Direct Support Patents (Class 169/41)
  • Patent number: 7854269
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Scott T. Franson, Thomas E. Winebrenner, Shawn G. Orr
  • Patent number: 7845599
    Abstract: A mounting coupling for a fire sprinkler support system includes an adjustable opening for receiving a sprinkler reducer coupling that allows insertion of the sprinkler coupling into the mounting coupling with a sprinkler head assembled thereto. The mounting coupling can be securely engaged to the reducer coupling and fixed to a support bar of the sprinkler support system using a single fastener thereby providing improved installation and functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Eldon D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 7802628
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, Donald B. Pounder
  • Publication number: 20100236795
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shawn J. Feenstra
  • Patent number: 7735569
    Abstract: 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 plug in the outlet and release the plug when a temperature associated with a fire condition is detected. The plug is made from plastic and can include a reinforcing insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Green
  • Patent number: 7658231
    Abstract: A pendent type residential fire sprinkler is described. The residential fire sprinkler has a body with a K-factor of at least 6 passage coupled to a deflector assembly that distributes fluid flowing through the passage over a coverage area to perform in accordance with Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1626 (October 2003) for listing by Underwriters Laboratory Incorporated so that the body and a heat responsive trigger disposed between the passage and the deflector assembly of the sprinkler can be installed in accordance with the 2002 Edition of National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. Various aspects of the residential fire sprinkler, including a method of protecting a residential dwelling unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rogers, Mark E. Fesseden, Manuel R. Silva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7624812
    Abstract: A pendent fire protection sprinkler for storage applications, having a body including a fluid passage and an output orifice sealed with a seal cap, two arms extending from the body and meeting at a hub, a release mechanism with a thermally-responsive element positioned between the seal cap and the hub, and a deflector positioned on the hub and facing the output orifice. The deflector has aligned slots at about 90° from each other, corner slots located between the aligned slots, and angled slots located between the aligned slots and the corner slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co.
    Inventor: Oliver S. Pahila
  • Patent number: 7584803
    Abstract: A sprinkler of the compressed strut and lever type wherein the motion of the lever is limited is disclosed. The sprinkler includes a compression member that compresses a strut against a sealing member that closes the outlet of the sprinkler. One end of a lever is positioned between the compression member and the strut. The opposite end is positioned in proximity to an abutment surface on the sprinkler. The opposite end is engageable with the abutment surface which limits motion of the lever and maintains an offset between the strut and the compression member that renders the strut and lever an unstable mechanism. A frangible link extends between the strut and the lever. The link separates in response to an increase in temperature indicative of a fire condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Ballard
  • Patent number: 7559376
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler is provided that includes a structure, a fluid deflecting structure, a locator, a metallic annulus and a shield. The structure defines a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet and an outlet. The structure has a rated K-factor defining an expected flow of fluid in gallons per minute from the outlet divided by the square root of the pressure of the flow of fluid fed into the inlet of the passageway in pounds per square inch gauge. The fluid deflecting structure is proximate the outlet. The locator is movable along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position. The locator supports the metallic annulus. The metallic annulus includes first and second metallic surfaces spaced apart along the longitudinal axis between an inner and outer circumference with respect to the longitudinal axis. The shield has a first face exposed to the inlet and a second face confronting the first metallic surface to define a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventor: Manuel R. Silva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7543654
    Abstract: A sprinkler head cover including a housing adapted to be attached to a sprinkler head which is connected to a water supply piping and in which, in the case of fire, a valve disposed inside the sprinkler head is opened to allow a fire-extinguishing liquid in the water supply piping to be dispersed. A cover plate is adapted to cover the sprinkler head so that the sprinkler head cannot be seen from outside, and a mount is installed in the housing and has a hole inside thereof. The cover plate and the mount are connected to each other by a low melting point alloy melted out from the hole, and a heat collector of the sprinkler head has a structure for allowing the heat collector to come into contact with the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Senju Sprinkler Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Koiwa
  • Patent number: 7540330
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn G Orr, Andrew T Thompson, Scott T Franson
  • Patent number: 7516800
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler for a fire protection system. The preferred dry sprinkler has a metallic disc annulus positionable within a passageway to skew a central axis of a face of the metallic disc annulus with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dry sprinkler so that an expected minimum flow rate based on a rated discharge coefficient is provided. The dry sprinkler operates to provide an expected flow rate over a range of start pressures. The expected flow rate is based on a K-factor rating. The dry sprinkler provides an acceptable level of fluid flow rate from the expected flow rate based on the K-factor for a range of start pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Manuel R. Silva, Jr., Thomas E. Archibald, Donald B. Pounder
  • Publication number: 20080230238
    Abstract: A mounting coupling for a fire sprinkler support system includes an adjustable opening for receiving a sprinkler reducer coupling that allows insertion of the sprinkler coupling into the mounting coupling with a sprinkler head assembled thereto. The mounting coupling can be securely engaged to the reducer coupling and fixed to a support bar of the sprinkler support system using a single fastener thereby providing improved installation and functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: THE VIKING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eldon D. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20080115948
    Abstract: [Problems] To provide a sprinkler head installed by burying it in a ceiling, having a cover plate to conceal the sprinkler head, enabling the adjustment of the height of the sprinkler head relative to the surface of the ceiling, and capable of efficiently transferring the heat of flame absorbed by the cover plate to the heat sensitive body of the sprinkler head. [Means for Solving Problems] A heat collector (15) having a plurality of fins (14) in the radial direction is fitted to the heat sensitive body of the sprinkler head, and the fins (14) are bent in a diagonal lower side by a plurality of bent parts (16). A disk-like heat collector (13) is stackingly installed on the upper part of the heat collector (15), and ribs (13A) and (13B) formed on the heat collector (13) are installed at positions where the bent parts (16) are not interfered with the ribs (13A) and (13B) when the heat collector (15) is contracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Yasuaki Koiwa
  • Patent number: 7373720
    Abstract: A bracing apparatus for bracing a flexible pipe extending between a fire sprinkler header pipe and a sprinkler and for holding the sprinkler in a desired location, a flexible piping system having the bracing apparatus, and a method of installing a sprinkler of a sprinkler system having the bracing apparatus. The bracing apparatus has first mounting members that attach to a flexible pipe, and a stiffener bar that extends between the first and second mounting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventors: Raymond H. Jensen, Erik T. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7353882
    Abstract: A horizontal sidewall fire protection sprinkler is provided, including a deflector having a vertical face, transverse to the fluid flow from the output orifice, and a horizontal shelf positioned above and perpendicular to the vertical face. A portion of the horizontal shelf extends in the fluid flow direction by a first length, with respect to the vertical face, and this first length is less than about half of a total length of the horizontal shelf in the fluid flow direction. The sprinkler is installed in a support cup having a raised mounting platform configured to receive the sprinkler body and a cylindrical outer surface, with a front edge in a fluid flow direction, and a back edge. The mounting platform of the support cup is closer to the front edge of the support cup in an axial direction thereof than to the back edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver S. Pahila
  • Patent number: 7343980
    Abstract: An enhanced protection extended coverage pendent fire protection sprinkler has a body including a fluid passage and an output orifice sealed with a seal cap, two arms extending from the body and meeting at a hub, a release mechanism with a thermally-responsive element positioned between the seal cap and the hub, and a deflector positioned on the hub and facing the output orifice. The deflector includes a pair of aligned slots, aligned with a plane of the arms, and a pair of perpendicular slots, perpendicular to the aligned slots and having a width that is less than that of the aligned slots. The deflector further includes a pair of corner slots, positioned between the aligned slots and the perpendicular slots. Angled slots are positioned between the aligned slots and the corner slots and between the perpendicular slots and the corner slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver S. Pahila
  • Patent number: 7314094
    Abstract: A spring-loaded device conceals a recessed sprinkler head. Heat releases the spring and exposes the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew J. Gow, Thomas W. Gow
  • Patent number: 7314093
    Abstract: A fast response residential 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 seal the outlet and release the seal when a temperature associated with a fire condition is detected. In addition, the sprinkler body is configured such that a ratio of the flow in gallons per minute from the outlet divided by the square root of the pressure in pounds per square inch gauge of the fluid supplied to the inlet is in a range of 4 to 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Shawn G. Orr
  • Patent number: 7290618
    Abstract: A fast response, upright sprinkler head includes 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 fusible trigger assembly is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The deflector is formed with a planar member having a skirt depending therefrom and an annular ledge extending horizontally from the skirt. The skirt depends from the planar member in an outward direction at a pre-selected angle from the vertical, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes. The fast response upright sprinkler head is configured to have a K value of at least 13.5, while the fusible trigger assembly has a fusing temperature between approximately 155° F. and 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W Thomas, Thomas G Deegan, Scott T Franson, Michael J Bosma, Delwin G Dornbos
  • Patent number: 7275603
    Abstract: A fire protection sprinkler is provided, including a body having an output orifice and a flange and a seal cap to seal a flow of fluid from the output orifice. A thermally-responsive element is positioned to releasably retain the seal cap. Housing members extend through and from the flange of the sprinkler body, and contain rods, each of which extends through the flange. A deflector is connected to ends of the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: George S. Polan
  • Patent number: 7201234
    Abstract: A pendent type residential fire sprinkler is described. The residential fire sprinkler has a body with a K-factor of at least 6 passage coupled to a deflector assembly that distributes fluid flowing through the passage over a coverage area to perform in accordance with Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1626 (October 2003) for listing by Underwriters Laboratory Incorporated so that the body and a heat responsive trigger disposed between the passage and the deflector assembly of the sprinkler can be installed in accordance with the 2002 Edition of National Fire Protection Association Standards 13, 13D, and 13R. Various aspects of the residential fire sprinkler, including a method of protecting a residential dwelling unit are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Fire Products LP
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Rogers, Mark E. Fesseden, Manuel R. Silva, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7096964
    Abstract: The sprinkler includes the following structural members: a body (1) with a channel for liquid supply, a thermally responsive unit with a valve (4) closing the sprinkler outlet, and a thermally responsive unit attachment. In the first alternative embodiment a sprinkler channel is formed by a segment (10) of a cylindrical configuration connected with a segment (11) made as a conical diffuser. To generate a fine uniform gas-and-drop stream of a high kinetic energy and space-uniform distribution the cylindrical segment (10) length exceeds the channel diameter at this segment. The segment (11) length in the form of conical diffuser exceeds the channel diameter at the cylindrical segment (10). In the second alternative embodiment the sprinkler has two coaxial liquid supply channels. The length of the axial cylindrical channel exceeds its diameter. The second annular channel is coaxial to the first channel and fitted with helical guide components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Obschestvo S Organichennoi Otvetstvennostju “Unipat”
    Inventors: Andrey Leonidovich Dushkin, Alexandr Vladimirovich Karpyshev
  • Patent number: 7066273
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for pro-active, intelligent fire suppression and/or control using a micro-controller that is communicatably connected to at least one fire-energy detection sensor and to at least one fire suppression device. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for sensing the exact direction of a fire as well as a regional location of a fire. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for directing a fire suppressant at the source of the flame. As depicted in FIG. 1a, the present invention provides fine protection apparatus (10) for identifying the existence of a fire hazard and for determining the exact direction and regional location of the file hazard by using multiple infrared (IR) detectors. A first IR detector (20) with a wide angle view of an area of coverage corresponding to an area requiring fire protection will be continuously queried by a micro-controller (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventor: Benjamin Tan
  • Patent number: 7036603
    Abstract: A fast response, upright sprinkler head includes 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 fusible trigger assembly is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The deflector is formed with a planar member having a skirt depending therefrom and an annular ledge extending horizontally from the skirt. The skirt depends from the planar member in an outward direction at a pre-selected angle from the vertical, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes. The fast response upright sprinkler head is configured to have a K value of at least 13.5, while the fusible trigger assembly has a fusing temperature between approximately 155° F. and 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Thomas, Thomas G. Deegan, Scott T. Franson, Michael J. Bosma, Delwin G. Dornbos
  • Patent number: 7032680
    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: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 6997267
    Abstract: A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide a fluid to the room. A method for protecting a room from fire. The method comprises the steps of placing a primary profile in a ceiling of the room. A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide air to the room. A method for providing air to a room. A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide sound to the room. A method for providing sound to a room. A system for placement in a ceiling of a room to provide information to the room. A method for providing information to a room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Irwin Kotovsky
  • Patent number: 6976544
    Abstract: A sprinkler comprising a temperature-activated means (1), a housing (2), a central nozzle (4), a side nozzle (5a, 5b), a first channel (9-15-6-12-13) for guiding a medium to the central nozzle, and a second channel (9-15-17-14-7a) for guiding the medium to the side nozzle, the second channel being closed with a spindle means (8) while the sprinkler is in its standby state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Marioff Corporation Oy
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6976543
    Abstract: A low pressure, extended coverage, fire protection sprinkler, e.g., of the upright type, suitable for use in protection of at least extra hazard and high piled storage occupancies, in accordance with the 1999 Edition of NFPA 13, has a body with an internal passageway extending between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end, and a deflector mounted to the body by at least one support arm and disposed in alignment with the axis and generally spaced from the outlet end of the internal passageway. The sprinkler has a predetermined K-factor, e.g., of greater than about 16.0. The sprinkler is configured and arranged to deflect flow of water generally radially outwardly and downwardly of the sprinkler in a predetermined spray pattern. Preferably, the predetermined spray pattern has a generally polygonal shape, e.g., a rectangular shape, when viewed at a predetermined distance below the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Fischer
  • 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: 6923265
    Abstract: An automatic fire sprinkler device for fluidly connecting to a water system of a fire sprinkler, including: (a) a housing having an inlet for fluidly connecting with the water system, and an outlet for fluidly connecting with a discharge unit having a deflector for dispersing water within a water coverage area; (b) a plug, operatively associated with the housing, having a stand-by position and an activated position, such that in the stand-by position, the plug is positioned to obstruct a flow of the water from the water system, and such that in the activated position, the plug is positioned to allow the water to flow from the water system to the discharge unit, and (c) a submerged thermally sensitive element, responsive to a pre-determined temperature and operatively connected to the plug, for triggering the plug into the activated position when a temperature of an environment reaches the pre-determined temperature, so as to allow the water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Ralph R. Mehr
  • Patent number: 6868917
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Central Sprinkler Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, George S. Polan, James E. Golinveaux
  • Patent number: 6854668
    Abstract: A sprinkler discharges a column of water downwardly onto a deflector that has a plurality of peripheral tines with a respective non-radial tapered notch separating each adjacent pair of tines. Opposed cutouts with tabs in the central portion of the deflector combine with the notches and with depressed peripheral tabs to produce a predetermined spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Victaulic Company of America
    Inventors: Thomas Francis Wancho, David Mann
  • Publication number: 20040129434
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for pro-active, intelligent fire suppression and/or control using a micro-controller that is communicatably connected to at least one fire-energy detection sensor and to at least one fire suppression device. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for sensing the exact direction of a fire as well as a regional location of a fire. The present invention provides apparatus and methods for directing a fire suppressant at the source of the flame. As depicted in FIG. 1a, the present invention provides fine protection apparatus (10) for identifying the existence of a fire hazard and for determining the exact direction and regional location of the file hazard by using multiple infrared (IR) detectors. A first IR detector (20) with a wide angle view of an area of coverage corresponding to an area requiring fire protection will be continuously queried by a micro-controller (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Benjamin Tan
  • Patent number: 6752218
    Abstract: A support system for use in fire-protection sprinkler systems and for positioning and supporting a fire-protection sprinkler head in a suspended ceiling including a T-bar grid for supporting panels. The support system includes a hub defining an annular opening configured to receive the fire-protection sprinkler head, which is connected to a flexible conduit. A leg is attached to the hub and has first and second ends attached to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: PNM, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. MacDonald, III, Peter M. MacDonald, Paul S. F. Silcox
  • Patent number: 6669111
    Abstract: A removable protector for protecting a thermally responsive member of a sprinkler head includes first and second shields each having protective surfaces. The protective surfaces are positioned to protect portions of the thermally responsive members that are exposed to potential contact with objects that are external to the sprinkler head. Each of the shields has a receiving end which slides over the sprinkler head during attachment of the protector. Each of the shields also has a connecting end attached to a cross member which connects the two shields and which provides an appropriate amount of spacing between the shields to permit clearance for accommodating various sprinkler head components when the protector is attached to the sprinkler head. A releasable fastener attaches the protector to the sprinkler head and secures the major protective surfaces of the first and second shields proximate the exposed portion of the thermally responsive member of the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Polymer Molding, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Vinson, Thomas E. Dorich
  • Patent number: 6585054
    Abstract: A fast response, upright sprinkler head includes 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 fusible trigger assembly is coupled to the yoke and the outlet end of the sprinkler head. The deflector is formed with a planar member having a skirt depending therefrom and an annular ledge extending horizontally from the skirt. The skirt depends from the planar member in an outward direction at a pre-selected angle from the vertical, and is formed with a plurality of through-holes. The fast response upright sprinkler head is configured to have a K value of at least 13.5, while the fusible trigger assembly has a fusing temperature between approximately 155° F. and 175° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Thomas, Thomas G. Deegan, Scott T. Franson, Michael J. Bosma, Delwin G. Dornbos
  • Publication number: 20030079889
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, George S. Polan, James E. Golinveaux
  • Publication number: 20030066657
    Abstract: Mounting assembly for mounting a spray head (4) to an opening of an over 10-mm thick wall. The mounting assembly comprises a holder (1) for receiving the spray head (4) and a clamping piece (6) which comprises threads (7) for engaging threads (2) in the holder (1) and it can be moved axially in relation to the holder (1) and an expansion means (11) supported by the holder, the clamping piece (6) being arranged so that movement thereof causes movement of the expansion means (11) from its zero position, in which the diameter of the expansion means has a first value, to a fastening position, in which the diameter of the expansion means has increased to a second value for pressing the expansion means against a wall of the opening. The invention also relates to mounting assembly for mounting a spray head to an at most 30-mm thick wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: MARIOFF CORPORATION OY
    Inventor: Goran Sundholm
  • 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: 6502643
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Central Sprinkler Company
    Inventors: Stephen J. Meyer, George S. Polan, James E. Golinveaux
  • 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: 6454017
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Grinnell Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Fischer, David J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 6450266
    Abstract: In the typical embodiments described in the specification, a sprinkler arrangement for protecting stored documents has a sprinkler body with an orifice providing a K factor in the range from about 1.1 to about 2.7, a pair of frame arms terminating in a boss from which a glass bulb supports a cap in position to seal the orifice in the passage, and a pair of closely spaced substantially planar deflector members having a peripheral edge spacing in a range from about 0.01 inch to about 0.60 inch. The deflector member closer to the axial passage has a plurality of slots permitting some water to pass into the space between the deflector members where it generates a very fine droplet mist and some water to be distributed outwardly in the form of fine droplets to carry the mist away from the sprinkler. A recess formed in the surface of the second deflector member facing the first deflector member provides a cavity which promotes atomization and generates turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver S. Pahila
  • Patent number: 6374919
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John Neill
  • Patent number: 6367559
    Abstract: An automatic flush sprinkler side wall sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler body, a deflector, a closure member, and a trigger assembly. The deflector is movably mounted to the sprinkler body between a retracted position wherein at least a portion of the deflector is recessed within a cavity of the sprinkler head body and an extended position wherein the deflector is spaced from an outlet opening of the sprinkler head body for dispersing pressurized fluid which flows from the outlet opening. The deflector includes at least two horizontal deflecting surfaces which are positioned spaced from and generally parallel to a direction of flow of the fluid from the outlet opening for directing the flow of fluid outwardly and downwardly from the sprinkler assembly and, further, are provided on a common side and spaced from a central axis of the deflector. The closure member is positioned between the deflector and the outlet opening for sealing the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Viking Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Winebrenner
  • Patent number: 6296062
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6276460
    Abstract: In the particular embodiment disclosed in the specification, a sprinkler has a sprinkler body with a passage having an orifice providing a K factor of about 3 to 6 which is normally closed by a cap retained in position by a glass bulb thermally responsive element. A deflector spaced from the orifice and supported from the sprinkler body by a pair of frame arms has a circumferential array of tines separated by radial slot-like openings and two openings located in the plane in the frame arms have a length greater than that of the other slot-like openings while four openings located at 45° to the plane of the frame arms are shorter than the other openings. The openings in the plane of the frame arms have a width of about 25% to 75% of the width of the frame arms adjacent to the deflector and a root diameter of about 150% to 300% of the width of the frame arms adjacent to the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver S. Pahila
  • Patent number: 6230815
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sprinkler or a spray head comprising a housing (2), an inlet (3), a nozzle (4) mounted in the housing, a passage (17-18-13) from the inlet to the nozzle, and a holder (8) for a release means, the holder being mounted in front of the nozzle so that it prevents the nozzle from spraying extinguishing medium forward without hindrance, the nozzle being arranged to spray extinguishing medium once the release means has been released. The holder (8) is mounted in the housing (2) by means of a locking mechanism, which is arranged to open and release the holder (8) from the housing once the release means (7) has been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Göran Sundholm
  • Patent number: 6129153
    Abstract: A water spraying control unit includes a fire extinguishing sprinkler head. The sprinkler head receives a branch pipe from a pipe line arranged in the ceiling of a building and the sprinkler head suppresses fire by discharging pressured water due to separation of a heat sensing plate and a nut supporting plate from the sprinkler head during a fire. A water spraying plate is joined with a water spraying plate bolt. The water spraying plate bolt is able to move through a through hole of a protruding portion in the outside of the sprinkler head. During a fire, the heat sensing plate and the nut supporting plate melt, enabling the water spraying plate to move downwardly thus opening a path for the pressurized water, the water spraying plate spraying the water over a wide area. Thus, a sprinkler head stored in the ceiling of a building is able to lower itself when actuated and spray water over a large area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Inventor: In Jin Joung