Task Force Tips, Incorporated

David J Kolacz

Robert W Steingass

Stewart G McMillan

Ross Julian Mack

Rodney Alan Carringer

Brian M Tylisz

Kent A Kekeis

William D Walker

Erin L Roark

Alexander C Yovanovich

Gene Spencer

Scott W Akins

James H Walker

Timothy S Miller

A telescoping waterway component for use in firefighting equipment has a multi-piece outer tube and a telescoping inner tube through which fluid flows. An inlet component is selectively positionable at different inlet heights along the outer tube and can be positioned to provide different inlet angles. A rotating shutoff element is mounted within a manifold of the inlet component. The inner tube can be retracted to nest within a hollow cross-section of the shutoff element when that element is closed. A valve interlock disables an operator from rotating the shutoff element while the inner tube is retracted, or from retracting the inner tube while the shutoff element is open.

Telescoping waterway with integrated valve

A firefighting nozzle comprises an elongated barrel having a inlet opening at one end for engaging a source of fluid under pressure and a discharge opening at an opposite end for engaging a discharge element for dispensing the fluid under pressure. A valve arrangement includes a slide valve element slidably mounted within the barrel for reciprocating movement along the length of the barrel to adjust the flow of fluid through the barrel. The nozzle includes a pistol grip trigger assembly mounted on the barrel that includes a segment gear pivotably for engaging a toothed surface of the slide valve element so that rotation of the segment gear causes reciprocation of the slide valve element. A four-bar linkage arrangement is incorporated between a manually actuated trigger to translate depressing the trigger to controllable reciprocation of the slide valve element. The four-bar linkage provides a mechanical advantage that allows the firefighter to easily control the trigger and thus the fluid discharge from the nozzle.

Firefighting nozzle with trigger operated slide valve

A new haptic flow indicator has a spinner that is mounted for rotation and provides a discernable haptic feedback to a firefighter when liquid flow through the indicator falls in a selected range.

Haptic feedback flow indicator

A new firefighting monitor has multiple pivoting conduit segments and a synchronization mechanism with engaging faces that automatically restrain pivoting of an intermediate conduit segment with respect to an upstream conduit segment when the downstream conduit segment is pivotable with respect to the intermediate conduit segment, and automatically restrain pivoting of the downstream conduit segment with respect to the intermediate conduit segment when the intermediate conduit segment is pivotable with respect to the upstream conduit segment. In a variation, an intermeshed gear train causes a downstream conduit segment to pivot proportionately with respect to an intermediate conduit segment as the intermediate conduit segment pivots with respect to the upstream conduit segment.

Pivoting fluid conduit sequencing mechanism

A new firefighting nozzle has a base nozzle with one size or type of orifice and one or more auxiliary nozzles with a different size or type of orifice that a firefighter can easily see. A firefighter can swing the auxiliary nozzle into series with the base nozzle to change the flow. A springy element biases a locking element on the auxiliary nozzle from a retracted position toward an extended position in which it locks the auxiliary nozzle in place.

Adjustable firefighting nozzle

A portable remote controlled fire-fighting valve has a central chamber in a main valve body, an inlet that connects to a hydrant, an outlet that connects to a fire hose, a valve mechanism that has a seating surface that seats against part of the device to open and close a flow channel through the central chamber, and a remote controller that enables an operator to selectively open and close the flow channel. The valve mechanism uses a piston that is mounted for axial movement within the central chamber. The piston has an annular wall that slides against an outer edge of a lateral chamber surface that is fixed in position within the main valve body. A spring biases the piston to the closed position. In the open position, water from the inlet flows around the piston, over its peripheral surface, to the outlet. A pressure chamber is formed between a lateral surface that is fixed in position within the valve body and a movable interior surface on the piston. A pilot channel extends from an upstream side of the flow channel to the pressure chamber. The remote controller selectively controls a pilot valve on the pilot channel, allowing liquid in the upstream side of the flow channel to flow to the pressure chamber and force the piston open.

Portable remote controlled valve

Firefighting nozzle

A pivoting joint with a ball and socket joined by trunnions for use in fluid conduits, particularly firefighting devices such as portable monitors and the like. The pivoting joint can be used on an inlet of the device to provide a pivoting motion for one or more inlet hoses, and/or on the outlet of the device to direct the discharge in one or more directions. An optional one-way brake can be used to limit unintended movement about one or more axis of motion.

Pivoting fluid conduit joint and one-way brake

A fire fighting monitor includes a stationary element and a rotating element for directing a water stream at variable trajectories. Electrical components, such as drive motors, are mounted on the rotating element and are connected to electrical sources remote from the monitor. A wire management system is provided for the monitor that protects the electrical wiring while accommodating relative rotation between the stationary and rotating elements of the monitor. In one embodiment, the wire management system includes a two-piece wiring skirt with a first portion connected to the stationary element and a second portion connected to the rotating element. The two portions define a circumferential channel and associated openings for passage of a wiring cable. The cable incorporates a 180&#xb0; bend within the channel that travels around the channel as the cable coils and un-coils within the channels of the two portions.

Cable management apparatus

A firefighting segmented monitor for redirecting a trajectory of a pressurized fluid discharge towards a target comprises a flowpath with minimum convolutions. The monitor flowpath comprises in series a stationary segment and three rotating segments including a lower segment, a middle segment and an upper segment connected in series each of which comprises a predetermined curvature. The lower segment swivels in one axis about the stationary segment. A nonorthogonal swivel is arranged on each end of the middle segment at the interfaces with the lower segment and the upper segment, and the swiveling of the middle and upper segments are synchronized with a single rotary input to produce an approximately planar elevational motion of the fluid discharge end of the monitor.

Segmented monitor

Folding spanner wrench

A firefighting monitor having an acceleration sensitive shut off valve that responds to acceleration of the monitor to reduce water flow through the monitor. The acceleration sensitive shut off valve is self-contained and requires no contact with an external surface or device. The valve closing speed may be modulated by a dampener device that slows the rate at which the valve closes to avoid damage from water hammer.

Acceleration sensitive shut off valve for firefighting equipment

A multipurpose tool for use by firefighters and emergency personnel. The tool including a spanner wrench claw for turning firefighting hose connections, a wrench slot for turning natural gas valves, a glass-breaking spike, an open slot cutter for cutting seat belts and the like, and a foldable handle having an end shaped to be used as a pry bar.

Multipurpose emergency tool

A firefighting nozzle has a low-turbulence liquid flow channel that is directed outwardly by a baffle. Surrounding the flow channel is an annular concentrate chamber. The concentrate chamber leads from a concentrate inlet to a concentrate entry port on a rearward wall opposed to the baffle. Liquid flowing past the baffle draws concentrate through the concentrate entry port into the flow. The concentrate and liquid subsequently mix to produce fire-fighting foam.

Growing community of inventors

Plymouth, IN, United States of America

David J Kolacz