초록 ▼

Permanently installed vacuum system hose is stored on a hose reel device that includes a retraction spring and a hose guide mechanism that ensures the hose is placed in a tight, space efficient pattern of one or two rows of hose. This efficient storage pattern is accomplished without operator effort

Permanently installed vacuum system hose is stored on a hose reel device that includes a retraction spring and a hose guide mechanism that ensures the hose is placed in a tight, space efficient pattern of one or two rows of hose. This efficient storage pattern is accomplished without operator effort. A ratchet mechanism allows hose to be drawn off the reel on demand. When the ratchet is disengaged, the vacuum hose is drawn back onto the reel.

대표청구항 ▼

A vacuum hose storage and access apparatus comprising: (a) a structural chassis upon which the components of the said apparatus are mounted; (b) a reel mounted for rotation on said chassis for the purpose of receiving vacuum hose; (c) a disengageable source of retraction torque applied to said reel

A vacuum hose storage and access apparatus comprising: (a) a structural chassis upon which the components of the said apparatus are mounted; (b) a reel mounted for rotation on said chassis for the purpose of receiving vacuum hose; (c) a disengageable source of retraction torque applied to said reel in the direction of winding vacuum hose onto said reel; (d) a hose guide mechanism that guides hose onto said reel in an efficient pattern of two tight spiral wound layers of hose using a hose guide block which travels on hose guide rails running parallel to the axis of rotation of said reel, the hose passes through said hose guide block, a biasing force acting on the hose guide block in one direction, a non-elastic flexible rope assembly acting on the hose guide block in the opposite direction and controlling the position of said hose guide block along said hose guide rails, one end of said rope assembly being wound onto and off of a spool that communicates with and rotates in synchronization with said reel, said rope being wound off of said spool while the first layer of hose is being guided onto said reel, said spool being empty when the first layer of hose is substantially full, said rope being wound back onto said spool as the second layer of hose is guided onto said reel.