Apparatus and method for irrigation

Claim 2

In an apparatus for irrigating tracts of land, the combination of a frame; an accumulating reel rotatably supported by said frame; said accumulating reel having a ratchet distally disposed about the periphery of said reel; a crank means axially carried on said frame juxtapositioned adjacent said accumulating reel; said crank means including a pawl engaging said ratchet and being operable to rotatably drive said accumulating reel in response to movement of said crank; reciprocating means carried by said frame and being in operative engagement with said crank; means driving said reciprocating means; a longitudinally extending irrigation conduit in fluid-conducting communication with a remote water source under pressure; means connecting said irrigation conduit to said accumulating reel; a mechanical sprinkler; and means connecting said mechanical sprinkler to said irrigation conduit said reciprocating means comprises a fluidreceiving reservoir pivotally carried on said axle and operatively connected to said crank; and means connecting said water-receiving reservoir to a remote fluid source under pressure; said fluid-receiving reservoir being operable to cause movement of said crank when filled with fluid; discharge means in said fluid-receiving reservoir being operable to discharge water therefrom.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 including means reciprocating said crank when fluid is discharged from said water-receiving reservoir.

Claim 4

In an apparatus for irrigating tracts, of land, the combination of a frame; an axlelike conduit carried transversely by said frame; means connecting said axlelike conduit to a remote water source under pressure; an accumulating reel journaled for rotation on said axlelike conduit; said accumulating reel including radially extending conduit means in fluid-conducting communication with said axlelike conduit; a pliable, flexible conduit having one of its terminal ends suitably connected to said radially extending conduit means; said accumulating reel having a ratchet distally disposed about the periphery of said reel; a crank means pivotally carried on said axlelike conduit juxtapositioned adjacent said accumulating reel; said crank means including a pawl engaging said ratchet and being operable to rotatably drive said accumulating reel in response to movement of said crank; reciprocating means carried by said frame being in operative engagement with said crank; means driving said reciprocating means; a transport vehicle suitably connected to said pliable, flexible conduit at the terminal end opposite said radially extending conduit on said accumulating reel; and a mechanical sprinkler in fluid-conducting communication with said flexible, pliable conduit and carried by said transport vehicle.

Claim 5

In an apparatus for irrigating tracts, of land, the combination of a frame; an axlelike conduit carried transversely by said frame; means connecting said axlelike conduit to a remote water source under pressure; an accumulating reel journaled for rotation on said axlelike conduit; said accumulating reel including radially extending conduit means in fluid-conducting communication with said axlelike conduit; a pliable, flexible conduit having one of its terminal ends suitably connected to said radially extending conduit means; said accumulating reel having a ratchet distally disposed about the periphery of said reel; a crank means pivotally carried on said axlelike conduit juxtapositioned adjacent said accumulating reel; said crank means including a pawl engaging said ratchet and being operable to rotatably drive said accumulating reel in response to movement of said crank; reciprocating means carried by said frame being in operative engagement with said crank; means driving said reciprocating means; a transport vehicle suitably connected to said pliable, flexible conduit at the terminal end opposite said radially extending conduit on said accumulating reel; and a mechanical sprinkler in fluid-conducting communication with said flexible, pliable conduit and carried by said transport vehicle.

Claim 6

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a diaphragm valve including a housing; a diaphragm disposed in said housing; an operating rod having one of it''s terminal ends suitably fastened to one of the faces of said diaphragm and its opposite terminal end connected to said crank; a fluid entranceway in said housing on the side opposite the face of said diaphragm carrying said operating rod; a conduit connecting said fluid entranceway in fluid-conducting communication with a water source under pressure; means in said housing normally urging said diaphragm and said operating rod rearwardly in said housing; said diaphragm being operable to be moved forwardly in response to water under pressure in said housing.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 including means in said conduit selectively connecting said fluid entranceway to a water source under pressure and to a fluid-conducting discharge means.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 5 including means selectively driving said means in said conduit.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means in said conduit includes a water-receiving reservoir; means pivotally mounting said water-receiving reservoir on said frame; an arm portion disposed between sAid water-receiving reservoir and said pivotal mounting means; a water value disposed below said arm portion; said water valve interconnecting said means connecting said fluid entranceway to a water source under pressure; said water valve including means normally urging said water valve open and operable to permit water to flow therethrough; said diaphragm valve including an outlet portion; means interconnecting said outlet portion of said diaphragm valve in fluid-conducting communication with said water-receiving reservoir; a gate hingedly mounted in the lowermost wall of said reservoir; means connecting said gate to said frame being operable to open said gate in response to pivotal downward movement of said water receiving reservoir when said reservoir is filled with water from said diaphragm valve; said arm portion being operable to close said water valve in response to pivotal downward movement of said water-receiving reservoir when said reservoir is filled with water to restrict the flow of water in means connecting said inlet portion to a water source under pressure.

Claim 10

In an apparatus for irrigating tracts of land, the combination of a travelling frame carried by a multiplicity of wheels; an axlelike conduit carried transversely by said frame; means connecting said axlelike conduit to a remote water source under pressure; an accumulating reel journaled for rotation on said axlelike conduit; a multiplicity of parallel spokes suitably fastened to the opposite sides of said accumulating reel, said spokes including a footlike portion extending below said wheels, said accumulating reel including radially extending conduit means in fluid-conducting communication with said axle like conduit; a pliable, flexible conduit having one of its terminal ends suitably connected to said radially extending conduit means; said accumulating reel having a ratchet distally disposed about the periphery of said reel; a crank means pivotally carried on said axlelike conduit juxtapositioned adjacent said accumulating reel; said crank means including a pawl engaging said ratchet and being operable to rotatably drive said accumulating reel and said frame in response to movement of said crank; reciprocating means carried by said frame being in operative engagement with said crank; means driving said reciprocating means, said pliable, flexible conduit being connected at one of its terminal ends to said radial extending conduit on said accumulating reel at its opposite end to a water source under pressure; conducting communication with said reciprocating conduit and carried by said travelling frame.

Claim 11

In an apparatus for irrigating tracts of land, the combination of a travelling frame carried by a multiplicity of wheels; an axlelike conduit carried transversely by said frame; means connecting said axlelike conduit to a remote water source under pressure; an accumulating reel journaled for rotation on said axlelike conduit; a multiplicity of parallel spokes suitably fastened to the opposite sides of said accumulating reel, said spokes including a footlike portion extending below said wheels, said accumulating reel including radially extending conduit means in fluid-conducting communication with said axle like conduit; a pliable, flexible conduit having one of its terminal ends suitably connected to said radially extending conduit means; said accumulating reel having a ratchet distally disposed about the periphery of said reel; a crank means pivotally carried on said axlelike conduit juxtapositioned adjacent said accumulating reel; said crank means including a pawl engaging said ratchet and being operable to rotatably drive said accumulating reel and said frame in response to movement of said crank; reciprocating means carried by said frame being in operative engagement with said crank; means driving said reciprocating means, said pliable, flexible conduit being connected at one of its terminal ends to said radial extending conduit on said accumulating reel at its opposite end to a water source under pressure; conducting communication with said reciprocating conduit and carried by said travelling frame.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a diaphragm valve including a housing; a diaphragm disposed in said housing; an operating rod having one of it''s terminal ends suitably fastened to one of the faces of said diaphragm and its opposite terminal end connected to said crank; a fluid entranceway in said housing on the side opposite the face of said diaphragm carrying said operating rod; a conduit connecting said fluid entranceway in fluid-conducting communication with a water source under pressure; means in said housing normally urging said diaphragm and said operating rod rearwardly in said housing; said diaphragm being operable to be moved forwardly in response to water under pressure in said housing.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 including means in said conduit selectively connecting said fluid entranceway to a water source under pressure and to a fluid-conducting discharge means.

Claim 14

The apparatus set forth in claim 10 including means selectively driving said means in said conduit.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means in said conduit includes a water-receiving reservoir; means pivotally mounting said water-receiving reservoir on said frame; an arm portion disposed between said water-receiving reservoir and said pivotal mounting means; a water valve disposed below said arm portion; and water valve interconnecting said means conNecting said fluid entranceway to a water source under pressure; said water valve including means normally urging said water valve open and operable to permit water to flow therethrough; said diaphragm valve including an outlet portion; means interconnecting said outlet portion of said diaphragm valve in fluid-conducting communication with said water-receiving reservoir; gate hingedly mounted in the lowermost wall of said reservoir means connecting said gate to said frame being operable to open said gate in response to pivotal downward movement of said water-receiving reservoir when said reservoir is filled with water from said diaphragm valve; said arm portion being operable to close said water valve in response to pivotal downward movement of aid water-receiving reservoir when said reservoir is filled with water to restrict the flow of water in means connecting said inlet portion to a water source under pressure.

Claim 16

In an apparatus for irrigating tracts of land, the combination of a frame; an axle carried transversely by said frame; an accumulating reel journaled for rotation on said axle; said axle comprising an axlelike conduit means; said accumulating reel having a ratchet distally disposed about the periphery of said reel; a crank means pivotally carried on said axlelike conduit juxtapositioned adjacent said accumulating reel; said crank means including a pawl engaging said ratchet and being operable to rotatably drive said accumulating reel in response to movement of said crank; reciprocating means carried by said frame and being in operative engagement with said crank; means driving said reciprocating means; a cable having one of its terminal ends suitably fastened to said accumulating reel; means interconnecting the opposite terminal end of said cable to a conduit; said conduit being in fluid-conducting communication with a water source under pressure; a multiplicity of transport vehicles suitably connected at intervals along said conduit; and a plurality of mechanical sprinklers in fluid-conducting communication with said conduit and carried by said transport vehicles.

Claim 17

In an apparatus for irrigating tracts of land, the combination of a frame; an axle carried transversely by said frame; an accumulating reel journaled for rotation on said axle; said axle comprising an axlelike conduit means; said accumulating reel having a ratchet distally disposed about the periphery of said reel; a crank means pivotally carried on said axlelike conduit juxtapositioned adjacent said accumulating reel; said crank means including a pawl engaging said ratchet and being operable to rotatably drive said accumulating reel in response to movement of said crank; reciprocating means carried by said frame and being in operative engagement with said crank; means driving said reciprocating means; a cable having one of its terminal ends suitably fastened to said accumulating reel; means interconnecting the opposite terminal end of said cable to a conduit; said conduit being in fluid-conducting communication with a water source under pressure; a multiplicity of transport vehicles suitably connected at intervals along said conduit; and a plurality of mechanical sprinklers in fluid-conducting communication with said conduit and carried by said transport vehicles.

Claim 18

The apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said reciprocating means comprises a diaphragm valve including a housing; a diaphragm disposed in said housing; an operating rod having one of it''s terminal ends suitably fastened to one of the faces of said diaphragm and its opposite terminal end connected to said crank; a fluid entranceway in said housing on the side opposite the face of said diaphragm carrying said operating rod; a conduit connecting said fluid entranceway in fluid-conducting communication with a water source under pressure; means in said housing normally urging said diaphragm and said operating rod rearwardly in said housing; said diaphragm being operable to be moved forwardly in response to water under pressure in said housing

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 14 including means in said conduit selectively connecting said fluid entranceway to a water source under pressure and to a fluid-conducting discharge means.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 including means selectively driving said means in said conduit.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means in said conduit includes a water-receiving reservoir; means pivotally mounting said water-receiving reservoir on said frame; an arm portion disposed between said water-receiving reservoir and said pivotal-mounting means; a water valve disposed below said arm portion; said water valve interconnecting said means connecting said fluid entranceway to a water source under pressure; said water valve including means normally urging said water valve open and operable to permit water to flow therethrough said diaphragm valve including an outlet portion; means interconnecting said outlet portion of said diaphragm valve in fluid-conducting communication with said water-receiving reservoir; a gate hingedly mounted lower most wall of said reservoir means connecting said gate to said frame being operable to open said gate in response to pivotal downward movement of said water-receiving reservoir when said reservoir is filled with water from said diaphragm valve; said arm portion being operable to close said water valve in response to pivotal downward movement of said water-receiving reservoir when said reservoir is filled with water to restrict the flow of water in means connecting said inlet portion to a water source under pressure.