US2806108A

US2806108A - Fire warning device

Info

Publication number: US2806108A
Application number: US623750A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert G Babson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1956-11-21
Filing date: 1956-11-21
Publication date: 1957-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 1974-09-10

Description

Sept- 10, 1957 R. G. BABSON 2,806,108

FIRE WARNING DEVICE] Filed Nov. 21, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig /a Robrf 6. Babson IN VENTOR.

BY MM FM Spt. 10, 1957 R. G. BABSON 2,806,108

FIRE WARNING DEVI E ODGI'I 6. 5005017 INVENTOR- FlRE WARNING DEVICE Robert G. Babson, Pacific Palisades, Calif. Application November 21, 1956, Serial No. 623,750

4 Claims. (Cl. 200-138) This invention relates to a fire detection and warning device especially adapted for use in homes and other buildings which is adapted to provide an aural and visual warning as may be desired of the presence of excessive heat in a predetermined location.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a fire warning device of exceedingly simple construction which does not require any permanent wiring so as to be readily usable in any location having a conventional outlet box or female connector into which the prongs of the devices can be inserted, and which may be widely distributed in View of its low manufacturing cost.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a tire warning device which is made in three suitable sections and in which the noise making unit can be separated from the thermal switch unit to provide remote detection where desired.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of a fire warning device capable of operating over a wide range of temperatures so as to give maximum protection in various climates and situations and which fire Warning device may be easily adapted for use in controlling the operation of fans or the like when so desired.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in the provision of a fire warning device which can be hung close to the ceiling or on the ceiling so as to be readily accessible by rising heat in a closed compartment or room, and which is unobtrusive in appearance.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this fire warning device, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the thermal switching element utilized in the present invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the thermal switching element shown with the bottom cover removed therefrom;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view as taken along the plane of line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cam controlling the position of the bimetallic element;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bimetallic element;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the fixed contact with the permanent magnet associated therewith;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the aural warning element;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the element looking at the underside thereof;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a stop action bimetallic switch which can be utilized in lieu of the switch shown in Figure 2;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the extension member; and

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a stacked assembly of devices used in the invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawaural warning nited States Patent Office 2,806,108 Patented Sept. 10, 1957 ings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a casing having suitable openings as at 12 on each side thereof through which hot air can pass. The casing 10 is also provided with an arcuate slot 14 therein and a socket 16 having openings as at 18 for reception of a prong connector as provided in the casing 10. Mounted in the casing 10 are a pair of prongs as indicated at 20 and 22. Prong 22 is connected directly to one side of the female socket 16. Prong 20 is connected to the bimetallic element 38 and connects to the other half of female socket 16 only when

contacts

44 and 46 are closed. An insulative base or block 24 is provided and pivotally mounted as at 26 on the base 24 is a cam member 28 having a cam surface 30 and also having an indicator as at 32 which extends up through the slot 14 and cooperates with suitable indicia 34 inscribed on the casing 10 or printed thereon for indicating the setting at which it is desired for the switch arrangement to operate.

By means of fasteners 36, a bimetallic element 38 is secured within the casing 10, the fasteners being threadedly secured in an extension 40 of the socket assembly 16. A threaded adjusting screw 42 is threadedly engaged within the bimetallic element adapted to engage the cam surface 30 of the cam member 28 so as to adjust the position initially of the bimetallic element 38 dependent of course upon the setting of the indicator 32.

Mounted on the bimetallic element 38 is a stainless steel contact 44. Of course, the contact may be made of other suitable ferrous or magnetic material but stainless steel is preferred in View of the fact that it is less likely to pit or corrode. This stainless steel contact 44 cooperates with a fixed contact 46 in order to complete an electrical circuit from the

prongs

20 and 22 to the socket l6. Mounted about the stainless steel fixed contact 46 which is carried by a contact plate 48 is a permanent magnet 50. This permanent magnet 50 will function to ensure a snap action of the switching arrangement so as to prevent any arcing across the

contacts

44 and 46. When the two

contacts

44 and 46 approach each other within or so, the magnet 50 will pull the contact 44 rapidly into contact with the fixed contact 46 so as to prevent arcing while closing the circuit. As the temperature lowers several degrees, the magnet is overcome by the movement of the bimetallic strip 38 and the contacts open rapidly.

In lieu of the snap action arrangement of the bimetallic element. 38 and the magnetized set of contacts, a bimetallic element as shown in Figure 9 and indicated at 60 may be utilized which incorporates a spring 62 therein functioning to cause the contact 64 to engage contact 66 by means of snap action and to be disengaged therefrom dependent upon, of course, the temperature to which the device has been set to operate.

It is noted that the arm 52 of the cam member 28 is offset from the other portions thereof so as to assure that the arm 52 will not interfere with the

contacts

44 and 46 and the operation thereof. Further, this cam member is preferably formed of a suitable insulating material so as to prevent any shock hazard.

The casing it, is designed to have :a housing snapped thereon; it being noted that the housing 80 is of substantially the same dimensions as the casing 10 leaving room only for operation of the indicator 32. This can be seen best in Figure 11. The housing 80 includes a prong connector 82 the right prong of which is connected directly with one half of a female connector 84 and also to a conductor 81 connected to a horn 94 or other suitable alarm. The left prong of connector 82 is connected to a bimetallic element 83 of flasher unit 88 by conductor 86. The other half of female socket 84 is connected to the fixed portion 85 of the flasher unit which is connected by conductor 87 to the horn 94 or other suitable audible alarm. Hence, when the

contacts

46 and 44 are closed, the horn 94 will intermittently sound. A lamp may be inserted in the female connector 84 so that a flashing light signal can be obtained.

In order to achieve remote connection for the device, there is provided a remote connection arrangement including member 100 in the form of a case having a female socket connector 102 associated therewith adapted to receive the prongs and 22 therein. An extension cord 104 including a prong connector 196 is connected to the female socket connector 102 so that the case 100 may be situated remote from a source of electrical power. It is noted that the case is of a Wedge shape and is of substantially the same dimensions as the casing 10 so that the casing it} may be stacked thereon and the entire device may be readily hung on a wall by means of a picture nail or the like in any convenient position. The casing 10, the housing 8i) and the case 100 are made of substantially the same size so that all three units will appear to be one when they are used together. There may be a small loop at the top of the case 100 so that it can be hung in a desired location on a picture hanger or nail.

The device may be used to awaken parents or baby sitters if there are small children in a distant room or may be used to give fire alarm protection to business establishments such as a store or the like.

When a radio is used as the alarm device it is plugged into female socket 16 in case 10 as this will provide a continuous current when

contacts

44 and 46 are closed. It is also within the concept of this invention to build this device into a radio set to give fire warning protection by turning the set on in case of temperature rise above the set temperature.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A temperature responsive warning device comprising a casing, a pair of prongs mounted in said casing for connection to a source of electrical power, a socket arrangement mounted in said casing for reception of an electrical connector, a bimetallic element in said casing connected to one of said prongs and said socket and having a movable contact thereon, a fixed contact in said casing connected to another of said prongs and said socket, cam means engaging said bimetallic element for determining the position of said bimetallic element, and a spring associated with said bimetallic element to snap said movable contact into engagement and away from said fixed contact, a housing having a prong connector and a female connector affixed thereto, said prong connector being received in said socket, a bimetallic flasher unit connected to said prong connector, and an audible alarm connected to said'fiasher unit.

2. A temperature responsive warning device comprising a casing, a pair of prongs mounted in said casing for connection to a source of electrical power, a socket arrangement mounted in said casing for reception of an electrical connector, a bimetallic element in said casing connected to one of said prongs and said socket and having a movable contact thereon, a fixed contact in said casing connected to another of said prongs and said socket, cam means engaging said bimetallic element for determining the position of said bimetallic element, and a spring associated with said bimetallic element to snap said movable contact into engagement and away from said fixed contact, a housing having a prong connector and a female connector aflixed thereto, said prong connector being received in said socket, a bimetallic flasher unit connected to said prong connector, and an audible alarm connected to said flasher unit, said housing and said casing having substantially the same dimensions and configuration, a case of substantially the same dimensions as said housing and said casing, a female socket connector afiixed in said case receiving said pair of prongs, and an extension cord connected to said female socket connector for connection to a source of electrical power.

3. A temperature responsive warning device comprising a casing, a pair of prongs mounted in said casing for connection to a source of electrical power, a socket arrangement mounted in said casing for reception of an electrical connector, a bimetallic element in said casing connected to one of said prongs and said socket and hav ing a movable contact thereon, a fixed contact in said casing connected to another of said prongs and said socket, cam means engaging said bimetallic element for determining the position of said bimetallic element, and a magnet about said fixed contact, said movable contact being of a magnetic material, a housing having a prong connector and a female connector alfixed thereto, said prong connector being received in a said socket, a bimetallic flasher unit connected to said prong connector, and an audible alarm connected to said fiasher unit, said housing and said casing having substantially the same dimensions and configuration, a case of substantially the same dimensions as said housing and said casing, a female socket connector aifixed in said case receiving said pair of prongs, and an extension cord connected to said female socket connector for connection to a source of electrical power.

4. A temperature responsive warning device comprising a casing, a pair of prongs mounted in said casing for connection to a source of electrical power, a socket arrangement mounted in said casing for reception of an electrical connector, a bimetallic element in said casing connected to one of said prongs and said socket and having a movable contact thereon, a fixed contact in said casing connected to another of said prongs and said socket, cam means engaging said bimetallic element for determining the position of said bimetallic element and a spring associated with said bimetallic element to snap said movable contact into engagement and away from said fixed contact, a housing having a prong connector and a female connector af'fixed thereto, said prong connector being received in said socket, a bimetallic flasher unit connected to said prong connector, and an audible alarm connected .to said flasher unit, said housing and said casing having substantially the same dimensions and configuration, a case of substantially the same dimensions as said housing and said casing, a female socket connector affixed in said case receiving said pair of prongs, and an extension cord connected to said female socket connector for connection to a source of electrical power.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Leins' Jan. 17, 1956