AU2024201298A1 - Roller Hose Guide for Reel Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A roller hose guide assembly (100) comprising two opposed pairs of spaced apart rollers (10) respectively oriented in generally horizontal and vertical orientations, and defining a generally rectangular eyelet through which hose can operatively be payed out or wound back, wherein the roller guide assembly is rotatably mounted swivel in a generally horizontal orientation within a defined sweep. 8

Description

REEL ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED ROLLER HOSE GUIDE TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to industrial reel assemblies, of the type generally

used to store hoses and cables.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] There are various forms of industrial reel assemblies in use, some of which rely

upon some form of hose guide.

[0003] Industrial reels, in which the hose is usually larger and longer than in domestic

applications, usually require some form of hose guide, and a roller hose guide is one option. Pay out and rewind is guided by a pair of rollers, which keeps the hose moving and reduces

abrasion on the exterior of the hose. Particular use cases or industrial contexts have their own specific demands - for example, for rapid payout.

[0004] Industrial reel assemblies are in this sense clearly demarcated from domestic reels, is a familiar application being garden hoses for residential household watering. Occasional and

light duty use means that plastic or light metal wire construction of simple design suffices.

[0005] One basic form of hose guide for industrial hose reels may comprise opposed horizontal rollers top and bottom that extend the full width of the spool of the hose reel

assembly. Such roller hose guide devices are provided to assist in guiding the hose of the spool in a rapid deployment, providing little resistance to pay out, and assisting in

preventing hose tangles during rapid deployment. During the rewind phase, however, when the hose is wound on to the reel under rewind power, there is no horizontal control of hose

as it is layered, as the hose is only restrained from vertical deviation, with a narrow gap between the rollers that typically exceeds the hose diameter only marginally.

[0006] One particular and important industrial application of such industrial reel

assemblies is firefighting - the spool upon which hose is wound is generally both quite wide and deep to accommodate a substantial length of hose, which is of course also of generous

diameter to support a required flowrate of pressurised water in use.

[0007] Firefighting hose are operatively used in a controlled manner but under emergency response conditions, in which not all parameters are ideal. During use with existing roller

guides there is the possibility of cross-laying of hose, and a tangled/bunched rewind of hose, which fails to use the spool space efficiently. One technique for combatting this phenomenon is to stipulate a requirement for the reel spool to be considerably 'oversized' that is, far larger than should be strictly necessary, which consumes valuable space. A reel assembly made to a more compact footprint requires efficient hose storage, which requires greater delay and attention in achieving slow controlled rewinding, with the possibility that intervention by operators may be required.

[0008] There is a need in light of the foregoing for a improvements or modifications that

assist in minimising the possibility of hose lock, amongst other limitations of existing arrangements for industrial reel assemblies.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] The present invention arises from a recognition that the possibility of hose lock can

be minimised in industrial reel assemblies by incorporating a roller guide assembly that swivels to accommodate various orientations of the hose. The roller hose guide assembly

swivels in a horizontal orientation. More precisely put, the axis of rotation of the roller hose is guide assembly is normal to the spool axis.

[0010] This configuration reflects that there is not a significant amount of variation in the

vertical angle of payout, but variations in the horizontal angle of payout are responsible for difficulties in using existing reel assemblies.

[0011] One typical application for reel assemblies is mounting on fire-fighting trucks. The reel assembly in use is often positioned slightly above operators working at ground level. A

roller hose guide assembly rotatably mounted to swivel in a generally horizontal plane greatly discourages the possibility of hose lock which may result, as an example, from

overspooling.

[0012] Overspooling occurs when spool is paying out hose, but runs away so that the speed of the hose falls behind the spool speed- thus leading to a 'build up' of hose which

might otherwise catch on a hose guide assembly. The roller hose guide assembly, by swivelling relative to the frame of the reel assembly, accommodates changes in hose

direction. There is the potential for hose lock also when hose is being paid out at an angle. Similarly, a swivelling hose guide assembly accommodates changes in hose direction to thereby reduce the potential for hose lock.

[0013] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a roller hose guide assembly comprising two opposed pairs of spaced apart rollers respectively oriented in

generally horizontal and vertical orientations, and defining a generally rectangular eyelet through which hose can operatively be payed out or wound back, wherein the roller guide

assembly is rotatably mounted on a base to swivel in a generally horizontal orientation

within a defined sweep.

[0014] Rotation with one degree of freedom- preferably in the horizontal plane- can

accommodate pay out at a ranged arc of directions in the horizontal plane.

[0015] The hose guide assembly has two opposed pairs of rollers respectively oriented in

generally horizontal and vertical orientation forming a generally rectangular eyelet for the hose. The hose guide assembly has at least one stop which limits the arc subscribed by the

hose guide assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG 1 is a representation of the roller hose guide assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, depicted at an end of its sweep.

[0017] FIG 2 is a representation of the roller hose guide assembly of FIG 1, depicted at the

opposite end of its sweep.

[0018] FIG 3 is a representation of the roller hose guide in the same position as FIG 2, though from a perspective of the opposite side of the assembly.

[0019] FIGS 4 and 5 provide representations from a similar perspective as FIG 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to

the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are suited to, and can be advantageously incorporated into an industrial reel assembly, which generally comprises a

spool having a drum and side walls, and a mounting structure which supports the spool for payout and rewind of hose or cable unwound from or to be wound upon the drum of the

spool. There is often a beam or crossbar attached to or forming part of the mounting structure, traversing the spool and which may be used for mounting and locating a hose guide assembly.

[0022] An illustrative example of such an industrial reel assembly of the type contemplated is generally described and depicted in published international patent

application no W02012/135890, published 7 September 2011 by World Industrial Property Organisation (WIPO) in the name of Spray Nozzle Engineering Pty Limited as applicant. The

content of both these publications is herein incorporated via the above references in their

entirety, and are also annexed hereto for ease of reference.

[0023] The particular industrial reel assembly described and depicted in the

aforementioned W02012/135890 uses a hose roller guide assembly in the form of a pair of spaced apart horizontal rollers, which span the width of the spool, and a travelling pair of

spaced apart vertical rollers, which reciprocate along the width of the spool as a moving carriage under control.

[0024] Returning to the representations accompanying the present application, as is apparent, the roller hose guide assembly 100 for an industrial reel assembly 1000 (only

partly shown). The roller hose guide assembly 100 generally comprises four rollers 10 1s arranged to two spaced apart pairs, in a generally rectangular configuration. The spaced

apart pairs of rollers 10 are generally arranged in respectively horizontal and vertical

orientations relative to the reel assembly 1000 to which it is attached.

[0025] The rollers 10 are moreover arranged in a common plane, which is generally

vertical in the usual orientation of the reel assembly 1000 to which the guide assembly 100 is affixed. The rollers 10 are supported and located at their ends by support brackets 20 that

are each fastened at respective corners of a rectangular frame 30.

[0026] The rectangular frame 30 supports the rollers 10, which are journaled in the

support brackets 20 via their support shafts 12 located at terminal ends of the rollers 10, in plain bearing arrangement. Other more complex bearings could be used, but should not be necessary in most applications - in fact, may be disadvantageous in harsh environments or

without time maintenance. Clearance between adjacent (and generally orthogonally oriented) rollers 10 is minimal, and certainly less than a nominal diameter of hose typically

spooled on the reel assembly to which the roller hose guide assembly 100 is fitted. This sufficient disparity between the hose diameter and clearance between adjacent rollers 10 avoids the hose becoming pinched between adjacent rollers 10 when being payed out or

wound back. The hose, in use, also clears the rectangular frame 30 by suitable configuration of the rollers 10 relative to the frame 30. As will be appreciated, any abrasive contact between the hose and the rectangular frame 30 is to be avoided.

[0027] The rectangular frame 30 is fillet welded along its lower edge to a support plate 40. Reinforced shoulders 42 stabilise connection between the frame 30 and support plate

40. Other or alternative bracing measures may be taken if warranted for a particular

application.

[0028] Support plate 40 is rotatably mounted to a base bracket 50 via pivot fastener 52. A

plain bearing suffices, though again alternatives may be used as will be appreciated.

[0029] As depicted, these components are welded together, and the connection is

strengthened by triangular reinforcing or strengthening ribs that suitable support the structural integrity of the assembly. While not under significant stress during typical use, the

reel assembly 1000 is generally used in industrial settings and as such must be able to withstand rough handling.

[0030] The fasteners, roller guides and connection hardware are conventional in construction, and with which a person of ordinary skill will be familiar.

[0031] As an example, the fasteners may typically comprise bolts, nuts and washers

retained in suitably formed apertures in the frame. The connection hardware may if thought necessary incorporate a roller bearing arrangement, but this is in general not required.

[0032] The support plate 40 of the assembly 100 is rotatably mounted to a base bracket 50, or optionally, directly to a frame of the reel assembly 1000, either directly or indirectly.

[0033] While the form of the rotational mounting can be a simple, direct free rotating mount to the frame, preferably a C-shaped base bracket 50 is provided as part of the hose

guide assembly 100, which clamps to a frame of the reel assembly 1000, with a roller bearing mounting connecting arranged between the support plate 40 and the base plate 50, as depicted.

[0034] Also, as depicted, there is provided a stop piece 60, fixedly mounted located behind the support plate 40. The stop piece 60 is a simple projecting plate of defined length as

indicated, but can be provided a wide range of configurations as will be appreciated.

[0035] The purpose of the stop piece 60 is simply to limit and define the sweep of the arc of the guide assembly 100 during use. This ensures amongst other things that the roller guide 100 does not travel to extreme angles which may affect the hose interfering and abrading against other hardware.

[0036] The stop piece 60 is as depicted provided in the form of a plate or bracket attached as an upwardly projecting stop, centrally positioned behind rectangular frame 30. This stop

piece 60 acts to limit the rotational arc of the hose guide assembly 100 within certain

bounds by interference between the stop piece 60 and the support plate 40 of the assembly 100, as depicted most clearly in FIGS 2 to 5. This has the advantage of containing the sweep

of the hose guide assembly within a useful operating range - which avoid excessive strain being placed on the hose, for example.

[0037] Again, as will be appreciated, a variety of other stop arrangements maybe contrived, using a similar principle.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS 1. An industrial reel assembly having a mounting frame supporting a spool for a hose, and a roller hose guide assembly comprising two opposed pairs of spaced apart rollers respectively oriented in generally horizontal and vertical orientations, and defining a

   generally rectangular eyelet through which hose can operatively be payed out or wound

   back, wherein the roller guide assembly is rotatably mounted to a frame of the reel assembly to swivel in a generally horizontal orientation within a defined sweep.
2. 2. An industrial reel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pairs of opposed rollers are mounted in a common plane by support brackets affixed at corners of a

   rectangular frame.
3. 3. An industrial reel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pairs of opposed

   roller are arranged with minimal clearance between adjacent rollers.
4. 4. An industrial reel assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one

   stop piece which acts to contain the sweep of the arc circumscribed by the roller guide is assembly.
5. 5. A roller hose guide assembly comprising two opposed pairs of spaced apart rollers

   respectively oriented in generally horizontal and vertical orientations, and defining a generally rectangular eyelet through which hose can operatively be payed out or wound

   back, wherein the roller guide assembly is rotatably mounted on a base to swivel in a generally horizontal orientation within a defined sweep.

   2024201298 27 Feb 2024 20

   10

   20 lo

   FIG 1

   This data, for application number 2016228156, is current as of 2021-10-20 21:00 AEST

   This data, for application number 2016228156, is current as of 2021-10-20 21:00 AEST

   Do 40 42

   FIG 2

   FIG 3

   FIG 4 do

   9 1000

   FIG 5