AU761427B2 - Portable automatic fire protector - Google Patents

Description

S F Ref: 449219

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL [31] Application No(s) PP1886 Stephen Reginald Phillips 208 Swallow Drive Erskine Park New South Wales 2759

AUSTRALIA

Stephen Reginald Phillips Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Portable Automatic Fire Protector APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country

AU

[32] Application Date 18 February 1998 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815 PORTABLE AUTOMATIC FIRE PROTECTOR Field of the Invention The following invention relates to fixed and portable automatic fire protection.

More particularly, though not exclusively, the invention relates to a detector positionable within a room and adapted to detect smoke and/or heat, the detector including signal transmission means by which an alert signal can be transmitted to a remotely located fixed or portable fire extinguishing device.

Smoke detectors and fire extinguishes are known. Known ceiling mounted :smoke detectors detect the presence of smoke and sound an audible alert to warn occupants of danger. If the occupants are in fact present to hear the audible alert, then appropriate action can be taken either in the form of evacuation or the use of a portable fire extinguisher.

However, where a fire occurs in a premises that is unoccupied, the smoke detector will not be heard and accordingly, no action will generally be taken. As a result, S 15 the fire might cause substantial damage.

Ceiling mounted water sprinklers are known. These sprinklers include heat detecting means which open a valve upon the detection of heat. Such systems are fixed to an existing premises and are not readily portable, and require substantial installation cost.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

Disclosure of the Invention There is disclosed herein an automatic a fire protection system including: a detector having means to detect smoke and a temperature rise, the detector also including signal transmission means, and a portable fire extinguishing apparatus including a signal receiving means adapted to activate the extinguishing apparatus upon detection of a signal generated by the signal transmission means of the detector, wherein when said fire protection system detects smoke, an audible alert is sounded and upon detection of a [N:\LIBLL]01334:KEH:TCW:caa 3 temperature rise beyond a predetermined threshold the extinguishing apparatus is activated.

Preferably, the detector also includes an audible alert means.

Preferably, the fire extinguishing apparatus is concealed within an ornament or other structure.

There is further disclosed herein a fire protection installation including: a detector having means to detect smoke and a temperature rise, the detector also including signal transmission means, and a portable fire extinguishing apparatus including a signal receiving means adapted to activate the extinguishing apparatus upon detection of a signal generated by the signal transmission means of the detector, wherein when said •fire protection installation detects smoke, an audible alert is sounded and upon detection of a temperature rise beyond a predetermined threshold, the extinguishing apparatus is activated.

Preferably, the above automatic fire protection installation includes at least one tank to receive a liquid or gas to be dispensed by the extinguishing apparatus to extinguish a fire. Preferably the tanks are mounted above a ceiling of a building, the ceiling bordering a room operatively associated with the detector.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of S 20 example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: S• Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a detector; Fig. 2 is a schematic elevational view of a fire extinguisher; Fig. 3 is a schematic elevational view of an ornament having an extinguisher positioned therein; Fig. 4 is a schematic side elevation of a automatic fire protection installation; and Fig. 5 is a schematic side elevation of a modification of the installation of Fig. 4.

[N:\LIBLL] 01 334:KEH:TCW:caa Description of the Preferred Embodiment In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a detector 10. Detector 10 typically performs three functions. Firstly, it includes an audible alert which sounds upon detection of smoke. Secondly, the detector 10 includes means to sense a temperature rise. Thirdly, the detector 10 includes an infrared transmitter 11 and associated electronics which will transmit an infrared signal upon detection of either smoke or the build-up of heat. The detector 10 will include an internal battery or will operate on mains voltage, suitably stepped down.

Any means of detecting smoke and heat which are known in the art can be used in the present apparatus.

Fig. 2 shows a fire extinguishing canister 20- having a dispensing Spray apparatus 21 affixed thereto.

Fig. 3 shows an ornament in the form of a bird having a hollow space 33 therein. The ornament 30 can take on other forms such as the form of any statue, vase, lamp base, item of furniture such as a coffee table or other inconspicuous structure.

Within the hollow 33 there is received a fire extinguishing canister like that of Fig. 2 with a dispensing nozzle 31 at its upper end.

Positioned on the surface of the article 30 is an infrared detector 32.

Associated with the detector 32 will be appropriate electronics and a battery.

Alternatively, the unit may be adapted to be connected to a mains socket by means of a flexible power cord.

The detector 32 is adapted to receive the infrared signal 40 emitted by transmitter 11 of detector 10. Upon receipt of that signal, the electronics and an °ooo associated activation mechanism will cause a spray of extinguishing medium from the nozzle 31. This extinguishing medium might be water or other known fire extinguishing substances known in the art of fire protection.

The ornament 30 might typically be in the weight range of 10 to 12 kg making it readily portable, should it be desired to relocate the apparatus.

[N:\LIBLL]01334:KEH:TCW In use, the detector 10 will detect smoke or fire. A signal will be transmitted upon detection of heat to the unit 30 without the presence of an occupant. It is important that the detector 10 and the statue 30 be placed such that the receiver 32 can receive the signal 40. Usually, this will require line of sight placement. The unit can be provided with a testing capability allowing for set up without the activation of the extinguisher itself.

The detector 10 is typically adapted to be mounted to a ceiling. It is designed to operate in stages. Firstly, it will detect smoke and sound an audible alert. Upon detection of a temperature rise beyond a predetermined threshold, it will then remotely activate the extinguishing apparatus.

As well as the receiver 32, the statue 30 can be provided with a manual override switch enabling it to be used as an ordinary extinguisher.

To cover large areas, a coffee table for example, can be provided with two or three extinguishes 20. The extinguishes might each include an extinguishing medium S- 15 suitable for A class fires. The coffee table might be placed in the centre of a room, whereas a number of smaller units such as a statue 30 might be placed in the corners of a room. Any combination of units can be placed around a room for wide coverage.

In Fig. 4 there is schematically depicted a fire protection installation 50. The installation 50 is associated with a room 51 having a ceiling 52 consisting of a sheet lining material 53 supported by rafters 54.

Operatively associated with the room 51 is a detector 10 as previously described. The detector 10 (including infrared transmitter) operates a valve mechanism connected to a nozzle 56. The nozzle 56 is associated with a reservoir 57 which contains a liquid or gas which is selectively dispensed by the nozzle 56 to retard or extinguish a fire. The valve 55 is adapted to receive the infrared signal emitted by the transmitter of the detector 10, so that upon being activated by the signal, the valve allows the liquid or gas within the reservoir 57 to be delivered to the nozzle 56.

If so required, the detector 10 and valve 55 may receive electric power from a battery 58.

[N:\LIBLL]01334:KEH:TCW The reservoirs 57 are supported by brackets 59 extending over the rafters 54.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the present invention. For example, rather than providing infrared transmitters and receivers, the components can be interconnected by wires which might pass through the ceilings and down the wall cavities.

*~oo *oo [N:\LIBLL]01334:KEH:TCW

Claims (8)

1. A fire protection system including: a detector having means to detect smoke and a temperature rise, the detector also including signal transmission means, and a portable fire extinguishing apparatus including a signal receiving means adapted to activate the extinguishing apparatus upon detection of a signal generated by the signal transmission means of the detector, wherein when said fire protection system detects smoke, an audible alert is sounded and upon detection of a temperature rise beyond a predetermined threshold the extinguishing apparatus is activated.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector includes an audible alert means.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, when the fire extinguishing means is concealed within an ornament or other structure. *o

4. A fire protection installation including: a detector having means to detect smoke and a temperature rise, the detector also including signal transmission means, and a portable fire extinguishing apparatus including a signal receiving means adapted to activate the extinguishing apparatus upon detection of a signal generated by the signal transmission means of the detector, wherein when said 00.o 0o fire protection installation detects smoke, an audible alert is sounded and upon detection 20 of a temperature rise beyond a predetermined threshold, the extinguishing apparatus is 0 *0 activated.

The installation of claim 4, wherein the extinguishing apparatus includes at least one reservoir, a valve through which contents of the reservoir are delivered upon actuation of the valve, and wherein the valve is actuated by the signal receiving means to provide for the flow of liquid or gas from the said reservoir through said valve.

6. The installation of claim 6, wherein the reservoirs are located above a ceiling of a room, with the detector being operatively associated with the room to detect smoke and/or a temperature rise therein. [N:\LIBLL]01 334:KEH:TCW:caa

7. An automatic fire protection system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

8. An automatic fire protection installation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings. Dated 3 October 2002 Stephen Reginald Phillips Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON go•* •eg [N:\LIBLL]01334:KEH:TCW:caa