Improvements in Thermostatic Fire Alarms.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1892-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE DEAN MOSHER, of No. 229, Caroline
Street, Birmingham, New Haven, Connecticut, Manufacturer, and SIMON
NOVITZKY, of No. 58, Minerva Street, Birmingham, New Haven, Connecticut,
Manufacturer, both in the United States of America.]
Improvements in Thermostatic Fire Alarms.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, 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, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming part of
this Specification, and in which :—
Figure 1, represents a view partly in plan and partly in section of a thermostatic
fire-alarm constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2, a view showing one of the modified forms which this improved thermo-
static tripping device may assume.
Figure 3, vertical central section of a modified arrangement of the thermostatic
tripping device.
Figure 4, a plan view, the bell and the thermostatic tripping device removed.
This invention relates to an improvement in thermostatic fire-alarms, the object
being to produce a simple, cheap, effective and reliable device. With these ends in
view the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter described and parti-
cularly recited in the claim.
As herein shown, the alarm mechanism proper, consists of a spring-actuated
alarm-train A, a bell B, a bell-hammer C, connected with the train for actuation
thereby, and a spring-aetuated detent composed of a rod or wire D, mounted for
longitudinal reciprocation, provided with a collet E, arranged to normally engage
with the bell-hammer to prevent the operation thereof, a stop-collet E', normally
engaged with the base F, of the alarm mechanism proper, and a spiral spring G,
encircling the inner end of the rod D, and interposed between the movement
plate H, of the said alarm mechanism and the detent collet E, before mentioned.
The bell B, is removably secured by means of a button I, upon the outer end of the
main-shaft J, carrying the spring K, which actuates the alarm train. By turning
the bell, the said shaft J, is rotated, and the spring wound up. It should be under-
stood however that the invention is not limited to constructing the alarm mechanism
proper in any particular form, the only requirement being a train which is normally
restrained by means of a movable detent, the train being combined with a bell and
bell-hammer. As herein shown the alarm mechanism proper is attached to a
board L, which may represent a portion of a wall or a special standard for the
device. An opening L', formed in this board, permits the detent to project through
it on the opposite side from the alarm mechanism proper. To the said opposite
side of the board L, the improved thermostatic tripping device is attached, which
as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, consists, in part, of a socket M, having its inner
end constructed with a flange M, by means of which it is secured by screws M², to
the said face of the board. This socket receives a striker consisting in the present
instance of a plunger N, having its outer end constructed with a central opening N',
to receive the adjacent projecting end of the detent rod D. The outer end of the
said plunger is also constructed with a flange N', forming an abutment for the outer
end of a spiral spring O, encircling the plunger and abutting at its opposite end
against a shoulder M³, formed within the socket, and near the outer end thereof,
the said spring acting in opposition to the spring J of the detent before described.
The outer end of the said striker has a deep annular groove N³, to receive a portion

page_text: of a body of fusible material P, located in the extreme bottom of the socket,
forming a pocket for it, and preferably consists of wax, which has its melting point
in the neighbourhood of a temperature of one hundred degrees. When this wax is
in its normal condition, it will retain the striker in its retired position against the
tension of the spiral spring O, but on the other hand when the wax softens, the
spring O. will act to drive the striker against the projecting end of the detent-rod D,
which is then moved inward so as to carry its detent collar E, out of engagement
with the bell-hammer C, and into the position, in which, whereby the alarm-train
is released, and the actuation of the bell-hammer on the bell permitted.
It should be observed that the socket M, will be made in practice so thin that
it will be very sensitive to changes in temperature in the apartment in which the
alarm is located, and readily communicate the same to the restraining body of
wax contained in it. The invention is not necessarily limited to the use of wax,
but some composition of that material is preferred on account of the low point at
which it melts.
The modified form of tripping device shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, has a
striker composed of a hammer Q, mounted at one end of a rod Q', which is hung
midway of its length upon a pin R, and having its opposite end bowed and cut
away as at Q3, to be imbedded in a body of wax, or other suitable material S,
located in a pocket T formed to receive it in a base-piece U. A spiral spring V,
having one end inserted into a hole U', formed in the said base-piece, and its
opposite end engaged with a short stud Q3, extending inwardly from the rod Q, is
employed for throwing the hammer Q, against the projecting end of the detent
rod W, when the end of the said rod is released by the softening of the fusible
body S.
As thus far described the striker with its fusible material and spring, is separate
from the bell, yet arranged in direct connection therewith. In some cases it may
be desirable to bring the striker, its spring and fusible connection into a single
organization with the bell, and this may be readily accomplished, as represented in
Figs. 3 and 4. As shown in these figures the device has a circular base 2, to
which is attached a movement comprising two plates 3 and 4, connected by three
pillars 5. A flat coiled spring 6, located between these plates has its inner end
attached to a hollow cylindrical spring-arbor 7, journalled in the plates, and in the
said base 2, its upper end being exteriorly threaded to form a support for the
bell 8, which conforms in a general size to the base 2, and virtually incloses
the movement.
The coiled spring is wound by grasping the bell and rotating it, whereby the
arbor is turned, no key being required. A main-wheel 9 is attached to the
arbor 7, as is also an ordinary ratchet-wheel 10, which is engaged by a pawl, not
shown. The said main-wheel 9, meshes into a pinion 11, mounted on an arbor 12,
journalled in the plates 3 and 4, and carrying an escapement-wheel 13, which is
engaged by an anchor-shaped pallet 14, attached to a pallet-arbor 15, also
mounted in the said plates, and having attached to it the hammer-wire 16 of the
hammer 17, and the stop-arm 18, the latter being bent to project upward through
a circular opening 19 formed in the movement plate 4. The projecting end of the
said stop-arm is engaged by the free end of a flat sheet-metal detent 20, the
opposite end whereof is fastened to the upper face of the plate 3 by a screw 21.
This detent is provided with a central opening 22, through which the cylindrical
spring-arbor 7 before mentioned, passes. As shown in these figs. of the drawings,
the said detent is arranged to normally stand in position to be engaged by the
stop-arm 18, whereby the train comprising the wheel 9, the pinion 11 and the
arbor 12 is normally restrained. A releasing-rod 23, located within the hollow
spring-arbor 7, has longitudinal movement therein, and is furnished at its lower
end with a pin 24, which plays in a longitudinal slot 25, formed in the said arbor.
The described construction of the detent adapts it to be engaged by the pin 24 at
any point in the path in which the same rotates, for the arbor rotates the said rod
with it. The outer end of the said rod projects beyond the outer end of the

page_text: arbor, and also beyond the hub 26 of the bell. In this construction the restraining
plug or body 27 of fusible material, which may be of wax or any of the well known
alloys fusing at a comparatively low temperature, is located in the outer end of a
tube 28, the inner end of which is interiorly threaded to adapt it to be screwed over
the hub 26 of the bell, which is exteriorly threaded for the purpose. The said plug
is interposed between a button 29, attached to the outer end of a plunger 30, and
an annular shoulder 31, formed within the said tube, the said button being adapted
to fit within the tube, so as to play therein. The inner end of the said plunger 30
is furnished with a striker or head 32, which normally stands in close proximity to
the projecting outer end of the longitudinally movable releasing rod 23.
A spiral
spring 33 interposed between the inner face of the annular shoulder 31 and the said
striker 32, is normally compressed and exerts a constant effort to project the latter
against the said rod, but is prevented therein by the restraining plug before men-
tioned. The said tube 28, together with the parts combined with it and the
restraining plug, may be and ordinarily would be put together independently of the
other parts of the mechanism, and applied thereto in the same way, for instance, as
cartridges are placed in a fire-arm, but when the tube is applied to the hub of the
bell, the restraining plug is for all purposes organized directly therewith and
partakes of the unitary organization thereof, no independent application of it being
necessary, and the parts assuming their right relations for reliable action without
any care being taken in rightly assembling and adjusting them. It will be under-
stood that when the temperature of the apartment in which the device is placed
exceeds the temperature at which the plug fuses, the same will soften, and allow
the spring 33 to expand, and throw the striker 32 against the rod 23, which will be
moved inward, whereby its pin 24 will move the detent 20, inward, and disengage
it from the stop-arm 18, thus leaving the train free to actuate and strike the bell
with its hammer 17. This construction has been found very reliable and effective,
the restraining plug being located in such an exposed position as to make the device
sensitive, and sure to operate.
From the foregoing it will be understood that the location of the striker with its
spring, and the arrangement of the fusible material by means of which the striker
is held in suspense, may be varied to a considerable extent without departing from
the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a thermostatic fire-alarm, an alarm train normally ready to operate,
a bell, a bell-hammer in connection with said train for actuation thereby, and a
movable spring-actuated detent to normally restrain the said train, all of the said
parts being organized together, and having combined therewith a thermostatic
tripping device consisting of a striker held in suspense by a material fusible at a
low temperature, and a spring adapted to throw the said striker when released
from its fusible support, and thereby cause it to act in opposition to the spring of
the detent, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Second. In a thermostatic fire-alarm, an alarm-train normally ready to operate,
a bell, a bell-hammer in connection with the said train for actuation thereby, and a
movable spring-actuated detent to normally restrain the said train, all of the said
parts being organized together, in combination with an independently organized
thermostatic tripping device, consisting of a striker arranged for moving the said
detent when releasel, a spring for throwing the striker and acting in opposition to
the spring of the detent, than which it is heavier, a body of fusible material
normally holding the striker in its retired position against the tension of the spring
of the striker which is thereto constructed to be gripped by the said material, and
a pocket to contain the said fusible material and a portion of the striker, sub-
stantially as described.
Third. In a thermostatic fire-alarm, an alarm-train normally ready to operate, a

page_text: bell, a bell-hammer in connection with the said train for actuation thereby, and a
movable spring-actuated detent to normally restrain the said train, all of the said
parts being organized together; in combination with an independently organized
thermostatic tripping device, consisting of a socket having its inner end flanged for
securing it in place, a plunger located in the said socket and having its inner end
cut away, whereby it is adapted to receive and there be gripped by the said
material, a spring interposed between the said socket and plunger so as to
constantly tend to project the latter toward the said detent which it then moves by
overcoming the detent-spring than which it is heavier, and a restraining plug of
fusible material located in the bottom of the said socket, and entering the cut away
portion of the plunger to grip the same, substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of July 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1892-Accepted, 17th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Emunicated from abroad by GEORGE DEAN MOSHER, of No. 229, Caroline
Street, Birmingham, New Haven, Connecticut, Manufacturer, and SIMON
NOVITZKY, of No. 58, Minerva Street, Birmingham, New Haven, Connecticut,
Manufacturer, both in the United States of America.]
Improvements in Thermostatic Fire Alarms.
1. HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent
xcts, 45 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
re the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
ned, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
ment, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming part of
Specification, and in which --
Figure 1, represents a view partly in plan and partly in section of a thermostatic
-alarm constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2, a view showing one of the modified forms which this improved thermo-
e tripping device may assune.
Figure 3, vertical central section of a modified arrangement of the thermostatic
ping device.
Figure 4. a plan view, the bell and the thermostatic tripping device reinoved.
This invention relates to an improvement in thermostatic fire-alarms, the object
g to produce a simple, cheap, effective and reliable device. With these ends in
the invention consists in the construction as hereinafter described and parti-
ly recited in the claim.
As herein shown, the alarm mechanism proper, consists of a spring-actuated
Am-train A, a bell B. a bell-haminer C, connected with the train for actuation
by, and a spring-actuated detent composed of a rod or wire D, mounted for
udinal reciprocation, provided with a collet E, arranged to normally engage
the bell-hammer to prevent the operation thereof, a stop-collet E, normally
ged with the base F, of the alarm mechanism proper, and a spiral spring G,
cling the inner end of the rod D, and interposed between the movement
eH, of the said aların mechanism and the detent collet E, before mentioned.
e bell B, is removably secured by means of a button I, upon the outer end of the
si-shaft, carrying the spring K, which actuates the alarm train. By turning
*bell, the said shaft J, is rotated, and the spring wound up. It should be under-
tod however that the invention is not limited to constructing the alarm mechanism
er in any particular form, the only requirement being a train which is normally
rained by means of a movable detent, the train being combined with a bell and
hammer.
As herein shown the alarm mechanism proper is attached to a
L, which may represent a portion of a wall or a special standard for the
rice. An opening L formed in this board, permits the detent to project through
the opposite side from the alarm mechanisin proper. To the said opposite
of the board L, the improved thermostatic tripping device is attached, which
hown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, consists, in part, of a socket M. having its inner
constructed with a flange M. by means of which it is secured by screws M³, to
said face of the board. This socket receives a striker cousisting in the present
ance of a plunger N, having its outer end constructed with a central opening
receive the adjacent projecting end of the detent rod D. The outer end of the
plunger is also constructed with a Hang N, forming an abutment for the outer
of a spiral spring O, encircling the plunger and abutting at its opposite end
us a shoulder M³, formed within the socket, and near the outer end thereof,
said spring acting in opposition to the spring of the detent before described.
outer end of the said striker has a deep annular groove N³, to receive a portion

page_text: of a body of fusible material P, located in the extreme bottoin of the socket,
forming a pucket for it, and preferably consists of wax, which has its melting point
in the neighbourhood of a temperature of one hundred degrees. When this wax is
in its normal condition, it will retain the striker in its retired position against the
tension of the spiral spring O, but on the other hand when the wax softens, the 5
spring will act to drive the striker against the projecting end of the detent-rod D,
which is then moved inward so as to carry its detent collar E, out of engagement
with the bell-hammer C, and into the position, in which, whereby the alarm-train
is released, and the actuation of the bell-hammer on the bell permitted.
It should be observed that the socket M, will be made in practice so thin that ::
it will be very sensitive to changes in temperature in the apartment in which the
alarm is located, and readily communicate the same to the restraining body of
wax contained in it. The invention is not necessarily limited to the use of wax,
but some composition of that material is preferred on account of the low point at
which it melts.
The modified form of tripping device shown by Figure 2 of the drawings, has a
striker composed of a hammer Q, mounted at one end of a rod Q', which is hung
midway of its length upon a pin R, and having its opposite end bowed and cui
away as at Q, to be imbedded in a body of wax, or other suitable material S,
located in a pocket T formed to receive it in a base-piece U. A spiral spring V
having one end inserted into a hole U₁, formed in the said base-piece, and its
opposite end engaged with a short stud Q³, extending inwardly froin the rod Q, i
employed for throwing the hammer Q. against the projecting end of the detent
rod W, when the end of the said rod is released by the softening of the fusible
body S.
As thus far described the striker with its fusible material and spring, is separate
from the bell, yet arranged in direct connection therewith. In some cases it may
be desirable to bring the striker, its spring and fusible connection into a single
organization with the bell, and this may be readily accomplished, as represented in
Figs. 3 and 4. As shown in these figures the device has a circular base 2, to
which is attached a movement comprising two plates 3 and 4, connected by three
pillars 5. A flat coiled spring 6, located between these plates has its inner end
attached to a hollow cylindrical spring-arbor 7, journalled in the plates, and in the
said base 2, its upper end being exteriorly threaded to form a support for the
bell 8, which conforms in a general size to the base 2, and virtually incloses
the movement.
arbor, an
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The coiled spring is wound by grasping the bell and rotating it, whereby the
arbor is turned, no key being required. A main-wheel 9 is attached to the
arbor 7, as is also an ordinary ratchet-wheel 10, which is engaged by a pawl, not
shown. The said main-wheel 9, meshes into a pinion 11, mounted on an arbor 12,"
journalled in the plates 3 and 4, and carrying an escapement-wheel 13, which is
engaged by an anchor-shaped pallet 14, attached to
a pallet-arbor 15, also
mounted in the said plates, and having attached to it the hammer-wire 16 of the
banmer 17, and the stop-arm 18, the latter being bent to project upward through
a circular opening 19 formed in the movement plate 4. The projecting end of the "
said stop-arm is engaged by the free end of a flat sheet-metal detent 20, the
opposite end whereof is fastened to the upper face of the plate 3 by a screw 21.
This detent is provided with a central opening 222, through which the cylindrical
spring-arbor 7 before mentioned, passes." As shown in these figs. of the drawings
the said detent is arranged to normally stand in position to be engaged by the
stop-arm 18, whereby the train comprising the wheel 9, the pinion I and the
arbor 12 is normally restrained. A releasing-rod 23, located within the hollow
spring-arbor 7, has longitudinal movement therein, and is furnished at its lower
end with a pin 24, which plays in a longitudinal slot 25, formed in the said arbor.
The described construction of the detent adapts it to be engaged by the pin 24 j
any point in the path in which the same rotates, for the arbor rotates the said rod
with it. The outer end of the said rod projects beyond the outer end of the
bell, the
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page_text: 7
In this construction the restraining
er, and also beyond the hub 26 of the bell.
or body 27 of fusible material, which may be of wax or any of the well known
ys fusing at a comparatively low temperature, is located in the outer end of a
28, the inner end of which is interiorly threaded to adapt it to be screwed over
hub 26 of the bell, which is exteriorly threaded for the purpose. The said plug
interposed between a button 29, attached to the outer end of a plunger 30, and
- annular shoulder 31, formed within the said tube, the said button being adapted
Et within the tube, so as to play therein. The inner end of the said plunger 30
furnished with a striker or head 32, which normally stands in close proximity to
projecting outer end of the longitudinally movable releasing rod 23. A spiral
ring 33 interposed between the inner face of the annular shoulder 31 and the said
siriker 32, is normally compressed and exerts a constant effort to project the latter
ainst the said rod, but is prevented therein by the restraining plug before men-
Voacd. The said tube 28, together with the parts combined with it and the
straining plug, may be and ordinarily would be put together independently of the
sher parts of the mechanism, and applied thereto in the same way, for instance, as
artridges are placed in a fire-arm, but when the tube is applied to the hub of the
tell, the restraining plug is for all purposes organized directly therewith and
artakes of the unitary organization thereof, no independent application of it being
Lecessary, and the parts assuming their right relations for reliable action without
ay care being taken in rightly assembling and adjusting them. It will be under-
tood that when the temperature of the apartment in which the device is placed
exceeds the temperature at which the plug fuses, the same will soften, and allow
the spring 33 to expand, and throw the striker 32 against the rod 23, which will be
moved inward, whereby its pin 24 will move the detent 20, inward, and disengage
is from the stop-arm 18, thus leaving the train free to actuate and strike the bell
with its hammer 17. This construction has been found very reliable and effective,
the restraining plug being located in such an exposed position as to make the device
sensitive, and sure to operate.
From the foregoing it will be understood that the location of the striker with its
spring, and the arrangement of the fusible material by means of which the striker
is held in suspense, may be varied to a considerable extent without departing from
the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondents I declare that what I claim is :-
:-
First. In a thermostatic fire-alarm, an alarm train normally ready to operate,
a bell, a bell-hammer in connection with said train for actuation thereby, and a
morable spring-actuated detent to normally restrain the said train, all of the said
parts being organized together, and having combined therewith a thermostatic
tripping device consisting of a striker held in suspense by a material fusible at a
low temperature, and a spring adapted to throw the said striker when released
from its fusible support, and thereby cause it to act in opposition to the spring of
the detent, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Second. In a thermostatic fire-alarm, an alarm-train normally ready to operate,
bell, a bell-haniner in connection with the said train for actuation thereby, and a
movable spring-actuated detent to normally restrain the said train, all of the said
parts being organized together, in combination with an independently organized
thermostatic tripping device, consisting of a striker arranged for moving the said
detent when released, a spring for throwing the striker and acting in opposition to
the spring of the detent, than which it is heavier, a body of fusible inaterial
normally holding the striker in its retired position against the tension of the spring
of the striker which is thereto constructed to be gripped by the said material, and
* pocket to contain the said fusible material and a portion of the striker, sub-
5 stantially as described.
_Third. In a thermostatic fire-alarm, an alarm-train normally ready to operate, a

page_text: bell, a bell-hammer in connection with the said train for actuation thereby, and a
movable spring-actuated detent to normally restrain the said train, all of the said
parts being organized together; in combination with an independently organizel
bermostatic tripping device, consisting of a socket having its inner end flanged for
securing it in place, a plunger located in the said socket and having its inner end
cut away, whereby it is adapted to receive and there be gripped by the said
material, a spring interposed between the said socket and plunger so as to
constantly tend to project the latter toward the said detent which it then moves by
overcoming the detent-spring than which it is heavier, and a restraining plug of
fusible material located in the bottom of the said socket, and entering the cut away
portion of the plunger to grip the same, substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of July 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.