US2805098A - Sprinkler with variably controlled pattern - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 3, 1957 H. c. HURLEY l2,895,098

SPRTNKLER WITH VARIABLY coNT'RoLLED PATTERN Filerd Aug. 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 @.l. Lau/RY M www.

Sept. 3, 1957 H. c.. HURLEY SPRTNKLER WITH TARTABLY coNTRoLLED PATTERN Filed Aug. s, 1955 A 3 sheets-shea 2 INT/@NTM I HnNlvYaIhmunn- W2/WM #rr/1.

' ATTORNEY Sept.. 3,- 1957 H. c. HURLEY SPRINKLER WITH VARIABLY coNTRoLLED PATTERN Filed Aug. 3, 1955 E Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HENRY CHURLEK Idar/albig.

United States vPatent A(f)` SPRINKLER WITH VARIABLY CONTROLLED PATTERN Henry C. Hurley, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application August 3, 1955, Serial No. 526,181

10 Claims. (Cl. 299-18) This invention relates to a water sprinkler, and more particularly, to an automatically operable sprinkler which is adjustable to provide various patterns, shapes or irregular contours of watered or sprinkled areas.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved water sprinkler.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water sprinkler which is automatically operable to advance, in predetermined angular increments, the direction of water ow fromY the sprinkler through 360 about an axis; and simultaneously with each of said incremental advances, or alternatively, to oscillate the magnitude of the force of, and consequently the radially projecting distance of, the water ow from the sprinkler between adjustably set minimum and maximum Values. A further object of the invention is to provide such a water sprinkler which is powered solely by the ow of water through the sprinkler from a source of water under pressure. A further object is to provide such a water sprinkler which is capable of adjustment to provide an ininite number of different patterns or shapes of watered or sprinkled areas.

Further objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the fonn illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section of my improved water sprinkler;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a metering valve control lever thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section of the valve which meters the flow of sprinkling water through the sprinkler, the valve being shown in fully open position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the metering valve of Fig. 3 in fully closed position and with the end caps removed;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the rotary element ofthe metering valve shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the reciprocable frame which has a toggle linkage for automatically reversing the direction of the piston of the reciprocating fluid motor included in my improved sprinkler;

Fig. 7 is a slightly enlarged, elevational view taken from the left hand side of Fig. 1 of the L-shaped bracket which mounts the reciprocating fluid motor and cooperates with the toggle linkage supporting frame;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the normally stationary structure of my improved sprinkler; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the tongue or pusher member which coacts with a reaction member during operation of my novel sprinkler. Y

Referring to Figs. l and 2, my improved water sprinkler 10 includes a spider 11 having four radially projecting arms 12, each of which terminates in an upstanding end fice portion 13. Suitably fixed adjacent the radially outer' portion of each of arms 12 is a depending bracket 14 which mounts a pointed, radially inwardly extending projection 15. An eye at each free end of a U-shaped member 17 is disposed about one of a diametrically opposed pair of projections 15. Members 17 are formed from a relatively resilient material such as a suitable metal whereby the free end of each of the legs thereof can be ilexed in a direction toward the other to permit removal and replacement of each of members 17 with respect to the remainder of the supporting frame ofthe sprinkler. A curved portion 18 at the center of one of members 17 clears the central portion of the other member 17 to permit the bottom edge of both of these members to lie at on the supporting surface for the sprinkler.

Spider 11 provides a centrally disposed threaded aperture 20 into Vwhich a complementary threaded, hollow barrel 21 is screwed. Nut 23 is in threaded engagement with barrel 21 and may be tightened against the lower surface of spider 11 to tightly secure barrel member 21 thereto. A hollow tting 24 has one end disposed about the adjacent end of barrel 21, and a contractile band 22, which may be tightened by screw 26 in a conventional manner, secures fitting 24 in fluid tight relationship to theI barrel 21. An internally threaded, rotatable collar 25 at the opposite end of fitting 24 may be used to secure the tting to a conventional Water hose or other conduit connected to a source of water under pressure.

An internally threaded, hollow cylindrical member 27 is secured onto the upper threaded portion of barrel 21 in tightened relation against thev upper surface of spider 11. Cylindrical member 27 has a flange 19 at its upper end which is rotatably seated against a shoulder 28 provided by a swivel member 30. Swivel member 30 is rotatable about its axis with respect to cylindrical member 27 which is xed with respect to the supporting surface for the sprinkler. Suitable packing (not shown) is provided to prevent leakage between the relatively adjacent surfaces of members 27 and 30. Another hollow cylindrical member 31 is disposed in threaded engagement with swivel member 30, and one or more set screws 29 are threaded through the wall of member 30 into tightened engagement with the adjacent surface of member 31. In this manner cylindrical member 31 is iixedly secured to swivel member 30 for rotation therewith. Another exteriorly threaded, hollow barrel member 32 has one end portion secured in threaded engagement with cylindrical member 31. The opposite end portion of barrel member 32 is secured in threaded engagement with the inlet end of valve member 33, and a lock nut 34 rigidly maintains this relationship. An elbow 36 has a threaded portion 37 in engagement with the interiorly threaded portion 41 (Fig. 4) of valve member 33. Threaded portion 37 is engaged by threads on nuts 35 and 38 which are tightened down toward each other and against opposite sides of arm 39 of bracket member 40. Theopposite end of hollow elbow 36 has an exteriorly threaded portion 43 onto which a conventional nozzle 44 is tightly secured. Nozzle 44 may be of the well-known type wherein adjustment of a member such as a disc 45 adjusts the type of stream issuing from the nozzle and also the distance from the nozzle to which the sprinkling water ows.

Accordingly, it is apparent that when a suitable supply of water under pressure is connected to fitting 24, the water may ow through tting 24, through barrel member 2 1, through cylindrical member 27, through swivel union 30 and cylindrical member 31, through barrel member 32, valve member 33, elbow 36, and thence through nozzle 44 from which the sprinkling water is discharged. Also, it is apparent that the fitting 24, barrel member 21 and cylindrical member 27 are relatively ,fixed with respect to spider 11, whereas swivel member 30, cylindrical member'31, barrel member 32, valve member 33, elbow 36 and nozzle 44 are relatively movable with respect to spider 11 in an angular path about the common axis of swivel member 30, cylindrical member 31, barrel 32 and valve member 33.

In my improved water sprinkler, means are provided to effect the functions of successively advancing the` direction of water flow from the sprinkler a predetermined increment in a path of revolution about the aXis of swivel member 30, and oscillating, between a minimum and a maximum, the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from the sprinkler by way of the nozzle. The power to drive the means which eiects these functions is provided by the ow of water through the sprinkler in the manner to be described following.

A reciprocating iiuid motor 48 is provided in the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. l, and includes a cylinder 49 closed at one end by cap member 50 which is tightened into threaded engagement at one end of cylinder 49. A piston 52 includes a substantially rigid, hollow tube 53 which is threaded at its opposite end portions. A nut 54 is threaded on the upper threaded portion of tube 53, a metal washer 55 is then sleeved over this threaded portion, a cup-shaped piston washer 56 which is preferably formed of a' resilient material and has a centrally disposed aperture is then sleeved over this threaded portion, a spring washer 59 and then a metal washer 57 are likewise sleevedover this threaded portion, and a nut 60 is screwed down into tightened engagement against the upper surface of metal washer 57. It is apparent that spring washer 59 presses the walls of cupshaped piston washer in substantially fluid-tight relationship against the adjacent interior wall surface of cylinder 49. A valve stern 61 is disposed within tube 53 and carries a valve plug 62 at its upper end. Valve plug 62 is tted to seat against the upper open end of tube 53 to close off the tube from communication with the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 in one position thereof,V

and to open the upper end of ytube 53 into communication with the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 in another position. The lowermost end of cylinder 49 is exteriorly threaded and extends through an aperture in arm 39 of bracket 40 and into threaded engagement with cap member 69. Cap member 69 provides a centrally disposed aperture through which tube 53 moves, and lock nut 68 is tightened down against the adjacent surface of arm 39. A compression spring 65 has one end abutting the inner adjacent surface of cap 69 and the opposite end abutting nut 54 to bias piston 52 upwardly. To alternately move plug member 62 between tube-opening and tube-closing position, the arrangement now to be described may be provided.

Fixedly disposed along stem 61 and spaced from each other are two lugs or stops 63 and 64. These lugs cooperate with means to be subsequently described which are mounted on reciprocating frame 73.

Referring to Fig. 6, as well as Fig. l, an aperture 71 is provided by frame 73 through which the lower threaded portion 72 of tube 53 projects. Lock nuts 70 and 74 in threaded engagement with portion 72 of tube 53 are tightened to rigidly secure the frame 73 to the Vtube 53. Frame 73 is formed in part by a single L-shaped member 75, and in part by a pair of mutually spaced L-shaped members 78, 78 as best shown in Fig. 6. One link 79 of a toggle mechanism is pivoted at 80 in apertures formed in members 78, 78. Another toggle link 81 is pivoted at 82 on frame member 75 and the distal end of link 81 is disposed outside the contines offrame 73 as clearly shown in Fig. 6. A tension spring 83 is connected to and biases the swingable ends of links 79 and S1 toward each other. A lateral extension 87 which is relatively xed with respect to the frame member 75 projects into an elongated Y slot 88 in leg `89 of L-shaped bracket 40.` Elongated slot 88, in cooperation with projection 87, guides frame 73 for vertical reciprocating movement. An L-shaped bracket member 90 provides a trigger or lug 91 for cooperation with the swingable end of toggle link 81. Referring to Fig. 7, it is apparent that a screw 92 in threaded engagement with an aperture in bracket 90 may be tightened to secure the bracket in adjusted position along slot 94 in arm 89 of bracket 40. A bracket 95 is secured in longitudinally adjusted position along slot 96 by tightening screw 97 which is in threaded engagement with an aperture in bracket 95. Bracket provides another trigger or stop 98 for cooperation with the swingable end of link 81. Bracket 95 vfurther provides a stop member 99 for a purpose and function later to be described.

A hollow fitting 101 in threaded engagement with an aperture in the wall of cylindrical member 31 provides communication from the interior of cylindrical member 31 through iitting 101, through a conduit 100 which may be formed of a readily bendable material such as copper tubing, and through needle valve 102 which communi- Cates with the interior of cylinder 49. Needle valve 102 may be adjusted by rotatably positioning control member 103 along a range of adjustment between the fully closed position of valve 102'and the fully open position thereof. Accordingly, fitting 101, along with tubing and valve 102 diverts a portion of the water owing through the passageway provided in part by cylindrical member 31 and barrel member 32, to the upper interior portion of cylinder 49.

The operation of the reciprocating mechanism will now be described. With fitting 24 suitably connected to a source of water under pressure, water flows through the iitting, along the passageway deined by barrel member 21 and cylindrical member 27, along the passageway provided by swivel member 30, cylindrical member 31, barrel member 32, valve member 33, elbow 36 and nozzle 44, and thence outwardly from the sprinkler from the distal end of nozzle 44. A portion of the water flowing through the passageway provided in part by cylindrical member 31 and barrel member 32 is diverted along f1tting 101, tubing 100, the interior of needle valve 102 and thence intov the interior of cylinder 49. With the parts in the positions shown' in Fig. l, plug 62 is seated against Y the upper end portion of tube 53 to close off the interior of tube 53 from communication with the upper interior of cylinder 49. Since the passageway provided through the interior of nozzle 44 is constricted as in any conventional nozzle, and since fitting 24 is connected to a suitable source of water under pressure, a continuous flow of water under pressure into the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 is maintained. With plug 62 seated against the end of tube 53, water flowing into the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 forces piston 52 downwardly against the bias of compressionspring 65. Since frame 73 is iixed withrespect to tube 53, it is concomitantly moved downwardly to bring the'swing'able end of toggle link 81 into engagement with stop or trigger 98. Continued downward movement of frame i3 causes the swingable end of link 81 to pivot gradually about its opposite end until the spring'is carried past the pivot points 80. At this pointV it will be apparent that the swingable end of link A81 will snap upwardly to the extreme position delimited by' abutment thereof with the adjacent edge of frame '73'provided by members 78, 78. Movement of,- the swingableend of link S1 to its extreme upward position causes the swingable end of link'79 likewise to swing upwardly, engaging stop 63 on stem 61 to move the stern upwardly to unseat plug 62 from the end of tube 53 and thereby open-the interior of tube 53 into communication with the upper interior portion-,of cylinder 49. The ow capacity of-tube 53 exceeds the maximum capacity of valve 102; The water contained in the upper interior portionfof cylinder v49then iiows downwardlythrou'gh tube 53 an'd falls to the ground, andV piston 15 2 will then4 move upwardlyfunder the vbias of axiomasj compression spring' 65. The amount of' water which iiows to and through fluid motor 48 is comparatively small but is suicient to wet'the area directly beneath the sprinkler. As the piston 52 moves upwardly, the swingable end of link 81 comes into engagement with trigger or stop 91 and is gradually moved to a position just past the pivot points 80. At this point the swingable end of link 81 snaps downwardly to its extreme downward position as shown in Fig. 1. This downward movement of the swingable end of link 81 brings the swingable end of link 79 into engagement with stop 64 on stem 61 to move plug 62 back into seated relation with the open end of tube 53. With the interior of tube 53 closed off from communication with the upper interior portion of cylinder 49 by seated plug 62, piston 52 again begins its downward movement to start another cycle in its reciprocating motion. it is clear then that piston 52 and relatively iixed frame 73 continuously reciprocate so long as a ow of water through tubing 100 is maintained.

Limiting stop 99 provided Vby bracket 95 acts as a positive stop for stem 61 to open the relief passage through piston 52 and tube 53, in the event that the toggle mechanism should fail to unseat plug 62 when the piston is on the downstroke.

Reciprocation of the piston 52 of uid motor 48 may be stopped by adjusting control member 103 of needle valve 102 to closed position. Through the range of adjustment of control member 103, valve 102 acts as a metering valve to vary the rate of low of water to the upper interior portion of cylinder 49, and consequently the rate at which piston 52 reciprocates.

A resiliently flexible tongue or pusher member 106 is secured to the lower portion of frame 73 by a screw 107 which passes through aligned apertures or laterally elongated slots 108, S provided by L-shaped frame members 78, 78, respectively, and is held by a nut (not shown) in tightened threaded engagement on the shank thereof. The lowermost edge 109 of pusher member 106 is preferably serrated for a purpose later to be described. Pusher member 106 (Fig. 9) is generally S-shaped, being curved at the portion 110 and reversely curved at portion 111 whereby serrated edge 109 is angularly offset about the axis of swivel member 30 with respect to the upper portion of pusher member 106 which is secured to frame 73. Fixedly carried by spider 11 is a rigid, annular band 114. Secured across the interior of annular member 114 and to the upper edge thereof is a member 115 providing an upper serrated surface. Member 115 may be in the form of a metal mesh screen and with band 114 forms a reaction member 116 which cooperates with pusher member 106 in a manner now to be described.

As frame member 73 moves downwardly, serrated edge 109 comes into frictional engagement with the serrated surface of reaction member 116 and, due to iiexure of member 106, a horizontal component of force is applied against the frame 73 to revolve L-shaped frame 40, nozzle 44 and the parts of the device with which nozzle 44 is relatively fixed, a predetermined increment. As frame 73 rises, member 106 flexes back to stable position, serrated edge 109 moves out of frictional engagement with the reaction member and no movement by nozzle 44 about the axis of swivel member 30 results. Successive reciprocations of frame member 73 effect consequent, successive, incremental advances of nozzle 44, and the structure with which it is relatively fixed, angularly about the axis of swivel member 30. When the screw 107 passes through such slots, of course, the degree of ad- Vance resulting from each cycle of the motor 48 may be adjusted by shifting the pusher 106 toward or away from the axis of rotation of the rotationally-mounted assembly.

The means for oscillating, between a minimum and a maximum, the volume and the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from the sprinkler by way of nozzle 44 will now be described. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 through`5, valve member 33 provides a passageway 118 therethrough in communication with the hollow portion of barrel 32 and threaded portion 37 of hollow elbow 36 for the flow therethrough of the sprinkling water. Valve 33 is a metering valve which is capable of adjustably varying the ow of sprinkling water through passageway 118. In this regard, a rotary valve plug 119 as best shown in Figs. 3 through'S, is journalled on bearing surfaces 120, 120 provided by exteriorly threaded projections l121, 121. Threadedly secured on projections 121, 121 are end caps 123 and 124, respectively. End cap 123 is provided with a relatively fixed bearing member 125 for a purpose later to be described. End cap 124 has a centrally disposed aperture 126 through which a stem 127 having a threaded portion 128 projects. Suitable spring means 129 biases rotary plug member 119 to the right as viewed in Fig. 3 against cap member 123. A slot 130 passes transaxially through rotary plug member 119 and includes a curved portion 131. It is apparent that with rotary plug member 119 in the position shown in Fig. 4, passage through valve 33 of the sprinkling water is completely blocked oli. With rotary plug member 119 in the position shown in Fig. 3, it is apparent that valve 33 is completely open and passage therethrough of the sprinkling water is practically unhindered. Rotation of rotary plug member 119 from the positionshown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4 varies, from a maximum to a minimum, the rate of flow of sprinkling water through passageway 118, and thereby correspondingly varies the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water ows outwardly from the sprinkler through nozzle 44. Curved portion 131 of aperture 130 in rotary plug 119 is effective to prevent sudden cut-oli in the ow of water throughl passageway 118 as the trailing edge of aperture 130 moves out of passageway 118 when the valve is closed.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, a bifurcated, valve control lever 134 is shown. straps 135 and 136, respectively, which are secured at one end to each other by suitable means such as screws 137, 137. A resilient extension 138 is suitably secured to the remainder of control lever 134 as shown in Figs.

` 1 and 2. Member 138 may be in the form of. a piece of rubber or a loop of coil spring, and performs a func-V tion later to be described. Two aligned apertures 140 and 141 are provided by straps 135 and 136, respectively, and in operative position, bearing member 125 projects through aperture 140 and threaded portion 128 of stem 127 projects through aperture 141. A portion of the innerr surface of strap 135 abuts against the adjacent surface of end cap 123 and a portion of the inner surface of strap 136 abuts against shoulder 142 provided by stem 127.` Asseen in Fig. 1, a nut 143 in threaded engagement with portion 128 of stem 127 is tightened against a lock washer which bears against a portion of the outer surface of strap 136. Accordingly, rotary plug member 119 is rigidly iixed against movement with respect to control lever 134. Pivotal movement of control lever 134 about the axis of rotary plug member 119 therefore effects corresponding rotary movement of rotary plug member 119.

A lost motion connecting member 145 in the form of a substantially rigid loop is pivotally mounted at 144 on frame 73. The curved portion of member 145 nor- Vmally lies in a recess 146 incontrol lever 134 and member 145 is guided for movement relative to control member 134 by pins 147, 147 disposed on either side of member 145. A tension spring 149 is connected at one end to swivel member 30 and at the other end to an intermediate portion of control lever 134 to resiliently bias lever 134 toward the position corresponding to the fully open position of valve 33.

Upon movement of piston 52 downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1, frame 73, along with lost motion connecting means 145, lever 134 pivots about the axis of rotary plug member 119 of valve 33 .t9

Lever 134 is formed in part by two 7 gradually move aperture 13o-in rotary plug membery 119 out of passageway 11S and thereby gradually'reduce the flow of sprinkling water through valve 33. As rotary plug member 119 moves toward closed position, the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from nozzle 44 is correspondingly reduced. As piston 52 moves upwardly rotary plug member 119 is correspondingly rotated toward fully open position, and the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling, water ilows from nozzle 44 is correspondingly increased. Accordingly, during a full cycle of reciprocating fluid motor 43 from the position'shown in Fig. l, the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from the sprinkler oscillates one cycle from a maximum to a minimum and back to the maximum. The minimum force with which the sprinkling water `llows outwardly from the sprinkler can be adjustably setV by loosening nut 143, adjusting the pivotal position of control lever 134 with respect to rotary plug member 119. and then re-tightening nut 143. Ordinarily, the control lever 134 is relatively adjusted with respect to rotary plug member 159 so that at the lowermost position of the left hand end of lever 134, metering valve 33 has just reached its fully closed position, and the minimum value of the force with which the water flows from nozzle 44 is zero.

lt will be apparent that during each downward movement of piston 52, nozzle 44 will be revolved about the axis of swivel member 35) a predetermined increment; and simultaneously therewith the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from the sprinkler through nozzle 44 will vary from a maximum to a minimum. Since the radially projecting distance to which the sprinkling water ilows from nozzle 44 is directly proportional to the force with which the sprinkling water leaves the nozzle, this radially projecting distance correspondingly varies from a maximum at the beginning of the downward stroke of the piston 52 to a minimum at the end of the downward stroke of the piston 52. Also, as piston 52 moves upwardly from its lowermost limit to its uppermost limit, the magnitude of the force ot, and the radially projecting distance of, the water flow from the sprinkler varies correspondingly from a maximum to a minimum while the nozzle 44 remains lixed with respect to the supporting structure of the sprinkler.

Means is provided to adjustably set the maximum magnitude of force with which the sprinkling water Hows from the nozzle 44 at each incremental advance of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution about the swivel member 30. Secured to the upstanding terminal portion 13 of each arm 12 of spider' 11 is an annular band or strap 153 of substantially rigid material. A plurality of slats or control members 154 have a portion of their innerV surface in engagement with the adjacent surface of member 153 and are disposed in mutually spaced relationship along a circular path about the axis of swivel member 3G. An annular contractile coil spring 155 is disposed in tight frictional engagement with the outer surface of each of control members 154. The tension exerted by coil spring 155 is suicient to maintain control members 154 in the desired vertical positions of adjustment during operation of the sprinkler, but permits manual vertical adjustment of each of control members 154 to the position desired. A plurality of spacers 156 are ormedof resilient material and are disposed in succession between adjacent edges of each pair of control members 154 to maintain the control members in their mutually spaced relationship. Each spacer 156 as shown in Fig. 1 includes a pair of arms having curved end portions disposed about the upper and lower portions of annular band 153. Preferably the sprinkler is adjusted so that a single control member 154 is disposed in the path of movement of extension 138 of lever 134 at each incremental position in the path of revolution of control lever 134. Itl is apparent that the lowermost position of the end ot' control lever 134 provided by extension 138 is dened by the height of the uppermost edge of the control member 154 which currently lies in the path of verticalmovement of extension 138. Accordingly, as piston 52 with frame 73 moves upwardly from its lowermost position, resilient extension 138 will be swung downwardly underV the action of springV 149 untilY it comes into engagement with the upper edge-of the control member 154 which is disposedin the path of vertical movement of extension 138 at that angular position of control lever 134 about the axis of swivel member 30. At this point, further pivotal movement of control lever 134 is halted and lost motion connecting means 145 permits frame 73 tocontinue in its upward movement. As previously explained, the lowermost position of extension 138I of control lever 134V determines the maximum magnitude of the force of, and radially projecting distance of, the waterilow from the sprinkler. lt will be apparent then, that by appropriately adjusting each of control members 154 .vertically with respect to annular band 153, the pattern or shape of the watered or sprinkled area throughout the entire 360 path of revolution of nozzle 44 may be varied as desired. For example, a substantially triangular, rectangular orl elliptical pattern can be effected. lt is apparent, in fact, that an infinite number of diierent patterns or shapes of watered or sprinkled areas can be ellected by suitably adjusting control members 154. For instance, the sprinklermay be located near a building, street or walk and may be so adjusted that the building, street or walk will not be wetted, while water may be thrown to a substantial distance in directions parallel with, and/or away from, the same;

Each of control members 154 can be conveniently calibrated in any convenient unit of measurement. A rod 157 having a hand-engageable knob 158 may be pivotally connected at 159 to control lever 134 as shown in Fig. l. Rod 157 can be conveniently guided for vertical movement through an aperture in lug 169 suitably secured by means such as a screw 161 to cylinder 49, and through an aperture in arm39 of L-shaped bracket 40.

Insetting the sprinkler for operation, needle valve 102 is adjusted to its fully closed position and valve 33 is adjusted to its fully closed position by swinging end 138 of control lever 1,34 to its uppermost position through rod 157. Fitting 24 is then secured to a hose or other conduit in communication with a source of water under pressure. Nozzle 44 may then be manually rotated to point to the location at which the maximum force of water dow is desired. The right hand end of control lever 134 is then swung by means of rod 157 to the position at which water is thrown to the desired distance with the desired type of spray adjustably set by spray adjusting disc 45. The control member 154 which currently registers with element 138 is then moved upwardly to abut the lower edge of extension 138. Control lever 134 is then pivoted to again close valve 33, and nozzle 44 is angularly advanced to registry with the next adjacent member 154. Each control member 154 is adjusted in the same manner to the desired vertical height depending on the particular pattern desired. Needle valve 102 is then opened to the degree corresponding to the desired speed of reciprocation of piston 52, and the sprinkler then begins the above-described, automatic operation.

A recapitulation of the more important adjustments which can be effected with my novel water sprinkler may be in order. Needle valve 102 is adjustable from fully opened to fully closed position to meter the flow of water through tubing to cylinder 49, and thereby correspondingly adjust the speed of reciprocation of piston 52. Correspondingly, the speed of operation of all of the parts driven by reciprocation of piston 52 is adjusted. Stops or triggers 91 and 98 are respectively adjustable along lthe length of arm 89 of L-shaped bracket 40 to 9 vary the length of thestroke of piston' 52'.V It is clear that adjustment of stops or triggers 91 and 98 is effective to adjust the range between the minimum and maximum magnitude of force with which the sprinkling water leaves the sprinkler, as well as to adjust the degree of angular advance during each increment of movement of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution. The angular position of control lever 134 with respect to rotary plug member 119 is adjustable to correspondingly adjust the magnitude of the maximum and minimum values of the force of, and consequently the radially projecting distance of, the water ow from nozzle 44. For a given minimum value setting of the force with which the sprinkling water ows from nozzle 44 in the manner just described, each of slats or control members 154 is adjustable, at a diterent incremental position of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution about the axis of swivel member 30, to adjust the maximum value of this force of water ow from the sprinkler. Conventional nozzle 44 is adjustable to provide the type of spray desired, and obviously, the radially projecting distance from the sprinkler to which the sprinkling water flows varies according to the type of spray provided by the nozzle.

It will be clear that, if pusher member 106 is detached from frame 73, no angular movement of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution will be effected during reciprocation of frame 73, and oscillation of the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water ows from nozzle 44 will result in projection vof the sprinkling water radially from the sprinkler along a straight-line path. Also, by detaching control lever 134 from valve 33 and setting rotary plug member 119 to provide the desired magnitude of force with which the sprinkling water flows from nozzle 44, the incremental advance of nozzle 44 in its path of revolution about the axis of swivel member 3l) will result in a pattern or sprinkled area about the sprinkler of annular shape.

I claim as my invention:

l. A water sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the ow therethrough of water under pressure, nozzle means in communication with said rst named means to direct a ow of sprinkling water from the sprinkler, means powered by said ow yof water under pressure for angularly advancing the said nozzle means step-by-step through a rotary path, valve means for controlling the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water i'lows outwardly from said nozzle means, means connecting said powered means with said valve means to oscillate said valve means through a cycle between a maximum low position and a minimum ilow position in synchronism with each advancing step of said nozzle means, and means cooperable with said valve means for permitting adjustment of said maximum magnitude of force for each of said successive increments.

2. A sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the ow therethrough of water under pressure, a uid motor, means connected to said fluid motor for diverting a portion of the water owing through said passageway to drive said uid motor, nozzle means in communication with said passageway-providing means for directing a flow of sprinkling water from the sprinkler, means driven by said fluid motor for successively advancing the nozzle means, step-by-step, in a path ot" revolution about an axis, valve means for controlling the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water flows outwardly from said nozzle means, and means connecting said uid motor with said valve means to drive said valve means continuously through a cycle between a maximum flow position and a minimum flow position.

3. A sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the ow therethrough of water under pressure, a uid motor, means connected to said fluid motor for diverting a portion of the water flowing through said passageway to drive said uid motor, nozzle means in communication with said passageway-providing means for directing a flow of sprinkling water from 'the sprinkler, means driven by ksaid uid motor for successively vadvancing the nozzle means a predetermined increment in a path of revolution about an axis, and means driven by 'said uid motor for simultaneously oscillating, between a minimum and a maximum, the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water ows from the nozzle means, said last-named means comprising a member connected to be reciprocated by said` uid motor, a valve disposed in said passageway beyond said diverting means with respect to the direction ofy water flow through said passageway, said valve including a member which is rotatably adjustable to meter the flow of water through the valve, a pivotal lever operatively connected to adjust the rotary position of said valve member, a lost motion means connecting to saidreciprocating member la portion of said lever which is spaced from the axis about which the lever pivots, means for resiliently biasing said lever toward the pivotal position which corresponds to the fully open position -of the metering valve, and a plurality of members disposed alonga circular path, each of said last-named members being adjustably positionable along the path in which a portion of said lever moves during each of said successive increments whereby the magnitude of the maximum force with which the sprinkling water flows from the nozzle means at each successive increment is correspondingly adjusted.

4. A sprinkler including means providing a passageway for the flow therethrough of water under pressure, means in communication with said rst-named means for directing a flow of sprinkling water from the sprinkler, a fluid motor including a cylinder relatively fixed with respect to said flow directing means and a piston reciprocable therein, valve means associated with said piston for controlling the direction ofv movement of said piston in its path of reciprocation, a toggle linkage associated with said piston to actuate said valve means and thereby reverse the direction of movement of the piston at the end of each stroke thereof, means for diverting to said cylinder a portion of the water flowing through said passageway to drive said reciprocable piston, means for successively advancing the How directing means a predetermined increment in a path of revolution about an axis, means for simultaneously oscillating between a minimum and a maximum, the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water Hows from the flow directing means, and means connecting said reciprocable piston for driving said advancing means and said oscillating 4 means.

5. A sprinkler including a supporting means, means providing a pasageway for the ow therethrough and from said sprinkler of water under pressure, said passageway providing means being mounted on said supporting means, a reciprocating uid motor, means mounting a portion of said uid motor in relatively fixed relation to said passageway-providing means, means connected to said fluid motor for diverting a portion of the water owing through said passageway to drive said fluid motor, a member connected to be reciprocated by said reciprocating tluid motor, valve means disposed in said passageway beyond said diverting means with respect to the direction of water ow through said passageway, and means connecting said valve for actuation thereof by said reciprocating member to oscillate, between a minimum and a maximum, the magnitude of the force with which the sprinkling water tlows from the sprinkler.

6. The device as set forth in .claim 5 wherein said valve includes a member which is rotatably adjustable to meter the ow of water through the valve, said connecting means for actuating said valve comprising a pivotal lever operatively connected to adjust the rotary position of said valve member, and a portion of said lever spaced from the axis about which it pivots being connected to said reciprocating member.

H`lil 7'. The dev-ice as set forth in claim 6 including lost motion means connecting said portion of the lever to said reciprocating member, means for resiliently biasing said lever toward the pivotal position which corresponds y to the fully open position of the metering valve, and a member adjustably positonable along the path of move ment of a portion of said lever to limit the throw of said lever in one direction whereby the magnitude of the maximum force with which the sprinkling water flows from the sprinkler is correspondingly adjusted,

8. A sprinkler comprising nozzle'means supported for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, oscillable valve means connected to provide variable control of the ow of water from a source of supply to and through said nozzle means, a lever operatively connected to oscillate said valve, said lever being mounted to; swing about a substantially horizontal axis moving with said nozzle means, an annular series of substantially vertically-adjust able control members arranged to surround said substantially vertical anis` and disposed in the path of said lever, each acting, when said lever is in registry therewith, to limit the throw of said lever in one direction, and poweractuated means for incrementally advancing said nozzle means about said substantially vertical axis while oscillating said lever about said substantially horizontal axis.

9. A sprinkler comprising supporting: means, nozzle means mounted for rotation with respect to said supporting means aboutv a vertical axis, oscillable valve means connected to provide variable control of the ow of water from a source of supply to and through said nozzle means, a lever operatively connected to oscillate said valve means, said lever being mounted to swing about a substantially horizontal axis moving with said valve means, an annular member surrounding said substantially vertical laxis and relatively fixed with respect to said supporting means, a plurality of substantially vertically adjustable control members, means frictionally supporting said control. members in adjusted position against the peripheryof saidannular member, each control member acting, when-*said lever is in registry therewith, to limit the throw of said lever in one direction, and power-actuated means for incrementally advancingA said nozzle means aboutsaid substantialy vertiy,cal axis while oscillating said lever about said substantially horizontal axis'.

10. A sprinkler comprising nozzle means, means for incrementally advancing said nozzle means along a path of revolution about a substantially vertical axis, oscillable valve means connected to provide variable control of the tlow of water from al'svovulrce of supply to and through said. nozzle means, a' lever operatively connected to oscillate said valve, said leverbeing mounted to swing about a substantially horizontal anis moving with said nozzle means, an annular series of substantially vertically adjustable control membersarranged to surround said substantially vertical axis, one control member being disposed in the vertical pathsof said lever at each incremental position thereof vabout. said substantially vertical axis, each control Vmember acting, when said lever is in registry therewith, to limit the throw of said lever in one direction. Y

References Cited in the ijle of this patent UNITED VSTATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 572,296 Germany I H Mar. 14, 1933

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