Area of the invention

This invention relates to a reel for storing hose and cable, in particular, the invention relates to rewind spool control means.

Background to the invention _-_

The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and arc not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion docs not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

Typically, hose or cable is stored upon a spool mounted horizontally upon an axle hub, when not in uso. Ti is usually wrapped upon the rotating spool by hand, thus its uniform distribution upon the spool can be difficult to control whilst the spool rotates. This is exacerbated when the operator must manually rotate the spc*>l whilst attempting to control the wrap of the hose upon the reel.

in many instances, the efficient execution of this process may require two operators ratlicr than one. This process leads to significant incfliciency when operators attempt uniform hose distribution xipon the spool.

This inefficiency is countered via the use of a far larger spool to accorruruxlate an inefficient wrap, which adds to the cost of the reel itself, along with stealing valuable space within the confines of a vehicle e.g. a fire truck, to which the reel is mounted.

Where increased spool size is not possible, this inefficiency will limit the hose capacity readily wrapped, or will significantly influence the amount of time required to very carefully facilitate uni form hose storage by hand.

Level winders can assist but have associated problems. An ex mple is a level wind device wltich can be offered as an option on most hose storage reels today. It must be mentioned however that due to the complex mechanical nature of most commonly available level wind devices (almost exclusively utilising double acting lead screw and carriage arrangement) they are typically a very expensive option and require a specially dedicated and more cosily reel chassis, rarely spc ilied at point of sale. But when the need becomes apparent they arc extremely difficult, if not.impossible, to retro-fit to a standard reel. It must he mentioned also that due to difficult and dirty operating l environments, along with excessive lateral pulling loads applied to the hose, such existing devices arc not reliable in service without constant attention and maintenance

The level wind of hose or cable upon a horizontal spool is typically facilitated via a reciprocating carriage sliding from the left to right side upon a horizontal guide rail, whose length of travel is dictated by the width of the spool or the siruclural limits of the reel liame itscll ^' . The roil system of the level wind is typically an integral part of a special and costly reel frame structure, and is not self contained as a separable modular device. Upon this carriage is usually mounted a pair of closely located vertical and a pair of closely located horizontal rollers which surround the hose at a iixed pitch typically matched to the hose diameter.

These rollers move with the reciprocating carriage and act directly upon the hose to provide lateral directional guides of low frictional resistance towards the moving hose being wrapped or unwrapped from the spool, by means of their ability to act as rollers.

This reciprocating action is typically facilitated via a double acting lead screw mounted horizontally either above or below a fixed carriage rail, forming a parallel carriage rail pair, and driven in one direction by the motive force acting to rotate the spool either via a manual crank device, or by some motor power means.

As an alternative to the double acting screw in level wind devices, it is known in relation to load bearing cable winches, that earlier level wind devices used a chain drive to power a cable guide specifically for that application but ihis approach has never been utilized on storage reels.

Tlose and cable storage reels however arc specifically not designed to carry a load bearing cable to move objects. Specifically storage reels must allow payout wUhout supporting a load and in most instances are required to facilitate "free" manual payout by hand without geared resistance. In addition, ihe liosc reel need only be able to rewind the hose or cable to be stored and is not designed to apply a pull force to any other mass. Λ main issue with simple hose and cable storage devices is the need for free unhindered payout.

In the case of the earlier winch applications described, it would seem that the reciprocating function is entirely dependent upon the motive power of the spool, and that payout and lateral control of the cable will only occur under controlled "powered" conditions, it can therefore be seen even that even if the drive Ibrce is decoupled at the spool shaft itself, negating any spool drive gear reduction and resistance, there still remains the inherent fixed gear reduction employed by the level wind device spccilScally to satisfy the required reciprocating speed of the carriage to evenly lay the cable, which is significant, in that this alone, without means to decouple the level wind drive reduction, will prevent the cable from being "freely" run off the spool by hand whilst this fixed resistance is present . It is clear that in these designs, a need U> free payout the hose by hand was not a consideration, nor a need, and that the facility to do this was not inherent in these level wind Inventions themselves which employed the chain and sprocket drive to the carriage.

In fact in one application the cable carriage is fixed firmly to the chain with the chain unable to be Treed from its motive drive while in another the cable carriage is actuated via a scotch yolk device lirmly engaging the chain and carriage without means of freeing either from each other. These applications therefore do not have the ability to disengage the carriage from the chain drive and allow free unhindered carriage movement.

Objects

It is an object of the invention to ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art described above or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

Λ storage reel and spool for hose and cable may be provided with a level wind device and spool rotation mode control and spool rotation control or braking.

An improved level winder device for a storage spool may be provided which ameliorates the previously described problems.

Outline »f the Invention

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a hose and cable storage reel having a level winder powered from the reel drive system and including a carriage mechanism which allows the hose to be paid out through the carriage, the storage reel being provided with a chain and sprocket drive to initiate lateral movement and reciprocate the carriage upon the level winder device.

The invention also includes a brake means to control the rotation of the spool. The brake means includes at least one roller that can be variably axially olfset to provide a factional retarding force against a rotating wall and a controllable variable braking force.. The roller may be alignable to the plane of the spool wall so thai its rotating axis is normal to the direction of travel of the wall at the point of contact to allow the roller to be free-wheeling, thereby applying minimal friction to the spool wall, l nc roller may be mounted to a sprung arm. The sprung arm may be axially rolalable whereby to vary the orientation of the roller axis relative to the direction of tra el of the spool wall at the point of contact. it is preferred thai the chain and sprocket drive in the storage reel be provided with at least one specially shaped elongated lobe or dog mounted upon the side «Γ the chain and sprocket drive to initiate lateral movement and reciprocate the carriage upon the level winder device.

Tt is further preferred that the carriage be provided on its inner side, racing the chain and dog lobe with at least one detent that is adapted to selectively engage the dog. I ^" he detent may have an inclined surface facing the direction of an approach dog whereby to enable the dog to slide over the surface in rainpcd fashion. I ^* he detent may be ramped. The detent may be sprung for pivotal, eccentric or other movement such that it can move from an engaging position with the dog, to a non-engaging or slipping position relative to the dog. The detent may be movably mounted to selectively present a Hat engaging or inclined slipping surface. The detent may be configured to permit relatively unimpeded travel of the chain past the dog in otic direction of chain travel, and engagement of the detent with the dog when the chain travels in the other direction of chain rotation to cause movement of the carriage with the chain. The carriage may therefore be permitted to travel in a reciprocating manner back and forth along a linear path in a plane parallel to the chain. The linear path may correspond to a rail on which the carriage is mounted for reciprocal movement. The chain may be mounted as a loop lor rotation about sprockets at either end of the rail.

The detent may be one of two or more detents. The detents may be identical in structure. The carriage may include two to four detents in the form of strategically placed sprung latch ramps. The ramps may diagonal ly appose each other in orientation, with one ramp at each of four corners of the special carriage through which the hose is paid out or wound in. It is further preferred that the dog abuts and engages the flat face of the latch-ramp in one direction to initiate lateral displacement of the carriage and move it along the rail.

Tn a preferred arrangement, once the carriage arrives at the end of the rail, the dog lobe rotates about one of the end sprockets, and is allowed to clear this previously engaged first latch as its direction departs from linear to circular about the sprocket. Tn this rotational phase it is allowed to clear and pass a second comer latch (which would facilitate engagement later in the cycle if the device drive was reversed). The dog then begins to h-avel linearly in the other direction until it engages the flat face of a third latch ramp that is diagonally opposed to the first latch rarnp, the third latch ramp providing the resumed engagement of a dog for initial return displacement of the carriage back along the rail. As such the process is repeated as the carriage rcciprocatuigly travels back and forth along the rail in alternating directions.

It is further prctcrrcd that the carriage mechanism allows for a dwell period at the end of each stroke to facilitate more efficient wrap of toe hose at the extremities of the spool. Other designs dictate an immediate change of direction at the end of each stroke. Therefore, at the end of travel in each direction, there may be a controlled pause ofmovcmcnl or dwell time of the carriage whilst one of the ramps disengages one dog and the same or a different ramp engages another dog i r return travel. This pause may facilitate orderly winding of the hose at the extreme edges of the spool.

It is also preferred that the carriage mechanism allows the hose to be payed out through the carriage at an axis both parallel (0 degrees) and at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the drive sprockets on the reciprocator chain. Preferably, the orientation of the sprockets is vertical thereby providing for a more horizontally compact design of significantly reduced depth when the parallel option (0 degree) is ehosen. That is the footprint occupied by the hose reel mechanism is smaller. This has advantages for applications where compact design is important, for example, for vehicle-mounted hose reels.

It is further preferred that the carriage mechanism allows for reversing direction in driven mode to prevent the device jamming if the drive is reversed (this would be due to the strategic nature of the location of the latch ramps). The latch that would otherwise hinder the movement is provided with a rump as mentioned which allows the lobe dog to travel over the ramped side by means of the ramp allowing the latch to be displaced away from the lobe dog within a guide mechanism which is sprung, allowing the latch to resume its operating position once the lobe dog has passed it in & re ersed direction.

It is preferred that the carriage be a disengaging rccirmwaling carriage device that can be

"delatchcd" from the chain drive by an operator cither mechanically or via a solenoid Ibr free unhindered travel of the hose off the spool. This make reduce the load and force required to be applied by the operator during payout of the hose. It is further preferred that the carriage automatically engages on rewind for uniform rewind of the hose onto the spool once . the winder is energized. This function may be enabled by utilising the antijamming displacement ability of the latch-ramps collectively. This may be achieved by means of a central cam device actuated via a lever and/or a lever & solenoid device. This will be easily actuated by an operator either rcmolcly or locally. As mentioned earlier, specifically, storage reels generally must allow payout without imposing a drive and/or gearing load. Tn most instances , this involves the facilitation of "free" manual payout by hand without geared resistance. . The nature of this requirement is typically dictated by growing Occupational, I iealth and Safely (Ot l&S) requirements in respect of injuries, primarily to an operator's back, caused by the payout resistance of hose reels used by personnel in the work place. In addition, the hose reel need only be able to rewind the hose or cable to be stored and is not designed to apply a pull force to any other mass.

it is further preferred that the carriage mechanism allows for variation in roller position to properly accommodate a large range of typical hose sizes encountered.

It is further preferred that the level wind device allows a simple modification of 3 channel beam components, and two rollers, and chain length, a. signiticant variation in length depending on the hose reel to be fitted to accommodate fitment on to any number of typical hose storag reels. This may involve stand end components interposed with variable length beams. The chain length can be adjusted according standard methods by insening or removing links, noting that it is preferable to space the multiple dogs along its length equally.

it is also preferred that the level wind device f the invention be a self contained level wind device independent of the reel frame structure. This would contain all the operable features of the level wind, and can be simply bolted to basic channel support arms retrofitted to any reel type. It would then only require simple chain sprocket engagement to an existing drive sprocket shall on any reel to provide the rewind drive.

It may also be preferred that rewinding be facilitated by the provision of a spring forced roller mounted on arms connectible to the storage reel which is directed onto the winding hose.

It is further preferred that a spool mode control be provided comprising a manual lever or solenoid actuated "Mode" selector incorporating three special positions obtained via a rotational slide selector with a gale. It is preferred that an emergency crank rewind that decouples a potentially seized drive motor be provided. Preferably a solenoid is provided which can be actuated to achieve the three optional positions, including engaged, disengaged and crank rewiud.

The invention also provides for free unhindered spool rotation and payout. It is further preferred that the selector allows the slide shaft to attain this all important free full neutral position where the bevel gears are fully disengaged and the reel spool is completely free running to allow easy pay-out of the hose without the resistance of the motor and reduction gearing. Once the level wind is also disengaged to be in neutral, there is nothing at all to hinder the Iree lateral movement of the hose moving off the spwl during payout.

it is also preferred that an integrated PTO (power take off) be provided to operate the level winder. It is furtheT preferred that an integrated optional emergency bevel gear cTank rewind with adjustable crank angle be provided. It is further preferred that a side mount chain sprocket cartridge unit that allows for quick ratio changes of prcdeleirriincd sprocket sets lo set correct level wind speeds of varying hose sizes be provided.

It is further preferred thai an overload safety function be provided.

it is also preferred that the mode selector device be designed as a mirrored unit in that the selector mechanism can be reversed as a mirror to allow the matching gears lo be normally engaged with each other or normally disengaged, depending upon the arrangement of the slide components which arc uniquely designed to be reversible to facilitate such modes.

It is further preferred in the invention that a resistance wheel brake acting on a spool disc be provided. The wheel brake may be a simple rolling rubber wheel, The roller wheel may be mounted to a screw adjustable axial spring preload arm that applies varying resistance pressure to the periphery of the spool disc as it rolls around. The resistance may be increased by tightening the serew. More imrxnlarctry, the rubber wheel can also be swung around to provide rolling resistance via a lever actuator. This resistance continues to increase as the roller is swung through a full 90 degrees, at which it discontinues to roll and locks up. This may be when it has no forward vector urging rolling molion in the direction of the spool disc at the point of engagement. > litis provides maximum resistance to rotation and full braking of the spool lo prevent rotation, for example, during vehicle motion or hose slorage.etc.

Brief Description of an Embodiment of the Invention

lire invention may provide a level winder device for use in association with a hose and cable storage reel which permits a range of controls of the winding process on the spool.

With the previously mentioned pitfalls of such a device, a more cost effective reliable, reliable reciprocating mechanism was required, one which was readily adaptable to varying reel spool widths in production, along with the ability to retrofit to varying other reel types, including those of other manufacturers. In order to achieve this it is preferred that it be a self contained, separable and modular in design although this is not restrictive in the invention.

To resolve these issues of cost, reliability, ability lo retrofit, and separability as a self contained unit, the new level wind invention is described as follows.

To utilize proven, low cost and robust means to facilitate movement oJ the hose carriage guide. This would need to typically employ the most common power and motion transmission components used in general storage reel manufacture. As such, our invention utilizes a chain and sprocket drive with a specially shaped elongated lobe or dog mounted upon the side of this chain and sprocket drive. It conforms to the profile of one chain link, thus utilising two link pins in the chain lor increased load bearing capability. Our invention can also call upon heavier chain for greater lateral stiffness in supporting the carriage load, as well as accommodating larger heavier reel hose applications.

Upon the inner side of the carriage feeing this chain and dog lobe are contained ( ur strategically placed sprung latch-ramps that diagonally appose each other in orientation, at each corner of a special carriage. The dog abuts and actuates against the Hat lace of a latch-ramp in one direction to initiate lateral displacement and move the carriage along the rail. Once the carriage arrives at the end of the rail, the dog lobe rotates about the end sprocket, and is allowed to clear this previously engaged latch-ramp as its direction departs from linear to circular about the sprocke 'ln this rotational phase it is allowed to clear and puss the second corner latch-ramp (which would facilitate engagement later in the cycle if the device drive was reversed) then it begins to travel lineally in the other direction until it engages the flat lace of the latch-ramp that diagonally opposed the latch- ramp providing the initial engagement for initial displacement. As such the process is then repeated in the alternative direction.

Another unique feature ol ^' this carriage mechanism is that it allows the hose to be payed out through the carriage at an axis, both parallel (0 degrees) and at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the drive sprockets on the rcciprocator chain. Tn the versions previously discussed the hose can only pay out through a carriage at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation of the drive sprockets and reciprocator chain. This provides for a more horizontally compact design of significantly reduced depth when the parallel option (0 degree) is chosen.

it is also a leature of the invention to prevent the device jamming if the drive is reverspd (this would he due to the strategic nature oi the location of the latch-ramps), the latch-ramp that would hinder the movement is facilitated with a ramp as mentioned which allows the lobe dog to travel over the ramped side by means of the ramp allowing the latch to be displaced directly away from the lobe dog within a guide mechanism which is sprung, allowing the latch to resume its operating position once the lobe dog lias passed it in a reversed direction.

Another signilicanl feature of the unique carriage mechanism is that it allows for a dwell period at the end of each stroke to facilitate more efficient wrap of the hose at the extremities of the spool. Other designs dictate an immediate change of direction at the end of each stroke, preventing efficient hose wrap at the extremity of travel ol ^' the level winder carriage.

Another critical feature of the new carriage is a unique "disengaging" reciprocating carriage device lhal can be "dclalched" from the chain drive by an operator either mechanically or via a solenoid for free uixriindcred travel of the hose, off the spool, ll will automatically engage on rewind to for uniform rewind of the hose onto the spool onco the winder is encrgi ed.

This function is enabled by utilising the anti-jamming displacement ability of the latch-rumps collectively by means of a central cam device actuated via a lever and or a lever and solenoid device, This will be easily actuated by an operator either remotely or locally. As mentioned earlier storage Reels must allow payout without supporting a load and in most instances arc required to lacilitatc "free" manual payout by hand without geared resistance. The nature of this requirement is typically dictated by growing Oil&S requirements in respect to back injuries caused by the payout resistance of hose reels used by personnel in the work place. In addilion, the hose reel need only be able to rewind the hose or cable to be stored and is not designed to apply a pull force to any other mass.

The carriage also contains a special mechanism that allows for the variation in roller position by means of adjusting location holes to properly accommodate a large range of typical hose sizes encountered.

The level wind device itself allows simple modification of 3 only channel beam components, and two only rollers, along with a simple shortened chain length, to provide significant reduction in device width from maximum available to accommodate fitment on to any number of typical hose storage reels of varying widths.

An important strength of the design is the complete self contained nature of the level wind device independent of the reel frame structure. This would contain all the operable features of the level wind, and can be simply bolted to basic channel support arms retrofitted to any reel type. It would then only require simple chain sprocket engagement to an existing drive sprocket shaft on any reel.

A further feature of the invention is a spool mode control comprising a manual lever or solenoid actuated "Mode" selector incorporating three special positions:

Position I . Full powered drive

Position 2. Emergency Crank rewind that "uniquely" decouples a potentially seized drive motor.

Position 3, Free (unhindered) spool rotation and payout. The selector also allows the slide shaft to attain this all important free (unhindered) full neutral position were the bevel gears are fully disengaged and the reel spool is completely iree running to allow easy pay-out of the hose without the resistance of the motor and reduction gearing. Once the level wind is also disengaged to be in neutral there is nothing at all to binder the free lateral movement of the hose moving off the spool dtiring payout. The spool mode control coaiprisos a primary sliding output shatt providing sliding inlervonnccliviiy to the static integrated PTO (Power take off to operate the level winder) along with the integrated optional emergency bevci gear crank rewind with adjustable angle crank combined secondary output shaft which in turn drives the chain sprocket reduction drive cartridge( a side mount chain sprocket cartridge unit that allows for quick Talio changes of predetermined sprocket sets to set correct level wind speeds of varying hose sizes) and finally the level winder itself.

The sliding functionality is provided via a simple fork and pin sliding joint arrangement. The primary sliding output shall in the device comprises two spur gears of varying sizes, with unique side bevel cut teeth upon the outboard side, cut in a way ihat allows for the axial meshing of both gears into two corresponding gears set upon a parallel shails, one for each gear, one being a power input shaft connected to a motor drive, the other being a shaft providing the final direct drive input into the spool. The continued meshing of these gears facilitates both the drive function of the spool, along with the engagement of the level wind device, in this case the crank drive would also be live however in this instance the crank handle will be removed. This meshing of gears is maintained by an axial thrust force being applied to the slide gear and slide shaft say via a light actuation spring, a powered solenoid, or by this shaft being locked into place via a special selector gale mechanism that rotates about the device housing.

The invention also includes a unique overload safety function which includes another special side cut bevel gear axially fixed with a limited sliding action upon the parallel power shaft within the device driven by an electric motor or other power source which has fixed directly to it a typically smaller drive gear with a mating axial bevel cut. This small drive gear is normally held engaging this special shaft gear of limited sliding action. The large side cut gear with limited sliding action is forced against the motor drive side cut gear continually via a preloaded heavy spring acting upon it about the shall, and is able to apply an adequate force to ensure the duty of the reel is fulfilled, but if die reel is compelled to stall due to a jam or excessive load, the side cut bevel gears being t rced together by the spring will push apart due to a load in excess of the springs pressure.

Tile spring pressure can also be adjusted via a pretension bolt or similar. The special side cut of the meshing bevel gears allows for adequate power transmission whilst the gears arc held in mesh by the spring, however when a load exceeds the springs compressive load the gears are allowed to move axially out of mesh by the superior pull load of the hose being rewound against the lesser spring load, to allow slippage. Therefor they act us a safety clutch device. This spring load may be adjusted by means of a screw applying for compressive load to the spring, therefore adjusting the slip rate of the reel. The mode selector device is designed as a mirrored unit in that the selector mechanism sleeve can be reversed as a mirror to allow the matching gears to be normally engaged with each other τ normally disengaged, depending upon the arrangement of the slide components which are uniquely designed to be reversible to facilitate such modes. Two locating rings attached via grub screws contain the selector sleeves and provide tor the selling of the selector positions and act as lixed limits.

The invention also features a unique resistance wheel brake acting on spool disc. A simple rolling Tubber wheel with a screw adjustable axial spring preload applies varying resistance-pressure to the periphery of the spool disc as it rolls around, the resistance is increased by tightening the screw. More importantly, the rubber wheel can also be swung around to provide rolling resistance via a lever actuator,

This resistance continues until the rubber roller is swung a full 90 degrees, al which in discontinues to roll and locks up, providing maximum resistance to rotation and fully braking the spool preventing rotation during vehicle motion and providing positive hose storage.

In a further embodiment of the invention a spring pressured roller is provided on arms attachable to the storage reel to provide pressure on the winding hose loops thereby facilitating their orderly distribution.

The invention provides in a hose and cable storage reel a means for distributing the hose upon the reel in an improved manner provided by a variety of unique means. In particular ihe invention is able to be applied to a wide variety of spool widths without the need for a specific level winder to be provided for any given reel dimension.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Possible and preferred features of the present features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings arc not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure la is an exploded perspective view of a drive mechanism according to one aspect of the invention;

I'igurc 1 b is a perspective view of a level winding assembly according to preferred embodiment, I' igurc 2a is a perspective view, and end and side elevations, of a level winding mechanism according to the embodiment shown in i ^f ig. 9b; Figure 2b is a perspective view of a hose reel with attached level winding mechanism according to a preferred embodiment;

Figure 3a is an exploded perspective and partly magnified view of a winding guide head assembly according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9b;

Figure 3b is another exploded perspective view ofthc winding guide head assembly shown in Fig. 3a;

Figure 4 is side elevation view ofa level winder assembly according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9b;

Figure 5 is a carriage assembly according to the embodiment shown in lug. 9b;

Figure 6 shows front and side elevations o part of a level winder and carriage assembly according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9b;

Figure 7 is non-continuous front elevation of a carriage drive assembly according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9b;

Figure 8 js a perspective view ofa brake assembly according to another aspect of the. invention; Figure 8b is a perspective view ofa brake assembly according to another aspect of the invention;

Figure 9a shows front, and lel and right hand side, elevations of a carriage and rail assembly according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 ;

Figure 9b is an exploded perspective view o a carriage and rail assembly, together with a magnified view of the carriage assembly according lo a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a schematic drawing ofa constant pressure roller Irame according to another aspect of the invention; and

Figure 1 1 is a schematic drawing ol'a manual mode selector.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a level winder device 100 lor use in association with a hose and cable storage reel 200 which permits a range of controls of the winding process on a spool 201 .

Figure I a shows a drive mechanism 130 that is coupled to the level wind controller 100 shown in I'ig. 2a. The drive mechanism comprises reducing gears including sprockets 7,27 that arc easily interchangeable, unlike the prior art, due lo the mounting mechanism designed by the applicants in which a conneclor hub 8 for the transitioning sprocket 7 allows easy disassembly and replacement of one sprocket 7,27 for another, so that the gear ratios of the device 100 can be modified to suit di ITerent applications, such as di liferent sized (length) level winder assemblies made according to the invention, different sized hoses, and desired reel winding speeds.

In Fig. 1 b there is shown a preferred form of the level winder assembly 300 which demonstrates the capacity of the device to be easily adjusted in length to suit a variety of hose reel size requirements and applications, instead ofproviding a beam 103 in one piece, the linear guide 303 is made up of pair of identical end sections 305,306 that provide guides or supports for the chain 30. The beam 303 is generally channel shaped and its top and bottom walls arc adapted to trap the carriage wear plates 9 (sec Fig. 3b) therein. In Fig. 3b, the beam 303 is more clearly seen, lixtending from the internal vertical wall of the beam 303 are a pair of ribs 308,309 extending ihe length of the beam to support the chain 30. There arc a pair of wear plates 9 above and below the carriage housing 5. The wear plates arc made of ΡΊΤΈ (ΤβΠοηΦ) to ensure friction Is kept to a minimum as (he carriage 110 travels up and down the beam 303,

With reference to h'jg. 3a, the carriage housing is able to be shillcd towards or away from the beam 303 to move the latches 112 into and out of the plane of engagement of the chain dogs 32 by means of a telescopic cam tube 37. The cam tube 37 is Tolaiablc about and telescopicaliy mounted on a stub 37b ex lending normally from the outer wall plate 119a. Λ pin 38a is press fitted into the stub through radially opposed upertures to present u pair of radial knobs protruding from the surface of the stub 37b. The cam tube has a corresponding $-shapcd slot 37c to receive the pin knob 38a which amibination controls the rotation of the cam tube 37 about the stub 37b. The arrangement is such that the compression springs 1 18b, held in compressed slated by the axial compressive combinations of a plurality of bolls 2S extending through a lift plate 47 and lube guides 61 (4 in this case corresponding to the number of deflector latches 1 12) to receive the spring 118b as a sleeve and ihe latch 112 as a nut (the latch 112 being also pivotally engaged by a short bolt 16 extending through the upper and lower plates 1 19). The cam tube 37 is uxially connected to handle lever

1 0,35 that can be used to rotate the cam lube 37. bearing against the plate 47 UJ move the carriage housing 5 and latches 112 into and out of the engagement plane of the chain dogs 32.

The level winder device 1 DO includes a pair of spaced and opposed side walls 101 , 1 2 connected by an clongaie beam 103 and supported for rotation about axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the beam 1 3 a pair of upper and lower elongate rollers 104, 105 to control the height at which a hose (not shown) is wound on or pajd out relative to the spool 201. Mounted for reciprocal linear travel alon horizontal rails 1 3 is a carriage 110 comprising a roller housing 41 and a pair of spaced short rollers mounted for rotation about a respective vertical axes. The short vertical rollers 106, 107 arc adapted to control the pay out and the winding on of the hose with regard to lateral placement on the spool 201 and arc spaced sufficiently to permit the free passage ol'the hose defined by the gap between the vertical rollers 1 6, 107 and the horizontal rollers 104 _? 1 5. I e hose reel 200 includes the spool 201 and reel disc 202.

The exploded view of the level winding assembly 100 is shown in Figure 9b and reference is made to the reference tables in Figures 1, 2, 9a and 9b in this connection, which tables are incorporated herein by reference.

Figure 2 shows the carriage assembly 110 mounted on the level winding assembly 100 for linear reciprocal motion along a rail 103 extending between the ends of the carriage assembly 1 0. The level winding assembly 1 0 includes a drive means 120 including a drive shaft 231 operably engaged to the variable level wind speed gear or reduction mechanism 130 as show in Figure 1 1. The level winder drive mechanism 120 includes bevelled gears 121 adapted to engage with vertically aligned and spaced sprockets 125, 126 that lie in the same plane and arc adapted to drive a tensioaed chain 3 comprising a loop that travels in a vertical plane corresponding to the plane of the spaced sprockets 29, 125 _» 126. The chain 30 preferably includes multiple, equispaced dogs 32, lor example at lOOmm or greater intervals. The closeness ofthe dogs 32 with respect to adjacent dogs is determined by the application, noting that even a chain 30 with a single dog 32 would still be largely operable, although corrective winding might be required in particular cases where the winding has got in ineffecti e, irregular or inefficient.

ihc carriage i 1 is adapted to reciprocate along a linear pathway by engagement with beam 1 3 support and guides for chains and lie in the beam 1 3 end pieces 127, 128 extending a substantial proportion of the length ofthe horizontal rollers 104, 105 and defining the lateral limits of travel of the carriage assembly 1 1 . The carriage assembly includes a cam mechanism and lever assembly 1 0 adapted to shift the carriage 110 out of engagement with the chain 30 as described herein. The chain 30 comprises regularly spaced dogs or lobes adapted to engage a plurality of deflectable latch ramps housed in the lower section 1 1 1 of the carriage 110, the deflccluble latch ramps 112 numbering 4 and located in apposed pairs 113. 1 14. ihc carriage comprises an upper section 1 1 .

As show in Figure 3, the carriage may comprise more than a pair of spaced vertical rollers 1 6, 107, but may comprise a set of four or more vertical rollers to control the lateral positioning ofthe hose during payout and winding in of the hose.

in Figure 6, there is shown two variants of the deflectable latch ramp 1 i 2a, 1 12b. The deflectable latch ramps comprise a flat face 116 adapted to engage a dog 32 mounted on the chain 30 and a ramped surface 117 adapted to permit the dog 32 to ride over the ramp 117 when the chain is travelling in a reverse direction. Various mechanisms can be provided to permit deflection of the latch ramp 1 12. the preferred arrangement being shown in Figures 6 and 6b, where the latch ramp 112 is pivoUilly mounted and sprung against deflection towards the wall 119a.

The opposed pairs of latoh ramps 1 13, 1 14 lie in different vertical planes, as shown in Figure 5. This permits the latch ramps to variously engage with the chain dogs 32 selectively, depending on the direction of travel of the chain 30.

As shown in Figure 5b, the latch ramps 112 arc pivotally mounted to horizontal and spaced walls 1 1 joined by a vortical plate 1 1 a.

The crank 140 provides a cam mechanism whereby to vertically shift the carriage 1 10 away from the chain 30 and out of engagement and out of the plane of travel of the dogs 32, so that the carriage is irco to stop, inis may be achieved by an automated mechanism utilising a solenoid or mechanical device 145.

The offset alignment of the laich ramps 1 12, by their pairings 1 13, 114 allows the carriage device to slip passed the chain dogs 32 on payoxrt when the hose is hauled by an operator, and to engage the ohain dogs 32 during winding n of the hose. As the skilled person will appreciate,' it is only important during rewind to control the winding of the hose onto the spool 201 , but not in the payout mode of the hose reel 200., Complete delatchment of the carriage 110 from the chain dogs is achieved by shifting the carriage L 10 by the manual cam lever 140 or solenoid 1 5 to shift the latch ramps 1 12 out of the plane of the chain dogs 32. Furthermore, the gear box generally shown in Figure 1 with reference to reference numeral 130 and shown in greater detail in the sketch f Figure 1 1 , the gear box 1 0 may be disengaged for totally free payout of the hose reel 200.

Referring to Figure 7, the drive mechanism 30 for the level winding assembly is shown in greater detail. As can be seen, the drive shaft 31 is opcrably connected to vertically oriented sprockets 29 which carry a tensioned chain 30. The chain 30 carries multiple dogs 32 that engage latch Tamps 1 12 by abutting their broad face 11 whereby to move the carriage assembly 1 10 along the rails

103. The dog 32 is generally block shaped and dimensioned to match the general dimensions of the link to which it is attached on the drive chain 30. The dog 32 is about the same length, height and depth ot ^' u lmki with a similar radius 138 at each of its respective ends 133. The radmscd ends 138 facilitate smooth transler over the ramped surfaces 1 17 of the latches 1 12, whilst presenting a solid engagement surface when abutting the llat faces 116 of the latches 112.

Preferably, as shown in Figure 5b, the latch ramps 112b are four in number, with a latch ramp 1 12 located in each corner of the lower section of the carriage assembly 110 to reduce lag times and facilitate clean and responsive engagement of the carriage assembly 110 with the drive assembl 30.

Tn relation to Figure 8 there is shown a breaking device 230 comprising a main bracket 231 adapted to be mounted to a hose reel 200 and a brake in the form of a rubber roller 235 adapted to engage a reel disc 202 (see Fig. 2b). The roller 235 is rotatably mounted to u U-shaped axle support 236 which, in turn, is axially mounted to a shaft 237 joumaUcd in the bracket 23land braced between bushes 238 and a brake bracket 239. The brake bracket 239 is spaced from the main bracket 231 whereby the roller 235 is mounted to apply axial force through the shaft 237 to the reel disc 202, whereby the roller 235 is adapted to permanently engage and abut the reel disc 202, -!¾e axial tension of the toller (an axial force applied to the reel disc 202 surface) is applied through the shaft 237 to the reel disc 202 and is controlled by rotation of the shaft 237 _? thrcadably engaged to the main plate 2 1.

The tension imposed by the roller 235 is adjustable by axially displacing the threaded shaft 237. In this regard, the shall 247 is rolatablc by a handle 243 whereby to vary the length of shaft 237 extending beyond the main plate 23 ] towards the disc reel 202 and the consequent force applied thereto, the force being regulated by the compression spring 240 interposed between he brackets 231 ,239.

The orientation of the roller 235 axis 246 is controlled by the attachment of the axle bracket 236 to a tube shall 238 that is integrally formed with its slotted extension sleeve 242 on the opposite side of the main bracket 2 1. The slotted sleeve surrounds the shad 237 and spring 240 an the slotted sleeve extends integrally into a brake lever 244. The brake lever 244 may assume any one of a number of radial positions about the brake bracket 239, being sprung to bear on the outer edge of the brake bracket 239. The lever 244 is Hal faced and cooperates with one of a number of positions around the brake bracket 239 to vary the roller axis orientation in one of a number of fixed axial alignments. The alignment of the roller axis 246 may be varied by moving the sprung lever 244 whereby to either allow the roller io freely rotate relative to the reel dise 202 or be rotated diagonally to apply considerable friction to the reel disc 202 through to the point of engagement with the roller 235, such that the roller 235 may be oriented so as to cease rolling and provide a locking brake to the reel disc 202.

In an alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 8, the lever 244 is replaced with a rod 244a having a round cross-section and the brake bracket 239 is replaced with a scalloped or sprocket like bracket 239a having a large number of radial positions into which the sprung lever 29a nests. The range of angles of the roller axis 246 relative to the direction of travel of the reel disc 202 at the point of engagement is consequently much greater in this arrangement. Accordingly, the payout or winding procedures may be regulated by the brake means 230.

Definitions and Explanations

Throughout ihe specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives arcTirilendcd to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not spcciJieally listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Whilst the invention is generally be described with reference to storage spools or reels for both hose and cable for the sake of convenience, the word "hose" is used herein to mean both "hose" and "cable",

Orientatioiml terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower arc to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the [name item] uppermost.

I herci re while we have described herein, one particular embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that variations and modifications in the materials used and the features described can still lie within the scope of the invention.