Fire hose handling and re-loading apparatus

An apparatus to handle and relocate rolled fire hose, the apparatus includes a frame, a rotating platform mounted to the frame, a pair of leg members joined by a pivot that splays and retracts the frame, and wheels mounted on the lower portion of each leg. The rotating platform is operable to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the splaying plane created by the legs. The collapsible apparatus, when upright, provides a two tined fork for straddling and lifting the lower perimeter of a rolled fire hose. When tilted rearwards onto the apparatus' wheels, the fork raises the rolled hose off the ground and thus enables “dollying” the rolled hose to any location. When the apparatus is oriented horizontally, the apparatus provides a means for easy, yet controlled uncoiling of the hose roll as the hose is fed to firefighters reloading the hose back onto fire truck's hose bed.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the handling and transport of a fire hose. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus for handling, maneuvering and reloading rolled fire hose onto a fire truck. The apparatus includes a frame; a rotating platform mounted to the frame; a pair of leg members joined by a pivot that splays and retracts the frame; and wheels mounted on the lower portion of each leg.

BACKGROUND

At every large fire, hundreds of feet of firefighting hose is laid on the ground to move water from various sources, to the seat of the fire for extinguishment of the fire. Certain hose types carry water from fire truck to the fire (called attack lines) while other type hoses carry water from fire hydrants, or other sources of water, to the fire truck (called supply line).

Attack lines are generally 1½″, 1¾″, or 2½″ hoses in 50′ lengths. Although other sizes are occasionally used, supply lines are generally 4″, 5″ or 6″ inch and called Large Diameter Hose (LDH). LDH are usually in 100′ lengths and can weigh upwards of 100-lbs. or more each. At a large fire, numerous LDH supply lines may be laid successively and total line length can often exceed several hundred or even occasionally one thousand feet, consisting of multiple individual 100′ lengths of hose. The 4″, 5″ and 6″ LDH is the primary subject of this disclosure.

After the fire has been extinguished, all of the hose laid needs to be returned to the fire trucks that it originated from, and readied for the next deployment. These tasks are usually performed at the scene of the fire but occasionally the hose is collected on scene and then reloaded onto the fire truck back at the station.

Moving LDH is labor intensive and back-breaking work. Most often, each hose length is rolled on the ground by hand, carried by a single fire fighter back the several hundred feet to the fire truck of origin and then unrolled again. The LDH is then fed by hand up to firefighters positioned on top of the fire truck. The LDH is then reloaded into the fire truck hose bed in a manner that facilitates the hose being self-deployed or laid out again, during the next fire, while the vehicle is in motion. Due to its 100+pound weight, returning the 4″, 5″, or 6″ LDH to service and ready for the next deployment poses the most significant challenge to the already tired firefighters. It is this challenge that this invention primarily addresses.

Previously attempted solutions have focused on hose rolling, or hose dewatering devices, others have focused on wheeled hose carrying and/or hose uncoiling devices. None of these solutions have sufficiently met the most pressing needs of the industry relating to the subject problem. These other devices have fallen short of an effective solution owing to their unwieldy weight and size, being operationally cumbersome, requiring an untenable amount of storage space on the fire truck, and their prohibitively high costs deterring fire departments from owning the multiple units necessary for fire-ground functional efficiency. Multiple units would allow faster reloading of hose as firefighters could be retrieving additional hose rolls with some units while other firefighters were using another unit to reload hose back onto the fire truck.

SUMMARY

In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for handling hose, the apparatus comprising a frame, a rotating platform mounted to the frame, a pair of leg members joined by a pivot for splaying and retracting the frame. The splaying legs create a splaying plane and the rotating platform is operable to rotate around an axis perpendicular to the splaying plane.

In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for handling hose, the apparatus comprising a frame, a rotating platform mounted to the front of the frame. The rotating platform is operable to rotating around an axis perpendicular to the front. The frame further includes a pair of tines positioned proximate the rolling end, each tine is located to straddle the outer radius of the hose when the hose is coiled.

In yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for handling hose, the apparatus comprising a frame having a front and center, a rotating platform mounted to the front of the frame. The rotating platform is operable to rotating around an axis perpendicular to the front. The frame further includes rollers positioned radially from the center; the rollers rotate independently of the rotating platform.

In still yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus for handling hose, the apparatus comprising a frame, a rotating platform mounted to the front of the frame. The rotating platform is operable to rotating around an axis perpendicular to the front and wherein the rotating platform telescopes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Apparatus20for handling hose25is illustrated inFIGS. 1-14b. Apparatus20can move a rolled hose25from one point to another over a rolling surface21such as the ground, easily maneuver around obstacles, and facilitates feeding hose to firefighters reloading the hose onto a fire truck100. Apparatus20comprises a frame22. Frame22has a center24, front26, back28, holding end30and rolling end32. Frame22is preferably an expandable and contractible frame. Frame22includes a pair of leg members34(34aand34b) joined by a pivot36. Pivot36is substantially at the center of the frame. In one embodiment, each leg member34has a superior portion38and an inferior portion40,FIGS. 1-6band8-13. In another embodiment, leg members34may only have an inferior portion40, apparatus20′,FIGS. 14aand 14b. Leg members34may telescope for greater compactness. In the preferred embodiment, both the superior portions38and inferior portions40are present and create a collapsible “X”. Together leg members34and pivot36create cross-leg members35that splay apart and retract around pivot36. Splaying and retraction of the leg members expands and collapses frame22and therefore expands and collapses apparatus20. The movement of leg members34defines a splaying plane37,FIG. 5. Leg members34may further be telescoping leg members where the length of the superior portions38and inferior portions40may be adjusted. Frame22may be fabricated from aluminum, steel, plastic or any other rigid strong material. In the retracted state,FIG. 1, apparatus20is compact and ready for storage. In the splayed state,FIGS. 2 and 3, apparatus20is ready for holding, moving and uncoiling hose25.

Apparatus20further includes a handle42integrated with frame22at holding end30. Handle42dissects the intersection of leg members34at the location of pivot36and provides a means of pushing or pulling apparatus on wheels88when deployed. Handle42is preferably a telescoping handle that provides additional compactness to the apparatus as well as provides a mechanism to aid in the splaying of leg members34. Handle42has a grasping member44attached to handle extension member46that slides along a handle receptacle48. Apparatus20further includes linking arms50(50aand50b). Linking arms50engage between handle42and superior portions38of cross-leg members35. When handle extension46is telescoped outward to lengthen handle42, linking arms50cause cross-legged members35to splay apart and widen frame22. When handle extension46is telescoped inward to shorten handle42, linking arms50retract cross-legged members35to retract and collapse frame22so that the frame is more compact.

In one embodiment,FIGS. 5, 6aand6bsplaying mechanism52includes two circular flat metal plates54aand54b, inferior portion receptacle56, superior portion receptacle58, combination inferior/superior receptacle60, handle extension46and handle receptacle48. The inferior portion receptacle56and superior portion receptacle58are sandwiched between and fastened to circular plates54aand54b. Being sandwiched and affixed between circular plates54aand54b; inferior portion receptacle56, superior portion receptacle58and both circular plates are static, relative to each other, and move in unison as a singular part. The remaining combination inferior/superior receptacle60has an offset jog and is sandwiched, but not fastened, between circular metal plates54aand54b. Combination inferior/superior receptacle60moves dynamic relative to the two circular plates54aand54b, and the combination inferior/superior receptacle is able to pivot around pivot36that includes a pivot pin39.

Splaying mechanism52enables each leg receptacle, and thus each leg, to move in unison with its vertically opposing counterpart leg receptacle and respective leg on the opposite lateral side of the device. Handle receptacle48passes through the center of the combination inferior/superior receptacle60on the same plane as the leg receptacles. Circular plates54aand54bmay have rotation slots55. A rotation limit pin57may be mounted to run between the two circular plates and fastened to the combination inferior/superior receptacle60to limit rotation of the cross-leg members35.

Handle42and splaying mechanism52are designed to work together so that extending or contracting the handle splays or contracts the cross-leg members35,FIGS. 6a, 6band 8a-c. For this to work, a through-slot61is provided in handle extension46and a linkage slot63in handle receptacle48. Handle extension46is dynamic and handle receptacle48is fixed. Through-slot61is located at the lower end of handle extension46, the slot open from the front to back. When handle extension46is positioned within handle receptacle at center24of apparatus20, handle extension46is allowed to travel a fixed distance in spite of being penetrated through the through-slot61by the center pivot pin at pivot36. Linkage slot63is a slot in the backside of handle receptacle48. The linking arms50are affixed at a specific point to handle extension46, that point of attachment is allowed to move through linkage slot63. As handle extension46moves within handle receptacle48, linking arms50fastened to the handle extension, slide alone the length of linkage slot63.

Handle extension46is used to activate the splaying mechanism. Extending handle extension46moves linking arms50to be more perpendicular to the handle and thus moves the superior portions38apart splaying the legs. Similarly retracting handle extension46moves the linking arms to lay more parallel to the handle and contracts the superior portions38. A means of locking the telescoping handle in the desired positions is provided by locking device99. Locking device99may be a spring button66to fit within a spring button hole67, a spring loaded pin or a friction point lever. Linking arms50could also be elongated to form an over-center eccentric toggle lock. In an alternative embodiment 20″, leg splaying and contracting is provided by gears68,FIG. 9, at the innermost end of inferior portions40meshing with gears68at the innermost ends of the superior portions38rather than a center pivot.

A rotating platform70is mounted to frame22. Rotating platform70is operable to rotate around axis A (a.k.a. platform rotation axis, a.k.a. pivot axis) that is perpendicular to splaying plane37. Rotating platform70has a platform center71, the platform center is mounted to the pivot36. Rotating platform70is operable to rotate 360-degrees around the pivot axis independent of pair of leg members34. Rotating platform70acts both as a support when transporting coiled hose25and also as a mechanism that facilitates easy uncoiling of rolled hose25back onto the fire truck. Rotating platform70includes a circular disc72mounted onto turntable bearings74that are sandwiched between two raceways75(75aand75b). Raceways75aand75brotate relative to each other over bearings74allowing rotating platform70to rotate. Rotating platform70may also be telescoping rotating platform70′,FIGS. 7aand 7b. In one embodiment telescoping platform70′ has four extension arms76that telescope outward from the center providing additional support for a coiled hose and also compactness for storage.

Additional components and features of apparatus20may be provide in conjunction with rotating platform70to further enhance support and easy, controlled uncoiling of hose25. When splayed, the superior portions38and inferior portions40of leg members34can be used to support the outer radius of a coiled hose. By adding a rotatable leg surface84to each superior portion38and inferior portion40, coiled hose25can then rotate over these surfaces while still being supported. Rotatable leg surface84is preferably a circumferential sleeve, cylindrical roller, or plurality of rollers. The roller's independent rotation is rotation around a Axis B (a.k.a. roller axis) that is perpendicular to the pivot axis of rotation. In an alternative embodiment cylindrical rollers may be fastened to sides or tops of legs or combination of both. In another alternative embodiment a plurality of circumferential grooves may be provided on the circumferential sleeve or rollers. In still another alternative embodiment a plurality of cylindrical rollers are provided radially from the center. In still yet another embodiment a plurality of rollers are provided circumferentially grooved or un-grooved on each leg.

Near the posterior end of each inferior portion40of leg member34is a tine86. Tine86is an elongated protrusion that may take the form of an elongated cylinder or elongated rod. Tine86is preferably pivotably connected to the inferior portion40to pivot between a position parallel to and perpendicular to the splaying plane37. In the splayed state each tine is located to straddle the outer radius of a coiled hose. When upright, in the vertically deployed position, the two folding tines86create a “fork” on the lowermost anterior aspect of frame22,FIG. 2. Tines86are used to lift coiled hose25off of the ground when apparatus20is tilted backward onto wheels88. Each tine86preferably has a rotating tine surface90to aid in the uncoiling of the hose from apparatus20. As hose25is being unloaded, the hose easily rolls past tines86. Tines86help to keep the hose on rotating platform70during uncoiling. Each tine86may have a tapered shaft that narrows towards the free end with an enlarged free end to help hold hose25in place when the hose is being uncoiled from apparatus20.

The upper end of each superior portion40of leg34may include a bumper92. In the splayed state each bumper is located to straddle the outer radius of a coiled hose. Bumper92extends perpendicular from leg member34to provide a revolving upper, perimeter bumper or “stop” to counter balance the “Fork” tines during uncoiling. Each bumper is preferably has a rotating bumper surface94to aid in the uncoiling of the hose from apparatus20. As hose25is being uncoiled, the hose easily rolls past bumper92. Bumpers92help to keep the hose on rotating platform70during uncoiling.

At the outermost end of each of superior portion40on the back side is a standoff96. Standoff96is a protrusion that when the backside of the frame is laid upon the ground, i.e. rolling surface21, the standoff keeps handle42from touching the ground. Standoffs96create two contact points with the ground surface that help support apparatus20in a reclined/horizontal position so that the apparatus does not move, wheels do not roll, when unloading a hose.

Inferior portion38of each leg member34having a revolving wheel88and tire fastened on the lateral aspect of the outermost end. Wheels88are used to move apparatus20along the rolling surface such as the ground when the apparatus is between a vertical and reclined state. When the inferior portion38of each leg is splayed, wheels88are positioned to roll around an axis parallel to the rolling surface.

Rigid protrusion98is provided adjacent to each wheel88. Rigid protrusion98protrudes from apparatus frame20in a direction away from and generally perpendicular to the back of the frame as well perpendicular to the spinning axis of each wheel88. Rigid protrusion98extends to points slightly beyond the outer most circumferential edge of each of wheels88. When apparatus20is in the vertical deployment position, as for moving hose,FIGS. 2-4, 10a-10band11, ridged protrusions98are not in contact with the rolling surface. However when apparatus20is pivoted rearward into the horizontal deployment position,FIG. 12, as for hose uncoiling, the outer most ends of the rigid protrusions98make contact with the rolling surface and elevate wheels88from the rolling surface. This interruption of wheels88contact with rolling surface21prevents the apparatus from rolling on the wheels during uncoiling.

Apparatus20is deployed as follows. From the retracted state,FIG. 1, handle extension46is pulled causing linking arms50that are attached between superior portions38to splay leg members34. Handle42is then locked in place by a locking mechanism99. Apparatus20is then wheeled into proximity of a rolled fire hose25that has been positioned upright and vertical upon the ground. Tines86are then pivoted outward perpendicular to leg members34to create a fork,FIG. 10a. Tines86are then slid under the near outer most aspect of where the circumference of a rolled fire hose contacts the rolling surface,FIG. 10b. When apparatus20is tilted in a rearward direction, and allowed to pivot on wheels88, the apparatus lifts the rolled hose25from the ground and enables the movement of the hose roll to a new desired location,FIG. 11. If hose25is to be reloaded back onto a fire truck100, the hose is rolled into proper proximity to the awaiting fire truck that the hose is to be re-loaded onto. Apparatus20with rolled hose25is then laid down, in a rearward direction, onto the ground such that the standoffs96and protrusions98are resting on the ground and the hose is oriented horizontally,FIG. 12. The coiled hose25, now laying centered on rotating platform70is now in a position to be hand fed to firefighters loading the hose onto the hose bed of the fire truck. As the firefighter pulls on hose25, the hose roll rotates with rotating platform70and rotatable leg surfaces84as the hose is advanced,FIG. 13. Bumpers92and tines86keep the hose from sliding off of rotating platform36.

FIGS. 14aand 14bshow an alternative embodiment where leg members34of apparatus20′ may only have an inferior portion40. Apparatus20′ may have all the other features discussed above as they relate to apparatus20which has leg members34with both an inferior portion40and a superior portion38.

While several embodiments of the invention, together with modifications thereof, have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.