Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PORTABLE FLUID-TRANSPORTING SYSTEM
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/448,330, filed February 18, 2003, and U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/399,941, filed-July 30, 2002. The present application is also a
continuation-in-
part of U.S. Application No. 10/052,859, filed January 1'7, 2002. Application
Nos.
60/448,330, 60/399,941, and 10/052,859 are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
The present invention concerns embodiments of a portable fluid-transporting
system for mounting on a land-driven vehicle, such as a loader.
BACKGROUND
Water tank trucks are used in various aspects of construction, such as for
storing, conveying, or distributing water. In a specific example, such trucks
are
commonly used for spraying water on a dirt surface to minimize dust creation.
The
high cost of water tank trucks, however, can be prohibitive, especially for
small-
scale contractors. Most contractors, however, typically have in their
possession
some type of vehicle for hauling construction materials, such as a dump truck,
a
pick-up truck, or a skid-steer loader. Accordingly, as an alternative to
conventional
water tank trucks, apparatuses have been devised for enabling the load
compartment
of a vehicle, typically used for hauling solid materials, to convey and
distribute
water.
One such apparatus is shown U.S. Patent No. 3,393,835 to Kantor et al. This
patent discloses a flexible container that is shaped to complement the
interior space
of the load compartment of a dump truck. As another example, U.S. Patent No.
5,098,019 to Landefeld discloses a removable tank assembly that is sized to
fit the
bed of a dump truck.
Despite such inventions, there exists a continuing need for new and
improved apparatuses for transporting liquids using land-driven vehicles.
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SUMMARY
According to one aspect, the present invention provides new and improved
tanks for containing water or other fluids, which tanks are mountable to a
vehicle
and are quickly and easily removed therefrom to permit the vehicle to be used
for
other purposes.
According to one representative embodiment, a fluid-transporting device for a
land-
driven vehicle includes at least one container, or tank, for holding a fluid.
The
container has a mounting member configured to mount the container to the
vehicle
and to allow the container to be completely removed from the vehicle. The
fluid-
transporting device is configured to be carried by the vehicle such that at
least a
portion of the container is supported in front of the forward end of the
vehicle.
Although the capacity of the container can vary, the container desirably has a
fluid
capacity of at least about 400 gallons. In certain embodiments, the vehicle is
a
loader, (e.g., a skid-steer loader), which is particularly suitable for use in
traveling
over unpaved and rough surfaces, although other types of vehicles can also be
used.
In particular embodiments, the container is generally U-shaped and includes
a forward-container portion and first and second side-container portions
positioned
rearward of the forward-container portion. Thus, when the container is mounted
on
the vehicle, the forward-container portion is supported in front of the
forward end of
the vehicle and the side-container portions are supported adjacent respective
sides of
the vehicle.
In one illustrated embodiment, the first and second side-container portions
are integral with the forward-container portion. In another illustrated
embodiment,
the first and second side-container portions and the forward-container
portions each
comprise a separate container. In the latter embodiment, the side-container
portions
can be fluidly connected to the forward-container portion by respective fluid
conduits.
The fluid-transporting device can further include a pump and a discharge
conduit fluidly connectable to the pump for discharging fluid through one or
more
fluid outlets. Various spray nozzles or other types of fluid-distributing
equipment
can be connected to one or more of the fluid outlets to distribute the fluid
in a
desired manner. In one implementation, a fire hose connected to one of the
fluid
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outlets is used to extinguish or control the spread of a fire with water
contained in
the container. In another implementation, water is sprayed from an electric
water
monitor, such as used in fire control, connected to one of the fluid outlets.
According to another representative embodiment, an apparatus for
transporting liquid on a land-driven vehicle includes a tank that is mountable
to the
vehicle. The tank is generally U-shaped and has a first container portion and
second
and third container portions that are generally orthogonal to the length of
the first
container portion.
According to yet another representative embodiment, an apparatus for
transporting a fluid includes a land-driven vehicle having a driver
compartment and
a forward end. The apparatus also includes at least one fluid container for
holding a
fluid. The fluid container is configured to be carried by the vehicle with at
least a
portion of the fluid container being supported in front of the forward end of
the
vehicle.
In another representative embodiment, a method is provided for transporting
a liquid with a loader. The method includes introducing the liquid into a
container
that is releasably mountable to a loader. The method further includes mounting
the
container on a loader, and discharging, under pressure, the liquid from the
container.
According to another representative embodiment, a method is provided for
transporting a liquid with a land-driven vehicle having a driver compartment
and a
forward end. The method includes introducing the liquid into a container, and
carrying the container on the vehicle such that a portion of the container is
supported
in front of the forward end of the vehicle.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will
become more apparent from the following detailed description of several
embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRa4 WINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional use for a loader.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fluid-transporting
device, which is shown mounted on a loader.
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FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the fluid-transporting device and loader
of FIG. 2, as viewed from the opposite side.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fluid-transporting device of FIG. 2, shown
removed from the loader and without the pump and spray nozzles.
FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the fluid-transporting device shown in
FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the fluid-transporting device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the fluid-transporting device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8A is a back elevation view of the fluid-transporting device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8B is a rear perspective view of the rear wall of the forward-container
portion of the device of FTG. 4.
FIG. 9 is another embodiment of a fluid-transporting device shown mounted
on a loader.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" refer to one or more
than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the term "includes" means "comprises."
As used herein, a group of individual members stated in the alternative
includes embodiments relating to a single member of the group or combinations
of
multiple members. For example, the term "a, b, or c," includes embodiments
relating to "a," "b," "c," "a and b," "a and c," "b and c," and "a, b, and c."
FIG. 1 shows a loader 6 and a dumping hopper 8 connected to the loader 6
being used in a conventional manner to transfer earth at a construction site.
According to one aspect of my invention, an apparatus is provided for
transporting
liquids or other fluids with a land-driven vehicle, such as the loader 6 shown
in FIG.
1. For ease of description, the embodiments disclosed herein are described
with
reference to a loader. However, the embodiments disclosed herein can also be
adapted for use with other types of land-driven vehicles.
Loaders, such as loader 6 of FIG. 1, can have various constructions, but
usually are equipped with first and second movable support arms 10 and 12
(FIG. 1),
respectively, for supporting and/or manipulating various attachments or tools,
such
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as the dumping hopper 8. Movement of support arms 10, 12 typically is
controlled
by hydraulic cylinders 13. Without limitation, some examples of such loaders
include all-wheel steer loaders, skid-steer loaders, backhoe loaders, and
track
loaders.
5 Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a fluid-transporting device 14
according to one embodiment of my invention, mounted on the loader 6. FIGS. 4-
8
show the fluid-transporting device 14 removed from the loader 6. The fluid-
transporting device 14 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a generally U-
shaped
fluid container, or tank, 16 (as best shown in FIG. 6). The illustrated
container 16
generally comprises a forward-container portion 18 and first and second side-
container portions 20 and 22, respectively, positioned aft of the forward-
container
portion 18. As best shown in FIG. 6, the side-container portions 20, 22 are
generally
orthogonal to the length of the forward-container portion 18.
The fluid container 16 desirably is configured to be mountable to and
completely removable from the loader 6 to permit the loader to be
alternatively used
for transporting fluids in the container 16 and for performing vaxious other
tasks
with conventional attachments. Although the capacity of the container 16 can
vary,
the container 16 in one embodiment has a capacity of about 470 gallons. In
other
embodiments, the container 16 can have a smaller or greater capacity.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the fluid container 16 is mounted on the
loader 6, the forward-container portion 18 is supported in front of the
forward end of
the loader 6 and the side-container portions 20, 22 are supported adjacent
respective
sides of the loader 6. The illustrated fluid container 16 desirably is
configured to be
carried by the loader 6; that is, the weight of the fluid container 16 (and
any fluid
contained therein) is born by the loader 6, without the use of wheels or
tracks
mounted on the container 16 to support its weight on the ground. However, in
alternative embodiments, the container 16 is drawn, pushed, or otherwise
transported
by the loader, but wheels or tracks are mounted to the container 16 to support
the
container as it travels across the ground.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the container 16 can include a mounting
member 24 secured to the rear wall 86 of the forward-container portion 18.
Mounted on the forward ends of support arms 10, 12 is a mating attachment
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mechanism (not shown) that is configured to securely mate with the mounting
member 24 for supporting the container on the support arms 10, 12. In
particular
embodiments, the mounting member 24 and the corresponding attachment
mechanism on the support arms 10, 12 can comprise a Bob-TachTM mounting
system, available from Bobcat Company of West Fargo, ND: Mechanisms other
than the illustrated mounting member also can be used to mount the container
to the
loader. For example, bolts, cables, clamps, and various other types of
hardware can
be used to securely mount the container to the loader.
As shown in FIGS. 2-8A, braces 26 can be secured to the side-container
portions 20, 22 to assist in supporting the side-container portions on the
support
arms 10, 12 (FIGS. 2 and 3). As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8A, each brace 26
has a
generally U-shaped bracket 27 configured to fit over a respective support arm
10,
12. Brackets 27 minimize lateral (i.e., side-to-side) movement of the side-
container
portions 20, 22 relative to the support arms 10, 12.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pump 28 may be provided for discharging
liquid contained in the container 16. The pump 28 can be mounted to, or
otherwise
carned by, the container 16. Alternatively, the pump 28 can be mounted on the
loader 6. Although not required, the pump 28 desirably is a power take-off
type
pump. For example, the pump 28 in a working embodiment comprises a
hydraulically-driven pump adapted for connection to an existing hydraulic
system of
the loader 6. Alternatively, the pump 28 can be operatively coupled to a drive
shaft
of the loader 6. In other embodiments, other forms of drive mechanisms can be
use
to power the pump 28, such as a dedicated motor or engine.
In addition, in alternative embodiments, the pump 28 may comprise a
submersible pump disposed inside the container 16. In this alternative
embodiment,
an inlet conduit to the pump 38 (described below) would be optional.
As best shown in FIG. 3, the pump 28 has an inlet 30 and an outlet 32. The
inlet 30 of the pump 28 is fluidly connected to an inlet conduit in the form
of an inlet
pipe 34 that extends downwardly into the forward-container portion 18.
Although
not required, in the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 30 ofpump 28 is
connected to
the outlet of a three-way valve 96, and the inlet pipe 34 is connected to one
of the
inlets of the three-way valve 96. The other inlet of the three-way valve 96
can be
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connected to a suction hose when filling the container 16, as further
described
below. The inlet pipe 34 can comprise flexible or rigid piping. The lower, or
inlet,
end of the inlet pipe 34 extends to a position just above the bottom surface
of the
forward-container portion 18. Although not shown in the figures, a check valve
or a
back-flow preventer may be coupled to the inlet end of the inlet pipe 34.
Fluid (e.g., water) in the container 16 can be pumped by the pump 28
through an outlet conduit, which in the illustrated configuration comprises a
flexible
hose or tube 36 coupled to a discharge manifold 38. As best shown in FIG. 3,
the
flexible hose 36 is coupled at one end to the outlet 32 of the pump 28 and at
its
opposite end to the discharge manifold 38. A shut-off valve 88 (e.g., a ball
valve)
can be used to couple hose 36 to the discharge manifold 38. The discharge
manifold
38 desirably is mounted inside of the container 16 to avoid damage to the
discharge
manifold, although in other embodiments, the discharge manifold can be mounted
to
the exterior of the container 16. The discharge manifold 38 in the illustrated
embodiment comprises a pipe 40 (as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) that extends
longitudinally between the sides of the forward-container portion 18. Plural
outlet
conduits 42 extend from pipe 40 through the front wall of the forward-
container
portion 18.
The outlet 32 of the pump 28 may be fluidly connected to another flexible
hose 82 (or other type of fluid conduit) that is fluidly connected at its
discharge end
to an inlet port 84 (FIG. 4). A shut-off valve 90 (FIG. 3) can be used to
couple hose
82 to inlet port 84. Hose 82 serves as a re-circulation line by re-circulating
fluid
back into the container 16 when the fluid is not being discharged through
outlets 42.
A shut-off valve 92 can be positioned between the inlets of hoses 36 and 82 to
selectively divert fluid through the discharge manifold 38 or back into the
container
16.
In the illustrated embodiment, the forward-container portion 18 is in fluid
communication with the side-container portions 20, 22 so that fluid contained
in
each side-container portion 20, 22 can flow into the forward-container portion
18
and be discharged through the pump 28. In other embodiments, however, the
forward-container 18 and the side-container portions 20, 22 can be fluidly
disconnected from each other so that fluid cannot flow therebetween. In the
latter
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embodiment, each portion of the container 16 can be provided with a respective
pump to discharge fluid therefrom.
Various attachments can be coupled to outlet conduits 42 for distributing the
fluid contained in the container 16. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example,
one of
the outlets 42 is fluidly connected to an electrically-controlled water
monitor 44 that
is operable to produce different spray patterns of liquid discharged by the
pump.
The water monitor 44 can be manually or electrically controlled by a user to
select a
desired spray pattern. One example of a water monitor that can be used is a
model
8294-04 Scorpion~ monitor available from Elkhart Brass Mfg. of Elkhart, IN. A
"duck bill" nozzle 46 can be coupled to another outlet conduit 42 for
producing a
semi-circular spray pattern. Various other types of nozzles or spray equipment
can
be used in lieu of, or in addition to, the water monitor 44 and duck bill
nozzle 46.
An end cap 48 can be placed on any outlet conduit 42 that are not being used.
The
fluid outlets 42 can include valves 94 to control the flow of liquid to their
respective
attachments.
In one implementation, the container 16 can be filled with water from a fire
hydrant or other public water supply. To prevent the backflow of contaminants
from
the container 16 into the public water supply, one or more inlet-fill pipes 50
can be
mounted to the outside of the container 16. In the illustrated embodiment, for
example, an inlet-fill pipe 50 is mounted to the aft end of each side-
container portion
20, 22. Each inlet-fill pipe 50 has an inlet 52 (FIGS. 6 and 7) and an outlet
54
(FIGS. 2-7) positioned to direct liquid downwardly through a respective fill
port 56
of a respective side-container portion 20, 22. The inlet 52 of each inlet-fill
pipe 50
can be configured to be connectable to a liquid-supply line (not shown) (e.g.,
a water
hose) for supplying liquid to the container 16. Since each outlet 54 is spaced
from
its respective fill port 56, backflow of contaminants from the container 16 to
the
liquid-supply line can be avoided. In other embodiments, a liquid-supply hose
can
be connected directly to an inlet port of the container 16 to introduce liquid
therein.
Device 14 in the illustrated embodiment is also "self loading"; that is, the
pump 28 can be used to draw fluid into the container 16 from a non-pressurized
source of fluid, such as a lake or river when filling the container 16 with
water. To
fill the container 16 using pump 28, a suction hose (or other fluid conduit)
is
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connected to the available inlet of the three-way valve 96, the valve 96 is
activated
so that the suction hose is fluidly connected to the inlet 30 of the pump and
the inlet
pipe 34 is fluidly disconnected from the inlet 30, and valve 92 is activated
so that
hose 82 is fluidly connected to the outlet 32 of pump 28. The free end of the
suction
hose is placed in a source of fluid (e.g., a lake), and the pump is activated
to cause
fluid to be drawn through the suction hose and discharged through hose 82 and
into
the container 16.
As shown in FIGS. 5-7, a drain port 78 can be provided in the forward-
container portion 18 to drain liquid from the container 16. A removable plug,
or
cap, 80 (FIG. 3) can be used to seal the drain port 78 and retain liquid in
the
container.
As shown in FIG. 5, one or more internal gussets 62a and 62b can be welded
inside the forward-container portion 18 to provide' structural reinforcement
to the
walls of the forward-container portion. Gussets 62a are welded to the rear
wall and
top wall of the forward-container portion 18. Gussets 62b are welded to the
bottom
wall and front wall of the forward-container portion 18. The forward-container
portion can also include one or more internal baffles 58 to minimize sloshing
of the
liquid contained in the container 16 when the loader 6 is moving. Similarly,
side
container portions 20, 22 can also include one or more internal baffles 60
(FIGS. 6
and 7). Baffles 58, 60 also serve as braces for providing additional
structural
reinforcement to the container 16.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, one or more foot-holds 64 can be formed in
the side of the container 16 to permit a driver to ascend the container 16 to
gain
access into the driver compartment 7 (FIG. 2) of the loader 6. A handle 66 can
be
conveniently positioned on side-container portion 20 to assist the driver in
ascending
the container 16. In alternative embodiments, stairs or steps can be secured
to the
outside of the container 16.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, removable legs, or supports, 70 can be used
to support the container 16 in an upright position when it is removed from the
loader
6. Each leg 70 in the illustrated configuration comprises a vertical support
72 and a
horizontal support 74. The horizontal support 74 of each leg 70 is inserted
into a
respective bracket 76 secured to the aft end of one of the side-container
portions 20,
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22. A bolt (not shown) or similar fastener can be used to releasably retain
each
horizontal support 74 to its respective bracket 76. While the illustrated
embodiment
includes legs that axe removable, in alternative embodiments the legs can be
permanently connected to the container 16. In one embodiment, for example, a
leg
5 can be coupled to the aft end of each side-container portion 20, 22 with a
respective
hinge. In this alternative embodiment, when the container is mounted on the
loader,
the legs can be folded or pivoted upwardly against the side-container portions
20,
22. When the container is removed from the loader, the legs can be pivoted
downwardly to support the container in an upright position.
10 The fluid-transporting device 14 can include other features not shown in
the
drawings. For example, one or more mirrors can be mounted at convenient
positions
on the device to increase the field of view of a driver. In one embodiment, a
mirror
is mounted at each end of the forwaxd-container portion 18 and positioned to
enable
a driver to see the area on each side of the loader 6. In addition, a non-skid
surface
material (e.g., non-skid paint) can be added to the foot-holds 64 andlor the
top
surfaces of the container 16 to minimize slipping when accessing or leaving
the
driver compartment 7.
Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a fluid-transporting device 100 according
to another embodiment of my invention, mounted on a loader 6. The fluid-
transporting device 100 comprises a forward container, or tank, 102 and
separate
side containers 104 and 106 that are fluidly connectable to the forward tank
102 via
respective fluid conduits 108 (e.g., flexible hoses). The forward container
102 can
have a mounting member 24 (not shown in FIG. 9) for mounting to an attachment
mechanism on the support arms 10, 12 of the loader 6, such as the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Each side container 104, 106 in the illustrated
configuration has a bracket 26 for mounting the side containers to respective
support
arms 10, 12 of the loader 6.
As shown in FIG. 9, a pump 28 can be mounted to the forward container 102
for discharging liquid contained in the forward container 102 and side
containers
104, 106. Tn other embodiments, a separate pump can mounted on each container
102, 104, and 106 for selectively discharging liquid from each container. In
addition, valves or other flow-control devices can be used to control the flow
of
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liquid from each side container 104, 106 to the forward container 102. For
example,
a manual or electric shut-off valve can be positioned in-line with each fluid
conduit
108.
The embodiments described herein can be used for transporting and/or
distributing a fluid in various applications. An exemplary use of the
embodiments
described herein is fire control. In particular, the disclosed apparatuses are
especially suited for transporting water to fires in remote locations not
served by fire
hydrants and for transporting water to locations requiring travel over rough
terrain.
Other uses include spraying water on a road surface to clear debris therefrom,
spraying water on a dirt surface at a construction site to minimize dust
creation, and
hauling water to a remote site where water is not readily available.
The present invention has been shown in the described embodiments for
illustrative purposes only. The present invention may be subject to many
modifications and changes without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. I therefore claim as my invention all such
modifications as
come within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
