Fire-fighting monitor
View Patent ↗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. The counterbalance device further comprises a pivot member mounted to the coupler and a second unitary body mounted about the pivot member, with the second unitary body being adapted to engage and generate an interference with an inner surface of the annular member when the coupler is pivoted about the pivot axis in a first direction and adapted to release the interference with the inner surface of the annular member when the coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in an opposed second direction from the first direction.
1. A fire-fighting monitor comprising:
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, said coupler being pivotally mounted to said body at said outlet of said body wherein said internal passageway of said coupler is in communication with said internal passageway of said body, and said coupler having at least one pivot axis; and
a counterbalance device, said counterbalance device comprising an annular member mounted to said first body at said pivot axis, said counterbalance device further comprising a pivot member mounted to said coupler and a second unitary body mounted about said pivot member, said second unitary body being adapted to engage and generate an interference with an inner surface of said annular member when said coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in a first direction and adapted to release the interference with said inner surface of said annular member when said coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in an opposed second direction from said first direction.
2. The monitor according to claim 1 , wherein said second unitary body includes at least two fins, said fins being configured to engage and generate said interference with said inner surface of said annular member when said coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in said first direction and adapted to release said interference with said inner surface of said annular member when said coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in said second direction.
3. The monitor according to claim 2 , wherein said fins each include a first leg and a second leg extending from and angled with respect to said first leg.
4. The monitor according to claim 3 , wherein said second unitary body includes a central portion, each of said L-shaped fins comprising a first portion extending from said central portion and a second portion angled with respect to said first portion and being adapted to engage said inner surface of said annular member and generate the interference with said inner surface of said annular member when said coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in said first direction and adapted to be released from the interference with said inner surface of said annular member when said coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in said second direction.
5. The monitor according to claim 4 , wherein said pivot member includes an outer perimeter, each of said fins being generally aligned with a tangent line to said outer perimeter.
6. The monitor according to claim 5 , wherein each of said first portions are generally aligned with the tangent line to said outer perimeter.
7. The monitor according to claim 1 , wherein said second unitary body comprises an aluminum body.
8. The monitor according to claim 2 , wherein said fins expand outwardly toward said annular member and function as columns when said coupler is pivoted in said first direction to thereby bind against said inner surface of said annular member and compress and function as beams when said coupler is pivoted in said second direction wherein said fins release said interference with said inner surface of said annular member.
9. The monitor according to claim 2 , wherein said second unitary body includes at least three fins.
10. The monitor according to claim 9 , wherein said second unitary body includes at least four fins.
11. The monitor according to claim 2 , wherein said fins are configured to expand outwardly when said coupler is pivoted in said first direction and to deflect and compress inwardly when said coupler is pivoted about said pivot axis in said second direction.
12. The monitor according to claim 1 , wherein said second unitary body includes a plurality of springs, said springs being compressible when said coupler is pivoted in said second direction and being adapted to be substantially rigid when said coupler is pivoted in said first direction wherein said springs bind against said inner surfaces of said annular member.
13. The monitor according to claim 2 , wherein said second unitary body and said fins are monolithic to thereby form a unitary part.
14. The monitor according to claim 1 , wherein said annular member comprises a housing.
15. The monitor according to claim 2 , wherein said pivot member has an outer perimeter, each of said fins being generally aligned with a tangent line to said outer perimeter of said pivot member.
16. The monitor according to claim 15 , wherein said fins expand outwardly toward said annular member and function as columns when said coupler is pivoted in said first direction to thereby bind against said inner surface of said annular member and compress and function as beams when said pivot member is pivoted in said second direction wherein said fins release said interference with said inner surface of said annular member.
17. The monitor according to claim 1 , wherein said second unitary body comprises a wheel.
18. The monitor according to claim 17 , wherein said wheel includes an outer perimeter, said outer perimeter generating said interference with and contacting said inner surface of said annular member.
19. The monitor according to claim 18 , wherein said wheel includes a plurality of fins, ends of said fins being configured to generate said interference and contact said inner surface.
20. The monitor according to claim 3 , wherein said first legs extend outwardly from said pivot member, and said second legs are generally tangent to said inner surface of said annular member.
21. The monitor according to claim 3 , wherein said first legs have a generally uniform thickness along their respective lengths.