Sprinkler Heads Patents (Class 169/37)
  • Patent number: 7343980
    Abstract: An enhanced protection extended coverage pendent fire protection sprinkler has a body including a fluid passage and an output orifice sealed with a seal cap, two arms extending from the body and meeting at a hub, a release mechanism with a thermally-responsive element positioned between the seal cap and the hub, and a deflector positioned on the hub and facing the output orifice. The deflector includes a pair of aligned slots, aligned with a plane of the arms, and a pair of perpendicular slots, perpendicular to the aligned slots and having a width that is less than that of the aligned slots. The deflector further includes a pair of corner slots, positioned between the aligned slots and the perpendicular slots. Angled slots are positioned between the aligned slots and the corner slots and between the perpendicular slots and the corner slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver S. Pahila
  • Publication number: 20080060823
    Abstract: The fire sprinkler head comprises a water supply pipe including a pipe and a joint coupling to the pipe and forming a connecting end opposite to the pipe; a mount including a cavity formed on the top thereof and adapted to receive the connecting end, a hole defined on the bottom of the cavity, an edge surrounding the hole with a first end and a second end, a recess defined between the first and the second end of the edge and a housing; a nozzle device defining a first end with exterior threads adapted to engage the edge of the mount to the connecting end of the water supply pipe, a second end having an engaging portion and a nozzle, and a hollow; a cover device including a cover, an opening formed in the center of the cover and a plurality of lugs around the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Kao-Pei Ma
  • Publication number: 20080053665
    Abstract: An upright fire protection sprinkler having an input orifice at an input end of the sprinkler for receiving fluid and an output orifice at an output end of the sprinkler for outputting fluid. The sprinkler has a connection portion at the input end of the sprinkler and a body extending between the connection portion and the output end. A pair of frame arms extends from the output end and meets at a hub positioned in axial alignment with the output orifice. A deflector is positioned on the hub and is configured to direct fluid output from the output orifice substantially in a direction back toward the output end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: THE RELIABLE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER CO., INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Multer, George S. Polan
  • Patent number: 7331399
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system for metal buildings has horizontally oriented sprinkler heads mounted on water supply lines extending along each side of rafters supporting the roof of a metal building so as to provide protection for bays between adjacent rafters having a width up to 25 feet or more. The sprinkler heads have a vertical part facing an outlet in a sprinkler body and a hood-shaped part supported from the vertical part and having downwardly inclined side walls and a downwardly inclined front wall. The deflector arrangement is supported from the sprinkler body by a pair of frame arms which converge at a boss on which the vertical part is mounted and another deflector part having rearwardly inclined arms extending horizontally, downwardly at an angle and substantially vertically, is supported between the boss and the vertical part of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Multer
  • Publication number: 20080011491
    Abstract: A sprinkler for fire suppression systems that produces an orthogonal spray pattern is disclosed. The sprinkler has an exit orifice with a non-round perimeter and a deflector plate having a non-round perimeter. The shape of the deflector plate perimeter may be matched to that of the exit orifice perimeter. Orifice perimeters may be square, rectangular, formed of lobes or interconnected curves, and there may be multiple orifices in the sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Thau, William J. Reilly, Stephen R. Ide, Thomas F. Wancho, Robert J. Ballard
  • Patent number: 7314094
    Abstract: A spring-loaded device conceals a recessed sprinkler head. Heat releases the spring and exposes the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew J. Gow, Thomas W. Gow
  • Patent number: 7314093
    Abstract: A fast response residential sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler body having a base and a frame extending from the base. The base has a passage extending therethrough defining an inlet and an outlet. A deflector is mounted to the frame and spaced from the outlet, which is configured to deflect fluid flowing from the outlet in a radial pattern. A trigger assembly extends between the frame and the base and is adapted to seal the outlet and release the seal when a temperature associated with a fire condition is detected. In addition, the sprinkler body is configured such that a ratio of the flow in gallons per minute from the outlet divided by the square root of the pressure in pounds per square inch gauge of the fluid supplied to the inlet is in a range of 4 to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn G. Orr
  • Publication number: 20070289751
    Abstract: A residential or commercial sprinkler system is provided wherein the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network are provided with a relatively low pressure fire suppressant liquid in place of pneumatic pressure, which is typical, and control valve keeps fire suppressant supply pressure from entering the discharge sprinkler system at design discharge pressure until a fire detection system detects a fire condition. Upon the detection of a fire condition, a control valve is opened to provide the sprinkler heads and piping distribution network with a fully pressurized supply of fire suppressant. Also in the case of electric control power loss the system will operate from loss of outlet supervised pressure releasing sprinkler liquid suppressant to the discharge system of closed fused sprinklers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shawn J. Feenstra, Eldon D. Jackson, Martin H. Workman, Michael J. Bosma
  • Patent number: 7296634
    Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and method for positioning and supporting a sprinkler head in a ceiling, floor, or wall. In one aspect of the invention, a sprinkler head may be received by a sleeve extending through a broad surface of the plate. The plate may be configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room or the plate may be attached to a decorative panel which is configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room. The sleeve may be defined by an opening in the plate or it may be a separate structure permanently or removably attached to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: PBJ, LLC
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 7290618
    Abstract: A fast response, upright sprinkler head includes a body having a central orifice through which fire extinguishing fluid is expelled through an outlet end. A yoke, attached to the exterior surface of the sprinkler body, extends beyond the outlet end of the sprinkler body and is connected at its apex to a deflector. A fusible trigger assembly is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The deflector is formed with a planar member having a skirt depending therefrom and an annular ledge extending horizontally from the skirt. The skirt depends from the planar member in an outward direction at a pre-selected angle from the vertical, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes. The fast response upright sprinkler head is configured to have a K value of at least 13.5, while the fusible trigger assembly has a fusing temperature between approximately 155° F. and 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W Thomas, Thomas G Deegan, Scott T Franson, Michael J Bosma, Delwin G Dornbos
  • Patent number: 7275603
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler is provided, including a body having an output orifice and a flange and a seal cap to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice. A thermally-responsive element is positioned to releasably retain the seal cap. Housing members extend through and from the flange of the sprinkler body, and contain rods, each of which extends through the flange. A deflector is connected to ends of the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: George S. Polan
  • Publication number: 20070221388
    Abstract: A sprinkler system comprises a network of CPVC conduits and a plurality of sprinklers. The system includes an electrically activated solenoid control valve to allow fluid to flow in the pipe network. One or more fire detectors operate independently of the condition of the sprinklers. Upon detection of an incipient fire situation, a fire detector sends an electrical signal to cause activation of the control valve. Upon activation of the control valve, fire suppression fluid is caused to flow through the conduits before the incipient fire situation matures into a sprinkler-triggering event. The cooling effect of fluid flowing through the conduit enables the conduit to resist structural failure prior to sprinkler deployment. The control valve may be disposed at a remote location in the sprinkler line and be operable as part of an inspector's test connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: NOVEON, INC.
    Inventor: Gary L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7273189
    Abstract: A cover mountable on a support frame for protecting a frangible item mounted within the frame is disclosed. The cover has first and second cover portions engaging the frame on opposite sides of the item. A hinge connects first ends of the covers together and a releasable fastener connects the other ends. Fingers extend from one or both of the cover portions toward the opposite cover portion and are positioned in spaced relation to the ends of the cover portions. The fingers and the ends of the cover portions define spaces at opposite ends of the cover which receive and engage portions of the support frame. The fingers are in spaced relation to one another and define a space between them for receiving the frangible item. The fingers are sized and spaced so that they transfer any force on the cover to the frame exclusively. The covers have an arcuate shape to provide increased stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventors: Stephen R. Ide, Richard D. Schilling
  • Patent number: 7264214
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stock bar and T-bar coupling structure for mounting a sprinkler. In the present invention, a locking bracket is easily securely coupled to a T-bar using an elastic locking unit and a wing bolt. Furthermore, a stock bar made of standard rectangular pipe is coupled to the locking bracket by a first locking unit such that the stock bar crosses over the T-bar. Because this locking bracket is manufactured as a separate component from the stock bar, the present invention can be used without limiting the distance between the T-bars. Furthermore, the present invention has an advantage in that a standard rectangular pipe can be easily used as a stock bar merely by cutting the pipe to a desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Kofulso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-il Oh
  • Patent number: 7237619
    Abstract: An automatic fire sprinkler having a variable orifice, the sprinkler having a variable orifice associated with the automatic fire sprinkler, and wherein the orifice is responsive to the water inlet pressure of the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Ralph R. Mehr
  • Patent number: 7222678
    Abstract: A sprinkler head comprises: a locking unit locked inside a second housing for maintaining a sealing state between a deflector and a first housing; a heat responding unit exposed to outside of a ceiling for releasing the locked state of the locking unit by reacting to fire when fire breaks out; and a head cover mounted at a lower side of the heat responding unit and transmitting heat to the heat responding unit after collecting heat at the time of a fire occurrence. According to this, a fine appearance of the sprinkler head is provided, and the head cover performs a heat collecting function at the time of a fire occurrence thus to have a fast reaction speed, thereby enhancing a function of the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignees: Paradise Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Min Shim
  • Patent number: 7201234
    Abstract: A pendent type residential fire sprinkler is described. The residential fire sprinkler has a body with a K-factor of at least 6 passage coupled to a deflector assembly that distributes fluid flowing through the passage over a coverage area to perform in accordance with Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1626 (October 2003) for listing by Underwriters Laboratory Incorporated so that the body and a heat responsive trigger disposed between the passage and the deflector assembly of the sprinkler can be installed in accordance with the 2002 Edition of National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. Various aspects of the residential fire sprinkler, including a method of protecting a residential dwelling unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rogers, Mark E. Fesseden, Manuel R. Silva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7165624
    Abstract: An early suppression fast response pendent-type fire protection sprinkler is suitable for use in accordance with one or more of NFPA 13, NFPA 231 and NFPA 231C to protect single row rack storage, double row rack storage and multiple row rack storage, the sprinkler having a K-factor of about 25 and flowing pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fluid from a source, and a deflector mounted with a first surface opposed to flow of fluid from the outlet. The deflector defines at least one pair of generally opposed reentrant slots extending from the first surface through the deflector, the reentrant slots extending from slot openings at an outer peripheral edge of the deflector inwardly from the peripheral edge toward a deflector axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7143834
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly for controlling a fire situation includes at least one fluid conduit defining a flow passage including an inlet for receiving a fluid from a fluid source and at least one outlet for discharging the fluid, and a dispensing mechanism such as an open or closed sprinkler head for distributing water to a selected location. A fluid control apparatus is provided including a valve assembly having a valve seal which is moveable between a closed position blocking fluid flow through the conduit and an open position causing fluid flow through the conduit. The fluid control apparatus further includes an actuating mechanism including a valve actuator which is operatively connected to the valve assembly for causing movement of the valve seal to the open position upon release of the sealing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Kevin Michael Dolan
  • Patent number: 7137455
    Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly includes a sprinkler head body, a frame including a pair of arms extending from the body from opposed sides of the body, and a deflector mounted to the frame spaced from the outlet opening of the sprinkler head body for deflecting fire extinguishing liquid flowing from the outlet opening. The sprinkler head assembly is adapted to direct a greater proportion of the fire extinguishing liquid from one side of the sprinkler body than the other side of the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S Green
  • Patent number: 7104335
    Abstract: A sprinkler head having a first housing connected to a water supply pipe disposed inside a building ceiling. The sprinkler head includes a second housing coupled to the first housing and fixed to the ceiling surface. A deflector is adhered to the first housing for spraying water by being detached from the first housing. A locking unit is locked inside the second housing for maintaining the sealing state between the deflector and the second housing, and a heat responding unit is exposed to outside of the ceiling for sensing heat at the time of a fire occurrence and thus releasing a locking of the locking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignees: Paradise Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Min Shim
  • Patent number: 7096964
    Abstract: The sprinkler includes the following structural members: a body (1) with a channel for liquid supply, a thermally responsive unit with a valve (4) closing the sprinkler outlet, and a thermally responsive unit attachment. In the first alternative embodiment a sprinkler channel is formed by a segment (10) of a cylindrical configuration connected with a segment (11) made as a conical diffuser. To generate a fine uniform gas-and-drop stream of a high kinetic energy and space-uniform distribution the cylindrical segment (10) length exceeds the channel diameter at this segment. The segment (11) length in the form of conical diffuser exceeds the channel diameter at the cylindrical segment (10). In the second alternative embodiment the sprinkler has two coaxial liquid supply channels. The length of the axial cylindrical channel exceeds its diameter. The second annular channel is coaxial to the first channel and fitted with helical guide components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Obschestvo S Organichennoi Otvetstvennostju “Unipat”
    Inventors: Andrey Leonidovich Dushkin, Alexandr Vladimirovich Karpyshev
  • Patent number: 7070122
    Abstract: A wobbling irrigation sprinkler head for attachment to a water conduit has a wobbling sprinkler head facing upward from the water supply conduit. The sprinkler head has a base having an attachment portion for attaching to a water source and a nozzle mounted to the base for directing water therethrough. A wobbling water deflector head is movably attached to the base and has a water deflector pad thereon having a deflector surface of predetermined shape to deflect water being emitted from the nozzle to rotate the wobbling water deflector head. A counterbalancing skirt extends from the water deflecting head around a portion of the base and spaced from the base for rotation with a wobbling water deflector head so that counterbalancing the skirt counterbalances the water deflector head to dampen vibration forces in the deflector head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Senninger Irrigation Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Burcham, William J. McFadden
  • Patent number: 7066273
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for pro-active, intelligent fire suppression and/or control using a micro-controller that is communicatably connected to at least one fire-energy detection sensor and to at least one fire suppression device. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for sensing the exact direction of a fire as well as a regional location of a fire. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for directing a fire suppressant at the source of the flame. As depicted in FIG. 1a, the present invention provides fine protection apparatus (10) for identifying the existence of a fire hazard and for determining the exact direction and regional location of the file hazard by using multiple infrared (IR) detectors. A first IR detector (20) with a wide angle view of an area of coverage corresponding to an area requiring fire protection will be continuously queried by a micro-controller (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Benjamin Tan
  • Patent number: 7055614
    Abstract: A torque plate for use with a sprinkler head in a fire suppression system is disclosed. The torque plate has a base from which one or more fingers project transversely. The torque plate is mounted on the sprinkler head. A protective cover surrounds the sprinkler head. The fingers project outwardly beyond the cover, allowing a tool to engage them. The tool is formed from an elongated body having a cavity that is sized to receive the cover. One end of the body interfaces with a wrench, the other end has one or more axially extending slots sized to receive the fingers of the torque plate. The sprinkler plate has a threaded nipple that engages a threaded fitting on the sprinkler system. Torque is applied to engage the nipple with the fitting by engaging the slots of the tool with the fingers and turning the tool with the wrench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventor: Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 7036603
    Abstract: A fast response, upright sprinkler head includes a body having a central orifice through which fire extinguishing fluid is expelled through an outlet end. A yoke, attached to the exterior surface of the sprinkler body, extends beyond the outlet end of the sprinkler body and is connected at its apex to a deflector. A fusible trigger assembly is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The deflector is formed with a planar member having a skirt depending therefrom and an annular ledge extending horizontally from the skirt. The skirt depends from the planar member in an outward direction at a pre-selected angle from the vertical, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes. The fast response upright sprinkler head is configured to have a K value of at least 13.5, while the fusible trigger assembly has a fusing temperature between approximately 155° F. and 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Thomas, Thomas G. Deegan, Scott T. Franson, Michael J. Bosma, Delwin G. Dornbos
  • Patent number: 7032680
    Abstract: A central hub includes a plate and a sleeve attached to the plate and adapted to receive a sprinkler head. The sleeve may be a telescoping sleeve. By providing a central hub with the plate and sleeve, the central hub provides increased stability and versatility to the sprinkler head. The plate provides additional stability and support to the sleeve, and thus the sprinkler head, rendering the combination better able to operate effectively when high fluid pressures are utilized. The central hub is generally attached to a support structure by some mechanism, such as a leg. The addition of the plate adds versatility by increasing the number and variety of legs that can be used to attach the central hub to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 7025285
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler discharge control device for preventing fluids from being emitted from a fire sprinkler without having to turn off a fluid supply to the fire sprinkler. The control device may be formed from one or more bladders adapted to contain a fluid and one or more valves for passing fluids into and out of the bladder. The bladder may be adapted to fit between a support structure of a fire sprinkler and an exhaust port. Once in position, the bladder may be inflated to cut off fluid flow from an exhaust port of the fire sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan R. Silverstein, Alejandro Serrano
  • Patent number: 7021392
    Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly having a sprinkler head with a through bore is coupled to a coupling member having a bore in fluid communication with said through bore of said sprinkler head. One of said sprinkler head and coupling member fits within the other. A groove is formed on the inner member for receiving a portion of a set pin slidingly engaged within the outer member. A seal between the inner and outer member provides a fluid-tight connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Allora International, LLC
    Inventors: Dean L. Bentzien, Guido Brusa
  • Patent number: 7017868
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler mount including a base (26), a bracket (46) and a rod (60) mounting the bracket (46) to the base (26). The base (26) includes a body (28) attachable to a beam (10) with two arms (38, 40) extending therefrom. Support holes (42, 44) extend through the arms (38, 40). The bracket (46) includes a plate (48) with a retaining hole (58) to receive a standard sprinkler fitting (16, 20). The rod (60) is able to rotate within the support holes (42, 44) and is threaded to a mounting hole (56) in the bracket (46) for vertical adjustment of the bracket (46) retaining the sprinkler fitting (16, 20). The base (26) also includes a support having a body (28) and attachment wings (30, 32). The body (28) can be in a displaced parallel plane to that of the attachment wings (30, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Automatic Fire Control Incorporated
    Inventor: Kraig A. Kirschner
  • Patent number: 7017673
    Abstract: A sprinkling or spraying head, for fire fighting systems, comprises a nozzle holder cap which is removably coupled to the body of the sprinkling head and comprises a plurality of nozzles designed for ejecting a fighting liquid in a nebulized form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Armando Gargani
  • Patent number: 6997267
    Abstract: A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide a fluid to the room. A method for protecting a room from fire. The method comprises the steps of placing a primary profile in a ceiling of the room. A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide air to the room. A method for providing air to a room. A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide sound to the room. A method for providing sound to a room. A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide information to the room. A method for providing information to a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Irwin Kotovsky
  • Patent number: 6976543
    Abstract: A low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler, e.g., of the upright type, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, has a body with an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, and a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway. The sprinkler has a predetermined K-factor, e.g., of greater than about 16.0. The sprinkler is configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern. Preferably, the predetermined spray pattern has a generally polygonal shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, when viewed at a predetermined distance below the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Fischer
  • Patent number: 6976544
    Abstract: A sprinkler comprising a temperature-activated means (1), a housing (2), a central nozzle (4), a side nozzle (5a, 5b), a first channel (9-15-6-12-13) for guiding a medium to the central nozzle, and a second channel (9-15-17-14-7a) for guiding the medium to the side nozzle, the second channel being closed with a spindle means (8) while the sprinkler is in its standby state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6964307
    Abstract: The sprinkler includes the following structural members: a body (1) with a channel for liquid supply, a thermally responsive unit with a valve (4) closing the sprinkler outlet, and a thermally responsive unit attachment. In the first alternative embodiment a sprinkler channel is formed by a segment (10) of a cylindrical configuration connected with a segment (11) made as a conical diffuser. To generate a fine uniform gas-and-drop stream of a high kinetic energy and space-uniform distribution the cylindrical segment (10) length exceeds the channel diameter at this segment. The segment (11) length in the form of conical diffuser exceeds the channel diameter at the cylindrical segment (10). In the second alternative embodiment the sprinkler has two coaxial liquid supply channels. The length of the axial cylindrical channel exceeds its diameter. The second annular channel is coaxial to the first channel and fitted with helical guide components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Obschestvo S Organichennoi Otvetstvennostju “Unipat”
    Inventors: Andrei Leonidovich Dushkin, Alexandr Vladimirovich Karpyshev
  • Patent number: 6962208
    Abstract: A pendant sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body formed with a central orifice, and a sealing member positioned within the orifice and in sealing engagement with the inlet. A deflector assembly is at least partially positioned within the orifice and includes an annular ring having a pair of attachment arms secured to a deflector plate positioned in proximity to, or partially within the outlet. A retaining ring positioned within the orifice acts as a stop, preventing the annular ring from being expelled from the orifice. According to another aspect of the invention, a pendent sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body and a body extension connected to the body. A deflector plate is formed with a plurality of support members received by a retaining ring positioned in proximity to the bottom of the sprinkler body, and within the body extension. The body extension is configured to capture the retaining ring upon activation, enabling the deflector plate to depend below the body extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Franson, Kenneth Gordon Vos, Thomas Edgar Winebrenner, Andrew Taylor Thompson
  • Patent number: 6960321
    Abstract: New and in-use fire sprinkler systems can be sterilized by employing antimicrobial gases. The gases include steam, oxygen, and chlorine. Water added to the system after sterilization can be sterilized to prevent the reoccurrence of microbiological contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: Jerome H. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 6953160
    Abstract: Mounting assembly for mounting a spray head (4) to an opening of an over 10-mm thick wall. The mounting assembly comprises a holder (1) for receiving the spray head (4) and a clamping piece (6) which comprises threads (7) for engaging threads (2) in the holder (1) and it can be moved axially in relation to the holder (1) and an expansion means (11) supported by the holder, the clamping piece (6) being arranged so that movement thereof causes movement of the expansion means (11) from its zero position, in which the diameter of the expansion means has a first value, to a fastening position, in which the diameter of the expansion means has increased to a second value for pressing the expansion means against a wall of the opening. The invention also relates to mounting assembly for mounting a spray head to an at most 30-mm thick wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6948566
    Abstract: Spraying apparatus, designed especially for fire-fighting purposes, at least one spray head (1) and one holder (2), in which the spray head can be moved between at least two positions, the spray head being in a retracted position when in an inactive state, and when it is in an active state, at least one of the nozzles of the spray head extends beyond edges of the holder. The spray head (1) is in a surface-mounted structural part (7) having at least one spray head holder (2) and a supply (8) for supplying a medium, such as an extinguishing medium, to be sprayed from the spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6942040
    Abstract: The automatic fire extinguishing method using liquefied CO2 to regulate the distribution of fire extinguishing agents characterised in that this method uses liquid CO2 as: an independent fire extinguishing agent or combined with other fire extinguishing agents to create new fire extinguishing agents which have strong effects and high efficiency; as a dynamic source producing pressure in the tank to push fire extinguishing agents into the fire area, and as a dynamic source of the entire fire extinguishing system and automating the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Inventors: Phan Dinh Phuong, Phan Trong Nghia
  • Patent number: 6923265
    Abstract: An automatic fire sprinkler device for fluidly connecting to a water system of a fire sprinkler, including: (a) a housing having an inlet for fluidly connecting with the water system, and an outlet for fluidly connecting with a discharge unit having a deflector for dispersing water within a water coverage area; (b) a plug, operatively associated with the housing, having a stand-by position and an activated position, such that in the stand-by position, the plug is positioned to obstruct a flow of the water from the water system, and such that in the activated position, the plug is positioned to allow the water to flow from the water system to the discharge unit, and (c) a submerged thermally sensitive element, responsive to a pre-determined temperature and operatively connected to the plug, for triggering the plug into the activated position when a temperature of an environment reaches the pre-determined temperature, so as to allow the water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Ralph R. Mehr
  • Patent number: 6920937
    Abstract: In the embodiments described in the specification, a deck/hall extended coverage horizontal sprinkler arrangement has a sprinkler body with frame arms oriented in a vertical plane and a deflector mounted on the frame arms having semi-conical sections on opposite sides of the frame arms. The semi-conical sections are open in the direction toward the sprinkler orifice and include centrally located horizontal openings with vanes extending forwardly above the opening and top surfaces which are flattened and extend outwardly beyond the edges of the conical surfaces of the semi-conical sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John Neill, Salvatore S. Rachiele
  • Patent number: 6907938
    Abstract: The invention features an apparatus and method for positioning and supporting a sprinkler head in a ceiling, floor, or wall. In one aspect of the invention, a sprinkler head may be received by a sleeve extending through a broad surface of the plate. The plate may be configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room or the plate may be attached to a decorative panel which is configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room. The sleeve may be defined by an opening in the plate or it may be a separate structure permanently or removably attached to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: PBJ, LLC
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 6889774
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler system for metal buildings has horizontally oriented sprinkler heads mounted on water supply lines extending along each side of rafters supporting the roof of a metal building so as to provide protection for bays between adjacent rafters having a width up to 25 feet or more. The sprinkler heads have a vertical part facing an outlet in a sprinkler body and a hood-shaped part supported from the vertical part and having downwardly inclined side walls and a downwardly inclined front wall. The deflector arrangement is supported from the sprinkler body by a pair of frame arms which converge at a boss on which the vertical part is mounted and another deflector part having rearwardly inclined arms extending horizontally, downwardly at an angle and substantially vertically, is supported between the boss and the vertical part of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Multer, Paul Sasser, Ricardo Goldberg
  • Patent number: 6889912
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for clean, efficient removal of water and odor from a sprinkler systems including a vessel, a pump which creates a reduced pressure in the vessel, and a connector for attaching the device to the sprinkler system to remove trapped water. The vacuum pump is powered by a power source, and the reduced pressure created by vacuum pump is controlled by a regulator such that the vacuum pressure is maintained and does not cause damage to the gaskets in the sprinkler system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: GECCO LLC
    Inventors: Gerald M. Clum, Eric M. Clum
  • Patent number: 6868917
    Abstract: A low pressure, early suppression fast response sprinkler includes a generally tubular body having an inlet ends, an opposing discharge end and an internal passageway extending between the inlet and discharge ends with a K factor greater than 16 where the K factor equals the flow of water in gallons per minute through the internal passageway divided by the square root of the pressure of water fed into the tubular body in pounds per square inch gauge. A deflector is coupled with the tubular body and spaced from and generally aligned with the discharge end of the internal passageway so as to be impacted by a flow of water issuing in a column from the discharge end upon activation of the sprinkler. The deflector is configured and positioned to deflect the flow of water generally radially outwardly all around the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Central Sprinkler Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, George S. Polan, James E. Golinveaux
  • Patent number: 6868916
    Abstract: A fire sprinkler formed by an injection molding process is provided comprising a molded plastic body portion made of an injection molded plastic having a substantially hollow central portion for allowing water to pass therethrough, the hollow central portion extending from a distal end to a proximate end of the molded plastic body, a diffuser head portion located in the vicinity of the distal end of the hollow central portion, a sealing member made of an injection molded elastomeric material in proximity to the hollow central portion, and a link portion. When the link reaches a predetermined temperature the link portion is activated to start the flow of water out of the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Phillips Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Francis Petersen
  • Patent number: 6866103
    Abstract: An installation includes spray nozzles (1) connected to a pressurized extinguishing liquid supply line (3). Fire detecting elements are connected to elements controlling the supply of the nozzles. The installation comprises a compressed gas container (6) connected by a pipe (5) to a tank (4) containing the liquid and which itself is connected to the supply line (3). The conduit (5) is normally closed by a valve (7) with controlled opening so as to enable compressed gas contained in the container to penetrate into the tank to evacuate the liquid towards the supply line of the nozzles. The nozzles are associated with respective electrically driven fans (9) arranged in series so that an electrically driven fan located downstream of an upstream electrically driven fan sucks in the larger volume between the downstream and upstream electrically driven fans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Exel Industries
    Inventor: Patrick Ballu
  • Patent number: 6854668
    Abstract: A sprinkler discharges a column of water downwardly onto a deflector that has a plurality of peripheral tines with a respective non-radial tapered notch separating each adjacent pair of tines. Opposed cutouts with tabs in the central portion of the deflector combine with the notches and with depressed peripheral tabs to produce a predetermined spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: Thomas Francis Wancho, David Mann
  • Patent number: 6851483
    Abstract: A fire suppression system for a substantially enclosed area comprises: a plurality of solid propellant aerosol generators disposed about the enclosed area for exhausting a fire suppressant aerosol that is substantially void of an ozone depleting material into the enclosed area. Each aerosol generator including an ignition element for igniting the solid propellant thereof. Each ignition element of the aerosol generators being coupled to a fire control unit which is operative to ignite the solid propellant of at least one aerosol generator utilizing the ignition element thereof to exhaust fire suppressant aerosol into the enclosed area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Universal Propulsion Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Olander, Michael L. Schall