US1637381A - Safe - Google Patents

Description

C. F. KLOSS SAFE Filed Jan. 29 1925 w i r:

Patented Aug. 2,1927.

UNITED STATES g M 1, 31,3 1 'PATENTIOFFICBf CHARLES r. KLOSS, on NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

SAFE.

Application filed January This invention relates tosates and more especially to that class of sates which, are

safes, however, require a relatively thick layer of packing or heat insulatingmaterial between the inner and outer walls, and, thereformthe overalldimcnsions of the safe are relatively large compared to t to be preserved. That is, while the exterior dimensions of the safe may; be relatively large, theinterior will present a relatively small space tor the protection of material. This is becoming an especially greatdisad ,vantageat the present time, due, to the fact that floor space is often very valuable in large otficebuildings, and the protection oi 7 papers and records of various kinds is be? the sale being of less importance.

rer-itio t the s coming" more and more necessary. The prob? lem of storing such records is assuming great importance, and a saving of a considerable part of this space between the walls of the two compartments of the safe is of great 'ad- I vantage, especially as regards the width and depth of thesafe, which are the two dimen sions which define the amount of floor space required, the space at the top and It is also well known that a la n part of thecost of safe is the cost of ti sporting and installing it. due to i arge size and wei ht, andit the size of he sate can be, i seal without a corresi io-nding decrease in its capaci and its weight lessened, the 7 n to the consumer will be on s cerahly lessened, due to the saving in transportation and installation charg a l nrtlier, as it is becoming nccess y preserve great quantit es ot records and documents, the cost of sate protection for such i'nateriai presents I and it is, therefore, of great advantage to produce a safe which will give ample protecae avail able space for the reception or the 'inaterial bottom; of,

a serious problem,

'29, 1925. Serial Nb. 5,627.

tion to the material stored therein, but which will be relatively cheap to manufacture,

Moreover, one of the weak points of a safeisusually that part of the door in which the locking mechanism is housed, for while the remainder of the door may be packed with heatinsulating material, it is, of course, not possible to so insulate that part of the door which contains the locking mechanism, and as a result, the safe is usually especially vulnerable to heat at this poin I One object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a sale which will give. material stored therein ample protection against heat,

but which will, at the same time, occupy a 'elatively small amount of floorspace as compared to the storage capacity for material to be protected 7 That is to say, the space between the. inner and outer walls of the sale, particularly at the four sides thereof,

will be reduced to a minimum.

,Jinother ob act of my invention isthe vprovision of a safe of this character, which will be ot" relatively light weight when transported, so that it may be shipped and installed at a relatively low cost.

.11 further object of my invention is the provision of a safe of this character, which while iosscssing 'suiiicient strength to withstand the shocks to which such devices may besubjected, and while capable of giving the contents ample protection against heat, may be manufactured at a relatively small cost.

'- A still further object of my invention is the'provision of a Safe, wherein that part oil-.119 door in which the locking mechanism is contained, will be given substant ally the same heat insulating properties as the rest oi the safe. I

- hlore specifically, my invention contemplates the provision of a safe con'iprising inner and outer compartments having spaced walls, the space beta normally occupied by air and the mounting, at the bottom of thesa'fe, of reservoirs containing a vaporizing fluid, for example, and providing auxiliary reservoirs in thet'orm of tubes located against theexterior side walls of the sale, thesetubes also being tilled with the vaporizing fluid and in connnunication with the main reser-v voirs.

- I also contemplate the placing of a recep taclecontaining such a fluid in the door of "the safe and providing communication be tween this reservoir and that part of the eon said walls being,

such as water,

' sists in the novel features and combination of parts to be hereinafter described and and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a safe, embodying my invention, with the door in open position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the safe shown in Fig. 1, with some of the parts broken away to expose the interior;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view on line H of Fig. 3; r

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view of-a modified form of safe door;

Fig. 7 is sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a detail view on line 88 of Fig. 4, showing the valve structureused.

The preferred form of my invention which I have selected to illustrate and describe, comprises a safe 10, provided with a hinged door 11 and suitable supports 12, although it will be understood that the details of the safe may be varied within wide limits within the scope of my invention.

The body of the safe comprises inner and outer compartments 13 and 1 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. The inner compartment will preferably comprise a top, bottom, and three sides or walls, the front being left open for the reception of material, such as docu-' ments, papers, etc., and as will be obvious, is closed by the door 11.

The outer compartment 1% will-consist of a top and three sides, which will be suitably spaced as shown in Fig. i, from the corresponding walls of the inner compartment. Suitable structure (not shown) may be provided to, firmly brace the two compartments from each other so as to make a strong and rigid safe. The bottom 15 of the outer compartment is preferably removable and is connected to the remainder of the structure by such fastening devices as screws, bolts, or the like (not shown), the supports 12 being se cured to this bottom member.

For convenience, I have shown the bottom of the safe divided into three compartments, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the compartments being separated by the diverging members 16, 17 and 18 of a grid secured to the safe structure. This grid assists in bracing the walls of the safe and also provides means for securing the bottom15 to the rest of the structure. The number of compar ments may, of course, be varied if desired.

Within these three compartments in the bottom of the safe are placed tanks or reservoirs 19, 20 and 21, which reservoirs will correspond in crosssectional shape to the shape of the compartments. The reservoirs are entirely closed with the exception that suitable plugs or the like :22, may be arranged so that they may be filled with water or some other suitable vaporizing liquid. As shown in Fig. 3, the reservoirs may have a considerable depth so that a relatively large quantity of this liquid may be stored therein. The space provided at this point between the bottom of the inner compartment and the bottom 15 of the safe, may be relatively large as compared to the space arranged between the side walls of the structure, as no additional floor space is occupied by reason of the former dimensions being relatively large, while the same is not true of the space between the side walls.

The space between the side walls of the safe is entirely occupied by air, with the exception that flat relatively shallow tubes 2%, and 26 lead upwardly from the reservoirs and are located within this space.

These tubes are preferably located adjacent the exterior wall of the safe so that they will be immediately affected by heat without the safe. While I have shown one of the tubes leading from each of the reservoirs and disposed within each of the three side walls of the safe. it will, of course, be run derstood that the number may be varied as desired.

The tubes communicate with the reservoirs through valves 27, preferably arranged at the lower ends of the tubes, these valves being so arranged, as will be explained hereinafter, that while they are, normally closed they will be opened if steam is generated within the lower reservoirs and also will be opened if the safe falls upon its side or turns upside down. 7

Similar valves 28 are arranged at the upper ends of the tubes and in this way, the tu es will normally be kept closed, so that there will be no evaporation of the water therein or in the reservoirs 19, 20 and 21. i

The air spaces at the three sides of the safe, and at the top, will preferably be in free communicationwith each other, so that any steam or vapor generated in any of the tubes 24, 25 and 26, or in any of the tanks communicating with these tubes, will pass into this air space and entirely surround the contents of the safe with the exception of the front or door and the bottom. The bottom is, of course, protected by the reservoirs themselves and the door is separately protected, as will be explained hereinafter. Suitable openings 30 may be arranged about the door jainb to provide for the escape of the steam emitted from the tubes.

The valves-27 each consists of a chamber or the like 31, provided with inlet and outlet ports 32 and 33, controlled by a ball valveg l. The port 32 is in communication with :its

corresponding reservoir by means of a duct 35, while the port 33 communicates with the corresponding vertically extending through the opening 86. Small bleed open ings or bypasses 37 and 38 lead aroundthe port 33, so as to provide restrictedcommunication between the chamber 31 and the correspondingtube through the port 36 at all times, it being understood that these bypasses are not controlled by the ball valve 34c. "The action of this valve is asfollows: hen the safe isin its normal position and is not subjected to heat, the valve 34 remains I in the position shown in Fig. 8, wherein the port '32 is closed and the evaporation of the liquid in the reservoirs is prevented. It vapor is generated in the reservo1rs,how-

ever, the pressure will cause the ball valve to be lifted and vapor will escape around this valve through the port 33 and the opening 36 into the corresponding tube. It, how-. ever, the sate falls upon its side or turns up side down, the ball valve will be dislodged b 'ravit and will cover the )ort'32 so as y a y l 7 to prevent a rapid escape of the liquid in the reservoirs. A slow drainage of this liquid into the tubes will, however, take place through the bypasses 37 and 38, so that the tubes will be supplied with the vaporizing liquid at all times. i I

The valves 28 at the up oer end of the tubes, are constructed similarly to the valves 27. "In this instance, the duct communicates with the liquid in the tube, and the port 36 opens into the air space between the walls of the safe. ,The action of the valve is substantially the same as hereto-fore explained, the valve preventing evaporation from the tubes when the safe '15 in normal position, but'allowing a slow drainage of,

the liquidtrom the tubes when the safe is i turned from its normal position.

As shown in Fig. 2', the door 11. ol the sale is provided with a water reservoir l0, which occupies substantially the entire area of the door with the exception of the portion ll adjacent thei'ree'edge in which the lock} ing mechanism is located. A tube 42 leads downwardly into this compartment from the top. of the reservoir so that vapor generated within the reservoir will be carried to that )art of the door within which the lockin C3 mechanism is housed, so as toprovide heat insulation at this point. Asshown in Fig. 5, the tube 4-2 is connected w1th the reservoir l0 by a valve 43, constructed similarly to the valve 27.

When, as shown in Fig. 6, the locking mechanism covers substantially the entire area of the door, a reservoir 44 harry be placed in front of the'lock structure, the reservoir covering the entire area or the tube ther protection.

door. This reservoir is in communication wlth the lock compartment 45, through the valve 46, which is also similar tothe valve 27, so that any vapor generated in the reser voir it is communicated to this compartment. The escape of the vapor from the door will take place through the openings provided for the lockbolts, although, of

course, additional vent openings may be provided, it desired.

The operation'o't my device is as follows: If the safe is subjected to heat at the bot tom thereof, the large reservoirs 19, or

2l'will be attacked thereby-and as soon as the heat gains suliicient intensity steam or vapor will be generated in these reservoirs, and will pass upwardly through the valves 27 to the auxiliary reservoirs or tubes :24, and 26 and thence into the air space which surrounds the storage compartment o1 the safe, soas to protect the material stored therein. If, however, extreme heat happens to be directed against one of the sides of the sate, for example, againstthe back instead of against the bottom, the auxiliary reserthis reservoir is comparatively flat and prefverably located ad acent the outer wall of the safe, a hot lire, although of relatively short duration will generate vapor within the tubeon account of the comparatively small volume of liquid therein, and this vapor will pass outward]; through the valve 28 to protect the contents of the safe. If such a fire is of suliicient duration to entirely vaporize the liquid within the tube 25, the reservoir 20 will be affected by that time and the liquid therein will be vaporized toafiord tur- It will be seen, therefore, that I have provided auxiliary reservoirs in the structure of the tubes which will become activeto protect the contents of the safe during a sudden intense application of 'voir 25 will be immediately attached. As.

heat, and main reservoirs upon which these auxiliary reservoirs may draw, provided the fire is of sullicient duration.

i a'cture, as no packing material will be re quired.v Moreover, it will be much lighter iirwelght than mostqsates muse at the present time, for in installing the safe the various reservoirs are not filled with liquid until the safe is installed. For this purpose,

the safe maybe turned upon its side, the

bottoni15 removed and the reservoirs with the attached tubes may be withdrawn, filled with water and then replaced so that during IIu shipment and handling of the safe, the weight of the liquid within the reservoirs will not have to be contended with. The bottom is then replaced and secured and the safe is turned to upright position.

I'Vhile' I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious that it is not to be limited to the details shown but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

I'Vhat- I claim is:

1. Asate having a body portion, provided with a storage compartment surrounded in part by nollow walls, a reservoir located adjacent the bottom portion of the safe below said compartment and adapted to contain a vaporizing liquid, a tube mounted in the hollow of the walls and adapted to contain a vaporizing liquid, said tube being in com munication with said reservoir. 1 I

2. A safe having a body portion, provided with a storage compartment surround d in part by hollow walls, a reservoir located adjacent the bottom portion of the safe below said compartment and adapted to contain a vaporizing liquio, a tube mounted in the hollow oi the walls and adapted to contain a vaporizing liquid, said tube being in com munication with said reservoir, and arranged to discharge vapor generated there in into the hollow wall of the safe.

A safe structure provided with a storage compartment and a hollow-wall upon each side and the'back thereof, a relatively shallow-tube located in the hollow of each of said walls adjacent the exterior of the same, said tubes being adapted to contain a vaporizing fluid and to communicate with the hollow of the wall within which they are located, and communicating at their lower ends with reservoirs containing a vaporizing liquid.

partment. an auxiliary reservoir within said walls and adapted to contain a vaporizing liquid to discharge vapor into the space between said walls upon the application of heat, and a main reservoir with which said auxiliary reservoir communicates to supply said auxiliary reservoir with vapor when the applied heat is of long duration.

6. In a fire proof safe, a storage compartment, spaced walls at the side of said compartment, an auxiliary reservoir located between said walls and adapted to contain a vaporizing liquid to initially supplyvapor to the space between the walls when the safe is subjected to heat, and a main liquid supply to furnish such vapor during a continued application of heat.

7. In a fire proof safe, a storage compartment, spaced walls at the side thereof, means between said walls to contain a relatively small supply of a vaporizing liquid adapted to be quickly vaporized and discharged be tween said walls upon the application of heat to the safe, a reservoir containing a larger supply of a vaporizing liquid, said means belng in communication with said reservoir whereby the liquid in the latter is vaporized, and discharged upon a continued application of heat to the safe.

8. In a fire proof safe, a storage compartnent, spaced walls at the side of said compartment, a relatively flat tube extending vertically of the safe and positioned against the outer of said walls, said tube being adapted to contain a vaporizing liquid and the interior of which is in communi ation with said reservoir, said tube extending up wardly into the space between the alls of the safe and adapted to discharge generated vapor therein.

10. In a safe construction, a storage compartment surrounded upon three sides and at the top by spaced walls, the spaces at the said sides and the top oi the safe being in communication with each other, a reservoir containing a vaporizing liquid mounted in the lower part of the safe, and a tube extending from said reservoir upwardly into the space between said walls and adapted to discharge vapor within said spa e when the safe is subjected to heat.

' 11. A fireproof safe provided with a storage compartment, a swinging door for closing said compartmentand giving access thereto, locking mechanism within said door,

inn

a reservoir within the door for containing a vaporizing liquid, and means affording communication between said reservoir and the locking mechanism of the safe, whereby vapor is conducted to the latter when the safe door is subjected'to heat,

12. In a fire proof safe, a storage compartment. a door forclosino: and giving access to said compartment, locking mechanism within the door, a reservoir within the door and

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