Improvements in Automatic Fire Extinguishing Sprinklers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 8th Aug., 1892-Accepted. 10th Sept., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Fire Extinguishing Sprinklers.
I CHARLES WILLIAM SUMMERSKILL of Hockley Heath, in the County of
Warwick Apiarian do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of the improvements in fire extinguishing sprinklers
hereinafter described.
In order to make according to one of my improvements a fire extinguishing
sprinkler which will be set into operation on the occurrence of a fire and the flow
of water through which will be arrested on the cooling of the apparatus but which
flow of water will be again set up on the rekindling of the fire, I construct and.
arrange the parts of the said sprinkler in the following manner.
The chamber or case of the instrument is connected at top by a central pipe with
the water supply. A circular valve having an axial rod which is situated in the
axis of the said axial pipe when raised. closes the said pipe and shuts off the water
and when the said valve is depressed it permits the flow of water to the sprinkler
by which the said water is distributed in the ordinary way. The said valve is
supported in its raised position and allowed to fall on the occurrence of a fire in
the following way. The said valve rests upon two connected arms or levers which
support it on opposite sides. The ends of these arms or levers are immediately
over a horizontal oscillating lever the arms of which are situated at different levels.
The said horizontal oscillating lever is connected with a thermostat consisting of a
coiled compound metallic bar one end of which is fixed to the case of the instrument
and the other connected with the oscillating lever. When the apparatus is in its
normal state and the place where the sprinkler is situated is of the ordinary
atmospheric temperature that arm of the oscillating lever which is at the higher
level is under the connected arms on which the valve rests. When by the action
of heat the thermostat is brought into operation the oscillating lever changes its
position that arm which is under the connected arms passing out of action and
allowing the connected arms and valve to descend but that arm of the oscillating
lever which is at the lower level is brought into action and supports the valve at
its lower open position and permits the flow of water. When by the extinction. or
diminution of the fire the thermostat reverses the position of the oscillating lever
the valve is no longer supported and falls upon the top of the sprinkler tube
shutting off the water.
The sprinkler tube itself slides in a socket or sleeve having arms at opposite
points by which arms the said sleeve and sprinkler tube can be supported at the height
last referred to of the sprinkler tube. When however the arms and socket are
allowed to descend the top of the sprinkler tube.descends with them and the valve
being prevented from, descending further the water way is again opened and the
sprinkler again brought into operation. Thus, on the occurrence of a fire the
sprinkler is brought into operation and on the extinction or partial extinction of
the fire the water is shut off and should the fire revive the sprinkler is again brought
into operation. The way in which the motions described for effecting this are
brought about in the following manner.
When the apparatus is in its set or normal state the sprinkler and the tube in
which its axis is situated as well as the socket or sleeve in which the axis of the
sprinkler works are in their highest positions and are maintained there by means
of appliances fixed by solder melting at a low temperature. The solder by which
the sprinkler is held in its highest position melts at a temperature lower than that

page_text: by which the cross arm of the sleeve or socket of the sprinkler tube is held in its
raised position and the first effect of heat is to melt the solder by which the
sprinkler is supported and to operate the thermostat. By the actions last described
the sprinkler is brought into operation on the occurrence of a fire and thrown out of
operation when the fire is extinguished or nearly extinguished. Should however
the fire revive, when the temperature is sufficiently high to melt the solder by
which the socket or sleeve of the sprinkler tube is supported, the said socket
descends and with it the sprinkler tube the valve which closed the top of the
sprinkler tube being supported, the waterway is again opened and the sprinkler
again brought into operation. The appliances connected with the sprinkler are of
the kind hereinafter described with reference to my second improvement.
According to another of my improvements the thermostat I employ for closing
the valve on the extinction of the fire and cooling of the instrument or apparatus
consists of a thin closed metallic vessel. The vertical axial rod of the thermostat
is connected with a crank carried by a horizontal axis; the ends of this horizontal
axis carry arms in vertical planes which arms make with each other an angle of
about forty degrees. Each of the said arms is bent near its lower end at about a
right angle, the bent parts being turned inwards at somewhat different levels.
When the apparatus is in its set or normal condition, that is, when the thermostat
is cool, one of the said bent ends engages under a projection on one side of a flap
valve and supports the said valve in its raised position and thereby permits the
water in the body of the instrument or apparatus to pass through an opening under
the said flap valve to the sprinkler. On the occurrence of a fire the axial rod of
the thermostat descends and operating through the crank, horizontal axis and arms
described the said arms are moved through a small angle; the turned in end of
that arm supporting the flap valve is withdrawn and the said flap descends; but
the turned in end of the other arm has by the motion of the horizontal axis been
brought under a projection on the edge of the flap valve opposite to that on which
the projection last referred to is situated. The flap valve is thus arrested in its
descent and the passage for the water maintained open. When however on the
extinction of a fire the instrument or apparatus cools, the reverse motion of the
vertical axial rod of the thermostat giving a reverse motion to the arms described,
the last described support of the valve is withdrawn and the valve completing its
descent closes the water passage at the bottom of the case through which the
water has to pass to the sprinkler and prevents injury by the sprinkling of water
after the fire is extinguished..
The sprinkler I employ is somewhat similar to the ordinary sprinkler but has the
following appliances. In order to support the sprinkler in its normal or raised
position 1 employ a compound horizontal bar which crosses the underside of the
sprinkler and is supported by being soldered in position by a fusible solder. On
the occurrence of a fire the soldering or fusible alloy is melted and the arm
supporting the sprinkler falle. The valve closing the water pipe descends opening
the said pipe and delivering water to the sprinkler.
The sprinkler and appliances connected therewith herein before described may be
used apart from the thermostat and the mechanism actuated by it for the shutting
off of the water on the cooling of the apparatus. That is to say, the said sprinkler
and appliances may be employed in the same way as the sprinklers now in general
use, for sprinkling water on the occurrence of a firo without automatically shutting
off the water on the extinction of the fire.
Dated this 10th day of October 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Fire Extinguishing Sprinklers.
I CHARLES WILLIAM SUMMERSKILL of Hockley Heath, in the County of
Warwick Apiarian, do hereby declare the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of the improvements in fire extinguishing sprinklers
hereinafter described.
In order to make according to my invention a fire extinguishing sprinkler which
will be put into operation on the occurrence of a fire and the flow of water through
which will be arrested on the cooling of the apparatus, but which flow of water will
be again set up on the rekindling of the fire, I construct and arrange the parts of
the said sprinkler in the following manner.
The chamber or case of the instrument is connected at top by a central pipe
with the water supply. A circular valve having an axial rod which is situated
in the said axial pipe when raised closes the said pipe and shuts off the
water; and when the said valve is depressed it permits the flow of water to
the sprinkler by which the said water is distributed in the ordinary way. The
said valve is supported in its raised position and allowed to fall on the
occurrence of a fire in the following way. The said valve rests upon two
connected arms or levers which support it at opposite sides. The ends of these
arms or levers are immediately over a horizontal oscillating lever the arms of which
are situated at different levels. The said oscillating lever is connected with a
thermostat consisting of a coiled compound metallic bar one end of which is fixed
to the case of the instrument and the other connected with the oscillating lever.
When the apparatus is in its normal state and the place where the sprinkler is
situated is of the ordinary atmospheric temperature that arm of the oscillating
lever which is at the highest level under the connected arma on which the valve
rests. When by the action of heat the thermostat is brought into operation, the
oscillating lever changes its position, that arm which is under the connected arms
passing out of action and allowing the connected arms and valve to descend, but
that arm of the oscillating lever which is at the lower level is brought into action
and supports the valve at its lower open position and permits the flow of water.
When by the extinction or diminution of the fire the thermostat reverses the
position of the oscillating lever, the valve is no longer supported and falls upon the
top of the sprinkler tube shutting off the water.
The oscillating lever having arms at different levels may be employed without
the connected arms. The valve is supported at its highest position to close the
water way by an axial rod, and the valve on its descent is supported on the lower
arm of the oscillating lever to open the water way.
The sprinkler tube itself slides in a socket or sleeve having arms at opposite
points by which arms the said sleeve and sprinkler tube can be supported at the
height by which the water is shut off. When however the arms and socket are
allowed to descend the top of the sprinkler tube descends with them and the valve
being prevented from descending further, the water way is again opened and the
sprinkler again brought into operation. Thus on the occurrence of a fire the
sprinkler is brought into operation and on the extinction or partial extinction of
the fire the water is shut off and should the fire revive the sprinkler is again
brought into operation.
The way in which the motions described for effecting this are brought about is
as follows;-
When the apparatus is in its set or normal state the sprinkler and the tube in

page_text: which its axis is situated as well as-the-socket or sleeve in which the axis of the
sprinkler works are in their highest positions and are maintained there by means of
appliances fixed by solder melting at a low temperature. The solder by which the
sprinkler is held in its highest position melts at a temperature less than that by
which the cross arm of the sleeve or socket of the sprinkler tube is held in its
raised position and the first effect of heat is to melt the solder by which the
sprinkler is supported and to operate the thermostat. By the action last described
the sprinkler is brought into operation on the occurrence of a fire and thrown out of
operation when the fire is extinguished or nearly extinguished. Should however
the fire revive when the temperature is sufficiently high to melt the solder by which
the socket or sleeve of the sprinkler tube is supported, the said socket descends
and with it the sprinkler tube, the valve which closed the top of the sprinkler tube
being supported, the water way is again opened and the sprinkler again brought into
operation.
In order to support the sprinkler in its normal or raised position, I employ a
compound horizontal bar which crosses the underside of the sprinkler and is
supported by being soldered in position by a fusible solder. On the occurrence
of a fire the soldering or fusible alloy is melted and the sprinkler falls. The valve
closing the water pipe descends opening the said pipe and delivering water to the
sprinkler.
I will now describe with reference to the accompanying drawings the manner in
which my invention is to be performed.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 represent vertical sections of an automatic fire extinguishing
sprinkler constructed according to my invention. In Figure 1 the parts of the
apparatus are represented in their set or normal positions ready for use, the central
pipe in connection with the water supply being closed and the sliding sprinkler tube
in which the axis of the water sprinkler or distributor is situated and the socket
or sleeve of the said tube are in their highest positions. In Figure 2 the parts of the
apparatus are represented in the positions which they respectively occupy after
the water supply pipe has been opened by the descent of the valve and in
Figure 3 the parts of the apparatus are represented in the positions which they
respectively occupy after the sliding sprinkler tube and its socket or sleeve
have descended for reopening the water way and again bringing the sprinkler
into operation.
Figure 4 represents a plan of the thermostat and the oscillating lever of the
same; Figure 5 represents a vertical section of the lower part of the apparatus
taken in a plane at right angles to that in which the section Figure 2 is taken,
the said Figure 5 exhibiting the arrangement for supporting the sprinkler tube in
its highest position; Figure 6 represents a plan of the sprinkler tube and sleeve
and Figure 7 represents a plan of upperside of the sprinkler or distributor;
Figure 8 represents in elevation; Figure 9 in horizontal section with a portion in
elevation, the soldered half-ring used for supporting the sleeve and sprinkler tube.
Figures 10 and 11 represent elevations taken in planes at right angles to one
another of the lower part of the apparatus and exhibit the compound bar for
supporting the valve in its highest position and Figure 12 represents a plan of
underside of the said compound bar.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several figures of the
drawings.
a is the chamber or case of the apparatus the axial pipe b at the top of the said
chamber being connected with the water supply. The bottom of the said axial
pipe constitutes a valve seat e against which the circular valve d is raised and
supported. When the valve d is in its raised position Figure 1 the pipe 6 is closed
and the water supply cut off, and when the said valve descends to and is supported
in the position represented in Figure 2 the pipe 6 is opened and water passes_to
the sprinkler or distributer e to be distributed in the ordinary way. The valve
rod has at top the triangular guide which works freely in the pipe b and

page_text: guides the valve in its motion. The valve dis also guided by the uprights ƒ ƒ
in the case or chamber a. The valve d is supported in its highest position or the
position represented in Figure 1 by the rod g. having at its bottom the sprinkler
or distributer e the said sprinkler e, its rod and the valve, being supported in their
normal or raised positions by the compound horizontal bar hereinafter described
crossing the underside of the said sprinkler or distributer. The rod 7 of the
distributer e, which rod is provided with the open guide g³, is situated in the axis
of the sliding tube h working in and being guided by the concentric lower part a³
of the case or chamber a. The said sliding tube is capable of descending to the
position represented in Figure 3 for reopening the water way as hereinafter
described. Below the partition in the chamber or case a of the apparatus is the
thermostat i consisting of a coiled compound bar of iron and zinc or other metals
unequally expanded by equal elevation of temperatures. One end of the coil of the
thermostat is fixed to the case a at i and the free end of the said coil is connected
to the slotted arm i³ (see Figures 1 and 4) at the lower end of the vertical axis i
carrying the horizontal oscillating lever,, the arms of which are situated at
different levels. The top horizontal arm of the lever is for the purpose of sup
porting the valve d in its open position should the thermostat be inoperative, and
the lower horizontal arm is for the purpose of supporting the valve in the open
position represented in Figure 2. When the thermostat is in its normal condition,
the oscillating lever iº, has the position represented in Figure 1, that is the
upper arm is situated under the valve d and on the descent of the said valve
it will be supported in its open position by the said arm should the thermostat not
act but the lower arm is not situated under the said valve. When however the
thermostat is set in action by the expansion by heat of its coil, an angular motion.
is given to the lever, the upper arm of the lever being withdrawn from
under the valve and the lower arm being brought under the said valve as repre-
sented in Figure 2, by which arm the valve is supported on its descent. When
the thermostat i by the extinction or diminution of the fire reverses the position of
the oscillating lever,, that is, restores it to its normal position Figure 1, the
lower arm of the said lever is withdrawn from under the valve d which being
unsupported falls upon the top or sent h² of the sliding sprinkler tube h thereby
shutting off the water.
The sliding sprinkler tube is supported in the position Figures 1 and 2 and
allowed to fall into the position represented in Figure 3 for reopening the water
way and for again bringing the sprinkler into operation, should the fire revive, in
the following way. The sliding sprinkler tube h carries near its bottom, the sleeve
or disc which works in the concentric lower part a' of the case or chamber a.
The said sleeve or disk k has at opposite points projecting arms ³, ³ (see Figures 5
and 6) which work in vertical slots k, in the said lower concentric part a³ of the
case or chamber a. On the lower part a³ of the case or chamber a is a half-ring
or band provided at opposite points with ledges, on which the projecting
arms, of the sleeve or disc k rest, thereby supporting the said sleeve and the
sprinkler tube in the positions represented in Figures 2 and 5. The loose half
ring or band / is soldered by a fusible solder to the part a' at the lip a' on the said
part a. When by the fusing of the solder by which the loose half ring or band I
is connected to the part a' of the case, the said half ring or band falls; the sleeve
or disk being no longer supported descends and with it the sprinkler tube / into
the position represented in Figure 3, which sprinkler tube is supported in its
lowered position by its top flange or seat A resting on the top of the part a' of the
case or chamber. As the valve d, which was supported on the top of the sliding
tube his prevented from descending with that tube, the water way is again opened
and the sprinkler again brought into operation as seen in Figure 3.
I will now describe the compound bar by which the rod of the sprinkler or
distributer e is made to support the valve d in its raised position Figure 1, the said
compound bar being situated under and crossing the said sprinkler or distributer e.

page_text: The said compound bar consists of two pairs of arms acting as levers, the top
pair, which is hollow, being marked m and n and the bottom pair, which is also
hollow. being marked p and g. The vertical parts of the top pair of bars m, n
take into notches at r, in the sides of the concentric lower part a³ of the case or
chamber of the apparatus and the ends of the lower pair of bars p, 9 are respec-
tively engaged with the top pair of bars m, n at opposite sides as seen in Figure 1.
The interlocked bars of the top pair are prevented from being separated by lateral
pressure by the wedge piece m² on the bar m bearing against the inclined shoulder n²
on the other barn (see Figure 1). It will be seen by an examination of Figures 1,
10, 11 and 12 that the bar n is situated under and supports the upper bar m and
that the two interlocked bars mi, n are supported by the interlocked under bars p, q.
After the bars have been thus arranged the key piece s is passed into holes in the
lower pair of bars p, q as shown in Figure 1 and the said key piece and lower pair
of bars are fixed in position by fusible solder being melted upon them. The solder
used for soldering the bars p, q and the key pieces fuses at a lower temperature
than that used for securing the half ring or band to the part a³ of the case.
temperature which fuses the solder of the bars p, q and key piece s is sufficient to
set in operation the thermostat i for causing the oscillating lever ³, to take the
position Figure 2.
The
The interlocked or compound bars described and illustrated, which act as levers,
effectually support the closed valve Figure 1 against the liquid pressure to which it
is subjected, but on the fusing of the solder of the bars p, q and key pieces the
parts of the compound bars separate and permit of the descent of the valve to open
the water way.
The compound bars m, n, p, q and key pieces may be used with sprinklers other
than the sprinkler herein before described and represented.
A disc of paper or other light material fixed on the underside of the sprinkler
or distributer e closes the bottom of the apparatus and prevents the entrance of dust.
For the purpose of adjusting with nicety the length of the axial rod g which
supports the valve d in its highest position I employ the adjusting screw g
I will now describe the general action of the automatic fire extinguishing
sprinkler.
When the apparatus is in its set or normal position as represented in Figure 1,
the valve d is supported against the valve seat c and the water way closed by the
rod of the water distributer e and the latter is supported by the compound
bar m, n p, q and the soldered key piece s. The sprinkler tube and its disc or
sleeve are also supported in their raised positions by the half ring which is
soldered at a to the lower part a³ of the case or chamber a. On the occurrence
of a fire the bars p, y and key piece s are unsoldered, the parts of the compound
bar m, n, p, 9 are released and separate and the distributer e and its rod g fall and
with them the valve d. The heat which fused the solder of the bars p, q and key
piece brings the thermostat i into operation and by the action of the said
thermostat, the oscillating lever, is made to take the position represented in
Figure 2 thereby bringing the lower arm i under the valve d. On the fall of the
valve d it is supported on the arm i as represented in Figure 2 and the water way
is opened, the water passing through the chamber a and sprinkler tube h and
falling upon the distributer e acts in the usual way. Should the thermostat be
inoperative the valve d on falling is supported upon the top arm of the oscillating
lever and thereby opens the water way. After the fire has been extinguished or
nearly extinguished and the apparatus cools the return motion of the coils of the
thermostat i brings the lever, into its normal position Figure 1 and the valve
being unsupported falls onto the top or seat of the sprinkler tube h as indicated
in dotted lines in Figure 2 and the water supply is cut off. In case the fire revives,
the action of the heat now melts the solder by which the half ring is secured to
the lower part a' of the case and the tube h being unsupported falls into the
position represented in Figure 3, leaving the valve d in the position shown in the

page_text: said Figure 3. The water way is again opened and the sprinkler again brought
into action. In this way the sprinkler is automatically brought into operation on
the occurrence of a fire and thrown out of operation when the fire is extinguished
and should the fire revive the water way again reopened.
•
Figure 13 represents in vertical section and Figure 14 in plan of underside the
arrangement of my invention in which the valved is connected to the arms u, u of a
forked lever which support it on opposite sides the ends of the arms of the said lever
being situated over the horizontal oscillating lever,, the arms of which are situated
at different levels. The said oscillating lever is connected with the thermostat i.
When the apparatus is in its normal state and the thermostat is not in action, the
higher arm of the oscillating lever, is under one of the arms of the forked
lever u, u to which the valve is connected. When the thermostat is brought into
operation the change of position of the oscillating lever causes its upper arm i to
pass out of action and brings the other lower arm under the valve, which valve
on being released by the melting of the solder of the lower pair of bars,
P. 1 and
key piece of the compound bar falls upon and is supported on the lower arm
and the water way thereby opened. When by the extinction or diminution of the
fire, the position of the oscillating lever is reversed, the valve being unsupported
falls upon the top of the sprinkler tube / thereby shutting off the water as herein-
before described with respect to the arrangement represented in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
The sprinkler and appliances connected therewith herein before described may be
used apart from the thermostat and the mechanism actuated by it for shutting off
the water on the cooling of the apparatus. That is to say, the said sprinkler and
appliances may be employed in the same way as the sprinklers now in general use
for sprinkling water on the occurrence of a fire without automatically shutting off
the water on the extinction of the fire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that I
claim as my invention of "Improvements in automatic fire extinguishing
sprinklers
"
First-The combination with a thermostat of the oscillating lever hereinbefore
described and illustrated, for supporting the valve of the sprinkler in a position for
opening the water way, when the said valve is permitted to fall and for closing the
water way on the extinction or diminution of the fire and also for supporting the
valve in its open position should the thermostat be inoperative, the several parts
being arranged and acting substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
Secondly-The modification of the parts herein before described and illustrated
in Figures 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings in which the valve is connected
to a forked lever and the latter is supported by the two armed oscillating lever in
connection with and worked by the thermostat.
Thirdly; The combination with the sprinkler or water distributer of the axial
rod described and represented for supporting the valve in its highest position, and
the arrangement or combination of the parts described and represented of the
compound horizontal bar fixed in position by fusible solder for crossing and sup-
porting the sprinkler or distributer and through it and its rod the valve in its
highest position. Also the use of the said compound horizontal bar with sprinklers
other than the sprinkler hereinbefore described and represented.
Fourthly The use of the axial sliding sprinkler tube described and illustrated
for supporting the valve in a position to close the water way after the position of the
oscillating double armed lever has been reversed by the cooling of the thermostat ;
and the combination with the said sliding sprinkler tube of the parts described and
illustrated for supporting the said tube in its highest position and permitting of its
descent for reopening the water way should the fire revive substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: Lastly-The general arrangement or combination of the parts of an automatic
fire extinguishing sprinkler hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
Dated the Sixth day of-August 1892.
CHARLES WILLIAM SUMMERSKILL.