Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/219,055 filed Sep. 1, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,360,748, issued Apr. 22, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains to reels for use in storage of flexible hoses and more particularly, to a hose reel having a pivotable base to allow the hose reel to turn in the direction the hose is being removed from or rewound onto the reel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable hose reel dispensers for handling and storage of flexible water hoses, such as garden and air hoses, have gained wide public acceptance. While the construction of hose reels is quite varied, such reels are primarily constructed of molded plastic components having a centrally disposed rotatable spool for reeling of the flexible hose, and a frame for supporting of the spool. Recently there has been recognized a need for aesthetically pleasing hose reel storage devices. The hose and reel being mounted in an aesthetically pleasing enclosure. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     For more information concerning the structure and operation of these hose reel storage devices, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,050,291 and 5,404,900 the teachings of which is hereby incorporated by reference. When the hose reel is located in the type of enclosure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,291 a problem arises with removal of the hose from the reel and winding the hose back onto the reel. If the hose is not substantially perpendicular to the reel when it is removed there is a tendency for the reel and enclosure to tip over on its side in the direction that the hose is being removed. Also, when the hose is wound back on the reel, if it is not substantially perpendicular to the reel there is a tendency for the hose to pile up on one end of the reel and not evenly distribute itself along the length of the reel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,900 recognizes the problem of the hose not being substantially perpendicular to the reel when it is removed and wound back thereon. Swivel bolt  28 ,  FIGS. 4 and 12 , permit the reel to be turned toward the direction that the hose is lying, on the ground, to allow the hose to be evenly wound onto the reel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,298 is directed to a hose reel cart which utilized a circular bearing surface to support an upper surface  34  on a lower surface  34 . The hose and reel are mounted on the upper surface. This arrangement allows the hose and reel to pivot in the direction of use. However, an enclosure which will hold the reel and hide it from view is not provided by this device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,265 is directed to a conventional wall-mounted bracket  10  which has a reel  12  for a hose. The bracket  10  is mounted onto a sleeve  32  which in turn is pivotally mounted on post  26 . This arrangement allows the hose and reel to be pivoted to the direction of use. An enclosure for the hose reel is not provided and hence the reel is not aesthetically pleasing 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,322 discloses a turntable wherein the turntable element  10  and bearings  22  are made of plastics. Turntable element  10  is positioned between upper rotatable support board  12  and lower base board  14 . A central shaft  8  passes through element  10  and rotatably connects the two boards so they can move freely relative to one another. In this patent, a television is placed on the upper support board and can rotate freely while the lower base board remains stationary. There is no indication that this could be used to support a hose and reel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,838 discloses a swivel fire hose reel. A hose reel  14  is rotatably mounted to base  12  via swivel joint  28 . When in storage the hose is fully supported by the reel  14 . When the hose is pulled off the reel, the reel  14  and guard  16  will rotate so the hose may be deployed from the reel in the direction of the fire. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,982 discloses a garden hose storage device which is also used to transport the hose. The garden hose is held in compartment  26  located between outer cylindrical wall  14  and inner cylindrical wall  18 . Inner wall  18  is attached to mounting post  30 . Post  30  has a lower section  32  with a water inlet connector  34  and an axially aligned upper section  36  rotatably mounted on the lower section  32 . Sections  32  and  36  are coupled together with a rotatable watertight coupling  38 . The hose is removed from the storage device through hose guide  42 . This does not allow for the deployment of the hose in any direction without applying an undue side force to the storage device. 
     These patents fail to teach or disclose a rotary table or base on which an enclosed hose reel can be mounted in accordance with the instant invention. What is lacking in the art is an enclosed hose reel which is pivotable so that the hose may be dispensed in various horizontal directions without tipping over the enclosure. Also, when the hose is wound back on the reel the pivotable base prevents the hose from rolling up on one side of the reel leaving the other side empty. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the several aspects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of a rotary base on which an enclosed hose reel is mounted. This permits the hose to be withdrawn from and wound back onto the reel from any angle. Since the object or objects which need water may not always be in front of the hose reel, the hose may have to be removed from the reel at a substantial angle relative to the front of the reel which will impose an undue side force on the reel and enclosure. This usually results in the entire hose enclosure tipping over onto its side. A similar problem exists when the hose is wound back onto the reel at a substantial angle from the front of the enclosure. The hose tends to pile up on one side of the reel so that the diameter of the hose on the reel will become larger that the allowable space within the hose enclosure. This results in the hose not being completely wound back onto the reel. 
     In one embodiment, resilient clips spaced around the rotary base are used to attach the hose reel enclosure to the rotary base. This prevents separation of the enclosure and base. In another embodiment sliding latches are utilized to attach the hose reel enclosure to the base. This provides for easy separation of the base and hose enclosure. In a further embodiment the base is integral with the hose reel enclosure. 
     Thus, it is an object of the instant invention is to provide a rotary base for an enclosed hose reel which will permit the hose to be removed from and replaced onto the reel without exerting any undue side force on the reel so as to result in the enclosure tipping over. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary base for an enclosed hose reel which includes resilient clips on the base for attaching the hose enclosure to the base. This permits easy and secure mounting of the hose reel enclosure. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide slidable latches on the rotary base for attaching the hose enclosure to the base. This permits relative easy removal of the hose enclosure from the base. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hose reel enclosure mounted on a rotary base; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a hose reel enclosure prior to its mounting onto a rotary base; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a hose reel enclosure mounted on the rotary base, the base having been rotated; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the rotary base; 
         FIG. 5  is top view of the rotary base; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the rotary base; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the underside of the base; 
         FIG. 8A  is a top view of the base with the top portion rotated with respect to the lower portion; 
         FIG. 8B  is a cut-away view of an attachment feature of the base. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the rotary base; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the rotary base including a partial cutaway section; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the underside of the rotary base including a partial cutaway section; 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of the rotary base illustrating an alternative type of latch; 
         FIG. 12B  is a cut-away view of the alternative latch in a position wherein the hose reel enclosure can be released from the base; 
         FIG. 12C  is a cut-away view of the alternative latch in a position wherein the hose reel enclosure is attached to the base; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded top perspective view of the base employing an alternative type of bearing; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded underside view of the base employing the alternative type of bearing shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded perspective view of the base employing a second alternative type of bearing; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the base employing rollers for the bearing arrangement; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the underside of the upper element of the base illustrating a spike being inserted into its stowed away position; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the underside of the upper element of the base illustrating a spike in its stowed away position; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged perspective view of a spike in its stowed away position; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the underside of the upper element of the base with all four spikes in their stowed away position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring now to the figures, and generally to  FIGS. 4-11 , and  13 - 16  there are shown rotary base members  200 ,  300 ,  400  and  500  embodying the principles of the present invention. The rotary base members provide support for the hose reel enclosure  100  attached thereto. The preferred hose reel enclosure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,740, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     In a preferred, albeit non-limiting embodiment, a hose reel enclosure  100  is attached to the upper base element  202  of rotary base member using clips  206  which can be integrally formed with the upper element or added as a separate element. These clips cooperate with the lowermost horizontal flanges on the bottom portion of the sidewalls of the hose reel enclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,740. Once the hose reel enclosure is securely attached to the upper element  202 , the upper element  202  may be rotated relative to the lower base element  204 . This is shown in  FIG. 3  of the drawings. The enclosed hose reel may now be easily rotated in any direction so that the hose can be withdrawn from and wound onto the reel in a substantially perpendicular direction to the front face of the hose reel enclosure. This prevents the above noted problems of the enclosure tipping over or the hose piling up on one side of the reel. 
     The upper base element of the rotary base is supported on the lower base element utilizing a bearing. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11  the bearing comprises rotary balls  208  and circular track  212 . The rotary balls  208  are located in sockets  210  in the top side of lower base element  204 . They ride along on and support circular track  212 , which is located in the underside of the upper base element  202 . Circular track  212  comprises a pair of vertically extending, circular flanges  214 . The bottom portions of the flanges  214  engage the top portions of the balls  208 . Additionally, means are provided to rotatably attach the upper element to the lower base element. These are resilient clips  216  and circular flange  218  illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The clips  216  are formed integrally with the upper base element  202  and extend downwardly from the underside thereof. Circular flange  218  is formed integrally with the lower base element  204 . Clips  216  are located on upper base element  202  in a circular pattern so as to fit within the inner circumference of flange  218 . A lip  220  on the lower portion of clip  216  engages the lower circular edge portion of flange  218 . This prevents separation of the upper and lower base elements once they are snapped together, while permitting rotation of the elements relative to each other. These base elements may be separated from each other by flexing clips  216  inwardly until lip  220  is no longer in engagement with the lower portion of flange  218 . Strengthening ribs  205  are integrally formed in the lower portions of the upper and lower base elements  202  and  204 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . This allows a smooth, aesthetically pleasing appearance on the upper portions of the upper and lower base elements. 
     Stakes  222  anchor the lower base element to the ground. The stakes  222  pass through apertures  224  in the lower base element  204  as seen in  FIG. 8B . The top of the stake  222  cooperates with the aperture  224  in the lower base element to anchor the lower base element to the ground. When a rotary force is exerted on the hose enclosure  100  it can freely rotate with respect to the ground since it is mounted on a rotary base  200 . The lower element is also provided with apertures  226  which are formed as an aperture with a plurality of different diameter holes which can be punched out to accommodate different size fasteners, such as screws, bolts, nails, etc. These apertures are preferably integrally formed with the lower element but could be added after the manufacture of the lower base element. This provides a means to attach the lower element to structures, such as decks, and vehicles, such as cars, trucks, boats and planes. 
     Another embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . A circular bearing surface  306  is integrally formed on the top side of the lower base element  304 . A circular track  308  is integrally formed on the underside of upper base element  302 . Elements  306  and  308  are formed utilizing low friction materials to allow for relatively easy and smooth movement of one bearing surface with respect to the other bearing surface. Additionally lubricants may be utilized in between these bearing surfaces to provide for easy rotation of the upper and lower base elements. The upper and lower base elements are also connected together utilizing clips and a circular flange similar to elements  216  and  218  in  FIG. 11 . Strengthening ribs  310  are integrally formed in the top side of the lower element  304 . Although not shown, the lower base element  304  is formed similar to lower base element  204  and can be provided with apertures  224  and  226 . These apertures provide a means to anchor the lower base element to a surface. 
     A further embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . A race  406  is positioned between upper base element  402  and lower base element  404 . The race comprises a circular base portion  408  onto which cylindrical ball retention members  410  are formed. Balls are located within ball retention members  410 . A portion of the ball protrudes below the lowermost portion of the ball retention member  410  and circular base portion  408 . This protruding portion of the ball rides in track  412  which is formed in the top side of the lower base element  404 . The circular base portion  408  also rides in track  412 . Another portion of the ball protrudes above the ball retention member  410 . The diameter of the hole at the top of the ball retention member  410  is selected such that only a small portion of the ball protrudes above the ball retention member. This protruding portion of the ball rides in a track which is formed in the underside of the upper base element  402 . The race  406  enables the even distribution of the balls along track  412 . Upper and lower base elements are also connected together utilizing clips and a circular flange similar to elements  216  and  218  shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 12A ,  12 B, and  12 C latches  230  are used in place of the clips  206  of  FIG. 4 . The latches  230  engage the same lowermost horizontal flanges on the bottom portion of the sidewalls of the hose reel enclosure that clips  206  engage. The latches are slidable from a retracted position, shown in  FIG. 12B , to an extended position, shown in  FIG. 12C . In the extended position, the latch  230  engage the lowermost horizontal flanges of the hose reel enclosure securing the hose reel enclosure to the upper element of the rotary base. The hose reel enclosure and the upper base element can now rotate together as one unit. In the retracted position, the latches  230  do not engage the lowermost horizontal flanges of the hose enclosure. The hose reel enclosure can now be removed from the upper base element. Since the hose reel enclosure is relatively hollow, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,742,740, latches  230  are readily accessible. Other conventional fasteners, not shown, could be utilized in place of latches  230 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a further embodiment wherein rollers  506  are employed as the bearings. The rollers are held in position by sockets  508  which provide a support for the axis of roller  506  to rotate in. These sockets are positioned in a substantially circular pattern on the top surface of the lower base element  504 . A substantially circular track (not shown) is located on the underside of the upper base element  502  in alignment with the circular pattern of rollers. Since the rollers do not allow for movement in a direction transverse to the direction of rotation, there is practically no horizontally, transverse movement of the upper and lower base elements with respect to each other. 
       FIGS. 17-19  illustrate the unique feature of the invention wherein a storage area is provided for stakes  222 . Channels  240  are provided around the periphery of the underside of lower base element  204 . Retainers  242  are located in the central portion of the channels substantially midway between the ends of the channels. The retainers are provided with an aperture  244  for the receipt of a stake  222 . The lower portions of the channels are provided with a plurality of raised supports  246  which together with the retainers  242  function to hold the stakes in place during shipping and storage after the stakes have been removed from apertures  224 . The supports are formed with two raised portions  248  and  250 . They are of different heights. The taller portion  250  is located closer to the mid-portion of the channel  240 . The top of the stake is located in between the portions  248  and  250 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . The lower tip of the stake rests on portion  250  during shipping, as shown in  FIG. 19 . The retainers  242  exert a downward pressure, as seen in  FIG. 19 , on the stake  222 . Supports  246  exert an upward pressure on the stake. In addition portions  248  and  250  provide support for the top of the stake so it cannot move longitudinally in channel  240 . The combination of these forces enable the stakes to be frictionally held in their storage positions in channels  240 . 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art from a study of the figures and the above description, the base members  200 ,  300 ,  400 , and  500  are formed primarily from molded components. In a present form, the base members  200 ,  300 ,  400 , and  500  are formed primarily from high density polyethylene (HDPE) using an injection molding process. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are various other materials that can be used to form the base members  200 ,  300 ,  400 , and  500  components and various other processes by which the components can be made, which other materials and process are within the scope of the present invention. 
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 7