IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND FIRE-EXTINGUISHERS
Year: 1885

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND FIRE-EXTINGUISHERS" and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
This invention relates to hand fire-extinguishers and consists partly in the
combination with a tube for containing the fire-extinguishing fluid, of a stopper
having a frangible hollow projection, which is to be broken when the contents of
the tube are to be thrown on the fire.
The invention also comprises a tapered frangible tube combined with a stopper
so as not to be forced out by the pressure of gas which may be confined in the
tube.
The invention also comprises a stopper internally reamed to direct the fluid 0
the frangible tube without its passage being obstructed by an abrupt edge.
The fire-extinguisher ordinarily consists of a tube for holding the fluid which is
to be thrown on the fire. This tube is made of good tin plate, and is about twenty
inches in length and two inches in diameter, and holds about a quart. The chief
object of this invention is to stop one end of this tube by such means as will hold
the contents thereof secure and at the same time provide means for instantly
removing the stopper, or a portion thereof, to allow the fluid to be thrown on
& fire.
2
In carrying this invention into practice, I have three methods of applying the
frangible stopper. One method is to employ a glass stopper with a hollow pro-
jecting nipple which is broken off to liberate the contents of the tube. The second
is to employ a wood stopper with a hollow closed nipple put through, and also
adapted to be broken. The third consists in the employment of a wood stopper
which is held in the tube by the pressure of metal in an annular groove formed in

page_text: the stopper, and has a tapered nipple put through it whereby the said stopper and
nipple are held in place against the pressure within the tube.
For cheapness and security I prefer the latter method.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand fire-extinguisher embodying my
improvement.
Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the top portion of the same.
Figure 3 is a view illustrating a modification.
A represents the sheet metal tube which is closed at the lower end and is
stopped at the upper end as follows. A wood stopper C is formed with an annular
groove E around its periphery, into which groove the metal of the tube is pressed
to hold the stopper in place against the pressure within the tube. The stopper is
reamed out at F so that the fluid may be discharged without obstruction; and a
tapered hole is formed vertically through it to receive a tapered nipple B of glass
or other frangible material.
The wood stopper is thoroughly impregnated with paraffine or some material
which will prevent shrinkage or the absorption of water, and which will also
prevent the escape of gas through it. The nipple B is set in the stopper with red
lead and oil, or like waterproof material.
The tubes are filled to near the stopper with any desirable fire-extinguishing
fluid and then the stoppers are inserted in red lead. After this the pressing of the
metal at D into the groove E is done by a clamping tool or burr, the device is then
ready for use.
The modification shown in Figure 3 is constructed without a tapered nipple and
groove D, and may be safely employed where the fluid used produces no pressure;
the groove however furnishes a suitable fastening for retaining the wire with which
the tube is to be suspended, see Figure 1.
To allow the air to escape when the stopper is inserted, a small hole a is made
vertically through it for that purpose, the hole being plugged or stopped with red
lead after the stopper is set. The nipple is broken to liberate the fluid.
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 clain is
First. In haud tubes for containing a fire-extinguishing fluid, the metal tube A
combined with a frangible stopper, or a frangible and wood stopper at one end to
retain the fluid in the tube, the fluid being liberated by the breakage of the frangible
stopper as specified.
Second. The tube A combined with the tapering tube B and stopper C reamed
out at F, as specified.
Third. The tube A combined with the wood stopper C, the glass or other frangible
nipple B, and the hole a in the stopper, as specified.
Dated this 7th day of Anril 100%
HASELTINE, LAKE &. Co.,
For the Applicant,