Storz
Encyclopedia
For the beer, see Storz Brewing Company
.
Storz is a type of hose coupling
invented by Carl August Guido Storz in 1882 that connects using interlocking hooks and flanges. It is sometimes referred to as a sexless coupling
, because rather than having a male and a female end connected by screw thread
s, either identical end can be joined to any other end of the same diameter. This is also called hermaphroditic
or two-way connection. Amongst other uses, it has been widely employed in firefighting applications.
To couple a Storz connection, the two opposing couplings are pressed together such that the hooks of each one are inserted into the slots in the flange of the other. Then they are rotated in opposite directions until they are tight, or latches engage. This creates a water-tight connection between the internal packing gaskets. To uncouple them, the latches are released and the connectors are turned in the opposite directions from coupling, and then separated when the hooks and slots are aligned. Special wrench
es are designed for assisting with use of Storz connectors.
In the United States
, fire engines
typically carry LDH (large diameter hose) with Storz couplings on both ends for connections between fire hydrant
s and pumps. However, hydrants in the U.S. usually have threaded couplings and require an adapter
to use with Storz. This is not the case in many other nations. The main benefit to using Storz couplings is that connecting hoses using Storz couplings is quick. Generally, a hose can be locked using it with a 1/4 turn. By comparison, locking hoses using threaded couplings often takes several turns. Because of this, Storz couplings are widely viewed as a safer alternative to using threaded couplings.
Guido Storz patented his coupling in Switzerland
in 1890, and it soon became a standard for fire hydrants throughout much of Europe. However, it took nearly one hundred years before steamer ports on fire hydrants started to be converted to the Storz coupling in the United States. All major U.S. hydrant manufacturers now offer Storz couplings as original equipment on their hydrants, to connect with the Storz couplings used by firefighters. Hydrants may also be retro-fitted from thread to Storz to aide interoperability between firefighting organizations.
Storz Brewing Company
The Storz Brewing Company was located at 1807 North 16th Street in North Omaha, Nebraska. Established from a company started in 1863, Storz Brewing began in 1876 by Gottlieb Storz and was owned by the Storz family until 1966; the brewery ceased operations in 1972...
.
Storz is a type of hose coupling
Hose coupling
A hose coupling is a connector on the end of a hose to connect it with another hose or with a tap or a hose appliance, such as an irrigation sprinkler...
invented by Carl August Guido Storz in 1882 that connects using interlocking hooks and flanges. It is sometimes referred to as a sexless coupling
Gender of connectors and fasteners
In electrical and mechanical trades and manufacturing, each half of a pair of mating connectors or fasteners is conventionally assigned the designation male or female...
, because rather than having a male and a female end connected by screw thread
Screw thread
A screw thread, often shortened to thread, is a helical structure used to convert between rotational and linear movement or force. A screw thread is a ridge wrapped around a cylinder or cone in the form of a helix, with the former being called a straight thread and the latter called a tapered thread...
s, either identical end can be joined to any other end of the same diameter. This is also called hermaphroditic
Hermaphrodite
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
or two-way connection. Amongst other uses, it has been widely employed in firefighting applications.
To couple a Storz connection, the two opposing couplings are pressed together such that the hooks of each one are inserted into the slots in the flange of the other. Then they are rotated in opposite directions until they are tight, or latches engage. This creates a water-tight connection between the internal packing gaskets. To uncouple them, the latches are released and the connectors are turned in the opposite directions from coupling, and then separated when the hooks and slots are aligned. Special wrench
Wrench
A wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning....
es are designed for assisting with use of Storz connectors.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, fire engines
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
typically carry LDH (large diameter hose) with Storz couplings on both ends for connections between fire hydrant
Fire hydrant
A fire hydrant , is an active fire protection measure, and a source of water provided in most urban, suburban and rural areas with municipal water service to enable firefighters to tap into the municipal water...
s and pumps. However, hydrants in the U.S. usually have threaded couplings and require an adapter
Adapter
An adapter or adaptor is a person that adapts or a device that converts attributes of one device or system to those of an otherwise incompatible device or system.Some adapters may only affect physical attributes:...
to use with Storz. This is not the case in many other nations. The main benefit to using Storz couplings is that connecting hoses using Storz couplings is quick. Generally, a hose can be locked using it with a 1/4 turn. By comparison, locking hoses using threaded couplings often takes several turns. Because of this, Storz couplings are widely viewed as a safer alternative to using threaded couplings.
Guido Storz patented his coupling in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
in 1890, and it soon became a standard for fire hydrants throughout much of Europe. However, it took nearly one hundred years before steamer ports on fire hydrants started to be converted to the Storz coupling in the United States. All major U.S. hydrant manufacturers now offer Storz couplings as original equipment on their hydrants, to connect with the Storz couplings used by firefighters. Hydrants may also be retro-fitted from thread to Storz to aide interoperability between firefighting organizations.