Patent Publication Number: US-6659389-B1

Title: Expanded hose coil deployment system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/178,297 filed Oct. 23, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,319 which claims benefit of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/071,718 of Richard W. Hoffman filed on Jan. 16, 1998, entitled “Apparatus to Enable Fire Hose to be Easily and Rapidly Wound and Compactly Stored for Automatic, Fully Charged Deployment in Fighting Fires in Tight Quarters.” Both applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to methods and apparatus for rolling up and deploying collapsed hose. 
     More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatus whereby lengths of hose are wound and stored to enable such hose to be readily deployed when water pressure is applied to the hose. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A fire hose is conventionally deployed with some care before water pressure is applied to it tightly wound or improperly bundled hose tends to kink when water pressure is applied, cutting off the flow of water through the hose. Unfortunately, spreading out the hose requires both time and working space, both of which are in especially short supply during a structural fire. 
     In a conventional arrangement, a section of fire hose is straightened out toward the fire, doubled back, and then doubled back again to proceed toward the fire. In such an arrangement, a double loop of fire hose is spread out without sharp kinks. However, the double loop requires a long section of working space. In a structural fire where working space is limited, such an arrangement is unwieldy and sometime impossible to use. 
     When fighting a fire in a stairwell, firefighters conventionally extend a section of fire hose down the stairs, in a single loop. They then pull the hose up from the stairs from one end of the hose section as they advance toward the fire. Such a technique requires a long section of heavy, water-filled hose to be pulled up and out from the stairs. 
     In another conventional technique firefighters extend a dry section of fire hose up a flight of stairs in a single loop. They then pull the hose down from the stairs from one end of the hose section while advancing toward the fire. Such a technique can be dangerous because it requires a firefighter to climb the stairs and be above the fire while laying out the hose in this manner. 
     When the firefighters have finished using the fire hose, they must roll it up or bundle it for storage. The format in which the hose is stored depends on the manner in which it is intended to next be deployed. A compact hose roll, commonly known as a “doughnut roll,” may be used to store the hose in a compact format, although the hose must be methodically spread out before water pressure is applied to it. 
     The expanded hose coil is used in wildland firefighting. In this arrangement, the hose is coiled up with a radius that is large enough to prevent kinking of the hose. The expanded hose coil may then be folded up into a compact package for transportation to another wildland fire. 
     Although devices having extension arms for rolling up fire hose into an expanded hose coil are known, such devices are unsatisfactory for use generally, and specifically in fighting structural fires. Fire hose used in fighting structural fires is generally of a larger diameter than hose used in wildland firefighting. Expanded hose coils wound with known devices have inadequate radius to be suitable for such hose. Inadequate safety of such devices remains a concern because the extension arms have the potential to cause injury if the hose unrolls suddenly. In addition, such devices lack the compactness and versatility required of firefighting tools. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A hose roller according to various aspects of the present invention is used to roll up collapsed hose into an expanded hose coil. Such a hose roller includes a crank and a mounting plate. In a variation, the crank is removable, having a handle and a forked shaft, which is inserted into the mounting plate. In such a variation, the plate rotatably mounts on one side to a fixed support, and receives the forked shaft on the opposite side. 
     A dual-mode hose roller according to various aspects of the present invention may be used to roll up collapsed hose into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil. Such a hose roller includes mechanical connection points for extension arms, which allow the hose roller to be adapted for rolling up collapsed hose into an expanded coil. Such a hose roller also includes mechanical connection points for a removable crank, which allow the hose roller to be adapted for rolling up and convenient removal of a compact hose roll. 
     The crank and mounting plate are arranged to facilitate transmission of torque from the crank to the desired type of hose winding. When a compact hose roll is desired, torque is transmitted directly to the hose through a mechanical connection between the forked shaft and an end of a section of collapsed hose. When an expanded hose coil is desired, torque is transmitted to the hose through the mounting plate and the plurality of extension arms. 
     In a variation, the mounting plate is rotatably mounted on a fixed support through a bearing and a ratchet mechanism. By limiting the rotation of the mounting plate to one direction, the ratchet mechanism prevents the hose roller from unwinding in response to tension from the hose being rolled up. Thus, the potential for injury from the extension arms is reduced. 
     In another variation, the extension arms are sized so that the hose roller forms an expanded hose coil having a suitable diameter for structural fire hose. In a further variation, the minimum separation of opposing points of the coil is approximately 48 inches. This separation ensures that pressure may be applied without kinking, to an expanded hose coil of 1½ inch diameter heavy duty fire hose. In a still further variation, the minimum separation of the coil is approximately 58 inches. This separation ensures that pressure may be applied, without kinking, to an expanded hose coil of 1¾ inch structural firefighting hose. By permitting such large diameter hose to be used, such a variation permits an expanded hose coil to be used in efficient structural firefighting. 
     In accordance with various methods of the present invention, preparation is made for fighting a structural fire by arranging a section of collapsed hose into a hose bundle. A section of hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil and arranged into a number of hose loops to form a hose bundle. In one such method, the hose bundle is stored in a hose compartment of a fire engine, from which it may be removed for deployment. In another such method, the hose bundle is stored in a box. When water pressure is applied to the hose bundle, it falls out of such a box to form an expanded hose coil. 
     An automatically deployable hose pack according to various aspects of the present invention allows fire hose to respond to pressurization by falling out of a box onto a flat surface, then filling with water to form an expanded hose coil. Such a hose pack includes a box and a section of fire hose enclosed within the box. The hose is arranged as an expanded hose coil that has been folded up into a number of parallel hose loops. By folding the expanded hose coil into a limited number of parallel loops, each loop is made sufficiently long to accept pressurization without kinking. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawing, wherein like designations denote like elements, and: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a hose roller arranged with extension arms for rolling up hose into an expanded hose coil according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded front view of the hose roller of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the hose roller of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the securing of hose to the hose roller of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a hose roller according to various aspects of the present invention, including a ratchet mechanism; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a mounting plate and fixed support of the hose roller of FIG. 5; 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B provide a simplified example of the operation of a suitable ratchet mechanism for a hose roller according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8,  9 , and  10  are front views of the mounting plate of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an extension arm according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11B illustrates a tab of the extension arm of FIG. 11A; 
     FIG. 12 illustrates a polygon of coiled hose having a plurality of corners according to a method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the coiled hose of FIG. 12 after opposing points on the polygon have been moved toward a central point to form hose loops according to a method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 illustrates the coiled hose of FIG. 13 after the hose loops have been arranged to be substantially parallel to form a hose bundle according to a method of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 illustrates the hose bundle of FIG. 14 stored in a box according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a front view of an automatically deployable hose pack according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a front view of a hose roller arranged without extension arms for rolling up hose into a compact hose roll according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is a view of a hose roller, arranged without radial tubes or extension arms, and a section of collapsed hose that has been rolled up into a compact hose roll according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a front view of a compact hose roll after being removed from the hose roller of FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 20 is a front view of the compact hose roll of FIG. 19 after a handle of the hose roller of FIG. 18 has been removed from the hose roll; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a box used in a hose pack according to various aspects of the present invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a hose bundle immediately after bursting out of a box according to various aspects of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a pressurized hose bundle that has assumed the form of expanded hose coil according to various aspects of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in FIG.  1  through FIG. 4, a hose roller  100  in accordance with various aspects of the present invention includes: a mounting plate  104 ; a crank  106 ; a plurality (e.g., 4) of radial tubes  110 ; a plurality of extension arms  112  (one arm denoted as  112 A through  112 D for each radial tube  110 ), each including a hose retaining peg  114  (one peg denoted as  114 A- 114 D for each arm  112 A- 112 D); an axial mounting shaft  122 ; and a fixed support  118 , which includes a bearing  124 . In general, mounting plate  104  is rotatably mounted on support  118  and shaft  122  is received in bearing  124 . In a variation, a ratchet mechanism cooperates with bearing  124  to limit the rotation of mounting plate  104  in one direction while allowing unrestricted rotation in the opposite direction. Radial tubes  110  extend outwardly from mounting plate  104 , preferably in the same, or in a parallel plane. Extension arms  112  are received in radial tubes  110 , preferably fixed in place by a suitable fastening mechanism  116 . 
     Crank  106  may be any suitable structure for transmitting torque to either a compact hose roll (directly) or an expanded hose coil (through mounting plate  104  and extension arms  112 ), depending on the configuration desired. In a variation, crank  106  is manufactured from solid material (e.g. a durable metal such as cold-rolled steel) and includes respective connecting rods  108  and  109  (best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5) and is removably attached to mounting plate  104  on the opposite side of the plate from support  118 . Connecting rods  108  and  109  are received in corresponding apertures of plate  104 . If desired, mounting plate  104  may include suitable structure (e.g. a pin or other fastener) for securing rods  108  and  109  to mounting plate  104  until crank  106  is to be released and removed. 
     Crank  106  preferably includes a first handle  105  and a second handle  107 , best seen in FIG.  3 . Handle  105  provides a grip for transmission of torque to crank  106 . Handle  107  provides a grip for additional support when a compact hose roll is removed (with crank  106 ) from mounting plate  104 . Consequently, an operator may support a compact hose roll using handle  107 . Handle  105  is preferably rotatable with respect to the body of crank  106  to make crank  106  easier to turn. 
     In another variation, rods  108  and  109  are selected from a kit of several available cranks or rods, each being long enough to accommodate the desired width of hose  102  as it lies flat between crank  106  and mounting plate  104 . When sized in this manner, rods  108  and  109  may snugly receive hose  102  and thus be prevented from being pushed so far into mounting plate  104  as to cause interference with fixed support  118  as mounting plate  104  rotates. In addition, rods  108  and  109  may receive flat hose of large diameter hose, multiple lengths of hose to be rolled at once, or hose rolled in compact hose rolls of double width. In a variation, mounting plate  104  includes suitable structure for preventing rods  108  and  109  from being pushed too far into plate  104 . Consequently, interference with fixed support  118  is avoided. 
     Preferably, a portion of hose  102  in the vicinity of a hose coupling  120  is secured to hose roller  100  by removing crank  106  from mounting plate  104 , capturing hose  102  between shafts  108  and  109 , and reinserting rods  108  and  109  in plate  104 . Rods  108  and  109  preferably have differing lengths. Such an arrangement allows longer rod  108  to be inserted into its corresponding aperture first, thereby providing stability for easier insertion of rod  109  into its corresponding aperture. As rods  108  and  109  are reinserted (illustrated in FIG.  4 ), coupling or nozzle  120  of hose  102  is secured in place so that the remainder of hose  102  may be rolled up. 
     In operation, hose roller  100  may be used to wind hose  102  into either a compact hose roll or an expanded hose coil, as desired. When a compact hose roll is desired, extension arms  112  are detached from hose roller  100 . FIG. 17 illustrates roller  100  with radial tubes  110  attached to mounting plate  104 , and with extension arms  112  detached. Radial tubes  110  support hose  102  as it is rolled up, and are preferably long enough to provide support for the entire radius of a compact hose roll. 
     As is discussed below, radial tubes  110  are preferably detached along with extension arms.  112  when alternate structure is available for supporting hose  102  as it is rolled up into a compact hose roll. Such alternate structure may be better understood with reference to FIG.  18 . Hose roller  500  is used without radial tubes  510  to roll up hose into a compact hose roll  1810 . When so configured, hose roller  500  is compact and may be stored in a small storage area of a fire engine. 
     Hose  102  is then rolled up around itself, as illustrated in FIG. 18, starting at the portion of hose nearest coupling  120 , to form a compact hose roll  1810 . Crank  106  transmits torque directly to the compact hose roll through a mechanical connection between rods  108  and  109  and coupling  120 . 
     Once hose  102  has been completely rolled up into compact hose roll  1810 , crank  106  is pulled out of mounting plate  104 . Hose roll  1810  is removed from hose roller  100  along with crank  106 , as illustrated in FIG.  19 . Crank  106  is then removed from hose roll  1810 , as illustrated in FIG.  20 . 
     When used for rolling hose  102  into an expanded hose coil, hose roller  100  includes suitable extension arms, which may be any structure for receiving hose in an expanded hose coil as it is rolled up. An expanded hose coil is any coil of hose having sufficient diameter to prevent the hose from kinking when water pressure is applied. Extension arms separate portions of the hose from each other to ensure that the resulting hose coil has sufficient diameter. 
     When an expanded hose coil is desired, coupling  120  is secured to hose roller  100 , for example in the manner illustrated in FIG.  4 . Mounting plate  104  and extension arms  112  are, then rotated in response to torque from crank  106  so that hose retaining peg  114 A comes into contact with hose  102 . Extension arm  112 A then lifts hose  102  (via peg  114 A) and bends the hose, drawing it toward roller  100 . Extension arms  112  rotate further until another peg  114 B comes into contact with hose  102 . Extension arm  112 B then lifts hose  102  (via peg  114 B) and bends the hose further, drawing it further in toward roller  100 . Mounting plate  104  are rotated further, rotating extension arms  112 C and  112 D to bring pegs  114 C and  114 D into contact with hose  102 . Extension arms  112  are rotated until an entire section of hose  102  has been received on pegs  114  to be rolled up into an expanded hose coil. 
     A mounting plate of the present invention (e.g., mounting plate  104 ) may be any suitable structure rotatably mounted on a fixed support for transmitting torque from a crank to extension arms. Mounting plate  104  includes any suitable structure for providing releasable mechanical connection to crank  106 . Mounting plate  104  of FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, is a circular piece of rigid material (e.g. a metal such as carbon steel) having a plurality of holes for receiving rods  108  and  109  of crank  106  and a plurality of fasteners. Such fasteners may include any suitable bolts, nuts, screws, or other mechanical connection devices for releasably connecting radial tubes  110  to plate  104 . Preferably, such fasteners are configured to facilitate a quick release of tubes  110  from plate  104 . 
     In a variation, radial tubes  110  are fixedly mounted to mounting plate  104  by welding, adhesion, or unitary construction of plate  104  and tubes  110  from a single piece of material. In such a variation, no fasteners or corresponding holes are required to secure tubes  110  to plate  104 . 
     In another variation, radial tubes  110  are releasably mounted to a mounting plate using a tab-and-slot interface. Hose roller  500 , which may be better understood with respect to FIGS. 5,  6 , and  8 - 10 , includes a mounting plate  504  suitable for such an interface. 
     Hose roller  500  includes: mounting plate  504 ; a crank  506  including respective connecting rods  508  and  509 ; a plurality (e.g., 4) of radial tubes  510 ; a plurality of extension arms  512  (one arm denoted as  512 A through  512 D for each radial tube  510 ), each including a hose retaining peg  514  (one peg denoted as  514 A- 514 D for each arm  512 A- 512 D); and a fixed support  518  including a riser handle  570  and a mounting tab  560 . Hose roller  500  also includes a bearing  524  and an axial mounting shaft  522 , best seen in FIG.  6 . Variations between hose roller  100  and hose roller  500  include: more equal lengths of rods  508  and  509 ; the tab-and-slot interface between mounting plate  504  and radial tubes  510 ; the arrangement of ratchet mechanism  550  on fixed support  518 ; the arrangement of hose retaining pegs  514  in extension arms  512 ; and support of hose by riser handle  570  rather than by radial tubes  110  as it is rolled up into a compact hose roll. 
     Mounting plate  504  is comprised of three parallel plates  610 ,  620 , and  630 . Plates  610 - 630  are stacked together to form four slots, which are preferably spaced equidistant around the circumference of mounting plate  504 . Four such slots are preferably provided, as illustrated in FIG.  6 . Alternatively, three or five slots may be provided to receive three or five radial tubes and respective extension arms. 
     A mounting plate of the present invention includes any suitable structure for receiving rods of a crank in a releasable fashion. For example, a mounting plate may include cups for receiving the ends of such rods, the openings of which may be formed from holes in the plate. Such cups may be attached to the mounting plate. Alternatively, the cups and plate may be formed from the same piece of material. Plates  610 - 630  include two pairs of such holes. Either pair of holes may be used to receive rods  508  and  509  of removable crank  506 . When plates  610 - 630  are stacked together, one set of holes is formed from pair  612  (including holes  612 A and  612 B), lined up with pair  622  (including holes  622 A and  622 B) and with pair  632  (including holes  632 A and  632 B). Similarly, another pair of holes is formed from pairs  614 ,  624 , and  634 . 
     Plate  630  further includes pairs of cups  633  (including cups  633 A and  633 B) and cups  635  (including cups  635 A and  635 B). Holes  632  form openings of cups  633  while holes  634  form openings of cups  635 . When crank  506  is inserted in mounting plate  504 , the ends of rods  508  and  509  pass through holes in place  610 - 630 , as discussed above, and are received in pair of cups  633  or cups  635 . Cups  633 A,  633 B, and  635 A are drawn with dashed lines in FIG. 6 to illustrate their arrangement on opposite side of plate  630  from plates  610  and  620 . Cup  635 B is obscured in FIG. 6 by plate  610 . 
     Plates  610 - 630  may be secured together to an axial mounting shaft  640 , for example by a set of screws  605  (preferably having Allen heads). Screws  605  are preferably made of material having a high tensile strength. Plates  610 - 630  include respective sets of holes  618 ,  628 , and  638  for receiving screws  605 . Plates  610  and  630  also include small holes  616 A- 616 D and large holes  636 A- 636 D, respectively, that line up with respective slots of plate  620 . These holes allow the operator of hose roller  500  to depress a plunger pin  1140  with a finger for release of radial tube  510  from mounting plate  504 . Plunger pin  1140  is further described below with reference to FIG.  11 . 
     A fixed support of the present invention includes any suitable structure for supporting a mounting plate in a manner that allows the mounting plate to rotate in response to torque from a crank. For example, fixed support  518  is a hollow tube (preferably constructed of a lightweight metal) having dimensions of 1½ inch by 1½ inch square. Support  518  may be mounted to any suitable external support structure (not shown) by a tab-and-slot interface between tab  560  and mounting bracket  565  (shown in FIGS.  5 A and  5 B). A suitable tab and-slot interface is one similar to that described above with respect to mounting plate  504  and radial tubes  510 . For example, mounting bracket  565  may be attached to a vertical surface such as the tail-board or bumper of a fire engine. In a variation, square tubing of support  518  slides into a square receiving hole and may be fixed in place either vertically or horizontally, as desired. When fixed in place vertically, roller  500  may be oriented in a desired one of a plurality of directions, spaced 90° apart to roll up hose from various directions. Thus, a square receiving hole arrangement allows flexibility in mounting of hose roller  500 . Consequently, roller  500  may be quickly placed in service at a nearby support after being removed from one of a number of possible compartments on a fire engine. Fixed support  518  may also be received, for example, in a hose drying rack or on a wheeled portable stand, or a conventional 2-inch trailer hitch receiving hole. 
     Preferably, radial tubes are removed from the mounting plate when a compact hose roll is desired, without being separated from their respective extension arms. A compact hose roll then may be formed with a compact hose roller that omits radial tubes and extension arms. 
     In such a variation, riser handle  570  may be provided on fixed support  118  to provide a support by which the hose is guided and self-aligned for the entire radius of a compact hose roll of hose  102  as it is rolled up. Handle  570  is mounted on fixed support  518  (via hole  572  and screw  574 ) in such a manner that it does not prevent radial tubes  510  and extension arms  512  from being used when an expanded hose coil is desired. Handle  570  may also serve as a carrying handle for hose roller  500 . Alternative structure for supporting a compact hose roll may also be used in place of radial tubes  510  or riser handle  570 . 
     A radial tube according to various aspects of the present invention includes any structure for mounting on the mounting plate and receiving a portion of an extension arm. A preferred radial tube is constructed from lightweight metal tubing having outside dimensions of 1 inch by 1 inch square. A preferred extension arm is constructed from lightweight metal tubing having outside dimensions of ¾ inch by ¾ inch square. Preferably, a radial tube may receive an adjustable portion of the extension arms to vary the total length of the connected radial tube and extension arm. In a variation, a mounting plate and extension arms according to various aspects of the present invention are fixedly mounted together, and radial tubes are omitted. 
     Radial tube  510 , which may be better understood with reference to FIG. 11, includes a tab  1110  for insertion into a corresponding slot of plate  504 . Tab  1110  is located near a first end  1150  of radial tube  510  at which tube  510  is to be secured to mounting plate  504 . Preferably, tab  1110  includes angled leading edges  1112  to guide tab.  1110  into the corresponding slot of mounting plate  504 . After insertion, tube  510  may be further secured in plate  504  by plunger pin  1140 . 
     Extension arm  512 A is received in radial tube  510 , secured by plunger pin  1132 . Pin  1132  passes through hole  1130  in extension arm  512 A and, when not depressed, a selected hole  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124 ,  1125 ,  1126 ,  1128  in tube  510 . Holes  1120 - 1128  are depicted in FIG. 11A, without reference necessarily to any particular scale. Selected hole  1120 - 1128  is chosen in accordance with a desired distance between peg  514 A and end  1150  of radial tube  510 . End  1150  is secured to mounting plate  504 , and is close to the center of mounting plate  504  and the axis of rotation of extension arm  512 A. A desired distance between peg  514 A and end  1150  is determined by the separation between peg  514  and the axis of rotation. 
     Preferably, a predetermined minimum separation exists between a hose retaining peg and the axis of rotation of the hose roller on which it is mounted. This separation is dependent on the type of hose to be rolled up. Accordingly, holes  1120 - 1128  may be spaced from end  1150  to provide the appropriate minimum separation for a number of types of hose. Table I below shows preferred minimum separations for various types of fire hose. Other minimum separations may be determined based upon evaluations of other types of hose. For example, hose not used in firefighting may have entirely different characteristics and require larger or smaller minimum separations to prevent kinking when pressurization is applied. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Separation 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 between 
                 Separation 
               
               
                   
                 Hose 
                 peg and axis 
                 between opposing 
               
               
                   
                 Diameter 
                 of rotation 
                 pegs in 4- 
               
               
                 Hose Type 
                 (inches) 
                 (inches) 
                 peg roller (inches) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Single/Double jacket 
                 1.75 
                 29 
                 58 
               
               
                 Synthetic “hose cabinet” 
                 1.5 
                 25.5 
                 51 
               
               
                 Double jacket (heavy duty) 
                 1.5 
                 24 
                 48 
               
               
                 Single jacket 
                 1.5 
                 22 
                 44 
               
               
                 Single jacket 
                 1.0 
                 20 
                 40 
               
               
                 Single jacket 
                 0.75 
                 17 
                 34 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Hose retaining peg  514 A is pivotably secured to extension arm  512 A near a second end  1160  by pin  1162 . A portion of arm  512 A extends beyond the location of peg  514 A to provide support for coils of hose that rest on peg  514 A as the hose is rolled up onto hose roller  500 . A slot  1164  is cut into this portion of arm  512  to allow peg  514 A to swing toward end  1160  and into arm  512 A for storage. When extension arm  512 A is fully retracted inside radial tube  510 A, peg  514  fits in slot  1164  and inside tube  510 A. 
     While hose retaining pegs  114  and  514  are described above as being straight segments of rod (preferably constructed of a strong, lightweight metal), other suitable types of support may also be used. For example, the end of such a peg may be bent upwards to help prevent hose from falling off the extension arms to which they are attached. When the hose is to be removed from the extension arms, such a peg may be twisted to move the bent portion away from the coiled hose. 
     Hose roller  100  of FIGS. 1-4 includes an axial mounting shaft  122  that is inserted into bearing  124 . Similarly, hose roller  500  of FIG. 5 includes an axial mounting shaft  640  that is inserted into sleeve bearing  530  and bearing housing  537 . Housing  537  extends through support  518  and mounting plate  540 . Shaft  640  and bearing  530  of roller  500  are smaller, however, than shaft  122  and bearing  124  of roller  100 . 
     Hose roller  100  preferably includes a ratchet mechanism (not evident in FIGS. 1-4) that cooperates with bearing  124  to limit rotation of shaft  122  in one direction. Similarly, hose roller  500  preferably includes a ratchet mechanism  550  that cooperates with bearing  530  to limit rotation of shaft  640  in one direction. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, ratchet mechanism  550  includes a handle  718  and is mounted en fixed support  518  by a set of screws  650 , preferably having Allen heads. A second sleeve bearing  535  allows shaft  640  to extend through a mounting plate  540  into ratchet mechanism  550 . 
     Ratchet mechanism  550  may be any structure for limiting rotation of shaft  640  in one direction, when desired. For example, a commercially available ratchet clutch marketed as part number 71901 by the Lowell Corporation (Worcester, Mass.) may be used. A detailed description of such a ratchet clutch may be found in the Lowell Corporation&#39;s “Ratchet Technology” catalog, PLC96, pages 21-23, incorporated herein by reference. When such a ratchet clutch is used for ratchet mechanism  550 , handle  718  may be pushed to one side or the other to enable rotation in either of two directions while limiting rotation in the opposite direction. In addition, mechanism  550  may be disengaged (by pulling handle  718  upwards) to enable rotation in both directions. 
     The operation of ratchet mechanism  550  may be better understood by a simplified example provided with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. In a housing  555 , structure for ratchet mechanism  550  includes: a rotatable ratchet wheel  712  having an aperture  720  for receiving shaft  640 ; a follower  714  mounted on a pivot point  716 ; and a handle  718  for manually raising follower  714 . Ratchet wheel  712  includes teeth around its circumference, each having a gradually sloping face and end abruptly sloping face. Aperture  720  and shaft  640  include suitable keying, friction, or other mechanical connection for transmitting torque from shaft  640  to ratchet wheel  712 . Handle  718  extends outside housing  555 . 
     In operation, ratchet wheel  712  rotates in a clockwise direction as torque from crank  506  turns shaft  640 . As ratchet wheel  712  rotates, gradually sloping faces of its teeth push follower  714  up and out of the way. If counter-clockwise torque is applied to ratchet wheel  712 , however, an abruptly sloping face  713  of one of its teeth comes into contact with a flat side  715  of follower  714 . Abruptly sloping face  713  fails to raise follower  714 , and ratchet wheel  712  is prevented from rotating further in a counter-clockwise direction. Follower  714  may be pulled upwards by handle  718  to allow ratchet wheel  712  to spin freely in either direction. 
     In selecting any type of material to be used for construction of a hose roller according to various aspects of the present invention, the cost and strength of the various available materials may be considered. While it is preferable that such a hose roller be as light and strong as possible, inexpensive materials that do not meet such an ideal goal may also be used, as desired. For example, an inexpensive but strong plastic material may be used, especially when smaller diameter hose is to be rolled up. When light weight and strength are both desired, a non-metallic composite material may also be used. 
     Size may also be a consideration for construction of a hose roller in accordance with the invention. Preferably, such a roller should fit into the compact spaces available for storage in a fire engine. In order for such a roller to fit into a desired variety of such spaces, its maximum length, width, and depth (when disassembled) may be advantageously limited to about 24 inches by about 7 inches, by about 5 inches, respectively. 
     According to various aspects of the present invention, a hose roller is particularly suited for creating a hose pack, which includes a box and a hose bundle. A hose bundle is arranged in a box as a plurality of hose loops of a folded-up expanded hose coil. Such hose loops are parallel to each other, and have a length approximately equal to the radius of the expanded hose coil. Such a length permits the hose loops to accept pressurization without kinking. 
     In accordance with the invention, the hose falls out of the box and forms an expanded hose coil when the hose is pressurized. A method of the present invention for creating such a hose bundle may be better understood with reference to FIGS. 12 through 16. In such a method, which may be performed by any suitable structure, an expanded hose coil is arranged into a hose bundle  1400  having substantially parallel loops. The hose bundle is then placed into a box  1500  to form an automatically deployable hose pack  1600 . 
     According to the method, an expanded hose coil (e.g. hose  102  of FIG. 1) is removed from a hose roller and placed flat on a surface (e.g. the floor of a fire station). The coil is arranged into a generally circular shape, such that all portions of the hose are approximately equidistant from a central point  1205  on the surface. As depicted in FIG. 12, a first group of opposing points on the expanded hose coil are separated from each other to form a polygon of coiled hose having a plurality of corners. For example, hose polygon  1200  has four corners  1210 ,  1220 ;  1230 , and  1240 . Corners  1210 - 1240  are substantially equidistant from central point  1205 . A male coupling  1250  (preferably having a nozzle) is in the interior of hose polygon  1200 , while a female coupling  1260  is outside polygon  1200 . 
     A second group of opposing points  1215 ,  1225 ,  1235 , and  1245  are brought toward central point  1205 , as illustrated in FIG. 13, to form four hose loops. One hose loop, for example, extends between points  1215 ,  1220 , and  1225 . Another hose loop, for example, extends between points  1225 ,  1230 , and  1235 . Each of the four hose loops is bent to form a hose bundle  1400 , best seen with reference to FIG.  14 . 
     Female coupling  1260  is positioned at the end of hose bundle  1400  in a manner that allows coupling  1260  to be connected to a source of pressurized fluid (e.g., water). Male coupling  1250  is allowed to hang free of bundle  1400  by a short hose segment  1255 . Hose bundle  1400  is then placed inside a box  1530  to form a hose pack  1500 . Coupling  1250  and short segment  1255  are fed from the back side of hose bundle  1400  and pulled forward. This arrangement helps to ensure that coupling  1250  remains on top of hose bundle  1500  when it falls from box  1530  and pressurizes with fluid. 
     A hose pack according to various aspects of the present invention includes any structure containing a box and a section of fire hose enclosed within the box. More specifically, the hose is arranged as a hose bundle that falls out of the box to form an expanded hose coil when the hose is pressurized. In hose pack  1500  of FIG. 15, for example, box  1530  includes doors  1510  and  1520 . Hose bundle  1400  is in closed in box  1530  by doors  1510  and  1520 , as illustrated in FIG.  16 . Doors  1510  and  1520  may be releasably secured shut by a strap  1610  made of VELCRO material, or another fastener suitable for this function. VELCRO is a registered trademark of the Netherland Antilles Limited Liability Company. 
     Hose bundle  1400  expands when pressure is applied to it through coupling  1260 . Consequently, releasable fastener  1610  separates and doors  1510  and  1520  are forced open. Hose bundle  1400  then further expands and falls out of box  1530  to form an expanded hose coil. When hose segment  1255  and coupling  1250  are arranged as illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, coupling  1250  tends to rest on top of the expanded hose coil where it can most easily be accessed and pulled away from the coil by a person fighting a fire. The simplicity of such an arrangement allows persons other than skilled firefighters to use coupling  1250  (when including a nozzle) to “hose down” and thus protect a point of exit. 
     In a variation, a hinged upper lip is substituted for doors  1510  and  1520 . Such a variation may be better understood with reference to FIGS. 21-23. Hose pack  2200  includes a box  2100  having: side walls  2220  and  2230 ; a bottom wall  2240 ; a back panel  2250 ; mounting supports  2260  and  2265 ; a top wall  2274 ; and a lip  2270 , which is approximately 4 inches high and is hinged to top wall  2274 . Side walls  2220  and  2230  are wider than bottom wall  2240 , and are tapered at their lower ends to join bottom wall  2240 . Upper lip  2270  may be attached to top wall  2274  by a hinge spanning all or part of an edge  2272  between top wall  2274  and lip  2270 . Alternatively, lip  2270  may be hinged to side walls  2220  and  2230 . Box  2100  may be any suitable size, and may be constructed from any suitable material. For example, box  2100  may be constructed of #16 sheet metal and have a depth that exceeds the flattened width of hose in hose bundle  2280  by ¼ inch. 
     The size of a box of a hose pack according to the present invention (e.g., box  1500  and  2100 ) is determined in accordance with the volume of hose occupied by a hose bundle of the hose pack. The volume of such a box should exceed (by a margin of approximately 10%) the volume occupied by the hose when rolled up into a compact hose roll. When the hose is rolled up into an expanded hose coil, and then formed into a hose bundle, it will occupy slightly more volume than when rolled into a compact hose roll. Accordingly, such a determination ensures that a box of a hose pack has adequate volume. 
     Hose pack  2200  further includes hose bundle  2280 , arranged in box  2100  as a plurality of hose loops (e.g. 4) of a folded-up expanded hose coil. Hose bundle  2280  expands when pressure is applied to it through coupling  2260 . The first portion of hose in bundle  2280  to expand is a horizontal leg  2285 . Leg  2285  leads into box  2100  through a gap  2110  (best seen in FIG. 21) between side wall  2230  and lip  2270 . Leg  2285  feeds water from coupling  2260  into bundle  2280 . When leg  2285  and bundle  2280  expand, upper lip  2270  is pushed out and up from the rest of box  2100 . 
     When upper lip  2270  moves in this fashion, a seal (conventionally made of thin plastic) is compromised and separates. Such a seal may be mounted in holes  2222  and  2224  on sidewall  2220  and lip  2270 , respectively, as illustrated in FIG.  22 . 
     Hose bundle  2280  then further expands and falls out of box  2100  to form an expanded hose coil  2300 , illustrated in FIG.  23 . Coupling (suitably having a nozzle)  2290  preferably includes a conventional valve/handle (not shown) for containing water inside expanded hose coil  2300  until coupling  2290  can be aimed toward a fire. Coupling  2290  is preferably arranged so that it tends to rest on top of the expanded hose coil where it can most easily be accessed and pulled away from the coil by a person fighting a fire. For example, a short segment of hose adjacent coupling  2290  may pass through  2295  between side wall  2220  and lip  2270 . In such an arrangement, coupling  2290  hangs from  2295 . 
     In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, an accordion-folded assembly of hose, which is mounted in a pin rack of a conventional hose cabinet, may be replaced by a hose pack. To perform such a replacement, the pin rack is pointed toward the hose roller. The hose is then removed from the pin rack, one fold at a time, and rolled up into an expanded hose coil using a hose roller with extension arms,: as described above. Preferably, the extension arms are adjusted to separate opposing pegs by approximately 48 inches to accommodate 1½ inch heavy duty hose, as discussed above. The expanded hose coil is then formed into a hose bundle as described above. The hose roller may be transported to the vicinity of the hose cabinet on a wheeled portable stand. The female coupling of the existing hose assembly (e.g. coupling  2260  of FIG. 22) is preferably left connected to its water source during the entire replacement process. 
     As discussed above, a hose pack of the present invention includes a box and a hose bundle. Such a box is installed in the hose cabinet after hose from the conventional hose cabinet has been rolled up into an expanded hose coil and then folded into a hose bundle. The hose bundle is then mounted in the box to form the hose pack, as described above. Preferably, the hose pack is located below the pin rack in the space formerly occupied by the accordion-folded hose. 
     Hose pack  2200  may be mounted directly to the wall of a structure, preferably near a source of pressurized water. In a variation, such a source provides pressurized water automatically when a fire is detected by a conventional fire detection system. Hose pack  2200  may be attached to (or inserted in) the wail of a structure or hose cabinet by any suitable fastener(s) or adhesive. 
     When a sprinkler system is activated in a particular section of a structure, an electronic signal activates the fire alarm system. This signal or related signal may be intercepted and utilized to operate an automatic water valve in which coupling  2260  is attached. Accordingly, hose bundles (such as hose bundle  2280 ) within a specific portion of a structure may automatically charged with water ready in position ready for use by occupants in the affected area. 
     Whether or not such an automatic system is installed, an occupant requiring the deployment of hose bundle  2200  before it is pressurized may pull the nozzle  2290 , to break an inspector&#39;s seal between holes  2222  and  2224 . This action releases lip  2270  and hose bundle  2280  falls out of box  2100 . The automatic water valve (not shown) may then be manually opened to form an expanded hose coil  2300 . 
     A method of the present invention may be used to fight a fire from a fire engine or other structure having a hose compartment with a pump discharge. In such a method, hose is formed into a hose bundle in accordance with the invention, the hose bundle having two loops which extend in opposite directions from a central point. As described above, a central point is used as a point of reference in the formation of a hose bundle from an expanded hose coil. Such a method is advantageous in that it permits removing the hose bundle from the hose compartment, (b) pressurizing the hose bundle to form an expanded hose coil from the bundle, and (c) advancing toward a fire while drawing hose from the expanded hose coil. Alternatively, the method permits a fire fighter to (a) place the hose bundle on a shoulder, (b) advance toward a fire while dropping loops of hose from the hose bundle, and (c) pressurize the hose. 
     According to the method, a single section of suitable fire hose, conventionally a 50 foot length of 1½ inch or 1¾ inch preconnected “attack” fire hose, is coupled to a conventional pump discharge designed for the hose bed compartment of a fire engine. The hose section is then stretched out onto the ground away from the fire engine. A separate section of hose is then formed into an expanded hose coil in accordance with the invention, as described above. The expanded hose coil is then formed into a 2-loop hose bundle in which the loops extend in opposite directions. Such a hose bundle may be alternately viewed as a single flattened loop of hose, having two 180° bins at opposite ends connected by parallel lengths of hose. A male coupling of the hose section in the hose bundle is arranged to be near one end of the center of the bundle, while a female coupling of the hose section is arranged to be outside of one end of the hose bundle. 
     A hose bundle is then placed in the compartment so that the collapsed hose is parallel to the floor of the compartment. When the hose is arranged in this manner, the width of the hose occupies approximately one-half of the width of the compartment. The other section of hose, which has been stretched out to its full 50 foot length, is then doubled back twice from its male coupling end toward the fire engine. Four folds are formed from the hose. The male coupling of the folded hose is attached to the female coupling of the hose bundle. To facilitate this attachment, the hose bundle is arranged in the compartment so that its female coupling is located on the bottom side of the bundle near an open end of the compartment. After the couplings have been attached, the four folds of the 50 foot hose section are stacked onto each other to form a single unit of “accordion stacked” hose. This unit of hose is folded onto itself and loaded into the compartment adjacent the hose bundle. At this point, the unit of “accordion folded” hose rests alongside the hose bundle. When arranged in this manner, the width of the “accordion folded” unit and hose bundle occupy much of the width of the compartment. At this point, the two sections of hose are prepared for deployment in fighting a fire. 
     A method of the present invention for preparing to fight a fire, as described above, may be extended to a method of the invention for fighting a fire. Such a method includes any suitable steps for pressurizing the hose bundle in the hose compartment, removing a coupling from the end of the folded hose from the hose compartment, and advancing toward a fire while removing the folded hose, and then the hose bundle, from the compartment. 
     Preferably, a firefighter grasps two loops from the folded unit of hose in the compartment, one with each hand. The loops are then pulled out of the compartment until the entire 50 foot section of hose in the unit of folded hose has been pulled out of the compartment. The hose is allowed to fall to the floor or ground in a “V” pattern, preferably within approximately 10 feet of the fire engine. At this point, the hose bundle may be removed from the compartment and placed onto the ground near the fire engine. 
     In a variation of the method, a firefighter may remove the hose bundle and advance toward the fire, dropping loops from the hose bundle while advancing. However, immediate deployment of the hose bundle near the fire engine may be desired instead, for example when firefighters near the fire engine are at risk of being burned over by a rapidly advancing fire. In such a situation, time and space are often unavailable for conventional deployment of hose. 
     When the hose bundle is to be carried toward the fire, the firefighter inserts an arm into the hose bundle and hoists it on a shoulder. At this point (in this variation of the method), neither the 50 foot section nor the hose bundle are under pressurization. As the firefighter advances with the hose bundle toward the desired destination, he or she drops loops from the hose bundle onto the floor or ground. When the destination has been reached, the hose is pressurized. 
     Such a variation of the method is advantageous in that no hose needs to be laid out behind the point at which the hose is first used to fight the fire. In a further variation of the method, multiple hose bundles may be connected together and carried toward a desired destination. 
     In another variation, two hose bundles (each containing a 100 foot section of hose) are placed side by side (i.e. adjacent each other other) in a compartment (e.g. a preconnected fire attack hose bed of a fire engine). The first hose bundle is connected to the pump discharge, while the second hose bundle is connected to the first hose bundle. The first hose bundle is removed from the compartment and placed on the ground adjacent the fire engine. The second hose bundle is then removed and either placed on the ground adjacent the first hose bundle, (preferably within 5 feet of the fire apparatus) or is “threaded” onto the fire fighter&#39;s shoulder. When thus carried by a fire fighter, the second hose bundle is then advanced one coil loop at a time to the desired destination before being charged with water, as described above. 
     This variation of a method of the invention uses 200 feet of hose, 50 feet more hose than the method described above, which uses 150 total feet of hose. However, this variation requires less room to deploy hose adjacent to the fire apparatus and allows both expanded hose coils to be fully charged within 5 feet of the apparatus, if desired. 
     While it is preferred that a hose roller such as the preferred embodiments described above be used for the methods described above, other suitable structure may be used for rolling up hose into an expanded hose coil to be formed into a hose bundle. In addition, a hose roller in accordance with the invention need not be limited only to use in the methods of preparing to fight a fire and fighting a fire described above. 
     While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments and generally associated methods, it is contemplated that alterations and permutations thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and study of the drawings. The present invention is not intended to be defined by the above description of preferred exemplary embodiments, or by the description present in the provisional application of which benefit is claimed. Rather, the present invention is defined variously by the appended claims. Each variation of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the recited limitations of its respective claim, and equivalents thereof, without limitation by terms not present therein.