초록 ▼

The present invention concerns embodiments of a portable fluid-transporting system for mounting on a land-driven vehicle, such as a loader, and methods for their use. In an illustrated embodiment, a fluid-transporting device includes at least one fluid container, or tank, that is mountable to and co

The present invention concerns embodiments of a portable fluid-transporting system for mounting on a land-driven vehicle, such as a loader, and methods for their use. In an illustrated embodiment, a fluid-transporting device includes at least one fluid container, or tank, that is mountable to and completely removable from a vehicle. The container 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. In particular embodiments, the container is generally U-shaped and includes a forward-container portion and first and second side-container portions extending from respective ends of the forward-container portion.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fluid-transporting device for a land-driven vehicle having a driver compartment and a forward end, the fluid-transporting device comprising at least one container for holding a fluid and configured to be carried by the vehicle such that at least a portion of the at least one container is suppor

1. A fluid-transporting device for a land-driven vehicle having a driver compartment and a forward end, the fluid-transporting device comprising at least one container for holding a fluid and configured to be carried by the vehicle such that at least a portion of the at least one container is supported in front of the forward end of the vehicle, the at least one container having a mounting member configured to mount the container to the vehicle and to allow the container to be completely removed from the vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a loader having first and second movable support arms mounted on opposing sides thereof, and the at least one container is configured to be simultaneously mounted on both of the support arms.2. The fluid-transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one container comprises a forward-container portion and first and second side-container portions positioned rearward of the forward-container portion, wherein when the at least one 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.3. The fluid-transporting device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one container is generally U-shaped.4. The fluid-transporting device of claim 2, wherein the first and second side-container portions are integral with the forward-container portion.5. The fluid-transporting device of claim 2, wherein the first and second side-container portions and the forward-container portions each comprise a separate container.6. The fluid-transporting device of claim 5, wherein the first side-container portion is fluidly connectable to the forward-container portion by a first fluid conduit and the second side-container portion is fluidly connectable to the forward-container portion by a second fluid conduit.7. The fluid-transporting device of claim 1, wherein:the container has a rear wall; and the mounting member is mounted on the rear wall of the container. 8. The fluid-transporting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one container comprises a forward-container portion and first and second side-container portions integral with and extending rearward of the forward-container portion, each of the side-container portions being mountable to a respective support arm.9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each side-container portion has a bracket configured to engage one of said support arms, thereby minimizing lateral movement of the side-container portions relative to the support arms.10. The fluid-transporting device of claim 1, further comprising a pump for discharging liquid contained in the container.11. The fluid-transporting device of claim 10, further comprising a discharge conduit having a first end in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump and a second end positioned to discharge liquid from the container.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the discharge conduit has a portion that extends at least partially inside the container.13. The fluid-transporting device of claim 10, further comprising a water monitor in fluid communication with the pump, the water monitor being operable to spray water discharged by the pump in one of a plurality of different spray patterns.14. The fluid-transporting device of claim 10, further comprising a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the pump for spraying fluid discharged by the pump.15. The fluid-transporting device of claim 1, wherein the container has a fluid capacity of at least about 400 gallons.16. An apparatus for transporting a fluid, comprising:a land-driven vehicle having a driver compartment and a forward end, wherein the vehicle comprises a loader having first and second movable support arms; and at least one fluid container for holding a fluid and configured to be and carried directly on the support arms of the loader such that substantially all of the weight of container and fluid is borne by the loader. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one fluid container comprises a forward-container portion and first and second side-container portions positioned proximate respective ends of the forward-container portion and extending rearwardly from the forward-container portion, wherein when the at least one container is carried by the loader, the forward-container portion is supported in front of the forward end of the loader and the side-container portions are supported adjacent respective sides of the loader.18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one fluid container comprises a rear wall and a mounting mechanism mounted on the rear wall, the mounting mechanism being adapted to mount the at least one fluid container to the support arms.19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one inlet-fill conduit for introducing a liquid into the container, the inlet-fill conduit having an inlet and an outlet and being mounted to the outside of the container, the outlet of the inlet-fill conduit being vertically spaced from an inlet port of the container.20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the container is configured to be releasably mounted on the loader so that the container can be easily removed from the loader.21. An apparatus for transporting a fluid, comprising:a land-driven vehicle having a driver compartment and a forward end; and at least one fluid container for holding a fluid and configured to be carried simultaneously by two support arms of the vehicle, wherein when the fluid container is carried by the vehicle, at least a portion of the at least one fluid container is supported in front of the forward end of the vehicle; wherein the vehicle is a loader; wherein the container includes one or more foot-holds to enable a driver to ascend the container to access the driver compartment of the loader. 22. A fluid-transporting apparatus for a loader having a driver compartment, a forward end, and movable support arms, the apparatus comprising:a fluid container for holding a fluid and being configured to be mountable to and completely removable from the loader, the container comprising a forward-container portion and first and second side-container portions extending rearwardly from respective ends of the forward-container portion, the side-container portions being generally disposed at elevated positions relative to the forward-container portion, wherein when the container is mounted on the loader, the forward-container portion is supported in front of the forward end of the loader and the side-container portions are supported adjacent respective sides of the loader; a pump carried by the container and being configured to discharge fluid contained in the container, the pump having an inlet and an outlet; a discharge conduit having a first end in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump and a second end, the discharge conduit extending at least partially inside the container; a spray nozzle fluidly connectable to the second end of the discharge conduit and configured to discharge a spray of fluid therefrom; one or more support legs configured to support the container in an upright position when the container is not mounted to the vehicle; one or more foot-holds formed in the container to enable a driver to ascend the container to access the driver compartment of the loader; and at least one inlet-fill conduit for introducing the fluid into the container, the inlet-fill conduit being mounted to the outside of the container.