US1500399A - Fire-alarm device - Google Patents

Description

A. C. LANESE FIRE ALARM DEVICE Filed Dec. '7, 1923 AntQniQ C. Lanese.

Patented July 8, 1924.

PATENT OFFICE.

ANTONIO o. LANESE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

FIRE-ALARM DEVICE.

Application filed December 7, 1923. Serial No. 679,054.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTONIO C. LANESE, a citizen of the United States,

residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Fire-Alarm Device, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in a fire-alarm or signal, the primary object being to provide a simple and inexpensive device adapted to be used within a building or residence to operate an electric alarm or signal immediately upon the Outbreak of a fire. The said' device is also particularly constructed for convenient attachment or connection with an electrical door bell signaling circuit, such as commonly used in residences, and it is especially designed to permit a relatively soft fusible element to be inserted and fixed in an effective working position therein. This element may be made of wax in the form of a round rod of any given length. When this rod iS inserted into the device a desired distance it is adapted to be severed and also held in its desired operative position by a movable member forming part of the device, all as hereinafter shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagram of an electric signaling circuit containing my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of my improved fire alarm device. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the device with the cutting and holding blade partly closed.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the device on line 5-5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a. top view of a spring holder for the device.

t is a common practice to install electric door-bell systems in residences, tenements, etc, but it is not so common to equip such places with electric fire-alarm systems, possibly because of the initial expense and subsequent costs of maintenance. I have therefore conceived the idea of providing a. smalland inexpensive device adapted to be used in connection with an electric door bell circuit, or in any other electrical signaling circuit, in a residence or building. This device comprises a relatively small base member 2 having a small round opening 3 extending therethrough from front to rear, and adapted to receive a round fusible rod 4 of corresponding diameter. A pair of metal contacts 5 and 6 respectively, are secured near one end of the insulating body, terminal screws 7 and 8 are provided to secure the electrical wires 9 and 10, thereto. These wires may be used to suspend the device in any given place Within'a room or where the wires may be connected in parallel with the door-bell or other electrical signaling circuit A. A flat spring 12 is secured at one of its ends by a screw 14, to base member 2, and the Opposite or free end of this spring is bent at an angle to provide a contact lip 15 adapted to straddle and engage the fixed contacts 5 and 6, respectively. However when fusible rod 4 occupies opening 3 and is projected and en ages the back of the spring near its free en the spring is held under tension and out of contact with the contacts 5 and 6. This set arrangement of parts is maintained by a pivoted blade 16, aflixed to the rear side of base 2 3nd to engage the rear end of the fusible ro Blade 16 is relatively thin Or provided with a sharp edge so that it may serve as a cutter to sever the plastic rod after it has been inserted and projected sufiiciently to separate the spring from the contacts. The rod may fit tightly within the opening but when blade 16 is turned to close opening 3 the fusible plug is backed up and held immovably and the spring is placed tension apart from the contacts. This relative position of the parts is maintained until a fire occurs and the rod or plug melts or fuses, whereupon the electric signaling circuit A is closed automatically and the bell B will ring continuously. To reset the device a new rod or plug may be inserted, out OE and fixed in position as described. If desired, a metal or hard rubber perforated cover or shell 17 may be slipped over base 2 to protect and conceal the parts.

In Fig. 6 I show a holder C which is adapted to be nailed or screwed to a wall andused as a support for base member 2. Relatively narrow spring fingers or clasps 20 extend forwardly at any suitable point from opposite sides of holder C, between which member 2 is adapted to be introduced and detachably held. This illustrates one mode of mounting the device removably upon a wall instead of suspending the device by wires from an overhead support.

What I claim, is:

1. A. fire-alarm device, comprising a 'body fusible member mounted upon said body adj acent, said opening.

2. A fire-alarm device, comprising a body having a flat contact spring and associated electrical contacts mounted thereon and provided with an opening behind said spring adapted to receive a fusible element of plastic material, and a combined cutter and holding member for said element mounted upon said body opposite said opening.

3. A fire-alarm device comprising a body having an opening therein, an electrical contact spring mounted-at one side of said body opposite said opening adapted to receive a fusible rod, and a pivoted cutting blade afiixed to the opposite side of said body adjacent said opening adapted to sever said fusible rod when projected thorugh said opening.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' ANTONIO O. LANESE.

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