PORTABLE WALL-ATTACHABLE FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS AND METHOD Field of Invention The instant invention pertains to fire fighting apparatus and methods and more particularly to portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus and methods of use, particularly applicable to fighting tank seal fires and for inhibiting vapor release from tanks having sunken or dislodged roofs and for blanketing roof seal tank fires with foam.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Industrial fires and tank fires are typically fought utilizing portable nozzles staged a distance from the fire. Such uses of nozzles may be referred to as Type III applications. Portable nozzles stationed a distance away from the tank, however, lose some percent of the fire fighting fluid to"fallout"as the fluid transits the distance from the nozzle to the tank surface. Fallout is particularly noticeable and regrettable when throwing foam, an expensive fluid.

A more precise and efficient method of fighting at least certain fires and hazardous vapor situations can be achieved by stationing a nozzle on a wall rim, as for instance the rim of a tank during a hazardous emergency. The instant invention discloses methods and apparatus for stationing a monitor on a tank wall, or the like, in order to blanket a fire with fluid such as foam, to suppress vapors and/or to extinguish flammable liquid fire.

In preferred embodiments a portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus includes a base and monitor structured in combination (or a monitor structured to comprise a base) to securely encompass a wall rim, with fittings for attaching hose lines. Preferably and most simply a base for mounting on a wall rim is structured as a saddle, for encompassing and sitting on top of a rim of a wall. The rim could be a tank wall rim or a rim of any vertical wall, not necessarily a circular wall of a storage tank. The"wall"could be a pickup truck tailgate, a dozer blade or a cinderblock or concrete wall surrounding a flammable liquid storage area, depending upon the circumstances. The apparatus base would preferably be designed both for stability, weight and versatility, ideally being adjustable to fit as many different wall type structures as possible and to accommodate a variety of monitors. The apparatus, although designed to be portable. could also be left in place, in part or in whole, permanently.

The monitor can have attached a variety of nozzles, but preferably either an automatic nozzle, which targets a given authority and range of the fire fighting fluid by adjusting to target a discharge pressure, or a nozzle of the sort preset to target a given a volumetric flow rate, presuming a given discharge pressure.

Although the description herein appears to presume that the apparatus will be supplied by fire fighting fluid via hoses, such"hose"could in fact be a fixed pipe. The word hose as used herein is intended to encompass fixed pipes.

The fire fighting fluid is anticipated to be water or a water-foam concentrate solution that forms a foam upon application, as is known. The fluid could, of course, be any effective or desired fire fighting fluid.

One clear advantage of the instant portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus and method is minimizing the risk to firefighters fighting seal fires or sunken roofs with fire potential. The instant apparatus is designed to apply a fire fighting fluid while allowing the firefighter to remain largely stationed remotely. In current practice firefighters are frequently called upon to walk the wind-gutters or the pan itself when tank seal fires or tank seal hazardous situations or sunken roofs are involved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a portable wall-attachable monitor apparatus and its method of use. The apparatus includes a base structure, one or more fittings and a monitor. The apparatus is designed and structured in combination to attach to a wall rim portion. One or more fittings are provided to attach a hose to the apparatus.

Preferably a significant portion of the apparatus is constructed of aluminum in order to enhance its portability by firefighters during a fire. In particular, it would be desirable for the apparatus to be carried up the ladder on the side of a tank. Alternately, the apparatus could be lifted by a crane, were it too heavy. An extension stem may provide an auxiliary outlet for auxiliary firefighting apparatus, such as a localized wand.

By affixing the monitor and apparatus in place and adjusting the monitor to target an appropriate fire extinguishing area, the firefighter can retreat to a remote distance while fire extinguishing fluid is applied to the hazardous area minimizing unproductive loss of fluid to fall out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure I A presents a side illustrative view of a base portion of the apparatus applicable for attachment to a monitor and to hose.

Figure 1 B presents an end view of the apparatus of Figure I A having a monitor attached.

Figure 2A presents a side view of apparatus similar to that in Figure 1A but of larger size.

Figure 2B presents an end view of the apparatus of Figure 2A having monitor attached.

Figure 3 illustrates a stem attachment providing an auxiliary discharge for the apparatus.

Figure 4 illustrates a methodology using the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure lA illustrates portions of a portable wall-attachable fire fighting apparatus. Apparatus 10 is illustrated in Figure I A without monitor 24 attached. Figure I B illustrates apparatus 10 with monitor 24 attached. Monitor 24 could be an integral part of the apparatus. Alternately, to enhance versatility, a base could be designed such that the base is attachable, such as by fitting 16, with a variety of monitors.

Referring to Figure 1A, a base is preferably comprised of a saddle 12 of lightweight construction, such as aluminum. The benefit of lightweight construction is that it may enable a firefighter to carry the apparatus up the ladder of a tank. The saddle shape of base 12 is better illustrated by the end view of Figure I B. Base 12 is shown provided with one or more screw clamps 18. A variety of attachment means could be utilized. Screw clamp 18 permits a given base 12 to be attached to a variety of rim walls, from concrete block walls to tank walls to bulldozer blades and pickup truck tailgates.

Base 12 is shown fitted with pipe 22, preferably having swivel connections 20. Pipe 22 preferably ends in one or more hose connections 14.

Figure 1A shows an apparatus designed for a 2-1/2"hose connection. The apparatus of Figures 1 A and 1 B can likely be made portable by firefighters up a ladder of a tank in an emergency. In Figures 1A and 1 B a 5"monitor

connection 16 is provided for mating with monitor 24. Again monitor 24 is preferably also constructed of aluminum in order to achieve a lightweight result. Monitor 24 is shown with a 3"waterway. Nozzle 26 is connected to the outlet end of monitor 24.

Means are provided on a monitor, as is known in the art, to adjust the monitor in azimuth and inclination.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a larger version of the portable wall attachable fire fighting apparatus. In Figures 2A and 2B only one fitting 14 is provided for connection with a hose. Figures 2A and 2B illustrate the placement of lifting eye 13 to permit the portable wall-attachable fire fighting apparatus to be lifted into place by a crane. Monitor 24 is shown providing a 4"waterway with a dual hand-wheel and a 3-1/2"outlet. The apparatus is shown having a 4"flanged monitor connection 16. Provision is made for a 5" hose connection 14.

Figure 3 illustrates a connecting piece 28 that provides an enhancement for the portable wall-attachable fire fighting apparatus. Stem 28 would screw into hose fitting 14 and provide a fitting 15 for connection to a hose. Stem 28 provides valve 30 and auxiliary discharge port 32. The value of stem 28 is to be able to siphon fluid off from the hose prior to delivery to the monitor outlet in order to use the fluid for an auxiliary discharge unit.

Figure 4 illustrates portions of the methodology of the present invention. Firefighter 40 is illustrated climbing ladder 32 on the side of tank 36 having a sunken or dislodged roof 38. Firefighter 40 is shown carrying apparatus 10 to the top of the tank wall where it will be set in place. Wand 40 is shown in place connected to hose 34 in order to distribute foam at least over the area immediately below and on both sides of the ladder in the tank for the protection of firefighter 40. Apparatus 10 is connected to hose 34. If apparatus 10 contains an auxiliary discharge port the firefighter may not only adjust the monitor to appropriately target a mainstream of fluid but the firefighter may also attach discharge apparatus to the auxiliary port in order to target secondary areas.

In the following claims, when a base and/or a monitor are referred to, it should be understood that one or more bases and one or more monitors could be used. Although the invention can be practiced with one base and one monitor, multiple bases and/or multiple monitors would not change the nature of the invention.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated system may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is claimed using terminology that depends upon a historic presumption that recitation of a single element covers one or more, and recitation of two elements covers two or more, and the like.