GB1586529A

GB1586529A - Trailer

Info

Publication number: GB1586529A
Application number: GB401778A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HCB ANGUS Ltd
Current assignee: HCB ANGUS Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-03-18

Description

(54) TRAILER (71) We, HCBwANiGUS LIMITED, a British Company of Commercial Road, Totton, Southampton S04 3ZD, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a trailer and in particular, though not exclusively, to a road trailer for fire-fighting equipment.

Towable road trailers are commonly used for transporting fire-fighting equipment to the scene of a fire. Usually they comprise fixed equipment such as water pumps and storage containers secured to the trailer body together with portable items such as lengths of hose which are loosely attached to the trailer body so as to be readily removable for operational use.

Trailers for many fire-fighting applications require to carry lengths of hose of the suction type which is relatively bulky as compared with delivery type hose and insufficiently flexible to allow it to be coiled for compact storage.

Commonly such hose is stored in substantially straight lengths by supports attached to the sides of the trailer but a disadvantage of this storage arrangement is that access to the fixed equipment and any containers provided on the trailer for storage of vital equipment is very much restricted. This is a particular disadvantage in situations where the hose is not required for use in a particular fire-fighting application.

The present invention seeks to provide a trailer having an improved facility for the storage of hose, in particular suction type hose.

In accordance with one of its aspects the present invention provides a trailer for firefighting equipment having a chassis comprising a pair of substantially flat base members each extending substantially the length and width of the trailer and being maintained in spaced superimposed relationship by a plurality of wall members which extend substantially parallel with the length of the trailer structurally to interconnect the base members to form therewith a substantially rigid chassis and divide the space between the base members into a plurality of channels for the storage of suction hose.

The base members and wall members may be of metal e.g. galvanised steel, plywood, or other suitable structural material and may be united together into a substantially rigid chassis by the use of known jointing techniques. In particular in the case of metal at least some of the wall members may be formed integral with a base member for example, by bending.

The space between the channels may be divided to form a single or a plurality of rows of channels as viewed across the width of the trailer, and the space may additionally or alternatively be divided to provide at least one column of channels extending in the normal vertical direction of the trailer.

Conventional towing couplings and either independent or beam axle suspension members may be attached directly or indirectly to the chassis, and fixed equipment and storage containers etc. may be mounted thereon.

The channels formed in the chassis may be lined at least in part with a low friction material which assists sliding of suction hose lengths in and out of the channels and reduces scratching and wear of the material from which the chassis is constructed.

The channels may each be open at each end or closed at one end and open at the other, and ends of the channels may be formed with or have attached thereto stop means to restrain hoses from sliding out of the channels especially when the trailer is being towed. The stop means may be in the form of a lip or like member over which an end of a hose may be lifted to enable the remaining portion of hose to be slid in or out. Alternatively, the stop means may be in the form, for example, of a bar pivotally mounted such that it may be positioned to extend across the end or ends of one or more channels to retain hoses especially during trailing. In a further alternative construction the stop means may be in the form of a hinged barrier such as a door or grid. To minimise the risk of pilfering of hose lengths, and the potentially disastrous consequences this may have when the trailer is used in an emergency, the stop means may be of a kind which is lockable in the position to prevent unauthorised removal of hose from the channels.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification which is a perspective view of a fire-fighting trailer chassis in accordance with the present invention; and the drawings accompanying the complete specification in which: Figure 2 is a side view of a two-wheel trailer incorporating the chassis of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a four-wheel fire-fighting trailer incorporating a chassis similar to that of Figure 1, and Figure 4 shows a rear end view of another trailer chassis in accordance with the present invention.

A fire-fighting chassis 10 comprises an upper rectangular metal base plate 11 and a lower rectangular metal base plate member 12 bent along its longitudinal edges to form two outer wall members 13, 14 extending at right angles to that part of the lower plate in between the wall members. Each outer wall member 13, 14 is formed on its longitudinal edge with a longitudinally extending lip portion 15 by means of which the lower base plate is spot-welded to the longitudinal edges of the upper base plate.

The cavity defined between the two base plates is sub-divided into four channels 16 by means of three uniformly spaced inter mediate wall members 17. Each inter mediate wall member 17 is formed at its longitudinal edges with longitudinal extending lips 18 by means of which it is spot-welded to the upper and lower base plates. Substantially triangular shape metal plates 19, 20 are welded respectively to the upper and lower base plates 11, 12 and maintained in spaced relationship by edge members 21. The triangular plates are provided with apertures 22 (see Figure 1) by means of which a towing hitch 23 and jockey wheel 24 assembly is attached (see Figure 2).

Midway along its length the chassis is provided with a transversely extending channel section girder 25 which is spot-welded or otherwise secured to the upper base member and additionally supported by bracing plates 26 which extend between the outer wall members 13, 14 'and the transverse girder.

The ends of the transverse girder are suitably apertured for attachment thereto of suspension units (not shown) carrying wheels 30 (see Figure 2).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 3, the chassis is formed with two transversely extending girders which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the chassis 10 to provide location for four wheels 31 and suspension units.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 4, the space between upper and lower base members 40, 41 is provided with three vertical wall members 42 and two intermediate base members 43 lying parallel with and between the base members 40, 41. The members are all welded together to provide a chassis having four storage channels 44 which may be viewed as arranged in two side-by-side columns or two superimposed rows.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the invention provides a trailer in which hose may be stored compactly without restricting access to fixed equipment or storage containers carried in the chassis. This is achieved without incurring great expense since the hose storage facility serves also as the trailer chassis, and the high rigidity and strength of the chassis, particularly having regard to the thin lightweight material which may be used in its construction, makes it especially suitable as a support for the attachment of fixed equipment such as pumps, fire-fighting, or rescue equipment.

Thus, a prime feature of the present invention is that by making the hose storage compartments sufficiently strong they serve also as the main body or chassis of the trailer.

A further advantage of a fire-fighting trailer in accordance with the present invention is that since access to the hose channels is from one end of the trailer personnel may gain access to the hose simultaneous with other personnel positioning themselves at the sides of the trailer for access to the fixed equipment and storage containers. Compared with conventional trailers the hose is carried much closer to the ground and the associated lowering of the centre of gravity of the trailer improves its handling characteristic when being towed.

WIlAT WE CLMM IS:- 1. A trailer for fire-fighting equipment having a chassis comprising a pair of substantially flat base members each extending substantially the length and width of the trailer and being maintained in spaced superimposed relationship by a plurality of wall members which extend substantially parallel with the length of the trailer structurally to interconnect the base members to form therewith a substantially rigid chassis and divide the space between the base members into a plurality of channels for the storage of suction hose.

2. A trailer according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the wall members are integral with a base member.

3. A trailer according to claim 1 or claim 2

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

this may have when the trailer is used in an emergency, the stop means may be of a kind which is lockable in the position to prevent unauthorised removal of hose from the channels.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification which is a perspective view of a fire-fighting trailer chassis in accordance with the present invention; and the drawings accompanying the complete specification in which: Figure 2 is a side view of a two-wheel trailer incorporating the chassis of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a four-wheel fire-fighting trailer incorporating a chassis similar to that of Figure 1, and Figure 4 shows a rear end view of another trailer chassis in accordance with the present invention.

A fire-fighting chassis 10 comprises an upper rectangular metal base plate 11 and a lower rectangular metal base plate member

12 bent along its longitudinal edges to form two outer wall members 13, 14 extending at right angles to that part of the lower plate in between the wall members. Each outer wall member 13, 14 is formed on its longitudinal edge with a longitudinally extending lip portion 15 by means of which the lower base plate is spot-welded to the longitudinal edges of the upper base plate.

The cavity defined between the two base plates is sub-divided into four channels 16 by means of three uniformly spaced inter mediate wall members 17. Each inter mediate wall member 17 is formed at its longitudinal edges with longitudinal extending lips 18 by means of which it is spot-welded to the upper and lower base plates. Substantially triangular shape metal plates 19, 20 are welded respectively to the upper and lower base plates 11, 12 and maintained in spaced relationship by edge members 21. The triangular plates are provided with apertures 22 (see Figure 1) by means of which a towing hitch 23 and jockey wheel 24 assembly is attached (see Figure 2).

Midway along its length the chassis is provided with a transversely extending channel section girder 25 which is spot-welded or otherwise secured to the upper base member and additionally supported by bracing plates 26 which extend between the outer wall members 13, 14 'and the transverse girder.

The ends of the transverse girder are suitably apertured for attachment thereto of suspension units (not shown) carrying wheels 30 (see Figure 2).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 3, the chassis is formed with two transversely extending girders which are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the chassis 10 to provide location for four wheels 31 and suspension units.

In a further embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 4, the space between upper and lower base members 40, 41 is provided with three vertical wall members 42 and two intermediate base members 43 lying parallel with and between the base members 40, 41. The members are all welded together to provide a chassis having four storage channels 44 which may be viewed as arranged in two side-by-side columns or two superimposed rows.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the invention provides a trailer in which hose may be stored compactly without restricting access to fixed equipment or storage containers carried in the chassis. This is achieved without incurring great expense since the hose storage facility serves also as the trailer chassis, and the high rigidity and strength of the chassis, particularly having regard to the thin lightweight material which may be used in its construction, makes it especially suitable as a support for the attachment of fixed equipment such as pumps, fire-fighting, or rescue equipment.

Thus, a prime feature of the present invention is that by making the hose storage compartments sufficiently strong they serve also as the main body or chassis of the trailer.

A further advantage of a fire-fighting trailer in accordance with the present invention is that since access to the hose channels is from one end of the trailer personnel may gain access to the hose simultaneous with other personnel positioning themselves at the sides of the trailer for access to the fixed equipment and storage containers. Compared with conventional trailers the hose is carried much closer to the ground and the associated lowering of the centre of gravity of the trailer improves its handling characteristic when being towed.

WIlAT WE CLMM IS:- 1. A trailer for fire-fighting equipment having a chassis comprising a pair of substantially flat base members each extending substantially the length and width of the trailer and being maintained in spaced superimposed relationship by a plurality of wall members which extend substantially parallel with the length of the trailer structurally to interconnect the base members to form therewith a substantially rigid chassis and divide the space between the base members into a plurality of channels for the storage of suction hose.
2. A trailer according to claim 1 wherein at least some of the wall members are integral with a base member.
3. A trailer according to claim 1 or claim 2

wherein the channels formed in the chassis are lined at least in part with a low friction material.
4. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the channels are open at one end and closed at the other end.
5. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein stop means is provided at the end of a channel to restrain hoses from sliding out of the channel.
6. A trailer according to claim 5 wherein the stop means comprises a lip or like member over which an end of a hose may be lifted to enable the remaining portion of the hose to be slid in or out.
7. A trailer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the stop means comprises a bar pivotally mounted so as either to extend across the end or ends of one or more channels or lie clear of said end or ends.
8. A trailer according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the stop means comprises a hinged barrier.
9. A trailer according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the space between the base members is divided to provide two rows of channels across the width of the trailer.
10. A trailer for fire-fighting equipment constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification and Figure 2 of the drawings accompanying the complete specification.
11. A trailer for fire-fighting equipment constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification and Figure 3 of the drawings accompanying the complete specification.
12. A trailer for fire-fighting equipment constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification and Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings accompanying the complete specification.
13. A trailer for fire-fighting equipment constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings accompanying the provisional specification and Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings accompanying the complete specification.