Hose reel frame assembly with smooth surface

Abstract

A frame assembly for a hose reel is provided. The frame assembly includes closed extrusion members. Closed extrusion members are structured to hide visually displeasing elements such as, but not limited to, support ribs. The closed extrusion members face downwards and backwards so that the visually pleasing outer side of the closed extrusion members are typically visible.

1 . A hose reel frame assembly for a hose reel, said hose reel having a basket assembly, said basket assembly having a cylindrical barrel with an axis, said basket assembly structured to be rotatably coupled to said frame assembly and to rotate about said axis, said frame assembly comprising:
 a plurality of elongated members structured to rotatably support said basket assembly; and   said plurality of elongated members including at least one elongated closed extrusion member, said at least one closed extrusion member positioned with the outer side oriented to be highly visible.   
     
     
         2 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein said at least one closed extrusion member includes a longitudinally extending arcuate portion. 
     
     
         3 . The frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 said at least one closed extrusion member includes a longitudinally extending arcuate base portion and two longitudinal sidewalls; 
 each said sidewall disposed at one end of the arc defining the arcuate base portion and extending generally parallel to the other sidewall. 
 
     
     
         4 . The frame assembly of  claim 3  wherein said at least one closed extrusion member includes a plurality of interior support ribs disposed on the inner side of said at least one closed extrusion member. 
     
     
         5 . The frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein:
 said support ribs are planar members having an inner edge and an outer edge; 
 each said support rib inner edge directly coupled to the at least one closed extrusion member inner side; 
 each said support rib outer edge being a generally straight edge; and 
 each said support rib planar member extending at an angle generally less than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said at least one closed extrusion member. 
 
     
     
         6 . The frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein:
 said support ribs are planar members having an inner edge and an outer edge; 
 each said support rib inner edge being directly coupled to the at least one closed extrusion member inner side; and 
 each said support rib planar member extending at an angle generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said at least one closed extrusion member. 
 
     
     
         7 . The frame assembly of  claim 6  wherein at least one of said support rib planar members outer edge is generally arcuate. 
     
     
         8 . The frame assembly of  claim 6  wherein at least one of said support rib planar members tapers from an elongated medial portion to narrow portions on each lateral side. 
     
     
         9 . The frame assembly of  claim 6  wherein:
 said plurality of elongated members form a lower frame assembly and a movable handle; 
 said lower frame assembly and said movable handle formed substantially from elongated closed extrusion members; 
 said handle having a body with a first elongated arm, a second elongated arm, and a bight, each of said first elongated arm and second elongated arm being a closed extrusion member; 
 said movable handle rotatably coupled to said lower frame assembly and structured to move between an upper, first position, wherein each movable handle closed extrusion member inner side faces generally backwardly, and a lower, second position, wherein each movable handle closed extrusion member inner side faces generally downwardly; 
 said lower frame assembly having two side frame assemblies and a base assembly; 
 each side frame assembly having a forward support member, a rear support member, and a hub; 
 said base assembly having two base members and at least one cross frame member; 
 each said side frame assembly support member, and each said base assembly base member and cross frame member being a closed extrusion member; and 
 wherein each lower frame assembly closed extrusion member inner side faces generally downwardly. 
 
     
     
         10 . The frame assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 said lower frame assembly includes at least one cross frame member; and 
 said cross frame member being a closed extrusion member, said closed extrusion cross frame member facing downwardly. 
 
     
     
         11 . A hose reel comprising:
 a frame assembly;   a basket assembly, said basket assembly having a cylindrical barrel with an axis, said basket assembly structured to be rotatably coupled to said frame assembly and to rotate about said axis;   said frame assembly including a plurality of elongated members structured to rotatably support said basket assembly; and   said plurality of elongated members including at least one elongated closed extrusion member, said at least one closed extrusion member positioned with the outer side oriented to be highly visible.   
     
     
         12 . The hose reel of  claim 11  wherein said at least one closed extrusion member includes a longitudinally extending arcuate portion. 
     
     
         13 . The hose reel of  claim 11  wherein:
 said at least one closed extrusion member includes a longitudinally extending arcuate base portion and two longitudinal sidewalls; 
 each said sidewall disposed at one end of the arc defining the arcuate base portion and extending generally parallel to the other sidewall. 
 
     
     
         14 . The hose reel of  claim 13  wherein said at least one closed extrusion member includes a plurality of interior support ribs disposed on the inner side of said at least one closed extrusion member. 
     
     
         15 . The hose reel of  claim 14  wherein:
 said support ribs are planar members having an inner edge and an outer edge; 
 each said support rib inner edge directly coupled to the at least one closed extrusion member inner side; 
 each said support rib outer edge being a generally straight edge; and 
 each said support rib planar member extending at an angle generally less than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said at least one closed extrusion member. 
 
     
     
         16 . The hose reel of  claim 14  wherein:
 said support ribs are planar members having an inner edge and an outer edge; 
 each said support rib inner edge being directly coupled to the at least one closed extrusion member inner side; and 
 each said support rib planar member extending at an angle generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said at least one closed extrusion member. 
 
     
     
         17 . The hose reel of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said support rib planar members outer edge is generally arcuate. 
     
     
         18 . The hose reel of  claim 16  wherein at least one of said support rib planar members tapers from an elongated medial portion to narrow portions on each lateral side. 
     
     
         19 . The hose reel of  claim 16  wherein:
 said plurality of elongated members form a lower frame assembly and a movable handle; 
 said lower frame assembly and said movable handle formed substantially from elongated closed extrusion members; 
 said handle having a body with a first elongated arm, a second elongated arm, and a bight, each of said first elongated arm and second elongated arm being a closed extrusion member; 
 said movable handle rotatably coupled to said lower frame assembly and structured to move between an upper, first position, wherein each movable handle closed extrusion member inner side faces generally backwardly, and a lower, second position, wherein each movable handle closed extrusion member inner side faces generally downwardly; 
 said lower frame assembly having two side frame assemblies and a base assembly; 
 each side frame assembly having a forward support member, a rear support member, and a hub; 
 said base assembly having two base members and at least one cross frame member; 
 each said side frame assembly support member, and each said base assembly base member and cross frame member being a closed extrusion member; and 
 wherein each lower frame assembly closed extrusion member inner side faces generally downwardly. 
 
     
     
         20 . The hose reel of  claim 19  wherein:
 said lower frame assembly includes at least one cross frame member; and 
 said cross frame member being a closed extrusion member, said closed extrusion cross frame member facing downwardly.