US3866836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self propelled irrigation system with clutch
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-17
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1994-06-17
Abstract
Abstract An irrigation system of the type which includes an above-ground, moving elongated water distribution pipe. The pipe is pivotally supported at one end and a plurality of spaced movable support members support the pipe between the pivoted end and the opposite or outer end. The invention includes an improved clutch connected to an arm which is pivotally supported by each of the support members. A reciprocal drive cable imparts pivoting movement to the arm. Wheels are mounted on each of the support members for moving each support, and thereby the entire irrigation system along the ground. A drive assembly is mounted on each support and imparts rotation to the wheels. A control cable is pulled taut when one of the support members lags behind the other support members and becomes loose when one of the supports moves ahead of the other support members. The clutch, connected to the arm, has an operative or engaged position when the control cable is in the taut condition so as to transmit driving motion from the pivoted arm to the drive mechanism and it has an inoperative or disengaged position when the control cable is in the loose condition so as to stop transmission of motion from the arm to the wheel drive assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo J Dowd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:44
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01G25/092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In an irrigation system of the type which includes an elongated, substantially horizontal water distribution pipe, and a plurality of laterally spaced aligned support means for said pipe, the improvement comprising, in combination, an arm supported by said support means, a reciprocal drive cable for moving said arm, wheels mounted on said support means for movement of said support means and said pipe along the ground, a drive mechanism for rotating said wheels, a connecting member for imparting the movement of said arm to said drive mechanism for rotation of said wheels, a control cable having a first condition when said sUpport means lags behind other support means and having a second condition when said support means moves ahead of other support means, and clutch means having an engaged position when said control cable is at said first condition, for transmitting motion from said arm to said drive mechanism, and having a disengaged position when said control cable is at said second condition for stopping the transmission of motion from said arm to said drive mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In an irrigation system of the type which includes an elongated, substantially horizontal water distribution pipe, and a plurality of laterally spaced aligned support means for said pipe, the improvement comprising, in combination, an arm supported by said support means, a reciprocal drive cable for moving said arm, wheels mounted on said support means for movement of said support means and said pipe along the ground, a drive mechanism for rotating said wheels, a connecting member for imparting the movement of said arm to said drive mechanism for rotation of said wheels, a control cable having a first condition when said sUpport means lags behind other support means and having a second condition when said support means moves ahead of other support means, and clutch means having an engaged position when said control cable is at said first condition, for transmitting motion from said arm to said drive mechanism, and having a disengaged position when said control cable is at said second condition for stopping the transmission of motion from said arm to said drive mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm is reciprocally and pivotally mounted on said support means, said wheel drive mechanism includes trojan bars for imparting rotation to said wheels and a pivot member pivotally mounted on said support means, and said connecting member comprises a rigid member inter-connecting said pivot member to said arm for imparting the movement of said arm to said trojan bars and thereby to said wheels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism for said wheels comprises a trojan bar assembly, said wheels being transversely positioned relative to the longitudinal axis of said water distribution pipe and said trojan bars impart incremental rotational movement to said wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said first condition of said control cable comprises a tightened condition, said second condition of said control cable comprises a loose condition, and said clutch means includes a clutch plate and a pawl member being interconnected to said control cable, said pawl member and said clutch plate being in said engaged position when said cable is tight and in said disengaged position when said control cable is loose.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The mechanism of claim 4 wherein said clutch arm is of a magnetible attractible material and said clutch means includes a magnet mounted on said arm, said magnet attracting said pawl member when said control cable is in the loose condition for disengaging said clutch means and said clutch arm being pulled away from said magnet when said control cable is tightened.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said clutch means comprises a clutch plate interconnected to said connecting member, a pawl member pivotally mounted on said arm, and a magnet mounted on said arm for attracting said pawl member, said pawl member being interconnected to said control cable, said pawl member engaging said clutch member for imparting movement to said connecting member when said control cable is in said first condition and said pawl member being attracted away from said clutch member by said magnet when said control cable is in said second condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first condition of said control cable is tight and said second condition of said control cable is loose.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive cable reciprocates said arm at all times, while transmitting motion of said arm to said connecting member to said drive mechanism and thereby to said wheels, only when said clutch means is in said engaged position and only when said control cable is in said first condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including means for rotating said wheels in both forward and reverse directions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a pair of arms supported by said support means, a separate reciprocal drive cable for moving each of said arms, and separate clutch means interconnected to said control cable for transmitting motion to a selected one of said arms so that said wheels rotate, selectively, in either the forward or reverse direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism of claim 10 including a ratchet member rigidly interconnected to each wheel, and a drive pawl mounted on said drive mechanism for driving said ratchet member and thereby said wheels in the desired direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mechanism of claim 11 wherein said pawl is movable between a first position and rotating said wheels in one direction, and a second position for rotating said wheels in the opposite direction.
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) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |