Patent ID: 7325576

Claim:
A suction hose for a firefighting pumping truck comprising: a conduit member providing a water resistant tubular body extending between a first and second open end, the conduit flexibly opening to provide a channel for passage of water between the first and second end and collapsing for storage; a releasable coupling sized to attached to a standard firefighting pumping truck pump inlet to provide an water-tight connection of the channel to the pumping truck pump to allow the water to be drawn through the channel by suction exerted by the pump and at least one inflatable stiffening rib attached to the body to hold the conduit open against the suction of a firefighting pumping truck when water is being drawn through he channel by suction at one end by the pump and when the rib is inflated with a fluid and allowing the conduit to collapse when the rib is not inflated for storage in the firefighting pumping truck.