Patents by Inventor Zachary B. Simmons

Zachary B. Simmons 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: 11040359
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The sprinkler can include at least one arc adjusting gear that moves and arc adjusting tab to contact a shift arm to cause the shifting mechanism to change direction. The arc adjusting gear can engage with the arc tab for adjusting the arc setting and disengage from the arc tab for normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10786823
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism can include a shift member coupled with the gear drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20190283051
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The sprinkler can include at least one arc adjusting gear that moves and arc adjusting tab to contact a shift arm to cause the shifting mechanism to change direction. The arc adjusting gear can engage with the arc tab for adjusting the arc setting and disengage from the arc tab for normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventor: Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10322422
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The sprinkler can include at least one arc adjusting gear that moves and arc adjusting tab to contact a shift arm to cause the shifting mechanism to change direction. The arc adjusting gear can engage with the arc tab for adjusting the arc setting and disengage from the arc tab for normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Zachary B. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20190076858
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism can include a shift member coupled with the gear drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 10099231
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism can include a shift member coupled with the gear drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9914143
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a nozzle turret having a removable nozzle carrier. For example, the nozzle carrier can be removably installed within a recess of a nozzle housing. The nozzle carrier can include one or more nozzle ports configured to receive sprinkler nozzles. The nozzles can have varying characteristics including flow rate, output range, spray pattern, etc. In some cases, a primary nozzle can be removably coupled with the nozzle carrier. The primary nozzle can include a body (e.g., inlet) portion having a first axis and a tapered (e.g., outlet) portion having a second axis non-parallel to the first axis. The primary nozzle can be configured to be installed in the nozzle carrier in at least two orientations. In some cases, one or more secondary nozzles are removably or permanently connected to the nozzle carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20180029051
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The sprinkler can include at least one arc adjusting gear that moves and arc adjusting tab to contact a shift arm to cause the shifting mechanism to change direction. The arc adjusting gear can engage with the arc tab for adjusting the arc setting and disengage from the arc tab for normal operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9808813
    Abstract: A sprinkler nozzle includes a nozzle plate having at least one orifice formed therein. A stream deflector is rotatably mounted adjacent the nozzle plate and has a plurality of flutes formed therein that face the nozzle plate. Each flute has an inner portion that can momentarily align with water flowing through the orifice in the nozzle plate during rotation of the stream deflector relative to the nozzle plate. Water flowing through the orifice will be channeled in a generally radial direction by the flute to form a stream of water that is ejected from the stream deflector. The flutes have a plurality of different tangential trajectories relative to the orifice in the nozzle plate so that in combination the streams of water successively ejected from the stream deflector establish a predetermined shape of coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: LaMonte D. Porter, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9699974
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler can include an outer case and a riser extendible from the outer case by water pressure. A nozzle can be rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A water inlet can connect the sprinkler to a water source. A turbine may be mounted in the riser for rotation by water entering a lower end of the riser. A gear train reduction can be mounted in the riser. A gear driven coupling mechanism mounted in the riser may couple the gear train reduction and the nozzle. A pressure regulator can be mounted inside the outer case at the water inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20170014838
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism can include a shift member coupled with the gear drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9481003
    Abstract: A pop-up rotor-type irrigation sprinkler includes an outer case and a riser assembly telescopically extensible from the outer case. A coil spring surrounds the riser assembly and normally holds the riser assembly in a lower retracted position within the outer case. The coil spring is dimensioned and configured to permit extension of the riser assembly to a raised upper position when pressurized water is introduced into the outer case. A cushion made of an elastomeric material is retained in the outer case adjacent an end thereof and surrounds the riser assembly. The cushion may be solid and may move between hard structures to facilitate absorption of the shock of the impact caused by rapid extension of the riser assembly to its raised upper position. The cushion may also include a plurality of voids that facilitate deformation and shock absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons, William D. Holton
  • Publication number: 20160136662
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler can include an outer case and a riser extendible from the outer case by water pressure. A nozzle can be rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A water inlet can connect the sprinkler to a water source. A turbine may be mounted in the riser for rotation by water entering a lower end of the riser. A gear train reduction can be mounted in the riser. A gear driven coupling mechanism mounted in the riser may couple the gear train reduction and the nozzle. A pressure regulator can be mounted inside the outer case at the water inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 9296004
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler can include an outer case and a riser extendible from the outer case by water pressure. A nozzle can be rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A water inlet can connect the sprinkler to a water source. A turbine may be mounted in the riser for rotation by water entering a lower end of the riser. A gear train reduction can be mounted in the riser. A gear driven coupling mechanism mounted in the riser may couple the gear train reduction and the nozzle. A pressure regulator can be mounted inside the outer case at the water inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons, LaMonte D. Porter
  • Patent number: 8955767
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler includes a riser and a nozzle turret rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A drive assembly is mounted in the riser and is coupled to the nozzle turret for rotating the nozzle turret. The drive assembly includes a reversing mechanism having a pair of arc tabs. A position of one of the arc tabs is adjustable through an adjustable arc setting mechanism to change a size of an angle through which the nozzle turret oscillates to thereby pre-set an arc of coverage of the sprinkler. The adjustable arc setting mechanism includes a first portion that is manually movable to effectuate a coarse adjustment of the position of the adjustable arc tab and a second portion that is manually movable to effectuate a fine adjustment of the position of the adjustable arc tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8955768
    Abstract: A sprinkler can include a turbine, a nozzle, a gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The gear drive can shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism can include a shift member coupled with the gear drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8602325
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a nozzle and a cover configured for enclosing the nozzle. A hydraulically actuated mechanism supports the cover above the nozzle for reciprocation relative to the nozzle between a lower closed position and a raised open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Daniel E. Hunter, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20130270361
    Abstract: A pop-up rotor-type irrigation sprinkler includes an outer case and a riser assembly telescopically extensible from the outer case. A coil spring surrounds the riser assembly and normally holds the riser assembly in a lower retracted position within the outer case. The coil spring is dimensioned and configured to permit extension of the riser assembly to a raised upper position when pressurized water is introduced into the outer case. A cushion made of an elastomeric material is retained in the outer case adjacent an end thereof and surrounds the riser assembly. The cushion may be solid and may move between hard structures to facilitate absorption of the shock of the impact caused by rapid extension of the riser assembly to its raised upper position. The cushion may also include a plurality of voids that facilitate deformation and shock absorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons, William D. Holton
  • Patent number: 8474733
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a turbine, a nozzle, and a reversing planetary gear drive. The reversing planetary gear drive rotatably couples the turbine and the nozzle through an additional reversing mechanism external to the planetary gear drive. The planetary gear drive includes a shift sun gear capable of axially shifting between raised and lowered positions to alternately drive a non-axially shifting first planet gear that in turn drives a first ring gear and a non-axially shifting second planet gear that in turn drives a second ring gear through an idler gear, the first and second ring gears having different gear tooth profiles to thereby change a direction of rotation of the planetary gear drive and rotate the nozzle in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions at a substantially uniform predetermined speed of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8469288
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a turbine, a nozzle, a planetary gear drive and a reversing mechanism. The planetary gear drive and the reversing mechanism rotatably couple the turbine and the nozzle. The planetary gear drive includes a control shaft that is axially movable to shift a direction of rotation of an output stage that is coupled to the reversing mechanism. The reversing mechanism includes a shift member secured to an upper end of the control shaft. The reversing mechanism further includes a pivotable shift fork with a first cam and a second cam spaced from the first cam. The first cam is configured to engage the shift member and raise the control shaft when the shift fork is pivoted to engage the first cam with the shift member. The second cam is configured to engage the shift member and lower the control shaft when the shift fork is pivoted to engage the second cam with the shift member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zachary B. Simmons