Strip irrigator

Details Strip irrigator Strip irrigator

1999-12-21

2001-07-24

Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3752)

Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing

Slinger or splasher; or deflector rotated relative to effluent

Nozzle delivers fluid to deflector

C239S227000, C239S232000, C239S255000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06264118

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of sprinklers and more specifically it is concerned with a sprinkler suitable for irrigating a strip-like pattern.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
In the following description and claims the term “strip irrigator” refers to a sprinkler suitable for irrigating essentially rectangular narrow patterns. The terms irrigator and sprinkler are used interchangeably hereinafter in the specification and claims.
Strip irrigators are useful for irrigating strip-shaped gardens and fields, so as to avoid wetting of pedestrian pathways etc. on the one hand and, on the other hand, to enable irrigation at precise patterns, thus avoiding overlapping areas between adjacent sprinklers adapted for irrigating circular patterns, where considerable amounts of water are wasted, and which excessive irrigation water may at times also be harmful. It is for these reasons that strip irrigators are often used also for protection against frost, as known, per se.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,778,994 discloses a lawn spray control device comprising a body fitted with twin outlet nozzles and a pair of spray deflecting wings, each associated with an outlet nozzle and being pivotally secured at opposite ends to the body member. The deflecting wings are swingable between a closed position effective in causing a spray emitted from the nozzle to cover relatively narrow areas of a lawn or ground immediately adjacent to, and in longitudinal alignment with the body of the device; and an open position of the wings in which the spray will be directed over a considerable area. The device in accordance with the '994 patent allows for manipulation of either or both of the deflecting wings, whereby a different range of irrigation may be obtained at each side of the device.
The arrangement according to the '994 patent is such that the irrigation water supply is directed in two opposite directions, whereby the irrigation distance is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the water jets striking each of the deflector walls is separated into fine showers which will further decrease the irrigation range of the sprinkler.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sprinkler suitable for irrigating essentially rectangular patterns and in which the above referred to disadvantages are substantially reduced or overcome.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a strip irrigator comprising:
a body member fitted with an inlet for coupling to an irrigation water supply and an outlet nozzle of said body member, said outlet defining a longitudinal axis;
a distribution member formed with a water engaging portion consisting of two ducts forming between them an essentially V-like shape with an intersection adjacent a lower end thereof, each duct ending at a deflection groove;
a support bracket pivotally supporting the distribution member to said body member;
wherein responsive to a water jet emitted from said outlet nozzle the distribution member generates reactionary forces imparting it a reciprocal rocking motion about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
According to a first embodiment of the invention the deflection grooves extend from the intersection, and where said deflection grooves face away from one another. The arrangement in accordance with such an embodiment is that said reactionary forces impart the distribution member with a combined motion consisting of the reciprocal rocking motion and an auxiliary reciprocal motion consisting of at least one motion selected from a first motion being a sliding motion along a horizontal plane normal to said longitudinal axis and a second motion being a swinging motion about a second horizontal axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
By one specific embodiment of the invention, the support bracket is integral with the distribution member. By another embodiment, said support bracket is integral with the body member and wherein the distribution member is horizontally slidable with respect to the support bracket, thus constituting said first motion.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, said support bracket is reciprocally swingable with respect to the housing about a horizontal axis parallel to said first horizontal axis, thus constituting said second motion.
Preferably, the support bracket is a bifurcated bracket adapted for receiving the distribution member. Still preferably, the support bracket is formed with boundary elements for restricting the rocking motion. In the embodiment where the auxiliary motion is said second motion, then the support bracket is formed with the boundary elements. By another application of the invention, the body member is fitted with the boundary elements.
Alternatively, the deflection grooves intersect along an essentially straight line forming a blade-like apex. Still preferably, an upper, discharge end of each of the deflection grooves of the distribution member is narrower than the lowermost end thereof
According to the first embodiment of the present invention either the support bracket or the distribution member is formed with a horizontal recess and the other of either the support bracket or the distribution member is formed with a lateral projection slidably retained within said recess.
In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, either the support bracket or the distribution member comprises a receiving opening at each side thereof and the other of either support bracket or the distribution member is formed with a laterally projecting, horizontal pin at each side thereof, which pins are swingably received within said openings.
By a preferred application of the invention, the irrigator is a strip irrigator wherein the irrigation pattern is essentially a rectangle extending at each side of the sprinkler and being about 4-5 m long and about 0.5 m wide.
According to one specific application of the invention, an upper, discharge end of each of the deflection grooves of the distribution member is narrower than the duct.
According to still another embodiment of the invention, the deflection grooves face each other. In accordance with one option, water is emitted from a deflection groove in the same direction as of the duct which engages the water. Alternatively, water is emitted from a deflection groove in a direction opposite to that of the duct which engages the water.
The arrangement of the present invention is such that essentially all irrigation water emitted from the outlet nozzle is directed at either one of the deflection grooves apart from a singular point at which the intersecting apex is above said outlet nozzle.


REFERENCES:
patent: 961006 (1910-06-01), Perry
patent: 1778994 (1930-10-01), Allen
patent: 2021710 (1935-11-01), Wilson
patent: 3309025 (1967-03-01), Malcolm
patent: 3658252 (1972-04-01), Costa
patent: 4611760 (1986-09-01), Koresh
patent: 4805838 (1989-02-01), Greenberg
patent: 4813605 (1989-03-01), Fuller
patent: 5588595 (1996-12-01), Sweet et al.
patent: 5671885 (1997-09-01), Davisson
patent: 522521 (1931-04-01), None
patent: 88087336 (1988-10-01), None
patent: 587166 (1947-04-01), None
patent: 855622 (1988-02-01), None
patent: 1047442 (1983-10-01), None

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