Task Force Tips, Incorporated

Fire Task Force Innovations, Inc.

Innovative Rescue Systems LLC

Robert W Steingass

David J Kolacz

Stewart G McMillan

Ross Julian Mack

Kent A Kekeis

Brian M Tylisz

Clyde H McMillan

Erin L Roark

Alexander C Yovanovich

William D Walker

Rodney Alan Carringer

Ryan D Smaga

Travis E Bavar

John Louis Christos

William I Thompson

Matthew A Savarese

Larry Shepard

Gene Spencer

Kimberly A Hale

David E Kim

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

The disclosed portable self-powered flow measuring device has a non-metallic housing through which a fluid flows. An annular turbine spins within the housing, and has a set of inwardly-extending vanes set to reduce the pressure of the flowing fluid by more than 10%. A set of magnets that are spaced circumferentially about the turbine. Coils are mounted to the housing with axes that are radial to the axis of the central waterway. A set of circumferentially spaced reinforcing arms, one for each coil, are positioned outside the coils, the circumferential width of each reinforcing arm near the axial position of the turbine being no more than the radius of the coil.

Measuring device with self-powering annular turbine

Hydraulic spreader

A new firefighting nozzle has a series of moveable vanes that extend inwardly from a peripheral wall of a base. The inner side of the vanes extends between &#x215b; and &#x215c; of the diameter of the central channel. The vanes rotate between a linear position, in which the vanes are generally parallel to the direction of the channel, and a vortex position, in which the vanes are significantly angled with respect to the direction of the channel. In the linear position, smooth bore linear flow is produced. In the vortex position, any of a range of fog patterns are produced. An externally mounted controller connects to the vanes and enables a firefighter to change the shape of the nozzle's spray without interrupting the flow. The controller and base have a series of pins that slide in a spiral groove and cause the shaper to move axially with respect to the base when the shaper is rotated about the base. Radial stems that ride in a circumferential slot translate that axial movement into rotation of the vanes.

Firefighting nozzle

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

The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing couplings or fittings to the ends of hose of the type that has a smooth cylindrical interior and a spiral-reinforcing bead in conjunction with a more flexible hose body. The present invention relates to a segmented binding strip that is molded or cast in a generally opened or flat condition and is subsequently wrapped around the hose thus forming a generally cylindrical shape to fit the circumference of the hose when installed. Each segment is relatively rigid but is articulated or hinged to adjacent segments with a thinner hinge section allowing the entire binding strip to be bent in a circular form as it is wrapped around the hose. Once wrapped around the hose the binding strip is secured or bound to retain the coupling or fitting to the hose. The binding strip segments have a surface on the hose side that is shaped to mate with the undulations of the spiral bead hose, while the opposite or exterior surface of the binding strip forms a relatively smooth surface for clamping and may include one or more clamping tracks to engage a clamp. The end segments may include an overlap feature to allow for variations in hose diameter. A V-shaped seal may be used between the coupling or fitting and the interior of the hose to prevent leakage of either vacuum or pressure.

Apparatus for securing a coupling or a fitting to a spiral bead hose

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

An eductor assembly includes an inlet connectable to a high pressure water source useful in firefighting, an outlet connectable to a fire hose and/or nozzle, and a venturi therebetween. An additive inlet communicates with the venturi so that a chemical additive, such as a foam concentrate, is educed into the output stream. A check valve is positioned at the additive inlet to open under venturi flow conditions and remain closed otherwise. An actuator is provided that holds the check valve in its open position while water flows through the eductor assembly under non-venturi conditions to produce a back flow through the additive inlet and ultimately through the additive fluid circuit, including the additive metering valve components. A return element may be disposed within the eductor body to return the check valve to its closed position when the back flow ceases.

Eductor apparatus

The invention is an improvement in a disc and a handle for the receiver section of a fire fighting nozzle. Together, this disc and handle facilitate the opening and closing of a fire nozzle assembly, for permitting and preventing, respectively, the discharge of fire extinguishing fluids from that nozzle. The improvement of the present invention results from the use of a one-piece disc with generally resilient arms, and from the use of a plastic handle with a generally oblong shaped slot.

Disc for moving slide valve

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

A telescoping waterway for adjusting the height of a firefighting monitor is disclosed. The telescoping waterway includes a hollow outer tube, a hollow inner tube within the hollow outer tube, and an actuator that moves the hollow inner tube relative to the hollow outer tube, wherein the hollow inner tube can be maintained in at least one intermediate position between a retracted position and a fully extended position.

Motorized/manual monitor lift

A dry sectional gate valve having a swiveling intake elbow and shot pin assembly for selectively locking the elbow into a fixed position. A shot pin extends from a pull-knob through the flange of the elbow into one of a plurality of spaced-apart detent slots or holes around the perimeter of the valve body. The elbow can be swiveled thereby allowing a connecting fire hose to be positioned to minimize kinks and avoid obstacles thereby bringing water freely into the valve. The shot pin can be used to selectively lock the elbow in a desired position facilitating connection and disconnection of mating fire hose couplings or the shot pin can be set to allow the elbow to rotate freely enabling the hose to reach its most relaxed position when charged.

Swiveling intake elbow for dry sectional gate valve

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. The tool may also be a spring-loaded glass breaker with a safety shield and another tool such as a seat belt cutter.

Growing community of inventors

Valparaiso, IN, United States of America

Robert W Steingass