IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE
Year: 1884

page_text: I RALPH DOWSON of 2 Castle Street, Bolton in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE" to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in that class of fire extinguishing
apparatus known as a chemical fire-engine, or what is better known by the name
of "extinguisher," in which a vessel or bottle is provided containing an alkaline
solution and an acid, together with convenient means for effectively and readily
breaking the said vessel or bottle, so as to mix them when the apparatus is
required to be used, causing carbonic acid gas and liquid to be projected on the
fire, with increased facilities for charging and re-charging the same when required
or necessary.
I accomplish these by making the top end of the case forming the extinguisher
of dome or other suitable or convenient shape, provided with a metallic nozzle in
which the vessel or bottle containing the alkaline solution is placed, having a
circular or other projection for supporting the same. In the top side of the nozzle
is provided a notched or lipped cavity or recess to admit an india rubber joint
ring, for the purpose of forming an air tight joint when the swivelling cap or
cover is placed in position over it. This cap or cover is secured by a bolt or other
equivalents to the top outer flange of the nozzle, having an L or angular projection
which slides and fits under the said outer flange, by which the cap is held firmly
in its place when shut; the pressure on the cap and india rubber ring being mil,
until such times as the vessel or bottle is broken, when gas and pressure are
generated the overhanging or projecting circular lip on the india rubber joint ring
is pressed tightly against the inside of the cap, thus making a perfectly tight
joint.
For the purpose of opening and closing the cap or lid quickly, I place on the
outside a suitable handle, thus, when it is desired to open the extinguisher for the
purpose of inserting a charge or otherwise, the only operation required is to take
hold of the handle and swivel the cap sideways when the vessel or bottle can be
placed in position, or the fragments of the bottle neck removed, prior to another
being placed in.
For the purpose of allowing the gas to escape gradually when the cap is partly
open, without blowing out the fragments of the bottle left in the nozzle after it is
broken, I provide the inside of the nozzle with slots or flutes passing down the
sides and through the circular projection on which the vessel or bottle head sits,
and by which it is held and supported in position.

page_text: For facilitating the operation of breaking the vessel or bottle, I place in &
suitable and convenient position in the case of the extinguisher, a boss, stuffing
box and gland, through and in which is placed a swivelling or revolving spindle,
on the centre of which or nearly so, and immediately opposite the vessel or bottle,
is a metallic swivelling or revolving arm, hammer or weight, which is operated by
a suitable handle placed outside the extinguisher case, on the end of the said
swivelling or revolving spindle.
When it is desired or requsite to use the extinguisher, the vessel or bottle must
be broken, which is caused or effected by simply turning the handle side-ways or
completely round, thus effecting efficient and simple means for the purpose.
To enable the case to be completely emptied of its liquid contents or nearly so,
and prevent anything entering the outlet pipe that would tend to obstruct the
passage, I place on the end of the discharging pipe a suitably inclined or
angular nozzle or rose perforated with holes, descending to the bottom of the
extinguisher case.
To prevent the vessel or bottle being broken when dropped into the nozzle, I
place under the head of the vessel or bottle a ring or band of india rubber or other
suitable substances, which can be placed on before being used.
The advantages accruing from this Invention are that it is self-contained and
complete in itself, dispensing with the use of screw-keys, mallets, or any other
loose parts necessary for operating those at present in use, thus increasing the
facilities for immediate use, which is very. essential at the commencement of a fire.
Also the simplicity and rapidity by which it can be charged and re-charged being
effected by sliding or swivelling the cap or cover from over the nozzle, when the
vessel or bottle can be dropped in, then shut to the swivelling cap which locks or
fastens itself, being then ready for immediate use, the appliances for operating it
being self-contained and can be used by any one at will.

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I RALPH DOWSON of 2 Castle Street, Bolton in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRE," and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
:
My Invention relates to improvements in that class of fire extinguishing
apparatus known as a chemical fire-engine, or, what is better known by the name
of "extinguisher," in which a vessel is provided containing an alkaline solution
and a bottle containing acid, together with convenient means for effectively and
readily breaking the said bottle, so as to mix the alkaline solution and acid
when the apparatus is required to be. used, causing carbonic acid gas and liquid
to be projected on the fire; with increased facilities for charging and re-charging
the same when requisite or necessary.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into operation, I will proceed to describe the annexed sheet of Drawings, reference
being made to the figures and letters marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a chemical fire-engine or "extinguisher" with
my improvements applied. Fig. is a plan looking on the top side. Fig. 3 a
plan shewing the swivelling cap open for the purpose of charging the extinguisher,
with the funnel or tun-dish removed. Fig. 4 is an outside elevation of the nozzle
shewing the side on which the swivelling cap operates; and Fig. 5 the opposite
side to Fig. 4.
The case A of the "extinguisher" is made of suitable metallic materials, such
as, sheet copper, and tinned iron; the top side being made in the form of a dome,
as shewn, or, in any other convenient form as desired. On the top of the dome is
placed the metallic nozzle B, provided with the perforated projecting cavity
chamber C extending downwards inside the casing A of the "extinguisher," in
which the self-adjusting bottle D containing the acid is placed, being held or
supported on the circular projection E at the bottom of the cavity chamber C.
The nozzle B extending upwards from the top of the "extinguisher" is provided
with the notched or lipped cavity or recess for receiving the india-rubber joint
ring or valve F, which is for the purpose of forming an air-tight joint when the
swivelling cap or cover G is placed in position over it as shown in Figs. 1 and 2;
the cap G being secured to the nozzle B by the bolt or set screw H, attached to
the flange or projection I on the outer flange of the said nozzle. For the purpose
of firmly securing the swivelling cap or cover G when shut, as in Figs. 1 and 2,
the nozzle is provided with the L or angular piece or projection J, under which
the cap or cover G slides; the pressure on the cap or cover G and india rubber ring
or valve E being nil, until such times as the self-adjusting bottle is broken and
gas and pressure generated, when the overhanging internal lip on the india rubber
ring or valve F is pressed tightly by the pressure generated against the underside
of the cap or cover G, thereby making a perfectly tight joint.
For the purpose of opening and closing the swivelling or sliding cap or cover G,
it is provided with the handle K, thus, when it is desired to open the "extinguisher"
for the purpose of inserting a charge or otherwise, the cap or cover G is swivelled
or slided sideways as shewn in Fig. 3.
To facilitate the charging of the "extinguisher" with water or solution, the
bell-mouthed funnel or tun-dish L is provided, being supplied with the circular
flange M, the latter being made sufficiently strong to dispense with supports from
the side of the nozzle on which the cap or cover G swivels, being secured and'

page_text: supported on the opposite side to the top end of the nozzle B by the bracket N
and angular projection J.
To ensure safety and protect the swivelling cap or cover G from flying open
when in use or otherwise, the side of the nozzle is provided with the lipped
spring a, which acts on the pin b fastened to the underside of the handle K, as 5
shewn in Fig. 2. When it is desired to open the nozzle of the "extinguisher," it
is effected by simply pressing the spring a inwardly until the lipped point o,
liberates the pin b, when the cap or cover G can be opened as in Fig. 3. The outer
end of the spring a, is so constructed that when the cap or cover is closed, it
yields and allows the pin b to pass the point c; when it is shut perfectly the 1
spring locks it in position, from which it can only be liberated as stated..
"
To prevent the self-adjusting bottle D being broken when dropped into the
cavity chamber C, the underside of the head O is provided with a groove in which
the india-rubber ring P is inserted..
After the self-adjusting bottle D is broken, and the contents of the "extinguisher"
discharged, it is necessary that the fragments should be emptied, to ensure this
the perforated metallic bell-mouthed dish R is provided, being secured to the
case A and the underside of the nozzle by convenient means, by which, when the
extinguisher" is inverted the broken glass or fragments will slide out. The
form of this dish is necessary owing to the projecting nozzle, without which it s
would be difficult to remove the fragments. The dish R and cavity Care perforated
to allow the full force of the pressure in the "extinguisher" to act on the india
rubber ring or, valve F.
For the purpose of facilitating the breaking of the self-adjusting bottle D
containing the acid, the case A of the "extinguisher" is provided with the boss f
and stuffing box d and gland e, in which is placed the swivelling or revolving
spindle g, to which is secured by casting or otherwise the swivelling or revolving
arm h, and hammer or mallet i. On the end of the spindle ġ outside the
"extinguisher" and stuffing box, the handle j is placed, by which the swivelling
or revolving ärm h and hammer i, are operated to break the self-adjusting bottle Ď
when necessary, which is effected by simply. turning the handle j sideways or
completely round, and which is such a simple action, that it is competent for any
person to use it.
To enable the "extinguisher" to be emptied of its liquid contents or nearly so,
as well as to prevent anything entering the outlet tap S that would tend to
obstruct the passage through it, the bent pipe and perforated nozzle T is provided,
descending to the bottom or nearly so of the "extinguisher" case A, as shewn
in Fig. 1.
For the purpose of carrying the "extinguisher," the handles W are provided,
being also furnished with the necessary straps (not shewn) for saddling it on the
operators back if necessary.
"
The advantages of my Invention are that it is self-contained, dispensing with
the use of screw-keys, mallets, or any other loose parts necessary for operating
'extinguishers" at present in use, thus increasing the facilities for immediate use; -
which is essential at the commencement of a fire. Also the simplicity and rapidity
by which it can be charged and re-charged, being effected by sliding or swivelling
the cap or cover from over the nozzle, when the self-adjusting bottle can be dropped
in, after which the sliding or swivelling cap is closed, locking or fastening itself,
when the "extinguisher" is again ready for immediate use, the appliances for
operating it being self-contained, and which can be used by the operator at will.
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
1st The use and employment of the nozzle B; cavity chamber C; swivelling or
sliding cap or cover G; and the india-rubber ring or valve F; when used in
connection with fire extinguishers," applied and operating substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth,

page_text: 2nd The use and employment of the self-adjusting bottle D, for the purpose
herein stated, substantially as described and as shewn on the Drawings.
3rd The construction and use of the swivelling or revolving spindle g, hammer i,
and arm h, with the various connections for supporting and operating the same,
when used for the purpose herein described, and as shewn on the Drawings.
Dated this 6th day of Mav 1884.