WO2002076553A2

WO2002076553A2 - Removable firehose holder

Info

Publication number: WO2002076553A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/009383
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Stephen Nordlund
Original assignee: Mark Stephen Nordlund
Priority date: 2001-03-26
Filing date: 2002-03-26
Publication date: 2002-10-03
Also published as: AU2002306889A1; WO2002076553A3; CA2479734A1

Abstract

A removable firehose holder (10) which by its use allows firefighters to perform the task of loading and deploying firehose (11) in a safer, easier, and more efficient manner. The holder holds firehose (11) in a vertically folded fashion commensurate with deploying on the shoulders of firefighters. It can be utilized in any area of a fire apparatus (12) which will accommodate its size. This includes areas which do not offer access for loading because the holder is removed and loaded on the ground. It can be made to hold varying diameters and lengths of hose and accommodate oversized nozzles (36). The holder incorporates a horizontal base (20), vertical side (40) and optional rear supports, and optional runner s and handholds. It can be made from a variety of materials such as wood, aluminum, fiberglass, or for best results a material such as plastic which is unbreakable and can be cut and filed. It can be loaded by a single user which is easier and more efficient, and allows its users to stand squarely on the ground which is safer.

Description

REMOVABLE FIREHOSE HOLDER

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims the benefit under Title 35 of, U.S. Patent Application No. 09/307,252, filed May 4, 1999 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/084,384, filed May 6, 1998, now abandoned. The disclosures of each of the foregoing priority applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to fire emergency service equipment and associated technology. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and devices for stowing, transporting and deploying firehoses for conventional emergency fire service activities involving a firefighting apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the course of a conventional fire emergency response, a critical service function of the firefighter and his service equipment is to rapidly and reliably deploy firehoses. This critical function in turn requires effective support apparatus to allow the fire emergency personnel to store, transport, deploy and, after each deployment, collect and restow large volumes of firehose. In most conventional firefighting situations, hose storage, transport and deployment is rendered in conjunction with a firefighting apparatus, typically a fire engine having specialized hose storage compartments and associated deployment features. Firehoses must often be transported considerable distances from the fire apparatus to the site of use. This frequently requires the firefighter to transport the firehose over long distances over sometimes challenging terrain, often into burning structures filled with smoke and flame and potential blocking obstacles. Accordingly, the task of firehose deployment is extremely⁵ difficult and potentially dangerous.

It is untenable in this context to simply grasp the firehose by its nozzle and drag the hose to the site of deployment. This would necessitate dragging an increasing weight as the hose pays out from the apparatus, and would impose an unacceptable risk that the hose might become fouled in debris or around corners or other obstacles. Fouling would interfere with deployment and function of the hose, imposing undue delay and increased risks by the firefighter having to untangle the hose. Therefore it is customary for the firefighter to carry the hose and pay it out as he moves toward and through a burning structure.

The methods and devices presently in use for storing and deploying firehoses are dictated in part by these modern firefighting techniques. Today, firehoses are frequently deployed from the engine to the site of use by an individual, or by a team of two or more firefighters. This is achieved most frequently by an individual donning a large segment of firehose that has been previously looped into manageable vertical folds of approximately 5-7 feet in length over the shoulder. This enables the firefighter to rapidly and reliably procure and transport the hose on top of the shoulder during deployment and transport. This general practice technique in turn facilitates the firefighter's balance and visibility and minimizes his energy expenditure and exposure to safety hazards, while decreasing the risk of hose fouling.

This preferred technique for firehose deployment and transportation, however, continues to be attended by problems with respect to how the firehose is loaded onto, and initially deployed and or transported from, the fire apparatus. Various hose storage compartments have been devised for incorporation within the body, rear or canopy of a fire engine. Current technology combines the use of such dedicated hose storage compartments with the use of vertical baffles mounted on the fire apparatus. The purpose of these baffles is to store sections of firehose in a vertical folded fashion. This general design is widely accepted, but has a number of inherent problems.

Often the baffles used to segregate firehose lengths within dedicated compartments are set too far apart. This creates slop in the firehose, potentially allowing the upper folded sections to collapse alongside the remainder of the stack and become comingled or entangled with lower folds within the stack. This makes deployment of the firehose more difficult and time consuming. Spacing of the baffles in this wide configuration is nonetheless accepted, for various reasons. Typically, hose storage baffles are spaced in part to accommodate the hose nozzle which generally wider than the flattened folds of the hose. Alternatively, baffle strength requirements and other structural and design constraints, particularly when hose storage compartments have been retrofit with baffles, may contribute to suboptimal baffle spacing.

Firefighting apparatus are limited to where firehose can be loaded in this fashion. Often, firefighters have to climb on top of, or hang on the sides of, the apparatus when loading the firehose. Because the firehoses are heavy and bulky, these problems compound the risks of their being dropped or mishandled and becoming uncoiled or fouled and, thereafter, nearly impossible to effectively manipulate and deploy. At the same time, deploying firehoses directly from baffled compartments on the upper side and top portions of the fire apparatus presents hazards to the firefighters, who must step or stand in a precarious manner in order to transfer hose onto their shoulder. When it comes time to restow the firehose in this manner, a minimum of two personnel, and many times three or four personnel must participate. These deficiencies add more hazards, difficulty, and inefficiency to the work performed by firefighters relating to deployment, transport and stowing of firehoses.

Several attempts have been made to overcome these problems that attend firehose storage, transport and deployment, without substantial commercial or practical success. In particular, there have been numerous proposals for packaging firehoses to provide safer and more convenient means for storing and transporting the hose. However, these proposed firehose storage and transportation devices have provided only partial solutions and also create additional problems.

Thus, United States Patent Number 3,722,823, issued to Reich et al on Mar. 27, 1973 discloses a metal rack for storing and transporting a firehose. Unfortunately, this device adds considerably to the combined weight and bulk of the firehose/storage module and, hence, compounds certain difficulties inherent in manual deployment and transport of firehoses.

Another firehose storage/transportation device is described in United States Patent Number 4,858,797, issued to Rabska on Aug. 22, 1989. This device is a backpack intended to facilitate simultaneous transportation of multiple firehoses. However, this transport device requires removal of a coiled hose, as one unit, and does not permit the hose to be removed and donned over the shoulder to be gradually paid out as the firefighter moves through a burning building or through brush, forest or rough terrain. On the contrary, to deploy a firehose in this manner from the Rabska device, the firefighter would first need to uncoil the hose by rotating it within the backpack, as the firefighter was moving through the burning building, and this would result in friction, against the other hose and the straps of the device, which would greatly increase the difficulty of movement for the firefighter. A requirement to deploy hoses in this manner might interfere with the use of air bottles for breathing and would make it more difficult for the firefighter to maintain his stability and unrestricted movement.

Yet another firehose storage/transport device is described in United States Patent Number 4,600,134 issued to Colby on July 15, 1986. The Colby device is also intended as a portable carrier to transport one firehose in each of two pouches. This device also is not suitable for donning a firehose and gradually paying out the hose as a firefighter moves toward and through a fire-involved structure. Deployment in this manner would likely be attended by similar manual constraints, load imbalancing and related safety hazards as noted for the other portable carrier devices, above.

In addition to portable firehose storage and carrier devices, a number of devices have also previously been designed to facilitate storage and transport or firehoses from fixed structures, for example buildings. Thus, United States Patent Number 2,780,430 describes a firehose holder adapted for mounting to building standpipes. United States Patent Number discloses a holder for firehoses, life preserves, safety ropes and other life-saving devices that is mounted to a ship or building wall with brackets.

These additional devices for firehose storage and deployment clearly do not address hose transport, particularly in the context of firehose deployment from conventional fire emergency response vehicles. Nor are these devices amenable or readily and efficiently adaptable for deployment from mobile fire response apparatus.

Presently, to the best of the inventor's knowledge there are no portable firehose storage, transport and deployment devices, nor are there fixed firehose storage and deployment devices, which are intended or readily adaptable for use in conjunction with conventional fire emergency response vehicles. Modification or adaptation of these existing devices for such use, particularly for integration with existing firehose storage compartments including baffled storage compartments, is neither disclosed nor suggested in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Accordingly, there is an urgent need in the art of fire emergency response technologies for improved devices and methods to store, transport and deploy firehoses from conventional fire emergency vehicles, particularly fire engines having modern hose storage compartments and associated features.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND STATEMENT OF OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide methods and devices to rapidly and reliably store and deploy firehose from conventional fire emergency response vehicles. It is a related object to satisfy the foregoing need in a firehose storage, transportation and deployment device that is specially adapted or readily modified for integration with existing firehose storage facilities, including baffled compartments, commonly found on modern-day firefighting apparatus. It is an additional object of the invention to provide a firehose storage/transportation and deployment device that minimizes the obstacles and safety risks associated with vehicle-based firehose deployment. In particular, it is desired that the device and its methods of use facilitate or, at a minimum not obstruct, current firehose deployment practices— whereby an individual procures and dons a pre-staged, folded segment of firehose over the shoulder, to preserve the firefighter's balance and visibility and minimize hose fouling and other delay factors and related safety risks.

Within the foregoing object, it is desired that the devices and methods of the invention obviate or reduce the tendency for dangerous, inefficient vehicle-based hose deployment that involves grasping a terminal part of the firehose by its nozzle and dragging the remainder of the hose to the site of deployment. Rather, the methods and devices of the invention are desired to facilitate bulk unloading and deployment of firehose in manageable loads. To achieve this advantage, yet another object of the invention is directed to minimizing the exposure of firefighters to safety risks and inefficiency factors that attend bulk hose deployment from hard-to-reach storage compartments on the firefighting apparatus. In particular, while the use of these existing compartments may necessitate firefighters mounting the top or sides of the apparatus to unload the firehose, the logistics and execution of this procedure are targets for optimization within the invention. One objective in this regard is to minimize the risks of dropping or mishandling bulk loads of firehose during initial deployment.

It is therefore a related object of the invention to provide a firehose storage/transportation and deployment device that provides for storage of firehoses in existing compartments, including baffled compartments, on the fire apparatus in a manner that reduces or eliminates hose slop, i.e., the tendency for upper folded sections of hoses stored in baffled compartments (or side by side stacks in undivided compartments) to collapse alongside the remainder of the stack and become commingled or entangled with lower folds within the stack. It is a related object to satisfy the foregoing objects while accommodating storage of hoses with coupled nozzles having a wider diameter than the width of the coupled hose needs. It is yet another related object to fulfill the foregoing objects while providing a high degree of structural integrity to overcome the structural and design constraints of baffled compartments, and to enable use of the device in conjunction with storage compartments having retrofit baffles.

It is yet another object of the invention to achieve the foregoing objects pertaining to firehose transportation and deployment, and at the same time facilitate firehose packing or restowing for use in conjunction with conventional fire service vehicles. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to overcome the difficulties and safety risks that attend firehose stowing activities into storage compartments of modern fire apparatus, particularly into baffled storage compartments located on the upper side and top portions of the fire apparatus. Within this object, it is desired to reduce the frequency and duration of activities, including both hose deployment and restowing, where firefighters need to step, hang, or stand on the apparatus in a precarious position to conduct the activity.

Surprisingly, the present invention fulfills these important objects and satisfies yet additional objects and advantages, which will become apparent from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention accomplishes the foregoing objects and advantages by providing a firehose holder adapted for securely, removably stowing and deploying firehose from a fire emergency response apparatus. The holder includes a substantially planar, rigid base constructed and dimensioned to support a vertically folded stack of firehose for manual deployment. Attached to the base are opposing, vertical side supports joined in substantially perpendicular relationship to the base and spaced apart to securely retain the vertically folded stack of firehose therebetween. The holder is constructed and dimensioned for slidable, removable insertion as a modular hose storage and deployment unit within a storage compartment of the fire apparatus.

Also provided within the invention are novel methods for stowing, transporting and deploying a firehose in conjunction with a conventional fire emergency apparatus. The methods include the steps of loading firehose in a stacked configuration of tiered folds into a portable, removable firehose holder adapted for placement in a storage compartment of a fire apparatus. The holder is then stowed substantially filled with stacked hose in a hose storage compartment on the apparatus. The method for stowing, transporting and deploying firehose according to the invention may be practiced safely by a single fire safety person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an environmental perspective view depicting an array of firehose holders of the invention removably mounted within an existing storage compartment of a fire emergency response vehicle.

Figure 2 is a partial view isometric drawing depicting an array of firehose holders of the invention removably mounted within an existing storage compartment of a fire emergency response vehicle. Two of the illustrated devices (at left) are shown loaded with firehose and secured within the apparatus storage compartment. On the right of the illustration, both devices are depicted empty, with the one at left shown secured in the storage compartment and the one at right shown in partially exploded view depicting removal of the device from the compartment coupled with removal of a mounting safety pin.

Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view depicting a firehose holder employing the concepts of the invention featuring a removable base adjustment spacer to adapt the holder for storage within apparatus storage compartments of different dimensions.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the invention depicting adjustable base member and side support coupling mechanism to accommodate firehoses of different widths.

Figure 5 is an exploded isometric view depicting a firehose holder of the invention featuring a removable hose retaining cover. Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a firehose holder employing the concepts of the invention featuring side panels with perforations and a base length that extends beyond the side panels.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view depicting a firehose holder of the invention with side panels having cut outs of the open panel ends.

Figure 8 is a partial sectional view depicting a quick-release handle for rapidly coupling and un-coupling opposing side panels of the firehose holder.

Figure 9 is an exploded isometric view depicting a removable handle for coupling and un-coupling opposing side panels of the firehose holder.

Figure 10 is an isometric view depicting an alternate embodiment of a removable handle for coupling and un-coupling opposing side panels of the firehose holder.

Figure 11 is an isometric view depicting an alternate embodiment of a removable handle for coupling and un-coupling opposing side panels of the firehose holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a novel firehose holder 10 and associated methods for storing, transporting and deploying firehoses 11 from a conventional fire emergency vehicle 12. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the firehose holder of the invention is shaped and dimensioned for removable insertion, as a modular hose storage and deployment unit, within an existing hose compartment 14 of a fire engine. As shown in the figure, one or more firehose holders can be removably, slidably mounted into each storage compartment. The storage compartments are typically provided as rectangular channels or closed compartments located in the upper side and/or rear sections of the engine. The compartments are typically originally adapted for receipt of unsecured hoses that are folded in segments for manual deployment, as described above. Typically, the stacked hoses thus stowed are secured only by the sides of the compartment and by abutment to adjacent stacks of hose. Accordingly, this conventional method of hose storage and deployment is attended by frequent collapsing of hose stacks causing entanglement and otherwise complicating hose deployment.

Figure 1 and 2 illustrates how the firehose holders 10 of the invention can be removably stowed within hose storage compartments 14 of a standard fire engine 12. The holder can be utilized anywhere on the fire apparatus that will accommodate its size. It is readily stowed in existing storage compartments on the apparatus and can be particularly advantageously employed when designing new fire apparatus. The removability of the holder as a modular unit allows for placement of receptacles for the holder on new apparatus in locations not previously considered amenable for hose storage and deployment, e.g., not limited to areas which allow for prolonged hose loading directly on the apparatus.

Figure 2 illustrates employment of four modular firehose holders 10 within paired compartments 14 of a firefighting apparatus 12. The compartments are disposed in a standard location above an instrument/service panel 16 featuring one or more hose coupling ports 18. The two holders depicted in the left side compartment in Figure 2 are shown loaded with firehose 11 and securely mounted within the storage compartment. On the right side of the illustration, both devices are depicted empty, with the holder on the left shown secured in the storage compartment while the one at right is shown in a partially deployed configuration.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the firehose holder 10 of the invention features a rigid base 20 that is shaped and dimensioned to serve as a platform to accommodate selected lengths of firehose 11 loaded onto the base in elongate vertical folds (see Figure 3) in desired lengths for deploying the hose directly from the holder onto the shoulders of firefighters. Typically, the base comprises a horizontal planar component of the holder having a substantially flat, smooth lower surface 22 for slidable, removable engagement with a flat, bottom floor surface 24 of the apparatus hose compartment 14. The base also typically has a substantially flat, smooth upper surface for secure but slidable engagement of the stacked hose thereon.

Both the upper 26 and lower 22 surfaces of the base 20 may be provided with surface texturing 27 (see, e.g., Fig. 5), such as non-skid surfacing or transverse or longitudinal ridges to prevent accidental sliding of the holder 10 outboard of the apparatus 12 hose storage compartment 14, or of the hose 11 out of the holder, during tilt-oriented loading of the holder within the compartment or rough vehicle travel. Likewise, texturing features may facilitate secure placement of the holder and hose during deployment on slick (e.g., muddy) terrain or in slippery (e.g., foam-inundated) conditions. Additional texturing features may be designed to channel water around or under the base, to prevent water accumulation in the storage compartment or around the base.

Within other embodiments, the base 20 of the firehose holder 10 may be provided with base support extensions 28 (see, e.g., Fig. 4), for example feet, runners, knobs, and the like, for a variety of purposes. Runners and feet can be included to facilitate sliding insertion of the holder into the hose storage compartments 14 of the apparatus 12. Alternatively, the feet or runners can prevent outboard shifting of the holder within the compartment, wherein the feet or runners are positioned near a front edge (Figs. 3 and 5) of the base and are adapted to engage a lip or other retaining feature of the compartment extending upward from the outer edge of the bottom floor surface 24 thereof. The optional feet and runners also provide the user with an ability to easily grasp the base from the underside to lift the holder when it is on the ground. The width (height) of the feet or runners should be sufficient to allow the user to place gloved fingers under the base for lifting. Thickness and construction of the feet and runners should be sufficient to provide support when the holder is fully loaded with hose.

The base 20 of the firehose holder 10 of the invention is dimensioned in its length and width to accommodate a stacked firehose 11 folded in lengths amenable for procuring and donning (primary deployment) onto the firefighter's shoulder for transport to a site of use (secondary deployment). The width of the base should be sufficient to accommodate the width of hose and, optionally, in selected embodiments, the width of a firehose nozzle 36 with actuator handle 38. The overall width of the base is dimensioned for slideable receipt into an existing or specially designed storage compartment 14, slot or other holder receptacle area on the fire apparatus for which the holder is to be used. The thickness or height of the base should be sufficient, depending on the selected base material, to provide adequate support for other components of the holder as well as for the weight of the hose and nozzle to be stored in the holder.

Determination of base 20 dimensions of the holder 10 further depends in part on the selection and construction of side supports 40, which are connected (typically perpendicular) to the base and extend in a substantially vertical direction from the upper surface 26 of the base. The side supports are substantially planar, often solid constructed sidewalls, designed to retain the hose in a vertically stacked configuration without excess slopping of the hose between the side supports. The length of the sidewalls generally varies in accordance with the selected length of the base. The width (height) is selected to support a desired amount of folded hose, as determined by user need. The thickness of the side supports is selected to provide sufficient strength to support the hose from toppling over from a vertically stacked configuration, and depends in part on whether the side supports have a solid or perforated construction (see below). Thickness and construction of the side supports are also sufficient to allow the holder, when fully loaded with hose, to be picked up and carried.

The holder 10 optionally includes a rear support, provided as a third planar support extending vertically from the upper surface 26 of the base 20 and interconnecting the opposing side supports 40.

The spacing of opposing side supports 40 in connection with the base 20 varies in accordance with the width of the firehose 11 that the user wishes to accommodate, and also in accordance with the thickness of the side supports and in view of acceptable tolerances for free play between the hose and side supports. When determining component dimensions of the holder 10, these and other factors must be considered. Most important among these dimensional considerations is the inside width 50 between opposing inside surfaces 52 of the side supports (see, e.g., Fig. 3). This dimension is generally selected to be equivalent to the width of the hose to be deployed, plus allowance for free play. Normally V" to ³Λ", preferably about V_", of free play is sufficient to prevent slop and fouling of the hose within the holder. Added to this tolerance for inside width determination is the selected width of the hose, which varies from between about Y." to 5". Larger sizes can be accommodated, but hoses of that size are ordinarily heavy and impractical to use within the methods of the invention.

Within various alternate embodiments of the invention, the inside width 52 of the holder 10 can be selected or adjusted to accommodate firehoses 11 of varying dimensions within the range noted above. This width adjustment/selection capability depends in part on the mode of coupling between the base 20 and the side supports 40. In certain embodiments (see, e.g., Fig. 3), the side supports may be mounted or otherwise adjoined to a side edge 54 of the base, for example by screws, pins, rivets, glue, weld bead, bolt, unitary molded joint or other base/side support coupling device 56. Thus configured, the overall, maximum base width 58 is determined as the width between outer surfaces 60 of the opposing sidewalls mounted to the base side edges. The inside width 50 of the firehose holder 10 is thereby selectable and/or adjustable to accommodate firehoses of different dimensions by selecting a base of a desired width between the opposing side edges, or by removing and reattaching the side supports (adjustably) onto a base of different width.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention 10, the side supports 40 may be mounted or otherwise adjoined to the upper surface 26 of the base 20 by a selected base/side support coupling devices 56. In one example, the side supports are securely mounted (e.g., inserted then glued, pinned, bolted or screwed) within longitudinal sidewall mounting grooves 62 that are cut or cast within the upper portion of the base, as depicted in Figure 4. Thus configured, the overall, maximum base width 58 is determined as the span between the side edges 54 of the base. The inside width 50 of the holder is thereby selectable to accommodate firehoses of different dimensions by selecting a base of a desired width between the opposing mounting grooves, or adjustable (see, e.g., 50, 50') by removing and remounting the side supports within a second set of mounting grooves 62 spaced closer or further apart from one another than the first set of grooves.

Within each of the foregoing alternate mounting configurations, the overall width of the base (see, e.g., Figs. 3 and 4) is determined by the desired inside width 50 and by the thickness and coupling configuration of the side supports 40. In this regard, the overall base width is limited to the width of a selected compartment 14, baffled compartment slot, or other area for receiving the holder 10 on the fire apparatus 10. Base width can be adjusted to more securely seat the holder within a wider compartment or other receptacle by the use of an optional base width expander element 66 which can be permanently or removably coupled to the side 54 edge of the base or against the outer surfaces 60 of the side supports (See, e.g., Fig. 3).

As noted above, the length and height of the firehose holder 10 is dependent on the amount, or length, of firehose 11 it is intended to hold, and potentially on the corresponding depth and height of the compartment 14, slot or other storage area on the fire apparatus in which the holder is to be stowed. Another consideration is the height and length of the hose stack that can be stably and controllably donned and deployed on the user's shoulder. If the folds are too short or too high, the hose will be hard to manage. Satisfactory results can be obtained with hose lengths of 5 - 7 feet, and maximum stack heights of approximately 24 inches.

Within one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the firehose holder 10 is made to hold a standard firehose 11 of approximately 1 %" diameter firehose, with an oversized nozzle. The thicknesses given are to provide sufficient strength for a holder made with plywood. Other materials require varying thicknesses due to varying strengths of the material.

Base dimensions: Length 60 %", Width 5", Thickness ³/₄".

Side Support dimensions: Length 60", Height 18", Thickness V".

Rear Support (optional) dimensions: Length 18", Width 5", Thickness ³/₄". Runner dimensions: Length 60 3/4", Width 1", Thickness 1".

The foregoing exemplary dimensions are set forth for illustrative purposes only, and it will be readily understood that the shape and dimensions of the holder and its respective components will vary, including in accordance with the selection of objects or materials, typically within the following preferred ranges:

Hose sizes: Length 50' - 200', width ^x/₂" - 5"

Holder Dimensions:

Base: Length 3' - 12', width ³/₄" - 5 Vι thickness y₂" - 2"

Sides: Length 2' - 12', height 6" - 4', thickness 1/8" - 1"

Rear: Height 6" - 4', width ³/₄" - 7 %", thickness 1/8" - 1"

Runners: Length 2' - 12', Height 1/8" - 6", width 1/8" - 2"

Holder: Length 3' - 12', width 1" - 6 Y₂", height 6" - 4' 6"

Apparatus Compartment Size:

Minimum for smallest size holder: Length 3' 1/8", width 1 1/8", height

6 1/8"

Minimum for largest size holder: Length 12' 1/8", width 6' 5/8", height

4' 6 1/8"

Within yet additional aspects of the invention, the firehose holder 10 is equipped with features to aid in grasping and handling the holder, including mounting and removing the holder from the apparatus 12 and deploying and restowing firehose 11 within the holder. As noted above, base extensions 28 such as runners may be provided to allow the user to grasp the underside of the base for lifting and transport. Alternatively, gripping holes 70 or notches may be cut, cast or otherwise formed through the wall of the side supports 40 near a top edge 71 thereof to form intrinsic (i.e., integral to each side support) grasping handles 72 (see, e.g., Fig. 5) to facilitate loading and handling of the holder. Other handle designs are optionally constructed to interconnect the opposing sidewalls and thereby provide additional, lateral support to the sidewalls, in addition to facilitating lifting and manipulation of the holder (see, e.g., Figs. 3, and 89- 11). As shown in Figure 3, a fixed handle/side support connector may be provided which is fixedly interconnected between the opposing side supports near the top front, and optionally top rear, corners thereof. This allows for grasping of the front and/or rear handles by one or more users to facilitate dragging, pushing and raising or lowering of the holder during loading, unloading and transport.

Additional handle/side support connector designs are also provided which also facilitate lifting and manipulation of the holder 10 while stabilizing the side supports 40 by their interconnection, but which are also removable to allow for clearance of the bridging space between the sidewalls to facilitate removal and stowing of the firehose 11 within the holder 10. As illustrated in Figure 8, one such handle design is a quick release handle 76 which can be removably mounted as a bridging handle between the opposing sidewalls and uncoupled therefrom by a quick mount, quick release mechanism. Preferably, the quick release handle can be operated single handedly, freeing the user's other hand to perform additional tasks, such as holding the hose nozzle 36 or gripping the apparatus 12. The quick release mechanism can be provided in a variety of coupling devices. In one example depicted in Figure 8, the quick mounting and release function is provided by opposing, spring biased sidewall engaging pins protruding from an inner sidewall engaging face 82 of the handle to engage corresponding holes in the sidewalls, actuated by a manual release actuator 84, for example a depressible button or lever operatively interconnected with the sidewall engaging pins. Within more detailed embodiments, the quick release handle has opposing inner 82 and outer 86 sidewall engaging faces and a top seating edge 88 that collectively define detent grooves on each side of the handle which receive the top edges 71 of the side supports to securely engage and interconnect the side supports against lateral displacement.

Alternate handle/side support connector designs that are also removable to facilitate removal and stowing of the firehose 11 within the holder 10 are depicted in Figures 9-11. Figure 9 shows a simple cotter pin/handle design, featuring a removable pin adapted for interconnecting engagement through opposing handle mounting holes 92 in the upper front and/or rear corners of the side panels. The pin passes through a cylindrical handle element sized and dimensioned for loose interpositioning between the sidewalls and to create a comfortable gripping template. At one end of the pin is a locking mechanism, such as a removable latch clip 96.

Figure 10 shows another alternative releasable handle design, which comprises a hinge/handle combination 101 pivotally mounted to one side panel and comprising a spanning handle component 101 (typically a smooth or textured, cylindrical gripping component) that pivotally swings to open or close the span between the sidewalls 40, and which has a closing mechanism, such as a latching head 102 that is lockably received by a complementary closing mechanism, for example a mating receptacle 103 with removable locking pin 104 to engage the latching head and securely latch the handle in a closed position.

Yet another alternative releasable handle design is illustrated in Figure 11. This design features a flexible strap/handle combination 106 which comprises a continuous, loop type strap sized and dimensioned to thread through opposing slots 108 to selectably open or close the span between the sidewalls. The strap also has a manual closure 110 (e.g., buckle or Nelcro® type closure) to secure the strap/handle combination in a closed position.

In yet additional embodiments of the invention, the firehose holder 40 is modified to include cutout side panel portions in the front and/or rear, lower to mid- height section of the side panels (see, e.g., Figs. 5 and 7). These cutout portions serve a number of functions, including: 1) providing improved access to the hose 11 within the holder to facilitate hose removal and proper hose stacking during restowing; 2) to accommodate the hose nozzle 36, including the actuator handle 38, which has a wider diameter than the hose width, which would otherwise necessitate a larger inside width 50 of the holder that could impair the fidelity of hose stacking and storage; and 3) to reduce the weight of the holder while maintaining the integrity of the side panels and their function of preventing lateral hose movement within the holder.

Yet additional embodiments of the invention are directed specifically to this latter aspect, i.e., to reducing the weight of the holder 10 while maintaining the integrity and function of the side panels 40. As depicted, for example, in Figure 6, the side panels may be further modified to have perforations through selected areas of the sidewall or through their entire surface. In certain exemplary designs, the sidewalls are constructed with geometric, milk-crate or honey-comb shaped perforations, which substantially lighten the weight of the holder while maintaining side panel integrity and function for preventing lateral hose movement.

In yet additional aspects of the invention, the holder 10 may include an additional hose retaining device 130, which can include a removable strap, cover, elastic wrap, mesh retainer or the like. In one example shown in Figure 5, the retainer is a removable textile (e.g., canvass or nylon) cover or attachment having at least a front retainer wall 132 sized and dimensioned to occlude at least a portion of a front opening 132 of the holder. The cover has a removable anchoring device for removably securing the front retainer wall over the front opening of the holder, whereby the firehose 11 is securely retained against outboard sliding or slopping during transport and unloading of the holder from the apparatus 12. In more detailed embodiments, the cover includes a front retainer wall and side mounting panels 136 that seat over the outer surfaces 60 of the side panels and are removably anchored thereto (e.g., by opposing strips of hook and loop closure material).

The firehose holder 10 of the invention can be made quite easily out of wood using basic carpentry skills. The individual parts are cut to size. The optional perforations 120, handle holes 70 and open end cut outs 121 of the side supports 40 are cut out as desired, e.g., to accommodate an oversized nozzle. Handles attached to the open end of the base and the top of the rear support. The parts are assembled with glue, screws, staples, nails or other joining means, according to customary carpentry methods. Joints may be reinforced, if desired. When assembled, the holder will resemble closely the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures.

While the holder 10 can be made from a variety of materials, superior results may be obtained using materials such as plastics which are unbreakable, may optionally constructed from continuous piece, and which can be readily customized by cutting, filing and like methods. Other materials can also be used, including lightweight metals such as aluminum, fiberglass, various alternative types of plastics and resins, and other materials. Assembly of materials which are not one continuous piece is dependent on the material. If it is desired to mass produce the holder, a plastic type material, which is suitably rigid and fracture resistant can be used. The plastic holder can be molded or milled from a continuous piece of material as a unitary construct (i.e., with sidewalls 40 and base 20 integrally formed) or can be formed of multiple conjoined components (e.g., separate panels and base glued, welded or otherwise joined together). If these means are chosen, the manufacture should incorporate maximum length and height of the holder to allow for the greatest range of customization, to avoid use limitations.

In accordance with the foregoing description, the invention also provides various methods for stowing, transporting and deploying a firehose 11 in conjunction with a conventional fire emergency apparatus 12. The hose is loaded in the holder in a stacked configuration of tiered folds as described above (see, e.g., Fig. 3). Subsequently, the holder is slid into a secure, mounted position in a hose compartment 14 of the apparatus (Figs. 1 and 2). Loading the hose in the holder and stowing the holder on the apparatus can be easily accomplished with one person, making it more efficient than current methods in use. Loading the hose begins by placing the holder on the ground. This is safer as well as easier, particularly because it allows users to stay off the top and sides of the fire apparatus where conventional hose loading operations are conducted. The hose is carefully folded back and forth in a vertically tiered fashion. In this regard, the holder can be employed with hose lines that are pre-connected to ports 18 on the apparatus, or on lines which are free of connections. If the hose is to be preconnected to the fire apparatus, a short tail length of hose should be retained outside the stack in order to reach the connection port on the fire apparatus. After the hose 11 is thus loaded securely within the holder, 10, the holder with the hose secured therein, optionally using a cover or other hose retainer 130, is picked up and slid into the compartment 14 on the fire apparatus 12. Picking up the holder with hose loaded is best accomplished by two personnel. If the hose was loaded to be preconnected to the fire apparatus, the tail segment is connected to the coupling port 18 at this time.

Once loaded onto the apparatus 12, the firehose holder 10 can be secured in place by several different means. The slot on the fire apparatus may have, or be retrofitted to include, a holder retaining device 150, for example a retaining lip, door, or other locking device (see, e.g., Fig. 2). In one embodiment, the holder retaining device includes a receptacle 150 within the hose compartment 14 for receiving a locking pin 152 or like securement means. The locking pin is received through a holder pin receptacle 156 near a front edge of the base 20 of the holder, and is aligned and lockingly engaged through the corresponding pin receptacle 150 of the hose compartment. Other comparable methods for securing the holder on the apparatus are contemplated within the invention and readily implemented by the skilled artisan.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way of example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent to the artisan that certain changes and modifications are comprehended by the disclosure and may be practiced without undue experimentation within the scope of the appended claims, which are presented by way of illustration not limitation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A firehose holder adapted for securely, removably stowing and deploying firehose from a fire emergency response apparatus comprising: a substantially planar, rigid base constructed and dimensioned to support a vertically folded stack of firehose for manual deployment; opposing, vertical side supports joined in substantially perpendicular relationship to the base and spaced apart to securely retain the vertically folded stack of firehose therebetween; wherein the holder is constructed and dimensioned for slidable, removable insertion as a modular hose storage and deployment unit within a storage compartment of the fire apparatus.

2. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein the rigid base is shaped and dimensioned to serve as a platform to accommodate selected lengths of firehose loaded onto the base in elongate vertical folds approximately 5-7 feet in length.

3. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein the rigid base has a substantially flat, smooth lower surface for slidable, removable engagement with a flat, bottom floor surface of the apparatus hose compartment.

4. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein an upper and/or lower surface of the rigid base is provided with surface texturing.

5. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein the base is provided with one or more base support extensions.

6. The firehose holder of claim 5, wherein the base support extensions include runners extending toward a front edge of the base and adapted to engage a lip or other retaining means of the hose storage compartment.

7. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein the side supports removably attach to a side edge of the base and extend in a substantially vertical direction therefrom.

8. The firehose holder of claim 1, wherein the side supports are attached to an upper surface of the base.

9. The firehose holder of claim 8, wherein the side supports seat within longitudinal grooves formed in the upper surface of the base.

10. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein the side supports are substantially planar, solid constructed walls.

11. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein the side supports are perforated.

12. The firehose holder of claim 1 , wherein the side supports have front and/or rear cutouts to facilitate hose access and nozzle storage.

13. The firehose holder of claim 1 , further comprising a rear hose support.

14. The firehose holder of claim 1, wherein an inner width dimension of the holder is selectable and/or adjustable to accommodate different sizes of firehose.

15. The firehose holder of claim 14, wherein the inner width dimension of the holder is selectable and/or adjustable to an equal or greater width of a selected hose to be deployed, said hose width selected from .", %", 1", 1 V", 1 Y.", 1 %", 2", 2 y₄", 2 V₂", 2³/₄", 3", 3 y₄", 3 ^l/₂", 3 %", 4", 4 y₄", 4 y₂", 4 %", or 5", plus allowance for free movement of hose between the side panels ranging between " to ³/".

16. The firehose holder of claim 14, wherein the inner width dimension is adjustable by removing and reattaching the side supports onto bases of different widths.

17. The firehose holder of claim 14, wherein the inner width dimension is adjustable by removing and remounting the side supports between two, differently spaced sets of mounting grooves on the upper surface of the base.

18. The firehose holder of claim 1, wherein the side supports include gripping holes or notches through walls of the side supports near a top edge thereof to form intrinsic grasping handles.

19. The firehose holder of claim 1, further comprising a handle constructed to interconnect the opposing sidewalls to facilitating lifting and manipulation of the holder.

20. The firehose holder of claim 1, further comprising a handle which is removable to allow for clearance of a bridging space between the sidewalls to faciUtate removal and stowing of the firehose.

21. The firehose holder of claim 20, wherein the handle is selected from a quick release handle which can be removably mounted as a bridging handle between the opposing sidewalls and uncoupled therefrom by a quick mount, quick release mechanism.

22. The firehose holder of claim 20, wherein the removable handle is selected from a quick mounting and release handle having spring biased sidewall engaging pins, a cotter pin handle combination, or a hinge/handle combination.

23. The firehose holder of claim 1, further comprising a hose retaining device selected from a removable strap, cover, elastic wrap, or mesh retainer.

24. The firehose holder of claim 23, wherein the hose retaining device is a removable textile cover or attachment having at least a front retainer wall sized and dimensioned to occlude at least a portion of a front opening of the holder.

25. The firehose holder of claim 1, wherein the base and side supports are constructed of wood.

26. The firehose holder of claim 1, wherein the base and side supports are constructed of plastic.

27. The firehose holder of claim 1, wherein the base and side supports are integrally formed as a unitary device.

28. A method for stowing, transporting and deploying a firehose in conjunction with a conventional fire emergency apparatus comprising the steps of: loading firehose in a stacked configuration of tiered folds into a portable, removable firehose holder adapted for placement in a storage compartment of a fire apparatus; stowing the holder substantially filled with stacked hose in a hose storage compartment on the apparatus.

29. The method for stowing, transporting and deploying firehose according to claim 28 which is practicable by one person.

30. The method for stowing, transporting and deploying a firehose according to claim 28, further comprising the step of attaching a hose retainer in removably coupling with the holder.

31. The method for stowing, transporting and deploying a firehose according to claim 28, further comprising the step of securing the holder within the hose storage compartment by attachment or closure of an anchor or locking device.