AN IMPROVED PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES DISTRIBUTING DISINFECTING FLIUDS AND FOR SIMILAD DITD DONEG
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Mozart Vinning of Walbrook in the City of London,
Retired assistant paymaster, Royal Navy for an invention of "AN IMPROVED
PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES DISTRIBUTING DISINFECTING
FLIUDS AND FOR SIMILAD DITD DONEG
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Mozart Vinning at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th April 1882.
MOZART VINNING, of Walbrook, in the City of London, Retired assistant
paymaster Royal Nayy, "AN IMPROVED PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRES, DISTRIBUTING DISINFECTING FLUIDS AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES."
The object of my Invention is to provide a compact and portable apparatus
which is chiefly designed for use as a fire-extinguisher and which will be more
efficient than apparatus of a similar kind as heretofore made.
My improved apparatus is constructed for the utilization of compressed air
which exerts its pressure upon water in a reservoir in such a manner as to throw
a stream of the same through.a nozzle with considerable force. Although the said
apparatus is chiefly designed for extinguishing fires it is obvious that it may also
be used with advantage for distributing disinfecting or other fluids or for any
similar purpose.
In carrying the said invention into practice I provide a vessel in which the
water or other fluid is stored, this vessel being of such dimensions that when
charged with water it can be conveniently lifted and carried. I also provide a
vessel for the reception of compressed air, this air vessel or receiver being attached
to the water vessel or chamber preferably at the top thereof by means of a screw
and socket.
In or above this screw and socket device and within the air receiver or vessel
I place a valve which admits and retains the compressed air until the apparatus is
required for use. I attach to this air-receiver a pressure-gauge to indicate at all
imes the pressure of the air within the said receiver.

page_text: I prefer to construct and arrange the valve for opening and closing communi-
cation between the air receiver and the water vessel in the following manner, that
is to say in a suitable chamber in the part connecting the two vessels I provide
an excentric cam attached to a screw-threaded rod the threads being of very short
pitch. This screw rod has its bearings in the walls of the chamber and extends
through the same on one side; to this end is fixed a trigger, lever, or other
contrivance suitable for permitting the screw rod to be turned in either direction.
If the rod is turned in one direction the face of the cam will be forced securely
against an aperture which leads into the water vessel and will prevent any
compressed air from passing into this vessel through this aperture. If the rod
is turned in the other direction the cam is withdrawn from the aperture and a
free passage is provided. At the upper part of the chamber in which the cam
works there is a horizontal partition above which there is a disc valve to the lower
face of which a rod is connected which passes through the said partition and
extends downward far enough to be operated by the cam which lifts this valve at
the same time that it withdraws the cam from the aperture as above explained.
There is a spring above the said disc valve which forces the latter down to its seat
when the cam is not touching the end of the rod. The edge of the cam is bevelled
or inclined so that it may not touch the rod until the proper momcut. Suitable
apertures are provided for admitting the compressed air into the chamber and
allowing it to pass therefrom.
The objects of this double valve are as follows; viz :
It prevents the entry into the water-chamber of the compressed air in case any
particle of dust or dirt should accidentally interfere with the proper working of
the disc valve; and this arrangement entirely overcomes a great defect in com-
pressed air fire engines as heretofore made; vis:-The liability to water leakage
under the long continued pressure over the whole surface, of the water vessel. It
also prevents the escape and loss of compressed air through the external aperture
when the apparatus is being used. I do not however confine myself to the use of
this valve, I may in some cases, for instance, use the disc valve as above explained
and operate the same by an excentric cam but without causing the latter to also
act as a valve
At or near the bottom of the, water chamber I fit a junction or tap to which
is attached a hose of suitable material and length, terminating in the usual delivery
nozzle.
For compressing the air I may use an air-pump of any suitable construction, but
it should be specially shaped to suit my apparatus and may either be attached to
or separate from the rest of the apparatus but I prefer that it should not be fixed
to the same, in which case I so shape it that the screw at the base of the air
receiver (when detached from the water-chamber) may be fixed into a corresponding
screw socket of the air-pump, when charging the air-reservoir with compressed air.
if the air-pump is fixed to the apparatus permanently the junction is made in the
usual manner at or near the base of the water-chamber; any one of the many
valves used for similar purposes being employed. My improved apparatus is fitted
with handles on each side and with a leather yoke to admit of its being carried on
the back of the operator, and I put handles at the top or sides of the air-receiver.
I may make the air-receiver of any convenient form but preferably spherical
this form giving the greatest strength in proportion to weight, and forming with
the top of the water chamber a convenient recess in which to place the pressure
gauge and the external arm of the discharge trigger or device for operating the
screw rod. In the construction of the said air receiver I may use copper, gun-metal
or other suitable substance. The water-chamber I prefer to make cylindrical, with
a convex top and bottom, and I make it of copper or steel or iron tinned or
galvanized or coated with magnetic oxide or any other anti rust or other suitable
inaterial.
The apparatus is charged and prepared for use as follows, that is to say:- -When
the air-pump is separate, the air-receiver is unscrewed from the water-chamber,

page_text: screwed into the corresponding socket of the air pump, and charged with com-
pressed air. Whilst the air receiver is being thus charged, water is poured through
the connecting screw socket into the water-chamber, until full up to the socket;
the air receiver is then screwed firmly onto the water chamber, the discharge
trigger or device is screwed in and the apparatus is ready for action, the air
pressure being confined to the air receiver and thus exerting no pressure on the
water. When an alarm of fire is raised the discharge trigger or device is screwed
out and the air pressure at once acts on the water in the water chamber, and the
turning of the tap causes a jet of water to be thrown through the nozzle with great
force and may be directed upon the flames. If however the air pump is a fixture
upon the apparatus, the mode of action is as follows: The air-receiver is removed,
the water chamber is filled with water as described above, and the air-receiver then
replaced. Air is then pumped into the water-chamber and passes into the air-
receiver until the desired pressure is obtained. The discharge trigger or device
being then screwed almost home, the small quantity of compressed air at the top of
the water will escape in a few seconds, and the water-chamber is thus freed from
all abnormal pressure; the discharge trigger or device can then be screwed quite
home and the apparatus is ready for use.
It will thus be seen that I provide a portable and effective apparatus, which,
when the air-receiver and water-vessel have been charged, is ready for use at
any moment, and it is entirely free from the objection made with regard to other
apparatus of this kind, viz :—That the air in such apparatus is continually exerting
its pressure upon the water when not required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Mozart Vinning in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
5th October.1882.
MOZART VINNING, of Walbrook, in the City of London, Retired Assistant
Paymaster, Royal Navy, "AN IMPROVED PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR EXTINGUISHING
FIRES, DISTRIBUTING DISINFECTING FLUIDS, AND FOR SIMILAR PURPOSES
دو
The object of my invention is to provide a compact and portable apparatus
which is chiefly designed for use as a fire-extinguisher and which will be more
efficient than apparatus of a similar kind as heretofore made.
My improved apparatus is constructed for the utilization of compressed air
which exerts its pressure upon water in a reservoir in such a manner as to throw a
stream of the same through a nozzle with considerable force. Although the said
apparatus is chiefly designed for extinguishing fires it is obvious that it may be
also used with advantage for distributing disinfecting or other fluids, or for any
similar purpose.
In the accompanying drawing is illustrated a portable apparatus constructed
according to my said invention
Figure 1 represents a front elevation thereof and,
Figure 2 a section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the valves.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawing.
A represents a vessel or reservoir in which the water or other fluid is stored, .
this vessel is preferably of such dimensions that, when charged with water, it can
be conveniently lifted and. carried, B is a vessel for the reception of compressed
air; this air vessel or receiver is attached to the water vessel or chamber at the
top thereof by means of the screw-threaded connecting piece C, which fits into the
socket D having a corresponding internal screw-thread. The connecting piece C
is secured to the air receiver in any suitable manner and is made of sufficient size
to contain the valve E, which serves to admit the compressed air and retain the
same in the receiver until the apparatus is required for use, as hereinafter described.
I prefer to make the air receiver B spherical in form as shown in the drawing, and
to provide it with a projecting rim a for supporting it while being charged with
compressed air by means of an air pump fitted to the screw-threaded piece C when
the said receiver is detached from the vessel A. I attach to this air receiver a
pressure gauge F to indicate at all times the pressure of the air within the said.
receiver. This receiver, besides being of a form naturally adapted to resist internal
pressure, can from its small size be made of strong material. without seriously
increasing the weight of the apparatus.
I prefer to construct and arrange the valve E for opening and closing communi-
cation between the air receiver and the water vessel in the following manner, that
is to say, within the connecting piece CI place the said valve E which fits upon a
seat in the said piece and is pressed against the same by the spring b, the said
spring being covered by the perforated screw-cap b'. In the upper part of the
vessel AI provide an excentric for cam G fixed to the screw-threaded rod F.
This screw-rod H has its bearings in the wall of the vessel A and one end extends
through the same on one side; to this end is fixed the lever I or other suitable
contrivance for enabling the screw-rod H to be turned in either direction. If the
said rod is turned in one direction, the cam G will be forced against the valve E
at its lower end and will lift the same against the force of the spring b; at the
same time the valve or enlargement c upon the rod H will be forced against the

page_text: seat d and will close the aperture e in the water vessel A. If the rod H is turned
in the other direction, the cam is withdrawn from the valve E and the latter is
closed by the spring b, the aperture e being at the same time opened. The valve E
is acted upon by the spring b and closes the communication between the water
vessel A and the air receiver B, and thus forms a self acting valve which will
admit compressed air to the said receiver and will confine it therein, and the said
valve can be opened by means of the cam G to allow the pressure to act upon the
water when required. This arrangement, moreover, obviates the liability to water
or air leakage or both under long continued pressure over the whole surface of the
water vessel. The aperture e serves to permit the egress of any air escaping
through the valve E, should the latter be defective, so that no pressure will
accumulate in the water vessel. The valve c, when closed, prevents the escape and
loss of compressed air through the aperture e, when the apparatus is being used.
I do not, however, confine myself to the particular construction of these valves or
the means for operating the same, as it is obvious that their construction may be
modified in various manners, and that other contrivances may be employed for
operating the said valves, with the same results.
According to a modified construction of the said apparatus, place the said cam
or excentric on the screw rod in a suitable chamber in the part connecting the two
vessels A and B, and construct the said cam and chamber in such a manner that,
when the screw-rod is turned in one direction, the face of the cam will be forced
against an aperture which leads into the water vessel A and will prevent any
compressed air from passing into this vessel through the said aperture. If the said
screw-rod is turned in the other direction, the cam is withdrawn from the aperture
and a free passage for the air is provided. At the upper part of the chamber in
which the cam works there is a horizontal partition, above which is a disc valve
having a rod connected to its lower face, which rod passes through the said
partition and extends downward far enough to be operated by the cam, which lifts
this valve at the same time that the said can is withdrawn from the aperture.
There is a spring above the said disc valve which forces the latter down to its seat
when the cam is not touching the end of the rod. The edge of the cam is bevelled
or inclined so that it may not touch the rod until the proper moment. Suitable
apertures are provided for admitting the compressed air into the chamber and
allowing it to pass therefrom.
At or near the bottom of the water vessel A, I fit a tap or cock K to which is
attached a hose L of suitable material and length, terminating in the usual delivery
nozzle;
from the said tap or cock, a pipe fextends within the vessel A to the
bottom thereof so that all the water will be discharged therefrom.
For compressing the air, I use an air-pump of any suitable construction, but I
prefer that it should be specially shaped to suit my apparatus; it may be either
attached to or separate from the said apparatus.
When it is not fixed thereto, I so construct it that the screw at the base of the
air receiver (when detached from the water chamber) can be fixed in a corre-
sponding screw-socket of the air pump for the purpose of charging the air receiver
with compressed air, and the elastic washer C serves to reduce the strain upon
the said receiver produced by the blows of the air-pump. If the air-pump is fixed
to the apparatus permanently, the connection is made, in the usual manner, at or
near the base of the water chamber, any one of the many valves used for similar
purposes being employed.
In some cases I fix the air receiver B permanently to the water vessel A, and
charge the same with air through an aperture at the base of the water vessel, the
air rising through the water; and I provide the water vessel at or near the top,
with an aperture for the purpose of filling the same, suitable valves or cocks being
provided where required. The construction of the apparatus may also be modified
by making the air receiver and water vessel to outward appearance in one, but,
divided internally and communicating with one another by means of a valve as
above described. Or the air receiver may be enclosed in the water vessel, the

page_text: communication between them being cut off in any suitable manner.
In sonic cases
I arrange the air pump in such a manner that the pump-bucket or piston will not
reach the bottom of the barrel so that the air in the receiver cannot be made to
exceed a certain pressure.
•
My improved apparatus is fitted with handles on each side and with a leather
yoke to admit of its being carried on the back of the operator, and I sometimes
pút handles at the top or sides of the air-receiver.
In the construction of the said air receiver I use copper, gun metal or other
suitable substance. The water chamber I prefer to make cylindrical with a convex
top and bottom as shown, and I make it of copper, or of steel or iron tinned,
galvanized, or coated with magnetic oxide or any other anti-rust or other suitable
material.
If desired, apparatus of larger size may be constructed in accordance with my
invention and carried upon wheels in any well known manner, the water vessel
being provided with one or more delivery hoses and surmounted with one or more
air receivers. To provide for rapidly charging or recharging the receiver or
receivers with compressed air, I sometimes provide a separate and larger vessel or
reservoir for compressed air, which can be charged in any suitable manner, and
which is fitted with screw-threaded sockets or other devices for attaching the said
air receivers thereto.
The apparatus illustrated in the drawing is charged and prepared for use as
follows, that is to say -The air receiver B is unscrewed from the water vessel A,
'screwed into the corresponding socket of the air pump and charged with compressed
air. Water is poured through the aperture in the screw-socket into the water
vessel A until it is filled up to the said socket; the air receiver is then screwed
firmly on to the water chamber, the screw rod H being placed so that the cam G
does not act upon the valve E, and the apparatus is ready for use, the air pressure
being confined to the air receiver and thus exerting no pressure on the water.
When an alarm of fire is raised, the screw-rod H is turned so as to open the
valve E and the air pressure at once acts on the water in the vessel A, and, on the
tap or cock being opened, causes a jet or stream of water to be thrown through
the nozzle with great force, which jet is directed upon the flames. If, however,
the air pump is permanently fixed to the apparatus, the mode of action is as
follows, that is to say-The air receiver is removed, the water chamber is filled
with water as above described, and the air receiver then replaced, or the water
chamber is filled though an aperture provided for the purpose. Air is then
pumped into the water chamber and passes into the air receiver until the desired
pressure is obtained. The screw-rod H is then turned to allow the valve E to be
opened by the spring and the small quantity of compressed air in the top of the
water chamber will escape in a few seconds through the aperture e; the said
chamber is thus freed from all abnormal pressure.
It will thus be scen that I provide a portable and effective apparatus which,
when the air receiver and water vessel have been charged, is ready for use at any
moment, and which is entirely free from the objection inade with regard to other
apparatus of this kind, namely, that the air in such apparatus is continually
exerting its pressure upon the water when not required.
Having thus fully described my said invention and the manner of performing
the same I wish it understood that I claim,
First The improved portable apparatus above described having the self acting
valve between the air receiver and the water vessel so arranged as to admit the
compressed air to the said receiver and confine it therein and provided with suitable
means for opening it to allow the pressure to act upon the water when required,
substantially as, and for the purposes, specified.
Second. In the said apparatus, the valve E acted upon by the spring and adapted
to be opened by the cam fixed to the screw threaded rod which rod is provided
-with the valve c or other suitable device for opening and closing the aperture in

page_text: the water chamber, all arranged to operate substantially as, and for the purposes,
specified.
Third. In the said apparatus, the air receiver connected to the water;chamber
in such a manner that it can be detached therefrom and attached to an air pump
or other apparatus for the purpose of charging it with compressed air, substantially,
as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Mozart Vinning have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Fifth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
MOZART VINNING (L.S.)