Patent Publication Number: US-2021162249-A1

Title: Concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/146,856, filed May 4, 2016. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a sprinkler assembly and, more particularly, to a concealed horizontal sprinkler assembly for use in a side wall mount. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Automatic sprinklers are well known and have long been used in fire extinguishing systems. Typically, automatic sprinkler assemblies include a sprinkler body which includes an inlet for connecting to a pressurized supply of water or other fire extinguishing fluid, an outlet opening, and a deflector which is mounted spaced from the outlet opening of the sprinkler body. The deflector disperses and directs the water in an optimum pattern when the water is discharged through the outlet opening. In one common form, the deflector is mounted in a fixed position and spaced from the outlet opening by a frame. The frame includes a pair of arms, which attach to either side of the sprinkler body, and aligns the deflector with the path of the water when it is discharged through the outlet opening. The outlet opening is normally closed by a closure seal which is held in place typically by a trigger element, such as a glass bulb or a fusible link element. The trigger element extends between the seal and the frame and is usually held in place by a set screw or the like. 
     Other forms of sprinkler assemblies include flush sprinkler assemblies. Flush sprinkler assemblies include a housing and a deflector which is recessed within the housing. The deflector is movably mounted to the sprinkler body by a pair of guide members and moves between a closed position in which the deflector is recessed within the housing and an extended position wherein the deflector projects from the housing and is spaced from the outlet opening of the sprinkler body. Similar to a fixed sprinkler assembly, a flush sprinkler assembly includes a thermally responsive trigger mechanism and a fluid seal. In a flush sprinkler, the fluid seal is positioned within the interior of the sprinkler body. The fluid seal is secured by a trigger mechanism. Thus, under normal operating conditions, the trigger mechanism prohibits fluid flow from the outlet of sprinkler body. When the temperature rises to a preselected value, the trigger mechanism, which is normally a fusible link, separates permitting the pins to move in an outward direction under the pressure of the water. With the separation of the fusible link, the pressure in the water supply line pushes the fluid seal away from the outlet opening and the deflector to its outward position thereby enabling the water to travel through the sprinkler body and to be dispersed by the deflector. 
     In side wall mounted sprinklers, the orientation of the assembly causes the pressurized water to disperse in a horizontal direction. There is a need for an automatic side wall sprinkler assembly which exhibits an optimized spray pattern. Sidewall sprinklers typically include a deflector with a solid central portion with tines extending from the central portion and a blade that is positioned above the central portion. When the fluid flows from the discharge opening of the base, the fluid impinges on the boss and on the central portion of the deflector. The boss and deflector disperse the fluid radially outward, and the fluid is thereafter further dispersed by the tines, and in the case of the sidewall sprinklers also by the blade. The boss and the solid central portion of the deflector inhibit the fluid flow in a direction directly forward of the horizontal sprinkler. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     A concealed sprinkler includes a sprinkler body having a flow passage therethrough with an inlet end and an outlet end. A closure device is secured at the outlet end of the flow passage by a heat responsive trigger. A deflector assembly includes a deflector plate and a button secured to an upstream side of the deflector plate. The deflector assembly is movably supported to the sprinkler body by at least one arm. The button defines an aperture that extends unobstructed all the way through the button from an upstream side to a downstream side. 
     The aperture through the button can be cylindrical, tapered, elongated in an either lateral or vertical direction or otherwise shaped to provide a desired flow pattern. The aperture can also be sloped in a desired upward or downward direction and/or divided into multiple flow paths. 
     According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the deflector plate includes a central portion defining an aperture for receiving the button. A plurality of tines extends from a lower periphery of the deflector plate when assembled in its horizontal orientation and a canopy is supported above the central portion by a single central support portion extending radially upward from the central portion. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler with the deflector assembly in an extended activated position according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler with the deflector assembly in an extended activated position according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler in a fully assembled, un-activated condition according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a deflector button according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an alternative deflector button according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative deflector button according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a distal end of the deflector button of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a further alternative deflector button according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of a further alternative deflector button according to the principles of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of a deflector plate stamping according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a cross-sectional view of a concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler  10  is shown. The sprinkler  10  includes a body  12  that defines a flow passage  14  therethrough with an inlet end  16  and an outlet end  18 . The body  12  can include a threaded connection  20  at the inlet end  16  for connection to a water distribution pipe system (not shown). The body  12  can also include a radially outwardly extending flange portion  22  and an axially extending externally threaded portion  24  extending from the flange  22 . 
     A housing  26  can include internal threads  28  at a proximal end  30  that engage the externally threaded portion  24 . The housing  26  further includes an inner shoulder  32  at a distal end  34 . The housing  26  also includes an intermediate internal flange  36  disposed between the proximal and distal ends  30 ,  34 . 
     A closure device  38  is secured at the outlet end  18  of the flow passage  14 . The closure device  38  can include a spring plate  42  and seat  44  that sealingly close off the outlet end  18  of the flow passage  14 . 
     A deflector assembly  50  is movable from a first retracted position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) to a second extended position (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the deflector assembly  50  can include a deflector plate  52  that is made from a single stamping as shown in  FIG. 11  (shown in a blanked condition) and having a central portion  54  that is generally orthogonal to a center axis X of the flow passage  14 . The deflector plate  52  can also include a canopy portion  56  that is supported generally perpendicular to the central portion  54  by a single central support portion  57  that extends from the central portion  54 . The central portion  54  can include a plurality of slots  58  extending radially inward from an outer periphery thereof to define a plurality of radially outwardly projecting tines  60   a - 60   c.  The deflector plate  52  can include a pair of oppositely directed tines  60   a  that each include an aperture  64  there through for engagement by a distal end  66   a  of a pair of support pins  66  that generally lie on a horizontal plane that passes through the center axis X of the flow passage  14  in an assembled horizontal sidewall orientation (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). The pair of support pins  66  each include a proximal end  66   b  that engage an alignment ring  70 . In the first retracted position of the deflector assembly  50 , the alignment ring  70  is generally disposed against the flange portion  22  and within the externally threaded portion  24  of the body  12  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). In the second extended position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the alignment ring  70  engages the intermediate internal flange  36  of the housing  26 . 
     The deflector assembly  50  also includes a projection button  72  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) secured to an upstream side of the central portion  54  of the deflector plate  52 . The button  72  includes a proximal face  72   a  that can be generally orthogonal to the axis X of the flow passage  14  and a generally conically shaped sidewall portion  72   b  extending from the proximal face  72   a.  It generally cylindrical sidewall portion  72   c  extends from the conically shaped sidewall portion  72   b.  A distal end of the button  72  includes a downstream facing face portion  72   d  that is disposed directly against the first portion  54  of the deflector plate  52 . A downstream extending flange portion  72   e  extends axially from the face portion  72   d  and is received in an aperture in the first portion  54  of the deflector plate  52 . An aperture  74  extends all the way through the button  72  from the proximal face  72   a  through to the distal end of the button  72 . The aperture  74  is generally aligned with the axis X of the flow passage  14 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the aperture  74  in the button  72  can include a cylindrical sidewall. 
     Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the aperture  74 ′ in the button  72 ′ can be tapered so as to be conical in shape. It should be understood that the tapering of the aperture can be tapering inward or outward from the proximal to the distal end. As a still further alternative, the distal end of the aperture  74 ″ can be elongated in a lateral direction (best shown in  FIG. 8 ) or a vertical direction as desired, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The shape of the proximal end of the aperture  74 ″ can differ from the elongated distal end relative to the direction of flow through the sprinkler  10 . The proximal end of the aperture  74 ″ can include a conically inwardly tapering intermediate surface  74   b  that “funnels” the water from the proximal end into the elongated distal end of the aperture  74 ″. It should be understood that the shape of the aperture can be varied to provide a desired flow through the button. With reference to  FIG. 9 , the aperture  74  can be angled to direct the flow of fluid in a downward or upward direction relative to the axis X, as desired. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the aperture  74  can be split into multiple flow paths  74   a,    74   b,  as desired to provide flow paths leaving the button  72 . 
     A heat responsive trigger device  76  is provided for securing the closure device  38  over the outlet end  18  of the flow passage  14 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The heat responsive trigger device  76  can include a lever bar  78 , a pair of levers  80 , a set screw  82  and a soldered element assembly  84 . The set screw  82  is threadedly received in a threaded aperture  78   a  in the lever bar  78 . A set screw  82  is disposed against the distal end of the button  72  and biases the button  72  against the closure device  38 . The pair of levers  80  each include a first end  80   a  received under the inner shoulder  32  of the housing  26  and include a second end  80   b  received within a pair of apertures  84   a,    84   b  in the soldered element assembly. The soldered element assembly  84  can include a bottom element  86  and a top element  88  that are soldered together (by a solder designed to melt at a desired temperature) to combine to form the pair of apertures  84   a,    84   b.    
     The concealed horizontal sidewall sprinkler  10  is designed to be mounted horizontally in a sidewall. In operation, when a fire condition exists, heat from the fire will cause the solder of the soldered element assembly  84  to release the bond between the bottom element  86  and top element  88 . As the soldered element assembly  84  becomes disconnected, the levers  80  release their engagement with the lever bar  78 . As the lever bar  78  falls away, the set screw  82  also falls away from the deflector assembly  52  so that the pressure against the closure device  38  is relieved. As the pressure against the closure device  38  is relieved, the closure device  38  falls away and the internal pressure of water within the flow passage  14  flows against the deflector assembly  52  causing the deflector assembly  52  to deploy to the extended position as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Water flowing through the flow passage  14  strikes the button  72  and deflector plate  52  so that water is distributed by the deflector assembly  50 . The aperture  74  in the button  72  allows water to flow directly through the button so that the distribution water can be controlled in a direction that is directly outward from the horizontal sidewall sprinkler  10 . 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.