Spring biased retractable hoses
AssigneeRanger Technology Corporation
InventorGary Dean Ragner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An extendable and retractable pressure hose can be constructed comprising an input connector, an output connector, an elastic inner hose, an outer cover, and one or more portions of the elastic inner hose engaged with the outer cover and disposed between the first and second ends of the hose. In such a hose, the input connector and output connector can be connected to each end of elastic inner hose and outer cover.
Claims18
A hose having a first end and a second end configured to extend when an extending force exceeds a retracting force and to retract when the retracting force exceeds the extending force, the hose comprising:
- a) a tube-shaped outer cover with an extended length, a retracted length and a natural inside diameter, wherein:
- i) the outer cover can longitudinally extend to the extended length and longitudinally retract to the retracted length;
- and
- ii) the outer cover is adapted to maintain a convoluted shape at both the retracted length and the extended length;
- b) a biasing coil capable of stretching to at least two times its natural length and having a tendency to return to its natural length when stretched, wherein:
- i) the biasing coil is disposed inside of the outer cover and has a natural outside diameter which is greater than the natural inside diameter of the outer cover;
- and
- ii) the retracting force is generated by the tendency of the biasing coil to return to its natural length when stretched;
- c) a water tight inner hose disposed inside of the biasing coil;
- d) an input connector attached to the outer cover at the first end of the hose and designed to be removably attached to a source of pressurized fluid;
- and
- e) an output connector attached to the outer cover at the second end of the hose and designed to removably connect to a flow restricting device.
A method of using a retractable hose having a first end and a second end, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing the retractable hose, the retractable hose comprising:
- i) a tube-shaped outer cover with an extended length, a retracted length and a natural inside diameter, wherein:
- 1. the outer cover can longitudinally extend to the extended length and longitudinally retract to the retracted length;
- and
- 2. the outer cover is adapted to maintain a convoluted shape at both the retracted length and the extended length;
- ii) a biasing coil capable of stretching to at least two times its natural length and having a tendency to return to its natural length when stretched, wherein:
- 1. the biasing coil is disposed inside of the outer cover and has a natural outside diameter which is greater than the natural inside diameter of the outer cover;
- and
- 2. the retracting force is generated by the tendency of the biasing coil to return to its natural length when stretched;
- iii) a water tight inner hose disposed inside of the biasing coil;
- iv) an input connector attached to the outer cover at the first end of the hose;
- and
- v) an output connector attached to the outer cover at the second end of the hose;
- and
- b) removably attaching the input connector to a source of pressurized fluid.
A retractable hose having a first end and a second end configured to extend when an extending force exceeds a retracting force and to retract when the retracting force exceeds the extending force, the retractable hose comprising:
- a) a tube-shaped outer cover with an extended length, a retracted length and a natural inside diameter, wherein the outer cover is a woven outer cover comprising:
- i) one or more yarns woven substantially radially within the outer cover;
- and
- ii) a plurality of yarns woven substantially longitudinally within the outer cover;
- wherein:
- 1. the outer cover can longitudinally extend to the extended length and longitudinally retract to the retracted length;
- and
- 2. the outer cover is adapted to maintain a convoluted shape at both the retracted length and the extended length;
- b) a biasing coil capable of stretching to at least two times its natural length and having a tendency to return to its natural length when stretched, wherein:
- i) the biasing coil is disposed inside of the outer cover and has a natural outside diameter which is greater than the natural inside diameter of the outer cover;
- and
- ii) the retracting force is generated by the tendency of the biasing coil to return to its natural length when stretched;
- c) a water tight inner hose disposed between the biasing coil and the outer cover;
- d) an input connector attached to both the outer cover and the water tight inner hose at the first end of the retractable hose;
- and
- e) an output connector attached to both the outer cover and the inner hose at the second end of the retractable hose.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.