Abstract:
A hose puller that includes puller wheels that are motorized and configured to grip, among other things, a high pressure water hose. The hose puller further includes an idler wheel that is positioned to oppose the puller wheels. The idler wheel is spring loaded to help ensure that the hose maintains frictional relation with the puller wheels. Alternatively, the hose puller may have puller wheels shaped to grip a high pressure water hose. The hose puller also includes a camera that is configured to show images that enable the operator to control the hose puller from a remote location.

Description:
[0001]     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0002]     This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/484,829. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0003]     The present invention discloses a novel apparatus adapted to be positioned near a manhole and for pulling the water hoses used for cleaning sewer lines. This invention also relates to a method of using the disclosed portable hose puller. Although the hose puller is described in the context of cleaning sewer lines, one skilled in the art readily understands that the disclosed portable hose puller and method for using the portable hose puller may be used in a wide variety of applications that require hose, rope, electrical cord, or similar application.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a portable hose puller comprising a frame; a pair of handle bars connected to the frame; a pair of ground wheels connected to the frame; a pair of puller wheels connected to the frame, wherein the puller wheel are operably positioned with respect to each other to grip a hose; an idler wheel operably located with respect to the puller wheels; and a motor connected to the puller wheels. The puller wheels are configured to have gripping surfaces, which may be made of rubber. Further, the puller wheels may be rounded.  
         [0005]     The hose puller may further include an idler wheel is spring loaded to secure a hose in frictional association with the gripping surface of the puller wheels. The hose puller may also include a clutch that is connected to the puller wheels.  
         [0006]     The hose puller may further include a control panel for controlling the speed of the motor.  
         [0007]     The hose puller may further include a camera positioned with respect to the puller wheels to capture images of hose puller in operation.  
         [0008]     The hose puller may further include a control panel for controlling the hose puller.  
         [0009]     The hose puller may further include an upper and lower hose guide connected to the frame.  
         [0010]     A further embodiment of the disclosed portable hose puller includes a hose puller comprising, a frame; a pair of handle bars connected to the frame; a pair of ground wheels connected to the frame; an upper puller wheel and a lower puller wheel connected to the frame, wherein the puller wheel are operably positioned with respect to each other to grip a hose; and a motor operably connected to the puller wheels. The hose puller may include puller wheels that are shaped to receive a hose. The puller wheels may be rubber. Further, the puller wheels may be shaped to grip a hose.  
         [0011]     The hose puller may further comprise a chain connecting the puller wheels to the engine. The puller wheels are configured with a sprocket for receiving said chain. Further, the puller wheels and sprockets are sized such that puller wheels are traveling at the same rate.  
         [0012]     The hose puller may further comprise a tensioning wheel to maintain tension in the chain.  
         [0013]     The hose puller may further comprise a clutch operably connected to the motor and puller wheels.  
         [0014]     The hose puller may further comprise a control panel configured to control the speed of the motor. The hose puller may also be configured to be controlled remotely.  
         [0015]     The hose puller may further comprise comprises a camera positioned with respect to the puller wheels to capture images of hose puller in operation.  
         [0016]     The hose puller may further comprise an upper and lower hose guide connected to the frame.  
         [0017]     A further embodiment of the disclosed invention includes a method of using a hose puller comprising the steps of positioning a hose puller with respect to a manhole; running a hose from a water source to the hose puller; and gripping the hose with hose puller wheels.  
         [0018]     The method further includes the steps of connecting the hose puller to an electrical power source and positioning the hose in frictional engagement with the hose puller.  
         [0019]     The method further includes the step of engaging the hose puller to feed the hose into a manhole.  
         [0020]     The method further includes the step of the step of positioning a camera to view the hose as it is fed into the manhole.  
         [0021]     The method further includes the step of comprising the step of connecting a cleaning nozzle to the end of the hose.  
         [0022]     The method further includes the step of feeding the cleaning nozzle and hose into a portion of pipe to be cleaned.  
         [0023]     The method further includes the step of feeding the hose into the pipe using the hose puller and the cleaning nozzle.  
         [0024]     The method may further include the step of remotely monitoring the speed and progress of the hose.  
         [0025]     The method may further include the step of remotely controlling the speed and progress on the hose.  
         [0026]     The method may further include the step of retracting the hose.  
         [0027]     The method may further include the use of a hose puller comprises a frame; a pair of handle bars connected to the frame; a pair of ground wheels connected to the frame; a pair of puller wheels connected to the frame, wherein the puller wheel are operably positioned with respect to each other to grip a hose; and a motor operably connected to the puller wheels. The puller wheels may have a gripping surface. The gripping surface may be rubber. The gripping surface may also be rounded.  
         [0028]     The method may further include the use of a hose puller that includes a clutch operably connected with the motor and puller wheels.  
         [0029]     The method may further include the use of a hose puller that includes a control panel configured to control the speed of the motor.  
         [0030]     The method may further include the use of a hose puller that includes a camera positioned with respect to the puller wheels to capture images of the hose puller in operation.  
         [0031]     The method may further include the use of a hose puller that includes a control panel that can be controlled remotely.  
         [0032]     The method may further include the use of a hose puller that includes an upper and lower hose guide connected to the frame.  
         [0033]     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0034]     The advantages, features, and details of the invention are explained in greater detail in the following description of the preferred embodiment, with the aid of drawings as listed below.  
         [0035]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:  
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a portable hose puller;  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is the lower portion of the stand arms configured to seat inside a manhole;  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is the front of the hose puller showing the friction groove;  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a wheel specially shaped to grip hose;  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a hose puller configured with two puller wheels; and  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the positioning and use of the portable hose puller. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0042]     Upon review of the detailed description and the accompanying drawings provided herein, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that a portable hose puller may be used in a wide array of applications that require maneuvering of hoses or the like. Accordingly, the present invention shall not be limited to the structures and methods specifically described and illustrated herein, although the following description is particularly directed to a portable hose puller for use in sewer cleaning operations. The term “hose” with which the present invention is associated, includes various types of hoses, tubes, ropes, cables, chains, and the like. The term “portable” with which the present invention is associated describes an apparatus sized to be moved by one person. Further, the hose puller is light enough that it does not damage soft ground while being positioned. Portability makes the disclosed apparatus uniquely suited to be positioned near a work site. However, it is contemplated that the disclosed apparatus may be scaled for a particular application. For example, in large cable laying applications, the disclosed devise may be scaled to handle the increased loads associated with such applications.  
         [0043]      FIG. 1  shows one aspect of portable hose puller  10 . The hose puller includes a frame  11 , which may be of metal, aluminum, plastic, or combinations thereof. The metal frame is configured with handles  13  and wheels  12  to allow for easy mobility. Handles  13  may be telescoping to provide greater leverage when moving the portable hose puller. Frame  11  is also configured with stand arms  14 . The lower portion of stand arms  14  include a gripping shape  15 . For grass and other soft surfaces, the gripping shape may be shovel shaped to dig into soft surfaces. However, it is readily understood that many different shapes may be used for different applications. For example, it is contemplated that rubber stoppers may also be used in some applications. The essential characteristic of all gripping shapes, however, is that they inhibit the movement of the hose puller  10  when it is in use.  FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the gripping shape  15  that is shaped to rest inside a manhole opening.  
         [0044]     Also included on stand arms  14  are forward guide arms  16 . The forward guide arms  16  are sized to keep the hose in guided relation with the gripper wheels  17 . The forward guide arms  16  are shown as two separate extensions, which allows the hose to be easily fed into the gripper wheels  17 . However, it is contemplated that the arms may be connected to enclose the area in which the hose is located. It is further contemplated that the guide arms may be configured with rollers to reduce the friction between the hose and the forward guide arms  16 . alternatively, the forward guide arms  16  may include a material, such as Teflon, to reduce the friction between the hose and the forward guide arms. The guide arms are shown attached to stand arms  14 . However, it is readily understood that the guide arms may extend from handles  13 , extend from stand arms  14  to handles  13 , extend from some other frame element, or any combination thereof.  
         [0045]     Attached to the hose puller frame  11  are puller wheels  17 . The puller wheels  17  are made from a soft material such as rubber. Although rubber is disclosed, one skilled in the art understands that any soft compound may be used. Additionally, the puller wheels  17  may be air filled. The puller wheels  17  are positioned to create a friction groove  18  between the wheels.  FIG. 3  shows a front view of the hose puller to show the friction groove  18 . The puller wheels  17  are shown positioned side by side in a parallel configuration. In such a configuration, the curvature of the wheels form the side walls of the friction groove. Although a parallel positioning of puller wheels  17  is disclosed, it is contemplated that the space between the wheels may be adjusted to create a deeper groove. It is also contemplated that the angle between the wheels may be adjusted to change the depth of the friction groove  18 . Puller wheels  17  are connected to drive motor  21 . The drive motor  21  rotates the puller wheels  17  when power is applied. Alternatively, the frictional groove can be created by a single wheel  17 ′.  FIG. 4  shows a wheel shaped for a frictional groove. The shaped wheel  17 ′ may be made out of any suitable material. The wheel shown in  FIG. 4  is made out of aluminum. The puller wheels  17  are positioned relative to the man hole such that the weight of the hose pulls the hose into greater frictional engagement with the puller wheels  17 .  
         [0046]     Attached to the hose puller frame  11  is an idler wheel  19  and idler wheel frame  20 . The idler wheel is configured to ensure that the hose being manipulated by the hose puller is maintained in frictional engagement with the frictional groove  18 . Like the puller wheels  17 , the idler wheel is made out of a soft material such as rubber or the like. The idler wheel may also be filled with air. Although the idler wheel  19  is shown a different size than the puller wheels  17 , it is understood that the idler wheel may be sized to suit a particular purpose. Additionally, the idler wheel may be any number of different shapes. For example, the idler wheel may actually be a flat surface that functions to keep the hose in frictional engagement with the puller wheels  17 . Alternatively, the idler wheel  19  may be shaped to complement the puller wheel  17  shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0047]     The disclosed hose puller is adapted to take advantage of the frictional force associated with redirecting a hose as it is being manipulated. For example, in the configuration shown, the hose is realigned from an orientation that is parallel to the surface to one that is perpendicular to the surface. Such realignment naturally seats the hose in the frictional groove. However, in other applications or in applications requiring greater frictional force, the idler wheel frame may be adapted to provide additional force to help seat the hose in the frictional groove. Additionally, the hose puller may be configured with multiple wheels  17 . In such a configuration the wheels are positioned to redirected the hose as it passes over each pair of wheels  17 . Redirecting the hose acts to increases the gripping friction provided by the gripping groove. A configuration with multiple sets of puller wheels is particularly adapted for straight line pulling applications where the hose direction is not changed as it passes through the hose puller  10 . One skilled in the art understands that the relationship between the puller wheels  17  can be changed to further increase the frictional forces. For example, all three puller wheels can be positioned in alignment to increase the amount of bend in the hose as it passes over each wheel.  
         [0048]     The idler wheel  19  shown in  FIG. 1  is attached to the idler wheel frame  20 . The idler wheel frame  20  may be selectively positionable or configured to apply rotational force such that the idler wheel  19  applies pressure to the puller wheels  17 . The rotational force may be the result of a spring or may be driven by some other means, such as pneumatically. Further, the spring tension can be adjusted using spring handle  25 .  
         [0049]     The puller frame  11  includes aft guide arms  22 . The aft guide arms function similarly to the forward guide arms  16  and may be similarly shaped and configured.  
         [0050]     The hose puller  10  may be controlled using control panel  23  or by remote control (not shown).  
         [0051]     The hose puller  10  may also be configured with a camera  24 . The camera is positioned to capture images of the hose as it is feed into or retrieved from a sewer line. The camera may also be trained on the hose puller or any other aspect of interest. The hose puller may also be configured to view counter  37 . The counter  37  records the amount of hose that passes over wheel  17 . This information is used by the operator to control how far the cleaning nozzle is inserted into the sewer line. In a normal operation, once the length is established by visual inspection at the downhole manhole, the cleaning nozzle can then make multiple passes through the sewer line without additional visual inspections.  
         [0052]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternative configuration in which the hose puller  10  is configured with two puller wheels  17 . Both puller wheels  17  are connected with chain  32  to drive motor  21  and drive motor sprocket  31 . The hose puller  10  also includes a tensioning wheel  33 . The tensioning wheel is designed to regulate the chain tension. The tensioning wheel may be a wheel, sprocket, or the like. The tension may be set manually or adjusted by way of a spring. The hose puller is hinged at point  35  such that different size hoses can be easily inserted into the hose puller. To the extent additional gripping is needed, a weight can be applied to the arm supporting the upper puller wheel  17 . Optimally, if a weight is needed, it is applied to the upper arm at end  34 . The hose puller configured as shown in  FIG. 5  includes a camera and control box. Further, the hose puller of  FIG. 5  is configured to be operated remotely. Puller wheels  17  may be made out of a hard rubber or other solid material that is also suited for gripping a hose.  
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows the hose puller positioned over a manhole. The hose puller  10  is shown as it is feeding a hose into a manhole for cleaning head  26 . The hose puller is shown connected to cleaning truck  27 . The cleaning truck supplies high pressure water to the cleaning head  26 . Although the cleaning truck is shown as the source of the water used by cleaning head  26 , it is understood that the cleaning truck  27  may be connected to a fire hydrant or other similar water source. Dashed line  28  shows a connection between the cleaning truck  27  and camera. Images from the video camera  24  are displayed on monitor  29 . Although the monitor is shown mounted to the back of cleaning truck  27 , it is understood that the monitor may also be located in the cab  30 . Additionally,  FIG. 6  shows the cleaning truck  27  being located in close proximity to the hose puller  10 . In reality, the cleaning truck  27  is positioned much further away from the manhole. The hose puller engine may be gas powered or connected via a power line (not shown) to the cleaning truck  27 . Additionally, the hose puller is not show to scale. In particular, the hose puller is not scaled relative to cleaning truck  27 . In reality, the hose puller is much smaller relative to the cleaning truck.  
         [0054]     The present invention is, therefore, well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and the advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described, numerous changes to the details of construction, arrangement of the article&#39;s parts or components, and the steps to the processes may be made. For example, the frame may be reconfigured in a number of different ways. However, all such configurations allow for the frictional groove to provide the primary means whereby the hose puller manipulates hoses. Such changes will readily suggest themselves of those skilled in the art and are encompassed within the spirit of invention and in the scope of the appended claims.  
         [0055]     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the machine, methods and steps described in the specification. As one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, machines, methods, and steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.