Remotely controllable fire fighting apparatus

Claim 2

In a fire-fighting apparatus: a support; an elongate boom having a pair of ends; one of said ends being mounted on said support for movement with respect to said support; the other of said ends pivotally mounting a monitor and nozzle assembly; means associated with said boom for defining a fluid passage extending from said one end to said other end, said fluid passage being in flow communication with said monitor and nozzle assembly; said monitor and nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said other end for oscillation about a first axis, said first axis being transverse to said other end of said elongate boom, a nozzle support member pivotally mounted on said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis, said first axis lying in a plane which is normal to said second axis, a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member, said nozzle having a discharge orifice projecting away from said first axis and which is in continuous fluid flow communication with said fluid passage, said first axis always being substantially parallel to the earth''s surface, first motor means for oscillatably driving said monitor member about said first axis, second motor means for oscillatably driving said nozzle support member about said second axis, and control means for controlling said first and second motor means.

Claim 3

In the fire-fighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said axes are spaced apart.

Claim 4

In the fire-fighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said other boom end defines a yoke and said monitor member is positioned for oscillation between the arms of said yoke about said first axis.

Claim 5

In the fire-fighting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said monitor member defines a yoke and said nozzle support member is mounted for oscillation between the legs of said yoke about said second axis.

Claim 6

In a fire-fighting apparatus comprising: a vehicle having a frame; an articulated, self-supporting boom having a pair of tubular boom sections and tubular pivot means swingably mounted one section on the other section and placing said sections in fluid communication with each other, the sections thereby providing fluid delivery means in the boom; means mounting the boom on the frame of said vehicle for movement of both of said sections with respect thereto; and means coupled with said boom for moving the boom relative to said vehicle frame, said fluid delivery means being coupled with a source of fluid under pressure for receiving a stream of said fluid therefrom; the improvement comprising: a nozzle and monitor assembly for receiving said stream of fluid from said boom, said assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said boom for oscillation about a first axis with respect to said boom, a nozzle support member pivotally connected to said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis which lies in a plane normal to said first axis, said first axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to the earth''s surface, and a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member, said nozzle providing a nozzle discharge orifice, remotely actuatable first motor means for oscillatably driving said monitor member, second remotely actuatable motor means for oscillatably driving said nozzle support member, said first and second motor means being independently and remotely actuatable from a control station on said vehicle frame to provide independent vertical travel of said nozzle discharge orifice about said first axis and independent sweep of said nozzle discharge orifice about said other axis.

Claim 7

In a fire-fighting apparatus comprising: a vehicle having a frame; an articulated, self-supporting boom having a pair of tubular boom sections and tubular pivot means swingably mounted one section on the other section and placing said sections in fluid communication with each other, the sections thereby providing fluid delivery means in the boom; means mounting the boom on the frame of said vehicle for movement of both of said sections with respect thereto; and means coupled with said boom for moving the boom relative to said vehicle frame, said fluid delivery means being coupled with a source of fluid under pressure for receiving a stream of said fluid therefrom; the improvement comprising: a nozzle and monitor assembly for receiving said stream of fluid from said boom, said assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said boom for oscillation about a first axis with respect to said boom, a nozzle support member pivotally connected to said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis which lies in a plane normal to said first axis, said first axis extending in a direction substantially parallel to the earth''s surface, and a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member, said nozzle providing a nozzle discharge orifice, remotely actuatable first motor means for oscillatably driving said monitor member, second remotely actuatable motor means for oscillatably driving said nozzle support member, said first and second motor means being independently and remotely actuatable from a control station on said vehicle frame to provide independent vertical travel of said nozzle discharge orifice about said first axis and independent sweep of said nozzle discharge orifice about said other axis.

Claim 8

In the fire-fighting apparatus of claim 11, in which each of said first and second remotely actuatable motor means are fluid operated motor means, and in which said boom mounting means comprises a turntable mounted for rotation on said vehicle frame, a centerpost, said centerpost being corotatable with said turntable, a manifold, said manifolD being secured to said vehicle frame, said centerpost and said manifold being in continuous fluid flow communication to provide continuous hydraulic fluid flow from said vehicle frame to valve means for said first and second motor means.

Claim 9

In a remotely controllable nozzle assembly, support means for said nozzle assembly, said support means being accurately movable in a vertical plane, an elongate supply conduit in flow communication with said nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said support means for oscillation about a first horizontal axis, a nozzle support member pivotally connected to said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis which lies in a plane normal to said first axis, and a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member and providing a nozzle discharge orifice, first remotely actuatable motor means for oscillatably driving said monitor member, second remotely actuatable motor means for oscillatably driving said nozzle support member, said first and second motor means being independently and remotely actuatable to provide independent vertical travel of said nozzle discharge orifice about said first axis and independent sweep of said nozzle discharge orifice about said other axis, whereby the range of sweep is the same regardless of the position in which said monitor member is oscillatably disposed about its horizontal axis.

Claim 10

In a remotely controllable nozzle assembly, support means for said nozzle assembly, said support means being accurately movable in a vertical plane, an elongate supply conduit in flow communication with said nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said support means for oscillation about a first horizontal axis, a nozzle support member pivotally connected to said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis which lies in a plane normal to said first axis, and a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member and providing a nozzle discharge orifice, first remotely actuatable motor means for oscillatably driving said monitor member, second remotely actuatable motor means for oscillatably driving said nozzle support member, said first and second motor means being independently and remotely actuatable to provide independent vertical travel of said nozzle discharge orifice about said first axis and independent sweep of said nozzle discharge orifice about said other axis, whereby the range of sweep is the same regardless of the position in which said monitor member is oscillatably disposed about its horizontal axis.

Claim 11

In the remotely controllable nozzle assembly of claim 7, wherein said first remotely actuatable motor means is a fluid motor and drives a continuous loop means for oscillating said monitor member.

Claim 12

In the remotely controllable nozzle assembly of claim 7, wherein said second remotely actuatable motor means comprises a double-acting fluid cylinder construction, and sheave and cable means for oscillating said nozzle support member.

Claim 13

In a fire-fighting apparatus: a support; an elongate boom having a pair of ends; one of said ends being mounted on said support for movement with respect to said support; the other of said ends pivotally mounting a monitor and nozzle assembly; means associated with said boom for defining a fluid passage extending from said one end to said other end, said fluid passage being in flow communication with said monitor and nozzle assembly; said monitor and nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said other end for oscillation about a first axis, said first axis being transverse to said other end of said elongate boom, a nozzle support member pivotally mounted on said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis, said first axis lying in a plane which is normal to said second axis, a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member, said nozzle having a discharge orifice projecting away from said first axis and which is in continuous fluid flow communication with said fluid passage, said first axis always being substantially parallel to the earth''s surface, a first remotely controlled hydraulic motor means for oscillating said monitor member about said first axis, a second remotely controlled hydraulic motor means for oscillating said nozzle support member about said second axis, and first control means on said support for remotely controlling said first and second motor means.

Claim 14

In a fire-fighting apparatus: a support; an elongate boom having a pair of ends; one of said ends being mounted on said support for movement with respect to said support; the other of said ends pivotally mounting a monitor and nozzle assembly; means associated with said boom for defining a fluid passage extending from said one end to said other end, said fluid passage being in flow communication with said monitor and nozzle assembly; said monitor and nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said other end for oscillation about a first axis, said first axis being transverse to said other end of said elongate boom, a nozzle support member pivotally mounted on said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis, said first axis lying in a plane which is normal to said second axis, a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member, said nozzle having a discharge orifice projecting away from said first axis and which is in continuous fluid flow communication with said fluid passage, said first axis always being substantially parallel to the earth''s surface, a first remotely controlled hydraulic motor means for oscillating said monitor member about said first axis, a second remotely controlled hydraulic motor means for oscillating said nozzle support member about said second axis, and first control means on said support for remotely controlling said first and second motor means.

Claim 15

In a fire-fighting apparatus: a support; an elongate boom having a pair of ends; one of said ends being mounted on said support for movement with respect to said support; the other of said ends pivotally mounting a monitor and nozzle assembly; means associated with said boom for defining a fluid passage extending from said one end to said other end, said fluid passage being in flow communication with said monitor and nozzle assembly; said monitor and nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said other end for oscillation about a first axis, said first axis being transverse to said other end of said elongate boom, a nozzle support member pivotally mounted on said monitor member for oscillation aBout a second axis, said first axis lying in a plane which is normal to said second axis, a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member, said nozzle having a discharge orifice projecting away from said first axis and which is in continuous fluid flow communication with said fluid passage, said first axis always being substantially parallel to the earth''s surface, and wherein said elongate boom is an articulated boom having at least two sections foldable and unfoldable with respect to each, a first of said sections being pivotally mounted on a rotary turntable on said support, a second of said sections being pivotally mounted on said first section, the axes of said pivots lying generally parallel to said first axis.

Claim 16

In a fire-fighting apparatus: a support; an elongate boom having a pair of ends; one of said ends being mounted on said support for movement with respect to said support; the other of said ends pivotally mounting a monitor and nozzle assembly; means associated with said boom for defining a fluid passage extending from said one end to said other end, said fluid passage being in flow communication with said monitor and nozzle assembly; said monitor and nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said other end for oscillation about a first axis, said first axis being transverse to said other end of said elongate boom, a nozzle support member pivotally mounted on said monitor member for oscillation aBout a second axis, said first axis lying in a plane which is normal to said second axis, a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member, said nozzle having a discharge orifice projecting away from said first axis and which is in continuous fluid flow communication with said fluid passage, said first axis always being substantially parallel to the earth''s surface, and wherein said elongate boom is an articulated boom having at least two sections foldable and unfoldable with respect to each, a first of said sections being pivotally mounted on a rotary turntable on said support, a second of said sections being pivotally mounted on said first section, the axes of said pivots lying generally parallel to said first axis.

Claim 17

In a remotely controllable nozzle assembly, support means for said nozzle assembly, said support means being arcuately movable in a vertical plane, an elongate supply conduit in flow communication with aid nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said support means for oscillation about a first horizontal axis, a nozzle support member pivotally connected to said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis which lies in a plane normal to said first axis, and a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member and providing a nozzle discharge orifice, first remotely actuatable motor means for oscillating said monitor member, second remotely actuatable motor means for oscillating said nozzle support member, said first and second motor means being independently and remotely actuatable to provide independent vertical travel of said nozzle discharge orifice about said first axis and independent sweep of said nozzle discharge orifice about said other axis, and wherein said elongate supply conduit is a boom, said boom being articulated and having at least two sections foldable and unfoldable with respect to each other, said support means comprising one end of said boom, a first of said boom sections being pivotally mounted on a rotary turntable, a second of said sections being pivotally mounted on said first section, the axes of the said boom section pivots lying generally parallel to said first axis.

Claim 18

In a remotely controllable nozzle assembly, support means for said nozzle assembly, said support means being arcuately movable in a vertical plane, an elongate supply conduit in flow communication with aid nozzle assembly, said nozzle assembly comprising a monitor member pivotally connected to said support means for oscillation about a first horizontal axis, a nozzle support member pivotally connected to said monitor member for oscillation about a second axis which lies in a plane normal to said first axis, and a nozzle connected to said nozzle support member and providing a nozzle discharge orifice, first remotely actuatable motor means for oscillating said monitor member, second remotely actuatable motor means for oscillating said nozzle support member, said first and second motor means being independently and remotely actuatable to provide independent vertical travel of said nozzle discharge orifice about said first axis and independent sweep of said nozzle discharge orifice about said other axis, and wherein said elongate supply conduit is a boom, said boom being articulated and having at least two sections foldable and unfoldable with respect to each other, said support means comprising one end of said boom, a first of said boom sections being pivotally mounted on a rotary turntable, a second of said sections being pivotally mounted on said first section, the axes of the said boom section pivots lying generally parallel to said first axis.