With Spring Assisted Retraction Patents (Class 239/205)
  • Publication number: 20100176217
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler is provided that includes a housing having a riser assembly and a rotatable nozzle turret on an upper end of the riser assembly. The sprinkler includes an arc setting assembly that enables part-circle operation of the turret and a selector assembly that permits selection of either part-circle or full-circle operation of the nozzle turret where the components of the selector assembly are generally separate from the components of the arc setting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Scott Richmond, Kevin James Markley, Joe L. Romack, Daniel Roger St. George
  • Patent number: 7708209
    Abstract: A riser seal cartridge for an irrigation sprinkler. The cartridge is formed of a rigid self support shell, and a sealing member formed of a resilient material covering the shell in areas which provide the seal. The sealing member includes a first portion which seals the top end of the sprinkler body, a second portion which seals an outer surface of the riser, a third portion which connects the first and second portions, and a fourth portion extending from the third seal portion which provides a seal for the support shell lower end portion. The first seal portion provides a high pressure seal to prevent leakage when the riser is in a fully extended position; and the second seal portion provides a low pressure seal during pressure build-up as the riser is extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: K-Rain Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Carl L.C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7686235
    Abstract: A check valve assembly has a valve seat for positioning in a passageway between a water supply and an outlet device such as a sprinkler head or a pipe section. A disc valve is located on the water supply side of the valve seat, and a separate actuator is movably mounted on the opposite side of the seat for movement between an operative position extending through the valve seat to hold the valve in the open position, and an inoperative, retracted position. The disc valve is moved by the actuator into the open position when the sprinkler head is located at the outlet. Release or removal of the actuator as a result of removal of the sprinkler head or other outlet device will allow fluid pressure at the fluid supply end of the passageway to urge the valve into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: James C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7600699
    Abstract: A top for a pop-up type irrigation sprinkler that utilizes a riser that pops up from a stationary sprinkler body in accordance with an embodiment to the present invention includes a cap which is threadedly attached to the sprinkler body; a co-molded seal positioned in a center of the cap with a riser opening in the center thereof, wherein the seal prevents water from leaking out of the sprinkler between the cap and the sprinkler body and between the seal and the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: K-Rain Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Richard Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090140074
    Abstract: The telescoping pop-up sprinkler includes a telescoping piston assembly that allows the piston assembly of the pop-up to extend upwards at a greater height than the length of the pop-up sprinkler body. The telescoping pop-up sprinkler has a main body with a piston assembly that includes two or more pistons that engage internally with one another, with stops provided at one end of each piston to limit the stroke of each piston. Multiple internal seals are provided to prevent the bypassing of water around the outer diameter of each piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Paul M. Cordua
  • Patent number: 7500620
    Abstract: The telescoping pop-up sprinkler includes a telescoping piston assembly that allows the piston assembly of the pop-up to extend upwards at a greater height than the length of the pop-up sprinkler body. The telescoping pop-up sprinkler has a main body with a piston assembly that includes two or more pistons that engage internally with one another, with stops provided at one end of each piston to limit the stroke of each piston. Multiple internal seals are provided to prevent the bypassing of water around the outer diameter of each piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Paul M. Cordua
  • Publication number: 20090032614
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an irrigation pop-up with a flexible stem which may be a pulsating or conventional non-pulsating irrigation sprayer or sprinkler. The flexible stem enables an extended stem to be bent instead of being severed, as experienced by traditional irrigation systems, if impacted by an outside force. In one embodiment, the flexible stem contains a lower rigid segment and an upper rigid segment, each having a passageway extending from an inlet, through the segment, to an outlet. An elastic hollow member, such as a rubber tube, is coupled to and in fluid communication with the passageways of the lower and upper rigid segments. Therefore, a water flow path extends from the water inlet, through the passageway within the lower rigid segment, through the channel of the elastic hollow member, through the passageway within the upper rigid segment, and out through the nozzle, such as a sprayer or sprinkler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Gideon Ruttenberg
  • Publication number: 20090026287
    Abstract: A sprinkler that restricts foreign particulate matter from interfering with and/or damaging the operating components of a sprinkler is disclosed. The sprinkler may be a pop-up sprinkler such that the outlet or nozzle is not in a fixed position and is moved from a position above the ground to a position generally below or flush with the ground. To prevent particulate matter from entering, such as through the nozzle or outlet, when the flow of water is shut off, the sprinkler may include a protective member located within the sprinkler head to prevent the particulate matter from have an undesirable effect. The protective member forms a one-way obstruction that permits flow to the nozzle and obstructs flow back into the sprinkler such that particulate matter in the water beyond the protective member is restricted from coming in contact with the internal operating components of the sprinkler. The protective member may be a resiliently deformable flap or a hinged flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Bradley D. Helzer, Jonathan Yeh
  • Patent number: 7478526
    Abstract: A turbine for a sprinkler is disclosed for self-governing its rotational velocity. As a rate of fluid through the sprinkler increases, particularly when air is used to flush the sprinkler system, a portion of the turbine shifts outwardly so as to decrease alignment of vanes located thereon with directed water streams for controlling the rotation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. McAfee, Cesar A. Gomez
  • Publication number: 20090000021
    Abstract: A pop up nozzle assembly useful for cleaning swimming pool surfaces is disclosed. The present invention includes a continuously rotating spray nozzle, a water driven impeller, gearing to move the pop up head, interchangeable heads, and means for returning back within the floor or wall. The present invention includes important features for efficient cleaning, easy removal for repair, and the prevention of vandalism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: James H. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080296404
    Abstract: A sprinkler riser clamp securely engages a spring-retractable riser of a pop-up sprinkler. The riser clamp includes a clamping body and a handle attached thereto. The clamping body is configured to snap onto and securely grip the spring-retractable riser of the pop-up sprinkler. The clamping body exerts a gripping force while the spring-retractable riser exerts a retracing force. The gripping force exerted by the clamping body exceeds the retraction force exerted by the spring-retractable riser. The clamping body includes a resilient first clamp arm and a resilient second clamp arm connected by a joint at one end of each arm. The clamping body includes an opening for receiving the spring-retractable riser. The first clamp arm and second clamp arm of the clamping body each include rounded bottom edges configured to facilitate installation and removal by pivoting motion. The handle is attached to the clamping body by an arm. The handle has blunt ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: DJ INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Dallas Kittle, Jonathan P. McVety
  • Patent number: 7434747
    Abstract: A sprinkler that restricts foreign particulate matter from interfering with and/or damaging the operating components of a sprinkler is disclosed. The sprinkler may be a pop-up sprinkler such that the outlet or nozzle is not in a fixed position and is moved from a position above the ground to a position generally below or flush with the ground. To prevent particulate matter from entering, such as through the nozzle or outlet, when the flow of water is shut off, the sprinkler may include a protective member located within the sprinkler head to prevent the particulate matter from have an undesirable effect. The protective member forms a one-way obstruction that permits flow to the nozzle and obstructs flow back into the sprinkler such that particulate matter in the water beyond the protective member is restricted from coming in contact with the internal operating components of the sprinkler. The protective member may be a resiliently deformable flap or a hinged flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Helzer, Jonathan Yeh
  • Publication number: 20080230628
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a stationary portion configured for connection to a fluid source and a head with an outlet for emitting fluid. A stem supports the head and is configured for translating along a longitudinal axis and for rotating about the longitudinal axis. At least one retainer is disposed between the stationary portion and the stem. The retainer is configured for permitting the stem to rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the stationary portion when a rotational force applied to the stem exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Mona-Lisa Alexander
  • Publication number: 20080164341
    Abstract: A sprinkler comprising a housing fitted with an inlet port connectable to a water supply line and extending into an inlet chamber, a hollow stem member with an inlet end thereof being in flow communication with said inlet chamber and an outlet end thereof being in flow communication with an irrigation head, a diaphragm seal sealingly fixed at peripheral boundaries thereof to the housing and sealingly articulated to the stem member and supporting it at an essentially upright position. The diaphragm is deformable between a first position in which the irrigation head is retracted within the housing and a second position in which the irrigation head projects from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Zohar Katzman, Oded Katzman
  • Patent number: 7360718
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a sprinkler body having a side inlet and improved strength and durability. The side inlet is reinforced with additional structure at a cylindrical wall defining the side inlet. The structure may include a reinforcement rib located within the sprinkler body and intersecting the side inlet. The structure may include a plate located within the cylindrical wall, and the plate may include a collar and/or a crosspiece spanning the side inlet. The structure permits passage of water therethrough and serves to reinforce localized weakened portions or stress concentrators of the side inlet or the sprinkler body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Yeh, Bob Patterson
  • Patent number: 7306170
    Abstract: A device for restricting water flow through a conduit in a landscape sprinkler system, wherein the conduit comprises a hollow pipe having an interior wall, the device comprising a generally rigid disc having an external periphery shaped to conform to the interior wall of the conduit; attachment means for frictionally securing the disc traverse to the interior wall of the conduit, and, at least one aperture in the disc to permit water flow therethrough, wherein the total area of any apertures in the disc are from about 1% to about 40% of the cross-sectional area of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Casino Advisory Services, LLC
    Inventor: Peter A. Maksymec
  • Patent number: 7293721
    Abstract: A check valve assembly has a coupling sleeve with a first end for connection to a pop-up or fixed sprinkler head and a second end for connection to a water supply, the coupling sleeve incorporating a valve seat. A disc valve is retained below the valve seat, and a separate actuator is movably mounted above the seat for movement between an operative position extending through the valve seat to hold the valve in the open position, and an inoperative, retracted position. The disc valve is retained against the valve seat around its peripheral edge, and has a central portion which is moved by the actuator into the open position when the sprinkler head is properly connected to the coupling sleeve. Release or removal of the actuator as a result of removal of the sprinkler head will allow fluid pressure at the second end of the coupling sleeve to urge the valve into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: James C Roberts
  • Patent number: 7232078
    Abstract: A speed limiting mechanisms for turbine-driven fluid distribution apparatus usable with compressible fluid such as compressed air and incompressible fluid such as water. Dynamic viscous damping of the turbine output power train is used to control the rotational speed of the turbine. This prevents overspeeding when the turbine is air driven, and also when the turbine is water driven, under abnormal conditions such as blockage of a bypass area designed to control the turbine speed by limiting flow to the turbine. The same mechanism can be used to impose a lower rotational speed in the turbine during normal operation in conjunction with a turbine optimized for lower speed operation to reduce the required gear reduction in the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Carl L Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7191958
    Abstract: A revolving lawn sprinkler comprises a rotary guide plate by which the water flow is so controlled as to actuate a lobed wheel, which in turn actuates a rotary disk via a transmission mechanism. A nozzle is mounted on the rotary disk and is provided with a movable joint. The rotary guide plate is forced to change its revolving direction at such time when a projection of the rotary disk comes in contact with a locating block of a top cover of a housing of the lawn sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Wang
  • Patent number: 7097116
    Abstract: An underground sprinkler with a pop-up head and a corresponding underground casing has two differentiated cylindrical parts, closed by a corresponding cover fixed to the pop-up sprinkler head, which, being a part coupled to the piston, pops-up due to the effect of the water pressure pushing the piston in a portion calculated for this purpose and which is so maintained for as long as the pressure lasts, to be recovered by the action of a permanent draw-spring when the pressure stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: VYR-Valvuleria y Riegos Por Aspersion, S.A.
    Inventor: Pablo Rodriguez Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7040553
    Abstract: A Pelton type turbine is mounted in a riser of a pop-up sprinkler for rotation about a horizontal axis and drives a central bevel pinion gear through a gear train reduction. Upper and lower bevel gears supported on a vertical drive shaft are simultaneously driven in opposite directions by the central bevel pinion gear. A clutch slides up and down along the drive shaft to engage radially extending teeth formed on its upper and lower sides with complementary teeth formed on the upper and lower bevel gears. One end of a yoke is coupled to the clutch and the other end is moved vertically by an over-center mechanism to shift the direction of rotation of a nozzle turret connected to the upper end of the drive shaft. The over-center mechanism is tripped back and forth by a shift disc engaged by a pair of tabs of a turret coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Clark
  • Patent number: 6997393
    Abstract: The pop-up irrigation sprinkler includes a pressure reducing valve, a spring-biased, pop-up riser, and a valve seal of unitary construction adjacent to the lower end of the riser having a valve body, a valve plug at the lower end of the valve body sealing the inlet port while the riser is in the retracted position, and a channel within the valve plug that is in fluid communication with the upper end of the valve body. The pressure reducing valve has a flow tube mounted for limited movement within the riser and lower port of the flow tube. The lower port of the flow tube is normally open when the riser is in the extended, operative position a pressure. The normally open lower port is urged against the upper surface of the valve plug when by a surge of pressurized water. A washer is provided in the lower end of the valve plug for sealing the inlet port from inflow and outflow of water from the sprinkler while the riser is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: Russdon D. Angold, Steve S. H. Han, David E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6971588
    Abstract: A cleaning head for installation in a swimming pool floor fitting (9) includes a pop-up cylinder (5) having a plurality of first camming elements (44) disposed on its outer wall, a compression spring (6) disposed around it, and an outer cylinder (11) having a plurality of second camming elements (42) and third camming elements (40) disposed along the inner wall (47A) of the outer cylinder (11) for engagement with the first camming elements. A nozzle cap (15) is removably attached to the upper end of the pop-up cylinder (5), and includes a plurality of nozzles having various diameters, respectively, only a selected one of the nozzles being aligned with a clearance opening (20) of the pop-up cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Shasta Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Tarr, Andy F. Blake, Paul A. Womack
  • Patent number: 6929194
    Abstract: In a turbine driven rotary irrigation sprinkler having a fixed stator with means for bypassing a portion of the water entering the sprinkler around the turbine so as to be able to adjust and control the rate of sprinkler rotation, the improvement of a rotatable stator cooperating with the fixed stator to provide infinite adjustability between the no bypass flow and full bypass flow conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Lawson
  • Patent number: 6921029
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the effective precipitation rate of an irrigation sprinkler during an irrigation cycle without disrupting the supply of pressurized water from the source opening and closing the inlet to the sprinkler riser at timed intervals through the use of a flow stop valve assembly disposed at the base of the riser, and which includes a lost motion piston and cylinder assembly and first and second flow control devices which control the time the flow stop valve is in the open and closed conditions during the irrigation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: George H. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 6905078
    Abstract: A spraying device comprising a housing 12 containing a top and bottom portion defining a chamber therein for fluid ingress and egress into the bottom portion wherein the housing includes an outer structure 18 containing an inner structure 16, and a tensioning device 22 which releasably positions the outer structure at the housing bottom. The inner structure 16 is engaged to an arm member 20 for spraying said fluid, such that the inner structure causes the arm member to move in a linear and rotating relationship relative to housing. The outer structure 18 and inner structure 16 are engaged to one another such that the outer structure 18 causes the inner structure to move in a linear and rotating relationship relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: McCord Winn Textron
    Inventors: David A. Gattuso, Martyn Jenkins, Malcolm Claydon
  • Patent number: 6899285
    Abstract: A protruding nozzle assembly, mounted in a side wall of a swimming pool in communication with a source of water, will eject through a nozzle of a nozzle housing a stream of water at a predetermined angle relative to the adjacent side wall surface. During each erection and retraction of the nozzle housing precipitated by initiation and cessation of water flow to the nozzle assembly, the nozzle housing will rotate incrementally to provide a plurality of streams of water defining a fan-like area from each nozzle as such nozzle comes into fluid communication with an opening in a cover enclosing the nozzle housing. Each nozzle is canted to a different angle above the adjacent surface to assist in cleaning sloping parts of the side wall/bottom surface junction and to assist in cleaning any adjacent structures extending from the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Goettl, Richard D. Conn
  • Patent number: 6854664
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve module is mounted in the lower end of the outer housing of a pop-up rotor type sprinkler for controlling the flow of water through an inlet in response to actuation of a valve actuator component. A resilient deformable semi-circular snap ring is mounted on top of the module and has a pair of opposing peripheral annular portions. Upon removal of the sprinkler riser, the snap ring can be disengaged from an annular groove formed in the interior wall of the outer housing by manually squeezing the annular portions together. This permits removal of the module for repair or replacement. The annular portions of the snap ring are formed with angled slots that receive projections that extend from the cover of the module to produce a camming movement that uniformly retracts the snap ring out of the annular groove to more readily permit removal of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6848124
    Abstract: A recessed incrementally rotating nozzle assembly is located in a wall or bottom surface of a swimming pool in fluid communication through a conduit with a source of water under pressure from a valve, which valve periodically releases water into the conduit. Each time water flows, a nozzle housing is raised to eject a stream of water. As the nozzle housing rises, it is incrementally rotated by a pin engaging a saw tooth member of a cam ring. Upon cessation of flow, the nozzle housing is retracted and during retraction the nozzle housing is further incrementally rotated by the pin engaging another saw tooth member of the cam ring. After a predetermined degree of angular rotation, a cam reverser slidably reorients protrusions guiding the pin into and out of the saw tooth members to cause the pin to be guided by the opposite side of the saw tooth members and thereby cause reversal of the direction of rotation of the nozzle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Goettl
  • Patent number: 6840460
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes an outer housing having a lower end connectable to a source of pressurized water and a riser that is vertically reciprocable within the outer housing between extended and retracted positions when the source of pressurized water is turned ON and OFF. A nozzle is mounted at an upper end of the riser for rotation about a vertical axis. A Pelton turbine is mounted inside the riser for rotation about a horizontal axis, as distinguished from a vertical axis. A drive mechanism connects the turbine to the nozzle so that when the source of pressurized water is turned ON the resulting rotation of the turbine by the pressurized water will rotate the nozzle. The turbine as well as a gear train reduction and a bevel gear reversing mechanism are assembled inside a self-contained clam-shell drive subassembly before being inserted into the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Clark
  • Patent number: 6817543
    Abstract: A Pelton type turbine is mounted in a riser of a pop-up sprinkler for rotation about a horizontal axis and drives a bevel pinion gear reversing mechanism through a gear train reduction. One end of a yoke is coupled to a clutch and the other end is moved vertically by an over-center mechanism through a link arm to shift the direction of rotation of a nozzle turret connected to the upper end of a drive shaft. The over-center mechanism includes a pair of levers held together by a single coil spring with trunnions on a first lever pivoting in bearing surfaces of a second lever. An L-shaped actuating arm that extends from the second lever is tripped back and forth by a shift disc engaged by a pair of tabs of a turret coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Clark
  • Patent number: 6808127
    Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler assembly includes a housing cover which is readily, vertically adjustable relative to a main housing within which extends a sprinkler head unit arranged in an adapter sleeve that is interengaged with the main housing to establish a blow-out feature. A readily accessible, preferably threadably mounted solenoid is used to control a main water flow valve positioned below an associated frost line. A dirt shield protects the solenoid, as well as a releasable connection between the main housing and the housing cover, from contamination. A hose adapting element is provided to be selectively secured about the sprinkler head unit atop the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: JEG, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward L. McNulty, Gary A. Cordova, James Meier
  • Patent number: 6802458
    Abstract: A nozzle gate valve is provided in an irrigation sprinkler for quick and easy shut-off of water flow to a sprinkler spray nozzle. The gate valve is mounted within a sprinkler spray head at an upstream side of the nozzle for displacement between open and closed positions respectively permitting and preventing waterflow to the nozzle. In the preferred form, the gate valve has a generally conical shape and defines an elbow-shaped flow path movable between the open position aligned with the nozzle for normal water supply thereto, and the closed position misaligned with the spray nozzle to prevent water flow thereto. In the closed position, the spray nozzle can be removed and/or replaced, or other sprinkler adjustments can be performed, without requiring a main system water supply to be turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventor: Christian T. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6799732
    Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly comprised of a base located at the upper end of a riser tube and which base carries an insert with an opening allowing for distribution of water. In accordance with the present invention, a control valve is located directly at the sprinkler head assembly. The control valve may be located in a stationary or shrub head which would be connected to a base or otherwise to a riser tube. The control valve could be located in a pop-up shaft, pop-up sprinkler head, or in a retrofit coupling or adapter located between a riser tube and sprinkler head. The control valve would rely upon a screw capable of being threadedly moved into a duct generally perpendicular thereto and which would have a diametral size somewhat larger than the duct. Moreover, the screw would be provided with an opening having a diameter approximately equal to that of the duct. The opening would be alignable with the duct in one position and when rotated would completely block the flow in another position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Inventor: Teodore Sirkin
  • Patent number: 6736334
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a riser having a lower end for receiving a pressurized fluid and a nozzle that is mounted at an upper end of the riser for rotation about an axis. A turbine is mounted for rotation inside the riser. A drive mechanism connects the turbine to the nozzle so that rotation of the turbine by the pressurized fluid rotates the nozzle. The sprinkler includes mechanisms for preventing over-spinning of the turbine when the pressurized fluid is air or a mixture of air and water. Damage to the turbine drive shaft or its bearings due to over-spinning of the turbine is thereby avoided. In one version of the sprinkler, the over-spinning prevention mechanism applies a brake force to the turbine. In another version of the sprinkler, the over-spinning prevention mechanism re-directs air or a mixture of water and air around the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Hunter, William D. Holton, Loren W. Scott
  • Patent number: 6732950
    Abstract: An improved gear drive sprinkler has a pop-up spray head adapted for adjustable part-circle or full circle operation to deliver irrigation water over a selected terrain area. The sprinkler includes a pop-up riser; a gear drive transmission mounted within the riser includes a water-driven turbine for rotatably driving a speed reduction gear train, which in turn rotatably drives the spray head. A reverse assembly includes an upper trip unit defining an individually adjustable pair of end trip stops, and a lower shift mechanism including a shiftable director plate having first and second sets of angularly oriented jet nozzles for respective alignment with turbine jet ports for respectively driving the water-driven turbine and the gear train in a forward-drive or a reverse-drive direction. The upper trip is coupled to the director plate by an elongated trip rod which shifts the director plate between forward-drive and reverse drive positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rain Bird Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Ingham, Jr., Jerry D. Lawyer, Charles D. Lemme, Michael A. McAfee, Derek M. Nations, Matthew S. Prucinsky, David E. Steimle
  • Patent number: 6732946
    Abstract: A lawn irrigation sprinkler head that internally incorporates an alert and retrieval device which indicates the position of the head if damaged, and facilitates in-situ repair of the damaged head. The sprinkler head has a hollow body containing a pop-up riser connected to a nozzle. The alert and retrieval device is positioned between the base of the riser and the nozzle. Should the nozzle become damaged or dislodged, the alert device telescopically extends from the riser and signals the location of the damaged sprinkler head. The device facilitates the repair of the head by lifting the riser from within the sprinkler head so that a replacement nozzle can be attached. In an alternative embodiment the alert device has an integral shut-off valve which prevents the discharge of water in the event that a subsequent irrigation cycle occurs before the damaged head is repaired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Waldemar Veazie
  • Publication number: 20040050955
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base; an elongated stem having an inlet supported within the base; a nozzle and a stream deflector supported within the stem, the nozzle and stream deflector cooperating to define an arcuate orifice; a water distribution plate supported on one end of a shaft extending upwardly from the base, the water distribution plate located in axially spaced relationship to the nozzle and adapted to be impinged by a stream emitted from the nozzle. An externally threaded sleeve is fixed to an opposite end of the shaft; and an elastomeric throttle control member constructed with a smooth through-bore is engaged over the externally threaded sleeve to self-tap along the previously smooth bore. The throttle member is prevented from rotating such that rotation of the shaft causes the throttle control member to move axially relative to a flow restriction portion in the inlet, to thereby adjust flow rate through the stem and the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George Sesser, Lee A. Perkins, Theodore J. Bren
  • Patent number: 6705548
    Abstract: A nozzle for spraying surfaces is equipped with a piston rod centrally arranged in a feeding duct. The piston rod has an impact plate which is held by a spring in a position aligned with the surface to be sprayed. As a result of liquid pressure, the impact plate arrives in a second end position at a distance from the surface to be sprayed in which. As a result of a ring gap on an input side around the piston rod, the impact plate becomes a deflecting part for the spraying liquid exiting in a ring shape, which, in a circular spraying cone directed at a flat angle with respect to the surface to be sprayed, is then emitted onto the surface to be sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Lechler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Lothar Bendig, Hermann Lange
  • Patent number: 6651905
    Abstract: A sprinkler head includes a base having a lower and adapted for attachment to a sprinkler system component; an elongated steam supported within the base; a nozzle and a fixed deflector supported within the stem, the nozzle and deflector cooperating to define an adjustable arcuate orifice. A water distribution plate is supported on a shaft extending upwardly from the stem and has a plurality of water distribution grooves located in axially spaced relationship to the nozzle. An arc adjustment ring is rotatably mounted on the base and is operatively connectable with the nozzle for rotating the nozzle relative to the stem for adjustment of the arcuate discharge orifice. A throttle member is secured to the upstream end of the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the throttle to move relative to a portion of the stem, to thereby adjust flow rate through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: George Sesser, Lee A. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20030213856
    Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly comprised of a base located at the upper end of a riser tube and which base carries a screen allowing for distribution of water. In accordance with the present invention, a control valve is located directly at the sprinkler head assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly may constitute a shrub or stationary head connected to the upper end of the riser tube. In this embodiment, the control valve would be preferably located in the body of the base of the stationary sprinkler head. In another embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly constitutes a pop-up sprinkler head and the control valve would be located in the pop-up shaft forming part of that sprinkler head. In still another embodiment of the invention, a retrofit coupling or adapter may be provided and which would be located between a riser tube and a sprinkler head forming part of that assembly. In this case, the adaptive coupling would include the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventor: Theodore Sirkin
  • Patent number: 6629648
    Abstract: An adjustable riser for adjusting the elevational position of an irrigation sprinkler with respect to the surrounding ground level and/or with respect to the height of surrounding vegetation to be irrigated. The riser includes a movable cartridge within an internal bore of a housing having a plurality of catches outwardly projecting from the exterior wall of the cartridge and adapted to resiliently snap into or out of notches carried on the inner wall surface of the bore movably supporting the cartridge. The sprinkler is carried on a tube for discharging water while the opposite end of the tube includes an impact plate against which water pressure from the supply impinges. Upon impact, the tube with the sprinkler is forced upward within a housing against expansion of a spring, which normally urges the tube and sprinkler into a storage position within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Steven Jones
  • Publication number: 20030150934
    Abstract: In a turbine driven rotary irrigation sprinkler having a fixed stator with means for bypassing a portion of the water entering the sprinkler around the turbine so as to be able to adjust and control the rate of sprinkler rotation, the improvement of a rotatable stator cooperating with the fixed stator to provide infinite adjustability between the no bypass flow and full bypass flow conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Lawson
  • Patent number: 6568608
    Abstract: A sprinkler head assembly comprised of a base located at the upper end of a riser tube and which base carries a screen allowing for distribution of water. In accordance with the present invention, a control valve is located directly at the sprinkler head assembly. In one embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly may constitute a shrub or stationary head connected to the upper end of the riser tube. In this embodiment, the control valve would be preferably located in the body of the base of the stationary sprinkler head. In another embodiment, the sprinkler head assembly constitutes a pop-up sprinkler head and the control valve would be located in the pop-up shaft forming part of that sprinkler head. In still another embodiment of the invention, a retrofit coupling or adapter may be provided and which would be located between a riser tube and a sprinkler head forming part of that assembly. In this case, the adaptive coupling would include the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Theodore Sirkin
  • Publication number: 20030071140
    Abstract: A watering nozzle (16) for underground pop-up sprinkler (1) comprises a bottom part (17) and a top part (37) comprising a distribution cylinder (40). The bottom part (17) is provided with an annular opening (100) that receives the flow of water coming from the base of the sprinkler (1) and generates a jet in the form of a spray having pre-established angular extension that flows into a distribution cylinder (40) provided with radial slots (41) arranged as an arc of circumference that proceed from its bottom to its side wall so as to subdivide the single spray jet into single jets. The distribution cylinder (40) has on top a fan wheel (70) having a diameter greater than the cylinder and provided with external fins (71) that extend downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Gianfranco Roman
  • Patent number: 6530531
    Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler of the type that includes a riser that moves upwardly out of a sprinkler housing when water pressure is applied and that allows manual adjustment of the angular orientation of the riser with respect to the housing to adjust angular orientation of the spray from the sprinkler, and provides for such angular adjustment by having a toothed flange associated with the riser in the housing which engages tabs associated with the housing, provides for longer life of the toothed flange and/or the tabs by providing slots extending radially inwardly in the toothed flange to reduce its rigidity to the extent that the teeth and/or tabs do not wear as quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Orbit Irrigation Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Butler
  • Publication number: 20030019950
    Abstract: A lawn irrigation sprinkler head that internally incorporates an alert and retrieval device which indicates the position of the head if damaged, and facilitates in-situ repair of the damaged head. The sprinkler head has a hollow body containing a pop-up riser connected to a nozzle. The alert and retrieval device is positioned between the base of the riser and the nozzle. Should the nozzle become damaged or dislodged, the alert device telescopically extends from the riser and signals the location of the damaged sprinkler head. The device facilitates the repair of the head by lifting the riser from within the sprinkler head so that a replacement nozzle can be attached. In an alternative embodiment the alert device has an integral shut-off valve which prevents the discharge of water in the event that a subsequent irrigation cycle occurs before the damaged head is repaired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Waldemar Veazie
  • Patent number: 6502764
    Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler is provided with an internally mounted and upwardly open debris cup for capturing debris such as dirt and pebbles falling into the sprinkler, to prevent such debris from contacting and interfering with an internally mounted rotary drive mechanism. The sprinkler includes a housing or case carrying a pop-up riser with a spray head thereon for projecting a stream of irrigation water over surrounding terrain and vegetation. The rotary drive mechanism includes a water-driven element such as a turbine coupled by a reduction gear unit or the like for rotatably driving the spray head in a manner sweeping the projected water stream over the surrounding terrain and vegetation. The debris cup is mounted within the sprinkler case generally at a lower end of a nozzle passage formed in the riser, and generally overlying the water-driven element, in a position to capture and retain debris falling into the sprinkler case through the nozzle passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Samuel C. Walker
  • Patent number: 6499672
    Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler including a rotor plate supported on one end of a shaft for rotation, in an operative mode, relative to the shaft; a nozzle located along the shaft upstream of the rotor plate; the rotor plate formed with a chamber and one end of the shaft has a stator fixed thereto within the chamber, the fluid chamber at least partially filled with a viscous fluid; and wherein the chamber is at least partially closed at an upper end thereof by a rotor cap plate; and further wherein an underside of the rotor cap plate is provided with a first plurality of teeth and an upper surface of the stator is provided with a second plurality of mating teeth adapted to engage the first plurality of teeth to enable rotation of the rotor plate with the shaft in the adjustment mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: George Sesser
  • Patent number: RE40562
    Abstract: A retracting telescoping automatic fire sprinkler is disclosed. In a dry system, the sprinkler extends to its operating position under system pressure that is applied in response to a preaction signal. When system pressure is removed, as in after a test is completed, the sprinkler automatically retracts to its original position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Theodore P. Naugler, Eric P. Stucker, Robert C. Naugler, C. Daniel Swift