Adjustable Escutcheon Assembly for Sloped Ceiling Sprinklers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of escutcheon assemblies that can properly mount fire sprinklers on sloped ceilings while maintaining the required orientation and aesthetic appeal, as existing solutions do not accommodate sprinklers installed at the peak of a slope ceiling.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable escutcheon assembly featuring a receiver body, an escutcheon flange, and a pivotally received adapter member with a spherical outer surface and flexible fingers, allowing for secure attachment and proper orientation of the sprinkler on sloped ceilings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional escutcheon is used for ceiling mounting, then the sprinkler can be mounted on a flat ceiling, but it cannot accommodate sloped ceilings while maintaining the required parallel orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with sloped ceilingsVSAvoidescutcheon structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The escutcheon assembly incorporates a pivotally received adapter member that can rotate relative to the escutcheon body, allowing the sprinkler mounting angle to be adjusted dynamically to match the ceiling slope while maintaining proper orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The escutcheon is divided into separate functional components: the escutcheon body mounted to the ceiling, the pivotally received adapter member, and the sprinkler. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables adjustment of the adapter angle to accommodate sloped ceilings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the escutcheon structure is made more complex to accommodate sloped ceilings, then sprinkler mounting flexibility improves, but the appearance and installation simplicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting flexibility on sloped ceilingsVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotally received adapter member provides a simple rotational mechanism that allows installers to adjust the sprinkler angle to match the ceiling slope without requiring complex custom escutcheon designs, maintaining ease of installation while improving adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adapter member is made adjustable to accommodate different ceiling angles, then compatibility with various ceiling types improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveceiling angle compatibilityVSAvoidadapter member mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter member is designed to pivot within the escutcheon body, providing adjustability for different ceiling angles through a simple rotational mechanism rather than a complex adjustable structure, thus achieving versatility with minimal added complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8376060B2Adjustable escutcheon assembly for a sprinkler

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 VIKING

AI summary

An adjustable escutcheon assembly as provided for mounting a sprinkler in a sloped ceiling so that the sprinkler can be mounted parallel to the ceiling and with a refined appearance.