GREAT STUFF, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140261766 | HOSE REEL ASSEMBLY - A reel assembly includes a rotatable member that rotates about a first axis to wind and unwind a hose from the rotatable member, where the rotatable member also rotates about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A housing substantially encloses the rotatable member and has a first aperture that receives the hose therethrough and a second aperture spaced apart from the first aperture. A conduit assembly is at least partially disposed within the housing and extends between a first end and a second end, the first end being releasably and operatively coupleable with a liquid source, the first end being accessible through the second aperture and positioned substantially along the second axis. The second end is in fluid communication with a connector on the rotatable member that releasably couples to the hose. The conduit assembly also has a flow control valve coupled to a conduit portion of the conduit assembly and configured to selectively allow fluid flow through the conduit assembly from the liquid source to the connector. The conduit assembly and the rotatable member can move together about the second axis relative to at least a portion of the housing during operation of the rotatable member. | 09-18-2014 |
20140021284 | REEL WITH MANUALLY ACTUATED RETRACTION SYSTEM - A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the electric motor to wind the linear material around the spool member upon detection of a pulling force on the linear material over a pull distance within a predetermined range, but does not trigger the winding of the linear material if the pull distance is greater than the predetermined range. The controller causes the electric motor to stop winding of the linear material upon detection of a force on the linear material that holds the linear material in place. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021283 | AUTOMATIC REEL DEVICES AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the motor to wind the linear material at a drag speed when the linear material is on a ground, at a crawl speed lower than the drag speed when the length of linear material on the ground is shorter than a first threshold amount and through a second predetermined amount once the linear material lifts off the ground to inhibit swing of the linear material as it comes off the ground, and at a docking speed greater than the crawl speed when the unwound linear material is shorter than the second threshold amount. | 01-23-2014 |
20130181502 | WHEEL LOCK - A wheel lock configured for use in a movable apparatus is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, the movable apparatus can include a leg structure and a wheel rotatably mounted with respect to the leg structure. A wheel lock can extend through the wheel. The lock can have a first position in which the lock prevents rotation of the wheel from rotating and a second position in which the lock does not prevent rotation of the wheel. The second position can be axially displaced relative to the first position. | 07-18-2013 |
20130171866 | ELECTRICAL CORD WITH WEAR RING - An electrical cord can include a cord segment with a receptacle. The receptacle can have a surface and apertures that accept a plug to form an electrical connection between the plug and wires of the electrical cord. A wear ring can be on the receptacle. The wear ring can be at least as large as the receptacle in a transverse cross-section. The wear ring can inhibit or prevent at least a portion of the surface from contacting a ground surface when the receptacle is on the ground surface or is dragged along the ground surface. | 07-04-2013 |
20130171865 | ELECTRICAL CORD REEL WITH REMOVEABLE CORD - An electrical cord can include a cord segment with an electrical connector. The connector can connect to a spool member of an electrical cord reel to form an electrical connection between the electrical cord and the electrical cord reel. The spool can have a recess that engages and/or mates with the connector. When the connector is in the recess, at least a portion of the connector can be flush with a cylinder surface of the spool. The connector can be secured in the recess with one or more fasteners (e.g., screws). The connector and recess can have members that act as the primary load bearing members when spooling and unspooling the electrical cord to inhibit the application of loads on the electrical connection during rotation of the spool member. | 07-04-2013 |
20130032655 | APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING A REEL - A reel mounting assembly can include a base and a reel support. The base can be configured to mount to a surface. The reel support can be configured to support a reel hanging from the reel support. The base and reel support each have engagement elements configured to pivotably engage one another, such that the base and the reel support can pivot with respect to each other about at least two approximately orthogonal axes extending through the engagement elements. The reel mounting assembly can be provided in combination with a reel. The reel mounting assembly can provide self-leveling features for a reel. | 02-07-2013 |
20130032654 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL CORD REEL - In an electrical cord reel, a rotatable member can rotate about a winding axis to spool and unspool a linear material. An input power connector can couple to an electrical power source. An output power connector on the rotatable member can couple to an electrical cord at least partially wound about the rotatable member. A switch is adjustable to allow or prevent electrical current flow from the input power connector to the output power connector. In an aspect, the electrical cord reel includes an electric cord comprising a first power wire, a second power wire, and a signal wire. A method of controlling the electric cord spool system includes energizing the first power wire and the signal wire. The method further includes determining a continuity of the signal wire. The method further includes de-energizing the first power wire when determining discontinuity of the signal wire. | 02-07-2013 |
20130015284 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SPOOLING AND UNSPOOLING LINEAR MATERIAL - Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to spooling and unspooling linear material. Such apparatus and methods can assist the user in deploying and/or retracting linear material. | 01-17-2013 |
20120292420 | REEL ASSEMBLY - A reel assembly comprises a spool member configured to rotate about a spooling axis to wind or unwind a linear material. The spool member is also configured to rotate about a reciprocation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the spooling axis. A housing substantially encloses the spool member and comprises first and second housing portions that are rotatable with respect to one another about the reciprocation axis. The first housing portion defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A rotating member is configured to rotate when the spool member rotates about the spooling axis. The rotating member is mechanically linked with respect to the first housing portion via one or more intervening components, such that each revolution of the rotating member produces one cycle of relative reciprocating rotation between the spool member and the first housing portion about the reciprocation axis. | 11-22-2012 |
20120267466 | REEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING LINEAR MATERIAL SLACK - A reel comprises a motorized spool member about which a linear material can be wound. A housing surrounds the spool member and has a port through which the linear material extends. A motor controller detects when the linear material is pulled from the spool member through the port, and responds by operating a motor to rotate the spool member in an unwind direction. During this operation, the motor controller (1) uses a spool sensor system to detect an unwind rate at which the linear material is unwound from the spool member, (2) uses a translation sensor system to detect a pull-out rate at which the linear material is pulled through the port in the unwind direction, and (3) adjusts the motor speed based on the detected rates, to limit a length of unwound linear material between the spool member and the port to less than a predetermined length. | 10-25-2012 |
20120168003 | REMOTE CONTROL FOR HOSE OPERATION - A hose control system is provided. A flow controller has an inlet, an outlet, a fluid flow path defined between the inlet and outlet, and an electrically actuated valve positioned to selectively open or close the fluid flow path. A hose reel device comprises a rotatable spool member onto which a hose can be wound. An electrically controllable motor is connected to rotate the spool member in wind and unwind directions. A hose has a proximal end connected to the spool member. The hose is in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow controller and is configured to be wound upon the spool member. Electronic components are in communication with the valve and the motor. A wireless remote control is configured to transmit wireless command signals to the electronic components for controlling the valve and the motor. The remote control is mounted near a distal end of the hose. | 07-05-2012 |
20110259444 | REEL ASSEMBLY - A reel assembly comprises a spool member configured to rotate about a spooling axis to wind or unwind a linear material. The spool member is also configured to rotate about a reciprocation axis that is substantially perpendicular to the spooling axis. A housing substantially encloses the spool member and comprises first and second housing portions that are rotatable with respect to one another about the reciprocation axis. The first housing portion defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A rotating member is configured to rotate when the spool member rotates about the spooling axis. The rotating member is mechanically linked with respect to the first housing portion via one or more intervening components, such that each revolution of the rotating member produces one cycle of relative reciprocating rotation between the spool member and the first housing portion about the reciprocation axis. | 10-27-2011 |
20110141634 | TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL CORD REEL - A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor. In preferred embodiments, the housing is substantially spherical and the reel further comprises one or more support structures that include handles and are configured to prevent the housing from contacting a flat surface such as a floor or wall. In preferred embodiments, one or more temperature-sensitive switches are configured to shut off power to a spooled electrical cord in the event that a temperature of the reel exceeds a given threshold. In preferred embodiments, a solenoid is provided for locking the middle housing portion with respect to the first and second housing portions while the motor is rotating in a direction to spool the linear material onto the drum. | 06-16-2011 |
20110083754 | HOSE REEL ASSEMBLY - A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis. | 04-14-2011 |
20100141425 | DEVICE SECURITY SYSTEM - One embodiment involves a usage code system comprising an electrical device powered by a battery only if the battery contains a characteristic usage code. Another embodiment involves a presence confirmation device that repeatedly sends wireless query signals. The electrical device receives the query signals and responds by sending a wireless confirmation signal to the presence confirmation device. The presence confirmation generates an alert if it does not receive the confirmation signal after a certain time period after sending a query signal to the electrical device. Yet another embodiment involves a motion sensor that measures motion data from which translation of an electrical device is determined. If a net translation of the device is greater than or equal to a defined threshold, an alert system generates an alert or increases a polling rate at which new motion data is periodically received from the motion sensor. | 06-10-2010 |
20090301573 | REMOTE CONTROL FOR HOSE OPERATION - A hose control system comprising a receiver and a transmitter by which one can remotely control both the flow of water through a hose and the winding or unwinding of the hose onto a reel. The system preferably has power saving advantages, for example, by the use of a power control unit that reduces the power consumed by the electronics of the devices, but does not unreasonably disrupt the use of the devices. The receiver may be used with different aspects or all of the hose control system. | 12-10-2009 |
20090121066 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING SPOOLING OF LINEAR MATERIAL - Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise an automatic reel capable assisting a user when attempting to unspool a linear material, such as a water hose. The automatic reel includes a control system having a motor controller capable of sensing a pulling of, or increased tension of, the linear material and capable of causing a motor to rotate to unspool the linear material. In certain embodiments, the motor controller tracks the length of the unspooled portion of the linear material and/or reduces the spooling speed of the motor when retracting a terminal portion of the linear material. | 05-14-2009 |
20090065063 | HOSE REEL ASSEMBLY - A reel assembly comprises a drum configured to rotate about a drum axis. The drum is configured to receive a linear material wrapped around a spool surface thereof as the drum rotates about the drum axis. A housing substantially encloses the drum, wherein a portion of the housing defines an aperture configured to receive the linear material therethrough. A reciprocating mechanism connects to the drum and reciprocatingly rotates the drum relative to the shell about a generally vertical axis as the drum rotates about the drum axis. | 03-12-2009 |
20090057472 | REEL APPARATUS WITH DECORATIVE HOUSING - A reel includes a substantially spherical housing configured to enclose a rotatable reel drum and an aperture sized to closely surround a linear material extending through the aperture. The linear material is spoolable and unspoolable from the reel drum while the housing encloses the reel drum. The housing includes decoration depicting a ball indicative of a game or type of recreation, a globe, a robot, a gazing ball, at least one flag, camouflage, foliage, diamond plate, or a race car. | 03-05-2009 |
20090057085 | REEL AND REEL HOUSING - A reel includes a reel drum enclosed within a housing comprising a first housing portion, a second housing portion, and a middle housing portion positioned therebetween. A spindle member has a first end connected to the first housing portion and a second end connected to the second housing portion. The spindle member extends through an opening in the drum so that the drum is rotatable about a spindle axis defined by the spindle member. The middle housing portion encircles the drum and has an aperture through which linear material can extend, the linear material of a type that may be spooled on the drum. The middle housing portion is rotatable about the spindle axis independently of the drum. In preferred embodiments, the reel is a cord reel and the linear material is electrical cord. In preferred embodiments, the middle housing portion is rotatable at least 360° about the spindle axis. In preferred embodiments, the drum is powered by an electric motor. In preferred embodiments, the housing is substantially spherical and the reel further comprises one or more support structures that include handles and are configured to prevent the housing from contacting a flat surface such as a floor or wall. In preferred embodiments, one or more temperature-sensitive switches are configured to shut off power to a spooled electrical cord in the event that a temperature of the reel exceeds a given threshold. In preferred embodiments, a solenoid is provided for locking the middle housing portion with respect to the first and second housing portions while the motor is rotating in a direction to spool the linear material onto the drum. | 03-05-2009 |
20080223951 | REMOTE CONTROL FOR VALVE AND HOSE REEL SYSTEM - An apparatus includes a handheld element and a remote control. The handheld element has a proximal end, a distal end, and an internal flow conduit. The internal flow conduit extends between the proximal and distal ends. The internal flow conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with a hose. The remote control is integrated with the handheld element. The remote control is configured to transmit wireless data signals for controlling a device associated with the hose. The device may include a reel, a valve system, a valve unit, and/or a plurality of valves. | 09-18-2008 |