Device to assist in the operation of at least one pipe

Abstract

A pipe maneuvering assistance device comprising a frame (2) having at least one cradle (20) with a circularly concave internal shape (21), and movement means (3), characterized in that the concavity (21) of the cradle extends along a circular arc with an angle exceeding 180°. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for assisting the operation of at least one pipe

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for assisting the operation of at least one pipe.

[0002] The invention will be described more particularly with regard to the operation of a fire hose in operations, without however being limited to it, and applies to any hose operation which must be pressurized.

[0003] During fires, firefighters move to a given point, defined from the command post, generally.

[0004] Once the fire truck is in position, the hoses are unrolled from their respective supports by the crew. The appropriate nozzle is attached to the free end so that it can be used by the firefighter to dispense water, with or without additives, in the pattern provided by the type of nozzle.

[0005] The required length of hose is deployed, estimated by the operator according to the circumstances.

[0006] To give a general idea, the diameter of these hoses is 45 to 110 mm in typical applications. These hoses are made of a flexible material so that they can be rolled flat for storage and can be maneuvered around obstacles by conforming as closely as possible to the terrain. These hoses are made from a complex fabric with reinforcement to withstand high working pressure and to resist temperature and fire.

[0007] The other end of the pipe is intended to be connected to a pressurized water supply outlet, generated in a known way by a pump mounted and driven by the engine means of the truck or by auxiliary means or from a fire hydrant of a high-pressure network if one exists nearby.

[0008] The pipe is then ready to be used.

[0009] As soon as pressurization is applied, the flexible hose takes its round shape under the effect of the radial pressure exerted inside the hose. This pressure is maintained by the back pressure exerted by the nozzle's outlet end, the cross-section of which is smaller than that of the hose.

[0010] Due to the high pressure, the flexible hose becomes much more rigid and more difficult to maneuver, especially as the length of hose deployed increases.

[0011] The difficulties in handling are related to the stiffness of the pipe once under pressure on the one hand, but also and especially to the weight of the pipe on the other hand.

[0012] The weight has two consequences, that of conferring a significant intrinsic weight making lifting difficult and that of exerting, due to the weight, a significant support on the ground, thus generating high friction forces.

[0013] It is observed that when the ground has many natural obstacles such as bushes and other pebbles, branches, etc., in the forest or rubble in an urban environment, the efforts to be made are significant, requiring either serious efforts on the part of the worker, sometimes beyond his limits, or several workers.

[0014] In either case, this is not satisfactory because, in the first case, the servant becomes fatigued to the detriment of the efforts needed for the continuation of the operations, or in the second case, personnel are mobilized to the detriment of other functions.

[0015] It should also be noted that in the case of certain operations, such as in the oil or chemical sectors, equipment may be separated by very long safety distances. Therefore, assistance in pulling such hoses becomes necessary. This is all the more true as the hoses increase in diameter, far exceeding what is used in typical urban operations.

[0016] It is already known that hose handling assistance devices / mobile hose-carrying devices significantly reduce the effort required to operate a hose. Such devices comprise a cradle designed to receive, in its central portion, approximately half the cross-section of a hose, and equipped with clamping means to hold and secure the hose within the cradle. The cradle is equipped with rolling means for moving the device. However, these devices often feature clamping means that are complex to implement and not quick to operate.

[0017] The invention therefore aims to provide a device that does not present the aforementioned drawbacks, while remaining safe. Advantageously, the device must also be easily maneuverable on all types of terrain, and be able to carry several hoses if necessary.

[0018] According to the invention, the pipe maneuvering assistance device comprises a frame having at least one cradle which has an internal shape with circular concavity, and means of movement, and is characterized in that the concavity of the cradle extends along an arc of a circle with an angle beyond 180°.

[0019] The cradle has two free ends (curved due to the extension of the semicircle) which project inwards towards the inside of the cradle. The distance between the two free ends is less than the diameter of the pipe intended to be housed in the cradle.

[0020] Thus, this concavity provides the cradle with an opening in the shape of an arc of a circle whose free ends in the upper plane are directed towards each other so as to enclose the pipe over a circumference of more than 180° in order to be able to wedge it and hold it in place in the cradle without requiring any means of clamping.

[0021] In particular, the cradle comprises a lower semicircle of fixed diameter which extended by two opposite extension parts in an arc of a circle ending in two opposite free extremities, said free extremities protruding from two respective (vertical) planes which are orthogonal to the diameter (horizontal) of the semicircle and tangent to the endpoints of said diameter.

[0022] The separation distance between the two free ends is less than the diameter of the semicircle. The separation distance between the two free ends is therefore less than the diameter of the pipe intended to be housed in the cradle.

[0023] Thus, the device of the invention provides ease and speed of implementation with regard to the arrangement of a pipe; there is no longer necessarily a need for means of clamping, the user pushes the pressurized pipe directly into the cradle which remains stuck in place.

[0024] According to a preferred feature, the concavity of the cradle extends along a circular arc with an angle of approximately 240°.

[0025] According to one feature, the chassis comprises several cradles arranged adjacently along a horizontal plane in the device's operating position, so as to carry several pipes side by side.

[0026] In one embodiment, the device comprises several frames, each having at least one cradle, and the frames being joined laterally (in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the pipes to be supported) and assembled by removable fastening means which preferably comprise, on the one hand, a connecting shaft linking two frames, and on the other hand, two locking ball pins passing through the frames and the connecting shaft orthogonally to the latter. This has the advantage of allowing real-time adjustments on site to provide the user with a device with the appropriate number of cradles for the operation. Furthermore, the removable fastening by ball pins results in extremely advantageous simplicity and speed of deployment in emergency situations.Furthermore, the ball pins provide a fastening that is not at all cumbersome when used with gloves, greatly facilitating the use of the device in the field by firefighters.

[0027] The device may include clamping means for locking the hose in position within its cradle, in particular clamping means comprising a flange and a locking system cooperating with the frame and preferably formed by a ball pin. However, these clamping means do not constitute primary retention means for the hose within the cradle, as this primary retention is achieved by the shape of the cradle itself, which holds the cradle in position. These clamping means are primarily intended to keep the hose in place when it is no longer under pressure.

[0028] According to another feature, the rolling means are fixed to the two opposite ends of the chassis in planes transverse to the main axis of the chassis (axis perpendicular to the thickness of the chassis and perpendicular to the direction of a (tube supported), raise the chassis and present a height greater than the height of the chassis.

[0029] Preferably, the rolling means are removable. In this case, the rolling means consist of two wheels fixed to each end of the frame, and the device of the invention includes removable fastening means, which are preferably ball pins, each ball pin cooperating with the hub of a wheel and a lateral bore of the frame. The removable fastening by ball pins provides simplicity and speed of implementation. Furthermore, the removable nature of the wheels allows several frames to be joined and assembled to achieve the desired number of cradles, and then the wheels to be reattached to the end frames.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the rolling means are holonomic wheels with tangential rollers.

[0031] The device can be motorized, in particular it includes a brushless motor.

[0032] The present invention is now described using examples only illustrative and in no way limiting of the scope of the invention, and based on the attached illustrations, in which:

[0033] [fig. 1] represents a perspective view of an example embodiment of the device of the invention for assisting the operation of a pipe.

[0034] [fig.2] represents a front view of the device of [fig. 1].

[0035] [fig.3a] represents a perspective view of a variant of the device of [fig.l] showing additional means of restraint.

[0036] [fig.3b] is a front view of the chassis of the device of [fig.3a], part of which is cut.

[0037] [fig.3c] is a perspective view of the chassis of the device of [fig.3a].

[0038] [fig.4] illustrates a front view of a variant of the chassis with two cradles.

[0039] [fig.5] is a variant of the device with four cradles.

[0040] [fig.6] shows a front view of an assistance device of the invention carrying a pipe, the device presenting a variant of shape for the lower part of the chassis (which does not bring any functional modification), compared to the chassis of figures 1 and 3a.

[0041] [fig.7] shows a device according to the invention with a double cradle carrying two pipes.

[0042] [fig.8] is a perspective top view showing the removable attachment of a wheel on the chassis of the device of the invention.

[0043] [fig.9] is an exploded perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the device by assembling several chassis.

[0044] The device 1 of the invention for assisting in the handling of a pipe, illustrated in the figures, is intended to support and maneuver at least one pipe when it is under pressure and being handled, in particular at one of its ends furthest from the device. Fig. 6 shows the operating device 1 carrying one pipe 10, while the device in figures 7 and 9 is designed to carry two pipes 10 and 11.

[0045] As shown in the figures, the maneuvering assistance device 1 comprises a frame 2, at least one cradle 20, movement means 3, and optionally clamping means 4 (a variant of [Fig. 3a]) for locking the pipe in position within the cradle. In the variants shown in Figures 4 and 5, the frame 2 comprises several cradles 20A to 20D.

[0046] According to the invention, each cradle 20 or 20A to 20D is configured, as will be seen later, to clamp and lock the pipe in position when it is under pressure without the need for clamping means. Thus, even if the device is positioned so that the cradle is facing downwards while the pipe is housed and therefore held in the cradle, the pipe will not fall due to gravity. The cradle is adapted by its shape to hold the pipe in place without requiring additional retaining means. If clamping means 4 are added, they actually serve to lock the pipe in the clamped position and prevent the pipe from being pulled out of its cradle when the pipe is no longer under pressure and its diameter has therefore decreased, thus no longer guaranteeing its clamping in the cradle.

[0047] The chassis 2 is made of a material resistant to fire or at least to the intense heat of a fire. It is, for example, metallic, such as aluminum.

[0048] The frame 2 has a longitudinal axis X-X' which is transverse to the thickness of said frame and to the longitudinal direction of the pipe intended to be installed in a cradle. The longitudinal axis X-X' corresponds to, or is slightly greater than, the axis at which the movement means 3 are fixed.

[0049] The chassis 2 has an upper face 2', at least one cradle 20 whose opening is at the level of the upper face, and two opposed compact wings 2A and 2B which are on either side of the cradle, and on which the means of movement 3 are fixed.

[0050] The chassis 2 includes a cradle 20, or several adjacent cradles 20A to 20D arranged in alignment with the longitudinal axis X-X' of the chassis.

[0051] Each cradle 20 to 20D, which is intended to hold a pipe, forms a circularly concave housing 21 with an opening facing upwards when in the installed position and ready for use of the device. According to the invention, the circular concavity 21 extends along an arc of a circle with an angle greater than 180°, preferably on the order of 240°. Thus, the cradle comprises a lower semicircle 22, extending into two opposing arc-shaped extension portions 23 and 24, and terminating in two opposing free ends 25 and 26.

[0052] The semicircle 22 of the cradle has its diameter which is coincident with the axis X-X'.

[0053] The free ends 25 and 26 of the cradle are located above and at a distance from the longitudinal axis X-X'. They are each preferably located at approximately 30° to the diameter (axis X-X') of the semicircle 22. The free ends 25 and 26 form two parts turned towards each other, projecting from the orthogonal planes P and P' which are tangent to the arc of the cradle, at the endpoints of the diameter of the lower semicircle 22. The free ends 25 and 26 project slightly from the planes P and P' due to the angle of the arcs of the circles 23 and 24, which is only 30°, but sufficient to slightly close the opening of the cradle.

[0054] The cradle's volume is designed to accommodate the pressurized hose without play. The diameter of the cradle's volume is equal to the diameter of the hose. The cradle's diameter has a diameter at the semicircle 22, which is designed to house the hose by forcing it through the opening to the bottom 21 of the cradle. This operation is performed by the user by applying elastic pressure to the hose, with the localized deformation occurring at the hose to overcome the separation distance between the two curved ends 25 and 26. This distance is less than the diameter of the semicircle 22 and therefore less than the diameter of the hose.

[0055] Therefore, in the installed position of a pipe (figures 6 and 7), the pipe is pushed slightly into the cradle, its lower part resting on the bottom 21 of the semicircle 22, the extension parts 23 and 24 with their respective curved ends 25, 26 covering the pipe by more than half of its circumference, thus holding the pipe in place.

[0056] The cradle intended to be in contact with the pipe may include a non-slip and / or protective coating. This coating prevents damage to the pipe and prevents the pipe from slipping.

[0057] A cradle will be manufactured according to the diameter of the pipe intended to be housed. The diameter of the cradle's semicircle will be manufactured according to the diameters of pipes available on the market, for example, but not limited to, 45 mm, 70 mm, 110 mm. In particular, a cradle has a diameter that can vary from 10 mm to 300 mm.

[0058] When the frame has several adjacent cradles, the cradles may have an identical capacity for pipes of the same diameter, or the cradles may have different capacity to accommodate different pipe diameters.

[0059] Figure 3a illustrates clamping means 4 for locking the pipe in position and further securing the device. As a preferred example, the clamping means comprise a flange 40, the end end 41 of which is fixed rigidly to the frame 2 on the upper face 2' of the frame at the level of one of the wings 2A, and the end end 42 is removable and cooperates by locking with the upper face 2' of the frame on the other side of the cradle, at the level of the other wing 2B.

[0060] The flange 40 is, for example, a metal cable. The flange 40 spans the cradle opening substantially in the X-X' direction, and preferably comprises a concave shape facing the cradle, designed to fit the upper part of the pipe that will protrude from the cradle opening. The flange may also be provided with a coating on the part of the flange in contact with the pipe, so as to prevent any damage to the pipe by friction.

[0061] The terminal end 42 of the flange includes an element forming part of, or attached to, a locking system 43. The locking system 43 is intended to lock the flange 40. The locking system 43 is preferably a ball pin. The ball pin 43 is adapted to cooperate with a vertical passage 44 ([Fig. 3b]) arranged in the thickness of the wing 2B perpendicular to the axis X-X', extending from the upper face 2' of the frame and opening into a hollow space 2C the same thickness as the wing. The balls of the ball pin abut against the wall of the hollow space 2C, which locks the ball pin in position and secures the flange 40.

[0062] In the illustrated example ([fig.3c]), the points 42' and 44' for attaching the flange 40 to the upper part 2' of the frame, via the locking system 43, are diagonally symmetrical. This provides clamping of the pipe in a direction diagonal to the axis of the pipe.

[0063] The means of movement 3 are here implemented in the form of at least two wheels, in this case two wheels 30 and 31, one on either side of the wings of the chassis 2, free to rotate about the transverse axis X-X', in this case mounted on two half-shafts attached respectively to the two opposite wings 2A and 2B. It should be noted that the diameter of each wheel is greater than the diameter of the pipe intended to be supported with ground clearance, so as to avoid friction of the pipe on the ground but also to limit friction of the chassis cradle on the ground.

[0064] The wheels are thus mounted symmetrically, allowing the device to be turned over without any problem. If the pipe twists and the device turns over, the wheels are once again in contact with the ground and the device can continue moving.

[0065] The wheels are preferably removable. With regard to figures 3a, 3c, 8 and 9, the wheels 3 are preferably fixed by ball pins 3', each pin 3' passing through the hub of a wheel 3 and being inserted into a lateral bore 2D of a wing 2A, respectively 2B, of the chassis to open into the hollow space 2C of the wing of the chassis, the balls 3" of the pin coming against the wall of the hollow space, thus locking the fixing of the pin 3'.

[0066] The wheels are fire-resistant and / or at least resistant to intense heat. These wheels can be made of reinforced rubber, or even metallic, such as aluminum to benefit from the inherent lightness of the material.

[0067] In a preferred example of means of locomotion 3 and as illustrated, the wheels are holonomic wheels with tangential rollers.

[0068] Advantageously, the device of the invention can be motorized, and include an electric motor of the brushless motor type, preferably installed in a wheel, so as to facilitate the driving of the device and therefore of the pipe when the pipe is pulled.

[0069] Figure 9 illustrates a further variant of a chassis with two cradles. Here, the chassis is not designed from the outset with a given number of cradles, but rather it is an assembly of several single-cradle chassis (although each chassis could include several cradles). This variant has the advantage of allowing the user to adapt the desired number of cradles on-site, in this case two cradles, by assembling several single-cradle chassis adjacently along the X-X' axis and attaching a wheel 3 to the two distal ends.

[0070] In this embodiment, the maneuvering assistance device 1 includes removable fastening means 5 for assembling two chassis 2 side by side. The removable fastening means 5 include a shaft 50 adapted to engage in the lateral bores 2D of the chassis wings (normally used for engaging the ball pins 3' for wheel mounting 3), and, as a locking means, preferably two ball pins 51 and 52 intended to engage in holes 2E of the chassis wings (also visible in [Fig. 3c]) and to cooperate transversely with the shaft 50.

[0071] The use of the pipe handling assistance device 1 is now described.

[0072] After unrolling a pipe, connecting said pipe to a source of pressurized fluid, and once the pipe has been pressurized by said fluid to give it its service conformation, the user can position maneuvering assistance devices 1 according to the present invention, regularly, along the length of said pipe.

[0073] To do this, the user slides the frame 2 under the pipe to position the pipe directly above the frame cradle after spreading the flange, if present. They then apply firm vertical pressure to the pipe to pass through the narrowing between the two protruding / curved ends 25 and 26, and push the pipe into the cradle. The pipe is now in place and secured without risk of it coming unintentionally out of the cradle.

[0074] Alternatively, the pipe may have been arranged in the cradle before being pressurized. As soon as it is pressurized, it is locked in place.

[0075] For safety, to anticipate the retention of the hose in the cradle when it is no longer under pressure, the user can lock the hose in position by arranging the flange 40 and locking it via the locking system 43.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for assisting the maneuvering of a fire hose in operations, comprising a chassis (2) provided with at least one cradle (20) which has an internal shape with a circular concavity (21) and displacement means (3), characterized in that the concavity (21) of the cradle extends along an arc of a circle with an angle beyond 180° and the cradle (20) has two free ends (25, 26) which project towards the inside of the cradle (20).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cradle (20) comprises a lower semicircle (22) of fixed diameter which is extended by two opposite extension parts in an arc of a circle (23, 24) ending in two opposite free ends (25, 26), said free ends (25, 26) projecting relative to two respective planes orthogonal to the diameter of the semicircle (22), and tangent to the end points of said diameter.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the separation distance between the two free ends (25, 26) is less than the diameter of the pipe intended to be housed in the cradle (20).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concavity (21) of the cradle (20) extends along an arc of a circle with an angle of the order of 240°.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chassis (2) comprises several cradles arranged adjacently along a horizontal plane in the position of use of the device.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement means (3) are removable and fixed to the frame (2) by removable fixing means, preferably fixed by ball pins (3').

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement means (3) are holonomic wheels with tangential rollers.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is motorized, in particular comprises a brushless motor.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several frames (2) each having at least at least one cradle, the frames (2) being abutted laterally and assembled by removable fixing means (5) which preferably comprise, on the one hand, a connecting axis (50) connecting two frames, and on the other hand, two locking ball pins (51, 52) passing through the frames (2) and orthogonally to the connecting axis (50).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises clamping means (4) for locking the pipe in position in its cradle (20), in particular the clamping means (4) comprising a flange (40) and a locking system (43) cooperating with the frame (2) and preferably formed of a ball spindle.

11. Use of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, in assisting the maneuvering of at least one fire hose in operations, said at least one hose being fixed in said at least one cradle (20).

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