AU2012100345A4 - A portable water delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable water delivery device including a receptacle for holding liquid, a hose whereby the liquid can be dispensed onto a desired area, wheels for transporting the device and a reel for storing the hose when not in use, said 5 device filled with liquid such as greywater. o co 0tj tjC

Description

1 A portable water delivery device FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a portable water delivery device with a fixture for the attachment of a hose. 5 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Portable containers with hoses or sprayers for the application of liquids are known in the art. These consist of a container or receptacle either mounted on a frame or with wheels directly attached whereby the container can be filled with a liquid and easily transported to a different 10 location. A hose, sprayer or some other pump apparatus is attached to the container which pumps the liquid from the storage container and ejects it through a nozzle for the purposes of dispensing the liquid. Such devices can be used for the rinsing, cleaning or treatment of objects through the spraying of water, fertilizers, insecticides, paints and other liquids. 15 [0003] Disadvantages of these present devices include that the hose or sprayer is often detached from the container or frame, and thus needs to be stored separately and attached once the device has been moved to the appropriate location. Furthermore, the hose must then be carried by the user if they wish to move the container to a different location to continue 20 spraying. Unsecure storage of the hose or it being dragged along beside the device could potentially cause damage and is inconvenient for the user. There is also the danger of the hose becoming tangled if there is no secure means of attachment to the device. [0004] It would be advantageous for the hose to be able to be safely 25 stored on the device when the device is not being used as well as secured when the device is being transported. [0005] The object of this invention is to provide an improved or useful alternative to the prior art, being a portable water delivery device including a 2 receptacle for holding liquid, a hose whereby the liquid can be dispensed onto a desired area, a means of transporting the device such as attached wheels and a means of storing the hose when not in use such as a reel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 5 [0006] Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a portable water delivery device comprising; a receptacle for storing liquid; a hose which can be attached to the receptacle for dispensing the liquid onto a desired area; at least two wheels for transportation of the device; and a reel attached to one side of the said receptacle for the purpose of storing 10 said hose; [0007] In preference, wherein the said reel comprises a faceplate and at least two webs, said webs attaching the reel to said receptacle; [0008] In preference, wherein said webs are molded to the receptacle; [0009] In preference, wherein said hose is wound around said webs and 15 is held securely between the said container and said faceplate; and [0010] In preference, wherein both said receptacle and said reel are rectangular in shape allowing the device to be used and stored either horizontally or vertically. [0011] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above 20 may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and 25 constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: 3 [0013] Figure 1 is a front view of a portable water delivery device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; [0014] Figure 2 is a back view of a portable water delivery device with the handle extended according to a preferred 5 embodiment of the invention; [0015] Figure 3 is a side view of a portable water delivery device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; [0016] Figure 4 is a top view of a portable water delivery device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 10 and [0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portable water delivery device with attached hose according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. LIST OF COMPONENTS 15 20 Portable water delivery device 22 Container/vessel 24 Box 26 Wheels 28 Handle 20 30 Handle rods 32 Handle bridge 36 Reel 38 Faceplate 40 Fins 25 42 Hose DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0018] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers 4 will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. 5 [0018] Referring to the drawings there is represented in Figure 1 a portable water delivery device 20 consisting of a rectangular container or vessel 22 for the purposes of holding liquid such as greywater. Alternatively the vessel can hold other liquids or chemicals such as weed sprays or fertilizers. Typically the container 22 will be capable of storing 10 approximately 60 litres of liquid. It is to be understood, however, that the container can be of different shapes, sizes and designed for different capacities. [0019] The container 20 includes an extruding box 24 which extends outwardly from the front of the container 22. The box 24 includes a 15 chamber adapted to house a pump, battery, lights, forward and reverse pump and switches for the forward and reverse pump (not shown) to facilitate the pumping of the liquid from the container through a hose 42. A faceplate 38 extends across the face of the box 24 to conceal and protect these elements. 20 [0020] The container also includes two internal filters, a float switch and a 12V reversible chemical pump (not shown). A solar panel can also be incorporated into the device to allow for the charging of the battery through solar power. The pump will have a typical flow rate of 3-5 litres per minute. [0021] Two rubber wheels 26 are attached to the sides of the container 25 22 allowing the container to be transported to different locations, either when empty or full. [0022] Attached to the top of the container 22 is a rectangular handle 28, the vertical rods 30 of which are telescopic and adapted to be extended as desired. A handle bridge 32 extends across and connects the two rods, 30 allowing the handle 28 to be gripped by the user. Thus the device 20 can 5 be easily transported by the user extending the handle 30, angling the container 22 and placing pressure (either pushing or pulling) against the container so that the wheels 26 are set in motion. Once the device 20 is moved to the desired location, the container 22 can be put back into the 5 upright position. The liquid can then pumped from the container 22 through the hose and onto the desired surface. [0023] It is a preferred embodiment of the invention that the container be made from plastic which is adapted to hold greywater or chemicals, however it is to be understood that the container can be made from any 10 suitable material. [0024] Represented in Figure 2 is a rear view of the device 20 in which the handle 28 and wheels 26 can be seen more clearly. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wheels 26 are pneumatic and attached to either side of the container 22. 15 [0025] Figure 3 is a top view of the device 20 in which the box 24 and faceplate 38 can be seen more clearly. The faceplate 38 contains fins 40 which act as a reel 36 by which the hose 42 can be stored, providing a benefit over the prior art. The reel 36 is adapted for the hose to be wound around the box 24 and held in place by the faceplate 38 and fins 40. Thus 20 the hose can be attached to the device 20 while it is being stored or transported and then unwound when needed to be used. This prevents the hose becoming tangled during storage or transit and allows the hose to be stored safely and securely when the device is not in use. It is also possible for the reel to be designed or adapted so that the hose is retractable. 25 [0026] It is a preferred embodiment of the invention that the faceplate 38 be larger than the relative dimensions of the box 24 so that the fins extend vertically beyond the face of the box. This allows the hose 42 to be wound around the box 24 and held in place by the faceplate 38 and fins 40. [0027] It is also a preferred embodiment of the invention that the box 30 does not extend too far outwardly from the container 22. This is an 6 improvement over the prior art wherein any reel increases the size of the device dramatically and does does not provide the security against the hose catching on foreign material, being held secure against the container and allowing the device to be easily transported. By contrast in the present 5 invention the hose 42 is securely wound around and held against the box 24 and secured by the reel 36, which prevents it from catching or being damaged. [0028] Therefore the box 24 is used both in connection with storing the pump, battery and lights etc and yet also used as part of storing the hose. 10 This in an improvement over the prior art in which any hose reel is separate from the chamber which contains other elements and therefore increases the components of the container as well as its overall size. [0029] Given the more compact overall size and lack of several components which extend beyond the area of the container, the device 20 15 can be stored in a small area when not in use, which is an improvement over the various prior art devices, which are large and cumbersome to store. [0030] Figure 4 is a top view of the device 20 which is also a potential storage position. This is another advantage over the prior art, being devices which can only be used and stored vertically. By contrast, the present 20 invention, being overall rectangular in shape, can be stored horizontally or vertically. If stored horizontally, the container 22 is merely angled and lowered to the ground allowing the movement of the container 22 and wheels 26 without resistance with the back of the container 22 resting against the ground. Given that the box 24 and reel 36 are on the front of the 25 container 22, the hose is stored safely and does not impact against the ground. [0031] Figure 5 illustrates the device 20 with the hose attached. The hose 42 is wrapped around the box 24 and held securely in place by the reel 36. The faceplate 38 and fins 40 also prevent the hose from becoming 30 unwound during storage and thus the device 20 is ready for the next use.

7 [0032] One of the disadvantages of the prior art is that the reel can be made up of a wheel and crank which, while it secures the hose, is large in area and the crank by necessity juts out from the device which is 5 inconvenient and unsafe. A further disadvantage of the prior art is where the hose is wound around a single web the hose is not secure, and the hose is likely to be tangled while being unwound, or simply fall off the web whilst in storage or transit. The presence of box 24 and the faceplate 38 solves this problem, wherein the fins 40 are of a sufficient length to allow for easy 10 winding and unwinding of the hose and the faceplate 38 acts as a barrier against foreign objects as well as prevents to hose from falling off the box 24 or becoming unintentionally unwound. [0033] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the 15 invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and 20 apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field. [0034] In the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the 25 word "comprising" is used in the sense of "including", i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention. 30

Claims (5)

1. A portable water delivery device comprising; a receptacle for storing liquid; a hose which can be attached to the receptacle for dispensing the 5 liquid onto a desired area; at least two wheels for transportation of the device; and a reel attached to one side of the said receptacle for the purpose of storing said hose. 10

2. A portable water delivery device according to Claim 1 wherein the said reel comprises a faceplate and box.

3. A portable water delivery device according to any of the above Claims wherein said faceplate contains two fins which further secure 15 the hose to the box.

4. A portable water delivery device according to any of the above claims wherein the hose is wound around said box and is held securely between the said container and said faceplate. 20

5. A portable water delivery device according to any of the above Claims wherein both the receptacle and reel are rectangular in shape allowing the device to be used and stored either horizontally or vertically. 25