U.S. patent number 3,779,462 [Application Number 05/226,051] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-18 for step-by-step rotary sprinkler head with quick-change and color-coded nozzle insert.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nelson Irrigation Corporation. Invention is credited to Kenneth J. Bruninga.
United States Patent |
3,779,462 |
Bruninga |
December 18, 1973 |
STEP-BY-STEP ROTARY SPRINKLER HEAD WITH QUICK-CHANGE AND
COLOR-CODED NOZZLE INSERT
Abstract
A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head having a nozzle insert
provided with exterior straight threads for loosely cooperating
with the interior threads of the sprinkler body outlet and an
O-ring of resilient material adjacent the threads on the insert for
engaging a cylindrical interior surface within the outer end of the
outlet in radially inwardly compressed relation so as to provide a
water-tight seal between the exterior of the nozzle insert and the
interior of the outlet and a constant, non-wedging, frictional
force which prevents the nozzle insert from working loose during
the high amplitude and high frequency vibrations inherent in the
normal operation of the sprinkler head, the arrangement being such
that the nozzle insert can be removed and replaced by any one of a
series of nozzle inserts having different orifice sizes by a simple
digital turning action. The orifice size of the nozzle insert is
color-coded by a preformed band of resilient material having a
coloring agent dispersed therein mounted within an annular groove
formed in the exposed exterior periphery of the nozzle insert by
expanding the band over the nozzle insert and allowing it to
contract within the annular groove.
Inventors: |
Bruninga; Kenneth J. (Mapleton,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Nelson Irrigation Corporation
(Brimfield, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
22847350 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/226,051 |
Filed: |
February 14, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
239/230;
239/DIG.1; 239/390 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
3/0472 (20130101); B05B 15/00 (20130101); B05B
15/65 (20180201); Y10S 239/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
3/02 (20060101); B05B 15/00 (20060101); B05B
3/04 (20060101); B05B 15/06 (20060101); B05b
003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/230,393,390,DIG.1
;285/332.2,332.3,355 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Kashnikow; Andres
Claims
I claim:
1. A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head comprising a hollow
sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet, means for mounting
said hollow body in communication with a source of water under
pressure for controlled step-by-step rotary movement about an axis
extending generally vertically in operation, an impulse arm mounted
on said hollow body for oscillatory movement toward and away from a
limiting position with respect to said hollow body, said outlet
extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the axis of
rotation of said hollow body and having a nozzle insert mounted
therein for directing flow of water under pressure communicated
with said inlet outwardly thereof, and means including a reactant
element on said arm engageable with a stream issuing from said
nozzle insert for effecting successive oscillatory movements of
said arm and for effecting successive step-by-step incremental
rotational movements of said hollow body about its axis of rotation
during each oscillatory movement of said arm, said outlet being
provided by an annular wall having an outer end surface, said
annular wall having a cylindrical surface formed on the interior
thereof adjacent said outer end surface and threads formed on the
interior thereof inwardly of said cylindrical surface, said nozzle
insert having an inlet end and a discharge end and being formed
with a discharge orifice therein adjacent said discharge end
communicating with said inlet end by a passage which converges in a
direction toward said orifice, said nozzle insert having straight
threads formed on the exterior periphery thereof adjacent the inlet
end thereof for loosely cooperatively engaging said threads within
said annular wall, said nozzle insert having a first annular groove
formed in the exterior periphery thereof adjacent the inner end of
said threads, an O-ring of resilient material disposed within said
annular groove having an exterior diameter greater than the
exterior diameter of the adjacent threads on said nozzle insert,
said cylindrical surface having a diameter greater than the trough
diameter of the threads extending inwardly thereof but less than
the exterior diameter of said O-ring so as to engage and compress
said O-ring radially inwardly in response to the digital turning of
said nozzle insert with said threads in loose cooperative
engagement so that the compressive engagement of said O-ring with
said cylindrical surface and within said groove provides a
water-tight seal between the exterior periphery of said nozzle
insert and the interior periphery of said annular wall and a
frictional force sufficient to resist turning movement of said
nozzle insert in a direction to remove the same as a result of the
vibrations to which the sprinkler body is subjected during normal
operation of the sprinkler head, said nozzle insert having a second
annular groove formed in the exposed exterior periphery thereof,
and a preformed band of resilient material having a coloring agent
dispersed therein mounted within said annular groove by expanding
the band over the nozzle insert and allowing it to contract within
said groove, said coloring agent being of a predetermined color
associated with the size of said orifice.
2. A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head as defined in claim 1
wherein said sprinkler body and said nozzle insert are made of
metal.
3. A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head as defined in claim 2
wherein said nozzle insert has knurling formed in the exterior
periphery thereof between the discharge end thereof and said second
annular groove operable to be digitally engaged to facilitate the
digital turning of said nozzle insert.
4. A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head as defined in claim 3
wherein said nozzle insert includes an annular flange formed in its
exterior periphery between the annular grooves therein, said flange
having an end surface facing in a direction toward the inlet end
thereof providing a stop surface for engaging the end surface of
said annular wall so as to limit the inward movement of said nozzle
insert by said digital turning action.
5. A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head as defined in claim 4
wherein the periphery of said flange is formed by a plurality of
intersecting flat surfaces engageable by a tool so as to provide
the optional capability of tightening said end surfaces into
engagement with a torque greater than that capable of being applied
by said digital turning.
6. A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head as defined in claim 5
wherein said nozzle insert includes an end surface at the discharge
end thereof having indicia formed therein indicating the size of
said orifice.
7. A step-by-step rotary sprinkler head comprising a hollow
sprinkler body having an inlet and an outlet, means for mounting
said hollow body in communication with a source of water under
pressure for controlled step-by-step rotary movement about an axis
extending generally vertically in operation, an impulse arm mounted
on said hollow body for oscillatory movement toward and away from a
limiting position with respect to said hollow body, said outlet
extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the axis of
rotation of said hollow body and having a nozzle insert mounted
therein for directing flow of water under pressure communicated
with said inlet outwardly thereof, and means including a reactant
element on said arm engageable with a stream issuing from said
nozzle insert for effecting successive oscillatory movements of
said arm and for effecting successive step-by-step incremental
rotational movements of said hollow body about its axis of rotation
during each oscillatory movement of said arm, said nozzle insert
comprising a metallic body having an inlet end and a discharge end,
said insert body having a discharge orifice therein adjacent the
discharge end thereof communicating with the inlet end thereof by a
passage which converges in a direction toward said orifice, said
insert body including threads formed on the exterior periphery
thereof adjacent the inlet end thereof for cooperatively engaging
threads formed within the outlet of the sprinkler head body to
mount said insert body in an operative position with respect to
said sprinkler head body wherein a discharge portion of said insert
body extending from a position adjacent the inner end of the
threads thereof to the discharge end thereof is disposed outwardly
of the sprinkler head body outlet in exteriorly exposed relation,
said insert body also including an annular groove formed in the
exterior periphery of said discharge portion in spaced relation to
the discharge end thereof, the improvement in combination therewith
which comprises a preformed band of resilient material mounted
within said annular groove by expanding the band over the nozzle
insert and allowing it to contract within said groove, said band
having a coloring agent dispersed therein of a distinctive color
associated with the specific orifice size of the insert body so
that an operator is enabled to ascertain, by visually observing the
color of said band, the orifice size of the nozzle insert mounted
in operative position with the sprinkler head and hence the range
and capacity of the sprinkler head.
Description
This invention relates to sprinkler heads and more particularly to
step-by-step rotary impact sprinkler heads having improved nozzle
inserts.
Step-by-step rotary impact sprinkler heads are well-known and have
achieved a high degree of acceptance as perhaps the most efficient
manner of effecting the distribution of water on the ground.
Sprinkler heads of this type are used almost exclusively in
agricultural sprinkler irrigation and in other installations where
the ground area to be sprinkled extends beyond that normally
encountered in residential lawns and the like.
Impact sprinklers are used in a variety of different agricultural
sprinkler irrigation systems. One system in prevalent use, known as
a solid set system, involves the utilization of a multiplicity of
lengths of aluminum pipe, each having one or more risers extending
upwardly therefrom on which is mounted an impact sprinkler head.
Solid set systems are particularly useful in vegetable growing, for
example, systems of this type are prevalent in the growing of
potatoes. The typical use of a solid set system in a potato field
involves the laying of the pipe sections in the field after the
planting has taken place. The pipes are connected and hooked up to
a source of water and periodically operated during the growing
season. Just prior to the harvesting of the crop, the pipes are
dismantled, removed from the field and stored for use next
year.
In many areas of the country, substantial businesses have been
established providing rental services of such systems. Where these
systems are utilized in relatively large fields or in those
situations where a rental agency must handle an extensive number of
the component parts of such systems, a significant problem arises
in providing a proper capacity and range for each sprinkler head in
the system once the system is installed. Ideally each sprinkler
head in the system would have the same operative range and
capacity. However, this ideal is seldom met in actual practice. It
is frequently the case that sprinkler heads mounted within low
spots in a field will result in local run-off and water
accumulation if its capacity and range is equal to the other
sprinkler heads of the system. Consequently, in actual practice,
the installation of solid set systems involves the selection of
sprinkler heads which may vary in range and capacity, depending
upon the particular location in the field.
Variation in range and capacity is obtained by providing the
sprinkler head with a discharge nozzle insert of a different size.
For example, in the case of a sprinkler head which is causing water
accumulation and run-off, this situation can be corrected by
replacing the nozzle insert of the sprinkler head with a nozzle
insert of a smaller orifice size. To exemplify this situation, take
the case of an installation of a size involving a thousand
sprinkler heads. It would not be unusual for an installation of
this size to require as many as 50 sprinkler heads of a reduced
nozzle orifice size with respect to the other 950. Since the normal
operation of the system involves the dismantling of the
installation into its component parts just prior to the harvesting
season, the storage of the dismantled parts until the next season
and the installation of the dismantled parts following the planting
season in the following year, either in the same field or in a
different field, the ability to be able to quickly identify the
nozzle size of each sprinkler head and the ability to be able to
quickly and easily change the nozzle insert, if necessary, can, in
large installations, constitute a severe problem of
inconvenience.
The problem is made more difficult by virtue of the fact that the
installation and dismantling of the system is normally accomplished
by unskilled labor. The skill required in determining the proper
nozzle insert sizes to insure that the system functions properly
after installation must be provided by personnel other than those
handling the pipes. In this regard, it has been the practice in
connection with many of the rental service agencies to simply
remove all of the nozzle inserts from the sprinkler heads at the
time the installation is dismantled in situations where there is no
positive assurance that the system will be installed again in the
same field. In this way, the rental agency is able to most
effectively utilize the unskilled labor in installing the system
and then after the installation a foreman or someone having
knowledge of the range and capacity requirements of the particular
installation makes the proper selection of nozzle inserts for the
particular installation. This selection, as indicated above, often
involves the selection of nozzle inserts of different sizes within
the installation depending upon the land contour and other
considerations.
It is standard practice to mark brass nozzle inserts with embossed
numbers, indicating the nozzle opening size. Such indicia requires
inspection of the nozzle insert at a relatively close proximity in
order to determine the nozzle opening size provided thereby. In
some rental agency situations, where a more remotely recognized
indication is severely needed, agency personnel have gone to the
initial trouble of applying paint of a given color to all nozzle
inserts of a given size. Such color coding provides a convenience
which saves considerable time in multiple installations where vast
numbers of component parts are being handled. However, the
necessity of providing color indicia by painting involves in and of
itself considerable inconvenience. Moreover, experience has shown
that paint is readily susceptible to chipping and other types of
deterioration when subjected to the elements for extensive periods,
as in an agricultural field, particularly under normal operation
conditions of high amplitude and high frequency vibration as
previously noted.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a
series of nozzle inserts of different orifice size having improved
distinctive color indicia means provided thereon which effectively
overcomes the inconveniences and disadvantages noted above.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this
objective is obtained by providing a preformed band of resilient
material having a coloring agent dispersed therein and mounting the
same within an annular groove on the exposed exterior periphery of
the nozzle insert by initially expanding the band over the nozzle
insert and allowing it to contract into engagement with the annular
groove. By providing a preformed band of resilient material having
a coloring agent dispersed therein, the problems of color
deterioration are substantially eliminated and a highly attractive
appearance in the finally assembled product is obtained.
The nozzle inserts of conventional construction consist of a body,
usually made of brass, provided with a discharge nozzle opening of
a given size extending therethrough which has tapered threads
formed on the exterior periphery of the inlet end thereof adapted
to cooperate with interior threads in the sprinkler body outlet.
The changing of a nozzle insert of conventional type involves the
loosening of the nozzle insert by a tool, the removing of the
nozzle insert, the turning of a new nozzle insert into the outlet
opening and finally the tightening of the new nozzle insert by a
tool.
The tapered thread construction provides two essential functions.
First, it provides a water tight seal between the outer periphery
of the nozzle insert and the inner periphery of the sprinkler body
outlet. The seal is obtained essentially by deforming the tapered
threads of the insert nozzle into the threads of the outlet. The
thread deformation necessary to effect the seal can not be obtained
by merely manually turning the nozzle insert but requires
sufficient torque to necessitate the use of a turning tool such as
a wrench or the like. Second, the wedged or thread deformed
engagement of the nozzle insert within the outlet opening insures
that the nozzle insert will remain in operative position within the
outlet during long periods of operation. Here again, the
application of a turning torque greater than that which can be
applied through a digital gripping action is likewise required to
insure the accomplishment of this function. It will be understood
that in the normal operation of a step-by-step rotary sprinkler,
the sprinkler body is subjected to repeated impact blows which
increase in severity as the capacity of the sprinkler head
increases. These severe impacts constitute a high amplitude and
high frequency vibration to which the connection between the
sprinkler body and nozzle insert is subjected throughout its period
of operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an impact
sprinkler head having an improved nozzle insert of the type
described which overcomes the inconveniences and disadvantages
noted above.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this
objective is obtained by modifying the conventional tapered threads
of the nozzle insert to a straight thread so that the threads will
loosely cooperate with the interior threads of the sprinkler body
outlet. The nozzle insert is formed with an annular groove adjacent
the inner end of the threads within which an O-ring of resilient
material is mounted having an exterior diameter greater than the
exterior diameter of the threads. The interior periphery of the
sprinkler body outlet is modified so as to provide a cylindrical
surface adjacent its outer end which has a diameter greater than
the trough diameter of the interior threads thereof but less than
the exterior diameter of the O-ring seal mounted on the nozzle
insert. With this construction, the nozzle insert can be engaged
within the outlet by a simple digital turning of the nozzle insert
which is facilitated by the loose interengagement of the
cooperating threads. During the latter part of the turning action,
the O-ring engages the cylindrical surface and is compressed
radially inwardly thereby. The compression of the O-ring secures
two essential functions, first, it effects a water-tight seal
between the exterior periphery of the nozzle insert and the
interior periphery of the outlet and second, it provides a
frictional force which prevents the nozzle insert from becoming
loosened and disengaged from the housing body as a result of the
high amplitude and high frequency vibrations to which it is
subjected in normal operation. The turning force required to effect
the compression of the O-ring into engagement with the cylindrical
surface is less than that which is normally capable of being
effected by a digital action but yet of sufficient minimum
magnitude to insure against turning movement under the severe
vibration conditions of operation. Preferably, the nozzle insert is
provided with knurling at its outer end to facilitate the digital
turning action, as well as a central exterior flange which serves
as a turning stop and is shaped to provide tool-receiving flat
surfaces, rendering the nozzle insert capable of being optionally
tightened by a tool. Since the only modification required in the
sprinkler body is the provision of the cylindrical surface in the
outer end of the interior of the outlet, the sprinkler body retains
the capability of cooperatively receiving existing conventional
nozzle inserts.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
step-by-step rotary impact sprinkler head having an improved nozzle
insert therein provided with means for permitting the same to be
installed in and removed from the spinkler head body outlet by a
simple digital turning action and improved color coding means for
visually indicating the nozzle orifice size at relative remote
proximity ot the nozzle insert.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a
step-by-step rotary impact sprinkler having improved nozzle insert
means of the type described which is simple in construction and
effective in operation, and economical to manufacture.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more
apparent during the course of the following detailed description
and appended claims.
The invention may best be understood with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein illustrative embodiments are
shown.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a step-by-step rotary impact
sprinkler head embodying the principles of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the
line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front end view of the nozzle insert assembly shown in
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a rear end view of the nozzle insert assembly; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical section, of a
nozzle insert assembly of modified construction, embodying the
principles of the present invention.
Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in
FIG. 1 thereof a step-by-step rotary sprinkler head, generally
indicated at 10, embodying the principles of the present invention.
The sprinkler head 10 includes the usual components comprising a
hollow sprinkler body 12 having a downwardly opening inlet
connected with a bearing assembly 14 of conventional construction.
In accordance with conventional practice, the bearing assembly 14
is adapted to be threadedly engaged on the outlet end of a riser
pipe or the like and serves to mount the sprinkler head body 12 for
controlled rotational movement about an axis which extends
vertically in operation. The rotation is controlled by the usual
spring means embodied in the bearing assembly 14. Of course, the
bearing assembly also conventionally serves to communicate a source
of water under pressure with the inlet of the hollow body 12.
The water under pressure communicated with the inlet of the hollow
body 12 flows upwardly and outwardly through an outlet 16 within
which a nozzle insert assembly, generally indicated at 18, and
embodying the principles of the present invention, is mounted. The
sprinkler head 10 also includes an impulse arm 20 which is mounted
in the usual fashion above the hollow body 12 for oscillatory
movement about an axis which, in the embodiment shown, coincides
with the rotational axis of the hollow body. The impulse arm 20 is
mounted for oscillatory movement toward and away from a limiting
position wherein the arm engages an upwardly extending generally
inverted U-shaped mounting structure 22 formed integrally with the
hollow body 12. In accordance with conventional procedure, the
impulse arm 20 is biased into its limiting position by a coil
spring 24 which is connected between the impulse arm and the
mounting structure 22. Also in accordance with conventional
procedure, the impulse arm 20 has a reactant element 26 formed
thereon in a position to be engaged by the stream of water issuing
from the nozzle insert assembly 18 when the impulse arm is disposed
in its limiting position. The reactant element includes the usual
outer reactant surface which serves to effect the movement of the
impulse arm in a direction away from its limiting position against
the bias of the spring 24 and an inner reactant surface which pulls
the reactant arm into the stream as the reactant arm approaches the
limiting position under the action of the spring 24. It will be
understood that the hollow body 12 may be of the type which
provides a separate spreader outlet 28 within which a spreader
nozzle 30 may be mounted.
Referring now more particularly to FIG. 2, it will be noted that
the outlet 16 of the hollow body is defined by an annular wall
which includes an end surface 32. Formed in the inner periphery of
the annular wall 16 adjacent the end surface 32 is a cylindrical
surface 34. Preferably, a slight chamfer is provided at the
intersection between the end surface 32 and cylindrical surface 34
to eliminate any sharp edge being formed by such intersection. The
inner periphery of the annular wall 16 disposed inwardly of the
cylindrical surface 34 is formed with helical threads 36 of
conventional straight configuration.
The nozzle insert assembly 18 includes a metallic body 38 which is
preferably formed of brass. The body includes an inner or inlet end
and an outer or discharge end and has formed therein a discharge
orifice 40 adjacent the discharge end thereof which is communicated
with the inlet end by a passage 42 which converges in a direction
toward the orifice 40.
The exterior periphery of the nozzle insert body 38 adjacent the
inlet end thereof is formed with exterior threads 44 which are of
straight configuration and adapted to interengage with the threads
36 in a relatively loose fashion. Formed in the exterior periphery
of the nozzle insert body 38 adjacent the inner end of the threads
44 is an annular groove 46 adapted to receive an O-ring 48. Formed
on the exterior periphery of the nozzle insert body 38 outwardly
adjacent the annular groove 46 is an annular flange 50 having an
inwardly facing end surface 52 providing a stop for engaging the
end surface 32 of the outlet 16 to limit the inward movement of the
nozzle insert body 38. Preferably, the exterior periphery of the
annular flange 50 is formed with a plurality of intersecting flat
surfaces 54. These surfaces are in the form of a hexagon as best
shown in FIG. 3, to receive a hand tool such as a wrench or the
like. The exterior periphery of the nozzle insert body 38 adjacent
its discharge end has knurling 56 formed therein to be engaged by
the fingers of an operator to facilitate turning of the nozzle
insert into and out of operative engagement within the outlet 16.
Finally, the exterior periphery of the nozzle insert body 38 is
formed with a second annular groove 58 between the knurling 56 and
flange 50 which receives a preformed band 60 of resilient material
having a coloring agent dispersed therein. The band 60 is mounted
within the groove 58 by expanding the same over the exterior
periphery of the nozzle insert body 38 and allowing it to contract
into the annular groove 58.
The preferred construction of the nozzle insert body 38 as
described above differs from a conventional nozzle insert body,
shown in FIG. 5, and indicated at 62. The conventional nozzle
insert body 62 also includes the usual orifice 64 and converging
passage 66 formed in the interior thereof. The exterior periphery
of the conventional nozzle insert body 62 is formed with tapered
threads 68 adjacent its inlet and hexagonal flat surfaces 70
adjacent the discharge end thereof for receiving a turning tool,
such as a wrench or the like. In the normal operation of the
conventional nozzle insert body 62, the threads 68 are initially
engaged within the threads 36 of the outlet 16. The nozzle insert
body is then initially turned in a direction to move the insert
body within the outlet and, finally, a tool, such as a wrench or
the like, is engaged on the flat surfaces 70 and the tool is used
to tighten the nozzle insert body into its final operative
position. The tapered threads 68 of the conventional nozzle insert
body serve two essential functions. First, during the final turning
movement by the wrench, the tapered threads are deformed within the
straight threads 36 of the outlet 16 so as to provide a seal
between the exterior periphery of the nozzle insert 62 and the
interior periphery of the outlet 16. Second, the deformed
interengagement of the tapered threads 68 within the straight
threads 36 serve to maintain the nozzle insert 62 tightly wedged in
operative position within the outlet against a turning movement in
the opposite direction, during the operation of the sprinkler head.
During normal operation of the impulse arm 20, the latter is
repeatedly moved through a cycle of oscillatory movement including
a reactant stroke in a direction away from the limiting position,
caused by the action of the stream issuing from the nozzle insert
18, reacting on the reactant element 26, and a return stroke,
caused by the action of the spring 24. At the end of the return
stroke, the impulse arm 20 engages the attaching structure 22 with
an impact action which serves to effect an incremental rotation of
the hollow sprinkler body 12 under the control of the spring
pressed bearing assembly 14. Because of the high amplitude and high
frequency vibrations to which the hollow body 12 of the sprinkler
head is subjected during normal operation, it is important to
insure that the nozzle insert will be maintained against vibratory
movement out of its operative position. The tapered threads 68 of
the conventional nozzle insert body 62 insure that this function
will be performed while also providing an essential sealing
function.
As previously indicated, where a multiplicity of sprinkler heads 10
are utilized in solid set agricultural sprinkler irrigation
systems, it is frequently desirable during the operation of these
systems over an entire season to replace the nozzle inserts so as
to alter the distribution pattern size and capacity of the
sprinkler head. In accordance with the principles of the present
invention, the preferred construction of the nozzle insert assembly
18 permits the operator to effect a change of orifice size by
changing the nozzle insert without the inconvenience of utilizing a
turning tool, such as a wrench or the like. With the preferred
construction of the nozzle insert assembly 18, the operator is
enabled to remove one nozzle insert from operative position within
the outlet 16 by a simple digital turning action and to mount a new
nozzle insert into operative position within the outlet 16 by a
simple digital turning movement in the opposite direction. This
function can be accomplished by virtue of the loose interengagement
which is provided between the straight threads 44 and 36. Contrary
to the functions provided by the tapered threads 68 of the
conventional nozzle insert body 62, the threads 44 of the nozzle
insert body 38 serve solely to effect an axial movement of the
insert body in response to the turning movement thereof. The dual
function of providing a water-tight seal between the exterior
periphery of the insert body and the interior periphery of the
outlet 16 and the maintenance of the insert body within the outlet
16 during the high amplitude and high frequency vibrations of the
sprinkler head is provided by the O-ring 48 and its cooperation
with the outlet and insert.
In this regard, it will be noted that the cylindrical surface 34
has a diameter slightly greater than the trough diameter of the
threads 36 disposed inwardly thereof. The exterior diameter of the
O-ring 48 is greater than the diameter of the cylindrical surface
34 so as to insure that during the turning movement of the insert
body 38 the O-ring will be moved into radially inwardly compressed
relation with the cylindrical surface 34. The amount of compression
to which the O-ring is subjected together with the material of the
O-ring, both in terms of its chemical makeup and its resilient
characteristics, are important in accomplishing the function of
enabling the nozzle insert assembly 18 to be mounted and removed by
a digital turning action. The compressed interengagement of the
O-ring 48 between the groove 46 and cylindrical surface 34 provides
both a sealing interengagement between the nozzle insert body and
outlet and a frictional interengagement which provides a constant
force resisting the turning movement of the nozzle insert body in
an opposite direction. Thus, contrary to the action of the
conventional nozzle insert body, wherein the frictional
interengagement increases as the inward turning action proceeds,
the O-ring 48 provides a substantially constant frictional force as
the turning action of the nozzle insert body 38 proceeds.
It will be noted from FIG. 2 that it is not necessary for the stop
surface 52 to be in engagement with the end surface 32 when the
nozzle insert assembly 18 is disposed in its operative position.
Indeed, the stop surface 52 is provided simply to give the operator
an indication of when the nozzle insert has been fully engaged into
its operative position. No tightening of the nozzle insert with the
surfaces 52 and 32 in engagement is contemplated, although where
removal is not desired a turning action may optionally be performed
by engaging a tool on the flat surfaces 54 during which the
surfaces 52 and 32 are wedged into engagement by the action of the
interengaging threads.
The exterior diameter and durometer of the O-ring are chosen so
that the nozzle insert body 38 can be moved into its operative
position with a digital turning action which can be accomplished
readily by adult operators. The amount of compression provided,
once the insert is in its operative position, is sufficient to
prevent the nozzle insert from backing out of its operative
position under the high amplitude and high frequency vibrations to
which the connection is subjected during the normal operation of
the sprinkler head 10 over an extended period of time. The
preferred embodiment shown achieves this result by utilizing an
O-ring of circular cross-sectional configuration made of synthetic
rubber and having a durometer of 70. The dimensions of the O-ring
48, annular groove 46 and cylindrical surface 34 being such as to
provide a deflection or squeeze of from between 0.0075 to 0.019
inches in the radial direction. It will be understood that the
knurling 56 provides the operator with a convenient means for
facilitating the digital turning action both in mounting the nozzle
insert assembly into operative position and removing the nozzle
insert assembly 18 from operative position.
It will also be understood that the coloring agent dispersed within
the preformed band 16 has a color which is keyed or coded to
correspond with a specific size of the orifice 40. Thus, the
present invention contemplates the provision of a series of nozzle
insert assemblies embodying different size orifices 40 each having
a distinct coloring agent dispersed in the preformed band 60. An
exemplary series of inserts would be a series of six having orifice
sizes respectively of 9/16, 5/32, 11/64, 3/16, 13/64, and 7/32. An
exemplary coloring agent in the preformed band 60 associated with
each of these sizes could be black, orange, yellow, blue, white and
brown respectively. This exemplary series of nozzle inserts 18
would permit the sprinkler head 10, when operated at a given
constant pressure, as for example, 25 psi, to provide the following
corresponding capacities in gallons per minute and sprinkler
pattern diameter size in inches: 2.88 and 80, 3.52 and 82, 4.24 and
83, 5.00 and 85, 5.90 and 86, and 6.85 and 88.
With reference to FIG. 3, it is preferable that each nozzle insert
assembly 18 be provided with integral numerical indicia in addition
to the color band indicia. As shown in FIG. 3, the numerals 5 and
32 are embossed in the outer end surface of the nozzle insert body
38. The utilization of numerical indicia provides a close proximity
reference to the operator by which the color can be identified with
the correct orifice size at all times.
A sprinkler head 10 embodying the principles of the present
invention, including the cylindrical surface 34 formed in the
outlet 16 and the nozzle insert assembly 18, thus provides a quick
change capability of a color-coded nozzle insert by a simple
digital turning action. The arrangement permits the optional
utilization of a conventional nozzle insert 62 in conventional
fashion in lieu of the quick change insert 18. Moreover, it is
within the contemplation of the present invention to utilize a
preformed band of resilient material with a coloring agent
dispersed therein in conjunction with a conventional nozzle insert
body. As shown in FIG. 5, such a body is preferably provided with
an annular groove 72 in the exterior thereof in a position between
the wrench flat 70 and the tapered threads 68. A preformed band 60
is mounted within the annular groove 72 by expanding the band over
the exterior periphery of the insert body and allowing it to
contract into the annular groove 72.
It will be understood that any conventional type of coloring agent
may be dispersed within the preformed band 60. That is, the agent
may either be a pigment or a dye. By utilizing a coloring agent
dispersed within a preformed band of resilient material, as, for
example, a buna N and vinyl blend or the like, a nozzle insert body
of brass or other metal is color-coded to size with a
non-deteriorating color by the simple procedure of expanding the
band over the periphery and allowing it to contract into a
receiving annular groove. This arrangement serves to maintain the
color band on the nozzle insert itself and insures an attractive
appearance which will be unaffected by exposure to the elements
over an extended period.
With the arrangement of the present invention, the manufacturer of
the sprinkler head can simplify the assembly procedures where a
particular single orifice size only is specified by the customer.
The arrangement, however, is particularly useful in the hands of a
customer where a multiplicity of sprinkler heads are used in
relatively large solid set agricultural sprinkler systems, as
aforesaid. It will be understood that the present invention
contemplates orifice sizes beyond the range of the exemplary sizes
indicated above and that any desired color coding may be utilized.
The invention also contemplates or orifice size equal to zero or a
plug insert, and the color coding of such a zero size orifice
nozzle insert. The utilization of plug nozzle inserts has
particular utility in certain operations involved in solid set
agricultural irrigation sprinklers. For example, where a solid set
irrigation sprinkler system is utilized with strawberries and
forecasts predict a cold weather condition sufficient to cause
damage to the crop, the system can be operated to cover the
strawberry field with a layer of ice surrounding the plants so as
to insure that the temperature of the plants will not be reduced to
a value below 32.degree.F. The usual practice in accomplishing this
operation is to cut off alternate sprinkler heads so that the
entire system will deliver a gallonage which is less than that
normally produced by the system to permit the freezing of the ice
blanket thereover. By providing a quick-change plug, a solid set
system which is otherwise not provided with valves to effect the
shut-down of alternate sprinkler heads may be provided with this
capability.
It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been
fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however,
that the foregoing preferred specific embodiment has been shown and
described for the purpose of illustrating the functional and
structural principles of this invention and is subject to change
without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention
includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope
of the following claims.
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