Abstract: The fire suppressant foam generation and application apparatus produces a low moisture content fire suppressant foam for use in fire fighting applications. The reduction in the water content of the fire suppressant foam is accomplished by the use of pressurized gas in place of water along with a stata tube apparatus to agitate the foam/water mixture to create the fire suppressant foam. A pressurized gas operated pump can be used to actively draw the water/foam mixture from a supply tank and supply it under pressure to the stata tube and outlet line. This apparatus can be implemented as a backpack unit consisting of a storage tank, formed as a substantially U-shaped molded element, which contains the liquid foam concentrate/water mixture. A high pressure tank containing pressurized gas, either nitrogen or a nitrogen-air mixture, or other suitable gas mixture, is included in an aperture formed in the storage tank housing.

Abstract: A hand injector for extinguishing fires through a two-stage fire extinguishing operation consisting of a cooling fire extinguishing step and an oxygen deficiency fire extinguishing step uses a fire extinguishing gas, such as a liquified gas including carbon dioxide contained in a cylinder. The hand injector has a firing pin unit for breaking a seal member of the cylinder, a retainer for maintaining the firing pin unit in an inoperative state, and a retainer operating device for operating the retainer by a manual operation. The retainer is fixed at its head portion by a bolt screwed to an upper surface portion of a cylinder receiver. Leg portions of the retainer are fitted in a recess formed in an upper portion of a shaft. A firing pin is fixed to a lower end of the shaft. The retainer operating device consists of a cam, which is adapted to be turned manually, whereby the leg portions of the retainer are opened to operate the fire pin.

Abstract: A safety ring for an end of a fire extinguisher is characterized by an underlying portion adjacent the lowermost end of the extinguisher. Flange portions extend upwardly from the underlying portion about the lowermost end of the extinguisher, to protect same and to enhance the retention of the ring on said extinguisher. The ring has a preferably U-shaped cross-section, and alternatively or additionally may be retained in operative protective relationship with the extinguisher by an adhesive substance or the like. Sloping upper edges of the flange portions provide desirable benefits, including reducing the risk of inadvertent dislodgment of the ring from the extinguisher and reducing the collection of water, dirt and the like on the edge of the flange. One or more holes may be provided in the ring to permit drainage of fluids and to permit easier cleaning of the ring. Hose-retaining means may be integrally provided with the ring.

Abstract: A pressurized container consisting mainly of a protective flask, a lid, an elastic storage bag disposed within the flask, and a working bag disposed within the elastic storage bag. The elastic storage bag is filled with a predetermined amount of a desired medium to be dispensed. Then, the working bag is filled with air or another appropriate working fluid. The pressure exerted from the working bag on the elastic storage bag causes the elastic storage bag to expand until lining the interior of the protective flask. A deaerating vent is provided on the protective flask to allow air trapped between the elastic bag and the protective flask to escape. The added pressure supplied by the working bag assures that all of the contained medium will be dispensed. The protective flask also may include an opening and a puncturing tip covered by a thermal fuse. When the thermal fuse melts, the puncturing tip ruptures the elastic storage bag, thereby dispensing the medium contained inside.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher is provided with a voice synthesizer attached thereto that is activated by a position sensitive switch such that upon the fire extinguisher being tilted the voice synthesizer broadcasts instructions on use of the fire extinguisher. The voice synthesizer may be activated in response to other situation sensitive sensors to produce messages appropriate to the situation sensed.

Abstract: An adapter (20) is mountable to a valve assembly (94) of a conventional fire extinguisher (22) to form a portable automatic fire extinguisher (25). The adapter (20) comprises a coupling (26) which is mountable to the valve assembly (94), an elongate conduit (28), and an automatic sprinkler head (24). When the adapter (20) is mounted to the fire extinguisher (22), the sprinkler head (24) is placed in fluid communication with the fire extinguisher (22) and is locatable adjacent a ceiling of a room. If a fire occurs in the room, the automatic sprinkler head (24) releases fluid from the fire extinguisher (25) onto the floor of the room. An insert (130) mountable within the automatic sprinkler head (24) has a passageway (156, 158) extending therethrough which directs the spray of fluid passing through the automatic sprinkler head away from the longitudinal axis of the sprinkler head (24).

Abstract: A system for extinguishing a fire includes a conventional fire extinguishing cylinder for releasing a pressurized fire extinguishing gas, and a device including a composition which includes a first reactant and a second reactant. The composition is activated so as to cause the first reactant and the second reactant to react with each other to create solid particulate products having a diameter of about one micron or less which are effective in extinguishing fires. The device is located so that the fire extinguishing gas and the particulate products intermix.

Abstract: A disposable unit dose dispenser is provided for fluidizing and dispensing a predetermined quantity of powdered product, such as an antihistamine or a decongestant. The dispenser includes a first layer and a second layer connected together to form a gas chamber and a product reservoir adjacent one another. The product reservoir includes a delivery tube adapted to dispense the powdered product. The dispenser also includes a seal which separates the gas chamber from the product reservoir such that when pressure is applied to the gas chamber by squeezing the dispenser the seal ruptures causing a jet of gas to discharge from the gas chamber into the adjacent product reservoir fluidizing and dispensing substantially all of the powdered product from the product reservoir through the delivery tube.

Abstract: A fire suppressor having a motor and a pump affixed to a tank for the fire suppressant mountable on the back of a user and which can be changed from a spray configuration to a fill configuration for fire site vicinity filling. A fuel tank for the motor mounted on the fire suppressant tank is enclosed to prevent sparks from reaching the fuel.

Abstract: A suction head and strainer assembly comprises a strainer portion of elongated hollow generally cylindrical configuration with a plurality of strainer holes at a closed end thereof. The strainer holes provide for an aggregate open area of approximately three times the cross sectional area of a fire hose attached to the assembly with openings being approximately one half inch in diameter and arranged in staggered rows of seventeen openings each. A discharge end portion of the assembly is connected to and communicates with the strainer portion and in turn connects with a fire hose at a suction end of the latter. A stop means is adjustable along the length of the strainer portion for selective positioning of the strainer holes beneath the surface of ice of varying thickness.

Abstract: A floating suction head assembly for connection with firehoses and the like comprising a U-shaped float of hollow tubular construction. A hollow tubular strainer is disposed between the arms of the float and extends therebeneath with small openings fully exposed at its bottom and along side portions thereof. The openings are one half inch in diameter with spacing therebetween of approximately one fourth inch and with alternate radial rows of 9 and 8 openings each. Thirty-two rows of openings are provided along the length of the strainer and a highly efficient turbulence free operation results with a lightweight construction.

Abstract: An attachment for a rubber-tired skidder vehicles which is releasably and supportably mountable to the skidder. The attachment comprises a tank which includes a water tank compartment for storing water and a drive tank compartment for storing a hydraulic motor and a pump operable from the motor. Coupling hoses are provided for coupling the hydraulic motor to a hydraulic power supply of the skidder. The attachment further includes a discharge hose, a suction hose and first and second valves such that the tank may be selectively operated to: (1) pump water from the water tank compartment through the discharge hose; (2) pump water from the suction hose to the water tank compartment; or (3) pump water from the suction hose to the discharge hose.

Abstract: Composition and apparatus are disclosed for a dry-chemical fire extinguisher. The dry-chemical composition has a particle size less than 5 .mu.m and may be in combination with a flow agent, a dessicant or other anti-caking agent. The fire extinguisher apparatus is a transparent polymer container with a delivery head containing multiple openings. Manual compression of the container forces the release of a fire-extinguishing cloud of the dry-chemical composition. Among the most preferred dry-chemical fire-extinguishing compositions is monoammonium phosphate.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher for automotive use is provided with the additional capability of sealing and reinflating a flat tire without any wheel removal. The device is charged with a combination fire-extinguishing and tire-sealing composition, and fitted with a removable nozzle for extinguishing fires. To seal and inflate a flat tire, the nozzle is removed, and, in its place, one end of an adaptor hose assembly is attached to the fire extinguisher, and the other end is connected to the tire valve with the wheel rotated to place the puncture or leak at the bottom. Then actuating the device dispenses sealant into the tire while inflating it, after which vehicle movement distributes the sealant and generates heat which accelerates the tire-sealing action and further inflates the tire to a higher pressure, enabling the vehicle to proceed to a service station.

Abstract: A valve, particularly useful in a fire extinguisher, which utilizes a stem movable in a passageway having a head connected to the stem. The head includes a relatively hard member possessing a hard outer surface which fits snugly within the passageway. The head further includes a deformable portion adjacent the relatively hard surface of the relatively hard member. The relatively hard surface of the relatively hard portion contacts and scrapes the wall portion prior to sealing which is effected between the deformable portion and the wall of the passageway.

Abstract: A wall mounted plate for a hand-operated fire extinguisher in which the plate has markings thereon to signal to the prospective user its location. The plate is composed of a fiberglass reinforced plastic, the markings thereon being of a striped pattern and integral with the plastic, and the plate further having a planar extension beyond the periphery of the fire extinguisher for effecting maximum visibility.

Abstract: Hand-held and hand-operable powder dispenser having a container including a handle/nozzle section terminating at its discharge end in an unobstructed powder dipensing opening, a hand gripping section, and a central, flexible bellows section coupled between the handle/nozzle section and the hand-gripping section. The bellows section is adapted to be collapsed and expanded axially to serve as a pump. The inside diameters of the handle/nozzle section decrease substantially linearly and continually as a function of the length of the handle/nozzle section in a direction toward the powder dispensing opening. The ratio of the length of the handle/nozzle section to the greatest value of its inside diameter is substantially greater than 1.4.

Abstract: The invention is a device for coupling an outlet port of a fire extinguisher containing a source of pressurized fire suppression chemical to the interior of a closed-off compartment 12 having a pierceable wall 14. The device comprises a cylinder 22 having a moveable ram portion 66 adapted to pierce the wall 14 upon the cylinder receiving the pressurized fire suppression chemical. The cylinder 22 includes first and second ends 26, 32, the first end closed off by a first wall 28, the cylinder 22 further having an inlet port 30 in proximity to the first end 26. A piston 50 is moveably mounted within the cylinder 22, forming a closed-off chamber 56 within the cylinder. The piston 50 includes a piston rod 64 coupled to the ram portion. The piston 50 further includes passages 68, 70 coupling the chamber 56 to the exterior surface of the ram portion 66.

Abstract: A portable fire extinguisher apparatus is provided which is disposable comprising(a) a container which is suitable to be grasped in one hand that is adapted to receive fire extinguishing medium under pressure having a sealed outlet port in one end thereof; and(b) discharge means for said container which contains means for permanently opening said sealed outlet port that provides means for directing the flow of fire extinguishing medium dispensed from said container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for the prevention of caking or solidification of powdered and granular materials in fire extinguishers and other cylindrical or closed containers. Dry chemical fire extinguishers sometimes fail to function when the material contained in their cylindrical bodies solidifies and cannot be vented through the nozzle of the extinguisher. Fire extinguishers can be rendered more effective and failsafe by way of this invention since, by rapid rotation of a coil or other form or forms imbedded within the material, the material may be fluffed up and caking, solidification, or impactment from settlement may be eliminated thereby. Also, any contained powdered or granular material may be stirred by creating turbulence within the material by rotating a coiled steel form or other forms through the use of a magnetic force induced through the walls of the container.

Abstract: In a fire extinguishing system including a pressure vessel (10) filled with a non-solid fire extinguishing material (12) having a vapor pressure that fluctuates with temperature, a controllable outlet (14, 16, 18) for the vessel, and a pressure sensing device (20) for monitoring the pressure in the vessel, the improvement wherein the pressure sensing device includes a differential pressure sensing device (20) having two input ports (22, 24) one of the ports (22) being in fluid communication with the interior or the pressure vessel, and a sealed second vessel (26) in sufficiently close proximity to the pressure vessel so as to be exposed to the same ambient temperature as the pressure vessel and filled with fire extinguishing material (28) substantially to a desired fill density, the other of the ports (24) being in communication with the interior of the second vessel (26).

Abstract: Apparatus for introducing a widely variable predetermined quantity of liquid from a non-pressurized source into a flowing stream of a pressurized fluid. The unitary apparatus is readily detachably assembled to bulk shipping containers of different sizes and its pneumatically powered proportioning mechanism is quickly adjustable at will to pressurize and dispense a liquid at a selected one of many different precise rates into a pressurized fluid stream. The apparatus is readily and quickly adjusted to operate at a wide range of pressures and at many hundreds of pounds per square inch and to vary the ratios of the two fluids between one part in 1,000 and one part in 40,000. The proportioner has many applications including dispensing a fire fighting agent into a pressurized water line supplying fire hoses.

Abstract: A safety trash container for disposal of cigars, cigarettes, papers and the like, comprising in combination a receptacle having an opening at one end and a closure member adapted to fit the opening. Structure is provided within the receptacle for mounting the closure member for movement between an open position wherein the opening of the receptacle is exposed and accessible for deposit of trash, and a closed position wherein the opening is substantially sealed off. A heat responsive mechanism is also provided within the receptacle, for sensing a rise in its internal temperature due to inadvertent ignition of the contents thereof, and a powered operator device is associated with the mounting structure for the closure member and connected with the latter for advancing it to its closed position in response to operation of the heat-responsive mechanism, thereby sealing off the receptacle opening and confining and smothering any flames resulting from a fire occurring therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for pyrotechnically generating a mixture of at least two gases, substantially in a predetermined ratio, for an extended period of time, with separate pyrotechnic charges generating each component of the resultant mixture. At least one of the pyrotechnic charges is capable of sustained burning at a rate corresponding to the rate of total gas generation, and the remaining charges, not in themselves capable of sustained burning, are caused to sustain ignition by maintaining their burning surface in thermal communication with that of the first charge, so that all charges burn at substantially the same linear rate.

Abstract: A rechargeable dispensing apparatus, particularly suitable for use as a fire extinguisher, includes a generally spherical, enclosed dispensing container adapted to receive a liquid extinguishant therein, and has a flexible pickup tube shiftably confined therewithin which is provided with a weighted orifice for maintaining the latter at the bottom of the container below the level of remaining liquid within the container, whereby to allow continuous dispensing of the extinguishant in spite of tilting or turning of the apparatus by the user during the dispensing operation.

Abstract: A heat actuated valve comprises a base adapted to be mounted on a fire extinguisher container. The base includes a passsage communicable with the container interior. A pair of stop fingers extend forwardly from the base. A fusible element interconnects the stop fingers. The base, stop fingers and fusible element are of one-piece, integral construction. A plunger is slidably mounted in the passage and includes a passage-blocking portion which blocks the passage when the plunger abuts the stop fingers during a fire sensing mode of operation. The plunger is slidable rearwardly to shift the passage-blocking portion to a first passage-opening position to allow the container to be filled. The plunger is operable, in response to melting of the fuse, to spread the stop fingers apart and travel forwardly sufficiently to shift the passage-blocking portion to a second passage-opening position, enabling the container contents to be discharged.

Abstract: A dispenser for dry powders, and in particular for fire extinguishing powders, formed as a container having a handle/nozzle section to be gripped by one hand, a hand gripping section to be gripped by the other hand, and a central bellows section for alternate axial compression and expansion to pump the powder from the container and thereby to discharge it in repeated cloud-like bursts. By regulating the quantity of powder in the dispenser and the powder dispensing opening it is possible to repeatedly discharge fire extinguishing effective amounts of a fire extinguishing powder. In one preferred embodiment the handle/nozzle section is configured as an elongated conical member.

Abstract: A thixotropic high internal phase ratio emulsion which is essentially nonflammable is employed as a fire extinguishing agent. In the preferred embodiment the emulsion contains an aqueous internal phase which makes up the major part of the emulsion, usually in excess of 90%, but preferably in excess of 95%, and a minor amount of an external phase which is of low volatility and/or flammability such as a heavy oil and an emulsifying material. Because it is thixotropic and cohesive, it forms a blanket over a fire, and coats adjacent surfaces, preventing the spread of the fire. This composition is particularly useful in fighting forest fires where the emulsion can be dropped or sprayed from aircraft with a minimum loss due to dispersion in air currents.The invention also comprises a fire extinguisher comprising a container containing a high internal phase ratio emulsion and means for expelling said emulsion onto or in the path of a fire.