Patent Publication Number: US-10328296-B2

Title: Bracket for installation of a fire protection sprinkler

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation application of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/313,843, filed Nov. 23, 2016, which is a U.S. national stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/033016, filed May 28, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/003,930, filed May 28, 2014, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of fire protection sprinklers and related equipment, and, more particularly, relates to a bracket that can be used in installing, for example, a flexible fire protection sprinkler, and to a method of installing such a support bracket. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Fire protection sprinklers are used to protect many different kinds of occupancies against the risk of fire, including commercial establishments, storage facilities, office buildings, public buildings, large and small apartment buildings, and even single residence buildings. Many of these buildings have what are sometimes termed a “false ceiling”, or a second, visible ceiling below a main ceiling. The second visible ceiling may itself be fairly strong structurally, or it may be relatively lightweight, e.g., to allow for easy updating of the second visible ceiling using esthetically pleasing tiles, or the like, that can be quickly and cheaply replaced if damaged or simply outmoded. Fire protection sprinklers must be located below the second visible ceiling to disperse water, and, therefore, cannot simply be mounted in the main ceiling. That is, the fire protection sprinklers must be positioned at or near the second visible ceiling, and must be able to deliver water directly into a room if activated. 
     Because pipes that supply water to the fire protection sprinklers may be installed in the main ceiling, fluid conduits are required between the main ceiling and the second visible ceiling to reach the fire protection sprinklers. Also, if holes are cut in the tiles, or other ceiling materials that make up the second visible ceiling, in advance (i.e., prior to installation of the second visible ceiling) to accommodate the fire protection sprinklers, an installer of the fire protection sprinklers must find a way to locate the fire protection sprinklers within the holes. Alternatively, of course, the process of cutting the holes in the tiles, or other ceiling materials, may be performed at the time of installation of the fire protection sprinklers to be sure that the holes are provided at exactly the right locations in the tiles, or other ceiling materials. Either approach requires relatively more time and effort on the part of the installer, and, therefore, is relatively more expensive. 
     Additionally, if the tenants of an occupancy change, the required layout of the walls and the ceiling of the occupancy, or the desired appearance of the ceiling, may change, and, in some cases, relocation of the fire protection sprinklers is needed to maintain proper location of the fire protection sprinklers with respect to the walls. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, my invention is directed to a support bracket for use in the installation of fire protection sprinklers, e.g., in a building with a suspended ceiling (a false ceiling typically having relatively low strength, and suspended from the building structure by, for example, a cable). A sprinkler fitting is secured in place by the support bracket, and the support bracket itself is adjustable to permit the fire protection sprinkler to be located at a desired position. The support bracket of my invention enables a builder to use inexpensive, flexible tubing as the fluid conduit to supply fluid to the fire protection sprinkler that can be installed quickly, and that requires less skilled labor, time, and costs. 
     In one embodiment, a support bracket is provided for use in installing a sprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure. The support bracket includes a support beam configured to extend over a space within the structure of the ceiling, at least one end bracket provided at a first end of the support beam, and configured to attach the support bracket to the structure of the ceiling, and a center bracket supported by the support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting. The center bracket has a body that defines an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and a closure assembly including a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected to the body, and a second end that includes a handle. The closure member rotates about an axis, and is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the closure member is in the closed position and the portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening of the body, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against at least one of the body and the support beam and urges the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam. In addition, the closure assembly has a lock positioned to engage the closure assembly when the closure member moves in a direction from the open position toward the closed position, and to engage the closure assembly to prevent the closure member from returning from the closed position to the open position. 
     In another embodiment, an installation apparatus is provided for use in installing a fire prevention sprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure. The installation apparatus includes a flexible conduit configured to connect to a sprinkler fitting, and to a fluid supply conduit in the building. The installation apparatus also includes a support bracket having a support beam configured to extend over a space within the structure of the ceiling, at least one end bracket provided at a first end of the support beam, and configured to attach the support bracket to the structure of the ceiling, and a center bracket supported by the support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting. The center bracket has a body that defines an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and a closure assembly including a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected to the body, and a second end that includes a handle. The closure member rotates about an axis, and is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the closure member is in the closed position and the portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening of the body, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against at least one of the body and the support beam, and urges the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam. The center bracket also has a lock positioned to engage the closure assembly when the closure member moves in a direction from the open position toward the closed position, and to engage the closure assembly to prevent the closure member from returning from the closed position to the open position. 
     In another embodiment, a method of installing a fire protection sprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a flexible conduit configured to connect to a sprinkler fitting, and to a fluid supply conduit in the building, and providing a support bracket. The support bracket includes a support beam configured to extend over a space within the structure of the ceiling, at least one end bracket provided at a first end of the support beam, and configured to attach the support bracket to the structure of the ceiling, and a center bracket supported by the support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting. The center bracket has a body that defines an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting, and a closure assembly including a closure member that has a first end rotatably connected to the body, and a second end that includes a handle. The closure member rotates about an axis, and is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the closure member is in the closed position and the portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening of the body, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against at least one of the body and the support beam and urges the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam. The center bracket also has a lock positioned to engage the closure assembly when the closure member moves in a direction from the open position toward the closed position, and to engage the closure assembly to prevent the closure member from returning from the closed position to the open position. The method also includes the steps of securing the support bracket in position over the space within the structure of the ceiling, connecting the flexible conduit to an inlet end of the sprinkler fitting, and positioning the sprinkler fitting in the opening of the body of the center bracket. In addition, the method includes the step of moving the closure member from the open position to the closed position, thereby securing the sprinkler fitting in the opening in the body of the center bracket, securing the center bracket in a position on the support beam, and locking the closure member in the closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the support bracket and a flexible fire protection sprinkler in accordance with the invention, and  FIG. 1B  is a detail cross-sectional view of a portion of the flexible fire protection sprinkler. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial isometric view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are a front view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of an end bracket of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are a front view and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of an end bracket according to an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a body portion of a center bracket of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 8  is an end view of the body portion of the center bracket of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of a sheet of material to be formed into the body portion of the center bracket of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are a side view and a top view, respectively, of a closure member or a handle of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a lever or a hook of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a spring used to bias the lever shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  are side views of a lock member of the center bracket of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 16  is a side cross-sectional view of a corrugated core of the flexible conduit. 
         FIG. 17  is a side cross-sectional view of an O-ring that is used with a fitting, and  FIG. 18  is an end view of the O-ring shown in  FIG. 17 . 
         FIG. 19  is a side cross-sectional view of an end pipe that is part of the fitting, and  FIG. 20  is an end view of the end pipe shown in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional side view of an insulation ring that is used with the fitting, and  FIG. 22  is an end view of the insulation ring shown in  FIG. 21 . 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  are a partial cross-sectional side view and an end view, respectively, of a sprinkler fitting that can be used with the support bracket according to the embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a support bracket  300  according to one embodiment that can be used to install a system of fire protection sprinklers. In this embodiment, water is to be supplied to a fire protection sprinkler (not shown) by means of a flexible conduit  100 . The fire protection sprinkler can be mounted at a lower end  200   a  of a sprinkler fitting  200  that may be, for example, an adapter that is secured to the flexible conduit  100 , and the sprinkler fitting  200  is supported and held at a desired position by the support bracket  300 . The support bracket  300  has a center bracket  310  that secures and supports the sprinkler fitting  200 . The center bracket  310  is supported by a support beam or a support bar  320  that extends over (i.e., above) a room in which the support bracket  300  is installed, and, more specifically, extends over a false ceiling. The support bar  320  is secured to the ceiling or the building structure on at least one end by an end bracket  330 . In this embodiment, the false ceiling is a suspended ceiling, constructed as a grid of T-bars  340  that are suspended, for example, by cables (not shown) from a building structure, with the grid supporting ceiling tiles of a desired kind, and the support bar  320  being provided with two end brackets  330 , one at each end of the support bar  320 . Of course, as an alternative to T-bars, hat channels or rails may be used. Each end bracket  330  is located (i.e., positioned) on the grid of T-bars  340  by engaging with one T-bar  340 . As described below, the end brackets  330  may be located along the length of the support bar  320  at the locations needed, with the support bar  320  being cut to an appropriate length based on the dimensions of the grid of T-bars  340 . The attachment of the end brackets  330  to the support bar  320  may be done in a permanent way, or, alternatively, the location of the end brackets  330  along the length of the support bar  320  may be adjustable if desired, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, the support bar  320  is made of a length of bar stock having a square cross section. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , the support bar  320  crosses (i.e., spans) a space between two parallel T-bars  340 , and is supported on the two T-bars  340  by the end brackets  330 . The end brackets  330  in this embodiment are stamped metal plates. The end brackets  330 , however, may be made of other materials, if desired, and may be made either of a single piece of material each, or of multiple pieces that are bonded together, if preferred. 
     In this embodiment, each end bracket  330 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , comprises an upper body  3301 , a lower body  3302 , also referred to herein as a grip, and a connecting portion  3310 , or a connecting body, joining the upper body  3301  and the grip  3302 . In this embodiment, when the end bracket  330  is manufactured of a single piece of a metal plate, the upper body  3301  has a first side  3304  and a second side  3305  that face each other, and each of the first side  3304  and the second side  3305  has a square opening  3306  to receive the support bar  320 . The first side  3304  and the second side  3305  are joined to each other by at least a third side  3307  that, in this embodiment, is actually a top side of the upper body  3301 . The upper body  3301  also includes a fourth side  3308  that is a bottom side. Alternatively, the top side, the bottom side, or both the top side and the bottom side of the upper body  3301  may be left open, and a front side (not shown) and a back side (not shown) of the upper body  3301  may be provided to connect the first side  3304  and the second side  3305  that have the square openings  3306 . The end bracket  330  engages with and is secured to the support bar  320  when ends of the support bar  320  are received in the square openings  3306  on the first side  3304  and the second side  3305 , and a screw  3309 , e.g., a wing screw or other fastener, is inserted through a hole in the fourth side  3308 , holes in the support bar  320 , and a hole in the third side  3307 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 4 . By this arrangement, the third side  3307  and the fourth side  3308  of the upper body  3301  are secured to the support bar  320 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . The location of the screw  3309  may be varied, and, in the embodiment in which the upper body  3301  has four sides, including a front side and a back side, and does not have a top side or a bottom side, the screw  3309  may be secured in holes provided in the first side  3304  and the second side  3305  of the upper body  3301 . 
     The connecting portion  3310  may be, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a simple strip of metal or a length of a plate, preferably integral with the material that forms the upper body  3301  and the grip  3302 . 
     The grip  3302  of the end bracket  330  has at least one leg  3311  extending down from the connecting portion  3310  to extend beside the T-bar  340 . In this embodiment, three legs, including a first leg  3311 , a second leg  3312 , and a third leg  3313 , are provided, with the first leg  3311  and the third leg  3313  being located generally between the T-bar  340  and the center bracket  310  (i.e., the first leg  3311  and the third leg  3313  are inboard with respect to the T-bar  340 ), and the T-bar  340  being located between the second leg  3312  and the center bracket  310  (i.e., the second leg  3312  is outboard with respect to the T-bar  340 ), as shown in  FIG. 1A . In this embodiment, each of the first leg  3311  and the third leg  3313  has a lowermost portion  3314  that is bent toward the T-bar  340  at an angle (as shown, with respect to the first leg  3311 , in  FIG. 4 ). At least one of the first leg  3311  and the third leg  3313  has an aperture  3321  to receive a nail  3322  for securing the grip  3302  to the T-bar  340 . Alternatively, a screw or another device may be used instead of the nail  3322 . In this embodiment, the second leg  3312  is between the first leg  3311  and the third leg  3313 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and a combined width (along a dimension that is parallel to the T-bar  340 ) of the first leg  3311  and the second leg  3312  is equal to about one-half of a width of the third leg  3313 . In other words, the width of the third leg  3313  may be equal to a sum of the width of the first leg  3311 , the width of the second leg  3312 , and any spaces between the first leg  3311  and the second leg  3312 . More specifically, the width of the third leg  3313  may be about 1.4 to about 2.0 times the sum of the width of the first leg  3311 , the width of the second leg  3312 , and any spaces between the first leg  3311  and the second leg  3312 . 
     In addition, the heights (as measured along a dimension that is parallel to the connecting portion  3310  and that is perpendicular to both the support bar  320  and the T-bar  340 ) of each of the first leg  3311 , the second leg  3312 , and the third leg  3313  may be equal to each other. Alternatively, a height of one of the first leg  3311 , the second leg  3312 , and the third leg  3313  may differ from the heights of the other two of the first leg  3311 , the second leg  3312 , and the third leg  3313 , or the heights of the first leg  3311 , the second leg  3312 , and the third leg  3313  may differ from each other. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the first leg  3311  and the height of the third leg  3313 , each having the lowermost portion  3314  that is bent, may be greater than the height of the second leg  3312 . Other proportions, however, are also within the scope of my invention. 
     In another embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the upper body  3301 ′ does not have a bottom side, and the first side  3304 ′ and the second side  3305 ′, in which the openings  3306 ′ for the support bar  320  are provided, are connected by a top side  3307 ′. The top side  3307 ′ includes a hole through which a screw  3309 ′ is inserted, as shown in  FIG. 6 , to secure the end bracket  330 ′ to the support bar  320 . In addition, the first side  3304 ′ and the second side  3305 ′ include a first extension  3316  and a second extension  3315 , respectively, that extend downward from the upper body  3301 ′ to the grip  3302 ′, as shown in  FIG. 6 , and the first extension  3316  and the second extension  3315  together serve as the connecting portion  3010 ′. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the first extension  3316  on the first side  3305 ′ is parallel to the second extension  3315 , at least in part. The first extension  3316  includes a lower end  3316   a  that is bent toward the second extension  3315  toward a top of the grip portion  3302 ′, and a flat lower portion  3316   b  that lies flat on the second extension  3315 . The first extension  3316  is secured to the second extension  3315  at the flat lower portion  3316   b.    
     In this embodiment, the grip  3302 ′ of the end bracket  330 ′ has preferably at least a first leg  3318 , a second leg  3319 , and a third leg  3320  extending down from the connecting portion  3310 ′ to extend beside the T-bar  340 . In this embodiment, when the end bracket  330 ′ is mounted to the T-bar  340 , the first leg  3318  and the third leg  3320  are provided to one side of the T-bar  340 , and the second leg  3319  is provided to the other side of the T-bar  340 . In contrast with the first embodiment, a width of the second leg  3319  (referring again to a dimension parallel to the T-bar  340 ) is roughly equal to, or slightly greater than, a combined width of the first leg  3318  and the third leg  3320 , and is located between the first leg  3318  and the second leg  3320 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the second leg  3319  has a lowermost portion  3314 ′ that is bent toward the T-bar  340  at an angle, as in the first embodiment. At least one of the first leg  3318 , the second leg  3319 , and the third leg  3320  has an aperture  3321 ′ to receive a nail  3322  (see  FIG. 4 ) for securing the grip  3302 ′ to the T-bar  340 . The width of the second leg  3319  may be equal to a sum of the width of the first leg  3318 , the width of the third leg  3320 , and any spaces between the second leg  3319  and either one of the first leg  3318  and the third leg  3320 . More specifically, the width of the second leg  3319  may be about 1.4 to about 2.0 times the sum of the width of the first leg  3318 , the width of the third leg  3320 , and any spaces between the second leg  3319  and either one of the first leg  3318  and the third leg  3320 . 
     In addition, the heights (as measured along a dimension that is parallel to the connecting portion  3310 ′ and that is perpendicular to both the support bar  320  and the T-bar  340 ) of each of the first leg  3318 , the second leg  3319 , and the third leg  3320  may be equal to each other. Alternatively, a height of one of the first leg  3318 , the second leg  3319 , and the third leg  3320  may differ from the heights of the other two of the first leg  3318 , the second leg  3319 , and the third leg  3320 , or the heights of the first leg  3318 , the second leg  3319 , and the third leg  3320  may differ from each other. In a preferred embodiment, the height of the second leg  3319  having the lowermost portion  3314 ′ that is bent may be greater than the height of the first leg  3318  and the height of the third leg  3320 . Other proportions, however, are also within the scope of my invention. 
     The exact design of the grip  3202 / 3202 ′ may be varied without departing from the broad scope my invention, but it is preferred to have one of the structures shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , as they are simple, provide a secure attachment to the T-bar  340 , and can be manufactured easily. In both embodiments, the end brackets  330 / 330 ′ may be provided with holes  3323  (e.g., in the connecting portions  3310 / 3310 ′) by means of which the end brackets  330 / 330 ′ may be nailed or screwed to beams or similar support elements, where such beams are used in the building, and are made of a material that admits of the use of nails or screws. 
     The center bracket  310 , shown in  FIG. 2 , has a main body  3101  and a closure assembly  3102 . The main body  3101  defines an opening  3103  to receive the sprinkler fitting  200  for a fire protection sprinkler, and the closure assembly  3102  includes a closure member  3104 , or a handle, that has a first end  3104   a  rotatably connected to the main body  3101  and a second end  3104   b  that is not connected to the main body  3103 . The handle  3104  can be rotated between a first position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) (i.e. an open position), and a second position, in which the sprinkler fitting  200  is received in the opening  3103  and is secured by the closure assembly  3102  (shown in  FIG. 1A ) (i.e., a closed position). When the handle  3104  is in the closed position, the handle  3104  presses the sprinkler fitting  200  against the main body  3101  and the support bar  320  via a lever  3107 , described below. 
     In this embodiment, the center bracket  310  is constructed to be able to slide along the support beam  320 , and to assist an installer in locating the center bracket  310  correctly. The support beam  320  preferably has markers, such as indentations or laser markings, at predetermined lengths (for example, every 6 inches or every 152.4 mm) from the end brackets  330 / 330 ′. When the handle  3104  is in the closed position, the handle  3104  urges the center bracket  310  against the support bar  320 , producing friction that tends to maintain the center bracket  310  stationary relative to the support bar  320 . 
     The center bracket  310  also has a lock assembly to lock the handle  3104  in the closed position as described below. 
     In this embodiment, the main body  3101  of the center bracket  310  is made of a sheet of material, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The sheet of material, being shaped as shown in  FIG. 9 , is then bent at each of the lines labeled “B”, forming the sheet of material into a box-like form, as shown in a side view in  FIG. 7 , and in an end view in  FIG. 8 . The shape of the main body  3101  defines the opening  3103  into which the sprinkler fitting  200  is received and secured. 
     The structure, arrangement, and operation of the other components of the closure assembly are shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 15 . 
     The handle  3104  is mounted to the main body  3101  by a first pin  3106 , about which the handle  3104  can rotate relative to the main body  3101 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle  3104  does not extend straight from the first pin  3106 , but is spaced from the first pin  3106  by the shape of the first end  3104   a  of the handle  3104 . The first end  3104   a  of the handle nearest to the first pin  3106  is shaped to cooperate with other components in a manner described below. 
     The closure assembly  3102  also includes a lever  3107 , or a hook, shown in  FIG. 12 , that is mounted to the main body  3101  by a second pin  3108 , about which the lever  3107  can rotate relative to the main body  3101 . An axis of rotation of the handle  3104  is parallel to an axis of rotation of the lever  3107 . 
     A spring  3109  serves as a lock and as a lock release, and includes a looped end  3109   a , a bent portion  3109   b , and a free end  3109   c , as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , with the looped end  3109   a  and the free end  3109   c  extending from a slot  3114  provided in an upper surface of the main body  3101  of the center bracket  310 , near the first pin  3106 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 2 . That is, the spring  3109  is formed of one piece of metal that is bent somewhat like a hairpin. The bent portion  3109   b  is received in a slot  3115  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) provided in a lower surface of the main body  3101  of the center bracket  310 . The free end  3109   c  is bent and inserted into the slot  3114  to hold the spring  3109  in place in the main body  3101  of the center bracket  310 , and the looped end  3109   a  is formed into a ring  3133  to permit the spring  3109  to be grasped and operated, as described below. 
     A third pin  3116 , shown in  FIG. 2 , anchors a second spring  3128  that biases the lever  3107  to rotate toward the handle  3104  (that is, counterclockwise in  FIG. 2 ). The handle  3104  and the lever  3107  are positioned near each other such that rotation of the handle  3104  toward the closed position causes the first end  3104   a  of the handle  3104  to contact and to press the lever  3107  toward the opening  3103  in which the sprinkler fitting  200  is received. A ring or a roller  3110  is mounted on an axis  3111  in the first end  3104   a  of the handle  3104 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 10 , and enables the handle  3104  to apply a uniform force on the lever  3107  as the handle  3104  is moved from the open position to the closed position, pressing the lever  3107  smoothly into the closed position. As the handle  3104  is closed, the lever  3107  engages the sprinkler fitting  200  and presses the sprinkler fitting  200  against a back surface of the opening  3103 , applying a force against the support bar  320  so as to prevent movement of the center bracket  310  along the support bar  320  (in a case in which the center bracket  310  is otherwise free to move along the support bar  320 ). 
     It will be understood that the center bracket  310  can slide along the support bar  320 , and that closing the closure assembly  3102  on the sprinkler fitting  200  in the center bracket  310  will press the sprinkler fitting  200  against the support bar  320  in such a manner as to prevent such sliding. In use, a builder may attach the support bracket  300  to the T-bars  340  at the correct location, and secure the support bracket  300  in place using screws or other fasteners placed in the grips  3302  of the end brackets  330 . The sprinkler fitting  200  may be placed in the center bracket  310 , and the center bracket  310  is slid to position the sprinkler fitting  200  as needed. The exact vertical location of the sprinkler fitting  200  in the center bracket  310  may also be adjusted. When the sprinkler fitting  200  is positioned as desired, the closure assembly  3102  is operated, moving the handle  3104  from the open position to the closed position, thereby pressing the sprinkler fitting  200  against the center bracket  310  and maintaining the center bracket  310  at that position relative to the support bar  320 . 
     Rotating the handle  3104  completely into the closed position causes the first end  3104   a  of the handle to contact the spring  3109 . In this embodiment, the first end  3104   a  of the handle  3104  includes a notch  3112  (see  FIG. 10 ) to engage and to receive the spring  3109  when the handle  3104  is closed, and the spring  3109 , urged into the notch  3112  by its resilience, is retained in the notch  3112  and prevents further rotation of the handle  3104  in either direction. The handle  3104  in the closed position thus holds the lever  3107  in position, pressing the sprinkler fitting  200  and holding the sprinkler fitting  200  in place, and maintaining the center bracket  310  stationary with respect to the support bar  320 . It will be appreciated that this provides an extremely simple and quick way to install the support bracket  300 , involving a minimum of specialized tools and requiring no plumbing to be done to install the fire protection sprinkler and the sprinkler fitting  200 . (Plumbing, of course, is required to install the fluid conduit to supply water to the fire protection sprinklers.) 
     Unlocking the closure assembly  3102  may be done by pressing the ring  3113  of the spring  3109  to move the spring  3109  out of the notch  3112 , allowing the handle  3104  to move back toward the open position. This can be done if the sprinkler fitting  200  is positioned incorrectly at first, or if the fire protection sprinkler must be updated or replaced. Alternative structures may be provided to serve as a lock in place of the spring  3109 , including, for example, a rotatable column having a tooth or a key thereon to engage and to hold a corresponding opening in the handle  3104 , and a tab may be provided outside of the center bracket  310  to permit manual rotation of the rotatable column from an open position to a closed position (and vice versa if needed). 
     An assembly including the sprinkler fitting  200  and the support bracket  300  may be provided together with the flexible conduit  100 . An example of a suitable flexible conduit  100  is shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIGS. 16 to 22  illustrate the components of that flexible conduit  100  in greater detail. The flexible conduit  100  may comprise a corrugated core  101 , such as bellows tubing, that is surrounded by a metallic braid  102  ( FIG. 1A ). An inlet end  100   a  of the flexible conduit  100  has an inlet fitting  108  to be secured to a nipple  106  mounted on the fluid conduit. An outlet end  100   b  of the corrugated core  101  has an outlet fitting  109  to be connected to the sprinkler fitting  200 . Each of the inlet fitting  108  and the outlet fitting  109  is formed of an end pipe  103  that is secured to the corrugated core  101  with an insulation ring  104 , an O-ring  107 , and a nut  105 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . The nut  105  is internally threaded, so that the inlet end  100   a  of the flexible conduit  100  can be threaded onto the nipple  106 , and the outlet end  100   b  of the flexible conduit  100  can be threaded onto the sprinkler fitting  200 . 
     The sprinkler fitting  200 , shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , includes an inlet end  2001  that is externally threaded to be received in the nut  105  of the outlet fitting  109  at the outlet end  100   b  of the flexible conduit  100 , and has an outlet end  2005  having a relatively smaller internal diameter than that of the inlet end  2001 . The outlet end  2005  is internally threaded to receive a fire protection sprinkler (not shown). The sprinkler fitting  200  may be straight, as shown in  FIG. 23 , or, optionally, may be formed with an elbow. Preferably, an exterior surface of the sprinkler fitting  200  is provided with flats  2002  spaced about a circumference, and with grooving  2003  on the flats  2002 . The exterior surface of the sprinkler fitting  200  may also have curved surfaces  2004 , or both flats  2002  and curved surfaces  2004 , to facilitate gripping with an installation tool. 
     Preferably, a disposable tie (not illustrated) is provided, for example, at the inlet end  100   a  of the flexible conduit  100 , to be used in easily and conveniently securing the outlet end  100   b  of the flexible conduit  100  for tests to be performed at installation. The tie is preferably formed of a material that can easily be cut, to permit the installer to release the lower end  100   b  of the flexible conduit  100  quickly and easily upon completion of the testing. 
     In preferred embodiments, a length of the flexible conduit  100  may be 24 inches (60.96 cm), 31 inches (78.74 cm), 40 inches (101.6 cm), 48 inches (121.92 cm), 60 inches (152.4 cm), or 72 inches (182.88 cm). If regulations permit, however, the length of the flexible conduit  100  may be different from these values. Also, the inlet end  2001  and the outlet end  2005  of the sprinkler fitting  200  may have inner diameters, respectively, of 1 inch (25.4 mm) and 0.5 inch (12.7 mm), or of 1 inch (25.46 mm) and 0.75 inch (19.05 mm). 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to what are, at present, considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.