Patent Publication Number: US-7905455-B1

Title: Fire hose safety anchor and securement system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to hose retaining devices and more specifically it relates to a fire hose safety anchor and securement system for efficiently and safely retaining multiple fire hoses during pressure testing. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     Hose retaining devices have been in use for years. Typically, hose holding devices consist of an apparatus having apertures or a mechanism for receiving a single hose, a garden hose for example. The device can loosely accept a hose and secure it for the water pressure required for its particular purpose. Unfortunately, hose holders currently used today do not retain multiple hoses with large diameters (e.g. fire hoses) nor do they safely secure them at the water pressures required for fire hoses. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for efficiently and safely retaining multiple fire hoses during pressure testing. Current hose holding devices do not safely secure multiple large diameter hoses that utilize high water pressure. 
     In these respects, the fire hose safety anchor and securement system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of efficiently and safely retaining multiple fire hoses during pressure testing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of hose retaining devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new fire hose safety anchor and securement system construction wherein the same can be utilized for efficiently and safely retaining multiple fire hoses during pressure testing. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new fire hose safety anchor and securement system that has many of the advantages of the hose retaining devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new fire hose safety anchor and securement system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art hose retaining devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a base member comprised of a base plate and a pair of attached mounting plates interconnected by a pair of retaining brackets and retaining pins. The base member is preferably secured to a floor surface by extending fasteners through a plurality of first anchor apertures. Hoses laid upon the base member are held in place by the retaining brackets. The retaining brackets are connected to the base member mounting plates by extending retaining pins through a mounting aperture in the mounting plates and a first aperture and a second aperture in the retaining brackets. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a fire hose safety anchor and securement system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     A second object is to provide a fire hose safety anchor and securement system for efficiently and safely retaining multiple fire hoses during pressure testing. 
     Another object is to provide a fire hose safety anchor and securement system that adjusts for varying hose diameters. 
     An additional object is to provide a fire hose safety anchor and securement system that is easily assembled for use. 
     A further object is to provide a fire hose safety anchor and securement system that meets the National Fire Protection Association code for fire hose testing equipment. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become 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: 
         FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of the present invention with retaining brackets rotated. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an upper perspective view of the present invention showing an alternative configuration for smaller hose diameters. 
         FIG. 5  is an upper perspective view of the present invention with retaining brackets rotated and hoses in place. 
         FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of the present invention with hoses retained and showing hose expansion from water pressure. 
         FIG. 7  is an upper perspective view of the present invention showing a burst hose. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Overview 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 7  illustrate a fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 , which is comprised of a base member  20  including a base plate  21  and a pair of attached mounting plates  26 ,  28  interconnected by a pair of retaining brackets  30 ,  32  and retaining pins  40 . The base member  20  is preferably secured to a floor surface by extending fasteners through a plurality of first anchor apertures  23 . Hoses  12  laid upon the base member  20  are held in place by the retaining brackets  30 ,  32 . The retaining brackets  30 ,  32  are connected to the base member  20  mounting plates  26 ,  28  by extending retaining pins  40  through a mounting aperture  29  in the mounting plates  26 ,  28  and a first aperture  36  and a second aperture  38  in the retaining brackets  30 ,  32 . 
     B. Base Member 
     The base member  20  is comprised of a base plate  21 , a first mounting plate  26 , a second mounting plate  28  and a center plate  27 . The base member  20  components  21 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  are preferably made of a rigid materials that will not significantly distort when welded to or while retaining hoses  12  in the normal usage of the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 . The base member  20  components  21 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  are preferably made of a material which will withstand long periods of exposure to moisture such that it will not rust. The base member  20  components  21 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  may additionally be coated with a finishing material which must adhere to the base member  20  components  21 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  and withstand long exposure to moisture. 
     The base plate  21  is a substantially flat plate extending from a first end  22  to a second end  24  preferably constructed of a metal material (e.g. steel). As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , towards the ends  22 ,  24  and outer perimeter of the base plate  21  is a plurality of first anchor apertures  23 . The first anchor apertures  23  are used for extending fasteners through to retain the base member  20  to the floor or ground during usage of the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 . The fasteners can permanently fix or allow for assembly and disassembly of the base member  20  and fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 . 
     The first mounting plate  26  and second mounting plate  28  are substantially flat plates preferably constructed of a metal material (e.g. steel). The mounting plates  26 ,  28  are attached to the base plate  21  preferably by welding, but it can be appreciated that other methods of attachment are possible. As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the first mounting plate  26  is positioned perpendicular to the base plate  21 , centered on a centerline extending from the first end  22  to the second end  24  of the base plate  21  and located at the first end  22  of the base plate  21 . The second mounting plate  28  is positioned perpendicular to the base plate  21 , centered on a centerline extending from the first end  22  to the second end  24  of the base plate  21  and located at the second end  24  of the base plate  21 . 
     Located in both the first mounting plate  26  and second mounting plate  28  is a pattern of mounting apertures  29 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the pattern of mounting apertures  29  in each mounting plate  26 ,  28  are substantially identical and aligned to allow for the attachment of the first retaining bracket  30  and second retaining bracket  32 . The mounting apertures  29  are sized to accept a retaining pin  40 . The pattern of mounting apertures  29  in the mounting plates  26 ,  28  is designed to allow for the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  to be positioned parallel and at varying heights in relation to the base plate  21  to compensate for varying hose  12  diameters. 
     Also located in both the first mounting plate  26  and second mounting plate  28  is a second anchor aperture  25 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the second anchor aperture  25  is sized larger than the first anchor aperture  23  located in the base plate  21  to allow for a rope or the like to extend through. This allows the base member  20  and fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10  to be fastened to other items such as a truck bed or pole. 
     The center plate  27  is a substantially flat plate preferably constructed of a metal material (e.g. steel). The center plate  27  is attached to the base plate  21  preferably by welding, but it can be appreciated that other methods of attachment are possible. As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the center plate  27  is positioned perpendicular to the base plate  21 , aligned with the mounting plates  26 ,  28  and located a equal distance from each mounting plate  26 ,  28 . 
     C. Retaining Pin 
     The retaining pins  40  are preferably made of a rigid material that will not significantly distort while retaining the first retaining bracket  30  and second retaining bracket  32  in the normal usage of the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 . The retaining pins  40  are preferably made of a material which will withstand long periods of exposure to moisture such that it will not rust. The retaining pins  40  are sized to securely fit within and extend through the apertures  36 ,  38  located in the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  and mounting apertures  29  in the mounting plates  26 ,  28 . 
     D. Retaining Brackets 
     The first retaining bracket  30  and second retaining bracket  32  are preferably made of a rigid material that will not significantly distort when welded to or while retaining hoses  12  in the normal usage of the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 . The retaining brackets  30 ,  32  are preferably made of a material which will withstand long periods of exposure to moisture such that it will not rust. The retaining brackets  30 ,  32  may additionally be coated with a finishing material which must adhere to the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  and withstand long exposure to moisture. The retaining brackets  30 ,  32  are preferably constructed of structural angle material having a base  31  and a wall  33 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  extend substantially straight and are similar in length to the base plate  21 . Located in the wall  33  at one end of the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  is a first aperture  36  and located towards the other end of the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  is a second aperture  38 . The apertures  36 ,  38  are positioned and sized to allow a retaining pin  40  or the like to extend through and mount the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  to the mounting brackets  26 ,  28  on the base member  20 . 
     Located on one of the retaining brackets  30 ,  32 , preferably the second retaining bracket  32 , are a pair of spacer plates  34 . The spacer plates  34  are substantially flat plates preferably constructed of a metal material (e.g. steel) substantially the same thickness of the mounting plates  26 ,  28 . The spacer plates  34  are preferably welded to the retaining brackets  30 ,  32 , but other methods of attachment (e.g. fasteners) can be appreciated. As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the spacer plates  34  are positioned substantially adjacent to the wall  33  on either retaining bracket  30 ,  32 , spaced an equal distance from the center of the desired retaining bracket  30 ,  32 . 
     E. Operation of the Invention 
     In use, the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10  is preferably utilized to secure fire hoses  12  during water pressure testing of the hoses  12 . However, it can be appreciated that the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10  could be used to water pressure test hoses  12  used for other applications. 
     Initially to use the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 , a location is found to place and secure the base member  20  such that the water sprayed from the hoses  12  will not damage any objects or harm any users. The base member  20  is preferably secured to a floor surface by extending fasteners through the first anchor apertures  23  located in the base plate  21 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the hoses  12  are laid upon the base plate  21  between the openings of the center plate  27  and mounting plates  26 ,  28 . The hoses  12  are positioned with the coupling  14  ends forward of the base plate  21  edge. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first retaining bracket  30  and second retaining bracket  32  are then placed upon the hoses  12  to determine which mounting apertures  29  in the mounting plates  26 ,  28  should be used to match the hose  12  diameter. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , once the appropriate mounting aperture  29  is determined, a first retaining pin  40  is extended through the first aperture  36  in the first retaining bracket  30  located on one side of the first mounting plate  26 , through the pre-determined mounting aperture  29  in the first mounting plate  26  and through the first aperture  36  in the second retaining bracket  32  located on the other side of the first mounting plate  26 . As best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the retaining brackets  30 ,  32  are pivoted about the retaining pin  40  such that the base  31  of each retaining bracket  30 ,  32  lies tangent to the hoses  12  being retained and parallel to the base plate  31 . A second retaining pin  40  is then extended through the second aperture  38  in the first retaining bracket  30  located on one side of the second mounting plate  28 , through the pre-determined mounting aperture  29  in the second mounting plate  28  and through the second aperture  38  in the second retaining bracket  32  located on the other side of the second mounting plate  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the spacer plates  34  preferably attached to the second retaining bracket  32  to provide additional support between the retaining brackets  30 ,  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , during the water pressure testing of the hoses  12 , the coupling  14  ends extend away from the base member  20  and the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 . The fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10  secures the hoses  12  during the pressure test, such that the hose  12  ends are not able to move around uncontrollably and possibly injure someone. Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , if a hose were to burst during the water pressure test, the coupling  14  on that hose  12  would only recoil back to the point at which the coupling  14  comes in contact with the first retaining bracket  30  and the base plate  31 . As a result of the fire hose safety anchor and securement system  10 , a recoiling hose  12  is stopped from potentially injuring someone or damaging any objects. 
     What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.