# US 9,750,964 B2 · Fire hose coupling with directional indicator

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- Number: US 9,750,964 B2
- Document ID: US9750964B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/299,911
- Filed: 2016-10-21
- Published: 2017-02-09
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2009-03-31
- Assignees: Mercedes Textiles Ltd.
- Applicants: Mercedes Textiles Ltd.
- Inventors: Robert Richardson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750964B2

## CPC

- A62C 33/00: Hose accessories
- F16L 19/00: Joints in which sealing surfaces are pressed together by means of a member, e.g. a swivel nut, screwed on, or into, one of the joint parts (F16L17/00 takes precedence; if using bolts or equivalent connecting means F16L23/00; connecting arrangements or other fittings specially adapted to be made of plastics or to be used with pipes made of plastics F16L47/00 {; specially adapted for pipes of brittle material F16L49/06})
- F16L 37/252: the male part having lugs on its periphery penetrating into the corresponding slots provided in the female part
- F16L 2201/60: Identification or marking
- Y10T 137/0402: Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
- 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)
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A fire hose coupling comprises a body having a first end connected to a fire hose and a second end having either male or female threads or, alternatively, a quarter-turn sexless coupler. The fire hose coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the body. The recessed portion is shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator such as an arrow. The recessed portion may include a light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility such as a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. The recessed directional indicator may be formed in female, male or sexless (Storz) couplings.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A coupling comprising:
an annular coupling body having a first annular portion and a second annular portion, wherein the second annular portion is configured to swivel relative to the first annular portion, and wherein the second annular portion defines a coupler for connecting to another coupling;
a plurality of recessed portions formed in an outer surface of the first annular portion, the recessed portions being shaped to define visuotactile directional indicators for indicating a direction of exit; and
a plurality of lugs that extend radially outwardly from the second annular portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second annular portion comprises internal threads to thereby define a female coupling.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The coupling as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of lugs comprises three equally spaced lugs.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The coupling as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of lugs comprises three equally spaced lugs.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The coupling as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a hose connected to the first annular portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The coupling as claimed in claim 1 comprising three recessed portions each defining a respective visuotactile directional indicator.