A New or Improved Fire Extinguisher.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Fire Extinguisher.
1, OMAR ALVIN STEMPEL, Room 5, 511 Pine Street, St. Louis, Missouri,
U.S A., Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a simple durable and effective fire
extinguisher of the effervescing chemical type, that will require no attention to
keep in order, and will maintain its potential condition indefinitely. To this end,
my improvements have reference chiefly to separate receptacles for the acid and
alkaline substances forming the charging chemical elements, and to a loose
weight adapted to break one of the said receptacles and so mix the elements.
They also have reference to means for avoiding accidental breakage, and to a
non-corrodible alkali receptacle or lining, an outer casing, and an interposed solid
packing.
Reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 represents a vertical sectional view of my device; and
Fig. 2, a perspective view with a hand hose attached :
The letter A designates an acid-containing receptacle of thin glass, or other
frangible material, hermetically sealed, and supported near the top of a deep,
alkali-containing, glass or other non-corrodible vessel, B, at the bottom of which is
a loose weight or ball, C. Lugs on the said receptacles engaged with each other
and support the acid receptacle. A hemispherical cap, D, is screwed to the top of
the alkali vessel and down upon a packing ring, E. An outlet nozzle, F, is
provided, in the cap preferably, and is lightly closed by a stopper, G, or otherwise.
A screen, H, fits against a shoulder in the cap and protects the outlet from
clogging in the operation of the device. This screen is shown as holding down the
said receptacle, but it may be otherwise located to guard the outlet, according to
the position of the latter. Both the cap and the bottom of the alkali vessel are
preferably hemispherical.
An inclosing casing, 1, affords additional security from fracture to the vessel, B,
and a solidified packing, J, such as plaster of Paris, makes the device solid against
internal and external strains. Other packing means may be used, but I lay broad
claim to this sub-combination of my invention.
An upper handle, K, serves ordinarily to carry or support the device; a lower
handle, L, is used to reverse the extinguisher, thus causing the loose weight to
break the acid receptacle, mix its contents with the alkaline solution, and create
instantly a high pressure gas which forces the liquid out of the nozzle to a
considerable distance till the contents are exhausted. The stopper, G, is shot out
at the first discharge, and the stream readily directed upon.the flames. If desired, a
short length of hose, M, and nozzle, may be attached to the outlet, as shown in Fig. 2.
In order to avoid accidental fracture of the acid receptacle when the extinguisher
is laid horizontal for instance, a retaining ridge, O, for the weight, is provided at
the side of the vessel, B. This does not prevent its action when the extinguisher
is reversed, but adds to the safety in ordinary handling.
I do not confine myself to the exact construction herein shown as one form of
my invention.
Dated this 6th day of Sentember 1892
OMAR ALVIN STEMPEL,
Per J. G. Lorrain, M. Inst. E.E., M. Inst. M.E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.

page_text: A New or Improved Fire Extinguisher.
I, OMAR ALVIN STEMPEL, Room 5, 511 Pine Street, St. Louis, Missouri,
U.S.A., Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to provide a simple durable and effective fire
extinguisher of the effervescing chemical type, that will require no attention to
keep in order, and will maintain its potential condition indefinitely. To this end,
my improvements have reference chiefly to separate receptacles for the acid and
alkaline substances forming the charging chemical elements, and to a loose weight
adapted to break one of the said receptacles and so mix the elements. They also
have reference to means for avoiding accidental breakage, and to a non-corrodible
alkali receptacle or lining, an outer casing, and an interposed solid packing.
Reference being had to the drawing left with the Provisional Specification, in
which
Figure 1 represents a vertical sectional view of my device; and
Figure 2, a perspective view with a hand hose attached:
The letter A designates an acid-containing receptacle of thin glass, or other
frangible material, hermetically sealed, and supported near the top of a deep,
alkali-containing, glass or other non-corrodible vessel, B, at the bottom of which is
a loose weight or ball, C. Lugs (or a flange) on the said receptacle engage with
an inward flange or lugs at the neck of the vessel B as shown and support the acid
receptacle. A hemispherical cap, D, is screwed to the top of the alkali vessel and
down upon a packing ring, E. An outlet nozzle, F, is provided, in the cap
preferably, and is lightly closed by a stopper, G, or otherwise. A screen, H, of
wire netting or the like, fits against a shoulder in the cap and protects the outlet
from clogging in the operation of the device. This screen is shown as holding
down the said receptacle, but it may be otherwise located to guard the outlet,
according to the position of the latter. Both the cap and the bottom of the alkali
vessel are preferably hemispherical.
An inclosing casing, I, affords additional security from fracture to the vessel, B,
and a solidified packing, J, introduced in a fluid state such as plaster of Paris,
pitch or other substance solidifying after interposition makes the device solid
against internal and external strains. The neck of the vessel B projects from the
packing to receive the top D.
An upper handle, K, or the side hole for the nozzle F serves ordinarily to carry
or support the device; a lower handle, L, is used to reverse the extinguisher, thus
causing the loose weight to break the acid receptacle, mix its contents with the
alkaline solution, and create instantly a high pressure gas which forces the liquid
out of the nozzle to a considerable distance till the contents are exhausted. The
stopper, G, is shot out at the first discharge, and the stream readily directed upon
the flames. If desired, a short length of hose, M, and nozzle, may be attached to
the outlet, as shown in Figure 2.
In order to avoid accidental fracture of the acid receptacle when the extinguisher
is laid horizontal for instance, a retaining ridge, 0, for the weight, is provided at
the side of the vessel, B. This does not prevent its action when the extinguisher
is reversed, but adds to the safety in ordinary handling.
I sometimes place a pad of asbestos or the like at the bottom of the vessel B
to act as a cushion for the weight C, but I do not claim this as a part of my
invention.
I do not confine myself to the exact construction herein shown as one form of
my invention.
I am aware that the employment of a weight to break an acid receptacle in a

page_text: chemical fire extinguisher upon reversal thereof is not broadly new and I desire it
to be understood that I make no claim to this.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what.
I claim is :-
1. The new or improved fire extinguisher substantially as set forth.
2. The arrangement and combination of parts substantially as set forth.
3. The specific construction of fire extinguisher set forth with reference to
Figures 1 and 2.
Watch way of w
OMAR ALVIN STEMPEL,
Per J. G. Lorrain, M. Inst. E.E., M. Inst. M.E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, Strand, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.