Patent Abstract:
A residential fire suppression system for providing an automated safeguard against a localized fire within a residential space. Comprised primarily of a mounting bracket, pressurized tank of fire retardant, a dispersal nozzle and motorized valve assembly, a smoke detector, and a fire detector, the self-contained self-actuated modular fire suppression unit mounts in the ceiling of a residential space and will detect smoke within the space below it and sound an audible alarm. Additionally, the unit detects fire within the space below and actuates a motorized valve assembly allowing the pressurized fire retardant stored in the tank to be expelled.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/395,302, filed May 11, 2010 incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Among causes for fatal home accidents, fires and burns are the third leading cause according to a recent study. The United State&#39;s mortality rate from fires ranks eighth among the developed countries for which statistics are available. On average in the United States in 2009, someone died in a fire every 175 minutes, and someone was injured every 31 minutes. About 85% of all U.S. fire deaths in 2009 occurred in homes. In 2009, fire departments responded to 377,000 home fires in the United States, which claimed the lives of 2,565 people (not including firefighters) and injured another 13,050, not including firefighters. Although the number of fatalities and injuries caused by residential fires has declined gradually over the past several decades, many residential fire-related deaths remain preventable and continue to pose a significant public health problem. Most victims of fires die from smoke or toxic gases and not from burns. 
         [0003]    Recognition of the risks and dangers associated with domestic fires has led to investigation of fire warning systems or fire suppression systems that can be incorporated into the architecture of a typical home. One method of residential fire suppression is to install fixed piping and dispersal nozzles throughout a structure. However, material and labor costs to install such a system in a new structure are prohibitive, and installation of such a system in an existing structure often includes additional labor and added cost making such a method financially impractical to most home owners. A second method of residential fire suppression is to install a suitable number of self-contained modular fire suppression units throughout a structure. However, prior examples of this method fail to include considerations for a practical method of servicing and or replacing essential components including tank, valve, dispersal nozzle, and perhaps most importantly the stored fire retardant. Additionally prior examples of self-contained remotely actuated modular fire suppression units often require connections to external devices and also fail to include considerations for a practical method of servicing and or replacing essential components including the tank, valve, dispersal nozzle, and the stored fire retardant. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,657 to LeLande, Jr. (1991), U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,113 to Pierce (1995), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,478 to Weber (2005) show residential fire suppression systems. Each include a source unit connected via plumbing or piping to dispersal nozzles located throughout a structure. Installation of such a system in either a new or existing structure is labor intensive and financially impractical due to the material and labor costs incurred installing the required plumbing or piping throughout a structure in addition to the installation of any pumps, tanks, and/or sensors. Retrofitting or installing such a system in an existing structure often requires additional material and labor resulting in higher costs. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,541 to Golden (1998) shows an embodiment of self-contained fire suppression device. This design does not adequately address the issues of installing and performing the required service for such a device, stating only that the pressure vessel may be permanently mounted to or hung above the mounting surface. This device may not be easily accessible as described and could be an impractical embodiment of a safety device. 
         [0006]    Both U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,544 to Love and Webber (1999) and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0131035 to French (2006) show self-contained remotely operated fire suppression systems. Both methods utilize a pressure vessel releasing fire retardant to suppress a localized fire. However, both methods require connections to external sensors or triggering device. These devices serve as containment and dispersal units within a fire suppression system. They are not autonomous self-actuated units. 
         [0007]    It appears that the prior art lacks a compact, self-contained, easily mountable and releasable fire detection and suppression unit that is cost effective and suitable for easy home installation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An improved method of residential fire suppression would be an embodiment of a self-contained self-actuated modular unit that would autonomously detect and act to suppress a localized fire. The embodiment would be economical to purchase, install, and service, providing homeowners with a flexible and economically attractive alternative to currently available methods of residential fire suppression. 
         [0009]    Accordingly advantages are to provide an improved design and installation method for residential individual autonomous modular fire suppression units, to provide more simple, more economical means of installation, to provide a more simple, more economical means of service, to provide homeowners a choice in the number of units they wish to purchase, and to provide a functional and aesthetic embodiment that would be preferable to a common smoke detector. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an assembled side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, side view of a pawl and linear ratchet assembly from  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5   a  is an elevated perspective view of a mounting sleeve; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5   b  is another perspective view of the mounting sleeve of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view, partly in cross-section, of a tank of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a planar view of the cover of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a schematic of the cover as assembled; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9   a  is an inverted, side view, partly in cross-section, of a dispersal nozzle and motorized valve assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9   b  is an inverted, front view, partly in cross-section, of a second dispersal nozzle and motorized valve assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10   a  is an enlarged, top view of a frangible bulb housing assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10   b  is an enlarged, top view of the frangible bulb housing assembly of  FIG. 10   a  with frangible bulb; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10   c  is an enlarged side view of crank arm; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a removal tool; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a side view of a trim ring; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a partially installed embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The present invention may take many forms and various embodiments will fall within the framework of the invention&#39;s scope. The following description, aided by the accompanying drawings, are provided to illustrate the present invention. While exemplary, the descriptions herein should not be construed as limiting in any way, other than to establish that the plain and ordinary meaning of the words of the appended claims are confirmed by the description and drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of an exploded front view of a self-contained self-actuated modular fire suppression unit  100 . The fire suppression unit  100  includes a mounting bracket  1  including a cylindrical sleeve mated to a platform for securing the unit  100  to a ceiling structure. The unit  100  includes a pressurized tank  2  having a motorized nozzle  3 , a battery unit  4 , a circuit board  5 , a fire detection unit  6 , a tank cover  7 , and a decorative flange  8 . The bracket  1  is shown with telescoping bar hangers  14   a,b , a pawl  9   a , and the tank  2  is shown with a linear ratchet  10   a , and cover latch indent  11   a.    
         [0029]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate the unit  100  installed at a ceiling  110 , being attached to the ceiling joists  105  with nails or screws (not shown) at the telescoping bar hangers  14   a ,  14   b . The hangers are extended to the desired length such that the bracket spans the distance between the two adjacent joists, whereupon the fasteners are used to secure the bracket  1  as shown. Once the bracket  1  is securely in place, the pressure cylinder  2  is inserted and properly secured into the mating cylindrical sleeve. The decorative flange  8  is installed for the purpose of providing an aesthetic finish around the face of the cover  7 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bracket  1  includes a pawl  9  used to attach the tank  2  to the bracket  1  via a ratchet  10   a .  FIG. 4  illustrates the relationship and function of the linear ratchet  10  and the pawl  9 . As the tank  2  is slid into the sleeve of the bracket  1 , the pawl  9  engages the ratchet  10  to positionally lock the tank in the bracket. The pawl  9  is attached to the mounting sleeve  1  by means of a thru pine  12  inserted thru two pillow blocks  13 , one on either side of the pawl  9 . The diameter of the thru pin  12  is such to allow the pawl  9  to pivot thereabout. A torsion spring  15  is secured at one end to the bracket&#39;s platform and at the other end to the pawl  9  to apply a torsional biasing force. This biasing force serves to push the pawl  9  forward against the ratchet  10 . As the pressure cylinder  2  is inserted into the mounting sleeve of the bracket  1 , the pawl  9  sequentially engages the indents of the linear ratchet  10  by the force of the torsion spring  15 . The linear ratchet  10  and the pawl  9  each having a complimentary profile allow for uni-directional selective engagement wherein the pawl  9  is allowed to ride over individual indents of the linear ratchet  10  in one direction, but lock into an indent in the opposite direction for the purpose of allowing the mounting sleeve  1  to receive, secure and release the tank  2  of the self-actuated modular fire suppression unit  100 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate the mounting bracket  1  and cylindrical sleeve perpendicular to the platform or base. As set forth above, the bracket  1  includes telescoping bar hangers  14   a, b  for the purpose of connecting the mounting bracket  1  to ceiling joists  105  by use of nails, screws, or other fasteners. The pawls  9   a, b  receive and engage the indents of the linear ratchets  10   a, b  on the tank  2 . With the bracket securely mounted in the ceiling, the tank can be reliably slid into the bracket until the pawl  9  locks against the ratchet  10 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates the pressure tank  2  and linear ratchets  10   a, b . The tank  2  may include an externally threaded neck  16  that receives the internally threaded passway of a dispersal nozzle and motorized valve assembly  3  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9   b ). The linear ratchets  10   a, b  receive the pawls  9   a, b  on the mounting bracket  1 . Lid latch indents  11   a - c  are preferably spaced evenly within the inner radial wall surface at the open end of the tank  2  for receiving complimentary lid locks  29   a - c  ( FIG. 8 ), allowing the lid  7  to be releasably secured to the tank  2 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates the front or face of the tank&#39;s lid  7 . The lid  7  supports a indicator  19 , a reset button  20 , a smoke sensor  21 , a piezo aperture  22 , a frangible glass bulb  23 , a frangible glass bulb housing  24 , and nozzle port  18 . The indicator  19 , being part of a circuit board  25 , may be a light emitting diode that provides a visual indication of the smoke detector&#39;s status. The reset button  20 , mounted on the circuit board  25 , may be manually depressed to either test the smoke sensor  21  or silence an audible alarm if the smoke sensor  21  is triggered. The smoke sensor  21  includes an aperture (not shown) located on the face of the lid  7  with a plurality of slots to allow smoke to enter into the smoke sensor  21 . The piezo aperture  22  is a plurality of slots in the front or face of the lid  7  for the purpose of allowing the audible alarm generated by the piezo element to emit from the lid  7 . The nozzle port  18  may be a single round aperture in the center of the lid  7  that couples to the dispersal nozzle. The frangible glass bulb housing  24 , show partially in phantom, secures the frangible glass bulb  23  to the lid  7  wherein the frangible glass bulb  23  is exposed to the ambient temperatures present at the front or face of lid  7  for the purpose of detecting the heat of a fire. 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  illustrates the back of the lid, along with lid locks  29   a - c , circuit board  25 , circuit board enclosure  5 , battery pack  4 , nozzle port  18 , frangible glass bulb housing  24 , connecting wires  26 ,  28 , microswitch  30 , spring stop boss  31 , torsion spring  32 , crank arm retaining hardware  33 , and crank arm  34 . The lid locks  29   a - c  are legs spaced evenly around the radial surface of the lid  7  for the purpose of engaging the lid latch indents  11   a - c  and allowing the lid  7  to be releasably secured to the tank  2 . The circuit board enclosure  5  is molded from or other wise securely attached to the interior surface of the lid  7  for the purpose of receiving and securing the circuit board  25 . The battery pack  4  is molded from or other wise securely attached to the interior surface of the lid  7  for the purpose of receiving and securing batteries necessary to power the circuit board  25 . The connecting wires  26  connect the battery pack  4  to the circuit board  25  via connectors C 4   a, b . The frangible glass bulb assembly  6  is secured to the interior surface of the lid  7  for the purpose of holding the frangible glass bulb  23 , which is exposed to the ambient temperature present at the front or face of the lid  7 . The connecting wires  28  connect the frangible glass bulb assembly  6  to circuit board  25  via connector C 2   a - b . The frangible bulb acts like an electrical switch, such that when the heat from a fire causes the frangible bulb to break, the electrical circuit is open. This open circuit is recognized by the circuit board, causing a signal to be sent to the audible alarm to sound. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9   a  illustrates one variation of a dispersal nozzle and motorized valve assembly  3 . Gear assembly enclosure  42  includes the compound spur gear with position lobes  52 , compound spur gear  51   a , compound spur gear  51   b , motor  49 , spur gear  48 , motor shaft  46 , connecting wires  44 , connecting wires  45 , pivot bosses  50   a - c , and microswitch  43 . The connecting wires connect the motor  49  to the circuit board  25  via connectors C 1   a - b . When the circuit board  25  detects both a smoke and a fire condition within a localized area, it generates an output to motor  49  that actuates the gear assembly causing the valve ball  38  to rotate within the ball valve body  40  until the ball bore  39  is aligned to the nozzle bore  37  and the valve is “open.” The connecting wires  44  connect the microswitch  43  to the circuit board  25  via connectors C 3   a - b . The microswitch  43  is actuated by the position lobes of the compound spur gear with position lobes  52  to communicate the position the valve ball  38  within the ball valve body  40  to the circuit board  25 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 9   b  illustrates a second variation of a dispersal nozzle and motorized valve assembly  3 . The valve assembly  3  includes a compound spur gear with position lobes  52 , compound spur gear  51   a , compound spur gear  51   b , motor  49 , spur gear  48 , motor shaft  46 , connecting wires  44 , connecting wires  45 , microswitch  43 , spur gear retaining hardware  17   a - c , gear assembly enclosure lid  47 , nozzle body  35 , diffuser  36 , nozzle bore  37 , valve ball  38 , ball bore  39 , ball valve body  40 , and internally threaded passageway  41 . The connecting wires  45  connect the motor  49  to the circuit board  25  via connectors C 1   a - b . When the circuit board  25  detects both a smoke and a fire condition within a localized area it generates an output to motor  49  for the purpose of actuating the gear assembly to cause the valve ball  38  to rotate within the ball valve body  40  until the ball bore  39  is aligned to the nozzle bore  37  and the valve is “open.” The connecting wires  44  connect the microswitch  43  is actuated by the position lobes of the compound spur gear with position lobes  52  for the purpose of reporting the position of the valve ball  38  within the ball body  40  to the circuit board  25 . The internally threaded passageway  41  receives the externally threaded neck  16  on the tank  2 . The diffuser  36  acts to disperse fire retardant material passing thru the ball valve assembly into an even radius. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10   a  shows a frangible glass bulb assembly  6  with the frangible glass bulb  23  omitted. In the absence of a frangible glass bulb  23  within the frangible glass bulb housing  24 , the torsion spring  32  being secured at one end by the spring stop boss  31  and at the other end by the crank arm  34  acts to apply a torsional force pushing the crank arm  34  forward to depress the microswitch  30 , initiating a change of state.  FIG. 10   b  shows the frangible glass bulb assembly  6  with a frangible glass bulb  23  installed.  FIG. 10   c  shows the crank arm  34  mechanism, the spring stop boss  31  molded from or other wise securely attached to the frangible glass bulb assembly  6 . The pivot boss  50  is molded from or other wise securely attached to the frangible glass bulb assembly  6 . The torsion spring  32  is secured at one end by spring stop boss  31  and at the other end by the crank arm  34 , so as to apply a torsional force that acts to push the crank arm  34  forward. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  illustrates a removal tool  27  that may be used to release the tank  2  from the bracket  1 . When pushed along the tank&#39;s outer surface, the removal tool  27  lifts the pawls  9  out of the ratchets  10 , allowing the tank to be removed from the bracket assembly. That is, the cylindrical body of the removal tool rides up the tank&#39;s exterior until it encounters the pawl  9 , whereupon the cylindrical body rotates the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet  10 . Once the pawl is disengaged, the tank  2  will slide out of the bracket so that it may be replaced or serviced. 
         [0038]      FIG. 12  shows decorative flange  8  for a typical ceiling installation as it would be affixed to the ceiling support structure. The decorative flange  8  includes an annular face that covers the opening where the bracket  1  is inserted.  FIG. 13  is a perspective front view of a partially assembly self-contained self-actuated modular fire suppression unit  100  for the purpose of illustrating the direction and orientation of the tank  2  as it is installed into the mounting bracket  1  with the decorative flange  8  thereon. 
         [0039]    In operation the self-contained self-actuated modular fire suppression unit  100  is mounted in the ceiling of a residential space. The unit  100  in the preferred embodiment mounts vertically (although other orientations are possible), locked within the mounting bracket  2  such that it extends through the ceiling surface and into the attic space above. If the unit  100  detects the presence of smoke within the space below via its smoke detector, it sounds an audible alarm to warn inhabitants of the presence of smoke. If the unit  100  detects the presence of smoke and thermal temperatures sufficient to rupture a frangible bulb, the unit actuates the nozzle to expel flame retardant in a predetermined spray pattern down into the space below. 
         [0040]    The mounting bracket  1  and decorative flange  8  are properly installed as follows. The location is first determined for the self-contained self-actuated modular fire suppression unit within the ceiling space. The placement should afford optimum spray dispersal within the space and should also consider placement of existing ceiling joists. At the desired location, a hole sized to receive the unit is cut through the ceiling material creating an opening into the attic space above. The decorative flange  8  is inserted up into the opening, and bendable tabs around the insertion surface are bent over the ceiling edge to secure the decorative flange  8  to the ceiling. The mounting bracket  1  is then centered over the opening and secured in place by attaching the telescoping bar hangers  14  to the adjacent joists with nails, screws, or other fasteners. 
         [0041]    The self-actuated fire suppression unit  100  can then be installed into the mounting bracket  1 . While aligning the linear ratchet  10  on the tank  2  with the ratchet pawls  9  on the mounting sleeve  1 , the unit  100  is raised through the decorative flange  8  and into the mounting bracket  1  until the lid  7  is flush with the decorative flange  8  and the pawls  9  and ratchets  10  are completely engaged and locked, securing the unit into the mounting bracket  1 . 
         [0042]    The self-actuated fire suppression unit is removed using the removal tool  27 , which is used to push the unit  100  up into the mounting bracket until the pawls  9  are completely disengaged from the linear ratchets  10 . The unit can then be rotated within the mounting bracket  1  until the linear ratchets  10  on the tank  2  and the pawls  9  on the mounting bracket  1  are no longer aligned. The unit is then lowered down out of the mounting sleeve  1 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 0