US2214852A

US2214852A - Sprinkler head

Info

Publication number: US2214852A
Application number: US210665A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lacy-Mulhall Patrick De
Original assignee: KATHERINE DE LACY MULHALL
Current assignee: KATHERINE DE LACY MULHALL; KATHERINE DE LACY-MULHALL
Priority date: 1938-05-28
Filing date: 1938-05-28
Publication date: 1940-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 1957-09-17

Description

p 17, 1940- P. DE LACY-MULHALL 2,214,852

SPRINKLER HEAD Filed May 28, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l p 1940- P. DE LACY-MLLLHALL SPRINKLER HEAD Filed May 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L57 INVENTOR A TOR N EY Patented Sept. 17, 1940 PATENT OFFICE "SPRINKLER HEAD Patrick De Lacy-Mulhall, Los Angeles, Calif., as-

. 'signor to Katherine De Lacy-Mulhall. widow of Patrick De Lacy-Mulhall, deceased, by court order and decree Application May 28, 1938, Serial No.'210,665

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a sprinkler head. I Such heads are used for example for distributing a stream of water onto land it is desired to irrigate. Theymay be installed for example on ranches or in parks, golf courses, and lawns. A head of this general character is described and claimed in an application filed on April 19, r 1938, in the name of Patrick De Lacy-Mulhall, under Serial'No. 202,854, and entitled Sprinkler v head. 1

, In that application, there is described a head that carries one or more sprinkler nozzles and thatis rotated by a water wheeldirectly connected to the head. Inthis way, the streams projected from the nozzles are caused to distribute water over the desired area, in a more uniform manner.

It -is'one of theobjects of this invention to 1 provide a sprinkler head that can distribute the water over the desired area, and yet obviating the requirement of a source of rotary power.

.. -.It is another object of this invention to provide a sprinkler head of simple and inexpensive structure, for distributing liquid in a uniform manner overa desired area.

To accomplish these results, thehead is arranged to be moved in an axial direction upward- 1y as soon as the valve supplying water thereto is opened.- This axial motion is utilized for two purposes: to elevate the nozzles so as to cause the projected stream to clear ground; and also,

4 to cause the head to be given an angular motion.

.As soon as the water supply is shut off, the head returns to its retracted position by gravity, and in such angular position that a succeeding period of activity will continue the angular motion. Accordingly it is still another object of this invention to make it possible to advance the head angularly for each period of operation, and especially by the aid of interengaging sloping or guiding surfaces. jected by the nozzlesin the head are caused to operate over a circular path; and the streams complete the required angular motion about the 5 axis of the head in aperiod determined by the frequency of the alternate periods of activity and inactivity.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of several embodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a few forms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the In this way, the streams pro- I present specification. These forms will now be (01.299-61) I described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 5

Referring to the drawings:

. Figure 1 is a. vertical sectional View of a sprinkler head and its mounting, incorporatingthe invention; r a

Fig. 2 is a section taken along plane 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side View illustrating a feature of the invention; I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along plane 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along plane 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of sprinkler head structure; 20

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along plane" 1- -1 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 i a fragmentary side View of a feature of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, the sprinkler head is shown as including a bowl I. Water under pressure is intended to be conducted into the bowl and to beejected therefrom through 'one or more nozzles, such as 2 and 3. Nozzle 2 is shown as formed with an enlarged head 4, immediately below which there are threads 5 adapted to engage in an appropriate threaded aperture of the sloping wall t adjacent the upper portion of the bowl l. The nozzle 2 has a central opening I. This opening is shown as tapered gradually toward the bottom thereof to provide an enlarged entrance opening for the nozzle; and the opening may form a true cylindrical portion adjacent the discharge end of the nozzle. j 40 The nozzle structure 3 is in general similar to nozzle structure 2, it being likewise supported by threads 8 within the slanting wall 9 of the bowl I. In this case, however, since the nozzle 2 extend diagonally across the bowl I, the nozzle structure 3 is considerably shorter than the nozzle structure 2.

.The provision of an inlet for water under pres- .sure into the'bowl l is provided adjacent the bottom of the bowl I. Thus the bowl I has a central boss l0 into which is threaded a tubular extension II. This extension H form a conduit from the water pipe I2 upwardly into the bowl I.

. The tubular member II has an upper threaded end I3 which enters into the bottom ofthe bowl I and discharges water under pressure therein. The arrangement, furthermore, is such that when a control valve is opened to pass water .into the water pipe I2 and through the tube II fastened to the bowl I, the bowl I is raised by the action of the fluid pressure within the bowl, said pressure being effective upon the lower surface 3 2 of the bowl top I4.

In order to provide a support for the tubular member II, and which will permit telescopic upward movement of the bowl I, there is provided a supporting member I5. This supporting member I5 is threaded to the top of the pipe I2 and has a bore I6. At the upper endof the bore there is an inwardly directed flange I'I surrounding the exterior of the sleeve II. The sleeve II can thus slide within the flange I'I. At its lower end the sleeve is provided with an enlarged flange I8, above which is disposed a packing member I3. This packing member contacts the cylindrical surface iii of the support I5, and is also intended to contact the lower surface of flange I I when the water pressure in bowl I, acting on the surface .64, lifts the bowl 3 with its associated extension II. In this way the axial movement of the bowl assembly is limited.

As soon as the supply of water to the pipe I2 is interrupted, the pressure within the bowl I is reduced, and it is free to drop by .gravity to the position shown. In Fig. 1 the upper or extended position of the bowl is indicated by the dot and dash lines. In this way the nozzles 2 and 3 are elevated a suflicient distance to clear the soil around the bowl I. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a housing member of general cylindrical form for enclosing the bowl I. This housing can be sunk into the earth to provide a recess for the sprinkler head structure. The housing 20 can be provided with a top flange 2!, adapted, to overlie the earth. It may be supported by the aid of its threaded boss 22, threadedly engaged with the supporting member I5. A check nut 23 completes the assembly. I

As illustrated most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5,

the top flange M- of the bowl I may be provided with a tooth 24 adapted to engage in any one of a number of notches 25 formed at the upper edge of the housing 20. In this way, as soon as the bowl I is retracted, the tooth 23 enters one of the notches and prevents inadvertent rotation of the bowl I about the axis of the pipe I2. I

It is desirable, however, that the streams of water projecting from nozzles 2 and 3 be given an angular spread so as more uniformly to distribute water to the irrigated area. In the present instance, the axial motion of the bowl I is utilized to produce a corresponding slight limited angular motion of the bowl I about its axis.

For this purpose, use is made of a pair of sets of

teeth

26 and 27. These are shown to best advantage in Fig. 3. They are axially spaced and the individual teeth 28 of one set point towards the individual teeth 29 of the other set. Each of these sets 26 and 2'! form an annular arrangement around the axis of the bowl I and beneath it. The upper set 26 is shown as'formed integral with a flange 36. The lower set 27 is shown as formed integral with a corresponding flange M. This latter flange 3| may be provided with a series of radial arms 32 (Fig. 2) joining the flange 3I integrally to the support I5. Furthermore, the two sets 26 and 2'! are firmly secured together by the aid of a series of

opposed ears

33 and 34, The screws 35 pass through the upper ears 34 fastened to the flange 30 and into appropriate threaded apertures in the lower ears 33 fastened to the lower flange 3 I.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the teeth of one set are angularly spaced from the teeth of an other, and sloping faces of the teeth in one set extend in opposite directions from the sloping faces of the teeth in the other set.

The rotary head structure I carries a transverse member 36 having curved cam extremities 31 (Fig. 3). This transverse member 36 is shown as integrally supported on a hub 38 fastened between the lower surface of bowl I, and a shoulder 39 adjacent the upper end of the tubular member II.

Now assuming that the transverse member 36 is in the position of Figs. 1 and 3; that is, the

head I in lowered, or retracted position. This transverse member being accommodated in the slot formed between two of the teeth 29, effectively prevents rotation of the head structure. However, just as soon as the head is lifted, upon supplying water under pressure therein through the tubular member II, the transverse member 36 rises also and is freed from the teeth 29. "Howf ever, as the upper curved surface 'of thecam member 31 strikes a sloping surface 40 of one of the teeth in theiset 26, this cam member 31 is moved angularly into the dotted line position, o

in a slot provided between a pair of teeth 28. Due to the sloping surface 40,the entire head assembly is given a rotation corresponding to theangular displacement of the teeth 28 from teeth'29.

It is apparent that when the headis retracted by gravity, the lower portion of the curved cam surface of cam member 31 contacts the sloping surface 4! of the next tooth 29 in the set of teeth 2?, and another limited angular motion in the same direction is imparted to the sprinkler head structure.

The spacing between-the tips of one set'of teeth 23 and the opposingtips of the set 27 is smaller than the height of the cam extremity31. Thus at no time is it possible to impart unlimited'continuous rotation to the sprinkler head structure.

Instead, it is necessary to move the bowl I in an axial direction to accomplish the limited angularmotion.

Upon alternate periods of activity of the sprin-,

kler head structure, this structure is given a step by-step rotation. The rate at which the sprinkler head makes a complete rotation depends upon the frequency 'of the periods of activity. 'By-appropriate mechanism not herein shown, the fre quency of operation can be quite large, so that the head structure I is rotated over a complete circle within a reasonably short period.

.In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs.

6, 7 and 8, substantiallythe same type of mech-,, anism is provided for imparting limited angular vided with the outwardly extending flange 47;"70

over which is disposed the packing or sealing ring 38. As before, water admitted through the pipe 45 and member 43 will create a force against the lower surface 49 of the cover .56 to cause the,

head 42 to be projected upwardly by an amount corresponding to the distance between the flange 46 and flange 48. When the water supply is insets and 52 are supported in a tubular mem-' ber 56, as by a press fit, or otherwise, the inner surface of this tubular member contacting closely with the outer annular surface of the teeth. These sets of teeth are kept in appropriate spaced position by providing a series of projections 54 in the flange 53, which are accommodated in c appropriate slots in the top edge of the sleeve 56 and by the provisionof similar projections 51 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) extending radially from the flange 55. In this way the appropriate axial and annular spacings of the teeth are assured. The flange 55 can furthermore be made integral with the support 44, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6. The projections 51 on the lower flange 55 are radially extended beyond the projections 54. This is for the purpose of making it possible conveniently to apply a wrench to these projections 51, for assembling support 44 on pipe 45.

The bowl 42 carries a pair of

projections

59 and 60 having the curved cam surfaces 6|, as indicated in Fig. 8. This cam surface cooperates with the sloping tooth surfaces in the same manner as described in connection with the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1.

In this case the top flange 50 of the bowl 42 simply rests upon the flange 53. The

projections

59 and 60 effectively prevent, as before, any free rotation of the sprinkler head structure.

What is claimed is:

1. A sprinkler head, a support for the head, said head having a member movable with respect to the support for raising and retracting said head with respect to an axis, said head having an inlet for a liquid and one or more discharge nozzles, and arranged to be held in elevated position with respect to the support by liquid pressure during periods of activity, and to be retracted during periods of inactivity, and means for imparting limited progressive angular motion of the head about said axis for each cycle of operation of the head, comprising cam means operated by the axial movement of the head with respect to its support.

2. A sprinkler head, a rotary mounting for the head, said head being arranged to receive and discharge a liquid under pressure during its periods of activity, said mounting having telescoping parts to permit the head to have' limited axial motion, and means for imparting limited angular motion to the head, comprising a transverse member having a cam surface, and an annular member having a series of teeth cooperating with the cam surface, one of said members being carried by the head, and the other being stationary.

3. A sprinkler head, a rotary mounting for the head, said head being arranged to receive and discharge a liquid under pressure during its periods of activity, said mounting having telescoping parts to permit the head to have limited axial motion, and means for imparting limited angular motion to the head, comprising a pair of annular spaced members having opposed teeth, and a transverse member having a cam surface in spaced opposed cooperating with the teeth, upon axial motion of the head. I

4. A sprinkler head, a rotary mounting for the head, said head being arranged to receive and discharge a liquid under pressure during its periods of activity, said mounting having telescoping parts to permit the head to have limited axial motion, and means for imparting limited angular motion to the head, comprising a pair of sets of annularly arranged relation, and a member transverse to the head and having a cam surface cooperating with the teeth upon axial motion of the head.

teeth, said sets being 10 5. A sprinkler head, said head having an axial1y extending tubular member, a support adapted to be connected to a source of liquid, and with which said tubular member is in telescopic relation, said tubular member serving as an inlet conduit into the head, said head also having a nozzle StILlC-i ture for discharging the liquid from the head, the liquid pressure during periods of activity of the head serving to urge the head and the tubular member in an axial direction, and cam means operating upon axial motion of the head with respect to the support, for imparting a limited angular motion to the head.

6. A sprinkler head, said head having an axially extending tubular member, a support adapted to be connected to a source of liquid, and with which said tubular member is in telescopic relation, said tubular member serving as an inlet conduit into the head, said head also having a nozzle structure for discharging the liquid from the head, the liquid pressure during periods of activity of the head serving to urge the head and the tubular member in an axial direction, and means operating upon axial motion of the head with respect to the support, for imparting a limited angular motion to the head, comprising a toothed member having teeth annularly arranged around said axis, and a cooperating member having a cam surface for engaging the teeth.

'7. A sprinkler head, a rotary mounting for the head, said head being arranged to receive and discharge a liquid under pressure during its periods of activity, and means whereby for each period of activity, a limited progressive angular motion is imparted to the head, comprising a pair of sets of teeth arranged annularly around the head axis, the teeth of one set being axially as well as angularly spaced from the teeth in the other set, and a member relatively movable axially from between a pair of teeth in one set, to between a pair of teeth in the other set.

8. A sprinkler head, said head having an axially extending tubular member, a support adapted to be connected to a source of liquid, and with Which said tubular member is in telescopic relation, said tubular member serving as an inlet conduit into the head, said head also having a nozzle structure for discharging the liquid from the head, the liquid pressure during periods of activity of the head serving to urge the head and the tubular member in an axial direction, and means operating, upon axial motion of the head with respect to"the support, for imparting a limited angular motion to the head, comprising a pair of sets of teeth, arranged annularly around the axis, the teeth of one set being axially .ly extending tubular member, a supportadapted conduit into the head, said head also having a ,nozzle structure for discharging the liquid .from

the head, the liquid pressure during periods of activity of the head serving to urge the head and the tubular member in an axial direction,

and means operating upon axial motion of the head with respect to the support, for imparting a limited angular motion to the head, comprising a -member carried by the head and extending transversely to the axis and below the head,,and a pair of spaced annular sets of teeth carried by the support and in opposed relation to each other, the slots between the teeth serving to accommodate the ends of the transverse member, the teeth of one set being angularly displaced from the teeth of the other set.

10. A sprinkler head, said head ,having an axially extending tubular member, a supportadapted to be connected to a source of liquid, and with which said tubular member is in telescopic relation, said tubular member serving as an inlet conduit'into the head, said head also having a nozzle structure for discharging the liquid from the head, the liquid pressure vduring periods of activity of the head serving to urge the head and the tubular member in an axial direction, and means operating upon axial motion of the head with respect to the support, for imparting a limited angular motion to the head, comprising one or more projections carried by the head, a tubular stationary shell extending around the head, and a pair of sets of teeth supported inside the shell and in opposed axially and angularly spaced relation, the projections .being accommodated in'the slots between the teeth.

PATRICK DE LACY-MULHALL.