Andrew L Thompson

US Patent:

6962208, Nov 8, 2005

Filed:

May 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/854997

Inventors:

Scott Thomas Franson - Hastings MI, US
Kenneth Gordon Vos - Lowell MI, US
Thomas Edgar Winebrenner - Hastings MI, US
Andrew Taylor Thompson - Kentwood MI, US

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C037/08

US Classification:

169 37, 169 38, 169 39, 169 40, 169 41, 169 16, 169 19

Abstract:

A pendant sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body formed with a central orifice, and a sealing member positioned within the orifice and in sealing engagement with the inlet. A deflector assembly is at least partially positioned within the orifice and includes an annular ring having a pair of attachment arms secured to a deflector plate positioned in proximity to, or partially within the outlet. A retaining ring positioned within the orifice acts as a stop, preventing the annular ring from being expelled from the orifice. According to another aspect of the invention, a pendent sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body and a body extension connected to the body. A deflector plate is formed with a plurality of support members received by a retaining ring positioned in proximity to the bottom of the sprinkler body, and within the body extension. The body extension is configured to capture the retaining ring upon activation, enabling the deflector plate to depend below the body extension.

US Patent:

7100865, Sep 5, 2006

Filed:

Nov 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/720400

Inventors:

James Patrick Byrne - Hudson OH, US
Andrew Thompson - Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. - Vergennes VT

International Classification:

F42B 13/32

US Classification:

244 328, 244 49

Abstract:

Apparatus for stowing and deploying a plurality of control surfaces of a guided air vehicle comprises: a housing including: a plurality of slotted openings along an outside surface thereof; and a corresponding plurality of cavities within the housing, each cavity extending to the outside surface of the housing through the slotted opening corresponding thereto and configured to accommodate span wise stowage of a corresponding control surface of the plurality, and each cavity having a section including an angled ledge and side wall support surface to accommodate stowage of the corresponding control surface in a span wise canted position with respect to the corresponding slotted opening. A method of operating comprises the steps of: folding each control surface of the plurality edge wise through the corresponding slotted opening and into the corresponding cavity within the housing; moving each folded control surface into a stowage section of the corresponding cavity to edge wise mis-align each folded control surface from the corresponding slotted opening; moving each control surface in the corresponding cavity from the corresponding stowage section into edge wise alignment with the corresponding slotted opening; and deploying each control surface edge wise aligned with the corresponding slotted opening from the cavity through the corresponding slotted opening to a deployed position.

US Patent:

7540330, Jun 2, 2009

Filed:

Sep 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/239983

Inventors:

Shawn G Orr - Grand Rapids MI, US
Andrew T Thompson - Hastings MI, US
Scott T Franson - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C 37/08

US Classification:

169 37, 169 41, 169 42, 2392885

Abstract:

A sprinkler head cover including an end wall and a side wall extending from and around the end wall to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity is sized for receiving a deflector and arms of a sprinkler head. The side wall is adapted for engaging the sprinkler head to thereby releasably mount the cover to the sprinkler head.

US Patent:

D636057, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Mar 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

29/357488

Inventors:

Andrew T. Thompson - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

2301

US Classification:

D23214

US Patent:

7921928, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Aug 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/193522

Inventors:

Andrew T. Thompson - Hastings MI, US
Scott T. Franson - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C 37/08

US Classification:

169 37, 169 17, 169 41

Abstract:

A horizontal dry fire protection sprinkler includes a housing having a vertical segment and a horizontal segment extending generally perpendicular to the vertical segment. The vertical segment defines an inlet opening. A plug member is disposed in the inlet opening for sealingly closing the inlet opening. A sprinkler is attached to the horizontal segment and includes a base having a passage extending therethrough and defining an outlet opening. A cap is disposed in the outlet opening and a heat sensitive trigger engages the cap. A translation mechanism is disposed in the housing and engaging the cap and supporting the plug member in the inlet opening, wherein when the heat sensitive trigger releases support of the cap, the translation mechanism is allowed to move within said housing to allow the plug member to dislodge from the inlet opening.

US Patent:

8087467, Jan 3, 2012

Filed:

Nov 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/266973

Inventors:

Scott T. Franson - Hastings MI, US
Kenneth G. Vos - Lowell MI, US
Thomas E. Winebrenner - Hastings MI, US
Andrew T. Thompson - Kentwood MI, US

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C 37/08

US Classification:

169 37, 169 43

Abstract:

A pendant sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body, with an orifice that forms an inlet and an outlet. A deflector is movably supported by a deflector support assembly and is movable between a retracted position wherein the deflector is adjacent the outlet and an extended position where the deflector is spaced from the outlet. At least a portion of the deflector support assembly is located in the orifice when the deflector is in its retracted position.

US Patent:

8353357, Jan 15, 2013

Filed:

May 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/471008

Inventors:

Andrew T. Thompson - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C 37/08
A62C 37/36
A62C 3/06
A62C 37/12

US Classification:

169 38, 169 42, 169 56, 169 57

Abstract:

A heat responsive trigger assembly for a fire protection sprinkler may include a first plate having a bottom face; a second plate including a top face engaging the bottom face; a thermally conductive member disposed between the top and bottom faces and extending beyond a perimeter of at least one of the first and second plates; and a heat fusible material securing the first and second plates in an engaged position. The first and second plates may disengage in response to the heat fusible material reaching a predetermined temperature, thereby allowing a fire suppressant to discharge from the sprinkler.

US Patent:

8469111, Jun 25, 2013

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/928751

Inventors:

Shawn G. Orr - Grand Rapids MI, US
Andrew T. Thompson - Kentwood MI, US
Scott T. Franson - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C 37/08

US Classification:

169 37, 169 41, 169 42, 2392885

Abstract:

A sprinkler head cover including an end wall and a side wall extending from and around the end wall to form a cavity therebetween. The cavity is sized for receiving a deflector and arms of a sprinkler head. The side wall is adapted for engaging the sprinkler head to thereby releasably mount the cover to the sprinkler head.