Patents by Inventor Fred M. Danner

Fred M. Danner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8430376
    Abstract: A valve module for removable installation inside the outer case of a sprinkler after removal of a riser with a nozzle turret normally mounted for reciprocation within the case. The module includes an upper valve support housing and a lower support basket removably connected to the valve support housing. A valve member is vertically reciprocable within the valve support housing to engage and disengage a valve seat in the support basket. The support basket is loosely connected to the valve support housing so that the valve seat can reciprocate relative to the valve support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred M. Danner, Jeff M. Smith, LaMonte D. Porter
  • Patent number: 8313043
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser, an impeller mounted in the riser, and a nozzle rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A drive assembly including a reduction gear train couples the impeller and the nozzle. A friction clutch is located in the drive assembly between an output gear of the reduction gear train and an input gear of the reversing mechanism and provides a positive drive connection under a normal load and slips under an excessive load. An alternate embodiment utilizes the friction clutch in a rotor-type sprinkler in which the nozzle rotates continuously through a continuous 360 degree arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Crooks, Fred M. Danner
  • Patent number: 7530504
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser, an impeller mounted in the riser, and a nozzle rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A drive assembly couples the impeller and the nozzle. A clutch in the drive assembly includes a radially deformable collet that surrounds a drive shaft. A spring urges the collet against the drive shaft and provides a positive drive connection under a normal load and slips under an excessive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred M. Danner, Ronald H. Anuskiewicz
  • Patent number: 7303147
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes an outer case and a riser mounted for reciprocation within the case. The riser supports a nozzle, an impeller, and a drive linkage connecting the nozzle and the impeller. A diaphragm valve is mounted in outer case beneath the riser and includes a valve member vertically reciprocable within a valve support housing to engage and disengage a valve seat. The valve seat can reciprocate relative to the valve support housing to reduce mechanical loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred M. Danner, Jeff M. Smith
  • Patent number: 5823439
    Abstract: A sprinkler unit comprises a tubular housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, a tubular riser telescopically reciprocally mounted in the tubular housing and moveable from a retracted position within the housing to an extended position from the housing, the riser having an outlet having a nozzle for distributing a stream of water outward from the housing, a passage connecting the inlet to the outlet, a retraction spring normally biasing the riser to the retracted position, and a shock absorbing coating on the retracting spring for absorbing the shock of movement of the riser to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Hunter, Fred M. Danner