Patents by Inventor Jeff McKenzie

Jeff McKenzie 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: 20200238321
    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: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 10654061
    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: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Publication number: 20180161791
    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 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 9889458
    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: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Publication number: 20170239677
    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: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 9623431
    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: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 7392956
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having an adjustable arc segment whose angular extent and absolute direction relative to the ground are represented by an arc indicator, which arc indicator may comprise a band whose visible length represents the angular extent and whose position on the sprinkler points to the direction. The sprinkler may have the arc segment adjusted by a movable arc limit stop that is coupled to a toggle member only at drive reversal, and the sprinkler may be converted to full circle operation by raising the arc limit stop relative to a cooperating trip tab. A buckling spring assembly used to shift the drive comprises a compression spring held between two spaced pivot members, and the drive can be built in continuous and intermittent drive versions by replacing a few normal rotary gears with multilated gears. A friction clutch having asymmetric teeth for smooth operation prevents damage to the drive during forced nozzle rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Jeff McKenzie, Chad Philip McCormick, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 7337988
    Abstract: The present invention provides a turbine with dual sets of fins and a stator assembly for directing water onto both sets of fins. The water flow directed to the first set of fins generates slightly more force than the water flow directed to the second set of fins. In this manner, the opposing forces generated by the water flow maintain a more uniform and constant speed of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Chad McCormick, Jeff McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20060071095
    Abstract: The present invention provides a turbine with dual sets of fins and a stator assembly for directing water onto both sets of fins. The water flow directed to the first set of fins generates slightly more force than the water flow directed to the second set of fins. In this manner, the opposing forces generated by the water flow maintain a more uniform and constant speed of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Chad McCormick, Jeff McKenzie
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20060049275
    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 unidirectional 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Miguel Santiago, Jeff McKenzie, Peter Janku, Steven Renquist, Hyok Lee, Steve Kish, James Wright, Chad McCormick
  • Publication number: 20050167526
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having an adjustable arc segment whose angular extent and absolute direction relative to the ground are represented by an arc indicator, which arc indicator may comprise a band whose visible length represents the angular extent and whose position on the sprinkler points to the direction. The sprinkler may have the arc segment adjusted by a movable arc limit stop that is coupled to a toggle member only at drive reversal, and the sprinkler may be converted to full circle operation by raising the arc limit stop relative to a cooperating trip tab. A buckling spring assembly used to shift the drive comprises a compression spring held between two spaced pivot members, and the drive can be built in continuous and intermittent drive versions by replacing a few normal rotary gears with multilated gears. A friction clutch having asymmetric teeth for smooth operation prevents damage to the drive during forced nozzle rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Jeff McKenzie, Chad McCormick, Peter Janku