Patents by Inventor Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.

Carl L. C. Kah, Jr. 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).

  • Patent number: 7828229
    Abstract: An oscillating sprinkler head transmission for alternately driving an output shaft and sprinkler head nozzle to oscillate it with spring bias being provided to prevent the transmission from being placed in an inoperative position, where the sprinkler head is not oscillated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7793868
    Abstract: A flow shut off or throttling valve is provided in a sprinkler nozzle housing to enable a nozzle to be changed without having to turn off a flow pressure source. The valve intersects a flow path through the nozzle housing and has an opening such that when the opening is aligned with the flow path, a flow stream can flow unobstructed through the flow path. The valve is movable between a fully open position in which the opening is aligned with the flow path and a closed position which blocks the flow stream from flowing to a nozzle disposed at an outlet passage of the flow path. The valve may be constructed to be either slidable or rotatable between the two positions, and is actuated by a gearing arrangement which is operable at the exterior of the nozzle housing. The external valve actuator may function as a physical barrier to retain the removable nozzle in the nozzle housing when the valve is open and to disengage the nozzle when the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: K-Rain Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III
  • Patent number: 7792612
    Abstract: An expandable irrigation controller for controlling a plurality of watering stations in an irrigation system includes a removable front panel and an inner housing, connected to the front panel. The removable front panel includes a plurality of manual controls operable to input instructions for a watering program, a memory operable to store the input instructions and a controller operable to execute the watering program. The inner housing includes a circuit board including control connectors which are connected electrically to the controller and a station module operable to provide an ON/OFF signal to at least one watering station of the irrigation system. The station module is electrically connected to the circuit board via the control connectors and the ON/OFF signal is provided based on instructions from the controller in accordance with the watering program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100170963
    Abstract: A riser seal cartridge for an irrigation sprinkler. The cartridge is formed of a rigid self support shell, and a sealing member formed of a resilient material covering the shell in areas which provide the seal. The sealing member includes a first portion which seals the top end of the sprinkler body, a second portion which seals an outer surface of the riser, a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion extending from the third seal portion which provides a seal for the support shell lower end portion. The first seal portion provides a high pressure seal to prevent leakage when the riser is in a fully extended position; and the second seal portion provides a low pressure seal during pressure build-up as the riser is extending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, JR.
  • Patent number: 7708209
    Abstract: A riser seal cartridge for an irrigation sprinkler. The cartridge is formed of a rigid self support shell, and a sealing member formed of a resilient material covering the shell in areas which provide the seal. The sealing member includes a first portion which seals the top end of the sprinkler body, a second portion which seals an outer surface of the riser, a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion extending from the third seal portion which provides a seal for the support shell lower end portion. The first seal portion provides a high pressure seal to prevent leakage when the riser is in a fully extended position; and the second seal portion provides a low pressure seal during pressure build-up as the riser is extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: K-Rain Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090292401
    Abstract: An expandable irrigation controller for controlling a plurality of watering stations in an irrigation system includes a removable front panel and an inner housing, connected to the front panel. The removable front panel includes a plurality of manual controls operable to input instructions for a watering program, a memory operable to store the input instructions and a controller operable to execute the watering program. The inner housing includes a circuit board including control connectors which are connected electrically to the controller and a station module operable to provide an ON/OFF signal to at least one watering station of the irrigation system. The station module is electrically connected to the circuit board via the control connectors and the ON/OFF signal is provided based on instructions from the controller in accordance with the watering program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090257230
    Abstract: A flashlight in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes an LED light source, a lens positioned opposite the LED light source, a convex mirror positioned substantially in a center of the inner surface of the lens, wherein light from the LED light source is reflected off the convex mirror back toward the LED light source and a concave mirror positioned opposite the convex mirror to reflect the light from the convex mirror as a wide diameter beam of light out of the flashlight through the lens. The convex mirror maybe replaced by a substantially flat, mirrored section of the lens if desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7600699
    Abstract: A top for a pop-up type irrigation sprinkler that utilizes a riser that pops up from a stationary sprinkler body in accordance with an embodiment to the present invention includes a cap which is threadedly attached to the sprinkler body; a co-molded seal positioned in a center of the cap with a riser opening in the center thereof, wherein the seal prevents water from leaking out of the sprinkler between the cap and the sprinkler body and between the seal and the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: K-Rain Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Richard Zhang
  • Patent number: 7574285
    Abstract: An expandable irrigation controller for controlling a plurality of watering stations in an irrigation system includes a removable front panel and an inner housing, connected to the front panel. The removable front panel includes a plurality of manual controls operable to input instructions for a watering program, a memory operable to store the input instructions and a controller operable to execute the watering program. The inner housing includes a circuit board including control connectors which are connected electrically to the controller and a station module operable to provide an ON/OFF signal to at least one watering station of the irrigation system. The station module is electrically connected to the circuit board via the control connectors and the ON/OFF signal is provided based on instructions from the controller in accordance with the watering program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7566141
    Abstract: A flashlight in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes an LED light source, a lens positioned opposite the LED light source, a convex mirror positioned substantially in a center of the inner surface of the lens, wherein light from the LED light source is reflected off the convex mirror back toward the LED light source and a concave mirror positioned opposite the convex mirror to reflect the light from the convex mirror as a wide diameter beam of light out of the flashlight through the lens. The convex mirror maybe replaced by a substantially flat, mirrored section of the lens if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: K-Rain Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090177330
    Abstract: A control system for controlling at least one irrigation station in an irrigation system in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a moisture probe operable to gather moisture information regarding moisture present in soil at the irrigation station and to periodically transmit the moisture information wirelessly and a controller operable to receive the moisture information and operable to provide control signals to control the irrigation station based on the moisture information to maintain a desired moisture level at the water station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090173804
    Abstract: An oscillating nozzle sprinkler with adjustable arc of coverage in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a nozzle, a nozzle drive mechanism operable to drive the nozzle through a set arc of coverage, an arc set mechanism coupled to the nozzle drive mechanism and operable to adjust the set arc of coverage for the nozzle drive mechanism; and a flow control mechanism operable to vary a nozzle flow area through which water flows through the nozzle and out of the sprinkler, the flow control mechanism coupled to the arc set mechanism such that the flow area is adjusted with the arc of coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Carl L.C. Kah, JR., Carl L.C. Kah, III, Weiming Feng
  • Publication number: 20090173803
    Abstract: A sprinkler head nozzle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a nozzle housing with an inlet for pressurized water and an outlet downstream of the inlet, a rotatable arc of coverage adjustment ring mounted on the housing such that rotation of the arc of coverage adjustment ring extends and reduces an arcuate exit opening, a range adjustment ring, or upstream flow area adjustment ring is also provided with an upstream flow area throttling element that increases or decreases the flow area as the range adjustment ring is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Carl L.C. Kah, JR., Carl L.C. Kah, III, Weiming Feng, Frederick A. Hall
  • Publication number: 20080290190
    Abstract: A speed limiting mechanisms for turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. In one form, a flow restrictor is located in the turbine discharge flow path, with the turbine discharge port area selected in relation to the turbine inlet port area according to the desired turbine speed with compressed air. In another form, the incoming fluid flows downstream along the surface of the turbine stator, and is then diverted to enter the rotor chamber in the proper direction. A bleed area on the stator which permits a portion of a compressible fluid which has expanded as it flows along the stator surface to flow to bypass the turbine rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, JR.
  • Patent number: 7232107
    Abstract: A diaphragm operated valve having the diaphragm attached at its lower end to a valve closure plug, and movable therewith, and attached at its upper end to a portion of valve body that forms the pressure cavity. The diaphragm has a stepped portion between its upper and lower ends which folds back on itself when the valve opens. The valve body has shoulder portions that support the diaphragm when the valve is closed to avoid stressing the diaphragm material due to pressure in the pressure chamber. This allows the outside diameter of the diaphragm to be minimized, and eliminates the need for fabric reinforcement. A filter screen is positioned flush with the surface of the valve plug so that high velocity flow across the screen while the valve is opening and closing removes accumulated dirt thereby making the screen self cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III
  • Patent number: 7143962
    Abstract: A selected range arc settable spray nozzle with pre-set table precipitation rate in which the arc of coverage adjustment is coupled to an upstream flow throttling valve. As the arc of coverage is adjusted, the opening of the upstream flow throttling valve is proportionally adjusted to maintain the precipitation rate substantially constant independent of arc of coverage adjustments. Upstream flow throttling achieved by use of pre-selected number of larger slots for desired flow whose opening area is varied as the arc is being set. The precipitation rate is set by adjusting the throttling valve to provide the desired flow rate for the maximum arc of coverage setting. A pressure compensating valve may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7000889
    Abstract: A diaphragm operated valve having the diaphragm attached at its lower end to a valve closure plug, and movable therewith, and attached at its upper end to a portion of valve body that forms the pressure cavity. The diaphragm has a stepped portion between its upper and lower ends which folds back on itself when the valve opens. The valve body has shoulder portions that support the diaphragm when the valve is closed to avoid stressing the diaphragm material due to pressure in the pressure chamber. This allows the outside diameter of the diaphragm to be minimized, and eliminates the need for fabric reinforcement. A filter screen is positioned flush with the surface of the valve plug so that high velocity flow across the screen while the valve is opening and closing removes accumulated dirt thereby making the screen self cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III
  • Patent number: 6834816
    Abstract: A selected range arc settable spray nozzle with pre-set table precipitation rate in which the arc of coverage adjustment is coupled to an upstream flow throttling valve. As the arc of coverage is adjusted, the opening of the upstream flow throttling valve is proportionally adjusted to maintain the precipitation rate substantially constant independent of arc of coverage adjustments. Upstream flow throttling achieved by use of pre-selected number of larger slots for desired flow whose opening area is varied as the arc is being set. The precipitation rate is set by adjusting the throttling valve to provide the desired flow rate for the maximum arc of coverage setting. A pressure compensating valve may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: D615152
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III, Weiming Feng
  • Patent number: D628272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III, Weiming Feng