US3476139A

US3476139A - Hose winding reel

Info

Publication number: US3476139A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth R Guthrie
Original assignee: AAA Pipe Cleaning Corp
Current assignee: AAA Pipe Cleaning Corp
Priority date: 1967-06-30
Filing date: 1967-06-30
Publication date: 1969-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-04

Description

Nov. 4, 1969 K. R.GUTHR|E HOSE WINDING REEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30, 1967 I INVENTOR. KENNETH R. GUTHRIE ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 4, 1969 K. R. GUTHRIE HOSE WINDING REEL filer. June 32,

FIG.4

2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. KENNETH R.GUTHRIE W ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Cfifice 3,476,139 Patented Nov. 4, 1969 3,476,139 HOSE WINDING REEL Kenneth R. Guthrie, Bradford Heights, Ohio, assignor to AAA Pipe Cleaning Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of flhio Filed June 30, 1967, Ser. No. 659,433 Int. tCl. F161 3/16; B65h 75/00 U.S. Cl. 1137-35516 8 Qlairns ABSTRACT F THE DTSCLQSURE An improved hose winding reel assembly of the type including an elongated cylindrical winding member mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis on a shaft which defines a channel for supplying fluid from a first point outside the member to a second point inside the member and adjacent one end thereof. The improvement includes improved means for supplying the fluid from the second point to the outer surface of the winding member. These improved means include an outlet opening at the second point facing toward the opposite end of the member, and a flexible hose connected to the outlet and extending in a generally spiral fashion within the member to the opposite end where it exits through an opening in the member.

The present invention is directed toward the winding art and more particularly to an improved hose winding reel assembly of the type which permits fluid to be fed through a hose while the hose is being wound on or unwound from, the reel assembly.

The invention will be described with particular reference to its use in sewer cleaning and flushing operations wherein a high pressure water hose is fed into a sewer line and water under extremely high pressure discharged through a nozzle at the end of the hose to flush obstructions and debris from the sewer line. It is appreciated however, that the invention is capable of broader application and could be used wherever it is desired to feed fluid through a hose while the hose is being wound on, or unwound from a reel.

In the sewer cleaning art, it has become a comparatively common practice to clean sewer lines by the use of high pressure water jets. Generally, this is accomplished by use of a high pressure hose provided with a nozzle having rearwardly directed outlets. The nozzle is inserted into the sewer line at some convenient access opening, such as a manhole. Water under extremely high pressure, in the range of 900 psi. and higher, is supplied through the hose. The force of the water issuing from the nozzles rearwardly directed outlets pulls the hose through the sewer line and simultaneously flushes and cleans it.

Because quite often, the distance between available access openings is substantial, the hose must generally be over 300 feet in length. In order for such length of hose to be manageable during the feeding operation, a hose reel is provided which includes means for supplying water to the hose while it is being wound on, and unwound from, the reel.

In the past, the reels have included a conventional winding drum having an outer surface on which the hose was wound. The drum was provided with a central shaft in the form of a pipe. This pipe was mounted for rotation in suitable bearings and was connected through a swivel connection with a source of high pressure water. To supply the water from the central pipe to the hose wound on the drum, the pipe was provided with a T-fitting connected with a second pipe which extended radially outwardly just through the drum surface. A 90 elbow at the outer end of the second pipe was connected through a hose connection to the hose.

Several problems were present in the above-described hose reel construction. First, the connection between the elbow and the hose was subjected to high stress whenever the hose was completely unwound from the drum. Consequently, failure of the connector or hose at this point sometimes occurred with possible injury to the operator. Secondly, the protrusion of the elbow above the drum surface produced wear and abrasion on the hose wound thereon. Additionally, the protrusion produced uneven winding of the hose on the drum. Thirdly, the use of the T-fitting and elbow substantially increased the pressure drop in the water passing through the assembly. The pressure drop through a 2 or 3 inch diameter right angle fitting, such as a T or 90 elbow, is considered as equivalent to that occurring in 6 to 9 feet of straight pipe of the same diameter. Thus, the prior assemblies produced a material increase in pressure drop. And fourthly, flow through the right angle fittings tended to produce vibrations which were quite substantial in the high pressures and flow rates commonly employed in sewer cleaning operations.

The present invention provides a hose winding reel assembly which overcomes the above problems. Because of the unique arrangement of the assembly, undesirable wear on the hose is eliminated. Further, the pressure drop through the assembly is substantially less than in prior hose reels of the same general type.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an improved hose winding reel assembly of the type including an elongated cylindrical winding member mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis on a shaft which defines a channel for supplying fluid from a first point outside the member to a second point inside the member and adjacent one end thereof. The improvement includes improved means for supplying the fluid from the second point to the outer surface of the winding member. These improved means include an 0utlet opening at the second point facing toward the opposite end of the member, and a flexible hose connected to the outlet and extending in a generally spiral fashion within the member to the opposite end where it exits through an opening in the member.

In accordance with a more limited aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal shaft is continuous through the drum and the outlet opening is defined by a Y fitting mounted in the shaft.

With the hose reel formed in the described manner, the undesirable T-fittings and elbows are eliminated and the pressure drop through the assembly substantially reduced. Further, the arrangement permits the connecting hose to be exited from the member in a direction generally tangential with the outer surface thereof. Further, the connection between the hose and the shaft, which is generally the weak point in most systems, is within the winding member. Consequently, should the apparatus fail at this point, the operator cannot be injured because the parts are confined by the winding member.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a hose winding reel assembly of the general type described wherein pressure drop from the fluid passing through the assembly is substantially less than with prior assemblies.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a hose winding reel assembly wherein the hose is not subjected to unnecessary wear and abrasion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hose winding reel assembly which is designed so that if failure occurs between the hose connect and the supply pipe connection, the operator of the assembly will not be injured.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a hose winding reel assembly which is ruggedly constructed.

Yet another object is the provision of a hose winding reel assembly which can be inexpensively manufactured from conventional stock material.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial view, with portion broken away, showing the overall arrangement of a preferred embodiment of a hose reel assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the winding reel member utilized in the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of FIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 4 is a partial pictorial view showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIGURE 1 shows an overall arrangement of one embodiment of the improved hose reel assembly A mounted in cantilever fashion by a support framework B. A drive assembly C is provided for selectively rotating the winding assembly to payout or wind-in the hose which would be wound on the assembly.

As shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, the improved hose winding reel assembly A includes an elongated cylindrical winding member which defines the hose winding surface. As shown, member 10 is formed from two sections. A first section 10a has a circumferential extent of approximately 270", while a second section 1% completes the winding surface and is arranged to permit access to the center of member 10. Radially extending end plates 12 are welded to the opposite ends of section 10a and provide means for retaining the hose on the member 10. Section 1% is releasably connected to the end plates 12 by bolts and nuts 13 which pass through openings formed in end plates 12 and plate section 15 welded to ends of section 10b. Normally, the nuts are tack welded to the inside surface of plates 15 so that section 10b can be removed simply by unthreading the bolts for the outside of the winding reel asembly. Additionally, hand holes 17 are provided to facilitate removal of section 1012.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, end plates 12 are provided with an outwardly extending peripheral flange 14 which increases the resistance of the plates to bending. Further, the juncture between plates 12 and their peripheral flange 14 is curved as shown at 16 so as to reduce wear on the hose when it is fed on or removed from the hose reel at a substantial angle to the reels longitudinal axis.

Extending longitudinally through the center of the drum member 10 is shaft means 18. Shaft means 18 is welded to plates 12 where it passes therethrough. Conventional bearing members 22 connected to support frame assembly B by bolts 24 support the reel for free rotation about its longitudinal center line.

Of particular importance to the present invention is the arrangement provided to supply fluid to the hose wound on the winding member 10. In order to permit fluid to be supplied on the hose during rotation of the assembly, the right hand end portion 26 of shaft means 18 is formed from a pipe so as to provide a channel which allows fluid to be conducted from a first point outside the reel to a second point adjacent the right end of winding member 10. A conventional swivel connection 28 is attached to the right hand end of the pipe and supplied with high pressure water, such as for example through a hose 30 connected by a hose connection 32 to a swivel 28. The means provided to conduct the water from the pipe 26 to the hose would on the exterior of winding member 10 comprise an outlet forming means providing an outlet 33 which faces the opposite end of the winding member.

In the preferred embodiment of FIGURE 1, the outlet 33 is provided by a Y-fitting 34 screwed to the end of pipe 26. A solid shaft 36 forms the remaining portion of shaft means 18 and is provided with pipe threads at its right end for threaded connection with the through branch of Y member 34.

As discussed above, in the past, water was supplied from the center pipe to the surface of the winding reel by use of a T-fitting connected with a straight pipe section that extended radially from the T-fitting through the outer surface of the winding member. The outermost end of the straight pipe was provided with a elbow connected through a hose connected to the hose. The problems with this prior arrangement including high pressure drop, vibrations, and stress on the hose and connector, have been discussed in detail. The present invention overcomes these prior problems by eliminating the use of the T- fitting and connecting the hose or a short hose section 40 directly to the Y-branch of the Y-fitting by a conventional hose connector 38. An opening 42 is formed in winding member 10 at the end opposite fitting 34. This permits hose 40 to extend in a gentle spiral-like manner from connector 38 to opening 42 where it exits from winding member 10. As can readily be seen, this arrangement eliminates the high stresses which previously occurred on the connector and hose joined to the 90 elbow.

In order to prevent imposing sharp bends and stresses on the hose 40 where it passes through opening 42, opening 42 is contoured to provide a curved hose support surface as best shown in FIGURE 3. As shown, a guide portion 44 is arranged to provide a smooth guide surface for exit of the hose through the opening. Although member 44 could comprise a separate piece joined to the edge of opening 42, this member preferably is formed by merely making an L shaped cut 43 in the end of section 10a, and bending the thus formed tab inwardly to form member 44. Additionally, as shown in FIGURE 3, a reinforcing plate 46 is welded to the side of member 44 to give it the necessary rigidity. With member 44 curved as shown, the hose exits from the center of winding member 10 in a gentle are so as to be relatively tangential to the outer periphery of the winding member. Preferably, a hose clamp 48 is provided to clamp the hose to member 44 and prevent undue stress from being applied to the connector 38.

A variety of different arrangement could be utilized to support the reel assembly. However, according to the present invention, the assembly is preferably supported in cantilever arrangement by a support frame B constructed generally as shown in FIGURE 1. As shown, support frame B comprises a pair of vertically extending channel members 50 provided with brackets 51 at their lower ends for mounting the frame on any desired transporting unit such as a track or trailer. Horizontally extending channel members 52 are welded or otherwise positively connected to the upper ends of channels 50. The rear ends of member 52 are provided with holes 53 to allow the support frame to be connected to the transporting unit at the top as well as, at the bottom. A second pair of channel members 54 extend diagonally downward from the juncture of

members

50 and 52. The ends of members 54 are joined with the ends of

members

50 and 52 by braces 56.

As shown, the lower or outer ends of members 54 are each provided with an inwardly extending slot of a width to receive shaft means 18. This permits the reel assembly A to be removed from the support frame simply by removing bolts 24 and sliding the reel assembly and its mounting bearings 22 out of the frame.

Reel asembly A can be manually rotated or provided with power drive means. Preferably a drive assembly as shown in FIGURE 1 is utilized. As shown, this drive assembly includes a hydraulic motor 60 carried by frame assembly B and provided with hydraulic fluid from a source not shown. The output shaft of the hydraulic motor is provided with a sprocket 62 connected to a chain 64 with a sprocket 66 which is keyed or otherwise connected to the left end of shaft means -18. Any of a variety of control means can be utilized to control the energization of the motor.

A second embodiment of the reel assembly A is shown in FIGURE 4. This embodiment is identical in all respects to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 3, with the exception of the longitudinal shaft means and the internal hose connection arrangement. Accordingly, all element of the structure which are the same as those described with reference to the FIGURES 1 through 3 embodiment are identified with the same reference numeral with the addition of a prime suflix. The description of a corresponding FIGURES 1-3 element is to be considered equally applicable to FIGURE 4 unless otherwise noted.

According to the FIGURE 4 embodiment hose section 40' is connected directly to the end of pipe 26, thus, eliminating the Y fitting. Additionally, the central section of the shaft means is eliminated by terminating solid shaft 36 a short distance after it enters the member In order to compensate for the strength lost by the elimination of the center section of the shaft, cross braces 60 and 62 are provided. Brace 60 comprises a steel bar 61 which extends diagonally through member 10a and is welded at its opposite ends thereto. The bar is also welded to the end of a shaft 36'. Brace 62 comprises a similar steel bar 63 which is joined to the right hand end of member 10a. Further, bar 63 is welded to the right hand end plate 12 and to one side of pipe 26'. In this manner, the central shaft portion is eliminated and a structure having the advantages and strength of the FIGURE 1 embodiment provided.

The invention has been described in great detail sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the same.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An improved hose winding reel assembly of the type including an elongated cylindrical winding member mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis on a shaft which defines a channel for supplying fluid from a first point outside the member to a second point inside the member and adjacent one end thereof; the improvement comprising: improved means for supplying fluid from the second point to the outer surface of the winding member; said means including: first means forming an outlet opening at said second point facing generally toward the opposite end of said member, second means forming an opening through said winding member at said opposite end, and a flexible hose connected to said outlet opening and extending in generally spiral fashion within said member to said opposite end where it exits through said opening.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said 'first means include a Y-fitting joined to said shaft means at said second point.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said winding member includes means providing access to said second point.

4.'The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaft means includes a solid shaft extending longitudinally into said member and connected with a diagonally extending brace member.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means includes a hose support surface forming a continuation of the outer surface of said member.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said second means includes means for attaching said hose to said support surface.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaft includes a first solid portion extending from said second portion to said opposite end and wherein said channel is defined by a pipe.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein said first means comprises a Y-fitting positioned between said solid shaft portion and said pipe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,537,637 5/ 1925 Jarvis 137-35523 XR 1,971,165 8/1934 Parker l37-355.26 2,039,250 4/1936 Junge 137-355.26 XR 2,514,862 7/1950 Hannay 137355.2 2,573,868 11/1951 Newell 137-355.21 2,609,231 9/1952 Crawford 137355.12 2,615,755 10/1952 Crawford 137--355.26 3,199,529 8/1965 Fracassi 137355.26 3,225,974 12/1965 Athas 137355.l6 XR 3,306,213 2/1967 Fritz 137-355.16 XR SAMUEL SCOTT, Primary Examiner