Andrew P 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:

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:

8636075, Jan 28, 2014

Filed:

Feb 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/054476

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

The Viking Corporation - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C 37/08

US Classification:

169 41, 239518, 239541, 239569, 239583

Abstract:

A dry sprinkler assembly includes a housing, a sprinkler head assembly with a sprinkler head and a trigger assembly, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly has a sealing subassembly for sealing the inlet port of the housing and is operatively coupled to the trigger assembly such that the sealing subassembly releases the sealing of the inlet port in response to the trigger assembly releasing its closure at the outlet opening. The sealing subassembly moves in a linear path substantially parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the housing when releasing the sealing of the inlet port wherein the flow of fire suppressant through the inlet port and into the fluid flow passage is substantially unimpeded.

US Patent:

20110203814, Aug 25, 2011

Filed:

Feb 24, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/711758

Inventors:

Andrew T. Thompson - Hastings MI, US

Assignee:

THE VIKING CORPORATION - Hastings MI

International Classification:

A62C 37/08

US Classification:

169 56

Abstract:

A sprinkler according to the present disclosure has a movable deflector that is spaced apart from its supporting pins by a carrier member. The spacing apart of the deflector from the pins may allow for the distribution pattern of the fire suppressant to be of a higher quality and reduce and/or minimize the possibility of voids or discontinuities in the distribution pattern.

US Patent:

20210205648, Jul 8, 2021

Filed:

Sep 12, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/636889

Inventors:

- Bad Oldesloe, DE
Andrew T. THOMPSON - Hastings MI, US

International Classification:

A62C 37/12
A62C 37/50

Abstract:

Corrosion resistant sprinklers and methods thereof include a sprinkler frame body having an internal passageway with an inlet and an outlet; a fluid deflecting member spaced from the outlet and means for non-frangible thermal actuation fluid control after exposure to an extreme salt environment. Means include a seal assembly disposed in the outlet, a screw member engaged with the sprinkler frame and a link assembly in a supporting orientation with respect to the sealing assembly to maintain and control transfer of a sealing force of the screw member against the seal assembly in a corrosive environment. Methods of obtaining or providing a corrosion resistant sprinkler include exposing sprinklers to a salt spray for an exposure period of over ten days and maintaining seal integrity after the exposure period and subsequently operating each sprinkler in a bath test within 3.5% of a nominal temperature rating of the sprinkler.