Patents by Inventor Steven C. Renquist

Steven C. Renquist 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: 9221065
    Abstract: One embodiment provides a helical restrictor insert for a sprinkler nozzle. The helical thread of the insert imparts a helical swirl into the water stream which changes the flow and distribution pattern of the water leaving the nozzle. The position of the end of the helical thread can be adjusted to direct a portion of the water stream downward, close to the sprinkler head without adversely affecting the nearby turf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Steven C. Renquist
  • Publication number: 20150351332
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly is disclosed, having a flow control valve accessible from an exterior of the assembly, a backflow preventer valve that prevents water and debris from being sucked into a sprinkler when water pressure stops, and a safety valve that prevents watering when the sprinkler is missing from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Janku, Steven C. Renquist, James Zimmerman, Saroj Manandhar, Robert Ferry
  • Publication number: 20140339333
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James T. Wright, III, Steven C. Renquist
  • Patent number: 8540171
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Publication number: 20120205467
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an asymmetrical nozzle housing within a nozzle base of a sprinkler which, when rotated, changes its angular orientation relative to the nozzle base. Since the nozzle is disposed within the nozzle housing, it similarly changes angular orientation relative to the nozzle base, thereby modifying the trajectory of ejected water during irrigation. In this respect, a user can change the trajectory of a watering stream by simply rotating the nozzle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, James T. Wright, III, Miguel A. Santiago
  • Patent number: 8177148
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an asymmetrical nozzle housing within a nozzle base of a sprinkler which, when rotated, changes its angular orientation relative to the nozzle base. Since the nozzle is disposed within the nozzle housing, it similarly changes angular orientation relative to the nozzle base, thereby modifying the trajectory of ejected water during irrigation. In this respect, a user can change the trajectory of a watering stream by simply rotating the nozzle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, James T. Wright, III, Miguel A. Santiago
  • Publication number: 20110309161
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Patent number: 8006919
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Publication number: 20090072048
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of the present invention a sprinkler is provided, having a first shaft coupled to a drive mechanism and a grooved deflector. A second shaft is disposed within the first shaft, coupled to a water flow adjustment mechanism and an adjustment region on the top of the deflector. The first shaft transfers rotational movement from the drive mechanism to a grooved deflector on the top of the sprinkler. The second shaft rotates with the first shaft during normal operation due to a friction clutch within the sprinkler. When the user desires to adjust the water flow (i.e., the radius of the water), the friction of the clutch can be overcome by rotating the second shaft, increasing openings of flow passages within the sprinkler body. In this respect, flow adjustments can be made from the top of the sprinkler while the deflector rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, Peter Janku, Richard C. McClure, Saroj Manandhar
  • Patent number: 7404525
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having a rotatable nozzle assembly for watering an arc of ground traversed or swept by the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly rotates is disclosed. Oscillating rotation is achieved via a drive train that includes a trip spring that is drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of nozzle rotation. The sprinkler also includes: a variable trajectory nozzle; secondary opening adjacent the variable trajectory nozzle; an automatic break up screw configuration; a substantially constant speed turbine assembly; a bypass stator; a reversing cluster gear planetary drive with a uni-directional turbine; an overcenter reversing mechanism; a nozzle base clutch; an adjustable arc mechanism, solid arc limit stops, a snap ring installation method and an adjustable pilot valve which uses visual indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Miguel Santiago, Jeff McKenzie, Peter Janku, Steven C. Renquist, Hyok Lee, Steve K. Kish, James T. Wright, III, Chad McCormick
  • Patent number: 7104472
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler system for both above-the ground and pop-up rotary sprinkler systems that controls the rate of nozzle rotation is disclosed. To maintain a relatively constant and controlled nozzle rotation, one or more chamfered spokes are included on the turbine of the sprinkler system. This turbine configuration together with a stator assembly that regulates fluid flow to the turbine control nozzle rotation despite variations in fluid flow. In particular, the chamfered spokes counteract the spin of the turbine in direct relation to the amount of water that bypasses the driving blades of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Steven C. Renquist
  • Patent number: 7017831
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having a rotatable nozzle assembly for watering an arc of ground traversed or swept by the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly rotates is disclosed. Oscillating rotation is achieved via a drive train that includes a trip spring that is drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of nozzle rotation. The sprinkler also includes: a variable trajectory nozzle; secondary opening adjacent the variable trajectory nozzle; an automatic break up screw configuration; a substantially constant speed turbine assembly; a bypass stator; a reversing cluster gear planetary drive with a uni-directional turbine; an overcenter reversing mechanism; a nozzle base clutch; an adjustable arc mechanism, solid arc limit stops, a snap ring installation method and an adjustable pilot valve which uses visual indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Miguel Santiago, Jeff McKenzie, Peter Janku, Steven C. Renquist, Hyok Lee, Steve K. Kish, James T. Wright, III, Chad McCormick
  • Patent number: 6921030
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler system for both above-the ground and pop-up rotary sprinkler systems that controls the rate of nozzle rotation is disclosed. To maintain a relatively constant and controlled nozzle rotation, one or more chamfered spokes are included on the turbine of the sprinkler system. This turbine configuration together with a stator assembly that regulates fluid flow to the turbine control nozzle rotation despite variations in fluid flow. In particular, the chamfered spokes counteract the spin of the turbine in direct relation to the amount of water that bypasses the driving blades of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Steven C. Renquist
  • Publication number: 20040195358
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having a rotatable nozzle assembly for watering an arc of ground traversed or swept by the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly rotates is disclosed. Oscillating rotation is achieved via a drive train that includes a trip spring that is drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of nozzle rotation. The sprinkler also includes: a variable trajectory nozzle; secondary opening adjacent the variable trajectory nozzle; an automatic break up screw configuration; a substantially constant speed turbine assembly; a bypass stator; a reversing cluster gear planetary drive with a uni-directional turbine; an overcenter reversing mechanism; a nozzle base clutch; an adjustable arc mechanism, solid arc limit stops, a snap ring installation method and an adjustable pilot valve which uses visual indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Miguel Santiago, Jeff McKenzie, Peter Janku, Steven C. Renquist, Hyok Lee, Steve K. Kish, James T. Wright, Chad McCormick
  • Publication number: 20030150935
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler system for both above-the ground and pop-up rotary sprinkler systems that controls the rate of nozzle rotation is disclosed. To maintain a relatively constant and controlled nozzle rotation, one or more chamfered spokes are included on the turbine of the sprinkler system. This turbine configuration together with a stator assembly that regulates fluid flow to the turbine control nozzle rotation despite variations in fluid flow. In particular, the chamfered spokes counteract the spin of the turbine in direct relation to the amount of water that bypasses the driving blades of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Steven C. Renquist