AU2017225047A1 - A deployable apparatus adapted to protect occupants in a vehicle from fire - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus designed to protect people from fire when sheltering in a structure, typically a vehicle. A length of reflective fire retardant fabric is housed in an upright stored arrangement and supported on an arm, the arm pivotally connected to the top of the structure and adapted to rotate at least partially around the structure such as a cabin. When needed it is unrolled and covers the cabin with the fabric to protect the occupants inside. Typically there is provided an airgap between the fabric and at least some of the structure such as the windows to minimise the risk of them shattering due to radiant heat.

Description

A deployable apparatus adapted to protect occupants in a vehicle from fire

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus that protects occupants of a cabin or shelter from fire by deploying a reflective fire fabric around the cabin or shelter.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] In a fire the greatest risk to life is that of radiant heat. The only guaranteed way to survive such heat is to put distance between oneself and the fire front to prevent the failure of the body’s cooling system which results in death; if distance is not possible one must take shelter behind a solid object such as a brick wall.

[0003] However in certain conditions a fire front can move at such speed that escape is impossible; this is often called a bumover. In these situations vehicles are often the only available shelter for those caught up in a fire zone - to remain outside is almost always fatal. Sheltering in a vehicle has been found to be the safest refuge provided that lire crews can be protected from radiant heat. Even sheltering in a vehicle does not guarantee survival, although the odds improve if one stays under heavy duty blankets and away from windows, which do not protect from radiant heat and usually shatter under heat stress and/or thermal shock from water sprays.

[0004] The use of fire barriers (also known as drop down curtains or heat shields), usually made from aluminised textiles with a reflective coating are stored in rolls above the windows and can be released in the instance of a burnover when the only option is to take shelter in the vehicle and wait for the fire front to pass overhead. These blinds work by deflecting the radiant heat of the fire front so those inside survive long enough for the front to pass. These are however not as effective due to the steel cabin being directly exposed to flames and heat. Rubber and plastic mouldings/trims exposed may combust and support combustion as well as emit toxic fumes within the cabin.

[0005] The presence of blinds and heat shields become problematic when stored in cabs and can pose an inconvenience to the driver. In addition if the windows shatter due to the heat, flames can reach into the cabin as well as smoke.

[0006] Drop down tent type emergency shelters, often attached to or sliding out from the rear of a vehicle, in which crew can stand, suffer from the fundamental disadvantages of isolation from incab oxygen systems (SCBA) and bumover blankets; critical controls such as the radio, siren, pump and engine operation. Smoke and flames can ingress due to uneven terrain/flammable ground cover and the shelter can be exposed to falling limbs with potential for crushing by other vehicles in low visibility. They also expose the crew to the full force of the hazard while attempting to activate and reach the shelter.

[0007] Whilst existing covers for vehicles are known they are impractical during a bumover due to the requirement to exit the vehicle for deployment and the presence of high winds inherent in a burnover making it difficult to deploy and fasten the extremities securely.

[0008] The object of this invention therefore is to overcome the above-mentioned problems by providing a reflective fire fabric that can be quickly deployed around a cabin or shelter to protect the occupants and minimise the risk of the windows shattering or to provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In a first aspect the invention comprises an apparatus to protect people from fire when sheltering in a structure including: a length of reflective fire retardant fabric housed in an upright stored arrangement and supported on an arm, the arm pivotally connected to the top of the structure and adapted to rotate at least partially around the structure around to unroll and cover the structure with the fabric and wherein there is provided an airgap between the fabric and at least some of the structure.

[0010] In preference the fabric when extending around the structure is tensioned.

[0011] In preference the structure is a cabin of a truck.

[0012] In preference the fabric is pre-tensioned on the arm.

[0013] In preference the arm is driven hydraulically.

[0014] In a second aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of protecting occupants of a vehicle during a fire the method including deploying cover around the vehicle using an apparatus as described in any one of the above claims.

[0015] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0017] Figure 1 is a side view of a typical firefighting cabin with a fabric ready to be deployed; [0018] Figure 2 is the cabin of Figure 1 with the fabric being deployed; [0019] Figure 3 is a side view of the cabin with the fabric nearly fully deployed; [0020] Figure 4 is a top view of the fabric deployed around the cabin; [0021] Figure 5 illustrates the concept being also used around a shelter on the back of the truck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0023] The basic concept of the present invention is to wrap the cabin of a truck with a flexible, reflective and fire retardant material that is stored on a pre-tensioned vertical roll stowed behind a corner of a cabin and where the fabric (cover) is unrolled around the cabin (or shelter) in the vertical plane. In particular it is advantageous to wrap the fabric so as to leave an air gap between the fabric and the cabin, especially the windows. This is helped by side mirrors which naturally extend outwardly. However it is to be understood that if there are no side mirrors other means to provide for an air gap between the fabric and the cabin and especially the windows may be provided.

[0024] Referring to the drawings in detail there is shown a truck 10 with a cabin 12 and windows 14. A vertical roll of reflective and fire retardant material 16 is located at the comer of the cabin when in a stored arrangement. The roll is mounted on an L-shaped arm 18 that pivots around central pivot 20 on top of the cabin 12 to unroll the fabric tightly over the cabin. Thus the fabric is pre-tensioned.

[0025] When necessary the arm is rotated around the cabin to extend over the windows 14 and windscreen 22, best illustrated in Figure 4. The cabin mirrors 24 ensure that the fabric is not in contact with the windows 14 thus minimising or eliminating the chance of the windows shattering.

[0026] Typically hydraulic power is used to move the arm but of course other means may be employed such as electric means or even using a mechanical arrangement that is driven from within the cabin. The arm could also be pre-tensioned so that upon release it swings around the cabin. The ability to deploy the fabric from within the cabin is an important part of the invention.

[0027] Whilst the above embodiment illustrates the fabric being stored in a rolled type arrangement it may equally well be stored in a folded arrangement at the corner or rear of the cabin. The arm may also be extendible in the horizontal plane in case the pivot cannot be mounted centrally on the cabin.

[0028] The similar arrangement can be used to protect a shelter 26 located at the back of the truck as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0029] Once the fire has passed the fabric can be rolled back up and stored to be deployed again when necessary.

[0030] The system may be arranged to wrap the cabin in an anti-clockwise or a clockwise direction, depending on where the fabric is stored.

[0031] Although not illustrated the fabric may be tailer made to accommodate any protrusions for a particular vehicle. Thus the fabric may include “pockets” that accommodate or lock onto protrusions such as mirrors, guards, sprinkler systems but to name a few. This does not negate the concept of an airgap where there is provided an airgap between the fabric and at least some of the structure, typically windows.

[0032] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0033] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0034] The drawings include the following integers. 10 truck 12 cabin 14 windows 16 fabric 18 arm 20 central pivot 22 windscreen 24 mirrors 26 shelter

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus to protect people from fire when sheltering in a structure including: a length of reflective fire retardant fabric housed in an upright stored arrangement and supported on an arm, the arm pivotally connected to the top of the structure and adapted to rotate at least partially around the structure to unroll and cover the structure with the fabric and wherein there is provided an airgap between the fabric and at least some of the structure.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the fabric when extending around the structure is tensioned.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the structure is a cabin of a truck.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the fabric is pre-tensioned on the arm.

5. An apparatus as in claiml wherein the arm is driven hydraulically.

6. A method of protecting occupants of a vehicle during a fire the method including deploying cover around the vehicle using an apparatus as described in any one of the above claims.