Portable hose cart assembly

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to provide a portable hose cart assembly capable of stacking, yet having circular hose reel end flanges. The portable hose cart assembly utilizes a supporting frame structure constructed and arranged to be nested on top of a similar supporting frame structure. The supporting frame structure is also constructed and arranged such that a similar supporting frame structure can be nested on top of the supporting frame structure. A hose reel structure for receiving and supporting a length of hose is rotatably mounted within the supporting frame structure. Circular end flanges are fixed to the ends of the hose reel structure. A handle structure movable between a stacking position and an operating position is connected to the supporting frame structure. The handle structure has a locking mechanism such that the handle structure may be secured in the operating position. Wheel structures are connected to the supporting frame structure to allow for manual movement of the portable hose cart assembly. These structures are designed and assembled in a manner to allow a similar portable hose cart assembly to be stacked on top of the portable hose cart assembly in a nesting arrangement such that the circular end flanges of each portable hose cart assembly are closely spaced. Upwardly facing supporting surfaces of the portable hose cart assembly support the downwardly facing stacking surfaces of the similar portable hose cart assembly stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of the portable hose cart assembly. A portable hose cart assembly with a tray structure located below the end flanges of the hose reel structure is further provided. The tray structure has a bottom wall with perforations and a peripheral wall extending upward from the bottom wall.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A portable hose cart assembly comprising: 
       a supporting frame structure constructed and arranged to be nested on top of a similar supporting frame structure;  
       said supporting frame structure constructed and arranged such that a similar supporting frame structure nests on top of said supporting frame structure;  
       a hose reel structure having a surface for receiving a length of coiled hose thereon;  
       said hose reel structure having circular end flanges;  
       said circular end flanges being fixed to the ends of said hose reel structure;  
       said circular end flanges having a diameter larger than that of the hose reel structure surface;  
       said hose reel structure being rotatably mounted within said supporting frame structure such that a portion of the said circular end flanges are above the highest point of said supporting frame structure;  
       a handle structure connected to said supporting frame structure such that said handle structure can be moved from a stacking position extending generally downwardly coextensive with respect to said supporting frame structure to an operating position extending upwardly from said supporting frame structure so that a hand grip portion is disposed above said circular end flanges;  
       said handle structure having a locking mechanism constructed and arranged to secure said handle structure in said operating position;  
       wheel structures connected to said supporting frame structure constructed and arranged to enable said portable hose cart assembly to be rolled manually by exerting force on the hand grip portion of said handle structure in said operating position;  
       said structures being constructed and arranged to allow a similar portable hose cart assembly to be stacked on top of said portable hose cart assembly with said handle structure in said stacking position and said supporting frame structure of said portable hose cart assembly in a nesting relation with the supporting frame structure of the similar portable hose cart assembly such that said circular end flanges of said portable hose cart assembly are closely spaced below the circular end flanges of the similar portable hose cart assembly;  
       said structures providing upwardly facing supporting surfaces constructed and arranged to support a similar portable hose cart assembly stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of said portable hose cart assembly;  
       said structures providing downwardly facing stacking surfaces constructed and arranged to engage the upwardly facing supporting surfaces of a similar portable hose cart assembly when said portable hose cart assembly is stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of the similar hose cart assembly with the handle structure thereof in a stacking position;  
       wherein said upwardly facing supporting surfaces of said portable hose cart assembly when engaged by the downwardly facing stacking surfaces of a similar portable hose cart assembly determine that said circular end flanges of said portable hose cart assembly are closely spaced below the circular end flanges of the similar portable hose cart assembly.  
     
     
       2. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  1  wherein said upwardly facing supporting surfaces are ridges extending from said support frame structure positioned such that the downwardly facing stacking surfaces of a similar portable hose cart assembly engage said upwardly facing supporting surfaces when the similar portable hose cart assembly is stacked on top of said portable hose cart assembly. 
     
     
       3. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  1  wherein said supporting frame structure comprises side frame structures and transverse member structures; 
       said side frame structures and said transverse member structures constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structures engage with said side frame structures to form said supporting frame structure.  
     
     
       4. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  1  wherein said structures are made of plastic. 
     
     
       5. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  1  wherein said handle structure comprises side leg structures and a transverse member structure having a hand grip portion; 
       said side leg structures and transverse member structure being constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structure engages with said side leg structures to form said handle structure.  
     
     
       6. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  1  having a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; 
       said water outlet pipe rotating fixedly with the surface of said hose reel structure;  
       one end of said water outlet pipe being fluidly and rotatably connected to said water inlet pipe;  
       said water outlet pipe having a male connector on the end not fluidly connected to said inlet pipe;  
       said male connector being constructed and arranged such that a hose can be connected to said outlet pipe;  
       said inlet pipe having a source connector constructed and arranged such that said inlet pipe can be connected to a water source;  
       said source connector being located on the inlet pipe end not fluidly connected to said outlet pipe.  
     
     
       7. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  1  having a crank handle structure; 
       said crank handle structure engaging said hose reel structure;  
       said crank handle structure constructed and arranged such that manually turning said crank handle structure rotates said hose reel structure.  
     
     
       8. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  1  wherein said supporting frame structure includes a tray structure; 
       said tray structure being mounted lower than said circular end flanges;  
       said tray structure having a bottom wall with perforations;  
       said tray structure having a peripheral wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall;  
       said tray structure constructed and arranged to accommodate the carriage of items used in gardening and lawn care;  
       said tray structure constructed and arranged to allow said portable hose cart assembly to be stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of a similar portable hose cart assembly with the handle structure thereof in a stacking position such that said circular end flanges of said portable hose cart assembly are closely spaced above the circular end flanges of the similar portable hose cart assembly.  
     
     
       9. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  8  wherein said upwardly facing supporting surfaces are ridges positioned such that the downwardly facing stacking surfaces of a similar portable hose cart assembly engage said upwardly facing supporting surfaces when the similar portable hose cart assembly is stacked on top of said portable hose cart assembly. 
     
     
       10. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  8  wherein said supporting frame structure comprises side frame structures and transverse member structures; 
       said side frame structures and said transverse member structures constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structures engage with said side frame structures to form said supporting frame structure.  
     
     
       11. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  8  wherein said structures are made of plastic. 
     
     
       12. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  8  wherein said handle structure comprises side leg structures and a transverse member structure having a hand grip portion; 
       said side leg structures and transverse member structure being constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structure engages with said side leg structures to form said handle structure.  
     
     
       13. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  8  having a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; 
       said water outlet pipe rotating fixedly with the surface of said hose reel structure;  
       one end of said water outlet pipe being fluidly and rotatably connected to said water inlet pipe;  
       said water outlet pipe having a male connector on the end not fluidly connected to said inlet pipe;  
       said male connector being constructed and arranged such that a hose can be connected to said outlet pipe;  
       said inlet pipe having a source connector constructed and arranged such that said inlet pipe can be connected to a water source;  
       said source connector being located on the inlet pipe end not fluidly connected to said outlet pipe.  
     
     
       14. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  8  having a crank handle structure; 
       said crank handle structure engaging said hose reel structure;  
       said crank handle structure constructed and arranged such that manually turning said crank handle structure rotates said hose reel structure.  
     
     
       15. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  8  wherein said tray structure is integrally formed with a transverse member of said supporting frame structure. 
     
     
       16. A portable hose cart assembly comprising: 
       a handle and frame structure;  
       a hose reel structure for receiving a length of coiled hose thereon;  
       said hose reel structure being rotatably mounted within said handle and frame structure;  
       said hose reel structure having end flanges;  
       wheel structures connected to said handle and frame structure constructed and arranged to enable said portable hose cart assembly to be rolled manually;  
       a tray structure being mounted on said handle and frame structure, said tray structure being disposed lower than said end flanges when said portable hose cart assembly is assembled and said wheel structures are engaged with the ground such that said portable hose cart assembly is in an upright position wherein said hose reel structure is disposed above said wheel structures; said tray structure having a bottom wall with perforations;  
       said tray structure having a peripheral wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall;  
       said tray structure being constructed and arranged to accommodate the carriage of items used in gardening and lawn care.  
     
     
       17. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  16  wherein said tray structure being integrally formed with a transverse member of said handle and frame structure. 
     
     
       18. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  16  wherein said structures are made of plastic. 
     
     
       19. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  16  wherein said handle and frame structure comprises a handle structure and a frame structure; 
       said handle structure not being formed integrally with said frame structure;  
       said handle structure connected to said frame structure.  
     
     
       20. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  19  wherein said frame structure comprises side frame structures and transverse member structures; 
       said side frame structures and said transverse member structures being constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structures engage with said side frame structures to form said frame structure.  
     
     
       21. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  19  wherein said handle structure comprises side leg structures and a transverse member structure having a hand grip portion; 
       said side leg structures and transverse member structure being constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structure engages with said side leg structures to form said handle structure.  
     
     
       22. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  19  wherein said tray structure is integrally formed with a transverse member structure. 
     
     
       23. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  16  having a crank handle structure; 
       said crank handle structure engaging said hose reel structure;  
       said crank handle structure constructed and arranged such that manually turning said crank handle structure rotates said hose reel structure.  
     
     
       24. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  16  having a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; 
       said water outlet pipe rotating fixedly with the surface of said hose reel structure;  
       one end of said water outlet pipe being fluidly and rotatably connected to said water inlet pipe;  
       said water outlet pipe having a male connector on the end not fluidly connected to said inlet pipe;  
       said male connector being constructed and arranged such that a hose can be connected to said outlet pipe;  
       said inlet pipe having a source connector constructed and arranged such that said inlet pipe can be connected to a water source;  
       said source connector being located on the inlet pipe end not fluidly connected to said outlet pipe.  
     
     
       25. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  16  wherein said handle and frame structure comprises a handle structure and a frame structure; 
       said frame structure being constructed and arranged to be nested with a similar frame structure;  
       said handle structure connected to said frame structure such that said handle structure can be moved from a stacking position extending generally downwardly coextensive with respect to said frame structure to an operating position extending upwardly from said frame structure so that a hand grip portion is disposed above said end flanges;  
       said handle structure having a locking mechanism constructed and arranged to secure said handle structure in said operating position;  
       said structures being constructed and arranged to allow a similar portable hose cart assembly to be stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of said portable hose cart assembly with said handle structure in said stacking position and said frame structure of said portable hose cart assembly and the frame structure of the similar portable hose cart in a nesting relation;  
       said structures providing upwardly facing support surfaces constructed and arranged to support a similar portable hose cart assembly stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of said portable hose cart assembly;  
       said structures providing downwardly facing stacking surfaces constructed and arranged to engage the upwardly facing supporting surfaces of a similar portable hose cart assembly when said portable hose cart assembly is stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of the similar portable hose cart assembly with the handle structure thereof in a stacking position.  
     
     
       26. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  wherein said upwardly facing supporting surfaces are ridges positioned such that the downwardly facing stacking surfaces of a similar portable hose cart assembly engage said upwardly facing supporting surfaces when the similar portable hose cart assembly is stacked on top of said portable hose cart assembly. 
     
     
       27. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  wherein said supporting frame structure comprises side frame structures and transverse member structures; 
       said side frame structures and said transverse member structures constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structures engage with said side frame structures to form said supporting frame structure.  
     
     
       28. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  wherein said structures are made of plastic. 
     
     
       29. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  wherein said handle structure comprises side leg structures and a transverse member structure having a hand grip portion; 
       said side leg structures and transverse member structure being constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structure engages with said side leg structures to form said handle structure.  
     
     
       30. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  having a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; 
       said water outlet pipe rotating fixedly with the surface of said hose reel structure;  
       one end of said water outlet pipe being fluidly and rotatably connected to said water inlet pipe;  
       said water outlet pipe having a male connector on the end not fluidly connected to said inlet pipe;  
       said male connector being constructed and arranged such that a hose can be connected to said outlet pipe;  
       said inlet pipe having a source connector constructed and arranged such that said inlet pipe can be connected to a water source;  
       said source connector being located on the inlet pipe end not fluidly connected to said outlet pipe.  
     
     
       31. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  having a crank handle structure; 
       said crank handle structure engaging said hose reel structure;  
       said crank handle structure constructed and arranged such that manually turning said crank handle structure rotates said hose reel structure.  
     
     
       32. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  wherein said tray structure is integrally formed with a transverse member of said frame structure. 
     
     
       33. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  25  wherein said end flanges are circular; 
       said circular end flanges having a diameter larger than that of said hose reel structure.  
     
     
       34. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  33  wherein said hose reel is rotatably mounted within said frame structure such that a portion of said circular end flanges are above the highest point of said frame structure. 
     
     
       35. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  34  wherein said structures are constructed and arranged to allow a similar portable hose cart assembly to be stacked in a nesting arrangement on top of said portable hose cart assembly with said handle structure in said stacking position and said frame structure of said portable hose cart assembly and the frame structure of a similar portable hose cart assembly in a nesting relation such that said circular end flanges are closely spaced below the end flanges of the similar portable hose cart assembly. 
     
     
       36. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  35  wherein said upwardly facing supporting surfaces are ridges positioned such that the downwardly facing stacking surfaces of a similar portable hose cart assembly engage said upwardly facing supporting surfaces when the similar portable hose cart assembly is stacked on top of said portable hose cart assembly. 
     
     
       37. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  35  wherein said supporting frame structure comprises side frame structures and transverse member structures; 
       said side frame structures and said transverse member structures constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structures engage with said side frame structures to form said supporting frame structure.  
     
     
       38. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  35  wherein said structures are made of plastic. 
     
     
       39. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  35  wherein said handle structure comprises side leg structures and a transverse member structure having a hand grip portion; 
       said side leg structures and transverse member structure being constructed and arranged such that said transverse member structure engages with said side leg structures to form said handle structure.  
     
     
       40. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  35  having a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe; 
       said water outlet pipe rotating fixedly with the surface of said hose reel structure;  
       one end of said water outlet pipe being fluidly and rotatably connected to said water inlet pipe;  
       said water outlet pipe having a male connector on the end not fluidly connected to said inlet pipe;  
       said male connector being constructed and arranged such that a hose can be connected to said outlet pipe;  
       said inlet pipe having a source connector constructed and arranged such that said inlet pipe can be connected to a water source;  
       said source connector being located on the inlet pipe end not fluidly connected to said outlet pipe.  
     
     
       41. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  35  having a crank handle structure; 
       said crank handle structure engaging said hose reel structure;  
       said crank handle structure constructed and arranged such that manually turning said crank handle structure rotates said hose reel structure.  
     
     
       42. A portable hose cart assembly as defined in claim  35  wherein said tray structure is integrally formed with a transverse member of said frame structure. 
     
     
       43. The combination comprising 
       
         a plurality of portable hose reel assemblies,  
       
       
         each of said plurality of portable hose reel assemblies including:  
       
       
         a supporting frame structure constructed and arranged to be disposed in nested relation on a similar supporting frame structure,  
       
         a hose reel structure having  (   1   )  a hose engaging surface configuration shaped to receive a length of coiled hose thereon and  (   2   )  circular end flanges disposed at opposite ends of said hose engaging surface configuration and extending radially outwardly therefrom,    
       
         said hose reel structure being rotatably mounted within said supporting frame structure such that an upper portion of said circular end flanges are above the highest point of said supporting frame structure,  
       
         a handle structure connected to said supporting frame structure such that said handle structure can be moved between  (   1   )  a stacking position extending generally downwardly in generally coextensive relationship with respect to said supporting frame structure and  (   2   )  an operating position extending generally upwardly from said supporting frame structure so that a hand grip portion is disposed above said circular end flanges, and    
       
         a locking mechanism having structure constructed and arranged to effect securement of said handle structure in said operating position and to enable said handle structure to be manually released from such securement to allow said handle structure to be moved into said stacking position,  
       
       
         said plurality of portable hose reel assemblies having said handle structures thereof in the stacking positions thereof and being disposed in a stack wherein any pair of adjacent portable hose reel assemblies in said stack are disposed one above the other with the supporting frame structures thereof in nested relation,  
       
       
         said plurality of portable hose reel assemblies when in said stack including two portable hose reel assemblies having their circular end flanges in substantial vertical alignment,  
       
       
         each pair of adjacent portable hose reel assemblies in said stack having two spaced pairs of interengaging surfaces constructed and arranged to be positioned in stack supporting relation when said adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies are in said stack,  
       
       
         one pair of the two spaced pairs of the interengaging surfaces of each adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies in said stack being disposed in stack supporting relation so as to prevent downward movement of a forward portion of the uppermost portable hose reel assembly with respect to the lowermost portable hose reel assembly of each pair,  
       
       
         the other pair of the two spaced pairs of the interengaging surfaces of each adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies in said stack being disposed in stack supporting relation so as to prevent downward movement of a rearward portion of the uppermost portable hose reel assembly with respect to the lowermost portable hose reel assembly of each pair  
       
       
         said two spaced pairs of interengaging surfaces being configured and positioned to allow an unstacked portable hose reel assembly to be moved generally vertically downwardly with respect to an uppermost portable hose reel assembly of the stack to stack the supporting frame structure on the uppermost portable hose reel assembly thereof in nested relation and to position the two spaced pairs of interengaging surfaces of the two portable hose reel assemblies in said stack supporting relation. 
       
     
     
       44. The combination as defined in claim  43  wherein said interengaged surfaces include a pair of downwardly facing stacking surfaces which are spaced apart with respect to one another on each portable hose reel assembly and a pair of upwardly facing supporting surfaces which are spaced apart with respect to one another on each portable hose reel assembly, the pair of downwardly facing stacking surfaces of an upper portable hose reel assembly of each adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies in said stack being interengaged with the pair of upwardly facing surfaces of a lower portable hose reel assembly of said pair. 
     
     
       45. The combination as defined in claim  44  wherein said pair of upwardly facing supporting surfaces of each portable hose reel assembly is provided on a pair of spaced integral projections on the supporting frame and handle structures thereof respectively. 
     
     
       46. The combination as defined in claim  45  wherein said pair of downwardly facing stacking surfaces of each portable hose reel assembly is provided by a pair of spaced integral lower portions of the supporting frame structure thereof. 
     
     
       47. The combination as defined in claim  46  wherein all of said portable hose reel assemblies in said stack have their circular end flanges in closely spaced substantial vertical alignment. 
     
     
       48. The combination as defined in claim  43 , wherein each pair of adjacent portable hose reel assemblies in said stack has a total of four spaced pairs of interengaging surfaces constructed and arranged to be positioned in stack supporting relation when said adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies are in said stack, 
       
         two pairs of the interengaging surfaces of each adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies in said stack being disposed in stack supporting relation so as to prevent downward movement of a forward portion of the uppermost portable hose reel assembly with respect to the lowermost portable hose reel assembly of each pair,  
       
       
         the other two pairs of the interengaging surfaces of each adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies in said stack being disposed in stack supporting relation so as to prevent downward movement of a rearward portion of the uppermost portable hose reel assembly with respect to the lowermost portable hose reel assembly of each pair. 
       
     
     
       49. The combination as defined in claim  48  wherein said interengaged surfaces include (   1   )  two pairs of downwardly facing stacking surfaces in which each stacking surface of said two pairs are spaced apart with respect to one another on each portable hose reel assembly and  (   2   )  two pairs of upwardly facing supporting surfaces in which each supporting surface of said two pairs are spaced apart with respect to one another on each portable hose reel assembly, the pair of downwardly facing stacking surfaces of an upper portable hose reel assembly of each adjacent pair of portable hose reel assemblies in said stack being interengaged with the pair of upwardly facing surfaces of a lower portable hose reel assembly of said pair.