Power arm fire hose attachment

Abstract

A power arm is designed similar to a rifle stock that can be applied to a fire hose coupling via, for example, a quick detach rail system. The power arm can provide a firefighter with additional control of a fire hose which can be extremely helpful in a hostile environment. The power arm allows a firefighter to use their body as a whole to provide a maximum advantage for controlling a fire hose that is streaming water.

Claims

1. A support device for a nozzle comprising: A nozzle device A fire hose And a power arm stock attachment The nozzle device, fire hose and power arm stock attachment forming an assembly The nozzle device comprising A pistol grip A lever Said lever actuating a valve A nozzle inlet, defining a rear of the nozzle device A nozzle outlet, defining a front of the nozzle device And a cylindrical coupling matingly received on an external surface of the nozzle outlet Wherein the nozzle inlet and cylindrical coupling are arranged concentrically about a central lateral axis of the nozzle device, said central axis extending from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet, perpendicularly to the lever The cylindrical coupling comprising An internal surface that matingly receives the fire hose, while the cylindrical coupling is coupled to the external surface of the nozzle inlet And an external surface that includes a dovetail shaped nozzle bracket projecting therefrom Said nozzle bracket extending from the rear to front of the cylindrical coupling Wherein the cylindrical coupling receives the power arm stock attachment on the nozzle bracket The power arm stock attachment comprising a rifle stock support formed integrally with a rail bracket The rail bracket comprising a socket shaped to complimentarily mate with the nozzle bracket by a dovetail connection Such that the power arm stock attachment is mounted to the nozzle bracket by sliding the power arm stock attachment along the external surface of the rail bracket in a direction from the rear of the nozzle device toward the front of the nozzle device Wherein In use, water flows through the fire hose into the nozzle device, through the valve and is expelled laterally from the nozzle outlet Such that a water force is created by the water opposite the direction of water expulsion Said water force driving the power arm stock attachment to a torso of a user and the power arm stock attachment is frictionally retained on the nozzle bracket.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire hose attachment, in use, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective of the fire hose attachment, attached to a nozzle;

(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of the fire hose attachment and nozzle of FIG. 2; and

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the fire hose attachment removed from a coupling member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

(6) Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power arm designed similar to a rifle stock that can be applied to a fire hose coupling via, for example, a quick detach rail system. The power arm can provide a firefighter with additional control of a fire hose which can be extremely helpful in a hostile environment. The power arm allows a firefighter to use their body as a whole to provide a maximum advantage for controlling a fire hose that is streaming water.

(7) Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a nozzle device 10 can include a nozzle bracket 16 disposed on a hose coupling 20. The hose coupling 20 can connect the nozzle device 10 to a fire hose 18.

(8) The nozzle bracket 16 can receive a rail bracket 14 attached to a power arm stock attachment 12. The power arm stock attachment 12 can be shaped similar to a rifle stock, for example. The stock attachment 12 can removably attach to the hose coupling 16 via a mating connection between the rail bracket 14 and the nozzle bracket 16. In some embodiments, the rail bracket 14 and the nozzle bracket 16 can form a dovetail connection, allowing the rail bracket 14 to be slid on the nozzle bracket 16 in a single direction, for example.

(9) Various removable attachments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, the power arm stock attachment 12 can slide onto the nozzle bracket 16 in a direction of water force 26 so that when nozzle force 28 drives the power arm stock attachment 12 toward an arm-crevice region of a firefighter 22, the power arm stock attachment 12 is retained on the nozzle bracket 16. In some embodiments, the power arm stock attachment 12 can be frictionally retained on the nozzle bracket 16 where a force applied to the power arm stock attachment 12 in the nozzle force 28 direction can be used to remove the power arm stock attachment 12 from the nozzle bracket 16.

(10) The nozzle bracket 16 can be formed integrally with the fire hose coupling 20. Various size couplings 20 can be used for various size fire hoses 18. In some embodiments, the coupling 20 can be formed into the nozzle device 10 and in other embodiments, the coupling 20 can be a member separable from the nozzle device 10.

(11) While the Figures show a single nozzle bracket 16 on the coupling 20, in some embodiments, multiple nozzle brackets 16 can be disposed on the coupling 20, allowing the power arm stock attachment 12 to attach at various locations around the coupling 20.

(12) The power arm stock attachment 12 allows the firefighter to use their body as a whole, thus reducing fatigue, stress and the risk of losing control. The nozzle device 10 of the present invention, with the power arm stock attachment 12, allows the firefighter to focus on fighting the fire rather than focusing on oneself and controlling the hose.

(13) The nozzle device 10 of the present invention can be used for various hose lines in various applications, including firefighting applications as well as other applications where a stream of water exits a human controlled nozzle. For example, the nozzle device 10 can be used by airport fire departments, naval ship firefighters, municipal fire departments, professional and volunteer firefighters and the like.

(14) It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.