ADAPTABLE WATER CONNECTION FOR FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND CONNECTION DEVICE

• US 20090133887A1
• Filed: 12/30/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James L. Brown, Rodolfo Garcia
• Original Assignee: James L. Brown, Rodolfo Garcia
• Inventors: BROWN, JAMES L., GARCIA, RODOLFO
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 169/54
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/04 Column hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/10 Protective plates or covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5327 Hydrant type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/545 With casing, flush with ground or pavement surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5462 Flush with ground or pavement surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7043 Guards and shields
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7062 Valve guards

Abstract

Improvements in present day fire hydrants are presented. The improvement relates to a fire hydrant where the above ground structure is essentially removed and is replaced with an adaptable connection. The connection uses the same mounting hole pattern as used in the above ground hydrant. In operation, the adaptable connection is protected by a hinged cover that is opened to provide access to the adaptable connection. The adaptable connection includes a bayonet type connection where a portable fire hydrant is secured and rotated to start the flow of water. The adapter includes an electronic communication device that transmits real-time information on connection and flow characteristics. The adaptable fire connection eliminates the appearance of the fire hydrant, the potential of a vehicle hitting a fire hydrant and the material cost associated with above ground fire hydrants.

Claims

1. :

A fire hydrant electronic identifier comprising;

a connection means for a fire hydrant water supply further including an operable flow control valve in combination with;

an electronic identifier coupled with said connection means;

said electronic identifier having a unique ID that distinguished said connection means from at least a second connection means;

said electronic identifier further includes characteristics of said fire hydrant flow including geographic location, supply connection, pressure and flow rate, and

said characteristics are communicated in real-time over a network that provides actual real-time usage of said characteristics.

2. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 1 wherein said connection means comprises a flanged base configured for mounting on an existing fire hydrant flange;

said flanged base further having an inner ring wherein;

said inner ring has a plurality of engageable slots for engagement with removable fire hydrant and a valve closure on one side of the inner ring;

said removable fire hydrant has a plurality of mating flanges for engagement into said engageable slots whereby insertion of said mating flanges in combination with rotation of said removable fire hydrant in said inner ring secures said removable fire hydrant onto said inner ring.

3. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 2 further rotation of said removable fire hydrant in said inner ring opens said valve closure with a first worm pinion gear that turns a second worm gear located at said end of a butterfly valve with a rack that engages with said pinion configured on one end of said first worm pinion gear.

4. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 1 wherein said electronic identifier is integrated into a cover for said connection means.

5. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 1 wherein said network is through satellites, cell phone network, local area network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), FM signal, or directly to a vehicle such as a fire truck.

6. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 1 wherein said characteristic includes at least one of geographic location, unique ID, maximum flow rate, water connection size, pressure, current flow rate and status or condition of any connection to a removable hydrant.

7. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 4 wherein said cover includes a lock that further requires a key to unlock the cover.

8. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 1 wherein said connection means includes at least one port is for at least one of a 2.5″

, 3.5″

or 4″

hose.

9. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 1 wherein said connection means includes a flow meter and or a pressure sensor.

10. :

The fire hydrant electronic identifier according to claim 1 wherein said connection means has an integrated valve that controls water flow through said connection means.

11. :

A portable fire hydrant comprising;

a flanged base configured for mounting on an existing fire hydrant flange;

the flanged base further having a connection interface for securing a removable fire hydrant;

said flanged base further includes an electronic communication apparatus that includes information regarding an identifier for said flanged base.

12. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 11 wherein said flanged based is configured for mounting on an existing fire hydrant flange;

said flanged base further having an inner ring wherein;

said inner ring has a plurality of engageable slots for engagement with removable fire hydrant and a valve closure on one side of the inner ring;

said removable fire hydrant has a plurality of mating flanges for engagement into said engageable slots whereby insertion of said mating flanges in combination with rotation of said removable fire hydrant in said inner ring secures said removable fire hydrant onto said inner ring.

13. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 12 further rotation of said removable fire hydrant in said inner ring opens said valve closure with a first worm pinion gear that turns a second worm gear located at said end of a butterfly valve with a rack that engages with said pinion configured on one end of said first worm pinion gear.

14. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 11 wherein said electronic communication apparatus is integrated into a cover for said connection means.

15. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 11 wherein said electronic communication apparatus communicates over a network through satellites, cell phone network, local area network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), FM signal, or directly to a vehicle such as a fire truck.

16. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 11 wherein said information includes at least one of geographic location, unique ID, maximum flow rate, water connection size, pressure, current flow rate and status or condition of any connection to a removable hydrant.

17. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 14 wherein said cover includes a lock that further requires a key to unlock the cover.

18. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 11 wherein said removable fire hydrant includes at least one port is for at least one of a 2.5″

, 3.5″

or 4″

hose.

19. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 11 wherein said communication apparatus includes further includes a flow meter and or a pressure sensor.

20. :

The portable fire hydrant according to claim 11 wherein said flanged base further includes an integrated valve that controls water flow through said flanged base.