New and Useful Improvements in Fire Extinguishers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug.. 1896-Accepted, 13th Mar., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New and Useful Improvements in Fire Extinguishers.
I, THOMAS FRANCIS HANDLY, of Pittsburg, 238 Market Street in the County of
Allegheny, in the State of Ponnsylvania, U.S.A. Manufacturer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the sune is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fire extinguishers,
the object of which is to supply a chemical compound to the water while it is flowing
through a hose nozzle toward the discharge opening and in providing novel means
for increasing the flow of water after the chemical has been absorbed.
A further object of the invention is to make the parts strong durable and efficient,
as well as comparatively inexpensive to produce and sustain.
A further object is to provide a chemically charged nozzle having a supplemental
open end adapted to be broken when the chemical is absorbed or when it is desired
to have an increased volume of water.
In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying
drawings forming part of this specification, wherein like numerals denote corre-
sponding parts in the several views, in which,
Fig. 1, is a view in side elevation.
Fig. 2, is central, longitudinal sectional view of the same.
Fig. 3, is a similar view of a modified construction.
Fig. 4, is n similar view of further modification.
In these drawings, 1, 2, denotes the sections of a nozzle having flared or cup-like
connecting portions, forming a casing or receptacle 3, said sections boing disconnected
when it is desired to renew the charge or gain access to the interior of the nozzle.
Angular lugs 4, are arranged on the casing and, are used for turning the sections,
when joining or disconnecting them.
The lugs are so arranged as to form handles, which can be advantageously nsed
for supporting and manipulating the nozzle. 5, is a supplemental nozzle, screw threaded
or otherwise joined to the main portion, the bore or aperture of this supplemental
nozzle is smaller than that of the nozzle proper, and is adapted to be used in connection
with the chemical. That is, when the water starts to flow it will act on the chemical
charge 6, located in the nozzle, and in order to produce the best results and prolong
the usefulness of the charge, the stream is reduced by the supplemental nozzle, but
when the chemical is exhausted, or when it appears advisable to deliver a larger stream,
the supplemental nozzle is broken off, for in making the same I reduce the wall as
at 7, and by forming it of brittle metal, a blow on the ground or against an object
will rosult in breaking it, when the stream will be increased to the size of tho bure of
the nozzle proper, as will be apparent.
Interiorly of the nozzle, I arrange a chemical cartridge, as shown in Fig. 2, there
is a cylindrical central opening 8, corresponding to the bore of the nozzle surrounded
by a chemical powder, which is taken up by the water in its course therothrough.
The chemica! charge can be common salt, alum, bicarbonate of soda and borax.
In Fig. 3, I show a gauze casing 9, supported by the arms 9, with a waterway
between the casing and the wall of the nozzle. The casing in this instance contains
the chemical and the water surrounding it is charged as it flows.
Fig. 4, illustrates a cigar shaped casing supported by the spiders 10, 10', and 11,
with a waterway between the casing and the nozzle for the purpose explained.

page_text: In applying the invention to practical use, I employ a powdered chemical, with
which the cartridges are charged although it will be found desirable at times to mould
the compound in a predetermined solid shape and provide it with a central opening,
provided with a wire gauze casing similar to that shown in Fig. 2. This last form,
that is, the moulded form and all others, I provide with a gelatine coating impervious
to dampness or other atmospheric conditions, which might cause a deterioration of the
chemical properties.
It is well known that the gascons charged liquid used at the present day gives off
a portion of its gas while passing through the air, thereby impairing to a great extent
its efficiency. It is my object to charge the water with a chomical agent which will
produce gas when it comes in contact with the flame or heat, thus conveying to the
fire the full strength contained in any portion of the fire destroying agent.
It is a well known and established fact that in cases where the chemical forms a
solution with the water and comes in contact constantly with the receptacle, the
tendency will be that in the course of time the receptacle and connections will become
affected by chemical action.
In view of the foregoing it will be apparent that this invention may be applied and
the spirit thereof carried out in a plurality of ways and that the proportions and other
details of construction may be varied without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
1. A nozzle formed to produce a chamber, a chemical charge coated to exclude
moisture arranged therein to come in contact with the water and a, supplemental
nozzle having an open end arranged on the nozzle and adapted to be broken, for the
purpose described.
2. A nozzle formed to produce a chamber, a chemical, charge arranged therein to
come in contact with the water and a supplemental nozzle having an open end and
arranged on the nozzle and having the walls reduced to facilitate the fracture, as and
for the purpose described.
3. A nozzle formed to produce a chamber, a chemical charge arranged therein to
come in contact with the water and a supplemental nozzle having an open end
arranged on the nozzle and adapted to be broken and lugs on the sections of the
nozzle, so formed as to produce a handle when the sections are screwed together.
4. A fire extinguisher provided with a nozzle chemically charged and a supple-
mental open end designed to be broken for the purpose described.
5. A nozzle formed in sections, angular lugs arranged on the sections for turning
the same and forming handles when the sections are screwed together, for the purpose
described.
Dated this 20th day of August 1896.