AU2004240158B2

AU2004240158B2 - Hose Clamp Device

Info

Publication number: AU2004240158B2
Application number: AU2004240158A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Terry Bruce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-07-06
Filing date: 2004-12-16
Publication date: 2008-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2020-07-06
Also published as: AU2004240158A1

Description

16/12/2004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 04/20

O

SHOSE CLAMPING DEVIWE The present invention relates to a device for securing hoses, particularly those 00 used by fire fighters. More particularly the present invention relates to a universal hose clamp for locking a hose in position relative to a hose clamp such 0- that when secured 1:o a support structure and with a locking means in the $c unlocked position, a hose coupling has unlimited rotational movement about an S 10 axis in the horizontal plane.

0 PRIOR ART When fighting a fire there are a number of problems to be addressed in addition to extinguishing the fre, for example rescuing those who are trapped or crowd control As a result the available human resources need to be carefully targeted to l imit/prevent the occurrence of injury.

Prior art UK Patent Application No. 2,326,082 in the name of Giles, teaches a means for mounting a hose. In particular Giles describes an apparatus that can be employed to attaxh the hose to parallel handrails. However this document does not disclose an apparatus that permits unlimited rotation of the hose about a horizontal axis which can then be locked as required in the desired position The problem addressed by Giles was to provide a means of securing a fire hose to a pair of handrails through the employment of a fire hose support that comprises a toggle clamp and a mounting member. The mounting member comprises an annular slot that extends 6450 of a central position Giles describes this as providing a sufficient degree of freedom ofadjustment of a fire hose nozzle in one plane. However, eerience has shown that fire can spread extremely quickly and it is often required to direct the hose directly behind the

I

COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 16/12/2004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 05/20

O

Soriginal field of direction. This can only be achieved with the apparatus described by Giles by release of the toggle clamp and relocating the whole 0 apparatus on the opposite side of the handrails. This is both a more involved and V time consuming process that that required by the present invention to be described herein, which significantly increases the level of danger to the user.

Therefore, starting from the teachings of Giles there is nothing to indicate that it 0 would be obvious to the skilled man to introduce the first locking mechanism of the present invention so as to overcome the above problems.

010 (N INVENTION The present invention, described herein, provides a universal hose clamp that is more flexible than those devices described in the prior art Where 360 rotation is known in relation to one axis (normally taken to be substantially vertical) it has not been disclosed that such a feature is also available on a second, perpendicular axis namely a substantially horizontal axis.

Furthermore, the present invention has the added advantage of being more portable in relation to what structures it may be attached, than those described in the prior art Le. the present invention may be incorporated with both handrails, poles and free standing support structures such as tripods.

The present invention recognises that as part of fire fighting the use and control of a hose is an onerous task requiring the efforts of several people. The present invention attempts to mitigate this problem and allow for better targeting of available resources. The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a means for clamping a hose at a desired location so as to give maximum flexibility to the orientation of the hose while freeing up manpower so as to carry out firther duties.

2 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 16/12/2004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 06/20 0 0 C. The incorporation of the first locking mechanism helps to achieve these aims Swhile offering several technical advantages over the teachings of the prior art.

Most significantly the incorporation of a first locking mechanism provides a means whereby the a fire hose can be rotated through 360 about a horizontal 0 axis. This provides greater flexibility on the orientation of the hose such that when combined with a second locking mechanism the hose may be rotated to provide universal cover over 4z steradias.

S 10 A further advantage of the first locking mechanism is tat it provides a quick <Cx release mechanism for the hose coupling so that a second hose coupling assembly may be quickly interchanged as and when required Accordingly, the invention obviates the need to undo a screw and bolt style fastening means as required with the prior art. All that is required is merely the rotation of the handle ofthe first locking mechanism so as to move it to its unlocked position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device whereby a hose can be clamped allowing fire fighters to be released from such duties and available for other tasks, for example rescuing those who are trapped. It is a further object that such a device will be simple to use and readily adapted to the dimensions of different hoses.

According to the prtsent invention there is provided a universal hose clamp comprising a universal hose locating mechanism, a hose coupling for connecting a hose to the hose clamp, and a securing means for securing said locating mechanism to a support structure.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises: a universal hose clamp for locking a hose in position relative to the hose clamp comprising a universal hose locating mechanism, a hose coupling for connecting the hose the universal hose locating mechanism, and a securing 3 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 II I 16/12/204 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 07/20 0 0 means for securing said locating mechanism to a support structure wherein the universal hose locating mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism which 0 moves between a locked and an unlocked position such that when secured to a support structure and with the first locking means in the unlocked position the hose coupling has unlimited rotational movement about an axis in the horiontal 00 plane.

SPreferably the support structure is an existing railing, pole or other similar Ststructure. Prefeably the securing means is a universal base clamping o 10 mechanism adapted for clamping onto the support structure.

Alternatively the supporting structure is a portable independent frame.

More preferably the portable independent frame is a tripod.

Preferably in this necond embodiment the securing means is a locking mcchanism adapted to lock ably engage the hose locating mechanism to the support structure, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a male and female member that are adapted to the lockable engage.

Preferably the hose locating mechanism comprises a central mount, two Azimuth locking mechanisms and a quick release hose mount.

More preferably the azimuth locking mechanism contained in the locating mechanism comprise; a handle assembly, a connection means and a stab pin.

Preferably the azimuth locking mechanism contained on the locating mechanism moves between an unlocked position when the handle assembly is in a plane parallel to the stab pin, and a locked position when the handle assembly is rotated through 90 degrees to lie in a plane perpendicular to the stabpin.

4 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 16/122004 22: 43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSCIATES PAGE 08/20

O

Preerably the first azimuth lockivg mechanism cotained On the locating NO mecharim provides a means for rotating the hose coupling about an axis in the horimontal plane.

00 Prrab]y the wcond azimuth locking mechanism containd on the IoatIng mechanism prOvides a meas for rotating the hose coupling about an axis in the vertical plane.

The term -azimuth" in this specifcation refe to the movement of the handle as it noves from an unlocked positi4 wher the handfle is parallel to the associated stab pin, to a locked position, where the handle is substantially perpendicular to the stab pin.

Preferably the hose coupling compising a gripping aid a mounting band and a securing means.

Preferably the gripping aid is cylindrical in shape More prefeably the gripping aid is Made of a flexible materiaL namely rubber. Prefeaby the mounting base is cylindrical in shipe Prefrably the seuring means is a screw thread mechanism Preferably the attachment means for the house coupling to the universal hose clamp is esily derachable.

More preferably the attachment means is by way if an azimuth locking mechanism In order to provide heftr undMrstanding of the invention embodiments will now be des;bed by way of a non limiting eacmple and with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 illusrates a iversal hose claimp for loking andM saine g a hose; COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Austraia Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 16/12/2004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 09/20

O

0 Figure 2 illustrates a component of the universal hose clamp, namely a IN imversal hose locating mechanism, with two azimuth locking mechanisms shown in a locked position; 00 Figures 3 and 4 illustrate separate perspective views of a further component of the universal hose chunp, namely a universal base clamping mechanism shown clamped to a Y-shaped handrailk Figure 5 illustrates the universal hose clamp of Figure I one of the universal C azimuth locking mechanisms or controlling the hose clamp rotation out of the vertical axis in the unlocked position and Figure 6 illustrates a tripod on which the universal hose clamp of figure 1 can be mounted.

DETAILED DEqSCMI Referring initially to Figure 1, a universal hose clamp is generally depicted at 1 comprising a universal hose locating mechanism 2, a universal base clamping mechanism 3 and a hose coupling 4.

The hose coupling 4 comprises a cylindrical gripping aid 5, a cylindrical mounting band 6 and a screw thread mechanism 7.

Figure 2 illuistrates further detail of the universal hose locating mechanism 2 in the absence of the base clamping mechanism 3 and the hose coupling 4. The hose locating mechanism 2 comprises a cntl mount 8, two azimuth locking mechanisms 9 and 10 and a quick release hose mount 11.

6 COMS 10D No: SBMj-01043688 Received by IP Australia; Time (Km) 23:48 Date 2004-12-16 16/12/2004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 10/20

O

The two azimuth locking mechanisms 9 and 10 comprise a handle assembly 12 a) connection means 13 and a stab pin 14 or 15. The connection means 13 Sprovides the activation mechanism for moving the azimuth locking mechanisms 9 and 10 between their unlocked and looked positions. In Figure 2 both locking mechanisms 9 and 10 are in their locked positions. When unlocked the first 00 azimuth locking mechanism allows rotation of the hose mount 11, and hence the hose coupling 4, about a horizontal axis while the second azimuth locking o mechanism 10, when unlocked, allows rotation about a vertical axi It should c be noted at this point that these two mechanisms lock independently of each o 10 other such that one may be in the locked position while the other is in the CN unlocked position. The stab pins 14 and 15 provide male member for the azimuth locking mechanisms 9 and 10, respectively.

Figures 3 and 4 present further detail of the universal base clamping mechanism in the absence of the hose locating mechanism 2. The base clamping mechanism 3 comprises a central frame 16, a rail clamp 17 and a female 18 for the Azimuth locking mechanism 10, The rail clamp 17 further comprises a swing lock over lock 19 a rail clamp tightening assembly 20 and two threaded locating rails 21, The combination of the hose locating mechanism 2 and the base clamping mechanism 3 is achieved by inserting the stab pin 15 in the female locking component 18 with the handle assembly 12 in the unlocked position as in figure This unlocked position corresponds to the case when the handle assembly 12 is on a plane parallel to the stab pin 15. The locked position is achieved by rotating the handle assembly 12 through 90 degrees such that the handle assembly 12 now lies in the plane perpendicular to the stab pin 15, as in Figure 1.

To employ the universal hose clamp 1, the base clamping mechanism 3 is attached to a railing pole or other similarly reinforced structure As shown in Figure 1, the desired structure to which the hose clamp 1 can be attached may 7 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 15/12/2004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 11/20 0 0 take the form of a Y- shaped rail 22. Initially the swing over lock 19 is opened by unscrewing one of the threaded locating rails 21. This allows the rail clamp S17 to be placed in stu around the hand rail 22, With the hand rail 22 in place above the threaded kocating rails 21, the swing over lock 19 is then closed and fastoned The base clamping mechanism 3 is then secured in place by tightening 00 of the rail clamp 17 by use of the rail clamp tightening assembly SThe second stage is to attach the hose locating mechanism 2 to the base Ci clamping mechanism 3 via the vertical azimuth locking mechanism 10 as described above Thereafter the hose (not shown) is inserted within the C'i cylindrical hose gripping aid 5 which is then tightened in the cylindrical mounting hand 6 that is attached to the quick release hose mount 11. The tightening of the cylindrical hose gripping aid 5 in the cylindrical mounting band 6 is achieved via the screw thread mechanism 7, With the horizontal azimuth locking mechanism 9 in the unlocking position the hose coupling 4 is mounted on the horizontal slab pin 14.

At this stage the hose is secured within the hose clamp 1 and can be deployed at full pressure by just one person. This has the obvious advantage of releasing manpower to cany out other important duties. By simply unlocking either of Azimuth locking mechanisms 9 and 10 the hose can be rotated to provide universal cover over 4 x steradians.

Mobility for the hose coupling 4 may be enhanced by its incorporation with a tripod system 23, as illustrated in Figure 6. This tripod 2 comprises a female member 24 for use in an azimuth locking mechanism 10, adjustable legs 25 and a cross brace 26 to provide additional strength It should be noted that the aforementioned female 24 is of a similar design used in the previously described embodiment Therefore, there is no requirement for the modification of the hose locating mechanism 2 as previously described. The hose (not shown) is then 8 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by JP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-18 16122004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSDCIATES PAGE 12/20 0 0 C mounted in the hose locating mechanism 2 as previously described. The C) vertical stab pin 15 is then inserted in the female of the tripod and locked as Srequired by the vertical azimuth locking mechanism The use of alternative hose diameters is determined by the nature of the 00 emergency. Thus the hose coupling 4 is not limited to use with one particular Shose size. Selection of a hose can be accommodated within a particular Scylindrical gripping aid 5 by the adjustment of the screw thread mechanism 7. If c the hose diameter is significantly different then the quick release hose mount 11 allows a second hose clamp 4 of the desired dimensions to be quickly mounted CA on the hose locting rmechanism 2.

An advantage of he present invention is that there is provided a universal hose clamp which can be used with known types of hose and whose parts are readily interchanged 1:o meet the emergency situations.

A further advantage of tbh present invention is that there is provided means which will reduce the manpower required to control a hose, and increase the numbers available to help those who are part of the emergency situation A further advantage of the invention is that the individual securing means are able to rotate such that the hose can be used in any direction thus allowing the changing needs of an emergency situation to be met.

In an ahernative embodiment the clamp may be provided with means to enable control from a remote source. For sxample an electronic receiver and control electronics could be mounted within the central mount 8 of the universal hose locating mechanism 2. This would allow the direction of the hose coupling 4 to be altered without the requirement to direct human contact 9 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 16122004 22:43 261-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 13/20 O Punher modafauonj and imprawmenerts may be added wiffiout &pwatig from 0 the scpe of the invenrtion herein intended.

02 Va 00 01 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16

Claims

1. A universal hose clamp for locking a hose in position relative to the 00 hose clamp comprising a universal hose locating nmehanisnm a hose coupling for connecting the hose to the univrsal hose locating mechanism, and a securing means for securing said locating mechanism to a support structure wherein the universal hose locating mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism which moves between a locked and an unlocked position such that N when secured to a support sructure and with the first locking means in the unlocked position the hose coupling has unlimited rotational movement about an axis in the horiontal plane,

2. A universal hose clamp as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the universal hose locating mechanism firth comprises a second locking mechanism which moves between a locked and an unlocked position such that when in the unlocked position the hose coupling has unlimited rotational movement about an axis in the vertical plane.

3. A universal hose clamp as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the locking mechanisms comprises a handle assembly, a connection means and a stab pin wherein the locking mechanisms are in the unlocked positions when the handle assembly is in a plane parallel to the stab pin, and the locked position when the handle assembly is rotated to lie in a plane perpendicular to the stab pin

4. A universal hose clamp as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the securing means comprises a fist female member suitable for receiving the stab pin of the second locking mechanism and a base clamping mechanism suitable for clamping the hose clamp to a support structure that comprises an existing 11 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 16122004 22:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND ASSOCIATES PAGE 15/20 0 railing.

C) A univesal hose clamp as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the securing means comprises a second female member suitable for receiving the stab pin of the second locking mechanism and a portable independent fiame 00

6. A universal hose clamp, as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the portable independent frame is a tripod

7. A universal hose clamp, as claimed in Claims 4, wherein when the CN second locking mechanism is in the locked position the stab pin of the second locking mechanism Iockably engages with the first female member.

8. A universal bose clamp, as claimed in Claims 5, wherein when the second locking mechanism is in the locked position the stab pin of the second locking mechanism lockably engages with the second female member.

9. A universal hose clamp, as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the hose coupling comprises a third female member suitable for receiving the stab pin of the first locking mechanism thus allowing the hose coupling to be removed from the universal hose locating mechanism when the first locking mechanism is in the unlocked position.

A universal hose clamp, as claimed in Claims 9, wherein when the fast locking mechanism is in the locked position the stab pin of the first locking mechanism lockably ngages with the third female member.

11. A universal hose clamp as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein the hose coupling further comprises a gripping aid, a mounting band and a hose securing means

12 COMS ID No: SBMI-01043688 Received by IP Australia: Time 23:46 Date 2004-12-16 16/12/2004 22:43 16/1/204 2:43 +61-2-95522894 WALSH AND A9SDCIATES RAGE 1E/20 CI12. A universal hose clamnp as claimned in Claim 11, wherein thie giippng aid is made of a flexible inatuial namelPy rubb r_ 13, A 11vraIbw hpa livwj li or Ciim l1wherein Ohw gripping aid is cylindrical in shapt 00 _14. A universal bose chup as chaimed in Claim I I to Claim 13, wherin, o the nmounting band is cylindrical in shapa o to Is. A umvemal hose clamp as claimeS in Claim 11I to Claim 14, wherein c-i the hose securing means is a screw tead mechanisn.

13 COMS IDNo: SBMJ-01043688 Received by IPAustralia: Tinme (I1:m) 23.46 Date 2004-12-16