Patent Publication Number: US-11642558-B2

Title: Fire protection sprinkler and fitting assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/645,116, filed Mar. 6, 2020, which is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT/US2018/050036, filed Sep. 7, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/556,062, titled “FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER AND FITTING ASSEMBLY,” filed Sep. 8, 2017. The contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/645,116, International Application No. PCT/US2018/050036, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/556,062 are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to fire protection devices and more specifically to fire protection sprinkler and pipe connection assemblies. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of a fire protection sprinkler and connection assembly are provided having a tubular connection fitting in which a fire protection sprinkler is coaxially inserted and coupled to form a fluid tight connection. In some embodiments, the external configuration of the sprinkler body and the internal configuration of the fitting cooperate with one another to facilitate a positive alignment of the sprinkler within the fitting. In some embodiments, the sprinkler assembly permits the relative translation between the sprinkler body and the fitting for adjustability. 
     In some embodiments, a sprinkler assembly includes a connection fitting having a tubular member with a first insertion end and a second insertion end with an internal conduit extending between the first and second insertion end along a longitudinal axis. The tubular member includes an inner surface defining a sealing surface between the first and second insertion ends circumscribed about the longitudinal axis. The inner surface includes a gripping portion axially spaced from the sealing surface between the sealing surface and the second insertion end. The assembly also includes a fire protection sprinkler having a body defining an inlet and an outlet with a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet with an outer encasing surface surrounding the first longitudinal axis. The outer encasing surface includes a leading portion and a trailing portion for insertion in the second insertion end of the tubular member with the leading portion being received within the sealing surface before the trailing portion engages the gripping portion. 
     In some embodiments, a method is provided for inserting the leading portion within the sealing surface to positively coaxially align with the body with the connection fitting; and subsequently engaging the trailing portion of the sprinkler body with the gripping portion of the connection fitting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and together, with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are some examples of the present disclosure as provided by the appended claims. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram of an embodiment of a sprinkler assembly in an illustrative installation. 
         FIG.  2 A  is a partial cross-sectional exploded view of a fitting and fire protection sprinkler used in the sprinkler assembly of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIGS.  2 B- 2 C  are partial cross-sectional exploded views of the fire protection sprinkler assembly used in the installation of  FIG.  1    in a unsealed condition. 
         FIGS.  2 D- 2 E  are partial cross-sectional exploded views of the fire protection sprinkler assembly used in the installation of  FIG.  1    in a sealed condition. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional schematic view of a sprinkler assembly installation. 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram of an embodiment of the sprinkler assembly for use in the installations of  FIGS.  1  and  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram of an embodiment of the sprinkler assembly for use in the installations of  FIGS.  1  and  3   . 
         FIG.  6    is a diagram of deflectors for use in the sprinkler assemblies of  FIGS.  2 E,  4  and  5   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    depicts a sprinkler assembly  100  for the protection of an area, e.g., the protection area PA. The sprinkler assembly  100  is connected to a firefighting fluid supply pipe or pipe fitting  14 . The mounted sprinkler can extend through a hole opening in a barrier, such as for example, a ceiling barrier  10  or wall. The hole can be finished with an escutcheon (not shown) to surround the sprinkler. The sprinkler assembly  100  includes a fire protection sprinkler  110  and a connection fitting  150  to connect the sprinkler  110  to fluid supply piping or fitting  14 . One end of the fitting  150  is configured for connection to the fluid supply fitting  14 . At the opposite end, the fitting  150  provides for connection to the sprinkler  110  with positive alignment between the two components to facilitate their connection. In some embodiments, the connection between the fitting  150  and the sprinkler  110  is formed by axially inserting or pushing the sprinkler  110  into the end of the fitting  150  to form a fluid tight connection. The assembly  100  maintains the connection and resists decoupling between the sprinkler  110  and the fitting  150 . In some embodiments, the supply piping and pipe fittings are constructed from thermoplastic material, such as Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride (CPVC) material suitable for use in fire sprinkler systems. The fitting  150  can be constructed from similar materials. In some embodiments, the supply pipe or fittings can be formed from metallic material, such as for example, steel or brass, etc. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , the fitting  150  includes a tubular member  152  with a first insertion end  154  for insertion and connection of the fluid supply pipe or fitting  14  and a second insertion end  156  for insertion and receipt of the sprinkler  110 . The tubular member  152  includes an exterior surface  152   a  and an inner surface  152   b  that defines an internal conduit  158  which extends along a longitudinal axis A-A. A portion of the inner surface  152   b  of the tubular member  152  can define or form a sealing surface portion  160  which circumscribes the second longitudinal axis A-A and extends axially to define an axial length L 1  between the first and second insertion ends  154 ,  156 . In some embodiments, the sealing surface  160  forms a fluid tight seal with the sprinkler  110 . The sealing surface  160  has a first end  162   a  and a second end  162   b  with the axial length L 1  of the sealing surface  160  extending between the first and second ends  162   a ,  162   b  to define the range over which the sealing contact between the surface  160  and the sprinkler  110  can be located. In some embodiments, the sealing surface portion  160  facilitates the coaxial alignment of the sprinkler  110  within the internal conduit  158 . The inner surface  152   b  can include a gripping portion  170 , axially disposed between the sealing surface  160  and the second insertion end  156 , to retain and, in some embodiments, adjustably locate the sprinkler  110  within the fitting  150 . As depicted, the sealing surface  160  defines an internal diameter DIA 1  that is smaller than the internal diameter DIA 2  defined by the gripper portion  170 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E and  3   , the fire protection sprinkler  110  has a body  112  that includes an internal surface  112   a  extending along a first longitudinal axis A-A defining an internal passageway  114  extending between an inlet  116  and an outlet  118  of the body  112 . The fire protection sprinkler  110  can be configured as an automatic sprinkler having a sealed assembly disposed within the outlet  118  supported by a thermally responsive trigger, as depicted for example in  FIG.  3    (not shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E ). The sprinkler  110  includes a deflector  124  supported by the body  112  and spaced from the outlet  118 . As depicted, the deflector  124  can be secured to a pair of frame arms  126  which depend from the sprinkler body  112 . As depicted, the frame arms  126  locate the deflector  124  at the desired fixed axial distance from the outlet  118 . In some embodiments, the frame arms can provide for a “drop down” arrangement in which the arms deploy from an unactuated concealed position to an actuated deployed position. The internal passageway  114  and outlet  118  are dimensioned and geometrically configured so as to affect desired discharge characteristics for the deflector  124  to provide for a sprinkler spray pattern that can effectively address a fire. The deflector can have any suitable geometry and configuration for a particular application. For example, as seen in  FIG.  6   , the deflector can be configured as a substantially planar member  124  used in a pendent configuration or a hooded deflector  124 ′ for use in a horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, the deflector is domed for an upright sprinkler construction. 
     The inner surface  152   b  of the fitting  150  includes stop surfaces to limit the insertion of the fluid supply pipe fitting  14  and the sprinkler  110 . In some embodiments, internally from the first end  154  of the tubular member  152  is a first stop surface  168   a  spaced from the first end  154  to define an insertion depth for the fluid supply pipe  14  and a second stop surface  168   b  to limit insertion of the sprinkler body  112 . In some embodiments, the second end  156  of the tubular member  152  can include or form the second stop surface  168   b  that interferes with the sprinkler frame arms  126  or other portion of the sprinkler body  112  to limit the insertion of the sprinkler body  112 . The second stop surface  168   b  of the fitting  150  can be formed as an annular planar surface disposed perpendicular or orthogonal to the second longitudinal axis A-A to limit the axial insertion of the sprinkler  110  into the passageway  158 . In some embodiments, the second stop surface  168   b  can be skewed or chamfered with respect to the axis A-A. In some embodiments, the second stop surface  168   b  of the inner surface  152   b  defines a transition surface  170  contiguous with the sealing surface  160  and between the gripper portion  170  and the sealing surface  160 . The sealing surface portion  160  or a portion thereof can extend between the first and second stop surface  168   a ,  168   b . In some embodiments, the gripper portion  170  of the fitting is disposed between the second insertion end  156  and the second stop surface  160  to define an axial length L 2  from the second stop surface  168   b.    
     With reference to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 B , the body  112  has an outer encasing surface  115  that surrounds the longitudinal axis A-A. The outer encasing surface  115  includes a leading portion  115   a  and a trailing portion  115   b  for insertion in the second insertion end  156  of the fitting  150 . The fitting  150  and sprinkler  110  can have complimentary configured components to positively coaxially align the sprinkler and the fitting to facilitate assembly. In some embodiments, the leading portion  115   a  has an axial length such that the leading portion is received within the sealing surface  160  before the trailing portion  115   b  of the sprinkler body  112  engages the gripping portion  170  of the fitting  150 . The leading portion  115   a  can include a sealing member  111  and can define a first diameter D 1  sized to support the annular sealing member  111 , such as for example an O-ring, in engagement with the cylindrical sealing surface  160  of the fitting  150 . The trailing portion  115   b  has a second diameter D 2  that can be greater than the first diameter D 1 . The trailing portion  115   b  can form a mechanical connection with the gripper portion  170  to adjustably locate and retain the sprinkler  110  within the fitting  150 . 
     The difference in diameters D 1 , D 2  between the leading and trailing portions defines a step transition or shoulder surface  113  separating the first portion and second portions of the encasing surface  115 . In some embodiments, the axial length of the leading portion  115   a  of the sprinkler body  112  is greater than the axial length L 2  between the second stop surface  168   b  and the gripper portion  170 . Accordingly upon insertion, the inlet  116  of the leading portion of the sprinkler  110  can be located within the sealing surface  160  of the fitting before the gripper portion  170  engages the trailing portion  115   b  to positively coaxially align the sprinkler  110  within the fitting  150 , as depicted for example in  FIG.  2 B , to retain and couple the components in a manner as described herein. 
     Again with reference to  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , in some embodiments the sprinkler  110  is initially inserted into the tubular member  152  to first locate the inlet  116  of the sprinkler  110  within the sealing surface  160 . The inlet  116  is first located within the sealing surface  160  in order to positively align the sprinkler  110  within the fitting  150  before either the sealing member  111  is brought into sealing contact with the sealing surface  160  and/or before the trailing portion  115   b  of the sprinkler  110  mechanically engages the gripper portion  170 . Subsequently, the sprinkler  110  can be further advanced into the fitting  150  to engage the trailing portion  115   b  of the sprinkler  110  with the gripper ring  170 , as depicted in  FIG.  2 C , to mechanically connect and couple the fitting  150  and the sprinkler  110 . In some embodiments, the gripper portion  170  engages the trailing portion  115   b  before the sealing member  111  engages the sealing surface  160 .  FIG.  2 D  depicts the sprinkler  110  being further inserted to form an initial fluid tight sealing contact between the sealing member  111  and the sealing surface  160 . As depicted in  FIG.  2 E , the sprinkler  110  can be fully inserted such that the shoulder  113  contacts the second stop surface  168 ′ to stop the sprinkler advancement and locate the deepest position of the sealing member  111  within the sealing surface  160 . Accordingly, the sprinkler assembly can have a range of sealing member positions. By providing a range of locations over which a fluid tight seal can be formed, there is flexibility in completing the sprinkler assembly  100  and the relative spacing between the components of tubular member  152  and the sprinkler  110 . For example, the adjustability provides for adjustment of the deflector  124  with respect to the tubular member  152 , the sealing surface  160  or with respect to other installation structures, such as the ceiling barrier depicted in  FIG.  3   . 
     In some embodiments, the shoulder surface  113  is located along the encasing surface  115  so that upon complete insertion of the sprinkler  110  into the fitting  150  the axial distance between the shoulder surface  113  and the gripper portion  170  is greater than the axial distance between the seal member  111  and the shoulder surface  113 . In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG.  2 A , the axial length L 1  of the sealing surface  160  is smaller than the axial length L 2  between the second stop surface  168   b  and the gripper portion  170 . In some embodiments, engagement between the sprinkler  110  and the gripper portion  170  is maintained after the seal member  111  and seal surface  160  are disengaged thereby relieving the fluid seal between the sprinkler body  112  and the tubular member  150  before completely decoupling the two components. 
     The sprinkler  110  can be mechanically and adjustably axially held, retained or supported within the tubular member  152  by the gripper portion, which can include a gripper ring  170 . The gripper ring  170  includes an annular base  174  from which fingers or prongs  172  extend radially inward and are equiangularly spaced about the ring&#39;s center. Each of fingers or prongs  172  is a resilient member which flexes with respect to the annular base  174  to vary the distance of the radially innermost end of the finger from the ring center. The gripper ring  170  can be affixed within the tubular member  152  to circumscribe the longitudinal axis. 
     The trailing portion  115   b  of the outer encasing surface  115  can include or define a surface for the adjustable mechanical connection with the internal gripper ring  170  of the fitting  150 . The trailing portion  115   b  can include a helical thread. For example, the thread can be a square thread, a straight thread, a buttress thread and/or a swept thread. As was described above, the sprinkler  110  can be initially inserted into the tubular member  152  axially or linearly pushed or driven into the fitting  150  to enable contact between the gripper ring  170  and the threaded surface of the trailing portion  115   b . The fingers or prongs  172  of the gripper ring  170  are splayed outwardly by the passing contact the crests of the threads upon insertion of the sprinkler body  112  into the fitting  150 . With the prongs of the gripper ring  170  splayed outwardly, the sprinkler body can be linearly inserted into position. 
     The engagement between the gripper ring  170  and the trailing portion  115   b  of the sprinkler limits removal of the sprinkler body  112  from the fitting to linear and rotational translation in the direction from the first end  154  to the second end  156  of the tubular member  152 . The ends  172   a  of the prongs  172  of the gripper ring  170  are engaged within the valley or groove of the threads of the trailing portion  115   b . Linearly withdrawing the sprinkler  110  from the tubular member results in the thread elements forcing the prongs  172  of the gripper ring  170  radially inward to grip the sprinkler body  112 . Thus, the sprinkler  110  can be prevented from being axially driven out of the fitting  150  under the axial force of the water supply or by inadvertent impact. In order to remove the sprinkler or disengage the fluid tight seal, the sprinkler  110  is linearly and rotationally translated with respect to the tubular member  152  from the first end  154  to the second end  156 . 
     Given the axial spacing between internal components of the assembly previously described, the sprinkler  110  can be initially rotationally translated or unthreaded to first release the sealed engagement between the sealing member  111  and the sealing surface  160  before disengaging the trailing portion  115   b  of the sprinkler body  112  from the gripper ring  170 . The initial unthreading can release any fluid pressure from the sprinkler assembly  100  before safely and completely removing the sprinkler  110  by continued unthreading. The removed sprinkler  110  can be serviced or replaced. In some embodiments, the engagement between the gripper ring  170  and the sprinkler body  115  also allows for the sprinkler body  110  to be threaded and advanced into tubular member  152  in order to, for example, more finely locate the seal member  111  along the seal surface  160 . Thus, the trailing portion  115   b  can have an axial length defining a range of axial adjustment of the deflector  124  with respect to the sealing surface or other components of the sprinkler  110  or structures of an installation. 
     Depicted in  FIG.  4    is an embodiment of the fitting  150 , in which the gripper portion can include an internal thread  170  formed along the inner surface. In some embodiments, the trailing portion  115   b  includes a complimentary external thread for engaging the internal thread. The leading portion  115   a  of the sprinkler body can be first inserted within the sealing surface to positively align the sprinkler  110  for threaded engagement with the tubular member  150 . In some embodiments, the sealing member  111  can also be affixed along the sealing surface  160  instead of affixed about the sprinkler body  112 . 
     As described herein, the sprinkler assembly  100  can include a sprinkler body  110  that is integrally formed.  FIG.  5    depicts embodiments of a sprinkler assembly  100 ′ in which the sprinkler  110  includes a sprinkler insert  110   a  and a separate sprinkler component  110   b  that is coupled to the insert  110   a . The insert  110   a  includes an encasing surface having the leading and trailing portions  115   a ,  115   b  as previously described. The insert  110   a  also includes an internal thread  109   a  for complimentary threaded engagement with the external thread  109   b  of the sprinkler component  110   b . The external thread  109   b  can be a tapered thread, such as for example, NPT thread. In some embodiments, the sprinkler  110   b  can be an externally threaded sprinkler for engagement with insert  110   a  and assembled with the fitting  150 . Accordingly, the sprinkler assembly  100 ′ can provide for an adapter to convert a standard threaded sprinkler into a sprinkler assembly for push-to-connect-rotate-to installation. 
     While the present disclosure has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by the language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.