Abstract: A dispensing tool for use with dry chemical fire extinguishers utilizes an elongated wand bent near the discharge end through which the chemical is delivered. A dispersion baffle is affixed at the outlet of the wand to deflect the chemical radially. A horn surrounds the baffle and redirects the chemical in a dispersed stream onto a fire at a much lowered velocity such that the impact of the chemical on the burning material does not dislodge sparks or embers which lead to secondary fires.

Abstract: A pressurized container is utilized to store a fire extinguishing agent under pressure and incorporates a valve. A valve actuator, for actuating the valve to permit flow of the fire extinguishing agent from the container, includes a pair of substantially U-shaped levers opening towards each other. A first one of the levers pivots towards a second one of the levers and carries a latching member in the form of a U-shaped wire pivoted on said first member and coacting with an end of the second one of the levers to latch the levers in valve actuated condition. Flow of the fire extinguishing agent is directed through a hose fixedly attached to the outlet of the valve and a nozzle with an adjustable pattern attached to an end of the hose opposite the outlet of the valve thus enabling the user to spray the fire. Alternatively, a bayonet type nozzle may be attached to the end of the hose, allowing a wall to be punctured or pierced.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher actuator for a hand held fire extinguisher is disclosed. The actuator includes a support structure which may be pressed into place about the opening of a pressurizable container having fire extinguishing fluid therein. The support structure is provided with an opening for receiving a nozzle member. The nozzle member is configured for depressing a valve in the opening of the pressurizable container for actuating the valve. The nozzle member defines an intake passage in fluid communication with the opening of the pressurizable container, a restriction passage in communication with the intake passage, and a nozzle passage in communication with the restriction passage. A pushbutton lever is pivotally attached to the support structure and upon depression thereof, forces the nozzle member downward to actuate the valve to release pressurized fluid from the container and into the intake passage of the nozzle member.

Abstract: A control head for controlling the discharge of pressurized extinguishing agent from a container in an aircraft fire extinguishing system. The control head is hexagonal and is provided with an outlet fitting, a fill valve, an actuator body, a pressure switch and a pressure gauge. Each component can be threaded into any of the side faces or the end face of the control head so that the limited space available within the aircraft can be accommodated. An electrical detonator within the actuator body can be exploded to rupture a pair of frangible discs in succession. This opens a flow path for the extinguishant which is then discharged from the bottle to a delivery line which distributes it to the area of the fire. The detonator and its electrical heads are hermetically sealed in the actuator body to prevent contamination.

Abstract: A device is provided which enables a carbonated beverage in a can to function as a fire extinguishant fluid. The device has a confining compartment having a bottom and a resilient sidewall, and is dimensioned to make a close-fitting gripping engagement with a standard beverage can. By squeezing the sidewall with the can in place, the can is punctured, and the emergent beverage is caused to exit through a nozzle directed above the top of the can.

Abstract: The invention is a fire suppression system for an aircraft 10 of the type having a main cabin compartment 12, such as a passenger compartment and a plurality of closable or closed-off subcompartments. These subcompartments can be any area which is separated by fixed structure from the main cabin and therefore are normally not accessible. The fire suppression system comprises a plurality of ducts 57 coupling a plurality of subcompartments 14, 15, 22 to the main compartment. The plurality of ducts 57 have first ends of the ducts 57 terminate in nozzles 58 within the subcompartments adapted to distribute the fire suppression chemical in a specific pattern and second ends terminating in disconnect valve halves 59 accessible from the main cabin compartment. A portable unit 30 having a tank 42 filled with a fire suppression chemical under pressure is moveable within the main compartment 12. Preferably, the fire suppression chemical is Halon stored under nitrogen gas pressure.

Abstract: A discharge valve assembly for a fire extinguisher container includes a housing defining a passageway providing communication between the container outlet and a nozzle. An elongated tubular valve stem is axially movable in the passageway between open and closed conditions with respect to a valve seat in the passageway, the stem projecting from the passageway for engagement by an actuating lever. An elongated indicating rod, shorter than the valve stem, is coaxially movable therein between extended and retracted conditions. A bias spring and the pressure in the container holds the valve stem closed, and the pressure in the container holds the indicating rod extended. A bias spring urges the indicating rod toward a retracted position. To check the pressure the indicating rod is manually depressed, the extent to which it returns to its extended condition being indicative of the magnitude of the pressure in the container.

Abstract: A sprayer spraying liquid or pulverulent substances, particularly fire-extinguishing or fire-inhibiting substances, comprises a tank adapted to hold the substance to be sprayed, a sprayhead, a rising pipe extending from said tank to said sprayhead, and a pressure vessel, which contains a gaseous fluid and communicates through a shutoff valve with the tank.

Abstract: A bullet-shaped deflector located at the exit opening of a liquid nozzle nted on a fire-suppressant storage bottle stationed within a military vehicle. The deflector acts as an obstruction to reduce liquid jet issuing from the nozzle. The system is designed for liquid pressure of 750 p.s.i. and nozzle openings of about 11/4 inch diameter. The bullet-shaped deflector may have a diameter of about 5/16 inch and an axial length of about 1 inch.

Abstract: An improved nozzle for a portable air/water fire extinguisher which includes a head portion having a plurality of small openings to result in a fog spray permitting better fire extinguishing and longer operating times for the extinguisher.

Abstract: A carbon-dioxide (CO.sub.2) snow-making system comprising a snow horn having an upper chamber into which pairs of jets of CO.sub.2 are transversely injected from opposite directions, respectively. The expanding jet mixtures of snow and vapor are directed into collision along paths that lie generally in a single plane so as to intersect at an angle of 180.degree. in a central region of the chamber, thereby to dissipate the kinetic energy of the jets. Where more than two jets are directed into collision at a common point, the intersecting angles are so chosen that the resultant kinetic energy is substantially zero. High velocities and turbulence of the snow-vapor mixture are thereby minimized, and the snow discharges evenly from the chamber and through the horn without sticking thereto for uniform distribution.

Abstract: A thermally responsive valve is connected to a fire extinguisher between a pressure gauge and an extinguisher outlet to which such gauge would normally be secured. The valve includes a fitting having a passage extending therethrough so that pressure in the extinguisher may be sensed and displayed by the gauge. Detachably mounted to the fitting is a spray head having a port communicating with the passage, the port being normally sealed by a heat collecting disc. The disc is fused to the spray head by fusible material and when the environment surrounding the extinguisher reaches a predetermined temperature, the fusible material will melt thereby releasing the disc from sealing the port. The extinguisher's pressurized contents are then automatically expelled through the port for extinguishing a fire.

Abstract: A portable combined fire extinguisher and audible alarm that may be removably disposed at a desired location to automatically eject a stream of pressurized fire extinguishing fluid into an adjacent area upon the temperature of the ambient atmosphere surrounding the invention rising above a predetermined maximum. The invention is particularly useful in protecting areas in which highly combustible materials such as oily waste rags and the like are stored. The invention, when removably supported at a desired location, is adjustable horizontally through substantially 180.degree., and a discharge nozzle of the invention is capable of being disposed at any desired vertical angle relative to the area to be protected.

Abstract: A nozzle construction including inlet and outlet ends is provided and the inlet end of the nozzle is adapted to be secured in the discharge port of a fire extinguisher. The outlet end of the nozzle is of a configuration designed to afford a stream-type discharge of any fire extinguishing material (dry chemical powder, liquid and/or pressurized gas) therefrom, whereby the fire extinguisher may be hand held and have the discharge from its nozzle directed toward the base of a fire to be extinguished. However, the nozzle is designed to be utilized on a heat sensing and automatic fire extinguisher of the wall type and the outlet end of the nozzle includes a discharge dispersion element removably supported therefrom and designed, when retained in position, to effect a wide dispersion of the stream of any fire extinguishing material being discharged through the nozzle.

Abstract: A fire extinguisher is disclosed which is activated by operation of a unique valve and handle assembly. The handle of the fire extinguisher, which is to be utilized to operate the valve, is designed to simplify construction and assembly of the component parts in addition to simplifying recharging and servicing of the extinguisher. The handle is attached to the valve body through the use of only one rivet while being nonetheless permanently positioned with respect to the nozzle. The handle is further useful to simplify securing the nozzle to the valve body.

Abstract: A device for rupturing a pressurized cylinder containing a fire extinguishing product wherein when the temperature is high enough to melt the fusible link, it will cause a spring-loaded punch to forcibly propel the punch downwardly to rupture a rupturable disk in the cylinder to allow the contents to be ejected therefrom.

Abstract: A fire fighting apparatus for installation in an automobile, essentially comprising an outer container containing a fire extinguishing composition, an inner container encased in the outer container and supported in a fixed position relative to the outer container, the inner container containing a high pressure gas, and a plunger slidably supported by the outer container in a destructively engageable relationship with the inner container. The outer container includes an outlet defining a nozzle which is normally closed by a plug made of a collapsible material. The inner container is at least partially made of a fragile material, and the plunger is destructively engageable with the fragile material. An impact generated by collision of the automobile brings the plunger into destructive engagement with the inner container, so that the high pressure gas flows out into the outer container and raises the pressure of the composition therein. The composition collapses the plug and spouts out through the nozzle.

Abstract: A device for rupturing a pressurized cylinder containing a fire extinguishing product wherein when the temperature is high enough to melt the fusible link, it will cause a spring-loaded punch to forcibly propel the punch downwardly to rupture a rupturable disk in the cylinder to allow the contents to be ejected therefrom.