Patent Application
20060102751
The present invention relates to the field of lawn and garden applications. Particularly, the present invention is directed to an oscillating sprinkler with a pattern select feature.
Various oscillating sprinkling systems are known in the art. Typically, these sprinklers provide an oscillating motor coupled to a tube having spray outlets disposed thereon. As the tube oscillates, the spray pattern moves back and forth to water a selected area of lawn. The range of back and forth movement determines the length of the watering area, and the position and orientation of the spray outlets defines the width of the watering area. Some current systems allow the range of oscillation to be adjusted to set the length of the desired watering area. In addition, certain prior systems have developed methods for adjusting the width of the spray area. However these prior art width-control systems suffer from certain disadvantages, including complexity of construction and assembly that increases manufacturing costs.
For example, certain of the prior art systems require sleeves having various nozzle-blocking patterns on them. These sleeves are mounted over the spray tube and can be rotated over some of the spray outlets, thereby adjusting the width of the spray pattern. However, if the fit between the sleeve and the spray tube is not precisely maintained, leakage occurs, diminishing the effectiveness of the system by allowing a spray pattern beyond the desired width. Leakage around the sleeve contributes to reduced water pressure to the working nozzles and puddling around the sprinkler which can have an undesired effect on the area being watered.
Other prior art sprinklers provide multiple sets of nozzles of different widths that can be selected by some adjustment of a sprinkler spray tube. However, these prior art designs typically require complex construction of the water flow tube body that is expensive and difficult to manufacture. Therefore, what is needed is an oscillating sprinkler that provides a simple water tube construction and a stepwise incremental adjusting feature allowing for a pre-selected width of a watering area.
The present invention provides a simple water tube construction in an oscillating sprinkler and a stepwise incremental pattern select feature allowing a user to choose a pre-selected width of a watering area.
In one aspect, the present invention includes an oscillating sprinkler including a fluid inlet, an oscillating mechanism, an engagement mechanism, a selector unit, an elongate tubular body member, and a support base. An internal channel leading through each of the fluid inlet, the oscillating mechanism, and the selector unit forms a first path of fluid communication. The elongate tubular body member includes a single molded body structure having connected thereto a plurality of multi-nozzle series, a plurality of lumens, each of the plurality of lumens being connected in fluid communication with at least one of the multi-nozzle series, and an end surface including a plurality of apertures, with one aperture open to each of the lumens, such that each aperture is associated with one of the plurality of lumens and at least one of the multi-nozzle series. A second path of fluid communication runs from each aperture through its associated lumen to its associated at least one of the multi-nozzle series. The engagement mechanism provides a plurality of positions for selectably providing a connection of the first path of fluid communication with one of the second paths of fluid communication, thereby providing fluid communication from the inlet to a selected multi-nozzle series.
In another aspect, the present invention includes an oscillating sprinkler having a pattern select feature including a tubular member, itself including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart nozzle-mounting surfaces therein, with an end portion including the same plurality of apertures therein, and the same plurality of indents thereon. Each of the nozzle-mounting surfaces includes a series of nozzles associated therewith, and the interior of the tubular member includes a plurality of water conduit cavities. Each water conduit cavity is associated with one of said series of nozzles. The sprinkler also includes a generally cylindrical collar element disposed around the end portion of the tubular member and a selector piece mounted inside said collar element. The selector piece includes an opening to be aligned with a selected fluid inlet, and an outwardly biased protrusion extending towards the end portion. A water-driven oscillating mechanism for oscillating the tubular member is also included. The oscillating mechanism has a water inlet and a water outlet, wherein the water outlet is in fluid communication with an interior channel of the selector piece and wherein the oscillating mechanism causes the selector piece to oscillate, said oscillating selector piece interacting with the indent of the end portion through the outwardly biased protrusion to oscillate the tubular member. The sprinkler includes a support structure for supporting the tubular member.
In still another aspect, the present invention includes an oscillating sprinkler having a pattern select feature and including a tubular member with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart longitudinal slots therein, and an endplate having the same plurality of apertures therein and the same plurality of indents therein. Each longitudinal slot includes a series of nozzles associated therewith, and the interior of the tubular member includes a plurality of water conduit cavities. Each water conduit cavity is associated with one of said series of nozzles. The sprinkler includes a cylindrical collar element mounted adjacent the endplate and a selector piece connected inside the collar element. The selector piece includes an opening to be aligned with a selected fluid inlet and an outwardly biased protrusion extending towards the endplate, wherein the opening on the selector piece comprises a cylindrical portion having an internal step, a sealing cup fitted within the cylindrical portion, an o-ring between the internal step and the sealing cup, and a rubber seal extending out from the sealing cup towards the endplate. In addition, the sprinkler includes a water-driven oscillating mechanism for oscillating the tubular member, wherein the oscillating mechanism includes a water inlet and a water outlet, and wherein the water outlet is in fluid communication with the interior of the collar element. The sprinkler is constructed such that when the oscillating mechanism causes the selector piece to oscillate, the oscillating selector piece interacts with the indent of the endplate through the outwardly biased protrusion to oscillate the tubular member. The sprinkler also includes a support structure for supporting the tubular member.
In yet another aspect, the present invention includes an oscillating sprinkler having a pattern select feature and comprising a tube body. The tube body includes a plurality of tubes, each of which has a series of nozzles associated therewith, and an end having the same plurality of apertures therein, with each aperture opening into one of the plurality of tubes, and the same plurality of engagement surfaces thereon. The sprinkler has a cylindrical collar element disposed around the end of the tube body with a selector piece mounted inside said collar element. The selector piece includes an opening to be aligned with a selected aperture, and includes an outwardly biased protrusion extending toward the end for engaging one of the engagement surfaces thereon. The sprinkler also has a water-driven oscillating mechanism for oscillating the tube body, wherein the oscillating mechanism includes a water inlet and a water outlet, and wherein the water outlet is in fluid communication with the interior of the collar element such that when the oscillating mechanism causes the selector piece to oscillate, the oscillating selector piece interacts with the engagement surface of the end through the outwardly biased protrusion to oscillate the tube body. The sprinkler also includes a support structure for supporting the tube body.
In still yet another aspect, the invention includes an oscillating sprinkler having a pattern select feature and including a water-dispensing body that itself includes a plurality of tubes, each tube having a series of nozzles associated therewith, an end surface having the same plurality of apertures therein opening into one of said plurality of tubes, and a detent projection on the end surface. The sprinkler has cylindrical collar element mounted around the end surfaces of the tube body and a selector piece fitted inside said collar element. The selector piece comprises an opening to be aligned with a selected aperture and plurality of detent-receiving indents thereon for receiving the detent projection, wherein the opening on the selector piece comprises a cylindrical portion having an internal step, a sealing cup fitted within the cylindrical portion, an o-ring between the internal step and the sealing cup, and a rubber seal extending out from the sealing cup towards the selected end surface. Additionally, the sprinkler includes a water-driven oscillating mechanism for oscillating the tubular body. The oscillating mechanism includes a water inlet and a water outlet, wherein the water outlet is in fluid communication with the interior of the collar element and wherein, when the oscillating mechanism causes the selector piece to oscillate, the oscillating selector piece interacts with the detent projection of the end surface through the detent receiving indent to oscillate the tubular body. The sprinkler also has a support structure for supporting the tubular body.
In still another aspect, the present invention includes an oscillating sprinkler that itself includes a tubular member having a first number of nozzle mounting slots thereon and an end portion having substantially the first same number of apertures therethrough. Each of the nozzle mounting slots includes a series of nozzles associated therewith, and the interior of the tubular member includes a plurality of lumens. Each lumen is associated with one of the series of nozzles and with one of the apertures. The sprinkler also includes a selector unit comprising a fluid passage selectably in communication with each of the plurality of lumens and an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism is selectably engageable with the end portion of the tubular member in one of at least two engagement positions. A fluid-driven oscillating mechanism for oscillating the tubular member is also part of the sprinkler. An oscillating movement of the oscillating mechanism causes the selector unit to oscillate, such that the oscillating selector piece interacts with the engagement mechanism to oscillate the tubular member.
In yet another aspect, the present invention includes an oscillating sprinkler having a pattern select feature and including a tubular member with a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal slots therein, a first end having the same plurality of apertures therein, the same plurality of indents therein, a closed end, and a plurality of water conduit cavities. Each water conduit cavity is associated with one of the longitudinal slots. A plurality of strips of nozzles for each of said longitudinal slots is also include and an interior side of each of the strips comprises a means for securing the strip to a longitudinal slot and an exterior side of the strips comprises outwardly projecting nozzles. The sprinkler includes a cylindrical collar element over the first end of the tubular member. A selector piece is fitted inside said collar element. The selector piece includes an opening to be aligned with a selected aperture and an outwardly biased protrusion extending towards the first end of the tubular member. The sprinkler also includes a water-driven oscillating mechanism for oscillating the tubular member, wherein the oscillating mechanism itself includes a water inlet and a water outlet. The water outlet is in fluid communication with the interior of the collar element. The sprinkler is constructed such that the oscillating mechanism causes the selector piece to oscillate, so that the oscillating selector piece interacts with the indent of the first end through the outwardly biased protrusion to oscillate the tubular member. A support structure for supporting the tubular member is also included as part of the sprinkler.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing brief description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of embodiments of the invention.
The embodiments of the invention presented herein are useful for dispensing water from an oscillating sprinkler over an area to be watered such as, for example, a lawn or garden area. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited for an application in which it is desirable to select the width of the area to be watered.
One embodiment of an oscillating sprinkler 10 according to the invention is illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the lumens 32a-32c and the nozzle mounting slots 14 are formed during injection molding of the body 11 of the flow tube assembly 12. The construction of the body 11 of the flow tube assembly 12 is illustrated in
In some alternative embodiments, the nozzles 26 may not be separate structures that protrude from nozzle series 24 mounted to the flow tube assembly 12, but may be constructed as nozzle apertures in the flow tube assembly 12 that are open to allow water flow. Such construction may include, for example, drilling the nozzle apertures or molding the apertures as an integral part of the body 11 of the flow tube assembly 12. Attachment of the multi-nozzle series 24 to the flow tube assembly 12 in the illustrated embodiment of
As shown in
According to the embodiments shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The lumen 41 of the fluid outlet port 36 provides fluid communication between the interior lumen 19 of the selector module 18 and, selectably/individually, the lumens 32a-32c of the flow tube assembly 12. The fluid outlet port 36 is located on the selector module 18 so as to selectably align with one of the apertures 33a-33c opening into lumens 32a-32c and to direct fluid into a selected one of the lumens 32a-32c. The o-ring 62, seal cup 63, and rubber seal 40 provide a seal between the distal end of the fluid outlet port 36 and the proximal end of the endplate 30. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternative structures, within the scope of the present invention, may be used to provide a seal between the distal end of the fluid outlet port 36 and the proximal surface 30 of the flow tube body 11.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the longest nozzle series is the nozzle series 24a which consists of two multi-nozzle strips. A user wishing to select the nozzle series 24a for a desired water pattern width will rotate the flow tube assembly 12 until the flow indicator marker 3 is aligned with the nozzle series 24a. As the flow tube 12 is rotated into this position, the detent button mechanism 35 is aligned with indent 34a, the spring 37 biases the nub 39 into engagement with the indent 34a, and the fluid outlet port 36 aligns with the lumen 32a, providing fluid communication from the inlet through the timer 23, the oscillator 22, then via the lumen 19 and the outlet port 36 of the selector module 18 through the aperture 32a and lumen 33a to the multi-nozzle series 24a.
The detent button 35 provides audible and tactile feedback to the user by “clicking into place” into one of the indents 34-34c when the user rotates the flow tube assembly 12 to a selected position. This helps to ensure that the fluid outlet port 36 is aligned with the desired lumen 32a-32c. Also, the detent button 35 is sufficiently strongly biased into engagement with indents 34a-34c of the endplate 30 on the flow tube assembly 12 that, when the sprinkler 10 is in operation, the oscillating motion of the mechanism 22 is effectively transmitted through the selector module 18 to the flow tube assembly 12, so that the flow tube assembly 12 oscillates. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning of the engagement mechanism complements alignment of the desired multi-nozzle series 24a-24c with the visual indicia 3 on the collar 16. In alternative embodiments, these visual indicia are not present, or some other visual indicia may be used alone and/or to complement the “clickable” indicia of the above-described engagement mechanism.
In an alternative embodiment, two detent button assemblies 35 may be provided and positioned to align with a selected two of the indents 34, providing a more stable lock while the fluid outlet port 36 is aligned with a corresponding one of apertures 32. In alternative embodiments, the nub 39 may be constructed of rubber or some other material, or may be a ball bearing. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of an engagement mechanism are within the scope of the present invention. For example, a different embodiment of an engagement mechanism such as one having a different number of engagement structures or a ratcheting mechanism may be used. Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that such engagement structures also may be located in other places and/or orientations. For example, one embodiment of an engagement structure may include a tang and/or leaf spring assembly disposed on the proximal or distal end of the flow tube assembly 12, and engageable in a manner to align a selected one of the lumens/nozzle assemblies with the input water passage. The embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
The sprinkler 10 comprises collars 51, 52 which can be set to vary the range of the oscillation, a process known in the art and described more fully in the patents previously incorporated herein by reference. The bale element 20 is provided with an extension 47 that is arranged between the collars 51, 52. When the bale element 20 oscillates, the extension 47 oscillates until it meets one of the collars, e.g., collar 51. Thereupon, the rotation of the bale element 20 is impeded, and the impediment is received by the oscillating mechanism 22, which reverses itself. The oscillating mechanism 22 then causes the bale element 20 to oscillate in the opposite direction until impeded by collar 52, and then reverses again.
The sprinkler 10 further includes an inlet 60 for connection to a hose (not shown). The inlet 60 is in fluid communication with a channel through the oscillating mechanism 22, which is driven by the flow of water. Other embodiments of the invention may include a flow control module arranged between the inlet 60 and the oscillating mechanism 22.
In a sample operation of the embodiment of the sprinkler 10 illustrated in
Each of the multi-nozzle series 24 can be secured to the flow tube assembly 12 in a variety of ways. It is preferable to provide a seal that prevents leakage through the longitudinal slots 14.
The embodiment illustrated in
In yet another alternative embodiment, a strip holding a multi-nozzle series 24 may be attached into the flow tube assembly 12 from the inside, with—for example—glue, sonic welding, and/or water pressure during operation providing a seal between the strip and the longitudinal slots. The described types of nozzle construction and mounting are known to those of skill in the art.
An alternative to the single-tube flow tube assembly 12 is illustrated in
The selector module 214 includes one female outlet port 224 and three “dummy” female ports 226. The female outlet port 224 is open to a fluid communication channel from the inlet 202. The female outlet port 224 includes a sealing structure (e.g., an o-ring or sealing membrane) that enables it to form a fluid-tight seal when engaged with a selected one of the inlet ports 220a-220d. The female outlet port 224 is aligned with the pointer 217 on the collar 216, which is attached to the selector module 214. The three dummy ports 226 are sized and positioned to complementarily receive the inlet ports 220 that are not engaged with the outlet port 224. For example, when inlet port 220a is engaged with the outlet port 224 allowing water flow from the inlet 202 to proceed via the lumen 222a to the nozzle set 218a, the inlet ports 220b-220d will be engaged with the dummy ports 226 and closed off from water flow. The inlet ports 220 of the flow tube body 206 are biased into engagement with the outlet 224 and dummy ports 226, in the illustrated embodiment, by a coil spring 228 compressed between the distal end of the flow tube body 206 and the base 204. Specifically, a mounting surface 230 of the base 204 engages a distal spring cup 232 of the flow tube body 206 in a manner that allows the spring 228 to bias the flow tube 206 in a proximal direction. In an alternative embodiment, the dummy ports 226 may be combined as a single rounded groove sized for housing the inlet ports 220 not engaged with the outlet 224. In another alternative embodiment, the distal surface of the selector module 214 includes a shallow groove circling between each of the dummy ports 226 and the outlet 224 to help guide tracking of the inlet ports 220 during adjustment/rotation when a user is selecting a pattern width/nozzle set 218.
For example, a user wishes to have a watering pattern width corresponding to the nozzle set 218c. The user grasps the flow tube body 206 and moves it distally, compressing the spring 228. When the flow tube body 206 is moved distally along its longitudinal axis to compress the spring 228 between the spring cup 232 and the mounting surface 230, the inlet ports 220 are disengaged from the outlet port 224 and the dummy ports 226. This disengagement allows the user to select which of the nozzle sets 218 to use by rotating the flow tube body 206 to align the desired nozzle set 218c with the pointer 217. When the nozzle set 218c is aligned with the pointer 217, the inlet port 220c is aligned with the outlet port 224. At this point, the user can release the flow tube 206, and the proximally directed biasing force of the spring 228 through the flow tube 206 will bias the inlet port 220c into engagement with the outlet port 224. In this example, when the user activates water flow to the sprinkler 200, the water entering through the inlet 202 will pass through the flow control module 208, the water-impelled oscillator motor 210, and the outlet port 224 of the selector module 214, entering the lumen 222c of the flow tube body 206 through the inlet port 220c, and exiting the sprinkler 200 through the nozzle set 218c.
The selector module 214 is attached to the oscillator 210, such that when water flow through the oscillator 210 causes it to oscillate, the selector module 214 also oscillates. The engagement of the inlet ports 220 of the flow tube body 206 with the selector module 214 is such that the oscillation of the oscillator 210 is translated to oscillation of the flow tube body 206. In an alternative embodiment, the selector outlet and one or more dummy outlets, if present, may protrude while the inlets on the flow tube body 206 are inset and are sized and oriented to engage the selector outlet.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.
