Patents by Inventor Scott Thomas Franson

Scott Thomas Franson 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: 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: 6918545
    Abstract: A quick response trigger assembly for an automatic sprinkler head comprises an inherently unstable compression element positioned between the frame of the sprinkler body and sealing assembly. A thermal sensor surrounds the periphery of the compression element and includes at least one heat gathering element positioned a preselected distance from the compression element. The thermal sensor maintains the compression element in compression when the sprinkler head is in the non-activated condition. The presence of a heat gathering member spaced a preselected distance from the compression element increases the surface area through which conduction occurs, and thus, enables the trigger assembly to exhibit sufficient thermal sensitivity necessary to classify the sprinkler head as a quick response. Additionally, the thermal sensor is formed of two or more members which are substantially identical in configuration to thereby decrease manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Franson, Kenneth Gordor Vos
  • Publication number: 20030209353
    Abstract: A quick response trigger assembly for an automatic sprinkler head comprises an inherently unstable compression element positioned between the frame of the sprinkler body and sealing assembly. A thermal sensor surrounds the periphery of the compression element and includes at least one heat gathering element positioned a preselected distance from the compression element. The thermal sensor maintains the compression element in compression when the sprinkler head is in the non-activated condition. The presence of a heat gathering member spaced a preselected distance from the compression element increases the surface area through which conduction occurs, and thus, enables the trigger assembly to exhibit sufficient thermal sensitivity necessary to classify the sprinkler head as a quick response. Additionally, the thermal sensor is formed of two or more members which are substantially identical in configuration to thereby decrease manufacturing costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Franson, Kenneth G. Vos