US3746263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Weeper assembly and method for use in a slow diffusion type irrigation system
Assignee: MENDENHALL EDWARD V
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A weeper assembly and method for use in a slow diffusion type irrigation system comprising a tubular housing insertable at intervals along a water supply line and having a captive valve therein movable between a plurality of seats including a subatmospheric pressure seat and a super-atmospheric pressure seat limiting flow to a desired seepage rate adequate to support plant life within a restricted area. The second seat may be detachably supported at the outlet end of the assembly in different positions to provide flow at different rates, each of said positions being sufficiently close to the fixed seat that the valve seats thereon and cuts off all flow when the second seat is either loosely assembled or fully detached. The second seat is readily replaceable by a sprinkler head having means for supporting the valve off its fixed seat so long as the sprinkler head is in assembled position.
Inventors
- 👤 W Reeder
- 👤 N Batterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:22
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/02; F16K15/04; A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/02; A01G25/023; F16K17/00; F16K17/20; F16K17/22; F16K17/24; F16K17/28; F16K17/285; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/5109; Y10T137/5196; Y10T137/598; Y10T137/6161; Y10T137/6164; Y10T137/6184; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7847; Y10T137/7848; Y10T137/7858; Y10T137/7866; Y10T137/7867; Y10T137/7869; Y10T137/7871; Y10T137/7873; Y10T137/7904; Y10T137/7908; Y10T137/7909; Y10T137/791; Y10T137/7912; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
In a weeper type irrigation system for bleeding a small quantity of water into the ground over a prolonged period to support plant life, that improvement which comprises a weeper outlet assembly having means for connecting the same to a water supply line and including a tubular housing having an inlet end connectable to said supply line, first and second closely spaced aligned valve seat means adjacent the outer end of said tubular housing each having the seats thereof facing in the same direction, means adjacent said inlet end holding a freely movable valve captive in said housing between said water inlet and said first and second valve seat means, said valve adapted to seat against either valve seat of said first and second valve seat means, said second valve seat means being shaped to permit a minute flow of water between said valve and said second valve seat means, means holding said second valve seat means detachably assembled to said housing and normally in position to prevent said valve contacting said first valve seat means, said second valve seat means being effective to seat said valve while fully assembled to said housing and connected to a source of pressurized water and said second valve seat means permitting said valve to seat against said first valve seat means when said second valve seat means is not fully assembled to said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
In a weeper type irrigation system for bleeding a small quantity of water into the ground over a prolonged period to support plant life, that improvement which comprises a weeper outlet assembly having means for connecting the same to a water supply line and including a tubular housing having an inlet end connectable to said supply line, first and second closely spaced aligned valve seat means adjacent the outer end of said tubular housing each having the seats thereof facing in the same direction, means adjacent said inlet end holding a freely movable valve captive in said housing between said water inlet and said first and second valve seat means, said valve adapted to seat against either valve seat of said first and second valve seat means, said second valve seat means being shaped to permit a minute flow of water between said valve and said second valve seat means, means holding said second valve seat means detachably assembled to said housing and normally in position to prevent said valve contacting said first valve seat means, said second valve seat means being effective to seat said valve while fully assembled to said housing and connected to a source of pressurized water and said second valve seat means permitting said valve to seat against said first valve seat means when said second valve seat means is not fully assembled to said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means holding said valve captive in said tubular housing comprises third valve seat means facing toward said second valve seat means and being at a lower elevation than said second valve seat means whereby said valve automatically returns by gravity and assumes a position Against said third valve seat means when the pressure at the inlet end to said tubular passage is subatmospheric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of protective cap means assembled to the outlet end of said tubular housing effective to prevent entry of foreign matter to the area of said first and second valve seat means and having flow passage means for the water escaping therepast.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 3 characterized in the provision of means for holding said protective cap means readily detachably assembled to the outlet end of said weeper assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the water pressure at the inlet end of said tubular housing is normally effective to hold said valve unseated from said first seat means and seated against said second valve seat means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said second valve seat means is provided with at least one small weeper passage along which seepage flow occurs when said valve is seated thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said second valve seat means includes a detachable outer valve seat ring having minute flow passage means crosswise of the valve seating surface thereof along which said seepage flow occurs while said valve is held seated thereon by the water pressure in said supply line, and means for holding said second valve seat means detachably assembled to the outlet end of said tubular housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in the provision of cap means threaded to the outer end of said tubular housing and cooperating therewith when tightened to hold said second valve seat means fully assembled to said housing, said cap means being effective when partially loosened from said fully assembled position to permit said valve to seat against said first valve seat means and cut off all flow therepast.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in that said second valve seat means is of non-corrosive material and notched at the inner rim edge thereof to provide weepage flow passages.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 9 characterized in that said second valve seat means is notched on the opposite faces at the inner rim edge thereof to provide weepage flow passages of different size, and said second valve seat means being securable to said tubular housing with either face thereof outermost depending on the weepage flow rate desired.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 7 characterized in that said means for holding said second valve seat means in assembled position comprises an inverted cup shaped cap fitting about the outlet end of said tubular housing and having portions thereof mateable with exterior portions of said tubular housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means for holding said second valve seat means in assembled position is adjustable between a first position holding said second valve seat means immovably assembled and operable to provide weeper flow and a second position wherein said second valve means is held captively and loosely assembled so that said valve seats on said first valve seat to cut off all water flow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of sprinkler head means detachably connectable to the outlet end of said tubular housing and including a tubular water flow passage means equipped with means extendable into the interior of said tubular housing and effective to hold said valve depressed away from the level of said second valve seat means whereby water is free to flow into said sprinkler head means and to escape therefrom.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 13 characterized in that said sprinkler head means includes a rotary water dispensing sub-unit having a plurality of water jet outlets cooperating to rotate said sub-unit by the reaction forces of pressurized water issuing therefrom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of protective cap means for the outlet end of said tubular housing and effective to protect said minute flow means against entry of foreign matter and cooperating with the outlet end of said tubular housing to provide an escape passage for water, and said sprinkler head means and said protective cap including means for holding either one thereof selectively assembled to said tubular housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said assembly is formed essentially of non-metallic components.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said second valve seat means and said means for holding the latter detachably assembled to said tubular housing mutually cooperate to control the water flow rate therepast.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 17 characterized in that said second valve seat means is selectively securable in assembled relation on the outer end of said tubular housing in any of a plurality of different positions each effective to permit water flow therepast at a different rate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said means holding said second valve seat means captive comprises cap means having means centrally of its interior to hold said second valve seat means in fluid-tight relation to the outlet end of said tubular housing and adjustable to a position retaining said second valve seat means loosely captive with said valve free to seat on said first valve seat means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A weeper assembly as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said tubular housing is T-shaped and hollow, and the T-head thereof being open at its ends and connectable to a water supply line passing therethrough.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a weeper type irrigation system for bleeding a small quantity of water into the ground to support plant life, that improvement which comprises a weeper outlet assembly having means for connecting the same into a water supply line intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said assembly having a tubular housing opening at one end laterally into said water supply line, means holding a valve loosely captive in said tubular housing and including first and second valve seat means adjacent the other end of said housing, means for varying the relative positions of said first and second valve seat means between first and second positions in the first of which water discharges from said weeper outlet assembly at a predetermined slow rate and in the second of which positions said valve seats against said first valve seat means to cut off all water flow from said weeper outlet assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a weeper type irrigation system for bleeding a small quantity of water into the ground to support plant life, that improvement which comprises a weeper outlet assembly having means for connecting the same into a water supply line intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said assembly having a tubular housing opening at one end laterally into said water supply line, means holding a valve loosely captive in said tubular housing and including first and second valve seat means adjacent the other end of said housing, means for varying the relative positions of said first and second valve seat means between first and second positions in the first of which water discharges from said weeper outlet assembly at a predetermined slow rate and in the second of which positions said valve seats against said first valve seat means to cut off all water flow from said weeper outlet assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination defined in claim 21 characterized in that said second valve seat means comprises a member separable from said tubular housing for servicing while said valve is held seated on said first valve seat means to cut off all water flow.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination defined in claim 22 characterized in that said means for holding said second valve seat means assembled to said housing comprises cap means embracing the adjacent end of said tubular housing and cooperaitng therewith to direct water escaping past said second valve seat means to escape along the exterior sidewall of said tubular housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |