The present invention relates to a fire-truck ladder that can be easily converted into a slide for a trapped fire victim.
A conventional fire truck includes a turntable ladder that is extended to allow a fireman to reach elevated areas of a burning building. If a rescue is necessary, only one person can descend the ladder at a time due to the weight capacity of the ladder. Rescuing people in such fashion can be extremely difficult, time consuming and sometimes futile if numerous people are trapped, or if any are elderly or disabled.
Accordingly, there is currently a need for a fire-truck ladder that allows a fireman to more quickly rescue a person trapped in a burning building. The present invention addresses this need by providing a ladder having a plurality of platforms that can be deployed to form steps for the fireman, or inverted to form a slide for the trapped victim.
The present invention relates to a fire-truck ladder comprising a plurality of telescoping frame sections, each formed of a pair of spaced side rails having a C-shaped cross section for slidably receiving a corresponding side rail on an adjacent section. Positioned between each of the side rails are a plurality of motorized platforms that are deployable to provide a series of horizontal stairs for ascending the ladder. The platforms may also be inverted to form a slide on which a fire victim may easily descend to safety.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fire-truck ladder that is easily converted to a slide for trapped victims.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fire-truck ladder having horizontal steps that are safer to ascend than conventional ladder rungs.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
The present invention relates to a fire-truck ladder comprising a plurality of frame sections 1, each nested within an adjacent frame section to allow telescopic extension and retraction. A lowermost section is attached to the hydraulic lifting cylinders 2 and associated turntable assembly 50 found on conventional fire trucks 42 that rotate, raise and lower the ladder. Similar cylinders automatically extend and retract the frame sections in a conventional fashion.
Each section 1 is formed of a pair of spaced side rails 4, each having a C-shaped cross section for slidably receiving a corresponding side rail on an adjacent section. Positioned between each of the side rails are a plurality of platforms 5 having an upper surface on which a fireman steps when ascending the ladder. The lower surface 51 of each platform is covered with a layer of urethane fabric or similar material to provide a smooth surface on which a victim can slide. Each platform also includes two opposing side edges, each having a spur gear 6 mounted thereon that engages a linear gear rack 7 positioned within each of the side rails. A series of bearings 8 engage an opposing surface of the gear rack to maintain firm contact between the gear rack and spur gears.
A motor 31 at the lower end of each section moves the gear rack upwardly or downwardly to pivot the platforms between deployed and inverted positions. In the deployed position, the steps extend outwardly from the side rails to provide a series of horizontal stairs on which a fireman steps when climbing the ladder. In the inverted position, the platforms are parallel to the side rails, with the lower surfaces facing upwardly, to form a planar slide on which a fire victim may easily descend to safety. The nested ladder sections are positioned between a pair of safety banisters 55 that the victim grasps to prevent an unsafe or uncomfortable descent.
A controller 32 in communication with the motors either deploys or inverts the platforms, and rotates, extends and retracts the ladder sections. On at least one of the ladder sections is an inclinometer 34 that communicates with the controller and motors to maintain the ladder at or below a predetermined, maximum angle. The controller also interrogates the inclinometer to maintain the platforms in a horizontal position regardless of the ladder angle.
The ladder according to the present invention also preferably includes an inflatable chute 9 at a lower end to assist the victim with descending from the truck to ground level. The slide is automatically inflated with a cannister 60 of nitrogen, compressed air or a similar gas. Aspirators on a safety valve draw in ambient air to increase inflation speed.
Accordingly, to rescue a stranded fire victim, a truck operator lifts the ladder and extends the sections to a position that allows a fireman to access the victim. The operator deploys the platforms to a horizontal position and the fireman ascends the ladder to assist the victim. The fireman then stands on a bucket or similar support surface at an upper end of the ladder while the operator inverts the platforms to form a slide on which the victim can descend into the fire truck. Simultaneously, the operator inflates the slide to allow the victim to safely exit the vehicle.
The above-described device is not limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts provided herein. Furthermore, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.
This application is entitled to the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/960,021 filed on Sep. 9, 2013, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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