Fire-hose nozzle

Abstract

A fire-hose nozzle includes a cylindrical housing having an inlet, an outlet and a water passageway therebetween. Centrally disposed within the passageway is an elongated, rocket-shaped stem having a larger-diameter end near the inlet and a pointed, tapered end near the outlet. Proximal the inlet are circumferentially disposed apertures for injecting ambient air into incoming water to widen the spray pattern through the outlet. Attached to the inlet is a pistol-grip controller for coupling with a conventional fire hose. Therefore, when water is delivered to the housing, the stem disrupts and separates the water stream to decrease hose back pressure, recoil and oscillation.

Claims

1. A fire-hose nozzle comprising: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and an interior water passageway therebetween; an elongated, rocket-shaped stem within said water passageway and fixedly attached to said housing with bolts radially extending from said stem to said housing that axially suspend said stem within said water passageway, said stem having a large-diameter tubular portion near the inlet and a tapered, pointed portion near the outlet; a controller coupled with said inlet and a fire hose distal end for controlling water flow from said hose to said water passageway, whereby when water is delivered to said passageway, the stem disrupts and separates incoming water to decrease back pressure, recoil and oscillation of said fire hose.

2. A fire-hose nozzle comprising: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and an interior water passageway therebetween; an elongated, rocket-shaped stem within said water passageway and fixedly attached to said housing with bolts radially extending from said stem to said housing that axially suspend said stem within said water passageway; a controller coupled with said inlet and a fire-hose distal end for controlling water flow from a fire hose to said water passageway, whereby when water is delivered to said passageway, the stem disrupts and separates incoming water to decrease back pressure, recoil and oscillation of said fire hose.

3. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of apertures circumferentially disposed around the inlet of said housing for injecting ambient air into incoming water to widen a spray pattern through said outlet, and to atomize incoming water to more effectively extinguish a fire.

4. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 3 further comprising a collar slidably mounted on said housing for selectively covering and exposing said apertures.

5. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 4 wherein said housing includes a biased latch having a pin that rides within a slot on said collar to prevent inadvertent removal thereof.

6. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 4 wherein said collar includes a raised, semi-circumferential lip that provides an engagement surface for a firefighter's hand when sliding said collar forward and backward.

7. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 2 further comprising a hollow, elongated sleeve having a first end and an opposing second end with a water conduit formed therebetween, said first end telescopically receiving the outlet of said housing, said sleeve slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, whereby when in the extended position, said sleeve projects water in a streamlined, concentrated flow pattern and when in the retracted position, said sleeve projects water in a wide spray pattern.

8. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 7 wherein the first end of said sleeve includes a circumferential band with a guide pin depending from an interior surface, said guide pin riding within a longitudinal slot on said housing, said slot having a transverse notch at a distal end into which said guide pin is rotated to lock said sleeve in the retracted position.

9. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 2 further comprising a quick-connect fitting on the inlet of said housing for coupling with a foaming-agent source to facilitate oxygen depravation of an ongoing fire.

10. A fire-hose nozzle comprising: a housing having an inlet, an outlet and an interior water passageway therebetween; an elongated, rocket-shaped stem centrally suspended within said water passageway, said rocket-shaped stem fixedly attached to said housing; a controller coupled with said inlet and a fire hose distal end for controlling water flow from a fire hose to said water passageway, whereby when water is delivered to said passageway, the stem disrupts and separates incoming water to decrease back pressure, recoil and oscillation of said fire hose; a plurality of apertures circumferentially disposed around the inlet of said housing for injecting ambient air into incoming water to widen a spray pattern through said outlet, and to atomize incoming water to more effectively extinguish a fire; a collar slidably mounted on said housing for selectively covering and exposing said apertures; a biased latch on said housing, said biased latch having a pin that rides within a slot on said collar to prevent inadvertent removal thereof.

11. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 10 wherein said stem has a large-diameter tubular portion near the inlet and a tapered, pointed portion near the outlet.

12. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 10 wherein said rocket-shaped stem is fixedly attached to said housing with bolts radially extending from said stem to said housing that axially suspend said stem within said water passageway.

13. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 10 wherein said collar includes a raised, semi-circumferential lip that provides an engagement surface for a firefighter's hand when sliding said collar forward and backward.

14. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 10 further comprising a hollow, elongated sleeve having a first end and an opposing second end with a water conduit formed therebetween, said first end telescopically receiving the outlet of said housing, said sleeve slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, whereby when in the extended position, said sleeve projects water in a streamlined, concentrated flow pattern and when in the retracted position, said sleeve projects water in a wide spray pattern.

15. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 14 wherein the first end of said sleeve includes a circumferential band with a guide pin depending from an interior surface, said guide pin riding within a longitudinal slot on said housing, said slot having a transverse notch at a distal end into which said guide pin is rotated to lock said sleeve in the retracted position.

16. The fire-hose nozzle according to claim 10 further comprising a quick-connect fitting on the inlet of said housing for coupling with a foaming-agent source to facilitate oxygen depravation of an ongoing fire.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side, plan view of the fire-hose nozzle according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of the nozzle.

(3) FIG. 3 is an isolated, exploded view of the collar.

(4) FIG. 4 is an isolated, front view of the collar.

(5) FIG. 5 is an isolated, facing view of the stem and attachment bolts.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stem and attachment bolts taken along A-A of FIG. 5.

(7) FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the housing, stem and attachment flanges that are used on smaller-diameter nozzles.

(8) FIG. 8 depicts a second embodiment of the present invention with the attachment in an extended position.

(9) FIG. 9 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 8 with the attachment of FIG. 8 in a retracted position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) The present invention relates to a fire-hose nozzle including a cylindrical housing 1 having an inlet 2, an outlet 3 and a water passageway 4 therebetween. Centrally disposed within the passageway is an elongated, rocket-shaped stem 5 having a larger-diameter tubular portion 6 near the inlet and a tapered, pointed portion 7 near the outlet. Bolts 8 radially extend from the stem to the housing inner surface to axially suspend the stem within the water passageway. If the nozzle is designed to fit smaller-diameter hoses, the bolts are replaced with flanges 50 as depicted in FIG. 7.

(11) Proximal the inlet are circumferentially disposed apertures 9 for injecting ambient air into incoming water to widen the spray pattern through the outlet. The apertures are selectively covered or exposed by a collar 10 slidably mounted on the housing exterior. A biased latch 11 includes a pin 40 that rides within a slot 41 on the collar to prevent inadvertent removal. A raised, semi-circumferential lip 45 provides an engagement surface for a firefighter's hand when sliding the collar forward or backward, even when encapsulated with a bulky work glove.

(12) In addition to creating a wider spray pattern, the apertures also atomize the water to more effectively extinguish more tenacious fires, such as those fueled by oil or other hydrocarbons. The atomized water droplets increase both the total surface area and the heat-absorption capacity of water engaging the fire. The increased heat absorption also generates additional steam that further suffocates the fire.

(13) Attached to the inlet is a pistol-grip controller 12 having a threaded port 13 for coupling with a conventional fire hose. A pivotal, U-shaped handle 14 opens an internal ball valve to allow water flow from the hose to the housing interior. Therefore, when water is delivered to the housing, the stem impedes and disrupts the water stream to decrease back pressure, recoil and oscillation.

(14) The inlet may also include a quick-connect fitting 31 for coupling with a fluoro-surfactant foaming agent tube for trucks equipped with such devices to more quickly deprive oxygen from an ongoing fire. The fitting 31 includes a check valve to prevent back-flow of the foaming agent when the nozzle is not in use.

(15) Now referring specifically to FIGS. 8 and 9, a slightly different embodiment includes an attachment 20 that allows a user to further modify the spray pattern of effluent water, as desired. The attachment includes a hollow sleeve 21 having an open first end 22 telescopically receiving the housing outlet 3, an opposing, open second end 23 and a water conduit 24 therebetween. The first end 22 includes a circumferential band 25 with a guide pin 26 depending from an interior surface. The guide pin rides within a longitudinal slot 27 formed on the housing that terminates at a transverse notch 28.

(16) Accordingly, a user may slide the sleeve to an extended position as depicted in FIG. 8, wherein the conduit creates a more streamlined, concentrated flow pattern. Or, the user can retract and rotate the sleeve slightly to lock the pin within the notch, as depicted in FIG. 9, to create a wider spray pattern. In addition to varying the water-flow pattern, the sleeve in either position enhances the effectiveness of any foaming agents that are added via the fitting 31. Finally, the attachment further reduces hose back pressure relative to what the nozzle would otherwise achieve with the stem alone.

(17) The above-described device is not limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts provided herein. Furthermore, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied.

(18) Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.