Compact fire fighting monitor

Abstract

A fire fighting monitor includes a first pipe having an inlet and an outlet and a passageway with a central axis. The passageway extends from the inlet to the outlet and has a curved portion wherein the outlet directs the flow of fluid in a direction angled to the flow of fluid into the inlet. The monitor includes a second pipe mounted about the outlet of the first pipe, which is pivotally mounted about a pivot axis, which is located at the outlet of the first pipe. The second pipe also has an outlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the first pipe and is pivotal about the pivot axis over a range of motion greater than 90°.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A fire fighting monitor comprising:
 a first pipe having an inlet and an outlet, said first pipe having a passageway with a central axis, said passageway extending from said inlet to said outlet, said passageway having a curved portion wherein said outlet directs the flow of fluid in a direction angled to said flow of fluid into said inlet;   a second pipe mounted about said outlet of said first pipe, said second pipe pivotally mounted about a pivot axis, said pivot axis being located at said outlet of said first pipe, and said second pipe having an outlet in fluid communication with said outlet of said first pipe and being pivotal about said pivot axis over a range of motion greater than 90°.   
     
     
         2 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein said outlet of said first pipe has a spherical body, and said second pipe including a spherical body for mounting about said outlet of said first pipe. 
     
     
         3 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 2 , wherein said spherical body of said second pipe has an inner diameter, said spherical body of said first pipe having an outer diameter, said inner diameter of said spherical body of said second pipe being different than said outer diameter of said first pipe. 
     
     
         4 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 2 , further comprising a spherical body interposed between said second pipe and said first pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of overlapping spherical bodies interposed between said second pipe and said first pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein said outlet of said second pipe is pivotal about said pivot axis over a range of motion greater than 120°. 
     
     
         7 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein said outlet of said second pipe is pivotal about said pivot axis over a range of motion greater than 135°. 
     
     
         8 . A fire fighting monitor comprising:
 a housing having an inlet about a generally vertical pivot axis and an outlet, said housing having a passageway with a central axis and a single generally horizontal pivot axis, said passageway extending from said inlet to said outlet, said passageway having a curved portion wherein said outlet directs the flow of fluid in a direction angled to said generally vertical pivot axis, and said outlet being pivotal about said single generally horizontal pivot axis over a range of greater than 90°; and   a nozzle mounted to said outlet, wherein said nozzle is pivotal about said single generally horizontal pivot axis outlet and is pivotal with said outlet over said range.   
     
     
         9 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 8 , wherein said outlet is pivotal about said single generally horizontal pivot axis over a range of motion greater than 120°. 
     
     
         10 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 8 , wherein said outlet is pivotal about said single generally horizontal pivot axis over a range of motion greater than 135°. 
     
     
         11 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 8 , wherein said housing includes a first pipe and a second pipe, said first pipe including said inlet, and said second pipe including said outlet. 
     
     
         12 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of overlapping spherical bodies interposed between said second pipe and said first pipe, said overlapping spherical bodies forming a pivot joint between said first pipe and said second pipe. 
     
     
         13 . A fire fighting monitor comprising:
 a housing having a curved passageway with a central axis and a movable outlet having a linear passageway in fluid communication with and pivotal relative to said curved passageway; and   a nozzle mounted about said movable outlet, said curved passageway and said linear passageway forming a flow path through said monitor to said nozzle having a single bend to thereby reduce friction losses in the fluid flowing through said monitor.   
     
     
         14 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 13 , wherein said housing includes a first pipe and a second pipe, said first pipe including said inlet, and said second pipe including said outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of overlapping spherical bodies interposed between said second pipe and said first pipe, said overlapping spherical bodies forming a pivot joint between said first pipe and said second pipe. 
     
     
         16 . A fire fighting monitor comprising:
 a housing having a passageway with a movable outlet; and   a nozzle mounted about said movable outlet, said passageway forming a flow path through said monitor to said nozzle, and wherein said housing is formed from one or more molded components.   
     
     
         17 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 16 , wherein said one or more molded components comprises a component molded from a plastic material. 
     
     
         18 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 17 , wherein said plastic material comprises a composite material. 
     
     
         19 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 18 , wherein said composite material comprises a reinforced nylon, such as a glass filed nylon. 
     
     
         20 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 16 , wherein said one or more molded components comprises a component molded from a metal, such a powered metal or an investment cast metal. 
     
     
         21 . The fire fighting monitor according to  claim 16 , wherein said housing has no more than two bends to thereby reduce friction losses in the fluid flowing through said monitor.