Patent US3782637A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3782637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wind-responsive sprinkler regulator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-22
•
Granted: 1974-01-01
•
Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A screen is operatively connected to a transverse wind vane and pivoted with the vane about a horizontal axis relative to the vertical rotational axis of a rotatable sprinkler head having a nozzle forming a spray jet. The screen is pivotable across the nozzle in response to wind velocity, so that as the water jet faces into or against the wind, the screen is held clear of the spray allowing maximum trajectory of the spray jet against the wind. When the spray moves downwind, or in the same direction as the wind, the screen pivots into the spray jet to shorten its trajectory by dissipating the jet into small droplets. A substantially circular sprinkling pattern and thereby, even water dispersal may thus be maintained regardless of wind velocity or direction.
Inventors
- 👤 W Crumpacker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:34
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B3/00; B05B3/02; B05B3/08; A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A wind-responsive sprinkler regulator for a revolving sprinkler nozzle on a supportive water supply structure, the nozzle having a radial outlet for rotation about a central vertical axis to direct a spray jet of water in a revolving pattern over a substantially circular area centered about the vertical axis, comprising: a support frame adapted to be located adjacent the sprinkler nozzle for rotation about said vertical axis; a deflector frame pivotally mounted on said support frame about a horizontal axis; deflecting means fixed to said deflector frame for selectively modifying the trajectory of the spray jet from the nozzle, said deflecting means being located within an arcuate segment to one side of the vertical axis and being spaced radially outward from said vertical axis a distance greater than the radial dimension of said nozzle; means on said support frame and deflector frame limiting angular pivotal movement of said deflector frame about said horizontal axis between a first angular position wherein the deflecting means clears of the revolving spray jet from the nozzle and a second angular position wherein maximum interception of the spray jet by the deflecting means is achieved; biasing means between said support frame and deflector frame for urging the deflector frame toward one of said angular positions; and a directional wind-resistant vane on said deflector frame arranged relative to said horizontal axis to cause the force of wind thereon to pivot the deflector frame about said horizontal axis from said first angular position toward said second angular position in opposition to said biasing means while the deflecting means is downwind from the vertical axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
267 words
A wind-responsive sprinkler regulator for a revolving sprinkler nozzle on a supportive water supply structure, the nozzle having a radial outlet for rotation about a central vertical axis to direct a spray jet of water in a revolving pattern over a substantially circular area centered about the vertical axis, comprising: a support frame adapted to be located adjacent the sprinkler nozzle for rotation about said vertical axis; a deflector frame pivotally mounted on said support frame about a horizontal axis; deflecting means fixed to said deflector frame for selectively modifying the trajectory of the spray jet from the nozzle, said deflecting means being located within an arcuate segment to one side of the vertical axis and being spaced radially outward from said vertical axis a distance greater than the radial dimension of said nozzle; means on said support frame and deflector frame limiting angular pivotal movement of said deflector frame about said horizontal axis between a first angular position wherein the deflecting means clears of the revolving spray jet from the nozzle and a second angular position wherein maximum interception of the spray jet by the deflecting means is achieved; biasing means between said support frame and deflector frame for urging the deflector frame toward one of said angular positions; and a directional wind-resistant vane on said deflector frame arranged relative to said horizontal axis to cause the force of wind thereon to pivot the deflector frame about said horizontal axis from said first angular position toward said second angular position in opposition to said biasing means while the deflecting means is downwind from the vertical axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as set out in claim 1 wherein said deflecting means comprises a partially open screen grid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as set out in claim 2 wherein the openings of the screen grid are progressively varied in size across the screen area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflector frame is fixed relative to the nozzle and revolves in union with said nozzle about the vertical axis; said horizontal axis being perpendicular to a vertical plane centered along the outlet of the nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflector frame is rotatably mounted by the supportive structure of the nozzle independently of the nozzle itself for rotational movement about said vertical axis, and further comprising: upright rudder means fixed to the deflector frame and extending radially outward relative to the vertical axis in a place bisecting the deflecting means for maintaining the deflecting means downwind from the vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device as set out in claim 1 wherein said deflector frame comprises: a pair of laterally spaced parallel arms directed upward from said horizontal axis and each having lower integral extensions directed downward from said horizontal axis; a solid planar vane extending across said arms; said deflecting means comprising a transverse open grid fixed to said extensions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as set out in claim 1 wherein the deflecting means comprises: a transversely curved open grid substantially generated about said vertical axis when viewed in plan at said second angular position thereof.
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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |