GB2162090A

GB2162090A - A rotating sprinkler

Info

Publication number: GB2162090A
Application number: GB8513519A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Perrot; Gottfried Heinen; Heinz Finkbeiner
Original assignee: Perrot Regnerbau GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Perrot Regnerbau GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1984-06-05
Filing date: 1985-05-29
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: ES295854Y; ES295854U; GB8513519D0; DE8417101U1; FR2565129A1

Abstract

A rotating sprinkler comprising a support member which is rotatably mounted on a vertical guide bush with a vertical pivotal axis, said support member having diametrical receiver bores in which a thrust nozzle and the support shaft of a rotating means are receivable, and comprising a spring- controlled swivel lever, the swivel axis of which extends coaxially with the support member, in which a spray nozzle (19, 19a in Fig. 1 is provided diametrically relative to the thrust nozzle (18) and in the vertical plane of the support shaft (19) for the rotating means (W) which serves to direct the spray nozzle onto predetermined sprinkling sections of ground for sprinkling. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A rotating sprinkler The present invention relates to a rotating sprinkler comprising a support member which is rotatably mounted on a vertical guide bush with a vertical pivotal axis, said support member having diametrical receiver bores in which a thrust nozzle and the support shaft of a rotating means are receivable, and comprising a spring-controlled swivel lever, the swivel axis of which extends coaxially with the support member.

A known rotating sprinkler of this type (German Patent Specification No. 1 119 587) may be used as a multi-purpose sprinkler; if the rotating means is removed, it can be used as a circular sprinkler for circular sprinkling purposes with a wide spraying range and a low precipitation density, or with a narrow spraying range and a high precipitation density. However, it cannot be used as a two-nozzle rotating sprinkler because a spray nozzle, which is diametrically disposed relative to the thrust nozzle, is only utilisable after removal of the rotating means.

It is an object of the present invention to modify a rotating sprinkler of the above-described type in such a manner that it permits sections of ground to be sprayed at varying precipitation densities due to a proven, sturdy rotating means.

According to the present invention there is provided a rotating sprinkler comprising a support member which is rotatably mounted on a vertical guide bush with a vertical pivotal axis, said support member having diametrical receiver bores in which a thrust nozzle and the support shaft of a rotating means are receivable, and comprising a springcontrolled swivel lever, the swivel axis of which extends coaxially with the support member, in which a spray nozzle is provided diametrically relative to the thrust nozzle and in the vertical plane of the support shaft for the rotating means which serves to direct the spray nozzle onto predetermined sprinkling sections of ground for sprinkling.

What is to be understood by the term "vertical plane of the support shaft" is the vertical plane in which the axis of symmetry of the support shaft extends. Such a rotating sprinkler is particularly suitable for use on golf courses, since the grassy areas, mown at different heights, require different sprinkling densities, such areas being, for example, the areas usually referred to as the "green apron" and "green".

However, similar requirements also exist, for example, in the case of a sports field which is surrounded by a running track.

The present invention is not anticipated by a known circular sprinkler which also, in fact, permits predetermined sections of the circular sprinkling area to be sprayed at different sprinkling densities.

However, such a known sprinkler operates according to the principle of different rotational speeds to which the circular sprinkler is synchronously settable during the course of one circular revolution. Such an operating principle requires suitable transmission and control means.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partial, vertical sectional view of a rotating sprinkler; Fig. 2 illustrates a variation of the rotating sprinkler on a reduced scale, the support member being shown in vertical section; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a detail taken from the direction shown by arrow B in Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the sprinkling area of the rotating sprinkler.

A guide bush 10 serves as both the pivot bearing for the support member 17 or 17', respectively, and the connecting member for the sprinkler hose-pipe, and said guide bush 10 is screw-connectable to the connection pipe of the sprinkler hosepipe via a threaded portion 16 formed in the base of said bush 10. Immediately above the threaded portion 16, the guide bush 10 has a hexagonal profile which serves as the point of application for a monkey wrench.

Two stop members 12 and 12' are axially spaced from each other above the hexagonal profile by means of a spacer ring 13 and constitute component parts of the rotating or revolving means W. The stop members 12 and 12' are formed by curved pieces of wire and, for retaining purposes, each stop member is mounted in a respective groove in the guide bush 10. At least one free end of each stop member 12 and 12' extends substantially radially into the sectorial path of motion of the control lever 26 and 26', respectively, of the rotating means W. When the rotating sprinkler is in a predetermined pivotal angle, therefore, the control lever 26 or 26', respectively, abuts against the stop member 12 or 12', respectively.This arrangement causes the control spring bearing 21 to pivot on the support shaft 19 through a predetermined angle at the centre, so that a limited pivotal movement is imparted to the control roller 23 which is also pivotally mounted on the support roller 19. This pivotal movement causes a radial attachment member 21a of the control roller 23 to enter, or leave, the pivotal path of the swivel lever arm 24b which does not have a deflecting member. This procedure causes the pivotal direction of the rotating sprinkler to be reversed.

The known rotating means as such is not the subject-matter of the present invention, so no further details need to be given in this connection.

The same applies to the spring-controlled swivel lever 24, the swivel axis of which extends coaxially with the support member 17. The axis of the swivel lever, together with its pivot bearing and the concentrically disposed helical spring which causes the swivel movement, are surrounded by a domeshaped member 25. The swivel lever 24a, which is provided with a deflecting member 24c, and the swivel lever 24b which does not have a deflecting member extend through radial slots formed in the dome-shaped member 25.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a spray nozzle 19, 1 9a is provided which is settable to predetermined sprinkling sections of ground via the rotating means W. This spray nozzle lies diametrically relative to the thrust nozzle 18. It is also the support shaft 19 for the rotating means W, while this support shaft is provided with bore 19a.

Therefore, the support shaft 19 of the rotating means W is itself in the form of a spray nozzle 19, 19a. The arm 24b of the two-armed swivel lever 24 which does not have a deflecting member has an interference member 32 which periodically dips into the jet ofthe spray nozzle 19, 19a. This arrangement prevents there being insufficient precipitation in the close proximity of this spray nozzle. The support shaft 19, or the spray nozzle 19, 19a respectively, is accommodated, by means of an externally threaded portion, in a receiver bore formed in the support member 17 in the region of an attachment member 17b and is secured in position therein by means of a lock nut 20.The spray nozzle 18, which is made of plastics material, is accommodated by the support member 17 in an additional receiver bore formed in the region of an attachment member 17cwhich lies diametrically relative to the attachment member 17b, and said spray nozzle 18 is provided with a brass insert member 18a.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the spray nozzle 29 is receivable in an additional bore formed in the support member 17'. This bore extends in the vertical plane of the support shaft 28. A second spray nozzle 27 is provided beneath the thrust nozzle 18, which co-operates with the deflecting member 24c, and said nozzle 27 is disposed diametrically relative to the other spray nozzle 29 and lies in the vertical plane of the thrust nozzle 18.

This second spray nozzle is in engagement with the internally threaded portion of a connection pipe 17a' for the support member 17' via an externally threaded portion, said connection pipe 17a' protruding axially beyond the thrust nozzle 18. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the spray nozzle 27 has a cross-section of flow which corresponds to a multiple of the cross-section of flow of the first spray nozzle 29 and of the thrust nozzle 18.

In the two embodiments, the nozzles 18, 19, 1 9a and 18,29, 27 respectively, have identical angles of inclination and are interchangeable. This arrangement permits the specific sprinkling requirements to be taken into consideration by the use of different cross-sections of flow and different spraying ranges. Accordingly, the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, in accordance with Fig. 4, provides a slightly larger sprinkling sector 82 of high sprinkling density and a slightly smaller sprinkling section S with a slightly lower sprinkling density.

Sealing rings 11 ensure saling between the sprinkler hose-pipe and the guide bush 10. A helical spring 15, which surrounds the shaft 31, is disposed in an annular chamber which is defined buy a lower, sleeve-like portion 17a of the support member 17.

This helical spring is intended for, and suitable for, reducing the friction between the stationary guide bush 10 and the rotating support member 17. It forms a resilient pivot bearing.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the control lever 26' in portion 26a forms a free space F for the spray path A of the spray nozzle 29. In this portion, the control lever 26' is divided into two arms 26a' which surround the free space F, as can be seen from Fig. 3.

Claims

1. A rotating sprinkler comprising a support member which is rotatably mounted on a vertical guide bush with a vertical pivotal axis, said support member having diametrical receiver bores in which a thrust nozzle and the support shaft of a rotating means are receivable, and comprising a springcontrolled swivel lever, the swivel axis of which extends coaxially with the support member, in which a spray nozzle is provided diametrically relative to the thrust nozzle and in the vertical plane of the support shaft for the rotating means which serves to direct the spray nozzle onto predetermined sprinkling sections of ground forsprinkling.

2. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in claim 1, in which the support shaft of the rotating means forms part of a spray nozzle.

3. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in claim 1, in which the spray nozzle is receivable and an additional bore which is formed in the support member and extends in the vertical plane of the support shaft.

4. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in claim 1 or 3, in which the support member has a second spray nozzle which is disposed diametrically relative to the other spray nozzle and lies in the vertical plane of the thrust nozzle.

5. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in claim 1, in which the arm of the two-armed swivel lever which does not have a deflecting member has an interference member which periodically dips into the jet of the spray nozzle.

6. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in any one of claims 1,3 or 4, in which a control lever is provided which forms a free space for the spray path of the spray nozzle.

7. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in claim 6, in which the control lever of the control spring bearing of the rotating means is divided into two arms in the region of the spray path of the spray nozzle said arms surrounding the free space.

8. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in any one of claims 4to 7, in which the second spray nozzle is in engagement with the internally threaded portion of a connection pipe of the support member said connection pipe protruding axially beyond the thrust nozzle.

9. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8, in which the second spray nozzle has a cross-section of flow corresponding to a multiple of the cross-section of flow of the first spray nozzle and of the thrust nozzle.

10. A rotating sprinkler as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the nozzles have identical angles of inclination, but have different cross sections of flow and different spraying ranges, and are interchangeable.

ii. A rotating sprinkler substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and Figs. 2,3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.