Patent Description:
Known articulated water tower fire apparatus vehicles are designed with compromises between vehicle size and water flow rating. Smaller sized fire apparatus vehicles can be beneficial in many situations. These situations include urban uses because the smaller vehicles are more maneuverable through narrow streets than larger ones. Articulated water towers with higher water flow ratings are beneficial for firefighting because they can deliver more water for extinguishing fires than those with lower water flow ratings.

However, implementing high-flow articulated water towers, such as those with flow rates of about <NUM><NUM>/s (<NUM> GPM (gallons per minute)), on small fire apparatus vehicles is challenging. Vehicles with high-flow articulated water towers can experience large reactionary forces, which can be strong enough to make small fire apparatus vehicles unstable. Accordingly, typical fire apparatus vehicles that support high-flow articulated water towers are large vehicles with tandem rear axles or larger chassis. Many of the large fire apparatus vehicles also have at least two pairs of outriggers to further stabilize the large vehicles against the reactionary forces of the high-flow articulated water towers.

<CIT> discloses a quint configuration fire apparatus according to the preamble of claim <NUM>, the apparatus including a chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis and configured to receive a ground ladder, a fire hose, a pump, a water tank and a ladder assembly. <CIT> discloses a cradle assembly for aerial ladders or booms. <CIT> discloses a firefighting or rescue apparatus which includes a ladder to which a recovery winch is operably mounted.

The present invention is directed to a relatively small fire apparatus vehicle, such as a single rear axle vehicle with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of less than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> pounds), that has a high-flow articulated water tower that can deliver water at a rate of up to <NUM><NUM>/s (<NUM> GPM) and which may have a single outrigger for stabilizing the vehicle.

According to one aspect of the invention, a fire apparatus vehicle includes a turret support arrangement with an outrigger system that has a single pair of outriggers. A pair of outrigger mounts connects the outriggers to multiple structural components of the vehicle at different mounting locations. Each outrigger mount may connect a corresponding outrigger leg to a vehicle chassis frame rail, a torque rail of a torque box that supports a turret, and to a base of the turret.

The fire apparatus vehicle has a vehicle chassis with a pair of chassis frame rails. The turret support arrangement includes a turret with an upper end configured to support an articulated water tower and a lower end that defines a turret base for supporting the turret and the articulated water tower. A torque box includes a pair of torque rails that are arranged parallel to and above the pair of chassis frame rails. An outrigger system includes a pair of outriggers. Each of the outriggers has a telescoping outrigger leg that extends outwardly and angularly downward with respect to the vehicle chassis. A pair of outrigger mounts supports the outriggers and each of the outrigger mounts has an outrigger mounting bracket. The outrigger mounting bracket extends across and interconnects at least two of the vehicle chassis, the torque box, and the turret base. This provides a mounting arrangement with multiple mounting interfaces at different heights to distribute loads across large surfaces areas and enhance vehicle stability during use of a high-flow water delivery system.

According to the invention, each outrigger mounting bracket extends across and interconnects each of the vehicle chassis, the torque box, and the turret base. Each outrigger mounting bracket may include a pair of mounting bracket side flanges that extend from opposite facing surfaces of an upper end of the respective telescoping outrigger leg. The mounting bracket side flanges may have triangular perimeter shapes and extend downwardly with respect to their attachment points to the outrigger leg and toward the torque box to provide a triangulated gusset attachment between the outrigger leg and the torque box.

According to another aspect of the invention, the turret base defines left and right turret sides that correspond to left and right sides of the vehicle chassis. At each of the left and right turret sides, the turret base may include a turret tie-in arrangement with a generally upright turret tie-in plate that faces outwardly away from the respective left or right turret side. The turret tie-in plate engages the outrigger mounting bracket plate to connect the respective telescoping outrigger leg to the turret base. A pair of upright turret tie-in plates may be arranged at each of the left and right sides of the turret, as outer components of upper outrigger mounts that are spaced from each other with a channel between, in which various components of the outrigger legs may be arranged such as an upper end of a movable leg segment.

According to another aspect of the invention, the torque box may define left and right torque box sides that correspond to left and right sides of the vehicle chassis. At each of the left and right torque box sides
, the torque box may include a torque box mount with a torque box mount plate. The torque box mount plate may be arranged generally upright and face outwardly away from the respective left or right torque box side. The torque box mount plate may engage the outrigger mounting bracket plate to connect the respective telescoping outrigger leg to the torque box. Respective turret tie-in plates and torque box mount plates may be general vertically aligned with each other, whereas an upper end of a hydraulic cylinder or other actuator that moves the outrigger leg's movable leg segment may be mounted more inwardly, such as attached to the turret.

According to another aspect of the invention, the fire apparatus vehicle has a single rear axle supported by the vehicle chassis and the torque box may include torque box mounts that extend from the torque rails and connect to the chassis frame rails with one of the torque box mounts arranged behind the rear axle and another arranged in front of the rear axle. The torque box may include least two torque box mounts arranged in front of the rear axle and one behind it, on each side of the torque box.

According to another aspect of the invention, the outrigger system includes an outrigger foot below each outrigger leg that defines inner and outer portions. An outrigger foot mount is arranged at the outrigger foot outer portion so a point of connection between the outrigger foot at the outrigger foot outer portion and a respective telescoping outrigger leg provides more of the outrigger foot inwardly beyond a lower edge of the telescoping outrigger leg than outwardly beyond the lower edge of the telescoping outrigger leg.

According to the invention, a fire apparatus vehicle is provided that has a vehicle chassis with a pair of chassis frame rails. A turret is arranged above the vehicle chassis that includes an upper end configured to support an articulated water tower and a lower end that defines a turret base for supporting the turret and the articulated water tower. A turret support arrangement includes a torque box arranged above the pair of chassis frame rails and below the turret. The torque box is configured to transfer forces from the turret to the vehicle chassis. An outrigger system includes a pair of outriggers. Each of the outriggers includes a telescoping outrigger leg that extends outwardly and angularly downward with respect to the vehicle chassis. An outrigger support system includes pair of outrigger mounts connected to the pair of outriggers. Each of the outrigger mounts interconnects the vehicle chassis and the torque box. Each outrigger mount may include a mounting bracket plate with upper and lower portions. The respective telescoping outrigger leg is connected to the mounting bracket plate upper portion. The mounting bracket plate lower portion extends downwardly from the respective telescoping outrigger leg and is connected to the torque box. The outrigger support system includes torque box mount plates that extend downwardly from the torque box. Lower portions of the torque box mount plates are sandwiched between the lower portions of the outrigger mount's mounting bracket plate and the chassis frame rails.

Referring now to <FIG>, a fire apparatus vehicle, represented as vehicle <NUM>, implements a turret support arrangement <NUM> and a high-flow articulated water tower, shown as articulated water tower <NUM>, that provide substantial vehicle stability while delivering a large volume of water, with a flow rate up to about <NUM><NUM>/s (<NUM> GPM (gallons per minute)) through the articulated water tower <NUM>. Vehicle <NUM> is shown as a relatively small fire apparatus vehicle, which may have a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of less than <NUM>,<NUM> (<NUM> pounds). Vehicle <NUM> is shown here with a single rear axle <NUM> that is supported by a vehicle chassis <NUM> that has a pair of chassis frame rails <NUM> (only one shown). Chassis frame rails <NUM> also support the turret support arrangement <NUM>, articulated water tower <NUM>, a front axle, a cab, and other bodywork, components, and systems of vehicle <NUM>, including pump system <NUM> that is configured to pump water to the high-flow articulated water tower <NUM> to be delivered from the vehicle <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, turret support arrangement <NUM> includes torque box <NUM> that supports a tower-supporting turntable or turret <NUM> and can rotate about a vertical axis and supports the articulated water tower <NUM>, and the turret support arrangement <NUM> also includes an outrigger system <NUM> that is configured to provide stability to the vehicle <NUM> and the articulated water tower <NUM> during use. Torque box <NUM> includes a pair of torque rails <NUM> (only one shown) arranged parallel to and above the pair of chassis frame rails <NUM>. Torque rails <NUM> are shown here sitting on top of the chassis frame rails <NUM> and extending across rear axle <NUM>, with a torque rail front end <NUM> in front of the rear axle <NUM> and torque rail back ends <NUM> behind the rear axle <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, torque box <NUM> includes crossmembers <NUM> that extend perpendicularly between the torque rails <NUM> to define a ladder-like framework of interconnected components of torque box <NUM>. Torque box mounts <NUM> are mounted at spaced-apart locations along the torque rails <NUM> and connect the torque rails <NUM> to the chassis frame rails <NUM>. Referring again to <FIG>, at each of the torque rails <NUM>, at least one of the torque box mounts <NUM> is arranged behind the rear axle <NUM> and another is arranged in front of the rear axle <NUM>. The torque box mounts <NUM> are shown here as vertically extending plates or torque box mount plates, with two torque box mounts <NUM> in front of rear axle <NUM> and a single torque box mount <NUM> behind the rear axle <NUM>. Tying the torque box <NUM> both in front of and behind the rear axle <NUM> in this way allows the mass of vehicle <NUM> in front of rear axle <NUM> to act as ballast that resists or counteracts at least some forces that are applied behind the rear axle <NUM> through the turret <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, turret <NUM> has an upper end <NUM> that provides a mounting structure for the articulated water tower <NUM> (<FIG>) and a lower end <NUM> that defines a pedestal or turret base <NUM> that is connected to the torque box <NUM>. Turret base <NUM> is shown here connected to the torque rail back ends <NUM>, on turret support plate <NUM> that extends across and interconnects the torque rail back ends <NUM>. Turret gussets 75a are generally triangular and extend between and connect the turret base <NUM> and the turret support plate <NUM>. Turret base <NUM> has left and right turret sides <NUM>, <NUM> that correspond to left and right sides of the vehicle chassis <NUM>. At each of the left and right turret sides <NUM>, <NUM>, a first turret support gusset 75a is arranged toward the front of the turret base <NUM> and a second turret support gusset 75a is arranged toward the back of turret base <NUM>. The turret base <NUM> has a turret tie-in arrangement <NUM> at each of the left and right turret sides <NUM>, <NUM>, between the respective pairs of turret support gussets 75a. Turret tie-in arrangement <NUM> is shown here with a pair of upper outrigger mounts <NUM>, which are shown as box-like weldments with open tops and vertically arranged turret tie-in plates <NUM>. Each turret tie-in plate <NUM> is connected by a pair of flanges or webs of material that collectively define the upper outrigger mount <NUM> and connect the turret tie-in plate <NUM> to the turret base <NUM> and the turret support plate <NUM>. Each turret tie-in plate <NUM> is arranged generally upright and faces outwardly away from the respective left or right turret side <NUM>, <NUM>. The rear mounts of the torque box mounts <NUM> may define torque box / outrigger mounts <NUM> that are shown here as wider than the other torque box mounts <NUM>. Torque box / outrigger mounts <NUM> are shown here as approximately the same width as the turret support plate <NUM> or the turret base <NUM>. The torque box / outrigger mounts <NUM> and turret tie-in plates <NUM> of the upper outrigger mounts <NUM> provide structures for supporting outrigger system <NUM> and at least partially define an outrigger support system 55a. A space between the upper outrigger mounts <NUM> defines an upper portion of a channel <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, as shown in this simplified view, at least one of the torque box mounts <NUM> is arranged behind the rear axle <NUM>, whereas at least one other one of the torque box mounts <NUM> is arranged in front of the rear axle <NUM>. This provides a chassis tie-in arrangement that longitudinally straddles the rear axle <NUM>. As shown here, the rear-most torque box mount <NUM> or torque box / outrigger mount(s) <NUM> connects the torque box <NUM> to the chassis frame rails <NUM> behind the rear axle <NUM>. Channel <NUM> is shown here extending angularly back from the torque box mount <NUM>, through the torque rail <NUM>, toward the turret lower end <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, as shown in the cross-sectioned portion toward the left of this view, channel <NUM> may extend downwardly into the plate of the torque box / outrigger mounts <NUM>, giving the torque box / outrigger mounts <NUM> a U-shaped configuration (<FIG>) with a generally rectangular cutout extending into their upper portions, and may also extend into torque rails <NUM>, providing rectangular cutouts extending into their upper portions that align with the rectangular cutouts of the torque box / outrigger mounts <NUM>. Channel <NUM> provides a passageway through various mounting components in which various components of the outrigger system <NUM> may be housed or translate. A ramped surface 83a that lies below various components of the outrigger system <NUM> may define a bottom wall of the channel <NUM>, each extending at an angle upwardly from the cutouts of the torque box / outrigger mount(s) <NUM> and torque rails <NUM>. Generally triangular side walls may extend upwardly from the ramped surface 83a to connect the ramped surface 83a to the outer and upper walls of the torque rails <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, outrigger system <NUM> has a pair of outriggers <NUM> that are configured to selectively engage an underlying ground surface to support the back of vehicle <NUM> and provide anti-roll and other enhanced stability characteristics. Each outrigger <NUM> has a telescoping outrigger leg <NUM> that extends outwardly and angularly downward with respect to the vehicle chassis <NUM>. Outrigger leg <NUM> has an upper leg segment <NUM> with a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape and the lower leg segment <NUM> that defines a movable leg segment of the telescoping outrigger leg <NUM> with a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape that is slightly smaller than that of upper leg segment <NUM>, which allows the lower leg segment <NUM> to be telescopically received inside of the upper leg segment <NUM>. Upper leg segment <NUM> is shown here connected to an upper portion of the outrigger support system 55a. A linear actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder <NUM> is arranged inside of each outrigger leg <NUM>, with a first end fixed relative to the upper leg segment <NUM>, shown here attached with a pin to a cylinder mount <NUM> that has a pair of lobes and an upper wall that are connected to the turret base <NUM> at a greater height on the turret base <NUM> than the turret support gussets 75a, which is shown in the non-sectioned portion toward the right in this view. A second end of hydraulic cylinder <NUM> is fixed relative to the lower leg segment <NUM>, for example, secured with a pin to a bottom end of lower leg segment <NUM>. Extending and retracting a piston of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> correspondingly extends and retracts the lower leg segment <NUM> relative to upper leg segment <NUM> for selectively engaging the ground during stabilizing use or retracting to achieve a transport position. An outrigger foot <NUM> is arranged at an outer end of the lower leg segment <NUM>. The outrigger foot <NUM> includes an outrigger foot mount <NUM> that is arranged at an outrigger foot outer portion <NUM>, off-center toward the outside. The outrigger foot mount <NUM> defines a point of connection between the outrigger foot <NUM> relative to the perimeter shape of the outrigger foot <NUM> so that the outrigger foot <NUM> extends inwardly beyond a lower edge of the lower leg segment <NUM> farther than it extends outwardly past the lower edge of the lower leg segment <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, as shown in the non-sectioned portion toward the right of this view, at upper ends of the outriggers <NUM>, the outrigger legs <NUM> are connected to the vehicle <NUM> with a pair of outrigger mounts <NUM> of outrigger support system 55a that connect the outriggers <NUM> to multiple structural components of vehicle <NUM> at multiple locations to distribute forces between those components instead of concentrating forces in, for example, a single component. Each outrigger mount <NUM> is shown here with an outrigger mounting bracket <NUM> that may extend across and interconnect at least two of the vehicle chassis <NUM>, the torque box <NUM>, and the turret base <NUM>. Each bracket <NUM> may include a pair of mounting bracket side flanges <NUM> (only one shown), shown here with a triangular perimeter shape, that extend from the opposite facing surfaces of an upper end of the outrigger upper leg segment <NUM>, downwardly from the outrigger upper leg segment <NUM> toward the torque box <NUM> with the bottom edge of the mounting bracket side flanges <NUM> shown generally parallel to the ground. An outrigger mounting bracket plate <NUM>, shown edge-wise in <FIG>, extends between and interconnects the mounting bracket side flanges <NUM> to each other to provide a generally U-shaped configuration when viewed from above. Like the torque box / outrigger mounts <NUM> and aligned portion of the torque rails <NUM>, the mounting bracket plate <NUM> has a generally rectangular cutout extending into its upper portion, aligned with those of the box / outrigger mounts <NUM> and torque rails <NUM>, giving the mounting bracket plate <NUM> a U-shaped configuration that defines a portion of the channel <NUM>. The outrigger mounting bracket plate <NUM> is shown here connected to each of the turret base <NUM>, torque box <NUM>, and chassis <NUM> through respective face-to-face connection engagements between the mounting bracket plate <NUM> with the turret tie-in plate(s) <NUM> and the torque box mount <NUM> at the torque rails <NUM> and the chassis frame rails <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A fire apparatus vehicle (<NUM>) that has a vehicle chassis (<NUM>) with a pair of chassis frame rails (<NUM>) and including a turret support arrangement (<NUM>), the turret support arrangement (<NUM>) comprising:
a turret (<NUM>) that is configured to support an articulated water tower (<NUM>);
a torque (<NUM>) box that supports the turret (<NUM>); and
an outrigger system (<NUM>) that includes:
a pair of outriggers (<NUM>) with each of the outriggers (<NUM>) having:
a telescoping outrigger leg (<NUM>) that, when the turret support arrangement (<NUM>) is supported by the vehicle chassis (<NUM>), selectively extends downward with respect to the vehicle chassis (<NUM>); and
characterized in that, each of the outriggers further comprises a pair of outrigger mounts (<NUM>) that, when the turret support arrangement (<NUM>) is supported by the vehicle chassis (<NUM>), extends across and interconnects at least two of the vehicle chassis (<NUM>), the torque box (<NUM>), and the turret (<NUM>).