Vacuum hose reel

Abstract

A reel having a relatively large, hollow, winding drum and end flanges large enough to provide adequate capacity for the intended hose is rotably mounted in a frame. There are no swivel joints in the vacuum conduit. The drum has a slot for receiving the hose near one end flange. The slot begins with a portion offset approximately 45 degrees from the drum axis, then curves to a lesser angle. The over all length of the slot is 2 to 4 hose diameters.

1 . An apparatus for securing a vacuum cleaner hose in a compact helical form for storage comprising in combination:
 a. a frame for rotably supporting a reel adapted to receive a hose, and   b. said reel having a hollow tubular drum and radially extending flanges co-axially attached to the left and right ends of said drum, thereby creating a bobbin for receiving a hose wound thereupon, and   c. said drum further having at least one aperture adjacent to one of said flanges for receiving a vacuum hose therethrough, and   d. said reel having at least one handle for providing rotary motion to said reel, said handle being attached to one of said flanges and extending outwardly and adapted to be gripped by a hand and turned, thereby rotating the reel and winding a hose thereupon.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a debris collection means and a vacuum source cooperatively and removably connected to said hose, whereby debris is moved by vacuum induced air flow through the hose and deposited in said debris collection means. 
   
   
       3 . A reel assembly for receiving and compacting a corrugated hose comprising in combination:
 a. a bobbin having a tubular, central winding drum and coaxial end flanges, the drum and flanges defining a space for receiving a hose to be wound thereon, and   b. a frame for rotably supporting said bobbin, and   c. a hose having one end a fitting for removably attaching to a vacuum source, and on the opposite end an adapter for receiving cleaning tools, said hose being adapted to be wound on said bobbin, and   d. said winding drum further having at least one hose receiving slot originating near one flange and extending and around a portion of the circumference of said drum, and   e. said frame having apertures on each end coaxially aligned with said tubular drum whereby said hose having been passed through said drum slot into the interior of said drum is extended outside the confines of said frame.   
   
   
       4 . The reel assembly of  claim 3  where the said hose receiving slot extends from near one flange inwardly and spirally around a portion of the circumference of said drum. 
   
   
       5 . The reel assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a holding means for the tool adapter end of said hose. 
   
   
       6 . The reel assembly of  claim 3  where the hose exiting the lumen of the drum tube is bent approximately 180 degrees and is received by the interior of said tubular drum, thereby providing storage for the vacuum connecting end of said hose. 
   
   
       7 . The reel assembly of  claim 3  further comprising at least one crank handle attached to a bobbin flange and extending outwardly from said reel assembly for providing rotary motion to the bobbin during winding and unwinding of the hose. 
   
   
       8 . The reel assembly of  claim 3  where said hose is continuous from end to end. 
   
   
       9 . The reel assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a debris collection means and a vacuum source cooperatively and removably connected to said hose, whereby debris is moved by vacuum induced air flow through the hose and deposited in said debris collection means.