Patent Publication Number: US-9841127-B2

Title: Garden hose device and method

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority as a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/055,095 entitled “Commercial Hose” filed Feb. 26, 2016 and to issue on Feb. 28, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,581,272 which claims priority as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/301,825 entitled “Commercial Hose” filed Jun. 11, 2014 and issued on Mar. 8, 2016 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,279,525, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/859,511, entitled “Commercial Hose”, filed Apr. 9, 2013, and issued Jun. 24, 2014 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,213; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/690,670, entitled “Expandable Garden Hose”, filed Nov. 30, 2012, and issued Jul. 9, 2013 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,776; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/654,832, entitled “Expandable Hose Assembly Coupling Member”, filed Oct. 18, 2012, and now abandoned; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/488,515, entitled “Expandable Hose Assembly”, filed Jun. 5, 2012, and issued Oct. 23, 2012 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,291,942; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/289,447, entitled “Expandable and Contractible Hose”, filed Nov. 4, 2011, and issued Oct. 23, 2012 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,291,941; the contents of the above referenced patents are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of water hoses and in particular to a hose that expands when pressurized water is introduced and modulated by a flow restrictor positioned at the outlet of the hose. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional hoses are typically constructed from rubber or other resilient flexible material such as synthetic rubber, thermo plastic rubber or the like photochemical derivatives. A notable problem encountered with conventional garden hoses relates to the storage of the hose when not in use. Garden hoses can be stored on a hose reel, placed within a storage container, or simply left on the ground. While storage devices are practical in certain situations, in many instances the consumer cannot use or has no desire to employ a storage container. For example, a consumer may live in an apartment or small condo and would like to have the benefit of a garden hose for plant watering, car washing, or the like but does not have room for storage of a conventional garden hose. Another example would be the owner of a boat, RV or plane who may wish to leave the hose with the vehicle. Such places are impractical for hose conventional hoses. 
     There are many situations where it is beneficial to store a hose in as little a space as possible. If the consumer does not have a device for storing the hose then they must try to organize the hose on the ground in a way as to not entangle the hose within itself. If improperly organized, the hose will tend to kink when uncoiled. This problem is typically encountered by the average homeowner who uses the hose infrequently wherein improper storage of a hose can result in the development of kinks. Garden hoses can be made with thick sidewalls to prevent kinking but result in heavy and cumbersome water hoses. Fiber reinforcements can also be used, such as woven tapes or knitting followed by the addition of an outer coating, all of which add to the weight of a garden hose and do not have a shortened length for storage. For this reason, it is of great benefit to have a garden hose that is light in weight, contractible in length, and kink resistant. 
     Retractable hoses are known to use steel wires formed in a coiled shape with a vinyl tube, the steel wires wind through the vinyl tube so that it will normally be in a coiled or rolled configuration when not in use. When pressurized water is introduced into the hose, the hose is unwound. When the pressurized water is removed, the water hose is recoiled to a rolled position. Examples of such hoses include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,814,529; 3,035,779 and 3,966,121. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,539 discloses a self elongating oxygen hose for stowable aviation crew oxygen mask. The supplemental gas assembly such as used for aircraft crews is provided which includes a mask adapted to fit over at least the nose and mouth of a wearer, together with a flexible, self-elongating hose assembly and a stowage box for receiving the mask and hose assembly. 
     The transition zone between a garden hose and pressurized source of water, or the garden hose and delivery point, is accomplished by a coupling. Conventional couplings provide a fluid connection between a spigot and a garden hose. However the prior art fails to disclose a coupling capable of attaching to a flexible garden hose having an expandable inner tube member made of a flexible fluid carrying material and an outer sleeve made of a fixed length fabric material. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,185 discloses a flexible hose reinforced by armature layers made of flexible cables disposed helically and is attached at least at one end by compression of said layers against rigid pieces, characterized by the supporting elements and gripping elements, which are coaxial, having non-adhesive conical compression surfaces which diverge toward the end and by at least one wedge provided with slits being driven between reinforcing layers to ensure compression. The tubular sleeve is attached to a rigid assembly wherein ends of the layered pairs are engaged in the conical annular space between the coaxial supporting element and gripping elements. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,622 discloses a garden hose having a protective shell section and a flexible strain relief section releasably attached to the shell section. The hose is sealably attached to a stem portion of a coupling by a brass ferrule, the manner by which the hose is attached to the stem portion is stated as being well known in the art. After the end of the hose having the ferrule slipped over the stem portion so that the end of the hose abuts the receive portion, a device is inserted into the stem portion for expanding it thereby sandwiching the hose between the stem portion and the ferrule for locking the hose to the coupling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,866 discloses a garden hose assembly having a deformable section that allows a portion of the hose to be coiled around a support for holding the end of the hose in a desired position. Connectors have coupling stems which are inserted within a base tube and such coupling stems are then radially expanded into ferrules or corrugations. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,800 discloses a flexible tube formed so that adjacent coils are formed while in a contracted position, the tube is extendible by straightening of the coils. A fitting is formed from an elongate, substantially cylindrical externally barbed portion and a disk shaped head. A bore extends through the fitting which is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubing. The fitting portion is inserted into an end of the tube and held therein by an interference fit with barbs inhibiting removal axially of the tube. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,610 discloses a flexible water spray wand for connection to a standard garden hose, having a housing connectable at a lower end to the garden hose and at an upper end to a flexible tube assembly connected at an opposite end to a spray nozzle. The flexible tube has an outlet fitting which comprises an externally barbed portion and an externally threaded portion with an annular shoulder therebetween. The barbed portion fits snugly within outlet end portion of the hose with annular shoulder which abuts an outlet end portion of the ribbed tube, which can be affixed by silver soldering or adhesives. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,948,527 and 7,549,448 disclose a linearly self-actuated hose for use in transporting fluids. A hose has a biasing spring that extends along the full length, and can comprise single or multiple springs and/or multiple diameter spring coils. The spring is covered with hose cover material on the outside and hose cover material on the inside to form a sealed hose and are bowed inward or outward radially between the individual spring coils depending on the intended use of hose. On the end of the hose is mounted a nozzle end which can be designed with standard garden hose threads. The nozzle end comprises an inner crimp ring, and outer crimp ring which also provides threads, and a water restriction ring. The hose can be trapped between crimp rings to provide a compression fit. Crimp rings are also crimped onto each other so that they form a right unit that will not fall apart during use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,189 discloses a garden hose assembly that includes an elongated and flexible tubular member that includes an open first end, an open second end and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second open ends. A cross-section taken traversely to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member has a generally oblong shape when the tubular member is filled with a fluid and a substantially flattened shape when the tubular member is not filled with a fluid. Male and female couplers are defined as conventional hose couplers. 
     Therefore, what is needed in the art is a commercial grade flexible hose that can be coupled to a conventional water spigot and will extend in length when water is introduced into the hose and pressurized at an outlet of the hose. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a flexible hose that attaches to a conventional water spigot and will expand upon the presence of water that is pressurized within the hose, the expansion made possible by control of the water through use of a restrictor formed integral to the outlet of the hose. The hose can expand longitudinally by use of an elastic water proof inner tube member positioned within a soft fabric outer tube member. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a hose that expands longitudinally and automatically expands laterally upon the application of water pressure as controlled by a flow restrictor positioned along an outlet of the hose. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a hose that automatically contracts upon release of water pressure from within the hose. 
     It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a hose that is relatively light compared to a conventional non-expanding/non-contracting hose of a similar length. 
     It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a hose that will not kink or become entangled upon itself when in use. 
     It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a commercial grade coupling that is made of metal so that the coupling will operate under adverse working conditions. 
     Still a further objective of the present invention to provide a flow restrictor formed integral with an outlet coupling. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a plane view of a coiled flexible hose of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a longitudinal side view of the present invention in a contracted position; 
         FIG. 3  is an end view of the outlet coupling; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal view of the present invention in an expanded position; 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the inlet coupling; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view, perspective view of a section of the hose of the present invention taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view, perspective view of a section of the hose of the present invention taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a pictorial view of the hose with an integral flow restrictor in a contracted state concealing indicia placed on the outer sidewall; 
         FIG. 9  is a pictorial view of the hose in an expanded state with an integral flow restrictor and a spray nozzle further illustrating viewable indicia on the outer wall; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the male outlet coupling with an integral flow restrictor; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the female inlet coupling; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross section view of the inner and outer hose attached to a coupling; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the male outlet coupling with a handle placement to allow water flow; and 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the male outlet coupling with a handle placement to inhibit water flow. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring in general to the Figures, set forth is an expandable hose of the present invention. The hose is self-expanding upon the introduction of pressurized water within the hose, and self-contracting upon release of water from within the hose. The hose  10  is composed of two separate and distinct tubes, an inner tube member  14  formed from a thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) or the like material which can expand 2 to 6 times its relaxed or unexpanded length, and outer tube member  12  formed from a relatively soft and bendable fabric webbing material. In the preferred embodiment the inner tube member  14  is a thermoplastic elastomer having elastic properties. The inner tube member  14  expands radially outwardly or laterally, with respect to its length. The radial expansion of the inner tube member  14  is constrained by the maximum diameter of the outer tube member  12 . The preferred materials used to form the outer tube member  12  is a braided or woven polyester. The requirements of the outer tube member  12  material is that it be soft, bendable, and should be strong enough to withstand internal pressures to accommodate the highest water pressures typically found in a pump or municipal water supply with a safety factor of about 2.5. For example, while conventional pressure supplies are in the range of 30-60 psi, it is possible for a pump system to provide up to 100 psi. For this reason it is recommended that the inner and outer tube combination be capable of handling pressures up to 250 pounds per square inch, (psi). In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of the outer tube member is about 0.5 mm (0.02 inches) with a range of about 25% on thickness. Further, in the preferred embodiment the diameter of the outer tube when expanded is about 18-20 mm (0.07-0.082 inches) again with a range of about 25%. 
     The hose  10  employs a female inlet coupler  18  at a first end for connecting to a conventional water spigot and an outlet coupler  16  at a second end having an integrally formed flow restrictor and also connectable to a spray nozzle. The coupler members may be constructed from metal and assembled without tools. In the preferred embodiment the inlet coupler  18  includes a female threaded portion  28  rotatably attached to a first threaded annular collar  71 . The female threaded portion  28  is constructed to receive the  12  male threads of a conventional water spigot  23 , faucet or the like valve typically found on the exterior of a building. Most water faucets on buildings employ a standard size male coupler or fitting. A silicone gasket, not shown, can further provide a seal between the female threaded portion  28  and the water connection. The annular coupler  71  includes an inlet tubular extension section  36  extending therefrom having an end  73  insertable into a first open end of the inner tube member  14 . A flow thru aperture  38  within the inlet coupler  18  allows water to flow through the coupler. The end  73  has an angular face that allows for ease of inserting into the first open end of the inner tube member  14  and may include a barb  75  that provides frictional engagement to the interior wall of the inner tube member  14 . In addition to the barb  75 , the use of an annular rib  77  enhances the engagement between the first end of the inner tube member  14  and the inlet tubular extension section  36 . In the preferred embodiment, the coupler is constructed from plastic, brass, stainless steel, or the like materials. 
     Upon placement of the first open end of the inner tube member  14  onto the inlet tubular extension section  36 , a first ferrule  79  having an inner wall  81  adapted for placement over a portion the first open end of the inner tube member  14  is positioned over inlet tubular extension section, preferably over the annular rib  77 . In the preferred embodiment  13  the ferrule is a collet having a cylindrical inner surface and a conical outer surface. The ferrule includes opposing tabs  80  protruding from its outer surface. The tabs are constructed to engage corresponding slots  72  located on the annular collar  71 . An outer wall  83  of the first ferrule  79  is sized for placement with a first open end of the outer tube member  12 . In a preferred embodiment the first ferrule  79  include kerf cuts  85  that allow for ease of compression of the first ferrule  79  onto the inner tube member  14  when first metal collar member  87 , having an inner surface  89  constructed and arranged to thread onto the annular collar  71 , crimps the first open end of the outer tube member  12  between the first ferrule  79  and the collar member  87 . Further, the collar member  87  engages the first ferrule  79  providing a frictional engagement to seal the first open end of the inner tube member  14  to the inlet tubular extension section  36  allowing the hose assembly to be pressurized with water without leakage. The female inlet coupler  18  employs conventional threads commonly employed for the water hose fitting. 
     The female inlet coupler  18  may include a hex shaped wall  19  to allow for ease of holding the inlet coupler  18  while the inner tube member  14  is being installed on the inner tubular extension section  36 , as well as the tightening of the second collar member  87  so as to prevent marring of the coupler member  14  during installation or removal. The use of a box shaped, triangular shaped or the like shaped wall to provide a gripping surface is contemplated by this disclosure. 
     The male outlet coupler  16  is formed from a metal threaded coupling section  20  housing a flow restrictor  21 , a metal annular coupler  24 , and a metal outlet tubular extension section  32  extending therefrom. A flow thru aperture  31  is centrally disposed along a longitudinal axis of the male outlet coupler  16  having a handle  61  operated ball valve for use in restricting the flow of water. The end  37  of the outlet tubular extension section  32  is insertable into a first open end of the inner tube member  14  for securement thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the end  37  includes a barb  39  having an angular face that allows for ease of inserting into the second open end of the inner tube member  14  yet provides frictional engagement to the interior wall of the inner tube member  14 . In addition to the barb  39 , the use of an annular rib  41  enhances the engagement between the inner tube member  14  and the tubular extension section  32  providing a watertight seal. Upon placement of the second open end of the inner tube member  14  onto the tubular extension section  32 , a second ferrule  43  having an inner wall  45  adapted for placement over the second open end of the inner tube member  14  that is positioned over the rib  41 . 
     In the preferred embodiment the ferrule is a collet having a cylindrical inner surface and a conical outer surface with one or more kerf cuts along its length when squeezed. The ferrule includes opposing tabs  50  protruding from its outer surface. The tabs are constructed to engage corresponding slots  26  located on the annular collar  24 . An outer wall  47  of the second ferrule  43  is sized for placement within the second open end of the outer tube member  12  thereon. In a preferred embodiment the second ferrule  43  include cuts  49  that allow compression of the ferrule  43  onto the inner tube member  14  by use of a collar member  51  having an inner surface  53  constructed and arranged to thread onto the annular coupler  24  thereby crimping the outer tube member  12  member between the ferrule  43  and the collar member  51 . Further, the second metal collar member  51  engages the ferrule  43  sealing the inner tube member  14  to the outlet tubular extension section  32  allowing the hose assembly to be pressurized with water up to 250 psi. The collar member  51  can include an outer surface texture to allow ease of assembly upon threading of the collar member  51  to the annular coupler  24 . The threaded coupler section  20  employs conventional threads commonly employed for a water hose. The flow thru aperture  31  allows for uninterrupted water passage and the threaded coupling section  20  includes an integrally formed flow restrictor  21  that is capable of preventing the flow of water via an on/off valve  33 , while the male outlet coupler  16  is also connectible to a conventional spray nozzle  25 . 
     The male outlet coupler  16  may include a hex shaped wall  17  to allow for ease of holding the male outlet coupler  16  while the inner tube member  14  is being installed on the outlet tubular extension section  32 , as well as the tightening of the second collar member  51  so as to prevent marring of the outlet coupler during installation or removal. The use of a box shaped, triangular shaped or the like shaped wall to provide a gripping surface is contemplated by this disclosure. 
     During assembly, the outer tube member  12  is attached and connected to the inner tube member  14  only at the first end and second end by the male outlet coupler  16  and the female inlet coupler  18 . The outer tube member  12  is otherwise unattached, unconnected, unbonded, and unsecured to the elastic inner tube member  14  along the entire length of the inner tube member  14  between the first end and the second end and thus the outer tube member  12  is able to move freely with respect to the inner tube member  14  along the entire length of the inner tube member  14  when the garden hose expands or contracts. 
     The hose  10  of the present invention is illustrated in its contracted condition in  FIGS. 1, 2, 7 and 8 . In this condition, the inner tube member  14 , which is elastic, is in a  17  relaxed contracted condition wherein there are no forces being applied to the inner tube member  14  to expand or stretch it. The amount of water that may reside in the tube in its contracted condition is much less than while in its expanded condition. Also it should be noted that the outer tube member  12  is not in a bonded contact with the inner tube member  14  when the hose is in this contracted condition, there will be a space  15  between the inner tube member  14  and the outer tube member  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the thickness of the wall of the inner tube member  14 , in the contracted position, is relatively large compared to the thickness of the inner tube member  14 , in the expanded position,  FIG. 6 . The expansion of the elastic inner tube member  14  laterally, is the result of an increase in the water pressure within the inner tube member  14 . This increase in water pressure also results in the expansion of the length of the elastic inner tube member  14 . The expansion of the inner tube member  14 , both laterally and longitudinally, results in a decrease in the wall thickness of the inner tube member  14 , an increase in the diameter of the inner tube member  14  thus increasing the volume of water that can flow through the inner tube member  14 . This decrease in wall thickness is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , wherein the inside diameter of the inner tube member  14  has been expanded and extended because of an  18  increase of the water pressure and volume within the inner tube member  14 . 
     In the expanded or extended condition, illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 6 and 9 , the inner tube member  14  is expanded or stretched. In this expanded condition the outer tube member  12  constrains the lateral expansion of inner tube member  14 . The outer tube member  12  is also taut, smooth, and relatively flat along its length in this extended condition. Since the outer tube member  12  will not expand laterally or longitudinally beyond the fabric&#39;s length and diameter, the actual length and width of the outer tube member  12  determines the maximum length and maximum width of the hose  10  in its expanded condition. Thus the diameter and length of the outer tube member  12  determines the diameter and length of the water hose of the present invention upon the application of water pressure to the interior of the elastic inner tube member  14 . This diameter and length of the outer tube member  12  is the final diameter and the final length of the hose  10  when it is in its expanded condition and in use to transport or deliver water. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the hose  10  can expand from 2 to 6 times its contracted length upon the introduction of pressurized water into the tube, the pressure would need to be at least 20 psi. For example, in one embodiment a ten foot hose in a contracted  19  condition would automatically expand to 20 feet when pressurize water is supplied to the interior of the inner tube member  14  of the hose. In another embodiment, a ten foot hose in a contracted condition would automatically expand to 60 feet when pressurize water is supplied to the interior of the inner tube member  14  of the hose. 
     The water pressure within the hose is accomplished by introducing water under pressure into the inlet of the hose and restricting the flow of the water out of the outlet of the hose by use of an integrally formed flow restrictor. In a preferred embodiment the flow restrictor is formed integral with the fitting as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13  wherein a metal on/off ball valve  33  is mounted within the housing for use in restricting the water. Two opposing gaskets  34 , preferably polytetrafluoroethylene, form a watertight seal on each side of ball valve  33 . When the handle  61  is turned in-line with the flow through aperture the ball valve  33  allows water to pass. When the handle  61  is turned perpendicular to the flow through aperture the ball valve  33  prohibits water flow. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 9 , the outlet coupler  16  is preferable attached to a spray nozzle  25 . The female inlet coupler  18  of the present invention  10  is secured to a water spigot  23  such as that found on the exterior wall of a building. The flow restrictor  21  is then placed in an off position by  20  rotation of the ball valve  33  so that water cannot pass. When the spigot  23  is opened the pressurized water enters the hose  10  and is prevented from exiting the flow restrictor while in the ball valve is in an off or closed position, wherein the hose is expanded to its predefined length as limited by the outer tube member  12 . For instance, a relatively normal pressure for municipal water is about 60 psi wherein the water within the hose is equalized to the same pressure. The flow restrictor  21  is integrally formed to the outlet coupler  16  which can then be directly attached to a spray nozzle  25 . The spray nozzle  25  can be a conventional water spray nozzle which varies the rate and spray pattern of water exiting from the nozzle but can also be capable of shutting off the exit of pressurized water. Many spray nozzles are L-shaped so as to be able to be comfortably gripped and used by an individual and have a pivoting on-off handle which operates an internal flow restrictor valve. A spray nozzle provides various amounts of restriction of water at the end of the hose depending on how large the opening in the nozzle is. The smaller the opening in the nozzle, the more the nozzle restricts the release of water at the end of the hose, and the higher the pressure and water volume inside the hose. The larger the opening in the nozzle, the less the nozzle restricts the release of water at the end of the hose, and the lower the pressure and water volume inside the hose. If the  21  flow of water at the other end of the present invention was turned off and totally restricted, the psi inside the inner tube member would be the same as the pressure coming from the house, 60 psi. At this pressure, the inner tube member  14  and the outer tube member  12  in the present invention would expand to its maximum length. As the water at the end of the hose is released, the pressure becomes reduced inside the hose and the hose begins to contract. However, the present invention will remain fully expanded even when the pressure at the opposite end is reduced below the typical pressure of 60 psi coming from a house. In one example, the water pressure coming from the house was 60 psi and the water pressure exiting the nozzle at the other end of the water hose was 35 psi. This 35 psi of pressure inside the elastic inner tube member  14  was enough pressure to cause the inner tube member  14  to expand laterally and longitudinally until its lateral and longitudinal expansion became constrained by the outer tube member  12  and expanded to the maximum length and width of the outer tube member  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the hose  10  expands from ten feet in length in its contracted condition to fifty feet in length in its expanded condition. When used in combination with a spray nozzle  25  the flow restrictor  21  allows the user to immediately turn off water to the spray nozzle. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates how the coupler is secured to the hose wherein the inner tube member is placed over end  73  having an angular face that allows for ease of inserting into the inner tube member  14  yet provides frictional engagement to the interior wall of the inner tube member  14 . Barb  75  enhances the engagement between the inner tube member  14  and the tubular extension section  36  providing a watertight seal. Upon placement of the end of the inner tube member  14  onto the inlet tubular extension section  36 , a first ferrule  79  is positioned over inner tube member  14 . Outer tube member  12  is placed over the outer surface of the first ferrule  79 . Collar member  87  is constructed and arranged to thread onto an annular collar thereby sandwiching the outer tube member  12  between the first ferrule  79  and the collar member  87 . Further, the collar member  87  engages the first ferrule  79  providing a frictional engagement to prevent the inner tube member  14  from separating from the inlet tubular extension section  36  allowing the hose assembly to be pressurized with water without leakage. 
     A feature of the present invention is the savings in weight of the hose. The hose  10  in its contracted condition is relatively light, and upon expansion the weight of hose does not increase, only the weight of the water within the hose changes the dynamics. This savings in weight enables the hose of the present invention to be easily carried, easily dragged, easily handled and easily used by anyone who uses the hose but especially by individuals who do not posses exceptional strength or do not want to drag, carry or lug around heavy, bulky, conventional rubber hoses. 
     Another feature of the present invention is that the outer tube member  12  is reduced or decreased in length when there is no pressure within inner tube member  14 . With no pressure or volume in the elastic inner tube member  14  the inner tube member automatically contracts. The condition of the outer tube member  12  when the inner tube member  14  is in the contracted condition is illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 8 . Because the outer tube member  12  is unsecured to the inner tube member  14  along the entire length of the hose between the first end and the second end, the soft fabric material of the outer tube member  12  can move freely with respect to the inner tube member  14 . The fact that the outer tube member  12  can move freely with respect to the inner tube member  14  along the entire length of the hose enables the outer tube member  12  to gather around the outside of the circumference of the inner tube member  14  along its length in the contracted condition when there is no water pressure within the inner tube member  14 . An empty hose  10  in the contracted condition is easily stored without the hose kinking or becoming entangled, as most conventional hoses do. A user of the present invention can take hose  10  from a stored condition, secure the hose  10  to a water faucet and turn on the water without the fear of the hose becoming entangled or kinked and without the need to untangle or unkink the hose. 
     After a conventional water hose is used, the hose is normally carried or dragged back to their place of storage and stored on a reel or coiled up upon themselves and laid on a flat surface. This requires time to carry and drag the hose and to properly store the hose and also requires an expense to purchase the hose reel. The hose  10  of the present invention automatically and quickly contracts to its original size as the inner tube expels excess water wherein the garden hose of the instant invention can be easily folded up, rolled up, or coiled up and stored in any container, even very small containers, or on any surface, thus saving time and expense for the owner of the hose. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes water to fill and expand the hose  10 . Because the inner tube member  14  is elastic it can expand if the water within the tube freezes. For example, if a hose of the present invention were left outside in the winter, the water contained therein would freeze causing an expansion. A conventional hose would split due to the internal expansion, the flexible hose of the present invention would expand because the inner tube member is elastic without damage. 
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.