US1207393A

US1207393A - Fire-extinguisher.

Info

Publication number: US1207393A
Application number: US86835514A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Gammeter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1914-10-24
Filing date: 1914-10-24
Publication date: 1916-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1933-12-05

Description

J. R. GAIVHVIETER.

FIRE EX'TINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FlLED 00124,, 1914.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

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4 SHEETS-SHEET I L-R. GAMIVIETER.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION HLED'OCT-24. 1914.

Prtented Dec. 5,1916.

4 SHEETS$HEET 2.

J. R. GAMIVIETER.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT-24. 1914.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3.

J. R. GAMMETER.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 24. 1914.

R fiwwfi fio Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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JOHN R. GAMMETJER, 0F AKRON, OHIO.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, t tfi.

Application filed October 24, 1914.. Serial No. 868,355.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. GAMMETER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, county of Summit, and State of Ohio. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Extinguishers, which invention is fully set forth and described in the following specification.

My invention relates to portable fire extinguishers of the hand-vessel. class, in which a container of fire extinguishing fluid is collapsed to expel its contents by pressure applied thereto through means contained within the extinguisher.

T he object of my invention is to provide a hand-operated extinguisher, positive in operation, simple and strong in construction, which shall be operable under all conditions of service and capable of being readily recharged, and one which will preserve its fire extinguishing agent against deterioration.

My invention has also as an object the indication of the readiness of the extinguisher for use.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, I have illustrated the preferred embodiments of my invention.

. In these drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section showing one adaptation of my fire extinguisher; Fig. 2 is'a view of the discharge end of the extinguisher showing the container collapsed; Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the upper or rear end showing the indicator mounted on the'valve stem; Fig. 4 is a front view, partially broken away, of the pressure indicator; Fig. 5 is a detail view, partially in section, of the container and cap; Fig. 6 is a partial vertical section of the rear or upper end of the extinguisher showing a modification for permitting pressure to be created in the casing by means of a hand pump; Fig. 7

. is a vertical sectional elevation of a modiin vertical section of the upper or rear end of the extinguisher shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to Fig. 7 showing another modified form of the device; Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional elevation of a modified form of the device showing the means for exerting pressure upon the container mechanically; Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional elevation of the device shown in Fig. 12 after it has been operated to discharge the contents of the container; Fig. 14 is a. section taken on line XIV-XIV of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional elevation of the container shown in Fig. 13 after ejection of the contents thereof; Fig. 16 is a vertical elevation, partially in section, of certain portions of the device shown in Fig. 12; Fig. 17 is a vertical. sectional view corresponding to Fig. 12 showing alternative forms of casing and collapsing means and a modified form of container; Fig. 18 is an enlarged view in elevation of the collapsed container after the expulsion of the liquid therefrom; Fig. 19 is an enlarged view in elevation showing a portion of the discharge end of the container shown in Fig. 17; Fig. 20 is an enlarged view in elevation of the detachable cap adapted for use with the tube of container shown in Fig. 17 and Fig. 21 is a sectional ,anlarged view of the dischargeend of the extinguisher shown in Fig. 17 with the cap of Fig. 20 applied thereto.

Similar reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the. several views.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, 1 represents the casing, preferably rigid and of hard metal, inclosing the container 2. This container may consist of copper, brass, German silver, etc., of sufficient thinness to be collapsible under pressure, but is preferably constructed of soft metal, such as lead, and is made in cylindrical form. One end is here shown as integral, and the other end is closed by a circular dished cap. This cap is provided with an annular groove 4 into which the extremity of the casing passes, and is secured thereto by wire wrapping 5. About its edge the cap 3 is provided with a 1divezrgent annular flange 6 provided with a The casing 1 is provided at its discharge end with a screw-threaded collar 8 which projectstherebeyond and may be riveted thereto, as shown. An internally threaded flanged ring 9 is adapted to engage the screw threads of the collar 8. The outer edge of a disk provided with an annular groove 10 engages the upper surface of the lip 7 and the annular groove engages the lso inner upper portion of the flange 6. When in position, the inwardly projecting circular flange 11 of the ring 9 presses -on the disk and causes the lip 7 to be held in tight engagement with the upper edge of the collar 8, and also causes the annular groove 10 to be held in tight engagement with the flange 6.

The container cap 3 is provided with a screw-threaded vent 12 into which is screwed a nipple 13 having an exteriorly threaded shank 14 engaging the threads of the vent 12, and an interiorly threaded channel having a narrow screw-threaded portion 15 adapted to engage the screw-threaded shank 16 of a needle valve 17. The inner end of the nipple 13 is provided with an orifice 18 providing a seat for the point of the needle valve. Through the shank of the needle valve is a longitudinal passage 19 having an offset portion at a point adjacent the needle tip of the valve. A cap 20 is threaded into the enlarged portion 21 of the channel of the nipple and engages the shank of the needle valve to retain it in place. The needle valve is provided with wings 22.

Intermediate the ends of the casing 1 is a transverse wall 23 serving to hold in position a seat 24 which may be of felt or similar material, against which the inner end of the container 2 rests. This wall serves to divide the device into a chamber for the container 2 at one end, and a chamber in which fluid under pressure may be retained, as hereafter described. The wall 23 is provided with a centrally disposed cir cular orifice 25. Corresponding thereto is a similar orifice 26 in the seat 24. A substantially centrally disposed tube 27 is provided with offset portions 28 which are riveted to the wall 23 adjacent the opening 25. The tube, which is of approximately the same diameter as this opening, is thus seated thereabout, and V-shaped openings 29 at the extremity thereof permit communication between the chamber for fluid pressure, the interior of the tube, and the inner end of the casing 1. The tube 27 is held in position by a boss .30 centrally positioned on the end wall 31, and by virtue of this connection is enabled to retain the wall 23 rigidly in position.

The end wall 31 is countersunk into the end of the casing 1, to which it is preferably riveted, and, as here shown, is bellshaped. The boss 30 is provided with a centrally disposed passage through which passes the shank of a valve-casing 32, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. This valvecasing and the valve contained therein may be of any desired form. As shown in this embodiment, the valve comprises a springheld frustum-shaped valve head 33- adapted to contact with a corresponding seat 34 in a. channeled nipple 35 held on the "interior.

of the valve-casing. The valve head 33 is supported by the rod 36 passing longitudinally of the valve-casing and suitably supported therein. The valve-casing is provided with an annular flange 37 adapted to seat against the exterior of the Wall 31, and beyond this flange is the screw-threaded extremity 38. Upon this extremity the pressure indicator 39 is adapted to be seated. This pressure indicator may be of any desired form, and as here shown is substantially cylindrical in form and is provided with a boss 40 which has an interiorly screwthreaded recess 41 adapted to coact with the screw threads on the portion 38 to thereby hold the indicator in position. Projecting into the recess 41 is a tube 42 seated in a recess 43 in substantial alinement with the longitudinal passage of the valve-casing. This tube 42 has a channel 43 provided with ofl'set portions 44 and a solid end wall 45, against which the rod 36 abuts. When the indicator is screwed into position, the rod is moved to unseat the valve head 33, thereby permitting fluid, such as air, to flow through the tube 42 to thereby operate an indicating means of any desired nature in the indicator.

Attached to the side of the casing adjacent the valve end of the casing is a housing 46, through the outer end of which projects the end of a rod 47, the said end being formed into a ring 48 which may be hung over a projecting hook or the like to suspend the extinguisher in vertical position. The opposite end of the rod 47 is provided with an indicator member 49 which projects through a slot 50 in the housing 46. Surrounding the rod 47 is a spring 51 contacting at one end with the indicator, and at the other end with the outer wall of the housing 46. When the extinguisher is suspended in position, its weight will force the indicator 49 up against the spring, and when the container is full of extinguishing liquid, the indicator will rest at a certain point. When the container is empty the indicator will be at another point. Thus, by a glance at the indicator, the availability of the extinguisher, so far as the content of extinguishing fluid is concerned, may be determined.

In operation, the container 2 being filled with carbon tetrachlorid, or any suitable fire extinguishing liquid composition, is placed within the casing 1 and securely held therein by the screwing down of the casing ring 9. The indicator 39 is removed from the casing and air under pressure is forced into the casing by any suitable means, as a hand pump, until a sufficient pressure is obtained, say upward of 80 to 100 pounds, which may be determined by reinsertion of the indicator 39. The compressed air stored in the chamber of the casing in the rear of the container upon the opening of the needle valve menses will cause the container 2 to gradually collapse, thereby expelling the fire extinguishing liquid in a dirigible stream, the pressure exerted upon its walls serving to give it a form approximately that shown in Fig. 2. According to this construction, when the easing is charged with air and the container with liquid, a glance at the spring-held indicator will show that the extinguisher is ready for use so far as the liquid is concerned, and a glance at the pressure indicator will show that the device is ready for use so far as the fluid pressure is concerned. When either one of these elements is deficient or lacking, such deficiency may thus be readily and quickly ascertained, which, it will be seen, is a highly desirable factor 1n connection with fire extinguishers. Thus, in case of fire, where speed is of the essence in extinguishing, no time is lost by the necessity for taking the fire extinguisher from the wall to test it, and, in case it is empty, to be forced to take another to replace it. lWhen the container has been collapsed, as shown in Fig. 2, it may be replaced by another fully charged container, as before described. These charged containers may be conveniently shipped and handled to permit the user of the extinguisher to easily re-load an extinguisher without the difiiculty usually experienced in devices of this character, of having to send an extinguisher that has been once used back to the manufacturer for refilling, or else to discard it as of no further service.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modification wherein a hand pump is permanently secured to the device in place of the valve-casing and indicator heretofore described. The hand pump is provided with a tube 52 secured to the transverse wall 23 at the orifice therein and in the felt, as previously described in connection with Fig. 1. Adjacent the wall 23 a spring-held plunger valve 53 is located, seating in an orifice in a narrowed portion 54 of the tube 52. A plunger 55 may be operated back and forth in the tube by means of a rod 56 furnished with a hand grip. The

. tube 52 may be secured to the end wall of the casing by means of a flange 57, which, with a collar 58, forms a tight engagement with this end wall. Urifices 59in the tube 52 permit communication with the fluid pressure chamber and the rear wall of the container 2. In the operation of this device, pressure is created in the pressure chamber by means of the hand pump, and when the needle valve is opened this pressure will serve to expel the contents of the container.

Referring to the modification in Figs. 7 to 11., inclusive, the container 60 corresponding to container 2 in Fig. 1, is shown closed at its ends, one of which is approximately hemispherical and is provided with a thick ened wall 61 terminating in the boss 62.

The container in this instance is also of soft metal and is provided with a series of uniform heavy corrugations 63 extending transversely thereof substantially from end to end. These corrugations in turn are provided with similar uniform ridges or corrugations 64; which preferably extend laterally from the troughs of the transverse corrugations 63 to the tips thereof. Along the inner wall of the casing 1 is a lining 65 of felt or similar material against which the tips of the corrugations 63 rest, serving to prevent jarring of the container against the sides of the casing, and also furnishing a joint to oppose the How of air along the sides of the container. The casing 1, which corresponds in shape at the discharge end to the container, has an inwardly turned circular flange 66 seating in the thickened portion of the container. The boss 62 upon the container projects through the casing and is externally threaded to engage the internally threaded neck of the pet cock 67. Due to the hardness of the metal of the casing and the softness of the metal of the container, when the pet cook 67 is screwed down upon the boss of the container until it engages with the casing, the circular flange 66 presses into the metal of the thickened end 61, making a tight joint therewith. The container has the opening 68 therethrough extending through the boss in alinement with the opening through the nozzle 69 of thepet cock. The end of the casing opposite the nozzle is external-1y screwthreaded at 70 to receive a cap 71. Between the cap and casing is interposed a packing ring 72 to render it air-ti ht. Through this cap 71 extends a valve 3, screw-threaded therethrough and having the nuts 74 to hold it in place. This valve has the cap 7 5, being of the usual type employed for the inflation of the interior tubes of automobile tires. The method of operation of this embodiment of my invention is as follows: When the filled container 60 has been placed within the casing 1 and securely held therein by the screwing down of the pet cock upon the projecting boss of the container, the pet cock is closed, as shown in Fig. 7 and the cap 71 is applied to the casing, the valve cap 75. is removed, and air under pressure is forced into the casing after which the valve is closed by the cap 25. The compressed air stored in the chamber of the casing in the rear of the container upon the opening of the pet cock will cause the container to gradually collapse, pressure being exerted upon its rear wall and serving to advance it within the casing, so that when its contents have been expelled it willassume substantially the form shown in Fig. 8, due to its corrugation. The heavy transverse corrugations upon compression will act to permit a folding of the container along the lines of transverse.

the corrugations. In this folding, the outer extremities will tend to swing about the innermost lines of the corrugations as axes, and the sides of the corrugations 63 extending from the troughs to the outer extremities must shorten. This shortening is facilitated by the lateral corrugations 64:, as will be readily understood. 7

In the form illustrated in Fig. 11, I have shown a similar container 120 without corrugation, the container fitting closely within the casing. In this embodiment the chamher in the casing in the rear of the container is filled with aerated liquid 121 under pressure, since I find it to be easier to maintain a given pressure without loss through leak age in a reservoir charged, for example, with carbonic acid gas in the presence of water,

.than in a reservoir containing air alone. I

preferably construct the collapsible container of a non-corrosive soft metal, as lead. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 11, the collapse of the container and the expulsion of its contents is secured by the expansion of the fluid under pressure when the pet cock is opened, as before described.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment shown in Figs. 12 to 16, inclusive, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a manually operable means for ejecting the fluid from the container. The container in this instance is similar to the container shown in Fig. 1, but at its ejection end it is modified, and the means for retaining it in the casing 1 is somewhat different. The container is thickened into an annular flange ortion 76, to which is secured, in any suita le manner, a dished face plate 77 provided with an internally threaded boss 78. To this boss is secured a pet cock 7 9. The casing adjacent its end is provided with a screw-threaded collar 80 whose upper edge is adapted to contact with the under edge of the flange 76 when the container is fitted into the casing. A casing cap 81, which is inwardly screw-threaded,

is adapted to be passed over the pet cook 79, so that its inwardly extending flange 82 comes in contact with the upper edge of the flange 76 when it is screwed into position upon the collar 80. The rear end of the casing is provided with an outer encircling casing head 83 which is internally screw-threaded, to correspond with an enlarged threaded portion 84 on the extremity of the casing. Projecting from the inner wall of the casing end 84 are guide lugs 85 which project through longitudinal slits 86 in a substantially cylindrical shell 87, which in turn is provided with lugs 88 which are adapted to pass through longitudinal slits 89 in a substantially cylindri:

cal plunger 90 having its forward wall engaging the rear wall of the container 2.

Projecting substantially centrally from the end wall of the casing head is a tube 91 which serves to inclose a screw-threaded ram 92 projecting from the front wall of the plunger 90. A nut 93 is provided with an annular flange 94 and is mounted on the ram 92 adjacent the plunger head. The tube 91 terminates in a flange adjacent the flange 94, and between these two flanges a spring 95 is held. Guiding pins 96 attached to the nut 93 coact with slots 97 in the tube 91. The screw threads on the interior of the casing head 83 and those on the plunger 90 are formed in opposite'directions. The method of operation of this embodiment of the device is as follows: The container having been inserted and secured in place by means of the cap 82, and the pet cook 79 being opened, the casing head 83 is rotated by hand, thus traveling along over the rear end of the casing and driving the ram 92 at the same time. The plunger is thereby driven into engagement with the soft metallic container and causes it to collapse, until finally, at the end of the travel of the head 83, the plunger is forced to a position bringing the rear wall of the container into contact with its front wall, as shown in Figs. 13 and 15. In view of the opposite disposition of the threads on the ram and head, it will be readily seen that rapidity of movement of the plunger. is vastly accelerated, so that the contents of the container may be quickly ejected upon opening the pet cock 79.

Next referring to Figs. 17 to 21, inclusive, which show an alternative and somewhat simpler form of hand-operated device and a modified form of container, the 1 casing 1 is inwardly depressed at the orifice end and provided with the projections 98 to engage the cover cap 99, which is slotted at 100 to receive these projections the projections forming a bayonet joint with the slot as shown in Fig. 20. The container 2 is here shown as substantially cylindrical and provided with transverse corrugations of less depth than shown in Fig. 7, which also provide a very satisfactory aid to the collapsing action. The container is closed at the ejection end by the thickened wall 101, which may either be integral with its cylindrical wall or held therein by pressing the side wall into the grooves 102 in its end wall 101. This end wall has the circular screw-threaded boss 103 projecting therefrom through the wall of the casing, as shown in Fig. 17, a wing nut 104 being screwed down upon this boss, causing the wall 101 to seat firmly against the wall of the casing. The cap 99 has the sealing plug 105 which seats in the mouth of the perforation 106 through the boss, and is held firmly in its seat by the spring 107 within the cap. The casing at its opposite end is 109 extending through the wall of the casing. This spider carries a hub 110 through which extends a cylindrical tube 111 which is contracted at 112 and screw-threaded to engage the ram 113 carrying the disk 114, Whose face opposed to the bottom of the container is roughened to oppose frictional resistance to the turning of the ram. The tube 111 projects beyond the casing, and is provided with the casing head 115 for manual rotation. 116 which, upon the rotation of the hand- Wheel 115, transmits the thrust of the ram to the hub 110. i

In operation the fluid container, shown in art in Fig. 19, is made ready for insertion in the casing by the removal of its stopper cap 117. The spider 108 with the ram 113 and its associated parts having been removed from the casing, the casing is placed down over the container, whose boss projects through the opening in the container.

The wing nut is then screwed down, holding the container firmly in the case, and the spring cap applied by means of the bayonet joint described. The ram and its associated parts are then placed within the casing, and held in place by the spider 108. To use the extinguisher, the cap is removed, opening the orifice throu h the container 99,

and pressure is applie to the ram by turning the manually-operated handle 115, causing it to advance through the cylinder, forcing its disk against the face of the container, with the consequent expulsion of its contents through the nozzle 103.

While 1' am aware that fire extinguishers of the syringe type containing a bag holding a liquid fire extinguishing agent, which bag is collapsed by pressure, are old, 1 believe it to be broadly new to employ a collapsible metal cartridge, as 1 may aptly term my container, in a fire extinguisher, and to collapse such cartridge by fluid under pressure, and I therefore desire broadly to.

.claim:

1. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a fluid-container of compressible metal having a valved head, an inclosing rigid casing therefor, one end of said casing being adapted to permit the insertion of said congaingr therethrough and to be closed by said '2. In a fire-extinguisher, the combination of a fluid-container of com ressible metal having a valved head, an inclosing rigid casing therefor, one end of said casing being adapted to permit the insertion of said container therethrough and to be closed by said head, and a removable ring surrounding said head and engaging said casing.

3. in a fire extinguisher, the combination of a fluid-container of compressible metal having a valved head, an inclosing rigid The tube 111 has the collar casing therefor, one end of said casing being adapted to permit the insertion of sald container therethrough and to be closed by said head, a removable ring surrounding said head and engaging said casing, and a seat in said casing for said container.

4:. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a fluid-container of compressible metal having a valved head, an inclosing rigid casing therefor, one-end of said casing being adapted to permit the insertion of said container therethrough and to be closed by said head, a removable ring surrounding said head and engaging said casing, a seat in said casing for said container, and a closure at the'opposite end of said casing having a valve therein adapted to permit the storage of air under pressure within said casing.

5. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a fluid-container of compressible metal having a valved head, an inclosing rigid casing therefor, one end of said casing being adapted to permit the insertion of said container therethrough and to be closed by said head, a removable ring surrounding said head and engaging said casing, a seat in said casing for said container, a closure at the opposite end of said casing having a valve therein adapted to permit the storage of air under pressure within said casing, and a passageway through said seat adapted to permit the stored air to continuously compress the container upon the opening of the valve in its head until the fluid therein is expelled.

6. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a fluid-container of compressible metal having a valved head, an inclosing rigid casing therefor, one end of said casing being adapted to permit the insertion of said container therethrough and to be closed by said head, a removable ring surrounding said head and engaging said casing, a seat in said casing for said container, and a closure at the opposite end of said casing having a valve therein adapted to permit the storage of air under pressure within said casing, said seat being supported within said casing by a tubular projection from said closure.

7. In a fire extinguisher, the combination of a fluid-container of compressible metal having a valved head, an inclosing rigid casing therefor, one end of said casing being adapted to permit the insertion of said container therethrough and to be closed by said head, a removable ring surrounding said head and engaging said casing, a seat in said casing for said container, and a closure at the op osite end of said casing having a valve therein adapted to permit the storage of air under pressure within said casing, said seat bein supported within said casing by a tubu ar projection from said closure, said projection admitting air to both 8. In a fire extinguisher, a fluid-container 10. In a fire extinguisher, a fluid conof non-corrodible, flexible material, and a tainer 0f non-corrodible flexible material rigid cylindrical casing having a valved botand a rigid cylindrical casing therefor said tom, said casing being provided with a transcasing having a seat for the support of said 15 5 verse seat for said container. container.

' 9. In a fire extinguisher, a fluid-container of n0n-c0rr0dible, flexible material, and a JOHN R. GAMMETER. rigid cylindrical casing therefor having a bottom provided with a valve, a seat in said Witnesses: 10 casing for said container, and a support WALTER K. MEANS,

extending between said seat and said valve. C. S. HIRLEMANN.