Sprinkler Wedge

Abstract

A sprinkler wedge designed for inhibiting water discharge from an open or activated sprinkler head. The sprinkler wedge generally comprises a main body having proximal and distal ends, A handle assembly connected toward the proximal end for easy grasping by a human hand, and a forked tip toward the distal end. The sprinkler wedge is designed for improved single-handed insertion into the water stream of an activated sprinkler head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of a sprinkler wedge

FIG. 2 provides a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 provides a detail view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the forked tip.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the embodiment of the sprinkler wedge of FIG. 1 inserted into a sprinkler head as it would be when in use.

FIG. 7 provides an end view of the situation of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 provides a bottom view of the situation of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 provides a top view of an alternative embodiment of a sprinkler wedge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS(S)

FIGS. 1 through 5 provide for various different views of a first embodiment of a sprinkler wedge (100) designed to hinder water flow from an open or activated sprinkler head (101) in a fire sprinkler system. In the depicted embodiment, the sprinkler wedge (100) includes a handle (303), a main body (301) and a forked tip (305). In a preferred embodiment, the sprinkler wedge (100) will generally be manufactured of plastic, rubber or some other material that is fairly lightweight and relatively rigid with the material preferably containing some elastic properties to allow the sprinkler wedge (100) to form a tight seal with a sprinkler head discharge port (201) when it is threaded through the sprinkler head (101) frame arms (103) as shown in FIGS. 6 & 7. The sprinkler head shut off (100) generally will be molded as a single monolithic piece or assembled to form a basically unitary piece construction.

The main body (301) of the depicted embodiment has a generally wedge-shaped design. That is, the design has a triangular form which, specifically in the depicted embodiment, is in the shape of a right triangle. The proximal end (309) of the main body (301) is generally greater in height than the distal end (307) of the main body (301) which results in a taper in the top surface (501) along the length of the main body (301) from the proximal end (309) to the distal end (307). The slope of the taper of the main body (301) is generally designed to be relatively linear but that is by no means required.

In the depicted embodiments, the top surface (501) is curved or bent outward from the main body (301) toward the anterior lateral surface (403) and posterior lateral surface (405) in an arcing fashion as is most clearly seen in FIG. 7. This curvature of the top surface (501) allows the sprinkler wedge (100) to generally conform to the shape of the sprinkler head (101) as the interior surfaces of the sprinkler head frame arms (103) may themselves be fashioned with an arc near the sprinkler head deflector plate (105). While the curve outward from the top surface (501) is the generally preferred design as it provides for a tighter fit, the top surface (501) may be of any shape and may, for instance, form right angles with the anterior lateral surface (403) and posterior lateral surface (405) or it may be in any shape or form in alternative embodiments.

Along the top surface (501) there is included a groove (503) which forms a recess in the top surface (501) of the main body (301). The groove (501) may extend any distance along the top surface (501). The groove (501) will generally be formed in a concave arc with respect to the top surface (501) and will generally extend virtually the entire length of the top surface (501) from the rear wall (601) of the fork (305) to the proximal end (309) of the main body (101).

In a preferred embodiment the groove (501) will generally be placed in the center of the top surface (501), equidistant between the anterior lateral surface (403) and the posterior lateral surface (405).

In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9, the groove (501) in the top surface (501) is shown shorter and terminates at a position significantly prior to the proximal end (309) of the main body (301). This embodiment may be useful when smaller sprinkler heads (101) are the only type of heads expected to be encountered. Further, one of ordinary skill would recognize that the exact length of the groove (501) is variable and is generally selected so that the groove (501) has sufficient width to interact with the screw head (209).

Toward the proximal end (309) of the sprinkler head shut off (100) there is attached a handle assembly (509). The handle assembly (509) generally comprises a handle (303) and a neck (311). Depending on the embodiment, the attachment of the handle assembly (509) may occur in any manner including co-forming which serves to attach the handle (703) to the main body (301). The neck (311) may be of a smaller effective diameter or height than the main body (301). In the depicted embodiment, the neck (311) is formed by a curve reducing the main body (301) height to a dimension nearer to that of the handle (303). This reduction of height is a result of a curved section of the neck (311) at the top of the neck (511) and bottom of the neck (513). There need not be any reduction of width as perceived from the anterior lateral surface (403) and posterior lateral surface (405). The height of the neck (311) at its attachment to the handle (303) may be equal to the diameter of the handle (303). The handle (303) is preferably of a generally cylindrical shape arranged perpendicular to the main axis of the main body (301) and extending a length beyond the anterior lateral surface (403) and the posterior lateral surface (405) of the main body (301). This design allows for ease of molding or manufacturing and provides for a relatively T-shaped handle assembly (509) when viewed from above which is easily grasped and manipulated.

Toward the distal end (307) of the sprinkler wedge (100) the structure is arranged to form a generally forked tip (305). The forked tip (305) generally comprises two tines (413) and (415) extending from the anterior lateral surface (403) and the posterior lateral surface (405) respectively. The tines (413) and (415) are generally arranged the same distance apart as anterior lateral surface (403) and posterior lateral surface (405) and have an opening (603) between them. Where the tines (413) and (415) meet the main body (403) there is generally a smooth rear wall (601) which may have a curved shape. The detail view of FIG. 5 provides for further detail of the pictured embodiment of the forked tip (305).

In an embodiment, there may be a reinforcing bar (801) that runs through the handle (303), and the neck (311) to a point in the main body (301). The reinforcing bar (601) is generally made of a firm, stiff material such as steel, and can provide the sprinkler wedge (100) with additional strength and rigidity. The reinforcing bar (601) may be desirable depending on the material of which the sprinkler wedge (100) is constructed but is by no means required.

FIGS. 6 through 8 show an example of how the sprinkler wedge (200) interacts with a sprinkler head (101). The base (503) of the sprinkler wedge (100) is a generally flat or otherwise contoured surface designed to interact with the surface (214) of the sprinkler head (101) including the discharge port (212). The two sprinkler frame arms (103) also extend from surface (214). The two frame arms (103) converge to a point (102) where the deflector plate (105) is attached. The plate (105) may be welded to the arms, but is generally instead connected by a screw (208) whose screw head (209) is within the opening (210) defined by the frame arms (103) and the surface (214) including the discharge port (212), Prior to activation, the opening (210) will generally have a breakable cylinder (not shown) located therein to plug the discharge port (212).

The sprinkler wedge (100) provides a number of features for improving the ease of insertion into an active or open sprinkler head (101). In particular, the forked end permits the water discharge from the sprinkler head discharge port (212) to pass through the opening between the tines (413) and (415) as the wedge is positioned. Therefore, the sprinkler head shut off (100) will not be deflected out of the sprinkler head shut off (100) by the force of the water as the user is attempting to position it. As should be apparent, the placement of the wedge inside the sprinkler frame arms (103) requires fairly careful positioning. When the head (101) is discharging water, the force of the spray (which is between the frame arms (103)) can easily deflect a device during its positioning. The existence of the forked tip allows the sprinkler wedge (100) to be positioned in the central space prior to the water stream contacting the device (as the stream passes between the tines). Once the stream contacts the main body (301) the tines (413) and (415) are already through the opening, so the water stream does not force the wedge (100) out of the opening, simply toward the deflector plate (105). The handle provides for a firm grip and leverage to allow the user to push the device further into the stream and the wedge shape provides additional leverage moving the base (503) closer to the discharge port (212).

In particular, the water pushes the tapered top surface (501) into the connection point of the two frame arms (103), therefore motion along the length of the sprinkler wedge (100) from the handle serves to both move the wedge (100) further into the central space in the sprinkler (101) and move the base (503) toward the discharge port. The groove (503) can provide for a space for the screw head (209) to pass through as the wedge (100) is positioned. This decreases side to side wobble of the wedge (100) as it is being forced in between the frame arms (103). Eventually, the wedge (100) has reached a point in its length where the height is fairly close to the height of the central opening of the sprinkler head (101). At this time the wedge effectively plugs the central opening significantly decreasing, if not totally stopping, water flow from the discharge port (212).

Further, the wedge is generally fitted quite tightly in the central opening at this position having contact with most of the frame arms (103), which serves to hold the wedge (100) in place when the handle (303) is released. In an alternative embodiment, the structure could be such that the handle (303) could be turned once the wedge (100) is positioned in the central opening. This could allow for the base (503) to be brought into a closer proximity with the discharge port (212) if the sprinkler (101) was of a slightly different size or shape. In a still further embodiment, the turning handle (303) could result in extension or expansion of a portion of the wedge (100) to also provide for improved blocking characteristics.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with certain preferred embodiments, this should not be taken as a limitation to all of the provided details. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and other embodiments should be understood to be encompassed in the present disclosures as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

1. A sprinkler wedge comprising: a main body having a distal and proximal end and a length therebetween, the main body having a generally wedge shape with the larger portion of the wedge toward said proximal end;a handle assembly attached at said proximal end of said main body;a forked tip arranged toward said distal end of said main body, said forked tip including at least two tines and a space therebetween; anda groove arranged on a top surface of said main body;wherein said main body is sized and shaped to pass through a central opening of a fire sprinkler head between two frame arms.

2. The sprinkler wedge of claim 1 wherein said top surface has a convex shape.

3. The sprinkler wedge of claim 2 wherein a base of said wedge is flat.

4. The sprinkler wedge of claim 1 wherein said handle assembly comprises a handle arranged perpendicular to said length of said main body and a neck connecting said handle to said main body.

5. The sprinkler wedge of claim 4 wherein said handle is cylindrical in shape.

6. The sprinkler wedge of claim 4 wherein a reinforcing bar is placed interior to said handle, said neck and said main body.

7. The sprinkler wedge of claim 1 wherein said groove is sized and shaped to slide over a screw head of a screw connecting a deflector plate to said two frame arms.

8. A method of inhibiting water flow from an open sprinkler head, the method comprising: providing a sprinkler head having a water stream exiting a discharge part and impacting a deflector plate;providing a sprinkler wedge, said wedge including; a wedge shaped main bodya handle assembly at a proximal end of said main body; anda forked tip at a distal end of said main body, said forked tip including at least two tines with a space therebetween;grasping said handle;placing said forked tip at said sprinkler head such that said water stream passes between said tines;pushing said main body into said water stream until said main body is stably in contact with said sprinkler head and said water stream is at least partially blocked by said wedge.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein in said step of pushing, said groove passes over a screw head in said sprinkler head.