US1744683A

US1744683A - Retarding device for sprinkler-system alarms

Info

Publication number: US1744683A
Application number: US197294A
Authority: US
Inventors: William B Griffith
Original assignee: Star Sprinkler Corp
Current assignee: Star Sprinkler Corp
Priority date: 1927-06-08
Filing date: 1927-06-08
Publication date: 1930-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 1947-01-21

Description

Jan. 21, 1930. w, GRIFFITH 1,744,6 83

RETARDING DEVICE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM ALARMS Filed June 8 1927 FIG]. I L l I- I a a a 5 I E: 4%}! 7 /z /a FIG. 2.

i/s v /6 ,2 l/VVE/VTOR. l V/M/AM 5. G/f/FF/f/f 7 Br I A TTOHIVEY Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT caries WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH, OF AUDUBON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR'TO STAR SPRINKLER CORPORATION, A CORPORATION Q]? NEW JERSEY Application filed June 8,

My invention relates to improvements in a retarding device for controlling alarm si nals used in connection with automatic sprinkler systems for fire protection.

The object of my invention is to provide an efiicient retarding device which is dependable and will operate under all conditions; a further object of my invention is to simplify the construction of the retarding device by eliminating all springs and diaphragms which have a tendency to corrode and fail in operation; and a still further object of my invention is to provide a device which will permit the discharge of excess water which passes through the main'valve of the system due to variations in the water pressure and particularly to what is known as water-hammer. These together with various novel features of construction and arrangement of the parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed, constitute my invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view of my improvedretardingdeviceshown connected with a check valve and alarm devices; Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view of the retarding device drawn on a larger scale and showing the valve member in a different position; and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

In the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts, 1 represents the retarding device, comprisin the casing 2 and a base 3, detachably secure to the lower part of the casing. The base 3 is provided with an inlet connection 4 and a removable valve seat 5 associated with said inlet connection, through which latter water is admitted to the casing 2 from the main valve 6 of the sprinkler system through a suitable connecting fpipe 7. When the main valve clapper 8 is li ted off its seat 9, the annular recess 10, formed in the valve seat 9,

will be exposed, thus opening communication 1927. Serial No. 197,294.

seat 5. The valve member 15 is provided with a weight 25 adapted to normally hold the, valve 20 upon its seat 5 and hold the letter closed due to the overbalanced portion of the valve member carrying the valve 20. The valve member 15 is also provided with a depending collar 27 which fits loosel over the sleeve forming the valve seat 5. aid collar forms a resistance to the water when flowing through the inlet connection 4, thus insuring the lifting of valve 20 a sufficient distance ofi the valve seat 5 and imparting sufficient movement to the valve member 15 to insure the valve 21closing upon its seat 13, thus closing the outlet port 12, causing the casing 2 to be filled with water when a full flow is passing through the inlet connection 4. The valve 21 is provided with a small aperture 29 for the slow passage of water when the supply has been cut off by the closing of the main valve 8, thus relieving the valve 21 of any pressure which would tend to hold it closed upon its seat and prevent the weight 25 from moving the valve member 15 into its normal position shown in Fig. 1.

The casing 2 is provided with an overflow connection 30 through which the water passes, when the casing 2 is full, to the circuit closing alarm device 31 and the Water motor alarm device 32, which devices are well known in the art and may be of any type.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The valve member 15 is normallyheld in the position shown in Fig. 1 by the overbalanced end of said member 15, so that water will drain through the outlet port 12. When the main valve 8 is forced off its seat the water water will flow into the casing 2, lifting the valve 20 off its seat 5 and moving the valve member 15 into a position for closing the valve 21 u on its seat 13, thus causing the casing 2 to be filled and operate the alarm devices 31 and 32. Should the valve 8 immediately close upon its seat, due to the sprinkler system not being open, the weighted end of the member 15 will open the valve 21 and allow the casing 2 to empty rapidly, so that the casing 2 will not be filled up entirely with water due to the successive opening of the valve 8, due to water hammering, thus insuring the alarm devices 31 and 32 remaining out of action unless the main valve is fully opened.

I claim 1. A retarding device for a sprinkler system alarm, comprising, a casing having an inlet connection communicating with the sprinkler system, a connection at the lower portion of the casing forming an outlet port, an overflow connection upon the casing for actuating an alarm device, a bearing upon said casing located between said inlet connection and said outlet port, a lever pivotally mounted upon said bearing, said lever having a portion normally positioned adjacent to said inlet connection, a cup shaped part upon said lever positioned concentrically with said inlet connection formin a resistance to water flowing through said inlet connection when said lever is partially lifted from said inlet connection, and said lever having a portion normally located in spaced relation to the outlet port adapted to close said outlet port when the lever is moved by a flow of.

water through said inlet connection.

2. A retarding device for a sprinkler sys tem alarm, comprising, a casing having an inlet connection and an outlet port, an overflow connection upon the casing for actuating an alarm device when the casing overflows, a valve member operatively mounted within the casing adapted to normally obstruct said inlet connection, a depending collar upon said member loosely. surrounding the inlet connection, and a part upon said member normally positioned in spaced relation with said outlet port adapted to close the latter when said member is moved away from said inlet connection by a flow of water through the latter.

3. A retarding device for a sprinkler system alarm, comprising, a casing having an inlet connection communicating with the sprinkler system, a connection at the lower portion of the casing forming an outlet port, an overflow connection upon the casing for actuating an alarm device when the casing overflows, a base forming part of said casing, a lever pivotally mounted upon said base, a depending collar upon one arm of said In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM B. GRIFFITH.