US3884416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for distributing irrigation water
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-08-29
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A device for distributing irrigation water over an arbitrarily shaped surface is provided with a rotating sprinkler head and a hollow cylindrical shaft for conveying water under pressure into the head. The flow of water into the hollow bore of the shaft is restricted by a port plate inset into the lower end thereof. The port plate is provided with at least two passages, a central port aligned with the axis of rotation of the sprinkler shaft and another radially offset therefrom. An orifice plate keyed to the shaft housing is pressed against the port plate by means of a coil spring. The orifice plate is pierced by a central orifice aligned with the central port of the port plate - and one or more orifices radially and angularly displaced from the central one and from each other - in radial alignment with the radially offset port. As the sprinkler head rotates with its shaft, the quantity of water, and the radial reach of that water, are varied depending upon the mutual overlap between the radially offset orifices and ports. A square irrigation pattern may be achieved with four offset orifices equispaced on the orifice plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:34
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B3/00; B05B3/02; B05B3/04; B05B3/0455; B05B3/021; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S239/00; Y10S239/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A device for distributing irrigation water, comprising: a body; a hollow, tubular shaft, rotatably disposed in a vertical bearing passing through said body, and provided with a basal surface orthogonal to the rotational axis thereof; seal means between said body and said shaft; a sprinkler head affixed to the upper end of said shaft; a primary orifice piercing said sprinkler head, in communication with the hollow bore of said shaft and substantially radially aligned with said rotational axis; a secondary orifice piercing said sprinkler head opposite said primary orifice, in communication with said hollow bore; vane means, resiliently pivoted in said sprinkler head and adapted to deflect the water jet issuing from said secondary orifice; stop means, affixed in said sprinkler head, for adjustably limiting angular travel of said vane means under influence of said water jet issuing from the secondary orifice; port means, piercing said basal surface of said shaft and communicating with the internal bore thereof, including a circular port centered on the rotational axis of the shaft and at least one other port radially disposed from said circular port; an orifice plate, facing said basal surface, pierced by a central orifice aligned with the rotational axis of said shaft, and at least one other orifice radially spaced from said central orifice, adapted for periodic alignment with said radially disposed port; spring means, urging said orifice plate into sliding contact with said basal surface; and key means, for preventing rotational displacement of said orifice plate with respect to said body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
A device for distributing irrigation water, comprising: a body; a hollow, tubular shaft, rotatably disposed in a vertical bearing passing through said body, and provided with a basal surface orthogonal to the rotational axis thereof; seal means between said body and said shaft; a sprinkler head affixed to the upper end of said shaft; a primary orifice piercing said sprinkler head, in communication with the hollow bore of said shaft and substantially radially aligned with said rotational axis; a secondary orifice piercing said sprinkler head opposite said primary orifice, in communication with said hollow bore; vane means, resiliently pivoted in said sprinkler head and adapted to deflect the water jet issuing from said secondary orifice; stop means, affixed in said sprinkler head, for adjustably limiting angular travel of said vane means under influence of said water jet issuing from the secondary orifice; port means, piercing said basal surface of said shaft and communicating with the internal bore thereof, including a circular port centered on the rotational axis of the shaft and at least one other port radially disposed from said circular port; an orifice plate, facing said basal surface, pierced by a central orifice aligned with the rotational axis of said shaft, and at least one other orifice radially spaced from said central orifice, adapted for periodic alignment with said radially disposed port; spring means, urging said orifice plate into sliding contact with said basal surface; and key means, for preventing rotational displacement of said orifice plate with respect to said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said basal surface covers a radially enlarged portion of said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said port means include two radially disposed ports, aligned on a diameter passing through said rotational axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said vane means comprise: a pivot pin, affixed in said sprinkler head in substantial coincidence with said rotational axis; a vane arm, pivotably engaged on said pivot pin; a vane, affixed to said vane arm; and a torsion spring coaxial with said pivot pin and engaged in said vane arm and said sprinkler head at either end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 4, wherein said stop means include a yoke, afFixed to said sprinkler head and encompassing arcuate path of said vane arm; and a set-screw threaded into said yoke, aligned to intercept angular travel of said vane arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 3, adapted to irrigate a substantially square surface, wherein said orifice plate is provided with four angularly equispaced orifices radially spaced from said central orifice.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2723157A
Cited
US2739839A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |