Reel system with supplemental features

Abstract

A hose reel device is provided with features for enhancing the functionality and ease of use of the device. The device comprises a drum provided with a frame member and at least one extension adapted for cleaning, winding, guiding, or elevating an elongate flexible hose that may be provided in combination with the device. The device also comprises various modular features such that the device may be modified for particular applications and based on the preferences of the end user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A winding apparatus comprising:
 a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation and a pair of flanges at opposing ends of the drum;   a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame;   a pair of rotatable arms extending from the frame;   at least one elongate rail member extending between the pair of rotatable arms;   a guide member provided on the at least one elongate rail member;   the guide member being translatable with respect to the at least one elongate rail member, and the guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible elongate member; and   wherein the pair of rotatable arms are rotatable about an axis generally corresponding to the axis of rotation of the drum such that the guide member may be provided in a plurality of radial positions with respect to the drum.   
     
     
         2 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of lower frame members and a pair of upper frame members, and wherein the apparatus is stackable with an additional apparatus of substantially the same construction. 
     
     
         3 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guide member comprises an elongate member cleaning device having a plurality of bristles adapted to contact an outer surface of the flexible elongate member and remove debris therefrom. 
     
     
         4 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongate rail member comprises a self-reversing screw to provide a reciprocating motion to the guide member and to wind or coil the flexible elongate member about the drum. 
     
     
         5 . The winding apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the self-reversing screw comprises a left-handed helical groove and a right-handed helical groove that overlap each other, and the guide member includes a portion that is operatively interconnected to the helical grooves to provide the reciprocating motion of the guide member. 
     
     
         6 . The winding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an extending guide provided on the frame, wherein an apertured member is positioned on a distal end of the extending guide and construed to receive the flexible elongate member.   
     
     
         7 . The winding apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the extending guide comprises a plurality of telescoping, concentric frame elements that allow the extending guide to selectively extend above the frame. 
     
     
         8 . A hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising:
 a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation;   a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame;   a first bracket member having a portion that forms a recess with a first opening, the recess of the first bracket being configured to selectively receive a first portion of the frame;   a second bracket member having a portion that forms a recess with a second opening, the recess of the second bracket being configured to selectively receive a second portion of the frame;   at least one rail member extending between the first and second bracket members; and   a hose guide member comprising an aperture for receiving a flexible hose and provided on the at least one rail member.   
     
     
         9 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the portions of the first and second bracket members are deflectable to form interference fits with the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the hose guide member comprises a handle portion for manually moving the hose guide member along the at least one rail member. 
     
     
         11 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the hose guide member comprises a hose cleaning device having a plurality of bristles adapted to contact the outer surface of the flexible hose and to remove debris from the flexible hose. 
     
     
         12 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one rail member comprises a self-reversing screw to provide a reciprocating motion. 
     
     
         13 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the self-reversing screw comprises a left-handed helical groove and a right-handed helical groove that overlap. 
     
     
         14 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an extending hose guide provided on the frame and having an apertured member positioned on its distal end for receiving a flexible hose.   
     
     
         15 . A hose winding apparatus for use with an associated flexible hose comprising:
 a drum having a hub defining an axis of rotation;   a frame at least partially surrounding the drum, the drum being rotatably mounted to the frame;   a pair of rotatable arms extending from the frame, wherein the pair of rotatable arms are rotatable about an axis generally corresponding to the axis of rotation of the drum;   at least one elongate rail member extending between the pair of rotatable arms;   a first guide member provided on the at least one elongate rail member, the first guide member comprises an aperture for receiving a flexible hose and positionable in a plurality of radial positions with respect to the drum; and   an extending hose guide provided on the frame, wherein a second guide member is positioned on a distal end of the extending hose guide and includes an aperture for receiving the flexible hose.   
     
     
         16 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the extending hose guide comprises a plurality of telescoping, concentric frame elements that allow the extending hose guide to selectively extend. 
     
     
         17 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the frame is positioned on a platform of a wheeled cart. 
     
     
         18 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first guide member comprises a hose cleaning device having a plurality of bristles adapted to contact an outer surface of the flexible hose. 
     
     
         19 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one elongate rail member comprises a self-reversing screw to provide a reciprocating motion to the first guide member. 
     
     
         20 . The hose winding apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the self-reversing screw comprises a left-handed helical groove and a right-handed helical groove and the first guide member is operatively interconnected to the helical grooves to provide the reciprocating motion.