Emergency response vehicle

• US 7,007,761 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2000
• Issued: 03/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John J. Johnson IV
• Original Assignee: John J. Johnson IV
• Inventors: Johnson, John J. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): HWU, DAVIS D
• Application Number:
  US09/574,637
• Time in Patent Office: 2,119 Days
• Field of Search: 169/24, 169/44, 169/46, 169/53, 169/52, 169/67, 169/14, 169/30, 239/171, 239/172, 239/173, 239/162, 239/271, 239/272, 296/185, 296/188, 180/9.1, 180/9.28, 180/9.3
• US Class Current: 169/24
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 27/00 Fire-fighting land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/36 Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/21 with two pedals operating on respective circuits, pressures therein being equalised when both pedals are operated together, e.g. for steering steering non-deflectable wheels or endless tracks by differentially driving ground-engaging elements on opposite vehicle sides using brakes as main steering effecting means B62D11/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/268 using accumulators or reservoirs
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/662 characterised by specified functions of the control system components
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 31/00 Superstructures for passenger vehicles passenger vehicles specially adapted to co-operate with aircraft or terminal buildings B64F1/31
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/08 with single front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 7/02 for pivoted bogies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A small emergency response vehicle having a wedge-shaped nose and triangular wheel base for improved accessibility to emergency sites previously inaccessible to conventional fire fighting vehicles. A main overhead tank and two modular auxiliary tanks provide 2400 liters of storage for water and/or surfactants. The front wheel provides a 360 degree turning radius. The vehicle can be air-lifted and air-dropped with a helicopter via attachment points on the heavy steel frame. An enclosed cab has a fire and impact resistant glass windshields and an air supply to the driver as well as to occupants in the tank compartment, when the tank is removed. A nozzle assembly is mounted on the nose of the vehicle to distribute the fire suppression materials.

Claims

1. A fire-fighting emergency response vehicle comprising:

a triangular wheel base comprising a front wheel and two opposing rear wheels;

at least one emergency response fluid delivery tank comprising a main tank, said main tank further comprising guide rails for mating with guide channels upon said vehicle such that said main tank is slidably removable from said vehicle;

a vehicle engine; and

a path clearing, wedge-shaped nose for maneuvering about obstacles, said nose comprising two or more sides angled in a wedge towards each other at a point at a front of said nose, at least two of said sides being lateral sides of the vehicle; and

said vehicle comprising dimensions of less than or equal to 4.5 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and 2 meters in height.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said at least one fluid delivery tank comprises at least one modular auxiliary tank.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising at least one window resistant to fire.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a chain and sprocket steering mechanism.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said front wheel comprises a 360 degree rotatability for translational movement of said vehicle.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising engine quick disconnects and wherein said engine is mounted upon a slidable engine cradle for sliding said engine out of said vehicle to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of a tilt-bed, a gimbal, a basket and a robotic arm.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said tank is capable of delivering a component capable of forming at least approximately 34,000 liters of fire-suppressing foam.

9. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a rigid frame for withstanding impacts with obstacles in the path of said vehicle.

10. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising at least one attachment point located on said vehicle for airlifting and airdropping said vehicle via helicopter or parachute.

11. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising runflat tires located upon at least one of said wheels of said wheel base.

12. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising left and right brakes wherein said brakes comprise separate controllability.

13. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is disposed atop said front wheel of said triangular wheel base.

14. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is a ram.

15. The vehicle of claim 1 having a weight of less than or equal to approximately 1300 kilograms when empty.

16. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a driver'"'"'s compartment.

17. A fire-fighting emergency response vehicle comprising:

a triangular wheel base comprising a front wheel and two opposing rear wheels wherein said front wheel comprises a 360°

rotatability for translational movement of said vehicle;

at least one emergency response fluid delivery tank;

a vehicle engine; and

a path clearing, wedge-shaped nose for maneuvering about obstacles, said nose comprising two or more sides angled in a wedge towards each other at a point at a front of said nose, at least two of said sides being lateral sides of the vehicle.

18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein said at least one fluid delivery tank comprises a main tank, said main tank further comprising guide rails for mating with guide channels upon said vehicle such that said main tank is slidably removable from the vehicle.

19. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein said at least one fluid delivery tank comprises at least one modular auxiliary tank.

20. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising at least one window resistant to fire.

21. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising a chain and sprocket steering mechanism.

22. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising engine quick disconnects and wherein said engine is mounted upon a slidable engine cradle for sliding said engine out of said vehicle to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

23. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of a tilt-bed, a gimbal, a basket and a robotic arm.

24. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein said tank is capable of delivering a component capable of forming at least approximately 34,000 liters of fire-suppressing foam.

25. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising a rigid frame for withstanding impacts with obstacles in the path of said vehicle.

26. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising at least one attachment point located on said vehicle for airlifting and airdropping said vehicle via helicopter or parachute.

27. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising runflat tires located upon at least one of said wheels of said wheel base.

28. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising left and right brakes wherein said brakes comprise separate controllability.

29. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is disposed atop said front wheel of said triangular wheel base.

30. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is a ram.

31. The vehicle of claim 17 having a weight of less than or equal to approximately 1300 kilograms when empty.

32. The vehicle of claim 17 further comprising a driver'"'"'s compartment.

33. A fire-fighting emergency response vehicle comprising:

a triangular wheel base comprising a front wheel and two opposing rear wheels;

at least one emergency response fluid delivery tank;

a vehicle engine;

left and right brakes wherein said brakes comprise separate controllability; and

a path clearing, wedge-shaped nose for maneuvering about obstacles, said nose comprising two or more sides angled in a wedge towards each other at a point at a front of said nose, at least two of said sides being lateral sides of the vehicle.

34. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein said at least one fluid delivery tank comprises a main tank, said main tank further comprising guide rails for mating with guide channels upon said vehicle such that said main tank is slidably removable from the vehicle.

35. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein said at least one fluid delivery tank comprises at least one modular auxiliary tank.

36. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising at least one window resistant to fire.

37. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising a chain and sprocket steering mechanism.

38. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein said vehicle comprises dimensions of less than or equal to 4.5 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and 2 meters in height.

39. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein said front wheel comprises a 360 degree rotatability for translational movement of said vehicle.

40. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising engine quick disconnects and wherein said engine is mounted upon a slidable engine cradle for sliding said engine out of said vehicle to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

41. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of a tilt-bed, a gimbal, a basket and a robotic arm.

42. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein said tank is capable of delivering a component capable of forming at least approximately 34,000 liters of fire-suppressing foam.

43. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising a rigid frame for withstanding impacts with obstacles in the path of said vehicle.

44. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising at least one attachment point located on said vehicle for airlifting and airdropping said vehicle via helicopter or parachute.

45. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising runflat tires located upon at least one of said wheels of said wheel base.

46. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is disposed atop said front wheel of said triangular wheel base.

47. The vehicle of claim 33 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is a ram.

48. The vehicle of claim 33 having a weight of less than or equal to approximately 1300 kilograms when empty.

49. The vehicle of claim 33 further comprising a driver'"'"'s compartment.

50. A fire-fighting emergency response vehicle comprising:

a triangular wheel base comprising a front wheel and two opposing rear wheels;

at least one emergency response fluid delivery tank comprising a main tank, said main tank further comprising guide rails for mating with guide channels upon said vehicle such that said main tank is slidably removable from the vehicle;

a vehicle engine; and

a path clearing, wedge-shaped nose for maneuvering about obstacles, said nose comprising two or more sides angled in a wedge towards each other at a point at a front of said nose, at least two of said sides being lateral sides of the vehicle.

51. The vehicle of claim 50 wherein said at least one fluid delivery tank comprises at least one modular auxiliary tank.

52. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising at least one window resistant to fire.

53. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising a chain and sprocket steering mechanism.

54. The vehicle of claim 50 wherein said vehicle comprises dimensions of less than or equal to 4.5 meters in length, 1.5 meters in width, and 2 meters in height.

55. The vehicle of claim 50 wherein said front wheel system comprises a 360 degree rotatability for translational movement of said vehicle.

56. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising engine quick disconnects and wherein said engine is mounted upon a slidable engine cradle for sliding said engine out of said vehicle to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

57. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of a tilt-bed, a gimbal, a basket and a robotic arm.

58. The vehicle of claim 50 wherein said tank is capable of delivering a component capable of forming at least approximately 34,000 liters of fire-suppressing foam.

59. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising a rigid frame for withstanding impacts with obstacles in the path of said vehicle.

60. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising at least one attachment point located on said vehicle for airlifting and airdropping said vehicle via helicopter or parachute.

61. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising runflat tires located upon at least one of said wheels of said wheel base.

62. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising left and right brakes wherein said brakes comprise separate controllability.

63. The vehicle of claim 50 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is disposed atop said front wheel of said triangular wheel base.

64. The vehicle of claim 50 wherein said wedge-shaped nose is a ram.

65. The vehicle of claim 50 having a weight of less than or equal to approximately 1300 kilograms when empty.

66. The vehicle of claim 50 further comprising a driver'"'"'s compartment.