Abstract: A rotary sprinkler comprising a supporting structure and a sprinkler head mounted for rotational movement on the supporting structure. The sprinkler includes an arc controller for controlling the magnitude of the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate and an arc adjuster for adjusting the arc controller to thereby adjust the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate. The arc adjuster includes an arc adjust member mounted for rotation with the sprinkler head and drivingly coupled to the arc controller to adjust the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate and an arc adjust driver for rotating the arc adjust member. The arc adjust member includes a plurality of seals integral with the arc adjust member and a pointer for providing an indication of one end of the arc through which the sprinkler head can rotate.

Abstract: A sprinkler nozzle for use in irrigation having an inlet, an outlet and a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The outlet and the flow passage each have near stream and far stream portions and the nozzle is unpartitioned between the near stream and far stream portions so that a single stream can be emitted from the outlet. The far stream and near stream portions of the flow passage are configured to provide higher velocity less turbulent flow through the far stream portion of the outlet than through the near stream portion of the outlet. The nozzle includes a peripheral wall which has a main body and a hood with the hood being radially offset from the main body to form an opening. The nozzle is received in a bore and nozzle mounting structure of a spray head for a sprinkler. The hood has an abutment partly defining the opening which is engageable by a tool for withdrawing the nozzle from the bore.

Abstract: A rotary sprinkler including a sprinkler head, a drive motor and a drive train drivingly coupled to the motor and to the sprinkler head so that the motor can impart rotational movement to the sprinkler head. The drive train includes a shifter drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of the rotational output of the drive train. A buckling column spring provides the energy to move the shifter between the first and second positions. A one piece seal is used to provide a plurality of separate annular seals as well as to assist in mounting one or more components of the rotary sprinkler.

Abstract: An emitter for use in irrigation comprising a housing and a flow restrictor in the housing. The housing has an inlet which can be connected to a source of irrigation liquid and an outlet. The flow restrictor reduces the pressure of the irrigation liquid to provide drip or trickle flow at the outlet. A spike flow inhibitor is provided in the housing for substantially preventing flush flow through the housing upon initiation of the flow of irrigation liquid through the housing. The flow restrictor is responsive to at least a predetermined reduction in pressure of the irrigation liquid at the inlet for causing flush flow through the flow restrictor.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of stored parameter values, a display module operationally connected to the microprocessor means for displaying the parameter values, and a plurality of selector switches initiating the display of a selected one of a plurality of predefined groups of the parameter values. Each one of the switches corresponds to a respective one of the groups, and the display module includes both a first plurality of display elements configured to produce images of the parameter values and a second plurality of display elements configured to produce images identifying the selected group. One embodiment includes a liquid crystal display having the second plurality of display elements configured as arrowheads pointing toward panel labeling that extends to a corresponding one of the switches.

Abstract: An irrigation controller includes a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of watering stations under program control according to a plurality of parameter values, and a module dimensioned and arranged to enable a user to transport the module by hand. A memory is provide in the module for storing a set of the parameter values, and first and second mating connectors are provided on respective ones of a housing for the microprocessor and the module. The connectors are operationally connected to respective ones of the microprocessor and the memory circuit to enable the user to couple the memory means to the microprocessor in order to transfer the remotely programmed set of the parameter values to and from the microprocessor means. Microprocessor programming enables automatic watering interval adjustment, open circuit testing, and individual watering station shutdown in the event of a fault condition.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a pop-up stem that defines a passage extending to a downwardly facing opening that is circumscribed by a generally planar surface and covered by a valve element dimensioned and arranged in confronting relationship with the planar surface to at least partially block the opening. The valve element is mounted on the stem to enable movement in a plane generally parallel to the planar surface in order to vary an amount by which the valve element blocks the opening, and rotation of a shaft causes valve element movement to restrict the flow of liquid through the opening a selected amount. A resiliently deformable valve element may be loosely mounted to provide clearance sufficient to enable movement of particulate material from between the valve element and the planar surface while enabling the liquid to urge the valve element toward the planar surface.

Abstract: Turbulent-flow emitter channel sections are vacuum-formed in an extruded flat plastic strip. The strip is then applied to a hose substrate, and inlet and outlet openings are formed at opposite ends of the channel sections. The strip may be hot-melt bonded to the substrate during a co-extrusion process, or it may be applied to the hose substrate in a separate operation. Flow rates are easily controlled without changing the structure of the strip by varying the number of channel sections in which outlet openings are formed.

Abstract: An emitter includes a body member having a head portion. The head portion has an outer peripheral surface that defines an elongated channel and the channel extends along a tortuous path from an inlet end of the channel to an outlet end of the channel. A cover of heat shrinkable material is shrunk over the outer peripheral surface of the head portion covers the channel to form a turbulent flow passage. The head portion may include generally opposed, first and second transverse surfaces between which the outer peripheral surface extends, the cover extending partially over the transverse surfaces to form flanges that engage the transverse surfaces. The heat shrinkable material may be shrinkable both axially and circumferentially for this purpose. One embodiment includes an emitter outlet in the form of an annular basin that is fed with a non-radially disposed slot to produce a self-cleaning vortex action.

Abstract: A tube having an elongated core composed of a flexible narrow molecular weight distribution first polymeric composition, a sheath composed of a broader molecular weight second polymeric composition co-extruded over the outer core surface, and a liner composed of a broader molecular weight distribution second polymeric composition co-extruded over the inner core surface. The core may be composed of a composition exhibiting relative poor processability, and the sheath and liner of a composition exhibiting better processability.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a housing with an inlet port through which to supply a flow of liquid to the housing interior and a stem disposed at least partially within the interior of the housing for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A piston disposed within the interior of the housing responds to the flow of liquid to move the stem from the retracted position to the extended position. The stem defines a passageway extending from a lower portion of the stem to an upper portion of the stem, and the lower portion of the stem defines an opening through which the flow of liquid can pass from the interior of the housing into the passageway. A valve element moveably mounted on the stem at least partially blocks the opening, and a shaft rotatably mounted on the housing extends to a position outside of the interior of the housing.