Concealed sprinkler cover
OwnerPeter Yeadoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sprinkler cover apparatus conceals sprinkler heads using temperature-responsive materials that release the cover when exposed to a set temperature, allowing unobstructed water flow. The apparatus is an imperceptible component of the ceiling or wall. Embodiments include single- and multi-piece designs, mounted to the ceiling or sprinkler head housing. Some embodiments do not contact the sprinkler head directly. Actuation is achieved via materials like shape-memory polymers (SMPs), shape-memory alloys (SMAs), liquid crystalline polymers, melting substances (e.g., wax, solder), or bimetals. These materials change shape or phase at specific temperatures, enabling automatic cover release.
Claims17
An apparatus for concealing and uncovering an opening in a ceiling, comprising:
- a collar with an aperture the same size or smaller than the opening in the ceiling,
- a cover configured to fit within the aperture of the collar, and
- at least one actuator at least partially comprised of a shape memory polymer, wherein
- the at least one actuator is a component of the cover,
- the collar is configured to be installed below the opening in the ceiling with the aperture of the collar located within the opening in the ceiling,
- the shape memory polymer responds to a temperature at or above a specified transformation temperature,
- the at least one actuator has an original shape,
- the at least one actuator is configured to be transformed from the original shape into a deformed shape,
- the at least one actuator is configured to transform from the deformed shape to the original shape at or above the transformation temperature, and
- the at least one actuator is configured to displace the cover, at least partially exposing the opening in the ceiling.
An apparatus for concealing and uncovering an opening in a surface of a ceiling, comprising:
- a collar with an aperture the same size or smaller than the opening and configured to be installed below the opening with the aperture of the collar located within the opening,
- a cover configured to fit within the aperture of the collar, and
- at least one actuator at least partially comprised of a shape memory polymer, wherein
- the at least one actuator is a component of the cover,
- the shape memory polymer responds to a temperature at or above a specified transformation temperature, and
- at or above the specified transformation temperature, the at least one actuator is configured to displace the cover, at least partially exposing the opening.
An apparatus for concealing and uncovering an opening in a surface, comprising:
- a collar and a cover, wherein
- the collar is an independent component from the surface,
- the collar is comprised of an aperture the same size or smaller than the opening in the surface, and
- the collar is configured to be installed below the opening in the surface with the aperture of the collar located within the opening in the surface,
- the cover is an independent component from both the surface and the collar,
- the cover is configured to fit within the aperture of the collar,
- the cover is comprised of at least one actuator at least partially comprised of a shape memory polymer,
- the shape memory polymer responds to a temperature at or above a specified transformation temperature, and
- at or above the specified transformation temperature, the at least one actuator is configured to displace the cover, at least partially exposing the opening in the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.