US425753A - Automatic sprinkler - Google Patents

Description

' (No Model.) 7

J. GLAPP.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

N0. 425,753. Patented Apr. 15, 1890.

W I H in: am Inns cm, movoumm, WAMINGYQII. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH CLAPP, OF EVANSTON, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLAPP AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,753, dated April 15, 1890.

Application filed June 13, 1889. Serial No. 314,123. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH CLAPP, of Evanston, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Sprinklers, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a side view of a sprinkler embodying the features of my invention as the same appears when in its normal condition. Fig. 2 is a like view, partly in section, of the same, showing the parts in abnormal positions. Fig. 3 is a side View of my improved sectional post, a portion being broken away to show the interior construction. Fig. 4 is a View of a modified form of construction, in which the outer plate is removed to show the arrangement of the parts. Fig. -5 is a like view in which the plate is removed, showing a still further modification. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are sectional views taken upon the lines U o, w w, and y g, respectively, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and '5. Figs. 9 and 10 are side views of said sectional post, showing the plate removed, as in Figs. 4 and 5, and indicating modified forms of construction, respectively. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken upon the line 0c 00, Fig. 9; and Fig. 12 is a like view taken upon the line z .2, Fig. 10.

Like letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to so construct a sectional post consisting of metal parts held together by means of fusible sol-' (ler for normally retaining a valve upon its seat that the members upon which the direct strain is placed may form a series of direct positive bearings, which, while they serve to relieve the soldered joints from strain, may be wholly inclosed and protected from corrosive action, thereby enabling the sprinkler to be submitted to the varying conditions to which it may be subjected-such as heat, cold, Water-hammer, and corrosion-for an indefinite period without becoming impaired.

Refering to the drawings,a, Figs. 1 and 2,1'epresents a distributing-pipe corresponding to that of the usual automatic fire-extinguishing system, to which is attached, by means of a screw-thread or otherwise, a frame Z2, having the usual deflector 0 attached thereto opposite to the mouth of the pipe, which is normally closed by a valve d, held to its seat upon the pipe a by means of a sectional post E, in which are embodied the novel features of my invention, and which consists of two or more independent members arranged end to end and in a common plane, so as to bear loosely upon each other, inclosed within coverings or shields composed, preferably, of metal plates held together by means of fusible solder, whereby said independent members are protected and the points of bearing thereof wholly secured from corrosion, substantially as indicated in the various figures.

As shown in the drawings, f g h represent pieces of sheet metal-such as brass or phosphor-bronze-which are placed end to end against each other and arranged in the same plane, one or more of the meeting portions being tapered or rounded, as shown at g g, so as to permit a pivotal bearing upon each other, thereby inclining said pieces to fall apart when not supported by supplemental means in the positions described.

Upon one or both sides of the direct supthe plates j with a lateral strengthening-rib j, which may be formed by bending the metal upon itself, as shown. I also prefer to place the bearing-points g slightly eccentric to the axis of the post, as more clearly shown in Fig. 4, in which case the separation of the parts may be positively initiated, though it is obvious that upon the fusing of the solder the members f g 77. would not, under pressure, stand upon their pivotal bearings for an instant, even though theoretically arranged in a straight line, for mechanically they could not be so placed by ordinary workmanship. A further advantage of placing said bearingpoints eccentrically to the axis of the post is that it insures a sliding contact upon the soldered joints. as distinguished from a direct separation, or what is commonly known as a breaking contact.

By reason of my improved construction the sectional post may be rendered sufficiently strong to sustain any strain which may be necessary to place upon it and to withstand the shock of Water-hammer, While the points of bearing are entirely protected and con- 'cealed from view. It is obvious that said construction may be modified without departing from the principle of my invention.

' In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown the part 9 of the full width of the post and tapered at the ends. In Fig. 4 I have shown it narrower, while a portion h of the part his extended upwardly contiguous to its edge nearly to the part f. An independent piece 7L2 is also inserted-as a filling in lieu of the solder upon the opposite side or edge. In Figs. 5 and 9 the intermediate parts 9 are surrounded on all sides with solder and entirely hidden from View.

In my application filed September 4, 1888, Serial No. 284,520, I have shown a sectional post having a member tapered to pivotally bear upon the axis of the cap, the body-of which member is extended laterally from said axis, a secondary member having one end resting against the frame and the other provided with a positive eccentric point of bearing upon said first member, the main body of one of said members being inclosed within the other, and the pivotal point or points of bearing being formed by a lateral extension of one of said members, the latter being arranged in parallel planes, and hence illilftke no claim herein to such construction;

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an automatic sprinkler, the combination, with a valve and frame, of a sectional post having its opposite ends bearing upon the cap and frame respectively, said post being composed of primary members consisting of flat metallic plates placed end to end, their flat surface being in the same vertical plane, the points of bearing of which are eccentric to the axis of the post, supplemental members consisting of flat metallic plates shorter than the combined length of said principal members, arranged contiguous thereto and attached directly to the flat surfaces of said primary members by means offusible solder, said sectional post being independent and self-supporting as distinguished from one having a lateral connection with the frame, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an automatic sprinkler, the combination, with a valve and frame, of a sectional ,post composed of independent members placed end to end to receive the direct bearing strain and arranged in the same plane,

with the pivotal points of bearing upon their meeting ends eccentric to the axis of the post, and supplemental plates attached thereto by means of fusible solder, whereby said principal members may be incl'osed within said plates and have a sliding contact thereon upon the fusing of the solder, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination, with a cap and frame of an automatic fire extinguisher, of the plates f g h, placed end to end, with pivotal end bearings upon each other in a common plane, but eccentric to their axes, supplemental plates j, and fusible solder 7c, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscrib: i'ng witnesses, this 3d day of June, 1889.

J OSEPII CLAPP.

Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, J. HALPENNY.

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