US3398894A - Automatic adjustable sprinkler - Google Patents

Description

Aug.v 27, 1968 R. DAGARO 3,398,894

AUTOMATIC ADJUSTABLE SPRINKLER Filed Aug. 26, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l INYENTOR FI G 0 6. Raymond DAgaro BY Mm@ @EELS Aug. 27, 1968 R. D'AGARo AUTOMATIC ADJUSTABLE SPRINKLER Filed Aug. 26, 1965 IOG 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Raymond DAgaro ATTORNEYS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ug. 27, 1968 R. DAGARO AUTOMATIC ADJUSTABLE SPRINKLER Filed Aug. 26, 1965 ug- 27, 1968 R. D'AGARo 3,398,894

AUTOMATIC ADJUSTABLE SPRINKLER l Filed Aug. 26, 1965 4 sheets-sheet L Flags.

INVENTOR R ay mond D'Agoro BY W ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,398,894 AUTOMATIC ADJUSTABLE SPRINKLER Raymond DAgaro, S601 NE. 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33308 Filed Aug. 26, 1965, Ser. No. 482,777 Claims. (Cl. 239-97) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic sprinkler including an inclined nozzle unit rotatably mounted on a base and supplied with water under pressure, said nozzle unit having a closed lower end and a nozzle head at its upper end, a valve stem cooperating with the nozzle head and extending through the closed end, the stem when shifted progressively varying the characteristics of the emitted water from a solid stream to a spray and to complete shut off, with cam means cooperating with the extended end of the stem for shifting same whereby a continuous pumping action takes place during the time that water under press-ure is admitted to the nozzle unit causing a repetitious constantly varying spray cycle ranging from a solid stream, a spray of varying characteristics, and to complete shut-off for each setting of the cam.

This invention is an automatic sprinkler adapted or designed to water any shape area, such as round, square, oval, triangle, or otherwise. The object of this invention is to cut down the cost of a sprinkler system by eliminating the high cost of providing multiple heads, and excess piping involving high labor costs, since my novel sprinkler system only requires approximately two units for covering the entire lawn of the average home, each unit being easy to set up and to adjust. Each unit has about thirty-six adjustments of the cam, and each unit has a minimum of moving parts to give it a long and useful life. Each unit is designed to sit ilush on the ground for a permanent underground system, or may be portable so that same can be lifted from its ground sockets for easy removability, and then replaced into said sockets in the -ground to prevent necessity of readjustment of the parts of the -unit once it has been removed and replaced.

More specifically, the principal object of my invention is to provide an automatic sprinkler comprising a base, a sleeve in said base, a nozzle unit rotatably mounted in said sleeve at an angle to the base; means for supplying water under pressure into said unit through said sleeve;

said unit comprising a body communicating with the water supply and having a closed lower end; a nozzle head in the upper end of said body having an orifice; a valve stem slidable in said nozzle orifice and extending through a bore in the closed end of the body and extending beyond the said end, said stem being axially slidable into and out of the said orifice and having means to vary the characteristics of the sprinkled water from a solid stream to a spray of progressively varying characteristics and to a complete shut off; a diaphragm casing secured to the rear end of the body through which the extended end of the stem passes; a diaphragm in said casing secured to the stem and forming with the front wall of the casing a pressure chamber therein; a duct constantly connecting the interior of the body with said pressure chamber for building up water pressure in the chamber to retract the stern and open the orice; means in said casing normally yieldably urging the stem to close the orice; a second chamber at the rear end of the stem havin-g an axial outlet orifice; a ball valve in said second chamber; a second duct in the stem connecting the pressure chamber with said second chamber whereby the water pressure will seat the ball valve; and means for "ice automatically unseating the ball valve to relieve the water pressure in the pressure chamber and second chamber and permitting the yieldable means to shift the stem into nozzle closing position, whereby a continuous pumping action will take place during the time that water under pressure is admitted into the nozzle unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a sprinkler of the above type, said unseating means comprising a lateral horizontal frame secured at one end to the rear end of the valve stern and movable therewith; a pivot bolt on said frame; a tripper plate pivoted on said bolt having a lug adapted in one position of the tripper plate to enter the outlet oriiice of the second chamber and to unseat the ball valve thereby relieving pressure in the rst and second chambers; a turning arm pivoted on said bolt having a triangular head at its outer end, means yieldably connecting the inner ends of the arm and plate whereby as the arm is pivoted forwardly of the stem the plate will be snapped to enter the lug into the outlet orifice, and when the arm is pivoted in the opposite direction the lng will be snapped out of the orifice; one or more cams vertically adjustably mounted on the base aligned with said head of the turning arm, said cams having inwardly and downwardly inclined inner faces adapted to be engaged by the head of the turning arm as the stem is moved rearwardly by the pressure in the rst chamber and to actuate the tripper plate to unseat the ball valve; and a starting rod mounted on the diaphragm casing adapted to engage the turning arm and limit its forward movement, thereby causing the lug of the tripper plate to snap back into position to close the orifice, whereby the water will be sprayed in a repetitious constantly varying cycle ranging from a solid stream, a spray of varying characteristics and to complete shut-olf for each setting of each cam.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several practical embodiments thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same, and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of my automatic adjustable sprinkler.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section therethrough showing the base removably supported above the ground surface.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the base permanently mounted flush with the ground surface.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectionthrough the sprinkler showing the parts in the positions assumed when the main valve has completed its forward stroke and has cocked the turning arm to let the ball valve close so that the main valve stem can start its backward stroke.

FIG. 5 is a View similar to FIG. 4 but showing the parts in the positions assumed after the turning arm has been forced back against the cam turning the unit through a small angle and then has been tripped so that the check valve will be opened to allow pressure to escape from the chamber to let the stem move forwardly.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one of the many area patterns which the unit can spray by means of the adjustable cams.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the assembly.

As shown, my automatic adjustable sprinkler preferably comprises a base 1 of circular shape having a central tapped bore 1a receiving the threaded end 2a of a sleeve 2 which is nonrotatably maintained in the base, the lower end of the sleeve 2 projecting below the lower face of the base 1, as shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 3, so that when the base 1 is mounted flush with the ground surface G, as shown in FIG. 3, the same may be readily connected to a water inlet pipe 3 which is embedded below the ground surface G, and has a branch 3a connected to the lower end of the sleeve 2 by means of adaptors X and Y and key Z (FIG. 3).

Or, when the valve 1 is mounted above the ground surface G, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of the sleeve 2 may be connected by suitable elbow 4 to a flexible or other water hose 5 or the like lying on the ground surface. In this latter case the base 1 would be mounted on legs 6, FIG. 2, extending from the underside of the base and adapted to fit within shallow sockets 7 permanently embedded ush with the ground surface G. Thus the base 1 of the sprinkler can be set flush with the ground surface G for permanent installation or can be supported by pegs 6 which can be inserted directly into the ground or into receiving sockets 7 which would be driven into the ground until the upper ends are ush with the ground surface G. Preferably the pegs 6 and sockets 7 are of odd sizes or shapes so that the pegs 6 must always be replaced in the sockets in the same location and positions they were at the time the base was removed. This provides for easy removability, and prevents the necessity of readjustment of the cam, hereinafter referred to, once the base plate 1 has been removed and replaced.

Within the sleeve 2, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is a rotatable tube 8 having a threaded upper end 8a and having at its lower end a tlange 8b engaging the lower end of sleeve 2 to prevent the tube 8 from rising out of the sleeve 2 under the pressure of water passing therethrough from the pipe 3 or hose 5. Tube 8 is adapted to rotate in a clockwise direction. If desired, a gasket 9 may be provided between the annular flange 8b and the lower end of sleeve 2 to prevent Water leakage.

Mounted on the upper end of tube 8 is a nozzle unit 10 having an internally threaded inlet 10a intermediate its end disposed at an angle to the axis of the unit 10, as shown in the drawings, whereby the nozzle unit 10 Will slope upwardly at an angle, The inlet 10a is internally threaded to receive the external threads 8a of tube 8, and water entering the tube -8 passes through inlet 10a and into the nozzle unit which is preferably cylindrical as shown, same being closed at its lower inner end by a Wall 10b. The outer upper end of unit 10 is internally threaded as at 10e to receive a nozzle head 11, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, which is externally threaded as at 11a to engage the threads 10e, and preferably the nozzle head 11 is provided at its 4outer end with an annular flange 11b. The bore of the nozzle head 11 is contracted as at 11C, the inner end of the bore 11c enlarging as at 11d and the outer end of the bore enlarging as at 11e, the reduced portion 11C being adapted to receive the end of a valve stem 12 ot' slightly smaller diameter than the bore 11e so as to make a sliding fit therein. The stem 12 is conically contracted as at 12a adjacent its outer end and is provided with a smaller annular head 12b at its outer end in the manner of an ordinary sprinkling valve of a watering hose, whereby when valve stem 12 is positioned in the bore 11C, as shown in FIG. 4, the tlow of Water through the nozzle head 11 will be shut ott, but as the valve stern 12 is moved to the right, FIG. 4, the bore 11e will be progressively opened so that the Water issuing from the nozzle 11 will be broken up into a ne spray or will issue a solid stream. The further the stern 12 is withdrawn into the nozzle member 10, the more water can pass through the nozzle bore 11C, thus controlling the trajectory of the water stream, the same working on the same principle as an ordinary hose nozzle. As above stated, when the stem 12 is Imoved all the way forward, as shown in FIG. 4, the ow of water through the orifice llt` is stopped, but when the stern 12 is fully withdrawn from the orifice, as shown in FIG. 5, the water will issue from the nozzle in the form of a solid stream, having a maximum trajectory from the base 1 depending upon the water pressure in the unit 10.

Valve stem 12 is thus axially movable within the nozzle unit 10 and its inner end makes a sliding tit Within a bore 10c in the closed end 10b of the nozzle unit 10, the end of the stem projecting beyond the inner end 10b as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and being externally threaded as at 12C, FIG. 5, to engage the internal threads of a tubular sleeve 13 which projects beyond the inner end of stem 12. The inner end of sleeve 13 is hemispherically formed as at 13a and has an axially disposed orice 13b in its inner end adapted to be closed by a ball check valve 14 within sleeve 13 when water under pressure is admitted into sleeve 13.

Attached to the inner end 10b of nozzle unit 10 is a diaphragm chamber defined by opposed casing sections 15 and 16, section 15 having an externally threaded ange 15a at its periphery, and section 16 having a radial flange 16a adapted to lie opposite the radial face of flange 15a, the parts being clamped together by means of an internally threaded ring 17 engaging the threads of the flange 15a, ring 17 having a radial flange 17a engaging the radial peripheral ange 16a of member 16, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, whereby when ring 17 is tightened the Outer peripheries of the members 15 and 16 will be drawn together.

Clamped between the peripheral flanges 15a and 16a is the periphery of a diaphragm 18, which is tightly squeezed between the ilanges 15a and 16a when the parts are assembled. The inner end of the valve stem 12 passes through a hole in the center of diaphragm 18, as shown in FIG. 4, and is securely clamped in position on stern 12 between spaced circular plates 19 and 20, the hole in the membrane 18 being moulded or sealed to or around the valve stem 12 so as to prevent passage of tluid therepast along the stem 12, for the purpose hereinafter described.

By the above construction the inward movement of valve stem 12 is controlled by water pressures set up Within the diaphragm chamber 15-16. The inner end of section 16 is closed by a wall 1Gb having a bore 16C slidably receiving the tubular sleeve 13 on stem 12, which sleeve projects beyond the wall 16b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a coiled spring 21 is disposed around the sleeve 13 within the diaphragm chamber 15-16, one end of spring 21 engaging the wall 16b and the other end engaging the plate 20 carried by the valve stem 12 so that normally when no water pressure is present within the diaphragm chamber 1S-16 spring 21 will yeldably urge the membrane 18 to assume the position shown in FIG. 4, moving therewith the valve stem 12 into such position that the ow of water through the orifice 11e of nozzle 11 is shut off, and water entering the nozzle unit 10 through the inlet 10a cannot be expelled through the orifice 11C.

In the bore 10c of end wall 10b of the nozzle unit 10 is an axial groove 10d for the passage of water at all times therethrough from the inner end of t-he nozzle unit 10, into the pressure chamber or space 22 of the diaphragm chamber 15-16 which is disposed between the Wall 15 thereof and the diaphragm `18, so that Water pressure will build up within the chamber 22 and thereby moving the diaphragm 18 and valve stem 12 from the position shown in FIG. 4 gradually towards the position shown in FIG. 5, thereby gradually opening the nozzle orice 11C, the spring 21 being progressively contracted into the position shown in FIG. 5.

A transverse bore 23, FIG. S is provided in the stem 12 just in advance of the circular plate 19, and communieating with the transverse bore 23 is an axial bore 24 in stem 12 which extends from the transverse bore 23 to the inner end of the valve stem 12, thereby permitting water which accumulates in the chamber 22 between the Wall 15 Iand diaphragm 18 to pass through the bores 23 and 24 to the inner end of the sleeve 13 and thereby position the ball check valve 14 against the orifice 13b to close the latter and to thereby permit the water pressure in the chamber 22 to build up until the valve stem 12 has lassumed the position shown in FIG. 5 in which the orifice 11C is fully opened, or at least until the ball check valve 14 is unseated from the orifice A131') to relieve the water pressure in chamber 22 and sleeve 13, as hereinafter explained.

Thus with the parts in normal position shown in FIG. 4, when water is admitted into the nozzle member through inlet 10a, the valve stem 12 closing the nozzle bore 11C, the water pressure wit-hin nozzle unit 10 will start to build up within the diaphragm chamber 22, the water passing through the groove 10d and into the chamber 22, and simultaneously passing through the bores 23 and 24 of the stem 12 into the outer end of sleeve 13, thereby causing the ball check valve 14 to close the orifice 13b, the pressure continuing to build up in chamber 22 as long as the ball valve 14 is seated across orice 13b. During the building up of pressure in chamber 22 the valve stem will be progressively moved to the right, FIGS. 4 and 5, by the diaphragm 18, thereby retracting the outer end of stem 12 from orifice 11e until the orifice 11c is completely opened. When, however, the ball valve 14 is unseated from orifice 13b the water under pressure in the chamber 22 and sleeve 13 will be released, the water draining through the opened orifice 13b so that the spring 21 under compression I(FIG. 5) will gradually shift the valve stern 12 to the left until the valve 12 completely closes the nozzle orifice 11c, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus my arrangement provides la continuous pumping action which continues during the entire time that water under pressure is admitted into t-he nozzle unit 10.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, at the inner end of the sleeve 13 is a horizontal frame 31 preferably welded or otherwise attached to the sleeve 13 so as to be axially movable with the stern 12 and sleeve 13, said frame 31 having an upstanding flange 31a disposed parallel with and laterally of the sleeve 13. Through the upturned ange 31a is threaded a screw 42 around which is disposed a coiled spring 43 between the ihead of the screw and the iifange 31a, the spring preventing accidental rotation of the screw due to vibration or the like.

Mounted in the frame 31 is an upstanding pivot bolt 38 on which is journaled a tripper plate 35 having an enlargement 35a at one end disposed opposite the inner end of the screw 42, the axis of the bolt 38 beinig offset from that of the screw 42, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The opposite end of the tripper plate 35 extends across the axis of the orifice 13b, and on the adjacent edge of the tripper plate 35 is a lug 35b adapted in one position of the tripper plate to enter the orice 13b of sleeve 13 and will engage and unseat the ball check valve 14, as shown in FIG. 5, while in another position of the tripper plate 35 the lug 35h will be withdrawn from the orifice 13b to permit seating of the ball check valve 14, 'as shown in FIG. 4.

Pivoted on the bolt 38 is a turning arm 32 disposed parallel with the frame 31 and tripper plate 35, the inner end of turning arm 32 terminating short of the corresponding end of the tripper plate 35 as shown in FIG. 5, while the outer end of the turning arm 32 is provided with a lateral triangular head 32a as shown, to cooperate with a cam 50 hereinafter described. The turning ar-m 32, tripper plate 35, and the frame 31 are normally maintained in spaced relation by washers 39, FIG. 7, and the assembly is held loosely on the bolt 38 by a nut 40.

In the inner end of the tripper plate 35 is a lhole 34, while in the inner portion of the turning arm 32 is a hole 33; and -a coiled spring 37 has its ends respectively engaging or locked in the holes 34 and 35, which holes 34 and 35 are offset axially of the sleeve 13, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

By the above construction, when check valve 14 closes water pressure is built up in the chamber 22 of the diaphragm casing forcing rearwardly the diaphragm 18, stem 12, sleeve 13, spring 21 and the entire turning arm assembly which is attached to the sleeve 13. As the turning arm 32 is being forced back against the cam 50 (FIG. 5) it will turn the nozzle unit 10 in sleeve 2 approximately 3746" by contact of the point 32a with the cam 50. Nozzle unit 10 must rotate to cover the complete area.

At this time of operation the hole 33 of the turning arm 32 will pass rearwardly of the hole 34 in the tripper 3S, as shown in FIG. 5, causing the tripper 35- to snap forwardly and to unseat the check valve 14. As it cornpletes its forward movement the turning arm 32 will be forced back by the starting rod 36, FIG. 4, which is mounted upon the diaphragm casing section 16, whereupon the hole 33 will pass the center point of the hole 34 as it had done previously but in the opposite direction, causing the tripper 35 to snap back into the position shown in FIG. 4 and allow the check valve 14 to seat or close, thus permitting the building up of pressure in the chamber 22 again to repeat the cycle, the unit working on a continuous pumping action. For any setting of the cam 50 the water is therefore not sprayed in a continuous stream, but in a constantly varying cycle ranging from a solid stream, a spray of varying characteristics, to a complete stoppage of the water, the cycle being repeated over and over again.

The setting screw 42, which is inserted through spring 43 to maintain tension on the screw so that it does not work loose and become lost, is used to adjust the various independent adjustments of the cam 50, which control the trajectory of the water stream. As shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 3, cam 50 is mounted on the periphery of the base 1, preferably threaded on spaced threaded studs 45 which are journaled in the periphery of the base and secured therein by nuts 46 so as to be rotatable but not axially movable. Each cam 50 is mounted upon the rods 45 and can be vertically adjusted to any height limited by the height of the rods 45 by merely rotating the rods 45 in the manner of wing nuts. The cams 50 which are adjusted on the rods or thumbscrews 45, each have an inclined face adapted to be cont-acted by the end 32a of the turning arm 32, and preferably the inclined face of the cam has vertical grooves 50a therein, FIG. 1, to keep the turning arm from slipping when engaged with said grooves. The cams 50 may also be interlocked by means of dovetailed keys 47, as shown in FIG. 1, to prevent them from twisting and turning.

On the casing member 16 of the diaphragm is a telescopic starting rod 36 adapted to engage the turning arm 32, the extensible outer end of the rod 36 being maintained in position by a spring lock 44 (FIG. 4). Since starting rod 36 restricts the turning arm 32 from forward movement it is made retractable, and must be retracted manually into position for the setting of cam 50` when stem 13 and frame 31 are in their forward positions. If starting rod 36 was of fixed length it would be impossible to move the turning arm forwardly and hence starting rod 36 is only manually retracted during the setting of the cam 50 and must be returned to the extended position so that the unit can operate automatically.

In adjusting the sprinkler the starting rod lock 44, FIG. 4, should be compressed at points A and slid forwardly on arm 36 in order that the turning arm 32 can be tripped forwardly to maintain the =ball check valve open or unseated. The water can now be turned on and the unit will remain idle. However, the setting screw 42 must then 'be turned in very slowly to force back the tripper 35 so that the check ball valve 14 will slowly seat, causing pressure to build up in the chamber 22, whereupon the stem 12 and sleeve 13 will 'begin to move rearwardly.

When the desired water trajectory has been reached, the operator stops turning the setting screw 42 and the stem 12 will remain stationary. The thumbscrews 45 which are inserted through the base 1 are now rotated in order to raise the cam 50 from the base and until the inclined grooved surface 50a thereof touches the tip 32a of the turning arm 3-2. Each of the various adjustments of cams 50 around the base 1 must be set in the above manner, whereupon starting rod 36 should be extended into its normal position shown in FIG. 4 to now make the unit fully automatic.

FIG. 6 shows a plan of a plot or area to be watered using a single sprinkler unit 1 disposed adjacent the center of the irregular area. In FIG. 6 the radial lines 70 sho-Wn in dot-and-dash lines indicate various angular adjustments of the unit in the sleeve 2 to Water substantially the entire irregular area, each line 70 requiring its own separate water trajectory adjustment of the cam or cams 50. FIG. 6 illustrates how an irregular shaped area can be watered utilizing only a single sprinkler unit, which is susceptible to the various adjustments hereinabove described. Thus my invention is designed to water any shape area, such as round, square, oval, triangle, or otherwise.

The object of my invention is to cut down on the cost of a sprinkler system. It eliminates the high cost of multiple heads, excess piping involving high labor costs, and still serves to sprinkle the full area. It takes approximately two units for the average home. It is easy to set up and adjust. It has thirty-six more or less adjustments in the cams which move up and down in a vertical position by turning the thumbscrews 45 clockwise or countrclockwise. This unit has a minimum of moving parts to give it a long and useful life. It is designed to sit flush on the ground for a permanent underground system, or can be lifted from its sockets 7 for easy removability. This unit can also be used as a temporary or portable sprinkler simply by adding a hose coupling and legs 6 which can be either inserted directly into the ground or into the sockets 7 placed in the ground toprevent necessity of readjustment of the unit once it has been removed.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic sprinkler comprising a base, a sleeve in said base, a nozzle unit rotatably mounted in said sleeve at an angle to the base; means for supplying water under pressure into said unit through said sleeve; said -unt comprising a body communicating with the water supply and having a closed lower end; a nozzle head in in the upper end of said body having an orifice; a valve stem slidable in said nozzle orifice and extending through a bore in the closed end of the body and extending beyond the said end, said stem being axially slidable into and out of the said orifice and having means to vary the characteristics of the sprinkled water from a solid stream to a spray of progressively varying characteristics and to a complete shut off; a diaphragm casing secured to the rear end of the body through which the extended end of the stem passes; a diaphragm in said casing secured to the stem and forming with the front wall of the casing a pressure chamber therein; a duct constantly connecting the interior of the body with said pressure chamber for building up Water pressure in the chamber to retract the stem and open the orifice; means in said casing normally yieldably urging the stem to close the orifice; a second chamber at the rear end of the stem having an axial outlet orifice; a ball valve in said second chamber; a second duct in the stem connecting the pressure chamber with said second chamber whereby the Water pressure will seat the ball valve; and means for automatically unseating the ball valve to relieve the water pressure in the pressure chamber and second chamber and permitting the yieldable means to shift the stem into nozzle closing position, whereby a continuous pumping action will take place during the time that water under pressure is admitted into the nozzle unit.

2. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 1, said base being set permanently in the ground, and said supplying means comprising an underground water -pipe connected to said sleeve.

3. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 1, said base having legs engaging sockets embedded in the ground; the said legs and their respective sockets being of different sizes whereby the base when removed and replaced will always be located in the same position as when removed Without necessitating readjustment of the ball valve unseating means upon each replacement; and said supplying means comprising a water hose connected to said sleeve.

4. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 1, said unseating means comprising a lateral horizontal frame secured at one end to the rear end of the valve stem and movable therewith; a pivot bolt on said frame; a tripper plate pivoted on said bolt having a lug adapted in one position of the tripper plate to enter the outlet orifice of the second chamber and to unseat the ball valve thereby relieving pressure in the first and second chambers; a turning arm pivoted on said bolt having a triangular head at its outer end, means yieldably connecting the inner ends of the arm and plate whereby as the arm is pivoted forwardly of the stern the plate will be snapped to enter the lug into the outlet orifice, and when the arm is pivoted in the opposite direction the lug will be snapped out of the oritice; one or more cams vertically adjustably mounted on the base aligned with said head of the turning arm, said cams having inwardly and downwardly inclined inner faces adapted to be engaged by the head of the turning arm as the `stern is moved rearwardly by the pressure in the first chamber and to actuate the tripper plate to unseat the ball valve; and a starting rod mounted on the diaphragm casing adapted to engage the turning arm and limit its forward movement, thereby causing the lug of the tripper plate to snap back into position to close the orifice, whereby the water will be sprayed in a repetitious constantly varying cycle ranging from a solid stream, a spray of varying characteristics and to complete shut-off for each setting of each cam.

5. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 4, said engagement of the turning arm and cam rotating the nozzle unit in the sleeve through a slight angular increment.

`6. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 4, a screw threaded into the frame offset from the pivot bolt and adapted to engage the tripper plate to open the ball valve and thereby adjust the trajectory of the water stream issuing from the nozzle head; and means on the screw for resisting accidental rotation of the screw.

7. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 4, each cam being mounted upon a screw rod rotatable in the base and engaging tapped holes therefor in the cams, whereby rotation of the screw rod will adjust the height of the cam with respect to the turning arm.

S. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 7, adjacent cams being interlocked by means of dovetailed keys.

9. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 7, said inclined faces of the cams having vertical grooves therein to keep the arm from slipping laterally thereon.

10. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 4, said starting rod having an outer telescopic outer portion which is retractable to permit setting of the related cam; and a spring look on the extensible outer portion normally maintaining same in extended position.

11. An automatic sprinkler comprising a circular base, a sleeve in said base, a nozzle unit rotatably mounted in said sleeve at an angel to the base; means for supplying water under pressure into said unit through said sleeve; said unit comprising a body communicating with the water supply and having a closed lower end; a nozzle head in the upper end of said body having an orifice; a valve stem slidable in said nozzle orifice and extending through a bore in the closed end of the fbody and extending beyond the said end, said stem being axially slidable into and out of the said orifice and having means to vary the characteristics of the spinkled water from a solid stream to a spray of progressively varying characteristics and to a complete shut off; and means for automatically shifting the stern whereby a continuous pumping action will take place during the time that water under pressure is admitted into the nozzle unit.

12. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 11, said base being set permanently in the ground, and said supplying means comprising an underground water pipe connected to said sleeve.

13. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 11, said base having legs engaging sockets embedded in the ground; the said legs and their respective sockets being of diifen ent sizes whereby the base when removed and replaced will always be located in the same position as when removed without necessitating readjustment upon each replacement; and said supplying means comprising a water hose connected to said sleeve.

14. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 11, said shifting means comprising a lateral horizontal frame secured at one end to the rear end of the valve stem and movable therewith; a pivot bolt on said frame; a tripper plate pivoted on said bolt adapted to control the forward movement of the stem; a turning arm pivoted on said bolt and adapted to control the movement of the stem in the rearward direction and having a triangular head at its outer end; means yieldably connecting the inner ends of the arm and plate whereby as the arm is pivoted forwardly of the stem the plate will be snapped into action and when the arm is pivoted in the opposite direction the plate will be snapped out of action; one or more cams vertically adjustably mounted on the periphery of the base having inwardly and downwardly inclined inner faces adapted to be engaged by the head of the turning arm as the stem is moved rearwardly, and to snap the tripper plate into action; and a starting rod mounted on the diaphragm casing adapted to engage the turning arm and limit its forward movement, thereby causing the tripper plate to snap out of action, whereby the water will be sprayed in a repetitious constantly varying cycle ranging from a solid stream, a spray of varying characteristics and to complete shut-off for each setting of each cam.

15. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 14, said engagement of the turning arm and cam rotating the nozzle unit in the sleeve through a slight angular increment.

16. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 14, a screw threaded into the frame offset from the pivot bolt and adapted to engage the tripper plate to bring the same into action and to adjust the trajectory of the water stream issuing from the nozzle head; and a spring around said screw between the ange and screw head for preventing accidental rotation of the screw.

17. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 14, each cam being mounted upon a screw rod rotatable in the base and engaging tapped holes therefor in the cams whereby rotation of the screw rod will adjust the height of the cam with respect to the turning arm.

18. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 17, adjacent cams being interlocked by means of dovetailed keys.

19. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 17, said inclined faces of the cams having vertical grooves therein to keep the arm from slipping laterally thereon.

20. In a sprinkler as set forth in claim 14, said starting rod having an outer telescopic outer portion which is retractable to permit setting of the related cam; and a spring lock on the extensible outer portion normally maintaining same in extended position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,031,176 7/1912 Gilpin 239-276 1,143,293 6/1915 Luehrs 239-452 1,719,790 7/1929 Van Aken 239-227 2,681,250 6/ 1954 Metcalf et al. 239-227 2,780,488 2/ 1957 Kennedy 239-276 2,943,765 7/ 1960 Glasgow et al. 103-50 2,962,220 11/ 1960 Woods 239-97 2,999,643 9/ 1961 Kennedy 239-236 3,053,461 9/ 1962 Inglis 239-409 3,093,313 6/1963 Salminen 239-97 3,095,148 6/ 1963 Smith 239-276 M. HENSON WOOD, IR., Primary Examiner.

V. M. WIGMAN, Assistant Examiner.

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