Fire protection sprinkler head support

• US 6,752,218 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Issued: 06/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ASC Engineered Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: PNM Incorporated (Union Pacific Corporation)
• Inventors: MacDonald, Norman J. III, Silcox, Paul S. F., MacDonald, Peter M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US10/294,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20030066658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 169/16, 169/37, 169/41, 169/43, 169/51, 169/54, 169/56, 239/209, 239/588, 239/600, 239/587.1, 239/208, 239/280.5, 239/281, 239/203, 239/390, 239/550, 239/548, 248/56, 248/57, 248/70, 248/75, 248/214, 248/342, 248/343, 248/59, 52/39, 525/060.6, 525/060.7, 285/31, 285/46, 285/302
• US Class Current: 169/43
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K

Abstract

A support system for use in fire-protection sprinkler systems and for positioning and supporting a fire-protection sprinkler head in a suspended ceiling including a T-bar grid for supporting panels. The support system includes a hub defining an annular opening configured to receive the fire-protection sprinkler head, which is connected to a flexible conduit. A leg is attached to the hub and has first and second ends attached to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.

Claims

1. A support system for fire-protection sprinkler systems, the support system for positioning and supporting a fire-protection sprinkler head in a suspended ceiling including a T-bar grid for supporting panels, the support system comprising:

a hub defining an annular opening configured to receive the fire-protection sprinkler head, which is connected to a flexible conduit; and

a leg attached to the hub and having first and second ends attached to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.

2. The support system of claim 1, wherein the opening is circular.

3. The support system of claim 1, wherein the hub is configured to be moveable along length of the leg.

4. The support system of claim 3, wherein the hub is configured to be slidably moveable along the length of the leg.

5. The support system of claim 1, further comprising at least one fastening device attached to the leg and configured to be secured to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.

6. The support system of claim 1, further comprising clips for attaching the leg to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling, the clips configured to connect to the leg at an adjustable position along the length of the leg.

7. A support system for fire-protection sprinkler systems, the support system for positioning and supporting a fire-protection sprinkler head in a suspended ceiling including a T-bar grid for supporting panels, the support system comprising:

a central hub comprising a plate and a sleeve, the sleeve being an opening configured to receive the fire-protection sprinkler head; and

a first leg having a first end attached to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling, the plate being attached to the first leg with a fixing device configured to allow the position of the plate along the length of the leg to be adjusted.

8. The support system of claim 7 further comprising a flexible sprinkler assemblage, the flexible sprinkler assemblage comprising:

a flexible conduit;

a fitting attached to the flexible conduit; and

the sprinkler head attached to the fitting.

9. The support system of claim 7 further comprising fastening devices positioned on each leg end to attach the leg to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.

10. The support system of claim 9, wherein the fastening devices include a clip.

11. A sprinkler support system for positioning and supporting a fire-protection sprinkler head in a suspended ceiling including a T-bar grid for supporting panels, the sprinkler support system comprising:

a central hub comprising;

a plate; and

a sleeve being an opening extending through a broad surface of the plate, the sleeve configured to receive the fire-protection sprinkler head; and

a flexible sprinkler assemblage, the flexible sprinkler assemblage including;

a flexible conduit;

a fitting attached to the flexible conduit and the sleeve;

wherein the sprinkler support system is attached to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling, the sprinkler support system being independent from the suspended ceiling.

12. The sprinkler support system of claim 11 wherein the central hub is adapted to be removably attached to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.

13. The sprinkler support system of claim 12 wherein the sprinkler support system is removably attached to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling by a fastening device.

14. The sprinkler support system of claim 12, wherein the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling is in the form of a rectangular frame.

15. The sprinkler support system of claim 11, further comprising a first leg attached to the plate.

16. A method of positioning and supporting a fire-protection sprinkler head in a suspended ceiling including a T-bar grid for supporting panels, the method comprising:

providing a support system having a hub and a leg having first and second ends, the hub defining an opening;

positioning and attaching the fire-protection sprinkler head within the opening of the hub;

positioning and attaching the hub along a length of the leg;

connecting the fire-protection sprinkler head to a first end of a flexible conduit; and

connecting the leg to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing the sprinkler head to the hub.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting the position of the hub along the length of the leg.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising adjusting the height of the sprinkler head relative to the opening.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising securing the sprinkler head to the hub.

21. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting the height of the sprinkler head relative to the opening.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising securing the sprinkler head to the hub.

23. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching the leg to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling with clips.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising adjusting a position of the leg relative to the clips.

25. The method of claim 16, further comprising connecting a second end of the flexible conduit to a supply pipe.

26. The method of claim 16, further comprising connecting the first or second end of the leg to the T-bar grid of the suspended ceiling.