Abstract:
A sexless coupling for coupling a fire hose to the externally threaded neck of a fire hydrant. The coupling comprises an internally threaded collar portion for threading onto the neck of the fire hydrant, the internally threaded collar portion having a flapper valve and an externally threaded portion. The coupling further comprises an external ring having an internal thread for threading the external ring onto the externally threaded portion of the collar. The external ring carries hooked lugs for forming a male connection and arcuate grooves for forming a female connection with a complementary coupling of a fire hose. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a flat neoprene rubber seal is disposed between facing surfaces on the internally threaded collar and external ring. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an annular ring of sealing material is disposed in a groove in the external ring and seals against the collar portion adjacent to the threads when the collar and external ring are assembled.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to sexless couplings for fire hydrant-fire hose connections. More particularly, the present invention relates to couplings generally known in the art as “Storz connectors” which are used because they enable, rapid and accurate connections between fire hoses and fire hydrants.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Generally, fire hoses from a fire truck are connected to a hydrant by a unfastenting a cap from the mouth of the fire hydrant and fastening the hose thereto, or if a cap or cover is not positioned on the fire hydrant, merely fastening the end of the hose to the hydrant. Thereafter, the hose is tightly secured to the fire hydrant so as to withstand the high water pressure flowing through the connection between the fire hydrant and fire hose.  
         [0003]     It is important that the connection between the fire hose and fire hydrant be made quickly and efficiently in that the amount of water which can be directed on a fire during the first two to five minutes after fire-fighting equipment reaches the scene of a fire is major factor with respect to how quickly the fire can be brought under control. Quick response helps limit fire damage even before the fire is extinguished. With most prior art methods of connecting fire hoses to a fire hydrant, the first tow to five minutes after such equipment arrives at the scene of the fire are spent attempting to connect the hose with the hydrant which results in delays that frequently result in several thousand dollars of additional fire damage.  
         [0004]     In a attempt to minimize the delay, many fire companies use a quick-coupling apparatus such as that set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,907, wherein a female member attached to the hose is thrust over a male member on the neck of the fire hydrant and quickly clamped in place. While this apparatus is effective and saves considerable time, it is heavy and relatively expensive.  
         [0005]     Many fire companies are now utilize in their fire engines another type of coupling known as the “Storz Connector,” which is a rotating coupling utilizing lugs that interlock with grooves. Storz Connector are known as a sexless couplings because each connector include both male and female coupling elements.  
         [0006]     Very high water pressures now may be applied to fire hydrants and it is necessary that couplings operate at pressures as high as 400 psi. Water escaping from couplings under high pressure can injure fire fighting personnel because the water can form as discrete high speed steams. Due to their relatively complex structure, Storz Connectors provide pathways for leaks. In order to meet current standards, there is a need to configure Storz Connectors so as to minimize the likelihood of leaks at high water pressures.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In view of the aforementioned considerations, the present invention relates to a sexless coupling member providing a connection to couple a fire hose to a fire hydrant or other pressurized source of water. The sexless coupling comprises an internally threaded collar portion disposed about an axis and having a first end section and a second end section, the first end section being adapted to receive an externally threaded neck of a fire hydrant outlet. A valve support portion is disposed at the second end section of the internally threaded collar, the valve support poriton having a radially extending, annular surface facing the first end of the internally threaded collar and having an opening therethrough. A gasket is seated against the radially extending annular surface and is adapted to seal with the externally threaded neck of the fire hydrant outlet. A flapper valve is supported on a pintle extending across the opening through the radially extended annular surface. Unitary with the internally threaded collar and aligned with the opening through the radially extending annular surface is an internal ring portion with an external thread. The internal ring portion has a pair of opposed bores therein for receiving the pintle which supports the flapper valve. The bores are sealed adjacent to the external thread to prevent water from passing around the pintles and through the holes to locations beyond the external threads. An external ring, separate from the collar poriotn, has a first portion with an internal thread for threading with the external thread of the internal ring to hold the external ring in integral relations with the externally threaded collar. The external ring has at least one through bore extending therethrough for receiving a locking pin, which through bore is aligned with at least one blind second bore in the internal ring to prevent rotation of the external ring with respect to the internal ring after threading the external ring onto the internal ring. The at least one blind bore in the internal ring portion has a bottom which prevents pressurized water within the coupling from escaping therefrom through to the external ring. Locking lugs extend axially from the external ring and arcuate grooves are disposed between the internal ring portion and external rings with the locking lugs and arcuate grooves being adapted to cooperate with a complementary sexless coupling on a hose.  
         [0008]     In a further aspect of the invention, the sexless coupling further comprises stiffener extending across the opening upstream of an aligned width the pintle.  
         [0009]     In still a further aspect of the invention, the sexless coupling includes an additional second blind bore in the internal ring portion and an additional through bore in the external ring aligned with the additional second blind bore in the internal ring for receiving an additional locking pin.  
         [0010]     In a further aspect of the invention, the bores in the internal ring receiving the pintle are not aligned with the through bores and blind bores receiving the pins for locking the external ring against rotation with respect to the internal ring. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, partially in section of a fire hydrant and fire hose, wherein a sexless coupling in accordance with the present invention is mounted on the outlet of the fire hydrant;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, partially in section, of a first embodiment of the sexless coupling used with the fire hydrant of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front view, partially in section, of the coupling of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view taken along lines IV-IV of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4A  is an enlargement of a portion of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of internally threaded collar and an external ring comprising the sexless coupling;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an exploded elevational view of an internally threaded collar and internal ring of the coupling of  FIGS. 2-5  but taken at an angle displaced from the view of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is an elevation of a second embodiment of the sexless coupling used with the outlet of the fire hydrant of  FIG. 1 , and  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is an exploded elevational view of an internally threaded collar and internal ring of the coupling of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a fire hydrant, designated generally by the numeral  10 , which has a laterally extending neck portion  11  having a mouth therein (not shown) which communicates with the interior of the fire hydrant and provides an outlet for water from the hydrant. Typically, in operation, the fire hydrant  10  has a valve therein which is opened by turning an operating nut  12 . Pressurized water then flows into the hydrant  10 , through the neck  11  and out of the mouth.  
         [0022]     Typically, a hose, designated generally by the numeral  13 , is dismounted from a fire truck, or perhaps a fire station, and is coupled to the neck  11  of the fire hydrant  10 . In accordance with the principles of the instant invention, this coupling is effected by a “Storz connector,” designated generally by the numeral  14 . The Storz connector  14  is “sexless” and has first and second coupling members, designated generally by the numerals  16  and  17 , respectively. The coupling member  16  is attached to the neck  11  of the hydrant  10  while the second coupling member  17  is connected to the hose  13 . Generally, the coupling member  16  is retrofitted on the neck  11  and is a permanent installation. The second coupling on the hose  13  is permanently mounted thereon and usually provided with the hose  13  when the hose is purchased.  
         [0023]     As is seen in  FIG. 1 , the first coupling member  16  has a pair of locking lugs  20  and  21  projecting therefrom. As will be further explained hereinafter, the locking lugs  20  and  21  cooperate with grooves in the second coupling member  17 . Moreover, in order to protect the interior of the hydrant  10  from vandalism, the coupling member  16  is provided with a butterfly valve, designated generally by the numeral  23 . As will be further explained hereinafter, the butterfly valve has two flaps  25  and  26  which are biased shut toward the interior of the fire hydrant  10 . When the hydrant  10  is pressurized by opening the valve therein upon rotating the operating nut  12 , water pressure within the hydrant forces the flaps  25  and  26  to open against their bias and allow water within the hydrant  10  to flow from the neck  11  into an attached hose  13 . In addition to protecting the interior of the hydrant, it is desirable to protect the lug  20  and  21  and groove  47  and  48  area of the coupling member  16  from severe climatic conditions such as snow or ice build-up or sand, dust and grit.  
         [0024]     Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 , wherein a first embodiment  16  of the first coupling member is shown, it is seen that the first coupling member  16  has an internally threaded collar  50  which is screwed onto the neck  11  of the fire hydrant  10 . The first coupling member  16  has a diameter of about 5 inches. Many fire hydrants  10  have a standard 5 inch threaded portion on the neck  11  thereof, adjacent the outlet opening. Consequently, the first coupling member  16  can be conveniently retrofitted on these fire hydrants. In order to mount the first coupling member  16  semipermanently on the neck portion  11 , the internally threaded collars  50  have externally projecting radial lugs  51 , which may be readily gripped with a large wrench or hit with a hammer in order to tighten the first coupling member onto the neck.  
         [0025]     Just in front of the internally threaded collar  50  there is one-half of a Storz-type coupling, wherein a pair of opposed lugs  20  and  21  project from a substantially planner end portion  53  of the first coupling member  16 . Adjacent and disposed clockwise to the lugs  20  and  21  are the substantially identical grooves  47  and  48 . The substantially identical grooves  47  and  48  are formed in the first coupling member  16  between an outer wall  56  and inner wall  57 . Overlying the slots  47  and  48  are lips  60  and  61  which are spaced from the lugs  20  and  21  by a distance equal to the circumferential length of the lugs to form inlet openings  62  and  63 , respectively. The lips  60  and  61  have internal ramp surfaces  65  and  66  which are inclined in the clockwise direction so that the thickness of the flanges  60  and  61  increases from the recesses  62  and  63  in the clockwise direction with respect to  FIG. 2 . At the clockwise end of the lips  60  and  61  there are abutments  67  and  68 , respectively.  
         [0026]     As is best seen in  FIG. 4 , the lugs  21  and  22  have strut portions  73  and  74 , which extend all the way to the bottom of the grooves  47  and  48  and axially beyond the surface  53 , which surface includes the outer surfaces of the lips  60  and  61 . Projecting radially outwardly from the struts  73  and  74  are lug lips  75  and  76 , respectively, which define slots  78  and  79 , respectively.  
         [0027]     As was stated before, the Storz couplings  16  and  17  are sexless, or in other words identical, with second coupling member  17  having lugs  20  and  21  identical to those of the first coupling member  16  and grooves  47  and  48 , also identically configured. Upon bringing the first and second coupling members  16  and  17  of the Storz coupling  14 , together, the lugs  20  and  21  of one coupling are received in the recesses  62  and  63  of the other coupling. The second coupling member  17 , which is rotatably mounted on the hose  13  in a convention manner, is then rotated in the clockwise direction with respect to the first coupling member  16 , as shown in these drawings. The outer surfaces of the lips  76  engage the ramps  60  and  61  so as to be cammed toward the bottom of the slots  47  and  48  as the second coupling number  17  rotates. As the second coupling member  17  rotates, the first and second coupling members are drawn together in the axial direction, abutting the surfaces  60  and  61  on each of the coupling members. Typically, each of the coupling members  16  and  17  would have an annular rubber gasket therein. However, coupling member  16 , being semipermanently attached to the fire hydrant and subject to a variety of environmental conditions and repeated wear, would necessitate high maintenance in the form of continued gasket replacement. Consequently, the invention would incorporate a solid machine surface  80  to mate with a rubber gasket positioned in an identical location within coupling member  17 . The machined surface  80  of coupling member  16  is positioned so as to initially extend slightly above the outer planar surface  53 , defined by the outer surfaces of lips  60  and  61 . Consequently, as the first and second coupling members  16  and  17  are drawn together, the gasket and machined surface  80  are pressed into abutment and form a water-tight seal between the coupling members.  
         [0028]     The butterfly valve  23  consists of flaps  24  and  25 , pivoted on a pintel  83  or normally biased by coil springs  84  to the closed position against an internal rim  86 . The butterfly valve  23  prevents access to the interior of the fire hydrant  10 , but opens to allow water under pressure within the hydrant  10  to flow therethrough. In other words, the flaps  24  and  25  of the butterfly valve  23  open outwardly with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 3  in the direction of arrows  90  when the hydrant  10  is pressurized with water.  
         [0029]     This is evident from  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6  the coupling member  16  has a first collar portion  100  and a second collar portion  102  disposed about an axis  104 . The second collar portion  102  has an internal helical thread  106  thereon for threading the second column  102  onto external threads  108  of the first collar portion  100  in order to make an assembly comprising the coupling member  16  shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0030]     If the hydrant  10  of  FIG. 1  is very highly pressurized, such as when located in mountainous areas where water sources may be at very high locations, a 400 psi pressure standard has been established. New Storz connectors  10  are required to meet that standard. At such pressures, small leaks can result in water streams of very high pressures that present safety hazards. It is therefore necessary to isolate the environment around the Storz connector  10 , from the high pressure environment within the Storz connector. A source of possible leaks occurs between the threads  108  and  106  of the first and second collar portions  100  and  102 , respectively. In order to minimize the possibility of such leaks, a layer of compressible sealant  112  preferably made of neoprene rubber is disposed in a first shoulder  114  on the first collar portion  100  and a second shoulder  118  on the second collar portions  102 . The sealant  112  is compressed between the first and second shoulders  114  and  118  and retained by annular lip  120  which extends over and engages an exterior surface  122  on the first a portion  100  with axially extending shoulder  124 . As the second collar portion  102  is threaded onto the first collar portion  100 , the seal  112  is compressed because it can not expand radially due to a dam created by the surface  124  of the lip  120 . Water under pressure between the threads  106  and  108  and the inside of the Storz connector simply further compresses the seal  112  by urging the seal radially within the collar and axially against the shoulders  116  and  118 .  
         [0031]     As is seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second collar portion  102  is locked against rotation with respect to the first collar portion  100  by at least one, and preferably two, split pins  128  and  130 . The split pins  128  and  130  are received in through bores  132  and  134  that are aligned with blind bores  136  and  138  in the first collar portion  100 . Blind bores  136  and  138  have bottoms  140  and  142  in the interior of the collar portion  100 , so that there is no communication between the interior of the coupling member  16  and the threads  106  and  108 . Preferably, there are aluminum epoxy sealing plugs  141  and  143  seated against the bottom  140  and  142 , respectively of the bores  136  and  138  respectively. The split pins  128  and  130  have a high tolerance compression fit with the bores  132  and  134  and in accordance with an additional embodiment are sealed at their outer ends  144  and  146  with 2 part aluminum epoxy filler  148  and  150  ( FIG. 4 ).  
         [0032]     As is evident from  FIGS. 2-5 , through bores  132  and  134  are aligned with the locking lugs  20  and  21  so that there is substantial metal mass at the location of the split pins  128  and  130 . Moreover, as is seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the bores  132  and  134  through the second collar portion  102  and bores  136  and  138  through the first collar portion  100  are also positioned to extend through the threaded portions  106  and  108  and the collar portions.  
         [0033]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , it is seen that the pintles  83  that support the flaps  25  and  26  of the flapper valve  23  is received in bores  150  and  152  through the first collar portion  100 . The bores  150  and  152  are aligned with the internal thread  108  on the first collar portion  100  and the internal thread  106  on the second collar portion  102 . Bores  150  and  152 . The pintle  83  has a high tolerance fit in the bores  150  and  152  in order to minimize the possibility of leakage from the interior of the interior coupling member  16  to the exterior thereof.  
         [0034]     In order to seal the ends  160  and  162  of the pintle  83 , two-part aluminum epoxy filler is deposited in the bores  150  and  152  out to the thread  108  of the second collar portion  102  to form plug seals  164  and  166 . Any water that migrates or is forced between the bores  150  and  152  and the pintle  83  is stopped by the plugs  164  and  166  which fills possible small voids in the walls of the bores.  
         [0035]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8  where a second embodiment  200  of the first coupling member is shown, it is seen that the first coupling member  200 , like the first coupling member  16  of  FIGS. 4-6 , has an internally threaded collar  50 ′ which is screwed onto the neck  11  of the fire hydrant  10  of  FIG. 1 . The coupling member  200  has structures similar to the first embodiment  16 , except that the second embodiment  200  has a diameter of 4 inches to thread onto a 4 inch threaded portion of the fire hydrant neck  11  instead of a diameter of 5 inches to thread onto a 5 inch threaded portion of the fire hydrant neck.  
         [0036]     The first coupling member  200  of  FIGS. 7, 7A  and  8  also uses split pins, similar to split pins  128  and  130  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) to fix the first collar portion  100 ′ to the second collar portion  102 ′. In addition, in the first coupling member  200 , blind bores, similar to the blind bores  136  and  138  of  FIG. 5  located in the first collar portion  100 ′, have aluminum epoxy sealing plugs like the aluminum epoxy sealing plugs  141  and  143  of  FIG. 5  to seal the ends of the split pins  128  and  130 .  
         [0037]     In the second embodiment  200  the first collar portion  100 ′ has an annular flat surface  210  which is abutted by an annular flat surface  212  on the second collar portion  102 ′ when the collar portions  100 ′ and  102 ′ are threaded together by the threads  108 ′ and  106 ′. As best seen in  FIG. 4A , there is a small annular space  216  provided in the second collar portion  102 ′ which is enclosed when the second collar portion  102 ′ is advanced down over the first collar portion  100 ′. The space  216  is located between an annular corner  224 , where the flat surface  210  of the first collar portion  100 ′ and the thread  108 ′ meet, and the annular edge  226 , where the flat surface  212  of the second collar portion and the thread  106 ′ meet. The annular space  216  is filled with a sealing material  222 , which is preferably neoprene rubber that is compressed in the space  216  as the first and second collar portions are threaded together. In the second embodiment  200 , the flat surfaces  210  and  212  directly abut so that the sealing material  222  does not extend between the flat surfaces  210  and  212 . The sealing material  222  prevents water under high pressure, up to 400 lbs/in 2 , from escaping at high velocity between the abutting flat surfaces  210  and  212  and possibly injuring firemen or bystanders.  
         [0038]     From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing form the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.