Automatic sprinkler head

Claim 2

In an automatic fire protection sprinkler head operable responsive to a high temperature or to a high rate of temperature rise: a. a frame; b. a pipe on the frame having an outer end adapted for connection with a source of fire extinguishing fluid and an inner end terminating in a valve seat providing a fluid outlet; c. a valve closure member having an inner surface engageable with the valve seat to close the outlet and an outer surface having a fulcrum; d. means on the frame providing a fulcrum opposed to the valve member fulcrum; e. a linkage acting between the two fulcrums to hold the valve member closed; said linkage comprising: e1. a strut having one end acting against one of said fulcrums; e2. a lever having a first portion acting against the other fulcrum, a second portion cooperating with the other end of the strut and a third portion adjacent said one strut end; and e3.means acting between the strut and the lever third portion to hold the lever with the valve closed; and f. heat sensitive means connected with the linkage and responsive to a high temperature and responsive to a high rate of temperature rise below the high temperature to break the linkage and let the valve open in event of a predetermined high ambient temperature or in event of a predetermined high rate of rise in ambient temperature.

Claim 3

In an automatic fire protection sprinkler head operable responsive to a predetermined high temperature or to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise: a. a generally oval frame; b. a pipe on the frame having an outer end adapted for connection with a source of fire extinguishing fluid and an inner end terminating in a valve seat providing a fluid outlet; c. a valve member having an inner surface engageable with the valve seat to close the outlet; d. means on the frame providing a fulcrum opposed to the valve member; e. a strut having one end acting against the valve member; f. a lever having a first portion acting against the fulcrum and a second portion cooperating with the other end of the strut; g. means acting between the strut and the lever holding the latter with the valve closed; and h. heat expandable means effective on the lever and responsive to a predetermined high temperature and responsive to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise below the high temperature to release the lever and let the valve open on occurrence of either event; h1.said expandable means comprising a pair of heat responsive elements which enact approximately equally to a gradual rise in temperature below said high temperature, having no effect on the linkage, and which respond differentially after said high temperature is reached or in event of a rapid rate of rise in temperature to release the lever.

Claim 4

In an automatic fire protection sprinkler head operable responsive to a predetermined high temperature or to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise: a. a generally oval frame; b. a pipe on the frame having an outer end adapted for connection with a source of fire extinguishing fluid and an inner end terminating in a valve seat providing a fluid outlet; c. a valve member having an inner surface engageable with the valve seat to close the outlet; d. means on the frame providing a fulcrum opposed to the valve member; e. a strut having one end acting against the valve member; f. a lever having a first portion acting against the fulcrum and a second portion cooperating with the other end of the strut; g. means acting between the strut and the lever holding the latter with the valve closed; and h. heat expandable means effective on the lever and responsive to a predetermined high temperature and responsive to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise below the high temperature to release the lever and let the valve open on occurrence of either event; h1.said expandable means comprising a pair of heat responsive elements which enact approximately equally to a gradual rise in temperature below said high temperature, having no effect on the linkage, and which respond differentially after said high temperature is reached or in event of a rapid rate of rise in temperature to release the lever.

Claim 5

A combination as defined in claim 1, said expandable means comprising: a first bimetal element having one end anchored adjacent the place of cooperation of the strut with said one fulcrum; a second bimetal element having one end connected to the lever, an intermediate portion acting against the strut and another end cooperating with the other end of the first bimetal element; and the arrangement being such that the cooperating ends of the bimetal elements move differentially on a rapid rate of rise in temperature or after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly, to release the lever member.

Claim 6

A combination as defined in claim 1, including: means latching the lever to the strut; a first bimetal element on the frame interposed between the latching means and the strut; a second bimetal element on the strut and adjacent the latching means; and the arrangement being such that adjacent portions of the two bimetal elements move differentially on a rapid rate of rise in temperature or after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly, to release the latching means.

Claim 7

A combination as defined in claim 1, including: means latching the lever to the strut; a first bimetal element on the strut; a second bimetal element on the first bimetal element and disposed adjacent the latching means; and the arrangement being such that the two bimetal elements move differentially on a rapid rate of rise in temperature or after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly, to release the latching means.

Claim 8

A combination as defined in claim 1, including: means latching the lever on the strut; a first bimetal element anchored on the strut; a second bimetal element connected to the first bimetal element and holding the latching means; and the arrangement being such that the two bimetal elements move differentially on a rapid rate of rise in temperature or after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly, to release the latching means.

Claim 9

A combination as defined in claim 1, including: means latching the lever on the strut; a first bimetal element; a second bimetal element on the first bimetal element and arranged with the latter to surround and restrain the latching means; and the arrangement being such that two bimetal elements move differentially on a rapid rate of rise in temperature or after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly, to release the lever from the strut.

Claim 10

A combination as defined in claim 2, said expandable means comprising: a first bowed bimetal element having one end anchored adjacent the place of cooperation between the strut and the valve member and the other end free; a second bowed bimetal element generally parallel to the first having one end connected to the lever, an intermediate portion engaging the strut and the other end free and engaging the free end of the first bimetal element; and the arrangement being such that the free ends of the bimetal elements move together on slow temperature rise and hold the valve closed, and move differentially to release the valve member after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly or on rapid temperature rise.

Claim 11

A combination as defined in claim 2, including: a link having one end pivoted on the lever; a first bowed bimetal element having opposite ends anchored on the frame and an intermediate portion interposed between the strut and the other end of the link so the link is latched; a second bowed bimetal element disposed genErally transverse to the first bimetal element and having one end secured to the strut and the other end adjacent said other end of the link; and the arrangement being such that adjacent portions of the two bimetal elements move together on slow temperature rise, and move differentially to unlatch the link after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly or on rapid temperature rise.

Claim 12

A combination as defined in claim 2, including: an end portion on said lever latching the lever on the strut; a first bowed bimetal element having one end secured to the strut; a second bowed bimetal element having one end secured to the other end of the first bimetal element and a free end disposed adjacent said lever latching portion; and the arrangement being such that the two bimetal elements move equally, offsetting each other on slow temperature rise, leaving the lever latched, and move differentially to unlatch the lever after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly or on rapid temperature rise.

Claim 13

A combination as defined in claim 2, including: a second lever engaging the strut and latching the first lever; a link holding the second lever in place; a first coiled bimetal element having an inner end secured to the strut; a second coiled bimetal element having an inner end secured to the outer end of the first bimetal element and an outer end holding the link; and the arrangement being such that the two bimetal elements move equally, offsetting each other on slow temperature rise, holding the link, and move differentially to release the link after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly or on rapid temperature rise.

Claim 14

A combination as defined in claim 2, including: a projection on the lever having an enlarged end; a plurality of balls surrounding the projection and engaging the enlarged end to restrain the lever; a first curved bimetal element; a second curved bimetal element having one end connected to one end of the first bimetal element and surrounding the balls to hold the latter in place; and the arrangement being such that the two bimetal elements move equally, offsetting each other on slow temperature rise, holding the balls, and move differentially to release the balls after a predetermined high temperature is attained slowly or on rapid temperature rise.

Claim 15

A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat sensitive means acts between the strut and the holding means.

Claim 16

In an automatic fire protection sprinkler head operable responsive to a predetermined high temperature or to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise: a. a generally oval frame; b. a pipe on the frame having an outer end adapted for connection with a source of fire extinguishing fluid and an inner end terminating in a valve seat providing a fluid outlet; c. a valve member having an inner surface engageable with the valve seat to close the outlet; d. means on the frame providing a fulcrum opposed to the valve member; e. a strut having one end acting against the valve member; f. a lever having a first portion acting against the fulcrum and a second portion cooperating with the other end of the strut; g. means acting between the strut and the lever holding the latter with the valve closed; h. heat expandable means effective on the lever and responsive to a predetermined high temperature and responsive to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise below the high temperature to release the lever and let the valve open on occurrence of either event; and i. said holding means including the expandable means.

Claim 17

In an automatic fire protection sprinkler head operable responsive to a predetermined high temperature or to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise: a. a generally oval frame; b. a pipe on the frame having an outer end adapted for connection with a source of fire extinguishing fluid and an inner end terminating in a valve seat providing a fluid outlet; c. a valve member having an inner surface engageable with the valve seat to close the outlet; d. means on the frame providing a fulcrum opposed to the valve member; e. a strut having one end acting against the valve member; f. a lever having a first portion acting against the fulcrum and a second portion cooperating with the other end of the strut; g. means acting between the strut and the lever holding the latter with the valve closed; h. heat expandable means effective on the lever and responsive to a predetermined high temperature and responsive to a predetermined high rate of temperature rise below the high temperature to release the lever and let the valve open on occurrence of either event; and i. said holding means including the expandable means.