Abstract:
A hose reel device is provided with features for enhancing the functionality and ease of use of the device. The device comprises a drum provided with a frame member and at least one extension adapted for cleaning, winding, guiding, or elevating an elongate flexible hose that may be provided in combination with the device. The device also comprises various modular features such that the device may be modified for particular applications and based on the preferences of the end user.

Description:
[0001]    This U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/196,466, filed Jul. 24, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to systems and devices for managing flexible elongate objects such as hoses, wires, cables, and ropes. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a system with a reel for storing, coiling, extending and using a hose or similar device, and optional features for assisting in the use of the reel and the hose or other devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Hose reels have gained wide public acceptance as a convenient device for storing hoses and like devices. These devices include portable hose reel carts, stationary hose reel carts, and stationary hose reel hangers that can be mounted to a surface of a building or vehicle. Hose reels provide for coiling of a hose, elevating a hose above a ground surface, and enhancing the portability of a hose at least when provided in a storage condition. 
         [0004]    A typical portable hose reel includes an open, rotatable reel or spool typically provided on a support. Such devices may include wheels to permit ready transport of the hose from one location to another. At least one hose may be wound around the reel for storage, and unwound or extended from the reel when use is desired. 
         [0005]    Hose reels may comprise a crank handle secured to a hub for rotating a spool and winding and unwinding a hose. Alternatively, it is known to provide a hose reel with a motor obtaining power from a battery to provide a desired rotation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,687, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, is directed to a battery powered hose reel to provide an alternative to manual cranking of a hose reel. The battery powers a motor typically allowing hundreds of hose retrievals before recharging. 
         [0006]    It is also known to provide a water powered motor that can be used for automatic hose take-up. U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,188, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, provides a water-driven motor having an external gear motor, a linearly translating actuator, and a rotatable actuator. U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,342, which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses the use of a water operated motor for conversion of linear motion to a rotational motion using pistons linked to a hose reel spool. U.S. Publication No. 2006/0045733, which is further hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses the use of a water turbine for use in rotation of a hose reel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    However, even with these known devices, there is still a need for an improved, low cost, high efficiency hose reel. Thus, there remains a long-felt and unmet need for hose reel devices in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure. The improved hose reels of the present disclosure include, for example, devices and features for efficient and ergonomic winding of a hose around a spool or drum, wherein the hose is elevated from a floor, ground, or working surface, wherein the device is wound in a preferred manner, and wherein cleaning of an exterior surface of a hose is achieved during winding or unwinding of the hose. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a hose reel device for storing, organizing, and protecting flexible devices such as hoses, cables, wires, ropes and similar devices (which for ease of explanation will all collectively be referred to as “hoses”) while still allowing for ease of use of the flexible device. In various embodiments, a protective housing or cage is provided to protect the hose reel and any associated flexible device from various external factors. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide hose reel devices that are durable, neatly coil and extend a flexible device, prevent damage to the flexible device(s), provide a compact system, allow for extension of a flexible device at a plurality of angles, comprise stacking abilities or features, are ergonomic and easy to handle, and that comprise self-cleaning features. Devices and features in furtherance of these objects are shown and described herein. 
         [0009]    It is yet another object of embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a hose reel device that overcomes various drawbacks associated with the prior art including, but not limited to, issues related to coiling or storing a dirty hose, lack of mobility, difficulty winding or coiling, interference with nearby or adjacent components and machinery, and the ability to dispense or uncoil a hose at multiple different angles or orientations, etc. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, a hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose is provided, the apparatus comprising a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of the drum. The apparatus also has a frame that is at least partially surrounding the drum, and the drum is rotatably mounted to the frame. Next, a pair of rotatable arms extend from the frame, and at least one elongate rail member extends between the pair of rotatable arms. A hose guide member is provided on the at least one elongate rail member. The hose guide member is translatable with respect to the at least one elongate rail member, and the hose guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible hose or similar device. The pair of arms are rotatable about an axis generally corresponding to the axis of rotation of the drum such that the hose guide member may be provided in a plurality of radial positions with respect to the drum. 
         [0011]    In certain embodiments, the frame comprises a pair of lower frame members and a pair of upper frame members, and the apparatus is stackable with an additional apparatus of the same construction. In various embodiments, the hose guide member comprises a hose cleaning device having a plurality of bristles adapted to contact a flexible hose and remove debris from the flexible hose&#39;s exterior surface. Next, the at least one elongate rail member may comprise a self-reversing screw to provide a reciprocating motion to the hose guide member and to wind or coil a flexible hose or similar device about the drum in a preferred manner. In some embodiments, the self-reversing screw comprises a left-handed helical groove and a right-handed helical groove that overlap each other, and the hose guide member comprises a shoe that is operatively interconnected to the helical grooves to provide the reciprocating motion of the hose guide member. 
         [0012]    In various embodiments, the apparatus has an extending hose guide that is provided on the frame. A guide member is positioned on a distal end of the extending hose guide, and the guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible hose. Further, the extending hose guide may comprise a plurality of telescoping, concentric frame elements that allow the extending hose guide to selectively extend above the frame. 
         [0013]    In yet another embodiment, a hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose is provided, and the apparatus has a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation. The apparatus also has a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame, and the frame having a portion that is a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the drum. A pair of rotatable arms may extend from the frame, and the pair of rotatable arms are rotatable about the axis of rotation of the drum. Next, a rail member can extend between the pair of rotatable arms, and the rail member is a predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the drum. The rail member and the pair of rotatable arms are adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation of the drum, and the rail member may contact the portion of the frame to prevent rotation of the rail member and the pair of rotating arms in one direction. The apparatus may also have a hose guide member provided on the rail member, and the hose guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible hose. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the frame comprises a second portion that is a second predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the drum, and a second rail member extends between the pair of rotatable arms, contacts the second portion of the frame to prevent rotation of the second rail member and the pair of rotating arms in a second direction. In various embodiments, the hose guide member is provided on a second rail member extending between the pair of rotatable arms, and the hose guide member is translatable with respect to the rail members. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, a hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose is provided, and the apparatus comprises a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation and comprises a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame. The apparatus has a pair of rotatable arms extending from the frame, wherein the pair of rotatable arms are rotatable about an axis generally corresponding to the axis of rotation of the drum. At least one elongate rail member extends between the pair of rotatable arms. A first guide member can be provided on the at least one elongate rail member, the first guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible hose, and the first guide member may be provided in a plurality of radial positions with respect to the drum. The apparatus may also have an extending hose guide provided on the frame, wherein a second guide member is positioned on a distal end of the extending hose guide, and the second guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible hose. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the extending hose guide comprises a plurality of telescoping, concentric frame elements that allow the extending hose guide to selectively extend above the frame. In various embodiments, the frame is positioned on a platform of a cart, the cart having at least one wheel to move the frame and cart. 
         [0017]    The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present disclosure is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Additional aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosed system and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of hose reel devices and a hose reel accessory in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a component of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a component of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a component of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9A  is a front perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of hose reel devices according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9C  is a rear perspective view of a hose reel device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the particular system embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a hose reel device  2  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the hose reel  2  comprises a frame member  4  with base member  6 . The frame member  4  at least partially surrounds a drum  8 , the drum  8  being rotatable with respect to at least the frame  4  and adapted to receive and store a hose (not shown). Although the present disclosure contemplates systems and features for storing hoses such as air and water hoses, it will be expressly recognized that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular hose. Indeed, it is contemplated that devices of the present disclosure are provided and adapted to receive and store various devices including hoses, cables, cords, ropes, and various other elongate objects suitable for winding and/or storing with devices of the disclosure. 
         [0032]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the hose reel device  2  also comprises a crank  10  or other user-interface to rotate the drum  8  and effectuate winding or unwinding of a hose or similar device. The crank  10  is at least partially supported by a support member  12  (a second similar support member is located but not fully shown on the opposite side of the frame), which further support the drum  10  and comprises a portion of the frame  4 . The hose reel  2  comprises fluid-connection interface  14  to connect a stored hose or similar device provided on the reel  2  to a water or air source, for example. The fluid-connection interface  14  provides for a device that renders a stored or wound hose to be usable while provided on the hose reel  2 , such that the hose reel  2  is not simply a storage device. As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the frame  4  comprises horizontally extending members  16 . Horizontally extending members  16  further support the frame  4 , protect the drum  8 , and support additional accessories as shown and described herein. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hose reel device  2  according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The hose reel device  2  comprises substantially the same structure as the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , and further comprises a hose guide  17 . The hose guide  17  comprises a body member  18  provided on elongate rails  22   a,    22   b,  and an aperture  19  through which a hose or similar device is fed as it is wound around or extended from the drum  8 . The hose guide body  18  and associated aperture  19  are translatable along elongate rails  22   a,    22   b  in order to feed and coil a hose back and forth along at least a portion of a width of the drum  8 . The hose guide  17  is secured to the frame  4  of the hose reel device  2  with first and second bracket members or arms  24   a,    24   b.  Bracket members  24   a,    24   b  are selectively securable to the frame  4  in a plurality of locations based on user preference, desired position or orientation of the hose reel  2 , or other requirements. 
         [0034]    Portions of the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  form recesses that secure the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  to the frame  4 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the frame  4  is selectively received through openings of the recesses (further described with respect to  FIG. 6 ) to secure the bracket members  24   a,    24   b , elongate rails  22   a,    22   b,  and hose guide  17  to the frame  4 . The portions of the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  may be deflectable such that an interference fit is created between the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  and the frame  4 . In practice, a user may, for example, selectively interconnect the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  to a front side of the frame in one instance, then remove and selectively interconnect the members  24   a,    24   b  to a top side of the frame in another instance. 
         [0035]    It will be appreciated that the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  may be selectively interconnected to the frame  4  in a number of ways. For example, a clamp on each bracket member  24   a,    24   b  allows for a user to selectively secure the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  to the frame  4  in a plurality of locations on the frame  4 . In another further example, the frame  4  comprises a curved segment having a constant radius of curvature, and the recesses of the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  have the same radius of curvature. Thus, the bracket members  24   a ,  24   b  can selectively change positions along the curved segment of the frame  4 . Deflectable portions and/or interference fits can secure the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  in particular positions, but it will also be appreciated that other selective securing features such as deflectable pins, screws, latches, and other similar features can secure the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  in particular positions on the frame  4 . 
         [0036]    Next, in certain embodiments, and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the hose guide  17  comprises a handle portion  26  for manually moving the hose guide  17  which can be used to coil a hose around a drum in a desired fashion. However, in alternative embodiments, at least one of the rails  22   a,    22   b  comprises a self-reversing screw or worm gear for auto guiding and winding of a hose. In one example, an elongate rail member  22   a,    22   b  has a right-handed helical groove along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member  22   a,    22   b  and a left-handed helical groove also running along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member  22   a,    22   b.  A shoe (not shown) on the hose guide  17  tracks along one of the helical groves such that the hose guide  17  translates along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member  22   a,    22   b.  Once the hose guide  17  reaches one end of the elongate rail member  22   a,    22   b,  the shoe transitions between helical grooves, and the hose guide  17  begins translating in the opposite direction along the longitudinal length of the elongate rail member  22   a,    22   b.  This translating motions helps store a hose in the hose reel device  2  in an efficient and compact manner. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hose reel device  2  and hose guide accessories according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the device comprises a hose guide  17  as shown and described with respect to  FIG. 2  (but positioned upon a different portion of the frame  4 ). The hose reel  2  of  FIG. 3  further comprises an elevated hose guide  30  extending substantially perpendicular to the width direction of the drum  8  of the hose guide  2 . The elevated hose guide  30  comprises first  34  and second  38  members. The members  34 ,  38  are telescoping with respect to each other, such that an overall length of the elevated hose guide  30  is adjustable. The elevated hose guide  30  is preferably removably secured or fixed to the frame  4  of the hose reel  2  by a clamp or similar feature. The elevated hose guide  30  provides a roller guide  40  at an elevated position and can enable elevation of a hose. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the hose guide  30  is rotatable with respect to the frame  4  of the hose reel  2  such that a user may easily move around a position of the hose reel  2  in a radial direction while utilizing a hose which is constrained by the roller guide  40 . 
         [0038]    The embodiment of  FIG. 3  also comprises a horizontal hose guide  17  as shown and described with respect to  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3 , however, the horizontal hose guide  17  is provided on an upper portion of the frame member  4 , such as may be desirable to accommodate a hose being fed through the roller guide  40  of the elevated hose guide  30 . The arrangement of  FIG. 3  may be particularly advantageous, for example, where one wishes to use a spray gun or wand associated with a hose provided on the hose reel  2  when the hose reel  2  is provided in the bed or a truck or similar position of storage. The elevated roller guide  40  of the elevate hose guide  30  creates a raised contact point for the hose and creates greater mobility and freedom of movement for a user of a device provided on a distal end of a hose. The elevated hose guide  30  comprises a locking pin  36  (or other device known in the art) to selectively adjust and secure a relative position of the first  34  and second  38  members and a total overall length of the elevated hose guide  30 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a hose reel  2  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure provided on a cart  50 . The cart  50  comprises an upper frame member  52 , at least one wheel  54  (a second wheel would typically be opposite the shown wheel and also attached to eh cart frame  50 ), a lower frame member  58  with a foot or support  60 , and a platform  56  for receiving at least a portion of a hose reel  2  as shown and described herein. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a bottom portion  6  of the frame member  4  may be provided on the platform  56 , and movement of the hose reel  2  is enabled by manual operation and translation of the cart  50 . The upper frame member  52  can be used as a handle to facilitate movement of the cart  50  and is adjustable in some embodiments. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cart  50  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 4  and wherein the cart  50  is provided with a plurality of hose reels  2 . As shown, the hose reels  2  comprise base member  6  and frame members  4  that allow for secure vertical stacking (in a manner known in the art) of the hose reels  2 . A plurality of reels  2  may be stacked on a single cart  50  and moved to desired locations. It is also contemplated that hose reels  2  and associated features (e.g. spray guns) may be used while the hose reel(s)  2  are provided on the cart  50  as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of a horizontal hose guide  17  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the horizontal hose guide  17  comprises first and second bracket members  24   a,    24   b  adapted to mount the guide  17  to a frame of a hose reel  2 . A pair of rails  22   a,    22   b  are provided and extend between the first and second bracket members  24   a,    24   b.  The rails  22   a,    22   b  are adapted to allow for substantially horizontal translation of a body member  18 . The body member  18  comprises a central aperture  19  for receiving a hose or similar feature and wherein the hose travels through the central aperture during winding and unwinding of a drum of the hose reel  2 . The body member  18  comprises a handle  26 , and a user may grasp the handle  26  and guide or direct the coiling or uncoiling of the hose around the drum. These devices and features enable a user to provide a wound hose in a preferred orientation and wherein successive loops of a coil on the drum  8  are horizontally distributed in a desired position. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  also shows the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  and the respective portions that form recesses. The portions may form recesses that have a partially cylindrical shape to conform to a frame that has tubular segments. The recesses also have openings through which the frame may pass through before being secured in the recesses. The openings of the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  have a particular orientation so that the second bracket member  24   b  is selectively interconnected to the frame before the first bracket member  24   a,  or vice versa. The opening of the second bracket  24   b  is oriented in an outward direction, or alternatively, parallel with longitudinal axes of the rails  22   a,    22   b.  Conversely, the opening of the first bracket  24   a  is oriented in a different direction. The first bracket  24   a  is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rails  22 a,  22   b.  Thus, during operation, a user selectively interconnects the second bracket member  24   b  to the frame, then rotates the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  and the rails  22   a,    22   b  and selectively interconnects the first bracket member  24   a  to the frame. Accordingly, the user only has to selectively interconnect one bracket member  24   a,    24   b  at a time instead of both bracket members  24   a,    24   b  simultaneously. 
         [0043]    It will be appreciated that the orientations of the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  are not necessarily “parallel” and “perpendicular.” For instance, the second bracket member  24   b  can be in an orientation between parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rails  22   a,    22   b  such that a user selectively interconnects the second bracket member  24   b  to the frame, then only has to rotate the bracket members  24   a,    24   b  and the rails  22   a,    22   b  a few degrees to selectively interconnect the first bracket member  24   a  to the frame. It will be further appreciated that while the opening of the second bracket member  24   b  is oriented outwardly in  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the arms  22   a,    22   b  are longer and the opening of the second bracket member  24   b  is oriented inwardly, yet still parallel with the longitudinal axes of the arms  22   a,    22   b.    
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a detailed perspective view of an elevated hose guide member  30  comprising first  34  and second  38  members that are translatable relative to each other. A securing member  36 , such as a pin, clevis, clamp, or similar device, may be provided to secure the first and second members  34 ,  38  in a desired position or length relative to one another. A mounting bracket  35  is provided to secure the member  30  to a hose reel  2 , such as those shown and described herein. A first end of the second member  38  comprises a roller guide  40  for guiding and/or cleaning a hose. The roller guide of the depicted embodiment comprises an aperture for receiving a hose and a plurality of rollers to facilitate movement and reduce wear on the hose. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a cart  50  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the cart  50  comprises upper frame portion  52  with a handle  53 , and a lower frame portion  58  with a foot  60 . The cart  50  comprises wheels  54  to enable translation of the cart  50  and associated devices. A platform  56  is provided and connected to the lower frame member  58 . The length of the frame portion  52 , and thus the operating position of the handle  53 , can be adjusted in known fashion by use of members  57   a  and  57   b.    
         [0046]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a hose reel  70  of another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the hose reel  70  comprises a frame member  72  and a drum  74 . First and second rotatable arms or brackets  76   a,    76   b  are provided on opposing lateral sides of the frame member  72 . The arms  76   a,    76   b  comprise laterally extending rails  78   a,    78   b  extending between the rails. It will be appreciated that the frame  4  can, in some embodiments, serve to limit the range of positions of the arms  76   a,    76   b  and the elongate rails  78   a,    78   b.  When the arms  76   a,    76   b  rotate forward, one of the elongate rails  78   a,    78   b  contacts a portion of the frame  4  to prevent further rotation. Similarly, when the arms  76   a,    76   b  rotate backward, one of the elongate rails  78   a,    78   b  contacts a portion of the frame  4  to prevent further rotation. In other words, the elongate rails  78   a,    78   b  are a predetermined distance away from the axis of rotation of the arms  76   a,    76   b , which in some embodiments can be described as the axis of rotation of the drum  8 . Thus, one of the elongate rails  78   a,    78   b  contact a portion of the frame  4  that is also the predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of the arms  76   a,    76   b  or the drum  8 . It will be appreciated that the first arm  76   a  may have a different predetermined distance than the second arm  76   b,  and thus, the frame has two different portions with surfaces that are two different predetermined distances away from the axis of rotation of the arms  76   a,    76   b  or the drum  8 . 
         [0047]    A hose guide  80  is provided on the rails  78   a,    78   b.  The hose guide  80  comprises hose tensioning rollers  82  and a hose cleaning brush  84 . The brush  84  comprises an aperture with inwardly extending bristles to clean and/or dry a hose as it travels through the hose guide  80 . In preferred embodiments, at least one of the rails  78   a,    78   b  comprises a self-reversing screw for enabling lateral translation of the guide  80  and winding a hose around the drum  74  in a preferred manner. Various self-reversing screw constructions are contemplated for use with embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the structures shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,421 to Berlier et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, may be provided in various embodiments to achieve a reciprocating lateral motion R of the hose guide  80  and enable a preferred winding and storage of a hose when a crank or handle member  85  is operated. Additionally, the arms  76   a,    76   b  of the device  70  are rotatable, in a ratcheting, spring loaded locking pins, or other desired fashion, and capable of extending away from the frame member  72 , through use of telescoping or other construction mean, at a variety of angles or orientations. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view of a plurality of hose reels  70  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 9A  and wherein the hose reels  70  are stacked in a vertical arrangement. As shown, the frame members  72  of the hose reels  70  comprise upper  86  and lower  88  rails adapted for secure communication with one another and enabling stacking of the reels  70 . Hose reels  70  of the present disclosure may be stacked for shipping or storage, or may be provided in a stacked arrangement on a truck and/or in various working arrangements. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9C  is a perspective view of a hose reel  70  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The hose reel  70  as shown in  FIG. 9C  comprises a vertically extending hose guide member  90 . The hose reel  70  comprises various features as shown and described herein, including the frame member  72 , arms  76   a,    76   b,  and hose guide  80 . The hose reel  70  is further provided with a height-adjustable vertically extending hose guide  90 . A roller or guide member  92  is provided proximal an upper portion of the guide  90 . In various embodiments, the guide  92  comprises a plurality of concentric frame elements that are telescoping with respect to one another. In the depicted embodiment, the guide  90  is provided as extending from a vertical member of the frame  72 . In alternative embodiments, however, it is contemplated that the guide  90  is secured to a side of the frame or related structure. In preferred embodiments, the guide  90  comprises a selectively removable member secured to the frame  72  by one or more pin connections (or similar), and wherein the guide  90  is easily removable from the hose reel  70  when the device is to be moved or stored. The elevated hose guide  90  provides a structure for elevating a hose above a ground surface and various objects that may obstruct winding of the hose. The guide  90  thus promotes efficient unobstructed winding of a hose  100 . 
         [0050]    While various embodiments of the system have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as, additional items.