Abstract:
An improved carrier apparatus for use by fire fighters to carry fire hose and to serve as a personnel carrier includes an elongate bottom, a first end wall connected to the bottom and first and second opposed and spaced apart side walls connected to the bottom and to the first end wall. A second fire hose retaining end wall is movably connected to the first side wall for removable connection to the second end wall. A gap is formed between a lower edge of the second end wall and the elongate bottom when the second end wall is removably fastened to the second side wall to permit water and debris to pass out through the gap while preventing the fire hose from falling out of the carrier prematurely.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a carrier apparatus and more particularly to a carrier apparatus for use by fire fighters both as a carrier for fire hose and as a carrier for a person. 
     It is often necessary for a fire fighter to carry a length of hose from the fire truck to a distant location, where the hose will be put in use. For example, where a fire occurs in a high-rise building, shopping mall, large department store, in subway stations and in parking garages, it is necessary to carry the hose into the structure, and to then connect it to a stand pipe, and to deploy it so that water may be directed at the fire. Other instances where the carrying of a fire hose is required are where the fire occurs in a rural location, and it is necessary to transport the fire hose to a suitable source of water, such as a pool, stream or pond. 
     It is highly desirable that minimum time be consumed between the arrival at the site of the fire by the firemen and the discharging of water on the fire, and so the fire hose must be readily carried, and a suitable length must be carried by a single fire fighter in many instances. Further, it is necessary that the hose be paid-out rapidly and without requiring the handling of the hose at the carrier by a second fire fighter, while one fire fighter is moving with the nozzle, connected to the fire hose, towards the fire. 
     Among the problems which face firemen in fighting fires is the necessity for removing victims from the site of the fire, and the most facile way of handling this problem has been the calling for a stretcher by the fireman who has located the victim. This is often time consuming, especially where the fire is at a remote location from the fire engine on which the stretcher is stored, thereby necessitating an additional trip for a hard-pressed fire fighter from the fire site to the fire engine to procure the stretcher. A delay can also occur while a separate part of the fire fighting crew is directed to bring a stretcher to the site where the victim is located. 
     Clemens, U.S. pat. Nos. 4,442,557 and 4,478,452 incorporated herein by reference, describe a carrier apparatus for use by fire fighters which are currently being used successfully by many fire departments. Although these carriers are serving the purpose for which they were designed, they have not proved entirely satisfactory under all conditions of service for several reasons. For example, the carrier described in those patents provides for an open end at the end opposite end wall  12 . As a result, a fire hose can fall out of the carrier  10  prematurely. Also, having handles  24   a ,  24   b ,  26   a  and  26   b  only at the ends of carrier  10  makes it difficult for a single fireman to lift and move carrier  10  from one place to another. The absence of a pocket or sleeve on carrier  10  also has required a fireman to carry tools, such as elevator keys and hose spanners, on his person. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a carrier apparatus for use by fire fighters which incorporates a movable end flap for retaining a hose within the carrier while enabling water and debris to pass out from the carrier through a gap between the movable flap and a bottom of the carrier. 
     Another object is to provide such a carrier apparatus which is designed to be carried by a single fire fighter by means of handles centrally positioned on the carrier apparatus. 
     A further object of the invention is the provision of such a carrier apparatus which includes a pocket or sleeve attached to an exterior surface of the carrier for receiving and storing support tools, such as elevator keys and a small hose spanner, so that the tools can be conveniently carried with the first-in equipment for fighting a high-rise building fire. 
     Still another object is to provide such a carrier apparatus which can be used as a carrier for fire hose and as a carrier for a fire victim. 
     A still further object is to provide such a carrier apparatus which is comprised of a flaccid material so that the carrier apparatus can be readily collapsed and folded for easy transportation and storage when not in use. 
     Still another object is to provide such a carrier apparatus which includes carrier handles at both ends of the apparatus to facilitate lifting and movement of the carrier by more than one fire fighter. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides carrier apparatus for use by fire fighters, the apparatus comprising: an elongate bottom, a first end wall connected to the bottom and first and second opposed and spaced apart side walls connected to the bottom and to the first end wall; a second end wall movably connected to the first side wall; first means in operative relationship with the second end wall and with the second side wall for removably fastening the second end wall to the second side wall; a plurality of handles connected to each of the first and second side walls for lifting and carrying the carrier apparatus and any load supported by the carrier apparatus; a plurality of straps connected to one of the side walls and extending to the other one of the side walls; and second means in operative relationship with the straps and with the other one of the side walls for releasably securing the straps to the other one of the side walls. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not restrictive of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a carrier and hose in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of a carrier and hose in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carrier of this invention shown as a person transporter. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a carrier apparatus  10  which comprises an elongate carrier body  11  that is made of suitable flaccid material. Such material is strong, abrasion-resistant, and water impervious. Various materials of suitable character are known, and these include Nylon, or fabric impregnated with Nylon, and materials having various coatings. 
     At one end of carrier body  11  there is provided a first end wall  12  connected in a conventional manner to bottom  15 . A first side wall  14  is connected in a conventional manner to end wall  12  and to bottom  15 . Opposite side wall  14 , and generally parallel to it, is a second side wall  16  connected in a conventional manner to end wall  12  and to bottom  15 . Side walls  14  and  16 , at the portions thereof adjacent end wall  12 , are substantially perpendicular to end wall  12  and they are also substantially perpendicular to bottom  15 . 
     Remote from bottom  15 , side wall  14  has a free edge  14   a , and substantially parallel thereto is a free edge  16   a  of side wall  16 . Carrier body  11  is open at the top, between edges  14   a  and  16   a , and can also be open at the end opposite end wall  12 . 
     Apparatus  10  further includes a second end wall  12 ′ movably connected to first side wall  14 . End wall  12 ′ can be sewn or otherwise conventionally attached to side wall  14  to permit end wall  12 ′ to be moved relative to wall  14 . 
     In accordance with the invention, first means  80  are provided in operative relationship with second end wall  12 ′ and with second side wall  16  for removably fastening second end wall  12 ′ to second side wall  16 . First means  80  preferably includes hook and loop type fasteners, such as Velcro, connected to end wall  12 ′ and to side wall  16 , respectively. 
     Side wall  14  is provided with a pair of handles  24   a ,  24   b , and there are corresponding handles  26   a ,  26   b  on side wall  16 . In addition, handles  25   a ,  25   b  are connected to side walls  14 ,  16 , respectively, but substantially midway between end walls  12 ,  12 ′. Each of the handles of apparatus  10  is substantially identical and is in the form of a loop, portions of which are suitably secured to side walls  14 ,  16 . 
     Extending across the open space between side walls  14  and  16 , remote from bottom  15  of carrier body  11 , and transversely of the edges  14   a  and  16   a , are securing straps  26 ,  28  and  30 . These straps are each securely attached in a conventional manner at one end to side wall  14 , and have, at their opposite ends, a pad of fastening material, such as pad  30   a  shown in FIG. 1. A corresponding pad  30   b  is shown on side wall  16 , and corresponding pads are provided for straps  26  and  28 . The pads are preferably made of Velcro. 
     In accordance with the invention, second end wall  12 ′ defines a lower edge  13 , and lower edge  13  is normally spaced apart from bottom  15  to form a gap  17  therebetween when second end wall  12 ′ is removably fastened to second side wall  16 . Water and debris, which tends to collect within apparatus  10  during use, can pass out through gap  17  to prevent trapping and collecting of water and debris within apparatus  10  while end wall  12 ′ holds the hose in position within apparatus  10 . 
     Second side wall  16  defines an exterior surface  16 ′, and apparatus  10  further includes a pocket or sleeve  19  connected to surface  16 ′ for receiving and storing small tools, such as elevator keys and a hose spanner. 
     Within carrier body  11  there is provided a length of fire hose  50 , which is positioned in two fan-fold stacks, placed side by side, fire hose  50  being continuous. 
     The length of carrier body  11  is at least equal to the major portion of the length of the body of an adult. For example, the length of carrier body  11  is preferably such that an adult of six feet or more in height will have his head, body, upper legs and lower legs as far as the calves, supported when placed in or on carrier body  11  with his head adjacent end wall  12 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown carrier  10  being used as a device to remove a victim from the scene of a fire. As shown, victim V is positioned so that his back is against bottom  15  with his head substantially adjacent to end wall  12 . If there is only one fire fighter F available, the victim may be dragged from the place of danger, by the fire fighter F pulling on handles  24   a  and  26   a , which are located adjacent end wall  12 . End wall  12  has a width of approximately seven inches so that the portions of side walls  14  and  16  which are adjacent end wall  12  will be spaced that same distance, and thereby tend to cradle or cushion the head of the victim V between them. It will be noted that the length of carrier  10  is such that it will underlie almost the entire length of the victim V, terminating approximately at the calves of the victim V. 
     Bottom  15  is preferably padded to cushion the victim, and the padding of bottom  15  also serves to make more comfortable the carrying of apparatus  10  when it is necessary for the fireman to place it on his shoulder and to carry it. The height of end wall  12  and side walls  14 ,  16  are such as to accommodate a substantial length of fire hose  50 , and in practice, this height is preferably about ten inches. 
     While carrier body  10  is suitable for use to transport a victim where there is only one fireman available, it is preferred to transport the victim by two, or even four, firemen, if such additional firemen are available. In that case, use will be made of handles  24   b  and  26   b , so that the victim is not dragged, but is lifted. While a portion of the legs of the victim will extend beyond the end of carrier body  11 , the lower end of the legs will be substantially in line with the thighs of the legs, and will not hang down, since the lower portions of the legs of the victim will be supported at least to approximately the calves of the legs. 
     When carrier apparatus  10  is to be transported by a fireman from the fire truck, it may be placed on the shoulder of a single fireman, some comfort being provided by the padding of bottom  15 . Centrally located handles  25   a ,  25   b  allow one fire fighter to lift and move carrier  10  from one place to another. The centrally located positions of handles  25   a ,  25   b  allow carrier  10  to be balanced when lifting by one fire fighter. Centrally positioned handles  25   a ,  25   b  will make it easier for a single fire fighter to lift and move carrier  10  without injury to the fire fighter and without damage to carrier  10 . The central location of handles  25   a ,  25   b  also enables a fire fighter to lift and move carrier  10  more rapidly and easily. 
     Two or more fire fighters may carry carrier apparatus  10  by its handles. As many as six fire fighters can carry apparatus  10  when necessary by use of the six handles as a result of a particularly heavy victim being positioned within carrier  10 . 
     In instances where carrier apparatus  10  must be carried into an elevator, it may be stood on end wall  12 . This will take up a minimum of floor space. Carrier apparatus  10  is sufficiently rigid that it will not collapse, or fall over, if steadied by the fire fighter. Since the carrier has a height of approximately five feet, the fireman may pick up vertical-standing carrier  10  with one hand, thereby affording great advantage when, as often happens, the fireman is carrying other equipment with the other hand. 
     Carrier apparatus  10  is highly useful as both a carrier for fire hose and as a carrier for a victim, thereby providing a carrier for a victim at the fire site, without the need for transporting to the fire site an additional piece of equipment. This is highly important, because every man at a fire site is burdened and has many tasks to perform. Carrier body  10  will enable the transporting of a victim from the fire site either by a single fire fighter, or, if available, a plurality of fire fighters. The victim will be held relatively securely and will be transported in a manner that is not likely to injure the victim during transportation from the fire site. 
     Further, carrier apparatus  10  may be transported with some degree of comfort by a single fireman, the carrier apparatus, including the fire hose, being relatively rigid, and of sufficient height that it may be picked up by a fireman simply by bending over and grasping centrally located handles  25   a ,  25   b . 
     At the fire site, opening of carrier  10  is readily effected by manipulation of the securing straps thereon, after which the connection of the hose to a stand pipe or other source of water may readily be made by one fire fighter while another proceeds with the nozzle to the fire site. 
     The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.