US2736387A

US2736387A - Hydraulically operated foam tower

Info

Publication number: US2736387A
Application number: US425684A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis W Boerner
Original assignee: National Foam System Inc
Current assignee: National Foam System Inc
Priority date: 1954-04-26
Filing date: 1954-04-26
Publication date: 1956-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 1973-02-28

Description

Feb. 28, 1956 L. w. BOERNER HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED FOAM TOWER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26, 1954 INVENTOR. LEWIS W- BOERNEK Z/ ATTOAA EX Feb. 28, 1956 L. w. BOERNER 2,736,387

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED FOAM TOWER Filed April 26, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LEWIS w. BQERNER ATTOAIVEX Feb. 28, 1956 L. w. BOERNER 2,736,387

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED FOAM TOWER Filed April 26, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 74 LEWis N- BOERNER ATTO/P/VEX Feb. 28, 1956 w, BOERNER 2,736,387

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED FOAM TOWER Filed April 26, 1954 4' 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. LEWIS W- BOERNER 4 TTOIP/VfX Feb. 28, 1956 1.. w. BOERNER HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED FOAM TOWER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 26, 1954 \MvM INVENTOR.

LEW \s w- BOERH R VI k,

ATTO/P/VIX United States Patent HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED FOAM TOWER Lewis W. Boerner, West Chester, Pa., assignor to National Foam System, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application April 26, 1954, Serial No. 425,684

16 Claims. (Cl. 169-4) The present invention relates generally to fire extinguishing equipment and more particularly to a portable foam injecting tower of a construction and design adapted to be expeditiously erected at the scene of a fire for delivery of fire-extinguishing foam to an elevated point, as for example, into the top of a tank containing flammable material, such as oil or the like. 7

Among the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a collapsible foam discharge tower with which is operatively associated a supporting base in combination with extensible staying struts and means for quick-releasably securing the several parts in operatively assembled relation.

Another object is to provide a novel arrangement of staying means for supporting the extended tower in its vertically erected condition, which means include spikes which are secured in the ground at predeterminedly spaced points for maintaining the spread of the staying means along the ground uniformly the same for every erection of the tower.

Still another object is to provide a tower of the character described with extensible stay means operatively associated with a scissors-like frame which extends along the ground to one side of the base of the tower to provide ground connection points for the extensible staying struts equidistantly spaced from the tower base.

Another object is to provide a collapsible tower having a foam discharging goose-neck adapted to engage over the top edge of an oil tank or the like and which gooseneck is properly oriented with respect to the tank by means operatively associated with the tower.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vertically extensible foam discharge tower formed of a plurality of telescopically associated conduit sections which are respectively so loosely related to one another as to provide leakage paths for water to flow from the interior of the tower downwardly along the external walls thereof during erection of the tower by hydraulic pressure, the escaping water from the tower serving as a heat insulating shield to protect the tower from the heat of the fire preliminarily to delivery of the fire-extinguishing foam-forming solution through the tower and discharge of the fireextinguishing foam into the tank of the burning liquid.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an extensible tower of the character described which is adapted to be easily and quickly connected to deliver either chemical or mechanical foam to the top of a tank containing oil or other such flammable liquid.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the present invention consists in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the tower of the present invention showing it extended and raised into position for delivery of chemical fire-extinguishing foam into the top of a tank containing flammable liquid, the dotted line representations of the upper end of the tower illustrating the positions assumed by the tower preliminarily to its final engagement with the tank;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 1 but showing the tower partially collapsed and set up ready for application of hydraulic pressure for vertical extension of the telescopic conduit sections thereof;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the scissors-like supporting assembly for the tower as. viewed from the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the base 'and lower end of the tower, showing the several parts thereof in vertically separated relation;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the waterinlet member of the tower as taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view, partially in section, showing the scissors-like ground engaging frame and its associated supporting base for the tower; t Figure 7 is a side elevational view as seen from the'line 7-7 of Figure 3, showing, on an enlarged scale, the interlocking means provided for securing the ground-engaging extremity of a staying strut to the free outer end of a leg of the scissors-like frame;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the detail shown in Figure 7, this view being taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view showing in separated relation the component parts of one of the extensible staying struts, certain parts thereof being shown in section;

Figure 10 is a view as taken along the line Ill-10 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view of the tower showing the several telescopic conduit sections thereof;

Figure 12 is an elevational view showing the upper goose-neck section of the tower;

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the foam inlet section of the tower;

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the tower section shown in Figure 13; and

Figure 15 is a view corresponding to Figure 13 showing in vertical section an adapter unit which may be incorporated in the tower as shown to adapt it for the production and discharge of mechanical foam.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 11 and 12 thereof, it will be observed that the tower is formed principallyof four telescopically associated conduit sections consisting of a lower section 10, two

intermediate sections

11 and 12 andan upper section 13, which latter is adapted to be surmounted by a foam discharge conduit 14, terminating in an open-ended gooseneck 15 as shown designed to behookedover the upper edge of a tank A containing oil or other flammable liquid.

As most clearly appears in Figure 11, the lower section 10 of the extensible tower is provided adjacent its upper edge with an internal ring 16 which coacts with an external ring 17 provided on the intermediate conduit sec tion 11 to limit axial extension of the section 11 relatively to the section 10. Preferably, the section 11 is provided adjacent its lower end with a second external ring 18 which is axially spaced from the ring 17 to such extent that the rings 17 and 18serve conjointly to maintain the

telescoped sections

10 and 11 in axial alinement as they shift relatively to one another. It is to be noted that the respective diameters of the

telescoped sections

10 and 11 and of the

rings

16, 17 and 18 are relatively such as to provide a relatively loose fit between the axially shiftable parts, the clearance between the parts being suchv as to permit water to leak freely therethrough for downward ilow over the external surface of the water conduit section 10.

in like manner, the section 12 is loosely telescoped within the section 11 the upper end of which is provided with an internal ring 26 which coacts with an external ring 21 on the section 12 to limit axial extension between said

sections

11 and 12. The section 12 is also provided adjacent its lower end with a guide ring 22 which serves conjointly with the ring 21 to maintain the

sections

11 and 12 in axial alinement as they shift relatively to one another.

The conduit section 13 is similarly loosely telescoped within the section 12, these sections being also respectively provided with

stop rings

23 and 24 to limit their permissible axial extension. The bottom end of the upper conduit section 13 is closed oi, as shown, by an inverted cup-shaped member 25 having formed thereon a depending annular flange 26 of an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the section 12 to provide a clearance passage for water to escape outwardly from the tower sections as the latter are extended axially under hydraulic pressure. The flange 26 also serves conjointly with the ring 24 of the section 13 to maintain the latter axially alined within its embracing section 12 during relative shifting movement of these sections. The upper end of the topmost telescopic section 13 is provided with an annular flange 27 which serves as a seat for the intake unit, designated generally by the reference numeral 23 (see Figures 13 and 14), for receiving one or more suitable foam-forming solutions which are converted into fireextinguishing foam for discharge from the tower by way of the foam discharge conduit 14.

The unit 28, which is disposed intermediate the topmost section .13 of the extensible portion of the tower and the foam discharge conduit 14, is most clearly shown in Figures 13 and 14 and comprises a main conduit section 29 the top end of which is flanged, as at 30, for bolting connection to a complemental flange 31 formed on the lower end of the discharge conduit section 14, the

flanges

30 and 31 being secured together by bolts 32. The bottom end of the section 29 of the intake unit 28 is provided with a depending tubular extension 33 of such reduced diameter to flt snugly into the top end portion of the topmost extensible section 13 of the tower. While the intake unit 28 may be secured to the section 13 in any suitable manner, it is preferred that it be quick-releasably locked to the section 13 by a pair of spring-pressed detents 34-34 the lower ends of which are shaped, as best shown in Figure 14, to engage beneath the marginal edge of the flange 27 provided at the upperend of the section 13 when said intake unit 28 is seated upon the flange 27 with its tubular extension 33 projected into the top end of section .13. The detents 3434 are each pivotally mounted, as at 35, between a pair of lugs 3636 each pair of which project outwardly of the section 29 at diametrically opposite points thereof, the detents being normally biased into securing position by coiled compression springs 37-37 suitably arranged between the upper ends of the detents and the external wall of the conduit section 29. Preferably, the springs 37-37 are mounted upon oppositely projecting pins 38-3S suitably secured to the section 29.

Communicating with the interior of the conduit section 29 of the unit 28 is a downwardly inclined inlet 39 thereto terminating in a vertically depending conduit 4t) which extends in closely spaced parallel relation to the extensible portion of the tower, the lower end of said conduit 40 being provided with an enlarged chamber or manifold 41 having a pair of laterally spaced inlet openings respectively fitted with suitable

hose coupling nipples

42 and 43.

For use of the tower with chemical foam produced by the reaction of acid and basic foam-forming solutions well known in the art, the tower is constructed as above described so that upon delivery of the acid and .basic foam-forming solutions to the chamber or manifold 41 by way of

flexible hoses

44 and 45 respectively connected to suitable sources of supply, fire-extinguishing foam will be produced in the manifold and in its communicating conduit 4% for eventual discharge through the conduit 14- and its goose-neck 15 to and upon the surface of the burning liquid in the tank A. it will be understood, of course, that where such chemical foam is produced at a foam-producing station more or less remote from the tower, the foam so produced may be conveyed by way of the

hose lines

44 and 45 to the foam-intake manifold 41 of the tower for subsequent discharge to and over the area of conflagration by way of the discharge conduit 14 and its goose-neck 15. In the latter case, both of the

hose lines

44 and 45 may be employed simultaneously or alternately, as desired or only one hose may be employed. in any event, when only a single hose is employed at any one time, the hose coupling nipple which is tree of hose line would be capped or plugged so as to provide the manifold 41 with a single inlet.

Where the tower of the present invention is intended to be employed for the discharge of so-called air or mechanical foam, which, as is well known in the art, is produced by entraining air from atmosphere into turbulent or finely divided stream of foam-forming solution issuing at high velocity, it is only necessary to incorporate in the tower apparatus above described a mechanical foammaking unit such as that designated generally by the reference numeral 46 in Figure 15. it will be noted that the unit in is in the nature of an adapter which is readily fitted as desired, into the tower structure intermediate the intake unit 28 and the discharge conduit 14.

As most clearly appears in Figure 15, the mechanical foam adapter unit 46 comprises a relatively short section of conduit the upper end of which is flanged, as at 47, to facilitate its being bolted to the bottom flange 31 of the conduit section 14 by bolts 48. The lower end of the mechanical foam adapter conduit is closed by a bottom plate 49 welded in place to provide the conduit with a marginally projecting annular flange 50 which is secured, as by bolts 51, to the top flange 36 of the foamforming solution or foam intake unit 23. The bottom plate 49 of the adapter conduit is centrally apertured to receive a discharge tube 52 to which the foam-forming solution is delivered at suitable pressure and from which it issues in the form of a high-velocity stream. Supported within the tube 52 by means of a suitable spider 53 or otherwise is a small diameter rod 54 which is provided at its upper end with an enlarged head-piece 55. This head piece 55 is disposed coaxial with the tube and is so located relatively to the discharge and of the tube as to finely sub-divide the high-velocity stream of foamforming solution which issues from the tube. Formed in one side of the mechanical foam adapter conduit slightly downstream from the discharge end of the tube 52 is an air intake opening 56 through which air from atmosphere is entrained in the finely divided high-velocity stream of foam-forming solution to produce foam which is delivered upwardly through the conduit section 14 for discharge from the goose-neck 15 into the tank A containing the burning oil or other flammable liquid. It will be understood, of course, that any suitable foam maker may be employed in lieu of the mechanical foam adapter unit shown and described and that either one or both of the

inlets

42 and 43 may be used to supply foamforming solution to the adapter.

The extensible portion of the tower comprising the relatively shiftable conduit sections 10, '11, 12 and 13 is axially extended by hydraulic pressure applied internally, the water under suitable pressure being delivered to the tower from a suitable source of supply through a hose line 60 coupled to a water inlet member 61 secured to the bottom end of the lowermost conduit section 10. This member 61 consists of a relatively short conduit section 62 the top edge of which is flanged, as at 63, for securernent, as .by bolts 64, to a complement-al flange -65 provided adjacent the lower end 66 of the conduit section 10. The end 66 of the conduit section is adapted to fit snugly into the top opening and is in free communication with the interior of the inlet member 61, the bottom end of the latter being closed by a plate 67 having a pair of laterally extending wing portions 68-68 each of which is notched, as at 69, for a purpose which will be apparent hereinafter. Formed in the side wall of the member 61 in open communication with the interior thereof is water inlet fitting 70 to which the water hose line 60 is adapted to be coupled.

The bottom plate 67 of the member 61 is provided with a depending stem 71 which is adapted to fit snugly into an upwardly presenting socket 72 formed as an integral part of a ground-engaging basal support for the tower, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 73 and will be described in detail hereinafter. In order to prevent relative rotation of the extensible tower and its basal support the depending stem 71 is fitted with a diametrically extending cross pin to provide a pair of oppositely projecting pins 74-74 which respectively seat in diametrically opposed notches 75-75 formed in the wall of the socket 72. If desired, the outer extremities of the pins 74-74 may be threaded to receive bolts 76-76 (see Figures 1 and 2) to securely lock the stem 71 against unintended axial displacement from its socket 72.

The basal support for the tower includes a horizontally extending pipe section 77 to the central point of which is secured, as by welding, the upwardly presenting socket 72, said pipe section being provided with three sets of ground engaging spikes, one set thereof being at the center and the other sets being respectively located adjacent opposite ends of the pipe section 77. Each spike set includes a pair of diverging spikes 78-79, the spikes 78 being commonly disposed substantially in the vertical plane of the vertical axis of the tower, while the auxiliary spikes 79 are so commonly disposed in a plane inclined with respect to the vertical as to prevent any tendency for the tower to tilt backward from the tank while it is being extended to its required height for engagement over the top edge of the tank.

In order to secure and stabilize the tower in its erected condition, it is provided with a pair of staying struts or tie rods 80-80, the upper ends of which are connected to: a strap 81 clamped about the top end of the conduit section 10. This clamping strap 81 is provided with a pair of lugs 82-82 through which projects one or more clamping bolts 83, the free ends of the ears being normally held apart in spaced, parallel relation (as best appears in Figure 10) to provide a notch 84 for receiving the freely projecting end of a detent 85 which is pivotally secured, as at 86, to the conduit section 29 of the intake unit 28. It will be apparent that when the tower is in its collapsed condition, as shown in Figure 2, upon engagement of the detent 85 within the notch 84 the foam-discharging gooseneck of the tower will be properly oriented with reference to the tank and so will be presenting in proper direction for engagement over the edge of the tank when the tower is fully erected.

The staying struts 80-80 are respectively connected for universal movement to diametrically opposite sides of the clamped strap 81 through the intervention of loosely coupled links 87-87 which are respectively swivelconnected, as at 88 and 89, to a radially projecting stud 90 on the strap end to the upper end of the associated strut. Each of the struts 80-80 is formed of a pair of telescopically associated tubular rods 91-92 to provide for any desired longitudinal extension thereof,.these rods being secured together in their longitudinally extended relation by a set screw 93 threaded into the outermost rod 91 and adapted to bear against the inner rod 92. The lower end of each strut is provided with a circular plate 94 forming an annular flange concentric with the axis of the strut, said plate being provided in turn with an axially projecting spike 95 adapted to be driven into the ground as an anchor for the strut.

In order to provide for correct spacing between the anchoring spikes driven into the ground and equidistant spacing thereof from the vertical axis of the tower, thereby insuring vertical disposition of the tower and its most secure anchorage to the ground, there is operatively associated with the tower basal supporting member 77 a scissors-like frame assembly 96 such as is most clearly shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8. This scissors-like assembly 96 includes a pair of complementally shaped members which are pivotally connected together, as at 98, to provide a pair of laterally spaced parallel arms 99-99 to one side of the pivot 98 and a pair of diverging arms 100-100 on the opposite. side of said pivot. The parallel arms 99- 99 are relatively short and are respectively provided with suitable end pieces 101-101, each of which latter is transversely apertured, asat 102, to receive a stub shaft 103 provided at each opposite end of the tower supporting base 77. Preferably, the shafts 103-103 are pierced to receive cotter pins 104-104 to prevent displacement of the end pieces 101-101 from their pivot shafts 103-103.

The relatively long divergent arms 100-100 of the crossed arm assembly are .each provided at its outer ex; tremity with a ground-engaging pad 105 in the form of a flat plate which is apertured, as at 106, to permit projection therethrough of the spiked end 95 of the staying strut 80. The pad 105 is provided with vertically extending stud 107 the 'upper end of which is of reduced diameter and threaded to receive a wing nut 108. Fitted over the stud 107 for rotation about the vertical axis thereof is a tubular sleeve 109 to the upper end of which is secured, as .by welding, a laterally extending wing plate 110 of the segmental shape most clearly shown in Figure 6, this plate being disposed for swinging movement in a horizontal plane at an elevation just sufiicient to permit it to overlie the edge of the flange plate 94 which is immediately associated with the ground-engaging spike 95 of the tower staying strut 80 when said spike is driven into the ground as shown in Figure 7. It will be apparent that when the wing plate 110 is swung into its full line position shown in Figure 7 and locked in that position by the wing nut 108, the spiked end 95 of the tower staying strut 80 will be securely locked to the ground engaging pad 105 at the outer end of the scissors-like frame assembly. Of course, the arms 100-100 may be of any desired length and preferably they are made in the form of pipe sections which are removably secured to the pivotally connected center pieces 111-111 of the scissors-like frame assembly, as by way of cotter pins 112 or the like. The lateral spacing between the parallel arms 99-99 respectively connected to opposite ends of the tower supporting base 77 determines the spacing between the outer extremities of the arms 100-100 and accordingly insures equidistant spacing of the groundengaging spikes from the vertical axis of the tower.

When the tower is collapsed, as shown in Figure 2, the

several conduit sections

11, 12 and 13 thereof are substantially embraced within the outermost section 10 with the lower ends of the

intermediate sections

11 and 13 resting on a spider 113 suitably provided in the bottom of the section 10. The innermost conduit section 13 is supported in its nested relation by engagement of its top flange 27 with the upper edge of the conduit section 12. Also, upon collapse of the tower, the'staying struts 80-80 are also telescoped to their minimum length and in such condition these struts are respectively swung into position substantially paralleling the collapsed tower, the free end portions of the contracted struts being then respectively disposed within the notches 69-69 formed in the laterally extending wing portions 68-68 of the plate 67. The whole collapsed assembly may then be suitably bound together for easy transport from one place to .another.

In operation of the tower, the unit is first set up as shown in Figure 2 either for use with chemical foam or for mechanical foam, inwhich latter event a suitable foam maker, such as that designated 46 in Figure 15, is incorporated in the tower between the intake unit 28 and the foam discharge conduit 14. Water under suitable pressure is then introduced into the base of the extensible portion of the tower by way of the hose line fili connected to the water inlet fitting 70, whereupon the

several sections

11, 12 and 13 are axially extended relatively to one another and to the conduit section to raise the foam discharge goose-neck 15 to an elevation suificient for it to be engaged over the top edge of the tank A. Thereupon, upon shutting off completely or decreasing the sustaining water pressure within the tower, the relatively shiftable conduit sections thereof nay be collapsed to lower the goose-neck into tank engaging position. As the water under pressure is applied to the tower, a certain amount thereof escapes from the tower by way of the clearances provided between the several movable sections thereof and flows down over the outer surface of the tower to keep it relatively cool and so prevent such excessive expansion of the tower parts as might tend to bind them together against free relative movement. To this end, even after the foam discharge goose-neck has been effectively engaged over the top edge of the tank, the introduction of water under suitable pressure into the tower may be continued, if only for the purpose of wetting down the tower while foam is being discharged into the tank.

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit of the invention, and accordingly it is intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

l. A portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising an upright ground supported tower having a plurality of tubular sections disposed in telescoped relation, means for closing the lower end of the outermost one of said tubular sections and placing the interior thereof in communication with a fluid pressure source, and fire extinguishing foam delivery means extending upwardly the longitudinal continuation of, and in positionally fixed relation to the innermost one of said tubular sections, said tubular sections being axially shiftable under the influence of said fluid pressure to extend said tower for elevating said foam delivery means.

2. in an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the connections between tubular sections adjacent to one another when the tower is extended each include coacting stop elements carried respectively by said adjacent 'sections for limiting the relative axial shifting movement of said tubular sections under the influence of the fluid pressure, and wherein said connections are sufficiently loose to allow escape of the fluid pressure medium so that the same spills out and courses over the outer surface of said tower.

3. in an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the fire extinguishing foam delivery means comprises a conduit detachably connected to the innermost tubular section for movement therewith, said conduit terminating in a laterally extending portion adapted to engage over the top edge of the storage tank, and said conduit being adapted to discharge therefrom fire extinguishing foam delivered to the laterally extending terminal portion thereof.

4. In an apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the fire extinguishing foam delivery means comprises a conduit detachably connected to the innermost tubular section for movement therewith, said conduit terminating in a laterally extending gooseneck portion adapted to engage over the top edge of the storage tank for discharge of fire-extinguishing foam therefrom, and said outermost d e most tubular secti ns bein provided with eeacting elements for initially orienting said gooseneck so that upon extension of the tower it extends laterally of said tower in a predetermined direction.

5. A portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising an upright ground supported tower, and means for maintaining said tower upright including a frame extending along the ground outwardly from said tower, the latter being operatively connected to said frame for relative swinging movement and being thereby adapted to be tilted more or less away from said frame and toward said storage tank, and a pair of stay members diverging downwardly and outwardly to said frame from a tower portion above the lower extremity of the tower, said stay members being adjustable for varying the length thereof to accommodate the selected position of said tower.

6. in an apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the frame is in the form of a pair of pivotally interconnected crossed members, and the pair of stay members each comprise a pair of telescoped sections.

7. In an apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the frame is in the form of a pair of crossed members interconnected for pivotal movement relatively about an upright axis, the means for operatively connecting the tower and said frame includes a pair of elongated elements projecting outwardly in opposite directions relative to said tower and through corresponding end portions of said crossed members, the latter being movable in opposite directions a distance suflicient for detaching the same from said elements, and the pair of stay members each comprise a pair of telescoped sections quick releasably secured together.

8. A portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising detachable tower and tower support members, and means for maintaining said tower upright on said support including a frame extending along the ground outwardly from said tower, and a pair of stay members diverging downwardly and outwardly from a tower portion above said support, said frame being in the form of a pair of pivotally interconnected cross members, corresponding end portions of said crossed members being widely spaced and connected to said support respectively on opposite sides of said tower and being movable in opposite directions for detachment therefrom, and the corresponding end portions of said crossed members remote from said support being detachably engaged respectively with the stay members.

9. In an apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the connection of the corresponding end portions of the crossed members to the tower support member is effected through the medium of a pair of elongated elements projecting outwardly in opposite directions from said support and through said end portions of the crossed members, and said stay members are pivotally connected to the tower and when detached from the crossed mem' bers are foldable against the tower.

10. A portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising a ground supported tower, and means for maintaining the same upright including a frame extending along the ground outwardly from the tower, and a pair of stay members diverging downwardly and outwardly from a tower portion above the lower extremity of the tower, said stay members terminating in ground penetrating means projected through said frame for anchoring the same to the ground.

11. In an apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for anchoring the frame to the ground cornprises a pair of spikes terminally associated respectively with the stay members and freely extending through said frame.

12. In an apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for anchoring the frame to the ground cornprises a pair of spikes associated respectively with the stay members and freely extending through apertures in said frame, and said frame mounts means for securing said spikes against axial displacement relative thereto.

13. A portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising an upright ground supported tower, and means for maintaining said tower upright including a scissors frame operatively connected to said tower, extending along the ground outwardly therefrom and terminating in apertured ground pads, said apertures being predeterminedly spaced one from the other and equidistantly from said tower, and a pair of stay members diverging downwardly and outwardly from a tower portion above said tower support member and having corresponding terminal portions which project respectively through said ground pads for anchoring said scissors frame to the ground.

14. A portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising a tower support member, an upright tower, and means for maintaining said tower upright on said support including a frame extending along the ground outwardly from said tower, and a pair of stay members diverging downwardly and outwardly from a tower portion above said support, said frame being in the form of a pair of crossed members interconnected for relative pivotal movement relatively about an upright axis, corresponding end portions of said crossed members being connected to said support respectively on opposite sides of said tower, and the corresponding end portions of said crossed members remote from said tower terminating in apertured ground pads, said apertures being predeterminedly spaced equidistantly from said tower and one from the other symmetrically about a line passing through the upright axes of said tower and pivotal connection of said crossed members.

15. A portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising a tower support member having ground penetrating means, an upright tower, and means for maintaining said tower upright on said support including a frame extending along the ground outwardly from said tower, said support being connected to said frame for swinging movement of said support and tower as a unit on said ground penetrating means relative to said frame, said tower being thereby adapted to be tilted more or less away from said frame and toward said storage tank, and a pair of stay members diverging downwardly and outwardly to said frame from a tower portion above said support, said stay members being adjustable for varying the length thereof to accommodate the selected position of said tower.

16. In a portable apparatus for injecting fire extinguishing foam into the top of a flammable liquid storage tank comprising a tower support member, an upright tower, and means for maintaining said tower upright on said support including a frame extending along the ground outwardly from said tower, and a pair of stay members diverging downwardly and outwardly to said frame from a tower portion above said support, said support being provided with means extending downwardly and outwardly relative to the tower and adapted to penetrate the ground to facilitate erection of the tower upright on the ground, and with means extending downwardly and penetrating the ground to anchor the tower, said support being connected to said frame for swinging movement of said support and tower as a unit on said anchoring means relative to said frame, said tower being thereby adapted to be tilted more or less away from said frame and toward said storage tank, and said stay members being adjustable for varying the length thereof to accommodate the selected position of said tower.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 544,478 Damm Aug. 13, 1895 2,055,640 Verner Sept. 29, 1936 2,254,879 Adams Sept. 2, 1941 2,339,327 Fox Jan. 18, 1944