The invention features an apparatus and method for positioning and supporting a sprinkler head in a ceiling, floor, or wall. In one aspect of the invention, a sprinkler head may be received by a sleeve extending through a broad surface of the plate. The plate may be configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room or the plate may be attached to a decorative panel which is configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room. The sleeve may be defined by an opening in the plate or it may be a separate structure permanently or removably attached to the plate.

The invention features an apparatus and method for positioning and supporting a sprinkler head in a ceiling, floor, or wall. In one aspect of the invention, a sprinkler head may be received by a sleeve extending through a broad surface of the plate. The plate may be configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room or the plate may be attached to a decorative panel which is configured to be removably attached to a support structure in the ceiling, floor, or wall and having an exterior surface exposed to the room. The sleeve may be defined by an opening in the plate or it may be a separate structure permanently or removably attached to the plate.

An adjustable pendent sprinkler assembly has a thermally activated sprinkler head with a releasable cap and a tube spaced above the sprinkler head for securing the assembly to a sprinkler system tee. A plug is slidably mounted in the upper end of the tube where it is retained against downward movement by a release mechanism. An outer sleeve is threaded to the tube and fixedly secured to the sprinkler head for raising and lowering the sprinkler head. An inner sleeve is mounted in the tube for axial movement only and is spaced above the sprinkler head with its upper end holding the release mechanism against release. An intermediate sleeve is threaded to the inner sleeve and has its lower end supported end by the releasable cap of the sprinkler head to releasably support the assembled inner and intermediate sleeves which have inner diameters greater than the outer diameter of the plug to provide for passage of the plug therethrough on its release. The intermediate sleeve is connected to the sprinkler head and tube assembly for rotation therewith and relative axial movement with respect thereto. The threaded connections are such that for a given amount of rotation, the intermediate sleeve and the outer sleeve will move the same axial distance.

In the representative embodiment of the invention described herein, an adjustable sprinkler for a fire protection system has a sprinkler assembly tube which is mounted for longitudinal movement in a bore extending longitudinally into a component of a fluid supply piping network for the fire protection system. A latching device is resiliently urged into the bore of the component to prevent accidental removal of the sprinkler assembly tube during its longitudinal movement in the bore by releasably engaging the sprinkler assembly tube before it is completely removed from the bore. When the sprinkler assembly tube is disengaged by the latching device, the sprinkler assembly tube can be removed from the bore.

A dry pipe fire extinguishing sprinkler apparatus including an adapter which is charged with fluid under pressure and connects an adjustable drop nipple or branch pipe having a sprinkler to a header or supply pipe. The adapter includes a valve member which excludes water from the drop nipple and sprinkler until the fluid under pressure is discharged after which such valve member opens to discharge water through the sprinkler.