US-12623243-B2 - Protective cover and installation tool for fire protection sprinklers

US12623243B2US 12623243 B2US12623243 B2US 12623243B2US-12623243-B2

Abstract

A device for protecting and installing a fire protection sprinkler. The protective device is embodied as a tubular cap that axially receives the sprinkler. The protection and installation device includes a wall with a stiffening element to facilitate the strength and rigidity of the device so that it can sufficiently transfer a torque to install the protected sprinkler.

Inventors

Jason T. Watson
Scott T. Franson
Martin H. Workman
Shawn J. Feenstra
Gary William PLEYTE

Assignees

Viking Group, Inc.
MINIMAX VIKING PATENT MANAGEMENT GMBH

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220920

Claims (18)

1 . A protected fire protection sprinkler assembly comprising: a fire protection sprinkler including: a frame having a body having an inlet, an outlet, an internal passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet along a central sprinkler axis, and an external thread formed about the central sprinkler axis, the frame including a pair of spaced apart frame arms disposed in a plane and extending axially from the body; a fluid deflector affixed to the pair of spaced apart frame arms and centered along the central sprinkler axis; and a thermally responsive trigger assembly aligned along the central sprinkler axis; and a protection and installation device axially engaged with the fire protection sprinkler including: a tubular body having a first end, a second end axially spaced from the first end, and a shielding wall between the first end and the second end and circumscribed about the fire protection sprinkler and the central sprinkler axis to define an internal void for housing the fire protection sprinkler; at least one internal gripping formation engaged with one of the pair of spaced apart frame arms; and at least one stiffening element disposed along the shielding wall, the at least one stiffening element at least partially radially circumscribed about the thermally responsive trigger assembly; wherein the at least one internal gripping formation includes a pair of ribs extending axially from the first end to the second end and radially inward from the shielding wall, the pair of ribs being angularly spaced from one another to define a channel of the gripping formation for receiving one of the pair of frame arms, the at least one stiffening element extending angularly about the trigger assembly between a first rib to a second rib in the pair of ribs outside the channel such that the tubular body does not deform under application of a hand torque.
2 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the channel defines a channel depth in a radial direction and a channel length in an axial direction, the channel depth varying so as to taper along the channel length, the channel having a first region defining a maximum depth of the channel and a second region defining a minimum depth of the channel, the at least one stiffening element being axially aligned along the shielding wall so as to be closer to the maximum depth of the channel than to the minimum depth of the channel.
3 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one internal gripping formation further includes a second pair of ribs diametrically opposed to the pair of ribs, the second pair of ribs extending axially from the first end to the second end and radially inward from the shielding wall, the second pair of ribs being angularly spaced from one another to define a second channel for receiving one of the pair of frame arms, the at least one stiffening element extending angularly along the shielding wall about the trigger assembly from one rib of the pair of ribs to a rib of the second pair of ribs outside the channel or second channel.
4 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein each of the channel and the second channel defines a channel depth in a radial direction and a channel length in an axial direction, the channel depth varying so as to taper along the channel length, the channel having a first region defining a maximum depth of the channel and a second region defining a minimum depth of the channel, the at least one stiffening element being axially aligned along the shielding wall so as to be closer to the maximum depth of the channel than the minimum depth of the channel.
5 . The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one stiffening element includes a pair of diametrically opposed stiffening elements, each stiffening element extending between the pair of ribs and the second pair of ribs.
6 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second ends of the tubular body is circular defining a diameter centered about the central sprinkler axis, the diameter of the second end is smaller than the first end, the shielding wall tapering in an axial direction from the first end to the second end, the at least one stiffening element being disposed along the tapering wall and aligned in a plane perpendicular to the central sprinkler axis.
7 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the shielding wall defines a variable wall thickness about the central axis, the at least one stiffening element being internally integrally formed with the shielding wall, the at least one stiffening element defining an element thickness and an element length to vary the wall thickness.
8 . The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the element thickness is constant along the element length.
9 . The assembly of claim 7 , wherein the element thickness is variable along the element length.
10 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stiffening element defines a radial thickness and an axial height each being 1½ to two times a minimum thickness of the shielding wall.
11 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stiffening element is axially located closer to the first end than the second end.
12 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stiffening element is formed integrally with the shielding wall on an external surface of the tubular body.
13 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the least one stiffening element extends helically about the central sprinkler axis.
14 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stiffening element is disposed in a plane that is disposed perpendicular to the central axis.
15 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one stiffening element is an elongate member having a first end and a second end spaced apart from one another to define an element length of the stiffening element therebetween, an element thickness in a radial direction toward the internal void and an element height defined in a direction perpendicular to each of the element length and the element thickness, the stiffening element being elongate such that the element length is greater than each of the element thickness and the element height.
16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second ends of the tubular body is circular defining a diameter centered about the central sprinkler axis, the diameter of the second end is smaller than the first end, the shielding wall tapering in an axial direction from the first end to the second end, the at least one stiffening element being disposed along the tapering wall and aligned in a plane perpendicular to the central sprinkler axis.
17 . A protective device for a fire protection sprinkler comprising: a tubular body having a first end defining an opening centered about a central axis for axially receiving the fire protection sprinkler, a second end centered about the central axis and axially spaced from the first end, the body defining an internal volume between the first end and the second end for housing a portion of the received sprinkler; at least one internal gripping portion of the tubular body for engaging a frame arm of the fire protection sprinkler; and a wall portion of the tubular body extending between the first end and the second end, the wall including at least one stiffening element partially circumscribed about the central axis; wherein the at least one gripping portion includes a pair of diametrically opposed gripping portions, each gripping portion defining a channel for receiving a frame arm, the at least one stiffening element extending angularly between the gripping portions outside the channel; wherein each of the gripping portion includes a pair of ribs extending axially from the first end to the second end and radially inward from the wall portion, the pair of ribs being angularly spaced from one another to define the channel, the at least one stiffening element extending from one rib of one gripping portion to a rib of another gripping portion such that the tubular body does not deform under application of a hand torque.
18 . The device of claim 17 , wherein the at least one stiffening element is formed along an external surface of the wall.

Description

PRIORITY DATA & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/247,683, filed on Sep. 23, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to protection devices and installation tools for fire protection sprinklers and systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a protective cover and installation tool for fire protection sprinklers. BACKGROUND ART Fire protection sprinklers include a sprinkler frame body with an inlet connected to a pressurized supply of firefighting fluid, such as water, and some type of fluid deflection member spaced from an outlet of the frame body to distribute firefighting fluid discharged from the outlet in a defined spray distribution pattern over an area to be protected. In some fire protection sprinklers, the release of fluid discharge from the sprinkler body is controlled. For example, automatic fire protection sprinklers include a fusible or thermally responsive trigger assembly which secures a seal assembly over an internal central orifice formed proximate the outlet of the frame body. When the temperature surrounding the automatic sprinkler is elevated to a pre-selected value indicative of a fire, the trigger assembly operates, fractures or collapses to release the seal assembly and fluid flow is initiated through the sprinkler body and out the outlet to impact the fluid deflection member. In contrast to the passive operation of the fusible or thermally responsive trigger assembly and seal assembly of an automatic fire protection sprinkler, other types of fire protection sprinklers have a controlled operation trigger assembly and seal assembly. For example, in such controlled operation, the trigger assembly and seal assembly is actuated in response to a control signal, and, in such actuated sprinklers, the trigger assembly and/or seal assembly is operated or otherwise ejected by a mechanical, electrical or computer-controlled actuator. The response and actuation of the sprinkler is based upon the thermally responsive trigger; and the spray pattern or distribution of the firefighting fluid is defined by the fluid deflection member configuration. Accordingly, proper sprinkler performance is a function of these operative components. In order to maintain the expected performance of the sprinkler, there is a need to protect the automatic fire protection sprinkler from unintended impact and/or damage. Known fire protection covers are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,669,111; 7,540,330; 7,757,967; and 7,900,852. Generally, these known protective devices are axially disposed over the sprinkler to protect the fluid deflection member and the thermally responsive trigger. Alternatively, the protective device is strapped about the sprinkler frame between the frame body and the fluid protection member to protect the thermally responsive trigger. These known protective sprinkler covers are made from plastic and are affixed about the sprinkler to protect the sprinkler during storage, transport, handling and/or during the installation process. Once the sprinkler is properly installed in the branch connector, the protective device can be removed to place the sprinkler into service. Fire protection sprinklers are used, for example, in the protection of storage commodities and occupancies. Storage fire protection systems include a network of pipes connected to a firefighting fluid supply and installed above the storage commodity beneath the ceiling of the occupancy. The piping network includes one or more branch lines coupled to a cross-main which is connected to a fluid supply by a vertical piping riser to supply the branch line(s) with the firefighting fluid. Fire protection sprinklers are connected to the branch lines in an appropriate orientation and at an appropriate sprinkler-to-sprinkler spacing. To connect the fire protection sprinklers to the branch lines, the branch lines are configured as linear pipe headers with branch connectors extending from the header for receipt and threaded connection of a fire protection sprinkler. Known connectors have one inlet end configured for welded connection to the pipe header and an opposite outlet end with a tapered threaded end for connection of a sprinkler. In order to form a fluid tight seal between the threadedly engaged connector and the sprinkler, a sealing tape or putty is be applied to the sprinkler. In order to form a fluid tight seal between the cooperating tapered threads, the sprinkler must be properly torqued using a wrench. There are also known branch connectors which eliminate either or both of the tapered thread connection or the need to apply a sealing tape or putty. For example, each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,297,663 and 10,744,527 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019/0175968 show and describe connectors or adapters for connecting a fire protection sprinkler to a pipe header. Each o