Pattern Sprinkler Patents (Class 239/DIG1)
  • Patent number: 6158675
    Abstract: An improved sprinkler spray head is provided for delivering irrigation water to surrounding vegetation, wherein the spray head delivers the irrigation water in the form of one or more discrete streams of selected pattern over a broad range of water supply pressures and substantially without undesirable pattern distortion such as atomization or fogging. The spray head comprises an upper deflector plate mounted on a base ring which is adapted in turn for mounting onto the upper end of a water supply riser. The deflector plate and base ring cooperatively define multiple internal flow paths each including a selectively opened flow port for water flow from the riser to an associated one of a plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Anthony Manufacturing Corporation Residential Products Division
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Ogi
  • Patent number: 6145758
    Abstract: A variable arc spray nozzle is provided for delivering irrigation water to a surrounding terrain area in a spray pattern of variably adjustable arcuate width. The spray nozzle is adapted for mounting onto the upper end of a water supply riser, and includes a rotatable adjustment collar which cooperates with an upper deflector to define a discharge orifice of variably selected arcuate width. A stabilizer vane on the adjustment collar protrudes generally upstream at the adjustable side edge of the discharge orifice to tailor the associated side edge of the resultant spray pattern for improved water distribution and range. The deflector additionally includes a substantially horizontal step formed at the upstream side of the discharge orifice to produce a localized pressure loss resulting in improved water distribution across the variable width of the spray pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Anthony Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Ogi, Steven Phan, Matthew Payne
  • Patent number: 6135362
    Abstract: A riser assembly for an irrigation system, including a first riser segment attached to a supply line and a second riser segment attached to the first riser segment at a first end and to a sprinkler at the second end. The riser assembly also includes a control valve which may be inserted between the second riser segment and a sprinkler gun. The various segments and the control valve and sprinkler are all coupled employing mechanical couplings which permit a degree of flexion at the coupling or joint. The first riser segment is formed of a section of PVC pipe and the second riser section is formed of a segment of copper alloy pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Inventor: Nicholas R. Purdy
  • Patent number: 6085995
    Abstract: A rotary drive sprinkler having a multiplicity of nozzles which can be selectively changed at any time. The nozzle assembly has an internal rotor member for bringing one of the nozzles into operation as the internal rotor is turned. A water flow can be directed from a rotor to a selected nozzle in a fixed circumferential row of nozzles to create a nozzle stream leaving the nozzle assembly, or a nozzle stream can be directed from a specific nozzle of a circumferential row of nozzles in an internal rotor to a single passage open to the exterior of the nozzle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventors: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr., Carl L. C. Kah, III
  • Patent number: 6085999
    Abstract: An irrigation system is disclosed which includes a center pivot support having an elongated main water boom pivotally connected thereto which extends outwardly therefrom. An elongated extension boom is pivotally connected at its inner end to the outer end of the main boom and is supported by a steerable drive tower. A corner arm sensor is provided for sensing the angle of the extension boom with respect to the main boom. A plurality of first sprinklers are positioned on the extension boom along the length thereof and a plurality of second sprinklers are positioned on the extension boom along the length thereof. The water which is normally allocated to the end gun on the outer end of the extension boom is supplied to the second sprinkler during certain periods of time that the end gun is not activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Gerdes, Dale A. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6079637
    Abstract: A sprinkler for irrigating an area having a shape with an irrigating liquid includes a base; an inlet disposed on the base for receiving the irrigating liquid from a source; and a nozzle having a central axis, the nozzle being rotatably coupled to the base about the central axis and operatively coupled with the inlet to receive the irrigating liquid, the nozzle being adapted to spray the irrigating liquid out onto the area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Shalom Ohayon
  • Patent number: 6068197
    Abstract: A pivoting lateral move irrigation system which operates to water in the pivot mode. The irrigation system includes a conduit extending over the field to be irrigated, and a series of support towers which are spaced along the length of the conduit and support the conduit. The power tower is designed for lateral movement and includes a pivoting top according to the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the irrigation system is a ditch fed system which moves laterally to a canal or ditch, from which water is obtained for irrigation. The power panel includes switches to allow the machine to pivot at the end or corner of the canal. According to the present invention, during pivoting, the irrigation system operates to irrigate, i.e., provide water to the field, during the pivot operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Hlavinka Equipment Company
    Inventor: Harold N. Tolson
  • Patent number: 6062490
    Abstract: A sprinkling apparatus constructed as a square sprinkler has a nozzle arrangement with a straight row of nozzles, whereof each has a nozzle inlet connected by a nozzle duct to a nozzle outlet. At least in a portion between the nozzle inlet and nozzle outlet, the nozzles are constructed as rubber-like water guidance ducts, which are disconnectable by a force action transversely to the water flow direction. For the disconnection of individual nozzles clamping sliders are provided and are displaceable transversely to the water flow direction against the rubber-like nozzles and in the case of a displacement in each case disconnect or release again a nozzle. This permits a very variable adjustment of the sprinkling pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Gardena Kress +Kastner GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Katzer, Wolfgang Lindermeir
  • Patent number: 6050502
    Abstract: A pop-up rotary sprinkler with adjustable arc limits has a memory arc mechanism separate from its arc adjustment and head reversing mechanisms for automatically returning the head to oscillation between its pre-set sector limits should its head be twisted or held against normal rotation by a vandal. The sprinkler may optionally include a throttling valve for substantially reducing the flow of water from the nozzle in the head until the head has rotated back within its pre-set arc limits. The amount of water that would otherwise be sprayed onto walkways and highways, for example, is greatly reduced, thereby eliminating safety hazards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Clark
  • Patent number: 6042021
    Abstract: A pop-up rotary sprinkler with adjustable arc limits has an arc adjustment tool engaging member slideably mouted in a guide sleeve in the head of the sprinkler that has a progressively narrowing diameter. The member includes a radially expandable and contrastable collet at the upper end thereof and a pinion gear at a lower end thereof for engaging the teeth of a bull gear for setting at least one of the end limits of the desired arc. When the tool is inserted into the member, it moves downwardly, and a pair of flanges of the tool are locked into slots in the collet. The tool cannot be removed until it is pulled upwardly to permit the collet to expand radially to allow the flanges of the tool to be pulled past a ring at the upper end of the collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Mike Clark
  • Patent number: 6039273
    Abstract: A corner pivot irrigation machine comprising a main arm extending outwardly from a center pivot structure supported upon and driven by a plurality of non-steerable drive towers. An elongated corner arm is pivotally secured to the outer end of the main arm and is supported by a steerable drive tower including an elongated beam positioned beneath the water line of the corner arm and having a pair of drive wheel supports positioned at the opposite ends thereof which are rotatable with respect thereto about vertical axes. A steering motor, driven by a conventional guidance system, is mounted on the main beam and is connected to the rotatable drive wheel supports by an adjustable linkage to enable the linkage to be selectively adjusted when the machine is to be operated in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Valmont Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale A. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6032832
    Abstract: A glue head delivers lines or spots of glue onto a substrate, such as packaging materials, with precision positioning of the glue pattern, with short and balanced on/off compensation times essentially independent of glue pressure, and at high nozzle velocity. Pressurized glue advances into a plenum of the glue head preferably in a horizontal direction, then into a short and low-volume exit tube and through a nozzle, flowing in a direction perpendicular to the inflow direction. Flow to the nozzle is closed by a diaphragm valve comprising flexible elastomeric material which seats against the upstream end of the exit tube. An important feature is that glue actuator pressure is balanced, and smooth operation and glue delivery are achieved, by a rocker arm above the glue valve which, when the valve is closed by pushing the elastomeric material against the glue delivery tube, releases pressure on the glue at an upstream point in the glue plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Golden Gate Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas B. Dority, Thomas P. DeVito
  • Patent number: 6029907
    Abstract: An improved sprinkler nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a nozzle received in a recessed seat provided in a peripheral wall of the nozzle body. The nozzle is formed with a plurality of nozzle ports formed by the radially outer ends of a plurality of vertically flexible nozzle tubes. The flow volume of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a flow volume adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to selectively open or close various of the nozzle tubes in various possible combinations. The flow volume of the nozzle will comprise the combined or aggregate flow volumes of the water sub-streams being thrown by those nozzle tubes that are left open. The trajectory of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a trajectory adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to bend the flexible nozzle tubes about their vertically fixed, radial inner ends to raise and lower the radial outer ends of the nozzle tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Jeff R. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6019295
    Abstract: A fixed spray sprinkler nozzle has adjustable arc coverage. The nozzle has a nozzle body with sideward facing water discharge slots including a bottom slot and a top slot. Flow blocking skirts control the open length of each of the slots. The bottom slot is fixed on the nozzle body, but the top slot is rotatable on the nozzle body, in concert with the opening or unblocking of the bottom slot's length, from a position overlying the bottom slot to a position directed in an opposite direction from the bottom slot. When the bottom slot is fully open, the top slot may then be progressively opened over its entire length. Thus, the arc coverage can be infinitely adjusted over the combined circumferential length of both the bottom and top slots together. The slots have a grooved bottom wall to provide smooth water flow and good pattern definition at each side of the selected arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Jeff R. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6016978
    Abstract: The instant device for producing a particle cloud in a space particularly at an underpressure comprises a particle chamber (14) with an accommodating compartment (16) provided to hold particles (18), the particle chamber (14) having an inlet and an outlet aperture (20,22). The inlet aperture (20) is coupled to a pressure-wave generating device (28,34) for generating a pressure wave. The pressure wave passes through the inlet aperture (20) into the accommodating compartment (16) of the particle chamber (14) and ejects the particles (18) through the outlet aperture (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Forschungscanstalt fuer Luft- ung Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventor: Dietmar Neuhaus
  • Patent number: 5938122
    Abstract: System and process for producing different embodiments of sprinkler assemblies uses two different first housing assemblies, from which one first housing assembly is selected for producing a desired sprinkler assembly embodiment. Each first housing assembly is replaceable with the other and includes an inlet end and a spaced outlet end; the inlet end of each first housing assembly is configured for connection with a source of water under pressure. Each first housing assembly also includes an adjustable flow control mechanism to control the flow of water under pressure through the first housing assembly. The control mechanism may include a manually-actuated moveable valve structure to control water flow rate, or a timing mechanism to select a duration for the water flow. By providing a first housing assembly with a control mechanism that is different from that of the other first housing assembly, the sprinkler assembly embodiment produced will depend upon the first housing assembly that is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: L.R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Jerry R. Hayes, Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: 5918811
    Abstract: A water discharge device in the form of a showerhead is disclosed having multiple features including a rotating shutoff valve incorporated in the body of the device. Variable discharge patterns are achieved by rotation of a handle on the side of the device. These patterns include a vibrating spray, a columnar spray pattern and cone shaped spray pattern. All patterns are achieved at low flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Speakman Company
    Inventors: Willard A. Denham, Christopher G. Miedzius
  • Patent number: 5785248
    Abstract: A gear drive assembly for a rotary sprinkler includes a drive housing in which a reduction gear train is enclosed. A turbine located beneath one end of the drive housing rotates the gear train through a turbine shaft that extends into the drive housing. An output shaft extends out of the other end of the drive housing for rotating the nozzle assembly of the rotary sprinkler. The drive assembly includes a relatively large water entry port which is screened by a filter screen having relatively small openings. The water entry port allow enough water to enter the drive housing upon initial pressurization of the sprinkler such that sand particles suspended in the water do not jam the output shaft or the turbine shaft. The openings in the filter screen prevent the entry of particles into the drive housing that would tend to jam or foul the reduction gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: John L. Staylor, Jeff R. McKenzie, Rebecca R. Reade
  • Patent number: 5782578
    Abstract: A hydraulic timer mechanism for water irrigation is disclosed to comprise a cylindrical body having an irrigation water entrance and a number of irrigation water exits. The water exits are arranged along the same peripheral circle of the cylindrical body. A water turbine assembly housed inside the cylindrical body for harnessing the power of irrigation water flow is employed to provide rotational power for the mechanism. A speed reduction device is coupled to the water turbine assembly for reducing the rotational speed and increasing the torque produced by the water turbine. A Geneva mechanism is coupled to the speed reduction device for transforming the continuous rotational motion of water turbine assembly into intermittent motion. An energy storage device is used for storing energy provided by the rotation of water turbine that is released in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignees: Woody Yang, Shin-Tsung Yang, Sheh-Ching Young
    Inventor: Woody Yang
  • Patent number: 5772120
    Abstract: In a multifunction hand shower the mode of operation is selected by a change-over mechanism which has a slide (56) which has essentially linear movement. This can be set in three different positions. The slide (56) is connected via a guide and cam mechanism (62, 65) to a first change-over device (37) which can be moved into two different positions. The first position is adopted by the first change-over device (37) in the first mode of operation and the second position in the two other modes of operation. A second change-over device (45) can also be moved backwards and forwards between two positions which correspond to the second and a third mode of operation of the shower. Here, a spring (49) forces the second change-over device (45) into a preferred position. Whether the second change-over device (45) reaches this preferred position depends upon the position of a stop (59, 60) which is attached to the slide (56). The slide (56) is moved for preference by a rocker-type manual actuator (53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventor: Roland Huber
  • Patent number: 5772117
    Abstract: A water sprinkler comprises a housing, a linking mechanism, a transmission rod, and a spray head. The housing is provided therein with a receiving compartment for housing the linking mechanism which is composed of a pump blade, a link wheel and an actuation wheel. The transmission rod is fastened at one end thereof with the actuation wheel and at another end thereof with the spray head having a plurality of jet nozzles for emitting a stream of water. The transmission rod is driven by the actuation wheel which is actuated by the pump blade. As the pump blade is driven by the incoming water current via an inlet of the housing, the spray head is actuated by the transmission rod to make a 360-degree roation so as to spray water in all directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Inventor: Yeong Chwan Su
  • Patent number: 5749524
    Abstract: A side driving element for an irrigation device with an oscillating arm comprises a casing. Inside the casing there is rotatably housed a turbine rotor having an axis of rotation parallel to that of the oscillating arm of the irrigation device. The rotor powers the oscillating arm. An external mouth connects to a supply conduit of an irrigation liquid. The mouth has an axis lying in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the rotor, and communicates with an internal rectilinear conduit aligned with the mouth and directed toward the rotor, so that a jet of irrigation liquid supplied by said supply conduit is not subjected to deviations before reaching the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Claber S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Roman
  • Patent number: 5704549
    Abstract: An oscillating sprinkler comprises a fixed base assembly (12) and an upper housing (14) from which water distributing arms (16, 18, 20, 22) extend. A bearing member (66) depends from the upper housing (14) and is seated within the base assembly (12). An upper surface (26) of the base housing (12) comprises an undulating cam surface and bend portions (110) of the arm members act as cam followers. Bend portions (110) engage cam surface (26) and cause a reciprocal tilting of the upper housing (14) about the bearing member (66) as the upper housing (14) rotates about the base assembly (12). Water ejected from orifices (114) in the arm members (16, 18, 20, 22) act to propel the upper housing along its rotational path. A cap member (144) is rotationally mounted to the top of the upper housing (14) and pressurized water ejected through orifices (148) in the cap member (144) act to rotate the cap member in a direction opposite to the direction in which the upper housing rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: The Little Tikes Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Kephart, Peter C. McEachen, Douglas Zlatic
  • Patent number: 5676315
    Abstract: A sprinkler nozzle for use in irrigation having an inlet, an outlet and a flow passage extending between the inlet and the outlet. The outlet and the flow passage each have near stream and far stream portions and the nozzle is unpartitioned between the near stream and far stream portions so that a single stream can be emitted from the outlet. The far stream and near stream portions of the flow passage are configured to provide higher velocity less turbulent flow through the far stream portion of the outlet than through the near stream portion of the outlet. The nozzle includes a peripheral wall which has a main body and a hood with the hood being radially offset from the main body to form an opening. The nozzle is received in a bore and nozzle mounting structure of a spray head for a sprinkler. The hood has an abutment partly defining the opening which is engageable by a tool for withdrawing the nozzle from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: James Hardie Irrigation, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Han
  • Patent number: 5647541
    Abstract: A fluid flow regulator readily attachable between a rotary sprinkler and a fluid conduit for regulating the water flow and pressure to the sprinkler to irrigate an irregular pattern such as a square. The regulator icludes a body having a streamlined channel leading to a straight through flow variable orifice and being connectable with a respective fluid port member of the sprinkler and the conduit. A rotatable port piece mounted in the body has a straight through flow port, centered on the axis of rotation and communicating with the straight through flow orifice of the body. This port leads to a streamlined channel which exits into the sprinkler shaft. The port piece has a means for coupling rotational energy from the sprinkler. The port and orifice have an identical design such as a four point star or equilateral concaved octagon adapted for watering in a square pattern. The rotational position of the port piece in relation to the body regulates the flow of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Michael C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5645218
    Abstract: Unitized sprinkler assembly including a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end, a manually adjustable control mechanism carried by the housing assembly, a sprinkler head assembly having an inlet end disposed to receive water under pressure flowing from the outlet end of the housing assembly, a base assembly constructed and arranged to support the assemblies on a ground area to be sprinkled, a structural connection between the sprinkler head assembly and the housing assembly constructed and arranged to enable the sprinkler head assembly to oscillate about an oscillatory axis with respect to the housing assembly, an oscillating mechanism mounted in the housing assembly constructed and arranged to be operated by the flow of water under pressure and connected with the sprinkler head assembly to oscillate the sprinkler head assembly about the oscillatory axis through repeated oscillating head cycles, an adjusting m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Jerry R. Hayes, Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: 5642861
    Abstract: An improved sprinkler head for an irrigation system wherein the sprinkler heads are designed to include spray means for adequately watering both the area within two feet, the "dead zone", of each spray head and areas beyond two feet. The sprinkler head employs a high velocity primary outlet and a secondary low velocity spray outlet for covering the "dead zone". A tortuous pathway is formed between the primary passageway and second low velocity outlet which functions to induce turbulence substantially reducing pressure and velocity of the spray therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Camsco Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Ogi, David S. Worcester
  • Patent number: 5630549
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for distributing water to a lawn or garden. One or several units may be used to provide for custom watering at any point in the garden. With multiple units stacked, a custom watering pattern may be produced. Each unit has provisions for adjusting the angle of dispersion and the amount of water flow independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Thong H. Le
  • Patent number: 5598977
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle comprising a nozzle body having an elongated range nozzle passageway formed therethrough, a spreader nozzle outlet fed by a pressure reducing chamber disposed below the passageway, and a tertiary nozzle outlet disposed laterally of the passageway and above the spreader nozzle outlet, the tertiary nozzle outlet receiving water from the pressure reducing chamber through a pressure reducing flow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Anthony Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Charles D. Lemme
  • Patent number: 5597119
    Abstract: A sprinkler including a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet rotatable with respect to the liquid inlet and apparatus, driven by a pressurized flow of liquid entering the liquid inlet, for rotating the liquid outlet, the apparatus including magnetic coupling apparatus for transmitting motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Naan Irrigation Systems
    Inventors: Moshe Gorney, Izhak Gal
  • Patent number: 5556036
    Abstract: An adjustable arc sprinkler nozzle comprises a first body member having a through passage including an inlet end for attachment to a source of pressurized water and an outlet end having a first spiral edge having axially offset ends, a second body member mounted coaxially of and rotatable relative to the first body member and a second spiral edge positioned for selectively overlapping the first spiral edge for defining a selectively adjustable arcuate outlet orifice, the outlet orifice having a predetermined height and an adjustable width, and diameter first and second spiral edges teeth forming one of the first and second spiral edges for maximizing the predetermined height relative to the width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Hunter Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas G. Chase
  • Patent number: 5526982
    Abstract: An improved sprinkler nozzle comprises a nozzle body having a nozzle received in a recessed seat provided in a peripheral wall of the nozzle body. The nozzle is formed with a plurality of nozzle ports formed by the radially outer ends of a plurality of vertically flexible nozzle tubes. The flow volume of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a flow volume adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to selectively open or close various of the nozzle tubes in various possible combinations. The flow volume of the nozzle will comprise the combined or aggregate flow volumes of the water sub-streams being thrown by those nozzle tubes that are left open. The trajectory of the water stream being thrown by the sprinkler nozzle is adjusted by selectively operating a trajectory adjustment member carried on the nozzle body to bend the flexible nozzle tubes about their vertically fixed, radial inner ends to raise and lower the radial outer ends of the nozzle tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventor: Jeff R. McKenzie
  • Patent number: 5511727
    Abstract: A wave sprinkler assembly in which the tubular spray assembly comprises a tubular member and one or more elongated strips of flexible material having a series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets extending therethrough, the strips are assembled with the tubular member by inserting them therein through an end and moving them radially outwardly into an operative position wherein the water under pressure within the interior of the tubular spray assembly acts on the strips to enhance their engagement with the tubular member. The strip provides an annular seal of flexible sealing material extending around the exterior of each of the controllable water stream outlets, and a control member is mounted on the elongated tubular assembly for movement between a full width operating position and a width limiting position. The control member includes a control section associated with each annular seal and the controllable water stream outlet around which it extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: L. R. Nelson Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence P. Heren, Jerry R. Hayes, Thomas R. Kruer
  • Patent number: 5488965
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing nozzle by which tableware 5 positioned at blind spots in a rack 6 can be effectively washed without disturbing the tableware. In the washing nozzle A, a support part 22 is formed at a central position of the washing nozzle A and arm portions 23 are formed on both sides of the support part 22. Extended portions 24 are formed at each end of the arm portions 23. Further, jetting holes 29A having substantially the same size as those of jetting nozzles 27, 28 opened on the arm portions 23 are dispersedly opened over each entire area of the extended portions 24. Thereby, a quantity of the wash water jetted from the jetting holes 29A to the tableware 5 can be totally increased, while the jetting force of the wash water jetted from the jetting holes 29A does not become so strong. Therefore, the wash water can be uniformly jetted to the tableware 5 set in four corners of the rack 6 without occurrence the blind spots, and wash unevenness can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumiyuki Hori
  • Patent number: 5456411
    Abstract: A sprinkler system for distributing water from a source substantially evenly over an area of terrain comprises a body defining a passage having an inlet connected to an outlet extending at an angle to the inlet, and at least one nozzle detachably mounted in the outlet and having an indicator tab visible from above for indicating at least one of the arc, spacing and precipitation rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Hunter Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren W. Scott, Bradley M. Lousberg
  • Patent number: 5435490
    Abstract: A system for irrigating plant bedding environments comprising a helically threaded spray fitting adapted for insertion into standard plant bedding irrigation conduit. The spray fitting is adjustable in terms of flow direction and flow rate, and different embodiments produce distinct, leaf-shaped spray patterns. A special housing for the spray fitting allows the unit to be converted to a drip fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Daniel M. Machut
  • Patent number: 5415348
    Abstract: A sprinkler comprises a body having an inlet end, an outlet end and a support structure extending beyond the outlet end. A tubular adapter is removably secured to the inlet end of the body, and a quick change nozzle is slidably interposed between the adapter and the body, such that part of the nozzle is received within the adapter and another part the nozzle including a discharge orifice which is received within the body and extends to the outlet end, wherein the nozzle is held in place by the adapter. A cap assembly is removably secured to the support structure, the cap assembly mounting a rotatable stream distributor plate in axial alignment with the discharge orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: Craig B. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5392990
    Abstract: A double-nozzle deluge gun has a pair of nozzles arranged side by side rotatably on a rotatable table and an inter-nozzle control unit for adjusting the inter-nozzle angle measured between two lines obtained by projecting the radiation center lines of the nozzles onto a horizontal plane. Each nozzle has a deflector which is positioned in front of the nozzle during the very short range mode. Each deflector has a side cover which prevents water having passed through the deflector from excessively spreading sideways. The inter-nozzle angle and the water pressure are adjusted in accordance with desired water-reaching ranges, so as to achieve an optimal watering pattern in any range. Thus, the double-nozzle deluge gun can be controlled in accordance with desired water-reaching ranges, so as to achieve an optimal watering pattern having an appropriate width in any range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Hochiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Iwata, Toshihide Tsuji, Shuji Matsumoto, Katsuaki Tonomura
  • Patent number: 5370311
    Abstract: A sprinkler includes a main body, a head part, a bracket and a swinging arm. The head part has two outlets disposed therein and the bracket has an extending strip disposed thereon and is disposed above an upper end of the head part. The extending strip has a first distributing plate with a rough surface formed thereon and which is rotatabiy engaged thereto. The swinging arm is pivotally engaged between the head part and the bracket via a spring disposed between the bracket and the swinging arm, and extends transversely through the bracket. A second distributing plate, having a rough surface formed thereon, is engaged to an end of the swinging arm, such that water ejected from one of the outlets will impact on the first distributing plate after impacting the second distributing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Hung-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 5366157
    Abstract: An automatic robotic lawn sprinkler providing a water powered articulated, actuation and control system aiming a continuous stream of water to all coordinates within a polar coordinate system comprising a manually programmable base assembly for anchoring to the ground and containing size specific range data, an azimuth rotor assembly rotatably mounted to the base in a horizontal plane, a range rotor assembly rotatably mounted in a vertical plane substantially perpendicular to the azimuth rotor an azimuth actuation and control system range actuation and control system, and a mechanism for variably controlling range rate and flow volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Frank M. Pleasants
  • Patent number: 5358180
    Abstract: Water from a low pressure irrigation system is conveyed through a tube and sprayed upward from an orifice. A collection of splash plate water deflectors rotates above the orifice on supports extending up from the tube. Different surface shapes on the splash plates create different spray patterns when they are rotated into the path of the water stream from the orifice. A flow rate valve is incorporated into the tube to regulate water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Aquapore Moisture Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas N. Prassas, Shannon Bard, Allan L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5350115
    Abstract: An oscillating sprinkler adjustable to selectively alter and adjust the spray pattern as desired is provided. Adjustment is provided by an internal selectable cam connected to an external rotary dial at the distal end of the sprinkler. Placing the spray adjustment dial at the distal (non-hose) end of the sprinkler minimizes the chances of the operator getting wet while selecting the desired spray pattern while the sprinkler is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: Vermont American Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Burnworth, Joachim H. Lungershausen
  • Patent number: 5340025
    Abstract: Spraying apparatus for spraying a liquid into air includes a wind sensor and a sprayer. The sprayer provides a spray into the air for a predetermined time interval upon sensing only predetermined ones of the occurrences and the predetermined ones of the occurrences occurring for at least a predetermined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventor: George W. Pearce
  • Patent number: 5335859
    Abstract: An improved irrigation system for low-volume flow to individual plants or trees is presented. The system involves a detachable irrigation emitter with a flow deflector. In addition, an easily interchangeable dual flow pattern adapter is presented that can be slipped over the irrigation emitter in two different ways, thus providing two different deflection faces to produce two different flow patterns. Thus, with only one adapter, three distinct spray patterns may be selected at each plant site with much less time and labor than in previous systems. In a further embodiment, flow pattern adapters with three and four deflection surfaces are described, offering the choice of four and five distinct spray patterns at each plant site, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventors: Susan S. Thayer, Timothy D. Wert
  • Patent number: 5322223
    Abstract: A static, sector-type water sprinkler producing a variable-sector water-distribution pattern includes an outlet opening in the form of a helical slot having an effective length around the circumference of its housing which may be varied for preselecting the sector angle of the water distribution around the sprinkler, and a blocking member engageable with the inner surface of the housing on opposite sides of the slot to preselect the portion thereof to be unblocked and thereby the sector angle of the water distribution around the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Lego M. Lemelshtrich Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoram Hadar
  • Patent number: 5305956
    Abstract: An oscillatory sprinkler includes a base frame, an oscillatory unit, a water output tube, and a tubular socket. The water output has one end attached to the oscillatory unit and the other end pivotally attached to the base frame to allow oscillatory motion of the water output tube upon actuation of the oscillatory unit. The water output tube further has a plurality of water outputs. The tubular socket is rotatably mounted on the water output tube, having a plurality of faces. A strip with a plurality of sprinkling nozzles is removably attached to each face. Retaining members are provided in each face to retain the tubular socket in a desired position relative to the water output tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Inventor: Po H. Wang
  • Patent number: 5299742
    Abstract: An irrigation sprinkler nozzle comprising a nozzle body having a range nozzle passage therethrough and a spreader nozzle disposed therebelow, the spreader nozzle being formed by a generally rectangular cross-sectional chamber having a generally rectangular cross-sectional outlet orifice, the chamber and outlet orifice being oriented with their long dimensions extending in a generally lateral direction substantially horizontal with the ground, the outlet orifice being laterally but not vertically smaller in size than the size of the chamber so that a vertically oriented fan-shaped spray pattern is produced by water projected from the outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Anthony Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph U. Han
  • Patent number: 5285968
    Abstract: A one-piece molded water chamber in the form of an annulus having a large open segment which permits the chamber to serve as a yoke which can be positioned on the ground surrounding the trunk of small trees at the base of the trunk. The water chamber is made of a strong, semi-rigid material so that the segmental opening can be spread apart to permit it to fit around a tree trunk which may be somewhat larger in diameter than the size of the open segment. The chamber is continuously fed with water from a standard garden hose. The wall of the chamber is pierced with a single row of water orifices which are distributed along a line around the upper, outer diameter of the annular body. This arrangement permits the watering of a tree outward, around the drip-line beneath the tree's outer foliage. In addition, this arrangement also prevents introducing water into the soil around the region immediately surrounding the tree trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: William H. McSheehy
  • Patent number: 5275340
    Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly having a spray tip formed with an elongated, cylindrical chamber communicating with the liquid supply and being formed with a cross-slot which intersects the chamber at a location intermediate the ends thereof for defining a discharge orifice, a deflection surface on a downstream side of the discharge orifice for directing liquid in a direction transverse to the axis of the chamber, and a pocket extending downstream of the deflector surface. In one embodiment, the spray tip has a preorifice substantially smaller in diameter than the chamber adjacent an upstream end thereof, in another embodiment, the chamber is disposed with its axis at an angle to the vertical and the cross-slot extends upwardly in substantially vertical relation for defining a vertical deflection surface, and in still another embodiment the spray tip has a wear resistant metal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventor: James Haruch
  • Patent number: RE35037
    Abstract: A sprinkler having a nozzle for directing a desired flow of water therefrom, the sprinkler having a water turbine drive device for rotating the nozzle in response to water passing through the sprinkler; the sprinkler has a seal between its cover and housing and with a pop-up riser, the nozzle being mounted in a rotatable nozzle housing connected to the water turbine drive device; a deflector is mounted in the nozzle housing for moving into and out of the water flow from the nozzle, the deflector being connected to a pivotally mounted arm with a cam follower actuated by a cam on the top of the riser; a modified sprinkler has two flow passages therethrough to a primary nozzle being directed through the water turbine drive device while the flow to the secondary nozzle is through a valving device to produce a predetermined contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.