Sprinkler protection system
View Patent ↗A sprinkler protection system for protecting an existing sprinkler installation includes housing sections that cooperate to cover a majority of a sprinkler unit, such as a ceiling-mounted sprinkler unit. The housing sections can include one or more apertures aligned with a deflector of the sprinkler to permit the deflector to direct water through the aperture and out of the housing without significantly impeding the water output of the sprinkler and offer greater protection to the sprinkler unit.
1. A housing for a sprinkler, comprising:
a first section having:
an upper wall;
a cylindrical half portion extending from the upper wall; and
a lower wall;
wherein the half portion has an aperture aligned with a deflector of the sprinkler to permit the deflector to direct water through the aperture and out of the housing;
a second section generally similar to the first section;
a hinge connecting the first and second sections at a first side of the housing;
a clip connecting the first and second sections at a second side of the housing opposite the first side, wherein the housing is configured to be opened at the hinge and placed over the sprinkler and closed upon the sprinkler;
an arm having an end grip at a proximal end of the arm configured to engage with the seat of the sprinkler, and a head at a distal end of the arm; and
a latch configured to maintain the end grip of the arm against the seat of the sprinkler and to resist movement of the arm away from the seat, the latch comprising a ratchet having a wheel with teeth and a pawl configured to prevent the arm from retreating away from the seat.
2. The housing of claim 1 wherein the arm comprises a first arm and the latch comprises a first latch, the housing further comprising a second arm generally similar to the first arm and a second latch generally similar to the first latch, wherein the first and second arms are opposite one another and configured to press the seat between them.
3. The housing of claim 1 wherein the end grip is resilient.
4. The housing of claim 1 wherein the arm extends through the cylindrical half portion and out of the housing.
5. The housing of claim 1 wherein the lower wall has an aperture to permit water to pass through the aperture and out of a lower end of the housing.
6. The housing of claim 1 wherein the apertures in the first section and the second section comprise two rectangular apertures.
7. The housing of claim 1 wherein the aperture has a vertical dimension that is slightly larger than a vertical dimension of the deflector.
8. The housing of claim 1 wherein the aperture has a vertical dimension that is approximately twice as large as a vertical dimension of the deflector.
9. The housing of claim 1 wherein the aperture is sized and positioned relative to the deflector to permit water to exit the housing with minimal impedance from the housing.