Patents Assigned to Hunter Industries Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8827512
    Abstract: A light fixture for use in low voltage outdoor lighting systems includes a lens assembly with a cylindrical diffuser lens disposed on top of a lens support, and a reflector hood with a crown portion and a flared portion. The lens and reflector hood are attached by means of a resilient ring with an annular channel that fits over the upper edge of the lens. When the lens and ring are pushed into crown portion of the hood, the ring is compressed to create an interference fit that holds the lens within the crown portion. A second resilient ring may be placed over the lower edge of the lens to produce a similar interference fit with the upper portion of the lens support. In one embodiment, a molded plastic hood liner is attached to the inner surface of the hood to provide a reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Joshua Z. Beadle
  • Patent number: 8534867
    Abstract: A light module for use in a lighting fixture includes a printed circuit board with one or more LED elements and one or more LED drivers. An electrical connector extends from the lower surface of the printed circuit board for attachment to an electrical socket within the fixture. A thermal conductor is attached on the lower surface of the printed circuit board. A reflector array comprises one or more individual parabolic reflectors, where each individual reflector is disposed at a position corresponding to a position of an LED element. Fastening means releasably attach each of the printed circuit board, the thermal conductor and the reflector array to a support surface within the interior cavity of the base. At least one optical element is releasably mounted on top of the reflector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Joshua Z. Beadle
  • Patent number: 8419205
    Abstract: A step light fixture includes an enclosure for retaining one or more socket and lamp combinations, a light transmissive lens, a cover for sealing the enclosure, and a mounting plate for attaching the fixture on an underside of a stair tread overhang. In a first embodiment, the cover is attached to the enclosure by a removable hinge at a first end that permits the cover to pivot its second end outward away from the enclosure to provide access to the interior of the enclosure. The second end of the cover includes a latch that mates with a corresponding catch on the side of the enclosure to releasably close the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin Schmuckle
  • Patent number: 7993040
    Abstract: A spike for outdoor lighting fixture includes a receptacle portion integrated into the body of the spike with an open section and a removable transparent window that is configured to enclose the receptacle portion. The transparent window is attached to the receptacle portion using one or more screws or other fasteners. The spike can include an internally threaded upper portion for receiving a post upon which a lighting fixture is mounted and/or a lamp socket can be attached to the top of the spike and a protective housing fitted around the outer edges of the top of the spike. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle portion is divided into multiple compartments, e.g., for storing excess cable or spare parts, or for securing connection points of a wiring installation. The transparent window permits visual examination of the connection within the receptacle without removing the transparent window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Joshua Z. Beadle
  • Patent number: 7874709
    Abstract: The recessed fixture includes a cylindrical housing assembly that encloses a lamp assembly in a watertight enclosure. The lamp assembly includes an attachment base bracket attached to the interior of the housing, and a U-shaped bracket that is rotatably attached to the base bracket. The U-shaped bracket includes attachment means that permit vertical and angular adjustment of the lamp assembly relative to the axial center of the housing. The combination of the pivot points and the ability to rotate the lamp housing about the base bracket provides at least three axes of adjustability to permit variation of the character of light emitted from the fixture. A cover placed over the end of the housing seals a lens to the housing to produce a watertight seal. The cover may include a pattern of ridges and openings to form a baffle to further protect the lens, reduce glare and provide additional directional control of the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Joshua Z. Beadle
  • Patent number: 5927607
    Abstract: A pop up sprinkler unit includes a housing having an inlet including a passage for connecting to a source of fluid such as water or air, a pressure responsive inlet valve assembly including a valve seat surrounding the inlet, a valve member having annular sealing normally biased into engagement with the seat, and a velocity control disc mounted on the valve member and extending into the passage at the inlet, the velocity control disc metering initial inlet fluid for controlling the rate of opening of the valve for controlling flow of fluid through the valve to a nozzle and extension of a riser to an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Loren W. Scott
  • Patent number: 5918812
    Abstract: A sprinkler unit with riser damping comprises a tubular housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, a tubular riser 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 ring mounted on the riser for damping movement of the riser to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Matthew Grant Beutler
  • Patent number: 5868316
    Abstract: A system of multi-colored sprinkler nozzles are molded simultaneously in a multi-cavity mold and emerge from the mold in an interconnected rack of multiple nozzles having nozzles of multiple units with common characteristics identified by common color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Loren W. Scott
  • Patent number: 5829678
    Abstract: A cleaning cycle generator for an irrigation system having a programmable irrigation controller. When the irrigation controller terminates an on cycle, the cleaning cycle generator of the present invention will initiate a time delay after which it will turn the sprinklers completely on for a timed period. The sprinklers will then be turned off to complete the remainder of the off cycle. The present invention is particularly advantageous in pressure regulated irrigation valves where particles in the water can become trapped between valve seat surfaces that are in close proximity due to the pressure regulation. Leaking throughout the lengthy off cycle of the irrigation system is prevented by flushing out particles while the valve is in the completely open, unregulated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard E. Hunter, Peter J. Woytowitz
  • Patent number: 5823440
    Abstract: A sprinkler unit comprises a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, a rotating head mounted in an upper end of the housing and including an outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from the housing, a passage connecting the inlet to the outlet, and a pressure responsive inlet valve including a damper mounted in the passage at the inlet, the damper controlling the rate of opening of the valve for controlling flow of fluid through the valve to the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Mike Clark
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5765757
    Abstract: A sprinkler system for distributing water from a source substantially evenly over an area of terrain comprises a body defining a passage having an inlet connected to an outlet extending at an angle to the inlet, and a generally circular nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles therein rotatably mounted at the outlet for selectively positioning a selected one of the plurality of nozzles in alignment with the outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from the housing, and the nozzle plate being selectively rotatable for selectively moving the nozzle plate to a selected nozzle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Albert R. Bendall
  • Patent number: 5762270
    Abstract: A sprinkler unit comprises a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, an outlet, passage means connecting the inlet to the outlet, a nozzle detachably mounted in the outlet for distributing a stream of water outward from the housing, and a valve in the passage selectively operable for selectively stopping flow of water through the passage means to the nozzle and an actuator operable from the exterior of the housing for selectively operating the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Don M. Kearby, Richard M. Dunn, Mike L. Clark
  • Patent number: 5625906
    Abstract: A gravity flush toilet system includes a fixture with a water sealed trap and a tank having an overflow tube, a flush valve and a fill valve. A control assembly includes a float assembly with a member for pushing the flush valve toward its closed position as the water level descends. A full volume or a reduced volume flushing operation is selected by alternatively filling or emptying a bias chamber of the float assembly. Water pressure variations are compensated for by increasing the weight of the float with part of the flow through the fill valve as the tank is emptying. A regulated volume of reseal water is carried in a chamber on the float and is discharged into the overflow tube to refill the fixture trap after each flushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5611090
    Abstract: A gravity flush toilet system includes a fixture with a water sealed trap and a tank having an overflow tube, a flush valve and a fill valve. A control assembly includes a float assembly with a member for pushing the flush valve toward its closed position as the water level descends. A full volume or a reduced volume flushing operation is selected by alternatively filling or emptying a bias chamber of the float assembly. Water pressure variations are compensated for by increasing the weight of the float with part of the flow through the fill valve as the tank is emptying. A regulated volume of reseal water is carried in a chamber on the float and is discharged into the overflow tube to refill the fixture trap after each flushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5556036
    Abstract: An adjustable arc sprinkler nozzle comprises a first body member having a through passage including an inlet end for attachment to a source of pressurized water and an outlet end having a first spiral edge having axially offset ends, a second body member mounted coaxially of and rotatable relative to the first body member and a second spiral edge positioned for selectively overlapping the first spiral edge for defining a selectively adjustable arcuate outlet orifice, the outlet orifice having a predetermined height and an adjustable width, and diameter first and second spiral edges teeth forming one of the first and second spiral edges for maximizing the predetermined height relative to the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas G. Chase
  • Patent number: RE40440
    Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler including a rotor plate supported on one end of a shaft for rotation, in an operative mode, relative to the shaft; a nozzle located along the shaft upstream of the rotor plate; the rotor plate formed with a chamber and one end of the shaft has a stator fixed thereto within the chamber, the fluid chamber at partially filled with a viscous fluid; and wherein the chamber is at least partially closed at an upper end thereof by a rotor cap plate; and further wherein an underside of the rotor cap plate is provided with a first plurality of teeth and an upper surface of the stator is provided with a second plurality of mating teeth adapted to engage the first plurality of teeth to enable rotation of the rotor plate with the shaft in the adjustment mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: George L. Sesser
  • Patent number: RE45263
    Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler including a rotor plate supported on one end of a shaft for rotation, in an operative mode, relative to the shaft; a nozzle located along the shaft upstream of the rotor plate; the rotor plate formed with a chamber and one end of the shaft has a stator fixed thereto within the chamber, the fluid chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid; and wherein the chamber is at least partially closed at an upper end thereof by a rotor cap plate; and further wherein an underside of the rotor cap plate is provided with a first plurality of teeth and an upper surface of the stator is provided with a second plurality of mating teeth adapted to engage the first plurality of teeth to enable rotation of the rotor plate with the shaft in the adjustment mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: George Sesser