Sprinkler device

• US 5,086,977 A
• Filed: 09/06/1989
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl L.C. Kah Jr
• Original Assignee: Carl L.C. Kah Jr
• Inventors: Kah, Carl L. C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): WELDON, KEVIN P
• Application Number:
  US07/403,758
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 239/DIG. 1, 239/200-206, 239/230
• US Class Current: 239/205
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/26 with means for mechanically breaking-up or deflecting the jet after discharge, e.g. with fixed deflectors; Breaking-up the discharged liquid or other fluent material by impinging jets
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/262 with fixed deflectors
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/74 driven by the discharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/0431 the rotative movement of the outlet elements being reversible B05B3/0445 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/0454 relative to the angular position of the outlet or to the direction of rotation of the outlet, e.g. for spraying non circular areas
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/01 Pattern sprinkler

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.

Claims

1. A sprinkler having a cylindrical housing, a cover member thereon having an opening, a riser means mounted for axial movement in said cylindrical housing between an extended and retracted position, said riser means extending through said opening in said cover member, a resilient cylindrical sealing means fixed relative to said cover member having a long cylindrical member around said riser means, the inside of said long cylindrical member contacting said riser means for sealing, means for directing water to said cylindrical housing, the outside of said long cylindrical member being open to the inside of said cylindrical housing to sense water pressure thereon when water is directed to said cylindrical housing to move said riser means to its extended position, a flange means extends from said riser means, a coiled spring means is located around said long cylindrical member between said cover member and flange means on said riser means to bias said riser means to its retracted position, said coiled spring means being compressed when said riser means is in its extended position, said long cylindrical member extending downwardly to just below the bottom of the fully compressed coiled spring means to seal with said flange means.

2. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flange means has an annular groove to receive the bottom of said long cylindrical member.

3. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flange means comprises a flange fixed on said riser means with a separate annular ring mounted thereon, said annular ring having a plurality of projections located around its lower surface and said upper surface of said flange having an equal number of mating indentations, the outer edge of said annular flange having a radial projection, the side wall of said cylindrical housing having a longitudinal groove therein, said projection extending into said longitudinal groove to fix said annular flange in place, said projections mating with said indentations maintaining a set relative position between said riser means and cylindrical housing, said riser means can be reset at a different angular position with said cylindrical housing by forcing the projections in one direction or the other over the indentations.

4. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 3 having a nozzle housing mounted for rotation at a setable arc on said riser means, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc movement of said nozzle means, means for direct reading of the arc movement set on said nozzle housing, means for manually rotating said riser member in said housing to position it as desired.

5. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cylindrical housing has a locking lug for receiving a lock wire, a ground supply pipe for directing water to said cylindrical housing, a lock wire connected between said locking lug and said ground supply pipe for preventing rotation of said housing.

6. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flange means comprises a flange fixed on said riser means, a spring retainer ring mounted on said flange, means fixing said spring retainer ring against rotation in said cylindrical housing, holding means to maintain said spring retainer ring and said flange at a set relative position during operation, said holding means having means to permit relative rotation of said flange and spring retainer ring by applying a rotative force on the riser member to overcome said holding means.

7. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 6 wherein said spring retainer ring has an annular groove to receive the bottom of said long cylindrical member.

8. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 7 wherein said holding means comprises engaged projections and mating recesses between said spring retainer ring and said flange whereby said spring retainer ring and said flange can be moved relative to each other by forcing said projections out of said engaged recesses to other recesses.

9. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing mounted for oscillation at a setable arc on said riser member, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, means to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means at a desired angle, means on the top of said nozzle housing for direct reading of the arc of oscillating movement set on said nozzle housing in said retracted "off" position or said extended "operating" position.

10. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing mounted for oscillation at a setable arc on said riser member, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means, means for direct reading of the arc of oscillating movement set on said nozzle housing, flange means on said riser member, said spring means being positioned between said seal means and said flange means, said flange means comprises a flange fixed on said riser member, a spring retainer ring mounted on said flange, means fixing said spring retainer ring against rotation in said housing, holding means to maintain said spring retainer ring and said flange at a set relative position during operation and permit relative rotation between said flange and spring retainer ring by applying a rotative force on the riser member to overcome said holding means.

11. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing mounted for oscillation at a setable arc on said riser member, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means, means for direct reading of the arc of oscillating movement set on said nozzle housing, said cover and housing have a quick connect-disconnect fixing means between them, said cover having a downwardly extending annular flange, said housing having an enlarged top portion to receive said annular flange therein, said top portion and annular flange having a plurality of interlocking radial lugs with axially facing locking surfaces.

12. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing mounted for oscillation at a setable arc on said riser member, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means, means for direct reading of the arc of oscillating movement set on said nozzle housing, means for manually rotating said riser member to properly direct the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means.

13. A combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said riser member is manually rotatable in said housing to properly direct the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means, and means for preventing rotation of said housing.

14. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 12 including means for preventing rotation of said housing.

15. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, said sprinkler housing has a locking lug for receiving a lock wire, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, said means for admitting water including a ground supply pipe, a nozzle housing mounted for oscillation at a setable arc on said riser member, a lock wire connected between said locking lug and said ground supply pipe for preventing rotation of said housing, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means, means for direct reading of the arc of oscillating movement set on said nozzle housing, means for manually rotating said riser member to properly direct the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means.

16. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing mounted on said riser member for oscillation, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, said nozzle means having a fixed flow area nozzle, said nozzle means having a setable oscillating arc of coverage, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the oscillating arc of coverage at a desired angle in said retracted "off" position or in said extended "operating" position, means for direct reading of the oscillating arc set on said nozzle housing.

17. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing mounted on said riser member, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, said nozzle means having a setable arc of coverage, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of coverage, means for direct reading of the arc set on said nozzle housing, means for manually rotating said riser member to properly direct the arc of said nozzle means.

18. A combination as set forth in claim 17 wherein said riser member is manually rotatable in said housing to properly direct the arc of said nozzle means.

19. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing having nozzle means, said nozzle housing being mounted for rotation, a drive means for rotating said nozzle housing, said drive means having reversing means for reversing rotation of said nozzle housing from one direction to the other for oscillation, means rotatable with said nozzle housing for contacting said reversing means to reverse rotation of said nozzle housing to determine the arc of oscillating movement, said means rotatable with said nozzle housing being adjustable to vary the arc of oscillating movement, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means at a desired angle in said retracted "off" position or in said extended "operating" position, means on the top surface of the nozzle housing for direct reading of the arc of oscillating movement set on said nozzle housing.

20. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing having nozzle means, said nozzle housing being mounted for rotation, a drive means for rotating said nozzle housing, said drive means having reversing means for reversing rotation of said nozzle housing from one direction to the other, means rotatable with said nozzle housing for contacting said reversing means to reverse rotation of said nozzle housing to determine the arc of rotation, said means rotatable with said nozzle housing being adjustable to vary the arc movement, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc movement of said nozzle means, means on the top surface of the nozzle housing for direct reading of the arc movement set on said nozzle housing, means for manually rotating said riser member to properly direct the arc movement of said nozzle means.

21. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "off" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "off" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing having nozzle means, said nozzle housing being mounted for rotation, a drive means for rotating said nozzle housing, said drive means having reversing means for reversing rotation of said nozzle housing from one direction to the other for oscillation, said reversing means having contact means to reverse rotation of said nozzle housing at a predetermined arc of oscillating movement, said contact means being adjustable to vary the arc of oscillating movement, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means at a desired angle in said retracted "off" position or in said extended "operating" position, means on the top surface of the nozzle housing for direct reading of the arc of oscillating movement set on said nozzle housing.

22. A combination as set forth in claim 21 wherein said means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc movement of said nozzle means adjusts said contact means.

23. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a rotatable nozzle housing, said sprinkler having water inlet means, two nozzles in said nozzle housing, water driven means in said sprinkler for rotating said nozzle housing, first passage means in said sprinkler for directing a flow of water from said water inlet means through said water driven means to one of said nozzles, second passage means in said sprinkler for directing a flow of water from said water inlet means directly to said other nozzle.

24. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 23 wherein said second passage means includes valving means for controlling the flow of water to said other nozzle.

25. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 23 wherein said second passage means has a first non-rotating annular opening, a second rotating annular opening aligned with said first non-rotating annular opening to control flow to said other nozzle, an annular secondary flow inlet insert located in said first annular opening, a secondary flow control plate controlling flow through said second annular opening.

26. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 25 wherein said secondary flow control plate has a contoured opening for directing a predetermined flow to said other nozzle to produce a desired precipitation pattern, and said annular secondary flow inlet insert has an opening for directing flow from said second passage means to said contoured opening.

27. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 26 wherein said annular secondary flow inlet insert has a second opening, said secondary flow control plate has a third opening to admit additional flow from said second opening to said other nozzle to supplement flow from said contoured opening.

28. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 23 wherein said rotatable nozzle housing includes a chamber at the center thereof forming a portion of the first passage means connected to said one of said nozzles, said rotatable nozzle housing also including an annular chamber around said center chamber forming a portion of the second passage means connected to said other nozzle.

29. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 28 wherein valving means is provided to control the flow of water entering said annular chamber.

30. A sprinkler as set forth in claim 28 including means for oscillating said nozzle housing, means on the exterior of said nozzle housing for setting said nozzles at a desired arc of coverage and indicating said desired arc of coverage.

31. A combination as set forth in claim 30 including means on the top of said nozzle housing for direct reading of the arc set on said nozzle housing.

32. A combination as set forth in claim 30 wherein said means for indicating the desired arc of coverage also indicates the proper direction of the arc of coverage.

33. A rotary drive sprinkler comprising a riser member for receiving a supply of water, a nozzle assembly means for directing water therefrom, said nozzle assembly means having a nozzle, said riser member having an output shaft means, said output shaft means connected to said nozzle assembly means, a rotary drive assembly in said riser member, said rotary drive assembly having an output means for driving said output shaft means, said rotary drive assembly having a reversing mechanism including means for reversing the direction of rotation of said output means to obtain oscillation of said output shaft means, two angular limit contact means rotatable with said nozzle assembly means, said reversing mechanism having actuation means for engagement by said two angular limit contact means for changing the direction of rotation of said nozzle assembly, setting means on said nozzle assembly means for setting the relative position of said contact means to obtain a desired angle of oscillation, wherein said setting means includes indicating means on the top of said nozzle assembly means for reading out the angle of oscillation, means for rotating said riser member to properly align said angle of oscillation in a desired direction.

34. A rotary drive sprinkler comprising a riser member for receiving a supply of water, a nozzle assembly means for directing water therefrom, said nozzle assembly means having a nozzle, said riser member having an output shaft means, said output shaft means connected to said nozzle assembly means, a rotary drive assembly in said riser member, said rotary drive assembly having an output means for driving said output shaft means, said rotary drive assembly having a reversing mechanism including means for reversing the direction of rotation of said output means to obtain oscillation of said output shaft means, setable limit contact means for setting an angle of oscillation, said reversing mechanism having actuation means for engagement by said setable limit contact means for changing the direction of rotation of said nozzle assembly, indicating means on the exterior of the top of said nozzle assembly means for reading out the angle of oscillation, means for manually rotationally positioning said indicated angle of oscillation in a proper direction to obtain desired ground coverage.

35. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a riser member, a nozzle housing mounted for oscillation at a setable arc on said riser member, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, reversing drive means in said riser member, setting means on the top of said nozzle housing for setting the desired angle of oscillation of said reversing drive means to oscillate said nozzle means at a desired angle of oscillation to obtain desired ground coverage in a specific direction, slip means between said setting means and said nozzle housing, second slip means connecting said drive means to said nozzle housing for driving it, said first and second slip means providing for improper rotation of said nozzle housing without damaging said reversing drive means or setting means.

36. A combination as set forth in claim 35 wherein said first and second slip means provides for maintaining said angle of oscillation at its desired angle after improper rotation, said desired angle while remaining the same is not directed to said specific direction.

37. A combination as set forth in claim 36 wherein a third slip means is located between said riser member and a base housing for permitting rotation of said riser member in said housing to allow repositioning of the nozzle housing to obtain ground coverage in a specific direction.

38. A rotary drive sprinkler comprising a sprinkler housing for receiving a supply of water, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "OFF" position, a nozzle housing mounted on said riser member, said nozzle housing having a nozzle for directing water therefrom, said nozzle housing having a top, said riser member having an output shaft means, said output shaft means connected to said nozzle housing, a rotary drive means in said riser member for driving said output shaft means, said rotary drive means having a reversing mechanism including means for reversing the direction of rotation of said output shaft means to obtain oscillation of said output shaft means, two angular limit contact means for setting a desired angle of oscillation of said nozzle housing, means mounting said two angular limit contact means for relative rotational movement to change the desired angle of oscillation of said nozzle housing, setting means on said nozzle housing for changing the relative position of said angular limit contact means to each other in said retracted "OFF" position or in said extended "operating" position to obtain a desired angle of oscillation, indicating means on the exterior of said nozzle housing for reading out the angle of oscillation.

39. A combination as set forth in claim 38 wherein said indicating means also indicates the direction of the angle of oscillation.

40. A combination as set forth in claim 38 wherein said indicating means is on the top of said nozzle housing.

41. A combination as set forth in claim 38 wherein said setting means on said nozzle housing has a rod connected to said angular limit contact means.

42. A combination as set forth in claim 38 wherein said indicating means has two relatively movable indicators, one indicator being aligned with the nozzle, the other indicator indicates the angle of oscillation, said other indicator being located in the center of the exterior of the top of said nozzle housing.

43. A combination as set forth in claim 38 wherein said sprinkler housing has a locking lug for receiving a lock wire, a ground supply pipe admitting water to said sprinkler housing for directing water to said riser member, a lock wire connected between said locking lug and said ground supply pipe for preventing rotation of said housing.

44. A rotary drive sprinkler comprising a sprinkler housing for receiving a supply of water, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "OFF" position, a nozzle housing mounted on said riser member, said nozzle housing having a nozzle for directing water therefrom, said nozzle housing having a top, said riser member having an output shaft means, said output shaft means connected to said nozzle housing, a rotary drive means in said riser member for driving said output shaft means, said rotary drive means having a reversing mechanism including means for reversing the direction of rotation of said output shaft means to obtain oscillation of said output shaft means, two angular limit contact means for setting a desired angle of oscillation of said nozzle housing, means mounting said two angular limit contact means for relative rotational movement to change the desired angle of oscillation of said nozzle housing, setting means on said nozzle housing for changing the relative position of said angular limit contact means to each other to obtain a desired angle of oscillation, indicating means on the exterior of said nozzle housing for reading out the angle of oscillation, said indicating means also indicates the direction of the angle of oscillation, said riser member has means allowing the riser member to be manually rotated within said sprinkler housing without rotating the housing to align said indicated angle of oscillation to the area to be covered on the ground.

45. A sprinkler, said sprinkler having a housing, a riser member in said housing, a cover on the top of said housing, said riser member extending through an opening in said cover for movement between an extended "operating" position and a retracted "OFF" position, seal means between said cover and said riser member, spring means for placing said riser member in its retracted "OFF" position, means for admitting water to said housing below said riser member for placing said riser member in its extended "operating" position, a nozzle housing mounted for oscillation at a setable arc on said riser member, said nozzle housing having nozzle means, means on the top of said nozzle housing to set the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means, means for manually rotating said riser member to properly direct the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means.

46. A combination as set forth in claim 45 wherein said riser member is manually rotatable in said sprinkler housing to properly direct the arc of oscillating movement of said nozzle means, and means for preventing rotation of said sprinkler housing.