Abstract:
A fire fighting unit to be installed and transported on a relatively small vehicle, comprising, in combination, frame structure sized for installation on a vehicle; fluid supply apparatus carried on the frame structure; and including a water supply tank, a fire fighting foam tank, a compressed gas source, fluid delivery lines from the tanks, and controls including pumps carried on the frame structure, for controlling fluid delivery via the lines, and in mixed condition to at least one fluid delivery nozzle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to fire fighting, and more particularly to use of fire fighting vehicles, in relatively inaccessible areas. 
     Many areas such as in crowded urban zones are relatively inaccessible to modern fire fighting vehicles, which are generally of large size. Such inaccessible zones include narrow streets and alleys, between buildings and homes, wildlands and forest fire areas. There is need for vehicles and vehicle transported equipment that is capable of accessing such inaccessible zones, and of successfully fighting fires in such zones. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a major object of the invention to provide fire fighting methods and apparatus meeting the above needs, as well as other needs, as will appear. Basically, the invention provides a fire fighting unit to be installed and transported on a relatively small vehicle, comprising, in combination: 
     a) frame structure sized for installation on the vehicle, 
     b) fluid supply means carried on the frame structure, and including 
     i) a water supply tank, 
     ii) a fire fighting foam tank, 
     iii) a compressed gas source, 
     c) fluid delivery lines from the tanks, and controls including pumps carried on the frame structure, for controlling fluid delivery via lines, and in mixed condition to at least one fluid delivery nozzle. 
     As will be seen, the small size vehicle typically includes one of the following 
     i) a relatively small sized fire truck, 
     ii) an all terrain vehicle, 
     iii) a relatively small sized truck, 
     and wherein at least one of the nozzles is carried by the vehicle, in spaced relation to the frame structure. 
     Another object includes provision of at least one nozzle carried in series with a fluid delivery hose, the hose carried by said frame structure. As will be seen, a fluid delivery hose may be on a hose reel carried by the installed frame structure. The latter may include a first frame structure carrying the fluid supply tanks, and a second frame structure carrying the controls and including pumps. 
     A further object is to provide such controls to have manually operable control elements exposed at the exterior of said frame structure. The controls may have manually operable control elements exposed at an end of the second frame structure which is spaced from the first frame structure. Further, the vehicle may have forward and rearward ends, the exposed control elements located at the rearward end of the vehicle. Accordingly, the operator need not stand at the side of the vehicle, which may be relatively maneuverable as in a narrow alley way, but he is enabled to operate the controls at the open rear of the vehicle. The controls may include a fluid mixing zone to which the fluid delivery lines from the truck extend; and also valves in the lines extending from the tanks. 
     The method of operation typically includes 
     i) maneuvering the relatively small vehicle into a relatively inaccessible area where a fire exists; and 
     ii) operating the controls at the vehicle end to deliver a mixture of water, foam and compressed air to the nozzle. 
     The method may also include supporting the nozzle on top of the vehicle, to be freely accessible for maneuver, in narrow driveways and zones. 
     Yet another object is to provide multiple small size fire fighting vehicles to be maneuvered close to a fire or fire front, the vehicle having length between about 6 and 10 feet, and narrow width, and further characterized by 
     at least one nozzle carried on the vehicle, 
     at least one tank carried by the vehicle to supply fire abating pressurized fluid including pressurized foam to the nozzle, said at least one tank located at a relatively low level on the vehicle, 
     Means may be provided on the small vehicle to control pressurized fluid (including fire suppression foam) delivery from the nozzle or nozzles on the vehicle, and to have one of the following forms: 
     i) a spray in cone form 
     ii) mist droplets 
     iii) a narrow stream of fluid. 
     The method of fire fighting employing self-propelled small vehicles as referred to includes: 
     propelling and maneuvering said relatively small vehicle across terrain to an area where a fire exists, 
     delivering fluid from said tank to said nozzle, in pressurized condition, 
     and maneuvering said nozzle to direct fluid into the fire. 
     The above method may include providing a fluid source or sources at a selected distance from the fire, and returning said vehicles to said source or sources fro replenishing fluid into the vehicle tanks, as needed, for subsequent use of the vehicle in fighting the fire. The fluid source may advantageously include a tank or tanks or a carrier or transport vehicle configured to carry certain of the fire-fighting vehicles, to be off-loaded in the vicinity of a fire; whereby close access to a fire front can be made available, in rough terrain zones, with fire-fighting fluid delivery being provided from small highly maneuverable vehicles, which can quickly retreat from rapidly spreading fire zones, if needed. The small vehicles can carry tools, saws, hoses and nozzles, gurneys for evacuating injured humans, and can be radio controlled, and positioned by or from a control center, as for example another vehicle, or by satellite if needed. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
    
    
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a right side view of a fire fighting vehicle on which equipment in accordance with the invention is installed; 
     FIG. 2 is a left side view of the FIG. 1 vehicle; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear view of the FIG. 1 vehicle, above the level of vehicle wheels; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modular unit, including a frame, before its installation on the FIG. 1 vehicle; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a fire fighting fluid supply system, as incorporated in the FIG. 4 unit; 
     FIG. 6 shows slide-in installation of a frame onto a vehicle bed; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of a number of small size fire fighting vehicles maneuvering close to a fire front, and supplied with pressurized fluid from a source vehicle; 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevation showing a small sized fire fighting vehicle, as shown in FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a plan view of the rear interior of a small size fire fighting vehicle; 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 are elevations showing nozzles supplied with pressurized fluid, to be delivered to a fire or fire front; and 
     FIGS. 12-14 are plan views of various types of fire fighting small vehicles, as referred to. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to FIGS. 4 and 5, the support enclosure  10  of a relatively small fire fighting vehicle is adapted to receive the frame structure  11  of a fire fighting unit  12 . The frame structure may be modular, and is shown as a box configuration or configurations, with longitudinal supports  11   a , lateral supports  11   b , and vertical supports  11   c . These are typically configured to allow simple and rapid endwise slide-in installation of the unit, into the support enclosure  10 , in direction  100 . See FIG. 6 showing sliding at  300  of supports  11   c  and  11   a  on enclosure bed  10   d.    
     The enclosure is part of fire fighting transport vehicle, typically of relatively small size, enabling its travel access into narrow zones, as for example alleys, and various roadways, or in crowded areas with other vehicles and people, for fighting fires which otherwise may not be accessible. One such vehicle is shown at  20  in FIGS. 1-3, and will be further described. The overall length L 1 , of the enclosure  10  is about 126 inches or smaller; and the overall length L 2  of the vehicle  20  is about 230 inches or smaller. The overall width W 1  of the vehicle is about 85 inches or smaller. 
     In the example, the frame structure  11  is in two sections  111  and  211 , each separately installable lengthwise into the support enclosure  10 , with spacing  25  between the installed sections  111  and  211 . The overall length L 3  of each section  111  or  211  is about 60 inches or smaller, and the overall width W 2  of each section is about 48 inches or smaller. The overall height H of each section may also be about 48 inches or smaller. These dimensions enable unusually efficient handling, installation, and removal of the sections into and from the enclosure  10 ; and they also enable efficient access to the equipment carried by the section, as via sliding doors  26 - 29  at opposite sides of the enclosure  10 , for inspection and repair. Vehicle  20  has a forward cab  20   a , side doors  20   b - 20   e , and wheels  20   f . One such vehicle is produced by IZUSU, Japan, and with a total weight of less than 10 tons. Other types of small motorized transport vehicles are usable, as for example all terrain vehicles (ATVs). 
     Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, section  111  of the frame structure carries three tanks  30 ,  31  and  32 . Tank  30  contains water, and may be filled via top inlet  30   a . Tank  31  contains fire resistant foam  31   a , and to be filled via top inlet  31   b . Foam  31   a  may for example consist of ammonium phosphate. Tank  32  is a source of compressed gas, as for example air; and a supply air compressor is shown at  33 , and carried in the frame structure  211 , separated from structure  111  and the tanks supported therein, as for safety reasons. 
     FIG. 5 shows water, foam and compressed air delivery lines  34 ,  35  and  36  from the three tanks, and extending to mixer junction  37 , carried on the frame section  211 . Control valves  38 - 40  are or may be installed in the three lines, as shown, and controls for the three valves are indicated at  38   b ,  39   a  and  40   b  on the rear panel  41 , at the exposed rear of the frame structure  211 . Valve  39  may be a suitable foam proportioner valve. Pumps may be installed in series with lines  34  and  35 , ahead of the valves in those lines. Such pumps (and associated motors) are indicated at  44  and  45 , and may be controlled as to speed, as via pump motor controls  44   a  and  45   a  at rear panel  41 . Line  34 - 36  series connector may be provided, and are indicated at  34   a - 36   a.    
     The combined or individual fluids (compressed air, water and foam, proportioned as controlled) are delivered at line  60  seen in FIG. 5, leading to a nozzle or nozzles, as for example via line sub-sections  60   a - 60   c . Such sections extend to a nozzle  61  at the top or front bumper of the truck; a nozzle  62  at the rear of the truck connected to the end of a hose; and to a nozzle  63  at the end of a hose reel  63   a  located at the rear of the frame structure  211 . Accordingly, the user may mount the cab to use and direct nozzle  61 , within the narrow width confines of the vehicle, without interference with walls, people or other vehicles at the side of the cab; or, the user may position himself at the rear of the frame structure to use nozzles  62  and  63 , within the narrow confines of the vehicle. Suitable fluid delivery valves may be located at the nozzles. FIG. 5 also shows a master control valve  67  in line  60 , with a control at  67   a  at the rear of the frame structure. 
     The method of use of the fire fighting structure includes maneuvering the relatively small vehicle into a relatively inaccessible area where a fire exists; and operating the controls at section  211  to deliver a mixture of water, foam and compressed air to a maneuverable nozzle or nozzles; and maneuvering that nozzle or nozzles to direct fluid from the nozzle into the fire in the inaccessible area. 
     The method may also be considered to include installing the modular frame sections with carried equipment as described, onto a vehicle, as described, for transport, use, and control of fluid delivery from the nozzle or nozzles. 
     Fluid mist may be produced by the nozzle or nozzles, if of mist producing type or construction. Mist droplets less than 1,000 Å in diameter are found to be especially useful and effective. 
     Nozzle  61  is shown on top of the vehicle, for ready maneuverability, within the narrow lateral confines of the vehicle. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, it shows multiple fire fighting, small, self propelled vehicles  100  maneuvered or maneuvering into close-in relation to a fire front  101  such as a forest fire. The vehicles carry nozzles  102  for spraying pressurized fluid at  103  onto the fire, and said fluid may typically consist of water and fire suppressing foam, as referred to above. The vehicles may contain supply or storage tanks  104  for the fluid or fluids, to be mixed and pumped to the nozzles under pressure, as will be discussed with reference to FIG.  8 . Hoses  105  may be provided to replenish the vehicle tanks with fluid or fluids, as from a source or sources  106 . The latter may include large tanks  107  and  107   a  on a carrier or transport self-propelled vehicle  108 , and the small vehicles  100  may be rapidly transported by the large vehicle (as on its elongated bed  108   a ), to the fire zone. All the vehicles  100  and  108  are adapted to maneuver on rough terrain. In addition, the vehicles  100  and  108  may be controlled as by radio links  110 ,  110   a  and  110   b , from a control center  111 , for best and most efficient positioning to fight the fire  101 . Command center  111  may be located on the ground, or in an aircraft, or on a satellite, from which the fire front area and the vehicle may be carefully observed. Firemen may be employed to drive the vehicles close in to the fire front, and to deploy or aim the spray nozzles  102 , to best effect for fire abatement; and in case of extreme danger, the self-propelled vehicles  100  can be rapidly driven away from the advancing fire, i.e. much faster than a fire fighting individual can run, for safety. 
     FIG. 8 shows one form of representative or preferred vehicle  100 , having a chassis  100   a , wheels  100   b , engine area  100   c , steering wheel  100   d , driver compartment  100   e , seat  100   f , roof  100   q , support struts  100   h , and rear deck  100   i . A gurney  115  is supported on roof  100   g , for transport of an injured fire-fighter to safety. 
     Located on lower level deck  100   i  is a tank  104 , or tanks  104  and  104   a . See also FIG.  9 . Tank  104  contains water, and tank  104   a  contains fluid foam or liquid that produces fire suppressing foam when mixed with water and sprayed toward the fire. Such spray can form a divergent cone, or a narrow stream, as controlled by an adjustable spray nozzle  118 . FIG. 9 also shows an auxiliary engine  120  or power take-off drive or shaft drive, pumps  121 , 122  and  122   a , and drives  123  to the pumps. The mixer  124  receives fluid from tanks  104  and  104   a , and from air compressor  129 . Fluid flows from the mixer  124 , to hose  125  and on reel  127 . Fluid also flows from  104  via  122  to hose  126  on reel  128 . The hoses terminate at nozzles  118  and  118   a , either or both of which can be positioned, oriented, and adjusted to spray pressurized liquid in water mist form, or compressed air driven foam, for fire abatement. The nozzles are independently activated, i.e. usable. 
     In FIG. 8, a towed wheeled vehicle  130  carries an auxiliary tank or tanks  131  and  132  for water or foam liquid, to which the pumps can be connected by hoses  131   a  and  132   a , if needed. A tow hitch appears at  200 . 
     FIG. 10 shows a nozzle  118 , having an inlet  133 ; tubular duct  134 , angled at  134   a ; outlet  135 ; and trigger  136  controlled valve  137 . FIG. 11 shows another form of nozzle  118   a  having three outlets  138 ,  139  and  140  respectively, for water, foam, and other liquid, if desired. An adjustment at  141  enables proportioning control of delivery from the outlets. See also inlets at  142 - 144  for the two or three liquids, trigger control at  143 , for the amount of spray released. 
     FIGS. 12-14 show three forms of the small vehicle, with single driven wheels  150  in FIG. 12; dual rear drive wheels  151  in FIG. 13; and a widened vehicle, for two passengers  160  and  161  in FIG.  14 . 
     Preferably, the vehicle  10 , and those shown in FIGS. 12-14 have length between 6 and 10 feet and width between 3½ and 5 feet, enabling extreme maneuverability in close proximity to fire zones.