Fire-control sprinkler riser systems
OwnerMichael S. Cooperinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fire-control riser system that provides a multi-function unitary valve system including providing pressure test, pressure relief, and drain/test fluid flow capability for fire-control sprinkler systems. Furthermore, the fire-control riser system comprises an enclosure that provides for easier installation, pre-assembled components and protects such riser systems from damage during the construction process. Additionally, the fire-control riser system may be substantially comprised of plastic material. The system utilizes an improved flow switch coupling-attachment system that includes no-thread attachment or threaded attachment. The system also provides for multi-function components as well as reduced ports for component installation thereby reducing potential leak areas.
Claims48
1) A method of protecting at least one fire sprinkler riser system of a fire-protectable structure comprising the steps of:
- a) providing at least one protective enclosure around the at least one fire sprinkler riser system;
- b) attaching such at least one protective enclosure to such fire-protectable structure;
- and
- c) operatively connecting such at least one fire sprinkler riser system to a fire sprinkler system of such fire-protectable structure.
4) A method of supplying fire sprinkler riser systems for a fire-protectable structure comprising the steps of:
- a) providing at least one fire sprinkler riser;
- b) providing at least one protective enclosure to protect such at least one fire sprinkler riser after installation;
- c) mounting, before the installation, such at least one fire sprinkler riser in such at least one protective enclosure;
- and
- d) providing transportation of such mounted at least one fire sprinkler riser to at least one installer.
10) A fire protection system for connecting at least one water supply to at least one fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising, in combination:
- a) at least one riser system comprising at least one riser;
- and,
- b) at least one enclosure structured and arranged to substantially enclose and protect such at least one riser system;
- c) wherein such at least one riser system is mounted to such at least one enclosure.
26) An apparatus for use in a fire-protectable structure adjacent a location of at least one fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising, in combination:
- a) at least one portable enclosure structured and arranged to protect at least one fire sprinkler riser system when substantially interior to said at least one portable enclosure from normally damaging elements exterior to said at least one portable enclosure;
- b) at least one first aperture in said at least one portable enclosure structured and arranged to permit entry into said at least one portable enclosure of at least one fire suppressant supply line, and
- c) at least one second aperture in said at least one portable enclosure structured and arranged to permit entry into said at least one portable enclosure of at least one fire suppressant egress line;
- d) wherein said at least one portable enclosure comprises at least one closable access portal structured and arranged to permit maintenance of the at least one fire sprinkler riser system;
- and
- e) wherein said at least one portable enclosure is attachable to at least one portion of the at least one fire-protectable structure adjacent a location of the at least one fire sprinkler riser system.
28) At least one unitary riser for use in at least one fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising substantially plastic.
37) A riser system for use in at least one fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising at least one unitary riser having at least one integral bracket structured and arranged to attach said at least one unitary riser to the fire-protectable structure.
38) A flow switch system for monitoring water flow through at least one fire sprinkler system wherein the flow switch comprises:
- a) at least one first flow indicator structured and arranged to indicate the water flow;
- and
- b) at least one second flow-volume indicator structured and arranged to indicate water flow volume.
41) A flow switch system for monitoring water flow through at least one riser of a fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising at least one flow switch comprising a readable gauge wherein said flow switch is structured and arranged so that, when said flow switch is installed adjacent a wall of the fire-protectable structure, a readable face of said readable gauge is parallel to the wall.
42) A flow switch system for monitoring water flow through at least one fire sprinkler system comprising a fail-safe electronic monitoring system.
43) A unitary riser system for use in at least one fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising at least one integral backflow valve.
45) A riser system for use in at least one fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising at least one integral backflow valve connected to a flow switch indicator.
46) A flow switch attachment system for attaching at least one flow switch to at least one riser of at least one fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising:
- a) at least one first coupler;
- and
- b) at least one second coupler, attachable to the at least one flow switch, structured and arranged to removably couple to said at least one first coupler;
- c) wherein said at least one first coupler comprises at least one first end and at least one second end;
- d) wherein said at least one first end is structured and arranged to sealably attach to the at least one riser;
- e) wherein said at least one second end is structured and arranged to sealably attach to said at least one second coupler;
- f) wherein said at least one first end comprises at least one attachment selected from the following group:
- i) screw threads,
- ii) adhesive,
- iii) welding;
- and
- g) wherein the at least one flow switch may be sealably attached to the at least one riser utilizing said at least one coupling.
47) A flow switch system for monitoring water flow through at least one riser of a fire sprinkler system of a fire-protectable structure comprising:
- a) at least one flow switch;
- b) wherein said at least one flow switch comprises at least one water pressure indicator structured and arranged to indicate water pressure in said at least one riser.
48) In a system for connecting a flow switch to a longitudinal pipe for monitoring water flow through said longitudinal pipe, said flow switch being of the type comprising a housing including a face plate, a sensing switch within said housing, a sensing paddle outside said housing and connected by a connector member through said face plate to said sensing switch, screw attachments for connecting said face plate to a flange member, and a cylindrical seal member, co-axial with said sensing paddle and encircling said connector member, for sealing said face-plate-to-flange connection, the steps of:
- a) providing an attachment pipe extending transversely from said longitudinal pipe along a first side of said longitudinal pipe, said attachment pipe comprising, at an outer end of said attachment pipe, a flange, comprising a cylindrical counterbore co-axial with said attachment pipe, for direct no-pipe-thread attachment of said flow switch to said attachment pipe in such manner that said flow switch may monitor water flow through said longitudinal pipe;
- b) providing a said disassembled said flow switch with said face plate, said sensing paddle and connector member, and said seal member;
- c) inserting said sensing paddle through said counterbore into said attachment pipe in such manner that said seal member rests essentially within said counterbore;
- d) connecting said face plate to said flange with said screw attachments in such manner as to seal said faceplate-to-flange connection with said sensing paddle in place for said monitoring and permit said connector member to pass through said face plate in position for connection to said sensing switch;
- e) reconnecting said connector member to said sensing switch;
- and
- f) reconnecting said housing to reassemble said flow switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.