Hose Storage Apparatus

Abstract

The hose caddy for expandable hoses comprises a housing formed from a bottom surface and sidewalls to define an open interior. A top is hingedly coupled to the housing to control access to the interior of the housing. A flexible elongated body is coupled to the housing using a guidance rail assembly. The flexible elongated body can be extended or retracted along the guidance rail assembly, and includes a hook for attaching the hose caddy to a water faucet.

1 . A hose caddy system, comprising:
 a housing including:
 a bottom surface; and 
 a side wall defining, with said bottom surface, an open interior in said housing; 
   a vertical guidance rail assembly secured to said side wall and including:
 an elongated body having a first end and a second end; 
 a receiving portion at the first end of said body; and 
 a guide; and 
   a flexible expandable hose in said open interior and having a retracting force;   said guide being secured to said side wall of said housing and having an opening; said elongated body passing through the opening of said guide and including a locking mechanism at the second end of said body.   
     
     
         2 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the side wall comprises:   a substantially flat portion; and   a substantially semi-circular portion.   
     
     
         3 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface includes at least one aperture. 
     
     
         4 . A hose caddy as in  claim 3  wherein the size of the at least one aperture does not permit an end of the flexible expandable hose to pass through. 
     
     
         5 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion is a hook. 
     
     
         6 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said locking mechanism is a first locking mechanism at the one end of said body;   said attachment assembly includes a second locking mechanism between said first end of said body and the second end of said body.   
     
     
         7 . A hose caddy as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 said guide is secured to the flat portion of said side wall.   
     
     
         8 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said side wall includes a substantially flat portion and another portion;   said guide is secured to said substantially flat portion.   
     
     
         9 . A hose caddy as in  claim 6 , wherein:
 said side wall has a substantially flat portion and another portion;   said guide is secured to said substantially flat portion.   
     
     
         10 . A hose caddy as in  claim 6 , wherein:
 said side wall has a substantially flat portion and a semi-circular portion;   said guide is secured to said substantially flat portion.   
     
     
         11 . A hose caddy as in  claim 6 , wherein:
 said first locking mechanism includes a notch on said elongated body larger than said opening in the guide.   
     
     
         12 . A hose caddy as in  claim 11 , wherein:
 said second locking arrangement includes an projecting tab between the first end of said elongated body and the at the second end of elongated body located to encounter said guide.   
     
     
         13 . A hose caddy system for holding a flexible expandable hose, comprising:
 a housing including:
 a bottom surface; and 
 a side wall defining, with said bottom surface, an open interior in said housing for receiving flexible expandable hose; 
   a vertical guidance rail assembly secured to said side wall and including:
 an elongated body having a first end and a second end; 
 a receiving portion at the first end of said body; and 
 a guide; and 
   said guide being secured to said side wall of said housing and having an opening; said elongated body passing through the opening of said guide and including a locking mechanism at the second end of said body.   
     
     
         14 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the side wall comprises:   a substantially flat portion; and   a substantially semi-circular portion.   
     
     
         15 . A hose caddy as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 said guide is secured to the flat portion of said side wall.   
     
     
         16 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein the receiving portion is a hook. 
     
     
         17 . A hose caddy as in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said locking mechanism is a first locking mechanism at the one end of said body;   said attachment assembly includes a second locking mechanism between said first end of said body and the second end of said body.