GB2158783A - Vehicle and method of construction thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle of the kind having a cabin (2) and a facilities section (1) located behind the cabin on a rearward extension of the vehicle chassis. The facilities section (1) is built up in a modular fashion so as to be capable of variation according to requirements. Principal components of the facilities section (1) are a base frame (3) which is connectable to the chassis and two side units (4) which are connected to respective opposite sides of the base frame (3). Each side unit (4) is of open frame construction and includes at least one storage compartment (9). The door (10) of one such compartment (9) carries mounting means (49) for portable breathing apparatus and part (50) of that mounting means (49) is movable between raised and lowered positions. The connection between the base frame (3, 6) and the chassis (37) includes resilient means which permits limited relative movement between the facilities section (1) and the chassis (37). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle and method of construction thereof This invention relates to vehicles and is particularly although not exclusively concerned with commercial-type vehicles having a storage or load carrying capacity. One example application of the invention is in relation tofirefighting vehicles and twill be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to that example.

There are several standard forms of fire fighting vehicles, but the needs of users vary considerably so that standardization within those forms is not possible. By way of example, the form of vehicle known as a hose carrier pumper may have the pump unit mounted at any one of several positions according to user requirements. As a result, manufacture of such vehicles is labour intensive and relatively expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of constructing vehicles of the foregoing kind which facilitates standardization of components whilst leaving open the possibility of configuration variation. It is another object of the invention to provide an improved vehicle of the foregoing kind.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved vehicle which is especially adapted to the needs of fire fighting.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle including, a cabin, a chassis extending rearwardly of said cabin, a facilities section mounted on said rearwardly extending chassis and having at least three components comprising a base frame and two side units which are connected to respective opposite sides of said base frame, said components are so arranged as to permit any of a variety of vehicle accessories to be added to or included in said facilities section, and means connecting said facilities section to said chassis.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle including, a cabin, a facilities section located behind said cabin, a storage compartment within said facilities section, a door movable to open and close access to said compartment, and mounting means for portable breathing apparatus provided on an inside surface of said door, said mounting means having a movable section which is movable relative to said door between a raised position and a lowered position at which breathing apparatus can be conveniently removed from or replaced on said mounting means.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle including, a chassis, a frame located over said chassis, resilient means interconnecting said frame and said chassis such as to permit limited relative movementtherebetween, said resilient means including resilient components located at each of two ends of said frame and at each of two sides thereof, and said end resilient components are located adjacent the longitudinal centre line of said chassis.

According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing a vehicle of the kind having a cabin and a facilities section mounted on a chassis extending rearwardly of said cabin, including the steps of, forming a base frame of said facilities section, forming two side units of said facilities section of open frame construction, securing each said side unit to a respective opposite side of said base frame, securing said facilities section to said chassis, and adding to or including within said facilities section such further components and/or accessories as required to complete said vehicle.

The essential features of the invention, and further optional features, are described in detail in the following passages of the specification which refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings however, are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, so that the specific form and arrangement of the features (whether they be essential or optional features) shown is not to be understood as limiting on the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of vehicle incorporating an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a variation of the vehicle form; Figure 3 is an exploded diagrammatic view of a method of construction according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view, in diagrammatic form, taken along line IV-IV of Figure 1; Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of a door pillar as used in the construction according to Figure 4; Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an end view of a metal section used in the construction of doors for the vehicle shown in Figure 4; Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a door formed in partform the metal section shown in Figure 7;; Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line IX-IX of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of a vehicle chassis having the base frame of the vehicle facilities section mounted thereon; Figure 11 is a view taken in the direction of line Xl-Xl of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a cross sectional view taken along line XII-XII of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII of Figure 10; Figure 14 is a view of a door of the vehicle shown in Figure 4 and showing mounting means for breathing apparatus on the inside surface of that door; Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 but showing the mounting means in a different position.

One form of vehicle to which the invention can be applied is shown in Figure 1 and includes a facility section 1 located behind the usual driver andlor passenger cabin 2. The facilities section 1 may have any one or more of a variety of functions such as storage of material or equipment, or location of service facilities. In the case of a fire fighting vehicle as shown, one service facility may be the pump unit and associated control mechanism.

It is a feature of the invention that the facilities section 1 is constructed on a modular-type basis so that various components of that section can be arranged as required according to circumstances. In the example shown by Figure 3, the facilities section 1 includes four main components - namely, a base frame 3, two side units 4, and a rear frame 5. The base frame 3 may be of generally rectangular form as shown and composed of interconnected longitudinal and transverse metal sections 6 and 7 respectively which are arranged so as to form an open frame-work type structure. That frame 3 is adapted to be supported on the rear chassis of the vehicle and any suitable means may be used for that purpose. It is preferred that the frame 3 is composed of metal sections 6 and 7 of such form andlor arrangement so as not to provide a trap for water and other liquids.That is, each metal section 6 and 7 may be a channel or open sided member or if it is tubular at least one end is open so as to enable escape of liquids which might otherwise settle on a surface of the frame. Such a construction is particularly useful in the case of fire fighting vehicles which may carry or be exposed to corrosive liquids.

Each side unit 4 preferably includes a frame structure composed of metal sections as described above and each such unit is adapted to be supported on the base frame 3. Aluminium sheet or other suitable covering may be applied over the frame structure of each side unit 4. In the arrangement shown, each side unit 4 is of substantially the same length as the base frame 3, but in the alternative it may be shorter and adapted to be located at any desired position along the length of the base frame 3.

In the example shown, each side unit 4 includes a longitudinally extending bearer 8 in the form of an angle section which engages against one side and an upper surface of a longitudinal side member 6 of the base frame 3 as shown in Figure 4. Such a bearer 8 can be bolted or otherwise secured to the base frame 3 so that the two components 3 and 4 can be separated if desired. With that arrangement, the side unit 4 is firmly supported by the base frame 3, both vertically and laterally.

In the form shown, each side unit 4 comprises a storage compartment 9 or a plurality of such compartments 9. For example, there may be a plurality of compartments 9 arranged side by side along the length of the unit 4 and which are accessible through respective doors 10 at the outer side of the unit 4 (see Figure 1). Also, the side unit 4 may extend below the base frame 3 at the outside of that frame 3 as shown in Figure 4 and any such extension may comprise a storage compartment 11 or be part of another storage compartment. Alternatively, such an extension may serve as a mounting for an item of equipment such as an auxiliary pump.

It is preferred that the outer side 12 of each side unit 4 is curbed slightly between its top and bottom edges 13 and 14, as shown in Figure 4. Such a configuration has the advantages of strength and appearance. Assuming doors 10 are to be provided in such a unit 4, the frame of the unit 4 will include upright pillar sections 15 which define between them a door opening.

According to one favoured construction as shown in Figures 5 and 6, each door pillar 15 is composed of two metal channels 16 and 17 which are welded or otherwise secured together to form a tubular box section. The channel 16 is straight, whereas the other channel 17 is curved along its length in accordance with the aforementioned curvature of the outer side 12 of the unit 4. Such a construction enables convenient and accurate formation of a curved pillar 15 and provides adequate room for attachment of hinges and other fittings as may be required. A rebate 18 is provided along each longitudinal edge of the curved pillar 15 sq as to provide a recess for location of a door 10.

Each door 10 may be curved to suit the aforementioned curvature of the respective side unit 4. In the case of a hinged door, the door 10 may include a frame with a panel 19 of aluminium for example secured thereto to form the outer surface (figure 9).

The door frame preferably includes two upright members 20 and 21 which are initially formed as part of the same metal channel section 22 (figure 7). That channel section 22 can be pressed or otherwise formed to have the desired lengthwise curvature (Figure 8) and may then be divided longitudinally along the line 23 (Figure 7) to form the two upright members 20 and 21. Such a method ensures conformity of curvature between the two upright members 20 and 21 of a door 10 and facilitates manufacture.

Preferably, the doors 10 are arranged so as to be interchangable. Also, each door 10 may be constructed so as to be capable of mounting with either of two opposite edges 24 and 25 (figure 8) uppermost.

When the side units 4 are connected to the base frame 3 it is preferred that a space 26 (figure 4) exists between the adjacent inner sides 27 of those units 4.

That space 26 can be used as desired. For example, in the case of a fire fighting vehicle, it may be used to store hoses and suitable racks 28 may be provided in the space 26 for that purpose. It is also preferred that each side unit 4 extends laterally outwards from the adjacent side of the base frame 3 so as to extend the possible variations in form and arrangement of the side unit.

Assuming the foregoing construction is applied to a fire fighting vehicle as shown, the facility section 1 can be arranged against the vehicle cabin 2 as shown by Figure 2, or it may be spaced rearwardly from the vehicle cabin 2 as shown by Figure 1. In the latter case, a pump unit 29 for example may be contained within the space between the cabin 2 and the facility section 1. Alternatively, such a pump unit 29 may be located at the rear of the facility section. In yet another variation, a pump unit is not included and the space which it would otherwise occupy is taken up by an added storage section or other appropriate arrangement.

In order to adapt to such variation of the facility section 1 it is preferred to form the rear frame 5 in two parts - an upper part 30 and a lower part 31 (Figure 3). One or the other of the parts 30 and 31 may be omitted or varied to suit particular circumstances. Such frame parts 30 and 31 are preferably formed of open metal sections as previously described and may be covered by aluminium sheet or other appropriate covering.

Any suitable top 32 (figure 4) may be provided over the facility section 1 or such part thereof as may require a top.

Again considering the example of a fire fighting vehicle, as shown in Figures 3 and 4 a water storage tank 33 may be provided in part of the space 26 between the two side units 4 of the facilities section 1. Preferably, that tank 33 has a sump portion 34 which projects downwardly through the base frame 3 so as to lower the centre of gravity of the assembly and also aid in attachment of a pump unit and/or hoses to the sump 34. It is further preferred that the sump 34 is composed of upper and lower parts 35 and 36. The lower part 36 preferably extends into or through the vehicle rear chassis 37 and is interchangable with other parts of different configurations so as to enable adaption to various preformed chassis 37 (figure 4).

A construction as described has several advantages over the prior art. The use of a base frame 3 for the facilities section 1 enables that section 1 to be adapted for attachment to various preformed vehicle chassis. It also enables convenient removal of the facilities section 1 from a vehicle chassis 37 as well as permitting various arrangements of the other components of the facilities section 1.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved method of mounting a sub-frame or other structure to a vehicle chassis. It will be convenient to describe that aspect as applied to mounting of a facilities section 1 as previously described.

The aforementioned mounting is shown in Figures 10 to 13 and preferably includes a plurality of flexible mounts between the facilities section base frame 3 and the vehicle chassis frame 37. As previously stated, the base frame 3 is generally rectangular and consequently has two longitudinal members 6 and two transverse peripheral members 7. Those peripheral members 6 and 7 preferably overly respective members of the chassis frame 37, although in one arrangement as shown by figure 13 the longitudinal peripheral members 6 may be located outward of the corresponding members 38 of the chassis frame 37. In that arrangement, an adaptor bracket 38 of suitable form may be secured to each longitudinal member of the chassis frame 37 at a position such as to underly a portion of the corresponding member 6 of the base frame 3.

Preferably, the bracket 39 is located beneath a substantially central portion ofthe base frame member 6.

Any suitable form of resilient mount may be used between the chassis 37 and the base frame 6. In the arrangement shown, at least one rubber spring 40 such as an AEON (Trade Mark) spring is located between each transverse peripheral member 7 of the base frame 3 and the respective underlying member of the chassis 37. Preferably, there are two such springs 40 at each end of the base frame 3 and they are located side by side adjacent the longitudinal axis of the base frame 3. It is also preferred that the mounting includes a resilient support between each of the adaptor brackets 39 and the respective overlying portion of a base frame longitudinal member 6. Each such resilient support may comprise a pad 41 of suitable size of rubber or other resilient material as shown by Figure 13.Furthermore, a rubber spring 42 or other resilient mount may be provided between each adaptor bracket 39 and the underlying vehicle suspension spring 43, and those springs 42 may be arranged to become operative only when some relative movement has occurred between the base frame 3 and the chassis 37.

Each of the rubber springs 40 and 42 can be connected to the base frame 3 and/or the chassis 37 in any appropriate manner. It is preferred however, that at least the front and rear rubber springs 40 are mounted in such a way that lateral displacement of the springs 40 is avoided or minimized. For example, as shown by Figure 11 each pair of springs 40 may have a rigid telescopic mount 44 located between them. The mount 44 allows vertical deflection of the springs 40 but provides resistance against lateral deflection of the base frame 3 relative to the chassis 37. In the arrangement shown, each mount 44 includes two brackets 45 and 46 which are secured to the frame 3 and chassis 37 respectively. A roller 47 slidably located in slots 48 of each bracket 45 and 46 prevents relative lateral movement of the brackets 45 and 46 but allows relative up and down movement.

The mounting arrangement described has the ability to allow movement of the facilities section 1 relative to the vehicle chassis 37 so that pitching of the latter is not necessarily transferred to the former.

Also, the facilities section 1 will not be affected by twisting or flexing of the chassis 37 as sometimes occurs under servere conditions of use.

Yet another aspect of the invention involves the mounting of removable equipment within the facilities section 1. In the case of fire fighting vehicles it is necessary to provide special breathing apparatus for the fire fighting crew. Such apparatus includes an oxygen tank, carry straps, face mask and other components. Usually, that equipment is simply stored in a box or placed directly on the floor of a storage compartment 9 within the facilities section 1.

As a result, the equipment can be damaged andlor tangled, or at the very least is not adapted for rapid retrieval and use by the fire fighting crew.

According to an aspect of the present invention, which is shown by Figures 14 and 15 and which may or may not be combined with the aspects previously described, a mount 49 for breathing apparatus is provided on the inside of at least one door 10 of a storage compartment 9 so that the apparatus is immediately accessible to the user when the door is opened. The mount 49 as shown includes a movable section 50 which is arranged to accept the breathing apparatus, a fixed section 51 through which the movable section 50 is connected to the door 10, and control means.

Preferably, the apparatus is adapted to be sup ported by the movable section 50 so that a user can slip his arms into the carry straps of the apparatus while the apparatus is on the vehicle door 10. That is, it is not necessary to remove the apparatus from the door 10 before attaching it to the user, but on the other hand once it is attached to the user the connection between the apparatus and the movable section 50 is such that the apparatus can be easily pulled away from the door 10. The connection between the movable and fixed sections 50 and 51 is such as to allow the movable section 50 to move downwards from a storage position (figure 14) to adopt a removal position (Figure 15) at which it is convenient for the user to attach the apparatus to his body. There may be two or more such removal positions so that one can be selected to suit the size of the user.

Control means for the movable section may include biasing means such as a fluid cylinder 52 (e.g., a gas strut) which acts between the movable section 50 and the door 10 or the fixed section 51 so as to urge the movable section 50 upwards from a selected removal position. In the example shown, the cylinder 52 is operable to compress the contained fluid as a consequence of downward movement of the movable section 50 and such a cylinder 52 may be provided at each side of the movable section 50. A detent 53 or the like may automatically operate to hold the movable section 50 against upward movement when in a selected removal position, and a lever 54 or other release means may be conveniently located to allow the user to free that detent 53 when he has removed the apparatus from the mount49.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the breathing apparatus mount 49 as described has the considerable advantage of allowing convenient and rapid attachment to the body of a user. Also, the apparatus is less likely to be damaged during storage and transport.

It will be further apparent from the foregoing description that the invention, according to its various aspects, has numerous advantages over the prior art and especially when the invention is applied to fire fighting vehicles.

Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. Avehicle including, a cabin, a chassis extending rearwardly of said cabin, a facilities section mounted on said rearwardly extending chassis and having at least three components comprising a base frame and two side units which are connected to respective opposite sides of said base frame, said components are so arranged as to permit any of a variety of vehicle accessories to be added to or included in said facilities section, and means connecting said facilities section to said chassis.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said facilities section is spaced rearwardly from said cabin and a pump unit or storage section is located between said facilities section and said cabin.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or 4, wherein each said side unit has inner and outer sides between which is defined at least one storage compartment, and an access door for said compartment is provided at said outer side.

4. A vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said outer side is curved between upper and lower longitudinal edges thereof, said door is located between two upright pillars each of which forms part of the respective said side unit, and each said pillar includes two elongate channel sections which are secured together to form an open ended tubular section.

5. Avehicle according to claim 4, wherein one of said channel sections of each said pillar is straight and the other has a curvature corresponding to said outer side curvature.

6. A vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said door includes two laterally spaced upright members and an outer panel extending between and secured to said members, said upright members are formed by separating an elongate and longitudinally curved metal section along a longitudinally extending line, and the curvature of said elongate metal section corresponds to said outer side curvature.

7. A vehicle according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said door has means for mounting portable breathing apparatus, and said mounting means is provided on an inner side of said door and includes a movable section which can be lowered when the door is open so that said breathing apparatus can be conveniently removed from and replaced on said mounting means.

8. Avehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein a further said component of said facilities section is formed by a rear frame, and said frame is composed of an upper part and a lower part, one of which can be omitted as desired.

9. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein each said component is formed of a plurality of elongate metal sections which are either of channel or tubular cross sectional shape and said metal sections of tubular shape are open at one end at least to allow escape of liquid.

10. A vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein a space is provided between the adjacent sides of said side units.

11. A vehicle according to claim 10, wherein a water tank is located in said space between the side units and has a sump portion which projects downwardly through said base frame.

12. Avehicle according to claim 11, wherein said sump portion is composed of two parts and a lower one of said parts is interchangable with a corresponding part of a different shape to suit the particular circumstances of use.

13. Avehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein said base frame is connected to said chassis through resilient means which allows limited relative movement between said base frame and said chassis.

14. A vehicle including a cabin, a facilities section located behind said cabin, s storage compartment within said facilities section, a door movable to open and close access to said compartment, and mounting means for portable breathing apparatus provided on an inside surface of said door, said mounting means having a movable section which is movable relative to said door between a raised position and a lowered position at which breathing apparatus can be conveniently removed from or replaced on said mounting means.

15. Avehicle according to claim 14,wherein said movable section is biased towards said raised position and releasable detent means is operable to hold said movable section in said lowered position.

16. A vehicle including, a chassis, a frame located over said chassis, resilient means interconnecting said frame and said chassis such as to permit limited relative movement therebetween, said resilient means including resilient components located at each of two ends of said frame and at each of two sides thereof, and said end resilient components are located adjacent the longitudinal centre line of said chassis.

17. Avehicle according to claim 16, wherein telescopic means interconnects said frame and said chassis so as to resist relative lateral movement therebetween whilst permitting said frame to move up and down relative to said chassis.

18. A method of constructing a vehicle of the kind having a cabin and a facilities section mounted on a chassis extending rearwardly of said cabin, including the steps of, forming a base frame of said facilities section, forming two side units of said facilities section of open frame construction, securing each said side unit to a respective opposite side of said base frame, securing said facilities section to said chassis, and adding to or including within said facilities section such further components and/or accessories as required to complete said vehicle.

19. A vehicle substantially as herein particularly described with reference to what is shown in the accompanying drawings.