Pop-up sprinkler

Claim 2

A pop-up sprinkler comprising: a housing defining an upper, relatively wide chamber and a lower, relatively narrow chamber, and conduit means in said housing for connection to a water supply and communicating with said lower chamber; a tabular stem extending into said lower chamber from said upper chamber; means for mounting said stem in said lower chamber to permit movement of said stem axially of said lower chamber between upper and lower positions; stabilizing means operatively connected to said stem for axial movement therewith, located in said upper chamber, and extanding radially out from said stem to a location close to said housing walls but inwardly spaced therefrom, thereby to be slidable relative to said walls while providing lateral support for that portion of said stem in said upper chamber; and a sprinkler head mounted on said stem and movable therewith between said upper and lower positions; said stem, said mounting meand, said stabilizing means and said sprinkler head being readily removable without tools as an internal assembly unit from said housing.

Claim 3

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 1, wherein the means for mounting said tubular stem in said lower chamber comprises a bushing secured to the upper end of said lower chamber.

Claim 4

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 2, wherein said bushing contains at least one key slot which mates with at least one corresponding key rib on said tubular stem to effect said axial movement.

Claim 5

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 2, wherein said bushing has a conical seat at its lower end.

Claim 6

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 4, whrein said tubular stem contains means at its lower end sized to engage said seat on said bushing when said tubular stem is in extended position.

Claim 7

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said stabilizing means contains at least one key slot which mates with at least one corresponding key rib on said tubular stem.

Claim 8

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 1, wherein said stabilizing means comprises a plurality of radially extending arms spaced from one another.

Claim 9

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 2, wherein said tubular stem contains an annular groove with sealing means disposed therein, said sealing means engaging said bushing when said tubular stem is in said upper position.

Claim 10

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 5, wherein said tubular stem contains an annular groove posItioned above said lower end engaging means with sealing means disposed therein, said sealing means engaging said bushing when said tubular stem is in said upper position.

Claim 11

The pop-up spinkler of claim 5, wherein spring means are positioned between said lower end engaging means and said bushing to effect the return of said tubular stem to its lower position.

Claim 12

A pop-up sprinkler comprising: a housing defining an upper chamber and a lower guide chamber having conduit means at its lower end for connection to a water supply; a bushing secured to the upper end of said guide chamber having a seat at its lower end and at least one axially extending key slot; a tubular stem extending downwardly from said upper chamber through said bushing into said guide chamber and axially slidable in said bushing, said stem containing at least one axially extending key rib fitting said key slot to provide slidable, nonrotatable movement of said stem, an external flange at its lower end sized to engage said seat on said bushing when said tubular stem is in extended position, and an annular groove positioned above said flange with sealing means disposed therein, said sealing means cooperating with said bushing when said tubular stem is in extended position; stabilizer means positioned in said upper chamber and secured to the upper end of said tubular stem, said stabilizer means containing at least one key slot which engages the key rib on said stem, and a plurality of arms spaced from one another radially extending toward and slightly spaced from the wall of said upper chamber; a sprinkler head mounted on said tubular stem movable between a retracted position related thereto; and a cover for said housing carried by said sprinkler head.

Claim 13

A pop-up sprinkler comprising: a housing defining an upper chamber and a lower guide chamber having conduit means at its lower end for connection to a water supply; a bushing secured to the upper end of said guide chamber having a seat at its lower end and at least one axially extending key slot; a tubular stem extending downwardly from said upper chamber through said bushing into said guide chamber and axially slidable in said bushing, said stem containing at least one axially extending key rib fitting said key slot to provide slidable, nonrotatable movement of said stem, an external flange at its lower end sized to engage said seat on said bushing when said tubular stem is in extended position, and an annular groove positioned above said flange with sealing means disposed therein, said sealing means cooperating with said bushing when said tubular stem is in extended position; stabilizer means positioned in said upper chamber and secured to the upper end of said tubular stem, said stabilizer means containing at least one key slot which engages the key rib on said stem, and a plurality of arms spaced from one another radially extending toward and slightly spaced from the wall of said upper chamber; a sprinkler head mounted on said tubular stem movable between a retracted position related thereto; and a cover for said housing carried by said sprinkler head.

Claim 14

The pop-up sprinkler of claim 11, wherein said bushing, said stem, said stabilizer means, said sprinkler head and said cover form an internal assembly removable as a unit from said housing after appropriate manual rotation of said stabilizer means relative to said housing.