Self propelled irrigation system

Claim 2

In combination with an irrigation system including a central water source and a water distribution pipe pivotally connected thereto and extending generally radially therefrom, a series of wheeled supports at spaced intervals along said pipe supporting the same, a sprinkler head having a sprinkler shaft rotatably supported adjoining each said wheeled support, the system including: a bearing slideably and rotatably supporting each sprinkler head shaft for rotation about a generally vertical axis, a gear box means connected to the wheels of each said wheeled support for rotating said wheels, a coupler on said gear box means and on said sprinkler head shaft, whereby said gear box means and sprinkler head shaft may be disconnected by axial movement of said sprinkler head shaft.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 and including valve means interposed between said pipe and each said sprinkler head, and means controlling said valve means.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 1 and in which said bearing includes a bearing sleeve including bearing sleeves extending into opposite ends, and a central manifold portion between said bearing sleeves connected to said pipe, said sprinkler head shaft having a tubular upper end connected to said manifold portion by apertures.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 3 and in which said bearing sleeves fit loosely in said bearing sleeve, whereby self-alignment of the bearing sleeves is effected.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 4 and including sealing rings in said bearing sleeve encircling said sprinkler head shaft on opposite sides of said central manifold portion.

Claim 7

A sprinkler and irrigation system including a central water supply source and a pipe pivotally connected thereto for pivotal movement thereabout, wheeled supports secured to said pipe at intervals for supporting the same, and a sprinkler head pivotally supported on a generally vertical axis adjoining each wheeled support, the system including an apparatus for keeping the pipe straight including: a connection between said pipe and each said sprinkler head including a valve, an elongated arm pivotally connected to said pipe on generally vertical pivots secured to one end of said arm and an intermediate point on said arm, a lever pivotally secured intermediate its ends to said pipe on a pivot parallel to said previously described pivots, means connecting one end of said lever to the other end of said arm, a valve operating lever on said valve for opening and closing the same, means connecting the other end of said lever to valve operating lever, whereby when said pipe bends intermediate said vertical pivots, said arm pivots said lever and acts to actuate said valve operating lever.

Claim 8

A sprinkler and irrigation system including a central water supply source and a pipe pivotally connected thereto for pivotal movement thereabout, wheeled supports secured to said pipe at intervals for supporting the same, and a sprinkler head pivotally supported on a generally vertical axis adjoining each wheeled support, the system including an apparatus for keeping the pipe straight including: a connection between said pipe and each said sprinkler head including a valve, an elongated arm pivotally connected to said pipe on generally vertical pivots secured to one end of said arm and an intermediate point on said arm, a lever pivotally secured intermediate its ends to said pipe on a pivot parallel to said previously described pivots, means connecting one end of said lever to the other end of said arm, a valve operating lever on said valve for opening and closing the same, means connecting the other end of said lever to valve operating lever, whereby when said pipe bends intermediate said vertical pivots, said arm pivots said lever and acts to actuate said valve operating lever.

Claim 9

The structure of claim 6 and in which said lever is pivotally connected to said pipe at a point close to its pivotal connection with said arm, relative to its pivotal connection with said valve operating lever.

Claim 10

The structure of claim 6 and in which said valve is a pivotal ball valve.

Claim 11

The structure of claim 6 and including a switch connected to said valve operating lever and operable thereby.

Claim 12

A sprinkler and irrigation system including a central water supply source and a pipe pivotally connected thereto for pivotal movement about said source, a series of wheeled supports at spaced intervals along said pipe supporting the same, a sprinkler head having a sprinkler head shaft rotatably supported adjoining each of said wheeled supports, the system including: truss means on opposite sides of said pipe and extending from a point adjacent to one of said wheeled supports to a point spaced from the next wheeled support, providing a relatively short untrussed portion adjacent each wheeled support, a connection between each sprinkler head and saiD pipe including a valve, means actuated by the flexing of said untrussed area adjoining each wheeled support for controlling said valve.

Claim 13

A sprinkler and irrigation system including a central water supply source and a pipe pivotally connected thereto for pivotal movement about said source, a series of wheeled supports at spaced intervals along said pipe supporting the same, a sprinkler head having a sprinkler head shaft rotatably supported adjoining each of said wheeled supports, the system including: truss means on opposite sides of said pipe and extending from a point adjacent to one of said wheeled supports to a point spaced from the next wheeled support, providing a relatively short untrussed portion adjacent each wheeled support, a connection between each sprinkler head and saiD pipe including a valve, means actuated by the flexing of said untrussed area adjoining each wheeled support for controlling said valve.

Claim 14

A sprinkler and irrigation system including a distributing pipe pivotally connected to a central water supply source for movement circularly about said source, and wheeled supports disposed at intervals along said pipe, and sprinkler heads rotatably supported on vertical axes adjoining each of said wheeled supports, the system including: an elongated arm pivotally connected to said pipe adjoining each wheeled support, said arm being connected to said pipe at two spaced points on parallel pivots, a lever pivoted to said pipe intermediate its ends adjoining an end of each of said arms, means pivotally connecting each said lever to one end of its adjacent arm in spaced relation to said two spaced points, a passage from said pipe to each said sprinkler head, including a valve rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of said pivot connections, means connecting the other end of each said lever to an adjoining valve for pivoting the same.

Claim 15

A sprinkler and irrigation system including a distributing pipe pivotally connected to a central water supply source for movement circularly about said source, and wheeled supports disposed at intervals along said pipe, and sprinkler heads rotatably supported on vertical axes adjoining each of said wheeled supports, the system including: an elongated arm pivotally connected to said pipe adjoining each wheeled support, said arm being connected to said pipe at two spaced points on parallel pivots, a lever pivoted to said pipe intermediate its ends adjoining an end of each of said arms, means pivotally connecting each said lever to one end of its adjacent arm in spaced relation to said two spaced points, a passage from said pipe to each said sprinkler head, including a valve rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of said pivot connections, means connecting the other end of each said lever to an adjoining valve for pivoting the same.