Signals and indicators – Indicators
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-16
2001-07-17
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
C116S209000, C116S264000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260507
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a changeable reflective attachment for fire hydrants, and, more particularly, to a two-piece collar which encircles a connecting flange of a fire hydrant and which includes a display area which receives and displays a web of color coded reflective material. The color coded reflective material can be easily changed to indicate the NFPA standard code for the flow rating of the particular fire hydrant upon which the collar is installed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The fire protection system in most cities in the United States and many foreign countries relies on an extensive network of fire hydrants which are conveniently located and which are attached to high volume, high pressure water supply lines. Fire hydrants are made by a number of different manufacturers in a number of different sizes and capacities. Most fire hydrants in use are constructed with a cast iron outer housing. It is common in the United States to mark fire hydrants according to a color code representing water flow capacity under standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard #291, i.e. light blue for Class AA—1500+ gallons per minute (G.P.M.) flow; green for Class A—1000-1499 G.P.M; orange for Class B—500-999 G.P.M.; and red for Class C—0-499 G.P.M. Typically, color coding is accomplished by simply painting the tops and nozzle caps of each fire hydrant housing with the appropriate color, preferably with reflective paint.
A number of problems are associated with the current practices of color coding fire hydrants. For one, weathering of paint applied to the fire hydrants causes a major maintenance problem for cities and municipalities. As paint, including reflective paint, weathers, the colors fade, making the fire hydrants more difficult to see, particularly in low light conditions. As water supply capabilities and capacities change, it is common for a hydrant flow rating to change as well. Many cities have fire safety codes which require their hydrants to be periodically tested to make sure they are in working order and that they are properly flow rated. With conventional color painting schemes, this means that, as flow capacities change, portions of each affected fire hydrant should be repainted to reflect its current flow rating. Due to the difficulty and expense involved in repainting, it is common for fire hydrants to be improperly color coded. Finally, even freshly painted fire hydrants are difficult to spot at night, particularly in poorly lighted neighborhoods. The ability to quickly spot and hook up to a fire hydrant is critical for fire fighters in minimizing property damage and potential loss of life.
One example of an attachment intended to improve visibility of a fire hydrant is evidenced in U.S. Design Pat. No. Des 336,262 to Virgil O'Neal, entitled REFLECTIVE BAND FOR MOUNTING ON A FIRE HYDRANT. The O'Neal design patent shows a circular band, which is, presumably, at least partially reflective, with an adjustable opening and threaded closure which allows it to be clamped to the perimeter of a fire hydrant housing. The band illustrated in the O'Neal patent is very limited in adjustability of the internal diameter and is not color coded for flow rating or changeable in color to reflect differing or changing flow ratings.
It is clear, then, that a need exists for an improved attachment for fire hydrants which makes them highly visible, even at night, which can be quickly and conveniently installed on a wide variety of hydrant sizes and designs, and which is easily and economically changeable in color to reflect different, or changed flow ratings for a given hydrant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a reflective collar attachment which is designed to be attached around the periphery of an existing fire hydrant. In a first embodiment, the collar is a two piece construction, including a pair of semi-circular halves which attach to each other via mating pins and receptacles. Each half has formed therewith a pair of integral semi-circular extensions, each constructed with a number of semi-circular stair-stepped indentations of incrementally decreasing radii with the smallest circular indentation ending in a semi-circular opening of a minimum radius. Each half of the collar can be adjusted in inner radius by severing the semi-circular extensions at any of the indentations so that the collar can be adjusted to fit any fire hydrant connecting flange. The semi-circular extensions diverge from each other as they extend inward from the perimeter of the collar to prevent moisture from accumulating on the top of the collar. Each half of the collar includes upper and lower flanges separated by a display area which, when the collar is assembled, forms a cylinder which accommodates a web of color coded, highly reflective tape.
In a second embodiment, the collar is similar in appearance to the first embodiment, but has a three piece construction with a cap formed by a cylindrical perimeter wall and an integrally formed top including a circular extension which is also constructed with a number of circular stair-stepped indentations of incrementally decreasing radii with the smallest circular indentation ending in a circular opening of a minimum radius. The cap top can be adjusted in inner radius by severing the circular extensions at any of the indentations so that the collar attachment cap can be adjusted to fit over any circular fire hydrant design. A pair of semi-circular extensions are designed to be snapped or screwed into place against the bottom inside periphery of the cylindrical wall of the cap after it is placed over a fire hydrant connecting flange. Each of the semi-circular extensions also includes a plurality of semi-circular stair-stepped indentations of incrementally decreasing radii with the smallest circular indentation ending in a semi-circular opening of a minimum radius. Each of the semi-circular extensions can thus also be adjusted in inner radius by severing them at any of the indentations so that the bottom of the collar can be adjusted to fit the particular fire hydrant design. As in the first embodiment, the top of the collar is sloped from inside to outside to prevent moisture from accumulating. The cap includes upper and lower flanges on the perimeter wall which are separated by a display area which forms a cylinder which accommodates a web of color coded, highly reflective tape.
In a third embodiment designed to fit hydrants of any shape, a collar includes a continuous, resilient strip of plastic with a plurality of upper and lower tooth-like projections extending outward from the plastic strip with the overall effect creating a channel with a width sized to encompass the vertical dimension of a connecting flange of a fire hydrant. Between each pair of teeth the plastic strip has a vertical indentation which forms a score line such that the strip can be easily severed at the score lines to form any desired length. The strip is then wrapped around a fire hydrant with the teeth extending inward over the top and bottom, respectively, of a fire hydrant flange. Opposing ends of the strip are then overlapped and taped into place with a strong “lock” tape. A web of color coded, highly reflective tape is then placed over the outside of the wrapped strip.
In all three embodiments, the color coded reflective tape web can be easily changed to indicate the particular NFPA standard code for the flow rating of the particular fire hydrant upon which the collar is installed.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The objects and advantages of the invention include: providing a reflective collar attachment for fire hydrants; providing such a collar attachment which can be conveniently installed on any fire hydrant; providing such a collar attachment which can be varied in inside diameter to allow installation on any diameter of fire hydrant; providing such a collar attachment which includes a display area which accommodates a web of color coded, reflective tape; providing su
Carty Timothy A.
Simpson Jeffrey K.
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
Smith R A
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