초록 ▼

The present invention relates to portable hose carts for handling and storage of flexible hoses, such as garden or air hoses. The cart is primarily constructed of plastic components having a centrally rotatable spool for winding of the flexible hose, an enclosure for supporting the spool, wheels at

The present invention relates to portable hose carts for handling and storage of flexible hoses, such as garden or air hoses. The cart is primarily constructed of plastic components having a centrally rotatable spool for winding of the flexible hose, an enclosure for supporting the spool, wheels at one end of the base of the enclosure, and a handle assembly for tilting the frame onto the wheels to facilitate moving the device. The handle assembly is telescoping mounted and includes a handle mounted near the top of the handle assembly. The spool is rotatable by either a direct current powered motor or a folding manual crank. Power from the electrical motor is transferred to the spool via an infinitely adjustable torque transfer assembly. When the cover is in the open position, the direct current motor is operationally locked out, and when the cover is rotated into the closed position, the direct current motor is operable. The device may further include a reciprocating guide assembly that operates during rotation of the spool to rewind the hose into a compact configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A direct current powered hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: an enclosure having side panels, front and rear panels extending between said side panels, and a cover; a spool positioned between said side panels and operably connected ther

What is claimed is: 1. A direct current powered hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: an enclosure having side panels, front and rear panels extending between said side panels, and a cover; a spool positioned between said side panels and operably connected thereto for rotation of said spool about an axis of rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of said hub and perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a winding means constructed and arranged to provide infinite rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure; a direct current energized power-assist means constructed and arranged to selectively and operatively engage said winding means, said power-assist means including a direct current motor, said direct current motor including an armature and an output shaft, wherein rotation of said armature causes rotation of said output shaft; a torque transfer assembly operatively coupled to said direct current motor output shaft and said winding means for selective driving thereof to cause rotation of said spool, said torque transfer assembly including a drive gear rotatably secured within said enclosure and suitably coupled to said direct current motor output shaft, a spool gear secured to said hub of said spool to be rotatable therewith, said spool gear being larger in diameter than said drive gear, at least one idler gear constructed and arranged for selective intermeshirig engagement with said drive gear and said spool gear wherein said at least one idler gear is rotatable responsive to rotation of said drive gear and said spool gear is rotatable responsive to said idler gear thereby enabling said direct current motor to rotate said spool at a rotational speed less than the rotational speed of said drive gear, a second assembly coupled to said enclosure for rotatably supporting said at least one idler gear, said second assembly including a cantilever, said cantilever being pivotally mounted within said enclosure, said cantilever having a first end and a second end, said first end of said cantilever constructed and arranged to rotatably support said at least one idler gear, said second end of said cantilever constructed and arranged to provide operator operation, wherein said manual operation selectively moves said at least one idler gear between a first position spaced apart from said drive gear and said spool gear to allow said at least one idler gear to rotate freely to allow said hose to be freely pulled from said spool, and a second position wherein said at least one idler gear engages said drive gear and said spool gear, wherein said direct current motor selectively rotates said spool to rewind said hose; a clutch assembly suitably coupled to said direct current motor output shaft for transferring rotational torque from said direct current motor to said torque transfer assembly; wherein manual operation of said winding means and/or power-assisted operation of said winding means provides selective rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure whereby hose winding to a compact configuration is accomplished. 2. The direct current powered hose winding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clutch assembly is a centrifugal clutch. 3. The direct current powered hose winding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clutch assembly is a cone type clutch. 4. The direct current powered hose winding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clutch assembly is a disk type clutch. 5. A powered hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: an enclosure having side panels, front and rear panels extending between said side panels, and a cover; a spool positioned between said side panels and operably connected thereto for rotation of said spool about an axis of rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of said hub and perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a power-assist means constructed and arranged to selectively and operatively rotate said spool for retrieval of said flexible hose, said power-assist means including: a motor, said motor including an armature and an output shaft, wherein rotation of said armature causes rotation of said output shaft; a control assembly, said control assembly constructed and arranged to control power supplied to said motor; an operator controlled torque transfer assembly operatively coupled to said motor output shaft and said spool for selective driving thereof to cause rotation of said spool, said torque transfer assembly constructed and arranged for variable pulling force and rotational speed of said spool, said torque transfer assembly including a clutch having a first frictional surface and a second frictional surface, whereby frictional engagement between said first and said second surfaces is operator controlled to allow operator controlled hose retrieval speed and force; whereby operator modulated hose winding to a compact configuration is accomplished. 6. The powered hose winding apparatus of claim 5 wherein a cantilever arrangement is utilized to operatively control frictional engagement between said first and said second frictional surfaces. 7. The powered hose winding apparatus of claim 5 wherein said cantilever arrangement includes a foot pedal for operative control of said frictional engagement. 8. The powered hose winding apparatus of claim 5 wherein a manually adjustable spring arrangement is utilized to operatively control frictional engagement between said first and said second frictional surfaces. 9. The powered hose winding apparatus of claim 5 wherein said clutch is a cone type clutch. 10. The powered hose winding apparatus of claim 5 wherein said clutch is a plate type clutch. 11. The powered hose winding apparatus of claim 5 including a hand operated winding means, said hand operated winding means being constructed and arranged to provide infinite rotational movement of said spool with respect to said enclosure. 12. A powered hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: an enclosure having side panels, front and rear panels extending between said side panels, and a cover; a spool positioned between said side panels and operably connected thereto for rotation of said spool about an axis of rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of said hub and perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a winding means constructed and arranged to provide infinite rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure; a electrical current energized power-assist means constructed and arranged to selectively and operatively engage said winding means, said power-assist means including an electric motor, said electric motor including an armature and an output shaft, wherein rotation of said armature causes rotation of said output shaft; a torque transfer assembly including a friction drive wheel rotatably secured within said enclosure and suitably coupled to said electric motor output shaft; a friction spool wheel secured to said hub of said spool to be rotatable therewith, said friction spool wheel being larger in diameter than said friction drive wheel; a second assembly coupled to said enclosure, said second assembly including a cantilever pivotally coupled thereto, said cantilever having a first end and a second end, said first end of said cantilever constructed and arranged to rotatably support at least one friction idler wheel, said second end of said cantilever constructed and arranged to provide a lever for operator controlled movement of said friction idler wheel, whereby said friction idler wheel is constructed and arranged for operator controlled frictional engagement with said friction drive wheel and said friction spool wheel to define an operator controlled clutch assembly for transferring rotational torque from said electric motor to said torque transfer assembly; a control assembly, said control assembly constructed and arranged to control power supplied to said electric motor; wherein manual operation of said winding means and/or power-assisted operation provides selective rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure whereby hose winding to a compact configuration is accomplished. 13. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein operation of said cantilever further operates a main power switch, wherein electrical connection is made between said electric motor and an electrical power source during operation of said lever and power is disconnected between said electric motor and said electrical power source when said lever is not operated. 14. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said second end of said cantilever includes a foot pedal pivotally mounted thereto, said foot pedal pivotally mounted for movement between a operational position and a storage position, wherein said foot pedal is substantially axially aligned with said cantilever in said operational position and wherein said foot pedal is substantially perpendicular with respect to said cantilever in said storage position. 15. A direct current powered hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: an enclosure having side panels, front and rear panels extending between said side panels, and a cover; a spool positioned between said side panels and operably connected thereto for rotation of said spool about an axis of rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of said hub and perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a winding means constructed and arranged to provide infinite rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure, said winding means including a crank releasably insertable through one of said enclosure side wall panels providing a direct coupling to said spool allowing rotation thereof, said crank including a handle pivotally connected thereto, said handle securable in a parallel position with respect to said crank and perpendicular position with respect to said crank, said crank including a resilient locking tab carrying a pawl and said handle including locking detents constructed and arranged to cooperate with said pawl to lock said handle in said parallel position and said perpendicular position; a direct current energized power-assist means constructed and arranged to selectively and operatively engage said winding means, said power-assist means including a direct current motor, said direct current motor including an armature and an output shaft, wherein rotation of said armature causes rotation of said output shaft; a torque transfer assembly operatively coupled to said direct current motor output shaft and said winding means for selective driving thereof to cause rotation of said spool; a control assembly, said control assembly constructed and arranged to control power supplied to said direct current motor; and a clutch assembly suitably coupled to said direct current motor output shaft for transferring rotational torque from said direct current motor to said torque transfer assembly; wherein manual operation of said winding means and/or power-assisted operation of said winding means provides selective rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure whereby hose winding to a compact configuration is accomplished. 16. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said locking tab is connected to said crank by a living hinge. 17. A direct current powered hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: an enclosure having side panels, front and rear panels extending between said side panels, and a cover; a spool positioned between said side panels and operably connected thereto for rotation of said spool about an axis of rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of said hub and perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a hose winding guide comprising: a double helix lead screw, said double helix lead screw substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said spool axis of rotation and suitably supported and journaled in said left and said right side wall panels; a guide rod substantially parallel to said spool axis of rotation, suitably supported by said left and said right side wall panels; a carriage, said carriage constructed and arranged to cooperate with said double helix lead screw and said guide rod; and a hose guide geartrain, said gear train constructed and arranged to transfer rotary motion from said spool to said double helix lead-screw; a follower assembly, said follower assembly constructed and arranged to cooperatively engage said lead-screw, wherein said follower assembly is manually disengageable from said leadscrew and manually re-engageable to said lead-screw, wherein said hose can be manually pulled from said spool without reciprocation of said hose winding guide and said hose winding guide is repositionable and re-engageable to said lead-screw; a winding means constructed and arranged to provide infinite rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure; a direct current energized power-assist means constructed and arranged to selectively and operatively engage said winding means, said power-assist means including a direct current motor, said direct current motor including an armature and an output shaft, wherein rotation of said armature causes rotation of said output shaft; a torque transfer assembly operatively coupled to said direct current motor output shaft and said winding means for selective driving thereof to cause rotation of said spool; a control assembly, said control assembly constructed and arranged to control power supplied to said direct current motor; and a clutch assembly suitably coupled to said direct current motor output shaft for transferring rotational torque from said direct current motor to said torque transfer assembly; wherein manual operation of said winding means and/or power-assisted operation provides selective rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure whereby hose winding to a compact configuration is accomplished. 18. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said follower assembly is constructed and arranged for automatic disengagement; wherein said follower assembly disengages said lead-screw thereby preventing said carriage from traversing said leadscrew in the event said carriage path becomes obstructed. 19. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 18 wherein said control assembly further includes a direct current power source. 20. A direct current powered hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising: an enclosure having side panels, front and rear panels extending between said side panels, and a cover; a spool positioned between said side panels and operably connected thereto for rotation of said spool about an axis of rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of said hub and perpendicular to said axis of rotation; a winding means constructed and arranged to provide infinite rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure; a direct current energized power-assist means constructed and arranged to selectively and operatively engage said winding means, said power-assist means including a direct current motor, said direct current motor including an armature and an output shaft, wherein rotation of said armature causes rotation of said output shaft; a torque transfer assembly operatively coupled to said direct current motor output shaft and said winding means for selective driving thereof to cause rotation of said spool; a control assembly, said control assembly constructed and arranged to control power supplied to said direct current motor; and a clutch assembly suitably coupled to said direct current motor output shaft for transferring rotational torque from said direct current motor to said torque transfer assembly, said clutch assembly including a first mating surface and a second mating surface, wherein said first mating surface and said second mating surface are constructed and arranged for variable operator controlled frictional engagement with each other upon rotation of said direct current motor output shaft, wherein said variable engagement delivers variable torque and rotation speed to said torque transfer assembly; wherein manual operation of said winding means and/or power-assisted operation of said winding means provides selective rotational movement of said spool in relation to said enclosure whereby hose winding to a compact configuration is accomplished. 21. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 20 wherein said direct current motor further includes an output shaft and an output shaft speed reducer, said direct current motor output shaft speed reducer constructed and arranged to increase rotational torque provided by said direct current motor output shaft and reduce rotational speed of said direct current motor output shaft; wherein said output shaft speed reducer is coupled between an armature of said direct current motor and said direct current motor output shaft. 22. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said clutch assembly is a cone clutch, wherein said first mating surface has a generally frustoconical shape, wherein said second mating surface is a generally frustoconically shaped bore, wherein said first and said second surfaces are axially aligned and wherein said first and said second mating surfaces utilize operator controlled friction to selectively rotate said torque transfer assembly. 23. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said clutch assembly is a plate clutch, wherein said first mating surface is generally a disk, wherein said second mating surface is generally a disk, wherein said first and said second surfaces are axially aligned and wherein said first and said second mating surfaces utilize operator controlled friction to selectively rotate said spool to selectively rotate said torque transfer assembly. 24. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said torque transfer assembly includes a second assembly coupled to said enclosure for pivotally supporting a cantilever, said cantilever having a first end and a second end, said first end of said cantilever constructed and arranged to control engagement of said clutch assembly, said second end of said cantilever constructed and arranged to provide a foot pedal for operator modulation of said clutch assembly. 25. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said control assembly further comprises a main power switch for electrically connecting and disconnecting said direct current motor to and from said direct current power source. 26. The hose winding apparatus of claim 25 wherein said direct current power source is a battery assembly, constructed and arranged for electrically polarized and mechanical engagement with said control assembly. 27. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 26, wherein operation of said cantilever further operates said main power switch, wherein electrical connection is made between said direct current motor and said direct current power source during operation of said foot pedal and power is disconnected between said direct current motor and said direct current power source when said foot pedal is not operated. 28. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 24, wherein said foot pedal is pivotally mounted to said second end of said cantilever for movement between a operational position and a storage position, wherein said foot pedal is substantially axially aligned with said cantilever in said operational position and wherein said foot pedal is substantially perpendicular with respect to said cantilever in said storage position. 29. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said control assembly further comprises at least one safety interlock for disabling said main power switch and preventing electrical connection between said direct current motor and said power source. 30. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein said left and said right side panels each include a front edge, a back edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein at least one integrally formed contoured socket extending extends inwardly from said inner surface and substantially perpendicular and adjacent to said front and said back edges thereof, said sockets being adapted to accept locking posts extending outwardly from said left and said right edges of said front and said rear panels, wherein said left, right, front and rear panels interlock to form said enclosure. 31. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein said rear panel includes a left edge and a right edge, wherein each of said left and said right edges include at least one integrally formed locking post extending outwardly from each of said edges, said locking posts constructed and arranged to cooperate with said left and said right side panel sockets for interlocking engagement. 32. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein said left and said right side panels include a wheel recess integrally formed therein, said wheel recess positioned at a lower rear portion of said panels, said wheel recesses each including a centrally located wheel assembly aperture therethrough for accepting a portion of a wheel assembly. 33. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein said right side panel wheel recess includes a foot pedal aperture therethrough, wherein said second end of a cantilever extends through said aperture, wherein a foot pedal extends outwardly with respect to said side panel when said foot pedal in an operational position, wherein said foot pedal is recessed with respect to said side panel when said foot pedal in a storage position to prevent inadvertent operation of said foot pedal. 34. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 32, wherein said wheel assembly includes a wheel member and an axle stub member, said axle stub adapted for receipt in said wheel assembly apertures to secure said wheel to said enclosure. 35. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 34, wherein said axle stub member includes a first end constructed and arranged for interlocking engagement with said wheel assembly apertures and a second end includes a thrust plate, said thrust plate constructed and arranged for locating said wheel, wherein said axle stub extends through a central portion of said wheel for interlocking engagement with said rear panel and said thrust plate abuts said wheel to secure said wheel to said enclosure. 36. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said enclosure comprises: a left and a right side wall panel, front and rear wall panels, extending between said left and said right side wall panels, and a cover, said enclosure being configured for receiving said spool so as to permit said spool to rotate about an axis of rotation within said enclosure, wherein said cover is pivotally mounted to said enclosure for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein said front wall panel includes a cut-out portion at about a top edge thereof adjacent a junction with said cover when said cover is in said closed position, wherein said cut-out is configured for traversing a portion of said flexible hose therethrough to take-up and pay-out said hose with said cover in said closed position, wherein at least one wheel is rotatably mounted at a lower rear portion of each of said left and said right side panels. 37. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said left and said right side panels each include at least one rubber pad fixedly secured to a bottom surface of each of said left and right side panels for engaging a surface to resist skidding of said hose winding device during operation. 38. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said rear panel includes a telescoping handle assembly, wherein said telescoping handle assembly is moveable between a storage position and an in-use position, wherein said rear panel member includes at least one integrally formed channel constructed and arranged to guide said telescoping handle assembly during movement between said storage and said inuse positions. 39. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 38 wherein telescoping handle assembly includes a pair of spaced apart telescoping members and a handle member extending between said telescoping members, wherein said telescoping members each include at least one detent and wherein said rear panel includes two integrally formed channels, wherein said channels each include at least one protrusion constructed and arranged to cooperate with said telescoping member detents to secure said handle assembly in at least one predetermined position. 40. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said rear panel includes a pair of wheel assembly receivers each constructed and arranged to cooperate with a wheel assembly, wherein one of said wheel assembly receivers is integrally formed into a left edge of said rear panel and one of said wheel assembly receivers is integrally formed into a right edge of said rear panel, wherein said wheel assembly receivers are positioned to align with a left and a right side panel wheel assembly aperture. 41. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said rear panel includes a pair of integrally formed hinge pin bosses, wherein said hinge pin bosses extend upwardly from a top edge of said rear panel, wherein a hinge pin extends from each of said hinge pin bosses about laterally and in axial alignment with respect to each other, wherein said hinge pins are constructed and arranged to cooperate with said cover to allow pivotal movement thereof. 42. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said rear panel includes a pair of integrally formed hooks, wherein said hooks are constructed and arranged to cooperate with a basket member for securing said basket member thereto, wherein said basket member is constructed and arranged to fit within said enclosure. 43. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said cover includes a depending lip extending around the perimeter of said cover, said depending lip including a front, a rear, a left and a right surface, said rear surface including a pair of pockets constructed and arranged to cooperate with said hinge pins, each said pocket configured to permit rotational movement of said pins for upward rotational movement of said cover. 44. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 36 wherein said cover further includes at least one safety interlock for disabling said power-assist means; wherein motorized rewinding of said hose is locked out when said cover is in an open position, and motorized rewinding of said hose is operable when said cover is in the closed position. 45. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 44, wherein said safety interlock includes a switching means, said switching means constructed and arranged to cooperate with said cover of said enclosure. 46. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 45, wherein said switching means includes at least one electrical switch, said electrical switch operable by said cover to disconnect said power source from said direct current motor when said cover is in the open position. 47. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 20, wherein said hose winding apparatus further includes a hose winding guide comprising: a double helix lead screw, said double helix lead screw substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said spool axis of rotation and suitably supported and journaled in said left and said right side wall panels; a guide rod substantially parallel to said spool axis of rotation, suitably supported by said left and said right side wall panels; a carriage, said carriage constructed and arranged to cooperate with said double helix lead screw and said guide rod; and a hose guide gear-train, said gear train constructed and arranged to transfer rotary motion from said spool to said double helix lead-screw; wherein said carriage reciprocates back and forth across said lead screw and said guide rod when said spool is rotated to uniformly and smoothly wrap said hose on said spool for a compact storage configuration. 48. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 47, wherein said carriage includes a follower assembly, said follower assembly constructed and arranged to cooperatively engage said leadscrew. 49. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 48, wherein said follower assembly is manually disengageable from said lead-screw and manually re-engageable to said lead-screw; wherein said hose can be manually pulled from said spool without reciprocation of said hose winding guide and said hose winding guide is repositionable and re-engageable to said lead-screw. 50. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 49, wherein said follower assembly is constructed and arranged for automatic disengagement; wherein said follower assembly disengages said lead-screw thereby preventing said carriage from traversing said lead-screw in the event said carriage path becomes obstructed. 51. The hose winding apparatus in accordance with claim 47, wherein said hose guide gear-train includes: a spool gear, said spool gear secured to said hub of said spool, said spool suitably journaled in said enclosure to allow rotational movement of said spool; a driven gear, said driven gear suitably attached to said lead-screw of said hose winding guide assembly; at least one idler gear, said at least one idler gear rotationally secured within said enclosure and intermeshing with said drive gear and said spool gear; wherein said spool gear provides rotation of said at least one idler gear and said at least one idler gear provides rotation of said driven gear and said lead-screw secured thereto.