Outrigger obstruction detection system for aerial fire trucks
First Claim
1. An outrigger obstruction detection apparatus for an aerial fire truck having an outrigger comprising:
- an outrigger zone defined by an area occupied by the outrigger when the outrigger is in an extended position;
a sensor carried by said fire truck for detecting an obstruction within said outrigger zone; and
,a warning indicator operatively associated with said sensor so that said warning indicator is actuated when said sensor detects an obstruction in said outrigger zone.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An Outrigger Obstruction Detection System for an Aerial Fire Truck that will warn the driver of an impending obstruction to an outrigger prior to full extension of the outrigger. The system comprises ultrasonic sensors located at or near each outrigger assembly on the aerial fire truck, which can be programmed to detect an object within the travel range of the outrigger. In addition, a control/indicator panel is mounted in the cab of the aerial fire truck. The control/indicator panel is positioned in the cab to allow the driver physical and visual access. The control/indicator panel contains the power switch, diagram of the truck and indicator lights used to warn the driver of an obstruction. The sensors provide an electrical signal to a control/indicator panel located in the cab of the aerial fire truck to alert the driver if an object is detected. This alert allows the driver to reposition the truck to clear the obstruction, which in turn reduces the time to react to the emergency. The ultrasonic sensors are affixed to the aerial fire truck via a pivotal mounting assembly, which allows proper sensing alignment to be achieved.
8 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An outrigger obstruction detection apparatus for an aerial fire truck having an outrigger comprising:
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an outrigger zone defined by an area occupied by the outrigger when the outrigger is in an extended position; a sensor carried by said fire truck for detecting an obstruction within said outrigger zone; and
,a warning indicator operatively associated with said sensor so that said warning indicator is actuated when said sensor detects an obstruction in said outrigger zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for detecting outrigger obstructions for an aerial fire truck having an aerial apparatus comprising the steps of:
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detecting whether an obstruction is present within the outrigger zone defined by an area occupied by an extended outrigger of the fire truck through use of a sensor; and
,actuating a warning indicator carried by the fire truck if an obstruction is detected within the outrigger zone. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An outrigger obstruction detection apparatus comprising:
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an aerial fire truck having an aerial apparatus; an outrigger carried by said aerial fire truck having an extended position and a retracted position; an outrigger zone defined by an area occupied by said outrigger when said outrigger is in said extended position; a sensor carried by said fire truck for detecting an obstruction within said outrigger zone; and
,a warning indicator operatively associated with said sensor so that said warning indicator is actuated when said sensor detects an obstruction within said outrigger zone. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An outrigger obstruction detection apparatus for an aerial fire truck having an outrigger comprising:
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a computer readable medium carried by the fire truck; a sensor in communications with said computer readable medium for detecting an obstruction within an outrigger zone defined by an area occupied by the outrigger when the outrigger is in an extended position; a warning indicator in communications with said computer readable medium; and
,a set of computer readable instructions embodied in said computer readable medium for receiving a detection signal from said sensor when an obstruction is detected within the outrigger zone and actuating said warning indicator once said detection signal is received. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification