US3675722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure indicator
Assignee: General Fire Extinguisher Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract An inexpensive and yet highly reliable device for indicating when the pressure in a receptacle is above or below a predetermined value comprises a housing means, a diaphragm means in the housing means, the diaphragm means having first and second side surfaces and a translucent viewing means having an inner surface, at least a portion of which is adjacent to the second surface of the diaphragm means. The first side surface of the diaphragm is adapted to be in pressure communication with the receptacle so the the diaphragm means may be movable between a first position in which the pressure is below a predetermined value and a second position in which the pressure is above a predetermined value. The inner surface of the viewing is relatively frosted except for at least one portion or area which is relatively clear so that when the diaphragm is in the second position it will be in contact with the inner surface of the viewing means and obscure the differences between the relatively frosted portion and the relatively clear portion. With the diaphragm in the second position the second surface of the diaphragm will be clearly visible through the viewing means and hence indicia on the second surface may be easily read. In one embodiment the word ''''full'''' may be used. In the first position with the second surface out of contact with the inner surface of the viewing means the relatively clear area will be readily distinguishable from the relatively frosted area. If the relatively clear area forms the word ''''empty'''' this may be clearly read.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark E Balmes Sr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:54
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A device for indicating pressure above or below a preselected value comprising: means forming a housing; means forming a disc disposed within said housing means and having a centrally disposed, domed portion movable from a normal convex position to a concave position in response to an increase of pressure above the preselected value applied inwardly of the domed portion in the normal convex position; means forming a translucent window overlying said disc means and having a surface disposed juxtapositionally to said disc means partially frosted to form both clear and frosted areas and having a dished configuration formed complementary to said domed portion of said disc means; and means transmitting pressure to said domed portion of said disc means whereby saiD domed portion moves into tight engagement with said surface in response to an increase in the transmitted pressure above the preselected value to obliterate visual distinctions between said clear areas and said frosted areas, and said domed portion moves out of engagement with said surface in response to a decrease in pressure below the preselected value to render said clear areas visible to indicate a pressure below the preselected value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A device for indicating pressure above or below a preselected value comprising: means forming a housing; means forming a disc disposed within said housing means and having a centrally disposed, domed portion movable from a normal convex position to a concave position in response to an increase of pressure above the preselected value applied inwardly of the domed portion in the normal convex position; means forming a translucent window overlying said disc means and having a surface disposed juxtapositionally to said disc means partially frosted to form both clear and frosted areas and having a dished configuration formed complementary to said domed portion of said disc means; and means transmitting pressure to said domed portion of said disc means whereby saiD domed portion moves into tight engagement with said surface in response to an increase in the transmitted pressure above the preselected value to obliterate visual distinctions between said clear areas and said frosted areas, and said domed portion moves out of engagement with said surface in response to a decrease in pressure below the preselected value to render said clear areas visible to indicate a pressure below the preselected value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
A device for indicating pressure as defined in claim 1 and further comprising: means forming a flexible member coextensive with said disc means and adhered to a surface of said disc juxtaposed to said dished surface of said translucent window means and movable with said domed portion into and out of engagement with said surface of said translucent window; said flexible member having indentations formed in a surface thereof juxtaposed to said dished surface, whereby said indentations become visible whenever an increase in the transmitted pressure above the preselected value moves said domed portion to the concave position causing said flexible member to tightly engage said dished surface to indicate a pressure above the preselected value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A device for indicating pressure as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by: said housing means having a bore therethrough formed with an enlarged portion and a reduced diameter portion forming an interior, annular shoulder portion; said disc means having a circular configuration sized to fit within said enlarged portion of said bore and including a peripheral, annular portion seated against said shoulder; said translucent window means having a circular configuration sized to fit within said enlarged portion of said bore and including an annular peripheral portion engaged against said annular portion of said disc means on a side thereof opposite said shoulder; and means having an annular configuration and tightly engaged within said enlarged portion of said housing bore for retaining said translucent window means and said disk means within said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
239 words
In a fire extinguisher including a cylinder containing pressurized fire extinguishing material, a device for indicating the amount of pressurized fire extinguishing material contained within the cylinder comprising: means forming a housing; means forming a disc disposed within said housing means and having a centrally disposed, domed portion movable from a normal convex position to a concave position in response to an increase of pressure above the preselected value applied inwardly of the domed portion in the normal convex position; means forming a translucent window overlying said disc means and having a surface disposed juxtapositionally to said disc means partially frosted to form both clear and frosted areas and having a dished configuration formed complementary to said domed portion of said disc means; and means providing fluid communication between an interior of the fire extinguisher and a side of said disc opposite of said window means to transmit pressure to said domed portion of said disc means, whereby said domed portion moves into tight engagement with said surface in response to an increase in the transmitted pressure above the preselected value to obliterate visual distinctions between said clear areas and said frosted areas, and said domed portion moves out of engagement with said surface in response to a decrease in pressure below the preselected value to render said clear areas visible to indicate an insufficient amount of fire extinguishing material contained within the cylinder to render the extinguisher operable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
239 words
In a fire extinguisher including a cylinder containing pressurized fire extinguishing material, a device for indicating the amount of pressurized fire extinguishing material contained within the cylinder comprising: means forming a housing; means forming a disc disposed within said housing means and having a centrally disposed, domed portion movable from a normal convex position to a concave position in response to an increase of pressure above the preselected value applied inwardly of the domed portion in the normal convex position; means forming a translucent window overlying said disc means and having a surface disposed juxtapositionally to said disc means partially frosted to form both clear and frosted areas and having a dished configuration formed complementary to said domed portion of said disc means; and means providing fluid communication between an interior of the fire extinguisher and a side of said disc opposite of said window means to transmit pressure to said domed portion of said disc means, whereby said domed portion moves into tight engagement with said surface in response to an increase in the transmitted pressure above the preselected value to obliterate visual distinctions between said clear areas and said frosted areas, and said domed portion moves out of engagement with said surface in response to a decrease in pressure below the preselected value to render said clear areas visible to indicate an insufficient amount of fire extinguishing material contained within the cylinder to render the extinguisher operable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a fire extinguisher, a device as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by: means forming a flexible member coextensive with said disc means and adhered to a surface of said disc juxtaposed to said dished surface of said translucent window means and movable with said domed portion into and out of engagement with said surface of Said translucent window; said flexible member having indentations formed in a surface thereof juxtaposed to said dished surface, whereby, said indentations become visible whenever an increase in pressure above the preselected value moves said domed portion to the concave position causing said flexible member to tightly engage said dished surface to indicate a sufficient amount of fire extinguishing material contained within the cylinder to render the extinguisher operable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a fire extinguisher, a device as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by: said housing means having a bore therethrough formed with an enlarged portion and a reduced diameter portion forming an interior, annular shoulder portion; said disc means having a circular configuration sized to fit within said enlarged portion of said bore and including a peripheral, annular portion seated against said shoulder; said translucent window means having a circular configuration sized to fit within said enlarged portion of said bore and including an annular peripheral portion engaged against said annular portion of said disc means on a side thereof opposite said shoulder; and means having an annular configuration and tightly engaged within said enlarged portion of said housing bore for retaining said translucent window means and said disc means within said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
In a fire extinguisher, a device as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by: the cylinder containing the pressurized fire extinguishing material having an aperture formed in a side wall thereof; and said housing means having a cylindrical portion sealingly engaged within said aperture in a manner to provide fluid communication between an interior of the cylinder and a surface of said disc opposite said translucent window.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
In a fire extinguisher, a device as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by: said clear areas formed on said dished surface of said translucent window means configured in the form of the word ''''EMPTY'''' when viewed from a side of the window opposite said dished surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a fire extinguisher, a device as defined in claim 5 and further characterized by: said indentations formed in said flexible member configured to spell the word ''''FULL'''' when viewed through said translucent window.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for indicating when the pressure in a receptacle is above or below a predetermined value comprising a housing means, a diaphragm means having first and second side surfaces, said first side surface adapted to be in pressure communication with said receptacle, said diaphragm means being movable between a first position and a second position in response to changes in pressure on said first side surface above and below said predetermined value, a translucent viewing means having an inner surface at least a portion of which is adjacent said second surface of said diaphragm means, said inner surface of said viewing means being relatively frosted except for at least one portion which is relatively clear whereby when said pressure is above said predetermined value said second surface of said diaphragm means will be in said second position in contact with said inner surface of said viewing means to obscure the differences between said relatively frosted and relatively clear portions and whereby when said pressure is below said predetermined value said diaphragm means will be in said first position with said second surface out of contact with said inner surface of said viewing means so that said relatively clear area will be readily distinguishable from said relatively frosted area.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
209 words
A device for indicating when the pressure in a receptacle is above or below a predetermined value comprising a housing means, a diaphragm means having first and second side surfaces, said first side surface adapted to be in pressure communication with said receptacle, said diaphragm means being movable between a first position and a second position in response to changes in pressure on said first side surface above and below said predetermined value, a translucent viewing means having an inner surface at least a portion of which is adjacent said second surface of said diaphragm means, said inner surface of said viewing means being relatively frosted except for at least one portion which is relatively clear whereby when said pressure is above said predetermined value said second surface of said diaphragm means will be in said second position in contact with said inner surface of said viewing means to obscure the differences between said relatively frosted and relatively clear portions and whereby when said pressure is below said predetermined value said diaphragm means will be in said first position with said second surface out of contact with said inner surface of said viewing means so that said relatively clear area will be readily distinguishable from said relatively frosted area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein said diaphragm means has indicia on said second surface thereon whereby when said diaphragm means is in said second position said indicia will be clearly visible through said viewing means but when said diaphragm is in said first position said indicia will be obscured so as not to be readily visible through said relativEly frosted portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 11 wherein said indicia means is formed by indentations in said second surface of said diaphragm means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 12 wherein said indentations have a bright color therein to enhance their visibility in said second position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 12 wherein said diaphragm means includes first and second members tightly adhered to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said clear portions of said viewing means are formed by indentations in the inner surface of said viewing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |