Patent Publication Number: US-RE45399-E

Title: Mounting structure for fire protection systems

Description:
This is one of two reissue applications of U.S. Pat. No. 7,784,746. The first reissue application is application Ser. No. 13/556,441, filed Jul. 24, 2012. This reissue application is a reissue divisional of Reissue application Ser. No. 13/556,441.  
     CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/877,415, which claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application 60/862,813 filed on Oct. 25, 2006. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to mounting apparatuses for sprinklers, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for sprinklers which has a simple but firm mounting structure in which a fixing bracket couples a sprinkler reducer to a support beam, and a pair of vertical brackets mounts the support beam to a pair of ceiling t-bar support rails. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     As well known to those skilled in the art, a plurality of ceiling support rails horizontally extend in parallel on the ceiling in a building to form a ceiling support structure, with a ceiling panel being mounted to the bottoms of the ceiling support rails so as to form a desired ceiling. A plurality of support beams are mounted on the ceiling support rails by a plurality of mounting apparatuses so as to hold reducers of a sprinkler system in the ceiling. 
     Such a conventional mounting apparatus for sprinklers includes a pair of ceiling support rails horizontally extending in parallel to the ceiling in the building, with a predetermined gap defined between the pair of ceiling support rails. The conventional mounting apparatus further includes a pair of vertical brackets which are respectively mounted at lower ends thereof to upper ends of the pair of ceiling support rails. The conventional mounting apparatus further includes a support beam which is horizontally held on upper ends of the pair of vertical brackets to be perpendicular to the ceiling support rails, and a fixing bracket provided at a predetermined position of the support beam between the pair of ceiling support rails, so as to vertically hold a sprinkler reducer which has a sprinkler head at an end thereof. However, when the fixing bracket couples the sprinkler reducer to the support beam and the pair of vertical brackets mount the reducer support beam to the pair of ceiling support rails, the conventional mounting apparatus must use a plurality of bolts as a fastening means. 
     Due to the above-mentioned construction using the plurality of bolts as the fastening means, the conventional mounting apparatus for sprinklers is problematic in that assembling and disassembling processes thereof are complex, thus reducing work efficiency while installing or removing the sprinklers in or from the ceiling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     In accordance to various embodiments outlined in the present invention, a summary of some of the embodiments is provided herein. In one embodiment, there is provided a support assembly for positioning and supporting a sprinkler reducer in a ceiling. The support system includes a latitudinal support unit having two ends opposed from one another, a mounting bracket assembly positioned between the ends of the latitudinal support unit for positioning and supporting the sprinkler reducer, and a pair of longitudinal support units separately positioned on the two ends of the latitudinal support unit. 
     Each longitudinal support unit may include a support region for receiving and supporting a top portion of a T-shaped ceiling frame member. The longitudinal support units may be further defined by having a top element with an opening therethrough. Extending from the top element are two oppositely positioned side elements. Each side element includes a support bar window for receipt of an end of the latitudinal support bar. A top tightening element positioned through the opening in the top element can be used for securing the end of the latitudinal support bar to the support unit. The side elements further include lower portions with a flange extending inwardly towards the opposite side element and positioned under the flanges are first sections bending towards the oppositely positioned side element. The aforementioned support region for receiving and supporting the top portion of the T-shaped ceiling frame member can thus be defined between the flanges and the first sections. Extending from the first sections are leg elements that position against the T-shaped ceiling frame member below the top portion thereof. 
     In addition thereto, each side element may further include a sill positioned below each support bar window and extending inwardly towards the opposite side element for supporting the end of the latitudinal support bar. Furthermore, the ends of each side element may include extending side sections such that the ends of each side element have a width greater than a width defined by the side elements. Yet further still, the side elements may further include aligned openings for receiving a side tightening element which is capable of moving the leg elements of the two side elements towards each other and away from each other. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the mounting bracket assembly may include a mounting bracket having a pair of sidewalls extending from a base wall to form a mounting channel along a entire length of the base wall. The mounting bracket may further have a mouth such that the latitudinal support unit may be positioned between the sidewalls in the mounting channel against the base wall. Each sidewall may include an opening along an end of the sidewall opposite the base wall. The opening has a predetermined shape to accommodate a portion of a profile defined by the sprinkler reducer, and each sidewall further includes a through hole and a flange. The mounting bracket assembly further includes a locking unit that is shaped from a wire and has a pair of ends positioned in the through holes in each sidewall such that the locking unit may pivot about the through holes. The locking unit may be further defined as including first intermediate sections extending from the pair of ends, the first intermediate sections traversing the openings in the sidewalls and having a predetermined shape to accommodate another portion of the profile defined by the sprinkler reducer, second intermediate sections extending from the first intermediate sections to engage the flanges on the sidewalls, and a handle section extending from and joining the second intermediate sections. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention the mounting bracket assembly may be defined as having a mounting bracket positioned on the latitudinal support unit between the pair of longitudinal support units for positioning and supporting the sprinkler reducer. The mounting bracket may have a pair of sidewalls extending from a base wall to form a mounting channel along a entire length of the base wall. The mounting bracket may further have a mouth such that the latitudinal support unit may be positioned between the sidewalls in the mounting channel against the base wall. Each sidewall includes an opening along an end of the sidewall opposite the base wall, and the openings having a predetermined shape to accommodate a portion of a profile defined by the sprinkler reducer. The mounting bracket assembly further includes a locking unit being pivotally secured to at an end to both sidewalls. The locking unit includes a pair of side members extending downwardly from a base member, each side member further includes an opening along an end of the side members opposite the base member. The openings have a predetermined shape to accommodate a portion of the profile defined by the sprinkler reducer. The base member includes a slot positioned such that an opening to the slot is positioned at an edge of the base member between the two side members. The mounting bracket assembly further includes a locking member pivotally mounted to the two sidewalls on the mounting bracket and having an elongated shaft extending upwardly for receipt into the slot on the base member of the locking unit. A locking nut is positioned on the elongated shaft such that when the locking unit is in a closed positioned about the mounting bracket the openings in the sidewalls and in the side members align to accommodate the sprinkler reducer and the elongated shaft may be pivoted to be received into the slot thereby allowing the locking nut to be tightened to secure the locking unit to the mounting bracket and secure a sprinkler reducer positioned therebetween. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mounting structure assembly for a sprinkler system in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of  FIG. 1  showing the mounting bracket for the sprinkler reducer in another position; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a sprinkler reducer mounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and also showing the latitudinal support bar positioned therein; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of  FIG. 3A  with the sprinkler reducer secured thereto; 
         FIG. 3C  is a side view of the sprinkler reducer mounting bracket; 
         FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of  FIG. 3C  showing the locking unit in an opened position; 
         FIG. 3E  is a front view of  FIG. 3C ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of a longitudinal support unit in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of  FIG. 4A   
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view of line  4 C taken from  FIG. 4B ; 
         FIG. 4D  is a side view of a second longitudinal support unit; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a sprinkler reducer mounting bracket in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and also showing the latitudinal support bar positioned therein; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of  FIG. 5A  with the sprinkler reducer secured thereto; 
         FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the mounting bracket from  FIG. 5A  and illustrating a locking unit in an opened position; and 
         FIG. 5D  is another perspective view of the mounting bracket from  FIG. 5A . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a sprinkler mounting assembly  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sprinkler mounting assembly  100  includes a mounting bracket  110  having a locking unit  120 , a latitudinal support bar  130  to which the mounting bracket  110  is movably coupled, and a pair of longitudinal support units  140  which are coupled to opposite ends of the support bar  130 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting bracket  110  may slide or move along the length of the latitudinal support bar  130 , such that the placement of the sprinkler system is easily adjustable during assembly. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 3A-3E , the mounting bracket  110  includes two sidewalls  150  separated by a base wall  152  having a predetermined width such that the two sidewalls  150  are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The mounting bracket  110  has a mouth  154  at an end opposite the base wall  152 . The two sidewalls  150  also include a through hole  156  and a flange  158 . The mounting bracket  110  further has a mounting channel  160  formed along the length of base wall  152  and between the two sidewalls  150  to allow receipt of the latitudinal support bar  130 . This permits the latitudinal support bar  130  to be positioned against and be supported by the entire base wall  152 , which may be an improved manner of support than the prior art. The two sidewalls  150  further include a U-shaped opening  162  positioned in the sidewalls  150  such that a remaining portion  164  is present on either side of the opening  162 . The U-shaped opening  162  has a predetermined curvature to accommodate the profile of a sprinkler reducer  146 . The U-shaped opening  162  may further be defined as having a curved end  163  that mates to two longitudinal ends  165 . As known in the art, the sprinkler reducer  146  may be attached at one end to a flexible tubing  142 , which is further secured to a water supply pipe  144 . 
     The mounting bracket  110  further includes a locking unit  120  that may be preferably rigidly constructed, such as, but not limited to, a steel wire bent to form the shape as described herein. The locking unit  120  includes a pair of ends  166  to pass through the through holes  156  on each sidewall  150 . The locking unit  120  bends from the pair of ends  166  to form first leg portions  168  that traverse the length of U-shaped opening  162  running along one of the remaining portions  164 . Extending beyond the two sidewalls  150 , the first leg portions  168  then bend to from latitudinal portions  170  that traverse the U-shaped opening  162 . At the opposite side of the U-shaped opening  162 , the locking unit  120  bends to form second leg portions  172 , which run down the opposite remaining portions  164  towards the flanges  158 . The locking unit  120  then forms mating portions  174  that can be positioned against the flanges  158  (to lock the sprinkler reducer  146  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in place). From the mating portions  174  the locking unit  120  bends to form a handle portion  176  that connects the two mating portions  174  on either sides of the locking unit  120 . 
     During operating, the sprinkler reducer  146  is positioned in the U-shaped opening  162  and the locking unit  120  is moved such that the latitudinal portions  170  are positioned against the sprinkler reducer  146 . The mating portions  174  are locked against the flanges  158 , thereby locking the sprinkler reducer  146  into position. The sprinkler reducer  146  is thus supported by the latitudinal portions  170  and the U-shaped opening  162 . To remove the sprinkler reducer  146 , the mating portions  174  are unlocked from the flanges  158  allowing the locking unit to pivot away from the sprinkler reducer  146  about its ends  166  and the through holes  156 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , there is shown one of the pairs of longitudinal support units  140 , which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and used to connected the latitudinal support bar  130  to connect the sprinkler system to a ceiling frame section  50  or more particularly to a frame support member  55 . As is well known in the industry, the frame support members  55  have a T-shaped portion  57  near its top portion that is used to connect to the longitudinal support units  140 , as discussed in greater detail below. 
     Each longitudinal support unit  140  includes two side members  200  that extend downwardly from a top member  202 . Each side member  200  includes a support bar window  204  for receipt of an end of the latitudinal support bar  130 . A sill member  206  is positioned below each support bar window  204  extending inwardly towards the opposite side member  200 . 
     The sill member  206  lends support to or helps seat the latitudinal support bar  130  that is inserted through the support bar window  204 . The top member  202  includes a threaded aperture  208  to receive a tightening element  210  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), such as a screw, that can be used to lock the longitudinal support unit  140  in a substantially rigid position against the latitudinal support bar  130 . 
     A lower portion  212  of side member  200  moves inwardly at a first section  220  towards each other and then turns downwardly to ends  214  of each of the side members  200 . Positioned above the first sections  220  on both side members  200  are flanges  222 . The area between the flanges  222  and the first sections  220  creates a latitudinal support region  215  along the first sections  220  and the side member  200  for receiving the top of the T-shaped portion  57 . 
     The ends  214  of the side members  200  may have a slight outwardly flared region  216  to help accommodate the top of the T-shaped portion  57  of the frame support member  55 . The ends  214  further include extending side sections  218  that make the ends  214  wider then the widths of the side members. This serves as a means to help grab into the top of the T-shaped portion  57  when the sprinkler system is in use and is exhibiting a large amount of back pressure. This also serves as a means to prevent rocking of the mounting apparatus on the frame support members  55 . 
     Positioned through the side members  200  near the positions of the flanges  222  are threaded openings  224  for receiving a tightening bolt  226  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). When the tightening bolt  226  is tightened, the side members  200  move towards each other causing the ends  214  to pinch against sides of the frame support member  55  and securing the T-shaped portion  57  in the latitudinal support region  215 . Conversely, when the tightening bolt  226  is loosened, the ends  214  release and the longitudinal support unit  140  may be removed from the frame support member  55 . 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 4D , there is shown a longitudinal support unit  140  that includes a secondary threaded opening  224 a positioned above the primary threaded opening  224 . Either opening  224  or  224 a could be used to secure the longitudinal support unit  140  to the side of a ceiling structure or wall. In addition, the longitudinal support unit  140  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4C  could also be secured to a wall of other mountable structure by using a mounting member through the threaded opening  224 . In some instances when a ceiling frame section is not used or provided, the mounting structure  100  can still be secured in a building to a wall, I-beam, or other mountable structures. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 5A-5G , there is shown a second type of mounting bracket  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The mounting bracket  300  includes two sidewalls  302  separated by a base wall  304  having a predetermined width such that the two sidewalls  302  are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance. The mounting bracket  300  has a mouth  306  at an end opposite the base wall  304 . The mounting bracket  300  further has a mounting channel  308  formed along the length of base wall  304  and between the two sidewalls  302  to allow receipt of the latitudinal support bar  130 . This permits the latitudinal support bar  130  to be positioned against and be supported by the entire base wall  304 , which may be an improved manner of support than the prior art. The two sidewalls  302  further include a U-shaped opening  310  positioned in the sidewalls  302  such that a remaining side portion  312  is present on either side of the opening  310 . The U-shaped opening  310  has a predetermined curvature to accommodate the profile of a sprinkler reducer  146 . The U-shaped opening  310  may further be defined as having a curved end region  314  that merges into to two longitudinal ends  316 . 
     The mounting bracket  300  further includes a locking unit  320  that is pivotally secured to at pivot points  322  on both sidewalls  302 , and preferably located at one of the remaining side portions  312 . The locking unit  320  includes a pair of side members  324  that extend downwardly from a base member  326 . The base member  326  may also have a width W 2  that is greater then the width W 1  defined by the base wall  304  on the mounting bracket  300 . Alternatively, the side members  324  may extend at an angle A 1  from the base member  326 . In either instance, the side members  324  would have an interior section  328  that would overlap the exterior section  341  on the sidewalls  302 . The side members  324  further include a U-shaped opening  350  positioned in the side members  324  such that remaining side portions  352  are present on either side of the openings  350 . The U-shaped opening  350  has a predetermined curvature to accommodate the profile of a sprinkler reducer  146 . The U-shaped opening  350  may further be defined as having a curved end region  354  that merges into to two longitudinal ends  356 . 
     The base member  326  further includes a slot  330  positioned such that an opening  332  to the slot is positioned at an edge  334  of the base member  326 . The locking unit  320  further includes a locking member  336  defined has having an elongated shaft  338  pivotally connected at one end  340  to the sidewalls  302  of the mounting bracket  300 . The pivotal connection includes a transverse section  342  pivotally connected at points  344  to the interior region  346  of the sidewalls  302 . The elongated shaft  338  is threaded to receive a locking nut  348 . 
     During operating, the sprinkler reducer  146  is positioned in the U-shaped opening  310  and the locking unit  320  is pivoted such that its U-shaped opening  350  is also positioned against the sprinkler reducer  146 . The elongated shaft  338  is then pivoted such that it is received in the slot  330  and the locking nut  348  is turned to tightly secure the locking unit  320  with the mounting bracket  300 . The sprinkler reducer  146  is thus supported and secured within the two U-shaped openings defined by the locking unit  320  and the mounting bracket  300 . To remove the sprinkler reducer  146 , the locking nut  348  is loosened such that the elongated shaft  338  is able to pivot out of the slot and the locking unit  320  may pivot into an opened positioned away from the sprinkler reducer  146 . 
     From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.