Heated hose electrical cord

Abstract

A household garden hose is provided with an integral electric power cord adapted to be plugged into a standard electrical wall outlet. The power cord extends along the full length of the hose and is adapted to provide electrical power to a power tool or other electrical appliance remote from the wall outlet. An electric resistance heating element is provided to heat fluid flowing through the hose and prevent freezing in cold weather. An outer jacket of insulation is provided over the hose to further resist freezing of liquid flowing through the hose.

1 . A flexible hose and power cord assembly, comprising: 
 an elastomeric hose having a hose wall defining a fluid flow path and first and second axial end portions, said hose having fluid couplings provided at opposite end portions of said hose wall; and    an electrical power cord extending integrally along said hose wall and having a first end portion extending at least several feet from one of said first axial end portions of said hose wall.    
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said power cord is located within said hose wall.  
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulation layer covering said hose wall.  
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein said power cord is located within said insulation layer.  
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said electrical power cord comprises a male electrical connector provided on said first end portion of said electrical power cord.  
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said electrical power cord comprises a second end portion and a female electrical connector provided on said second end portion.  
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said female electrical connector is fixed to said hose adjacent said second axial end portion of said hose.  
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said second end portion of said electrical connector extends at least several feet from said second axial end portion of said hose wall.  
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a ground fault interrupter provided on said female electrical connector.  
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a heating element extending axially along said hose and adapted to heat fluid flowing through said fluid flow path.  
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said heating element is powered by said electrical power cord.  
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said heating element is connected to said electrical power cord in an electrical parallel circuit.  
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a thermostat connected in series with said heating element.  
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical appliance connected to said electrical power cord.  
     
     
         15 . A flexible hose system, comprising: 
 a first flexible hose;    a first electrical cord integral with said first flexible hose;    a second flexible hose;    a second electrical power cord integral with said second flexible hose;    a first water tight interconnection interconnecting said first and second hoses;    a first electrical interconnection interconnecting said first and second power cords;    said first electrical cord having a free and portion extending from said first hose and adapted to receive electrical power from a standard electrical outlet; and    said second portion adapted to provide electrical power from said outlet to an electrical apparatus.    
     
     
         16 . The hose system of  claim 15 , further comprising a first heating element integral with said first flexible hose and a second heating element integral with said second flexible hose.  
     
     
         17 . The hose system of  claim 15 , wherein said first electrical interconnection comprises an arch formed at least in part by an end portion of said first electrical power cord spaced apart from said first water tight interconnection.  
     
     
         18 . A flexible hose assembly, comprising: 
 an elongated tubular elastomeric hose comprising first and second end portions;    an internally threaded hose connector provided on said first end portion of said hose;    an externally threaded hose connector provided on said second end portion of said hose;    first and second electric power wires extending along at least a portion of said hose, said wires each having first and second end portions;    a male electrical connector adapted for use with an electric outlet and connected to said first end portions of said power wires; and    a female electrical connector connected to said second end portion of said power wires.    
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a heating element extending along a substantial portion of said hose and connected to said first and second power wires in a parallel circuit.  
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 18 , wherein said male electrical connector and said first end portion of said power wires extend freely from said hose.