EP1676803B1

EP1676803B1 - Collapsible reel cart

Info

Publication number: EP1676803B1
Application number: EP05292821A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Uri Alkalay; Adi Plaschkes
Original assignee: Elgo Irrigation Ltd
Current assignee: Elgo Irrigation Ltd
Priority date: 2005-01-03
Filing date: 2005-12-29
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-29
Also published as: DE602005008695D1; US20060214045A1; ATE403624T1; IL166105A0; EP1676803A1

Abstract

A reel cart (10) apparatus which comprises: a reel for winding a hose or the like, at least one support element adapted for rotatably mounting said reel (56) thereon, a base (40), and a rotating means (80), characterized in that said base, said reel (56), and said rotating means (80) are adapted for selectively alternating between collapsed and expanded configurations, thereby providing a storage position and an in-use position respectively, wherein the overall volume of said cart in said storage position is substantially smaller than that in the in-use position.

Description

Field of Invention

The present invention relates in general to reel carts for storing and handling hoses. In particular, the present invention relates to a reel cart which is collapsible, enabling reduction of space when not in use.

Background of Invention

In order to avoid entanglement, as well as to save space, and furthermore, to assist in the handling of long flexible items such as hoses, cables, wires or the like, the above-mentioned items are often wound in a coil and stored on a reel cart. A typical reel cart that is used for this purpose comprises a reel, a frame upon which the reel is mounted and a rotating means such as a handle and/or a motor and/or other means, for rotating the reel about its axis. Pay out of the hose is achieved by rotation of the reel in one direction, and retraction of the hose is achieved by rotation of the reel in the opposite direction.
Generally, manufacturers of reel carts supply the consumer with carts in two alternative arrangements. Some carts are sold with their components preassembled and ready to use. Carts that are sold in this arrangement do not require the consumer to expend any time or effort in assembling his purchase; however, such an apparatus necessitates large and bulky packaging in order to transport it. Alternatively, there are those carts that are at least partially not preassembled by the manufacturer, and therefore require assembly by the consumer prior to use. Supplying reel carts in this latter arrangement may solve the drawback of bulky packaging, however, the consumer is then required to spend the time and effort assembling his purchase.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which overcomes the difficulties involved in supplying prior art reel carts to consumers, such as bulky packaging and time consuming assembly.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart that is at least partially assembled prior to being purchased by the consumer.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which may be packaged or stored in a volume less than that of the reel cart when in its in-use position.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which does not require any skill in order to operate.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reel cart which is simple and inexpensive to produce.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.
In US 2.463 , 192 , a reel cart in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed.

Summary of Invention

In accordance with the invention, the reel cart has the features specified in the characterizing portion of claim 1.
Said vertical aide walls may be essentially a disc-shaped member. The disc-shaped member has at least one pair of truncated opposite edges.
Alternatively, the vertical side walls comprise a plurality of finger elements at at least one lateral end.
The central portion of one of the vertical aide walls of the reel cart comprises an aperture and a connector to which one end of a hose may be threaded or suitably connected.
The side elements of the reel cart are separated by a spool, wherein said spool comprises two corresponding halves. Each of said halves comprises preferably four corresponding flaps, two upper flaps and two lower flaps.
Each of said flaps is coupled to said respective vertical side wall at said flap's outer end, with slide rails that extend radially outward along the plane of said respective vertical side wall. Each of said flaps is pivotally coupled to said corresponding flap of said corresponding half at said flap's inner end.
Alternatively, the spool comprises telescopically collapsible members.
The reel cart further comprises two laterally spaced support elements, wherein each of said support elements may be comprised of a tri-flanged element, wherein said tri-flanged element comprises two lower flanges and an upper flange. The lower flanges extend arcuately downward thereby forming the outer corners of the base, and the upper flange extends arcuately upward toward the back side of the apparatus, thereby joining the ends of an upper handle.
The rotating means comprises any suitable rotating means such as a handle, a motor or a spring.
The handle comprises a central portion, an arm and a gripping member. The arm extends from said central portion coplanar thereto. The gripping member extends outward from the arm, orthogonal to its axis of rotation, when in its in-use position. The gripping member may be pivotally joined with said arm such said gripping member can alternately rotate between its fully retracted position, whereby said gripping member is lodged coaxially with the arm, and its in-use position whereby said gripping member is situated at a 90 degree angle to said arm. Optionally, the gripping member may be pivotally joined with said arm such that said gripping member may be rotatable about its own axis.
The base comprises at least one member whose ends are connected, thereby forming a frame, wherein said frame may form any geometric shape such as a rectangle or a circle.
The base may comprise two transverse and two longitudinal members whose ends are connected, wherein said longitudinal members comprise two corresponding member halves. Each of said member halves is interlocked at its inner end with the inner end of the corresponding member half, by interlocking teeth.
Alternatively, the frame may comprise telescopically collapsible members.

Wheels may be provided at one or more suitable locations at the base

The upper handle comprises two bar halves, wherein the outer ends of each half of said upper handle are coupled to end elements by sliding links. Said end elements are joined to the ends of the upper flanges. The inner ends of each half of said upper handle are pivotally joined to each other.
Alternatively, the upper handle comprises at least one telescopically collapsible member.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 illustrates, in perspective view, the main elements of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in its in use position.

Figure 2a illustrates, in perspective view, the reel element of Figure 1.
Figure 2b illustrates an enlarged partially sectioned view showing the pivoting connections of the reel element components to each other and to the side walls.
Figure 3a illustrates, in perspective view, the support and base elements as well as the rotating means of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3b illustrates, in an enlarged view, the pivoted and coupled connections of the inner and outer ends of the upper handle halves respectively.
Figures 4a-4d illustrate, in a back view, the process of the reel cart being collapsed from its in-use position to its completely collapsed position.
The present invention is defined by the claims, the contents of which are to be read as included within the disclosure of the specification, and will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Detailed Description of Figures

The present invention relates to a reel cart of the type known in the art, the improvement thereto is characterized in that the cart may be fully or at least substantially collapsed when not in use, thereby minimizing its storage and/or transport volume. While the present invention is particularly suited for hose carts, the present invention is also directed to other types of reel carts including but not limited to those employed for laying flexible cables or for electrical wires or the like.
The term "spool" used herein include a cylinder or something similar to such a cylinder in shape or function, around which a hose or other flexible materials may be wound.
Referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the reel cart is generally designated with the numeral (10), and comprises a pair of laterally spaced support elements (20), (30), an upper handle (28), a base frame (40), a reel (50) and a handle mechanism (80).
Referring in particular to Figure 2a, the reel (50) comprises a pair of laterally spaced side walls (52), (54) separated by a spool (56) that is joined at its outer ends to the side walls (52), (54) respectively. Each side wall (52), (54) is essentially disc-shaped, wherein at least one pair of opposite edges are substantially truncated such that the overall volume of the cart (10) is minimized. At the central portion of one latitudinal end of a side element, preferably the side element from which the handle mechanism (80) does not extend, is an aperture and a connector (60) to which one end of a hose may be threaded or suitably connected. The spool (56) comprises at least two halves (56'), (56"), each half comprising preferably at least one and preferably at least a pair of corresponding flaps, more preferably between two to sixteen flaps, more preferably between two to eight flaps, more preferably four corresponding flaps, as well as a core element (70). With reference to (56') only, but equally applicable to (56"), the four flaps consist of two upper (62), (64) and two lower (66), (68). Figure 2b shows each flap coupled at its outer end with slide rails (57) situated along a cylindrical ring protruding inward from a respective side wall (52), (54), and coupled at its inner end (shown partially sectioned) by pivots (59).
The actual geometry of the reel (50) as well as the nature of the components may vary from that described above, according to the desire or need, as long as it provides a suitable winding and unwinding structure for the hose. For instance, only one side wall may be provided, the other being replaced by a plurality of finger elements, thereby providing means for preventing the hose from sliding off the spool (56) at the end that does not contain a side wall.
Referring to Figure 3a, a pair of laterally spaced support elements (20), (30), according to a preferred embodiment, comprises two tri-flanged elements, each one consisting of two lower flanges (22), (24) and (32), (34), and an upper flange (26) and (36). Lower flanges (22), (24) and (32), (34) extend arcuately downward toward the outer corners of the base (40). Upper flanges (26) and (36) extend arcuately upward toward the back side of the apparatus (10) and join to the end elements (27) (29) of the upper handle (28).
According to another embodiment, the support element of the present invention may comprise only one tri-flanged element, such that the device may be secured at one end to a wall, or the support element may be configured in the front or back, or above or below the reel, according to configurations well known in the art.
In a preferred embodiment, handle mechanism (80) is affixed to the outer end of one of the laterally spaced support elements, and comprises a central portion (82) about which the handle (80) is rotated, an arm (84) extending therefrom and coplanar thereto, and a gripping member (86) extending from the arm orthogonal to its axis of rotation. The gripping member (86) is pivotally joined with the arm (84) such that the gripping member (86) can alternately be pivoted between its fully retracted position, whereby it is lodged within the frame of the arm (84), and its in-use position wherein it is situated at a 90 degree angle to the arm (84). The handle mechanism is associated with the reel (50) such that by rotating the gripping member (86) about the central portion (82), the reel (50) rotates concurrently. Gripping member (86) may be optionally further pivotally joined with the arm (84) such that the gripping member (84) may be separately rotatable about its own axis during rotation of the reel (50), thereby making the reel rotation more comfortable for the user In an alternative embodiment, a motor or spring, or any other suitable means may be utilized either alone or in combination with one another in order to rotate the reel.
Still referring to figure 3a, the base frame (40) comprises two transverse (42), (44) and two longitudinal (46), (48) members that are joined at their ends, thereby forming a frame. The corners of the base frame (40) extend diagonally outward from corners of the frame, and rigidly join with connecting elements (38) that extend orthogonal to the plane of the base. The connecting elements (38) are pivotally joined to the ends of the lower flanges (22), (24) and (32), (34).
Longitudinal members (46), (48) are comprised of two member halves (46'), (46") and (48'), (48") respectively. Each member half (46'), (46") and (48'), (48"), is interlocked at its inner end with the inner end of the corresponding member half, by interlocking teeth (90), (92).
It should be noted that the actual geometry of the base frame (40) may differ than that described above, mutatis mutandis, and that the transverse and longitudinal members shown in the figures are merely an illustrative example of the geometric construction of the base frame (40).
The reel cart (10) may be constructed as a stationary unit as is shown in the figures, or as a moveable unit by providing wheels at one or more suitable locations at the base (40), for example, at one or more corners of the base (40).
Upper handle (28) is comprised of two bar halves (28'), (28"). As seen in Figure 3b, each bar half (28'), (28") is pivotally joined at its inner end to the inner end of the corresponding half. Each half (28'), (28") is coupled by sliding links at its outer end to end elements (27), (29) which are joined to the ends of the upper flanges (26) and (36). End element (29) and the inner end of bar half (28") are partially sectioned, showing the coupled and pivoted connections.
In an alternative embodiment, longitudinal members (46), (48) and/or bar halves (28') (28") may be telescopically constructed members.
Referring to Figures 4a-d the reel cart (10) is shown in a back view in its locked, in-use position (Figure 4a). When desiring to transport or store the reel cart without a hose being wound around it, the reel cart may be collapsed preferably according to the steps shown in Figures 4a-d. Referring to Figure 4b, upper handle (28) is released from its locked position at its inner ends, and pivoted inward. Longitudinal members (only (46) is shown), are released from their locked positions, and pivoted inward thereby separating the interlocking teeth (only (90) is shown) at their inner ends. Support elements (20), (30) are pushed towards each other, thereby causing the inner and outer ends of the spool (56) to pivot appropriately, wherein the support elements (20), (30) to be further pushed together until the reel cart (10) is substantially collapsed. Finally, the grip (86) of the handle mechanism (80) is pivotally folded (Figure 4c) such that it may be lodged coaxially within the frame of the arm (84).
It should be noted that the order of collapsing the reel cart according to the sequence as described herein above is only one of several different possibilities, and may be altered according to preference. In order to open the reel cart (10) to its in-use position, the order as described herein above may be reversed, or, alternatively, an entirely different order may be utilized.
While in the foregoing description describes in detail only a few specific embodiments of the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto and that other variations in form and details may be possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention herein disclosed or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

A reel cart apparatus having an in-use state and a storage state, which comprises:
a. a reel (50) for winding a hose or the like thereon, said reel (50) comprising:
i. first and second vertical side walls (52, 54); and

ii. a spool (56) having a longitudinal-horizontal central axis and longitudinal ends, each of the first and second vertical aide walls (52, 54) being coaxially attached to one of each longitudinal end of the spool (56), the spool further comprising a plurality of pivotally engaged spool halves (56', 56") that arc joined and disposed between said first and second side walls (52, 54), wherein said spool (56) is collapsible its center; and,

b. a cart support which comprises:
i. first and second support elements (20, 30) for axially supporting said reel (50) above a base frame level, thereby enabling rotation of said reel (50) about said longitudinal-horizontal central axis; and,

c. a rotating handle mechanism (80) which is rotatably joined to one of said support elements (20, 30) at said longitudinal axis, and rigidly joined to one of said side walls (52, 54), for rotating said reel (50) about said longitudinal axis;
characterized in that said cart support further comprises a base frame (40) which comprises two longitudinal members (46, 48) each having two outer ends and two inner ends, wherein each member is separable at its inner ends into two halves (46', 46" ; 48', 48"), and each member is pivotally joined at each of its outer ends to a corresponding lower end of said first and second support elements (20, 30); and,
wherein in said storage state each of said spool halves (56', 56") and said base member halves (46', 46", 48', 48") is pivoted inward toward said longitudinal axis of said spool (56) thereby being arranged in an essentially vertical orientation, and in said in-use state each of said spool halves (56', 56") and said base member halves (46', 46", 48', 48") is oriented horizontally along an axis essentially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said spool (56) such that both the distances between said vertical side walls (52), (54) and between said opposing support elements (20, 30) in said storage state is significantly less than their corresponding distances in said in-use state.
The reel cart apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotating handle mechanism (80) comprises an arm (84) and a gripping member (86) pivotally joined to each other
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein the distance from said longitudinal axis to the outer edge of said vertical side walls (52, 54) is less than the distance from said longitudinal axis to the lower end of said support elements (20, 30).
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein said vertical side walls (52, 54) may be essentially disc-shaped members.
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein said vertical side walls (52, 54) comprise a plurality of finger elements at at least one lateral end.
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein one of the vertical side walls (52, 64) comprises an aperture and a connecter (60) to which one end of a hose may be threaded or suitably connected.
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein each of said spool halves (56', 56") comprises at least one and preferably a pair of corresponding flaps.
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein each of said spool halves (56', 56") comprises upper flaps and lower flaps.
The reel cart according to claim 8, wherein each of said flaps is coupled to said respective vertical side wall At, said flap's outer end, with slide rails (57) that extend radially outward along the plane of said respective vertical side wall (52, 54).
The reel cart according to claim 8, wherein each of said flaps is pivotally coupled to said corresponding flap of said corresponding half at the inner end of said flap.
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein each of said support elements (20, 30) is comprised of a tri-flanged element.
The reel cart according to claim 11, wherein said tri-flanged element comprises two lower flanges (22, 24) and one upper flange (26).
The reel cart according to claim 12, wherein said lower flanges (22, 24) extend arcuately downward thereby forming the outer corners of the base (40).
The reel cart according to claim 12, wherein said upper flange (26) extends arcuately upward toward the back side of the apparatus, thereby joining the ends of the upper handle (28).
The reel cart according to claim 2, wherein said gripping member (86) extends outward from the arm (84), orthogonal to its axis of rotation, when in its in-use position.
The reel cart according to claim 15, wherein said gripping member (86) is pivotally joined with said arm (84) such said gripping member (86) can alternately rotate between its fully retracted position, whereby said gripping member (86) is lodged coaxially with the arm (84), and its in-use position whereby said gripping member (86) is situated at a 90 degree angle to said arm (84).
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein each of said two halves (46' 46", 48', 48") is interlocked at its inner end with the inner end of the corresponding member half, by interlocking teeth (90, 92).
The reel cart according to claim 1, wherein wheels arc provided at one or more suitable locations at the base frame (40).
The reel cart according to claim 3, wherein the outer ends of each half (28', 28") of said upper handle (28) are coupled to support elements (20, 30) by sliding links.