US1422406A - Fire extinguisher - Google Patents

Description

F. C. BARGAR.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.II. |919.

r n u energy, and which gas is introduced intol Cli A inaaior'i.`

' U NITE PATENT trier.

rnnnnaicx c. BARGAacF conuivnsus, onraasslenoalmo FoAMiTE ,rranroiiivi COMPANY, ,or nan/groan, n; Y.; Ajcoizioiaiirion or DELAWARE.

'man .nx'riiverirrenna.v y

l.' 4 Specification of Letters Patent.; *l Patnited July 1,1, 1922' `Application filed August 11, 1919. Serial No. 316,749.

To all whomct mag/concernff 'Be it known thatiFnnDnniori-C. Banaan,

a citizen of vtheUnited States, residing at- Columbus, in the countyofFranklinand State of Ohio, hasinvented certain nevv and useful improvements inFire Extinguishers`,

of which the following'is aspeciiication.

This invention relatesspecically to :re

extinguishers, and'has y for its' primary ob.

ject to provideimproved and eiiicient means for effecting the'expulsion of a vchemical ex-V tinguishing agentifrom the bodysofA anextinguishci'in aprompt, reliable and effeotive ing agent the kinetic energy of a suitable gasl which `is formed at themoment its use is required from a material having potential direct Contact with the extinguishing agent as soon as it is formed tothereby expelthe latter from the casing; as contradistinguished from those extinguishers vvhereinl expansive and iireextinguishing properties are deif'eloped bythe admixture of certain chemical. substancesat the time the use of the extinguishingagent is required, as Well as from those extinguishers wherein an ex! pansive expelling agent is constantly en gag'ed with the extinguishing agent and from those wherein' the :gaseous expelling agent is. previously formed and retained' in the gaseous 'condition separated from the extinguishing agent Vuntil its use to expl said `agent is;` required, it of course being understood that the gas which is formed at the moment it is to be used,

according tothe present invention is not' essentially an element of the lire l extinguishing agent but is primarily lintended merely to supply the pressure necessary to expel said agent from the casing.

The utiliza-tion ofthe kinetic energy of a gas which is generated andA introduced into contact with the chemical extinguishing agent at the moment it is to be used to expel the latter `avoids or prevents deterioration of the pressure creating medium by reason of a loss ofzprlessure thereof due to leakage or other-causes and at the Sametime makes it practical automatically to maintain a .pressureof the gasupon the extinguishing agent at al'ltimes 'adequate to insure absolutely the vdischarge of all the extinguishing f agent,-With'out being required, in order to secure these practical and important advantages, to resort to complicated or expensive valved` mechanisms to retain Athe gas and regulate its floiv or to resort to a pumping operation to secure complete and'uiiiform flow of the extinguishing agent.

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the invention consists, generically:

Firstly, in vmeans whereby the chemical extinguishing agent is expelled' 4from 'the casing by the` kinetic `energy of a suitable gas which is formed at'the time its use to expel the extinguishing agentv is required from a suitablematerial having-l `potential,

energ l, andwhich material is normally separated fromfthe extinguishing agent and is of suchl nature` that the gas maybeso formed and so controlled that it acts directly upon the extinguishingI agent yWith a `pressure adequate to expel the latter, regardless of the gradually decreasing spaceiyvithin the casing occupiedby the extinguishingagent and the correspondingly gradually increasing space Within the casing occupied by the expansive expelling agent.

While l recognize the fact that gas formed from other materials than the one hereinafter particularly. set forth may be ein-- ployed, and therefore would have it understood that this invention, considered in its broadest aspects, is not confined to a means forthe vutilization of a gas derived from the particular source or class ofmaterial, nor in ythe particular Way, hereinafter set forth,

yet I consider that the utilization of the kinetic energy of a gas derived from a suitable inflammable'v material, is of such importance as to justify claims particularly based thereon, and especially but not exclusively when said inflammable material is of a solid nature having potential energy which is transformed intolinetic energy by the combustion of said material.l Gunpovv` 100 lform powerduring substantially the .aforesaid character `and utilit der belongs to the last named class of materials and is readily obtainable, it is inexpensive and answers all of the requirements of a most practicable material vfor the pres ent purposes. Accordingly, I have exemplied the invention in a structure of novel andl most practieabl'evnature for the utilization of gunpowder or analogous inflammable materials transformable into a gaseous sub-v ily operable means, the gases released by thev combustion of said structure will be` brought toy bear, upon the extinguishing agent to forciblyl eject the latter from the extin guisher body.

Thirdly, in a combustible structure ofthe which consists primarily of a plurality o powder containing fuses,y the latter being of relatively ditlerent lengths vand capable of being simultaneowly ignited in order that the gaseous pressure created by their combustion will be efectively :prolonged tov maintain the de- Sild pressure for the necessary period ofv time upon the extinguishing agent to effect the completel expulsion of the latter from the extinguisher 'casing andat the same time to eiect, thc maintenance of a substantially uniform'pressureupon said agent so that the latter will be ejected in a. stream of uni entire period of its discharge.A

A still further object is to provide a pressure generating structure of a combustible character which may be employed in connec'tion with the standard invertible types of extinguishers, hitherto in common use, and to render." the same more. reliable and efficient, and my invention, therefore, consists? i Fourthly, in. such a. structure capable of being readily connected withran extinguisher of this typeand of such form asy to be fully operative irrespective of climatic conditions and, further, of such construction as t0 insure a full and complete discharge of the agent from the extinguisher after the discharging operation has been initiated.

A further object of my invention 'is to produce an extinguisher which will not-- freeze at low temperature, and in particular lhave provided lan apparatus which will not freeze at -400 F., t is being the critical low temperature prescribed by the underwriters laboratories.

Another important object is to employ as the gas producing agent aisulstauce of the type generally employed as an explosive,

pointed out hereinafter.

yIn the accompanying drawing,` wherein Ahas'been'illustrated one oi tliemanydiflerent, forms of the invention:

IFigure l is a vertical sectional view taken through ,a ire extinguisher and illustrating the location of the combustible agent expelling structure therein.

FigureQ is asimilar view on au enlarged scale of the combustible pressure` generating structure, and,

, Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view of the fuse construction.

Similar characters, of reference denote like and corresponding parts throughout the sev eral views of the drawing.

The invention has been exemplified `as employed in connectionwith a fire extinguisher 1l whichin this instance is of the invertible type, and as it is possible to admirably develop the principles ofthe invention in an extinguisher of this character, the following description will be accordingly confined thereto but it will be obvious after y a. further perusal of the following descrip tion that the principles of the invention may be also equally 'adapted to many other types orv forms of chemical fire extinguishers.

The extinguisher l consists of the vusual body or casing 3 which is adapted to contain a suitable quantity of a liquid chemical extinguishing agent 4. The upper end` of the casing is provided with thevusual entrance opening 5 by means .of which the agent @t ma beintroduced into the interior of the bo y 3, and said casing isffurther provided ata point contiguous to the opening 5 with an outlet 6, to which the ordinary flexible nozzlel carrying lhose 7 is attached, through the use of which the stream projected from the extinguisher may be controlled and directed. Y The opening 5 is provided with the usual base closure 8, which is formed with internal threads in order that the same may be threadedly secured to the annular wall defining the vopening 5, this construction enabling the closure to be securely and separably connected with the body 3. A gasket 9.y is preferably interposed between the closure and the upper edge of the wall defining theopening 5 to prevent undue seepage or escape of the liquid agent 4.

The closure 8 is further formed with the usual integral resting or supporting ring 10, whereby7 when the casing is inverted, same may be'supporte'd in an upright position by positioning the ring upon a suitable base, said ring also serving to permitv the extinguisher to be conveniently handled during transportation. y l

Referring now to the more essential fea tures of the invention, the closure 8 is provided on vits under face with a depending threaded projection 11, the-latter being situated substantially in an axial position with respect to the casing 3, and threadedly secured as at 11 tothe projection 11 is a depending tubular casing 12, which is formed` to extend centrally through the body 3 and substantially contiguous to its curved bottom wall 13. rihe upper edge of the casing is threaded intor engagement with, a g'aslret 13 so as to force the latter against the closure 8 and in this manner to seal the interior of said casing from the agent containing chamber B of the casing, in order that ksaid agent will beprevented fromlgaining access to the interior of thecasing. .The lower end 14 of the casing 12 is closed by means of a rigid plug 15 which also serves to exclude the agent from the interior of said casing. The reasons for sealing the interior of the casing. against` the ingress ofthe liquid willbe more *apparent` as the description proceeds.v

vFormed in the upper end ofthe casing and passing transversely therethrough is a plurality of radiallyprojecting rivets or off sets 16, which are provided with heads 17 disposed in concentric array within the casing. Adapted to be suspended andy supported by the `heads 17 is a shell 18, preferably formedfrom thin sheet metal. The upper portion of the shell '18 is suitably bent toprovide an offset annular bead 19, which is adapted to rest or seat upon the heads 17 so that the shell 18 as a whole will be suspended within the casing 12 and spaced from the inner walls of the latter, as shown by the numeral 20. This shell` contains the charge of gas generating material, preferis shown in Figure 3, in orderjthat byem-l bedding the same within the substance or compound 23, the ignition of the latter will be bound to be transmitted to the powder of the casing 12 and rests upon the plug 15.r

However, by inverting the extinguisher, said weight will be gravitated downwardly toward the shell 18. `The fall of the weight 26, however, is delayed until the extinguisher assumesV a substantially inverted vertical position by the action of the ring 27, which latter possesses a bore of such diameter that the weight will be confined between the ring and the plug 15 until the extinguisher is in its approximately upright position. When thus located, said weight will `be permitted to. pass through the bore of the ring 27, in order that a sheer fall of the samemay be provided.v The ends of the weight may be rounded as at-28, if desired,to prevent the same from wedging within the ring, `When the weight falls, the same strikes a soft metal diaphragm 29, which is of crown shape and is carried by the lower end of the shell 18, and the blow delivered by the weight is transmitted to the pair of simuln taneously movablefiring pins 30, which are mounted for reciprocation within `a block 31 threadedly carried as at 32 by the lower end of the tube 21. The firing pins are norn mally .located in contiguous relation with respect to the pair of firing caps 32, which are inserted into openings formed in the block 31, and said caps 32 discharge into a bodyof loose or free powder 33, which is contained within a soft metal receptacle 34, the latter being positioned upon the bloclr'31 in concentric relation with respect to the lower end `of the tube 21.

- lt wiil thus be manifest that the falling of the weight 26 will force the pins 30 into engagement with the caps 32 so as to effect the explosion of the latter, and the discharge of said caps results in the combustion of` the powder 33, which sets up a suiiicient gas to effect an initialexpulsion of the agent 4 from the body of the extinguisher. The gasesreleased by the powder 33 burst the receptacle 34 and also the softV metal diaphragm 29, and find vent from the casing 12 by passing upwardl in the direction indicated by the arrow l within the annular space 20, and are released from the casing by forcibly opening a valve'35.v This valve consists of a fiat cork lined cap 36 which is held by means ofa leaf spring 37 in obstructing relation with respect to the transe verse port 38 formed in said casing. The gases-passing upwardly through the space 20 thus engage the cap 36 and force the latter to uncover the port 38, and in this manner said gases are released from the casing. It will be observed that when the extinguisher' is inverted, the agent 4 will' gravitate toward the closure 8 and into and around the outlet 6, thus when the gases are emitted from theport `38, the same will be forced to travel upwardly through the body ofthe yagent into the s ace located between the top of the agent and) the bottom wall 14, which of course is located at the top of the extinguisher when the latter is inverted. It has'been found preferable to locate the port 38 upon the far side ofthe casing 12 as regards the outlet 6, inv order that'the gases which are initially released f'rom'said casing will be preventedfrom escaping by way of the outlet 6. However, this is a substantially negligible factory and even if the port 38 were disposed to face .the outlet 6, the escape of gases would be relatively minute. It will thus lie-seen that the combustionof ythe powder 3 will effect the fracture of the diaphragm 29 and the opening of the valve structure andfthat vthe gases will be directed upwardly through the body of the fluid into'expelling engagement with the volumetric head thereof, in order that a positive force may be placed upon this head of fluid to forcibly eject the same through the hose 7.

Following the .combustion of the powder 33', similar action is set up in the combustible substance 23 and thence to the several fuses 22, so that the escape of gases or the productsof combustion, will be continuous after the initial combustion ofthe powder 33. And'the fuses are of such length as to continually suppl the interior ci, the casing 3 with suilicient y'pent up gases to effect the entire expulsion of the agent 4 from the casing 3 after combustion hasbeen initially started. This in itself'is a desirable feature because a complete exhaustion of the agent is provided thus preventing the extinguisher from being partially usedand left in an inoperativecondition. i

Under certain circumstances, it has been found advisable to form the fuses of diierent lengths, in orderthat sulicient pressure within the casing 3 may be established throughout'the yperiod of agent discharge. This is primarily accomplished by the fact that the fuses are not permitted to be simultaneously burnt out or extinguished, in order that the period of combustion of each fuse,

by reason of their varying lengths, is successively different, so that the loss in pressure within the extinguisher by reason of the expanding gases, caused by the escaping Huid, will be compensated for by theburn'- ing action of the longer fuses, thus providing a liquid discharge stream of substantially uniform vpressure and power throughout the discharging operation.

From the foregoingl description taken in connection with 'the accompanyingdrawing,

Macnee it will be seenthat there is provided a fire extinguisher of considerable utility, and one capable of efiiciently performing with a mimimum of manual attention its intended functions. An extinguisher constructedv in accordance with the present disclosure will be capable of voperating under all manner ofV climatic conditions and will be particularly useful in localities wherein low temperatures prevail' as the element of freezing has been reducedl to a minimum. 'After the expelling mechanism has been used, the same may be readily removed from the interior of the extinguisher and replaced by the mere insertion of a renewed shell l18 and its associated parts, this operation being capable i of being easil and quickly performed. It will be notedthat the upper end of the tube 21 substantially contacts with the projection 11, this permits said tube to be retained in a rigid manner when the extinguisher is inverted, in order that the .weight 26 may deliver its blow upon an unyielding base and in this manner insure the explosion of. the caps32. A plurality of the latter are provided simply to insure combustion of the powder 33 as it is obvious that by having a'plurality of these caps, failure on part of one or the other thereof to explode will be counteracted by the remaining caps. Also, the receptacle 34 may be provided with a screen 39, which willv serve to confine the burning `powder within the space allotted by the receptacle andy will prevent the same from lying around within the casing 12. It will thus be apparent that a structure has been provided for carrying out the objects ofthe invention, which is of an eficient and reliable nature and will be instantly responsive to meet the demands of emergencies.

A principal diiiculty'in the' production of pressure ygenerating apparatus through the combustion of gas producing' substances in a confined space is the fa ct that the pressure to which the substance is subjected by the generation oi gas materially increases the rapidity of combustion, so that with many types of combustible material, such as various forms of gunpowder and dynamite, ignition in a confined space produces an explosion, though ignition in the open wouldV result merely in relatively slow burning. It will be apparent from the above description that I have employed a gas generating combustible material in a confined'y space, buthave so arranged and constructed the apparatus and selected the material that while the pressure developed may increase the speed of burning, it will not produce an explosion,

It will also be evident' that I have employed pressure generating apparatus capathis respect my invention is distinguished from devices employing sulphuric acid in the pressure generating mechanism, since the pure acid freezes at 290 F., and When diluted the freezing point of the acid rises materially, fluctuating in accordance with the 'degice of dilution but being substantially above the freezing point ot the pure acid except yat degrees of dilution Which ywould render -it useless for the purpose indicated. i

it Will be understood that the mechanism herein'described may be utilized `for expelling vfrom a container liquid of other nature than chemical fire extinguishing liquid, and While I have set forth this particular utility and application of the invention because the Asaine is preferred yet I do not intend thereby .'terial which has potential energy and is transformable gradually into a gaseous product capable ot exerting kinetic energy adequate to expel the extinguishing agent from the extinguisher. i

'2. A gas piessuregenerating attachment for a' lire extinguisher comprising a shell adapted to be connected With the extinguisher and provided With a combustible material which is transformable gradually when undercombustion into a gaseous product to expel the extinguishing agent from the extinguisher, y

3. il gas pressure generating attachment for a iii-e extinguisher comprising a shell adapted to be connected with. the extinguisier, fuses in said shell and ignitable means having connection with said fuses.

il. A gas pressure'generating attachment for a fire extinguisher comprising` a shell adapted. to` be connected with the extinguislier, lfuse elements positioned Within said shell, a combustible substance in which the ends of the fuse elements are embeddedand ignitable means to ignite the combustible substance.

5. A pressure generating attachment for a re' extinguisher, comprising a shell adapted to be connected With the extinguisher, slow-burning combustible pressure generating` material therein, and a detonating organization for igniting said material..

6.V A pressure generating attachment for a fire extinguisher, comprising a/shell adapted to be connected With the extinguisher, slow-burning combustible pressure generating material therein, and a detonating organization for igniting said material, said detonating organization including a detonating powder and a tiring pin to ignite said powder. v

7. A gas pressure generating attachment :For a fire extinguisher comprising` a shell adapted to be inserted within thel casingY or body ot the extinguishe1 and containing a combustible pressure generating lmaterial which is normally separated thereby Vlrom the extinguishing agent, said material when under coii'ibustion being transformable gradually into a gas Whose energy ruptures the shell and thereby escapes therefrom and is adapted to expel the extinguishing agent from the extinguisher.

8. A gas pressure generating attachment for a lire extinguisher comprising a shell having a rangible portion and adapted to be connected With the casing or body ot the extinguisher, combustible pressure generating material therein, and a detonating or- .ganization tor igniting said material to thereby generate a gas which ruptures the lirangible portion oi' the shell and .is adapted to expel the extinguishing agent 'from the extinguisher.

9. A gas pressure generating attachment for a lirev extinguisher comprising` a shell having a frangible portion and adapted to connected with the casing or body o'l the extinguisher, combustible pressure generating material therein, and a detonating organization for ig-niting said material to thereby generate a gas which ruptures the frangible portion ol' the shell and is adapted to expel the extinguishing agent from the extinguisher, said detonating organization incluifling a tiring pin and-means ignited thereby.

10. A gas pressure generating attachment for a firel extinguisher comprising a shell having a trangible portion and adapted to be connected With the extinguisher, iuses therein,'combustible substance in whichtlie ends of the fuses are embedded and ignitable to ignite the combustible substanre to thereby ignite the fuses.

l1. A. gas pressure generatingv attachment for a tire extinguisher comprising a shell having a trangible portion and adapted to be connected with the extinguisher, Yfuses therein having different .burning periods, and ignitable means for igniting means for igniting the fuses.

1 '12. A lgas pressure. generating attachment `for a tire extinguisher comprising a shell having a. rangible portion and adapted to be connected with the extinguisher, fuses therein having different burning periods, a combustible substance in which the ends or" the` fuses are embedded, and ignitable means to ignite the combustible substance to therebyv ignite the Jfuses. 13. A gas pressure generating attachment for a lire extinguisher, comprising a shell adapted to be connected with the extinguisher, said shell having an y'inner member, and fuses therein coiled about said inner member.

14. A gas pressure generating attachment for a fire extinguisher, comprising a shell having' a frangible portion and adapted to be connected with the extinguisher, said shell having an inner 4memlzrer, and fuses therein coiled about said inner member, said fuses having different burning periods.

15. A gas pressure generating attaclunent for a fire extinguisher, comprising a shell having a frangible portion and adapted to be connected with the extinguisher, said shell having an inner member, fuses coiled about the inner member, a `combustib-le substance in which the ends of the fuses are embedded, and an ignitable element to ignite said substance.

16. A gas pressure generating attachment for a tire extinguisher, comprising a shell having an inner frangible receptacle, and a slow-burnin combustible gas generating material in said receptacle, adapted to rupture the receptacle and escape from the shell wheny under combustion.

17. A gas pressure generating attachment fora lire extinguisher, comprising a completely closed shell having an inner frangible receptacle, said shell also having a frangib-le section, and a slow-burning combustible gas generating material in said receptacle, adapted to rupture the receptacle and frangible section of the shell when under combustion. i

18. A gas pressure generating attach-ment for a fire extinguisher, comprising. a Aoompletely closed shell having an inner frangible receptacle, said shell 'also having a frangible section, a combustible gas generating material in said receptacle and vfuse elements positioned in the shell and ignited by said material, said material being adapted to rupture the receptacle and frangible section of the shell when under combustion.

19. Apparatusfor expelling the contents of 7a lire extinguisher through a predetermined outlet, comprising means for .generating -ga's and means for introducing gas into the extinguisher in contact with the extinguishing means, said generating 'means including a plurality of .gas generating elements each continuously operative through a. predetermined period,and means for simultaneously rendering lall of said elements operative. 1 y

20. A gays pressure :generating attachment for a tire extinguisher comprisir'ig a shell having means at its upper end by which it may be detachably suspended within a fire extinguisher and completel encasin a charge of a combustible su stance w ich under combustion is transformed gradually into a gaseous product capable of exerting energy to rupture the shell and expel the extin ishing agent from the extinguisher, the

she l being also provided With an ignitable y ei'ementfor igniting said substance.

21'. A gas `pressure generating mechanism for a yfire extinguisher comprising a casing adapted to be mounted in thebody of a lire extinguisher, and a shell comprising a confined charge of a combustible gas generating material removably mounted in the casing, seid. casing sealing thecharge against'- the extinguishing agent and having an outlet for the gas generated by the combustion of said charge. y

22. A gas pressure generating mechanism for a fire extinguisher comprising a casing adapted to be mounted in the body of a lire extinguisher, a shell comprising a confined charge of a combustible gas generating ma teriml removably mounted in the casing, and an operating element in the casing' for ig` niting said charge. l

23. A gas .pressure generating mechanism for a lire extinguisher comprising a casing adapted to be mounted in the body of a` fire extinguisher, a shell comprising a confined charge of a combustible as generating material removably mounte in the casing, said casingl sealing the charge against the extinguishing agent and having an outlet for the gas generated by the combustion of Isaid charge, and an operating element in the casing for igniting said charge.

24. A gas pressure generating mechanism for a fire extinguisher comprising a member having means for connecting it to the casing of the extinguisher, a shell mounted in said member and thereby connected with the extinguisher, said shell containing a. combustible materia-l which has potential energy and is transformable gradually into a gaseous product capable of exerting kinetic energy adequate to expel the extinguishing agent from the extinguisher, and means, comprising an element movable in said member, for igniting said material.

v25. A gas pressure generating mechanism for a fire extinguisher comprising a member having means for connecting it to the casing of the extinguisher, -a vshell mounted in said member and thereby connected with the extinguisher, said shell containing a combustible material which has potential energy and is transformable into a gaseous product capable of exerting kinetic energy adequate to expel the extinguishing agent from the extinguisher, an ignitable means for said material, and an element gravitationally movable in said member when the mecha.- nism is inverted, to ignite said means to thereby ignite the combustible substance.

26. vA gas pressure generating mechanism for a fire extinguisher comprising a member having means for connecting it to the casing said member, when the mechanism is inverted, to operate on the firing pin,

27. A gas pressure'generating mechanism fora fire extinguisher including combustible pressure generating means and means oper- "able upon'the' inversion of the mechanism to ignite said combustible means, whereby pires- 'sure is generated to expel the fire extinguish- :vingiiuvid `from the extinguisher.

28. A gas pressure generating'mechanism AV*for a `re extinguisher, including combustible pressure generating means, angelement containing the same, an ignitingvmedium and means" for automatically igniting said medium uponthey inversion of the mechanism, said means comprising anfoperating element which isi restrained against operation' until the mechanisml hasr beenv substantially inverted 3o lfor a lire extinguisher, comprising a casing,

a coniined chargeof amcombustible 'gas gen- 29.` A gas pressure .generating mechanism erating medium in said casing,a Weight also in said casing, means operated by impact of the weight to ignite said combustible medium, and means 'for' automatically preventing such impact until themechalnism has been substantially inverted i `v30. A gas pressure generating mechanism for a fire extinguisher, comprising a casing,

,a confinedcharge oi a combustible'gas generating medium removably mounted in said casing, means substantially yiiorming a part of the chargeand loperable When subjected to the iorce of impact to causethe charge to be ignited, ar'weig'ht gravitationally i movable inthe casing to produce such Vimpact, and an` elementl having an opening through whichV the Weight must passy in its movement tothe charge, said opening having dimensions corresponding to `the y cross sectional shape and size of the Weight 'tot-hereby restrain movement'of the Weight to the charge until the mechanism'has been substantiallyv inverted.

31. A. gaspressiire generating mechanism for a fire extinguisher, comprising a casing "adapted ajb@ mounted in the. body of ui@ fire extinguisher, a shell havinga conned charge oi' a combustible gas generating material removably mounted in the casing, said `casing having an outlet for the gas gen- "erated by the combustion of sai-d charge and sealing the. chargev Aagainst the .extinguisliing agent, and 'an operating element movaagent is expelledvthrough ble inthe casing to cause said charge'to be ignited.

32.' A gas pressure generating mechanism tor a fire extinguisher, comprising acasing adapted to be mounted in the body of the `nism has been substantially inverted.

33. A gas pressure generating attachment 'ttor a lire extinguisherot that type Which employs a chemical nre extinguishing agent and embodies 'a container from which said agent is expelled through a discharge outlet by the pressure of gas, said generating attachment' Acomprisingl means `containing a material having potential energy and transormable into a'gaseous'product capable oiz exerting kinetic `energy adequate to expel the extinguishing agent from the container oi the latter through said outlet but inadequate to rupture said container, and means for `transforming said material automatically into a lgaseous product at the time vit is to be'used to expel the chemical extinguishing agent from the container.

34. Apparatus :tor expelling the contents oit a irc extinguisher th-rough `a predetermined outlet, comprisingnieans tongenerating gas and means'tor introducing the galsinto the extinguisher in Contact with the extinguishing means, said generating means including a plurality oit gas generating elements each contini'iously operative through. a predetermined, period, and `means for simultaneously rendering 'all oi? said elements operative, the operative periods ott-he different elements being varied so that the pressure'upon the extinguishing medium in the extinguishervill remain substantially constant during the expulsion oi' said medium, u

35. A gas pressure generating mechanism 'for aiire extinguisher oit that type which employs a chemical iiie extinguishing agent and embodies a container from which said a discharge outlet by the pressure oit the gas, said generating mechanism comprising-means containing av material having potential energy and Which is combustible and `translformable when vunder combustion into a gaseous product capable' oi exerting kinetic energy adequateto expel the extinguishing' agent from 'the container of the latter through saidoutlet but inadequateto rupture said container, and means 'for firing saidA materia-l automatically at the timeit is toghe,

llO

used to expel the extinguishing agent from the container.

36. A chemical fire exti isher comprising a container for the c emical lire extinguishing agent, said container having an outlet, and mechanism for supplying a pressure of gas upon the agent'in said container to expel said agent through the outlet, said mechanism comprising a means containin a *materiali having potential energy an transformable in and of itself into a gaseous product capable of exerting kinetic energy and which means has its interior normally out of communication with the interior of the container and has communication therewith vwhen the gaseous product has been formed, and means for setting the aforesaid means into gasxproducing activity at the time the gaseous product is to 'be used to expel the extinguishing agent from the container.

37. A chemical fire extinguisher com-prising lan invertible container for the chemioa firel extinguishing agent, said container having an outlet, and mechanism-for supplying a pressure ofgas upon the agent in said container to expel said agent through the. outlet, said mechanism comprisin a means containing a material having po ential energy and transformable in and of itself into a gaseous product kca able of exertin kinetic energy and whic means has its interior normally out of communica- -tion with the interior ofthe container and has communication therewith when the gaseous product has been formed, and means for settingthe aforesaid means into'gas producingactivity upon inversion of the container.

`38. A fire extinguisher comprising a casing Acapable of receiving a fluid extinguishing agent, an outlet structure for said casing, a combustible means, and mechanism -automatically operablefu on theinversion of said casing to ignite sai means, whereby a pressure will be generated to expel said agent through the outlet structure.

' 39. A fire extinguisher comprising a casi ing capable of containing a chemical extingulshing agent, a charge ofcombustible material positioned within .said casingy and substantially sealed lfrom the latter to exclude said agent, and mechanism operable upon the inversion of said extinguisher for igniting said combustiblemeans and introducing the gases generated therebyl into expelling relation with said agent.

40. A lire extinguisher comprising a casing adapted `to contain a fluid extingushing agent, an outlet, and a removable inlet closure for'said casing,- a charge of combustible `gas generating material removably disposed -in said casing substantially in line with the inlet `opening and substantially sealed ragainst admixture with the extinguishing "agent in the casing, and means for igniting said charge to thereby cause the generation of a gas to ex el the agent from'the casing through said outlet,pthe means for'sealin the material against admixturel with said agent including an element to permitfthe escape of the gas into expelling 'relation with said agent. y t p' 41. A fire extinguisher comprising a casing adapted to contain a Huid extinguishing agent, an outlet, and a removable inlet closure for saidfcasing, a charge of combustible gas generating material removably dis' osed in said casing substantially in line wit the inlet opening and substantially sealed against admixture with the extinguishing agent ,inv the casing, and. means for ignlting said.

charge to thereby cause the generation of a s to expel the agent from` the casing t rough saidcutlet,`themeans orseraling the material against adinixture with said agent including a frangible element to permit the escape of the gas into expellingrelation with said ent. f

42. A iire extcng'uisher comprising a'v casing having an outlet and va removable inlet closure, said casing being adaptedto contain `a fluid extinguishing agent, and an agentexpelling structurev havin connection with said closure and inclu ing a renewable charge of combustible `material which is sealed from the extinguishing agent, and when under combustion roduces a gas which breaks the seal and expe s the agent through said outlet. i n

43; Av tireV extinguisher comprising ya `casing adapted to contain a Huid extinguishing agent, an outlet andA a removable inlet closure forsaid casing, an inner casing connected to the inlet closure and provided with means for the escape of gas therefrom, a charge of a combustible.v material removably mountedin said inner casing, said material when under combustion generating a gas to expel'the agent fromthe first mentioned casing through said'outlet, and means for igniting said material.

44. A ireextinguisher, comprising a casing adapted to contain a fluid extinguishing agent" and provided with an outlet for said agent, an inner casing having means for the escape of gas therefrom, a charge of combustible material removablyY mounted in the inner casing, said material when under combustion generating a gas to expel the agent from the `irst mentioned casing from said outlet, and means for igniting saidmateria] to-produce ksaid gas, theinner casing having an outlet vfor the `escape ofk the :gas into expelling relation with the extinguishing fluid. 1 z t 45. .A fire extinguisher comprising a .casing adapted to contain a fluid extinguishing agent and provided with an outlet for said agent'and further provided with an opening having a closure, a shell adapted to be inserted into the vcasing through the latter opening and removably held inthe casing With one end impinging upon said closure, said shell having a charge of combustible material to produce When ignited a gas to expel the extinguishing agent from the casing, and means for ignitng said material comprising a Weight to impact upon the other end of the shell.

46. A lire extinguisher comprising a casing adapted to contain a Huid extinguishing agent and provided With an outlet for said agent and further provided Withan opening having a closure, an inner casing havingv4 a gas outlet, a shell adapted to be inserted into the inner casing through the opening in the outer casingand removably held in position with one end impinging upon said closure, said shell having a charge of combustible material to produce When ignited a gas to expel the extinguishing agent from the first mentioned casing, and means for igniting said material comprising a Weight to` impact upon the other end of the shell, said Weight being movablel gravitationally in the inner casing. y

4:7. In a fire extinguisher, the combination with a casing adapted to contain a chemical vextinguishing agent, combustible elements capable when simultaneously ignited to burn over dilierent effective periods, means for substantially7 simultaneously igniting said elements` and means for directing the gases generated by the combustion of said elements into expelling relation With said agent.

a8. A fire extinguisher comprising a casingcapable of containing an extinguishing agent, combustible bodies located Within said casing, said bodies being of varying individual proportion whereby When the same are simultaneously ignited the gases released thereby will exercise a substantially uniform pressure upon saidl agent during the period of expulsion of the latter from said casing, and means for igniting said bodies.

49. A lire extinguisher comprising a casing adapted to vcontain a chemical extinguishing agent and provided With inlet and outlet structures, a receptacle carried by said inlet structure and normally sealed from the agent containing portions of said casing, a plurality of inflammable bodies located Within the normally sealed portion of said receptacle, said bodies being proportioned to individually burn for different periods of time, and mechanism for effecting the ignition of said bodies.

5,0. In a fire extinguisher, the combination with a casing adapted to contain a chemical extinguishing agent, of means for expelling said agent from said casing, comprising a member removably located Within said casing, a plurality of combustible fuse elements of dili'erent lengths disposed Within said member, firing mechanism for substantially simultaneously igniting said elements and means for directing the gases generated by the combustion of said elements into expelling relation With said agent.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

i vFREDERICK C. BARGAR.

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