CA2019198C - Emergency air supply assembly for trapped fire fighters - Google Patents
Emergency air supply assembly for trapped fire fightersInfo
- Publication number
- CA2019198C CA2019198C CA 2019198 CA2019198A CA2019198C CA 2019198 C CA2019198 C CA 2019198C CA 2019198 CA2019198 CA 2019198 CA 2019198 A CA2019198 A CA 2019198A CA 2019198 C CA2019198 C CA 2019198C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- air
- emergency
- air supply
- fire
- hose
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
- A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
- A62B9/00—Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
- Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)
- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In an emergency air supply assembly for delivery of emergency breathing air to trapped fire fighters, the combination comprising:
a fire truck having a water supply outlet, said water supply outlet having a water shut-off valve in association therewith.
an air collector collar means provided for selective operative engagement with said water outlet, said air connector collar means having an emergency air connector quick coupler check valve assembly provided therethrough, said air collar means adapted for selective operative engagement with the entry end of a fire hose having nozzle at the opposite end thereof; and emergency air supply means provided in association with said fire truck, said emergency air supply means adapted for snap engagement with said air connector quick coupler assembly so as to permit delivery of emergency breathing air through said fire hose to trapped fire fighters upon selective closure of said water shut off valve.
In an emergency air supply assembly for delivery of emergency breathing air to trapped fire fighters, the combination comprising:
a fire truck having a water supply outlet, said water supply outlet having a water shut-off valve in association therewith.
an air collector collar means provided for selective operative engagement with said water outlet, said air connector collar means having an emergency air connector quick coupler check valve assembly provided therethrough, said air collar means adapted for selective operative engagement with the entry end of a fire hose having nozzle at the opposite end thereof; and emergency air supply means provided in association with said fire truck, said emergency air supply means adapted for snap engagement with said air connector quick coupler assembly so as to permit delivery of emergency breathing air through said fire hose to trapped fire fighters upon selective closure of said water shut off valve.
Description
201919~
1 This invention rela~es to an emergency air supply 2 assembly for fire fighters which is adapted to provide 3 emergency breathing air through a fire hose to fire 4 fighters and/or rescue teams trapped within a burning structure or a structure filled with potentially explosive 6 and/or toxic gas.
7 The emergency air supply assembly comprises 8 emergency air snap coupling means provided in association 9 with the fire hose to permit quick coupling of an emergency air supply unit with the entry end of the fire hose for 11 emergency delivery of breathing air to the trapped fire 12 fighters and/or rescue teams. In such an emergency, the 13 portable air supply unit normally carried by the fire 14 fighters becomes exhausted when the fire fighters become trapped. Unless the fire fighters can be rescued 16 immediately, they will die of suffocation. The instant 17 invention enables emergency air to be instantly delivered 18 to the trapped fire fighters by easily and quickly 19 converting the fire hose being used by the fire fighters for normal water delivery to use for emergency air 21 delivery~ In operation during such an emergency, the water 22 supply to the fire hose is shut off and the emergency air 23 ~upply as~embly iB snap connected to the entry end of the 24 fire hose. The trapped fire fighters place the nozzle end of the fire hose into an emergency air collector member, 26 ~uch as a bag, a boot or even an article of clothing, which 27 traps the emergency air for use by the firemen. The 28 breathing mask tube normally connected to the portable air 29 supply unit (now exhausted) carried by the fire fighter6 is then inserted into the emergency air collector member 31 80 as to provide emergency air to the fire fighter~. If 20~9 1 98 1 several fire fighters in an entire crew are trapped, they 2 can insert their respective breathing mask tubes into the 3 emergency air collector member so as to simultaneously 4 receive emergency breathing air therefrom, thereby saving their collective lives until they are rescued.
6 It is within the scope of the invention that the 7 trapped fire fighting and/or rescue crews can thus be 8 supplied with emergency air if they are located within a 9 closet, ten, tarpaulin covers or any other type of enclosed space which can act as an emergency air collector member.
11 Another embodiment of the invention is to provide 12 a fire hose which is selectively provided with an entry end 13 closure cap having an air connector snap engagement member 14 provided therethrough for connection to an independent emergency air supply assembly such as a bank of air tanks 16 or an air compressor. Further, this closure cap embodiment 17 of the invention can enable the fire hose to be 18 independently used to deliver emergency air to persons 19 trapped underwater in sunken boats or in automobiles that have broken through ice or been inadvertently driven into 21 rivers, lake~ or water filled ditches. An emergency air 22 supply source is snap connected to the air connector 23 provided in the closure cap provided on the entry end of 24 the fire hose. The fire ho~e i8 then pulled underwater to the trapped vehicle or boat and the nozzle end is placed 26 into the area in which the person~ are trapped so as to 27 supply emergency breathing air to the trapped person or 28 per~on~. The fire hose can thus be u~ed independently of 29 a fire truck thus permitting the fire truck to continue to be used to deliver water through another fire hose to other 31 areas of the fire.
2 0 ~ 8 1Nowhere in the structures or methods of the prior 2 known art has there been shown an emergency breathing air 3 supply structure and/or method such as the applicant's 4 structure and/or method whereby a fire hose can be easily and quickly converted from the delivery of water to the 6 delivery of emergency breathing air to trapped fire 7 fighters, rescue teams within structures filled with toxic 8 or explosive gases, or persons trapped in vehicles located 9 under water. Heretofore, persons trapped without a readily available breathing air supply have been suffocated before 11 resGue teams could reach them.
12~herefore, a need has existed for an emergency 13breathing air supply structure and method whereby persons 14trapped without breathing air can be kept alive and 15prevented from suffocating until they are rescued and 16removed from their trapped positions.
17It iB therefor an ob~ect of this invention to 18provide an emergency breathing air supply structure and 19method whereby emergency breathing air can be easily and 20quickly delivered to fire fighters trapped within burning 21or toxic gas filled structures or to persons trapped in 22sunken boats, vehicles or other space6 located underwater.
23Another ob~ect of this invention is to provide an 24emergency breathing air supply structure and method whereby 25a standard fire ho~e can be easily and instantaneously 26converted from the delivery of water to the delivery of 27emergency breathing air to persons trapped in burning or 28toxic filled ~tructures whose normally carried portable 29supply of breathing air has been terminated or exhausted.
30Another ob~ect of this invention is to provide 31emergency breathing air to persons trapped underwater 80 20~9~98 1as to prevent their suffocation until they can be rescued.
2Other objects and advantages found in the 3construction of the invention will be apparent from a 4consideration of the following specification in connection 5with the appended claLms and the accompanying drawings.
6The aforementioned objects and advantages of the 7invention will be appreciated from the following 8description and accompanying drawings wherein:
9Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a portion 10of a fire truck with a fire hose attached thereto and 11showing the emergency breathing air supply assembly 12attached thereto.
13Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the 14emergency breathing air supply assembly and associated 15control valves.
16Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fire fighter 17receiving emergency breathing air from an air collector 18bag supplied by the emergency air from the nozzle end of 19the fire hose.
20Figure 4 i8 a partial enlarged schematic perspective 21view of the emergency air collector member showing the 22nozzle end of the emergency air delivery fire hose and 23the fire fighter's fire mask air tube positioned therein.
24Figure 5 is a schematic end sectional view showing 25the air collector bag with the fire hose nozzle and three 26fire fighter air tubes receiving air therefrom.
27Figure 6 is a schematic view ~howing a fire 28fighter's boot utilized as an emergency air collector 29member.
30Figure 7 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view 31of a fire truck showing another embodiment of the 2~9-~98 1 emergency breathing air ~upply assembly integrated into 2 the fire truck body and water outlet tube in association 3 with the fire hose attached externally thereto.
4 Figure 8 is a partial schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of a fire hose provided with 6 an entry end clo~ure cap having an air connector 7 therethrough for selective ~nap attachment with emergency 8 air supply means.
9 As shown in Figure 1, a fire truck 11 is provi~ed with a fire hose control panel area 12. The fire truck is 11 provided with water shut off control levers 13 and 14 which 12 are connected to water supply tanks and associated water 13 pumps tnot ~hown) which are internally provided in the fire 14 truck. A fire truck water outlet 15 is provided for selective threaded engagement by a fire truck water outlet 16 adapter 16 which engages an air connector collar 19 having 17 an air connecter quick coupler assembly 20 provided 18 therethrough and which is connected to the entry end 17 of 19 the fire hose 18. The emergency air connector quick coupler a~sembly 20 is adapted to deliver emergency 21 breathing air through the air connector collar 19 into the 22 fire hose 18 when it is connected to an emergency breathing 23 air ~upply as~embly 21.
24 The emergency air ~uick coupler assembly 20 includes a pre~ure check valve 22 and air connector quick coupler 26 unit 23. The air connector affsembly 20 i~ connected to a 27 high pressure to low pressure regulator unit 24 having an 28 ad~ustment control handle 25. The regulator unit 24 i8 29 provided with an air s~pply tank pressure gage 26 and an exit air pressure gage 27. A high pressure air supply hose 31 28 supplies air to the regulator 24 from the air supply 201 9 ? ~8 1 assembly 21.
2 As shown in greater detail in Figure 2, the high 3 pressure air supply hose 28 is connected to a high pre~sure 4 tee connector 29 provided for selective connection to one or more air supply tanks 39 and 40. The tee connector 29 6 is provided with minimum 2500 pound high pressure check 7 valves 31 and 32 which are in turn connected by couplers 8 33 and 34, respectively, to high pressure tank supply hoses 9 35 and 36, respectively. The opposite ends of the hoses 35 and 36 are connected to air tank coupler 37 and 38 11 provided on air tanks 39 and 40, respectively. Each air 12 tank, 39 and 40 is provided with air pressure gages 41 and 13 42 and shut off valves 43 and 44 respectively.
14 In an emergency involving fire fighters or other trapped persons needing emergency air, the appropriate fire 16 truck water shut off control lever 13 or 14 is lifted to 17 shut off delivery of water to the fire hose 18.
18 The emergency breathing air supply assembly 21 as 19 shown generally in Figure 1 and more specifically in Figure 2 is uniquely designed to provide a continuous supply of 21 breathing air into the fire hose 18 from the air tanks 39 22 and 40 because of the critically positioned air check 23 valves 31 and 32 provided between the inlets of the tee 29 24 and tank supply hoses 35 and 36 connected to the air supply tanks 39 and 40, respectively. In use, the shut off valve 26 43 is opened on tank 39 and air flows therefrom into the 27 hose 35 through the check valve 31 into hose 28 to the 28 regulator 24 and thence through the emergency air connector 29 quick coupler assembly 20 into the fire hose 18 for delivery of the emergency breathing air to the trapped 31 persons. A~ tank 39 nears empty, the shut off valve 44 on 20~91 98 1 tank 40 is opened and the air supply continues to flow 2 without interruption through the tee 29 into the fire hose 3 18 as described above. The check valve 31 prevents the air 4 from tank 40 from entering the tube 35 and the near empty tank 39. The check valve 31 also permits the near empty 6 tank 39 to be disconnected from tube 35 so as to be 7 replaced by a full tank 39 without interruption of the flow 8 of air from tank 40 to the trapped fire fighters. The same 9 procedure is followed when tank 40 becomes nearly empty.
Thus, the shut off valve 43 on the now full new replacement 11 tank 39 is opened so as to maintain a continuous flow of 12 air ~o the fire hose 18. The check valve 32 prevents air 13 from tank 39 from flowing back into the hose 36 to the now 14 nearly empty tank 40 and permits replacement of tank 40 without any interruption of the air flow from the now full 16 tank 39 to the trapped persons. This process is repeated 17 as required. It is within the scope of the invention to 18 increase the bank of air supply tanks with similarly placed 19 check valves in as~ociation therewith ~o that a continuous flow of emergency breathing air i~ maintained at all times 21 during the emergency.
22 AB shown in Figure 3, the trapped fire fighter 45 23 whose portable air supply tank 46 has run out of air 24 quickly disconnects his breathing tube 47 from portable air tank supply regulator unit 48 and places it into an air 26 collector bag 49. The fire fighter 45 has also inserted 27 the nozzle end 50 of the fire hose 18 into the collector 28 bag 49 80 that the emergency air passes th0reinto. This 29 is shown in greater detail in Figure 4.
In this manner the fire fighter is able to breathe 31 emergency air from the collector bag 49 through the 2~1919~
1 breathing tube 47 into his mask 51. Thusl the fire fighter 2 does not suffocate while waiting to be rescued.
3 As shown in Figure 5, several members of a trapped 4 crew can simultaneously insert their respective breathing tube 47 into the air collector member 49 80 as to save 6 their lives.
7 As shown in Figure 6, it is within the scope of the 8 invention to selectively use a boot 52 as an emergency air 9 collector member. The air collector member can also be a coat pocket, the person's shirt, a closet or the confines 11 of a sunken automobile if the person is trapped therein.
12 Another embodiment of the invention as shown in 13 Figure 7 wherein the air regulator 24 and a~sociated 14 controls and gages are incorporated into the fire truck control panel wall 12a and a remote air supply assembly or 16 air compressor (not shown) is utilized to supply emergency 17 air through the air supply tube 53 the regulator 24. An 18 air connector check valve 54 tran~mit~ the air into the 19 water outlet tube 15 and hence into the fire hose 18 (not shown). Thus in an emergency, the water lever 13 i8 lifted 21 to shut off the water supply from the water tank 55 and 22 associated water pump (not shown). Then the air regulator 23 24 and emergency air means are actuated to supply emergency 24 breathing air into the fire ho~e 18 as previously described. Thi~ could be mounted elsewhere on the truck 26 or constitute a multiple bank of air tanks or an air 27 compressor.
28 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in 29 Figure 8 whereby a fire hose closure cap 56 is provided with an air connector ~nap engagement member 57 mounted 31 through the end wall thereof. It is within the scope of 2019~9~
1 the invention to provide the air connector member 57 2 through ~he side of the closure cap 56 as desired. The 3 cap 56 is selectively mounted at the entry end 58 of the 4 fire hose 18 so as to effect closure thereof. Thus mounted, the closure cap 56 permits emergency air to be 6 introduced therethrough by connection thereto of air supply 7 means of any type, i.e. air tanks, compressors and the like 8 to the air connector 57 which delivers the air through the 9 closure cap 56 into the fire hose 18. ~s previously described, the emergency breathing air is then delivered 11 to the trapped persons so as to keep them alive. The 12 closure cap embodiment of the invention permits the fire 13 hose 18 to be disconnected from the fire truck for 14 emergency air supply use permitting the fire truck to use another hose to deliver water as needed. It is also within 16 the scope of the invention to modify the air supply means 17 for direct mating engagement with the fire hose 18 so as 18 to deliver breathing air thereinto without the need for 19 closure caps and the like.
In summary, an emergency air supply assembly is 21 provided for delivery of emergency breathing air to trapped 22 fire fighters. A fire truck is provided having a water 23 supply outlet. The water supply outlet has a water shut-24 off valve in association therewith. Air connector collar means i8 provided for selective operative engagement with 26 the water outlet. The air connector collar means is 27 provided with an emergency air connector quick coupler 28 check valve aseembly provided therethrough. The air collar 29 means i~ adapted for selective operative engagement with the entry end of a fire hose having nozzle at the opposite 31 end thereof. Emergency air supply means are provided in 20~919~
1 association with the fire truck. The emergency air supply 2 means are adapted for snap engagement with the air 3 connector quick coupler assembly so as to permit delivery 4 of emergency breathing air through the fire hose to trapped fire fighters positioned proximate to the nozzle end of the 6 fire hose upon selective clo~ure of the water shut off 7 valve. The emergency air connector quick coupler assembly 8 includes a pressure check valve and an air connector quick 9 coupler unit for selective operative engagement with the air connector collar means. The emergency air supply means 11 include a high pressure to low pressure air regulator unit 12 for selective engagement with the emergency air connecter 13 quick coupler assembly. The emergency air supply means 14 include a regulator high pressure air supply hose lS operatively connected at one end thereof to the air 16 regulator. The emergency air supply means include a high 17 pressure tee connector operatively connected at the outlet 18 end thereof to the regulator high pressure air supply hose.
19 The high pressure tee connector is provided with a pair of inlet ends. Each of the inlet end6 i6 provided with an 21 inlet high pressure check valve. Each of the inlet high 22 pres6ure check valves are operatively connected to their 23 own separate air supply tank, re6pectively. Each of the 24 air supply tanks are provided with a shut off valve. The high pressure check valves cooperate with selective 26 actuation of the air tank shut off valve6 to provide a 27 continuou~ 6upply of emergency air. An air collector 28 member is provided for selective engagement with the fire 29 hose nozzle. The air collector member is adapted to collect emergency air received through the fire hose 31 nozzle. The air collector member is adapted to 20~9~98 1 simultaneously selectively receive a fire fighter's 2 breathing tube therein for u~e of emergency air by the 3 trapped fire fighter.
4 Another embodiment of the emergency air supply assembly for trapped fire fighters comprises a fire truck 6 having a control panel provided with water supply outlet.
7 The water supply outlet is provided with a water shut-off 8 valve in association therewith. A high pressure to low 9 pressure air regulator unit is provided in the control panel. The air regulator is provided with a remote air 11 supply inlet tube in operative engagement therewith. The 12 air regulator is provided with an air supply check valve 13 outlet tube in operative engagement with the water supply 14 outlet. The air regulator, upon selective closure of the water shut off valve, is adapted to selectively supply 16 emergency breathing air through the water supply outlet 17 into a fire hose operatively connected thereto for 18 sub~equent delivery to trapped fire fighters.
19 Yet another embodiment of the emergency air supply assembly for delivery of emergency air to trapped person~
21 comprises a fire hose having an entry end. The fire hose 22 has a nozzle end opposite the entry end. An entry end fire 23 hose closure cap is provided for selective operative 24 engagement with the entry end of the fire hose. The closure cap is provided with a snap-engagement air delivery 26 connector therethrough. The air connector i8 adapted for 27 selective snap engagement to an emergency air supply source 28 BO aB to delLver emergency air through the closure into the 29 fire hose for delivery of emergency air to trapped persons po~itioned proximate to the nozzle end of the fire hose.
31 Variou~ other modifications of the invention may be ~ 0 ~ 8 1 made without departing from the principle thereof. Each 2 of the modifications is to be considered as included in the 3 hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their 4 language expressly provide otherwise.
1 This invention rela~es to an emergency air supply 2 assembly for fire fighters which is adapted to provide 3 emergency breathing air through a fire hose to fire 4 fighters and/or rescue teams trapped within a burning structure or a structure filled with potentially explosive 6 and/or toxic gas.
7 The emergency air supply assembly comprises 8 emergency air snap coupling means provided in association 9 with the fire hose to permit quick coupling of an emergency air supply unit with the entry end of the fire hose for 11 emergency delivery of breathing air to the trapped fire 12 fighters and/or rescue teams. In such an emergency, the 13 portable air supply unit normally carried by the fire 14 fighters becomes exhausted when the fire fighters become trapped. Unless the fire fighters can be rescued 16 immediately, they will die of suffocation. The instant 17 invention enables emergency air to be instantly delivered 18 to the trapped fire fighters by easily and quickly 19 converting the fire hose being used by the fire fighters for normal water delivery to use for emergency air 21 delivery~ In operation during such an emergency, the water 22 supply to the fire hose is shut off and the emergency air 23 ~upply as~embly iB snap connected to the entry end of the 24 fire hose. The trapped fire fighters place the nozzle end of the fire hose into an emergency air collector member, 26 ~uch as a bag, a boot or even an article of clothing, which 27 traps the emergency air for use by the firemen. The 28 breathing mask tube normally connected to the portable air 29 supply unit (now exhausted) carried by the fire fighter6 is then inserted into the emergency air collector member 31 80 as to provide emergency air to the fire fighter~. If 20~9 1 98 1 several fire fighters in an entire crew are trapped, they 2 can insert their respective breathing mask tubes into the 3 emergency air collector member so as to simultaneously 4 receive emergency breathing air therefrom, thereby saving their collective lives until they are rescued.
6 It is within the scope of the invention that the 7 trapped fire fighting and/or rescue crews can thus be 8 supplied with emergency air if they are located within a 9 closet, ten, tarpaulin covers or any other type of enclosed space which can act as an emergency air collector member.
11 Another embodiment of the invention is to provide 12 a fire hose which is selectively provided with an entry end 13 closure cap having an air connector snap engagement member 14 provided therethrough for connection to an independent emergency air supply assembly such as a bank of air tanks 16 or an air compressor. Further, this closure cap embodiment 17 of the invention can enable the fire hose to be 18 independently used to deliver emergency air to persons 19 trapped underwater in sunken boats or in automobiles that have broken through ice or been inadvertently driven into 21 rivers, lake~ or water filled ditches. An emergency air 22 supply source is snap connected to the air connector 23 provided in the closure cap provided on the entry end of 24 the fire hose. The fire ho~e i8 then pulled underwater to the trapped vehicle or boat and the nozzle end is placed 26 into the area in which the person~ are trapped so as to 27 supply emergency breathing air to the trapped person or 28 per~on~. The fire hose can thus be u~ed independently of 29 a fire truck thus permitting the fire truck to continue to be used to deliver water through another fire hose to other 31 areas of the fire.
2 0 ~ 8 1Nowhere in the structures or methods of the prior 2 known art has there been shown an emergency breathing air 3 supply structure and/or method such as the applicant's 4 structure and/or method whereby a fire hose can be easily and quickly converted from the delivery of water to the 6 delivery of emergency breathing air to trapped fire 7 fighters, rescue teams within structures filled with toxic 8 or explosive gases, or persons trapped in vehicles located 9 under water. Heretofore, persons trapped without a readily available breathing air supply have been suffocated before 11 resGue teams could reach them.
12~herefore, a need has existed for an emergency 13breathing air supply structure and method whereby persons 14trapped without breathing air can be kept alive and 15prevented from suffocating until they are rescued and 16removed from their trapped positions.
17It iB therefor an ob~ect of this invention to 18provide an emergency breathing air supply structure and 19method whereby emergency breathing air can be easily and 20quickly delivered to fire fighters trapped within burning 21or toxic gas filled structures or to persons trapped in 22sunken boats, vehicles or other space6 located underwater.
23Another ob~ect of this invention is to provide an 24emergency breathing air supply structure and method whereby 25a standard fire ho~e can be easily and instantaneously 26converted from the delivery of water to the delivery of 27emergency breathing air to persons trapped in burning or 28toxic filled ~tructures whose normally carried portable 29supply of breathing air has been terminated or exhausted.
30Another ob~ect of this invention is to provide 31emergency breathing air to persons trapped underwater 80 20~9~98 1as to prevent their suffocation until they can be rescued.
2Other objects and advantages found in the 3construction of the invention will be apparent from a 4consideration of the following specification in connection 5with the appended claLms and the accompanying drawings.
6The aforementioned objects and advantages of the 7invention will be appreciated from the following 8description and accompanying drawings wherein:
9Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a portion 10of a fire truck with a fire hose attached thereto and 11showing the emergency breathing air supply assembly 12attached thereto.
13Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the 14emergency breathing air supply assembly and associated 15control valves.
16Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fire fighter 17receiving emergency breathing air from an air collector 18bag supplied by the emergency air from the nozzle end of 19the fire hose.
20Figure 4 i8 a partial enlarged schematic perspective 21view of the emergency air collector member showing the 22nozzle end of the emergency air delivery fire hose and 23the fire fighter's fire mask air tube positioned therein.
24Figure 5 is a schematic end sectional view showing 25the air collector bag with the fire hose nozzle and three 26fire fighter air tubes receiving air therefrom.
27Figure 6 is a schematic view ~howing a fire 28fighter's boot utilized as an emergency air collector 29member.
30Figure 7 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view 31of a fire truck showing another embodiment of the 2~9-~98 1 emergency breathing air ~upply assembly integrated into 2 the fire truck body and water outlet tube in association 3 with the fire hose attached externally thereto.
4 Figure 8 is a partial schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of a fire hose provided with 6 an entry end clo~ure cap having an air connector 7 therethrough for selective ~nap attachment with emergency 8 air supply means.
9 As shown in Figure 1, a fire truck 11 is provi~ed with a fire hose control panel area 12. The fire truck is 11 provided with water shut off control levers 13 and 14 which 12 are connected to water supply tanks and associated water 13 pumps tnot ~hown) which are internally provided in the fire 14 truck. A fire truck water outlet 15 is provided for selective threaded engagement by a fire truck water outlet 16 adapter 16 which engages an air connector collar 19 having 17 an air connecter quick coupler assembly 20 provided 18 therethrough and which is connected to the entry end 17 of 19 the fire hose 18. The emergency air connector quick coupler a~sembly 20 is adapted to deliver emergency 21 breathing air through the air connector collar 19 into the 22 fire hose 18 when it is connected to an emergency breathing 23 air ~upply as~embly 21.
24 The emergency air ~uick coupler assembly 20 includes a pre~ure check valve 22 and air connector quick coupler 26 unit 23. The air connector affsembly 20 i~ connected to a 27 high pressure to low pressure regulator unit 24 having an 28 ad~ustment control handle 25. The regulator unit 24 i8 29 provided with an air s~pply tank pressure gage 26 and an exit air pressure gage 27. A high pressure air supply hose 31 28 supplies air to the regulator 24 from the air supply 201 9 ? ~8 1 assembly 21.
2 As shown in greater detail in Figure 2, the high 3 pressure air supply hose 28 is connected to a high pre~sure 4 tee connector 29 provided for selective connection to one or more air supply tanks 39 and 40. The tee connector 29 6 is provided with minimum 2500 pound high pressure check 7 valves 31 and 32 which are in turn connected by couplers 8 33 and 34, respectively, to high pressure tank supply hoses 9 35 and 36, respectively. The opposite ends of the hoses 35 and 36 are connected to air tank coupler 37 and 38 11 provided on air tanks 39 and 40, respectively. Each air 12 tank, 39 and 40 is provided with air pressure gages 41 and 13 42 and shut off valves 43 and 44 respectively.
14 In an emergency involving fire fighters or other trapped persons needing emergency air, the appropriate fire 16 truck water shut off control lever 13 or 14 is lifted to 17 shut off delivery of water to the fire hose 18.
18 The emergency breathing air supply assembly 21 as 19 shown generally in Figure 1 and more specifically in Figure 2 is uniquely designed to provide a continuous supply of 21 breathing air into the fire hose 18 from the air tanks 39 22 and 40 because of the critically positioned air check 23 valves 31 and 32 provided between the inlets of the tee 29 24 and tank supply hoses 35 and 36 connected to the air supply tanks 39 and 40, respectively. In use, the shut off valve 26 43 is opened on tank 39 and air flows therefrom into the 27 hose 35 through the check valve 31 into hose 28 to the 28 regulator 24 and thence through the emergency air connector 29 quick coupler assembly 20 into the fire hose 18 for delivery of the emergency breathing air to the trapped 31 persons. A~ tank 39 nears empty, the shut off valve 44 on 20~91 98 1 tank 40 is opened and the air supply continues to flow 2 without interruption through the tee 29 into the fire hose 3 18 as described above. The check valve 31 prevents the air 4 from tank 40 from entering the tube 35 and the near empty tank 39. The check valve 31 also permits the near empty 6 tank 39 to be disconnected from tube 35 so as to be 7 replaced by a full tank 39 without interruption of the flow 8 of air from tank 40 to the trapped fire fighters. The same 9 procedure is followed when tank 40 becomes nearly empty.
Thus, the shut off valve 43 on the now full new replacement 11 tank 39 is opened so as to maintain a continuous flow of 12 air ~o the fire hose 18. The check valve 32 prevents air 13 from tank 39 from flowing back into the hose 36 to the now 14 nearly empty tank 40 and permits replacement of tank 40 without any interruption of the air flow from the now full 16 tank 39 to the trapped persons. This process is repeated 17 as required. It is within the scope of the invention to 18 increase the bank of air supply tanks with similarly placed 19 check valves in as~ociation therewith ~o that a continuous flow of emergency breathing air i~ maintained at all times 21 during the emergency.
22 AB shown in Figure 3, the trapped fire fighter 45 23 whose portable air supply tank 46 has run out of air 24 quickly disconnects his breathing tube 47 from portable air tank supply regulator unit 48 and places it into an air 26 collector bag 49. The fire fighter 45 has also inserted 27 the nozzle end 50 of the fire hose 18 into the collector 28 bag 49 80 that the emergency air passes th0reinto. This 29 is shown in greater detail in Figure 4.
In this manner the fire fighter is able to breathe 31 emergency air from the collector bag 49 through the 2~1919~
1 breathing tube 47 into his mask 51. Thusl the fire fighter 2 does not suffocate while waiting to be rescued.
3 As shown in Figure 5, several members of a trapped 4 crew can simultaneously insert their respective breathing tube 47 into the air collector member 49 80 as to save 6 their lives.
7 As shown in Figure 6, it is within the scope of the 8 invention to selectively use a boot 52 as an emergency air 9 collector member. The air collector member can also be a coat pocket, the person's shirt, a closet or the confines 11 of a sunken automobile if the person is trapped therein.
12 Another embodiment of the invention as shown in 13 Figure 7 wherein the air regulator 24 and a~sociated 14 controls and gages are incorporated into the fire truck control panel wall 12a and a remote air supply assembly or 16 air compressor (not shown) is utilized to supply emergency 17 air through the air supply tube 53 the regulator 24. An 18 air connector check valve 54 tran~mit~ the air into the 19 water outlet tube 15 and hence into the fire hose 18 (not shown). Thus in an emergency, the water lever 13 i8 lifted 21 to shut off the water supply from the water tank 55 and 22 associated water pump (not shown). Then the air regulator 23 24 and emergency air means are actuated to supply emergency 24 breathing air into the fire ho~e 18 as previously described. Thi~ could be mounted elsewhere on the truck 26 or constitute a multiple bank of air tanks or an air 27 compressor.
28 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in 29 Figure 8 whereby a fire hose closure cap 56 is provided with an air connector ~nap engagement member 57 mounted 31 through the end wall thereof. It is within the scope of 2019~9~
1 the invention to provide the air connector member 57 2 through ~he side of the closure cap 56 as desired. The 3 cap 56 is selectively mounted at the entry end 58 of the 4 fire hose 18 so as to effect closure thereof. Thus mounted, the closure cap 56 permits emergency air to be 6 introduced therethrough by connection thereto of air supply 7 means of any type, i.e. air tanks, compressors and the like 8 to the air connector 57 which delivers the air through the 9 closure cap 56 into the fire hose 18. ~s previously described, the emergency breathing air is then delivered 11 to the trapped persons so as to keep them alive. The 12 closure cap embodiment of the invention permits the fire 13 hose 18 to be disconnected from the fire truck for 14 emergency air supply use permitting the fire truck to use another hose to deliver water as needed. It is also within 16 the scope of the invention to modify the air supply means 17 for direct mating engagement with the fire hose 18 so as 18 to deliver breathing air thereinto without the need for 19 closure caps and the like.
In summary, an emergency air supply assembly is 21 provided for delivery of emergency breathing air to trapped 22 fire fighters. A fire truck is provided having a water 23 supply outlet. The water supply outlet has a water shut-24 off valve in association therewith. Air connector collar means i8 provided for selective operative engagement with 26 the water outlet. The air connector collar means is 27 provided with an emergency air connector quick coupler 28 check valve aseembly provided therethrough. The air collar 29 means i~ adapted for selective operative engagement with the entry end of a fire hose having nozzle at the opposite 31 end thereof. Emergency air supply means are provided in 20~919~
1 association with the fire truck. The emergency air supply 2 means are adapted for snap engagement with the air 3 connector quick coupler assembly so as to permit delivery 4 of emergency breathing air through the fire hose to trapped fire fighters positioned proximate to the nozzle end of the 6 fire hose upon selective clo~ure of the water shut off 7 valve. The emergency air connector quick coupler assembly 8 includes a pressure check valve and an air connector quick 9 coupler unit for selective operative engagement with the air connector collar means. The emergency air supply means 11 include a high pressure to low pressure air regulator unit 12 for selective engagement with the emergency air connecter 13 quick coupler assembly. The emergency air supply means 14 include a regulator high pressure air supply hose lS operatively connected at one end thereof to the air 16 regulator. The emergency air supply means include a high 17 pressure tee connector operatively connected at the outlet 18 end thereof to the regulator high pressure air supply hose.
19 The high pressure tee connector is provided with a pair of inlet ends. Each of the inlet end6 i6 provided with an 21 inlet high pressure check valve. Each of the inlet high 22 pres6ure check valves are operatively connected to their 23 own separate air supply tank, re6pectively. Each of the 24 air supply tanks are provided with a shut off valve. The high pressure check valves cooperate with selective 26 actuation of the air tank shut off valve6 to provide a 27 continuou~ 6upply of emergency air. An air collector 28 member is provided for selective engagement with the fire 29 hose nozzle. The air collector member is adapted to collect emergency air received through the fire hose 31 nozzle. The air collector member is adapted to 20~9~98 1 simultaneously selectively receive a fire fighter's 2 breathing tube therein for u~e of emergency air by the 3 trapped fire fighter.
4 Another embodiment of the emergency air supply assembly for trapped fire fighters comprises a fire truck 6 having a control panel provided with water supply outlet.
7 The water supply outlet is provided with a water shut-off 8 valve in association therewith. A high pressure to low 9 pressure air regulator unit is provided in the control panel. The air regulator is provided with a remote air 11 supply inlet tube in operative engagement therewith. The 12 air regulator is provided with an air supply check valve 13 outlet tube in operative engagement with the water supply 14 outlet. The air regulator, upon selective closure of the water shut off valve, is adapted to selectively supply 16 emergency breathing air through the water supply outlet 17 into a fire hose operatively connected thereto for 18 sub~equent delivery to trapped fire fighters.
19 Yet another embodiment of the emergency air supply assembly for delivery of emergency air to trapped person~
21 comprises a fire hose having an entry end. The fire hose 22 has a nozzle end opposite the entry end. An entry end fire 23 hose closure cap is provided for selective operative 24 engagement with the entry end of the fire hose. The closure cap is provided with a snap-engagement air delivery 26 connector therethrough. The air connector i8 adapted for 27 selective snap engagement to an emergency air supply source 28 BO aB to delLver emergency air through the closure into the 29 fire hose for delivery of emergency air to trapped persons po~itioned proximate to the nozzle end of the fire hose.
31 Variou~ other modifications of the invention may be ~ 0 ~ 8 1 made without departing from the principle thereof. Each 2 of the modifications is to be considered as included in the 3 hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their 4 language expressly provide otherwise.
Claims (14)
1. In an emergency air supply assembly for delivery of emergency breathing air to trapped fire fighters, the combination comprising:
a fire truck having a water supply outlet, said water supply outlet having a water shut-off valve in association therewith.
an air collector collar means provided for selective operative engagement with said water outlet, said air connector collar means having an emergency air connector quick coupler check valve assembly provided therethrough, said air collar means adapted for selective operative engagement with the entry end of a fire hose having nozzle at the opposite end thereof; and emergency air supply means provided in association with said fire truck, said emergency air supply means adapted for snap engagement with said air connector quick coupler assembly so as to permit delivery of emergency breathing air through said fire hose to trapped fire fighters upon selective closure of said water shut off valve.
a fire truck having a water supply outlet, said water supply outlet having a water shut-off valve in association therewith.
an air collector collar means provided for selective operative engagement with said water outlet, said air connector collar means having an emergency air connector quick coupler check valve assembly provided therethrough, said air collar means adapted for selective operative engagement with the entry end of a fire hose having nozzle at the opposite end thereof; and emergency air supply means provided in association with said fire truck, said emergency air supply means adapted for snap engagement with said air connector quick coupler assembly so as to permit delivery of emergency breathing air through said fire hose to trapped fire fighters upon selective closure of said water shut off valve.
2. In the emergency air supply assembly of Claim 1 wherein said emergency air connector quick coupler assembly includes a pressure check valve and air connector quick coupler unit for selective operative engagement with said air connector collar means.
3. In the emergency air supply assembly of Claim 1 wherein said emergency air supply means include a high pressure to low pressure air regulator unit for selective engagement with said emergency air connector quick coupler assembly.
4. In the emergency air supply assembly of Claim 3 wherein said emergency air supply means include a regulator high pressure air supply hose operatively connected at one end thereof to said air regulator.
5. In the emergency air supply assembly of Claim 4 wherein said emergency air supply means include a high pressure tee connector operatively connected at the outlet end thereof to said regulator high pressure air supply hose, said high pressure tee connector having a pair of inlet ends, each of said inlet ends provided with an inlet high pressure check valve.
6. In the emergency air supply assembly of Claim 5 wherein each of said inlet high pressure check valves are operatively connected to a separate air supply tank, each of said air supply tanks having a shut off valve, said high pressure check valves cooperating with selective actuation of said shut off valves to provide a continuous supply of emergency air.
7. In the emergency air supply assembly of Claim 1 wherein an air collector member is provided for selective engagement with said fire hose nozzle, said air collector member adapted to collect emergency air received through said fire hose, said air collector member adapted to simultaneously selectively receive a fire fighter's breathing tube therein for use by the trapped fire fighter.
8. In an emergency air supply assembly for trapped fire fighters, the combination comprising:
a fire truck having a control panel provided with water supply outlet, said water supply outlet having a water shut-off valve in association therewith;
a high pressure to low pressure air regulator unit provided in said control panel, said air regulator having a remote air supply inlet tube in operative engagement therewith, said air regulator provided with an air supply check valve outlet tube in operative engagement with said water out supply outlet, said air regulator upon selective closure of said water shut off valve adapted to selectively supply emergency breathing air through said water supply outlet into a fire hose operatively connected thereto for subsequent delivery to trapped fire fighters.
a fire truck having a control panel provided with water supply outlet, said water supply outlet having a water shut-off valve in association therewith;
a high pressure to low pressure air regulator unit provided in said control panel, said air regulator having a remote air supply inlet tube in operative engagement therewith, said air regulator provided with an air supply check valve outlet tube in operative engagement with said water out supply outlet, said air regulator upon selective closure of said water shut off valve adapted to selectively supply emergency breathing air through said water supply outlet into a fire hose operatively connected thereto for subsequent delivery to trapped fire fighters.
9. An emergency air supply assembly for delivery of emergency breathing air through a conventional flexible fire hose through which water under pressure is normally ejected having an entry end, a discharge end, and a hose fitting mounted upon the hose entry end, comprising, in combination:
(a) an adapter adapted to be affixed to the hose fitting having an interior in communication with the hose, and (b) a pressurized air supply fitting mounted upon said adapter in communication with said adapter interior whereby pressurized air may be introduced into said air supply fitting and into the fire hose for discharge through the fire hose discharge end.
(a) an adapter adapted to be affixed to the hose fitting having an interior in communication with the hose, and (b) a pressurized air supply fitting mounted upon said adapter in communication with said adapter interior whereby pressurized air may be introduced into said air supply fitting and into the fire hose for discharge through the fire hose discharge end.
10. In an emergency air supply as in claim 9, said adapter comprising a closure cap adapted to be sealingly affixed to the hose fitting.
11. In an emergency air supply as in claim 10, the hose fitting and said closure cap each including complementary threads, said cap being connectable by its threads to the threads of the hose fitting.
12. In an emergency air supply as in claim 9, said adapter comprising an annular collar having first and second ends, first connection means defined on said collar first end for affixing said collar first end to the hose fitting, and second connection means defined on the collar second end for affixing said collar second end to a water supply outlet.
13. In an emergency air supply as in claim 9, emergency air supply means adapted to communicate with said air supply fitting to supply emergency breathing air to said adapter and to the hose fitting and fire hose.
14. In an emergency air supply as in claim 13, said emergency air supply means including a pressure check valve.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US36784689A | 1989-06-19 | 1989-06-19 | |
| US07/367,846 | 1989-06-19 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2019198A1 CA2019198A1 (en) | 1990-12-19 |
| CA2019198C true CA2019198C (en) | 1994-04-12 |
Family
ID=23448879
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2019198 Expired - Fee Related CA2019198C (en) | 1989-06-19 | 1990-06-18 | Emergency air supply assembly for trapped fire fighters |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH0710284B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU618197B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2019198C (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2240170A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3520862A1 (en) * | 2018-02-06 | 2019-08-07 | 1005, L.L.C. | Breathable gas and water hose apparatus |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3878896A (en) * | 1974-01-21 | 1975-04-22 | Cbf Systems Inc | Fire fighting module |
| US4134457A (en) * | 1977-01-06 | 1979-01-16 | Reilly Raymond F O | Emergency fireman life-support device |
-
1990
- 1990-06-06 GB GB9012570A patent/GB2240170A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-06-18 AU AU57176/90A patent/AU618197B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1990-06-18 CA CA 2019198 patent/CA2019198C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-06-19 JP JP16118990A patent/JPH0710284B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU618197B2 (en) | 1991-12-12 |
| JPH0710284B2 (en) | 1995-02-08 |
| JPH0341973A (en) | 1991-02-22 |
| CA2019198A1 (en) | 1990-12-19 |
| AU5717690A (en) | 1990-12-20 |
| GB9012570D0 (en) | 1990-07-25 |
| GB2240170A (en) | 1991-07-24 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |