Patent Publication Number: US-2022219185-A1

Title: Sprinkler Guard for Fire Protection Sprinkler Assemblies

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM &amp; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/639,306, filed Feb. 14, 2020, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 application of International Application No. PCT/US2019/058309, filed Oct. 28, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/751,954 filed Oct. 29, 2018, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to protection devices for installed fire protection sprinklers. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a sprinkler guard for protecting a sprinkler in its installed and operative position. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, automatic fire protection sprinklers include a frame for connection to a supply pipe of firefighting fluid and a deflector member coupled to the frame for distribution of the fluid to address a fire. The frame includes a formed body having an internal passageway with a fluid inlet for receipt of the fluid and a fluid outlet defining a discharge orifice from which the fluid is discharged. The deflector member is generally affixed at a fixed distance from the fluid outlet by a pair of frame arms that extend from the frame body. Externally formed about the sprinkler body proximate the outlet is a boss or enlarged formation for engagement by an installation tool such as a wrench to facilitate sprinkler installation. In an automatic sprinkler, the fluid discharge is automatically controlled by operation of a thermally responsive trigger or actuator that maintains a fluid tight seal at the discharge orifice by, for example, exertion of pressure on a sealing assembly disposed within the outlet. When the temperature surrounding the sprinkler is elevated within a range of the nominal temperature rating of the trigger, the trigger operates thereby permitting ejection and release of the sealing assembly and the discharge of fluid through the discharge orifice. The discharged fluid impacts the fluid deflection member and is distributed in a designed spray pattern and density in order to effectively address a fire and wet the surrounding area. Several factors can influence the water distribution patterns of a sprinkler including, for example, the installation orientation and the geometry of the fluid deflection member, the distance between the deflection member and the discharge orifice, and/or the shape of the sprinkler frame to which the deflection member is coupled. Accordingly, the fluid control, distribution and performance of an automatic sprinkler is dependent upon the integrity of the sprinkler assembly and its individual components. 
     Automatic sprinklers are installed in a variety of environments which can expose the sprinklers to accidental impact and subject them to mechanical damage such as in low elevation or low clearance areas and/or near a high degree of human or mechanical activity. For example, storage type automatic sprinklers can be installed in a storage warehouse beneath the warehouse ceiling and above the storage area and commodities to be protected. In the storage environment, stored commodities are stacked and moved by operating personnel or material handling equipment such as forklifts. The movement of material or mechanical equipment proximate to an installed automatic sprinkler exposes the sprinkler to possible accidental impact and damage. If the trigger of the sprinkler is damaged, water may discharge from the sprinkler; or if the deflector or frame is damaged, the sprinkler may not distribute fluid in the proper pattern. 
     It is well known to use a sprinkler guard to protect an installed sprinkler. Sprinkler guards are configured for protecting sprinklers installed in an upright orientation, in which fluid is discharged from the sprinkler body toward the ceiling and then redirected downward by the fluid deflection member toward the protection area. Sprinkler guards are also configured for protecting sprinklers installed in a pendent orientation, in which fluid is discharged downward to impact the fluid deflection member for distribution below the sprinkler over the protection area. Generally, the sprinkler guard includes a cage-like enclosure with one open-ended base. The guard is installed by sliding the guard over the sprinkler through the base so that the sprinkler is coaxially centered within the cage. The guard includes a securement assembly that secures the open-ended base of the cage about the sprinkler body against the enlarged boss of the sprinkler body. Illustrative examples of these known sprinkler guards are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,469,336; 3,797,746; 5,632,339 and 5,893,418. 
     Although these cage-like enclosures can protect a sprinkler, the guards are bulky with a profile that is large relative to the sprinkler being protected so as to present an overall guarded sprinkler assembly that can complicate sprinkler installation particularly in low clearance areas and/or or otherwise visibly detract from the surrounding environment. In the known sprinkler guards of U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,469,336; 3,797,746; 5,632,339 and 5,893,418, the cage volume is relatively large as compared to the securement assembly. For example, the sprinkler guards in each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,469,336; 3,797,746 and 5,632,339 have a cage that encompasses or circumscribes the deflector member, frame arms and wrench boss. In each of the known sprinkler guards of U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,469,336; 3,797,746; 5,632,339 and 5,893,418, the cage of the sprinkler guard extends axially from a distance spaced from the deflector member to a location aligned with the frame body at or below the fluid outlet. Accordingly, for these known sprinkler guards, the internal volume of the cage is relatively large with respect to the sprinkler to encompass or circumscribe the deflector and most if not all of the frame arms. There thus remains a need for a sprinkler guard and guarded sprinkler assembly with a compact profile that sufficiently protects the critical operating components of a fire protection sprinkler and that can be used in low clearance areas and/or otherwise minimize any visible detraction from the surrounding environment. Moreover, there remains a need for sprinkler guards that can be assembled over a fire protection sprinkler either prior to sprinkler installation or thereafter. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of a sprinkler guard and guarded sprinkler assembly are provided in which the sprinkler guard includes a preferred cage and securement arrangement that facilitates assembly, handling and installation. Moreover, the preferred sprinkler guard provides for one or more preferred dimensional relationships with respect to the fire protection sprinkler being protected to present a compact assembly that can facilitate installation of a guarded sprinkler assembly in a low clearance area and minimize the space occupied by the guarded sprinkler assembly. 
     Preferred embodiments of a sprinkler guard protect a fire protection sprinkler having a frame body and a fluid deflector member affixed to the frame body. The sprinkler guard includes a preferred securement assembly and a preferred cage affixed to the securement assembly having a plurality of guard members defining an internal volume centered about a central vertical axis. The plurality of guard members having a first portion traversing about the internal volume to define a preferred upper boundary of the cage. The plurality of guard members also has a second portion traversing about internal volume to define a preferred lower boundary of the cage. The plurality of guard members defining a preferred insertion passageway proximate the lower boundary for receipt of the sprinkler to locate the fluid deflector member of the sprinkler within the internal volume and centered along the vertical axis. The preferred sprinkler guard defines one or more dimensional relationships with the sprinkler. Preferred dimensional relationships can be defined: (i) wherein a fixed distance between the fluid deflector member and the frame body and a clearance distance from the upper boundary of the cage to the deflector define a ratio of fixed distance-to-clearance distance (H1:H2) that ranges from 1:1 to 2:1; (ii) wherein a deflector diameter of the fluid deflector member and the clearance distance define a ratio of defector diameter-to-clearance distance (Dia:H2) that ranges from 1.8:1 to 2:1; (iii) wherein a cage diameter of the cage and the deflector diameter define a ratio of cage diameter-to-deflector diameter (WCGE:Dia) that ranges from 1:7 to 2:1; and (iv) wherein the fluid deflector member is affixed to the frame body by a pair of frame arms having an arm width therebetween and an opening width of the insertion passageway and the arm width define a ratio of opening width-to-arm width (WOPN:WARM) that ranges from 1:1 to 1.2:1. 
     Preferred embodiments of a sprinkler guard include a cage and a clamp assembly secured to and preferably riveted to the cage to define a preferred hinged arrangement. In preferred guarded sprinkler assemblies, the preferred clamp assembly locates operational components of a sprinkler within the cage. The preferred hinge arrangement maintains the cage and clamp assembly connected to one another when handling and installing the guard about a sprinkler thereby minimizing the number of separate components to be handled during an installation of the guard about a sprinkler. In addition to securing the cage about the sprinkler, the clamp assembly engages the sprinkler in a preferred manner that provides rigidity to the guarded sprinkler assembly. The cage defines a preferred profile about the sprinkler that is compact and in close proximity to the fluid deflecting components of the sprinkler without negatively impacting the firefighting and water distribution functions of the sprinkler. 
     A preferred embodiment of a fire protection sprinkler guard includes a wire cage that defines an internal volume centered about a central axis. The cage includes a plurality of terminal wire free end portions that are preferably aligned in a plane. A clamp assembly is affixed to the cage in which the clamp assembly has a first clamp member and a second clamp member which define a hinged relationship aligned in the first plane. The hinged relationship has an open state to define an opening to the cage for locating operational components of the sprinkler in the internal volume. The hinged relationship has a closed state to define a plurality of compartments for housing the wire free end portions. 
     A preferred embodiment of a guarded sprinkler assembly includes a sprinkler having a frame with a body defining an inlet, an outlet and an internal passageway extending between the inlet and outlet along a sprinkler axis. The body includes a wrench boss formed about the outlet with an external thread about the body for coupling to fluid supply pipe. The frame includes a pair of frame arms formed about the sprinkler body and disposed in a first plane. The frame arms extend from the sprinkler body away from the outlet in the direction of the sprinkler axis and a deflector member is coupled to the frame arms to be located axially from the body at fixed distance and centered on the sprinkler axis. The deflector has a periphery defining an outer diameter of the deflector. A wire cage is disposed about the sprinkler to define an internal volume axially aligned with the sprinkler axis with operational components of the fire sprinkler located within the internal volume. The cage preferably includes a plurality of terminal wire free end portions aligned in the first plane. A preferred clamp assembly is affixed to the cage. The clamp assembly has a first clamp member and a second clamp member which define a hinged relationship with the cage that is aligned in the first plane such that at least one of the first and second clamp members pivot with respect to the first plane to provide access to a cage opening. The preferred hinged relationship has an open state to define access for locating the operational components of the sprinkler in the internal volume and the hinged relationship has a closed state to restrict the cage opening and define a plurality of compartments for housing the wire free end portions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, and together, with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments are some examples of the invention as provided by the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of one preferred embodiment of a guarded sprinkler assembly having a preferred sprinkler guard. 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  are front and side elevation views of a preferred embodiment of the guarded sprinkler assembly of  FIG. 1 , 
         FIGS. 2C-2D  are plan end views of the guarded sprinkler assembly of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are various perspective views of a shielded sprinkler guard using the sprinkler guard of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D  are various views of a guarded sprinkler assembly that includes a preferred embodiment of a sprinkler protective housing or guard  10 . The guard  10  includes a preferred cage  12  and a securement assembly preferably embodied as a clamping assembly  14  for securely placing the protective housing about a fire protection sprinkler as illustrated, for example, in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The cage  12  defines an internal volume  16  about a central vertical axis A-A for housing operational components of the fire sprinkler. The cage  12  includes a plurality of guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  arranged and affixed to one another about the central vertical axis A-A with a circumscribing member  40  to define the perimeter and bounds of the internal volume  16  of the cage  12  including a lower boundary  12   a  and an upper boundary  12   b . The geometry and spacing between the guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  define a preferred insertion passageway or opening  10   a  proximate the lower boundary  12   a  of the cage  12  for inserting a sprinkler  100  into the cage  12  to locate operational components of the sprinkler within the protective internal volume  16  of the cage  12 . In preferred embodiments of the cage  12 , the guard member spacing minimizes or eliminates the stress, distortion or deflection on the guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  when inserting the sprinkler into the cage  12 . 
     The preferred clamp assembly  14  is preferably secured to the cage  12  to define a preferred hinged arrangement or relationship that limits or restricts the insertion passageway to secure the sprinkler guard  10  to the sprinkler. The preferred hinge arrangement maintains the cage  12  and clamp assembly  14  connected to one another when handling and installing the guard about a sprinkler thereby minimizing the number of separate components to be handled during an installation process. In addition to securing the cage  12  about the sprinkler, the clamp assembly  14  engages the frame of the sprinkler in a preferred manner that provides rigidity to the guarded sprinkler assembly. Because the sprinkler guard  10  provides protection to an installed sprinkler, the guard  10  does not negatively impact the fluid distribution and firefighting function of the sprinkler. In addition, the cage  12  defines a preferred profile that is compact and in close proximity to the fluid deflecting components of the sprinkler without negatively impacting the function of the sprinkler. 
     In the preferred embodiments of the cage  12 , the first guard member  20  is disposed in a first plane P 1  with the second guard member  30   a  and the third member  30   b  extending parallel to a second plane P 2  which extends perpendicular to and intersects the first plane P 1  to define a central vertical axis A-A of the guard  10 . Each of the guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  and the circumscribing member  40  are preferably formed from a metal wire or rod member of suitable gauge to provide protection to the sprinkler. A preferred wire metal wire is about 0.1 inch and more preferably 0.09 inch in diameter steel wire. The first guard member  20  is preferably formed with a central portion  22  having a pair of terminal end portions  24   a ,  24   b  equidistantly spaced apart from one another about and extending to one side of the central portion  22 . In the guard  10 , the central horizontal portion  22  intersects the central axis A-A in the first plane P 1  with the pair of terminal end portions  24   a ,  24   b  equidistantly spaced apart from one another about the central vertical axis A-A. The first guard member  20  includes two portions disposed about the central vertical axis A-A with each of the two portions extending between the horizontal portion  22  and one of the terminal end portions  24   a ,  24   b  to define a first pair of perimeter posts  26   a ,  26   b  of the cage. 
     In the cage  12 , the second guard member  30   a  and a third guard member  30   b  are in a preferably fixed spaced apart relationship from one another equidistantly about the central vertical axis A-A to define the preferred cage insertion passageway or opening  10   a  for inserting operational components of a sprinkler into the cage. The wire forming second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b  preferably define a closed form with the ends of the wire being brought and affixed together to form a central post  34  of the guard members  30   a ,  30   b . As seen in  FIG. 2D , the closed form of each guard member  30   a ,  30   b  is preferably bent out of plane to define an included angle between the outer edges of the closed form to define an included angle α of 150°-175°. In the cage  12 , each of the second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b  are affixed to the horizontal portion  22  of the first guard member  20  by welding or brazing such that the central posts  34  of the second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b  are disposed in the first plane P 1  in general planar alignment with the terminal end portions  24   a ,  24   b  of the first guard member  20 . 
     In the cage formation, portions of the second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b  are disposed radially from the central vertical axis A-A to define a second pair of perimeter posts  38   a ,  38   b  and a third pair of perimeter posts  38   c ,  38   d . Preferably each of the perimeter posts  26   a ,  26   b ,  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c ,  38   d  extends axially parallel to the central vertical axis A-A with the first pair of perimeter posts  26   a ,  26   b  preferably disposed in the first plane P 1 . Alternatively, the perimeter posts can define alternate geometries in traversing about the internal volume  16  in the direction from the clamp assembly  14  toward the preferred central horizontal portion  22  of the first guard member  20 . The perimeter of the cage  12  is preferably circular with the perimeter posts  26   a ,  26   b ,  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c ,  38   d  or portions thereof spaced equidistantly from the central vertical axis A-A of the cage  12 . In such a preferred embodiment of the cage  12 , the circumscribing member  40  is preferably of a circular geometry and consists of a single circular member in tangential contact with the perimeter posts  26   a ,  26   b ,  38   a ,  38   b ,  38   c ,  38   d.    
     The preferred clamp assembly  14  affixed to the cage  12  preferably includes a first clamp member  14   a  and a second clamp member  14   b  to define a preferred hinged relationship or arrangement  50  with respect to one another about one of the terminal end portions  24   b  of the first guard member  20 . More preferably, the terminal end portion  24   b  forms a pin about which each of the clamp member  14   a ,  14   b  rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the terminal end portion  24   b  is preferably deformed or staked to form a rivet to secure the clamp members  14   a ,  14   b  in the hinged relationship. The hinged relationship has an open state, shown in  FIG. 1 , to provide access to the cage opening  10   a  and the internal volume  16  for insertion, removal or adjustment of a sprinkler within the cage  12 . The hinged relationship  50  has a closed state, as seen in  FIG. 2A-2C , to restrict the cage opening  10   a  and define a plurality of compartments  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  for housing the central posts  34  of the second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b  and the other of the terminal end portions  24   a  of the first guard member  20  opposite the hinged relationship  50 . 
     In the closed state of the clamp assembly  14 , the first and second clamp members  14   a ,  14   b  include bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  opposed to one another about the first plane P 1 . In the clamp members  14   a ,  14   b  and the bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  defining a preferred arched or arcuate geometry for securement about a fire sprinkler body. Preferably respectively formed at one end of each of the clamp members  14   a ,  14   b  is a knuckle  52   a ,  52   b  for receipt of the terminal end portion  24   b  of the first guard member  20  as a pin to form the preferred hinged relationship  50 . In the preferred configuration of the sprinkler guard  10 , the hinge arrangement  50  is axially disposed between the arcuate bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  and the horizontal portion  22  of the first guard member  20 . Each of the opposed arcuate bearing plates include one or more clip formations or members  62  to secure the arcuate bearing plates to the sprinkler body. Preferred embodiments of the arcuate bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  also include a plurality of bracing members that extend from each of the bearing plates in the direction of the vertical central axis to contact the sprinkler frame in a preferred manner as described herein to stiffen and provide rigidity to the guarded sprinkler assembly. The plurality of bracing members  64  preferably has four bracing members in which each arcuate bearing plate  60   a ,  60   b  includes two bracing members about the second plane P 2  intersecting and perpendicular to the first plane P 1 . As seen in  FIG. 2C , the configuration of the clamp assembly  14  locates the compartments  15   b ,  15   c  for receipt of the central posts  34  of the second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b  laterally about the respective arcuate bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  and in alignment with the first plane P 1 . 
     Shown in  FIG. 1  and the open state of the clamp assembly  14 , the guard  10  can be disposed over and about an illustrative embodiment of a fire protection sprinkler  100  having a frame  105 . The frame  105  includes a frame body  110  having an inlet  112 , an outlet  114  aligned with one another along a longitudinal sprinkler axis X-X. The preferred frame  105  includes a pair of frame arms  120  to support and locate a deflector  200  at a fixed distance along the longitudinal sprinkler axis from the sprinkler body  110  and the outlet  114 . 
     Firefighting fluid is delivered to the sprinkler inlet  112  at a working pressure and discharged from the outlet  114  to impact the deflector for distribution in an expected density and/or geometry about the guarded sprinkler assembly. The outer surface of the sprinkler body  110  is configured for connecting the sprinkler  10  to a fluid supply pipe. For example, the body  110  can include an external male pipe thread  111 . Preferred embodiments of the external male pipe thread  111  include a nominal ½ inch-14 NPT. Larger threaded connection can include nominal ¾ inch-14 NPT pipe. To facilitate securement of the sprinkler  110  to a fluid pipe fitting such as, for example a tee fitting or union, the sprinkler body  110  includes a wrench boss  118  with a preferably hexagonal perimeter disposed about the outlet  114  and centered about the sprinkler axis X-X to provide two or more flat surfaces for engagement by an installation tool, such as for example, a sprinkler installation wrench. 
     To secure the sprinkler guard  10  to the sprinkler  100 , the clamp assembly  14  and its arcuate bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  can wrap about and preferably bear against the sprinkler body  110  between the wrench boss  118  and the external thread  111 . Moreover, the clip members  62  are preferably dimensioned to define a recess sufficient to accommodate the thickness or height of the wrench boss  118  and secure the clamp assembly  14  about the sprinkler body  110  as seen, for example, in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the pair of frame arms  120  of the sprinkler frame  105  extend from the body  110  at diametrically opposed sides of the outlet  114  and converge toward one another to form and/or support a deflector boss  122  that is centered along the sprinkler axis X-X for support of the deflector  200  at the fixed distance from the outlet  114 . Each of the frame arms  120  has a peripheral surface  124  and an interior surface  126  with respect to the sprinkler axis X-X with the interior surface  126  being closest to or confronting the longitudinal axis X-X. The peripheral and interior surfaces  124 ,  126  extend from the body  110  to the boss  122  to define the frame arm profile. Each of the frame arms  120  includes a transition surface  128  that extends between the peripheral surface  124  and the interior surface  126 . Individually and/or collectively the peripheral and transition surfaces  124 ,  128  define one or more surfaces against which the bracing members  64  of the clamp assembly  14  can form a surface contact engagement or embrace to stabilize the sprinkler guard  10  about the sprinkler frame  105  and provide rigidity to the assembly as seen for example in  FIGS. 2A-2D . 
     In the closed state of the clamp assembly  14  about the sprinkler  100 , the ends  24   a ,  34  of the guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  are received in the compartments of the closed compartments  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  of the clamp assembly  14 . The clamp members  14   a ,  14   b  can be secured to one another by an appropriate fastening device  17  such as for example a screw and nut assembly (not shown). In the preferred guarded sprinkler assembly, the clamp assembly  14  engages the sprinkler frame arms  120  in a manner that orients the frame  105  to locate the frame arms  120  in the first plane P 1  of the guard  10  aligned with the compartments  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c  and hinge  50 . The spaced apart bracing members  64  expose a sufficient portion of the wrench boss  118  to allow for tool access in order to adjust connection of the sprinkler to a fluid supply pipe with the guard  10  installed. 
     The sprinkler guard  10  protects the operative components of the sprinkler  100  in the installed and operative position of the sprinkler. The operative components can include a fluid deflecting member or deflector  200  and/or a thermally responsive actuating device  500 . Preferred embodiments of the sprinkler  10 , are preferably configured as automatic sprinklers such that fluid discharge from the connected sprinkler  10  and its outlet  114  is controlled by a seal assembly  400  that is disposed within the passageway  116  proximate the outlet  114  as seen in  FIG. 2A  to occlude the outlet  114 . The seal assembly  400  is maintained within outlet  114  of the sprinkler body  110  by the thermally responsive element or trigger  500  preferably aligned along the sprinkler axis X-X between the sealing assembly  400  and the deflector  200 . The guard  10  preferably engages the sprinkler  100  such that the sprinkler axis X-X coaxially aligns with the sprinkler guard axis A-A so as to center the thermally responsive element  500  in the cage  12  and maximize the protection about the trigger  500 . 
     The thermally responsive element  500  is preferably embodied as a thermally responsive frangible glass bulb, as seen in  FIG. 1 , but can be alternatively embodied as a thermally responsive soldered assembly, or mechanical or electrically actuated assembly provided the assembly can seat and unseat the seal assembly  400  in respective unactuated and actuated states of the sprinkler. In the presence of a sufficient level of heat, the thermally responsive element  500  operates or triggers to release the sealing assembly  400  and permit the supplied firefighting fluid to discharge from the outlet  114  to impact the deflector  200  for distribution of the fluid in a desired manner to address a fire. Accordingly, the guard  10  engages a sprinkler in its installed and operative position in a manner that protects the deflector  200  but minimizes or eliminates any negative impact on the fluid distribution function. 
     The deflector  200  is illustratively shown bent or formed for installation in an upright orientation in which supplied firefighting fluid is discharged from the outlet  114  to impact the deflector  200  in an upward direction. Alternatively, the affixed deflector can be formed or configured for a pendent orientation in which fluid is discharged in a downward direction or in a sidewall orientation in which water is discharged horizontally. The deflector  200  is affixed to the boss  122  to locate the deflector  200  at a first fixed distance from the body  110 . For example, the deflector  200  is located at a fixed distance H1 from the region between the boss  118  and the external thread  111  against which the bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  bear of the clamp assembly  14 . Accordingly, in the guarded sprinkler assembly, the deflector  200  is located at a preferred fixed distance from one or more features or structures of the sprinkler guard  10 . For example, the deflector  200  is located at a preferred second fixed distance H2 from the central portion  22  of the first guard member  20 . In one preferred aspect, the second fixed distance H2 defines the clearance above the deflector  200  and indirectly defines the clearance below the deflector  200  within the internal volume  16  of the cage  12  to manipulate and position the sprinkler  100  and its deflector to secure the guard  10  about the sprinkler  200 . In another preferred aspect, the second fixed distance H2 defines a preferred profile of the cage  12  about the deflector  200  that is compact enough to protect the deflector yet not interfere with the distribution function of the deflector while exposing the other portions of the sprinkler frame  105  to install or loosen the sprinkler  100  from the fluid supply piping with the sprinkler guard  10  on. Moreover, the cage  12  and the perimeter posts  26   a ,  26   b ,  38   a ,  38   c ,  38   d  define the preferably circular perimeter and preferred radial clearance about the deflector  200 . 
     Accordingly, in the preferred guarded sprinkler assembly, the sprinkler  100  and the guard  10  define one or more preferred dimensional relationships. For example, in one preferred embodiment with reference to  FIG. 2A , the sprinkler guard  10  defines a preferred overall or maximum height HGT of about 2.25 inches preferably measured from the central portion  22  to the bearing plates  60   a ,  60   b  of the clamp assembly  14 . The clamp assembly  14  has a preferred height HCLMP of about 0.75 inch to provide for a cage height HCAG of about 1.5 inch. Thus, a preferred cage height-to-clamp height ratio (HCAG:HCLMP) is about 2:1 with the maximum guard height-to-cage height ratio (HGT:HCAG) being about 1.5:1. Any approximated preferred dimension as an about value herein could vary up to 10%. The clearance distance H2 can be equal to the deflector-to-body distance H1 and is more preferably less than the deflector-to-body distance H1. In a preferred embodiment of the sprinkler  100  in which the deflector-to-body distance H1 is about 1.5 inches, the clearance distance H2 is preferably about 0.75 inch. Accordingly, a preferred deflector-to-body distance H1-to-clearance H2 ratio (H1:H2) is about 2:1. Alternate embodiments can provide for a deflector-to-body distance H1-to-clearance H2 ratio (H1:H2) that can be any one of 1.5:1 or 1:1 or any ratio in between 1:1 to 2:1. In another preferred relationship of the guarded sprinkler assembly, the deflector  200  defines a preferred deflector diameter Dia to clearance H2 ratio (Dia:H2) that preferably ranges from 1.8:1 to 2.1:1 and is preferably about 2:1 where preferred deflectors  200  define an outer diameter Dia that ranges from 1.4-1.6 inch. As seen in  FIG. 2D , the preferably circular cage  12  defines a cage diameter or width WCGE. For the preferred deflector diameter Dia, the cage diameter WCGE is about 2.75 inches. Accordingly, a preferred cage-to-deflector diameter ratio (WCGE:Dia) ranges from about 1.7:1 to about 2:1. 
     As previously noted and with reference to  FIG. 1 , the spacing between the second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b  preferably define the cage opening  10   a  for insertion of the sprinkler operational components. With the clamp assembly  14  in its open state, the opening  10   a  defines a preferred maximum width WOPN, as seen in  FIG. 2C , between the central posts  34  of the second and third guard members  30   a ,  30   b . In the open state of the clamp assembly  14 , the central posts  34  can be free for displacement to define a resiliently variable width WOPN in order to expand the cage opening for sprinkler insertion. Alternatively, the central posts  34  of the second and guard members can be fixed with respect to one another to define a fixed width WOPN opening in which to insert a sprinkler. For example, the central posts  34  can be fixed to one of the clamp members  14   a ,  14   b.    
     With reference to  FIGS. 2C and 2D , shown are additional preferred dimensional relationships between the sprinkler  100  and the guard  10 . For the deflector  200  and its outer perimeter or periphery defining an outer diameter Dia, the width WOPN of the cage opening  10   a  is preferably equal to or smaller than the deflector diameter Dia. More preferably, the width WOPN of the cage opening  10   a  is preferably equal to or slightly greater than the span or width WARM between the maximum peripheral surfaces  124  of the frame arms  120  of the sprinkler  100  to stiffen and/or compact the guarded assembly in the closed state of the clamp assembly  14 . In one preferred dimensional relationship between the sprinkler  100  and the guard  10 , the ratio of the cage opening-to-arm width (WOPN:WARM) preferably ranges from 1.1:1 to 1.2:1. 
     Preferably, each of the guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  traverse about the internal volume  16  in a manner to define the lower end perimeter or boundary  12   a  of the preferred profile of the cage  12  and the opposite upper end perimeter or boundary  12   b  of the preferred profile of the cage  12  with the upper boundary opposite the clamp assembly  14  and the lower boundary between the upper boundary  12   a  and the clamp assembly  14 . With reference to  FIGS. 2B and 2C , each of the guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  have portions that traverse about the internal volume  16  between the deflector  200  and the outlet  114  of the sprinkler frame  105  just outside the frame arms  120  to define the lower boundary  12   a  of the cage  12 . Moreover, portions of the guard members  30   a ,  30   b  traverse the internal volume  16  below the deflector  200  inside the deflector perimeter and diameter Dia. The traversing portions extend preferably perpendicular to the first plane P 1 . Accordingly, in a preferred profile embodiment of the cage  12 , the lower end perimeter or boundary  12   a  of the cage  12  is axially located between the deflector member  200  and the frame body  110  of the sprinkler  100  and more preferably axially spaced from the fluid outlet  114  of the frame body  110 . 
     At the upper boundary  12   b  of the cage, each of the guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  have portions that traverse the internal volume  16  above the deflector  200 . With reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the traversing portion of each guard members  20 ,  30   a ,  30   b  that extends between central horizontal portion  22  and their respective vertical perimeter posts is preferably sloped or skewed with respect to the first and second planes P 1 , P 2 . Accordingly, the upper boundary  12   b  of the cage defines a preferably frustoconical framework. Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the upper boundary  12   b  of the cage  12  can support a water shield  600  for shielding a guarded sprinkler from water discharge from surrounding sprinklers in a fire protection installation. More specifically, a guarded sprinkler assembly can be in an installed operative location that is below sprinklers located at a higher elevation. Fire protection applications that may require water shielding include in-rack storage sprinkler systems, under grating, on pilot sprinklers for deluge systems, and outdoors as a weather shield. Water discharged from the higher sprinklers may impact the thermally responsive trigger  500  of the guarded sprinkler and prevent its proper thermal response. Accordingly, a water shield disposed atop the sprinkler guard  10  can prevent higher elevation water droplets from impacting the guarded sprinkler and its trigger  500 . The water shield  600  is preferably frustoconical in shape to fit atop the frustoconical upper boundary  12   b  of the cage  12 . To secure the shield  600  to the cage  12 , the inner surface of the shield  600  includes one or more preferably integrally formed hooks or clips  602  for engaging guard members of the cage  12  of the sprinkler guard. 
     While the present invention 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 invention, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention 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.