US1719277A

US1719277A - Fire extinguisher

Info

Publication number: US1719277A
Application number: US667249A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas H Parker
Original assignee: UNDERWRITERS UTILITIES CORP
Current assignee: UNDERWRITERS UTILITIES CORP
Priority date: 1923-10-08
Filing date: 1923-10-08
Publication date: 1929-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 1946-07-02

Description

July 2, 1929. T. H. PARKER FIRE EXTINGUISHER j Filed oct. 8, 1925 2 SheetsSheet 1 July 2, 1929- T. H. PARKER 1,719,277

FIRE EXTINGUISHER l Filed oct. e, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 2 l moms M MAKER. M/12J@ da ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 2, 1929.

UNITED nsmrss PATENT OFFICE.

FORNIA.

Ammann, Asstcnon mo uunmtwmrnns CALIFORNIA, A .CORPURATION 0F CALI FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

Application liled (lctober 8, `i923. ,'Serial No. 667,249.'

This invention relates to a lire extinguisher, and more particularly to a che1nical type .of extinguisher that is light and portable for manual use.

In the usual type of chemical extinguisher, a liquid of desirable extinguishing properties is contined in a space, and provisions are made for ejecting this liquid whenever the extinguisher is to be used. This liquid may be carbon tetrachloride yor the like. `In one type `.of extinguisher, gas pressure is provided to perform the function of `ejecting `the liquid in a stream, which is so essential to convey it to the desired burning locality. It is one of the objects of my invention to provide such a lire extinguisher in which there is .a certainty Ithat the gas under pressure (usually compressed air) is prevented from leaking out of the container while the extinguisher is inactive, and thus `from making it useless when its need arises. This feature is of very great importance, because an extinguisher may be kept on hand for an emergency for a considerable period of time-sometimes years-before the emergency actually arises. Thus if the gas is permitted to leak out, even at fa very slow rate, theextinguisher becomes entirely valueless.

It is `another `object fof my invention to provide a fire extinguisher of animproved, simple construction, and having `but a few parts, but all of which are capable of remaining in proper operative .condition for a long period.

`It is still another object `ot my invention to render it extremely simple to determine whether the gas pressure is still largeenough to operate the extinguisher.

Itis still another obj ect .of my invention to provide a ire extinguisher having a c0ntainer that increases ink volume as pressure is applied in the process of charging.

In many respects, my invention is not limited to fire extinguishers, zas many features thereof can be used in connection with other articles.

My invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which `with the foregoing,`

will be set forth at length in the following description, where l shall outline in full that form `of the `invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompany# ing :and forming part of the present invention. Although in the `drawings I have shownbut one embodiment of my invention,

I do not desire to be 'limited thereto, since the invention as expressed in the claims may `'be embodied 1n other forms also.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a cross sectional view of a omplete extinguisher embodying my invenion';

llig. 2 is a side elevation of the extinguisher, indicating its appearance when in properoperative condition; y

Fig. 3 is aside elevation similar to Fig. 2, but 4illustrating .the container when iin an inoperative condition;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle mechanism `of the extinguisher, with some .of the parts separated as before assem! bly, for the purpose of more clearly ind-icating the manner of construction; `and Fig. `5 is a view, partly in section, of a portion oit 'the device, together with apparatus that may be used for charging and sealing it. y

One of the features of my invention resides in the construction of the container 11 in which the chemical 13 is disposed, and which is filled to about .the level 12. Above .this liquidthe gas under pressure is located, and thus the entire interior of the vessel 11 is subgected to a comparatively large expanding force. The container 11 is made of thin resilient metallic material in the form `of a drum, so .that when there is suliicient gas pressure, the sides thereof areforced outwardly,1as indicated'in Fig. f2. In .this way fa round appearance is imparted to the con- `tainer, .and this appearance serves as an indication ofthe internal pressure. The free condition of the container 11 with pressure released, is shown in Fig. 3. The' sides `14 form .an exterior concave surface.

These sides 14:, forming a portion of the .boundary for container 11 .thus respond so far .as their physical form is concerned, to pressure conditions within the container. But in .addition to `this function, it is vto be `noted that there is a ,substantial increase in volume when the container 11 is operative, so `that :a large fquantit of liquid 13 may be accommodated. In e `ect the sides 14 thus form diaphragme .against which the gas pressure may act.

In `order toA permit the escape of the liquid 13, I provide `a swinging pipe or connection 15, the open end of which is shown as `weighted :as at 16, so as to maintain the;

"the'ifoot 21 and thebody'o'f the handle.

Ycoaxial with said latter passageway.

shoulder 32 adapted to be connection 1'5- substantially vertical and its open end near to the bottomof lthe container 11. In this way there is an assurance thatssubstantially all of. the `liquid13 may bef used when ktheextinguisher is placed in operation. This connection is shown as supported in a swinging manner with a stationary pipe or conduit 17. A bracket 18 may if desired be provided to brace the conduit 17., This bracket is shown as convelnientl'y supported on the boss 19 or ,a handle 20,"which boss projects into the container as shown'in Figlfl. The handle 2O yis prof vided with the pair of

feet

21 and 22 by the aid of'vwhiehvit isspaced from the container ytop, 'and is'supported thereonin any appropriate manner. Y

i v'The handle 20; also serves' conveniently to conductv the li'quid13 out ofthe container 11, and for thisvpurpose it is vprovided with passageways 23' and 24, respectively through The passageway 23 communicates with the conduitI 17, 'while' the passageway 24 extends from said' passageway 23 to a'nozzle'supporting extension 25 that is substantially Screws or other'plugs 26 and 27 Y are fitted into the ends of the passageways where they are drillechfso v,as'to 'maintain the' entire space air tight. The ends of Vthese screws may in vaddition be sealed with solder, such as shown at 28oir example;` this solder seal may be dropped readily into 'the tapered countersink provided therefor.`

' 'The extension 2 5 has a bore '29,the end ofV which "is hermetically'fsealed by a thin ,disc-like: closure'r30, Theextension 25 and its associated parts are most clearly Aillustrated in Fig. 4.y The closure 30 may be yfastened in'an airtightm'anner to the end 'of extension v25,'as by soldering. Furthermore'this closure made of' such thin sheet *metal that v.under ordinary conditionsv it can Vreadily bev ruptured 4by the pressure existing in the container 11. This can'readily be accomplished by making the closure from some comparatively 'weak and pliable metal Vsuch'as tin or zinc. ,Vnotto permit Ithis rupture to take place until 4the extinguisher is to be used. To effect this However, it is essential result, a cap 31 isfprovided, ywhich has a flat v laced close up against the closure 30 and t ereby serve to support it against expansion or bulging out-I wardly under the influence of the gas pressure `in container'11. This cap 31v is arranged lto bereadily placed over the extenlsion 25 or to bel withdrawn therefrom. For this'purpose the end of extension 2.5 is provided with external threads 33,`which how- Y' yever occupy only a portion of the 'complete ycircumference of extension 25. The remainder ofthe circumference is grooved or rifled. Substantially the same kind of threads 34 is vcumference of the bore 29.

provided `for the interior or cap 31, whereby it is possible to engage or disengage the

threads

33 and 34 by turning the cap 31 through a comparatively small angle.

YTherefore to place the cap 31 over the ex- 'the'extinguisher is to be used, the cap 31 `may readily be removed by the reverse process, and the disc 30 will then be ruptured and'will permit the escape ot' the liquid 13. As'the liquid escapes, the walls 14 gradually assume the collapsed position of Fig. 3; this action Serves to maintain the gas pressure at:

.its proper high value throughout the period ofI discharge.

While oi course as thus .far described, the apparatus is quite practical, I lind it advantageous to provide a more. conventional Vtype oi' nozzle l'or the outlet, whereby it is ensured that the liquid 13 will issue, from the extension 25 in a continuous and welldeiined stream. A slidable nozzle 35 is lor this purpose supported within the bore 2.) or extension 25. Then the gas pressurel is free to act, it forces the nozzle 35 axially along the bore 29 and through the closure 30. It is stopped from coming entirely out by va ring key 3G placed along thev inner cir- The liquid 13 will then flow out of the nozzle 35.

Themanner in whiehthe container 11 may be charged with compressed air or other gas under pressure is illustrated in Fig. 5. (7)1 course other ways of' accomplishing the same result may be used, but the scheme shown has the advantage of comparative simplicity. First the container 11 is illed with the liquid 13, and then it is made airtight except for the threaded aperture 37 that extends from the passageway 24 in the handle. This airtight condition is secured by properly fastening in the screw 27, and by rastening the sealing closure 30 on the end oi' extension 25. The cap 31 is also held on this extension, to prevent: the closure irom being blown out. A casing 38 is then slipped over the tapered end 39 of handle 20, in such a. way that a tight lit is ensured. This casing connects as by a flexible hose 4() with a source ol' compressed air. There are provisions `l'or screwing in the plug 2G while the air is maintained under pressure in the casing 3S.

ltlfi lltl cluding the packing 42 and stalling nut 43, whereby the chamber in casing 38 may be maintained airtight. The plug 26 is threadedly engaged in the end of rod 4l, which after the air pressure is applied, may be slid toward the aperture 37, the countersink 44 acting as a guide for the plug 26. The rod 4l may now be rotated to fasten this plug tightly in place, and then it may be freed therefrom by rotating it in the opposite direction. As soon as this is accomplished, the air pressure in casing 38 may be reduced by proper operation of valves, and this casing may be removed from extension 39. A solder seal may now be placed in the countersinl: 29, before any material leakage can take place. Preferably the plug 26 is made from some composition metal so that the exposed end may be sealed by simply touching it with a soldering iron.

The extinguisher is now in proper condition :for storage or for immediate use. Due to the fact that the container ll is hermetically sealed, there is no danger of its losing' its charge of compressed air even after a considerable period of time. Furthermore, the seal may be broken without any waste of time should the emergency arise that necessitates the use of the extinguisher.

In the claims, the seal is defined as combined molecularly with the vessel or container. This term is intended to cover suchequivalent forms of union as soldering, brazing or welding.

I claim:

l. A chemical lire extinguisher comprising an airtight metallic container having at least a part of its boundary defined by a wall the form of which is dependent upon the conditions of pressure within the container, and a fluid under pressure in the container.

2. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising an airtight metallic container having a. wall in the form of a thin diaphragm that is expanded in response to pressure conditions in the container, said diaphragm being concave under atmospheric pressure and convex under the` operating pressure of the extinguisher, and a fluid under pressure in the container.

3. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container, a closure for said container, said closure being of such a nature that the pressure in the container is sufficient to destroy its sealing property, Iiieans for preventing the pressure from producing this effect, and a nozzle member adapted to he moved by the pressure in the container so as to direct the stream after the closure is permitted to be destroyed.

4. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container, a fluid under pressure in said container, a closure for said container, said closure being formed'of a wall of material incapable by itself of withstanding the pressure in the container, means for supporting the wall against rupture, and a nozzle member adapted to be moved by the pressure in the container so as to direct the stream after the wall is permitted to be' ruptured.

5. In combination, a container, a fluid substance under pressure in said container, an extension on said container having an aperture in communication with the interior of said container, a closure for said aperture, said closure being formed of a material incapable byitself of withstanding said pressure, and a manually removable cap on said extension directly reenforcing said closure.

6. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container, a liuid under pressure in said container, said container having an extension, a closure for said extension, formed of a wall of material incapable by itself of withstanding the pressure in the container, a cap fitting over the extension and readily detachable therefrom, for supporting the wall against rupture, and a noz- '/.le member slidable in said extension and adapted to be moved by the pressure in the container so as to direct the stream after the wall is ruptured.

7. In a chemical fire extinguisher, a metallic container having a sidewall formed of a thin resilient member providing a resilient diaphragm that is permitted to collapse only when there is no substantial pressure in the container, a chemical liquid under pressure in said container, a member formingan extension for conducting the liquid out of the container, a wall hermetieally closing the extension but incapable by itself of withstanding the pressure within the container, and a cap fitting over the extension and supporting the wall against rupture.

8. A chemical fire extinguisher comprising a metallic container having collapsible walls, liquid in the container, a gas under pressure in the container serving to dilate the walls thereof and thereb to increase the volume of the container and means for discharging said liquid.

9. In combination, a container, a fluid substance under pressure in said container, an extension on said container having an aperture in communication with the interior of said container, a closure mounted at the extremity of said extension for sealing said aperture, said closure being formed of a material incapable by itself of withstanding said pressure, and a manually removable cap secured to the extremity of said extension and reenforcing said closure.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS H. PARKER.