APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES, AND ALARMS OF FIRE :-
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 20th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 9th Mar., 1888
I JACOB HENRY RADCLIFFE Southgate Street Oldham, Lancashire Iron and
Tinplate Worker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows,
APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES, AND ALARMS OF FIRE :-
I construct an apparatus, to attain these objects, by Mechanical, Chemical, and
Electrical combinations, illustrated by the annexed Drawings and Specification.
Sheet 1 are two views of a strong tinned iron vessel, which I use for generating
Carbonic Acid Gas, in solution with water by means of Sulphuric Acid and
Bi Carbonate of Soda. On this vessel I attach handles H on the sides, for carrying
purposes.
My Invention consists in the attachments for above named objects, and Automatic
Action.
On this sheet my Invention is shown attached.
Fig. 1 Side View. Fig. 2 Back View.
To some machines I fix three feet G on the bottom. A is a tube to convey the
extinguishing fluid, from the vessel. B is an iron rod which I fi.. to the bottom hoop,
and to a plate underneath the tap L, this rod is for a guide, for the suspended
weights W, hung by a wire K and attached to the wall V at one end.
On this wire fix one or more links of an alloy metal of the following proportions
by weight Tin 2 parts Lead 3 parts Bismuth 5 parts.
1 place these links some distance apart, the wires I prefer to use in lengths, and
make a coupling with an alloy metal link, fixing the wires thereto, so the coupling
being fused, the wire is parted and the weight W falls pulls the chain and the wheel
round, thereby splitting the Acid Bottle neck at R Sheet 2 Fig. 1, by the downward
action of the quick threaded spindle, acting on the bottle bottom, while the stopper at
bottle neck, is held, by the adjustable set pin P, thereby causing a combination of
the Sulphuric Acid and solution of Bi-Carbonate of Soda and Water, Also letting
a hinged part of Electric switch fall, thereby connecting the wires and completing the
electric circuit to ring an alarm bell.
Sheet 3 Figs. 3. 4 and 5 are three views of my switch. Fig. 5 is my switch as

page_text: though held apart at E, desconnecting the electric wires, by a suspended weight.
When the coupling is fused, the weight is liberated and falls, letting E fall, and the
electric circuit is completed.
This switch I make partly of wood and partly of Copper, Fig. 3 is a square of
wood, a hole made in at A, this I cut in two parts, as the line indicates, so that I can
attach them with screws, together at C and D, this when fixed will clip the water tube A,
and be firm, the other screws are for fixing copper wire, and hinge on the wood.
The electric wires are fixed to the projecting ends of the hinged wire at A and C
Fig. 4.
I use the Le Clanche battery to generate the current of Electricity.
Sheet 2 Fig. 1, A Screw Cap, I make in the following manner: A the wheel at top
front view or plan of this is shewn at D Fig. 7 Sheet 3, with the chain hooked in
the manner shewn for Automatic Action Machines. Screwed in the machine at the
top as shown with chain D attached Fig. 1 Sheet 2, on machines not automatic, I use
a handle on spindle shewn Fig. 6 Sheet 2, these machines I make of various sizes, to
be carried by a person or as fixtures. C is a spiral Steel Spring. S, E, F, a valve
made by a collar, on bottom of spindle, with the screw cap, D is a small hole for
passing a wire pin through, to lock the spindle, during charging. The spindle has a
four threaded worm, made on to cause a quick motion. The screw cap has a case
attached to hold an acid bottle, to this; I fix three steel straps, one with a circle
turned on, at the end, to act as hinge as at O, Fig. 1 Sheet 2 the other having loops or
hooks on as shewn Fig. 8. The Acid Bottle I put in this case as shewn, and fix it
by means of the adjustable set pin P, Fig. 2 is plan of cover, for acid bottle case,
the set pin P passing through the centre, this cover is hinged by the circle, on the end
of the strap as shewn. The Acid Bottle is shewn in two parts, this is to shew that
bottles and straps, are made to any required length, for any required size of machine.
Sheet 3 Fig. 1, is a plan of cast plate for attaching weights at A and B [Drawing
half size] C is a hole which slides on tube A sheet 1 D is a hole which slides on iron
rod B, Sheet 1, Fig. 1 to act as guide to weight.
Sheet 3, Fig. 6 is a swivel and pipe. Side view of a tap and wheel, this pipe
conveys water, to the swivel circular distributor of water. The tap is opened by the
falling weight as shewn suspended Fig. 7 Sheet 3 with wire, and metal alloy coupling
attached.
Sheet 3 Fig. 4 is a section shewing how I make this swivel. F F the pipes cut in
two parts to shew they may be made to any required length. Fig. 5 is the form I
bend the pipes, and I put holes in at L, M, N, O, P, and Q, the ends made up.
The water passing out at these holes named acts against the atmosphere, causing the
swivel to revolve, thereby, giving a circular distribution of water. Fig. 4 the arrows
and grooved part V and W denote passage of water. E part of swivel, T is a button
headed set pin, to hold revolving part of swivel from getting out of its place.
Sheet 1. Fig. 1 and 21 refer to again and further explain, the chain D hangs loose
as shewn, the switch I fix at F on tube. E is a pully connected with tube A, the
chain passes over,
C is a plate for fixing iron rod B. L is a tap for fixing jet to.
Dated this 21st day of March 1887.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Extinguishing Apparatus and Alarms of Fire.
I JACOB HENRY RADCLIFFE Iron and Tinplate Worker, 9 Southgate Street Oldham,
in the county of Lancashire 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:-
I attain these objects by Mechanical, Chemical, and Electrical combinations,
illustrated by the annexed Drawings and Specifications.
:
Sheet No. 1, represents two views of a Fire Extinguisher, which I make of sheet
Metal prefering Tinned Iron, to form a cylindrical vessel, in which I use Salts of
Soda, in solution with water, and an acid to be mixed with it when required, to
generate Carbonic Acid Gas, in the vessel, to forcibly eject the fluid for the purpose
of extinguishing Fire. On this vessel, I fix two hanilles H on the sides for carrying
purposes.
My Invention, consists in the attachment-set forth, and manner of placing a ground
stoppered Acid Bottle, in an inverted manner as shown, and breaking the bottle by a
lever, either automatically, or otherwise suitable to the varied requirements, and sizes
of machines. Sheet 1, are two views of an Automatic machine; large size, side and
front view.
On this sheet my Invention is shown. Fig. 1 is side view. Fig. 2 is back view,
of a machine with the attachments, on large machines I fix three feet on bottom
hoop for bolting the machine to the floor. A, Tube to convey the extinguishing fluid
from the vessel. B Iron Rod which I affix to the bottom hoop foot, and to a plate
underneath the tap L, this rod is for a guide for the suspended weights W, which
are held in suspension, by a wire K, one end attached to wall V, on this wire I affix
one, or more links of an alloy of metal, the links, I make are made of a fusible alloy
metal. The form, I prefer is the washer, and the wire 1 cut into such lengths as I
may require, and connect them by puiting the ends of the wire through the hole in
the link and wrapping the ends tight, so that when the link is fused, the suspended
weights W falls, and being attached to a chain, and the chain passing over a
pulley, and round a wheel at the top of the quick threaded spindle, rotates the
spindle, thereby breaking the acid bottle neck at R Sheet 2 Fig. 1. by its down-
ward motion, The form of this wheel is shown Fig. 7 Sheet 3 so as the chain will
be released before it has revolved once round.
The Acid bottle is stopped with a ground stopper and put in case, inverted, as
shown, and the end of spindle acting against the bottle bottom, in its action, The
stopper is held by the adjustable set pin P thereby breaking the bottle neck, and
causing a combination of the Acid and Soda which instantly creates Carbonic Acid
Gas, also the falling of the weights, lets a hinged part of an electric switch fall
thereby completing the Electric circuit to ring an alarm bell. I use a falling weight
by similar means to open a tap; to supply extinguishing fluids as water, apart from

page_text: the cylindrical vessel. I also use a spring as shewn to open a Tap, having sufficient.
force to act as a falling weight.
Sheet 3. Fig. 3, 4, and 5 are three views of Switch. Fig. 5 is a view of my switch,
held apart at E, disconnecting the electric circuit, by the suspended weight, when a
link is fused, the weight is liberated, and falls, letting switch part E fall, and the
electric circuit is completed.
This switch I make partly of wood, and partly of copper. Fig. 3 is a square of
wood, a hole made in at A, this wood I cut in two parts, as the line indicates, so that
I can attach them together with screws at C and D this when fixed will clip the
water tube and be firm the other screws are for fixing copper wire and hinge on the
wood, the electric wires are fixed to the projecting ends of the hinged wire at A and (*
Fig. 4.
I use the Le'Clanche batteries to generate the Electric Current.
Sheet 2, Fig. 1, 1 place a screw cap on the machine; I make in the following
manner
A represents a wheel at top, plan of this wheel is shown Sheet 3. Fig. 7 at D and
the chain is hooked in the manner shown when used for Automatic Action, I use a
handle on top of spindle as shown Sheet 2, Fig. 6 to machines that are not for
automatic action; these machines I make of various sizes, to be carried by a person.
The handle is to use instead of the wheel; by the hand, as a lever to break the
bottle neck. C is a spirial spring. S, E, F, is a valve made underneath screw cop
by means of a collar near bottom of spindle, for the male part and the screw cap
which spindle passes through as she part of the valve. D is a small hole for passing
a wire lock pin through; the cap, on side of spindle to prevent the spindle being
turned except by withdrawing this lock pin, at the end of this wire pin when passed
through the hole and in its place, I put a little scaling wax or what is known as a
wafer, so that the wire could not be taken out and the bottle broken without leaving
an indication of what had taken place, and the machine could be recharged, without
laving received any damage from the action of Acid.
The spindle has a four threaded worm made on, to cause a quick motion, as shown.
The screw cap has a case attached to it to hold an Acid Bottle, on this case I fix
three steel straps at a triangle to each other, one has a circle turned on to act as
part of a hinge, as shown at O, the others have loops turned on as shown, the Acid
bottle put in this case and fix it in by an adjustable set pin P. Fig. 2 is a plan of
the cover for acid bottle case, set pin P passing through the centre, this cover is
hinged by the circle on the end of the strap as shown.
Sheet Fig. 1 represents a small, portable Fire Extinguisher, I make a screw
cap for this extinguisher with an Acid Bottle Case attached as before described, in
this, I dispense with the four threaded spindle, spring C, and valve S, F E, and
instead use a stuffing box B, and a spindle A, laving a collar at the bottom, where
it acts against the hottle bottom, by a blow, on the top knob C, this knob I make to
screw on and off the spindle when required, under the knob I place a paper tube,
passing it on the spindle and resting it on the screw cap, this machine is made ready
for using by striking the knob at the top, breaking an inverted acid bottle, same
time crushing the paper tube, which I use for the purpose of an indicator, so that if
the acid bottle be broken the tube is crushed which can be seen, and that the machine
requires recharging.
Sheet 3, Fig. 1 is a plan of cast plate for attaching weight or weights to at A
and B. is a hole in plate which slides on tube A, D is a hole which slides on an
iron rod B Sheet 1, Fig. 1 to act as a guide for weight.
Sheet 3, Fig. 6, is a swivel and pipe, side view of a tap and wheel, this pipe
conveys water to the circular distributor of water, the tap is opened by the suspended
weight as shown, Fig. 7 Sheet 3, with wire and metal alloy couplings or links
attached.
This wheel and chain hooked on shews the manner the chain is hooked on the top
of whee. Fig. 1, Sheet 1, for making an automatic rotation of the spindle to break
acid bottle as described.

page_text: Sheet 2, Fig. 4 represents a section, how I make this swivel distributor, F, F,
the pipes, shown cut in two parts, denoting they may be made to required lengths,
Fig. 5 is the form I bend the pipes, I put holes in at L, M, N, O, P, and Q, the
ends made up, water passing out at holes, acts against the atmosphere, causing the
swivel to revolve thereby giving a circular distribution of water, Fig. 1. The arrows
and grooved part V, W, denote the passage for water E part of swivel, T is a button
headed set pin, to hold the relvolving part of swivel, from getting out of its place.
Sheet 1, Fig. 1 & 2, I refer to again and further explain, the switch I fix at F on
tube A, E is a pully connected with A; the chain passes over, C is a plate for fixing
iron rod B, L is a tap for fixing jet to; with spirial spring attached as shown.
I again refer to Tap, shown with circular distributor of water, Sheet 2 also at
Fig. 6 Sheet 3, this tap I construct with a four threaded spindle and spring as shown,
Sheet 2, Fig. 1, on the screw cap, without the collar at bottom of spindle, to open
the tap, the spindle and spring revolves in a contrary direction, to the one shown to
act against the bottle bottom, i.c., tap has the ordinary mode of lifting valve off the
1 seat, to allow a passage for water, I also use a small pully, on the spindle, in place
of a handle, on this pully I fix a wire and convey the other end where required,
with fusible links fixed on as required, thus keeping the tap closed, until one of the
links is fused by fire and to stop the water, after the fire is out, I place a second wire
on the pully, which, when pulled down, turns the pully in a contrary way to the
spring and so closes the valve and stops the water.
Having now described my Invention what I claim is,
The making of Fire Extinguishers as shown.
The fixing of a ground, stoppered, Acid Bottle inverted, held by means of screw
pin or other subsitute.
The use of a paper tube, to be crushed, and breaking of the sealing wax or wafer
as described, for the purpose of denoting when a bottle has been broken.
The breaking, by means of a lever, an acid bottle, when attached to screw cap of a
Fire Extinguisher.
The fixing of an alloy metal (fusible) link to wires, to cause Automatic, Electric
Alarms, and automatic fire Extinguishers to be set in action, as described herein.
The opening of Taps, by a suspended weight or spring, as described.
The fixing of a tap, to or behind a water distributor, as set forth.
The vending of the charges for these machines.
JACOB HENKY RADCLIFFE.