Patent · US Expired

Rotary drive sprinkler

US4787558A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
40References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 1987
Grant dateNov 29, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB05B3/16
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An improved rotary drive sprinkler is provided for rotatably driving a pop-up spray head in a stepwise manner through a full-circle or reversibly within a selected part-circle path. The sprinkler includes a reversing trip mechanism having a pair of spaced-apart stops rotatable with the spray head and defining preset end limits of a part-circle path, wherein a stationary trip wire is engageable with the stops to switch an internal rotary drive assembly, such as a ball drive assembly, between forward- and reverse-drive operation. The trip wire flexes to accommodate forced spray head rotation to a maladjusted position beyond the end limits and, upon subsequent sprinkler operation, rides over ramped surfaces on the stops for automatic return to reversible operation between the preset end limits. Alternatively, the stops can be set in side-by-side relation with their ramped surfaces oriented for the trip wire to ride resiliently thereover without switching of the rotary drive assembly. Positional adjustment of the stops is performed quickly and easily from the exterior of the sprinkler after which a vandal-resistant lock device can be installed to prevent inadvertent or unauthorized sto…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.