Device for emptying and transporting large diameter fire hoses

Abstract

Apparatus for emptying and transporting large diameter fire hoses The invention relates to an apparatus which can be used to evacuate water from a large diameter hose, such as a fire hose, and to assist a firefighter in transporting and reloading a wound fire hose on a fire truck. The apparatus comprises a double motorization provided by two electric motors operating in cooperation, one for moving the apparatus, the other for winding the fire hose. The motorization of the winding is carried out at the periphery of the peripheral hose reel to obtain a linear winding speed of the hose proportional to the rotation of the winding motorization. According to a first mode of use of the apparatus, the hose is wound into a crown directly on the apparatus. According to a second mode of use, the hose is driven and guided towards a fire engine to be folded into a skein.Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 24.

Description

Title of the invention: Apparatus for emptying and transporting large diameter fire hoses

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0002] The present invention relates generally to carts and other devices for transporting articles or materials. More particularly, it relates to an apparatus that can be used to evacuate water from a large diameter hose, such as a fire hose, and to assist a firefighter in transporting and reloading a coiled fire hose onto a fire truck. PREVIOUS ART

[0003] In the context of fighting industrial and natural fires, the Fire Brigade uses either vehicles equipped with large tanks or hose reel trucks to transport a large quantity of water.

[0004] The second principle allows responders to draw on an inexhaustible natural water source (river, stream, ponds, etc.) or artificial source (fire hydrant, reservoirs, etc.) in order to transport large quantities of water over long distances, in order to effectively combat the disaster.

[0005] In France and Europe, the choice is made between fire engines of the van type, removable cell, heavy goods vehicles or all-terrain heavy goods vehicles.

[0006] Equipped with a fire pump, these machines have the capacity to lay several kilometers of hoses in record time. The installation capacity varies from 2 to 4 km.

[0007] These machines are equipped with pipes typically 110 mm in diameter, each measuring 40 metres in length. Their unit weight without water is 45 kilograms, equipped with its two half-couplings.

[0008] This represents between 50 and 100 lengths depending on the vehicle model.

[0009] To address this problem of winding pipes, patent US20070252363A1 proposes an illustrated solution [Fig.l].

[0010] This is an apparatus (1) for draining and transporting large diameter pipes (TU) which comprises a chassis which is movable by means of a pair of wheels. The center of gravity of the frame, and of the frame and a coiled pipe located thereon, is located directly above the wheels.

[0011] The frame includes a front member to facilitate winding a coiled segment of pipe up and onto the frame. The frame includes horizontally arranged rollers that facilitate removal of the coil (BT) from the frame. The frame includes also a guide bar to help keep the reel upright during transport.

[0012] A fixture is removably attached to the frame to allow a portion of the hose to flatten onto a fixture roller to extract water from the hose and to allow a motorized winding rod (TE) positioned substantially centrally of the reel (BT) to wind the hose (TU) onto the reel (BT).

[0013] While this device brings undeniable progress, the fact remains that only the winding of the fire hose is motorized, but not the device itself, which carries a hose that can weigh up to 45 kilograms and that must be moved not only on flat, horizontal ground but also off-road, possibly with a significant slope. In addition, it does not have a control panel or lighting system for intervention at night.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The movement of the apparatus intended for emptying and transporting large diameter fire hoses according to the invention is motorized.

[0016] If it also has a motor for winding the hose, then preferably the motor for moving the device and the motor for winding the hose are carried out by two separate motors (M).

[0017] Advantageously, the device has a folded configuration and in the folded configuration it fits into a maximum volume of one meter by 55 centimeters by 40 centimeters.

[0018] Preferably, it has a retractable pipe guide.

[0019] Preferably, it has a control panel.

[0020] Preferably, it has LED lighting.

[0021] Preferably, the device has a pipe compression roller. resting on at least one of the other two rollers.

[0022] Preferably, the device has a means for cleaning the pipes.

[0023] In terms of use, according to a first mode of use of the device the pipe is wound into a crown directly on the device.

[0024] According to a second mode of use, the hose is driven and guided towards a fire engine to be folded into a skein.

[0025] In this second mode of use, it is advantageous for the hoses in skeins emptied of air and water to be reintegrated into a fire engine which is in motion and without having to undo the hose connections. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the attached drawings.

[0027] [Fig-1] shows the solution of patent US20070252363A1 according to the technique previous.

[0028] [Fig.2] shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the unfolded configuration.

[0029] [Fig.3] shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in folded configuration.

[0030] [Fig.4] shows an overview of the device in CAD version.

[0031] [Fig.5] shows the installation of the elements on the lower chassis with the protective covers in place.

[0032] [Fig.6] shows the installation of the elements on the lower chassis, the protective covers in exploded view.

[0033] [Fig.7] shows the detail of the lower chassis of the device.

[0034] [Fig.8] shows the motorization of the rear wheels of the device.

[0035] [Fig.9] the detail of the transmission of the engine to the rear wheels.

[0036] [Fig. 10] shows the detail of the transmission from the motor to the rollers for winding the pipe.

[0037] [Fig. 11] shows the detail of the positioning of the drum on the rollers to wind the hose.

[0038] [Fig. 12] shows the detail of the positioning of the drum in the low position.

[0039] [Fig. 13] shows the detail of the positioning of the drum in the high position.

[0040] [Fig. 14] shows the detail of the locking of the upper compression roller as well as the upper part of the pipe cleaning means in the form of a combination of an upper brush and a lower brush.

[0041] [Fig. 15] shows the detail of the rollers resting on the pipe as well as the lower part of the pipe cleaning means in the form of brushes.

[0042] [Fig. 16] shows the detail of the upper chassis of the device.

[0043] [Fig. 17] shows the upper part of the device in particular with its handlebar and its LED lighting and hose guidance in skein mode.

[0044] [Fig. 18] shows the upper part of the device, notably with its handlebars and its control panel.

[0045] [Fig. 19] shows the detail of the control panel.

[0046] [Fig.20] illustrates the mode of use, where the roll is wound into a crown directly on the device.

[0047] [Fig.21] shows the introduction of the pipe into the apparatus in the case of the mode where the The hose is wound into a crown directly onto the device.

[0048] [Fig.22] shows the hose being wound into the apparatus in the apparatus in the case of the mode where the hose is wound in a crown directly on the device.

[0049] [Fig.23] shows the hose at the end of winding in the device in the case of the mode where the hose is wound in a crown directly on the device.

[0050] [Fig.24] illustrates the mode of use where the pipe is driven and guided towards a machine firefighters to be folded into a skein.

[0051] [Fig.25] illustrates the mode of use where the pipe is driven and guided towards a machine firefighters to be folded into a skein in partial view, top view.

[0052] [Fig.26] shows the introduction of the pipe into the apparatus in the case of the mode of use in skein.

[0053] [Fig.27] shows the pipe being installed in the device in the case of the mode of use in skein.

[0054] [Fig.28] the pipe being passed through the device in the case of the mode of use in skein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] The movement of the apparatus intended for emptying and transporting large diameter fire hoses according to the invention is motorized.

[0056] If it also has a motor for winding the hose, then preferably the motor for moving the device and the motor for winding the hose are carried out by two separate motors (M).

[0057] Advantageously, the device has a folded configuration and in the folded configuration it fits into a maximum volume of one meter by 55 centimeters by 40 centimeters.

[0058] [Fig.2] shows a schematic diagram of the apparatus according to the invention in the unfolded configuration and [Fig.3] in the folded configuration.

[0059] The device comprises in particular a lower frame (CI) and an upper frame (CS) hinged together to ensure folding.

[0060] The device (1) is equipped with two rear wheels, left (RAG) and right (RAD) equipped with low-pressure tires typically 310 mm in diameter and 50 mm wide, and a front wheel (RAV) also equipped with a low-pressure tire typically 260 mm in diameter and 80 mm wide, installed on a pivoting front wheel support (SAV) and equipped with a parking brake (FP).

[0061] Preferably, the apparatus (1) of a retractable pipe guide (GT).

[0062] Preferably, the device (1) has a control panel (PC).

[0063] Preferably, the device (1) has at least one zone headlight (PS) achievable for example by LED lighting.

[0064] Preferably, the device has a compression roller (R3) for the pipe (TU) bearing on at least one of the two other rollers (RI) (R2).

[0065] Preferably, the device (1) has a means (MN) for cleaning the pipes, placed further forward.

[0066] The device (1) equipped with a battery pack to power at least one electric motor and the optional electrical or electronic equipment.

[0067] [Fig.4] shows an overall view of the apparatus (1) in CAD version according to one embodiment.

[0068] [Fig.5] shows the installation of the elements on the lower chassis with the protective covers (C, Cl) and (C, C2) in place.

[0069] [Fig.6] shows the installation of the elements on the lower chassis, the protective covers (C, Cl) and (C, C2) in exploded view.

[0070] [Fig.7] shows the detail of the lower chassis (CI) of the device.

[0071] [Fig.8] shows the motorization of the rear wheels of the device by a motor electric (M, MM). The travel speed is typically 3 km / h whether forward or reverse and on all terrains.

[0072] [Fig.9] shows the detail of the transmission of the engine to the rear wheels preferably by a differential (DF) to facilitate the cornering of the device (1).

[0073] [Fig. 10] shows the detail of the transmission from the motor to the rollers for winding the pipe.

[0074] In the prior art, the motorization of the winding is done by a motorized winding rod (TE) positioned substantially in the center of the reel (BT) to wind the pipe (TU) onto the reel (BT).

[0075] This solution has the disadvantage at a given speed of the motorization (MT) of the rotation of the rod (TE) of leading to a linear speed of winding of the pipe (TU) on the reel (BT) variable according to the length of the pipe already wound.

[0076] On the contrary, according to the invention, it is preferred not to motorize the winding at the axis of the reel (BT) but at its periphery to obtain a linear winding speed of the hose proportional to the rotation of the motorization of the winding of the hose (TU) on the reel (BT).

[0077] [Fig. 11] shows the detail of the positioning of the drum (TA) on the motorized rollers (RM) to wind the pipe (TU).

[0078] The central part of the drum (TA) has an elastomer coating to allow good adhesion of the surface in contact with the pipe (TU).

[0079] The drum (TA) first rests directly via its flanges and then the reel (BT) on at least one motorized roller (RM).

[0080] As illustrated [Fig.l 1], the motor (M, ME) is connected by a first toothed belt (CC, CCI) to a motorized roller (RM, RM2) itself connected to a second motorized roller (RM, RMI) by a second toothed belt (CC, CC2).

[0081] To adapt the height of the rotation axis of the drum (TA) and reel (BT) assembly as the hose is wound, a plate (PT) allows its height to be varied. The plate (PT) comprises a telescopic arm with a maximum travel typically of 300 millimeters.

[0082] [Fig. 12] shows the detail of the positioning of the drum (TA) in the low position.

[0083] [Fig. 13] shows the detail of the positioning of the drum (TA) in the high position.

[0084] The front part of the device (1) concerns the wringing system to finish evacuating the residual water from the pipe and the cleaning means (MN) beforehand of the pipe (TU).

[0085] The wringing means for finishing removing the residual water from the pipe (TU) comprises a compression roller (R3) which comes to bear on the upper face of the pipe (TU) the lower face of which is itself supported on at least one other roller (RI) or (R2).

[0086] The means (MN) for cleaning the pipe (TU) beforehand preferably comprises two brushes sandwiching the pipe (TU), an upper brush (BS) cleaning the upper face of the pipe (TU) and a lower brush (BI) cleaning the lower face of the pipe (TU).

[0087] The means (MN) for cleaning the pipe (TU) beforehand may also preferably comprise two water spraying ramps, an upper ramp (RS) cleaning the upper face of the pipe (TU) and a lower ramp (RI) cleaning the lower face of the pipe (TU). These ramps may advantageously be supplied with pressurized water by a nearby fire engine (3).

[0088] This arrangement according to the invention is particularly relevant when, during the intervention, the pipes return, for example, muddy, and even more relevant when the pipes risk returning contaminated after an intervention on a disaster with exposure to dangerous materials.

[0089] [Fig. 14] shows the detail of the locking of the upper compression roller (R3) as well as the upper part of the cleaning means (MN) of the pipes (TU).

[0090] [Fig. 15] shows the detail of the rollers resting on the pipe (TU) as well as the lower part of the cleaning means (MN) of the pipes (TU) in the form of brushes (BS) (BI).

[0091] [Fig. 16] shows the detail of the upper chassis (CS) of the device (1).

[0092] [Fig. 17] shows the upper part of the device (1) in particular with its handlebar and its area headlights (PS) by LED lighting and the pipe guide (GT) in skein use mode.

[0093] [Fig. 18] shows the upper part of the device, in particular with its handlebars and its control panel (CP).

[0094] [Fig. 19] shows the detail of the control panel (CP) according to one embodiment.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the control panel (PC) has an on-off control (MA), an emergency stop button (ST), a charge indicator light (VC), a bargraph (BA), a zone headlight control (CP) (PZ), a horn control (CA) (AS),

[0096] The control panel (PC) also includes forward (CV), reverse (CR) and specifically a winding control (CE).

[0097] The winding control (CE) will depend on the variants of the motorization of the movement and the winding and their cooperation.

[0098] If the motorization of the winding is that of the prior art, that is to say by a winding rod (TE) positioned at the axis of the reel (BT), then the linear speed of winding of the pipe (TU) is very variable, unlike the motorization of the movement at almost constant speed when winding the pipe (TU).

[0099] In this case, two separate electric motors are preferred, one dedicated to movement (MM), the other to winding without cooperation.

[0100] Then the winding control knob (CE) must be of the continuously variable type so that the firefighter (2) can constantly adjust the winding speed of the hose as the apparatus (1) moves.

[0101] If the motorization of the winding is that favored by the invention, that is to say by at least one motorized roller (RM) positioned at the periphery of the reel (BT) then the linear speed of winding of the pipe (TU) is almost constant like the speed of movement of the device (1) during the winding of the pipe (TU).

[0102] In the case of two separate electric motors, one dedicated to movement (MM), the other to winding (ME), then the winding control may be at different positions close in terms of linear winding speed of the hose compared to the speed of movement of the device (1).

[0103] One of the objectives is that the winding of the pipe (TU) is carried out permanently under tension, that is to say that the linear winding speed setpoint is slightly higher than the movement speed of the device (1).

[0104] A mode of cooperation between the two motors (MM) and (ME) is proposed. For example, a voltage limiting device for the winding motor (ME) is put in place so that it is not the one that moves the device. In parallel, the movement motor (MM) of the device is controlled so that the intensity and therefore the power of the winding motor is above a minimum threshold.

[0105] It remains possible to use a single motor (M) by creating a mechanical coupling between the motorization of the movement of the device (1) and the motorization of the winding. This can be a simple connection by gears or toothed belt between the two movement and winding motorizations.

[0106] This may be a more sophisticated solution similar to 4x4 transmissions consisting of a distributor, for example viscoelastic, to absorb the differential speed variations between the winding speed of the pipe (TU) and the speed of movement of the device (1).

[0107] Then the winding control button (CE) must be an all-or-nothing button for engaging or disengaging the connection between the movement motor and the winding motor.

[0108] In terms of use, the apparatus (1) is designed to be compatible with two very different modes of use.

[0109] In both cases of use, it is first necessary to first remove the apparatus from the fire engine (3) in the folded position, then remove the pins located at the front and open the upper chassis using sliding hinges, the assembly being locked by the closing pins.

[0110] In a second step, to start the equipment, you must operate the control panel (PC), deploy the rotating beacon (GY), fix the battery pack (BB) and open the wringing system.

[0111] According to a first mode of use of the illustrated device [Fig.20] the pipe (TU) is wound into a crown directly on the device (1).

[0112] In this first mode of use, the end of the pipe (TU) which comprises a half-coupling (DR) is placed inside the drum (TA) which, once locked, winds the pipe (TU) using the rollers (RM) fixed to the chassis equipped with a motorized transmission by toothed belts, which act by friction.

[0113] During winding, the assembly is held and guided by a telescopic arm, once winding is finished it is sufficient to unlock the drum (TA) to remove the pipe (TU).

[0114] [Fig.21] shows the introduction of the pipe (TU) into the device (1).

[0115] [Fig.22] shows the hose being wound into the apparatus (1).

[0116] [Fig.23] shows the hose at the end of winding in the device in the device (1).

[0117] According to a second illustrated mode of use [Fig.24] the pipe (TU) is driven and guided to a fire engine (3) to be folded into a skein.

[0118] In this second mode of use, it is advantageous for the hoses (TU) in skeins emptied of air and water to be reintegrated into a fire engine (3) which is in motion and without having to undo the hose connections.

[0119] [Fig.25] illustrates the mode of use where the hose is driven and guided towards a fire engine to be folded into a skein in partial view, seen from above.

[0120] [Fig.26] shows the introduction of the pipe into the device in the case of the skein mode of use.

[0121] [Fig.27] shows the hose being installed in the device in the case of the skein mode of use.

[0122] [Fig.28] shows the pipe being passed through the device in the case of the skein mode of use.

[0123] In summary, the apparatus (1) according to the invention is designed to be versatile in its use. Industrial application

[0124] In terms of industrial application, the apparatus (1) relates to specific fire equipment for firefighters.

[0125] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown, but those skilled in the art will be able to provide any variation in accordance with its spirit for a range of products in different fields.

Claims

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) intended for emptying and transporting large diameter fire hoses (TU), characterized in that the movement of the apparatus (1) is motorized and in that it comprises in its upper part a handlebar with LED lighting of the apparatus (1) or a control panel of the apparatus (1).

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that it has a motorization of the winding of the hose and that the motorization of the movement of the apparatus (1) and the motorization of the winding of the hose are carried out by two separate motors (M), and by the fact that the movement of the apparatus is motorized by a motorization of the rear wheels.

3. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that it has a folded configuration and that in the folded configuration it fits into a maximum volume of one meter by 55 centimeters by 40 centimeters due to the articulation between the lower chassis (CI) and the upper chassis (CS).

4. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a coil (BT) and that the motorization of the winding is carried out by at least one motorized roller (RM) positioned at the periphery of the coil (BT).

5. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it has a control panel (PC).

6. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it has a zone headlight (PZ).

7. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it has a means (MN) for cleaning the pipes (TU), in that the means (MN) for cleaning the pipe (TU) beforehand comprises two brushes sandwiching the pipe (TU), an upper brush (BS) cleaning the upper face of the pipe (TU) and a lower brush (BI) cleaning the lower face of the pipe (TU), and in that the cleaning means (MN) comprises two water projection ramps, an upper ramp (RS) cleaning the upper face of the pipe (TU) and a lower ramp (RI) cleaning the lower face of the pipe (TU).

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