US1784251A - Sprinkler - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 9, 1930. J. T. PLUMER SPRINKLER 12 1927 2 Sheets-5h66?. 1

Filed Octt INVENTOR. dame.: "7. Pwner ATTORNEY.

J. T. PLUMER SPINKLER Filed och 12, 1927 2 Shee'tS-Shee(d 2 fw 1. .7 a, Z m mx u r ay x l 7 n ,N W,

83 se 77 615A sa l I N VEN TORA *Jv-9h68 Z Plnen ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 1930 PATENT OFFICE JAMES T. PLUMER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN SPRINKLER i Application mea october `12, 1927. serial No. 225,625.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a sprinkler, particularly of the travelling type, and has for its object the provision of a sprinkler of this class 5 which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture and highly eiflcient in use.

i-inother obj ect of the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of this class of mechanism for shutting off the supply of water to l the sprinkling and travelling mechanism after the sprinkler has travelled a predetermined distance.

Another obj ectof the invention is the pron vision of a clutch mechanism whereby the l travelling mechanism may be rendered inoperative at will.

Another objectof the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of this class of an oscillating nozzle, and provided with a mechanism for oscillating the same.

Another ob]- ect of the invention is the provision of a plurality of nozzles adapted to thoroughly sprinkle a maximum area while the sprinkler is travelling, and adapted to sprinkle all of the area included within its range.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of this class of a frame which will be light and durable and cheaply manufactured.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of this class of a yieldable traction member so that the frame will be normally supported in a horizontal position regardless of any unevenness of theground over which propelled.

. Another object'of the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of this class of mecha,- nism for rewinding the hosev after the sprinkler has travelled the desired distance.

'Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel and efficient means of connectino the hose to the sprinkling nozzles.

Another obj ect of the invention is the provision of a rotating signal on the sprinkler which may be visible at night time, and which will indicate whether or not the sprinkler is operating and functioning in the proper manner.

Otherobjects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

rlhe invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings 5 which form a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. l is a top plan view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 65 5 5 ofv Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. l.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Fig. 4.. 70

Fig. 8 is a front elevational View of one of the nozzles used in the invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

As shown in the drawings, referring particularly to Fig. e, traction wheels ll and l2 are mounted on axles 13 and le respectivelL these axles being threaded into plugs l5 and 16 respectively, which are inserted into tittings l? and i8 respectively7 these fittings being in the nature of a cross. Threaded into the fitting l? (Figs. l and 2) is the pipe 19 which extends through the swivelly mounted 'l' 2O and is connected to the pipe 22 by the L 23. this pipe 22 being connected by the L 2% 8. to the pipe 25 which extends through the sleeve 26 and is threaded into the fitting 16. Extending around the pipe 19 is a. sleeve 29. A pipe 30 is threaded into the fitting l? and connected, by the L 8l, to the pipe 82 which 9G is connected by the l.. 33 to the pipe 34C which is threaded into the fitting 18. The pipe 34 extends through the sleeve 35, to which one end of the brace 36 is attached. A brace 37 is attached at one end to the sleeve 26. A 9 sleeve 38 embraces the pipe 30 and attached thereto atl one end is a brace 39. A brace 40 is attached at one end to the sleeve 29. Collars all and l2 are iixedly mounted on the pipe 19 at opposite ends of the T 20, this T being swivclly mounted on the pipe 19 and fixed axially thereof. A brace 43 serves to connect the pipes 19 and 25, as shown in Fig. 1. Se cured at one end to the brace draft bar 44 which is also secured to the pipe 22 and carries at its forward end a ring 45, to which a suitable attachment may be applied so that the device may be drawn by power, if desired. Braces which are provided with L-shaped ends 46 and 47 are secured to the bar 43 and also tothe angle iron 48 wir` ch extends around the marginal edges 'of the table or platform 49. A roller 50 is mounted centrally on the' pipe 32 and held in position axially thereof by means of the collars51 and 52.

Extending downwardly from the T 20 is a pipe 53 which is connected by the coupling 54 to the pipe 55, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a, plate 56 being positioned between the ends of the pipes 53 and 55. A closure 57 is provided for the lower end of the pipe 55, this pipe being provided with the axially extending slot 58 in which rides the pin 59 proj ected through the shaft 60. this shaft extending through the closure. 57 and carrying a yoke at its lower end upon which is rotatably mounted a. roller 61. The upper ends of the braces 39 and 40 and the braces 36 an d 37 are secured to the members 47 and 46 respectively, thus reinforcing the platform 49 relatively to the frame formed from the'pipes described.

The fittings 17 and 18 (see Fig. 4) are closed by suitable plugs 88 so that they do not communie-.ate with the pipes 1 9 and 30 or the pipes 25 or 34. Threaded at opposite 'ends into the fittings 17 and 18 is an enlarged pipe 63 having a plurality oi perforations formed intermediate its ends. Rotatably mounted on the pipe is a disc or hub 65, projecting outwardly from which are spokes 66 connect-ing `with the drum 67. A similar disc or hub 69 is rotatably mounted at the opposite end of the pipe 63 and connected by the spokes 70 to the drum 67. A collar 71 serves to retain the disc69 in axial position on the pipe 64 and a collar 68 serves to retainthe disc or hub in axial position on the pipe Projecting outwardly from the pe riphery of the drum 67 are spokes 72 connecting with a ring Similar spokes 74- project outwardly from the periphery of the drum 67 and connect with the ring 75, these spokes 72 and 74 and their connecting rings serving as side guardsfor the reel formed by the drum 67. Positioned on the pipe 63 is a, cupshaped member 76 whichis threaded into one end of'the T 82 having the nipple 83 project.- infr therefrom. Threaded on the opposite of the cup-shaped member 76 is a cup-shaped packer 7 7 adapted to retain the packing 78 compressed between the cup-shaped member 76 andthe pipe 63 to form a watertight connection. At the oppoiste end of the T 82k is a similar structure, the cup-shaped Vcommunicate withthe pipe 63 1s a pipe 89.

A. similar pipe 90 connects into the fitting 18, these pipes 89 and 90 connecting withthe pipes 91 and 91', each threaded into the T 92, from which leads a pipe infwhich is positioned the valve 93. A pipe 95 (see Fig. 5) leads upwardly from vthe valve 93 and threads into the cup-shaped member 96 which threads on to the sleeve 97 to which is secured, intermediate its ends, on its inner surface, a strip 98.

Cooperating with the pipe is the pipe 99 Y which extends into the sleeve 97 and carries at its lower end, securedto its periphery, the annular' member 101 adapted to engage the lower edge of the member 98. Threaded on to the sleeve 97 is a packing member 102 adapted to compress the packing 103 so as to form a watertight joint around the pipe 99. Fixedly mounted on the pipe 99 is a gear 104 `(sec Fig. 2). Secured to. in communication with, and projecting outwardly from the pipe 99 are nozzle bearing arms 105 and 106, each having at its free end a distributing nozzle.

Projecting upwardly from the pipe 99 is a support 107 serving to support a'lantern or light having one side 108 closed with an opaque closure and the side 109closed with a transparent closure, lingers 110 being pressed yaround the base of the lantern to securely hold it in position so that as it rotates, the opaque side and the transparent side will be alternately presented to View, thus indieating,y particularly at night time, whether or. not the deviceisffunctioning and the pipe 99 rotating. The nozzles in the arms105 and 106 are of a wellknown type, so constructed and arranged that as the watery is delivered through the arms and 106 under pressure and outwardly through the nozzles attached to these arms. a rotation, on account of the reaction. of the pipe 99 will be effected.

Meshing with the gear 104 isa gear 111, which is iXedly mounted upon the shaft 112. This shaft 112 is journa-lled in a bearing 113 whichk is secured tothe vertically extending plate 114, this plate being supported by the pipe :95 and the U bolt 115. A similar bearing 116v supports the shaft 112 at its lower end. Fixedly mounted on the shaftA 112 on its lower endV is a worm 117 meshing with a worm gear 118 which is fiXedly mounted ontheshaft 119 extending'transversely of the platform andjournalled in suitable bearings 120 fiXedly mounted on the outer end of the sha-ft `119 i-s a sprocket Wheel 121, passtween each of the nozzles 149 and the T ing over whichis a chain 122 which extends around the sprocket wheel 123 lixedly mounted to the hub of the wheel 11. A sprocket wheel V12'4 is mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 119 and connected by the sprocket chain 125 to the sprocket wheel 126 which is iinedly mounted upon the hub of the wheel 12. Eachof these sprocket wheels 121 and 124 is similarly constructed so t-hat adescription of one end of the structure'mounted at one end of the shaft 119, will suffice for a description of both ends. A collar 127 4as shown in Fig. 6, is fixedly mounted on the shaft 119 to retain the sprocket wheel 121 in axial position on the shaft 119, this collar 127 coopera-ting with the block 129 which ispiixedly mounted on the shaft 119 by means of the set screw 130, the sprocket 121 being loosely positioned on this shaft 119. Slidably mounted in the block 129 is a rod 131 which carries a head 132 at its inner end adapted for engagement in the recess 128 formed in the sprocket 121. A packing nut 134 is threaded into a recess formed in the block 129 and one end of the coil spring`133 engages the inner end of this nut 134, the opposite end of the coil spring engaging the head 132 on the rod 131. Projected transversely through the rod 131 is a pin 136 which normally, when vthe head 1321s in engagement with the openings or recesses 128 formed in the face of the wheel 121, lies in the slot 135 formed in the hea-dof the nut 134. When it is desired that the shaft 119 may rotate for eifecting a rotation of the sprocket 121, the rod 131 may be retracted so as to move the head 132 out of engagement with the recesses 128 and turned ninety degrees to retainthe same in its retracted posit-ion. In this posit-ion a rotation of the pipe 99 wo'uld'not effect a travelling of the sprinkler. While the head 132 is in engagement with the recesses 128 a travelling of the sprinkler will be effected. When the gears 121 and 124 are both engaged the travel of the sprinkler in a straight line is assured, the same propelling power being delivered to each wheel.

FiXedly mounted on the shaft 119 (see Fig. 1) is a bevel gear 137 meshing with the bevel gear 138 which is fixedly mounted upon the shaft 139 journalled in suitable bearings supported by the platform 49. A disc 140 is fixedly mounted on the opposite end of the shaft 139 and a pitman or crank rod 141 is eccentrica-liv connected to the disc 140. This rod 141 connects to an arm 142 which is connected to the T 143 (see Fig. 4). The T 143 connects to the laterally directed nozzles 149, a valve 148 being interposed be- The T 143 connects by means of the pipe 144 with the pipe 145, the connection of the pipe 144 with the pipe 145 being a swivel connection, and the pipe 145 connects through the swivel connection. 147 with the swivel connection 94 which connects to the pipe 95, these swivel connections being as shown in Fig. 5 and already described. Consequently', the'nozzles 149 are connected through the valves 148 with the interior of the pipe 95.

A support 146 extends upwardly from the platform and serves as a support for the pipes`144 and 145.

The operation is such that when water is supplied through the pipe 145 and the pipe 95 set into rotation so as to rotate the shaft 119, the disc 140 4will be rotated to cause a rocking or oscillating of the nozzles 149. Each of these nozzles 149 is provided at its inner end with an opening 150 provid-ed with a plurality of angularly direct-ed outlet passages 151.

' Fixedlymounted on the shaft 119 is a worm 150 meshing with a gear 151 which is fixedly mounted on the vertically extending shaft 152. rI'hs shaft 152 extends through a bearing and iixedly mounted upon the shaft 152 below the bearing is a gear 153 (see Fig` 7 adapted to mesh. with a Vrack bar 154 slidably mounted in the U-shaped guide member 155 which is mounted on the member 49. One end of this guide member 155 is notched out and adapted to extend between the plates 156 and 157, a pin 156 being projected through these plates. These plates are pivot-ally connected to one end of the arm 159, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected to the arm`160 which'is adapted to open and close the valve 93. A spring 161 is connected at one end to the arm 159 and at its opposite end to the platform 49, as clearly appears in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 7, there are mounted on the platform, projecting upwardly therefrom, stops 162 and 163 for limiting the movement of the arm 159 and the plates 156 and 157. By adjusting the relative position of the rack bar 154 and the guide 155 in accordance with the graduations 158 shown on this guide, the device, when set into operation, and the shaft caused to rotate, will effect a travelling of the rack bar 154, and when this rack bar 154 has travelled a predetermined distance, depending upon the distance of travel of the sprinkler, the rack bar 154 will disengag'e the pin 156 from the guide member 155, thus permitting the spring 161 to rock the arm 159 so as to close the valve 93. 1n this way, the device may be set for a travelling of a certain distance, and when the sprinkler has travelled the desired distance, the water will be automatically shut off so that further sprinkling will be prevented. The device is set by moving the rack bar 154 until its end registers with graduations indicating the distance to be traveled.

To rewind the hose on the reel, 1 have provided near the handle a transversely extending rotatable shaft 158 upon which is mounted a sprocket wheel 167 connected by the f chainv 166 to the sprocket wheel 165 which is fastened tothe side ofthe reel (see Fig. 1). By rotating the shaft 168 with a suitable crank, the reell ma Y be rotated in either direction, so as to win or unwind the hose there- In operation, when the hose is connected to the supply of water and the valve 93 opened, the pipe 95, rotating, will effect a sprinkling from the arms 105 and 106, and

also from the nozzles 149, these being oscillated, as described.

As the arms 105 and 106'rotate, it is evident that a travelling of the mechanism will be yeffected so as to unwind the hose and travel over an area, sprinklingas the travelling is effected.

If it is desired to operate the nozzles withoutthetravelling mechanism, the clutch may be disengaged by retracting the rod 131,` as described. Y

When it Vis desired to travel a predetermined distance, and have the sprinkler cease its operation, the necessary adjustment is made with the rack bar.

When it is not desired to use the support with the roller 61 thereon the same may be swung upwardly out of operative position, the connection being `a swivel connection (see Fig. 3).

It is believed apparent that the structure of a sprinkler as described, is ione which is light, easily and cheaply manufactured, durable, and easily operated. I 1 n The salient features of the invention having been pointed out, it is believed that the efficiency of such a device will also be apparent.

While yI have illustrated and described nozzles 149 the preferred form of my invention, I do notl l wish tov limit myself to the precise details lli) ofstructure shown, but desire to avail myself of lsuch variations and modications as come within the scope of the appended x.; claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: A

1. A sprinkler of the class described, comprising: rotatable nozzles rotatable in response to the reaction of the jets of waterV issuing therefrom; an auxiliary set of nozzles rockably mounted; and means operable upon the rotation of said first mentioned nozzles for effecting a rocking of said second mentioned nozzles.

2. In a sprinkler of the class described: a rotatable nozzle; ak rotatable support, said nozzle ,being rotatable upon' delivery of Water under pressure,therethrough and said support being rotatable in unison with said nozzle; a light mounted on said support; and a housing for enclosing said light, one side of said housing being opaque and the other being transparent.

3. In a sprinkler of the class described: a frame; traction members supporting said frame; a rotatable nozzle; an osci lating nozzle, said rotatable nozzle being rotatable upon issuance of water under pressure therefrom; propelling mechanism for rotating said traction wheels; means operable upon the rotation of said first mentioned nozzle for operating said propelling mechanism; means for operating said oscillating nozzle uponrotation of said lrotatable nozzle; a valve for controlling the flow of water to said nozzles; and means operable upon travel of said sprinkler a predetermined distance for closing said valve. Y

4. In a sprinkler of the class described: traction Wheels; a rotatable nozzle supportedby saidr traction wheels, said nozzle being rotatable upon issuance of Water therefrom under pressure; means operable upon the ron tation'of said nozzle for effecting a rotation of said traction wheels and a traveling of saidl sprinkler; a control `valve for controlling the flow of water to said nozzle; a spring normally tending to move said control valve to closed position; releasable means for resisting movement of said valve to closed position; a movable bar for engaging said resisting ineanswand releasingthe same; and rotatable means for moving said barinto engaging position.

5. In a sprinkler of the class described: traction wheels; a rotatable nozzle supported by said traction wheels, said nozzle being rotatable upon issuance of water therefrom Vunder pressure; means operable upon the rotation of saidfnozzleA for effecting a rotation of said traction wheels and a traveling of said sprinkler; a control valve-for controlling the flow of water to said nozzle; a spring normally tending to move said control valve to closed position; releasable means for resisting movement of said valve to closed position; a movable bar for engaging said resisting means and releasing the same; and rotatable means for moving said bar into engaging position, the distance of movement of said bar depending upon the amount of rotation of said rotatable means.

6. In a sprinkler ofthe class described: traction Wheels; a rotatable nozzle supported by said traction wheels, said nozzle being rotatable upon issuance of water therefrom under pressure; meansA operable upon the rotation of said nozzle for effecting a. rotation of said traction Wheels and a traveling of said sprinkler; a control valve for controlling the flow of Water to saidnozzle; a spring normally tending to move said control valve to closed position; releasable means for resisting movement of said valve to closedposition; a rotatable gear rotatable upon rotation of said traction wheels; a rack bar slidably mounted and engaging said gear and slidable upon rotation thereof for engaging and releasing said releasable means.

7. In a sprinkler of the class described: traction Wheels; a rotatable nozzle supported by said traction Wheels, said nozzle being rotatable upon issuance of Water therefrom under pressure; means operable upon the rota-tion of said nozzle for eecting a rotation of said traction Wheels and a traveling m of said sprinkler; a control valve for controlling the flow of Water to said nozzle a spring normally tending to move said control valve to closed position; releasable means for resisting movement of said valve to closed position; a rotatable gear rotatable upon rotation of said traction Wheels; a rack bar slidably mounted and engaging said gear and slidable upon rotation thereof for engaging and releasing said releasable means; and means for i@ varying the relative location of said rack bar and said gear for determining the amount of travel of said rack bar prior to engagement of the saine therewith With said releasable means. Y 5 8. In a sprinkler of the class described: traction Wheels; a rotatable nozzle supported by said traction Wheels, said nozzle being r0- tatable upon issuance of Water therefrom under pressure; means operable upon the rotation of said nozzle for eecting a rotation of said traction Wheels and a travelling of said sprinkler; a control valve for control ling the flow of Water to said nozzle; a spring normally tending to move said controlvalve to closed position; releasable means for resisting movement of said valve to closed position; a rotatable gear rotatable upon rotation of said traction Wheels; a rack bar slidably mounted and engaging said gear and slidable upon rotation thereof for engaging and releasing said releasable means; and a guide member for said rack bar.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specication. JAMES T. PLUMER.

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