Fire extinguishers – Fluid systems – Distributing systems
Patent
1996-09-19
1999-11-16
Pike, Andrew C.
Fire extinguishers
Fluid systems
Distributing systems
A62C 3568
Patent
active
059840153
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to pipework for sprinkler systems, comprising a supply line conveying an extinguishing fluid, a sprinkler head extending from an end piece, and pipes running between the end piece and a connecting piece extending from the supply line, said pipes being swivelable about first axes parallel to one another and preferably vertical, where of the swivelable pipes at least one is a first U-shaped pipe with second and first side arms, of which at least one (first) side arm is a receiver for at least one further (second) swivelable pipe that is connectable in pressuretight manner to the U-shaped pipe by a plug-in connection.
Corresponding pipework is described in WIPO 91/16949. In this case, L-shaped pieces and Z-shaped pipes can be combined into U-shaped pipes that are connected in turn to a sprinkler head by S-shaped intermediate sections. Before final assembly, the loosely assembled pipes can be swiveled about vertically running axes such that the sprinkler head is at a required distance from the supply line. The pipes are then firmly connected to one another using screw elements to achieve the requisite tightness.
It is furthermore possible to achieve a height adjustment of the sprinkler head. To do so, a vertically running pipe is designed as a telescopic pipe.
If the screws are not sufficiently tightened after adjustment, there is a danger that when the pipework is subjected to pressure, the pipes will slip apart and extinguishing fluid will leak out uncontrolled.
Pipework for sprinkler systems is known from French Patent No. 2,306,716 in which telescopic pipes are connected to one another using a union nut. Loosening of the union nut or adjustment of the pipes when pressure is applied to the pipework is not possible.
Other pipe connections, though not relating to sprinkler systems, are described in French No. 2,348,426, No. 2,038,071, or No. 1,256,926. However, with the previously known measures, it is possible neither to adjust the entire pipework when it is under pressure nor to vary the input and output points of the pipework in either the horizontal or vertical direction.
The problem underlying the present invention is to develop pipework for sprinkler systems of the type described above such that even in restricted spaces there exists a high variability of the possible settings for the sprinkler head even in sprinkler systems that are already in use, depending on the swivelable pipes used. In addition, the connection between the individual pipes should meet standard safety requirements with a simple construction.
The problem is solved in accordance with the invention in that the plug-in connection is a snap-type connection comprising a snap ring, and in that the pipes connected using said snap-type connection are swivelable in relation to one another about the first axes when under pressure caused by extinguishing fluid.
The teachings in accordance with the invention result in the advantage that the pipes are swivelable in relation to one another also when under pressure in order to set the required distance between the sprinkler head and the supply line. Thanks to the use of a snap-type connection, there is furthermore the advantage that pipes cannot slip apart in uncontrolled manner. In particular however, there is the advantage that subsequent adjustment of the sprinkler head is also possible in a sprinkler system already in operation.
In accordance with a proposal that is inventive per se, it is provided that the pipework comprises at least two U-shaped pipes and an L-shaped running between them, and that the pipes connected by the plug-in connections of snap-type comprising a snap ring design are swivelable when under pressure caused by extinguishing fluid, with at least one U-shaped pipe being swivelable both about first axes and about at lest one second axis running vertical to the first axes.
These measures provide the possibility of adjusting the sprinkler head both horizontally and vertically in very confined spaces, even when the pipework is under pressure from extinguish
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