Patents Assigned to Task Force Tips, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5848752
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved foam aeration nozzle comprising a peripheral jet nozzle, a spray collector which receives the jet and produces a fully filled spray, and an aeration device which agitates and aerates the spray and produces the foam. In use, the peripheral jet nozzle produces an annular cone-shaped spray or sheet of water. A collector is attached to the nozzle, the collector including a tubular wall in the path of the conical spray. The collector further includes an annular obstruction, and the water, as it moves along the wall surface, strikes the obstruction. At least a portion of the water is deflected toward the axis of the nozzle by the obstruction to produce a fully filled spray. An aeration device downstream of the obstruction is located to be impinged by the fully filled spray and to convert the spray to a foam and to discharge the foam on an intended target at a useful distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Kolacz, Robert W. Steingass
  • Patent number: 5810089
    Abstract: A combination carrying handle and control valve for firefighting apparatus suspends a portable reservoir. A handle is formed by a tubular wall having an inlet end and an outlet end and forming a flow passage between the ends; and a coupling is fastened to the inlet end and another coupling is fastened to the outlet end for connecting the handle to a source of liquid under pressure and to an accessory, respectively. A manually operated flow control valve is mounted in the handle for controlling the flow of liquid. The handle is part of a tank that may contain a liquid additive, and an eductor is connected between the flow passage and the tank interior for drawing the additive from the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Julian Mack
  • Patent number: 5593092
    Abstract: Apparatus including a monitor and a portable ground base comprising a liquid-carrying conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is adapted to receive a liquid (such as water) from a supply, and the outlet end is attached to the intake of the monitor. The conduit of the base includes an intermediate portion that is normally close to the support or ground when the ground base is in the normal operating position. Mounted within the conduit is a valve that is movable between a closed position and an open position. The valve is biased toward the closed position by a mechanism including liquid flow through the conduit and a spring. A trip catch is connected between the valve and the conduit for releasably holding the valve in the open position to permit flow through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventors: Stewart G. McMillan, David J. Kolacz
  • Patent number: 5312048
    Abstract: A nozzle including a tubular nozzle body forming a centrally located liquid flow path, the body having an inlet end and an outlet end. Mounted centrally in the body within the flow path is a pressure-regulating mechanism including an axially located dual-pressure baffle. The baffle is located at the outlet end and forms a nozzle gap with a throat surface of the body. During operation, a spring biases the baffle to close the gap and the liquid pressure on the baffle operates to open the gap. Adjustably mounted on the baffle is a shield which is movable relative to the baffle between a normal pressure position and a low pressure position. In the normal pressure position, the shield forms a gap size appropriate for a normal supply pressure. In the low pressure position, the shield forms a gap having an increased size appropriate for a supply pressure which is substantially less than the normal supply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Steingass, Stewart G. McMillan
  • Patent number: 4944460
    Abstract: A multifunction nozzle including a peripheral jet nozzle having a first end adapted to be connected to a liquid supply and a second end from which the jet is ejected. The liquid may be plain water or a mixture of water and a foam concentrate. The peripheral jet nozzle is adjustable between straight stream and fog positions. The multifunction nozzle further comprises a sleeve which is attached to and surrounds the peripheral jet nozzle, the sleeve being movable relative to the jet nozzle in the direction of the nozzle axis and the flow of the liquid. The sleeve is movable between a forwardly extended or foam position and a rearwardly retracted or inoperative position. When the sleeve is in the retracted position it is out of the path of the liquid jet and the nozzle may be used in either the straight stream or fog modes. When the sleeve is moved forwardly to the extended position and the peripheral jet nozzle is placed in the fog mode, the diverging liquid jet strikes the inner surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Steingass
  • Patent number: D374408
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventor: Stewart G. McMillan
  • Patent number: D414243
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Task Force Tips, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Steingass, David J. Kolacz