US3580507A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive mechanism for large volume rotary sprinklers
Assignee: Rain Bird Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-09
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A drive mechanism for large volume rotary sprinklers having an upwardly sloping barrel rotatable about a vertical axis and terminating in a nozzle. An arm is supported intermediate its ends from the barrel for oscillation about a horizontal axis alongside the barrel. One end of the arm extends beyond the nozzle and is provided with a vane and a deflector spoon which move periodically into the water stream issuing from the nozzle to disrupt the stream and produce reaction forces which cause oscillation of the arm as well as rotation of the barrel, and the remaining end of the arm carries a counterbalance. A snubbing structure is journaled about the same axis as the arm and includes an adjustably connected snubber lever and counterbalance weight, the snubber lever being engaged after a preselected free travel of the arm, to lift the counterbalance weight.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Beamer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:10
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B3/00; B05B3/003; B05B3/02; B05B3/04; B05B3/06; B05B3/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A drive mechanism for sprinklers having a rotatable structure including a discharge tube terminating in a nozzle mounted for rotation about an essentially vertical axis, said drive mechanism comprising: a. an oscillating arm supported from said rotatable structure for movement about a horizontal axis; a first end of said arm extending beyond said nozzle; said arm including biasing means tending to cause the first end to move upwardly alongside a water stream issuing from said nozzle; b. a mounting means carried by said first end; c. a deflector spoon adapted to be received on said mounting means and including an upwardly directed surface tending when moved upwardly into said stream, by said oscillating arm, to deflect the arm downwardly in opposition to said biasing means thereby to cause said arm to oscillate, and at least one deflector rib carried thereby for movement into said water stream, thereby to apply a turning force to said rotatable structure; d. fastening means for adjusting the deflector spoon about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said arm to change the angular relation of said rib with respect to said water stream thereby to change the turning force tending to rotate the sprinkler; and e. a snubbing means pivotally mounted on said rotatable structure for movement about a horizontal axis, said snubbing means being engageable by said oscillating arm as said first end moves downwardly from said stream a preselected distance to increase the force required to effect further movement of said oscillating arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A drive mechanism for sprinklers having a rotatable structure including a discharge tube terminating in a nozzle mounted for rotation about an essentially vertical axis, said drive mechanism comprising: a. an oscillating arm supported from said rotatable structure for movement about a horizontal axis; a first end of said arm extending beyond said nozzle; said arm including biasing means tending to cause the first end to move upwardly alongside a water stream issuing from said nozzle; b. a mounting means carried by said first end; c. a deflector spoon adapted to be received on said mounting means and including an upwardly directed surface tending when moved upwardly into said stream, by said oscillating arm, to deflect the arm downwardly in opposition to said biasing means thereby to cause said arm to oscillate, and at least one deflector rib carried thereby for movement into said water stream, thereby to apply a turning force to said rotatable structure; d. fastening means for adjusting the deflector spoon about an axis perpendicular to the axis of said arm to change the angular relation of said rib with respect to said water stream thereby to change the turning force tending to rotate the sprinkler; and e. a snubbing means pivotally mounted on said rotatable structure for movement about a horizontal axis, said snubbing means being engageable by said oscillating arm as said first end moves downwardly from said stream a preselected distance to increase the force required to effect further movement of said oscillating arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A drive mechanism, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. said snubbing means includes a first and a second lever journaled about a common axis, said levers being relatively adjustable arcuately, the first lever having means for engagement by said oscillating arm, said second lever including a second biasing means tending to rotate said deflector spoon into said water stream; and b. a stop is carried by said rotatable structure and supports said second lever until engagement of said oscillating arm with said first lever.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
A drive mechanism for rotary sprinklers having a rotatable structure including an upwardly sloping discharge tube terminating in a nozzle mounted for rotation about an essentially vertical axis, said drive mechanism comprising: a. an oscillating arm supported intermediate its ends from said rotatable structure on at least one side thereof for movement about a horizontal axis; a first end of said arm extending beyond said nozzle; a second end of said arm including a first biasing means tending to cause the first end to move upwardly alongside a stream issuing from said nozzle; b. a snubbing means including a first and second lever journaled about a horizontal axis, said second lever including a second biasing means supplementing said first biasing means; c. means for rigidly connecting said levers in selected angular relations; d. means extending from said rotatable structure for supporting said second lever; e. means on said oscillating arm and said first lever mutually engageable to raise said second lever from said support after said oscillating arm has travelled selected distances determined by said connecting means; and f. deflector means carried by the first and of said oscillating arm and periodically movable into the path of said stream of water to cause oscillation of said arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
207 words
A drive mechanism for rotary sprinklers having a rotatable structure including an upwardly sloping discharge tube terminating in a nozzle mounted for rotation about an essentially vertical axis, said drive mechanism comprising: a. an oscillating arm supported intermediate its ends from said rotatable structure on at least one side thereof for movement about a horizontal axis; a first end of said arm extending beyond said nozzle; a second end of said arm including a first biasing means tending to cause the first end to move upwardly alongside a stream issuing from said nozzle; b. a snubbing means including a first and second lever journaled about a horizontal axis, said second lever including a second biasing means supplementing said first biasing means; c. means for rigidly connecting said levers in selected angular relations; d. means extending from said rotatable structure for supporting said second lever; e. means on said oscillating arm and said first lever mutually engageable to raise said second lever from said support after said oscillating arm has travelled selected distances determined by said connecting means; and f. deflector means carried by the first and of said oscillating arm and periodically movable into the path of said stream of water to cause oscillation of said arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A drive mechanism, as defined in claim 3, wherein said deflector means comprises: a. a vane for deflecting a portion of the water stream; and b. a deflector spoon having an upwardly directed surface disposed in angular relation to the water stream issuing from said vane to produce a net force causing downward movement of the first end of said arm thereby to cause engagement of said mutually engageable means and raising of said second lever from said supporting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A drive mechanism, as defined in claim 4, wherein: said deflector spoon is provided with at least one rib extending in angular relation to said water stream to produce a rotational thrust to said discharge tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A drive mechanism, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said deflector spoon is rotatably adjustable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said oscillating arm thereby to change the rotational thrust applied to said discharge tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |