AU2010201887A1 - Hand fire extinguisher - Google Patents

Description

2 Hand fire extinguisher The invention concerns a hand fire extinguisher. Hand fire extinguishers are 5 often formed with a cylindrical shaped container that has a valve at the top which is in communication with the interior of the container through a riser pipe. The riser pipe extends down to the base of the container. However, other shaped containers for fire extinguishers have been developed. 10 A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims. 15 DE 4222927A1 discloses a fire extinguisher which has a container of an oval cross-section perpendicular to its height over its entire length. This cross-section satisfies the requirement of the automobile industry for generally flat fire extinguishers but without a loss in the filling capacity. Such a container can be however, very bulky and does not easily fit spaces available in a motor vehicle. 20 DE 102005042250 (Al) discloses a container that has a flattened cylindrical shape, in which the cross-section perpendicular to the height represents a very narrow rectangle. Such a container is not suitable for use within a motor vehicle, because its small width or thickness requires it to have a large flat dimension to 25 achieve an adequate volume. An object of the invention is to provide a hand fire extinguisher suitable to be used in motor vehicles. 30 According to the present invention there is provided a hand fire extinguisher having a three-dimensional container with a valve and with a riser pipe reaching substantially to the base of the container for the release of the pressurised extinguishing agent, wherein in a first sectioned plane which is perpendicular to 3 the riser pipe, the container has an oval or elliptic cross-section, or a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, in which the smallest dimension (small diameter d) is less than %, preferably less than 2/3 of the greater dimension (larger diameter D) in the first sectioned plane, and wherein a second sectioned 5 plane of greater dimension has a rectangular cross-section, i.e. the container is cylindrical while the smaller (d) and the larger (D) diameters are determined by the oval or elliptic or rounded rectangular cross-sectional surface (cylindrical surface) that is perpendicular to the height dimension is in the range between 40 cm 2 and 125 cm 2 , and wherein the large diameter (D) is in the range within 60 s 10 and 140 s, where s is the average wall thickness of the container. A hand fire extinguisher according to the invention advantageously can require little or reduced space and can fit in existing spaces in automobiles which typically exist in the passenger cell, in particular in voids in or below the front 15 seats. Examples of some forms of the invention can be easily reached and grasped in the interior of an automobile, especially in the passenger area, and can be stored in a non-interfering but secure manner to avoid damage. Advantageously, by 20 virtue of its shape, a hand fire extinguisher according to the invention can be fastened in accordance with modern safety requirements to firmly hold the fire extinguisher even at great acceleration. In the above described form of the invention, the hand fire extinguisher has a 25 cylindrical container with oval/elliptical cross-section. This form of hand fire extinguisher is particularly suitable to be stored under one of the seats of an automobile, in particular under the driver's seat in such a manner that the driver is neither disturbed by the extinguisher nor will the extinguisher be damaged by the driver's foot movements. 30 The hand fire extinguisher according to the invention does not have a circular cylindrical shape along its full length, but rather a flattened cylindrical shape which can be an elliptic or oval shape. However, the container can be partly cylindrical to achieve an as large as possible capacity. The fire extinguisher can 4 be stored with its full height (axis of the cylinder) lying, for example, perpendicularly to the axis of the vehicle, while the cylindrical height dimension allows a secure fastening on or below a horizontal mounting wall of the vehicle, e.g. the wall situated below a front seat. In this case the container preferably lies 5 with its small diameter on the mounting wall or the mounting (called: "holding shell") fastened on it and the effect of the elliptic or oval shape will be that great deceleration forces (e.g. in an accident) affect only the small diameter and consequently the tilting moment occurring will not result in the break of the mounting off the mounting wall. 10 The valve and the riser pipe are situated along the axis of the cylinder of the container. To further balancing the desirability of maximisation of the capacity on the one 15 hand and the reduction of space required on the other, minimum and maximum limits of the cross-sectional areas (cylindrical areas) perpendicular to the height dimension have been established. These limits usually are usually based on the dimensions of the interior of modern passenger cars and in particular by the free spaces available below the front seats. For a further balancing between the 20 desirable maximisation of the capacity on the one hand and the strength of the pressurised container strived for on the other, contrary to expectations it is not the height and the wall thickness (s) but the large diameter (D) and the wall thickness which form the basic criteria to achieve the required strength, in particular bursting pressure, of the pressurised (= 12 bar) container with the greatest 25 possible capacity for the available small space. In this case the large diameter (D) should be in the range within 60 s and 140 s, where s is the average wall thickness of the container. For passenger cars the mountings of the hand fire extinguisher has to be able to resist to very great forces corresponding to the standardised maximum stresses (decelerations) of crash tests used for motor 30 vehicles. 50 g and up to 200 g (g = acceleration due to gravity) are the requirements. Other embodiments of the invention contribute to the space-saving and safe storage in the interior of the motor vehicle. Even the greatest, above normal, 5 loads should be endured without breaking, while the mounting and the hand fire extinguisher fastened on it should comply with the existing available space and possibilities of fastening. The solution according to some embodiments of the invention provide that the fastening of the hand fire extinguisher on the mounting 5 back does not contribute to the overall mounted dimension. In this embodiment, the mounting back may be a component, a wall or the like of a motor vehicle, in particular a boundary sheet metal on the underside of a front seat. The attaching of the retaining strap is possible at any time, and can be retrofitted, if the preparations for a mass-production of the fastening for the retaining strap are 10 simple to manufacture and are not elaborate. It is, however, also possible to manufacture the mounting back as a separate component, that is so attached, for example by screws, to a wall or the like of a motor vehicle if the owner of the motor vehicle wanted to have a hand fire 15 extinguisher in the vehicle. In any case the hand fire extinguisher and the mounting back together are essentially not higher than the hand fire extinguisher on its own, because both sides of the retaining strap are joined with the mounting back the hand coupling, to be opened by hand, can be situated laterally on the mounting back. Due to this there is not only a saving in the overall dimension; the 20 mounting back can be so attached that the hand coupling faces the passenger compartment and consequently is well visible and easily accessible without the necessity of additional space for manipulation. The closing clamp also has an operator-friendly design; it can be opened by a 25 simple handle by pulling its tensioning part (catch head). All parts of the tensioning part are joined with the retaining strap in a non-detachable manner. This makes it possible to store the fire extinguisher with its height dimension (axis of the cylinder) in lying position, such as perpendicularly to the axis of the vehicle, while the cylindrical height dimension allows a secure fastening on or below a 30 horizontal fastening wall of the vehicle, e.g. the wall lying below a front seat. At the same time the container is preferably so tilted, that the larger diameter is inclined by approx. 30 to 60* relative to the direction of travel.

6 The construction of the tensioning part of the hand fire extinguisher has to satisfy the requirement to be able to be simply opened in case of an emergency and without any specialised knowledge. On the other hand however, it needs to withstand high stresses in case of an accident without the hand fire extinguisher 5 flying around in the passenger compartment. This requirement is particularly satisfied by a construction in which the tensioning part of the catch head and catch lever is joined with the grasping end of the retaining strap by means of a connecting piece. The catch head, tensioning lever and connecting piece can be made integrally with the same cross-section. They can be joined with one another 10 by hinges, while the connecting piece can be firmly joined with the grasping part of the retaining strap and the hinges are preferably formed by weakening the cross-section. The components of the tensioning part are undetachable, in the preferred construction also the tensioning part itself. 15 The retaining strap can be fastened on the assembly side of the mounting back. This can be accomplished by moulding the retaining strap on the mounting back. In other advantageous constructions, an assembly coupling is provided between the mounting back and the retaining strap, said assembly coupling satisfying the 20 requirement of a simple assembly while being adequate to withstand high stresses in case of an accident. This will particularly facilitate the attachment of the strap or both parts of the strap at any time directly on a wall of the motor vehicle, said wall serving as a mounting back. All is required that the wall of the motor vehicle, preferably in a mass production, to be fitted with one half of the 25 coupling. In any case in case of this execution the choice of the material for the mounting back and the retaining strap can be optimised. The assembly coupling can comprise two coupling parts, one of which is fastened at the end of the retaining strap (assembly side) and the other on the wall of the 30 motor vehicle as mounting back or, according to another from, moulded on a longitudinal side of the mounting back. To carry out the assembly and to accomplish the form-locked joint of the mounting back and of the retaining strap, one coupling part is displaced relative to the other one parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hand fire extinguisher. An axial stop ensures that the strap 7 will be in the axial position relative to the mounting back, in which the hook part, interacting with the hook head, also moulded on the mounting back, is situated. As an alternative, the assembly end of the retaining strap can include a 5 thickening which is fastened or moulded on, that is parallel with the axis, and on the mounting back a slot that is parallel with the axis and is open on one side and closed on the other is provided. The cross-section of the slot and the cross section of the thickening (e.g. cylindrical or circular cylindrical or prism-shaped thickening) of the retaining strap correspond to one another. The opening of the 10 slot corresponds to the thickness of the retaining strap. Due to this the thickening can be axially pushed into the base of the slot. It is irrelevant, whether the guided or guiding part of the coupling, e.g. a dovetail is fastened on the retaining strap or on the mounting back. What is important is that the retaining strap can be pushed against a stop to determine, at least approximately, the position of the hook head 15 at the other end. The guide can extend along the entire width of the retaining strap and the counterpart on the mounting back will have at least the corresponding length. As dovetail pair the thickening is constructed cylindrical with the usual prism-shaped cross-section. However, the thickening can have also spherical or cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical cross-section. The 20 thickening preferably also extends over the entire width of the retaining strap and the slot will have at least the corresponding length. Such an execution is characterised by the ability of moving the retaining strap relative the mounting back. 25 The invention can provide a hand fire extinguisher that can be safely removed from the mounting back and the retaining strap. There is a particular danger in case of an extreme stress when the hand fire extinguisher rotates. This can take place particularly when the container has the 30 shape preferred here. In some forms of the invention, a special rotation preventer is mounted on the mounting back. This rotation preventer interacts with the valve, in fact preferably with the outlet nozzle. Either a bolt can be fastened on the mounting back, engages the front opening of the valve head, or the outlet nozzle of the valve head can be surrounded by a shell fastened on the mounting back.

8 The hand fire extinguisher according to this invention is preferably stored under the front seat of a motor vehicle on the underside of the seat without interfering with the passengers and in emergency can be grasped immediately and without 5 any operating difficulties. In the following the embodiments of the invention are described based on the drawing. They show in: Figs. 1 A and 1 B - views of a hand fire extinguisher with its mounting 10 Fig.2A - axial section through the container of the hand fire extinguisher Figs.2B, 2C - radial sections through the container of the hand fire 15 extinguisher Figs.3A, 3B, 3C, 3D - sections through various embodiments of an assembly coupling Figs.4A, 4B - a locking during closing and in the closed state 4C 20 Figs.5A and 5B - sections of a hand fire extinguisher with a further kind of mounting The same parts are designated with the same reference numerals in all drawings. 25 The description applies to all figures provided no special features are explicitly emphasised in a particular figure. The mounting 1 for the hand fire extinguisher 2 has a mounting back 3. A retaining strap 4 is fastened on the mounting, said retaining strap being wrapped 30 around the hand fire extinguisher in a closed state to secure it on the mounting back 3. A wide strap 4 is shown, although alternatively, two narrower straps may be used. If the retaining strap 4 is a separate part, i.e. one that is not required for the motor vehicle, the retaining strap 4 can be moulded or fixed to the side of the mounting 1 as shown.

In the figures, the strap 4 is attached to opposite longitudinal sides 3.1 and 3.2 of the fire extinguisher 2 by means of a hand coupling on one side which has a head 7.1, that can be manipulated by hand. On the opposite longitudinal side an 5 assembly coupling 6 is provided. The hand coupling will be described later based on Figs.3A and 3B and the assembly coupling based on Figs.4A to 4C. The mounting back 3 faces the hand fire extinguisher 2 with a cylindrical shell shape 3.3 matching the shape of the facing surface of the hand fire extinguisher. 10 On the rear or opposite side 3.4 of the mounting back 3, the surface is shaped or arranged to suit the surface on which the mounting back 3 is fastened in use, with screw holes 19 being provided for fastening screws to pass through and threadably engage. 15 The mounting back 3 can be fastened on the underside of a seat so that the hand coupling 7.1 faces the passenger compartment and is easily accessible, and the hand fire extinguisher can be easily removed from the mounting by opening the hand coupling 7.1. 20 Referring in detail to Figs.2A and 2B, the container of the hand fire extinguisher is three-dimensional with a valve and a riser pipe reaching to the bottom of the container to discharge the extinguishing agent under pressure. The container of the hand fire extinguisher extends to a different cross-sectional extent in different planes and in one sectioned plane of the container, the smallest dimension is less 25 than %, preferably than 2/3 of the size of the next greatest dimension in this sectioned plane. Due to this dimensioning, the hand fire extinguisher has a relatively flat construction. The hand fire extinguisher 2 in the sectioned planes of both smallest dimensions has an oval or elliptic, or even a rectangular cross section. As illustrated in Fig.2A, in the sectioned plane of the greatest dimension 30 the container has a rectangular cross-section, so that the container is cylindrical. The pressure-resistant container of the hand fire extinguisher 2 has a circular cylindrical open neck 2.1. The shoulder 14 of a valve head 16 fits into this neck, and the valve head 16 can be inserted into the container 2 by means of clamps 10 (not illustrated ) in a pressure-resistant manner. The valve head 16 contains a valve to discharge the extinguishing agent within the container of the hand fire extinguisher 2. The valve head 16 can be manufactured for example, from brass or plastic material. The valve head 16 has a hose socket 25 to attach an 5 extinguishing hose (not illustrated) to it with a dosing valve attached to it. The hose socket is connected with the interior of the container via the discharge channel 26 and riser pipe 17. The riser pipe 17 reaches down towards the base of the container so that the container can be completely emptied. 10 In the hand fire extinguisher 2, the container is pressurised by a pressure cartridge 18 in which a pressurising agent, e.g. compressed air, C02, is stored. The pressure cartridge 18 is fastened in the opening of a pressure channel 22 in the valve head 16 in such a manner to protrude into the container of the hand fire extinguisher 2. 15 To open the pressure cartridge 18, as it is shown only schematically, a valve plate 20, that closes off the pressure cartridge 18, is destructed by means of a striking plunger 21.The striking plunger 21 is aligned with the centreline of the pressure cartridge 18 as well as with the rising branch 23 of the pressure channel 20 22 and is slidingly as well as sealingly guided in the valve head. The pressure channel 22 is U-shaped. A pressure pipe 29 is inserted in one end of the channel 22. The pressure pipe 29 protrudes well into the container to stir and thoroughly mix the extinguishing agent during the streaming in of the 25 pressure agent. It needs to be appreciated that the invention also applies to hand fire extinguishers which do not operate with inserted cartridges but are charged with a pressurised gas, air, nitrogen, C02. Fig.2A shows a hand fire extinguisher 2 with a cylindrical housing in the sectioned 30 plane (axial section) through A-A, also seen in Figs.2B and 2C, which are perpendicular to the Fig. 2A illustration. Figs.2B and 2C show alternative cross sections for two embodiments. Fig.2B shows an oval or elliptic cross-section, while Fig.2C shows a rectangular cross-section of the container with rounded circular corners.

11 In the axial section of Fig.2A the container has the largest dimension between points H-H, which is the length of the cylinder. The next largest dimension of the container in this sectioned plane is between points A-A, also seen in Figs.2A and 5 2C. In these cross-sections the distance between the points A-A is the largest dimension and is to be described herein as the large diameter D. In these cross sections the smallest dimension is the distance between the points C-C and is to be described herein as the small diameter d. This is the smallest dimension of the container in the three-dimensional/perpendicular coordinates. 10 The smallest dimension C-C is smaller than 3/4 (three quarters), preferably smaller than 2/3 (two thirds) of the size of the next greater dimension in the same sectioned plane between points A-A. A reduction of this ratio to less than, for example 1/2 (one half) can be advantageous for a container shape to suit the 15 available empty spaces in an automobile. However, a reduction of this ratio has a consequent loss of container volume, so that a compromise has to be reached as to how far the ratio can be reduced. It is possible to increase the dimension in the other sectioned plane, i.e. in the length between points H-H, but that can affect the ability to suit the available empty spaces of an automobile. Thus it 20 preferred that the cross-section areas according to Figs.2B and 2C are in the range between 40 cm 2 and 125 cm 2 . The riser pipe 17 for the discharge of the extinguishing agent extends for the largest dimension of the container, i.e. over the length L between the points H-H. 25 To satisfy strength requirements, the large diameter (D) should be in the range between 60 s and 140 s, wherein s is the average wall thickness of the container. Furthermore, the valve comprising the neck 2.1 with the valve head 16 inserted thereinto, is situated at one end of this largest dimension. This will ensure that 30 when the hand fire extinguisher 2 is held with the valve at the top, the hand fire extinguisher can be completely emptied. Figs.3A to 3D show details of the assembly side 3.2 of the mounting back 3 with a lateral boundary plate 11. In these figures embodiments of the assembly 12 coupling 6 are shown. The view shows the head side of the mounting back 3, and represent a cross-section of the mounting back 3. The hand fire extinguisher 2 is only indicated schematically. The retaining strap 4 is only partially illustrated. The elements of the assembly coupling are: 5 e a straight guide 30 that is parallel with the axis of the hand fire extinguisher and is fastened on the assembly side 3.2 of the mounting back 3, e a stop 31 at the end of the straight guide, with which one end of the retaining strap 4 is restrained, whereby its other end, i.e. the coupling end, can interact with the hook head 7.1 of the hand coupling 7, and 10 e a sliding part 32 on the anchor side 3.2 of the retaining strap 4. In the embodiment according to Fig.3A the boundary wall has a guide and a hook 30.A that extends upward perpendicularly to the mounting back 3 and extends parallel with the mounting back 3, is bent towards the hand fire extinguisher and 15 is cranked at the front. By this arrangement, the top side of the boundary wall 11 encloses a longitudinally extending inner space that terminates downward in a one-sided slot. On its anchor end, the retaining strap 4 has as a sliding portion including a hook 32.A that is shaped complementary with the inner space. For assembly, the hook 32.A is pushed into the open end of the inner space of the 20 mounting back 3 shown until it comes to a stop on an axial stop (not illustrated) of the form shown in Fig. 3D by numeral 31. In the embodiment according to Fig.3B the boundary wall 11 has a guide formed from a straight portion and a dovetail portion 30.B, which opens away from the 25 mounting back 3 and extends parallel to the axis of the hand fire extinguisher. By this arrangement, the top side of the boundary wall 11 has a longitudinally extending interior space that ends at the top in a slot. On its anchor end the retaining strap 4 has as a sliding portion which has a flared end 32.B that is shaped complementary with the inner space, in particular the dovetail portion 30 30.B. For assembly, the retaining strap 4 is pushed into the open end of the inner space of the mounting back 3 shown until it comes to a stop on an axial stop (not illustrated) of the form shown in Fig. 3D by numeral 31.

13 In the embodiment according to Fig.3C the boundary wall 11 has a guide formed from a straight portion and a portion 30.C having a cylindrical cross-section, the guide opening away from the mounting back 3 and extending parallel to the axis of the hand fire extinguisher. By this arrangement, the top side of the boundary 5 wall 11 has a longitudinally extending interior space that ends at the top in a slot. On its anchor end, the retaining strap 4 has a sliding portion with a cylindrical bead 32.C that is shaped complementary with the inner space of the guide 30.C. For assembly the retaining strap is pushed into the open end of the inner space of the mounting back 3 shown until it comes to a stop on an axial stop (not 10 illustrated) of the form shown in Fig. 3D by numeral 31. In the embodiment according to Fig.3D on a head wall 34 of the mounting back 4 a rod 30.D with a circular cylindrical cross-section is fastened to protrude as a straight guide. On its anchor end, the retaining strap 4 has a sliding portion 15 formed as a loop 32.D that can be attached to the rod. For assembly, the loop of the retaining strap is pushed from one end over the rod until it comes to a stop on an axial stop 31. Referring to Figs.4A and 4B, the tensioning side of the retaining strap 4 is 20 illustrated with the hand coupling 71, also called the closing chamber. On one side the hand coupling has a hook 6 that is fastened on the side 3.1 of the mounting back 3 and is outward curved with a hook shape along the entire width of the strap. The fastening can be directly carried out on the mounting back, as illustrated, or via an intermediate strap. 25 The grasping head 7.1, fastened on the retaining strap 4, interacts with the hook. Said grasping head is joined with the tensioning lever 7.2 and the connecting piece 7.3 with the grasping end 4.2 of the strap 4. The grasping head 7.1, tensioning lever 7.2 and connecting piece 7.3 are articulatedly joined with one 30 another by hinges 8 and 9 by reducing there the cross-section of the elastically flexible plastic material. In this case the connecting piece 7.3 is made integral with the grasping end 4.2 of the strap. It is, however, also possible to manufacture the tensioning part separately and to join the connecting piece 7.3 14 with the grasping end 4.2 in a suitable manner by crimping or welding, for example. The grasping head 7.1 negatively matches the hook 6 and can be so inverted by 5 the hook 6 of the mounting back 3, that its protrusion 7.4 engages the hook 6 from behind. At the same time the grasping head 7.1, the tensioning lever 7.2 and the connecting piece 7.3 form a generally straight line before folding. These elements can be now folded together, by bending the tensioning lever 7.2 at the hinge 9 and laying it on the connecting piece 7.3 and bending the grasping head 10 7.1 at the hinge 8 and laying it on the tensioning lever 7.2. By this arrangement, the strap will be firmly tightened on the hand fire extinguisher. These elements are locked in the folded position. This happens in the embodiment illustrated by the catch 10, comprising the locking spigot 10.1 and locking opening 10.2. The locking spigot 10.1 is attached on the outward facing surface of the connecting 15 piece 7.3 in such a manner, that it is radially angled relative to the grasping head 7.1. On its protruding end it has a peripheral bead 13, that engages the edge of the locking hole 10.2 from behind when the locking spigot 10.1, during the folding of the tensioning lever 7.2 and of the connecting piece 7.3, engages the locking opening 10.2. For this purpose the locking spigot 10.1 and the locking opening 20 10.2 are at the same distance from the hinge 9. The arrangement needs to ensure that in the case of a fire the locking arrangement described above can be easily released. As an aid for the unlocking, the perforated flap 15 is used. The flap 15 can be a fabric flap or a plastic film that 25 is inverted before folding over the locking spigot 10.1 and when folded over and locked, is clamped firmly by the grasping head 7.1, tensioning lever 7.2 and connecting piece 7.3 between the tensioning lever 7.2 and connecting piece 7.3. The flap 15 is so dimensioned that it protrudes below the grasping head 7.1 and the tensioning lever 7.2 and it is positioned to be visible outside of the connecting 30 piece 7.3 and is easy to grasp. By pulling the flap 15 upward, the catch 10 is released, so that the hand fire extinguisher can be removed. The mounting back 3 has on one longitudinal side the boundary plate 11 that with the mounting back 3 forms the trough-shaped mounting for the hand fire 15 extinguisher. The mounting back 3, boundary plate 11 and hooks 6 are integrally formed from a high-strength plastic material. A development, that can be seen from Fig.1B, also concerns the improved safety 5 when mounting the hand fire extinguisher in a motor vehicle. A rotation preventer 15 in the form of a bolt fastened to protrude from the boundary plate 11, said bolt protruding into the hose socket 25 on the valve head 16 when the hand fire extinguisher is in place. This rotation preventer prevents the hand fire extinguisher from rotating under load, so that the handle protrudes into the 10 passenger compartment without the danger of injury or being released from the mounting. Figs.5A to 5C show the section through a hand fire extinguisher with the mounting, fastened on a sheet metal wall 12 below the seat cushion 24 of the 15 front seat in a motor vehicle. The mounting is a shell-shaped mounting back 3. It is fastened on the sheet metal wall 12 by means of spring catches 19. For this purpose the sheet metal wall and the mounting back have at least one pair of spring catches and openings 20, that enables the spring catches to penetrate and engage them from behind. The sheet metal wall and the mounting back are also 20 connected with a pair of straight guides, ensuring that when attached to the sheet metal wall the mounting back is displaceably guided perpendicularly to the sheet metal wall. In the embodiment shown the straight guiding is carried out by two spring catches 25 that are fastened on the mounting back and pass through the openings in the sheet metal wall. By virtue of this each spring catch also acts as a straight guide for the other one. However, as a straight guide, straight pins are also conceivable, which can be 30 perpendicularly mounted, for example on the mounting back to pass through an opening, for example in the sheet metal wall. The spring catches 19 comprise the base 19.1 and the catch head 19.2. The spring catches are provided on the mounting back 3 with their bases 19.1 16 protruding and elastically flexibly in a row (in Fig.5A behind one another). The length of the base 19.1 equals the thickness of the sheet metal wall. Each spring catch has at its free end the catch head 19.2. The catch heads 19.2 of two adjacent spring catches face in opposite directions. Both of these spring catches 5 are spaced apart a distance so that their bases 19.1 can be circumscribed by a circle of a certain size. For the passing through of the catch heads of neighbouring spring catches the sheet metal wall 3 has two openings 20, the distance between them so dimensioned that they are circumscribed by the same circle as the base of the spring catches. For the fastening of the mounting back 10 on the sheet metal wall the catch heads 19.2 are inserted with their outermost chamfered ends into the openings 20. Because the spring catches are guided straight, during further forward pushing they have to laterally deflect. Due to this the catch heads are pushed to the side, so that they pass through the openings. When the mounting back abuts against the sheet metal wall, the catch heads 15 spring back to their normal position, engage the sheet metal wall from behind and in this manner firmly hold the mounting back on the sheet metal wall. The mounting back 3 is wrapped around by a strap 4 that lies in a slot between the sheet metal wall and the mounting back and can be closed and opened over 20 the container 2 of the hand fire extinguisher by the above described hand coupling. This embodiment has the particular advantage for the small space required that the larger diameter D is inclined relative the direction of travel F by 30 to 600 and 25 the longitudinal axis of the hand fire extinguisher is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Claims (12)

1. A hand fire extinguisher having a three-dimensional container with a valve and with a riser pipe reaching substantially to the base of the container for the 5 release of the pressurised extinguishing agent, wherein one of the sectioned planes which are perpendicular to one another, which is perpendicular to the riser pipe, the container has an oval or elliptic or a rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, wherein the smallest dimension (small diameter d) is less than %, preferably less than 2/3 of the next greater dimension (larger 10 diameter D) in this sectioned plane and wherein the container in the sectioned plane of the greatest dimensions has a rectangular cross-section, i.e. the container is cylindrical while the smaller (d) and the larger (D) diameters are determined by that the oval or elliptic or rounded rectangular cross-sectional surface (cylindrical surface) that is perpendicular to the height dimension is in 15 the range between 40 cm 2 and 125 cm 2 , and wherein the large diameter (D) is in the range within 60 s and 140 s, where s is the average wall thickness of the container.

2. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein the mounting for the 20 fastening of the hand fire extinguisher in a motor vehicle comprises a mounting back fastened in the motor vehicle, on said mounting back the hand fire extinguisher is fastened by a retaining strap wrapped around the hand fire extinguisher, wherein the retaining strap can be firmly joined with the mounting back on one side (assembly side) and on the other side can be so 25 connected by a hand coupling (closing clamp) to be opened by hand that the mounting back and the retaining strap envelop a cross-section corresponding with the cross-section of the hand fire extinguisher, and that the closing clamp has a two-part construction and comprises a hook part and a tensioning part, that the hook part is moulded on a longitudinal side of the mounting back 30 (hook side) and forms a hook averted from the hand fire extinguisher, that the tensioning part has a hook head interacting with the hook of the hook part, and a tensioning lever that is so joined by a hinge with the free end of the retaining strap part (grasping end) and the hook head that the hook head, 18 tensioning lever and grasping part from a stretched relative position are folded parallel upon one another and in this position snap into a locked position.

3. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 2, wherein the tensioning part of 5 hook head and tensioning lever is joined with the grasping end of the retaining strap by means of a connecting piece, wherein the hook head, tensioning lever and preferably also the connecting piece are formed from one piece having essentially the same cross-section and are joined with one another by hinges, while the connecting piece is firmly joined with the grasping part of the 10 retaining strap and the hinges are preferably formed by weakening the cross section.

4. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein the retaining strap can be firmly joined with the mounting back on one side (assembly side) by an 15 assembly coupling comprising two coupling parts, one of which is fastened on the assembly side of the retaining strap and the other is moulded on a longitudinal side of the mounting back, which in a form-locked connection can be displaced up to an axial stop relative the other one parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hand fire extinguisher. 20

5. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein at an assembly coupling at the assembly end of the retaining strap a loop and on the mounting back a rod, protruding parallel with the axis, is so fastened or moulded on, that the loop can be axially displaced over the rod and a stop. 25

6. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein at an assembly coupling at the assembly end of the retaining strap a thickening, e.g. prism-shaped or spherical thickening parallel with the axis, and on the mounting back a slot, parallel with the axis open on one side and closed on the other side are 30 fastened or moulded on, wherein the base of the slot and of the thickening, e.g. cylindrical or circular cylindrical thickening of the retaining strap and the opening of the slot are so matched to suit the thickness of the retaining strap, that the thickening can be axially pushed into the base of the slot and the closed end of the slot, in particular like a pair of dovetails. 19

7. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein the mounting back as a separate component is so fastened on or below a fastening wall of the motor vehicle, preferably a fastening wall on the underside of the seat, that the hook 5 head is relatively easily accessible from the passenger compartment and can be pivoted in the passenger compartment relative the retaining strap, and that the mounting back and the retaining strap are preferably manufactured integral from a high-strength plastic material. 10

8. A hand according to claim 1, wherein the hand fire extinguisher with the mounting back are so fastened below a fastening wall of the motor vehicle on the underside of the front seat, that the axis of the cylinder of the hand fire extinguisher is perpendicular to the direction of travel and the large diameter (D) is inclined between 30 and 600 relative to the direction of travel. 15

9. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein as a separate component the mounting back is so fastened on or below a fastening wall of the motor vehicle, preferably a fastening wall on the underside of the seat, that the hook head is easily accessible and can be pivoted in the passenger 20 compartment relative the retaining strap, and that the retaining strap is manufactured in one piece from a high-strength flexible plastic material and in the closed state wraps around the hand fire extinguisher and the mounting back. 25

10. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein as a separate component the mounting back is fastened on or below a fastening wall of the motor vehicle, preferably a fastening wall on the underside of the seat by means of spring catches guided straight, which are attached to the rear of the mounting back and can be so introduced into holes of the fastening wall that 30 during insertion into these holes the hook parts bend out from their normal position and after insertion into the holes spring back to their normal position in such a manner that the hook parts engage the edges of the holes from behind. 20

11. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein a boundary plate is moulded on the side of the mounting back, said boundary plate forming with the mounting back a trough matching the shape of the hand fire extinguisher. 5

12. A hand fire extinguisher according to claim 1, wherein a stop is moulded on the mounting back, said stop is so matched to suit the shape of the valve, in particular of the outlet socket, that with the hand fire extinguisher in place the valve or the outlet socket interacts with the stop acting as a rotation preventer.