Snap-tite Technologies, Inc.

Robert Harcourt

John Edward Meadowcroft

Tom Dawson

An apparatus and process for continuously and endlessly vulcanizing a hose is disclosed and claimed. Pressurized air or other gas is intermittently supplied through a woven jacket, a mandrel, a check valve and into the interior of an extruded rubber hose. The hose is sealed as it is pulled over the mandrel. Pinch rollers seal the other end of the hose. One or more non-contact heaters vulcanize the hose from outside-in. Pressurizing the inside of the hose maintains proper diametrical dimensions of the hose.

Apparatus and method for continuously and endlessly vulcanizing rubber hose

A coupling half for interconnecting fire or other hose to a reciprocal connection mounted on another hose or on a fixed object. The coupling half includes two slots which enable the manufacture of the coupling half quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively. Only two molds are used to cast the coupling half compared with the traditional three molds. The molds are in contact with each other at three radial points with each radial point being separated by the mold cavity. Machining is greatly reduced as the coupling half is made from one piece as compared with the traditional two pieces. Slots in the locking collar enable the coupling half to be made of one piece resulting in less machining and a superior product.

Coupling half and method of making same

A piston valve for use in connection with the fire protection industry is disclosed which includes features for protecting against corrosion. A sacrificial zinc anode is mounted in the body of the valve under the handwheel. A polymeric piston is used which cannot corrode. A grease fitting protects against corrosion at the interface of the spindle and the valve body or bushing within the body.

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Erie, PA, United States of America

Robert Harcourt