Patent Application
20080302987
This invention relates to irrigation shutoff devices, more particularly, an irrigation shutoff device that prevents over-watering of a ground surface in the event a sprinkler system continues to operate after surpassing an original shutoff time.
Currently, most sprinkler systems operate for a predetermined amount of time as determined by an electric timer. A user simply programs the timer for the sprinkler system to turn on and off, thereby watering a ground surface for a specific amount of time. In addition, the timer also permits a user to program which area of the ground surface, also called a zone, in which to water. The use of a timer is a convenient way in which to water a ground surface as the user may simply select which day, time and duration in which to water a ground surface.
However, in the event of power outages or high or low electrical disturbances due to underground wiring size, distance of underground wiring size, main electrical system breaker problems, overloading the electrical wiring system at any given time, inefficient wiring or a faulty solenoid caused by age and deterioration or electrical disturbances caused by any other circumstance, the timer itself must be reset. If the user is unaware that a power outage or electrical disturbance has occurred, he or she runs the risk of not watering the ground surface or, in the alternative, over-watering the ground surface. In addition, if the sprinkler system utilizes at least one solenoid which is connected to a timer and if the solenoid becomes clogged with sand or other debris, the timer will not turn off at the sprinkler system at the original shutoff time, thereby causing over-watering of the ground surface. As a result, the over-watering destroys the ground surface, thereby costing the owner of the ground surface money for replacement of the ground surface and, in the case of a fairway or green on a golf course, result in additional fines for the owner.
Thus, a need exists for an irrigation shutoff device that will prevent over-watering of a ground surface in the event a sprinkler system continues to operate after surpassing an original shutoff time.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an irrigation shutoff device that will prevent over-watering of a ground surface in the event a sprinkler system continues to operate after surpassing an original shutoff time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an irrigation shutoff device that functions independently of a timer or solenoid.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an irrigation shutoff device that is easy to use.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide an irrigation shutoff device that may be used for commercial and residential sprinkler systems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an irrigation shutoff device that may be used in conjunction with an irrigation valve.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an irrigation shutoff device that is operational with and fluidly connected to a sprinkler or irrigation valve wherein the irrigation shutoff device has a propeller, coil, a timing rod and a timing bar located within a housing and at least one switch. The propeller and coil are located on a first end of the timing rod and a dial adjustment timer is located on a second opposite end of the timing rod. The timing rod extends through the timing bar and the at least one switch is located a predetermined distance between the first and second ends of the timing rod. A malfunction indicator provides a visual cue as to when the irrigation shutoff device has been activated, thereby requiring a user to repair the sprinkler system.
The irrigation shutoff device of the present invention is connected to the sprinkler or irrigation valve in such a manner as to provide water flow through the irrigation shutoff device wherein the propeller is rotated. A user first adjusts the dial adjustment timer to a desired backup shutoff time that is greater than the original shutoff time set on the timer. When the sprinkler system is running, the propeller is rotated, thereby moving the timing bar moves towards the at least one switch. If the sprinkler system if operating properly, the timing bar will move a predetermined distance along the timing rod and stop before reaching the at least one switch. The coil permits retraction of the timing bar, thereby resetting the irrigation shutoff device for its next watering cycle.
On the other hand, if the sprinkler system is not functioning properly and over-watering would occur due to timer or solenoid failure, the sprinkler system is still running, thus providing water to the irrigation shutoff device. Once the timing bar reaches the at least one switch, the sprinkler system will shutoff and a malfunction indicator will show that the irrigation shutoff device was activated. The user must then reset the irrigation shutoff device.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
With reference to
Next,
In
The second reservoir tube cylinder 8 stores water pressure for the system deactivated line 32 (shown in
With reference to
To connect the irrigation shutoff device 1 of the present invention to a sprinkler 44, a means for connecting the irrigation shutoff device 1 to a sprinkler and a means for providing water through the propeller 10 to a sprinkler 44 are used, wherein the means are preferably various lines and adapters. First, a foot valve adapter 20 is used to connect the hydraulic foot valve 18 to a supply line 21. The supply line 21 is connected to the solenoid 17 and exits the solenoid 17 as a system activated line 22. The system activated line 22 connects through the second switch 13 and connects to the propeller 10. A discharge line 23 connects an opposite end of the propeller 10 back to the sprinkler 44. A hydraulic tee 30 is connected to the supply line 21 to provide water through a housing supply line 33 to the first reservoir tube cylinder 7 and the second reservoir tube cylinder 8. Another hydraulic tee 30 is connected to the system activated line 22 to provide water through the first switch 12, through a warning supply line 41. A user adjusts the dial adjustment timer 6 to an original start position to select a predetermined amount of time in which the sprinkler system should shutoff, hereinafter referred to as backup shutoff time. The backup shutoff time is preferably a predetermined amount of time greater than the original predetermined amount of time set using the solenoid 17 and a separate timing system (not shown), hereinafter referred to as the original time.
When the present is connected and the sprinkler system is properly functioning, meaning that the sprinkler system will turn off when the original shutoff time is reached, water flows from the water main line 19 through the supply line 21, through the system activated line 22, through the propeller 10 and out through the discharge line 23. Because water is flowing through the propeller 10, the propeller 10 rotates in a clockwise manner so as to move the timing bar 4 along the timing rod 5 closer to the switches 12 and 13. Because the original shutoff time is less than the backup shutoff time, the timing bar 4 never reaches the switches 12 and 13. Because the timing bar 4 never reached the switches 12 and 13, the coil 11 and water pressure in the reservoir tube cylinders 7 and 8 return the propeller 10 to its original position, thereby returning the timing bar 4 to its original start position.
However, if the solenoid 17 and or separate timing system are not functioning properly, such as when power outages or electrical disturbances have occurred, the sprinkler system will continue to provide water to the sprinkler 44. In this case, because the water is still being provided to the propeller 10, the timing bar 4 is still moving towards the switches 12 and 13. When the raised trigger 27 on the timing bar 4 hits the second switch 13, then water is no longer supplied through the propeller 10, thereby preventing any further water from existing through the discharge line 23 and out through the sprinkler head 16. When the raised trigger 27 on the timing bar 4 hits the first switch 12, then water is supplied from the reservoir tube cylinders 7 and 8 to permit water to exit through the warning supply line 41 and through a gasket 24 to providing a malfunction indicator 25, such as water squirting from the irrigation shutoff device 1. The malfunction indicator 25 permits a person to easily determine that there has been a malfunction in the sprinkler system. In addition, the malfunction indicator 25 informs a person that he/she must reset the irrigation shutoff device 1. When the irrigation shutoff device 1 is reset, the timing bar 4 is returned to its original starting position. In the alternative, after the irrigation shutoff device 1 has been reset, the user may readjust the backup shutoff time by manipulating the dial adjustment timer 6.
In addition, the irrigation shutoff device 1 of the present invention is capable of injecting a liquid sealant directly to the hydraulic foot valve 18 to reinforce and seal the irrigation shutoff device 1 when the timing bar 4 activates the switches 12 and 13. The irrigation shutoff device 1 is also preferably manually rechargeable after several uses.
Next,
When the sprinkler system is properly working, water flows through the sprinkler 44 from the main line 19, through the sprinkler 44, to the propeller 10 and out through the discharge line 23 to the sprinkler 44 to water a ground surface. When the propeller 10 is rotated, the timing bar 4 moves along the timing rod 5 closer to the switches 12 and 13. If the sprinkler systems shuts off at its original shutoff time, the timing bar 4 returns to its original position until the next watering cycle.
When the original shutoff time has passed and water still continues to flow through the sprinkler 44, the timing bar 4 activates the switches 12 and 13 to stop the sprinkler head 16 from watering the ground surface and to activate the indicator malfunction 25.
In addition, the irrigation shutoff device 1 of the present invention is capable of injecting a liquid sealant directly to the hydraulic foot valve 18 to reinforce and seal the irrigation shutoff device 1 when the timing bar 4 activates the switches 12 and 13. The second reservoir tube cylinder 8 is also preferably manually rechargeable after several uses.
In
Finally,
When the sprinkler system is properly operating, water flows from the main line 19 through the irrigation valve pipe 38 of the irrigation valve 37. Water flows through the irrigation valve housing 35 and into the housing 26. Outgoing water from the irrigation valve pipe 38 flows into the propeller 10 via the system activated line 22 to rotate the propeller 10, thereby permitting the timing bar 4 to move closer to the in pressure valve 39 and out pressure valve 43. If the water flow turns off at the original shutoff time, then the coil 11 retracts the timing bar 4 to return to its original start position.
If the sprinkler system is on for an amount greater than the original shutoff time, then the raised triggers 27 on the timing bar 4 will hit the in pressure valve 39 and out pressure valve 40. When a raised trigger 27 hits the in pressure valve 39, water flows through the warning supply line 41 and exits through the irrigation valve housing 35 as an indicator malfunction 25. When a raised trigger 27 hits the out pressure valve 40, water flows through the system deactivated line 32 to turn off the irrigation valve 37, thereby preventing over-watering of a ground surface.
In addition, the irrigation shutoff device 1 of the present invention is capable of injecting a liquid sealant directly to the hydraulic foot valve 18 to reinforce and seal the irrigation shutoff device 1 when the timing bar 4 activates the switches 12 and 13. The irrigation shutoff device 1 is also manually rechargeable after several uses.
The use of the present invention will prevent over-watering of a ground surface in the event a sprinkler system continues to operate after surpassing an original shutoff time.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
