Air hose/electric cord reel

Abstract

The present invention relates to air hose and/or electrical cord reels suitable for use in a consumer environment. The present invention provides a robust reel structure which permits easy user replacement of cords/air hoses, but protects users from the rotating elements which carry the air supply and/or electrical current.

1 . An apparatus for holding an electrical power cord, a compressed air hose, or both an electrical power cord and a compressed air hose, comprising:
 (a) a bracket assembly on which a reel is rotably mounted, wherein said reel comprises a hub and side members attached at each side thereof, the outer surface of the hub and side members forming a recessed spool; said hub attached to said bracket by an axle assembly about which the reel rotates, said axle assembly affixed to said bracket assembly;   (b)(i) a female receptacle configured to reversibly receive a first male industry-standard electrical cord plug attached to the electrical power cord, said female receptacle contained within the hub such that the male industry-standard electrical cord plug, when attached to the female receptacle, is located within the interior of said hub and the electrical power cord is positioned for winding onto the spool,   a supply power cord comprising a male industry-standard electrical cord plug at a first end thereof for connecting the apparatus to an electrical supply source;   a rotable electrical coupling comprising a first coupling member in or on the interior portion of the hub in electrical communication with the female receptacle, and a second coupling member in or on the bracket assembly in electrical communication with the second end of the supply power cord, wherein the electrical coupling provides electrical continuity between the supply power cord and the electrical power cord during rotation of the reel about the axle assembly without twisting of the supply power cord;   a hub cap; and   a latch mechanism for reversibly latching the first male industry-standard electrical cord plug inserted into the female receptacle and prevent inadvertent release of the male industry-standard electrical cord plug from the female receptacle until the latch mechanism is released;   or   (b)(ii) a first compressed air hose coupler configured to reversibly receive a second compressed air hose coupler attached to an air hose, said first air supply hose coupler contained within the hub such that the second air supply hose coupler, when attached to the first air supply hose coupler, is located within the interior of said hub and the air hose is positioned for winding onto the spool;   a supply compressed air hose comprising a third compressed air hose coupler at a first end thereof for connecting the apparatus to a compressed air source;   a rotable compressed air coupling comprising a first coupling member in or on the interior portion of the hub in fluid communication with the first air supply hose coupler, and a second coupling member in or on the bracket assembly in electrical communication with the third compressed air hose coupler, wherein the compressed air coupling provides air supply continuity between the air supply hose and the air hose during rotation of the reel about the axle assembly without twisting of the air supply hose;   a hub cap; and   a latch mechanism for reversibly latching the first compressed air hose coupler attached to the second compressed air hose coupler and prevent inadvertent release of the first compressed air hose coupler from the second compressed air hose coupler until the latch mechanism is released;   or   (b)(iii) both (b)(i) and (b)(ii);   (c) a handle attached to one of the reel side members configured to manually rotate the reel about the axle assembly.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  which holds both an electrical power cord and a compressed air hose and which comprises both (b)(i) and (b)(ii). 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  which holds an electrical power cord and which comprises (b)(i). 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  which holds a compressed air hose and which comprises (b)(ii). 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said bracket assembly comprises mounting holes spaced at a distance corresponding to the distance between standard wall studs. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said distance between standard wall studs is about 16 inches or about 24 inches. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said bracket assembly comprises one or more idler rollers positioned to engage the electrical power cord, compressed air hose, or both the electrical power cord and compressed air hose. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism comprises a line controller selected from the group consisting of a cam cleat, a jam cleat, a clam cleat, a line clutch, and a line jammer. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  which holds an electrical power cord and which further comprises a circuit breaker of 10 amperes or greater. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  which holds a compressed air hose and which further comprises an air release valve. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  which holds an electrical power cord, wherein the spool on which the electrical power cord is wound is sized to accommodate at least 50 feet of ⅜ inch diameter power cord. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  which holds a compressed air hose, wherein the spool on which the compressed air hose is wound is sized to accommodate at least 50 feet of ⅜ inch diameter compressed air hose.