Fire protection sprinkler assemblies and installations with adjustable push-to-connect fittings

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12447365-B2
Application number	US-202318376376-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 3, 2023
Priority date	Dec 28, 2016
Publication date	Oct 21, 2025
Grant date	Oct 21, 2025

Abstract

Adjustable fire protection assemblies and methods are provided. The assembly includes a sprinkler having a body with an outer encasing surface and a deflector supported from the body. An escutcheon having a receiver and a rim surround the fire protection sprinkler to define an aperture between the receiver and the sprinkler. A push-to-connect fitting of the assembly includes a tubular member with an end for connection to a pipe and an internal conduit that receives the sprinkler body. A seal member and a retaining ring are disposed within the tubular member to form an adjustable seal and grip about the sprinkler body. A releasing member translates to disengage the retaining ring from the sprinkler body; and the escutcheon translates with respect to the tubular member in a sliding surface engagement to define an adjustable deflector-to-rim distance between the rim of the escutcheon and the deflector of the sprinkler.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sprinkler assembly, comprising:
a sprinkler;
a tubular fitting extending around an axis between a first end and a second end, the tubular fitting having an internal surface forming an internal conduit to receive the sprinkler at the second end, an exterior surface forming a securement portion, a first seat extending inward from the internal surface, and a second seat extending inward from the internal surface, the first seat and the second seat defining a gap region, the second end comprising a flange, the flange having a greater outer diameter than the securement portion, the second seat being defined in the flange;
a seal member to be received in the gap region and against the internal surface;
a releasing member extending around the tubular fitting between an outer wall to engage a groove defined on an outer surface of the tubular fitting and an inner end facing the sprinkler; and
a retaining ring to be received in the gap region and against the internal surface between the seal member and the second seat, the retaining ring comprising a plurality of prongs to engage the sprinkler.

2. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
an escutcheon having a receiver to receive the sprinkler.

3. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
a pipe fitting to couple the tubular fitting with one or more pipes.

4. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
the sprinkler has a body extending between an inlet and an outlet.

5. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
the seal member having two spaced apart sealing surfaces.

6. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
the sprinkler is an upright, pendent, sidewall, or horizontal sprinkler.

7. The sprinkler assembly of claim 1 , comprising:
the internal surface is threadless.

8. A push-to-connect sprinkler assembly, comprising:
a sprinkler;
a tubular member to receive the sprinkler, the tubular member comprising:
a threadless inner surface;
a seat extending inward from the inner surface; and
an outer surface defining a groove;

a retaining ring coupled with the inner surface, the retaining ring comprising a plurality of prongs to engage the sprinkler;
a seal between the seat, the inner surface, and the retaining ring; and
a releasing member coupled with the retaining ring, the releasing member engaged with the groove.

9. The push-to-connect sprinkler assembly of claim 8 , comprising:
an escutcheon around the releasing member and the sprinkler.

10. The push-to-connect sprinkler assembly of claim 8 , comprising:
a resilient member to be received between the tubular member and the releasing member.

11. The push-to-connect sprinkler assembly of claim 8 , comprising:
the retaining ring resists a translation of the sprinkler along a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; and
a translation of the releasing member along the longitudinal axis disengages the retaining ring from the sprinkler to allow the translation of the sprinkler relative to the tubular member.

12. The push-to-connect sprinkler assembly of claim 8 , comprising:
a pipe fitting to couple the tubular member with one or more pipes.

13. The push-to-connect sprinkler assembly of claim 8 , comprising:
the sprinkler has a body extending between an inlet and an outlet.

14. The push-to-connect sprinkler assembly of claim 8 , comprising:
the seal has two spaced apart sealing surfaces.

15. The push-to-connect sprinkler assembly of claim 8 , comprising:
the sprinkler is an upright, pendent, sidewall, or horizontal sprinkler.

Assignees

• Tyco Fire Products Lp

Inventors

• Coletta George B
• Fullerton Robert Kyle
• Going Scott Alan
• Horgan Michael W
• Liotta Alaine Christine
• Luiz Gary James
• Orsini Todd F
• Palmieri Darren
• Phillips Dennis Michael
• Pressnell Kevin Wade
• Silva Jr Manuel R

Classifications

• A62C35/68

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

• F16L37/0915

  with a separate member for releasing the coupling · CPC title

• A62C37/09 Primary

  telescopic or adjustable · CPC title