Automatic theft and fire alarm apparatus for fire extinguishers

• US 4,360,802 A
• Filed: 03/03/1981
• Issued: 11/23/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony A. Pinto
• Original Assignee: Anthony A. Pinto
• Inventors: Pinto, Anthony A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US06/240,250
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 169/23, 169/51, 200/61.58 R
• US Class Current: 340/568.8
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1472 with force or weight detection

Abstract

A quick releasable clamp bracket for supporting a portable fire extinguisher on a wall mounted panel is provided with the conventional vertical affixation strap and lateral flexible clamping strap, the straps overlapping in a double thick welded area midway of the height of the affixation strap. An electric alarm switch is embedded in the panel under the overlap area with its spring actuated push button extending through registering holes in the overlap to contact the body of the extinguisher. Removal of the extinguisher from the bracket causes the push button to spring out and close the alarm circuit.

Claims

1. Apparatus for preventing the theft of a fire extinguisher located in an area to which the public has access, said apparatus comprising:

a portable, elongated, bottle-shaped, fire extinguisher having a generally cylindrical body and a neck of reduced diameter;

a panel, adapted to be mounted on a wall of a common hallway of a building;

a fire extinguisher clamp bracket having an elongated metal affixation strap with upper and lower straight portions affixed flatwise to said panel, said upper portion mounting an outwardly extending, bifurcated arm engaging the neck of said extinguisher and said portions being spaced apart by an intermediate arcuate portion bent away from said panel;

said bracket having a flexible, metal clamping strap with a central portion affixed to the inside of the intermediate, arcuate portion of said elongated metal strap and a pair of laterally extending terminal ends, each with releasable latch means thereon, for encircling and clamping around the body of said extinguisher;

said intermediate arcuate portion of said affixation strap and the underlying central portion of said clamping strap each having registering holes therethrough;

and an electric alarm circuit including a source of electricity, an electrically energized fire alarm and a normally closed, electric push button switch located in said panel under said arcuate portion, the push button of said switch extending through said registering holes for contact with the body of said fire extinguisher when it is in said bracket to maintain said circuit in open condition;

whereby the holding of said switch in open condition by sliding an object between said extinguisher and said bracket is prevented by said arcuate portion and said central portion of said straps but removal of said extinguisher from said bracket closes said circuit and energizes said alarm.

2. Apparatus as specified in claim 1 wherein:

said electric alarm circuit includes a direct circuit to a fire station.

3. Apparatus as specified in claim 1 wherein

said electric alarm circuit includes the electricity supply system of the area and a battery back up system for energizing said alarm in the event the area system is not in operation.

4. A clamp bracket for portable fire extinguishers of the type mountable on a wall and having a vertical affixation strap and a laterally extending clamping strap with its rear central portion affixed to an outwardly bent arcuate portion of the affixation strap characterized by:

the overlying areas of the rear central portion of said clamp strap and the outwardly bent arcuate portion of said affixation strap having registering holes therethrough for receiving the push button of an electric alarm switch.

5. A combined theft and fire alarm for portable fire extinguishers comprising

a portable fire extinguisher;

fire extinguisher clamp bracket means for releasably supporting said portable fire extinguisher on a wall, said clamp bracket means including a metal affixation strap with an outwardly bent arcuate portion and a flexible, latchable, clamping strap with a rear central portion affixed to the outwardly bent arcuate portion of said affixation strap to form a double thickness area;

an electric circuit including a source of electricity, an electric fire and theft alarm and a normally closed, push button switch;

the push button of said switch projecting through said registering holes and normally held open by contact with the body of said fire extinguisher while in said clamp bracket means, but springing outwardly to close said circuit when said extinguisher is removed from said clamp bracket means.