US839404A - Safety appliance. - Google Patents

Description

No. 839,404. PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906. H. W. MORRIS.

SAFETY APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

O 6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

'No. 839,404. PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906. H. W. MORRIS.

SAFETY APPLIANCE.

nruouxox rmm my 19, 1904.

\ 6 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

H. W. MORRIS. SAFETY APPLIANCE. APPLIOATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

H. W. MORRIS-.- SAFETY APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET No. 839,404. PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906. H. W. MORRIS.

SAFETY APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

PATENTBD DEC. 25, 1906.

H. W. MORRIS.

SAFETY APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

' from the usual controlling UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFIQE.

I HARRY W. MORRIS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NORTHERN ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF WIS- CON SIN.

SAFETY APPLIANCE= Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application filed May 19, 1904. Serial No. 208,671.

Park, county of Cook, and State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Im'- provements in Safety Appliances, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to means for controlling the movements of doors, curtains, or the like, especially for closing the same in time of danger without approaching the point from which they are usually controlled and at the same time putting into operation'other devices for reducing the danger as far as possible.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the kind described which will'nor-- mally give control of the door or curtain in a simple, positive, and convenient manner, with an emergency device arranged to be put into action from various oints distant evice by the most simple means, such as the operationof a switch or the pulling of a rope or cord, whereby the door or curtain will immediately close the opening to which it is fitted without regard to the position or movements of the usual controlling means and simultane ously perform such other functions for which the mechanism may have been arrangedfor example, in case of fire upon the stage of atheater, in addition to lowering the fireproof curtain, to open or close ventilators in various locations, unlock exits, and light guide-lamps to the same, or, in case of fire in a store, factory, or the like, to close the firedoors', confining the fire to the section Where it originated, unlock exits, light guide-lights to the same, and-turn on a supply of water to suitable sprinklers, and in case of serious damage and leakage or fire in a vessel to enable the bulkhead-doors to be closed and pumps started from the bridge, engine-room,

or any other part of the ship desired, and in each case the operations are performed without a possibility of interference from an excited attendant or others.

To this end my' invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims. i

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference characters indicate or the like.

like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a view from the stage of a proscenium-opening and fireproof-curtain equipped with my device. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of my device. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a simple form of electric wiring for producing the desired results. Fig. 4 is a diagram of wiring in which two sources of electric energy are arranged so that either maybe used, as desired. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a hoist for my device. Fig: 6 is a view of a part of the hoist shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of a ventilator Which is arranged to be opened by my emergency device. Fig. 8 is a view similar toFig. 7, showing a modified arrangement of the opening device.

In the drawings, 1 is a curtain arranged to slide before and close the opening 2 in the wall 3 As shown in the drawings, the curtain 1 is drawn upward to clear the opening by means of the ropes 4 4, passing over -the"sheaves 5 5 and 6 6, which after being united by the equalizing mechanism 7 to the rope 8 leads to the drum. of the hoist 9, situated as may be preferred. A counterweight 10 may be attached to the rope 8 to partially balance the weight of the curtain 1, and reduce the power required to raise the same;

A rope 11 is wound upon a drum of the hoist 9 in such a manner that as the rope 8 is wound onto the drum the rope 11 will be unwound, and vice versa, the surfaces on which the ropes 8 and 11 wind being so proportioned that the two will travel at the same speed.

In Fig. 1 the rope 11 is attached to the tworopes 12, which after passin suitable guidesheaves 1 4 are attached to t 1e lower edge of the curtain 1. In this form the power of the hoist is applied directly to the curtain to move it either way, and it is obvious that the same may be arranged to be moved horizontally to clear the opening 2, if desired.

' In this specification where the word cur tain is used I desire it to be understood as referring to a door, curtain, screen, or gate adapted to be actuated by weights or its own 7 weight to normally close an opening, but which may be moved in any direction to clear the same. Also by the word rope I refer to any suitable connectin means, such as chain, wire, metal cable, fi%e r ropes,

and movement of the curtain 1 are normally controlled by means of the switch 16, which controls the operations of an electric motor controlling .the movement of the winding mechanism of thehoist 9, which may be either a small motor arranged to control the delivery of power to the curtain-moving mechanism or a motor attached to the powerreceiving shaft of a winding-machine, with suflicientpower to operate the same.- Where electric ower is. employed to turn the windingmec ianism, a rheostat 16 may be arranged to control thespeed of the curtain movements and prevent injuring the motor by throwingthe-fullcurrent u on the same too suddenly. It is desirable a so to arrange a safety eviceof any of the well-known forms: used on elevators and the like to revent the curtain being drawn beyond the im- I out going to the switch 16 or notifying any one who may be stationed there as a regular attend ant-ll have arranged two systems of emergency devices which willcause the curtain to close the opening and at the same time au tomatically perform such other operations as may have been previously arranged for to insurethe safety of people or property in the vicinityfor example, in a factory, schoolhouse, store, theater, or any place where eople are liable to be congregated in num ers and exposed to danger from fire or other causein conjunction with closing the firedoor to confine the fire to the place of its origin, tounlock the exits, expose or light signals or guide-lights directing the people to a means of escape, open or close ventilators, turn .a supply of water into sprinkling systerns,- or any other desired operation that may be performed mechanically.

The. first emer ency device to be explained is the ropes 20, s own attached to a lever on the hoist 9 and ositioned at either side of thecurtain 1. his device is provided to guard against the possible derangement of themotor operating the winding mechanism at any time preventing the operation of the curtain, and attendant devices. F or this purpose I have provided the winding mechanism with a drum or drums which are arranged to be "disconnected from the motor y the movement of the lever to which the close the opening by its Weight.

scenes rope 20 is attached, allowing the curtain to As shown, these ropes are deflected-by suitable sheaves 21, and a weight 22 is attached to each to keep it in position. It is obvious that as many ropes may be attached to the lever of the hoist 9 as desired and conducted to any point desired and that in case it is found that .there is danger of accidentally moving the lever as heavy a weight as desired may be attached to the same. The second emergency devices consists of a series of push-buttonsor'switches :18, which may be placed at such points as desired to control the emergency operation of the curtain. These switches are so arranged, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3, that when the current is closed by any of them the switch 16 willbe immediately cut out of circuit and the-current closed to operate the motor to close the opening 2 and simultaneously perform any of the operations previously described or which may be desired.

In the diagram Fig-3 to avoid unnecessary complications such parts as: the main switches, fuse-blocks, &c., have been omitted and only the parts and wires necessary to explain the operation of the system are shown and all reduced to the simplest form, in

which the curtain-controlling.switch 16 is shown with the center clips 23, the upper clips 24 and lower clips 25, the rheostat 17, the generator 26, the motor 27, with the field 29 and armature 28, a coil for an electric brake or stop 30 to stop and hold the door when the current is oil .the motor, a solenoid 31, controlling the switches 32 and 33, and other solenoids 34 34, which are for operating ventilators, doors, or any other purposes and whose numbers maybe increased, as required, and the lights 35 and 36.

By following the wiring in the diagram in Fig. 3 it ,will be-seen that when the clips 23 23 and 24 24 of the switch 16 are connected, hereinafter referred to as first position/T the electric current will pass from the dynamo 26 by the conductor 37 and flow through the following conductors and parts in the order named: 38, clip 24", one bar of the switch 16 to clip 23, conductors 39, a bar of switch 32, conductors 40 and 41to armature 28, passing through the same from left to right to conductor 42, a second bar of switch 32, conductor 43 to clip 23* of switch 16 and by a second bar of said switch to clip 24 and conductors 44 45, arm 46, and resistances 47 47 of rheostat 17 to conductors 48, a third bar of switch 32, conductor 49, a magnetic brake 30 and the field 29 of the motor 27, passing through the held from right to left and from the field 29 by conductor 50 to the device 53 for preventingovertravel of the curtain and from the device 53 by conductor 54, a fourth bar of switch 32 andconductor 55 to clip 24*, and a third bar'of switch 16 to clip 23 and esacoe conductors 63 and 62 to the dynamo 26, completing the circuit and causing the motor 27 to rotate in a direction to preferably raise the curtain 1.

With the switch 16 openthat is, with the clips 23 23 not connected to either clips 24 24 or 25 25 and hereinafter referred to as second positionit will be seen by following conductors 37 38 or 58 56 that they are not connected at any oint with conductors 62 or 60 except by t e light 35, and this will not cause any current to fiowthrough the motor or any other machine in the circuit, and therefore no movement will take place at the curtain 1.

With the bars of switch 16 connectin clips 23 23 and 25 25 ,and hereinafter referre to as third position, the current will pass from the dynamo 26 by conductors 37 and 38 to clip 24 and to clip 25 by conductor 64, from clip 25 by the switch-bar to clip 23 and by conductor 43, one bar of switch 32, conductor 42 to the armature 28 of the motor 27, passing through the same from right to left, and by conductor 41 40, a second bar of switch 32 and conductor 39 to the clip 23 of switch 16 thence by a second bar of switch 16 to clip 25 and by conductor 45 to the arm 46 and resistances 47 47 of rheostat 17 and by conductor 48, a third bar of switch 32 and conductor 49 throu h the magnetic brake 30 to the field 29 of t e motor 27, passing through the field from rightv to left, and from the field 29 by conductor 50 to the limiting device 53 and by conductors 51 and 52 to the clip 25 of switch 16, and by a third bar of the switch to clip 23, and thence by conductors 63 and 62 to the dynamo 26, completing the circuit, and as the current passes through the armature in an opposite direction to that described when the switch 16 was in first position, while the current passes through the field in the same direction as for first position, the motor will rotate in the op-' posite direction or will move the curtain 1 down to close the'opening 2.

I When any of the emergenc -switches or push-buttons 18 are employe to close the circuit between conductors and 56, the current will pass from the dynamo 26 by the conductors 37 and 58 to conductor,59, where the current is divided, a part going through the wire of the solenoid 31 to the conductor 7 56 and the remainder going through thewires of the solenoids 34 34, then by conductor to 56. From 56 thecurrent passes by the switch 18, which is closed to 60 and 62, to the dynamo, completing the circuit by the current passing through the wires of the solenoids 34 and 31.

The solenoids 34 are employed as operating means controlling various devices. For example, there are well-known means for unlocking doors by this means and for operating switches controlling electric lights and for opening a valve controlling a Water-supply, and others. In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown how ventilators may be either opened or closed by the action of a solenoid and will hereinafter explain the working of the same.

The solenoid 31 is arranged to control the switches 32 and 33. Upon the passa e'of the electric current through the wires 0 this solenoid the plunger is drawn from its normal position (shown in the drawings and switch 32 is opened at the same time switch 33 is closed and by means not shown is retained in this position until released. It may be noted that the opening of switch 32 breaks the electrical connection to each of the wires 39, 43, 48, and 55, which are all the wires leading from the switch 16 and rheostat 17, and leaves them out of the circuit without regard to the position of their movable parts.

By the closing of the switch 33 the current 'will pass from'the dynamo to the armature 28 by the conductor 37, one bar of the switch 33, conductors 57 and 42, and pass through the armature from right to left. From the armature the current will pass by conductors 41, a second bar of switch 33, and conductors 61 and 49 through the magnetic brake 30 to the field 29 of the motor 27, passing through the field from right to left, from the field 29', by conductor '50, to the limiting device 53 and by the conductor 51, a third bar of switch 33 and conductor 62 to the dynamo again. It will be observed the current passes through the field and armature in the same directions as described when the bars of the switch 16 were in the third position, or the position for lowering the curtain 1 to close the opening 2, and hence the curtain will be lowered when any of the switches 13 are closed.

To provide against the possible failure of a system when the electrical energy is derived from a single dynamo or other source of such energy, a second source of energy may be so wired and connected that in case of failure of the regular source of energy from any cause an automatic switch will immediately corinect the sytem to the alternate source or a second series of push buttons or switches (shown in broken lines at 19 in Figs. 1 and 2) may be installed. A die ram of an arrange-i ment of wiring to accomplish this is shown in Fig. 4. In this figure, 26 is the dynamo whose current is usually employed and 66 a dynamo whose current may be available in case the dynamo 26 is not in operation for any cause. For example, 26 may be a dynamo installed to supply current to the building in which the curtain 1 is situated, and 66 may be a dynamo in a public light and power station or a storage battery. In

this arrangement, with switch 16 in first position, the current passes from the dynamo 26 by the conductor 37, and fiows through the following conductors and parts in the order named: from conductor 37 to one bar of switch 92, conductors 70, 68, and '38, to clip 24, one bar of switch 16 to clip 23, conduc tor 39, 'a bar of switch 32, conductor 74, a second bar of switch :92, conductors 78 and '81 to the armature 28 of motor 27 passing through the same from left to right, then by conductor 80, a third bar of switch 92, condnctor 7.5, a second bar of .switch .32, condnctor 43, to clip 23 of switch 16, through a second bar of this switch to clip 24", then by eonductors 44 45, the arm and resistances 47 47 of the rheostat 17,and conductor 48 to a third bar of switch 32, conductor 73, a fourth bar of switch 92 conductors 82 and 79, through the magnetic brake 30, to the field 29 of the motor 27, passing through the field from right to left, then by conductors 50, device 53, conductor 75, a fifth bar .of switch 92, conductor 71, a fourth bar of switch 32, and conductor 72 to clip 24, a third bar of switch 16 to clips 23*, conductors '98 69 94, a sixth bar of switch 92, and con- .ductor 62, back to the dynamo 26 complet- :ing the circuit and causing the motor 27 to operate the winding mechanism 9 to raise the curtain 1.

With the switch 16 in second position, by following the conductor 37 to a bar of the switch 92 the conductor 68 and others connecting thereto which are '38 and 64, the .con-

.ductor 77, also following the conductor 62 hack to a second bar of switch 92 and then conductor 94 to 69 and its branches 98 and 99, we find that the circuit is not closed at any point except through the iights 35, and that this will not cause any current to flow through the motor 27, magnetic brake .30, nor through any of the solenoids. With the switch 16 in the third position the current flows from the dynamo 26, by conductors 37 a bar of switch 292, and conductors 70,68, and 38, to clip 24 of the switch 16 and by conductor 64 to clip 25 of same, then by a [bar of the switch 16 to clip 23 .andconductor 43, a bar of switch 32, conductor 75, a second bar of switch 92, and conductor 80 to the armature 28 of the motor 27, passing through the same from right to left, then by conductors 81 78, a third bar of switch 92, conductor 74, a second bar of switch 32, and conductor 39 to clip 23 of switch 16, and by a second bar of switch 16 to clip 25, and by conductor 45,.the arm 46, and resistances 47 47 of rheostat 17 and conductor 48, a :third bar of switch 32, conducas the current passes through the armature sseeoe of motor 27 in an opposite direction while tion as when switch 16 was in first position the motor will run in a reverse direction to its previous motion and the curtain 1 will be lowered.

If any of the emergency-switches 18 are closed, connecting conductors 56 and 100, the effect will be that the current from the dynamo will flow by the conductor 37 to the conductor 59 and from 59 a part passing by conductor 101 to the solenoids 34, performingany of the functions previously described for these parts, and the remainder going to solenoid 31, causing the plunger to move in a direction to open switch '32 and close switch 33, means (not shown) being provided to retain them in this position until released, and by following the conductors 72, 48, 39, and 43, which are leftopen by the opening of switch 32, no current will flow through the switch 16 or rheostat 17 nor will their position affect the action of the other parts of the circuit. By the closing of the switch 33 connection is made to the motor to cause it to operate the hoist to lower the curtain 1, as follows: Commencing at the dynamo, the current passes by conductor 37, a bar of switch 92, conductors 68, a bar of switch 33, conductors 104 and to and passing through from right to left the armature 28 of motor 27 from the armature by conductors 81 78, a second barof switch 33 and conductor 179, passing through the magnetic brake 30 to and passing through from right to left the field 29 of motor 27 and by conductor 50, limiting device 53, conductor 51, a third bar of switch 33, conductors 99 69 94, a second bar of switch 92, and by conductor 62 back to the dynamo, completing the circuit and flowing through the field and armature in the same direction, respectively, as in the third position of the switch 16, lowering the curtain 1, as before stated.

Incase of accident to dynamo 2-6 or to connections which would prevent the emergency operation of the system it may be arranged to be shown by its extinguishing a light 35 or a plurality of lights distributed as preferred. Theselights may be placed near the switches orpush-buttons 18, if desired; but it is preferred that the conductors supplying energy to these lights be connected to the main circuit at the points shown.

It will be observed that with the solenoid in its normal position shown the conductors 67 and 93 from dynamo 66 are attached to contact for the open bars of the switch 92 and that the plunger of the solenoids 90 and 31 are connected by a rope 103, passing over suitable guidesheaves and so arranged that either plungef is free to be moved in its emergency position when the other plunger is in its normal position, but that both cannot be in emergency position at the same time.

passing through the field in the same direc-v rent will flow from conductor 67 by conductor 87, a portion passing at once through the right to left through the armature 28 of mowires of the solenoid 90 to conductor 88 and the remainder going by conductor 10.5 to solenoids 95, arranged to operate the same devices that solenoids 34 operate, preferably by being arranged to act upon connected cores or plungers. The current after passing the wire of solenoids 95. passes by conductor 106 to 88 and by the closed switch 19 to conductor 89 and by it to conductor 93, leading to dynamo 66. The action of the current on solenoid 90 moves its plunger, closing the two open bars of switch 92 and opening the remaining bars, also closing switch 91. By following the conductors 72 71, 48 73, 39 74, and 43 7 5,5 barof switch 32 being included in each line, it will be seen that the opening of the closed bars of switch 92 cuts out switch 16 and rheostat 17, also the dynamo 26, by opening the switch at the ends of conductors 37 and- 62. The current will then flow through the conductors 67, a bar of switch 92, conductors 68 77, a bar of switch 91, con ductors 84, 104, and 80 to and passing from tor 27 by conductors 81 78 86, a second bar of switch 91 conductors 83, 82, and 79, passing the magnetic brake 30, to and passing from right to left through the field 29 of the motor 27, then by conductor 50, the limit device 53, conductor 51 85, a third bar of switch 91, conductor 69, a second bar of switch 92,.and conductor 93, completing the I circuit, and as the current passes through the field and armature of the motor 27 in the same directions, respectively, as when switch 16 was in third position the winding mechanism will turn in the same direction and the curtain 1 will be lowered. In the preferred arrangement a light is arranged near each of the switches 18, connected to the main circuit, as for light 35, to indicate, if lighted, that the emergency device controlled by the swit hes 18 would operate to lower the door 1, also the lights 96 are preferably arranged tion to the switches19.

near the switches 19 for a similar purpose.

The lights 36 are also arranged, preferably,

near the switches 18 and cannot be. lighted except by closing one-of the switches 18, putting the emergency devices in operation, and the lights 97 are similarly arranged in rela- In case of an emergency and neither" the lights 35 nor 96 are lighted or upon closing the switches 18 or 19 the lights 36 or 97 do not light the emergency device first describedcan be employed.

In Figs. 5 and 6 e'neral arrangement of a simple form of win ing m chanism suited to accomplish the results heretofore described are shown, in which 107 is a winding-drum to which ro e 8 may lead, rotatably mounted upon a sha t 108, ut prevented from moving longitudinally thereon by the hub of a wormear 109 and a collar 110, which are secure upon the shaft 108 at either end of the hub 111 of the drum 107. A suitable friction-surface 112 is arranged upon the drum 107, and dentals or projecting engaging parts are formed upon the end 113 of the hub 111, adapted to enga e with similar of reversible motor controlla le by an electric current, or it may be driven from any convenient source and means rovided whereby it may be made to rotate lIl either direction by the operation, if an electric appliance, to accomplish an equivalent result. In the preferred form a magnetic brake is arranged to control the movements of the shaft 116 when the same is not controlled by the electric motor or other electric 9o controlling device reviously described. For this pur ose I em lby any of the well-known forms 0 brakes w ich are arranged to be automatically applied at all -times that the electric current is not passing through its 5 coils. The clutch 114 is mounted upon the shaft 108 and arranged to engage a feather 119 or equivalent means for preventing rotation between the shaft and clutch, but permitting sufficient longitudinal movement of said clutch to enable the dentals or rojections thereofto be disenga ed from t edentals or projections upon t e hub 111,.permitting the drum 107 to be revolved upon the shaft 108. A brake-head 120, provided r05 with a friction-surface 121 is mounted upon the cylindrical exterior of the clutch 114 and 1 arranged to be moved longitudinally thereon to bring the cofjperating friction- surfaces 112 and 121 into contact to retard or prevent any 1 I o rotation of the drum 107, the head being secured against rotation by' the arm 122, arranged thereon, engagin a suitable slot or equivalent means\upon't e base 123. A lever 124, near one end of which is attached a 115 rope 20, is divided near its other end and pivotally attached to a bracket 125 upon the stand 117. At the ends of the divided parts of the lever 124 two projections 126 and 127 are formed, the projections 127 attaching, by 1 20 means of a link 128, to one side of the brakehead 120. The opposite side is connected by means of the link 130 and the lever 129, pivotally connected to a second bracket 131 upon the stand 117 and to the projections 12 5 126, as shown, the projections 126 and 127 and the lever 129 being so proportioned'that the ends .of the links 128 and 130, attaching to thehead 120, will always move the same distance for anychange 111 the position of 1 9 lever 124. The ring. 132, loosely fitting a concentric groove formed in one end of the periphery of the clutch 1 14, is provided at its diametrically opposite sides with means for pivotally engaging the projections 126. Thus the lo itudlnal position of the clutch 114 and bra e-head 120 relative to the drum 107 is controlled by the vertical position of the end ofthe lever 124, to which the rope is attached as the end of the lever 124 is drawn upward by the rope 20. The

wiring of the solenoids.

clutch 114 is moved away from the hub 111 of the drum 107 and the brake-head moved towardthe drum, the parts being so proportioned that the dentals or projections upon the clutch 114 and the hub 111 will be disengaged, leaving the drum free to revolve upon the shaft 108 before the friction- surfaces 112 and 121 are brought into contact. A. further elevation of the end of the lever 124 brings the friction-surfaces together and tends to hold the drum 107 from revolving upon the shaft or to retard its motion, if revolving. It is obvious that, with the curtain 1 suspended by a rope 8, wound upon the drum 1 07, when the rope 20 is pulled, first, that the-excess of the weight in the curtain 1 over the counterweight will revolve the drum 107 upon the shaft 108 and the curtain will move downward and that still further pulling upon the rope 2-0 will bring the friction- surfaces 121 and 112 into contact and control the speed of movement of the curtain 1 by the amount of ressure between the friction-surfaces w ich is controlled by the pull on the rope 20.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a simple device is shown for releasing the ventilator doors or covers 133,. allowing them to fall open when any emer' ency device is used to close the openin 2'. n Fig. 7 the solenoids 34 34 are provided with plungers -135, the lower ends of which are formed to engage suitable means upon the brackets 1-36 136-, attached to the doors 133 133 upon opposite sides of the ventilator, when the electric circuit is closed through the The plungers 135 are-drawn out of engagement with the brackets, permitting the doors to fallopen. To provide for the openin of the doors 133 133 whenthe emergency evice' is operated, of which rope 20 is a part, I attach ropes, 137 137 to the plungers 135 1 35 and after passing. the same over the sheaves 134 134 attach them to the rope 20 at a point where the movement of the weight 22 when the rope 20 isdrawn upward to operate the lever 124 will withdraw the plungers 135 from enga ement with the brackets 136, permitting t e doors to fall open. If desired a fusible con nection may be arran ed to support af weight, as 139, which is a so attached to a rope 138, attached to the rope 137 .after passin over the sheaves 134 from the lunger 135. 11 case of fire the joint 140 W11 sepaseaeoe rate and the weight upon rope 139 will with' draw the plungers, as before, and the ventilators will be automatically opened without either of the emergency devices being 0 erated. If desired, a rope 141 may be attached 7o to one of the ropes 137 or to any part which will operate by the movement of the weight 22, leading to other ventilator-doors or toother apparatus which it is desired tooperate by the movement of the weight 22 and 75 rope 20. In Fig. 8 spring or gravity catohe's'-142 are arranged to hold the'doors 133 133 closed, and a single solenoid 34 is arranged to move an arm attached to the shaft 150, mounted in suitable bearings, to permitof its being partially rotated. Other similar arms are arranged upon the shaft and may extendin opposite directions to operate catches 142 upon doors upon opposite sides of the venti- 8 5 lator by means of ropes 146 and 147, which are attached to the extremities of thearms and after passing over suitable sheaves14-1attached to the bolts of thecatches, as shown. When the electric circuit is closed through the wiring of the solenoid 34, the plunger 1.48 is drawn farther into the solenoid and the shaft partially rotated, drawing: the plun- *ers upward out of engagement with the brackets 136 upon the-doors 133 and allowing the doors to fall open. The provision for withdrawing the plungers 143 u on the lowering of the weight 22, attache to the emergency-rope 20, is clearly shownin the rope 137 passin over the sheave 134 and attaching to the p unger 148 of the solenoid 34, also the arrangement of the fusible connection 140, whereby u on the breaking of the connection by heat t e weight 139 will come upon the ro e 152, attached to the plunger 148 of the so enoid 34, withdrawing the plungers 143, as before described. It is obvious that the shaft 150 may be extended, as desired, and a plurality of arms 142 and 151 arranged, as preferred, to operate a plurality of doors 133, if desired, or that the solenoidplungers 135 in Fig. 7 or the bolts 143 in Fig. 8 may be arranged to hold the doors 133 open -instead of closed, the doors being so arranged that the withdrawal of thebolts 135 and 143 would cause the doors 133 to close instead of open, also that where there are several open I ings 2 each opening may be suppliedwith a curtain 1, arrange I to be operated simultaneously by the switch 16, hoist 9, and. emer ency devices, or that each curtain 1 may ave a switch 16 and hoist, so that their movements may be normally controlled in' dependently, but all arranged to be'closed simultaneously by a single set of emergency devices.

In the foregoing s ecifioation and in the dia rams of wiring l have shown and de ed the emergency switches as operating scr1 upon what is known as an open-circuit ing from the spirit of my invention.

esaaoa system, and it is deemed unnecessary to show or describe in addition a similar closed-circuit system,,as any one skilled in electrical wiring can change from one systein to the other without detailed instruction. I wish it to be understood, however, that either a closed or open' circuit may be employed, as preferred. It is also obvious that various modifications may be introduced to produce the results described without depart- Hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form or arrangement in detail shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the kind described, comprising a vertically-movable curtain adapted to close an opening, movable means for supporting said curtain, and means for controllin said supports so as to positively raise an lower said curtain, in combination with means adapted to be operated from a distant point, for disconnecting said controlling means and causing said curtain to close said opening.

2. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening, movable means for su porting said curtain, and means for controlling said supports and thereby the movements of said curtain, in combination with meansadapted to be operated from any one of a plurality of distant points, for disconnecting said controlling means and causing said curtain to close said opening.

3. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening, movable means for su portin said curtain, and means for control ing said supports and thereby the movements of said curtain, in combination with means adapted to be operated from a distant point, for simultaneously disconnecting said controllin means, causing said curtain to close said opening, and starting the operationof other devices for minimizing the effect of fire, water, gas, or other destructive agent.

4. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening, movable means for supportin said curtain and means for controlling sai supports and thereby the movements of said curtain, in combination with a plurality of independent devices each adaptedto be operated from points distant from said controlling means for disconnecting the controllin means and causing said curtain to close sai opening.

5. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening, movable means for supportin said curtain and means for controlling sai supports and thereby the movements of said curtain, in combination with a plurality of independent devices each adapted to be operated from points distant -from said controlling means ior simultaneously disconnecting said controlling means, causing said curtain to close said opening and starting the operation of other devices for minimizing the effects of fire, gas, water, ,or other destructive agent.

6. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening, and a controlling-switch adapted to operate an electric current to control the movements of said curtain, in combination with a plurality of emergency switches positioned at points distant from said controlling-switch, the operation of any of said emergency-switches simultaneously causing said curtain to close said opening, and temporarily severing the connections between said controlling-switch and said curtain.

7. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening and a controlling-switch adapted to operate an electric current to control the movements of said curtain, in combination with a plurality of emergency-switches posi-v tioned at points distant from said controllingswitch, the operation of any of said emergency-switches simultaneously causing said curtain to close said opening, temporarily severing the connections between said controlling-switch and said curtain, and operating other devices for minimizing the effect of fire, water, gas or other destructive agents.

8. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening, and a controlling-switch adapted to operate an electric current to control the movements of said curtain, in combination with a plurality of emergency-switches and a plurality ofconnections for o crating emergency means independent oi said electric current, the operation of an of said emergency devices, simultaneous y causing said curtain to close said opening, and temporarily severing the connections between sald controlling-switch and said curtain.

9. A device of the kind described, comprising a movable curtain adapted to close an opening, and a controlling-switch adapted to operate an electric current to control the movements of said curtain, in'combination with a plurality of emergency-switches and a plurality of connectors for operating emergency means independent of said electric current, the operation of any of said emergency devices simultaneously causing said curtain to close said opening, temporarily severing the connection between said controllingswitch and said curtain, and operating other devices for minimizing the efiect of fire, water, gas or other destructive agent.

10. In combination, a motor, switch apparatus for varying the direction of rotation and speed of said motor, a relay for disconnecting the motor from said switch apparatus and connecting the motor for rotation in one direction only, and one or more switches for controlling said relay.

11. In combination, a movable curtain arranged to close an opening, a motor for operatirrrg said curtain, switch apparatus arranged to connect said motor for rotation in eitherdli- I rection in order to open or close said opening,

a relay for disconnecting said motor from said switch'appa-ratus and connecting. it for rotation in the direction to cause the curtain ranged to disconnect said motor from saidswitch apparatus and to connect it for rotation only in the direction to lower the curtain, and emergency means for disconnecting the curtain from the motor to permit the curtain to drop under the action of gravity.

B. In combination, a vertically-movable curtain arranged to close an opening, a motor, a clutch between said motor and curtain, switch apparatus for connecting said motor for rotation in either direction so as to raise or lower said curtain, emergency-switch mechanism arranged to disconnect said motor from said switch a paratus and to connect it for rotation only in the direction to lower the curtain, and emergency means for operating said clutch to disconnect the curtain from the motor.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY W. MORRIS. Witnesses:

Bnn'ron U. HrLLs, CHARLES I. COBB.

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