Abstract: A wheel drive assembly for sprinkler irrigation systems includes an input shaft having a first bevel gear, a wheel gear, and a reduction gear assembly interconnecting the first bevel gear and the wheel gear. The reduction gear assembly has a first spur gear and a second bevel gear mounted on a common shaft. First and second input openings are disposed on respective sides of a housing of the wheel drive assembly. An input shaft extends through one of the input openings, and the other input opening is covered by a cover member. The housing has threaded bolt holes for attaching the housing to a support tower in selected positions. The wheel drive assembly is convertible between left-hand and right-hand operation by reversing the mounting position of the second bevel gear on the common shaft, interchanging the input shaft and cover member, and rotating the housing to a different mounting position.

Abstract: A center pivot irrigation system having an improved worm gear wheel drive assembly for driving the wheels of support towers for moving a water distribution pipe around a central pivot axis. The improved worm gear wheel drive assembly includes a worm pinion connected to a shaft driven by a drive motor, a spur gear reduction assembly, and a wheel gear connected to one of the wheels of the support tower. The spur gear reduction assembly has an input side spur gear intermeshed with the worm pinion, and an output side spur gear intermeshed with the wheel gear. The improved worm gear wheel drive assembly enables the worm pinion to operate at a higher rotational speed and lower torque, thereby increasing the mechanical efficiency of the drive assembly as compared to conventional drive arrangements for center pivot irrigation systems.

Abstract: A generally rectangular shingle tab cover panel is provided for securement over each shingle tab to be covered and each cover panel includes a lower edge, an upper edge and side margins extending between the upper and lower edges. One of the side margins includes a downturned flange and the other side margin includes a downwardly depressed channel spaced slightly inward from the free marginal edge thereof. Each cover panel is applied over a corresponding shingle tab with the depending side marginal flange closely outward of the corresponding side edge of the associated shingle tab and the downwardly depressed channel received in the spacing between the other side edge of the corresponding shingle tab and the opposing side edge of the next adjacent shingle tab.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determination of the deformation of the surface or subsurface of the earth resulting from an applied pressure change at a selected point, at a selected depth, in the earth, by measuring at least one physical parameter of the deformation above the point of application of pressure change. The method involves positioning a plurality of tiltmeters on or below the surface of the earth above the point of application of pressure change arranged in a known array, and measuring the change of angle of tilt of earth's surface or subsurface at the point of placement of each sensor while varying the pressure and flow rate of fluid into or out of the earth at the selected point. This invention further teaches how the individual values of incremental tilt at selected points on or below the earth's surface can be processed to determine material properties at selected points in the earth.

Abstract: A guidance system for a lateral move irrigation machine of the type having an elongate boom mounted on a plurality of motor driven towers which drive the boom along the field in a straight line path. A plurality of check points in the field are established by a series of magnetic and metallic elements placed in rows along the path of travel of the towers. The towers carry gradiometers or proximity switches which are sensitive to the elements and which deactivate the drive motors of the towers when the check points are reached. When all of the towers have reached the check points, the boom is properly aligned, and override circuits then activate the drive motors to resume movement of the machine.

Abstract: A guidance system for maintaining a lateral move irrigation machine along its intended path of movement. The center support tower of the machine carries a guide arm which is pivotal relative to the tower about a vertical axis. A guide wheel on the arm travels in a furrow which is formed in the field to extend in the intended direction of travel of the machine. The guide wheel remains in the furrow so that if the machine departs from the desired path, relative rotation occurs between the tower and guide arm. A switch actuator is then pivoted in a direction to open a switch which deenergizes the drive motor of the end support tower which is furthest ahead.

Abstract: A corrugated metal roof shingle provided with flashing of asphalt felt associated with the courses of overlapping shingles so that any water which blows under the shingles will drain out over a lower shingle. The shingles and flashing are arranged so that the nails which secure the shingles in place pass not only through the shingles but also through three layers of asphalt felt. The corrugation of the shingle provides maximum rigidity, hail resistance and ventilation under the shingle.

Abstract: A pivot stand structure for circular irrigation systems. A rigid frame mounts a water supply pipe having a vertically oriented end portion which receives a rotatable, readially outwardly extending water delivery pipe. The delivery pipe supplies water to remotely located irrigation heads which are mounted thereon and moved circumferentially by a plurality of electrically powered, motorized carriages. A rotatable conduit is coupled with the delivery pipe and extends through a vertical leg of the latter and out through an elbow in the water supply pipe. This conduit contains a plurality of electrical control conductors which are coupled with the electric drive motors. Mounted beneath the vertical end portion of the water supply pipe in axial alignment therewith is a slip ring housing. The slip ring housing mounts a plurality of slip rings which are adapted to be coupled with a source of electrical power.

Abstract: A worm gear drive assembly for driving the wheeled support assemblies for an elongated irrigation pipe including a motor having an output controlled in response to bending or deflection of the pipe and a forwardly and rearwardly extending shaft with a drive worm gear on each end thereof engaged with a worm wheel for driving the supporting wheels. Each supporting wheel is connected to the frame structure in such a manner that it may be oriented for driving the pipe in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis thereof or in a position perpendicular thereto to enable the irrigation pipe to be towed or pulled in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis to facilitate movement from one area to be irrigated to another.