Protective Hinge

Abstract

Systems and methods for deploying a firefighting water reservoir, including foldable frame assemblies having vertical structural members and horizontal structural members configured to support a liner, are provided. The liner can be adapted to contain water. The horizontal structural members comprise a hinge adapted and arranged for folding and unfolding the foldable frame. The hinge comprises a hinge element that substantially prevents a user's appendage or the liner from becoming pinched during deployment or folding of the foldable frame assembly.

1 . A method for deploying a fire fighting water reservoir, comprising:
 providing a frame assembly comprising a hinge to allow folding and unfolding of said frame assembly; and   providing a liner configured to retain a volume of water that serves as a fire fighting water reservoir, wherein said liner is attached to said frame assembly;   wherein said hinge comprises a frame comprising a top structural member and a bottom structural member, each of said top structural member and bottom structural member comprising at least one aperture configured to receive a fastening member that pivotally couples a proximal portion of at least one frame assembly structural member to said top structural member and said bottom structural member, thereby defining a pivot region bounded by said top structural member and said bottom structural member; and   a first connecting member that spans between said top structural member and said bottom structural member, wherein said first connecting member is configured to substantially prevent pinching of a user's appendage during folding of said frame assembly;   wherein said top structural member and said bottom structural member are generally opposed to one another and separated by a distance substantially equal to a width of a frame assembly structural member; and   wherein said hinge frame surrounds said pivot region on at least four sides to provide protection against pinching said liner, an appendage of a user, or both between said proximal ends of said frame assembly structural members during folding or unfolding of the frame assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a second connecting member, generally opposed and parallel to said first connecting member, spanning between said top structural member and said bottom structural member, and having a length substantially equal to that of said top structural member or said bottom structural member. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one proximal portion of said frame assembly member abuts said second connecting member when said frame is in an unfolded configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said top structural member and said bottom structural member further comprises more than one inboard facing sides;
 wherein, when said frame assembly is in an unfolded configuration, said more than one inboard facing sides substantially faces the interior of said frame assembly; and   wherein said one or more inboard facing sides meet to form an angle, wherein a vertex of said angle is generally disposed within said pivot region.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said top and said bottom structural members are substantially rectangular. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said angle is selected to provide a contiguous foldable frame assembly comprising a water reservoir having greater than four sides. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first connecting member further comprises a protective material configured to protect against mechanical damage to said structural members when said frame is in a folded configuration. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said hinge frame is formed from a single, contiguous piece of material. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said frame assembly structural members have a substantially circular cross-section. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said horizontal structural member supports said liner using a fastening mechanism connecting said horizontal structural member and an aperture disposed in a periphery of said liner. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said foldable frame assembly and said liner are brightly colored or adorned with reflective material to provide allow visual recognition in adverse conditions. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said firefighting water reservoir has a capacity of about 600 United States gallons or more, up to about 5000 United States gallons. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, when said tank is in an unfolded configuration, said tank comprises a water reservoir having from five (5) to nine (9) sides. 
   
   
       14 . A system, comprising:
 a frame assembly comprising a hinge to allow folding and unfolding of said frame assembly; and
 a liner configured to retain a volume of water that serves as a fire fighting water reservoir, wherein said liner is attached to said frame assembly; 
 wherein said hinge comprises a frame comprising a top structural member and a bottom structural member, each of said top structural member and bottom structural member comprising at least one aperture configured to receive a fastening member that pivotally couples a proximal portion of at least one frame assembly structural member to said top structural member and said bottom structural member, thereby defining a pivot region bounded by said top structural member and said bottom structural member; and 
 a first connecting member that spans between said top and said bottom structural members, wherein said first connecting member is configured to substantially prevent pinching of a user's appendage during folding of said frame assembly; 
 wherein said top structural member and said bottom structural member are generally opposed to one another and separated by a distance substantially equal to a width of a frame assembly structural member; and 
 wherein said hinge frame surrounds said pivot region on at least four sides to provide protection against pinching said liner, an appendage of a user, or both between said proximal ends of said frame assembly structural members during folding or unfolding of the frame assembly. 
   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising a second connecting member, generally opposed and parallel to said first connecting member, spanning between said top structural member and said bottom structural member, and having a length substantially equal to that of said top structural member or said bottom structural member. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said at least one proximal portion of said frame assembly member abuts said second connecting member when said frame is in an unfolded configuration. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said top structural member and said bottom structural member further comprises more than one inboard facing sides;
 wherein, when said frame assembly is in an unfolded configuration, said more than one inboard facing sides substantially faces the interior of said frame assembly; and   wherein said one or more inboard facing sides meet to form an angle, wherein a vertex of said angle is generally disposed within said pivot region.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said top and said bottom structural members are substantially rectangular. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said angle is selected to provide a contiguous foldable frame assembly comprising a water reservoir having greater than four sides. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said first connecting member further comprises a protective material configured to protect against mechanical damage to said structural members when said frame is in a folded configuration. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said hinge frame is formed from a single, contiguous piece of material. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said frame assembly structural members have a substantially circular cross-section. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said horizontal structural member supports said liner using a fastening mechanism connecting said horizontal structural member and an aperture disposed in a periphery of said liner. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said foldable frame assembly and said liner are brightly colored or adorned with reflective material to provide allow visual recognition in adverse conditions. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said firefighting water reservoir has a capacity of about 600 United States gallons or more, up to about 5000 United States gallons. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein, when said tank is in an unfolded configuration, said tank comprises a water reservoir having from five (5) to nine (9) sides. 
   
   
       27 . A collapsible folding water tank, comprising:
 a frame system, comprising hingedly interconnected frame members;   wherein said frame members comprise a metal or metal alloy bar having a substantially rectangular cross section, said bar having at least two ends, and at least two apertures disposed at each end; each of said frame members being coupled to adjacent frame members by a hinge element, said hinge element comprising top and bottom structural members, each comprising a first aperture and a second aperture adapted to receive a fastening member that pivotally couples a frame member to said top and bottom structural members and defining a first pivot point and a second pivot point at the locations of said apertures;   a first connecting member that spans between said top and said bottom structural members configured to prevent a distal portion of two or more frame assembly structural members from contacting each other when said frame is in a folded configuration;   wherein said top and bottom structural members are generally opposed to one another and separated by a distance substantially equal to a width of a frame assembly structural member;   wherein said hinge element is configured to protect a user's appendage and a liner, or both, from being pinched or mechanically damaged when said frame system is folded or unfolded;   wherein said hinge element is configured to allow said frame members to be folded into a compact configuration;   wherein said liner comprises a web of material having at least one peripheral edge, and including a plurality of liner apertures disposed proximate to said peripheral edge, said web of material being substantially impermeable to water, said web having a fabric weight of about 17 to about 30 ounces per square yard;   means for coupling said liner to said frame system, said means comprising an elongated member that extends through said apertures in said web and around said frame members such that when said frame member is in said expanded position, said peripheral edge of said web is held substantially adjacent to a plurality of said frame members, thereby defining a water reservoir volume;   wherein said liner comprises chutes integrated within walls of said liner, said chutes being configured to rapidly drain the water reservoir volume;   wherein said liner comprises means for elevating a portion of a floor of said liner, said means comprising handles adapted for grasping and lifting said floor, thereby directing water to drain from said liner in a preferred direction.