Patent Publication Number: US-2016221734-A1

Title: Protective casing for tool hosing and methods

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/109,257, filed Jan. 29, 2015, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a protective casing for hoses or flex lances. This disclosure also relates to methods of use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Water jet cleaning systems are a form of pressure washers with pressures ranging from 7,000 psi to 60,000 psi. The systems are often used for cleaning with high pressure streams of water to remove buildup of debris in pipes, vessels, and various surfaces. Common uses are found in industries such as construction, marine, aviation, oil, and manufacturing. 
     These systems will often include tooling and hosing that runs between the tooling and units. The hosing often sits on the ground, as it runs between tooling and units, creating trip hazards and leaving unsightly spaghetti of hosing. In addition, the hosing is carrying water at very high pressure, which if bursts, can cause severe injury to operators and bystanders. Improvements are desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, this application is directed to a protective casing for tool hosing. 
     In one example arrangement, the protective casing includes a bag comprising a pliable material having an interior volume and first and second openings providing access to the interior volume. A first end plate is arranged in the first opening of the bag. The first end plate includes an opening arrangement to accommodate hosing. A second end plate is arranged in the second opening of the bag. The second end plate includes an opening arrangement to accommodate hosing. 
     The protective casing may further include a first end plate clamp associated with the first end plate to permit adjustment of the first end plate opening arrangement to accommodate differing sizes of hosing. There may also be a second end plate clamp associated with the second end plate to permit adjustment of the second end plate opening arrangement to accommodate differing sizes of hosing. 
     The first end plate opening arrangement may comprise a plurality of openings, and the second end plate arrangement may comprise a plurality of openings. 
     In some arrangements, the protective casing can further include a first clamp ring removably securing the bag and first end plate. There can be a second clamp ring removably securing the bag and second end plate. 
     In some embodiments, the bag may include a fastener to permit opening and closing of the bag along a region between the first and second openings. 
     In some examples, the first and second openings are in opposite ends of the bag. 
     In example embodiments, the fastener may include one of a zipper, buttons, and a hook and loop fastener. 
     In example embodiments, the bag includes a pair of opposite longitudinal sides and a pair of opposite end sides between the longitudinal sides. 
     In one or more embodiments, the fastener is arranged to removably secure opposite longitudinal sides together. 
     In example embodiments, the first opening can be formed by a first of the end sides, and the second opening can be formed by a second of the end sides. 
     In example arrangements, a first end plate clamp is associated with the first end plate to permit adjustment of the first end plate opening arrangement to accommodate differing sizes of hosing, and the first end plate opening arrangement will include a plurality of openings. A second end plate clamp will be associated with the second end plate to permit adjustment of the second end plate opening arrangement to accommodate differing sizes of hosing, and the second end plate arrangement will include a plurality of openings. A first clamp ring will removably secure the bag and first end plate. A second clamp ring will removably secure the bag and second end plate. 
     In one or more example embodiments, the pliable material of the bag includes a plurality of drain holes therethrough. 
     In one or more example embodiments, the pliable material of the bag comprises an armored pliable material that is one of woven and synthetic material. 
     In a further aspect, this disclosure is directed to a protective casing and hose system. The system includes a bag comprising a pliable material having an interior volume and first and second openings providing access to the interior volume. A first end plate is arranged in the first opening of the bag, and the first end plate has an opening arrangement. A second end plate is arranged in the second opening of the bag, and the second end plate includes an opening arrangement. At least one hose is in the bag interior volume and extends through the opening arrangement of the first end plate and the opening arrangement of the second end plate. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one hose includes a plurality of hoses. Each of the hoses in the plurality extend through a respective one of the holes of the opening arrangement of the first end plate and a respective one of the holes of the opening arrangement of the second end plate. 
     The system can include any of the features for the protective casing as previously characterized. 
     In another aspect, a method of encapsulating hosing in a protective casing is provided. The method includes providing a bag comprising a pliable material; providing a first end plate including an opening arrangement; providing a second end plate including an opening arrangement; and orienting a hose by extending the hose through the opening arrangement of the first end plate, along the pliable material of the bag, and through the opening arrangement of the second end plate. 
     The step of providing a bag can include providing a bag with a pair of opposite longitudinal sides and a pair of opposite end sides between the longitudinal sides. A fastener can be provided to removably secure the opposite longitudinal sides together. 
     After the step of orienting a hose, there may further be a step of securing the hose within an interior of the bag by securing the opposite longitudinal sides together with the fastener. 
     The method may further include the steps of securing the first end plate to the bag by orienting the first end plate next to a first of the end sides and using a first clamp ring to secure the first end plate and the bag; and securing the second end plate to the bag by orienting the second end plate next to a second of the end sides and using a second clamp ring to secure the second end plate and the bag. 
     The step of providing a first end plate may include providing a first end plate having a first end plate clamp to permit adjustment of the first end plate opening arrangement to accommodate differing sizes of hosing. The step of providing a second end plate may include providing a second end plate having a second end plate clamp to permit adjustment of the second end plate opening arrangement to accommodate differing sizes of hosing. 
     The step of orienting a hose may include orienting a plurality of hoses, and extending each hose through a hole in the opening arrangement of the first end plate, along the pliable material of the bag, and through a hole in the opening arrangement of the second end plate. 
     The step of providing a bag comprising a pliable material can include providing a bag of an armored pliable material having a plurality of drain holes therethrough. 
     In another aspect, a protective casing for tool hosing includes a bag comprising a pliable material having a pair of opposite longitudinal sides and a pair of opposite end sides between the longitudinal sides; the longitudinal sides being releasably secured together to form an interior volume and first and second openings providing access to the interior volume; each of the end sides having a closure arrangement to releasably secure the first and second openings; a fastener arranged to releasably secure the opposite longitudinal sides together; and a plurality of drain holes defined by the pliable material. 
     In one or more examples, each of the end sides includes a plurality of holes adjacent to the respective end side; and the closure arrangement includes laces threaded through the end side holes. 
     In one or more example embodiments, the closure arrangement comprises a ratchet tie down strap; or a band clamp; or a belt. 
     It is noted that not all the specific features described herein need to be incorporated in an arrangement for the arrangement to have some selected advantage according to the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an end view of a protective casing for tool hosing depicted in  FIG. 3 , constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the protective casing for tool hosing shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a protective casing and hose system, constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded plan view of an end plate and end plate clamp used in the protective casing of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic, perspective view of another embodiment of a bag used for a protective casing, constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a protective casing using the bag of  FIG. 5  and a closure arrangement using laces; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a closure arrangement embodied as a ratchet tie down strap, usable with the bag of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a closure arrangement embodied as a band clamp, usable with the bag of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a closure arrangement embodied as a belt, usable with the bag of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a protective casing and hose system at  10 . The system  10  is connected to a cleaning tool  12 . The cleaning tool  12  will typically be a high pressure water jet cleaning system, such as an industrial pressure washer having a pressure anywhere from 7,000 to 60,000 psi. 
     The system  10  includes a bag  14  and at least one hose  16  contained or compartmentalized within the bag  14 . The hose  16  can be a flex lance. As depicted, the hose  16  extends between the cleaning tool  12  and the bag  14 . The bag  14  functions to bundle one or more hoses  16  to decrease trip hazards and clean-up work areas. The bag  14  encapsulates the one or more hoses  16  in a protective casing  18  to capture any potential burst. 
     The bag  14  is part of protective casing  18 . The protective casing  18  includes the bag  14  comprising a pliable material  20 . The pliable material  20  can be a variety of materials. Preferably, the pliable material  20  is made of an armored pliable material. The armored pliable material can be one of either woven or synthetic material. For example, one example armored pliable material  20  that is usable is material made from Kevlar™ armored material. 
     The bag  14  defines an interior volume  22 . There are first and second openings  24 ,  26  providing access to the interior volume  24 . The first and second openings  24 ,  26  may be on opposite ends of the bag  14 . 
     Attention is directed to  FIG. 2 . In one example arrangement, the bag  14  is made from the pliable material  20  and includes a pair of opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30 . A pair of opposite end sides  32 ,  34  extend between the longitudinal sides  28 ,  30 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the pliable material  20  has a rectangular shape with generally straight longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  and straight end sides  32 ,  34 . In other embodiments, the sides  28 ,  30  and end sides  32 ,  34  need not be straight or form a rectangle. In use, the bag  14  is assembled by fastening the longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  together which forms the interior volume  22  and defines the first and second openings  24 ,  26 . 
     The casing  18  also includes a first end plate  36 . The first end plate  36  is illustrated as being arranged in the first opening  24  of the bag  14 . The first end plate  36  includes an opening arrangement  38  to accommodate one or more hoses  16 . The casing  18  further includes a second end plate  42 . The second end plate  42  can be arranged in the second opening  26  of the bag  14 . The second end plate  42  includes an opening arrangement  44  to accommodate one or more hoses  16 . In the example shown, the second end plate  42  is identical in structure to the first end plate  36 ; thus, descriptions of the structure of the first end plate  36  also apply to the second end plate  42 , in this embodiment. In other embodiments, they can be different. 
     In the example embodiment, each of the opening arrangements  38 ,  44  includes a plurality of openings  40  ( FIG. 4 ) extending through the end plate  36 ,  42 . The first and second end plates  36 ,  42  are illustrated as having a circular perimeter, but other shapes are possible. In this example, there are eight openings  40  extending through each of the end plates  36 ,  42 . In other arrangements, there can be more or fewer openings  40 . 
     In the non-limiting example illustrated, the openings  40  include open slots  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  that extend inwardly or inboard from an upper radial edge  58  of the end plate  36 ,  42 ; and open slots  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78  that extend inwardly or inboard from a lower radial edge  60  of the end plate  36 ,  42 . The slots  71 - 78  are depicted as U-shaped, but could be other shapes. The slots  71 - 78  hold the hoses  16  and are adjustable in size to accommodate different diameters of hoses  16 , as further described below. 
     The casing  18  further includes a first end plate clamp  50 . The first end plate clamp  50  is associated with the first end plate  36  to permit adjustment of the first end plate opening arrangement  38  to accommodate differing sizes of hosing  16 . 
     The casing  18  further includes a second end plate clamp  51 . The second end plate clamp  51  is associated with the second end plate  42  to permit adjustment of the second end plate opening arrangement  44  to accommodate differing sizes of hosing  16 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the end plate clamps  50 ,  51  each has an upper clamp piece  52  and a lower clamp piece  54 . The upper and lower clamp pieces  52 ,  54  are arranged relative to the opening arrangements  38 ,  44  in order to allow for varying diameter sizes of the hoses  16 . The upper clamp piece  52  is oriented against the exterior face  56  of the end plate  36 ,  42  and along the upper radial edge  58  of the end plate  36 ,  42 . The lower clamp piece  54  is oriented against the exterior face  56  and along and adjacent the lower radial edge  60  of the end plate  36 ,  42 . 
     The upper clamp piece  52  includes a plurality of open slots  81 ,  82 ,  83 ,  84  extending inwardly or inboard from an edge  90  of the upper clamp piece  52  opposite of a radial edge  92 . The edge  90  extends in a direction toward the end plate  36 ,  42  when operably assembled, while the radial edge  92  extends away from the end plate  36 ,  42 . The radial edge  92  forms a portion of an overall radial surface  89  ( FIG. 1 ) of the assembled end plate  36 ,  42  and upper clamp piece  52 . 
     The upper clamp piece  52 , when operably assembled with the end plate  36 ,  42  matches or aligns the open slots  81 - 84  with the open slots  71 - 74  to form through openings  40  as holes  46  ( FIG. 1 ). The size of the holes  46  is adjustable by where the upper clamp piece  52  is fixed relative to the end plate  36 ,  42 . 
     Many embodiments are possible. In the example shown, the sizes of the holes  46  are adjustable through elongate bolt holes  94 ,  95  in the upper clamp piece  52 . Bolts  96 ,  97  ( FIG. 1 ) are received in the elongate bolt holes  94 ,  95  and in the bolt holes  98 ,  99  of the end plate  36 ,  42 . The upper clamp piece  52  can be moved radially toward or away from the end plate  36 ,  42  with the bolts  96 ,  97  being able to move within the elongate bolt holes  94 ,  95  in order to adjust the size of the holes  46  for the hoses  16 . 
     The lower clamp piece  54  includes a plurality of open slots  85 ,  86 ,  87 ,  88  extending inwardly or inboard from an edge  91  of the lower clamp piece  54  opposite of a radial edge  93 . The edge  91  extends in a direction toward the end plate  36 ,  42  when operably assembled, while the radial edge  93  extends away from the end plate  36 ,  42 . The radial edge  93  forms a portion of an overall radial surface  101  ( FIG. 1 ) of the assembled end plate  36 ,  42  and lower clamp piece  54 . 
     The lower clamp piece  54 , when operably assembled with the end plate  36 ,  42  matches or aligns the open slots  85 - 88  with the open slots  75 - 78  to form through openings  40  as holes  47 . The sizes of the holes  47  are adjustable by where the lower clamp piece  54  is fixed relative to the end plate  36 ,  42 . 
     Many embodiments are possible. In the example shown, the sizes of the holes  47  are adjustable through elongate bolt holes  102 ,  103 , in the lower clamp piece  54 . Bolts  104 ,  105  ( FIG. 1 ) are received in the elongate bolt holes  102 ,  103  and in the bolt holes  106 ,  107  of the end plate  36 ,  42 . The lower clamp piece  54  can be moved radially toward or away from the end plate  36 ,  42  with the bolts  104 ,  105  being able to move within the elongate bolt holes  102 ,  103  in order to adjust the size of the holes  47  for the hoses  16 . 
     The protective casing  18  of  FIGS. 1-3  may further include a first clamp ring  110 . The first clamp ring  110  is usable for removably securing the bag  14  and the first end plate  36 . In the examples shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the end side  32  of the bag  14  is wrapped around or pushed against the first end plate  36 , and then the first clamp ring  110  is placed over and against the bag  14  to secure the bag  14  between and against the first clamp ring  110  and the first end plate  36 . In this example, the end side  32  of the bag  14  is against the radial edges  89 ,  101  of the end plate clamp  50 . 
     Many embodiments are possible. In the example illustrated, the first clamp ring  110  can be a form of an over-center band clamp  112 . 
     The protective casing  18  can further include a second clamp ring  114 . The second clamp ring  114  can be used to removably secure the bag  14  and the second end plate  42 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , the end side  34  of the bag  14  is placed against the radial surface of the second end plate  42 , and the second clamp ring  114  secures the bag  14  between and against the second end plate  42  and the second clamp ring  114 . The second clamp ring  114  can operate as described above with respect to the first clamp ring  110 . While many embodiments are possible, in the one shown, the second clamp ring  114  can be an over-center band clamp  116 . 
     The bag  14  further includes a fastener  120  ( FIG. 3 ). The fastener  120  permits opening and closing of the bag  14  along a region between the first and second openings  24 ,  26 . Many embodiments are possible. 
     In the example embodiment shown, the fastener  120  includes at least one of a zipper, buttons, or hook and loop fastener. The  FIG. 2  embodiment illustrates a hook and loop fastener  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener  120  extends along the longitudinal side  30  of the bag  14 . The fastener  120  is arranged to removably secure the opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  together. 
     The bag  14  may further include a drainage system  124 . The drainage system  124  is to allow for drainage of water or other moisture from the bag  14 . Many embodiments are possible. In the illustrated embodiment, the pliable material  20  of the bag  14  includes a plurality of drain holes  126  ( FIG. 2 ). Drain holes  126  are shown as being evenly spaced along the bag  14  in a column between the end sides  32 ,  34 . The arrangement illustrated shows the drain holes  126  as being evenly spaced between the longitudinal sides  28 ,  30 , but many arrangements are possible. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , in use, the system  10  includes the bag  14  with at least one hose  16 , and possibly a plurality of hoses  16  being held in the interior  22  of the bag  14 . The hoses  16  extend through the end plates  36 ,  42 . The bag  14  bundles the hoses  16  to minimize trip hazards and also to provide a neater work environment. In addition, the bag  14  encapsulates the hoses  16  in the protective casing  18  to capture any potential burst. 
     A method of encapsulating flex lances or hosing  16  in a protective case  18  can include providing the bag  14  comprising pliable material  20 . First end plate  36  is provided including an opening arrangement  40 . A second end plate  42  is provided including an opening arrangement  44 . The method includes orienting a hose  16  by extending the hose  16  through the opening arrangement  40  of the first end plate  36 , along the pliable material  20  of the bag  14 , and through the opening arrangement  44  of the second end plate  42 . 
     The step of providing bag  14  includes providing bag  14  with a pair of opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  and a pair of opposite end sides  32 ,  34  between the longitudinal sides  28 ,  30 . A fastener  120  is arranged to removably secure the opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  together. 
     After the step of orienting a hose  16 , there is a step of securing the hose  16  within an interior  22  of the bag  14  by securing the opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  together with the fastener  120 . 
     The method further includes securing the first end plate  36  to the bag  14  by orienting the first end plate  36  next to a first of the end sides  32  and using a first clamp ring  110  to secure the first end plate  36  and the bag  14 . The method includes securing the second end plate  42  to the bag  14  by orienting the second end plate  42  to a second of the end sides  34  and using a second clamp ring  114  to secure the second end plate  44  and the bag  14 . 
     The step of providing a first end plate  36  includes providing a first end plate  36  having a first end plate clamp  50  to permit adjustment of the first end plate opening arrangement  40  to accommodate differing sizes of hosing  16 . The step of providing a second end plate  42  includes providing a second end plate  42  having a second end plate clamp  51  to permit adjustment of the second end plate opening arrangement  44  to accommodate differing sizes of hosing  16 . 
     The step of orienting a hose  16  includes orienting a plurality of hoses  16  and extending each hose  16  through a hole  46  in the opening arrangement  40  of the first end plate  36 , along the pliable material  20  of the bag  14  and through a hole  47  in the opening arrangement  44  of the second end plate  42 . 
     The step of providing a bag  14  can include providing an armored pliable material having a plurality of drain holes  126  there through. 
     Another embodiment of a protective casing for tool hosing is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The same reference numerals are used for like parts, and the description of those like parts is incorporated herein by reference. In  FIG. 6 , the protective casing is shown at reference numeral  130 . The protective casing  130  includes a bag  14  made of pliable material  20 . The bag  14  has opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  and a pair of opposite end sides  32 ,  34  between the longitudinal sides  28 ,  30 . The longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  are releasably secured together to form interior volume  22  and first and second openings  24 ,  26  providing access to the interior volume  22 . Each of the end sides  32 ,  34  has a closure arrangement  132  to releasably secure the first and second openings  24 ,  26 . A fastener  120  is arranged to releasably secure the opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  together, and there is a drainage system  124  included. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the drainage system  124  includes a drain holes  126 . 
     Each of the end sides  32 ,  34  in the casing  130  includes a plurality of holes  134 ,  135  adjacent to the respective end side  32 ,  34 . The closure arrangement  132  includes laces  138 ,  140  threaded through the end side holes  134 ,  135 . 
       FIGS. 7-9  include alternate closure arrangements  132  as an alternate to the laces  138 ,  140 . In  FIG. 7 , the closure arrangement  132  includes a ratchet tie down strap  142 . The ratchet tie down strap  142  would be oriented adjacent to the end sides  132 ,  134  against the bag  14 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another closure arrangement  132  embodied as a band clamp  144 . The band clamp  144  would be secured adjacent to each of the end sides  32 ,  34  against the bag  14  in place of where the laces  138 ,  140  are illustrated. 
     In  FIG. 9  another embodiment of a closure arrangement  132  is shown as a belt  146 . The belt  146  would be adjacent to each of the end sides  32 ,  34  in the location where the laces  138 ,  140  are shown. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the fastener  120  used to releasably secure the opposite longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  is shown as buttons  121 . Other embodiments of fastener  120  can include a zipper or a hook and loop fastener. 
     A method of encapsulating a hose in a protective case can use the casing  130  of  FIG. 6 . The method can include providing bag  14 , orienting the hoses  16  along the pliable material  20  of the bag  14  from end side  32  to end side  34 , securing the longitudinal sides  28 ,  30  to each other by using the fastener  120 , and then securing the first and second openings  24 ,  26  by engaging the closure arrangement  132 . In one example, the closure arrangement  132  can include tightening laces  138 ,  140 . In other embodiments, engaging the closure arrangement  132  can include using the ratchet tie down strap, the band clamp  144 , or the belt  146 . 
     The above represents example principles. Many embodiments can be made using these principles.