Year: 1885

page_text: We, JAMES BUEL of No. 129 Main Street, Woburn, in the County of Middlesex
and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Machinist, and CHARLES
EDWARD BUELL of No. 20 Sherman Street, Springfield, in the County of Hampden
and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Electrician, do hereby
declare the nature of our invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
Our invention relates to systems for protecting buildings of various descriptions
against damage by fire and it contemplates means for giving notice of the
existence of a fire, as well as means for extinguishing the fire when it has
broken out.
The object of our invention is to provide a reliable system of the character
named, which may be applied to individual structures-with all the mechanism
located in the building to be protected-or applied so as to protect any number of
buildings in a district, or in a town or city.
Our invention, as a system, includes improvements in the extinguishing devices
as well as improvements in the alarm mechanism; and it consists generally, so far
as concerns the extinguishing means, of an automatic fire extinguisher, or sprinkler,
combined with valve-mechanism held to close the sprinkler, against a water
pressure, by fusible devices portable with the sprinkler, and in such relation to the
valve-mechanism as to avoid all strain on the fusible alloy due to the water
pressure; further, in an extinguisher or sprinkler having its discharge opening held
normally closed by devices in such relation to the other parts of the extinguisher
as to admit of the employment of a spreader rigidly secured in front of the
discharge opening, with obvious advantages over a movable spreader-or, if desired,
a spreader can be used that is movable when the parts forming the valve and
valve stem are released by heat, and when such movable spreader is used it will be
guided in a more satisfactory manner in the form of extinguisher herein described
than in those forms heretofore used; and further in a fire extinguisher having
a fluid discharge opening held normally closed by a separable yoke that is
removably secured in front of said opening; and so far as concerns the means for

page_text: indicating the existence of a fire, our invention consists, generally, of an arrange-
ment of mechanism in connection with electric circuits whereby a fire alarm―
sometimes termed a "true alarm "-will be readily distinguishable from an alarm
caused by the rupture of the circuit through accident or otherwise, thus obviating
the annoyances due to false alarms, and ensuring a reliable and perfectly working
system under all conditions and at all times;-the invention also including sprink-
lers provided with electrical circuit connections for controlling a normally closed
circuit to give an alarm, when the sprinkler opens, that will be different in its
character from the alarm which would be given if the circuit wire were broken by
accident; and, also, a pressure alarm mechanism for controlling an electric circuit
to give an alarm upon the lowering of the pressure in the pipes, that will be
different in character from the alarm which would occur if the circuit were acci-
dentally ruptured; and the invention also includes certain details, combinations
and sub-combinations, all as herein set forth.
In the annexed sheet of explanatory drawings by which our invention is fully
illustrated, and which forms a part of this description,
Figure 1 shows the alarm mechanism and an arrangement of electric circuits;
Figure 2 shows a pressure alarm mechanism for controlling an electric circuit;
Figure 3 shows a sprinkler organized according to the present invention; Figure 4
shows the same sprinkler, disorganized; Figure 5 shows another embodiment of
the sprinkler, and Figure 6 the same sprinkler disorganized; Figure 7 shows
another form of sprinkler, and Figure 8 a detached view of a part of the same
sprinkler; Figure 9 shows still another form of sprinkler, and Figure 10 a detached
view of a part of the same sprinkler, and Figure 11 is still another embodiment of
the sprinkler.
The
In figure 1 the fire alarm circuits and apparatus are arranged to distinguished
between a true alarm, by fire, and an alarm due to acci·lent, as the breaking of
the thermostatic circuit wire a or y, or when the current charging a circuit falls
below normal. A A¹ represent two stations each provided with a signal trans-
mitting mechanism consisting of a circuit controlling wheel a propelled by a train
of clock wheels actuated by a spring or weight, in any ordinary manner.
contact spring b is in such relation to the circuit wheel a, when the latter is in its
normally wound up position, as to be out of contact, as shown, but to come in
rubbing contact with the projections on wheel a as the wheel is running down.
The mechanism is wound up by the key c and held wound up by the interlocking
of the projection d, on the armature e of the controlling magnet f, with the pro-
jection g on the side of the wheel a. The controlling magnet f is in a charged
circuit and, as shown, is attracting the armature e. If the circuit x be acciden-.
tally ruptured the armature e will be retracted and the projection d will be carried
away from projection g and the wheel a permitted to turn in the direction indicated
by the arrow until the projection h comes in contact with the projection d on the
armature e, when the wheel a will be stopped. If the armature e and wheel a
of the mechanism remain in the position just described the local circuit will be
closed and may sound an alarm on a gong on the premises as well as at a central
station in a remote building, in an obvious manner, thus calling attention to the
fact that the circuit has been broken or deranged.
If, however, a fire should occur in the buildings, or any one of them, equipped
with the system, the operation of the apparatus would be as follows: In the
circuit there is shown double contact thermostats BB consisting of a spring i
secured at k and forced over against a pin and held to said pin by a solder that will
melt or rupture at about 155° Farh., or by a pin in front of the retracted spring i that
will fuse at about 120° Farh., or at any desired temperature. When the spring i
is released by heat it comes in contact with a pin Û, so that in its operation it
opens circuit and again closes it. This operation of the thermostat B causes the
armature e to be retracted and again attracted, so that the projection d will be
withdrawn from projection g, the wheel a permitted to turn in the direction
indicated by the arrow, and the projections dg carried by each other. As the

page_text: armature e is again attracted the projection d is taken out of the path of projec-
tion h and the wheel a will continue to revolve, making and breaking contact with
spring b a definite number of times. The wheel a and the contact spring b may
be included, however, to form part of a circuit of any well-known arrangement,
and arranged to close and open a shunt between the street circuits 1 and 2 which
are metallic circuits used for district telegraph, time telegraph, or for telephoning.
By employing two circuits leading to a central station, the fire telegraph is
placed beyond reach of accident. The arrangement of the circuits 1 and include
the battery C connected between circuits 1 and 2; and a translating apparatus, D,
as a gong or other recording or indicating apparatus, is included with battery C to
be made operative by connecting wires 1 and 2 at any outlying point, as by the
shunt mm through the operation of the mechanism A.
Various modifications of the thermostats, mechanism and circuits are obvious;
and it is contemplated to use in some places a branch of a main circuit instead of
the circuit x, so that the battery at a main office can be caused to charge the
thermostatic branch,
In buildings where sprinklers are used, and it is desired to announce or indicate
the opening of a sprinkler without the necessity of constructing a circuit throughout
the building to be protected, we use a circuit controlling device that acts by a
lowering of water pressure to release mechanism or change an electric circuit to
give an alarm.
An arrangement of this character is shown in figure 2, in which view E is a
stand pipe containing water under pressure and communicating with branch pipes,
as F, extending through the building to be protected and equipped with automatic
sprinklers G. The glass tube H is a mercurial circuit changer so arranged in
relation to the pressure in the stand pipe E as to vary the column of mercury in
proportion to the varying of pressure in the pipe to which it is connected, so that'
the opening of a sprinkler will cause the mercury m to open the circuit at one
point and close it at another point, in an obvious manner, thus making operative a
transmitter like those shown at A. A¹ figure 1 and fully described.
We have used a pressure gauge of ordinary construction, breaking and making
contact by the index pointer in contact with insulated stops on the dial plate. A
flap valve placed in the pipe and weighted to a predetermined degree, if placed
between the pressure transmitter and the water supply is of advantage except
where tanks are used.
In figures 3 and 4 J represents the screw-threaded body of the sprinkler having
an outlet o and arms or support K for the valve-closing devices, to which is
permanently secured the spreader L. At the extremities of the arms K are the
hooks M which co-operate with the cross-bar N in sustaining in operative position
the separable yoke O, which, when the two parts thereof are secured together by
fusible solder, supports the valve P and its stem Q in place.
The yoke O is composed of two plates of brass or other suitable metal having
their surfaces, which are in contact, roughened or, by preference, provided with
projections in the form of corrugations which will interlock, as shown. When the
plates thus corrugated are soldered together by easily fusible solder they form a
yoke that will open in a most satisfactory manner under the action of heat; and
the solder is in such relation to the water pressure as to receive no appreciable
strain therefrom. The two plates corrugated in this manner can be easily held by
the thumb and finger to close a sprinkler against a heavy water pressure, as the
force necessary to be exerted is simply that which is required to hold the corruga-
tions interlocked, the strain of the water pressure being on the interlocked surfaces
of the plates, and that, too, in quite a limited degree because of the leverage
obtained by the construction and arrangement of the parts as shown.
It will be observed that in these views of the sprinkler, (figures 3 and 4), the
spreader is immovably secured to the arms K in a position just above the books M
and that the valve stem Q is screw-threaded on its lower end, to which the cross-
bar N is secured, as shown, and is provided with an enlargement p at its top,

page_text: which prevents the stem from falling through the opening in the cross-bar N when
the latter has been released by the separation of the soldered plates comprising the
yoke O. The enlargement p may be formed by leaving a burr on the drilled end
of the stem or by a wire passing through the end, or in any other convenient way.
When the various parts of this form of the sprinkler are placed in position the
sprinkler will appear as in figure 3, the valve P of brass, faced with lead, being
pressed against the outlet o by the stem which passes through an opening in the
spreader L and has connected to its screw-threaded lower end the cross-bar N
which rests upon shoulders on the separable yoke O the hooks q of the latter
interlocking with the hooks M on the arms K. The cross-bar N is slotted, as 1
shown, to extend by the interlocked hooks M, q, and thereby prevent the displace-
ment of these parts. The stem Q is adjusted to securely close the valve P by means
of the screw threads at its bottom-but if preferred the top of the valve stem may
be screw threaded and be tapped into the under surface of the valve, in an obvious
manner.
The plates composing the yoke O with their hooked portions and shoulders, may
be struck out of sheet brass; and said plates may be secured together by means
other than fusible solder, as, for instance, by rings of easily fusible metal slipped
over their ends but the preferred method of securing the plates together is by
the use of easily fusible solder applied to the corrugated surfaces of the plates in
any practicable manner.
The operation of this form of the device is plain from the above description.
The heat of a fire will cause the plates composing the yoke to separate under the
strain which is produced by the stem Q pressing between the outlet o and the
yielding cross-bar N, and, in falling, said plates carry the cross-bar with them
which latter will assume the position, on the stem Q, shown in figure 4. The
opening of the outlet o will permit the discharge of the extinguishing fluid against
the spreader L which will distribute it over the threatened area, beneath and above,
in a well known manner.
In the sprinkler shown in figures 5 and 6 J¹ is the screw-threaded body, O¹ the
yoke, and L¹ the spreader, which in this form of the structure is movable and not
permanently attached as in figures 3 and 4. The pieces RS are to be essentially
of the form shown and are arranged to interlock with each other and to be pressed
into position to close the sprinkler against water pressure-the said pieces RS
forming what is termed in mechanics a "toggle joint." The piece S is provided
with a nut r for convenience in adjusting, where parts are to be used inter-
changeably. The piece R is shown in the form of a lever which is jointed and
folds back on itself and is locked into the folded position by being soldered, or by
a pin of solder or other fusible substance at 8, the pivot at t being of hard metal
or of a fusible metal requiring greater heat to melt it than the pin at 8.
The spreader L may form the valve to close the outlet of this sprinkler and
may be provided on its inner surface, as shown, with an insulated portion u covered
with a metal plate, for closing contact between the insulated binding posts vv, the
said insulated portion u bearing upon the spring pieces u¹ when the spreader is
adjusted against the outlet of the sprinkler. The shoulders w of the yoke O¹,
upon which the spreader seats itself when it has fallen from the position in which
it holds the outlet of the sprinkler closed, may be provided with insulated pieces
covered with metal as shown. It will be seen that when the spreader L' is held
up against the sprinkler's outlet, so that its insulated portion closes contact
between the insulated binding posts vv the charged main current has an unbroken
path, maintaining. the circuit closed. When the fusible devices drop away from
contact with the spreader L¹, the spreader will pass to the position on the shoulders
at w, and in the interval that the spreader is passing from its closed position to
that upon the shoulders at w, the circuit is broken, but immediately closed again
when the spreader is seated on said shoulders. To make this result certain the
_bottom of the spreader is provided with an insulating substance which is covered
with metal, and the insulating pieces on the shoulders w are likewise provided

page_text: with metal pieces, and the wires a¹ are connected between the binding posts v v
and the metallic pieces on the shoulders at w. From this description it is plain
that the opening of the sprinkler by the heat of a fire affecting the fusible devices
which hold the same closed, will result in momentarily or temporarily varying the
electric circuit by opening the same and immediately closing it again.
A steel spring b¹ is placed between the point of nut r and the spreader L' to
prevent the puncturing of the spreader, and to form a yielding seat against varying
water pressure.
Instead of using the lever R, the piece S may be combined with a hooked-shaped
piece T which passes around the yoke O' and with a tongue-shaped piece U which
interlocks with the hooked-shaped piece as shown in figure 11-the parts being
held together by a solder pin c¹ until acted upon by heat, when the pin c¹ fuses
and permits the spreader-sustaining devices to drop away from the yoke O'-the
spreader seating itself upon the shoulders w of the yoke as stated in explaining the
operation of figures 5- and 6.
In putting together the form of sprinkler shown in figures 5, 6 and 11 there is a
tension upon the lever R or tongue-shaped piece U, so that the sprinkler will open
in a most satisfactory manner in the presence of heat; but there is no appreciable
increase of strain due to the pressure of water upon the valve closing the outlet, as
the fusible device serves to hold the parts R S-T, U, S, interlocked and is not
subject to any other strain whatever, the pressure of the water acting in a straight
line through the piece S and on the shoulder of the piece R or piece T.
The parts of a sprinkler thus arranged can be adjusted so that the strain upon
the solder or fusible substance is in no case sufficient to displace them; and when
placed as shown they will open under the influence of heat and will not leak under
any reasonably heavy water pressure. When the parts are arranged as explained,
pins of alloys that are not solders, but which will fracture or melt at low
temperatures, may be used in places where it is desirable to have sprinklers open
at a lower temperature than the temperature at which those would open which
are secured by the cadmium solder known as "Wood's Alloys." A fusible pin to
melt lower than "Wood's Alloy can be made by adding sulphur to "Wood's
Alloy."
"
The form of extinguisher shown in figures 5, 6 and 11 may be used pendant from
the water pipes of a system, or in the position the reverse of pendant-affording
the advantage, when in the last mentioned position, of being used in buildings
where water is excluded from the system to avoid freezing, as the sprinklers can be
dripped perfectly.
In figures 7 and 8 is shown a sprinkler which consists of the body J³ with a
handle and a spreader L² which weights the handle d' and is arranged to swing
in front of the outlet o¹ when the sprinkler becomes open. A rod e¹ projects from
the body of the sprinkler and the handle d is held to close the outlet o¹ by being
connected to the rod e' by a fusible hook or link f¹. This simple form of device is
in effect a faucet provided with a weighted handle that will, when released,
gravitate to a perpendicular position and open the water-way in the faucet. The
only strain upon the solder at any time is the weight of the handle d¹.
Figures 9 and 10 show a sprinkler constructed of the body J', valve g¹, valve
stem h¹, spreader L³, pivoted lever and a pivoted arm carrying a friction
wheel m¹. This sprinkler is closed by pushing the wheel m¹ onto the inclined or
bevelled portion of the lever i¹ and soldering the sides of said lever and the arm k¹
together. The inner surface of the arm k' and the corresponding surface of the
lever may be roughened, or corrugated, at the point to be soldered. The
rivets n¹ n² and n³ should be loose fitting, and the rivets n¹ and n³ should be of an
alloy fusible at about 300° Fahrenheit. In adjusting this sprinkler ready for
action, the wheel m' is pushed up onto the incline of the lever until the sprinkler
is closed water tight and solder is then applied at o³, as stated. In this form of the
sprinkler the water pressure is exerted upon the hard metal, the strain upon the
solder being just enough to hold the wheel upon the incline. In practice we have

page_text: put a drop of solder back of the wheel w to scotch the wheel in addition to the
soldering at o³, the drop back of the wheel when melted acting as a lubricant
between the wheel and the surface upon which it is to roll.
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
1. A fire alarm embodying a thermostatic changing device which, when operated
by rise in temperature, automatically changes the condition of an electric circuit
and immediately thereafter restores the said circuit to its normal condition,
combined with a signal operating apparatus controlled by the said circuit, and
made operative by the momentary change in the circuit, but retained inoperative
when the circuit is permanently changed from its normal condition, substantially
as described.
2. The combination with a mechanism adapted to transmit a definite number-
signal upon one circuit, of an auxiliary circuit and devices adapted to be made
operative by the action of heat to set in motion the said transmitting mechanism in
a manner to distinguish at a receiving station between a true alarm signal and an
accidental or false alarm signal, substantially as described.
3. A call mechanism adapted to transmit a definite number-signal of one class
when released by heat, and to transmit a definite number-signal of another class
when released by the accidental opening of a controlling circuit, substantially as
described.
4. A call mechanism adapted to transmit a definite number-signal when the
controlling circuit is opened and then closed, and adapted to remain inoperative
when the controlling circuit opens and remains open, substantially as set forth.
5. A wound up mechanism adapted to be started to run, by the action of heat,
to give a definite signal, and to give a different signal if accidentally started,
substantially as set forth.
6. In an alarm system, two independent circuits adapted to be used for other
purposes, and made operative to transmit an alarm signal by connecting them
together, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination with two independent circuits employed for telegraphic
purposes, of a battery, and alarm-recording apparatus connected to said circuits at
a central station, and automatic mechanism at a remote station for connecting said
wires together to transmit an alarm signal to said central station.
8. The combination with mechanism A¹ of shunt m m, wires 1 and 2, battery C
and translating apparatus, as D, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination of the closed thermostatic circuit x, magnet ƒ, armature e and
a wound up transmitting mechanism, substantially as set forth.
10. A water supply pipe or tank, provided with a device which is actuated by
the lowering of pressure in the pipe or tank to momentarily or temporarily open
an electric circuit and then restore it to its closed condition, substantially as set
forth.
11. A supply pipe or tank provided with a mercurial circuit changer, whereby an
electric circuit may be automatically opened momentarily or temporarily and then
restored to its closed condition, substantially as set forth.
12. A stand pipe E provided with the bent tube H, supplied with mercury as
shown, combined with circuit wires, substantially as set forth.
13. The stand pipe E, and branch pipe F equipped with automatic sprinklers,
as G, in combination with the circuit wires, as shown, and a mercurial circuit
changer adapted to operate substantially as set forth.
14. An automatic sprinkler provided with electrical connections portable there-
with, substantially as set forth.
15. An automatic sprinkler provided with electrical connections in such relation
to the movable parts of the sprinkler that when said parts are released by heat an

page_text: electric circuit will be momentarily or temporarily broken and then restored,
substantially as set forth.
16. A sprinkler, or fire extinguishing device, whose valve is held closed by
fusible devices portable with said sprinkler and in such relation thereto as to be
relieved of all appreciable strain from the pressure of the water, substantially as
set forth.
17. An automatic sprinkler held closed by a separable yoke removably secured
in front of the sprinkler's outlet, substantially as set forth.
18. An automatic sprinkler whose outlet is held closed by devices having
corrugated surfaces which are held together by fusible solder, substantially as set
forth.
19. A sprinkler held closed by a lever secured in position by a fusible adjunct,
substantially as set forth.
20. The two-part separable yoke O having its joined surfaces corrugated sub-
stantially as set forth.
21. The combination with the spreader L of a valve stem enlarged at its top P,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
22. An automatic sprinkler having an outlet o, and provided with the arms K K
and spreader L rigidly joined together, combined with a valve held closed by fusible
devices, substantially as set forth.
23. An automatic sprinkler having an outlet o hooked arms K, K, and fixed
spreader L combined with a separable hooked yoke O, cross-bar N, and valve-
mechanism held to close the sprinkler's outlet until released by the heat of a fire,
substantially as set forth.
24. An automatic sprinkler having an outlet o, hooked arms K, K, and fixed
spreader L, combined with a separable hooked yoke O, cross-bar N, valve P and
adjustable valve stem Q, substantially as set forth.
25. In an automatic fire extinguisher, a tapering and unobstructed outlet, a
spreader secured in front of said outlet, and a valve held to normally close said
outlet by a cross-bar resting upon a separable yoke which interlocks with the
yoke and with hooks on arms which support the spreader, substantially as set forth.
26. A sprinkler comprising a body J¹, yoke O¹, spreader L', and devices R, S
held interlocked by fusible solder to retain the sprinkler's outlet normally closed,
substantially as set forth.
27. The valve retaining devices R S, the latter being provided with an adjusting
nut 7, substantially as set forth.
28. The valve retaining devices R, S in combination with the disk b, substan-
tially as and for the purpose set forth.
29. The sprinkler J O¹ provided with the insulated binding posts vv, and
insulated shoulders ww, in combination with the insulated spreader L¹ and wires
a a', substantially as set forth.
30. The sprinkler J³ combined with the weighted handle d¹ and spreader L³,
substantially as set forth.
31. The sprinkler J³ combined with the weighted handle d', which is retained to
hold the valve of the sprinkler closed by a fusible device which, when released,
permits the spreader to assume a position in front of the discharge outlet of the
sprinkler, substantially as set forth.
32. The sprinkler J*, provided with a spreader L³, and held closed by a valve
retained in position by a lever i¹ and bar k, provided with the friction wheel m',
substantially as set forth.
33. A sprinkler combined with the valve retaining devices ¹¹ m² secured in
position by fusible solder, substantially as set forth.
34. A sprinkler embodying a yoke, as O', combined with the valve retaining
devices S, T, U, substantially as set forth.
35. An automatic sprinkler whose valve retaining devices are held in position
by solders which fuse at different temperatures, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth,

page_text: 36. A thermostat constructed to open a normally closed circuit and close it again,
when acted upon by heat, substantially as set forth.
37. A thermostatic device constructed to vary a circuit for a moment, when
subjected to the influence of heat, substantially as set forth.
38. A double contact thermostat which, when affected by heat, is adapted to
open a circuit and close it again, substantially as set forth.
39. The thermostat B comprising double contacts, and a spring adapted to be
held against one contact by fusible solder and to close against the other contact
when acted upon by heat, substantially as set forth.