Abstract: A backing plate member is securable preferably to a vertically extending wall with at least one or more C-shaped clamping members secured thereto and extending outwardly therefrom approximately horizontally. Each clamping member includes a first and second clamp arm with a unique clamp arm adjustment means attached therebetween and positioned between the clamp base and the cylinder gripping zone defined between the clamp arms. The clamp arm adjustment means preferably includes a locking member for adjusting the spacing between the clamps for adjusting the size of the cylinder gripping zone as well as a spacer member with an arcuate abutment surface mated to the adjustment abutment surface of one of the clamp arms to facilitate contact therebetween at various adjustment positions and contact therebetween as the preferably flexibly resilient clamp arms are resiliently flexed to a more open position during urging of a cylindrically-shaped member therebetween into the cylinder gripping zone.

Abstract: A tank handling apparatus which is usable for loading and unloading of a tank such as an oxygen tank with respect to a location of usage such as an emergency vehicle. The handling apparatus is capable of securely locking the tank in place at the storage or usage position while at the same time easily allowing it to be detached therefrom and transferred to a tank service position for removal and replacement or servicing. The apparatus includes a unique locking mechanism including a locking hook construction and a locking housing with a locking slide movably mounted therein wherein a locking handle is secured thereto for movement of the locking slide between the position of engagement and the position of release of the locking hook. Multiple locking hooks and locking slides can be utilized for further secure attachment of the tank in the storage position.

Abstract: An apparatus for bridging of a hose to facilitate movement of vehicle wheels over a hose without damaging thereof which is of significant strength as well as being collapsible such as to be easily stored on emergency vehicles where limited space is available. The improved apparatus includes multi-directional ramps along with a hose bridging central member which is interconnected to multiple similarly shaped members to provide the capability of bridging one or more hoses while including ramps extending from both opposite directions. The design is particularly capable of being constructed of aluminum for lightweight advantages and includes a detachable engagement means for the ramps with respect to the central hose bridging member which is particularly advantageous when made from aluminum.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing storage of a ladder vertically above a shelf area defined on a vehicle while allowing powered movement of the apparatus to the retrieval position laterally adjacent the vehicle shelf area to easily allow removal of the ladder is disclosed. The design includes a U-shaped ladder holding bracket for holding the upper area of the ladder and a loop-shaped lower retaining bracket to allow the legs of the ladder to extend therein for securement. The retaining apparatus is mounted by a plurality of brackets and link arms to easily allow movement between the retrieval and the storage position. These arms also maintain the upper area of the ladder above the lower portion of the ladder such that it easily avoids contact with structures normally associated with the front of a vehicle such as the cab height, rearview mirrors, doors, etc. In this manner a ladder held in the storage position would be maintained in an inclined orientation.

Abstract: A collapsible wheel chock apparatus having a main body member with a preferably concave wheel engaging surface and a swing arm member pivotally secured to the main body member which includes a locking slot located therein with preferably a locking tab extending into the slot. A cross bar member is pivotally secured to the main body member and is movably secured and retained within the slot defined in the swing arm member. The cross bar member is adapted to be locked adjacent one end of the locking slot by a spring bias locking mechanism to facilitate holding of the wheel chock in the raised position for abutment against a vehicle wheel. The cross bar member is movable to the opposite end of the locking slot to allow the swing arm member and cross bar member both to be collapsed against the main body member for storage in this collapsed position.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be secured to an emergency vehicle such as a fire truck which is adapted to store a collapsible water storage tank and to be moved upwardly to the stored position with the stored tank in the inverted position to facilitate drainage therefrom. The apparatus includes a main bracket secured to the vehicle with a back arm pivotally secured to the main bracket and extending upwardly therefrom and a lower arm pivotally secured to the main bracket and extending outwardly therefrom. A shelf arm is pivotally secured to the distal ends of the lower arm and the back arm to facilitate control and movement thereof. Pivotal connection between the back arm and the shelf arm is made through an actuator drive pin. The actuator drive pin is also pivotally secured with respect to an axially extensible actuator such as an electrically powered piston adapted to facilitate movement of the article retaining apparatus between the stored and lowered positions.

Abstract: A releasable latching apparatus having a monitoring means for electrically indicating whether the latching apparatus is in the engaged or disengaged positions. The apparatus includes a main housing with a tab member selectively engageable therewith. A trigger member is pivotally mounted upon a trigger pin which in turn is pivotally mounted in the main housing. The trigger member is selectively engageable with the tab member for engaging or releasing thereof with respect to the main housing. An ejector member is movable between an engagement position and a released position responsive to whether the tab member is engaged to the trigger member. The ejector includes an ejector pin extending outwardly therefrom through an ejector pin opening defined in the main housing to selectively contact the switch lever of a switch which is affixedly secured to the exterior of the main housing.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a quick release tank support bracket having a positive locking engagement along with an optional operative seat back supportive assembly which includes support bars mounted with a frame with clamp arms secured to the support bars. At least two such support bars are included with at least one or more clamp arms secured thereto. The clamp arms are movable between a closed position for retaining of a tank therein and an opened position for releasing of the tank therefrom. Each of the support bars includes a crank arm which is interconnected by an inner engagement device for controlling cooperative relative movement of the two clamp arms with respect to one another. Closure lugs are positioned integral with the clamping arms and extend inwardly and include tank engaging surfaces such that when the tank is inserted into place by pushing horizontally toward the backing plate, the clamping arms and the support rods will automatically move to the tank retaining position.

Abstract: A latching apparatus including a tab member detachably securable with respect to a base and housing combination which includes a trigger assembly therein and an ejector assembly for selectively achieving securement or detachment of the tab member with respect to the housing as desired. The housing includes side walls defined in apertures through which a pin may extend upon which the trigger member is pivotally mounted with respect to the housing. The trigger member can be externally manipulated and is operable to selectively engage or disengage the latching slot of the tab. The trigger is biased into engagement with the latching slot of the tab by a trigger spring. An ejector including a notch defined therein is adapted to be selectively compressed by the tab when positioned in locking engagement within the tab channel and includes an injector spring to facilitate ejection of the tab from the tab channel when the trigger is moved to the disengaging position.