Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Decorative Support Parcel
TECHNICAL FIELI)
This invention relates to a fire protection sprinkler head support system.
BACKGROUND
A typical automatic fire sprinkler system includes a network of pipes that
carry a fire
suppression fluid, e.g., water, to each room in the building. Conduit sections
carry the fluid from
the pipes to sprinkler heads strategically located in different rooms. The
position and orientation
of each sprinkler head is typically maintained in place by a support
mechanism. When the room
reaches an elevated temperature due to a fire, the sprinkler head is activated
allowing a stream of
fire suppression fluid to be directed over the intended area of coverage.
During operation, the
fluid pressure at each sprinkler head can reach significant levels of'pressure
(e.g., 175 psi),
generating substantial back pressure on the sprinkler head's support system.
The support
mechanism must be capable of holding the sprinkler head securely in place
during operation.
Flexible fire protection sprinkler systems are described in U.S. 6,076,608 and
U.S. 6,123,154,
both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY
The invention features an apparatus and method for positioning and supporting
a
sprinkler head in a ceiling, floor, or wall.
According to one aspect of the invention, the invention features a panel
attached to a hub.
The hub includes a plate attached to the panel and a sleeve defining an
opening extending
through the broad surface of the plate. The sleeve is configured to receive
the sprinkler head
through the opening.
In another aspect, the invention features a plate having an exterior surface
exposed to the
room and a sleeve defining an opening extending through the broad surface of
the plate. The
sleeve is configured to receive the sprinkler head through the opening.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a plate attached to a decorative
panel
attached to the plate. The plate is configured to attach to the sprinkler head
and the decorative
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panel includes an exterior surface exposed to the room and having a hole and
configured to
receive the sprinkler head therethrough.
One or more of the following features may be included: The plate may have a
hole
configured to the receive the sprinkler head therethrough. The apparatus may
also include a
sleeve permanently or removably attached to the plate and defining an opening
extending
through the broad surface of the plate, the sleeve configured to receive the
sprinkler head through
the opening.
The plate may be permanently or removably attached to the panel and may be
attached to
the panel with a fastener. The plate may also be laminated to the panel or at
least partially
integrated within the panel.
The panel may have a length L and a width W and the plate has a length and
width
substantially equal to L and W, respectively. The plate may be in the shape of
a ring having a
thickness T and an inner diameter RI and an outer diameter R2 and the sleeve
is defined by the
opening of the plate.
The panel may have a certain rigidity characteristic and the plate may have a
rigidity
characteristic that is greater than the rigidity characteristic of the panel.
For example, the panel
may have a tensile characteristic in a range between 6 psi andl5 psi (e.g., 8
psi). The plate hasa
tensile characteristic greater than 10 psi. The panel maybe formed from PVC
and the plate may
be formed from stainless steel.
The plate may have a hole extending through its broad surface and the sleeve
may be
defined by the hole in the plate. The sleeve may be a separate structure from
the plate that is
permanently or removably attached to the plate. The sleeve may be a
telescoping sleeve which is
configured to open to receive a sprinkler head and closed to secure the
sprinkler head in plate.
The plate may define a channel sized to slidably receive the sprinkler head.
Additionally, the
plate may include a plurality of sleeves, each of which are configured to
receive a sprinkler head.
The invention may also include one or more attachment members, each having a
first end
attached to the plate and a second end configured to engage the support
structure in the ceiling,
floor, or wall. The second end of the attachment members may include a foot to
engage the
support structure, the second end of the attachment members may also include a
fastening device
to attached to the support structure. One or more of the attachment member may
be at least
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partially integrated within the decorative panel and angled relative to the
plate. The attachment
members may be in the form of legs.
The plate may include a first and second plate section and the sleeve may
include a first
sleeve section attached to the first plate section, and the first plate
section may be removably
attached to second plate section.
The invention may also include one or more brackets, each having a first and
second
surface. The first surface of each bracket may be permanently or removably
attached to the plate
and the second surface of each bracket may be permanently or removably
attached to the panel.
The invention may also include a flexible sprinkler assembly permanently or
releasably
attached to the sleeve. The flexible sprinkler assembly may include a flexible
conduit, a fitting
attached to the flexible conduit, and a sprinkler head attached to the
fitting. The flexible
sprinkler assembly may be attached to supply pipes. The sleeve may be integral
to the sprinkler
head and the height of the sprinkler head may be adjusted within the sleeve.
The invention may also include a rod having a first end attached to the hub
and a second
end adapted to be attached to the ceiling, floor, or wall.
The panel may be configured to be inserted into a plurality of support members
forming a
suspended ceiling.
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According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an
apparatus for positioning and supporting a sprinkler head coupled to a
flexible
conduit in a suspended ceiling having a T-bar grid, the apparatus comprising:
a
hub configured to receive the sprinkler head and flexible conduit, the hub
including: a plate; a sleeve defining an opening extending through a surface
of the
plate, the sleeve configured to receive the sprinkler head through the
opening;
and a panel attached to the hub and configured to be attached to the T-bar
grid,
the panel for supporting the sprinkler head and flexible conduit, the panel
having a
hole sized and shaped to allow the sprinkler head to extend therethrough.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an
apparatus for positioning and supporting a sprinkler head coupled to a
flexible
conduit in a suspended ceiling, having a T-bar grid, the apparatus comprising:
a
panel configured to be removably attached to T-bar grid and having an exterior
surface exposed to a room, the panel configured to support the sprinkler head
and
flexible conduit; and a sleeve defining an opening extending through a surface
of
the panel, the sleeve configured to receive the sprinkler head through the
opening.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an
apparatus for positioning and supporting a sprinkler head coupled to a
flexible
conduit in a suspended ceiling, having a T-bar grid, the apparatus comprising:
a
plate; and a decorative panel attached to the plate and configured to be
attached
to the T-bar, the decorative panel for supporting the sprinkler head and
flexible
conduit, the decorative panel having an exterior surface exposed to a room and
having a hole sized and shaped to receive the sprinkler head therethrough.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of positioning a fire-protection sprinkler head coupled to a flexible
conduit
in a suspended ceiling having a T-bar grid, the method comprising: providing a
plate; and attaching a decorative panel to the T-bar grid and to the plate,
the
decorative panel for supporting the sprinkler head and flexible conduit, the
decorative panel having an exterior surface exposed to a room, the panel
having a
hole sized and shaped to allow the sprinkler head to extend therethrough.
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The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set
forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,
objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description
and
drawings, and from the claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. I is a perspective view of two sprinkler support panels, positioned
within a
suspended ceiling.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the sprinkler support panels of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sprinkler support panel receiving a
sprinkler head
assembly.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a sprinkler head.
FIG. 5 is perspective view of a primary and auxiliary sprinkler head support
system.
FIG. 6 is a top view of another sprinkler support panel having four support
legs.
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FIG. 7. is a perspective view of another sprinkler support panel having an
integrated
decorative panel and hub.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are a side and top view, respectively, of another decorative
support
panel having a pair of support brackets.
FIG 9 is a top view of another sprinkler support panel having a sliding slot
sleeve for
receiving a sprinkler head.
FIG 10 is a perspective view of another sprinkler support panel having a split
hub.
FIG. 11 is a top view of another sprinkler support panel having a ring-shaped
plate and
four support legs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG 1, a sprinkler system 2 includes two decorative support
panels 10
mounted within a ceiling 4 having a ceiling frame 6 and an array of
rectangular frame sections 8.
The array of rectangular frame sections 8 support the decorative support
panels 10 as well as an
array of decorative ceiling panels 11.
As will be described in greater detail below, each decorative support panel 10
includes a
decorative panel 12 and a hub 14. Hub 14 further includes a plate 16 and a
sleeve 18 and is
configured to receive a sprinkler head 42 (shown in FIG. 3). Decorative
support panel 10 secures
sprinkler head 42 at a predetermined position within one of the rectangular
frame sections 8. A
flexible conduit 20 carries a fire suppression fluid, e.g., water, from supply
pipes 22 to sprinkler
head 42. Pipes 22 can be part of a fluid delivery system dedicated to fire
suppression or can also
deliver water to other functions (e.g., a water faucet, toilet, dishwasher,
etc.). When the room
reaches elevated temperatures, sprinkler head 42 is activated and a stream of
fire suppression
fluid is directed into the room to extinguish the fire.
In order to function effectively, sprinkler head 42 must be held firmly in
place during
operation. Due to the significant back pressure of the fluid flowing through
the sprinkler head
during operation, sprinkler head 42 is subjected to significant side,
rotational, and torsional
forces, which are capable of changing the position of the sprinkler head 42,
thereby causing the
fluid to be directed away from the intended target. During operation, the
decorative support
panel 10 is configured to resist movement of sprinkler head 42 by distributing
the forces to the
four edges of decorative panel 12 which, in turn, are distributed to the
ceiling frame 6.
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The underside (i.e., the side exposed to the room) of decorative panel 12 may
be designed
to match adjacent decorative ceiling tiles 11 in order to present an
aesthetically pleasing
appearance in the room. Additionally, decorative panel 12 may be formed from
materials
commonly used to make standard decorative ceiling panels such as softboard,
wood fiber
composite, polymers, melamine foam, or fibrous plaster.
Referring to FIG. 2, in a sprinkler system 2, a length of flexible conduit 20
is located
between a pipe 22 and a decorative support panel 10. One end 20a of flexible
conduit 20 is
attached to pipe 22 by a fitting 32. Fitting 32 can be any one or more
commonly known methods
of connecting to pipe, including, for example, threaded, grooved, socket
welded, socket glued,
regular welded, pressed fit, compression fitting, or a flare fitting
connection. In addition, an
adaptor (not shown) can be used to attach fitting 32 to flexible conduit 20.
The method selected
for fitting 32 will depend on the material used for conduit 20 and the type of
fire suppression
fluid using in the sprinkler system. Fitting 32 can be made of any material,
but the material will
also generally depend on the material used for the conduit 20 and the type of
fire suppression
fluid used in sprinkler system 2.
A second end 20b of flexible conduit 20 is attached to a fitting 34 which is,
in turn,
attached to sprinkler head 42 (shown in FIG. 3) by any of the above methods.
As with fitting 32,
the type of connection and the material used for fitting 34 can depend on the
material used for
conduit 20 and fire suppression fluid. Fitting 34 can be a rigid,
substantially cylindrical tube
such as a reducing fitting.
Referring to FIG 3, decorative support panel 10 includes a decorative panel 12
and a hub
14. Hub 14 further includes a sleeve 18 and a plate 16. In certain
embodiments, decorative
panel 12 is formed of a lightweight, open cell foam having a tensile strength
characteristic in a
range between 6 psi and 15 psi (e.g., 8 psi).
Hub 14 is mounted to the decorative panel 12 such that it will remain attached
to the
decorative panel during operation in a high temperature environment. In FIG 2,
plate 16 is
laminated to decorative panel 12, however, it may be mounted to decorative
panel 12 in a
number of ways, including by glue, adhesive, cement, bolts, screws, or a
combination of these.
Additionally, the decorative panel 12 maybe formed (e.g., by injection
molding) partially or
completely around the plate 16.
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Hub 14 may be formed from any rigid material capable of withstanding high
temperature
environments likely to be experienced in a fire such as steel, steel alloy,
iron, aluminum,
titanium, copper, ceramic, ceramic composite, or high temperature plastic.
Sleeve 18 of hub 14 is secured to plate 16a and is adapted to receive
sprinkler head 32.
Sleeve 18 may be secured to plate 16 either permanently or removably using a
number of
commonly known methods including, for example, welds, glue, adhesive, cement,
rivets, bolts,
screws, clips, pins, a sliding slot (as illustrated in FIG. 9), or any
combination of these.
Additionally, sleeve 18 and plate 16 may formed of a single-piece construction
by, for example,
injection molding hub 14.
Sprinkler head 42 and fitting 34 form a sprinkler head assembly 44. The
sprinkler head
assembly 44 fits into sleeve 18 and is removably secured by set screw 46.
Sprinkler head
assembly 44 may also include a series of grooves on its outer surface to
receive set screw 46
which would further secure sprinkler head assembly 44 within sleeve 18. The
inner diameter of
sleeve 18 should be only slightly larger than the outer diameter of sprinkler
head assembly 44 in
order to reduce the ability of sprinkler head assembly 44 to move within
sleeve 18 during
operation. Using a set screw 46 allows the height of sprinkler head assembly
44 to be adjusted
relative to the bottom surface of the decorative panel 12b while also
functioning to secure
sprinkler head assembly 44 in place. While the use of a set screw is
illustrated in FIG 3, many
other commonly known methods may be used to removably secure sprinkler head
assembly 44
within sleeve 18, such as bolts, clips, pins, and the like. Additionally,
sprinkler head 42 may be
secured to sleeve 18 by configuring sleeve 18 as a telescoping sleeve. In this
embodiment, the
telescoping sleeve is rotated in one direction to open its center. While open,
sprinkler head 42 is
inserted and positioned to the proper height. Once sprinkler head 42 is in
place telescoping
sleeve is rotated in the opposite direction to close it and fasten sprinkler
head 42 in place.
Sprinkler head 42 can be any of the sprinkler head designs commonly used in
the fire
protection industry. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, sprinkler head 42
includes a length
of cylindrical pipe 45 having a fluid passage obstructed by a plug 46. Plug 46
is held in place by
fusible links 47, which are fabricated to melt within a specific temperature
range, e.g., between
130 F and 212 F.
Alternative methods of holding plug 46 in place include a bottle of glycerin
that expands
when heated to break the vile. When links 47 break, plug 46 is released from
pipe 45 by the
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pressure of the sprinkler system fluid, and the fluid is scattered over a wide
area by a dispersion
device 48. The outer surface of pipe 45 includes threads 49 for connection to
a fitting.
In certain situations, a support structure, such as the suspended ceiling 4
shown in FIG. 1,
can either fail, that is, fall down, or may be removed during renovations or
repairs. For example,
during a fire or an earthquake all or parts of ceiling frame 6 can collapse.
Similarly, a crew
removing ceiling frame 6 during renovations may not always take care to
separate the sprinkler
system from the decorative support panel 10 before it is torn down. In
addition, if it is suspected
that a fire is located above a suspended ceiling, a suspended ceiling may be
torn down. Also,
local codes may require that the sprinkler system continue to operate when the
ceiling is torn
down.
In these situations, if the sprinkler heads are solely supported by a
decorative support
panel 10 inserted in a ceiling frame 6, then the sprinkler head support system
will likely fail
when the ceiling frame 6 is torn down. This could result in significant damage
to the sprinkler
system as well as damage to building due to water leaks. Moreover, if, due to
this damage,
sprinkler system 2 fails to ope:-ate during a fire or an earthquake the
building may be destroyed.
A sprinkler system 2 will likely not be damaged or fail to operate if a
support system
includes an auxiliary support mechanism such as a rod, chain, wire, or rope
attached to a
building component.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, sprinkler system 2 can include a primary
support
system and an auxiliary support system 50. Primary support system includes a
decorative
support panel 1 Oa. Auxiliary support system 50 includes a rod 51 attached
between the sleeve 18
and a building component 52. Rod 51 is designed to perform two functions.
First, rod 51 helps
to hold sprinkler head 42 (not shown in FIG. 6) in place by resisting the back
pressure and
twisting forces generated during sprinkler head operation. Second, in the
event of support
structure failure, as described above, the sprinkler head 42 (and decorative
support panel IOa)
will hang from rod 51, enabling sprinkler head 42 to remain in position and
continue to provide
fire protection.
To provide these advantages, an upper portion 51 a. of rod 51 is connected to
a building
component, e.g., an I-beam 52, by a washer 55 and nut 54. A lower portion 5lb
of rod 51 is
connected to the hub 14 by screwing a portion of the lower portion 51b of the
rod 51 into a
threaded hole drilled into a mounting block 56 attached to the sleeve 18a.
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Rod 51 can be attached to sleeve 18a, plate 16a, or directly onto the
sprinkler head
assembly 44 by welding, bolting, clipping, or by screwing rod 50 into a
threaded hole (as shown
in FIG. 5), or by any other commonly known attachment mechanism.
Rod 51 can be threaded or non-threaded and can be constructed from numerous
materials,
including but not limited to stainless steel, other steels, rubbers, plastics,
polymers, ferrous
metals, non ferrous metals, polycarbonates, or any combination thereof.
Alternatives to using a rod 51 in an auxiliary support system 50 include a
chain, wire or
rope, all of which can be attached to the hub 14 or sprinkler head assembly
44. These devices
will similarly prevent the sprinkler head assembly 44 and decorative support
panel 10 from
falling during support structure failure. Further, in locations that
experience frequent seismic
events, a rod will transmit any shocks or vibrations directly from the
building component to the
support system. The more flexible devices will cushion the vibrations.
However, flexible
secondary support devices such as chains, wires, or ropes may not alone
provide adequate
support for the sprinkler head assembly during operation.
As shown in FIG. 6, another decorative support panel l Ob is shown with four
support
legs, 60a-60d. These support legs are formed from a rigid material able to
maintain their rigidity
in high temperature environments that would be present during a fire. The
support legs are
attached, e.g., by welding, to plate 16b of hub 14b. Each of the support legs,
60a-60d, extend
from one of the four corners 61a-61d of plate 16b to the corresponding corners
of decorative
panel 12. Additionally, each of the support legs, 60a-60d, include an angled
foot 62a-62d which
is configured to engage the ceiling frame 6 (shown in FIG. 1). During
operation of the sprinkler
head, support legs 60a-60d help to transfer forces caused by the back pressure
to ceiling frame 6.
The support legs 60a-60d are substantially parallel with the plane of
decorative panel 12 and are
on the back surface of decorative panel 12. However, in other separate
embodiments, the
support legs may be angled relative to the plane of the decorative or they may
be completely or
partially integrated within the decorative panel. Additionally, clips (not
shown) may be attached
between the ceiling frame 6 and the feet of the support legs 61 a-61 d in
order further attach the
decorative support panel to the ceiling frame 6. In another embodiment,
support legs, 60a-60d,
may extend from each of the side edges 63a-63d of the plate 16b to the
corresponding side edge
of decorative panel 12.
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As shown in FIG. 7, an additional embodiment of a decorative support panel l
Oc is
shown. In this embodiment, the plate 16 (shown in FIG. 1-6) and decorative
panel 12 (shown in
FIG. 1-6) are integrated in a single-piece rigid decorative support panel 13.
Decorative support
panel 13 is formed of a rigid material (e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless
steel and other steel
alloys, ceramic, high temperature plastic) that is capable of withstanding the
back pressure forces
created by the flow of water through the sprinkler head during operation in a
high temperature
environment. In this embodiment, because decorative support panel 13 does not
include a plate
or other support members, either internal or external to the panel, it has a
rigidity characteristic
greater than 8 psi, and preferably greater than 15 psi. Sleeve 18c is attached
to rigid decorative
support panel 13 and provides a housing for the sprinkler head assembly 44
(not shown in FIG.
7). Rigid decorative support panel 13 fits into rectangular frame section 8
and helps to hold
sprinkler head assembly 44 in place during operation by distributing some of
the forces created
by the flow of water through the sprinkler head to the ceiling frame 6.
Additionally, the bottom
surface (i.e., the surface exposed to the room) may be coated with a material
to match the surface
of other decorative panels 11 (as shown in FIG. 1).
As shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, another decorative support panel 10d includes two
brackets
70a-70b attached to decorative panel 12d and plate 16d. Additionally, plate
16d includes four
bolts 72a-72d which attach sleeve 18d to the decorative support panel 10d.
Sleeve 18d includes
a plate 71 which has four holes (not shown) corresponding to the four bolts
72a-72d mounted on
plate 16d. Four nuts (not shown) may be screwed onto the four bolts 72a-72d to
secure sleeve
18d to plate 16d. In another embodiment, the plate 16d may include support
legs which are
inclined from plate 16d to the four corners of the decorative panel 12.
As shown in FIG 9, another decorative support panel 1 Oe is shown. In this
embodiment,
plate 16e is attached to decorative panel 12 and includes a sleeve 18e. Sleeve
18e is a sliding
slot for receiving a sprinkler head assembly. During assembly of sprinkler
system 2, sprinkler
head assembly 44 is inserted through the larger hole 82 of sleeve 18e and then
slid over to the
smaller hole 84 of sleeve 18e. The diameter of the smaller hole 84 of sleeve
18e should be only
slightly larger than the diameter of sprinkler head assembly in order to
secure the sprinkler head
assembly firmly to plate 16e.
As shown in FIG. 10, a decorative support panel 1 Of with a split-hub 14f is
shown. In
this embodiment, hub 14f includes two pieces, 15a and 15b, which together
provide a channel to
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receive sprinkler head assembly 44. One piece of the hub 15a includes a
portion of the plate 17a
and the sleeve 19a. The other piece of the hub 15b includes a second portion
of the plate 17b
and sleeve 19b. The two pieces of the hub 15a, 15b are removably attached to
each other by
bolts (not shown), screws, pins, clips or other commonly known methods.
As shown in FIG. 11, another decorative support panel l Og with a ring-shaped
hub 14g is
shown. In this embodiment, hub 14g is ring-shaped and is attached to
decorative panel 12. The
opening of hub 14g defines the sleeve 18g and is configured to receive a
sprinkler assembly 44
(not shown in FIG. 11). Hub 1.4g is also supported by four legs 90a-90d, which
extend from hub
14g to the center of each of the four edges of the decorative panel 12. Each
of the four legs 90a-
90d, include a foot 92a-92d attached at the end of each leg. When decorative
support panel 10g
is placed in a rectangular frame section 8 of the ceiling frame 6 (as shown in
FIG. 1), the four
feet 92a-92d attached at the end of each leg 90a-90d engage the ceiling frame
6 and thus provide
additional support of the sprinkler head assembly. Additionally, the four legs
90a-90d may be
further secured to the ceiling frame 6 with clips, pins, bolts, nails, screws
or other commonly
known methods.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it
will be
understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope
of the invention. For example, the previous embodiments have described a
sprinkler support
system housed in a ceiling. However, a sprinkler support system may be housed
in a wall or
floor having an array of panels supported by a frame.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
