Portable fire extinguisher with liquid and pressure gas tanks

A portable fire extinguisher composed of a portable air tank with a pressure regulator and a liquid carrying tank containing the fire extinguishing liquid. A support bracket carries the liquid carrying tank, and a pair of shoulder straps connecting the support bracket and air tank allow the extinguisher to be carried on the users shoulders. A flexible hose directs the pressure regulated air to the top of the liquid tank. A trigger operated spray nozzle connected to the bottom of the liquid tank by a flexible hose allows the dispersal of a controlled spray of fire extinguishing liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
I. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to the field of portable fire 
extinguishers, and more particularly, to a novel and improved fire 
extinguisher with separate liquid and compressable fluid tanks. The tanks 
are connected by flexible tubing. 
II. Description of the Prior Art 
Normally, in portable fire extinguishers or the like, a single tank 
containing liquid is carried on the users shoulders. The tank usually has 
a hand pump attached thereto for pumping the extinguishing liquid. One 
prior invention U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,511 discloses a charged air bottle 
with the gas contained therein used to drive a pump for pumping water at 
high pressure. However, none of the prior art discloses a two piece 
portable fire extinguisher with a compressed gas and pressure regulator on 
one side of the users shoulders and a tank containing the fire 
extinguishing liquid on the other side with a trigger actuated nozzle and 
hose attached to the liquid carrying tank. U.S. Pat. No. 2,463,736 shows 
two separate tanks disposed on the users chest and back. However, the 
extra tank only contains reserve liquid while a pump is used to dispense 
the liquid. 
III. Prior Art Statement 
The prior art listed hereinbefore includes, in the opinion of the 
applicant, the closest art of which the applicant is aware. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is broadly directed toward an improvement in portable 
fire extinguishers. 
As will be described hereinafter in greater detail in the following 
description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 
includes a tank of compressible fluid under pressure and a bent wire 
support bracket. A pair of shoulder straps connect the top of a 
compressible fluid tank to the top of the support bracket allowing the 
user to carry the device on his shoulders. 
A liquid carrying tank is mounted in the support bracket. The liquid 
carrying tank has a pressure release filler cap at the top for filling the 
tank, and a fluid outlet fitting at the bottom. The fluid outlet fitting 
has attached thereto a length of flexible hose with a trigger actuated 
spray nozzle at the other end of the hose. At the top of the liquid 
carrying tank is a pressure inlet fitting. 
The compressible fluid tank has a discharge fitting and a shut off valve 
attached thereto. Downstream of the shut off valve is a fluid pressure 
regulator of the type widely available in the marketplace. A length of 
flexible tubing connects the fluid pressure regulator to the pressure 
inlet fitting at the top of the liquid carrying tank. The flexible tubing 
is attached to one of the shoulder straps where it passes over the user's 
shoulders. A fluid filler valve is attached to the compressible fluid tank 
for easy recharging of the compressible fluid tank. 
A pair of adjustable stabilizing straps are connected between the lower 
corners of the compressible fluid tank and the lower corners of the 
support bracket. The stabilizing straps have detachable clips at one end. 
Soft pads are attached to the inside surfaces of the compressible fluid 
tank and the liquid carrying tank for the comfort of the user. 
It is, therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and 
improved fire extinguisher which is a simple and low cost construction and 
reliable in operation. 
Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention will 
become apparent by those skilled in the art of portable fire 
extinguishers, when the accompanying description of one example of the 
best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction 
with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawing for one example of the present invention 
relating to portable fire extinguishers, although it is equally applicable 
in any field where a liquid spray or stream is required. 
The portable fire extinguisher comprises a liquid carrying tank 2, a 
compressible fluid tank 4, shoulder straps 6 and 8, adjustable stabilizing 
straps 12, spray nozzle 14, and bent wire support bracket 28. A flexible 
tube connects the liquid carrying tank 2 to spray nozzle 14. 
Compressible fluid is introduced into the compressible fluid tank 4 by 
means of a filler valve 16, generating a pressure within tank 4 thereby. 
Fluid under pressure flows from tank 4 through shut off valve 18 to 
pressure regulator 20 where the desired pressure is set by the operator. 
The regulated pressure is directed to the top of the liquid carrying tank 
by means of a flexible tube 22. Flexible tube 22 is attached to shoulder 
strap 6 where it enters a pocket 7 as it passes over the user's shoulder. 
Flexible tube 22 is connected to the top of the liquid carrying tank 2. 
Liquid carrying tank 2 has a pressure release filler cap 26 at its top and 
a liquid discharge fitting at its bottom. With liquid in the liquid 
carrying tank 2 and pressure applied through flexible tube 22 to the top 
of the liquid carrying tank, a copious spray of fire extinguishing liquid 
can be directed from trigger actuated nozzle 14 by depressing the trigger. 
A pair of shoulder straps 6 and 8 connect the top of the compressible fluid 
tank 4 to the top of the bent wire support bracket 28. Support bracket 28 
is overbent bringing the front and rear portions of said bracket slightly 
toward each other to retain the liquid carrying tank bby compression. 
Adjustable stabilizing straps 12 connect the lower corners of compressible 
fluid tank 4 and bent wire support bracket 28. The adjustable straps 12 
are lengthened or shortened according to the size of the user. Quick 
disconnect clips 30 at one end of the stabilizing straps 12 allow for easy 
mounting and removal of the fire extinguisher to and from the user's 
shoulders. 
Soft pads 32 attached to the inside surfaces of the compressible fluid tank 
4 and the liquid carrying tank 2 prevent the hard and often hot metal 
surfaces from coming into contact with the user.