Patents by Inventor Norman J. MacDonald

Norman J. MacDonald has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6691790
    Abstract: A fire suppression sprinkler system (10), and method for installing a sprinkler system (10)in new and existing buildings. The system includes a manifold (12) that supplies fire-suppression fluid to a set of wall-mounted sprinkler heads (14) via flexible sprinkler head conduits (16) through an unobstructed path (18). The installation and retrofit methods include determining the location of the sprinkler head (14), installing the manifold (12), making sure that there is an unobstructed path (18) between the manifold (12) and the sprinkler head location, running the conduit (16) through the path (18) by snaking it where necessary through the wall (50) to which the sprinkler head (14) is mounted, connecting the conduit (16) to the manifold (12) and sprinkler head (14), and then mounting the sprinkler head (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20040026533
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S.F. Silcox
  • Publication number: 20030066658
    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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 6488097
    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: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 6123154
    Abstract: A system is provided for maintaining a sprinkler head in a position to allow continued operation during a fire in the event that the support structure for the sprinkler head fails or is otherwise removed. The support system includes a central hub adapted to receive a sprinkler head, a first leg attached to the central hub and having first and second ends. The support system also includes first and second ends having fastening devices adapted to attach the ends to the support structure. The fastening devices are configured to break away from the support structure in the event of support structure failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 6119784
    Abstract: A support system for positioning a sprinkler head relative to a support structure in a ceiling, floor, or wall includes a central hub adapted to receive the sprinkler head, a first leg attached to the central hub and having a first end configured to be attached to the support structure, a second leg attached to the central hub and having a second end configured to be attached to the support structure, the second leg being spaced-apart from and substantially parallel to the first leg. The support system combines increased flexibility in installation with increased support for the sprinkler head during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 6076608
    Abstract: A fire suppression sprinkler system and method for installing a sprinkler system in new and existing buildings. The system includes a manifold that supplies fire-suppression fluid to a set of wall-mounted sprinkler heads via flexible sprinkler head conduits through an unobstructed path. The installation and retrofit methods include determining the location of the sprinkler head, installing the manifold, making sure that there is an unobstructed path between the manifold and the sprinkler head location, running the conduit through the path by snaking it where necessary through the wall to which the sprinkler head is mounted, connecting the conduit to the manifold and sprinkler head, and then mounting the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5743337
    Abstract: A relocatable sprinkler assemblage includes a flexible conduit connecting to a source of fire-suppression fluid, a heat-sensitive sprinkler head, a rigid fitting connecting the conduit to the sprinkler head, and a removable cap that, together with the fitting, creates a watertight compartment around the sprinkler head so that the assemblage can be moved while the sprinkler system remains pressurized and operational. The cap includes alerts the user to the condition of the sprinkler head, whether or not the head has been activated during the relocation process. In one embodiment, the cap is transparent, so that the condition can be determined by looking for fluid inside the cap. In another embodiment, the cap has a valve that can be operated manually to determine if there is fluid in the cap. In a third embodiment, the cap has a flexible bag that appears rigid if there is pressurized fluid in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman J. MacDonald, III
  • Patent number: 5649598
    Abstract: A shroud for use with a sprinkler assembly in a corrosive environment comprising a secondary bag surrounding the sprinkler head to protect it from the corrosive environment for a minimum period of time, a ribbon-shaped corrosion sensor located adjacent to the outer surface of the secondary bag that corrodes apart to electrically trigger an alarm before the ability of the secondary bag to protect the sprinkler head fails, a primary bag surrounding the secondary bag and the sensor to protect them from the corrosive environment for a minimum period of time, a pair of gaskets with an opening for the sprinkler head, the bags extending through the opening of one of the gaskets and annular skirts extending from the edge of the bag openings being sandwiched between the gaskets and held together by a pressure-sensitive adhesive, the bags melting at a temperature that is higher than the normal temperature of the corrosive environment and lower than the temperature at which the sprinkler head activates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman J. MacDonald, III
  • Patent number: 5570745
    Abstract: A relocatable sprinkler assemblage can be safely relocated while pressurized and operational and does not effect the temperature sensitivity of the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman J. MacDonald, III