GB2173714A

GB2173714A - Spray head

Info

Publication number: GB2173714A
Application number: GB08509887A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond G Shinn
Original assignee: SHINN RAYMOND GEORGE
Current assignee: SHINN RAYMOND GEORGE
Priority date: 1985-04-17
Filing date: 1985-04-17
Publication date: 1986-10-22
Also published as: GB8509887D0

Abstract

A water distribution device especially for use in agriculture, horticulture or viniculture comprises a body 20 connectible in a water supply pipe and having a water flow passage, a deflector head 32 disposed above the body and having water guiding channels on its surface facing the through passage, and a calibration key 45 for location between the body and defector head and including a water flow passage terminating in a jet orifice for directing water under pressure against the ribbed surface of the defector head. The jet orifice is normally closed by a valve 40 in the deflector head which is loaded towards the jet orifice by gravity. The deflector head and calibration key are removable and are replaceable by other deflector heads with different ribbed configuration and other calibration keys with different-sized jet orifices to permit the achievement of different spray patterns and different rates of precipitation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Liquid distribution device This invention relates to a liquid distribution device, especially but not exclusively a water distribution device for use in agricultural, horticultural or vinicultural applications.

The invention is particularly concerned with water distribution devices (sometimes called spray units, water jets or sprinklers) connected at intervals into a water delivery pipe laid across a field for example (or other crop, plant or tree growing area) which pipe extends alongside and usually between rows of crop, plants or trees. An example is a water delivery and distribution system extending between rows of vines in a vineyard.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid distribution device which is more versatile, inter alia, in terms of the rate of precipitation provided, which is easier maintained, and which is less likely to become clogged than existing such devices.

According to the present invention there is provided a liquid distribution device comprising a body connectible into a liquid supply pipe and having a through-passage for liquid flow, a liquid deflector head spatially connected to the body and housing a valve, and a plurality of calibration keys, each having a jet orifice of different cross-sectional area adapted to register with the body through-passage when a selected key is inserted between the body and deflector head and adapted to be closed by the valve.

The plurality of calibration keys, it will be manifest, allows for easy variation in the rate of precipitation.

Thus, for example, more water can be easily and readily supplied as trees or bushes grow larger in a vineyard.

Preferably, the liquid distribution device comprises a plurality of deflector heads of different configurations to provide different liquid distribution patterns, the deflector heads each being detachably connectible to the body. Preferably, the valve is loaded towards the jet orifice of a calibration key by gravity.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a water distribution device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body of the device; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a calibration key; Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of different deflector heads; Figures 6and 7are respectively underneath plan views of the deflector heads of Figures 4 and 5; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a valve contained within a deflector head; Figures 9 and 10 are sectional views of a water distribution device giving a 1800/270 water distribution pattern with the calibration key removed and with the calibration key fitted and the device in the operational mode respectively;; and Figures 1 land 12 are sectional views of a water distribution device giving a 330 water distribution pattern and showing respectively a calibration key being inserted and the calibration key fitted and the device in operational mode.

The water distribution device comprises a body 20 formed of a plastics material having a throughpassage or bore 21 (see Figures 9 to 12) having an inverted frusto-conical or barbed bottom end 22 to permit the body 20 to be fitted into a water supply pipe (not shown). It will be manifest that any convenient form of connection (e.g. a screw connection) can be provided between the body 20 and its supply pipe. The body 20 is fitted to the latter with its through-passage 21 vertical, or substantially so.

The body 20 has an upper rectangular block formation 23 provided with a keyway 24, 25, 26 or 27 at and open to each of its sides and to its top surface as can clearly be seen in Figure 2.

The keyway 24 serves to mount a deflector head 28 also formed of the plastics material and adapted to provide a 1800/2700 water distribution pattern (see Figures 5,7,9 and 10) which is provided at one side with a support leg 29 adapted resiliently to engage in the keyway 24 which is T-shaped in plan view. The support leg 29 is stepped as indicated at 30 so that the step 30 abuts the top of the rectangular block formation 23 with the deflector head 28 spaced above the rectangular block formation 23 of the body 20.

The plastics support leg 28 is inherently resilient and has at its lower end a projection 31 adapted releasably to snap engage a step or complementary projection (not shown) in the keyway 24.

It will be manifest, however, that any convenient formation of releasable connection can be employed between the leg 29 and the body 20.

The keyways 25 and 26, which are directly opposite one another serve to mount a plastics deflector head 32 adapted to provide a 330" water distribution pattern (see Figures 1,4,6, 11 and 12) which deflector head 32 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed legs 32 which resiliently engage in the opposed keyways 25, 26. These legs 32 are of a length sufficient to spatially locate the deflector head 32 above the top of the rectangular block formation 23. Here again, the inherent resilience of the legs 32 permits a releasable snap fitment of the legs 32 with a step or projection (not shown) in the keyways 25, 26. As with the deflector head 28 any convenient form of releasable connection can be employed between the legs 33 and the body 20.

Each sprinkler head 28 or 32 is hollow being formed with a bore 34 within which is slidably housed a metal valve 35. The valve 35 comprises a piston body 36 with a larger diameter conical valve head 37 at one end, the body-adjacent end, when the deflector head 28 or 32 is fitted on the body. At its other end the piston body 36 has a rod 38 which extends through an opening 39 in the top of deflector head 28 or 32, which opening 39 is of lesser diameter than the bore 34 and piston body 36. The rod 38 at its piston body remote end has an end stop 40 of larger diameter than the opening 39 to prevent the valve 35 falling out of deflector head 28 or 32.

The piston 35 is mounted in the bore 34 by force pushing the projection 40 through the opening 39 which then closes around the rod 38.

The relatively heavy metal valve 35 gravitates towards the body 20 when the deflector head 28 or 32 is fitted thereon but is held clear of the top thereof by the stop 40 abutting the top of the deflector head 28 or 32.

The underside (i.e. the body-adjacent surface) of each deflector head 28 or32 has a ribbed configuration providing water flow channels extending from the central bore 34 to the circumference thereof.

The deflector head 28 has swept ribs 41 which define water flow channels 42 which progressively decrease in width from the central bore 34 to the circumference. The sweeping disposition of the ribs 42 assists in directing water away from the support leg 29 towards the other side of the deflector head 28.

The deflector head 32 has radially-extending ribs 43 which again define flow channels 44 which progressively decrease in width from the central bore 34to the circumference.

It is to be noted that the conical end 37 of the valve 35 has a steeper angle than the angle of the ribs 41 or 43 which results in good water adhesion when the water distribution device is in use.

The abovedescribed deflector heads 28 and 32 provide different water distribution patterns and spreads and it will be manifest that other configurations of deflector heads are possible. The water distribution device of the present invention is not restricted to the use of two alternative deflector heads and in particular is not restricted to the use of the deflector heads 28 and 32.

The through-passage 21 of the body 20 and the central bore 34 of a fitted deflector head 28 or 32 are, it will be manifest, aligned or in registration.

The fourth keyway 27 extends across more than half the rectangular formation 23 of the body 20 and the through-passage 21 opens into the keyway 27.

The keyway 27 is of inverted T-shape in crosssection and is adapted to receive a selected one of a number of plastics calibration keys 45. Each calibration key 45 comprises a handle portion 46 and a body-engaging portion 47 which is of inverted T-shape for slotting into the keyway 27. The upper surface of the leading end of each key 45 is chamfered as indicated at 48 so as to engage with the conical end 37 of the valve 35 to push the latter upwardly against gravity into the bore 34. The calibration key 45 extends out of the keyway 27 above the top of the body 20 as can best be seen in Figures 11 and 12.

The inverted-T portion 47 of the key 45 is provided with a through-passage 49 (best seen in Figures 11 and 12) which registers, when the key 45 is fully fitted in the keyway 27, with the through-passage 21 and the central bore 34.

Thus through-passage 49 has a bottom diameter of the same diameter as the through-passage 21 which reduces in diameter to provide ajet outlet orifice 50 at the top of the key 45.

The calibration keys 45 vary in the diameters of their jet outlet orifices 50 so that each key provides a different rate of precipitation when in use. The keys 45 may be colour or otherwise coded and they may be disposable, i.e. throw-away.

When a calibration key 45 is slotted into the keyway 27 the coned end 37 of the valve 35 sits in the jet outlet orifice 50 of the key 45 to close same. The closure action of the valve 35 is by way of gravity.

It is the force of the liquid fed under pressure along the supply pipe and up through the registering through-passages 21 and 49 which lifts the valve 35 clear of the jet outlet orifice 50, the valve 35 (see Figures 10 and 12) being pushed into the bore 34 of the deflector head 28 or 32.

The water distribution devices according to the present invention provide a uniform distribution of water which is considered vital in agricuiture, horticulture and vinivulture given the trend to employ soluble nutrients and soil-systemic fungicides and insecticides.

As stated above the conical end 37 of the valve 35, which acts as a water jet divider, has a steeper angle than the deflector head ribs 41 or 43 resulting in good water adhesion through the two stage change in water flow direction, the cylindrical water jet stream from the orifice 50 being uniformly divided into a conical sheet stream by the conical end 37 of the valve 35 which then flows along the channels 42 or 44 outwardly and slightly upwardly in the form of pencil jets due to the progressively narrowing channels 42 or 44.

The relatively large-diameter through-passage 21 of the body 20 permits relative ease of cleaning and the jet outlet orifice 50 is easily cleaned if blocked by "jetting" action of water therethrough with the key either in the normal or inverted positions. Also the sliding in-out action of the key assists in freeing trapped material in the keyway 27 and throughpassage 21,the key being then thrown away and a fresh key inserted.

The gravity-actuated valve 35 seals the jet orifice 50 immediatelythe water flow ceases thus preventing ingress of dirt and insects. Also if the water distribution device is submerged by flooding the valve 35 acts as a check valve.

The water distribution devices can be reconfigured which in use, i.e. deflector heads and/or calibration kesy changed. Thus both the distribution pattern and the precipitation rate are easily and readily modified.

The water distribution device according to the present invention gives a constant distribution pattern, provides a low trajectory for under tree operation for example and is of higher efficiently than existing such devices (lower jet pressures required for same radius of distribution).

Examples of suitable plastics materials for producing the body, deflector heads and calibration keys are nylon orthatsold under the Trade name DELRIN by Dupont.

Claims

1. A liquid distribution device comprising a body connectibie into a liquid supply pipe and having a through-passage for liquid flow, a liquid deflector head spatially connected to the body and housing a valve, and a plurality of calibration keys, each having a jet orifice of different cross-sectional area adapted to register with the body through-passage when a selected key is inserted between the body and deflector head and adapted to be closed by the valve.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of deflector heads of different configurations to provide different liquid distribution patterns, the deflector heads each being detachably connectible to the body.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the valve is loaded towards the jet orifice of a calibration key by gravity.

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3, in which the body comprises a lower end connectible into a water supply pipe and an upper supporting formation adapted to mount a selected deflector and a selected calibration key, the through-passage wholly traversing and connecting end and the supporting formation.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the supporting formation comprises at least one keyway adapted to receive a supporting leg of the selected deflector head to locate the latter on the body spatially above the latter.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, comprising a keyway in the supporting formation for receiving a selected calibration key, the body through-passage opening into said keyway.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, in which the supporting formation is in the form of a rectangular block with a keyway on each face end open to the top of the block, one of the keyways being for a selected calibration key and the other three keyways serving to mount different deflector heads.

8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the deflector head comprises a bore in which is slidably housed the valve which is loaded by gravity to close the jet orifice of a selected calibration key.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, in which the body, the deflector head(s) and the calibration key(s) are formed of a plastics material while the valve is formed of metal.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 or 9, in which the valve comprises a piston body with an integral conical valve head at one end and a guide rod at the other end, the latter extending through an opening in the deflector head and terminating in a stop outside the deflector head and dimensioned relative the size of the opening to prevent separation between the deflector head and the valve.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, in which the or each deflector head, on its surface facing the jet orifice of a calibration key, is ribbed to define liquid-flow channels extending outwardly to the periphery of the deflector head.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, in which the channels decrease in width as they approach the periphery of the deflector head to produce pencil jets of liquid.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the channels are radially extending.

14. A device as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the channels are of swept configuration.

15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, in which each calibration key has a throughpassage for liquid flow which is the same crosssectional area as the body through-passage but which at its exit end reduces in area to provide the jet orifice.

16. A device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 15, in which the or each calibration key at its leading end relative to its keyway has a chamfered upper surface adapted to lift the valve into the deflector head until the conical valve head engages in the jet orifice of the calibration key.

17. A liquid distribution device for use especially but not exclusively in agriculture, horticulture or viniculture, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.