Enclosure system for supporting a sink and hose reel assembly

Abstract

The instant invention combines the features of a sink and a hose reel for user convenience and space savings. The outer periphery of the device is surrounded by an enclosure for aesthetic appearance and internal storage. The sink is provided with a folding faucet and a cover plate which allows the top surface of the device to be utilized as a work table. The lower portion of the cabinet assembly is constructed and arranged to contain a hose storage reel. The reel employs a winding crank mounted near the top of the cabinet assembly and gears extend between the crank and the hose reel to minimize operator stooping when winding a hose about the reel. The reel may be provide with a low entry hose port which allows the hose to be pulled into the enclosure from near the bottom of the device to minimize the possibility of tipping the device during hose retrieval. The device is constructed and arranged for shipment in a disassembled state wherein the components may be snapped together without the need for additional fasteners or connectors. In addition, the combination sink and hose reel are provided with a folding handle assembly for reducing the shipping space required for shipping and storage of fully assembled devices.

1 . A sink and hose reel enclosure system comprising: 
 an enclosure comprising a base panel and at least side three panels, wherein said side panels include a left side panel for substantially enclosing the left side of said enclosure, a right side panel for substantially enclosing the right side of said enclosure and a front panel for substantially enclosing the front of said enclosure;    a sink constructed and arranged to be supported by an upper portion of at least two of said side panels, said sink constructed and arranged to substantially enclose the top portion of said enclosure, said sink including a faucet and a water control valve for controlling water flow to said faucet;    a hose reel assembly positioned between and rotatably supported by at least two of said side panels for rotation about a first axis of rotation, said hose reel assembly constructed and arranged to store a predetermined length of hose in a coiled configuration;    whereby said base panel, said left side panel, said right side panel and said front panel include integrally formed connectors constructed and arranged for snap-together assembly for mechanically secure connection therebetween, whereby said sink member is constructed and arranged to include integrally formed connectors for snap-together assembly to a top portion of said enclosure.    
   
   
       2 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 1  wherein said hose reel assembly includes a guide assembly for facilitating even distribution of a hose onto said hose reel.  
   
   
       3 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 2  wherein said guide assembly is positioned above an axis of rotation for said hose reel.  
   
   
       4 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 2  wherein said guide assembly is positioned below an axis of rotation for said hose reel to provide a low center of pulling force to the device while retrieving said hose.  
   
   
       5 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 1  wherein said hose reel assembly includes a crank assembly being rotatably mounted and extending outwardly with respect to one of said side panels, said crank assembly in mechanical engagement with said hose reel assembly, whereby rotation of said crank assembly causes rotation of said hose reel assembly about said axis of rotation.  
   
   
       6 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 5  wherein said hose reel assembly includes a crank assembly being rotatably mounted and extending outwardly with respect to one of said side panels for rotation about a second axis of rotation, wherein said second axis of rotation is positioned above said first axis of rotation to provide an elevated point of rotation for said crank assembly, said crank assembly in mechanical engagement with said hose reel assembly via a reel gear-train, whereby rotation of said crank assembly about said second axis causes rotation of said hose reel assembly about said first axis of rotation.  
   
   
       7 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 6  wherein said reel gear-train includes an input gear secured to said crank assembly for rotation therewith and a reel gear secured to said reel assembly for rotation therewith, wherein said input gear is directly meshed with said reel gear to provide direct gear powering therebetween, whereby rotation of said input gear provides rotation to said reel assembly.  
   
   
       8 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 7  wherein said reel gear is larger in diameter than said input gear to provide a torque increasing gear reduction.  
   
   
       9 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 5  wherein said reel gear-train includes an input gear secured to said crank assembly for rotation therewith and a reel gear secured to said reel assembly for rotation therewith, at least one idler gear positioned between said input gear and said reel gear, wherein said at least one idler gear is directly meshed with said input gear and said reel gear to provide direct gear powering therebetween, whereby rotation of said input gear provides rotation to said reel assembly, whereby said gear-train provides for a predetermined amount of spacing between said first axis of rotation and said second axis of rotation to facilitate mounting said crank assembly at an elevated position.  
   
   
       10 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 9  wherein said reel gear is larger in diameter than said input gear to provide a torque increasing gear reduction.  
   
   
       11 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 5  wherein said crank assembly includes a folding handle for a compact storage configuration, said folding handle including a rotatable sleeve thereon.  
   
   
       12 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 5  including a hose guide assembly operably connected to said hose reel via a hose guide gear-train, whereby rotation of said hose reel causes reciprocating movement of a hose guide for uniformly and smoothly wrapping said hose about said reel.  
   
   
       13 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 12  wherein said hose guide gear-train includes a reel gear secured to said reel assembly for rotation therewith, at least one idler gear directly meshed with said reel gear to provide direct gear powering therebetween, a lead screw gear secured to a double helix lead screw for rotation therewith, said lead screw gear rotatably mounted and directly meshed with said at least one idler gear, said double helix lead screw positioned between and rotatably supported by at least two of said side panels for rotation substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said first axis of rotation, a hose guide constructed and arranged to cooperate with said double helix lead screw, whereby said hose guide reciprocates back and forth across said lead screw in response to rotation of said hose reel.  
   
   
       14 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 13  wherein said hose guide gear-train includes two idler gears, the first of said idler gears positioned in direct engagement with said reel gear and the second of said idler gears positioned in engagement with said first idler gear and said lead screw gear.  
   
   
       15 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 9  including a hose guide assembly operably connected to said hose reel via a hose guide gear-train, whereby rotation of said hose reel causes reciprocating movement of a hose guide for uniformly and smoothly wrapping said hose about said reel.  
   
   
       16 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 15  wherein said hose guide gear-train includes at least one idler gear directly meshed with said reel gear and said input gear to provide direct gear powering therebetween, a lead screw gear secured to a double helix lead screw for rotation therewith, said lead screw gear rotatably mounted and directly meshed with said at least one idler gear, said double helix lead screw positioned between and rotatably supported by at least two of said side panels for rotation substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said first axis of rotation, a hose guide constructed and arranged to cooperate with said double helix lead screw, whereby said hose guide reciprocates back and forth across said lead screw in response to rotation of said input gear.  
   
   
       17 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 13  wherein said hose guide gear-train includes two idler gears, the first of said idler gears positioned in direct engagement with said input gear and the second of said idler gears   at least one boss constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one inwardly extending socket integrally formed into a lower portion of said left and said right panels for interlocking engagement therewith.  
   
   
       22 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of claim  21  wherein each of said bosses includes at least one spring lock fastener integrally formed thereto, said at least one spring lock fastener is constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one aperture integrally formed into said sockets; 
 wherein said at least one spring lock fastener engages at least one side wall of said aperture for interlocking engagement therewith.    
   
   
       23 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of claim  21  wherein said bottom surface of said base panel includes at least four integrally formed bosses; 
 each of said bosses is constructed and arranged to cooperate with a foot for securement thereof without additional fasteners;    whereby said sink and hose reel enclosure system is supported upon said feet.    
   
   
       24 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 1  wherein said front panel is hingedly mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position, whereby access is provided to the interior of said sink and hose reel enclosure system.  
   
   
       25 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 1  wherein said sink includes at least one socket formed on the bottom thereof, said at least one socket constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one boss extending outwardly from an upper portion of said enclosure for interlocking engagement therebetween.  
   
   
       26 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 1  wherein said sink includes a plurality of sockets formed on a bottom portion thereof; 
 said left and said right side panels including a socket integrally formed at the top portion of said first and said second edges; and    a plurality of double ended bosses constructed and arranged to cooperate with said plurality of sockets formed onto said sink and said side panels for interlocking engagement therebetween.    
   
   
       27 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 26  wherein each of said bosses includes at least one spring lock integrally formed thereto; 
 said at least one spring lock constructed and arranged to cooperate with at least one aperture integrally formed into said sockets;    whereby said at least one spring lock engages at least one side wall of said at least one aperture for interlocking engagement therebetween.    
   
   
       28 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 1  wherein said faucet is pivotable between an operative position and a stored position, whereby said faucet is positioned within the basin of said sink when in said stored position.  
   
   
       29 . The sink and hose reel enclosure system of  claim 1  wherein said sink basin includes a recessed perimeter, said recessed perimeter constructed and arranged to cooperate with a cover, whereby the upper surface of said cover and the upper surface of said sink are substantially flush with respect to each other, whereby said upper surfaces may be utilized for a table.