Quick-disconnect, reducer nozzle/valve assembly for filling firefighting backpack tanks

Abstract

A universal, fluid transfer, Q-D coupling assembly for connecting water supply hoses to fire-fighter's wild-fire backpack tanks comprising a two or three-part combination: #1) a ⅝″ female member having an axially-slideable detent collar and an internal, spring-biased fluid shut off flap, and #2) a male nozzle / reducer / collar member having a detent engaging groove. A ball valve is connected to element #2, either integral as #2A, or as a separate assembly element #3. Both elements #2 and #3 have a female threaded collar that receives the nominal 1″ male fitting of a garden hose. The parts can be supplied as a kit. Element #2 is a unitary fitting combining a hydraulic-sized, male Q-D nozzle, a reducer section and a standard garden hose-sized, female internally-threaded fixed collar. This element is preferably supplied with an integral ball valve intermediate the reducer portion and the female collar.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is related to Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 650,356 filed on Feb. 4, 2005 under the title Quick-Disconnect / Reducer Nozzle and Assembly for Filling Firefighting Backpack Pumps, the priority of which is claimed under 35 US Code §§ 119 and 120, and the entire subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD [0002] The invention relates to the field of wildfire fighting equipment, more particularly to universal fluid transfer couplings that include a quick connect / disconnect adaptor, comprising a quick-disconnect reducer and valve coupling assembly, for faster and easier filling of the rigid tank and collapsible bag-type reservoirs of backpack firefighting pumps during remote wild land fire suppression. The inventive coupling is also useful in a wide variety of fluid transfer applications, including but not limited to pressure washers, sprayers and fluid conduits to hoses, and the like. BACKGROUND [000...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] In another alternative embodiment, the quick-disconnect male and female elements can be reverse-mounted. That is, the screw cap is retrofitted with the inventive male nozzle / reducer / valve union, either of elements #2A or #3 above. The toy hose may then be fitted with an auto-shut-off female quick disconnect (hydraulic sized at the Q-D end, and standard garden hose sized at the hose end), so that no auto shut-off is required on the bag. The valve in the male union assembly prevents water loss from the bag. In the alternative, the valve portion of element #2A / 3 may be omitted, and element #2 with a flap covering the inlet hole from the male nozzle is used to prevent water loss and at the same time permit air inlet to prevent vacuum lock.

[0028] It saves water by eliminating the overflow often associated with the current method of refilling the bags, that is, an unsealed 2¼″ bag opening into which is inserted a ¾″ water hose, and a firefighter who must hold the bag upright with one hand and fill it with the other, then close the shut-off valve of the hose at precisely the right moment to prevent overfill, without letting go of the collapsible bag, thereby causing water to pour out of the non-rigid vessel;

[0030] It enables one firefighter to “hook up” another's backpack to the hose, while the pack is still worn on the back of the second firefighter, thus saving time and conserving firefighter energy;

Problems solved by technology

In addition, for bottom-cap bags, they must be taken off; they cannot even be filled by others helping the wearer.

Often, water overflows the bag as the firefighter struggles to support the bag while turning the shut-off valve.

The result is a muddy, wet pack to put on his or her back before hiking back out into the wildfire area.

One aspect of the unsolved problem in the art is that standard garden hose quick-disconnect fittings both do not match the backpack fittings and are not sufficiently robust for wild fire field work.

In addition, garden-type female quick-disconnect fittings do not have an auto-shut-off feature, that is they do not have an internal closure to prevent leakage when the male quick-disconnect fitting is removed.

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