Abstract:
A fire fighting apparatus comprising a container with two tanks therein, one holding a quantity of water and another holding a quantity of foaming agent, a pump operated by a gasoline engine, several hoses for directing a water/foam mixture at a fire and for refilling the water tank with water from a source, and a valve system for directing the water/foaming agent mixture through two different hoses at the fire while water from a source is used either directly on the fire or for replacing water taken from the tank. The apparatus is held within a container mounted on casters so that it can be conveniently wheeled about. The unit is adapted for use in areas remote from fire departments.

Description:
The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/824,270, filed Apr. 2, 2001 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fire fighting apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A long time ago, fire fighting was left up to the property owner. In towns and other communities where homeowners lived in a neighborhood—and where there was a greater risk of fires spreading to neighboring homes—neighbors would pitch in to help put out a fire. When a home caught fire, neighbors would form bucket brigades, lines of people that passed a series of buckets—from a water source to a fire. Eventually, private fire fighting organizations developed that would put out fires for a fee using private pumping equipment. The home owner would have to negotiate the price for putting out his fire while the fire raged. This approach gave way to volunteer fire companies and municipal fire departments that are responsible for putting out fires whenever they occur in the community they serve and look to that community as a whole for financial support. 
     Nonetheless, not all homes, businesses, factories and properties are equally served by fire departments. In particular, rural homes and farms may be miles from fire departments. Municipal water supplies may not serve homeowners in remote areas. Consequently, as a practical matter for those who live in the country, fire fighting is left up to the property owner. 
     In some cases, those living in rural areas intentionally start fires, for example, in clearing land. It is foreseeable that these fires might get out of control. Although it will always be clear that a fire has gotten out of control, it is not always so clear that a fire will get out of control in advance. Furthermore, the shift from a controlled burn to an out of control fire may happen quickly. By the time fire fighting help arrives, containment may be much more difficult because of the fire&#39;s momentum. Prudent foresight dictates that those conducting a controlled burn be prepared in case the fire starts getting out of control. 
     Self-help in putting out fires is addressed by use of simple fire extinguishers which are small tanks that carry fire suppressant under pressure. These tanks are intended to be relatively light weight so that they can be quickly carried to the scene of a fire. For small fires such as kitchen fires and some automotive fires, they work well. For larger fires, they are simply inadequate. 
     There is thus a need for a way for private homes not adequately served by volunteer fire companies and municipal fire departments to cope with fires. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the present invention is a fire fighting apparatus for private use. It is relatively mobile so that a user can wheel it into position in the event of a fire and bring its fire-fighting capabilities to bear on a fire. However, it can alternatively be installed in a plant for industrial use or in the home for home use, if desired. The apparatus includes a first tank for holding a quantity of water and a second tank for holding a suitable quantity of a foaming agent within the same container, a pump connected to the tank, a gasoline engine for driving the pump, hoses and valves for directing the fire suppressing foamed water at a fire and drawing additional water from a local source and a hose and valve system. 
     The present invention also includes a spray bar that is coupled to the present fire fighting apparatus. The spray bar can have one or more nozzles attached to it that can each direct a path of foam or fire blocking gel at least one foot wide. Four nozzles can provide a fire-blocking path six feet wide for example to establish a barrier against a brush fire. 
     The spray bar is an important feature of the present invention. It helps to stop the advance of a fire by creating a barrier to that advancing fire. The capability to adjust the width and depth of the barrier is a related feature of the present invention and gives it additional flexibility. 
     A feature of the present fire fighting unit is the juxtaposition of the first tank with the water and a second tank with foaming agent in a small mobile unit. The two tanks cooperate to provide much more fire suppressant than would be possible in a fire extinguisher but is smaller than a fire engine. Thus, the present fire fighting unit is useful in a greater variety of situations where a fire must be extinguished than would be a conventional fire extinguisher and yet more practical than a fire engine in many others. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the combination of a pump and small gasoline engine. While conventional fire extinguishers rely on internal pressure to deliver fire suppressant, the present invention uses a pump powered by a gasoline engine to deliver pressure and volume of water at a greater power level over a longer period of time. This capability enables the user to remain at a greater distance from a fire for a longer time while still delivering the fire suppressing foam. 
     Yet another feature of the present invention is the capability by suitable use of its hose and valving system to replenish the water used from the first tank while still fighting the fire. Regardless of the size of the first tank, for some fires, the water in the first tank will be exhausted before the fire is out unless the water is replenished. By enabling the first tank to be replenished by the pump while the pump continues to deliver water to the fire, the unit provides uninterrupted fire fighting capability until the last embers are out. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it can be put into position as part of the to preparations for starting an intentional fire. In the event the fire seems to be getting out of hand, the unit can be started in an attempt to contain it without having to summon a fire department or to limit damage caused by the initial stages of the fire while waiting for assistance. Timely action with the present apparatus may obviate the need for such a summons and prevent injuries or limit damage to property while a fire department is responding. 
     The present invention can also be used to fight fires on the interior of a residence or business, including, for example a warehouse or storage building, which is a particular advantage of the present invention. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is the use of simplified structure and quickly disconnectable hoses and conduits so that the device can be set up and taken down quickly and completely, to be used separately from the tank, such as, for example, in the case of a flooding basement. 
     The use of internal baffle plates to minimize the sloshing of water in the tank is also an important feature of the present invention. These plates make it easier to haul and position the present apparatus when it is full or nearly full of water or when used for transporting or carrying other liquids such as gels, gasoline, diesel fuel, or other products in a liquid state. 
     Finally, the present unit has commercial applications in addition to private ones. These units can be carried in the bed of pickup trucks and delivered quickly for use in fighting brush fires and other smaller fires. It can be used in industrial settings where fires can start easily or spread quickly, especially those where fire engines might not be able to maneuver easily, such as parking garages and warehouses. 
     Other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in fire fighting from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment accompanied by the following drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view of a fire fighting unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the fire fighting unit of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the fire fighting unit, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a “quick release” connection as is preferred for use with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial, cross sectional view of an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a detail drawing of the light mast, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a spray bar according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a spray bar mounted to the present fire fighting apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 9 depicts the spray bar mounted to the present fire fighting apparatus of FIG. 8 when mounted on a towing dolly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is an apparatus for fighting fires. It is intended for use with fires that are or could become larger than those that would require a fire extinguisher and smaller that those that would require a fire engine. It is ideally suited for use in a rural environment to begin to bring a fire under control or at least attempt to slow it until assistance arrives. 
     Alternatively, the present apparatus can be used to augment larger scale fire fighting equipment simply because it can be taken to places that are more difficult for fire engines to reach, set up and put to work fighting a fire, such as in parking garages, warehouses, brush fires and wildfires. In the instance a fire engine cannot get close enough to the fire but has a long enough hose, the fire engine can hook up to the present apparatus and directly supply water to the tank and pump. 
     Referring now to the figures, the present fire-fighting apparatus, generally indicated by the reference number  10 , includes a frame  12  with four wheels  14  attached thereto. Preferably, wheels  14  are castors but may be larger. The term “castors” is used in its customary sense and refers to wheels that are attached to a vertical shaft and mounted to frame  12  in such a way that frame  12  can be pulled in any direction and the shaft will allow wheels  14  to rotate so as to permit apparatus  10  to roll in the direction pulled. A hitch  16  attached to frame  12  can be used to pull apparatus  10 . 
     As an alternative to the embodiment shown, apparatus  10  can be set up to operate in a wheel barrow fashion with one or two wheels on one end and a support on an opposing end, or to have two axles and four all-terrain tires for moving through tall grass and fields. As long as apparatus is stable and can be wheeled into position, it can serve the function for which it is intended. 
     Frame  12  is dimensioned to hold fire-fighting equipment. On frame  12  is a container  20  having two tanks, a first tank  22  for water and an adjacent second tank  24  for a foaming agent. Tanks  22  and  24  are preferably equipped with sight fill levels  26 ,  28 , respectively, so that the user can determine at sight by the level of the fluid in first tank  22  or second tank  24  how full it is. The availability of a foaming agent is very important for extending the water supply and allowing a larger fire to be suppressed than could be done with water alone. The use of foaming agents and types of foaming agents available as fire suppressants are well known to those skilled in fire-fighting equipment. Container  20  is preferably sized for first tank  22  to hold 100-500 gallons of water and second tank  24  to hold three to 50 gallons of foaming agent which range corresponds to the range in the volume of water in first tank  22 . However, the size of tanks can be increased for the particular purpose and environment of use. Also, for convenience, a spanner wrench  18  (FIG. 5) maybe carried on container  20  to tighten or loosen hoses, pry bars, or to turn on city water valves. 
     The interior of first tank  22  is fitted with baffle plates  110  having a multiplicity of holes  112  formed therein. Baffle plates  110  are arranged at right angles to the walls of first tank  22  and to each other and prevent water from sloshing when apparatus  10  is moved but otherwise water may flow throughtout first tank  22  easily. 
     First and second tanks  22 ,  24  have a suction hose  116  in each with a check ball “foot” valve in a cannister  118  at the end thereof, positioned about one inch from the bottom of first and second tanks  22 ,  24  (only the cannister  118  in second tank  24  shown). Preferably the valve cannister  118  can be unthreaded to replace valve parts and clean the valve. This type of valve keeps pump  30  primed after the initial startup. Second tank  24  has its own drain  120 . 
     Connected to container  20  is a pump  30  driven by a gasoline or diesel engine  32 . Engine  32  is selected to have sufficient horsepower to operate pump  30  and to be quickly started, preferably with an ignition switch  34  connected to a small battery  35 , but alternatively with a pull cord. An engine such as that manufactured by HONDA, L1.0 with a pull start and an electronic ignition GX340 is suitable. A fuel tank  36  supplies gasoline to engine  32 . Engine  32  preferably drives pump  30  directly as shown but may alternatively be driven by a belt or chain drive and pulley system. A control panel  38  houses switch  34  for engine  32 . 
     Pump  30  is sized to produce the same flow volumes and the same pressures as that delivered by a fire truck, namely, 150-250 gallons per minute at 150 psi. Obviously, pump  30  can be selected to deliver the flow volumes and pressures that best suit the particular application. 
     Pump  30 , engine  32 , control panel  38 , battery  35 , and fuel tank  36  are carried within a frame  21  having four lifting handles  23  that facilitate removal of these components and frame  21  itself from container  20  when necessary. Frame  21  also has lights  25  attached to it for use at night or in dim light. Lights  25  are driven off battery  35  either directly or via an inverter  29  to produce  115  volts AC from 12 volts DC, and are preferably the type that can be directed as desired simply be turning them in the appropriate direction. Inverter  29  also acts as a source of household current for other needs. One light  25  is attached to a mast  27 ; the remaining lights  25  are carried directly on frame  21 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 6, light mast  27  is preferably attached to frame  21  so that mast  27  rotates about its vertical axis and, upon loosening several U-bolts  126 , may also be rotated down toward container  20 . Preferably also mast  27  is telescoping and can be rotated about an axis through its base  128  by rotating a small control knob  130 . With four degrees of freedom, three rotational and one translational, light  25  on mast  27  can be directed as the user wishes. 
     One but preferably two hoses  40 ,  42 , can be connected to pump  30 . First hose  40  is preferably a smaller diameter hose, preferably a one inch hose. Second hose  42  is preferably a larger hose, preferably a 1½ inch hose. Second hose  42  will use up the water supply in container  20  more quickly than first hose  40  but provides greater fire-suppressing power. As will be explained, both hoses can be used at the same time. Hoses  40 ,  42  are stored in trays  44 ,  46 , on one side of container  20 . Each hose  40 ,  42 , may be a series of hoses connected together to form longer hoses. The ultimate length will depend on the pump size. 
     Container  20  also requires a drain valve  45  for when first tank  22  needs to be purged and cleaned. 
     Apparatus  10  also has a first fill tower  48  that permits first tank  22  to be filled with water from, for example, a garden hose and a second fill tower  49  that permits second tank  24  to be filled with additional foaming agent. 
     Alternatively, a suction hose  60 , carried in a bin  62  on container  20 , is used to draw water from a lake, pond, swimming pool or other source  52  of water. Suction hose  60  has a filter  64  on its end and is reinforced to prevent its collapsing. A valve  66  on a conduit  68  to which suction hose  60  is connected, when opened, allows pump  30  to draw water through suction hose  60  into the inlet side of pump  30  provided that a valve  70  in conduit  72  is also opened. Another valve  74  in conduit  76 , when opened, allows water drawn through suction hose  60  by pump  30  to be used to refill second tank  24 . Alternatively to an external source, a valve  78  in conduit  80 , when opened, allows water to be drawn from first tank  24  into the inlet side of said pump  30 . Opening valves  70  and  78  will allow water to be drawn from both sources simultaneously. 
     When water is needed for fighting fires, either or both valves  82  and  84  in conduit  86  can be opened, which enables pump  30  to deliver water to hoses  40  and  42  from its outlet side. Hose  40  has a conventional nozzle valve  88  that opens by rotating it about an axis parallel to the direction of hose  40 . Second hose  42  has a valve  90  that opens by rotating a lever about an axis perpendicular to hose  42 . 
     First tank  24  may also be filled by another hose at connection  92  if valve  94  is opened. 
     All connections to valves  66 ,  70 ,  74 ,  78 ,  82 , and  84  and pump  30  are so-called “quick-release” type. A typical quick-release connection  96  is illustrated in FIG. 4; this connection  96 , illustrated as connecting conduit  80  to pump  32 , has a ring  98  on a lever  100 . Pulling on lever  100  or ring  98 , rotates lever  100  between a locked position (as shown) and an unlocked position about pivot pin  102 . Lever  100 , which has a cam surface, releases its connection as lever  100  rotates. In literally seconds, all connections can be released and hoses and conduits can be disconnected or reconnected. Similarly, frame  21 , preferably secured to compartment  20  with four bolts, can be removed along with pump  30 , engine  32 , ignition switch  34 , battery,  35 , fuel tank  36  and control panel  38  by removing the four bolts and lifting frame  21  with lifting handles  23 . 
     The present apparatus  10  also includes a foam proportioner  140  that controls the thickness of the foam and creates suction needed to draw the foaming agent from tank  24 . Foam proportioner  140  is connected using quick release connections so that it can be removed with pump  30  when separated from tank 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the present invention with a spray bar according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A spray bar  210  comprises a hollow metal or plastic bar  212  having an attachment conduit  214  on one side midway between its two opposing ends  216  and  218 . On the opposing side is at least one and preferably plural nozzles  220 . Each nozzle is in fluid communication with conduit  214  and hollow bar  212 , and is adapted to produce a foam when bar  212  is supplied with water and a foaming agent. Various nozzles are known that are suitable for use with spray bar  210 . Preferably, nozzle  220  is a foaming nozzle with dual flow settings and capable of producing aspirated foam, a conventional straight stream, or a wide protective fog pattern  222  (FIGS.  8  and  9 ), and are adjustable as to pattern of spray, such as the nozzles sold under the trademark BUBBLE CUP by Equipment Management Company. Foaming nozzles are also described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,934,568 and 5,857,627. 
     Spray bar  210  may be attached to apparatus  10  in place of hose  42 , at the end of hose  42 , or directly to pump  30 . Preferably attachment conduit  214  is a “quick disconnect” type, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4 that is easily connected and disconnected to a source of water and foaming agent. Spray bar  210  includes carrying handles  224  so that two fire fighters can lift it and walk it over the area to be sprayed. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9, spray bar  210  may be mounted onto a tow dolly  226  so that a single fire fighter can define the foam barrier by towing dolly  226 . 
     In use, engine  32  is started with ignition switch  34  on control panel  38  to start pump  30 . Valves  70 ,  78  and either  82  or  84 , or both, are opened to allow pump  30  to draw water from first tank  22  and pump it to hoses  42  or  40 , respectively. By then opening nozzle  88  or valve  90 , water maybe directed on a fire or used to wet down surfaces to prevent them from succumbing to the fire. If the size of the fire is large enough, hose  60  can be run to another source  52  of water, and then valves  66  and  70  can be opened to allow water to be drawn from source  52  and used not only to fight the fire but also to refill first tank  22 . If additional water is needed or there is no source  52 , water can be added either through fill tower  48  or through connection  92 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art of fire fighting apparatus that many changes and substitutions can be made to the foregoing preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, defined by the appended claims.