IT202100016907A1 - HOSE REEL FOR FLAT HOSE AND ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A FLAT HOSE REEL AND A FLAT HOSE - Google Patents

Description

HOSE REEL FOR FLAT HOSE AND ASSEMBLY CONTAINING A FLAT HOSE REEL AND A FLAT HOSE

DESCRIPTION

Field of application

The present invention ? generally applicable to the technical sector of hose reels, and has particularly for object a portable hose reel for a flat flexible hose, in particular a garden hose, as well as an assembly comprising such a hose reel and a flat hose.

State of the art

Hose reels are known, for example for flat flexible garden hoses described in particular in the Applicant's international application PCT/IB2020/061026, typically consisting of a central mandrel with a crank to allow the hose to be wound or unwound.

However, these known hose reels tend to compress the incompletely unwound hose, once filled with water, with possible damage to it.

Furthermore, these hose reels are typically bulky.

In addition, hose reels are known, typically for fire hoses, with circular sections to support the hose and expandable radially, as particularly described in documents US2533432, US2071731, US2526984, US2777646.

In particular, the hose? interposed between two sections and the radial movement of the latter facilitates the unwinding of the hose itself and at the same time minimizes the impact of water hammer on the portion of the pipe still wound, caused by the flow of water flowing inside.

Specifically, the circular sections move between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration in which the sections are at least partially overlapping.

However, complete collapse of the sections damages the portion of pipe compressed between them.

Presentation of the invention

Purpose of the present invention? at least partially overcome the drawbacks illustrated above, providing a highly efficient and relatively inexpensive hose reel for flat flexible hoses.

Another purpose of the present invention? that of providing a hose reel that allows the use of a partially unwound flat flexible hose, protecting it from possible damage.

A further object of the present invention ? that of providing a hose reel which does not damage the flat hose when wound up.

These purposes, as well as others that will be more? clarified later, are reached by a hose reel and / or by an assembly having one or more? of the features described, illustrated and/or claimed herein.

The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1A ? an axonometric view of the hose reel 1 in the third embodiment;

FIG. 1B ? an axonometric view of the assembly 2 of flat hose T and hose reel 1 in the third embodiment, in which ? the accessible portion 48 is visible;

FIG. 2 ? an exploded view of the hose reel 1 in the third embodiment provided with a fitting R;

FIG.3 ? a side view of the hose reel 1 in the three embodiments;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are sectional views along a plane I-I of the assembly 2 in which the hose reel 1 ? in the third embodiment, with tube T empty and full of water respectively;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are sectional views along a plane I-I of the assembly 2 in which the hose reel 1 is in the third embodiment, with a portion P of pipe T still wound respectively empty and full of water, in which ? is the misalignment of the surfaces 23 particularly visible? and 23?? with respect to the X axis;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are sectional views along a plane I-I of the assembly 2 in which the hose reel 1 is in the first embodiment, with tube T empty and full of water, respectively.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention With reference to the cited figures, a hose reel 1 is described for flat hoses T which can be connected to a water consumer via a fitting R, per se? known.

However, it is understood that the hose reel 1 could be used with any type of pipe without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

On the other hand, the present invention ? particularly advantageous for flat type pipes.

It is also understood that the hose reel 1 could be portable and / or fixed to the wall using a fixing system in s? known and / or may be equipped with wheels and possibly a handle to define in this case a hose reel trolley, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

The present invention could include various similar or equal parts and/or elements. Where not otherwise specified, similar or equal parts and/or elements will be indicated with a single reference number, it being understood that the technical characteristics described are common to all similar or equal parts and/or elements.

In particular, the hose reel 1 could be used to wind and unwind a portion P of tube T.

This portion P will be able correspond to the entire length of the tube T or to a part of it.

In general, the hose reel 1 can include a rotating element 100 for winding and unwinding the tube T.

The revolving element 100 could? rotate around an X axis to allow the P portion to be wound and unwound.

Advantageously, the rotating element can include first and second support elements 101, 102 which rotate integrally about the X axis.

The two support elements 101, 102 may include a respective curved contact surface 23?, 23?? for the portion P of the wrapped pipe.

The latter can be coaxial with respect to the X axis, or the latter will be? the axis around which both surfaces 23? and 23?? they will be able to rotate together.

Preferably, one or both of the support elements 101, 102 can be movable with respect to a radial direction with respect to the X axis.

In other words, the support elements 101, 102 can be movable with respect to a direction perpendicular to the X axis itself.

In this way, the same support elements 101, 102 will be able to pass between a retracted position in which the surfaces 23?, 23?? are proximal to each other, i.e. they have a minimum reciprocal distance, and an extended position in which the surfaces 23?, 23?? they are distal to each other, i.e. they have a maximum mutual distance.

In particular, the filling with water and the emptying from the latter of the P actuer portion? the radial movement with respect to the X axis of one or both elements 101, 102 between the aforementioned extended and retracted positions.

Both in the extended position and in the retracted position, the surfaces 23? and 23?? they can remain spaced, i.e. without overlapping portions.

In this way, the portion P supported by these will not be? compressed between them. Consequently, possible damage to the tube T during winding / unwinding and / or when ? at least partially filled with water.

In particular, when the elements 101, 102 are in the retracted position, the surfaces 23? and 23?? can remain spaced apart by a minimum distance, for example 3 cm, while when the elements 101, 102 are in the extended position, they can remain spaced apart by a maximum distance d, for example 8 cm, to allow accessibility? between them by a user.

For this purpose, the elements 101, 102 may have an internal compartment 25 which allows the user to connect the pipe T and the fitting R.

In addition, the edges of surfaces 23?, 23?? can be rounded, in such a way as to further reduce the possibility? to damage the tube T.

Advantageously, one or both surfaces 23?, 23?? can I comprising a guide portion 21 or a pair of guide portions 21 for winding the first coils of the connected pipe T.

In particular, each portion 21 will be able to have an elongated semi-cylindrical shape and can have rounded edges so as to prevent any damage to the wrapped portion P.

In particular, if both surfaces 23?, 23?? include the portion 21, you can? obtain an overall configuration of ?X? to allow portion P to be wound clockwise or counterclockwise.

Furthermore, each portion 21 will be able to include elastomeric glide means, such as a foil made of SEBS, TPO, TPV, SBS or other thermoplastic elastomers.

In this way, it will be Is it possible to further reduce the possible damage caused to the portion P during its winding / unwinding due to contact with the surfaces 23? and 23??.

According to another particular example, the elements 101, 102 could be made with materials containing PTFE or other low friction coefficient additives, to reduce the friction during the winding / unwinding of the portion P, in particular if full of water, and limit its wear.

Advantageously, the hose reel 1 can also include two flanges 40? and 40?? which each have an internal surface 41.

The flanges 40? and 40?? can they be coupled respectively with two half-shells 49? and 49??, which are in turn coupled with two external 490? and 490??.

In particular, the latter may have a visible surface 44.

Preferably, the flanges 40? and 40?? they can be made of polypropylene, ABS, PC/ABS, PC, PMMA, PA, POM, or materials containing PTFE or other low friction coefficient additives in order to reduce possible wear of the P portion.

For example, the materials may possibly be reinforced with glass fibers or another type of filler.

In this way, the structure obtained will be particularly resistant and light.

Could the elements 101, 102 be connected to the two side flanges 40? and 40??, in particular at the inner surface 41 of the latter, as particularly explained below.

The two half shells 49? and 49?? can be joined together directly or by means of a joint element 47 in such a way that half-shells 49? and 49?? and element 47 define a semi-closed shell, with the only opening 48 from which it can? come out of the tube T to be grabbed by a user.

On the other hand, the half shells 49? and 49?? and the 490 disks? and 490?? they will be able to protect a not particularly careful user during the use of the hose reel 1 and in particular during the handling of one or both elements 101, 102.

According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, a flange 40? can I be connected to a crank 43 so that its movement corresponds to the rotation of the elements 101, 102 around the X axis.

In particular, the crank 43 will be able to be of the collapsible type to rest on the outer surface 44 of the outer disk 490? and help make hose reel 1 even more compact.

Preferably, the other flange 40?? can I present an? opening 45 for the fitting R of type in s? known, connected or connectable with the pipe T and with a water user.

According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the elements 101, 102 could include end portions 22 so that surfaces 23? and 23?? are interposed between them.

In that case, the surfaces 41 of the flanges 40?, 40?? may include housing areas 46, for example parallelepiped or cylinder-shaped recesses, which define the stroke for the end portions 22 of the mobile element.

However, it is understood that the housing areas 46 may have any other shape without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Advantageously, the housing areas 46 and the end portions 22 can be counter-shaped.

Consequently, during the radial movement of one or both elements 101, 102, the same portions 22 will be able to slide along the recesses 46 in such a way as to prevent the portion P of pipe T from coming out of its seat, i.e. from the contact surfaces 23 ? and 23??.

In this case, in fact, would the pipe T be damaged due to its interposition between the elements 101, 102 and the flanges 40? and 40?? during winding / unwinding.

Advantageously, the hose reel 1 can include elastic contrast means 30 which interact with the support elements 101, 102, during movement of the movable support element.

The contrasting elastic means 30 could be for example a pair of springs 31?, in the case of a single movable support element, or two pairs of springs 31?, 31?? if both elements 101 and 102 are movable.

For example, springs 31?, 31?? may be made of stainless steel, with a rest length of 115 - 230 mm, in which the minimum corresponds to the case in which there is only one mobile support element and the maximum to the case in which both support elements are mobile, diameter average of 12.5 mm and steel wire diameter of 1.6 mm.

Also, the springs 31?, 31?? can have a length equal to 65 - 130 mm when the elements 101 and 102 are in the extended position and a length equal to 40 ? 80 mm when they are in the retracted position, in which the minimums correspond to the case in which there is only one mobile support element and the maximums to the case in which both support elements are mobile.

However, it is understood that the springs 31?, 31?? they may have a dimensioning different from the one described above by way of example without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

It is further understood that the springs 31? can be sized differently from each other and with respect to the springs 31??, and vice versa, so as to ensure a different behavior of the elastic contrast means 30 in response to the pressure exerted by the portion P on the surfaces 23? and 23??.

In other words, for example, surface 23? can I misalign with respect to the X axis with a different misalignment angle ?, measured as the angle of inclination of the geometric X axis?? defined by the same surface 23? with respect to the axis of rotation X, depending on the compression of one or the other spring 31?.

Similarly, the surface 23?? can I misalign with respect to the X axis with a different misalignment angle ?, measured as the angle of inclination of the geometric X axis?? defined by the same surface 23?? with respect to the axis of rotation X, depending on the compression of one or the other spring 31??.

In addition, the surfaces 23? and 23?? they will be able to offset each other in a different and independent way.

In the embodiments described below, element 101 will be? a saddle 20? which includes surface 23?.

Saddle 20? can I be the only movable element with respect to the X axis, as described in the first and second embodiment.

According to a first embodiment, particularly illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B the element 102 could? be a spindle 10? with portions d? end? 1000? and 1001? that develops along an X axis? parallel to the X axis or coincident with it, as illustrated in FIG.

6A, and can be rotatable around the latter integrally with the saddle 20?.

If so, spindle 10? can I include surface 23?? for the winding of the P portion.

Preferably, the 10 spindle? will not be can be moved radially with respect to the X axis.

In order to mate the flanges 40? and 40?? and the mandrel 10?, the hose reel 1 can? include connecting means 42 and 12.

For example, the connecting means 42 could be made at the internal surfaces 41, while the connecting means 12 could be made at the end portions 1000? and 1001?.

According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the connection means 42 and 12 could be snap-action.

For example, there could be pins 12 and counter-shaped housings 42. In this way, the connection between the flanges 40? and 40?? and spindle 10? will be rapid and they will be able to define a unitary assembly.

Advantageously, the rotating element 100 can include a pair of 13 cylinders? coupled to spindle 10? and facing the portions d? extremity? 22 of the saddle 20?.

In other words, 13 cylinders? will be interposed between saddle 20? and the spindle 10?.

It is also understood that the cylinders 13? can they be made at any portion of the mandrel 10? without thereby leaving the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Advantageously, each portion of? end? 22 of the saddle 20? can I include a?buttonhole 220? of mean diameter ?2.

On the other hand, the cylinders 13? they can develop along Y axes perpendicular to the X axis and can have an average diameter ?1 substantially smaller than the diameter ?2.

Thus, the buttonholes 220? will be able to slide along the cylinders 13?, as described below.

Advantageously, the pair of springs 31? can I be fitted on cylinders 13?.

It is understood, therefore, that the cylinders 13? will they be guide cylinders for the same springs 31? to interact with them.

At the same time, the portions d? end? 22 of the saddle 20? could they be abutment portions for the springs 31? to interact with them.

On the other hand, the portions of? extremity? 22 of spindle 10? could they be part of the extremities? 1000? and 1001? and may be the portions facing the cylinders 132, as illustrated in FIG.6B.

In particular, when the portion P will come? progressively filled with water, saddle 20? can I move along a radial direction with respect to the X axis, under the weight of the portion P which will progressively expand.

The springs 31? will be compressed and the portions 22 of the saddle 20? will approach the portions 22 of the mandrel 10?.

It is understood that even just one spring can compress, i.e. the springs will be able to compress independently of each other so as to accommodate the tension generated by the expanding portion P and avoid possible damage.

In other words, surface 23? will be can be disassembled with respect to the X axis as described above.

It is understood that the buttonholes 220? and the 13 cylinders? will allow this misalignment thanks to their sizing mentioned above, in which the diameter of the first ? greater than the diameter of the seconds.

In other words, the 220 buttonholes? and the 13 cylinders? will be able to define means for the misalignment of the surface 23?.

In this way, it will be possible to preserve the expanding tube T, and in particular the wrapped portion P, from possible damage.

Indeed, the springs 31? will they be sized to compress under the weight of the P portion filled with water and to support the same P portion when ? empty.

In a second and third embodiment, element 102 is a saddle 20?? and each saddle 20?, 20?? can I have a symmetrical configuration with respect to a plane ?2 perpendicular to the median plane ?1.

Preferably, saddles 20?, 20?? will be able to rotate together around the axis X which lies on the plane ?1.

Also, the saddle 20?? can I include curved surface 23??.

In the second embodiment, the saddle 20?? Not ? radially movable with respect to the X axis.

Therefore, all the considerations made in relation to the spindle 10? of the first embodiment, will they be valid for saddle 20?? as the same will have? same behaviour, without thereby leaving the scope of protection of the attached claims.

In particular, the cylinders 13?, placed between the saddles 20? and 20?? they can be built on the latter or they can be coupled with it to form a unitary assembly.

According to a third embodiment, particularly illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, the element 102 is? a saddle 20?? radially mobile with respect to the X axis.

Furthermore, the rotating element 100 could include a 10 spindle?? placed between the saddles 20? and 20??, with portions of? ends? 1000?? and 1001??.

In other words, spindle 10?? can I rotate around the X axis, passing through the latter, integrally with the saddles 20? and 20??, facing spindle 10?? same.

Advantageously, the mandrel 10?? can I have windows 14 to lighten the overall structure of the hose reel 1 and to allow the discharge of any fluid poured into the hose reel 1 during the coupling and uncoupling phase of the fitting R.

To this end, spindle 10?? and the saddles 20? and 20?? could be connected to allow integral rotation around the X axis on the one hand and radial movement of the saddles 20? on the other? and 20?? relative to the X axis between the extended and retracted positions.

Advantageously, the mandrel 10?? can I include cylinder pairs 13?, 13?? symmetrical with respect to planes ?1 and ?2.

Preferably, cylinders 13?, 13?? can they be made at the ends? 1000?? and 1001?? to be facing the portions d? extremity? 22 of the saddles 20?, 20?? as particularly illustrated in FIG.2.

However, it is understood that also in this case the cylinders 13?, 13?? can be made at any portion of the mandrel 10?? without thereby leaving the scope of protection of the attached claims.

Saddle 20?? can I include all the characteristics listed in reference to saddle 20?.

Consequently, each portion of? extremity? 22 of the saddle 20?? can I include a?buttonhole 220?? of mean diameter ?2.

On the other hand, the cylinders 13?? they can develop along Y axes perpendicular to the X axis and can have an average diameter ?1 substantially smaller than the diameter ?2.

Thus, the buttonholes 220?? will be able to slide along the cylinders 13??, as described below.

Advantageously, can the elastic means 30 include the pair of springs 31? fit on cylinders 13? and a pair of springs 31?? fit on cylinders 13??.

Again, cylinders 13?? will be guide cylinders for the same springs 31??.

At the same time, the portions d? end? 22 of the saddle 20?? could they be abutment portions for the springs 31?? to interact with them.

In particular, when the portion P will come? progressively filled with water, both saddles 20?, 20?? they will be able to move along a radial direction with respect to the X axis, under the weight of the portion P which will progressively expand.

The springs 31? and 31?? will be compressed and the portions 22 of the saddles 20?, 20?? will approach spindle 10??.

It will be understood that, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the springs 31? and 31?? they will be able to compress independently two by two so as to accommodate the tension generated by the expanding portion P and avoid possible damage.

In other words, the surfaces 23? and 23?? they can be disassembled independently with respect to the X axis as described above.

Again, the buttonholes 220?, 220?? and cylinders 13?, 13?? will they allow this misalignment and will they be able to define the means for the misalignment of the surfaces 23? and 23??.

In this embodiment, the flanges 40? and 40?? can they be coupled to spindle 10?? and in this way they will be connected to the saddles 20?, 20??.

Therefore the above considerations made in relation to the connection between the mandrel 10? of the first embodiment and the flanges 40?, 40??, will also apply with particular reference to the mandrel 10??.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can an assembly 2 is provided which includes a hose reel 1 as described above in the three embodiments and a flat hose T which can be connected to the water utility.

In addition, the assembly 2 will be able to include a fitting R connected to the pipe T and inserted through the opening 45 present in one of the flanges 40? and 40??to connect with T-tube.

In the light of the foregoing, it is understood that the invention achieves the intended aims.

The invention? susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. All the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to requirements, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims (12)

1. A hose reel for a flat flexible hose (T), for example a garden hose that can be connected to a water user by means of a fitting (R), comprising a rotating winding / unwinding element (100) which can be rotated around a first axis ( X) to allow the winding / unwinding of at least one portion (P) of the tube (T), said rotating element (100) comprising at least a first and a second support element (101, 102) integrally rotating around said first axis (X), which include a respective first and second contact surfaces (23?, 23??) for at least one wrapped tube portion (P); wherein at least one of said at least first and second support elements (101, 102) is movable along a radial direction with respect to said first axis (X) so that said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) pass between a mutually extended position and a mutually retracted one, in which it is in said extended position both in said retracted position said first and second contact surfaces (23?, 23??) remain mutually spaced to prevent said at least one portion (P) of tube from being compressed therebetween. The hose reel according to claim 1, wherein when said at least one first and second support elements (101, 102) are in said extended position, said first and second contact surfaces (23?, 23??) remain mutually spaced of a predetermined distance (d) to define a compartment (25) accessible by a user and allow the pipe (T) and the fitting (R) to be mutually connected. 3. A hose reel according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pair of side flanges (40?, 40??) integrally connected with said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) so that the latter are interposed between the first ones to laterally delimit said first and second contact surfaces (23?, 23??). 4. Hose reel according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising elastic contrast means (30) interacting with said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) when moving said at least one of said at least one first and a second support member (101, 102). 5. Hose reel according to the preceding claim, wherein the contact surfaces (23?, 23??) of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) are substantially coaxial with respect to said first axis (X) of rotation, when moving said at least one of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102), the contact surface (23?, 23??) of the latter being disaxable with respect to the same first axis (X), being provided means for the offset (13?, 13??; 220?, 220??) interacting with said elastic contrast means (30). 6. A hose reel according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said rotating element (100) includes at least a first pair of cylindrical guide elements (13?) having a first predetermined average diameter (?1) interposed between said at least one first and one second support element (101, 102), said elastic contrast means (30) including at least a first pair of springs (31?) fitted on said cylindrical guide elements (13?) and defining second parallel axes (Y) and substantially perpendicular to said first axis (X), said at least one of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) comprising at least one pair of first abutment portions (22) interacting with the springs of said at least one first pair of springs (31?) when moving said at least one of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102). 7. Hose reel according to claim 6, wherein the springs of said at least one first pair of springs (31?) have a different sizing with respect to each other to allow a different misalignment of the contact surface (23?, 23? ?) of said at least one of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) with respect to said first axis (X) in correspondence with each spring of said at least one first pair of springs (31?). 8. A hose reel according to claim 5 and 6 or 7, wherein said means for offsetting (13?, 13??; 220?, 220??) include said first pair of cylindrical guide elements (13?) and a first pair of slots (220?) having a second predetermined average diameter (?2) substantially greater than said first diameter (?1) made in correspondence with the first abutment portions (22) of said at least one of said at least one first and a second support element (101, 102), said slots (220?) and said cylindrical guide elements (13?) mutually sliding one on top of the other in a two-by-two independent manner upon movement of said at least one of said at least a first and a second support element (101, 102) to allow the contact surface (23?, 23??) of the latter to be offset with respect to the same first axis (X). 9. Hose reel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein also the other of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102)? furthermore movable in the radial direction with respect to said first axis (X), the contact surface (23??) of the latter being also disaxable with respect to said first axis (X) upon radial movement of said other between said at least one first and second support element (101, 102), each of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) interacting independently with said elastic contrast means (30) in such a way that said first and second contact surfaces (23?, 23??) are disaxable independently with respect to said first axis (X). The hose reel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one first and second support elements (101, 102) are or include respectively at least one first and second support saddle (20?, 20??), these the latter being opposite with respect to a first median plane (?1) on which said first axis (X) lies. 11. Hose reel according to the preceding claim, wherein said rotating element (100) comprises a mandrel (10??) interposed between said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) integrally rotatable with the latter around said first axis (X), said rotatable element (100) including at least a second pair of cylindrical guide elements (13??) interposed between said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) in such a way that said mandrel ( 10??) is mutually coupled with said at least one first and second pair of cylindrical guide elements (13?, 13??), said other of said at least one first and second support element (101, 102) comprising at least a pair of second abutment portions (22) with respective second slots (220??), said elastic contrast means (30) including at least a second pair of springs (31??) fitted on said second cylindrical guide elements (13 ??) and interacting with said second abutment portions (22), said means for misalignment (13?, 13??; 220?, 220??) including said second cylindrical guide elements (13??) and said second slots (220??). 12. A hose reel and garden hose assembly connectable to a water utility, comprising: - a flat flexible pipe (T) which can be connected to the water connection; - a hose reel in accordance with one or more? of claims 1 to 11.