Elevating Means Responsive To Flow Of Spray Fluid Patents (Class 239/204)
  • Patent number: 12000226
    Abstract: A process is described for milling a window in the casing (2) of an oil or gas producing well, for example in order to drill a lateral well branching off from the main well. A wireline milling tool is first used, in a relatively low cost operation, to create a small window (14) or notch in the casing (2). Provided a small window (14) or notch can be created successfully, an expensive heavy duty coil tubing milling operation can then be conducted to create the full window, some 4-6 feet in length. Previous attempts to create a full window using wireline tools have encountered difficulties due to there being no circulating drilling fluid to remove metal swarf and due to the need for the tool to be supported by casing during the milling operation, when the integrity of the casing is being compromised by drilling the window. The proposed wireline tool has an actuator (4) with relatively small stroke length and a relatively small container (8) to manage the swarf produced by the milling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth Maribu, John Gary Eller, Anthony Ryan
  • Patent number: 11938501
    Abstract: A nozzle device 1 includes a main body 10 that is formed of a main-body first member 11 and a main-body second member 22 and that has an internal accommodation space 21 in which members are accommodated, a movable nozzle portion 30 that is accommodated in the accommodation space 21, and a coil spring 2 that is disposed between the movable nozzle portion 30 and the main body 10. When air is supplied to a main-body flow-path portion 23 from below, the flow path of the air is changed by the Coanda effect in an air guiding portion 27 such that the air flows along the air guiding portion 27, and the air flows into a gap between an air receiving portion 36 and the air guiding portion 27 and is guided to the air receiving portion 36. The air is pressurized in the air receiving portion 36 and pushes up the movable nozzle portion 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: NIFCO INC.
    Inventor: Mikio Nezu
  • Patent number: 11684939
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James T. Wright, III, Steven C. Renquist
  • Patent number: 11543057
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a universal pipe sleeve junction for an aspirated smoke detection system are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a sleeve body having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an opening through the sleeve body, wherein the sleeve body further includes a first end surface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface, and a nozzle having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the nozzle defining an opening through the nozzle and extending through to the inner surface of the sleeve body, where the nozzle opening is configured to couple with a pipe sleeve attachment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Mauro Miheli, Lorenzo Feurra, Gianluca Pace
  • Patent number: 11358160
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a self governing speed control device for controlling the rotation speed of a sprinkler turbine. The device has a housing that houses a viscous fluid. An axle extends into the housing and is configured to rotate in the housing. The axle is fixedly attached to a primary drum that rotates with the axle. One or more hinge pins extends from the primary drum. A brake shoe is positioned on the hinge pin. The hinge pin passes into a slot in an actuation drum configured to rotate on the axle. The brake shoe is configured to expand and contract based on the speed of rotation of the axle in relation to the speed of rotation of the actuation drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: XCAD VALVE AND IRRIGATION, INC
    Inventors: Don D. Duffin, Roger M. Duffin
  • Patent number: 10933434
    Abstract: A spray head body extension that is screwed onto the upper end of a spray head body after the cap is removed. The cap is then reinstalled on the extension to raise the effective height of the a spray head body and its spray pattern. The spray head body extension permits fast, easy raising of a sunken in-ground spray head without having to dig below the spray head's water supply. A one-piece embodiment uses a compressible gasket to enable the extension to be tightened to the body until the internal guide splines of both the extension and body are aligned. A set screw can be employed to preserve alignment when the cap is reinstalled. An alignment tool helps align the splines of the extension to the body during installation. A multi-piece embodiment enables the extension to be aligned to the body before a separate collar nut is tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: John Pfanstiehl
  • Patent number: 10919068
    Abstract: An improved protective housing assembly for a pop-up type in-ground sprinkler incorporates one or more spacer disks, configured for being seated beneath a sprinkler support housing body flange, extend(s) outwardly to effectively prevent grass and other ground cover from extending over the in-ground pop-up sprinkler. An optional unitary porous filter disk body may be provided sized, shaped and otherwise configured for being snugly received within the sprinkler support housing interior space, and includes a central opening for snugly receiving the sprinkler main body therethrough, such that the porous structure of the filter disk body enables passage of water therethrough while preventing passage of solid debris into the bottom of the sprinkler support housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventor: David Allen Newmeyer
  • Patent number: 10668490
    Abstract: A fluid dispersal node is disclosed that includes one or more fluid outlets, an electromechanical valve, one or more hardware processors, hardware memory, a hardware wireless communication module, an antenna, and a fluid-tight, substantially radio frequency (RF) transparent enclosure. The valve is disposed in the node, and controls fluid flow to the outlets. The processors, in turn, control the valve. The wireless module receives instructions for operating the valve and forwards those instructions to one or more of the processors and the memory. The processors, memory, wireless module and antenna are disposed within the RF-transparent housing. In some embodiments, the antenna is disposed on a riser associated with the node outside the enclosure. In other embodiments, the antenna is disposed in a fluid line connected to the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Mark Hall, Craig Boswell, Sky Evans, Joe Fox, Jedediah Knight
  • Patent number: 10576494
    Abstract: A glass body support assembly that supports a glass container body in an upright position includes a collet body and clamping fingers that clamp onto a necked-down portion of the glass container body. The collet body has a gas purge passageway extending therethrough to deliver pressurized gas to an interior of the glass container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Timothy Brennan, Brian Charles Cook, Sean Thomas Miller, Brian Christopher Sheehan, Christopher Lee Timmons
  • Patent number: 10328444
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James T. Wright, III, Steven C. Renquist
  • Patent number: 10183301
    Abstract: According to the present application there is provided a sprayer comprising a housing having a fluid inlet configured for being statically coupled to a fluid source to receive fluid therefrom. The housing further comprises a fluid outlet configured for the discharging the fluid, the distance between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being fixed; The sprayer has a bridge mounted over the housing and comprising a dispersion element configured for dispersing fluid discharged from the fluid outlet of the housing; The bridge is configured for displacement over the housing at least between a closed position in which the dispersion element comes into contact with the fluid outlet to thereby seal it, and an open position in which the dispersion element is spaced from the fluid outlet by a gap, allowing dispersion of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: NAANDANJAIN IRRIGATION LTD.
    Inventors: Yitzhak Orlans, Tzafrir Kenyan
  • Patent number: 9949449
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a fluid-emission device. An example fluid-emission device includes a tubular body, a fluid-source coupler, and a tip member disposed opposite the tubular body from the fluid-source coupler. A fluid-transmission lumen in the tubular body fluidly couples the tip member to the fluid-source coupler. The tip member includes a plate having a plurality of fluid-emission lumens that fluidly couple the fluid-transmission lumen to an environment outside the tubular body. The tip member includes a spearhead disposed opposite the plate from the fluid-transmission lumen. The tip member has a spacer disposed between the plate and the spearhead to separate the spearhead from the fluid-emission lumens. The fluid-emission device can be used by inserting the tip member into material and delivering fluid to a target, such as delivering water or fertilizer to plant roots or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Wiser Watering LLC
    Inventor: Tom Ryan
  • Patent number: 9821335
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, a faucet-supplied irrigation system is provided having a container, coiled tubing in the container, a plurality of pop-up sprinklers in the container, and a plurality of connectors in the container for attachment to the tubing and sprinklers. The irrigation system includes an irrigation controller in the container and a pressure regulator in the container to regulate water pressure of the supply of water to the sprinklers from the faucet. The container is configured to maintain a plurality of the coiled tubing, pop-up sprinklers, connectors, controller and regulator in a predetermined arrangement within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Burrous, James A. Elzey, Clint R. Haas, David M. Redmond
  • Patent number: 9492829
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a multi-spindle spray nozzle assembly for a steam desuperheating or attemperator device. The nozzle assembly features a nozzle holder which accommodates two small, spring-loaded nozzles, each of which is adapted to produce a spray pattern of reduced cone angle (e.g., approximately 60°) in comparison to currently know nozzle designs. The two nozzles are positioned within the nozzle holder such that they diverge from the axis thereof as allows the spray pattern generated thereby to be effectively tilted into the flow of steam within a desuperheating device having the nozzle assembly interfaced thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CONTROL COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Marco Mastrovito
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9452739
    Abstract: An on-board optical sensor cleaning device includes an on-board camera and a discharge port. The on-board camera is mounted on a vehicle. The on-board camera includes a lens. The discharge port discharges fluid toward the lens. The discharged fluid removes foreign material collected on the lens. The lens and the discharge port are relatively movable. At least one of the lens and the discharge port is movable between a cleaning position, where the discharge port is located proximal to an image capturing range center of the on-board camera, and a non-cleaning position, where the discharge port is located farther from the image capturing range center than the cleaning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kikuta, Yukihiro Matsushita, Keita Saito
  • Patent number: 9440250
    Abstract: A pop-up irrigation device for use in a low pressure irrigation device is described. The device has a housing, a riser partially extensible from the housing and a nozzle body removably attached to an end of the riser in a non-threaded manner, such as using a snap-fit. One, two or more connection tubes or ports may extend laterally from the housing and can each be configured to be connectable to flexible irrigation tubing. An annular cap can be attached to the open end of the housing and may include an annular, radially-inward extending seal. The closed end of the housing may include a depending stake with a plurality of blades to facilitate mounting of the housing relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, Donald B. Clark, Rowshan Jahan
  • Patent number: 9267303
    Abstract: A pool cleaning system, method of designing a pool cleaning system and method of making a pool cleaning system comprising origin cleaning heads, transition cleaning heads and debris capture zones. Transition heads comprising net water flow vectors may be positioned to establish net water flow in the direction of one or more debris capture zones. Transition heads may comprise incrementally rotating pool cleaning head assemblies or a recessed incrementally rotating nozzle assembly configured to establish the net water flow. Cleaning head structure may comprise a slidably rotatable reverser between upper and lower portions of a cam assembly, the slidably rotatable reverser adjustable between first and second positions such that an incrementally rotating stem slidably mounted to the cam assembly incrementally rotates clockwise when the reverser is in its first position and counter clockwise when the reverser is in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GSG Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Goettl
  • Patent number: 9192956
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly including a pressure regulator and a flow stop element combined in a single assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler includes a sprinkler body in fluid communication with a water supply to provide water to the sprinkler, a riser movably mounted in the sprinkler body and in fluid communication with the sprinkler body such that the riser rises up and out of the sprinkler body when water is provided to the sprinkler, a nozzle assembly mounted on a top end of the riser and in fluid communication with the riser; and a regulation element mounted in the riser and in contact with a portion of the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly holds the regulation member in an open position to allow flow of water to the nozzle assembly and to maintain a substantially constant water pressure in the nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III, Weiming Feng, Richard Zhang
  • Patent number: 9138768
    Abstract: A pop-up irrigation device for use in a low pressure irrigation device is described. The device has a housing, a riser partially extensible from the housing and a nozzle body removably attached to an end of the riser in a non-threaded manner, such as using a snap-fit, or in a threaded manner. One, two or more connection tubes or ports may extend laterally from the housing and can each be configured to be connectable to flexible irrigation tubing. Ribs may extend from the housing to facilitate retention when buried. An annular cap can be attached to the open end of the housing and may include an annular, radially-inward extending seal. The closed end of the housing may include a depending stake with a plurality of blades to facilitate mounting of the housing relative to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Rowshan Jahan, Donald B. Clark, Samuel C. Walker
  • Patent number: 9072923
    Abstract: An industrial floor firefighting system including a grating structured to rest over a trench and a firefighting nozzle attached to the grating, the system preferably characterized in the nozzle having an adjustable discharge gap; in the nozzle barrel being structured with the grating such that the barrel bears essentially no weight from industrial objects on or passing over the grating; in having an adjustable bafflehead/barrel combination that produces a nozzle gap upstream of the nozzle discharge orifice; and/or, as well, producing an annular gap discharge and an essentially annular nozzle discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas E. Mason, Dwight P. Williams, Casey R. Spears
  • Patent number: 8991730
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler and sprinkler nozzle assembly including a self contained pressure regulator and flow control ring, which can be assembled with a desired spray deflector, shrub bubbler or rotating stream distributor on the top of the nozzle assembly. The pressure regulator housing is incorporated into the center of the nozzle assembly and includes a reference pressure chamber connected to atmospheric pressure with a spring bias enclosed to bias a pressure responsive movable member that is connected to an upstream pressure balanced flow throttling valve. A combination deflector pop-up pressure regulating mechanism housed in the filter of the nozzle housing assembly is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III, Weiming Feng
  • Patent number: 8991725
    Abstract: A pressure regulator in a rotationally driven sprinkler nozzle housing assembly includes pressure regulation of the upstream pressure to the sprinkler discharge nozzle and flow throttling. Full shut-off of the sprinkler assembly is provided, if desired. Throttling and pressure regulation are adjustable from the top of the nozzle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8984677
    Abstract: A device for use in a swimming pool includes an insert and a piston having a nozzle. The piston is carried in the insert for reciprocal movement between a lowered position and a raised position in which the piston is in one of a plurality of indexed orientations and the nozzle is above the insert. The piston rotates to an adjacent indexed orientation in response to reciprocation of the piston between the raised and lowered positions in response to the cyclical application of water through the insert. Upper and lower engagement assemblies prevent rotational movement of the piston in the raised and lowered positions. The upper engagement assembly includes upper teeth, lower teeth, and channels formed in the upper teeth which guide the lower teeth through the upper teeth as the piston moves from the lowered position to the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Pool Patch LLC
    Inventor: Thomas V. Lopez
  • Patent number: 8905328
    Abstract: The invention refers to a headlamp cleaning device for motor vehicles comprising an elongate housing (2) formed with an inlet port (3) connectable to a source of pressurized cleaning fluid and a retractable hollow cleaning liquid supply tube (4) slidably arranged within the housing (2) and being biased in the retracted position, at least one spray nozzle (6) provided at the distal end of the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) and a fluid valve (22) at the proximal of the cleaning liquid supply tube (4) allowing ingress of the cleaning fluid into the tube once the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined amount, the fluid valve being designed as a resilient closure cap which at the same time functions as a piston seal for the cleaning fluid supply tube (4) (FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Paul Hartnell
  • Publication number: 20140339333
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a compartment that surrounds its riser portion in an offset or asymmetrical configuration. More specifically, the distance of the compartments walls from those of the riser vary (i.e., increase or decrease) at different locations surrounding the riser. Put another way, the riser is closer to one side of the compartment than other sides of the compartment. This non-concentric configuration allows larger components to fit inside the compartment than would otherwise fit if the riser was symmetrically surrounded by the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: The Toro Company
    Inventors: James T. Wright, III, Steven C. Renquist
  • Patent number: 8870092
    Abstract: A viscosity driving device for a lifting buried spraying head includes a cylindrical case (2), a filter (3) provided in the lower end of the case (2), and a spraying head driving unit disposed inside the case (2). The spraying head driving unit is connected with a spraying head positioned on the top end of the case (2) by means of a connecting shaft, and the spraying head driving unit drives the spraying head to rotate and spray water. The spraying head driving unit comprises a tangential flow generator (4) and a hydraulic rotator (5), and the hydraulic rotator (5) rotates under the action of viscosity of rotating water generated by the tangential flow generator (4) to drive the spraying head to rotate and spray water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Guangdong Liansu Technology Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiyue Yang, Hongbin Huang
  • Patent number: 8857729
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler canister seal comprising a flanged screw having a threaded rod and a circular flange extending perpendicular to the rod. The seal further includes a plug piece having a threaded bore adapted to receive the threaded rod, and further including a continuous frusto-conical surface extending around an elongate axis of the plug piece, the frusto-conical surface being configured to form a circumferentially continuous fluid seal against a cylindrical rim of a cylindrical bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: National Diversified Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Nourian
  • Publication number: 20140284401
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 8827178
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler is for use in distributing water to an area of vegetation, and has a rotatable nozzle for dispersing the water by rotation of the nozzle. A magnet is coupled or connected to the nozzle and rotates synchronously with the rotation of the nozzle. A sensor unit is disposed adjacent to the nozzle and detects a magnetic field generated by the magnet during nozzle rotation to generate a signal indicative of the speed and direction of rotation of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: T. Lynn Roney, Steven Sharp
  • Patent number: 8794542
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler includes a riser and a nozzle rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A gear train reduction is mounted in the riser and a turbine is coupled to the gear train reduction for rotation by water entering a lower end of the riser. A gear driven coupling mechanism mounted in the riser couples the gear train reduction and the nozzle. A pressure regulator is mounted in the riser and is adjustable from a top-side of the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Hunter, Michael L. Clark
  • Patent number: 8789768
    Abstract: A variable arc sprinkler may be set to numerous positions along a continuum to adjust the arcuate span of the sprinkler. The sprinkler includes a nozzle body and a valve sleeve that helically engage each other to define an arcuate slot that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate span. The sprinkler may include a flow rate adjustment device that may be adjusted by actuation or rotation of an outer wall portion of the sprinkler. Rotation of the outer wall portion may cause a throttle control member to move axially to or away from an inlet, or may cause one or more restrictor elements to open or close, to control the flow rate of the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Brian Hunnicutt, Samuel C. Walker, Rowshan Jahan
  • Patent number: 8746591
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Publication number: 20140124595
    Abstract: A protective nozzle top assembly for a pup-up sprinkler assembly includes a center opening to protect an attached retractable nozzle assembly when the sprinkler is in its non-operating condition. In an embodiment, the protective nozzle top assembly includes a secondary top surface positioned over a conventional primary top surface with water and dirt drainage between the two in order to provide dirt protection as well as protection from contact with lawn equipment, personnel and auto tires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: CARL L.C. KAH, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140117111
    Abstract: An in-ground shrouded sprinkler assembly is provided, including: a sprinkler assembly which includes an upright riser on which a sprinkler head is mounted; a shroud which includes one or more wads with an opening at the top thereof, wherein the wall(s) substantially surround a sprinkler assembly, but wherein the wall(s) do not surround the sprinkler head in a manner which will, in use, interfere with delivery of liquid via the sprinkler head; and wherein the shroud is configured to include: an above ground portion; and a below ground engaging portion; wherein the shroud also includes an animal guard which covers the opening and protects the sprinkler assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: RX PLASTICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Chris Clay, Kerry John Turner
  • Patent number: 8662415
    Abstract: A pop up sprinkler having a membrane which has a neutral position mounted to a housing and a sprayer head which is able to expand or contract under water pressure which moves the sprinkler head up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus Michael Andreas Vollrath, Jurgen Klaus Vollrath
  • Patent number: 8590071
    Abstract: A device for use in a swimming pool structure, the swimming pool structure including a circulation system having a piping assembly and a pump for cyclically communicating water through the piping assembly. The device includes an insert coupled in fluid communication to the piping assembly, a piston carried within the insert for reciprocal movement between a lowered position and a raised position in which the piston is above the insert, a nozzle in the piston is unobstructed, and the piston is in one of a plurality of indexed orientations. The piston rotates to an adjacent indexed orientation in response to reciprocation between the raised and lowered positions in response to the cyclical application of water through the chamber. Upper and lower engagement assemblies prevent rotational movement of the piston with respect to the insert in the raised and lowered positions of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Pool Patch LLC
    Inventor: Thomas V. Lopez
  • Patent number: 8567696
    Abstract: A unitary nozzle body is provided for use with an irrigation device, such as a pop-up irrigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, Donald B. Clark, Rowshan Jahan
  • Patent number: 8567697
    Abstract: A flow regulator for use with a lawn sprinkler. The apparatus includes an impeller, a regulator portion and a nozzle regulator portion. The sprinkler is configured to regulate the delivery of water according to the shape of the area to be irrigated, so that water is not wasted on adjacent areas which do not require irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony J. Bredberg
  • Patent number: 8556193
    Abstract: A nozzle turret for an irrigation sprinkler includes a body having a rotational axis and a nozzle socket extending transverse to the rotational axis. A nozzle is removably received in the socket. A sleeve in the body opens on a top side of the body and defines a bore that communicates with the socket. A nozzle retention screw with a shank having a lower male threaded segment is screwed into the bore of the sleeve from the top side of the body. The shank extends into the socket a sufficient depth to retain the nozzle in the socket. The screw has a head that abuts an upper end of the sleeve when the screw is fully screwed in a downward direction into the sleeve. The screw shank has an upper unthreaded segment with a predetermined longitudinal dimension selected relative to a longitudinal dimension of the bore to enable the screw to be unscrewed in an upward direction from the sleeve despite stripping of a segment of a female threaded portion of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald H. Anuskiewicz
  • Patent number: 8550375
    Abstract: A cylindrical, protective housing and accompanying insertion tool for shielding an in-ground sprinkler head. The cylindrical housing is inserted into the ground surrounding an in-ground sprinkler head, protecting the sprinkler head and subterranean feed lines from damage resulting from yard work or other traffic. The cylindrical housing prevents inadvertently sprinkler head collisions with lawn mowers, wheelbarrows, golf carts, or similarly wheeled vehicles. The insertion tool is a male-fitting press tool that provides vertical loads on the cylindrical housing upper extent to force it into soil surrounding a sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: Tim Curtis
  • Patent number: 8533874
    Abstract: A pool cleaning system, method of designing a pool cleaning system and method of making a pool cleaning system comprising origin cleaning heads, transition cleaning heads and debris capture zones. Transition heads comprising net water flow vectors may be positioned to establish net water flow in the direction of one or more debris capture zones. Transition heads may comprise incrementally rotating pool cleaning head assemblies or a recessed incrementally rotating nozzle assembly configured to establish the net water flow. Cleaning head structure may comprise a slidably rotatable reverser between upper and lower portions of a cam assembly, the slidably rotatable reverser adjustable between first and second positions such that an incrementally rotating stem slidably mounted to the cam assembly incrementally rotates clockwise when the reverser is in its first position and counter clockwise when the reverser is in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GSG Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Goettl
  • Patent number: 8528836
    Abstract: A leak stopping sprinkler head includes a hollow body that has an upper portion and a lower portion fluidly connected to a valve body. The upper portion has a spraying nozzle and a first internal diameter. The lower portion has a second, larger internal diameter. The valve body includes a valve seat fluidly connected to the lower portion and a water supply. A hollow spheroid is larger than the first diameter, smaller than the second diameter and has perforations for passage of water. A rigid rod connects the spheroid and a sealing disk for the valve seat. The rod is sized to hold the disk away from the valve seat when the hollow body is intact. Destruction of the hollow body permits the spheroid to move out of the hollow body, pulling the rod and the disk upwardly, causing the disk to seal the valve, stopping the flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Marc Boyajian
  • 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: 8444063
    Abstract: The present invention includes an improved sprinkler design having a magnetic sensing system for determining the position of the riser nozzle, a waterproofed motor housing and related cables, configurable sprinkler body compartments, and a pilot valve with a check valve assembly, both of which are located within the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Leo James Lichte, James Zimmerman, Jeff McKenzie, James T. Wright, III, Peter Janku
  • Patent number: 8382046
    Abstract: A riser lock unit is provided for quick and easy mounting onto an elevated sprinkler riser. The riser lock unit functions to retain or maintain the sprinkler riser in an elevated position, without normal spring-loaded retraction into an underlying sprinkler housing, to facilitate service and/or replacement of a sprinkler nozzle head mounted at the upper end of the riser. When desired, the riser lock unit is quickly and easily removed from the sprinkler riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Wayne H. Holland, Jr., Remo Ambrosini
  • Patent number: 8342426
    Abstract: A method for adjusting telescopic water pipe and its structure comprise assembling an internal pipe and an external pipe to form a first water passage and a second external water passage, and an independent second internal water passage. A water passage control switch is disposed to an end of the external pipe and has a channel seal cap that divided into a first channel and a first through hole to connect the first water passage. A water stop plug ring is fit to the first through hole. A second and third through holes corresponding to a second and third channels can be connected to the second internal water passage. A rotary switch is connected to the channel seal cap. A penetration hole is disposed to a partition attached to the channel seal cap. An interconnection groove and an arc plane are disposed to the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Yuan-Mei Corp.
    Inventor: Shun-Nan Lo
  • Patent number: 8328117
    Abstract: A lawn sprinkler providing water distribution over an irregular or unique shaped water receiving area. The apparatus includes a water impeller, a first water regulator, a second water regulator, and a bypass channel. The sprinkler regulates the delivery of water according to the shape of the area to be irrigated, so that water is not wasted on adjacent areas which do not require irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony J. Bredberg
  • Patent number: 8308081
    Abstract: Methods of cleaning a swimming pool using a swimming pool cleaning head. A first method may include intermittently raising a nozzle head under water and ejecting a stream of water under water, incrementally rotating the nozzle head in a clockwise direction, retracting the nozzle head, sliding a cam reverser, and reversing the direction of rotation of the nozzle head with the cam reverser to counterclockwise. A second method may include rotating a stem by sliding at least one pin coupled to the stem through at least one channel in a cam, the stem configured to release a stream of water under water in a swimming pool. The method may further include reversing the direction of rotation of the stem by sliding a slidable section of the cam with the at least one pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: GSG Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Goettl
  • Publication number: 20120273593
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a turbine, a nozzle, a gear train reduction and a reversing mechanism that rotatably couples the gear train reduction and the nozzle. The gear train reduction includes an input stage and a planetary gear drive output stage that includes a first portion of the reversing mechanism. A second portion of the reversing mechanism is located outside of the gear train reduction. The second portion of the reversing mechanism includes a pair of arc tabs. At least one of the arc tabs is adjustable to establish an arc of coverage of the sprinkler when the water flowing past the turbine causes the gear train reduction and the reversing mechanism to oscillate the nozzle back and forth between a pair of arc stops. The arc stops are defined by the locations of the arc tabs. The input stage of the gear train reduction includes a mechanism that allows manual rotation of the nozzle between the arc stops without having to back drive the gears in the input stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Michael L. Clark, Zackary B. Simmons