Fire protection mounting system and method for mounting

Abstract

A fire protection mounting system that facilitates the installation of a fire protection system and a decorating feature such as a crown molding. In a two-piece embodiment one set of hanger elements secures the sprinkler pipe to the wall/ceiling junction, while the second hanger elements are secured to the crown molding. The two hanger elements have mutually engaging surfaces by which the crown molding is secured in place at the wall/ceiling junction. An alternative embodiment has a single hanger element having a surface to receive the inner surface of the crown molding and an opening to receive the sprinkler pipe. These three elements are mounted to the wall/ceiling junction to provide a decorative effect and to achieve some element of thermal protection for the pipe in the case of a fire occurrence.

1 . A mounting system for installing a fire protection system conduit at a wall/ceiling junction, the mounting system comprising:
 a first hanger element shaped and configured to receive the conduit and to fit in the corner formed by the wall/ceiling junction; and   a second hanger element shaped and configured to engage said first hanger element and having one side flat to receive crown molding thereon.   
   
   
       2 . The mounting system recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second hanger elements are formed with mating engaging elements by which said first and second hanger elements are secured together. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said engaging elements are roughened surfaces on both said first and second hanger elements. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said mating engaging elements are in the form of linear teeth. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first hanger element is sufficiently flexible to provide a snap-fit with the conduit. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a length of crown molding connected with said first and second hanger elements to provide a decorative effect at the wall/ceiling junction. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said first hanger element is much shorter than said length of crown molding and several spaced said first hanger elements are employed for said length of crown molding. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said second hanger element is much shorter than said length of crown molding and several spaced said second hanger elements are employed for said length of crown molding. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second hanger elements are each much shorter than said length of crown molding, the length of said first and second hanger elements being equal or unequal. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 6 , wherein said crown molding provides some thermal protection to the conduit in case of a fire occurrence. 
   
   
       11 . A method for mounting a fire protection system conduit at a wall/ceiling junction, the method comprising:
 mounting at least one first hanger element to the wall/ceiling junction;   mounting the conduit to the at least one first hanger element;   mounting at least one second hanger element to a length of crown molding; and   engaging the first hanger element by the second hanger element to thereby secure the crown molding in place at the wall/ceiling junction to conceal the fire protection system conduit.   
   
   
       12 . A mounting system for installing a fire protection system conduit at a wall/ceiling junction, the mounting system comprising:
 a hanger element shaped and configured to receive a conduit and to fit in the corner formed by the wall/ceiling junction; and   a length of crown molding secured to the wall/ceiling junction to conceal said hanger element and conduit combination.   
   
   
       13 . The mounting system according to  claim 12 , wherein a side of said hanger element opposite to the conduit is configured to receive said crown molding. 
   
   
       14 . The mounting system according to  claim 12 , wherein said hanger element is much shorter than said length crown molding and several spaced said hanger elements are employed for said length of crown molding. 
   
   
       15 . A method for mounting a fire protection conduit at a wall/ceiling junction, the method comprising:
 mounting at least one hanger element to a length of the conduit;   mounting said combination of conduit and hanger element to the wall/ceiling junction; and   mounting a length of crown molding to the wall/ceiling junction over said combination of conduit and hanger element.