Fire-Grip Carry Handle – Infinity Metal Fabrication & Design Inc.
Four years ago Sam Solly, owner of Infinity Metal Fabrication & Design Inc. (Infinity) was approached by an MNR representative to help with an issue they have been dealing with for years. The MNR fire fighters utilize a Mark-3 water pump when extinguishing forest fires. These water pumps are the best in the field and Infinity has now made them even better!
The first issue was that these water pumps are stored by stacking them one on top of another, causing excessive weight to bear down on the spark plug cover. The spark plug cover would then tilt downward into the cylinder head cooling fins resulting in broken cooling fins. The second issue was that the user of the Mark-3 pump lifts the pump by the spark plug cover. This causes the spark plug cover to tilt into the fan cowl resulting in broken bolt bosses on the fan cowl. Replacing these damaged parts is costly.
The solution was to replace the factory equipped spark plug cover with a more structurally integrated concept.
Ideas were discussed on how to address these issues and Sam was on his way to developing an innovative new product. Hours of hard work analyzing, designing, and fabricating led to the creation of the Fire-Grip Carry Handle (Fire-Grip). Sam has patented his new design and continuously improves the product. Over the course of a 1 year Sam revamped his design 6 times and now feels his current design is truly an outstanding product.
The Fire-Grip has a variety of features incorporated into a small design. Its sturdy light-weight aluminum structure has been specifically designed to allow multiple units to be safely stacked one on top of the other and can easily withstand a 500 lb load. It has a balanced handle enabling one-handed ergonomic lifting. Four structurally integrated mounting points eliminate cracked cowls and broken cooling fins when heavy loads are placed on the Fire-Grip. Spark plugs are well protected and the cylinder head bolts are accessible for retorquing.But best of all it looks great!
The Ontario MNR is extremely satisfied with all the well thought-out features of the Fire-Grip and its performance in the field. Infinity is now setting its sights on attracting buyers in other provinces as well as moving into the U.S. markets.
