Gasket installation tool

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10668605-B2
Application number	US-201815888524-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 5, 2018
Priority date	Feb 7, 2017
Publication date	Jun 2, 2020
Grant date	Jun 2, 2020

Abstract

A gasket installation tool for installing a gasket member within an internal gasket chamber of a sprinkler head adapter or fitting. The installation tool includes a tubular assembly that engages the sprinkler head fitting and provides a passageway into which the gasket member is loaded. A rod member engaged with the tubular assembly advances the gasket member through the passageway of the tubular assembly to radially compress the gasket member. The engagement between the rod member and the tubular assembly controls the advancement of the gasket member into the fitting to properly locate the gasket within the chamber and prevent over travel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A gasket installation tool for installing a gasket in an internal chamber of a sprinkler head fitting having a body member and a cap member coupled to one another to form a gasket chamber therebetween, the installation tool comprising:
a housing component having a first end for engaging the cap member and a second end for receiving a gasket member, the housing component having a tapered internal passageway extending from the first end to the second end along a longitudinal axis;
a ring component coupled to the housing component having an internal thread on an internal surface defining a central opening axially aligned with the internal passageway of the housing component; and
a rod member having a first end and a second end with an external thread between the first end and the second end to engage the internal thread of the ring component such that the first end supports the gasket within the internal passageway of the housing for delivery to the gasket chamber of the fitting.

2. The installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the ring component is axially spaced from the housing component.

3. The installation tool of claim 2 , further comprising a pair of spacing members disposed about the internal passageway and the central opening to axially space the housing component and the rod member.

4. The installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the rod member includes a first shelf for supporting and orienting the gasket and a second shelf for contacting the ring component and limiting axial travel of the rod member through the internal passageway.

5. The installation tool of claim 4 , wherein the fitting defines an entrance distance to a bearing surface of the gasket chamber, the axial travel locating the first shelf even with the bearing surface of the gasket chamber.

6. The installation tool of claim 5 , wherein the first end of the housing component defines a receptacle having a floor, the first and second shelves are axially spaced to define a first distance, the receptacle floor being axially spaced from an end face of the ring component to define a second distance, a difference between the first and second distance being equivalent to the entrance distance of the fitting.

7. The installation tool of claim 4 , wherein the first end of the rod member includes a centering post and the first shelf is disposed about the centering post.

8. The installation tool of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the housing component defines a receptacle for engaging the fitting.

9. A gasket installation tool for installing a gasket in an internal chamber of a sprinkler head fitting, the installation tool comprising:
a rod member for having a first end and a second end; and
a tubular assembly for engaging the fitting, the tubular assembly having an inlet and an outlet, the tubular assembly defining a passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet along a longitudinal axis, the passageway including a radial loading first portion to which the gasket is loaded, the passageway including a housing second portion for housing the gasket proximate the outlet, the rod member received within the passageway for axial translation along the passageway to displace the gasket out of the passageway through the outlet and into the internal chamber of the fitting;
wherein the tubular assembly includes a first component defining a tapered portion of the passageway and a second component spaced from the first component defining a surface portion of the passageway for engaging the rod member, wherein the first and second components are spaced apart by a pair of spacer members diametrically disposed about the passageway.

10. The tool of claim 9 , wherein the rod member has a first stage for supporting the gasket perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a centering post extending from the first stage for engaging the gasket; wherein the rod member includes a second stage for contacting the tubular assembly to limit travel of the rod member in the tubular assembly.

Assignees

• Tyco Fire Products Lp

Inventors

• Pressnell Kevin W

Classifications

• B25B27/023

  using screws · CPC title

• B25B27/28 Primary

  positioning or withdrawing resilient bushings or the like · CPC title

• B05B15/65

  Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits · CPC title

• A62C35/68

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