US3684178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Traveling agricultural sprinkler
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-23
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1991-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled heavy duty sprinkler derives motive power from a supply of water under pressure which also feeds the rotary sprinkler head. A water-operated turbine wheel and gearing drive a cable wind-up drum which winds up an anchored cable to propel the sprinkler. An independent power train adapted to be driven from a tractor power take-off drives a hose reel on the machine. An improved steering arrangement is provided together with means to automatically de-activate the sprinkler drive gearing at the end of a traverse. A braking and anti-backlash device for the cable drum is included.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F Friedlander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:28
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01G25/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A mobile sprinkler comprising a wheeled frame, a hose reel on said frame, means on said frame coupled with the hose reel to rotate the same and adapted to be driven by a tractor take-off shaft, a propulsion cable winding drum on said frame inCluding a bull gear, an eccentric shaft carrying the drum and bull gear on said frame and operable when turned on its eccentric axis to shift the drum and bull gear from a first operating position to a second operating position, a mechanical linkage connected with the eccentric shaft to turn the same for shifting the drum and bull gear, drive gearing on said frame including a drive pinion engageable with the bull gear to drive the same when the drum and bull gear are shifted to said first operating position, water turbine means on said frame adapted to be coupled with a water supply hose and including a rotary output shaft connected with said drive gearing, a second pinion on the frame on the side of the bull gear opposite from said drive pinion and spaced from the drive pinion by a distance greater than the diameter of the bull gear, whereby the bull gear is out of mesh with one pinion while in mesh with the other pinion, and adjustable friction brake means for said second pinion enabling the latter to apply a controllable holding force to the bull gear when the bull gear is in mesh with said second pinion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A mobile sprinkler comprising a wheeled frame, a hose reel on said frame, means on said frame coupled with the hose reel to rotate the same and adapted to be driven by a tractor take-off shaft, a propulsion cable winding drum on said frame inCluding a bull gear, an eccentric shaft carrying the drum and bull gear on said frame and operable when turned on its eccentric axis to shift the drum and bull gear from a first operating position to a second operating position, a mechanical linkage connected with the eccentric shaft to turn the same for shifting the drum and bull gear, drive gearing on said frame including a drive pinion engageable with the bull gear to drive the same when the drum and bull gear are shifted to said first operating position, water turbine means on said frame adapted to be coupled with a water supply hose and including a rotary output shaft connected with said drive gearing, a second pinion on the frame on the side of the bull gear opposite from said drive pinion and spaced from the drive pinion by a distance greater than the diameter of the bull gear, whereby the bull gear is out of mesh with one pinion while in mesh with the other pinion, and adjustable friction brake means for said second pinion enabling the latter to apply a controllable holding force to the bull gear when the bull gear is in mesh with said second pinion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 1, and said means coupled with the hose reel comprising a gear box having an input shaft adapted to be coupled with a tractor take-off shaft, a rotary output shaft, and transmission gearing operatively connecting the output shaft and said reel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
The structure of claim 1, and said mechanical linkage comprising a crank arm on the eccentric shaft, a link secured to the crank arm to turn the latter, spring means connected with the link and biasing the link and crank arm in a direction to maintain the bull gear out of mesh with the drive pinion and in mesh with the second pinion, a handle on said link for shifting the link and crank arm to a position where the bull gear is shifted into mesh with the drive pinion and out of mesh with the second pinion, detent means for locking the link in the last-named position in opposition to the force exerted by the spring means, and means responding to the mobile sprinkler approaching the end of a field traverse to automatically release the detent means so that the spring means will disengage the bull gear from the drive pinion and engage it with the second pinion to thereby stop the sprinkler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The structure of claim 3, and the last-named means comprising a pivoted propulsion cable guide on said wheeled frame including a lifting arm disposed below said link when the detent means is active, said pivoted cable guide in the path of movement of an enlargement on the cable being wound up on the cable winding drum, whereby the enlargement will shift the cable guide in a direction causing the lifting arm to raise said link and disengage the detent means automatically when the sprinkler approaches the end of a field traverse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 3, and an adjustable brake means connected with the second pinion so that the holding force which the latter exerts on the bull gear can be regulated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure of claim 5, and a manual crank means connected with the second pinion to allow manual winding of the cable onto said drum when the bull gear is in mesh with the second pinion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure of claim 5, and said brake means comprising a rotary shaft carrying the second pinion, a split bearing tube supporting the rotary shaft, and an adjustable clamp surrounding the split bearing tube so that the latter may be forced into frictional gripping engagement with the rotary shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 1, and said water turbine means comprising an upstanding water discharge pipe on the turbine means, and a rotary sprinkler head mounted on the top of said pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure of claim 1, and said drive gearing including the drive pinion also including a change speed drive between the drive pinion and said rotary output shaft of the turbine means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 9, and said change speed drive comprising a rotary shaft and plural gears elements of different diameters Mounted on the shaft and each placeable at an operating position on the shaft for engagement with a driving element of said drive gearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure of claim 10, and said hose reel, cable winding drum, drive pinion, second pinion, rotary output shaft of the turbine means and the shaft carrying the differential diameter gear elements all being transverse of the line of movement of the wheeled frame and parallel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 1, and said wheeled frame including front steering wheels, and a pivoted draft coupling on said wheeled frame having a connection with the steering gear of said steering wheels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 12, and said steering gear comprising a steering crank on each wheel pivot, and tie rods interconnecting said cranks and forming parts of said connection with said pivoted draft coupling.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3478964A
Cited
US3515350A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |