JPH0710284B2 - Emergency air supply assembly for trapped firefighters - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial field of use) The present invention relates to a fire hose for firefighters and / or rescue personnel trapped in a burning building or a building filled with explosive gas and / or toxic gas. An emergency air supply assembly for firefighters adapted to provide emergency breathing air therethrough.

(Prior Art) This emergency air supply assembly is provided in association with a fire hose to quickly connect an emergency air supply unit to the inlet end of the fire hose, and to prevent confined firefighters and / or rescue personnel. It is equipped with emergency air snap coupler means for supplying emergency breathing air to the personnel. When a firefighter is trapped during such an emergency, the air in the portable air supply unit that the firefighter normally carries is exhausted. Unless the firefighters can be rescued immediately, they will die of suffocation. With the present invention, the fire hose, which is normally used by firefighters to supply water, can be easily and quickly switched to use for supplying emergency air, thereby providing immediate containment of emergency air to trapped firefighters. Can be supplied to. In such an emergency operation, the water supply to the fire hose is shut off and the emergency air supply assembly is snapped onto the nozzle end of the fire hose. The confined firefighter places the inlet end of the fire hose in an emergency air collection member, such as a bag, shoes or clothes, which traps the emergency air for use by the firefighter. A breathing mask tube, which is usually connected to a portable (exhausted) portable air supply unit carried by the firefighter, is then inserted into the emergency air collection member to provide emergency air to the firefighter. If only a few firefighters of the entire crew are confined, the firefighters can insert their breathing mask tube into the emergency air collection member and simultaneously receive the emergency breathing air from the member, It allows you to maintain your life until you are rescued.

When confined firefighters and / or rescue personnel are in a compartment, tent, waterproof cover or any other form of closed space that acts as an emergency air collection member, they are provided with emergency air as described above. It is within the scope of the invention that it can be provided.

In another embodiment of the invention, an inlet end closure cap is selected through which an air connector snap engaging member extends for connection to a separate emergency air supply assembly such as an array of air tanks or an air compressor. A fire hose is provided for the purpose. Further, this embodiment of the closure cap according to the invention is
Use this fire hose to provide emergency air to people trapped in water in a sunken boat or ice crevice or in a car accidentally dropped into a river, lake or waterway. It can be used independently. The emergency air supply is snap connected to an air connector on a closure cap at the inlet end of the fire hose. The fire hose is then lowered into the submerged car or boat, the nozzle end is placed in the area where the person is confined, and the confined person is provided with emergency breathing air. Thus, the fire hose can be used independently of the fire engine and thus can continue to be used to supply water to other fire locations through another fire hose.

Nowhere in the art known structures or methods of the art are emergency breathing air supply structures and / or methods like Applicants' structures and / or methods. By this construction and / or method, a fire hose can be used from a water supply to a firefighter or rescue worker trapped in a building filled with toxic or explosive gases or a person trapped in a vehicle underwater. A quick and easy switch to the emergency breathing air supply can be made. Until now, humans trapped without readily available breathing air supplies were suffocated by the time rescuers arrived at them.

Therefore, there is a need for an emergency breathing air supply structure and method that allows a trapped person without breathing air to remain alive and suffocate to death before being rescued and carried out of the trapped area. It was

(Object of the invention) Therefore, the object of the present invention is a fireman trapped in a burning building or a building filled with toxic gas or a human being trapped in a sunken boat, car or other underwater space. It is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency breathing air supply structure or method capable of easily and quickly supplying emergency breathing air.

Another object of the invention is to use a standard fire hose from a water supply to a person who has been trapped in a burning building or a building full of toxic gas and has exhausted the air of a portable respiratory air source normally carried with them. To the supply of emergency breathing air for
An object is to provide an emergency breathing air supply structure and method that can be switched easily and instantaneously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide emergency respiratory air to a person trapped underwater so that they do not suffocate before being rescued.

Other objects and advantages found in the construction of the present invention will be apparent from consideration of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings and claims.

(Example) As shown in FIG. 1, the fire engine 11 has a fire hose control panel area 12. The fire truck is equipped with water shutoff control levers 13 and 14 connected to a water supply tank and associated water pump (not shown) provided within the fire truck. The water outlet 15 of the fire engine is selectively threaded by a water outlet adapter 16 of the fire engine that engages an air connection collar 19 through which an air connection quick coupler assembly 20 extends. And is connected to the inlet end 17 of the fire hose 18. The emergency air connection quick coupler assembly 20 includes an emergency breathing air supply assembly.
When connected to 21, it is adapted to provide emergency breathing air to the fire hose 18 through the air connection collar 19.

The emergency air connection quick coupler assembly 20 includes a pressure check valve 22 and an air connection quick coupler unit 23. The air connection assembly 20 is connected to a high pressure to low pressure regulator unit 24 having a regulation handle 25.
The regulator unit 24 comprises an air supply tank pressure gauge 26 and an outlet air pressure gauge 27. High pressure air supply hose
28 supplies air from the air supply assembly 21 to the regulator 24.

As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, a high pressure air supply hose 28
Is connected to a high pressure T-joint 29 for selectively connecting one or more air supply tanks 39 and 40. The T-joint 29 is equipped with high pressure check valves 31 and 32 with a minimum pressure of about 1,140 kg (2,500 pounds).
Is connected to the high pressure tank supply hose 35 by the couplers 33 and 34, respectively.
And 36. The opposite ends of the hoses 35 and 36 are connected to air tank couplers 37 and 38 provided in the air tanks 39 and 40, respectively. Each air tank
39 and 40 are air pressure gauges 41 and 42 and shutoff valves 43 and 44.
Each is equipped with.

In an emergency when a firefighter or other confined person needs emergency air, the water shutoff control lever 13 or 14 of the appropriate fire engine is pushed up to shut off the water supply to the fire hose 18.

The emergency breathing air supply assembly 21, which is generally shown in FIG. 1 and shown in detail in FIG.
It is uniquely designed to continuously supply breathing air into the 18 air check valves 31 and 32 and the T-joint 29.
And the tank supply hoses 35 and 36 connected to the air supply tanks 39 and 40, respectively. In use, the shutoff valve 43 is opened on the tank 39,
Air enters the hose 35 from the tank through the check valve 31 into the hose 28 to the regulator 24, where it enters the fire hose 18 through the emergency air connection quick coupler assembly 20 and is trapped for human rescue. Supply breathing air. When the tank 39 is near empty, the shutoff valve 44 of the tank 40 is opened, allowing air to continue to enter the fire hose 18 through the T-joint 29 without interruption, as previously described. The check valve 31 prevents air from the tank 40 from entering the tube 35 and the near empty tank 39. The check valve 31 also removes the near empty tank 39 from the tube 35 and fills the tank 39 without interrupting the flow of air from the tank 40 to the confined firefighters.
Replaceable with 39. Follow the same procedure when tank 40 is near empty. Thus, the shutoff valve 43 of the new, filled replacement tank 39 is opened to maintain a continuous air flow to the fire hose 18. The check valve 32 prevents air from the tank 39 from flowing back into the hose 36 and into the near empty tank 40, without interrupting the flow of air from the new filling tank 39 to the trapped human being,
Allows replacement of the tank 40. This procedure is repeated as often as necessary. In order to maintain a continuous flow of emergency breathing air during the emergency, the air supply tank line should be
It is within the scope of the invention to increase with similarly arranged check valves in that respect.

As shown in FIG. 3, the trapped firefighter 45, who has exhausted the air in the portable air supply tank 46, removes his breathing tube 47 from the portable air tank air supply conditioning unit 48 and collects it. Put in bag 49.
The fireman 45 also inserts the nozzle end 50 of the fire hose 18 into the collection bag 49 so that the collection bag 49 is filled with breathing air. This is shown in more detail in FIG.

In this way, the firefighter can breathe emergency air from his collection bag 49 through his breathing tube 47 into his mask 51. Thus, firefighters do not suffocate while waiting for rescue.

As shown in FIG. 5, several trapped persons can simultaneously insert their breathing tubes 47 into the air collection member 49 to save their lives.

It is within the scope of the invention to selectively use the shoe 52 as an emergency air collection member, as shown in FIG. The air collection member may also be inside a pocket of clothing, a jacket, a compartment or if the enclosed location is inside a submerged vehicle.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. In this example,
An air conditioner 24 and associated control means and gauges are incorporated into the fire engine control panel wall 12a, and a remote air supply assembly or air compressor (not shown) supplies emergency air. Used to feed regulator 24 through tube 53. An air connection check valve 54 directs air into the water outlet tube 15, and thus the fire hose 18 (not shown). Thus, in an emergency, the water lever 13 is pushed up to shut off the water supply from the water tank 55 and associated water pump (not shown). The air conditioner 24 and emergency air means are then activated to provide emergency breathing air into the fire hose 18 as previously described. It may be mounted elsewhere on the fire truck or may include multiple rows of air tanks or air compressors.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. According to the example,
The fire hose closure cap 56 includes an air connection snap engagement member 57 mounted through its end wall. It is within the scope of the present invention to provide an air connecting member 57 that extends through the sides of the closure cap 56 if desired. The cap 56 allows the fire hose to be closed,
It is selectively attached to the inlet end 58 of the fire hose 18.
When installed in this manner, the closure cap 56 allows for the introduction of emergency air through the cap by connection with any type of air supply means, i.e. the connection of the air tank 57, compressor etc. with the air connector 57. The connector 57 supplies air to the fire hose 18 through the closure cap 56. Emergency respiratory air is then provided to the confined humans to sustain their lives, as described above. The closure cap embodiment of the present invention allows the fire hose 18 to be disconnected from the fire engine for the supply of emergency air and the fire engine to use another hose to supply water when needed. It is also within the scope of the invention to modify the air supply means to directly engage the fire hose 18 to provide breathing air without the need for a closure cap or the like.

Briefly, the emergency air supply assembly provides emergency respiratory air to the confined firefighters. Fire trucks have a water supply outlet. The water supply outlet has a water shutoff valve associated with it. Air connecting collar means provide selective engagement with the water outlet. The air connection collar means includes an air connection quick coupler check valve assembly provided therethrough. The air collar means is adapted to selectively engage the inlet end of a fire hose having a nozzle at the opposite end. Emergency air supply means are provided in association with fire trucks. The emergency air supply means is adapted to snap-engage with the air connection quick coupler assembly and, when the water shutoff valve is selectively closed, passes through the fire hose and is trapped near the nozzle end of the fire hose. Emergency fire air can be supplied to firefighters. The emergency air connection quick coupler assembly includes a pressure check valve and an air connection quick coupler unit for selectively engaging the air connection collar means. An emergency air supply means for selectively engaging the emergency air connection quick coupler assembly,
It has a high to low pressure air conditioner unit. The emergency air supply means comprises a high pressure regulator air supply hose, one end of which is operatively connected to the air regulator. The emergency air supply means has a high pressure T-joint connector whose outlet end is operatively connected to a high pressure air supply hose for the regulator. The high voltage tee connector has a pair of inlet ends. Each inlet end is equipped with an inlet high pressure check valve. Each inlet high pressure check valve is operably connected to a separate air supply tank that each has. Each air supply tank is equipped with a shutoff valve. The high pressure check valve cooperates with the selective operation of the shutoff valve of the air tank to provide a continuous supply of emergency air. An air collection member provides selective engagement with the fire hose nozzle. The air collection member is adapted to collect emergency air received through the nozzle of the fire hose. The air collection member is adapted to simultaneously and selectively receive the firefighter's breathing tube for use by the confined firefighter in emergency air.

Another example of an emergency air supply assembly for a confined firefighter consists of a fire truck having a control board with a water supply outlet. The water supply outlet comprises a water shutoff valve associated with the outlet. A high or low pressure air conditioning unit is provided on the control panel. The air conditioner includes a remote air supply inlet tube that is in operative engagement with the air conditioner. The air conditioner includes an outlet tube for an air supply check valve that is in operative engagement with the water supply outlet. The air conditioner provides a continuous air supply to the confined firefighters when the water shutoff valve is selectively closed.
Emergency breathing air is selectively supplied through a water supply outlet into a fire hose operably connected to the outlet.

Yet another embodiment of an emergency air supply assembly for providing emergency air to a contained person comprises a fire hose having an inlet end. The fire hose has a nozzle end opposite the inlet end. A fire hose closure cap at the inlet end selectively operatively engages the inlet end of the fire hose. The closure cap includes a snap-engaged air supply connector that extends through the cap. The air connector is adapted for selective snap engagement with a source of emergency air and provides emergency air through the closure cap into the fire hose and near the nozzle end of the fire hose, Supply emergency air to the trapped person.

Various other modifications of the invention can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Each of these changes should be considered to be within the scope of the following claims, unless the scope of the claims represents otherwise.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a fire engine having a fire hose and an emergency air supply assembly attached thereto. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an emergency breathing air supply assembly and associated control valve. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a firefighter who receives emergency air from the nozzle end of the fire hose and receives emergency breathing air from the air collection bag. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged schematic perspective view of the emergency air collecting member, showing a state in which a nozzle end of a fire extinguishing hose for supplying emergency air and a fire mask air tube of a firefighter are arranged inside. FIG. 5 is a schematic end cross-sectional view showing an air collection bag with a fire hose nozzle and three fire fighter air tubes that accept air from the air collection bag. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a shoe of a firefighter used as an emergency air collecting member. FIG. 7 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a fire engine showing another embodiment of the emergency breathing air supply assembly assembled in the body of the fire engine and the water outlet tube related to the fire hose attached to the outside of the vehicle. is there. FIG. 8 is a partial schematic perspective view showing another embodiment of a fire hose with an inlet end closure cap having an air connector therethrough for selective snap attachment to the emergency air supply means. 11 …… Fire engine, 15 …… Water outlet, 18 …… Fire hose,
19-Air connection collar, 20-Air connection quick coupler, 24-Adjuster unit, 28-Air supply hose, 29
...... T-joint, 39,40 …… Air supply tank, 47 …… Breathing tube, 49 …… Air collection bag, 50 …… Nozzle end, 57 ……
Air connection member.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An emergency air supply assembly for providing emergency breathing air to a confined firefighter in a fire engine having a water supply outlet with an associated water shutoff valve, said water outlet. Selectively operatively engages and extends through the emergency air connection quick coupler check valve assembly and selectively operatively engages the inlet end of a fire hose having a nozzle at the opposite end. And an air connection collar means adapted to provide emergency breathing air to the confined firefighter through the fire hose provided when the water shutoff valve is selectively closed in association with the fire engine. To supply
An emergency air supply assembly comprising emergency air supply means adapted to snap into engagement with the air connection quick coupler assembly. 2. The emergency air connection quick coupler assembly includes a pressure check valve and an air connection quick coupler unit for selectively operatively engaging the air connection collar means. Claim (1)
An emergency air supply assembly as described in. 3. The emergency air supply means comprises a high to low pressure air conditioner unit for selective engagement with the emergency air connection quick coupler assembly. The emergency air supply assembly according to 1). 4. The emergency air supply means according to claim 3, wherein the emergency air supply means has a high pressure air supply hose for a regulator, one end of which is operatively connected to the air regulator. Supply assembly. 5. The emergency air supply means includes a high pressure tee fitting connector having an outlet end operatively connected to the regulator high pressure air supply hose, the high pressure tee fitting connector having a pair of inlet end portions. The emergency air supply assembly according to claim 4, further comprising: an inlet high pressure check valve at each of the inlet ends. 6. Each of the inlet high pressure check valves is operatively connected to a separate air supply tank, each having a shutoff valve, to provide a continuous supply of emergency air so that the shutoff valves are selectively operated. Emergency air supply assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that it cooperates with actuation. 7. A selective engagement with said fire hose nozzle and adapted to collect emergency air received through said fire hose, at the same time for use by a confined firefighter. The emergency air supply assembly according to claim 1, comprising an air collection member adapted to selectively receive a firefighter breathing tube. 8. An emergency air supply assembly for a confined firefighter, comprising a fire truck having a control board with a water supply outlet having an associated water shutoff valve, and the control board being provided with and operating. A remote air supply inlet tube for positive engagement, and an outlet tube for an air supply check valve operatively engaged with the water supply outlet for containment when the water shutoff valve is selectively closed. Emergency breathing air for high-pressure or low-pressure delivery to the firefighters for selective delivery into the fire hose operatively connected through the water supply outlet. An emergency air supply assembly with an air conditioning unit.