IP Library Granted Patent US 12,559,342
Granted Patent B2
US 12,559,342 · App. 18/486,583 · Granted Feb 24, 2026

Rotary union for hose reel

Inventor: Nickolas Reinhart (Sarasota, FL)
Assignee: NICKOLAS BRANDS, LLC
B65H75/4478F16L37/1225F16L37/53B65H2701/33Y10T137/6954
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,559,342
App. No.
18/486,583
Granted
Feb 24, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rotary union for a hose reel enclosure includes an inlet member in fluid communication with a fluid source. The rotary union further includes an outlet member rotatably disposed in the inlet member. The outlet member includes a first terminal in fluid communication with the inlet member and a second terminal in fluid communication with a hose in the hose reel enclosure. The rotary union also includes an inlet locking collar assembly. This design allows for efficient fluid transfer between the fluid source and the hose reel enclosure, providing a reliable and secure connection.

Claims (23)

1 . A rotary union for a hose reel enclosure for storing a hose, comprising:

an inlet member formed of a single material, the inlet member including a first end fluidly coupled to a second end, the first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a fluid source;

an outlet member including a first terminal fluidly coupled to a second terminal, the first terminal configured to be fluidly coupled to the second end of the inlet member, the second terminal configured to be fluidly coupled to the hose disposed in the hose reel enclosure; and

an inlet locking collar assembly configured to removably couple to the inlet member, rotatably and fluidly couple the second end of the inlet member to the first terminal of the outlet member, and couple to the hose reel enclosure, the inlet locking collar assembly including a securing member and a collar, the collar removably coupled to the inlet member and the outlet member, the first terminal of the outlet member configured to go through the securing member and the collar, and be received in the second end of the inlet member, the securing member configured to secure the first terminal of the outlet member within the inlet member while allowing the outlet member to rotate freely relative to the hose reel enclosure.

2 . The rotary union of claim 1 , wherein the first terminal is orthogonal to the second terminal.

3 . The rotary union of claim 1 , further comprising a gasket disposed on the outlet member.

4 . The rotary union of claim 3 , wherein the gasket is disposed on the first terminal.

5 . The rotary union of claim 4 , wherein a plurality of gaskets is disposed on the first terminal.

6 . The rotary union of claim 4 , wherein the gasket forms a fluid tight seal between the first terminal of the outlet member and the inlet member.

7 . The rotary union of claim 4 , wherein the gasket is an O-ring.

8 . The rotary union of claim 1 , further comprising a flange disposed on an exterior surface of the outlet member.

9 . The rotary union of claim 8 , wherein a plurality of flanges is disposed on the exterior surface of the outlet member.

10 . A hose reel enclosure, comprising the rotary union of claim 1 .

11 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 10 , further comprising a spool.

12 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 11 , wherein the spool includes a barrel with a first flange disposed at a first edge of the barrel and a second flange disposed at a second edge of the barrel.

13 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 12 , wherein the first terminal extends outwardly from the spool through one of the first flange or the second flange.

14 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 11 , wherein the spool includes a hollow interior.

15 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 14 , wherein a portion of the outlet member is disposed in the hollow interior of the spool.

16 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 15 , wherein the second terminal extends outwardly from the spool through a passage.

17 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 11 , wherein a plurality of flanges is disposed on an exterior surface of the outlet member.

18 . The hose reel enclosure of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of flanges interacts with an interior surface of the spool to allow the outlet member to rotate with the spool.

19 . The rotary union of claim 1 , wherein the inlet member includes metal.

20 . The rotary union of claim 1 , wherein the outlet member further includes a slot disposed at the first terminal.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 066546 FRAME 0389 Recorded Mar 24, 2026
From: ABL OPCO LLC (SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT TO AB LENDING SPV I LLC)
To: FINDLAY MACHINE & TOOL, LLC
Reel/Frame 075217/0018 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2026
From: NICKOLAS BRANDS, LLC
To: AGNA, LLC
Reel/Frame 075113/0592 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2026
From: FINDLAY MACHINE & TOOL, LLC
To: NICKOLAS BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 075040/0462 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 20, 2025
From: REINHART, NICKOLAS
To: NICKOLAS BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 071469/0085 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 9, 2024
From: FINDLAY MACHINE & TOOL, LLC
To: AB LENDING SPV I LLC, D/B/A MOUNTAIN RIDGE CAPITAL, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 066546/0389 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 22, 2024
From: NICKOLAS BRANDS, LLC
To: FINDLAY MACHINE & TOOL, LLC
Reel/Frame 066360/0717 →
Continuity (5)
Provisional Application 63415838 · Oct 13, 2022
Provisional Application 63415857 · Oct 13, 2022
Provisional Application 63415812 · Oct 13, 2022
Provisional Application 63415798 · Oct 13, 2022
Related Publication 20240125419A1 · Apr 18, 2024
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