Abstract: A low pressure, early suppression fast response sprinkler includes a generally tubular body having an inlet ends, 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 vacuum dry sprinkler system includes a sprinkler head formed with a body having a central orifice through which fire extinguishing fluid is expelled through an outlet end. A yoke, attached to the exterior surface of the sprinkler body, extends beyond the outlet end of the sprinkler body and is connected at its apex to a deflector. A thermally sensitive trigger member is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The sprinkler body carries an expulsion assembly which includes an expulsion member and a thrust member. In response to a fire, the expulsion member of the expulsion assembly overcomes the vacuum force and expels the sealing assembly out of the outlet end of the sprinkler body, while the thrust member laterally thrusts the sealing member out of the water trajectory path, and thus, prevents the sealing assembly from reseating on the outlet of the sprinkler head.

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).

Abstract: A low pressures early suppression fast response sprinkler includes a generally tubular body having an inlet ends 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 low pressure, early suppression 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: An upright-type fire protection spray mist nozzle has a base defining an orifice through which fire-retardant fluid can flow, an inlet section having an upstream end and defining a conduit for flow of fire-retardant fluid along a orifice axis and leading to an upstream end of the orifice, and a diffuser element defining an impingement surface that is at least substantially imperforate in an axial direction and positioned for impingement by a stream of fire-retardant fluid flowing from the orifice in a stream direction along the orifice axis, the diffuser element being positioned generally above a horizontal plane through a downstream end of the orifice.

Abstract: In the representative embodiments described in the specification, a concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler has a sprinkler body adapted to be connected to a source of fire extinguishing liquid. A cover support is mounted substantially concentrically to the sprinkler body and has a threaded cylindrical wall extending away from the source of fire extinguishing liquid. The threaded cylindrical wall engages a sleeve which at one end has a slotted cylindrical portion with helically arranged projections to be received in the threads of the threaded cylindrical wall of the cover support. The other end of the sleeve has a flange with a plurality of tabs extending away from the cylindrical portion. A cover is attached by solder to the tabs extending from the flange of the sleeve. The cover also has four slots and is spaced from the flange of the sleeve by the tabs forming an annular gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for extinguishing fire, the installation comprising a number of spray heads (330a, 380a), a pipe system (381) for leading extinguishing medium to the spray heads, which spray heads comprise a holder body having an inlet for incoming extinguishing medium and at least one nozzle.

Abstract: A combined trigger and concealing device for an automatic sprinkler head comprises a first plate attached to a second plate by a heat fusible material in a partially overlapping manner. Each plate is formed with an aperture which receives an actuator depending from the bottom of the sprinkler head. The trigger device depends a preselected distance from the bottom of the sprinkler head body and has an outer dimension which causes the trigger device to conceal the internal components of the sprinkler head from view. An annulus defined between the periphery of the device and the bottom of the sprinkler head permits heat energy to be received by the inner 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 uniform thermal conduction minimizes the response time of the automatic sprinkler head while maintaining a highly aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler has a body with an orifice and a coaxial outlet for delivery of fire protection fluid from a source; a cap that resists flow of fluid from the outlet in a sprinkler standby condition; and an actuator securing the cap in the standby condition and releasing the cap in an operating condition to permit flow of fluid from the outlet. The actuator includes a thermally sensitive release assembly with an elongated thermally sensitive element, e.g.

Abstract: A pendent-type fire protection sprinkler for forming a superimposed combination of an inner, downwardly-directed spray pattern and an outer, umbrella-shaped spray pattern. The pendent-type sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and outlet for flow of fluid from a source and a pair of frame arms extending from the body. The deflector includes a generally plate-like body member defining reentrant slots, which may include a second type of reentrant slots in addition to a first type of reentrant slots, with slots of the second type positioned symmetrically between adjacent slots of the first type. The length of slots of the second type, measured along the slot centerlines extending inwardly from a peripheral edge of the deflector body member generally toward the central axis of the deflector body, being less than the length of slots of the first type.

Abstract: Directional sprinklers include a sprinkler body with a water directing structure configured to direct water passing from an outlet of the sprinkler body in one or more distinct and different directions. Water directing structures are disclosed in the form of deflectors having one or two separate water directing channels and hollow heads having at least two separate nozzles facing in two distinct and different directions. The channels and nozzles can be configured to direct water in diametrically opposing directions, mutually perpendicular directions or at any other desired orientation with respect to one another and to direct the water radially outwardly from the centerline of the sprinkler body outlet or at any predetermined transverse angle to that centerline. The throw of each channel and nozzle is longer than it is wide so that water is discharged over a generally rectangular or elliptical area in each direction.

Abstract: Ceiling sprinklers and sprinkler systems provide extended areas of ordinary and light hazard coverage through a combination of orifices with K factors greater than 9 and deflectors which extend water distributions radially with acceptable uniform average and absolute distribution densities all around and beneath the sprinklers. Described deflectors for concealed sprinklers are circular with slots extending axially and radially through inwardly towards the center of the deflector from the circular perimeter. Such deflectors include a central curved protrusion extending back towards the outlet to spread the water column over the deflecting structure and a surrounding planar annular area of the structure. The deflectors are supported on pins to telescope away from the sprinkler body and drop below or farther below the lower surface of the ceiling in which they are installed.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a powdered metal base including external threads for threadably engaging a water pipe, and a stamped metal frame attached to the base. The base defines a passageway for receiving water from the water pipe and an opening to the passageway. The powdered metal base is infiltrated with copper or vacuum infiltrated anaerobic resin to provide a hydrostatically leak tight composition capable of withstanding 700 psi. A deflector is attached to the frame for distributing water dispensed from the opening. A circular plate or circular spring sealingly covers the opening, and a pip is engaged with the frame creating a space therebetween. A frangible bulb is positioned in the space between the Belleville spring. The frangible bulb is made of a temperature-sensitive material that fractures at a predetermined temperature and thus allows water pressure from water in the water pipe to unseat the spring and thus spray water.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a quick response fire sprinkler includes an arcuate leaf spring having an inherent radially inwardly directed biasing force being split to provide spaced end portions. A circumferentially extending detent is provided in the peripheral face of the arcuate leaf spring for engaging a circumferential groove provided in the sprinkler valve housing. A fusible temperature responsive element is inserted between the spaced ends of the arcuate spring for spreading the arcuate spring and associated detent radially outwardly into the circumferential groove for holding the sprinkler valve in the closed position. When the temperature responsive element becomes fused, the arcuate leaf spring is retracted radially inwardly from the valve housing allowing the sprinkler valve to open.

Abstract: Fire extinguishing sprinkler apparatus comprises a frame for connection to a source of fire extinguishing fluid and having a passage through which such fluid may flow along a path. The passage normally is sealed by a closure in contact with the fluid. The closure is maintained in its passage sealing position by a retainer which is held by a collapsible strut in such position as to bear upon the closure. When ambient temperature rises to a predetermined level, the strut collapses enabling automatic expulsion of the closure from the passage and flow of fire extinguishing fluid through the passage. The closure is formed from material of poor thermal conductivity thereby preventing cooling of the collapsible strut by the transfer of heat from the strut through the closure to the fire extinguishing fluid in the passage. In one embodiment no part of the sprinkler frame lies in the path of fluid discharged from the sprinkler.

Abstract: A quick response frangible bulb sprinkler head includes a tubular body connected to a water line. The body has an outlet that is enclosed by a cap or closure, which is held in the closed position by a lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a pair of lever arms which are disposed in an X-configuration, with one end of each arm engaged with the body and the opposite ends of the lever arms are spaced apart and engaged with the opposite ends of an elongated glass bulb. The axis of the bulb is disposed normal to the axis of the outlet in the body. A screw is threaded in the closure and the tip is engaged with a channel-shaped pressure member that is connected to the central portions of the lever arms. Through adjustment of the screw, the compressive force on the bulb can be varied.

Abstract: A sprinkler head of a frame-yoke type is provided. The sprinkler head comprises a disassemblable part including a support, a balance, a movable member and a heat-sensitive body. The sprinkler head also includes elements for preventing dislodgement of the balance from the support. These elements are disposed at a position adjacent where the balance and the support engage with each other. The elements for preventing dislodgement of the balance may include protrusions extending outwardly from each sides of the balance body.

Abstract: A sprinkler head comprises an elastic retainer which is mounted between a couple of clamps and can absorb and reduce a tightening power which is added to a heat sensitive part by the insertion of a screw. Water can be sprayed according to circumstances due to an improvement in the sensitivity of the heat sensitive part.

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 concealed sprinkler with drop down deflector assembly includes a pair of frame arms which resemble a tuning-fork, there being a gap between the free end portions of the arms. As a result, the arms are not subject to assembly loads or system pressure loads. The drop down deflector assembly is mounted on the end portions of the arms. A preferred valve assembly includes a valve and a compound lever arrangement for holding a rigid thermal responsive element, such as a frangible glass bulb, and for adjusting compressive pre-load on the valve without loading the frame arms.

Abstract: An automatic sprinkler having a force transmitting mechanism for releasably maintaining a water outlet closed includes a frangible glass bulb having a very quick response characteristic to thermal input. Substantially less than one-half the force transmitted through the force transmitting mechanism is carried by the glass bulb.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fire protection sprinkler head having a base constructed for connection to a source of fire retardant fluid under pressure, a throat in the base through which fire retardant fluid can flow, a valve seat defined by the base about the periphery of the throat, and a resiliently flexible valve disk disposed across the throat and impressed upon the valve seat in sealing engagement. The valve seat has an arcuate profile segment, with a protuberant ridge disposed about the periphery of the throat and adjacent thereto. The ridge, in the region of its crest, defines a valve seat surface. The valve seat further has a recessed surface segment disposed radially outwardly of the throat, and divergent from a plane of the crest of the protuberant ridge.

Abstract: A heat-responsive element has two links joined with a thin solder layer in a face-to-face relationship over an extended surface area. The components of opposed surfaces of the links in contact with the solder layer and the solder layer are adapted to alloy with each other in the regions immediately adjacent each opposed surface to form alloy bonds between the opposed surfaces and the solder layer. The strength of these bonds is greater than the strength of the solder layer. At least the opposed surfaces of the links consist, at least in part, of an alloy-forming amount of nickel, cobalt, chromium or iron, or an alloy of nickel, cobalt, chromium, or iron.

Abstract: In the particular embodiment of an adjustable concealed sprinkler disclosed in the specification, a center strut sprinkler has a frame with an inlet opening at one end and a cap is normally retained in position over the inlet opening by a thermally responsive strut assembly extending between the cap and the other end of the frame. A deflector is supported by pins having tapered enlarged heads to be received in correspondingly tapered sockets formed in the frame. To retain the deflector in a retracted position and urge the strut assembly away from the cap-retaining position, a wire spring extends from an enlarged head of one of the deflector retaining pins around the strut assembly to engage a portion of the frame.

Abstract: In a sprinkler or spray nozzle for on-site fire-extinguishing systems provided with at least one intake opening (11) and with at least one outlet opening (16) downstream of the intake opening, and optionally provided with a downstream deflector, the outlet opening determining the flow of liquid of liquid fire-extinguishing agent in accordance with the pressure on the agent, the improvement wherein the open cross-section of the intake opening is smaller to a prescribed extent than the open cross-section of the outlet opening, and the nozzle includes a connector with an open cross-section that initially tapers out like that of a diffuser from the intake opening toward the outlet opening over at least part of its length and then contracts into a constriction (9) positioned between the intake opening and its associated outlet opening.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the quick response sprinkler described in the specification, a sprinkler housing is sealed with a valve plug supported on a deflector which is movable between a closed position and an open position. A thermally responsive element supported from a first lever which engages the valve plug has a plunger supporting a second lever and a third lever maintains the spacing between the first and second levers. When the thermally responsive element is actuated by elevated temperature, the plunger moves away from the levers, permitting the levers to separate and releasing the entire valve-retaining mechanism from the sprinkler housing.

Abstract: A fast response sprinkler head. The sprinkler head includes a frame having a base portion connected to a source of water under pressure and a pair of arms extended outwardly from the base and are connected at a junction. A cap normally encloses the outlet in the base and a lever assembly, which extends between the junction and the cap, holds the cap in the closed position. The lever assembly includes a pair of lever members, with one of the lever members being biased in a direction away from the other lever member. A fusible link assembly interconnects the lever members and includes a pair of thin metal sheets that are joined together by a layer of fusible metal or solder. Each sheet is formed with a recess in one side edge and the recesses face each other to define an opening which receives the lever member. The corners of each sheet are bent generally normal to the sheet to provide fins or tabs.

Abstract: A flash type sprinkler head which includes a main body including an upper portion for connection to a water pipe and a lower portion having an outlet, a valve member which includes a valve cap and a gasket for releasably closing the outlet, a heat sensitive member which disassembles in response to the heat of a fire, a guide pin mounted on the heat sensitive member received in a lower end of the valve member, a frame screwably fixed to the main body, surrounding the outlet and the valve member, the frame supporting the heat sensitive member on a step portion formed on a lower inner surface thereof, a spring between the guide pin and the heat sensitive member which presses the valve member upward to seal the outlet in response to upward pressure applied by the frame through the heat sensitive member, and a heat conductive plate which protectively surrounds the heat sensitive member. The plate is separated from the frame by only a slight gap so as to abut the lower end of the frame if impacted from below.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a nozzle, a frame and a rigid mechanical fusible link assembly positioned between the frame and a closure plug or cap. An annular, normally concave spring is disposed between the cap and the nozzle. The spring creates a force which throws the link assembly clear of the head upon actuation.

Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a nozzle, a frame and a rigid mechanical fusible link assembly positioned between the frame and a closure plug or cap. An annular, normally concave spring is disposed between the cap and the nozzle. The spring creates a force which throws the link assembly clear of the head upon actuation.

Abstract: A sprinkler has a frame and a cap closing a fluid discharge orifice at one end of the frame. A lever member is pivoted at one end portion on a compression screw which extends from a frame portion generally opposite the cap. The lever member curves from its one end portion to a portion generally parallel to a strut member which extends from the cap to the pivoted end portion of the lever. A pair of arms extend from one member and straddle the other. One arm has a socket for receiving a ball on one end of a tubular retainer and the other arm has a boss engaging a dimple on the other end of the retainer. A side of the retainer engages the arm-straddled member to hold the members in place until heat as from a fire melts a fusible element in the retainer to permit the ball to retract into the retainer. The retainer then pivots about the boss to release the strut from the cap for discharging fluid from the orifice.

Abstract: An improved sprinkler head for an automatic fire extinguishing system. The sprinkler head comprises a frame having a discharge orifice and a deflector spaced from the orifice. A cap normally encloses the discharge orifice and is held in place by a lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a lever having a pair of spaced side flanges and a tube extends between the flanges. Located within the central portion of the tube is a fusible element and balls are positioned in the ends of the tube on either side of the fusible element and engaged with sockets in the respective flanges. In the event the element is subjected to an elevated temperature, it will melt causing the balls to move inwardly of the tube and thereby releasing the lever assembly to open the discharge orifice.

Abstract: A heat sensitive release device, for example a sprinkler, comprises two relatively movable components, for example a yoke and valve member. A collapsible strut system is located between the relatively movable components. The collapsible strut system includes a catch element having opposed wings between which is held a heat sensitive element, for example a double ended heat sensitive cartridge. The collapsible strut system also includes a lever fulcrummed on one of the components and a strut engaged between the other component and the lever adjacent the fulcrum. The lever bears against the heat sensitive element while the strut is connected to or integral with the catch element. In addition, an impediment is joined to the strut system and disposed between the lever and the catch element so that removal of the heat sensitive cartridge from the catch element is prevented.

Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler head construction comprises a frame having at one end a water passage therethrough which normally is closed by a seal maintained in passage sealing position by a thermally sensitive strut which collapses in response to a predetermined increase in its temperature and enables water to flow through the passage. At the other end of the frame is a deflector against which water flowing through the passage impinges and is deflected outwardly in a spray. Encircling the deflector is an annular distributor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart blades which intercept water deflected outwardly by the deflector. The blades are twisted at their root ends and bent at their free ends to cause water impinging upon the blades to be divided into relatively large droplets and distributed circumferentially.

Abstract: A fire-protection sprinkler head having a base from which fire-retardant fluid emerges in a stream, a deflector plate spaced from the base for deflecting the stream into a spray pattern, and a throat in the base with a noncircular cross section selected to vary the shape of the stream and thereby vary the spray pattern.

Abstract: A fire-protection sprinkler head with an improved response characteristic achieved by providing a fusible link with a fin having multiple face portions oriented to direct air currents from any of a plurality of orthogonal directions over the fusible region of the link. An embodiment with multiple fins provides an aggregate set of face portions that direct over the fusible region air currents that have X, Y, and Z orthogonal components in both positive and negative senses. Air currents can be directed both by deflecting effects and air foil effects. Preferably the face portions are facets formed integrally with sheet metal body members that form the link. In the preferred embodiment the link and all fins are formed of a pair of similar stampings from sheet metal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid disperser for a fire extinguishing system, and is specifically related to such kind of fluid dispersers which are adapted for electrical remote control. Such dispersers are provided with a striking mechanism adapted for breaking a safety device which closes the outlet for the fluid. The object of this invention is to show a construction by which it is ensured that the safety device is always fractured even by the use of a relatively weak striking mechanism and it is further the purpose of this invention to ensure that the path for the extinguishant is kept free after the fracturing of the safety device. For this purpose a displaceable striking pin and a loose counter-rest is used in connection with the striking mechanism so that the striking pin and the counter-rest will fall down as soon as the safety device is fractured thereby leaving the desired free passage for the extinguishant.

Abstract: An anti-lodgement bail or guard is positioned on the strut of a sprinkler used in a fire extinguishing system to prevent the strut and lever from undesired lodgement against the deflector of the sprinkler as may otherwise occur when the sprinkler fuses.

Abstract: A heat sensitive release device, for example a sprinkler, comprises two relatively movable components, for example a yoke and valve member. A collapsible strut system is located between the relatively movable components. The collapsible strut system includes a catch element having opposed wings between which is held a heat sensitive element, for example a double ended heat sensitive cartridge. The collapsible strut system also includes a lever fulcrummed on one of the components and a strut engaged between the other component and the lever adjacent the fulcrum. The strut or the lever bears against the heat sensitive element while the lever or strut is connected to or integral with the catch element.

Abstract: A large drop sprinkler head is disclosed including a nozzle, a pair of arms extending outwardly and upwardly from the nozzle and joined at their ends in coaxial alignment with the nozzle. A concave, plate distributor is supported by the arms coaxially with the nozzle. The plate distributor includes a central, cup-like portion and an outwardly, downwardly directed, annular plate. A large drop deflector is disposed within the cup-like portion of the plate distributor. The large drop deflector includes a plurality of equally spaced tines or fingers which extend downwardly towards the nozzle. The plate distributor defines a shoulder and the tines extend generally perpendicular to the plate distributor and beyond the plane of the shoulder.

Abstract: A sprinkler for use in a fire extinguishing system includes an apertured body member, a closure cap, a frame supporting a deflector, a strut holding the closure cap and a lever bearing against said strut and releasably retained by a transversely disposed fusible element engaging spaced apertured arms on said strut.

Abstract: A pressure responsive discharge head wherein an expellable plug is disposed in the outlet of a body member having an inlet adapted for connection to a source of extinguishant with the plug being connected relative to the body member by means of a pair of fulcrummed levers. A fusible link maintains the levers in the plug retaining position and is responsive to a predetermined temperature for releasing the levers. An additional member is provided which maintains the levers in a plug retaining position and which is adapted to release the levers in response to a predetermined fluid pressure in the body member, or in response to an additional predetermined temperature.