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EP-4252864-B1 - X-BRACE AND FLEXIBLE CONNECTION FOR FIRE SPRINKLERS

EP4252864B1EP 4252864 B1EP4252864 B1EP 4252864B1EP-4252864-B1

Inventors

  • SHIPMAN, BUDDY CLAYTON

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20120525

Claims (8)

  1. A dry sprinkler head comprising: a flexible conduit (14) having a first end and a second end, the flexible conduit (14) being configured to couple to a fluid supply; a sprinkler nozzle (16) mounted at the first end of the flexible conduit (14); the sprinkler nozzle (16) having an element which breaks when exposed to temperatures above a preselected temperature to permit fluid flow through the sprinkler nozzle (16); and a valve (42) disposed proximate to the second end of the flexible conduit (14) and having a released position and a latched position, wherein the valve (42) is configured to allow fluid from the fluid supply to flow through the conduit (14) when the valve (42) is in the released position and to prevent fluid from the fluid supply from flowing through the conduit (14) when the valve (42) is in the latched position, characterized in that : a flexible link (56) extending between said sprinkler nozzle (16) and said valve (42), wherein breaking of said element causes said flexible link (56) to in turn cause the valve (42) to move from the latched position to the released position.
  2. The dry sprinkler head according to claim 1, wherein: a fitting (32) secured to said second end of said flexible conduit (14), wherein said fitting (32) is configured for securing to a sprinkler branch line; the valve (42) having a valve element (44) which is moveable from the latched position to the released position, wherein said valve element (44) prevents fluid flow through said valve (42) when in said latched position and said valve element (44) does not prevent fluid flow through said valve (42) when in said released position.
  3. The dry sprinkler head of claim 1, wherein the valve (42) is adapted to be moved from the closed state to the open state when the sprinkler nozzle (16) opens and permits fluid to flow through the sprinkler nozzle (16).
  4. The dry sprinkler head of claim 3, wherein the sprinkler nozzle (16) includes an element that breaks when exposed to predetermined temperatures.
  5. The dry sprinkler head of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit (14) includes a corrugated hose, and/or the flexible conduit (14) is adapted to be bent at a right angle.
  6. The dry sprinkler head of claim 5, wherein the flexible conduit (14) includes an outer cover of braided metal.
  7. The dry sprinkler head of claim 2, wherein the flexible link (56) has a first end portion adapted to interface with the valve element (44), when the first end portion maintains the valve element (44) in the latched position.
  8. The dry sprinkler head of claim 7, wherein breaking of the element causes the flexible link (56) to move toward the sprinkler nozzle (16), which disengages the first end portion from the valve element (44).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to fire sprinkler systems, and in particular to fire sprinkler heads used for sprinkler systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art conventional dry barrel sprinklers for use in commercial fire sprinkler systems are sold to fire system installers in fixed lengths. The installer has to first install branch line piping for a sprinkler system and then measure a suitable length for dry barrel fire sprinklers for installation. An installer will order fire sprinklers for the installation according to the lengths measured. Delivery typically takes seven to ten business days, which delays installation and completion of construction projects. Longer delays occur if mistakes are made in measuring and the fire sprinklers have to be reordered in a different length. Dry fire sprinkler systems often deteriorate rapidly due to condensation being trapped in such systems. With rigid dry sprinkler systems, an increased number of fittings is often required to route rigid piping from a branch line to a desired fire sprinkler head location. This increase in the number of fittings results in providing additional places where condensation may collect without being able to drain. Additionally, dry fire sprinkler systems are filled with air or inert gas which is expelled during operation of such sprinkler systems. The response time for expelling air from the system and providing water to a fire zone is critical for containing a fire. With additional piping and fittings required for routing dry fire sprinkler systems, the volume required for evacuation and filling with water is increased. In US 2003/075343 A1, a dry sprinkler comprising a tubular body having a connector and a sprinkler head is described. The connector is adapted to be connected to the water pipe network of the fire suppression system and the sprinkler head is adapted to discharge water or other liquid suppressants. The sprinkler includes a tubular body extending between an inlet end and an outlet end. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A novel X-brace valve and flexible connection for fire sprinklers are disclosed. The X-brace is included in a flexible fire sprinkler head. The flexible fire sprinkler head is preferably a pendent dry fire sprinkler head, which has a flexible body structure, constructed of corrugated or braided hose similar to that commonly used for plumbing household clothes washing machines. A sprinkler nozzle secured to a first end of the conduit, which is preferably provided by a flexible hose. The sprinkler nozzle has a first fitting, a sprinkler orifice and fusible element. The fusible element is preferably provided by a fluid filled glass bulb which will break when ambient temperatures reach a predetermined temperature. A second fitting is secured to a second end of the flexible conduit, and a valve is mounted to the second fitting. The valve includes a valve element which is pivotally mounted to the second fitting and moveable from a latched position to an unlatched position. A flexible link extends from the sprinkler nozzle to the valve latch. Breaking of the fusible element releases the flexible link to move from the latched position to the unlatched position, releasing the valve to open for passing flow there-through. The flexible link provides a spring biased plunger having a plug which fits in the sprinkler orifice to seal against fluid flow there-through. Tension from the spring pulls the rod, or plunger, from within an X-brace valve latch which releases the valve element to open and pass water through the valve. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which FIGS. 1 through 7 show various aspects for x-brace valve and flexible connection for fire sprinklers devices made according to the present invention, as set forth below: FIG. 1 is a side elevation view and partial cut-away view of a dry flexible fire sprinkler head made according to the present invention;FIG. 2 is sectional view of the flexible fire sprinkler head of FIG. 1, taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shows a frontal elevation view of an X-brace valve latch in an unlatched position;FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of slider lock of the X-brace latch of FIG. 2, and shows the slider lock in a released position;FIG. 4 is sectional view of the flexible fire sprinkler head of FIG. 1, taken along section line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shows frontal elevation view of the X-brace valve latch in a latched position;FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a slider lock of the X-brace latch of FIG. 4, and shows the slider lock in a latched position;FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the slider lock of FIG. 5; andFIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an alternative lock pin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a side el