US 10,328,296 B2Granted

Bracket for installation of a fire protection sprinkler

AssigneeThe Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.

InventorTaek S. Chong

Life of this patent

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Abstract

To install a sprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building, a support bracket includes a support beam, end brackets, and center bracket. The center bracket includes a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, each having an arcuate slot defining an opening to receive a sprinkler fitting, and a closure assembly having a first pin and a closure member having a first end rotatably mounted to the body, between the upper portion and the lower portion, by the first pin, and a second end that includes a handle. When the closure member is in a closed position, and the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening, the closure assembly presses the sprinkler fitting against at least one of the body and the support beam, and urges the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam.

Claims30

Dependent claims

A support bracket for use in installing a sprinkler fitting for a fire protection sprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure, the support bracket comprising:

(A) a support beam configured to extend over a space within the structure of the ceiling;
(B) at least one end bracket provided at a first end of the support beam, and configured to attach the support bracket to the structure of the ceiling;
and
(C) a center bracket supported by the support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting, the center bracket including:
(a) a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, each of the upper portion and the lower portion having an arcuate slot that defines an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting;
(b) a closure assembly including:
(i) a first pin mounted in the body and having a first pin axis;
(ii) a closure member having a first end rotatably mounted to the body, between the upper portion and the lower portion, by the first pin, and a second end that includes a handle, the closure member being rotatable about the first pin axis relative to the body, and being movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, when the closure member is in the closed position and the portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against at least one of the body and the support beam, and urges the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam;
(iii) a second pin mounted in the body at a distance from the first pin, the second pin having a second pin axis;
and
(iv) a lever rotatably mounted to the body, between the upper portion and the lower portion, by the second pin, and positioned relative to the closure member such that, when the closure member moves from the open position to the closed position, the closure member contacts and rotates the lever to cause the lever to press the portion of the sprinkler fitting against the at least one of the body and the support beam;
and
(c) a lock inserted into the body, spaced from the first pin and the second pin, and configured to engage the closure member when the closure member moves in a direction from the open position toward the closed position, and to engage the closure member to prevent the closure member from returning from the closed position to the open position.

10 more elements

An installation apparatus for use in installing a fire protection sprinkler in a building having a ceiling that includes a structure, the installation apparatus comprising:

(A) a flexible conduit configured to connect to a sprinkler fitting, and to a fluid supply conduit in the building;
and
(B) a support bracket including:
(a) a support beam configured to extend over a space within the structure of the ceiling;
(b) at least one end bracket provided at a first end of the support beam, and configured to attach the support bracket to the structure of the ceiling;
and
(c) a center bracket supported by the support beam, and configured to receive at least a portion of the sprinkler fitting, the center bracket having:
(i) a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, each of the upper portion and the lower portion having an arcuate slot that defines an opening to receive the portion of the sprinkler fitting;
(ii) a closure assembly including:
(1) a first pin mounted in the body and having a first pin axis;
(2) a closure member having a first end rotatably mounted to the body, between the upper portion and the lower portion, by the first pin, and a second end that includes a handle, the closure member being rotatable about the first pin axis relative to the body, and being movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein, when the closure member is in the closed position and the portion of the sprinkler fitting is received in the opening, the closure assembly presses the portion of the sprinkler fitting against at least one of the body and the support beam, and urges the center bracket against the support beam to maintain the center bracket stationary relative to the support beam;
(3) a second pin mounted in the body at a distance from the first pin, the second pin having a second pin axis;
and
(4) a lever rotatably mounted to the body, between the upper portion and the lower portion, by the second pin, and positioned relative to the closure member such that, when the closure member moves from the open position to the closed position, the closure member contacts and rotates the lever to cause the lever to press the portion of the sprinkler fitting against the at least one of the body and the support beam;
and
(iii) a lock inserted into the body, spaced from the first pin and the second pin, and configured to engage the closure member when the closure member moves in a direction from the open position toward the closed position, and to engage the closure member to prevent the closure member from returning from the closed position to the open position.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/227,434Filed 20 Dec 2018 · continuation
Priority: 28 May 2014
Published: US 2019/0118015 A125 Apr 2019
Granted: 25 Jun 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A62C 35/68
Pipe-line systems: details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems
B05B 15/62
Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus: arrangements for supporting spraying apparatus, e.g. suction cups
B05B 15/63
Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus: handgrips
F16L 3/1033
Divided, i.e. with two members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing: with two members engaging the pipe, cable or tubing, the two members…

Family

Application62/003,930Us provisional application · filed 28 May 2014
PCT/US2015/033016Parent of this continuation · filed 28 May 2015
US 2019/0118015 A1Pre-grant publication · published 25 Apr 2019
Application15/313,843Parent of this continuation
US 10,173,088 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2017/0197101 A1Published application
US 10,328,296 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.