U.S. patent number 3,921,912 [Application Number 05/486,587] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-25 for lawn sprinkler.
This patent grant is currently assigned to L. R. Nelson Corporation. Invention is credited to Jerry R. Hayes.
United States Patent |
3,921,912 |
Hayes |
November 25, 1975 |
Lawn sprinkler
Abstract
A rotary-type lawn sprinkler that is reversibly rotatable
through any angle. The angle is set by means on the exterior of the
sprinkler while the reversing is fluidic and takes place completely
within the sprinkler. A slip clutch allows manual rotation of the
sprinkler head. The nozzle is angularly adjustable in a vertical
plane through 80.degree., and the nozzle diffuser is adjustable to
provide an infinite number of stream diffusion patterns; adjustment
of either can be made during operation. A magnetic coupling between
the reversible turbine and planetary reduction gearing allows
sensitive reduction gearing to be sealed from the water flow.
Inventors: |
Hayes; Jerry R. (Peoria,
IL) |
Assignee: |
L. R. Nelson Corporation
(Peoria, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
27042099 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/486,587 |
Filed: |
July 8, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/242;
239/DIG.1; 239/587.4; 239/590.5; 239/587.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
3/044 (20130101); B05B 3/0436 (20130101); B05B
15/654 (20180201); B05B 1/12 (20130101); Y10S
239/01 (20130101); B05B 1/3402 (20180801) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
1/00 (20060101); B05B 1/12 (20060101); B05B
15/00 (20060101); B05B 3/02 (20060101); B05B
15/06 (20060101); B05B 3/04 (20060101); B05B
003/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/242,587,590.5,DIG.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: King; Lloyd L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cushman, Darby & Cushman
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A lawn sprinkler having a nozzle assembly comprising
a. a supply of water under pressure,
b. a tubular nozzle having one end adapted to be connected to said
supply of water under pressure and a delivery end for delivering
water from said supply to an area to be sprinkled,
c. a nozzle face terminating the delivery end of said nozzle, said
nozzle face having an eccentric orifice therein, and
d. a nozzle diffuser having a tubular body portion surrounding said
nozzle face and mounted on said nozzle for pivotal movement with
respect thereto, and a face portion having at least one pointed
member forming a border of an orifice therein, said orifice in said
nozzle face and said orifice in said nozzle diffuser face portion
cooperating to change the diffuseness of the water stream issuing
from said nozzle depending upon the relative orientation of said
nozzle and said nozzle diffuser.
2. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 1 wherein said orifice in
said nozzle diffuser face portion is eccentric relative to said
orifice in said nozzle face.
3. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 2 wherein said nozzle
diffuser face portion has a plurality of pointed members forming
borders of said nozzle diffuser orifice therein.
4. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 1 wherein a means is
provided for both providing frictional maintenance of said nozzle
diffuser with respect to said nozzle in the position to which it is
pivoted and for sealing the area of engagement between said nozzle
diffuser and said nozzle for preventing water flow in any path
except through said nozzle face and said nozzle diffuser face
portion orifices.
5. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 4 wherein said sealing and
frictional maintenance means comprises an O-ring between said
nozzle and said nozzle diffuser tubular body portion.
6. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle
diffuser is rotatable through 360.degree. with respect to said
nozzle.
7. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 1 wherein said nozzle
diffuser is pivotal with respect to said nozzle to adjust the
diffuseness of the water stream therethrough even during operation
of said sprinkler.
8. A lawn sprinkler having a water distributing assembly rotatable
about an axis comprising
a. a source of water under pressure,
b. a nozzle having a nozzle face having a delivery orifice therein
for delivery of water from said source to an area to be
sprinkled.
c. means for adjusting the throw of water issuing from said
delivery orifice for a given water pressure, said means including
(i) a first rotatable member, (ii) a second rotatable member, said
second member rotatable with said first member about said axis and
pivotally movable in a plane containing said axis of rotation with
respect to said first member, said second member operatively
connected to said nozzle, and (iii) frictional means for
maintaining the relative inclination of said second member with
respect to said first member throughout the rotation of said
members about said axis.
9. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 8 wherein said second
member is pivotal throughout an arc of 80.degree. with respect to
said first member.
10. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 8 wherein said water
distributing assembly further comprises water conducting passages
through said first and second members for conducting water from
said source to said nozzle and a tubular output shaft for
conducting water from said source to said first member and rigidly
connected to said first member for rotating said first member and
said water distributing assembly as a whole therewith.
11. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 10 wherein said tubular
output shaft and said first and second members have a common
interface.
12. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 11 wherein means are
provided at said common interface for both sealing said interface
so that water being delivered can only pass from said output shaft
through said passages, and for providing said frictional
maintenance of the relative inclination of said second member with
respect to said first member.
13. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 12 wherein said sealing
and relative inclination maintenance means comprises an O-ring at
said interface.
14. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 10 wherein said second
member includes in the passage therein adjacent to said nozzle
means for reducing the turbulence of water flowing through said
passage to thereby increase the throw of said delivered water for a
given pressure and relative inclination between said first and
second members.
15. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 14 wherein said turbulence
reducing means includes a vane.
16. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 8 wherein said second
member may be pivoted with respect to said first member even during
operation of said sprinkler.
17. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 8 wherein said second
member has trunnion pins thereon received within corresponding
openings in said first member for allowing said relative pivotal
movement of said second member with respect to said first member
but for preventing any other relative movement therebetween.
18. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 8 wherein said orifice is
located eccentrically within said nozzle face and wherein said
water distributing assembly further comprises an adjustable nozzle
diffuser having a tubular body portion mounted on said nozzle for
pivotal movement with respect thereto and a face portion having at
least one pointed member forming a border of an orifice therein,
said orifice in said nozzle face and said orifice in said nozzle
diffuser face portion cooperating to change the diffuseness of the
water stream issuing from said nozzle depending upon the relative
orientation of said nozzle and said nozzle diffuser, and said
nozzle diffuser and said second member being adjustable together to
provide for efficient sprinkling of any area within the range of
said sprinkler despite any wind or terrain conditions.
19. A rotating lawn sprinkler having an adjustable stop assembly
for restricting rotation of a rotatable water distributing assembly
of said sprinkler to less than 360.degree. and for initiating
reversal of the direction of rotation of said water distributing
assembly, or for allowing unrestricted rotation thereof, said
sprinkler comprising
a. a relatively stationary sprinkler housing,
b. a means carried by said sprinkler housing for receiving a supply
of water under pressure,
c. two stop collars, one mounted atop the other on and external to
said sprinkler housing for adjustment with respect thereto and to
each other,
d. a stop tab extending from each of said stop collars,
e. a water distributing assembly mounted on and external to said
sprinkler housing and rotatable with respect to said housing and
said stop collars,
f. drive means located completely within said housing for rotating
said water distributing assembly with respect to said housing and
said stop collars and
g. a stop member carried by said water distributing assembly for
rotation therewith, and
h. means mounting said stop member for movement to (i) a
part-circle position with respect to said assembly wherein said
stop means during its rotative movement with said water
distributing assembly will abut said stop tabs and thus restricts
said sprinkler to rotation of less than 360.degree., and (ii) a
full-circle position with respect to said assembly wherein said
stop means during its passive movement with said assembly cannot
abut said stop tabs thereby allowing unrestricted rotation of said
assembly.
20. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 19 wherein said means
mounting said stop member comprises a shaft for pivotally mounting
said stop member for pivotal movement in a plane perpendicular to
the axis of rotation of said water distributing assembly, and
wherein said sprinkler further comprises a pair of recesses located
in said stop member and a spring-biased detent member mounted in
said water distributing assembly, said detent member engaging one
of said recesses in each of said part-circle and full-circle
positions of said stop member.
21. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 20 further comprising
engagement means associated with said stop collars and engaging
complimentary means formed on said sprinkler housing, said
engagement means providing for incremental adjustment of said stop
collars with respect to said housing.
22. A rotatable lawn sprinkler comprising
a. a pressurized sprinkler housing,
b. a water inlet in said housing for supplying water under pressure
to said sprinkler housing,
c. a water distributing assembly mounted on said housing for
rotation relative thereto,
d. stop means mounted on said housing for stopping the rotation of
said water distributing assembly and initiating reversal of the
direction of rotation thereof,
e. means within said housing for reversing the direction of
rotation of said water distributing assembly, said means including
(i) a reversible turbine responsive to water flow under pressure
through said inlet, (ii) planetary gear reduction means operatively
connected to said turbine and to an output shaft for rotating said
water distributing assembly, said planetary gear reduction means
including a housing-gear, (iii) means for mounting said planetary
gear reduction means housing-gear for no relative movement with
respect to said sprinkler housing during normal rotation of said
water distributing assembly but for limited movement with respect
to said sprinkler housing upon said stop means stopping said water
distributing assembly, and (iv) means responsive to the relative
movement between said housing-gear and said sprinkler housing for
reversing the direction of flow of water impinging upon said
turbine and thereby the direction of rotation of said turbine and
said water distributing assembly.
23. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 22 wherein said means
responsive to the relative movement of said planetary gear
reduction means housing-gear with respect to said sprinkler housing
comprises a fluid amplifier and a member operatively associated
with said mounting means for said gear reduction means housing-gear
for covering or uncovering signal ports of said fluid
amplifier.
24. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 23 wherein said fluid
amplifier comprises a nozzle opening connected to said water inlet
for said sprinkler, two outlet channels, one for supplying water to
said turbine to rotate it in one direction, and the other for
supplying water to said turbine to rotate it in the opposite
direction, and two signal ports for providing communication between
water withiin said pressurized sprinkler housing and said fluid
amplifier when uncovered by said member operatively associated with
said mounting means for said gear reduction means.
25. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 23 wherein said member
operatively associated with said mounting means for said gear
reduction means may uncover only one of said two signal ports of
said fluid amplifier at any position of travel of said member.
26. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 23 wherein said member has
a position wherein it covers both said signal ports.
27. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 22 wherein said mounting
means for said gear reduction means housing-gear comprises a member
rigidly connected to said gear reduction means housing-gear, said
member having a plurality of arms, a friction shoe associated with
each arm, and a relatively stationary means for cooperation with
said friction shoe for providing sufficient frictional force to
prevent said limited relative movement between said gear reduction
means housing-gear and said sprinkler housing during normal
operation of said sprinkler but allowing said limited relative
movement when said rotation of said water distributing assembly is
stopped by said stop means.
28. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 22 wherein said friction
shoes are spring-biased, and wherein said means cooperating with
said friction shoes are plates rigidly attached to the interior of
said sprinkler housing.
29. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 22 wherein said stop means
comprises two stop collars, one mounted atop the other on and
external to said sprinkler housing for rotation with respect
thereto and to each other, a stop tab extending from each of said
stop collars, and a movable stop lever carried by said water
distributing assembly for rotation therewith but pivotally movable
with respect thereto in a plane perpendicular to the axis for
rotation of said water distributing assembly, said lever in one
position thereof engageable with said stop tabs for stopping said
rotation of said water distributing assembly and thereby initiating
reversal of the direction of rotation of said water distributing
assembly.
30. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 29 wherein a spring biased
detent extends from said water distributing assembly, said spring
biased detent engaging one of two recesses on said stop lever, said
recesses corresponding to location of said stop lever in an
extended axial position with respect to said water distributing
assembly for engaging said stop tabs, and a retracted position with
respect to said water distributing assembly so that engagement with
said stop tabs is not possible.
31. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 30 wherein said stop
collars are mounted in engagement with and for rotation with
respect to said sprinkler housing, and wherein engagement means are
provided on said stop collars for cooperating with said sprinkler
housing, said engagement means providing sufficient force to
maintain said stop tabs stationary when engaged by said stop lever
thereby allowing initiation of said reversal of the direction of
rotation of said water distributing assembly.
32. A lawn sprinkler comprising
a. a sprinkler housing for containing water under pressure,
b. a water inlet for supplying water under pressure to said
housing,
c. a water distributing assembly mounted on said housing for
rotation relative thereto, said assembly distributing water from
said source to an area to be sprinkled,
d. means for adjusting the diffuseness of the water stream issuing
from said water distributing assembly,
e. means for adjusting the throw of the water stream issuing from
said water distributing assembly,
f. means for maintaining said throw constant throughout the
rotation of said water distributing assembly,
g. means for optionally limiting the rotation of said water
distributing assembly to less than 360.degree. and for adjusting
the limits of said rotation, and
h. means for reversing the direction of rotation of said water
distributing assembly to oscillate between said limits of
rotation.
33. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 32 wherein said stream
diffuseness adjustment, said throw adjustment, and said limits of
rotation adjustment can all be made during operation of said
sprinkler.
34. A lawn sprinkler having a drive assembly comprising
a. an inlet for supplying a flow of water under pressure,
b. a turbine responsive to water flow through said inlet,
c. an output shaft operatively connected to a water distributing
assembly of said sprinkler,
d. planetary gear reduction means operatively connected to said
turbine and to said output shaft for driving said output shaft at a
speed less than the speed of rotation of said turbine, said
planetary gear reduction means including (i) a housing-gear
portion, (ii) a cap-gear portion, and (iii) means between said
portions for normally maintaining said housing-gear and said
cap-gear portions together while allowing relative movement
therebetween should said output shaft be subject to an overload to
thereby protect said gear reduction means and said turbine from
damage.
35. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 34 wherein said means
between housing-gear portion and said cap-gear portion also is a
means for preventing entry of water between said portions.
36. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 35 wherein said means
between said housing-gear portion and said cap-gear portion is an
O-ring providing frictional engagement therebetween.
37. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 34 wherein said turbine is
operatively connected to said gear reduction means by permanent
magnet means acting through said housing-gear portion for allowing
said gear reduction means to be completely sealed while not
interfering with the rotation of said turbine.
38. A lawn sprinkler assembly comprising
a. a sprinkler housing for containing water under pressure,
b. an inlet for supplying water under pressure to said sprinkler
housing,
c. a water distributing assembly mounted on said housing for
movement relative thereto for distributing water from said inlet to
an area to be sprinkled,
d. a reversible turbine rotatable in response to directed flow of
water from said inlet,
e. a planetary gear reduction means,
f. an output shaft operatively connected to said gear reduction
means for operatively moving said water distributing assembly,
g. a housing-gear portion of said planetary gear reduction means
for completely sealing said gear reduction means from the flow of
water through said turbine,
h. permanent magnet means for coupling said turbine to said gear
reduction means through said gear reduction housing-gear portion
for allowing said gear reduction means to be completely sealed
while not interfering with the rotation of said turbine, and
i. means associated with said planetary gear reduction means for
reversing the direction of movement of said turbine and said water
distributing assembly upon stoppage of the movement of said water
distributing assembly.
39. A lawn sprinkler assembly as recited in claim 38 wherein said
means associated with said gear reduction means housing-gear
portion for reversing the direction of rotation of said turbine
includes means mounting said gear reduction means housing-gear
portion for limited movement with respect to said sprinkler housing
and fluid amplifier means responsive to the relative movement of
said gear reduction means housing-gear portion with respect to said
sprinkler housing for reversing the direction of flow impinging
upon said turbine and thereby the direction of rotation of said
turbine.
40. A rotatable lawn sprinkler comprising
a. a sprinkler housing for containing water under pressure,
b. a water inlet for supplying water under pressure to said
sprinkler housing,
c. a water distributing assembly mounted on said housing for
rotation relative thereto and for distributing water from said
housing to an area to be sprinkled,
d. means acting between the exterior of said housing and said water
distributing assembly for selectively stopping the rotation of said
water distributing assembly in either direction,
e. a hollow shaft extending from said housing to said water
distributing assembly for supplying water under pressure from said
housing to said water distributing assembly and rotating said water
distributing assembly, said hollow shaft the only means extending
from the interior of said housing to said water distributing
assembly,
f. a single means for sealing said hollow shaft to prevent water
flow out of said housing except through said hollow shaft, and
g. means within said housing responsive to a relative motion
occurring within said housing after said hollow shaft is stopped
for reversing the direction of rotation of said water distributing
assembly.
41. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 40 wherein said means
within said housing for reversing the direction of rotation of said
water distributing assembly comprises planetary gear reduction
means operatively connected to said tubular shaft including a
housing-gear for enclosing said planetary gear reduction means, a
reversible turbine responsive to water flow under pressure through
said inlet and operatively connected to said gear reduction means,
means for mounting said planetary gear reduction means housing for
no relative movement with respect to said sprinkler housing during
normal operation of said sprinkler but for limited movement with
respect to said sprinkler housing upon said stop means stopping
said water distributing assembly, and means responsive to the
relative movement of said planetary gear reduction means housing
with respect to said sprinkler housing for reversing the direction
of flow of water impinging upon said turbine and thereby the
direction of rotation of said turbine.
42. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 41 wherein said means
responsive to the relative movement of said planetary gear
reduction means housing-gear with respect to said sprinkler housing
comprises a fluid amplifier and a member operatively associated
with said mounting means for said gear reduction means housing-gear
for covering or uncovering signal ports of said fluid
amplifier.
43. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 42 wherein said fluid
amplifier comprises a nozzle opening connected to said water inlet
for said sprinkler, two outlet channels, one for supplying water to
said turbine to rotate it in one direction, and the other for
supplying water to said turbine to rotate it in the opposite
direction, and two signal ports for providing communication between
water within said pressurized sprinkler housing and said fluid
amplifier when uncovered by said member operatively associated with
said mounting means for said gear reduction means.
44. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 42 wherein said member
operatively associated with said mounting means for said gear
reduction means may uncover only one of said two signal ports of
said fluid amplifier at any position of travel of said member.
45. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 42 wherein said member has
a position wherein it covers both said signal ports.
46. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 42 wherein said mounting
means for said gear reduction means housing-gear comprises a member
rigidly connected to said gear reduction means housing-gear, said
member having a plurality of arms, a friction shoe associated with
each arm, and a relatively stationary means for cooperation with
said friction shoe for providing sufficient frictional force to
prevent said limited relative movement between said gear reduction
means housing-gear and said sprinkler housing during normal
operation of said sprinkler but allowing said limited relative
movement when said rotation of said water distributing assembly is
stopped by said stop means.
47. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 46 wherein said friction
shoes are spring-biased, and wherein said means cooperating with
said friction shoes are plates rigidly attached to the interior of
said sprinkler housing.
48. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 41 wherein said turbine is
operatively connected to said gear reduction means by permanent
magnet mans acting through said housing-gear portion for allowing
said gear reduction means to be completely sealed while not
interfering with the rotation of said turbine.
49. A lawn sprinkler comprising:
a. a relatively stationary sprinkler housing;
b. a water distributing assembly carried by said housing having a
discharge nozzle extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to
the upper portion of said housing, and rotatable in either
direction about a vertical axis with respect thereto;
c. drive means located completely within said housing for
conducting the water under pressure received in said housing to
said water distributing assembly and for converting energy in the
water conducted into oscillatory rotational movements of said water
distributing assembly in opposite directions, and
d. adjustable means for determining the arcuate extent of the
oscillatory rotative movements of said nozzle disposed on the
exterior of said housing in physical relation with said nozzle
unobstructed by exterior drive means structure so as to clearly
visually indicate to an operator the determined arcuate extent and
the position of the part-circle water distribution pattern with
respect to said sprinkler housing when said sprinkler is operated,
said adjustable means comprising:
1. a pair of stop collars mounted on said sprinkler housing for
movement into a multiplicity of different positions of adjustment
with respect thereto;
2. a stop tab projecting from each of stop collars;
3. stop means carried by said water distributing assembly for
rotation therewith and between said stop tabs for engaging the same
to determine the arcuate extent of the rotative oscillatory
movements of said nozzle between said stop tabs.
50. A lawn sprinkler as recited in claim 49 wherein said last
mentioned means further comprises indicia located on said housing
adjacent said stop collars for providing accurate alignment of said
stop tabs at arcuate angular positions a specific pre-determined
arcuate extent apart.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are many prior art lawn sprinklers related to the sprinkler
of the present invention including those disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 3,104,818, 3,405,871, 3,081,039, 3,070,314, 3,432,102, and
3,578,248. All such prior art sprinklers have at least some of the
following problems, however: A reversing mechanism with mechanical
overcenter mechanisms that tend to "dead center" after extended
use. No means for externally adjusting the reversing mechanism
during operation. No means for infinitely varying the stream
diffusion patterns, even during operation. No means for varying the
vertical orientation of the nozzle, even during operation. A
plurality of sealed means between the pressurized cavity and the
water distributing assembly. No means for preventing damage to the
sprinkler when a severe overload is applied to the output shaft,
and correspondingly no means to allow manual rotation of the head
to a position between reversing mechanism stops should the head not
originally be in such a position. And no means for providing
complete sealing of reduction gears from the water flow while not
interfering with turbine rotation. In general there is no simple
and reliable sprinkler that is adaptable to almost any terrain,
wind, and area conditions to provide effective watering of a
desired ground area.
According to the teachings of the present invention, a sprinkler is
provided that has none of the above-mentioned drawbacks and that is
simple and reliable yet adaptable to almost any terrain, wind, and
area conditions to provide effective watering of a desired ground
area. A rotary water distributing assembly has a nozzle that is
pivotal 80 degrees in a vertical plane -- even during operation --
and an eccentric discharge orifice cooperating with a nozzle
diffuser that is adjustable to provide an infinite variety of
stream diffusions -- also even during operation. Adjustable stop
collars mounted on the outside of the sprinkler housing initiate
reversing of the turbine drive and thereby the direction of
rotation of the head. The reversing means is fluidic with no chance
of "dead-centering" and thus requiring an exterior manual force to
get it out of a dead-center position.
The water supply shaft of the water distributing assembly according
to the teachings of the present invention for providing water to
the nozzle is splined onto the output carrier of the reduction
gears and also serves as the nexus for drive and reversing. The
uppermost portion of the planetary reduction gearing housing is
connected via an O-ring to the rest of the housing, such a
connection providing a slip clutch arrangement whereby should a
severe overload of the output shaft result the gearing will not be
affected.
The reduction gearing housing is completely sealed from the water
flow while not interfering with the turbine rotation by provision
of a magnetic coupling between the turbine and reduction gearings
operable through an integral housing. The whole reduction gear
housing is mounted for rotation relative to the sprinkler housing.
Rotation is normally prevented by the frictional engagement of
frictional shoes with the housing, however upon contact of the stop
lever of the rotary head with the adjustable stop tabs, rotational
movement of the housing mount is allowed. Since fluidic switching
means are connected to the mount, reversal of the fluid inlet flow
and subsequently the direction of turbine rotation is effected.
The whole assembly is contained on a wheeled frame and is
connectable to any source of water under pressure.
The sprinkler according to the present invention thus can be seen
to provide for watering almost any area despite any wind or terrain
conditions by providing adjustment of all of the angle of rotation,
the throw, and the diffuseness of the stream. All adjustments can
be made even during operation. The part circle adjustments are made
external to the pressurized cavity of the unit while the actual
reversing takes place internally. A single output shaft is the only
sealed element required for normal rotation of the water
distributing assembly, supplying water to the water distributing
assembly, and for the action of reversing. This provision of fewer
elements -- especially fewer sealed elements -- results in the
advantage of increased reliability.
In addition, the arrangement of the parts on the housing and the
provision of the internal drive provides a clear indication that
the water distributing assembly is adjustable to rotatably
oscillate between positions less than 360.degree. apart and between
what positions less than 360.degree. apart it will oscillate.
Additionally, the reversing of the stream involves no moving parts
within or near the fluid jet that is being reversed, and further
that the switching action of the motor mount and associated parts
acts as a single element that moves only a slight amount under the
persuasion of a great amount of force. This also results in the
advantage of increased reliability.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved
sprinkler that is simple and reliable yet adaptable to effectively
water almost any area despite any wind or terrain conditions.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a sprinkler
nozzle that is adjustable in a vertical plane, even during
operation.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a nozzle
diffuser for an eccentric discharge orifice that may be adjusted
even during operation to provide an infinite variety of stream
diffusion patterns.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a slip
clutch assembly between the sprinkler head and motor assembly to
prevent damage to the sprinkler from excessive forces applied to
the motor output shaft.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
magnetic coupling between the sprinkler turbine and gear reduction
assembly for allowing complete sealing of the gear reduction
assembly from the water flow without impairment of the turbine
movement.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
fluidic reversing means including only a single effective moving
element that moves only a slight amount.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide only one
sealed member between the pressurized sprinkler housing and the
water distributing assembly.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide
adjustable stop means for a sprinkler reversing assembly on the
outside of the sprinkler housing.
These and other objects of the invention will become clear from an
inspection of the ensuing detailed description of the invention and
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a rotary sprinkler according to the
teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the
sprinkler according to the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2b is a partial cross-sectional view of a detent mechanism for
the upper sprinkler portion taken along lines 2b-- 2b of FIG.
2a;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the nozzle diffuser face according to the
teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view with portions cut away of the trunnion,
gudgeon, and output shaft assembly according to the teachings of
the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lower portion of the
sprinkler according to the teachings of the present invention taken
generally along lines 5 -- 5 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6 -- 6 of FIG. 5
of the sprinkler according to the teachings of the present
invention;
FIGS. 7a - 7c are diagrammatic views showing the operation of fluid
flow reversing control means according to the teachings of the
present invention;
FIGS. 8a - 8c are diagrammatic views showing the operation of the
fluid flow reversing mechanism, with the cover plate removed,
according to the teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A rotary sprinkler according to the teachings of the present
invention is shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The sprinkler
consists generally of a base portion 12, having a water inlet 14
therein and axle 17 mounting wheels 18 secured thereto. A
pressurized sprinkler housing 13 is secured to base 12 and has a
water distributing assembly, shown generally at 20, rotatably
mounted thereon.
The water distributing assembly 20, shown in FIGS. 1 - 4, is
composed generally of a nozzle 22, trunnion 30, gudgeon 40, and
stop reversing control 50. The nozzle 22 has an eccentric orifice
24 in the delivery end thereof. Mounted on the end of the nozzle 22
is the nozzle diffuser 26 having an aperture 27 in the face thereof
and prongs 28 formed from diffuser 26 extending into aperture 27.
Diffuser 26 is rotatable with respect to nozzle 22, frictional
engagement being maintained therebetween by O-ring 29. In addition
to insuring that diffuser 26 will remain in the position to which
it is rotated relative to nozzle 22, O-ring 29 also seals the back
flow of water caused by the water impinging against the prongs 28
of the diffuser 26. The aperture 27 and prongs 28 of diffuser 26
cooperating with the eccentric orifice 24 in nozzle 22 provides an
infinite number of stream diffusion patterns as the diffuser 26 is
rotated through 360.degree.. Due to the inherent stability of this
construction, the diffuser can be rotated even when the sprinkler
is operating.
Trunnion 30 has nozzle 22 screw-threaded onto the end thereof.
Inserted within the open end of trunnion 30 is a vane 32 for
removing the turbulence from the water stream flowing through
passage 35 in trunnion 30 and thereby increasing the distance of
throw for a given orientation of the trunnion and nozzle. The other
end of the trunnion 30 is formed by generally spherical member 34.
The spherical end 34 is mounted in gudgeon 40 so that it is
rotatable in a vertical plane approximately 80.degree. from the
solid line position of FIG. 2 to the dotted line position. The
member 34 is prevented, in the preferred embodiment, from rotation
relative to gudgeon 40 in any other plane by the engagement of
trunnion pins 36 of member 34 with openings 41 in gudgeon 40 (see
FIG. 4). It is apparent, however, that a universal joint connection
between member 34 and gudgeon 40 could be provided if desired. The
O-ring 39 seals the trunnion 30 at all times and ensures that water
flowing through the gudgeon 40 flows through passage 35 in trunnion
30. In addition, O-ring 39 serves as a friction means to hold the
trunnion 30 in any selected vertical orientation. The vertical
position selection can be made during operation. It will be seen
that the combination of the adjustment of the throw provided by 30,
40, 39, and the adjustment of the diffuseness of the spray provided
by 24, 26, 27, along with the part circle adjustment to be
described later, allows adjustment of the sprinkler according to
the teachings of the present invention to effectively water almost
any area despite existing wind and terrain conditions.
O-ring 39 is held in engagement with gudgeon 40 and the surface of
spherical end member 34 of trunnion 30 by the enlarged end of
tubular output shaft 44. The output shaft 44 is rigidly connected
to gudgeon 40 via bolts (not shown) passed through apertures 47 in
extensions 45 of output shaft 44 into threaded openings 42 in
gudgeon 40 (see FIG. 4). Since the output shaft 44 is rigidly
connected to the gudgeon 40, rotation of the shaft 44 will rotate
gudgeon 40, trunnion 30, and nozzle 22 -- the whole water
distributing assembly 20. The tubular output shaft 44 has openings
46 near the bottom thereof to allow water to flow from the interior
of housing 13 to the trunnion 30. The end of output shaft 44
opposite trunnion 30 has a spline connection 48 to output carrier
75 to be driven thereby.
Also connected to gudgeon 40 is the stop lever for the part circle
and reversing adjustment, shown generally at 50 in the drawings.
The stop assembly 50 includes a stop lever 51 pivotally attached to
the gudgeon 40 via roll pin 52. The roll pin 52 facilitates
movement of the stop lever 51 between operative positions,
non-operative positins, and in cooperation with portion 53 on the
gudgeon prevents excessive movement in the opening 59 in which it
is rotatable in gudgeon 40. When the part circle feature of the
sprinkler according to the teachings of the present invention is to
be utilized, the stop lever is in the position shown in FIG. 2
wherein detent ball 56 located in gudgeon 40 is biased by spring 57
into contact with recess 54 in stop lever 51 to releasably hold the
lever in this position. The bottom end of lever 51 in FIG. 2 then
extends into a position wherein it is capable of engagement with
the stop tabs on the stop collars, as will be further explained
below. When it is not desired to use the part circle feature, the
lever is pulled upwardly from the position in FIG. 2 until detent
ball 56 engages recess 55, in this position, the bottom end of
lever 51 is no longer engageable with the stop tabs and the water
distributing assembly 20 will continuously rotate in the same
direction.
Stop collars 60, 61 having stop tabs 62, 63, assembled respectively
thereon are rotatable about upper extension 13' of housing 13. The
stop tabs 62, 63 are obviously rotatable relative to the housing 13
and to each other to any selected positions for potential
engagement with movable stop lever 51. Each stop collar 60, 61 has
recesses 68 formed on the interior surface thereof for cooperation
with stop tabs 62 and 63 respectively. Stop tab 62 and biasing
spring 66 therefor are mounted in an opening on the under surface
of collar 60. The stop tab 62 engages the upper extension 13' of
housing 13 to hold the collar 60 in the selected position relative
to stop collar 61. Similarly, stop tab 63 and biasing spring 67
therefor are mounted in an opening on the under surface of stop
collar 61. The stop tab 63 engages the upper extension 13' of
housing 13 to hold the collar 61 in the selected position relative
to housing 13. It is obvious that instead of incremental
adjustment, infinite adjustments could be provided by merely
providing a friction engagement between stop tabs 62, 63 and the
upper extension 13' of housing 13 instead of the splined coupling
58. Incremental adjustment is preferred, however, since lighter
springs facilitate ease of adjustment.
The stop tabs can be moved to any desired relative angular
orientations with respect to each other and the housing 13. With
the stop lever 51 in operative position, as shown in FIG. 2, as
gudgeon 40 rotates it will rotate lever 51 therewith until it
eventually engages one of the stop tabs, 62, 63. When the lever 51
engages a stop tab, the springs 66 and 67 of the tabs prevent
movement of the tabs, and thus reversal of the direction of
rotation of the lever 51 and whole water distributing assembly 20
is initiated, as will be more fully described later. The lever 51
will thus be rotatable between the stop tabs 62, 63, and will
reverse its direction of rotation when it abuts one of the tabs. If
the lever 51 is in the nonoperative position, however (wherein ball
56 engages recess 55), the lever can no longer abut either tab
during its rotation, and thus unrestricted rotation in the same
direction is allowed.
Output shaft 44 is driven by output carrier 75. The output carrier
75 has a splined end 76 thereof that is in engagement with the
splined end 48 of shaft 44 so that rotation of carrier 75 will
rotate shaft 44, but longitudinal movement therebetween will be
allowed. The output shaft 44 is received within the opening of
upper extension 13' of housing 13. An o-ring 69 engages the shaft
44 and housing extension 13' and prevents water flow from interior
16 (see FIG. 5) of housing 13 to the water distributing assembly 20
except through openings 46 in tubular shaft 44. A retaining ring 71
retains two thrust washers 70 and a thrust seal 72 in engagement
with O-ring 69 and output shaft 44 to assist the sealing of O-ring
69, and additionally effectively couples the water distributing
assembly 20 to the rest of the sprinkler by preventing removal of
shaft 44 through the opening in housing extension 13 of housing 13.
Output carrier 75 is powered by turbine assembly 130 and gear
reduction assembly 135 as will be explained further below. The
splined end 76 of output carrier 75 extends through an opening in
ring cap 78. Ring cap 78 is placed on top of ring housing 79, and
the connection therebetween is maintained watertight by o-ring 80.
O-ring 80 also serves as a friction clutch that locks the ring cap
78 to the ring housing 79 during normal operational loading, but
allows the cap 78 to turn relative to housing 79 upon a severe
overload. Any overload to output shaft 44 and output carrier 75 is
transmitted through the planetary reduction gearing assembly 135 to
the ring-cap 78 to thereby allow the slippage between it and ring
housing 79. This slippage prevents damage to the planetary
reduction gearing assembly 135 during an overload, and also allows
manual rotation of the water distributing assembly 20 for
positioning the lever 51 between stop tabs 62, 63, while not
interfering with normal operation of the sprinkler.
Fixedly attached to ring housing 79 via screws 86 through openings
in extensions 81 of housing 79 is motor mount 82. The housing 79
and motor mount 82 could be formed of one-piece but the two-piece
construction is preferred to allow interchangeability of parts with
other sprinklers. The motor mount 82 provides support for the
reduction gearing contained within ring housing 79 and ring cap 78
as well as also providing the means whereby the direction of
rotation of the water distributing assembly 20 is effected upon
engagement of the stop lever 51 with one of the stop tabs 62,
63.
The motor mount 82 has an aperture therein for receiving the ring
housing 79, arms 83 for containing frictional shoe members 87, and
extension 84 having port cover receiving portions 92, 93 for
effecting fluidic switching. The arms 83 have apertures in the
peripheries thereof for receiving frictional shoes 87 and biasing
springs 88 therefor. The frictional shoes 87 each engage a thrust
plate 90 inserted respectively within recesses formed in the
interior of the lower portion of housing 13 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).
The frictional engagement of the shoes 87 with the plates 90 allows
limited rotational movement of the whole gear reduction assembly
135 contained within housing 79 relative to base 12 and housing 13
if the forces acting on water distributing assembly 20 preventing
rotational movement thereof are greater than the frictional force
between shoes 87 and plates 90. As mentioned earlier, the spring
force of the stop collar springs 66, 67, are selected so that
should lever 51 extending from gudgeon 40 engage a stop tab 62 or
63, the stop tab will not be moved but instead the whole motor
mount 82 will be rotated as the motor torque is transferred through
the planetary gear housing 79 to the motor mount 82 and the
friction members 87 which bears against the thrust plate 90. Thus
for proper operation, the torque applied to the stop collars 60 and
61 by the water distributing assembly 20 is resisted by the stop
collars via the spring loaded action of members 62, 63 with the
upper extension 13' of housing 13. This torque of resistance must
be greater than the frictional torque supplied to the motor mount
assembly 82 which is fixedly attached to planetary gear housing 79.
This frictional torque is the result of the brake shoe action of
members 87 and 90 and spring 88. Additionally the torque required
to break the connection between members 78 and 79 (said connection
being supplied through the frictionally use of member 80) must of
necessity be greater than the brake shoe friction torque supplied
via elements 87, 88 and 90.
The extent of the rotational movement of the ring housing 79 and
motor mount assembly 82 is preferably limited to 6.degree., enough
to allow movement of extension 84 to uncover one port and cover
another thereby initiating rotation of turbine assembly 130 in the
opposite direction, and subsequent rotation of water distributing
assembly 20 in the opposite direction. Stops 15 are provided on the
housing 13 for limiting the movement of extension 84 and thus the
whole motor mount 82. During normal operation the stops will not be
engaged since the direction of rotation of the water distributing
assembly will be reversed before they are, however they are
necessary to stop the movement of 82 when there is an overload on
the output shaft 44 in order to prevent misalignment of the
reversing assembly while the friction clutch 78, 79, 80
operates.
It will be seen that in the sprinkler according to the teachings of
the present invention, only one sealed member -- output shaft 44 --
extends from the pressurized sprinkler housing 13. This one element
44 performs the three functions of supplying water to the water
distributing assembly 20, rotating that assembly, and providing for
reversing of the direction of rotation of that assembly. At the
same time, adjustment of the part-circle feature external of the
pressurized sprinkler housing 13 -- as provided by 50, 62, 63 -- is
allowed.
The fluidic switching assembly that effects rotation of the turbine
assembly 130 in one or the other of the opposite directions of
rotation is shown generally in FIGS. 5 and 6, and in schematic
detail in FIG. 7 and 8. The extension 84 of motor mount 82 contains
port cover receiving portions 92, 93, each having an opening
therein for receiving a port cover and a spring for biasing the
port cover. Only one of the port covers, 94, with associated
biasing springs, 96, is shown in the drawings, but it is to be
understood that portion 93 has a similar port cover assembly
therein. The port cover 94 removably covers port 99 in cover plate
100, while the port cover in portion 93 removable covers port 98 in
cover plate 100.
Cover plate 100 covers the fluidic switching formations, indicated
generally at 109 in the drawings formed in base 12, and separates
such formations from the water-filled interior 16 of sprinkler
housing 13. The fluidic switching formation 109 -- commonly
referred to as a fluid amplifier -- contains a nozzle portion 110
in communication with the sprinkler inlet 14, walls 115 and 116
having ducts 119 and 120 therein communicating between ports 99 and
98 respetively and signal ports 123, 124, splitter 114 having cusp
122 formed at the tip thereof and output channels 111 and 112
leading to the turbine assembly 130 for supplying water for
rotating the turbine in one of the opposite radial directions.
Operation of the fluidic switching arrangement will now be
described with particular reference to FIGS. 7a-c and 8a-c. When
the motor mount 82 and extension 84 thereof are in the position
shown in FIGS. 7a and 8a, port 99 is covered, but port 98 is
uncovered, thereby allowing communication between water-filled
interior 16 of housing 13 and duct 120 in wall 116. Water entering
nozzle 110 begins to entrain ambient water into a mixing region
between walls 115 and 116. Near wall 115 where the port 99 is
closed the entrained fluid is not easily replaced, while on the
opposite wall 116 where port 98 is open the water is easily
replaced by the water flowing from the housing interior 16 through
port 98 through duct 120 and signal port 124. The result is the
rapid development of a transverse pressure gradient across the
water jet, and the formation of a "bubble" or vortex which forms a
region of lowest pressure. The pressure gradient across the jet
bends the jet toward, and eventually against, the wall 115 at some
distance downstream from the nozzle 110. Since the wall is offset
from the nozzle so that a small step occurs, the low pressure
vortex is stronger and causes an even more pronounced bending of
the jet toward and against the wall 115. The cusp 122 at the tip of
splitter 114 establishes a stabilizing vortex on the opposite side
of the stream to the wall 115 which aids in stabilizing the jet
against the wall 115. The stream is thus directed through output
channel 111 thereby running the turbine blades 131 in the clockwise
direction. When lever 51 on gudgeon 40 engages a stop tab 62, 63,
rotation of the gudgeon assembly is prevented, and the motor torque
is transferred to the area of least resistance -- the frictionally
retained motor mount 82. Thus rotation of motor mount 82 is
initiated. As extension 84 of motor mount 82 is rotated in the
counter-clockwise direction from its end position in FIG. 7a to its
other end position in FIG. 7c, it passes through the stage shown in
FIGS. 7b and 8b (after rotation of extension 84 through about
3.degree.) wherein both ports 98, 99 are covered by their
respective port covers on extension 84. At this point the fluid
stream remains "attached" to wall 115 even though the disturbing
signal through signal port 120 that originally put it there is
removed, and thus the turbine will continue to rotate in the
clockwise direction. As the motor mount 82 continues to rotate it
will come to its end position shown in FIGS. 7c and 8c after
approximately 6.degree. of rotation (which takes approximately two
seconds). In this position port 98 is covered and port 99 is
uncovered. Water from interior 16 of housing 13 will now flow
through port 99, duct 119, and signal port 123 to "fill" the
"bubble", thereby destroying the pressure gradient and allowing the
jet to form an opposite gradient that will cause the stream to flow
against wall 116 and through output channel 112 to cause the
turbine blades 131 to rotate in the opposite or counter-clockwise
direction. It will be noted that both signal ports cannot be open
at the same time during switching, thus preventing the possibility
of water being directed in equal amounts through channels 111 and
112 with subsequent stopping of the rotation of the turbine.
The turbine assembly 130 and the reduction gearing assembly 135 are
substantially the same as those described in commonly-assigned
co-pending application Ser. No. 467,555 and reference is directed
thereto for a detailed description of these elements. A brief
description of them follows.
The turbine assembly 130 includes blades 131 shaped to be
responsive to radially directed flow of water through either
channel 111, or channel 112 of fluid amplifier 109, said blades
mounted on ring 132. The other end of ring 132 is a bearing sleeve,
132', which turns relative to collar 133, which is fixedly attached
to extension 79' of ring housing 79. Mounted on the interior of
ring 132 opposite blades 131 is an outer permanent magnet 134. The
magnet 134 is coupled through housing 79 to another, inner
permanent magnet 136. By provision of this magnetic coupling,
rotation of the turbine is transferred to the gear reduction
assembly 135 while the gear reduction assembly can be completely
sealed from the water flow through the turbine 130 without
affecting the rotation of this high-speed, low-torque member.
The inner magnet 136 is connected to sun carrier 138 having a sun
gear 139 formed on the upper end thereof (FIG. 5). Sun gear 139 is
the drive gear for the whole planetary reduction gearing. Sun
carrier 138 is mounted for rotation about interior shaft 160, which
also rotatably mounts all the planetary carriers. Each planetary
carrier 141 has planetary gears 140 rotatably mounted on extensions
thereof (FIGS. 5 and 6), and secondary sun gears 143 formed
thereon. The planetary gears 140 cooperate with the gearing 142
formed on the interior of ring housing 79. The last planetary
carrier 145 has a splined end 76 formed thereon instead of another
secondary sun gear, the combination of the two is output carrier 75
from which the power is drawn for driving the output shaft 44 and
the water distributing assembly 20. The planetary reduction gearing
is sealed from the water in chamber 16 at output carrier 75 by an
O-ring 150 between output carrier 75 and the interior of ring cap
78. An O-ring provides a suitable seal here since the moving member
sealed -- the output carrier 75 -- is a low-speed high-torque
member, and since it is not directly in the water flow path.
It is noted that the use of planetary reduction gearing provides a
much more compact arrangement for a given reduction, and the use of
the magnetic coupling at the high-speed low-torque member allows
the use of planetary gearing without fouling due to exposure to the
water flow and the contaminants carried thereby, without impairing
the speed of the turbine. The preferable reduction that is achieved
by the planetary reduction is 352:1. Such a large reduction would
necessitate the utilization of very bulky mechanism if types of
reduction gearing other than planetary were used. The planetary
reduction gearing is also an integral part of the slip clutch and
the direction of rotation reversing means.
OPERATION
The details of the components of the sprinkler according to the
teachings of the present invention having been described, the
operation of the sprinkler as a whole will now be set forth. The
sprinkler inlet 14 is connected to a hose supplying water under
pressure. The diffuseness of the water stream from the sprinkler is
adjusted by rotating the nozzle diffuser 26 relative to the nozzle
24, and the "throw" of the stream is adjusted by pivoting of the
trunnion 30 in a vertical plane relative to gudgeon 40. If it is
desired for the nozzle to rotate in a full circle, lever 51 is
pulled by thereby engaging detent ball 56 in recess 55 and
preventing engagement of lever 51 with either of the stop tabs 62,
63.
If it is desired that the nozzle only rotate through an arc of a
circle, however, stop tabs 62, 63 are rotated until they are spaced
the required angular distance, the water distributing assembly 20
is manually rotated (which rotation is allowed by slip clutch 78,
80, 79) until the lever 51 is between the tabs 62, 63 and lever 51
is then depressed placing lever 51 into potential engagement with
the tabs. As water is supplied from the inlet 14 it flows through
fluid amplifier 109 and into engagement with turbine blades 131.
The radial force of the water rotates the turbine, which being
magentically coupled to the gear reduction assembly 135 via magnets
134, 136 rotates the sun gear 139 for the planetary reduction
gears. The output carrier 75 is driven by the reduction gears,
which in turn drives the output shaft 44 and subsequently the rest
of the water distributing assembly 20.
After imparting rotation to the turbine blades 131, the water flows
around and past ring housing 79 and ring cap 78 through holes 46 in
output shaft 44 into the interior of the tubular shaft 44. The
water then flows through passage 35 in trunnion 30, and finally
through nozzle 22 and nozzle diffuser 26 to be delivered to the
area to be sprinkled. Rotation of the nozzle 22 and associated
assemblies continues until lever 51 engages stop tab 62 or 63. When
this happens, the nozzle no longer rotates, but the motor torque is
transferred through the ring housing 79 to motor mount 82. Since
the resisting torque of stop collars 60 and 61 resulting from the
action of springs 66, 67 is greater than the frictional torque
provided by frictional shoes 87 and thrust plates 90, the motor
mount is the area of least resistance.
When the motor mount 82 is acted upon by the motor torque, it
rotates approximately 6.degree. so that extension 84 covers the
port of the fluid amplifier that was previously uncovered, and
uncovers the port that was previously covered. This results in
switching of the water flow from one of the output channels 111,
112 to the other channel, and subsequent rotation of the turbine in
the opposite direction (as has been more fully described above).
This results in rotation of the nozzle in the direction opposite to
its previous direction of rotation, which rotation will continue
until the lever 51 engages the other stop tab.
It will also be seen that since the nozzle 22 is the only
projection extending from the top of the member 40 [there being no
need for other members since the drive is located completely within
the housing 12, 13] and since the stop tabs 62, 63 clearly extend
from the housing 13 that that the assembly 20 is rotatably
oscillatable between the positions of the tabs 62, 63, the nozzle
22 always being disposed therebetween. Also the nozzle 22 is
mounted directly above the stop lever 51. Thus a clear indication
is provided that the assembly 20 is rotatable between positions
less than 360.degree. apart [part-circle], and exactly what those
positions are for a given setting when operated. This is especially
important when the sprinkler is to be used by an unskilled
individual, and is not shown in the prior art (see U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,070,314 and 3,405,871 in this regard). Indicia on housing 13 (see
FIG. 1) may also be provided to assist in providing such a clear
indication.
It will thus be seen that an improved sprinkler accomplishing all
the objects set forth above has been clearly and fully described.
Although the invention has been herein disclosed in what is
conceived to be the most practical dnd preferred embodiments, it is
recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope
of the invention, which is not to be limited to details disclosed,
but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace
any and all equivalent structures and devices.
* * * * *