Abstract:
The present invention provides for a hose reel assembly structured for ease of use and maintenance. The hose reel assembly includes a folding crank handle, having an easily accessible and identifiable release, an easily released water system, and an autotrack device that is easily engaged/disengaged. By improving the ease of use of such components, the amount of wear and tear on the hose reel is reduced and the life of the hose reel is extended.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to hose reels and, more specifically, to a hose reel structured for ease of use and maintenance. 
     2. Background Information 
     Hose reel assemblies are devices structured to assist in transporting and using hoses, typically garden hoses for dispensing water. Generally, the hose reel assembly includes a base or housing assembly structured to rotatably support a reel, or “basket assembly.” The basket assembly&#39;s primary components are a barrel, around which an outlet hose is wrapped, two hubs which are coupled to the housing assembly, and guide plates which define the usable area of the barrel. The basket assembly also includes a crank, used to turn the basket primary components, and a water conduit having a movable outlet and a generally stationary inlet. The stationary inlet of the conduit extends away from the reel and is structured to be coupled to a supply hose which is further coupled to a water supply. The movable outlet of the conduit is disposed on the circumference of the reel. The outlet hose is coupled to the movable outlet and is used to deliver water to the end use. Hose reel assemblies also may include an autotrack device structured to wind the outlet hose on the reel in a controlled manner. In this configuration, an outlet hose may be coupled to the movable end of the conduit and, when the reel is rotated, the hose is wrapped, or unwrapped, about the reel. Thus, a hose may be transported and/or stored on the hose reel assembly. 
     The hose reel assembly typically is made of plastic and sold in a disassembled state. While manufactures try to make the assembly of a typical hose reel relatively simple, there are many components of a hose reel assembly that are difficult for some users to install or assemble. As such, manufactures try to include as many preinstalled components as possible. The disadvantage to having preinstalled components, however, is that some components, especially those like the crank handle that extend away from the body of the hose reel, require additional room in the shipping container and/or storage box. Accordingly, some manufactures have devised structures that are partially collapsible, such as a folding crank handle, that reduce the volume/size of the hose reel during shipping. Unfortunately, these structures are also designed to snap into an extended position and not be collapsed again, or, if structured to be collapsible, the crank handles did not provide easy to access to, or identify, release buttons. This situation created other disadvantages, namely users causing wear and tear to the plastic components by forcing the components into the desired configuration. 
     Another component that has been traditionally subject to wear and tear is the autotrack device. The autotrack device is used to guide the hose as the hose is being wound about the basket. The autotrack device includes two spaced, parallel rods, wherein one rod includes a bi-directional track, and a follower assembly. The follower assembly engages the track and, as the user rotates the basket using the crank, the follower assembly moves back and forth on the two rods. The hose passes through the follower assembly and, as such, the hose is wrapped around the basket in a controlled manner. As the autotrack device is only required during winding of the hose, manufacturers typically structured the autotrack device to be engaged only during the winding of the hose and disengaged during unwinding. This procedure reduces wear and tear on the autotrack device as the autotrack device is only in limited use. Many users, however, have found the present design of the autotrack device release to be difficult to operate. As such, the users will simply leave the autotrack device engaged at all times, thereby increasing the wear and tear. 
     Additionally, users are also known to have difficulty in disassembling, or at least partially disassembling, the hose reel assembly as is required for certain maintenance operations, such as accessing the water system for lubrication. That is, in the prior art, the water system included a conduit having a generally stationary inlet and a movable outlet. The generally stationary inlet is coupled to the hose reel assembly housing assembly, and has a generally circular pipe extending into the reel. The water system also included a rotating outlet, coupled to the reel, and having a wide diameter pipe extending into the reel. The inlet pipe extended into the outlet pipe. The inlet pipe disposed in the outlet pipe creates the water system conduit. An O-ring, or other sealing device, is disposed at the interface between the inlet and the outlet pipes to resist water leaking therefrom. A user typically needed to substantially disassemble the water system, using tools, for such simple maintenance operations as lubricating the water system O-rings. As such, the maintenance procedures are time consuming and difficult and users simply failed to perform the required maintenance, furthering degradation due to wear and tear. 
     As such, there is a need for a hose reel that is structured for easy assembly and maintenance. 
     There is a further need for a hose reel assembly having an easily collapsible crank handle. 
     There is further need for a hose reel assembly having an easily accessible water system. 
     There is a further need for a hose reel assembly having an easily engaged/disengaged autotrack device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These needs, and others, are met by the present invention which provides for a hose reel assembly structured for ease of use and maintenance. The hose reel assembly includes a folding crank handle, having an easily accessible and identifiable release, an easily released water system, and an autotrack device that is easily engaged/disengaged. By improving the ease of use of such components, the amount of wear and tear on the hose reel is reduced and the life of the hose reel is extended. The crank includes a crank arm and a pivotable handle assembly. The handle assembly includes at least one, and preferably two, locking tabs disposed adjacent to the pivot point. The crank includes at least one, and preferably two, finger notches adjacent to the locking tabs. The finger notches provide easy access to the locking tabs when the handle is in the extended position. The locking tabs are flexible tabs that engage the crank arm when the handle is in the extended position. The locking tabs may be released by biasing the tabs away from the crank ann. Moreover, as users are familiar with the shape of the finger notches, users will quickly learn to use the release feature of the locking tabs thereby allowing the handle to pivot freely. 
     The autotrack device is improved with an easily operable release lever assembly on the follower. The release lever assembly is coupled to the follower housing and includes a lever member, a track engaging member, and a spring. As is known, the autotrack device also includes a rod, or guide bar, having a bi-directional track The track engaging member is an elongated member having one end coupled to the housing, via the lever, and the other end having a tooth structured to selectively engage the guide bar. The spring extends between the housing and the track engaging member and is structured to bias the track engaging member toward the guide bar. The lever member has a grip portion and a cam portion. The grip portion is a generally flat, substantially solid element. The cam portion is a bifurcated yoke wherein the tines have lateral edges which extend outwardly, in both directions, from the plane of the grip portion. The yoke supports an offset support rod. The track engaging member is coupled to the support rod. The lever member is pivotally coupled to the housing. In this configuration, the lever member may be placed in a first or second position. In a first position, the offset rod is located closer to the housing, in the second position wherein the lever member is pivoted about 180 degrees on the housing, the offset rod is spaced from the housing. As the track engaging member is coupled to the offset rod, when the lever member is in the first position, the spring biases the track engaging member into engagement with the guide bar. In the second position, the track engaging member is spaced from the guide bar and the tooth does not engage the track. 
     The water system includes a stationary inlet member and a rotating outlet member, as is known in the art. The present invention, however, provides an easy release interlock structured to couple the inlet and outlet members. The interlock includes one or more grooves in the outer surface of the inlet pipe, at least one, and preferably two, openings in the outlet pipe, and a locking member having an elongated handle with a yoke. When assembled, the inlet pipe is disposed partially within the outlet pipe with the grove aligned with the openings. The locking member yoke is disposed through the outlet pipe openings and into the inlet pipe groove. In this configuration, the inlet pipe may not move axially relative to the outlet pipe while the outlet pipe may rotate about the inlet pipe. The locking member handle extends to the edge of the basket assembly where it may be easily grasped. To remove the inlet pipe, a user merely pulls the locking member handle radially away from the pipes, thereby disengaging the yoke. Once the yoke no longer engages the inlet pipe groove, the inlet pipe may be moved axially relative to the outlet pipe. That is, a user may pull the inlet pipe out of the basket assembly and housing assembly. The O-rings are, preferably, disposed on the inlet pipe. Thus, the user may apply lubricant to, or replace, the O-rings without having to access the interior of the housing assembly or basket. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a hose reel. 
         FIG. 2  is another isometric view of a hose reel. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a basket assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the handle assembly in a first position. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the handle assembly in a second position. 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed isometric back view of the handle assembly in a first position. 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed isometric back view of the handle assembly in a second position. 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an autotrack device. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an autotrack device. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an autotrack device. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of an autotrack follower. 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a lever in the first position. 
         FIG. 13  is an isometric view of a lever between the first and second positions. 
         FIG. 14  is an isometric view of a lever in the second position. 
         FIG. 15  is a cutaway view of the basket assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric view of the water system. 
         FIG. 17  is a cutaway view of the water system. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a hose reel assembly  10  includes a housing assembly  20  and a basket assembly  40 . The housing assembly  20 , preferably, includes a front side  22 , a first lateral side  24  ( FIG. 1 ), a back side  26 , a second lateral side  28  ( FIG. 2 ), a top member  30 , and an autotrack device  100  ( FIG. 2 ). The front side  22  and the back side  26  are each coupled to the first and second lateral sides  24 ,  28  and disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration. The first and second lateral sides  24 ,  28  are also disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration. Thus, the housing assembly  20  is generally a rectangular shape. A foot  31  is located at each corner of the housing assembly  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front side  22 , first lateral side  24 , back side  26 , and second lateral side  28  may include a decorative pattern. The autotrack device  100  is disposed adjacent to the back side  26  and is discussed in detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the basket assembly  40  includes an elongated barrel  42  with two axial hubs  44 , a crank assembly  50  ( FIG. 1 ), and a water system  200 . The basket assembly  40  may also include two guide plates  46 ,  48 . One guide plate  46 ,  48  is disposed adjacent to each end of the barrel  42 . The hubs  44  are rotatably coupled to the housing assembly  20 , preferably to the first and second lateral sides  24 ,  28 . In this configuration, the barrel  42  may be rotated about its longitudinal axis while disposed within the housing assembly  20 . The crank assembly  50  is coupled to the barrel  42  either directly or via one or more gears and is structured to rotate the barrel  42  within the housing assembly  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the crank assembly  50  includes an elongated crank arm  52  and handle assembly  70 . The crank arm  52  includes a base portion  54  and an elongated body  56 . The base portion  54  has, preferably, an outer disk  58  and an inner coupling device (not shown). The outer disk  58  is structured to be disposed in an opening on the housing assembly  20 . The inner coupling device is structured to be coupled to the barrel  42 . The body  56  extends, generally, in the same plane as, or a plane parallel to, the base portion  54 . The body  56  has a handle pocket  60  ( FIG. 3 ) disposed along the longitudinal axis and a handle receptacle  62  disposed at the distal end of the body  56 . The handle receptacle  62  has at least one, and preferably two, pivot openings  64 A,  64 B and at least one, and preferably two, locking edges  66 A,  66 B. Each locking edge  66 A,  66 B is a rigid member extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body  56 . The handle pocket  60  has at least one, and preferably two, finger notches  68 A,  68 B disposed adjacent to the locking edges  66 A,  66 B. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the handle assembly  70  includes an elongated handle member  72  with a distal end  74  and a receptacle end  76 . The handle member  72  is, preferably, a cylindrical member. The receptacle end  76  has at least one, and preferably two, pivot pins  78 A,  78 B ( FIG. 7 ) as well as at least one, and preferably two, locking tabs  80 A,  80 B. The pivot pins  78 A,  78 B extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle member  72 . The locking tabs  80 A,  80 B include an elongated stem  82 , a locking surface  84 , and a finger pad  86 . Each stem  82  has a first, proximal end  90  and a second, distal end  92 . The proximal end  90  is coupled to the handle receptacle end  76 . Each stem  82  extends in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle member  72 . Each locking surface  84  and finger pad  86  is disposed adjacent to the handle member distal end  74 . Each locking surface  84  extends generally perpendicular to the associated stem  82 . The finger pad  86  extends at an angle between each locking surface  84  and associated stem  82 . The handle member  72  may also include a stop tab  94 . The stop tab  94  is structured to engage the handle receptacle  62  to stop the handle member  72  in the second position, as described below. 
     When the crank assembly  50  is assembled, the handle assembly  70  is pivotally coupled to the crank arm  52  with the handle assembly pivot pins  78 A,  78 B disposed in the handle receptacle pivot openings  64 A,  64 B. In this configuration, the handle assembly  70  is structured to move between a first, folded position, wherein the handle assembly  70  is disposed partially within the handle pocket  60 , and a second, extended position wherein the handle assembly  70  extends about ninety degrees to the crank arm  52 . Additionally, when the handle assembly  70  is in the second position, each locking tab  80 A,  80 B engages a locking edge  66 A,  66 B. That is, as the handle assembly  70  is moved into the second position, the angled finger pad  86  engages the associated locking edge  66 A,  66 B causing the locking tab  80 A,  80 B to flex. Once the finger pad  86  moves past the locking edge  66 A,  66 B, the locking tab  80 A,  80 B returns to an unflexed position wherein the locking surface  84  engages the associated locking edge  66 A,  66 B. With the locking surface  84  engaging an associated locking edge  66 A,  66 B, the handle assembly  70  may not be pivoted. To release the handle assembly  70 , a user must apply pressure to the finger pads  86  thereby causing the locking tabs  80 A,  80 B to flex. Once the locking tabs  80 A,  80 B are flexed a sufficient amount, the used may again pivot the handle assembly  70  to the first position. The finger notches  68 A,  68 B are conveniently disposed adjacent to the finger pads  86  when the handle assembly  70  is in the second position. Additionally, the stop tab  94  is structured to engage the crank arm  52  when the handle assembly  70  is in the second position. Thus, the range of motion for the handle assembly  70  is limited. 
     The autotrack device  100 , shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , includes an elongated guide bar  102 , an elongated retaining bar  104 , and a follower assembly  106 . The guide bar  102  and the retaining bar  104  extend in a spaced, parallel relation, and are, preferably, coupled to, and extending between, the housing assembly first lateral  24  side and second lateral side  28 . The guide bar  102  has a bi-directional track groove  108  disposed thereon. The guide bar  102  is coupled by a mechanical drive system (not shown), such as, but not limited to, gears or a belt drive, to the barrel  42  or the crank assembly  50 . The mechanical drive system is structured to rotate the guide bar  102  when the barrel  42  is rotated. The follower assembly  106  is coupled to, and extends between, the guide bar  102  and the retaining bar  104 . 
     The follower assembly  106  is structured to translate, that is, slide back and forth, between two positions on the guide bar  102  and the retaining bar  104 , as described below. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the follower assembly  106  has a housing  110 , with a first side  111 , and a release lever assembly  120 . The follower assembly housing  110  has a hose passage  112  therein sized to allow a hose (not shown) to pass therethrough and a track engaging member passage  114 . Both the hose passage  112  and the track engaging member passage  114  extend, generally, in a direction perpendicular to the path of travel of the follower assembly housing  110 . The release lever assembly  120  has an elongated lever member  122  and a track engaging member  124 . As shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , the lever member  122  is pivotally coupled to the follower assembly housing  110 . The lever member  122  has a grip portion  126 , a cam portion  128 , and an offset support rod  130 . The grip portion  126  has a generally planar shape with a first face  132  ( FIG. 12 ) and a second face  134  ( FIG. 14 ). The cam portion  128  has a yoke  140  with two elongated tines  142   144 . The cam portion tines  142 ,  144  extend from the grip portion  126 . Each tine  142 ,  144  has a first face  146  ( FIG. 12 ) and a second face  148  ( FIG. 14 ), corresponding to said grip portion first face  132  and second face  134 , as well as an end surface  150  extending between the tine first face  146  and second face  148  ( FIG. 14 ). The cam portion  128  also has a cam surface  152  extending along each tine first face  146 , end surface  150 , and second face  148 . The cam surface  152  is, preferably, bulged, that is, extending out of the plane of the grip portion  126 , so that the cam surface  152  is an arcuate surface. The offset support rod  130  is disposed between the cam portion tines  142 ,  144 . The offset support rod  130  is not disposed in the plane of the grip portion  126 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the track engaging member  124  has an elongated body  160  with a first end  162  and a second end  164 . The track engaging member first end  162  has a coupling device  166  structured to engage the offset support rod  130 . In the preferred embodiment, the coupling device  166  structured to engage the offset support rod  130  is a hook  168 . The track engaging member second end  164  has a tooth  170  structured to engage the track groove  108 . A spring  172  is structured to be disposed between the track engaging member  124  and the follower assembly housing  110  and biases the track engaging member  124  toward the guide bar  102 . An additional guide washer (not shown) may also be disposed between the spring  172  and the follower assembly housing  110 . 
     When assembled, the autotrack device  100  is structured as follows. The follower assembly housing  110  is coupled to the guide bar  102  and the retaining bar  104  with the follower assembly housing first side  111  facing outwardly, that is, away from the guide bar  102  and the retaining bar  104 . The track engaging member  124  is disposed between the follower assembly housing  110  and the guide bar  102  with the track engaging member first end  162  extending through the track engaging member passage  114  and extending to the follower assembly housing first side  111 . That is, in the preferred embodiment, the hook  168  extends through the track engaging member passage  114 . The spring  172  is disposed between the track engaging member  124  and the follower assembly housing  110  and biases the track engaging member  124  toward the guide bar  102 . The lever member  122  is disposed on the follower assembly housing first side  111  with the hook  168  engaging the offset support rod  130 . In this configuration, the spring  172  biases the track engaging member  124 , and therefore the hook  168 , away from the follower assembly housing first side  111 . Thus, the hook  168  draws the offset support rod  130 , and therefore the lever member  122  toward the follower assembly housing first side  111  and causes the cam surface  152  to engage the follower assembly housing first side  111 . Additionally, the track engaging member tooth  170  is disposed adjacent to the track groove  108  and is structured to engage the track groove  108  as described below. 
     In this configuration, the lever member  122  and track engaging member  124  are movable between corresponding first positions, wherein the offset support rod  130  is disposed adjacent to the follower housing first side  111  and the track engaging member  124  engages said track groove  108 , and second positions, wherein the offset support rod  130  is spaced from the follower housing first side  111  and the track engaging member  124  does not engage said track groove  108 . That is, as shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , the release lever assembly  120  operates as follows. In a first position, shown in  FIG. 12 , the lever member  122  extends in one direction, to the left as shown. In this position, the offset support rod  130  is disposed adjacent to the follower housing first side  111  and the track engaging member  124 , which is biased by the spring  172  toward the guide bar  102 , engages the track groove  108 . As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a user may pivot the lever member  122  approximately 180 degrees into the second position. As the lever member  122  is being pivoted, the cam surface  152  acts upon the follower housing first side  111  causing the lever member  122  to pivot about an imaginary pivot point. That is, the lever member  122  does not pivot about the offset support rod  130 , but instead about a point extending through the center of the two elongated tines  142 ,  144 . Further, as the pivot point for the lever member  122  does not correspond to the location of the offset support rod  130 , the offset support rod  130  pivots through an arc. Thus, in the first position, the offset support rod  130  is disposed adjacent to the follower housing first side  111 , but, as shown in  FIG. 14 , in the second position, the offset support rod  130  is space further away from the follower housing first side  111 . As the track engaging member  124  is coupled to the offset support rod  130 , the track engaging member  124  also moves in a direction generally perpendicular to the follower housing first side  111  between the first and second positions. The track engaging member tooth  170  is sized so that, when the track engaging member  124  is in the first position, the track engaging member tooth  170  is disposed in the track groove  108 , and, when the track engaging member  124  is in the second position, the track engaging member tooth  170  is not disposed in the track groove  108 . Additionally, the follower assembly  106  may include an indicia  174  indicating the status of the release lever assembly  120 . 
     In operation, when the track engaging member tooth  170  is disposed in the track groove  108  and the barrel  42  is rotated, the track engaging member tooth  170 , and therefore the track engaging member  124 , travels axially along the guide bar  102 . The motion of the track engaging member  124  is transferred to the follower assembly  106  which also travels axially along the guide bar  102 . Thus, as a hose is being wound upon the barrel  42  and passing through the follower assembly  106 , the hose is drawn back and forth thereby winding the hose on the barrel  42  in a controlled manner. A controlled manner of directing the hose is not required while drawing the hose outwardly. Accordingly, a user may simply flip the lever member  122  to the second position thereby separating the track engaging member tooth  170  from the track groove  108 . In this position, the release lever assembly  120  is not engaged and the autotrack device is subject to a reduced amount of wear and tear. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the basket assembly  40  includes a water system  200  disposed partially within the barrel  42 . As shown in  FIGS. 16-17 , the water system  200  includes an inlet member  202 , an outlet member  204 , and an interlock assembly  206 . The inlet member  202  has a body  210  that is, preferably, an elongated, generally straight, circular body  210  defining an inlet member passage  212 . The inlet member body  210  has a first, upstream end  214  and a second, downstream end  216 . The inlet member body upstream end  214  may be threaded and structured to be coupled to a supply hose. The inlet member body  210  also has an outer diameter. The inlet member  202  is attached to the housing assembly  20  and does not rotate. 
     The outlet member  204  has a body  220  that is, preferably, an elongated circular body  220  defining an outlet member passage  222 . The outlet member body  220  has a first, upstream end  224  and a second, downstream end  226  ( FIG. 16 ). The outlet member body  220  also has a generally right angle bend  228  between the first, upstream end  224  and the second, downstream end  226 , the outlet member body  220  further having an inner diameter, wherein the inner diameter is slightly larger than the inlet member body  210  outer diameter. The inlet member body downstream end  216  is structured to be partially disposed within the outlet member body upstream end  224 . In this configuration, the inlet member passage  212  and the outlet member passage  222  are in fluid communication. The outlet member  204  is disposed substantially within, and is attached to, the barrel  42 . Thus, the outlet member  204  rotates with the barrel  42 . Further, the outlet member body downstream end  226 , which extends through the barrel  42 , may include an additional bend  229  so that the distal tip of the outlet member body downstream end  226  extends generally tangent to the surface of the barrel  42 . The outlet member body downstream end  226  is, preferably, threaded and structured to be coupled to a hose. 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , the inlet member  202  may include one or more O-ring grooves  218  disposed adjacent to the inlet member body downstream end  216  as well as one or more O-rings  219  structured to be disposed partially within the O-ring grooves  218 . When the O-rings  219  are disposed within the O-ring grooves  218  and the inlet member body downstream end  216  is partially disposed within the outlet member body upstream end  224 , the O-rings  219  engage both the inlet member  202  and the outlet member  204  and substantially prevent a fluid from passing through the gap between the inlet member  202  and the outlet member  204 . 
     The interlock assembly  206  includes at least one opening  230  on the outlet member body  220 , an interlock groove  232  on the inlet member body  210 , and a removable, elongated locking member  234  having a handle portion  236  and at least one key member  238 . The locking member  234  is structured to be coupled to the outlet member  204 . When the inlet member  202  is disposed partially within the outlet member  204 , the inlet member interlock groove  232  and the outlet member opening  230  are aligned. In this configuration, the locking member at least one key member  238  is structured to extend through the outlet member opening  230  into the inlet member interlock groove  232 , thereby preventing said inlet member  202  moving a substantial distance axially relative to said outlet member  204 . Further, the handle portion  236  is disposed on the outer surface of the basket assembly  40 . In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 15 , the basket assembly  40  includes two guide plates  46 ,  48  and the handle portion  236  extends and conforms to the shape of a guide plate  46 ,  48 . The locking member  234  may be removed by pulling on the handle portion  236  and moving the locking member  234  radially relative to the outer member  204 . In the preferred embodiment, the locking member  234  includes two key members  238 A,  238 B which form a yoke  240  extending from the handle portion  236 . Further, the outlet member body  220  has two aligned and opposed arcuate openings  230 A,  230 B. 
     In this configuration, a user may easily separate the inlet member  202  and the outlet member  204  by removing the locking member  234  and separating the inlet member  202  and the outlet member  204  axially. That is, once the locking member  234  has been removed, the user simply pulls the inlet member  202  out of the outlet member  204 . The user may further recouple the inlet member  202  and the outlet member  204  by inserting the inlet member body downstream end  216  partially within the outlet member body upstream end  224  until the outlet member opening  230  is aligned with the inlet member interlock groove  232 . When the outlet member opening  230  is aligned with the inlet member interlock groove  232 , the locking member  234  may be reinstalled by moving the at least one key member  238  through the outlet member opening  230  into the inlet member interlock groove  232 . 
     While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.