Cover Installation Tool

• US 20090266203A1
• Filed: 04/29/2008
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Viking Corporation
• Original Assignee: The Viking Corporation
• Inventors: Orr, Shawn G., Oldham, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,891,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/64
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/00 Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects B23P19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 9/00 Hand-held gripping tools other than those covered by group B25B7/00 wrenches B25B13/00; specially adapted for watchmakers' or like use G04D
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

An installation tool may include an extension member, a body portion disposed on the extension member, and a plurality of fingers flexibly protruding from the body portion. The plurality of fingers are adapted to releasably engage a cover assembly. The plurality of fingers and the body portion cooperate to retain the cover assembly in a first direction and allow disengagement of the cover assembly in a second direction.

Claims

1. An installation tool comprising:

an extension member;

a body portion disposed on said extension member; and

a plurality of fingers protruding from said body portion,

wherein said plurality of fingers are resiliently flexible and adapted to releasably engage a cover assembly of a sprinkler system.

2. The installation tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers protrude from said body portion at an inward angle.

3. The installation tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers include a lip portion disposed at an outward angle.

4. The installation tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers and said body portion cooperate to retain said cover assembly in a first direction and allow disengagement of said cover assembly in a second direction.

5. The installation tool according to claim 1, wherein said cover assembly is pressed into releasable engagement with said plurality of fingers.

6. The installation tool according to claim 1, wherein said extension member is received within said body portion.

7. The installation tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers are resiliently flexible.

8. The installation tool according to claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of fingers are flexible about a stem portion of each of said plurality of fingers.

9. The installation tool according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of fingers are integrally formed with said body portion.

10. A tool for installing a sprinkler cover comprising:

an elongated extension member;

a body portion disposed on an end portion of said extension member; and

at least one finger protruding from said body portion, said at least one finger and said body portion cooperating to releasably engage a sprinkler cover,

wherein said body portion forces said sprinkler cover into an installed position in response to a force in a first direction and disengages said sprinkler cover in response to a force in a second direction.

11. The tool for installing a sprinkler cover according to claim 10, wherein said at least one finger is biasingly flexible about a stem portion of said at least one finger.

12. The tool for installing a sprinkler cover according to claim 10, wherein said at least one finger protrudes from said body portion at an inward angle.

13. The tool for installing a sprinkler cover according to claim 10, wherein said at least one finger includes a lip portion disposed at an outward angle.

14. The tool for installing a sprinkler cover according to claim 10, wherein said elongated extension member is received in a neck portion of said body portion.

15. The tool for installing a sprinkler cover according to claim 10, wherein said elongated extension member is extendable.

16. The tool for installing a sprinkler cover according to claim 10, wherein said at least one finger is integrally formed with said body portion.

17. A method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly comprising:

inserting a first portion of said cover assembly into releasable engagement with an installation tool having an extension member;

applying a force to said extension member in a first direction along a longitudinal axis of said extension member to remotely press a second portion of said cover assembly into engagement with said sprinkler assembly; and

applying a force to said extension member in a second direction along said longitudinal axis of said extension member to disengage said cover assembly from said installation tool, said cover assembly maintaining engagement with said sprinkler assembly.

18. The method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 17, wherein said sprinkler assembly is disposed within an opening in a ceiling.

19. The method for installing a sprinkler cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 17, wherein said first portion of said cover assembly is releasably engaged with a plurality of fingers protruding from a body portion of said installation tool.

20. The method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of fingers are biasingly disposed against a periphery of said cover assembly.

21. The method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 19, wherein at least one of said plurality of fingers resiliently flexes to allow said cover assembly to disengage from said installation tool.

22. The method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of fingers protrude from said body portion at a generally inward angle.

23. The method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 17, wherein an engagement force between said cover assembly and said sprinkler assembly is greater than an engagement force between said cover assembly and said installation tool.

24. The method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 17, wherein said installation tool is disposed on said extension member.

25. The method for installing a cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 17, wherein said extension member is expandable.

26. The method for installing a sprinkler cover assembly onto a sprinkler assembly according to claim 17, further comprising applying a force to said extension member in a rotary direction to remotely adjust said cover assembly into contact with a ceiling surface.