US3770202A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Travelling irrigation machine
Assignee: Wright Rain Ltd
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Filing: 1972-12-21
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1992-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An irrigation machine comprising a wheeled carriage supporting a hose-storing drum carrying a hose having one end connected through the axle of the drum to a spraying device mounted on the carriage and having at its other end a connection for attachment to a hydrant, whereby the spraying device is continuously supplied with water during operation of the machine, a reversible first drive for driving ground-engaging wheels of the carriage and a second drive for rotating the drum in a hose-winding sense, the second drive being over-ridden to permit the drum to be turned in an opposite direction by the pull of the hose as it unwinds when the wheels are driven away from the hydrant.
Inventors
- 👤 A Ivemy
- 👤 T Sherwen
- 👤 T Pentelow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:48
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01G25/095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An irrigation machine comprising a wheeled carriage, a hosestoring drum thereon, a hose having one end connected through the axle of the drum, a spraying device mounted on the carriage and supplied with water through said hose and the drum axle, a connection at the other end of said hose for attachment to a hydrant, whereby the spraying device is continuously supplied with water during operation of the machine, ground-engaging wheels supporting said carriage, first driving means for driving said ground-engaging wheels and second driving means for rotating the drum in a hose-winding sense, said first driving means being reversible to change the direction of motion of said carriage and said second driving means being capable of being over-ridden to permit said drum to be turned in an opposite direction by the pull of said hose as it unwinds when said ground-engaging wheels are driven away from the hydrant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An irrigation machine comprising a wheeled carriage, a hosestoring drum thereon, a hose having one end connected through the axle of the drum, a spraying device mounted on the carriage and supplied with water through said hose and the drum axle, a connection at the other end of said hose for attachment to a hydrant, whereby the spraying device is continuously supplied with water during operation of the machine, ground-engaging wheels supporting said carriage, first driving means for driving said ground-engaging wheels and second driving means for rotating the drum in a hose-winding sense, said first driving means being reversible to change the direction of motion of said carriage and said second driving means being capable of being over-ridden to permit said drum to be turned in an opposite direction by the pull of said hose as it unwinds when said ground-engaging wheels are driven away from the hydrant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which at least one engine for operating said first and second driving means is mounted on said carriage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said first and second driving means are each separate transmission devices and a common reaction spinner mounted on the carriage and continuously supplied with water through the hose during operation of the machine is connected to drive said first and second driving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 including means for guiding the machine along a predetermined track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the track is defined by a guidance cable and said guidance means comprises a controller mounted on the carriage and responsive to signals carried by the cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the carriage has fore-and-aft guidance wheels located in a pre-formed guidance track.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A machine as claimed in claim 6 in which each said guidance wheel carries means for sensing when it has reached the corresponding end of the guidance track and for reversing said first driving means to reverse the direction of rotation of said ground-engaging wheels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said carriage supports an engine for operating said first and second driving means, said first driving means comprising a first pump driven by said engine and a pair of fluid motors connected to receive pressurised fluid from said first pump and each being individually drivingly-connected to one of said ground-engaging wheels, said second driving means comprising a second pump driven by said engine and a further fluid motor connected to receive pressurised fluid from said second pump and drivingly-connected to said drum-driving motor to drive said drum in the winding-up sense.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
A machine as claimed in claim 8 in which the machine is arranged to be guided along a predetermined track defined by a guidance cable and the machine includes a controller mounted on said machine and responsive to signals carried by the cable, and a pair of valves connected to control the direction of operation of said fluid motors arranged to drive said ground-engaging wheels, said valves being operable by said controller in response to signals carried by the guidance cable whereby the direction of movemenT of said machine is reversible, said machine can be started and stopped and said machine can be steered by stopping or reversing one of said motors relative to the other of said motors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
A machine as claimed in claim 9 in which a solenoid-operable by-pass valve is provided to divert some of the pressurised fluid to the suction side of said second pump before said fluid is delivered to said further fluid motor, whereby the driving torque to said further fluid motor is reduced when said hose is being unwound from said drum, said further fluid motor thereby acting as a brake to reduce the speed of unwinding of said hose, said controller being connected to energise the solenoid of said solenoid-operable by-pass valve in response to appropriate signals received from the cable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |