CA3096406A1 - Elevated fire suppression system and fire protection methods - Google Patents

Abstract

An elevated fire suppression system and method of using same is provided. The elevated fire suppression system can have a clamp to secure the elevated fire suppression system to a fixed support. The elevated fire suppression system can include a delimbing apparatus to delimb a tree for use as a fixed support. The elevated fire suppression system can include a cutting apparatus to cut a tree at a desired elevation for use as a fixed support.

Description

ELEVATED FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM AND FIRE PROTECTION METHODS
Reference to Related Applications [0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, US provisional patent application No. 62/483357 filed 8 April 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
Technical Field

[0002] Some embodiments of the present invention relate to elevated systems for suppressing or fighting fires. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and components that can be used to construct an elevated fire suppression system. Some embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of using elevated systems for suppressing or fighting fires.
Background

[0003] Forest fires and other types of wildfires (e.g. grass fires and bush fires) are a serious environmental problem. With increasingly dry conditions in some areas of the world, forest fires may burn uncontrollably across hundreds or thousands of acres. Damage to property and even loss of life may be caused as the fires burn unpredictably and out of control.

[0004] Current methods of fighting fires, for example creating fire breaks, setting backfires, and aerial drops of fire suppressant, have limited effectiveness, particularly when fires are burning out of control.

[0005] References of potential interest with respect to the subject matter described herein include:
= US patent No. 1959886 to Wadsworth;
= US patent No. 2965307 to High;
= US patent No. 3176773 to Headrick;
= US patent No. 3576212 to Siler;
= US patent No. 4172478 to Dakus;

= US patent No. 4776403 to Lejosne;
= US patent No. 5165482 to Smagac et al.;
= US patent No. 5601263 to Thayer;
= US patent No. 5894891 to Rosenstock et al.;
= US patent No. 6672347 to Tingstad;
= US patent No. 6769493 to Fima et al.;
= US patent No. 7225999 to Foianini et al.;
= US patent No. 7673696 to Gunn;
= US patent No. 7832492 to Eldridge;
= US patent No. 8534370 to Al Azemi;
= US 2010/0175899 to Burkart;
= US 2012/0279731 to Howard;
= WO 2004/103477 to Serrano Molina;
= FR 2344302 to Fabre; and = CN 102327678.

[0006] There is a need for improved systems, methods, apparatus and components for fighting fires generally, including forest fires or wildfires. There is a need for systems, methods, apparatus and components that can be used to reliably provide an elevated fire suppression system.

[0007] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
Summary

[0008] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

[0009] In one aspect, an elevated fire suppression system is provided. The elevated fire suppression system has a support structure, a plurality of clamps for clamping the support structure to a tree, and a delimbing apparatus for delimbing the tree. The elevated fire suppression system has a vertically elevated spray nozzle and a supply line such as piping or hose for supplying a fire suppressant to the spray nozzle. In one aspect, the delimbing apparatus is a delimbing knife. The delimbing knife can be provided proximate a base of the support structure and positionable proximate a trunk of the tree to delimb the tree. In one aspect, the delimbing knife is configured to delimb the tree when moved downwardly about the trunk of the tree.

[0010] In one aspect, the elevated fire suppression system has a cutting apparatus that can be positioned to cut off a portion of the tree at the desired elevation. In some aspects, the cutting apparatus is a pulverizer. In some aspects, the cutting apparatus is provided with a pushing member, for pushing the cut portion of the tree away from the support structure of the elevated fire suppression system.

[0011] In one aspect, a method of using an elevated fire suppression system is provided. A
delimbing knife on the elevated fire suppression system is used to delimb a tree. The elevated fire suppression system is clamped to the tree. A vertically elevated spray nozzle of the elevated fire suppression system is used to disperse a fire suppressant. In some aspects, the method includes using a cutting apparatus of the elevated fire suppression system to cut off at least a portion of the tree that is in excess of a desired height of the tree.

[0012] In one aspect, an elevated fire suppression system is provided. The elevated fire suppression system has a vertically extending support structure, at least one spray nozzle provided on the support structure to disperse a fire suppressant to an area surrounding the elevated fire suppression system, a supply system such as piping or hose supported by the vertically extending support structure to supply the fire suppressant to the at least one spray nozzle, and a clamp positioned near the base of the vertically extending support structure to secure the vertically extending support structure to a fixed support. In some aspects, the fixed support is a tree that has been delimbed.

[0013] In some aspects, the clamp is a tripartite clamp. In some aspects, the tripartite clamp has two ternary links and a binary link. In some aspects, the tripartite clamp has an actuating clamping member, an intermediate clamping member, and an end clamping member; the actuating clamping member and the intermediate clamping member are ternary links; the end clamping member is a binary link; and each one of the actuating clamping member, the intermediate clamping member, and the end clamping member is provided with a gripping end for gripping the fixed support, the gripping ends of each one of the clamping members being actuable inwardly to grasp the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a first direction, and the gripping ends of each one of the clamping members being actuable outwardly to release the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0014] In some aspects, the tripartite clamp has three clamping members: an actuating clamping member, an intermediate clamping member, and an end clamping member.
The actuating clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the intermediate clamping member, and the intermediate clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the end clamping member. Each one of the actuating clamping member, the intermediate clamping member, and the end clamping member has a gripping end for gripping the fixed support.
The gripping ends of each one of the clamping members are actuable inwardly to grasp the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a first direction, and the gripping ends of each one of the clamping members are actuable outwardly to release the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0015] In some aspects, the actuating clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the intermediate clamping member via a first connecting bar pivotably connected to both the actuating clamping member and the intermediate clamping member. In some aspects, the intermediate clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the end clamping member via a second connecting bar pivotably connected to both the intermediate clamping member and the end clamping member.

[0016] In some aspects, the tripartite clamp is rotatably supported between a pair of clamp flange plates. In some aspects, each one of the pair of clamp flange plates has a generally triangular shape, and an inner edge of each one of the pair of clamp flange plates defines an inner triangle, the tripartite clamp is rotatably supported between the pair of clamp flange plates by engagement of pins through aligned apertures on the pair of clamp flange plates and the tripartite clamp, and the apertures on each one of the pair of clamp flange plates

17 are offset from vertices of the inner triangle by a small angle. In some aspects, the small angle is between 2 and 10 . In some aspects, the small angle is about 5 .
[0017] In some aspects, the vertically extending support structure is a tower supported on a central support. In some aspects, the central support has apertures through which components of the clamp can extend to allow for unimpeded operation of the clamp. In some aspects, the vertically extending support structure is supported on a tree.

[0018] In some aspects, a method of using an elevated fire suppression system is provided.
The method includes providing a fixed vertical support, positioning a vertically extending support structure about the fixed vertical support, affixing a clamp provided proximate a base of the vertically extending support structure to the fixed vertical support, and spraying fire suppressant from one or more spray nozzles supported at a desired vertical elevation by the vertically extending support structure.

[0019] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first example embodiment of an elevated fire suppression system. FIG. 2 shows a partial side view thereof.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a side view, FIG. 4 shows a top view, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view and FIG. 6 shows an end view of a pulverizer according to an example embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 7 shows a top view and FIG. 8 shows a side view of a knife according to an example embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 10 shows a section view thereof taken along line A-A in FIGs. 7 and 8.

[0024] FIG. 11 shows a top view and FIG. 12 shows a side view of a clamping mechanism according to an example embodiment. FIG. 13 shows an end view thereof.

[0025] FIG. 14 shows a side view of an example embodiment of a saddle used to locate the tower.

[0026] FIG. 15 shows an example embodiment of a tower, and FIG. 16 shows in detail how portions of pipe segments are coupled together using a pipe union.

[0027] FIG. 17 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an elevated fire suppression system.

[0028] FIGs. 18-19 show perspective and top views, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of an elevated fire suppression system in accordance with that shown in FIG.
17.

[0029] FIGs. 20-24 show an example embodiment of a central support in greater detail.
FIG. 20 is a cross-section taken along line D-D of FIG. 22, FIG. 21 is a perspective view, FIG. 22 is a side view, FIG. 23 is an end view, and FIG. 24 is a detailed view of portion A of FIG. 22.

[0030] FIG. 25 shows a detailed perspective view of the base mounting system, FIGs. 26 and 27 are left side and right side views thereof, respectively, FIG. 28 is a detailed view of portion A of FIG. 26, FIG. 29 is a side view thereof with the clamping system in a closed configuration and FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 29. FIG. 31 is a side view thereof with the clamping system in an open configuration and FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 31.

[0031] FIG. 33 shows a top view of an example embodiment of a clamp flange plate.

[0032] FIG. 34 is a side view of an example embodiment of a central support.

[0033] FIGs. 35 and 36 show perspective and sectional views of an example embodiment of a tower mounting pin. FIGs. 37 and 38 show perspective and side views of an example embodiment of a tower connector. FIGS. 39 and 40 show perspective and side views of a tower pin connector.

[0034] FIG. 41 shows a schematic diagram of a potential layout for a plurality of elevated fire suppression systems when deployed to control fires.

Description

[0035] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0036] The inventor has now devised an apparatus, including components for installing said apparatus, that can be used to erect equipment used for providing an elevated system for fighting and/or suppressing fires. In some embodiments, the fires are forest fires, wildfires or bush fires.

[0037] As used in this specification, the terms "inner" or "inwardly" are used in a relative sense to indicate that two components move closer to one another, or to refer to a direction towards an axial centreline of an element. The terms "outer" or "outwardly"
are used in a relative sense to indicate that two components move farther apart from one another, or to refer to a direction away from an axial centreline of an element.

[0038] The terms "upper" or "upwardly" are used to refer to a direction above or away from the ground when the elevated fire suppression system is in its installed configuration ready for use. The terms "lower", "bottom" or "downwardly" are used to refer to the direction or side opposite of "upper" or "upwardly" when the elevated fire suppression system is in its installed configuration ready for use. It will be appreciated that these terms are used in a relative sense only, and that the various components of the elevated fire suppression system can have other orientations when not in use.

[0039] A first example embodiment of an elevated fire suppression system is illustrated as 20 in FIG. 1. Elevated fire suppression system 20 includes a fixed vertical support for supporting the system, and a clamping mechanism to couple the fixed vertical support to the remaining components of the system. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed vertical support used for elevated fire suppression system 20 is the trunk of a tree 22, and elevated fire suppression system 20 further includes components facilitating attachment of elevated fire suppression system 20 to the trunk of the tree, including components for trimming the tree to a suitable height and components for delimbing the tree.

[0040] The vertical support can be any suitable vertically extending member that is sufficiently strong to support the remaining components of elevated fire suppression system 20. For example, in some embodiments the vertical support is any suitably anchored pole, tower, building, support pillar, piping, or other existing structure. In some embodiments, the vertical support is any suitable naturally occurring support, for example a tree, rock face, or the like. In some embodiments, the elevated fire suppression system 20 can be fastened to the vertical support in any suitable manner, for example by affixation of brackets or suitable fasteners that can be clamped, bolted, screwed or otherwise coupled to the vertical support.
In some embodiments, the vertical support is provided on a mobile platform or by a mobile structure (e.g. the extension ladder of a firetruck), so that elevated fire suppression system can be transported as desired or even while in use.

[0041] In some embodiments in which a vertical support is not naturally available for elevated fire suppression system 20, for example if an area contains trees that are potentially too short to properly support elevated fire suppression system 20, an auger 15 component can be provided as part of the system and used to drill a hole into the ground. A
vertical pin can be inserted into the hole so that it is securely fixed in place, and the vertical pin can be used as the vertical support for elevated fire suppression system 20. In an alternative embodiment, a plate could be bolted to the ground to support a vertical support extending therefrom.
20 [0042] In the example embodiment illustrated in FIGs. 1 and 2, the vertical support is a tree 22 that is sufficiently strong to support the weight of the remaining components of fire suppression system 20. In the illustrated embodiment, tree 22 has been vertically truncated to avoid obscuring the drawing. Elevated fire suppression system 20 can be supported at any desired elevation on the fixed vertical support. For example, in some embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 20 sits on the ground and is supported by the fixed vertical support, e.g. tree 22. In some embodiments, elevated fire system 20 is elevated above the ground on the fixed vertical support, e.g. tree 22. For example, elevated fire system 20 can be mounted at an elevation above ground of 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, 50 feet, 60 feet, 70 feet, 80 feet or higher on the fixed vertical support, e.g. tree 22.
[0043] In some embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 20 includes tools to facilitate the use of a tree as the fixed vertical support. In the illustrated embodiment, elevated fire suppression system 20 includes two tools to facilitate the use of a tree as a fixed vertical support. These are a pulverizer 24 and a knife 26.
[0044] Pulverizer 24 is used to remove any excess height of tree 22 that is not required to vertically support elevated fire suppression system 20 and/or that is taller than desired. In some embodiments, the excess height of tree 22 that is trimmed off is any height in excess of 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, or more. In some embodiments, no excess height of the tree 22 is removed. In some embodiments, the excess height that is trimmed off of tree 22 is selected to suit the considerations of a particular site. The key consideration is to ensure that tree 22 be strong enough to support the desired height of the elevated fire suppression system 20.
[0045] In some embodiments, any height of tree 22 that is excess of 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%
or 80% of the desired height of the spray nozzle of fire suppression system 20 is considered to be an excess height of tree 22 that should be removed. In some embodiments, the desired height of the spray nozzle 76 of fire suppression system is 40 feet, 60 feet, 80 feet, or higher. In some embodiments, the desired height of the spray nozzle 76 of fire suppression system is determined with reference to the canopy height of surrounding trees.
In some embodiments, the desired height of the spray nozzle 76 of fire suppression system is approximately even with, above, or well above the surrounding tree canopy, e.g. 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 feet or more above the surrounding tree canopy. In some 20 embodiments, the height of the spray nozzle 76 could be below the height of the surrounding tree canopy, for example if there is a sufficient spacing between the trees to allow a reasonable distribution of fire suppressant from elevated fire suppression system 20 even if spray nozzle 76 is not positioned above the surrounding tree canopy.
[0046] With reference to FIGs. 3-6, an example embodiment of a pulverizer 24 is illustrated.
[0047] Pulverizer 24 is mounted to a main support member 28 (FIGs. 1 and 2) that supports the various components of elevated fire suppression system 20 via a hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm 30. Hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm 30 can be extended and retracted in the direction shown by arrow 31, so that the position of the pulverizer blade 34 can be adjusted relative to the trunk of tree 22. In the illustrated embodiment, stopper 33 is provided at the free end of hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm 30 to prevent arm 30 from falling off. Hydraulically or pneumatically actuated arm 30 is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder to move pulverizer blade 34 closer to the trunk of tree 22, or to retract the pulverizer blade 34 away from the trunk of tree 22.
[0048] A main body 32 of pulverizer 24 is coupled to hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm 30, and supports a pulverizer blade 34 that is rotatably mounted to main body 32 via a mounting pin 36. In the illustrated embodiment, pulverizer blade 34 is a wheel made of a hardened material that can be spun to cut through tree 22 at a desired height above the ground. Pulverizer blade 34 is actuated to rotate to cut through tree 22 in any suitable manner, for example by a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuator.
[0049] The upper surface of pulverizer 24 is provided with a pushing member, which is used to push the upper portion of tree 22 away from the remaining parts of elevated fire suppression system 20 and any other equipment that may be in its vicinity. In the illustrated embodiment, the pushing member is a portion of channel iron 38 or block of steel positioned to contact a side of the trunk of tree 22. In the illustrated embodiment, channel iron 38 is coupled to main body 32 by a rigid connecting member 40 that extends upwardly and in the direction of tree 22, so that the pushing member (in the illustrated embodiment, channel iron 38) is positioned and configured to contact the trunk of tree 22 and apply pressure against the trunk of tree 22 to cause the severed portion of tree 22 to fall away from the remaining parts of elevated fire suppression system 20.
[0050] In alternative embodiments, any suitable apparatus for cutting through tree 22 could be used in place of the illustrated pulverizer 24, e.g. a rotary saw, chain saw, other saw blade, or the like.
[0051] An example embodiment of a knife 26 is illustrated in FIGS. 7-10, in which the illustrated dimensions are not limiting, but are for an exemplary embodiment only. Knife 26 is mounted to main support member 28 via a hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm

42. Hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm 42 can be extended and retracted so that the position of the blade 44 of knife 26 can be adjusted relative to the trunk of tree 22. A
stopper 46 is provided at the free end of hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm 42 to prevent arm 42 from falling off. Hydraulically or pneumatically actuable arm 42 is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 48 to move the blade 44 of knife 26 closer to the trunk of tree 22, or to retract the blade 44 of knife 26 away from the trunk of tree 22.

[0052] The blade 44 of knife 26 is provided on a jaw 52. Jaw 52 is shaped and configured so that it can encircle the trunk of tree 22, so that blade 44 can remove limbs around the entire circumference or nearly the entire circumference of the trunk of tree 22 as knife 26 is moved relative to the trunk of tree 22. A plurality of hinges 50 are provided on the outer surface of jaw 52, and at least two torsion springs 49 are provided to apply an inward force about hinges 50 to cause the hinged segments of jaw 52 to curve inwardly about the trunk of tree 22.
[0053] In some embodiments, compression arms 51 are provided that can be actuated to move towards the distal end of blade 44. As compression arms 51 are moved towards the distal end of blade 44, the two halves of jaw 52 are compressed inwardly about the trunk of tree 22. In this manner, the diameter of blade 44 can be adjusted, depending on the diameter of the tree 22 to be delimbed.
[0054] Blade 44 is positioned and configured so that it will remove the limbs from tree 22 as it is passed over the surface of the trunk of tree 22, but so that blade 44 will not bite into (and therefore get caught in) the trunk of tree 22. As can be seen in FIG. 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the leading edge of blade 44 is back beveled (illustrated at 45) along its entire bottom edge so that blade 44 will not bite into the trunk of tree 22.
[0055] With reference to FIGs. 11-13, a clamping mechanism is provided to secure main support member 28 to the tree 22 in the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, three clamping members 54 are provided to secure main support member 28 to tree 22. In alternative embodiments, at least two clamping members 54, or a plurality of clamping members 54, e.g. three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more, are provided as needed to securely mount main support member 28 to tree 22. In alternative embodiments in which the fixed vertical support for elevated fire suppression system 20 is not a tree, structural modifications could be made to the clamping mechanism to render it suitable for gripping an alternative structure, for example, the clamping jaws could be formed in a different shape and/or rigid teeth (of which pipe jaws 59 are only one example) could be added to the clamping jaws to better bite into certain surfaces. In some embodiments, sharp rigid teeth can be added to the inner surface of clamping jaws 56, to better engage clamping jaws 56 with tree 22, or whatever surface is being gripped using clamping jaws 56.

[0056] As illustrated, the outer diameter of tree 22 is received between and gripped by a pair of opposed clamping jaws 56. In the illustrated embodiment, clamping jaws 56 are provided with a first angled portion 56A at their distal end. Each respective member of the pair of first angled portions 56A angle inwardly towards one another at their distal ends, so that the trunk of tree 22 is retained between clamping jaws 56. Clamping jaws 56 also have second angled portions 56B, which angle inwardly towards one another from the point of contact of clamping jaws 56 with tree 22 to sleeve ring 58. The illustrated embodiment is exemplary only, and any shape of clamping jaw 56 that can be used to grip the trunk of a tree may be used.
[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surfaces of each of first and second angled portions 56A, 56B are provided with pipe jaws 59. Pipe jaws 59 can bite into the trunk of tree 22, and/or help prevent the trunk of tree 22 from sliding out of clamping jaws 56.
[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, each member of the pair of clamping jaws 56 are held in place by a respective retaining pin 60, which interposes the clamping jaw 56 and the interior circumference of the sleeve rings 58. In the illustrated embodiment, sleeve rings 58 are coupled together in the longitudinal direction to form a retaining sleeve.
Thus, the respective clamping jaws 56 can be pivoted inwardly towards the trunk of tree 22 or outwardly away from the trunk of tree 22 about retaining pin 60.
[0059] To actuate clamping jaws 56, an extension spring 62 is provided on the side of angled portion 56B that is closer to the trunk of tree 22, but proximate retaining pin 60.
Extension spring 62 applies an inward force against each respective angled portion 56B, to pull clamping jaws 56 inwardly towards one another in the vicinity of the trunk of tree 22.
Thus, when not in use, jaws 56 are pulled inwardly together into a closed configuration.
[0060] To force clamping jaws 56 to move outwardly apart from one another, so that tree 22 can be inserted therebetween or released, a pocket 64 is provided on a third portion 56C of each clamping jaw 56 that is adjacent portion 56B. Pocket 64 is provided on the outside surface of third portion 56C, on the opposite side of retaining pin 60 from tree 22. Applying an inward compression force to squeeze the opposed pockets 64 together causes clamping jaws 56 to pivot about retaining pin 60, so that portions 56A and 56B move outwardly away from one another while portions 56C move inwardly towards one another, to cause jaws 56 to move to an open position so that clamping jaws 56 can be clamped onto the trunk of tree 22, or whatever other element may be used as the fixed vertical support for elevated fire suppression system 20.
[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, opposed pockets 64 are squeezed together using an orbital actuator 61 having a gear drive 63. Orbital actuator 61 has a pair of opposed clamp arms 65 that can be used to compress pockets 64 inwardly towards one another, to cause clamping jaws 56 to be opened.
[0062] In this manner, clamping members 54 can be securely engaged with fixed vertical supports, including trees, having a variety of different diameters.
[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, a structure is provided to help position the tower 68 of elevated fire suppression system 20. That structure is a saddle 66, an example embodiment of which is illustrated in FIG. 14. Saddle 66 has a base 70 that is coupled to main support member 28 in any suitable manner, for example by welding, screwing, adhesives or the like. A connector 72 extends outwardly from base 70 and supports a cupped supporting member 74, so that cupped supporting member 74 is supported and spaced apart from main support member 28 in a direction towards tree 22.
[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, cupped supporting member 74 makes contact with tower 68. Because tower 68 has a curved outer circumference, the cupped surface of supporting member 74 can help to restrain tower 68 from rolling or sliding off of cupped supporting member 74.
[0065] The tower 68 is shown in more detail in FIGs. 15 and 16. Tower 68 is used to convey fire suppressant (which can be liquid, foam or gas in various embodiments) to spray nozzles 76 for dispersal within a fire suppressant region surrounding elevated fire suppression system 20. Any suitable piping or tubing system, including hose or the like, can be used to provide tower 68 with a supply of fire suppressant. In some embodiments, a rigid piping or tubing system is used so that the portion of tower 68 that extends above main support member 28 will be self-supporting. However, in alternative embodiments, tower 68 need not be self-supporting, so long as an external support structure is provided to support tower 68 all the way to spray nozzle 76.
[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, tower 68 is provided by the connection of a plurality of segments of pipe 78 via a plurality of pipe unions 80 and elbows 82. A toe 84, which in some embodiments is a piece of pipe that is threaded at one end, is used to connect tower 68 to a fluid source to supply fire suppressant to tower 68.
[0067] The different sections used to form tower 68 can be coupled together in any suitable manner, for example, by means of threaded couplings, welding, bolting, flanges, hose connections, or the like. The interconnection between a pipe segment 78 and a pipe union 80 is shown in more detail in FIG. 16. Details of appropriate mechanisms and structures for connecting sections of pipe together are known to those skilled in the art, for example those skilled in the art of operating drilling rigs, piping systems, or plumbing, and any suitable mechanism for connecting the sections of pipe may be used.
[0068] A spray nozzle 76 (FIG. 1) is mounted on tower 68 to spray fire suppressant. One or more spray nozzles 76 can be coupled to tower 68 in any suitable manner, for example by threaded engagement, welding or bolting, or via a supporting plate or clamp.
Any suitable spray nozzle can be used to provide spray nozzle 76 depending on the desired application (e.g. distance the fluid should be projected, volume of fluid to be dispersed, the type of fluid to be dispersed, the desired spray pattern to be produced by spray nozzle 76, and so on).
[0069] Examples of suitable spray nozzles for use in various embodiments of the present invention include turrets, water cannons, portable or fixed water monitors, and the like.
Exemplary and non-limiting products currently available in the marketplace that can be used in some embodiments of the invention include the Nelson Big GunTM sprinkler series; the Rosenbauer electronically controlled turret (e.g. model RM 130); the Komet TwinTm spray gun series; Angus Fire fixed, hand, geared, oscillating or remote control monitors, or the Cobra EXMTm produced by Elkhart Brass.
[0070] With reference again to FIG. 1, a mechanism is provided to supply fire suppressant to tower 68. In the illustrated embodiment, fire suppressant is supplied to tower 68 through a supply hose 86, which in the illustrated embodiment further includes a supply hose mounted on a reel 88 provided on a skid 90 that can be used to transport elevated fire suppression system 20.
[0071] The fire suppressant can be supplied to tower 68 at any desired operating pressure, which can be selected by those skilled in the art based on the components incorporated into elevated fire suppression system 20 and the desired operating parameters. In one example embodiment, fluid is supplied to elevated fire suppression system at a pressure of approximately 150 psi. In some embodiments, fluid is supplied to the elevated fire suppression system 20 at a pressure of between 40 and 170 psi, including any value or subrange therebetween, e.g. 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 or 160 psi. In some embodiments, the initial operating pressure of the fluid is between 40 and 120 psi in one example embodiment. In alternative embodiments, any other desired operating pressure outside these parameters can be used, depending on the pressure that the components of elevated fire suppression system 20, including spray nozzles 76, can handle.
[0072] Skid 90 is further provided with mechanisms to help erect elevated fire suppression system 20 in some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, skid 90 includes a picker 92 that can be used to lift main support member 28 off skid 90. Picker 92 is provided with a swivel connection 94 to a boom 96, which itself is provided with a hydraulic system (in the illustrated embodiment a pair of hydraulic cylinders 98) and a pivotable connection 100 to main support member 28. An actuator, which may be any suitable actuator, for example a belt-driven actuator 102 (for example as made by Macron Dynamics, Inc.) in the illustrated embodiment, interposes pivotable connection 100 and main support member 28, to also allow longitudinal movement of main support member 28 relative to boom 96, as indicated by arrow 104. In alternative embodiments, a rack and gear drive could be used in place of belt-driven actuator 102.
[0073] With reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, one or more cameras, shown schematically as 106, is mounted to main support member 28, to facilitate use of knife 26 and/or pulverizer 24, and/or to facilitate positioning and alignment of main support member 28 and/or clamping members 54.
[0074] In use, elevated fire suppression system 20 can be moved to a desired location on skid 90. In some embodiments, skid 90 is provided with motor-driven wheels to facilitate this. In other embodiments, skid 90 is provided with wheels and can be towed to a desired location.
[0075] Once fire suppression system 20 has been delivered to the desired location, picker 92 can be used to raise fire suppression system 20 into position adjacent a suitable tree 22.
Through the combined operation of picker 92, swivel connection 94, boom 96 including hydraulic cylinders 98, and belt-driven actuator 102, main support member 28 can be raised into the appropriate position adjacent tree 22.
[0076] If tree 22 is higher than desired, main support member 28 is raised so that pulverizer 24 is positioned adjacent to the portion of tree 22 at which tree 22 is to be cut to reduce the height of tree 22 to the desired height. Pulverizer blade 34 is actuated to cut through tree 22 at the desired location, and channel iron 38 pushes the upper portion of tree 22 that has been cut off out of the way.
[0077] Next, knife 26 is moved to the correct position via operation of hydraulic arm 42 so that blade 44 comes into or close to contact with the trunk of tree 22.
Compression arms 51 can be adjusted as needed to adjust the positioning of blade 44 with respect to the diameter of tree 22. The belt-driven actuator 102 can then be actuated in the direction indicated by arrow 104 to move knife 26 downwardly around tree 22, thereby delimbing tree 22. In some embodiments, knife 26 is retracted via operation of hydraulic or pneumatic arm 42 after tree 22 has been delimbed.
[0078] Next, clamping members 54 are opened by compression of pockets 64 via orbital actuator 61 and put into position so that clamping jaws 56 encircle the trunk of tree 22.
Pressure on pockets 64 from orbital actuator 61 is then released, allowing extension spring 62 to pull clamping jaws inwardly about tree 22 so that elevated fire suppression system 20 is securely supported in the vertical direction.
[0079] In some embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 20 can be mounted at any desired angle, or even at a horizontal angle, as may be desired based on local conditions.
For example, elevated fire suppression system 20 can be mounted at an angle of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160 or 170 degrees relative to a notional horizontal plane defined by the ground on which elevated fire suppression system 20 is mounted.
[0080] Once elevated fire suppression system 20 has been mounted in place, fire suppressant can be supplied through supply hose 86 to tower 68 and dispersed through spray nozzle 76.
[0081] In some embodiments, a plurality of elevated fire suppression systems 20 are installed in a given area, and are separated by a distance that is approximately equal to the diameter of the area that is expected to be covered by the fire suppressant sprayed through spray nozzle 76. Such plurality of elevated fire suppression systems 20 can be used for any desired purpose, for example, to form fire break in a particular area or to protect particular structures (e.g. roads or buildings), or to prevent fire from spreading in a particular direction.
[0082] Systems according to some embodiments of the invention can be operated manually, and or may be configured with appropriate controllers to allow for remote operation. In some embodiments, a command centre may be set up that allows for remote control of a plurality of different elevated fire suppression system 20 units, to allow the units to be selectively operated to extinguish or limit the spread of a fire within a particular region.
[0083] In use, the elevated fire suppression system 20 is used to provide fire suppressants, including water, foams, chemical fire suppressants and/or gases, to help extinguish and/or prevent the spread of a fire. Fire suppression can be achieved using the elevated fire suppression system 20 in any desired manner, including wetting of objects, suppression of fire, or creation of an oxygen deficiency that extinguishes or limits the spread of fire.
[0084] The height of spray nozzle 76 can be adjusted as desired depending on particular circumstances, and the volume, spray diameter, and area of coverage of the elevated fire suppression system 20 can be adjusted as desired based on the particular conditions of any given situation.
[0085] Suitable materials for the construction of an elevated fire suppression system can be determined by those skilled in the art. For example, appropriate structural or stainless steels can be used.
[0086] With reference to FIGS. 17-40, an alternative embodiment of an elevated fire suppression system 1000 is described and illustrated. Operation and use of elevated fire suppression system can be made as described above for elevated fire suppression system 20, with appropriate modifications to account for the modified structure of elevated fire suppression system 1000.
[0087] With reference to FIG. 17, an example embodiment of elevated fire suppression system 1000 has a central support 1002 and an external tower 1004. Central support 1002 and external tower 1004 together provide a support structure of elevated fire suppression system 1000. In some embodiments, only central support 1002 or only external tower 1004 could be used to provide the support structure of elevated fire suppression system 1000.

[0088] A spray nozzle, shown schematically as 1006, is mounted on the upper portion of external tower 1004, although spray nozzle 1006 could alternatively be mounted on central support 1002 in alternative embodiments, and also could be mounted at any desired elevation. Spray nozzle 1006 can be mounted in any suitable manner, for example by threaded engagement, bolting, welding or other fixing mechanism, or via a supporting plate or clamp or the like.
[0089] A base mounting system 1008 is provided to secure central support 1002 and tower 1004 in place about a fixed vertical support. In some embodiments, base mounting system 1008 is used to secure central support 1002 and tower 1004 in place about the trunk of a tree that is used as a fixed vertical support for elevated fire suppression system 1000.
[0090] As with spray nozzle 76, any suitable spray nozzle can be used to provide spray nozzle 1006 depending on the desired application. Examples of suitable spray nozzles for use in various embodiments of the present invention include turrets, water cannons, portable or fixed water monitors, and the like. Exemplary and non-limiting products currently available in the marketplace that can be used in some embodiments of the invention to provide spray nozzle 1006 include the Nelson Big GunTM sprinkler series; the Rosenbauer electronically controlled turret (e.g. model RM 130); the Komet TwinTm spray gun series; Angus Fire fixed, hand, geared, oscillating or remote control monitors, or the Cobra EXMTm produced by Elkhart Brass.
[0091] A base 1010 is provided for supporting base mounting system 1008 above the ground on which elevated fire suppression system 1000 is erected in embodiments in which elevated fire suppression system 1000 sits on the ground.
[0092] In alternative embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 1000 could be mounted at any desired elevation above the ground, e.g. 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, 50 feet, 60 feet, 70 feet, 80 feet or higher on a fixed vertical support, e.g.
a tree. Any suitable fixed vertical support or mounting system can be used to secure elevated fire suppression system 1000, for example those fixed vertical supports described above with reference to elevated fire suppression system 20, e.g. any suitably anchored pole, tower, building, support pillar, piping, or other existing structure, tree, rock face or the like.

[0093] In some embodiments, the fixed vertical support is provided on a mobile platform or by a mobile structure (e.g. the extension ladder of a firetruck), so that elevated fire suppression system 1000 can be transported as desired or even while in use.
[0094] In some embodiments in which a fixed vertical support is not naturally available for elevated fire suppression system 1000, for example if an area contains trees that are potentially too short to properly support elevated fire suppression system 1000, an auger component can be provided as part of the system and used to drill a hole into the ground. A
vertical pin can be inserted into the hole so that it is securely fixed in place, and the vertical pin can be used as the fixed vertical support for elevated fire suppression system 1000. In some embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 1000 could be mounted to the ground or to a structure. In an alternative embodiment, a plate could be bolted to the ground to support a fixed vertical support extending therefrom to support elevated fire suppression system 1000. In some embodiments, guyed wires 1050 are used to further support external tower 1004. In some embodiments, no guyed wires 1050 are used.
[0095] Fire suppression system 1000 is secured in place on the tree or other fixed vertical support used for elevated fire suppression system 1000 by base mounting system 1008, which includes a clamping mechanism 1012. With reference in particular to FIGs. 30 and 32, clamping mechanism 1012 includes a tripartite clamping mechanism comprising three clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018. Each one of clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 is provided with a respective gripping end 1014A, 1016A and 1018A, which grips the tree between the three clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018. In some embodiments, gripping ends 1014A, 1016A and/or 1018A may independently or collectively be provided with jaws, teeth, rough surfaces, or other structural features to enhance the grip of the gripping ends 1014A, 1016A and 1018A on the tree.
[0096] Clamping member 1014 is an end clamping member, clamping member 1016 is an intermediate clamping member, and clamping member 1018 is an actuating clamping member. In the illustrated embodiment, clamping members 1018 and 1016 are ternary links and clamping member 1014 is a binary link.
[0097] Each one of clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 is pivotably coupled to base mounting system 1008 for rotational movement about a pivot point 1014B, 1016B, 1018B, so that the respective gripping end 1014A, 1016A and 1018A of the clamping member can be actuated inwardly into a closed configuration to grip the tree or other fixed vertical support, or actuated outwardly into an open configuration to allow clamping mechanism 1012 to be inserted over the tree or other fixed vertical support.
[0098] A free end 1018C of actuating clamping member 1018 is free for engagement with an actuator, that can be used to rotate actuating clamping member 1018 about its pivot point 1018B to cause gripping end 1018A to move inwardly or outwardly. An actuating arm 10180 is provided on actuating clamping member 1018, and has an actuating pivot point 1018E positioned thereon. Actuating pivot point 1018E is connected by a first connecting bar 1020 to an actuating pivot point 1016F provided on a first actuating arm 1016C of intermediate clamping member 1016.
[0099] In this manner, when the free end 1018C of actuating clamping member 1018 is moved by an actuator, rotation of actuating clamping member 1018 about pivot point 1018B
causes both gripping end 1018A and actuating arm 10180 of clamping member 1018 to move, which in turn causes first connecting bar 1020 to move. Movement of first connecting bar 1020 causes rotation of first actuating arm 1016C of intermediate clamping member 1016, which in turn causes movement of a both gripping end 1016A and second actuating arm 10160 of intermediate clamping member 1016. Movement of actuating arm 10160 of intermediate clamping member 1016 causes movement of a second connecting bar 1022 that is pivotably coupled to both intermediate clamping member 1016 and end clamping member 1014 via actuating pivot points 1016E and 1014F, respectively.
[0100] Motion of second actuating arm 10160 of intermediate clamping member 1016 is thus transmitted to end clamping member 1014 through actuating arm 1014C of end clamping member 1014, which causes end clamping member 1014 to rotate about pivot point 1014B, and also causes corresponding movement of gripping end 1014A.
[0101] In this manner, rotation of actuating clamping member 1018 by an actuator is transmitted to all of intermediate clamping member 1016 and end clamping member 1014, so that gripping ends 1014A, 1016A and 1018A can be moved simultaneously either inwardly towards the closed configuration shown in FIG. 30, or outwardly towards the open configuration shown in FIG. 32.
[0102] In the illustrated embodiment, clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 and first and second connecting bars 1020 and 1022 are rotatably engaged together by the engagement of a pin through each pivoting joint. In alternative embodiments, any suitable form of engagement that allows for rotatable motion could be used to couple clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 and connecting bars 1020 and 1022.
[0103] In the illustrated embodiment, clamping mechanism 1012 is supported between a pair of clamp flange plates 1024, e.g. as seen in FIG. 28. The shape of clamp flange plates 1024 is shown in more detail in FIG. 33. Clamp flange plates 1024 each include three apertures 1026 therethrough, positioned approximately at each one of the three vertices of the generally triangular clamp flange plate 1024. Three arm clamp pins 1028 (e.g. FIG. 25) are used to rotatably clamp clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 between clamp flange plates 1024 by extending through apertures 1026. Clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 are positioned and configured so that pivot points 1014B, 1016B and 1018B
each receive one arm clamp pin 1028 therebetween, so that each clamping member is rotatably engaged between clamp flange plates 1024.
[0104] As can be seen in FIGs. 19, 25 and 28, first and second connecting bars 1020 and 1022 are rotatably coupled to clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 via link clamp pins 1030, and sit outwardly from clamp flange plates 1024 to avoid interference therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of first connecting bars 1020 are provided, one of which sits above actuating clamping member 1018 and intermediate clamping member 1016, and one of which sits below actuating clamping member 1018 and intermediate clamping member 1016. The two first connecting bars 1020 are coupled to actuating arm 10180 and first actuating arm 1016C at actuating pivot points 1018E and 1016F, respectively, by link clamp pins 1030.
[0105] Similarly, a pair of second connecting bars 1022 are provided, one of which sits above intermediate clamping member 1016 and end clamping member 1014 and one of which sits below intermediate clamping member 1016 and end clamping member 1014.
The two second connecting bars 1022 are coupled to second actuating arm 10160 and actuating arm 1014C at actuating pivot points 1016E and 1014F by link clamp pins 1030.
[0106] As can be seen in FIG. 33, in the illustrated embodiment, clamp flange plates 1024 are generally triangular in shape, but are asymmetrical in shape to accommodate the required positioning of clamping members 1014, 1016 and 1018 as they rotate inwardly to the closed position and outwardly to the open position. In the illustrated embodiment, the location of apertures 1026 in clamp flange plate 1024 is offset by 5 degrees from the centreline of clamp flange plate 1024, and the location of the vertices 1025 of the triangle defining the outer diameter of clamp flange plate 1024 are similarly offset by 5 degrees from the location of the vertices 1027 of the triangle defining the inner diameter of clamp flange plate 1024. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this configuration allows proper opening and closing of clamping mechanism 1012 and avoids binding with other components of elevated fire suppression system 1000, e.g. slot 1036 in central support 1002, and also ensures sufficient strength to handle expected loads.
[0107] As can be seen in FIG. 33, the interior edges of clamp flange plates 1024 define an inner triangle having three vertices 1027, and the outer edges of clamp flange plates 1024 define an outer triangle having three vertices 1025. Both apertures 1026 and vertices 1025 are offset by a small angle 0, which in the illustrated embodiment is 5 degrees, from the vertices 1027 of the inner triangle, measured from a line bisecting the angle of the vertices 1027 of the inner triangle. This results in clamp flange plates 1024 being offset slightly from the triangular body of tower base plate 1032, as seen in FIG. 20. In alternative embodiments, the location of apertures 1026 in clamp flange plate 1024 and the location of outer vertices 1025 could be offset from the location of inner vertices 1027 by other small angles, e.g. angles having a value of between 2 degrees and 10 degrees and any value or subrange therebetween, e.g. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 degrees.
[0108] As shown in e.g. FIG. 21, central support 1002 has a tower base plate 1032 and a pair of plate clamp flanges 1024 affixed to central support 1002. Tower base plate 1032 is generally triangular in shape, and is provided with three pins 1034, one generally adjacent each vertex of tower base plate 1032. The structure of exemplary pins 1034 is shown in detail in FIGS. 35 and 36. Each pin 1034 has an aperture 1038 extending radially therethrough.
[0109] The tower 1004 is mounted on pins 1034, e.g. as can be seen in FIGs. 17 and 18, using a tower connector 1040, shown in detail in FIGs. 37 and 38. The legs 1005 of tower 1004 are made from hollow cylindrical material, e.g. suitable metal, and so can be inserted over pins 1034. A tower connector 1040 can be used to secure tower 1004 in place on pins 1034. Tower connector 1040 is provided with an aperture 1042 extending radially therethrough, and can encircle the outer diameter of the legs 1005 of tower 1004. A pin can be passed through the aligned apertures in pins 1034, tower legs 1005, and tower connector 1040 to secure tower 1004 in place.
[0110] In a similar manner, tower 1004 can be constructed out of separate tower sections by joining each respective section using a tower pin connector 1044 (FIGS. 39 and 40).
.. Tower pin connector 1044 has two opposed male pin portions 1045 that extend at 180 degrees relative to one another, so that the lower male pin portion can be inserted on top of a lower tower segment, and the upper male pin portion can be inserted on the bottom of an upper tower segment. Each one of the male pin portions 1045 has an aperture extending radially therethrough. A tower connector 1040 can then be secured over each of .. the upper and lower male pin portions 1045 and a pin inserted through aligned apertures 1046 of the tower pin connector, the tower legs 1005, and the tower connector 1040 to secure the two tower segments together.
[0111] Any suitable tower and method of connecting the tower to the base plate 1032 and interconnecting separate sections of the tower could be used in alternative embodiments.
For example, in some embodiments, each section of the tower could be provided with male connectors at an upper end thereof and female connectors at a lower end thereof. The adjacent tower sections could then be secured in place by coupling the male connectors at the upper end of a first tower segment with the female connectors at the lower end of a second tower segment positioned immediately above the first tower segment.
[0112] In some embodiments, if central support 1002 is of a sufficient height to support spray nozzle 1006, tower 1004 could be omitted.
[0113] As can be seen in FIG. 34, the outer face of central support 1002 is provided with a slot 1036 therethrough, to accommodate the components of clamping mechanism 1012. In the illustrated embodiment, central support 1002 has a generally pyramidal shape with a triangular base, and one slot 1036 is provided in each face to allow each one of clamping members 1014, 1016, 1018 to extend through a respective slot 1036. Other shapes could be used for central support 1002, for example a pyramid with a circular, square, rectangular or other polyhedral shape of base, regular or irregular, so long as suitable slots like slot 1036 are provided to allow clamping mechanism 1012 to operate. Similarly, while tower 1004 has been illustrated as having a generally triangular shape, other shapes and styles of vertical support structures could be used for tower 1004, e.g. a square-shaped truss or the like, so long as a suitable mechanism is provided for connecting tower 1004 to central support 1002.
[0114] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 18, one or more guyed wires 1050 are provided to stabilize tower 1004. Guyed wires 1050 can be affixed at a first end to tower 1004 at any desired elevation, and at a second end to the ground or any other suitable supporting structure. Any suitable mechanism can be used to affix guyed wires 1050 to tower 1004, for example, a lasso formed in the first end of guyed wire 1050 in a snare or sling style of connection, via a circular link welded at the desired elevation on tower 1004 to which the guyed wire 1050 is connected, or through any suitable cable or clip connection, including by bolting or clamping, e.g. using snare clamps or suitable clips.
[0115] A fluid delivery system such as piping or a hose or other method of conveying fire suppressant (whether liquids, foams or gases) to spray nozzle 1006 is provided. In some embodiments, such piping, hose or the like is provided within the interior of central support 1002 and/or within the interior of tower 1004. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 18, tower 1004 extends above the top of central support 1002, and piping or a suitable hose may in some embodiments extend inside of central support 1002 to its upper terminus, and from there continue to be supported inside tower 1004, so that the piping or suitable hose is supported all the way to the elevation of spray nozzle 1006.
[0116] In use, elevated fire suppression system 1000 is mounted to any suitable fixed vertical support. In some embodiments, the fixed vertical support is a tree.
The tree can be first trimmed and delimbed to any desired height in any suitable manner, for example using commercially available trimming and delimbing apparatus as may be used in the forestry industry, and then elevated fire suppression system 1000 can be mounted on the tree.
[0117] In some embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 1000 sits on the ground and is supported by the fixed vertical support, e.g. a tree. In some embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 1000 is elevated above the ground on the fixed vertical support, e.g. tree. For example, elevated fire system 1000 can be mounted 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, 40 feet, 50 feet, 60 feet, 70 feet, 80 feet or higher on the fixed vertical support, e.g. tree.
[0118] In some embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 1000 can spray fire suppressant (e.g. water, foam, fire retardants and/or gas) covering a radius of up to 400 feet. In alternative embodiments, elevated fire suppression system 1000 can spray fire suppressant (e.g. water, foam, fire retardants and/or gas) covering larger radii.
[0119] FIG. 41 shows an example configuration for a plurality of elevated fire suppression systems ES deployed to suppress, control, protect against and/or prevent fires. The plurality of elevated fire suppression systems ES are in fluid communication with a source of water W. One or more pumps P are supplied at spaced intervals to pump the fire suppressant (here water W) to the plurality of elevated fire suppression systems ES. The plurality of elevated fire suppression systems ES are positioned so that their nozzles are above the tops of the trees in the surrounding tree canopy, e.g. at an elevation of approximately 0-30 metres (0'-100') above the tops of the surrounding trees.
Pumps P are activated to supply water to the plurality of elevated fire suppression systems ES. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of actuators A are provided to assist with the deployment of elevated fire suppression systems ES, e.g. as described above with reference to belt-driven actuator 102. However, in alternative embodiments, any suitable method of deploying, positioning or erecting the plurality of elevated fire suppression systems ES
could be used.
[0120] While exemplary embodiments of various elevated fire suppression systems according to the invention have been described with reference to their use for fire suppression, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that elevated fire suppression systems such as those described herein could be used in any number of different applications, including e.g. for irrigation purposes in agriculture where it may be desirable to spread water efficiently across a large area.
[0121] While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that all claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are consistent with the broadest interpretation of the specification as a whole. To the extent that the features of the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, it is contemplated that each of the features of each of the described embodiment could be used interchangeably in other of the embodiments described herein.

Claims (23)

CLAIMS:

1. An elevated fire suppression system comprising:
a vertically extending support structure;
at least one spray nozzle provided on the support structure to disperse a fire suppressant to an area surrounding the elevated fire suppression system;
a fluid delivery system supported by the vertically extending support structure to supply the fire suppressant to the at least one spray nozzle; and a clamp positioned near a base of the vertically extending support structure for securing the vertically extending support structure to a fixed support.

2. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 1, wherein the clamp comprises a tripartite clamp.

3. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 2, wherein the tripartite clamp comprises two ternary links and a binary link.

4. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 3, wherein:
the tripartite clamp comprises an actuating clamping member, an intermediate clamping member, and an end clamping member;
the actuating clamping member and the intermediate clamping member comprise ternary links;
the end clamping member comprises a binary link; and each one of the actuating clamping member, the intermediate clamping member, and the end clamping member is provided with a gripping end for gripping the fixed support, the gripping ends of each one of the clamping members being actuable inwardly to grasp the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a first direction, and the gripping ends of each one of the clamping members being actuable outwardly to release the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

5. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 2, wherein:

the tripartite clamp comprises an actuating clamping member, an intermediate clamping member and an end clamping member;
the actuating clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the intermediate clamping member;
the intermediate clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the end clamping member;
the actuating clamping member and the intermediate clamping members comprise ternary links; and each one of the actuating clamping member, the intermediate clamping member and the end clamping member is provided with a gripping end for gripping the fixed support, the gripping ends of each one of the clamping members being actuable inwardly to grasp the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a first direction, and the gripping ends of each one of the clamping members being actuable outwardly to release the fixed support when the actuating clamping member is actuated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

6. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 5, wherein:
the actuating clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the intermediate clamping member via a first connecting bar pivotably connected to both the actuating clamping member and the intermediate clamping member; and the intermediate clamping member is in pivotable engagement with the end clamping member via a second connecting bar pivotably connected to both the intermediate clamping member and the end clamping member.

7. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 6, wherein:
the actuating clamping member comprises:
a free end for engagement with an actuator;
a pivot point about which the actuating clamping member is rotatable;
the gripping end for gripping the fixed support; and an actuating arm, the actuating arm being in pivotable engagement with a first end of the first connecting bar;
the intermediate clamping member comprises:

a first actuating arm, the first actuating arm being in pivotable engagement with a second end of the first connecting bar;
a pivot point about which the intermediate clamping member is rotatable;
the gripping end for gripping the fixed support; and a second actuating arm, the second actuating arm being in pivotable engagement with a first end of the second connecting bar; and the end clamping member comprises:
an actuating arm in pivotable engagement with a second end of the second connecting bar;
a pivot point about which the end clamping member is rotatable; and the gripping end for gripping the fixed support.

8. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tripartite clamp is rotatably supported between a pair of clamp flange plates.

9. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 8, wherein:
each one of the pair of clamp flange plates has a generally triangular shape;
an inner edge of each one of the pair of clamp flange plates defines an inner triangle;
the tripartite clamp is rotatably supported between the pair of clamp flange plates by engagement of pins through aligned apertures on the pair of clamp flange plates and the tripartite clamp, and the apertures on each one of the pair of clamp flange plates are offset from vertices of the inner triangle by a small angle, wherein the small angle is optionally between 2° and 10°, and is optionally about 5°.

10. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 9, wherein an outer edge of the clamp flange plate defines an outer triangle, and wherein vertices of the outer triangle are offset from vertices of the inner triangle by a small angle, wherein the small angle is optionally between 2° and 10°, and is optionally about 5°.

11. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the vertically extending support structure comprises a tower supported on a central support.

12. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 11, wherein the central support comprises apertures through which components of the clamp can extend.

13. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the fixed support comprises a tree.

14. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising guyed wires to support the vertically extending support structure.

15. A method of using an elevated fire suppression system comprising:
providing a fixed vertical support;
positioning a vertically extending support structure about the fixed vertical support;
affixing a clamp provided proximate a base of the vertically extending support structure to the fixed vertical support; and spraying fire suppressant from one or more spray nozzles supported at a desired vertical elevation by the vertically extending support structure.

16. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein the step of providing a fixed vertical support comprises:
delimbing a tree;
extending the fixed vertical support above a mobile platform;
drilling a hole in the ground and inserting a vertical pin in the hole; or bolting a plate to the ground and extending the fixed vertical support from the plate.

17. An elevated fire suppression system comprising:
a support structure;
a plurality of clamps for clamping the support structure to a tree;
a delimbing knife provided proximate a base of the support structure, the delimbing knife being positionable proximate a trunk of the tree to delimb the tree;
a vertically elevated spray nozzle; and a fluid delivery system for supplying a fire suppressant to the spray nozzle.

18. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 17, comprising an actuator for positioning the support structure adjacent the tree, and for moving the support structure downwardly to cause the delimbing knife to delimb the tree.

19. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in either one of claims 17 or 18, comprising a cutting apparatus provided on the support structure, the cutting apparatus being positionable to cut off a portion of the tree at a desired elevation.

20. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in claim 19, wherein the cutting apparatus comprises a pulverizer.

21. An elevated fire suppression system as defined in either one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the cutting apparatus comprises a pushing member for pushing the cut portion of the tree away from the support structure.

22. A method of using an elevated fire suppression system comprising:
using a delimbing knife provided on the elevated fire suppression system to delimb a tree;
clamping the elevated fire suppression system to the tree to support the elevated fire suppression system; and using a vertically elevated spray nozzle of the elevated fire suppression system to disperse a fire suppressant.

23. A method as defined in claim 22, further comprising using a cutting apparatus provided on the elevated fire suppression system to cut off at least a portion of the tree that is in excess of a desired height of the tree.