BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to the field of apparatuses for supporting expandable garden hoses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Various means and methods are known in the art for storing conventional flexible garden hoses when the hose is not in use. The proper storage of garden hoses is critical for protecting the hose from inadvertent puncture from other gardening tools, damage due to hot temperatures (e.g., drying and cracking of the hose material), and damage due to cold temperatures (e.g., freezing of standing water not properly removed from the hose after use). Aesthetically, proper storage of garden hoses can protect the decor of the user's garden.

Hose reels, a common device designed to allow a conventional flexible garden hose to spin around a central element for storage, allow the user to wind the garden hose onto a storage caddy. In some arrangements, the caddy can be rolled away for storage or attached near the water faucet. Another method is to store the garden hose in a pot. Typically, the pot has an opening for one end of the garden hose to attach to a water faucet, and a separate opening for the user to pull out the other end of the hose during use. The diameter of the pot is generally large, in order to accommodate the length of the conventional flexible garden hoses, which are cumbersome and bulky. Yet another method is the use of a rack to store a garden hose. The rack is either affixed adjacent to the water faucet or attached to a water faucet. The garden hose is wound around the rack when it is not in use.

A disadvantage of the techniques described above is that they are specifically designed for use with conventional flexible garden hoses, which are formed from resilient flexible material, such as rubber. Further, since a conventional hose with fluid therein is generally of the same length with fluid expelled, the techniques described above are designed to accommodate the fixed length of conventional garden hoses regardless of whether the hose is in use (i.e., with fluid therein).

For example, the methods described above are not optimal for coil hoses, which automatically retract when not in use. Specifically, a hose reel is not necessary, because the coil hose automatically, retracts due to its retracting force. Further, the retracting force of the coil hose introduces difficulties in keeping the ends of the coil hose outside the openings of the pot during assembly. Also, when retracted, the size of a coil hose makes the use of a large pot obsolete. Finally, when retracted and fully coiled, a coil hose is difficult to wind onto a rack. Such inherent disadvantages in the known methods for storing coil hoses have not been entirely ignored. The methods developed to store coil hoses include a pole that is mounted horizontally or vertically. Other methods involve wire holders that are adapted to hold a retracted coil hose. Nevertheless, all the techniques described above are not optimal for storing expandable hoses, which are capable of contracting to a small lightweight size, unlike conventional heavy garden hoses. An example of this type of flexible hose can be found in Ragner U.S. Patent No. 6,948,527 entitled "Pressure- Actuated Linearly Retractable and Extendible Hose" which is directed to a hose for carrying fluid materials with a retractable and/or extendable means integrated with the hose. Retractable and extendable hoses of this nature are designed to be one length when fluid is within the hose and a substantially shorter length when fluid is not within the hose. A common example of this type of hose known in this field is a hose called the FLEX- ABLE HOSE ® marketed by Tristar Products, Inc. In one example, this particular hose has an expanded length of fifty feet and a retracted length of seventeen feet.

A flexible expandable hose generally comprises a flexible elastic inner tube and a flexible non-elastic fabric outer tube. The inner and outer tubes are typically attached at the ends of the hose and may or many not be attached there between. When in use, the inner tube expands longitudinally and radially. The non-elastic outer tube restricts and contracts the radial and longitudinal expansion of the expandable hose. When not in use the flexible expandable hose returns to a retracted and lightweight size. As a result, the use of a reel and pot are impracticable, because the expandable hose in its retracted size can easily be transported, is lightweight, and exhibits a shortened retracted length. Similarly, there is no advantage to using a rack, due to the ease of transporting a retracted expandable hose, unlike conventional hoses that are cumbersome. Further, the horizontal and vertical poles used by the coil hose storage systems are not practicable or applicable because the expandable hose does not coil onto itself when retracted.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a small and lightweight storage apparatus for expandable garden hoses when not in use and connected to a water faucet.

There is also a need in the art for a storage means that is easily attached and removable from a water faucet.

There is a further need for a storage means that is adapted to facilitate the draining of the hose when not in use. Such a draining helps protect the hose from damage due cold temperatures and the freezing of standing water within the hose.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a hose caddy for expandable hoses. The hose caddy comprises a housing formed from a bottom surface and sidewalls to define an open interior. A top is hingedly coupled to the housing to control access to the interior of the housing. Further, a flexible elongated member is coupled to the housing using a guidance assembly. The flexible elongated member includes a hook for attaching the hose caddy to a water faucet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein: FIG. 1 A illustrates a perspective view of a hose caddy attached to a water faucet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view of a hose caddy according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a left side view of a hose caddy attached to a water faucet according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a hose caddy according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a hose caddy according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of a hose caddy according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view 6-6 in FIG. 5 showing the details of a portion of preferred embodiments of the invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view 7 - 7 in FIG. 4 showing the details of a portion of preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a caddy illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 8.

Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure and the combination of parts, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form part of this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following presents a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the figures.

FIG. 1A and FIG. IB illustrate a hose caddy 100 for expandable garden hoses that, among other advantages and benefits, enables a user to store an entire expandable hose 200 or at least a portion thereof therein when the hose is not in use. FIG. 1A depicts hose caddy 100 attached to water faucet 300. Standard water faucets supply pressurized water of approximately 50-70 psi, and commercial applications supply generally higher pressures. An end of expandable hose 200 is coupled to water faucet 300. In the preferred

embodiment, expandable hose 200 includes a flexible elastic inner tube positioned inside a non-elastic flexible outer tube. The pressurized water from water faucet 300 flows within the inner tube. When not in use, expandable hose 200 is a retracted length, due to the retracting force of its construction. The non-elastic flexible outer tube is preferably formed from a woven fabric material that does not kink or twist. The fabric material appears wavelike or undulating when expandable hose 200 is retracted.

When expandable hose 200 is in use, the inner tube expands radially and longitudinally when the internal force exerted by the introduction of pressurized water from water faucet 300 is greater than the retracting force of expandable hose 200. The non-elastic outer tube restricts the radius and length of expandable hose 200. In one embodiment, the retracting force is provided substantially by the elastic inner tube. In some embodiments, the outer tube or a spring can provide a portion or all of the retracting force. Typically, expandable hose 200 expands to a length at least two times greater than its retracted length. Expandable hose 200 retracts to its retracted length, when the internal forced exerted by the pressurized water in the inner tube is less than the retracting force of expandable hose 200.

As shown in FIG 1A, expandable hose 200 is stored in hose caddy 100 when not in use. Hose caddy 100 includes housing 110 formed from bottom 104 and side walls 102. Housing 110 is preferably formed from a lightweight plastic, and configured to fit within a common carriage device, such as a bucket. Other materials, such as aluminum, steel, brass or wood can be used without departing from the principles disclosed herein. Top 106 is disposed on the opening formed by housing 110. In the preferred embodiment, top 106 is hingedly attached to housing 110. Therefore, top 106 can be rotated to an open position which provides access to the interior of housing 110. In some embodiments, top 106 can be snapped onto or made to slide onto housing 110. In other embodiments, top 106 is omitted. Top 106 preferably includes aperture 108. Aperture 108 provides outside access for an end of expandable hose 200 from the interior of housing 110. As shown in FIG 1A, aperture 108 allows an end of hose 200 to remain attached to faucet 300 when not in use. Additionally, aperture 108 can provide support for expandable hose 200 when top 106 is rotated to an open or partially open position.

Hose caddy 100 further includes an elongated body or memberll2. In the preferred embodiment, elongated body or member 112 is shown as a flat panel and is positioned on a substantially flat side of housing 110. Elongated body 112 includes hook 114 and is preferably formed from a material that can support the weight of hose caddy 100 and expandable hose 200. Hook 114 is preferably configured to securely attach hose caddy 100 to water faucet 300. In a preferred embodiment, hook 114 is manufactured of a smooth hooked shaped, however, it is readily apparent that hook 114 can be any arrangement serving the purpose of attaching the hose caddy 100 to water faucet 300, such as an oval or circular. According to an embodiment, hook 114 includes one or more notches 116 or extending portions that catches in slot 115 and prevents the member 112 from falling or sliding down beyond its lowest position as shown in FIG. 4. The hook 114 keeps the hose caddy 100 in a generally secured position to prevent rotation of the hose caddy 100, or prevent easy removal from water faucet 300. Elongated body 112 is attached to housing 110 using a vertical guidance rail assembly (described in further detail below and indicated as 130 in FIG. 3). Before attaching hook 114 to water faucet 300, elongated body 112 slides upward along guide 132 and rails 136 of vertical guidance rail assembly until the bottom of elongated body 112 is locked in a fully extended position by a locking mechanism 134 of vertical guidance rail assembly. Hook 114 can be used as a handle to easily transport hose caddy 100, for example, to and from its storage location to water faucet 300 when elongated body 112 is fully extended. After removing hose caddy 100 from water faucet 300, elongated body 112 can be lowered until elongated body 112 is locked into a retracted position by the locking mechanism 134 of guidance rail assembly 130. The retracted position allows for ease of storage of hose caddy 100. In the preferred embodiment, the locking assembly forms a slot 115 configured to catch notch 116 at the top of the hook and includes extrusions 126 and 128 positioned at the bottom of elongated body 112. Other mechanisms for locking elongated body 112 can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. In other embodiments, elongated body 112 is fixed in an extended position.

As shown in FIG. IB, a notch 116 is positioned on the upper portion of hook 114 on elongated body 112. Notch 116 is configured to lock into locking mechanism 134 when elongated body 112 is retracted. The locking mechanism 134 forms, or may be regarded as constituting, slot 115 which receives the notch 116 to lock the notch 116 into the locking mechanism 134. FIG. 2 illustrates housing 110 configured to rest substantially flat against the wall that faucet 300 is attached to. Such a configuration minimizes the size of hose caddy 100 and allows for ease of use on faucets with restrictive spacing. Further, this arrangement provides a lighter caddy for the purposes of transportation. In some embodiments, the small size of hose caddy 100 allows it to be carried in common carriage devices, for example a bucket. The bucket can include other gardening tools or another hose caddy

FIG. 3, shows a top view of hose caddy 100. In the preferred embodiment, top 106 has an area for indicia to be placed thereon such as a safety warning, advertisement, or the like. Further, bottom 104 of housing 110 has at least one aperture 120. Aperture 120 is preferably configured to allow standing water that has drained from expandable hose 200 to drain from housing 110. Also shown is guidance rail assembly 130.

As shown in FIG. 4, guidance rail assembly includes guide 132 and locking mechanism 134 as well as rails 136. Guide 132 is preferably arranged to direct the upward and downward motion of elongated body 112 with the minimum amount of material to save costs and weight. In some embodiments, the length of guide 132 can extend to the full or partially retracted length of elongated body 112. In a preferred embodiment, locking mechanism 134 forms a slot 115. As elongated body 112 is moved downward along guidance rail assembly 130, tab 118 is configured to pass through locking mechanism 134, while notch 116 of elongated body 112 is configured to catch in the slot 115 of locking mechanism 134 and thereby limit any further downward movement of elongated body 112. In a preferred embodiment, the height of elongated body 112 in its retracted position is less than or equal to the height of the housing 110 of the hose caddy 100. In other

embodiments, the height of elongated body 112 can be different from the height of hose caddy 100, without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention. As elongated body 112 is made to slide upward along guidance rail assembly 130, tab 118 is configured to pass through locking mechanism 134, while first extrusion 126 and second extrusion 128 positioned at the bottom of elongated body 112 are configured to catch ledges 140 and 142 of guide 132. Tab 118, when relaxed, i.e. when not depressed, extends angularly down and outward to catch guide 132 and prevent elongated member 112 from sliding downward due to gravity when elongated body 112 is fully extended. Prior to moving elongated body 112 downward along guidance rail assembly 130 tab 118 is depressed to allow it to be pass through locking mechanism 134. Drawing hook 114 upward causes the guide 132 to depress tab 118 and pass through guide 132. FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of apertures 120, 122, and 124 on bottom 104. The apertures allow standing water to be drained from expandable hose 200 when it is stored within hose caddy 100.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 shown cross-sections 6 - 6 and 7 - 7 in FIG 4 and FIG 5 of the notch 116 on the hook 114 passing through the slot 115 of the guide 132. FIG. 6 and FIG, 7 appear somewhat schematic in their dimensional relations but serve to illustrate the functions of the constituents.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment of the invention differs from the other embodiments in that the member 112 rides through the guide 132 without support from the rails 136. In the retracted down position, member 112 hangs alongside the caddy housing 110. In that position notch 116 on the hook 114 passes through the slot 115 in the guide 132 and prevents the member 112 from falling below its lowest position. To reach the extended position, as hook 114 on member 112 moves up, the tab guide 132 presses the tab 118 inwardly to allow member 112 to continue its upward movement. In the extended position when the hook 114 hangs the caddy on a faucet extrusions 126 and 128 strike the ends of guide 132 to prevent further upward motion. At the same time tab 118, after it passes through the guide 132 relaxes into its down and outward position and prevents member 112 from moving down until a user presses it in.

In operation, a person draws the hook 114 and member 112 with tab 118 upwardly through the guide 132 until extrusions 126 and 128 positioned at the bottom of member 112 prevent any further upward movement of the member 112 beyond the guide 132, and hangs the caddy on a faucet. The out and downward projecting tab 118 holds the member 112 in the up extended position. After use of the hose, the hose can be returned to the caddy and if desired, the caddy can be removed from the faucet. To collapse the caddy, a user pushes the tab 118 to permit lowering of the member 112 until the notch 116 at the top of hook 114 on member 112 enters the slot 115 in the the guide 132 and stops the downward movement.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the principles disclosed in the present invention can be applied to other industries and data types.

Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, techniques, methods, processes, systems, and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiments. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiments for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention. None of the terms used herein, including "force," "restrictor," "hose," "housing," and "faucet" are meant to limit the application of the invention. Any reference to a "retract" or "contract" is exemplary and is not intended to limit the application of the invention. The terms are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Similarly, the use of these terms is not meant to limit the scope or application of the invention, as the invention is versatile and can be utilized in many applications, as will be apparent in light of the disclosure set forth herein.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, which has been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary and is not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.