Hose reel apparatus and method

#The present invention relates generally to a portable hose reel apparatus for rolling fire hoses, and to a method for use thereof.

#Fire hoses are heavy by nature and can be difficult to roll up, particularly when water remnants remain in the fire hose. Since the fire hoses are heavy, they require a hose reel device to roll them up so that they can be stored. Some existing fire hose reel devices are portable, and allow for relatively easy rolling of the fire hose. One such existing device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,317 B1, comprises a main support, a hose reel having an axle, a crank, and a separate retainer. In order to roll a fire hose using that device, the retainer has to be pulled out from the hose reel. An end of the hose is then positioned between the rods of the retainer, and the retainer is reattached to the hose reel. The crank is then rotated, and the hose winds around the retainer. A hose rim attached to the hose reel keeps the hose in place as it is winded around the retainer.

#However, the available fire hose reel devices utilize an excess of components, thereby unduly increasing the cost of manufacturing the devices, increasing the time required to couple fire hoses to the devices, and increasing the complexity of their operation.

#FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view of one embodiment of a fire hose reel apparatus;

#FIG. 2 is an unassembled side view of the fire hose reel apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the fire hose reel apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with the fire hose reel apparatus being attached to an automobile hitch, showing the attachment of a fire hose to the hose reel;

#Referring to the drawings, and as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of a fire hose apparatus includes a support frame 10 having a lower portion 16 and an upper portion 22. The support frame 10 is preferably steel or another type of metal, but in alternative embodiments, could be manufactured from a hard plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the support frame 10 is one-piece, and the lower portion 16 and upper portion 22 are welded together. The welded one-piece support frame 10 drastically increases the strength, rigidity, and stability of the support frame 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the support frame 10 is in place, the lower portion 16 preferably extends horizontally, and the upper portion 22 preferably extends generally vertically. The cross-section 28 of the support frame 10 is preferably square, but in other embodiments, could consist of other shapes such as rectangular, or cylindrical. The square shape of the support frame 10, again drastically increases its strength, rigidity, and stability.

#As shown in FIG. 2, the lower portion 16 defines an aperture 34 extending radially from a first side 40 to a second side 46 of the lower portion 16. The aperture 34 is preferably cylindrical, but may comprise other shapes, such as rectangular, or polygonal. Similarly, the upper portion 22 defines an aperture 52 running radially from a first side 58 to a second side 64 of said upper portion 22. Again, the aperture 52 is preferably cylindrical, but may comprise other shapes, such as rectangular, or polygonal.

#As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment also includes a reel shaft 70 having a first end 76 and a second end 82. The reel shaft 70 is preferably cylindrical, comprised of metal, and one-piece. In alternative embodiments, the reel shaft 70 may be manufactured from other hardened materials such as plastic. The reel shaft 70 is extended through the aperture 52 in the upper portion 22 of the support frame 10. When in place, the first end 76 of the reel shaft 70 projects out of the aperture 52 on the second side 64 of the upper portion 22. Likewise, the second end 82 of the reel shaft 70 projects out of the aperture 52 on the first side 58 of the upper portion 22.