Fire engine having extension ladder and lateral stabilizers

• US 6,811,161 B1
• Filed: 01/29/2002
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sutphen Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sutphen Corporation
• Inventors: Anderson, Richard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boehler, Anne Marie
• Application Number:
  US10/060,576
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 280/4, 280/763.1, 280/765.1, 280/766.1, 280/DIG.1, 180/54.1, 180/68.2, 182/18, 182/19, 182/64.1, 182/65.1, 182/68.1, 182/69.4, 182/69.6, 182/2.8, 254/421, 254/423, 254/DIG.9
• US Class Current: 280/4
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 27/00 Fire-fighting land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 5/04 capable of being elevated or extended ; Fastening means during transport, e.g. mechanical, hydraulic

Abstract

A fire engine having an extension ladder mounted thereto, wherein said extension ladder may be rotated through a full 360 degrees while the ladder is fully extended—regardless of the vertical angle or position of the ladder with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fire engine. The ladder is mounted to the fire engine between a forward portion and a rearward portion. The fire engine employs at least two sets of vertically offset and laterally extendable stabilizers, that are adapted to communicate with the ground and stabilize the fire engine while the ladder is in use. The stabilizers are mounted substantially beneath the mounting point of the ladder and are designed to reside within the width of the fire engine body when retracted. Each set of stabilizers is arranged to diverge in the direction of extension in order to provide maximum stabilization to the fire engine.

Claims

1. A fire engine, said fire engine comprising:

(a) a forward portion;

(b) a rearward portion;

(c) a center portion located between said forward portion and said rearward portion, said center portion comprising;

(i) an extension ladder;

(ii) a turntable supporting said extension ladder so as to allow said extension ladder to rotate through an angle of substantially 360 degrees with respect to its vertical axis, and about 90 degrees with respect to its horizontal axis;

(iii) a turntable housing beneath said turntable;

(iv) a first set of at least two stabilizers located below said turntable and extending laterally outward through said turntable housing on one side of said fire engine; and

(v) a second set of at least two stabilizers located below said turntable and extending laterally outward through said turntable housing on the opposite side of said fire engine

wherein said first set of stabilizers define a V-shape that diverges as said stabilizers extend through said turntable housing, and said second set of stabilizers define a V-shape that diverges as said stabilizers extend though said turntable housing and wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers are vertically offset with respect to one another.

2. A fire engine according to claim 1 wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers are adjustable in the lateral direction.

3. A fire engine according to claim 1, wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers each have ground engagement pads adjustable in the vertical direction.

4. A fire engine according to claim 1, wherein said rearward portion has no stabilizers.

5. A fire engine according to claim 1, wherein the laterally extending portion of said stabilizers is comprised of telescoping tubular sections.

6. A fire engine according to claim 5, further comprising hydraulic cylinders located within said tubular sections for extending said stabilizers.

7. A fire engine according to claim 1, further comprising a cover plate attached to a distal portion of each of said stabilizers, said cover plate adapted to cover an aperture in said turntable housing through which said stabilizers extend.

8. A fire engine according to claim 1, further comprising a monitoring system for detecting the position of each of said stabilizers during the extension thereof.

9. A fire engine according to claim 8, wherein said monitoring system is in communication with a control system for operating said ladder, said monitoring system adapted to limit the range of motion of said ladder if it detects less than full extension of one or more of said stabilizers.

10. A fire engine according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizers reside within the width of the body of said fire engine when in a retracted position.

11. A fire engine according to claim 1, wherein said extension ladder is in excess of 100 feet in length when fully extended.

12. A fire engine according to claim 11, wherein said extension ladder may be directed laterally from the fire engine when fully extended.

13. A fire engine according to claim 12, wherein said extension ladder may have a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the ground.

14. A fire engine according to claim 12, wherein a load of about 1,000 pounds may be supported near a distal end of said extension ladder.

15. A fire engine, said fire engine comprising:

(a) a forward portion;

(b) a rearward portion;

(c) a center portion located between said forward portion and said rearward portion, and between the axles of said fire engine, said center portion comprising;

(i) an extension ladder;

(ii) a ladder support structure for coupling a proximal end of said extension ladder to a turntable;

(iii) a tumtable coupled to said proximal end of said extension ladder, so as to a low said extension ladder to sweep though an angle of substantially 360 degrees with respect to its vertical axis, said turntable in communication with the chassis of said fire engine;

(iv) a lifting mechanism for raising said extension ladder from between a position substantially horizontal to the ground to a position substantially 90 degrees with respect to the ground;

(v) a turntable housing beneath said turntable;

(vi) a first set of at least two stabilizers, each stabilizer having a substantially horizontal and laterally extending portion, and a vertically extending portion adapted to contact the ground and attached to a distal end of said laterally extending portion, the laterally extending portions extending divergingly outward through said turntable housing on one side of said fire engine; and

(vii) a second set of at least two stabilizers, each stabilizer having a substantially horizontal and laterally extending portion, and a vertically extending portion adapted to contact the ground and attached to a distal end of said laterally extending portion, the laterally extending portions extending divergingly outward through said turntable housing on one side of said fire engine;

wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers are vertically offset from one another; and

wherein said stabilizers provide for additional points of contact with the ground when said extension ladder is extended, thereby preventing the destabilization of said fire engine.

16. A fire engine, said fire engine comprising:

(a) a forward portion;

(b) a rearward portion;

(c) a center portion located between said forward portion and said rearward portion, said center portion comprising;

(i) an extension ladder;

(ii) a turntable supporting said extension ladder so as to allow said extension ladder to rotate through an angle of substantially 360 degrees with respect to its vertical axis, and about 90 degrees with respect to its horizontal axis;

(iii) a turntable housing beneath said turntable;

(iv) a first set of at least two stabilizers located below said turntable and extending laterally outward through said turntable housing on one side of said fire engine; and

(v) a second set of at least two stabilizers located below said turntable and extending laterally outward through said turntable housing on the opposite side of said fire engine;

and each of said stabilizers comprising a cover plate attached to a distal portion of each of said stabilizers, said cover plate adapted to cover an aperture in said turntable housing through which said stabilizers extend.

17. A fire engine according to claim 16, wherein said first set of stabilizers define a V-shape that diverges as said stabilizers extend through said turntable housing, and said second set of stabilizers define a V-shape that diverges as said stabilizers extend though said turntable housing.

18. A fire engine according to claim 16 wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers are vertically offset with respect to one another.

19. A fire engine according to claim 16 wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers are adjustable in the lateral direction.

20. A fire engine according to claim 16, wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers each have ground engagement pads adjustable in the vertical direction.

21. A fire engine according to claim 16, wherein said rearward portion has no stabilizers.

22. A fire engine according to claim 16, wherein the laterally extending portion of said stabilizers is comprised of telescoping tubular sections.

23. A fire engine according to claim 22, further comprising hydraulic cylinders located within said tubular sections for extending said stabilizers.

24. A fire engine according to claim 16, further comprising a monitoring system for detecting the position of each of said stabilizers during the extension thereof.

25. A fire engine according to claim 24, wherein said monitoring system is in communication with a control system for operating said ladder, said monitoring system adapted to limit the range of motion of said ladder if it detects less than full extension of one or more of said stabilizers.

26. A fire engine according to claim 16, wherein said stabilizers reside within the width of the body of said fire engine when in a retracted position.

27. A fire engine according to claim 16, wherein said extension ladder is in excess of 100 feet in length when fully extended.

28. A fire engine according to claim 27, wherein said extension ladder may be directed laterally from the fire engine when fully extended.

29. A fire engine according to claim 28, wherein said extension ladder may have a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the ground.

30. A fire engine according to claim 28, wherein a load of about 1,000 pounds may be supported near a distal end of said extension ladder.

31. A fire engine, said fire engine comprising:

(a) a forward portion;

(b) a rearward portion;

(c) a center portion located between said forward portion and said rearward portion, said center portion comprising;

(i) an extension ladder;

(ii) a turntable supporting said extension ladder so as to allow said extension ladder to rotate through an angle of substantially 360 degrees with respect to its vertical axis, and about 90 degrees with respect to its horizontal axis;

(iii) a turntable housing beneath said turntable;

(iv) a first set of at least two stabilizers located below said turntable and extending laterally outward through said turntable housing on one side of said fire engine; and

(v) a second set of at least two stabilizers located below said turntable and extending laterally outward through said turntable housing on the opposite side of said fire engine;

said fire engine further comprising a monitoring system for detecting the position of each of said stabilizers during the extension thereof, and wherein said monitoring system is in communication with a control system for operating said ladder, said monitoring system adapted to limit the range of motion of said ladder if it detects less than full extension of one or more of said stabilizers.

32. A fire engine according to claim 31, wherein said first set of stabilizers define a V-shape that diverges as said stabilizers extend through said turntable housing, and said second set of stabilizers define a V-shape that diverges as said stabilizers extend though said turntable housing.

33. A fire engine according to claim 31, wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers are vertically offset with respect to one another.

34. A fire engine according to claim 31 wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers are adjustable in the lateral direction.

35. A fire engine according to claim 31, wherein said first set of stabilizers and said second set of stabilizers each have ground engagement pads adjustable in the vertical direction.

36. A fire engine according to claim 31, wherein said rearward portion has no stabilizers.

37. A fire engine according to claim 31, wherein the laterally extending portion of said stabilizers is comprised of telescoping tubular sections.

38. A fire engine according to claim 37, further comprising hydraulic cylinders located within said tubular sections for extending said stabilizers.

39. A fire engine according to claim 31, further comprising a cover plate attached to a distal portion of each of said stabilizers, said cover plate adapted to cover an aperture in said turntable housing through which said stabilizers extend.

40. A fire engine according to claim 31, wherein said stabilizers reside within the width of the body of said fire engine when in a retracted position.

41. A fire engine according to claim 31, wherein said extension ladder is in excess of 100 feet in length when fully extended.

42. A fire engine according to claim 40, wherein said extension ladder may be directed laterally from the fire engine when fully extended.

43. A fire engine according to claim 41, wherein said extension ladder may have a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the ground.

44. A fire according to claim 41, wherein a load of about 1,000 pounds may be supported near a distal end of said extension ladder.