This invention relates to trucks especially dedicated to servicing large disabled grounded airliners and particularly a utility truck that facilitates admission into the airplane of men and equipment that are dedicated to overcoming any number of dangerous conditions on the airplane and, in particular to facilitate dealing with incapacitated passengers on the plane.
Dealing with catastrophic events involving airplanes has become much more challenging in recent years.
Certainly, the present crises regarding terrorist activities have broadened the scope of the disasters that can befall the airplane and it passengers.
Progress in the evolution of air travel has included the development of airplanes that are much larger than counterparts of former times in keeping with the requirement to carry hundreds of passengers. In particular, the access from ground level to the largest of these planes is a doorway near the cockpit that is 26 feet off the ground. In addition, there is also in service, smaller planes that still carry a substantial number of people where the door to the plane near the cockpit) is only a few feet off the ground. The problem of getting out of airplane where the doorway is only a few feet off the ground is different than when the doorway is 26 feet off the ground.
The problem of ventilating a disabled plane containing 250 passengers is more difficult than ventilating a plane with one-tenth that number.
The circumstances vary from one situation to another and are unanticipated by the rescuing personnel. One situation may be a passenger suffering from a heart attack who must be removed as quickly and gently as possible. Another situation could be where the plane has come under the control of a band of terrorists. Another situation might be a fire that has broken out in the cockpit.
Vehicles have been designed to deal with each of these various catastrophes. Ambulances have been designed to transport victims of heart attacks. Fire engines have been designed to fight fires. Military vehicles have been designed to support swat teams.
New advances in aircraft design have included the increase of size of the latest airliners where the doorways are up to 26 feet off the ground. The differing nature of all of these situations have left the protection of airplanes in a situation where none of the utility vehicles presently on the market can accommodate all of the events that can befall the modern airplane.
An important requirement for large utility trucks is to include sufficient power to drive both the truck and the added equipment required to deal with the catastrophe. Additional equipment can include pumps to pump water to fight fires. According to the present trend in the state of the art, utility trucks are provided with larger and larger engines whose size requires that the engine be located on the truck frame ABOVE axle level. In order to accommodate both the requirement to move the truck AND power the auxiliary equipment, a power transfer device is coupled to the motor that delivers part of the engine power to driving the truck and another part of its power to powering the auxiliary equipment when required. The large engine and transfer case on top of the frame occupies space on top of the frame that would otherwise be used for carrying additional auxiliary equipment.
The uncertain nature and disparity of events and the unusual power requirement of utility trucks of the present art suggests that there exists a profound need for a more versatile and less costly utility vehicle.
It is an object of this invention to provide a utility vehicle that supports a rescue effort in any kind of crisis situation.
Such situations include fire, efficient removal of stricken passengers, support for swat teams whose mission is to overcome terrorists, provide speedy escape to passengers,
provide relief to passengers exposed to uncomfortable environmental conditions, facilitate transport of afflicted passengers to an appropriate care facility.
It is another object that the vehicle of this invention be economical not only in terms of serving a number of purposes but also in terms of delivering a given amount of power economically.
This invention is directed toward a truck in which the cab of the truck communicates with and is a forward part of a tubular member that extends back to the tail end of truck. The tubular member has a rectangular cross section, about four feet wide and seven feet high so that a man can walk through the tube from the tail end to the cab end.
The tubular member has its tail end hingeably attached to the tail end of the truck so that the front end of the tubular member (which includes the cab) can be raised to a height of 26 feet. This height accommodates all present and near future airliners The cab end of the tube can be raised to any height between horizontal to 26 feet off the ground. At this height, a person or persons, entering the open tail end of the tube at ground level can walk up to the cab end of the tube, open the door to the airplane cabin and enter the airplane.
The adjustable height of the cab provides that the height of the cab end off the ground may be adjusted so that the floor of the cab end is any where from three feet for entering small aircraft to 26 feet for entering for the latest airliner.
A stairway extends from the tail end of the tube to the cab. The stairs are constructed to permit that, regardless of the selected incline of the tube, the stepping plane of each step is horizontal. The construction of the stair also provides that the stair can be instantly flattened out onto the inside lowest surface of the tube when it is desired to use the tube as “chute” or it is desired to roll a gurney down the entire length of the tube and outside the tube to a waiting ambulance.
A stair is also mounted on the upper external surface of the truck as an alternate means for travelling the length of the tube.
The steering wheel inside the cab is coupled to the steering box in the frame of the vehicle by a rotatable pipe that extends from the steering wheel in the cab, down the length of the tube, to the steering gears and knuckle inside a steering unit that is coupled to the steerable wheels.
The brake pedal controls air pressure in flexible air hose that control the pneumatic brakes.
The accelerator pedal is wired to the electronically controlled engine.
The flexible air lines and accelerator wiring are connected between the cab and motor by passing down the tube or by a direct connection that feature a device that retracts (winds up) slack in the wiring and airline according to the incline of the tube.
The cab end of the tube is constructed of a transparent impact resistant material such as glass or polycarbonate plastic to provide maximum visibility (especially to the driver) to the occupants in the cab. The cab end of the tube is preferably large enough to permit several occupants to ride in the cab. Alternatively, several occupants can ride in the tube.
The rest (tail end) of the tube is made of a sturdy structural material that is opaque providing that, when required, e.g., in hostage situation, swat team members could hide in the tunnel and burst forth into the open door of the plane in a surprise attack on the plane occupants.
The front door (on the front end of the tube) is preferably a sectionalized transparent member. The door is hinged on one edge to the end of the tube and swung open as the cab end of the tube approaches the side of the airplane. Crew seats are in the cab.
In operation, the cab end of the tube is raised to the height of the airplane door, the door on the cab end of the tube is opened toward the outside of the cab. Then the truck is driven a few feet so that the now open front end of the tube is flush against the side (including the door) of the airplane. The door of the airplane is opened toward the outside of the plane.
When the door of the plane is open, the inside of the tube is in unobstructed communication with the inside of the airplane.
A feature of this invention is a “gangplank construction” of the floor of the cab which maintains the floor level so that any one of the following actions can occur:
Medics can roll a gurney between the tube and the interior of the plane and out of the tail end of the tube to a waiting ambulance.
Fire fighting equipment can be rushed from the tube into the plane.
A hose can be rushed through the tube directly to the entrance to the airplane.
A previously concealed swat team can swarm from inside the tube into the plane to engage terrorists.
When closed, the door on the front of the cab provides protection against the weather to cab occupants as the truck is driven down the highway.
An important feature is the mounting of two engines mounted between the front and rear axles below the level of the frame supporting the horizontal tube. One engine is mounted close to and is coupled to the rear wheels. The other engine is mounted close to and is coupled to the front wheels.
This arrangement has several important advantages compared to the design of the present art where one large motor with a power dividing device coupled between the motor and wheels.
One advantage of this feature of the invention is that one large motor (of the present art) is more expensive than two small motors (the present invention).
A second advantage is that the smaller motors can be conveniently mounted under the truck bed frame rather than on top of the frame. The location of the motors UNDER the frame leaves space on TOP of the frame that is available for storing equipment (fire extinguishers, pumps, etc., hose, etc.)—a more efficient use of the space particularly in terms of accessibility to the operators.
A third advantage of substituting two motors under the frame for one large motor on top of the frame is that one of the two motors can be coupled to driving one axle and recoupled to power the auxiliary equipment when required while leaving to the other motor the job of driving the truck.
It should be noted that, when the one motor is powering the auxiliary equipment, the truck will generally be moving at low speed or not at all so that moving the truck can be accomplished by only the one other engine.
The foregoing summary has highlighted features, aspects and advantages of the present invention. The invention is further explained by the following description of what I presently believe to be the best mode for carrying out the invention illustrated by drawings to which are appended claims which define the scope of the invention.
a and 5b are sectional views of the stair inside the cab. In
Turning now to a discussion of the drawings,
As shown in
a and 5b are sectional views of the stair inside the cab. In
Turning now to a discussion of the drawings,
As shown in
FIGS. 12A,B show a hydraulic cylinder 33A with one end attached to the cab section 34 and the other end attached to the tail section 38. A second cylinder 33B has one end 33B attached to the frame 12 and the other end attached to the tail section 38. To raise the cab section 34, pump 35 forces oil into ram 33B and drains ram 33B. To lower the cab section 34, oil is pumped into ram 33A and drains oil from 33B. This arrangement thereby controls elevation of the cab section and maintains the floor of the cab horizontal
This construction thereby provides a large horizontal platform where operators can assemble equipment, load gurneys, etc. in preparation for egress down and out of the tube.
A transmission coupling 20 is shown with which the driver selectively couples the rear engine 16B to the rear axle 18B (for normal driving on the open road) or to auxiliary equipment 22. Transmission splitters such as feature 20 are well known in the art.
The incorporation of two engines is an improvement over the prior art disclosing one large engine which is so large that it must be located above the level of either axle and must be provided with a power transfer device for sending power to both front and back wheels of the truck and the auxiliary equipment.
A hydraulic ram 26 is mounted on the rear end of the entry tube 14. When the ram 26 is activated, the ram piston 28 presses down on extension 30 thereby raising the front end of tube 14.
There is shown a partial gear 21 mounted on the entry tube near the tail end. The rear engine 16A is coupled to a right angle clutch 20 which selectively drives a worm gear 21. The worm gear 21 engages a partial; gear 23 which is mounted on the underside of the entry tube 14. When the worm gear is turned by motor 16A, the entry tube rotates about axis 24.
This invention features several embodiments for steering the truck.
In one embodiment, the steering shaft extends from its coupling to the coupling rod 88 at the tail end of the tube 14 to the cab end of the tube 14 where it is coupled to the front wheels by conventional tie rods. (not shown).
In this embodiment, the truck is steered according to conventional practice.
In another embodiment, the steering shaft 90 is only long enough to be coupled to the rear wheels 18A and the truck is steered by its back wheels.
There are shown two hemispherical gears, 92 A,B. Gear 92A is mounted on the very end of the coupling rod 88.
The second hemispherical gear 92B is mounted on the steering shaft 90 near the tail end of the steering shaft 90. The steering shaft 90 is horizontal and is supported by the frame 12.
When inclination of the entry tube 14 is changed, the hemispherical gear 92A “rolls over hemispherical gear 92b.
In this steering mode all four wheels are steered when the entry tube 14 is horizontal. This mode is especially useful making tight turns.
The entry tube 14 has a door 32 hingeably attached to the tail end of the entry tube 14. The entry tube 14 is preferably about four feet wide and seven feet high. This height and width is sufficient to permit a person to walk through the tube.
A cab section 34 at the front end of the tube 14 is preferably made of transparent panels in order to provide maximum visibility to the driver 36 The transparent panel material is preferably shatterproof glass or a plastic such as a polycarbonate which is not only transparent but also is relatively strong and shatterproof.
The tail section 38 of the tube is made of durable opaque panel—preferably an aluminum alloy. This section 38 of the tube is opaque and a door 40 is positioned inside the tube between the cab section and end section in order that a swat team of a few men may be concealed in the opaque rear section. If necessary, the men may spring from the rear section, through the cab section and into the airplane if aggressive surprise action is required.
A smaller (circular) door 48 is hingably mounted over a central opening 42 in door 44.
A fan 46 is mounted on the outside of the door 44 so that, when the door 44 is open (swung away from the end of the tube 14) the fan 46 is also swung away from the entrance to the tube 14 permitting unobstructed access into the tail end of tube 14.
In one scenario, where there is an urgent need to provide ventilation into a plane (or building) at the cab end of the tube. The door 44 is closed and door 48 is open so that fan 46 is positioned to blow fresh air up through the tube 14 into the airplane cabin or building.
In another scenario for fighting a fire in a remote area where it is necessary to bring water up to the site, the door 44 is closed and smaller door 48 is also closed sealing the opaque section of the tube 14. The door 40 between the cab section 34 and tail section 38 of tube 14 is also closed,
The door between the sections and the door on the tail end of the tube are gasketed so that the interior of the opaque end of the tube is sealed. A capped opening is shown on top of the tube. This arrangement permits filling the opaque section of the tube with water when it is required to move a large a quantity of water to the site of a fire.
The opaque section of the tube 14 can now be filled with water or foam forming fire retarding medium and delivered by the truck of this invention to the site of the fire.
a is a sectional view showing a set of stairs 58 arranged down the floor 60 of the tail section of the tube 14. The platform of each step, in combination with the inclining mechanism of the tube, is adjustable so that each step platform remains horizontal regardless of the inclination of the tube.
b is a sectional view showing the stairs flattened against the floor of the tube when it is required to roll a gurney down the entire length of the tube.
As shown in the end view,
If it is required to flatten the steps so as to roll a gurney down the tube, cam 56 is rotated about hinge 57 (
To reposition the steps 58, a lever 70 attached to the tie rod at a midpoint location and having its fulcrum end attached to the tube 14, is pulled to retract the end 64 of the tie rod 60 and permit the spring loaded cam 68 to snap back to its original position abutting the end 63 of tie rod 60. Each tie rod 60 is hingeably attached to a respective edge of each step.
The door on the front of the cab section must not interfere with driving the cab end of the tube flush against the doorway opening of the airplane. Since it can not be predicted where the wing of the airplane will be (right or left side of the tube) or what obstruction may overhang the tube, a sectionalized door that folds up or rolls up inside the cab over the head of the driver is preferred. Sectionalized doors such as used on garages are well known in the art.
The ladder is extended by applying power to a capstan 86.
A firefighter can climb the ladder and, when he reaches the end of the ladder, direct the water from the hose onto the fire below.
There has been described a utility truck that can support an operation to overcome a variety of catastrophes.
These catastrophes include fires, medical emergencies, hijackings, forced landings, etc.
Variations and modifications of this invention may be contemplated after reading the specification and studying the drawings that are within the scope of the invention.
For example,
In view of these and other versions, I therefore wish to define the scope of my invention by the appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3088542 | Johnson et al. | May 1963 | A |
4050542 | Wilson | Sep 1977 | A |
4099595 | Tracy | Jul 1978 | A |
4339019 | Tracy | Jul 1982 | A |
4577725 | Hunter | Mar 1986 | A |
4580659 | Baker | Apr 1986 | A |
4589519 | Hunter | May 1986 | A |
4606431 | Ruder, Sr. | Aug 1986 | A |
4650034 | D'Avanzo | Mar 1987 | A |
4962827 | Garnett | Oct 1990 | A |
5555953 | Henderson | Sep 1996 | A |
6408982 | Bockhold | Jun 2002 | B2 |
6460653 | Hardy et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |