Fire Suppression Coupling Access Hatch

Abstract

An access hatch located on the exterior of a building, the interior of the access hatch including a coupling so as to provide connection of an exteriorly based water hose, tube, or pipe to link with an interiorly located water distribution system. The access hatch may be located on an exterior wall or the exterior of a building's roof. The access hatch has vertical sidewalls defining an area and which may additionally contain an exterior cover to prevent this defined area from being exposed to the elements. The cover may be on a hinged cover, or may be completely removable.

Claims

1. An access hatch adapted for use on the exterior of a building, said access hatch comprising: a frame having a multitude of vertically standing sidewalls defining an enclosed hatchway; a base plate having an upper portion and a lower portion; wherein the base plate upper portion is attached to a distal end of each vertically standing sidewall; wherein the base plate lower portion is attached to the exterior surface of a building; a hose coupling having an interior distal end contained within the building and an exterior distal end projected through the building and extending beyond the base plate into the hatchway of the access hatch; and a hatch cover, removably connected to the frame and enclosing the hatchway, said hatch cover having an open first position relative to the hatchway, and a closed second position relative to the hatchway.

2. The access hatch of claim 1, wherein a fire suppression distribution system is provided and connected to the interior distal end of the hose coupling.

3. The access hatch of claim 2, wherein the fire suppression distribution system further comprises a payload distribution device for distribution of fluid to a designated area.

4. The access hatch of claim 3, wherein the exterior distal end of the hose coupling is adapted to receive a fire hose.

5. The access hatch of claim 3, wherein the exterior distal end of the hose coupling further comprises a hose coupling adapter, said hose coupling adapter having threading.

6. The access hatch of claim 3, wherein the hatch cover additionally comprises a handle.

7. The access hatch of claim 6, wherein the hatch cover is hingedly attached to the frame.

8. The access hatch of claim 6, wherein the fire suppression distribution system comprises a plurality of payload distribution devices.

9. An access hatch positioned on the exterior of a building, the access hatch comprising: a plurality of vertically upright sidewalls defining a hatchway; a base plate having an upper portion and a lower portion, the base plate further defining an aperture therein; wherein the base plate upper portion is connected to the vertically upright sidewalls; wherein the base plate lower portion is affixed to the exterior of a building; a hose coupling having an interior distal end contained within the building and an exterior distal end projected through the building extending through the base plate aperture and into the hatchway; a jimmy plate encompassing the aperture of the base plate lower portion and surrounding the entirety of the hose coupling, said jimmy plate attached to the base plate by mounting means; and a hatch cover, removably connected to a vertically upright sidewall and enclosing the entirety of the hatchway, said hatch cover having an open first position relative to the hatchway, and a closed second position relative to the hatchway.

10. The access hatch of claim 9, wherein the hose coupling exterior distal end contains water supply connection threads.

11. The access hatch of claim 10, wherein the upper plate is welded to the vertically upright sidewalls.

12. The access hatch of claim 11, wherein the plurality of vertically upright sidewalls form a generally quadrilateral shape relative to each other.

13. The access hatch of claim 12, wherein the plurality of vertically upright sidewalls are welded to each other.

14. The access hatch of claim 11, wherein a fire suppression distribution system is attached to the interior distal end of the hose coupling.

15. The access hatch of claim 14, wherein the fire suppression distribution system additionally comprises a plurality of payload distribution devices.

16. The access hatch of claim 15, wherein the payload distribution devices are sprinklers.

17. An access hatch mounted on the exterior of a building, the access hatch adapted for use with a fire suppression distribution system, the access hatch comprising: a generally quadrilateral shaped frame consisting of a plurality of vertical sidewalls having two distal ends; a base plate having an upper base portion and a lower base portion, wherein the upper base portion is attached to a distal end of each vertical sidewall, and wherein the lower base portion is attached to the exterior portion of a building; wherein the base portion further defines an opening therethrough; a jimmy plate encompassing the entirety of the opening in the base plate, the jimmy plate being removably attached to the exterior of the base plate; a hose coupling having an interiorly located distal end positioned within the building and an exteriorly located distal end projected through the building, base portion, the jimmy plate, and into the hatchway; a hatch cover, hingedly connected to a vertical sidewall and enclosing the hatchway, said hatch cover having an open first position relative to the hatchway, and a closed second position relative to the hatchway; a handle located on an exterior portion of the hatch cover, adapted to be received by a human hand; and a fire suppression distribution system coupled to the interior distal end of the hose coupling, the fire suppression distribution system having a main stack, a plurality of branch extensions, and a plurality of payload distribution devices.

18. The access hatch of claim 17, wherein the jimmy plate is removably attached to the base plate with bolts.

19. The access hatch of claim 18, wherein the payload distribution devices are sprinklers.

20. The access hatch of claim 19, wherein the upper base portion is attached to the distal end of each vertical sidewall by means of welding.

Description

DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION

[0028] One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the fire suppression coupling access hatch with the hatch cover deployed in an open position relative to the hatchway;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the interior side of a building highlighting a preferred embodiment of the fire suppression coupling access hatch as attached with fire suppression distribution system;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the fire suppression coupling access hatch, highlighting the maneuverability of the distribution system;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a top-down perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the fire suppression coupling access hatch wherein a hatch cover is shown in a closed position, sealing the hatchway from view; and

[0033] FIG. 5 is a depiction of a preferred embodiment of the fire suppression coupling access hatch wherein the access hatch is attached to a fire suppression distribution system complete with sprinklers in a hypothetical building environment.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a generic building, highlighting the use of the fire suppression access hatch with a fire suppression system.

[0035] Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application to the details or modes of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or previously disclosed illustrations. This invention is capable of multiple embodiments and modes, which can be practiced or carried out in many various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting, or used as an absolute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0036] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a fire suppression coupling access hatch 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The access hatch 10 is shown with the hose coupling 20 and water supply connection 30 therefrom protruding from the hatch base plate upper portion 40 and jimmy plate 70 into the volume known herein as the hatchway 50. The vertical sidewalls 60 are shown here as attached to the hatch base upper portion 40 at locations known as the connection points 65. These vertical sidewalls 60 form the volume formed within the vertical sidewall interior(s) 61 known as the hatchway 50 and the shape of said hatchway 50 will be directly dependent upon the shape of the frame, otherwise known as the hatch tower 63, as described later.

[0037] The water supply connection 30 is located at the exterior distal end of the hose coupling 20 located in the hatchway and may contain a rubber boot to allow for a friction seal, or may alternatively contain connection threads 35, as shown here. These connection threads 35 allow for the mating of a pipe or hose, and such connection threads 35 may be of the male threading, female threading, or any other type of threading that is required to allow for a solid mating between the coupling 20 and the external water supply. As is made clear to those with skill in the art, the water supply connection 30 thus may be adaptable with either a mating component or may itself be replacement to allow for different threading type or size as required.

[0038] In this particular embodiment, the hose coupling 20 and water supply connection 30 also protrude into the hatchway 50 through the hatchway base upper interior 51, which is known for description as the part of the hatch base plate upper portion which is within the frame/hatch tower 63, as well as through the jimmy plate 70 attachment, which provides optional quick replacement/adjustment capabilities as mentioned above. The jimmy plate 70 rests on the hatch base plate upper portion 40 and encompasses the entirety of the aperture 71 that exists in the hatch base plate (as shown in FIG. 2) while also surrounding the hose coupling 20. The vertical sidewall exterior(s) 62 combine to form what is known collectively as the hatch tower 63, or frame, and is thought of as the protective shell that surrounds the water supply connection 30 and forms the size and shape of the hatchway 50. The vertical sidewalls 60 are connected by an attachment method such as screws, bolts, or welding to name a few, and said vertical sidewalls 60 thus meet forming a vertical sidewall connection seam 64. As described above, on a distal end of the vertical sidewalls 60 away from the distal end which connects to the hatch base plate upper portion 40 may further contain a lip seal 59, which can act as a seat for a rubber seal or gasket, to provide additional protection from the elements.

[0039] The optional jimmy plate 70, if provided, is attached to the hatch base plate upper portion 40 using attachment fasteners 90, which shown here are bolts, but may be any other similar attachment method without departing from the spirit of the invention. The attachment fasteners 90 contact with the hatch base plate interior 45 as well (as shown in FIG. 2) and may additionally be connected with weld nuts 80. While optional, the use of weld nuts 80 allows the jimmy plate 70 to be disengaged solely from operation within the hatchway 50, and allows for the exposure of the hatch base aperture 71, which is shown in FIG. 2, and is known as the opening that is covered by the jimmy plate 70 itself. This allows for the replacement of a hose coupling 20, if deemed necessary.

[0040] Additionally, a ladder attachment device 190 such as a hook, a loop, or a clamp is shown in this Figure. This ladder attachment device 190 may be provided for ease of use, and to promote safety while working. This optional attachment allows a firefighter to hook their ladder in place, providing stability if working in a vertically extended position. These ladder attachment devices 190 are generally thought to connect to the vertical sidewall exterior 62 as shown here, but may alternatively be located on the hatch base plate upper portion 40, if the orientation of the access hatch 10 deems that an ideal location.

[0041] Turning now to FIGS. 2-3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown from the interior side of the fire suppression coupling access hatch 10 and further showcasing the adaptability with a general fire suppression distribution system 160. In this view the hatch base plate lower portion 45 is shown, which is the part which contacts with a building's exterior wall or roof. The hatch base plate lower portion 45 is preferably sized such that it may be attached to trusses in the roof or to the supporting studs in an exterior wall should the access hatch 10 be deployed there. Attachment methods will vary depending on the location placed and the particularities of the building and the surrounding environment of said building, but any securing means may work, such as bolts or screws, though other known in the art fasteners may work best based on conditions. Also depicted are the optional weld nuts 80 that secure the jimmy plate 70 and the attachment fasteners 80 therefore, as described above. As shown here in FIG. 2, the aperture 71 is shown, which is the opening where the exterior end of the hose coupling 20 enters into the hatchway 50 as depicted in FIG. 1. Here, the hose coupling interior end 25, the distal end of the coupling located within the interior of a building, is shown with an optional reducer 120 attachment which couples to the main stack 100 of the distribution system 160. The reducer 120 is the connection device which allows the wider in diameter hose coupling interior 25 pipe to connect with the smaller diameter main stack 100. The hose coupling interior 25 mates with the main stack 100 at a coupling mating location 115, and thus connects the distribution system 160 itself to the exterior supply source of fire suppression material.

[0042] The main stack 100 feeds the created supply line down to a branch multiplier 130, which connects at a main stack mating location 116, which is where the main stack 100 connects with another piece of the system. The branch multiplier 130 here is shown in this depiction as a pipe tee, though it is known and appreciated that it may be a cross pipe, or any other multiplying type, depending on the particularities of the distribution system 160 and the building therefore. The branch extensions 110 are shown here as short in length pipes for ease of viewing but may also be larger or smaller depending on the distribution system 160 requirements. The branch extensions 110 deliver the payload of fire suppression fluid, foam, altogether water as described above, to the required destination but may further be redirected with adjustable arm extensions 140 as shown here, and as required to get through joists, studs, trusses, and other requirements of the particular building construction. Preferably the adjustable arm extensions 140 provide rotational ability such that the payload may be diverted around obstacles as the situation may dictate, as shown in FIG. 3. Should an adjustable arm extension 140 be required, more branch extensions 110 may be connected thereto and delivered to either further adjustable arm extensions 140 as shown here, or may be delivered to a payload distribution device 170 such as a sprinkler, a spinner, nozzle, or a hose such as shown in FIG. 5.

[0043] Now turning to FIG. 4, the fire suppression access hatch 10 is shown with a hatch cover 150 in a closed position, relative to the hatchway 50. This is the position which will be the standard position for the access hatch 10 when not in use. The hatch cover 150 may rest upon the lip seal 59 of the vertical sidewalls 60, in the aggregate known as the hatch tower 63, and protects the hatchway 50 from the elements. In this embodiment, the hatch cover 150 is closed with removable attachment devices 155 which are shown here as hinges. The hinges are one known method of removably attaching a hatch cover 150, though a variety of other embodiments which are known in the art may be used, some of which are described above. To help with facilitating transitioning from a closed position relative to the hatchway 50 to an open position relative to the hatchway 50, a handle 156 may be provided, and shown in this figure. A variety of alternative handles or a plurality of handles may be provided without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is specifically contemplated that alternative methods of moving the access hatch 10 to an open position may be provided which might provide ease of use for a firefighter wearing thick gloves such as a stick handle, a plurality of handles, or a slidable hinge. The handle 156 as shown here is also attached to the hatch cover 150 by way of handle connection points 157 which here are small bolts, by may also be accomplished though screws, nails, or by welding.

[0044] Looking to FIG. 5 now, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in use through a cutaway version of a building 180, depicting the access hatch 10 on the exterior of said building 180. In this drawing, it is shown how the fire suppression coupling access hatch 10 works in conjunction with a distribution system 160 to deliver a payload to a desired area. In this depiction, as described above, the hose coupling 20 is attached to a main stack 100 at the hose coupling interior distal end 25, and mate with various branch multipliers 130 and branch extensions 110 which all in conjunction further move the payload to a desired area. At strategic points a payload distribution device 170 is positioned for use when needed. In this simple depiction of the basic principles of the present invention, the payload distribution devices 170 shown are sprinklers, with some being positioned in rooms of a generic building, and others positioned within the generic building's attic. As described above, the specific payload distribution device 170 may vary and are best selected based on the type of external fire suppression material which will be utilized.

[0045] Finally, FIG. 6 is shown, wherein the fire suppression coupling access hatch 10 is depicted on a cutaway of a generic building, highlighting the entirety of the fire suppression distribution system 160 as desired. In this image, it is readily apparent to those with skill in the art how an external source of fire suppression material may be provided by mating with the coupling 20, entering through the hose coupling interior 25 and thus entering the main stack 100 and the entirety of the distribution system 160 itself. After reaching the branch multiplier 130, the fire suppression material travels down alternate paths, including other branch multipliers 130, branch extensions, or adjustable arm extensions 140 as required until reaching a payload distribution device 170.

[0046] Understandably, the present invention has been described above in terms of one or more preferred embodiments and methods. It is recognized that various alternatives and modifications may be made to these embodiments and methods that are within the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art, as well as widely differing embodiments, applications and methods without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.