GB1590133A

GB1590133A - Fire extinguisher housing

Info

Publication number: GB1590133A
Application number: GB2138877A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Sims M G
Current assignee: Sims M G
Priority date: 1978-05-17
Filing date: 1978-05-17
Publication date: 1981-05-28

Description

(54) FIRE EXTINGUISHER HOUSING (71) We, MALCOLM GORDON SIMS and DAVID HERBERT YOUNG, both British subjects of 76 Rowlands Avenue, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex and 118 Ab'botsbury Gardens, Eastcote, Pinner, Middlesex, re spectively, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention concerns a housing for supporting and retaining a fire extinguisher.

According to the present invention there is provided a housing for supporting and retaining a fire extinguisher, said housing having a movable member arranged to closely fit against or around a fire extinguisher so as to hold it in position, the housing also being provided with a control member which controls operation of an alarm and / our control circuit, the arrangement being such that in normal operation the control member is operated before the fire extinguisher can be removed from the housing.

As will be appreciated, therefore, an alarm can be provided before the fire extinguisher is removed from the housing.

This ensures that an alarm is given before the fire is tackled and therefore ensures that help can be on the way before the fire gets out of control. Furthermore by actuating the control member the alarm can be raised if conditions demand rapid escape and there is no time to remove and use the extinguisher.

The alarm warning, moreover, can act as a deterrent to vandals and others, reducing the risk of damage to the housing or of pilfering of the fire extinguisher.

The circuit, which is controlled by the control member, can be interlinked with the controls of machinery, process plant and the like so that the machinery or plant is switched to a safe condition in the event of fire.

The said circuit may be arranged to be normally operative whenever there is no fire extinguisher in the housing.

Releasable means may be provided for preventing actuation of the control member.

The housing may have an opening through which the said fire extinguisher may be introduced into and removed from the housing, the housing being provided with a movable cover which, when in its operative position on the housing, closes said opening and prevents actuation of the control member.

The control member may be a switching device which is normally in an inoperative condition but which is switched to an operative condition by a member which is engageable by said fire extinguisher, the arrangement being such that when said mem- ber is so engaged the switching device is maintained in an inoperative condition and when said member is not so engaged the switching device is in an operative condition The housing may comprise a frame provided with at least one fixed member engageable with the fire extinguisher, the movable member which is pivotally mounted on the frame or on means connected to the latter, the movable member being movable between a clamped and an unclamped position in which the fire extinguisher may respectively be clamped between the fixed and movable members and may be removed therefrom, and releasable means for holding the movable metflbet in its clamped position.

The said releasable means may comprise a handle which is pivotally connected to the frame at a second pivit, the handle being pivotally connected to the movable member by at least one compression link which is pivotally connected to the movable member and to the handle at third and fourth pivots respectively, the handle 9 being movable between a clamped position in which the second, third and fourth pivots are colinear, and an unclamped position in which the fourth pivot is disposed to one side of the line joining the second and third pivots.

Means may be provided for preventing the fourth pivot from passing over to the opposite side of the said line.

The invention is illustrated, merely by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation, partially cutaway, of one embodiment of a housing according to the present invention, Figure 2 is an end elevation of the housing of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the housing of Figures 1 and 2, Figures 4 and 5 are sketches ilustrating the operation of linkages incorporated in the housing of Figures 1 to 3, Figures 6 to 9 respectively show four further embodiments of the present invention, Figure 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 9, Figure 11 is a part-sectional side elevation of a yet further embodiment of the present invention showing the parts thereof in a clamped position, Figure 12 is a part-sectional front elevation of the embodiment of Figure 11, and Figure 13 is a view corresponding to that of Figure il but showing the the parts thereof in an unclamped position.

Referring first to Figure 1, a housing according to the present invention comprises a double sided frame la and lb constructed to receive a fire extinguisher E and to provide mountings (not shown) whereby the fire extinguisher can be fixed to a building or to a vehicle.

A lever 2 is pivoted at a pivot 3 to the frame la, lb. One end of the lever 2 is provided with an arcuate member 4 for clamping the fire extinguisher E. The lever 2 is provided, on the side of the pivot 3 opposite to the arcuate member 4, with a second pivot 5. The lever 2 is pivotally connected at the pivot 5 to a first pair of compression links 6 which in turn are pivoted at a pivot 7 to a second pair of compression links 8. The ends of the compression links 8 remote from the compression links 6 are pivoted at 8b to the frame la, ib. A handle 9 is rigidly attached to the compression links 8.

The frame members la and lb are connected by spacers ic and are provided with arcuate members 4a which are designed to receive the fire extinguisher E.

The compression links 8 are free to rotate in a downward direction as seen in Figure 1, but their upward movement is limited by the handle 9 making contact with the frame at a point 11 so that the linkage constituted by the compression links 6, 8 does not pass over centre, i.e. that, with reference to Figure 1, the position of the pivot 7 is never disposed above a line joining the pivots 5, 8b.

The linkage is shown diagrammatically in Figures 4 and 5. Link F represents the frame la, lb. Link L represents the lever 2, link a represents the first pair of compression links 6, and link b represents the second pair of compression links 8 and the handle 9.

Stop S represents the limiting contact between the handle 9 and the frame at point 11.

In the clamping position shown in Figure 4, the pivots 5, 7, 8b on the compression links 6 and 8 are arranged to lie in-line, and the stop S prevents the compression links 6, 8 from moving over-centre to any appreciable extent. Theoretically the linkage 6, 8 is unstable in the on-centre position shown in Figure 4, but in practice the friction of the linkage holds it in place. In one construction rivets are used for one or more pairs of pivots, the rivets drawing the links together to provide the right degree of friction. A nylon or similar interface material between the links is also helpful in providing the desired degree of friction resistance.

Figure 5 shows the linkage in the open or clamped position, i.e. in the position in which the fire extinguished E is no longer clamped. In this position, the pivot 7 is disposed below the line joining the pivots 5, 8b.

However, the handle 9 is subject to vibration and personnel are inclined to try the action. Therefore, a clip (not shown) may be mounted on the frame la, 1b to restrain the handle 9 in the locked position, and safety pins (not shown) may also be provided to prevent inadvertent operation.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 3, the compression links 8 are provided with a cam profile and detent 8c. A spring loaded bar 8d engages the detent 8c to provide the desired restraint at the closed position.

In another construction (not shown) a magnet is incorporated which attracts one or more of the moving members towards the locked position, and in yet another construction (not shown) the handle 9 is urged towards the closed position by a spring or the like.

A switch or fliud control valve 12, which controls operation of an alarm and/or control circuit (not shown), is actuable by the pin of the pivot 7. When the fire extinguisher E is clamped, as shown in Figure 1, a switch arrn 12a of the switch or fliud control valve 12 is engaged by the pivot pin 7 so as to render the said circuit inoperative. When, however, the handle 9 is pushed downwardly to release the fire extinguisher E, the switch arm 12a is no longer engaged by the pivot pin 7, and the said circuit is therefore rendered operative. The arrangement is such that the switch or fluid control valve 12 is operated before the fire ex tinguisher E can be removed from the frame la, lb.

In a further development, one or more switches or fluid control valves (not shown) can be arranged to give a sequential change in circuit control so that a first movement of the handle 9 gives one change of circuit control, and a further movement of the handle 9 gives a second change thereof.

By this means the first movement of the handle 9 can be arranged to give a local warning, and further movement of the handle 9 can initiate a distant warning.

Another switch or valve 13 may, as shown, be incorporated in the said alarm of control circuit to detect removal of the fire extinguisher E. The switch or valve 13 is operated by an arm 13a which is normally maintained depressed by engagement with the bottom of the fire extinguisher E. When the latter is removed, however, the arm 13a is no longer depressed, and the switch or valve 13 then causes an alarm to be given.

Two further forms of the invention are shown in Figures 6 and 7. Each comprises a frame 20, a tensile link 21, a handle 22 connected to a compression link 23, and a link 24 carrying a pressure pad 25.

In the Figure 6 construction, a link 27 has slots 30, 31 in its opposite ends and is pivotally connected to the frame 20 and to the tension link 21 by pivots 32, 33 which pass respectively through the slots 30, 31.

The link 27 is urged towards the upright member of the frame 20 by a spring 38.

The slot 30 in the link 27 is profiled so that downward movement of the link 27 causes the link 27 to more away from a switch 34 which controls operation of an alarm and/or control circuit (not shown).

The slot 31 allows the tension link 21 to rise without actuating the link 27. The link 27 can, however, be raised by hand to reset the switch- 34.

As will be appreciated, the geometry of the parts of the Figure 6 construction is such that, in normal operation, the switch 34 is operated before the fire extinguisher E can be removed from the frame 20.

In the construction of Figure 7, the tension link 21 actuates a toggle switch 35 via a spring 36, the arrangement being such that the toogle switch 35 latches on when the handle 22 is moved to release the fire ex tinguisher E. Thus in'normal operation the toggle switch 35 is operated before the fire extinguisher E can be removed from the frame 20. The toggle switch 35 can be reset manually when the fire extinguisher E is clamped in position as shown in Figure 7.

It can also be prevented from operating by the insertion of a testing tool 37. outer casings (not shown) may be fitted to prevent access to the mechanism. A- battery 40 and sounder 41 inlay as shown by incorporated to provide a self-contained unit.

-In - Figure 8 there is shown yet another embodiment of the present invention in which a housing for retaining a fire extinguisher E comprises a frame 43 to which a hood 44 is pivoted at a pivot 45.

The hood 44 is constructed to enclose the trigger mechanism of the extinguisher E and where possible, the hose 44a of the extinguisher as well, the object being to reduce malicious discharge of the extinguisher or damage to the hose.

An electrical alarm circuit 46 includes a battery 47 and a horn or other sounder 48.

The circuit 46 has normally open contacts 51, 52. The contact 51 is provided at the lower end of an insulated arm 53 which is pivotally connected at 54 to the hood 44.

The contact 52 is connected to a vertical rod 55 which is urged upwardly by a spring 56 so as to tend to bring the contacts 51, 52 into contact with each other.

The lower end of the rod 55, however, has a hook portion 57 so that, when the fire extinguisher E is in the housing, the skirt of the fire extinguisher E engages the hook portion 57 and holds the contacts 51, 52 apart from each other. However, when ever the hood 44 is raised prior to removing the fire extinguisher E, the arm 53 descends downwardly and the contacts 51, 52 engage each other to operate the sounder 48. Thus, in normal operation, the arm 53 is operated before the fire extinguisher E can be removed from the frame 43. Once the hood 44 is lowered again, provided there is a fire extinguisher E in the housing, the contacts 51, 52 are spaced apart.

If, however, there is no fire extinguisher in the housing, the sounder 48 continues to operate irrespective of the position of the hood 44.

An additional switch X (which may be a changeover micro switch) can be affixed to the frame 43 and actuated by an abutment Y on the rod 55. The switch X may be used for controlling distant alarm circuits and the like.

A tool Z may, if desired, be used to engage and hold down the hook portion 57 and thus enable the fire extinguisher E to be removed without operating the alarm, Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 9 and 10. In this embodiment, the housing comprises a case 60 open at the front to provide access to a fire extinguisher E which can be placed therein: The case 60 has pads 61 shaped to hold the fire extinguisher E in position. The fire extinguisher E is also restrained by a pad 62 carried by bell crank levers 63 pivoted to the base of the case by means of rivets 64 which are set in a stirrup 65. The bell crank levers 63 carry a shaft 66 to the outer ends of which is attached the bottom of a flexible cover 67.

The top of the flexible cover 67 is at tached to a rigid plate 70 by means of a clamp plate 71 and a handle 72. The plate 70 spans the opening in the case 60, whilst at the lower end of the plate 70 a cross shaft 74 is fixed between the flanges 73.

The case 60 is provided with notches 75 into which the cross shaft 74 can be fitted, and the case 60 is cut back above the notches 75 so that the plate 70 inclines rearwards in the closed position. The rear edges 76 of the cover 67 act as a tension link, and it will be seen that the top fixing of the cover 68 over-centres the lower end of the plates 70 as the handle 72 is moved back to the closed position.

The tension in the rear edges 76 of the cover 67 is transmitted to the cross shaft 74 which acts through the bell crank lever 63 to apply a restraining force on the extinguisher.

A switch mechanism 80 is actuated by movement of the plate 70 so that an alarm may be sounded if the cover 67 is opened.

Thus in normal operation the plate 70 is ?'rated before the fire extinguisher E can be removed from the case 60.

A heater may be incorporated to prevent the housing from icing up. The heater may take the form of an incandescent bulb 81 which also provides emergency lighting.

In a simplified arrangement the bell crank lever 63 can be omitted, the bottom of the cover 67 is then attached to the case 60 towards its front lower edge.

In Figures 11 to 13 there is shown a housing for a fire extinguisher which comprises a frame 83 having V shaped cross members 84 fitted with resilient pads 85 shaped to form a cradle for a fire extinguisher E. At the foot of the frame 83, outwardly projecting members 85 support the base of the fire extinguisher E and provide piqtal bearing points 86, 87 for a trunion 90 and for a retainer 91 respectively.

The retainer 91 is in the form of two side plates 92 connected by a U-shaped member 93 formed in this instance from round bar welded to the side plates 92. A U shaped compression link 94 is pivotally mounted within the side plates and is pivotally connected thereto by rivets 95 constituting pivots. Attached to the compression link 94 is a handle 96 formed in this instance from bent rod welded to the compression link 94.

A tension link comprising a clevis 97, a screwed rod 98 and the trunnion is pivotally connected to the compression link 94 at 101 and to the frame 83 at 8b.

The geometry of the linkage constituted by the parts 91-98 is such that, when the handle 96 is as shown in Figure 11, the pivot 101 is disposed slightly above the centre line of the pivots 95 and 86, and the mechanism is locked. When the handle 96 is moved outwardly, however, the retainer 91 also moves clear of the fire extinguisher E to permit withdrawal of the latter, and at this time the pivot 101 is disposed below the centre line of the pivots 86, 95.

The rod 98 also carries a spring leaf 102 which cooperates with a toggle switch 103, the arrangement being such that appreciable movement of the handle 96 causes the toggle switch 103 to operate. A stop 104 is provided so that excessive pressure is not applied by the spring leaf 102 on the toggle switch 103 as the handle 96 is moved further. The switch 103 is connected in an alarm circuit. As will be appreciated, in normal operation the rod 98 effects operation of the toggle switch 103 before the fire extinguisher E can be removed from the frame 83.

A reset button 105 allows the toggle switch 103 to be reset when the handle 96 is returned to normal. The fire extinguisher E can be removed for testing without the alarm sounding by pressing the reset button 105 whilst the fire extinguisher E is removed.

Instead of a permanent reset button 105, a removable key (not shown) may be provided to carry out the reset and test function.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A housing for supporting and retaining a fire extinguisher, said housing having a movable member arranged to closely fit against or around a fire extinguisher so as to hold it in position, the housing also being provided with a control member which controls operation of an alarm and/or control circuit, the arrangement being such that in normal operation the control member is operated before the fire extinguisher can be removed from the housing.

2. A housing as claimed in claim 1 in which the said circuit is normally operative whenever there is no fire extinguisher in the housing.

3. A housing as claimed in claim 1 or 2 comprising releasable means for preventing actuation of the control member.

4. A housing as claimed in anv preceding claim in which the housing has an opening through. which the said fire extinguisher may be introduced into and removed from the housing, the housing being provided with a movable cover which, when in its operative position on the housing, closes said opening and prevents actuation of the control member.

5. A housing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the control member is an electrical switching device which is normally in an inoperative condition but which is switched to an operative condition by a member which is engageable by said fire extinguisher, the arrangement being such that when said member is so engaged the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. tached to a rigid plate 70 by means of a clamp plate 71 and a handle 72. The plate 70 spans the opening in the case 60, whilst at the lower end of the plate 70 a cross shaft 74 is fixed between the flanges 73. The case 60 is provided with notches 75 into which the cross shaft 74 can be fitted, and the case 60 is cut back above the notches 75 so that the plate 70 inclines rearwards in the closed position. The rear edges 76 of the cover 67 act as a tension link, and it will be seen that the top fixing of the cover 68 over-centres the lower end of the plates 70 as the handle 72 is moved back to the closed position. The tension in the rear edges 76 of the cover 67 is transmitted to the cross shaft 74 which acts through the bell crank lever 63 to apply a restraining force on the extinguisher. A switch mechanism 80 is actuated by movement of the plate 70 so that an alarm may be sounded if the cover 67 is opened. Thus in normal operation the plate 70 is ?'rated before the fire extinguisher E can be removed from the case 60. A heater may be incorporated to prevent the housing from icing up. The heater may take the form of an incandescent bulb 81 which also provides emergency lighting. In a simplified arrangement the bell crank lever 63 can be omitted, the bottom of the cover 67 is then attached to the case 60 towards its front lower edge. In Figures 11 to 13 there is shown a housing for a fire extinguisher which comprises a frame 83 having V shaped cross members 84 fitted with resilient pads 85 shaped to form a cradle for a fire extinguisher E. At the foot of the frame 83, outwardly projecting members 85 support the base of the fire extinguisher E and provide piqtal bearing points 86, 87 for a trunion 90 and for a retainer 91 respectively. The retainer 91 is in the form of two side plates 92 connected by a U-shaped member 93 formed in this instance from round bar welded to the side plates 92. A U shaped compression link 94 is pivotally mounted within the side plates and is pivotally connected thereto by rivets 95 constituting pivots. Attached to the compression link 94 is a handle 96 formed in this instance from bent rod welded to the compression link 94. A tension link comprising a clevis 97, a screwed rod 98 and the trunnion is pivotally connected to the compression link 94 at 101 and to the frame 83 at 8b. The geometry of the linkage constituted by the parts 91-98 is such that, when the handle 96 is as shown in Figure 11, the pivot 101 is disposed slightly above the centre line of the pivots 95 and 86, and the mechanism is locked. When the handle 96 is moved outwardly, however, the retainer 91 also moves clear of the fire extinguisher E to permit withdrawal of the latter, and at this time the pivot 101 is disposed below the centre line of the pivots 86, 95. The rod 98 also carries a spring leaf 102 which cooperates with a toggle switch 103, the arrangement being such that appreciable movement of the handle 96 causes the toggle switch 103 to operate. A stop 104 is provided so that excessive pressure is not applied by the spring leaf 102 on the toggle switch 103 as the handle 96 is moved further. The switch 103 is connected in an alarm circuit. As will be appreciated, in normal operation the rod 98 effects operation of the toggle switch 103 before the fire extinguisher E can be removed from the frame 83. A reset button 105 allows the toggle switch 103 to be reset when the handle 96 is returned to normal. The fire extinguisher E can be removed for testing without the alarm sounding by pressing the reset button 105 whilst the fire extinguisher E is removed. Instead of a permanent reset button 105, a removable key (not shown) may be provided to carry out the reset and test function. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A housing for supporting and retaining a fire extinguisher, said housing having a movable member arranged to closely fit against or around a fire extinguisher so as to hold it in position, the housing also being provided with a control member which controls operation of an alarm and/or control circuit, the arrangement being such that in normal operation the control member is operated before the fire extinguisher can be removed from the housing.

switching device is maintained in an inoperative condition and When said member is not engaged the switching device is in an operative condition.

6 A housing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the housing comprises a frame provided with at least one fixed member engageable with the fire extinguisher said movable member which is pivotally mounted on the frame or on means connected to the latter, the movable member being movable between a clamped and an unclamped position in which the fire extinguisher may respectively be clamped between the fixed and movable members and may be removed therefrom, and releasable means for holding the movable member in its clamped position.

7. A housing as claimed in claim 6 in which the movable member is pivotally connected to the frame at a first pivot, the said releasable means comprising a handle which is pivotally connected to the frame at a second pivot, the handle being pivotally connected to the movable member by at least one compression link which is pivotally connected to the movable member and to the handle at third and fourth pivots respectively, the handle being movable between a damper position in which the second, third and fouth pivots are colinear, and an unclamped position in which the fourth pivot is disposed to one side of the line joining the second and third pivots.

8. A housing as claimed in claim 7 in which means are provided for preventing the fourth pivot from passing over to the opposite side of the said line.

9. A housing as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5, or in Figure 6, or in Figure 7, or in Figure 8, or in Figures 9 and 10, or in Figures 11 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.