GB2263098A

GB2263098A - Storing flexible lines

Info

Publication number: GB2263098A
Application number: GB9200345A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfonso Antonio Alaimo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-09
Filing date: 1992-01-09
Publication date: 1993-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-09
Also published as: GB2263098B; GB9200345D0

Abstract

A line store may have, Figure 1, "n"-shaped members 13, 14 joined at 15 and fixed to a surface, e.g. a wall, at 25. Line is wound on limbs 16 to 19 and retained by cranked ends 20 to 23. Joint 15 may be a pivot to allow members 13, 14 to be nested. Alternatively, Figure 2, spaced "V"-shaped members 113, 114 are mounted to a surface and carry line windings on limbs 16 to 19 and retained by cranked ends 20 to 23. The line may be a hosepipe. <IMAGE>

Description

Apparatus for the Storage and Dispensinq of Flexible Lines This invention relates to apparatus for the storage and dispensing of flexible lines. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to apparatus for the storage and dispensing of hose pipes and compressed air lines.

Wall-mounted dispensers for garden hoses are well known. In general, such devices comprise a cylindrical, flanged bobbin which is rotatably mounted on a frame. The frame is adapted to be secured to a wall.

Such apparatus is costly to manufacture, and is too heavy for some hose users to mount easily on a wall. Accordingly, there is a need for simplified, lightweight apparatus for the storage and dispensing of, e.g., garden hoses.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the storage and dispensing of flexible lines comprising a first, elongate, generally "n"-shaped member; a second, elongate, generally "n"-shaped member; and means for securing the two members at an angle one to the other at a point approximately mid-way along their respective lengths, each of the limbs of the "n" shapes having a radially outwardly directed, cranked member, the apparatus being securable to a flat surface to provide a plurality of axially outwardly directed members for the coiling thereon of a flexible line, the cranked members serving to retain the line on the outwardly directed members.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for the storage and dispensing of flexible lines comprising a pair of generally "v"-shaped members; and means for securing said members to a surface such that their respective apexes are spaced one from another and at least three of the limbs of the respective "v" shapes are mutually divergent, each of the limbs of the "v" shapes having an outwardly directed, cranked member to provide a plurality of outwardly directed members for the coiling thereon of a flexible line, the cranked members serving to retain the line on the outwardly directed members.

There now follows a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown apparatus 10 for the storage and dispensing of hoses and similar flexible lines. The apparatus comprises a pair 11, 12 of generally "n"-shaped members. The respective spines 13, 14 of the members are secured one to another at a point 15 approximately mid-way along their respective lengths. The securing is in the embodiment shown effected by means of a rivet. Other means of securing such as welding may alternatively be employed; however a rivet is preferred since it allows the members 11, 12 to pivot one relative to another for a purpose described below.

Each spine 11, 12 has a pair 16, 17, 18, 19 of limbs extending axially forwardly thereof. The angle between the limbs 16, 17, 18, 19 and the respective spines 13, 14 is approximately ninety degrees in the embodiment shown; however, other angles may be employed, for instance to create a conically shaped dispenser.

The end of each respective limb 16, 17, 18, 19 is cranked to form a cranked member 20, 21, 22, 23 which extends radially outwardly of the apparatus. In the embodiment shown, the angle between each cranked member and the respective limb is approximately ninety degrees although other angles are possible.

The dimensions of the "n"-shaped members are chosen such that, when a rivet is employed to secure the spines thereof together, the two members can be pivoted so that one member (member 12 in the embodiment shown) nests within the other member (member 11 in the embodiment shown). Thus, when the apparatus is not in use, it is remarkably compact.

As shown, each of the spines 13, 14 includes a pair of apertures 25 formed therein to either side of the central point of securing 15. The apertures may be used for securing the apparatus to a flat surface such as a wall, for example by means of screws. The provision of at least one aperture in each of the spines ensures that it is possible to secure the apparatus with the spines held rigidly at ninety degrees, or any other preferred angular spacing, one relative to the other. However, the apparatus may optionally be provided with a single aperture formed in one only of the spines. In such an embodiment, it may be desirable to ensure that the means of securing the two spines together is sufficiently rigid to maintain the spines at a ninety degrees spacing. Thus, the means of securing may be a high-friction pivot, or may optionally be a weld.

In Figure 2 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which there are provided two generally "v"-shaped members 113, 114. In the embodiment shown, members 113 and 114 are such that, if they were to be positioned with the regions of their respective apexes overlapping and such that the four limbs of the members are mutually divergent, they would resemble the apparatus of Figure 1. However, the apparatus of Figure 2 is unlikely to be secured and used in such a configuration, because the fact that the "v"-shaped members each constitute approximately one half of the apparatus of Figure 1 means that the members 113 and 114 can be secured to a surface with their apexes facing and spaced from one another. This allows the apparatus to be used for coiling thereon of very long or relatively inflexible lines, which would adopt a generally oval shape when so coiled. Generally, the angle at which the members 113 and 114 are secured one relative to the other is critical because at least three of the limbs of the pair of "v"-shaped members will be mutually divergent regardless of the relative angle at which the members are secured.

The apparatus of the invention is preferably manufactured from flat steel, although a number of other materials may be equally suitable.

The apparatus may be painted, or rubber or plastic coated. Numerous other surface finishes are also possible.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the storage and dispensing of flexible lines, comprising a first elongate, generally "n"-shaped member; a second, elongate, generally "n"-shaped member; and means for securing the two members at an angle one to the other at a point approximately mid-way along their respective lengths, each of the limbs of "n" shapes having a radially outwardly directed, cranked member, the apparatus being securable to a surface to provide a plurality of axially outwardly directed members for the coiling thereon of a flexible line, the cranked members serving to retain the line on the outwardly directed members.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the two "n"-shaped members are adapted to nest one within the other and the means for securing the members one to another permits the pivoting of the members to a nested configuration when not in use.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein at least one of the members includes an aperture in the spine portion thereof to permit securing of the apparatus to e.g. a wall.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the ratio of the lengths of the respective limbs of a first one of the members to the lengths of the limbs of a second one of the members is approximately 25:26 and the ratio of the lengths of the respective spines thereof is approximately 41:40, the arrangement being such as to permit the nesting of said second member within said first member.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the angle between each spine and each respective limb of a member is approximately ninety degrees.

6. Apparatus for the storage and dispensing of flexible lines comprising a pair of generally "v"-shaped members; and means for securing said members to a surface such that their respective apexes are spaced one from another and at least three of the limbs of the respective "v" shapes are mutually divergent, each of the limbs of the "v" shapes having an outwardly directed, cranked member to provide a plurality of outwardly directed members for the coiling thereon of a flexible line, the cranked members serving to retain the line on the outwardly directed members.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the angle between each cranked member and an associated limb is approximately ninety degrees.

8. Apparatus generally as herein described, with reference to or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. Any novel combination or sub-combination disclosed and/or illustrated herein.