Sprinkler head deactivating tool

• US 6,575,252 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2001
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Links Medical Products Incorporated, Susan M. Payne
• Original Assignee: Links Medical Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Reed, Jeffrey Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Mar, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORMAN, DARREN W
• Application Number:
  US09/867,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20020179746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 169/90, 251/83, 251/90, 251/291, 251/321, 81/44, 811/50, 811/51, 239/569
• US Class Current: 169/90
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/20 Resetting after use; Tools therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/00 Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories

Abstract

A tool for deactivating a sprinkler head. The tool includes a housing, a first arm supported by the housing and a second arm supported for movement relative to the first arm. A first engagement surface is supported by the first arm and a second engagement surface is supported by the second arm. The first and second engagement surfaces are adapted for positioning intermediate a valve and a receiving support of the sprinkler head. A biasing member is operably connected to the second arm for urging the second engagement surface away from the first engagement surface. A handle is supported by the second arm and is moveable relative to the housing.

Claims

1. A tool for deactivating a sprinkler head to stop the flow of water therefrom, the sprinkler head including a spacer positioned intermediate a valve and a receiving support, the valve supported by the spacer in releasable sealing engagement with a valve seat, said tool comprising:

a housing including a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end;

a first arm extending outwardly from said distal end of said housing;

a second arm supported for movement relative to said first arm;

a first engagement surface supported by said first arm;

a second engagement surface supported by said second arm;

said first engagement surface and said second engagement surface adapted for positioning intermediate the valve and the receiving support of the sprinkler head;

a biasing member operably connected to said second arm for urging said second engagement surface away from said first engagement surface; and

at least one handle supported by said second arm and moveable relative to said housing.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein:

said first arm comprises a first support portion extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and a first jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said first support portion, said first engagement surface supported by said first jaw portion; and

said second arm comprises a second support portion extending substantially parallel to said first support portion and a second jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said second support portion, said second engagement surface supported by said second jaw portion.

3. The tool of claim 2 further comprising first and second resilient members supported by said first and second jaw portions, said first and second resilient members defining said first and second engagement surfaces.

4. The tool of claim 2 wherein:

said housing includes a side wall defining an interior chamber; and

said second support portion of said second arm is slidably supported within said interior chamber.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said housing includes at least one elongated slot formed within said side wall for receiving said at least one handle.

6. The tool of claim 5 further comprising a protective sleeve slidably receiving said housing and substantially covering said at least one elongated slot.

7. The tool of claim 4 wherein said biasing member comprises a compression spring receiving said second arm.

8. The tool of claim 7 further comprising a pin fixed within said housing adjacent said proximal end, wherein said spring is received intermediate said at least one handle and said pin.

9. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a resilient base supported by said proximal end of said housing and adapted to be received within the palm of a user.

10. A tool for deactivating a sprinkler head to stop the flow of water therefrom, the sprinkler head including a spacer positioned intermediate a valve and a receiving support, the valve supported by the spacer in releasable sealing engagement with a valve seat, said tool comprising:

a housing including a side wall defining an interior chamber, said housing further including a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end;

a first arm extending outwardly from said distal end of said housing, said first arm including a first support portion extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, a first jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said support portion, and a first engagement surface supported by said first jaw portion;

a second arm supported for movement relative to said first arm, said second arm comprising a second support portion slidably supported within said interior chamber of said housing and extending substantially parallel to said first support portion, a second jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said second support portion, and a second engagement surface supported by said second jaw portion;

said first engagement surface and said second engagement surface being adapted for positioning intermediate the valve and the receiving support of the sprinkler head; and

a compression spring receiving said second support portion of said second arm, said compression spring being configured to separate said first and second jaw portions into a fixed operative position wherein said first and second engagement surfaces support the valve of the sprinkler head in sealing engagement with the valve seat and in spaced relation with the receiving support.

11. The tool of claim 10 further comprising first and second resilient members supported by said first and second jaw portions, said first and second resilient members defining said first and second engagement surfaces.

12. A tool for deactivating a sprinkler head to stop the flow of water therefrom, the sprinkler head including a spacer positioned intermediate a valve and a receiving support, the valve supported by the spacer in releasable sealing engagement with a valve seat, said tool comprising:

a housing including a side wall defining an interior chamber, said housing further including a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end;

a first arm extending outwardly from said distal end of said housing, said first arm including a first support portion extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, a first jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said support portion, and a first engagement surface supported by said first jaw portion;

a second arm supported for movement relative to said first arm, said second arm comprising a second support portion slidably supported within said interior chamber of said housing and extending substantially parallel to said first support portion, a second jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said second support portion, and a second engagement surface supported by said second jaw portion;

said first engagement surface and said second engagement surface being adapted for positioning intermediate the valve and the receiving support of the sprinkler head; and

at least one handle supported by said second support portion of said second arm and moveable relative to said housing, wherein said housing includes at least one elongated slot for receiving said at least one handle.

13. The tool of claim 12 further comprising a protective sleeve slidably receiving said housing and substantially covering said at least one elongated slot.

14. A tool for deactivating a sprinkler head to stop the flow of water therefrom, the sprinkler head including a spacer positioned intermediate a valve and a receiving support, the valve supported by the spacer in releasable sealing engagement with a valve seat, said tool comprising:

a housing including a side wall having at least one elongated slot and defining an interior chamber, said housing further including a proximal end, an opposing distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end;

a first arm extending outwardly from said distal end of said housing, said first arm including a first support portion extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis, a first jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said support portion, and a first engagement surface supported by said first jaw portion;

a second arm supported for movement relative to said first arm, said second arm comprising a second support portion slidably received within said interior chamber of said housing and extending substantially parallel to said first support portion, a second jaw portion extending substantially perpendicular to said second support portion, and a second engagement surface supported by said second jaw portion;

said first engagement surface and said second engagement surface adapted for positioning intermediate the valve and the receiving support of the sprinkler head;

a compression spring operably connected to said second arm for urging said second engagement surface away from said first engagement surface;

at least one handle supported by said second arm and moveable relative to said housing within said at least one elongated slot; and

a protective sleeve slidably receiving said housing and substantially covering said at least one elongated slot.