This invention is in the field of covers or housings for fire extinguishers and more specifically those having a door to allow access to the fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher should be located in the area or room where the extinguisher is needed; however, many people will not hang a red fire extinguisher on the living room wall or den wall etc. because of the gaudy appearance. People in general will place the fire extinguisher in a drawer or closet, out of sight and then forget the location. When a fire occurs, the fire extinguisher is not available instantly and the location may be completely forgotten in the moment of excitement.
The housing disclosed herein provides for the instant availability of the fire extinguisher in the area or room where the extinguisher is needed and also adds to the decor of the room. The housing automatically senses smoke/heat, sounds an alert, and opens its door illuminating the fire extinguisher mounted therein for instant usage in the area of the fire.
My decorative fire extinguisher cover is the subject of disclosure document number No. 118802 filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on July 18, 1983.
A number of United States patents have been granted disclosing the general idea of a housing for a fire extinguisher. A typical housing including a glass door is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,250, issued to Fudge on Mar. 29, 1977 which also includes a security alarm alerting the owner whenever the door is opened. Another type of housing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,426, issued to Kerr on Jan. 13, 1981 wherein a fire extinguisher along with fire hose is mounted within a wall hung box having a front door with a decorative cover provided thereon. An advantage of my housing as compared to the prior decorative housing is the automatic opening of the decorative cover upon the detection of a fire with simultaneous illumination of the extinguisher coupled with an audio alarm allowing for the instant recognition of the need and location of the fire extinguisher. Other types of housings have been developed which contain a fire hose such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,062,493, issued to Suggs on Dec. 13, 1977 and 4,018,242, issued to Schlegel on Apr. 19, 1977. Another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,223,739, issued to Waters on Sept. 23, 1980 which discloses a portable decorative housing containing a fire extinguisher operated while remaining within the housing.