Traveling sprinkler radio-controlled mechanism and warning device

• US 4,146,049 A
• Filed: 07/28/1977
• Issued: 03/27/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ag-Rain Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ag-Rain Incorporated
• Inventors: Behrends, Deane O., Kruse, Frederick V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US05/819,885
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 137/344, 137/551, 239/70, 239/71, 239/72, 239/177, 239/183, 239/189, 239/191, 239/195, 239/212, 239/213
• US Class Current: 239/748
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/09 Watering arrangements making use of movable installations on wheels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 25/16 Control of watering
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

A traveling sprinkler radio-controlled mechanism and warning device which obtains an adequate and controlled duration of watering at opposed ends of a field to be watered while concurrently insuring that over-watering will not occur whenever an unattended traveling sprinkler stops for any reason whatever. A re-settable time delay means is employed which obviates a common deficiency of under-watering at the opposed ends of the field while also preventing over-watering which heretofore occurred whenever an unscheduled stop occurred or where no shut down of the pump was provided for at the far end of the field. Radio transmitter and receiver means are used to transmit and receive a shutoff signal for a pump supplying water to the traveling sprinkler whenever the traveling sprinkler stops.

Claims

1. In a traveling sprinkler having a self-contained drive mechanism for imparting motion to a traveling sprinkler, the combination comprising:

(a) a pump for supplying water to said traveling sprinkler,

(b) valve means for actuating said self-contained drive mechanism,

(c) time delay means for delaying the initial actuation of said drive mechanism and for timing the transmission of a radio signal for shutting off said pump for a preset time period after motion of the traveling sprinkler has ceased,

(d) radio transmitter means carried by said traveling sprinkler,

(1) said radio transmitter means transmitting a shutoff signal for controlling a power source for said pump,

(e) and a first radio receiver means for receiving said shutoff signal from said radio transmitter means and for controlling a power source for said pump.

2. A traveling sprinkler having a self-contained drive mechanism as defined in claim 1, including means of monitoring the continued motion of said traveling sprinkler.

3. A traveling sprinkler having a self-contained drive mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for monitoring the continued operation of said traveling sprinkler includes switch means carried by said traveling sprinkler for re-setting said time delay means.

4. A traveling sprinkler as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for monitoring the continued operation of said traveling sprinkler includes switch means and switch actuating means cooperatively mounted between the frame and a wheel of said traveling sprinkler.

5. A traveling sprinkler having a self-contained drive mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said switch means consists of a microswitch and said switch actuator means consists of a magnet.

6. A traveling sprinkler having a self-contained drive mechanism as defined in claim 1, including a second radio receiver means mounted in a position remote from said traveling sprinkler adapted to receive an alarm signal indicative of the stopping of said traveling sprinkler.