Improvements in Fire-sprinklers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application. 16th Dec.. 1899
Conplete Specification Left 17th Sent 1900-Accented 26th Oct.
1900
Co oplete Specification Left, 17th Sept. 1900—-Accepted 26th Oct
1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Fire-sprinklers.
We, GEORGE WILLIAM BELDAM, M.A. Cantab., of Boston Lodge, Brentford,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, and WALTER SELBY COLES, of 35, Priory
Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex, Insurance Broker,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:
-
This invention has reference to "fire sprinklers," that is to say, to devices
used in buildings or rooms in connection with a service of fire extinguishing
fluid, for the purpose of automatically supplying this fluid into the room or build-
ings should they get on fire, and putting out the fire.
According to this invention, in connection with devices or apparatus of this
type, we employ as the means of normally keeping the fluid supply orifice or
conduit of the sprinkler or device closed, celluloid, zylonite, vulcanite, or other
analogous or equivalent readily combustible material, and which would quickly
burn in the case of fire: or material which shrinks at comparatively low tem-
perature, (such as celluloid), so that the apparatus will come into action should
no flame actually come in contact with the combustible material, or should the
temperature be below that at which the material ignites. In some cases, however,
to effect the actuation of the apparatus under the conditions referred to, a small
stud or piece of homogeneous metal which will melt at a low temperature, may be
used in conjunction with the combustible material.
According to one construction, the celluloid, zylonite, or other suitable material,
is in the form of a sphere, and it supports and holds in place a valve or closing
device, which normally closes the extinguishing fluid discharge orifice of the
device, the sphere itself being placed and supported in position by a stud or other
movable device, carried by a bracket, bar, or other part or provision on the
sprinkler. In the case of a screwed stud support being employed, this stud is
operated from below, and when turned, simply moves up the sphere and presses
on the ring periphery, or other part of a disc or valve covering the discharge
orifice.
The disc or valve may be of india-rubber, metal, or other suitable material for
the purpose; and in some cases, the support or rest referred to may be cupped
on the upper part, or provided with arms, or the like, to serve as a seat for the
sphere.
As regards the form of the celluloid, zylonite, or other combustible material,
this, in some cases, may be in the form of a flat or oval piece, or of other con-
figuration or form suitable to the purpose, in lieu of being spherical. Further,
in cases where the zylonite, or other material, is in the form of a flat piece or
equivalent form, a metal spring may be used in connection with it.
According to a modified form or construction of sprinkler, there is employed in
special cases an outer casing or covering of zylonite, celluloid, or other equivalent
material, enclosing within it the automatic or releasing parts. This outer casing or
covering in one form may be of cupped, bell, or equivalent form, the edges being
adapted to fit in a recess, ring, or seat on the sprinkler provided for it; and may
be held in place by a stud, or the like, fitting or screwing into a part of the device,

page_text: say at the lower end; and in one form the lower end of the stud for keeping the
closing device in place may serve the purpose, a nut and washer, say of homo-
geneous metal or equivalent material, being employed so that the heat of the
fire would destroy the case, and get at the releasing parts as soon as the flame
reached it, or the temperature rose a certain degree. This modification or improve-
ment connected with sprinklers is more particularly of service where the atmos-
phere about the sprinklers contains acid fumes, dust, or the like, as it prevents
the access of these substances to the valve or operated part, which is objectionable.
The sprinklers according to this invention, are in most cases provided with a
device for breaking up or distributing the extinguishing fluid; and this device
may be cup shaped, or winged, or provided with ribs, onto which the fluid impinges
as it is discharged. In some cases, the device may be in the form of a propeller,
and adapted to be revolved by the pressure of fluid striking it, so throwing out
and distributing and breaking up the fluid. This device may suitably be placed,
beyond the releasing device.
Dated this 15th day of December 1899.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicants' Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire-sprinklers.
We, GEORGE WILLIAM BELDAM, M.A. Cantab., of Boston Lodge, Brentford,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, and WALTER SELBY COLES, of 35, Priory
Road, Bedford Park, Chiswick, in the County of Middlesex, Insurance Broker,
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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention has reference to "fire sprinklers," that is to say, to devices
used in buildings or rooms in connection with a service of fire extinguishing
fluid, for the purpose of automatically supplying this fluid into the room or build
ings should they get on fire, and putting out the fire.
According to this invention, in connection with devices or apparatus of this
type, we employ as the means of normally keeping the fluid supply orifice or
conduit of the sprinkler or device closed, celluloid, zylonite, vulcanite, or other
analogous or equivalent readily combustible material, and which would quickly
burn in the case of fire; or material which shrinks at a comparatively low tem-
perature, (such as celluloid), so that the apparatus will come into action should
no flame actually come in contact with the combustible material, or should the
temperature be below that at which the material ignites. In some cases, however,
to effect the actuation of the apparatus under the conditions referred to, a smalĺ
stud or piece of homogeneous metal which will melt at a low temperature, may be
used in conjunction with the combustible material.
According to one construction, the celluloid, zylonite, or other suitable material,
is in the form of a sphere, and it supports and holds in place a valve or closing
device, which normally closes the extinguishing fluid discharge orifice of the
device, the sphere itself being placed and supported in position by a stud or other
movable device, carried by a bracket, bar, or other part or provision on the
sprinkler. In the case of a screwed stud support being employed, this stud is
operated from below, and when turned, simply moves up the sphere and presses
on the ring periphery, or other part of a disc or valve covering the discharge
orifice.

page_text: The disc or valve is, preferably, of vulcanized rubber, vulcanite, or other
material, such as lignum-vitae, woodite, or the like, suitable for the purpose;
and in some cases, the support or rest referred to may be cupped on the upper part,
or provided with arms, or the like, to serve as a seat for the sphere.
As regards the form of the cellulcid, zylonite, or other combustible material,
this, in some cases, may be in the form of a flat or oval piece, or of other con-
figuration or form suitable to the purpose, in lieu of being spherical. Further,
in cases where the zylonite, or other material, is in the form of a flat piece or
equivalent form, a metal spring may be used in connection with it.
According to a modified form or construction of sprinkler, there is employed in
special cases an outer casing or covering of zylonite, celluloid, or other equivalent
material, enclosing within it the automatic or releasing parts. This outer casing
or covering in one form may be of cupped, bell, or equivalent form, the edges being
adapted to fit in a recess, ring, or seat on the sprinkler provided for it; and may
be held in place by a stud, or the like, fitting or screwing into a part of the device,
say at the lower end. In one form, the lower end of the stud for keeping the
closing device in place may serve the purpose, a nut and washer, say of homo-
geneous metal or equivalent material, being employed so that the heat of the
fire would destroy the case, and get at the releasing parts as soon as the flame
reached it, or the temperature rose a certain degree. This modification or
improvement connected with sprinklers is more particularly of service where
the atmosphere about the sprinklers contains acid fumes, dust, or the like, as it
prevents the access of these substances to the valve or operated part, which is
objectionable.
The sprinklers according to this invention, are in most cases, provided with a
device for breaking up or distributing the extinguishing fluid; and this device
may be cup shaped, or winged, or provided with ribs, onto which the fluid impinge
as it is discharged. In some cases, the device may be in the form of a propeller,
and adapted to be revolved by the pressure of fluid striking it, so throwing out
and distributing and breaking up the fluid. This device may suitably be placed,
beyond the releasing device.
This invention is illustrated in the annexed drawing, in which Figure 1 is a
sectional elevation shewing one modification or construction of the apparatus; and
Figure 2 is a section shewing a modification of the construction shewn in Figure 1.
Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figure 1 in the first in-
stance, a is the body of celluloid zylonite, or other suitable material, which nor-
mally closes and keeps closed the extinguishing fluid discharge orifice of the
device. In the form shewn, it is spherical. is the head or fitting of the
sprinkler in which the discharge orifice is provided, and which supports the other
parts or fitting of the apparatus: and c is the discharge orifice in it. d is the
valve or closing device, it being disposed, as shewn, over, or in the mouth of the
discharge orifice e; and held in place by the sphere a. e is a threaded stud,
supported in, and screwed through the lower end of the bracket f, by which the
sphere is pressed upwards, and holds the valve on its seat; the bracket f being
formed on and springing from the sprinkler hrad b.
In the case shewn (but it is not always necessary) an outer casing or covering h
of zylonite, celluloid, or other equivalent material, is employed outside the parts
above described. This case is in the form of an inverted bell, its upper edge
fitting in an annular recess in the sprinkler head : and it is held in place from
its lower end by the nut i, screwing onto the end of the stud e, and a metal
washer k, the function of which is to conduct the heat of the fire to the casing
as quickly as possible in case of fire, and so allow the releasing parts within the
case h to be acted upon by the heat of the fire as quickly as possible.
In the drawing, also, there is shewn a distributing device 7 held in place by
the stud e, onto which the extinguishing fluid would discharge from the orifice c;
and by it, the fluid would be broken up or distributed.
In the modification shewn in Figure 2, the sprinkler head or fitting b is of metal;

page_text: whilst the mouth of the orifice on which the valve or closing device will sit,
is shewn provided with a lignum-vitae ring or seat c', screwed into b; and the
valve or disc which would be used in connection with this seat, would also be of
lignum-vitae or its equivalent; or the valve only, or seat only could be made of
such material. The advantage and effect of having this valve or closing device
of lignum-vitae, woodite, or its equivalent, is that it is important that the valve,
or valve seat, should be not effected by the action of the extinguishing water or
Huid which it has to hold back; and also that the valve should be practically non-
corrosive; as when it is released in case of a fire taking place, and should it be
corroded, it is very probable that the force of fluid will not be sufficient to move
it; and hence by the use of materials referred to, and more especially lignum-
vitae, these effects are obviated, and the device is rendered quite trustworthy.
Lignum-vitae is specially serviceable in this respect in that it does not shrink,
and is very serviceable when in contact with water. As stated, the valve and
valve seat may be of this material, or one may be of this material, and the other
of a suitable metal, such as brass, or other alloy, or a suitable metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. In a fire-sprinkler, a body of material readily combustible when subjected
to fire or heat, or which shrinks at a comparatively low temperature, adapted to
close, or keep closed, under normal conditions the extinguished fluid discharge
orifice substantially as described.
2. In a fire-sprinkler, a body of material readily combustible when subjected
to fire or heat, or which shrinks at a comparatively low temperature, adapted to
close, or keep closed, under normal conditions the extinguishing fluid discharge
orifice; and a valve or closing device between this body and the discharge orifice,
and held in position through this body: substantially as set forth.
3. In a fire-sprinkler, a valve or valve seat employed in connection with the
discharge orifice for the extinguishing fluid, of lignum-vitae or equivalent
material, the valve being held normally upon its seat, and adapted to be released
through the removal or shrinkage of the body or device supporting it, through the
heat caused by a fire; for the purposes set forth.
4. In a fire-sprinkler in which a valve or closing device is employed in con-
nection with the discharge orifice for the extinguishing fluid, and is held up by
a body which readily burns, shrinks, or melts, through the heat caused by a fire,
a case of readily combustible material enclosing same for the purposes specified.
5. In a fire-sprinkler, a head 6 having a fluid discharge orifice c; valve d;
body a; and supporting stem e; substantially as herein set forth.
6. In a fire sprinkler, a head b having on its under side the discharge orifice
closing means, and the case h, fitting in the head b, and held in place, substan-
tially as described.
7. In a sprinkler, a head bhaving the discharge orifice c; a valve d of material
as specified; and a sphere a of material as specified, pressed up on to the valve d;
substantially as set forth.
8. The sprinkler having the parts arranged, constructed, and adapted to operate
as shewn in and set forth with reference to Figure 1 of the drawings.
9. In a sprinkler, the construction of head with valve and seat, as set forth with
reference to Figure 2 of the drawings.
Dated this 15th day of September 1900.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
Applicants' Patent Agents, 15, Water Street, Liverpool.