US2696713A

US2696713A - Automatic dam

Info

Publication number: US2696713A
Application number: US186091A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry D Bentrup
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-09-21
Filing date: 1950-09-21
Publication date: 1954-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 1971-12-14

Description

.AUIOMA'IIC um Dec. 14, 11954 H. o. BEN-TRUE Filed Sim. 21. .1950

2 Sheets-Sheet 1;

IN VEN TOR. Hen'ry D. BenfruP ATTORNEY "Dem 14, 1954 H. D. BENTRUP 2,696,713

AUTOMATIC DAM Filed Sept. 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla-3 ATT ORNEY United States Patent fi 2,696,713 Patented Dec. 14, 1954 AUTOMATIC DAM Henry D. Bentrup, Deerfield, Kans.

Application September 21, 1950, Serial No. 186,091

8 Claims. (Cl. 61 -29) The present invention relates to an automatic dam for use, for example, in irrigation ditches and the like, one of the important objects of the invention being to provide a more efiiclent and more easily operated device or assembly of this nature which provides for a more positive and reliable release of the stream-damming member or curtam to its operative position in a ditch at a predetermined time, and for the secured holding of the dam assembly in position in a ditch whereby leakage of and flow of water past the darn curtain is substantially eliminated.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide means in such a dam which holds the leading edge of the dam curtain on the ditch bottom and which also conforms the leading edge to any uneven places or irregular surfaces present in the ditch bottom.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a new and novel device of the aforesaid character which is relatively simple in the construction and association of its component parts whereby the device can be produced in a serviceable and attractive form at relatively low cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved dam assembly including a flexible curtain, having manually-set or adjusted means capable of automatieally releasing the flexible curtain of the assembly at a predetermined time to permit it to move from its inoperative, or out-of-use position above the water level in the irrigation ditch, to its operative position within said ditch.

Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein, for purposes of illustration only, a specific embodiment of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. l is a general top plan view showing the said embodiment in position relative to an irrigation ditch, and

water distributing openings in the sides of the ditch above the dam;

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing'the dam curtain in raised inoperative position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the dam curtain in elevated inoperative position in full lines, and in depressed operative position in broken lines;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail view, partly broken away, showing the set position of the dam curtain re easing means;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the curtain releasing means in released position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of j the clock o erated mechanism, showing the same in engaged position; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional detail taken on the line 7--7 of Fig. 2.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It is to be understood also that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 7.

generally designates an irrigation ditch in which water 8 flows in the direction of the arrow 9 in Figures 1 and 3. As shown, the ditch 7 has flow openings 10 cut in its opposite banks 11 to a level below the top of the water 8, which are partially closed by light tampings of earth 12 positioned below the tops 13 of the banks 11 which are easily washed out by water from the ditch 7 upon a rise of the water 8 when the ditch 7 is dammed at a desired time at a point beyond the openings 10, so that water can flow through the cuts 10.

In accordance with the present invention such damming of the ditch 7 is automatically produced by placing across the ditch 7 on the downstream side of the cuts, a component A and below it a component B, the two components being operatively associated with a stream-damming member which may be in the form of a flexible curtain C positioned therebetween.

The component A, being the dam curtain releasing mechanism, preferably comprises a fiat bar or plank 14 long enough to have adequate support on and extend between the ditch banks 11 and wide enough to eliminate sidewise tipping of the bar 14. A set of hinges 15 are positioned along the downstream edge 16 of the bar 14, each such hinge 15 involving a leaf 17 secured on the top of the bar 14, a leaf 18 secured to the side 19 of a substantially square release bar 20, with the pin barrels 21 and the cooperating hinge pin 22 extending over the edge 16. as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The hinges 15 are preferably of the spring type, with the coiled springs 23 thereof functioning to bias the bar 20 toward the de pressed dam curtain releasing position, shown in Fig. 5, from the set dam curtain holding position, shown in Fi 4.

The side of the bar 20 opposite the side 19 is formed with verticalsockets 28 spaced therealong in a longitudinal row. The leading edge 29 of the dam curtain C'has fixed thereon at intervals corresponding in position to the sockets 28, the oval weights 30 which have stems 31 projecting therefrom. In the set position of the release bar 20 the weight stems 31 are loosely inserted in the sockets 28, as shown in Fig. 4, whereby the leading edge 29 of the darn curtain C is suspended in elevated inoperative position in the ditch 7 above the water 8, as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. The trailing edge 32 of the dam curtain C is secured in suitable manner to a bar 33 constituting the component B, and which straddles the ditch 7 at a suitable distance downstream from the component A. Adjustable and preferably double cords 34 are secured to opposite ends of the leading edge 29 of the darn curtain C by passing each of them through a grommet 29a (see Fig. 1). Knots 34a are then formed in the doubled cords. The knots are spaced, as shown, and are adapted to be engaged with hooks. or the like on the end portions of the bar 14. The doubled cords 34 preferably have enough slack to let the leading edge of the dam curtain reach the bottom 35 of the ditch 7. while controlling the, position of the darn curtain. They permit the weights 30 to overcome floating tendencies of the dam curtain and to conform the leading edge 29 to any unevenness in the ditch bottom, thereby sealing off the flow of water past the dam curtain C. By providing the doubled cords 34 with the spaced knots 34a, it will be understood that the dam curtain can be adjusted properly for irrigation ditches. or the like of various depths, it being important, of course, that the leading or lower edge 29 of said flexible curtain lie against the bottom or bed of the ditch and conform to any irregularities in said bottom or ditch.

The release mechanism which in its set position holds the release bar in the position of Fig. 4 comprises a suitable clock mechanism such as an alarm clock 36. fixed on the top of the bar 14 behind the bar 20 and having an alarm winding key 37 projecting therefrom. As shown in Fig. 6, the key 37 has on one end a hooklike portion 38. attached to the key in any suitable manner, asby welding. A trigger rod 39 is loosely pivoted at one end on an eye 40 secured in the top of the bar 14, as indicated at 41, so that the rod 39 can lean at a forward angle and engage its upper end 42 with the hook 38 and thereby be retained against falling in a forward and down- This member or portion 38 may be ward direction whenthevkeyh 37 .is positionedwith .the

hook 38 in a forward position, as shown in Fig. 6.

The trigger or trip rod 39 has an eye 43 near its upper end. with which is connectedthe rearward end of a flexible cord, or cable 14..-.The cord .44 is. strung downwardly from the eye 43 and. forwardly throughan eye 45 fixedin the top, of the bar :14 and forwardly at an upward angle, where its forward. end. is connected to. an eye 46 fixed 1n the side 27 of the. release bar. 29, :the lengthof the cord 44 being suchthat ,the release :bar'

is, held in theset dam curtain retaininglposition-of Fig. 4.

Assuming that the alarm mechanism .(not shown). of

the clock 36 hasbeen. wound and set to go ,off at a selectedtime, when it goesn off, the key 37 willbe caused to rotate out of'the set position at such-time. In so d ing, a

the keyhook 38 moves away from the-upper endof the rod 39.= This freesvthe rod 39 and sl ckens the cord 44 so that the'resistance to the springs 23 is removed. and.-

the springs 23 then act to overturn .or swing the bar 29 forwardly and downwardly to the release position of i Fig. 5, whereupon the-weightstems 31 fall out of the sockets Y28 and theleadingedve 29 of the damcurtain C fallsto the bottom 35 of the ditch-7 and dams-the downstream flow of water therein, This causes the water 8 to rise behindthe darn. curtain C and" wash out the fillings 12, therebyflowing watertherethr u h. -A weath er-proof box-like casing 47 may be provided to rest upon the bar 14 and enclose the clock. 36 andtriggerrod 39...-

I claim: 1. In an automatic dam disposed in an irrigati n ditch or the like, a flexible'dam-curtain havingtrailing and leading edges. a first support for the curtain comprising a bar to wh ch the tr i ing-edge of the curtain is attached straddllng the irrigation ditch and res ing upon its banks. a second supporting bar t hich the leadingedge of the curtainyis attached straddling ltheiirrigation dltCh and restmg'uponits banks atooints spaced-fr m the firstsupport weight means attached to said leadingi edge for depressing said leading-edge towardthe ditch? bottom -whensaidedQe-isreleasedfr m-said second supporting bar, means hingedly attached-to; the :second supporting bar and releasablv connecting the wei ht -means with -said' secondsupporting ban-and means carried by the second sup orting bar for turning said hin edly.-,attachedmeans into position to re ease the wei ht means at a predetermined-time topermitsthe weighted leading.

ed e-of thedam curtain to movezinto COl'liIflCtjWiththC ditch bottom.

2. Structureaecording to claim l',- wherein saidnseca.

ond. supporting bar 'is disposedupstreamfrom said-.first support'bar, and whereinspring-actuated hinge memhers interconnect-the hingedly attached means ands'aid second supporting bar 3. A flexibleautomatically-releaseddarn curtain assembly for-a lication to an irrigation ditch adapted .to.

straddleth'e ditch and rest upon the opposite banks there of, comprising-a flexible=curtain having trailing and lead ing ed es and spaced supp rt me hersltmwhi htthe trai ins: and leading'ed es ofthe fiexibletcurt inare attached;

the leading dge Of=saidci1rtoin being rele s' bly secured a to lts su ort'member, 'Wei zhtmembers disposed atthe lead ng ed e of s 1d-curtainrandmeans carried by the sunporttor the leading edge ofthe curtain'f r releasing said... leading ed e at apredetermined. timewherebyato per:

mit -the wei ht memberst lower "the curtain and move said ed e into contact with the b ttom: 10f the irrigationditchto-cause the dammin of waterthe einwv 4. An automaticdam ass mb v f r use wi h an irrigatl n dltPh. comprising afie i le-dam curtain h ving '7 trailingrand-leadiniz edges. a'ditchstraddling memberffor supportin the trailing-ed e ofi s i lcurtainwi h relationto the di ch. a secondditchstraddlinmmember for supporting the leading edgeof the curtain with relation to the ditch and .beingspaced fr mthe first-named di ch stradd ing member, a re ease bar carried by the ditch straddling member f r the leadingedge of the curtain,

weight members carried by said-leadingtcurtain edgeand bemg;removablvqsuooorted b the rele se bar. s ring means associated with sa1d-release bar for moving said bar at a predetermined time to freethe remoyablysupported-weiohts-and the leading edge of the curtain'and release mechanism operatively connected to, the relea.se

bar for releasing the same. 5. A stream-damming member normally supported above the flow of the stream in an irrigation ditch and having leading and trailing edges, spaced supporting members spanning the ditch for supporting said edges of the stream-damming member, said supporting members being located at points remote from each other and being spaced apart a distance corresponding to approximately the length of the stream-damming member, automatically actuated meansoperativelyconnected to said stream-damming member and maintained upon .One of the supportingmembers for lowering said stream-damming member into-adepending position in the-.stream at a predetermined time, said automatically actuated means including a hingedly-mountedibar to which the leading edge of the stream-damming member is releasably attached, and mechanism for moving the hingedlymounted bar'into apositionto free said'leading edge.

6. A flexible stream-'dammingcurta'in normallysupported -aboutthe flow ofthe stream in an irrigation ditch, spaced supporting members spanning the ditch. for supporting thestream-damming curtain, said supporting members being located at'points' remote from each other, automaticall-y'actuated means operatively connected to said flexible curtain and carried by a supporting member for'lowering'said curtain" into .adependmg position in the stream :at a'predetermined' time, the lower edge of said curtain resting upon the bottom of the ditch, sa1d automatically actuated: means including a spring-con trolled hingedly rnounted bar'to which the lower edge of the curtain is releasablyattached, and mechanism for moving the spring=controlled hingedlymounted bar into a position to free said lower edge." 1:

7. The combination with an irrigation ditch having second support member straddling the'ditch and spaced upstream from said first: bar-like support member,'weight I means attached'to the leadingedge of said curtain for carrying the leading' edgeof thecurtain'to the bottom of the .ditch'When released fr'om an elevated position.

andreleasing mechanism on said second' support member comprising means to which said leading edgeis releasably. s connected, said means occupying aset posltion in which said leading; edge is supported in an elevated 'pos1t1on and; being adapted to' occupy another position in which saidleading-edge is. freed to enable said weight means to carry the leading edgeof the dam curtain to the bottom of the ditch.

8. The combination 'with .an irrigation ditchhaving banks. .of .a dam comprising a flexible damcurtain having a leading edge and a trailing edge, afirst sup orfstraddling the .ditchandresting upon the banks to which the trai ing edge of the curtain is secured, a second support straddling the ditch and spaced upstream from said first support, weight means on the leading edge of said curtain arranged to carry the leading edge 'of the curtain to the bottom of the ditch' when' released from an elevated position,

releasing-mechanism on said second support comprising a memberto whi h said'leading edge'is'releasably con-" nes ed, s id member'bein arranaed'to occupy a set position in which said-leading edge is supported in an elevated position and to occupy'another positiomon which said leading ed e is freed'to enab e sa1d weight means to carry the le din edge of the dam curtain'to position; f r re ease upon the expiration'of a 'oredetermined period of time and arr nged 'to'freesaid bar for m vement thereafter to its release position, and spring hinge mea s. for s in ably interconnectingand acting between'said second sup rt and said bar for moving said bar into its release position.

Number N me Date 2 6.2 8 Osterhout' Jan. 1 11 2 .6 Rrads 'iawet al S pt. 27. 1 81 l. 2.7" 3 Me denhall et al Feb. 23, 1915 1,237,107 Shaffer Lat. Aug 14, 1917*