Abstract: One-piece, elastomeric gaskets for ferrous pipe couplings and the like are prelubricated with a coating of dry powder lubricant before installation. This coating can be applied before installation and as early as assembly by the manufacturer. The gaskets are combined with split ring collars to form couplings for pneumatic and hydraulic piping systems, including fire sprinkler systems, among others. The lubricant can be an organic starch powder derived from corn, rice, potatoes or other crops, talc or its primary ingredient, magnesium silicate hydroxide, or a combination of organic or organic and inorganic lubricant powders.

Abstract: One-piece, elastomeric gaskets for ferrous pipe couplings and the like are prelubricated with a coating of dry powder lubricant before installation. This coating can be applied before installation and as early as assembly by the manufacturer. The gaskets are combined with split ring collars to form couplings for pneumatic and hydraulic piping systems, including fire sprinkler systems, among others. The lubricant can be an organic starch powder derived from corn, rice, potatoes or other crops, talc or its primary ingredient, magnesium silicate hydroxide, or a combination of organic or organic and inorganic lubricant powders.

Abstract: Hinged mechanical couplings with interfitting ends include at least a pair of coupling segments each having: an elongated arcuate body with first and second opposing ends; a generally concave surface with central channel extending between the ends; a longitudinal central plane extending through the ends; a tongue and a recess located side-by-side on each end, the tongue being generally on an opposite side of the longitudinal central plane from the recess, each recess being slightly larger than the tongue to receive the tongue of the other coupling segment and form a tongue-recess interfit when the coupling segments are coupled together; a fastener pad protruding from the first end; and a pair of axially spaced-apart extensions protruding generally radially outwardly from the second end, one extension located on one side of the central longitudinal plane and immediately adjoining a space on an opposing side of the plane defined between the two extensions, the extensions being pivotally connected together to hi

Abstract: A low pressure fast response sprinkler includes a generally tubular body having an inlet end, 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.

Abstract: Segmented pipe couplings are formed by two or more identical arcuate pipe coupling segments. Each end of each segment is matable to either end of each other segment. Each end has a tongue and a recess generally on opposite sides of a longitudinal central plane of the segment. The positioning of the tongue and recess is reversed with respect to the central plane at opposite ends of each segment. Each recess is slightly larger than the tongue to receive the tongue of an identical coupling. A double tongue-double recess interfit is formed when any coupling segment is coupled together with an identical coupling segment. Either end of any coupling segment can mate with either end of other coupling segment and form a proper connection between segments.

Abstract: A gas charged fluid flow line of a dry pipe sprinkler system is continuously monitored to detect rate of loss of pressure (dp/dt). The rate of pressure loss is used to detect whether there is an open sprinkler head in a sprinkler grid of the system. Detection of an open sprinkler head and opening of a dry valve may occur in a matter of a few seconds, allowing for a quick response to a fire condition and accurate discrimination of a pressurized gas leak condition. The system may operate at charge pressures in the range of about 7 psig to about 15 psig.

Abstract: A low pressure, fast response sprinkler of the early suppression type includes a generally tubular body having an inlet end, 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.

Abstract: A sidewall fire sprinkler head includes a frame with tubular body and a deflector supported from the frame. The deflector has a face portion, generally planar, which is supported generally perpendicularly to a longitudinal central axis of the frame, and a generally planar canopy portion, which is supported from the face portion on an upper side of the face portion and oriented generally horizontally when the sprinkler is installed. An opening between the face portion and the canopy portion permits water to pass through the deflector and be directed by the canopy portion to the remote side of the protected area directly opposite the sprinkler from the remote corners of the protected area. At least one additional opening is provided on the lower side of the face portion below the central axis.

Abstract: Ceiling, sprinklers and sprinkler systems provide extended areas of coverage through a combination of extra large and super large orifices and deflectors which extend radial distributions with acceptable uniform average and absolute distribution densities all around and beneath the sprinklers. Described deflectors are circular and substantially flat, being essentially flat in pendent style and slightly fructoconical in upright style. Slots of alternating length are provided extending inwardly towards the center of the deflector from the circular perimeter to within no more than one-half inch and preferably no more than 0.6 of an inch from the center of the deflector. The upright sprinkler deflector includes central circular planar areas at least one inch and preferably at least 1.2 inch in diameter while the outer annular peripheral portion of such deflectors are coned back towards their supporting tubular bodies at an included cone angle of about one hundred forty degrees or more.

Abstract: Ceiling sprinklers and sprinkler systems provide extended areas of coverage through a combination of extra large and super large orifices and deflectors which extend radial distributions with acceptable uniform average and absolute distribution densities all around and beneath the sprinklers. Described deflectors are circular and substantially flat, being essentially flat in pendent style and slightly fructoconical in upright style. Slots of alternating length are provided extending inwardly towards the center of the deflector from the circular perimeter to within no more than one-half inch and preferably no more than 0.6 of an inch from the center of the deflector. The upright sprinkler deflector includes central circular planar areas at least one inch and preferably at least 1.2 inch in diameter while the outer annular peripheral portion of such deflectors are coned back towards their supporting tubular bodies at an included cone angle of about one hundred forty degrees or more.

Abstract: A remotely monitored tamper bar apparatus for monitoring two shut-off valve handles of a water supply backflow preventer includes an elongate U-shaped member having a base and two side legs. The base and two side legs form a channel for receiving the handles and to prevent movement of the handles. A switch is operatively associated with the U-shaped member. The switch has a first position which maintains the handles within the channel and a second position which allows the U-shaped member to be removed from the handles such that movement of the handles is permitted. The switch provides a signal for remotely monitoring whether the switch is in the first position or the second position.

Abstract: An automatic sprinkler includes a sprinkler body having a fluid passage outlet. A valve plug is maintained in sealing engagement with the fluid passage outlet by one or more control levers which react against the sprinkler body. Each control lever is held in position by a temperature-responsive actuator made from a generally C-shaped band of shape-memory alloy. The control band may be rigidly secured to one of the control levers. Upon an occurrence of a high-temperature condition, opposed ends of the control band spread apart in a common plane, releasing all control levers thereby permitting all control levers to pivot relative to the sprinkler body and release the valve plug from sealing engagement with the fluid passage outlet.

Abstract: A modular valve field convertible between a wet and dry configuration including a valve body and a passage within the valve body for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A valve seat and clapper are positioned within the valve body. The clapper is allowed to pivot between a first position wherein the clapper is sealingly engaged with the valve seat and a second position wherein the clapper is spaced from the valve seat to allow fluid to flow through the valve. The operator controls the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat. An operator securely retains the clapper in the first position in a first mode of operation and allows the clapper to freely move between the first and second positions in a second mode of operation. A controller governs the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat when the operator is in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: Ceiling sprinklers and sprinkler systems provide extended areas of coverage through a combination of extra large and super large orifices and deflectors which extend radial distributions with acceptable uniform average and absolute distribution densities all around and beneath the sprinklers. Described deflectors are circular and substantially flat, being essentially flat in pendent style and slightly fructoconical in upright style. Slots of alternating length are provided extending inwardly towards the center of the deflector from the circular perimeter to within no more than one-half inch and preferably no more than 0.6 of an inch from the center of the deflector. The upright sprinkler deflector includes central circular planar areas at least one inch and preferably at least 1.2 inch in diameter while the outer annular peripheral portion of such deflectors are coned back towards their supporting tubular bodies at an included cone angle of about one hundred forty degrees or more.

Abstract: A modular valve field convertible between a wet and dry configuration including a valve body and a passage within the valve body for allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A valve seat and clapper are positioned within the valve body. The clapper is allowed to pivot between a first position wherein the clapper is sealingly engaged with the valve seat and a second position wherein the clapper is spaced from the valve seat to allow fluid to flow through the valve. The operator controls the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat. An operator securely retains the clapper in the first position in a first mode of operation and allows the clapper to freely move between the first and second positions in a second mode of operation. A controller governs the position of the clapper with respect to the valve seat when the operator is in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A concealed frame-type automatic sprinkler with adjustable cover is provided by a sprinkler with a sprinkler body, an outlet on one side of the sprinkler body, a frame which extends from the body completely around the outlet, a plug retained in the outlet by a heat-sensitive element, and a pair of spring clips retained on the sprinkler by an adjustment screw passed through the frame to preload the heat-responsive element against the plug. The clip members are diametrically opposed and extend radially outwardly on either side of the frame. Each includes a pair of arms with tabs sized and positioned to engage with ribs provided on an inner cylindrical surface to a central cylindrical bracket member provided on an inner side of the cover. A gauge bracket may be mounted on the sprinkler to assure a deflector of the sprinkler is located at a proper height with respect to the ceiling through which the sprinkler extends.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler apparatus comprises a tubular body, a valve and a locking mechanism, the tubular body having a longitudinal axis and a conduit extending therethrough and being connectable to a supply of pressurized fire extinguishing fluid. The conduit has an annular groove proximate the outlet end of the tubular body, the valve forming a fluid-tight seal proximate the outlet end in a closed position and being completely separable from the fire sprinkler apparatus. The locking mechanism being supported by the tubular body for limited movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the locking mechanism comprising a housing, a plurality of locking balls moveable toward and away from the annular groove, a locking disc and temperature responsive means.

Abstract: A fork type ceiling sprinkler includes a sprinkler body and a fork coupled to an outlet end of the sprinkler body. The fork has a pair of arms extending away from an outlet end of the body. Free end portions of the arms define a gap aligned with an outlet of the sprinkler body. A plug is releasably retained in the outlet by a pair of levers extending from the plug to sloping surfaces provided by bosses on the inner sides of the two fork arms. A temperature-sensitive element between the levers prevents the levers from sliding off sloping arms until the sprinkler is activated. A stamped deflector plate is supported on pins slidably mounted through the fork arms. A cup is adjustably mounted through bracket arms to the sprinkler on the outside of the fork arms that support the deflector.

Abstract: A sprinkler cover is provided including a ceiling member and a pair of identical bracket members which are soldered to the ceiling member for thermal release. Each of the bracket members includes one or more upright arms. Each arm includes one or more cut tabs which constitute a separate member to engage with a deflector on a conventional fixed frame or drop-type pendent or ceiling sprinkler or with an arm supporting such deflector from the sprinkler body. The tabs are spaced at various heights from the base of the ceiling member to permit the cover to be mounted at adjustable heights on the deflector or the arms of the sprinkler. Frame-type sprinklers may be modified by the provision of one or more complementary engagement structures on one or both arms to engage one or a plurality of the bracket tabs.