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EP-3682949-B1 - BRACKET INTERLOCK SYSTEMS

EP3682949B1EP 3682949 B1EP3682949 B1EP 3682949B1EP-3682949-B1

Inventors

  • BAXENDELL, DOUG JOHN
  • FRASURE, DAVID WILLIAM

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20170919

Claims (4)

  1. A method of operating a safety mechanism (124) of a safety system (100) for a pressure vessel, wherein the safety system (100) comprises: a poppet housing (104) with a poppet (106) slidingly mounted therein, wherein the poppet (106) is configured to close a flow path (108) through the poppet housing (104) in a first poppet position, and to open a flow path (108) through the poppet housing (104) in a second poppet position; and a bracket (120) operatively connected to the poppet housing (104) and configured for mounting to a support structure (122), wherein the safety system (100) further comprises: a safety pin (110) slidingly mounted in the poppet housing (104), wherein the safety pin (110) is configured to block movement of the poppet (106) in an extended position, and to allow full movement of the poppet (106) in a retracted position; and an actuation lever (114) operatively connected to actuate the safety pin (110) between the extended and retracted positions, wherein the bracket (120) includes the safety mechanism (124) configured to release the actuation lever (114) to maintain the safety pin (110) in the extended position with the bracket (120) not mounted to a support structure (122), and to force the actuation lever (114) to allow the safety pin (110) to move to the retracted position with the bracket (120) mounted to a support structure (122), wherein the safety mechanism (124) includes a yoke (126) slidingly engaged to the bracket (120) for movement between a first position releasing the actuation lever (114) to maintain the safety pin (110) in the extended position, and a second position to force the safety pin (110) to move to the retracted position, wherein the yoke (126) includes a collar (130) configured to seat a neck (132) of the pressure vessel (102) therein, wherein the yoke (126) includes at least one biasing member (140) configured to bias the yoke (126) to the first position forcing the actuation lever (114) to maintain the safety pin (110) in the extended position, wherein the method comprises: extending the safety pin (110) to block the poppet (106) from opening the flow path (108) from the pressure vessel (102) in the event of the pressure vessel (102) being unmounted from the bracket (120) or in the event of the bracket (120) being unmounted from the support structure (122); and retracting the safety pin (110) to allow free movement of the poppet (106) for opening the flow path (108) only in the event of the pressure vessel (102) being mounted to the bracket (120) and the bracket (120) being mounted to a support structure (122).
  2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein mounting the bracket (120) to the support structure (122) includes mounting the bracket (120) to a vehicle.
  3. A method as recited in claim 1 or 2, wherein mounting the bracket (120) to the support structure (122) includes depressing a positioning pin (128) while mounting the bracket (120) to the support structure (122) to retract the safety pin (110).
  4. A method as recited in any preceding claim, further comprising discharging the pressure vessel (102) slowly through an audible leak path past the poppet (106) with the safety pin (110) extended.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present disclosure relates to fire extinguishers, more particularly to safety mechanisms for reducing the risk of unsafe discharge of fire extinguishers, and even more particularly to methods of operating such safety mechanisms. 2. Description of Related Art Various fire extinguishers contain highly pressurized gas within a pressure vessel. When properly installed, for example, in a vehicle, the pressurized gas can be discharged to mitigate fires, explosions, or the like. Untimely discharge of the pressurized gas, e.g., when the pressure vessel is not properly secured to a firm structure, can cause the pressure vessel to be propelled in an erratic motion. Safety mechanism can be used to prevent unwanted discharge of the pressurized gas. The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved safety mechanisms. This disclosure provides a solution for this problem. US 4 363 424 A discloses a prior art quick coupling device for a gas pressurization system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION From one aspect, there is provided a method of operating safety mechanism as recited in claim 1. Features of embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. These and other features of the methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a safety system constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the safety pin in the extended position to prevent full opening of the poppet;Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, showing the positioning pins extending through the bracket with the safety pin in the extended position;Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the safety system of Fig. 1, showing the safety pin in the retracted position with the bracket mounted to a support structure such as in a vehicle;Fig. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, showing the positioning pins pressed inward flush with the bracket as when mounted to a support structure as shown in Fig. 3; andFig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the system of Fig. 1, showing the yoke flexible fingers flexed inward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a safety system in accordance with the disclosure is shown in Fig. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of systems in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in Figs. 2-5, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used to prevent unwanted discharge of a pressurized vessel, such as a high-pressure fire extinguisher tank, even if the mounting bracket thereof is removed from a support structure with the pressure vessel still mounted in the mounting bracket. Safety system 100 for a pressure vessel 102 includes a poppet housing 104 with a poppet 106 slidingly mounted therein. The poppet 106 is configured to close a flow path 108 from the pressure vessel 102 through the poppet housing 104 in a first poppet position, as shown in Fig. 1, and to open the flow path 108 through the poppet housing 104 in a second poppet position, wherein the movement direction from the first position to the second position is indicated by the large arrows in Figs. 1 and 3. The pressure vessel 102 is mounted to the poppet housing 104, e.g., by threading as shown in Fig. 1, so that the poppet 106 regulates flow from the pressure vessel 102. A safety pin 110 is slidingly mounted in the poppet housing 104, e.g. within a bushing 112. The safety pin 110 is configured to block movement of the poppet 106 in an extended position, shown in Fig. 1, and to allow full movement of the poppet 106 in a retracted position shown in Fig. 3, where safety pin 110 is completely clear of the vertical path of the poppet 106. An actuation lever 114 is operatively connected to actuate the safety pin 110 between the extended and retracted positions. A biasing member 116 e.g., a helical compression spring, biases the safety pin 110 against the poppet housing 104 towards the extended position. A switch 118 is ope