Patents Assigned to The Viking Corporation
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Publication number: 20140096982Abstract: A shipping cap for a sprinkler includes a main body having a hollow annular wall portion having a closed upper end. A first pair of side legs extend laterally and axially from a first side of the cylindrical wall portion and a second pair of side legs extend laterally from a second side of the cylindrical wall portion. A first side curtain extends from one of the first pair of side legs and one of the second pair of side legs and a second side curtain extends from the other of the first pair of side legs and the other of the second pair of side legs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Michael J. OLDHAM
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Patent number: 8662191Abstract: A sprinkler assembly can utilize an adapter having straight threads and an internal sealing member therein to attach the sprinkler to a piping system. The sprinkler may include tapering threads that engage with the straight threads of the adapter and compress the sealing member therein to form a fluid-tight seal. A sprinkler assembly can utilize a fitting that is attached to an extension member containing the sprinkler. The fitting allows the sprinkler and extension member to be coupled to the piping system with a solvent weld. A sprinkler assembly can utilize an attachment system to couple a sprinkler attached to an extension member to a piping system. The attachment system can include a first fitting attached to the connection member, a second fitting attached to the piping system, and a clamping member to clamp the two fittings together.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Scott T. Franson
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Patent number: 8662190Abstract: A corridor sprinkler includes a first flow shaper member supported by a support for shaping the flow of fluid from a sprinkler that includes a shelf portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the shelf being generally parallel to and spaced from the axis of the flow passage through the sprinkler body. A shield extends directly from the distal end of the shelf and generally perpendicular to the axis and partially intersecting the column of fluid without the support obstructing the column of fluid between the discharge opening and the shield. The shelf and the shield can each have a diameter greater than a diameter of the discharge opening. A second flow shaper can extend from the support on an opposite side of the axis from the first flow shaper and partially intersecting the column of fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Jason Watson
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Patent number: 8636075Abstract: A dry sprinkler assembly includes a housing, a sprinkler head assembly with a sprinkler head and a trigger assembly, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly has a sealing subassembly for sealing the inlet port of the housing and is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly such that the sealing subassembly releases the sealing of the inlet port in response to the trigger assembly releasing its closure at the outlet opening. The sealing subassembly moves in a linear path substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing when releasing the sealing of the inlet port wherein the flow of fire suppressant through the inlet port and into the fluid flow passage is substantially unimpeded.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Scott T. Franson, Andrew T. Thompson
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Publication number: 20130240219Abstract: A sprinkler assembly can utilize an adapter having straight threads and an internal sealing member therein to attach the sprinkler to a piping system. The sprinkler may include tapering threads that engage with the straight threads of the adapter and compress the sealing member therein to form a fluid-tight seal. A sprinkler assembly can utilize a fitting that is attached to an extension member containing the sprinkler. The fitting allows the sprinkler and extension member to be coupled to the piping system with a solvent weld. A sprinkler assembly can utilize an attachment system to couple a sprinkler attached to an extension member to a piping system. The attachment system can include a first fitting attached to the connection member, a second fitting attached to the piping system, and a clamping member to clamp the two fittings together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: Shawn G. ORR, Scott T. FRANSON
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Patent number: 8469111Abstract: A sprinkler head cover including an end wall and a side wall extending from and around the end wall to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity is sized for receiving a deflector and arms of a sprinkler head. The side wall is adapted for engaging the sprinkler head to thereby releasably mount the cover to the sprinkler head.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Andrew T. Thompson, Scott T. Franson
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Patent number: 8459370Abstract: A sprinkler assembly can utilize an adapter having straight threads and an internal sealing member therein to attach the sprinkler to a piping system. The sprinkler may include tapering threads that engage with the straight threads of the adapter and compress the sealing member therein to form a fluid-tight seal. A sprinkler assembly can utilize a fitting that is attached to an extension member containing the sprinkler. The fitting allows the sprinkler and extension member to be coupled to the piping system with a solvent weld. A sprinkler assembly can utilize an attachment system to couple a sprinkler attached to an extension member to a piping system. The attachment system can include a first fitting attached to the connection member, a second fitting attached to the piping system, and a clamping member to clamp the two fittings together.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Scott T. Franson
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Publication number: 20130105605Abstract: A corridor sprinkler includes a first flow shaper member supported by a support for shaping the flow of fluid from a sprinkler that includes a shelf portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the shelf being generally parallel to and spaced from the axis of the flow passage through the sprinkler body. A shield extends directly from the distal end of the shelf and generally perpendicular to the axis and partially intersecting the column of fluid without the support obstructing the column of fluid between the discharge opening and the shield. The shelf and the shield can each have a diameter greater than a diameter of the discharge opening. A second flow shaper can extend from the support on an opposite side of the axis from the first flow shaper and partially intersecting the column of fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Jason Watson
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Publication number: 20130105641Abstract: A support system for a fire protection sprinkler includes a support bar having a pair of end brackets disposed at the ends of the support bar. A center bracket assembly is mounted on the support bar and includes a support bracket and a hinge bracket pivotally connected to the support bracket by a hinge pin. The pair of end bracket assemblies each include an outside bracket and an inside bracket secured to the outside bracket wherein at least one of the outside and the inside bracket has an upper end connected to the support bar and includes an angled body extending laterally outward from the upper end away from the center bracket wherein the outside and inside brackets define a channel therebetween for receiving an upper rail of a T-shaped rail of a drop ceiling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: The Viking Corporation
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Publication number: 20130105640Abstract: A support system for a fire protection sprinkler includes a support bar having a pair of end brackets disposed at the ends of the support bar. A center bracket assembly is mounted on the support bar and includes a support bracket and a hinge bracket pivotally connected to the support bracket by a hinge pin. The pair of end bracket assemblies each include an outside bracket and an inside bracket secured to the outside bracket wherein at least one of the outside and the inside bracket has an upper end connected to the support bar and includes an angled body extending laterally outward from the upper end away from the center bracket wherein the outside and inside brackets define a channel therebetween for receiving an upper rail of a T-shaped rail of a drop ceiling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 8402657Abstract: A sprinkler assembly includes a body, a support, which extends from the body, and a closure device that releasably closes the discharge opening of the body. The sprinkler assembly further includes a trigger that releasably holds the closure device at the discharge opening. The support is adapted to allow the fluid flowing from the discharge opening, when the closure device is released, to pass through the support substantially unimpeded by the support and, further, is adapted to reshape the flow of fluid as it flows through the support.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Scott T. Franson, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Shawn G. Orr
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Patent number: 8376061Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler is provided with a sprinkler body having a fluid passage defining an inlet end and an outlet end. A plug member is disposed in the fluid passage and a heat responsive unit releasable secures the plug member and the passage. A deflector is mounted to frame arms extending from the sprinkler body and the deflector includes a peripheral edge including a plurality of slots extending radially inward from the peripheral edge. At least two of the plurality of slots have a first outer portion having a first diameter and a second intermediate portion adjacent the first outer portion and having a second diameter less than the first diameter. A third inner portion extends radially inward from the second intermediate portion and has a third diameter greater than the second diameter. The deflector design is utilized for providing a desired water distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 8376060Abstract: An adjustable escutcheon assembly as provided for mounting a sprinkler in a sloped ceiling so that the sprinkler can be mounted parallel to the ceiling and with a refined appearance.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn G. Orr, David VanEerden
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Patent number: 8373085Abstract: Plasma cutter and welder units are provided for fabricating a pipe. The plasma cutter and welder unit include a support structure having a carriage rotatably supported thereon. A plasma cutter nozzle and a weld nozzle are mounted to the carriage. A drive mechanism adjusts positioning of the plasma cutter and weld nozzles through varying control by a controller during operation. Additionally, a bearing support is provided for cradling the pipe during fabrication. The bearing support includes a plurality of bearing plates. A wedge structure is secured to each of the bearing plates and to a fixture base to form a nest for receiving the pipe. An isolation pad is disposed between the wedge structure and the fixture base.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Ryan H. Hansen, William J. Evans, IV
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Patent number: 8353357Abstract: A heat responsive trigger assembly for a fire protection sprinkler may include a first plate having a bottom face; a second plate including a top face engaging the bottom face; a thermally conductive member disposed between the top and bottom faces and extending beyond a perimeter of at least one of the first and second plates; and a heat fusible material securing the first and second plates in an engaged position. The first and second plates may disengage in response to the heat fusible material reaching a predetermined temperature, thereby allowing a fire suppressant to discharge from the sprinkler.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Andrew T. Thompson
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Publication number: 20120286067Abstract: A sprinkler head cover including an end wall and a side wall extending from and around the end wall to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity is sized for receiving a deflector and arms of a sprinkler head. The side wall is adapted for engaging the sprinkler head to thereby releasably mount the cover to the sprinkler head. The sidewall includes a tear-away strip to facilitate removal of the cover from the sprinkler head.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: Shawn Gregory Orr, Andrew Taylor Thompson, Scott Franson
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Patent number: 8281470Abstract: An installation tool for installing an escutcheon on a sprinkler assembly includes an extension member and a body portion. The body portion may be disposed on an end of the extension member. The body portion may include a sleeve adjustably engaging a base. The body portion may also include a recess adapted to releasably receive an escutcheon. The installation tool is adapted to remotely install the escutcheon to a sprinkler assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn G. Orr
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Patent number: 8281810Abstract: A dry valve is provided for a sprinkler system, including a housing including a valve body having an inlet end and a valve cover having an outlet end. A prime chamber housing is disposed within the housing and defines a prime chamber. A prime piston is disposed within the prime chamber and is movable between a closed position seated against a valve seat and an open position received within the prime chamber. A check valve diaphragm assembly is disposed within the housing and disposed against the prime chamber housing in a closed position and spaced from the prime chamber housing in an open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Vinh B. Hoa
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Publication number: 20120247792Abstract: A cover plate for a concealed sprinkler includes a member having at least one passageway section enabling heated air to pass between the cover plate and the sprinkler housing and towards the sprinkler head to permit the timely activation of the sprinkler head. In one embodiment, the passageway section is defined by one or more undulations formed within the cover plate, each of which define a ridge at the periphery, enabling air to pass therethrough. The cover plate includes a plurality of mounting tabs upon which a fusible material is applied to adhere the cover plate to the housing of the sprinkler head. The cover plate of the present invention increases the response time of the concealed sprinkler head while maintaining a low profile, discrete appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: James G. Retzloff, Scott T. Franson
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Patent number: D694855Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn G. Orr, David Vaneerden