HOSE CONNECTOR

Abstract

A hose connector 106 for a cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100, the hose connector 106 including: a valve body connection tube 330 for connecting the hose connector 106 to a valve body of the fire extinguisher 100, the valve body connection tube 330 is non-threaded; a hose connection tube 332 for connecting a hose to the hose connector 106; and a fixing plate 334 for fixing the hose connector 106 to the valve body of the fire extinguisher 100.

Claims

1. A hose connector (106) for a cartridge-operated fire extinguisher (100), the hose connector comprising: a valve body connection tube (330) for connecting the hose connector to a valve body of the fire extinguisher, wherein the valve body connection tube is non-threaded; a hose connection tube (332) for connecting a hose to the hose connector; and a fixing plate (334) for fixing the hose connector to the valve body of the fire extinguisher.

2. The hose connector of claim 1, wherein the hose connector (106) is made of plastic.

3. The hose connector of claim 1, wherein the fixing plate (334) comprises an aperture (340).

4. The hose connector of claim 3, wherein the aperture (340) is non-threaded.

5. The hose connector of claim 1, wherein the hose connection tube (332) extends from a first side (336) of the fixing plate (334) and wherein the valve body connection tube (330) extends from a second side (338) of the fixing plate, wherein the second side is opposite to the first side.

6. The hose connector of claim 5, wherein the fixing plate (334) comprises a fixing plate plane, wherein hose connection tube (332) extends in a first direction perpendicular to the fixing plate plane, and wherein the valve body connection tube (330) extends in a second direction perpendicular to the fixing plate plane, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first direction.

7. The hose connector of claim 1, wherein an opening (342) extends through the valve body connection tube (330), the fixing plate (334), and the hose connection tube (332).

8. The hose connector of claim 1, wherein fixing plate (334) comprises one or more reinforcing ribs (346).

9. A valve body (104) for a cartridge-operated fire extinguisher (100), the valve body comprising: a hose connector support surface (320) for supporting a fixing plate of a hose connector; and a non-threaded hose connector receiving hole (310) within the hose connector support surface (320) for receiving a valve body connection tube of a hose connector.

10. The valve body of claim 9, wherein the valve body (104) is made of plastic.

11. The valve body of claim 9, wherein the hose connector support surface (320) comprises a fixing point (304), and wherein the fixing point comprises an aperture (304a).

12. A cartridge-operated fire extinguisher (100), the fire extinguisher comprising: the hose connector (106) according to claim 1; a valve body (104); and a cylinder (102) with an opening (200) at the top of the cylinder, wherein the valve body is fixed to the cylinder to seal the opening at the top, and the hose connector is mounted on the valve body such that the fixing plate (334) of the hose connector is supported on the hose connector support surface (320) of the valve body and the valve body connection tube (330) of the hose connector is received in the hose connector receiving hole (310) of the valve body.

13. The cartridge-operated fire extinguisher of claim 12, wherein the cylinder comprises a fixing bolt (214), and wherein the fixing bolt passes through the hose connector (106) and the valve body (104).

14. A method of assembling the cartridge-operated fire extinguisher (100) of claim 12, the method comprising: mounting the valve body (104) on the cylinder (102); connecting the hose connector (106) to the valve body by pushing the valve body connection tube (330) into the hose connector receiving hole (310) such that the fixing plate (334) of the hose connector is supported on the hose connector support surface (320) of the valve body; and fixing the valve body (104) and the hose connector (106) to the cylinder (102).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the valve body (104) and the hose connector (106) are fixed to the cylinder by one or more nuts (350).

Description

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0050] Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 illustrates a fire extinguisher;

[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 3 illustrates a cylinder of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 1;

[0054] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate a valve body of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 1;

[0055] FIGS. 5a, 5b, and 5c illustrate a hose connector of the fire extinguisher of FIG. 1;

[0056] FIGS. 6a-d illustrate a fire extinguisher comprising a hose connector, a valve body, and a cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] FIG. 1 shows a cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100. The fire extinguisher comprises a cylinder 102, a valve body 104, a hose connector 106, and a hose 108. The valve body 104 is mounted on the top of the cylinder 102. The hose connector 106 is connected to the valve body 104, and the hose 108 is connected to the hose connector 106. In this way, the hose 108 is fluidly connected to an internal space within the cylinder 102.

[0058] The hose 108 comprises a handle 110 and a nozzle 112. A lever 114 is connected to the valve body 104. When the fire extinguisher 100 is not in use, the hose 108 may be mounted on to the lever 114 in a storage position.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional image of the cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100 of FIG. 1.

[0060] As mentioned above, the cylinder 102 comprises an internal space 120. The internal space comprises a fire suppressant 122. The fire suppressant 122 may be dry powder, water or any other suitable fire suppressant.

[0061] The internal space also comprises a cartridge 124, wherein the cartridge 124 is connected to the valve body 104. The cartridge 124 comprises a propellant 126 stored under pressure.

[0062] The valve body 104 houses a cartridge piercer. The cartridge piercer is configured to pierce the cartridge 124 when the lever 114 is operated by a user in order to activate the fire extinguisher 100. When the cartridge 124 is pierced, the propellant 126 is released through the valve body 104 into a blow tube 128 and then into the internal space 120 of the cylinder 102. The blow tube 128 is configured to direct the propellant 126 in a manner that forces the fire suppressant back out the valve body 104, the hose connector 106, and through the hose 108. The nozzle 112 of the hose 108 may then be directed by a user towards a fire for extinguishing the fire and opened using the handle 110.

[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the top part of the cylinder 102. The cylinder 102 comprises an opening 200 at the top of the cylinder 102, where the opening 200 is circular and the centre of the opening 200 is centred on a longitudinal axis L of the cylinder 102. The opening 200 has a perimeter 202. The top portion around the perimeter 202 of the opening 200 is raised upwards such that a raised portion is formed.

[0064] The cylinder 102 comprises a first bolt 210, a second bolt 212, and a third bolt 214. The bolts 210, 212, 214 are positioned on the top cylinder 102 and radially outside of the perimeter 202 of the opening 200. The first bolt 210 comprises a first shaft 210a. The first shaft 210a comprises a first shaft axis X. The second bolt 212 comprises a second shaft 212a. The second shaft 212a comprises a second shaft axis Y. The third bolt 214 comprises a third shaft 214a. The third shaft 214a comprises a third shaft axis Z.

[0065] The first shaft axis X and the second shaft axis Y are parallel to one another, and are also parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder 102. The third shaft axis Z is at an angle, e.g. an angle of 30°, relative to the first shaft axis X, and therefore at the same angle relative to the second shaft axis Y and the longitudinal axis L.

[0066] The bolts 210, 212, 214 are for fixing the valve body 104 to the cylinder 102. The bolts 210, 212, 214 in FIG. 3 are spot welded to the cylinder 102.

[0067] The bolts 210, 212, 214 have an equal angular distribution about the longitudinal axis L. That is, the angle between the positions of each bolt 210, 212, 214 around the longitudinal axis L is 120°. Further, the radial distance for each bolt 210, 212, 214 from the longitudinal axis L is the same.

[0068] FIGS. 4a and 4b show perspective views of the valve body 104. FIG. 4a shows a top side of the valve body 104, whereas FIG. 4b shows an underside of the valve body 104. The underside of the valve body 104 is mounted on and faces towards the cylinder 102 when the cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100 is assembled.

[0069] The valve body 104 comprises a first fixing point 300, a second fixing point 302, and a third fixing point 304. The first fixing point 300 comprises a first aperture 300a. The first aperture 300a comprises a first fixing point axis A centred through the first aperture 300a. The second fixing point 302 comprises a second aperture 302a. The second aperture comprises a second fixing point axis B centred through the second aperture 302a. The third fixing point 304 comprises a third aperture 304a. The third aperture 304a comprises a third fixing point axis C centred through the third aperture 304a.

[0070] The valve body comprises a core 306. The core 306 is circular in shape, i.e. it has a circular cross section. The fixing points 300, 302, 304 protrude radially from the core 306. The core 306 is for interfacing with the opening 200 of the cylinder 102. The fixing points 300, 302, 304 are integrally formed with the core 306. That is, the valve body 104 shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b is a single-piece component.

[0071] The first fixing point axis A and the second fixing point axis B are parallel. The third fixing point axis C is oriented at an angle, e.g. an angle of 30°, relative to the first fixing point axis A, and therefore at the same angle relative to the second fixing point axis B.

[0072] The first aperture 300a is for receiving the first shaft 210a of the first bolt 210 of the cylinder 102. The second aperture 302a is for receiving the second shaft 212a of the second bolt 212. The third aperture 304a is for receiving the third shaft 214a of the third bolt 214. The first aperture 300a and the second aperture 302a are through-holes in the first and second fixing points 300, 302, respectively. The third aperture 304a is a slot in the third fixing point 304.

[0073] The fixing points 300, 302, 304 are equally spaced around a perimeter of the core 306 of the valve body 104. That is, the fixing points 300, 302, 304 are positioned such that the fixing point axes A, B, C have an angle of 120° about an equidistant point between each axis.

[0074] The valve body 104 comprises a cartridge piercer opening 308 and a hose connector receiving hole 310. The cartridge piercer opening 308 and the hose connector receiving hole 310 are separate openings. The cartridge piercer opening 308 comprises an axis that is parallel to the first fixing point axis A and the second fixing point axis B. The hose connector receiving hole 310 comprises an axis that is parallel to the third fixing point axis C.

[0075] The valve body 104 comprises a support 312 for the lever 114. The support 312 is positioned between the first fixing point and the second fixing point 302.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4a, the top side of the core 306 comprises reinforcing ribs 314. The reinforcing ribs 314 are protrusions from the valve body 104 and are positioned along several locations such that they reinforce portions of the valve body 104 that experience high stresses when the cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100 is in use. In the valve body 104 of FIG. 4a, reinforcing ribs 314 are positioned proximate to the perimeter of the core 306 between the first fixing point 300 and the third fixing point 304, proximate to the perimeter of the core 306 between the second fixing point 302 and the third fixing point 304, between the first fixing point 300 and the support 312, and between the second fixing point 302 and the support 312.

[0077] The valve body 104 comprises a hose connector support surface 320 for supporting the hose connector 106. The hose connector support surface 320 is an angled surface that is perpendicular to the third fixing point axis C. That is, the hose connector support surface 320 comprises a support surface plane that is perpendicular to the third fixing point axis C. The support surface plane is at an angle, e.g. an angle of 30°, relative to a plane perpendicular to a main axis through the valve body. When the valve body is mounted on the cylinder of the fire extinguisher, the main axis of the valve body is parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder 102. The longitudinal axis L extends in the longitudinal direction of the fire extinguisher 100. The hose connector support surface 320 is an integrated portion of the valve body 104 that integrally connects the third fixing point 304 to the hose connector receiving hole 310.

[0078] The hose connector support surface 320 comprises a recessed portion 322. The recessed portion 322 is circular and circumscribes the hose connector receiving hole 310. The recessed portion 322 is for interfacing with a corresponding portion of the hose connector 106 and facilitates the forming of a seal between the hose connector 106 and the valve body 104 when the fire extinguisher 100 is assembled. Similarly, the hose connector support surface 320 comprises depressions 324 for receiving reinforcing ribs on a lower surface of the hose connector 106.

[0079] The hose connector receiving hole 310 is non-threaded. That is, there is no threading on the surface of the hose connector receiving hole 310.

[0080] The hose connector receiving hole 310 shown in FIG. 4a comprises three grooves 326 on its inner surface. The grooves 326 extend longitudinally along the inner surface of the hose connector receiving hole 310. That is, the grooves 326 do not extend circumferentially along the inner surface of the hose connector receiving hole 310. The grooves 326 extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the hose connector receiving hole 310. The purpose of the grooves 326 is to allow any excess pressure within the fire extinguisher 100 to be released as the hose connector 106 is removed but before the hose connector 106 is fully released from the valve body 104. This is a safety feature to prevent the hose connector 106 being forced out of the hose connector receiving hole 310 if the cylinder is pressurised.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 4b, the underside of the core 306 of the valve body 104 comprises embossing 316. The embossing 316 is circular and is proximate to the perimeter of the core 306. The embossing 316 is for interfacing with the raised portion of the perimeter 202 of the opening 200 of the cylinder 102.

[0082] FIG. 5a shows a perspective view of a hose connector 106 for the cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100. The hose connector 106 comprises a valve body connection tube 330 for connecting the hose connector 106 to the valve body 104 of the fire extinguisher 100, a hose connection tube 332 for connecting a hose 108 to the hose connector 106, and a fixing plate 334 for fixing the hose connector 106 to the valve body 104 of the fire extinguisher 100. The valve body connection tube 330 is non-threaded.

[0083] The fixing plate 334 comprises a first side 336 and a second side 338, where the second side 338 is opposite to the first side 336. The fixing plate 334 comprises a fixing plate plane corresponding to the geometric plane of the fixing plate 334.

[0084] The fixing plate 334 comprises an aperture 340 for receiving a shaft of a bolt. As shown in FIG. 5a, the aperture 340 is a hole. The hole 340 is non-threaded. The aperture 340 comprises an aperture axis O centred through the aperture 340, wherein the aperture axis O is perpendicular to the fixing plate plane.

[0085] The hose connection tube 332 of the hose connector 106 extends from the first side 336 of the fixing plate 334 in a direction perpendicular to the fixing plate plane.

[0086] The valve body connection tube 330 of the hose connector 106 extends from the second side 338 of the fixing plate 334 in a direction perpendicular to the fixing plate plane, and opposite to the direction that the hose connection tube 332 extends in. That is, the hose connection tube 332 and the valve body connection tube 330 extend in opposite directions from one another.

[0087] The hose connector 106, as shown in FIG. 5a, is a single piece component, meaning that the valve body connection tube 330, fixing plate 334, and hose connection tube 332 are integrally formed.

[0088] An opening 342 extends through the valve body connection tube 330, the fixing plate 334, and the hose connection tube 332. The opening 342 forms a tube for fluidly connecting a valve body of the fire extinguisher to a hose of the fire extinguisher. Thus the opening 342 is for the passage of fire suppressant from the cylinder 102 to the hose 108 when the fire extinguisher 100 is activated by a user.

[0089] The hose connection tube 332 as shown in FIG. 5a has a circular internal cross-sectional shape. The hose connection tube 332 has a circular external cross-sectional shape. The hose connector tube 332 also comprises annular protrusions on the outer surface for aiding in securing the hose 108 to the hose connector 106.

[0090] The valve body connection tube 330 has a circular internal cross-sectional shape. The valve body connection tube 330 has a circular external cross-sectional shape.

[0091] The internal surfaces of the hose connection tube 332 and the valve body connection tube 330 form a continuous surface. That is, the hose connection tube 332 and the valve body connection tube 330 are integrally formed to form a single tube for fluidly connecting the valve body 104 to the hose 108. The hose connection tube 332 and the valve body connection tube 330 have a common hose connector axis P centred through the hose connection tube 332 and the valve body connection tube 330. The hose connector axis P is parallel to the aperture axis O.

[0092] The valve body connection tube 330 is configured to be push-fit into a corresponding opening (i.e. the hose connector receiving hole 310) in the valve body 104. That is, the valve body connection tube 330 is a push-fit connector. The valve body connection tube comprises an O-ring 344 around its external surface. The O-ring 344 is for providing a sealed connection between the valve body 104 and hose connector 106 when the valve body connection tube 330 is inserted into the hose connector receiving hole 310.

[0093] FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of the hose connector 106, wherein a hose 108 has been attached to the hose connection tube 332 of the hose connector 106.

[0094] FIG. 5c shows another perspective view of the hose connector 106. As shown in this Figure, the fixing plate 334 of the hose connector 106 comprises several reinforcing ribs 346. The reinforcing ribs are portions of the fixing plate 334 that protrude such that they are thicker than other portions of the fixing plate 334 (e.g. thicker in a direction perpendicular to the fixing plate plane).

[0095] A reinforcing rib 346a circumscribes the circumference of the aperture 340. The reinforcing rib 346a is shown in FIG. 5c to be on the first side 336 of the fixing plate 334.

[0096] A reinforcing rib 346b circumscribes the circumference of the hose connection tube 332. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 346c extend along the fixing plate 334 between the aperture 340 and the hose connection tube 332 on the first side 336. Corresponding reinforcing ribs may be provided on the second side of the hose connector. The reinforcing ribs 346 are provided in locations of the hose connector 106 subject to higher stresses when in operation.

[0097] FIG. 6a is a top-down view of the cartridge-operated fire extinguisher 100 of FIG. 1. In this Figure, the valve body 104 is secured to the cylinder 102. To secure the valve body 104 to the cylinder 102, the valve body 104 is first mounted to the cylinder 102. In doing so, the valve body 102 covers the entirety of the opening 200 of the cylinder 102. The valve body 104 and the perimeter 202 of the opening 200 are configured such that, when the valve body 104 is mounted to the cylinder 102, a seal is formed between the valve body 104 and the cylinder 102. A perspective view of the valve body 104 is shown in FIG. 6b.

[0098] To mount the valve body 104, the first shaft 210a of the first bolt 210 of the cylinder 102 passes through the first aperture 300a of the first fixing point 300 of the valve body 104. Likewise, the second shaft 212a of the second bolt 212 of the cylinder 102 passes through the second aperture 302a of the second fixing point 302 of the valve body 104, and the third shaft 214a of the third bolt 214 of the cylinder 102 passes through the third aperture 304a of the third fixing point 304 of the valve body 104. As the valve body 104 is mounted on the cylinder 102 each of the bolts 210, 212, 214 may pass through each respective aperture 300a, 302a, 304a simultaneously.

[0099] FIG. 6d shows a cross-section of a portion of the fire extinguisher, and illustrates the connections between the cylinder 102, the valve body 104, the hose connector 106, and the hose 108. The hose connector 106 is mounted to the valve body 104 on the hose connector support surface 320. That is, the third shaft 214 passes through the third aperture 304a and the aperture 340 of the fixing plate 334 of the hose connector 106. The valve body connection tube 330 of the hose connector 106 is received in the hose connector opening 310 of the valve body 104.

[0100] Then, the valve body 104 and the hose connector 106 is secured to the cylinder 102. The valve body 104 as shown for example in FIGS. 4a and 4b is secured to the cylinder by the use of three nuts 350, one on each of the bolts 210, 212, 214. The hose connector 106 is secured to the valve body 104 by the nut 350 on the third bolt 214.

[0101] FIG. 6c shows an arrangement of the assembled fire extinguisher 100 in which the hose connector axis P is at an angle of 30° relative to the longitudinal axis L of the cylinder 102.