US3669352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic sprinkler system
Assignee: HUNTER-MELNOR Inc
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Filing: 1970-10-19
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1990-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling the operation of a plurality of sprinklers distributed over an area to be irrigated includes a timer clock wheel mounting a plurality of indexer clips which successively actuate a photoelectric switch located below the clock wheel. The photoelectric switch controls the on-off operation of the variously located sprinklers in succession in accordance with the time positions of the indexer clips.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter C Zaphiris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:03
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C23/00; G04C23/14; G04C23/34; G04C23/347
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for controlling the operation of a plurality of sprinklers distributed over an area to be irrigated comprising clock means including a rotating clock wheel, photoelectric switch means connected to the valves of said sprinklers, and programmed indexing means comprising a plurality of indexing pins selectively mounted on said clock wheel at spaced intervals and projecting therefrom, said photoelectric switch means comprising a photoelectric cell, a light source spaced from said photoelectric cell and operative to project a light beam across a gap between said cell and said light source whereby said light beam is in line between said cell and said light source, said photoelectric cell being located in the path of travel of said indexing pins as said clock wheel rotates, and said indexing pins being operative to successively traverse said gap to interrupt impingement of said light beam on said cell, whereby said switch means is operative to actuate said sprinkler valves in accordance with the program of said indexing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A system for controlling the operation of a plurality of sprinklers distributed over an area to be irrigated comprising clock means including a rotating clock wheel, photoelectric switch means connected to the valves of said sprinklers, and programmed indexing means comprising a plurality of indexing pins selectively mounted on said clock wheel at spaced intervals and projecting therefrom, said photoelectric switch means comprising a photoelectric cell, a light source spaced from said photoelectric cell and operative to project a light beam across a gap between said cell and said light source whereby said light beam is in line between said cell and said light source, said photoelectric cell being located in the path of travel of said indexing pins as said clock wheel rotates, and said indexing pins being operative to successively traverse said gap to interrupt impingement of said light beam on said cell, whereby said switch means is operative to actuate said sprinkler valves in accordance with the program of said indexing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sprinkler control system as defined in claim 1 wherein said clock means is operative to rotate said clock wheel one Cycle every twenty-four hours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A sprinkler control system as defined in claim 2 wherein said indexing pins are removably mounted on said clock wheel and depend from the lower surface of said clock wheel, said photoelectric cell being located below said clock wheel and in the path of travel of said pins as said wheel rotates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sprinkler control system according to claim 3 in which said plurality of indexing pins are arranged in an arcuate row concentric with said clock wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sprinkler control system according to claim 3 in which said plurality of indexing pins comprises at least one group of consecutive pins constituting one pin for each of said sprinklers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A sprinkler control system according to claim 3 wherein said light source is housed in an enclosure having an aperture communicating with said gap, whereby the size of said aperture defines the width of said light beam from said source across said gap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sprinkler control system according to claim 6 wherein said indexing pin has a transverse thickness dimension greater than said light beam width.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A sprinkler control system according to claim 7 wherein said photoelectric switch means includes electrical current level detecting means connected across the output terminals of said photoelectric cell and operative to produce a discrete electrical output signal when the output current from said photoelectric cell reaches a preselected level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A sprinkler control system according to claim 8 wherein said switch means further includes a gate controlled rectifier having its gate electrode connected to the output of said current level detecting means, whereby said gate controlled rectifier is operative to be rendered into a latched conductive mode in response to said discrete electrical output signal from said current level detecting means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |