Mounting coupling for sprinkler support system

• US 7,845,599 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Viking Corporation
• Original Assignee: The Viking Corporation
• Inventors: Jackson, Eldon D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Tan
• Application Number:
  US11/689,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20080230238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• Field of Search: 248/226.11, 248/227.3, 248/227.4, 248/230.4, 248/231.51, 248/229.1, 248/229.13, 248/229.23, 248/340, 248/343, 248 71- 73, 248/75, 248/62, 248/65, 248/342, 248/317, 525/060.3, 525/060.7, 525/060.6, 525/060.9, 169/16, 169/17, 169/37, 169/41, 239/280.5, 239/282, 239/283, 239/203, 239208-209, 239/600
• US Class Current: 248/73
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K

Abstract

A mounting coupling for a fire sprinkler support system includes an adjustable opening for receiving a sprinkler reducer coupling that allows insertion of the sprinkler coupling into the mounting coupling with a sprinkler head assembled thereto. The mounting coupling can be securely engaged to the reducer coupling and fixed to a support bar of the sprinkler support system using a single fastener thereby providing improved installation and functionality.

Claims

1. A sprinkler support system, comprising:

a sprinkler head or sprinkler coupling;

a support bar;

a bracket system slidably received on said support bar, said bracket system including at least one jaw mount portion;

a threaded member coupled to the bracket system; and

at least one pivot jaw pivotally mounted to said at least one jaw mount portion, said threaded member configured to be tightened along an axis substantially perpendicular to said support bar to draw said at least one pivot jaw along a direction of said axis toward said support bar such that said pivot jaw securely engages said sprinkler head or sprinkler coupling and secures said sprinkler head or sprinkler coupling and said bracket system in place.

2. The sprinkler support system according to claim 1, wherein said bracket system includes a pair of jaw mount portions and a pair of pivot jaws are mounted to respective ones of said pair of jaw mount portions.

3. The sprinkler support system according to claim 1, wherein said bracket system includes an inner bracket and an outer bracket, said inner bracket slidably received on said support bar and said outer bracket receiving at least a portion of said inner bracket therein;

wherein tightening said threaded member causes said outer bracket to translate relative to said inner bracket and said support bar so as to draw said at least one pivot jaw tightly toward said support bar.

4. The sprinkler support system according to claim 3, wherein said outer bracket further comprises a pair of spaced apart sidewalls each having a channel configured to receive said support bar therein, and wherein said threaded member is threadably coupled to said outer bracket and configured to engage said inner bracket when tightened to draw said at least one pivot jaw toward said support bar.

5. The sprinkler support system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pivot jaw is pivotally mounted to said at least one jaw mounting portion by a rivet.

6. The sprinkler support system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pivot jaw includes an engagement surface having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of an exterior of said one of the sprinkler coupling and sprinkler head, said engagement surface configured to continuously wrap around an exterior portion of said one of the sprinkler coupling and sprinkler head opposite said support bar such that said engagement surface extends along both sides of a central axis extending through a center of said one of the sprinkler coupling and sprinkler head and perpendicular to said support bar.

7. A sprinkler support system, comprising:

a sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head;

a support bar;

a bracket adjustably coupled to said support bar;

a pair of pivot jaws pivotally mounted to said bracket, said pair of pivot jaws arranged to engage said sprinkler coupling or a sprinkler head; and

a single threaded member coupled to said bracket, said threaded member arranged to be tightened along an axis substantially perpendicular to said support bar such that when said single threaded member is drawn tight, the pair of pivot jaws are drawn toward said support bar along a direction of the axis and into tight engagement with said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head to secure said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head in place and said bracket in place relative to said support bar.

8. The sprinkler support system of claim 7, wherein said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head includes an exterior having a polygon shape, and wherein said pair of pivot jaws include an engagement surface having a polygon shape substantially corresponding to said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head polygon shape, said engagement surface configured to continuously wrap around an exterior portion of the sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head opposite said support bar such that said engagement surface extends along both sides of a central axis extending through a center of said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head and perpendicular to said support bar.

9. The sprinkler support system of claim 7, wherein said bracket includes an inner bracket and an outer bracket, said inner bracket including a pair of apertures configured to slidably receive said support bar therethrough, said outer bracket including an upper wall and a lower wall spaced apart from said upper wall and configured to receive at least a portion of said inner bracket therebetween such that said support bar is positioned between said upper and lower walls.

10. The sprinkler support system of claim 7, wherein said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head includes an exterior surface having a polygon shape.

11. The sprinkler support system of claim 7, wherein each of said pair of pivot jaws includes an engagement surface having a shape configured to substantially correspond to at least an engageable portion of an exterior surface of said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head.

12. A sprinkler support system, comprising:

a support bar;

a bracket adjustably coupled to said support bar, said bracket including an inner bracket and an outer bracket, said inner bracket including a pair of apertures configured to slidably receive said support bar therethrough, said outer bracket including an upper wall and a lower wall spaced apart from said upper wall and configured to receive at least a portion of said inner bracket therebetween such that said support bar is positioned between said upper and lower walls;

a pair of pivot jaws, wherein one of said pair of pivot jaws is pivotally coupled to said upper bracket wall and the other of said pair of pivot jaws is pivotally coupled to said lower bracket wall, said pair of pivot jaws arranged to engage a sprinkler coupling or a sprinkler head; and

a single threaded member coupled to said bracket, said threaded member arranged to be tightened along an axis substantially perpendicular to said support bar such that when said single threaded member is drawn tight, the pair of pivot jaws are drawn toward said support bar along a direction of the axis and into tight engagement with said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head.

13. The sprinkler support system of claim 12, wherein said threaded member is threadably coupled to said outer bracket and configured to engage said inner bracket.

14. A sprinkler support system, comprising:

a support bar;

a bracket adjustably coupled to said support bar, said bracket including an inner bracket and an outer bracket, said inner bracket including a pair of apertures configured to slidably receive said support bar therethrough, said outer bracket including an upper wall and a lower wall spaced apart from said upper wall and configured to receive at least a portion of said inner bracket therebetween such that said support bar is positioned between said upper and lower walls;

a pair of pivot jaws pivotally mounted to said bracket, said pair of pivot jaws arranged to engage a sprinkler coupling or a sprinkler head; and

a single threaded member coupled to said bracket, said threaded member arranged to be tightened along an axis substantially perpendicular to said support bar such that when said single threaded member is drawn tight, the pair of pivot jaws are drawn toward said support bar along a direction of the axis and into tight engagement with said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head;

wherein said upper and lower walls of said outer bracket each include an engagement surface having a polygon shape configured to substantially correspond to at least an engageable portion of an exterior surface of said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head.

15. The sprinkler support system of claim 14 wherein said pair of pivot jaws are coupled to said respective upper and lower walls adjacent opposite lateral sides thereof such that a portion of one of said pivot jaws is configured to extend along a first side of said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head and a portion of said other pivot jaw is configured to extend along an opposite side of said sprinkler coupling or sprinkler head.