Hose hopper: a device to store hose and similar cord-like items

Abstract

This invention has no mechanical parts or mechanisms but relies on gravity and elasticity to disperse the hose (or other item) in unstrained coils against the inside perimeter of a hollow truncated cone (apex down. open base up). When loading the hose into the conical container, gravity settles the loops of the coil down against the previous loop while the elasticity of the hose forces the hose against the perimeter of the cone. This natural physical process inhibits the overlapping of the loops which could otherwise result in tangling and kinks while withdrawing the hose from the container. The result is less strain on the hose and the user and no mechanical problems

1 : A portable hollow cone-shaped container (like a hopper) fastened to a 3-point stand consisting of a two-wheeled axle and a rigid leg that positions the truncated-cone apex end downward and the open base of the cone upward whereby the axis of the cone is tilted at an appropriate angle to allow gravity and elasticity to distribute the hose in unrestrained coils around the inside periphery of the cone while a person, having first threaded the supply end of the hose from inside the cone through an opening in the apex of the cone, feeds the hose into the large open top of the cone thus allowing the hose to repose in coils in the cone and allowing easy insertion and withdrawal from the top of the cone without tangles and kinks. 
     
     
         2 : A portable cone-shaped container, as described in  claim 1  which, by means of the large top-opening, permits a person to easily feed the hose into the cone from a standing posture thus relieving any back-strain that might otherwise occur with a prior art eel type hose container, which requires strenuous up and down exertion from a bent-over posture while cranking the reel. 
     
     
         3 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1  whereby the large open top and cone configuration and orientation, having been loaded: with untangled and unstrained coils of hose in repose, permit a person to easily withdraw the hose without the restraint of tangles and kinks and structurally strained coils that would result from the tight wrap of the hose around the spool of a prior art hose-reel device. 
     
     
         4 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1  whereby the user need only make one hose connection (the supply faucet connection of the hose being stored) whereas as many as three connections must be made with a prior art hose reel. 
     
     
         5 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1  wherein the center of gravity Is approximately positioned vertically above the wheels while transporting, thus reducing the weight imposed on the user to essentially zero. 
     
     
         6 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1  whereby the user, when using the contained hose, need not perform a “three-handed” operation on the two rotation locks while restraining rotation of the reel with a “third hand” such as is required with prior art hose reel. 
     
     
         7 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1  whereby the relatively wide wheelbase maintains stability which prevents the the overturning tendency of prior art hose reels to overturn from the side thrust limposed durmg winding and withdrawal of hose having overlaps and tangles. 
     
     
         8 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1  having a large capacity of two one-hundred foot, ⅝ inch, industrial grade rubber hoses; whereas prior art hose reels have limited capacity. 
     
     
         9 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1  which, because of its configuration avoids overlaps during loading; whereas the user of a prior art hose reel must guide the hose onto the spool with one hand and step on the frame while cranking the reel with the other hand. 
     
     
         10 : A portable cone-shaped container as described in  claim 1 , which has relatively large wheels and wide wheelbase to raise it from obstructions and maintain stability while transporting; whereas prior art hose reels have relatively small wheels and narrow wheelbase which allow obstructions to impede movement while transporting. 
     
     
         11 : A portable cone-shaped container (like a hopper) fastened to a 3-point stand consisting of a two-wheeled axle and a rigid leg that positions the truncated-cone apex end downward and the open base of the cone upward whereby the axis of the cone is tilted at an appropriate angle to allow gravity and elasticity to distribute the hose in unrestrained coils around the inside periphery of the cone while a person, having first threaded the supply end of the hose from inside the cone through an opening in the apex of the cone, feeds the hose into the large open top of the cone thus allowing the hose to repose in coils in the cone and allowing easy insertion and withdrawal from the top of the cone without tangles and kinks; all of which features are accomplished with no moving mechanical parts to wear out, or break, or malfunction, with the exception of the wheels. 
     
     
         12 : The invention as described in  claim 11  has no rotary seals to leak; as can occur with prior art hose reels which require rotary seals. 
     
     
         13 : The invention as described in  claim 11  has no hose connections, whereas prior art hose reels require two connections, one in and one out of the hose reel, which connections are subject to leakage. 
     
     
         14 : The invention as described in  claim 11  has no crank mechanism, whereas the prior art hose reels have a cranking k mechanism with a bushing that can wear out or malfunction. 
     
     
         15 : The invention as described in  claim 11  has no rotation locks, whereas the prior at hose reel has mechanical locks which can wear out, break, or malfunction. 
     
     
         16 : The invention as described in  claim 11  has no retractable transport handle, whereas prior art hose reels have retractable handles with position locks that can wear out, break, or malfunction. 
     
     
         17 : The invention as described in  claim 11 , because of its configuration distributes the hose automatically within the cone; whereas some prior art hose reel have mechanical hose distributors which are subject to wear, or breakage, or malfunction. 
     
     
         18 : A portable cone-shaped container (like a hopper) fastened to a 3-point stand consisting of a two-wheeled axle and a rigid leg that positions the truncated-cone apex end downward and the open base of the cone upward whereby the axis of the cone is tilted at an appropriate angle to allow gravity and elasticity to distribute the hose in unrestrained coils around the inside periphery of the cone while a person, having first threaded the supply end of the hose from inside the cone through an opening in the apex of the cone, feeds the hose into the large open top of the cone thus allowing the hose to repose in coils in the cone and allowing easy insertion and withdrawal from the top of the cone without tangles and kinks whereby no damaging stresses are imposed on the hose such as can occur with prior art hose reels. 
     
     
         19 : The invention as described in  claim 18  allows the hose, while loading into the cone, to form its unstrained coil whereas the prior art hose reel wraps the hose around a small diameter spool, thus imposing damaging strain on the hose. 
     
     
         20 : The invention as described in  claim 18  can protect the hose from environmental damage with a cover and/or can be easily moved to inside storage.