Recent Patents
Descriptions of Patents Recently Issued of Interest to Fire Departments—Fire Apparatus and Extinguisher—Dust Explosions
Preventing Dust Explosions
A method of preventing dust explosions has been patented (No. 1,612,072) by Lewis Andrew Stinson of Oak Park, Ill., and is applicable especially in flour mills and elevators or where large quantities of explosive dusts accumulate.
The invention uses a spray arranged to use a liquid, and as occasion requires, a blast of air along with it. The liquid is composed of a solution that renders the dust substantially fire proof and non combustible. The illustration shows the device in use.

The nozzle is connected to the source of supply to receive compressed air through a hose connection. The hose is also connected to a supply of the fire proofing liquid.
In sections where the dust accumulates rapidly and particularly in such places as around drying machines or in heads, boots or spouts, and places that are not very accessible, fixed piping and fixed spray nozzles are provided. A relatively small amount of the fire proofing liquid is necessary to render the dust non-explosive.
The solution consists of sulphuric acid, and bicarbonate of soda mixed in water.
The force of the spray and the compressed air is sufficient to blow the dust away from the crevices where it generally lodges.
The inventor claims that more dust explosions are caused by blowing down the dust than by other means, and the spray that is used renders the process safe.
Fire Apparatus
A patent (No. 1,589,351) was granted to the late Jacob B. Blaw of Atlantic City, N. J., for a fire apparatus that has reference to directing a stream from a ladder.
The illustrations shows a vertical section of the ladder with the device attached. A ladder which may be part of the fire department equipment is arranged to have the improvements attached thereto. A truck of the general character and which is detachable is clamped to one of the rungs of the ladder at such position along its length as found convenient and upon which the ladder may be supported while being moved longitudinally or swung around in various positions.

The truck consists of a wooden block provided with widely spaced supporting wheels which may be of any of the usual types such as is employed under warehouse trucks. The wheels are universally jointed so that they may swing about a vertical axis for easy adjustment of the supporting load. The block is provided with a pair of clamps having adjustable hinged clamping parts and locking screws whereby the block may be attached to a rung of the ladder while the ladder may rest upon the block to support the main weight of the equipment. In this manner, the ladder and the truck move as a unit and permit the ladder to be balanced upon the truck and easily shifted to whatever position may be desired.
At the extreme end of the ladder is arranged a fire nozzle clamp which is also detachably clamped to the rungs of the ladder and adapted to support the fire nozzle at any angle desired. The nozzle is directed transversely of the ladder so that the stream may be thrown laterally upon the fire. The clamp is detachably clamped to the rungs of the ladder and consists of a head block with arms having their lower parts as clamps for the detachable connection with the rungs of the ladder. Hinged to head block is a rearwardlv extending arm having at its lower end a clamp for attachment to another of the rungs of the ladder. Pivoted upon the head block is a yoke adjustable at a vertical axis and upon which is pivoted a saddle clamp for receiving and clamping the fire nozzle. The yoke may be clamped in adjustable position by a clamping screw. In this manner the fire nozzle may be set at any horizontal and vertical adjustment which may be necessary to insure the stream being thrown in the direction desired.
In using this apparatus, the nozzle is clamped in the desired position required to project the water stream where needed and with the valve closed, the ladder with its equipment is pushed through the passage and adjusted to any particular horizontal angle that may be desired. The water may then be turned on by a valve and the stream directed upon the fire.
Fire Extinguisher
A design of a spray powder hand fire extinguisher has been patented (No. 1,606,066) by Walter E. Everitt of Seattle, Wash. The drawing shows a cross section of the device.
There is a container adapted to hold powder to be sprayed and a cap on the bottom of the container closing the opening through which the powder is inserted into the container. A cylinder extends into the container, preferably in the form of a cup leather and suitably secured to an operating rod by means of nuts threaded to receive the rod. The cup leather is backed by a circular plate. The outer end of the cylinder is provided with a suitable closure through which the operating rod passes— the rod is provided with a suitable handle.

The inner end of the cylinder has an open cone-shaped end and surrounding the end is a funnel-like member which extends through the adjacent end of the container. The funnel member is provided with a tapered seat adapted to form a seat for a closure member attached to the end of the operating roil. It extends beyond the piston and through the cone-shaped end of the cylinder. The closure member is preferably made of rubber.
The opening in the cap through which the operating rod passes is of the keyhole type to provide a slot to permit a radial pin on the rod to pass through the cap. This is to enable the plug of the valve to be held firmly to its seat in the funnel when the device is not in use.
When it is desired to operate the device, the rod is turned sufficiently to allow the pin to register with the slot in the cap, after which the rod may be freely reciprocated.
A port near the top of the cylinder permits free passage of the air as the piston is reciprocated.
In operation, the container is filled with a powder such as slaked lime, gypsum or other powder and the closure cap is pushed on tight. Reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder will force a current of air through the cone-shaped end of the cylinder and blow the powder out through the discharge opening. By providing a cone-shaped end surrounded by a funnel, the powder will be more readily forced out.
Report Issued on Pomona, Cal.—A report on the fire defences of Pomona, Cal., has been issued by the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
Harlan, la., Purchases Fire Apparatus- A Dodge truck fitted up with chemical appliances has been purchased by Harlan, la.