Patents by Inventor Andrew B. Hellie

Andrew B. Hellie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230383867
    Abstract: A drop hose clamp for securing a drop hose in a center pivot irrigation system includes a bottom section positionable over a truss rod or in engagement with a span pipe, and a top section pivotally connected to the bottom section and displaceable between an open position and a closed position. With the top section in the closed position, the bottom section and the top section together define a channel that is configured to receive and secure the drop hose. The drop hose clamp may be secured to the truss rod or the span pipe using a connector positioned through a connector slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Tanner R. DRUFFEL, Andrew B. HELLIE, Craig B. NELSON, Meade M. NEAL
  • Patent number: 11745207
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a pop-up deflector plate that is engageable with a brake assembly in an extended position. A brake module is secured to a sprinkler body and includes a rotatable connector coupled with the brake assembly. The pop-up deflector plate is disposed adjacent the nozzle and engages the rotatable connector in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: NELSON IRRIGATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven E. Crawford, Andrew B. Hellie, Craig B. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11154882
    Abstract: A sprinkler body for a rotating sprinkler includes a base securable to a source of water under pressure, a plurality of support struts connected to and extending from the base, and a deflector plate support connected to the plurality of support struts and disposed spaced from the base by the support struts. At least one of the plurality of support struts is wedge-shaped with an inward-facing apex. The support struts are configured to create a void in the water spray pattern away from a center pivot pipe and to direct the water spray downward to limit the effect of wind on the spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NELSON IRRIGATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Craig B. Nelson, Andrew B. Hellie, Sean M. Scott
  • Patent number: 11020756
    Abstract: A spool and wobbler assembly for a sprinkler includes a spool section with facing spool flanges on opposite sides of a spool core, where at least one of the spool flanges includes a circumferential rolling ledge. A wobbler cage including a wobbler ring is supported on the spool section, and a water deflector plate is coupled with the wobbler cage. An underside of the wobbler ring is provided with a circumferential rolling surface that engages the circumferential rolling ledge of the at least one spool flange. The rolling surface and rolling ledge provide for smoother orbital motion of the deflector plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: NELSON IRRIGATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Craig B. Nelson, Andrew B. Hellie, Steven E. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20200331019
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a pop-up deflector plate that is engageable with a brake assembly in an extended position. A brake module is secured to a sprinkler body and includes a rotatable connector coupled with the brake assembly. The pop-up deflector plate is disposed adjacent the nozzle and engages the rotatable connector in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Steven E. Crawford, Andrew B. Hellie, Craig B. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20200179960
    Abstract: A sprinkler body for a rotating sprinkler includes a base securable to a source of water under pressure, a plurality of support struts connected to and extending from the base, and a deflector plate support connected to the plurality of support struts and disposed spaced from the base by the support struts. At least one of the plurality of support struts is wedge-shaped with an inward-facing apex. The support struts are configured to create a void in the water spray pattern away from a center pivot pipe and to direct the water spray downward to limit the effect of wind on the spray pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Craig B. Nelson, Andrew B. Hellie, Sean M. Scott
  • Patent number: 10239066
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body, a nozzle positioned within the sprinkler body, a fixed gear coupled with the sprinkler body, a wobbler cage supported on the sprinkler body, and a water deflector plate coupled with the wobbler cage and disposed downstream of the nozzle. A brake assembly is coupled with the water deflector plate for slowing a rotating and wobbling motion of the wobbler cage and the water deflector plate. The brake assembly includes a shaft extending through the water deflector plate and a brake gear disposed at an end of the shaft, where the brake gear is engageable with the fixed gear. Among other advantages, the design eliminates the use of large fixed strut framework that creates dry shadows in the water pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: NELSON IRRIGATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Craig B. Nelson, Andrew B. Hellie, Steven E. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20180318852
    Abstract: A spool and wobbler assembly for a sprinkler includes a spool section with facing spool flanges on opposite sides of a spool core, where at least one of the spool flanges includes a circumferential rolling ledge. A wobbler cage including a wobbler ring is supported on the spool section, and a water deflector plate is coupled with the wobbler cage. An underside of the wobbler ring is provided with a circumferential rolling surface that engages the circumferential rolling ledge of the at least one spool flange. The rolling surface and rolling ledge provide for smoother orbital motion of the deflector plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Craig B. Nelson, Andrew B. Hellie, Steven E. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20170333924
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a sprinkler body, a nozzle positioned within the sprinkler body, a fixed gear coupled with the sprinkler body, a wobbler cage supported on the sprinkler body, and a water deflector plate coupled with the wobbler cage and disposed downstream of the nozzle. A brake assembly is coupled with the water deflector plate for slowing a rotating and wobbling motion of the wobbler cage and the water deflector plate. The brake assembly includes a shaft extending through the water deflector plate and a brake gear disposed at an end of the shaft, where the brake gear is engageable with the fixed gear. Among other advantages, the design eliminates the use of large fixed strut framework that creates dry shadows in the water pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: George L. Sesser, Craig B. Nelson, Andrew B. Hellie, Steven E. Crawford