Patent GB-819821-A (GB)
Title: Combination skylight and fire vent construction
Inventor: STETSON RUSSELL
IPC: A62C2/24
Filed: 1956-10-21
Abstract: 819,821. Skylights. WASCO PRODUCTS Inc. Oct. 12, 1956, No. 31097/56. Class 20(3) [Also in Group XXI] A skylight comprising a transluscent plastic dome-shaped covering element 11 hinged to a rectangular frame 4 is associated with a lever system 27, 30 which, under the action of a spring 35, tends to project the cover 11 into the open position, the lever system being associated with locking means with which is associated a temperative responsive means 49. The lever system and the locking and temperature responsive means co-operating in a manner such that normally the lever system is locked with the spring rendered ineffective for occasioning the opening of the covering member, and such that, when the temperature responsive means is subjected to a temperature in excess of a predetermined value, the locking means is released to free the lever system and allow the cover 11, under the influence of the spring, to be projected into the open position by said lever system. Supporting arms 24, 25, extending angularly across the corners at the hinged side of the cover 11 and bent upwardly to provide clearance over a covering frame 6, each have, pivoted thereto, the upper end of the arm 27 of one of two identical spring operated lever systems. The lower end of each arm 27 is pivoted, adjacent a shoulder 37, to a lever 30 having a cranked portion 29<SP>1</SP> pivoted to a plate 31 secured to a wall 2 of the frame 4, and an offset portion 33 which is secured to a spring 35. Each spring 35 is connected between a lip 34 on the corresponding lever part 33 and an eyelet 36 on a frame wall 1. Short levers 38 are movable axially along pins 39 which pivot them to the adjacent walls of the frame 4, springs 53 on the pins 39 urging the levers towards the respective adjacent wall of the frame so that shoulders 40 at their upper ends can engage the corresponding shoulders 37 to maintain the cover 11 closed, Fig. 1. The lower end of each lever 38 is hinged at 45. to a twisted lever arm 41, the other end of. which is hinged to a leg 44 on an L-shaped lever 43, pivoted to a plate 46 secured to the frame wall 2. The other leg 47 of each lever 43 is secured to one end of a wire 48 connected to the corresponding side of the fusible link 49. Stops 52 and 54 on the inside of the frame wall 2 limits respectively the opening movement of the cover 11 and the angular motion of the lever arm 38. The dome 11 has a peripheral flange 12 clamped, with a gasket 15 between complementary L-shaped rims 13<SP>1</SP>, 16 secured together by rivets. The hinge comprises bolts 21 which pass through flanges 14 of the rim member 13<SP>1</SP> and are secured, at their inner ends, to support arms 22 riveted to an outer flange 10 of the cover frame 6. When a fire occurs, and the fusible link 49 melts so that the lever arms 38 can no longer hold the lever arms 30, the latter, under the influence of the springs 35 and acting through the levers 27, raise the cover 11. To reset the mechanism, after the dome has been closed, the lever arms 38 are moved along their pins 39 to re-engage the shoulders 37, 40, the fusible link then being replaced. A series of gaskets 23 are provided on the outwardly extending flanges 9 of the frame 6, the gaskets having openings between them at the corners to permit outward flow of condensation.