US3844516A

US3844516A - Pump station test stand assembly

Info

Publication number: US3844516A
Application number: US00311730A
Authority: US
Inventors: P Klarke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-12-07
Filing date: 1972-12-07
Publication date: 1974-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1991-10-29

Abstract

A test stand assembly for convenient testing of ''''jockey'''' or ''''booster'''' pump stations associated with fire extinguishing systems, said assembly comprising a test stand with a pair of spaced, parallel legs adapted to be received by a stationary mounting base anchored near the pump station, a transverse support member attached to and extending between the legs and including a plurality of mounting apertures each with a readily releasable coupling for convenient attachment of the test hoses and associated nozzles to hold such in place during testing.

Description

United States Patent 1 1 Klarke [111' 3,844,516 1451 Oct. 29,1974

1 1 PUMP STATION TEST STAND ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor: Phillip Klarke, 327 S. Porter St.,

Michigan City, 1nd. 46360 [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 311,730

[52] US. Cl 248/88, 239/276, 248/86,

I 248/156 [51] Int. Cl B05b 15/06 [58] Field of Search 248/75, 80-88,

[56] 1 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 180,007 7/l876 I C0pping.... 248/86 X 1,085,084 1/1914 Haines 248/86 1,339,885 5/1920 248/81 1,425,067 8/1922 248/88 1,667,342 4/1928 Blaw 248/84 1,767,280 6/1930 Fenhouse 2 48/56 1,775,846 9/1930 Blaw 248/82 1,809,550 6/1931 Farrar 248/80 2,747,823 5/1956 Swenholt 3,198,465 8/1965 Sutton 248/87 3,603,539 9/1971 Primary ExaminerRoy D. Frazier Assistant ExaminerRodney H. Bonck Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A test stand assembly for convenient testing of jockey or booster pump stations associated with fire extinguishing systems, said assembly comprising a test stand with a pair of spaced, parallel legs adapted to be received by a stationary mounting base anchored near the pump station, a transverse support member attached to and extending between the legs and in cluding a plurality of mounting apertures each 'with a readily releasable coupling for convenient attachment of the test hoses and associated nozzles to hold such in place during testing.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Clegg 2 48/79 PUMP STATION TEST STAND ASSEMBLY The present invention is generally related to fire extinguishing equipment, and more particularly, to a test stand assembly for holding fire hoses securely in place while conducting pressure tests of pump stations, or the like.

Many commercial buildings are presently provided with booster" or "jockey" pump stations which furnish increased water pressure to fire extinguisher sprinkler systems. in many sections of the country, local fire codes, or other laws, require that tests be conducted periodically to assure proper operation of such booster pump stations. This has been done by con necting fire hoses to appropriate fittings outside of each booster pump stations'and spraying water through the hoses by way .of the pumps. The force of the water spray serves as an indication of proper or improper operation of each pump.

While such conventional techniques of pressure testing have provided satisfactory test results, they have proven both time consuming and expensive. In order to conduct the required tests, it has been necessary that the fire inspector, or other person overseeing the tests,

- be aided by workers properly attired and equipped to handle the fire hoses to control such under the influence of water exhausting at a relatively high flow rate. Furthermore, the direction of hose spray could not always be controlled, such that unprotected areas were.

lt is a further object of the present invention to pro-' vide a versatile pump station test stand assembly which includes aportable test stand which may be conveniently carried from one test site to another and fitted in a permanent mounting base at each test site for supporting a plurality of fire hoses and nozzles while conducting pressure tests. I

Still another object'of the present invention is to provide a novel pump-station test stand assembly which includes a plurality of readilyfreleasable couplings, each of which permits the expeditious connection and disconnection of the test nozzles and their associated hoses. i a I These together with other objects and advantages FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along section 33 of FIG. 1.

F104 is an elevational view of one of the couplings associated with the present invention.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the test stand assembly of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and includes a mounting base 12 appropriately anchored in the ground with a test stand mounted thereto and-generally indicated by the numeral 14. The assembly is mounted in the vicinity of a building structure or pump station 16 which houses booster" or jockey pump equipment. --An appropriate outlet structure 18 is mounted on the exterior of the pump station and is provided with a plurality of fittings 20 for connection to fire hoses, such as that indicated at 22.

Fire hose 22 extends between pump station 16 and test stand 14, where it is connected to a nozzle 24, in a manner hereinafter explained. It will be appreciated that the nozzle is disposed in a generally horizontal orientation, but preferably slightly inclined, and is securely held in place in one of a plurality of mounting apertures 26 in a transverse support member 28. This assures that the water exhausted from the nozzle is in the same general direction for each test. Since the test standis held firmly in place, theprobability of spraying into unprotected areas is minimal.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be observed that mounting base 12 includes a pair of spaced, parallel tubular members 30.

tion. If desired, the upper ends of the tubular members may be'provided with removable caps, such as those indicated at 36 which cover the tops of the tubular members when the test stand is notin place-to prevent the entrance of contaminants. I

'The test stand includes a pair of relatively rigid,

i spaced,

parallel legs

38 and 40 which are of appropriwhich will become subsequently-apparent reside in the l details of construction and operation ,as more'fully hereinafter described-and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming apart hereof,

wherein like numerals refer to'like parts throughout. i

ate dimension and spacing to be ,slidably receivedby tubular members 30 and '32. A stop tab 42, or other protrusion may be provided-on each of the legs for engagement with the top ends of the tubular members to assure that the test stand is inserted the same distance each time it is used. This aids in controlling the area in which the spray will be directed during each test. Preferably,

legs

38 and 40 assume an orientation inclined tended that the present invention be limited to the FIG. 1 isa perspective view of the test stand assembly number or exact configuration of mounting, apertures illustrated. if desired, a greater or lesser number of mounting apertures may be provided and may be of dif ferent configuration and located in different locations relative to each other A readily releasable coupling, generally indicated by the numeral 41, is mounted immediately adjacent each aperture 26 and is ingeneral alignment therewith. When setting up the test stand prior to test, nozzle '24 is inserted through one of themounting apertures 26 and appropriately connected to the associated hose 22, and the associated coupling 41 is firmly tightened, as hereinafter explained.

Referring now, more particularly, to H08. 3 and 4 the mounting arrangements of the test hose and nozzle with the readily releasable coupling may be seen in more detail. Preferably, each nozzle is provided with a threaded neck portion 42 which is of approximately the same diameter as mounting apertures 26. In addition, each nozzle includes an enlarged shoulder portion 44 of greater diameter than neck portion 42 which abuts against one side of support member 28, as indicated at 46. The fire hose is provided with a threaded sleeve 48 which is connected to the neck portion of the nozzle after insertion through one of the mounting apertures.

Each readily releasable coupling includes a stationary clamp member 50 which is welded, or otherwise fastened to support member 28. A movable clamp member 52 is pivotally mounted to support member 28 by a bolt or pin as indicated at 54. The clamp members are provided with generally semicircular surfaces which are oppositely disposed of each other to define a circular clamp when the members are pulled toward each other, as illustrated in FIG. 4. This is achieved by way of a rotatably mounted shoulder bolt 56, or the like, with a threaded end portion 58 which engages a threaded aperture at the movable end of clamp member 52. Shoulder bolt 56 is rotatably mounted to clamp member 50 and is held thereto by way of a shoulder 60 and a bottom shoulder of threaded end portion 58. The shoulder bolt is further provided with a transverse handle portion 62 which permits the bolt to be tightened and loosened by hand.

It will be appreciated that in order to aid in the insertion of the nozzles and their connection to the associated hoses, each movable clamp member 52 may be pivoted upward and away from the associated mounting aperture, as indicated in dash line at 64 in FIG. 4. Once the nozzles and hoses have been connected, each of the clamp members 52 is pivoted downwardly and drawn toward a stationary clamp member by turning the associated shoulder bolt 56.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the pump station test stand assembly of the present invention provides a convenient means of holding a plurality of test nozzles and hoses securely in place while conducting pressure tests. The nozzles and hoses may be quickly and conveniently mounted in place and held firmly in position with the aid of the readily releasable couplings. The angle and direction of the test spray is predetermined, such that unprotected areas will not be accidentally sprayed during test. Furthermore, the pressure tests may be conducted by one person, such as the fire inspector, without the aid of other workers to hold the hoses to prevent them from spraying into unprotected areas. It will also be appreciated that the test stand is readily removable from the mounting base, rendering it portable in nature, such that it may be carried from one test site to another. Also, when the test stand is removed from the mounting base no unsightly equipment 'is left in view outside of the pump station.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andvchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An assembly for testing a booster pump station or the like, said assembly comprising a stationary mounting base near the pump station and a test stand removably mounted to said base for holding at least one test hose and nozzle in place during tests; said test stand including a pair of substantially rigid, spaced, parallel legs, a transverse support member connected to said legs, and means associated with said support member for selectively securing a test hose and nozzle in place during tests and directing the test nozzle in a direction toward a predeten'nined test spray area, the securing means including an aperture provided in the support member, said stationary mounting base including a pair of spaced, parallel tubular members in generally vertical orientation and a transverse plate connecting together the members, portions of said legs extending into said tubular members with the plate normally being arrangeable beneath a support surface into which the members are insertable.

2. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing means includes first and second clamp members oppositely disposed of each other, said first clamp member being pivotally mounted to said support member adjacent the aperture therein, said securing means further including means-including a T-shaped handle provided with a shoulder and a threaded end portion for selectively engaging a threaded aperture provided in the first clamp member and drawing said first and second clamp members toward each other and into snug engagement about the aperture, the handle being rotatably mounted to the second clamp member at the shoulder thereof and arranged with the shoulder drawing the second clamp member toward the first clamp member.

3. In combination with a hose and associated nozzle, a test stand assembly comprising stationary mounting means and a test stand removably held by said mounting means, said test stand including a rigid support member connected to said mounting means, said nozzle including a shoulder in engagement with one side of said support member, said support member including at least one mounting aperture, and coupling means associated with said support member and adjacent said mounting aperture retentatively embracing a portion of said nozzle to hold said nozzle .firmly in place during tests, said coupling means being disposed on the opposite side .of said support member, and said hose being removably fastened to said nozzle on said opposite side of said support member, said coupling means including first and second clamp members oppositely disposed of each other, said first clamp member being pivotally mounted to said support member, said coupling means further including means including a T-shaped handle provided with a shoulder and a threaded end portion for selectively engaging a threaded aperture provided in the first clamp member and drawing said first and second clamp members toward each other and into snug engagement with said nozzle portion, the handle being rotatably mounted to the second clamp member at the shoulder, said nozzle portion and said mounting aperture being of circular configuration and of approximately equal diameters, said first and second clamp tween the legs, the mounting aperture being provided in a substantially planar portion of the support member, the planar portion being arranged parallel to the legs, and wherein the stationary mounting means includes a pair of spaced, parallel tubular members arranged in generally vertical orientation, and a transverse plate connecting together the members, portions of said legs extending into said tubular members for being supported thereby.

Claims

1. An assembly for testing a booster pump station or the like, said assembly comprising a stationary mounting base near the pump station and a test stand removably mounted to said base for holding at leasT one test hose and nozzle in place during tests; said test stand including a pair of substantially rigid, spaced, parallel legs, a transverse support member connected to said legs, and means associated with said support member for selectively securing a test hose and nozzle in place during tests and directing the test nozzle in a direction toward a predetermined test spray area, the securing means including an aperture provided in the support member, said stationary mounting base including a pair of spaced, parallel tubular members in generally vertical orientation and a transverse plate connecting together the members, portions of said legs extending into said tubular members with the plate normally being arrangeable beneath a support surface into which the members are insertable.

2. The assembly set forth in claim 1, wherein said securing means includes first and second clamp members oppositely disposed of each other, said first clamp member being pivotally mounted to said support member adjacent the aperture therein, said securing means further including means including a T-shaped handle provided with a shoulder and a threaded end portion for selectively engaging a threaded aperture provided in the first clamp member and drawing said first and second clamp members toward each other and into snug engagement about the aperture, the handle being rotatably mounted to the second clamp member at the shoulder thereof and arranged with the shoulder drawing the second clamp member toward the first clamp member.

3. In combination with a hose and associated nozzle, a test stand assembly comprising stationary mounting means and a test stand removably held by said mounting means, said test stand including a rigid support member connected to said mounting means, said nozzle including a shoulder in engagement with one side of said support member, said support member including at least one mounting aperture, and coupling means associated with said support member and adjacent said mounting aperture retentatively embracing a portion of said nozzle to hold said nozzle firmly in place during tests, said coupling means being disposed on the opposite side of said support member, and said hose being removably fastened to said nozzle on said opposite side of said support member, said coupling means including first and second clamp members oppositely disposed of each other, said first clamp member being pivotally mounted to said support member, said coupling means further including means including a T-shaped handle provided with a shoulder and a threaded end portion for selectively engaging a threaded aperture provided in the first clamp member and drawing said first and second clamp members toward each other and into snug engagement with said nozzle portion, the handle being rotatably mounted to the second clamp member at the shoulder, said nozzle portion and said mounting aperture being of circular configuration and of approximately equal diameters, said first and second clamp members each including oppositely disposed, generally semicircular surfaces which engage said nozzle portions, said means for drawing said clamp members toward each other including a bolt in threaded engagement with one of said clamp members, said bolt being rotatably mounted to one of said clamp members and threadedly engaged with the other of said clamp members, the test stand including a pair of substantially rigid, spaced, parallel legs, and the support member connected to and arranged extending transversely between the legs, the mounting aperture being provided in a substantially planar portion of the support member, the planar portion being arranged parallel to the legs, and wherein the stationary mounting means includes a pair of spaced, parallel tubular members arranged in generally vertical orientation, and a transverse plate connecting together the members, portions of said legs extending into said tubular members for being supported thereby.