Abstract: A miniature sprinkler has a fixed, vertically extending nozzle having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being for communication with a supply pipe. A flow diverter has an axially extending inlet in register with the outlet of the nozzle, the diverter including bearing apparatus for rotatably engaging the nozzle to rotatably mount the diverter at the top of the nozzle. The inlet in the diverter merges into at least one side outlet which extends generally horizontally and from which the water is emitted in the form of a jet, and a drive apparatus is coupled to the diverter in such a position that at least part of the flow from the diverter outlet impinges on the driver apparatus to cause the rotation of the diverter, the drive apparatus including a turbine slideably and rotatably mounted above the diverter for impingement thereon of the flow to cause rapid rotation of the turbine with a sliding motion.

Abstract: Apparatus for making snow using pressurized water and air wherein a housing is implanted into the earth at a selected location on a ski slope and connected to underground lines for supplying water and air thereto. An elongated extendable bichamberal spray head is slidingly mounted within the housing such that the introduction of pressurized air to the outer chamber of bichamberal spray head via the housing causes the spray head to rise to a predetermined elevation. Introduction of water to inner chamber of the spray head generates snow when the pressurized water is discharged to the atmosphere through the pressurized air. The spray head is stored within the housing when not in use to eliminate any hazard to skiers and the labor required to utilize a portable snowgun.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic shut off valve for a sprinkler system which closes the water flow path whenever a sprinkler head becomes dislodged from a riser pipe. The shut off valve includes a valve seat and a valve element. The valve element is attached to the stem of a valve assembly, which further includes a flange positioned in the water flow path. The valve element assembly is held away from the valve seat by a coil spring into which the stem of the valve assembly extends. The stem further includes a plurality of openings to allow water flow into the center of the flange and out through openings in the stem and thereafter through the center of the valve seat. The spring is calibrated in length and compression such that, during normal water flow with a head attached, the spring is not sufficiently compressed to allow the valve element to contact the valve seat.

Abstract: An improved sprinkler head (2) having a hollow housing (4) has a fluid inlet (5) for admitting water into housing (2). A drain valve (40) comprises an elongated flexible nipple (34) having an open upper end (35) and a closed lower end (36) having a normally closed drain passage (42). Nipple (34) is mounted in any drain port in housing (4). Whenever fluid pressures inside housing (4) increase above a first level, nipple (34) will have its walls bowed outwardly until the drain passage (42) is opened. Preferably, drain valve (40) is part of a check valve (30) which incorporates into it the structure of nipple (34).

Abstract: A birdbath assembly is disclosed for controlled, automatic filling, self-cleaning and emptying with water pressure. The assembly includes a spray nozzle mounted for sliding movement through the inside surface of a bowl in response to water pressure. A series of solenoid operated fluid valves are sequentially opened by a preset electrical timing control to provide low water flow to fill the bowl, a subsequent greater water flow to raise the nozzle, agitate the water and any effluents in the bowl, and remove/expel the water and effluents from the bowl, followed by further low water flow to refill the bowl for reuse. A kit for converting conventional birdbaths to the present self-cleaning and filling invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fountain, suitable in particular for use in domestic locations, comprises a generally vertical fluid inlet tube, a spray tube surrounding the fluid inlet tube and free to move linearly in the direction of the length of the latter, the spray tube being open at its lower end and having at least one flow-restricting orifice at its upper end, and a liquid container surrounding the spray tube. A pump may be provided to feed fluid, e.g. air or water, to the fluid inlet tube. Liquid ejected from the orifice or orifices may be collected in a catchment vessel and returned to the liquid container for recycling.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having a plurality of individual portion sized pots disposed in a pot chamber is provided for cooking pasta and other foods "to order". Each pot has a cooking fluid admitting opening in the bottom thereof which receives a cooking fluid nozzle therein. The pot opening is covered by a mesh or other apertured cap which admits cooking fluid but prevents the pasta from escaping. The head of the nozzle has a "hat-shaped" cap slidably mounted thereon which closes the pot opening and injects heated cooking fluid into the pot when the nozzle is connected to a source of heated cooking fluid and which opens the pot opening and drains the pot when the nozzle is disconnected from the cooking fluid source. Cooking and draining are accomplished without moving the nozzle or the pot. The drained cooking fluid is collected in the pot chamber and recirculated by means of a filter and pump so that it may be used again for the same or other pots.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated device is employed as part of a pool cleaning system. An improved structure assembly of a hydraulically actuated core within a housing provides ease of manufacture and assembly. Graded control of the application of pressure and the flow of fluid through the system is provided so that the hydraulic device is actuated in a relatively gradual and graded manner to overcome the deleterious effects of abrupt actuation of such devices and the resultant water hammer, pressure surges which are generated in such abruptly operated systems. Improved jet orifices enclosed within the hydraulically actuated cylinder of the device provide for more efficient disturbance of sediments on the interior surfaces of the pool in the immediate vicinities of the hydraulically actuated devices.

Abstract: A cleaning head for installation in the bottom surface of a swimming pool includes a rotary pop-up jet producing element having a hollow cylindrical lower section open at its bottom and an enlarged cylindrical hollow upper section closed at its top. An outlet opening is disposed in a vertical cylindrical wall of the upper section. A camming pin extending from the vertical cylindrical wall of the lower section engages opposed, staggered upper and lower saw-tooth-like camming surfaces disposed along an inner cylindrical wall of a stationary section of the cleaning head. The stationary section of the cleaning head sealably engages with a housing installed in the bottom surface of the swimming pool and is sealably coupled to an intermittent high pressure water supply.

Abstract: A projectable guard for a projectable lawn sprinkler for preventing foreign matter from entering the sprinker. The sprinklers to which the projectable guard is attached automatically rise from the ground when water pressure is applied thereto. The sprinklers have a housing, a pipe rigidly connected to the housing, a projectable conduit connected to the pipe, and a sprinkler head attached to the projectable conduit. The boot connects to the housing and the projectable pipe to prevent grass, leaves, sand, dirt, and the like from entering the housing.

Abstract: This invention relates to spray apparatus for spraying water onto the ground or floor of an indoor riding arena having outwardly inclined boards provided around its periphery, said boards having mounted on their rear side a spray or sprinkler unit which is pivotally mounted by a mounting, the unit being located within a housing which can move with the unit from an inoperative position in which the unit and housing are retracted towards an operative position in which the unit and housing protrude from the front surface of a said board and the spray unit protrudes from the housing, the unit and housing being biassed towards the inoperative position by a weight and moved towards the operative position by a piston and cylinder device which is supplied with water under pressure from the supply conduit for the unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for intermittently directing one or more streams of water across the inner surface of a swimming pool structure for cleaning the surface. A cylindrical retractable nozzle head actuated by fluid pressure moves to an active, extended position to expose nozzle passages therein when water under pressure is applied thereto. The nozzle passages are formed in diametrically and symmetrically disposed thickened wall regions of the nozzle head to provide a nozzle head that is balanced about its longitudinal axis. In certain embodiments of the invention, a pair of nozzle passages are formed in the thickened regions and some or all of the passages have destructible membranes blocking communication with the interior of the nozzle head, which membranes may be selectively drilled out at the time of installation of the apparatus. The nozzle head, which is preferably molded from plastic material, may contain a weight member for additional balance and to assist in retraction of the head to its inactive position.

Abstract: A cleaning head for installation in the bottom surface of a swimming pool includes a rotary pop-up jet producing element having a hollow cylindrical lower section open at its bottom and an enlarged cylindrical hollow upper section closed at its top. An outlet opening is disposed in a vertical cylindrical wall of the upper section. A camming pin extending from the vertical cylindrical wall of the lower section engages opposed, staggered upper and lower sawtooth-like camming surfaces disposed along an inner cylindrical wall of a stationary section of the cleaning head. The stationary section of the cleaning head sealably engages with a housing installed in the bottom surface of the swimming pool and is sealably coupled to an intermittent high pressure water supply.

Abstract: A two-stage retractable sprinkler comprises a first-stage riser tube, with inner and outer walls forming an annular peripheral channel and with a first piston head at its open lower end guided in a stationary cylinder, and a second-stage riser tube with a second piston head at its closed lower end guided in the first-stage tube. The second piston head has a peripheral groove communicating with an axial bore of its tube through radial holes through which water entering the bottom of the guide cylinder can pass to an outlet at the top of the second-stage tube by way of a set of vertical slots, formed near the top of the inner wall of that tube, after both tubes have been elevated by the water pressure.

Abstract: An impulse-sinking hydrant having an upright cylindrical housing with a movable piston disposed therein and formed with a radial passageway and an upright stem having a first passageway communicating with the radial passageway, the upright stem extending above the housing in an upper position of the piston. The upper end of the housing communicates with a pressure-accumulative reservoir through a second passageway which lies in registration with the radial passageway when the piston is in the upper position. A supply conduit carrying water under pressure communicates with the reservoir through a third passageway and with the interior of the housing through a fourth passageway feeding into the lower end thereof for displacing the piston upwardly.

Abstract: A riser tube rigid with a piston head is vertically reciprocable in a cylindrical housing to which water under pressure may be admitted from the bottom to raise the tube into an elevated position, in which its tip extends above the ground, or through a lateral port near the top of the housing to lower the tube into a retracted position below ground. The piston head has a peripheral groove which communicates with the bore of the tube and, in the extended position, registers with an upper set of holes in the housing wall which are connected through a stationary external sleeve with a lower set of holes, lying then beneath the piston head, whereby water from a distributing pipe of an irrigation system can enter the riser tube after having elevated same into that position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for swimming pool cleaning incorporating intermittent pop-up jet rotated nozzles; the nozzles being adapted to intermittently rotate and project cleaning jets of water adjacent said inner surface. The nozzles each have eccentrically positioned tangential water outlets forming jet outlet passages; the nozzles are vertically reciprocal and are rotatably mounted in housings having stop means such that when they are hydraulically energized by water under pressure in the housings, the nozzles emerge from the upper ends of the housings and cause jet reaction rotation thereof during upward movement which is arrested by the stop means in the housing. The housing includes a bore with clearance around the nozzle so as to provide a water bearing around the nozzle during its upward and rotative movement.

Abstract: A one-piece flexible guard for excluding dirt and other foreign matter from the internal parts of a pop-up sprinkler. More particularly, a flexible circularly shaped piece of material which can be attached to the edge of the fixed housing assembly of a pop-up sprinkler. Said material having a circular hole in its center in which the pop-up sprinkler protrudes, said movable part being securely attached to said material along the edge of said circular hole. The guard being attached to the sprinkler in such a way so as to exclude foreign matter from the internal parts of the sprinkler while permitting the movable nozzle portion free vertical or horizontal movement. In an up position the outer perimeter of the guard forms a dam. The sprinkler also may provide fluid to wash the dirt from outside of the dam portion of the guard when the nozzle is in the extended or up position.

Abstract: A pop-up nozzle for an underground sprinkler system. The nozzle includes a spray head fastened to the top of a hollow stem which is slidably mounted within a cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve is imbedded in the ground, and its lower end is connected to a source of pressurized water. As water flows into the sleeve, the stem and spray move axially within the sleeve so that the spray head projects above ground level and allows water emanating from the spray head to clear ground obstructions. A radial projection on the stem mates with one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial grooves in the sleeve to fix the angular position of the spray in a predetermined direction when a unidirectional spray head is used.

Abstract: A projectable lawn sprinkler which rises automatically from the ground when water pressure is applied to the sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a housing, a pipe rigidly connected to the housing, a projectable conduit connected to the pipe, a projectable cover rigidly connected to the projectable conduit, and a sprinkler head attached to the projectable conduit.

Abstract: A soil-mounted hydrant selectively positionable above the ground level to distribute an irrigation fluid to its environment is described. A distributing aperture in the side wall on the upper portion of a cylindrical hydrant housing is closable to a desired degree by a hollow cylindrical cap member that is threadable into the interior of the hydrant housing. The threaded cap is captured within the interior of the housing by means of a limit pin disposed above the distributing aperture, such pin contacting the aperture-blocking portion of the cap when such cap is threaded outwardly to an upper limit, in which position the aperture is fully exposed. A longitudinal bore extends completely through the cap for shunting a portion of the irrigation fluid in an upwardly directed path while the hydrant is below ground level, such bore terminating in a nozzle for saturating the surrounding soil with a fine jet-like spray to facilitate the upward movement of the hydrant out of the ground.

Abstract: A pressure control mechanism for an irrigation sprinkler having a rotatable riser with an orifice of predetermined shape with the riser sealed at the water inlet end thereof. In one embodiment, a stationary valve ring is snug-fit around the riser and circumferentially stationary with respect to the riser. The valve ring is spring biased against a shoulder on the riser at the inlet end and adapted to rise with the riser. The valve ring has an orifice which is congruent to the orifice of the riser whereby rotation of the riser with respect to the stationary valve ring regulates the flow of water through the valve orifice and the riser orifice to thereby regulate the flow of water through the sprinkler. In an alternative embodiment, a valve disc is secured to the inlet end of the riser and is circumferentially stationary with respect to the riser. The riser has a plug fixedly mounted at the inlet end and is keyed for limited rotation.