Patent · US Expired

Overhead sprinkler head proximity alarm

US4866423A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
6References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 3, 1988
Grant dateSep 12, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 3, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H3/16
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A proximity alarm (2) is used to protect overhead sprinkler heads (4) from damage by signaling when an object, typically carried by a forklift, comes too close to the sprinkler head. The alarm includes a signal circuit (24) mounted within a housing (22), a mounting clamp (10) and an arm (20) connecting the mounting clamp and the housing. The clamp secures the alarm to the sprinkler head adjacent the downwardly extending water pipe (8). The signal circuit includes a signal element (30), such as a horn, and a switch (26) for actuating the signal element. The switch is operated by a trigger (32) which extends downwardly from the housing. The trigger includes a portion (38, 44) positioned to contact an object coming close to the sprinkler head. Thus, when a forklift driver is lifting an object and the object contacts the trigger, the trigger actuates the switch causing the signal element to provide a signal, typically an audible alarm, warning the operator to halt movement of the load.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.