Patent Publication Number: US-6669111-B2

Title: Protector for thermally responsive member of sprinkler head

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to protectors for protecting thermally responsive members of thermally operated sprinkler heads, and more particularly, to removable protectors for protecting thermally responsive members of sprinkler heads when a thermally responsive member is capable of making contact with an object external to the sprinkler head. 
     Thermally operated sprinklers are often installed in environments such as the walls or ceilings of commercial or residential buildings to reduce the possibility of fire, chemical reaction, or other high temperature or analogous condition. These types of sprinklers are normally fitted with at least one thermally responsive member such as a liquid tube or bimetallic strip which mechanically reacts to heat such as through breakage or thermal expansion to actuate other operating elements of the sprinkler during operation. 
     Most thermally responsive members are fragile and are subject to breakage during storage, transportation, mishandling, or installation. This is especially true when portions of a thermally responsive member are exposed to the environment and are likely to come into contact with objects that are external to the sprinkler head. The danger of dislodging or breaking a thermally responsive member can continue even after installation of a sprinkler head as additional items, such as wallboards, ceiling tiles/boards, escutcheon plates, lighting, or other fixtures or building materials, are installed in areas that are local to an installed sprinkler head. In most cases, damage or dislodging of the thermally responsive member requires the entire sprinkler head to be discarded and/or replaced, resulting in significant costs to the manufacturer, distributor, or installer. 
     A number of previous protectors have been designed to provide permanent, long-term protection for the thermally responsive members of mounted sprinkler heads. However, such designs have been limited in that they cannot be attached to a sprinkler head or provide protection for a thermally responsive member until after the sprinkler head has been installed. Generally, such designs do not permit an installation tool to engage the gripping surfaces of the sprinkler head while a protector is attached to the sprinkler head. Such previous designs have also been limited in that easy or single handed protector removal is either difficult or impossible. 
     Other previous protectors have been designed to protect thermally responsive elements prior to the installation of a sprinkler head. FIGS. 1A and 1B of the drawings depict a sprinkler  20  having a prior art protector  22 . FIG. 1A is an exploded view of the sprinkler  20  which includes a sprinkler head  24 , mounting plate  26 , and escutcheon plate  28 . The prior art protector  22  is cup-shaped to accommodate the sprinkler head  24 . When the sprinkler  20  is assembled, the prior art protector  22  can be attached to the sprinkler head  24  by being inserted into the escutcheon plate  28 , as shown in FIG.  1 B. The outside surface of the prior art protector  22  is too large to fit within the inside diameter  84  of the escutcheon plate  28 , requiring the installer to compress the outside surface  23  of the prior art protector  22  during installation. When inserted, the outside surface  23  of the prior art protector  22  locks against the inside diameter  84  of the escutcheon plate  28 , allowing the prior art protector  22  to entirely conceal and thereby protect the sprinkler head  24  and its thermally responsive  30  member from damage. 
     There are multiple disadvantages to such existing protectors. As shown, the prior art protector  22  of FIGS. 1A and 1B requires the presence of an escutcheon plate  28  for the protector  22  to attach to the assembled sprinkler  20 , making the design unsuitable for protecting the thermally responsive members of sprinklers having no similar escutcheon plate. Such protectors also require a relatively large amount of structural material to provide both concealment of the sprinkler head  24  and sufficient structural form to remain rigid while extending from an inserted position, such as from within the inside diameter  84  of the escutcheon plate  28 . 
     In addition, such protectors are often incapable of providing continuous protection of a thermally responsive member up to and including the time of installation. For example, it is possible that the prior art protector  22 , when inserted into the inside diameter  84  of the escutcheon plate  28 , will slide out of the escutcheon plate  28  during transportation, handling, or storage, leaving the thermally responsive element  30  of the sprinkler head  24  unprotected. Since an escutcheon plate  28  must be mounted on the sprinkler  20  for the protector  22  to remain in place, the protector  22  cannot protect the sprinkler head  24  in circumstances where the escutcheon plate  28  must be omitted prior to the installation of other locally positioned building materials such as wall or ceiling boards. The entire sprinkler head  24  is concealed by such protectors, as best demonstrated in FIG.  1 B. This makes it impossible for an installer to gain access to the sprinkler head  24  as required during installation without first removing the protector  22 . For example, during installation of a sprinkler  20 , it is normally necessary for the installer to rotate or “screw” the threads  34  of the sprinkler head  24  into the threads of a connecting pipe. To do so requires the installer to rotate the sprinkler head  24  by hand, or, as demonstrated in FIG. 4C, to use an installation tool to engage the gripping surfaces  32  at base  33  of the sprinkler head  24 . Since the prior art protector  22  must be removed to permit access to any part of the sprinkler head  24 , the resulting lack of a protector allows the thermally responsive element  30  to be broken during installation from accidental contact with the installer or with an installation tool. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention is a removable protector for protecting a thermally responsive member of a sprinkler head from damage while the protector is attached to the sprinkler head. The protector includes first and second shields each having protective surfaces. The protective surfaces are positioned to protect portions of the thermally responsive member that are exposed to potential contact with objects that are external to the sprinkler head and which could potentially come into contact with the sprinkler head during storage, transportation, mishandling, or installation. Each of the shields has a receiving end which slides over the sprinkler head during attachment of the protector. Each of the shields also has a connecting end attached to a cross member which connects the two shields and which provides an appropriate amount of spacing between the shields to permit clearance for accommodating various sprinkler head components when the protector is attached to the sprinkler head. 
     A releasable fastener attaches the protector to the sprinkler head and secures the major protective surfaces of the first and second shields proximate the exposed portion of the thermally responsive member of the sprinkler head while the protector is attached to the sprinkler head. The fastener is easily released by the installer and enables the protector to provide continuous protection of the thermally responsive member from external objects as long as the protector remains attached to the sprinkler head. 
     In some embodiments of this invention, the cross member of the protector has a width that is significantly less than the width of the sprinkler head at the deflector and base of the sprinkler head. As a result, the first and second shields are spaced apart from each other by an attachment clearance that, when attached to the sprinkler head, prevents the protector from slipping off of the protector. The shields and cross member can be constructed to have a variety of shapes and configurations to accommodate numerous variations in the shapes of sprinkler heads, including shapes and/or configurations of thermally responsive members. The shields and cross members can also be connected using a number of different methods. For example, the protector can be constructed of a single molded piece having one or more living hinges that attach the shields and cross members. Alternatively, the protector can be flexibly constructed with a memory shape that permits it to be flexibly fastened to the sprinkler head and locked into position. 
     According to this invention, a releasable fastener may be any device which can attach the removable protector to the sprinkler head so as to secure the major protective surfaces of the first and second shields proximate the exposed portion of the thermally response member of the sprinkler head. The device used as a releasable fastener may vary with the type of sprinkler head to which it is to be attached and the manufacturing processes which are available and expedient. By way of example, a releasable fastener may include stanchions, hooks, bosses, positioning lugs, or other devices. One or more components of the releasable fastener, such as the male and female connectors of stanchion and hook fasteners, or the opposing lugs or bosses, may be mounted on the inside surfaces of the shields and/or be positioned at the connecting end or receiving end of each shield or include a tab attached to the receiving end of each shield. A number of embodiments include fasteners that allow the protector to be attached or detached from the sprinkler head with the use of one hand. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the protector is dimensioned to permit the attachment of an installation tool, such as a wrench or socket, to the sprinkler head without requiring the removal of the protector. Thus, the invention can permit continuous protection of the thermally responsive element even during the installation of the sprinkler head, reducing the risk of damage from contact with an installation tool. 
     This invention does not reside in any one feature of the various embodiments of the protectors disclosed above which are more fully discussed in the Detailed Description and claimed below. Rather, this invention is distinguished from the prior art by a combination of structural features which make up a unique protector configuration. Important features of this invention are shown and described below to illustrate a number of the various contemplated alternatives for carrying out this invention. 
     Those skilled in the art will realize that this invention is capable of embodiments which are different from those shown in that the details of the structure of the disclosed protector embodiments can be changed in various manners without departing from the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and are not to restrict the scope of the invention. Additionally, the claims are to be regarded as including such equivalent protectors as do not depart from the nature and scope of this invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding and appreciation of this invention and its many advantages, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the following drawings: 
     FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a sprinkler having a prior art protector; 
     FIG. 1B is an assembled view of the sprinkler of FIG. 1A; 
     FIG. 2A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 2B depicts the protector of FIG. 2A with shields shown rotated according to an embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 2C depicts the protector of FIG. 2A with shields rotated to positions that provide protection for a thermally responsive member; 
     FIG. 3A depicts the protector of FIG. 2A immediately prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 3B depicts the protector of FIG. 2A attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 4A depicts a sprinkler head with an attached protector; 
     FIG. 4B depicts the sprinkler head with attached protector of FIG. 4A, the sprinkler head being attached to a mounting plate; 
     FIG. 4C illustrates the manner in which different installation tools can engage the gripping surfaces of the sprinkler head of FIG. 4B while a protector remains attached; 
     FIG. 4D depicts the sprinkler head with protector and mounting plate of FIG. 4B with a socket engaging the sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 4E depicts the sprinkler head with protector and mounting plate of FIG. 4B with a wrench engaging the sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 4F depicts the sprinkler head with protector and mounting plate of FIG. 4B after the installation of an escutcheon plate; 
     FIG. 4G depicts removal of the protector from the sprinkler head after installation of the escutcheon plate; 
     FIG. 5 depicts storage in a multiple unit carton of sprinkler heads having attached protectors; 
     FIG. 6A depicts a protector having a side deflector panel accommodation notch according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 6B depicts the protector of FIG. 6A prior to attachment to a sprinkler head having a side deflector; 
     FIG. 6C depicts the protector of FIG. 6A attached to a sprinkler head having a side deflector; 
     FIG. 7A depicts a protector having a side deflector panel accommodation notch according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 7B depicts the protector of FIG. 7A prior to attachment to a sprinkler head having a side deflector; 
     FIG. 7C depicts the protector of FIG. 7A attached to a sprinkler head having a side deflector; 
     FIG. 8A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 8B depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 8C depicts the protector of FIG. 8A prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 8D depicts the protector of FIG. 8A attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 9A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 9B depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 9C depicts the protector of FIG. 9A prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 9D depicts the protector of FIG. 9A attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 10A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 10B depicts the protector of FIG. 10A prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 10C depicts the protector of FIG. 10A attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 11A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 11B depicts the protector of FIG. 11A prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 11C depicts the protector of FIG. 11A attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 12A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 12B depicts the protector of FIG. 12A with shields shown rotated prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 12C depicts the protector of FIG. 12A with shields shown rotated as when attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 13A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 13B depicts the protector of FIG. 13A with shields shown rotated prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 13C depicts the protector of FIG. 13A with shields shown rotated as when attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 14A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 14B depicts the protector of FIG. 14A with shields shown rotated prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 14C depicts the protector of FIG. 14A with shields shown rotated as when attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 15A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 15B depicts the protector of FIG. 15A with shields shown rotated prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 15C depicts the protector of FIG. 15A with shields shown rotated as when attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 16A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 16B depicts the protector of FIG. 16A with shields shown rotated prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 16C depicts the protector of FIG. 16A with shields shown rotated as when attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 17A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 17B depicts the protector of FIG. 17A with shields shown rotated prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 17C depicts the protector of FIG. 17A with shields shown rotated as when attached to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 18A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 18B depicts the protector of FIG. 18A with shields shown rotated prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; 
     FIG. 18C depicts the protector of FIG. 18A with shields shown rotated as when attached to a sprinkler head. 
     FIG. 19A depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 19B depicts a protector according to one embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 19C depicts the protector of FIG. 19B prior to attachment to a sprinkler head; and 
     FIG. 19D depicts the protector of FIG. 19A attached to a sprinkler head. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring again to the drawings, identical reference numerals and letters designate the same or corresponding parts throughout the several figures shown in the drawings. The invention is also depicted throughout the various drawings in the context of multiple variations in the construction and configurations of existing sprinkler heads. 
     FIG. 2A depicts a protector  36  of this invention having a first shield  38  and a second shield  40 . The first shield  38  has a receiving end  42  and a connecting end  44 . A major protective surface  46  extends between the receiving end  42  and a connecting end  44  of the first shield  38 . The second shield  40  has a receiving end  48  and a connecting end  50 . A major protective surface  52  extends between the receiving end  48  and connecting end  50  of the second shield  40 . A cross member  54  is connected to the connecting end  44  of the first shield  38  with a first living hinge  56 . The cross member  54  is also connected to the connecting end  50  of the second shield  40  with a second living hinge  58 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2A, the cross member  54 , first shield  38 , and second shield  40  can all be molded into a single elongated strip of a plastic polymer or similar structural material. The material of the protector  36  can be a bright, fluorescent or other type of highly visible or contrasting color that visually distinguishes the protector  36  from the sprinkler head  24  or surrounding components to be more easily noticed from a distance. The protector  36  can also be painted, dyed, or colored by a surface colorant to achieve the desired level of remote visibility. Additionally, the protector can be color coded to correspond to specific sprinkler types or operating characteristics of particular sprinklers. 
     Living hinges  56  and  58  can then be formed by reducing the thickness of the elongated strip between the cross member  54  and first and second shields  38  and  40 , allowing the strip to be bent so that the shields  38  and  40  rotate with respect to the cross member  54  about the living hinges  56  and  58  as shown in FIG.  2 B. Stiffeners  66  can also be molded into the major protective surfaces  46  and  52  of the first and second shields  38  and  40  to prevent the protector  36  from bending at points other than at living hinges  56  and  58 . The shields  38  and  40  can be rotated fully to a locked position shown in FIG. 2C. A male stanchion  60  extends from the receiving end  42  of the first shield  38  and a female stanchion  62  extends from the receiving end  48  of the second shield  40 . As shown in FIG. 2C, the male stanchion  60  is positioned to engage the female stanchion  62  when the shields  38  and  40  are rotated fully to the locked position shown in FIG.  2 C. As best seen in FIG. 2B, the male stanchion  60  includes a lip  64  which serves to lock the male stanchion  60  to the female stanchion  62 . Together, the male stanchion  60  and female stanchion  62  form a releasable fastener  68  that is sufficient to secure the shields  38  and  40  in a locked position while the protector  36  is attached to a sprinkler head. The releasable fastener  68  can also be released easily with one hand by using a thumb and forefingers to pry the shields  38  and  40  apart so that the lip  64  of the male stanchion  60  slides out of engagement with the female stanchion  62 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, attachment of the protector  36  to a sprinkler head  24  allows for continuous protection of a thermally responsive member  30  of the sprinkler head  24  until the protector  36  is removed. During attachment of the protector  36  to the sprinkler head  24 , the first and second shields  38  and  40  are rotated apart to permit the male and female stanchions  60  and  62  of the releasable fastener  68  to fit around a first depending arm  70  of the sprinkler head  24 , the thermally responsive element  30 , and a second depending arm  72  of the sprinkler head  24 , as shown in FIG.  3 A. The shields  38  and  40  are then rotated toward each other so that the male and female stanchions  60  and  62  of the releasable fastener  68  engage to the locked position shown in FIG.  3 B and thereby attach the protector  36  to the sprinkler head  24 . 
     Once attached, the major protective surface  46  of the first shield  38  and the major protective surface  52  of the second shield  40  are each positioned adjacent the exposed portion  31  of the surface area of the thermally responsive member  30 . Each major protective surface  46  and  52  of the protector  36  thereby serves to continuously shield the thermally responsive member  30  from damage while the protector  36  is attached to the sprinkler head  24 . 
     Each shield  38  and  40  also serves to prevent the protector  36  from slipping off from attachment to the sprinkler head  24  by fitting within a deflector space separating the base  33  and the deflector  74  of the sprinkler head  24 . As best understood by comparing FIGS. 3A and 3B, the first and second shields  38  and  40  of the protector  36 , when in the locked position shown in FIG. 3B, are separated from each other by an attachment clearance that is approximately the spacing between first living hinge  56  and second living hinge  58  and the spacing established by the engaged male and female stanchions  60  and  62  of the releasable fastener  68 . As best shown in FIGS. 3B and 4A, this attachment clearance is less than the width of base  33  and deflector  74 . Due to the relative sizing of the first and second shields  38  and  40 , each shield  38  and  40  also remains locked within the deflector space between the base  33  and deflector  74  when the protector  36  is attached to the sprinkler head  24  as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4A. This prevents the protector  36  from slipping off the sprinkler head  24 . Since the releasable fastener  68  secures the first and second shields  38  and  40  together by a distance that is roughly the same as the attachment clearance of the cross member  54 , this spacing between the shields enables the releasable fastener  68  to also lock the protector  36  in position on the sprinkler head  24 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4A, the sprinkler head  24  is depicted having an attached protector  36 . Depending on the application or environment in which the sprinkler head  24  is mounted, it may be necessary to use an installation tool such as a wrench or socket to provide sufficient torque to rotate the sprinkler head  24  about the sprinkler head threads  34  to a desired tightness. It may also be necessary or desirable to add a mounting plate  26  to the sprinkler head threads  34  prior to installation of the sprinkler head  24  as shown in FIG.  4 B. However, removal of the protector  36  prior to the use of an installation tool would leave the exposed portions  31  of the thermally responsive member  30  subject to possible contact or breakage during installation. For this reason, it is advantageous for the protector  36  to be configured to permit engagement with an installation tool at gripping surfaces  32  of the base  33 , even when the mounting plate  26  is attached. As best seen in the views of the protector  36  when attached to the sprinkler head  24  in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40 , is considerably less than the width of the base  33  of the sprinkler head  24 , while the heights of each of the first and second shields  38  and  40  permit each shield to be locked within the deflector space between the base  33  and deflector  74 . As shown in FIG. 4C, this permits the gripping surfaces  32  of the base  33  to remain accessible for engagement by an installation tool such as a socket  76  or wrench  78 . 
     FIG. 4D depicts how the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40  permits a socket  76  to be attached to a sprinkler head  24  while the sprinkler head  24  is mounted on a mounting plate  26  and while a protector  36  remains attached to the sprinkler head  24 . As depicted in FIG. 4D, each shield  38  and  40  of the attached protector  36  is locked between the base  33  and deflector  74  of the sprinkler head  24 , positioning the protector  36  on the sprinkler head  24  as shown. As the socket  76  engages the gripping surfaces  32  of the base  33 , the protector  36 , along with the thermally responsive member  30 , deflector  74 , and first and second depending arms  70  of the sprinkler head  24  all fit within interior space  80  of the socket  76 , allowing the socket  76  to engage the gripping surfaces  32  without interference from the protector  36 . Thus, the socket  76  can be used to rotate and tighten or loosen the sprinkler head  24  about its threads  34  without requiring the removal of the protector  36 . 
     FIG. 4E similarly depicts how the protector  36  permits a wrench  78  to engage the gripping surfaces  32  for tightening or loosening of the sprinkler head  24 . As shown in FIG. 4E, the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40  prevents the protector  36  from obstructing engagement of the gripping surfaces  32  by the wrench  78  due to the larger width of the base  33 . The wrench  78  can then be used to rotate the sprinkler head  24  without removal of the protector  36 . 
     The protector  36  can also remain attached to the sprinkler head  24  as additional components or construction materials are added to the sprinkler or to areas that are adjacent the location of the sprinkler&#39;s installation. For example, FIG. 4F depicts a sprinkler head  24  mounted to a mounting plate  26  and having a protector  36  attached, an escutcheon plate  28  being fitted to the outside diameter  82  of the sprinkler head  24 . The escutcheon plate  28  has an inside diameter  84  that engages the outside diameter  82  of the mounting plate  26  when the escutcheon plate  28  is moved into a mounted position as shown in FIG.  4 F. As depicted, the protector  36  has a length extending from the connecting ends  44  and  50  to the receiving ends  42  and  48  of the first shield  38  and second shield  40  that is less than the inside diameter  84  of the escutcheon plate  28 . Thus, the protector  36  can pass within the inside diameter  84  of the escutcheon plate  28  and can remain attached to the sprinkler head  24  to protect the thermally responsive member  30  from damage as the escutcheon plate  28  engages the outside diameter  82  of the mounting plate  26 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4G, the length of the protector  36  also permits removal from the sprinkler head  24  after installation of the escutcheon plate  28 . FIG. 4G depicts the protector  36  being removed from the sprinkler head  24  by disengaging the male stanchion  60  from the female stanchion  62 . An installer can easily disengage the male stanchion  60  from the female stanchion  62  with one hand by using fingers to pry the first shield  38  from the second shield  40 . The first shield  38  and second shield  40  can then be rotated away from each other about first and second living hinges  56  and  58 , as shown in FIG. 4G, so that the protector  36  disengages from its locked position on the sprinkler head  24 . The relative positioning and length of the protector  36  allow the protector  36  to be removed without interference from the inside diameter  84  of the escutcheon plate  28 . 
     The length of the protector  36  also allows for protection of the thermally responsive member  30  of the sprinkler head  24  during transportation or storage. For example, FIG. 5 depicts a storage box  86  of the type typically used for shipping and storing multiple sprinkler heads  24  prior to installation. The storage box  86  includes a matrix of square shaped storage cells  88 , each storage cell  88  having four interior walls  90  that are configured to securely store a single sprinkler head  24  in an upright position as shown. FIG. 5 includes a view of one sprinkler head  24  having an attached protector  36  immediately prior to insertion into an unoccupied storage cell  88 . It will be noted from the figure that the sprinkler head  24  has been rotated so that the first shield  38  and second shield  40  of the protector  36  are oriented at a diagonal angle with respect to the interior walls  90  of the unoccupied storage cell  88 . The lengths of the first shield  38  and second shield  40  give the protector  36  an overall length that enables the protector  36  to remain attached to the sprinkler head  24  as the sprinkler head  24  is inserted into the storage cell  88 , allowing the protector  36  to continuously protect the thermally responsive member  30  of the sprinkler head  24  during transportation and storage. 
     It will be appreciated that the protector of this invention can also be configured to protect thermally responsive members of sprinkler heads having varying shapes and configurations of deflectors and other components. FIG. 6A depicts a protector  36  in which the first shield  38  and second shield  40  each have different preselected heights. Referring briefly to FIG. 6B, a sprinkler head  24  is depicted that has a deflector  74  including a side deflector  92  having an inward curved portion  93  which extends from the deflector  92  toward the base  33  of the sprinkler head  24  and which is separated from the sprinkler head  24  by a first deflector space. The first depending arm  70  and second depending arm  72  define a bisecting plane having a first bisecting plane side  94  and a second bisecting plane side  96 . The side deflector  92  is positioned in the first bisecting plane side  94  of the bisecting plane. The deflector  74  is separated from the base  33  in the second bisecting plane side  96  by a second deflector space. 
     Referring again to FIG. 6A, the first shield  38  has a preselected height that is less than that of the second shield  40 . The preselected height of the first shield  38  allows the major protective surface  46  of the first shield  38  to extend between the base  33  of the sprinkler head  24  and the inward curved portion  93  of the side deflector  92  in the first bisecting plane side  94 . The preselected height of the second shield  40  allows the major protective surface  52  of the second shield  40  to extend between the base  33  of the sprinkler head  24  and the deflector  74  in the second bisecting plane  96 . The cross member  54  has a side deflector accommodation notch  98  to accommodate the inward curved portion  93  of the side deflector  92  when the protector  36  is attached to the sprinkler head  24 . 
     FIG. 6C depicts the protector  36  of FIG. 6A attached to a sprinkler head  24  of FIG.  6 B. As best understood with reference to FIG. 6C, when the protector  36  is attached to the sprinkler head  24 , the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40  is less than the widths of the base  33  and deflector  74 . As a result, the protector  36  remains locked by the releasable fastener  68  in position on the sprinkler head  24  as shown. 
     In some existing sprinkler heads, a deflector may be rotated so that the side deflector is not entirely positioned within one bisecting plane side. Referring briefly to FIG. 7B, the depicted deflector  74  of the sprinkler head  24  is rotated 90 degrees relative to deflector  74  of the sprinkler head  24  depicted in FIGS. 6B and 6C. Thus, in FIG. 7B, the deflector  74  and side deflector  92  extend into both the first bisecting plane side  94  and second bisecting plane side  96  as defined by the first and second depending arms  70  and  72 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7A, a protector  36  is depicted in which the side deflector accommodation notch  98  extends from the first shield  38  across the cross member  54  to the second shield  40 . As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the heights of the first shield  38  and second shield  40  are approximately the same. During attachment of the protector  36  to the sprinkler head  24 , the accommodation notch  98  provides clearance to allow the protector  36  to attach securely to the sprinkler head  24  between base  33  and deflector  74  without interference from the inward curved portion  93  of the side deflector  92 . The width of the base  33  and deflector  74  remain wider than the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40 , securing the protector  36  in position on the sprinkler head  24 . Protectors modified to allow for attachment to sprinkler heads having additional components and/or configurations are also possible and are fully contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. 
     For example, FIG. 11A depicts a protector  36  having an expanded radius  100  for accommodating outwardly extending thermally responsive members such as the thermally responsive member  30  having a protruding portion  101  depicted on the sprinkler head  24  as shown in FIG. 11B, the protruding portion  101  extending beyond the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and inner portions  104  of the second shield  40 , the attachment clearance being the approximate width of the cross member  54 . 
     It will be noted that the cross member  54  is, in this embodiment of the invention, molded into the second shield  40  and is without a first living hinge as depicted in the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-C. A single living hinge  106  connects the cross member  54  to the connecting end  50  of the first shield  38 . In comparison, FIGS. 12A-B depict an embodiment of the invention in which the cross member is divided into a first portion  54   a  and a second portion  54   b  by a single living hinge  106 , each of the first and second portions  54   a  and  54   b  of the cross member providing a portion of the total approximate attachment clearance between the first and second shields  38  and  40  when the protector  36  is attached to a sprinkler, as best understood with reference to FIG.  12 C. It will be appreciated that such variations in molded connections between cross members and shields and variations in the number or configurations of hinges are contemplated and intended to be fully within the scope of this invention. 
     Also contemplated to be within the scope of this invention are variations in the construction, orientation, and configuration of shields. As one illustrative example, FIG. 12A depicts an embodiment of the invention having a second expanded radius  108  extending outward from inner portions  105  of the first shield  38  for accommodating a thermally responsive member where the thermally responsive member includes a second outwardly extending component, as may be present in certain sprinkler head designs. 
     Another illustrative example of a possible variation in the construction, orientation, and configuration of the shields is depicted in FIG.  10 A. In the depicted embodiment of the protector  36 , each connecting end  44  and  50  of the first and second shields  38  and  40  includes a first enclosure  110  extending inward toward a single living hinge  106 . As best understood with reference to FIGS. 10B and 10C, each first enclosure  110  is positioned inward to form part of the cross member  54  between the first shield  38  and second shield  40 , the combined widths of the first enclosures  110  forming the attachment clearance between the shields as the shields are rotated about living hinge  106  (as shown in FIG. 10B) to attach the protector  36  to the sprinkler head  24  (as shown in FIG.  10 C). Second enclosures  112  extend inward between the connecting end  44  and receiving end  42  of the first shield  38  and between the connecting end  50  and receiving end  48  of the second shield  40 . Third enclosures  114  extend inward from the receiving end  42  of the first shield  38  and from the receiving end  48  of the second shield  40 . As best understood with reference to FIGS. 10B and 10C, as the first shield  38  and second shield  40  of the protector  36  are rotated about the living hinge  106  to attach the protector  36  to sprinkler head  24 , the first enclosure  110 , second enclosure  112 , and third enclosure  114  of the first shield  38  and second shield  40  provide a more complete and enclosing level of protection for the exposed portion  31  of the thermally responsive member  30 . 
     In this embodiment, the enclosures  110 ,  112 , and  114  also serve to partially enclose the deflector  74  of the sprinkler head  24 . As best shown in FIG. 10C, the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40  is less than the width of the deflector  74 . For this reason, the major protective surfaces  46  and  52  of the first and second shields  38  and  40  each have a deflector accommodation notch  118  to provide clearance for the excess width of the deflector  74  when the protector  36  is attached to the sprinkler head  24 . When the protector  36  is attached to the sprinkler head  24  and secured with releasable fastener  68 , the deflector accommodation notches  118  also prevent the protector  36  from sliding along the height of the sprinkler head  24 , thereby locking the protector  36  in position. 
     A slightly modified form of this embodiment of the protector  36 , as depicted in FIG. 16A, eliminates the need for a reflector accommodation notch or second enclosure. In this embodiment, the cross member  54  of the protector  36  is divided by a single living hinge  106  into member portions  116  extending from each first enclosure  110 . Second enclosures and deflector accommodation notches are omitted in this modified embodiment. As best understood with reference to FIGS. 16B and 16C, first shield  38  and second shield  40  can be rotated about the living hinge  106  and secured to an attached position on a sprinkler head with releasable fastener  68 , as shown in FIG.  16 C. As with the previously described embodiment of the protector depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the height and attachment clearance of the protector  36  of FIGS. 16A-C enable the protector  36  to lock between the base and deflector of a sprinkler head. 
     Although the protector of this invention has been shown and described in terms of certain embodiments having one or more living hinges allowing for the rotation of shields with respect to a common cross member, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of this invention can be constructed without the use of a living hinge. For example, FIG. 8A is a top view of one protector  36  according to this invention formed from a single flexible component where the connecting end  44  of the first shield  38  and the connecting end  50  of the second shield  40  are flexibly molded to cross member  54 . The single flexible component of the protector  36  may be constructed of a resilient material such as plastic which has a memory shape that enables the protector  36  to be pliable and retain its general shape after the first shield  38  and second shield  40  are momentarily flexed apart during installation or removal on or from a sprinkler head  24 . A releasable fastener  68  includes two bosses  120  positioned opposite each other on the inward sides of the first and second major protective surfaces  46  and  52  of the first and second shields  38  and  40 . The memory shape of the single molded component of the protector  36  establishes an attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 8C, the bosses  120  are positioned to move apart from each other as the installer flexibly pries the first shield  38  away from the second shield  40  during installation. This prying action by the installer allows for sufficient clearance to exist between the bosses  120  to permit the first and second shields  38  and  40  of the protector  36  to slide over the first depending arm  70  to the position depicted in FIG.  8 D. Once protector  36  is moved to the position on the sprinkler head  34  that is shown, the installer can then release the shields  38  and  40  so that the single component of the protector  36  flexibly returns to its memory shape. This action restores the attachment clearance between the first and second shields  38  and  40  so that the bosses  120  lock between the first depending arm  70  and the thermally responsive member  30 . Like the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the height of the protector  36  and attachment clearance between the shields  38  and  40  allow the first and second shields  38  and  40  to lock between the base  33  and deflector  74 . 
     FIG. 8B depicts a modification to the embodiment of FIG. 8A in which bosses  120  of the releasable fastener  68  are positioned closer to the receiving ends  42  and  48  of the shields  38  and  40 . In this configuration, the molded first and second shields  38  and  40  of the single component protector  36  are pried away from each other so that the bosses  120  slide over both the first depending arm  70  and the thermally responsive member  30 . When the first and second shields  38  and  40  are released, the single component of the protector  36  flexibly returns to its memory shape and the attachment clearance between the shields is restored. This in turn locks the bosses  120  between the thermally responsive member  30  and the second depending arm  72  to lock the protector  36  in position on the sprinkler head  24 . 
     FIG. 9A depicts an additional embodiment of the invention in which the releasable fastener  68  includes two pairs of positioning lugs  122  rather than a boss, each pair of positioning lugs  122  being positioned opposite the other on the inward sides of the first and second major protective surfaces  46  and  52  of the first and second shields  38  and  40 . Referring to FIGS. 9C and 9D, each pair of positioning lugs  122  is configured to directly engage the first depending arm  70  of sprinkler head  24  rather than lock between the depending arm  70  and thermally responsive member  30 . During installation, an installer flexibly pries the first shield  38  away from the second shield  40  while sliding the protector  36  on to the sprinkler head  24 . The prying action allows for sufficient clearance to exist between the first positioning lug  122  of each pair to slide past the first depending arm  70 . The installer then releases the first and second shields  38  and  40  so that the single component of the protector  36  returns to its memory shape, restoring the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40  and engaging the positioning lugs  122  with the first depending arm  70  (as shown in FIG. 9D) to lock the protector  36  in position on the sprinkler head  24 . 
     FIG. 9B depicts an embodiment of the invention similar to that of FIG. 9A, with the protector  36  having positioning lugs  122  that are positioned closer to the receiving ends  42  and  48  of the first and second shields  38  and  40 . During installation, an installer flexibly pries the first shield  38  away from the second shield  40  while sliding the protector  36  on to the sprinkler head  24 . This prying action allows for sufficient clearance to exist between the pairs of positioning lugs  122  so that lugs  122  can slide past the first depending arm  70  and the thermally responsive member  30 . The first of each pair of positioning lugs also slides past the second depending arm  72 . The installer then releases the first and second shields  38  and  40  so that the single component of the protector  36  returns to its memory shape, restoring the attachment clearance between the first shield  38  and second shield  40  and engaging the positioning lugs  122  with the second depending arm  70  to lock the protector  36  in position on the sprinkler head  24 . It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the lugs  122  or other similar components may be configured to lock against the depending arms  70  and  72  independently of the memory shape or other separate locking features of the protector  36 . 
     It will be further appreciated that numerous variations in the design of the releasable fastener used with the protector of the invention are also possible and contemplated to be within the invention scope. For example, FIG. 19A depicts an embodiment of the invention in which the releasable fastener  68  comprises a first protective tab  121  extending inward from the receiving end  42  of the first shield  38  toward the receiving end  48  of the second shield  40 , and further comprises a second protective tab  123  extending inward form the receiving end  48  of the second shield  40  toward the receiving end  42  of the first shield  38 . FIGS. 19B-D depict a slight modification of the embodiment of FIG. 19A in which the first protective tab  121  overlaps the second protective tab  123 . 
     As with the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 8A-D and  9 A-D, the protector  36  of FIG. 19B can be installed on a sprinkler head  24  by prying the first and second shields  38  and  40  away from each other so that the first and second protective tabs  121  and  123  slide over the first depending arm  70 , thermally responsive member  30  and second depending arm  72 , as shown in FIGS. 19C and D. 
     As another example, FIGS. 10-C and  12 A-C each depict a protector  36  having a releasable fastener  68  that includes a male stanchion  60  mounted on a first tab  126 , the first tab  126  extending from the receiving end  42  of the first shield  38 . A second tab  128  extends from the receiving end  42  of the second shield  40 . A female slot  130  extends through the second tab  128 . As best understood with reference to FIGS. 10C and 12C, the male stanchion  60  is configured to engage and lock within the female slot  130  when the protector  36  is attached to a sprinkler head  24  so that the major protective surface  46  of the first shield  38  and the major protective surface  52  of the second shield  40  are positioned proximate to the thermally responsive member  30 . 
     FIGS. 11A-C and  16 A-C depict similar releasable fasteners  68 , the first tab  126  being an offset tab having a downward offset  132  and the second tab  128  also being an offset tab having an upward offset  134 . As best understood by comparing FIGS. 11A with  11 C and by comparing FIGS. 16A with  16 C, the first tab  126  and second tab  128  are configured so that the downward offset  132  and upward offset  134  each remain unobstructed when the male stanchion  60  is engaged and locked within the female slot  130 . During removal of the protector  36  from the sprinkler head  24 , an installer can easily disengage the male stanchion  60  from the female slot  130  with two fingers by prying the downward offset  132  away from the upward offset  134  so that the first tab  126  and second tab  128  are drawn apart from each other. 
     It will be similarly appreciated that this invention can incorporate a variety of releasable fastener designs in which the fastener components are mounted or positioned directly one or more of the major protective surfaces of the shields. For example, FIGS. 13A-C depict a protector  36  having a male stanchion  60  mounted on the first shield  38  and an oval female slot  130  extending through the second shield  40 . As best understood with reference to FIG. 13, the female slot  130  permits a limited amount of sliding play by the male stanchion  60  to facilitate installation and removal from a sprinkler head and to increase the overall flexibility of the protector  36 . 
     FIGS. 14A-C depict a protector  36  similar to the protector of FIGS. 3A-C but without a lip on the male stanchion  60 . In this embodiment of the invention, the male stanchion  60  is slightly tapered to permit frictional engagement with the female stanchion  62  when the protector  36  is attached to a sprinkler head, allowing for easier removal of the protector after the installation of the sprinkler. 
     FIGS. 15A-C depict a protector  36  having a male hook  138  extending from the first shield  38 , the male hook  138  having a tapered hook edge  140  and being positioned to engage and lock within a rectangular shaped female slot  130  on the second shield  40  when the protector  36  is attached to a sprinkler head. As best understood with reference to FIG. 15C, after the protector  36  has been attached to a sprinkler head, the male hook  138  can be easily disengaged from the female slot  130  by pushing the tapered hook edge  140  toward the receiving end  48  of the second shield  40 , or alternatively by pushing the receiving end  48  of the second shield  40  toward the cross member  54  of the protector  36 . This permits the hook edge  140  to pass unobstructed through the female slot  130  and disengage the fastener  68 . 
     It will be further appreciated that the releasable fastener or other features of the invention may include one or more components that are not integral to the molded or otherwise constructed structure of the protector while remaining within the intended invention scope. As illustrative examples, FIGS. 17A-C and  18 A-C depict embodiments of the invention in which the depicted releasable fasteners include such non-integral components. 
     Referring to FIGS. 17A-C, a protector  36  is depicted in which a releasable fastener  68  includes a friction pin  142  having a tapered insertion surface  144 . The insertion surface  144  is inserted through an insertion slot  146  extending through the first shield  38 . When attached to a sprinkler head, the protector  36  is secured in position by further inserting the friction pin  142  through a locking slot  148  that extends through the second shield  40  so that the tapered insertion surface  144  frictionally engages and locks inside the locking slot  148 . 
     A similar protector  36  is depicted in FIGS. 18A-C. However, the releasable fastener  68  of the protector  36  includes a tension pin  150  having a pair of tapered tension struts  152  which are inserted into insertion slot  146  and further inserted into locking slot  148  when the protector  36  is attached to a sprinkler head. When compressively inserted into the locking slot  148 , as shown in FIG. 18C, each of the tension struts  152  of the tension pin  150  exert outward tension forces against the inside surface of the locking slot  148  to frictionally engage the second shield  40  to lock the protector  36  to the sprinkler head. The releasable fastener  68  can then be easily removed by prying the first shield  38  away from the second shield  40  or by pinching the tension struts to disengage the tension pin  150  from the locking slot  148 . 
     Many other modifications and changes can be made to the protector of this invention by those skilled in the relevant art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Thus, the claims, when appended, are intended to be interpreted to cover such equivalent protectors as do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.