Abstract:
An apparatus for winding a hose line having a threaded male end. The apparatus comprises a frame that has a first side plate, a second side plate and means for positioning the side plates apart from one another. The first side plate has a circular aperture and a center assembly having a handle crank, a revolving handle and means for rotating the center assembly within the first side plate aperture when the handle crank is rotated by hand. A coupling jaw assembly is also provided and has a fork that is removably insertable into the center assembly to capture the threaded male end of the hose line. Rotation of the handle crank then winds the hose line to form a coiled hose within the apparatus. The coiled hose can be transported within the apparatus or can be left standing upright when released from the apparatus.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for winding hoses, and fire hoses in particular. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus that can be used, by hand, to wind a hose line into a coil. Once wound, the apparatus releases the coiled hose line and leaves it standing upright in a given location for further tending by a user. The apparatus can also be used to aid a firefighter in lifting and carrying the coiled fire hose line to a fire truck prior to releasing the coiled hose line from the apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The use of water hoses in the art of firefighting is well known. Water sprayed onto a fire extinguishes the fire and saturates the surrounding area, thereby impeding the spreading of the fire. Since most fires occur in areas that are not close to a water supply, the water supply must be brought to the fire location. This is accomplished by using one or more fire hoses. The typical connection of a fire hose line is to attach it to a fire truck that is in proximity to the fire. The truck is then, in turn, connected to a fire hydrant which provides the source for the water. The distal end of the fire hose is connected to a nozzle that is adapted for spraying water at a variable quantity and rate that is suitable for the fire being fought. There may be more than one hose used, in which case each is connected to the end of the other. The scope of the present invention is that it is intended to be used with hand lines that are typically 1.5 in. to 1.75 in. diameter fire hose lines or with 1.5 in. or smaller forestry lines. Such hoses will be collectively, but singularly, designated simply as “hose” or “hose line” throughout this application. The hose line is typically fabricated of a flexible material. This is to allow the hose to expand when filled with pressurized water, during which the hose line assumes a substantially round or oblate cross-sectional configuration. When the hose line is not filled with water, it flattens out and has virtually no cross-sectional opening in it. In this flattened state, the hose line is able to be rolled into a substantially more compact coil. This coil can then be stood on end, in a concentrically layered and wheel-like fashion. 
     A common hose line length is 50 ft. and may have any number of lengths coupled together and is deployed from the fire truck for firefighting operations. Forestry lines can be 100 ft. in length and many similarly have any number of lengths coupled together. During its deployment from the bed or deck of a fire truck, the hose line is pulled and laid out on the ground, in line with other like segments of hose line and in a generally straight and flat position. The hose lines are connected and then pressurized with water, the end of the hose line being fitted with a nozzle. After use, the hose lines must be collected, drained, transported back to the fire truck and re-stored on the deck of the fire truck for later re-use. 
     This inventor has previously devised a patented apparatus for draining, winding and transporting large diameter hoses of the type described above. That device is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,683 and includes a frame and retractable handle. The frame is movable by virtue of a pair of wheels attached to the bottom-most portion of the frame. The frame is configured such that the center of gravity of the frame, and of the frame and a coiled hose line situated on it, is located directly above the wheels. The frame includes a number of horizontally disposed rollers that facilitate removal of the hose line coil from the frame when the hose line is being re-stacked onto the fire truck. The frame also includes a guide bar to assist in maintaining the hose line coil in an upright position during transport. The frame also utilizes other features and attachments. 
     Notwithstanding the advantages of the aforementioned patented device, this inventor believes that there is a need for an additional compact and portable apparatus that facilitates the winding-up of the hose line into a coil and allows the coil to be easily removed from the apparatus when winding is completed. What is also needed is such an apparatus that will accommodate hose lines of varying diameter and length, will be lightweight and relatively compact, and will be easy to use in the field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a new, useful and non-obvious apparatus for facilitating the winding-up of a hose line into a coil. It is another object to provide such an apparatus that allows the coil to be easily removed from the apparatus when winding is completed. It is still another object to provide such an apparatus that will accommodate hose lines of varying diameter and length. It is yet another object to provide such an apparatus that will be lightweight and relatively compact, and easy to use in the field. It is still another object to provide such an apparatus that provides means for removing debris from the hose line as it is wound within the apparatus. 
     In accordance with the aforementioned objectives of the present inventions, there is provided an improved apparatus for winding and transporting hose lines of the type that are used in fire fighting. The apparatus includes a frame and a handle. The frame comprises a pair of vertical and parallel plates disposed a distance from one another. The frame further comprises a center assembly and a coupling jaw assembly. The coupling jaw assembly allows one end of a hose line to be removably engaged by a fork-like jaw. A kneeling plate is rotatable such that the user can place his or her knee on the plate to maintain the position of the frame during use of the apparatus. A rotatable handle is provided such that rotation of the handle also rotates the fork-like jaw and the hose end engaged by it. Rotation of the handle pulls the hose line into the apparatus and allows the hose line to be coiled within the frame. Additional structure is provided to properly guide the hose line into the frame during winding and to brush the hose line free of debris. It the user wants to transport the coiled hose line within the frame, the user grabs the handle and moves the frame with the coiled hose line contained within it. If the user wants to simply leave the coiled hose line, the fork-like jaw is removed from the center assembly and the frame is elevated, leaving the coiled hose line in that location, the frame having an open bottom. 
     The foregoing and other features of the apparatus of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front, top and left side perspective view of an apparatus for hand winding and transporting hose line that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front, top and left side exploded perspective view of the center assembly and the coupling jaw assembly of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front and top perspective view of the fork used in the coupling jaw assembly of the apparatus and showing the fork prior to engagement with the male coupling end of the hose line. 
         FIG. 4  is the same view illustrated in  FIG. 3  but showing the fork engaged with the male coupling end of the hose line. 
         FIG. 5  is a partially cross-sectioned view of the fork and male coupling end shown in  FIG. 4  and taken along line  5 - 5  thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial top, rear and left side perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  but illustrating the kneeling plate in its lowered position such that a user can position his or her knee on the plate to maintain position of the apparatus during use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  illustrates a large diameter hose hand winding apparatus, generally identified  10 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus  10  is comprised generally of a frame  11  that is constructed from a first side plate  20 , a second side plate, and a plurality of cross blocks  92 ,  94  disposed between the side plates  20 ,  30 . Each plate  20 ,  30  is generally configured in a semi-circular pattern along the top of the plate  20 ,  30  with feet  22 ,  32  being disposed at a generally flat or slightly arcuate bottom of each plate  20 ,  30 , respectively. This provides stability to the apparatus  10  insofar as each side plate  20 ,  30  stands in a vertical plane, with the planes of each being in parallel to one another. The apparatus  10  further comprises a center assembly  40 , a coupling jaw assembly  60 , a structural configuration for guiding a hose line  2  as the hose line  2  is wound into the frame of the apparatus  10 , a structural configuration for maintaining the position of the apparatus  10  as the hose line  2  is pulled towards it, and a carrying handle  90 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that the uppermost cross blocks  92 , which are those that are disposed closest to the carrying handle  90 , are capable of being used with a carrying strap (not shown) that can be attached to the cross blocks  92  for ease in transporting the apparatus  10 . A bottom cross block  94  is disposed forwardly of the frame near each one of the feet  22 ,  32  of each plate  20 ,  30 . Rearward of the bottom cross block  94  is a cross block  96  and a kneeling plate  98  (see  FIG. 6 ) the functionality of which will be described later in this detailed description. Suffice it to say that the cross blocks  92 ,  94 ,  96  are intended to space and support the plates  20 ,  30  apart in their parallel planar positions and are also intended to maintain the plates  20 ,  30  in that position, providing structural integrity to the frame. 
     Though not shown, the first side plate  20  includes a centrally-disposed circular aperture. This aperture allows the center assembly  40  to be secured to the plate  20  as will be described as follows, with particular reference to  FIG. 2 , which is an exploded view of the center assembly  40  and the coupling jaw assembly  60 . As shown, the center assembly  40  comprises a crank side center disk  42  and a hose side center disk  44 . The diameter of each disk  42 ,  44  is larger than the diameter of the centrally-disposed circular aperture defined within the first side plate  20 . The center disks  42 ,  44  are separated by a plurality of disk spacers  46  and wheels  48 , the wheels  48  being mounted to the spacers  46  in a rotatable fashion and each spacer  46  being a washer-like structure. The spacers  46  are used to space the disks  42 ,  44  away from one another by a distance that is slightly more than the thickness of the first side plate  20 . The spacers  46  and the wheels  48  that surround them are held in position relative to the disks  42 ,  44  using fasteners  45 , but with the wheels  48  being fully rotatable about the spacers  46 . 
     As is also shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the disks  42 ,  44  includes a slot  41 ,  43 , respectively. When the disks  42 ,  44  are properly aligned, the slots  41 ,  43  are aligned as well. The function of the slots  41 ,  43  is to accommodate a portion of the coupling jaw assembly  60 , as will be apparent shortly. 
     The handle-side face  49  of the crank side center disk  42  also has a mount  52  and a handle crank  54 . The handle crank  54  comprises a proximal end  55  that is attachable to the disk  42  by means of fasteners  47 , the mount  52  being disposed between the disk  42  and the handle crank  54 . The handle crank  54  also comprises a distal end  56 . A handle shaft  57 , together with a revolving handle  58 , is attached to the distal end  56  of the handle crank  54  by means of a fastener  59 . In this configuration, the handle  58  is free to rotate or revolve around the shaft  57 . It is to be noted that a plurality of secondary fasteners  50  are transversely insertable into the mount  52 . The mount  52  further comprises a slot  51  and the proximal end  55  of the handle crank  54  further comprises a slot  53 , the slots  51 ,  53  being aligned with the slots  41 ,  43  of the disks  42 ,  44 , respectively. All of the slots  41 ,  43 ,  51 ,  53  are configured to receive a portion of the coupling jaw assembly  60  there through. 
     The coupling jaw assembly  60  comprises a substantially flat jaw body  62  having a handle  64  and a handle grip  65 . The jaw body  62  comprises a leading portion having an arcuate-shaped fork  66  defined in it. That is, the fork  66  is a substantially U-shaped structure which is so configured for “capturing” a hose line end  4  as is apparent from the drawings. The jaw body  62  further comprises a pair of longitudinally-extending slots  67  such that, when the jaw body  62  is inserted into the slots  41 ,  43 ,  51 ,  53  of the various components of the center assembly  40 , the insertion of the fasteners  50  into the mount  52  serve to limit the inward and outward movement of the jaw body  62  relative to the center assembly  40  and relative to the crank side center disk  42 . This allows the fork  66  of the coupling jaw assembly  60  to engage one end  4  of the hose line  2 , which is considered the “male end” of the hose line  2 , when the hose line end  4  is disposed within the frame  11  of the apparatus  10 . See  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the engagement of the U-shaped fork  66  of the coupling jaw assembly  60  with one end  4  of the hose line  2  is shown in substantially greater detail. Specifically, it will be seen that the male hose end  4  comprises a threaded portion  6 . Behind the threaded portion  6  is a short unthreaded shank  7  and a shoulder  8 . This structure correlates to the cross-sectioned shape of the tips  63  of the fork  66 , the fork tips  63  having an inwardly-extending rim  68  that engages the unthreaded shank  7  of the male end  4  and an outwardly-tapered portion  69  that comes in close proximity to the threaded portion  6  of the male end  4 . In this configuration, the engagement of the U-shaped fork  66  with the male end  4  of the hose line  2  effectively “captures” the male end  4  within the apparatus  10  as previously mentioned. 
     It is to be understood that alternatively-sized forks  66  can be provided to allow the apparatus  10  to be used with alternatively-sized hose line ends  4 . That is, the tips  63  of the U-shaped fork  66  may be spaced further apart or closer together, and the U-shaped portion of the fork  66  may have a larger or smaller diameter or radius than that shown and described herein without deviating from the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the fork  66  can also be alternatively-configured to engage other ends of hose lines that have ends other than a male end  4 . For example, a fork  66  could be configured to engage a hose line end  4  at the point where the end  4  is attached to the hose line  2 . This would effectively capture another portion of the hose line end  4  and the hose line  2  could still be wound as will be described below. 
     In application, the apparatus  10  is intended by this inventor to be used by a fire fighter after the hose line has been drained of water and then flattened while it lay on the ground in a straight line. The user positions the apparatus  10  near one end of the hose line  2 . Refer again to  FIG. 1 . The upper brush bar  70  and the hose guide roller  76  are elevated by pulling the spring plunger  74  from a lowermost locked position. The male coupling end  4  of the hose line  2  is fed into the frame  11  between the upper brush bar  70  and the lower brush bar  80 . The male coupling end  4  is then held behind the center assembly  40  at a point where the coupling jaw assembly  60  can be inserted into center assembly  40  and the fork  66  capturing the male coupling end  4 . The upper brush bar  70  can then be lowered such that the brushes  72 ,  82  of the brush bars  70 ,  80  can be used to remove debris from the hose line  2  as it is pulled into the frame  11  of the apparatus  10 . 
     The user next lowers the kneeling plate  98  and places his or her weight onto the kneeling plate  98  using one knee. This is done to maintain the position of the apparatus  10  during winding. The user then commences the winding of the handle  58  of the center assembly  40 . This, in turn, rotates the center assembly  40 , including the fork  66  of the coupling jaw assembly  60  and pulls the hose line  2  into the frame  11  of the apparatus  10 . As the hose line  2  is almost completely wound onto itself within the frame  11  of the apparatus  10 , the user will raise the upper brush bar  70  to allow the second or female coupling end (not shown) to pass into the frame  11  to complete the winding of the hose line  2 . When completed, the hose line  2  is completely coiled within the frame. At this point, the user can carry the apparatus  10  with the coiled hose line  2  to a location and/or pull the coupling jaw assembly  60  from the center assembly  40  which releases the coiled hose line  2 . With the bottom of the apparatus  10  being open, the apparatus  10  can be raised and the coiled hose line  2  stays in position. 
     Based upon the foregoing, it will be apparent that there has been provided a new, useful and non-obvious apparatus for facilitating the removal of water from an hose line after the hose line has been used in a fire fight; which apparatus can also be used to transport a coiled hose line from the drain site to the fire truck onto which the hose line must be re-stacked; and which apparatus can be used to transport hose line of different diameters.