Grady C North

US Patent:

7611075, Nov 3, 2009

Filed:

Aug 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/200897

Inventors:

Robert G. Relyea - Dallas TX, US
Grady C. North - Dallas TX, US

International Classification:

A01G 25/09
A62C 27/00

US Classification:

239172, 239165, 239272, 169 24, 169 70

Abstract:

A novel aerial boom system for use atop a vehicle and having linear movement sensors associated with hydraulic cylinders for moving lower and upper booms such that a microprocessor associated with the system can determine the instantaneous position of each boom and coordinate movement of the booms with respect to each other and with the vehicle to prevent undesired contact and to gradually decelerate boom movement as the boom approaches its limits to avoid shock from sudden stop of boom movement. When the novel system is used with a fire fighting vehicle, two variably spaced, independently controllable, fluid discharge nozzles can be used to fight one or two separate and distinct fires simultaneously. A piercing nozzle can be associated with the outer end of the upper boom that is independently controllable in both the vertical plane and in the horizontal direction to enable piercing of a wall independent of boom movement to assist penetration.

US Patent:

20060032939, Feb 16, 2006

Filed:

Aug 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/200842

Inventors:

Robert Relyea - Dallas TX, US
Grady North - Grapevine TX, US

Assignee:

Crash Rescue Equipment Service, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

A01G 27/00

US Classification:

239068000, 169005000

Abstract:

A management system for controlling the dispensing of a fire fighting agent from a container in which a control device is used to select a desired rate of discharge of a fire fighting retarding agent from a container. The system includes a display in visual proximity to a user of the control device for visually indicating the selected flow rate of the fire retarding agent from the container. In addition, the system includes a visual display for indicating the time remaining, preferably in minutes and seconds, for the fire retarding agent in the container to be substantially completely expended. Alternatively, a synthesized voice may announce the time remaining at predetermined intervals such as every 5 seconds. Finally, a visual display, preferably in the form of a bar graph, gives the real time physical level of the fire retarding agent remaining in the container at any given time.

US Patent:

51781859, Jan 12, 1993

Filed:

Mar 6, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/665114

Inventors:

Henry J. Stehling - Irving TX
Grady North - Grapevine TX

Assignee:

Hydra-Shield Manufacturing Inc. - Irving TX

International Classification:

F16K 1506
F16K 3700
F16K 1518

US Classification:

137543

Abstract:

A suction inlet pump, useful with pumper firetrucks, has a floating valve element which is normally biased closed by a spring. The motion of the floating valve is also positively determined by a cam engaging a shaft extending from the floating valve element and aligned with the cam. The cam is moved from a first position that positively holds the floating valve element completely closed to a second position which allows the floating valve element to fully open. By selectively positioning the cam between the completely closed and fully opened positions, the amount of water entering the valve may be selected so that the valve functions properly for the particular use to which it is put. The suction inlet valve includes a lockable operating handle which is used to rotate and position the cam. An indicator on the exterior of the valve housing indicates the position of the cam.

US Patent:

51274795, Jul 7, 1992

Filed:

Dec 31, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/634357

Inventors:

Henry J. Stehling - Irving TX
Grady North - Grapevine TX
Paul Rouse - Irving TX
David Dunston - Irving TX

Assignee:

21st Century International Fire Equipment Services Corporation - Irving TX

International Classification:

A62C 300
A62C 3712
A62C 3568

US Classification:

169 65

Abstract:

A fire extinguishing system for a residential cookstove or range includes a fire extinguisher mounted above a hood in a cabinet positioned over the cookstove or range. The fire extinguisher is connected by flexible hoses and/or adjustable pipes to a pair of nozzles within the hood to dispense fire suppressant over the cookstove or range. The fire extinguisher includes an operator normally biased to the operable position, but held in the inoperable position by a cable system having a plurality of fusible or reusable, heat-activated links distributed therein. The cable system is held in tension adjacent the inner periphery of the hood and includes a section of chain to facilitate installation. Upon the occurrence of a fire, at least one of the links separates, releasing the cable system and allowing the operator to move to the operating position whereby the fire extinguisher releases the fire suppressant.

US Patent:

46026541, Jul 29, 1986

Filed:

Sep 4, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/772489

Inventors:

Henry J. Stehling - Bedford TX
George M. Hughes - Fort Worth TX
Grady C. North - Grapevine TX

Assignee:

Hydra-Shield Manufacturing Co. - Irving TX

International Classification:

F16K 3506
F16L 2900
F16L 3728

US Classification:

137296

Abstract:

A coupling for a fire hydrant-fire hose connection includes a first coupling member attached to the fire hydrant and a second coupling member attached to the fire hose wherein both the first and second coupling use a Storz connector. A butterfly valve is mounted within the first coupling to prevent access to the interior of the hydrant and a readily removable cover is placed over the first coupling member to shield the member when the hydrant is not in use.

US Patent:

52976360, Mar 29, 1994

Filed:

Mar 31, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/860726

Inventors:

Grady North - Grapevine TX

Assignee:

Twenty First Century - Irving TX

International Classification:

A62C 300

US Classification:

169 65

Abstract:

A fire extinguishing system for a residential cookstove or range includes a fire extinguisher mounted above a hood in a cabinet positioned over the cookstove or range. The fire extinguisher is connected by flexible hoses and/or adjustable pipes to a pair of nozzles within the hood to dispense fire suppressant over the cookstove or range. The fire extinguisher includes an operator normally biased to the operable position, but held in the inoperable position by a cable system having a plurality of fusible or reusable, heat-activated links distributed therein. The cable system is held in tension adjacent the inner periphery of the hood and includes a section of chain to facilitate installation. Upon the occurrence of a fire, at least one of the links separates, releasing the cable system and allowing the operator to move to the operating position whereby the fire extinguisher releases the fire suppressant. Upon the fire extinguisher's releasing the fire suppressant, a hose connected to a pneumatically operated valve in the gas supply line is pressurized.

US Patent:

58992766, May 4, 1999

Filed:

Sep 10, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/926858

Inventors:

Robert G. Relyea - Dallas TX
Grady C. North - Grapevine TX

Assignee:

Crash Rescue Equipment Service, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

A62C 2700
A01G 2509

US Classification:

169 25

Abstract:

A forward-mounted fluid-dispensing boom on a fire-fighting vehicle that can move between a retracted position and a fully extended position directly in front of the vehicle.