Year: 1888

page_text: We, SAMUEL MCCOLLEY GODFREY, of 80 Van Buren Street, Attorney at Law, and
CLINTON GEORGE MEEKER, of 2401 South Park Avenue, Salesman, both in Chicago,
United States of America, 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
The invention relates to fire-extinguishers of every kind in which any of the novel
features hereinafter described may be advantageously employed, but more particularly
to the class of chemical fire-extinguishers commercially known as portable fire
extinguishers, its general object being to provide an apparatus operative at will either
as an automatic, or a non-automatic apparatus, and which when employed in either
manner will act to the greatest possible advantage
The invention has particularly for its object, to provide an apparatus which in
the presence of fire will act promptly and effectively and independently of manipu-
lation by an operator or of any assistance whatever derived from any agency or
agencies not contained within itself, except a certain amount of heat resulting
from the fire, necessary to free certain mechanical devices which bring about the action
of the apparatus
The subordinate features of the invention have for their object, to automatically
control the discharge of the extinguishing-fluid from the reservoir of the
apparatus so that it is allowed to escape only when a predetermined high propelling
pressure is attained, enabling the discharge of the fluid to a greater distance thin
would be the case if discharged as soon as the chemical action ensued, also to
control the direction and most effective manner of discharge of the extinguishing-
fluid
The invention consists in the improvements hereinafter described
The prominent features of a fire extinguisher embodying our invention, may be
enumerated as follows
The reservoir, which is adapted to contain a suitable quantity of alkaline fluid carries
in its interior preferably in a fixed position, frangible receptacle adapted to contain a
suitable quantity of acid or acidulated fluid Means are provided for demolishing the
said frangible receptacle and causing the acid contained therein to be precipitated into
the carbonated solution, the said means preferably consisting of a plunger which is

page_text: projected against the sud receptacle through the agency of a bolt actuated by a spring
or other mechanical power secured in operitive position by mechanical devices which
are freed by the operator, or through the action of heit sufficient to melt an easily
fused illoy or solder employed about the said mechanical devices, substantially in the
manner herein ifter described
The extinguishing-fluid discharge pissage carries preferably at or near its
receiving end within the reservoir, a seal preferably composed of soft metal,
adapted to prevent the escape o discharge of the fluid from the reservoir,
until following the intermixing of the acid and alkaline quantities, a certain
chemical piessure is reached, capable of collapsing or forcing the sud seal from
its seat
The nozzle or final point of fluid discharge is provided with an adjustable deflector,
operative to direct the passage of the fluid discharged therefrom from a strught line
if desired, and to convert the same into spriy
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the preferred manner of carrying out
the invention
Figure 1, is an outside elevation of a chemical fire extinguisher embodying the
sever il features of our invention
Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof looking in the direction indicated by the row
therein shown, the reservoir being partly in vertical section
Figure 3, is a vertical central section illustrative of the operation of the apparatus
some parts being in side elevation
Figure 4, is an enlarged detail, mainly in vertical section, showing the operative
arrangement of the fringible receptacle breaking plunger and its accessories, which
we employ
Figure 5, is a broken detail showing the manner in which the bolt which actuates
the frangible receptacle breaking-plunger is secured in operative position
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail of the lower end of the fluid discharge pipe,
particularly intended to show the arrangement in connection therewith of the seal
which prevents the escape of the fluid from the reservoir until a high gas pressure is
attained therein
Figure 7, is a detail intended to show the arrangement and operation of the fluid
deflector in connection with the discharge nozzle
Referring to the several figures in the drawings, in which like letters denote similar
parts
-
A indicates the reservoir perferably formed of galvanized steel and capable of with-
standing an internal pressure of about 200 pounds to the square inch B indicates a
perpendicular discharge pipe which extending nearly to the bottom, internally of the
reservoir is provided at its upper end on the outside of the closing-cap a thereof,
through which it is projected with a nozzlo B¹
B is cone-shaped deflector adjustably held to the nozzle B¹ by means of its stem 6*
and the bearing bracket 63 forming part of or fixed to said nozzle The said stem b³
18 axially and perpendicularly movable in the hearing 63, enabling the vertex of the
deflector to be swung immediately in alignment with the centre of the vent of the
nozzle, or to either side thereof, or to be moved entirely beyond the range of discharge
from the nozzle, likewise enabling adjustment thereof in a direction perpendicularly
toward or from the nozzle, it being secured in any of its positions of adjustment
preferably by means of a set screw 6 seated in the bearing bracket as shown, arranged
to impinge igorously upon the said stem
C indicates a frangible receptacle such as glass or the like rigidly sustained within
the reservoir, adapted to hermetically contain acid or acidulated fluid
D refers to a tube or cylinder which projects downwardly within the reservoir
toward and in alignment with the said frangible recepticle Within the sad tube is
located a longitudinally movable plunger F which effects the breakage of the frangible
receptacle The said plunger is provided at its lower end with a head f which overlaps
the passage which forms its bearing in the cap-piece d located at the lower end of the
said tube, being provided at its upper end with a head f' against which the resiliency

page_text: of coiled-spring E¹, which rests by its lower end gunst the cap-piece d, is constantly
directed for the purpose of holding said head f against said cap-piece Between said
hend fand the cap d is desirably interposed flexible washer or gasket f' which
insures a perfectly closed joint about the said parts when the plunger is in its normal
position
E indicates a bolt located within the cylinder or tube D between the upper cap D¹
thereof and the plunger F, which is held in operative position against the resilience
of an actuating spring E' which bears at its upper end against the interior of sud
cap D and at its lower end against a shoulder e formed on the sud bolt, by a strap D'
which is connected with the bolt by a pin or screw e¹ located at its upper end and
with a pin d projecting from an upward extension d³ of the said cap, a suitable
opening being provided in sud cup for the passage of sud strap
The said strap is preferably composed of sections d', de which are held together by
solder or alloy adapted to fuse at low temperature
The acid receptacle C is supported in position beneath the plunger F by a bracket C¹,
within which it is located, which is sustained by a brachet (fixed by its upper end to
the tube D The basket C is connected with sud bracket by means of a hook c
located beneath the bottom of the bisket, which works in a suitable opening provided
in the supporting end of said bracket The recept icle C is further secured in
position by means of i wire or strap 9 which embraces its neck or upper portion, the
sud wire or strap being connected with a detachable head or nipple G which is carried
by the head f of the plunger F preferably in the manner illustrated in Figure 4, and
which is adapted to be freed therefrom when the plunger performs its fiangible
receptacle breiking function
The discharge-pipe B is provided it or about its lower termination with a seal N
formed of material adapted to collapse or to be driven from its seat when a desirable
pressure, say of about sixty pounds to the square inch is generated within the reservoir
The said sel is matter of preference is operatively arranged in connection with the
said discharge-pipe as follows,-
The end of the sud pipe is provided with an enlarged portion or barrel M within
which is located a perforated diaphragm m The lower end of the barrel is provided
with a removible cap-picce M arranged when fixed in place to live suitable spice
between its upper end and the said diaphragm, being counter-bored as shown to
receive a removable nipple m¹ The seal is located within the cup-piece against the
annular projection formed by the termination of the counter-bore, being held thereto
by the end of the nipple when fixed in position
The operative adjustment of the apparatus is as follows,—
The cap a of the reservoir which is preferably in the form of a screw-threaded nut,
provided with radially extended arms a¹ is removed, the nipple m¹ is removed from
the cap-piece M' of the barrel M of the discharge pipe B, the se il N is located in
position within the cap-piece and the nipple is returned to its plice, impinging agunst
the seal The cap d carrying the plunger F is removed from the tube D, the bolt E
with its surrounding neturting spring is inserted in the tube and forced gunst the
resistance of the spring into the position shown in Figure 4
The strip D² having
been primarily fixed to the bolt by the pin or screw e¹ is connected with the pin
and the cap
is returned to its proper place
The wire or strap 9 1 placed around the neck or upper end of the receptacle C,
the receptacle is located in position within the basket C, the bishet is connected
by means of its hook c with the bracket (the detachable head or nipple G con-
nected with the wire or strap 9 15 connected with the head of the plunger E and
the cap a sustaining the several parts is returned to its position
The deflector B being adjusted in the desired position with relation to the
nozzle B', the apparatus is in working order
The operation of the apparatus is as follows
The bolt E being freed by the removal of the strap D³ from the detaining pin dª,
or by separation of the sections d d thereof through the melting of the solder or
alloy which holds the same together the bolt is carried by its spring E³ in the

page_text: direction of the plunger F, striking and carrying the same forward with forco
sufficient to break the receptacle C "The spring E being of such length that it
no longer exerts strain upon the bolt E when the bolt reaches the plunger, the
spring E retracts the plunger from its forward or breaking point of travel to its
original position, releasing the head or nipple G and therefore the wire or strip g
and the acid recept icle C, the receptacle being free, through the hooked connection
of the bisket with the bracket to tip over or be capsized within the reservoir
precipitating its contents into the carbonated solution and producing instantaneous
Chemical action When a sufficient gas pressure has been reached through such
chemical action, the seal N is driven from its seat provided in the barrel M, as
shown in Figure 3, allowing the extinguishing fluid to be driven from the reservoir,
through the escape pipe B, with great force
The deflector B being adjusted in position within the line of discharge of the fluid
from the nozzle B₁ causes the fluid to be converted into spray, which is the most
effective manner in which the same can be employed for the extinction of a fire
In the presence of fire the app iratus is readily self icting The alloy or solder
which holds the sections of the strup D together being dipted to melt at about
140° Fahrenheit, releases the bolt E when i fire is in its incipiency
It will be noted that the employment of the seal N in connection with the
discharge-pipe B not only en ibles the automatic discharge of the extinguushing fluid
when the apparatus is put in action, but absolutely shuts off the contents of the
reservoir from all exterior influences calculated to dimage the same when the
apparitus is inactive
While we have shown and described particular forms of construction herein I wish
to be distinctly understood as not limiting my self to the exact details so shown ind
described, it being obvious that various modifications of construction can be made
in apparatus of the kind herein described without departing from the nature of the
invention
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said,
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First in a chemical fire extinguisher, the combination of a reservoir adapted to
contain chemical or chemicalized fluid, frangible receptacle within sud
reservoir which contains another chemical, a plunger within the reservoir arranged
and adapted to be driven with breaking force against the frangible receptacle by the
impact of bolt actuated by a spring or other mechinical power which is held in
operative position by mechanical devices adapted to be freed exterior of the reservoir
by the operator or through the action of heat sufficient to melt easily fused alloy or
solder employed about the sud mechanical devices and a fluid discharge-pipe having
communication with the interior and exterior of the reservoir, controlled us to the
discharge therethrough of the fire extinguishing fluid by a seal interposed between its
flund receiving and discharging end, operative to normally close the said discharge
pipe and to be collapsed or driven from its seat by a high gas pressure generated
within the reservoir, substantially as herein set forth
1
Second In chemical fire extinguisher, the combination of a reservoir adapted to
contain a chemical or chemicalized fluid, a frangible receptacle within said reservoir
which contains another chemical, a discharge pipe or passage having communication
with the interior and exterior of the reservoir, a seal within the said pipe or passage
for automatically controlling the discharge of the fire extinguishing fluid there-
through, a plunger within the reservoir adapted to be projected against and break
the said frangible receptacle, and means for actuating the said plunger which are
held in operative position by an alloy or solder adapted to melt at a low tem-
perature in the presence of fire and to release the same, substantially as herein
set forth
Third In chemical fire extinguisher, the combination, with the reservoir A
having suitable fluid discharge-pipe and a frangible acid receptacle C within the

page_text: said reservoir, of the plunger F bolt E and fusible detaining strap D³ all arranged
and adapted to be operated substantially as set forth
Fourth The combination with the frangible receptacle C and plunger F of the
basket C bracket C and detachable head Ğ provided with the embracing wire or
strap g, all arranged substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth
Fifth In a chemical fire extinguisher, the combination with the fluid discharge
pipe or passage, of a seal N within the said pipe or passage interposed between its
receiving and discharging end adapted to normally close the said pipe or passage and
to be collapsed or driven from its seat by a high gas pressure generated within the
reservoir, substantially as set forth
Sixth In a chemical fire extinguisher, the combination with the fluid discharge or
nozzle B of the cone-shaped spraying deflector B2 axially and perpendicularly
adjustable with relation to the said discharge or nozzle, substantially as shown and
described
Seventh In a chemical fire extinguisher, the combination with the tube or cylinder
having communication with the interior ind exterior of the reservoir, of a bolt or
plunger provided with a spring, operating through the cap of said tube or cylinder
arranged and adapted to normally close the sud tube or cylinder, when the parts of
the apparatus are all in position, and after being driven to its work of destroying the
frangible receptacle returning instantly to its place, thus preventing the entrance of
the fro extinguishing liquid into the said tube or cylinder, substantially as set
forth
Eighth In chemical fire extinguisher the combination with the bolt or plunger
in the interior of the reservoir, of a detachable head arranged and adapted to hold the
frangible receptacle in position, and upon the breakage of the said frangible receptacle
to be thrown off or detached from position, causing the said frangible receptacle to be
inverted substantially as and for the purposes set forth
Dated this 10th do of A1 1000