Adjustable Pulley Assembly
OwnerSteven J. Benda, Dorothy C. Ruohoneninventors
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Abstract
An adjustable pulley assembly is provided for operably and reliably routing a line through one or more non-perpendicular angles of a line activated system, while maintaining a closed environment as the line changes directions. Some embodiments provide an adjustable pulley assembly having first and second housing members rotationally engaged about an axis of rotation to provide an angular separation between adjacent conduits coupled to the pulley assembly. In some cases the angular separation is adjustable within a range of angles including and extending between a minimum separation angle and a maximum separation angle. Systems and methods incorporating the adjustable pulley assembly are also provided.
Claims20
An adjustable pulley assembly for routing a line within a line activated system, the adjustable pulley assembly comprising:
- a housing comprising
- a first housing member having a first aperture providing access between the housing and a first conduit of a line activated system, and
- a second housing member having a second aperture providing access between the housing and a second conduit of the line activated system, wherein
- the first and second housing members are rotationally engaged about an axis of rotation to provide an angular separation between the first aperture and the second aperture, wherein
- the angular separation is adjustable within a range of angles including and extending between a minimum separation angle and a maximum separation angle, and wherein
- the housing provides an enclosed compartment connecting the first and second apertures throughout the range of angles;
- and
- a pulley member disposed within the enclosed compartment about the axis of rotation for routing a line through the housing between the first and second conduits, the line extending through the first and second conduits for activating the line activated system.
An adjustable pulley assembly for routing a line within a line activated system, the adjustable pulley assembly comprising:
- housing means for providing an enclosed compartment between first and second conduits of a line activated system, the housing means comprising
- a first aperture for accessing the first conduit,
- a second aperture for accessing the second conduit, and
- rotating means for adjusting an angular separation between the first and second apertures wherein the angular separation is adjustable within a range of angles including and extending between a minimum separation angle and a maximum separation angle;
- and
- pulley means disposed within the housing means for routing a line through the housing means between the first and second conduits, the line extending through the first and second conduits for activating the line activated system.
A method of installing a fire alarm and/or suppression system, comprising:
- providing an adjustable pulley assembly having a housing and a pulley member disposed within the housing, the housing comprising a first housing member having a first aperture and a second housing member having a second aperture, wherein the first and second housing members are rotationally engaged to provide an angular separation between the first and second apertures, and wherein the housing provides an enclosed compartment connecting the first and second apertures;
- adjusting the angular separation between the first and second apertures of the adjustable pulley assembly to a desired non-perpendicular angle;
- coupling a first conduit to the first aperture;
- coupling a second conduit to the second aperture;
- coupling a line to a system actuator;
- and
- routing the line through the first conduit, the adjustable pulley assembly, and the second conduit to allow remote activation of the fire alarm and/or suppression system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.