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(11) | EP 0 993 844 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Tube construction for conveying water to fire nozzles and facilitating escape from buildings |
| (57) The present invention relates to a tube construction for conveying high pressure
water to fire nozzles, comprising a tubular element which can be coupled to a pressurized
water supplying source and a nozzle for ejecting a water jet therefrom. The main feature of the invention is that on the tubular element are provided a plurality of coloured, phosphorescent or light emitting graphic elements indicating the direction toward the water supplying source. |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a tube construction for conveying high pressure water to fire nozzles.
[0002] As is known, in a fire event, persons or firemen can remain trapped in a room darkened by fumes and flames.
[0003] In this condition it would be very difficult to find the outlet of the room, also considering the fact that the orienting capabilities of a person would be seriously affected by the dangerous situation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to provide such a tube construction for fire nozzles, allowing to properly indicate an outlet path, thereby providing a precious aid for trapped persons and firemen.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a tube construction for conveying high pressure water for fire nozzles, comprising a tubular body, which can be coupled between a pressurized water supply source and a water jet ejecting nozzle, characterized in that said tube construction comprises, on said tubular body, phosphorescent or light emitting graphic elements indicating a direction of the water supplying source, and, accordingly, an exiting path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a tube construction for conveying high pressure water to fire nozzles, which has been illustrated, by way of a merely indicative, but not limitative, example, in the accompanying drawings, where:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the tube construction according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a further schematic view illustrating the transfer strip for applying
graphic marks on the subject tube construction;
and
Figure 3 is a further schematic view illustrating an exemplary application of the tube construction according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0007] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the tube construction for conveying high-pressure water to fire nozzles according to the invention, which has been indicated generally by the reference number 1, comprises a tubular body 2, of a type conventionally used in fire systems, which can be coupled between a pressurized water supply source, generally located outside of the fire zone, and a water jet ejecting nozzle 3.
[0008] The main feature of the invention is that on the surface of the tube a plurality of graphic elements 10 are applied, which, in the disclosed exemplary embodiment, comprise arrows indicating the direction toward the water supply source.
[0009] More specifically, the arrows 10 can be made by a transfer method, in which coloured, phosphorescent and/or light emitting arrows are applied, starting from a strip 20 arranged on the tube for transferring the images of the arrows.
[0010] Advantageously, the arrows are arranged on the tubular body 2 with a rectilinear or helical pattern, so as to be clearly seen independently from the position of the tubular body.
[0011] The application of a phosphorescent marks, with an arrow pattern on a tubular body, would provide a very useful aiding tool, since it would immediately indicate to a possibly trapped fireman, the exiting path, by following the coloured arrows, phosphorescent and/or light emitting marks on the tube, which would be easily lightened in the presence of any electric lamp or under the flame light.
[0012] From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim.
1. A tube construction for conveying high pressure water to fire nozzles, comprising
a tubular body which can be coupled between a pressurized water supply source and
a water jet ejecting nozzle, characterized in that said tube construction comprises,
on said tubular body, graphic elements indicating a direction toward said pressurized
water source, and, accordingly, an exiting path.
2. A tube construction, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said
graphic elements are made of a phosphorescent material.
3. A tube construction, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said
graphic elements comprise arrows the tips of which are oriented toward said pressurized
water supply source and, accordingly, toward said exiting path.
4. A tube construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said coloured and phosphorescent graphic marks are applied by a transfer method.
5. A tube construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said coloured, phosphorescent or light emitting graphic marks are substantially
helically applied on said tubular body to be clearly seen independently from the position
of said tubular element.
6. A tube construction, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized
in that said coloured, light emitting and/or phosphorescent graphic marks are applied
to said tubular body according to one or more longitudinal patterns.
7. A tube construction for conveying high pressure water to fire nozzles, according to
one or more of the preceding claims and substantially as broadly disclosed and illustrated
and for the intended aim.