Patent Publication Number: US-11027942-B2

Title: One-piece hose guide for hose reel deck box

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/791,203 filed Oct. 23, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,556,771 B2, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/309,590 filed Dec. 2, 2011, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,558 on Oct. 24, 2017, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to hose reel deck box and, more specifically, to a hose reel deck box having a one-piece manual hose guide system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A hose reel deck box is a housing assembly supporting a hose reel. The hose reel includes a basket assembly having a barrel and a hand crank. The hose is wrapped about the barrel and the hand crank is coupled to the barrel. The crank may be coupled directly to the barrel or indirectly coupled via one or more gears. Both the crank and/or the barrel is/are, however, typically mounted on, and rotatably coupled to, the housing assembly. The hose may be full, or partially full, of water, or, empty as it is wound about the barrel. Regardless of the state of the hose, the weight of the hose creates torque on the housing assembly whenever the hose is wound up. Given a typical hose reel with generally square cross-section, the winding forces typically cause such a housing assembly to distort or “skew” into a non-rectangular parallelogram (diamond shape cross-section). The winding forces further apply stress in the area where the basket assembly is coupled to the housing assembly. 
     The housing assembly must be structured to resist the torque and other stresses applied thereto during the winding process. This may be accomplished by several known configurations. First, the housing assembly may be made from robust materials, typically metals. Such metal housing assemblies are expensive due to both material costs and assembly time. Second, plastic housing assemblies are typically less expensive than metal housings, but require extensive support structures, e.g. molded ribs (thin planar members) and braces, in order to resist the forces applied thereto. The forming of such support structures typically requires the sides of the housing assemblies to be formed separately and assembled. Moreover, as the sides are not identical, i.e. the sides that support the barrel are often mirror images, multiple molds are required. As such, the time and cost to produce and assemble a plastic housing is also more than is desirable. Third, the housing may be a combination of metal and plastic components, but these housing assemblies may include the disadvantages rather than the advantages of both materials. 
     The housing assembly must further provide for a number of functions or accomplish desired tasks. For example, the housing assembly must provide mountings for various components such as the barrel, the housing assembly must protect, and/or hide from view, the hose reel, and the housing assembly must be aesthetically pleasing to the user. The mountings for the barrel must resist local stresses caused by the winding forces noted above. This is typically accomplished by molding ribs and trusses, e.g. X-shaped ribs, into the sidewalls, especially along the edges of the sidewalls and/or a shaped mounting for the basket assembly into the plastic housing assembly sidewall. Such a mounting may rely upon its contoured shape to provide strength, and/or may include ribs or other support structures. Further, the hose reel deck box must be economical. 
     To reduce the cost of plastic housing assemblies, manufacturers have attempted to create housing assemblies consisting of as few pieces as possible. Cost reductions in the manufacturing process can be implemented by reducing the number of separate components and the time/effort required to assemble such various components. For example, it is typically less expensive to mold a mounting for a crank into a housing assembly sidewall than it is manufacture the mounting separately and couple it to the housing assembly sidewall. In theory, the assembly cost could be reduced to, essentially, zero if the housing assembly were a single molded piece. This reduction in cost must, however, be balanced against the cost of the mold and the manufacturing costs associated with complex molds, e.g. a higher failure rate. That is, complex shapes, such as a crank mounting, must be incorporated into the mold and must be constructed in such a way that the molds may be separated and the molded product may be separated from the molds. Further, the cavity in the mold used to create complex shapes may be difficult to fill with liquid plastic during the injection process resulting in the increased failure rate noted above. 
     Presently, it is known to mold a housing assembly wherein the four vertical sidewalls are a unitary piece. A top sidewall, and possibly a bottom sidewall, are added to complete the housing assembly enclosure. Alternately, the top sidewall may be included in the mold. That is, the sides, and possibly the top, of the housing assembly are molded as a “unitary housing.” The sidewalls include mounts for the crank, the hose reel, and other components. Such features are formed as contoured surfaces of the sidewall. However, because the contoured surfaces that form the basket assembly mounting must be structured to come off the mold, i.e. tapered in a specific direction as described below, the design of the mountings are controlled more by the molding process than by a desire to design a mounting structured to reduce stress or aesthetics. Typically, very few additional components are added to the unitary housing. 
     While use of a unitary housing reduces the assembly time, the unitary housing is difficult to mold, especially in light of the fact that this housing must resist most of the winding forces. Further, such a unitary housing typically includes a number of molded support ribs and other contoured surfaces structured to resist the winding forces; but these features are difficult to incorporate into a mold. Typically, a mold is pulled apart over a single axis, e.g. a top mold must be lifted vertically off a lower mold. Thus, and again assuming the molds are separated vertically, it would be impossible to have a horizontally extending element, such as a plurality of horizontal ribs, as the mold that is moved could not pass the ribs. Thus, the unitary housing component may only have a number of vertically extending ribs or similar contoured surfaces. These features resist skewing of the unitary housing. 
     While use of a unitary housing reduces assembly costs, the creation of such molds is very expensive and the extensive contouring leads to many deformations in the molded parts. Further, the limited type of support ribs, e.g. no X-shaped trusses, means that a unitary housing is less capable of resisting winding stresses than a structure that does includes more robust ribs. Further, the contoured mounting for the basket assembly typically has a shape that is less than pleasing and may include only vertical ribs on its inner surface. Further, while weak basket assembly mountings may not cause an instant failure, repeated stress causes the unitary housing component to wear out more quickly. Further, the functional contoured surfaces are not smooth and tend to be asymmetric. Such contouring is, generally, not considered to be as aesthetically pleasing as symmetrical flat sidewalls. 
     As noted above, one advantage of using a unitary sidewall in the housing is that the assembly time and cost for the hose reel is reduced. But even such unitary sidewall hose reels require some assembly, especially if the hose reel includes an “autotrack” device. As is known, an autotrack device is part of a hose winding system. The system typically includes a guide rod having a bi-directional track groove disposed thereon, a retaining rod, and a follower. The guide rod is coupled to the basket assembly drive. Thus, when a user turns the crank to take up the hose, the guide rod also rotates. The follower is a housing enclosing a tooth, or other construct, structured to be disposed in the guide bar bi-directional track groove. The follower is further coupled to, and structured to slide over, the retaining rod. The guide rod extends generally parallel to, but spaced from, the basket assembly axis of rotation. 
     In this configuration, the follower moves laterally back-and-forth over the guide rod as the hose is wound. That is, as the guide rod rotates, the tooth engages the surface of the bi-directional track groove. The follower&#39;s further engagement with the retaining rod prevents the follower from rotating with the guide rod, i.e. the follower remains in a fixed orientation while the guide rod rotates. This engagement of the tooth during rotation of the guide rod while the follower remains in a fixed orientation causes the follower to move along the groove. Thus, a hose that passes through the follower will be moved back-and-forth while the hose is being wound about the basket assembly thereby winding the hose is a regular pattern and spreading the wound hose over substantially the entire length of the basket assembly. 
     The disadvantage of such an autotrack is that the guide rod must be disposed in a passage within the follower, and more specifically the body of the follower, so as to allow the tooth to be maintained in the groove. That is, the follower is disposed about the guide rod so as to maintain a proper spacing between the tooth and guide rod. If the follower body were disposed on only one side of the guide rod, the follower body would likely lift off the guide rod when the guide rod rotates. Thus, the guide rod must be trapped in a follower passage. Further, the tooth is typically spring biased into the groove. In order for the tooth to fully engage the groove and/or to provide a mounting for the spring, the follower is a hollow body that is, typically, assembled about the guide rod. Thus, the autotrack device requires assembly steps that are typically eliminated when using a unitary sidewall housing. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosed and claimed concept relates to a hose guide for a hose reel deck box. More specifically, the hose guide is a one piece, or unitary body, component. The unitary body hose guide is structured to snap-fit to one or two travel bars that are part of the unitary body of the hose reel deck box housing assembly. The hose guide preferably includes two semi-enclosed passages that are structured to be slidably coupled to the travel bars. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a hose reel deck box. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric, exploded view of a hose reel deck box with a stiffener. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric, exploded partial view of a hose reel deck box. 
         FIG. 4  is a detail isometric view of a hose reel deck box. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a stiffener.  FIG. 5A  is a detail view of a coupling component.  FIG. 5B  is another detail view of a coupling component. 
         FIG. 6  is a detail view of another coupling component. 
         FIG. 7  is a detail view of another coupling component. 
         FIG. 8  is a detail view of another coupling component. 
         FIG. 9  is a detail view of another coupling component. 
         FIG. 10  is a detail view of another coupling component. 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of a hose reel deck box without a barrel. 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of another stiffener. 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the basket assembly coupling assembly.  FIGS. 13A and 13B  are detail views of portions of the basket assembly coupling assembly. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a basket assembly. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a basket assembly coupling assembly. 
         FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the basket assembly coupling assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric detail view of a basket assembly coupling assembly component. 
         FIG. 17  is an isometric view of a hose guide system. 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric detail view of a hose guide. 
         FIG. 19  is an isometric detail view of another hose guide. 
         FIG. 20  is an isometric detail view of another hose guide. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs. 
     As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. 
     As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The fixed components may, or may not, be directly coupled. 
     As used herein, “bracingly coupled” means that when two components are coupled, one component provides structural support or rigidity to the other component. Typically, to be bracingly coupled, one component must be coupled to another component at two or more spaced locations or have an elongated coupling. 
     As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit; that is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. 
     As used herein, a “unitary housing component” is a unitary component defining a partially enclosed space that is substantially open on at least one side but not more than two sides. For example, a generally square tube, wherein the four sides are formed from one piece, could be a “unitary housing component.” A passage for an element such as, but not limited to, a basket assembly coupling is not a substantial opening. Further, a “unitary housing component” is capable of being skewed, as described above. 
     As used herein, “proximate” means “at” or “adjacent.” Thus, if component A is directly coupled to component B “proximate” the upper edge of component B, the coupling may be at or adjacent the upper edge of component B. 
     As used herein, “snug,” as in a “snug” engagement or two components fitting “snugly” together, means that two components engage each other in a tight but non-binding manner. 
     As used herein, “corresponding” means structured to fit together. For example, a bolt may fit within any nut having a larger diameter opening, but the bolt&#39;s threads only engage a nut of a corresponding size, i.e. a nut structured to fit the bolt. 
     As used herein, “generally planar” means a thin member or surface wherein any offset area of the member/surface is not offset more than about 1.0 inch from the plane of the member/surface. 
     As used herein, “substantially planar” means a thin member or planar surface wherein any offset area of the member/surface is not offset more than about 0.25 inch from the plane of the member/surface. 
     As used herein, a “snap-fit coupling” means a coupling that is, typically, temporary and wherein two coupling components, one of which is at least minimally flexible, are maintained in a coupled configuration due to a bias created by the minimally flexible component. For example, a passage in a minimally flexible, tubular body, wherein the passage has a longitudinal opening, may be temporarily widened allowing an object to pass into the passage. When the object is in the passage, the minimally flexible body returns the passage to the original configuration with the object disposed in the passage. As is known, the minimally flexible body typically closes about the object with a “snap” or “click” sound. 
     As used herein, “snap-fit,” used as a verb, means to be coupled by a “snap-fit coupling.” 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a hose reel deck box  10 , hereinafter “hose reel”  10 , includes a housing assembly  12  and a basket assembly  200 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , the basket assembly  200  is rotatably coupled to the housing assembly  12  as detailed below. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the housing assembly  12  includes a unitary housing component  20 , a top member  21 , and a stiffener  70 . As used herein, the “housing component”  20  is the element defining the generally vertical sidewalls of a hose reel deck box  10 . Additional elements, e.g. the top member  21  or non-slip feet (not shown) are parts of the housing assembly  12  and are not part of the “housing component”  20 . The unitary housing component  20  is in a first configuration, but is capable of being twisted into a skewed configuration. That is, the unitary housing component  20  is structured to be in a first, operational configuration wherein the basket assembly  200  may rotate freely, but, the torque and other stresses created by such rotation of the basket assembly  200  cause the unitary housing component  20  to skew whereby the basket assembly  200  may not rotate freely in the unitary housing component  20 . The unitary housing component  20  has a unitary sidewall  22  defining an enclosed space  24  having at least one opening  26 . The unitary sidewall  22  is, preferably, made from plastic and, more preferably, an injection molded plastic such as, but not limited to PP (Polypropylene) or PE (Polyethylene). As is known, injection molded plastic components are formed by injecting a liquid plastic into a mold comprised of two dies defining a cavity (none shown). The dies are brought together so as to define the cavity. Following injection of the plastic, the dies are separated by moving the dies, or one die, along a single axis. Thus, the components produced in this manner cannot have any non-tapered/non-axial structures. That is, the unitary sidewall  22  is comprised of generally planar members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37  joined at corners, as described below, that are disposed in a generally vertical plane but are angled slightly inwardly from bottom to top. That is, as used herein, a “generally vertical” plane includes planes disposed at angles up to 5 degrees off vertical. Further, as used herein, “generally vertical upwardly tapered planes” means that two opposing planes, i.e. planes an equal distance from an intermediate plane, are “generally vertical” but are further angled towards each other while being farther apart at lower elevations and closer together at higher elevations. 
     The unitary sidewall  22  does not include any non-tapered/non-axial structures. That is, a “non-tapered/non-axial structure,” hereinafter a “NTNA structure,” as used herein, means any structure that, if incorporated into the unitary sidewall  22 , would extend into the unitary sidewall enclosed space  24  in a non-axial manner, wherein the “axis” is the, typically, straight path over which the mold travels (or over which the unitary sidewall  22  travels when lifting the unitary sidewall  22  off a mold). Any structure that extends into the unitary sidewall enclosed space  24  in a non-axial manner, i.e. a manner aligned with the axis of separation, such as but not limited to, a rib, would prevent separation of the molded object from the lower die. That is, an axial structure, i.e. a structure extending in a plane that is aligned with, or parallel to, the axis, allows the upper die to move axially, upwardly away from the formed object, or, allows the formed object to be moved axially upwardly off the lower die, as the axial feature extends in a direction substantially similar to the direction the upper die/object moves during separation of the dies. Such an axial structure includes a vertically extending rib (not shown), whether on the inner or outer surface of the unitary body  22 . Generally, any inwardly extending, non-axial surface violates the requirement that a molded object be tapered. That is, any inwardly extending, non-axial structure that is not tapered, i.e. having a larger cross-sectional area than the surface above, would prevent the upper die from moving axially, upwardly away from the formed object. Similarly, if any portion of the inner surface of the formed object has a smaller cross-sectional area than the lower mold, i.e. if the formed object included any inwardly extending NTNA elements, that NTNA element would prevent the formed object from being moved axially, upwardly off the lower die. 
     Thus, any NTNA structure is a structure that would interfere with the separation of the dies or the removal of the component from the dies. Accordingly, a component that is an NTNA structure cannot be a part of the unitary body  22  as the NTNA structure would prevent the separation of the dies or removal of the formed object from the lower die. For the purpose of this disclosure, it is assumed that the dies separate along a vertical axis. It is further assumed that the unitary sidewall  22  is used in the same orientation as it is formed. It is understood that the dies may separate along any axis and the unitary sidewall  22  may be used in any orientation. As such, directional adjectives, e.g., vertical, upper, lower, etc. are not limiting upon the claims. As the unitary sidewall  22  does not include any NTNA structures, it is understood that all structures described as part of the unitary sidewall  22  are either, or both, tapered structures or structures extending axially. 
     The unitary sidewall  22 , preferably, has a generally square cross-sectional shape with four identifiable sidewalls; a front sidewall  30 , a back sidewall  32 , a right sidewall  34  and a left sidewall  36 , that are portions of the unitary sidewall  22 . The front sidewall  30  includes a horizontal opening, or has a smaller vertical height than the other sidewalls  32 ,  34 ,  36  thereby creating a housing assembly hose portal  28 , which acts as a window through which a hose  1  may be passed and wrapped about the barrel  202  (described below). As is also known in the plastic arts, separation of the dies is easier if the dies do not slide across the molded component. As such, the unitary sidewall  22  also has a frusto-conical shape, i.e. the unitary sidewall  22  includes two pairs of generally vertical upwardly tapered planes that taper from bottom to top. This allows the upper die to rapidly disengage from the unitary sidewall  22  as the upper die moves upwardly. The unitary sidewall  22  may then be lifted off, and rapidly disengaged from, the lower die. As noted above, when using dies in this configuration, the unitary sidewall  22  cannot have any NTNA structures, e.g. horizontal ribs, as such structures would prevent die separation or removal of the unitary sidewall  22  from the dies. 
     The sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  are generally planar, and preferably substantially planar, members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . Each sidewall  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 , i.e. each planar member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 , has an upper side  38  and a lower side  39 . Each sidewall member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37  may include an outwardly offset rim  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  disposed at the sidewall lower side  39 . The offset rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  have a slightly greater cross-sectional area than the sidewall members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . More preferably, the inner cross-sectional area of the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  is substantially the same as the outer cross-sectional area of the sidewall members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . Each rim  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  is unitary with the associated sidewall member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . Further, each rim  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  may include a plurality of openings  48 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , at the interface of the rim  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and associated sidewall member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . 
     As shown best in  FIG. 3 , the sidewalls members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37  may be coupled along their vertical edges (not shown), but preferably there is a corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  between adjacent sidewalls members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . Each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  includes a first planar member  60  and a second planar member  62 . Each of the corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  are portions of a sidewall  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 , i.e. the corner formations  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  are unitary parts of the unitary sidewall  22 . That is, for example, the front sidewall  30  has a corner formation first planar member  60  along its left vertical side, and, a corner formation second planar member  62  along its right vertical side with the first planar member  31  therebetween. The corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  are each coupled to a corner formation planar member  60 ,  62  from an adjacent sidewall  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 . That is, for example, the corner formation first planar member  60  of the front sidewall  30  is coupled to the corner formation second planar member  62  of the left sidewall  36 . The corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  are disposed at a generally right angle to each other. 
     The corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  are outwardly offset from the associated sidewalls members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . Further, the corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  have a greater height than the associated sidewalls members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 , with the additional length of the corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  extending below the associated sidewall lower side  39 . In this configuration, the corner formations  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  act as legs for the hose reel deck box  10 . Further, the corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  may have a greater taper than the sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 . That is, the corner formations  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  may be flared at the bottom. Further, the bottom edges of each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  may include an outwardly extending flange  64  ( FIG. 4 ). Further, one corner formation  50  may include an extended flange  66  ( FIG. 3 ) that may be used as a foot pad during winding. 
     The unitary sidewall  22  may include additional features about the sidewall upper sides  38 . As features at this location would not interfere with the separation of the molding dies, these features may extend inwardly into, or across, the enclosed space  24 . These features include, but are not limited to a guide rod  68  ( FIG. 3 ) reinforcing ribs, stiffening bars, and lifting handles. 
     As noted above, the sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  are, preferably, substantially planar members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . The planar members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37  have a thickness of between about 0.08 inch and 0.15 inch, and more preferably about 0.1 inch. The corner formation planar members  60 ,  62  have a thickness of between about 0.08 inch and 0.15 inch, and more preferably about 0.1 inch. As used herein, a unitary sidewall  22  having such dimensions is a “thin” unitary sidewall  22 . It is noted that a “thin” unitary sidewall  22  with such dimensions, typically, cannot include support ribs or other such structures as such structures typically require a greater thickness. Thus, a unitary sidewall  22  having ribs, or other such structures, is not a “thin” unitary sidewall  22 . That is, a planar member having a rib is, typically, not a “generally” or “substantially” planar member as the rib typically extends more than an inch above the planar surface. 
     A thin unitary sidewall  22 , preferably made from PP (Polypropylene) or PE (Polyethylene), i.e. a unitary sidewall  22  with the dimensions set forth above, is, generally, insufficiently robust to withstand the stress created by winding a hose  1  about a barrel  202  rotatably supported by the lateral sidewalls  34 ,  36 . That is, as noted above, the torque and other stresses created by such rotation of the basket assembly  200  cause the unitary housing component  20  to skew whereby the basket assembly  200  may not rotate freely in the unitary housing component  20 . The unitary sidewall  22  is made sufficiently robust by coupling the stiffener  70  thereto, i.e. the stiffener  70  is bracingly coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  and is structured to maintain the unitary housing component  20  in the a first, operational configuration. Moreover, the stiffener  70  is an NTNA structure. 
     The stiffener  70  is a body  72 , preferably a unitary body, having a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid members  74  and may include a plurality of corner supports  76 . The stiffener  70  is an NTNA structure relative to the unitary sidewall  22  in that the stiffener  70  includes surfaces that protrude inwardly in a non-axial manner, such as, but not limited to generally horizontal planar members, see e.g., the rigid members  74  and more specifically the rigid member bight  80  described below. The stiffener  70  may alternately include an outwardly extending feature having an inwardly extending lower surface. For example, if the stiffener  70  is shaped as a loop  78 , the loop  78  includes an inwardly extending lower surface  79 . If the stiffener  70  were incorporated into the unitary sidewall  22 , the characteristics of the NTNA structure would prevent the removal of the unitary  22  from a mold. Thus, it cannot be said that the stiffener  70  is the same as a reinforcing structure incorporated into a unitary sidewall  22  as it would be impossible to have such an NTNA structure on a unitary sidewall  22 . 
     Preferably, there is at least one stiffener member  74  for each sidewall  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  of the unitary sidewall  22 , and, one corner support  76  for each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Thus, for the preferred embodiment having a four-sided housing assembly  12 , there are four stiffener members  74  and four corner supports  76 . The corner supports  76  are coupled to one or more of the rigid members  74 . Each corner support  76  is disposed in a position corresponding to one housing assembly corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . That is, regardless of the arrangement of the rigid members  74 , as discussed below, each corner support  76  is disposed in a position corresponding to one housing assembly corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Further, each corner support  76  is structured to be coupled to the housing assembly planar members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37  proximate each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . 
     The rigid members  74  are preferably arranged, i.e. disposed, in a shape generally corresponding to the housing assembly  12  perimeter. Thus, in the preferred embodiment wherein the housing assembly  12  perimeter is a generally square cross-sectional shape, the rigid members  74  are preferably disposed in a generally square loop  78  or parallelogram, hereinafter “loop”  78 . The loop  78  formed by the rigid members  74  preferably has a cross-sectional area about the same as the unitary sidewall  22  proximate the lower side. Each rigid member  74 , preferably, has a length substantially corresponding to the length of an associated housing assembly planar member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . That is, for example, if the housing assembly  12  were rectangular (not shown) having two twenty-inch long sides and two thirty-inch long sides, the plurality of rigid members  74  would include two members  74  about twenty inches long and two members  74  about thirty inches long. Each rigid member  74  is bracingly coupled to an associated housing assembly planar member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . The rigid members  74  may be coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  by a number of coupling devices  90  or configurations. The cross-sectional shape of the individual rigid members  74  is adapted to the various coupling devices  90 , as discussed below. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the loop  78  is sized to fit within the perimeter defined by the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 . Alternately, the loop  78  may be sized to have substantially the same cross-sectional area as the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the rigid members  74  have an upwardly facing W-shaped cross-section, or more preferably, a double H-shaped cross-section, i.e. similar to adjacent capital “H&#39;s” sharing a vertical member, which is, essentially, mirror image U-shaped members. The inner “H” acts to stiffen the loop  78  and, as set forth below, the outermost vertical member or tine acts as a cover  110 . Thus, in cross-section, the rigid members  74  have at least a base or bight  80  and two upwardly extending tines  82 ,  84 . Preferably, the W-shaped cross-section is a generally squared W-shape, i.e. formed of planar members coupled at generally right angles. 
     The stiffener body  72  is coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  by one or more coupling device(s)  90 . The coupling devices  90  are, preferably, substantially similar, but a mixture of coupling devices  90  may be used. As the coupling devices  90  are preferably similar, a single coupling device  90  will be described; it is understood that a plurality of coupling devices  90  may be, and preferably are, used. The coupling device  90  has two components, a first component  92  and a second component  94 . The coupling device first component  92  is disposed on the stiffener body  72 , the coupling device second component  94  is disposed on the unitary sidewall  22  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     In the preferred embodiment, the coupling device  90  includes a spring clip device  91  and the aforementioned openings  48  at the interface of the rim  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and associated sidewall member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . That is, the coupling device first component  92 , a spring clip  91 , includes an elongated, minimally flexible member  96  having a proximal end  98 , a distal end  100 , and a laterally extending latch surface  102 . A tapered surface  104  extends from the latch surface  102  to the flexible member distal end  100 . The flexible member proximal end  98  is coupled, and preferably directly coupled, to a rigid members  74  and extends upwardly therefrom. If the loop  78  is sized to fit within the perimeter defined by the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , the flexible member  96  is disposed outside the outer tine  82 . If the loop  78  is sized to have substantially the same cross-sectional area as the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , the flexible member  96  is disposed on the bight  80 . As noted, the coupling device second components  94  are the aforementioned openings  48  at the interface of the rim  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  and associated sidewall member  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 . Each coupling device  90  is positioned on the stiffener body  72  so as to be aligned with coupling device second component  94 , i.e. with an opening  48 . 
     In this configuration, the stiffener body  72  is coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  by positioning the stiffener body below the unitary sidewall  22  and moving the stiffener body  72  upwardly. As the stiffener body  72  moves into the unitary sidewall enclosed space  24 , each flexible member distal end  100  passes an associated coupling device second component  94 , i.e. an opening  48 . The flexible member  96  may flex outwardly slightly as the latch surface  102  moves toward the opening  48 . Once the latch surface  102  moves to a position aligned with the opening  48 , the flexible member  96  returns to a generally straight configuration thereby positioning the latch surface  102  within the opening  48  and coupling the stiffener body  72  to the unitary sidewall  22 . 
     If the loop  78  is sized to have substantially the same cross-sectional area as the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  are disposed in the groove defined by the rigid member  74  upwardly facing U-shaped cross-section. If the loop  78  is sized to fit within the perimeter defined by the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , the stiffener body  72  is disposed substantially, or entirely, within the unitary sidewall enclosed space  24 . Further, if the loop  78  is sized to fit within the perimeter defined by the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , the stiffener body  72  may include an extra member, a cover  110 , structured to overlay the coupling devices  90 . The cover  110  is, essentially, the outer portion of the W-shaped body, or an L-shaped member disposed adjacent the outer tine  82  of the stiffener body  72 . As the stiffener body  72  is moved into place, the cover  110  is disposed on the outer side of the unitary sidewall  22 , i.e. the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  are disposed in the groove defined by the cover  110  upwardly facing U-shaped cross-section. 
     Coupling devices  90  having a distinct pair of components include, but are not limited to, a ball (which is actually a hemispherical bump) and detent, wherein the ball  120  is the first component  92  and is disposed on the outer surface of the stiffener body  72 , and a detent  122  is the second component  94  disposed on the inner surface of the unitary body  22 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Another embodiment,  FIG. 7 , includes a pair of opposed spring clip devices  91 . That is, instead of having a single spring clip  91 , there may be two opposed spring clips  91 A,  91 B structured to have opposing latching surfaces  102 A,  102 B engage each other. It is noted that the spring clip device  91  and the ball  120  and detent  122  are reversible in that the location of the first and second components  92 ,  94  may be easily switched. 
     In another embodiment,  FIG. 8 , the coupling device  90  may be a tongue-and-groove configuration. The second component  94  is a groove  132  disposed on the inner surface of the unitary body  22 . The tongue  130  may be a ridge extending from the outer surface of the stiffener body  72 , similar to an extended “ball” in the ball  120  and detent  122  coupling device  90 . Other coupling devices  90  may or may not include a distinct second component  94 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the entire stiffener body  72  may act as the second component  94 , i.e. a tongue  130 , without having a distinct projection. In this embodiment, the stiffener body  72  acts as the second component  94  and is structured to fit into a groove  132 A disposed on the inner surface of the unitary body  22 . In another alternate embodiment, a groove  132 B, as shown in  FIG. 10 , may be disposed on the outer surface of the of the unitary body  22  and the stiffener body  72 , which in this embodiment has a cross-sectional area greater than most of the unitary body  22 , and moved downwardly over the unitary body  22  into the groove  132 B. That is, the groove is disposed near the lower side of the unitary body  22  and the stiffener body  72  is sized to fit snugly therein. In this embodiment, the stiffener body  72  includes a corner formation loop (not shown) sized to extend about, and snugly engage, each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . 
     When the stiffener body  72  is disposed within the unitary sidewall enclosed space  24 , the stiffener body  72 , i.e. the rigid members  74 , may simply extend through each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . In the preferred embodiment, however, the stiffener body  72  includes a socketed coupling  140  at each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 11 . That is, each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  is, essentially, a hollow two-sided tube disposed in a fixed relation to the other corner formations  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Because the corner formations  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  cannot move a substantial distance relative to each other, the members of the two sided “tubes” may act as socket coupling second component  144 . That is, a socketed coupling includes a first component  142 , or “lug,” and a second component  144 , or “socket.” The second socketed coupling component  144 , the socket, defines a cavity and the first socketed coupling component  142  fits snugly therein. As each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  is, essentially a hollow tube, the stiffener body  72  may include a plurality of socketed coupling first components  142  disposed so as to fit within each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . That is, in the preferred embodiment having a generally square shape, each of the socketed coupling first components  142  is disposed at a corner of the loop  78 . The socketed coupling first components  142  are each sized to fit snuggly within the associated corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  at the elevation of the rims  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 . That is, as used herein, an “elevation” means at a specific height and in a generally horizontal plane relative to the deck box housing assembly  12 . 
     In this embodiment, the socketed coupling first component  142 , the lug, is a generally horizontal planar member  146  having a perimeter shaped to correspond to, i.e. to snugly engage, the interior surface of the associated corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Each socketed coupling first component planar member  146  may have a generally vertically extending peripheral rim  148  which is, essentially, a continuation of the stiffener body outer tine  82  and/or H-shaped cross-section. 
     Further, each socketed coupling  140  may include additional coupling devices  90  such as those described above. For example, each first component planar member  146  may also include a plurality of balls  120  disposed about the outer lateral side of the first component planar member  146 . A corresponding plurality of detents  122  would be disposed about the inner side of each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . 
     As noted above, in the preferred embodiment, the stiffener body  72  has a U-shaped cross-section, or more preferably an H-shaped cross-section. These shapes allow for the preferred spring clip  91  coupling devices  90  to extend upwardly from the stiffener body  72 . The stiffener body  72  may, however, have other cross-sectional shapes. For example, the stiffener body  72  may have a square cross-sectional shape which works well with the ball-and-detent coupling device  90 . That is, the ball  120  is disposed on the outer surface of the square stiffener body  72 . A triangular cross-section may work well with the tongue-and-groove coupling device  90 . For example, a corner of a triangular stiffener body  72  may be the tongue  130 . As such, the stiffener body  72  may have any cross-sectional shape suitable for the associated coupling device  90  thereon. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the rigid members  74  are not arranged, i.e. disposed, in a shape generally corresponding to the housing assembly  12  perimeter. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the rigid members  74  may be disposed in an alternate pattern, such as, but not limited to, an X-formation wherein each tip of the X-shaped pattern is aligned with one corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . In this embodiment, the rigid members  74  are not directly coupled to the unitary body  22 . Instead, the rigid members  74  each have a socketed coupling component  142 ,  144  disposed at each tip of the X-shaped pattern. The socketed coupling first component  142  may be a lug and the corner formations  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  form a corresponding socketed coupling second component  144 , as described above. That is, each corner support  76  is disposed in a position corresponding to one housing assembly corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and each socketed coupling first component  142  is structured to be coupled to the housing assembly planar members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37  proximate each corner formation  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . The rigid members  74  in an X-formation may be supported by additional rigid members, e.g. a circular member as shown. 
     In another embodiment, partially described above and shown in  FIG. 10 , the stiffener body  72  is a loop  78  structured to be disposed about the outer perimeter of the unitary body  22  at a selected elevation. That is, the “selected elevation” is an elevation on the unitary sidewall  22  somewhere proximate or above the lower side. In this embodiment, the stiffener body  72  has a cross-sectional shape that is slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the unitary body  22  at the selected elevation at which the stiffener body  72  is to be disposed. That is, as noted above, the unitary body  22  is tapered toward the upper end. Thus, the stiffener body loop  78  may be brought downwardly over the smaller upper end of the unitary body  22  to an elevation wherein the stiffener body loop  78  engages the unitary body  22 . Preferably, this elevation is below the elevation of the coupling between the barrel  202  (described below) and the unitary body  22 . It is noted that the loop  78  has an inwardly extending generally horizontal, lower surface  79 . That is, the lower surface  79  extends inwardly from the greatest cross-sectional area of the loop  78 . In this configuration, the loop  78  is an NTNA structure relative to a unitary sidewall  22  in that, were the loop incorporated into the unitary sidewall  22 , the loop lower surface  79  would extend into the unitary sidewall enclosed space  24 . Further, any of the coupling devices  90  described above may be used to temporarily fix the loop  78  to the unitary sidewall  22 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, there is a single stiffener  70  disposed proximate the lower end of the unitary body  22 . The function of the stiffener  70 , however, may be split among two or more stiffener bodies  72 , such as, but not limited to, an upper stiffener (not shown) and a lower stiffener  70  as described above. That is, the stiffeners  70  are at different elevations. Further, the embodiments described above may be mixed together. For example, a lower stiffener  70  may be the same as the first embodiment described above, and, an upper stiffener may be an external loop  78  as described in the last embodiment above. 
     In addition to providing the stiffener  70 , the life of the hose reel deck box  10  may be extended by improving resistance to wear at the interface of the basket assembly  200  and the unitary housing component  20 , shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . That is, the unitary sidewall  22  is relatively thin, as noted above. In such a thin wall, the stress of repeatedly winding a hose  1  onto the basket assembly  200  may cause the thin wall to wear out. The basket assembly coupling assembly  205  and, more specifically, the basket assembly coupling assembly coupling components  250 , both discussed below, reduces the effects of such stresses. 
     As is known, a basket assembly  200  includes a barrel  202 , a crank  204 , a water delivery system  203  and a basket assembly coupling assembly  205 . The barrel  202 , typically, has a cylindrical body  206  about which a hose  1  ( FIG. 13 ) is wound. The barrel  202  is structured to rotate about an axis of rotation. As such it is understood that any reference to “axis” or “axial” used in relation to the basket assembly  200  refers to the axis of rotation, and not the axis over which the unitary body  22  and associated molds, described above, move. The barrel body  206  may include two hubs  208 , one proximate each axial end of the barrel body  206 . The water delivery system  203  is structured to be coupled to, and in fluid communication with, a source of water. The water delivery system  203  includes a bifurcated conduit with a stationary end, which extends from the barrel body  206  axis of rotation, and a rotating end, which extends radially through the barrel body  206 . A hose  1  is coupled to the water delivery system  203  rotating end and is wrapped about the barrel body  206 . The crank  204  is coupled to the barrel body  206  and, as shown, may be fixed to the barrel body  206 . As such, rotation of the crank  204  causes the barrel  202  to rotate. In operation, a user typically pulls on the hose  1  to draw the hose  1  from the hose reel deck box  10 . That is, the crank  204  is not used to extend the hose  1 . Conversely, the user utilizes the crank  204  to rotate the barrel body  206  when winding the hose  1 . 
     The barrel body  206  is structured to be rotatably coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  via the basket assembly coupling assembly  205 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . The basket assembly coupling assembly  205  includes both rotating elements coupled to the barrel body  206  and substantially stationary elements coupled to the unitary body  22 . That is, the basket assembly coupling assembly  205  includes two basket end caps  210 , which are in a fixed relationship with, and preferably directly coupled to, the barrel body  206  and/or hubs  208 , and, two shroud members  220 , that are fixed to the unitary sidewall  22 . The shroud members  220  are structured to substantially cover and/or conceal elements located therebehind, i.e. elements located between the two shroud members  220 . Further, the basket assembly coupling assembly  205 , preferably, includes a bushing  240  disposed between each basket end cap  210  and the unitary sidewall  22 . Each bushing  240  is also coupled to, and preferably directly coupled to, the unitary sidewall  22 . The bushing  240  may be partially rotatable relative to the unitary sidewall  22 . The shroud members  220  may be made from PP or PE, the basket end caps  210  may be made from POM, and the bushings  240  may be made from PP or PE. It is noted that a basket assembly coupling assembly  205  is disposed at opposing ends of the barrel body  206  and are coupled to opposing planar members  33 ,  37  on the unitary sidewall  22 . For the purpose of this disclosure, the basket assembly coupling assemblies  205  are substantially similar. As such, only one basket assembly coupling assembly  205  will be described. It is understood that each basket assembly coupling assembly  205  is substantially similar to each other, with the exception in the shroud members  220  noted below. The basket assembly coupling assembly  205  is further structured to support the unitary sidewall  22  so as to reduce wear and tear. More specifically, the basket assembly coupling assembly  205  includes coupling components  250  that are structured to support the unitary sidewall  22 . 
     Thus, the barrel body  206  is fixed to a basket end cap  210 . The basket end caps  210  are also rotatably coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  thereby defining an axis of rotation  211 . The axis of rotation  211  extends substantially horizontally. More specifically, the basket end caps  210  are rotatably coupled to two opposing planar members  33 ,  37  of the unitary sidewall  22 . Accordingly, the two opposing planar members  33 ,  37  have a basket assembly mounting openings  209  ( FIG. 3 ) therein. Further, the basket assembly mounting openings  209  may include a plurality of openings, as discussed below. 
     Each basket end cap  210  has a body  207  including a planar member  212 , which is preferably a generally circular disk, a barrel coupling  213  and a rotatable coupling  214 . The barrel coupling  213  and rotatable coupling  214  are both, preferably, a plurality of spring clips  215 ,  216 , respectively, as well as the associated openings  219 . Each barrel coupling and rotatable coupling spring clip  215 ,  216  has an axially extending body  217 , i.e. extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation  211 . Each barrel coupling and rotatable coupling spring clip body  217  is generally arcuate so that the plurality of barrel coupling and rotatable coupling spring clips  215 ,  216  each form a generally circular pattern. Each barrel coupling and rotatable coupling spring clip body  217  has a latch surface  218  extending generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation  211 . The barrel coupling spring clips  215  are structured to extend through openings  219  ( FIG. 13 ) on the barrel body  206  and/or hub  208 . The rotatable coupling spring clips  216  are structured to be rotatably coupled to the basket assembly mounting opening  209  as described below. Moreover, the rotatable coupling spring clips  216  are structured to support the unitary sidewall  22  and, as such, are included as elements of the basket assembly coupling assembly coupling components  250 , discussed below. 
     The basket assembly shroud member  220  and a bushing  240  are shown in  FIG. 15 . The shroud member  220  has a body  222  with a generally planar outer portion  224  and an inner, annular extension  226 . As shown, one shroud member body  222  may include a tubular extension  227 . The shroud member  220  has several purposes including providing a decorative cover over the basket assembly mounting opening  209 . As such, the shroud member  220  may have any shape and decorative features. As shown, the generally planar outer portion  224  is substantially circular and has an arcuate outer surface or outer face  228  and an inner side  230 . Typically, only the shroud outer face  228  will be visible to the user. The inner annular extension  226  extends from the outer portion inner side  230  inwardly. That is, in reference to any part of the basket assembly  200 , “inwardly” means generally toward the center of the barrel  202 . The inner annular extension  226  has an outer surface  229  structured to engage the rotatable coupling spring clips  216 , as described below. The shroud member  220  is coupled to, and preferably fixed to, the unitary sidewall  22  by the shroud first coupling components  252 , discussed below. The shroud first coupling components  252  are structured to support the unitary sidewall  22  and, as such, are included as elements of the basket assembly coupling assembly coupling components  250 , discussed below. 
     The shrouds  220  allow other components to pass therethrough if needed. Thus, the tubular extension  227  defines a water conduit passage  232 . That is, the tubular extension  227  is hollow and the shroud outer portion  224  has a central opening  234 . As described above, on one side of the barrel  202  the water delivery system  203  stationary end extends from the hose reel deck box  10  at the axis of rotation, i.e. through the shroud outer portion central opening  234 . The opposing shroud member  220  may not include the tubular extension  227 . Instead, the opposing shroud outer portion central opening  234  is, preferably, used as a passage whereby the crank  204  is coupled to the barrel body  206 . That is, the crank includes a shaft that has a non-circular cross-section. This shaft is structured, i.e. shaped, to engage the basket end cap body inwardly extending axial ribs  296 , described below, thereby providing a fixed coupling between the crank  204  and the barrel  202 . If the crank  204  is offset from the barrel  202  and coupled thereto by gears or a chain drive (neither shown), the shroud outer portion  224  opposing the water delivery system stationary end may omit the shroud outer portion central opening  234 . It is noted that neither the water delivery system  203  nor the crank  202  must engage the shrouds  220 . That is, the water delivery system  203  and the crank  202  simply pass through associated shroud  220 . 
     The bushing  240  has a hollow, substantially cylindrical body  242  with an outer axial end  244  and an inner axial end  246 . The bushing body outer axial end  244  includes elements of the bushing first coupling component  254 . The bushing first coupling component  254  is structured to support the unitary sidewall  22  and, as such, is included as elements of the basket assembly coupling assembly coupling components  250 , discussed below. The bushing  240  is disposed about, and spaced from, the shroud inner extension  226  thereby defining a partially enclosed space  248 . The rotatable coupling spring clips  216  are disposed in each partially enclosed space  248 . That is, the rotatable coupling spring clips  216  are sandwiched between the shroud inner extension  226 . In this configuration, no rotating portion of the basket assembly  200  directly contacts the unitary sidewall  22 . As such, wear and tear on the unitary sidewall  22  due to friction with the rotating portions of the basket assembly  200  is, essentially, eliminated. 
     The interaction between the rotating portions of the basket assembly  200  and the unitary sidewall  22  does, however, cause stress on the unitary sidewall  22 . The effects of this stress is reduced by the basket assembly coupling assembly coupling components  250 . The basket assembly coupling assembly coupling components  250  include at least one shroud first coupling component  252 , at least one bushing first coupling component  254 , at least one basket end cap first coupling component  258  and at least one housing assembly second coupling component  256 . As before, the first coupling components  252 ,  254 ,  258  are, generally, elements that extend through the second coupling components  256 , which are openings in the unitary sidewall  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3  and in detailed in  FIG. 15 . 
     That is, the at least one housing assembly second coupling component  256  includes the basket assembly mounting opening  209 , alternatively identified as the housing assembly central opening  260 , see  FIG. 16 . The housing assembly central opening  260  is, preferably, generally circular. Further, as described below, there are a plurality of shroud first coupling components  252 , each of which must have a second coupling component to be coupled to. That is, there is also at least one shroud coupling opening  262 , and preferably a plurality of shroud coupling openings  262 . The shroud coupling openings  262  are disposed about the housing assembly central opening  260 . In this configuration, there is a portion of the unitary sidewall  22  extending about the housing assembly central opening  260  and each shroud coupling opening  262 . This area of the unitary sidewall  22  is the central opening web  271 . The portion of the web  271  between the openings  260 ,  262  is the intermediate web  270 . The intermediate web(s)  270  are a portion of the unitary sidewall  22  exposed to concentrated stress when the basket assembly  200  is rotated. Thus, the intermediate web(s)  270  are a portion of the unitary sidewall  22  that benefit from additional support, as set forth below. 
     Each shroud coupling opening  262  is shaped to secure the associated shroud first coupling component  252  therein. That is, each shroud coupling opening  262  defines a wide portion  280 , a latch relief passage  282  and a seat  284 . Between the shroud coupling opening wide portion  280  and the shroud coupling opening seat  284  is a flexible latching member  286 . The flexible latching member  286  is an elongated, finger-like member that extends the side of the wide portion  280  and the latch relief passage  282 . That is, the wide portion  280  and the latch relief passage  282  are disposed adjacent to each other with the flexible latching member  286  extending therebetween. If the flexible latching member  286  is biased in a first direction away from the wide portion  280 , the flexible latching member  286  is flexed into latch relief passage  282 . Between the wide portion  280  and the latch relief passage  282  is the seat  284 . Details regarding the functions of the various portions and components of the shroud coupling opening  262  are set forth below. 
     As noted above, additional support to the intermediate web(s)  270  is beneficial. Such support is provided by the first coupling components  252 ,  254 . For example, and as shown in  FIG. 14 , the at least one shroud first coupling component  252  has a body  272  that extends inwardly, i.e. toward the unitary body  22  and the barrel  202 , from the shroud member body  222 . The shroud first coupling component body  272  includes an elongated stem  274  and a head  276 . The shroud first coupling component head  276  includes a support surface  278  that extends generally perpendicularly to the axis of the shroud first coupling component stem  274 . That is, the support surface  278  extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of one of planar members  33 ,  37 . The shroud first coupling component head support surface  278  is structured to engage the adjacent intermediate web  270  when installed. 
     The shroud first coupling components  252  and the shroud coupling openings  262  may be disposed in a symmetrical pattern about the center of the housing assembly second coupling component central opening  260 . That is, if the shroud member body  222  were to be rotated about the rotational axis of the basket assembly  200 , the shroud first coupling components  252  would always become aligned with a shroud coupling opening  262  at the same time. Thus, the shroud member body  222  may be coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  in any orientation. As discussed below, the shroud coupling openings  262  may be disposed in an asymmetrical pattern about the center of the housing assembly second coupling component central opening  260 . In such a configuration, the shroud member body  222  may be coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  in a specific orientation. That is, the asymmetrical pattern of shroud first coupling components  252  act as a key to ensure the shroud member body  222  is coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  in a single orientation. 
     The shroud first coupling component head  276  has a greater cross-sectional area than the shroud first coupling component stem  274 . The shroud coupling opening wide portion  280  is sized to allow the first coupling component head  274  to pass axially, i.e. generally parallel to the axis of rotation  211 , therethrough. The seat  284 , has a smaller cross-sectional area than the shroud first coupling component head  276 . Thus, the shroud first coupling component head  276  cannot pass axially therethrough. As the first coupling component stem  274  is moved from the shroud coupling opening wide portion  280  toward the seat  284 , the width of the first coupling component stem  274  causes the flexible latching member  286  to flex into the latch relief passage  282 , thereby temporarily widening the shroud coupling opening  262  adjacent the seat  284 . When the shroud first coupling component stem  274  moves past the flexible latching member  286 , the flexible latching member  286  returns to its original position and the shroud first coupling component stem  274  is disposed in the shroud coupling opening seat  284  with the flexible latching member  286  immediately adjacent. The shroud coupling opening seat  284  is sized to snugly engage the shroud first coupling component stem  274 . Moreover, the shroud first coupling component stem  274  may not move backwards into the shroud coupling opening wide portion  280  due to the flexible latching member  286 . 
     Thus, during installation of the shroud member body  222 , each shroud first coupling component head  276  is passed axially, i.e. in a direction generally parallel to the basket assembly  200  axis of rotation  211 , through an associated shroud coupling opening wide portion  280 . The shroud member body  222  is then rotated so that each shroud first coupling component stem  274  moves past the flexible latching member  286 , until each shroud first coupling component stem  274  is disposed in a shroud coupling opening seat  284 . Moreover, each shroud first coupling component stem  274  is trapped in a seat  284  by an associated flexible latching member  286 . 
     Because each shroud first coupling component head  276  is wider than the size of the shroud coupling opening  262  at the shroud coupling opening seat  284 , the shroud first coupling component head  276  extends over the portion of the unitary sidewall  22  immediately adjacent the shroud coupling opening seat  284 . This area includes each intermediate web  270 . That is, each intermediate web  270  is the portion of the unitary sidewall  22  between a shroud coupling opening seat  284  and the central opening  260 . As each shroud first coupling component head  276  extends over the adjacent intermediate web  270 , each shroud first coupling component support surface  278  engages and supports the adjacent intermediate web  270  when installed. 
     The bushing  240  is structured to be coupled to the housing assembly central opening  260 . The basket assembly coupling assembly coupling components  250  of the bushing  240 , i.e. the at least one bushing first coupling component  254 , includes the bushing body outer axial end  244  having a flange  281  and, preferably, a latching member  283 . The bushing body flange  281  is disposed at the distal end of the bushing body outer axial end  244 . The bushing body flange  281  extends radially, that is generally perpendicular to the basket assembly axis of rotation  211 . The bushing body flange  281  has a length, from inner radial edge to outer radial edge, of between about 0.25 inch and 0.375 inch, and, more preferably, of about 0.33 inch. The bushing body latching member  283  is, essentially, a second smaller, intermittent flange. As shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the bushing body latching member  283  has a radial latching surface  285  and an angled outer surface  287 . The bushing body latching member  283  is near, but disposed inwardly of, the distal end of the bushing body outer axial end  244 . That is, there is a gap between the bushing body flange  281  and the bushing body latching member latching surface  285 . This gap is sized to be about the thickness of the unitary sidewall  22  or, if a vertical mounting surface  290  is used, about the thickness of the thick sidewall portion  292 . 
     The bushing  240  is installed, typically, by moving the bushing body  242  through the housing assembly central opening  260  from outside the unitary sidewall  22  with the bushing body inner axial end  246  moving through the central opening  260  and the bushing body flange  281  being disposed on the outer side of the housing assembly central opening  260 . In this configuration, the bushing body flange  281  is disposed adjacent, or engaging, the intermediate web  270 . As with the shroud first coupling component head  276 , the bushing body flange  281  engages and supports the adjacent intermediate web  270  when installed. It is noted that, in this configuration, the shroud first coupling component head  276  and the bushing body flange  281  are disposed on opposite sides of said intermediate web  270 . Thus, the intermediate web  270  is supported on both the inner and outer sides. 
     The bushing  240  may further include at least one axial rib  288  disposed on the outer surface of the bushing body  242 . The bushing axial rib  288  has a limited height above the outer surface of the bushing body  242 , preferably less than 0.25 inch. The bushing axial rib  288  is structured to act as a key to prevent constant rotation of the bushing  240 . That is, for each at least one bushing axial rib  288  there is a corresponding slot  289  disposed on the perimeter of each central opening  260 . Each slot  289  is a portion of the central opening  260  having a slightly greater radius than the other portions of the central opening  260 . Preferably, each slot  289  extends over an arc of about 10 degrees. When the bushing  240  is installed, each at least one bushing axial rib  288  is disposed in a corresponding slot  289 . In this configuration, the bushing  240  may rotate slightly. That is, the bushing  240  may rotate until each at least one bushing axial rib  288  contacts the end of the associated slot  289 . Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the bushing  240  may rotate over an arc of about seventeen degrees. 
     As noted above, when the shroud  220  and the bushing  240  are installed, the bushing  240  is disposed about, and spaced from, the shroud inner extension  226  thereby defining a partially enclosed space  248 . To rotatably couple the basket end cap  210  to the unitary sidewall  22 , the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217  are passed through the partially enclosed space  248  until the rotatable coupling spring clip latch surface  218  is disposed on the outer surface of the bushing body flange  281 . That is, the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217  flex inwardly, i.e. toward the axis of the basket end cap  210 , as the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217  are passed through the partially enclosed space  248 . Once the rotatable coupling spring clip latch surfaces  218  pass through the partially enclosed space  248 , the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217  return to their original configuration and the rotatable coupling spring clip latch surfaces  218  are disposed on the outer surface of the bushing body flange  281 . In this configuration, the basket end cap  210  also indirectly engages and supports the adjacent intermediate web  270  when installed. 
     The basket end cap body  207  may include additional structures that assist with the rotation of the basket end cap  210 . These include a set of intermittent axial ribs  296  ( FIG. 13B ) and a set of platform ribs  298  ( FIG. 13A ). The inwardly extending axial ribs  296  are disposed on the inner surface of the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217  and extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation  211 . The axial ribs  296  may be disposed at the edges of the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217 . In this configuration, the axial ribs  296  engage the outer surface of the shroud inner extension  226 . Because the axial ribs  296  are intermittent, there is less than a continuous surface engaging the outer surface of the shroud inner extension  226 , thus reducing friction. The platform ribs  298  are disposed on the outer surface of the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217  or, as shown, on axial platforms  299  disposed between the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217 . The outer axial surface of the platform ribs  298  are structured to engage the bushing body inner axial end  246 . The outer axial surface of the platform ribs  298  are spaced from the rotatable coupling spring clip latch surface  218  by a distance substantially equal to, but slightly greater than, the axial length of the bushing body  242 . Thus, the bushing body  242  is disposed between the outer axial surface of the platform ribs  298  and the rotatable coupling spring clip latch surface  218 . In this configuration, the basket end cap body  207  cannot move axially more than an insubstantial distance relative to the bushing  240 . 
     It is noted that, because the unitary body  22  is upwardly tapered, if the basket assembly coupling assembly  205  were coupled directly thereto, i.e. the generally planar shroud member body  222  was disposed against one of the opposing planar members  33 ,  37  as discussed above, the basket assembly coupling assembly  205  would be slightly angled relative to a vertical axis. If the two opposing basket assembly coupling assemblies  205  are angled, the axis of rotation defined by the basket assembly coupling assemblies  205  is not straight. That is, it would not be an axis of rotation as the basket assembly coupling assemblies  205  would not be disposed on a common axis. This alignment issue may be addressed in at least two manners. First, a portion of the sidewall  22  may be adapted to provide a substantially vertical surface within the tapered sidewall planar members  33 ,  37 . Second, the bushing body  242  may be keyed so that it may only be coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  in a single orientation, and, the outer surface of the bushing flange  281  may be tapered so that, when the bushing flange  281  is placed adjacent to the opposing planar members  33 ,  37 , the bushing flange  281  extends in a substantially vertical plane. 
     With regard to the first configuration, the unitary sidewall  22  may include a mounting surface  290  on the unitary sidewall  22  and disposed about the at least one housing assembly second coupling components  256 , see  FIG. 16 . The mounting surface  290  is a substantially vertical planar member. The mounting surface planar member  290  is thicker at the top than at the bottom and/or the bottom of the mounting surface  290  is offset inwardly from the unitary sidewall  22 . That is, the mounting surface  290  includes one of, or both, a thick sidewall portion  292  or an offset portion  294  ( FIG. 15 ). The amount of the inward offset and/or increased wall thickness compensates for the taper of the unitary sidewall  22 , thereby allowing the mounting surface  290  to be substantially vertical. Preferably, the offset portion  294  is disposed proximate the lower area of the mounting surface  290  and the thick sidewall portion  292  is disposed proximate the upper area of the mounting surface  290 . The degree of offset is greatest at the bottom of the mounting surface  290  and decreases at higher elevations at a rate commensurate with the degree of taper in the unitary body  22 . Similarly, the thick sidewall portion  292  is thickest at the top of the mounting surface  290  and becomes thinner at lower elevations. 
     It is noted that, because much of the area in the mounting surface  290  is included in the at least one housing assembly second coupling components  256 , i.e. the openings  260 ,  262 , there is little difficulty removing the substantially vertical mounting surface  290  from the tapered molds. Further, the amount of offset and/or increased thickness is not so substantial as to diverge from the planar nature of the unitary body sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 . That is, the increased wall thickness and/or offset cannot be more than about 0.15 inch. With such a minimal change in the planar nature of the unitary body sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 , the mounting surface  290  does not act as a contoured surface that helps support the unitary body sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 . That is, as used herein, the unitary body sidewalls  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36  are still “generally planar” or “substantially planar” members  31 ,  33 ,  35 ,  37 , even with the mounting surface  290 . It is noted that, in this configuration, the length of the shroud first coupling component stems  274  are substantially similar as the individual shroud first coupling components  252  may be oriented to engage a shroud coupling opening  262  at either the top, bottom, or medial elevation of the mounting surface  290 . 
     In an alternate embodiment,  FIG. 15A , the requirement that the basket assembly coupling assembly  205  provide an axis of rotation that is substantially horizontal while mounted on an angled, i.e. upwardly tapered surface, is met by having the outer surface of the bushing flange  281  be angled relative to the opposing planar members  33 ,  37 . That is, because the basket end caps  210  are coupled to the bushing  240 , and more specifically to the outer surface of the bushing flange  281 , if the two opposing bushing  240  outer surfaces define a substantially vertical planes, then the basket end caps  210  may be positioned so as to have a substantially horizontal axis of rotation. This is accomplished by providing a bushing flange  281 A with a variable thickness, in a manner similar to the mounting surface  290  described above. 
     Generally, the bushing flange  281 A is thicker at the top than at the bottom with, preferably, a gradual taper therebetween. The amount of taper on the bushing flange  281  substantially matches the taper of the unitary sidewall  22 , with the bushing flange  281  being wider (thicker) at the top than at the bottom. Thus, when the bushing  240  is coupled to the tapered unitary sidewall  22 , the inverse taper, i.e. taper in the opposite direction, of the bushing flange  281  is balanced relative to the tapered unitary sidewall  22 . In this configuration, the outer surface of the bushing flange  281  is disposed in a substantially vertical plane. Thus, when the basket end caps  210  are coupled to the bushing body  240 , as described above, the rotatable coupling spring clip latch surface  218  is disposed on the substantially vertical outer surface of the bushing flange  281 . As noted above, the rotatable coupling spring clip latch surface  218  extends generally perpendicular to the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217 . Thus, the rotatable coupling spring clip bodies  217  extend substantially horizontally. In this configuration, the axis of the basket assembly coupling assemblies  205  extend substantially horizontally. 
     To ensure the proper orientation of the bushing body  242 , i.e. with the thick portion of the bushing flange  281  at the top, the bushing at least one axial rib  288  may be at least two axial ribs  288  disposed asymmetrically on the outer surface of the bushing body  242 . The corresponding slots  289  disposed on the perimeter of the basket assembly mounting opening  209  are also disposed asymmetrically and are positioned so that the bushing body  242  may only be coupled to the basket assembly mounting opening  209  in the proper orientation, i.e. with the thicker portion of the bushing  240  disposed above the thinner portion. 
     As noted above, the structure of the basket assembly coupling assembly  205  is required when the unitary sidewall  22  is thin. That is, if the housing assembly sidewall was thick enough so as to not flex under the stress of winding the basket assembly  200 , e.g. if the sidewall included support structures such as ribs or braces, the supporting basket assembly coupling assembly  205  would not be required. Thus, the basket assembly coupling assembly  205  is structured for unitary sidewalls wherein the intermediate web  270  has a thickness of between about 0.08 inch and 0.15 inch, and more preferably about 0.1 inch. Further, the overall width of the web  271 , i.e. from a radial inner edge to a radial outer edge, is between about 0.75 inch and 1.0 inch, and more preferably about 0.875 inch. Further, the width of the intermediate web, that is, the distance between the housing assembly central opening  260  and the adjacent edge of the shroud coupling opening  262  at the seat  284 , is between about 0.1875 inch and 0.375 inch, and more preferably about 0.25 inch. Preferably, the smallest radial distance between each shroud first coupling component head  276  and the bushing flange  281 , i.e. the radial distance between the inner edge of the shroud first coupling component head  276  and the outer edge of the bushing flange  281  is between about 0.1875 inch and 0.25 inch, and more preferably about 0.2 inch. 
     The housing assembly  12  further includes a hose guide system  300  including a hose guide  302  and at least one travel bar  304 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . As described below, the hose  1  is structured to pass through the hose guide  302 . The hose guide  302  is structured to be moved back-and-forth over a path having generally the same length as the barrel  202  and that is generally parallel to, but spaced from, the barrel  202 . When the hose  1  is being wound about the barrel  202 , the hose guide  302  is moved back-and-forth causing the wound hose  1  to be generally evenly distributed across the barrel body  206 . The at least one travel bar  304  defines the path over which the hose guide  302  travels. 
     The at least one travel bar  304  is unitary to the housing component  20 . The at least one travel bar  304  preferably has two travel bars  308 ,  310 . The travel bars  308 ,  310  extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the basket assembly  200  and are disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration. The travel bars  308 ,  310  are sized to fit within, or define, the travel bar passages  322  (discussed below) of the hose guide  302 . Preferably, the travel bars  308 ,  310  have a cross-sectional area slightly smaller than the travel bar passages  322  whereby the hose guide  302  may move freely over the travel bars  308 ,  310  but not so small that the hose guide  302  may wobble or otherwise be loosely coupled to the unitary sidewall  22 . The travel bars  308 ,  310  are elongated with a length substantially equal to the length of front sidewall  30 . The travel bars  308 ,  310  have a cross-sectional area, e.g. a diameter, between about 0.75 inch and 1.25 inch and preferably about 1.0 inch. That is, the travel bars  308 ,  310  preferably have an aspect ratio generally near 1.0 and are, preferably, not thin members. 
     The upper first travel bar  308  is disposed near the upper side of the unitary sidewall  22 . The upper travel bar  308 , preferably, has a generally smooth surface. It is noted that, due to molding considerations, the upper travel bar  308  may include a portion resembling spaced disks disposed on a common axis. In this configuration, the edges of the disks are substantially parallel. The lower second travel bar  310  is, preferably, a generally arcuate edge or surface  311  of the unitary sidewall  22 , preferably disposed at the upper side of the front sidewall  30 . As noted above, the front sidewall  30  has a portal  28  through which the hose  1  passes. The lower travel bar  310  extends along the lower edge of the portal  28 . The lower travel bar  310  is unitary with the unitary sidewall  22  and is molded/formed as part of planar member  31 . In the preferred embodiment, the arcuate surface  311  is, preferably, generally smooth. It is noted that, in an alternate embodiment, the lower travel bar  310  includes a race  312  ( FIG. 18 ) that is used to contain a projection  314 , as described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the hose guide  302  is a unitary body  315 . Preferably, the hose guide body  315  is generally planar and rectangular. The hose guide body  315  may have a handle  316 . The hose guide body  315  has a hose passage  318  sized to allow the hose  1  to pass therethrough. The hose guide body  315  has a thickness between 0.08 inch and 0.15 inch and preferably 0.1. The hose passage  318  has an axis that is generally normal to the plane of the hose guide body  315 . The hose guide body  315  is made from a material structured to be minimally flexible or to be minimally compressed, such as, but not limited to, PP (Polypropylene), PE (Polyethylene), ABS, Polyoxymethylene (Acetal). 
     The hose guide body  315  is coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  by at least one slidable coupling device  320 . As noted above, a coupling device  90  has a first and second component  92 ,  94 ; the at least one slidable coupling device  320  includes a slidable coupling device first component  323  and a slidable coupling device second component  325 . The slidable coupling device first component  323  is disposed on the unitary body  22  and the slidable coupling device second component  325  is disposed on the hose guide body  315 . That is, the slidable coupling device first component  323  includes at least one travel bar  304 , discussed above, and the slidable coupling device second component  325 , preferably, includes a semi-enclosed passage  321  on the hose guide body  315 . The semi-enclosed passage  321 , preferably, is the at least one travel bar passage  322 . 
     The at least one slidable coupling device  320  has at least a first, second, and third embodiment. The first, and preferred, embodiment of the at least one slidable coupling device  320  includes as the slidable coupling device second component  325  an upper first travel bar passage  324  and a lower second travel bar passage  326 . The travel bar passages  324 ,  326  are preferably elongated, but may also be defined by two or more toruses, i.e. rings (not shown), disposed along a generally common axis. The upper and lower travel bar passages  324 ,  326  each have an axis. The upper and lower travel bar passage  324 ,  326  axes are substantially parallel. The axis of the upper and lower travel bar passages  324 ,  326  are, preferably, substantially parallel to the basket assembly  200  axis of rotation  211 . The slidable coupling device first component  323  are the travel bars  308 ,  310 , as noted above. 
     The upper travel bar passage  324  is structured to be coupled to the upper travel bar  308 . The lower travel bar passage  326  is structured to be coupled to the lower travel bar  310 . Preferably, the travel bar passages  324 ,  326  are “semi-enclosed” passages  321 . A semi-enclosed passage  321  is a passage having a gap  313  extending longitudinally over the length of the passage. The gap  313  is narrower than the diameter, or width, of the semi-enclosed passage  321 . That is, the semi-enclosed passage  321  is, preferably, a generally circular passage, but a passage of any cross-sectional shape may be used. Further, the semi-enclosed passage  321 , preferably, has a cross-sectional shape that corresponds substantially to the cross-sectional shape of the associated at least one travel bar  304 , which is also generally circular in the preferred embodiment. Thus, the interior surface of the semi-enclosed passage  321  is, preferably, generally “C” shaped, i.e. the semi-enclosed passage  321  has a C-shaped cross-section. In this configuration, and when the material defining the semi-enclosed passage  321  is at least minimally flexible, the semi-enclosed passage  321  acts as a snap-fit coupling. That is, the gaps  313  of the upper and lower travel bar passages  324 ,  326  are structured to widen temporarily so as to be wider than the cross-sectional area, e.g. diameter, of the travel bars  308 ,  310 . Each second component  325  of the at least one slidable coupling device  320 , i.e. the travel bar passages  324 ,  326 , is structured to snap-fit onto the first component  323  of the at least one slidable coupling device  320 , i.e. the travel bars  308 ,  310 . Thus, the slidable coupling device second component  325  is structured to be snap-fitted to the slidable coupling device first component  323 . 
     Thus, upon installation, the travel bar passages  324 ,  326  capture the travel bars  308 ,  310  in a snap-fit manner. That is, each travel bar  308 ,  310  is structured to be moved into the semi-enclosed passage gap  313  causing the semi-enclosed passage gap  313  to temporarily widen as the travel bar  308 ,  310  moves therethrough. As the travel bar  308 ,  310  slides completely into the travel bar passage  324 ,  326 , the gap  313  returns to the original width, i.e. a width smaller than the cross-sectional area, e.g. diameter, of the travel bars  308 ,  310 . In this configuration, each travel bar  308 ,  310  will be disposed, and maintained, in the travel bar passage  324 ,  326 . Further, in this configuration, the at least one travel bar passage  322  does not encircle the associated at least one travel bar  304 . That is, as used herein, “encircle” means to extend completely about. Thus, due to the gap  313 , the at least one travel bar passage  322  does not extend completely about the associated at least one travel bar  304 . Further, in a more preferred embodiment, neither travel bar passage  324 ,  326  encircles the associated travel bar  308 ,  310 . 
     In the second embodiment, shown in  FIG. 19 , the at least one slidable coupling device first component  323  includes an upper travel bar  308  and a lower travel bar  310  having a race  312 . The lower travel bar race  312  extends over substantially the entire length of the lower travel bar  310 . The lower travel bar race  312  may be formed therein, or, cut after the lower travel bar  310  has been molded. The at least one slidable coupling device  320  first component  323  includes a travel bar passage  322 , as described above, structured to engage the upper travel bar  308  and a projection  314 . The projection  314  is disposed on the lower side of the hose guide body  315  and, when installed, faces, i.e. is disposed adjacent to, the lower travel bar  310 . The projection  314  is structured to be slidably disposed in the race  312 . It is noted that the travel bars  308 ,  310  are spaced and the longitudinal axes of the travel bars  308 ,  310  generally define a plane, hereinafter the “hose guide body plane.” The race  312  is positioned on the lower travel bar  310  so as to be substantially disposed in the hose guide body plane. 
     The upper travel bar passage  324  is a semi-enclosed passage and is structured to be coupled to the upper travel bar  308  as described above. During installation of the hose guide body  315  on the unitary sidewall  22 , the projection  314  is structured to be slidably disposed in the race  312  of the lower travel bar  310  first. Then, the upper travel bar passage  324  captures the upper travel bar  308  in a snap-fit manner. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the third embodiment of the at least one slidable coupling device first components  323  include the upper and lower travel bars  308 ,  310 , each having a race  312 . As noted above, there is a hose guide body plane. The races  312  are positioned on the travel bars  308 ,  310  so as to be substantially disposed in the hose guide body plane. The at least one slidable coupling device second component  325  includes an upper and lower projection  330 ,  314 . The upper projection  330  is structured to be slidably disposed in the race  312  of the upper travel bar  308 . The lower projection  314  is structured to be slidably disposed in the race  312  of the lower travel bar  310 . The third embodiment utilizes a hose guide body  315  that is sized to just fit between the travel bars  308 ,  310 , i.e. within the housing assembly hose portal  28 . Further, the hose guide body  315  is structured to be minimally flexible. That is, the hose guide body  315  is structured to be compressed to a size smaller than the housing assembly hose portal  28  between the upper and lower travel bars  308 ,  310 . The hose guide body  315  may be made from a compressible material, or, may include a resilient, spring-like portion  332 . Thus, the hose guide body  315  is structured to be compressed and positioned within the housing assembly hose portal  28 . Upon release, the hose guide body  315  is structured to return to the original shape, thereby positioning the upper projection  330  in the upper travel bar race  312 , and the lower projection  314  in the lower travel bar race  312 . An alternate embodiment would have the races  312  substantially disposed in the hose guide body plane but where the race  312  on the upper travel bar  308  is facing away from the race  312  on the lower travel bar  310 . This alternate embodiment would not utilize a hose guide body  315  that is structured to flex. Instead, the upper projection  330  would be disposed on an arm or similar construct (not shown) structured to extend around the upper travel bar  308  so that the upper projection  330  may be slidably disposed in the race  312 . It is noted that the bias is created by the minimally flexible hose guide body  315  that biases the projection  314  into the upper travel bar race  312  and the lower travel bar race  312 . Thus, the slidable coupling device second component  325  is structured to be snap-fitted to the slidable coupling device first component  323 . 
     Upon assembly, the slidable coupling device  320  attaches to the unitary housing assembly  20  as follows. In the first and preferred embodiment, the travel bar passages  324 ,  326  capture the travel bars  308 ,  310  in a snap-fit manner. That is, the hose guide body  315 , and more specifically the travel bar passages  324 ,  326 , are biased against the travel bars  308 ,  310  whereupon the travel bar passage gaps  313  spread temporarily so as to be wider than the cross-sectional area, e.g. diameter, of the travel bars  308 ,  310 . Each travel bar  308 ,  310  then slides completely through the associated travel bar passage gap  313  into the travel bar passages  324 ,  326 . The travel bar passage gap  313  then returns to its original configuration, i.e. to a width smaller than the cross-sectional area or diameter of the travel bars  308 ,  310 , thus trapping the travel bars  308 ,  310  in the travel bar passages  324 ,  326 . As noted above, the travel bar passages  324 ,  326  are slightly larger than the travel bars  308 ,  310 ; thus, the hose guide body  315  is slidably disposed on the travel bars  308 ,  310  and may be moved back-and-forth thereover. That is, the hose guide body  315  is slidably coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  and may be moved back and forth within the housing assembly portal  28 . 
     In the second embodiment, the hose guide body  315  is slidably disposed on the travel bars  308 ,  310  by, initially, disposing the projection  314  in the lower travel bar race  312 . Then the upper travel bar passage  324  captures the upper travel bar  308  in a snap-fit manner as described above. Thus, the projection  314  is slidably disposed in the lower travel bar race  312  and the upper travel bar  308  is slidably disposed in the upper travel bar passage  324 . In this configuration, the hose guide body  315  is slidably coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  and may be moved back and forth within the housing assembly portal  28 . 
     In the third embodiment, the hose guide body  315  is compressed to a size smaller than the housing assembly hose portal  28  between the upper and lower travel bars  308 ,  310 . Upon release, the hose guide body  315  returns to its original configuration and the upper projection  330  is slidably disposed in the race  312  of the upper travel bar  308 , and the lower projection  314  is slidably disposed in the race  312  of the lower travel bar  310 . In this configuration, the hose guide body  315  is slidably coupled to the unitary sidewall  22  and may be moved back-and-forth within the housing assembly portal  28 . 
     While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof