The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 19, 2006
Filed:
May. 28, 2003
Gregory G. Banaszkiewicz, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Edward L. Walter, Columbia City, IN (US);
Sanford R. Penn, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Gregory G. Banaszkiewicz, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Edward L. Walter, Columbia City, IN (US);
Sanford R. Penn, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Reelcraft Industries, Inc., Columbia City, ID (US);
Abstract
A reel assembly for storing a hose, an electrical cord, or other items. The reel assembly includes a base, a spool rotatably mounted to the base, and a guide arm adjustably mounted to the base for guiding the direction in which a hose, for example, is extended from the reel and for guiding the hose onto the reel as the hose is wound upon the reel. A spring is operably connected between the spool and the base to bias the spool in a rotational direction in which the hose is wound onto the spool, thereby automatically retracting the hose after use. A pawl mechanism is mounted to the guide arm, and cooperates with a pair of ratchet teeth sets on the spool to selectively lock the spool against rotation in a hose-winding direction, thereby maintaining the hose in a desired extended position for use. The relative orientation of the ratchet teeth sets and the pawl mechanism, which is mounted to the guide arm, prevents 'latch-out' when the hose is disposed in its fully extended position. Also, the spring is permanently enclosed within a spring housing defined between the spool and a cover which is permanently attached to the spool.