Patent Publication Number: US-8973673-B2

Title: Fire sprinkler head shut-off tool with fusible release mechanism

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/344,808, filed on 15 Oct. 2010. 
    
    
     SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a shut-off tool for stopping flow of a liquid from an opening. More preferably, the present invention relates to a shut-off tool for stopping water flow from an activated fire sprinkler head. In one particular aspect, the present invention relates to a fire sprinkler head shut-off tool comprising a pair of adjustable clamping arms and an actuator assembly including a locking tab made of a fusible link that can be operated with one hand and which is capable of shutting off both pendant and upright fire sprinkler heads from bottom. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Conventional fire sprinkler heads found in most homes and buildings function as controlled outlets of a central water source. On a typical fire sprinkler head, a pipe cap is firmly held in place against the water outlet or orifice by a breakable glass bulb containing temperature sensitive liquid. When the liquid is heated by a nearby fire, it expands rapidly until it reaches a predetermined threshold temperature at which it causes the glass bulb to break and release the pipe cap. Once activated as such, water flows freely through the water outlet at a high rate. 
     Normally, fire sprinkler heads do not have individual shut-off valves and the only means of deactivation is by shutting off the main or branch valve of their central water source. Frequently, there is no ready access to the shut off valves and the high rate of water flow from activated fire sprinkler heads could lead to extensive water damages to affected areas. Therefore, it is desirable to have the means to individually deactivate fire sprinkler heads without time delay to locate the main valve. 
     One earlier fire sprinkler head shut-off tool is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,838 to Wilson. Wilson discloses a fire sprinkler head shut-off tool comprising a handle with a jaw, a stopper arm which is equipped with a stopper to come directly in contact with an orifice of an activated fire sprinkler head, a lever to operate the tool and a means for reciprocating the stopper arm as the lever is rotated. The tool operates by hooking the jaw of the handle around the upper portion of the fire sprinkler head and raising the stopper into the orifice of the fire sprinkler head by rotating the lever until the stopper is fitted into the orifice. The lever is then locked into the position by a locking mechanism. 
     The shut-off tool described by Wilson suffers three major disadvantages: one being that it permanently deactivates the fire sprinkler head. Once the stopper is locked into the orifice of the fire sprinkler head, the tool must be removed manually to resume water flow therefrom if a fire rekindles. Such disadvantage necessitates constant monitoring to manually release the tool if the fire does rekindle. The second major disadvantage is that it requires two hands to operate. This is a safety concern when working from a ladder. The third disadvantage is that to shut off an upright fire sprinkler head the tool of Wilson must be inverted. Upright fire sprinkler heads are often located in confined spaces such as parking lots which do not provide the room or access to operate the shut-off tool of Wilson in an inverted manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved fire sprinkler shut-off tool for stopping water flow from an activated fire sprinkler head, which overcomes the disadvantages noted above. Specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a fire sprinkler head shut-off tool which automatically disengages from the fire sprinkler head thereby reactivating the fire sprinkler if the fire rekindles. 
     A second object of the present invention is to provide a fire sprinkler shut-off device that can be operated with one hand thus providing improved safety for the operator. 
     A third object of the present invention is to provide an improved fire sprinkler shut-off tool for stopping water flow from an activated fire sprinkler head, which can be configured to work with most fire sprinkler heads of varying sizes and positions especially the new recessed head configurations. 
     A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a shut-off tool for stopping flow of a liquid from an opening, and which automatically disengages from the opening to allow continued flow when a predetermined threshold temperature is reached. 
     In one simplified aspect, the present invention provides a shut-off tool for stopping flow of a liquid from an opening having an orifice and a distal member spaced from the orifice, the shut-off tool comprising a pair of movable arms and an actuator assembly for moving or positioning the movable arms. The actuator assembly incorporates a drive mechanism, which may for example include a camming member, for moving one or both of the moving arms to an operating position where one of the moving arms is in fluid sealing contact with the orifice to substantially prevent flow therefrom and the other moving arm is in engageable contact with the distal member; and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the movable arms in the position. The locking mechanism and/or the movable arms include a fusible release portion selected to melt at a predetermined threshold temperature, such as a fusible link or link plates coupled with a fusible alloy. When incorporated into the locking mechanism, the fusible release portion induces failure of the locking mechanism upon reaching the threshold temperature so as to effect release of the shut-off tool from the opening. Alternatively, or in addition, the fusible portion could be incorporated into one or both of the movable arms so to induce severing of the movable arms when the threshold temperature is reached and to disengage the shut-off tool from the opening. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an improved fire sprinkler shut-off tool for stopping water flow from an activated fire sprinkler head comprising a frame, a pair of adjustable clamping arms with rubber tips and an actuator assembly, which includes a locking tab made from a fusible link. The locking tab comprises two separate link plates soldered together by low melt solder which melts at a predetermined threshold temperature. The adjustable clamping arms include a lower clamping arm fixedly attached to the frame and an upper clamping arm attached to a rod that is slidingly engaged to a push tab and the locking tab of the actuator assembly. 
     The shut-off tool is operated by inserting the adjustable clamping arms into the nest of the activated fire sprinkler head. By using the actuator assembly the upper (or lower, depending upon sprinkler orientation) clamping arm that is covered with a compressible rubber surface is brought into engageable contact with the orifice of the fire sprinkler head thereby stopping water flow therefrom. 
     The shut-off tool automatically releases from the fire sprinkler head when the predetermined threshold temperature is reached at the locking tab. In one simplified construction, heat applied to the locking tab causes it to fragment into individual pieces at the pre-determined threshold temperature, releasing the rod and the upper clamping arm from the fire sprinkler head and thus dropping out of the sprinkler head. 
     In a further aspect, the present invention provides a fire sprinkler head shut-off tool for stopping water flow from an activated fire sprinkler head having a valve seat and a distal portion spaced from the valve seat, the shut-off tool comprising:
         a pair of adjustable clamping arms, the clamping arms being selectively movable between a first position and an operating position where a first one of the clamping arms is in seated fluid sealing contact with the valve seat to substantially prevent water flow therefrom and a second one of the clamping arms is in engageable contact with the distal portion, and   an actuator assembly comprising:
           a camming tab for selectively engaging at least one of said clamping arms for effecting movement of the clamping arms from the first position towards the operating position;   a spring assembly for resiliently biasing the clamping arms towards the first position; and   a locking mechanism having at least one fusible link for selectively locking the clamping arms in the operating position against the bias of the spring assembly,
 
wherein the fusible link is selected to melt at a predetermined threshold temperature, and wherein melting of the fusible link effects unlocking of the clamping arms to permit their movement towards the first position under the bias of the spring assembly.
   
               

     Preferably, the clamping arms comprise a resiliently deformable tip such as a rubber tip. The locking mechanism may include a manual release portion for selectively unlocking the clamping arms. The fusible link preferably includes a low melting solder having a melting point between 125° F. and 500° F. More preferably, the melting point is between 130° F. to 170° F. 
     In a preferred construction, the actuator assembly includes a frame, the second clamping arm is coupled to the frame, and the first clamping arm comprises a rod selectively extendible by the actuator assembly towards the operating position. Most preferably, the actuator assembly further includes a handle, and the camming tab comprises a first cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to effect its axial extension towards the operating position under bias of the handle. 
     In a most preferred construction, the fusible link comprises a first and second link plates each comprising a notch. The notches combine to form a second cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to prevent its axial retraction against the bias of the spring assembly. Alternatively, the fusible link may comprise a plurality of link plates, at least one of the plurality of link plates having a second cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to prevent its axial retraction against the bias of the spring assembly. 
     In a yet further aspect, the present invention provides A shut-off tool for stopping flow of a liquid from an opening having an orifice and a distal member spaced from the orifice, the shut-off tool comprising:
         a pair of adjustable clamping arms, the clamping arms being selectively movable relative to each other between a non-engaged position, wherein the clamping arms are movable to a position interposed between the orifice and the distal member, and an operating position where a first one of the clamping arms is in seated fluid sealing contact with the orifice to substantially prevent fluid flow therefrom and a second one of the clamping arms is in engageable contact with the distal member, and   an actuator assembly including a drive mechanism, a spring assembly and a locking mechanism,
           the drive mechanism actionable to selectively move the clamping arms from the non-engaged position towards the operating position;   the spring assembly operable to resiliently bias the clamping arms towards the non-engaged position; and   the locking mechanism including a plurality of link plates coupled with a fusible alloy for selectively locking the clamping arms in the operating position against the bias of the spring assembly,
 
wherein the fusible alloy is selected to melt at a predetermined threshold temperature, and wherein melting of the fusible alloy uncouples the link plates to effect unlocking of the clamping arms and permit their movement towards the non-engaged position under the bias of the spring assembly.
   
               

     Preferably, the clamping arms comprise a resiliently deformable tip such as a rubber tip. The locking mechanism may include a manual release portion for selectively unlocking the clamping arms. The fusible alloy preferably comprises a low melting solder having a melting point between about 125° F. and about 500° F. More preferably, the melting point is between about 130° F. to about 170° F. 
     In a preferred construction, the actuator assembly includes a frame, one of the clamping arms is coupled to the frame, and the other clamping arm comprises a rod selectively extendible by the actuator assembly towards the operating position. Most preferably, the actuator assembly further includes a handle, and the drive mechanism comprises camming tab having a first cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to effect its axial extension towards the operating position under bias of the handle. 
     In a most preferred construction, the link plates include a first and second link plates each comprising a notch. The notches combine to form a second cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to prevent its axial retraction against the bias of the spring assembly. Alternatively, at least one of the plurality of link plates may comprise a second cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to prevent its axial retraction against the bias of the spring assembly. 
     In a yet further aspect, the present invention provides a shut-off tool for stopping flow of a liquid from an opening having an orifice and a distal member spaced from the orifice, the shut-off tool comprising:
         a pair of adjustable clamping arms, the clamping arms being selectively movable relative to each other between a non-engaged position and an opearting position where a first one of the clamping arms is in seated fluid sealing contact with the orifice to substantially prevent fluid flow therefrom and a second one of the clamping arms is in engageable contact with the distal member, at least one of the clamping arms comprising a fusible link selected to melt at a predetermined threshold temperature, and   an actuator assembly including a drive mechanism and a locking mechanism,
           the drive mechanism actionable to selectively move the clamping arms from the non-engaged position towards the operating position; and   the locking mechanism operable to selectively lock the clamping arms in the operating position,
 
wherein melting of the fusible link in the engaged position releases the clamping arms to effect their disengagement from the opening.
   
               

     Preferably, the clamping arms comprise a resiliently deformable tip such as a rubber tip. The locking mechanism may include a manual release portion for selectively unlocking the clamping arms. The fusible link preferably comprises a low melting solder having a melting point between about 125° F. and about 500° F. More preferably, the melting point is between about 130° F. to about 170° F. 
     In a preferred construction, the actuator assembly includes a frame, one of the clamping arms is coupled to the frame, and the other clamping arm comprises a rod selectively extendible by the actuator assembly towards the operating position. Most preferably, the actuator assembly further includes a handle, and the drive mechanism comprises a caroming tab having a first cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to effect its axial extension towards the operating position under bias of the handle. 
     In a most preferred construction, the actuator assembly comprises a spring assembly for resiliently biasing the clamping arms towards the non-engaged position, and the locking mechanism comprises at least one fusible link for selectively locking the clamping arms in the operating position against the bias of the spring assembly, wherein the fusible link is selected to melt at the predetermined threshold temperature, and wherein melting of the fusible link effects unlocking of the clamping arms to permit their movement towards the non-engaged position under the bias of the spring assembly. 
     Most preferably, the fusible link comprises first and second link plates each comprising a notch, wherein the notches combine to form a second cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to prevent its axial retraction against the bias of the spring assembly. Alternatively, the fusible link may comprise a plurality of link plates, at least one of the plurality of link plates having a second cavity for slidably receiving the rod and which is sized to selectively engage the rod to prevent its axial retraction against the bias of the spring assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference may now be had to the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a skeletal side view of a shut-off tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the shut-off tool, additionally showing in phantom the movement of the movable clamping arm assembly in engageable contact with the nest of a fire sprinkler head. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a frame used in the shut-off tool of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the frame shown in  FIG. 3  taken at section A-A. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the frame shown in  FIG. 3  taken at section B-B. 
         FIG. 3C  is a front elevational view of a lower clamping arm used in the front side of the frame. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a movable clamping arm assembly. 
         FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of an upper clamping arm. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of a rod. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a locking tab used to clamp the movable clamping arm assembly. 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic view of an upper link plate used in the assembly of the locking tab as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic view of a lower link plate used in the assembly of the locking tab as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of the locking tab as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a push tab. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a push trigger. 
         FIG. 8  is a skeletal side view of a shut-off tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a locking tab for clamping the movable clamping arm assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of an upper link plate used in the assembly of the locking tab as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a lower link plate used in the assembly of the locking tab as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the locking tab as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a fire sprinkler head shut-off tool  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shut-off tool comprises a frame  11 , a pair of adjustable clamping arms  12  and  13 , and an actuator assembly  14 . 
     As shown best in  FIG. 3 , the frame  11  includes a spine  15 , a lower clamping arm  13 , front and rear actuator support columns  16  and  17 , a strut  50 , a lanyard hole  51  and a handle  18  together forming one solid metal structure. The lower clamping arm  13  is mounted to a forward end of the spine  15  in such a way that its flat surface is positioned at a slight angle to the side surface of the frame  11 . The frame also includes a bolt hole  19  in front of the handle  18  and adjacent to the rear actuator support column  17  for receiving an attachment bolt as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a movable clamping arm assembly  21  includes the upper clamping arm  12  with an attached rubber surface  12 A, fixedly attached to a forward end of a rod  22 , and a roll pin hole  23  pierced through the rod  22 .  FIG. 4A  illustrates the upper clamping arm  12  has a flat surface when viewed from the front surface of the movable clamping arm assembly  21  and  FIG. 4B  illustrates that the rod has hexagonal cross-section. The forward flat surface of the upper clamping arm  12  is covered with a compressible rubber surface  12 A that seals against the orifice of the fire sprinkler heads. 
     In reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lower clamping arm  13  and the front and rear actuator support columns  16  and  17  are pierced with coaxially aligned front aperture  24 , middle aperture  25  and rear aperture  26 , respectively, to form a single passage to slidably receive the rod  22  through the aligned apertures  24 ,  25  and  26 . The movable clamping arm assembly  21  is biased in movement rearwardly by a helical compression spring  27  seated between the lower clamping arm  13  and a spring seat  28  on the rod  22  providing constant rearward tension on the movable arm assembly  21 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a locking tab  29  in an assembled form consisting of upper and lower link plates  30  and  31  welded together by way of a low melting point solder as a fusible link. Preferably, the low melting point solder is selected to melt at the predetermined threshold temperature of about 125° F. to 500° F. and preferably at about 130° F. to 170° F. Both link plates  30  and  31  as illustrated separately in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , respectively, are U-shaped to provide a locking tab hole  32  when assembled into the locking tab  29 . The hole size is selected to disengage the rod  22  in forward sliding movement and not permit rearward sliding movement through when in its normally engaging position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The upper link plate  30  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A  contains a locking tab catch  33 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the catch size is selected to pivotally lodge the locking tab  29  to the frame  11  against the constant rearward tension provided by a helical compression spring  34  seated against the rear side of the rear actuator support column  17  and the locking tab  29 . The lower link plate  31  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B  contains a locking tab manual release  35 . As shown best in  FIG. 1  when force is applied forwardly on the manual release  35 , the locking tab  29  pivots forward and out of its normally engaging position and permit rearward sliding movement of the rod  22  until the force is removed. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another locking tab  60 , a variation of the locking tab  29  shown in  FIG. 5 . The locking tab  60  consists of upper and lower link plates  61  and  62  welded together by way of a low melting point solder as a fusible link. Preferably, the low melting point solder is selected to melt at the predetermined threshold temperature of about 125° F. to 500° F. and preferably at about 130° F. to 170° F. The lower link plate  62  includes an enclosed hole  63  sized to disengage the rod  22  in forward sliding movement and not permit rearward sliding movement through when in its normally engaging position shown in  FIG. 1 . The upper link plate  61  is U-shaped for axial alignment with the enclosed hole  63  of the lower link plate  62  in the assembled form as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Like the lower link plate  31 , and as shown in  FIG. 11 , the lower link plate  62  of the locking tab  60  contains a locking tab manual release  65  operable for selectively permitting rearward sliding movement of the rod  22 . Like the upper link plate  30 , and as shown in  FIG. 10 , the upper link plate  61  includes a locking tab catch  64  operable for pivotally lodging the locking tab  60  to the frame  11  against the constant rearward tension provided by the helical compression spring  34 . Preferably, the upper link plate  61  is located in direct contact with the helical compression spring  34  so as to maintain the solder of the locking tab  60  in shear rather than in tension. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a push trigger  36  which includes two bolt holes  37  and  38  and a push trigger handle  39 . The bolt hole  38  receives an attachment bolt or rivet for pivotally attaching the push trigger  36  to the frame  11 . The bolt hole  37  fixedly receives an actuator bolt or rivet  40  in direct contact with a push tab  41 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the push tab  41  which is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being biased in movement by a helical compression spring  42  seated between the rear side of the front actuator support column  16  against the push tab  41 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the push tab  41  include a rod catch  43 , a push tab rest surface  44  at the top and a push trigger contact  45  at the bottom. The rod catch  43  is sized to slidingly engage the rod  22  in forward movement as the actuator bolt  40  forwardly moves under the bias of the handle. The rod catch  43  is further sized to slidingly disengage from the rod  22  and permit rearward movement of the push tab  41  back to its resting position as illustrated in  FIG. 1  when the bias on the handle is removed. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 2  which illustrates the shut-off tool  10  further showing in phantom the movable clamping arm assembly  21  in engageable contact with the fire sprinkler head. The shut-off tool  10  is operated by first vertically inserting the pair of adjustable clamping arms  12  and  13  into the nest of the fire sprinkler head and resting the lower clamping arm  13  having a compressible rubber surface  13 A on the bottom of the nest. By the bias of the push trigger handle  73 , the movable clamping arm assembly  21  is moved forward towards the orifice of the fire sprinkler head until the front surface of the upper clamping arm  12  having the compressible rubber surface  12 A seats against the orifice. 
     The shut-off tool  10  automatically disengages from the fire sprinkler head when the predetermined threshold temperature is reached at the locking tab  29 . If desired, the shut-off tool  10  can also be manually removed by pressing on the locking tab manual release  35 . 
     For added safety or redundancy, fusible construction could also be incorporated into both of the adjustable clamping arms  12  and  13  in addition to the locking tab  29  as best illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the upper clamping arm  12  takes a two-piece construction to include a first break-away portion  12 B welded to the upper clamping arm  12  at the first interface  12 C using the low melting point solder. Similarly, the lower clamping arm  13  includes a second break-away portion  13 B welded at the second interface  13 C using the same. In operation, if the locking tab  29  fails to automatically disengage the shut-off tool  10  and resume water flow despite having reached the predetermined threshold temperature, the first and second break-away portions  12 B and  13 B decouple from the upper and lower clamping arms  12  and  13 , respectively, to disengage the shut-off tool  10 . Alternatively, the fusible link construction may be incorporated into any one or two of the locking tab  29 , and the upper and lower clamping arms  12  and  13  for automatic disengagement of the shut-off tool at the predetermined threshold temperature. 
     The most preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 12  hereto. The most preferred embodiments are provided as mere examples which are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made to the most preferred embodiments within the scope of the present invention as described herein.