IE87251B1 - A hose support arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A hose support arrangement comprises a frame, a base member supporting the frame; and a hose retention member mounted on the frame. The hose retention member may be substantially arcuate or circular in shape. <Figure 1>

Description

“A hose support arrangement” Introduction The present invention relates to a support arrangement for supporting a flexible hose.

From agricultural to industrial settings hoses are required for many different applications. Large hoses are required for example to empty slurry tanks and fill water tankers. Large hoses due io their size and mass, the large volumes of liquid they convey, can be very cumbersome to manipulate and there is a need for a system which makes it easier for an operator to handle large flexible hoses as well as serving to facilitate the most efficient passage of liquids during suction while preserving the integrity and life of the hoses.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a hose support arrangement comprising; a frame; a base member supporting the frame; and a hose retention member mounted on the frame, wherein the frame is detachably mounted onto the base member and wherein the hose retention member comprises a series of bars or rollers, each bar or roller curved to fit around or substantially encircle a length of hose during use.

In one embodiment of the invention the bars on the hose retention member are arcuate in shape.

In another embodiment of the invention the rollers on the hose retention member have a substantially hour glass shape.

In one embodiment of the invention the hose retention member is substantially arcuate in shape.

In one embodiment of the invention the frame is substantially L shaped with arms extending at right angles. Preferably two arms extend horizontally and two arms extend vertically. Most preferably the arcuate hose retention member extends between the right angled arms of the frame.

In one embodiment of the invention the hose support arrangement comprises clamping means at the distal end of the vertical arms of the frame where the frame is attached to the upper end of the hose retention member. Preferably the clamping means comprise a quick release clamp. Most preferably the clamping means retain a 10 hose in position in the hose retention member.

In one embodiment of the invention the lower end of the arcuate hose retention member extends substantially below' the horizontal arms of the frame.

In one embodiment of the invention the base member is substantially planar comprising an elongated supporting arm. The base member may comprise two parallel arms extending perpendicular to the elongated supporting arm.

In another embodiment of the invention the frame is pivotally attached to the base 20 member.

In one embodiment of the invention the frame is substantially triangular in shape. Preferably the hose retention member is circular in shape and pivotally mounted on the triangular frame.

Brief Description of the In vention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description, thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of a hose support arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a further side perspective view of the hose support arrangement of Fig, 1; Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of a hose support arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the hose support arrangement according to Fig. 3 with a hose in position over an opening; Fig. 5 is a further side perspective view of the hose support arrangement according to Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of the hose support arrangement according to Fig. 3 with the hose retention member in a tilted position; Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of a hose support arrangement according to another embodiment of the inventi on; Fig. 8 is a side perspective view of a hose support arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 9 is a further side perspective view of a hose support arrangement according to Fig. 8; Detailed description The invention provides an apparatus for supporting a flexible hose. Large flexible 5 hoses are cumbersome to use and typically suffer from a lot of wear and tear as a result of where and how they are used and how they are required to be positioned.

For example hoses which currently are used to facilitate the emptying of slurry pits to a mobile slurry tanker are cumbersome and suffer from a lot of wear and tear resulting in cracking of the hose. This generally happens when the hose is in contact with the side of slurry pits and over time the resultant vibrations and forces results in the degradation of the hose. The position of the hose can often be required to be at an awkward angle for ease of access which adds to the strain on the hose. Such hoses, during use, also often suffer from kinking and collapse due to the heavy weights applied on them when an external suction means is applied such as from a mobile slurry tanker or impeller pump.

The hose support arrangement of the present invention provides support for a large hose which results in less strain, on the hose and eases the burden on the operator to better position the hose. The hose support arrangement of the invention is directed towards providing support for large flexible hoses and ensuring an uninterrupted flow of liquid through the hose. The hose support arrangement facilitates the most efficient passage of liquids through the hose while preserving the integrity and life of the hose.

The hose support arrangement eliminates the wear and tear on a hose from friction and kinking. It provides a more stable platform from which to work for the operator regardless of where or how the hose is required to be positioned. It has securing means to hold the hose securely in place within the hose support. It also may have a tilting mechanism to assist the operator when connecting the hose to for example a slurry tanker or an impeller pump intake point.

The hose support arrangement of the invention prevents a hose from collapsing at the point where it hangs over the edge of a wall, cattle slats or when hanging down through a manhole. At this point there is a heavy load or weight applied on a hose in a vertical pull down load when suction is applied to the hose by means of a vacuum tanker or by other means. As it pulls contents from the tank it is sucking out and especially when the tank is nearly empty this vertical load on a large diameter hose can cause the hose to flatten out at the point where the hose leaves the floor level, 5 normally on a concrete flat edge such as on concrete cattle slats or a concrete manhole etc. The hose support arrangement of the invention cradles the hose at this point to cany the load and prevent the hose from leaving its normal round shape. It prevents the hose from flattening out and therefore prevents any restriction in the flow of slurry or liquid etc through the hose.

As shown in Fig. 1 the hose support arrangement 1 comprises a frame 2 having a hose retention member 3 mounted on the frame 2. The hose retention member 3 is substantially arcuate in shape and comprises a plurality of bars 4 which are curved to fit around or substantially encircle a length of cylindrical hose. The bars 4 can grip 15 into the ribs on a slurry suction hose to prevent the hose from slipping.

The frame 2 is L shaped having two arms 5 extending vertically and two arms 6 extending horizontally, the arms extending substantially at right angles to one another. The arcuate hose retention member 3 is positioned between the distal ends of the 20 vertical 5 and horizontal arms 6 of the frame 2. The hose retention member 3 extends slightly beyond the end of the horizontal arms 6 giving additional support to a hose w'hen the hose support arrangement 1 is located beside a concrete manhole or cattle slat in the ground and the hose is hanging down into the manhole or slat.

The base member is substantially planar comprising an elongated arm 7 which extends outwardly on either side of the frame 2. The frame 2 is attached in the centre of the elongated arm 7 so that the base member provides support to the frame 2 and hose retention member 3. A second base member 8 is located below the two horizontal arms 6 of the frame 2 close to the distal end of the arms to provide a base 30 support, As shown in Fig. 3 the base member may additionally comprise two parallel arms 9 which extend perpendicular to the elongated arm 7 and are connected to the base member 8. In this embodiment the frame may be pivotally attached to the base member. A pivot 10 allows the frame to rotate on the base member 7. As shown more clearly in Fig. 6 the hose retention member 3 may be tilted to assist an operator when connecting the hose to for example a slurry tanker intake point.

A clamp 11 at an upper end of the hose retention member 3 holds and secures the hose 12 in position. The clamp 11 secures the hose 12 but is not intended to necessarily impede longitudinal movement of the hose while it is draped along the hose retention member 3. The clamp 11 is a quick release clamp mechanism which allows the clamp to be easily opened and closed. The clamp may be easily adjusted to accommodate hoses of different size.

Fig. 7 shows another type of hose retention member which may be used. In this case the hose retention member comprises a roller type arrangement. It has a series of rollers 15 having an hour glass shape. A hose can slide smoothly along the rollers 15. The rollers also help in manoeuvring a hose into the correct position. The frame 16 is attached to a base member 17.

As shown in Figs 8 and 9 the hose retention member may be circular in shape. In this case the frame 18 is substantially triangular shaped. A circular hose retention member 19 is pivotally mounted between the two arms of the frame 18 at the apex 20 of the triangular frame. The frame 18 is attached to base members 21.

In use the hose support arrangement of the invention is placed in a suitable position so that the base member provides a secure base for the hose retention member mounted on the frame. Preferably the base member is located on a suitably flat surface, however the base member may be located anywhere so long as it is able to provide a secure platform for the frame. A hose is passed along the hose retention member and may be secured in position with clamp means. If required the hose retention member may be tilted on its frame to access the entry point for the end of the hose or to direct the hose in a particular direction.

The hose support arrangement of the present invention has many applications. It may be used to support and/or elevate a hose at any point along the length of a hose in order to position a hose to avoid obstructions etc. It may be used to support and/or elevate a hose when loading water from, rivers or for use by fire brigades to support hoses for example. A series of hose support arrangements of the invention may be used.

Any suitable material may be used in the manufacture of the hose support arrangement of the invention. The main requirement is that the material is strong and durable. It preferably has a durable coating to protect the operating parts/mechanics from weathering and corrosion.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein before described which may be varied in detail.

Claims (6)

Claims

1, A portable hose support arrangement comprising; a frame; 5 a base member supporting the frame; and a hose retention member mounted on the frame, wherein the frame is detachably mounted onto the base member and wherein the hose retention member comprises a series of bars or rollers, each bar or roller curved to fit around or substantially encircle a length of hose during use.

2. A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bars on the hose retention member are arcuate in shape. 3, A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rollers on the 15 hose retention member have a substantially hour glass shape. 4, A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the hose retention member is substantially arcuate in shape. 20 5. A hose support arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is substantially L shaped with arms extending at right angles.

3. 6. A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein two arms extend horizontally and two arms extend vertically.

4. 7. A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim. 5 or 6 wherein the arcuate hose retention member extends between the right angled arms of the frame. 8, A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the lower end of 30 the arcuate hose retention member extends substantially below the horizontal arms of the frame. 9, A hose support arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base member is substantially planar comprising an elongated supporting arm.

5. 10. A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein the base member further comprises two parallel arms extending perpendicular to the elongated supporting arm. 5 11. A hose support arrangement as claimed as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the frame is pivotally attached to the base member. 12, A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 6 comprising clamping means at the distal end of the vertical arms of the frame where the frame is attached 10 to the upper end of the hose retention member.

6. 13. A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 12 wherein the clamping means comprises a quick release clamp. 15 14. A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame is substantially triangular in shape. 15, A hose support arrangement as claimed in claim 14 wherein the hose retention member is circular in shape and pivotally mounted on the triangular frame.