Sprinkler system having individual multi-mode sprinkler heads with convenient pressure reading and adjustment

• US 4,913,351 A
• Filed: 09/18/1987
• Issued: 04/03/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thompson Manufacturing Co.
• Original Assignee: Thompson Manufacturing Co.
• Inventors: Costa, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Application Number:
  US07/098,297
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 239/71, 239/201, 239/203-206, 239/68, 239/69, 239/74, 251/26, 251/30.05, 251/41, 251/46, 137/491, 137/557
• US Class Current: 239/74
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/00 Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 12/008 integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/74 driven by the discharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A sprinkler head having a readily accessible top plug which can be removed and replaced by a pressure-reading gauge that is in fluid communication with the head'"'"'s interior pressure. Each individual sprinkler head includes a manually-adjustable pressure adjusting screw which is accessible at an exposed location for the installed sprinkler head. Pressure adjustment for an individual head, while it is operating in either a manual or an automatic mode, is available. After individual pressure adjustment for a sprinkler head has been performed the gauge is removed and the plug is replaced for normal sprinkler operation.

Claims

1. A sprinkler having a spray nozzle connected to an internal chamber that receives pressurized water to be delivered out through the nozzle, in combination with an adjustable pressure control regulator adjusting the internal water pressure for said sprinkler, and wherein said activating means is manually operable, said combination comprising:

a valve adaptable for connecting the sprinkler to an underground water source, which source may vary in water pressure;

a manually operable activating means connected to said valve and being readily accessible at an exposed ground-level location for said sprinkler, when said sprinkler is installed in the ground, for activating said sprinkler and causing water from said water source to enter into said internal chamber and to spray out from said sprinkler through said sprinkler'"'"'s nozzle;

a pressure reading gauge readable at an above-ground location for said installed sprinkler and connectable into said internal chamber of said sprinkler for indicating the internal water pressure for said sprinkler, said gauge being removable from said sprinkler, at which time said sprinkler can return to its standard sprinkler operation following a pressure reading and adjusting operation;

a pressure adjusting control means in fluid communication with said activating means, said valve, and said internal chamber;

said pressure adjusting control means being characterized by an adjustment means accessible at an exposed ground-level location of said installed sprinkler for adjusting the water pressure within said internal chamber of said sprinkler, said pressure being indicated by said removable gauge while said sprinkler is spraying water out through said nozzle;

a remotely-controlled on/off control means connected in series fluid communication with both of said pressure adjustment means and said manually-operable activating means;

said on/off control means being operable for turning the sprinkler on or off from a remote location; and

said pressure adjustment control means being operable for adjusting said internal pressure of the sprinkler when the sprinkler is "on" from either said manually operable activating means or said remotely-controlled control means.