Improvements in or relating to Automatic. Fire Alarms.
Year: 1898

page_text: 0
Date of Application, 16th July, 1898
4000
Manted
Doad 100
4000
Improvements in or relating to Automatic. Fire Alarms.
1, WILLIAM RULE, of 51, Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, Dumbartonshire, Time-
keeper, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in or relating to
automatic fire alarms by which an electric hell is rung or electric contact made
with other indicators on the outbreak of a fire, within any apartment fitted with
the improvements.
In carrying into practice the improvements of this invention a cord of any
desired strength and preferably of catgut is fastened by one end to any convenient
part, and carried along the skirting at the bottom of the wall around windows
and doors or wherever it is most likely to be effected by any fire which may break
out in the apartment. Small eyebolts are preferably used for the purpose of
holding the cord in the desired position and at same time permitting it to be
drawn tight through same. The loose end of the cord is secured to a metal
weight carried in any convenient position preferably within a small wooden casing
which may be secured to the wall and which is fitted at the bottom below the
weight with an electric push or other electric metal contacts. The weight is
fitted at its upper end which is formed preferably with two side ridges with a
transverse spindle capable of being secured therein by a tightening up nu
screwing on to one end. The free end of the cord is carried through the upper
part of casing and wound around the transverse spindle until the weight is sus-
pended clear of the electric contacts when it is secured by the tightening up nut
being turned on the spindle. Preferably a spring is also fitted between the top
The
of the casing and the weight which will enable a lighter weight to be used.
electric contacts would be fitted with the necessary wires leading to the battery
and the electric bell or other indicators. On the cord being severed by the
action of flame or heat within the apartment the weight will fall on to the
electric contacts and making contact will set the bell ringing or actuate any
other form of indicator desired.

page_text: same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement in writing, reference being made to the accompanying
drawing which illustrates the essential features of the invention, and to the
reference letters marked thereon.
This invention has reference to and comprises improvements in or relating to
automatic fire alarms by which an electric bell is rung or electric contact marle
with other indicators on the outbreak of a fire, within any apartment fitted with
the improvements.
In carrying into practice the improvements of this invention a cord A of any
desired strength and preferably of catgut is fastened by one end to any convenient
part B, and carried along the skirting at the bottom of the wall around windows
and doors or wherever it is most likely to be affected by any fire which may
break out in the apartment. Small eyebolts are preferably used for the purpose
of holding the cord in the desired position and at same time permitting it to
be drawn tight through same and small pulleys as C where angles occur.
When the catgut cord is carried under floors where it is liable to be attacked
by rats or mice, or in situations where it is liable to receive injury or be jammed
by articles falling on it, it is preferred to pass the cord through a protecting cover
of stout coiled wire as shown in the drawing at M. The loose end of the cord
is secured to a metal weight D carried preferably within a small wooden or
metal casing E between the guides E which may be secured to the wall in any
convenient position and which is fitted at the bottom below the weight D with
an electric push or other spring electric metal contacts F, and which are caused
to make contact by the descent of the short rod G when the weight D rests on it.
A front guide of wood or metal, not shown in the drawing is fitted to the cross-
bars and a cover secured on the casing over all.
The weight D is fitted at its upper end which is formed preferably with two
side ridges with a transverse spindle H capable of being secured therein by a
tightening up nut H screwing on to one end.
The free end of the cord A is carried through the upper part of casing E and
wound around the transverse spindle until the weight D is suspended clear
of the electric contacts F when it is secured by the tightening up nut being
turned on the spindle, a small portion of the other end of the spindle H as
shown in the enlarged view being formed square to take into a square hole in
the weight to hold the cord tight when wound on to the spindle. The spindle
is pushed far enough to one side to disengage it from the square part of the hole
while the winding is being effected. Preferably in some cases a spring is also
fitted between the top of the casing and the weight which will
enable a lighter weight to be used when that is desirable. The electric contacts
would be fitted with the necessary wires leading to and from the battery within
the casing I, the electric bell J, and it may be an indicator K to show in what
apartment the fire was present when the appliance is fitted to more than one.
On the cord A being severed by the action of flame or heat within any
apartment where it is fitted the weight D will fall on to the electric contacts F
and making contact will set the bell J ringing or actuate any other form of
indicator desired.
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 what
I claim is:-
First. Automatic fire alarms constructed and arranged all substantially as
herein described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
Second. In an automatic fire alarm the use of a catgut or like cord easily severed
by fire or heat in combination with a weight suspended over electric contacts for
cotting into action electric bells or other electric indicators all substantially as
herein described and illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
Third. In an automatic fire alarm a weight suspended over electric contacts

page_text: by catgut or like cord easily severed by fire or heat and fitted with a tightening
up spindle all substantially as herein described and illustrated by the accom-
panying drawings.
Fourth. In an automatic fire alarm the combination of a weight suspended
over electric contacts by catgut or like cord easily severed by fire with an electric
battery, an electric bell and any other form of electric indicator all substantially
is herein described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated the 4th day of March 1899.
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.