Patent Abstract:
A sprinkler head assembly having a sprinkler head with a through bore is coupled to a coupling member having a bore in fluid communication with said through bore of said sprinkler head. One of said sprinkler head and coupling member fits within the other. A groove is formed on the inner member for receiving a portion of a set pin slidingly engaged within the outer member. A seal between the inner and outer member provides a fluid-tight connection.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to sprinkler systems, and more specifically, to coupling arrangements for sprinkler heads.  
         [0002]     One of the main problems with sprinkler systems and plumbing, in general, is providing an efficient and easy to use connection system for specifically joining a sprinkler head to the plumbing of the sprinkler system, with installation speed being minimized. Known couplings and connectors require specific alignment and sealing of threads when joining a sprinkler head to a pipe section. For example, the threads must be wrapped in Teflon® tape or coated with a threaded joint compound prior to sealing the sprinkler head to the pipe section. Especially when replacing a sprinkler head in an already existing and installed sprinkler system, achieving a leak-proof system can be difficult. Improvements have been made over well-known processes, such as sweating and welding of the pipe sections together, but these improvements have not been specifically directed towards joining of the sprinkler head to the sprinkler system. For instance, new improvements allow for crimping of two sections of pipe together in an airtight and watertight fashion. Likewise, connections have been developed to press fit sections of pipe together using mating pipe structures. Still, these advancements have not focused specifically on providing an easy to use connection system for a sprinkler head. Connector means specifically directed toward sprinkler heads have not advanced in the art. The majority of sprinkler heads are threaded into mating coupling sections within the pipe sections.  
         [0003]     Another problem when installing sprinkler heads into sprinkler systems is properly aligning the sprinkler heads, especially when installing several sprinkler heads in a long piping arrangement. Threaded designs require the arduous task of aligning the threads when inserting the sprinkler head and then realigning the sprinkler head if the head is not properly orientated with other sprinkler heads in the system. The process may be very time consuming and taxing on the installer.  
         [0004]     Some prior art has addressed simplified arrangements for connecting sprinkler heads to piping assemblies. For instance, Bethea, U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,059, contemplates a threadless sprinkler head assembly for attaching a sprinkler head to a pipe conduit. While the invention alleviates problems of threads that must be sealed for a watertight fit and sprinkler heads that may be hard to insert or remove due to corrosion, the assembly is not necessarily the quickest to install. A bracket that surrounds the pipe conduit holds the sprinkler head firmly in place. However, if the pipe conduit does not have sufficient clearance with respect to nearby walls or ceilings, the sprinkler head cannot be easily installed. Likewise, when removing the sprinkler head, the bracket must also be at least partially removed, and alignment of the sprinkler head is not necessarily easier than previous arrangements.  
         [0005]     Because the sprinkler head should form a watertight seal with the piping assembly to which it is connected, sprinkler heads have either been soldered within the piping assembly, or threaded within the assembly. While these adaptors provide for the necessary watertight fit, they can cause problems when trying to remove or replace the sprinkler head. For instance, the threads on a threaded sprinkler head may corrode over time, which may make it difficult to remove the sprinkler head. A wrench may be necessary to remove the sprinkler head, and the removal process may strip the threads. Sprinkler heads have not utilized couplings or fittings that are quickly and easily insertable and removable, quickly and easily aligned with other sprinkler heads in a sprinkler system, and provide a watertight fit.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a simple coupling system for connecting a sprinkler head to a pipe or piping system. A sprinkler head assembly is provided having a sprinkler head having a through bore that is coupled or joined to a coupling member having a bore in axial alignment with the through bore of the sprinkler head. The assembly further has coupling means for securing the sprinkler head to the coupling member. The coupling means comprises adjoining male and female mating surfaces. The male mating surface includes a circumferentially grooved portion. The coupling means further comprises a retractable set pin having a shank portion located transversely of the female mating surface and residing in the grooved portion of the male mating surface when fully depressed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIGS. 1-5  are perspective views depicting sprinkler head assemblies in accordance with the present invention utilizing various piping connectors.  
         [0008]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view depicting the sprinkler head assembly shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view depicting a coupling member in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view, similar to  FIG. 7  but showing the set pin in broken lines after being fully depressed.  
         [0011]      FIG. 9  is a partially cut-away view of the sprinkler head assembly in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 10  is an exploded partially cut-away view of the sprinkler head in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a sprinkler head assembly in accordance with the present invention utilizing secondary fastening means to secure the sprinkler head within the sprinkler head assembly.  
         [0014]      FIG. 12  is a close-up partially cut-away sectional view of a further arrangement of securing means employed in a sprinkler head assembly according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 13  shows an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 1-5 , inclusive, show a sprinkler head assembly  10  according to the present invention. The assembly  10  generally comprises a sprinkler head  12  and a coupling member  14  for receiving the sprinkler head  12 . The sprinkler head  12  is only representative of sprinkler heads that may be utilized in accordance with the present invention, and it should be understood that the present invention should not be limited to any specific sprinkler head or sprinkler head design. The sprinkler head assembly  10  further includes pipe sections  16  connected to ends  18  of the coupling member  14 . The pipe sections  16  may be connected to the coupling member  14  in a variety of ways. For instance,  FIG. 1  depicts the pipe sections  16  having threaded pipe ends  20  that will be screwed into internal mating threads (not shown) in the ends  18  of the coupling member  14 .  FIG. 2  shows an alternate embodiment wherein couplings  17  have a raised section  22  housing a seal so that the pipe sections  16  may be crimpably connected to the coupling member  14 .  
         [0018]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show another embodiment wherein the pipe sections  16  being soldered or “sweated” together with the coupling member  14 . The pipe sections  16  will form male press fittings that will be inserted into a female stub  19 . The pipe sections  16  would be sweated together with the stub  19  in a watertight fashion.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  depicts yet another embodiment including the use of a set pin  26  to connect the pipe sections  16  to the coupling member  14 . Provided that a watertight through bore  27  is formed between the coupling member  14  and the pipe sections  16 , any suitable connection means for the pipe sections  16  and the coupling member  14  will fall within the scope of the invention.  FIGS. 1-5  are merely exemplary of possible connection means and should not be considered as limiting on the scope of the invention. Nor should it be considered necessary to have the pipe sections  16  located on both sides of the coupling member  14 . Either of the pipe sections  16  may be replaced with a plug, valve, or other device, or the coupling member  14  could be designed with a single end  18  for connection to a single pipe section  16  and still fall within the scope of the invention. It may also be possible that the sprinkler head  12  would be replaced with a plug, for instance when the sprinkler head assembly  10  is the last assembly in an overall piping system, and it is not necessary or required for the piping system.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  depicts an exploded view of the sprinkler head assembly  10 . The sprinkler head  12  comprises a sprinkler body  28  with a first end  30  and a second end  32 . The sprinkler head  12  has a through bore  33  for fluid to pass through the sprinkler head assembly  10  when in use. The sprinkler body  28  further comprises a skirt  29  having a circumferentially grooved portion  34 . The grooved portion  34  may be designed so that it does not completely surround the sprinkler body  28 , but for ease of installment, a circumferential groove  34  is preferred. If the groove  34  surrounds the sprinkler body  28 , it will not be necessary for precise alignment when inserting the sprinkler body  28  in to the coupling member  14 . The sprinkler body skirt  29  forms a male mating surface that will be inserted into an opening  36  having an inner wall  37 , which forms a female mating surface, within the coupling member  14 . An outer skirt  39  is formed about the upper most portion of the coupling member  14 . The opening  36  provides a bore that is preferably axially aligned with the sprinkler body  28  and preferably axially aligned with the through bore  33  of the sprinkler head  12 . The first end  30  of the sprinkler body  28  will be inserted into the opening  36 , which intersects and is in fluid communication with the through bore  27 .  
         [0021]     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , the sprinkler body  28  will fittingly be secured into the opening  36  so that the sprinkler body  28  and the opening  36  form a watertight connection. The skirt  29  is sized to fit within the opening  36 . Once inserted into the opening  36 , a set pin  26   a , similar to the set pin  26  shown in  FIG. 4  to join the pipe sections  16  to the coupling member  14 , will fixedly hold the sprinkler body skirt  29  in the opening  36 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a top plan of the coupling member  14 . As previously stated, the opening  36  is in fluid communication with the through bore  27  transversely located in the body of the coupling member  14 . A flange  38  is provided within the opening  36  for the first end  30  of the sprinkler body  28  to abut when inserted into the opening  36  (see  FIG. 9 ). In the side of the opening  36  above the flange  38  sits a seal  40 , conventionally referred to as an o-ring in a preferred embodiment, that provides for a secure fit between the opening  36  and the sprinkler head  12 . The seal  40  could be in any form that would provide a watertight fit when the sprinkler head  12  is mated with the coupling member  14 .  
         [0023]     Still referring to  FIG. 7 , the set pin  26   a  is shown extended outwardly of the opening  36 . The set pin  26   a  has a head portion  41  and a shank  43 . The set pin  26   a  is preferably cylindrical and formed from a hard, resilient metal or similar material. The set pin  26   a  provides a simple and efficient way to connect the sprinkler head  12  to the coupling member  14 . The shank  43  is designed to easily slide into and intersect the opening  36  (see  FIG. 8 ) and is movable between a first position ( FIG. 7 ) and a second position ( FIG. 8 ). Instead of previous designs that may require threads, soldering, or clamps to join the head  12  to the coupling member  14 , the set pin  26   a  will secure the head  12  in place, as will be discussed with respect to the remaining figures.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7  except the set pin  26   a  is shown inserted into the opening  36 . The head portion  41  provides an area for a person to push the shank  43  into the female mating surface and the opening  36 . The set pin  26   a  intersects the opening  36  to form a protrusion  42  that will interact with the grooved portion  34  of the skirt  29  (see  FIG. 9 ), which allows the sprinkler head  12  to be retained within in the opening  36 . The set pin  26   a  is designed so that it easily slides in and out of a channel  44  formed in the outer skirt  39 . Where the channel  44  intersects the inner wall  37  of the opening  36 , there is no barrier between the channel  44  and the opening  36 , thereby allowing the shank  43  of the set pin  26   a  to form the protrusion  42  previously discussed. The shank  43  is preferably cylindrical, as is the channel  44  that receives the shank  43 . However, the shapes of both the shank  43  and the channel  44  may be of any shape that allows the set pin  26   a  to form the protrusion  42  within the opening  36 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is a partially cut-away side view of the sprinkler head assembly  10 . The sprinkler head  12  is shown situated within the opening  36  in the coupling member  14 . The first end  30  of the sprinkler body  28  abuts the flange  38 , with the seal  40  forming a watertight connection. The through bore  33  of the sprinkler head  12  is in fluid connection with the through bore  27  of the coupling member  14  (see  FIG. 10 ). The set pin  26   a  will nestle within the grooved portion  34  when the set pin  26   a  is slid into the opening  36 , thereby securing the sprinkler head  12  in mating fashion to the coupling member  14 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 9 . The sprinkler head skirt  29  is sized so that it will mate with the opening  36 . However, the body  28  and the coupling member  14  are machined out of a material that will allow the body  28  to easily slide in and out of the opening  36 , as shown. The design provides for easy addition and removal of the sprinkler head  12 , when necessary. The seal  40  extends into the opening  36  to provide a watertight seal when the sprinkler head is inserted therein. As previously stated, the opening  36  will intersect the through bore  27 , providing a continuous water passageway to the through bore  33 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 11  depicts the assembly  10  with a further embodiment of the set pin  26   a . Previously, the channel  44  had a closed end (see  FIG. 6 ). In  FIG. 11 , the channel  44  is now a through channel, which allows a pin or clasp  46 , represented here as a c-clip  46 , to be inserted into a groove  48  located in the end of the set pin  26   a . This allows the pin  26   a  to be locked in place and prevents the accidental removal of the pin  26   a , especially when the sprinkler system is pressurized. The pin  46  and the groove  48  may take on various forms, such as a nut and bolt, a snap-on washer, a cotter pin and a corresponding hole, or any other similar devices.  
         [0028]      FIG. 12  shows a close-up partially cut away view of an embodiment of head portion  41  of the pin  26   a . The end of the channel  44  is now extended past the head portion  41  (compare with  FIG. 11 ). The arrangement provides for an additional safety feature so that the pin  26   a  will not be inadvertently pulled out after installation. In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 12 , it may be necessary to used pliers or another tool (not shown) to remove the pin  26   a.    
         [0029]      FIG. 13  shows an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. This arrangement allows the sprinkler head  12  to mate on an outer skirt  50  of the coupling member  14 , as opposed to within the opening  36 . The sprinkler head  12  has an inner surface  49 , which is sized to fit over the outer skirt  50  of the coupling member  14  to form a watertight connection. The set pin  26   a  is located on the sprinkler head  12 , with a grooved portion  52  located on the outer skirt  50  of the coupling member  14 . The grooved portion  52  performs the same function as the grooved portion  34 , described previously with respect to  FIG. 6 . The set pin  26   a  is movable between a first position and a second position, as described with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The through bore  33  of the sprinkler head  12  and the bore formed by the opening  36  are still in fluid communication with the through bore  27  of the coupling member  14 .  
         [0030]     The present invention is advantageous over other configurations used for sprinkler heads. The seal formed between the sprinkler head  12  and the coupling member  14  is watertight without welding, crimping, or the like, and the sprinkler head  12  may be quickly inserted into the coupling member  14 . The sprinkler head  12  may also be easily removed when necessary without the need for tools, unless specifically designed to utilize a tool to move the set pin  26   a  outwardly from the channel  44 , as described with respect to  FIG. 12 . The sprinkler head  12  is not threaded, which allows easier alignment of the sprinkler head and the coupling member, and also minimizes potential corrosion of the sprinkler head  12 , which would causes a more difficult removal process of the sprinkler head  12 . The set pin  26   a  sufficiently retains the sprinkler head  12  as currently described without needing extra connectors or securing means and provides an assembly that can be removed and replaced as necessary.  
         [0031]     Also, the present invention is advantageous over previous sprinkler head designs in that time spent aligning several sprinkler heads within a sprinkler system is minimized. Since there threads are not located on the coupling member or the sprinkler head, the sprinkler head may be inserted quickly and easily. Sprinkler heads inserted after the initial sprinkler head can be quickly aligned with the first sprinkler head and easily inserted into the corresponding coupling member. If the sprinkler head is not aligned properly, it may be easily removed from the coupling member and realigned, without threading and unthreading the sprinkler head.  
         [0032]     The present invention may be utilized within a wide range of piping materials, such as steel, copper, or PVC pipe. For instance, PVC pipes currently used for sprinkler systems may be internally fitted with the sprinkler fittings as discussed above.  
         [0033]     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1