Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Kruer

Thomas R. Kruer 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: 5938122
    Abstract: System and process for producing different embodiments of sprinkler assemblies uses two different first housing assemblies, from which one first housing assembly is selected for producing a desired sprinkler assembly embodiment. Each first housing assembly is replaceable with the other and includes an inlet end and a spaced outlet end; the inlet end of each first housing assembly is configured for connection with a source of water under pressure. Each first housing assembly also includes an adjustable flow control mechanism to control the flow of water under pressure through the first housing assembly. The control mechanism may include a manually-actuated moveable valve structure to control water flow rate, or a timing mechanism to select a duration for the water flow. By providing a first housing assembly with a control mechanism that is different from that of the other first housing assembly, the sprinkler assembly embodiment produced will depend upon the first housing assembly that is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: L.R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Jerry R. Hayes, Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: 5645218
    Abstract: Unitized sprinkler assembly including a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end, a manually adjustable control mechanism carried by the housing assembly, a sprinkler head assembly having an inlet end disposed to receive water under pressure flowing from the outlet end of the housing assembly, a base assembly constructed and arranged to support the assemblies on a ground area to be sprinkled, a structural connection between the sprinkler head assembly and the housing assembly constructed and arranged to enable the sprinkler head assembly to oscillate about an oscillatory axis with respect to the housing assembly, an oscillating mechanism mounted in the housing assembly constructed and arranged to be operated by the flow of water under pressure and connected with the sprinkler head assembly to oscillate the sprinkler head assembly about the oscillatory axis through repeated oscillating head cycles, an adjusting m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Jerry R. Hayes, Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: 5511727
    Abstract: A wave sprinkler assembly in which the tubular spray assembly comprises a tubular member and one or more elongated strips of flexible material having a series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets extending therethrough, the strips are assembled with the tubular member by inserting them therein through an end and moving them radially outwardly into an operative position wherein the water under pressure within the interior of the tubular spray assembly acts on the strips to enhance their engagement with the tubular member. The strip provides an annular seal of flexible sealing material extending around the exterior of each of the controllable water stream outlets, and a control member is mounted on the elongated tubular assembly for movement between a full width operating position and a width limiting position. The control member includes a control section associated with each annular seal and the controllable water stream outlet around which it extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Jerry R. Hayes, Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: 5292071
    Abstract: The lawn sprinkler device comprises a manually operative combination of a container, sprinkler head and lid components. The container and lid are manually movable between a closed position defining a closed volume in the container and an open position that provides access to the closed volume. The container and lid are mounted within the ground so that the closed volume extends downwardly from the level of the lawn area and in the open position access to the closed volume is available generally at the level of the lawn area. The sprinkler head component includes a hose coupling inlet for manual connection by a user with an above-ground hose and an outlet structure for discharging water under pressure in a desired pattern on the lawn area. The sprinkler head is mounted with respect to the container and lid for manual movement between a storage position within the closed volume of the container and an operative position which is in elevated relation to the closed volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: 4462255
    Abstract: An ultrasonic scanning system is provided in which an ultrasonic transducer is oscillated for scanning purposes by a piezoelectric bender. One end of the bender is fixedly mounted in a sector scanner head, while the other end is connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The bender is deflected through the application of a drive voltage to electrodes plated on the piezoelectric material, causing the bender to deflect by a distance which is proportional to the applied voltage. The transducer is thereby caused to oscillate or rock by the motion of the bender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Technicare Corporation
    Inventors: Joe F. Guess, Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: D383193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Thomas R. Kruer, Ronald G. Hayes
  • Patent number: D409717
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Thomas R. Kruer, David L. Hunt
  • 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