US1634976A - Fire extinguisher - Google Patents

Description

Patented July 5, 1927.

UNI-TED STATES 1,634,976 PATENT oFFiee.

GEORGE W. BURKE, JR., OF DAYTON, OHIO. ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

BATTLE-FYRE COMPANY.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

Application tiled January 25, 1924. Serial No. 688,480.

This invention relates lo tire extinguishers of the pistol type, designed and intended particularly for use ou aircraft.. hut o l' course capable of use generally, \\'hcrever it is desirable or necessary that the u-eer be able to operate the sinne with one hand as in the case ol the aviator who must control the plane while lighting a lire.

The present invention luis reference to iinproveincnts in details in the type of' extinguisher shown in Burke apl'ilication, ber. #593,()ll, filed October 7, 1922, whereby a fool-proof, positive and (puck-acting device of the character mentioned is provided.

Among other things, the invention provides a lire extinguisher operating withpressure provided by compressed gas cartridges, special means being provided to facilitate the insertion and removal of the cartridges, the storage of 'reserve cartridges on the device where they will be available at once, iinproved means' for facilitating proper filling of extinguishing fluid in the container, and improved means for feeding the fluid to the discharge opening under pressure to give a steady1 stream to play upon the lire.

The above and other objects of the invention willbe inade to appear more clearly as the following detailed description advances, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawing illustrating in loiigitudinal section the invention.

The extinguisher comprises a container 10, preferably, although not necessarily, cylindrical in form, and of dimensions to contain a sufficient quantity of extinguishinofluid to comply with underwriters requirements in the particular field in which the device is to be used. In the present instance where the device is to be operated on airplanes, the container is large enough to hold one quart. A pistol grip 11 extends from the container between the ends thereof and has a band 12 passing about the container. The location of the grip is such that the device is evenly balanced, and can be aimed steadily and without appreciable etfort when' held with one hand. The con tainer is filled with a suitable extinguishing fluid as for example, carbon tetrachloride, although I contemplate the use of the device operating with water. lV here water is used, a very effective extinguishing fluid is provided when the water is carbonated by the C()2 gas from the cartridge 13. The eartridge 13 is of metal and filled with compressed gas and has a rupturable cap in the tip thereof to allow the gas to escape when it is to be used. The cartridge in this case provides the pressure fluid for the dual purpose of expelling the extinguishing fluid, in this case water, and going' into solution in the water to give the saine combustion-retarding or sinothering properties. The container is filled through an opening 14 in one end, the opening being provided in a bushing 15 internallyv screwthreaded to receive a plug 16. The bushing supports a tube 17 extending inwardly a predetermined distance froin the opening 1l so that when the container is filled up to the level of the lower end of the tube 17, it being understood that in filling, the device is held witlrthe container vertical and the refill opening on top, there is afforded an expansion chamber of proper dimensions in the container to insure the proper operation of the device when the compressed gas from the cartridge is admitted. The tube 17 therefore serves as a well or sight tube.

lt is contemplated, and in accordance with underwriters requirements, torefill the gun after each use thereof and to equip the saine with a new cartridge. It has been found that a cartridge affords so much pressure ordinarily that even after all of the extinguishing fluid has been expelled, there is a certain amount of residual pressure. To

avoid the likelihood of injury by a fine spray of extinguishing fluid being thrown into the eyes of the operator oi' an observer, when relieving this pressure in the container preparatory to refilling it., a pair of bleeder holes 18 are provided communicating between the refill opening 1l and the expansion chainber above the bottom of the tube 17. the plug 1G is given a few turns toward removing t, thepressure leaks by the threads gradually and by the time the plug is removed entirely, there is practically no pressure remaining in the container. rIbis provision is important not so much where the container is empty as where there remains a certain amount of extinguishing fluid` since in the latter case, if the plug were removed without dissipating the pressure, there would be a discharge of extinguishing fluid which would almost certainly result in injury. lt is of course necessary to remove the plug to refill the container and this may be safely Then done after the pressure in the container has been relieved in the inanncr described.

V.The compressed gas cartridge lll is contained within a breech socket lf) in hack of the pistol grip ll directly beneath tln` container 10. This socket communicaicsl through an opening 2O in a hollow guide :l arid through a second opening :13 in the guide 2l with a chamber 2li in a tilting di having a part connected thereto and .scaled in the container wall. A Yalve 5 controls coinmunication between the socketl.) and the inside of the container' ll). r[he valve 25 seats outwardly in the end ol a hollow plug 26 under the tension ol a spring 2T acting against a spider lixed to the inner end ot the stein of the valve 25, the spider being guided in the tubular bore ot' the plug 2li, as shown. The guide 2l is openV at the iront to admit a tiring pin 28 and has a plug 29 threading therein, in which the pin 2S is arranged to move. A disk 3l) rigid on the pin 2b has a compression spring :il bearing against it and the inner end ot the guide 2l about the open ing Q() normally to hold the pin 2S out so that the outer end thereo't projects a sub- Stantial distance through the plug` 29 for engageinent by a small dog 32. The plug 29 is hollow to receive packing material, as shown, the packing being held by a gland 33 against which the disc 30 abuts normally. In this way, it is insured there will be no leakage of the compressed gas when the rupturable cap in the tip of the cartridge 13 is punctured by the pointed end ot' the pin 28.

eThe cartridges 13, it will be noted, have reduced necks 311- which are embraced by a coiled compression spring 35 inside the socket 19 when the cartridge is inserted in the socket and the plug 3o' threaded to back up the cartridge and seal the socket against leakage of pressure. rlhe spring 35 is coinpressed upon the inward movement ot the cartridge so that when the plug 3G is removed, when it becomes necessary to replace the used cartridge with a new cartridge, the old cartridge is expelled and there is no dil"- tieulty as would otherwise be the case. to extract the cartridge. eserve cartridges are conveniently carried in the hollow pistol grip 11 in a socket 3T opening lrom the bottoni ot the grip. A web 3S inside the grip has openings 3S) to receive the necks 3l of two or more cartridges. A, slide :l0 held vin under-cut grooves Lll in the bottom ot the grip 1l is provided lo retain the cartridges. A, raised portion Yl2 on the slide -lll provides a thumb grip to more the slide into and out o' place.

- rl'he cartridge 1?; in the breech socket 19 is punctured at the time the extinguisher is to be used in putting out a lire by the pulling ol a trigger' i3 pivoted at Ail in the grip ll. For safety a guard Ll5 is provided extending around the trigger so that nothing can engage 'the saine and accidentally cause the actuation thereof. The trigger operates in the Vlorked end ot a metering pin or valve "le which controls the discharge ot' extinguishing lluid from the nozzle l? under the loiwvard end of the container lO. The pin ll is normally held closed by a spring 4S acting between a cross pin elf) on the pin lll and a gland 50 in front ot the plug 5l threaded into the open rear end ot the nozzle casing 52. The pin t6 is packed at the gland 5() by packing material held in a hol low portion ot' the plug 5l. ln pulling the trigger, the dog 32 which is pivoted at 53, in the end ot the pin #lli is 'forced against the protruding end ot the tiring pin 28, thereby puncturing the cap in the tip of the cartridge 13 in the socket 1S). The dogg`- 32 is normally held in the position shown by a spring oel and is arranged at the limit ot' depression of the trigger to be moved oit the end ot' the pin 2S by a projection i3 on the trigger to allow the pin 28 to be expelled to its protruding position shown, where it permits the free egress of the compressed gas from the cartridge to the container.

The nozzle 4T communicates through a. series of ducts and passages shown with a feed pipe inside the container lt), supported at its forward end in a fitting 5G in the wall ot the container connected with the nozzle casing 52. rl`he tube 55 is open at both ends and has spherically faced valves 5i' and 5S for controlling` the ends thereof. These valves are connected by a rod 52) extending lengthwise ot' the tube to close one valve when opening the other, and vice versa. 'the valve 5T slides in a tube et) held on the projecting end ot the pipe 55 and having ports (3l in the wall thercotl to vadmit extinguishing fluid to by-pass the valve when the valve is open to tlow into the pipe and from thence to the nozzle i7. 'l'he valve 58 slides in a cylindrical bore in a coupling on the rear end ot pipe 55. lt. controls the admission of luid to the pipe 55 tlufmgh a port G3 communicating with a 'llcxiliiic metallic ho.e (il on the coupling (3:3. '.lfhe trec end ot the hose o-l is open and arranged lll() to have universal movement about the conpling inside the container, and has a weight (35 thereon to insure the movement ot the lrce end otl the tube to the lowest elevation. no mattei' in what position the ,-ontaincr may be held in operation. l'hc leed pipe 55, it has been found, tuut-tions best mound-l inclined to the lower wall ol the container il) with the. rear end thereof al a higher cicvation than the toi-ward end. 'this is duc to the lact, that the inlei-connected vulvesA 5T and 58 slide l'rom open to closed iliosilios. and the device is ordinarily held horizontal or nearly so in sighting along the barrel com tainer so that the valves would otherwise flutter it not tending to assumo a normal position with the valve v5T open,v Flinn-ring ol." the valves seriously aitnt'tc tto ontcient operation as it permits leakage ot' pressure and the extinguishing tlnid is 'too-ed out in slugs and not in a continuons stream.

The operation ot' the device is ncccssarilv apparent trom the, foregoing description since all of the details have tim-n described i'nore or less in relation to the use ot' the dc- ViCe. It is understood that the device is carried on the wall ot the fuselage ordinarily on the outside in a suitable holder where it is within (':onvcnient reach ot' the aviator to be removed and used io the event the plane takes tire in flight. 'l'he device is so constructed and proportioned that the aviator may readily operate the same with one hand while controlling the plane with the other. Since the device is capable ot sending a stream with ease to the 'tarthermost portions of the plane, a lire starting anywhere may be readily taken care ot by the pilot. while in flight, and it is not necessary that morey than one extinguisher be provided on a ship on account oit' a likelihood that the amount ot fluid in one would not be sul'iicientto cope with a lire. It is contemplated to retill the extinguisher with extinguishing fluid after it has been used and to replace the used cartridge. For this purpose, it is convenient to carry a reserve supply of cartridges on the device as in the pistol grip where they will be readily available. In the event other extinguishing fluid is not available, the device may very 'readily be illed with water and will function quite satisfactorily particularly if the cartridges used contain compressed CO2.

I claim:

1. In a pistol type fire extinguisherr` a barrel-like container for extinguishing fluid under pressure, a controlled outlet at the :torward end ot said container, a feed pipe extending longitudinally within said container and communicating with said outlet at its front end and having its rear end spaced farther from the wall of the container than the iront end, said pipe having a liront intake and a rear intake port, interconnected valves controlling said intake ports, and a universally movable intake tube for the rear intake port ot said feed pipe.

2. In a pistol type fire extinguisher, a barrel container for extinguishing fluid, a pistol grip supporting said container, a trigger mechanism in t'ront of said pistol grip, ar breech socket having a removable plug, and a cartridge to be received in said socket containing compressed gas for expelling the extinmiishinglluid from said container upon the operation ot said trigger mechanism.

3. In a pistol type tire extinguisher. a barrel container for extinguishing fluid, a pistol grip supporting said container, a trigger` mechanism in front of said pistol grip, a

hrt-ech socket having a removable plug, a t-imrtdge to be received in said socket containing compressed gas -for expelling the. extinguishing fluid from said container upon thdoperation of said trigger mechanism, and :l ,socket in said pistol grip Jfor receiving a reserve cartridge o lf compressed gas.

el. In a pistol type tire extinguisher, a barrel container tor extinguishing tluid, a pistol grip supporting said container having a trigger mechanism in l'ront thereof, a nozzle communicating with said container in front ot said trigger mechanism. a valve controlling said nozzle connected willi said triggt-r mechanism to be opened upon the depr ssion ot' the latter, a breech socket hehind said trigger meclnlnism eonununicating with said. container, and a rupturable conrpressed gas cartridge in said socket to be pun .tured upon the depression ot said trigger mechanisn'i to admit the compressed gas to said container to expel the extinguishing tluid therefrom through said nozzle.

In a pistol type fire. extinguisher, a barrel container for extinguishing fluid, a

pistol grip supporting said container havinga trigger mechanism in front thereof', a nozzle communicating with said container in front of said trigger mechanism, a valve. controlling said nozzle connected with said trigger mechanism to be opened upon depression ot the latter, a breech socket behind saidl iriggfcr mechanism communicating with said container, a rupturable compressed gas cartridge in said socket to be punctured upon depression of said trigger mechanism to admit the compressed gas to said container to expel the extinguishing fluid therefrom through said nozzle, and a socket in the bottom ot' said pistol grip having a removal closure for receiving av reserve supply ot' cartridges.

6. In a fire extinguisher, a container for extinguishing fluid, a pistol grip on the underside of said container, a trigger in front ot said grip, a nozzle at the front end ot' said container having a valve connected to said trigger to be opened upon the depression of' the latter, a cartridge socket behind said trigger having a firing` pin to be fired upon the depression of said trigger to re lease the pressure contained within a cartridge in said socket, to expel the fluid from said container, and a member operated b v said trigger to engage said tiring pin in the course or the depression of said trigger to lire the cartridge but movable oli the pin a t'ter the firing of the cartridge while the trigger remains depressed.

T. ln a pistol type lire extinguisher having a barrel containing .extinguishing tluid, a pistol grip holder therefor extending laterally from the side ot the container, means including a replaceable compressed gas cartridge for discharging the fluid from said container under pressure. and means controlled hy the hand which holds the grip while holding said grip and direct ing the extinguishcr for firing the'carlridge and controlling the discharge from saidvlairrcl.

8. In a piston type lire extinguisher, a barrel containing extinguishing tluid, means ldllding f replaceable compressed gas cartridge for discharging the lluid from Said container under pressure, and a pistol grip holder for said container, said pistol grip having a storage chamber therein for the reception of reserve cartridges.

9. 1n a pistol type lire extinguisher, a harrel container for extinguishing fluid, a pistol grip therefor, a discharge nozzle toward the forward end of said barrel in front of said pistol grip, a cartridge arranged to discharge into said container to supply the pressure for expelling the tluid therefrom, a trigger in front of said pistoll grip, a valve extending forwardly from the trigger for controlling the discharge froin said nozzle, spring means normally holding said valve closed and said trigger cocked, and a firing pin operated by the pulling of said trigger to discharge said cartridge into said container.

10. ln a pistol type fire extinguisher, a barrel container for extinguishing fluid, a pistol grip therefor, a discharge nozzle for the forward end of said barrel in front of said pistol grip, a trigger lin front of said pistol grip, a Valve extending forwardly from said trigger for controlling the discharge from said nozzle, spring means normally holding said valve closed with the trigger cocked, a cartridge arranged to discharge into said container and supply the pressure for expelling the extinguishing fluid therefrom through said nozzle, a firing pin for said cartridge, spring means nornially holding the saine away from said cartridge toward the back of said trigger,

and means on the trigger for engaging said pin to tire said cartridge, while at the saine time opening said valve to permit the discharge of extinguishing fluid from said nozzle.

11. In a pistol type tire extinguisher, a barrel container for extinguishing fluid, a pistol grip therefor, a discharge nozzle toward the forward end of said container in front of said pistol grip, a trigger in front of said pistol grip, a valve connected therewith and extending forwardly to said discharge nozzle to control the discharge of extinguishing llnid therefrom, spring means normally holding said valve closed with the trigger in cocked position, a cartridge mounted behind the trigger and arranged to discharge into said container to suppl)v the pressure for expelling the extinguishing fluid therefrom through said nozzle, a tiring pin for said cartridge, spring nieans normally holding the saine away froni said cartridge toward the back of said trigger, and a member on said trigger normally engaging the end of said firing pin arranged to depress the saine when the trigger is pulled but to ride off at one point of the stroke of the trigger to permit the pin to recede from said cartridge under the action of its spring means.

l2. In a lire extinguisher, a portable barrel like container for extinguishing fluid under pressure, a fitting in the wall of the container having a controlled outlet therefor, a feed pipe connected to said fitting and extending from a point at one end vof the container close to the wall thereof to a point at substantially the center ofthe container and farther away from the wall than said first nained point, an intake port at each end of the feed pipe, interconnected valves to close one of the intake ports while the other port remains open, and a :flexible tube con nected at one end to the intake port which is at substantially the center of the container, andA having a weighted free end capable of moving universally about to always assume the lowest level in the container.

In testimony whereof I atlx niy signature.

GEORGE lV. BURKE, JR.

Images