Patents Assigned to The Viking Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140096982
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael J. OLDHAM
  • Patent number: 8662191
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G. Orr, Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: 8662190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Watson
  • Patent number: 8636075
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20130240219
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn G. ORR, Scott T. FRANSON
  • Patent number: 8469111
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G. Orr, Andrew T. Thompson, Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: 8459370
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G. Orr, Scott T. Franson
  • Publication number: 20130105605
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jason Watson
  • Publication number: 20130105641
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: The Viking Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130105640
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 8402657
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Shawn G. Orr
  • Patent number: 8376061
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 8376060
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G. Orr, David VanEerden
  • Patent number: 8373085
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Ryan H. Hansen, William J. Evans, IV
  • Patent number: 8353357
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew T. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120286067
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn Gregory Orr, Andrew Taylor Thompson, Scott Franson
  • Patent number: 8281470
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn G. Orr
  • Patent number: 8281810
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Vinh B. Hoa
  • Publication number: 20120247792
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventors: James G. Retzloff, Scott T. Franson
  • Patent number: D694855
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G. Orr, David Vaneerden