Abstract: The invention generally relates to a roof rack system including a rotating mechanism allowing roof-mounted objects to be slid off of a vehicle's roof and lowered via rotation to a more accessible height in a controlled or powered manner.

Abstract: A mobile fire hydrant (MFH) has a substantially planar rectangular base of tubing elements, with an inlet that connects to an ascending portion which has an outlet, generally configured as a fire hydrant outlet. Water or other fire abatement fluid, is pumped from a source to the MFH inlet, which then exits from the outlet in a manner very similar to that of a permanent fire hydrant. A switch mounted on the MFH controls the pump remotely through a pump cable as needed, allowing remote access to water sources at locations beyond 300 feet in distance and 75 in height, depending on pump specifications. This allows ease of water supply for firefighting in remote steep areas with streams or lakes otherwise inaccessible to firefighting equipment.

Abstract: A deployable hay pod elevator system for a transport trailer, such as a livestock trailer, provides a readily deployable hay pod, storage pod, or supply platform with the trailer, and is readily stowable above the trailer in a raised configuration for travel. The elevator system includes a deployable supply platform and a vertical raising and lowering mechanism or lift system configured to move the supply platform relative to the trailer. The lift includes a pivot arm system coupled to a sidewall of the trailer and a lift assist mechanism, such as a linear actuator, to vertically raise and lower the deployable supply platform. The elevator system includes a supply platform pivot actuation mechanism to adjust the angle of the platform relative to the pivot arm during stowage and deployment of the system. The elevator system may be fitted to various types of vehicles to store and transport various materials.

Abstract: A trailer-mounted pumping system includes a flatbed trailer having a generally flat deck surface, a pump, a batch controller, and a metering device in electronic communication with the batch controller, wherein the pump is configured to move a liquid from at least one tote supported by the generally flat deck surface to a location off-board the flatbed trailer, and the batch controller is configured to measure a volume of the liquid via the metering device. The pump, the metering device, and/or the batch controller may be disposed beneath the generally flat deck surface.

Abstract: The present technology relates to beams having a cross section defining a plurality of channels and assemblies comprising the beams. The beams can be used to form a beam assembly that is installed inside the truck bed of a pick-up truck. A ladder loader is pivotably secured to the beam assembly along either the driver side wall or the passenger side wall of the truck bed, with the ladder loader being pivoted between a stow position where the ladder loader is above the beam assembly, and a deployed position where the ladder loader is positioned outside either the driver side wall or the passenger side wall.

Abstract: A ladder latching device for a rear deploy, tilting type ladder lack that automatically extends and retracts a latch pin as ladders are loaded onto and removed from the roof of a work vehicle. The latching device has an L-shaped lever with a spring biased first leg supporting a latch pin and a second leg with a roller for cooperating with a rail of the rack's stationary bed. The latch pin is made to extend through apertures in a stop post and over a rung of the ladder to trap it only when the roller remains in contact with the stationary rail. During tilting of the load support member, the latch pin retracts.

Abstract: A ladder rack includes: a frame assembly mountable on a vehicle, the frame assembly having at least two cross bows each including a principal length extending between opposite first and second ends; a pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the first ends of each cross bow, each pivot bracket adapted to support one side rail of a ladder, and each pivot bracket being pivotally moveable between a first position corresponding to the stowage position and a second position corresponding to the loading/unloading position; a stationary bracket disposed on each cross bow intermediate the first and second ends thereof, each stationary bracket adapted to abut another side rail of a ladder in the stowage position; a torsion bar interconnecting the pivot brackets; and a manually operable handle coupled to one of the torsion bar or a pivot bracket for moving the pivot brackets between the stowage position and the loading/unloading position.

Abstract: An alerting system for signaling the displacement of a leading end portion of a hose or the like, carried by a vehicle, includes a hose-gripping unit, a visible or audible signal generator, and a mounting box for connecting the gripping unit to support structure. Displacement of the hose from the gripping unit may generate an alarm signal to enable the operator to immediately bring the vehicle to a stop, or it may generate a signal simply to indicate when one of several hoses has been intentionally deployed.

Abstract: An alerting system for signaling the displacement of a leading end portion of a hose or the like, carried by a vehicle, includes a hose-gripping unit, a visible or audible signal generator, and a mounting box for connecting the gripping unit to support structure. Displacement of the hose from the gripping unit may generate an alarm signal to enable the operator to immediately bring the vehicle to a stop, or it may generate a signal simply to indicate when one of several hoses has been intentionally deployed.

Abstract: An alerting system for signaling the displacement of a leading end portion of a hose or the like, carried by a vehicle, includes a hose-gripping unit, a visible or audible signal generator, and a mounting box for connecting the gripping unit to support structure. Displacement of the hose from the gripping unit may generate an alarm signal to enable the operator to immediately bring the vehicle to a stop, or it may generate a signal simply to indicate when one of several hoses has been intentionally deployed.

Abstract: A fire truck equipped with a moveable side mounted fire truck hose bed, including: a fire truck chassis; a fire hose bed mounted onto a side of the fire truck chassis; and a mechanism for moving the hose bed between a lowered deployed position and an upper storage position.

Abstract: A pressurized gas system controls a gas flow from one or more gas pressure storage vessels by means of an electronically controlled electro-mechanical shut-off valve located in close proximity to each of the vessels. The shut-off valves are electrically wired to actuation switches on the control panel. Pressure transducers mounted on each vessel provide a signal output which is electrically connected to a digital numeric display located on the control panel so that the pressure of each vessel can be monitored. Gas flow from the vessels is controlled by means of the electric shut-off valves operated from the control panel. A pressure regulator at the air access station controls the final output pressure delivered to the tool or personnel air bottle.

Abstract: A vehicle storage system for a vehicle includes an inclined guide configured to be coupled to a vehicle and a storage structure coupled to the guide and configured to move along the guide while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A pressurized gas system controls a gas flow from one or more gas pressure storage vessels by means of an electronically controlled electro-mechanical shut-off valve located in close proximity to each of the vessels. The shut-off valves are electrically wired to actuation switches on the control panel. Pressure transducers mounted on each vessel provide a signal output which is electrically connected to a digital numeric display located on the control panel so that the pressure of each vessel can be monitored. Gas flow from the vessels is controlled by means of the electric shut-off valves operated from the control panel. A pressure regulator at the air access station controls the final output pressure delivered to the tool or personnel air bottle.

Abstract: A fire engine having an extension ladder mounted thereto, wherein said extension ladder may be rotated through a full 360 degrees while the ladder is fully extended—regardless of the vertical angle or position of the ladder with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fire engine. The ladder is mounted to the fire engine between a forward portion and a rearward portion. The fire engine employs at least two sets of vertically offset and laterally extendable stabilizers, that are adapted to communicate with the ground and stabilize the fire engine while the ladder is in use. The stabilizers are mounted substantially beneath the mounting point of the ladder and are designed to reside within the width of the fire engine body when retracted. Each set of stabilizers is arranged to diverge in the direction of extension in order to provide maximum stabilization to the fire engine.

Abstract: A multi-function truck of the present invention has a load-carrying platform, a pump having a motor driven by electric power from an AC power supply and mounted in a space below the load-carrying platform, and a liquid collector loaded on the load-carrying platform. The load-carrying platform also has thereon a hose having the length enough to connect one pipe-end of a suction or a delivery of the pump to the liquid collector and a hose having the length enough to connect the other pipe-end of the pump to a on-site liquid container placed at a collection site, containing an accumulated liquid, wherein a switch is disposed between a plug connected to the AC power supply and the motor, and when a load current exceeds a specified value due to a cause on the side of the truck, the electric current of the AC power supply borrowed is automatically intercepted by the side of the truck.

Abstract: An aircraft refuelling cart includes a chassis (10) having ground-engaging wheels (11, 12) and a refuelling platform (20) upon which an aircraft refuelling operator can stand. The platform (20) is mounted to the chassis (10) by a scissor-action mechanism (22) which is typically activated by hydraulic means. An extendable hydrant hose (14) has a coupler (15) for connection to an airport fuel hydrant. A fuel conveying boom (24) conveys fuel from the hydrant hose to one or more fuel hoses (26) at the platform (20). The fuel hoses (26) convey fuel to the aircraft. The fuel cart can remain on the apron at a particular aircraft bay and is readily movable from one side of the aircraft to the other and is capable of servicing the full range of aircraft which may use the bay at which it is stationed. This is achieved by way of the variable height adjustability of the platform (20).

Abstract: A ladder support accessory is disclosed for pivotally supporting a ladder on a truck rack. The ladder support accessory includes, in one embodiment, a pair of joints mounted to a side rail of the truck rack and a pair of ladder support members pivotably connected to the joints. The ladder support members extend inboard of and substantially transverse to the side rail and are pivotable in a substantially vertical plane between substantially horizontal and vertical positions. A ladder is secured to the ladder support members and is at least partially supported by front and rear rails of the truck rack when the ladder support members are in the horizontal position. The ladder is supported solely by the ladder support members when the ladder support members are pivoted to the vertical position.

Abstract: A fire truck having a flat bed includes a conveyor system for loading a number of interchangeable firefighting modules onto the bed. The conveyor system comprises a frame carrying a number of rollers or casters which allow the units to be easily slid on and off the bed. A pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or mechanical mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the roller frame to engage or disengage the flat bottoms of the firefighting modules. Among the various modules disclosed are a hose module having fold-down chutes which lay the hose out alongside the truck as the truck moves ahead, and a tank module, which is coupled by quick-connect hoses to the intake and discharge lines of a pump carried in the truck bed. The intake and discharge lines of the pump may double as chassis rails for the truck. Also disclosed is a ladder carrier device which pivots downwardly and rearwardly to let the ladder slide down under its own weight after a sufficient length of the ladder has been pulled.

Abstract: A combination support for carrying a length of hard suction hose and a pike pole on a fire pumper engine. The support includes an elongated open ended metal trough sized for supporting a length of hard suction hose placed within an open top of the trough. The hose may be secured in position with quick release straps attached to the trough. The trough is attached and supported horizontally disposed, with the open top of the trough facing upward, by two triangular mounting brackets connected between the trough and fire engine. Both mounting brackets are affixed to a vertical surface of the fire engine with bolts or the like. Each bracket is structured with a transverse opening, with the openings of the brackets being in alignment with one another when the brackets are mounted. The openings are sized for accepting and supporting a straight length of hollow tubing inserted and affixed therein, and spanning between the two brackets.

Abstract: A torque box chassis frame for firefighting vehicles or the like constituting a platform for extendible aerial ladders. The vehicle torque box chassis frame includes elongated lower and upper members significantly spaced from each other having rigid bracing structure interposed therebetween resulting in a rigid elongated box of significant rectangular cross section dimension. The torque box chassis frame rear end is defined by a rigid ladder turntable support including its own vertical rigid columns, and spaced outrigger support tubes for receiving hydraulic outrigger jacks are integrally defined on the torque box chassis frame to provide firm support of the torque box upon the ground eliminating the influence of the vehicle suspension system.

Abstract: A hydrant refueler is provided for refueling an aircraft. The hydrant refueler is suitable for use in an airport having a hydrant for supplying fuel. The hydrant refueler includes a hydrant cart and a self propelled land vehicle. The hydrant cart includes a fuel hose for coupling to the hydrant, and a delivery fuel hose for coupling to a fuel intake valve of the aircraft. The land vehicle includes a platform for supporting a refueling operator during transportation and during refueling. The platform may be raised and lowered. The platform has controls for operating the land vehicle, and for raising and lowering the platform. The hydrant cart may be attached to the land vehicle for transporting and controlling the hydrant cart. During operation, one end of the delivery fuel hose is raised with the platform to a height for coupling with the aircraft fuel intake valve for conducting fuel to the airplane. The land vehicle and hydrant cart are detached from one another for maintenance and repair.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly usable with an emergency vehicle for storage thereon and facilitating removal of remotely located emergency devices such as ladders, tanks or hoses and the like including a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle with at least two extension arms extending outwardly therefrom and pivotally secured with respect to the mounting bracket at locations vertically and laterally spaced from one another. An upper suspension bracket is pivotally secured to the extension arms at the opposite end from the mounting bracket and in order to facilitate movement of the extension arms from a storage position vertically extending upwardly above the mounting bracket to a retrieval position laterally extending outwardly from the mounting bracket to facilitate access to the emergency device such as a ladder. There is no rotation of the upper suspension bracket during movement from the storage position to the retrieval position and vice versa with respect to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A hydrant refueler for aircraft is provided with a plurality of decks each at a different fixed height above ground to enable the refueler operator to connect to the fuel tanks of aircraft having wings at different heights above ground. The uppermost deck is provided with foldable side guard railings which when lowered will permit the refueler vehicle to clear the wing of a low wing aircraft and which when raised will provide necessary safety protection to a refueler operator as he services a high wing aircraft. A rigid cross bar guard is provided at at least one end of the foldable side guard railings.

Abstract: In a fire truck having a central hose bank and outwardly protruding cabinets containing emergency equipment, an improved ladder rack is utilized. A frame having a plurality of protruding tines at each end is utilized. The tines are connected by a crosspiece which is integral to the frame. The rack pivots about a hinge mounted to one of the side edges of the frame at the crosspiece on the back of the tines. In the upwardly pivoted position the tines are directed to the sides of the truck. A ladder placed within the tines is thus trapped between the truck sides and tine crosspiece. In the lowered position, the fork section rack pivots about the forward edge of the cabinet at the juncture between the tines and the crosspiece. The fork mount pivots until the tines are parallel with the side edges of the cabinet. The ladder may be readily removed at a lowered disposition for immediate use at an emergency.

Abstract: A hose laying vehicle employs a mechanical connection between a loop of hose and a switch for activating a warning device for a predetermined period.