Patents by Inventor Lee James Shadbolt

Lee James Shadbolt 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: 11666929
    Abstract: Irrigation nozzles are provided that irrigate a full circle coverage area with different maximum throw radiuses. The nozzle may include two bodies, one nested within the other, that acting together form the full circle coverage area. The two bodies collectively define an annular exit orifice with one of the bodies defining the inner radius and the other body defining the outer radius. A flow restrictable inlet may be used to adjust flow through the nozzle and to adjust the maximum throw radius. The nozzle may also include a flow reduction valve to reduce the throw radius from a maximum distance and may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. A deflector for use with an irrigation nozzle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Steven David Geerligs, Lee James Shadbolt, Samuel C. Walker
  • Patent number: 11660621
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided having a low precipitation rate and uniform fluid distribution to a desired arcuate span of coverage. The nozzle has an inflow port having a shape corresponding to the desired arc of coverage and a size for effecting a low precipitation rate. The nozzle also has a deflector surface with a water distribution profile including ribs for subdividing the fluid into multiple sets of fluid streams. There are at least two fluid streams for distant and close-in irrigation to provide relatively uniform distribution and coverage. The nozzle may be a unitary, one-piece, molded nozzle body including a mounting portion, an inflow port, and a deflector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, John James Wlassich, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Patent number: 11511289
    Abstract: Irrigation nozzles are provided that irrigate a full circle coverage area with different maximum throw radiuses. The nozzle may include two bodies, one nested within the other, that acting together form the full circle coverage area. The two bodies collectively define an annular exit orifice with one of the bodies defining the inner radius and the other body defining the outer radius. A flow restrictable inlet may be used to adjust flow through the nozzle and to adjust the maximum throw radius. The nozzle may also include a flow reduction valve to reduce the throw radius from a maximum distance and may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. A deflector for use with an irrigation nozzle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Steven David Geerligs, Lee James Shadbolt, Samuel C. Walker
  • Patent number: 11247219
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided having a low precipitation rate and uniform fluid distribution to a desired arcuate span of coverage. The nozzle has an inflow port having a shape corresponding to the desired arc of coverage and a size for effecting a low precipitation rate. The nozzle also has a deflector surface with a water distribution profile including ribs for subdividing the fluid into multiple sets of fluid streams. There are at least two fluid streams for distant and close-in irrigation to provide relatively uniform distribution and coverage. The nozzle may be a unitary, one-piece, molded nozzle body including a mounting portion, an inflow port, and a deflector portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, John James Wlassich, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Publication number: 20210331185
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided having a low precipitation rate and uniform fluid distribution to a desired arcuate span of coverage. The nozzle has an inflow port having a shape corresponding to the desired arc of coverage and a size for effecting a low precipitation rate. The nozzle also has a deflector surface with a water distribution profile including ribs for subdividing the fluid into multiple sets of fluid streams. There are at least two fluid streams for distant and close-in irrigation to provide relatively uniform distribution and coverage. The nozzle may be a unitary, one-piece, molded nozzle body including a mounting portion, an inflow port, and a deflector portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, John James Wlassich, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Patent number: 11154881
    Abstract: An irrigation nozzle with a rotating deflector is provided whose rotational speed may be controlled by a friction brake. The nozzle may also include an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius reduction valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Publication number: 20210154687
    Abstract: A nozzle is provided having a low precipitation rate and uniform fluid distribution to a desired arcuate span of coverage. The nozzle has an inflow port having a shape corresponding to the desired arc of coverage and a size for effecting a low precipitation rate. The nozzle also has a deflector surface with a water distribution profile including ribs for subdividing the fluid into multiple sets of fluid streams. There are at least two fluid streams for distant and close-in irrigation to provide relatively uniform distribution and coverage. The nozzle may be a unitary, one-piece, molded nozzle body including a mounting portion, an inflow port, and a deflector portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, John James Wlassich, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Patent number: 11000866
    Abstract: Rotary nozzles and deflectors for use with rotary nozzles are provided. The deflector includes a number of flutes that deliver fluid streams radially outwardly from the deflector. Fluid striking the flutes of the deflector cause the deflector to rotate, and the flutes subdivide fluid impacting deflector into multiple fluid streams that are distributed radially outwardly to surrounding terrain as the deflector rotates. Each of the flutes have the same curvature, although they may have different inclinations to distribute fluid streams at different trajectories. The flutes may also include blocking and downward-facing features at the ends of the flutes to improve the evenness of the fluid distribution in the irrigation coverage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Publication number: 20200215557
    Abstract: Rotary nozzles and deflectors for use with rotary nozzles are provided. The deflector includes a number of flutes that deliver fluid streams radially outwardly from the deflector. Fluid striking the flutes of the deflector cause the deflector to rotate, and the flutes subdivide fluid impacting deflector into multiple fluid streams that are distributed radially outwardly to surrounding terrain as the deflector rotates. Each of the flutes have the same curvature, although they may have different inclinations to distribute fluid streams at different trajectories. The flutes may also include blocking and downward-facing features at the ends of the flutes to improve the evenness of the fluid distribution in the irrigation coverage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Publication number: 20190283052
    Abstract: An irrigation nozzle with a rotating deflector is provided whose rotational speed may be controlled by a friction brake. The nozzle may also include an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius reduction valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Patent number: 10322423
    Abstract: An irrigation nozzle with a rotating deflector is provided whose rotational speed may be controlled by a friction brake. The nozzle may also include an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius reduction valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Publication number: 20190118195
    Abstract: Irrigation nozzles are provided that irrigate a full circle coverage area with different maximum throw radiuses. The nozzle may include two bodies, one nested within the other, that acting together form the full circle coverage area. The two bodies collectively define an annular exit orifice with one of the bodies defining the inner radius and the other body defining the outer radius. A flow restrictable inlet may be used to adjust flow through the nozzle and to adjust the maximum throw radius. The nozzle may also include a flow reduction valve to reduce the throw radius from a maximum distance and may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. A deflector for use with an irrigation nozzle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Steven David Geerligs, Lee James Shadbolt, Samuel C. Walker
  • Publication number: 20190015849
    Abstract: Irrigation nozzles are provided that irrigate a full circle coverage area with different maximum throw radiuses. The nozzle may include two bodies, one nested within the other, that acting together form the full circle coverage area. The two bodies collectively define an annular exit orifice with one of the bodies defining the inner radius and the other body defining the outer radius. A flow restrictable inlet may be used to adjust flow through the nozzle and to adjust the maximum throw radius. The nozzle may also include a flow reduction valve to reduce the throw radius from a maximum distance and may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. A deflector for use with an irrigation nozzle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Steven David Geerligs, Lee James Shadbolt, Samuel C. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180141060
    Abstract: An irrigation nozzle with a rotating deflector is provided whose rotational speed may be controlled by a friction brake. The nozzle may also include an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius reduction valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, Lee James Shadbolt, David Eugene Robertson
  • Patent number: 9295998
    Abstract: A specialty nozzle is provided having a pattern adjustment valve that may be adjusted to irrigate a substantially rectangular irrigation area. The nozzle may be further adjusted to irrigate two different substantially rectangular irrigation areas. The nozzle functions as a three-in-one left strip nozzle, right strip nozzle, and side strip nozzle. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius adjustment valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Lee James Shadbolt, John Austin Brennan, Samuel C. Walker
  • Publication number: 20140027526
    Abstract: A specialty nozzle is provided having a pattern adjustment valve that may be adjusted to irrigate a substantially rectangular irrigation area. The nozzle may be further adjusted to irrigate two different substantially rectangular irrigation areas. The nozzle functions as a three-in-one left strip nozzle, right strip nozzle, and side strip nozzle. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius adjustment valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Lee James Shadbolt, John Austin Brennan, Samuel C. Walker