Fire extinguisher

Aug. 14, 1934. p. evans et al 1,969,880

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 1

<img file="US1969880A_D0001.tif" />

<img file="US1969880A_D0002.tif" />

2/ejans /ty/cg/izz JP ///an ey

Aug. 14, 1934.

P. EVANS ET AL

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Filed April 15, 1930

1,969,880

Sheets-Sheet 2

<img file="US1969880A_D0003.tif" />

<img file="US1969880A_D0004.tif" />

Aug. 14, 1934.

1,969,880

P. EVANS ET AL FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Filed April 15, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3

<img file="US1969880A_D0005.tif" />

Aug. 14, 1934. p evans et al 1,969,880

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Filed April 15 , ).930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4

<img file="US1969880A_D0006.tif" />

<img file="US1969880A_D0007.tif" />

Aug. 14, 1934.

P. EVANS ET AJL

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Filed April 15, 1930

1,969,880

Sheets-Sheet 5

<img file="US1969880A_D0008.tif" />

Patented Aug. 14, 1934

1,969,880

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,969,880

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Powell Evans and Malcolm P. Stoney, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Merchant and Evans Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania

Application April 15, 1930, Serial No. 444,514

Claims.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers, and more particularly to that type.of fire extinguisher employing a frangible, or partially frangible, receptacle containing a fire extinguishing fluid, as for example, carbon tetrachloride.

An important object of the invention is the production of a holder for receptacles of this character embodying a temperature-released means for shattering the receptacle to release the ex10 tinguishing fluid.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the production of a holder of this character so constructed that the receptacle may be readily removed for use at a remote point.

A still further object of the invention is the provision in a construction of this character of means for providing an audible signal at the time of breakage of the receptacle.

A still further object of the invention is to 20 provide in a construction of this character an arrangement such that the receptacle can be broken at a plurality of points by the engagement therewith of a projector at a single point.

A still further and more specific object of the 25 invention is the provision of a receptacle for fire extinguishing liquids together with a holder having means for breaking the bottom of the receptacle to permit the contents to escape, in which means are also provided for puncturing the top ³⁰ of the receptacle to provide an air vent, thus insuring the rapid discharge of the contents.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a means for assisting in preventing breakage of the side walls of the receptacle or a sep³⁵ aration of such side walls in event the same are splintered when the bottom of the receptacle is broken.

These and other objects we attain by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings ⁴⁰ wherein, for the purpose of illustration, we have shown a preferred embodiment of our invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a Are extinguisher constructed in accordance with ⁴⁵ our invention; .

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the.flre extinguisher illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof partially broken away to illustrate the holding means foi ^δ0 the projectile;

Fig. 4 is a view partially m section and partially in elevation of a concealed ceiling-type fixture for use with the same extinguishing apparatus:

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of an extinguisher ⁵⁵ mounting illustrated in Fig. 4;

(Cl. 169—26)

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of the extinguisher; and

Fig. 7 is a further modification thereof.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the extinguishing apparatus generally in- 60 eludes a holder 10 and a receptacle 11. The receptacle comprises a flask 12 which may be unitarily sealed as indicated at 12α in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, or mechanically sealed as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7. In each instance, one wall 13 of the re- 65 ceptacle is made readily frangible and about this wall a conical face 14 is provided. The wall 13 is preferably equipped centrally with a detonator 15 in the form of an explosive cap applied to the exterior of the wall. In each of the forms shown 70 the frangible wall of the receptacle is the lower wall thereof and in Figs. 6 and 7 the receptacle is illustrated as provided with two frangible walls 13α located at the upper and lower ends thereof. While the receptacle has been referred to as hav- 75 ing frangible walls 13 or 13α, it will of course be . understood that the side walls of the receptacle may likewise be frangible, in which event, however, the walls 13 or 13α as the case may be, are the more delicately constructed. 80 The side wall when frangible is surrounded by a band of flexible material 17 adhesively attached thereto, this band preferably taking the form of a label bearing identifying characteristics of the extinguisher, such as the trade-mark and manu- 85 facturer’s name and directions for use of the extinguisher·. This band, in addition to supplying a convenient place for application of the information above listed, acts to hold the side walls in assembled relation in event they are splintered 90 during shattering of the wall 13 or wall 13α.

Where the walls 13α are provided at opposite ends of the receptacle, the receptacle is preferably formed with reduced portions 18 forming necks at the ends of which these walls are located, and ex- fl 5 tending between the walls is a rod 19 having guides in the form of projecting arms 20 which engage against the inner faces of the neck walls to hold the rod in position. The walls 13α are held in position upon the necks by means of screw 100 caps 21 or the like.

The holder 10 includes a cup 22 the upper end of the side wall of which is flared to provide a seat for the conical wall 14 as indicated at 23. The bottom of the cup has a central opening 24 io5 and the side walls thereof an annular series of apertures 25. The bottom surface of the cup about the central opening 24 has an annular groove 24α. Arranged beneath the opening is a spider comprising a central circular disk 26 no

1,969,880 having upstanding arms 27 the upper ends of which are attached to the bottom of cup 22 in the groove 24α. The periphery of this disk has a series of tabs 28 which are bent downwardly and 5 about a flared flange 29 upon the upper edge of the side wall of a cup 30 to hold the cup in assembled relation against the bottom of the disk.

The bottom wall 31 of this cup has a central aperture 32 guiding the threaded stem 33 of a 10 projectile 34, which stem extends upwardly through a central aperture 35 formed in the spider to be guided thereby. The stem, immediately above its lower end, has an annular groove 36 and seated upon the bottom of the cup 15 30 are a series of segmental retaining elements 37 the outer ends of which seat against the cup wall and the inner ends of which project into the groove 36. The space within the cup above these retaining elements and about the stem is filled 20 with material 38 which will fuse at a predetermined temperature. Impelling means for the projectile 34 is provided comprising a conical coil spring 39 the upper smaller end of which engages the projectile and the lower or larger end of 25 which seats upon the bottom wall of the cup 22. This spring is preferably anchored at its opposite ends to the cup and to the projectile so that the projectile will not become displaced if it is accidentally disengaged during installation or hand30 ling of the apparatus.

In the drawings we have illustrated the holder as including two different types of supports for the cup 22. In Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7 the cup support comprises a rigid arm 40 secured as by spot weld35 ing at 40b at its lower end to the cup and having its upper end offset inwardly to extend over the top of the receptacle and provided with an opening 41 for engagement with a hook or other type of support from which the device can be swung. 40 The intermediate portion of the arm 40 has openings 42 through which securing elements may be directed to secure the same against a wall or other surface. This intermediate portion has further secured thereto a U-shaped clip spring 43 to em45 brace the receptacle and hold it in proper position with respect to the cup.

In Figs. 4 arid 5 we have illustrated a holder suitable for use in ceiling mountings for the fire extinguisher. This holder comprises an annular 50 rim 44 adapted to be secured to the ceiling preferably through the medium of false ceiling pieces 45 extending between adjacent joists of the ceiling structure. The rim 44 is made of such depth that its lower surface will be flush with the ap55 plied lath and plaster ceiling 46 and is apertured at its lower end for the reception of securing elements 47 by means of which a ring plate 48 is attached thereto. This ring plate serves at its inner end to support the cup, the cup having a 60 projecting horizontal flange 49 at the upper end of the seat. It also serves to support two or more arms 50 extending upwardly along the sides of the receptacle 11 and preferably connected at their upper ends by a binding wire 51, these 65 arms serving to maintain the receptacle in proper relation to the cup.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 the same receptacle structure is employed as in . . the form shown in Fig. 6. However, instead of 70 providing internal means in the receptacle for transmitting strains, a second cup structure 52 is employed at the upper end of the bracket 40α, this cup being detachably secured to the bracket . as st 53 including a fusible unit 54 and pro75' jectile 55 as in the case of the cup already de scribed. The entire unit is then placed in a bracket 56 having spring arms 57 for detachably maintaining it in position. In an apparatus of this character and in all forms of the invention with the exception of that shown in Fig. 7, the 80 receptacle is readily removable in event its use is desired at a remote point and, accordingly, the usefulness of the apparatus is. not limited to any particular locality. Upon fusing of the fusible element, not only are the contents of the re- 85 ceptacle permitted to escape but a signal is given which will serve to arouse occupants of the building In which the extinguisher is being employed. This renders the extinguisher particularly adaptable for use in private dwellings, institutions or 90 associated structures.

Since the structure as hereinbefore described is obviously capable of a considerable range of change and modification without in any manner departing from the spirit of our invention, we do 95 not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the specific arrangement, illustrated except as hereinafter claimed.