Reversing gear drive system for irrigation sprinklers
First Claim
1. A reversing gear drive system for an irrigation sprinkler having rotary drive means for rotatably driving a spray head, said reversing gear drive system, comprising:
- a gear carrier having a drive gear rotatably driven by the rotary drive means, and first and second output gears rotatably driven by said drive gear in opposite directions;
a shift mechanism movable between first and second positions for respectively shifting said gear carrier between a forward-drive position with said first output gear rotatably driving the spray head in a forward direction, and a reverse-drive position with said second output gear rotatably driving the spray head in a reverse direction; and
stop means defining opposite end limits of a predetermined part-circle path of rotation for the spray head;
said shift mechanism including a reverse trip spring engaged by said stop means upon spray head rotation substantially to each of said opposite end limits of said predetermined part-circle path, said trip spring being loaded upon engagement with said stop means to apply a reversing spring force to move said shift mechanism between said first and second positions to correspondingly shift-said gear carrier between said forward-drive and reverse-drive positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reversing gear drive system is provided in an irrigation sprinkler for reversibly shifting the direction of rotation of a sprinkler spray head for back and forth part-circle rotation between adjustably set end limits, to sweep an outwardly projected stream of irrigation water through a predetermined arcuate pattern to irrigate a surrounding terrain area and associated vegetation. The reversing gear drive system includes a gear carrier having first and second output gears driven rotatably in opposite directions. A shift mechanism is provided for shifting the gear carrier between forward-drive and reverse-drive positions with the first and second output gears alternately engaged with a ring gear for rotatably driving the spray head in opposite directions. The shift mechanism includes a shift lever and a reverse trip spring for engaging arcuately spaced limit stops mounted for rotation with the spray head. As one of the limit stops rotates into engagement with the shift mechanism, the limit stop initially engages and loads the trip spring to apply a reversing shift force to the shift lever, and then engages and retracts a latch to release the shift lever for spring-loaded shifting of the gear carrier to reverse the direction of spray head rotation. Upon such reversal, the latch re-engages the shift lever to positionally retain the gear carrier until the opposite limit stop rotates into engagement with the shift mechanism.
25 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A reversing gear drive system for an irrigation sprinkler having rotary drive means for rotatably driving a spray head, said reversing gear drive system, comprising:
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a gear carrier having a drive gear rotatably driven by the rotary drive means, and first and second output gears rotatably driven by said drive gear in opposite directions;
a shift mechanism movable between first and second positions for respectively shifting said gear carrier between a forward-drive position with said first output gear rotatably driving the spray head in a forward direction, and a reverse-drive position with said second output gear rotatably driving the spray head in a reverse direction; and
stop means defining opposite end limits of a predetermined part-circle path of rotation for the spray head;
said shift mechanism including a reverse trip spring engaged by said stop means upon spray head rotation substantially to each of said opposite end limits of said predetermined part-circle path, said trip spring being loaded upon engagement with said stop means to apply a reversing spring force to move said shift mechanism between said first and second positions to correspondingly shift-said gear carrier between said forward-drive and reverse-drive positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 16)
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- 5. The reversing gear drive system of claim I wherein said shift mechanism comprises a shift lever extending outwardly from said gear carrier and terminating in a radially outwardly extending toggle arm, and further wherein said stop means comprises a pair of arcuately spaced limit stops mounted for rotation with the spray head and respectively defining said opposite end limits, said trip spring being deflected and loaded upon engagement with each of said limit stops to apply said reversing spring force to shift said shift mechanism between said first and second positions.
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17. A reversing gear drive system for an irrigation sprinkler having rotary drive means for rotatably driving a spray head, said reversing gear drive system, comprising:
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a gear carrier having a drive gear rotatably driven by the rotary drive means, and first and second output gears rotatably driven by said drive gear in opposite directions, said gear carrier including at least one idler gear meshed between said drive gear and one of said first and second output gears, and further wherein the difference between the number of said idler gears meshed between said drive gear and said first output gear versus the number of said idler gears meshed between said drive gear and said second output gear is an odd number;
a ring gear driven in opposite rotational directions by said first and second output gears for rotatably driving said spray head;
a shift mechanism movable between first and second positions for respectively shifting said gear carrier between a forward-drive position with said first output gear rotatably driving said ring gear in a forward direction, and a reverse-drive position with said second output gear rotatably driving said ring gear in a reverse direction, said shift mechanism including a shift lever extending outwardly from said gear carrier and terminating in a radially outwardly extending toggle arm;
a pair of arcuately spaced limit stops mounted for rotation with the spray head and defining opposite end limits of a predetermined part-circle path of rotation for the spray head;
said shift mechanism including a reverse trip spring engaged by each of said limit stops upon spray head rotation substantially to each of said opposite end limits of said predetermined part-circle path, said trip spring being loaded upon engagement with said stop means to apply a reversing spring force to move said shift mechanism between said first and second positions to correspondingly shift said gear carrier between said forward-drive and reverse-drive positions; and
at least one latch for releasibly retaining said toggle arm with said shift mechanism in each of said first and second positions, said latch being engaged by each of said limit stops upon spray head rotation substantially to each of said opposite end limits and subsequent to loading of said trip spring to release said shift mechanism for spring-loaded shift movement between said first and second positions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A reversing gear drive system for an irrigation sprinkler having rotary drive means for rotatably driving a spray head, said reversing gear drive system, comprising:
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a gear carrier having an odd idler gear drive system including a drive gear rotatably driven by the rotary drive means, and first and second output gears rotatably driven in opposite directions;
shift lever means movable between first and second positions for respectively shifting said gear carrier between a forward-drive position with said first output gear rotatably driving the spray head in a forward direction, and a reverse-drive position with said second output gear rotatably driving the spray head in a reverse direction;
stop means defining opposite end limits of a predetermined part-circle path of rotation for the spray head; and
a reverse trip spring carried by said shift lever means and engaged by said stop means upon spray head rotation substantially to each of said opposite end limits of said predetermined part-circle path, said reverse trip spring being loaded upon engagement by said stop means to apply a reversing force to move said shift lever means between said first and second positions to correspondingly shift said gear carrier between said forward-drive and reverse-drive positions. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification