Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to firefighting equipment and more particularly pertains to a new illuminated fire hose attachment for providing a portable, optional light source for a fire hose that illuminates a target or a pathway as well as provide sensors for indicating/monitoring current conditions and warning systems to alert fire fighters of hazardous conditions and assist in the location of lost or incapacitated fire fighters. 
         [0002]    Today&#39;s fire fighters are asked to fill many roles and operate on diverse emergency scenes. These scenes include structural fire fighting, wild land fire fighting, vehicular accidents, technical rescues, hazardous material exposures, and emergency medical incidents. All of these incident scenes present unique and different challenges. One of the commonalities is the utilization by fire fighters of hand lines with various extinguishing agents on almost every scene. Fire fighters use these hand lines not only to extinguish fire, but to protect themselves and the citizens they are called to serve, at any scene day or night. Fire fighters are required to carry an inordinate number of hand tools to include personal flashlights, scene lighting, extrication tools, fire fighting tools, medical equipment, and radios. The complexity of the work environment and minimum staffing on most emergency scenes makes it virtually impossible for crews to be adequately prepared and carry all the tools they need for any one situation. The necessity to return to on scene fire vehicles to retrieve additional equipment is time consuming and dangerous. Fire fighters need a new option to lessen their work loads, enhance visibility, improve communication, identify unseen hazards, provide early warning, and make the operating environment a more efficient and safer place to work. 
         [0003]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a device and method that overcomes the above problems. The device and method would provide a hands-free tool to assist fire crews involved in search, rescue, and fire suppression efforts. The device and method would provide a lighting source to be used in fire fighting operations that provides adequate lighting for safe operations inside or outside a structure. An example of inside operations would be a commercial structure fire, apartment fire, or house fire. An example of outside operations would be a wild land fire or illuminating the scene of a vehicle accident. The device and method would provide a high-intensity light source that may be affixed to any nozzle on a hand line of a fire hose. 
         [0004]    The device and method would provide for atmospheric monitoring to detect hazardous materials in the work environment. The device and method would provide for personal health monitoring of individual fire fighters to promote early treatment for sickness or injury. The device and method would act as an early warning device for structure collapse, self-contained breathing apparatus air management, or lost/incapacitated fire fighter. The device and method would provide these benefits and enhanced communication through a hands-free, voice free lighting system easily visible to the fire fighters on the face of the device. Command units on the perimeter of the emergency scene would be constantly apprised of fire fighting operating conditions and could communicate instantly the necessity to change strategy, withdraw crews from dangerous situations, or affect a rescue. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An illumination device for attachment to a hose has a housing coupled to the hose. The housing allows a substance from the hose to flow through the housing. An electronic circuit is stored in an interior of the housing to illuminate an area in front of the hose. 
         [0006]    An illumination device for attachment to a hose has a housing attached to the hose, wherein the housing allows a substance from the hose to flow through the housing. An electronic circuit is stored in an interior of the housing to illuminate an area in front of the hose. The electronic circuit has a power supply removably attached to an exterior of the housing; and a plurality of lighting units coupled to the power supply. 
         [0007]    An illumination device for attachment to a hose has a housing. A pipe is positioned through the housing to allow a substance from the hose to flow through the housing. An electronic circuit is stored in an interior of the housing, wherein the electronic circuit comprises: a power supply removably attached to an exterior of the housing; a plurality of lighting units coupled to the power supply to illuminate an area in front of the hose; a timer coupled to the power supply; and an on/off switch coupled to the timer and the power supply, the on/off switch activating and deactivating the electronic circuit, wherein the on/off switch illuminates for a predetermined amount of time based on the timer. 
         [0008]    The features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a first elevated perspective view of the light source device of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is the first elevated perspective view of the light source device in accordance with  FIG. 1  with a battery pack attached thereto; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a second elevated perspective view of the light source device of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is the second elevated perspective view of the light source device in accordance with  FIG. 2  with the battery pack attached thereto; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a first exploded side view of the light source device of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a first elevated perspective view of the light source device with a battery pack attached to a fire hose; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a second elevated perspective view of the light source device with a battery pack attached to a fire hose; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the light source device with a battery pack attached to a fire hose; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack used with the light source device of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an elevated perspective view of the battery pack used with the light source device of the present invention attached to a charger; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is an elevated perspective view of the charger used with the battery pack; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram of the electronic circuit used in the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring to the Figures, a light source device (hereinafter device  10 ) of the present invention is shown. The device  10  may be attached to any fire hose/nozzle as will be described below. The device  10  may provide future generations of fire fighters with a means that attaches to fire nozzles and fire hose couplings that may allow fire fighters to advance hose lines into structure fires, wild land fires, vehicle fires, hazardous material environments, and other hazardous situations without the necessity of these fire fighters assuming the burden of carrying hand held flashlights on their person. The device  10  may further provide visual indicators about current operating conditions for the firefighters as will be discussed below. 
         [0023]    The device  10  may be configured to securely fit between a fire nozzle  60  and fire hose coupling  62 . Alternatively, the device  10  may be positioned between two fire hose couplings  62 . The device  10  is designed to not impede the flow of extinguishing agent or to be obstructive when moved around the fire ground when the device  10  is positioned between the fire nozzle  60  and fire hose coupling  62  or between two fire hose couplings  62 . 
         [0024]    The device  10  may have a housing  12 . The housing  12  may be used to store and house a plurality of lighting fixtures  14 . The lighting fixtures  14  may be used to illuminate the fire ground and guide the fire fighter as he/she advances the hose lines. The housing  12  may further be used to store and house one or more visual indicators  16 . The visual indicators  16  may be used to provide warnings to the firefighters about current operating conditions. The housing  12  may be constructed of a material that is lightweight, durable, heat resistant, cold resistant, water resistant, and able to function flawlessly in the demanding environments occupied by fire fighters in the course of their work. 
         [0025]    The housing  12  may be formed of different geometric shapes. In the present embodiment, the housing  12  is circular in shape. A circular shape housing  12  may provide the least amount of resistance when moving the fire house with the device attached. However, the circular shape is shown as one embodiment, and should not be seen in a limiting manner. 
         [0026]    The housing  12  may be comprised of a front plate  18 . A side wall  20  may be formed around a perimeter of the front plate  18 . The side wall  20  may be formed to extend up from the front plate  18  there by forming a hollow interior section  22  of the housing  12 . The interior section  22  may be used to store and house the plurality of lighting fixtures  14  as well as electronics for one or more visual indicators  16 . 
         [0027]    One or more light openings  24  may be formed through the front plate  18 . The light openings  24  may be formed around the perimeter of the front plate  18 . The light openings  24  may be used to position the one or more lighting fixtures  14  within the housing  12 . One or more light slots  26  may also be formed within the side wall  20 . The one or more light slots  26  may be formed next to and adjacent a corresponding light opening  24 . The light slots  26  may be used to allow easy removal of a corresponding lighting fixture  14 . A lighting fixture plate  28  may be positioned within each light slot  26  to secure the lighting fixture  14  within the light slot  26  and corresponding light opening  24 . The lighting fixture plate  28  may be designed to be pressure fitted within the light slots  26 . Thus, by applying pressure to the lighting fixture plate  28 , one may be able to release the lighting fixture plate  28  from within the light slots  26 , thereby allowing one to remove the corresponding lighting fixture  14 . 
         [0028]    As stated above, a plurality of lighting fixtures  14  are positioned within the housing  12 . As shown in the Figures, each lighting fixture  14  may be comprised of a light source unit  32 . Each light source unit  32  may be a high-intensity, LED lighting fixture that may be able to illuminate the fire ground and guide the fire fighter as he/she advances hose lines. A lens  34  may be positioned in front of each light source unit  32 . The lens  34  may be used to focus and/or direct the light from the light source unit  32 . The lens  34  may also be used to protect the light source unit  32 . A lens housing  36  may be used to secure the lens  34  in front of each light source unit  32 . A plate member  38  may be used to secure the lighting fixture  14  within the interior section  22  of the housing  12 . 
         [0029]    The housing  12  may have a cover  40 . The cover  40  may be positioned over the interior section  22  of the housing  12 . Thus, the cover  40  may be used to enclose the housing  12 . A locking plate  42  may be used to secure the cover  40  to the housing  12 . The locking plate  42  may have one or more securing members  44 . The securing members  44  may be used to secure the cover  40  to the housing  12 . In accordance with one embodiment, the securing members  44  may be a plurality of screws  44 A. As shown in the Figures, one or more openings  46  may be formed around an outer perimeter of the locking plate  42 . Each opening  46  may be aligned with a corresponding channel  48  formed on the housing  12 . Each channel  48  may be formed on the side wall  20 . Each channel  48  may be threaded so as to engage a corresponding screw  44 A. 
         [0030]    The front plate  18 , the plate member  38 , the cover  40 , and locking plate  42  may each have a central opening  30 A,  30 B,  30 C and  30 D respectively, formed there through. The central openings  30 A,  30 B,  30 C and  30 D may be used to allow the extinguishing agent to enter and flow through the housing  12 . 
         [0031]    A pipe  50  may be positioned through the housing  12 . The pipe  50  may be used to allow the extinguishing agent to pass through the housing  12 . In accordance with the embodiment depicted in the Figures, the pipe  50  may be positioned through the central openings  30 A,  30 B,  30 C and  30 D formed through the front plate  18 , the plate member  38 , the cover  40 , and locking plate  42  respectively. The pipe  50  may be used to allow the extinguishing agent to enter and flow through the housing  12 . 
         [0032]    The pipe  50  is designed to not impede the flow of extinguishing agent or to be obstructive when moved around the fire ground when the device  10  is positioned between the fire nozzle  60  and fire hose coupling  62  or between two fire hose couplings  62 . The pipe  50  may have a coupling  52  located on each end. The coupling  52  may be used to connect the pipe  50  between the fire nozzle  60  and fire hose coupling  62  or between two fire hose couplings  62 . The coupling  52  may be a threaded end  52 A, a threaded hose coupling  52 B, or the like. The above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. Other couplings may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]    The pipe  50  may further have a pair of ring members  72 . A ring member  72  may be positioned on each end of the pipe  50 . The ring members  72  may be used to secure the pipe  50  within the housing  12 . 
         [0034]    The housing  12  may have one or more contacts  56 . The contacts  56  may be used to secure a power supply  54  to the housing  12 . The power supply  54  may be used to power electronic circuitry  70  stored within the housing  12 . The power supply  54  is interchangeable so that a current power supply  54  may be removed, and a fully charged power supply attached to the contacts  56 . The power supply  54  may also be a rechargeable power supply. 
         [0035]    The Figures show one embodiment of the power supply  54 . As may be seen in the Figures, the power supply  54  may have a battery unit  80 . The battery unit  80  may be used to supply a DC power source to the electronic circuitry  70 . The battery unit  80  may have a contact board  82  attached thereto. One or more securing devices  76  may be used to secure the contact board  82  to the battery unit  80 . The contact board  82  may be used to attach a battery contact  84  to the battery unit  80 . The battery contact  84  may be used to attach the power supply  54  to contacts  56 . This may allow the power supply  54  to attach to the electronic circuitry  70 . When in use, the battery contact  84  may contact the contacts  56  to secure the power supply  54  to the housing  12  and to the electronic circuitry  70 . 
         [0036]    The battery unit  80  may be stored within a battery housing  88 . A lid  90  may be attached to the battery housing  88  thereby enclosing the battery unit  80  within the battery housing  88 . 
         [0037]    In accordance with one embodiment, the battery unit  80  is a rechargeable battery unit. One or more charging pins  92  may be coupled to one of the battery contacts  84 . This may allow the charging pins to attach to a charging plug  94  of a recharging unit  92 . One or more alignment pins  90  may be formed on the battery housing  88 . The alignment pins  90  may be used to align the power supply  54  onto a recharging unit  92  having corresponding alignment pins  96 . 
         [0038]    The housing  12  may store electronic circuitry  70 . The electronic circuitry  70  may be positioned within the interior section  22  of the housing  12 . The electronic circuitry  70  may be capable of connecting and operating a myriad of simple systems that perform functions essential to fire fighter safety. 
         [0039]    A switch  58  may be coupled to the power supply  54 . The switch  58  may be used to activate and deactivate the electronic circuitry  70 . The switch  58  may be located on the exterior of the housing  12 . The switch  58  may be programmed to “turn on” with a 0.5 second engagement and “turned off” with a 3.0 second engagement to avoid any inadvertent termination of the electronic circuitry  70  during operation. The switch  58  may further double as a “CAP” (conditions, air, people) elapsed time warning light. Fire fighters are taught that 10 minutes of flame impingement on building structural components seriously effect construction integrity and pose serious collapse hazards to fire fighters inside structure. The switch  58  may be an illuminating switch. When activated, the switch  58  may automatically initiate a timer  100 . The switch  58  may appear “green” advising fire fighters that they have been inside the “hot zone” for less than 10 minutes. At 10 minutes the switch  54  will begin blinking “red”. This will remind fire fighters to address their tactical priorities: 
         [0040]    (1) Conditions: re-evaluate the interior conditions of the structure for safety. 
         [0041]    (2) Air: check the available air in you and your crew&#39;s SCBA bottles. 
         [0042]    (3) People: know the location and condition of all your assigned members. and begin to plan their egress from the structure. At 15 minutes the blinking “red” will become a solid “red”. This will provide a “fire fighter off line/MAYDAY” safety feature that will keep the device illuminated to act as a beacon for fire fighters attempting to find the hand line in low visibility environments or locate lost/incapacitated fire fighters. The light function on the switch  56  can again be illuminated by engaging the switch  58  for 0.5 second. 
         [0043]    One of the functions of the electronic circuitry may be to provide a high-intensity, LED lighting system able to illuminate the fire ground and guide the fire fighter as he/she advances hose lines. Thus, the lighting fixtures  14  are generally coupled to the power supply  54 . The lighting fixtures  14  may be programmed to automatically turn off at 15 minutes to save on the life of the power supply  54  should the nozzle be unattended and acts as a timer for work cycles. Whether inside a structure, outside on a wild land fire, or on the scene of an auto accident the lighting fixtures  14  may have a minimum of two settings, high/low. The choice of light intensity will not affect the light timing as it is independent of the fire fighter choice of light intensity. Timing requirements can be altered or customized per individual fire department specifications and needs. 
         [0044]    One or more sensors/alarms  102  may also be coupled to the power supply  54 . One of the sensors/alarms  102  may be for example a hazmat monitor  102 A. The hazmat monitor  102 A may monitor for hazardous materials such as O 2 , CO, SO 2 , CN, radiation, LEL (explosion limit), and the like. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner. The hazmat monitor  102 A may be coupled to a visual indicator  103  Thus, when hazmat monitor  102 A detects a specified hazardous material, the corresponding visual indicator  103  may illuminate. 
         [0045]    The electronic circuitry  70  may further have a receiver/transmitter unit  106 . The receiver/transmitter unit  106  may be used to transmit data collected from the electronic circuitry  70  to a desired location (i.e., command post, etc.). The receiver/transmitter unit  106  may further be used to receive data transmitted by another party. For example, the receiver/transmitter unit  106  may receive a command to evacuate the building transmitted by the command post. In this situation, the receiver/transmitter unit  106  may cause the electronic circuitry  70  to start flashing all visual indicators  103 . 
         [0046]    The receiver/transmitter unit  66  may further be able to receive and then transmit current health data of the firefighter. For example, a firefighter may wear one or more sensors to monitor the firefighter&#39;s health (i.e, heart rate, blood pressure, O 2  levels, etc. The information monitored by these sensors may then be collected and transmitted by the receiver/transmitter unit  106  to a desired location (i.e., command post, etc.). 
         [0047]    The electronic circuitry  70  may further have a display screen  108 . The display screen  108  may be used to display graphical information. For example, the display screen  108  may display information captured by the sensors  102  and or sensors on the firefighters as discussed above. The display screen  108  may display information transmitted by the command post. The above is given as examples of information that may be displayed on the display screen  108 . Other information may be displayed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be noted that the display screen  108  may be used for other purposes than that described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0048]    The electronic circuitry  70  may further have a distress button  110 . The distress button  110  when activated would alert others that a firefighter is in need of help. The distress button  110  may send a signal which causes all of the lighting fixtures  14  to start flashing. The distress button  110  may send a signal to the receiver/transmitter unit  106  which may transmit a signal to a command post that the firefighter is in trouble. The above are given as examples. The distress button  110  when activated may alert others that a firefighter is in need of help in other ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0049]    While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Technology Category: a