide  146  is located within the enclosure  10  at an upper front portion thereof. The hose guide  146  includes two rails  148 ,  150  and a guide member  152  ( FIG. 8 ). The two rails  146  and  148  are secured between the right and left side panels  14  and  16 . The guide member  152  moves back and forth along these rails and guides a hose evenly onto the hose reel  100  as the hose is wound onto the reel  100 . The hose passes from the guide member  152  through an aperture  156  in the front panel  12 . This construction enables a hose to be played out from the enclosure and wound onto the reel within the enclosure while the cover remains closed. 
         [0040]    The front surfaces  34 ,  46 ,  58 , and  70  of the front panel  12 , right side panel  14 , left side panel  16 , and back panel  18  include a decorative pattern formed thereon. In the preferred embodiment the pattern is wicker. Any type of decorative pattern can be employed. The pattern is integrally molded onto the panels when the panels are formed. The top surfaces of the stationary member and pivotal members of the cover assembly also include a decorative pattern formed thereon. This pattern is the same as the pattern on the right, left, front and back panels. 
         [0041]      FIG. 14  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the handle  116  is not directly connected to the sleeve or connector  112  on the side plate  108  of the hose reel. A gear assembly  180  is disposed between the handle  116  and the sleeve or connector  112 . The handle  116  is releasably secured to a sleeve or connector  182  on the gear assembly  180 . The sleeve or connector  112  of the side plate  108  is releasably connected to a connector or coupling  184  of the gear assembly. The sleeve  182  rotates and drives the coupling  184  to rotate through a plurality of gears  186 . The size and number of gears  186  can be selected so as to permit the hose reel  100  to turn faster, slower or at the same speed as the rotation of handle  116 . The gears  186  can also be selected so as to require less effort to turn the hose reel by having the handle  116  rotate more times that the hose reel  100 . The handle  116  also includes a member  119  which can be pivoted between a use position,  FIG. 1  and a stored position,  FIG. 14 . 
         [0042]    The gear assembly  180  also drives a gear  188  on the hose guide  190 . The gear  188  drives the upper rail  192  of the hose guide. The upper rail  192  includes a plurality of elliptical slots or grooves  194 . A guide member  196  is connected to and is driven by these slots or grooves  194 . The guide member moves back and forth along rails  192  and  198  to guide a hose evenly onto or from reel  100 . 
         [0043]    All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
         [0044]    It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
         [0045]    One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.