Elevating Means Responsive To Flow Of Spray Fluid Patents (Class 239/204)
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Patent number: 7322533Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser having an inlet end and an outlet end. A nozzle is rotatably supported at the outlet end of the riser and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending stream forming slots. An orifice member is removably mounted adjacent the outlet end of the riser and has an orifice shaped to deliver water flowing through the riser into the stream forming slots in a manner that produces a predetermined water distribution pattern. A rotatably adjustable deflector ring is configured and mounted for intercepting streams of water ejected from the stream forming slots to vary a reach thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventor: Glendale Grizzle
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Patent number: 7318556Abstract: A safety valve for a lawn sprinkler system having at least one subterranean flow line and at least one head for spraying irrigation water. The valve includes a tubular member connected between the flow line and the head. The tubular member has an axial passage therethrough for the flow of water from the flow line to the head. A seat is located within the passage. A ball is located in the passage upstream of the seat. The ball is axially movable from an open position upstream of the seat to a closed position in engagement with the seat if the water flowing through passage reaches a selected flow rate. A coiled spring in the passage is in engagement with the ball for urging the ball toward the open position.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Inventors: Charles A. Lee, Fredrick J. Arnato
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Patent number: 7303153Abstract: A spray head provided with a plurality of nozzles defined by a base and a deflector cap. Each nozzle is provided with a deflector portion or nozzle plate for directing an upward traveling fluid in an outward direction. Furthermore, the deflector portion may be provided with steps or vanes for altering and varying the flow characteristics of a fluid spray pattern exiting the nozzle. In this manner, different portions of the fluid spray pattern may be projected to varying distances so that the fluid may cover an area having generally straight boundaries and having one or more right angles. Furthermore, the fluid spray pattern may be used to cover a triangular area. In this manner, overspray is reduced. The areas covered by independent nozzles of the spray head may be proximally located by their arrangement within the spray head so as to minimize overlap of the areas.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventors: Steve Han, Harold Miller
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Patent number: 7296758Abstract: An automatic lift faucet includes a hydraulic cylinder vertically mounted under a working top, the hydraulic cylinder having an inlet. A lifting faucet is mounted in motion fitting connection within the hydraulic cylinder and includes an inlet and a faucet outlet. A lifting piston is attached to the lifting faucet for controlling fluid communication between the hydraulic cylinder and the lifting faucet inlet. An accumulator cylinder is mounted to the bottom end of the lifting faucet and includes a baffle-plate, a valve stern and left and right tow pistons to thereby divide the accumulator cylinder into three sub-chambers. The accumulator cylinder also includes three through-holes, one of each communicating with one of each of the three sub-chambers. A pressure release valve selectively controls fluid communication to the through-holes and to the hydraulic cylinder inlet via first and second branch pipes.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Inventor: Huasong Zhou
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Patent number: 7293721Abstract: A check valve assembly has a coupling sleeve with a first end for connection to a pop-up or fixed sprinkler head and a second end for connection to a water supply, the coupling sleeve incorporating a valve seat. A disc valve is retained below the valve seat, and a separate actuator is movably mounted above the seat for movement between an operative position extending through the valve seat to hold the valve in the open position, and an inoperative, retracted position. The disc valve is retained against the valve seat around its peripheral edge, and has a central portion which is moved by the actuator into the open position when the sprinkler head is properly connected to the coupling sleeve. Release or removal of the actuator as a result of removal of the sprinkler head will allow fluid pressure at the second end of the coupling sleeve to urge the valve into the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Inventor: James C Roberts
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Patent number: 7287711Abstract: A sprinkler includes a drive mechanism mounted in a riser that rotates a nozzle at the top of the riser. The drive mechanism enables a user to select between oscillation of the nozzle through an adjustable arc and uni-directional full circle rotation of the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc. a Delaware corporationInventor: John D. Crooks
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Patent number: 7232078Abstract: A speed limiting mechanisms for turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. Dynamic viscous damping of the turbine output power train is used to control the rotational speed of the turbine. This prevents overspeeding when the turbine is air driven, and also when the turbine is water driven, under abnormal conditions such as blockage of a bypass area designed to control the turbine speed by limiting flow to the turbine. The same mechanism can be used to impose a lower rotational speed in the turbine during normal operation in conjunction with a turbine optimized for lower speed operation to reduce the required gear reduction in the power train.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Inventor: Carl L Kah, Jr.
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Patent number: 7226003Abstract: A flow shut off or throttling valve is provided in a sprinkler nozzle housing to enable a nozzle to be changed without having to turn off a flow pressure source. The valve intersects a flow path through the nozzle housing and has an opening such that when the opening is aligned with the flow path, a flow stream can flow unobstructed through the flow path. The valve is movable between a fully open position in which the opening is aligned with the flow path and a closed position which blocks the flow stream from flowing to a nozzle disposed at an outlet passage of the flow path. The valve may be constructed to be either slidable or rotatable between the two positions, and is actuated by a gearing arrangement which is operable at the exterior of the nozzle housing. The external valve actuator may function as a physical barrier to retain the removable nozzle in the nozzle housing when the valve is open and to disengage the nozzle when the valve is closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Inventors: Carl Kah, Jr., Carl Kah, III
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Patent number: 7191958Abstract: A revolving lawn sprinkler comprises a rotary guide plate by which the water flow is so controlled as to actuate a lobed wheel, which in turn actuates a rotary disk via a transmission mechanism. A nozzle is mounted on the rotary disk and is provided with a movable joint. The rotary guide plate is forced to change its revolving direction at such time when a projection of the rotary disk comes in contact with a locating block of a top cover of a housing of the lawn sprinkler.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Inventor: Hsin-Fa Wang
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Patent number: 7152814Abstract: A sprinkler has a housing with an inlet portion and an outlet portion in which a first outlet aperture is formed. The first outlet aperture may cooperate with other outlet apertures to define a spiral shape. A cam is disposed upstream of the first outlet aperture. The cam is rotatable about a cam axis to cover varying portions of the outlet apertures. After moving through the outlet apertures, water strikes a deflector and is sprayed outward from the head. The orientation of the cam establishes an arc angle through which water is sprayed, including a full-circle spray pattern. The deflector may be stationary or rotatable. In one alternative configuration, the outlet apertures and each leads to a different strip nozzle. The cam has an open portion that can be rotated into alignment with each of the outlet apertures to determine which of the strip nozzles are active.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.Inventors: Aaron Schapper, Christian M. Olsen, Chadwick L. Wilson
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Patent number: 7134507Abstract: A method of detecting the actuation of a sprinkler involves sensing a first fluid pressure at a first flow cross section, in one of the sprinkler and a conduit in which the sprinkler is mounted, sensing a second fluid pressure at a second flow cross section, in the sprinkler, wherein said first flow cross section is larger than said second flow cross section, and comparing the fluid pressures sensed at the first and second flow cross sections in order to detect a change in the relation of the fluid pressures due to actuation of the sprinkler, and thereby detect actuation of the sprinkler. The fluid pressures are sensed by ports in the sprinkler, or by one port in the sprinkler and one port in the conduit, and at least one transducer connected to the ports, and output signals from the transducer are sent to a computer or other recording instrument.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Gunnar Heskestad
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Patent number: 7121477Abstract: This above ground sprinkler system for a water supply provides a main supply hose having an inlet connected to the water supply and an outlet. A main valve is disposed between bib end of the hose and the water supply. A central station including a water supply inlet is connected to the main supply hose outlet and a plurality of hose outlets, each having an associated flow control valve, supplies water to sprinklers, or similar devices at the outer end of hoses which are connected at their inner ends to the outlets. A control system for directing the water supply to the individual hose outlets is provided including a timer. A relief valve is provided for draining water from the main supply hose and a backflow preventor valve is provided for preventing back-siphonage into the water supply. A pressure actuated warning alert system is provided to indicated venting failure.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Inventor: Michael A. Noelke
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Patent number: 7097116Abstract: An underground sprinkler with a pop-up head and a corresponding underground casing has two differentiated cylindrical parts, closed by a corresponding cover fixed to the pop-up sprinkler head, which, being a part coupled to the piston, pops-up due to the effect of the water pressure pushing the piston in a portion calculated for this purpose and which is so maintained for as long as the pressure lasts, to be recovered by the action of a permanent draw-spring when the pressure stops.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: VYR-Valvuleria y Riegos Por Aspersion, S.A.Inventor: Pablo Rodriguez Fernandez
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Patent number: 7090146Abstract: An above-ground sprinkler may have a head that rotates about an angle determined by the relative angles between a pair of arc adjustment rings. Rotation of the head may be driven by a drive mechanism with a rotor rotationally driven by fluid flowing to the head. The drive mechanism may have a valve disposable in two positions to control flow to the rotor to determine the direction in which the rotor rotates. A reduction gear drive may transmit torque from the rotor to the head to cause the head to rotate. The head may have a cover with an outlet aperture and a flow control member that rotates within the cover to dispose any of a plurality of nozzles in alignment with the outlet aperture. A deflection screw or a slider with a plurality of deflectors may be used to provide variable deflection of water sprayed from the outlet aperture.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.Inventors: Kent C. Ericksen, Alan John Smith
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Patent number: 7048208Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler includes a base member positionable above a ground surface and a sprinkler head having a substantially cylindrical conduit provided with a proximal end portion in fluid communication with a water supply source. The sprinkler head further has a distal end portion having a plurality of tapered apertures randomly spaced thereabout for receiving a first array of water. The distal end portion further has a slot formed therein for defining a ledge along a select portion of the conduit. The sprinkler further includes a plurality of diverters slidably positionable within the slot. The plurality of diverters include a plurality of flange portions for stopping the plurality of diverters from being raised beyond a predetermined position. The ledge portion receives the plurality of flange portions so that the plurality of diverters can be effectively supported at non-operating positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Inventors: Cherie Y. Pruitt, Pieter Boutmy
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Patent number: 7032836Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base; an elongated stem having an inlet supported within the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported within the stem, the nozzle and stream deflector cooperating to define an arcuate orifice; a water distribution plate supported on one end of a shaft extending upwardly from the base, the water distribution plate located in axially spaced relationship to the nozzle and adapted to be impinged by a stream emitted from the nozzle. An externally threaded sleeve is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft; and an elastomeric throttle control member constructed with a smooth through-bore is engaged over the externally threaded sleeve to self-tap along the previously smooth bore. The throttle member is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the shaft causes the throttle control member to move axially relative to a flow restriction portion in the inlet, to thereby adjust flow rate through the stem and the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Nelson Irrigation CorporationInventors: George Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Theodore J. Bren
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Patent number: 7028920Abstract: The present invention provides a sprinkler with both a reversing part-circle mode and a non-reversing full-circle mode. More specifically, the present invention provides a mechanism for disengaging sprinkler arc stops, allowing for a full circle, non-reversing watering pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Matthew R. Hekman, Greg N. Shaw
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Patent number: 7025282Abstract: A protective cover is provided for substantially enclosing and protecting a bubbler head of a drinking fountain or the like against contamination when water flow to the bubbler head is turned off. In one preferred form, when the water flow is turned on, the protective cover is hydraulically elevated or pops up to a raised position permitting substantially unimpeded projection of a water stream from the bubbler head for drinking, etc. In an alternative preferred form, the bubbler head is hydraulically elevated or pops to a raised position within a stationary protective cover when the water supply is turned on for substantially unimpeded projection of water stream from the bubbler head through an open flow port formed in the cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Haws Drinking Faucet CompanyInventor: Sam T. Hong
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Patent number: 6971588Abstract: A cleaning head for installation in a swimming pool floor fitting (9) includes a pop-up cylinder (5) having a plurality of first camming elements (44) disposed on its outer wall, a compression spring (6) disposed around it, and an outer cylinder (11) having a plurality of second camming elements (42) and third camming elements (40) disposed along the inner wall (47A) of the outer cylinder (11) for engagement with the first camming elements. A nozzle cap (15) is removably attached to the upper end of the pop-up cylinder (5), and includes a plurality of nozzles having various diameters, respectively, only a selected one of the nozzles being aligned with a clearance opening (20) of the pop-up cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Shasta Industries, Inc.Inventors: William C. Tarr, Andy F. Blake, Paul A. Womack
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Patent number: 6964379Abstract: An exterior fire suppression system includes a sprinkler system that is connected to a water supply. The sprinkler system is mounted within the structure and is substantially hidden from view when the system is inactive. The system may include roof sprinklers and eave sprinklers that are adapted to saturate the exterior of the structure when the system is activated. Each roof sprinkler is a popup sprinkler installed within a facade that is an aesthetic match with the structure's roof and may be installed within a sprinkler box underneath the roofline. Each eave sprinkler is installed within the eave, substantially hidden from view. A heat sensor may be disposed adjacent to the eave sprinkler and connected to an electronic control to activate the system when excessive heat is detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Inventor: Joseph T. Crowley
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Patent number: 6942164Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable deflector with spiral vanes engaged by one or more water jets for imparting a rotary drive torque to the deflector, which converts the jets into a plurality of relatively small outwardly projected water streams swept over the surrounding terrain to irrigate adjacent vegetation. The sprinkler includes a speed governor having a turbine driven orbiter with first and second gears meshed respectively with a stator gear and a driven gear having different numbers of gear teeth, wherein the driven gear is carried by the deflector for rotation therewith. The turbine rotatably drives the orbiter on an eccentric axis, to react against the stator gear and thereby rotatably drive the driven gear and deflector with a substantial speed reduction. The speed governor thus regulates deflector speed for slowly sweeping the projected water streams over the adjacent landscape.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventor: Samuel C. Walker
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Patent number: 6921029Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effective precipitation rate of an irrigation sprinkler during an irrigation cycle without disrupting the supply of pressurized water from the source opening and closing the inlet to the sprinkler riser at timed intervals through the use of a flow stop valve assembly disposed at the base of the riser, and which includes a lost motion piston and cylinder assembly and first and second flow control devices which control the time the flow stop valve is in the open and closed conditions during the irrigation cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventor: George H. Lockwood
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Patent number: 6905078Abstract: A spraying device comprising a housing 12 containing a top and bottom portion defining a chamber therein for fluid ingress and egress into the bottom portion wherein the housing includes an outer structure 18 containing an inner structure 16, and a tensioning device 22 which releasably positions the outer structure at the housing bottom. The inner structure 16 is engaged to an arm member 20 for spraying said fluid, such that the inner structure causes the arm member to move in a linear and rotating relationship relative to housing. The outer structure 18 and inner structure 16 are engaged to one another such that the outer structure 18 causes the inner structure to move in a linear and rotating relationship relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: McCord Winn TextronInventors: David A. Gattuso, Martyn Jenkins, Malcolm Claydon
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Patent number: 6899285Abstract: A protruding nozzle assembly, mounted in a side wall of a swimming pool in communication with a source of water, will eject through a nozzle of a nozzle housing a stream of water at a predetermined angle relative to the adjacent side wall surface. During each erection and retraction of the nozzle housing precipitated by initiation and cessation of water flow to the nozzle assembly, the nozzle housing will rotate incrementally to provide a plurality of streams of water defining a fan-like area from each nozzle as such nozzle comes into fluid communication with an opening in a cover enclosing the nozzle housing. Each nozzle is canted to a different angle above the adjacent surface to assist in cleaning sloping parts of the side wall/bottom surface junction and to assist in cleaning any adjacent structures extending from the side wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.Inventors: John M. Goettl, Richard D. Conn
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Patent number: 6894586Abstract: A MEMS resonator includes an annular resonator body defined by an inner radius and an outer radius, a first electrode positioned within the inner radius and spaced from the resonator body, and a second electrode positioned around the annular resonator body and spaced from the outer radius. The first electrode and the second electrode provide for capacitive drive of the resonator body and capacitive sense of the resonator body. Piezo-resistive sense and piezoelectric drive/sense techniques can also be utilized. The overall extent can be smaller than 1 cm2 in area and positioned on a supporting substrate by a plurality of anchors. The substrate can comprise an RF transceiver integrated circuit with the anchors connecting the drive electrode and sense electrode to the integrated circuit. The resonator is readily fabricated using conventional semiconductor integrated circuit fabrication techniques.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Brian L. Bircumshaw, Albert P. Pisano, Oliver M. O'Reilly
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Patent number: 6848632Abstract: A frusto-conical strainer is mounted on the lower end of a pop-up riser for filtering out debris from water entering the lower inlet end of a surrounding outer housing to prevent clogging of the nozzle orifice or damage to mechanical components within a sprinkler. A cylindrical scrubber including a circumferential array of resilient arms is anchored at the lower inlet end of the outer housing. Wiper blades on the upper ends of the arms press against the outer surface of the strainer to scrape debris and algae therefrom as the riser extends and retracts. The strainer may have finer and coarser mesh sections for different levels of filtering in a sprinkler having multiple internal water flow paths. A plurality of circumferentially spaced projections on the strainer deflect past a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs formed on the interior wall of the outer housing to provide a riser ratchet mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc., A Delaware CorporationInventor: Michael L. Clark
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Publication number: 20040227007Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base adapted to be secured to a component supplying water under pressure; an arc adjustment ring rotatably mounted on the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported by an elongated stem carried by the base, the nozzle and the stream deflector cooperating to define an adjustable nozzle orifice; a water distribution plate secured to a shaft in the stem and located downstream of the nozzle; the stem and the nozzle axially movable relative to the base; and a drive train operatively connected between the arc adjustment ring and the nozzle to rotate the nozzle relative to the stream deflector to thereby adjust the nozzle orifice between a pair of limit positions. The stem is rotatable within the base upon over-rotation of the arc adjustment ring beyond either of the pair of limit positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Nelson Irrigation CorporationInventors: George L. Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Steven T. McCoon
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Patent number: 6814304Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler of the type having a rotatable deflector for sweeping small streams of irrigation water in a radially outward direction to irrigate adjacent vegetation, wherein the sprinkler includes a speed control brake for maintaining a substantially constant deflector rotational speed throughout a range of normal operating pressures and flow rates. The deflector includes an array of spiral vanes engaged by one or more water jets for rotatably driving the deflector which converts the jets into a plurality of relatively small irrigation streams swept over the surrounding terrain. A friction plate rotatable with the deflector engages a brake pad retained against a nonrotating brake disk. The brake pad includes tapered contact faces for varying the friction contact radius in response to changes in water pressure and/or flow rate to maintain deflector rotational speed substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Rain Bird CorporationInventor: Travis L. Onofrio
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Patent number: 6799732Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly comprised of a base located at the upper end of a riser tube and which base carries an insert with an opening allowing for distribution of water. In accordance with the present invention, a control valve is located directly at the sprinkler head assembly. The control valve may be located in a stationary or shrub head which would be connected to a base or otherwise to a riser tube. The control valve could be located in a pop-up shaft, pop-up sprinkler head, or in a retrofit coupling or adapter located between a riser tube and sprinkler head. The control valve would rely upon a screw capable of being threadedly moved into a duct generally perpendicular thereto and which would have a diametral size somewhat larger than the duct. Moreover, the screw would be provided with an opening having a diameter approximately equal to that of the duct. The opening would be alignable with the duct in one position and when rotated would completely block the flow in another position.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Inventor: Teodore Sirkin
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Patent number: 6736332Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base adapted to be secured to a component supplying water under pressure; an arc adjustment ring rotatably mounted on the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported by an elongated stem carried by the base, the nozzle and the stream deflector cooperating to define an adjustable nozzle orifice; a water distribution plate secured to a shaft in the stem and located downstream of the nozzle; the stem and the nozzle axially movable relative to the base; and a drive train operatively connected between the arc adjustment ring and the nozzle to rotate the nozzle relative to the stream deflector to thereby adjust the nozzle orifice between a pair of limit positions. The stem is rotatable within the base upon over-rotation of the arc adjustment ring beyond either of the pair of limit positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Nelson Irrigation CorporationInventors: George L. Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Steven T. McCoon
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Publication number: 20040050955Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base; an elongated stem having an inlet supported within the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported within the stem, the nozzle and stream deflector cooperating to define an arcuate orifice; a water distribution plate supported on one end of a shaft extending upwardly from the base, the water distribution plate located in axially spaced relationship to the nozzle and adapted to be impinged by a stream emitted from the nozzle. An externally threaded sleeve is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft; and an elastomeric throttle control member constructed with a smooth through-bore is engaged over the externally threaded sleeve to self-tap along the previously smooth bore. The throttle member is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the shaft causes the throttle control member to move axially relative to a flow restriction portion in the inlet, to thereby adjust flow rate through the stem and the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: Nelson Irrigation CorporationInventors: George Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Theodore J. Bren
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Patent number: 6705548Abstract: A nozzle for spraying surfaces is equipped with a piston rod centrally arranged in a feeding duct. The piston rod has an impact plate which is held by a spring in a position aligned with the surface to be sprayed. As a result of liquid pressure, the impact plate arrives in a second end position at a distance from the surface to be sprayed in which. As a result of a ring gap on an input side around the piston rod, the impact plate becomes a deflecting part for the spraying liquid exiting in a ring shape, which, in a circular spraying cone directed at a flat angle with respect to the surface to be sprayed, is then emitted onto the surface to be sprayed.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Lechler GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Lothar Bendig, Hermann Lange
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Patent number: 6695223Abstract: An adjustable stator is mounted in the lower end of a pop-up sprinkler riser and includes a vertically extending frame portion and a pair of valve portions that extend horizontally from an upper end of the frame portion. A coil spring is squeezed between a lower end of a drive subassembly and a mandrel mounted in a lower end of the frame portion. The mandrel and the frame portion have mating projections which allow the vertical position of the mandrel to be adjusted. This adjusts the downward biasing force exerted by the coil spring against the frame portion and the valve members carried thereby. This varies the pressure of a water stream flowing past a turbine in the riser, and the speed of rotation of the turbine which in turn changes the speed of rotation of a nozzle driven by the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.Inventors: Matthew G. Beutler, Michael L. Clark
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Patent number: 6651904Abstract: A watering nozzle (16) for underground pop-up sprinkler (1) comprises a bottom part (17) and a top part (37) comprising a distribution cylinder (40). The bottom part (17) is provided with an annular opening (100) that receives the flow of water coming from the base of the sprinkler (1) and generates a jet in the form of a spray having pre-established angular extension that flows into a distribution cylinder (40) provided with radial slots (41) arranged as an arc of circumference that proceed from its bottom to its side wall so as to subdivide the single spray jet into single jets. The distribution cylinder (40) has on top a fan wheel (70) having a diameter greater than the cylinder and provided with external fins (71) that extend downward.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Claber S.p.A.Inventor: Gianfranco Roman
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Publication number: 20030213856Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly comprised of a base located at the upper end of a riser tube and which base carries a screen allowing for distribution of water. In accordance with the present invention, a control valve is located directly at the sprinkler head assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly may constitute a shrub or stationary head connected to the upper end of the riser tube. In this embodiment, the control valve would be preferably located in the body of the base of the stationary sprinkler head. In another embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly constitutes a pop-up sprinkler head and the control valve would be located in the pop-up shaft forming part of that sprinkler head. In still another embodiment of the invention, a retrofit coupling or adapter may be provided and which would be located between a riser tube and a sprinkler head forming part of that assembly. In this case, the adaptive coupling would include the control valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventor: Theodore Sirkin
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Patent number: 6648241Abstract: A life extending, pop-up sprinkler comprising a riser pipe, a collar, a pop-up shaft with a threaded head, an O-ring, a weight, and a spray insert. The riser pipe is threaded at both ends. The lower threads are designed to mate with the specially threaded cavity in the sprinkler head body. Threaded onto the upper threads is the collar, which has a opening, having a hexagonal (or other shaped) cross-section, in its upper web. Sliding inside this opening is the cylindrical pop-up shaft which has a mating, outer, hexagonal (or other matching shaped) cross-section. The O-ring is slipped over the lower end of the shaft and a cylindrical (or other shaped) weight is screwed onto the lower end of the shaft. Both the O-ring and the weight are of larger diameters than the shaft so as to preclude leakage. The upper end of the shaft terminates in a cylindrical pop-up head which is also larger in diameter than the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Inventor: Irving Doshay
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Patent number: 6629648Abstract: An adjustable riser for adjusting the elevational position of an irrigation sprinkler with respect to the surrounding ground level and/or with respect to the height of surrounding vegetation to be irrigated. The riser includes a movable cartridge within an internal bore of a housing having a plurality of catches outwardly projecting from the exterior wall of the cartridge and adapted to resiliently snap into or out of notches carried on the inner wall surface of the bore movably supporting the cartridge. The sprinkler is carried on a tube for discharging water while the opposite end of the tube includes an impact plate against which water pressure from the supply impinges. Upon impact, the tube with the sprinkler is forced upward within a housing against expansion of a spring, which normally urges the tube and sprinkler into a storage position within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Inventor: Steven Jones
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Patent number: 6629569Abstract: A pop up roof sprinkler system includes a building having a roof, a fire retardant solution, a dispensing tube that has a distal portion extending outwardly from the roof, and a cap member. The cap member has a head portion and an insertion portion. The insertion portion is inserted into the dispensing tube such that the cap member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The open position is defined by the head portion being spaced from the dispensing tube to permit dispensation of the fire retardant solution through the dispensing tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Inventor: Milton D. Adams
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Publication number: 20030150934Abstract: In a turbine driven rotary irrigation sprinkler having a fixed stator with means for bypassing a portion of the water entering the sprinkler around the turbine so as to be able to adjust and control the rate of sprinkler rotation, the improvement of a rotatable stator cooperating with the fixed stator to provide infinite adjustability between the no bypass flow and full bypass flow conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventor: Kenneth L. Lawson
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Patent number: 6601244Abstract: A removable retainer for holding a nozzle stem in a body has opposed indentations for receiving the tines of a forded tool. The periphery of the retainer and the inner edge of the body are relieved to receive and guide the tool tines to the indentations.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.Inventor: John M. Goettl
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Publication number: 20030098365Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effective precipitation rate of an irrigation sprinkler during an irrigation cycle without disrupting the supply of pressurized water from the source opening and closing the inlet to the sprinkler riser at timed intervals through the use of a flow stop valve assembly disposed at the base of the riser, and which includes a lost motion piston and cylinder assembly and first and second flow control devices which control the time the flow stop valve is in the open and closed conditions during the irrigation cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2002Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: George H. Lockwood
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Patent number: 6568608Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly comprised of a base located at the upper end of a riser tube and which base carries a screen allowing for distribution of water. In accordance with the present invention, a control valve is located directly at the sprinkler head assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly may constitute a shrub or stationary head connected to the upper end of the riser tube. In this embodiment, the control valve would be preferably located in the body of the base of the stationary sprinkler head. In another embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly constitutes a pop-up sprinkler head and the control valve would be located in the pop-up shaft forming part of that sprinkler head. In still another embodiment of the invention, a retrofit coupling or adapter may be provided and which would be located between a riser tube and a sprinkler head forming part of that assembly. In this case, the adaptive coupling would include the control valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Inventor: Theodore Sirkin
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Patent number: 6547159Abstract: Kits (29) for increasing the height of sprinkler water origination include reducing connectors (14)(14a)(14b) or variants thereof The connectors have a wide cylindrical member (21)(21a)(21b) with an inner thread set (25)(25a) and an inner cylindrical member (23)(23a)(23b) with an inner thread set (26) and a disk section (24)(24a)(24b). The kits include, in some forms, an enclosure (32) and/or instructions (31); in others, a display of kits.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Inventor: James P. Westby
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Patent number: 6530531Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler of the type that includes a riser that moves upwardly out of a sprinkler housing when water pressure is applied and that allows manual adjustment of the angular orientation of the riser with respect to the housing to adjust angular orientation of the spray from the sprinkler, and provides for such angular adjustment by having a toothed flange associated with the riser in the housing which engages tabs associated with the housing, provides for longer life of the toothed flange and/or the tabs by providing slots extending radially inwardly in the toothed flange to reduce its rigidity to the extent that the teeth and/or tabs do not wear as quickly.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.Inventor: David C. Butler
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Publication number: 20030042327Abstract: An adjustable stator is mounted in the lower end of a pop-up sprinkler riser and includes a vertically extending frame portion and a pair of valve portions that extend horizontally from an upper end of the frame portion. A coil spring is squeezed between a lower end of a drive subassembly and a mandrel mounted in a lower end of the frame portion. The mandrel and the frame portion have mating projections which allow the vertical position of the mandrel to be adjusted. This adjusts the downward biasing force exerted by the coil spring against the frame portion and the valve members carried thereby. This varies the pressure of a water stream flowing past a turbine in the riser, and the speed of rotation of the turbine which in turn changes the speed of rotation of a nozzle driven by the turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Matthew G. Beutler, Michael L. Clark
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Patent number: 6502764Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler is provided with an internally mounted and upwardly open debris cup for capturing debris such as dirt and pebbles falling into the sprinkler, to prevent such debris from contacting and interfering with an internally mounted rotary drive mechanism. The sprinkler includes a housing or case carrying a pop-up riser with a spray head thereon for projecting a stream of irrigation water over surrounding terrain and vegetation. The rotary drive mechanism includes a water-driven element such as a turbine coupled by a reduction gear unit or the like for rotatably driving the spray head in a manner sweeping the projected water stream over the surrounding terrain and vegetation. The debris cup is mounted within the sprinkler case generally at a lower end of a nozzle passage formed in the riser, and generally overlying the water-driven element, in a position to capture and retain debris falling into the sprinkler case through the nozzle passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Inventor: Samuel C. Walker
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Patent number: 6499678Abstract: The combination of a case enclosed sprinkler and shut-off valve having the dual function of shutting off the flow of water to a case enclosed sprinkler so that case enclosed sprinkler can be removed from the case enclosed sprinkler system or zone for replacement, repair, maintenance and the like and the insertion and removal of the case enclosed sprinkler operates to open and close the shut-off valve. The shut-off valve has infinite settings so that it can be utilized as a metering valve to limit the flow of water entering the case enclosed sprinkler. In another embodiment, an adapter mechanism can be utilized in combination with the shut-off valve to obtain water from the system when desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Inventor: Donald A. Hope
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Patent number: 6494386Abstract: A sprinkler head housing encloses, supports, and provides access to a sprinkler head in order to allow maintenance and access to the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head housing includes a top and a wall descending therefrom. The sprinkler head housing can accommodate sprinkler heads having differently sized diameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Ocean Test Equipment. Inc.Inventor: John I. Banu
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Publication number: 20020179733Abstract: A sprinkler includes an outer housing having a lower end connectable to a source of pressurized water and a riser that is vertically reciprocable within the outer housing between extended and retracted positions when the source of pressurized water is turned ON and OFF. A nozzle is mounted at an upper end of the riser for rotation about a vertical axis. A Pelton turbine is mounted inside the riser for rotation about a horizontal axis, as distinguished from a vertical axis. A drive mechanism connects the turbine to the nozzle so that when the source of pressurized water is turned ON the resulting rotation of the turbine by the pressurized water will rotate the nozzle. The turbine as well as a gear train reduction and a bevel gear reversing mechanism are assembled inside a self-contained clam-shell drive subassembly before being inserted into the riser.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventor: Michael L. Clark
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Publication number: 20020179734Abstract: A frusto-conical strainer is mounted on the lower end of a pop-up riser for filtering out debris from water entering the lower inlet end of a surrounding outer housing to prevent clogging of the nozzle orifice or damage to mechanical components within a sprinkler. A cylindrical scrubber including a circumferential array of resilient arms is anchored at the lower inlet end of the outer housing. Wiper blades on the upper ends of the arms press against the outer surface of the strainer to scrape debris and algae therefrom as the riser extends and retracts. The strainer may have finer and coarser mesh sections for different levels of filtering in a sprinkler having multiple internal water flow paths. A plurality of circumferentially spaced projections on the strainer deflect past a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs formed on the interior wall of the outer housing to provide a riser ratchet mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventor: Michael L. Clark