Universal Nozzle Connector Adjustable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mounting systems for firefighting nozzles are inefficient, particularly for pre-connected nozzles, as they require climbers to reach high locations, cause damage due to sharp teeth, and fail to accommodate varying nozzle sizes and heights, leading to instability and increased mounting time.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable locking assembly with a clamping element, locking strap, and pivoting latch, combined with a flexible mount assembly and universal connector, allowing for secure mounting of nozzles of different sizes and lengths, and accommodating various orientations and heights, ensuring stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pre-connected nozzles are mounted high on the fire truck to be easily accessible, then the nozzle can be quickly deployed, but firefighters must climb on the running board which is dangerous especially in bad weather
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from vertical high-mounted positioning to horizontal positioning on the running board or low wall, changing the spatial dimension of nozzle placement. This allows the nozzle to remain accessible while eliminating the need for firefighters to climb, thereby maintaining deployment speed while improving safety.
2Reliability
If Tri Lock spring action mounts with sharp teeth are used to secure nozzles, then the nozzle can be firmly held in place, but the sharp teeth can cause serious damage to the female threads
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful sharp teeth are extracted and removed from the mounting system. Instead of using toothed gripping mechanisms, the patent employs a clamp with a smooth interior surface that secures the nozzle through friction and mechanical constraint without thread engagement, thereby maintaining mounting stability while eliminating thread damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
A smooth interior surface acts as an intermediary between the mounting clamp and the nozzle body. This intermediate surface provides secure holding through friction and geometric constraint without direct thread engagement, preventing the transmission of damaging forces to the nozzle threads.
3Ease of manufacture
If nozzles are stored in congested equipment compartments on tool boards, then they can be kept organized, but it is difficult to mount them either horizontally or vertically
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is designed with adjustable and movable components that can adapt to different nozzle positions and orientations. The clamp can be positioned and secured in various configurations, allowing easy mounting of nozzles in either horizontal or vertical orientations directly from storage, eliminating the difficulty of repositioning from congested compartments.
4Reliability
If nozzles are mounted on screw plates with threaded connections, then they can be securely fastened, but it is difficult to turn the swivel by hand onto the screw plate especially when tightly screwed
Solution Approach 1:
The complex threaded mechanical connection system is replaced with a simplified clamp-based mechanical constraint system. The clamp secures the nozzle through geometric constraint and friction rather than threaded engagement, eliminating the need for difficult hand-turning operations while maintaining secure fastening. The universal connector with external and internal threads provides a simpler threading interface that requires less rotational force.
5Loss of information
If multiple pre-connects with different colored hoses are used to identify different lines, then confusion is minimized, but it is difficult and expensive to buy custom colored fire hose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to the universal connector bodies themselves rather than requiring custom colored hoses. Different colors are applied to the connector exteriors through painting or anodizing processes, providing clear line identification while using standard hose materials, thereby maintaining identification accuracy while significantly reducing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable locking assembly, including a strap lock including a clamping element, a locking strap including a first end connected to the strap lock and a second end connected to a locking pin, and a pin locking element including a pivoting latch, the pivoting latch including a channel arranged to receive the locking pin, wherein in a locked position, the locking pin is secured in the channel and the pivoting latch is pivoted away from the strap lock, and in an unlocked position, the locking strap is freely movable.