Patent US3675952A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3675952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable drop nipple for pendent sprinkler
Assignee: Grinnell Corp
•
Filing: 1970-07-24
•
Granted: 1972-07-11
•
Expires: 1990-07-24
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable drop nipple is disclosed for connecting a pendent sprinkler to a sprinkler system. The nipple includes outer and inner telescoped pipes with a gripping means therebetween which permits an adjustment of the telescoped relation of the pipes for a desired position of the pendent sprinkler below a drop ceiling. The gripping means includes rollers which are positioned in an annular cavity having a downwardly reducing cross-sectional area and which have spiral threads on their outer cylindrical surfaces. When the nipple is installed in its pendent position, the rollers restrain downward movement of the inner pipe, that is a lengthening of the nipple, by a jamming action of the rollers in the reduced cross-sectional area portion of the annular cavity; but the spiral threads on the rollers permit spiral downward movement of the inner pipe for a lengthening of the nipple. The rollers ride upwardly in the cavity to release their grip and thereby permit a shortening of the nipple toward a more telescoped position responsive to an upward force on the inner pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 James W Mears
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:57
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C37/00; A62C37/08; A62C37/09; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/924; Y10S411/929; Y10S411/935
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An adjustable drop nipple for connecting a fire sprinkler to a sprinkler distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, comprising a first pipe having one end adapted for connection to said sprinkler distribution system, a second pipe having one end thereof telescoped into said first pipe having a second end adapted for connecting a sprinkler thereto, and means on the second end of said first pipe, operable when said drop nipple is connected to said distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, for restraining movement of said second pipe in an axially downward direction other than along a predetermined spiral downward path, said restraining including means for releasing said second pipe for axial movement in an upward direction responsive automatically to a force in said upward direction on said second pipe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An adjustable drop nipple for connecting a fire sprinkler to a sprinkler distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, comprising a first pipe having one end adapted for connection to said sprinkler distribution system, a second pipe having one end thereof telescoped into said first pipe having a second end adapted for connecting a sprinkler thereto, and means on the second end of said first pipe, operable when said drop nipple is connected to said distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, for restraining movement of said second pipe in an axially downward direction other than along a predetermined spiral downward path, said restraining including means for releasing said second pipe for axial movement in an upward direction responsive automatically to a force in said upward direction on said second pipe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 1, wherein said restraining means comprises cylindrical means having spiral ridges on an outer surface thereof for gripping the outer surface of said second pipe upon axial downward movement of said second pipe.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical means comprise a plurality of rollers having spiral teeth on their outer surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 3, wherein said restraining means further comprises a reducer fitting body member having an inner surface which forms with the outer surface of said second pipe an annular cavity of decreasing cross-sectional area in an axially downward direction, and said rollers are positioned in said cavity with their axes perpendicular to the axis of said drop nipple, whereby said rollers are jammed in the lower portion of said annular cavity and restrain axial downward movement of said second spiral teeth of said rollers and said rollers are loosely contained in the upper portion of said annular cavity upon upward movement of said second pipe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 3, wherein said restraining means further comprises retaining means for spacing said rollers around the outer surface of said second pipe.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 3, wherein said spiral teeth of said roller have a uniform direction of curvature and a helix angle of between 45-60*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 3, wherein said restraining means further comprise a body member hAving recesses which are spaced around the inner surface thereof, the recesses having a curved surface which curves radially inwardly toward the axis of said second pipe in an axially downward direction of said recesses, and said rollers are positioned in said recesses with their axes perpendicular to the axis of said drop nipple, whereby said rollers are jammed in the lower portion of said recesses between said curved surface and said outer surface of said second pipe and restrain axial movement downwardly of said second pipe other than a predetermined spiral downward movement on said spiral teeth of said rollers, and said rollers are loosely contained in said recesses upon upward movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
176 words
An adjustable drop nipple for connecting a fire sprinkler to a sprinkler distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, comprising a first pipe having one end adapted for connection to said sprinkler distribution system, a second pipe having one end thereof telescoped into said first pipe from a second end of said first pipe, said second pipe having a second end adapted for connecting a sprinkler thereto, and restraining means on the second end of said first pipe, said restraining means including cylindrical means having spiral ridges on an outer surface thereof for gripping the outer surface of said second pipe responsive to an axial force in a downward direction on said second pipe for restraining movement of said second pipe in an axially downward direction when said drop nipple is connected to said distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, and said restraining means including means for releasing said second pipe for axial movement in an upward direction responsive automatically to a force in said upward direction on said second pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
176 words
An adjustable drop nipple for connecting a fire sprinkler to a sprinkler distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, comprising a first pipe having one end adapted for connection to said sprinkler distribution system, a second pipe having one end thereof telescoped into said first pipe from a second end of said first pipe, said second pipe having a second end adapted for connecting a sprinkler thereto, and restraining means on the second end of said first pipe, said restraining means including cylindrical means having spiral ridges on an outer surface thereof for gripping the outer surface of said second pipe responsive to an axial force in a downward direction on said second pipe for restraining movement of said second pipe in an axially downward direction when said drop nipple is connected to said distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, and said restraining means including means for releasing said second pipe for axial movement in an upward direction responsive automatically to a force in said upward direction on said second pipe.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 8, wherein said cylindrical means comprise a plurality of rollers having spiral teeth on their outer surfaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 9, wherein said restraining means further comprises a reducer fitting body member having an inner surface which forms with the outer surface of said second pipe an annular cavity of decreasing cross-sectional area in an axially downward direction, and said rollers are positioned in said cavity with their axes perpendicular to the axis of said drop nipple, whereby said rollers are jammed in the lower portion of said annular cavity upon axial downward movement of said second pipe and are loosely contained in the upper portion of said annular cavity upon upward movement of said second pipe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 10, wherein said restraining means further comprises means for spacing said rollers in said cavity around the outer surface of said second pipe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
121 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 9, wherein said restraining means further comprises a body member having recesses which are spaced around the inner surface thereof, the recesses having a curved surface which curves radially inwardly toward the axis of said second pipe in an axially downward direction of said recesses, and said rollers are positioned in said recesses with their axes perpendicular to the axis of said drop nipple, whereby said rollers are jammed in the lower portion of said recesses between said curved surface and said outer surface of said second pipe and restrain axial movement downwardly of said second pipe, and said rollers are loosely contained in said recesses upon upward movement of said second pipe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
69 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 11, wherein said restraining means is generally tubular and has slots which receive said rollers, said slots being spaced to position said rollers around the cylindrical surface of said second pipe, and have an axial depth which permits a limited axial movement of said rollers, thereby to permit said rollers to move upwardly out of jamming engagement with said second pipe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in clAim 10, wherein the reducer fitting body member defines an annular groove in a lower body opening thereof, and an O-ring is positioned in said groove and sealingly engages the outer surface of said second pipe for forming a fluid seal therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
An adjustable drop nipple for connecting a fire sprinkler to a sprinkler distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, comprising a first pipe having one end adapted for connection to said sprinkler distribution system, a second pipe having one end thereof telescoped into said first pipe from a second end of said first pipe, said second pipe having a second end adapted for connecting a sprinkler thereto, and restraining means operable when said drop nipple is connected to said distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position for restraining movement of said second pipe axially thereof in a downward direction other than along a predetermined spiral downward path, said restraining means including cylindrical means having spiral ridges on an outer surface thereof for gripping the outer surface of said second pipe upon axial downward movement of said second pipe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
An adjustable drop nipple for connecting a fire sprinkler to a sprinkler distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position, comprising a first pipe having one end adapted for connection to said sprinkler distribution system, a second pipe having one end thereof telescoped into said first pipe from a second end of said first pipe, said second pipe having a second end adapted for connecting a sprinkler thereto, and restraining means operable when said drop nipple is connected to said distribution system with said sprinkler in a pendent position for restraining movement of said second pipe axially thereof in a downward direction other than along a predetermined spiral downward path, said restraining means including cylindrical means having spiral ridges on an outer surface thereof for gripping the outer surface of said second pipe upon axial downward movement of said second pipe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 15, wherein said cylindrical means comprises a plurality of rollers having spiral teeth on their outer surfaces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 16, wherein said drop nipple further comprises means for effecting a fluid seal between said first pipe and said second pipe.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 17, wherein seal means includes a bushing on said one end of said second pipe, said bushing defining an annular groove in an outer cylindrical surface thereof, and an O-ring is positioned in said groove and sealingly engages the inner surface of said first pipe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
98 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 16, wherein said restraining means further comprises a reducer fitting body member having an inner surface which forms with the outer surface of said second pipe an annular cavity of decreasing cross-sectional area in an axially downward direction, and said rollers are positioned in said cavity with their axes perpendicular to the axis of said drop nipple, whereby said rollers are jammed in the lower portion of said annular cavity upon axial downward movement of said second pipe other than spiral movement downwardly on said spiral teeth of said rollers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 19, wherein said restraining means further comprises retaining means for spacing said rollers around the outer surface of said second pipe.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
An adjustable drop nipple as described in claim 19, wherein said spiral teeth of said rollers have a uniform direction of curvature and a helix angle of between 45-60* .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US50896A
Cited
US2478127A
Cited
US2770475A
Cited
US3451483A
Cited
FR2003736A1
Cited
US3494639A
Cited
US3529671A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |