Abstract: A firefighting nozzle of the present invention includes a nozzle body with an inlet and an outlet, a passageway having a smooth bore extending between the inlet and the outlet of the nozzle body, and a compressible member defining at least a portion of the passageway. The compressible member has an inner dimension transverse to the longitudinal central axis. The nozzle also includes an adjuster mounted about the compressible member for selectively compressing the compressible member, wherein the pressure of the fluid flowing into the nozzle applies an outwardly directed pressure on the compressible member to thereby increase the inner dimension of the compressible member, and with at least a portion of the pressure being diverted from the passageway for applying an inwardly directed pressure on the compressible member to thereby at least reduce the force needed to be applied by the adjuster to counter-act the outwardly directed pressure when adjusting the flow rate of the nozzle.

Abstract: A firefighting monitor includes logic circuitry for determining the reaction force caused by the flow of firefighting fluid therethrough. The reaction force may be communicated to structures remote from the monitor for taking appropriate actions in response to the reaction forces exceeding one or more criteria. The monitor may also use flow and nozzle data for calculating a reach of the stream of the fluid, and may transmit this reach data to a remote location. The monitor may also utilize multiple pressure sensor transducers positioned inside the monitor for determining the rate of fluid flow, rather than a paddle wheel-type sensor.

Abstract: An adjustable nozzle comprising a nozzle body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway having a smooth bore extending between the inlet and the outlet. The passageway has an inner dimension transverse to the central axis of the nozzle and a compressible wall wherein the inner dimension is adjustable to adjust the flow rate through the nozzle.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber extending between the inlet and the outlet and an actuation sub-assembly. Positioned in the chamber is a flow restrictor, which is positionable between a valve open position wherein the fluid communication between the inlet and outlet is open and a valve closed position wherein the fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet is closed. A slow-close actuation sub-assembly includes a stem for engaging the flow restrictor, and includes a handle and plurality of annular members disposed around a shaft for resisting rotation of the shaft via the handle.

Abstract: A firefighting fluid delivery device includes a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows, a fluid flow restrictor member pivotable about a pivot axis to selectively open or close the passage to thereby open or close the device, and an actuator for selectively pivoting the fluid flow restrictor member. The device further includes a sealed rotary sensor that is rotatably coupled to the fluid flow restrictor member for detecting the rotary position of the fluid flow restrictor member to thereby determine the opened or closed state of the device.

Abstract: A rotary control for controlling an electromechanical device includes a body adapted to mount to a surface and an outer ring pivotally connected to the body. The outer ring has an outer perimeter with a generally undulating profile having peaks and valleys, and has an outer face with a plurality of protrusions extending from the outer face, with the protrusions substantially corresponding with the peaks. The rotary control also includes a sensor adapted to sense rotation of the outer ring and output a signal corresponding to the rotation, and a control adapted to receive the signal and control the electromechanical device in response to the rotation of the outer ring.

Abstract: A firefighting device comprising includes a device body with a fluid passage through which a fluid flows when the firefighting device is in operation and at least one molded body. At least a portion of the molded body is at least translucent and encloses therein or covers a light emitting source. When light is emitted from the light emitting source, light is emitted from the molded body to thereby illuminate the firefighting device.

Abstract: A firefighting monitor system includes a monitor, a controller selectively generating signals to the monitor for controlling the monitor, and a computer. The computer is configured to receive input from a user relative to the monitor or the controller. The computer generates an output based on the input, and the output is transmitted to the controller for controlling the monitor or the controller in accordance with the output.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body with an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber extending between the inlet and the outlet and an actuation sub-assembly. Positioned in the chamber is a flow restrictor, which is positionable between a valve open position wherein the fluid communication between the inlet and outlet is open and a valve closed position wherein the fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet is closed. The actuation sub-assembly includes a stem for engaging the flow restrictor. When the actuation sub-assembly is mounted to the valve body, the stem extends through the valve body wall for engagement with an engagement surface of the flow restrictor but is removable from engagement with the engagement surface of the flow restrictor without requiring disassembly of the valve body.

Abstract: A vehicular peripheral device control system includes a peripheral device, an input device, and a hydraulic control apparatus. The input device is coupled to the hydraulic control apparatus and when actuated generates an input to the hydraulic control apparatus. The peripheral device is coupled to the hydraulic control apparatus, which actuates the peripheral device in response to the input device generating the input to the hydraulic control apparatus.

Abstract: A fire-fighting monitor includes a base, an outlet, and a plurality of jointed hollow members forming a flexible body. The hollow members are pivotably coupled together and extend between the base and the outlet to provide a flexible fluid path. A base-end hollow member is coupled to the base, and an outlet-end hollow member is coupled to the outlet. Each of the hollow members has a ball portion and a socket portion, with the socket portions adapted to receive the ball portions and form a seal therebetween. Optionally, a drive unit may be incorporated into the base for rotatably driving the fire-fighting monitor.

Abstract: A fire-fighting monitor includes a first body having an internal passageway defining an inlet and an outlet, a coupler having an internal passageway defining an inlet and an outlet, the coupler being pivotally mounted to the body at the outlet of the body wherein the internal passageway of the coupler is in communication with the internal passageway of the body, and the coupler having at least one pivot axis. Further, the monitor includes a counterbalance device, which comprises an annular member mounted to the first body at the pivot axis.

Abstract: An automatic flow restrictor includes a movement sensor that detects undesired movement of a firefighting apparatus relative to a support surface and automatically reduces the flow of fluid through the apparatus to thereby reduce reaction forces acting upon the apparatus. The sensor may be a slidable member or an actuatable lever, for example, that detects movement of the apparatus along or away from a support surface, and actuates an adjuster to restrict the flow of fluid until the forces are balanced and the apparatus stops moving relative to the support surface.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling a first fluid delivery device to a second fluid delivery device includes a base adapted for mounting at one of the openings of the first fluid delivery device, a locking member coupled to the base about the base's longitudinal axis, with the locking member being movable along the base along the base's longitudinal axis between a locking position and an unlocking position. A connector member having a body adapted for releasably mounting at one of the openings of the second fluid delivery device is releasably engageable with the locking member and with the base wherein the fluid flow passageways of the base and the connector member are in fluidic communication.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device has a fluid delivery device body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet, with a first annular seal located at the inlet. An annular fluid connection member has a threaded portion adapted to threadably attached to a fluid supply conduit where an annular second seal is optionally located. An intermediate member is located downstream of the fluid connection member and engages the first seal. The intermediate member is rotatably mounted to the fluid delivery device body at the inlet and to the fluid connection member at a location upstream of the inlet. The fluid connection member, intermediate member, and fluid delivery device body are each independently rotatable with respect to one another.

Abstract: A fire fighting nozzle includes a nozzle body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet. A stem is located in the passageway about which fluid flows when fluid is flowing through the passageway. And, a projecting body projects outwardly from the nozzle body away from the stem, which at least partially fills the space beyond the nozzle outlet where water exits the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A fire fighting device for a fire truck includes a frame, which is adapted for mounting to the deck of a fire truck and has a mounting surface for mounting a fluid monitor to the frame. A flexible fluid conduit extends through the frame, which is in fluid communication with a supply of fluid and provides fluid communication with a fluid monitor mounted to the mounting surface for delivering fluid to the fluid monitor.

Abstract: A fire-fighting monitor includes a housing, a nozzle coupler, and a pivot joint coupler comprising an internal passageway and a pivot member. The pivot member is pivotally mounted to the housing at the outlet of the housing. The nozzle coupler is mounted to the pivot joint coupler wherein the internal passageway of the pivot joint coupler is in communication with the internal passageways of the housing and the nozzle coupler, wherein the weight at the nozzle coupler generates a gravitational moment about the pivot axis. In addition, the nozzle coupler has a central axis defining a reference line, which is offset from the first pivot axis wherein a reaction force generated by fluid flowing through the nozzle coupler generates a moment about the first pivot axis in a direction opposed from said gravitational moment.

Abstract: A method of forming a fire fighting monitor includes forming a core in the shape of a non-linear waterway of a monitor body, applying a composite material over the core, and then curing the composite material to thereby form the fire fighting monitor body.

Abstract: A high pressure monitor includes an outlet body with a transverse passage, which extends through the body to form two inlets of the outlet body, and a second passage, which is in communication with the transverse passage and extends through the outlet body to form an outlet. The monitor further includes first and second bodies, with the outlet body mounted between the first and second bodies. Each of the first and second bodies has a transverse passage, which are in fluid communication with the inlets of the outlet body. A first swivel joint is provided between the outlet body and the first body. A second swivel joint is provided between the outlet body and the second body. Further, each of the swivel joints comprises a pressure balanced hydraulic fitting with seals and bearings, wherein the seals and bearings are oriented to reduce the axial pressure on the bearings from fluid flowing through the monitor.