Patent ID: 7640884

Claim:
A directional indicator ( 10 ) for a firehose coupling system, the coupling system including a male coupler ( 30 ) with male threads ( 32 ) secured to a first section ( 50 ) of firehose, said male coupler having a generally cylindrical body with an annular shoulder ( 33 ) from which said male threads ( 32 ) extend outwardly and a plurality of raised longitudinal lugs ( 34 ) which define interposed coupler surfaces ( 104 ) between said lugs on said cylindrical body, said system including a female coupler ( 36 ) with female threads ( 31 ) secured to a second section ( 60 ) of firehose, said female coupler having a generally cylindrical body with an annular shoulder ( 38 ) from which said female threads extend inwardly, said female threads arranged and designed for securement to said male threads of said male coupler, the directional indicator ( 10 ) comprising, a generally planar annular body ( 20 ) defining a plane and having a first face ( 76 ) which is arranged and designed to abut said annular shoulder ( 33 ) of said male coupler ( 30 ) and a second obverse face ( 78 ) which is arranged and designed to abut said annular shoulder ( 38 ) of said female coupler, and a plurality of curved fingers ( 22 ) which are integral with said annular body with each of said fingers ( 22 ) extending from said first face generally perpendicular to said plane of said annular body, each of said fingers ( 22 ) being arranged and designed for interjacent placement between two lugs ( 34 ) of said male coupler ( 30 ) circumjacent one of said interposed coupler surfaces ( 104 ) and extending longitudinally along said generally cylindrical body of said male coupler in a direction opposite the male threads such that a portion is circumjacent said first section of firehose, each of said fingers ( 22 ) having a tip ( 80 ) at a distal end thereof and a lip ( 81 ) positioned on an inwardly facing surface ( 85 ) of each of said fingers ( 22 ) near said tip ( 80 ).