Abstract: An improved dual seal pipe coupling is provided of the type having matingly interfitting male and female pipe fittings formed on adjacent ends of a pair of conduit members, wherein at least one of a pair of seal rings is vented at low pressure to prevent pressure build-up and potential seal ring distortion or damage upon initial assembly of the pipe fittings. The seal rings are seated respectively within a pair of axially spaced-apart recessed grooves formed on one of the pipe fittings for slidably and sealingly engaging the other one of the pipe fittings upon assembly therewith. A bypass vent is formed in at least one of the seal ring grooves, to include a shallow recessed channel underlying the associated seal ring and leading axially to a smoothly curved and generally arch-shaped relief port formed in an outboard side wall of the seal ring groove.

Abstract: An improved inlet control valve is provided for controlling water inflow to an irrigation sprinkler, wherein the inlet control valve exhibits improved tolerance to passage of small grit and debris. The inlet control valve includes a valve member normally engaging a valve seat to prevent water inflow to the irrigation sprinkler, and adapted for movement to a modulated open position to permit water inflow to the sprinkler at a regulated pressure. The valve member carries a flow restrictor disposed upstream from the valve seat to produce, when the valve member is in the open position, a first pressure drop which cooperates with a second pressure drop between the valve seat and valve member to regulate the water inflow pressure. The inclusion of the upstream flow restrictor and the associated first pressure drop effectively reduces the magnitude of the second pressure drop across the valve seat and thereby permits the valve member to open with an increased clearance relative to the valve seat.

Abstract: A variable arc spray nozzle is provided for delivering irrigation water to a surrounding terrain area in a spray pattern of variably adjustable arcuate width. The spray nozzle is adapted for mounting onto the upper end of a water supply riser, and includes a rotatable adjustment collar which cooperates with an upper deflector to define a discharge orifice of variably selected arcuate width. A stabilizer vane on the adjustment collar protrudes generally upstream at the adjustable side edge of the discharge orifice to tailor the associated side edge of the resultant spray pattern for improved water distribution and range. The deflector additionally includes a substantially horizontal step formed at the upstream side of the discharge orifice to produce a localized pressure loss resulting in improved water distribution across the variable width of the spray pattern.

Abstract: An adjustable riser is provided for coupling an irrigation sprinkler to a water supply line, wherein the riser is adapted for quick and easy longitudinal adjustment to variably select the elevational position of the sprinkler relative to ground level. The adjustable riser comprises a pair of telescopically interfitting inner and outer riser tubes coupled respectively to the sprinkler and to the water supply line. The inner riser tube has a keyway formed on the exterior surface thereof, and the outer riser tube carries at least one key protruding into and engaged with the keyway. In the preferred form, the keyway comprises at least one recessed channel defined by an axially spaced succession of part-circumferential segments interconnected at opposite ends by axial segments extending in opposite directions.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for converting an irrigation sprinkler from an open case impact drive rotor to a closed case drive rotor, without requiring disinterment or replacement of a sprinkler case having the drive rotor housed therein. The conversion adapter comprises a generally cylindrical adapter sleeve for installation into the sprinkler case following lift-out removal of the open case drive rotor upon disengagement of a lock member such as a snap ring. The exterior surface geometry of the adapter sleeve is shaped to define a gap between the adapter sleeve and the top of the sprinkler case sufficient to permit re-engagement of the lock member to retain the adapter sleeve within the sprinkler case. The interior surface geometry of the adapter sleeve is shaped to receive and support the closed case drive rotor which is retained therein by an additional lock member such as a snap ring.

Abstract: A vandal resistant part circle gear driven sprinkler having a plastic pop-up assembly including a nozzle housing rotatably mounted to a non-rotatable pop-up stem within which a reversible gear drive mechanism is mounted. A slip clutch is provided for mounting the reversible gear drive mechanism within the stem to prevent relative rotation during normal sprinkler operation, but which permits the mechanism to rotate relative to the stem whenever an external torque above a preselected level is applied to the nozzle housing.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle comprising a nozzle body having a range nozzle passage therethrough and a spreader nozzle disposed therebelow, the spreader nozzle being formed by a generally rectangular cross-sectional chamber having a generally rectangular cross-sectional outlet orifice, the chamber and outlet orifice being oriented with their long dimensions extending in a generally lateral direction substantially horizontal with the ground, the outlet orifice being laterally but not vertically smaller in size than the size of the chamber so that a vertically oriented fan-shaped spray pattern is produced by water projected from the outlet orifice.

Abstract: An Omega type biasing spring for use in a part circle gear driven sprinkler of the type having a reversing gear train mounted on a pivotal yoke and operated by a lost motion trip mechanism, the omega spring having a bulbous-shaped arcuate head section interconnected with laterally diverging leg sections through a narrow neck section defining a lateral gap which closes upon spring compression to reduce internal spring stress.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle for enhancing the distribution of close-in watering comprising a nozzle housing housing an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a tortious pathway therebetween for inducing turbulence into the water stream to produce a low pressure, small droplet size water spray.

Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle comprising a tubular nozzle housing with a nozzle body mounted therein, the nozzle body defining a nozzle passageway having an outlet orifice and cooperating with the housing to define a chamber between the body and housing with a chamber outlet passage disposed adjacent the outlet orifice. A water bleed opening is formed to communicate between the passageway up-stream of the outlet orifice and the chamber so that water flowing through the passageway is bled into the chamber and aspirated into the stream from the outlet orifice through the outlet passage.

Abstract: A pop-up irrigation sprinkler including a sprinkler case having an open upper end through which a sprinkler nozzle coupled to a sprinkler mechanism can be extended, the sprinkler mechanism being retained within the case by a retaining ring mounted in a groove in the case, and a retaining cover and sealing assembly for sealing the open end of the case around the nozzle and for preventing the split ring from being inadvertently unseated from the groove.

Abstract: An improved rotary drive sprinkler is provided for driving a sprinkler spray head in a rotary stepping motion to deliver irrigation water over a prescribed terrain area. The rotary sprinkler comprises a pop-up stem assembly carrying the spray head and movable within a sprinkler housing between a normal retracted position and an elevated spraying position when water under pressure is supplied to the sprinkler housing. During operation, the water flowing through the sprinkler housing powers a piston drive assembly including a spring-loaded drive piston which is alternately subjected to a predetermined pressure differential and normalized pressure to displace the piston in a reciprocating manner. The drive piston is coupled to a motion converter assembly for converting the reciprocal motion of the drive piston to an oscillatory rotary motion which is coupled in turn via a reversible one-way clutch assembly to the pop-up stem assembly.

Abstract: An improved locking assembly is provided for releasably locking a valve unit incorporated into a sprinkler housing or the like, wherein the locking assembly prevents the valve unit from being driven from the housing as a projectile by water under pressure at the upstream side of the valve unit. The valve unit includes a mounting ring normally held seated upon a shoulder seat within the base of the sprikler housing by the locking assembly including a stacked pair of snap rings installed into an enlarged housing lock groove thereby positioning a movable valve member in association with a valve seat to control water flow into the sprinkler housing. The valve unit is removable from the housing, for example, for maintenance purposes by removing the two snap rings one at a time.

Abstract: An improved sequencing valve of the type having a valve disk mounted within a valve housing for reciprocating and indexing movement between an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports to couple a water supply line in sequence with a plurality of outlet conduits in response to turning on and off of a water supply. The valve disk has a flow opening therein which is closed by a spring-biased control valve when the water supply is turned on such that the valve disk is responsive to a relatively low and selected fluid pressure for movement to a position seated over the outlet ports with the flow opening in alignment with one of the outlet ports whereupon the control valve opens with increasing fluid pressure to permit water flow to the aligned outlet port.

Abstract: A water sprinkler includes a turbine drive assembly responsive to water under pressure supplied to the sprinkler for moving a spray head through a prescribed rotational path. The turbine drive assembly drives an incremental motion mechanism coupled to the spray head for rotating the spray head between a plurality of angularly spaced stationary positions, and for maintaining the spray head in each stationary position for a time period sufficient to achieve maximum trajected range of water from the spray head. A reversing assembly can be provided for repeatedly reversing the direction of spray head rotation within a prescribed arcuate path, and the reversing assembly includes means for varying the angular locations of the stationary positions of the spray head upon successive reversals of spray head movement.

Abstract: An improved self-cleaning filter assembly for use in a solenoid-actuated valve of the type having a fluid pressure-operated diaphragm to control opening and closing of the valve. Control fluid under pressure is admitted from an inlet chamber of the valve into a control chamber at one side of the diaphragm to maintain the valve in a closed position, and this fluid pressure in the control chamber is relieved by actuation of a solenoid to open the valve. The self-cleaning filter assembly comprises a relatively rigid filter element for filtering the control fluid and a plurality of scraper blades mounted for scraping dirt, grit, or the like from the filter element each time the valve is opened or closed.

Abstract: A protective housing is provided which entirely encloses an impact drive irrigation sprinkler to prevent adjacent vegetation from interfering with normal operation of the sprinkler and to minimize damage due to vandalizing. In the case of pop-up type sprinklers, a lower portion of the housing is tapered to enhance the ability of the sprinkler to move axially through vegetation, such as ivy and the like, and the housing is arranged to entirely enclose the sprinkler in all operating and non-operating positions.