Fluid sprinkling – spraying – and diffusing – With fixed support for or ground installed supply means – Embedded or buried sprinkler
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-05
2001-02-27
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)
Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing
With fixed support for or ground installed supply means
Embedded or buried sprinkler
C239S205000, C239S600000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193168
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water sprinkler device, more particularly a spacer kit to fit between the riser and head of a sprinkler.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In-ground lawn sprinklers are used to distribute water to a lawn. They are typically fed from an underground water line from which a vertical extension riser is attached. Attached to the riser is the head of the sprinkler, the sprinkler head having attached at its uppermost portion a stem that typically includes an extending member having a nozzle that can extend, under water pressure, to spray the lawn.
For proper watering, it is important to maintain the sprinkler head at the proper level with respect to the lawn. After the sprinkler system is installed, the lawn may rise, as mulch or new soil is added. Raising the sprinkler is typically done by adjusting the length of the riser pipe or adding extensions between the riser and the head. However, because the sprinkler head/riser joint is well below the level of the stem, which is typically at or near the grass level, digging is often required to effect this extension.
In the past, others, such as Rainbird, have provided a 6″ stem member extension threaded internally at one end and externally at the other. This 6″ extension is designed to fit where the nozzle of the extendable stem member screws into the top of the extendable stem member. The nozzle is unscrewed and the 6″ extender is screwed into where the nozzle was originally screwed (the top of the extendable stem member). The nozzle is then threaded into the removed end of the extension to give a 6″ rise to the nozzle as it sits above the cap of the stem. However, this 6″ extension often stands above the surrounding grass and is in danger of being damaged by lawnmowers. Further, it prevents complete retraction of the nozzle into the head body. That is, even with the stem member in a retracted position (no water pressure in the head), the 6″ extension raises the nozzle 6″ above the stem cap.
What is needed is a simple, inexpensive, and heretofore unavailable means to elevate the stem of the sprinkler above the head body so as to increase the height of the stem above the head body to adjust the height of the stem so it is proper with respect to the ground around it.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a retrofittable sprinkler stem/head spacer which will, when installed, allow the sprinkler head to function just as it would without the spacer—that is, it will allow the extension and retraction of a sprinkler head portion above the sprinkler head when water pressure is applied and released to the sprinkler head.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple cylindrical spacer that will thread into the sprinkler head body and insert to fit into the sprinkler head body to create a space between the stem cap and the sprinkler head body, but will allow normal extension and retraction of the sprinkler stem member under use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects are realized in a cylindrical spacer having a first end and a second end, the first end for threading into the head body of a sprinkler and the second end for threading into the stem of a sprinkler, and an insert fittable inside the cylindrical spacer to guide the extensible stem of the sprinkler head as it moves between a retracted nonuse position and an extended use position.
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Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Morris Lesley D.
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