POSITIVE STATION MODULE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR EXPANDABLE IRRIGATION CONTROLLER
First Claim
1. A modular expandable irrigation controller, comprising:
- control means for manual entry or selection of a watering program;
means for storing the watering program;
processor means for executing the stored watering program and controlling one or more station modules each including a station module circuit for energizing at least one solenoid actuated valve in accordance with the watering program;
means for providing a plurality of receptacles for each removably receiving a station module and for providing an operative connection to the processor means; and
means, including a pivotable locking lever on each station module rotatable about an axis substantially normal to an upperside of each station module, for securing each station module in a corresponding receptacle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular expandable irrigation controller has controls for manual entry or selection of a watering program and a memory for storing the watering program. A processor executes the stored watering program and controls one or more station modules each including a station module circuit for energizing at least one solenoid actuated valve in accordance with the watering program. The irrigation controller has a plurality of receptacles for each removably receiving a station module and for providing an operative connection to the processor. A manually movable locking member is grasped and moved between UNLOCKED and LOCKED positions to positively secure each station module in a corresponding receptacle.
28 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A modular expandable irrigation controller, comprising:
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control means for manual entry or selection of a watering program;
means for storing the watering program;
processor means for executing the stored watering program and controlling one or more station modules each including a station module circuit for energizing at least one solenoid actuated valve in accordance with the watering program;
means for providing a plurality of receptacles for each removably receiving a station module and for providing an operative connection to the processor means; and
means, including a pivotable locking lever on each station module rotatable about an axis substantially normal to an upperside of each station module, for securing each station module in a corresponding receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (4, 7, 8, 10)
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2-3. -3. (Canceled)
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5-6. -6. (Canceled)
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9. (Canceled)
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11. A modular expandable irrigation controller, comprising:
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means for entry or selection of a watering program;
a memory that stores the watering program;
a processor that executes the stored watering program and controls one or more station modules each including a station module circuit for opening and closing at least one valve in accordance with the watering program;
a plurality of receptacles each configured to removably receive a station module and provide a connection to the processor; and
a locking slide bar mounted adjacent the receptacles and manually moveable from an UNLOCKED position to a LOCKED position to simultaneously unsecure and secure a plurality of station modules in the receptacles. - View Dependent Claims (14, 16, 18, 19)
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12-13. -13. (Canceled)
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15. (Canceled)
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17. (Canceled)
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20. (Canceled)
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21. A modular expandable irrigation controller, comprising:
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a plurality of controls that allow manual entry or selection of a watering program;
a memory that stores the watering program;
a plurality of station modules each capable of energizing at least one valve;
a processor connected to the plurality of controls that executes the stored watering program and controls the station modules in accordance with the watering program;
a plurality of receptacles each configured to removably receive a station module and provide an operative connection to the processor; and
a plurality of locking levers, each of the locking levers being pivotably mounted to a corresponding station module with a pivot axis that extends through an upper side of the station module, and each of the locking levers swinging between UNLOCKED and LOCKED positions to respectively release and secure the corresponding station module in a corresponding receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification