US2949241A - Lawn and crop sprinkler - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 16, 19.60 SLONIM LAWN AND CROP SPRINKLER Filed Sept. 23, 1957 mmvron SAMUEL SLON/M .BY

7 ATTORNEY.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 16, 1960 s. SILONIYM LAWN AND CROP SPRIN KLER . t v R a 9m h A TN. S N & E0v e M m5. 9 I e m L 2 m M m n: m s. ..Y B 7 9 l 3 2 t p. e. 9 1 i F NTTURNEY LAWN AND cRoP SPRINKLER Filed se ms, 19 57, Ser. No. 685,755

a claims. or. ass-ass This invention relates to sprinkler devices for spraying water and other fluids upon lawns and crops, and is a continuation-in-part of my co-pendin'g application, Serial No. 535,003, filed September 19, 1955, now abandoned.

It has been found that a much larger area can be effectively sprayed with a more uniform distribution when the pressurized fluid is properly dispersed into fine particles and deflected in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a sprinkler device of the type described that is extremely simple and rugged in construction, utilizes a minimum number of parts, is capable of long continued and eflicient use without repairs, and which can be economically manufactured in large quantities and maintained at a minimum cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sprinkler device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs that effects considerably finer fluid dispersion and greater 'fluid throw than prior similar devices, and is capable of evenly and thoroughly spraying a relatively large area.

Another object of the present invention is vto provide a sprinkler device that employs a unique baffle or dispersion element capable of quick and easy adjustment to obtain any desired fineness of spray, and which is readily removed for cleaning and replacement, 'as When a spray of different directional characteristics is desired.

A furtherobject of thepresent invention is to provide a sprinkler device that provides "a deflector in association with a baifie or dispersion element fondeflecting the baifle dispersed fluid stream in a substantially horizontal direction. a

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sprinkler of the above type utilizing a rotatable deflector plate in association with a bafiie or dispersion element which is operative to more uniformly distribute the dispersed fluid stream over a large area in addition to directing the stream in a horizontal direction."

All of the foregoing and still "further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view showing the sprinkler device made in accordance with the present invention, in operative association with a fluid supply conduit and supported in an operative position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational sprinkler device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view'ofone of the operatingelements of the sprinkler shown in ;Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational View of the device shown inFig. 2. i i

Fig. '5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional sprinkler shown in Fig. 2. p a a Fig. .6 is an end elevational view illustrating a mad-if :fied arrangement of a sprinkler shown in Fig-2f r p view a the view of the States Patent Fig. 7 is a viewsimilar to Fig. .3, showing a modified element used in the construction of'the .device shown in Fig. 6 forsprinklingin a limited direction.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing a modified form of sprinkling device made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken :along line 1010 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the device shown in 'Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is an end elevational view of the device shown in' Fig. 11, with certain parts removed.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 12. i

Fig. 14 is an enlarged top 'plan view of a baffle plate forminga part of the device shown in Figs. 8 to 13.

Fig, 15 is a front elevational view of the baffie plate shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevational view ing the device of Figs. 8 'to 14 in operative use.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and more specifically to Figs. 1 to 7 thereof, a sprinkling device 10 made in accordance with one form of the present invention is shown in operative use implanted within the ground 11 and projecting slightly above the level thereof. A pressurized fluid supply conduit or hose .12 is connected to the device 10 by means of a conventional coupling 13. As will appear more fully hereinafter, the spray 15 emanating from the device is dispersed upwardly from the unit at a variety of different angles with respect to the sprinkler device and the ground surface 11 so as to fall to the ground surface at different distances from the sprinkler device and thus completely spray the surrounding area.

In Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the spray device 10 is seen in greater detail as comprising a hollow body or fitting 18, a bafile or dispersion member 19 supported upon fitting, and an elongatedlt'ie rod'or securing member 20 that extends through the fitting and the baflle.

show- The fitting or main body portion 18 is of generally hollow tubular construction having one closed end 23 and an open end 24 that is provided with-internal screw.

threads 25 for threaded engagement with the coupling 13 for supplying pressurizedfluid to the interior or space compartment 26 of the'main body member.

A generally circular outlet aperture or opening 28 l communicating with the interior space 26 is adapted to open outwardly in a normally vertical position. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, 'theoutletopening i 'terior of the main body portion 18 and terminates at the upwardly facing flat surface 30.

Projectingdownwardly from the underside ofthe'fitting 7 18 in opposed and substantiallyalignedrelationwith the boss 7. 9, is another boss 32 that terminates at its lower end in a generally flat, downwardly facing surface 53.

The boss 32 defines a central threaded bore 34"which is of considerably smaller diameterthan theoutle't opening 28, for threadingly receiving the securing member 20 in a manner hereinafter described.

The bafile '19 comprises an externally tapered body which has the general configuration of a conical fr ustum. More specifically, the baffle 19 has an external peripheral surface 37 of approximately conical tapering configuration between the larger end 'su'rfacef38 and -the smaIIerend surface 39. The bafile end surfacesSS, 3 9 v g tially parallel to each other and normal to the conical axis of the bafiie, so as to be of generally circular configuration. Furthermore, the smaller baffle end surface 39 is of smaller diameter than that of the fitting outlet opening 28, while the larger baffle end surface 38 is of greater diameter than that of the fitting outlet opening, thereby enabling the bafiie to be inverted and arranged over the outlet opening with its smaller end inserted partially into the boss 29, as is best shown in Fig. 5.

Formed in the peripheral baffle surface 36 are a plurality of slots or kerfs 41, 42, 43 which extend generally longitudinally of the conical bafile and open outwardly through the peripheral surface 37 and end surfaces 38, 39. As shown in Fig. l, the kerfs or slots 41, 42, 43 are circumferentially spaced about the entire periphery of the baffle 19 and vary in depth radially inwards from the peripheral surface 37. The baflle 19 is also formed with an axial bore 45 that opens through the opposite bafiie end surface 38, 39 and is provided with internal screw threads throughout its length. The internally threaded baffle hole or bore 45 is preferably of the same internal diameter as that of the internally threaded fitting hole 34, and arranged in coaxial alignment with the latter when the battle is arranged over and partially inserted into the fitting aperture 28, as shown in Fig. 5.

The securing member 20 may be formed of an elongated thread having one end portion 47 reduced and threaded for engagement within the fitting hole 34 and baffle hole 45 to define a shoulder 48. More specifically, the threaded rod portion 47 extends upwardly in threaded engagement with the fitting hole 34, and in spaced relation through and beyond the fitting opening 28 where it is in threaded engagement with the baffle member 19. The securing rod shoulder 48 is adapted to firmly abut against the boss end surface 33 while the baffle 19 is adjustable upon the threaded rod portion 47 for movement into and out of engagement with the upper end boss surface 30, for purposes hereinafter described.

The remaining portion 49 of the rod 20 extends downwardly from the fitting nipple 32 and may have its free end tapered, as shown at 50, to define a supporting stake or post readily insertable into the ground 11.

In operation, pressurized fluid passes through the conduit 12, coupling 13, into the fitting end 24 of the main body member and into the chamber 26. The fluid is then directed outwardly through the outlet opening 28, around the rod 20, and outwardly through the kerfs 41, 42, 43 in the bafile as the kerfs are of different shape and size, with the inner and bottom walls thereof inclined at different angles with respect to the horizontal, the individual sprays emerging from the respective kerfs project outwardly at different angles of inclination. This insures that the merging fluid is distributed evenly and falls to the ground at all places in the area surrounding the sprinkler 10.

In the condition illustrated in Fig. 5, the peripheral surface 37 of the baffie member 19 engages with the upper end 30 of the boss 29 so that all emerging fluid must pass through one of the kerfs 41, 42, 43. However, for greater rate of fluid flow, the baffle 19 may be rotated with respect to the threaded rod portion 47, slightly away from the boss end 30, As the rod 20 is fixed upon the fitting 18, the increased fluid flow resulting from adjustment of the baflie 19 away from the boss end 30 will be distributed evenly about the periphery of the battle. Upon continued rotation of the baflie member 19, it

may be entirely removed from the rod for cleaning and the ground 11a adjacent to abuilding wall or other ob-.

struction 58. Under these conditions, it is not. desired to sprinkle in all directions radially outwardly from the sprinkler, but preferably through a limited angle of approximately 180 away from the wall 58. To accomplish this, the baflle body 19 may be replaced by a similar baflie member 19a of the type shown in Fig. 7 which is of similar shape having an axially threaded bore 45a adapted to receive the rod portion 47. However, the baffle 19a is provided with a plurality of external longitudinally extending and open- ended kerfs 41a, 42a, 43a, on only a limited segment or portion of its periphery. In other words, the kerfs 41a, 42a, 43a, are peripherally spaced from each other and arranged upon a limited portion of the baflie exterior to provide a spray 15a directed as desired, say throughout 180 about the sprinkler device 10a. Of course, the baffie 19a may have its kerfs or slots arranged otherwise than as illustrated to achieve a spray of any desired directional characteristics.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 16 of the drawing, a modified form of construction is shown wherein the main body member 18 of the type hereinbefore described is provided with modified and additional operating parts. As discussed in connection with the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7, the housing 18 is provided with a. closed end 23, a central compartment 26, and an internally threaded opening 25 for attachment to a pressurized fluid supply conduit. The ground engaging member 102 having a ground engaging point 103 at one end is provided with a smooth bearing stud projection 104 at the opposite end. The intermediate portion 105 of the ground engaging member 102 is externally threaded and extends through the boss 32 of the main body member 18 opposite from the outlet aperture 108 through which the fluid passes from the central compartment 26.

A water spray baffle plate 110 has a boss 117 which is provided with an internally threaded bore 118 that is threadingly and adjustably carried upon the threaded intermediate portion 105 of the ground engaging member 102. The baffle plate also includes a circular disc 111 that has a tapered peripheral surface 113 that defines an angle of approximately 45 with the central plane of the disc, and which flares outwardly in a direction away from the compartment 26 when in an operative assembled relationship with the main body member 118. This peripheral surface 113 is also provided with a plurality of radially extending serrations of equal length which are spaced apart equal distance around the circumference of the disc 111.

A deflector turbine wheel 120 having a bearing sleeve 121 is provided with a frusto-conical plate 123 that has a surface facing the baflie plate 110 which diverges outwardly in an opposite direction. The outermost extremity of this surface terminates in a further tapered surface 124 which has a slope substantially equal to the slope of the peripheral edge surface 113 of the baffie plate 110, both of which are slightly greater than the slope of the facing surface of the deflector wheel 120. Thus, the peripheral surface 113 of the battle plate defines an angle y with a central plane of the disc 111 that is substantially equal to the angle 2: that is defined by the peripheral edge 124 of the turbine wheel 120 with a central plane of the wheel, both angles at and y being slightly greater than the angle 2 defined by the facing surface of the wheel 120 with a central plane of the wheel. It will be also noted that the cross-sectional area of the turbine'wheel 120 is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the battle plate 110 so that all fluid directed against the turbine wheel 120 will react therewith.

A plurality of turbine blades 125 each having an outer edge 127 coextensive with the outer edge of the turbine wheel, are carried upon the facing surface of the turbine wheel and have inner ends which are substantially tangent to a common circle having a radius slightly smaller than the radius of the base of the frusto conical plate, which inner ends flare with the surface of the plate. This turbine wheel 120' is rotatably carried upon the upper end 104 of the ground engaging member 102 and is secured thereon by means of a cap 130 which is secured to the outermost end of the member 102.

In use, any suitable hose fitting 132 is connected to the threaded opening 25 of the main body member 18, and the pointed end 103 of the ground engaging member 102 is thrust into the soil 134 at any desired location. Upon supplying pressurized fluid to the device, the resulting spray 136 will be efliciently distributed over a considerably large area. The fineness of the spray emanating from the baffle plate 110 can be controlled by moving the tapered peripheral surface 113 thereof into and out of the open end 108 of the main body member. In any event, the fluid striking the blades 125 of the turbine wheel 120 are operative to efiect rotation of the turbine wheel and deflect the spray from a vertical direction toward a horizontal direction, thus assuring a more uniform distribution of moisture to the surrounding ground area. Of course, with an increase in pressure of the fluid supplied to the main body member, the velocity of the wheel 120 will also increase and the resulting area covered by the spray will be enlarged.

It will be recognized that in each of the foregoing embodiments, the main housing member 18 is of substantially identical construction. It is thus possible to use any of the aforementioned baflie plates and deflector turbine wheel interchangeably with each other to efiect any particular type of operation which may be required. When furnished in kit form, this device makes for an all purpose garden and crop sprinkler.

While this invention has been described with particular reference to the construction shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that such is not to be construed as imparting limitations upon the invention, which is best defined by the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A sprinkler device comprising, in combination, a hollow fitting having one open end for attachment to a fluid inlet to receive pressurized fluid therefrom, and having an outlet aperture in one side of said fitting, the central longitudinal axis of said aperture extending substantially perpendicularly to the central longitudinal axis of said open end, a bafiie having a serrated peripheral edge supported partially within said aperture, a securing rod extending along said central longitudinal axis of said outlet aperture secured at one end to said fitting and at the opposite end to said baflie, said securing rod comprising a threaded portion for threaded engagement with said baflie, said baffle being threadedly adjustable upon said threaded portion relative to said outlet aperture to vary the rate of fluid flow through said outlet aperture, said baflie comprising an inverted frusto-conical body formed with a plurality of longitudinally extending openended radial kerfs, the smaller end of said body extending into said outlet opening, whereby fluid flowing outwardly 2. A springler device comprising in combination a hollow fitting having one open inlet end at one side for connection to a pressurized fluid supply conduit, portions of said fitting defining an outlet aperture in another side of said fitting, baflie means supported adjacent to said outlet aperture for dispersing a fluid stream flowing outwardly from said hollow fitting through said outlet aperture toward said baflie, and deflector means at the opposite side of said baflie for deflecting said bafiie-dispersed fluid stream, said baflie means comprising a plate of substantially the same cross-sectional configuration as said outlet aperture, said plate having a beveled peripheral edge, a rod extending axially through said aperture and threadedly secured at one end to said fitting and at the opposite end to said baflie for adjustably supporting said peripheral edge of said plate a selected distance from the outlet aperture-defining portions of said fitting, said deflector means comprising a rotor plate pivotally mounted on an extension of said rod in axially spaced relationship from said baflie plate, said rotor plate being of substantially greater cross-sectional area than said baflie plate and being supported for rotation about the longitudinal axis common to the center of said plates, and reaction means carried by said rotor plate for effecting rotation of said rotor plate in response to the reaction of a fluid stream thereagainst from said baflie plate, said reaction means comprising blades tangent to a circle concentric with said longitudinal axis.

3. A sprinkler device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said beveled peripheral edge of said baffle plate is serrated.

4. A sprinkler device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said rotor plate defines an outwardly diverging truncatedconical surface facing said baflie plate.

5. A sprinkler device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the outer extremity of said rotor plate defines a beveled surface adjacent to the outer extremity of said truncated conical surface, said beveled surface of said rotor plate being of greater slope than said conical surface.

6. A sprinkler device as set forth in claim 5, wherein the slope of said conical surface is substantially identical tr; the slope of said beveled peripheral edge of said baflie p ate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 397,775 Buick Feb. 12, 1889 1,124,399 Earle Jan. 12, 1915 1,405,810 Wilkie Feb. 7, 1922 1,913,278 Ivey June 6, 1933 2,535,723 Coombs Dec. 26, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 890,714 France Nov. 19, 1943

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