Improvements in Hose-reel Carts.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hose-reel Carts.
I, GEORGE BRAY, of 440 New Cross Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in hose-reel carts for fire-brigade and
other service, which may be transported and handled with greater ease and con-
venience than hose-reel carts as hitherto constructed, and in which the manipulation
of the hose may be very readily effected under a great variety of conditions of
working such as are likely to exist in fire-brigade work for example; and it is an
important feature of my said invention that by the employment of two hose-reels
in the manner hereinafter described, a hose-reel cart of given dimensions is enabled
to carry a much greater quantity of hose than if it were arranged in the usual
manner.
According to this invention I mount the hose-reel cart upon a pair of high
wheels which are carried upon a straight axle, between which and the cart the
ordinary or other suitable springs are provided. The said hose-reel cart is adapted
to travel equally well with either end leading, and, upon each end thereof 1
provide similar sockets to receive a pole or shafts which may be inserted in place
at either end of the vehicle with equal facility. The said sockets are provided
with hinged links or detents, which, when the pole is or shafts are inserted in
place, are lifted by the same and afterwards engage with a notch in or a projection
upon the said pole or shafts to prevent the tractional pull exerted upon the shafts
for example from displacing them, the said links and the notches or projections
being preferably so formed relatively to each other that the said pull will have
the effect of forcing the links or detents into close engagement with the shafts
or with the fittings thereof, so as to retain the said shafts securely in place while
at the same time the said hooks or detents are capable of immediately releasing
the shafts when necessary.
Secured to the body of the vehicle is a frame in which two hose-reels are
inserted. The said reels are placed one on each side of the axle of the cart,
and parallel thereto, the shafts of the reels being received in open bearings in
the frame, the said bearings being so formed that without any preliminary operation
the reels may be lifted out of the frame and placed on the ground for instance.
Or each hose-reel may be provided with a separate frame, which is retained in
place upon the cart by hooks or by other suitable retaining devices, arranged so
that the frame with the hose-reel therein may be instantly removed from the cart
and placed upon the ground, the frame then forming a support for the recl.
The hose may be wound separately on each reel, or may be wound continuously
over both the reels; in either case there should be a free end of the hose upon
each reel, so that there will be no necessity to turn the cart on arrival at the scene
of action, for the hose from either reel or either end of the hose wound on both the
reels can be immediately connected to the water supply and unrolled.
Suitable rollers or the like are attached to the vehicle at each end and are so
arranged that they will support it in a convenient position at times when it is not
being transported; or for the same purpose I may hinge or otherwise attach to the
vehicle, suitable legs struts or other supports.
As an alternative arrangement I may support the body of the hose-cart upon two
pairs of high wheels, and support the hose-reel with its axis between and parallel
with the axles of the said two pairs of wheels, by means of a frame which may
either be secured to the vehicle and provided with bearings arranged as herein-
before described to permit the hose reel to be readily removed therefrom, or the

page_text: said frame with the hose reel therein may be so secured to the vehicle as to be
readily removable therefrom. Each of the said pairs of wheels is arranged so that
it will lock, and the vehicle is adapted to travel equally well with either end
leading. The shafts are readily attachable to or removable from either under
carriage, the arrangement of sockets, pole or shafts, links or detents and the other
appurtenances being similar to that herein before described with reference to the
other arrangement of hose-reel cart.
The under-carriages of the said two pairs of wheels are connected by chain gear,
or by levers, so that the locking of both under-carriages is effected simultaneously
but in opposite directions, so that the vehicle may be maneuvred in a much smaller
space than four-wheeled vehicles in which the fore-body alone is arranged to lock.
The said connection of the two under-carriages for the purpose of effecting simul-
taneous locking may consist for example of a pair of endless chains or wire ropes,
one at each side of the vehicle. Each of the said chains, for example, passes over
suitable pulleys upon the body of the vehicle, and the opposite sides of each chain
are connected to the ends of the bolsters of the undercarriages in such a manner
that if the end of one bolster moves forward, for example, the consequent movement
of the chain will move the end of the other bolster at the same side of the vehicle,
in the reverse direction. Two chains are provided as described in order that there
may be no gearing on the underside of the vehicle at the centre, which would
prevent the placing of the reel in the position described and in order that the
opposite ends of the bolsters may be simultaneously operated, and also in order to
ensure the uniform distribution of any stress which may result from shocks com-
municated to the under carriages whilst travelling.
Or, instead of the chains hereinabove described, I may employ a two armed lever
pivoted to the vehicle, and connect one of the under-carriages by means of a
suitable rod, to one end of the said lever, the other under-carriage being connected
by a similar rod to the opposite end of the lever. I preferably duplicate the said
arrangement of rods and lever, and provide one set at each side of the vehicle, for
similar reasons to those hereinbefore mentioned with reference to the provision of a
pair of endless chains.
Hose-reel carts constructed according to this invention are preferably provided
with means for the transport of ladders, tools, and other articles, and the
distribution of weight is so arranged that the transport of the vehicle is par
ticularly safe and easy. Moreover the arrangements hereinbefore detailed render
the said hose-cart extremely valuable in services where facilities for the instant
operation of the vehicle or of any part of its apparatus are of importance.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hose-reel Carts.
I, GEORGE BRAY, of 440 New Cross Road, in the County of Surrey, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention relates to improvements in hose-reel carts for fire-brigade and
other service, which may be transported and handled with greater ease and con-
venience than hose-reel carts as hitherto constructed, and in which the manipulation
of the hose may be very readily effected under a great variety of conditions of
working such as are likely t exist in fire-brigade work, for example, and it is an
important feature of my si invention that by the employment of two fixed or
'removable receptacles for use in the manner hereinafter described a hose-reel cart

page_text: of given dimensions is enabled to conveniently carry a much greater quantity of
hose than if it were arranged in the usual manner. My said invention possesses
other advantageous features, hereinafter particularly described.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a hose-cart constructed according to my invention,
the near-side wheel being removed for the sake of clearness,
Figure 2 is an end view of the hose-cart shown in Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a side elevation of an alternative arrangement of hose-cart, also
constructed according to my invention, and
Figures 4 and 5 are under-side views of the hose-cart shown in Figure 3.
With reference first to Figures 1 and 2, A is the body of the cart. BB are
large wheels at the ends of a straight axle C. DD are ordinary springs secured
to the axle C and supporting the body A. The said hose-reel cart is adapted to
travel equally well with either end foremost. Upon each end thereof I provide
sockets E to receive a pole For shafts, which may be inserted in place at either
end of the vehicle with equal facility. The said sockets are provided with links or
detents E hinged to them at E. The said links or detents, upon the insertion of
the pole or the shafts in the sockets are lifted by projections F on the same and
afterwards engage with the said projections as shewn in Figure 1, to prevent the
shafts or the pole from being drawn out by the tractional pull exerted in propelling
the cart. Or the link or detent may engage with a notch in the pole or shaft. The
said links or detents and the notches or projections are so formed relatively to each
other that the tractional pull will have the effect of forcing the links or detents into
close engagement with the pole or shafts so as to retain the said pole or shafts
securely in place, while at the same time the links or detents are capable of
immediately releasing the pole or shafts when necessary.
GG are frames, secured to the body of the vehicle, and H H are hose-reels,
which are placed one on each side of the axle C and parallel thereto, the shafts Hi
of the reels being received in bearings G' in the frames G. II are latch-pieces
arranged to hang freely from studs on the frame so that normally they will block
the openings of the bearings G' from which, by turning the latch-pieces aside, the
hose-reels can be lifted out and placed on the ground, for instance, by means of
handles provided upon the ends of the shafts II'.
One end of each shaft H¹ is hexagonal, and is engaged by a hexagonally recessed
portion of a link P pivoted at P¹ to the frame G, so that the hose-reels shall not
rotate during transport.
Or each hose-reel may be provided with a frame which is retained in place upon
the cart by hooks or by other suitable retaining devices arranged so that the frame
with the hose-reel therein may be instantly removed from the cart and placed upon
the ground, the frame then forming a support for the reel.
The hose may be wound separately on each reel, or may be wound continuously
over both reels; in either case there should be a free end of the hose upon each
reel, so that there will be no necessity to turn the cart on arrival at the scene of
action, for the hose from either reel or either end of the hose wound on both the
reels, can be immediately connected to the water supply and unrolled.
Instead of employing two hose-reels, I may substitute for the said reels any other
receptacles for hose or for tools or other articles, as long as the balance of the
vehicle is preserved.
Rollers J are attached to the vehicle at each end and are so arranged that they
will support it in a convenient position at times when it is not being transported;
or for the same purpose I may hinge or otherwise attach to the vehicle suitable legs,
struts, or other supports.
In the alternative arrangement of hose-cart illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5, I
support the body A of the hose-cart upon two pairs of wheels B of large diameter,
and support the hose-reel H with its axis between and parallel with the normal

page_text: position of the straight axles C of the said two pairs of wheels, by means of
frames G secured to the vehicle as shown. Each of the said pairs of wheels is
arranged so that it will lock, and the vehicle is adapted to travel equally well with
either end leading. The shafts are readily attachable to or removable from either
under carriage A¹ or A³, the arrangement of sockets, pole or shafts, links or detents
and the other appurtenances being similar to that herein before described with reference
to the arrangement of hose-reel cart illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The said hose-
cart is provided with a removable combined seat, footboard, and ladder-holding
frame, at each corner, which enter sockets provided in the body of the vehicle.
The undercarriages of the said two pairs of wheels are connected by chain gear,
or by levers, or otherwise, so that the locking of both under-carriages is effected
simultaneously but in opposite directions, to enable the vehicle to be manœuvred
in a much smaller space than four-wheeled vehicles in which the fore-body alone is
arranged to lock. The said connection of the two under-carriages A¹ A² for the
purpose of effecting simultaneous locking may consist for example of the means
illustrated in Figure 4, in which chains or wire ropes K are employed in two series,
one series at each side of the vehicle. In each of the said series, the wire rope, for
example, passes from the bolster of the under-carriage A¹ for instance, over a
suitable pulley L upon the body of the vehicle, to the bolster of the other under-
carriage A to which it is secured, and also from the bolster A around the pulley L'
to the bolster A³ as shown, so that if the end of one bolster moves forward, for
example, the consequent movement of the wire ropes will move the end of the other
bolster at the same side of the vehicle in the reverse direction, as indicated_for
example by the arrows Fig. 4. Two series of chains or wire ropes are provided as
described in order that there may be no gearing on the underside of the vehicle at
the centre, which would prevent the placing of the hose-reel in the position
indicated in Fig. 3, and also in order that the ends of the opposite bolsters may be
simultaneously operated, and to ensure the uniform distribution of any stress which
may result from shocks communicated to the undercarriages whilst travelling.
Or instead of the chains hercinabove described, I may for a like purpose use the
mechanism illustrated in Figure 5, wherein the two armed lever M, pivoted to the
vehicle, is connected at one end to the undercarriage A¹ by means of a suitable
rod M', and at its other end to the other under-carriage A by the rod M². 1
preferably duplicate the said arrangement of rods and lever, and provide another
lever M³ and connecting rods M4 M5 on the opposite end of the vehicle as shown,
or at the opposite side of the vehicle, for similar reasons to those hereinbefore
mentioned with reference to the provision of a duplicate series of ropes or chains.
The rod M is connected to the under-carriage A2 and the rod M³ to the under-
carriage A'.
Hose-reel carts constructed according to this invention are preferably provided
with means for the transport of ladders, tools, and other articles.
For example, in the hose-cart illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, N N are frames
provided with rollers N¹ and other supports on which rest ladders O. If, when the
hose-cart is stopped, it is tilted so as to rest on one or other of the rollers J on the
frame, the ladders ( may be run out with great case and rapidity.
Tools and appliances are stored in the body of the cart. The distribution of
weight in hose-reel carts constructed according to my invention is such that the
transport of the vehicle is particularly safe and easy. Moreover the arrangements
herein before detailed render the said hose-cart extremely valuable in services
where facilities for the instant operation of the vehicle or of any part of its
apparatus are of importance.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A hose-reel cart supported on a pair of large wheels on a single axle and

page_text: provided with two hose-reels or receptacles for hose, tools, or other articles, situated
one on each side of the said axle and each with its shaft or axial line parallel to the
said axle substantially as herein before described for the purpose specified.
2. A. hose-reel cart provided with under-carriages arranged to lock and coupled
to each other by a system of levers, links, chains, wires, or the like, arranged at the
sides of the vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described for the
specified.
purpose
3. The combination with the pole or shafts of a vehicle, of notches or of
projections thereon and of links or detents secured to the vehicle and adapted to
engage automatically with the pole or shafts substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings for the purpose
specified.
4. A hose-reel cart constructed substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figures 1 and 2 or to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawing.
5. The arrangement of the coupling gear for the under-carriages of hose-carts
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figure 4 or to Figure 5 of
the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1802
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.