subject: Different Hose Couplings Around The World [print this page] Hose couplings or adapters are an important tool used for hoses. It is mostly used as a form of connector to connect one end of a hose to the other, while other hose couplings are used to connect a hose to a tap or a hose appliance, such as an irrigation sprinkler.
However, other than just a connector used for garden hoses, such as the popular hoselink and hozelock, hose adapters are also known for its role in sophisticated applications. Similar to the many uses of hose, hose couplings are also known for its variety of uses and each application are known to use a unique type of hose coupling. Here are some recognized types of hose couplings used around the world.
Hose Couplings by Country
Nakajima and Machino
Nakajima and Machino are both types of hose adapters used in Japan. A Nakajima is a type of "quarter turn" or "sexless" coupling while Machino includes a quick connect and disconnect coupling. Both are used mainly for fire hoses.
Storz
A Storz is a coupling mostly used in Germany. It is a "quarter turn coupling", or "sexless coupling", commonly used to connect to fire hydrants, easy to connect, no particular male or female end, lugs are on inside of coupling.
Guillemin symmetrical clutch
Commonly known as DSP Connector, this type of hose coupling is mostly fastened by a tricoise wrench, but it is also possible to be fastened by hand. Like any other hose adapters, this is also a "quarter turn" and "sexless" hose coupling. Each end has a ring with two protuberances outside; when the ring turns, the protuberances lock to the hook of the other hose. These types of hose couplings are mostly used in France and in Belgium.
Gost
A type of "sexless" coupling commonly used on fire hoses in Russia.
Barcelona
By its name, this type of hose coupling is mostly used in Spain, as hose couplings for fire hoses. It is a type of "sexless" coupling with 3 engaging lugs.
National Standard Thread (NST)
Also known as National Hose thread (NH). The most common type of fire hose coupling used in the USA. The male and female straight (non-tapered) threads screw together and the connection is sealed with a gasket.
Expansion Ring
Other than the NST, the Expansion Ring is also a type of hose coupling widely used in the US. This is commonly used on lay flay fire hose. It also has the advantage of providing no flow restriction, as the expansion ring is expanded to match the inner diameter of the hose. They are installed with special machinery using a drawbar expander. In the USA it is most commonly supplied with NST (NH) threads.
