US2288143A - Smoke detector - Google Patents

Description

June 30, v1942. c. c. sHEPPARD IN VEN TOR.

MORA/Ey June 30, 1942 C. c. SHEFFARDl 2,288,143

SMOKE DETECTOR Filed March 2o, 1941 s sheets-sheet 4/1 EJE- 4/ IN VEN TOR. @maAZY e, glyyma,

BY` l Arm/MFV Patented June 3o, 1942 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sMoxE DETECTOR Creedy C. Sheppard, New York, N. Y. Application March 2o, 1941, serial no. 384,417 v 9 claims. (ci. sii-14) an apparatus of this character wherein a source of light is provided at one side of the smoke passage and observation means at .the other side ythereof in substantially the form of a periscope extending to a point at which the reman may easily look into the periscope while tending a fire and determine whether adjustments are necessary to eliminate excessive smoke owing through the smoke passage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a smoke detector wherein the periscope portion thereof has mirrors mounted in an upper reiiector box, and a lower vision head or box, in a special manner to enable them to be readily adjusted while covers carrying the mirrors are closed. v

Another object Aof the invention is to provide the boxes with covers carrying the mirrors and so mounted that they may be released and moved to open positions, in which positions the mirrors may be easily cleaned when necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide the upper reflector box with a soot glass or shield serving as a transparent guard which will exclude smoke from this box and, to a large extent, prevent soot from entering the upper end of the periscope and gathering upon the mirrors.

Another object of the invention is to so mount the soot glass that when the cover of the ector box is moved to open position, the soot glass will move to a position in which it may be easily cleaned or removed from its carrier for thorough cleaning or repairs and then replaced, or another soot glass substituted.

A further object of the invention is to provide the lower vision head or box with a special form of vision glass having a clear portion surrounded by a frosted or other translucent portion, the clear portion of the vision glass being used for observing heavy smoke and the translucent portion being used when observing light smoke. AIt will thus be seen that when observing light smoke, the fireman or other attendant looking through the vision glass or lens will not be blinded by the glare of a bright light and that a light of sufilcient intensity to be seen through heavy smoke when looking through the clear portion of the vision glass, may be employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character which is simple in construction, easy to install, and very efficient. in operation.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 1

Fig; 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the improved smoke `detector operatively associated with a pipe or equivalentsmoke passage.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale, showing the periscope with the covers of the re- Y flector box and vision head closed.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the'lower vision head or box in front elevation. l

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the covers of the reector box and vision head or box open.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation, of the smoke lglass and its carrier.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the smoke glass carrier mounted on the cover o! the reflector box, the rtzover being In section and the carrier in elevaion.

Fig. 7 is aview looking at the outer face of the glass of the vision box.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the Fig. 7.

The improved smoke detector constituting the subject matter of this invention is to be mounted in cooperating relation to a smoke passage I, which may be a stove pipe, chimney flue, or the glass shown in like, and consists briefly of a source of light 2` and a periscope 3 having a tubular body 4 of desired length and diameter `and threaded at its ends for engagement with an upper reflector box 5 and a lower vision head or box 6. Mirrors 'l and 8 are mounted in the boxes 5 and 6, and by looking into the vision box 6 through the glass 9, a fireman, or other person in charge of a furnace, may observe a reflection of the products of combustion passing through the smoke passage and determine whether too much smoke is being given oi by the furncae.

The cource of light consists of a bulb I0. carried by a socket II which is mounted in a casing I2 provided with a lens I3 at its front end. A coupling I4 of box-like formation ,connects the casing I2 with a tube or pipe I5 having one end mounted through an opening I5 at one side of the flue or smoke passage I, so that when the smoke-detector is in operation, light from the the bolt is loosened and swung out of the slotted ear, the section may be swung away from the section I1 to open position, and access had to its interior for inserting the light bulb or cleaning the lens i3. A ring 22 holds the collar 23 at the front end of the lamp casing I2 against the ange 24 of the coupler section I5, it being understood that other means for removably holding the lamp in place may be employed, if de-` sired.

'I'he periscope 3 is mounted at the opposite side of the smoke passage or ilue I and its upper reilector box 5 is formed with a threaded neck 25 to receive the threaded outer end of a tube or pipe 25 which'has its inner end mounted through an opening 21 formed in the ilue I in diametricalLv opposed relation to the opening I5. Therefore, the tubes I5 and 26 will be in alinement and light from the bulb may pass through the tube 25 and into the upper reiiector box. The upper and lower boxes 5 and 5 are of substantially duplicate construction and each has a neck 25, ends of the tubular body 4 being screwed into these necks.- The door or cover 29 of each box is cupshaped and formed with an outstandingiiange 3l carrying a hinge ear 3|. the ear of one cover being pivoted to the neck 25 ofthe upper box and the ear of the other cover being pivoted to the neck 28 of the lower box so that the covers may be swung from the *closed position of Fig. 2 to the open position of Fig. 4. A clamp 32 is employed to hold each cover closed and consists of a pivoted bolt 33 which is passed through a slot 34 of the flange and tightened to securely but releasably hold the cover closed.

The covers are of cup-shaped formation in order to receive the mirrors 1 and 5, each of which is mounted in a frame or carrier 35 which is of concavo-convex formation, the mirror being held in the frame by a retainer 30. A stem 31 which is secured `to the carrier, centrally thereof, by nuts 38, extends rearwardly from the carrier 35 through the bore 39 of a neck 43 projecting outwardly from the cover 25 and terminates in a ball or spherical head 4I. The head 4I rests in a seat 42 at the outer end of the bore 39 and when the cap 43 is tightened, frictional binding will prevent movement of the ball in its seat. Therefore, the mirror may be held in angularly adjusted position anda person looking into the visionbox 3 through the glass 9, may see a reiiection of smoke passing upwardly through the flue I. When the bolt 33 is loosened and the cover swung to open position. the. mirror may be readily cleaned. Each of the balls 4I is formed with a sock 4I' leading from its exposed outer portion to receive an adjusting rod R which is thrust into place when adjustment is necessary.'as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Therefore, the mirrors may be tilted to adjusted position when the covers are closed and an accurate adjustment easily accomplished.

In addition to carrying the mirror 1, the cover of the reflector box 5 also carries a soot glass 44. This glass is clear and is provided with a frame 45 having a circumferentially extending groove 45 to receive the open ring 41 of a carrier 43.

. manner which will prevent a This carrier is formed of resilient wire and has its end portions bent to form arms 49 which are further bent to form fingers 50 terminating in eyes 5I through which bolts 52 pass to secure the carrier to theinner surface oi the cover. When the cover is closed, the soot glass iirst engages the inner end of the neck 25 of the reector box and as the cover is fully closed and secured by the clamp 32, the resilient carrier will be tensioned to firmly hold the soot glass in covering relation to the inner end of the neck 25. It will thus be seen that soot which may enter the neck will be excluded from the reector box 5 and dimming of the mirrors bysoot accumulated thereon will be eliminated. When the soot glass becomes clouded, the cover of the reflector box is released and swung to its open position, when the soot glasswillthenbedisposedasshowninFig.4of the drawings and may'be easily cleaned.

The vision glass 5 is of special formation. 'I'his glass is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and shown in position in Figs. l, 2, and 4 of the drawings. Referring to these ilgures. it will be seen that the vision glass is of concavo-convex formation and is held in place in closing relation to the front `.opening 53 of the vision box 6 by a ring 54 which overlaps margins of the glass and is secured to the' wall of the box by screws 55. The central portion 55 of the glass 9 is clear and surrounding by a circumferentially extending band 51 which is preferably frosted but may be treated in any persons sight being interfered with by glare when looking through this portion of the glass. When thick smoke is passing through the ilue passage. the fireman or other person having charge of the furnace, looks through the clear central Klass 9 and a good view of the tained. as glare from the dimmed by the smoke. When light smoke is passing through the ilue, the light from the lamp will be only slightly dimmed, if at all, and a person looking through the clear portion of the smoke may be oblight rays will be sight glass would be blinded by the glare, the

same as ifhe were looking Under these conditions, through the frosted portion glare from the light rays be able to see the soot frosted. portion of the heavy or dark ysmoke is as the light will be smoke so that he directly at the bulb I3. the attendant looks oi' the glass and since will be dimmed, he will in the light smoke. The glass is not used when passing through the iiue, dimmed sufliciently by the can readily see the soot in the smoke. It will be obvious thatadditional bends could be provided in the periscope and boxes carrying mirrors provided at each bend. It will also be understood that the periscope may extend vertically or at any other angle desired and that the boxes may be angularly adjusted to suit the convenience of the person having charge of the furnace.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: Y Y

1. In a smoke detectora light source mount-v ed at one side of a smoke stack, a reilector box at the opposite side of and an outlet at right angles to each other and an opening between the same, a hinged cover for lthe opening of the, reflector box, a reflecting mirror carried by said cover inwardly thereof and disposed within the box diagonally of the inlet and the outlet when the cover is closed. a sootglass and a mounting for the soot-glass carried by. the cover and mounting the soot-,glass inwardly of the reilector in position for ciodng portion of the sight the stack having an inlet relation to the inlet when the cover is closed, the mountingI for the soot glass being resilient to yieldablymount the soot-glass and permit yielding oi the mounting and accurate seating of the soot-glass in closing relation to the inlet during closing of the cover.

2. In an observation device of the character described, a box formed with an inlet and an outlet, a cover for the box hingedly mounted opposite the inlet for movement into and out of a closed position, a mirror, a holder for the mirror 3. vIn a smoke detector, a box formed with an inlet and an outlet, a cover hingedly mounted opposite the inlet for movement into and out of ly mounted for movement into and out of closed position, a mirror carried bythe cover and disposed diagonally of the inlet and the outlet within the box when the cover is closed, a transparent shield for closing'the inlet, and a carrier for the shield formed of resilient wire and having aportion tting about the periphery of the shield and arms extendingr therefrom, the arms being secured against the inner surface of the-cover and yieldably mountingr theA shield lor accurate seating in blocking relation to the inlet when the cover is closed.

7. In an observation device of the character described, a box. formed with an inlet and an outlet at right angles to the inlet, the box being closed position, a mirror, a holder for the mirror adjustably connected with the cover and mountingwtlie'mirror for angular adjustment, a soot glass [or closing the inlet having a frame, and a carrier for the soot glass engaged with the frame and secured to said cover, said carrier mounting the soot glass for movement with the cover into and out of closing relation to the inlet and be ing formed of resilient material to permit yieldmovement and accurate seating of the soot glass in shielding relation to the inlet duringclosing of the cover.

4. In a smoke detector, a bcx formed with an inlet and an outlet, a cover hingedly mounted opposite the inlet for movement into and out of closed position, a mirror, a holder for said mirror adjustably connected with the cover and mounting the mirror for angular movement, a soot glass for closing the inlet having a frame, and a carrier for the soot glass formed of resilient wire and having a ring like portion tting about the frame and arms extending therefrom, the arms being secured against the inner surface. of the cover and yieldably mounting the soot glass for accurate seating in blocking relation to the inlet when the cover is closed.

also formed with a diagonally extending opening opposite the inlet, a cover hingedly mounted for movement into and out of closing relation to the diagonal opening, a mirror, a holder for the mirror adjustably connected with the cover and mounting the mirror within the box for angular 5. In an observation device of the character described, a housing formed with an inlet and an outlet located transversely of. the inlet, an opening being formed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and located opposite the inlet, a cover for the opening mounted for movement into and out of closed position, a mirror formed of resilient material to permit yielding movement and accurate seating of the shield adjustment relative to the inlet and the outlet, a soot glass for closing the inner end of the inlet having a frame, and a carrier for the soot glass engaged with the frame and secured to the inner face of said cover and mounting the soot glass in front of the mirror in spaced relation thereto, said carrier mounting the soot glass for movement with the cover through the box into `and out of closing relation to the inlet:I during opening and closing of the cover and being formed of resilient material to yieldably mount the soot glass and permit accurate seating of the soot glass in closing relation to the inlet and complete closing of the cover after the soot glass is seated.

8. In a periscope-type smoke detector, a vision head having a concavo-convex vision glass projecting outwardly from the head with its convex surface presented outwardly, said glass havy ing a circular centrally located clear portion for observation of heavy smoke against a light source and a translucent portion for observation of light smoke against the light source entirely surrounding the clear portion concentric therewith between the periphery of the clear portion and the marginal edge of the vision glass, the translucent portion being of a width appreoiably less than the diameter of the clear portion.

9. In a periscope-type smoke detector, a/vision head having a concave-convex vision glass, the

convex surface of the vision glass being presented outwardly, the vision glass being non-magnifying and having a clear central portion concentric with the glass and entirely surrounded by a translucent portion concentric with the central portion and covering the entire area of the glass between the periphery of the central portion and the periphery of the glass.

CREEDY C. SHEPPARD.

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