Patent ID: 6021852
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A62C

Abstract:
A self-contained, replaceable fire extinguishing tree ornament comprising, in combination:a containment bulb constructed from a heat resistant material and including an upper extent having a spherical configuration and a lower extent having a cylindrical configuration integrally coupled to the upper extent, the upper extent having an annular hanger integrally coupled to an apex thereof for being hung on a tree, the lower extent having a sleeve mounted thereon with a plurality of threaded grooves formed therein and an open bottom for exposing a bottom face of the lower extent of the bulb, wherein the bulb includes a predetermined amount of pressurized fire extinguishing material therein;a housing with a cylindrical configuration constructed from a material similar to that from which the bulb is constructed, the housing having an open top having a plurality of threaded grooves formed in an interior surface thereof for screwably receiving the sleeve of the containment bulb whereby the bulb is releasably coupled thereto such that an axis of the housing intersects a center of the bulb, a divider mounted within the housing for defining an upper portion and a lower portion, an open bottom with a plurality of threaded grooves formed in an interior surface thereof for screwably receiving a cap, and a plurality of radially extending outlet bores formed in the upper portion of the housing, the outlet bores residing in a common plane and circumnavigating a selected portion of the housing;piercing means including a lever pivotally coupled at an intermediate extent thereof within the upper portion of the housing and having a first end with a sharpened tip mounted thereon for piercing the bottom face of the bulb when raised, an actuator member having a top end pivotally coupled to a second end of the lever and depending downwardly therefrom, and an actuation means connected to a bottom end of the actuator member for retracting the same upon the receipt of an activation signal, thereby elevating the sharpened tip so as to allow the expulsion of the fire extinguishing material from the outlet bores; anda smoke detector mounted within the lower portion of the housing adjacent to a plurality of breathing apertures formed in the lower portion of the housing, the smoke detector connected to the actuation means for transmitting the activation signal thereto only upon the detection of smoke through the breathing apertures.