Abstract:
A sprinkler assembly for use in an attic or under a sloped roof or ceiling and includes a body having an inlet opening and a discharge opening. A support extends from the body and a closure device is releasably positioned at the discharge opening to close the passageway. A heat responsive trigger releasably retains the closure device at the discharge opening of the body. A flow shaper is supported by the support and includes a transverse wall portion intersecting a central axis of the discharge opening. A pair of laterally spaced side walls each extend from the transverse wall portion toward the body and a pair of mounting base portions extend from the pair of side walls and connect the flow shaper to the support. The flow shaper provides a simple and inexpensive design for providing adequate distribution of fire suppressant both laterally and directly beneath the sprinkler.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/980312, filed Apr. 16, 2014. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a sprinkler assembly, and more particularly to a sprinkler assembly having a flow shaper designed to generate a laterally sideward and downward concentrated spray pattern. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
         [0004]    One of the challenges of designing fire protection sprinklers is to design the sprinkler to provide a spray distribution of fire suppressant fluid to meet the needs of the desired application. The design of sprinklers for use in an attic or under a sloped roof or ceiling can often present challenges to provide adequate distribution of fire suppressant both directly below and laterally to each side of the sprinkler. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
         [0006]    The present disclosure provides a sprinkler assembly for use in an attic or under a sloped roof or ceiling and includes a body including a passageway having an inlet opening and a discharge opening. A support extends from the body and a closure device is releasably positioned at the discharge opening to close the passageway. A heat responsive trigger releasably retains the closure device at the discharge opening of the body. A flow shaper is supported by the support and includes a transverse wall portion intersecting a central axis of the discharge opening. A pair of laterally spaced side walls each extend from the transverse wall portion toward the body and a pair of mounting base portions extend from the pair of side walls and connect the flow shaper to the support. The flow shaper provides a simple and inexpensive design for providing adequate distribution of fire suppressant both laterally and directly beneath the sprinkler. 
         [0007]    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 
         [0008]    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. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sprinkler body having a flow shaper mounted thereto according to the principles of the present disclosure ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the sprinkler shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the sprinkler shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the flow shaper according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the flow shaper according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the flow shaper according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the flow shaper according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a side plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the flow shaper according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a bottom plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a fire protection sprinkler the flow shaper of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of the fire protection sprinkler shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the flow shaper according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a side plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper of  FIG. 24 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the flow shaper according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  is a side plan view of the flow shaper shown in  FIG. 27 ; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 29  is a plan view of an exemplary metal blank used to form the flow shaper of  FIG. 27 . 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0040]    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. 
         [0041]    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. 
         [0042]    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. 
         [0043]    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. 
         [0044]    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. 
         [0045]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , sprinkler assembly  10  includes a sprinkler body  12 , a support  13  that extends from body  12 , and a flow-shaper member  14 . The support  13  is connected to the body  12  by a pair of frame arms  15  that are each generally centered in a first plane. The support  13  can be annular in shape and can define an opening  17  extending there through. Body  12  and support  13  preferably comprise a brass casting. Though, it should be understood that the body and support may be separately formed and, further, may be formed from other materials and by other forming methods. Body  12  comprises a generally tubular body with a threaded portion  12   a  for connecting the sprinkler assembly to a fluid supply line (not shown) and, further, includes an inlet opening  18 , a discharge opening  20 , and a fluid passageway  22 . Passageway  22  extends between inlet opening  18  through threaded portion  12   a  to discharge opening  20  so that when body  12  is coupled to the supply line and sprinkler assembly  10  is opened or actuated, such as in the case of a fire, fluid will flow from inlet opening  18  through passageway  22  and out from discharge opening  20  as a column of fluid. 
         [0046]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , sprinkler assembly  10  further includes a closure device  24  releasably positioned at the discharge opening  20  of body  12  to close the passageway  22 . The closure device  24  is shown as a pip cap  24   a  and spring seal  24   b,  although other types of closure devices can be used. A heat responsive trigger device  26  is mounted in a manner to releasably retain the closure device  24  at the discharge opening  20  of body  12  to thereby maintain the passageway  22  closed until the trigger device  26  is activated. As shown, the heat responsive trigger device, as shown, includes a glass bulb  26   a  and a transverse strut  26   b  that are secured in place against the closure device  24  by a pair of set screws  26   c.  The heat responsive trigger device  26  can take on many alternative forms. 
         [0047]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , the flow shaper  14  is mounted to the support  13  and includes a transverse wall portion  30  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream along the central axis X from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced side walls  32  extend from a first pair of side edges  30   a  of the transverse wall portion  30  and axially toward the body  12 . The pair of side walls  32  can be generally perpendicular to or alternatively parallel to the first plane. A pair of mounting base portions  34  extend from the pair of side walls  32  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  14  to the support  13 . The mounting base portions  34  can take on various shapes as illustrated in the various embodiments of the application. A pair of extensions  36  extend from opposite end edges  30   b  of the transverse wall portion  30  and extend laterally beyond the end edges  32   a  of the pair of side walls  32  away from the first plane. The pair of extensions  36  can be angled relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle α of greater than 180° and less than 240°, and more preferably between 190° and 200°, and even more specifically, approximately 195°. The angle α utilized can be determined based upon the pitch of the roof of an attic or other environment where the sprinkler is being used. 
         [0048]    The pair of mounting base portions  34  can be semi-annular to fit within the annular opening  17  of the support  13 . The base portions  34  can be secured within the opening  17  of the support  13  by welding, solder, crimping or other fastening techniques. 
         [0049]    The transverse wall portion  30  can be generally planar or can have a curved shape, bends, undulations or other shapes formed therein. The pair of laterally spaced side walls  32  can be generally perpendicular to the transverse wall portion  30  and can be generally planar or have a curved shape, bends, undulations or other shapes formed therein. The extensions  36  can be generally planar or have a curved shape, bends, undulations or other shapes formed therein. The transverse wall portion  30 , sidewalls  32  and extensions  36  can also be provided with apertures, slots or other openings therein. In addition, the edges of the sidewalls  32  and extensions  36  can be provided with open-ended slots to provide desired flow distribution patterns. 
         [0050]    Flow shaper  14  can be formed from a single metal plate so that the shaping of the flow shaper  14  can be highly simplified as compared to other deflector designs known in the art. The metal can include copper, brass or other suitable metals. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the flow shaper  14  can be formed from a flat metal stamping generally as shown, that defines each of the transverse wall portion  30 , sidewalls  32 , base portions  34  and extensions  36 , as labeled. 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIGS. 7-9 , an alternative flow shaper  114  will now be described. The flow shaper  114  includes a transverse wall portion  130  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  132  extend from a pair of side edges  130   a  of the transverse wall portion  130  and axially toward the body  12 . A pair of mounting base portions  134  extend from the pair of sidewalls  132  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  114  to the support  13 . A pair of extensions  136  extend from opposite end edges  130   b  of the transverse wall portion  130  and extend laterally beyond the end edges of the pair of sidewalls  132 . The pair of extensions  136  can be angled relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle of greater than 180° and less than 240° in the same manner as the extensions  36  in the previous embodiment. 
         [0052]    A pair of side wall extensions  140  extend from the end edges  132   a  of the sidewalls  132 . An upper edge  140   a  of the end wall extensions  140  can be angled so as to approximately align with the angle of the pair of extensions  136 . The pair of side wall extensions  140  can also be bent inwardly or outwardly (not shown) so as to redirect the water flow toward or away from the pair of extensions  136 . The pair of extensions  136  can include one or more slots  142  that define tines  144  disposed at the ends of the pair of extensions  136 . In the embodiment shown, a pair of slots  142  are provided in the end of each extension  136  and the tines  144  include a central tine  144   a  and a pair of outer tines  144   b.  The pair of slots  142  can include a pair of lateral sidewalls that are parallel or nonparallel to one another and can include a semi-circular base that connects each of the lateral sidewalls. The shape of the sidewalls and base of the slots  142  can be varied in many ways to achieve different flow distributions.  FIG. 9  shows the flow shaper  114  formed from a single plate  150 . 
         [0053]    With reference to  FIGS. 10-12 , an alternative flow shaper  214  will now be described. The flow shaper  214  includes a transverse wall portion  230  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  232  extend from a pair of side edges  230   a  of the transverse wall portion  230  and axially toward the body  12 . A pair of mounting base portions  234  extend from the pair of sidewalls  232  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  214  to the support  13 . A pair of extensions  236  extend from opposite end edges  230   b  of the transverse wall portion  230  and extend laterally beyond the end edges of the pair of sidewalls  232 . The pair of extensions  236  can be angled relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle of greater than 180° and less than 240° in the same manner as the extensions  236  in the previous embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0054]    A pair of side wall extensions  240  extend from the end edges  232   a  of the sidewalls  232 . An upper edge  240   a  of the end wall extensions  240  can be angled so as to approximately align with the angle α of the pair of extensions  236 . The pair of side wall extensions  240  can also be bent inwardly or outwardly (not shown) so as to redirect the water flow toward or away from the pair of extensions  236 . The pair of extensions  236  can include one or more slots  242  that define tines  244  disposed at the ends of the pair of extensions  236 . In the embodiment shown, a pair of slots  242  are provided in the end of each extension  236  and the tines  244  include a central tine  244   a  and a pair of outer tines  244   b.  The pair of slots  242  can include a pair of lateral sidewalls that are parallel or nonparallel to one another and can include a semi-circular base that connects each of the lateral sidewalls. The shape of the sidewalls and the base of the slots  242  can be varied in many ways to achieve different flow distributions. The transverse wall portion  230  can include at least one, and more preferably a plurality of apertures  246  of circular or other various shapes extending therethrough that would allow a mist or spray to pass through the transverse wall portion  230  to wet the ceiling or roof structure above the sprinkler  10 . The number, size and arrangement of the apertures  246  can be varied depending upon the amount of spray that is desired to pass through the transverse wall portion  230 .  FIG. 12  shows the flow shaper  214  formed from a single plate  250 . 
         [0055]    With reference to  FIGS. 13-15 , an alternative flow shaper  314  will now be described. The flow shaper  314  includes a transverse wall portion  330  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  332  extend from a pair of side edges  330   a  of the transverse wall portion  330  and axially toward the body  12 . A pair of mounting base portions  334  extend from the pair of sidewalls  332  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  314  to the support  13 . A pair of extensions  336  extend from opposite end edges  330   b  of the transverse wall portion  330  and extend laterally beyond the end edges of the pair of sidewalls  332 . The pair of extensions  336  can be angled relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle α of greater than  180 ° and less than  240 ° in the same manner as the extensions  36  in the previous embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0056]    A pair of side wall extensions  340  extend from the end edges  332   a  of the sidewalls  332 . An upper edge  340   a  of the end wall extensions  340  can be angled so as to approximately align with the angle of the pair of extensions  336 . The pair of side wall extensions  340  can also be bent inwardly or outwardly (not shown) so as to direct the water flow toward or away from the pair of extensions  336 . The pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  332  can include one or more apertures  342  that allow a controlled flow of water laterally outward through the sidewalls  332 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , only one aperture  342  is shown although it should be understood that multiple apertures can be sized, shaped, spaced and arranged to provide a desired water distribution therethrough.  FIG. 15  shows the flow shaper  314  formed from a single plate  350 . 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIGS. 16-18 , an alternative flow shaper  414  will now be described. The flow shaper  414  includes a transverse wall portion  430  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  432  extend from a pair of side edges  430   a  of the transverse wall portion  430  and axially toward the body  12 . A pair of mounting base portions  434  extend from the pair of sidewalls  432  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  414  to the support  13 . A pair of extensions  436  extend from opposite end edges  430   b  of the transverse wall portion  430  and extend laterally beyond the end edges  432   a  of the pair of sidewalls  432 . The pair of extensions  436  can be angled relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle α of greater than 180° and less than 240° in the same manner as the extensions  36  in the previous embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0058]    A pair of side wall extensions  440  extend from the end edges  432   a  of the sidewalls  432 . An upper edge  440   a  of the end wall extensions  440  can be angled so as to approximately align with the angle α of the pair of extensions  436 . The pair of side wall extensions  440  can also be bent inwardly or outwardly (not shown) so as to redirect the water flow toward or away from the pair of extensions  436 . The pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  432  can include one or more apertures  442  that allow a controlled flow of water laterally outward through the sidewalls  432 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , only one aperture  442  is shown although it should be understood that multiple apertures can be sized, shaped, spaced and arranged to provide a desired water distribution therethrough. The pair of side wall extensions  440  can be provided with one or more slots  444  in an end edge  440   b  or along another edge thereof.  FIG. 18  shows the flow shaper  414  formed from a single plate  450 . 
         [0059]    With reference to  FIGS. 19-23 , an alternative flow shaper  514  will now be described. The flow shaper  514  includes a transverse wall portion  530  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  532  extend from a pair of side edges  530   a  of the transverse wall portion  530  and axially toward the body  12 . A pair of mounting base portions  534  extend from the pair of sidewalls  532  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  514  to the support  13 . A pair of extensions  536  extend from opposite end edges  530   b  of the transverse wall portion  530  and extend laterally beyond the end edges of the pair of sidewalls  532 . The pair of extensions  536  can be angled relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle of greater than 180° and less than 240° in the same manner as the extensions  36  in the previous embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 . 
         [0060]    A pair of side wall extensions  540  extend from the end edges  532   a  of the sidewalls  532 . An upper edge  540   a  of the end wall extensions  540  can be angled so as to approximately aligned with the angle α of the pair of extensions  536 . The pair of side wall extensions  540  can also be bent inwardly or outwardly (not shown) so as to direct the water flow toward or away from the pair of extensions  536 . The pair of extensions  536  can include one or more slots  542  that define tines  544  disposed at the ends of the pair of extensions  536 . In the embodiment shown, a pair of slots  542  are provided in the end of each extension  536  and the tines  544  include a central tine  544   a  and a pair of outer tines  544   b.  The pair of slots  542  can include a pair of lateral sidewalls that are nonparallel (generally V-shaped) to one another and can include a base that connects each of the lateral sidewalls. The pair of extensions  536  can also be provided with one or more apertures  546  extending therethrough to provide a controlled spray of water. The size, shape, number and arrangement of the apertures  546  can be determined based upon a desired flow distribution through the pair of extensions  536 .  FIG. 21  shows the flow shaper  514  formed from a single plate  550 .  FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of the flow shaper  514  mounted to a support  13  of a sprinkler body  12 . 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIGS. 24-26 , an alternative flow shaper  614  will now be described. The flow shaper  614  includes a transverse wall portion  630  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  632  extend from a pair of side edges  630   a  of the transverse wall portion  630  and axially toward the body  12 . A pair of mounting base portions  634  extend from the pair of sidewalls  632  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  614  to the support  13 . A pair of extensions  636  extend from opposite end edges  630   b  of the transverse wall portion  630  and extend laterally beyond the end edges  632   a  of the pair of sidewalls  632 . The pair of extensions  636  can be angled a relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle of greater than 180° and less than 240° in the same manner as the extensions  36  in the previous embodiment of  FIGS. 4-6 . A pair of side wall extensions  640  extend from the end edges  632   a  of the sidewalls  632 . An upper edge  640   a  of the end wall extensions  640  can be angled so as to approximately align with the angle α of the pair of extensions  636 . The pair of side wall extensions  640  can also be bent inwardly or outwardly (not shown) so as to direct the water flow toward or away from the pair of extensions  636 . 
         [0062]    The pair of extensions  636  can include one or more slots  642  that define tines  644  disposed at the ends of the pair of extensions  636 . In the embodiment shown, a pair of slots  642  are provided in the end of each extension  636  and the tines  644  include a central tine  644   a  and a pair of outer tines  644   b.  The pair of slots  642  can include a pair of lateral sidewalls that are nonparallel (generally V-shaped) to one another and can include a base that connects each of the lateral sidewalls. The pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  632  can include one or more elongated apertures  648  that allow a controlled flow of water laterally outward through the sidewalls  632 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 24-26 , only one aperture  648  is shown although it should be understood that multiple apertures can be sized, shaped, spaced and arranged to provide a desired water distribution therethrough.  FIG. 26  shows the flow shaper  614  formed from a single plate  650 . 
         [0063]    With reference to  FIGS. 27-29 , an alternative flow shaper  714  will now be described. The flow shaper  714  includes a transverse wall portion  730  intersecting a central axis X of the discharge opening  20  at a location spaced downstream from the support  13 . A pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  732  extend from a pair of side edges  730   a  of the transverse wall portion  730  and axially toward the body  12 . A pair of mounting base portions  734  extend from the pair of sidewalls  732  and are received in the opening  17  of the support  13  for connecting the flow shaper  714  to the support  13 . A pair of extensions  736  extend from opposite end edges  730   b  of the transverse wall portion  730  and extend laterally beyond the end edges of the pair of sidewalls  732 . The pair of extensions  736  can be angled relative to the transverse wall portion by an angle α of greater than 160° and less than 180° . A pair of side wall extensions  740  extend from the end edges  732   a  of the sidewalls  732 . The pair of side wall extensions  740  can also be bent outwardly or inwardly (not shown) so as to direct the water flow away from or toward the pair of extensions  736 . The pair of extensions  736  can include one or more slots  742  that define tines  744  disposed at the ends of the pair of extensions  736 . In the embodiment shown, a pair of slots  742  are provided in the end of each extension  736  and the tines  744  include a central tine  744   a  and a pair of outer tines  744   b.  The pair of slots  742  can include a pair of lateral sidewalls that are nonparallel (generally V-shaped) to one another and can include a base that connects each of the lateral sidewalls. 
         [0064]    The pair of laterally spaced sidewalls  732  can include one or more apertures  748  that allow a controlled flow of water laterally outward through the sidewalls  732 . The apertures  748  can have varying shapes including circular, oval, elongated and other desired shapes. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 27-29 , only one elongated aperture  748  and one circular aperture  748  is shown although it should be understood that multiple apertures can be sized, shaped, spaced and arranged to provide a desired water distribution therethrough. In addition, the sidewall extensions  740  can also be provided with one or more apertures  750  which can also be sized, shaped spaced and arranged to provide a desired water distribution therethrough.  FIG. 29  shows the flow shaper  714  formed from a single plate  760 . 
         [0065]    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.