FIRE PROTECTION SPRINKLER WITH A PUSH-IN CONNECTION

1 . A fire protection sprinkler with a push-in connection comprising:

a sprinkler body having an input orifice at an input end of the sprinkler for receiving fluid and an output orifice at an output end for outputting the fluid, the body having a push-in connection portion at the input end and an extended portion extending between the push-in connection portion and the output end, the push-in connection portion being adapted to be connected to a pipe fitting by insertion and having a plurality of recesses, a first recess having a first gasket therein, a second recess having a second gasket therein, and a third recess having a retaining clip therein;

a pair of frame arms extending from the input end and meeting at a base portion positioned in axial alignment with the output orifice, wherein the frame arms are integrally formed with the body;

a frangible element held in place on its lower end by a set screw and on its upper end by a stopper, the set screw being attached to the base portion, the frangible element being designed to fail at a predetermined temperature in order to release the stopper; and

a deflector positioned on the base portion and configured to direct the fluid output from the output orifice substantially in a direction toward the output end, upon activation of the sprinkler by failure of the frangible element at the predetermined temperature.

2 . The fire protection sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the first recess with the first gasket therein, the second recess with the second gasket, and the third recess with the retaining clip therein are in a stacked arrangement, with the third recess with the retaining clip therein being nearest to the frame arms.

3 . The fire protection sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the first recess with the first gasket therein, the second recess with the second gasket, and the third recess with the retaining clip therein are in a stacked arrangement, with the first recess with the first gasket therein being nearest to the input end.

4 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip is a spring mechanism so that the diameter of the retaining clip is reduced when the sprinkler with the push-in connection is inserted into the pipe fitting.

5 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 3 , wherein the retaining clip maintains pressure against the pipe fitting when the sprinkler is installed to the pipe fitting.

6 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein, to provide a positive connection between the retaining clip and the pipe fitting, the pipe fitting has a circumferential groove in its inner bore so that the retaining clip is located at least partially within both the third recess in the sprinkler and the circumferential groove in the pipe fitting when the sprinkler is installed.

7 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 6 , wherein the retaining clip temporarily deforms while the sprinkler is inserted into the pipe fitting, and, when the sprinkler is fully inserted, is then retained within both the third recess in the sprinkler and the circumferential groove in the pipe fitting.

8 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the sprinkler is removed from the pipe fitting by compressing both ends of the retaining clip so that the retaining clip is less than the diameter of the internal bore of the pipe fitting allowing the sprinkler to be readily pulled from the pipe fitting.

9 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 8 , wherein the sprinkler may be removed from the pipe fitting for inspection, testing, or replacement of the sprinkler.

10 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are each O-ring seals to provide redundancy and to reduce the potential for leakage when the sprinkler is installed in the pipe fitting.

11 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 10 , wherein the O-ring seals are selected from synthetic rubbers and thermoplastics, depending on desired chemical compatibility, application temperature, sealing pressure, and lubrication requirements.

12 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip has a round cross section.

13 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 12 , wherein the retaining clip has a diameter in the range of 0.0625 inch to 0.25 inch.

14 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 13 , wherein the retaining clip has a diameter of 0.12 inch.

15 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip is selected to act as a spring and to have desired corrosion resistance.

16 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 15 , wherein the retaining clip is made of spring wire selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, music wire, hard drawn, oil tempered, brass, and nickel alloy.

17 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip has an outer semi-circular shape of at least fifty percent, but not more than ninety percent, of a perimeter of a circle.

18 . The sprinkler with a push-in connection according to claim 1 , wherein the retaining clip has one of a triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, and octagonal shape.