Illuminators for sprinkler systems

• US 7,182,477 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary E. Hartz
• Original Assignee: Gary E. Hartz
• Inventors: Hartz, Gary E.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi; Jacob Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/863,478
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 362/124, 362/96, 362/191, 362/808, 362/800, 362/806, 362/122, 362/123, 40411-420, 446/392, 446/485, 239/18, 239/16, 239/33, 222/113, 222/159
• US Class Current: 362/96
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/1645 the outlets being rotated during selection
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/654 using universal joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 31/04 Provision of filling media
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/006 General building constructions or finishing work for buildings, e.g. roofs, gutters, stairs or floors; Garden equipment; Sunshades or parasols
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/02 for fountains
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A device for providing illumination in conjunction with a sprinkler system has a body with an opening through it and at least one appendage extending from the body. The device takes on the appearance of a living thing, such as a flower, creature, or three-dimensional art.

The opening in the body allows for the passage of liquid from the sprinkler system through the illuminator and provides a means for mounting the device near plants and flowers. A light source, preferably a light emitting diode, is embedded in the device itself and provides the illumination source.

The opening includes a roughened surface along a portion of its length, which helps to refract the light emitted from the light source and adds to the quality of the display. A pivoting head assembly allows a user to adjust the pattern of liquid spray and also provides an easy means of maintenance.

Claims

1. An illuminator comprising:

a clear solid body having an outer surface and opposed first and second ends;

a tubular passageway in said body extending along an axis between said first and second ends for conducting water between said first and second ends;

a single embedded light source mounted within said body adjacent said passageway and disposed between said first and second ends to illuminate the illuminator; and

at least one appendage attached to and extending away from said body along an axis of said appendage, said appendage further having a top surface and a bottom surface.

2. The illuminator according to claim 1, wherein said passageway further includes a light refracting roughened surface along a portion of the passageway.

3. The illuminator according to claim 1, further comprising a light refracting tube mounted within said passageway.

4. The illuminator according to claim 1, wherein said top surface of said at least one appendage has a convex shape to refract the light emitted by the light source.

5. The illuminator according to claim 4, wherein said bottom surface of said at least one appendage includes a plurality of grooves to refract the light emitted by the light source.

6. The illuminator according to claim 1, wherein said bottom surface of said at least one appendage includes a plurality of grooves to refract the light emitted by the light source.

7. The illuminator according to claim 6 wherein said grooves are between 0.01 to 0.05 inches in depth in relation to said bottom surface.

8. The illuminator according to claim 1, further comprising a head removable from said body.

9. The illuminator according to claim 1, wherein said embedded light source is oriented to be perpendicular to said axis and directed toward said tubular passageway.

10. An illuminator comprising:

a clear molded plastic solid body having an outer surface and opposed first and second ends;

a tubular passageway in said body extending along an axis between said first and second ends for conducting water between said first and second ends;

a plurality of appendages attached to and extending away from said body, each of said appendages further extending along an axis and having a top surface and a bottom surface; and

a single embedded light source mounted within said body adjacent said passageway between said first and second ends and disposed between said first and second ends to illuminate the illuminator,

whereby, light emitted by the light source is caused to be dispersed by the passage of water through the passageway.

11. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein said passageway further includes a light refracting roughened surface along a portion of the passageway.

12. The illuminator according to claim 10, further comprising a light refracting tube mounted within said passageway.

13. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.

14. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein said top surface of each of said appendages has a convex shape to refract the light emitted by the light source.

15. The illuminator according to claim 14, wherein said bottom surface of each of said appendages includes a plurality of grooves to refract the light emitted by the light source.

16. The illuminator according to claim 15, wherein said grooves are between 0.01 to 0.05 inches in depth in relation to said bottom surface.

17. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein said bottom surface of each of said appendages includes a plurality of grooves to refract the light emitted by the light source.

18. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein said light source is oriented to be perpendicular to said axis of said passageway and directed toward said tubular passageway.

19. The illuminator according to claim 10, wherein the axes of at least two of said appendages are disposed at an angle between 120 degrees and 160 degrees in relation to each other.

20. The illuminator according to claim 10, further comprising a liquid spraying head assembly mounted on said body.

21. The illuminator according to claim 20, wherein said spraying head assembly comprises:

a hollow stem insertable into said passageway;

a ball portion attached to said stem, said ball having a plurality of patterned spray nozzles extending through the ball to said stem; and

a pivotable head portion configured to closely fit over said ball portion, said pivotable head portion further having a slot,

whereby, said slot my be aligned with a selected one of said patterned spray nozzles by pivoting said head portion.