Combination loading system and hose bed for a firefighting vehicle
First Claim
1. A loading system for a firefighting vehicle including a rear portion having an opening, the system comprising:
- a platform includinga bottom wall,a proximal end pivotably coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle,a distal end opposite the proximal end, anda pair of side walls extending perpendicular to the bottom wall; and
an actuating mechanism configured to pivot the platform from a stowed position wherein the platform substantially closes the opening to a final deployed position wherein the platform is angled downwardly to serve as a ramp allowing equipment to be wheeled on and off the vehicle, the actuating mechanism includinga spring urging the distal end of the platform distally;
a cable including a first end secured to the distal end of the platform and a second end carried on a rotatable reel mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, wherein the cable is deployable from a fully coiled configuration holding the platform in the stowed position against the bias of the spring to a fully extended configuration corresponding to the final deployed position of the platform; and
a push mechanism configured to initiate distal movement of the distal end of the platform, the push mechanism includinga sleeve mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, the sleeve including a lower surface having an elongated slot;
a push rod disposed within the sleeve, the push rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the push rod being mounted for sliding movement from a retracted position in the sleeve to an extended position wherein the distal end of the push rod extends beyond the rear portion of the vehicle; and
a counterweight assembly coupled to the push rod and configured to utilize gravity to cause the push rod to move from the retracted position to the extended position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combination loading system and hose bed for a firefighting vehicle includes a platform and an actuating mechanism configured to pivot the platform between a substantially vertical stowed position, a substantially horizontal position, and a downwardly angled position. The platform includes a bottom wall and a pair of side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. When in the stowed position, the platform closes the substantially open rear end of the firefighting vehicle, and when in the substantially horizontal position, the platform can serve as a hose bed allowing firefighters to easily grab hose from a standing position. When in the downwardly angled position, the platform can serve as a ramp allowing the firefighters to wheel equipment on and off the vehicle. The platform may also be provided with a crane extension for lifting heavy objects.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A loading system for a firefighting vehicle including a rear portion having an opening, the system comprising:
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a platform including a bottom wall, a proximal end pivotably coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a pair of side walls extending perpendicular to the bottom wall; and an actuating mechanism configured to pivot the platform from a stowed position wherein the platform substantially closes the opening to a final deployed position wherein the platform is angled downwardly to serve as a ramp allowing equipment to be wheeled on and off the vehicle, the actuating mechanism including a spring urging the distal end of the platform distally; a cable including a first end secured to the distal end of the platform and a second end carried on a rotatable reel mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, wherein the cable is deployable from a fully coiled configuration holding the platform in the stowed position against the bias of the spring to a fully extended configuration corresponding to the final deployed position of the platform; and a push mechanism configured to initiate distal movement of the distal end of the platform, the push mechanism including a sleeve mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, the sleeve including a lower surface having an elongated slot; a push rod disposed within the sleeve, the push rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the push rod being mounted for sliding movement from a retracted position in the sleeve to an extended position wherein the distal end of the push rod extends beyond the rear portion of the vehicle; and a counterweight assembly coupled to the push rod and configured to utilize gravity to cause the push rod to move from the retracted position to the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A hose bed for a firefighting vehicle including a rear portion having an opening, the hose bed comprising:
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a platform including a bottom wall, a proximal end pivotably coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle, a distal end opposite the proximal end; and a pair of side walls extending perpendicular to the bottom wall; and an actuating mechanism configured to pivot the platform from a stowed position wherein the platform substantially closes the opening to a substantially horizontal position wherein the platform extends substantially parallel to the ground, allowing hose to be conveniently deployed from the platform, the actuating mechanism including a spring urging the distal end of the platform distally, a cable including a first end secured to the distal end of the platform and a second end carried on a rotatable reel mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, wherein the cable is deployable from a fully coiled configuration holding the platform in the stowed position against the bias of the spring to a partially extended configuration corresponding to the substantially horizontal position of the platform, and a push mechanism configured to initiate distal movement of the distal end of the platform, the push mechanism including a sleeve mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, the sleeve including a lower surface having an elongated slot; a push rod disposed within the sleeve, the push rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the push rod being mounted for sliding movement from a retracted position in the sleeve to an extended position wherein the distal end of the push rod extends beyond the rear portion of the vehicle; and a counterweight assembly coupled to the push rod and configured to utilize gravity to cause the push rod to move from the retracted position to the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A combination loading system and hose bed for a firefighting vehicle including a rear portion having an opening, comprising:
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a platform including a bottom wall, a proximal end pivotably coupled to the rear portion of the vehicle, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a pair of side walls extending perpendicular to the bottom wall; and an actuating mechanism configured to pivot the platform from a stowed position wherein the platform substantially closes the opening, to a horizontal position wherein the platform extends substantially parallel to the ground, allowing hose to be conveniently deployed from the platform, and a downwardly angled position wherein the platform serves as a ramp allowing equipment to be wheeled on and off the vehicle, the actuating mechanism including a spring urging the distal end of the platform distally; a cable including a first end secured to the distal end of the platform and a second end carried on a rotatable reel mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, wherein the cable is deployable from a fully coiled configuration holding the platform in a stowed position against the bias of the spring to a fully extended configuration corresponding to the final deployed position of the platform; and a push mechanism configured to initiate distal movement of the distal end of the platform, the push mechanism including a sleeve mounted in the rear portion of the vehicle, the sleeve including a lower surface having an elongated slot; a push rod disposed within the sleeve, the push rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the push rod being mounted for sliding movement from a retracted position in the sleeve to an extended position wherein the distal end of the push rod extends beyond the rear portion of the vehicle; and a counterweight assembly coupled to the push rod and configured to utilize gravity to cause the push rod to move from the retracted position to the extended position. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification