Sprinkler assembly connector for flexible conduit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10279367-B2
Application number	US-201615290144-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 11, 2016
Priority date	Oct 11, 2016
Publication date	May 7, 2019
Grant date	May 7, 2019

Abstract

Provided herein is a sprinkler system including a compact-design connector coupling a flexible conduit to a sprinkler body. In one approach a sprinkler assembly includes a t-joint connector, a sprinkler body (e.g., a dry-type pendent body) coupled to the t-joint connector at a first opening of the t-joint connector, and a flexible conduit coupled to the t-joint connector at a second opening of the t-joint coupling. The sprinkler assembly may further include an adjustable bracket coupling the sprinkler body to a building structure, such as a ceiling or wall. The t-joint connector eliminates the use of an elbow-type connection to a flexible hose, thus enabling use in a freezer/cooler application, while also reducing the overall footprint of the sprinkler assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sprinkler assembly comprising:
a t-joint connector;
a sprinkler body coupled to the t-joint connector at a first opening of the t-joint connector;
a flexible conduit coupled to the t-joint connector at a second opening of the t-joint connector, the flexible conduit coupled to the t-joint connector by a mounting cuff, one end of the mounting cuff surrounding the second opening and being welded to an exterior surface of the t-joint connector; and
an adjustable bracket coupled to the sprinkler body, the adjustable bracket supporting the sprinkler body.

2. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plug coupled to the t-joint connector at a third opening of the t-joint connector.

3. The sprinkler assembly of claim 2 , wherein the plug is threadably secured within the third opening of the t-joint connector.

4. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a sprinkler head extending from the sprinkler body.

5. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable bracket is coupled to a ceiling, the ceiling including a metal panel formed atop a layer of insulation.

6. The sprinkler assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a set of fasteners coupling the adjustable bracket to the metal panel.

7. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sprinkler body is a dry-type pendent sprinkler body.

8. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sprinkler body is threadably secured within the first opening of the t-joint connector.

9. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sprinkler body and the flexible conduit are oriented substantially perpendicular to one another.

10. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the adjustable bracket comprises a primary support and a secondary support;
the secondary support is rotatably connected to the primary support;
the primary support and the secondary support each define a cut out portion; and
the sprinkler body is securely retained between the cut out portion of the primary support and the cutout portion of the secondary support.

11. A sprinkler system comprising:
a t-joint connector;
a dry-type pendent sprinkler body coupled to the t-joint connector at a first opening of the t-joint connector;
a flexible metal conduit coupled to the t-joint connector at a second opening of the t-joint connector, the flexible metal conduit coupled to the t-joint connector by a mounting cuff, one end of the mounting cuff surrounding the second opening and being welded to an exterior surface of the t-joint connector; and
an adjustable bracket coupling the dry-type pendent sprinkler body to a building structure, the adjustable bracket supporting the dry-type pendent sprinkler body.

12. The sprinkler system of claim 11 , further comprising a plug coupled to the t-joint connector at a third opening of the t-joint connector.

13. The sprinkler system of claim 12 , wherein the plug is threadably secured within the third opening of the t-joint connector.

14. The sprinkler system of claim 12 , wherein the third opening is defined opposite from the second opening.

15. The sprinkler system of claim 11 , further comprising a sprinkler head extending from the dry-type pendent sprinkler body.

16. The sprinkler system of claim 11 , the building structure including a ceiling comprising a metal panel formed atop a layer of insulation, wherein the adjustable bracket is coupled to the metal panel.

17. The sprinkler system of claim 16 , the adjustable bracket comprising a set of fasteners coupling the adjustable bracket to the metal panel.

18. The sprinkler system of claim 11 , wherein the dry-type pendent sprinkler body is threadably secured within the first opening of the t-joint connector.

Assignees

• Anvil Int Llc

Inventors

• Dafonseca Odair
• Beagen Joseph

Classifications

• B05B15/62

  Arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups · CPC title

• F16L3/1075

  with two members, the two members being joined with a hinge on one side and fastened together on the other side · CPC title

• A62C35/68

  Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems (valves in general F16K) · CPC title

• A62C35/645

  with compressed gas in pipework · CPC title

• A62C35/62 Primary

  dry, i.e. empty of extinguishing material when not in use · CPC title