Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improvement to a fire extinguisher. The improvement can be incorporated as an integral part of a fire extinguisher or as an attachment thereto, and which can also be retrofit to an already existing fire extinguisher. In particular, the invention provides improved lighting to an area, which is important when dealing with a fire, where visibility can be limited, and also allows monitoring at a distance of critical characteristics of a fire extinguisher.

Background to the Invention

Portable fire extinguishers which provide a pressurised source of water or a solution of a fire retardant salt in water have been known for over 200 years. Although designs have changed, the basic components of portable fire extinguishers remain: a container able to retain the extinguishing medium in a pressurised state, and a release means to controllably release the extinguishing medium from the container so that the medium can be directed onto the fire.

The present invention is aimed at improving the functionality of a fire extinguisher and addresses problems associated with putting out a fire, which are not normally considered as being the direct province of a fire extinguisher. For example, one problem usually met is that of visibility due to smoke generated by a fire. This can make it difficult for example to locate a fire extinguisher and also to properly see to direct the extinguishing fluid. A further problem is for a user to be certain that when they come to use a fire extinguisher, then it is in working order. Although portable fire extinguishers are subject to statutory yearly checks, and should undergo monthly visual inspection, there is nevertheless a risk of human error or neglect which would only come to light in a life-threatening situation.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above problems by providing improved visibility to a user and also by providing reassurance that a fire-extinguisher is in working order. The invention can be incorporated as an integral part of a fire extinguisher, or supplied as an attachment either to a new extinguisher or able to be retrofit to an already in place extinguisher.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, two embodiments of a support cup to support a fire extinguisher. In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates a fire extinguisher comprising a container body including a first embodiment of support cup;

Figure 2 is a top view of the support cup of Figure 1 with the container body not shown; Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a support cup; Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a tilt sensor; and Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a sensor.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fire extinguisher, the fire extinguisher comprising a container body to retain an extinguishing medium; a pressure release valve in fluid connection with the extinguishing medium and operable to release the extinguishing medium from the container body; a support cup, having a base, an upper support surface on which the container body is supported, and a side wall connecting the base with the upper support surface. The support cup provides additional support for the fire extinguisher and enables additional functionality to be built in.

The support cup is optionally releasably secured to the container body. Alternatively optionally, the support cup is integral with the container body.

The cross-section of the container body is conveniently selected from circular, elliptical, rectangular or square.

The extinguishing medium is conveniently selected from water, water mist, foam, an inert powder, wet potassium salts, carbon dioxide, a halon, phosphorus tribromide, a fluorocarbon or a smart fluid such as that marketed under the trade name Zenova FX ™.

The particular extinguishing medium is selected to suit the type of fire expected in a particular area.

The support cup is preferably formed of a plastics material and particularly preferably of a hard plastics material.

The use of a plastics material does not add too much additional weight to that of the fire extinguisher. The support cup advantageously defines a hollow interior volume, and further advantageously 2 or more atria.

These features enable additional devices to be easily incorporated into a fire extinguisher which can be kept safely housed away from potential impact, and which can if desired be kept physically separate within their own atrium. The upper surface of the support cup preferably defines a cup-shaped recess in which a container body is seated and held, reducing the chance of the fire extinguisher falling off the support cup where no securing means are in place. The base of the support cup is preferably wider than the support surface to provide improved stability against being tipped over.

Preferably, one or more lights, further preferably LED lights are secured to the side wall of the support cup to aid visibility, and yet further preferably lights are secured around the whole circumference of the side wall. The lights are advantageously configured to flash intermittently to aid in perception of the lights under conditions of low visibility.

A battery is preferably housed within the support cup to provide power to the lights and to other components of the support cup. Further preferably, the battery is rechargeable and yet further preferably a port is provided to enable the battery to be recharged. The support cup preferably includes a control chip to control the function of the lights and other features housed in the support cup. The control chip further preferably includes data receipt, storage and transmission means to enable data to be received, stored and transmitted to a remote device to allow central monitoring of the status of the fire extinguisher. The support cup preferably includes an accelerometer to monitor motion of the support cup.

The support cup preferably includes a location sensor to monitor the location of the support cup.

The support cup preferably includes a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure within the container body. The support cup preferably includes a sound transmitter, coupled to the control chip, to enable an audible signal or message to be emitted to a user or people in the vicinity of the fire extinguisher.

Preferably, the support cup includes a tilt sensor to determine if the container body and support cup have been tilted at an angle. The tilt sensor is connected to the control chip to enable the status of the tilt sensor to be communicated externally of the fire extinguisher and allowing an alarm to be activated and/or the audible signal or message to be broadcast. Preferably, the support cup includes a passive infra-red transmitter to detect motion in the vicinity of the fire extinguisher. The passive infra-red transmitter is connected to the control chip which monitors the status of the passive infra-red transmitter and should motion be detected, to cause the appropriate action to be taken, such as to continue monitoring or to emit a signal, either audible, visual or both.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a support cup adapted to be secured to a fire extinguisher having a container body, the support cup having a base, an upper support surface on which the container body is supported, and a side wall connecting the base with the upper support surface.

The support cup is optionally releasably secured to a container body of a fire extinguisher.

The support cup is preferably formed of a plastics material and particularly preferably of a hard plastics material.

The support cup advantageously defines a hollow interior volume, and further advantageously 2 or more atria.

The upper surface of the support cup preferably defines a cup-shaped recess in which a container body is seated and held, reducing the chance of the fire extinguisher falling off the support cup where no securing means are in place.

The base of the support cup is preferably wider than the support surface to provide improved stability against being tipped over. Preferably, one or more lights, further preferably LED lights are secured to the side wall of the support cup to aid visibility, and yet further preferably lights are secured around the whole circumference of the side wall. The lights are advantageously configured to flash intermittently to aid in perception of the lights under conditions of low visibility.

A battery is preferably housed within the support cup to provide power to the lights and to other components of the support cup. Further preferably, the battery is rechargeable and yet further preferably a port is provided to enable the battery to be recharged. The support cup preferably includes a control chip to control the function of the lights and other features housed in the support cup. The control chip further preferably includes data receipt, storage and transmission means to enable data to be received, stored and transmitted to a remote device to allow central monitoring of the status of the fire extinguisher.

The support cup preferably includes an accelerometer to monitor motion of the support cup.

The support cup preferably includes a location sensor to monitor the location of the support cup.

The support cup preferably includes a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure within the container body.

The support cup preferably includes a sound transmitter, coupled to the control chip, to enable an audible signal or message to be emitted to a user or people in the vicinity of the fire extinguisher. Preferably, the support cup includes a tilt sensor to determine if the container body and support cup have been tilted at an angle. The tilt sensor is connected to the control chip to enable the status of the tilt sensor to be communicated externally of the fire extinguisher and allowing an alarm to be activated and/or the audible signal or message to be broadcast.

Preferably, the support cup includes a passive infra-red transmitter to detect motion in the vicinity of the fire extinguisher. The passive infra-red transmitter is connected to the control chip which monitors the status of the passive infra-red transmitter and should motion be detected, to cause the appropriate action to be taken, such as to continue monitoring or to emit a signal, either audible, visual or both.

Detailed Description of the Invention When dealing with a fire using a portable fire extinguisher, then several factors are of high importance. Of relevance to the current invention, these include firstly having confidence that the fire extinguisher to hand will function when the user approaches a fire. Although, in the UK, fire extinguishers are subject to statutory yearly inspections and should also be monitored on a monthly basis, this still leaves a period in which a problem could arise and not be detected. Second, when a fire occurs, then apart from the heat usually generated, smoke and fumes can also be produced which restrict visibility. This effect is often exacerbated where the lighting system ceases to function. It might then be difficult to, in the first instance, locate a fire extinguisher, and then to navigate to the appropriate point to use the fire extinguisher.

Dealing firstly with the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, these illustrate a portable fire extinguisher incorporating functionality to aid a user in dealing with a fire. The fire extinguisher shown, generally referenced 10, comprises a container body 11 to hold the extinguishing medium. The container body 11 should have sufficient strength to withstand the excess internal pressure, usually greater than atmospheric pressure at around 6- 10 bar, either maintained on storage or generated in use. The fire extinguisher 10 includes a pressure valve 12 secured to or integral with the container body 11. The pressure valve 12 is openable by the user, which leads to the pressure within the container body 11 being released and the extinguishing medium to be forced out or entrained with the pressurising medium, usually as a directional stream, from the container body 11. The pressure valve 12 can be fluidly connected to a directional element (not shown) to aid the user in ensuring that the medium reaches the location where it can exert the maximum effect.

The container body 11 is formed of a material sufficient to withstand the internal pressure and to resist leakage. The material should also be resistant to any corrosive effects of the medium. To this end, container bodies are typically formed of a stainless-steel material. However, other materials such as plastics materials can be used if different characteristics are required for the container. As an example of a suitable plastics material can be cited polyethylene terephthalate.

Depending on the expected type of fire in the particular location, then the volume held by the container body is typically from 5 - 10 litres, although volumes of 6 litres and 9 litres are of particular use in industry. In the currently defined invention, the shape of the fire extinguisher is chosen to suit the location and use and can be selected from an extinguisher having a circular, elliptical, rectangular or square cross-section. Using the information provided, information can be gathered to ensure compliance with regulations and that an up-to-date asset register is maintained.

The extinguishing material is selected from those known in the art, and again to deal with the particulartype of fire which might be expected to occur in a given location, taking into account local regulations on use. For example, the extinguishing medium can be selected from water, water mist, a water-based agent, foam, an inert powder, wet potassium salts, carbon dioxide, a halon, phosphorus tribromide, a fluorocarbon or a smart fluid such as that marketed under the trade name Zenova FX ™.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a support cup, secured to or being integral with the base of the container body of the fire extinguisher. The support cup enables the provision of additional functionality to the fire extinguisher and an increase in the safety for a potential user. In an optional embodiment, the container body is releasably secured to the support cup by magnetic attraction, utilising magnets on one or both of the container body and the support cup.

In the hereindisclosed embodiment, the fire extinguisher 10 is supported by a support cup 20. The support cup 20 is formed from a plastics material to minimise the weight of the support cup 20, which advantageously is a hard plastics material capable of supporting the mass of the charged container body 10 and extinguishing material. Alternatively, a metal can be used from which to manufacture the support cup 20. Additionally, the interior of the support cup 20 is hollow or includes a plurality of atria in order to house power and control systems as detailed below.

The support cup 20 in the disclosed embodiment has a dish-shaped recess 28 of complementary shape to the base of the container body 11, the recess having an upper surface 29 on which the base of the container body 11 rests, allowing the container body 11 to sit within the recess 28. The container body 11 is secured to the support cup 20. This can be by conventional fastening means such as bolts or screws or can also be through the application of an adhesive. The support cup 20 is wider at its base 21 than at its top 22 which provides the fire extinguisher 10 with greater stability towards being knocked over. Additionally, the support cup 20 protects the container body 11 from damage by impact. Set into the side wall 23 of the support cup 20 is a plurality of LED lights 24. The lights 24 emit white light to enable the lights 24 to be seen even under difficult conditions. The lights 24 can act to direct people to safety in the event of a fire, when the lights of the building have ceased to operate. The lights can be set to flash intermittently under a set pattern which can make the perception of the lights easier. This aspect is especially of advantage where a fire extinguisher is located close to an emergency exit or on an exit route. The pattern of light projected is set to suit the particular location of the fire extinguisher. As examples of such a pattern can be cited a circular strip of light projected onto a floor surface or a wall area, an array of dots or a halo of light around the fire extinguisher. The pattern can also be set to switch between 2 or more different patterns sequentially.

In order to facilitate assembly of the support cup 20, the LED lights 24 can be mounted on a strip 26 which is then securable to the side wall 23. A strip 26 advantageously passes around the entire circumference of the support cup 20 which enables 360° deployment of lights 24 about the fire extinguisher 10 to be achieved through the application of a single strip 26. Alternatively, a plurality of strips of smaller length than the circumference can be utilised. The operation of the lights is powered by a battery 25 housed within the hollow interior of the support cup 20. The battery 25 is optionally rechargeable, and the support cup 20 further optionally includes a port to enable the battery to be connected to a mains supply for recharging. Alternatively or additionally, recharge of the battery 25 is achieved through the provision of a solar film secured to the support cup 20, which can act to trickle feed charge to the battery drawing energy from the ambient light surrounding the fire extinguisher.

Also housed within the support cup 20 is a control chip 27. The control chip 27 is able to gather information as to the performance and status of aspects of the fire extinguisher 10 and also to report the information gathered to an external monitor. First, the control chip 27 is linked to the battery 25 and can determine the level of charge of the battery 25. Thus, in the event that the charge reaches a predetermined low level, the appropriate action can be taken. In an additional option, a pressure sensor is included to monitor the pressure of the interior of the container body 11, should this be normally different from ambient. The output from the pressure monitor can be conveyed to the control chip 27, either by a wire connection or by a signal, enabling the value to be monitored and corrective action to be taken if required. An alarm is optionally included, linked to the control chip 27, the alarm being activated by the control chip 27 when a parameter reaches a pre-set value. The control chip 27 is optionally itself in connection with a remote alert system which allows the fire extinguisher, along with other extinguishers within a building or area to be centrally monitored to reduce the costs of monitoring and also increase the likelihood of early detection of a fault, as the detection does not rely on periodic inspections. The connectivity can be for example be via a LoRa network, for example operating at a 868 MHz range. The control chip 27 can also be coupled to an alarm system to automatically trigger an alarm on occurrence of a set of pre-set events.

Referring now to Figure 3, the support cup 40 supports a container 41 holding and able to dispense fire extinguishing medium. In addition to features described above for the first embodiment, such as providing standby emergency lighting, an illuminated base, the support cup 40 includes a theft or misuse deterrent and a motion sensor to determine movement of the cup, such as being lifted, and means to transmit and also receive audible signals Thus, in the event of an incident, the audible-emitter can emit an alarm and can optionally also issue verbal commands to people in the vicinity of the support cup 40. Alternatively, the audible emitter can be set to emit an audible instruction and an alarm in the event the container 41 is lifted from the support cup 40. The commands can be pre-programmed commands, which can include instructions on use of the fire extinguisher, or also can be commands and advice issued remotely by a person responsible such as a fire warden. Additionally, the audible emitter can also be set to operate if, for example, the charge remaining in the internal battery becomes low.

Additionally, the support cup 40 includes a control means to automatically control the lighting of the LEDs. The support cup 40 includes a photocell 42 which determines the ambient light around the fire extinguisher. When the photocell determines that it is daylight or there is sufficient illumination, then operation of the LEDs is stopped. Also, during dark hours, the operation of the LEDs is stopped unless movement is detected. To provide information on movement in the area, a passive, 360-degree, infra-red detector (PIR) 43 is included. When the conditions of darkness and movement are met then an audible message can be initiated to provide operational instructions to use the container 41. As an example of a sequence of events should movement of the container take place, then at the first detection of movement an alarm is sounded. Should movement continue beyond a pre-set time, for example 10 seconds, then the transmission of audible instructions can be initiated.

In a further embodiment, the fire extinguisher 10 or the support cup 20 can include a movement sensor such as an accelerometer which can be linked to the control chip 27. The movement sensor enables monitoring of the fire extinguisher 10 to be carried out remotely so that in the event of a fire extinguisher 10 being knocked over or impacted, rectification action can be taken. In one optional embodiment, a tilt sensor 51 is included to aid in determining whether the extinguisher has been moved. In a yet further option, a location sensor can be included, again linked to the control chip 27, so that should the fire extinguisher 10 be removed from its correct location this becomes known to the external monitor and the appropriate action can be taken. Additionally, the control chip 27 is connected to an alarm, operably attached to the fire extinguisher, and activates the alarm in the event of movement of the fire extinguisher. This serves not only to discourage misuse of the fire extinguisher, but also to function as an alert to those in the neighbourhood of the fire extinguisher that it is being used, and that appropriate action should be taken. In a still yet further embodiment an orientation sensor, connected to the control chip 27, can be included in the support cup 20, to allow information on the orientation of the fire extinguisher 10 to be communicated to the external monitor. Again, should corrective action need to be taken this can be done in good time to maintain the fire extinguisher in condition ready for use.

A flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a mode of operation is shown in Figure 4. In Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a mode of operation of a sensor. With regard to Figure 4, the system is initially in the Standby mode 50. In this mode, the abovedescribed elements which detect motion and light are active, so that if the extinguisher is removed without authorisation or if the extinguisher is taken in order to be utilised, this is detected and the appropriate light and audible signals activated, and also the information passed to an external monitor. The system includes a tilt sensor 51 (shown as T in Figures 4 and 5). The activation, or otherwise, of the tilt sensor 51 is, in the control chip 27, given priority over other signals received from the other elements such as the PIR, or the photocell in determining the status of the system. Should the tilt sensor 51 therefore detect no movement, then this status will take precedence and the system will return to the Standby mode 50.

In the event the tilt sensor 51 shows movement, then the LED lights and the alarm(s) will continue to activate for a further pre-set time such as 5 seconds, or optionally 10 seconds - the precise time being chosen to suit the operator, before the system checks further 52, the tilt sensor 51 for movement. If no further tilt is noted, then the system returns back 53 to the Standby mode 50. The lack of further movement is taken to indicate that the fire extinguisher has been replaced in position.

Should, however the tilt indicator still indicate that the extinguisher is in motion, then audible commands are emitted 54. The audible commands are repeated for a set number of times, for example 3, before the system again checks that the tilt sensor 51 is showing movement. If the tilt sensor 51 shows no movement then the system again reverts back to the Standby mode 50. If the external operator wishes to investigate the situation more closely, then the appropriate steps can be taken.

In the embodiment of Figure 5 the operation of the system to take into account the prevailing light conditions is illustrated. The system is initially shown in the Standby mode 60. In this mode 60, the LED lights are off and the audible signals are inactive. The photocell 42 determines whether the system is in darkness. If this is the case, then the PIR 43 input is obtained which determines whether there is movement in the vicinity of the extinguisher. If no movement is detected, then the system 60 remains in the Standby mode 60. Should, however, movement be detected, then the LED lights are activated 63 to provide the, assumed, person in the vicinity with light and also to make the person aware of the presence of the extinguisher. As in the operation of the system shown in Figure 4, the status of the tilt sensor 51 is then determined 64. If the tilt sensor 51 is showing no movement, then the system reverts after a pre-set time, typically 5 seconds, to the Standby mode 60. If the tilt sensor 51 shows motion of the extinguisher, the LEDs and audible alarm are activated 65, and as described above, for a further period of time, again typically 5 seconds, before the status of the tilt sensor 51 is again determined. If no movement is shown, then the system reverts to the Standby mode 60 as described above.

An external indicator can be included, such as a coloured light, for example a green light, to indicate to visual inspection that the parameters being monitored are within their normal operational values.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the functionality included in the abovedescribed embodiment, pertaining to the provision of a light source and functionality to monitor the status of the fire extinguisher to which the support cup is attached can be included in a retention element, which is attachable to a fire extinguisher container body.