Sprinkler

Abstract

A sprinkler is provided which includes a frame, a deflector, seat closure cap, a strut and a lever bearing against the strut, which is held from seat cap release by a transversely disposed interengaged tube containing a ball and a heat-sensitive collapsible alloy element.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a sprinkler of the strut and lever type having a transverse retaining tube containing a heat-responsive alloy element, a disk and a ball engaged with and preventing lever and seat closure cap release, until predetermined temperatures are attained.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Sprinklers for water discharge have been in use for many years and a considerable number of different designs have been used. When working with higher water pressures which provide better dispersion of the water and therefore greater fire suppressant effect the eutectic alloys used as heat-sensitive links tend to cold-flow and permit premature unwanted release of the sprinkler valve.

The sprinkler of the invention is free from alloy cold-flow problems as the strut and lever assembly is always securely retained in place, and when released does not interfere with waterflow. The sprinkler of the invention has none of the disadvantages of prior sprinklers and has additional desirable characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a sprinkler is provided having a seat closure cap held in closed position by a strut and lever. The strut and lever are prevented from movement by a ball and a pellet of heat-sensitive material contained in a tube which pellet collapses when a predetermined temperature is reached, permits the ball to move inwardly and releases the lever, strut-and-seat closure cap to permit water to be discharged from the sprinkler.

It is the principal object of the invention to provide a sprinkler having a lever-and-strut assembly that is used with high water pressure and wherein there is no premature water release due to cold-working of the eutectic alloy.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a sprinkler which is simple and inexpensive to construct but sturdy and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but as seen from the opposite side;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the sprinkler in released position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating another preferred embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and FIGS. 1 to 5 thereof, one embodiment of the sprinkler 10 is therein illustrated as having a frame 11. The frame 11 has an externally threaded base 12 which has a tapered vertical bore 14, and valve seat 15.

The base 12 is of generally cylindrical configuration and has a pair of opposed arms 16 integral therewith which extend outwardly and upwardly until they converge and are connected to a crosshead 17. A compression screw 18 is in threaded engagement in the crosshead 17 and has a head 19 thereon and carries a baffle plate 20. The screw 18 has a conical terminal end 21 which is engaged in a recess 22 in plate 23 of a lever 24. The lever 24 has a vertical rib 25 on the side of plate 23 opposite to recess 22, a vertical plate 26 connected to plate 23, and an L-shaped plate 27 connected to the plate 26. A strut 30 has its rail member 31 normally retained between the rib 25 and the plate 26.

The strut 30 is of rectangular configuration in cross section with rail member 32 parallel to and spaced from rail member 31 and with side members 33 connecting the ends of the rail members 31 and 32. The rail member 32 has a projection 34 which is engaged in a recess 35 of valve seat closure cap 36. The cap 36 on valve seat 15 has a sealing disc or plate 37 therebelow to prevent water leakage from bore 14 past seat 15. The strut 30 and lever 24 are normally restrained from relative movement by a transversely disposed retaining assembly 38 which extends between the inner walls 40 of side rail members 33 which are seated in a recess 41 in each side wall and is engaged by plate 27 of lever 24. The retaining assembly 38 is of cylindrical configuration and includes an outer tube 42, an end projection 43 as seen at left in FIG. 4, and a cavity 45, which contains a pellet 46 of eutectic fusible alloy of well-known type, which may have melting temperatures of 135.degree. , 165.degree. , 212.degree. , 286.degree. , 360.degree. , 400.degree. or 500.degree. as desired.

A disc 49 retains the pellet 46 in cavity 45, and distributes the load from a ball 50 which bears against the disc 49 and is seated in one of the recesses 41.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, another preferred embodiment of the sprinkler 100 is illustrated. The sprinkler 100 has a frame 111, an externally threaded base portion 112 with a bore 114 and valve seat 115. The base 112 is of cylindrical configuration with a pair of opposed arms 116 extending upwardly to a crosshead 117. A compression screw 118 is in threaded engagement with the crosshead 117 and has a head 119 thereon which carries a baffle plate 120. The screw 118 has a tapered end 121 opposite to head 119, with an end recess 122 in the end 121.

A valve closure cap 136 is provided on valve seat 115, with an interposed sealing disc or plate 137 to prevent water leakage from bore 114. The cap 136 is provided with a projection 135 thereon which is normally engaged in a recess 123 of plate 124 of a lever 125. The lever 125 has an end projection 134 of a strut 130 engaged between its rib 126 and vertical plate 127, with an L-shaped portion 128 connected to the plate 127. The strut 130 has a plate 131 engaged in the recess 122 and has side rail members 133 connecting plates 131 and 132.

The L-shaped portion 127 and lever 125 are normally prevented from movement by a transversely extending retaining assembly 138 which extends between the inner walls 140 of side rail members 133 in recesses 141.

The retaining assembly 138 is of cylindrical configuration with an outer tube 142, an end projection 143 at one end of tube 142, and a cavity 145 at the other end of the tube. The cavity 145 contains a pellet 146 of eutectic fusible alloy of well-known type which may have melting temperatures of 135.degree. , 165.degree. , 212.degree. , 285.degree. , 360.degree. , 400.degree. or 500.degree. , as desired. A disc (not shown) but similar to disc 49 retains the pellet 146 in cavity 145 and distributes the force from ball 150 in cavity 145 exerted on the disc (not shown) from the action of lever 124 trying to force it further into the cavity 145.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

When the temperature in the vicinity of valve 10 or 100 is reached which is the melting temperature of the pellet 46 or 146 the pellet 46 or 146 collapses. The ball 50 or 150 moves into cavity 45 or 145 and the assembly 38 or 138, due to pressure from lever 24 or 124 moves between and through the side rail members 33 or 133.

The strut 30 or 130 is therefore released from recess 35 in closure cap 36 or recess 122 in screw 118 permitting the closure caps 36 or 136 to move under pressure of water in bore 14 or 114 so that the water flows out past seat 15 of 115, strikes baffle plate 20 or 120 and is dispersed.

It will thus be seen that apparatus has been provided with which the objects of the invention are attained.

Claims

I claim:

1. A sprinkler which comprises

a frame,

a deflector mounted adjacent said frame,

said frame having a base with a hollow bore,

a valve seat at the outer end of said bore,

closure means for said seat normally closing said bore,

a compression screw carried by said frame,

a lever and strut in engagement therewith interposed between said closure means and said compression screw and normally retaining said closure means in seated relation to said bore, and

horizontally transversely disposed fusible retaining means engaging said lever and strut and normally preventing relative motion thereof but disengaging therefrom upon attainment of a predetermined temperature,

said last mentioned means including

an outer hollow tube having an internal cavity closed at one end by an integral strut engaging end projection,

a pellet in said cavity of eutectic alloy having a predetermined melting temperature,

a disc in said cavity in engagement with said pellet, and

a ball in said cavity and extending outwardly therefrom for strut engagement,

said lever engaging an external portion of said tube intermediate the ends of said retaining means.

2. A sprinkler as defined in claim 1 in which

said screw is in engagement with said strut and said closure means has said lever engaged therewith.

3. A sprinkler as defined in claim 1 in which

said screw is in engagement with said lever, and said closure means has said strut engaged therewith.