AU2012201034B2 - A plastic frame assembly for a hose reel - Google Patents

Abstract

A hose reel (10) having a frame assembly (20) with a horizontally split frame is provided. That is, the frame assembly (20) includes a handle assembly (22) and a lower frame assembly (24). Unlike the prior art, however, the lower frame assembly (24) includes two side frame assemblies (26, 28) and a base assembly (29) with side members and cross members (30). The 5 side frame assemblies (26, 28) are coupled to the base assembly (29) and are structured to rotatably support a basket assembly (200). The basket assembly (200) may be rotatably coupled to the side frame assemblies (26, 28) and then the side frame assemblies (26, 28) can be coupled to the lower frame assembly (24). In this configuration, neither the side frame assemblies (26, 28) nor the base assembly (29) are spread during the coupling of the basket assembly (200) to the 0 frame assembly (20). || 214

Description

2012201034 22 Feb 2012 1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 AMES TRUE TEMPER, INC.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Invention Title:

Hose reel having a horizontally split frame

The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- lt'\s*l\fn|cruDYcn\NRPonbhDCOSXL\H>255C]M>(_ I .doc\-l 5/12/21» 16 2012201034 22 Dec 2016

A PLASTIC FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR A HOSE REEL

The present invention relates to a hose reel and, more specifically, a hose reel having a strong frame assembly because the frame assembly is configured so as to not be 5 deformed during the manufacturing process.

Complex devices, e.g. devices formed from a plurality of other components, are typically designed in view of their manufacturing/assembly process. That is, the device is not simply designed to perform a function, but also designed so that it may be easily assembled. Such a design process may, however, result in components that favor one 10 aspect over the other. That is, a component that is made to be easily assembled may result in reduced performance. Conversely, a component designed for the best performance may be difficult to assemble.

For example, hose reels are constructs structured to rotatably support a hose. More specifically, a hose reel has a frame assembly and a basket assembly. There are other 15 assemblies as well, such as, but not limited to, the water conduit assembly, but those are not relevant to the present disclosure. The basket assembly includes a barrel about which a hose is wound. The frame assembly is structured to rotatably support the basket assembly. Such hose reels are subjected to wear and tear both when the entire hose reel is moved about a yard and when the hose is being wound/unwound about the basket assembly. Such 20 wear and tear is exacerbated when the hose reel components are not held in place. As such, it is generally desirable for hose reels to be fairly rigid.

Hose reel frame assemblies are, typically, made from either tubular metal members or molded plastic members. Metal frame assemblies tend to be more expensive and are prone to rust. Thus, many hose reels are made from plastic. Such hose reels typically have 25 two side frames coupled by a plurality of cross members. That is, the frame assembly is generally divided by a vertical, longitudinal plane wherein the elements on opposing sides of the plane are mirror images of each other. It is further noted that the more cross members that are provided, the more rigid the final frame assembly. The basket assembly, which includes a barrel, two radial flanges, and an axle, is disposed between the two side 30 frames and structured to rotate about the axle. The hose is wrapped about the barrel and disposed in the space defined by the two flanges and the outer surface of the barrel. From a performance perspective, that is, looking at strength, durability, cost, etc. of the plastic frame assembly, it would be generally more desirable to have a single unitary body. Such a frame assembly would require a reduced number of molds and could be designed to be 2 substantially rigid. Further, there would be very few pails to track during the assembly process. There are several problems with such a design, however. For example, the basket assembly must be inserted between the two side frames. The basket assembly axle extends through openings in the side frames. Thus, the basket assembly is wider than the space 5 between the two side frames. To insert such a basket between a rigid frame would require that the frame be spread apart. This action would weaken the frame assembly. Further, larger molds are expensive and difficult to make as well as difficult to use. 2012201034 27 Jan 2017

From an assembly perspective, that is, looking at how to make the hose reel easy to assemble, it is generally more desirable to have a multi-part frame assembly. This 10 configuration allows the frame assembly to be built around the basket assembly thereby avoiding the problem of bending the rigid plastic frame members. There are, however, several disadvantages to this configuration as well. First, it is often difficult to couple plastic components in a rigid manner. Metal fasteners, e.g. nuts and bolts or screws threaded into plastic bores, are typically more rigid than the material to which they are 15 connected. Moreover, the more cross members there are, the more fasteners that must be used to assemble the frame assembly. The more cross frame members and fasteners required, the more components there are to track during the assembly of the hose reel. Further, such the metal components may wear on the plastic components, thereby increasing wear and tear during use. 20 According to the present invention, there is provided a plastic frame assembly for a hose reel, said hose reel having a basket assembly, said basket assembly having a cylindrical barrel with an axis of rotation, said basket assembly structured to be rotatably coupled to said frame assembly and to rotate about said axis, said frame assembly comprising: a handle assembly and a lower frame assembly, said handle assembly being 25 rotatably coupled to said lower frame assembly; said lower frame assembly having two opposing side frames, the side frames being separate from each other and being arranged in a spaced-apart configuration so as to rotatably mount the basket assembly therebetween, and a base separate to the side frames; wherein the side frames are configured to be coupled to the upper surface of respective sides of said base such that, when assembling 30 the frame assembly and mounting the basket assembly, the side frames and base are separately couplable about the basket assembly.

Embodiments of the invention relate to a hose reel having a frame assembly with a horizontally split frame. That is, the frame assembly includes a handle assembly and a lower frame assembly. Unlike the prior art, however, the lower frame assembly includes 35 two side frame assemblies and a base assembly. The base assembly can be made as a H-\nlx!itl«rnO\«u%MRPorU(lVDCC\SXL.\Mk25J!UMMn l.docx'15/l 2012201034 22 Dec 2016 unitary body and includes members extending longitudinally, i.e, along both lateral sides of the frame assembly as well as at least one cross member extending in a lateral direction. In this configuration, the base assembly has the advantages of a single piece frame, e.g. strength and reduced number of components and is small enough that molding the part is 5 not difficult. The side frame assemblies are structured to be coupled to the base assembly as well as being structured to rotatably support the basket assembly. Thus, the basket assembly may be rotatably coupled to the side frame assemblies and then the side frame assemblies can be coupled to the base assembly. In this configuration, neither the side frame assemblies nor the base assembly are spread or otherwise deformed during the 10 coupling of the basket assembly to the frame assembly.

This configuration provides the advantages of both configurations discussed above, without the disadvantages. That is, the unitary base assembly is strong and rigid and does not require fasteners to couple the cross members to the side members, while the separate side frame assemblies allow for easy coupling of the basket assembly to the frame 15 assembly.

The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, briefly described as follows.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a hose reel.

Figure 2A-2C are assembly views of the hose reel. Figure 2A shows the basket 20 assembly and the side frame assemblies. Figure 2B further shows the handle assembly. Figure 2C further shows the base assembly.

Figure 3A-3C show alternate cross-sectional views of closed extrusion members. Figure 3 A shows a closed extrusion member with a flat base plate. Figure 3B shows a closed extrusion member with an angled base plate. Figure 3C shows a closed extrusion member 25 with an arcuate base plate.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the hose reel.

As used herein, "coupled" means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs.

As used herein, "directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact 30 with each other. 4 2012201034 22 Feb 2012

As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The fixed components may, or may not, be directly coupled.

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or 5 unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.

As used herein, “temporarily coupled” means that two components are coupled in a manner that allows for the components to be easily decoupled without damaging the components. 0 As used herein, "correspond" indicates that two structural components are sized to engage each other with a minimum amount of friction. Thus, an opening which corresponds to a member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member may pass through the opening with a minimum amount of friction. This definition is modified if the two components are said to fit “snugly” together. In that situation, the difference between the size of the 15 components is even smaller whereby the amount of friction increases.

As used herein a “handle” is an element that is generally structured to be grasped by a user and not an element that is merely capable of being grasped. For example, a wheelbarrow frame assembly may have a plurality of elongated members that may be grasped, but only the handles are structured, i.e. positioned and sized, to be grasped by the user.

20 As used herein, a “grip” is the portion of a handle structured to be gripped by a user. A “grip” includes a portion of a handle having a sufficient, substantially straight length of handle to accommodate the width of four fingers, and may also include a textured surface on the handle and/or a padded portion of the handle. A “grip” must be distinguishable from other portions of the handle. For example, a smooth, straight broomstick is a handle without an identifiable grip 25 because no portion of the handle is different than any other portion.

As used herein, “plastic” is limited to polymers and do not include metal materials.

As is known, a hose reel 10, discussed below, is commonly mounted on fixed orientation wheels (i.e. the wheel assembly does not include a vertical axis similar to an office chair caster). When a basket assembly 200, discussed below, is disposed in a fixed orientation to a frame 30 assembly 20, discussed below, the axis of rotation of the basket assembly 200 typically extends horizontally and perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the hose reel. Accordingly, as used 5 2012201034 22 Feb 2012 herein, the “longitudinal axis” of the hose reel 10 extends in the direction of travel of the hose reel 10; that is, generally perpendicular to the wheel’s horizontal axis of rotation. Further, the “lateral axis” of the hose reel 10 extends generally perpendicular to the “longitudinal axis” in a generally horizontal plane. 5 As described below, there are several components of the hose reel that have similar corresponding components, often a mirror image component. It is understood when two components are being described, subsequent pairs of reference numbers relate to the respective components. For example, as set forth below, the first and second side frame assemblies 26,28 each include a forward support member 40, 42. This means that the first side frame assembly 26 0 includes forward support member 40 and the second side frame assembly 28 includes forward support member 42.

As shown in Figure 1, a hose reel 10 includes a frame assembly 20, a rotating basket assembly 200, and a water conduit assembly 300. The hose reel 10 has a front side 12, a rear side 14, a first lateral side 16 and a second lateral side 18. Generally, the user is positioned behind 15 the rear side 14 when moving the hose reel 10, and, to the front side 12 or one of the lateral sides 16, 18 when using the hose reel 10. Further, because the handle assembly 22 is positioned at the rear side 14, the front side 12 is typically shown when the hose reel 10 is displayed, e.g. prior to sale or in advertisements.

The frame assembly 20 is made from plastic components and, as detailed below, 20 preferably from a plurality of elongated members which include at least one closed, extruded member 21. As shown in Figure 2A-2C, the frame assembly 20 includes a handle assembly 22 and a lower frame assembly 24. The lower frame assembly 24 is structured to rotatably support the basket assembly 200. The lower frame assembly 24 includes two substantially similar side frame assemblies, a first side frame assembly 26 and a second side frame assembly 28, and, in 25 the preferred embodiment, a base assembly 29. As used herein, the “base assembly” is that portion of the frame assembly 20 that is structured to contact the ground directly or be directly coupled to a wheel or wheel assembly. As discussed in detail below, this base assembly 29 includes frame members on both lateral sides of the base assembly 29 as well as on both the forward and rear sides of the base assembly 29 while still being a unitary body. The two side 30 frame assemblies 26, 28 are maintained in a spaced relation by the basket assembly 200 and, after final assembly, by one or more elongated cross frame members 30 located on the base 6 2012201034 22 Feb 2012 assembly 29. The two side frame assemblies 26, 28 each have a forward support member 40,42 and a rear support member 44, 46. The side frame assemblies 26, 28 are shaped generally as an inverted “V.” At the vertex of each side frame assembly 26, 28 is a hub 32, 34, to which the basket assembly is rotatably coupled. It is noted that the side frame assemblies 26, 28 are 5 substantially identical. That is, the side frame assemblies 26,28 are interchangeable.

The base assembly 29 includes a first base member 48 and a second base member 50, which extend longitudinally along each lateral side of the base assembly 29, as well as one or more cross members 30. In a preferred embodiment, the base members 48, 50 are shaped as upwardly extending arches. On each base member 48, 50 there is a front frame coupling 52, 54, 0 and a rear frame coupling 56, 58. Each frame coupling 52, 54, 56, 58 includes a post 53 and a lug 55. Each frame coupling 52, 54, 56, 58, and more specifically each post 53, extends generally upwardly. Each lug 55 is disposed at the distal end of the associated post 53 and each lug 55 is sized and shaped to snuggly correspond to the lower ends of the support members 40, 42, 44, 46. The side frame assemblies 26, 28 are coupled, as described below, to the upper side 15 of the base assembly 29 to form the lower frame assembly 24. In this embodiment, the first side frame assembly 26, the second side frame assembly 28, and the base assembly 29 are each formed as a unitary body.

Further, a wheel 45,47 (Fig. 2C) may be rotatably coupled to each lateral side of the base assembly 29 . That is, a first wheel 45 is rotatably disposed at the distal, lower end of the first 20 base member 48. Similarly, the second wheel 47 is rotatably disposed at the distal, lower end of the second base member 50. The hub 32, 34 support members 40,42,44,46, and base members 48, 50 of each lateral side of the frame assembly 20 are, generally, disposed in a plane.

The side frame assemblies 26, 28 are structured to rotatably support the basket assembly 200. That is, the basket assembly 200 includes a cylindrical barrel 202. At each end of the 25 barrel 202 there is a radially extending flange 204, 206. The space about the barrel 202 and in between the two flanges 204, 206 define the basket 208 which is the space in which the hose reel hose (not shown) is disposed. That is, the hose reel hose is wrapped about the barrel 202. As is known, a portion of the water conduit assembly 300 extends through one axle 212 (Fig. 2A) and is structured to supply water to the hose reel hose. A basket handle or crank 214 (Fig. 1) is fixed 30 to the barrel 202. 7 2012201034 22 Feb 2012

The frame assembly 20 may include various types of members, e.g. solid, hollow, closed extrusion, etc. In this disclosure, at least one frame member is an elongated closed extrusion member 31, as shown in Figures 3A-3C. As defined above, a closed extrusion member has an inner side 33 and a outer side 35. The closed extrusion member outer side 35 is generally free 5 from mold lines, openings, couplings, etc. The closed extrusion member 31 may be a narrow channel formed from an elongated, generally flat base plate 60A having generally perpendicular, longitudinal sidewalls 62A, as shown in Figure 3A, an elongated, angled base plate 60B with (Fig. 3B) or without (not shown) longitudinal sidewalls 62B, or in the preferred embodiment, an arcuate base portion 60C with (Fig. 3C) or without (not shown) longitudinal sidewalls 62C. That 0 is, in an arcuate closed extrusion member 31 there is a longitudinally extending arcuate portion 60C as well as longitudinal sidewalls 62C that extend generally tangent to the ends (when viewed in cross-section) of the arcuate base portion 60C. In cross-section, this configuration resembles a capital “U.”

The at least one closed extrusion member 31 is positioned with the outer side 35 oriented 15 to be highly visible. That is, the at least one closed extrusion member 31, or a substantial portion of the at least one closed extrusion member 31, outer side 35 faces generally forward and/or upward. Conversely, the at least one closed extrusion member 31, inner side 33 faces generally backward and/or downward. In this configuration, a user or observer will typically see the smooth outer side of the at least one closed extrusion member 31. 20 A closed extrusion member 31 may further be supported by one or more ribs 51. The ribs 51 are disposed on the inner side 33 of a closed extrusion member 31. The ribs 51 are planar members 68 having an inner edge 64 and an outer edge 66. The rib inner edge 64 is, preferably, directly coupled to the inner side of a closed extrusion member 31 and may be formed as a unitary body therewith. Thus, the rib inner edge 64, preferably, corresponds with the shape of 25 the closed extrusion member 31. That is, if the closed extrusion member 31 is a narrow, rectangular channel, as shown in Figure 3 A, the rib inner edge 64 is substantially linear. If the closed extrusion member 31 has an angled base plate 60B, the rib inner edge 64 has a corresponding angle. And if the closed extrusion member 31 has an arcuate base portion 60C, the rib inner edge 64 is arcuate. The rib outer edge 66 is typically either a straight edge or a 30 curved edge. When the rib outer edge 66 is straight, it typically extends in a plane parallel to the distal ends of the closed extrusion member side walls 62A, 62B, 62C or the distal ends of the 8 2012201034 22 Feb 2012 angled base plate 60B, or arcuate base portion 60C. When the rib outer edge 66 is a curved edge, the rib outer edge 66 is generally arcuate, but having a greater radius than the arcuate base portion 60C. In this configuration, the rib 51 tapers at tips of the outer edge 66. Alternatively, the rib outer edge 66 may have the same curvature as the arcuate base portion 60C, but, where 5 the rib 51 extends over the longitudinal sidewalls 62A, the rib outer edge 66 tapers. Finally, it is noted that a rib 51 may be disposed at the very end of the closed extrusion member 31, creating a closed end, or spaced from the very end of the closed extrusion member 31, creating a pocket (not shown) defined by the rib 51 and the distal end of the closed extrusion member 31.

The ribs 51 may extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed 10 extrusion member 31 or may extend at an angle generally less than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member 31. Typically, when the ribs 51 have a curved outer edge 66, the ribs 51 extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member 31. Ribs 51 in this configuration resemble the inner side of a canoe. Ribs 51 having a straight outer edge 66 typically extend at an angle generally less than perpendicular to 15 the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member 31. Further, such ribs 51 typically cross over each other creating a pattern similar to “X’s”, as shown in Figure 4.

Preferably, each of the frame members forming the side frame assemblies 26, 28, and the base assembly 29 are closed extrusion members 31. That is, each support member, 40, 42, 44, 46, and each base member 48, 50 is elongated and has a lateral width, i.e. a width normal to the 20 plane of the side frame assemblies 26, 28. The support members 40,42,44,46 each descend from the associated hub 32, 34 with the forward support members 40, 42 extending toward the hose reel front side 12 and the rear support members 44, 46 extending toward the hose reel rear side 14. The distal ends of each support member, 40, 42, 44, 46 have a rib 51 spaced therefrom. That is, each distal end of each support member, 40, 42, 44, 46 forms a pocket (not shown). 25 As noted above, base members 48, 50 may be upwardly arched so that, when the side frame assemblies 26, 28 are coupled thereto, the two lateral sides of the frame assembly 20 generally resemble a capital “A” with the hub 32, 34 at the vertex of the support members, 40, 42,44,46. In this configuration, a user, and more specifically a user’s eyes, will typically be disposed above the side frame assemblies 26, 28 and the base assembly 29. Thus, to reduce the 30 chance of the user seeing the closed extrusion member inner side 33, the closed extrusion members inner sides 33 face generally downwardly. It is noted that, at the back end of the 9 2012201034 22 Feb 2012 arched base members 48, 50, the closed extrusion members inner sides 33 face forwardly and, as such, could be seen by a user standing directly in front of the hose reel 10. Typically, however, the other elements of the side frame assemblies 26, 28, notably the forward support member 40, 42, will block the user’s view of the forward end of the arched base members 48, 50. Only when 5 a user is standing to one side of the hose reel 10 will the user be able to see some small portion of the arched base member closed extrusion member inner side 33. This is noted as the disclosed concept does not require that the entire closed extrusion member inner side 33 face backwardly and/or downwardly, but rather that a substantial portion of each closed extrusion member 31 face backwardly and/or downwardly. 0 Further, the base assembly cross frame members 30 may also be closed extrusion members 31. The cross frame members 30 are, preferably, arcuate closed extrusion members 31 having longitudinal sidewalls. The closed extrusion member cross frame members 30 may have ribs 51 disposed on the inner side. The closed extrusion member cross frame members 30 face substantially downwardly. In this configuration, a user cannot typically see the inner side of the 15 closed extrusion member cross frame members 30. It is noted that, while the closed extrusion member outer side 35 is typically smooth, the closed extrusion member cross frame member 30 disposed at the front side 12 of the hose reel 10 may include a textured step 23. The textured step 23 is disposed on the same lateral side as the barrel crank 214. In operation, the user may stand on the textured step 23 while using the crank 214. 20 To assemble the hose reel 10, the basket assembly 200 is coupled to the two side frame assemblies 26,28. That is, the basket assembly axle 210, 212 is rotatably coupled to the first and second side frame assembly hubs 32, 34. The two side frame assemblies 26, 28 are then coupled to the base assembly 29 at the frame couplings 52, 54,56, 58. That is, the pockets located at the distal ends of each support member 40,42,44,46 correspond to the lugs 55 and, 25 more specifically, the lugs 55 snuggly correspond to the pockets. Preferably, the posts 53 have an outer surface with substantially the same dimensions as the support member 40,42,44,46 coupled thereto. In this configuration, there is an essentially seamless transition between the outer side 35 of each support member 40,42,44,46 and the associated coupling 52, 54, 56,58. Further, in this configuration, the base assembly 29, which, as noted above, is preferably a 30 unitary body, does not have to be spread, or in any other way be significantly deformed in order to couple the basket assembly 200 to the base assembly 29. 10 2012201034 22 Feb 2012

The reason the base assembly 29 does not have to be deformed, e.g. spread, is because the basket assembly 200 is not directly coupled thereto. Another feature of this configuration is that the basket assembly 200 axis of rotation does not pass through the base assembly 29. More specifically, when the basket assembly 200 axis of rotation extends generally horizontally, the 5 basket assembly 200 axis of rotation does not pass through the base assembly 29. That is, even if one were to configure a hose reel 10 so that the basket assembly 200 was not directly coupled to a base assembly 29, e.g. by having a basket assembly 200 that is coupled to a bearing which is coupled to the base assembly 29, a unitary body base assembly 29 would still be spread apart in order to position the basket assembly 200 within the base assembly 29. In this embodiment, the 0 base assembly 29 is not deformed because the basket assembly 200 is not disposed within the space defined by the base assembly 29. This may be conveniently expressed by noting that the axis of rotation of the basket assembly 200 does not pass through the base assembly 29.

The frame assembly handle assembly 22 also includes closed extrusion members 31. As shown in Figure 2B, the handle assembly 22 includes a generally U-shaped handle assembly 5 body 70 with an elongated, first arm 72, an elongated second arm 74, a handle member 76. That is, the handle assembly body 70 has two tines, i.e. the arms 72, 74, and a bight, i.e. the handle member 76. The handle member 76 may include a textured surface defining a grip 78. Each arm 72, 74 has a distal end 80, 82 spaced from the handle member 76. Similar to the support members, 40, 42, 44, 46, the handle assembly arms 72, 74 are preferably closed extrusion >0 members 31. Each handle assembly arm 72, 74 is rotatably coupled to one of the side frame assemblies 26, 28, but may be temporarily fixed in at least one of an upper or lower position.

That is, the handle assembly 22 may move between an upper first position (Fig. 1) and a lower second position (Fig. 2C). Generally, the handle assembly 22 is placed in the upper position when the user is moving the hose reel 10 from one location to another. When the handle 25 assembly 22 is temporarily locked in this position, a user applies a slight downward pressure, or backward horizontal pressure, to the handle member 76 thereby causing the hose reel 10 to rotate about the wheels 45,47 and lifting the forward side of the base assembly 29 off the ground. The hose reel 10 may then be rolled from one location to another.

When the handle assembly 22 moves between the first and second positions, the first and 30 second arms 72,74 also move between an upper first position and a lower second position. It is noted that, unlike the prior art, wherein it is known to move the handle to the front of the hose 11 H \i\l\h!tentovcirtNRPcnbrtfJCC\SXUiiJ2?5liyK_ I doc» 15/12rto Id 2012201034 22 Dec 2016 reel 10 in the lower position, in this embodiment when the first and second arms 72, 74 are in the first position, the handle assembly body 70 extends toward the lower frame assembly 24 rear side 14, and when the first and second arms 72,74 are in the second position, said handle assembly body 70 extends toward said lower frame assembly 24 rear side 14 as 5 well.

As noted above, the handle assembly arms 72, 74 are preferably closed extrusion members 31. The handle assembly arms 72,74 are positioned with the inner side 33 of the closed extrusion members 31 facing generally backwardly when in the first, upper position, and substantially downwardly when in the second, lower position. As before, the 10 handle assembly arms 72,74 may be any embodiment of a closed extrusion member 31, as discussed above, but are preferably arcuate closed extrusion member 31 having tangential sidewalls. The handle assembly aims 72,74 preferably include ribs 51 having a straight outer edge 66 extending at an angle generally less than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the closed extrusion member 31. That is, the handle assembly arms 72,74 15 preferably include ribs 51 which cross over each other creating a pattern similar to "X's", as shown in Figure 4. In this configuration, the user cannot, typically, see the inner side of the closed extrusion member handle assembly arms 72,74 when the handle assembly 22 is in the second, lower position. When the handle assembly 22 is in the first position and the user is behind the hose reel 10, the user can, typically, see the inner side of the handle 20 assembly arms 72, 74. When the hose reel 10 is used, however, the user typically moves to the front side of the hose reel 10, where the hose is located. When the user is in front of the hose reel 10, or even to the lateral sides of the hose reel 10, the user cannot see the inner side of the handle assembly arms 72, 74. Accordingly, when the handle assembly 22 is in the first position and the closed extrusion member handle assembly arms 72,74 face 25 generally backwards, the closed extrusion member handle assembly arms 72,74 are positioned with the outer sides oriented to be highly visible.

The handle member 76 may also be a closed extrusion member 31, but more preferably is formed of a series of exposed, closely spaced, parallel ribs 51, thereby forming the grip 78. A shell 79, e.g. a semicircular tube, may be disposed over a portion of 30 the exposed ribs 51 forming the grip 78.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope 12 ί I:\S\MMCn» QverflNRPonbI\DCOSXLtl02S5lrtX_l doev-15M2/2t>16 2012201034 22 Dec 2016 of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and 5 "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an 10 acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. 13

Claims (10)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A plastic frame assembly for a hose reel, said hose reel having a basket assembly, said basket assembly having a cylindrical barrel with an axis of rotation, said basket assembly structured to be rotatably coupled to said frame assembly and to rotate about said axis, said frame assembly comprising: a handle assembly and a lower frame assembly, said handle assembly being rotatably coupled to said lower frame assembly; said lower frame assembly having two opposing side frames, the side frames being separate from each other and being arranged in a spaced-apart configuration so as to rotatably mount the basket assembly therebetween, and a base separate to the side frames; wherein the side frames are configured to be coupled to the upper surface of respective sides of said base such that, when assembling the frame assembly and mounting the basket assembly, the side frames and base are separately couplable about the basket assembly.
2. 2. The frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein said base is a unitary body.
3. 3. The frame assembly of Claim 2, wherein said basket assembly is not directly coupled to said base.
4. 4. The frame assembly of Claim 2, wherein the basket assembly axis of rotation does not pass through said base.
5. 5. The frame assembly of Claim 2, wherein said base includes a plurality of elongated members, said members being closed extrusion members.
6. 6. The frame assembly of any one of the preceding claims wherein: said base includes at least two side frame couplings disposed on the upper side of said base, each said side frame coupling structured to be coupled to one of said first or second side frames; said first side frame coupled to one said side frame coupling; and said second side frame coupled to the other said side frame coupling.
7. 7. The frame assembly of Claim 6, wherein: said first side frame includes a forward support member and a rear support member; said second side frame includes a forward support member and a rear support member; each side frame member has a pair of side frame couplings; said first side frame coupled to one said pair of side frame couplings; and said second side frame coupled to the other said pair of side frame couplings.
8. 8. The frame assembly of Claim 7, wherein said basket assembly is not directly coupled to said base.
9. 9. The frame assembly of Claim 7, wherein the basket assembly axis of rotation does not pass through said base.
10. 10. The frame assembly of Claim 1, wherein the basket assembly axis of rotation does not pass through said base.