Pattern Sprinkler Patents (Class 239/DIG1)
  • Patent number: 5267689
    Abstract: A deflector cap for use in connection with a conventional pop-up or other type of rotary sprinkler head is held in a fixed angular position with respect to the sprinkler head housing by means of a downwardly extending rod that slides within a tube fixedly attached to the sprinkler head housing. An annular array of individually-adjustable, wedge-shaped, flat deflector plates is mounted to the underside of the deflector cap. Each of the deflector plates is formed to have an outer wide end and an inner narrow end. The inner end of each of the deflector plates is hingedly attached to the deflector cap at a uniform radial distance from the center of the deflector cap, thereby permitting vertical movement of the outer ends of each of the deflector plates. Vertical movement of the individual deflector plates is facilitated by a screw adjustment mechanism associated with each of the deflector plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Inventor: Karl Forer
  • Patent number: 5248093
    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 site 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: November 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Frank M. Pleasants
  • Patent number: 5238188
    Abstract: An impact drive sprinkler including a body defining a nozzle arranged to provide a stream of pressurized liquid; spring loaded stream deflector and hammer apparatus for intermittently engaging the stream and providing in response to the engagement a force causing intermittent rotation of the body about a rotation axis; and apparatus for selectably limiting the amplitude of motion of the deflector and hammer apparatus and thus determining the direction of rotation of the body and the overall range of the resulting spray. The selectably limiting apparatus has first and second orientations corresponding to rotation of the sprinkler in respective forward and return directions and comprises a first hammer engagement surface that is engaged when the sprinkler is rotating in the forward direction. The first hammer engagement surface is arranged such that hammer engagement therewith retains the apparatus for selectably limiting in the first orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Naan Irrigation Systems
    Inventors: Michael Lerner, Moshe Gorney
  • Patent number: 5226599
    Abstract: A flush sprinkler has a sprinkler unit raisable and lowerable in hydraulic manner in a shaft and, several nozzle units, which, as required, can be switched into a sprinkling state with an upper nozzle selecting handle and whose nozzle jets can be modified independently by a jet spreading member adjustable with an associated jet adjusting handle. There are also rings for varying a spray spreading angle as a function of size and position. The handles are raisable and lowerable with the sprinkler unit and therefore easily accessible. For cleaning the bearing of the sprinkler unit, an automatically valve-controlled flushing device is provided. For the reliable draining of the sprinkler, a drain valve is provided directly in the water flow and its body is clipped into a valve bore of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Gardena Kress & Kastner GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Lindermeir, Ram K. Agrawal, Johann Schaffer, Frantz Lopic, Christian Stephany
  • Patent number: 5205491
    Abstract: A static, sector-type water sprinkler producing a variable-sector water-distribution pattern, includes an outlet opening having an effective length around the circumference of its housing which may be manually varied for preselecting the sector angle of the water distribution around the sprinkler. The outlet opening is defined by a helical slot, and its effective lenth is varied by a blocking member which is manually movable with respect to the slot to preselect the portion thereof to be unblocked, and thereby the sector angle of the water to be distributed around the sprinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Lego M. Lemelshtrich Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoram Hadar
  • Patent number: 5192024
    Abstract: A sprinkler having a body with a smooth annular interior surface which converges in a downstream direction to a throat and then diverges to a generally conical depression, the interior surface being fair at the location of the throat to reduce turbulence, the water entering the throat being rotationally swirled by some swirl imparting surfaces upstream of the throat, and the depression containing an impeller which has a conical surface which lies contiguous with the conical surface of the depression, but the conical impeller surface is interrupted and contains discharge channels extending outwardly from near the center of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Inventor: Leonard J. Blee
  • Patent number: 5190222
    Abstract: A spray nozzle assembly having a spray tip formed with an elongated, axially extending 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 transversed to the axis of the chamber, and a pocket extending downstream of the deflector surface a distance significantly greater than the diameter of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Spraying Systems Co.
    Inventor: James Haruch
  • Patent number: 5148990
    Abstract: An adjustable arc spary nozzle is set forth which includes a cylindrical member with an arc set member therein to provide adjustable flow directed into a spray deflector, either stationary or rotary. Modifications are presented to obtain varying effects to the flow. The spray deflector is shown: (1) fixed to the cylindrical member; (2) fixed to the arc set member; and (3) rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5129356
    Abstract: An applicator for applying multiple lines of a fluid to a substrate includes a manifold having a plurality of fluid flow passages with a like plurality of spaced apart fluid outlets and at least one fluid inlet. Fluid spray nozzles are attached to the manifold in fluid flow communication with the fluid outlets of the manifold. The manifold further includes a swivel mounting for allowing the manifold to pivot about an axis parallel to the spray axes of the spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bandy, James W. Sullivan, Philip C. Willis
  • Patent number: 5086977
    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: September 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5083709
    Abstract: A lawn irrigation nozzle having a cylindrical body with a vertically disposed axis with two discharge ports on opposite sides of the body adapted to produce a horizontal spray from each discharge port, a manually rotatable disc adjacent each discharge port adapted to throttle the amount of water flowing outwardly from the discharge port, an inlet port at the bottom of the body, a threaded portion adjacent the inlet port for attaching the nozzle to an irrigation pipe, and a central axial threaded shaft means with a valve plug attached thereto and adapted to open or close the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Inventor: Gary Iwanowski
  • Patent number: 5078320
    Abstract: Water displays utilizing laminar flow streams to create dynamic arch-like displays are disclosed. The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly for changing the angle and repositioning the laminar flow nozzle so that the laminar flow stream appears to eminate from a fixed location at different angles, which allows varying the characteristics of the display in a dynamic manner. Simultaneous control of the nozzle position and angle with control of the pressure of water supplied thereto allows the stream to be varied to create a dynamic display with the stream returning to a sink region at a fixed position independent of the height of the water stream. Illuminating the laminar flow stream internally causes the same to glow like a fluorescent tube with the color being supplied thereto, changeable as desired. Intersecting laminar flow streams provide interesting water formations, with the intersection of two streams of different colors causing still a third color at the flared region of the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Wet Design
    Inventors: Mark W. Fuller, Alan S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5076497
    Abstract: A spray nozzle to discharge liquid material in a pattern which has the same quantity of liquid material in each increment of the pattern. The nozzle may be used in various orientations in which a supply of pressurized liquid is available with the liquid being discharged generally in a lateral direction in relation to the path of movement of the nozzle thereby rendering the nozzle quite effective for use in discharging liquid fertilizer, growth retardant, insect sprays, orchard spray material and the like in an effective manner. In one embodiment of the invention, a nozzle is provided with a discharge passageway, a downwardly opening, inverted U-shaped extension of the passageway and a curved blade diffuser in the inverted U-shaped extension of the passageway to break up the liquid flow into droplets and to cause the droplets to be discharged in a lateral pattern so that a substantial equal quantity of liquid material is discharged in each increment of the path being traversed by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Rabitsch
  • Patent number: 5058806
    Abstract: A pop-up, rotating stream sprinkler device includes an outer housing having a first longitudinal axis, an inlet end adapted for connection to a source of liquid under pressure, a first inner housing telescopically mounted within the outer housing for movement between retracted and extended positions, and having a second longitudinal axis coincident with the first longitudinal axis, and an outlet end provided with a first arcuate slot adapted to discharge a stream of liquid under pressure. A non-rotatable shaft supports at one end thereof a substantially hollow distributor for rotation thereon downstream of the outlet. The other end of the shaft is fixedly mounted in the first inner housing, and the hollow distributor includes an interior chamber enclosing a brake assembly for retarding the rotation of the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Rupar
  • Patent number: 5052620
    Abstract: A rotary water sprinkler includes a plunger reciprocatable within the nozzle to restrict and englarge the nozzle throat so as to enable larger size nozzles to be used for obtaining a larger range, while the reciprocating plunger cyclically restricts and enlarges the nozzle discharge nozzle to restrict the discharge rate. The sprinkler further includes a pivotal arm impacted by the water jet and returned by a spring in order to reciprocate the plunger and also to rotate the sprinkler head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Inventor: Isaac Rinkewich
  • Patent number: 5050800
    Abstract: A full range nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle member having a base at one end with an inlet for connection to a water supply via a riser tube, and a head at the opposite end with a plurality of spaced spray orifices arranged in a ring around the periphery of the head member, with internal passageways connecting each spray orifice to the inlet. The orifices are of varying dimensions and are arranged to produce sprays having at least two different arc widths. Removable plugs in the passageways control the connection of each outlet to the inlet, and a flow control device is adjustable mounted in the spray head for controlling the flow rate of water from the supply into the inlet. Precipitation rate control or adjustment is provided by varying the effective cross-section of the respective passageways according to the arc width of the orifice with which they are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: John W. Lamar
  • Patent number: 5039015
    Abstract: An apparatus readily transportable for positioning adjacent an operative sprinkler head during adjustment and maintenance thereof to protect an individual from the operative sprinkler. The apparatus is defined by a rigid polymeric plate member utilizing a through extending group opening formed therethrough with undulating upper end surface of the grip member to assist in secure grasping of the plate member. The invention may further include utilization of a screen diffuser housing mounted forwardly of the plate member and wherein the diffuser housing may further include an interior sponge layer to diffuse water spray directed from the sprinkler head and to permit absorbtion of the water by the sponge and permit the saturated sponge to direct the water downwardly of the sponge and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Inventor: Allejandro De La Vega, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5039013
    Abstract: A rotating nozzle apparatus that is rotated by the reaction of highly pressurized water wherein, by rotating a nozzle attaching body 6 to vary the distance between a rectilinear propagation nozzle 7 and the rotation axis M of a support 5, the jet area of the rectilinear propagation nozzle which is rotated about the rotation axis of the support can be arbitrarily adjusted. A preferred embodiment comprises an apparatus wherein a rotation suppressing arrangement is positioned to be spaced a predetermined radial distance from the axis C of the nozzle attaching body, and the suppressing force of the rotation suppressing arrangement can be increased from the start where the suppressing force is substantially in the state of no applied load, proportionally to the increase of the rotational speed of the nozzle attaching body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Anzen Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eikan Sawade, Keiko Ojima
  • Patent number: 5027742
    Abstract: A liquid coatings application process and apparatus is provided in which supercritical fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide fluid, are used to reduce to application consistency viscous coatings compositions to allow for their application as liquid sprays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chinsoo Lee, Kenneth L. Hoy, Marc D. Donohue
  • Patent number: 5004157
    Abstract: An improved underground sprinkler system having double action pop-up nozzles. The system has a plurality of removable sprinkler nozzle assemblies each having a longitudinally externally slotted generally cylindrical body residing in a cylindrical filter having a keyway for receipt in the slot, an externally and internally slotted cylindrical extendable sprinkler head that receives the nozzle/filter assembly, and an internally keyed cylindrical base mount that receives the nozzle/filter/ head assembly. In the specific arrangement of the invention fluid pressure entering a bottom passage of the base mount pushes the sprinkler head upward against the bias of a spring attached to the base mount and the sprinkler head, and then the nozzle assembly in the sprinkler head upward against the bias of a second spring attached to the nozzle assembly and the sprinkler head. The key and slot arrangement automatically rests the nozzle and filter after cleaining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Inventor: Ely A. Martell
  • Patent number: 4984740
    Abstract: An improved water-sprinkler having a vertically-pivotal control flap that is adjustably positionable with respect to the outlet of the nozzle, which controls the distances the emerging water-stream will reach. The control flap has an inner bracket-end that is pivotally mounted to a pivot block at the lower end of the bracket end, the upper part of the bracket-end being pivotally connected to a distal end of a control arm that is horizontally-adjustable via a series of circularly-arranged, independently and horizontally-movable sliding reeds or blocks, the distance of these sliding blocks from their radial center determining the horizontal position of the other end of the control arm, and, therefore, the end of the control arm connected to the upper end of the flap, whereby the spacing of the flap from the nozzle-outlet may be cyclically changed according to a desired pattern determined by the relative radial positions of the plurality of sliding blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Inventor: Robert B. Hodge
  • Patent number: 4974779
    Abstract: A screen forming apparatus and method comprises a long pipe of predetermined length floatable in the water, a pump for conveying the water through the pipe, a pipe connecting the pipe with the pump, an air-water device provided with the pipe for mixing the water with air, a number of nozzles disposed along the longitudinal direction of the pipe at predetermined intervals for injecting the water in the form of screen, and a device for producing air curtains flowing along the front and the rear surfaces of the screen in order to maintain the screen substantially uniform in thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Ishikzwajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Araki, Fumihiko Kawamata, Masayuki Ogino, Hitoshi Miyagawa, Toshio Kamata, Mitsuo Watanabe, Kunihiro Miyashita
  • Patent number: 4971256
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler device having a fluid inlet adapted to be secured to a water line, a nozzle head defining a plurality of differently configured or sized outlet orifices therein, a body member disposed between the fluid inlet and the nozzle head, a bearing spindle at least partially disposed within the body member and selectively communicating the fluid inlet with one of the outlet orifices in the nozzle head for obtaining the desired water distribution therefrom. The bearing spindle is mounted for relative rotation between the bearing spindle and the body member. A ball drive is disposed within the body member. The ball drive is operatively connected to the nozzle head and responsive to fluid flow through the bearing spindle to the nozzle head for rotating the nozzle head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: William R. Malcolm
  • Patent number: 4967961
    Abstract: A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a body having a water flow passage in which is disposed a flow control unit having one or more arcuate passages configured to control the volume and pressure of a primary stream delivered to a rotary distributor head rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for dividing each primary stream into a plurality of final streams and rotating each of the final streams through a selected arc during the rotation of the rotary head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4961531
    Abstract: A mechanized irrigation system and method of irrigation is disclosed and claimed. The system 10 comprises a main irrigation pipe 11 carrying a plurality of sprinklers 15 for applying liquid to a land 13 in relatively smaller regions along the pipe 11. A wheeled support structure supports the pipe 11 in a position spaced above land 13. Secondary sprayer carrying pipe 18 is rotatably mounted on and communicates with the main pipe 11. The main pipe 11 is anchored at 14 and is connectable to a hydrant. The arrangement is such that the secondary pipe 18, in use, distributes at least some of the liquid to be applied to the land 13 at a rate higher than the infiltration rate of the land over a larger region thereby to limit run-off of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Inventor: Barend J. M. Nel
  • Patent number: 4955540
    Abstract: Water displays utilizing laminar flow streams to create dynamic arch-like displays are disclosed. The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly for changing the angle and repositioning the laminar flow nozzle so that the laminar flow stream appears to eminate from a fixed location at different angles, which allows varying the characteristics of the display in a dynamic manner. Simultaneous control of the nozzle position and angle with control of the pressure of water supplied thereto allows the stream to be varied to create a dynamic display with the stream returning to a sink region at a fixed position independent of the height of the water stream. Illuminating the laminar flow stream internally causes the same to glow like a fluorescent tube with the color being supplied thereto, changeable as desired. Intersecting laminar flow streams provide interesting water formations, with the intersection of two streams of different colors causing still a third color at the flared region of the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: WET Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Fuller, Alan S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 4948052
    Abstract: A gear driven oscillating sprinkler head includes a reversible gear train for transmitting drive from a drive motor to the oscillating sprinkler head with a shifting mechanism, including a shiftable carrier on which a pair of driving pinions are mounted for shifting alternately into driving engagement with an internal ring gear, with a lost motion connection between a shifting arm and the carrier with a cam controlled shift retainer unit for maintaining the carrier in its engaging position until positively shifted by a shifting arm and over-center springs for biasing and maintaining the shifting arm to the alternate driving engagement positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4944456
    Abstract: A rotary sprinkler having a base member for coupling to an irrigation supply and formed with one or more base member outlets, there being furthermore provided a rotary distributor member of substantially cuspidal shape rotatably mounted with respect to said base member with an apical end thereof adjacent the base member and an opposite broad end thereof remote from the base member, a plurality of distributor passages are formed in a curved surface of the distributor member, each passage extending from a passage inlet located in said apical end adjacent to a base member outlet to a passage outlet located in said broad end, a rotary turbine member is rotatably mounted with respect to the distribution member and provided with a plurality of turbine blades disposed adjacent the passage outlets so that irrigation streams emerging from the passage outlets strike said blades and rotatably displace the turbine member, ball drive means being located between the turbine and distributor members for transmitting the rota
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Dan Mamtirim
    Inventor: Avi Zakai
  • Patent number: 4927083
    Abstract: An improved shower head comprising a length of hollow tubing in the shape of a vertically disposed loop having spaced apart, vertically supported side sections and a horizontally supported bottom section joining respective lower ends of the side sections in which a preferred embodiment of the loop is annular in shape to include a horizontally supported top portion joining respective upper ends of the side sections, the outer wall portions of the tubing forming the outer face of the loop facing the bather containing spaced apart orifices producing a vertically disposed spray pattern. The orifices are located along the tubing wall region of the interior portion of the loop outer face an offset distance from the center line of the outer tubing wall that forms the face of the loop generating a spray pattern having an inwardly directed component around the periphery of the loop or annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: N. Charles Daunt
  • Patent number: 4867379
    Abstract: A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a body having a water flow passage in which is disposed a multi-passage flow control unit having a plurality of passages, each configured to control the volume and pressure of a stream with multiple outlets at the outlet end of the housing, and a rotary distributor cap rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for rotating each of the outlet streams through a selected arc during the rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4867378
    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 and secondary nozzle, the flow to the 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: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Carl L. C. Kah, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4850538
    Abstract: A nozzle for spraying rust proofing material onto automobile panels including an elongate inner tube having an inlet end and axially spaced radially extending slots positioned to provide portions of the slots entirely encircling the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Roy J. Krahn
  • Patent number: 4848667
    Abstract: A novel four passage intake nozzle and valve structure is provided for use with a specially designed, novel water deflection member to provide a pop-up water spray nozzle. The novel intake nozzle and valve structure includes a hollow valve plug, having a lower cylindrical portion provided with four specified longitudinally-extending passages, and an upper cylindrical portion provided with four specified, longitudinally-extending passages the upper and lower passages surrounding a central core. The upper passages are connected to associated lower passages through an associated, smaller diameter aperture. Parts in the valve plug, communicate with an associated one of the four lower passages. An apertured disc, is rotatably movably connected to the valve plug, by means of a shaft disposed within the central, hollow core, the apertured disc having ports therein, the leading edges of the ports therein being adapted to index precisely with the leading edges of selected ports of the valve plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Raleigh Equities Ltd.
    Inventor: George J. Dyck
  • Patent number: 4834292
    Abstract: A novel four passage intake nozzle and valve structure is provided for use with a specially designed, novel water deflection member to provide a pop-up water spray nozzle. The novel intake nozzle and valve structure includes a frusto-conical plug having an upper chamber and a lower portion provided with four specified longitudinally-extending passages surrounding a central core, each passage leading to an associated individual, unconnected, peripheral, longitudinally-extending passage of a four passage cylindrical conduit. Ports are arranged around the conical face of the frusto-conical plug and at at least two locations along its axial length, to communicate with the four specified passages passages. An apertured frusto-conical sleeve, is rotatably movably connected and is disposed about the frusto-conical valve plug, by means of a shaft disposed within the central, hollow core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Raleigh Equities Ltd.
    Inventor: George J. Dyck
  • Patent number: 4819875
    Abstract: A contour control device for use with rotary irrigation sprinklers to water irregular areas about the sprinkler. The device includes a housing defining a chamber within which is disposed a throttling means comprising a flexible, resilient band and a plurality of adjustment pins which cooperate with a rotating inlet to the sprinkler to throttling the volume of water flow to the sprinkler in accordance with the rotary position of the sprinkler relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Glenn I. Beal
  • Patent number: 4815662
    Abstract: A rotary stream sprinkler unit comprises a body having a water flow passage in which is disposed a flow control unit having one or more passages configured to control the volume and pressure of a stream which strikes and rotates a rotary distributor head rotatably mounted at the outlet of the housing for dividing each stream into a plurality of final streams and rotating each of the final streams through a selected arc during the rotation of the rotary head with a damping device connected to the rotary head for controlling the rotational velocity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Edwin J. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4795092
    Abstract: The present invention provides a means for producing a laminar output of fluid which is substantially turbulence free. The present invention utilizes an input tank or enclosure which includes turbulence reducing and flow straightening devices for producing a turbulent free output flow of water. This enclosure uses a tangential input port to introduce water to the enclosures which results in much more uniform and controllable flow profiles of the water through the device. The entire device may be situated entirely beneath the surface of a pool, pond or fountain, with a clear glass or plastic tube extending above the water level to provide a visibly nonintrusive protective path for the laminar output flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Wet Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Fuller
  • Patent number: 4784325
    Abstract: A rotating stream sprinkler is provided with an improved spray head for sweeping one or more outwardly projected water streams through a prescribed arcuate spray path, wherein the spray head is adapted for enhanced self-flushing operation to prevent accumulation of grit and the like which could otherwise impair sprinkler performance. In the preferred form, the spray head is mounted at the upper end of a pop-up stem for movement to an elevated spraying position upon supply of water under pressure to the sprinkler. The water flows to the spray head and normally pressure-loads a plurality of valve balls onto a respective plurality of seats to prevent water flow through the seats to associated nozzle passages. A drive assembly rotates the spray head relative to a nonrotating cam positioned to lift one or more of the valve balls from their respective seats to permit outward discharge of one or more water streams through the nozzle passages, within the limits of the prescribed arcuate path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Rain Bird Consumer Products Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Walker, George H. Lockwood, Kenneth V. McCarthy, Raymond P. Feith
  • Patent number: 4781328
    Abstract: A rotating stream nozzle is provided particularly for use as an irrigation sprinkler, wherein the nozzle provides a plurality of outwardly directed and discrete water streams which are rotated in steps through a prescribed arcuate spray path. The rotating stream nozzle is adapted for mounting onto a water supply conduit and includes a swirl plate through which water under pressure flows with a swirling action into a relatively small drive chamber. The swirling water flow forces a drive ball within the drive chamber to move into repetitious impact engagement with raised anvils formed on the inner diameter surface of a cylindrical rotor lining the drive chamber and mounted for rotation within a nozzle cap. The rotor is displaced through a small rotational step each time the drive ball strikes one of the anvils, and the water is discharged from the nozzle as discrete rotating streams passing through small discharge ports in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: Rain Bird Consumer Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: David E. Robertson
  • Patent number: 4760958
    Abstract: A sprinkler comprises a nozzle head connectable to a source of pressurized water and including a nozzle bore through which the water issues in the form of a jet, and a rotary deflector having an underface formed with a radial array of grooves each having axially-extending inlet ends, radially-extending outlet ends, curved junctures joining the two ends, and curved bottom faces, which grooves are impinged by the water jet and deflect the jet laterally of the sprinkler while rotating the deflector. An adjustable mounting is provided for the rotary deflector enabling it to be mounted with its rotary axis at a plurality of different positions with respect to the axis of the nozzle bore, to vary the water distribution pattern produced by the rotary deflector laterally of the spinkler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Plastro Gvat and Agroteam Consultants Ltd.
    Inventor: Ilan Greenberg
  • Patent number: 4760961
    Abstract: A modular spraying assembly particularly adapted for use with automatic molding or dye casting machines which is characterized by a plurality of identical sprayhead modules which can be mounted in linear relationship to one another to form variable vertical and horizontal columns accomodating the particular design of a mold or dye which may be sprayed. A support hanger and manifold blocks are provided to communicate a source of air pressure and liquid mold release compound or lubricant to each linear column of spray head modules. Each sprayhead module is mounted in communication with the sprayhead modules forming a given linear column via a plurality of parallel bores which form air and liquid supply passages common to all sprayheads in the linear column and through which tie rods extend to provide a convenient connecting means for any given number of sprayhead modules in the linear array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: The Snair Company
    Inventor: Masashi Nagai
  • Patent number: 4739934
    Abstract: Applicant's sprinkler head is molded with a large number (such as twelve or sixteen) of potential orifices and directing channels with the orifices all plugged or occluded with comparatively light barriers or plugs of the molded plastic material which are readily punctured and removed by the user. In this way the user may select among many possible watering patterns including not only the above described full, one-half, and one-fourth circles, but may also choose to punch one orifice, giving a thirty or twenty-two and one-half degree arc, then skip one or two plugs, then punch another plug or two. In this manner one or a number of orifices may remain blocked making it possible to, for example, water a thirty degree arc, skip sixty degrees, water another thirty of sixty degree arc, etc. Many such patterns become possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Inventor: Ytzhak Gewelber
  • Patent number: 4720045
    Abstract: A sprinkler head capable of generally uniform operation under varying local source pressure conditions in a part circle mode wherein reversing directions of movement at the ends of the part circle pattern is accomplished without establishing excessive reversing loads so as to render the sprinkler head acceptable for use as an end gun in a pivot move irrigation system, as well as for use in other systems such as solid set systems and traveling sprinkler systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventor: Larry P. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4711399
    Abstract: A liquid spraying device comprises a nozzle formed with an outlet orifice through which the water exits as a jet flowing parallel to the axis of the nozzle, a laterally-displaceable cup member supported close to and overlying the outlet orifice so as to be impinged by the jet and to reflect it back towards the nozzle, and a deflector surface in the path of the reflected-back liquid, which deflector surface is formed with a plurality of channels extending generally radially of the nozzle and effective to deflect the reflected-back liquid and to concentrate the spray produced by the cup member along the channels. Described are a static-type device in which the deflector surface is formed in the face of the nozzle having the outlet orifice, and rotary-type devices in which the deflector surface is formed in a rotor mounted between the cup member and the face of the nozzle having the outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Inventor: Peretz Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 4708629
    Abstract: A T die for extruding a low viscosity resin film coating especially in the manufacture of adhesive tapes. Uniform extrusion from the die is accomplished by the flow of melted resin from a supply manifold through a large number of narrow passageways into a smaller pressure equalizing manifold and out of a die slit extending the entire width of the die, the width of the die slit being adjustable in order to regulate the unevenness of the yield product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Inventor: Tadashi Kasamatsu
  • Patent number: 4697737
    Abstract: A wind-controlled spraying apparatus is arranged to contain electrical contacts and essential mechanical parts within a single housing and to provide switching contacts on a printed circuit board designed as part of a control circuit for the spraying apparatus. The apparatus includes a nozzle that sprays insecticides into the wind for predetermined periods of time in response to changes in wind direction indicated by a wind-blown conducting tube that contacts only one of the switching contacts on the printed circuit board at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Inventor: George W. Pearce
  • Patent number: 4671462
    Abstract: A sprinkler device including a body on which a tubular spindle is mounted for rotation about a rotational axis relative to the body. The spindle has a fluid inlet in the region of the body and includes a slanted portion projecting from the body at an angle to the rotational axis. A head is rotatably mounted on the slanted portion of the spindle in engagement with the body and includes a fluid discharge member which communicates with the interior of the tubular spindle. The slanted portion of the spindle and the engagement of the head with the body are such that when the spindle rotates relative to the body, the head and the discharge member rotate relative to the body about the rotational axis and also oscillate in a longitudinal direction with respect to the rotational axis during rotation about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Gerardus Johannes Kraaij
    Inventor: Joseph L. Badria
  • Patent number: 4669663
    Abstract: A large capacity agricultural irrigation sprinkler head of the rotary step by step impulse type operating in a part-circle mode with a step by step reversing movement. The sprinkler head embodies an improved sprinkler body including an elongated barrel leading to the outlet having a longitudinal axis intersecting (1) at an included angle greater than 90.degree. with the rotational axis of the sprinkler body and (2) at an angle of 90.degree. with the pivotal axis of the impulse arm assembly at a position spaced outwardly in a downstream direction from the intersection thereof with the sprinkler body rotational axis. The impulse arm is mounted by a yoke pivotally mounted on the barrel about an axis constituting the pivotal axis of the impuse arm for movement between first and second operating positions corresponding to the first and second operating positions of the impulse arm and pivotally connecting with the impulse arm about an axis constituting the oscillating axis of the impulse arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Company
    Inventor: Larry P. Meyer
  • Patent number: 4648558
    Abstract: A sprinkler assembly having a discharge nozzle for discharging water at a substantially constant volume and velocity driven rotatably about a vertical axis by a water turbine and gear drive for rotating said nozzle at varying rotational speeds in each cycle of rotation for varying the quantity of water discharged along the radial land areas extending from the axis of rotation as the length of the radial land area varies when irrigating a non-circular land area. A movable diffuser is mounted on the nozzle and is drivingly connected with the gear drive by a cam arrangement to vary the radial length and pattern of discharge of water corresponding to the rotational speed of the nozzle with the greatest radial length of discharge of water occurring when the nozzle is travelling at its slowest rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Inventor: Benjamin F. Rabitsch
  • Patent number: 4637549
    Abstract: A rotary, impulse water sprinkler having a rotatable water dispensing head includes a water nozzle for directing a stream of water with a movable splash plate extending over the outlet of the nozzle to selectively deflect the water stream issuing from the nozzle to control the distance that the water stream will project from the water nozzle outlet. The impulse water sprinkler has a pivotally mounted impulse device with a vane at one end thereof adapted to be selectively disposed in the water stream from the nozzle outlet thereby causing the dispensing head to rotate. A rotation speed control device is operatively associated with the impulse device to control the amount by which the impulse vane is disposed within the water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: Joel Schwartzman