Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Bruninga

Kenneth J. Bruninga 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: 6050286
    Abstract: The present device relates to an apparatus and method for automatically sequencing the flow of fluid between one fluid source and at least two fluid chambers in response to an interruption of fluid flow or pressure. Particularly, the device relates to irrigation. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus is a sequencing valve that includes a two-sided flapper valve that is controlled by a spring and piston mechanism in order to direct fluid flow between chambers. In an alternate embodiment, the device includes a mechanism that also allows manual sequencing of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: L.R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Kruer, Kenneth J Bruninga, Gary Redhead
  • Patent number: 4892252
    Abstract: An adjustable part circle sprinkler assembly including a sprinkler body structure and a sprinkler head structure mounted thereon for rotational movement in either direction about an upright axis. An interior water flow path from an inlet in the body to a stream discharging outlet in the head includes nozzles directing streams onto a reversible flow directing mechanism for driving an impeller selectively in either direction. The impeller is connected with the head to rotate the same by a gear driven speed reducer and a slip clutch. A part circle pattern control assembly is mounted in an open top of the head closed by a conveniently removable anti-vandal cap structure. The pattern control assembly cooperates with a lever and resilient post reversing mechanism for the reversible flow directing mechanism. Manual movements of the head are accommodated by the slip clutch which protects the gear driven speed reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4858827
    Abstract: Apparatus for connection with a sill cock for communicating water under pressure from the sill cock with a hose having a lawn sprinkler communicating therewith comprising a water control unit having a female coupler for connection with the sill cock, a male coupler for connection with the hose, a valve between the couplers and a battery operated valve mechanism operable in response to the connection of the electric current thereto for effecting movement of the valve from a closed position into an opened position, and a manually portable programming unit containing a battery operated programming keyboard, a battery operated display, and batteries operatively connected therewith. An extension cord accessory is provided which renders the portable unit operable to operate the water control unit either in its operative position or when the portable unit is disposed in a remote position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Fletcher, Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4722478
    Abstract: Apparatus for connection with a sill cock for communicating water under pressure from the sill cock with a hose having a lawn sprinkler communicating therewith comprising a water control unit having a female coupler for connection with the sill cock, a male coupler for connection with the hose, a valve between the couplers and a battery operated valve mechanism operable in response to the connection of the electric current thereto for effecting movement of the valve from a closed position into an opened position, and a manually portable programming unit containing a battery operated programming keyboard, a battery operated display, and batteries operatively connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas C. Fletcher, Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4708264
    Abstract: A water timer including a housing having an inlet and outlet through which water flows to drive an impeller and speed reducer used to determine the open time of a valve member. The valve member is movable in one direction, corresponding with one direction of axial movement of the timer dial, into a water flow position out of engagement with a valve seat and movable in an opposite direction, corresponding with an opposite direction of axial movement of the dial, into engagement with the valve seat into a water shut-off position. The valve member has a first pressure responsive surface area facing in the opposite direction disposed in communication with water under pressure communicating with the housing inlet and a second pressure responsive surface area facing in the one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4592505
    Abstract: Apparatus for connection with a sill cock for communicating water under pressure from the sill cock with a hose having a lawn sprinkler communicating therewith comprising a water control unit having a female coupler for connection with the sill cock, a male coupler for connection with the hose, a valve between the couplers and a battery operated valve mechanism operable in response to the connection of the electric current thereto for effecting movement of the valve from a closed position into an opened position, and a manually portable programming unit containing a battery operated programming keyboard, a battery operated display, and batteries operatively connected therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Bruninga, Douglas C. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 4432495
    Abstract: An improvement in a pop-up sprinkler which comprises the provision of an upwardly facing annular valve seat in the lower portion of the housing assembly above the inlet therein and a valve member on the pop-up sprinkler head assembly in a position to engage the annular valve seat when the sprinkler head assembly is in its retracted storage position. The valve member is mounted on the sprinkler head assembly for biased movement independent of the movement of the sprinkler head assembly and the bias thereof provided by its weight and the return coil spring thereof so that the valve member will be separately moved out of engagement with the annular valve seat to permit passage of water under pressure into the housing assembly in response to the communication of the source of water under pressure with the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4205788
    Abstract: A step-by-step rotary sprinkler having a combined stream coherency diffuser and distance control baffle member formed of sheet metal to include an arm portion disposed generally vertically having an aperture extending horizontally through one end thereof, a baffle portion bent outwardly at generally right angles from the opposite end of the arm portion and a relatively small diffuser portion bent outwardly at right angles from the free edge of the baffle portion and a manual engaging tab also bent outwardly at right angles from the arm portion, and a pivot assembly extending through the aperture to mount the arm portion on the sprinkler body for pivotal movement into any desired position of adjustment within a predetermined range wherein the radially outermost point of the member is disposed radially inwardly of the radially outermost point of the drive spoon, the positions of adjustment within the range including (1) a diffused only position where the diffuser portion extends into the stream when the drive s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4205787
    Abstract: A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head having an impact arm with a drive spoon thereon. The drive spoon is preferably of the anti-backsplash type and includes a pull-in reactant surface and a drive-out reactant surface spaced radially and laterally outwardly of the pull-in reactant surface. The pull-in reactant surface has a slot formed in the central portion thereof for enabling a portion of the stream issuing from the sprinkler head outlet to continue its movement into the slot and outwardly therefrom without being deflected onto the drive-out surface when the drive spoon is in stream engagement so that the reactant force established on the drive-out surface is reduced in relation to that which would be established by the deflection of the entire stream thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4189099
    Abstract: A sprinkler spray head consisting of three components preferably molded of plastic material, namely, a body member, a cap member and a flow control member. The mounting and sealing of the components is such that several different spray patterns can be obtained by utilizing several different cap member configurations with the same body and flow control members. The operation of the flow control member is such that flow control adjustment can be obtained by a turning movement from a center position in either direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 4164324
    Abstract: A part-circle step-by-step rotary sprinkler head having an improved anti-backsplash drive spoon integrally formed as a part of the impact arm and having a construction related to the longitudinal axis of the outlet when the arm is in its impact limiting position which comprises upper and lower walls in a position to receive the stream therebetween, an initial stream engaging wall extending between the upper and lower walls and a final stream engaging wall extending between the upper and lower walls spaced with respect to the initial stream engaging wall in a position (1) with all portions thereof disposed outwardly of all portions of the initial wall in a transverse direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the spoon away from its impact position, (2) with a longitudinally inward portion thereof disposed in longitudinally lapped relation with a longitudinally outward portion of the initial wall and (3) with a longitudinally outward portion thereof disposed longitudinally outwardly of the longitu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: 3977063
    Abstract: A tool for gaining access to a pop-up sprinkler head when in a sprinkler casing, and for insertion into and removal from the casing of the sprinkler head; also a method for using the tool for gaining access to the interior of the casing and for sprinkler head removal. A tool consisting of a gripping portion for a gripping a part of the sprinkler head attaching the head to the casing, a handle, a lever interconnecting the handle and gripping portion, and portions for holding a pop-up cover out of engagement with the top of the casing, may be inserted into the casing to effect removal of the head from the casing while not requiring that the cover be manually head out of engagement with the casing top. The tool may also be used merely to allow an individual to gain access to portions of the head within the casing with both hands, one hand not being required to hold the cover out of engagement with the casing top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: D295778
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Bruninga, Douglas C. Fletcher, Ronald G. Hayes
  • Patent number: D295779
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Bruninga, Douglas C. Fletcher, Ronald G. Hayes
  • Patent number: D295890
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Bruninga, Douglas C. Fletcher, Ronald G. Hayes
  • Patent number: D298962
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Bruninga
  • Patent number: D412549
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson
    Inventors: Gary Redhead, Thomas R. Kruer, Kenneth J. Bruninga