The present invention pertains to the blending of irrigation sprinklers in with their surroundings and, more particularly, to being able to include turf on the top of pop-up sprinklers so that when they are retracted they blend in with the turf surrounding them both cosmetically and functionally.
Irrigation systems can be designed with underground conduit and buried sprinklers that pop up during irrigation cycles and retract after irrigation cycles. The tops of the sprinklers when retracted are at or slightly below grade. However, they are noticeable and can be stepped on or tripped over while walking or running. There are instances (e.g., with athletic fields, recreation areas and golf courses) where it is desirable to have turf cover the tops of the sprinklers. This disguises the tops to provide a better appearance and enables one to walk or run over the tops with a reduced chance of tripping on the sprinkler. It also enhances the function of the turf during sports when a ball or other implement of a game bounces or rolls over the sprinkler. For instance, it will function more like actual turf if a golf ball hits on the turf covering the sprinkler.
With reference to
More specifically, the turf cup assembly 10 can be easily attached to the sprinkler 12. The turf cup 14 attaches to a turret 22 of the riser 18 with a pair of screws 24. Each screw 24 extends through a hole 26 defined by the turf cup 14, a boss 28 formed in the turret 22 and an elongated hole 30 where threads of the screw 24 can bite into a wall of the elongated hole 30. The sleeve 16 includes a generally cylindrical portion 32 and a flange 34 that surrounds the cylindrical portion 32. The flange 34 corresponds generally to a top 36 of the housing 20. The flange 34 includes an arcuate skirt 38 and terminates with a series of arcuate tabs 40. The skirt 38 wraps around an edge 42 of the top 36 of the housing 20, and the series of arcuate tabs 40 reach under the edge 42 of the top 36 of the housing 20 to hold the sleeve 16 onto the housing 20. The sleeve 16 has a snap-fit like engagement between the edge 42 of the top 36 and the series of arcuate tabs 40.
With reference to
The conical wall 44 includes a series of annular ribs 48 spaced vertically and that extend into the turf cup 14. The ribs 48 assist in engaging and retaining turf (soil and turf root structure) in the turf cup 14, especially as the turf cup 14 extends and retracts for irrigation cycles. As discussed above, the bottom 46 defines the screw holes 26 for the attachment screws 24. As explained further below, the turf cup 14 includes a support structure 50 (
Extending from the bottom of the turf cup 14 is a pair of tangs 55 each terminating with a cover 56 for each of the elongated tubes 52. The covers 56 have pre-cut or pre-scored lines 58 to allow access of a tool to operate the adjustment screws on a top 60 (
The bottom 46 of the turf cup 14 also defines a small hole 62 that allows access to a screw that can extend into the water being discharged from the nozzle to disrupt the flow emitting from the nozzle. This enables adjustment of the flow emitting from the nozzle.
The conical wall 44 and the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14 form indentations or relief areas 64. The indentations or relief areas can be angled walls 64 diametrically opposite one another. The angled walls 64 take the form of partial cylinders that are convex from the inside of the turf cup 14 and are concave from outside the turf cup 14. One of the angled walls 64 aligns with a first nozzle 65 of the turret, and the second angled wall 64 aligns with a second nozzle 67 of the turret. The angled walls 64 prevent the turf cup 14 from interfering with the water diverting from the nozzles. This helps enable the sprinkler to maintain distribution uniformity. Without the angled walls 64, the turf cup, such as its bottom, would interfere with water emitting from the nozzles. If the sprinkler only includes a single nozzle, the turf cup would only need one of the indentations, relief areas or angled walls.
The angled walls 64 also allow the turf cup 14 to be larger in size (smaller size may not interfere with water emitting from the sprinkler). This larger size enables the turf cup 14 to match that of common hole plug tools that are used to remove turf plugs for golf holes. The larger size also enables use of larger turf plugs which is believed to make the turf plugs more stable in the turf cup and less likely to be ejected from the turf cup.
The bottom 46 of the turf cup 14 defines a series of radial slots 66 that extend to the conical wall 44 and then continue as generally vertical slots 68 defined by the conical wall 44. The slots 66, 68 provide for drainage of water in the turf cup 14.
With reference to
As mentioned above, the angled walls 64 are concave walls when viewed from the underneath of the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14. The angled walls 64 each form two angled edges 76 at a transition with the conical wall 44 and the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14.
Turning to
Alternatively, the support structure 50 can be attached to the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14 using other methods. For example, a snap fit could be used between the support structure 50 and the bottom of the turf cup 14. The snap fit may be between the center disc 86 and the circular recess 70 and/or between the spokes 88 and the radial recesses 72. In one example, the lateral flanges 90 could be fitted into slots formed in the sides of the radial recesses 72. The slots would complement the location, size and length of the lateral flanges. Alternatively, small tabs could project from the bottom surface 46 over the circular recess 70 and/or radial recesses 72. The center disc 86 and the spokes 88 would be pressed into the circular recess 70 and the radial recesses 72 past the small tabs so that the small tabs hold the support structure 50 to the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14. Instead, the support structure 50 could be held in the center recess 70 and/or radial recesses 72 with just a friction fit.
As another alternative, the support structure 50 could be glued with adhesive to the turf cup 14. That is, the support structure 50 could be glued into the circular recess 70 and/or into the radial recesses 72. In another alternative, the support structure 50 could be screwed to the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14. The screws could be used at the center disc 86 and the circular recess 70 and/or at the spokes 88 and the radial recesses 72. As another alternative, the support structure 50 could be welded to the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14 at the center disc 86 and/or the radial spokes 88. With these methods, the support structure 50 could be attached directly to the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14 without using a circular recess 70 and radial recesses 72. For instance, the support structure 50 could be attached to a flat bottom surface of the bottom 46 of the turf cup 14.
The center disc 86 defines a pair of holes 92 for the attachment screws 24 discussed above. The holes 92 have a countersunk portion 94 so that at least a portion of a head of the screws resides in the center disc 86 (see
The center disc 86 defines an opening 100 between the two elongated tubes 52. The opening 100 aligns with an opening 102 (
The bottom 104 of the center disc 86 provides a pair of bosses 106 extending around the holes 92 for the attachment screws 24. The bosses 106 include a stepped configuration where each has a larger portion 108 extending from the bottom 104 of the center disc 86 with a larger outer diameter and a smaller portion 110 extending from the larger portion 108 with a smaller outer diameter. The smaller portion 108 fits into a counter-sunk portion of the screw holes in the top of the turret (
Referring to
A perimeter 126 of the flange corresponds to a perimeter of a top of the sprinkler housing 20. As mentioned above, the flange 126 includes the arcuate skirt 36 about the perimeter 126. The arcuate skirt 36 wraps around the edge 42 of the top 38 of the housing 20. The skirt 36 terminates with a radially inward extending flange 128 that defines gaps 130 that form the arcuate tabs 40. The arcuate tabs 40 reach under the edge 42 of the top 38 of the housing 20 to hold the sleeve 16 onto the housing 20. The sleeve 16 has a snap-fit like engagement between the edge 42 of the top 38 and the series of arcuate tabs 40. One or more of the arcuate tabs, such as arcuate tab 132 may be larger than the other tabs 40. The larger tab 132 provides a large structure to grab when removing the sleeve 16 from the housing 20 and helps to further secure the sleeve 16 to the housing 20. The gaps 130 are to be aligned with and provide clearance for the support ribs 131 of the housing under the flange 36. Water can drain from between the flange 128 and the bottom the edge 42 of the housing.
On the bottom of the flange 34, a pair of arcuate ribs 134 surround an exit 136 of the adjustment passageway 118. The arcuate ribs 134 extend into an arcuate recess 138 on the top 36 of the housing 20 surrounding the selector feature 140 to align the sleeve 16 on the top 36 of the housing 20.
The material of the support structure 50 is more rigid than that of the turf cup 14 and the sleeve 16. The material for the turf cup 14 and sleeve 16 can be made of ethylene propylene diene monomer. One such material is santoprene. The material for the support structure can be a polypropylene.
With reference to
The conical wall 244 includes a series of annular ribs 248 spaced apart vertically and that extend radially into the turf cup 214. The ribs 248 assist in engaging and retaining turf (soil and turf root structure) in the turf cup 214, especially as the turf cup 214 extends and retracts for irrigation cycles. The bottom 246 defines screw holes 226 for the attachment screws (such as attachment screws 24). As explained further below, the turf cup 214 includes a support structure 250 (
One can access the passageways 269 through the turf in the turf cup 214. Alternatively, the settings would be made before the turf is installed in the turf cup 214 or adjustments would be made by removing the turf from the turf cup 214.
An adjustment passageway 262 permits access to a screw that can extend into the water being discharged from the nozzle to disrupt the flow emitting from the nozzle. This enables adjustment of the flow emitting from the nozzle. The adjustment passageway 262 includes a closure that is pre-cut in an “X” configuration to allow insertion of a tool (e.g., a Phillips Head screwdriver) in the same manner as described above with respect to the other adjustment passageways 269.
The conical wall 244 and the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214 form angled walls 264 diametrically opposite one another. The angled walls 264 take the form of partial cylinders that are convex from the inside of the turf cup 214 and are concave from outside the turf cup 214. One of the angled walls 264 aligns with a first nozzle of the turret, and the second angled wall 264 aligns with a second nozzle of the turret. The angled walls 264 prevent the turf cup 214 from interfering with the water diverting from the nozzles. This helps enable the sprinkler to maintain distribution uniformity. Without the angled walls 264, the turf cup 214, such as its bottom 246, would interfere with water emitting from the nozzles. If the sprinkler only includes a single nozzle, the turf cup 214 would only need one of the angled walls 264.
The angled walls 264 also allow the turf cup 214 to be larger in size (smaller size may not interfere with water emitting from the sprinkler). This larger size enables the turf cup 214 to match that of common hole plug tools that are used to remove turf plugs for golf holes. The larger size also enables use of larger turf plugs which is believed to make the turf plugs more stable in the turf cup and less likely to be ejected from the turf cup.
The conical wall 244 of the turf cup 214 defines a series of vertical slots 268 that provide for drainage of water in the turf cup 214.
With reference to
As mentioned above, the angled walls 264 are concave walls when viewed from the underneath of the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214. The angled walls 64 each form two angled edges 276 at a transition with the conical wall 244 and the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214.
Turning to
In addition to over-molding, the support structure 250 could be attached to the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214 using other methods. For example, a snap fit could be used between the support structure 250 and the bottom of the turf cup 214. The snap fit may be between the center disc 286 and the circular recess 270 and/or between the spokes 288 and the radial recesses 272. In one example, the lateral flanges 290 could be fitted into slots formed in the sides of the radial recesses 272. The slots would complement the location, size and length of the lateral flanges. Alternatively, small tabs could project from the bottom surface 246 over the circular recess 270 and/or radial recesses 272. The center disc 286 and the spokes 288 would be pressed into the circular recess 270 and the radial recesses 272 past the small tabs so that the small tabs hold the support structure 250 to the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214. Instead, the support structure 250 could be held in the center recess 270 and/or radial recesses 272 with just a friction fit.
As another alternative, the support structure 250 could be glued with adhesive to the turf cup 214. That is, the support structure 250 could be glued into the circular recess 270 and/or into the radial recesses 272. In another alternative, the support structure 250 could be screwed to the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214. The screws could be used at the center disc 286 and the circular recess 270 and/or at the spokes 288 and the radial recesses 272. As another alternative, the support structure 250 could be welded to the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214 at the center disc 286 and/or the radial spokes 288. With these methods, the support structure 250 could be attached directly to the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214 without using a circular recess 270 and radial recesses 272. For instance, the support structure 250 could be attached to a flat bottom surface of the bottom 246 of the turf cup 214.
The center disc 286 defines a pair of holes 292 for the attachment screws (such as screws 24) discussed above. The holes 292 have a countersunk portion 294 so that at least a portion of a head of the screws resides in the center disc 286 (see
The turf cup 214 includes a pull tab 298 for engaging to extend the riser 18 from the housing 20. The pull tab 298 extends upwards from the center disc 286 between the holes 292 and a cover 281 (see
The material of the support structure 250 is more rigid than that of the turf cup 214. Therefore, the pull tab 297 of the support structure 250 is more rigid than the cover 281 of the turf cup 214. The rigidity of the pull tab 298 provides support for the cover 281 when the cover 281 is grabbed by hand or by a tool for extending the riser 18 from the housing 20.
The material for the support structure can be a polypropylene. The material for the turf cup 214 can be made of ethylene propylene diene monomer. One such material is santoprene.
A bottom 304 of the center disc 286 has a pair of bosses 306 extending around the holes 292 for the attachment screws 24. The bosses 306 include a stepped configuration where each has a larger portion 308 extending from the bottom 304 of the center disc 286 with a larger outer diameter and a smaller portion 310 extending from the larger portion 308 with a smaller outer diameter. The smaller portion 310 fits into the counter-sunk portion of the screw holes in the top of the turret (
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the technological contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims.
This application is a continuation of and claims priority to prior application Ser. No. 16/132,864, filed Sep. 17, 2018, and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/570,085, filed Oct. 9, 2017, and Provisional Application No. 62/570,025, filed Oct. 9, 2017, which all are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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Entry |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20210162449 A1 | Jun 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62570025 | Oct 2017 | US | |
62570085 | Oct 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16132864 | Sep 2018 | US |
Child | 17173812 | US |