HOSE support

Abstract

A hose support (10) comprising a shaft (12) having a handle (32) located adjacent an upper end (18). A hose securing device (16) is provided adjacent the handle (32) and a base plate (14) is secured to a lower end (18) of the shaft 12). The base plate (14) is pivotally connected to the shaft (12) such that a user may stand on the base plate (14) and alter the orientation of the shaft (12) to alter the direction of a hose nozzle secured within the hose securing device (16).

Description

[0001] “HOSE SUPPORT”

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for supporting a hose.

[0004] Background to the Invention

[0005]

[0002] Hoses for spraying water or other fluids are commonly used in a range of industrial applications. In such applications, the water is often sprayed in relatively large volumes and the hoses are therefore capable of quite high flow rates. Spraying water in such quantities creates a significant force which can make control of the end of the hose by the operator difficult. Operating such hoses for a period of time can be tiring and may be extremely difficult for anyone lacking sufficient strength to do so.

[0006]

[0003] The present invention relates to a device provided to support the end of a hose in order to make control of such high flow rate hoses easier.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008]

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a hose support comprising a shaft having a handle located adjacent an upper end of the shaft, a hose securing device adjacent the handle and a base plate secured to a lower end of the shaft wherein the base plate is pivotally connected to the shaft such that a user may stand on the base plate and alter the orientation of the shaft to alter the direction of a hose nozzle secured within the hose securing device.

[0009]

[0005] Preferably the shaft is connected to the base plate to allow rotation of the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

[0006] Preferably the shaft is connected to the base plate by a ball and socket joint.

[0010]

[0007] Preferably the ball and socket joint connects to the base plate at a first end of the base plate.

[0011]

[0008] Preferably the ball and socket joint comprises a ball fixed to an end of an arm extending upwardly from the first end of the base plate and a socket secured to the lower end of the shaft.

[0012]

[0009] Preferably the socket includes a recess in an edge to receive the arm when the shaft is pivoted toward the base plate to allow the shaft to pivot to a position in which its longitudinal axis is parallel to the plane of the base plate.

[0013]

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the handle comprises an elongate member secured transversely to the upper end of the shaft.

[0014]

[0011] Preferably the hose securing device comprises a clamp secured centrally above the handle.

[0015]

[0012] Preferably the clamp comprises a first side portion secured to the end of the shaft, a second side portion pivotally connected to the first side portion by a hinge and a latch connecting between ends of the first and second side portions opposite the hinge.

[0016]

[0013] Preferably each of the first and second side portions are U-shaped such that concave sides of the side portions define an opening into which the hose nozzle is received.

[0017]

[0014] Preferably the shaft is length adjustable such that the distance between the base plate and the hose securing device may be adjusted by varying the length of the shaft.

[0015] Preferably the shaft comprises first and second end portions with the first end portion being slidably received within the second and portion to allow adjustment of the length of the shaft.

[0018]

[0016] Preferably the handle comprises a central portion secured to the shaft and first and second end portions pivotally connected to the central portion such that the end portions may pivot between an extended position, in which the first and second end portions are colinear with the central portion, and collapsed positions, in which the first and second end portions are oriented parallel to the shaft.

[0019]

[0017] Preferably the handle is provided with slidable locking tubes on the first and second end portions such that the locking tubes can engage with ends of the central portion to lock the first and second end portions in the extended positions and can be retracted away from the central portion to allow the first and second end portions to rotate to the collapsed position for storage.

[0020] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

[0018] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0022]

[0019] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a hose support in accordance with the present invention;

[0023]

[0020] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hose support of Figure 1 ;

[0024]

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the hose support of Figure 1 ;

[0025]

[0022] Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the hose support of Figure 1 in a first tilted position;

[0026]

[0023] Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of the hose support of Figure 1 in a second tilted position;

[0027]

[0024] Figure 6a is a front view of the hose support of Figure 1 ;

[0028]

[0025] Figure 6b is a front view of the hose support of Figure 6a with the shaft extended;

[0029]

[0026] Figure 7a is an upper perspective view of the hose support of Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 7b is the hose support of Figure 7a with the handles in a folded position;

[0030]

[0028] Figure 7c is the hose support of Figure 7a with the shaft and base plate in a folded position;

[0031]

[0029] Figure 8a is a front view of the hose support of Figure 1 with the clamp in an open position;

[0032]

[0030] Figure 8b is a close up view of Detail C of Figure 8a;

[0033]

[0031] Figure 9a is a front view of the hose support of Figure 1 with the clamp in a closed position; and

[0034]

[0032] Figure 9b is a close up view of Detail B of Figure 9a.

[0035] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0036]

[0033] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a hose support 10 comprising generally a shaft 12, a base plate 14 and a hose securing device 16. The shaft 12 includes an upper end 18 and a lower end 19. The base plate 14 is secured to the lower end 19 of the shaft 12 and the hose securing device 16 is attached adjacent the upper end 18 of the shaft 12.

[0037]

[0034] The shaft 12 in the embodiment shown comprises a tubular member formed from a suitable material, such as a metallic material. The shaft 12 is length adjustable such that the distance between the base plate 14 and the hose securing device 16 may be adjusted by varying the length of the shaft 12. The shaft 12 in the embodiment shown comprises first and second end portions 20 and 21 each having a circular transverse cross-section with the first end portion 20 being slidably received within the second end portion 21 to allow adjustment of the length of the shaft 12. The second end portion 21 of the shaft 12 includes a plurality of holes 22 along the length to receive a spring biased pin provided on the first end portion 20 to fix the relative positions of the first and second end portions 20 and 21 and set the length of the shaft 12.

[0038]

[0035] The base plate 14 comprises a planar member provided to rest on the ground in use such that a user of the hose support 10 may stand on an upper surface of the base plate 14 to hold the base plate 14 in position on the ground.The upper surface of the base plate 14 includes a plurality of protrusions 24 to provide additional grip to the sole of the shoe of the user. In the embodiment shown, the base plate 14 is rectangular in shape, however it will be appreciated that other shapes may be possible for the base plate 14.

[0039]

[0036] The lower end 19 of the shaft 12 is pivotally connected to the base plate 14 such that when the base plate 14 is secured on the ground by a user standing on the base plate 14, the angle of the shaft 12 relative to the plane of the base plate 14 may be varied.

[0040]

[0037] Further the lower end 19 of the shaft 12 is connected to the base pate 14 such that the shaft 12 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 12. In the embodiment shown, the lower end 19 of the shaft 12 is connected to the base plate 14 by a ball joint 26. The ball joint 26 connects between the lower end 19 of the shaft 12 and a first end of the base plate 14. In the embodiment shown, the ball joint 26 comprises a ball 28 fixed to an end of an arm 46 extending upwardly from the first end of the base plate 14 and a socket 30 secured to the lower end 19 of the shaft 12 such that the ball 28 may be received into the socket 30. The engagement of the ball 28 in the socket 30 provides both the pivoting movement of the shaft 12 relative to the base plate 14 and the rotation of the shaft 12 about its longitudinal axis (as can be seen for example in Figures 4 and 5).

[0041]

[0038] The hose support 10 includes also a handle 32 secured adjacent the upper end 18 of the shaft 12. The handle 32 in the embodiment shown comprises an elongate member 33 connected transversely to the shaft 12 such that the first end 18 of the shaft 12 engages centrally with the elongate member 33. The elongate member 33 includes hand grips 34 on each of the ends thereof such that the user of the hose support 10 may hold onto opposite ends of the handle 32 to allow pivoting and rotational movement of the shaft 12 about the base plate 14. The elongate member 33 may comprise a tubular member having a circular transverse cross section and the hand grips 34 may comprise rubberised tubular grips to be slid onto the ends of the elongate member 33.

[0039] The hose securing device 16 in the embodiment shown is secured to the upper end 18 of the shaft 12 centrally above the handle 32 and comprises a clamp 36. The hose securing device 16 is provided to engage with a nozzle at an end of a hose (not shown). The nozzle is secured within the clamp 36 such that the nozzle is directed generally away from the base plate 14 such that the user may stand on the base plate 14 and hold the handle 34 to allow pivoting and rotation of the shaft 12 by the handle 32 in order to direct the stream of water emitted from the nozzle of the hose.

[0042]

[0040] The clamp 36 comprises a first side portion 38 secured to the end of the shaft 12 above the handle 32 and a second side portion 39 pivotally connected to the first side portion 38 by a hinge 40. Each of the first and second side portions 38 and 39 are U-shaped such that concave sides of the side portions 38 and 39 define an opening into which the nozzle of the hose is received. A latch 42 is provided connecting between ends of the first and second side portions 38 and 39 opposite the hinge 40 such that the second side portion 39 may be pivoted to an open position to receive the nozzle of the hose and then closed around the nozzle and secured in position by engagement of the latch 42 between the first and second side portions 38 and 39.

[0043]

[0041] The hose support 10 is provided with a locking pin 60 provided to be received through a hole in the latch 42 to lock the latch 42 in the closed position and prevent release of the clamp 36. The locking pin 60 in the embodiment shown is attached to the handle 32 by a cord 62.

[0044]

[0042] The socket 30 on the lower end 19 of the shaft 12 includes a recess 44 in a lower edge thereof. The recess 44 is provided to receive a side of the arm 46 when the shaft 12 is pivoted toward the base plate 14. The recess 44 thereby allows the shaft 12 to pivot to a position in which its longitudinal axis is parallel to the plane of the base plate 14 (as can be seen in Figure 7c).

[0045]

[0043] The handle 32 comprises a central portion 48 secured to the shaft 12 and first and second end portions 50 and 51. The first and second end portions 50 and 51 are pivotally connected to the central portion 48 such that the end portions 50 and 51 may pivot between an extended position, in which the firstand second end portions 50 and 51 are colinear with the central portion 48, and collapsed positions, in which the first and second end portions 50 and 51 are oriented parallel to the shaft 12.

[0046]

[0044] The handle 32 is provided with slidable locking tubes 52 on the first and second end portions 50 and 51 such that the locking tubes 52 can engage with ends of the central portion 48 to lock the first and second end portions 50 and 51 in the extended positions. The locking tubes 52 can be retracted away from the central portion 48 to allow the first and second end portions 50 and 51 to rotate to the collapsed position for storage when not in use (as can be seen in Figure 7b).

[0047]

[0045] In use, the nozzle of a hose may be connected into the hose securing device 16 of the hose support 10 and the hose support 10 held in place by standing on the base plate 14. While the hose is in use, the user may easily hold the nozzle against the force of the emitted water by holding the handle 32 and may vary the orientation of the shaft 12 by the handle 32 in order to direct the spray of water from the nozzle as required.

[0048]

[0046] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

1. Claims1. A hose support comprising a shaft having a handle located adjacent an upper end of the shaft, a hose securing device adjacent the handle and a base plate secured to a lower end of the shaft wherein the base plate is pivotally connected to the shaft such that a user may stand on the base plate and alter the orientation of the shaft to alter the direction of a hose nozzle secured within the hose securing device.

2. A hose support in accordance with claim 1, wherein the shaft is connected to the base plate to allow rotation of the shaft about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.

3. A hose support in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein the shaft is connected to the base plate by a ball and socket joint.

4. A hose support in accordance with claim 3, wherein the ball and socket joint connects to the base plate at a first end of the base plate.

5. A hose support in accordance with claim 4, wherein the ball and socket joint comprises a ball fixed to an end of an arm extending upwardly from the first end of the base plate and a socket secured to the lower end of the shaft.

6. A hose support in accordance with claim 5, wherein the socket includes a recess in an edge to receive the arm when the shaft is pivoted toward the base plate to allow the shaft to pivot to a position in which its longitudinal axis is parallel to the plane of the base plate.

7. A hose support in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle comprises an elongate member secured transversely to the upper end of the shaft.

8. A hose support in accordance with claim 7, wherein the hose securing device comprises a clamp secured centrally above the handle.

9. A hose support in accordance with claim 8, wherein the clamp comprises a first side portion secured to the end of the shaft, a second side portion pivotally connected to the first side portion by a hinge and a latch connecting between ends of the first and second side portions opposite the hinge.

10. A hose support in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of the first and second side portions are U-shaped such that concave sides of the side portions define an opening into which the hose nozzle is received.

11. A hose support in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft is length adjustable such that the distance between the base plate and the hose securing device may be adjusted by varying the length of the shaft.

12. A hose support in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the shaft comprises first and second end portions with the first end portion being slidably received within the second and portion to allow adjustment of the length of the shaft.

13. A hose support in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle comprises a central portion secured to the shaft and first and second end portions pivotally connected to the central portion such that the end portions may pivot between an extended position, in which the first and second end portions are colinear with the central portion, and collapsed positions, in which the first and second end portions are oriented parallel to the shaft.

14. A hose support in accordance with claim 13, wherein the handle is provided with slidable locking tubes on the first and second end portions such that the locking tubes can engage with ends of the central portion to lock the first and second end portions in the extended positions and can be retractedaway from the central portion to allow the first and second end portions to rotate to the collapsed position for storage.

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