Modular System and Method for Deployment and Retrieval of Large Diameter Hoses

Abstract

A hose deployment and retrieval system is described that includes a modular reel assembly. The modular reel assembly includes a reel having a hub around which a hose may be wound and a wheel assembly on either side of the hub and spaced to accept the hose there between. The reel assembly also includes an axle in the center of the hub around which the hub can spin and a base holding the axle. A deployment fork assembly includes a reel assembly mount for engaging with the modular reel assembly and a drive mechanism to spin the reel when the deployment fork assembly is engaged with the modular reel assembly, wherein the deployment fork assembly is adapted to mount to a vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular hose reel assembly for use with a deployment fork to retrieve and deploy large diameter hoses, the assembly comprising:
 a base assembly formed by a base and two vertical supports, the vertical supports including a connection assembly to allow the base to be detachably connected to the deployment fork;   an axel mount attached to each of the vertical supports; and   a wheel assembly connected to the base along an axle extending through the axel mounts, the axle allowing the wheel assembly to spin relative to the base; the wheel assembly including a hub connected to the axel and around which the hose can be wound, wheels are connected to the hub by spokes, the wheels spaced apart on the hub to allow the hose to fit there between and to hold the hose on the wheel assembly, the wheel assembly further including a drive surface to turn the wheel assembly when the modular hose reel is attached to the deployment fork.   
     
     
         2 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wheel assembly is spun by a drive wheel on the deployment mechanism, the drive wheel engaging with the drive surface on the wheel assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the drive wheel engagement with the drive surface is a friction engagement. 
     
     
         4 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the drive surface is formed by a portion of the hub extending beyond the spokes on one side of the modular hose reel assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the hub includes an aperture sized to accept a mating collar on one end of the large diameter hose, thereby allowing the hose to lay essentially flat against the hub when on the modular hose reel assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wheels are spaced apart on the hub at least six inches. 
     
     
         7 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the hose is wound on the hub in a single stack. 
     
     
         8 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the vertical supports comprise of triangular elements having a bottom along the base and two sides that converge at the axle mount. 
     
     
         9 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the detachable connection to the deployment fork is made using connection blocks just below the axel mount. 
     
     
         10 . A modular hose reel assembly to retrieve and deploy large diameter hoses using a deployment mechanism attached to a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
 a stand formed by a base and two triangular support elements, the stand configured to allow the modular hose reel assembly to be set in a stand-alone resting position when not in use and also configured to be lifted by the deployment mechanism when the deployment mechanism is detachably engaged with the stand;   an axel mount attached to the stand; and   a wheel assembly connected to the base along an axle extending through the axel mounts, the axle allowing the wheel assembly to spin relative to the base; the wheel assembly including a hub connected to the axel and around which the hose can be wound, wheels are connected to the hub by spokes, the wheels spaced apart on the hub to allow the hose to fit there between and to hold the hose on the wheel assembly, the wheel assembly further including a drive surface to turn the wheel assembly when the modular hose reel is attached to the deployment fork.   
     
     
         11 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the wheel assembly is spun by a drive wheel on the deployment mechanism, the drive wheel engaging with the drive surface on the wheel assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the drive wheel engagement with the drive surface is a friction engagement. 
     
     
         13 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein drive surface is formed by a portion of the hub extending beyond the spokes on one side of the modular hose reel assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the hub includes an aperture sized to accept a mating collar on one end of the large diameter hose, thereby allowing the hose to lay essentially flat against the hub when on the modular hose reel assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the wheels are spaced apart on the hub at least six inches. 
     
     
         16 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the hose is wound on the hub in a single stack. 
     
     
         17 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the triangular elements have a bottom along the base and two sides that converge at the axle mount. 
     
     
         18 . The modular hose reel assembly of  claim 10  wherein the detachable connection to the deployment fork is made using connection blocks on the stand just below the axel mount.