U.S. patent application number 16/002475 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-04 for fire hose coupling with directional indicator.
The applicant listed for this patent is MERCEDES TEXTILES LTD.. Invention is credited to Robert RICHARDSON.
Application Number | 20180280742 16/002475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42827436 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180280742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RICHARDSON; Robert |
October 4, 2018 |
Fire hose coupling with directional indicator
Abstract
A fire hose coupling comprises a body having a first end
connected to a fire hose and a second end having either male or
female threads or, alternatively, a quarter-turn sexless coupler.
The fire hose coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an
outer surface of the body. The recessed portion is shaped to define
a visuotactile directional indicator such as an arrow. The recessed
portion may include a light-reflecting surface to enhance
visibility such as a super reflective metal film, a photo
luminescent coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. The recessed
directional indicator may be formed in female, male or sexless
(Storz) couplings.
Inventors: |
RICHARDSON; Robert;
(Cookshire, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MERCEDES TEXTILES LTD. |
St. Laurent |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
42827436 |
Appl. No.: |
16/002475 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15668070 |
Aug 3, 2017 |
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16002475 |
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15299911 |
Oct 21, 2016 |
9750964 |
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15668070 |
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13255640 |
Sep 9, 2011 |
9539449 |
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PCT/CA2010/000437 |
Mar 24, 2010 |
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15299911 |
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61165085 |
Mar 31, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 19/00 20130101;
F16L 37/252 20130101; F16L 2201/60 20130101; Y10T 137/0402
20150401; A62C 33/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A62C 33/00 20060101
A62C033/00; F16L 37/252 20060101 F16L037/252; F16L 19/00 20060101
F16L019/00 |
Claims
1. A fire hose coupling comprising: a substantially annular
coupling body having a first end for connecting to a fire hose and
a second end that defines a coupler for connecting to another
coupling; a plurality of lugs that extend radially outwardly from
the substantially annular coupling body; and a plurality of
arrow-shaped visual directional indicators between the lugs for
indicating a direction of exit.
2. The coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of visual
indicators comprises a light-reflecting surface to enhance
visibility of the directional indicator.
3. The coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light-reflecting
surface comprises a super reflective metal film.
4. The coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light-reflecting
surface comprises a photo luminescent coating.
5. The coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the light-reflecting
surface comprises a phosfluorescent coating.
6. The coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substantially
annular coupling body comprises internal threads to thereby define
a female coupling.
7. The coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substantially
annular coupling body comprises external threads to thereby define
a male coupling.
8. The coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the substantially
annular coupling body comprises a quarter-turn coupler.
9. The coupling as claimed in claim 1 comprising three equally
spaced lugs.
10. A coupling-hose combination comprising: a hose; an annular
coupling body having a first end connected to the hose and a second
end that defines a coupler for connecting to another coupling; a
plurality of lugs that extend radially outwardly from annular
coupling body; wherein the annular coupling body includes a
plurality of visual directional indicators between the lugs for
indicating a direction of exit.
11. The coupling-hose combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein
the coupler comprises internal threads to thereby define a female
coupling.
12. The coupling-hose combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein
the coupler comprises external threads to thereby define a male
coupling.
13. The coupling-hose combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein
the coupler is a quarter-turn coupler.
14. The coupling-hose combination as claimed in claim 10 comprising
three equally spaced lugs.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/668,070 filed on Aug. 3, 2017, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/299,911 filed on Oct. 21, 2016 and
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,964 on Sep. 5, 2017, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/255,640 filed on Sep.
9, 2011 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,539,449 on Jan. 10, 2017,
which is the U.S. National Stage of International Application
Number PCT/CA2010/000437 filed on Mar. 24, 2010, which was
published on Oct. 7, 2010 under International Publication Number
WO2010/111773, and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/165,085 filed on Mar. 31, 2009. Each of
the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present technology relates generally to couplings and,
in particular, to fire hose couplings.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fire hoses are coupled together with fire hose couplings.
These couplings are well known in the art. Typically, one side of a
coupling has an expansion ring to attach the coupling to its
respective hose. On the other side of the coupling are usually a
set of internal or external threads for fastening the coupling to
complementary (external or internal) threads of another coupling.
In addition to these male and female couplings, there also exist
so-called "sexless couplings" or Storz coupling (see U.S. Pat. No.
489,107). Usually, a fire truck is provided with a male connector
to which a female coupling is fastened. A fire hose assembly is
then concatenated by coupling together sequential male and female
couplings.
[0004] Firefighters operating in dark and smoke-filled environments
are prone to becoming disoriented. In conditions of poor
visibility, it is extremely helpful to have some means for the
firefighter to determine which way leads to the exit, i.e. which
hose direction leads back toward the fire truck. Firefighters may
be taught to seek out, for example, the female coupling of the
connection as an indicator that this side of the connection leads
back to the fire truck. However, this method is not satisfactory
because a firefighter, in the heat of the moment, may not remember
which coupling points back to the fire truck or he may not be able
to properly see or feel the couplings. Furthermore, the fire hoses
may not have been assembled in the expected (conventional) way, and
thus reliance on the assumption that, for example, the female
coupling, leads back to the fire truck, may in fact lead the
firefighter to head the wrong direction. As will be appreciated,
these issues are a matter of life and death to firefighters.
Improvements on conventional techniques are thus extremely
important.
[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, a number of
different bands, clamps, and collars have been developed for
sliding over fire hoses to indicate the direction to safety. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,135 (Ruiz) discloses a flexible
identification collar for hoses. U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,000 and U.S.
Design Pat. Nos. 382,501; 345,520; 345,519 and 312,390 (all to
Clement) disclose direction-indicating bands for attaching to
firefighting hoses. These slide-on devices are inherently
problematic because they represent an additional component to be
assembled to the hose, thus slowing down the assembly of the fire
hose when time is of the essence. Furthermore, these external
bands, clamps, etc. may catch or snag on objects (e.g. ledges,
nails, splintered wood, etc.) as the hose is dragged through the
burning building. Moreover, they may slide down the hose, out of
reach and out of sight.
[0006] In a similar vein is a fire hose directional indicator
disclosed by Tamez, Jr. et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,761. This
gasket-like annular body fits over the male threads of the male
coupler and is captured between the threads of the abutting male
and female couplers. The disadvantage of this device is that it
represents a further component that has to be assembled. The
coupling only has tactile indicator extensions that require a
firefighter to feel the direction to safety. If the device is out
of the firefighter's reach, it may be of limited utility,
particularly in conditions of poor visibility.
[0007] Also known in the art are various fire hose couplings with
directional indicators. These offer the advantages of not requiring
assembly of additional components and not being prone to slide up
and down the hose out of reach and out of sight.
[0008] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,890 (Lenske) which
discloses a fire hose coupling with directional finger-like
extensions. An embossed word ("EXIT") is provided on the
extensions. This provides both visual and tactile indication to the
firefighter of the direction of the exit. The Lenske coupling
requires that the firefighter either feel the direction of the
finger-like extensions or be able to see the finger-like extension
with the embossed word "EXIT". If the firefighter is not within
reach of the coupling or if the firefighter cannot see the coupling
due to poor smoke, darkness or other vision-impairing reasons, the
device cannot inform the firefighter of the direction to safety.
One disadvantage of having an embossed word exposed on the outer
surface of the extensions is that the embossed word is prone to
abrasion and wear. Over time, the embossed word may become so worn
as to be illegible. Furthermore, the extensions may not only cause
the hose to hang up (snag or catch) when dragged but also trap or
collect hot debris under the extensions causing spot burn throughs.
A further problem with these extensions is that, when the hose is
slack, i.e. not filled with water, the extensions may puncture or
damage the hose when folded or rolled tightly for storage.
[0009] Accordingly, a need remains for an improved fire hose
coupling that addresses one or more of the deficiencies of the
aforementioned prior art.
SUMMARY
[0010] In general, the present invention provides a fire hose
coupling having a directional indicator for indicating a direction
to safety (i.e. the direction to the exit). This directional
indicator assists firefighters who may become disoriented in
conditions of poor visibility. The coupling has a substantially
annular body that includes a recessed, or "sunken", portion formed
in the outer surface of the body. Since the recessed portion is
both visual and tactile (i.e. can be both seen and felt, even
through thick firefighter gloves), this directional indicator is
said to be "visuotactile". This visuotactile indicator may be
shaped like an arrow, for example, or like any other readily
recognizable symbol.
[0011] The recessed portion of the coupling may contain a
light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility. This
light-reflecting surface may be made of a super reflective, photo
luminescent or phosfluorescent material. Other coatings, paints,
tapes, films, etc. that provide extremely high reflectivity or
brightness may be used as well. This light-reflecting surface makes
the directional indicator more likely to be seen in conditions of
poor visibility (e.g. in a dark or smoke-filled environment). In
addition to an arrow or other such symbol, the coupling may include
an engraved word (or word with recessed lettering) such as, for
example, "EXIT" or "OUT" (or other foreign-language words
appropriate to the local language understood by the firefighters
using the couplings).
[0012] Thus, a main aspect of the present invention is a fire hose
coupling comprising a substantially annular body having a first end
for connecting to a fire hose and a second end having threads or a
quarter-turn coupler for connecting to another coupling, and a
recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the coupling body,
the recessed portion shaped to define a visuotactile directional
indicator.
[0013] In embodiments of the invention, the recessed portion
defining the directional indicator contains a light-reflecting
surface for enhancing visibility of the directional indicator. This
is useful for firefighters operating in conditions of poor
visibility (e.g. a dark and smoke-filled room or corridor). The
recessed portion not only protects the light-reflecting surface
from wear and abrasion, but it also minimizes the chance of the
coupling catching or snagging on some object as the fire hose is
dragged through a burning building.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is a fire hose
assembly comprising a first fire hose having a first coupling and a
second fire hose having a second coupling adapted to be
mechanically coupled to the first coupling. One or both of the
first and second coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an
outer surface of a body of the coupling. This recessed portion is
shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator.
[0015] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method of
indicating a direction of exit when assembling fire hoses. The
method entails providing a first fire hose having one end adapted
to connect to a fire truck and another end having a first coupling
and providing a second fire hose having a nozzle at one end and a
second coupling at another end that is adapted to be mechanically
coupled to the first coupling. One or both of the first coupling
and the second coupling comprises a visuotactile directional
indicator formed as a recessed portion in an outer surface of a
body of the coupling. The method further involves coupling the
first and second couplings such that the one or more directional
indicators points toward the fire truck, thereby indicating the
direction of exit.
[0016] The details and particulars of these aspects of the
invention will now be described below, by way of example, with
reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Further features and advantages of the present technology
will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken
in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female fire hose coupling
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male fire hose coupling
connected to a female fire hose coupling in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a Storz (sexless) coupling
having differently coloured directional arrows in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In general, the present invention provides a fire hose
coupling with a directional indicator. The directional indicator is
designed to indicate a direction to safety (i.e. the direction to
the exit). In other words, the directional indicator points the
firefighter toward the fire truck, which thus leads the firefighter
out of the burning building or other structure. This directional
indicator assists firefighters who may become disoriented, confused
or lost in conditions of poor visibility such as for example in a
dark and smoke-filled room, corridor or other location.
[0023] This novel coupling (or "coupler") has a substantially
annular body that includes a recessed, or "sunken", portion formed
in the outer surface of the body. The recessed or sunken portion
thus defines a depressed area or cavity in the body of the coupling
into which a symbol (e.g. an arrow) and/or a word (e.g. "EXIT") may
be provided for enhancing visibility of the directional indicator
for the firefighter.
[0024] Since the recessed portion is both visual and tactile (i.e.
can be both seen and felt, even through thick firefighter gloves),
this directional indicator is said to be "visuotactile". This
visuotactile indicator may be shaped like an arrow, for example, or
like any other readily recognizable symbol that is easily discerned
either visually and/or tactilely (by touch).
[0025] The recessed portion of the coupling may contain a
light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility. This
light-reflecting surface may be made of a super reflective, photo
luminescent or phosfluorescent material (e.g. fluorescent tape).
Other coatings, paints, tapes, metallic films, etc. that provide
extremely high reflectivity or brightness may be used as well. As
will be appreciated, various combinations of light-reflecting
materials may be used to achieve any desired visual effect. This
light-reflecting surface makes the directional indicator more
likely to be seen in conditions of poor visibility (e.g. in a dark
or smoke-filled environment). In addition to an arrow or other such
symbol, the coupling may include an engraved word (or word with
recessed lettering) such as, for example, "EXIT" or "OUT" (or other
foreign-language words appropriate to the local language understood
by the firefighters using the couplings).
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female coupling designated
by reference numeral 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. As shown by way of example, this coupling 10 has
a substantially annular body 12 having a first end 14 connected to
a fire hose 16 and a second end 18 having threads. A recessed
portion 20 is formed in an outer surface 22 of the coupling body
12. The recessed portion 20 is shaped to define a visuotactile
directional indicator. In this particular example, the visuotactile
directional indicator is shaped like an arrow. Other symbol or
shapes may be substituted such as, for example, a sideways V
("<") or a series of sideways V's ("<<<").
[0027] The recessed portion 20 may have a light-reflecting surface
to enhance visibility of the directional indicator.
[0028] The light-reflecting surface inside the recessed portion 20
may be made of a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent
coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. Other paints, coatings,
films, etc. having extremely high reflectivity or brightness may be
used.
[0029] Optionally, in addition to an arrow or other such symbol,
the coupling may include an engraved word (or word with recessed
lettering) such as, for example, "EXIT" or "OUT" (or other
foreign-language words appropriate to the local language understood
by the firefighters using the couplings).
[0030] Optionally, the substantially annular body 12 has a
plurality of recessed portions 20. This helps to ensure that at
least one directional indicator is always visible irrespective of
the position (or lie) of the coupling. As a specific example, the
substantially annular body may have three directional indicators on
the outer surface of the coupling. As will be appreciated, any
number of directional indicators may be used provided they remain
large to be readily visible.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male fire hose coupling 11
connected to a female fire hose 10 coupling in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. The female coupling 10 is the
same as described above. The male coupling has external threads for
connecting to complementary internal threads on the female
coupling. As shown by way of example in FIG. 2, both the female
coupling 10 and the male coupling 11 have directional indicators.
It is possible, however, to have the directional indicators on only
the male coupling or on only the female coupling. As shown in FIG.
2, the visuotactile directional indicator is formed by the recessed
portion 20 located in the outer surface of the annular body.
[0032] In one embodiment, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2, one
recessed portion (directional indicator) is disposed between each
adjacent pair of lugs 24 that extend radially outwardly from the
substantially annular body. In this specific example, the annular
body has three lugs 24. Three arrow-shaped directional indicators
are provided between each adjacent pair of lugs. This disposition
of directional indicators ensures that at least one directional
indicator is visible irrespective of the lie of the coupling (i.e.
regardless of how the coupling is positioned).
[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a Storz (sexless) coupling
having differently coloured directional arrows in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3,
the coupling is composed of a first sexless coupling 30 and a
second sexless coupling 40. The first sexless coupling 30 includes
a first coupling body 32 having a first coupler 34. The second
sexless coupling 40 includes a second coupling body 42 having a
second coupler 44. These Storz or sexless couplings are also
referred to as quarter-turn couplings in the industry. On the first
coupling body 30 is a first directional arrow 38. On the second
coupling body 40 is a second directional arrow 48. In this
embodiment, the directional arrows 38, 48 are of different colour
or appearance. This facilitates assembly of the sexless couplings.
Any suitable colour scheme or visual indicia can be used to
facilitate connection of the Storz couplings. For example, a
convention may be adopted that red-coloured arrows are on the side
of the coupling facing the nozzle while yellow-coloured arrows are
on the side of the coupling facing the hydrant or fire truck. As
will be appreciate, any symbols, shading, lettering or other visual
indicia may be added to further distinguish one side from the
other.
[0034] The novel coupling disclosed herein can be used as part of a
novel fire hose assembly. The assembly has a first fire hose 36
having a first coupling 30, wherein the first coupling comprises a
body having a recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the
body, the recessed portion shaped to define a visuotactile
directional indicator. The assembly also has a second fire hose 46
having a second coupling 40 adapted to be mechanically coupled to
the first coupling.
[0035] The novel coupling disclosed herein can also be used in a
novel method of indicating a direction of exit when assembling fire
hoses. The method entails providing a first fire hose having one
end adapted to connect to a fire truck and another end having a
first coupling and providing a second fire hose having a nozzle at
one end and a second coupling at another end that is adapted to be
mechanically coupled to the first coupling. One or both of the
first coupling and the second coupling comprises a visuotactile
directional indicator formed as a recessed portion in an outer
surface of a body of the coupling. The method then involves
coupling the first and second couplings such that the one or more
directional indicators points toward the fire truck, thereby
indicating the direction of exit.
[0036] The coupling, assembly and method confer advantages over the
prior art. The coupling has a visuotactile directional indicator
that formed as a recessed portion in the annular body of the
coupling. As such, the coupling is less likely to catch or snag as
the hose assembly is dragged through a building. The recessed
portion defining the visuotactile directional indicator may have a
light-reflecting surface (e.g. high-reflectivity coating, tape,
film, etc.) that enhances visibility. Since this light-reflecting
surface is protected within the recessed portion, it does not
abrade or wear when the hose and coupling assembly is dragged over
the ground or floor, thus preserving the reflectivity of the
light-reflecting surface of the directional indicator. This
improved coupling is therefore safer and easier to utilize since it
is less likely to cause the hose and coupling assembly to catch or
snag when being dragged through a flaming building. Furthermore,
the visuotactile directional indicators on this improved coupling
are more resistant to wear and abrasion, thus prolonging the
coupling's usefulness as a visuotactile indicator in conditions in
poor visibility.
[0037] This new technology has been described in terms of specific
examples, embodiments, implementations and configurations which are
intended to be exemplary only. Persons of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that obvious variations, modifications and
refinements can be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. The scope of the exclusive right sought by the
Applicant is therefore intended to be limited solely by the
appended claims.
* * * * *