Fire extinguishers – Sprinkler heads
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-07
2001-10-30
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Fire extinguishers
Sprinkler heads
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308784
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to fire protection sprinklers.
BACKGROUND
For reasons of aesthetics and architectural design, flush fire protection sprinklers are designed so that only the thermally responsive element is exposed within the room. The rest of the structure is hidden above the ceiling (pendant-type flush fire protection sprinklers) or behind the wall (horizontal sidewall-type flush fire protection sprinklers). When the sprinkler is actuated, a deflector, hidden from view in the standby condition of the fire protection sprinkler, moves from a retracted position to an extended, fixed condition within the room to deflect water flowing from the sprinkler orifice over the area to be protected.
SUMMARY
According to one aspect of the invention, a flush fire protection sprinkler comprises a body defining a passage having an inlet for connection to a source of fire protection fluid under pressure and an outlet for delivery of fire protection fluid toward a region to be protected, the body defining a seat about the outlet and a rim coaxial with the outlet and having an inner circumferential lip, the flush fire protection sprinkler having a first, standby condition with the outlet closed to flow and a second, active condition with the outlet open to flow; a sealing member engaged upon the seat; and a thermally responsive element assembly, comprising: a plate member having a conical upstanding rim extending radially outward in the direction of fire protection fluid flow from the outlet and defining a plurality of slots extending radially inward from an outer edge of the conical, upstanding rim, a retaining member having a hub and a plurality of elongated retainer fingers terminating in enlarged fingertip portions defining an engagement structure, the elongated retainer fingers having a radially inward bias, toward a hub axis, and engaged in the plurality slots, with the enlarged fingertip portions disposed radially outside an outer surface of the conical, upstanding rim, a thermally responsive element disposed between the plate member and the hub, the thermal responsive element adapted to actuate in response to a heat condition above a predetermined temperature, and a pressure adjustment element mounted to the hub for applying pressure to the thermally responsive element, initial adjustment of the pressure loading element drawing the hub relatively away from the plate member, with the outer surface of the conical upstanding rim urging the enlarged fingertip portions of the elongated retainer fingers radially outward to bring the engagement structure of the enlarged fingertip portions into engagement with the inner circumferential lip, further adjustment of the pressure loading element pressuring the sealing member in sealing engagement upon the seat. The thermally responsive element, in a heat condition above the predetermined temperature, is adapted to actuate to allow pressure of fire protection fluid flow from the outlet to urge the plate member away from the outlet, permitting the elongated retainer fingers to contract toward the hub axis under the radially inward bias, disengaging the engagement structure of the enlarged fingertip portions from the inner circumferential lip, the thermally responsive element assembly thus disengaging from the body to move away from the outlet.
According to another aspect of the invention, a flush fire protection sprinkler comprises a body defining a passage having an inlet for connection to a source of fire protection fluid under pressure and an outlet for delivery of fire protection fluid toward a region to be protected, the body defining a seat about the outlet, the flush fire protection sprinkler having a first, standby condition with the outlet closed to flow and a second, active condition with the outlet open to flow, a sealing member engaged upon the seat, and a thermally responsive element assembly, comprising a spring member having a plurality of elongated retainer fingers retaining a thermally responsive element adapted to actuate in response to a heat condition above a predetermined temperature, the thermally responsive element, in a heat condition above the predetermined temperature, adapted to actuate to permit the elongated retainer fingers to disengage from the body to move away from the outlet, releasing the sealing member from engagement upon the seat.
Preferred embodiments of both of these aspects of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features. The flush fire protection sprinkler further comprises a deflector mounted to the body, the deflector, in the standby condition of the flush fire protection sprinkler, being positioned to urge the sealing member into sealing engagement upon the seat, and the deflector, in the active condition of the flush fire protection sprinkler, being positioned to deflect flow of fire protection fluid from the outlet over an area of the region to be protected. Preferably, the deflector is mounted upon deflector arms disposed in sliding engagement with the body. The sealing member is spring sealing member, e.g. a Belleville washer-type spring sealing member, preferably with resilient coating of PTFE, which, upon actuation of the thermally responsive element, urges the plate member away from the outlet. The plurality of elongated retainer fingers comprises three elongated retainer fingers. The plate member and/or retaining member are metal stampings, formed of a non-corrosive material, e.g. stainless steel. Preferably, the retaining member is spring tempered. The thermally responsive element is a frangible bulb adapted, in a heat condition above the predetermined temperature, to burst to allow pressure of fire protection fluid flow from the outlet. The engagement structure comprises a pierced tab, a bent lip, double tabs, and/or formed corners. The flush fire protection sprinkler has a configuration for mounting as a pendent-type fire protection sprinkler, or for mounting as a sidewall horizontal-type fire protection sprinkler, preferably further comprising a generally horizontal shelf deflector element.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a flush fire protection sprinkler comprises a body defining a passage having an inlet for connection to a source of fire protection fluid under pressure and an outlet for delivery of fire protection fluid toward a region to be protected, the body defining a seat about the outlet and a rim coaxial with the outlet and having an inner circumferential lip, the flush fire protection sprinkler having a first, standby condition with the outlet closed to flow and a second, active condition with the outlet open to flow; a sealing member engaged upon the seat; a deflector mounted to the body, the deflector, in the standby condition of the flush fire protection sprinkler, being positioned to urge the sealing member into sealing engagement upon the seat, and the deflector, in the active condition of the flush fire protection sprinkler, being positioned to deflect flow of fire protection fluid from the outlet over an area of the region to be protected; and a thermally responsive element assembly, comprising: a plate member having a conical upstanding rim extending radially outward in a direction of fire protection fluid flow from the outlet and defining a plurality of slots extending radially inward from an outer edge of the conical, upstanding rim, a retaining member having a hub and a plurality of elongated retainer fingers terminating in enlarged fingertip portions defining an engagement structure, the elongated retainer fingers having a radially inward bias, toward a hub axis, and engaged in the plurality slots, with the enlarged fingertip portions disposed radially outside an outer surface of the conical, upstanding rim, a thermally responsive element disposed between the plate member and the hub, the thermal responsive element adapted to actuate in response to a heat condition above a predetermined temperature, and a pressure loading element mounted to the hub for applying pressure to the thermally responsive elem
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Grinnell Corporation
Morris Lesley D.
LandOfFree
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