Fire hose coupling with directional indicator

Abstract

A fire hose coupling comprises a body having a first end connected to a fire hose and a second end having either male or female threads or, alternatively, a quarter-turn sexless coupler. The fire hose coupling comprises a recessed portion formed in an outer surface of the body. The recessed portion is shaped to define a visuotactile directional indicator such as an arrow. The recessed portion may include a light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility such as a super reflective metal film, a photo luminescent coating, or a phosfluorescent coating. The recessed directional indicator may be formed in female, male or sexless (Storz) couplings.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A fire hose coupling comprising:
 a substantially annular coupling body having a first end for connecting to a fire hose and a second end that defines a coupler for connecting to another coupling;   a plurality of lugs that extend radially outwardly from the substantially annular coupling body; and   a plurality of arrow-shaped visual directional indicators between the lugs for indicating a direction of exit.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of visual indicators comprises a light-reflecting surface to enhance visibility of the directional indicator. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the light-reflecting surface comprises a super reflective metal film. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the light-reflecting surface comprises a photo luminescent coating. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the light-reflecting surface comprises a phosfluorescent coating. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the substantially annular coupling body comprises internal threads to thereby define a female coupling. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the substantially annular coupling body comprises external threads to thereby define a male coupling. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the substantially annular coupling body comprises a quarter-turn coupler. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling as claimed in  claim 1  comprising three equally spaced lugs. 
     
     
         10 . A coupling-hose combination comprising:
 a hose;   an annular coupling body having a first end connected to the hose and a second end that defines a coupler for connecting to another coupling;   a plurality of lugs that extend radially outwardly from annular coupling body;   wherein the annular coupling body includes a plurality of visual directional indicators between the lugs for indicating a direction of exit.   
     
     
         11 . The coupling-hose combination as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the coupler comprises internal threads to thereby define a female coupling. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling-hose combination as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the coupler comprises external threads to thereby define a male coupling. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling-hose combination as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the coupler is a quarter-turn coupler. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling-hose combination as claimed in  claim 10  comprising three equally spaced lugs.