Patent Document

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No: PCT/US98/21720, filed Oct. 14, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The instant invention pertains to fire fighting apparatus and methods and more particularly to portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus and methods of use, particularly applicable to fighting tank seal fires and for inhibiting vapor release from tanks having sunken or dislodged roofs and for blanketing roof seal tank fires with foam. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Industrial fires and tank fires are typically fought utilizing portable nozzles staged a distance from the fire. Such uses of nozzles may be referred to as Type III applications. Portable nozzles stationed a distance away from the tank, however, lose some percent of the fire fighting fluid to “fallout” as the fluid transits the distance from the nozzle to the tank surface. Fallout is particularly noticeable and regrettable when throwing foam, an expensive fluid. 
     A more precise and efficient method of fighting at least certain fires and hazardous vapor situations can be achieved by stationing a nozzle on a wall rim, as for instance the rim of a tank during a hazardous emergency. The instant invention discloses methods and apparatus for stationing a monitor on a tank wall, or the like, in order to blanket a fire with fluid such as foam, to suppress vapors and/or to extinguish flammable liquid fire. 
     In preferred embodiments a portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus includes a base and monitor structured in combination (or a monitor structured to comprise a base) to securely encompass a wall rim, with fittings for attaching hose lines. Preferably and most simply a base for mounting on a wall rim is structured as a saddle, for encompassing and sitting on top of a rim of a wall. The rim could be a tank wall rim or a rim of any vertical wall, not necessarily a circular wall of a storage tank. The “wall” could be a pickup truck tailgate, a dozer blade or a cinderblock or concrete wall surrounding a flammable liquid storage area, depending upon the circumstances. The apparatus base would preferably be designed both for stability, weight and versatility, ideally being adjustable to fit as many different wall type structures as possible and to accommodate a variety of monitors. The apparatus, although designed to be portable, could also be left in place, in part or in whole, permanently. 
     The monitor can have attached a variety of nozzles, but preferably either an automatic nozzle, which targets a given authority and range of the fire fighting fluid by adjusting to target a discharge pressure, or a nozzle of the sort preset to target a given a volumetric flow rate, presuming a given discharge pressure. 
     Although the description herein appears to presume that the apparatus will be supplied by fire fighting fluid via hoses, such “hose” could in fact be a fixed pipe. The word hose as used herein is intended to encompass fixed pipes. 
     The fire fighting fluid is anticipated to be water or a water-foam concentrate solution that forms a foam upon application, as is known. The fluid could, of course, be any effective or desired fire fighting fluid. 
     One clear advantage of the instant portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus and method is minimizing the risk to firefighters fighting seal fires or sunken roofs with fire potential. The instant apparatus is designed to apply a fire fighting fluid while allowing the firefighter to remain largely stationed remotely. In current practice firefighters are frequently called upon to walk the wind-gutters or the pan itself when tank seal fires or tank seal hazardous situations or sunken roofs are involved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus and its method of use. The apparatus includes a base structure, one or more fittings and a monitor. The apparatus is designed and structured in combination to attach to a wall rim portion. One or more fittings are provided to attach a hose to the apparatus. 
     Preferably a significant portion of the apparatus is constructed of aluminum in order to enhance its portability by firefighters during a fire. In particular, it would be desirable for the apparatus to be carried up the ladder on the side of a tank. Alternately, the apparatus could be lifted by a crane, were it too heavy. An extension stem may provide an auxiliary outlet for auxiliary firefighting apparatus, such as a localized wand. 
     By affixing the monitor and apparatus in place and adjusting the monitor to target an appropriate fire extinguishing area, the firefighter can retreat to a remote distance while fire extinguishing fluid is applied to the hazardous area minimizing unproductive loss of fluid to fall out. 
     The invention is also directed to a portable frame for providing a suitable wall rim portion to which the above apparatus may be attached. One portable frame structure is designed to be located on the ground. An alternate portable frame structure is designed to be bolted to the bed of a pickup truck. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  presents a side illustrative view of a base portion of the apparatus applicable for attachment to a monitor and to hose. 
         FIG. 1B  presents an end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A  having a monitor attached. 
         FIG. 2A  presents a side view of apparatus similar to that in  FIG. 1A  but of larger size. 
         FIG. 2B  presents an end view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2A  having monitor attached. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a stern attachment providing an auxiliary discharge for the apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a methodology using the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  present side and end views similar to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , also illustrating an adjustable lockdown lug. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a portable frame to provide a suitable wall rim portion to which the monitor apparatus and base structure may be affixed, the frame particularly suitable for bolting to a pickup truck bed. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an alternate frame for providing a wall rim portion to which the monitor apparatus and base structure may be affixed, the frame of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  being suitable for locating on the ground. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates portions of a portable wall-attachable fire fighting apparatus. Apparatus  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  without monitor  24  attached.  FIG. 1B  illustrates apparatus  10  with monitor  24  attached. Monitor  24  could be an integral part of the apparatus. Alternately, to enhance versatility, a base could be designed such that the base is attachable, such as by fitting  16 , with a variety of monitors. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a base is preferably comprised of a saddle  12  of lightweight construction, such as aluminum. The benefit of lightweight construction is that it may enable a firefighter to carry the apparatus up the ladder of a tank. The saddle shape of base  12  is better illustrated by the end view of  FIG. 1B . Base  12  is shown provided with one or more screw clamps  18 . A variety of attachment means could be utilized. Screw clamp  18  permits a given base  12  to be attached to a variety of rim walls, from concrete block walls to tank walls to bulldozer blades and pickup truck tailgates. 
     Base  12  is shown fitted with pipe  22 , preferably having swivel connections  20 . Pipe  22  preferably ends in one or more hose connections  14 .  FIG. 1A  shows an apparatus designed for a 2½″ hose connection. The apparatus of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  can likely be made portable by firefighters up a ladder of a tank in an emergency. In  FIGS. 1A and 1B  a 5″ monitor connection  16  is provided for mating with monitor  24 . Again monitor  24  is preferably also constructed of aluminum in order to achieve a lightweight result. Monitor  24  is shown with a 3″ waterway. Nozzle  26  is connected to the outlet end of monitor  24 . 
     Means are provided on a monitor, as is known in the art, to adjust the monitor in azimuth and inclination. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a larger version of the portable wall attachable fire fighting apparatus. In  FIGS. 2A and 2B  only one fitting  14  is provided for connection with a hose.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the placement of lifting eye  13  to permit the portable wall-attachable fire fighting apparatus to be lifted into place by a crane. Monitor  24  is shown providing a 4″ waterway with a dual hand-wheel and a 3½″ outlet. The apparatus is shown having a 4″ flanged monitor connection  16 . Provision is made for a 5″ hose connection  14 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a connecting piece  28  that provides an enhancement for the portable wall-attachable fire fighting apparatus. Stem  28  would screw into hose fitting  14  and provide a fitting  15  for connection to a hose. Stem  28  provides valve  30  and auxiliary discharge port  32 . The value of stem  28  is to be able to siphon fluid off from the hose prior to delivery to the monitor outlet in order to use the fluid for an auxiliary discharge unit. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates portions of the methodology of the present invention. Firefighter  40  is illustrated climbing ladder  32  on the side of tank  36  having a sunken or dislodged roof  38 . Firefighter  40  is shown carrying apparatus  10  to the top of the tank wall where it will be set in place. Wand  40  is shown in place connected to hose  34  in order to distribute foam at least over the area immediately below and on both sides of the ladder in the tank for the protection of firefighter  40 . Apparatus  10  is connected to hose  34 . If apparatus  10  contains an auxiliary discharge port the firefighter may not only adjust the monitor to appropriately target a mainstream of fluid but the firefighter may also attach discharge apparatus to the auxiliary port in order to target secondary areas. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are similar to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , discussed above.  FIG. 5A , in particular, illustrates an adjustable lockdown lug  30 , useful for affixing the portable wall attachable fire fighting apparatus to a wall rim portion provided by portable frame. As can be seen in  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  7 A and  7 B, lug  30  locks around an angle element  46  or  56 , affixed to the wall rim provided by the portable frame. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  and  7 A and  7 B illustrate two embodiments of a portable frame that can be used to provide a wall rim portion to which the portable wall attachable fire fighting apparatus can be attached. The frame of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  is particularly adapted for being bolted to a pickup truck bed. Frame element  40  comprises pieces of angle iron having bolt holes  41  for becoming affixed to a pickup truck bed. Transverse angle iron element  48  attaches to and between side angle iron elements  40 . Vertical plate  42  is affixed between side angle iron frame elements  40 . Vertical plate  42  provides the wall rim portion to which the fire fighting apparatus may be attached. Webbing  44  is designed to hold wall element  42  securely in place with respect to frame elements  40  and  48 . Preferably, the upper rim of vertical wall portion  42  is firmly secured to an angle rim element  46 . Adjustable lockdown lug  30  is designed to lock over a portion of angle iron element  46 , helping to further secure the portable fire fighting apparatus to the portable frame. Lockdown screw  19  adjustably attaches the fire fighting apparatus to wall portion  42  provided by the portable frame. 
     The frame illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  is intended to be installed or located upon the ground. Leg strap hose receivers  53  are provided attached to frame legs  50 . Leg receivers  53  receive hose to help provide ballast for the frame on the ground. Preferably legs  50  of the frame of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  would be removable for ease in handling. As in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the frame of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  provides wall  58  which provides a wall rim portion for attaching the portable fire fighting apparatus. As in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the top of vertical wall  58  is preferably affixed to an angle iron element  56  to help provide a secure attachment for the portable fire fighting apparatus. 
     In the following claims, when a base and/or a monitor are referred to, it should be understood that one or more bases and one or more monitors could be used. Although the invention can be practiced with one base and one monitor, multiple bases and/or multiple monitors would not change the nature of the invention. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated system may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is claimed using terminology that depends upon a historic presumption that recitation of a single element covers one or more, and recitation of two elements covers two or more, and the like.

Technology Category: 1