Abstract:
A non-kinking fluid delivery hose includes a plurality of intermediate hose segments between end hose segments, each of said intermediate hose segments having a respective end portion and a substantially uniform length among the plurality of hose segments. A swivel coupling connects two adjacent hose segments, the coupling including a pair of engagement elements configured for fluid tight engagement with an end portion of a respective one of the adjacent hose segments and a swivel element engaged between the pair of engagement elements configured to permit relative rotation between the engagement elements and defining a passageway therethrough fluidly connecting the adjacent hose segments. The swivel coupling allows the adjacent hose segments to swivel or rotate relative to each other to thereby preventing kinking of the hose as it is uncoiled.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to co-pending provisional application No. 61/787,398, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    is disclosure relates to fluid-delivery hoses, such as garden hoses, pressure hoses, pneumatic hoses and the like, and particularly to features for preventing kinking or coiling of the hose during use. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Fluid delivery hoses are typically tubular bodies in which the tubular shape is dictated by strength requirements so that the hose will not burst or leak when pressurized fluid flows therethrough. Although the typical hose is relatively flexible, the hose substantially retains its tubular shape when being stored. In most cases the hose is coiled for storage for a few reasons, such as coiling provides a compact envelop and coiling allows the hose to be quickly deployed or unwound. However, due to the nature of the hose material (which is typically rubber or a soft plastic such as a vinyl plastic) a coiled hose has a tendency to retain a certain amount of coil even when being deployed. Moreover, many hoses have a tendency to kink when being deployed, especially when the hose is being extended before fluid is flowing through it. A kink in a hose obviously compromises the fluid flow through the hose. Partial coiling of a deployed hose may not necessarily restrict fluid flow, but this effect can inhibit full deployment of the hose. 
         [0004]    There is a need for a fluid delivery hose that avoids or eliminates kinking and partial coiling during use. The hose must remain fluid tight and generally immune to leakage or bursting. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one aspect, a non-kinking fluid delivery hose is provided with a plurality of intermediate hose segments between end hose segments, each of said intermediate hose segments having a respective end portion and a substantially uniform length among the plurality of hose segments. A swivel coupling connects two adjacent hose segments, the coupling including a pair of engagement elements configured for fluid tight engagement with an end portion of a respective one of the adjacent hose segments and a swivel element engaged between the pair of engagement elements configured to permit relative rotation between the engagement elements and defining a passageway therethrough fluidly connecting the adjacent hose segments. The swivel coupling allows the adjacent hose segments to swivel or rotate relative to each other to thereby preventing kinking of the hose as it is uncoiled. 
         [0006]    The engagement elements may be male or female elements, and may be crimped onto the hose segments. The engagement elements may further be provided with a ferrule for crimping the hose between the ferrule and the engagement element. In one aspect, the swivel coupling includes a pair of circumferential grooves and the engagement elements include a circumferential sealing bead configured for sealing sliding engagement within a groove, thereby providing a sealed engagement that permits relative rotation. 
         [0007]    The engagement elements and swivel coupling allows the adjacent hose segments to swivel or rotate relative to each other as the hose is uncoiled. This relative rotation prevents kinking of the hose as it is uncoiled or as it is being maneuvered during use. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a representation of a segment of a fluid delivery hose incorporating the swivel connections of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a female-female swivel connection for use in the hose shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a male-male swivel connection for use in the hose shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a crimped engagement between the swivel couplings disclosed herein and a hose segment. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5A-C  are a series of views showing the implementation of the swivel connections disclosed herein in a fluid delivery hose being deployed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of another swivel coupling disclosed herein. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exploded sectional view of the swivel coupling shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an exploded side view of the swivel coupling shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and described in the following written specification. It is understood that no limitation to the scope of the invention is thereby intended. It is further understood that the present invention includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. 
         [0017]    A fluid delivery hose  10  shown in  FIG. 1  incorporates a tubular body  12  of known construction having an end fitting  14  for engagement with a fluid inlet or outlet, for example. The tubular body is formed by a plurality of hose segments  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c  . . . that are joined by swivel couplings  20 . The swivel couplings  20  are configured for fluid tight engagement between adjacent hose segments and to provide a fluid tight flow path through the coupling and between the adjacent segments. The swivel couplings  20  are preferably configured to permit relative rotation R between the adjacent hose segments through a full 360 degrees. Although the hose arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  only illustrates couplings along the body of the hose, a swivel coupling may also be integrated into the ends of the hose with the hose end connection joined to a coupling. For instance, a conventional hose connection to a hose bib is in the form of a swivel nut engaging the male threaded bib end. In the typical hose end connection, once the swivel nut is tightened the connection is compressed together so that no further rotation can occur. Including a swivel coupling, such as the coupling  20  disclosed herein, prevents kinking that originates from the ends of the hose. It is further contemplated that the swivel couplings disclosed herein may be engaged to attachments, such as nozzles, sprinklers, etc. 
         [0018]    The swivel couplings  20  may be configured as a female-female coupling as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The coupling  20  includes engagement elements, and particularly female elements  22   a ,  22   b  adapted to receive the ends  15   a ,  15   b  of the respective hose segments  12   a ,  12   b , and configured for fluid flow therethrough. A fluid-tight engagement is provided between the female element  22   a  and the end portion  15   a  of the hose segment  12   a . In addition, the engagement between female element and end portion is sufficiently tight that the engagement cannot be disrupted in normal use of the fluid delivery hose  10 . For instance, the female element  22   a  and end portion  15   a  can be configured for a press-fit engagement, or the female element may be crimped or threaded onto the hose end portion around the entire circumference of the female element. Alternatively, or in addition, an adhesive, epoxy or sealant may be introduced between the end portion  15   a  and female element  22  to strengthen the engagement and improve the fluid-tight seal. The end  15   b  of the adjacent hose segment  12   b  is similarly engaged within the female element  22   b  of the swivel connection  20 . 
         [0019]    The swivel coupling  20  is further provided with a swivel element  25  engaged between the female engagement elements  22   a ,  22   b . The swivel element  25  is configured to provide a fluid-tight coupling between the two female elements while also permitting relative rotation between the elements. In one embodiment the female elements may include respective sealing beads  23   a ,  23   b  that are slidably disposed within corresponding grooves  26   a ,  26   b  defined in the swivel element  25 . Rotating seals or bushings (not shown) may be provided within the grooves  26   a ,  26   b , or between the grooves and the sealing beads  23   a ,  23   b  of the female elements. The sealing beads and grooves may have complementary shapes to resist disengagement when the beads are disposed within the respective grooves. 
         [0020]    The swivel element further defines a central passageway  27  that allows fluid flow therethrough between the coupled hose segments  12   a ,  12   b . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the ends  15   a ,  15   b  of the hose segments  12   a ,  12   b  are offset by a gap  28  from the respective faces  25   a ,  25   b  of the swivel element  25 . It is desirable that the gap  28  be as small as possible while retaining some offset between the swivel element face and the end of the hose segment to avoid any frictional contact therebetween. The swivel element  25  of  FIG. 2  is exemplary of a suitable fluid-tight rotational coupling, but it is understood that other forms of fluid-tight swivel couplings are contemplated. 
         [0021]    The swivel coupling may also be in the form of a male-male connection, such as the coupling  20 ′ shown in  FIG. 3 . The swivel coupling  20 ′ includes male engagement elements  22   a ′,  22   b ′ that are configured to fit within the respective end portions  15   a ,  15   b  of the adjacent hose segments  12   a ,  12   b , and configured for fluid flow therethrough. The swivel coupling  20 ′ includes a swivel element  25  that may be configured like the swivel element shown in  FIG. 2 , and specifically including the grooves  26   a ,  26   b . The male elements include respective sealing beads  23   a ′,  23   b ′ that are integral with the male elements and configured to be received within a respective groove  26   a ,  26   b  in the manner described above. As with the female-female coupling  20 , the hose segments  12   a ,  12   b  may be provided with a fluid-tight engagement to the male elements of the male-male coupling  20 ′ in the same manner, such as by crimping, threading, press-fit, epoxy and the like. It is understood that the swivel couplings may also include a male element and a female element for engaging adjacent hose segments. 
         [0022]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 2-3  the engagement elements of the couplings  20 ,  20 ′ are of the same configuration—i.e., female-female and male-male. It is contemplated that a swivel coupling may be provided with two different engagement elements, namely a female and a male element. 
         [0023]    One form of a crimped engagement between a swivel coupling and a hose segment is depicted in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, an inner element  30  includes a ridged or crimped end portion  30   a . A mating element  32  may also include a crimped end portion  32   a  with opposite crimped or ridged surfaces  32   b ,  32   c . An outer ferrule or band  34  is provided that is crimped into tight engagement with the outer surface  32   c  of the mating element  32 . For the female-female connection shown in  FIG. 2 , the inner element  30  may be a ring pressed into the inner diameter of the hose end, the mating element  32  may be the hose end  15   a  and the outer ferrule  34  may be the female element  22   a  of the coupling. For the male-male connection, the male element  22   a ′ is the inner element  30  and the hose end  15   a  is the mating element  32 , with the outer ferrule  34  being added to the outer surface of the hose end. 
         [0024]    Other types of crimped engagement are contemplated that are suitable to achieve a fluid-tight engagement between the swivel coupling and the hose segments. In one application of the crimped engagement shown in  FIG. 4 , the inner element  30  is a hub, such as the male element  22   a ′ shown in  FIG. 3 , and the mating element  32  is the end of a hose segment, such as segment  12   a . The crimped portion  30   a  of the inner element may be pre-formed in the element prior to its introduction into the mating element  32  (i.e., hose segment), or may be formed after the inner element is engaged within the mating element. The crimp in the outer band  34  is preferably formed after the band is engaged around the mating element surface  32   c , and may be formed concurrently with the crimp on the inner element end portion  30   a . In an alternative configuration, the inner element  30  is the end of a hose segment and the mating element is a hub or female element of the swivel coupling, such as element  22   a  in  FIG. 2 . The same crimping protocol may be applied to produce the crimped engagement between the three elements  30 ,  32  and  34 . The outer band  34  is preferably formed of a readily crimpable material that retains its crimped configuration under normal use of the fluid hose. Thus, in one specific embodiment the ferrule or band is formed of brass. 
         [0025]    An example of the function of the swivel couplings  20 ,  20 ′ is shown in  FIGS. 5A-C . In  FIG. 5A , the hose  12  is shown partially coiled as may happen when the hose is partially deployed. For a typical hose, further pulling on the hose (as indicated in  FIG. 5A ) would result in the hose crimping or remaining partially coiled. With the swivel coupling of the present disclosure, further pulling on the hose segment  12   b  allows the segment to rotate in the direction R at the coupling  20 ,  20 ′, and allows the segment  12   b  to flip in the direction F relative to the adjacent segment  12   a , so that the segments are in the configuration shown in  FIG. 5B . Further pulling on the hose segment  12   b  allows further relative rotation R between the adjacent segments until the segments are generally straight, as depicted in  FIG. 5C . 
         [0026]    The present disclosure contemplates that a plurality of swivel couplings  20 ,  20 ′ are evenly spaced along the length of the hose  12 , with the couplings uniformly separated by a spacing dimension X ( FIG. 1 ). The spacing dimension X may be calibrated to provide the minimum number of swivel couplings necessary to prevent kinking and partial coiling of the hose  12  during use. In one embodiment, this dimension X may be calibrated to the “natural” coiling diameter of the hose  12 , meaning the diameter that the hose can be coiled into without kinking or buckling. The natural coiling diameter is based on the material and construction of the hose. For instance, the construction of a typical ½-⅝ inch diameter garden hose does not allow the hose to be easily coiled at a diameter less than about 18 inches. Consequently, a spacing dimension that is less than 18 inches may not be necessary. For a garden hose of this construction, a spacing dimension of 18-24 inches may provide optimum performance with the fewest number of swivel couplings  20 ,  20 ′. For example, a standard 50 ft. garden hose may incorporate 25-30 swivel couplings. The swivel couplings may be spaced farther from the end fittings since the risk of crimping or coiling is minimal at the ends of the hose. 
         [0027]    Another swivel coupling  40  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8  which includes a male shank  41  having a barbed end  42  adapted to be pressed into the end of a hose segment. The male shank  41  defines a series of circumferential grooves  45  for receiving seal rings  43 . The male shank is fitted within a coupling body  50  so that the seal rings are in sealed engagement between the grooves  45  and the inner bore  50   a  of the body. A wave washer  48  or similar circumferential spring element is situated between a flange  49  of the male shank and a shoulder  51  of the coupling body  50 . The male shank is held in engagement within the bore  51   a  of the body by a snap ring  56  engaged within a snap ring groove  57  in the male shank. The snap ring bears against a washer  55  that in turn contacts a shoulder  53  of the coupling body  50 . It can be appreciated that the male shank is free to rotate within the coupling body, while the seal rings maintain a fluid-tight seal. 
         [0028]    The swivel coupling  40  further includes a female shank  60  having a barbed end  61  for engagement with a hose segment. The female shank may be connected to the coupling body  50  by a threaded engagement  63 , with a seal ring  64  compressed between the two components to maintain a fluid-tight seal. The swivel coupling  40  of  FIGS. 6-8  can be readily introduced between adjacent hose segments  12   a ,  12   b  . . . . One benefit of the swivel coupling  40  is that the barbed ends  42 ,  61  allow the coupling to be easily retrofitted to an existing hose. In particular, the user simply cuts the hose and connects the two segments to a corresponding barbed end of the coupling. This can be repeated along the length of the hose as desired by the user. In order to ensure a fluid-tight connection at the barbed ends, a hose clamp may be applied to the outer surface of the hose segments coincident with the barbed ends. It can be appreciated that a hose clamp may be beneficial in all the embodiments disclosed herein to ensure a fluid-tight engagement of the swivel couplings to the hose segments. 
         [0029]    The swivel couplings may be formed of materials suitable for delivering the same fluids as the hose segments to which they are engaged. The groove and bead interface between the swivel coupling components are preferably formed of a material that can endure several full rotations with each use, while maintaining a fluid-tight seal. For instance, the male/female elements may be formed of a vinyl plastic, while the sealing bead and the swivel element may be formed of brass, DELRIN or other similar low-friction, non-rusting material. 
         [0030]    The present disclosure contemplates a fluid delivery hose provided in a plurality of segments along its length, with adjacent segments connected by a swivel coupling that accommodates relative rotation between adjacent segments while permitting continuous leak-free fluid flow therethrough. The swivel couplings may be configured for male or female engagement with the hose segments and are preferably configured to permit full 360 degree relative rotation. The swivel couplings prevent kinking or partial coiling of the hose as it is being deployed or used. 
         [0031]    While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that only the preferred embodiments have been presented and that all changes, modifications and further applications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.