US 6,267,319 B1 · Method and apparatus for rolling up hose into an expanded hose coil

Abstract

A dual-mode hose roller including a crank and a mounting plate may be used to roll up collapsed hose into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil. The crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank to the desired type of hose winding. When a compact hose roll is desired, torque is transmitted directly to the hose. When an expanded hose coil is desired, torque is transmitted to the hose through the mounting plate and several extension arms. The extension arms are sized so that the hose roller forms an expanded hose coil having a suitable diameter for structural fire hose. The mounting plate is rotatably mounted on a fixed support through a bearing and, optionally, a ratchet mechanism. Using the hose roller, preparation is made for fighting a structural fire arranging a section of collapsed hose into a hose bundle. A section of hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil and arranged into a number of hose loops to form a hose bundle. The hose bundle may be stored in a box or hose compartment of a fire engine. When water pressure is applied to the hose bundle, it falls out of such a box to form an expanded hose coil.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A dual-mode apparatus capable of rolling up collapsed hose into either one of a compact hose roll and an expanded hose coil, the apparatus being adapted to allow use of a plurality of provided extension arms when rolling up collapsed hose into an expanded coil, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a removable crank having a handle and a forked shaft;
and
(b) a mounting plate rotatably mounted on a fixed support, the mounting plate having mechanical connection points for the crank and the plurality of extension arms, the crank and the fixed support being situated on opposite sides of the mounting plate;
whereby the removable crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank, through the forked shaft, to:
(1) a compact hose roll directly through a mechanical connection between the forked shaft and an end of a section of collapsed hose;
and
(2) an expanded hose coil through the mounting plate and the plurality of extension arms.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for rolling up hose into an expanded hose coil

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for rolling up hose into an expanded hose coil

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22