US2338313A - Fire extinguishing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 4, 1944. F, Q BlsHQP 2,338,313

FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Filed June 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 www@ M22/L.)

` 'ATTORNEY Jan. 4,' 1944. F, BlsHo'P FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Fired June 2o, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Jan. 4, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS Application June 20, 1941, Serial No. 398,919

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to portable re extinguishers of the dry powder chemical type.

It is an object of the invention to generally improve upon apparatus of the above character, particularly with respect to controlling the discharge of powder.

Another object of the invention is to provide an effective portable extinguisher of the dry powder chemical type, which can be readily operated by anyone without previous experience, and which can be readily recharged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel valve means for use in conjunction with such apparatus, including particularly a valve for controlling the discharge of powder which will not become clogged by powder and which will automatically relieve excess pressure.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment has been set forth in detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view showing a device incorporating the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1, with certain parts shown in cross section;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional detail taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 5 5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 6 6 of Figure 5.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings consists generally of a chamber I0 for containing a charge of dry iire extinguisher powder, a cartridge II for containing gas such as carbon dioxide under relatively high pressure, and a lower base or body I2. Chamber I0 can be cylindrical shaped as illustrated, with its upper end closed, and with its lower end portion I 0a of reduced diameter and tted within the body I2. When in use powder is discharged from the nozzle I3.

The lower side of the body I2 is enclosed by the shell I4, which can conveniently be made of pressed metal. This shell also forms a lower end surface upon which apparatus can be supported when it is not in use. Attached to one side of the shell I4, there is a structure I6 which forms a pistol like grip. Structure I6 can be formed of pressed metal or other suitable material, and it is made hollow to house certain parts to be presently described. A lower extension I6a forms an attachment to shell I4. Portion I6b forms a grip or handle to be engaged by the hand of an operator. An upper portion I6c is attached to releasable clamping band I1, which surrounds the chamber I3.

Two valves i8 and I9 are provided. Valve I8 serves to control discharge of powder through the nozzle I3, and valve I9 serves to control release of gas from the cartridge II. As will be presently explained, both of these valves are operated by a common manual operating member, which is preferably in the form of a lever 2l. Cartridge H can be housed within a removable casing 23, the upper part of which is engaged by the releasable clamp 23a.

While the design of valve I3 can vary, it is desirable to have a simple valve mechanism which will not become clogged by the presence of powder, and which will afford a sufliciently tight shut-off to hold some gas pressure in chamber IQ for a short period of time such as, say, for a few minutes, without securing a gas tight seal. Also, it is desirable that this valve automatically relieve an excessively high pressure in chamber Ill. The valve illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive accomplishes all of these results, and is constructed as follows: A part of the body I2 is shaped to provide the flattened surface 23 upon which the plate 24 is mounted. This plate has an opening 2o" in alignment with the passage of the nozzle i3. Nozzle I3 is in the form of a short tube, loosely extending into an opening 27 of the shell I4. The inner end of the nozzle tube terminates short of plate 2t, and has a portion 28 of reduced diameter. Fitted upon portion 28, there is a follower plate 23 which is yieldably urged toward plate 24 by the spring 3 I.

,- Spring 3l is mounted on plate 24 as by means of rivets or screws 32, and it has openings 33 which loosely accommodate the pins 34, mounted upon the follower plate 29.

Between the follower plate 29 and the adjacent face of plate 2li, there is a valve member 3S in the form of a piece of relatively thin sheet metal, provided with a port opening 3l. Pivot pin 38 serves to pivotally attach the valve member 36 to the mounting plate 24, and a depending arm 39 is attached to means whereby the valve member 35 can be rocked between open and closed positions. Thus, the lower end of arm 3S is provided with a laterally bent portion 4l, provided with a slot 42. An L lever 43 has its one arm provided with a pin 44, which engages within slot 42. L lever 43 in turn has a pivotal connection 45 to a bracket 43, which can be an integral lateral extension from the lower end of the plate 24. A spring 471' serves to urge L. lever 43 in a clockwise direction as Viewed in Figure 6. By pulling link or rod 48 attached tothe l. lever 43, the valve member 33 can be rocked in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 5, to move the same from closed to open position, at which time the port 31 is placed in registry with the passage of the nozzle tube I3. A shoulder 49 in a slot 59 forms a stop to limit rotation of the valve member 36 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in' Figure 5.

The valve i9 for controlling release of gas from cartridge II can likewise vary as to detail, although a desirable construction is illustrated in Figure 3. Briely, the valve consists of a body 5I directly attached to the neck of the cartridge Il. The interior of this body .is-provided' 'with a bore 52, to accommodate the valve member 53. The valve member is urged by compression spring 511 against the stationary seat 5S. An operating stem 5l is attached to valve member 53- and extends to the exterior of the body 5I, through the sealing gland 5B. A coupling 59 is detachably secured to the body 5I, and serves to make de tachable connection with the tube GI. A duct l $2 in the body 5I accommodates low of gas from the cartridge II to the bore 52, and duct 63 permits ilow of gas to the coupling 59 and tube 6I when the valve is opened. The valve body 5I is attached to the side walls of the structure I9 by means of one or more screws or bolts 6:3. To conveniently detach coupling 59, there is an opening in the adjacent wall of structure i6 through which a screw driver or like tool'can be inserted to loosen the attaching screw of the coupling.

As shown in Figure 2, tube 6I extends downa wardly through the structure i6 into the shell l, where it is attached by fitting G6 to the body I2. Duct lil in the body I2 serves to distribute this gas to the tubes 68 and 69. Tube 68 extends upwardly to a point near the upper end of the chamber Ill, while tube 59 has a restricted discharge oriiice, which is in alignment with the discharge nozzle I 3. Thus, compressed gas delivered through tube EI is applied upon top of the charge of powder in chamber I9, and is also discharged as a jet from tube 69, to agitate the powder and to cause a jet of gas together with entrained powder to discharge through the nozzle I 3, assuming that the valve I8 is in open position.

With respect to the means for operating the valves IS and i9, lever 2l has a pivotal connection l! with the extension I 6c. Portion 2id of this lever extends through a slot 72, and is trigger shaped so that it can be readily engaged by the nger of an operator. Above lever portion Zia the lever is provided with a cam surface 13, which engages the outer end of the valve rod 57. Thus, when lever 2i is `moved rearwardly, rod 5l is cammed inwardlyy to movelthevalve member to open position. The lower endvv of lever ZI is pivotally attached tothe Vrodlli, so that rearward movement of the lever effectsv sin'iultaneous operation of the valve I8.

Chambery Ill canbe filled 4through afsuitable opening which is normally closed. For example, a stud 'Iii extending'from the lower side of the body I2 can be provided with a passage accessible through an opening in the vbottom of shelll I4, and normally closed'by a threaded plug.

Operation of the apparatus described above can be reviewed as follows: A charge ofA suitable iire extinguisher powder is introduced into the chamber lll, and the cartridge II is suitably charged with a gas under pressure, suchas carbon dioxide. Various fire extinguisher powders are well known to those skilled inthe art.`rv Usually such powder containsv sodium bicarbonate, together with other ingredients which'render the powder free flowing under all atmospheric condi`l to 'lever portion 2id to force the lever 2l to the to'release gas" from the cartridge II.

right, as viewed in Figure 2, and this serves rst to iopen valve I8, and then to open the valve I9 The released gas'jets with considerable force from tube lil), and is also applied on top of the charge of `valve i8k closes.

powder through tube 65. As the gas jets through the discharge nozzle I3, it carries a cloud of powlder andpropels this powder forwardly upon" the iire.vr When 'pressure is released upon the lever portion 2id to permit the lever to return to the position shown in Figure 2, valve I9 is rst closed to interrupt further release of gas, and thereafter Valve' i8 doe'not pro-videafgas tight shutoff, although it will retain some gas f pressure in 'chamber II) `for a short period of time, such as a few' minutes.

. The apparatus described `above has many desirable features. Because of the 'manner in which both the discharge of powder and gas can be controlled' at the will of the operator, the apparatus has'maximum ire fiighting vutility for a 'givensize' of equipment. Chamber IIJ can be made of light inexpensive metal, because it is not required to withstand relatively high-pressures, comparable to 'the pressures maintained in the small cartridge Il. Operatorslrequire no previv voustraining for operation of the equipment,be

cause the proper manner of holding theapparatus and operating the lever yportion 2Ia is obvious.

Valve IB of such a character that it will not become clogged bythe presence of extinguisher powder. The' at valve member 36 is yieldably pressed between the'mounting plate 2d, and the follower plate 29. Should any powder nd its way between these parts, it will not jam or interfere with movement ofA the-valve member 36,

- and such powder readily works its way out of the valve.

Should there be a breakage'suc'h as w'ould occasion building up of an unduly high pressure in chamber I9, the pressure upon the closed plate 36 will force this plate away from contact withthe face ofplate 24,"with the result `that the gas will then be discharged into' shell Isl, 'and from thence dissipated tothe atmosphere.

*When it is desired to lrecharge the apparatus,

This enables' -one to Vbodily remove'the cartridge together'with'the entirevalve unit I9'. After the cartridge hasbeen recharged with gas, it is re-applied to the appav ratus as shown in-Figure l. At the time it is reapplied', the operatingpinfv 5'? automatically reassumes operating `Vposition "with respect to the Ilclaim: l. In reiextinguishing apparatus of the' dry powder chemical type, a chamber for'receiving a Vcharge of re 'extinguisherfpowden a cartridge forcontaininga charge of "gas under pressure, a c'uschargey nozzle for powder communicating with `the chamber, avalve serving to open andclose said vdischarge nozzle,` a duct aligned' withv said nozzle and serving to deliver gas'from the cartridge to the chamber, whereby all of said powder is "discharged throughY the nozzle with a 'je't of .facesseroy gas, a second valve for controlling release of gas from the cartridge, and a common manual operating member for operation of both said valves.

2. In fire extinguishing apparatus oi the dry fpowder chemical type, a chamber for receiving a charge of powdered chemical, a cartridge for receiving a charge of gas under relatively high pressure, a discharge nozzle for powder communieating with the chamber, a duct aligned with said nozzle and serving to deliver gas from the cartridge to the chamber, whereby all of said powder can be discharged through the nozzle with a jet oi gas, a valve adapted to be opened and closed for controlling release of gas from the nozzle, a valve adapted to be opened and closed for controlling release of gas from the cartridge, a single operating member movable between released and actuated positions, and a motion transmitting mechanism serving to operatively connect both said valves to said member, said mechanism serving to effect opening of the valve for controlling release of gas, when said member is moved between released and actuated positions.

3. In fire extinguishing apparatus of the dry powder chemical type, a chamber for receiving a charge of re extinguisher powder, a cartridge for containing a charge of gas under pressure, a discharge nozzle communicating with the chamber, a duct aligned with said nozzle and serving to deliver gas from said cartridge to said chamber wherebyy all of said powder can be discharged through said nozzle with a jet of gas, and means associated with said nozzle to erect opening and closing of the same, and automatically to effect release of an unduly high pressure within the chamber.

4. In nre extinguisher apparatus of the dry powder chemical type, a chamber for receiving a charge of fire extinguisher powder, a cartridge for containing a charge of gas under pressure, a discharge nozzle communicating with the chamber, a duct aligned with said nozzle and serving to deliver gas from the cartridge to the chamber whereby all of said powder can be discharged through the nozzle with a jet of gas, a valve for controlling release of gas from the cartridge, valve means for controlling opening and closing of the nozzle and for automatically releasing excessively high gas pressure from the chamber, and means including a common manual operating member for effecting operation of both said valves.

5. In fire extinguisher apparatus of the dry powder chemical type, a chamber for receiving a charge of fire extinguisher powder, a body upon which one open end of the chamber is mounted, a structure forming a pistol-like grip mounted upon the body and extending adjacent one end of the chamber, a discharge nozzle carried by the body and communicating with the chamber, valve means carried by the body and serving to control the discharge nozzle, a cartridge for containing gas under pressure attached to one end of the grip structure, a valve for controlling release of gas from the cartridge, a duct extending from said valve through the pistol grip and to the body for communication with said chamber, and actuating means for both said valves including a common operating member associated with said pistol grip.

6. In iire extinguisher apparatus, a body formed to provide a discharge nozzle, a chamber having its lower open end mounted upon the body with the interior of the chamber in communication with the discharge nozzle, a structure in the form of a pistol grip secured to the body and extending upwardly alongside the lower end portion of the chamber, a cartridge for gas under pressure extending upwardly from the upper end of the pistol grip structure, a valve attached to the lower end of the cartridge, actuating means for the valve carried by the pistol grip structure, said valve being removable from the pistol grip together with the cartridge as a unit, and a detachable pipe connection from the valve to the chamber, whereby gas released from the cartridge and discharged into the chamber causes powder to be` discharged from the nozzle together with a jet of gas.

7. In re extinguishing apparatus of the dry powder chemical type, a chamber for receiving a charge of re extinguisher powder, a cartridge for containing a charge of gas under pressure, a discharge nozzle for powder communicating with the chamber, a valve serving to open and close the discharge nozzle, abranched duct serving to deliver gas from the cartridge to the chamber, one branch of said duct terminating in an aspirating nozzle aligned with said first discharge nozzle and another branch of said duct terminating at the end of said chamber remote from the discharge nozzle thereof, whereby powder is discharged through the nozzle with a jet of gas and under gas pressure, a second valve for controlling release of gas from the cartridge, and a common manual operating member for operation of both of said valves.

8. In iire extinguishing apparatus of the dry powder chemical type, an upright chamber for receiving a charge of iire extinguisher powder, a cartridge for containing a charge of gas under pressure, a discharge nozzle for powder communicating with the lower end of said chamber, a valve serving to open and close said discharge nozzle, a branched duct serving to deliver gas from the cartridge to the chamber, said duct having one branch discharging adjacent said nozzle in alignment therewith, and having another branch extending upwardly through said chamber and terminating adjacent the upper end thereof, whereby powder is discharged throughV the nozzle with a jet of gas under gas pressure.. a second valve for controlling release of gas from the cartridge, and a common manual operating member for operation of both of said valves.

9. In nre extinguishing apparatus of the dry powder chemical type, a chamber for receiving a charge of fire extinguisher powder, a cartridge for containing a charge oi gas under pressure, a discharge nozzle communicating with the chamber, a duct serving to deliver gas from said cartridge to said chamber whereby powder can be discharged through said nozzle with a jet of gas, a valve controlling opening and closing of said nozzle, said valve comprising a valve member mounted for movement laterally across said nozzle, said member normally closing said nozzle and having an aperture movable into alignment with said nozzle, and means yieldably urging said valve member to close said nozzle opening, said valve member being yiel-dable without movement to operative position to release unduly high pressure within the chamber.

FRANK C. BISHOP.

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