Patents by Inventor Edward M. Norum, Jr.

Edward M. Norum, 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: 6199584
    Abstract: A flow control valve arrests fluid flow from a primary line to a branch line when flow into the branch line exceeds a predetermined flow rate. In one embodiment for use with an irrigation system, the valve includes a T-fitting. The fitting defines a primary passage, which communicates with irrigation pipes, and a branch passage, which communicates with a riser and sprinkler assembly. A valve seat is located within a housing that couples with the fitting. The valve seat is located within the T-fitting when the valve is assembled. The location of the valve seat within the fitting allows the valve to function even when the riser and/or a portion of the housing is sheared off. A stopper selectively engages a valve seat to inhibit water flow through the branch passage when the flow rate through the branch passage exceeds the predetermined flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Whetstone Group International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Brown, Christopher J. Gyben, Edward M. Norum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4227648
    Abstract: A center pivot irrigation system has first and second auxiliary nozzles, or end guns, aternately operable for irrigating substantial portions of corner regions. The system includes a main pipeline sprinkler having main fluid discharges nozzles for irrigating a central, generally circular area, and the end guns are connected to the main pipeline sprinkler and draw irrigation fluid from it. When a corner is approached, one of the end guns is actuated while maintaining actuation of the main fluid discharge nozzles. A short period of time thereafter, the second end gun is actuated, and the pivotal rate of the main pipeline sprinkler is reduced to zero. At this time the main fluid discharge nozzles and the first end gun are closed, thereby providing all of the fluid from the main pipeline sprinkler to the operating end gun. After a predetermined time period, the second end gun is inactivated, the first gun and the main nozzles are reactivated, and the system is pivoted to a new orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Lockwood Corporation
    Inventors: Huland L. Holloway, Edward M. Norum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4161292
    Abstract: A center pivot irrigation system has first and second auxiliary nozzles, or end guns, alternately operable for irrigating substantial portions of corner regions. The system includes a main pipeline sprinkler having main fluid discharge nozzles for irrigating a central, generally circular area, and the end guns are connected to the main pipeline sprinkler and draw irrigation fluid from it. When a corner is approached, one of the end guns is actuated while maintaining actuation of the main fluid discharge nozzles. A short period of time thereafter, the second end gun is actuated, and the pivotal rate of the main pipeline sprinkler is reduced to zero. At this time the main fluid discharge nozzles and the first end gun are closed, thereby providing all of the fluid from the main pipeline sprinkler to the operating end gun. After a predetermined time period, the second end gun is inactivated, the first gun and the main nozzles are reactivated, and the system is pivoted to a new orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1979
    Assignee: Lockwood Corporation
    Inventors: Huland L. Holloway, Edward M. Norum, Jr.