Unitized sprinkler assembly with adjustable water control mechanism

• US 5,645,218 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: L.R. Nelson Corporation (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Kruer, Thomas R., Heren, Lawrence P., Hayes, Jerry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Application Number:
  US08/451,828
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 239/237, 239/240, 239/242, 239/263.3, 239/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 239/242
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/3026 the controlling element being a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock B05B1/3006, B05B1/326 take precedence; gate valves or sliding valves in general F16K3/00; cocks in general F16K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/625 designed to be placed on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 3/044 Tubular elements holding several outlets, e.g. apertured tubes, oscillating about an axis substantially parallel to the tubular element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 239/01 Pattern sprinkler

Abstract

Unitized sprinkler assembly including a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end, a manually adjustable control mechanism carried by the housing assembly, a sprinkler head assembly having an inlet end disposed to receive water under pressure flowing from the outlet end of the housing assembly, a base assembly constructed and arranged to support the assemblies on a ground area to be sprinkled, a structural connection between the sprinkler head assembly and the housing assembly constructed and arranged to enable the sprinkler head assembly to oscillate about an oscillatory axis with respect to the housing assembly, an oscillating mechanism mounted in the housing assembly constructed and arranged to be operated by the flow of water under pressure and connected with the sprinkler head assembly to oscillate the sprinkler head assembly about the oscillatory axis through repeated oscillating head cycles, an adjusting mechanism constructed and arranged to enable the distance of the head stroke of each oscillating head cycle to be adjusted within a range between a minimum head stroke distance and a maximum head stroke distance, and a control member to control selectively the width of the spray patter discharged from the sprinkler head assembly. The housing assembly may include first and second housing assemblies.

Claims

1. A unitized sprinkler assembly comprising

a first housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end,

a second housing assembly having an inlet end and a spaced outlet end,

the inlet end of said second housing assembly being constructed and arranged to mate with the outlet end of said first housing assembly and being connected in water pressure communicating relation therewith,

a manually adjustable control mechanism carried by said first housing assembly between the inlet end and outlet end thereof constructed and arranged to control the flow of water under pressure from the inlet end thereof to the outlet end thereof in accordance with the manual adjustment of said manually adjustable control mechanism,

a sprinkler head assembly having an inlet end disposed to receive water under pressure flowing from the outlet end of said second housing assembly,

a base assembly constructed and arranged to support all of said assemblies on a ground area to be sprinkled and having said assemblies disposed in supported relation thereon,

a structural connection between said sprinkler head assembly and said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to enable said sprinkler head assembly to oscillate about an oscillatory axis with respect to said second housing assembly,

an oscillating mechanism mounted in said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to be operated by the flow of water under pressure between the inlet end and outlet end of said second housing assembly and connected with said sprinkler head assembly to oscillate said sprinkler head assembly about said oscillatory axis through repeated oscillating head cycles,

said sprinkler head assembly being constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure flowing through the inlet end thereof in a predetermined stream configuration so as to be distributed on the ground to be sprinkled in a predetermined water pattern determined by the oscillating head cycle thereof,

each of said oscillating head cycles including a head stroke in one direction and a return head stroke in the opposite direction so that a corresponding dimension of said water pattern corresponds with the distance of the head stroke of each oscillating head cycle, and

an adjusting mechanism constructed and arranged to enable the distance of the head stroke of each oscillating head cycle to be adjusted within a range between a minimum head stroke distance and a maximum head stroke distance so as to vary the corresponding dimension of said water pattern within a range between a minimum dimension and a maximum dimension.

2. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first housing assembly includes a peripheral wall portion extending axially between said inlet end and said outlet end, said manually adjustable control mechanism including a cam slot formed in said peripheral wall portion to extend from one end thereof peripherally to an opposite end thereof displaced axially from the one end thereof a distance substantially less than the peripheral distance between the ends thereof, an inlet cylindrical wall communicating in water pressure relation with said first housing inlet end extending axially within an inlet end of said peripheral wall portion, an outlet cylindrical wall communicating with said first housing assembly outlet end extending axially within an outlet end of said peripheral wall portion, a movable cylindrical wall having opposite end portions disposed in sealed telescoping relation with said inlet and outlet cylindrical walls, a handle fixed with respect to said movable cylindrical wall and extending within said cam slot outwardly thereof in a position to be manually engaged, said handle being constructed and arranged with respect to said cam slot to be guided axially by said cam slot when manually moved through a peripheral extent thereof so that the axial position of said handle within said cam slot determines the axial position of said movable cylindrical wall in telescoping relation with said input and output cylindrical walls, said movable cylindrical wall and one of said input and output cylindrical walls having cooperating flow control surfaces movable relatively axially toward and away from one another as said movable cylindrical wall is moved axially with the handle in response to a manual peripheral movement thereof, said cooperating flow control surfaces being constructed and arranged to vary the flow from said inlet through said cylindrical walls to said outlet in accordance with the position of said handle within said cam slot.

3. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said oscillating mechanism comprises a water jet and impeller reversing assembly within said second housing assembly which includes a movable member constructed and arranged to be moved between first and second positions, a rotatable impeller, structural surfaces for directing a continuous supply of water under pressure from the inlet end of said second housing assembly in jet formation onto said impeller to rotate the same, and a rotatable output member, the arrangement being such that when said movable member is in said first position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in one direction and when said movable member is in said second position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in an opposite direction, a planetary gear assembly mounted within said second housing assembly comprising a multiplicity of gears including coaxial sun and ring gears and carrier mounted planetary gears in meshing relation between coaxial sun and ring gears, one of said ring gears being a movable ring gear mounted within said second housing assembly to be moved arcuately about an axis thereof between first and second positions, said movable ring gear being connected with the movable member to move said movable member (1) from the first position thereof into the second position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) from the second position of said movable member into the first position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the second position thereof into the first position thereof, said multiplicity of gears including an input gear connected to be moved about the axis of said movable ring gear by the rotatable output member and an output gear movable about the axis of said ring gear and connected to move said sprinkler head assembly about the oscillating axis thereof in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said output gear, said adjusting mechanism including a stop system acting between said sprinkler head assembly and said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to determine first and second stopping positions for said sprinkler head assembly, the arrangement being such that said sprinkler head assembly is moved about the oscillating axis thereof (1) in a direction toward said first stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the first position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said one direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said first stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said one direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said ring gear to be moved about its axis from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) in an opposite direction toward said second stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the second position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said opposite direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said second stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly and output gear is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said opposite direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said movable ring gear to be moved about its axis from the second position thereof to the first position thereof.

4. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said adjusting mechanism includes first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions, said first and second rings having first and second fixed stop surfaces thereon disposed in arcuately spaced relation to one another when said rings are in first and second selected adjustment positions, said sprinkler head assembly having cooperating first and second stop surfaces thereon disposed in a position to engage said fixed first and second stop surfaces at the end of each head stroke and return stroke of said sprinkler head assembly respectively, said first and second rings each being split so as to define a pair of side-by-side end portions having (1) a pair of pinching elements fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom so as to present oppositely facing digital engaging surfaces and (2) a pair of short arcuate sections having a plurality of inwardly facing serrations on the interior thereof, said annular housing section having a series of outwardly facing serrations on the exterior surface thereof of a size and shape to mesh with the plurality of serrations of said arcuate sections, said first and second rings each being constructed and arranged to be moved from any first or second selected adjustment position respectively to any other first or second selected adjustment position respectively within the first or second ranges of adjustment positions respectively by (1) digitally engaging the digital engaging surfaces of the associated pinching elements, (2) pinching the digital engaging surfaces toward one another to enlarge the interior circumference of the associated ring and displace the associated inwardly facing serrations with respect to the outwardly facing serrations of the annular housing section, (3) moving the associated ring from the one selected adjustment position arcuately in the appropriate direction into the other selected adjustment position while retaining the associated pinching elements in pinched relation and (4) releasing the associated pinching elements after the arcuate movement of the associated ring into the other selected adjustment position to engage the associated inwardly facing serrations in meshing relation with the engaged outwardly facing serrations of said annular housing section.

5. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said manually adjustable control mechanism comprises a water flow valve carried by said first housing assembly adjacent the inlet end thereof constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a closed position preventing the flow of water under pressure from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof and (2) an open position permitting the flow of water under pressure from the inlet end to the outlet end thereof, a valve-moving mechanism carried by said first housing assembly constructed and arranged to be manually moved away from a valve-closing position into a selected watering position within a range of watering positions between a minimum watering position and a maximum watering position, said valve-moving mechanism being constructed and arranged with respect to said flow control valve to enable the flow control valve to be (1) in the closed position thereof when said valve-moving mechanism is in the valve-closing position thereof and (2) in the open position thereof when said valve-moving mechanism is within the range of watering positions thereof, a constant stroke producing mechanism carried by said first housing assembly including an oscillating input member connected with said oscillating mechanism to be moved thereby through repeated oscillating input cycles corresponding to the repeated oscillating head cycles said sprinkler head assembly is moved by said oscillating mechanism and a constant stroke output member constructed and arranged to produce a movement stroke of a constant distance for each head cycle irrespective of the stroke distance within said range of stroke distances of each head cycle, and a motion-transmitting assembly carried by said first housing assembly constructed and arranged to transmit the movement strokes of said constant stroke output member to said valve-moving mechanism to move said valve-moving mechanism from a selected watering position within said range of watering positions into said valve-closing position so that the amount of water delivered to the water pattern per unit area is determined by the selected watering position irrespective of the corresponding dimension of the pattern within said range of dimensions.

6. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said oscillating mechanism comprises a water jet and impeller reversing assembly within said second housing assembly which includes a movable member constructed and arranged to be moved between first and second positions, a rotatable impeller, structural surfaces for directing a continuous supply of water under pressure from the inlet end of said second housing assembly in jet formation onto said impeller to rotate the same, and a rotatable output member, the arrangement being such that when said movable member is in said first position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in one direction and when said movable member is in said second position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in an opposite direction, a planetary gear assembly mounted within said second housing assembly comprising a multiplicity of gears including coaxial sun and ring gears and carrier mounted planetary gears in meshing relation between coaxial sun and ring gears, one of said ring gears being a movable ring gear mounted within said second housing assembly to be moved arcuately about an axis thereof between first and second positions, said movable ring gear being connected with the movable member to move said movable member (1) from the first position thereof into the second position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) from the second position of said movable member into the first position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the second position thereof into the first position thereof, said multiplicity of gears including an input gear connected to be moved about the axis of said movable ring gear by the rotatable output member and an output gear movable about the axis of said ring gear and connected to move said sprinkler head assembly about the oscillating axis thereof in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said output gear, said adjusting mechanism including a stop system acting between said sprinkler head assembly and said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to determine first and second stopping positions for said sprinkler head assembly, the arrangement being such that said sprinkler head assembly is moved about the oscillating axis thereof (1) in a direction toward said first stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the first position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said one direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said first stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said one direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said ring gear to be moved about its axis from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) in an opposite direction toward said second stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the second position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said opposite direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said second stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly and output gear is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said opposite direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said movable ring gear to be moved about its axis from the second position thereof to the first position thereof.

7. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said adjusting mechanism includes first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions, said first and second rings having first and second fixed stop surfaces thereon disposed in arcuately spaced relation to one another when said rings are in first and second selected adjustment positions, said sprinkler head assembly having cooperating first and second stop surfaces thereon disposed in a position to engage said fixed first and second stop surfaces at the end of each head stroke and return stroke of said sprinkler head assembly respectively, said first and second rings each being split so as to define a pair of side-by-side end portions having (1) a pair of pinching elements fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom so as to present oppositely facing digital engaging surfaces and (2) a pair of short arcuate sections having a plurality of inwardly facing serrations on the interior thereof, said annular housing section having a series of outwardly facing serrations on the exterior surface thereof of a size and shape to mesh with the plurality of serrations of said arcuate sections, said first and second rings each being constructed and arranged to be moved from any first or second selected adjustment position respectively to any other first or second selected adjustment position respectively within the first or second ranges of adjustment positions respectively by (1) digitally engaging the digital engaging surfaces of the associated pinching elements, (2) pinching the digital engaging surfaces toward one another to enlarge the interior circumference of the associated ring and displace the associated inwardly facing serrations with respect to the outwardly facing serrations of the annular housing section, (3) moving the associated ring from the one selected adjustment position arcuately in the appropriate direction into the other selected adjustment position while retaining the associated pinching elements in pinched relation and (4) releasing the associated pinching elements after the arcuate movement of the associated ring into the other selected adjustment position to engage the associated inwardly facing serrations in meshing relation with the engaged outwardly facing serrations of said annular housing section.

8. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said oscillating mechanism comprises a water jet and impeller reversing assembly within said second housing assembly which includes a movable member constructed and arranged to be moved between first and second positions, a rotatable impeller, structural surfaces for directing a continuous supply of water under pressure from the inlet end of said second housing assembly in jet formation onto said impeller to rotate the same, and a rotatable output member, the arrangement being such that when said movable member is in said first position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in one direction and when said movable member is in said second position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in an opposite direction, a planetary gear assembly mounted within said second housing assembly comprising a multiplicity of gears including coaxial sun and ring gears and carrier mounted planetary gears in meshing relation between coaxial sun and ring gears, one of said ring gears being a movable ring gear mounted within said second housing assembly to be moved arcuately about an axis thereof between first and second positions, said movable ring gear being connected with the movable member to move said movable member (1) from the first position thereof into the second position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) from the second position of said movable member into the first position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the second position thereof into the first position thereof, said multiplicity of gears including an input gear connected to be moved about the axis of said movable ring gear by the rotatable output member and an output gear movable about the axis of said ring gear and connected to move said sprinkler head assembly about the oscillating axis thereof in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said output gear, said adjusting mechanism including a stop system acting between said sprinkler head assembly and said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to determine first and second stopping positions for said sprinkler head assembly, the arrangement being such that said sprinkler head assembly is moved about the oscillating axis thereof (1) in a direction toward said first stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the first position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said one direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said first stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said one direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said ring gear to be moved about its axis from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) in an opposite direction toward said second stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the second position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said opposite direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said second stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly and output gear is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said opposite direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said movable ring gear to be moved about its axis from the second position thereof to the first position thereof.

9. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said adjusting mechanism includes first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions, said first and second rings having first and second fixed stop surfaces thereon disposed in arcuately spaced relation to one another when said rings are in first and second selected adjustment positions, said sprinkler head assembly having cooperating first and second stop surfaces thereon disposed in a position to engage said fixed first and second stop surfaces at the end of each head stroke and return stroke of said sprinkler head assembly respectively, said first and second rings each being split so as to define a pair of side-by-side end portions having (1) a pair of pinching elements fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom so as to present oppositely facing digital engaging surfaces and (2) a pair of short arcuate sections having a plurality of inwardly facing serrations on the interior thereof, said annular housing section having a series of outwardly facing serrations on the exterior surface thereof of a size and shape to mesh with the plurality of serrations of said arcuate sections, said first and second rings each being constructed and arranged to be moved from any first or second selected adjustment position respectively to any other first or second selected adjustment position respectively within the first or second ranges of adjustment positions respectively by (1) digitally engaging the digital engaging surfaces of the associated pinching elements, (2) pinching the digital engaging surfaces toward one another to enlarge the interior circumference of the associated ring and displace the associated inwardly facing serrations with respect to the outwardly facing serrations of the annular housing section, (3) moving the associated ring from the one selected adjustment position arcuately in the appropriate direction into the other selected adjustment position while retaining the associated pinching elements in pinched relation and (4) releasing the associated pinching elements after the arcuate movement of the associated ring into the other selected adjustment position to engage the associated inwardly facing serrations in meshing relation with the engaged outwardly facing serrations of said annular housing section.

10. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjusting mechanism includes first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions, said first and second rings having first and second fixed stop surfaces thereon disposed in arcuately spaced relation to one another when said rings are in first and second selected adjustment positions, said sprinkler head assembly having cooperating first and second stop surfaces thereon disposed in a position to engage said fixed first and second stop surfaces at the end of each head stroke and return stroke of said sprinkler head assembly respectively, said first and second rings each being split so as to define a pair of side-by-side end portions having (1) a pair of pinching elements fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom so as to present oppositely facing digital engaging surfaces and (2) a pair of short arcuate sections having a plurality of inwardly facing serrations on the interior thereof, said annular housing section having a series of outwardly facing serrations on the exterior surface thereof of a size and shape to mesh with the plurality of serrations of said arcuate sections, said first and second rings each being constructed and arranged to be moved from any first or second selected adjustment position respectively to any other first or second selected adjustment position respectively within the first or second ranges of adjustment positions respectively by (1) digitally engaging the digital engaging surfaces of the associated pinching elements, (2) pinching the digital engaging surfaces toward one another to enlarge the interior circumference of the associated ring and displace the associated inwardly facing serrations with respect to the outwardly facing serrations of the annular housing section, (3) moving the associated ring from the one selected adjustment position arcuately in the appropriate direction into the other selected adjustment position while retaining the associated pinching elements in pinched relation and (4) releasing the associated pinching elements after the arcuate movement of the associated ring into the other selected adjustment position to engage the associated inwardly facing serrations in meshing relation with the engaged outwardly facing serrations of said annular housing section.

11. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second housing assemblies are disposed in supported relation on said base assembly so that the inlet and outlet ends thereof extend generally in alignment with one another in a direction generally parallel to the ground area on which the base assembly supports said first and second housing assemblies with the oscillatory axis of said sprinkler head assembly extending generally in the same parallel direction, said sprinkler head assembly being constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure flowing through the inlet end thereof in a fan-shaped multi-stream configuration.

12. A unitized sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first housing assembly is supported on said base assembly so that the inlet and outlet ends thereof extend generally in alignment with one another in a direction generally parallel to the ground area on which the base assembly supports said first housing assembly, said second housing assembly being supported on said base assembly so that the inlet and outlet ends thereof are generally in alignment in a direction generally perpendicular to the ground area on which the base assembly supports said second housing assembly with the oscillatory axis of said sprinkler head assembly extending generally in the same perpendicular direction, said sprinkler head assembly being constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure flowing through the inlet end thereof in a configuration which includes an upwardly and outwardly extending main stream.

13. A sprinkler assembly comprising

a housing assembly including an inlet end constructed and arranged to be communicated with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end,

a sprinkler head assembly connected in water pressure communicating relation with said housing assembly outlet end constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure received from said housing assembly outlet end in a predetermined stream configuration therefrom,

said housing assembly including a peripheral wall portion extending axially between the inlet end and the outlet end of said housing assembly,

said peripheral wall portion having a cam slot formed therein to extend from one end thereof peripherally to an opposite end thereof displaced axially from the one end thereof a distance substantially less than the peripheral distance between the ends thereof,

said housing assembly inlet end communicating with an inlet cylindrical wall extending axially within an inlet end of said peripheral wall portion,

said housing assembly outlet end communicating with an outlet cylindrical wall extending axially within an outlet end of said peripheral wall portion,

a movable cylindrical wall having opposite end portions disposed in sealed telescoping relation with said inlet and outlet cylindrical walls,

a handle fixed with respect to said movable cylindrical wall and extending within said cam slot outwardly thereof in a position to be manually engaged,

said handle being constructed and arranged with respect to said cam slot to be guided axially by said cam slot when manually moved through a peripheral extent thereof so that the axial position of said handle within said cam slot determines the axial position of said movable cylindrical wall in telescoping relation with said input and output cylindrical walls,

said movable cylindrical wall and one of said input and output cylindrical walls having cooperating flow control surfaces movable relatively axially toward and away from one another as said movable cylindrical wall is moved axially with the handle in response to a manual peripheral movement thereof,

said cooperating flow control surfaces being constructed and arranged to vary the flow through said cylindrical walls in accordance with the position of said handle within said cam slot.

14. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein a cylindrical wall portion concentric with said movable cylindrical wall extends outwardly from an inner end of said handle, said cylindrical wall portion having an exterior periphery disposed in sliding engagement with an interior periphery of said housing assembly, said peripheral wall portion having an extent sufficient to interiorly close said cam slot in any position of said handle.

15. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 14 wherein the interior periphery of said housing assembly peripheral wall portion is of a size to enable said handle, said movable cylindrical wall and said cylindrical wall portion to be moved axially through an open end thereof and then radially to extend said handle through said cam slot and engage the exterior periphery of said cylindrical wall portion with the interior periphery of said peripheral wall portion.

16. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 15 wherein the inlet end of said housing assembly includes an annular closure wall integral with said inlet cylindrical wall and a female hose coupling element rotatably connected with an inlet end of said inlet cylindrical wall, said annular closure wall having a periphery constructed and arranged to mate with the inlet end of said peripheral wall portion.

17. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 13 wherein the movable cylindrical wall has an annular support member fixed therein by a plurality of annularly spaced arms and a resilient flow control element fixedly mounted on said annular support member on which the flow control surface of said movable cylindrical wall is provided, said cam slot being of helical configuration with flat portions at an end thereof corresponding with a minimum zero flow.

18. A flow control assembly for use between a source of water under pressure and a sprinkler assembly, said flow control assembly including

a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end constructed and arranged to be connected in water pressure communicating relation with a sprinkler assembly,

said housing assembly including a peripheral wall portion extending axially between said inlet end and said outlet end having a cam slot formed therein to extend from one end thereof peripherally to an opposite end thereof displaced axially from the one end thereof a distance substantially less than the peripheral distance between the ends thereof,

said housing assembly inlet end communicating with an inlet cylindrical wall extending axially within an inlet end of said peripheral wall portion,

said housing assembly outlet end communicating with an outlet cylindrical wall extending axially within an outlet end of said peripheral wall portion,

a movable cylindrical wall having opposite end portions disposed in sealed telescoping relation with said inlet and outlet cylindrical walls,

a handle fixed with respect to said movable cylindrical wall and extending within said cam slot outwardly thereof in a position to be manually engaged,

said handle being constructed and arranged with respect to said cam slot to be guided axially by said cam slot when manually moved through a peripheral extent thereof so that the axial position of said handle within said cam slot determines the axial position of said movable cylindrical wall in telescoping relation with said input and output cylindrical walls,

said movable cylindrical wall and one of said input and output cylindrical walls having cooperating flow control surfaces movable relatively axially toward and away from one another as said movable cylindrical wall is moved axially with the handle in response to a manual peripheral movement thereof,

said cooperating flow control surfaces being constructed and arranged to vary the flow through said cylindrical walls in accordance with the position of said handle within said cam slot.

19. A sprinkler assembly comprising

a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected to a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end,

a sprinkler head assembly connected in water-pressure communicating relation with the outlet end of said housing assembly constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure therefrom in a predetermined stream configuration,

a structural connection between the outlet end of said housing assembly and said sprinkler head assembly constructed and arranged to enable said sprinkler head assembly to be oscillated about an oscillatory axis with respect to said housing assembly,

an oscillating mechanism carried by said housing assembly adjacent the outlet end thereof including an oscillating output member connected with said sprinkler head assembly constructed and arranged to move said sprinkler head assembly about said oscillatory axis through repeated oscillating head cycles during which water under pressure discharged from said sprinkler head assembly is distributed in a predetermined pattern on a ground area to be sprinkled,

each of said oscillating head cycles including a head stroke in one direction and a return head stroke in the opposite direction so that a corresponding dimension of said water pattern corresponds with the distance of the head stroke of each head cycle,

an adjusting mechanism constructed and arranged to enable the distance of the head stroke of each head cycle to be adjusted within a range between a minimum head stroke distance and a maximum head stroke distance so as to vary the corresponding dimension of said water pattern within a range between a minimum dimension and a maximum dimension,

a water flow valve carried by said housing assembly adjacent the inlet end thereof constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a closed position preventing the flow of water under pressure from the inlet end to the outlet end of said housing assembly and (2) an open position permitting the flow of water under pressure from the inlet end to the outlet end of said housing assembly,

a valve-moving mechanism carried by said housing assembly constructed and arranged to be manually moved away from a valve-closing position into a selected watering position within a range of watering positions between a minimum watering position and a maximum watering position, said valve-moving mechanism being constructed and arranged with respect to said flow control valve to enable the flow control valve to be (1) in the closed position thereof when said valve-moving mechanism is in the valve-closing position thereof and (2) in the open position thereof when said valve-moving mechanism is within the range of watering positions thereof,

a constant stroke producing mechanism carried by said housing assembly including (1) an oscillating input member connected with said oscillating output member to be moved thereby through repeated oscillating input cycles corresponding to the repeated oscillating head cycles said sprinkler head assembly is moved by said oscillating output member and (2) a constant stroke output member constructed and arranged to produce a movement stroke of a constant distance for each head cycle irrespective of the stroke distance with said range of stroke distances of each head cycle,

and a motion-transmitting assembly carried by said housing assembly constructed and arranged to transmit the movement strokes of said constant stroke output member to said valve-moving mechanism to move said valve-moving mechanism from a selected watering position within said range of watering positions into said valve-closing position so that the amount of water delivered to the water pattern per unit area is determined by the selected watering position irrespective of the corresponding dimension of the pattern within said range of dimensions.

20. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 19 wherein said constant stroke-producing mechanism comprises an oscillation counting member having a lost motion connection with said oscillating input member to be moved through repeated oscillation counting cycles corresponding with said input cycles,

the lost motion connection being constructed and arranged such that each oscillation counting cycle includes a counting stroke in one direction of a constant distance no greater than the input stroke distance corresponding with the minimum head stroke distance and a return counting stroke in the opposite direction, and

said constant stroke output member having a one-way connection with said oscillating counting member constructed and arranged to move through a constant stroke during each cycle of said oscillation counting member.

21. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 20 wherein said housing assembly includes interior walls defining (1) a water-free cavity within a periphery of said housing assembly communicating with an opening in said periphery and (2) a water flow path communicating with said inlet and by-passing said cavity.

22. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 21 wherein said water flow valve comprises an inner valve member, an outer annular valve member having a valve seat for receiving said inner valve member and a lost motion connection between said inner and outer valve members allowing said inner valve member to be moved incrementally off of the valve seat of said outer annular valve member, said inner valve member including a valve stem slidably mounted in said housing assembly with one end thereof extending into said cavity in water-excluding relation and an opposite end formed with a valve head adapted to engage the valve seat of said outer annular valve member and communicating with water under pressure communicated with said inlet so as to be biased thereby (1) when said valve is in said open position toward the closed position thereof and (2) when in said closed position to remain in said closed position.

23. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 22 wherein said valve-moving mechanism comprises an annular member mounted in said cavity for movement about a rotational axis between the valve-closing position and range of watering positions, said annular member having a periphery extending within said peripheral opening so as to allow the periphery to be manually engaged to effect the manual movement of said annular member from said valve-closing position to a selected watering position within the range of watering positions, and a cam surface disposed in cooperating relation with the one end of said valve stem and constructed (1) to allow said valve member to be biased into the closed position thereof when said annular member is in said valve closing position and (2) to move and maintain said valve member into the open position thereof when said annular member is away from said valve-closing position.

24. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 23 wherein said motion-transmitting mechanism comprises a series of meshing gears including an input gear having teeth meshing with teeth formed on the output member of said constant stroke-producing mechanism and an output gear having teeth meshing with teeth formed on the annular member of said valve-moving mechanism.

25. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 24 wherein an interior wall defining said cavity has a ratchet element formed integrally thereon extending arcuately about the axis of rotation of said annular member, said annular member having an integral pawl formed thereon constructed and arranged to be self-biased to engage said ratchet element so as to prevent movement of said annular member about the rotational axis thereof in one direction while permitting ratcheting movement in an opposite direction, said output gear being connected to be rotated by a preceding gear in said series of meshing gears by a one-way ratcheting connection which transmits movement of the preceding gear to said output gear in a meshing direction to cause said output gear to move said annular member in said opposite direction while allowing manual movement of said annular member in said opposite direction to move said output gear in said meshing direction relative to said preceding gear.

26. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 19 wherein said valve moving mechanism is constructed and arranged to be moved into and out of an on position during the manual movement thereof away from said valve-closing position before reaching the range of watering positions, said valve moving mechanism being constructed and arranged to enable the flow control valve to be in the open position thereof when said valve moving mechanism is within said on position, said motion transmitting assembly being constructed and arranged to be out of motion transmitting relation with said valve moving mechanism when said valve moving mechanism is in the on position thereof.

27. A sprinkler assembly comprising

a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be communicated with a supply of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end,

a water jet and impeller reversing assembly within said housing assembly including a movable member constructed and arranged to be moved between first and second positions, a rotatable impeller, structural surfaces for directing a continuous supply of water under pressure from said inlet end in jet formation onto said impeller to rotate the same, and a rotatable output member, the arrangement being such that when said movable member is in said first position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in one direction and when said movable member is in said second position said output member is connected to be rotated by the rotation of said impeller in an opposite direction,

a planetary gear assembly mounted within said housing assembly comprising a multiplicity of gears including coaxial sun and ring gears and carrier mounted planetary gears in meshing relation between coaxial sun and ring gears,

one of said ring gears being a movable ring gear mounted within said housing assembly for arcuate movement about an axis thereof between first and second positions, said movable ring gear being connected with the movable member to move said movable member (1) from the first position thereof into the second position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) from the second position of said movable member into the first position thereof when said movable ring gear is moved from the second position thereof into the first position thereof,

a sprinkler head assembly connected in water pressure communicating relation with the outlet end of said housing assembly constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure in a predetermined stream configuration therefrom,

a structural connection between the outlet end of said housing assembly and said sprinkler head assembly constructed and arranged to enable said sprinkler head assembly to be moved about an axis,

said multiplicity of gears including an input gear connected to be moved about the axis of said movable ring gear by the rotatable output member and an output gear movable about the axis of said ring gear and connected to move said sprinkler head assembly about its axis in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of said output gear,

a stop system acting between said sprinkler head assembly and said housing assembly constructed and arranged to determine first and second stopping positions for said sprinkler head assembly,

the arrangement being such that said sprinkler head assembly is moved about its axis (1) in a direction toward said first stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the first position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said one direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said first stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said one direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said movable ring gear to be moved about its axis from the first position thereof to the second position thereof and (2) in an opposite direction toward said second stopping position when said movable ring gear is retained in the second position thereof with said rotatable output member rotating in said opposite direction and said input and output gears moving in directions corresponding thereto so that when said sprinkler head assembly reaches said second stopping position the movement of the sprinkler head assembly and output gear is stopped while the continued rotation of the rotatable output member in said opposite direction and the corresponding movement of said input gear cause said movable ring gear to be moved about its axis from the second position thereof to the first position thereof.

28. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 27 wherein said water jet and impeller reversing assembly includes an end member having a water-confining surface exposed to the water under pressure flowing from said housing assembly inlet end, said structural surfaces including a fixed nozzle surface extending inwardly of said water-confining surface, and spaced first and second oppositely directed arcuate surfaces on a second movable member mounted adjacent said impeller for movement between (1) a first position wherein said first arcuate surface is aligned with said fixed nozzle surface to direct a jet formation issuing therefrom generally tangentially in one direction onto said impeller to rotate said impeller in the one direction and (2) a second position wherein said second arcuate surface is aligned with said fixed nozzle surface to direct a jet formation issuing therefrom generally tangentially in an opposite direction onto said impeller to rotate said impeller in the opposite direction.

29. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 28 wherein said first-mentioned movable member and said second movable member are mounted for relative oscillatory movements about a common oscillatory axis for movement between the first and second positions thereof and an overcenter spring is mounted between said first and second movable members, said overcenter spring being constructed and arranged to (1) bias said second movable member to remain in the first position thereof when said first movable member is in the first position thereof, (2) bias said second movable member from the first position thereof into the second position thereof when said first movable member is moved from the first position thereof into the second position thereof, (3) bias said second movable member to remain in the second position thereof when said first movable member is in the second position thereof and (4) bias the second movable member to move from the second position thereof into the first position thereof when said first movable member is moved from the second position thereof into the first position thereof.

30. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 29 wherein said first-mentioned movable member includes a series of annularly spaced axially extending teeth and said movable ring gear includes a plurality of annularly spaced arms extending axially therefrom having teeth thereon constructed and arranged to mesh with the teeth of said first movable member.

31. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 30 wherein another of said ring gears is fixed with respect to said second housing assembly.

32. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 31 wherein said end member also includes a by-pass opening extending from the water-confining surface thereof to an opposite surface thereof, and a thin member of molded plastic material fixed to the opposite surface of said end member providing a flap valve closing said by-pass opening operable to open said by-pass opening in response to the water reaching a predetermined pressure at the confining surface of said end member.

33. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 32 wherein said stop system comprises an arm fixed to said sprinkler head assembly to move therewith through an arcuate path and first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of said housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions, said first ring having a first stop surface disposed within said arcuate path to be engaged by said arm to determine the first stopping position for said sprinkler head assembly in accordance with the first selected adjustment position of said first ring within the first range of adjustment positions, said second ring having a second stop surface disposed within said arcuate path to be engaged by said arm to determine the second stopping position for said sprinkler head assembly in accordance with the second selected adjustment position of said second ring within the second range of adjustment positions, said first and second rings each being split so as to define a pair of side-by-side end portions having (1) a pair of pinching elements fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom so as to present oppositely facing digital engaging surfaces and (2) a pair of short arcuate sections having a plurality of inwardly facing serrations on the interior thereof, said annular housing section having a series of outwardly facing serrations on the exterior surface thereof of a size and shape to mesh with the plurality of serrations of said arcuate sections, said first and second rings each being constructed and arranged to be moved from any first or second selected adjustment position respectively to any other first or second selected adjustment position respectively within the first or second ranges of adjustment positions respectively by (1) digitally engaging the digital engaging surfaces of the associated pinching elements, (2) pinching the digital engaging surfaces toward one another to enlarge the interior circumference of the associated ring and displace the associated inwardly facing serrations with respect to the outwardly facing serrations of the annular housing section, (3) moving the associated ring from the one selected adjustment position arcuately in the appropriate direction into the other selected adjustment position while retaining the associated pinching elements in pinched relation and (4) releasing the associated pinching elements after the arcuate movement of the associated ring into the other selected adjustment position to engage the associated inwardly facing serrations in meshing relation with the engaged outwardly facing serrations of said annular housing section.

34. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 27 wherein said stop system comprises an arm fixed to said sprinkler head assembly to move therewith through an arcuate path and first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of said housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions, said first ring having a first stop surface disposed within said arcuate path to be engaged by said arm to determine the first stopping position for said sprinkler head assembly in accordance with the first selected adjustment position of said first ring within the first range of adjustment positions, said second ring having a second stop surface disposed within said arcuate path to be engaged by said arm to determine the second stopping position for said sprinkler head assembly in accordance with the second selected adjustment position of said second ring within the second range of adjustment positions.

35. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 34 wherein each of said first and second rings are split so as to define a pair of side-by-side end portions having (1) a pair of pinching elements fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom so as to present oppositely facing digital engaging surfaces and (2) a pair of short arcuate sections having a plurality of inwardly facing serrations on the interior thereof, said annular housing section having a series of outwardly facing serrations on the exterior surface thereof of a size and shape to mesh with the plurality of serrations of said arcuate sections, said first and second rings each being constructed and arranged to be moved from any selected first or second adjustment position respectively to any other selected first or second adjustment position respectively within the first or second ranges of adjustment positions respectively by (1) digitally engaging the digital engaging surfaces of the associated pinching elements, (2) pinching the digital engaging surfaces toward one another to enlarge the interior circumference of the associated ring and displace the associated inwardly facing serrations with respect to the outwardly facing serrations of the annular housing section, (3) moving the associated ring from the one selected adjustment position arcuately in the appropriate direction into the other selected adjustment position while retaining the associated pinching elements in pinched relation and (4) releasing the associated pinching elements after the arcuate movement of the associated ring into the other selected adjustment position to engage the associated inwardly facing serrations in meshing relation with the engaged outwardly facing serrations of said annular housing section.

36. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 35 wherein said first and second rings are of substantially identical configuration and mounted so as to be disposed in mirror image relation with one another.

37. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 36 wherein said first and second rings include interengaging movement limiting surfaces defining a limit to the least arcuate movement of said arm between first and second selected adjustment positions of said first and second rings to be approximately 30°

.

38. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 34 wherein said oscillating output member has a shaft connected concentrically therewith which extends axially from said output member toward an inlet end portion of said housing assembly, the inlet end portion of said housing assembly having a manually adjustable control mechanism mounted therein and connected with said shaft constructed and arranged to determine a manually selected time water under pressure is communicated with and discharged from said sprinkler head assembly.

39. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 38 wherein said manually adjustable control mechanism comprises a water flow valve mounted thereon adjacent the inlet end thereof constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a closed position preventing the flow of water under pressure from the inlet end of said housing assembly and (2) an open position permitting the flow of water under pressure from the inlet end to the outlet end of said housing assembly, a valve-moving mechanism carried by said first housing assembly constructed and arranged to be manually moved away from a valve-closing position into a selected watering position within a range of watering positions between a minimum watering position and a maximum watering position, said valve-moving mechanism being constructed and arranged with respect to said flow control valve to enable the flow control valve to be (1) in the closed position thereof when said valve-moving mechanism is in the valve-closing position thereof and (2) in the open position thereof when said valve-moving mechanism is within the range of watering positions thereof, a constant stroke producing mechanism carried by said housing assembly including an oscillating input member connected with said shaft to be moved thereby through repeated oscillating input cycles and a constant stroke output member constructed and arranged to produce a movement stroke of a constant distance for each oscillating input cycle irrespective of the distance said sprinkler head assembly moves between said first and second stopping positions, and a motion-transmitting assembly carried by said housing assembly constructed and arranged to transmit the movement strokes of said constant stroke output member to said valve-moving mechanism to move said valve-moving mechanism from a selected watering position within said range of watering positions into said valve-closing position so that the amount of water delivered is determined by the selected watering position irrespective of the distance said sprinkler head assembly moves between said first and second stopping positions.

40. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 34 wherein said housing assembly includes an axially extending peripheral wall portion having an inlet end adjacent the inlet end of said housing and a spaced outlet end spaced from the outlet end of said housing assembly, a cam slot formed in said peripheral wall portion to extend from one end thereof peripherally to an opposite end thereof displaced axially from the one end thereof a distance substantially less than the peripheral distance between the ends thereof, an inlet cylindrical wall communicating in water pressure relation with said housing assembly inlet end extending axially within said inlet end of said peripheral wall portion, an outlet cylindrical wall within said housing assembly extending axially within said outlet end of said peripheral wall portion, a movable cylindrical wall having opposite end portions disposed in sealed telescoping relation with said inlet and outlet cylindrical walls, a handle fixed with respect to said movable cylindrical wall and extending within said cam slot outwardly thereof in a position to be manually engaged, said handle being constructed and arranged with respect to said cam slot to be guided axially by said cam slot when manually moved through a peripheral extent thereof so that the axial position of said handle within said cam slot determines the axial position of said movable cylindrical wall in telescoping relation with said input and output cylindrical walls, said movable cylindrical wall and one of said input and output cylindrical walls having cooperating flow control surfaces movable relatively axially toward and away from one another as said movable cylindrical wall is moved axially with the handle in response to a manual peripheral movement thereof, said cooperating flow control surfaces being constructed and arranged to vary the flow through said cylindrical walls in accordance with the position of said handle within said cam slot.

41. A sprinkler assembly comprising

a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end,

a sprinkler head assembly mounted on said housing assembly in water-pressure communicating relation with said housing assembly outlet end constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure therefrom in a predetermined stream configuration,

a structural connection between said sprinkler head assembly and said second housing assembly constructed and arranged to enable said sprinkler head assembly to be moved about an oscillatory axis with respect to said housing assembly,

an oscillating mechanism carried by said housing assembly constructed and arranged to be operable by the flow of water under pressure between the inlet end and outlet end of said housing assembly to move said sprinkler head assembly about said oscillating axis through repeated oscillating head cycles during which water under pressure discharged from said sprinkler head is distributed in a predetermined pattern on the ground,

each of said oscillating head cycles including a head stroke in one direction and a return head stroke in the opposite direction so that a corresponding dimension of said water pattern corresponds with the distance of the head stroke of each head cycle,

an adjusting mechanism constructed and arranged to enable the distance of the head stroke of each head cycle to be adjusted within a range between a minimum head stroke distance and a maximum head stroke distance so as to vary the corresponding dimension of said water pattern within a range between a minimum dimension and a maximum dimension,

said adjusting mechanism including first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of said housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions,

said first and second rings having first and second fixed stop surfaces thereon disposed in arcuately spaced relation to one another when said rings are in first and second selected adjustment positions,

said sprinkler head assembly having cooperating first and second stop surfaces thereon disposed in a position to engage said fixed first and second stop surfaces at the end of each head stroke and return stroke of said sprinkler head respectively,

said first and second rings each being split so as to define a pair of side-by-side end portions having (1) a pair of pinching elements fixed thereto and extending outwardly therefrom so as to present oppositely facing digital engaging surfaces and (2) a pair of short arcuate sections having a plurality of inwardly facing serrations on the interior thereof,

said annular housing section having a series of outwardly facing serrations on the exterior surface thereof of a size and shape to mesh with the plurality of serrations of said arcuate sections,

said first and second ring each being constructed and arranged to be moved from any first or second selected adjustment position respectively to any other first or second selected adjustment position respectively within the first or second ranges of adjustment positions respectively by (1) digitally engaging the digital engaging surfaces of the associated pinching elements, (2) pinching the digital engaging surfaces toward one another to enlarge the interior circumference of the associated ring and displace the associated inwardly facing serrations with respect to the outwardly facing serrations of the annular housing section, (3) moving the associated ring from the one selected adjustment position arcuately in the appropriate direction into the other selected adjustment position while retaining the associated pinching elements in pinched relation and (4) releasing the associated pinching elements after the arcuate movement of the associated ring into the other selected adjustment position to engage the associated inwardly facing serrations in meshing relation with the engaged outwardly facing serrations of said annular housing section.

42. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 41 wherein said first and second rings are of substantially identical configuration and mounted so as to be disposed in mirror image relation with one another.

43. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 42 wherein said first and second rings include interengaging movement limiting surfaces defining a limit to the least arcuate movement of said sprinkler head assembly between the interengagement of stop surfaces to be approximately 30°

.

44. A wave sprinkler assembly comprising:

a housing and base assembly providing a water inlet for communication with a source of water under pressure and an outlet communicating with said inlet,

a tubular spray assembly mounted on said housing and base assembly for oscillatory movement with respect thereto,

said tubular spray assembly having an inlet end disposed in sealed water communicating relation with said outlet so that an interior of said tubular spray assembly receives water under pressure from said outlet, a closed end and a series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets between said inlet end and said closed end,

an oscillating mechanism carried by said housing and base assembly constructed and arranged to be operable by water flowing between said water inlet and said outlet to oscillate said tubular spray assembly when said water inlet is communicated with a source of water under pressure,

said tubular spray assembly including a hollow tubular member and an elongated strip of flexible material positioned inside the tubular member, the strip having a number of said series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets extending therethrough,

said tubular member including an elongated section having transverse opening-defining and interior strip-engaging surfaces thereon,

said strip having an interior pressure responsive surface and an exterior mounting surface constructed and arranged so that when said strip is positioned inside said tubular member, the interior pressure responsive and exterior mounting surfaces of said strip are engaged respectively (1) by the water under pressure within the interior of said tubular spray assembly and (2) by an interior strip-engaging surface of said tubular member so that engagement of the water under pressure with the strip enhances engagement of the strip with the tubular member,

each water stream outlet in said strip extending within an opening in said tubular member defined by an opening-defining surface of said tubular member so that water under pressure within the interior of said tubular spray assembly issues from said series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets as a series of longitudinally spaced water streams which oscillate as the tubular spray assembly is oscillated to provide a desired sprinkler pattern on a ground area to be sprinkled.

45. A wave sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 44 wherein said tubular spray assembly includes a second elongated strip of flexible material positioned within the tubular member, the strip having a number of said series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets extending therethrough, said second strip having an interior pressure responsive surface and an exterior mounting surface constructed and arranged so that when said second strip is positioned inside said tubular member, the interior pressure responsive and exterior mounting surfaces of said second strip are engaged respectively (1) by the water under pressure within the interior of said tubular spray assembly and (2) by an interior strip-engaging surface of said tubular member so that engagement of the water under pressure with the strip enhances engagement of the strip with the tubular member, each water stream outlet in said second strip extending within an opening in said tubular member defined by an opening-defining surface of said tubular member so that water under pressure within the interior of said tubular spray assembly issues from said series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets as a series of longitudinally spaced water streams which oscillate as the tubular spray assembly is oscillated to provide a desired sprinkler pattern on a ground area to be sprinkled.

46. A wave sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 45 wherein the number of water stream outlets in each of said strips constitutes half of the series of water stream outlets.

47. A wave sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 46 wherein said water stream outlets in each strip are arranged in adjacent pairs, each adjacent pair extends within a separate opening in said tubular member defined by a transverse opening-defining surface of said tubular member.

48. A wave sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 47 wherein the water stream outlets in each strip are inclined progressively less in a direction from the end of the series so as to form the series of water streams into a fan shaped spray.

49. A sprinkler assembly comprising:

a housing assembly having an inlet end constructed and arranged to be connected in fluid communication with a source of water under pressure and a spaced outlet end,

a sprinkler head assembly having an inlet end disposed to receive water under pressure flowing from the outlet end of the housing assembly,

a base assembly constructed and arranged to support the housing assembly and the sprinkler head assembly on an area to be sprinkled and having the housing assembly and the sprinkler head assembly disposed in supported relation thereon,

a structural connection between the sprinkler head assembly and the housing assembly constructed and arranged to enable said sprinkler head assembly to oscillate about an oscillatory axis with respect to the housing assembly,

an oscillating mechanism connected to the sprinkler head assembly and constructed and arranged to oscillate the sprinkler head assembly about the oscillatory axis through repeated oscillating head cycles, such that each oscillating head cycle includes a head stroke in one direction and a return head stroke in the opposite direction,

said sprinkler head assembly being constructed and arranged to discharge water under pressure flowing through the inlet end thereof in a stream configuration so as to be distributed in a water pattern determined by the oscillating head cycle thereof, and

a manually adjustable control mechanism carried by the housing assembly, the control mechanism being constructed and arranged to control the flow rate of water under pressure to the sprinkler head assembly in accordance with manual adjustment of the control mechanism.

50. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 49, wherein the housing assembly includes a peripheral wall portion extending axially between said inlet end and said outlet end, the control mechanism including a cam slot formed in the peripheral wall portion to extend from one end thereof peripherally to an opposite end thereof displaced axially from the one end thereof a distance substantially less than the peripheral distance between the ends thereof, an inlet cylindrical wall communicating in water pressure relation with the housing assembly inlet end, an outlet cylindrical wall communicating with the housing assembly outlet end, a movable cylindrical wall having opposite end portions disposed in sealed telescoping relation with said inlet and outlet cylindrical walls, a handle fixed with respect to said movable cylindrical wall and extending within the cam slot outwardly thereof in a position to be manually engaged, the handle being constructed and arranged with respect to the cam slot to be guided axially by the cam slot when manually moved through a peripheral extent thereof so that the axial position of the handle within the cam slot determines the axial position of the movable cylindrical wall in telescoping relation with the input and output cylindrical walls, the movable cylindrical wall and one of the input and output cylindrical walls having cooperating flow control surfaces movable relatively axially toward and away from one another as the movable cylindrical wall is moved axially with the handle in response to a manual peripheral movement thereof, the cooperating flow control surfaces being constructed and arranged to vary the flow from the inlet through the cylindrical walls to the outlet in accordance with the position of the handle within the cam slot.

51. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 49 further including an adjusting mechanism constructed and arranged to enable the distance of the head stroke of each oscillating head cycle to be adjusted within a range between a minimum head stroke distance and a maximum head stroke distance.

52. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 51 wherein the adjusting mechanism includes first and second side-by-side adjusting rings mounted on an annular housing section of the housing assembly constructed and arranged to be moved into first and second selected adjustment positions within first and second ranges of adjustment positions, the first and second rings having first and second stop surfaces thereon disposed in arcuately spaced relation to one another when the rings are in first and second selected adjustment positions, the sprinkler head assembly having cooperating first and second stop surfaces thereon disposed in a position to engage the first and second stop surfaces of the first and second rings at the end of each head stroke and return stroke of the sprinkler head assembly respectively.

53. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 49, wherein the sprinkler head assembly includes a hollow tubular member and an elongated strip of flexible material positioned inside the hollow tubular member, the strip having a series of longitudinally spaced water stream outlets extending therethrough.

54. A sprinkler assembly as defined in claim 49, wherein the sprinkler head assembly includes a hollow tubular member having a plurality of controllable water stream outlets extending therethrough, and a control member mounted on the tubular member for movement relative to the tubular member between a full width operating position and a width limiting position, the control member selectively obstructing fluid flow through a number of the controllable water stream outlets, the number of controllable water stream outlets obstructed by the control member being selected by the position of the control member.