Special Applications Patents (Class 169/54)
  • Patent number: 4991657
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing system for roof fires or the like includes a fire sensor for monitoring a condition indicative of a fire and for signaling the sensing of the condition and a wind sensor for monitoring wind speed. A first fire extinguishing member is provided for spraying a fire retardant fluid onto an exterior surface of an associated roof. A control circuit is connected to the fire sensor and the first fire extinguishing member for actuating the first fire extinguishing member as driven by the fire sensor. The composition of the fire retardant fluid is regulated by the control circuit based on readings from the wind sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventor: Walter C. LeLande, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4986364
    Abstract: A dual purpose fire fighting and ventilation apparatus comprising a rigid conduit having an inlet end to be connected to a source of water under pressure and having an outlet end. The conduit is mounted in a generally horizontal position in an opening in a building such as a window or doorway, and a fogging nozzle is connected to the outlet end and is located within the building. Manually operable controls serve to adjust the spray pattern of the nozzle as well as moving the nozzle in a vertical path. In use, the conduit is inserted through the opening in the building and locked to the building with the nozzle facing outwardly through the opening. The spray pattern is adjusted and the nozzle is then elevated to create a spray pattern back through the opening and thus provide an aspirating action to draw smoke and air outwardly through the opening to reduce the upward propagation of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas W. Clark
  • Patent number: 4976319
    Abstract: A portable water driven fan for firefighting applications utilizing positive pressure ventilation is disclosed. A unit including a water powered turbine and a fan is constructed to be light in weight and compact and is capable of delivering a large volume of air sufficient for positive pressure ventilation. The unit is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles which enables the unit to deliver a water mist along with the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Hale Fire Pump Company
    Inventors: H. Alfred Eberhardt, Richard E. Teske
  • Patent number: 4964471
    Abstract: A fire suppression system for use with ducts carrying corrosive gases has a multiplicity of sprinkler assemblies, each having an easily replaceable adapter with a sprinkler head having a fusible alloy fill. The head is screwed into one end of the adapter which has an integral flange at its opposite end. The adapter is inserted in a flanged nozzle which is part of the duct. The adapter flange is bolted to the nozzle flange which has a central opening adapted for connection to a source of extinguishing fluid. A continuous passage for fluid is provided through the adapter and the flanges together with a passage through the sprinkler head, the latter being opened when the system is activated. Only the face of the adapter and a small protruding portion of the sprinkler head are exposed to the corrosive gases. The sprinkler head has a corrosion-resistant body and has a central passage containing a seal plug and a fusible fill at opposite ends and a piston between the fill and the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Cominco Ltd.
    Inventors: Leo K. Michalik, Segio G. Mussio
  • Patent number: 4964470
    Abstract: An improved sprinkler connection to a scrubber duct of the kind carrying noxious and inflammable gases is disclosed. The improved sprinkler connection features a small, single entry port into the duct, means for removably mounting a sprinkler head through the port into the duct, and a flexible hose for connecting the sprinkler head to a source of fluid supply. Preferably, the entry port does not exceed two inches in diameter. Preferably, the means for removably mounting the sprinkler head includes a reducer coupling. The reducer coupling serves to effect fluid communication between the sprinkler head and the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: McDonald Plumbing & Heating Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Gaulin
  • Patent number: 4930579
    Abstract: An automatic fire sprinkler of commercial grade is installed in a domestic dwelling independent of existing plumbing and without alteration of the plumbing in the dwelling. The automatic sprinkler head is connected to one end of a flexible hose. The opposite end of the hose is connected to an existing spigot to the water supply of a central heating unit, hot water heater or the like. The spigot may be a drain outlet or other outlet. The opposite end of the hose may also be connected to a water faucet which provides water to the domestic clothes washing machine. The fire sprinkler head is hung above the heat system or clothes washer/dryer. In response to a fire the sprinkler automatically sprays water from the existing water supply to the immediate area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Gary George
  • Patent number: 4899826
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Inventor: William T. Penn
  • Patent number: 4897207
    Abstract: A liquid composition includes as a major component thereof a detergent mixture of linear alkylate sulfonate, non-ionic detergent and lauric superamide. Depending upon the particular use of the composition, it also includes effective amounts of other components. In use for fighting Class D (burning metal) fires, the composition includes alfalfa, vitamin B-6, sodium chloride, and bicarbonate of soda and the amount of water is minimized so that it is only enough to properly mix the other components together before they are added to the detergent mixture. When used for fighting Class A and B fires, the composition includes alfalfa, vitamin B-6, bicarbonate of soda, water, and optionally bovine urine. When used for extinguishing burning coal fires, the composition includes alfalfa, vitamin B-6, and water. When used as an oil dispersant, the liquid composition includes vitamin B-6, bicarbonate of soda, water, and lemon or lime juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Environmental Security Incorporated
    Inventor: Jay S. Greene
  • Patent number: 4895208
    Abstract: An elevator cab fire extinguishing system is carried by an elevator cab and is arranged to discharge a non-toxic fire extinguishing agent into the interior of the elevator cab in response to a fire in the elevator cab to extinguish the fire quickly and without harm to passengers and property present in the elevator cab, and includes controls responsive to the discharge of the fire extinguishing agent for automatically shutting down the ventilation fan of the elevator cab, sounding an audible alarm, and delivering the elevator cab to a designated egress level in the building within which the elevator cab travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Victor Alasio
  • Patent number: 4860832
    Abstract: A receptacle comprises a plurality of juxtaposed tanks interconnected adjacent upper portions thereof in liquid communication with each other by eyelets defining liquid transmitting passages. Each of the tanks has an open top closed by a funnel shaped cover having a central opening for admitting burning liquid fuel. Spheres are suspended from the covers to normally seal the liquid transmitting passages with the spheres each having a density which will permit them to float on the liquid fuel when it rises to the level of the passage to thereby open the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Claude Levillain
  • Patent number: 4859349
    Abstract: The instant invention relates to water-soluble anionic polysaccharides bound to perfluoroalkyl cationic surfactants. Polymer complexes are formed which are especially useful for fighting fires of hydrophilic or polar liquids. They have the unique property of forming an impervious gel when foamed with suitable surfactants and projected onto burning liquids. The gelatinous blanket is resistant to the fuel and protects the foam blanket from destruction. Consequently, superior fire-fighting agents can be prepared for fires which are otherwise very difficult to extinguish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Kirtland P. Clark, Robert A. Falk
  • Patent number: 4836290
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing system for roof fires or the like includes a fire sensor for monitoring a condition indicative of a fire and for signaling the sensing of the condition. A first fire extinguishing member is provided for spraying a fire retardant fluid onto an exterior surface of an associated roof. A logic circuit is connected to the fire sensor and the first fire extinguishing member for actuating the first fire extinguishing member as driven by the fire sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Walter C. Le Lande, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4836472
    Abstract: The present helicopter deck makes use of a passive fire-fighting system. Extruded aluminum beams on a base support an upper platform for supporting the helicopter. The support beams provide a space between the base and the upper platform. The upper platform is a grating, which permits fuel to pass through it. The support beam support batts of thin, spaced strips of high-heat conductive material below the upper platform. The support beams also supports deck plates below and spaced from the batts. The material of the batts conducts localized heat from one location of the batts to a more even, lower temperature spread generally through the batts. The deck plates catch fuel that passes through the batts and slopes to cause the fuel to flow away from the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: R. Frank Sutter
    Inventors: R. Frank Sutter, Melvyn Braithwaite
  • Patent number: 4819732
    Abstract: Cabinet assembly for simple placing in a room so that in the event of a fire it detects fire and discharges compressed fire-fighting vapor such as bromotrifluoromethane. Cabinet contains tank of compressed vapor with discharge conduit and controls so that mere connection to electric power supply will place it in operation. Second tank in cabinet can be arranged to discharge such vapor through opening in raised floor to fight fire in space below the raised floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Uptime Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh M. Laumeister
  • Patent number: 4811796
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for use in fighting fire in and around heavy, self-propelled vehicles by means of a liquid ballast contained within the large, tubeless tires of the vehicle. In the event of a fire, a hose is connected to a coupling which is in turn connected to a fitting connected to means forming a hole in the rim of a wheel so as to permit liquid to be forced out of the tire and through a nozzle on the end of the hose by air pressure within the tire. The apparatus also includes at least one other fitting and another coupling connectible to the fitting, together with an additional hose connectible to one fitting in order to permit liquid ballast to be added to the tire, as air in the tire is vented through another fitting, and then pressurized by the addition of air through a compressed air line connected to one of the couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Stephen D. Allen
  • Patent number: 4802535
    Abstract: A fire-fighting tool having a perforated pointed forward end is designed to automatically maintain its water-emitting portions in place within the interior of a burning building, without manual attention thereto, after the wall or roof of such a building have been pierced with same. Rearwardly directed ports are carefully arranged so as to produce non-intersecting streams of water. These ports emit water under high pressure when the pointed heavy tool is attached to a fire hose and serve to extinguish the fire at the inner surface of the outside wall, and at the same time prevent the tool from being ejected rearwardly, which would be the normal result of the passage of water under high pressure from the fire hose through such a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Inventor: Arlan N. Bakke
  • Patent number: 4773485
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing system for a cookstove or range includes a fire extinguisher mounted above a hood positioned over the cookstove or range. The fire extinguisher is connected to a pair of nozzles within the hood to dispense fire suppressant over the cookstove or range. The fire extinguisher includes an operator normally biased to the operable position but held in the inoperable position by a cable having a plurality of fusible links distributed therein. The cable is held in tension adjacent the inner periphery of the hood. Upon the occurrence of a fire, at least one of the links separates, releasing the cable and allowing the operator to move to the operating position whereby the fire extinguisher releases the fire suppressant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Twenty First Century International Fire Equipment and Services, Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Silverman
  • Patent number: 4736801
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher has an elongated manifold for discharging water on a chimney fire and is protectively secured within an opened face cage. The top has a threaded opening for a connection to a water hose and pointed bottom end for a ram head. An elongated bore extending from the hose connection feeds water to a plurality of lateral channels with openings on the outside of the manifold. A plurality of spray nozzles mounted in the openings are arranged to discharge a spray mist from the nozzles peripherally about the chimney wall. When lowered or dropped within a chimney the manifold pointed end penetrates the ignited mass of creosote while spraying a water mist to quench the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Roy A. Grewell
  • Patent number: 4711307
    Abstract: A fire extinguisher of compact, self-contained character is installed in electrical equipment by being mounted within an aperture of a housing for the equipment. The extinguisher has an elongated vessel for containing under pressure a fire extinguishing substance such as halogenated hydrocarbon type. A nozzle is carried at one end of the vessel and is closed by fusible material which melts at a predetermined temperature to permit discharge into the housing. The nozzle is formed as part of a fitting which carries a washer-like disc having an adhesive substance on it to permit adhesive securement of the extinguisher to the equipment housing, with the greatest portion of the vessel extending exteriorly of the housing and only a small portion of the extinguisher thus extending interiorly of the housing. The vessel has a relatively high aspect ratio, such as permitting it to be installed in an aperture defined by an electrical knock-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Inventor: Harold Rosen
  • Patent number: 4696347
    Abstract: An arrangement for propelling liquids over long distances involves enclosing liquid in a plurality of thin plastic spheres having a dimpled surface. The liquid containing spheres are propelled over substantial distances by shooting them from a pipe by means of compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Inventors: Michael Stolov, Sara Stolov, Adi Stolov, Ilana Stolov-Hecht
  • Patent number: 4658716
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a controller for controlling the local diameters of a temperature sensitive calender roll by selectively heating sections of a sheet of calenderable material with infrared lamps while the sheet is in contact with the calender roll or before the sheet contacts the roll. The calender roll is made of a material having at least one dimension which responds to changes in temperature. Therefore, thermal expansion of the roll, resulting from contact of the heated sheet with the roll surface, corrects local non-uniformities in the calender roll diameters. If the calender rolls unexpectedly stop or slow down so that the sheet of calenderable material becomes overexposed to infrared radiation, a fire detecting device detects and extinguishes the fire by turning off the infrared heating lamps and flooding the area around the lamps with a fire-extinguishing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Measurex Corporation
    Inventor: Mathew G. Boissevain
  • Patent number: 4657086
    Abstract: A fire-extinguishing system for helicopter decks (10) comprises nozzles (24, 25) for the supply of foam or water to the helicopter deck and to a helicopter and the like placed on the helicopter deck. At the outer edge of the helicopter deck, just by a submerged gangway (13), and preferably also across the helicopter deck in or by an associated drainage duct (29), there is permanently arranged a conduit system (21, 22, 23) for foam or water, equipped with a first and a second set of nozzles. A first set of nozzles is adapted to direct a jet of foam or water of relatively low strength and relatively small range towards its respective established region of the helicopter deck in order to squirt or spray the same with foam or water. A second set of nozzles is adapted to direct a jet of foam or water of relatively high strength and relatively long range substantially in a direction towards the center of the helicopter deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Inventor: Oscar Aanensen
  • Patent number: 4653396
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a controller for controlling local calender roll diameters by directing temperature controlled fluid against selected slices of a rotating calender roll. The calender roll has a diameter which responds to changes in temperature. Therefore, thermal expansion or contraction, resulting from localized heating or cooling of the calender roll by the temperature controlled fluid, corrects local non-uniformities in the spacing between cooperating calender rolls. The invention conserves energy by recirculating the temperature controlled air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Measurex Corporation
    Inventor: Gunnar Wennerberg
  • Patent number: 4646486
    Abstract: A feedthrough assembly for conduits basically has a wall formed with a throughgoing passage extending along an axis and having a radially inwardly directed wall surface. At least one conduit passes axially through the passage. A lining member in the passage receives at least one elastomeric adapter member having an outer surface complementarily radially outwardly engaging the wall surface and an inner surface snugly surrounding and engaging the conduit. A tightening unit has a tightening member that presses the inner and outer surfaces of the adapter member sealingly against the respective conduit and wall surface. One of the members is formed with at least one hollow chamber open radially inward at its inner surface and a mass of material generally fills the chamber. This material reacts endogenetically and emits a fire-inhibiting gas when heated substantially. The bulk of the fire-retarding material is provided in the adapter block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Inventor: Werner Hauff
  • Patent number: 4606832
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing composition which comprises bromofluorohydrocarbon and/or bromochlorofluorohydrocarbon and a fluorine-containing high molecular compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Assignee: Daikin Kogyo Company, Limited
    Inventors: Iwao Hisamoto, Chiaki Maeda, Takasige Esaka, Masaru Hirai
  • Patent number: 4591000
    Abstract: An automatic fire-extinguishing device for an oil burner is disclosed which is capable of manually carrying out the fire-extinguishing at the occurrence of any trouble in the oil burner as well as at the occurrence of earthquakes with good reliability and significant simplicity. The automatic fire-extinguishing device includes a movable lever which is adapted to be operated by a manual operation lever mounted on a movable shielding plate at the time of fire-extinguishing to upward move a combustion cylinder with respect to a wick receiving case through a lever mechanism to form a space between the cylinder and the case and receive the shielding plate into the space, so that the fire-extinguishing may be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Toyotomi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuharu Nakamura, Yutaka Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 4560007
    Abstract: There is described a carbon bed absorber (7) including a temperature sensor (10), e.g. a conduit (10) which fuses at a predetermined temperature, wherein the sensor (10) is operably linked (11, 15) to a supply of fire extinguishing fluid (14) to cause flow of the fluid to the bed (7) on the sensor (10) sensing a predetermined elevated temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor is an optical fibre (10) which fuses at the predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Fisons plc
    Inventors: James O. Molloy, Peter E. Sydenham, Roman A. Hulejczuk
  • Patent number: 4520872
    Abstract: An emergency fluid supply system in combination with a well having an electrically operable pump supplying fluid to a structure having a first fluid distribution system, an electric power supply and an electric distribution system includes a second fluid distribution system in fluid communication with the pump. A valve connects the first and second distribution systems and has a first position associated with supplying fluid to the first fluid distribution system and a second position associated with supplying fluid to the second fluid distribution system. A switch is in electrical connection with the electric power supply, the pump and the electric distribution system and has a first position associated with supplying power to the pump and the electric distribution system and a second position associated with supplying power to the pump only. The valve first position is associated with the switch first position and the valve second position is associated with the switch second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: Ardee R. Holman
  • Patent number: 4488603
    Abstract: A compact and highly mobile fire-fighting vehicle is disclosed which is capable of entering buildings through doorways and being maneuvered through corridors to the location of the fire. The vehicle carries fire extinguishing materials thereon and a spray device for spraying such materials. The vehicle can be battery operated directly by an operator or by an electronic remote control device provided on the chassis. A plurality of vehicles of the present invention can be effectively utilized to surround and isolate a fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Dr. H. Schmittmann GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Bernd Schmittmann, Samuel Muller
  • Patent number: 4487137
    Abstract: An auxiliary exhaust system for use with a flue includes a conduit communicating at one end with an opening formed in the flue wall and a blower operable to introduce auxiliary air into the flue through the conduit. The conduit is angled so that the auxiliary air enters the flue with a velocity component extending in the downstream direction of the flow of the products of combustion to aid in venting the combustion unit. A damper located within the conduit operates an on-off switch in a blower control circuit which starts and stops the blower when the damper is opened and closed, respectively. The blower control circuit also includes an automatic combustion control which is responsive to flue temperature to increase the speed of the blower whenever the flue temperature is below a predetermined value and to decrease the blower speed whenever the flue temperature is above a predetermined value. The blower includes an access port which enables a fire extinguishing chemical to be introduced into the flue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Inventors: George T. Horvat, Stephen D. Horvat
  • Patent number: 4484634
    Abstract: A flexible rigid conduit system particularly suitable for fire protection sprinkler installations usable with movable storage racks wherein a plurality of rigid conduits are interconnected by self-aligning rotary joints permitting pressurized water to be supplied to the storage rack regardless of its location. The conduit system is supported remotely of its fixed portions by a track and carriage arrangement providing support for the conduits and permitting unhindered movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Swanson, Dean E. Wanders
  • Patent number: 4481933
    Abstract: A fire extinguishing attachment including a bracket for mounting on a stove stack and having a tubular guide therethrough. The tubular guide is an elbow tube having an inner end within the stack directed towards the chimney flue and an outer end outside the stack adapted to receive the nozzle of a powder type fire extinguisher. When a chimney fire occurs, the extinguisher is placed over the outer end of the guide end and activated. The powdered material is directed, by the guide, into the stack and up the chimney to the location of the fire thereby extinguishing the fire. The guide and bracket is preferably downstream of the damper in the same section of stack to be close to the chimney, and for unobstructed flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Inventor: Kenneth Sawtelle
  • Patent number: 4434784
    Abstract: Apparatus for viewing the interior of a working chimney so that smoke patterns and the condition of the chimney walls can be continually monitored without the need of discontinuing the operation of a connected stove. The viewing apparatus is rendered airtight so that a fire extinguisher operably connected thereto can fire dry chemicals directly into the chimney in the event a chimney fire is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Inventor: Frederic D. Van Patten
  • Patent number: 4433985
    Abstract: An air scrubbing and purifying system is provided for effecting removal of combustion products from contaminated air generated by a fire in progress in an enclosed room. The system comprises (a) electrically-powered intake fans for withdrawing contaminated air from the enclosed room, (b) air washing and filtering stations adapted to treat and remove soot, smoke, and other combustion-product gasses from the contaminated air, and (c) electrically-powered discharge fans for impelling the treated air into the enclosed room. The system is actuated and made operational by means of a smoke or fire detector and is powered by integral batteries kept in a charged state by an appropriate trickle charging device. The system is advantageously disposed within a door structure for the enclosed room and may include extendable seal strips at the peripheral surfaces of the door to aid in sealing the enclosed room from adjacent areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Inventor: Terrill A. McGee
  • Patent number: 4418757
    Abstract: An improved sprinkled warehouse stacker rack in which the sprinkler system is an integrated portion of a rack structure. A plurality of load bearing side frame members of any given heighth are operably interconnected to provide a stable structure having a plurality of load receiving cells. A sprinkler system comprised of a plurality of pipe members, each having a length, such that when assembled to connect a pair of side frame members, a load receiving cell of a predetermined width is created. A clamp for providing limited tri-axial movement of a sprinkler pipe is disposed on each of the side frame members and is adapted to co-act with the end of a sprinkler pipe to operably engage the same and to horizontally space the side frame members while permitting vertical and horizontal misalignment to accommodate normal construction tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: United Sprinkler, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerome P. Merkel
  • Patent number: 4401165
    Abstract: A system for increasing the fire resistance of support ceilings and limiting damage caused by water as a result of fire-extinguishing operations to the respective localities. The system including a suspended fire resistant covering with sprinkler elements, the covering being composed of arched ceiling elements along which the liquid travels, the ceiling elements having side edges accommodated by collecting channels which receive the liquid coming from the sprinkler elements. A distance is maintained between side edges and the walls of the collecting channels for liquid flow into the channels and exhaust air flow upward through the covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Inventors: Paul Gutermuth, Heinrich Oetjen
  • Patent number: 4356868
    Abstract: A fire-extinguishant system includes a source of extinguishant, such as carbon dioxide, a fusible length of plastic tubing, such as one-half-inch-outside-diameter polyethylene tubing, with the end closed, and a conduit and valve system for connecting the extinguishant source to the fusible tubing. The valving system pressurizes the fusible tubing at a low pressure, and this low-pressure signal is coupled to a pilot input port in the valve system. When this low-pressure pilot signal is interrupted, the piloted valve switches to supply extinguishant at full pressure through the fusible tubing. If the fusible tubing has been melted, such as by a fire, the extinguishant exits through the melted portion to extinguish the fire. The low-pressure pilot signal can, however, be interrupted manually by the valve system. In this case, the full-pressure extinguishant supply to the fusible tube ruptures the tube and releases extinguishant. This provides a manual extinguishant control for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: Ransburg Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley L. Bentley, Frank A. Bloomer
  • Patent number: 4341267
    Abstract: A chimney fire extinguisher includes a bracket assembly by which a container of fire-extinguishing fluid is mounted outside the chimney. One leg of a U-shaped member included in the bracket assembly abuts the inner wall of the chimney, while a bracket plate adjustably attached to the web portion abuts the outer wall of the chimney. By adjusting the spacing between the bracket plate and the U-shaped member, it is possible for the assembly to accommodate chimneys of different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventor: Guy Lagasse
  • Patent number: 4276064
    Abstract: A system is provided for extinguishing accidental fires in paint spray booths of the type wherein oil is used as the medium for eliminating extraneous paint mist and overspray, said system providing control over both the oil and the medium used for extinguishing the fire. In such a spray booth, oil from a self-contained reservoir located at the bottom of the booth is circulated over a plurality of baffles within the booth. Paint mist is drawn by flow of air into contact with the oil covered baffles, and the paint solids are thereby entrained in the oil and collected in the oil reservoir. An appropriate fire extinguishing system for such spray booth comprises a plurality of water fog nozzles within the booth that are activated in response to a fire, and which therefore discharge water into the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Binks Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Donald F. Gerdes
  • Patent number: 4260023
    Abstract: This device provides a method of automatically extinguishing a fire that may occur in a chimney and it contains an indicating flag that rises when the extinguishing fluid has been discharged onto a fire in the chimney, upon which it is installed. The device includes an elongated and refillable container that is mounted in the top of the chimney, and it further includes a deflector at the bottom, which will create a spray effect when the fluid strikes it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Inventor: Edward Irmscher
  • Patent number: 4202646
    Abstract: A helicopter landing platform comprises a fine mesh grid supported on a coarse mesh grid above a horizontal surface such as an ordinary helicopter landing pad. The grid structure is supported in superposed spaced relationship by a supporting framework; and conduits and nozzles for foam fire extinguishing agent are disposed in the space between the grid work and the horizontal surface. Burning oil thus falls through the mesh and is extinguished by the foam, the mesh preventing the foam from blowing away and also providing an anti-skid surface for the helicopter. The platform can be subdivided into a number of units; and the periphery of the platform is surrounded by a rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Inventor: Oystein Herstad
  • Patent number: 4194570
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for extinguishing fires consuming combustible fluids, particularly gaseous fluids, issuing from wells, pipes or vent stacks. The apparatus comprises an extinguisher body typically having a cylindrical passageway which is connected in inline flow relationship with the well, pipe or vent stack and through which the flow of combustible fluid must pass. A diffuser cone is mounted within the extinguisher body passageway in coaxial alignment, the apex of the cone directed towards the outlet of the extinguisher body. An extinguisher fluid nozzle is mounted within the extinguisher body passageway for directing a flow of high momentum inert gas against the apex of the conical diffuser. High momentum inert gas is supplied to the nozzle when it is required to extinguish a fire consuming the combustible fluid passing through the extinguisher body and out of the well, pipe or vent stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose P. Arencibia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4091875
    Abstract: The device comprises at least one receptacle for collecting an accidental outleakage of liquid fuel and especially liquid sodium at high temperature. The receptacle is fitted with a cover which is provided with sloping channels for the flow of the liquid fuel and with openings through which it passes to the base of the channels. The openings are closed by retractable shutters which withdraw under the pressure of the liquid fuel within the channels and close automatically after it has flowed into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jacques Colome, Alain Duchene, Jean Regnier
  • Patent number: 4089378
    Abstract: A roller unit for removing copy paper from an electrophotographic copying machine, the unit comprising a drive roller and an idler roller, each having a plurality of longitudinally extending portions where the diameter of every other portion is larger than its adjacent portions, the rollers being disposed adjacent one another so that the larger portions of the drive roller are adjacent the smaller portions of the idler roller, and a plurality of rings disposed about the rollers to establish a substantially uniform clearance not greater than 1.5 mm. therebetween so that if any of the copy paper is ignited within the copying machine, the fire will be extinguished because of the clearance between the rollers, the copy paper being delivered from the copying machine with a predetermined rigidity along its direction of movement because of the disposition of the rollers with respect to one another to thereby lessen the tendency for the copy paper to turn over as it is delivered from the copying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1973
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 4043128
    Abstract: Apparatus for fire protection purposes including a compressed-gas cartridge device with at least a thermally responsive triggering mechanism. The triggering mechanism includes a striker for forcibly being driven toward the compressed-gas cartridge device and a locking device for maintaining the striker at a spacing from said compressed-gas cartridge device by engaging a portion of said striker pin with one end portion thereof. Another end portion of the locking device is biased against a blocking device with the blocking device being disposed between the another end portion of the locking device and an abutment member. The blocking device is responsive to the exceeding of a predetermined temperature for enabling displacement of the locking device out of engagement with the striker thereby permitting movement of the striker toward the compressed-gas cartridge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hellmut Bendler, Anton Bretfeld
  • Patent number: 3945440
    Abstract: The fire extinguishing apparatus for oxy-acetylene welding assemblies having a cylinder having a free floating piston, over the actuator of a release valve, mountable at one end of a pressurized bottle containing a fire extinguishing fluid and connectable at its opposite end to an oxygen return line and a valve assembly connectable between the oxygen line and the torch, the valve assembly has a through passage for enabling passage of oxygen from the oxygen line to the torch and an intersecting passage having a manually operated shut-off valve intersecting the through passage at one end and having means at its opposite end for connection to the oxygen return line to the bottle of extinguishing fluid for enabling pressurized oxygen to flow to the cylinder and move the piston into operating engagement with the actuator of the release valve so as to release the fire extinguishing fluid therefrom. A discharge hose is extended from the fire extinguishing fluid bottle to the operator of the welding torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Inventor: August Edward Bohme