Patents by Inventor James T. Wright, III

James T. Wright, III 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: 20170065999
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James T. Wright, III, Steven C. Renquist
  • Patent number: 9539602
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James T. Wright, III, Steven C. Renquist
  • Publication number: 20160136674
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 9242255
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Publication number: 20140339333
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James T. Wright, III, Steven C. Renquist
  • Publication number: 20140284401
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 8746591
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 8444063
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Publication number: 20130099022
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes irrigation control software for a computer that interacts with the features of a plurality of advanced sprinklers, environmental sensors, and other available data. The irrigation control software provides a graphical user interface to create a more efficient irrigation scheduling control interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Doug Palmer, Dana R. Lonn, Paul Standerfer, David Stucke, James T. Wright, III, Russ Huffman, Steve M. Calde, Nathan J. Fortin, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer
  • Publication number: 20120205467
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an asymmetrical nozzle housing within a nozzle base of a sprinkler which, when rotated, changes its angular orientation relative to the nozzle base. Since the nozzle is disposed within the nozzle housing, it similarly changes angular orientation relative to the nozzle base, thereby modifying the trajectory of ejected water during irrigation. In this respect, a user can change the trajectory of a watering stream by simply rotating the nozzle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, James T. Wright, III, Miguel A. Santiago
  • Patent number: 8177148
    Abstract: One embodiment provides an asymmetrical nozzle housing within a nozzle base of a sprinkler which, when rotated, changes its angular orientation relative to the nozzle base. Since the nozzle is disposed within the nozzle housing, it similarly changes angular orientation relative to the nozzle base, thereby modifying the trajectory of ejected water during irrigation. In this respect, a user can change the trajectory of a watering stream by simply rotating the nozzle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Steven C. Renquist, James T. Wright, III, Miguel A. Santiago
  • Publication number: 20110049260
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes irrigation control software for a computer that interacts with the features of a plurality of advanced sprinklers, environmental sensors, and other available data. The irrigation control software provides a graphical user interface to create a more efficient irrigation scheduling control interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Doug Palmer, Dana R. Lonn, Paul Standerfer, David Stucke, James T. Wright, III, Russ Huffman, Steve M. Calde, Nathan J. Fortin, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer
  • Publication number: 20100044465
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 7631813
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 7584023
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes irrigation control software for a computer that interacts with the features of a plurality of advanced sprinklers, environmental sensors, and other available data. The irrigation control software provides a graphical user interface to create a more efficient irrigation scheduling control interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Doug Palmer, Dana R. Lonn, Paul Standerfer, David Stucke, James T. Wright, III, Russ Huffman, Steven M. Calde, Nathan J. Fortin, Christopher Douglas Weeldreyer
  • Patent number: 7404525
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having a rotatable nozzle assembly for watering an arc of ground traversed or swept by the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly rotates is disclosed. Oscillating rotation is achieved via a drive train that includes a trip spring that is drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of nozzle rotation. The sprinkler also includes: a variable trajectory nozzle; secondary opening adjacent the variable trajectory nozzle; an automatic break up screw configuration; a substantially constant speed turbine assembly; a bypass stator; a reversing cluster gear planetary drive with a uni-directional turbine; an overcenter reversing mechanism; a nozzle base clutch; an adjustable arc mechanism, solid arc limit stops, a snap ring installation method and an adjustable pilot valve which uses visual indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Miguel Santiago, Jeff McKenzie, Peter Janku, Steven C. Renquist, Hyok Lee, Steve K. Kish, James T. Wright, III, Chad McCormick
  • Patent number: 7017831
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having a rotatable nozzle assembly for watering an arc of ground traversed or swept by the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly rotates is disclosed. Oscillating rotation is achieved via a drive train that includes a trip spring that is drivable between first and second positions for reversing the direction of nozzle rotation. The sprinkler also includes: a variable trajectory nozzle; secondary opening adjacent the variable trajectory nozzle; an automatic break up screw configuration; a substantially constant speed turbine assembly; a bypass stator; a reversing cluster gear planetary drive with a uni-directional turbine; an overcenter reversing mechanism; a nozzle base clutch; an adjustable arc mechanism, solid arc limit stops, a snap ring installation method and an adjustable pilot valve which uses visual indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Miguel Santiago, Jeff McKenzie, Peter Janku, Steven C. Renquist, Hyok Lee, Steve K. Kish, James T. Wright, III, Chad McCormick
  • Patent number: 5853026
    Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a liquid includes a valve seat which is engaged by a selectively operable valve member. A pressure chamber above the valve member contains upstream pressurized fluid in the closed position of the valve. The valve is opened by bleeding off pressurized fluid from this pressure chamber. A manual bleed screw assembly is used to manually open the valve when desired by initiating this pressure bleed procedure from the pressure chamber. The bleed screw assembly bleeds the pressurized fluid to a downstream location in the flow path, rather than to atmosphere, without having to completely remove the bleed screw assembly from the port in which it is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Anthony M. Wlodarczyk, James T. Wright, III, John L. Baker