Support device for at least one fire extinguishing ball, in firefighting.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support device (1) for at least one fire extinguishing ball (B) in firefighting, comprising: - a rear base (2), advantageously configured for attachment to a receiving surface, - at least two front arms (3) extending from said base (2) and designed to grip said fire extinguishing ball (B). The support device (1) includes: - hinge means (5), arranged to allow rotational play of at least one of said arms (3), called the pivoting arm (3), relative to said base (2), and - elastic return means (6), exerting a restoring force on said pivoting arm (3) so as to direct its rotation towards said base (2). Figure for the abstract: 3

Description

Title of the invention: Support device for at least one fire extinguishing ball, in firefighting Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fire extinguishing balls, for firefighting.

[0002] It relates in particular to support devices for such extinguishing balls. State of the art

[0003] Effective fire management is a major issue for the safety of people and property.

[0004] Many advances have been made in the field of fire extinguishing devices.

[0005] For example, there are fire extinguishing devices, commonly referred to as "fire extinguishing balls", which include:

[0006] - an envelope that delimits an internal cavity in which at least a dispersible extinguishing agent, and

[0007] - pyrotechnical means adapted to generate an explosion causing a rupture of said envelope and dispersion of said extinguishing agent.

[0008] Pyrotechnic means include:

[0009] - at least one explosive charge, generating said explosion, and

[0010] - detonating means intended to trigger said explosion of said at least an explosive charge.

[0011] These fire extinguishing balls are usually placed or fixed in strategic areas likely to be exposed to the risk of a fire. However, the effectiveness of these devices also depends on the support system used to hold them in position.

[0012] Current support devices generally include:

[0013] - a rear base, advantageously configured for its attachment to a reception area, and

[0014] - at least two arms, front, extending from said base and designed to pinch said fire extinguisher ball.

[0015] However, the applicant has observed that the currently available support devices tend to enclose or constrain the extinguishing ball, in particular by pinching it or holding it in a fixed position that is too rigid.

[0016] This configuration can partially contain the explosion when the pyrotechnic means are activated, which limits the optimal dispersion of the extinguishing agent in the surrounding area. Presentation of the invention

[0017] To remedy these drawbacks, the present invention proposes an innovative support device for extinguishing balls, designed to optimize their effectiveness in the event of activation.

[0018] More specifically, the invention proposes a support device for at least one fire extinguishing ball, for use in firefighting, comprising:

[0019] - a rear base, advantageously configured for its attachment to a reception area,

[0020] - at least two arms, front, extending from said base and designed to pinch said fire extinguisher ball,

[0021] which support device comprises:

[0022] - hinge means, arranged to allow rotational play of at least one of said arms, said pivoting arms, relative to said base, and

[0023] - elastic return means, exerting a return force on said pivoting arm so as to tend its rotation towards said base.

[0024] Thanks to its characteristics, this device allows reliable retention of the extinguishing ball while ensuring sufficient freedom so that the explosion of the casing and the dispersion of the extinguishing agent are not compromised.

[0025] It thus meets the needs for an efficient and rapid deployment of the extinguishing content, overcoming the limitations of existing support devices.

[0026] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the product according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are as follows:

[0027] - said at least one pivoting arm is connected to said base by means of said hinge means; preferably, the hinge means comprise at least a first section, supported by said base, at least a second section, constituting said pivoting arm, and a connecting element, provided between said at least a first section and said at least a second section, and defining the axis of rotation of said hinge means; preferably also said at least a pivoting arm comprises an arched section which terminates in two second sections constituting the hinge means;

[0028] - said at least two arms consist of pivoting arms;

[0029] - the elastic return means consist of helical springs comprising a helical portion, advantageously surrounding said connecting member, a first end section cooperating with said pivoting arm, and a second end section cooperating with said base;

[0030] - the hinge means include rotational locking means, such as than an anti-theft nut;

[0031] - the hinge means include limit switch means, for example a combination of a lug and a shoulder, to define an initial position and to allow rotation of said pivoting arm in distance from at least one other arm.

[0032] The present invention further relates to a firefighting system, comprising:

[0033] - a support device according to the invention, and

[0034] - a fire extinguishing ball.

[0035] Of course, the various features, variants, and embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] In addition, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0037] [Fig-1] is a general and perspective view of the support device according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig.2] is a general and exploded view of the support device according to the invention;

[0039] [Fig.3] is a general and perspective view of the support device according to the invention, in which a fire extinguishing ball is reported.

[0040] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0041] The present invention thus relates to a support device 1 adapted to receive at least one extinguishing ball B, in the fight against fires.

[0042] As shown in [Fig. 3], the invention also relates to the fire-fighting system, comprising:

[0043] - a support device 1 according to the invention, and

[0044] - a fire extinguishing ball B. Fire extinguisher ball - General information

[0045] The fire extinguishing ball B is classic in itself, described for example in document FR3108518.

[0046] In general, as very schematically represented in [Fig. 3], the fire extinguishing ball B comprises:

[0047] - an envelope B1 which delimits an internal cavity in which is referred to minus a B2 dispersible extinguishing agent, and

[0048] - B3 pyrotechnic means adapted to generate an explosion causing a rupture of said envelope B1 and a dispersion of said extinguishing agent B2.

[0049] The envelope B1 thus advantageously consists of a frangible envelope B1, also called "destructible", adapted to be degraded by the explosion generated by the pyrotechnic means B3 while being able to resist its retention in the support device 1.

[0050] This envelope B1 advantageously has the shape of a sphere (spherical shape).

[0051] This B1 envelope is advantageously made of a plastic material, preferably rigid low density, for example of the foam type, for example expanded polystyrene foam.

[0052] This B1 envelope is advantageously wrapped in a protective plastic film.

[0053] This envelope B1 advantageously has an outside diameter of about ten, or a few tens, of centimeters.

[0054] Said at least one B2 extinguishing agent preferably consists of a dispersible chemical, advantageously a powder, active against fire.

[0055] Said at least one B2 extinguishing agent is advantageously chosen from among extinguishing powders which are composed mainly of non-toxic inorganic salts, mixed with water-repellent and anti-caking agents as well as various additives (stearates, silicones, starch, inert minerals, etc.) to facilitate their flow.

[0056] Such powders may be based on sodium or potassium bicarbonate, or on ammonium phosphate and / or sulfate (preferably ammonium phosphate).

[0057] Pyrotechnic means B3 include:

[0058] - at least one explosive charge (also called a "pyrotechnic charge"), generating the explosion capable of causing the rupture of said envelope B1 and the dispersion of said extinguishing agent B2, and

[0059] - detonating means intended to trigger the explosion of said at least one explosive charge.

[0060] Said at least one explosive charge is advantageously implanted within the internal cavity, preferably still in the center of the latter.

[0061] Said at least one explosive charge is advantageously embedded in said at least one extinguishing agent B2. In other words, said at least one explosive charge is advantageously surrounded (or enveloped) by said at least one extinguishing agent B2.

[0062] Said at least one explosive charge is for example chosen from black powders for fireworks (advantageously deflagrating mixtures of sulfur, nitrate of potassium (saltpeter) and charcoal), especially among the bursting charges.

[0063] Said at least one explosive charge is advantageously contained in a casing which can be made of different materials (paper, fabric, plastic, etc.)

[0064] The detonating means advantageously include means adapted to initiate the combustion of said at least one explosive charge.

[0065] These detonating means advantageously comprise a pyrotechnic fuse B4.

[0066] This pyrotechnic fuse B4 then extends advantageously from said at least one explosive charge and emerges at the level of the outer surface of the envelope Bl.

[0067] This pyrotechnic fuse B4 may include an annular section extending over the circumference of the outer surface of the casing Bl and in a transverse plane of the casing BL

[0068] Such a pyrotechnic fuse B4 may be of interest for considering a passive use of the extinguishing ball which would come into contact with a fire. Support device

[0069] The support device 1 according to the invention comprises:

[0070] - a rear base 2, advantageously configured for its attachment to a reception area,

[0071] - at least two front arms 3 extending from the base 2 and designed to pinch the fire extinguisher ball B.

[0072] This support device 1 is for example made of a metallic material.

[0073] The rear base 2 is thus designed to offer a stable and durable fixing in various contexts of use.

[0074] This base 2 is advantageously configured to be secured to a receiving surface (not shown), which may include, for example, a wall, a ceiling or any other suitable support element.

[0075] In this case, this base 2 comprises two cross members 21 (here plates) connecting two uprights 22 (here rods).

[0076] Each cross member 21 has an opening 211 for the passage of a fastener (not shown), for example in the form of a screw.

[0077] More generally, this base 2 advantageously includes:

[0078] - a rear face 2a, intended to bear against the receiving surface, and

[0079] - a front face 2b, opposite and intended to come into contact with the extinguishing ball B.

[0080] The arms 3 extend from the base 2, on the side of its front face 2b.

[0081] These arms 3 are specially designed to pinch and firmly hold the ball fire extinguisher B in position.

[0082] The arms 3 are arranged to extend forward of the base 2, forming a retaining mechanism allowing effective insertion and pinching of the extinguishing ball B.

[0083] The arms 3 advantageously comprise two parts, forming for example sections of a rod: an arched section 31 which terminates in two second sections 32 connected to the base 2.

[0084] The arched section 31 has a curved shape, for example in the shape of a circle, intended to come into contact with the casing of the extinguishing ball B. The second sections 32 are for example straight, parallel to each other, forming a junction with the base 2.

[0085] The arms 3 are advantageously positioned symmetrically on either side of the base 2, ensuring a balanced distribution of the forces exerted on the extinguishing ball B.

[0086] For example, the support device 1 has two arms 3 and is intended to be fixed to advantageously form a lower arm and an upper arm.

[0087] According to the invention, the support device 1 further comprises:

[0088] - hinge means 5, arranged to allow rotational play of at least one of said arms 3, called "pivoting arm 3", relative to the base 2, and

[0089] - elastic return means 6, exerting a return force on said arm pivoting 3 so as to tend its rotation towards the base 2 (also said to be a direction of approach or tightening), and in particular towards its front face 2b or towards an opposite arm 3.

[0090] The arms 3 are thus configured to pinch the extinguishing ball B with sufficient force to maintain its position while allowing:

[0091] - easy insertion of the extinguishing ball during installation, and

[0092] - a release without undue stress when the explosion is triggered, allowing optimal dispersion of the B2 extinguishing agent.

[0093] In this case, as shown in [Fig. 3], the hinge means 5 allow the pivoting arm 3 to move around an axis of rotation 5', giving the device a flexibility that facilitates:

[0094] - the installation of the extinguishing ball B, allowing a temporary separation of the pivoting arm 3, and

[0095] - optimal retention of the extinguishing ball B, thanks to a controlled pinching of this fire extinguishing ball B by the pivoting arm 3 after its positioning.

[0096] In this case, the support device 1 comprises two pivoting arms 3 which are intended to pivot around axes of rotation 5' parallel to each other.

[0097] Preferably, said at least one pivoting arm 3 is connected to the base 2 via the aforementioned hinge means 5.

[0098] More specifically, the hinge means 5 advantageously include:

[0099] - at least one first section 51, supported by the base 2,

[0100] - at least a second section 52, constituting the pivoting arm 3 and corresponding to the second sections 32 mentioned above of the pivoting arm 3, and

[0101] - a connecting element 53, for example in the form of a screw, provided between said at least a first section 51 and said at least a second section 52, and defining the axis of rotation 5' of the hinge means 5.

[0102] In other words, said at least a first section 51 and said at least a second section 52 are intended to pivot relative to each other, around the connecting member 53.

[0103] In this case, for each pivoting arm 3, the hinge means 5 comprise two pairs each comprising a first section 51 and a second section 52.

[0104] The first section 51 here corresponds to an end section of an upright 22, folded back on the side of the front face 2b.

[0105] The connecting member 53 is for example provided between said at least a first section 51 and said at least a second section 52, through coaxial ports.

[0106] According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge means 5 include rotational locking means 55, such as an anti-theft nut.

[0107] Once the extinguishing ball B is positioned in the support device 1, the locking means 55 allow the pivoting arm 3 to be fixed in an optimal pinching position.

[0108] This configuration ensures that the ball is held firmly in place, even in the presence of external vibrations or movements, or even an unauthorized attempt to extract the extinguishing ball B (theft for example).

[0109] When the pyrotechnic means B3 of the extinguishing ball B are triggered, the locking means 55 are configured to allow controlled rotational play of the pivoting arm 3 (in a spreading direction - [Fig.3]).

[0110] This movement is essential to prevent the pivoting arm 3 from hindering the dispersion of the extinguishing agent B2 by partially blocking the explosion.

[0111] According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge means 5 include end-of-stroke means 57, to define an initial position ([Fig.1]) and to allow a rotation of said pivoting arm 3 in distance relative to at least one other arm 3.

[0112] The initial position is particularly interesting for maintaining a space between the arms 3 and facilitating the insertion of the extinguishing ball B between these arms 3.

[0113] These limit switch means 57 consist, for example, of a combination of two elements:

[0114] - a lug 571, for example carried by the second section 52 constituting the arm pivoting 3, and

[0115] - a shoulder 572, for example carried by the first section 51 constituting the base 2.

[0116] The lug 571 acts as a movable stop, limiting the range of rotation of the pivoting arm 3 by stopping against the shoulder 572, forming a fixed stop.

[0117] When the pivoting arm 3 is brought back to its initial position (thanks to the elastic return means 6), the lug 571 comes to rest against the shoulder 572.

[0118] This interaction ensures a stable and repeatable position, essential for optimal pinching of the extinguishing ball B.

[0119] Furthermore, the elastic return means 6 tend to maintain the pivoting arm 3 in an initial position,

[0120] When an external force (for example, the insertion or removal of the extinguishing ball B, or its explosion) pushes the pivoting arm 3 out of its initial position (in an outward direction - [Fig. 3]), the springs deform temporarily. They then generate a restoring force, returning the pivoting arm 3 towards the base 2 (in an inward direction).

[0121] For example, the elastic return means 6 consist of helical springs 6 comprising:

[0122] - a helical portion 61, advantageously surrounding said connecting member 53,

[0123] - a first end section 62 cooperating with the pivoting arm 3, allowing to transmit the restoring force directly to the arm, and

[0124] - a second end section 63 cooperating with the base 2, ensuring a point stable anchoring for the spring.

[0125] The end sections 62, 63 consist for example of free strands, extending from the helical portion 61.

[0126] The helical springs 6 are thus advantageously arranged coaxially with the rotation axes 5' of the hinge means, which optimizes their efficiency while minimizing the bulk.

[0127] The end sections 62, 63 are securely fixed to the attachment points provided on the pivoting arm 3 and on the base 2, respectively. Implementation

[0128] The method of implementing the support device 1 and the extinguishing ball B begins with the installation of the support device on a suitable receiving surface, such as a wall, a ceiling or a floor structure.

[0129] This surface must be located in a strategic area likely to be exposed to the outbreak of fire.

[0130] The base 2 of the support device 1 is positioned on the receiving surface. For example, the crossbars 21 of the base 2 are then fixed using screws or bolts inserted into the holes provided for this purpose, ensuring a stable fixing.

[0131] The installation of the fire extinguishing ball B begins by spreading said at least one pivoting arm 3 ([Fig.3]), by applying a manual force, allowing its controlled rotation by means of hinges 5 in a spreading direction.

[0132] A sufficient opening is thus obtained to insert the extinguishing ball B without difficulty.

[0133] The extinguishing ball B is delicately placed between the arms 3. The arms 3 are then released to return towards their initial position, under the effect of the elastic return means 6, which exert a controlled pinch on the extinguishing ball B.

[0134] If the support device 1 is equipped with rotation locking means 55, these are activated to hold the arms 3 in position, ensuring a secure and stable hold.

[0135] After installation, the firefighting system is ready to respond effectively in the event of a fire.

[0136] When a fire breaks out nearby, the heat or flames activate the pyrotechnical means B3 of the extinguishing ball B, triggering a controlled explosion. This explosion causes the casing B1 of the ball to rupture and the extinguishing agent B2 to disperse into the surrounding area.

[0137] During this phase, the hinge means 5 allow at least one pivoting arm 3 to move away under the effect of the force of the explosion ([Fig.3]), thus allowing optimal dispersion of the extinguishing agent B2.

[0138] This movement remains limited thanks to the elastic return means 6, which prevent any excessive spreading of the arms 3, avoiding any interference with the dispersion of the extinguishing agent B2.

[0139] The invention thus guarantees efficient and reliable use of the support device, while maximizing the safety and performance of the extinguishing ball in case of fire.

[0140] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the annexed claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Support device (1) for at least one fire extinguishing ball (B), in firefighting, comprising: - a rear base (2), advantageously configured for its attachment to a receiving surface, - at least two front arms (3), extending from said base (2) and designed to pinch said fire extinguishing ball (B), characterized in that said support device (1) comprises: - hinge means (5), arranged to permit rotational play of at least one of said arms (3), said pivoting arm (3), relative to said base (2), and - elastic return means (6), exerting a restoring force on said pivoting arm (3) so as to tend its rotation towards said base (2).

2. Support device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one pivoting arm (3) is connected to said base (2) via said hinge means (5).

3. Support device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the hinge means (5) comprise: - at least one first section (51), carried by said base (2), - at least one second section (52), constituting said pivoting arm (3), and - a connecting member (53), provided between said at least one first section (51) and said at least one second section (52), and defining the axis of rotation of said hinge means (5).

4. Support device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one pivoting arm (3) comprises an arched section (31) which terminates in two second sections (32) constituting the hinge means (5).

5. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said at least two arms (3) consist of pivoting arms (3).

6. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastic return means (6) consist of helical springs (6) comprising: - a helical portion (61), advantageously surrounding said connecting member (53), - a first end section (62) cooperating with said pivoting arm (3), and - a second end section (63) cooperating with said base (2).

7. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the hinge means (5) include rotational locking means (55), such as an anti-theft nut.

8. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hinge means (5) comprise end-of-stroke means (57), for example a combination of a lug (571) and a shoulder (572), to define an initial position and to permit rotation of said pivoting arm (3) away from at least one other arm (3).

9. Firefighting system, comprising: - a support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and - a fire extinguishing ball (B).

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