Abstract:
A fluid handling system is disclosed having a swivel for connecting a stationary fluid source line to a fluid service line that is wound upon a reel. A rotor cap secures the fluid source line and a rotor within the swivel in position, allowing a housing within the swivel to freely rotate with the fluid service line and reel. The swivel is coupled to the fluid source line using a crimping ferrule to eliminate the necessity of predisposing mating components on the fluid source line. The swivel is further provided with seals that reduce the incidence of bunching and tear due to the reduction in drag imposed on the seals.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to fluid handling systems, and more particularly to a swivel for connecting a fluid source line to a fluid service line in a fluid handling system utilizing a reel to wind the fluid service line. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Reels are commonly used to wind fluid lines, such as hoses, that are used in a number of operations that involve fluid handling. Examples of the type of fluids that may need to be handled include water, lubricants, solvents, coolants, and various gases. The reels used in such operations typically employ the use of a swivel for connecting a fluid supply line to the fluid service line, which is wound around the reel. The swivel allows for the winding and unwinding of the service line not only for ease in using and storing the service line, but also to prevent damage to the same. 
     Reels are typically supported on axles that further serve as a means to allow the rotation of the reel by the user. While the reel is rotating, the axle is kept in a stationary position. Similarly, the fluid source line, which extends from a fluid source such as water faucet, must be kept in a stationary position to prevent the twisting or damaging of the line. The swivel allows the connection between the stationary fluid source line and the rotating fluid service line. However, current swivel connectors are either a complex assembly of intricate parts, which increase associated costs and maintenance issues, or made from inferior designs that are limited in use and require frequent repair. Accordingly, what is needed is a swivel for use in a fluid handling system that is simple and inexpensive in design but performs reliably in a wide range of applications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The swivel connector of the present invention is ideally suited in fluid handling systems that require the reeling and unreeling of fluid lines. The swivel connector is comprised of a rotor that is rotatably connected to a swivel housing. The swivel connection is simply achieved through the use of a bearing disposed between the rotor and the housing. 
     A pair of O-ring seals are disposed on either side of the bearing to prevent the escape of fluid from the system and the fouling of the bearing ring by dirt or other debris from outside the system. The seals are secured within channels formed in the inner walls of the housing. Accordingly, the inner circumference of the seals creates a sealing surface against the exterior of the rotor. By using the smaller of the two circumferential perimeters, less drag is created during rotation, thus reducing the tendency of the seals to bunch and tear. 
     The fluid source line can be crimped directly to one end of the rotor through the use of a crimping ferrule secured to one end of the rotor. Accordingly, the need for the assembly and connection of additional mating components to the fluid source line is eliminated. A rotor cap is locked in place over the rotor and crimping ferrule. A snap button secures one end of the rotor cap to the axle of the fluid handling system to prevent rotation of the rotor cap. The opposite end of the rotor cap is provided with an opening which is shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the rotor. Accordingly, while the reel is rotated, the axle, rotor cap, and rotor remain in a fixed position. The housing is adapted to receive a plurality of connection adapters that allow the swivel to be connected to fluid service lines having different diameters and various mating components. 
     Accordingly, it is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a fluid handling system that is simple in construction but effective for use in a wide range of fluid handling applications. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid handling system having a swivel connector that can be directly coupled with a fluid source line without the necessity of additional coupling structure being disposed on the fluid source line. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid handling system having a swivel that substantially prevents the rotation of the fluid source line and the rotor using a simple and reliable design. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid handling system having a swivel that is designed to minimize the wear and damage of its seals. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid handling system having a swivel that is easy to maintain. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid handling system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the swivel connector of the fluid handling system depicted in FIG. 1 as the same would be coupled to a fluid source line; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the swivel connector depicted in FIG. 2 in an assembled form. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 depicts the fluid handling system  10  of the present invention, which is preferably comprised of a reel  12 , axle  14 , fluid source line  16 , and a swivel connector  18 . Although not depicted, the fluid handling system  10  will be further comprised of a fluid service line that is operatively connected to the swivel connector  18  and wound about the reel  12 . It is contemplated that the fluid handling system  10  may be used in a wide range of operations that involve the handling of water, lubricants, adhesives, coolants, solvents, various gases, and other similar fluids. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that as the application of the system is changed for the handling of different fluids, the materials used, such as the nature and grade of fluid lines used, will change accordingly. However, for the purposes of description only, the fluid handling system  10  of the present invention will be described as it would be used for the handling of water in a residential application. 
     To allow the fluid handling system  10  to wind and unwind its fluid service line, the axle  14  should be typically mounted to a stationary frame (not shown). The frame could be freestanding, mounted to a wall or other structure, or even hand-held. The axle  14  supports the reel  12 , which is secured to the axle  14  in a rotatable fashion. In most applications, the axle  14  will be fixed in a stationary position during the rotation of the reel  12 . 
     The fluid source line  16  is preferably disposed through the center of the axle  14  and, thus, extends through the center portion of the reel  12 . While it is desirable to allow the fluid service line to rotate with the wheel  12 , the fluid source line  16  must remain in a fixed position to prevent the twisting and damaging of the fluid source line  16  or the fluid source to which it is connected. Accordingly, the fluid source line  16  is connected to the swivel  18 . The swivel  18  will allow for the stationary placement of the fluid source line  16  while permitting the rotation of the fluid service line to which it is operatively connected. 
     The swivel  18  is comprised of an elongated rotor  20  having an open first end  22  and an open second end  24 . The first end  22  and the second end  24  are in open fluid communication with one another by way of a fluid passageway  26 . The second end  24  of the rotor  20  is rotatably connected to a housing  28 , having a first end portion  30  and a second end portion  32 . The fluid passageway  26  of the rotor  20  is placed in open fluid communication with a fluid passageway  34 , which extends between the first end portion  30  and the second end portion  32  of the housing  28 . An opening  36  is formed in the housing  28 , adjacent the second end portion  32 , so that it is in open communication with the fluid passageway  34 . While FIG. 2 depicts the opening  36  as being formed in a side portion of the housing  28  to form a  900  swivel, it is contemplated that the opening  36  could be formed in the end portion  32  to provide a single coaxial fluid passageway extending through the rotor  20  and the housing  28 . 
     A mating end of the fluid line  16  is secured to the first end  22  of the rotor  20 . To eliminate the necessity of disposing a mating component on the mating end of the fluid source line  16 , the rotor  20  is formed to have a ribbed hose connector  38  and crimping ferrule  40  which receive the mating end of the fluid source line  16  therebetween. The crimping ferrule  40  can then be mechanically depressed toward the ribbed hose connector  38  to secure the fluid service line  16  to the rotor  20 . It is contemplated, however, that should a particular application require, the fluid source line  16  and the first end  22  of the rotor  20  could be provided with traditional mechanical coupling structures such as the threaded male and female connectors used by the prior art. 
     The swivel  18  is further preferably provided with a rotor cap  42 , having an open first end  44  and an open second end  46 . A first locking ring  48  is secured around the rotor  20 , intermediate its first and second ends  22  and  24 . The rotor  20  is then disposed within the rotor cap  42  until the first locking ring  48  engages the lower surface of the second end portion  46  of the rotor cap. A second locking ring  50  is then disposed around the rotor  20  adjacent the upper surface of the second end portion  46  of the rotor cap  42 . The first and second locking rings  48  and  50  substantially prevent the longitudinal movement of the rotor cap  42  along the length of the rotor  20 . It is contemplated that the locking rings  48  and  50  could be replaced by similar structures capable of the same function, such as threaded nuts (not shown) or pins (now shown) that would extend radially from the rotor  20 . 
     A snap button  52  is provided with at least one, but preferably two or more, locking pins  54  and  56 . The locking pins  54  and  56  are releasably received by openings  58  and  60  disposed within the rotor cap  42 , intermediate its first and second end portions  44  and  46 . The locking pins  54  and  56  are further releasably received by openings  62  and  64  formed in the axle  14 , which is removably received between the rotor cap  42  and the crimping ferrule  40 . In this position, the locking pins  54  and  56  secure the swivel  18  to the axle  14  and prevent the rotation of the rotor cap  42 . The opening  66  formed in the second end portion  46  of the rotor cap  42  is preferably shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the rotor  20 . While an infinite number of specific shapes is contemplated, it is preferred that the shape be that of a polygon. In FIG. 2, the opening  66  has been shaped in the form of a hexagon. By mating the shape of the opening  66  to the cross-sectional shape of the rotor  20 , the rotational movement of the rotor  20  and the fluid source line  16  will be substantially prevented. 
     To facilitate the rotation of the housing  28  with respect to the rotor  20 , a plurality of bearings  68  are disposed between the housing  28  and the rotor  20  so that they are placed in sliding contact therewith. While it is contemplated that the bearings  68  could be made from several different materials, such as hardened or stainless steel, it is generally preferred that the bearings  68  be made from a plastic, such as Acetal. The use of the Acetal bearings allows for a higher rate of rotation between the housing  28  and the rotor  20 . The Acetal bearings also tend to wear longer than their steel counterparts. A set-screw  78  is preferably disposed within an opening  80  formed in the side of the housing  28  in open communication with the bearings  68 . The bearings  68  are easily inserted and removed from their position between the housing  28  and the rotor  20  through opening  80 . 
     A first seal  70  is disposed between the housing  28  and the rotor  20  intermediate the bearings  68  and the first end portion  30  of the housing  28 . The first seal  70  serves to prevent dirt or other debris from entering the housing  28  and fouling the bearings  68 . Similarly, a seal  72  is disposed between the housing  28  and the rotor  20 , on the opposite side of the bearings  68 . The seal  72  provides a seal to prevent fluids passing through the fluid passageways  26  and  34  from reaching the bearings  68  or leaking from the first end portion  30  of the housing  28 . The seals  70  and  72  are fit within channels  74  and  76  formed in the housing  28 . Accordingly, seals  70  and  72  move with the housing  28  as it rotates with respect to the rotor  20 . The inner circumference of the seals  70  and  72  establish a seal through their sliding engagement with the rotor  20 . By moving the sealing surface from the outer circumference of the seals (as demonstrated in the prior art) to the inner circumference of the seals, the amount of drag exerted on the seals is reduced, thus greatly reducing the tendency of the seals to bunch and tear. 
     A coupling adapter  82  is removably received by the opening  36  formed in the housing  28 . The coupling adapter  82  can be used to adapt the opening  36  to be connected with service lines of various diameters and having various styles of connectors disposed thereon. To better facilitate the operation of the fluid handling system  10 , it is preferred that the reel  12  be provided with a handle  84  for manual rotation of the reel  12 . It is also preferred that a breaking assembly  86  be disposed between the swivel  18  and the reel  12  around the axle  14 . Where a breaking assembly  86  is employed, a spring washer break  88  will preferably be disposed between the breaking assembly  86  and the rotor cap  42 . 
     In the drawings and in the specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention; and although specified items are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts, as well as substitute of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims. 
     Thus, it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.