PORTABLE MULTIPLE REEL HOLDER WITH LATCHING MECHANISM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable reel holder for transporting a reel of breathing equipment. While the present invention is discussed specifically in relation to breathing equipment used by firefighters, it is understood that the portable reel holder of the present invention can also be used to store and dispense other equipment tines such as air hoses, communication lines and lighting equipment.

Background of the Invention

Jn relation to breathing equipment, there are many different environments in which a breathing apparatus is required to assist persons to breathe.. For example, firefighters often require an independent breathing apparatus in order to enter a smoke or chemical- filled environment.

The independent breathing apparatus used by many firefighters consists of a back pack arrangement having a tank of compressed air, which regulates the supply of breathable air to the firefighter. It is desirable for this back pack arrangement to be lightweight so as to be carried easily. Accordingly, this type of back pack arrangement is usually limited to a single tank of compressed air. However, a problem with this back pack arrangement is that the breathing time afforded by the single tank is often not sufficient-

One alternative to an independent breathing apparatus carried by a firefighter is for breathable air to be supplied from a remote location, such as a fire truck, via an extended breathing line or air hose which is stored on a reel. An air compressor on the fire truck can be attached to an extended air hose, the air hose then being attached to a firefighter's backpack to provide a supply of breathable air. Because the fire truck

often cannot be located close to the fire, sometimes both the above described forms of breathing apparatus are employed. For example, when the air hose from the fire truck has been extended to its full length, the firefighter then disconnects the air hose from the backpack and switches over to activate the independent breathing apparatus. Once the independent breathing apparatus is activated, the firefighter is then limited to the breathing time afforded by the single tank in the back pack.

The requirement to preserve the air supply in a firefighter's independent breathing apparatus gave rise to the development of a trolley to transport tanks of compressed air and air hose reels closer to the location of the fire (as compared to the fire truck). In the case where a fire truck cannot be parked close to the fire, the trolley can be transported as a self-contained unit to a location closer to the fire, and therefore the firefighter can still have access to a central source of breathable air. This allows the firefighter to travel a greater distance away from the fire truck using a central breathing apparatus, before having to disconnect the air hose of the central breathing apparatus and switch to the air supply of the independent breathing apparatus.

Typically, the trolley has an allocated storage space on the fire truck and the dimensions of the storage space are limited such that the trolley can carry at least two tanks of compressed air, but only one reel of air hose. Since fire-fighters are ordinarily deployed in pairs for safety reasons, a second reel of air hose, independent to the trolley, must be carried separately, and then manually connected to one of the compressed air tanks once the trolley and second reel are in position. Because the second reel is independent of the trolley, it takes two people to transport both the trolley and the second reel to that location which is an inefficient use of human resources. Also, once the trolley

and second reel are in position, it takes time to manually connect the second reel to one of the compressed air tanks on the trolley.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a portable reel holder which overcomes or at least alleviates one or more of the foregoing disadvantages. For example, it would be desirable to provide flexibility with respect to the arrangement of reels for storing and dispensing equipment lines such as breathing lines for users such as firefighters.

A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention, there is a portable reel holder for supporting a reel stand to transport the reel stand from one place to another, the reel holder including: a frame; and a fastening arrangement; the fastening arrangement including a securing device for releasably securing a first portion of a first reel stand relative to the frame; and the frame including a support for supporting a second portion of the reel stand, wherein: the reel stand is supported for transport by the reel holder upon the first portion being secured by the securing device and the second portion being supported by the support.

Advantageously, the first reel stand is releasably securable so that reels are interchangeable on the reel holder. For example, a reel may need to be removed for maintenance or replacement. Alternatively, different types of reel equipment may be required for different circumstances, such as a reel of electronic communication lines, as compared to a reel of air hose.

A further advantage of the present invention is that the securing device can be arranged to releasably secure both the first portion of the first reel stand and a first portion of a second reel stand relative to the frame concurrently. That is, the reel holder can secure two reel stands relative to the frame at the same time. The ability to have two reels releasably securable relative to the frame is advantageous in situations where two reels are required rather than one. This can regularly occur where the portable reel holder is employed for firefighting purposes, as it is often preferred that two firefighters operate together, rather than one. Thus, the present invention facilitates attachment of two hose reels for breathing purposes to the same reel holder.

Preferably, the frame support which supports the second portion of the first reel stand includes a locating member for locating the second portion of the first reel stand. In this arrangement, the securing device and the locating member can be arranged such that upon locating the second portion of the first reel stand by the locating member, and securing the first portion of the first reel stand by the securing member, the second portion of the first reel stand is secured relative to the frame. Thus, each of the first and second portions of the first reel member are secured by the combination of the securing device and the locating member. When two reel stands are required to be secured relative to the frame,' this embodiment can also be arranged so that the securing device and the locating member combine to secure both of the second

portions of both of the first and second reel stands relative to the frame concurrently.

in a preferred embodiment, the locating member includes a recess which is preferably generally L-shaped or arcuate, but can have any suitable shape to receive either or both of the second portions of the first and second reel stands depending on whether one or two reel stands are provided. The shape of the recess can be arranged such that when the second portion of either or both of the first and second reel stands is received in the recess, and the first portion of the either or both the first and second reel stands is secured by the securing device, those portions within the recess are prevented or at least restricted from being displaced out of the recess. In one form, the recess includes an entry section and a locating section and those sections are disposed at an angle to each other. In this arrangement, the portions of the reel stands are located within the locating section having passed through the entry section first. Preferably the shape of the recess is such that the weight of the reel stand causes the second portion to correctly locate within the recess after the second portion has entered the opening of the recess. For this, the recess preferably includes at least a vertical component.

The locating member can be formed from sheet metal, which is welded to the reel holder frame and which has a recess cut therein. Alternatively, the locating member can be formed from other arrangements, including the use of pins or abutments which extend upwardly from the frame.

In one embodiment, the reel holder includes a single securing device and a single locating member. Having a single securing device and a single locating member can allow quick and easy location and securing of the reel stand/s to the reel holder. This can be an advantage for

users such as firefighters who generally wear thick, padded gloves, and who desire to simplify the process of loading or unloading the reel stand/s from the reel holder with a minimum of time and complexity. The single securing device can allow a reel stand or stands to be secured or released simply by a single actuating movement.

However, for improved stability and security of the reel stand/s, it is preferred that a plurality of securing devices and/or locating members is provided. In one preferred arrangement, a single securing device can be provided along with three locating members. This is particularly preferred for reel stands which have a square or rectangular base, so that the securing device and the locating members can be located towards corners of the base.

By spacing the locating members and the securing device, multiple portions of the reel stand/s can be located and supported, which can assist the user with loading the reel stand/s into the reel holder for securement as well supporting the reel stand more securely.

In a preferred embodiment, the securing device includes a latch which is moveable between a secured position, where the latch secures the first portion of the first reel stand relative to the frame, and an unsecured position, where the latch can release the first portion of the first reel stand. In situations where the reel holder supports two reels, the latch can be arranged so that it can secure the first portions of both of the first and second reel stands relative to the frame concurrently.

Preferably, the latch is operated by a handle or pivot/lever arrangement which is hand-operable to secure and release the reel stand/s. The handle or pivot/lever arrangement can be arranged with a large surrounding clearance so that users with limited dexterity, such as

firefighters with thick, padded gloves, can quickly and easily secure or release the latch.

The fastening arrangement can be arranged with a single securing device, or alternatively a plurality of securing devices may be used. Depending on the requirements of the user, it may be preferable to have two or more securing devices instead of, or in addition to, a locating member or members, for added security. For example, for a reel stand that has a rectangular base, securing devices may be located for securing opposite sides of the base to the reel holder, while a locating member may also be provided on opposite sides of the base, but these will be spaced from the respective securing devices located on each side.

A significant advantage provided by a reel holder according to the present invention, is that a pair of reel stands can be secured to the reel holder for transport between two places. In respect of firefighting use, this eliminates the need for a second firefighter to carry a second reel stand. Instead, if two firefighters are present, they can concentrate on manoeuvring the reel holder to its desired position or other items of firefighting equipment can be carried by the firefighter who is freed from the responsibility of carrying the second reel stand.

In the preferred arrangement, the portable reel holder can transport two reel stands, one of which is secured to the frame of the reel holder and in abutment with the first reel stand. In the preferred arrangement, the same securing device and locating members are used to secure and locate each of the first and second reel stands, A further advantage of the present invention, is that the second reel stand can have an identical construction to the first reel stand and still be securable to the portable reel holder. Thus, it is not necessary to customise the reel stands as upper and lower stands and this is particularly advantageous

for firefightiπg uses, because there will be no need to distinguish one reel stand from the other for loading onto and securing to the reel holder.

When a reel stand is secured relative to the frame, a reel brake can be applied to the spindle of a reel of either or both of the first and second reel stands to resist unwanted rotation of the reels.

While the reel brake as described herein is a feature which can be applied to the portable reel holder of the present invention, it is recognised that the reel brake may have broader application, and could form a separate invention.

However, in the present invention, the reel brake is preferably constructed to resist rotation of the reel by applying friction to a spindle of a reel. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a portable reel holder for transporting a reel stand from one place to another, the reel holder including: a frame; a reel stand which supports a rotatable spindle; and a fastening arrangement; the fastening arrangement including a securing device for releasably securing a first portion of the reel stand relative to the frame and the frame including a support for supporting a second portion of the reel stand, the reel stand being supported for transport by the reel holder upon the first portion being secured by the securing device and the second portion being supported by the support, the reel holder further including a reel brake which is applied to the spindle to brake the rotatable spindle, whereby the extent of braking which is applied to the spindle is adjustable.

In a preferred arrangement, the reel brake includes a body which is fixed against rotation, such as being fixed to the frame of the reel holder or to the frame of a reel stand, and the body includes an opening, preferably a circular opening, through which the spindle extends. The opening defines a friction surface which is in contact with the outer surface of the spindle and the level of friction generated between the friction surface and the outer surface of the spindle dictates the braking effect which is experienced by the spindle. It is to be noted that the reel brake is not intended necessarily to stop the spindle completely from rotating, but rather is to regulate the rotation of the spindle to match the pace at which a hose or electrical conduit for example is unwound from the reel. The adjustability of the brake facilitates optimum braking application each time the reel is unwound. For example, where the unwinding speed is fast, the brake can be adjusted to provide significant resistance so as to prevent "over-run" of the reel as a result of the momentum imparted to the reel by the action of drawing the reel contents from the reel rapidly. However, if the unwinding speed is slow, the braking resistance can be decreased.

In a preferred embodiment, the reel brake includes a slot extending from the opening, the slot being defined by opposing faces which are spaced apart. The adjustment of the spacing between the opposing faces of the slot relative to one another shifts the friction surface relative to the outer surface of the spindle to increase or decrease the frictional engagement with the outer surface. Where the opening is circular, adjustment of the spacing between the opposing faces radially contracts or expands the opening.

Additionally, in situations where the friction surface has been worn down by the rotation of the spindle, adjustment of the spacing can compensate for a loss of frictional resistance on the spindle.

The reel brake can include a screw which is accommodated within a bore which extends through the body of the reel brake and through each of the opposing faces of the slot. Mounting of the screw within the bore preferably is such as to prevent it from rotating relative to the body but allowing movement of the body relative to the screw, so that the spacing between the opposed faces can be altered. Actual alteration of the spacing can be achieved by threading a nut onto the free end of the $crew and causing that to bear against a surface of the body. Further rotation of the nut can then cause the opposed faces to move together and by this mechanism, adjustment of the spacing is achieved.

It will be appreciated that an alternative arrangement would have the nut fixed against rotation relative to the body and the screw being rotatable, and either arrangement can easily be adopted. A still further alternative provides that neither of the screw and the nut are fixed against rotation, but that both of them are engaged and one or both rotated for adjustment.

Additionally, for simplicity of use, it is preferred that either the screw or the nut include a lever or handle extending from it so that a person operating the reel brake can easily make an adjustment. The lever or handle can be releasably engaged with the screw or nut, so that the lever or handle can be rotated relative to the screw or nut without making an adjustment. This is important where the reel brake is placed in positions in which there is limited space to rotate the lever or handle, so that if the lever or handle is rotated to a position at which it cannot be rotated any further, it can be disengaged from the screw or nut and returned to a position in which it has room to make a further adjustment. In that position, it can be re-engaged with the screw or nut to make the adjustment.

In one form, the disengagement mechanism can include a mating arrangement which can be disengaged by shifting the lever or handle away from engagement against biasing means so that when the lever or handle has been rotated to the desired position, the biasing means causes re-engagement of the lever or handle with the screw or nut. In one arrangement, the screw or nut can include a splined end and the lever or handle can mate with that splined end but be movable away from the splined end to disengage the respective splines against the influence of a coil spring.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how it may be performed, embodiments thereof wiil now be described, by way of non- limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable reel holder according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the portable reel holder of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 show securing devices according to two different embodiments of the invention.

Figures 5a and 5b show locating members according to two embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a reel brake according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 is an assembled view of the reel brake shown in Figure 6.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable reel holder according to one embodiment of the invention. The reef holder 10 has been illustrated from a prototype, constructed for use as a piece of firefighting equipment, and the holder 10 will therefore be described as having that use. It wilf however be appreciated, that the reel holder 10 could be used in environments other than forfirefighting.

The reel holder 10 includes a frame 11, to which is connected an axle 12 which spans across the frame 11 from one side to the other and to which is attached at either end thereof, stair climbing wheels 13. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the wheels 13 are provided for climbing stairs, gutters and over rough terrain, and given the well known nature of these wheels, no further discussion in relation to them is required.

The frame 11 has a depth from the front end illustrated in Figure 1 to the rear of the trolley, although the trolley rear is not shown in Figure 1. To support the rear of the trolley, further wheels can be disposed at the rear thereof and for example, single trolley wheels of any known form can be positioned at each rear corner.

The reel holder 10 includes a front plate 14 and a pair of side plates extend from the front plate 14 to the rear of the holder 10. Only one of the side plates 15 can be seen in Figure 1. The rear of the holder 10 can include a plate similar to the front plate 14 to extend between the pair of side plates 15. The front plate 14, the side plates 15 and the rear plate, define a receptacle into which firefighting equipment can be stored or positioned for later use. For example, the reel holder 10 is intended to be able to carry the two hose reels 16 and 17 which are illustrated in Figure 1, as well as four firefighting air cylinders 18. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the proposed position of those cylinders within the holder 10 and also illustrates the hose reel 16.

The frame 11 includes a railing 21 which is supported by a plurality of .upright posts 22. The frame further includes platforms 23 and 24 which extend inwardly of the railing 21 at the lower end of the posts 22, Attached to the platforms 23 and 24, are arrangements suitable to secure and locate the hose reels 16 and 17 to the reel holder 10. A suitable securing device 25 is shown in Figure 2, while similar but alternative securing devices are illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. With reference to Figure 2, a securing member 26 defines a recess 27 which is sized to receive a frame member 28 of the reef 16 while a latching arrangement includes a forward curved member 32 which, in a closed position of the securing device 25, closes the open section of the recess 27 to prevent escape of the frame member 28. Thus, the hose reel 16 is secured to the reel holder 10.

It will be noted that Figure 2 illustrates a second frame member 33 and that member would form part of a second hose reel, such as the hose reel 17 illustrated in Figure 1, but the existence of the frame member 33 is primarily to illustrate that the recess 27 can be made sufficiently large to accommodate the frame members of two hose reels. Alternatively, it will be appreciated that if only a single hose reel is to be transported with the reel holder 10, that the recess 27 could be configured smaller than that shown in Figure 2.

When ft is desired to remove the hose reel from the reel holder 10, it is simply a matter of lifting the latching lever 31 , which will displace the curved member 32 to expose the opening of the recess 27 whereby the hose reel having the frame member 28 and, if provided, a second hose reel having the frame member 33, can be removed from the recess 27.

Figure 2 illustrates a second securing device 34 which is shown securing the opposite side of the hose reel 16 to that of the frame

member 28. The device 34 also includes a latching lever 35 but in this arrangement, the recess 36 opens upwardly, and the member 37 which is controlled by the latching lever 31, closes the vertical opening of the recess 36. Otherwise, the securing device 34 operates to capture the frame member 38 and if provided the frame member 39 within the recess 36.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, further securing devices 41 and 51 are shown. Referring to the device 41 , this is positioned on the platform 23 of the reel holder 10 and the device includes a pair of sheet metal plates 42 which are cut to an identical pattern and which are spaced apart on either side of a latching lever 43. The latching lever 43 is pivoted at pivot P ₁ , while the latching member 44 is pivoted at P ₂ . The plates 42 define a recess 45 within which can be positioned a frame member of a hose reel. The recesses can be of a depth suitable to accept one or two frame members and once each frame member has been inserted into the recess 45, then the latching lever 43 can be moved in a clockwise direction and the latching member 44 pivoted so that the curved end 46 thereof doses the opening of the recess in the manner shown in Figure 2 by the curved member 32.

The securing arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 operates in substantially the same manner as that shown in Figure 3, and therefore like parts have the same reference numerals plus 10. In the Figure 4 arrangement however, the plates 52 define a recess 55 of a different shape to that of the recess 45 of the plates 42. In Figure 3, resistance to vertical movement of the hose reels 16 and 17 is provided not only by the latching member 44, but also by overhang 47 provided in the plates 42. Such overhang is not provided in the Figure 4 embodiment.

The securing devices illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, can be arranged to secure one or more portions of the hose reels 16 and 17. In the

broadest form _> only a single securing device is provided, although if there is a need for greater security of connection of the hose reels 16 and 17 to the reel holder 10, additional securing devices can be provided. These could for example, be provided on opposite sides of the hose reels 16 and 17, or on the same side.

The alternative to providing two or more securing devices, is to provide one or more locating members which serve to locate a portion of the hose reels 16 and 17 and the combination of securing by the securing device and locating by the locating members can serve to adequately secure the hose reels 16 and 17 to the reel holder 10.

The locating members can take generally the same form as the plates 42 and 52 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, With such plate arrangements, one side of the hose reels 16 and 17 can be located in the recesses 45 or 55, but not secured by the latching members 44 or 54. Thus it will be appreciated that the locating members can locate a portion of the hose reels 16 and 17, but do not necessarily secure those portions to the reel holder 10, Thus the locating members may provide a less secure connection to the reel holder 10, but this is acceptable in certain circumstances, and in particular, when the reel holder is employed as a piece of firefighting equipment, it is the ease with which the hose reels 16 and 17 can be mounted within the reel holder 10 and removed therefrom which is of paramount importance. The hose reels 16 and 17 must of course be securely connected to the reel holder, but the security of the connection does not necessarily have to be significant. Thus, the provision of only a single securing device means that once that single securing device has been released, there are no other impediments to removal of a hose reel, and likewise to mount the hose reel to the reel holder 10, only a single securing device must be released for mounting and then secured.

The locating members can be configured to provide increased locating security and Figures 5a and 5b show two forms of a locating member which can be applied Io either of the platforms 23 or 24 and which provide for very secure location of the portion of the hose reels 16 and 17 they receive. The locating member 50 includes a base 51 which is connected, preferably by welding, to one of the platforms 23 or 24. The member 50 includes a front abutment face 52 which extends on either side of the opening of a recess 53. The recess 53 is formed of an entrance section 54 and a locating section 55.

Figure 5a illustrates that the entrance section 54 is disposed at an angle to the locating section 55. Additionally, it is clear from Figure 5a that each of the entrance section 54 and the locating section 55 allow the portion of the hose reels which are received therein to be positioned under their own weight. Moreover, a locating member 50 which is positioned in the orientation shown in Figure 5a on the platform 24, will capture the portion of the hose reel received therein against release from the recess 53, once the opposite side of the hose reel frame has been secured by a securing device locating on the platform 23. Moreover, the action of locating the hose reel frame , within the recess 53 is one which can be accomplished without requiring significant diligence or care simply by bringing the frame into contact with the front face 52 and either lifting it into the recess 53 or allowing it to drop down into the recess 53. That is, the frame can simply be moved along the front face 52 until it enters the entrance section 54 of the recess 53 and thereafter it can be allowed to drop into the locating section of the recess 55 under its own weight.

Figure 5b shows the locating member 56 which has similar characteristics to the locating member 50 and like features have the same reference numeral plus the subscript _b - The main difference between the locating member 50 and the locating member 56 is that the

recess is formed into a different position in the plate of the locating member. The operation of the beating member 56 is identical to that of the locating member 5O ₇ so that the locating member 56 is provided as an alternative form to that of the locating member 50.

The securing device and the locating members which have been described above in relation to the figures are configured for use with hose reels that have a frame of the type illustrated, i.e. a triangular support at each end of the actual reel and a rectangular base frame connecting each of the triangular supports. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the triangular supports 60 and sections 61 of the rectangular base frame. It will be appreciated that the invention could be modified to accept other forms of hose reels and in particular, reels may vary whether they are for breathing apparatus, or for other applications, such as electrical power or communications cabling.

A further feature of the invention is provided in the form of a reel brake and exploded and assembled views of the brake 70 are shown in Figures 6 and 7, while the same brake 70 is shown in Figure 1 assembled to each of the reels 16 and 17. As shown in Figure 1 , the reel brake 70 is assembled about the rotatable spindle 71 of each of the reels 16 and 17 and each of the reel brakes 70 includes an adjustment lever 72 for adjusting the braking resistance which is applied to the spindle 71.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the brake 70 includes a body 73 which defines an opening 74 and a slot 75. The slot 75 is defined by opposing faces 76 and 77 and the spacing between those faces dictates the amount of frictional resistance which is applied to the spindle 71. Thus, by closing the spacing between the faces 76 and 77, the opening 74 is radially contracted and exerts a greater frictional resistance on the spindle 71. Conversely, by increasing the separation

between the faces 76 and 77, the frictional resistance applied to the spindle 71 can be reduced.

The adjustment mechanism of the reel brake 70 comprises a screw 78 which extends through a bore in the body 73. A first bore portion 79 is in engagement with the shaft 80 of the screw 78 and prevents the screw 78 from rotating relative to the body 73. The second bore portion 81 is of a greater diameter than the threaded shaft portion 82 so. that the body section 83 can shift relative to the screw 78.

A nut 84 is threaded onto the shaft portion 82 and the nut 84 includes a splined end 85 that meshes with the splined inner end of a bore 86 formed in the lever 72. A further bore 87 is positioned on the opposite side of the bore 86 to open in the opposite direction and the bore 87 is arranged to accommodate a spring 88 and to partially accommodate a screw 89, The screw 89 threadably engages the nut 84 and the arrangement is such that the spring 88 reacts against the inner end 90 of the bore 87, and against the facing surface 91 of the screw head 92 to bias the splines 93 into engagement with the splined end 85- In that engaged arrangement, rotation of the lever 72 in a clockwise direction will cause the nut 84 to move along the shaft portion 82 of the screw 78 to close the gap 75 between the opposing faces 76 and 77. Rotation in an anticlockwise direction will cause the gap 75 to increase.

A unique aspect of the reel brake 70, is that it provides for disengagement of the splines 93 from the splined end 85 when the lever 72 is obstructed from further rotation. With reference to Figure T ₁ the lever 72 may be rotated to a position where it engages against the metal framework 94 of the reel 17 so that further rotation of the iever 72 in the direction of the framework 94 is prevented. In that circumstance, the lever 72 can be retracted against the bias of the spring 88 to disengage the splines 93 from the splined end 85 and the lever 72 can

be rotated to a position away from the framework 94 so that further adjustment of the gap 75 can be made. Thus the reel brake 70 facilitates continued adjustment of the gap 75 regardless of the brake 70 being placed in a confined position in which the lever 72 has only a small degree of rotational freedom.

The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the above description.