Multi-outlet emitter and method
First Claim
1. A multi-outlet emitter adapted for irrigation purposes comprisinga body defining an inlet adapted for connection to a pressurized fluid source, said body being disposed on a vertically disposed central longitudinal axis thereof,at least three separate outlets each communicating with said inlet and exposed exteriorly on said body, andat least three emitter means each releasably connected to a respective one of said outlets for discharging said fluid at selectively varied flow rates therefrom, said outlets and said emitter means being solely spaced one-from-another circumferentially about an outer side of said body and said axis to at least substantially lie in a same horizontally disposed plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An emitter has a plurality of circumferentially disposed fittings releasably connected thereon. A pressure-compensated flow control valve is mounted in at least some of the fittings and the control valves have varied flow rates. A plug is inserted into outlets from the emitter not having a fitting/control valve mounted therein. The emitter is adapted to replace a standard sprinkler head of a sprinkler circuit to provide the circuit with both sprinkler and micro-irrigation capabilities.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A multi-outlet emitter adapted for irrigation purposes comprising
a body defining an inlet adapted for connection to a pressurized fluid source, said body being disposed on a vertically disposed central longitudinal axis thereof, at least three separate outlets each communicating with said inlet and exposed exteriorly on said body, and at least three emitter means each releasably connected to a respective one of said outlets for discharging said fluid at selectively varied flow rates therefrom, said outlets and said emitter means being solely spaced one-from-another circumferentially about an outer side of said body and said axis to at least substantially lie in a same horizontally disposed plane.
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14. A method for selectively varying the individual flow rates for a multi-outlet emitter adapted for irrigation purposes comprises the steps of
exposing a plurality of separate outlets defined exteriorly on said emitter, connecting a first tubular fitting, having a first flow control valve exhibiting a first flow rate, to one of said outlets, connecting a second tubular fitting, having a second flow control valve exhibiting a second flow rate different than said first flow rate, to another one of said outlets, and replacing a standard sprinkler, threadably connected to external screw threads formed at an outlet from a standard one-half inch riser pipe, with said multi-outlet emitter by threadably connecting internal screw threads formed at an inlet to said emitter to the external screw threads formed at the outlet from said riser pipe.
Specification