Swivel metal hose cart

Abstract

A hose reel cart utilizes metal and coated metal component construction for increased durability and stability while still remaining lightweight for increased hose capacity and maneuverability. Additionally the hose reel can pivot about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal rotary axis of the hose reel thereby enabling the hose to be readily removed from the hose reel irrespective of the location of the user without the danger of the hose reel cart tipping over. This pivoting ability of the hose reel also permits the hose to be wound onto the hose reel evenly irrespective of the location of the hose without the user having to constantly reposition the hose reel cart. This pivoting ability also enables the use of a wider than normal hose reel thereby increasing the capacity of the length of hose which can be carried on the reel. Further, the hose is wound around the reel by use of a crank which provides a direct rotational link between the crank and the winding of the reel.

1 . A portable hose reel cart for windably holding an elongated hose member and for use in transporting said hose member between a storage location and a use location, said hose reel cart comprising:
 a spool positioned on a cradle and operatively connected thereto for rotation of said spool about a first axis of rotation, said spool having a hub defining said axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposite ends of said hub and perpendicular to said axis of rotation;   a crank assembly attachable to said hub thereby providing direct coupling to said spool for providing manual rotational movement of said spool in relation to said cradle;   a carriage assembly comprising a base portion, an end portion secured to each end of said base portion, and a cradle support member;   said cradle being pivotally mounted on said carriage assembly for rotation about a second axis of rotation, said second axis of rotation being substantially perpendicular to said first axis of rotation whereby said cradle can be pivoted to facilitate the winding of a hose onto and paying of a hose off of said spool.   
     
     
         2 . The hose reel cart in accordance with  claim 1  further including a hose coupler, said hose coupler including a rotary seal arrangement positioned along said first axis of rotation of said spool and mounted on said cradle, said rotary seal arrangement constructed and arranged for connection to a pressurized source of fluid in a manner to allow rotation of said spool about said first axis of rotation. 
     
     
         3 . The hose reel cart in accordance with  claim 1  further including at least a pair of wheel support members secured along the lower portion of each side of said base portion, at least on axle securable to both sides of said bottom portion, a pneumatic tire wheel assembly rotatably secured to said axle. 
     
     
         4 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 1  further including at least a pair of wheel support members secured along the lower portion of each side of said base portion, wherein said wheel support members on opposite sides of said base portion include an aperture, at least one axle extendable through said apertures, a pneumatic tire wheel assembly rotatably secured to said axle. 
     
     
         5 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 4  wherein said axle is substantially D shaped in cross section whereby said axle is prevented from rotating when said axle is secured to said wheel support members. 
     
     
         6 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 4  wherein each said wheel assembly includes an aperture through which said axle extends, said aperture including a bearing portion through which said axle extends to facilitate rotation of said pneumatic tire. 
     
     
         7 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said bearing portion includes a member selected from the group consisting essentially of a bushing, a roller bearing, or a ball bearing. 
     
     
         8 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 1  further including a first support plate mounted on a lower portion of said cradle; a second support plate mounted on said carriage assembly in alignment with said first support plate; a bearing assembly connectable to both said first and said second support plates thereby allowing said first and said second support plates to rotate with respect to each other, whereby said cradle is pivotable with respect to said carriage assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said first and said second support plates are releasably connected to each other whereby said spool and cradle can be removed from said carriage assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said releasable connection comprises a vertical shaft portion mounted on one of said first or second support plates, a noncircular end member mounted on said vertical shaft end opposite the connection to said support plate, a noncircular aperture in a central portion of said other support plate, said noncircular aperture being complementary to said end member, said noncircular aperture being constructed and arranged to cooperate with said end member and said vertical shaft to provide pivotal support for said cradle and to permit separation of said support plates when said noncircular aperture and said noncircular end member are aligned. 
     
     
         11 . The hose reel cart in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said bearing assembly comprises a plurality of spherical members mounted on one of said first and said second support plates and a substantially circular groove mounted on the other of said first and said second support plates, said spherical members constructed and arranged to cooperate with said groove to allow said first and said second rotary support plates to rotate with respect to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The hose cart in accordance with  claim 1  wherein one of said end portions of said carriage assembly extends vertically upwardly, said one end portion includes a handle assembly attached thereto whereby a user can utilize said handle assembly to push or pull said hose cart to a desired location.