Abstract:
This invention generally relates to rescue, firefighting, or paying devices and, more particularly, to a fire hose dispensing device and method. The present invention includes a hose box, fire hose, and a hose box release mechanism. The device and method allow firefighters to release and pay hose without leaving the passenger compartment of a fire truck.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/095,951, filed Aug. 10, 1998, entitled “Fire Hose Release Device”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to the field of firefighting devices and, more particularly, to a hose dispenser for a fire apparatus such as a fire truck. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Connecting a fire hose between a fire truck and a water hydrant has traditionally been a time consuming and hazardous evolution. With early firefighting devices, a firefighter would typically ride on the rear deck of a moving fire apparatus, such as a truck or wagon, until a fire hydrant was located. The apparatus would stop and the firefighter would jump from the apparatus clutching one end of a folded two and one-half inch diameter hose. After wrapping the hose several times around the hydrant, the firefighter would jump back onto the apparatus. As the apparatus resumed its forward motion toward the fire, the hose in the bed of the apparatus would unroll. The entire process was moderately expedient, provided the firefighter was not injured by fire related hazards, slippery surfaces or adverse weather. 
     However, due to changes in equipment, coupled with health and safety concerns, the traditional method of paying hose from a fire truck became less efficient. First, both the diameter and length of supply hoses have increased, making the hoses heavier and harder to handle. Second, longer, thicker hoses occupied more space, forcing the hoses to be stacked higher on the fire truck. Lastly, federal and state safety regulations required firefighters, wearing full protective gear, to travel inside of a fire truck&#39;s passenger compartment. This combination of changes resulted in the modern method of paying hose. In the modern method, the fire truck is stopped next to an available hydrant. A fully-equipped firefighter jumps out of the fire truck&#39;s passenger compartment, runs the length of the truck to the end of the truck bed, leaps up onto the truck&#39;s rear deck, physically grabs an end of a hose located at eye level, pulls the hose away from the truck without losing his balance and falling backwards off of the rear deck, jumps from the rear deck to the ground, runs to a fire hydrant, wraps several turns of the hose around the hydrant, runs back to the truck, and steps back up into the truck&#39;s passenger compartment. Once the fireman is inside, the truck restarts and continues toward the fire. This modern method is relatively time consuming and tiring for the firefighter, who must do all of these procedures wearing full protective gear. Valuable time is wasted which could be better spent in actually fighting the fire. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Ideally, firefighters should be able to pay hose without having to leave the safety of the fire truck. To help solve this problem, the present invention is directed toward an automatic supply hose dispensing system, generally including an ejection mount and a hose box releasably attached to the ejection mount. A supply hose may be positioned adjacent to and connectable with the hose box. The present invention allows a firefighter to release a supply hose from a fire truck without requiring the firefighter to leave the fire truck passenger compartment. In addition to saving valuable lifesaving time, the present invention also enhances a firefighter&#39;s physical safety. Additionally, the present invention alerts passing motorists and pedestrians of the possibility of unwound hose during darkness, fog or other inclement conditions. 
     Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a means of discharging a supply hose segment, or similar equipment, without requiring firefighters to leave the fire truck&#39;s passenger compartment. 
     Another object of the invention is to decrease the amount of time needed to pay hose. 
     A further objective is to produce a hose paying system which alerts drivers to the exposed hose. 
     These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the attached drawings in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a hose box loaded onto an ejector mount, the hose box having a pivoting gate releasably secured by a latch; 
     FIG. 2 is side view of the hose box and ejector mount shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of an ejection mount with an ejector mount pivot wall in a closed position; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the ejection mount shown in FIG. 3 with the ejector mount pivot wall in an open opposition; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the ejection mount actuator assembly shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevated view of a first end of the hose box, a segment of hose folded inside the box, and a liftable gate adjacent a second end of the hose box; 
     FIG. 7 is an elevated perspective view of the hose box shown in FIG. 6 with the segment of hose unfolded; 
     FIG. 8 an elevated perspective view of a hose box with a pivoting gate and a latch release; 
     FIG. 9 is an elevated perspective view of a hose box with an open top portion, a four-way hydrant valve inserted into the box, and a double folded section of hose adjacent a first end of the hose box. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In general, the hose paying system of the present invention generally includes an ejection mount  10  and a hose box  12  releasably attached to the ejection mount  10 . A supply hose  14  may be positioned adjacent to and connectable with the hose box  12 . As shown in FIG. 2, the ejection mount  10  preferably resembles a right triangle when viewed from the side, but the actual shape of the ejection mount  10  is irrelevant, so long as the hose box  12  can be releasably attached to the ejection mount  10 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and with more specificity in FIGS. 3-5, the ejection mount  10  has a base  16  and a first sidewall  18  positioned substantially perpendicularly adjacent to a first side  20  of the base  16 . A second sidewall  22  is positioned substantially perpendicularly adjacent to a second side  24  of the base  16 , substantially parallel to the first sidewall  18 . A back wall  26 , having a first end  28  and a second end  30 , is positioned substantially perpendicularly adjacent to the first sidewall  18  and the second sidewall  22 , with the second end  30  of the back wall  26  positioned adjacent a third side  32  of the base  16 . A plurality of box support legs  34  extend from the back wall  26  and are positioned substantially perpendicularly adjacent the back wall  26 , substantially parallel to the base  16 . A rotatable pivot wall shaft  36  is positioned adjacent to the first end  28  of the back wall  26 , between the first and second sidewalls  18 ,  22 , substantially parallel to the base  16 . A pivot wall  38  is connected to the pivot wall shaft  36 , with the pivot wall  38  having a first box guide rail  40  positioned adjacent a first side  42  of the pivot wall  38  and a second box guide rail  44  positioned adjacent a second side  46  of the pivot wall  38 . The pivot wall  38  also includes box support recesses  48  corresponding to or aligned with the box support legs  34 , so that the box support legs  34  protrude through the pivot wall  38  when the pivot wall  38  is pivoted into a closed or loaded position, as shown in FIG. 3, or are completely obscured when the pivot wall  38  is pivoted into an open or unloaded position, as shown in FIG.  4 . The pivot wall  38  is pivoted into an open or closed position by an actuator assembly  50  connected to the rotatable pivot wall shaft  36 . FIGS. 1 and 2 show the actuator assembly  50  positioned adjacent the first sidewall  18  of the ejection mount  10 , while FIGS. 3-5 show the actuator assembly  50  adjacent the second sidewall  22  of the ejection mount  10 . Either configuration may be used depending on the needs of the user. 
     The actuator assembly  50 , shown in detail in FIGS. 3-5, has a fluid inlet  52  that is connected to a fluid routing valve  54 . The fluid routing valve  54  has a fluid routing switch  56  that routes a fluid, such as air or hydraulic fluid, into a jack  58  and a pressure relief valve  60 . The fluid routing switch  56  may be controlled, i.e., opened or closed, for example, by fluid, electrical signal, or any other conventional means. In firefighting applications, a conventional electrical control device having an electrical signal switch activated inside the cab of a fire truck is the preferred method. 
     The jack  58  has a jack body  62  and jack extension  64 , with the jack extension  64  connected to one end of a lever  66 . The other end of the lever  66  is connected to one end of a chain  68 . The other end of the chain  68  is connected to a bias spring  70  connected between the chain  68  and a spring mount  72 . The chain  68  engages a rotatable sprocket  74  connected to a first end  76  of the pivot wall shaft  36 . 
     The ejection mount  10  is preferably mounted on a vehicle, such as the rear portion of a fire truck hose bed. In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a swing out hinge mount  78  is attached to the rear step  80  of a fire truck and the ejection mount  10  is attached to the swing out hinge mount  78 . The swing out hinge mount  78  allows firefighters to swing the ejection mount  10  out away from rear of the fire truck, e.g., up to about 170 degrees of rotational arc, allowing access to compartments accessible only from the rear of the fire truck. To prevent the ejection mount  10  from swinging out away from the rear of the truck during transit, a slide stop  82  is provided on either the first or second sidewall  18 ,  22  of the ejection mount  10 , opposite the swing out hinge mount  78 . The slide stop  82  engages a hole drilled into the rear bumper or step  80  of the fire truck. As an alternative, the back wall  26  of the ejection mount  10  may also be securely bolted directly to the fire truck, preferably adjacent a rear portion of the fire truck hose bed. 
     As shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2, and explained more fully in the several successive paragraphs, the hose box  12  is releasably loaded onto the ejection mount  10  and is subsequently expelled from the ejection mount  10  onto a surface, such as the ground. As shown generally in FIGS. 1-9, the hose box  12  has a first end  84 , a second end  86  positioned opposite the first end  84 , a first sidewall  88 , formed by a substantially L-shaped member  90  and an obtuse shaped member  92  positioned perpendicularly adjacent the first and second ends  84 ,  86 , a second sidewall  94  formed by a second L-shaped member  90  and a second obtuse shaped member  92  and positioned opposite and parallel to the first sidewall  88 , a top portion  96  positioned perpendicularly adjacent the first end  84 , the second end  86 , the first sidewall  88 , and the second sidewall  94 , and a base plate  98  forming a bottom portion positioned parallel to the top portion  96  and connecting the first and second sidewalls  88 ,  94 . The top portion  96  can be open or closed and the first end  84 , second end  86 , first sidewall  88 , and second sidewall form  94  an internal cavity  102 . Although hose box  12  can assume many different geometrical shapes, sidewalls formed from substantially L-shaped and substantially obtuse shaped members  90 ,  92  provide two significant advantages. First, the shape of each sidewall  88 ,  94  allows pads  100  positioned on the sidewalls  88 ,  94  to contact the ground or other surface and cushion the impact of the hose box  12 . Second, the obtuse shaped members  92  urge the bottom portion  98  of the hose box  12  towards the ground when the hose box  12  is ejected from the ejection mount  10 , insuring that the hose box  12  will land with the top portion  96  of the hose box  12  facing away from the ground. 
     In one embodiment of the hose box  12 , shown in FIGS.  1  and  6 - 8 , joining members  103  connect the first and second sidewalls  88 ,  94  or the first and second ends  84 ,  86  adjacent the top portion  96  of the hose box  12 . The first end  84 , second end  86 , first sidewall  88 , second sidewall  94 , base  98 , and joining members  103  form an internal cavity  102  within the hose box  12 . The internal cavity  102  provides enough clearance to allow a folded hose  101 , e.g., about 25 feet in length, having a hydrant connector C to be inserted into hose box  12 . The folded hose  101  is inserted into the hose box  12  through a movable gate  104 . The gate  104  has a first side  106  and a second side  108  and is positioned adjacent the second end  86  of the hose box  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the second side  108  of the gate  104  is pivotally connected adjacent the bottom portion  98  of the hose box  12 , with the first side  106  pivotally movable away from the top portion  96  of the hose box  12  into an open position. The gate  104  is held in a closed position by a movable latch  110  positioned adjacent the first side  106  of the gate  104 . In a second embodiment, the first side  106  of the gate  104  is pivotally connected adjacent the top portion  96  of the hose box  12 . The gate  104  is lifted into an open position with the assistance of a graspable gate knob  112 . As shown in FIGS.  1  and  6 - 8 , the first end  84  of the hose box  12  may contain a dual hose connector  114  positioned adjacent the first end  84  of the hose box  12  for connecting the supply hose  14  to the hose box  12  and then hose box  12 , i.e., the hose  101 , to a hydrant or other water source. FIGS. 6 and 7 show an optional battery powered light  116  positioned in a protected area of the hose box  12 . The light  116  is connected to a light switch  24  (not shown) that activates upon release of the hose box  12  from the ejection mount  10 . The protected area is preferably adjacent the top portion of the hose box  12 . FIGS.  1  and  7 - 8  show tool clamps  27  attached to the sides of hose box  12  to allow the attachment of various firefighting tools  120 , such as a hydrant wrench. 
     In a second embodiment of the hose box  12 , shown in detail in FIG. 9, the hose box  12  does not have joining members  103  adjacent the top portion  96  of the hose box  12 . Instead, the top portion  96  of the hose box  12  is open, allowing a four-way hydrant valve  122  to be inserted into the internal cavity  102  of the hose box  12 . In this embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, the four-way hydrant valve  122  replaces the dual hose connector  114 . The supply hose  14  is still adjacent the hose box  12 , but the supply hose  4  is connected directly to the four-way hydrant valve  122 . Slack in the supply hose  14  can be provided by connecting the supply hose  14  to the four-way hydrant valve  122 , placing the four-way hydrant valve  122  in the hose box  12 , and pulling a folded layer of supply hose  14  through the first end  84  of the hose box  12  and looping a portion of the hose around or over a transverse support member  107 . Once the hose box  12  has been deployed from the ejection mount  10 , the four-way hydrant valve  122  can be lifted out of the hose box  12 , through the open top portion  96  of the hose box  12  and carried to the nearest hydrant, fire truck, or other water source. The looped portion of the hose provides the slack to permit movement of the hydrant valve  122 . The hydrant valve  122  can be secured in the hose box  12  in any conventional manner, such as straps, quick release devices, etc. 
     In either the first or second embodiments, hose box  12  should be durable enough to withstand a drop from a fire truck, yet light enough for one person to lift. Moreover, hose box  12  should be designed to survive an impact with concrete or other paved surface. Steel is the preferred construction material, but other metals or composites may be used. 
     Operation begins by attaching an ejection mount  10  to a fire truck, positioning or connecting a supply hose  14  to a releasable hose box  12 , connecting the releasable hose box  12  to the ejection mount  10 , releasing the hose box  12  from an ejection mount  10 , moving a fire truck in a forward motion away from the hose box  12 , and paying the supply hose  14  from the hose bed of the fire truck. To accomplish these steps, any one of the aforementioned embodiments of the hose box  12  is attached to the ejection mount  10 , as shown generally in FIGS. 1-3, by moving the pivot wall  38  of the ejection mount  10  into the loaded position. The obtuse shaped members  92  on the hose box  12  slide upwardly between the pivot wall  38  and box guide rails  40 ,  44 . When the hose box  12  is seated in the ejection mount  10 , a pressure release knob  61  is activated and the pivot wall  38  is manually pressed toward the back wall  26 . As shown in FIG. 1, the hose box  12  then rests on the box support legs  34  and is held in place by the box guide rails  40 ,  44  on the pivot wall  38 . A safety interlock prevents the hose box  12  from being removed from the ejection mount  10  until the activation switch is energized. Moreover, a second interlock prevents a hose box  12  from being deployed while the ejection mount  10 , if equipped with a swing out hinge mount  78 , is pivoted away from a rear portion of the fire truck. 
     The actuator assembly  50  is preferably powered by a fluid, such as air. To deploy any embodiment of the hose box  12 , an operator stops a rear portion of the fire truck near a hydrant or other water source and activates the actuator assembly  50 , preferably by energizing the activation switch from inside of the passenger compartment of the truck. Shown generally in FIGS. 3-5, tripping the activation switch causes the fluid routing switch  56  to open, and a fluid such as air is directed into jack  58  and the pressure release valve  60 . As pressure builds in the jack  58 , the jack extension  64  extends away from the jack body  62 , depressing the attached lever  66 . The downward motion of lever  66  causes the chain  68  to rotate the sprocket  74 . The bias spring  70 , connected to the chain  68  and the spring mount  72 , creates tension in the chain  68 . The rotation of the sprocket  74  attached to pivot wall shaft  36  causes a lower end of pivot wall  38  to move in a forwardly direction, pivotally away from back wall  26 . When the pivot wall  38  is completely extended and clear of the box support legs  34 , as shown in FIG. 4, the hose box  12  slides along the box guide rails, preferably lined with a low friction material such as plastic  124 , past the ejection mount  10 , and onto the ground or other surface. It should be appreciated that any activator means can be employed to pivot the pivot wall  38 . While an air driven means are preferred, any suitable fluid can be used. In addition, other mechanical or electrical devices, such as cables, mechanical linkages, levers or motors can be used to rotate pivot wall shaft  36 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the supply hose  14  is connected to the hose box  12  via the dual hose connector  114  and unrolls a length approximately equal to the height of the hose box  12  above the ground. Once the hose box  12  impacts the ground, the weight of the hose box  12  allows the supply hose  14  to pay out as the truck resumes its forward motion. Optional light  116  activates, warning of the deployment of hose box  12  and the payed supply hose  14 . Additional safety precautions include positioning reflective tape  126  on the hose box  12  and painting the hose box  12  a bright color, such as yellow. It should be noted that the truck does not need to come to a complete stop before discharging the hose box  12 , but this is the preferred method. The hose  101  is removed and the hydrant connector C attached to a hydrant to allow water to flow from the hydrant through the hose  101  and dual hose connector  114  into the supply hose  14  and hence to a conventional firefighting nozzle. 
     In a second embodiment, the hose box  12  contains a conventional four-way hydrant valve  122  instead of a 25-foot folded hose  101  section. In this embodiment, the hose box  12  is discharged in the same manner as described in the preferred embodiment. However, the hose box  12  may be discharged further than 25 feet from the hydrant, provided there is more than 25 feet of supply hose  14  doubled over itself. The hydrant valve  122  may then be removed from the hose box  12  and carried to the hydrant. 
     Thus, the present invention provides an expedient, safe way for paying fire engine supply hose. Hose can be deposited at a precise location from inside the fire truck without consuming a firefighter&#39;s valuable time or exposing the firefighter to non-fire related safety risks. Moreover, once the hose has been deployed, its exact location can be determined by motorists, pedestrians and emergency personnel. 
     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.