Improvements in Fire-extinguishing Apparatus.
Year: 1884

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Improvements in Fire-extinguishing Apparatus.
.[Communicated from abroad by Caleb Clark-Walworth, of Boston, Manufacturer,
and Osborn Boylston Hall, of Malden, Salesman, both in the State of
Massachusetts, United States of America.]
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE,, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co. Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, in the County of Middlesex do hereby
declare the nature of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-EXTINGUISHING
APPARATUS” 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 automatic fire-extinguishing apparatus and comprises
improvements in the automatic distributors which are arranged upon a system of
distributing pipes, and which are closed by metal which will fuse when the heat
reaches the danger point, the valve being thereby liberated, and the water delivered
into a deflector, which distributes it over the required area.
In the accompanying Drawing
Figure 1 shows in elevation, the extinguisher attached to a T coupling which is
interposed between two lengths of the water-distributing pipe, sections of which
are also shown,
Figure 2. is an elevation of the extinguisher, viewed from the right of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same, on the line z, z, Figure 1,
and as viewed from the right in that Figure.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line x, x, Figure 2, and as viewed from the
left in that Figure.
Figure 5 is a section on line y, y, Figure 2, showing in plan that part which is
below the said line.
Figure 6 is a sectional underside view, on the line w, w, Figure 2.
Figure 7 is a top view of the extinguisher.
Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 but showing a modified form of the
securing fusible metal.
Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the vertical arm soldered to
the supporting frame.
Figure 10 is a similar view to Figure 1, showing the method of securing the
vertical arm by means of a plug.
Figure 11 is a section similar to Figure 3 but showing the method of securing
the vertical arm as in Figure 10.
Prins B21

page_text: A indicates a common T-coupling, in the respective ends of which are threaded
the water-pipes B, B. A composition nipple a formed with an angular collar b for
manipulating it, is screwed into the thimble c of the coupling A. A rectangular
supporting-frame formed with an upper bar d, a lower bar d, and side bars e, e', is
secured in place by its upper bar; the enlarged central portion of which is threaded
upon the lower portion of the said nipple a, so as to be vertically adjusted thereon.
A valve f is arranged centrally in the said frame, and is so held by its stem / which
is arranged to slide freely in a hole in the centre of the said lower bar d. The
packing g, seated centrally in the valve f, serves as the seat against which the
lower end or face of the nipple à bears to form a water-tight joint, when the
extinguisher is adjusted for use. A circular rim i, is formed upon the valve f which
rin acts a deflector of the water as it escapes from the nipple a, when the valve is
released and falls, as will be explained. All the above described devices, are of
common, and well known construction.
· For the purpose of holding the valve f in a raised position to secure the
engagement of the packing g with the nipple a, and also to release the valve to
render the extinguisher operative, I provide the following devices, that is to say.
A rock-shaft is journalled to rotate freely in lugs 1,j' formed upon the lower side
of the.bar d, and a short arm l, having a square transverse passage to receive the
square portion m of the shaft k, is arranged between the lugs jj¹, so as to be
central to the bar d', the said rock-shaft being so arranged that the prolongation of
the axis of the stem h, would pass slightly to one side thereof. Upon the end of
the said shaft is secured a longer arm n at right angles to the arm 7, and so arranged
that when the valve is to be secured by a removable link or pin, as will be described,
the said arm will, when raised, abut against. the vertical bar e of the frame, as
shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8,. When so arranged a stud u is formed at the
top of the frame, and a link v of fusible metal is placed over the upper part of the
arm and the said 'stud, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, thereby holding the arm
in place and the valve raised against the nipple a, until the link gives way from
the effect of heat at the intended temperature.
W
-...
Instead of the link which encloses the stud u and arm n, a headed bar w may be
employed, which would be seated in corresponding open slots formed in the upper
parts of the said arm and stud, as shown in Figure 8. When the arm n abuts
against the bar e, as shown in Figure 1, it may be soldered thereto; but if it is to
be soldered, I prefer the construction shown in Figures 9, 10, 11, where the arm is
outside the bar, and may be secured by solder, as shown at p, Figure 9. When so
constructed, instead of soldering, the arm may be secured in place by a plug of
fusible metal, (shown at t,) which may be removed and replaced as desired; and
which resists the pressure upon the valve.
It will be obvious that when the arm n has been secured in place, adjacent to the
bar e, either by the link v, or by soldering the bar and arm together, and the
supporting-frame has been turned upon the nipple, to the extent to produce the
requisite pressure between the nipple and the valve-packing, the valve rests upon,
and is supported by, the short arm 1, which latter is held in position by the arin n
acting through the rock-shaft. It is also obvious that when the arm n is released
by the giving way of the heated fusible metal which had confined it, the pressure
upon the arm will depress the same, and allow the valve to fall; tho moving
parts assuming the position shown by dotted lines in Figure 1.
€
In order that the rock-shaft may be arranged as near the path of the stem has
desired, the central part of the eye portion of the arm is cut away, as shown, in
Figures 4, 5, 6, in order that it may not interfere with the free rising-and falling
motion of the valve and its stem h. The rock-shaft and arms, n may be
formed as an entire casting, or either of the said arms may be formed as an integral
part of the shaft, with the other arm removable; but I prefer the construction
shown. By arranging the armi n adjacent and parallel to the bar e the two may, if
desired, be, soldered together at any point in the length of the arm, thereby
producing any desired degree of sensitiveness in the action of the extinguisher,

page_text: and when the said arm is secured at its upper end by solder, the difference between
its length and that of the arm is such that when the solder gives way from the
effect of heat, the arm n can move such distance before any material escape of
water takes place, so that the arresting of the arm 1 by the water cooling the solder
is entirely obviated.
The fusible links employed to secure the long lever in place may be readily
formed in molds, and may be of any desired strength that' the water-pressure may
require. The said links may be kept always ready for use, and can be instantly
applied or removed, and if desired as matter of extreme caution, may at stated
periods be replaced. By their ready removal, and by slightly moving the arm n
the valve may be tested as to whether it has adhered to the nipple; which test
cannot be so surely performed by turning down the frame on the nipple, as in that
event the valve, although adhering to the nipple, will be loosened therefrom by the
very act of turning down the frame, when, if the solder-secured support of the
valve had given way, it would not have been separated from the nipple by the
water-pressure. Besides, the valves may be tested by removal of the links at any
time, without the presence of a skilled person to resolder, as would be necessary if
the valves were secured in that manner. When the link is employed as shewn,
it is an impossibility that the escaping water should interfere with the effective
working of the device, for the reason that water cannot escape until the arm n has
commenced to move, that such movement cannot take place till the link or bar is
broken, and when broken it is impossible that its instantaneous cooling could in
any way impede the downward movement of the arm n and the consequent
falling movement of the valves.
By arranging the arm n to extend above the valve, and so as to be secured at
its upper end the danger of the solder being reset by the cooling action of water
thereon after the valve has partially opened, is obviated, as the water that escapes
when the valve is but slightly opened falls downward, and hence cannot reach the
solder above the valve, and before the water escapes with sufficient force to be
deflected upwards the liberation of the arm n is fully effected.
It will be obvious that changes may be made in the details of construction
without departing from the nature of this Invention, which consists essentially in
arranging a pivotal support at one side of the prolongation of the axis of the valve,
with an arm on said pivotal support arranged to sustain the valve when closed, and
an arm at one side of the valve to control the pivotal support, the said arm
extending up the side of the frame, and adapted to be secured in place by fusible
metal.
I am aware that diversely-arranged levers for supporting the valve of fire-
extinguishers and secured in position by fusible metal have heretofore been used;
therefore I do not claim such as my Invention.
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 I claim
in fire extinguishing apparatus:-
First. The combination with the supporting frame and valve of a rock-shaft or
pivotal support arranged at one side of the vertical axis of the valve, a short arm
arranged on the said shaft to support the valve when closed, and a longer supporting
arm connected with the said shaft arranged at the side of the said frame and
secured thereto by fusible metal, substantially as specified.
Second. A rock-shaft or pivotal support arranged in bearings on the lower
horizontal bar of the supporting frame, at one side of the axis of the valve, an arm
on the said shaft arranged beneath the valve to support the same, and a longer arm
arranged on the said shaft, and secured to the frame above the valve by fusible
metal, substantially as specified.
Third. The combination with the valve and supporting frame, of a rock-shaft or
pivotal support arranged at one side of the vertical axis of the valve, an arm pro-
jecting from the said shaft beneath the valve to support the same, a longer arm
supported by the said shaft and arranged at, or near, the side of the frame, and a

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projection or stud on the frame arranged to receive a fusible link to secure the
said longer arm thereto, whereby the valve is secured in position when closed,
substantially as specified.
Fourth. A rock-shaft or pivotal support arranged at right angles to the axis of
the valve, and at one side thereof, a short arm projecting from the said shaft to
support the valve, and a longer arm supported by the said shaft and arranged to
be secured to the side of the frame by fusible metal at varying distances above the
axis of the valve, whereby the sensitiveness of the valve may be varied as desired,
substantially as specified.
Fifth. The combination with the valve, of a rock-shaft or pivotal support
arranged at one side of the vertical axis of the valve, a short arm arranged on the
said shaft to support the valve when closed, and a larger arm arranged on the said
shaft at one side of the valve and secured by fusible metal substantially as
specified.
5
Sixth. The combination of the nipple a the valve f, a supporting frame, the rock-
shaft or pivot k, its valve-supporting arm 1, and the retaining arm n arranged to be
secured to the frame by fusible metal, substantially as specified.
*Dated this Fourth day of March 18es
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