# US 8,740,254 B2 · Apparatus and method for protecting storz fire fighting hose couplings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,740,254 B2 - Document ID: US8740254B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/261,021 - Filed: 2010-05-18 - Published: 2012-03-15 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-05-22 - Assignees: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH - Applicants: Thomas E. Mason - Inventors: Thomas E. Mason - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8740254B2 ## CPC - F16L 57/005: {specially adapted for the ends of pipes} - A62C 33/00: Hose accessories - F16L 37/113: the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating into the corresponding slots provided in the female part - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - A62C: FIRE-FIGHTING (fire-extinguishing compositions, use of chemical substances in extinguishing fires A62D1/00; spraying, applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces in general B05; alarm arrangements G08B, e.g. fire alarms actuated by smoke or gases G08B17/10) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An apparatus and method for protecting Storz fire fighting fittings from damage associated with being dropped, or dragged, or from colliding with other equipment or the like during deployment and operation, and including a bumper. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A protected 5-inch to 12-inch fitting for forming a joint for coupling fire fighting hose, the fitting having a coupling end and a hose connecting end, the fitting comprising: a hose clamp on the hose connecting end; a two-way Storz coupler with a rotating coupling collar on the coupling end, the rotating coupling collar providing an exterior surface structured to remain exposed upon coupling with another said Storz coupler; an inner barrel providing an inner barrel portion between the hose clamp and the two-way Storz coupler; and a bumper including protective material, the bumper: attached to the inner barrel portion, structured so as not to fully enclose the coupling end, having an effective outside diameter at least ¼-inch greater than the effective outside diameter of the rotating coupling collar, and including an inner ring and an outer ring of elastic material, the inner ring circumferentially attached to and mating with a shoulder of the inner barrel portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protected fitting of claim 1 wherein the inner barrel portion, has an effective outside diameter less than the effective outside diameters of the rotating coupling collar and the hose clamp. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2) The protected fitting of claim 1 or 2 wherein the inner ring comprises steel and wherein the outer ring comprises rubber affixed to and substantially enclosing the inner ring from at least three sides. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The protected fitting of claim 3 wherein the bumper is comprised of a plurality of portions structured to fixedly interconnect. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The protected fitting of claim 3 wherein the outer ring is molded to the inner ring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The protected fitting of claim 3 wherein a bumper channel is formed in the inner barrel portion and the inner ring is inserted in the bumper channel. ### Claim 7 A protected 5-inch to 12-inch fitting for forming a joint for coupling fire fighting hose, the fitting having a coupling end, the fitting comprising: a two-way Storz coupler with a rotating coupling collar on the coupling end, the rotating coupling collar having exterior ribs structured to remain exposed upon coupling with another said Storz coupler; and a bumper including protective material, the bumper attached to the rotating coupling collar, having rib slot portions fitting between the rotating coupling collar exterior ribs, structured so as not to fully enclose the exterior ribs, and, having an effective outside diameter at least ¼-inch greater than the effective outside diameter of the rotating coupling collar. ### Claim 8 A protected 5-inch to 12-inch fitting for forming a joint for coupling fire fighting hose, the fitting having a coupling end and hose connecting ends, the fitting comprising: a hose clamp on the hose connecting end; a two-way Storz coupler with a rotating coupling collar on the coupling end, the rotating coupling collar providing an exterior surface structured to remain exposed upon coupling with another said Storz coupler; and a bumper including protective material, the bumper attached to the hose clamp, having inner surface protrusions that mate with exterior surface cavities of the hose clamp to resist sliding motion therebetween, structured so as not to fully enclose the coupling end, and having an effective outside diameter at least ¼-inch greater than the effective outside diameter of the rotating coupling collar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fitting of claim 8 wherein the hose clamp cavities include detents in the clamp outer surface and the interior surface protrusions of the bumper include lugs structured to mate with the detents in the outer surface of the hose clamp. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The fitting of claim 8 including a steel band fitting within a channel of the bumper to assist to affix the bumper to the hose clamp. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The fitting of claim 8 wherein the hose clamp contains a rib in its outer surface and the bumper contains a slot in its inner surface designed to mate over the rib. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The fitting of claim 8 wherein the bumper is molded onto a hose clamp containing an exterior circumferential rib. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1, 7, 8) The fitting of claim 1, 7 or 8 wherein the bumper has an effective outside diameter of at least ¼ inch greater than the effective outside diameter of the rotating coupling collar.