Hose confining and dispensing apparatus

Claim 1

A hose confining and dispensing apparatus for lift masts comprising, in combination, a first vertically disposed elongated mast, movable mast structure mounted on said first mast for vertical movement thereon, pressurized medium operated means mounted on said movable mast structure, power means mounted upon said first mast and connected to said mast structure for moving said mast structure relative to said first mast, an elongated tubular guide fixedly mounted upon said first mast and having a longitudinal length extending substantially parallel to the length of said first mast, said guide having a rectangular transverse cross section and including an open upper end, parallel spaced inner sidewalls and first and second parallel spaced inner end walls, a weight pulley member within said guide, said weight pulley member having an axis of rotation, a circular periphery concentric to said axis of rotation and of a diameter slightly less than the spacing between said first and second guide end walls and spaced parallel end faces defining the weight pulley member axial length, said end faces being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the distance separating said guide sidewalls whereby said weight pulley member is closely guided within said guide for vertical movement therein, an annular hose receiving groove defined in the periphery of said weight pulley member, pressurized medium supply means, a flexible hose having a first end connected to said pressurized medium supply means and a second end connected to said pressurized medium operated means, said hose including a loOped portion extending into said guide through said open upper end passing under said weight pulley member and received in said hose-receiving groove thereof, a rotatable hose-receiving sheave supported on said first mast above said tubular guide open upper end and including a peripheral portion receiving hose from said tubular guide located intermediate the projection of said guide sidewalls and first and second end walls in the direction of the length of said tubular guide whereby hose extending from said weight pulley member to said sheave is spaced from said second end wall, and a plurality of vertically spaced, roller means interposed between said hose and guide second end wall adjacent said weight pulley member engaging said hose and said second end all thereby preventing engagement of said hose and second end wall.