Fire suppression method and apparatus

• US 6,158,519 A
• Filed: 01/18/2000
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan P. Kretschmer
• Original Assignee: Alan P. Kretschmer
• Inventors: Kretschmer, Alan P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): Douglas, Lisa Ann
• Application Number:
  US09/485,000
• Time in Patent Office: 329 Days
• Field of Search: 239/208, 239/209, 169/5, 169/16, 169/43, 169/46, 169/51, 169/37, 248/342, 248/343, 52/1, 52/506.08, 285/302
• US Class Current: 169/16
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/645 with compressed gas in pipework

Abstract

A fire suppression method and apparatus has a sprinkler head support bracket which is installable immediately above a ceiling tile. The support bracket is configured with a plurality of openings such that multiple locations for the sprinkler head may be used and the exact "center of tile" installation of the sprinkler head can be accomplished with a wide variety of suspended ceiling assemblies and sprinkler heads. The support bracket rests on grid support members and arches over the ceiling tile. Hold down clips are provided to maintain the bracket in position relative to the grid support members. A pipe clamp is provided which is insertable within the bracket to retain a drop nipple within it. The drop nipple is adjustable relative to the horizontal to move it upwardly or downwardly relative to the ceiling tile. In this fashion, the vertical location of the sprinkler head can be adjusted depending upon the elevation of the ceiling tiles used and the style of sprinkler head used. The drop nipple is attached to a flexible armover connector which allows for an almost infinite number of locations that can be used to connect the drop nipple to the supply line of the fire suppression system.

Claims

1. For use in a fire suppression system, said system being located at and above a grid of like-dimensioned ceiling tiles and ceiling tile support T-bars and having at least one fixed fluid supply line and a plurality of sprinkler heads for dispersing fluid at and below said ceiling tile grid, an apparatus for locating sprinkler heads within a ceiling tile grid which comprises

means for locating a sprinkler head at the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile contained within the grid, said sprinkler head locating means comprising a sprinkler head support bracket which is functionally adapted to overlay a ceiling tile within the grid and to be supported by two opposing ceiling tile support T-bars to either side of said tile, said sprinkler head support bracket including a plurality of holes defined within said bracket, said holes corresponding to the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile,

means for adjustably setting the depth of the sprinkler head relative to said ceiling tile, and

a flexible hose connecting the sprinkler head to said fixed fluid supply line.

2. The sprinkler head locating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said depth setting means includes a drop nipple connected to said sprinkler head and further includes a drop nipple pipe clamp which is functionally adapted to be supported within any one of the holes defined within said sprinkler head support bracket, said drop nipple being movable within said drop nipple pipe clamp whereby the position of the sprinkler head may be variably adjusted relative to the ceiling tile.

3. The sprinkler head locating apparatus of claim 2 wherein said flexible hose comprises a metallic hose with a braided metallic sleeve.

4. The sprinkler head locating apparatus of claim 3 wherein said flexible hose comprises a rubber hose.

5. The sprinkler head locating apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ceiling tile is comprised of like-dimensioned geometrical subdivisions and said sprinkler head locating means further includes means for locating a sprinkler head at the exact center of any of such geometrical subdivisions, said sprinkler head locating means comprises a sprinkler head support bracket which is functionally adapted to overlay a ceiling tile within the grid and to be supported by two opposing ceiling tile support T-bars to either side of said tile, and said sprinkler head support bracket includes a plurality of holes defined within said bracket, said holes corresponding to the exact centers of the geometrical subdivisions of said ceiling tile.

6. The sprinkler head locating apparatus of claim 5 wherein said depth setting means includes a drop nipple which is functionally adapted to be connectable to a sprinkler head and further includes a drop nipple pipe clamp which is functionally adapted to be supported within any one of the holes defined within said sprinkler head support bracket, said drop nipple being movable within said drop nipple pipe clamp whereby the position of the sprinkler head may be variably adjusted relative to the ceiling tile.

7. The sprinkler head locating apparatus of claim 6 wherein said flexible hose comprises a metallic hose with a braided metallic sleeve.

8. The sprinkler head locating apparatus of claim 7 wherein said flexible hose comprises a rubber hose.

9. A method for locating sprinkler heads used in a fire suppression system, said system being located at and above a grid of like-dimensioned ceiling tiles and ceiling tile support T-bars and having at least one fixed fluid supply line and a plurality of sprinkler heads for dispersing fluid at and below said ceiling grid, which comprises the steps of

providing a means for locating a sprinkler head at the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile contained within the grid,

providing a ceiling tile having like-dimensioned geometrical subdivisions,

locating a sprinkler head at the exact center of any of such geometrical subdivisions, said sprinkler head locating step comprises providing a sprinkler head support bracket which is functionally adapted to overlay a ceiling tile within the grid to be supported by two opposing ceiling tile support T-bars to either side of said tile, said support bracket having a plurality of holes defined within said bracket which correspond to the exact center of the dimensional profile of a ceiling tile and which correspond to the exact centers of the geometrical subdivisions of said ceiling tiles

providing means for adjustably setting the depth of the sprinkler head relative to said ceiling tile, and

providing a flexible hose for connecting the sprinkler head to said fixed fluid supply line.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said depth setting means providing step includes providing a drop nipple and connecting said drop nipple to said sprinkler head and further includes providing a drop nipple pipe clamp, said drop nipple pipe clamp being functionally adapted to be supported within any one of the holes defined within said sprinkler head bracket, said drop nipple being movable within said drop nipple pipe clamp whereby the position of the sprinkler head may be variably adjusted relative to the ceiling tile.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said hose providing step includes providing a metallic hose with a braided metallic sleeve.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said hose providing step includes providing a rubber hose.