Improvements in Automatic Fire-alarm Apparatus for use in Houses.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 18th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Fire-alarm Apparatus for use in
Houses.
I, ALFRED WALDEN of Hyde Farm Yeldham Essex Farm Steward do hereby
leclare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to means for automatically giving an alarm when the
temperature of a room has risen above a certain degree. And has for its object to
provide a simple and effective means for so doing.
My improved apparatus consists of a cord attached at one end by sealing wax or
other substance which liquefies at a low temperature, to any convenient point at the
top of the wall. This cord passes round the cornice of the room, small pulleys.
being provided at each corner, over which the cord runs, passing through the wall
at its other end which supports a weight. To this weight is attached one end of a
loose wire connected with a bell or other alarm. Should a fire occur in the room;
the cord would get burnt, or the sealing wax would melt, releasing the weight,.
which on falling would give a sudden and strong pull to the wire and set the
aların off.
The cord might be used in connection with an electrical apparatus, which would
make contact immediately the cord was released causing the alarm bell to ring in.
any suitable manner.
When used in hotels or large houses any well known form of indicating device.
could be connected with the cord which would show the room from which the alarm.
proceeded.
.. ניבד
101 x of Tamnow 1005
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant..
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Fire Alarm Apparatus for use in
Houses.
1, ALFRED WALDEN, of Hyde Farm, Yeldham, Essex, Farm Steward, 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:―
This invention relates to means for automatically giving an alarm in case of fire,.
and has for its object to provide a simple and effective means for so doing.
My improved apparatus consists of a cord, attached at one end by sealing wax
or other substance which liquefies at a low temperature, to any convenient point at
the top of the wall. This cord passes round the cornice of the room, small pulleys
being provided at each corner, over which the cord runs, passing through the wall
at its other end, which supports a weight. To this weight is attached one end of a
loose wire, connected with a bell or other alarm. Should a fire occur in the room,.
the cord would get burnt, or the sealing wax would melt, releasing the weight,
which on falling would give a sudden and strong puli to the wire and set the
alarm off.
The cord may be cut at various parts and a number of conuections made with
fusible material in order that it may give way more readily, immediately the
temperature rises sufficiently. The cord might be used in connection with an

page_text: electrical apparatus which would make contact immediately the cord was released,
causing the alarm bell to ring in any suitable manner.
When used in hotels or large houses, any well known form of indicating device
could be connected with the cord, which would show the room from which the alarm
proceeded.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. is an elevation of part of the device, showing the wall of the room in
section,
Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the weight employed at the end of the cord
attached to a switch, and
Fig. 3 is a spring contact maker, which may be used in lieu of the weight.
A is the cord, preferably made of highly inflammable material, and supported
by the small rollers or pulleys B, arranged at suitable intervals around the room.
To the end of this cord is attached the weight C, provided with the wire, chain or
cord D, leading to an alarm E, shown in Fig. 2, as an electric switch, with wires E¹
leading to a suitable arrangement, such as a bell, situated at a convenient point.
The alarm can thus be readily tested at any time by pulling the wire D. According
to Fig. 3 the cord A is attached to a rod sliding in a small cylinder G, and with
a spring H, tending to force it downwards and cause the end to bear upon the
contact piece F, inserted in a small insulating plug J, the device being connected
by the wires K to any suitable alarm apparatus.
The arrangement is such, that when the cord A gives way, the spring H will
cause contact to be made immediately and the alarm to be given. The cord A is
shown with a number of joints or connections A', of fusible material, arranged at
suitable distances apart. The cord being made of inflammable material, in the
case of a sudden blaze it will catch fire and break, without waiting until the
increase of temperature has melted the fusible joints, while, if the flame does not
reach it, the fusible joints will rapidly melt. These joints can be made to melt at
any temperature desired.
Should the device get out of order or the cord break, alarm will be given, thus
immediately showing the disarrangement of the parts, and the whole arrangement
can be put together at any time without requiring any skilled workman. The
device may easily be connected on to any existing electric bell.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) An automatic fire alarm device, consisting of a cord, stretched along the
'cornice of a room or across it in any suitable manner, and connected at its free end
to an electrical or mechanical alarin in such a manner that when the cord breaks
the alarm will be given, substantially as described.
(2) In an automatic fire alarm device, the combination of a cord passing over
pulleys around the walls or ceiling of the room, having one, two or more fusible
joints, with a weight attached to its end connected to an electrical or mechanical
alarm, substantially as described.
(3) In an automatic fire alarm device, the combination of a cord passing over
pulleys around the walls or ceiling of the room, having one, two or more fusible
joints, with a spring contact device connected to it in such a manner that when the
cord gives way, the alarm will be given, substantially as described.
(4) The improved automatic fire alarm device, arranged and operating substan-
.tially as described and shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.