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US 10,472,889 B1Granted
Aerial ladder assembly
AssigneeOshkosh Corporation
InventorEric D. Betz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fire apparatus includes a chassis, axles coupled to the chassis, a turntable rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an aerial ladder assembly pivotably coupled the turntable and including a ladder section. The ladder section includes a first base rail and a second base rail extending longitudinally, a plurality of ladder rungs extending between the first base rail and the second base rail, a top plate positioned above the first base rail, a series of lacing members coupled to the top plate and the first base rail, and a gusset plate coupled to the top plate and at least one of the lacing members. The top plate extends at least one of (a) laterally inward of the gusset plate and (b) laterally outward of the gusset plate. The top plate has a solid cross section.
Claims11
A fire apparatus comprising:
- a chassis;
- a plurality of axles coupled to the chassis;
- a turntable rotatably coupled to the chassis;
- and
- an aerial ladder assembly pivotably coupled the turntable and including a ladder section, the ladder section comprising:
- a first base rail and a second base rail extending longitudinally;
- a plurality of ladder rungs extending between the first base rail and the second base rail;
- a top plate positioned above the first base rail;
- a plurality of lacing members coupled to the top plate and the first base rail;
- and
- a gusset plate coupled to the top plate and at least one of the lacing members;
- wherein the top plate extends at least one of (a) laterally inward of the gusset plate and (b) laterally outward of the gusset plate, and wherein the top plate has a solid cross section, wherein the top plate extends a first length longitudinally, wherein the gusset plate extends a second length longitudinally, and wherein the second length is at least half of the first length, wherein a height of the gusset plate varies along the second length such that a first portion of the gusset plate has a first height and a second portion of the gusset plate has a second height, wherein the first height is greater than the second height, wherein the first portion of the gusset plate extends adjacent a first one of the lacing members, and wherein the second portion of the gusset plate is positioned between the first one of the lacing members and a second one of the lacing members, wherein the top plate defines a bottom surface, wherein each of the lacing members defines a groove that receives the gusset plate and engages the bottom surface of the top plate.
9 more elements
A ladder for an aerial assembly of a fire apparatus, the ladder comprising:
- a first base rail and a second base rail extending longitudinally;
- a plurality of ladder rungs extending between the first base rail and the second base rail;
- a top plate positioned above the first base rail;
- a plurality of lacing members coupled to the top plate and the first base rail;
- and
- a gusset plate coupled to the top plate and at least one of the lacing members;
- wherein the top plate extends at least one of (a) laterally inward of the gusset plate and (b) laterally outward of the gusset plate, and wherein the top plate has a solid cross section wherein the top plate extends a first length longitudinally, wherein the gusset plate extends a second length longitudinally, and wherein the second length is at least half of the first length, wherein a height of the gusset plate varies along the second length such that a first portion of the gusset plate has a first height and a second portion of the gusset plate has a second height, wherein the first height is greater than the second height, wherein the first portion of the gusset plate extends adjacent a first one of the lacing members, and wherein the second portion of the gusset plate is positioned between the first one of the lacing members and a second one of the lacing members, wherein the top plate defines a bottom surface, wherein each of the lacing members defines a groove that receives the gusset plate and engages the bottom surface of the top plate.
4 more elements
A method of manufacturing an aerial ladder assembly for a fire apparatus, the method comprising:
- providing a first base rail and a second base rail laterally offset from one another;
- coupling a plurality of ladder rungs to both the first base rail and the second base rail;
- providing a hand rail above the first base rail, the hand rail comprising:
- a top plate having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- and
- a gusset plate coupled to the bottom surface of the top plate;
- and
- coupling a plurality of lacing members to the first base rail and the hand rail such that at least one of the lacing members engages the gusset plate;
- wherein the top plate extends at least one of (a) laterally inward of the gusset plate and (b) laterally outward of the gusset plate, and wherein the top plate has a solid cross section wherein the top plate extends a first length longitudinally, wherein the gusset plate extends a second length longitudinally, and wherein the second length is at least half of the first length, wherein a height of the gusset plate varies along the second length such that a first portion of the gusset plate has a first height and a second portion of the gusset plate has a second height, wherein the first height is greater than the second height, wherein the first portion of the gusset plate extends adjacent a first one of the lacing members, and wherein the second portion of the gusset plate is positioned between the first one of the lacing members and a second one of the lacing members, wherein the top plate defines a bottom surface, wherein each of the lacing members defines a groove that receives the gusset plate and engages the bottom surface of the top plate.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.