Abstract:
A reel having a relatively large, hollow, winding drum and end flanges large enough to provide adequate capacity for the intended hose is rotably mounted in a frame. There are no swivel joints in the vacuum conduit. The drum has a slot for receiving the hose near one end flange. The slot begins with a portion offset approximately 45 degrees from the drum axis, then curves to a lesser angle. The over all length of the slot is 2 to 4 hose diameters.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None 
       U.S. GOVERNMENT INTEREST IN THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    None 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    Reel assemblies for storage of hoses. In particular corrugated hoses such as used in household vacuum and pool cleaning systems. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0006]    Many reels for winding and storing hoses are to be found in the patent literature. Most have a swivel joint in an adapter for supplying fluid from an external attachment thence through the swivel and on to the end of the hose. This permits the hose to be used while partly wound on the reel. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,834 by Vaughn Keenan shows a typical swivel connection (FIG. 3, Col. 3, lines 18-35) Mr, keenan&#39;s hose is not intended to be taken off the reel. Indeed, the hose has no appropriate fitting to plug it into a vacuum machine. That is done by adapter hose 12. Hose 12 appears to be unsecured and will flop around when the reel assembly is moved between its use station and storage locker. In the present invention, the hose has a cooperating fitting to connect to a wall vacuum outlet, and there is provision for storing the tare end while moving between use and storage stations. Most hose reels, regardless of the fluid types and pressures to be handled are of the permanently connected, swivel joint types of which Mr. Keenan&#39;s is typical. 
         [0008]    A few hose reels are adapted to always remove the hose from the reel before using. U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,473 by Enrico Vitaletti and U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,307 by Jeffery Smith are of this type. Vitaletti shows a tapered plug that holds the end of the hose by friction so it can be wound onto the reel. Vitaletti FIG. 4 uses an existing nozzle from a swivel joint assembly in a stock hose reel to hold a friction fit plug. The swivel joint is not used for passing hose fluids. The Vitaletti reel is an open assembly and the holding plug is readily accessible. On the other hand, Smith&#39;s reel drum is not accessible, so he utilizes a rope or cord 96 (FIG. 7, Col 5, lines 31-40) connected between the drum and a “starter piece” 94 which attaches to the hose to pull the hose end into the cabinet and onto the drum during the winding operation. 
         [0009]    The present invention uses a slot in the drum to grab the hose end. Moreover, because the hose end may be extended through the hollow reel drum and into a wall vacuum socket, the hose may be used either with the reel still attached (and often partly wound on the reel) or may easily be completely removed from the reel. No prior art was found that kept the end fitting on the hose while having some of the hose on the reel. No prior art was found where the hose may optionally be left partly on the reel or completely removed from the reel. 
         [0010]    No prior art was found utilizing a slot, and especially a slot offset at an angle for grasping the starting end of a hose. 
         [0011]    No prior art was found where the hose itself was extended through and beyond the reel for connecting to a vacuum or source of pressurized fluid. 
         [0012]    Modern built-in vacuum cleaner systems use a hose with at least one pair of conductors, more often two pairs. One controls the on/off function of the vacuum machine and the other powers a rotary rug brush. Any swivel joint assembly would also have to include 2 to 4 slip rings to provide a swivel connection for the electrical circuits. The present invention avoids this complication. 
         [0013]    3. Objects of the Invention 
         [0014]    It is an object of the invention to provide a hose reel for storing the hose of a built-in vacuum cleaner system. Where the hose may be used while some of the hose is still on the reel, and to permit easy removal from the reel to use the hose independently of the reel. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the invention to have the handle end of the hose be stored on the reel frame when not extended. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the invention to accommodate the various sizes of hoses found in the built-in vacuum cleaner industry. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the invention to accommodate hoses having internal wiring for powering a rug brush and/or handle mounted remote on/off control of the vacuum machine. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    A reel having a relatively large, hollow, winding drum and end flanges large enough to provide adequate capacity for the intended hose, is rotably mounted in a frame. The drum has a slot for receiving the hose near one end flange. The slot begins with a portion offset approximately 45 degrees from the drum axis, then curves to a lesser angle. The over all length of the slot is 2 to 4 hose diameters. The slot edges are beveled or filleted to reduce the sharpness of bend where the hose turns to be wound on the reel. The beveling near the flange end of the slot is on the outer edges of the slot, while the beveling from mid-slot to the end is on the inside edges of the slot. 
         [0019]    Handles are provided on the flanges for manually turning the reel assembly for winding the hose. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  is an overall depiction of the reel assembly of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1B  is an overall depiction of the optional motor and filter assembly of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a depiction of the reel portion of the invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows the outlet end extended and ready to be plugged into a vacuum socket. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  shows the hose in its stored position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  depicts a “trunk shaped” reel box. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6A  is cross sectional view B-B through the hose reel assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6B  is cross sectional view B-B through the motor/dustbin assembly. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7A , B, &amp; C show several possible bearing structures. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is an alternative frame shape. 
       
    
    
     TABLE OF IDENTIFIED DETAILS 
       [0030]      1 . The Invention 
         [0031]      2 . The hose reel portion, ie, a bobbin or spool 
         [0032]      3 . The box style frame 
         [0033]      4 . The hollow winding drum 
         [0034]      5 . Left and right end flanges 
         [0035]      6 . Hose slot in the reel drum. 
         [0036]      7 . The hose 
         [0037]      8 . Hose end fitting to plug into a vacuum outlet 
         [0038]      9 . Reel winding handle, (on either or both ends) 
         [0039]      10 . Vacuum wall inlet 
         [0040]      11 . Hose end storage bin. 
         [0041]      12 . Frame with a rounded “trunk style” shape. 
         [0042]      13 . Motor and dustbin/filter assembly option. 
         [0043]      14 . Suction motor. 
         [0044]      15 . Dust bin and filter module. 
         [0045]      16 . Inlet 
         [0046]      17 . Exhaust outlet 
         [0047]      18 . Handle holes 
         [0048]      19 . Hose winding slot 
         [0049]      20 . Hose end storage exit slot 
         [0050]      21 . Hose exit opening in frame 
         [0051]      22 . Rolling ball 
         [0052]      23 . Bearing ring 
         [0053]      24 . Bearing pin 
         [0054]      25 . Latches for attaching the motor box to the reel box 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0055]    The vacuum hose reel system disclosed  1  has a frame  3 , shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6A  as a box with a hand operated rotatable reel  2  inside for winding a vacuum hose  7 . The drum  4  of the reel  2  is hollow and has a slot  6  for receiving a hose which, in the preferred embodiment, is be extended through the hollow drum, without an intermediary swivel joint, and out through the box end wall through a hose exit  21 , then plugged into a vacuum receptacle  10 , usually on a wall of a home or office. 
         [0056]      FIG. 2  shows the reel  2 , drum  4 , and slot  6 . The slot is at least as wide as the largest expected hose plus an allowance for loose fitting clearance. Vacuum hoses for vacuum cleaner use are usually corrugated for flexibility and between 1 inch and 1¼ inch inside diameter; 1½ and 1¾ inches outside diameter. One end of a vacuum cleaner hose is fitted with a connector means for removably plugging into a vacuum source which is usually a wall mounted vacuum port. The opposite end of the hose has an adapter for attaching a variety of cleaning and dirt pick-up tools. The tool adapter may also have a handle for manipulating the attached tools. 
         [0057]    Hoses used for pool cleaning may be up to 3 inches OD. Pool hose reels may be considered a separate product from vacuum cleaner hose reels, therefore, vacuum cleaner hose reel slots may generally be approximately 2 inches wide. 
         [0000]      0+3 
         [0058]    The slot  6  should also be finished with rounded edges to facilitate the hose bending over the edge of the slot and onto the drum. 
         [0059]    A single hose slot  6  is illustrated. The slot  6  as shown favors winding the hose in one direction. Two slots for optional winding in the other direction are permitted, also as is modifying the slot  6  by enlarging to accommodate reverse winding. 
         [0060]    Obviously, the end flanges  5  and the drum length are adapted to provide room on the reel for winding the largest expected hose. In the case of vacuum cleaner hoses, the usual maximum length is approximately 30 feet. For pool reels, the capacity may be up to 50 feet of 3 inch hose. 
         [0061]    The reel  2  and frame  3  may be constructed of a combination of metal, plastic, or wood products. Lightening holes and stiffening ribs may be incorporated to reduce the weight and amount of material used. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hose  6  is passed through the slot into the hollow interior of the drum. In the operating configuration shown in  FIG. 3 , the hose is extended beyond the reel and is to be plugged into a vacuum inlet  10 , usually located low on a wall at a convenient central place from which the hose and cleaning tools can reach a large area of the home or other building. 
         [0063]      FIG. 4  shows the hose end tucked into the hollow drum for storage. The hose may be extended out of either end of the drum, and in most cases, may be folded back on itself at least twice to accommodate a longer extension. 
         [0064]    Modern vacuum cleaner hoses usually have one or two pairs of conductors for providing power to a rug brush and/or for remotely operating the vacuum machine on\off function. Vacuum inlet  10  has receiving contacts for the hose conductors. The present invention does not break the hose for inserting a swivel joint, therefore, no slip rings are needed for the electrical wires. 
         [0065]      FIGS. 7A , B, &amp; C show some possible bearing structures. The possibilities are not limited to those shown.  FIG. 7A  is a simple cut away portion for receiving the flange of the drum.  FIG. 7B  has a ball bearing  22  introduced between the outer housing (frame) and the drum flanges. A roller bearing device may be used instead of a ball bearing.  FIGS. 7C and 7D  show an element extending from the reel flange into a co-operating slot in the frame end wall. The extending element ( FIG. 7C ) is preferred to be a ring  23  molded into or attached to the reel flanges, but may be a series of pins  24  ( FIG. 7D ) or ring segments. The ball arrangement of  FIG. 7B  is applicable to  FIG. 7C  ring bearing. The pins of  FIG. 7D  may carry ordinary inner-outer race bearings which would roll in the cooperating slot. All of the rubbing surfaces, but especially the radial edges in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 C, and  7 D may be treated with friction reducing compounds or lined with strips of slippery materials such as Teflon or polypropolene. In all of the embodiments illustrated, end movement is restrained by the reel being held between the opposing, but cooperating frame end panels. 
         [0066]    Slot  19  in the box frame  3  and in the alternative rounded frame  12  are for the hose to enter the box and being level-wound on the reel. Slot  20  is a short opening for the tare end of the hose with the handle/nozzle assembly to be stowed in bin  11  at the end of the frame. A holster like means for holding the handle/nozzle assembly may be substituted for the holding bin  11 . 
         [0067]    The frames are fitted with an handle means for carrying the reel assembly about. One or two holes  18  in the top of the frame are adapted to be gripped are shown as adequate handle means. Loop and other forms of handles are also acceptable. 
       ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS AND VARIATIONS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0068]      FIG. 1B  shows an optional accessory  13  to the basic hose reel assembly described is an attaching box  3 B with latches  25 . Accessory  13  contains a suitable vacuum motor and fan assembly  14 , a dust collection bin  15 , and inlet  16  and outlet  17  ports. The end of the long hose from the reel is plugged into inlet port  16 , and conducted to bin  15  containing a dust separator, collector, and filter bag to trap and hold cleaning debris for subsequent disposal. Air from exhaust outlet  17  is as clean as from other stand alone household vacuum cleaners. However, because outlet  17  is adapted to receive a hose, the exhaust air may be sent via conduit through an open window or door to the out doors. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  8  show variations of the frame design.  FIG. 1  is a basic box open on only one side,  FIG. 5  is a “arch-top trunk shape” also open only on one side,  FIG. 8  is open on both sides providing optional left and right access for winding the hose on the reel. This is accommodates both left and right handed people. 
         [0070]    The top bar shown in  FIG. 8  is a relatively flat bar that accommodates an attached handle. Obviously, the handle may be built-in and/or the bar may be other shapes such as round, square, oval, etc, and may be arched upward in the center to raise the handle off the floor. One or more handles or grips may be attached. Grips may be ergonometrically shaped for more secure gripping. 
       HOW TO USE THE INVENTION 
       [0071]    As much hose as needed (or all of it) is pulled from the reel. The exit end is plugged into a vacuum outlet, and cleaning proceeds as usual. When finished, the hose is unplugged from the outlet and tucked into the reel center tube and the crank turned to wind the hose onto the reel. Level winding is accomplished by manually guiding the hose onto the reel. When fully wound, the handle/nozzle end is stowed in the bin  11  or an appropriately adapted holster. 
         [0072]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
         [0073]    It is recognized that one skilled in the art will perceive other embodiments and variants in the spirit and nature of the invention. It is intended that such embodiments and variants be included within the monopoly extended by patent.