Sprinkler head

• US 5,228,625 A
• Filed: 10/22/1991
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Masco GmbH (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Masco GmbH (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Grassberger, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAINOR, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US07/772,355
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 239/602, 239/548, 239/558, 239/104, 239/533.1, 239/533.14, 239/533.13, 239/587.1
• US Class Current: 239/558
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/185 characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/528 by resilient deformation of the nozzle

Abstract

In a sprinkler head comprising a sprinkler body (1) and a sprinkler base (4), the nozzle wall of the sprinkler base (4) is the fixed supporting plate (8) of a rubber-elastic nozzle plate (11) resting on it. The nozzle plate (11) comprises a plurality of elastic nozzle projections (12) formed on it which engage in receiving bore holes (9) of the supporting plate (8). The axial length of the elastic nozzle projections (12) in relation to that of the receiving bore holes (9) is such that their elastically deformable ends always project beyond the outer surface (14) of the supporting plate (8). Furring of the nozzle projections can easily be removed by exerting a slight external force on the elastically deformable ends. Nevertheless, the spray-forming outlet ends of the nozzle projections (12) are so thick-walled and of such material quality that they withstand ordinary water pressures and therefore have good spray guidance properties.

Claims

1. Sprinkler head comprising a sprinkler body (1) with an inlet (2) and an outlet (3), a sprinkler base (4), which is detachably fastened at the sprinkler body (1) and closes the outlet (3), and a rubber-elastic nozzle plate (11) which contacts a fixed supporting plate (8) of the sprinkler base (4) and comprises a plurality of elastic nozzle projections (12) which engage in corresponding receiving bore holes (9) of the supporting plate (8), have a greater axial length than the respective receiving bore holes (9) of the supporting plate (8) and whose elastically deformable ends project over the outer surface (14) of the supporting plate (8) also when not acted upon by the pressure of liquid, characterized in that the nozzle projections (12, 12'"'"') have spray-forming output ends which are constructed so as to be thick-walled to withstand ordinary water pressures, the cross-sectional area formed by the outer diameter at the output end of the nozzle projections (12, 12'"'"') being approximately 7 to 10 times greater than the outlet cross-sectional area formed by the inner diameter of a spray outlet opening, but are externally deformable by hand for removal of external furring at the output ends of the nozzle projections wherein the nozzle plate (11, 11'"'"') and the nozzle projection (12, 12'"'"') are formed so as to form one piece shaped from a rubber-elastic material having a Shore hardness of approximately 40 to 50, and wherein the elastically hand-deformable ends of the nozzle projections (12, 12'"'"') project over the outer surface (14, 14'"'"') of the supporting plate (8, 8'"'"') by an amount corresponding to approximately one to two times the outer diameter of the nozzle projections.

2. Sprinkler head according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle projections (12, 12'"'"') have liquid ducts (13, 13'"'"') which are constructed as stepped bore holes with a greater inlet cross section and a smaller outlet cross section.

3. Sprinkler head according to claim 2, characterized in that the axial longitudinal area (37) of the greater inlet cross section of the liquid ducts (13, 13'"'"') projects over the outer surface (14, 14'"'"') of the supporting plate (8, 8'"'"').

4. Sprinkler head according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional area formed by the outer diameter of the nozzle projections (12, 12'"'"') is approximately 3 to 5 times greater than the cross-sectional area formed by the diameter of the inlet cross-section of the stepped bore hole.

5. Sprinkler head according to one of claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the stepped bore hole having the smaller outlet cross section has a polygonal, shape.

6. Sprinkler head according to one of claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle projections (12, 12'"'"') are rounded off at their ends in a cap-shaped manner.

7. Sprinkler head according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting plate (8) is curved outward at least at a supporting surface (10) for the rubber-elastic nozzle plate (11), and in that the receiving bore holes (9) are arranged so as to diverge from one another proceeding from the supporting surface (10) in the direction of flow.

8. Sprinkler head according to claim 7, characterized in that the nozzle plate (11) is clamped in at its circumferential edge between an annular surface (15) of the sprinkler body (1) and the supporting plate (8) when the sprinkler base (4) is fastened at the sprinkler body (1).

9. Sprinkler head according to claim 8, characterized in that the circumferential edge of the nozzle plate (11) is provided with an annular rib (17) which faces the supporting plate (8) and engages in a corresponding annular groove (18) of the supporting plate (8).

10. Sprinkler head according to claim 8, characterized in that a pressure ring (16) is inserted between the annular surface (15) of the sprinkler body (1) and the circumferential edge of the nozzle plate (11).

11. Sprinkler head according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting plate (8'"'"') of the sprinkler base (4'"'"') is constructed so as to be bendable in an elastic manner, said supporting plate (8'"'"') having a concentrically located threaded part (34) that engages with a complementary threaded part (26, 35) fastened at the sprinkler body (1'"'"') so as to be adjustable by means of screwing in order to achieve different curvatures of the supporting plate (8'"'"').