Acceleration sensitive shut off valve for firefighting equipment
AssigneeTask Force Tips, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Kolacz, Ross Mack, Stewart McMillan, Robert W. Steingass
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims37
A valve having an open position and a closed position, the valve being biased toward the closed position and comprising:
- a housing defining a recess;
- a handle operatively mounted to the housing for moving the valve to the open position;
- a sear for engaging the handle when the valve is in the open position;
- a sear spring for urging the sear into engagement with the handle when the valve is in the open position;
- a release for disengaging the sear from the handle;
- and
- a bearing member disposed in the recess of the housing and in bearing support of the release when the valve is in the open position, whereby movement of the valve at an acceleration above a pre-determined level dislodges the bearing member from the recess, removes support of the release, disengages the sear from the handle, and moves the valve toward the closed position.
A monitor comprising:
- a housing defining a water passage;
- a valve disposed in the water passage moveable between an open position and a closed position, and biased toward the closed position;
- a valve handle for moving the valve between the open position and a closed position;
- a sear for engaging the valve handle in the open position;
- a sear spring for urging the sear into engagement with the handle in the open position;
- a release mounted on the housing and having a release portion and moving the sear out of engagment with the handle;
- and
- an acceleration sensor disposed in the housing which reacts to movement of the housing at an acceleration above a pre-determined level by disengaging the sear from the handle and thereby move the valve towards the closed position.
A portable monitor comprising:
- a housing defining a water passage;
- a valve disposed in the water passage moveable between an open position and a closed position;
- a valve handle for moving the valve between the open position and the closed position;
- and
- an acceleration sensitive device joined to the housing, which reacts to sliding movement of the housing at an acceleration above a pre-determined level by moving the valve towards the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.