Fire hydrant system

Abstract

To provide a fire hydrant system that can prevent accidents in which cultural properties, etc., are damaged during operation of the fire hydrant system. [Solution] In a fire hydrant system for extinguishing fires on cultural properties, the system is equipped with a housing, and a hose, a nozzle 4, and a fire hydrant valve are provided inside the housing. The nozzle 4 is a nozzle that can switch between a weak spray water discharge S1 and a strong rod-shaped water discharge S2. When fire extinguishing water is supplied from the hose, when the valve is closed, the tip portion 40 of the nozzle 4 is rotated to create a flow path F between the shut-off valve 43 and the valve seat 45, and the spray water discharge S2 is started first. Further rotation of the tip portion 40 allows switching to a rod-shaped water discharge S2, preventing the rod-shaped water discharge S2 from hitting the cultural property and damaging it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fire hydrant device, and more particularly to a fire hydrant device provided with a fire hose and a fire nozzle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a fire hydrant device provided with a hose and a nozzle. Such a fire hydrant device is stored with a hose connected to a fire hydrant valve wound inside a housing, and a nozzle for discharging fire extinguishing water is attached to the tip thereof (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] Such a fire hydrant device is installed, for example, inside various buildings such as cultural properties, commercial facilities, offices, public facilities, medical facilities, and apartment houses, or outdoors near various buildings, and is mainly used for initial fire extinguishing. At that time, the fire hydrant device opens the door of the housing, takes out the nozzle from the storage box and pulls out the hose, opens the fire hydrant valve in the housing, moves with the nozzle towards the fire source while stretching the hose, and then discharges water by connecting the nozzle to carry out the fire extinguishing activity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The fire hydrant device is not assumed to be mainly used by professionals in fire extinguishing activities such as firefighters, but is assumed to be mainly used by amateurs in fire extinguishing activities such as employees of the above facilities. Therefore, the work of stretching the hose to the fire source will also be mainly carried out by amateurs in fire extinguishing activities.

[0006] On the other hand, generally, extending a hose to the source of a fire is done with the fire hydrant valve open, that is, with firefighting water supplied to the hose. Therefore, when extending the hose, the weight of the water is added to the weight of the hose itself. In addition, even though hose guides and the like can alleviate this to some extent, the water pressure inside the hose can cause the hose itself to undulate.

[0007] In conventional fire hydrant systems, the nozzle was roughly cylindrical with almost no grip, so extending the hose, which had increased in weight after the fire hydrant valve was opened and firefighting water was supplied, to the source of the fire required considerable force, especially grip strength. Therefore, it was not easy for a fire hydrant operator, who was not a professional in firefighting, to extend the hose to the source of the fire. Consequently, conventional fire hydrant systems could not be said to allow operators, who were not professionals in firefighting, to easily extinguish fires.

[0008] On the other hand, in conventional fire hydrant systems, the stream of water discharged from the nozzle is generally very strong, so there was a possibility that an operator who was not an expert in firefighting might accidentally direct the stream of water directly at cultural properties, causing damage to those properties.

[0009] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a fire hydrant system that can prevent accidents in which cultural properties, etc., are damaged when the fire hydrant system is operated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a fire hydrant system for extinguishing fires on cultural properties, comprising a housing, a hose, a nozzle, and a fire hydrant valve, wherein the nozzle is switchable between a weak spray and a strong stream of water, and when fire extinguishing water is supplied from the hose, a flow path is created between the shut-off valve and the valve seat by rotating the tip of the nozzle when the valve is closed, so that the spray is initiated first, and by further rotating the tip, it is possible to switch to the stream of water, thereby preventing the stream of water from hitting the cultural property and damaging it.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention allows for the provision of an elastomer grip at the tip of the nozzle to prevent it from sticking to the skin in winter. Additionally, the present invention allows for the provision of a nozzle operation display unit near the nozzle grip, illustrating the operation of switching between spray water discharge and stream water discharge. Furthermore, the present invention allows for the provision of a door in the housing, and on the back of the door, an operation process display unit illustrating the five-step operation process of the fire hydrant device during firefighting operations, the operation process including pressing the activation button on the operating device and grasping the handle, pulling the hose, and moving towards the source of the fire.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention provides a nozzle comprising a nozzle body and a shut-off valve provided within the nozzle body, wherein a deflector is provided on the shut-off valve, the nozzle body has a tip portion that is rotatably provided and a valve seat provided downstream of the shut-off valve, the valve seat is provided so as to be in contact with or press-fit to the shut-off valve, and the nozzle is configured such that the deflector can move back and forth as the shut-off valve moves helically in conjunction with the rotation of the tip portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Firstly, this invention provides a fire hydrant system that prevents accidents such as damage to cultural properties during operation by discharging fire extinguishing water as a weaker spray stream, rather than a spray stream.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front view of the door of an embodiment of the present invention in an open state. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view of the IIIA-IIIB portion of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] This is a right side view of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of a nozzle in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the switching state of the spray pattern of a nozzle in an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the state at the time of closing, (b) shows the state at the time of spray water discharge, and (c) shows the state at the time of rod-shaped water discharge. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of a nozzle operation display section in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged front view of an extension joint in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a side cross-sectional view taken along the IX-IX line of FIG. 8.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 9. The fire hydrant device 1 of the present embodiment is assumed to be for cultural properties as the object to be extinguished. First, the configuration of the fire hydrant device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0016] The fire hydrant device 1 includes a housing 2, and a hose 3, a nozzle 4, and a fire hydrant valve 5 are provided inside the housing 2. In the present embodiment, an operating device 6, a lighting means 7, a reflecting means 8, and a pressure reducing valve 9 are further provided inside the housing 2.

[0017] The housing 2 includes a housing main body 20 and a door 21. In the present embodiment, the housing main body 20 is composed of a back plate 22, side plates 23, a top plate 24, and a bottom plate 25 of the housing 2, and the door 21 also serves as the front panel of the housing 2. A hose guide 10 for reducing the undulation caused by the water pressure of the fire extinguishing water in the hose 3 is erected on the bottom plate 25.

[0018] Furthermore, at least the top surface 24a of the top plate 24 is provided so as to incline downward to the front. In the present embodiment, it is provided so as to protrude forward from the front panel of the housing 2 (in the present embodiment, the door 21) so as to form an eaves portion 24b. By doing so, in the fire hydrant device 1 of the present embodiment, even if the fire hydrant device 1 is installed outdoors near the fire target, rain and snow do not accumulate on the housing 2.

[0019] The door 21 is an example of a door provided on the housing 2 and is provided so as to be able to be opened for operating the fire hydrant device 1 during a fire extinguishing operation. A lever 11 and an indicator lamp 12 are provided on the front surface side of the door 21, and an operation process display portion 13 is provided on the back surface 21a side of the door 21.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the door 21 is provided as a left-opening door hinged to the housing main body 20. Note that the direction in which the door 21 can be opened can be appropriately selected, and it may be any of a right-opening door, an upward-opening door, or a downward-opening door. Also, it may be a single door like the door 21 or a double door, for example, a double-leaf door. Further, a front panel (not shown) may be separately provided on the housing 2 and the door 21 may be attached to the front panel.

[0021] The fire hydrant valve 5 is connected to a pump (not shown) for sending fire extinguishing water through a supply pipe 14 to supply fire extinguishing water to the fire hydrant device 1. Normally, the communication between the primary side (upstream side) and the secondary side (downstream side) is blocked, and it is provided so that the communication can be opened during a fire extinguishing operation. In the present embodiment, the fire hydrant valve 5 has a valve 50, and by turning the valve 50, the opening and closing of the fire hydrant can be achieved.

[0022] The operating device 6 is electrically connected to the pump and is provided to control the starting of the pump. In this embodiment, the operating device 6 is configured as a start switch, for example, an ON / OFF button switch, and has a start button 60 and a stop button 61. The means for controlling the starting of the pump are not limited to the operating device 6, and various starting means can be appropriately adopted, and the installation location can also be appropriately selected. For example, instead of the operating device 6, the start switch (not shown) can be provided on the fire hydrant valve 5.

[0023] The lighting means 7 is a light source for illuminating the inside of the housing 2 and the vicinity of the fire hydrant device 1, for example, at night. In this embodiment, the lighting means 7 is provided as an LED light and is mounted on the inside of the top plate 24 of the housing 2. The mounting position of the lighting means 7 can be changed as appropriate, and for example, it can be provided on the inside of the back plate 22. The reflecting means 8 is provided to reflect the light of the lighting means 7 and to assist the lighting effect of the lighting means 7, and is provided, for example, as a mirror.

[0024] In this embodiment, the top plate 24 is provided with an opening / closing switch 15 for detecting the opening and closing of the door 21, and the lighting means 7 is configured to turn on when the door 21 is opened when the amount of light around the fire hydrant device 1 is low, such as at night. The opening / closing switch 15 can be provided as, for example, a limit switch.

[0025] Cultural properties are often located in mountainous areas or other places where lighting facilities are not well-developed. Therefore, when natural light cannot be expected, such as at night, it may be difficult to operate the fire hydrant system. However, in the fire hydrant system 1 of this embodiment, lighting means 7 and / or reflective means 8 are provided, making it easier to operate even in the dark.

[0026] The hose 3 is connected directly or indirectly to the fire hydrant valve 5 at its base end and to the nozzle 4 via an extension joint 16 at its tip end. Normally, it is stored wound inside the hose guide 10 provided in the housing 2, for example, in an inward-curved state. In this embodiment, the hose 3 is connected to the fire hydrant valve 5 via a pressure reducing valve 9, and the water discharge pressure is adjusted so as not to damage cultural properties, etc., by the pressure of the discharged water.

[0027] Nozzle 4 is provided for discharging fire extinguishing water W and is a nozzle that can switch between spray water discharge S1 and stream water discharge S2. When fire extinguishing water W is supplied from hose 3, nozzle 4 is configured such that when closed, the tip portion 40 is rotated to start spray water discharge S1, and further rotation of the tip portion 40 switches to stream water discharge S2.

[0028] Furthermore, the nozzle 4 is equipped with a nozzle operation display unit 41 (see Figure 7) that illustrates the operation of switching between spray water discharge S1 and rod-shaped water discharge S2, so that even if the operator of the nozzle 4 is a novice in firefighting, they can immediately understand that firefighting water W is discharged by rotating the tip portion 40 of the nozzle 4.

[0029] In this embodiment, the nozzle 4 has a nozzle body 42 on which a tip portion 40 is rotatably provided, and a shut-off valve 43 provided inside the nozzle body 42, and a deflector 44 is provided on the shut-off valve 43. Furthermore, in the nozzle 4, the shut-off valve 43 moves in a helical motion in conjunction with the rotation of the tip portion 40, causing the deflector 44 to move back and forth.

[0030] Inside the nozzle body 42, a valve seat 45 is provided downstream of the shut-off valve 43. When the tip portion 40 is fastened, the shut-off valve 43 and the valve seat 45 come into contact or press against each other, closing the nozzle 4. As the tip portion 40 is then released one step further, the shut-off valve 43 appears to move upstream, creating a flow path F between the shut-off valve 43 and the valve seat 45. This causes the fire extinguishing water W to hit the deflector 44 and disperse, resulting in a spray discharge S1 (see Figure 6(b)). As the tip portion 40 is released one more step further, the shut-off valve 43 moves even further upstream, and the shut-off valve 43 and the valve seat 45 become even further apart. Furthermore, the deflector 44 is housed inside the nozzle body 42, meaning that the deflector 44 is located inside the nozzle tip, and the influence of the deflector 44 is reduced so that the fire extinguishing water W is discharged as a stream of water S2 (see Figure 6(c)).

[0031] Generally, because a stream of water is powerful, there is a possibility of accidents occurring during the operation of a fire hydrant system where the stream of water directly hits cultural property, causing damage to the property. This is especially true for operators who are inexperienced in firefighting. In this embodiment, in a fire hydrant system 1 having a nozzle that can switch between a stream of water and a spray of water, the fire extinguishing water W is first discharged as a spray of water S1, which has less water pressure than the stream of water S2, thereby preventing such accidents.

[0032] Furthermore, in the fire hydrant device 1 of this embodiment, the water pressure of the fire extinguishing water W supplied to the nozzle 4 is reduced by connecting the fire hydrant valve 5 and the hose 3 via the pressure reducing valve 9. Therefore, even if the stream of water S2 hits cultural property, the risk of damaging such cultural property is reduced.

[0033] The tip portion 40 of the nozzle 4 is provided with a grip 46 made of an elastomer such as rubber. In conventional fire hydrant systems, because the nozzle is made of metal, there was a risk that the skin would stick to the nozzle when the cooled metal came into contact with the skin during water discharge in winter or cold regions. However, in this embodiment, by providing a grip 46 on the tip portion 40, it is possible to prevent the skin from sticking to the nozzle.

[0034] Furthermore, by making the grip 46 out of elastomer, the tip 40 of the nozzle 4 is easier to rotate than metal because elastomer has frictional resistance, making it possible to perform the switching operation with less force. In addition, because elastomer is more elastic than metal, it is possible to prevent the tip 40 of the nozzle 4 from hitting cultural artifacts and damaging them.

[0035] The extension joint 16 shown in Figures 2, 8, and 9 is provided to connect the nozzle 4 and the hose 3, and the extension joint 16 is equipped with a handle 17. In this embodiment, the extension joint 16 is mostly covered with an elastomer coating 16a made of rubber or the like to prevent damage to cultural properties, etc., and to prevent sticking to skin in winter.

[0036] The handle 17 is provided for transporting the hose 3 when extending it from the housing 2 to the source of the fire, after pulling out the nozzle 4 and hose 3. The handle 17 extends upward from the extension joint 16 and is roughly annular in shape. In this embodiment, the grip portion 17a is roughly triangular in shape to be wider and easier to grip. Also, for the same reasons as the grip 46, at least the grip portion 17a of the handle 17 is covered with an elastomer such as rubber.

[0037] The operation process display unit 13 shown in Figure 3 illustrates the operation process of the fire hydrant device 1 during firefighting in five steps. Each step illustrated in the operation process display unit 13 can be appropriately selected as long as it allows even an inexperienced firefighter to reliably perform the operation, but preferably the following operation steps are selected. Note that the illustration of the operation steps is not limited to five steps, and more than five steps of operation may be displayed.

[0038] (1) Press the start button 60 on the control device 6. (P1) (2) Remove the nozzle 4 from the housing 2. (P2) (3) Open valve 50. (P3) (4) Grasp the handle 17, pull the hose 3, and move towards the source of the fire. (P4) (5) Rotate the tip 40 of the nozzle 4 to open the nozzle 4 and spray water. (P5)

[0039] Conventional fire hydrant systems illustrated the operation process during firefighting in three stages. It was difficult for operators who were not firefighting experts to understand the operation process of the fire hydrant system from these three stages, and therefore, it was difficult to say that operators could reliably operate the fire hydrant system with conventional systems.

[0040] In contrast, in the fire hydrant device 1 of this embodiment, the operation process display unit 13 illustrates the operation process of the fire hydrant device 1 in five steps, so that an operator who is not a firefighter can understand the operation process more clearly, and the operator can operate the fire hydrant device 1 more reliably. In this embodiment, the operation process display unit 13 is provided on the back surface 21a side of the door 21, but it can also be provided on the front surface side of the door 21.

[0041] Next, we will explain the work process during firefighting operations using the fire hydrant system 1. (1) Rotate the lever 11 on the door 21 of the enclosure 2 and pull the lever 11 to open the door 21. (ii) Press the start button 60 of the operating device 6 to start the pump and supply fire extinguishing water W to the fire hydrant device 1. (3) Remove the nozzle 4 from the housing 2. (4) Turn valve 50 to open it and open the fire hydrant valve 5. (5) Grasp the handle 17 and extend the hose 3 while moving towards the source of the fire. (6) Upon arriving near the source of the fire, rotate the tip 40 of the nozzle 4 to spray the fire extinguishing water W as a water spray S1. (7) If necessary, the tip portion 40 of the nozzle 4 is further rotated to discharge the fire extinguishing water W as a stream of water S2.

[0042] In this embodiment, the fire hydrant device 1 is provided with a handle 17 that the operator can grip when pulling out the hose 3. The handle 17 is easier to grip and can be gripped more firmly than the nozzle 4. Therefore, by gripping the handle 17 and carrying the hose 3, the hose 3 can be pulled out with less force, making it easier for even an inexperienced operator to extend the hose 3. Consequently, the fire hydrant device 1 of this embodiment makes it easier for the operator to perform firefighting operations.

[0043] Furthermore, since locations containing cultural properties are outdoors, the ground may not be paved or may be constructed as a gravel path, which can increase frictional resistance when dragging the hose. With conventional fire hydrant systems, extending the hose was often more difficult. However, in the fire hydrant system 1 of this embodiment, by providing a handle 17, it is possible to easily extend the hose 3 even in such locations.

[0044] Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the invention.

[0045] (A) In the above embodiment, the fire hydrant device 1 was intended to extinguish fires on cultural properties, but the target of fire extinguishing is not limited, and may be commercial facilities, offices, public facilities, medical facilities, apartment buildings, and other facilities.

[0046] (B) In the above embodiment, only the spray water discharge S1 is shown on the nozzle operation display unit 41, but the rod-shaped water discharge S2 may also be shown. Furthermore, if the nozzle 4 is compatible with water discharge types other than spray water discharge S1 and rod-shaped water discharge S2, these water discharge types can also be shown.

[0047] The following is a summary of the invention of the original application of this application.

[0048] [Problems the invention aims to solve] The fire hydrant system is not intended to be used primarily by professional firefighters or other experts in firefighting, but rather by laypeople such as employees of the aforementioned facilities. Therefore, the task of extending the hose to the source of the fire will also be primarily performed by laypeople.

[0049] On the other hand, generally, extending a hose to the source of a fire is done with the fire hydrant valve open, that is, with firefighting water supplied to the hose. Therefore, when extending the hose, the weight of the water is added to the weight of the hose itself. In addition, even though hose guides and the like can alleviate this to some extent, the water pressure inside the hose can cause the hose itself to undulate.

[0050] In conventional fire hydrant systems, the nozzle was roughly cylindrical with almost no grip, so extending the hose, which had increased in weight after the fire hydrant valve was opened and firefighting water was supplied, to the source of the fire required considerable force, especially grip strength. Therefore, it was not easy for a fire hydrant operator, who was not a professional in firefighting, to extend the hose to the source of the fire. Consequently, conventional fire hydrant systems could not be said to allow operators, who were not professionals in firefighting, to easily extinguish fires.

[0051] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a fire hydrant system that allows the operator of the fire hydrant system to perform firefighting operations more easily.

[0052] [Means for solving the problem] The present invention relates to a fire hydrant system comprising a housing, the housing containing a hose, a nozzle, and a fire hydrant valve, characterized in that an extension joint is provided to connect the nozzle and the hose, and the extension joint is provided with a handle for transporting the hose.

[0053] Furthermore, the present invention provides a nozzle that can switch between spray water discharge and stream water discharge, and when the nozzle is closed, the spray water discharge is started by rotating the tip of the nozzle, and it is also possible to switch to stream water discharge by further rotating the tip. In addition, the present invention also provides an elastomer grip on the tip. be.

[0054] Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to provide the nozzle with a nozzle operation display unit illustrating the operation of switching between spray water discharge and rod-shaped water discharge. In addition, the present invention makes it possible to provide the casing with a door, and on the back side of the door with an operation process display unit illustrating the operation steps of the fire hydrant device during firefighting in five steps.

[0055] [Effects of the invention] This invention provides an extension joint for connecting the nozzle and the hose, and a handle for transporting the hose on the extension joint, making it easier to extend the hose to the fire scene. As a result, the operator of the fire hydrant system can perform firefighting operations more easily. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 Fire hydrant system 2 Housing 20 Main housing 21 Door 21a Back side 22 Back panel 23 Side panel 24 Top panel 24a Top surface 24b Canopy section 25 Bottom plate 3 Hose 4 Nozzle 40 Tip portion 41 Nozzle operation display section 42 Nozzle body 43 Shut-off valve 44 Deflector 45 Valve seat 46 Grip 5 Fire hydrant valve 50 Valves 6 Operating devices 60 Start buttons 61 Stop button 7 Lighting means 8 Reflecting means 9 Pressure reducing valve 10 Hose guide 11 Lever 12 Indicator light 13 Operation process display section 14 Supply pipe 15 Switch 16 Extension joint 16a Covering 17 Handle 17a Gripping part F Flow path P Operation process S Spray W Fire extinguishing water

Claims

1. A fire hydrant system that targets cultural properties for firefighting, It has a housing, and a hose, a nozzle, and a fire hydrant valve are provided inside the housing. The nozzle is capable of switching between a weak spray and a strong stream of water, and when firefighting water is supplied from the hose, rotating the tip of the nozzle when the valve is closed creates a flow path between the shut-off valve and the valve seat, so that the spray is initiated first, and further rotation of the tip allows switching to the stream of water, thus preventing the stream of water from hitting the cultural property and damaging it.

2. The fire hydrant device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip of the nozzle is provided with an elastomer grip to prevent it from sticking to the skin in winter.

3. The fire hydrant device according to claim 1, characterized in that a nozzle operation display unit illustrating the operation of switching between the spray water discharge and the rod-shaped water discharge is provided near the grip of the nozzle.

4. The fire hydrant device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing is provided with a door, the door is provided with an operation process display unit illustrating the operation process of the fire hydrant device during firefighting in five steps, and the operation process includes the steps of pressing the activation button of the operating device and grasping the handle, pulling the hose, and moving toward the source of the fire.

5. The nozzle comprises a nozzle body and a shut-off valve provided within the nozzle body, and the shut-off valve is provided with a deflector. The nozzle body is provided with a rotatable tip portion and a valve seat located downstream of the shut-off valve, and the valve seat is provided so as to be able to contact or press against the shut-off valve. The fire hydrant device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the nozzle is such that the deflector can move back and forth as the shut-off valve moves in a spiral motion in conjunction with the rotation of the tip portion.

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