Concealed sprinkler

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9320930-B2
Application number	US-201013376058-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 7, 2010
Priority date	Jun 5, 2009
Publication date	Apr 26, 2016
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

A concealed-type sprinkler that includes a body having a proximal portion defining an opening and a distal portion defining an outlet. The body defines an internal passageway having an inlet and an outlet spaced apart along a longitudinal axis. The distal portion preferably includes an annular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface to further define a chamber distal of the outlet to house an internal component of the sprinkler. A cover plate assembly substantially conceals the chamber and includes a thermally responsive surface in communication with the chamber to actuate the sprinkler. The preferred sprinkler preferably includes a spacing member disposed between the annular wall and the cover plate assembly to define at least one aperture for communication between the chamber and the environment external to the sprinkler. An escutcheon is preferably disposed about the annular wall.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A sprinkler and escutcheon assembly comprising:
a body having a proximal portion defining an opening and a distal portion defining an outlet, the body defining an internal passageway having an inlet and an outlet spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the distal portion including an annular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface to further define a chamber distal of the outlet to house an internal component of the sprinkler;
a cover plate assembly having a thermally responsive surface exposed to the chamber to actuate the sprinkler;
a spacing member disposed between the annular wall and the cover plate assembly, the spacing member defining at least one aperture to provide communication between the chamber and an environment external to the sprinkler body such that the surface of the cover plate assembly is exposed to the external environment; and
an escutcheon disposed about the annular wall, the escutcheon including a proximal end face and a distal end face, the escutcheon tapering in the proximal to distal direction toward the axis such that the distal end face of the escutcheon is located proximally of the spacing member and redirects air flow into the at least one aperture.

2. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spacing member comprises a ring member having a plurality of radially spaced apart posts to define the at least one aperture.

3. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover plate assembly comprises at least two overlapping plate members.

4. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least two overlapping plate members define a substantially circular assembly.

5. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internal component comprises a deflector assembly including at least one pair of arms and a deflector plate engaged with the at least one pair of arms, the deflector plate including a plurality of open ended slots, the plurality of slots having a first group of slots and at least a second group of slots, the first group of slots having slot widths and slot lengths that vary from the second group of slot widths and lengths.

6. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 5 , wherein the deflector plate is configured for any one of standard coverage, extended coverage, or residential coverage.

7. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 5 , wherein the at least one pair of arms comprises two pair of arms.

8. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the internal components comprise a closure assembly and a trigger assembly, the trigger assembly including a lever assembly engaged with the sprinkler body and the cover plate assembly to support the closure assembly in a sealed position.

9. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 8 , wherein the lever assembly includes a pair of lever members with a plug disposed between the lever members.

10. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 8 , wherein the lever assembly consists of a single lever member.

11. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , where the sprinkler is configured for installation as a sidewall sprinkler.

12. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 11 , wherein the internal component includes a deflector assembly, the deflector assembly having a deflector that includes a hood portion.

13. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 12 , wherein the deflector plate is configured for any one of standard coverage, extended coverage, or residential coverage.

14. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 12 , wherein the deflector plate includes a plurality of open ended slots, the plurality of slots having a first group of slots and at least a second group of slots, the first group of slots having slot widths and slot lengths that vary from the second group of slot widths and lengths.

15. A sprinkler and escutcheon assembly comprising:
a body having a proximal portion defining an opening and a distal portion defining an outlet, the body defining an internal passageway having an inlet and an outlet spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the distal portion including an annular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface to further define a chamber distal of the outlet to house an internal component of the sprinkler;
a cover plate assembly having a thermally responsive surface exposed to the chamber to actuate the sprinkler;
means for providing a plurality of apertures radially disposed about the longitudinal axis between the annular wall and the cover plate assembly, the apertures being configured to provide communication between the chamber and an environment external to the body such that the surface of the cover plate assembly is exposed to the external environment; and
an escutcheon disposed about the annular wall, the escutcheon including a proximal end face and a distal end face, the escutcheon tapering in the proximal to distal direction toward the axis such that the distal end face of the escutcheon is located proximally of the plurality of apertures and redirects air flow into the plurality of apertures.

16. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end face and the distal end face of the escutcheon are spaced apart to define an escutcheon height of 0.4 inches.

17. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the annular wall has a proximal edge and a distal edge, the distal end face of the escutcheon defines an opening and the proximal end face of the escutcheon defines an internal backstop, the body being inserted in the opening such that the internal backstop engages the proximal edge of the annular wall to locate the distal end face of the escutcheon flush with the distal edge of the annular wall proximal the spacing member.

18. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the distal end face of the escutcheon defines an opening with the body inserted in the opening such that the body and escutcheon are installed together for coupling to a fluid supply line.

19. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end face and the distal end face of the escutcheon are spaced apart to define an escutcheon height such that upon installation, the escutcheon height locates the distal end face of the escutcheon proximal the at least one aperture.

20. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 1 , wherein the escutcheon is a push-on escutcheon for installation about the annular wall after the body is installed and coupled to a fluid supply line.

21. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 20 , wherein the escutcheon includes a central opening formed by a plurality of radially disposed tabs that engage the annular wall.

22. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 21 , wherein the annular wall includes a circumferentially formed groove, the plurality of tabs being resilient members having a central portion that is biased inward to engage the centrally formed groove.

23. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 21 , wherein the plurality of tabs present a convex profile to form an interference fit about the annular wall.

24. The sprinkler and escutcheon assembly of claim 20 , wherein the proximal end face and the distal end face of the escutcheon are spaced apart to define an escutcheon height that locates the distal end face of the escutcheon proximal the at least one aperture of th

Assignees

• Abels Bernhard
• Silva Jr Manuel R
• Chavez Marcelo J
• Tyco Fire Products Lp

Inventors

• Abels Bernhard
• Silva Jr Manuel R
• Chavez Marcelo J

Classifications

• A62C37/08 Primary

  comprising an outlet device containing a sensor, or itself being the sensor, i.e. self-contained sprinklers · CPC title