Patents Assigned to The Viking Corporation
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Patent number: 9132305Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler includes a sprinkler body having a fluid passage extending therethrough. A plug member disposed in the fluid passage. A heat responsive unit releasably secures the plug member in the fluid passage. A pair of frame arms extend from the sprinkler body. A deflector is mounted to the pair of frame arms and includes a peripheral edge including a plurality of slots extending radially inward from the peripheral edge. The plurality of slots include a pair of slots orthogonal to the pair of frame arms and the deflector includes a pair of apertures radially inward of the pair of slots and orthogonal to the pair of frame arms. The pair of apertures include an inner arcuate portion and a radially outwardly extending portion extending from the inner arcuate portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 9114267Abstract: A combined trigger and concealing device for an automatic fire protection sprinkler includes a first plate attached to a second plate by a heat fusible material. Each plate is formed with an aperture which receives an actuator depending from the bottom of the sprinkler. The trigger device depends a preselected distance from the bottom of the sprinkler body and includes a cover which has an outer dimension which conceals the internal components of the sprinkler from view. The cover includes openings and is dimensioned and positioned to permit heat energy to be received by the inner and outer surface of the trigger device. Conduction of heat energy from both the inner and outer surface of the trigger device permits the heat fusible material to be expeditiously raised to the preselected separation temperature. This construction minimizes response time of the sprinkler while maintaining a highly aesthetic appearance.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: David VanEerden, Thomas E. Winebrenner
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Patent number: 9027660Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Michael J. Oldham
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Patent number: 9022132Abstract: A trim manifold assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes a manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow communication between various components, such as automatic and manual valves, check valves, inlet and exit ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 9004422Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 9004421Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Publication number: 20150075334Abstract: A sprinkler wrench for installing a sprinkler includes a base having a tool engaging portion. A sidewall extends from the base and a sprinkler engaging portion extends from the sidewall. The sprinkler engaging portion includes a pair of oppositely facing surfaces defining an outer perimeter and a recess including two opposing flats. A protective boot cover is removably attached to the sprinkler engaging portion and includes flat cover portions covering the two opposing flats.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: The Viking CorporationInventors: Jason WATSON, Shawn G. ORR, Lindsay M. BARKER, Scott T. FRANSON
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Patent number: 8960319Abstract: A sprinkler assembly having a base including a passageway, an inlet opening communicating with a pressurized fluid source, an outlet opening for outputting a flow of pressurized fluid along a flow path, and an axis extending through the outlet opening. The sprinkler assembly further comprises a top engaging the base and a deployment assembly supporting a flow shaper assembly. The deployment assembly is movably mounted to either the base or the top and is movable horizontally between a retracted position and an extended position for dispersing the pressurized fluid from the outlet opening. A heat responsive trigger is mounted to releasably retain the deployment assembly within the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Scott A. English
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Patent number: 8910723Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn Gregory Orr, Andrew Taylor Thompson, Scott Franson
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Patent number: 8869906Abstract: A sprinkler according to the present disclosure has a movable deflector that is spaced apart from its supporting pins by a carrier member. The spacing apart of the deflector from the pins may allow for the distribution pattern of the fire suppressant to be of a higher quality and reduce and/or minimize the possibility of voids or discontinuities in the distribution pattern.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Andrew T. Thompson
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Patent number: 8794340Abstract: A spring may include an annular plate having a central aperture; a plurality of spring members protruding from the annular plate, the plurality of spring members being resiliently flexible and radially disposed around the central aperture; and a plurality of alignment tabs protruding from the annular plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Michael Rekeny
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Publication number: 20140209328Abstract: A trim manifold assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes a manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow communication between various components, such as automatic and manual valves, check valves, inlet and exit ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Shawn J. FEENSTRA
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Patent number: 8789615Abstract: 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 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Scott T. Franson, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Shawn G. Orr
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Publication number: 20140174766Abstract: 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. The passageway section is defined by an outwardly extending peripheral rim of the cover plate or by a cutout section along one edge 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 increases the response time of the concealed sprinkler head while maintaining a low profile, discrete appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: The Viking CorporationInventors: James G. RETZLOFF, Scott T. FRANSON
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Publication number: 20140158381Abstract: A 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 support a pip cap assembly in the outlet and release the plug when a temperature associated with a fire condition is detected. The pip cap assembly includes a copper shell and a stainless steel insert received in the copper shell and extending outward therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: Shawn G. ORR, David VANEERDEN
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Patent number: 8727029Abstract: A trim manifold assembly is utilized to facilitate control of the control valve in a fire protection system. The trim manifold assembly utilizes a manifold block with numerous passageways to provide desired flow communication between various components, such as automatic and manual valves, check valves, inlet and exit ports, and sensor ports, by way of non-limiting example. The trim manifold assembly can be cost-effectively manufactured and may require less assembly steps. The trim manifold assembly can facilitate the assembly of a fire protection system and the attachment of the trim manifold assembly to the control valve for operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 8727030Abstract: A trim manifold assembly includes an alarm block and a release block. The alarm block is in communication with a fire suppressant fluid supply and defines a first alarm passage in communication with an alarm sensor. The release block is coupled to the alarm block and includes a drain passage and a first control passage. The first control passage is in communication with the fire suppressant fluid supply and a pressure-actuated system control valve to control communication between the fire suppressant fluid supply and the sprinkler system.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Publication number: 20140102730Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: The Viking CorporationInventors: Scott T. FRANSON, Andrew T. THOMPSON
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Patent number: 8695719Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: James G. Retzloff, Scott T. Franson
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Patent number: D706619Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Michael J. Oldham