Patents Assigned to The Viking Corporation
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Publication number: 20120186832Abstract: A sprinkler assembly can utilize an adapter having straight threads and an internal sealing member therein to attach the sprinkler to a piping system. The sprinkler may include tapering threads that engage with the straight threads of the adapter and compress the sealing member therein to form a fluid-tight seal. A sprinkler assembly can utilize a fitting that is attached to an extension member containing the sprinkler. The fitting allows the sprinkler and extension member to be coupled to the piping system with a solvent weld. A sprinkler assembly can utilize an attachment system to couple a sprinkler attached to an extension member to a piping system. The attachment system can include a first fitting attached to the connection member, a second fitting attached to the piping system, and a clamping member to clamp the two fittings together.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Scott T. Franson
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Publication number: 20120187216Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Michael Rekeny
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Patent number: 8220556Abstract: 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 preferred form, the passageway section is defined by at least one lip projecting from the periphery of the cover plate, away from the sprinkler head. Alternatively, the cover plate may include a peripheral rim projecting away from the sprinkler head. In another preferred 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 is substantially planar and 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: James G Retzloff, Scott T Franson
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Publication number: 20120159786Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: Scott T. Franson, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Shawn G. Orr
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Patent number: 8176987Abstract: 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: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Michael Rekeny
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Patent number: 8177189Abstract: A differential dry pipe control valve for fire protection sprinkler systems includes an eccentric plug that rotates and separates supply water and system air pressure and uses an integral actuator that maintains the seal of the eccentric plug with a smaller ratio of air pressure to a higher supply water pressure. When the sprinkler system is actuated, the actuator allows the rotary eccentric plug to open the waterway and includes an eccentric plug opening that swings out of the waterway to reduce friction loss of the water supply. The eccentric plug includes a conical rubber coated seat surface and dynamic metal seal seat that seals due to water pressure eliminating close tolerance mating of sealing components. The actuator includes an integral alarm connection to provide a required alarm function and acts as a pilot differential actuator to provide the required operation of an approximately 5.5:1 ratio differential dry pipe control valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Eldon D. Jackson, Vinh B. Hoa
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Patent number: 8151462Abstract: 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 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Scott T. Franson, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Shawn G. Orr
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Publication number: 20120024547Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Scott A. English
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Patent number: 8087467Abstract: A pendant sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body, with an orifice that forms an inlet and an outlet. A deflector is movably supported by a deflector support assembly and is movable between a retracted position wherein the deflector is adjacent the outlet and an extended position where the deflector is spaced from the outlet. At least a portion of the deflector support assembly is located in the orifice when the deflector is in its retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Scott T. Franson, Kenneth G. Vos, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Andrew T. Thompson
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Patent number: 8052187Abstract: An installation tool may include an extension member, a body portion disposed on the extension member, and a plurality of fingers flexibly protruding from the body portion. The plurality of fingers are adapted to releasably engage a cover assembly. The plurality of fingers and the body portion cooperate to retain the cover assembly in a first direction and allow disengagement of the cover assembly in a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Michael J. Oldham
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Publication number: 20110214886Abstract: A threadless fitting for fluidly coupling a sprinkler assembly to a pipe is provided. The sprinkler assembly includes a body having an orifice extending therethrough for fluid communication with the pipe. The fitting may include an inner annular member including a plurality of prongs extending radially inward therefrom. The plurality of prongs may be angled away from an outlet of the fitting to allow the body of the sprinkler assembly to be inserted into the fitting and prevent the body from being retracted from the fitting.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Shawn G. Orr
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Publication number: 20110203814Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Andrew T. Thompson
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Publication number: 20110121100Abstract: A combination of a cover and a sprinkler head. The sprinkler head includes a fusible linkage mounted within a frame and having a protruding portion. The cover includes a first member adjacent to the protruding portion of the fusible linkage. The first member has a first connecting end and a first fastening end opposite the first connecting end. A second member is opposite to the first member and has a second connecting end and a second fastening end opposite the second connecting end. The first and second connecting ends are coupled to each other. A first projection and a second projection extend from the first member toward the second member and are in spaced relation to each other for receiving the protruding portion of the fusible linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Shawn Feenstra
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Publication number: 20110107584Abstract: An installation tool may include an extension member, a body portion disposed on the extension member, and a plurality of fingers flexibly protruding from the body portion. The plurality of fingers are adapted to releasably engage a cover assembly. The plurality of fingers and the body portion cooperate to retain the cover assembly in a first direction and allow disengagement of the cover assembly in a second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventors: Shawn G. Orr, Michael J. Oldham
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Publication number: 20110108290Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 7921928Abstract: A horizontal dry fire protection sprinkler includes a housing having a vertical segment and a horizontal segment extending generally perpendicular to the vertical segment. The vertical segment defines an inlet opening. A plug member is disposed in the inlet opening for sealingly closing the inlet opening. A sprinkler is attached to the horizontal segment and includes a base having a passage extending therethrough and defining an outlet opening. A cap is disposed in the outlet opening and a heat sensitive trigger engages the cap. A translation mechanism is disposed in the housing and engaging the cap and supporting the plug member in the inlet opening, wherein when the heat sensitive trigger releases support of the cap, the translation mechanism is allowed to move within said housing to allow the plug member to dislodge from the inlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Andrew T. Thompson, Scott T. Franson
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Publication number: 20110056709Abstract: 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: September 10, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATIONInventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 7900852Abstract: A combination of a cover and a sprinkler head. The sprinkler head includes a fusible linkage mounted within a frame and having a protruding portion. The cover includes a first member adjacent to the protruding portion of the fusible linkage. The first member has a first connecting end and a first fastening end opposite the first connecting end. A second member is opposite to the first member and has a second connecting end and a second fastening end opposite the second connecting end. The first and second connecting ends are coupled to each other. A first projection and a second projection extend from the first member toward the second member and are in spaced relation to each other for receiving the protruding portion of the fusible linkage.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Shawn Feenstra
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Patent number: D636057Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Andrew T. Thompson
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Patent number: D663010Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventor: Jason Watson